Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Smoked Turkey and Sun Dried Tomato Wraps and Tie-Dye Cheesecake. Enjoy!
TEXAS-STYLE CHILI
This is from Juila Moskin in The New York Times cooking email. Julia wrote, “Calling a dish ‘Texas Chili,’ especially if you’re not a native of that state, is clearly asking for trouble. But this recipe, refined over years of potlucks and Super Bowl parties, is too good to keep under wraps. Its depth of flavor, from different chile types, makes this recipe stand out. It also has whole spices, unsweetened chocolate and dark beer that meld seamlessly into a brick-red sauce that naps the succulent meat. The meat can be cut into large chunks, or, more traditionally, thin slices, especially if you are using a tougher cut than chuck. Sirloin also makes good chili. If you have masa harina, the corn flour used to make tortillas, that will make the gravy even thicker, but it is not necessary. Like many vigorously spiced dishes, this one tastes even better a day or two after it is made and will hold its flavor well for at least a week.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Texas Chili Makes a Welcome Guest” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
4 pounds beef chuck roast or steak
1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra as needed
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped, plus extra chopped onion for serving
6 large garlic cloves, minced
4 to 7 large fresh green jalapeños (depending on how much heat you like), stemmed, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons masa harina or 1 corn tortilla, torn into pieces (optional)
2 tablespoons ground pure chile powder, such as pasilla, Chimayo or ancho
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 (12-ounce) bottle Negra Modelo beer
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, or 3 10-ounce cans Ro-Tel canned tomatoes with green chiles
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
3 whole dried large red chiles, such as New Mexico or guajillo
Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Fritos or warmed flour tortillas, for serving
Preparation
In a small heavy skillet, toast cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. In a mortar and pestle, or in a coffee grinder, grind to a powder and set aside.
Meanwhile, roughly cut beef into 2-inch cubes, or slice it against the grain into pieces about 1/4-inch thick by 1 1/2 inches square. Sprinkle with salt.
In a large, heavy pot over high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, brown the meat, turning occasionally until crusty. Adjust heat to prevent scorching. As it is cooked, remove the meat to drain on paper towels. Add more oil as needed for browning, but do not clean out the pot.
To the empty but crusty pot, add onion, garlic, jalapeños, masa harina or tortilla (if using), chile powder, cumin-coriander powder and oregano. Cook, stirring, until onion has softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add meat, beer, tomatoes, chocolate, whole dried chiles and 1 quart water. Bring to a gentle simmer and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is fork-tender. Remove the dried chiles. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate. The chili tastes best one or two days after it is made.
Reheat over low heat if necessary and serve in bowls, sprinkled with chopped onion and cilantro. Add Fritos for crunch, or dip tortillas into the spicy gravy.
SMOKEY TURKEY AND SUN DRIED TOMATO WRAPS
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “These flavorful, fresh-tasting wraps make a delicious quick lunch or light dinner.”
Serves: 2; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (4 oz.) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon BUITONI® Refrigerated Pesto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
4 burrito-size fat free flour tortillas, (10 inch)
8 slices smoked turkey breast, (thin)
4 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
Combine cream cheese and pesto in small bowl; stir well. Spread mixture evenly over each tortilla. Place turkey slices, lettuce, tomato and onion over bottom third of tortillas, making sure ingredients don't touch edges.
Fold bottom edge of each tortilla toward the center and gently roll until tortilla is completely wrapped around the filling. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Cut each tortilla in half.
VEGAN LASAGNA
This comes from Lena Abraham on Delish, and begins, “A lasagna you can feel good about.”
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 10-12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles
1 (14-oz) package firm tofu, drained
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1 (8-oz) package baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 (10-oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained of excess liquid
For the White Sauce
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 c. marinara
3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 c. thinly sliced basil, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain.
Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen cloth or paper towels and place on a large plate. Place a pan or heavy plate on top of tofu in order to press out as much liquid as possible. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. When drained, crumble with two forks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp oregano. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thawed and drained spinach until completely combined. Remove from heat and set aside vegetables.
Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat to make white sauce: Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook until lightly golden and nutty, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in nut milk until smooth. Stir in nutritional yeast and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Build lasagna: In a large baking dish, spoon 1/4 c marinara into an even layer, then add a layer of noodles. Top with an even layer of vegetable mixture, tofu, marinara, and white sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending in marinara. Add a single layer of tomato rounds and season with salt, pepper and remaining oregano.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until tomatoes are cooked and lasagna is heated through. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with basil and serve.
PICADILLO
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Picadillo is one of the great dishes of the Cuban diaspora: a soft, fragrant stew of ground beef and tomatoes, with raisins added for sweetness and olives for salt. Versions of it exist across the Caribbean and into Latin America. This one combines ground beef with intensely seasoned dried Spanish chorizo in a sofrito of onions, garlic and tomatoes, and scents it with red-wine vinegar, cinnamon and cumin, along with bay leaves and pinches of ground cloves and nutmeg. For the olives you may experiment with fancy and plain, but rigorous testing here suggests the use of pimento-stuffed green olives is the best practice. A scattering of capers would be welcome as well.”
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in “The Ultimate Cuban Comfort Food: Picadillo”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium-size yellow onions, peeled and chopped
2 ounces dried chorizo, diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 ripe tomatoes, chopped, or one 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and crushed
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 bay leaves
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of nutmeg
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 cup pitted stuffed olives
Preparation
Put the olive oil in a large, heavy pan set over a medium-high flame, and heat until it begins to shimmer. Add onions, chorizo and garlic, stir to combine and cook until the onions have started to soften, approximately 10 minutes.
Add the ground beef, and allow it to brown, crumbling the meat with a fork as it does. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Add tomatoes, vinegar, cinnamon, cumin, bay leaves, cloves and nutmeg and stir to combine. Lower the heat, and let the stew simmer, covered, for approximately 30 minutes.
Uncover the pan, and add the raisins and the olives. Allow the stew to cook for another 15 minutes or so, then serve, accompanied by white rice.
TIE-DYE CHEESECAKE
This is from The Food Network, and begins, “This outrageous psychedelic cheesecake is an ode to all the tie-dye of the 1960s. Making the vibrant swirls is much easier to do than it looks; all you need is a wooden skewer – groovy!” Total: 10 hr 45 min; Active: 35 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 18 whole crackers)
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt
Filling:
Three 11.5-ounce containers whipped cream cheese
1 1/4 cups sugar
One 16-ounce container sour cream, at room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Neon blue, pink and purple food coloring
Yellow food coloring
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Special equipment: a 10-inch springform pan and a wooden skewer
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
For the crust: Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and salt and press into bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely. Wrap up the bottom and sides of pan with a large piece of foil and put in a large roasting pan.
For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar, in a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Add the heavy cream and mix until just combined. Mix in the eggs, by hand, 1 at time. Then mix in the vanilla, lemon juice, by hand as well, until just combined. (Overmixing can turn your cheesecake into a souffle.)
Using a ladle, divide the cheesecake batter into 4 separate bowls. Dye each a separate color; blue, pink, purple and yellow. Add enough food coloring so that the colors are very vibrant and intense.
Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to drop spoonfuls of the batter onto the crust, alternating the colors, until all the batter has been scooped. Use a wooden skewer and drag it through the colors to marble them for tie-dye effect, making sure the skewer reaches down to the bottom of the pan. Transfer the pan to the roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come about halfway up the side of the springform pan.
Bake until the outside of the cake is set and the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
Unmold the cheesecake and transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream.
EASY SKILLET CHIALQUILES
This is from tbsp.com, and begins, “Your cast-iron skillet isn’t just for fried chicken and cornbread — these quick and easy chilaquiles are right at home there, too!”
Prep; 35 minutes; Total: 35 minutes; Servings: 4
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from 6-oz can)
2 cups coarsely crushed Food Should Taste Good™ tortilla chips
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese (2 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
In 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, salt, cumin and coriander; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened. Stir in tomatoes, chicken and chipotles; heat to simmering. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes to combine flavors.
Stir in tortilla chips; top with cheese and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Confessions of a Foodie
Monday, April 23, 2018
Meatless Monday
It's time for another Meatless Monday, where we get to explore at least one day without meat.
Of course, if you're already a vegetarian, you know how healthy, yummy, and simple going meatless can be. (And yes, there are plenty of ways to get protein into your diet without eating meat!)
If you'd like to explore a few more vegetarian recipes, check out my vegetarian blog, Vegetarian Delights. Lots of yummy food to try!
That said, here are today's six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Coconut Layer Cake and Mesa Grill's Southwestern Potato Salad. Enjoy!
EASY VEGAN PEANUT COOKIES
Who doesn't love homemade cookies, hot from the oven? This yummy recipe comes from Being Vegan, and begins, “So you eat a plant-based, vegan, healthy diet and you just need to have a cookie! Commercial baking can be a real let down for vegans, so why not just break out the mixing spoon and make your own homemade vegan peanut butter cookies! This recipe is super easy and super tasty!”
This can be viewed online here.
Get your ingredients together:
3/4 cup natural peanut butter (smooth)
1/4 cup margarine, soft
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
1/3 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon applesauce
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick oats
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
Bake your cookies!
Preheat the oven to 350.
In one bowl cream the peanut butter, margarine, sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and lemon juice together and mix until light and smooth.
In a separate bowl combine the cornstarch, flour, oats, baking powder, and salt together.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, adding the almond milk a little at a time until you have a nice soft dough.
Drop 3″ balls of dough on the cookie sheet and press with a fork.
Bake 8-10 minutes, until cookies are firm but not brown.
Remove your cookies from the baking sheet and cool on a cooling rack. Enjoy with a big tall glass of cold almond milk!
MESA GRILLL’S SOUTHWESTERN POTATO SALAD
This is from Bobby Flay of The Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Total Time: 35 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/mesa-grills-southwestern-potato-salad-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups prepared mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chipotle pepper puree
1 large ripe tomato, seeded and diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
3 scallions, chopped, white and green parts
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 new potatoes, about 3 to 4 pounds, cooked, drained and sliced 1/2-inch thick
Directions
Combine all the ingredients, except the potatoes, in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place warm potatoes in a large bowl and pour the mixture over potatoes and mix well. Season again with salt and pepper, to taste.
COCONUT LAYER CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This impressive and wonderfully moist layer cake is less sweet than the usual coconut affair, thanks to a tangy cream cheese frosting on top and dose of orange juice in the batter. This is a great dessert to make in advance. You can bake the cake layers up to 3 days ahead and store them, well-wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator. The frosted cake will keep for 2 days in the fridge as well, either under a cake dome or overturned bowl, or loosely tented with foil. Just make sure to bring the cake to room temperature before serving.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling.
This was featured in “A Sugar Rush, Not Crush”, and can be viewed online here.
Also, to find more layer cakes, click here. Also, check out Melissa’s guide, “How to Frost a Cake”.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, separated, plus 3 whites
1 1/2 cups cream of coconut
1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons coconut or dark rum
7 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
For the Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
7 1/4 cups/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar
2 3/4 cups unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
Preparation
Make the Cake:
Grease 3 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and reserve. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl with spatula. Lower speed and gradually add flour mixture. Batter will be thick and pasty.
Whisk together cream of coconut, coconut milk, rum and orange juice. Alternately add shredded coconut and the orange juice mixture to the batter.
In the clean bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack. Unmold cakes once cool.
Make the Frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla extract. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, scraping down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix until combined and fluffy.
Spread 1/4-inch-thick layer of frosting on top of the first layer of cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Place next cake layer on top and repeat with frosting and coconut. Repeat with the third layer, spreading frosting on top and around sides of cake. Hold cake steadily in one hand and use other hand to pat remaining coconut onto edges of cake.
PAELLA PRIMAVERA
This comes from page 40 of the March 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Who needs a paella pan? A large skillet stands in for the wide, shallow two-handled cookware in this quick veggie-laden version of the classic Spanish rice dish. Just like its pasta namesake, Paella Primavera lends itself to endless variation. You can substitute zucchini for broccoli in the summer; in the fall, replace half the broccoli with cubed butternut squash.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 1/2 tsp. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
6 green onions, thinly sliced (1 cup)
3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
1 tsp. crumbled saffron threads
1 cup short-grain white rice, such as Valencia
3 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh or frozen baby peas
1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes
12 pitted green olives, halved
12 pitted black olives, halved, optional
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and green onions; cook 5 minutes. Stir in broth, garlic, and saffron; bring to a boil. Sprinkle rice over ingredients, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
Sprinkle broccoli, peas, tomatoes, and olives over rice. Cover, and cook paella 8 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from heat, and let rest, covered, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
To serve, spoon paella into 6 bowls, and garnish each with lemon wedges and parsley.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 211; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 40 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 5 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
LATE SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND FRESH CORN
This comes from page 61 of the September 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Bright, beautiful, and bursting with veggies, this colorful minestrone is a great way to stretch the harvest.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 cup sliced leeks
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 tsp. salt, optional
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, or 2 tsp. dried sage
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
2 large tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped (1 cup)
2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (3/4- to 1-inch cubes)
2 cups green beans or flat beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 15-oz. can or 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
2–3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish, optional
Heat oil in 5-qt. Dutch oven or other large soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, bell pepper, and salt, if using. Cover, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until veggies are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and continue cooking 5 to 6 minutes more, or until celery is somewhat shrunken and leeks are browned.
Add garlic, sage, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add tomatoes and 8 cups water, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Add squash, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add green beans, white beans, and corn; simmer 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in vinegar and mint.
nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 185; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 130 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 7 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
STRAWBERRY-PEACH COOLER
Yield: 2 servings
Serving size: 1 cup
Source: The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble, Nosh Book
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/737.shtml
Ingredients
1 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen strawberries
2/3 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen peaches
3/4 cup orange juice
Directions
In a 2-cup measure or similar microwave-safe bowl, combine the strawberries and peaches.
Cover with wax paper, and microwave on high power 45 seconds to 1 minute to thaw the fruit slightly. The fruit should be icy but not hard.
Working with a small knife in the measuring cup, cut each peach slice in half.
Transfer the peaches and strawberries to a blender container.
Add the orange juice. Blend on low power to combine. Then increase power to high and continue to blend until the peaches are completely pureed, at least 1-1/2 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 2 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 2 Fruit
Of course, if you're already a vegetarian, you know how healthy, yummy, and simple going meatless can be. (And yes, there are plenty of ways to get protein into your diet without eating meat!)
If you'd like to explore a few more vegetarian recipes, check out my vegetarian blog, Vegetarian Delights. Lots of yummy food to try!
That said, here are today's six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Coconut Layer Cake and Mesa Grill's Southwestern Potato Salad. Enjoy!
EASY VEGAN PEANUT COOKIES
Who doesn't love homemade cookies, hot from the oven? This yummy recipe comes from Being Vegan, and begins, “So you eat a plant-based, vegan, healthy diet and you just need to have a cookie! Commercial baking can be a real let down for vegans, so why not just break out the mixing spoon and make your own homemade vegan peanut butter cookies! This recipe is super easy and super tasty!”
This can be viewed online here.
Get your ingredients together:
3/4 cup natural peanut butter (smooth)
1/4 cup margarine, soft
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
1/3 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon applesauce
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick oats
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
Bake your cookies!
Preheat the oven to 350.
In one bowl cream the peanut butter, margarine, sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and lemon juice together and mix until light and smooth.
In a separate bowl combine the cornstarch, flour, oats, baking powder, and salt together.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, adding the almond milk a little at a time until you have a nice soft dough.
Drop 3″ balls of dough on the cookie sheet and press with a fork.
Bake 8-10 minutes, until cookies are firm but not brown.
Remove your cookies from the baking sheet and cool on a cooling rack. Enjoy with a big tall glass of cold almond milk!
MESA GRILLL’S SOUTHWESTERN POTATO SALAD
This is from Bobby Flay of The Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Total Time: 35 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/mesa-grills-southwestern-potato-salad-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups prepared mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chipotle pepper puree
1 large ripe tomato, seeded and diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
3 scallions, chopped, white and green parts
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 new potatoes, about 3 to 4 pounds, cooked, drained and sliced 1/2-inch thick
Directions
Combine all the ingredients, except the potatoes, in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place warm potatoes in a large bowl and pour the mixture over potatoes and mix well. Season again with salt and pepper, to taste.
COCONUT LAYER CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This impressive and wonderfully moist layer cake is less sweet than the usual coconut affair, thanks to a tangy cream cheese frosting on top and dose of orange juice in the batter. This is a great dessert to make in advance. You can bake the cake layers up to 3 days ahead and store them, well-wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator. The frosted cake will keep for 2 days in the fridge as well, either under a cake dome or overturned bowl, or loosely tented with foil. Just make sure to bring the cake to room temperature before serving.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling.
This was featured in “A Sugar Rush, Not Crush”, and can be viewed online here.
Also, to find more layer cakes, click here. Also, check out Melissa’s guide, “How to Frost a Cake”.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, separated, plus 3 whites
1 1/2 cups cream of coconut
1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons coconut or dark rum
7 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
For the Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
7 1/4 cups/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar
2 3/4 cups unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
Preparation
Make the Cake:
Grease 3 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and reserve. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl with spatula. Lower speed and gradually add flour mixture. Batter will be thick and pasty.
Whisk together cream of coconut, coconut milk, rum and orange juice. Alternately add shredded coconut and the orange juice mixture to the batter.
In the clean bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack. Unmold cakes once cool.
Make the Frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla extract. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, scraping down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix until combined and fluffy.
Spread 1/4-inch-thick layer of frosting on top of the first layer of cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Place next cake layer on top and repeat with frosting and coconut. Repeat with the third layer, spreading frosting on top and around sides of cake. Hold cake steadily in one hand and use other hand to pat remaining coconut onto edges of cake.
PAELLA PRIMAVERA
This comes from page 40 of the March 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Who needs a paella pan? A large skillet stands in for the wide, shallow two-handled cookware in this quick veggie-laden version of the classic Spanish rice dish. Just like its pasta namesake, Paella Primavera lends itself to endless variation. You can substitute zucchini for broccoli in the summer; in the fall, replace half the broccoli with cubed butternut squash.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 1/2 tsp. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
6 green onions, thinly sliced (1 cup)
3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
1 tsp. crumbled saffron threads
1 cup short-grain white rice, such as Valencia
3 cups broccoli florets
1 cup fresh or frozen baby peas
1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes
12 pitted green olives, halved
12 pitted black olives, halved, optional
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and green onions; cook 5 minutes. Stir in broth, garlic, and saffron; bring to a boil. Sprinkle rice over ingredients, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
Sprinkle broccoli, peas, tomatoes, and olives over rice. Cover, and cook paella 8 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from heat, and let rest, covered, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
To serve, spoon paella into 6 bowls, and garnish each with lemon wedges and parsley.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 211; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 40 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 5 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
LATE SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND FRESH CORN
This comes from page 61 of the September 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Bright, beautiful, and bursting with veggies, this colorful minestrone is a great way to stretch the harvest.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 cup sliced leeks
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 tsp. salt, optional
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, or 2 tsp. dried sage
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
2 large tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped (1 cup)
2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (3/4- to 1-inch cubes)
2 cups green beans or flat beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 15-oz. can or 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
2–3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish, optional
Heat oil in 5-qt. Dutch oven or other large soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, bell pepper, and salt, if using. Cover, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until veggies are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and continue cooking 5 to 6 minutes more, or until celery is somewhat shrunken and leeks are browned.
Add garlic, sage, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add tomatoes and 8 cups water, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Add squash, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add green beans, white beans, and corn; simmer 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in vinegar and mint.
nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 185; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 130 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 7 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
STRAWBERRY-PEACH COOLER
Yield: 2 servings
Serving size: 1 cup
Source: The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble, Nosh Book
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/737.shtml
Ingredients
1 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen strawberries
2/3 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen peaches
3/4 cup orange juice
Directions
In a 2-cup measure or similar microwave-safe bowl, combine the strawberries and peaches.
Cover with wax paper, and microwave on high power 45 seconds to 1 minute to thaw the fruit slightly. The fruit should be icy but not hard.
Working with a small knife in the measuring cup, cut each peach slice in half.
Transfer the peaches and strawberries to a blender container.
Add the orange juice. Blend on low power to combine. Then increase power to high and continue to blend until the peaches are completely pureed, at least 1-1/2 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 2 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 2 Fruit
Friday, April 20, 2018
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow Cooker Jambalaya and "Better Than the Deli" Macaroni Salad. Enjoy!
SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI
This comes from Ree Drummond, from The Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.
EXTRA-EASY SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “No need to cook the lasagna noodles...just layer them right in the pan with the cheeses, spinach and tomato-mushroom sauce.”
Serves: 8 servings (1 cup each); Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce
6 uncooked lasagna noodle
1/4 cup water
Directions
Stir the ricotta cheese, spinach and 1 cup mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl.
Spread 1 cup sauce in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles and half the spinach mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining sauce. Slowly pour water around the inside edges of the baking dish. Cover.
Bake at 400°F. for 40 minutes. Uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Tip: To thaw the spinach, microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, breaking apart with a fork halfway through heating.
SLOW COOKER JAMBALAYA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “This delectable, slow-cooked version of a traditional New Orleans-style dish features chicken, kielbasa and shrimp in a bed of rice that's been seasoned with Creole seasoning, green pepper, celery and diced tomato.”
To view this online, click here.
Serves: 8 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 430 minutes
Ingredients
Swanson® Chicken Stock or 3 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
1 large green pepper, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 large stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
1 can (about 14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 pound kielbasa, diced (about 3 cups)
3/4 pound skinless, boneless chicken thigh, cut into cubes
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 pound fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Directions
Stir the broth, Creole seasoning, green pepper, onion, garlic, black pepper, celery, tomatoes, kielbasa, chicken and rice in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
Add the shrimp to the cooker. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through.
Time-Saving: This recipe may also be cooked on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
CREAMY ROASTED RED PEPPER PENNE
This is from Lindsay Funston on Delish. Lindsay wrote, “With a super-light cream sauce, this spinach and roasted red pepper penne is addictive.”
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 oz. penne
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 c. baby spinach
1 c. sliced jarred roasted red peppers
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Directions
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and return to pot.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, 5 minutes, then add spinach and roasted red peppers. Cook until wilted and warmed through, 3 minutes.
Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and 1/4 cup pasta water and bring to a simmer.
Add cooked penne to pan and stir until coated, then season with crushed red pepper flakes.
Garnish with Parmesan and serve.
EASY SKILLET CHIALQUILES
This is from tbsp.com, and begins, “Your cast-iron skillet isn’t just for fried chicken and cornbread — these quick and easy chilaquiles are right at home there, too!”
Prep; 35 minutes; Total: 35 minutes; Servings: 4
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from 6-oz can)
2 cups coarsely crushed Food Should Taste Good™ tortilla chips
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese (2 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
In 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, salt, cumin and coriander; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened. Stir in tomatoes, chicken and chipotles; heat to simmering. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes to combine flavors.
Stir in tortilla chips; top with cheese and cilantro. Serve immediately.
"BETTER THAN THE DELI” MACARONI SALAD
Kathy Kingsley is one of About.com's American Food guides. Kathy wrote, “Take your time, and use your sharpest knife to get a nice fine dice on the veggies in this classic pasta salad. When made right, this is a macaroni salad where every forkful bursts with flavor.” Serves 8; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes
I couldn't find the original link to this recipe. If/when I do find it, I'll post it.
Ingredients:
1 pound dry elbow macaroni, cooked, rinsed in cold water, and drained well
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 finely grated carrot
2 tablespoons finely diced roasted red pepper or pimento
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Preparation:
Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and add the drained pasta. Toss to combine thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI
This comes from Ree Drummond, from The Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.
EXTRA-EASY SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “No need to cook the lasagna noodles...just layer them right in the pan with the cheeses, spinach and tomato-mushroom sauce.”
Serves: 8 servings (1 cup each); Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce
6 uncooked lasagna noodle
1/4 cup water
Directions
Stir the ricotta cheese, spinach and 1 cup mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl.
Spread 1 cup sauce in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles and half the spinach mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining sauce. Slowly pour water around the inside edges of the baking dish. Cover.
Bake at 400°F. for 40 minutes. Uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Tip: To thaw the spinach, microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, breaking apart with a fork halfway through heating.
SLOW COOKER JAMBALAYA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “This delectable, slow-cooked version of a traditional New Orleans-style dish features chicken, kielbasa and shrimp in a bed of rice that's been seasoned with Creole seasoning, green pepper, celery and diced tomato.”
To view this online, click here.
Serves: 8 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 430 minutes
Ingredients
Swanson® Chicken Stock or 3 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
1 large green pepper, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 large stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup)
1 can (about 14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 pound kielbasa, diced (about 3 cups)
3/4 pound skinless, boneless chicken thigh, cut into cubes
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 pound fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Directions
Stir the broth, Creole seasoning, green pepper, onion, garlic, black pepper, celery, tomatoes, kielbasa, chicken and rice in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
Add the shrimp to the cooker. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through.
Time-Saving: This recipe may also be cooked on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
CREAMY ROASTED RED PEPPER PENNE
This is from Lindsay Funston on Delish. Lindsay wrote, “With a super-light cream sauce, this spinach and roasted red pepper penne is addictive.”
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 oz. penne
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 c. baby spinach
1 c. sliced jarred roasted red peppers
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Directions
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and return to pot.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, 5 minutes, then add spinach and roasted red peppers. Cook until wilted and warmed through, 3 minutes.
Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, and 1/4 cup pasta water and bring to a simmer.
Add cooked penne to pan and stir until coated, then season with crushed red pepper flakes.
Garnish with Parmesan and serve.
EASY SKILLET CHIALQUILES
This is from tbsp.com, and begins, “Your cast-iron skillet isn’t just for fried chicken and cornbread — these quick and easy chilaquiles are right at home there, too!”
Prep; 35 minutes; Total: 35 minutes; Servings: 4
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from 6-oz can)
2 cups coarsely crushed Food Should Taste Good™ tortilla chips
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese (2 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
In 10-inch cast-iron skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, salt, cumin and coriander; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened. Stir in tomatoes, chicken and chipotles; heat to simmering. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes to combine flavors.
Stir in tortilla chips; top with cheese and cilantro. Serve immediately.
"BETTER THAN THE DELI” MACARONI SALAD
Kathy Kingsley is one of About.com's American Food guides. Kathy wrote, “Take your time, and use your sharpest knife to get a nice fine dice on the veggies in this classic pasta salad. When made right, this is a macaroni salad where every forkful bursts with flavor.” Serves 8; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes
I couldn't find the original link to this recipe. If/when I do find it, I'll post it.
Ingredients:
1 pound dry elbow macaroni, cooked, rinsed in cold water, and drained well
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 finely grated carrot
2 tablespoons finely diced roasted red pepper or pimento
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Preparation:
Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and add the drained pasta. Toss to combine thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Double-Post Thursday
Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's six recipes include Meatloaf with a Twist and Lemon Icebox Pie. Enjoy!
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This is from tbsp., and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10
View this online here.
Ingredients
6-8 large tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 medium onion, diced
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type
1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 small or medium tomatoes, diced
Cilantro, as desired
Black olives, as desired
Sour cream, for topping
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.
Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).
Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.
Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.
SMOKEY TURKEY AND SUN DRIED TOMATO WRAPS
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “These flavorful, fresh-tasting wraps make a delicious quick lunch or light dinner.”
Serves: 2; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (4 oz.) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon BUITONI® Refrigerated Pesto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
4 burrito-size fat free flour tortillas, (10 inch)
8 slices smoked turkey breast, (thin)
4 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
Combine cream cheese and pesto in small bowl; stir well. Spread mixture evenly over each tortilla. Place turkey slices, lettuce, tomato and onion over bottom third of tortillas, making sure ingredients don't touch edges.
Fold bottom edge of each tortilla toward the center and gently roll until tortilla is completely wrapped around the filling. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Cut each tortilla in half.
LEMON ICEBOX PIE III
This is from Heather Simpson on AllRecipes. The recipe begins, "A family favorite when a no-bake, fast pie is needed. (And family members too small to use the oven can make dessert!) Very pretty when garnished with whipped cream and mint leaves.”
This recipe makes 8 servings and can be found online here.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.
MEATLOAF WITH A TWIST
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “This moist and flavorful meatloaf gets an extra kick from picante sauce...it takes just 10 minutes of your time before you bake it, so it's as easy as it is good to eat!”
Serves: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Mushroom Gravy
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
Directions
Thoroughly mix 1/4 cup gravy, beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup picante sauce in a large bowl. Shape the beef mixture firmly into an 8 x 4-inch loaf in a baking pan.
Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Heat 2 tablespoons drippings, the remaining gravy and the remaining picante sauce in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat until it's hot and bubbling. Serve the gravy mixture with the meatloaf.
Serving Suggestion: Serve the meatloaf with hot mashed potatoes.
TEX-MEX STUFFED-CRUST PIZZA
This is from the Food Network, and begins, “Taco salad meets pizza in this quick-enough-for-a-weeknight dish. The surprise is in the crust -- a layer of gooey Cheddar cheese in every bite.”
Total: 35 minutes; Active: 35 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
8 ounces sliced plus 1 cup grated medium Cheddar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
12 ounces ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup refried beans, warmed
1/2 cup drained pico de gallo
3 cups finely shredded iceberg lettuce
1 small avocado, diced
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sliced black olives
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Special equipment: a pizza stone
Preheat the oven to 425 F with a pizza stone on the bottom rack.
Divide the pizza dough in half. Line a pizza peel or turned-over baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll one half of the dough into a 12-inch round on the parchment. Layer the sliced Cheddar over the crust, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Brush the border with olive oil. Roll the remaining piece of dough on another sheet of parchment into a 12-inch round and place it on top of the first crust. Lightly roll over the dough with the rolling pin to seal the rounds together, then fold the edges up and pinch them in place to form a crust border. Transfer the dough on the parchment to the pizza stone and bake until just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir the spices into the beef. Clear a spot in the pan and add the tomato paste. Let toast for 1 minute, then stir into the beef. Add 1/2 cup water and simmer rapidly, stirring until the water has almost reduced away, about 2 minutes. Keep hot.
Spread the beans on the crust, leaving a border. Spoon the meat over the top, then the pico de gallo. Mound the lettuce on the pizza and top with the grated Cheddar, avocado, sour cream and olives. Slice and serve immediately.
TIE-DYE CHEESECAKE
This is from The Food Network, and begins, “This outrageous psychedelic cheesecake is an ode to all the tie-dye of the 1960s. Making the vibrant swirls is much easier to do than it looks; all you need is a wooden skewer – groovy!” Total: 10 hr 45 min; Active: 35 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 18 whole crackers)
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt
Filling:
Three 11.5-ounce containers whipped cream cheese
1 1/4 cups sugar
One 16-ounce container sour cream, at room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Neon blue, pink and purple food coloring
Yellow food coloring
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Special equipment: a 10-inch springform pan and a wooden skewer
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
For the crust: Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and salt and press into bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely. Wrap up the bottom and sides of pan with a large piece of foil and put in a large roasting pan.
For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar, in a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Add the heavy cream and mix until just combined. Mix in the eggs, by hand, 1 at time. Then mix in the vanilla, lemon juice, by hand as well, until just combined. (Overmixing can turn your cheesecake into a souffle.)
Using a ladle, divide the cheesecake batter into 4 separate bowls. Dye each a separate color; blue, pink, purple and yellow. Add enough food coloring so that the colors are very vibrant and intense.
Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to drop spoonfuls of the batter onto the crust, alternating the colors, until all the batter has been scooped. Use a wooden skewer and drag it through the colors to marble them for tie-dye effect, making sure the skewer reaches down to the bottom of the pan. Transfer the pan to the roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come about halfway up the side of the springform pan.
Bake until the outside of the cake is set and the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
Unmold the cheesecake and transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This is from tbsp., and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10
View this online here.
Ingredients
6-8 large tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 medium onion, diced
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type
1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 small or medium tomatoes, diced
Cilantro, as desired
Black olives, as desired
Sour cream, for topping
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.
Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).
Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.
Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.
SMOKEY TURKEY AND SUN DRIED TOMATO WRAPS
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “These flavorful, fresh-tasting wraps make a delicious quick lunch or light dinner.”
Serves: 2; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (4 oz.) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon BUITONI® Refrigerated Pesto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
4 burrito-size fat free flour tortillas, (10 inch)
8 slices smoked turkey breast, (thin)
4 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
Combine cream cheese and pesto in small bowl; stir well. Spread mixture evenly over each tortilla. Place turkey slices, lettuce, tomato and onion over bottom third of tortillas, making sure ingredients don't touch edges.
Fold bottom edge of each tortilla toward the center and gently roll until tortilla is completely wrapped around the filling. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Cut each tortilla in half.
LEMON ICEBOX PIE III
This is from Heather Simpson on AllRecipes. The recipe begins, "A family favorite when a no-bake, fast pie is needed. (And family members too small to use the oven can make dessert!) Very pretty when garnished with whipped cream and mint leaves.”
This recipe makes 8 servings and can be found online here.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.
MEATLOAF WITH A TWIST
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “This moist and flavorful meatloaf gets an extra kick from picante sauce...it takes just 10 minutes of your time before you bake it, so it's as easy as it is good to eat!”
Serves: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Mushroom Gravy
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
Directions
Thoroughly mix 1/4 cup gravy, beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup picante sauce in a large bowl. Shape the beef mixture firmly into an 8 x 4-inch loaf in a baking pan.
Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Heat 2 tablespoons drippings, the remaining gravy and the remaining picante sauce in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat until it's hot and bubbling. Serve the gravy mixture with the meatloaf.
Serving Suggestion: Serve the meatloaf with hot mashed potatoes.
TEX-MEX STUFFED-CRUST PIZZA
This is from the Food Network, and begins, “Taco salad meets pizza in this quick-enough-for-a-weeknight dish. The surprise is in the crust -- a layer of gooey Cheddar cheese in every bite.”
Total: 35 minutes; Active: 35 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound prepared pizza dough, at room temperature
8 ounces sliced plus 1 cup grated medium Cheddar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
12 ounces ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup refried beans, warmed
1/2 cup drained pico de gallo
3 cups finely shredded iceberg lettuce
1 small avocado, diced
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sliced black olives
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Special equipment: a pizza stone
Preheat the oven to 425 F with a pizza stone on the bottom rack.
Divide the pizza dough in half. Line a pizza peel or turned-over baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll one half of the dough into a 12-inch round on the parchment. Layer the sliced Cheddar over the crust, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Brush the border with olive oil. Roll the remaining piece of dough on another sheet of parchment into a 12-inch round and place it on top of the first crust. Lightly roll over the dough with the rolling pin to seal the rounds together, then fold the edges up and pinch them in place to form a crust border. Transfer the dough on the parchment to the pizza stone and bake until just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir the spices into the beef. Clear a spot in the pan and add the tomato paste. Let toast for 1 minute, then stir into the beef. Add 1/2 cup water and simmer rapidly, stirring until the water has almost reduced away, about 2 minutes. Keep hot.
Spread the beans on the crust, leaving a border. Spoon the meat over the top, then the pico de gallo. Mound the lettuce on the pizza and top with the grated Cheddar, avocado, sour cream and olives. Slice and serve immediately.
TIE-DYE CHEESECAKE
This is from The Food Network, and begins, “This outrageous psychedelic cheesecake is an ode to all the tie-dye of the 1960s. Making the vibrant swirls is much easier to do than it looks; all you need is a wooden skewer – groovy!” Total: 10 hr 45 min; Active: 35 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 18 whole crackers)
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt
Filling:
Three 11.5-ounce containers whipped cream cheese
1 1/4 cups sugar
One 16-ounce container sour cream, at room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Neon blue, pink and purple food coloring
Yellow food coloring
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Special equipment: a 10-inch springform pan and a wooden skewer
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
For the crust: Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and salt and press into bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely. Wrap up the bottom and sides of pan with a large piece of foil and put in a large roasting pan.
For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar, in a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Add the heavy cream and mix until just combined. Mix in the eggs, by hand, 1 at time. Then mix in the vanilla, lemon juice, by hand as well, until just combined. (Overmixing can turn your cheesecake into a souffle.)
Using a ladle, divide the cheesecake batter into 4 separate bowls. Dye each a separate color; blue, pink, purple and yellow. Add enough food coloring so that the colors are very vibrant and intense.
Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to drop spoonfuls of the batter onto the crust, alternating the colors, until all the batter has been scooped. Use a wooden skewer and drag it through the colors to marble them for tie-dye effect, making sure the skewer reaches down to the bottom of the pan. Transfer the pan to the roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come about halfway up the side of the springform pan.
Bake until the outside of the cake is set and the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
Unmold the cheesecake and transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream.
Diabetic Thursday
It's Diabetic Thursday, time to check out how good (and good tasting!) diabetic food can be. Here are six yummy diabetic recipes to try out, including Philly-Style Meatloaf and Apple Turkey Picadillo. Enjoy!
BROCCOLI FRITTATA
Yield: 4 Servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=692
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/692.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese
1/2 tsp dried dill
2 cup fat-free egg substitute
2 cups frozen chopped broccoli
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp margarine
1 large onion, diced
Directions
Mix cottage cheese and egg substitute together; set aside.
In large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, saute onions in oil for 5 minutes, or until soft.
Add broccoli and dill; saute for 5 minutes, or until broccoli mixture softens. Set vegetable aside.
Wipe out frying pan. Add 1 tsp. margarine and swirl the pan to distribute it. Add half of the vegetable mixture, and then add half of the egg mixture; lift and rotate pan so that eggs are evenly distributed.
As eggs set around the edges, lift them to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath. Turn heat to low, cover the pan, and cook until top is set.
Invert onto a serving plate and cut into wedges.
Repeat with remaining 1 tsp. margarine, vegetable mixture, and egg mixture.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 150; Calories from Fat: 30; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 390 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 2 Meat; 1 Fat
PHILLY-STYLE MEATLOAF
This recipe begins, “Bring the warmth and rich flavor of Philly into your home with this delicious meatloaf. And it only takes an hour to bake with limited amount of prep time.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
View this online at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/6672-philly-style-meatloaf
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 egg
1 dash ground black pepper
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup steak sauce, (e.g. Heinz 57)
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, egg, black pepper and bread crumbs. Pour in the milk, 3 tablespoons of the steak sauce, onion and green bell pepper.
Place the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Brush the top with the remaining steak sauce.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until done. Allow to stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Calories – 286; Carbohydrates – 9.5g; Total Fat – 17.9g; Protein – 20.9g; Sodium – 805mg; Dietary Fiber - 0.9g
HUMMUS
Yield: 12 servings (2 tablespoons per serving)
Source: "The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml
Print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/661.shtml
Ingredients
1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained, reserve 1 tablespoon liquid
3-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons olive oil
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions
Combine all ingredients into a blender until smooth, using 1 tablespoon chickpea liquid if necessary to make a smooth spread.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (2 tablespoons): Calories: 49, Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 33 mg, Carbohydrate: 7 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 1 g, Protein: 2 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate
CHOCOLATE BANANA PARFAIT
Yield: 4 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=691
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/691.shtml
Ingredients
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 (0.8-ounce) box sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
2 medium bananas, 6 ounces each, peeled
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup reduced-fat frozen dairy whipped topping unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
4 fresh Bing cherries with stems for garnish (optional)
Directions
In a food processor or blender, combine yogurt and pudding mix until smooth.
Cut each banana into 6 pieces on the diagonal. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
Place 2 banana quarters in each of 4 dessert parfait glasses or goblets.
Top with 1/4 of the pudding mix. Top each with 1 tablespoon whipped topping.
Using a fine sieve, sift a little cocoa powder on top of each serving. Sprinkle with walnuts and add a cherry on top, if desired.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 138; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 336 mg; Cholesterol: 4 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 1/2 bread/starch, 1 fruit
GINGERED ORANGE CARROTS
Yield: About 2 cups (4 servings)
Source: "The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes"
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml
Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/351.shtml
Ingredients
6 medium carrots (about 3/4 pound), peeled and sliced
1/2 cup homemade chicken broth or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons margarine
1 teaspoon grated fresh gingerroot, or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions
Combine the carrots and broth in a medium saucepan. Cover and simmer over low heat until almost tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the orange juice, margarine, and ginger; simmer, uncovered, until almost all the liquid is absorbed. Serve hot.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup): Calories: 52, Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 72 mg, Carbohydrate: 8 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
APPLE TURKEY PICADILLO
This recipe begins, “This twist on the Latin American staple is made healthier with lean ground turkey and crisp apples. It doubles well. Try tucking it into whole-wheat tortillas or serve over instant brown rice for a quick and healthy supper.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, click here.
Servings: 2, 1 1/4 cups each; Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces 99%-lean ground turkey
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 medium tart green apple, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped tomato
3 tablespoons chopped green olives
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup sliced scallion greens
Directions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add turkey; cook, stirring and breaking up, until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
Stir in cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and cloves; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in vinegar, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in apple, tomato, olives and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring often, until any liquid in the pan has reduced to a syrupy glaze, about 8 minutes. Stir in scallion greens and serve.
BROCCOLI FRITTATA
Yield: 4 Servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=692
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/692.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese
1/2 tsp dried dill
2 cup fat-free egg substitute
2 cups frozen chopped broccoli
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp margarine
1 large onion, diced
Directions
Mix cottage cheese and egg substitute together; set aside.
In large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, saute onions in oil for 5 minutes, or until soft.
Add broccoli and dill; saute for 5 minutes, or until broccoli mixture softens. Set vegetable aside.
Wipe out frying pan. Add 1 tsp. margarine and swirl the pan to distribute it. Add half of the vegetable mixture, and then add half of the egg mixture; lift and rotate pan so that eggs are evenly distributed.
As eggs set around the edges, lift them to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath. Turn heat to low, cover the pan, and cook until top is set.
Invert onto a serving plate and cut into wedges.
Repeat with remaining 1 tsp. margarine, vegetable mixture, and egg mixture.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 150; Calories from Fat: 30; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 390 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 2 Meat; 1 Fat
PHILLY-STYLE MEATLOAF
This recipe begins, “Bring the warmth and rich flavor of Philly into your home with this delicious meatloaf. And it only takes an hour to bake with limited amount of prep time.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
View this online at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/6672-philly-style-meatloaf
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 egg
1 dash ground black pepper
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup steak sauce, (e.g. Heinz 57)
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, egg, black pepper and bread crumbs. Pour in the milk, 3 tablespoons of the steak sauce, onion and green bell pepper.
Place the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Brush the top with the remaining steak sauce.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until done. Allow to stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Calories – 286; Carbohydrates – 9.5g; Total Fat – 17.9g; Protein – 20.9g; Sodium – 805mg; Dietary Fiber - 0.9g
HUMMUS
Yield: 12 servings (2 tablespoons per serving)
Source: "The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml
Print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/661.shtml
Ingredients
1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained, reserve 1 tablespoon liquid
3-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons olive oil
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions
Combine all ingredients into a blender until smooth, using 1 tablespoon chickpea liquid if necessary to make a smooth spread.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (2 tablespoons): Calories: 49, Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 33 mg, Carbohydrate: 7 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 1 g, Protein: 2 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate
CHOCOLATE BANANA PARFAIT
Yield: 4 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=691
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/691.shtml
Ingredients
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 (0.8-ounce) box sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
2 medium bananas, 6 ounces each, peeled
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup reduced-fat frozen dairy whipped topping unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
4 fresh Bing cherries with stems for garnish (optional)
Directions
In a food processor or blender, combine yogurt and pudding mix until smooth.
Cut each banana into 6 pieces on the diagonal. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
Place 2 banana quarters in each of 4 dessert parfait glasses or goblets.
Top with 1/4 of the pudding mix. Top each with 1 tablespoon whipped topping.
Using a fine sieve, sift a little cocoa powder on top of each serving. Sprinkle with walnuts and add a cherry on top, if desired.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 138; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 336 mg; Cholesterol: 4 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 1/2 bread/starch, 1 fruit
GINGERED ORANGE CARROTS
Yield: About 2 cups (4 servings)
Source: "The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes"
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml
Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/351.shtml
Ingredients
6 medium carrots (about 3/4 pound), peeled and sliced
1/2 cup homemade chicken broth or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons margarine
1 teaspoon grated fresh gingerroot, or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions
Combine the carrots and broth in a medium saucepan. Cover and simmer over low heat until almost tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the orange juice, margarine, and ginger; simmer, uncovered, until almost all the liquid is absorbed. Serve hot.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup): Calories: 52, Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 72 mg, Carbohydrate: 8 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
APPLE TURKEY PICADILLO
This recipe begins, “This twist on the Latin American staple is made healthier with lean ground turkey and crisp apples. It doubles well. Try tucking it into whole-wheat tortillas or serve over instant brown rice for a quick and healthy supper.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, click here.
Servings: 2, 1 1/4 cups each; Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces 99%-lean ground turkey
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 medium tart green apple, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped tomato
3 tablespoons chopped green olives
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup sliced scallion greens
Directions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add turkey; cook, stirring and breaking up, until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
Stir in cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and cloves; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in vinegar, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in apple, tomato, olives and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring often, until any liquid in the pan has reduced to a syrupy glaze, about 8 minutes. Stir in scallion greens and serve.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Chili
If you love chili as much as I do, you're sure to love today's post. Here are six chili recipes stop help you through the day, including Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chili and Texas-Style Chili. Enjoy!
ROASTED SQUASH CHILI MAC
This is from Rachael Ray of The Food Network show Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 20 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced (or look for diced raw butternut squash in the produce department)
EVOO, for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound rigatoni, penne or macaroni with ridges
2 tablespoons chili powder, such as Gebhardt's, or a blend of ancho or chipotle
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, made into a paste
1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno or jalapeno, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp yellow Cheddar
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
One 14-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded pepper jack or other hot-pepper melting cheese
Ingredients
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly butter a casserole dish.
Put the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with EVOO and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss to combine. Roast until the edges are browned, 17 to 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water to just shy of al dente, 7 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chili powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, garlic and chile pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, then whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir until melted.
Combine the squash, chili-cheese sauce and beans, then transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the pepper jack cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.
SLOW COOKER SWEET AND SPICY CHILI
This recipe is from Kellie Hemmerly on TODAY’s, and begins, “This Sweet and Spicy Chili is made in the slow cooker for deep, concentrated flavor. The BEST chili recipe around, I use a secret ingredient to create a sweet-tart background to this slightly spicy recipe.”
Kellie’s website, The Suburban Soapbox, looks pretty cool; I recommend checking it out!
Anyway, to view this recipe online, click here.
Servings: 1 cup; Yield: 10-12 servings; Prep Time: 20 min; Cooking Time: 4 hr
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef (I used 80-20)
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 large jalapeno peppers, minced (remove the seeds and veins for less heat...leave them for more heat)
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
6 ounce jar of chopped sweet peppers and juice
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 - 28 ounce can tomato sauce
1 - 28 ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef until no longer pink and transfer to the slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Drain off all but two tablespoons of fat and add the onions to the pan. Cook the onions over med-high heat until they begin to soften. Add the peppers to the onions and sauté until softened. Add the garlic and jalapeno peppers, cooking for one minute longer. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker with the beef.
Add the chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, sweet peppers and juice to the beef mixture and stir to combine. Add the brown sugar, tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes stirring thoroughly to be sure all the ingredients are incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook in the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
Serve with your favorite chili toppings, we love greek yogurt, sour cream, shredded cheddar, green onions, and pickled jalapenos...just to name a few.
TEXAS-STYLE CHILI
This is from Juila Moskin in The New York Times cooking email. Julia wrote, “Calling a dish ‘Texas Chili,’ especially if you’re not a native of that state, is clearly asking for trouble. But this recipe, refined over years of potlucks and Super Bowl parties, is too good to keep under wraps. Its depth of flavor, from different chile types, makes this recipe stand out. It also has whole spices, unsweetened chocolate and dark beer that meld seamlessly into a brick-red sauce that naps the succulent meat. The meat can be cut into large chunks, or, more traditionally, thin slices, especially if you are using a tougher cut than chuck. Sirloin also makes good chili. If you have masa harina, the corn flour used to make tortillas, that will make the gravy even thicker, but it is not necessary. Like many vigorously spiced dishes, this one tastes even better a day or two after it is made and will hold its flavor well for at least a week.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Texas Chili Makes a Welcome Guest” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
4 pounds beef chuck roast or steak
1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra as needed
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped, plus extra chopped onion for serving
6 large garlic cloves, minced
4 to 7 large fresh green jalapeños (depending on how much heat you like), stemmed, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons masa harina or 1 corn tortilla, torn into pieces (optional)
2 tablespoons ground pure chile powder, such as pasilla, Chimayo or ancho
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 (12-ounce) bottle Negra Modelo beer
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, or 3 10-ounce cans Ro-Tel canned tomatoes with green chiles
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
3 whole dried large red chiles, such as New Mexico or guajillo
Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Fritos or warmed flour tortillas, for serving
Preparation
In a small heavy skillet, toast cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. In a mortar and pestle, or in a coffee grinder, grind to a powder and set aside.
Meanwhile, roughly cut beef into 2-inch cubes, or slice it against the grain into pieces about 1/4-inch thick by 1 1/2 inches square. Sprinkle with salt.
In a large, heavy pot over high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, brown the meat, turning occasionally until crusty. Adjust heat to prevent scorching. As it is cooked, remove the meat to drain on paper towels. Add more oil as needed for browning, but do not clean out the pot.
To the empty but crusty pot, add onion, garlic, jalapeños, masa harina or tortilla (if using), chile powder, cumin-coriander powder and oregano. Cook, stirring, until onion has softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add meat, beer, tomatoes, chocolate, whole dried chiles and 1 quart water. Bring to a gentle simmer and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is fork-tender. Remove the dried chiles. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate. The chili tastes best one or two days after it is made.
Reheat over low heat if necessary and serve in bowls, sprinkled with chopped onion and cilantro. Add Fritos for crunch, or dip tortillas into the spicy gravy.
SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI
This comes from Ree Drummond, from The Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.
EASY CLASSIC CHILI
This is from Paula Deen Magazine, and begins, “This Easy Classic Chili is a delicious mixture of slow-cooked ground chuck, tomatoes, kidney beans, sweet onions, and bell peppers. Complete this meal by serving it with a side of cornbread or crackers.”
Makes 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds ground chuck
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups chopped sweet onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1.75-ounce) packet chili seasoning
Toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro
Instructions
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef, salt, and pepper, and cook until browned and crumbly; drain well.
In a 6-quart slow cooker, stir together cooked beef, tomatoes, beans, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and seasoning until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with toppings.
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS
This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 corn tortillas
1/4 c. Country Crock Original
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.
ROASTED SQUASH CHILI MAC
This is from Rachael Ray of The Food Network show Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 20 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced (or look for diced raw butternut squash in the produce department)
EVOO, for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound rigatoni, penne or macaroni with ridges
2 tablespoons chili powder, such as Gebhardt's, or a blend of ancho or chipotle
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, made into a paste
1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno or jalapeno, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp yellow Cheddar
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
One 14-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded pepper jack or other hot-pepper melting cheese
Ingredients
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly butter a casserole dish.
Put the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with EVOO and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss to combine. Roast until the edges are browned, 17 to 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water to just shy of al dente, 7 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chili powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, garlic and chile pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, then whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir until melted.
Combine the squash, chili-cheese sauce and beans, then transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the pepper jack cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.
SLOW COOKER SWEET AND SPICY CHILI
This recipe is from Kellie Hemmerly on TODAY’s, and begins, “This Sweet and Spicy Chili is made in the slow cooker for deep, concentrated flavor. The BEST chili recipe around, I use a secret ingredient to create a sweet-tart background to this slightly spicy recipe.”
Kellie’s website, The Suburban Soapbox, looks pretty cool; I recommend checking it out!
Anyway, to view this recipe online, click here.
Servings: 1 cup; Yield: 10-12 servings; Prep Time: 20 min; Cooking Time: 4 hr
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef (I used 80-20)
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 large jalapeno peppers, minced (remove the seeds and veins for less heat...leave them for more heat)
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
6 ounce jar of chopped sweet peppers and juice
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 - 28 ounce can tomato sauce
1 - 28 ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef until no longer pink and transfer to the slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Drain off all but two tablespoons of fat and add the onions to the pan. Cook the onions over med-high heat until they begin to soften. Add the peppers to the onions and sauté until softened. Add the garlic and jalapeno peppers, cooking for one minute longer. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker with the beef.
Add the chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, sweet peppers and juice to the beef mixture and stir to combine. Add the brown sugar, tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes stirring thoroughly to be sure all the ingredients are incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook in the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
Serve with your favorite chili toppings, we love greek yogurt, sour cream, shredded cheddar, green onions, and pickled jalapenos...just to name a few.
TEXAS-STYLE CHILI
This is from Juila Moskin in The New York Times cooking email. Julia wrote, “Calling a dish ‘Texas Chili,’ especially if you’re not a native of that state, is clearly asking for trouble. But this recipe, refined over years of potlucks and Super Bowl parties, is too good to keep under wraps. Its depth of flavor, from different chile types, makes this recipe stand out. It also has whole spices, unsweetened chocolate and dark beer that meld seamlessly into a brick-red sauce that naps the succulent meat. The meat can be cut into large chunks, or, more traditionally, thin slices, especially if you are using a tougher cut than chuck. Sirloin also makes good chili. If you have masa harina, the corn flour used to make tortillas, that will make the gravy even thicker, but it is not necessary. Like many vigorously spiced dishes, this one tastes even better a day or two after it is made and will hold its flavor well for at least a week.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Texas Chili Makes a Welcome Guest” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
4 pounds beef chuck roast or steak
1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra as needed
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped, plus extra chopped onion for serving
6 large garlic cloves, minced
4 to 7 large fresh green jalapeños (depending on how much heat you like), stemmed, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons masa harina or 1 corn tortilla, torn into pieces (optional)
2 tablespoons ground pure chile powder, such as pasilla, Chimayo or ancho
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 (12-ounce) bottle Negra Modelo beer
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, or 3 10-ounce cans Ro-Tel canned tomatoes with green chiles
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
3 whole dried large red chiles, such as New Mexico or guajillo
Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Fritos or warmed flour tortillas, for serving
Preparation
In a small heavy skillet, toast cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. In a mortar and pestle, or in a coffee grinder, grind to a powder and set aside.
Meanwhile, roughly cut beef into 2-inch cubes, or slice it against the grain into pieces about 1/4-inch thick by 1 1/2 inches square. Sprinkle with salt.
In a large, heavy pot over high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, brown the meat, turning occasionally until crusty. Adjust heat to prevent scorching. As it is cooked, remove the meat to drain on paper towels. Add more oil as needed for browning, but do not clean out the pot.
To the empty but crusty pot, add onion, garlic, jalapeños, masa harina or tortilla (if using), chile powder, cumin-coriander powder and oregano. Cook, stirring, until onion has softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add meat, beer, tomatoes, chocolate, whole dried chiles and 1 quart water. Bring to a gentle simmer and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is fork-tender. Remove the dried chiles. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate. The chili tastes best one or two days after it is made.
Reheat over low heat if necessary and serve in bowls, sprinkled with chopped onion and cilantro. Add Fritos for crunch, or dip tortillas into the spicy gravy.
SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI
This comes from Ree Drummond, from The Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.
EASY CLASSIC CHILI
This is from Paula Deen Magazine, and begins, “This Easy Classic Chili is a delicious mixture of slow-cooked ground chuck, tomatoes, kidney beans, sweet onions, and bell peppers. Complete this meal by serving it with a side of cornbread or crackers.”
Makes 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds ground chuck
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups chopped sweet onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1.75-ounce) packet chili seasoning
Toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro
Instructions
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef, salt, and pepper, and cook until browned and crumbly; drain well.
In a 6-quart slow cooker, stir together cooked beef, tomatoes, beans, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and seasoning until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with toppings.
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS
This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 corn tortillas
1/4 c. Country Crock Original
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Lasagna - Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post deals with one of my favorite foods, lasagna. Six yummy recipes (including Vegan Lasagna and Classic Lasagna), just waiting for you to try them out! Enjoy!
EXTRA-EASY SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “No need to cook the lasagna noodles...just layer them right in the pan with the cheeses, spinach and tomato-mushroom sauce.”
Serves: 8 servings (1 cup each); Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce
6 uncooked lasagna noodle
1/4 cup water
Directions
Stir the ricotta cheese, spinach and 1 cup mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl.
Spread 1 cup sauce in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles and half the spinach mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining sauce. Slowly pour water around the inside edges of the baking dish. Cover.
Bake at 400°F. for 40 minutes. Uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Tip: To thaw the spinach, microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, breaking apart with a fork halfway through heating.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This is from tbsp., and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10
View this online here.
Ingredients
6-8 large tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 medium onion, diced
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type
1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 small or medium tomatoes, diced
Cilantro, as desired
Black olives, as desired
Sour cream, for topping
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.
Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).
Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.
Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.
EASY PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)
This recipe is from tbsp.com, and begins, “This big, fat Greek pasta is as delicious as it is comforting. Packed with a meaty tomato sauce, penne pasta, warm spices and topped with an easier-than-you-think béchamel, it’s a take on lasagna we highly recommend.”
Prep 45 minutes; Total: 1 hour 30 minutes; Servings: 8
View this online here.
Ingredients
Pasta
12 oz uncooked penne pasta (4 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato basil pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs, beaten
Topping
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up any lumps with back of wooden spoon. Add onion; cook and stir about 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in pasta sauce. Heat to simmering; reduce heat to low. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix tomato sauce mixture, cooked pasta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 3 eggs. Spread in baking dish; spread top smooth.
In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, 1 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually beat in milk with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; beat in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. In small bowl, beat 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into beaten egg. Return egg mixture to pan, beating constantly. Pour over top of pasta.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top is bubbly and lightly browned in spots. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
LASAGNA
This is from Regina Schrambling in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “In 2001, Regina Schrambling went on a week long odyssey in search of the ultimate lasagna recipe. She tested several, and finally found her ideal in a mash-up of recipes from Giuliano Bugialli and Elodia Rigante, both Italian cookbook authors.
“‘If there were central casting for casseroles, this one deserved the leading role. But its beauty was more than cheese deep. This was the best lasagna I had ever eaten. The sauce was intensely flavored, the cheeses melted into creaminess as if they were bechamel, the meat was just chunky enough, and the noodles put up no resistance to the fork. Most important, the balance of pasta and sauce was positively Italian. At last I could understand why my neighbor Geoff had told me, as I dragged home more bags in our elevator, that all-day lasagna is the only kind worth making.’”
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 4 hours
This was featured in “The Noodle And I: A Face Off At The Oven”, and can be viewed online here.
Note: I seldom include recipes where alcohol is one of the ingredients, for a number of reasons, the main one being that many people (including me) don't keep alcohol around, whether for health, religious, or ethical reasons (or just because they'd rather not). For those who don't have red wine around, I'm sure you'll be able to find a good alcohol-free wine and/or a suitable substitution. If you find something that really works here, in place of the wine (if you're doing a substitution), please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll pass along the information!
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 medium red onions, finely diced
2 large cloves minced garlic
8 ounces pancetta, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups good red wine, preferably Italian
2 28-ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3/4 pound ground sirloin
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano
2 eggs
10 sprigs fresh parsley, leaves only, washed and dried
2 large whole cloves garlic
1/2 cup flour
1 pound Italian sausage, a mix of hot and sweet
For the Lasagna:
1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
2 extra-large eggs
2 cups freshly grated pecorino Romano
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 pound mozzarella, grated
16 sheets fresh lasagna noodles, preferably Antica Pasteria
Preparation
For the sauce, heat 1/2 cup oil in a large heavy Dutch oven or kettle over low heat. Add the onions, minced garlic and pancetta, and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the onions are wilted. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Raise heat slightly, add the wine and cook until it is mostly reduced, about 20 minutes. Crush the tomatoes into the pan, and add their juice. Add the tomato paste and 2 cups lukewarm water. Simmer for 1 hour.
Combine the sirloin, cheese and eggs in a large bowl. Chop the parsley with the whole garlic until fine, then stir into the beef mixture. Season lavishly with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Shape into meatballs and set aside.
Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dust the meatballs lightly with flour, shaking off excess, and lay into the hot oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides (do not cook through) and transfer to the sauce.
In a clean skillet, brown the sausages over medium-high heat. Transfer to the sauce. Simmer 1 1/2 hours.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, pecorino Romano, parsley and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Remove the meatballs and sausage from the sauce, and set aside to cool slightly, then chop coarsely. Spoon a thick layer of sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch lasagna pan. Cover with a layer of noodles. Spoon more sauce on top, then add a third of the meat and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat for 2 more layers, using all the meat and cheese. Top with a layer of noodles, and cover with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle reserved mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
VEGAN LASAGNA
This comes from Lena Abraham on Delish, and begins, “A lasagna you can feel good about.”
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 10-12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles
1 (14-oz) package firm tofu, drained
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1 (8-oz) package baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 (10-oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained of excess liquid
For the White Sauce
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 c. marinara
3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 c. thinly sliced basil, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain.
Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen cloth or paper towels and place on a large plate. Place a pan or heavy plate on top of tofu in order to press out as much liquid as possible. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. When drained, crumble with two forks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp oregano. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thawed and drained spinach until completely combined. Remove from heat and set aside vegetables.
Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat to make white sauce: Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook until lightly golden and nutty, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in nut milk until smooth. Stir in nutritional yeast and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Build lasagna: In a large baking dish, spoon 1/4 c marinara into an even layer, then add a layer of noodles. Top with an even layer of vegetable mixture, tofu, marinara, and white sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending in marinara. Add a single layer of tomato rounds and season with salt, pepper and remaining oregano.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until tomatoes are cooked and lasagna is heated through. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with basil and serve.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This comes Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alison wrote, “While not a 30-minute meal, this lasagna is quicker and more straightforward than most. If you're in a real time crunch, use your favorite jarred red sauce. For greater success with the lasagna noodles, which have a tendency to stick together, boil them in the largest pot possible or work in batches – they need as much water as possible to move freely so they don’t clump. This lasagna can be assembled, baked and refrigerated up to five days ahead, or frozen up to a month ahead if wrapped tightly.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 2 hours.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or hot (optional), casings removed
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
For the Assembly:
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella, grated or shredded into small pieces
16 ounces (2 cups) whole milk ricotta
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling on top (optional)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound dried lasagna noodles (not the no-boil variety)
Olive oil
Preparation
Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sausage, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s starting to brown but not yet crisp, about 5 minutes.
Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until the tomato paste has turned a deeper brick red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes.
Using your hands, crush the whole tomatoes into smaller, bite-size pieces and add them and the crushed tomatoes, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.
Make the lasagna: Heat oven to 375 degrees and set a large pot of salted water to boil.
Set aside 1 cup mozzarella. In a medium bowl, combine remaining mozzarella, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan and cream; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Cook lasagna noodles in the large pot of salted boiling water until just softened (before they are even aldente), about 4 minutes. Drain and separate any noodles that are trying to stick together, slicking them with a bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking further.
Spoon a bit of sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with a layer of noodles, avoiding any heavy overlap.
Top with about 1 1/4 cups of sauce, and dollop 1/4 of the cheese mixture over. Top with another layer of noodles and repeat three more times, ending with the last of the noodles (depending on size of the noodle/shape of the baking dish, you may have a few extra noodles) and the last of the sauce. Top with reserved 1 cup mozzarella and more Parmesan, if you like.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place baking dish on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet (to prevent any overflow from burning on the bottom of your oven).
Bake until pasta is completely tender and cooked through and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and increase temperature to 450 degrees. Continue to bake until lasagna is golden brown on top with frilly, crispy edges and corners, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating.
EXTRA-EASY SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “No need to cook the lasagna noodles...just layer them right in the pan with the cheeses, spinach and tomato-mushroom sauce.”
Serves: 8 servings (1 cup each); Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce
6 uncooked lasagna noodle
1/4 cup water
Directions
Stir the ricotta cheese, spinach and 1 cup mozzarella cheese in a medium bowl.
Spread 1 cup sauce in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles and half the spinach mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining sauce. Slowly pour water around the inside edges of the baking dish. Cover.
Bake at 400°F. for 40 minutes. Uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until it's hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Tip: To thaw the spinach, microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes, breaking apart with a fork halfway through heating.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This is from tbsp., and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10
View this online here.
Ingredients
6-8 large tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 medium onion, diced
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type
1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 small or medium tomatoes, diced
Cilantro, as desired
Black olives, as desired
Sour cream, for topping
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.
Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).
Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.
Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.
EASY PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)
This recipe is from tbsp.com, and begins, “This big, fat Greek pasta is as delicious as it is comforting. Packed with a meaty tomato sauce, penne pasta, warm spices and topped with an easier-than-you-think béchamel, it’s a take on lasagna we highly recommend.”
Prep 45 minutes; Total: 1 hour 30 minutes; Servings: 8
View this online here.
Ingredients
Pasta
12 oz uncooked penne pasta (4 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato basil pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs, beaten
Topping
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up any lumps with back of wooden spoon. Add onion; cook and stir about 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in pasta sauce. Heat to simmering; reduce heat to low. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix tomato sauce mixture, cooked pasta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 3 eggs. Spread in baking dish; spread top smooth.
In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, 1 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually beat in milk with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; beat in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. In small bowl, beat 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into beaten egg. Return egg mixture to pan, beating constantly. Pour over top of pasta.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top is bubbly and lightly browned in spots. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
LASAGNA
This is from Regina Schrambling in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “In 2001, Regina Schrambling went on a week long odyssey in search of the ultimate lasagna recipe. She tested several, and finally found her ideal in a mash-up of recipes from Giuliano Bugialli and Elodia Rigante, both Italian cookbook authors.
“‘If there were central casting for casseroles, this one deserved the leading role. But its beauty was more than cheese deep. This was the best lasagna I had ever eaten. The sauce was intensely flavored, the cheeses melted into creaminess as if they were bechamel, the meat was just chunky enough, and the noodles put up no resistance to the fork. Most important, the balance of pasta and sauce was positively Italian. At last I could understand why my neighbor Geoff had told me, as I dragged home more bags in our elevator, that all-day lasagna is the only kind worth making.’”
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 4 hours
This was featured in “The Noodle And I: A Face Off At The Oven”, and can be viewed online here.
Note: I seldom include recipes where alcohol is one of the ingredients, for a number of reasons, the main one being that many people (including me) don't keep alcohol around, whether for health, religious, or ethical reasons (or just because they'd rather not). For those who don't have red wine around, I'm sure you'll be able to find a good alcohol-free wine and/or a suitable substitution. If you find something that really works here, in place of the wine (if you're doing a substitution), please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll pass along the information!
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 medium red onions, finely diced
2 large cloves minced garlic
8 ounces pancetta, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups good red wine, preferably Italian
2 28-ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3/4 pound ground sirloin
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano
2 eggs
10 sprigs fresh parsley, leaves only, washed and dried
2 large whole cloves garlic
1/2 cup flour
1 pound Italian sausage, a mix of hot and sweet
For the Lasagna:
1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
2 extra-large eggs
2 cups freshly grated pecorino Romano
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 pound mozzarella, grated
16 sheets fresh lasagna noodles, preferably Antica Pasteria
Preparation
For the sauce, heat 1/2 cup oil in a large heavy Dutch oven or kettle over low heat. Add the onions, minced garlic and pancetta, and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the onions are wilted. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Raise heat slightly, add the wine and cook until it is mostly reduced, about 20 minutes. Crush the tomatoes into the pan, and add their juice. Add the tomato paste and 2 cups lukewarm water. Simmer for 1 hour.
Combine the sirloin, cheese and eggs in a large bowl. Chop the parsley with the whole garlic until fine, then stir into the beef mixture. Season lavishly with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Shape into meatballs and set aside.
Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dust the meatballs lightly with flour, shaking off excess, and lay into the hot oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides (do not cook through) and transfer to the sauce.
In a clean skillet, brown the sausages over medium-high heat. Transfer to the sauce. Simmer 1 1/2 hours.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, pecorino Romano, parsley and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Remove the meatballs and sausage from the sauce, and set aside to cool slightly, then chop coarsely. Spoon a thick layer of sauce into the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch lasagna pan. Cover with a layer of noodles. Spoon more sauce on top, then add a third of the meat and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat for 2 more layers, using all the meat and cheese. Top with a layer of noodles, and cover with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle reserved mozzarella evenly over the top. Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
VEGAN LASAGNA
This comes from Lena Abraham on Delish, and begins, “A lasagna you can feel good about.”
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 10-12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles
1 (14-oz) package firm tofu, drained
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1 (8-oz) package baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 (10-oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained of excess liquid
For the White Sauce
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 c. marinara
3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 c. thinly sliced basil, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain.
Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen cloth or paper towels and place on a large plate. Place a pan or heavy plate on top of tofu in order to press out as much liquid as possible. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. When drained, crumble with two forks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp oregano. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thawed and drained spinach until completely combined. Remove from heat and set aside vegetables.
Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat to make white sauce: Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook until lightly golden and nutty, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in nut milk until smooth. Stir in nutritional yeast and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Build lasagna: In a large baking dish, spoon 1/4 c marinara into an even layer, then add a layer of noodles. Top with an even layer of vegetable mixture, tofu, marinara, and white sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending in marinara. Add a single layer of tomato rounds and season with salt, pepper and remaining oregano.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until tomatoes are cooked and lasagna is heated through. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with basil and serve.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This comes Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alison wrote, “While not a 30-minute meal, this lasagna is quicker and more straightforward than most. If you're in a real time crunch, use your favorite jarred red sauce. For greater success with the lasagna noodles, which have a tendency to stick together, boil them in the largest pot possible or work in batches – they need as much water as possible to move freely so they don’t clump. This lasagna can be assembled, baked and refrigerated up to five days ahead, or frozen up to a month ahead if wrapped tightly.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 2 hours.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or hot (optional), casings removed
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
For the Assembly:
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella, grated or shredded into small pieces
16 ounces (2 cups) whole milk ricotta
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling on top (optional)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound dried lasagna noodles (not the no-boil variety)
Olive oil
Preparation
Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sausage, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s starting to brown but not yet crisp, about 5 minutes.
Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until the tomato paste has turned a deeper brick red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes.
Using your hands, crush the whole tomatoes into smaller, bite-size pieces and add them and the crushed tomatoes, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.
Make the lasagna: Heat oven to 375 degrees and set a large pot of salted water to boil.
Set aside 1 cup mozzarella. In a medium bowl, combine remaining mozzarella, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan and cream; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Cook lasagna noodles in the large pot of salted boiling water until just softened (before they are even aldente), about 4 minutes. Drain and separate any noodles that are trying to stick together, slicking them with a bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking further.
Spoon a bit of sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with a layer of noodles, avoiding any heavy overlap.
Top with about 1 1/4 cups of sauce, and dollop 1/4 of the cheese mixture over. Top with another layer of noodles and repeat three more times, ending with the last of the noodles (depending on size of the noodle/shape of the baking dish, you may have a few extra noodles) and the last of the sauce. Top with reserved 1 cup mozzarella and more Parmesan, if you like.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place baking dish on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet (to prevent any overflow from burning on the bottom of your oven).
Bake until pasta is completely tender and cooked through and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and increase temperature to 450 degrees. Continue to bake until lasagna is golden brown on top with frilly, crispy edges and corners, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating.
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