Confessions of a Foodie

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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Tuesday Recipes

Here are today's six recipes. Enjoy!

SIMPLE BARBECUE SAUCE

This comes from John Willoughby in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. John wrote, “Smoked paprika is the secret weapon in this simple barbecue sauce, which goes beautifully with pork and chicken. If you’re painting the sauce onto cooking meat, thin it out with water to about a one-to-one ratio, which will keep the sugars from burning too quickly over the fire. Serve the full-strength stuff alongside the finished meat.” Time: 10 minutes; makes about 1 1/2 cups.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2/3 cup ketchup

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.

QUICK AND SPICY TOMATO SOUP

This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of The Food Network’s Everyday Italian. Total Time: 22 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 12 min; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/quick-and-spicy-tomato-soup-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (recommended: San Marzano brand)

2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any small pasta)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve.

SERVINGS: 4 (MAIN); Calories: 430; Total Fat: 16 grams; Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 15 grams; Total carbohydrates: 59 grams; Sugar: 3 grams Fiber: 10 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 1,976 milligrams

4-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CAKE

This is from Cheeky Kitchen, who blogs for Tablespoon.com, as well as a few other sites. She wrote, “This clever cake calls for just a few basic ingredients, and raspberries on top. Chocolate, eggs and Betty Crocker chocolate frosting come together for a flour-free cake that’s outta this world rich, creamy, and delicious!” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; makes 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 (13 oz) package dark chocolate chips

3/4 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting

8 eggs, room temperature

1 cup raspberries

1/4 cup powdered sugar for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325ºF.

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and frosting together until smooth. Spoon into a stand mixer and add 2 eggs at a time until all eggs have been added. Turn to high and beat for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.

Spoon into a 7" cake pan that has been lined and rimmed with parchment paper. Place this cake pan into a large baking dish and carefully fill the outside baking dish with 1" of water. Be careful to not get any water inside your cake pan.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, or just until the center of the cake sets. Remove and refrigerate until the cake is completely cool. Gently remove the cake from the cake pan by turning it upside-down on a serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with raspberries just before serving.

BAKED LEMON CHICKEN

This is from The Food Network Kitchen. Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr 10 min; Yield: 4 servings

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/baked-lemon-chicken-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

One 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces, patted dry

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Flour for dredging

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

Peel of half a lemon, white pith removed, cut into very thin strips

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves

1 tablespoon honey

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup chicken broth, homemade or canned low-sodium

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in the flour and pat off the excess. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the chicken skin-side down and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and reserve. Discard the oil and wipe the pan out with a paper towel. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and heat over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the lemon zest, garlic, and rosemary, and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the honey, lemon juice, and broth, increase the heat and bring to a simmer.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onions to a 9- by 13-inch ovenproof casserole, and spread them out. Arrange the chicken, skin-side up in a single layer on the onions. Pour the cooking liquid over the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in the oven, basting every 15 minutes, until cooked through, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

GARDEN VEGETABLE LASAGNA

This comes from the FamilyTime e-newsletter, and begins, “Easy-to-assemble layers of cooked noodles, vegetables and creamy cheeses mingle with a rich, chunk-style pasta sauce make dinner extra special tonight or any night.” Serves: 8 servings (about 1 1/4 cups each); Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Times: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)

2 eggs

4 medium carrots, shredded (about 2 cups)

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained

9 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained

1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Chunky Garden Combination Italian Sauce

grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, eggs, carrots and broccoli in a medium bowl and set it aside.

Place 3 lasagna noodles in greased 3-quart shallow baking dish.Top with half of the vegetable mixture and 1 cup of the sauce. Repeat the layers.Top with the remaining lasagna noodles and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve with the Parmesan cheese.

CREAMY WHITE BEAN ROSEMARY SOUP

This comes from The Baker Chick (otherwise known as Audra). If you haven’t signed up for her e-newsletter, I highly recommend it. This recipe yields 4-6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 15 oz cans white cannellini or great northern beans rinsed and drained.

4 cups sliced yellow onions (from 2 large onions)

1/4 cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 large branch fresh rosemary off the stem

1 1/2 quarts chicken stock

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cayenne pepper to taste (optional)

Bacon for topping

Instructions

In a 5-6 qt. large stock pot or dutch oven heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the onions and cook for about 15 minutes- or until soft and golden. Add the garlic and cook for another few minutes.

Add the beans, broth, rosemary, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for about 20 minutes. Use an immersion blender, food processor, or regular blender to purée the soup until smooth. Add cayenne pepper to taste. Top with crispy bacon.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Meatless Monday

Here are today's six recipes to start your week off. Enjoy!

FRAGRANT FRENCH ONION SOUP

From that infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. For several years, I'd been on several recipe emailing lists where people shared their favorite recipes with others. While I kind-of miss those days, since list-members would become friendly, and know that Sue would always post holiday recipes, while John posted what he was fixing for Sunday dinner...This recipe starts off, "A classic that’s so simple, you’ll wonder what you did before you started serving this staple soup." Makes 4 servings

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil or water

2-3 large onions, sliced

1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

4 cups water

1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari

4 slices French bread, toasted, or croutons

Heat the oil or water in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir until the onions are well coated. Add the water and soy sauce or tamari and stir well. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and simmer, covered, until the onions are tender. Add more water if the soup becomes too thick.

Serve in individual bowls topped with the French bread or croutons.

VEGETABLE POT PIE

This comes from Delish. It begins, “Making from-scratch pot pie may seem fussy, but using store-bought puff pastry cuts the cooking time in half.” Total Time: 40 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 leek, cut into 1/2" pieces

2 large carrots, chopped

kosher salt

Black pepper

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 c. vegetable broth

3/4 c. whole milk

2 c. frozen peas

8 oz. Mushrooms, sliced

1 russet potato, diced

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp. water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and cook thyme, garlic, leeks, and carrots. Cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Generously season with salt and pepper. Add flour and continuously whisk until golden and well incorporated. Add vegetable broth and milk alternatively, whisking until mixture is smooth.

Bring pot to a boil and add peas, mushrooms, and potatoes. Cook 10 to 15 minutes until mixture begins to thicken. Transfer to a pie or casserole dish.

Carefully roll out puff pastry with rolling pin to smooth any creases. (If pastry cracks, dab with a little water and roll to keep together.) Lay pastry over dish and trim any excess dough. Tuck pastry into filling and cover completely. Cut steam vents in top of pastry with a sharp knife. Brush all over with egg wash.

Place baking dish on a baking sheet and bake until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

SMOKEY BLACK BEAN STEW

This comes from Matthew Kadey's “One-Pot Wonder” in the December 2012 issue of Runners' World, page 37. The article begins, “After a cold run there’s nothing better than sitting down to a hot meal, ideally one that’s easy to prepare. Indeed, without much time or effort you can produce flavorful results using just one pot, says chef Biju Thomas, coauthor of The Feed Zone Cookbook. Add lean proteins, whole grains, and vegetables, and 'one-pot meals supply all the nutrients runners need for training and recovery.' And, says Thomas, because you consume all the liquids in one-pot recipes, 'you don’t lose any nutrients that leach out during cooking.' These five recipes (each of which serves four) take 40 minutes or less to prepare and, once you get them going, require little more than stirring. Make one before you run, and heat upon return for a tasty reward.”

To view this online, go to http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-for-runners/easy-one-pot-postrun-meals.2 teaspoons canola oil

1 onion, diced

1 carrot, sliced

2 15-ounce cans drained black beans

1 28-ounce can diced tomates

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1 cup sliced roasted red pepper

1 Tablespoon minced canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce

1 teaspoon cumin

salt and pepper

Zest of 1 orange

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

diced avocado

Heat oil in a pot. Cook onion and carrot for 5 minutes. Add black beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, roasted red pepper, chipotle pepper, cumin, and salt and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes. Stir in orange zest and fresh thyme. Serve with avocado.

GREENS QUICHE

This comes from Tara Parker-Pope, also from The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Tara wrote, "The vegan chef Lindsay S. Nixon is giving Well readers a sneak peek at her new cookbook, 'Everyday Happy Herbivore: Over 175 Quick-and-Easy Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes.' Nixon says, 'I developed this recipe to save a bunch of greens that were languishing in my fridge. It’ll work with any leafy greens you have on hand, particularly sturdy greens like kale, chard and collards, and although it’s crustless, it firms up nicely so you can cut perfect pieces. Who knew wilty leftovers could taste so good?'" Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015471-greens-quiche.

Ingredients

1 pound extra-firm tofu

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon onion powder (granulated)

1 teaspoon garlic powder (granulated)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

4 cups chopped greens

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a shallow 9-inch pie dish and set aside.

Combine all ingredients, except greens, in a food processor or blender and whiz until smooth and creamy, stopping to break up chunks and scrape the sides as necessary.

Mix in greens, and transfer batter to a pie dish.

Using a spatula, spread the mixture around so it’s even and tight.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden and the center is firm (not mushy).

Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing (serving at room temperature is best).

Tip: Make ahead: You can make and store the mixture in an airtight container until you’re ready to bake, or bake the quiche a day or two ahead of time and gently reheat in your oven on warm for 10 to 20 minutes.

SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS

This comes from the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 59. The recipes starts off, “Right from the start, the originality and flavor profile of this recipe made it a standout for VT taste testers. 'My wife and I eat this dish a lot in the fall and winter months. We make it when we're having guests (vegetarian and not) because we know everyone will enjoy it,' explains James McNulty. 'It can be made the night before and it travels well, so it's great for a potluck or a holiday party.'” Serves 8 (makes 16 enchiladas)

To view this online, click here.

Sauce

1 15-oz. can tomato sauce

1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

1 tsp. ancho chile powder

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder

Filling

1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, diced (1 cup)

1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (3 cups)

1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

1 16-oz. jar prepared medium salsa

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced

1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 12-oz. round queso fresco, divided

Enchiladas

extra virgin olive oil, for brushing baking dish

16 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed

2 limes, cut into wedges

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish

Cilantro sprigs, for garnish, optional

To make Sauce: Bring all ingredients to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

To make Filling: Heat oil in separate saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, salsa, garlic, chipotle chile, and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft. Mash mixture with potato masher until combined. Add black beans, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in half of queso fresco, and remove from heat.

To assemble Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Brush 13- x 9-inch baking dish with oil. Spread 1/2 cup Sauce in bottom of dish. Fill tortillas with Filling. Roll, and pack close together seam-side down in baking dish. Top with remaining Sauce and queso fresco. Bake 15 minutes.

Adjust oven to broil. Broil Enchiladas 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro sprigs, if using.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 enchiladas): Calories: 435; Protein: 13 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 963 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 11 g; Gluten-Free

FRENCH LENTIL SOUP WITH ROASTED TOMATOES & PEPPERS

This comes from Seattle's Macrina Bakery. The recipe starts off, “This soup is a perfect comfort food on a drizzly Seattle day. We like to serve it in our cozy café with a few slices of crostini topped with goat cheese and a drizzle of good olive oil. It is pictured here with our Rustic Potato Roll. French green lentils are usually available in specialty shops and some supermarkets. If you can’t find French green lentils at your favorite market, you can substitute regular lentils.” Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

4 Roma tomatoes

3/4 cup olive oil

Kosher Salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

10 garlic cloves

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 celery rib, diced

1-1/2 Tbsp ground cumin

1-1/2 Tbsp ground coriander seeds

1-1/2 cups French green lentils*

8 to 10 cups vegetable stock

1 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

*Available in specialty shops and some supermarkets.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Wash and core the tomatoes, then cut them into 12 pieces each. Combine chopped tomatoes and 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a bowl and toss together. Pour tomatoes onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Season with salt and pepper and roast on center rack of oven for about 15 minutes. Set aside.

Place 7 of the garlic cloves and another 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook until cloves are tender, approximately 15 minutes. Swirl the pan occasionally to keep the cloves from sticking to the pan. Transfer cooked garlic cloves to a small bowl and mash into a paste. Set aside.

Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of the olive oil into a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add diced onion, red bell peppers and celery. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes over medium-low heat to sweat the vegetables, stirring occasionally. The onions will become translucent. Finely dice the 3 remaining garlic cloves and add to the soup pot along with the cumin and coriander. Continue cooking over medium-low heat for 1 minute or until garlic smells sweet but is not brown.

Add roasted tomatoes, mashed garlic, lentils and 8 cups of the vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer. Cook soup for 45 to 50 minutes or until lentils are tender, adding more stock if needed. If foam gathers on the surface of the soup, remove it with a spoon. Before serving, add parsley and thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Friday Recipes

Enjoy!

FLAKY BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Melissa writes, “To make theses biscuits into shortcakes, just split the biscuits, spoon on your favorite fruit (either sugared or plain), and dollop with whipped cream. Or just eat the biscuits for breakfast with butter. Classic and quick to bake; you can’t go wrong.” Time: 30 minutes; Makes 10 to 12 biscuits

To view these online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

1 cup buttermilk, chilled

Preparation

Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

In a bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, sugar and salt. Using a pastry cutter or fork, quickly cut in 8 tablespoons butter until it forms pea-size crumbs and is uniformly mixed it (for flaky biscuits you want the butter to remain cold). Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in buttermilk. Stir together until it just forms a moist, slightly tacky dough.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 2 or 3 times, then pat out into a 3/4-inch-thick round. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut the biscuits. Twisting the cutter prevents proper rising; to prevent sticking, dip the cutter lightly in flour between biscuits. Do not re-roll the scraps, but pat them together and cut into rounds. Transfer biscuits to the baking sheet.

Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Brush butter lightly over the tops of biscuits. Bake until puffed and golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

CITRUS CHICKEN

This is from Mark Bittman, also in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “This take on the humble chicken breast yields a dish that is at once crisp and moist, tangy and sweet. You can use bone-in chicken breasts, but you'll need to adjust your cooking time by a few minutes.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

4 boneless chicken breasts

Salt and black pepper

1/4 cup flour

1 large orange

2 limes

1 tablespoon sugar

Directions

Put a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 or 3 minutes. Add olive oil and butter to the skillet and swirl it around.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Put flour on a plate. When the butter foam subsides in the pan, dredge the chicken in flour, shaking to remove the excess.

Add the breasts to the skillet and cook, turning once, until the chicken is browned on both sides and nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. (Chicken should be constantly sizzling but not burning.) Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

Cut the orange in half. Section one of the halves as you would a grapefruit, removing any seeds. Juice the remaining orange half and one lime.

With the heat still on medium-high, add the orange juice, lime juice and sugar to the skillet and let it bubble, stirring, until it is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.

Add the orange sections to the skillet and turn heat to low, stirring, until mixture is slightly thickened.

Return the chicken to the skillet, turn it in the sauce, then serve, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Cut the remaining lime into wedges for garnish.

FOUR-CHEESE STUFFED SHELLS

This comes from Delish, and begins, “Not to sound cheesy, but we've fallen in love with these stuffed shells.” Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

15 jumbo pasta shells

1 1/2 c. ricotta

1 c. Italian cheese blend, plus more for sprinkling

1 egg

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 stick butter

1 c. heavy cream

1/2 c. grated Parmesan

Fresh basil, torn, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta shells until al dente. Drain, then let cool.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together ricotta, Italian cheese blend, egg, and season with salt and pepper. Stuff mixture into shells.

In a saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add cream and bring to a simmer, then stir in Parmesan. Season with pepper.

Pour 2/3 of the sauce into an oven-proof skillet or baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top of sauce and spoon remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle with more cheese.

Bake until cheesy and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with basil and serve.

APPLE RUTABAGA SOUP

This comes from Brett Moore, About.com's Gourmet Food expert. He wrote, "Here's a beautiful comfort soup from Chef Patrick O'Connell (The Inn at Little Washington). Delicious and complex flavors with a velvety texture. Perfect for those cold winter days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 stick (1/4 pound) butter

1 cup onion, roughly chopped

1 cup Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped

1 cup rutabaga, peeled and roughly chopped

1 cup butternut squash, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped

1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

1 cup sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped

1 quart good chicken stock

2 cups heavy cream

1/4 cup maple syrup

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, apple, rutabaga, squash, carrots and sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until all of the vegetables are cooked through and tender.

Puree the vegetables in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into the same pot you used to cook the vegetables. Add the cream, maple syrup, salt and cayenne pepper.

Return the pot to the stove, bring the soup to a simmer, and serve.

CHICKEN GNOCCHI WITH BROWNED BUTTER

This comes from Tablespoon.com. It starts off, “This easy gnocchi skillet comes together quickly in a single pan!” Yummy, simple: what's not to love?

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi

1/4 cup butter

4 cups baby spinach leaves or chopped kale leaves, stems removed

1 can (15.25 oz) Green Giant™ whole kernel sweet corn, drained

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook chicken breasts in oil 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until golden brown and juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Transfer to cutting board; let rest 5 minutes. Cut into slices.

Make gnocchi in boiling water as directed on package; drain.

Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat; continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until butter is golden brown in color.

Add gnocchi, spinach and corn to skillet, cooking 3 to 5 minutes or until gnocchi is golden brown and spinach is slightly wilted. Add chicken, and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or just until heated through. Top with Parmesan cheese just before serving.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TORTE

Serves: 12

See the recipe here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/957.shtml

Ingredients

Torte Ingredients:

6 tablespoons stick butter or margarine

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup fat-free milk

1/3 cup sugar-free apricot preserves or apricot spreadable fruit

2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

3 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

Rich Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate

1 tablespoon stick butter or margarine

Whipped topping, fresh raspberries, and/or fresh mint (optional)

* May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Torte, heat 6 tablespoons butter, 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, milk, preserves and coffee crystals in small saucepan, whisking frequently until chocolate is almost melted.

Remove pan from heat; continue whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Whisk in egg yolk and vanilla. Add Equal, whisking until smooth.

Lightly grease bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan and line with parchment or waxed paper. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar to stiff peaks in large bowl. Fold chocolate mixture into egg whites; fold in combined flour and salt. Pour cake batter into pan.

Bake in preheated 350 F oven 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Carefully loosen side of cake from pan with small sharp knife, which will keep cake from cracking as it cools. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

For Rich Chocolate Glaze, melt 1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in small saucepan, stirring frequently.

Remove cake from pan and place on serving plate. Pour Rich Chocolate Glaze over top of cake, letting it run down sides. Let cake stand about 1 hour or until glaze is set. Garnish top of cake with prepared whipped topping, fresh raspberries and fresh mint, if desired. Cut cake into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 145; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 12 g; Sodium: 116 mg; Cholesterol: 36 mg; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 2 fat

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Diabetic Thursday

One of the main sources for the recipes in this blog come from Diabetic Gourmet Magazine. When I was caring for a diabetic loved one, we both found plenty of helpful articles and good recipes in this publication and their emailed newsletter. For the record, I'm not receiving any for of compensation for mentioning Diabetic Gourmet Magazine, but simply passing along what we found to be a good source of help.

And now, for today's six recipes. Enjoy!

TURKEY SCALOPPINE WITH MARSALA GLAZE

Serving size: 3-1/2 ounces of turkey, 2 to 3 slices

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26/shtml

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/722.shtml

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

1 pound boneless turkey breast, thinly sliced

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup homemade chicken broth or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup sweet marsala wine

1 clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Directions

Mix the flour with the seasoned salt and pepper in a pie plate or plastic bag. Dredge the turkey slices and shake off the excess.

Heat a large skillet and spray well with non-stick pan spray. Cook the cutlets in a single layer over medium-high heat about 2 minutes on each side, or until light tan in color. Remove the turkey to a warm platter.

Add the white wine, chicken broth, marsala, garlic, and brown sugar to the skillet. Stir, scraping any bits form the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil and reduce the sauce to about 1/2 cup.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Add to the sauce, bring to a boil, and stir in the lemon zest.

Reduce the heat. Return the turkey to the skillet. Coat with sauce to glaze, and heat thoroughly, about 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 172; Protein: 31 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 192 mg; Cholesterol: 82 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 3 g ; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 4 Very Lean Meat

BEEF RAGOUT

Yield: About 6 cups

Servings: 8 (3/4 cup) servings

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml

Ingredients

1 tablespoon margarine

2 pounds round steak or other lean beef, cut in 3/4-inch cubes

2 cups chopped onion

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup sliced green bell pepper

Directions

Heat the margarine in a large non-stick skillet. Brown the beef cubes on all sides over high heat; transfer to a large pot or Dutch oven.

Lower the heat under the skillet and add the onion and garlic; stir and cook about 5 minutes. Transfer to the large pot.

Add 1/2 cup water, the parsley, orange zest, rosemary, bay leaves, cinnamon, and salt to the large pot.

Cover and simmer 1-1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender. Add water if the mixture becomes dry. Remove the bay leaves.

Add the mushrooms and green pepper, stir, cover, and cook about 5 minutes more.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 203; Protein: 26 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 230 mg; Cholesterol: 66 mg; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 3 Lean Meat

WILD RICE MUFFINS

This recipe begins, “Wild rice adds crunchy texture and a nutritional boost to these hearty muffins.”

Yield: 12 muffins (1 per serving)

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/715.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice

2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 cup fat-free milk

4 tablespoons margarine, melted

1 egg, beaten

2 egg whites

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

Directions

Heat rice, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boiling in small saucepan; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until rice is tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Drain, if necessary, and cool.

Mix milk, margarine, egg, egg whites, and rice. Add combined all-purpose and whole wheat flour, baking powder, sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, mixing just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Spoon batter into 12 greased muffin cups.

Bake at 400 degrees until muffins are browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove from pans and cool on wire racks.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 136; Protein: 4.6 g; Fat: 4.5 g; Sodium: 494 mg; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Carbohydrates: 19.4 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 1/2 Fat

BAY AREA RICE SALAD

Yield: 6 cups (8 servings)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/728.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups chilled cooked white rice

1 cup chilled cooked wild rice

6 ounces smoked mussels or smoked bay scallops

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup diced yellow or green bell pepper

1 cup diced peeled cucumber

3 tablespoons light mayonnaise

3 tablespoons light sour cream

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

Combine the rices, mussels, peppers, and cucumber in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; mix well.

Toss with the rice mixture. Serve immediately or chill.

Serve at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 159; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 114 mg; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

PEAR CUSTARD

Yield: 2 servings

Source: Mix 'n Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/13.shtml

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/727.shtml

Ingredients

1 ripe pear, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces (1 cup)

1/2 cup fat-free milk

Sugar substitute equivalent to 1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 tablespoon walnut pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place pear pieces in 2 ramekins or small oven-proof bowls about 3x1-3/4 inches deep. Mix fat-free milk, sugar substitute, vanilla extract, and egg together and pour on top of pears.

Sprinkle walnuts on top and bake 30 minutes or until custard is firm. Remove from oven, allow to cool a few minutes, and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 135; Protein: 6 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 64 mg; Cholesterol: 108 mg; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugars: 13 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

BAKED STUFFED ONIONS WITH SPINACH FETA

Serves: 4 (1 Serving = 1/2 Stuffed Onion)

Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/362.shtml

Ingredients

2 large sweet or Spanish onions (about 1-1/2 pounds total, peeled)

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 clove garlic

One 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Place the onions in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until the onions are partially tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and cool; cut the onions in half crosswise. Scoop out the center of each onion half, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. Reserve the centers. If necessary, cut a small piece from the end of each onion shell so the shells will stand upright.

Prepare a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the onion halves in one layer with non-stick pan spray. Place the onions in the prepared dish, hollowed sides up.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Chop the reserved centers of the onions. Saute in oil with the garlic in a medium saucepan until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach, lemon juice, and pepper; cook until the liquid evaporates. Remove from the heat; stir in the bread crumbs and cheese.

Fill the onion shells with the spinach mixture. Cover with foil and bake about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 141; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 187 mg; Cholesterol: 6 mg ; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Pies!

I don't think too many people object to pies. I know I don't. Here are six pies to try for dessert – or for any time. Enjoy!

Photo: On left, two Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pies; Upper right, Apple Pie; Lower right: Cranberry Pie



GREAT-GRANDMA'S PIE CRUST

This is my great-grandma's pie crust recipe. When Mom was in college, some group had a baking contest and Mom won with a pie baked in this crust. Years later, Mom called me several times for the recipe (she'd begun to use store-bought crusts), as well as the recipes for my grandmother's (her mom's) oatmeal cookie and peanut butter cookie recipes, thus letting me know that I was/am the unofficial family-recipe-keeper.

2 cups flour (do NOT use self-rising flour; you can use almost any other kind of flour, although I use unbleached flour for this)

2/3 cup shortening (I use Crisco)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 – 4 tablespoons cold milk

Grease one or two 9-inch pie pans.

Put flour in large bowl and add shortening. Cut shortening into flour. Note: Cutting shortening is basically cutting it (yup, makes sense, right?) with two knives so that the shortening is incorporated into the flour. Take the knives, one in each hand, with the sharp part of the blades facing each other. Work them together as if you were cutting a piece of food – large veggies, etc – so that the shortening is cut up. You're finished when the shortening and flour look crumbly (for lack of a better explanation) and the shortening is fairly mixed into the flour.

Add salt to mixture and stir once or twice.

Add milk, stirring into the flour-shortening mixture. For into a ball, then cut in half. You now have enough crust for two single-crust pies or one double-crusted pie.

Take a dish towel and cover it with flour. Place half of the crust-ball onto the floured towel. Roll crust out into a circular shape. (Note: Rub flour over the work-surface of the rolling pin to make this job a lot easier.)

When you're ready to place the crust into the pie pan, place the rolling pin near the edge of the crust. Using the edge of the towel, wrap part of the crust around the rolling pin, then drop the towel. Use this method (pin-crust-towel) to move the crust to the pan.

Do the same to the second half of the crust-ball. If making two single-crust pies, put the second crust into the second pan. If it's a double-crust pie, fill the pie crust in the pan, then top with the second crust.

Bake the pie according to the pie's instructions. However, if the pie is one that doesn't need baking, bake the crust alone for 10 – 15 minutes at 325 decrees or until lightly brown.

Note: Many fruit pies call for a top crust. This can be accomplished either by putting a solid crust on top, to which a few vent holes are added, or by making a lattice pie crust. With the solid crust, the vent holes are added so that any steam from inside the pie can be released (yes, this does happen). The holes don't have to be big; in fact, I usually take a sharp knife and simply poke a few vents in several spots across the top crust.

A quick tutorial for making a lattice pie crust can be found from Carroll Pellegrinelli's blog. Carroll is About.com Desserts and Baking expert. To find her tutorial, click here.

CRANBERRY PIE

This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking, which is for sale on Amazon.com. (To buy a copy of it for your Kindle or tablet, click here.) My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”

2 T cornstarch

1 C sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 C hot water

1 C raisins

1 T butter

2 C cranberries

Pie crust

Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)

VARIATION

2 Tbls cornstarch

3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 C hot water

1 C raisins

1 T margarine

1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)

Pie crust

Make as above.

LIBBY'S FAMOUS PUMPKIN PIE

I got this from the Libby's brand canned pumpkin label.

3/4 C sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves

2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz) Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin

1 can (12 oz) Carnation Evaporated Milk

1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Beat eggs in large bowl. Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, & cloves in small bowl. Stir sugar-spice mixture & pumpkin into eggs. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour into pie shell.

Bake in preheated 425-degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees; bake 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Note: Do not freeze, as this will cause crust to separate from filling.

1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, ginger & cloves; however, the taste will be slightly different.

APPLE PIE

I got the original recipe for this from an old Betty Crocker Cookbook, years ago. I've tweaked the recipe a bit; the original called for butter, which mine doesn't, while I add apple cider or apple juice, which isn't in the original. Here's the semi-tweaked, originally Betty Crocker apple pie.

Crust for a 9-inch two-crust pie

3/4 + 1 tablespoon cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (do not use self-rising flour, but if you must use it, omit salt)

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

dash salt

6 to 7 cups apples (6 to 8 apples), peeled and thinly sliced

1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare crust and line pie pan with bottom crust.

Placed cut up apples in large bowl. Add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and (lastly) apple cider or juice. Mix apples and additions with hands, then pour apples and additions into crust-lined pie pan.

Cover with top crust, cut slits into top crust, then seal edges of crusts. (Note: You can replace top crust with a lattice crust.) Cover top of pie with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE

There’s also a story that goes along with the Peanut Butter Pie. I’d driven cab for several years. One Friday afternoon, I got a call to pick up a single dad from the store. When I dropped him off, his son and daughter came out of the trailer to help bring in the groceries.

“Did you remember to get the stuff for the peanut butter pie?” his daughter asked. They were taking it to an early Thanksgiving gathering that weekend.

“Sure did,” he answered.

“Peanut butter pie?” I asked, as we finished unloading the groceries. “How do you make that?

“With peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and a few other things,” came the answer.

The following week, I managed to pick the dad up again. This time, I managed to get the ingredients: pie crust, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip. It wasn’t until the third (and final) time I picked him up in as many weeks that I got the exact amounts. He used 1/3 cup each of peanut butter and sugar, both of which I upped to 1/2 cup each.



8-ounce tub of Cool Whip (see note)

8-ounce block of cream cheese (see note)

1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is preferable)

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

Pie crust (see note)

Put Cool Whip, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. With beaters, beat on high. Pour into pie crust, smooth out, and freeze for 1 hour.

Note: Cool whip (or store equivalent) can be fat-free. Cream cheese can be regular cream cheese or the 1/3 less fat kind, but do not use fat free, as the pie won't set up right. I usually use a store-bought graham cracker crust for the pie, which is what the man used to make this. However, you can also use an Oreo cookie crust.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY PIE - Vegan tofu cherry "cream" pie recipe

Jolinda Hackett, About.com's Vegetarian blog guide, writes, "Chocolate cherry pie - Vegan tofu cherry "cream" pie recipe - delicious! I'd love to try this same method with strawberries or perhaps even Elvis-style, with bananas."

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz.) box firm silken tofu

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 prepared vegan graham cracker pie crust

1 (12 oz.) package frozen dark sweet cherries, thawed and drained

1 cup non-dairy whipped topping

Preparation:

First, prepare the cherries. Slice them in half and remove the pics, if needed. Set a handful of cherries aside to use as a garnish on top of the pie.

Next, prepare the chocolate "cream" filling. Process the tofu in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the cocoa powder, sugar, melted chocolate chips, and almond extract. Process again until mixture is smooth.

To prepare the pie, place about 1/3 of the chocolate tofu mix in a single layer in the prepared pie crust. Next, place the cherries in a single layer on top of the chocolate tofu mixture and spread the remaining chocolate tofu on top.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Garnish each slice with whipped topping and reserved cherries.

This recipe makes one pie of 8 servings.

Nutritional information, per serving: Calories: 270, Total Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 100mg, Carbohydrates: 36g, Dietary Fiber: 2g. Sugar: 24g, Protein: 6g

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Tuesday Recipes

Enjoy!

15-MINUTE FRIED HERBED CHICKEN

This comes from Mark Bittman of the New York Times' cooking newsletter. Mark writes, “This chicken takes so little time but tastes so good that it raises the bar for weeknight cooking. Chicken pieces are smothered in an herb and onion paste, dredged in flour and fried in the amount of time needed to make a salad. The amount of oil you need to crisp up the chicken is minimal, and the flavor is terrific.” Time: 15 minutes; makes 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 to 3 cloves garlic

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

1 to 2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, like tarragon and sage

2 tablespoons tahini or peanut butter

1/4 cup olive oil, more for frying

Flour for dredging

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 4 half-breasts

Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Lemon wedges for serving

Salt to taste

Preparation

In a blender or the container of a food processor, combine garlic, onion, herbs and tahini. As you purée the mixture, slowly add just enough olive oil through the feed tube to make a thick, smooth paste; do not let it get too thin.

Put flour in a shallow bowl. Place chicken in another bowl. Rub puréed mixture over chicken, then dredge each piece in flour. Gently shake off any excess flour, coat again with paste and dredge once more in flour.

Heat 1/4 inch olive oil in a skillet; when it is hot, fry chicken for about 4 minutes each side, until well browned and cooked through; it will take longer if you use chicken with the bone in. Garnish with parsley and serve hot or warm, with lemon wedges.

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Is there anything more comforting than mashed potatoes? This comes from Florence Fabricant, also from the New York Times' cooking newsletter. Florence writes, “These are classic mashed potatoes, brightened up with a substantial amount of garlic. Feel free to adjust the garlic to taste, and to deepen the flavor, try roasting the cloves before mixing them in with the potatoes. (For everything you need to know to make perfect potatoes, visit our potato guide.)” Time: 40 minutes; makes 6 servings.

To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4288-garlic-mashed-potatoes.

Ingredients

3 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled

6 cloves garlic, peeled

3/4 cup hot milk

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, or 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation

Cut the potatoes into uniform two-inch chunks and place in a heavy saucepan along with the garlic. Cover with water, bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and garlic and mash the potatoes and garlic together. Stir in the hot milk, season to taste with salt and pepper and add the butter (less if desired) or oil. Serve at once.

SUPERFAST FUDGE BROWNIES

This recipe comes from The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan and illustrated by Michael Klein. I absolutely love this cookbook. Even vegetarians can find plenty to love in it. The great thing about this recipe is that it really doesn't take much longer than a boxed mix, and is so much better!

The recipe starts with, "The perfect comfort food to go with your burgers. (Burger Bliss was on the preceding page.) Brownies always lift the spirits. Especially these brownies. They're fast, easy, and foolproof." I agree!

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter (or margarine), cut into 4 pieces

1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 extra-large eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the cocoa powder, stirring continuously until the butter is just melted. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the butter mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until each is well combined. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with tiny crumbs on it. Serve warm or at room temperature.

OUTRAGEOUS CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY FUDGE CAKE

Not sure where this recipe came from. Possibly Ocean Spray®? That’s the closest I can think of. I received it in an email in early 2009. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients:

For cake:

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

1 cup Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

1/2 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For glaze:

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Directions:

Make cake:

Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line an 8-inch round cake pan with foil. Coat foil with cooking spray. Dust pan with flour, tap to remove excess.

Microwave 2/3 cup chocolate chips, butter and unsweetened chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on High for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Microwave for 30 more seconds if necessary to melt chocolate.

Add cranberry sauce and sugar; mix well. Add eggs, vanilla, flour and baking powder mix well. Pour batter in prepared pan.

Bake for 40 minutes or until center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 30 minutes. Refrigerate 1 hour or until cold.

Make glaze:

Microwave cream and chocolate chips together in medium microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute on High. Stir until smooth. Microwave for 30 more seconds if necessary to melt chocolate. Add cranberry sauce; mix well.

Turn cake out onto serving plate; remove foil. Spread glaze over top allowing some to drip down sides of cake. Chill 1 hour or until glaze is firm. Can be made a day ahead of time. Store at room temperature.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.

Ingredients

3 medium, firm green tomatoes

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup milk

2 beaten eggs

2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs or cornmeal

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Cut unpeeled tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices. Sprinkle slices with Salt and pepper. Let tomato slices stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Place flour, milk, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow dishes.

Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Dip tomato Slices in milk, then flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs. In the Skillet, fry half of the coated tomato slices at a time, for 4-6 Minutes on each side or until brown. As you cook the rest of the Tomatoes, add olive oil as needed. Season to taste with salt and Pepper.

LOW FAT CARROT AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

This is from Fiona Haynes, About.com’s Low Fat Cooking expert. Fiona wrote, “The natural sweetness of this low fat carrot and sweet potato soup is complemented by the spiciness of curry powder and cumin. Full of beta-carotene and a good source of fiber, this is a wonderfully nutritious beginning to a meal or a perfect lunch. Enjoy with whole grain bread or crackers.” Prep Time: 0 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 tsp cumin

2 tbsp curry powder

1 pound bag of baby carrots

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

3 1/2 cups fat-free, low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

Preparation

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven and saute onion until softened. Stir in cumin and curry powder and cook for 1 minute. Add carrots, sweet potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

When cool, transfer vegetables to a blender and blend until smooth, working in batches. Return to Dutch oven to reheat.

Per Serving: Calories 146, Calories from Fat 21, Total Fat 2.3g (sat 0.3g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 73mg, Carbohydrate 28.4g, Fiber 4.6g, Protein 2.9g

Monday, April 11, 2016

Meatless Monday

We’ve survived another weekend, and, if you’re like many people, you’re giving Meatless Monday a try, for any number of reasons. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but as a vegetarian, I find it easier to fix meatless meals than those centered around meat. But whether you’re a meat-eater who’s simply trying one meatless day a week (hey, it’s a start!), a vegetarian, or a vegan (something I’m working towards), here are some recipes you’re sure to want to try. Enjoy!

MAPLE-GLAZED SWEET POTATOES

This comes from the November 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 60. It starts off, “As these sweet potatoes cook, a blend of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar thickens into a light glaze.” Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

1 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

2 cinnamon sticks

3 lb. sweet potatoes or garnet yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

2 Tbs. shelled roasted unsalted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine maple syrup, vinegar, 1/2 cup water, oil, salt, and cinnamon sticks in 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Add sweet potatoes, and stir to coat.

Cover dish tightly with foil, and bake 10 minutes. Uncover, and bake 30 to 35 minutes more, basting potatoes every 10 minutes with maple mixture, until maple mixture thickens and potatoes glisten and begin to brown. Remove from oven, season with salt and pepper (if desired), and stir in sunflower seeds.

nutritional information per 3/4-cup serving: Calories: 233; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 332 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 32 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

SPINACH, PEPPERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PENNE RIGATE

This is from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 28. It begins, "Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach add bright color, flavor, and body to this Mediterranean-style dish." Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view online, click here.

2 1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (6 oz.)

1 Tbs. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, and sliced

10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)

4 cups packed baby spinach leaves (8 oz.)

1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives

1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano

1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently, or until lightly browned.

Increase heat to high. Add roasted peppers, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes, spinach, olives, oregano, lemon zest, and pepper. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts, stirring frequently. Add pasta and reserved pasta-cooking water; cover, and cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through.

nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 266; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 340 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan

RIGATONI TORTE WITH RICOTTA AND FALL VEGETABLES

This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 55. It starts off, “Packed with autumn flavors, this impressive main dish is mac-and-cheese elevated to its highest form.” Serves 12.

To view this online, click here.

3 sprigs fresh sage plus 2 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, divided

12 oz. white or cremini mushrooms, quartered (6 cups)

3 small leeks, white and light green parts cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (3 cups)

12 oz. broccoli, cut into 1 1/2-inch florets (6 cups)

1 lb. uncooked rigatoni

4 Tbs. butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 32-oz. pkg. creamy butternut squash soup, such as Imagine Foods

2 cups grated Swiss or Gruyère cheese, divided

1 tsp. truffle oil, plus more for drizzling, optional

1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil with fresh sage sprigs; use this boiling water to separately blanch mushrooms (3 minutes), then leeks (2 minutes), and then broccoli (1 minute). Immediately transfer each vegetable to colander with slotted spoon, rinse under cold water, drain well, and transfer to 1 large bowl.

Cook rigatoni in boiling water 3 minutes less than cooking time recommended on package, then drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to separate large bowl.

Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until beginning to turn light brown, stirring constantly. Add butternut squash soup, and cook 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup grated cheese, chopped sage, and 1 tsp. truffle oil (if using); season with salt and pepper, if desired. Stir soup mixture into pasta, add blanched vegetables, and stir to combine.

Spread one-third of pasta mixture in prepared springform pan; dot with 1/3 cup ricotta cheese. Repeat twice with remaining pasta mixture and ricotta, and then sprinkle with remaining 1 cup grated cheese. (If making ahead, cover springform pan tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Uncover before baking.)

Place springform pan on large baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes, or until top is browned and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before unmolding and serving.

nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 334; Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 45 g; Cholesterol: 33 mg; Sodium: 296 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 8 g

SOFT APPLE GINGER SPICE COOKIES

This is from the September 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 65. The recipe starts off, “In addition to being some of the best spice cookies you’ll ever eat, these may also be the easiest since you don’t need an electric mixer to prepare the dough. You can also make them without diced apples, or substitute dried cranberries.” Makes 20 4-inch cookies.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup Rosy Applesauce (recipe follows) or unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup molasses

3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for rolling cookies

1 large apple, peeled and finely diced (1 cup)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl.

Whisk together oil, applesauce, and molasses in separate large bowl. Whisk in 3/4 cup sugar. Stir in flour mixture with spatula. Fold in diced apple.

Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in bowl. Roll 1/4 cup dough into ball, then roll ball in sugar. Repeat with remaining dough. Place balls on prepared baking sheets.

Put baking sheets in oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops of cookies are dry and bottoms are golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Per cookie: 176 cal; 2 g protein; 6 g total fat (less than 1 g sat. fat); 30 g carb; 0 mg chol; 127 mg sodium; less than 1 g fiber; 16 g sugars

ROSY APPLESAUCE

From page 63 of the September 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times.

While this isn’t a cookie recipe, it figures into the Soft Apple Ginger Spice Cookies. It would also make a nice addition to almost any meal. The recipe starts off, “Use a variety of apples to give the applesauce a more complex flavor.” Makes 6 cups.

4 lb. apples, quartered with skins and cores

1 cup apple cider

Place apples and cider in large pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook 1 hour, or until apples are mushy, stirring occasionally. Cool in pot. Pass apples through food mill or sieve. Discard solids. Store up to 1 week in fridge.

Per 1/2-cup serving: 72 cal; less than 1 g protein; less than 1 g fat (less than 1 g sat. fat); 19 g carb; 0 mg chol; 2 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 15 g sugar

LOW-FAT VEGAN EGGPLANT LASAGNA

This comes from Jolinda Hackett, About.com's Vegetarian food expert. She writes, "A wonderful vegetarian lasagna recipe full of healthy spinach and eggplant. This vegetarian and vegan lasagna recipe uses no cheese, making it both vegan and dairy-free, as well as much lower in fat than a traditional lasagna." Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 medium eggplant, diced

2 10 ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, defrosted

1 64 ounce jar pre-made tomato sauce

1 pound lasagna noodles

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Sautee the garlic for two minutes, then add the eggplant and stir. Cover the frying pan and cook until the eggplant is just tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Cover the bottom of a 9x12 inch baking pan with 2 cups of the tomato sauce, then cover the tomato sauce with 4 or 5 uncooked noodles. Cover this with a thin layer of sauce, then add the cooked eggplant and another thin layer of sauce. Add another layer of noodles followed by a thing layer of sauce, then the spinach and another thin layer of sauce. Add the remaining noodles and sauce.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes. Noodles are cooked when they can be pierced with a fork.

Makes six servings of eggplant and spinach lasagna. Reprinted with permission from The Compassionate Cook Cookbook.

Nutritional information, per serving: Calories: 347, Calories from Fat: 41; % Daily Value: Total Fat: 4.6g, 7%, Total Carbohydrates: 65.8g, 22%, Dietary Fiber: 9.2g, 37%, Protein: 16.3g, Vitamin A 199%, Vitamin C 83%, Calcium 14%, Iron 32%