Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's six recipes include Rao's Meatballs With Marinara Sauce and Moroccan Seven-Vegetable Couscous. Enjoy!
MEXICAN CHICKEN ORZO BAKE
This is from tbsp., and begins, “This riff on arroz con pollo uses rice-shaped orzo pasta and easy boneless skinless chicken thighs for a flavorful dinner that’s sure to please kids and adults alike.”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 lb uncooked orzo or rosamarina pasta (1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced white onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix
1 package (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese (purchase later if freezing orzo bake for a later date)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves (purchase later if freezing orzo bake for a later date)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 4-quart saucepan, heat 2 quarts water to boiling over high heat. Add pasta; reduce heat to simmering. Cook 4 minutes; drain. Return to saucepan; stir in broth and chili powder. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeño chile and salt; cook 6 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are soft and beginning to brown on edges. Add tomatoes; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir into saucepan with pasta mixture; pour into baking dish.
In medium bowl, mix vegetable oil and taco seasoning mix; add chicken thighs, and toss to coat. Place chicken on top of pasta mixture in dish; cover tightly with foil. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F when instant-read thermometer is inserted into center of thigh, OR freeze and bake later as directed in step 5. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with queso fresco and cilantro.
If making ahead to bake and serve at a later date: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to completely enclose assembled casserole. Spread pasta mixture in large shallow pan; cool mixture completely, covered, 30 to 45 minutes in refrigerator before assembling casserole. Assemble casserole in dish; cover with another layer of plastic wrap. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Remove plastic wrap from casserole; place in baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; thaw completely in refrigerator, 24 to 48 hours. Heat oven to 375°F. Bake, covered, 55 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly on edges (165°F in center). Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with queso fresco and cilantro.
RAO’S MEATBALLS WITH MARINARA SAUCE
This comes from Adam Nagourney in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Adam wrote, “This is one of the signature dishes at Rao’s, the East Harlem red-sauce joint that is best-known for a loyal, boldface-name clientele that makes it difficult to get a table. The restaurant now has satellites in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: About 1 1/2 hours
This was featured in “At Rao’s In Los Angeles, Red Sauce And Rivalry”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 ounces salt pork, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons minced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 28-ounce cans imported Italian crushed tomatoes
6 leaves fresh basil, torn into small pieces
Pinch of dried oregano
Salt and ground black pepper
For the Meatballs:
1 pound ground lean beef
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
2 large eggs
1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 small garlic clove, minced
Salt and ground black pepper
2 cups fine dry bread crumbs
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, lightly smashed
Preparation
Make the sauce: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, then add the salt pork. Sauté until fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard salt pork. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté just until softened. Add tomatoes with their juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 45 minutes. Add the basil, oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1 minute more.
Make the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the beef, veal and pork. Add the eggs, cheese, parsley and minced garlic, then salt and pepper as desired. Add the bread crumbs and mix well. Slowly add up to 2 cups water, 1/2 cup at a time, until the mixture is moist; all the water may not be needed. Shape into 1 1/2 -inch meatballs.
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic and sauté until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes, then discard the garlic. Working in batches and taking care not to crowd the pan, add meatballs and fry until undersides are brown and slightly crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn and brown the other sides, about 5 minutes more. Transfer cooked meatballs to paper towels to drain, then add to the marinara sauce. Mix gently and serve.
BEEF AND BROCCOLI
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a streamlined, powerfully flavorful recipe for a delivery-food standby: velvety wok-fried beef in a oyster-soy sauce, served in a forest of green. ‘It’s diaspora food,’ the chef Jonathan Wu told me, describing the cooking of Chinese immigrants to the United States and a dish that is almost unknown in China but beloved in America. The recipe is a version of the one Wu’s mother made for dinner when he was growing up outside Hartford, Conn., with a little chile-garlic paste added for zip and, thanks to the Brooklyn chef Dale Talde, a pat of butter swirled into the sauce at the end. This provides a plush gloss that is far better than the traditional cornstarch slurry. It is midweek family cooking at its best.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “The Best Beef and Broccoli, No Delivery Required” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This is me (Robin) writing. Cooking can be a fun, creative process. There have been many times over the years when I have not had an ingredient on hand; I’ve either run out, or, in the case of alcohol, just plain don’t have it around at all. If that sounds familiar, you can usually experiment. I personally would either use non-alcoholic wine or water for the wine, and either hoisin sauce or soy sauce in place of the oyster sauce. But that’s just me. Feel free to follow Sam’s recipe here to the letter. But either way, make sure you get some enjoyment out of your food and the company you eat with!
Ingredients
1/3 cup Shaoxing rice wine, dry sherry or sake
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 pound beef — chuck or rib steak — sliced thin against the grain
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/2 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce, or to taste
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon neutral oil, like canola, grapeseed or peanut
1 pound broccoli, the head cut into florets and the stems peeled and cut into planks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Preparation
In a large bowl, whisk together the wine, 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce and the cornstarch. Add the beef to the bowl, and toss to combine, then cover the bowl, and set aside for 20 minutes or so.
To make the sauce, combine in a small bowl the remaining soy sauce, the oyster sauce and the chile-garlic sauce, and mix to combine, then add a tablespoon of water and mixagain. Set aside.
Heat the 1/2 cup of oil in a wok set over high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add about half the beef to the wok, and stir-fry until it is browned and crisp and barely cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl or plate, and set aside. Then repeat with remaining beef.
Pour off the oil in the wok, wipe it out with a towel and return it to the stove over high heat. Add the remaining tablespoon oil, and swirl it around and heat it until it is smoking. Add the broccoli and cook, tossing and stirring frequently, until lightly charred in spots, about 2 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons water to the wok, and toss and stir the broccoli in the steam for an additional 2 minutes, then return beef to the wok, followed by the sauce. Cook, stirring and tossing frequently, for 30 seconds or so, then add the butter, and stir and toss again for 30 seconds more. Serve immediately, with rice.
CLASSIC BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alison wrote, “Think Stouffer's without the freezer. While it can be enjoyed straight from the pot, this macaroni and cheese has a slightly looser sauce than the stovetop variety to allow for thickening in the oven. Bread crumbs, while optional, make it truly spectacular.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: about 1 hour
To view this online at the Times’ website, click here.
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese:
1 pound elbows, shells, cavatappi, farfalle, fusilli or other short, tube-shaped pasta
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1 teaspoon smoked or hot paprika
Freshly ground pepper
12 ounces sharp or white Cheddar cheese, grated
12 ounces fontina or Gruyère, grated
For the Topping (Optional):
1 cup coarse bread crumbs or panko
4 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it’s barely al dente. (It should be more al dente than your average pasta: It’s going to continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat butter in a medium pot over medium heat. (The pot should be large enough to hold all the pasta when cooked.) Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the flour is foamy and just starting to turn a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid clumping. Add garlic, paprika and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and paying special attention to the edges of the pot to make sure the flour mixture is totally incorporated.
Add grated cheese and whisk to blend until the cheese is completely melted. (The sauce will seem thick at first and thin out as the cheese melts; it will thicken while it bakes.) Season with salt and pepper and add cooked pasta, stirring to coat well.
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any cheesy drips).
Make the optional topping: Combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan, if using, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using your hands, mix well to ensure the bread crumbs are evenly coated.
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a 2-quart baking dish and scatter bread crumbs, if using, evenly over the top. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until macaroni and cheese is bubbling, thickened and creamy, and bread crumbs are evenly golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
MOROCCAN SEVEN-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
This recipe is from the March 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times The recipe states, “To many Americans, couscous refers to the tiny pearls of semolina we've come to know and love. But in Morocco, it is also the proper name for a time-honored stew, rich with vegetables and the flavors—saffron, cinnamon, turmeric—of North Africa. This is a terrific, relaxed party dish—easy to make, fun to eat and meant for a gathering.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 large onions, quartered and cut in 1/2-inch slices
2 pinches saffron threads
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs cilantro, tied in a bundle with kitchen string
4 fresh or canned tomatoes, peeled, seeded and quartered
1 qt. vegetable stock
3 cups water
1 turnip, peeled and cut in 1-inch cubes
1/2 lb. carrots, peeled, halved length-wise and cut in 2-inch sticks
3/4 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut in 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 medium-sized zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut in 2-inch sticks
1 cup raisins
1 14-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups quick-cooking couscous, uncooked
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
Heat butter and olive oil in stockpot over medium heat. Add onions, and cook 15 minutes. Stir in saffron, crushed red pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Add herbs, tomatoes, stock and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes.
Add turnip, carrots and squash. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes. Add zucchini, raisins, chickpeas and sugar. Cook 10 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender. Add salt and pepper.
Cook couscous according to package directions. Mound couscous on large serving platter, and make a well in center. Use slotted spoon to transfer vegetables to well. Ladle stock over entire dish. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.
nutritional information per serving: Calories: 590; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 103 g; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Sodium: 460 mg; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 30 g
BAKED LEMON CHICKEN
This is from The Food Network Kitchen. Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr 10 min; Yield: 4 servings
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/baked-lemon-chicken-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
One 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces, patted dry
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Flour for dredging
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Peel of half a lemon, white pith removed, cut into very thin strips
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup chicken broth, homemade or canned low-sodium
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in the flour and pat off the excess. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the chicken skin-side down and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and reserve. Discard the oil and wipe the pan out with a paper towel. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and heat over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the lemon zest, garlic, and rosemary, and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the honey, lemon juice, and broth, increase the heat and bring to a simmer.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onions to a 9- by 13-inch ovenproof casserole, and spread them out. Arrange the chicken, skin-side up in a single layer on the onions. Pour the cooking liquid over the chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in the oven, basting every 15 minutes, until cooked through, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Diabetic Thursday
It's Diabetic Thursday. Here are today's six diabetic recipes, including Cranberry Orange Bread and Penne alla Pesto. Enjoy!
CALIFORNIA AVOCADO PIQUILLO PEPPER FRITTATA
Yield: 8 servings.
Source: Recipe provided by the California Avocado Commission and developed by Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/862.shtml
Ingredients
1 ripe Fresh California Avocado, seeded, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice *
1/2 cup jarred roasted piquillo peppers, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. sherry vinegar
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 eggs
1/2 cup grated Spanish manchego cheese **
2 Tbsp. chopped Italian parsley
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, for cooking
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, toss together avocado, peppers, garlic, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Let marinate 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, cheese and parsley until frothy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the avocado mixture.
Heat oil in a 10-inch, nonstick, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the egg mixture, reduce heat to medium and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until the bottom is set and the top is still runny. Occasionally lift the outer edges so the uncooked egg can run underneath.
Place the skillet in the oven and cook until the eggs are set and golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the oven and loosen the bottom of the frittata with a spatula. Place a serving plate over the skillet and invert the frittata onto it. Cut into wedges and serve hot or at room temperature.
* Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.
** Crumbled goat cheese may be substituted for Spanish manchego cheese.
Nutritional Information Per Serving : Calories: 300; Protein: 16 g; Fat: 23 g; Sodium: 370 mg; Cholesterol: 440 mg; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g
APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS
Servings: 12
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/170.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=170
Ingredients
1-1/4 cup oat bran cereal; uncooked
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup apple, peeled, cored, diced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 375.
Coat 12 medium-size cups with vegetables oil or line with paper baking cups.
In a medium bowl combine oat bran cereal, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt.
In large bowl combine applesauce, honey, oil, egg, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients; mix well. Stir in apple.
Fill prepared muffin cup almost full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread; 1 Fat; 1/2 Fruit
CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD
Servings: 16
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/177.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=177
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 tablespoons fructose
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
3/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup egg substitute or 3 whole eggs
1/3 cup unsweetened orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup chopped cranberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup chopped nuts* (optional)
Directions
Heat oven to 350F.
Grease and flour 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Combine first 6 ingredients; mix well. Set aside.
Beat milk, egg substitute, orange juice, vegetable oil and orange peel until mixed thoroughly. Add to dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.
*To toast nuts for extra flavor, spread evenly in small baking pan. Bake in 350F oven 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 130; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 80 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread , 1 Fat
PEACH FROZEN YOGURT
This comes from Diabetic Connect, and starts off, “This tasty dessert treat only has 3 ingredients! Not to mention it's incredibly easy to make and delicious.” Makes 8 servings.
View this online here.
Ingredients
2 cups peeled, chopped peaches
1/4 cup honey
2 1/2 cups non-fat plain Greek yogurt
Directions
Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor.
Pour into a ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
Pour into a freezer safe container and freeze for 1 hour until hard, but not frozen solid.
NOTE: frozen yogurt that is not eaten can be poured into Popsicle molds for a later treat.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; For 1/2 cup of frozen yogurt: Calories 90; Total Fat 0g; Sodium 31mg; Carbohydrates 15g; Sugars 13g; Protein 7g
GREEN BEANS WITH CITRUS MUSTARD
Provides 3g. dietary fiber.
Yield: Makes 4 servings.
Source: AICR
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/432.shtml
Ingredients
3/4 pound green beans, stemmed and halved
1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
1 tsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. mint, cut into very thin strips
1/4-1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest, according to taste
1 tsp. minced shallot
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Steam beans 5 minutes or until tender but still crisp.
While beans cook, in a large mixing bowl, use a fork to combine mustard, lime juice and salt, mixing until creamy. Mix in mint, lemon zest and shallots.
Drain cooked beans and add to the mustard mixture, stirring to coat them. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature. This dish can be refrigerated for 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Frozen whole green beans may be used, although they will be less crisp than fresh ones. For frozen beans, reduce cooking time to 3 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 391 mg; Carbohydrates: 6 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
PENNE ALLA PESTO
Servings: 4
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=194
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/194.shtml
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups fresh basil, stems removed
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb. cooked penne, hot
Directions
Wash and dry basil. Place basil in a blender or food processor with garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, cheese and pepper to taste; purée.
Transfer cooked penne to a serving bowl. Add pesto and toss thoroughly to serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 66 mg; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Fat; 2-1/2 Starch
CALIFORNIA AVOCADO PIQUILLO PEPPER FRITTATA
Yield: 8 servings.
Source: Recipe provided by the California Avocado Commission and developed by Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/862.shtml
Ingredients
1 ripe Fresh California Avocado, seeded, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice *
1/2 cup jarred roasted piquillo peppers, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. sherry vinegar
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 eggs
1/2 cup grated Spanish manchego cheese **
2 Tbsp. chopped Italian parsley
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, for cooking
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, toss together avocado, peppers, garlic, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Let marinate 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, cheese and parsley until frothy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the avocado mixture.
Heat oil in a 10-inch, nonstick, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the egg mixture, reduce heat to medium and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until the bottom is set and the top is still runny. Occasionally lift the outer edges so the uncooked egg can run underneath.
Place the skillet in the oven and cook until the eggs are set and golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the oven and loosen the bottom of the frittata with a spatula. Place a serving plate over the skillet and invert the frittata onto it. Cut into wedges and serve hot or at room temperature.
* Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.
** Crumbled goat cheese may be substituted for Spanish manchego cheese.
Nutritional Information Per Serving : Calories: 300; Protein: 16 g; Fat: 23 g; Sodium: 370 mg; Cholesterol: 440 mg; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g
APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS
Servings: 12
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/170.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=170
Ingredients
1-1/4 cup oat bran cereal; uncooked
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup apple, peeled, cored, diced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 375.
Coat 12 medium-size cups with vegetables oil or line with paper baking cups.
In a medium bowl combine oat bran cereal, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt.
In large bowl combine applesauce, honey, oil, egg, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients; mix well. Stir in apple.
Fill prepared muffin cup almost full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread; 1 Fat; 1/2 Fruit
CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD
Servings: 16
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/177.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=177
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 tablespoons fructose
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
3/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup egg substitute or 3 whole eggs
1/3 cup unsweetened orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup chopped cranberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup chopped nuts* (optional)
Directions
Heat oven to 350F.
Grease and flour 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Combine first 6 ingredients; mix well. Set aside.
Beat milk, egg substitute, orange juice, vegetable oil and orange peel until mixed thoroughly. Add to dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.
*To toast nuts for extra flavor, spread evenly in small baking pan. Bake in 350F oven 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 130; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 80 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread , 1 Fat
PEACH FROZEN YOGURT
This comes from Diabetic Connect, and starts off, “This tasty dessert treat only has 3 ingredients! Not to mention it's incredibly easy to make and delicious.” Makes 8 servings.
View this online here.
Ingredients
2 cups peeled, chopped peaches
1/4 cup honey
2 1/2 cups non-fat plain Greek yogurt
Directions
Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor.
Pour into a ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
Pour into a freezer safe container and freeze for 1 hour until hard, but not frozen solid.
NOTE: frozen yogurt that is not eaten can be poured into Popsicle molds for a later treat.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; For 1/2 cup of frozen yogurt: Calories 90; Total Fat 0g; Sodium 31mg; Carbohydrates 15g; Sugars 13g; Protein 7g
GREEN BEANS WITH CITRUS MUSTARD
Provides 3g. dietary fiber.
Yield: Makes 4 servings.
Source: AICR
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/432.shtml
Ingredients
3/4 pound green beans, stemmed and halved
1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
1 tsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. mint, cut into very thin strips
1/4-1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest, according to taste
1 tsp. minced shallot
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Steam beans 5 minutes or until tender but still crisp.
While beans cook, in a large mixing bowl, use a fork to combine mustard, lime juice and salt, mixing until creamy. Mix in mint, lemon zest and shallots.
Drain cooked beans and add to the mustard mixture, stirring to coat them. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature. This dish can be refrigerated for 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Frozen whole green beans may be used, although they will be less crisp than fresh ones. For frozen beans, reduce cooking time to 3 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 391 mg; Carbohydrates: 6 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
PENNE ALLA PESTO
Servings: 4
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=194
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/194.shtml
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups fresh basil, stems removed
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb. cooked penne, hot
Directions
Wash and dry basil. Place basil in a blender or food processor with garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, cheese and pepper to taste; purée.
Transfer cooked penne to a serving bowl. Add pesto and toss thoroughly to serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 66 mg; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Fat; 2-1/2 Starch
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Mexican Food
I love Mexican food. If you do, too, then you're sure to find something is today's six recipes (including Mexican Chicken Orzo Bake and Dulce de Leche Banana Pie) to dig into. Enjoy!
CHIPOTLE ASPARAGUS QUESADILLAS
This comes from the April/May 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 34. It begins, “Canned chipotles in adobo sauce lend mellow, smoky heat to quesadillas. Leftover chipotles (there are usually four or five in a can) can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for future use.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Quesadillas
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium onion, sliced (1 cup)
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 8-inch sprouted-grain tortillas
Chipotle Spread
3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
2 tsp. minced, drained chipotles in adobo sauce
1 Tbs. lime or lemon juice
Preheat oven to 425°F.
To make Quesadillas: Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, onion, oil, and oregano in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread on large baking sheet, and roast 10 to 12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, stirring once or twice.
Meanwhile, to make Chipotle Spread: blend all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
Spread 1 1/2 tsp. Chipotle Spread on one side of each tortilla, spreading all the way out to edges. Top with 2/3 cup filling on one half of each tortilla, then fold over tortillas, pressing edges together to enclose filling and form half-moons.
Coat large skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla in skillet 2 to 3 minutes, turning once.
nutritional information Per Quesadilla: Calories: 273; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 235 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
MEXICAN CHICKEN ORZO BAKE
This is from tbsp., and begins, “This riff on arroz con pollo uses rice-shaped orzo pasta and easy boneless skinless chicken thighs for a flavorful dinner that’s sure to please kids and adults alike.”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 lb uncooked orzo or rosamarina pasta (1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced white onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix
1 package (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese (purchase later if freezing orzo bake for a later date)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves (purchase later if freezing orzo bake for a later date)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 4-quart saucepan, heat 2 quarts water to boiling over high heat. Add pasta; reduce heat to simmering. Cook 4 minutes; drain. Return to saucepan; stir in broth and chili powder. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeño chile and salt; cook 6 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are soft and beginning to brown on edges. Add tomatoes; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir into saucepan with pasta mixture; pour into baking dish.
In medium bowl, mix vegetable oil and taco seasoning mix; add chicken thighs, and toss to coat. Place chicken on top of pasta mixture in dish; cover tightly with foil. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F when instant-read thermometer is inserted into center of thigh, OR freeze and bake later as directed in step 5. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with queso fresco and cilantro.
If making ahead to bake and serve at a later date: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to completely enclose assembled casserole. Spread pasta mixture in large shallow pan; cool mixture completely, covered, 30 to 45 minutes in refrigerator before assembling casserole. Assemble casserole in dish; cover with another layer of plastic wrap. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Remove plastic wrap from casserole; place in baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; thaw completely in refrigerator, 24 to 48 hours. Heat oven to 375°F. Bake, covered, 55 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly on edges (165°F in center). Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with queso fresco and cilantro.
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.
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH SALSA VERDE
This also comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. For this one, Sam wrote, “Don’t let the one-hour prep time on these enchiladas scare you. Use some leftover roast chicken, or buy a roast chicken at the market on the way home, and you’ll save at least 20 minutes, making the dish a terrific weeknight feed, alongside a green salad. (At El Real Tex-Mex restaurant, in Houston, the great Tex-Mex scholar and restaurateur Robb Walsh serves his version with lightly smoked chicken, which if you can find or make is superb.) The salsa verde is dead simple to make and the rest is assembly — a task that grows markedly easier each time you do it.” Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 1 hour.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Chicken (or use 1 1/4 pounds leftover or store-bought roast chicken):
2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs or breasts, or a mixture
1 small white onion, cut in half
4 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon kosher salt
For the Salsa Verde:
1 pound fresh tomatillos, husked, rinsed and cut into quarters (use canned if you can't find fresh)
1 small white onion, peeled and chopped
1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped
2 serrano chiles or more to taste, seeds removed if you want it less spicy, stemmed and roughly chopped
4 to 5 tender stems of fresh cilantro, with leaves, roughly chopped
Salt to taste
For the Enchiladas:
1/2 cup neutral oil, like canola
12 yellow corn tortillas
1 cup crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
1 cup Mexican crema, or use crème fraîche or sour cream
1 medium-size white onion, peeled and chopped (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the chicken: Place chicken parts in a large saucepan with onion, garlic and salt, and cover with water. Heat pan over high heat until liquid comes to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and let simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool, reserving stock for another use. Using your fingers or two forks, shred meat from chicken and reserve, discarding skin and bones. (Alternatively, shred meat from leftover or store-bought roast chicken and set aside.)
Meanwhile, heat oven to 375, and make the salsa verde: Combine tomatillos, onion, garlic, serranos and cilantro in a blender or food processor and purée until smooth, adding water as needed to thin it out a little. Season with salt to taste.
Prepare the tortillas: In medium sauté pan set over medium-high heat, heat oil until it begins to shimmer. Using tongs or a wide spatula, place a tortilla in the hot fat; it should start to bubble immediately. Heat tortilla for about 10 seconds a side, until soft and lightly browned. Remove tortilla and set on a rack set over a baking pan, or just on a baking pan if you don’t have a rack. Repeat with remaining tortillas, working quickly.
Assemble the enchiladas: Use a ladle to put about 1/2 cup salsa verde in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and spread it out a little. Roll a few tablespoons of shredded chicken into each tortilla with a teaspoon or so of salsa verde and place it seam-side down in the pan, nestling each one against the last. Ladle salsa verde over top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle with about half the crumbled cheese.
Transfer to oven and bake until sauce bubbles and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Dot with crema, sprinkle with remaining cheese and, if using, chopped onion, then serve immediately.
DULCE DE LECHE BANANA PIE
This yummy recipe, from Old El Paso, begins, “A flaky homemade pie crust complements a caramel and banana cream filling.”
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; 8 Servings; 10 Ingredients
To view this yumminess, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/dulce-de-leche-banana-pie.
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
Filling
1 can (13.4 oz) dulce de leche
3 ripe medium bananas
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat oven to 450°F. In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and dough almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
On lightly floured surface, shape dough into a ball. Flatten ball to 1/2-inch thickness, rounding and smoothing edges. With floured rolling pin, roll dough into 11-inch round, rolling from center to edge. Fold dough in half; place in 9-inch glass pie plate. Unfold; gently press in bottom and up side of plate, being careful not to stretch dough.
Fold and roll edge of dough under, even with plate; flute edge. Prick bottom and side of dough generously with fork. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Spoon contents of can of dulce de leche into center of cooled crust; gently spread to edge. Thinly slice bananas; arrange over dulce de leche.
In medium bowl, beat whipping cream and powdered sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread over bananas.
In small resealable freezer plastic bag, place chocolate chips and oil; seal bag. Microwave on High 30 seconds; knead bag to mix melted chips and unmelted chips. Microwave 15 to 30 seconds longer or until all chips are melted and smooth. Snip off tiny corner of bag. Pipe melted chocolate mixture over whipped cream. Store pie in refrigerator.
Expert Tips
Dulce de leche is a traditional Spanish confection made from milk. It's a popular culinary reference to rich caramel flavors. Look for canned dulce de leche in the Hispanic section of the supermarket.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This comes from Rachael Ray, star of The Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.
Total: 30 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken breast, available in the packaged meats case
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 (14-oz) can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn kernels
Salt
8 (8 inch) spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack
2 scallions, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.
CHIPOTLE ASPARAGUS QUESADILLAS
This comes from the April/May 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 34. It begins, “Canned chipotles in adobo sauce lend mellow, smoky heat to quesadillas. Leftover chipotles (there are usually four or five in a can) can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for future use.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Quesadillas
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium onion, sliced (1 cup)
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 8-inch sprouted-grain tortillas
Chipotle Spread
3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
2 tsp. minced, drained chipotles in adobo sauce
1 Tbs. lime or lemon juice
Preheat oven to 425°F.
To make Quesadillas: Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, onion, oil, and oregano in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread on large baking sheet, and roast 10 to 12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, stirring once or twice.
Meanwhile, to make Chipotle Spread: blend all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
Spread 1 1/2 tsp. Chipotle Spread on one side of each tortilla, spreading all the way out to edges. Top with 2/3 cup filling on one half of each tortilla, then fold over tortillas, pressing edges together to enclose filling and form half-moons.
Coat large skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla in skillet 2 to 3 minutes, turning once.
nutritional information Per Quesadilla: Calories: 273; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 235 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
MEXICAN CHICKEN ORZO BAKE
This is from tbsp., and begins, “This riff on arroz con pollo uses rice-shaped orzo pasta and easy boneless skinless chicken thighs for a flavorful dinner that’s sure to please kids and adults alike.”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 lb uncooked orzo or rosamarina pasta (1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced white onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix
1 package (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese (purchase later if freezing orzo bake for a later date)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves (purchase later if freezing orzo bake for a later date)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 4-quart saucepan, heat 2 quarts water to boiling over high heat. Add pasta; reduce heat to simmering. Cook 4 minutes; drain. Return to saucepan; stir in broth and chili powder. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeño chile and salt; cook 6 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are soft and beginning to brown on edges. Add tomatoes; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir into saucepan with pasta mixture; pour into baking dish.
In medium bowl, mix vegetable oil and taco seasoning mix; add chicken thighs, and toss to coat. Place chicken on top of pasta mixture in dish; cover tightly with foil. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F when instant-read thermometer is inserted into center of thigh, OR freeze and bake later as directed in step 5. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with queso fresco and cilantro.
If making ahead to bake and serve at a later date: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to completely enclose assembled casserole. Spread pasta mixture in large shallow pan; cool mixture completely, covered, 30 to 45 minutes in refrigerator before assembling casserole. Assemble casserole in dish; cover with another layer of plastic wrap. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Remove plastic wrap from casserole; place in baking dish. Cover tightly with foil; thaw completely in refrigerator, 24 to 48 hours. Heat oven to 375°F. Bake, covered, 55 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly on edges (165°F in center). Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top with queso fresco and cilantro.
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.
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH SALSA VERDE
This also comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. For this one, Sam wrote, “Don’t let the one-hour prep time on these enchiladas scare you. Use some leftover roast chicken, or buy a roast chicken at the market on the way home, and you’ll save at least 20 minutes, making the dish a terrific weeknight feed, alongside a green salad. (At El Real Tex-Mex restaurant, in Houston, the great Tex-Mex scholar and restaurateur Robb Walsh serves his version with lightly smoked chicken, which if you can find or make is superb.) The salsa verde is dead simple to make and the rest is assembly — a task that grows markedly easier each time you do it.” Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 1 hour.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Chicken (or use 1 1/4 pounds leftover or store-bought roast chicken):
2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs or breasts, or a mixture
1 small white onion, cut in half
4 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon kosher salt
For the Salsa Verde:
1 pound fresh tomatillos, husked, rinsed and cut into quarters (use canned if you can't find fresh)
1 small white onion, peeled and chopped
1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped
2 serrano chiles or more to taste, seeds removed if you want it less spicy, stemmed and roughly chopped
4 to 5 tender stems of fresh cilantro, with leaves, roughly chopped
Salt to taste
For the Enchiladas:
1/2 cup neutral oil, like canola
12 yellow corn tortillas
1 cup crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
1 cup Mexican crema, or use crème fraîche or sour cream
1 medium-size white onion, peeled and chopped (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the chicken: Place chicken parts in a large saucepan with onion, garlic and salt, and cover with water. Heat pan over high heat until liquid comes to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and let simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool, reserving stock for another use. Using your fingers or two forks, shred meat from chicken and reserve, discarding skin and bones. (Alternatively, shred meat from leftover or store-bought roast chicken and set aside.)
Meanwhile, heat oven to 375, and make the salsa verde: Combine tomatillos, onion, garlic, serranos and cilantro in a blender or food processor and purée until smooth, adding water as needed to thin it out a little. Season with salt to taste.
Prepare the tortillas: In medium sauté pan set over medium-high heat, heat oil until it begins to shimmer. Using tongs or a wide spatula, place a tortilla in the hot fat; it should start to bubble immediately. Heat tortilla for about 10 seconds a side, until soft and lightly browned. Remove tortilla and set on a rack set over a baking pan, or just on a baking pan if you don’t have a rack. Repeat with remaining tortillas, working quickly.
Assemble the enchiladas: Use a ladle to put about 1/2 cup salsa verde in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and spread it out a little. Roll a few tablespoons of shredded chicken into each tortilla with a teaspoon or so of salsa verde and place it seam-side down in the pan, nestling each one against the last. Ladle salsa verde over top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle with about half the crumbled cheese.
Transfer to oven and bake until sauce bubbles and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Dot with crema, sprinkle with remaining cheese and, if using, chopped onion, then serve immediately.
DULCE DE LECHE BANANA PIE
This yummy recipe, from Old El Paso, begins, “A flaky homemade pie crust complements a caramel and banana cream filling.”
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; 8 Servings; 10 Ingredients
To view this yumminess, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/dulce-de-leche-banana-pie.
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
Filling
1 can (13.4 oz) dulce de leche
3 ripe medium bananas
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat oven to 450°F. In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and dough almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
On lightly floured surface, shape dough into a ball. Flatten ball to 1/2-inch thickness, rounding and smoothing edges. With floured rolling pin, roll dough into 11-inch round, rolling from center to edge. Fold dough in half; place in 9-inch glass pie plate. Unfold; gently press in bottom and up side of plate, being careful not to stretch dough.
Fold and roll edge of dough under, even with plate; flute edge. Prick bottom and side of dough generously with fork. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Spoon contents of can of dulce de leche into center of cooled crust; gently spread to edge. Thinly slice bananas; arrange over dulce de leche.
In medium bowl, beat whipping cream and powdered sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread over bananas.
In small resealable freezer plastic bag, place chocolate chips and oil; seal bag. Microwave on High 30 seconds; knead bag to mix melted chips and unmelted chips. Microwave 15 to 30 seconds longer or until all chips are melted and smooth. Snip off tiny corner of bag. Pipe melted chocolate mixture over whipped cream. Store pie in refrigerator.
Expert Tips
Dulce de leche is a traditional Spanish confection made from milk. It's a popular culinary reference to rich caramel flavors. Look for canned dulce de leche in the Hispanic section of the supermarket.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This comes from Rachael Ray, star of The Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.
Total: 30 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken breast, available in the packaged meats case
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 (14-oz) can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn kernels
Salt
8 (8 inch) spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack
2 scallions, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Soup's On! - Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post deals with soup.
Somehow, if it's cold or rainy out, homemade soup seems to hit the spot. Here are six soup recipes, including Vegetarian Tortilla Soup and Vegetable-Chicken Noodle Soup. Enjoy!
HEARTY LASAGNA SOUP
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Are you in the mood for lasagna, but don't have the time? Try this clever soup that has all the flavors of your favorite lasagna...and it's on the table in just 35 minutes.”
Serves: 4 servings (about 2 cups each); Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound Ground Beef
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
3 1/2 cups Swanson® Beef Broth (Regular or 50% Less Sodium)
1 can (about 14 .5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed
1 1/2 cups uncooked mafalda or rotini pasta
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Preparation
Cook the beef, onion, garlic and parsley in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, or until the beef is well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
Stir the broth, tomatoes and Italian seasoning in the saucepan and heat to a boil.
Stir the pasta in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stir in the cheese. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with an Iceberg lettuce salad with Italian vinaigrette. For dessert serve fresh apple slices.
VEGETARIAN TORTILLA SOUP
This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking email. Alison wrote, “This vegetarian version of tortilla soup is no less complex than its chicken counterpart, thanks to plenty of vegetables, spices and a secret ingredient: canned chipotles in adobo. Smoked and dried jalapeños softened in a vinegar-tomato mixture, these little powerhouses do much of the heavy lifting in this vegetarian soup, offering depth and a certain meatiness to an otherwise light and tangy broth.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 1/4 hours
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder
2 chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and crushed
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
For the Tortillas and Assembly:
2 cups vegetable oil
8 small corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch strips
Kosher salt
1 avocado, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack
3/4 cup sour cream or crema
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 red or yellow onion, finely chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
Preparation
Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Add chile powder and stir to coat. Cook a minute or two to toast the spices, then add chipotles and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to caramelize a bit on the bottom of the pot, concentrating their flavor.
Add vegetable broth, corn and 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer until flavors meld and broth tastes rich and flavorful, 15 to 20 minutes.
Heat oil in a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring oil to 375 degrees and working in batches, fry tortilla strips until light golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
Place about 3/4 of the tortilla strips into broth and stir to submerge and soften for a few minutes. Divide soup among bowls and top with avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, onion and remaining fried tortilla strips. Serve lime alongside for squeezing.
IRAQI LENTIL SOUP WITH MEATBALLS
This is from Joan Nathan in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Joan wrote, “This recipe came to The Times in a 2004 article about iftar, the breaking of the fast during Ramadan, the monthlong Muslim holiday during which observers abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Soup, like this hearty, spiced lentil soup with meatballs and angel hair pasta, is a common iftar meal as it provides substantial nutrition as well as plenty of hydration. It is adapted from a recipe belonging to Suad Shallal, who moved with her family from Iraq to the United States, in 1966. It was served at her son Andy's restaurant, Mimi's American Bistro in downtown Washington, each day during Ramadan. (The restaurant is now closed.) Mrs. Shallal's recipe calls for ground allspice, but feel free to experiment with other spices found in Middle Eastern cooking like cumin, coriander, cardamom and turmeric. And don't forget to taste and season with salt as you go.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes
This was featured in “Breaking Ramadan's Fast With a Family Meal” and can be found online here.
Ingredients
2 medium onions, minced
1 pound ground beef or lamb or both
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt plus salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice, freshly ground from about 5 whole allspice
2 tablespoons pure olive oil
10 cups chicken broth
1 pound brown or yellow lentils
3 rounds angel hair pasta (about 2 ounces)
2 carrots, diced fine
Juice of one half lemon
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place half the onions and the ground meat, parsley, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and allspice in a medium mixing bowl. Blend ingredients, and form into balls the size of walnuts. Turn onto the baking pan.
Bake for 10 minutes, remove from pan, and drain on a paper towel. In a soup pot, sauté remaining onions in olive oil over medium heat until golden. Add chicken broth and bring to boil.
Pick any stones from over lentils, place in bowl, cover with cold water, and drain. Add them to soup, turn heat to low, and simmer slowly for about 20 minutes or until lentils are almost tender.
Crumble angel hair pasta into soup, along with carrots and meatballs. Simmer slowly for another 5-10 minutes or until lentils and noodles are cooked, adding more chicken broth or water as needed. Just before serving, squeeze lemon into soup.
VEGETABLE-CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Recipe Yield: Servings: 6 (Serving = 1-1/2 cup)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 cups 1/3-less-salt chicken broth, divided
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced leek (white part only)
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup peeled and chopped turnip
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoons fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 ounces uncooked "no-yolk" broad noodles
1 cup diced cooked chicken
Directions
Place 1/3 cup chicken broth, celery, leek, carrot and turnip in large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in remaining 5 -2/3 cups chicken broth, parsley, thyme, rosemary, vinegar and black pepper. Bring to a boil; add noodles. Cook until noodles are tender; stir in chicken. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until heated through.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 98; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 73 mg; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Protein: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch/Bread, 1 Lean Meat, 1/2 Vegetable
TURKEY TACO SOUP
This comes from Laurel Randolph, one of the writers on The Spruce. Laurel wrote, “Taco soup is an easy, one-bowl version of everyone's favorite dinner: taco night. All of the ingredients simmer together to make a robust, flavorful soup that's especially good with a side of crispy tortilla chips. And with only one dirty pot and a few dirty soup bowls, it's totally carefree. The typical ground beef is replaced with shredded turkey for a lighter meal—or you can replace it with cooked chicken, if that's what you have on hand.
“We love to make this soup after Thanksgiving, when we have leftover turkey to use up and we want to do as little cooking as possible. It's a great way to repurpose cooked, shredded breast or dark meat to create a totally different dish. No one will be complaining of leftover fatigue with this recipe.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: Serves 3 - 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola (or grapeseed oil)
1 small red onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
1 jalapeño (seeded and minced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup packed shredded cooked turkey
3 cups turkey or chicken broth
Salt and pepper
1 avocado (diced, or sour cream for serving)
Optional: Chips (for serving)
Directions
Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the oil followed by the onion. Sauté for 2 minutes.
Add the bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic. Sauté for 2 more minutes.
Add the chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes and juice, pinto beans, turkey and broth, and stir. Season with salt and pepper.
Turn up the heat and bring to a simmer.
Turn the heat to low and let simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Serve topped with diced avocado or a dollop of sour cream and tortilla chips.
BLACK BEAN SOUP
This is from Rian Handler on Delish. The recipe begins, “A warm and spicy black bean soup.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 servings
To view the recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. minced jalapeños
1 tbsp. tomato paste
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
3 (15-oz.) cans black beans, with liquid
1 qt. low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
sour cream, for garnish
Sliced avocado, for garnish
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add jalapeños and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste, stir to coat vegetables, and cook about a minute more. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin and stir to coat.
Add black beans with their liquid and chicken broth. Stir soup, add bay leaf and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer and let simmer until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
Using an immersion blender or food processor, blend the soup to desired consistency.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
Somehow, if it's cold or rainy out, homemade soup seems to hit the spot. Here are six soup recipes, including Vegetarian Tortilla Soup and Vegetable-Chicken Noodle Soup. Enjoy!
HEARTY LASAGNA SOUP
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Are you in the mood for lasagna, but don't have the time? Try this clever soup that has all the flavors of your favorite lasagna...and it's on the table in just 35 minutes.”
Serves: 4 servings (about 2 cups each); Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound Ground Beef
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
3 1/2 cups Swanson® Beef Broth (Regular or 50% Less Sodium)
1 can (about 14 .5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed
1 1/2 cups uncooked mafalda or rotini pasta
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Preparation
Cook the beef, onion, garlic and parsley in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, or until the beef is well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
Stir the broth, tomatoes and Italian seasoning in the saucepan and heat to a boil.
Stir the pasta in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stir in the cheese. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with an Iceberg lettuce salad with Italian vinaigrette. For dessert serve fresh apple slices.
VEGETARIAN TORTILLA SOUP
This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking email. Alison wrote, “This vegetarian version of tortilla soup is no less complex than its chicken counterpart, thanks to plenty of vegetables, spices and a secret ingredient: canned chipotles in adobo. Smoked and dried jalapeños softened in a vinegar-tomato mixture, these little powerhouses do much of the heavy lifting in this vegetarian soup, offering depth and a certain meatiness to an otherwise light and tangy broth.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 1/4 hours
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder
2 chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and crushed
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
For the Tortillas and Assembly:
2 cups vegetable oil
8 small corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch strips
Kosher salt
1 avocado, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack
3/4 cup sour cream or crema
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 red or yellow onion, finely chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
Preparation
Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Add chile powder and stir to coat. Cook a minute or two to toast the spices, then add chipotles and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to caramelize a bit on the bottom of the pot, concentrating their flavor.
Add vegetable broth, corn and 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer until flavors meld and broth tastes rich and flavorful, 15 to 20 minutes.
Heat oil in a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring oil to 375 degrees and working in batches, fry tortilla strips until light golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
Place about 3/4 of the tortilla strips into broth and stir to submerge and soften for a few minutes. Divide soup among bowls and top with avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, onion and remaining fried tortilla strips. Serve lime alongside for squeezing.
IRAQI LENTIL SOUP WITH MEATBALLS
This is from Joan Nathan in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Joan wrote, “This recipe came to The Times in a 2004 article about iftar, the breaking of the fast during Ramadan, the monthlong Muslim holiday during which observers abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Soup, like this hearty, spiced lentil soup with meatballs and angel hair pasta, is a common iftar meal as it provides substantial nutrition as well as plenty of hydration. It is adapted from a recipe belonging to Suad Shallal, who moved with her family from Iraq to the United States, in 1966. It was served at her son Andy's restaurant, Mimi's American Bistro in downtown Washington, each day during Ramadan. (The restaurant is now closed.) Mrs. Shallal's recipe calls for ground allspice, but feel free to experiment with other spices found in Middle Eastern cooking like cumin, coriander, cardamom and turmeric. And don't forget to taste and season with salt as you go.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes
This was featured in “Breaking Ramadan's Fast With a Family Meal” and can be found online here.
Ingredients
2 medium onions, minced
1 pound ground beef or lamb or both
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt plus salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice, freshly ground from about 5 whole allspice
2 tablespoons pure olive oil
10 cups chicken broth
1 pound brown or yellow lentils
3 rounds angel hair pasta (about 2 ounces)
2 carrots, diced fine
Juice of one half lemon
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place half the onions and the ground meat, parsley, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and allspice in a medium mixing bowl. Blend ingredients, and form into balls the size of walnuts. Turn onto the baking pan.
Bake for 10 minutes, remove from pan, and drain on a paper towel. In a soup pot, sauté remaining onions in olive oil over medium heat until golden. Add chicken broth and bring to boil.
Pick any stones from over lentils, place in bowl, cover with cold water, and drain. Add them to soup, turn heat to low, and simmer slowly for about 20 minutes or until lentils are almost tender.
Crumble angel hair pasta into soup, along with carrots and meatballs. Simmer slowly for another 5-10 minutes or until lentils and noodles are cooked, adding more chicken broth or water as needed. Just before serving, squeeze lemon into soup.
VEGETABLE-CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Recipe Yield: Servings: 6 (Serving = 1-1/2 cup)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 cups 1/3-less-salt chicken broth, divided
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced leek (white part only)
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup peeled and chopped turnip
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoons fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 ounces uncooked "no-yolk" broad noodles
1 cup diced cooked chicken
Directions
Place 1/3 cup chicken broth, celery, leek, carrot and turnip in large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in remaining 5 -2/3 cups chicken broth, parsley, thyme, rosemary, vinegar and black pepper. Bring to a boil; add noodles. Cook until noodles are tender; stir in chicken. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until heated through.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 98; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 73 mg; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Protein: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch/Bread, 1 Lean Meat, 1/2 Vegetable
TURKEY TACO SOUP
This comes from Laurel Randolph, one of the writers on The Spruce. Laurel wrote, “Taco soup is an easy, one-bowl version of everyone's favorite dinner: taco night. All of the ingredients simmer together to make a robust, flavorful soup that's especially good with a side of crispy tortilla chips. And with only one dirty pot and a few dirty soup bowls, it's totally carefree. The typical ground beef is replaced with shredded turkey for a lighter meal—or you can replace it with cooked chicken, if that's what you have on hand.
“We love to make this soup after Thanksgiving, when we have leftover turkey to use up and we want to do as little cooking as possible. It's a great way to repurpose cooked, shredded breast or dark meat to create a totally different dish. No one will be complaining of leftover fatigue with this recipe.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: Serves 3 - 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola (or grapeseed oil)
1 small red onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
1 jalapeño (seeded and minced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup packed shredded cooked turkey
3 cups turkey or chicken broth
Salt and pepper
1 avocado (diced, or sour cream for serving)
Optional: Chips (for serving)
Directions
Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the oil followed by the onion. Sauté for 2 minutes.
Add the bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic. Sauté for 2 more minutes.
Add the chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes and juice, pinto beans, turkey and broth, and stir. Season with salt and pepper.
Turn up the heat and bring to a simmer.
Turn the heat to low and let simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Serve topped with diced avocado or a dollop of sour cream and tortilla chips.
BLACK BEAN SOUP
This is from Rian Handler on Delish. The recipe begins, “A warm and spicy black bean soup.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 servings
To view the recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. minced jalapeños
1 tbsp. tomato paste
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
3 (15-oz.) cans black beans, with liquid
1 qt. low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
sour cream, for garnish
Sliced avocado, for garnish
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add jalapeños and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste, stir to coat vegetables, and cook about a minute more. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin and stir to coat.
Add black beans with their liquid and chicken broth. Stir soup, add bay leaf and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer and let simmer until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
Using an immersion blender or food processor, blend the soup to desired consistency.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
Taco Tuesday
Today is Taco Tuesday. Here are today's six recipes to help you through the day, including Spicy Turkey Tacos and Taco Pizzas. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE TORTILLAS
This, as well as the next two recipes (Chipotle Pork and Sweet Potato Tacos and Chicken Lettuce Tacos with Pickled Strawberry Salsa), are from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and can be found here. This one begins, “Corn tortillas are rich in flavonoids, which help protect against certain cancers.”
Ingredients
2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups warm tap water
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine masa and salt. Slowly pour the water into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is just moistened and forms small clumps. Add more water, if needed by the tablespoon, but don’t let dough become too moist. It should feel like play-dough.
Divide dough into 12 golf-ball size balls. Cover with a damp paper towel. Cut a quart-size ziptop plastic bag up both side seams. Place one ball of dough between the plastic sheets and press down firmly with a medium pot or a tortilla press to form a 4 -5” circle about 1/8” thick.
Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium and lightly brush with some oil. Cook the tortilla for 1 minute, or until darkened in some spots and the dough looks dry. Flip and cook for 30 seconds more. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and fold over to keep warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas, brushing the skillet with more oil as needed.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 69; Protein: 2 g; Carbs: 15 g; Fiber: 1 g; Total fat: 1 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 99 mg
CHIPOTLE PORK AND SWEET POTATO TACOS
This one begins, “Grated sweet potato cooks in a flash so you can quickly nail your immune-boosting vitamin A quota. Pork tenderloin provides plenty of low-fat muscle-building protein and a yogurt topping gives you some gut-friendly probiotics.”
Ingredients
4 tsp. canola oil or grapeseed oil
1 lb. pork tenderloin, sliced 1/4” thick
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large sweet potato, peeled and shredded
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp. minced chipotle chili in adobo sauce
1/2 tsp. lime zest
1 1/2 tsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
8 small corn tortillas
2 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup cilantro
Instructions
Heat 2 tsp. oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the pork with salt and pepper, add to pan and cook until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Remove pork and set aside. Add remaining oil to skillet. Add sweet potato, season with salt and pepper and cook until tender, stirring often, about 4 minutes.
Stir together yogurt, chipotle chili, lime zest, lime juice, cumin and a pinch of salt. Top tortillas with spinach, pork, sweet potato, yogurt sauce and cilantro. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 367; Protein: 29 g; Carbs: 41 g; Sugar: 7 g; Total fat: 10 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 202 mg
CHICKEN LETTUCE TACOS WITH PICKLED STRAWBERRY SALSA
This one begins, “Using crisp lettuce as a taco base adds fresh flavor and shaves off calories. The vinegar soaked strawberries infuses the salsa with sweet, briny taste and special antioxidants shown to bolster heart health by improving cholesterol numbers.”
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar; more as needed
2 cups halved strawberries
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. lean ground chicken
1/2 cup chopped mint
2 tsp. lemon zest
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
8 large lettuce leaves, such as Boston
Instructions
In a glass jar, stir the sugar and 1/2 tsp. salt with 1/4 cup boiling water until dissolved. Add the cider vinegar and let cool to room temperature. Add the strawberries and more vinegar if needed to cover berries. Seal lid and let stand for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day in the refrigerator.
In a large skillet, bring coconut milk, garlic and 1/2 tsp. salt to a simmer. Stir in chicken and simmer until meat is no longer pink, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt.
Remove strawberries from brine and toss with tomato, yellow pepper, scallions and jalapeno.
Divide chicken among the lettuce leaves and top with strawberry salsa. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 221; Protein: 22 g; Carbs: 12 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 6 g; Total fat: 10 g; Saturated fat: 3 g; Sodium: 360 mg
TACO PIZZAS
This is from Lena Abraham at Delish. The recipe begins, “Tacos and pizzas are meant to be together.”
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 tostada shells
1 c. salsa
2 c. Mexican blend cheese
1 c. cherry tomatoes, cut into rounds
1 c. Shredded lettuce
1/2 c. sour cream
Cilantro, for garnish
Directions
In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and taco seasoning, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat and set aside.
Build your “pizza”: spread a spoonful of salsa on your tostada shell, then top with cheese, meat, tomatoes, lettuce and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve.
BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREMA
This is from Lindsay, whose blog, Pinch of Yum, is really good. Feel free to check it out!
This recipe begins, “This colorful, spicy, crispy, mega-yum recipe was inspired by the amazing buffalo ‘wings’ at J. Selby’s in Saint Paul and this recipe from Sarah Sullivan. Thanks to both sources of inspiration!”
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Yield: 8-10 tacos (probably 4-5 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos:
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, salt, and pepper
1 head cauliflower (4-5 cups florets)
3/4 cup hot sauce (I used Frank’s brand)
shredded cabbage or slaw
chopped fresh cilantro
tortillas
Avocado Crema
2 avocados
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup sour cream (yogurt would work, too)
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
squeeze of lemon or lime
Instsructions
Batter the cauliflower: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk flour, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip cauliflower pieces in the batter and let excess drip off. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake on an upper rack for 15-20 minutes until lightly crisped and browned.
Spice the cauliflower: Gently toss the baked cauliflower in a bowl with the hot sauce. Return to pan. Bake for another 5-10 minutes.
Avocado Crema: Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Slaw: Toss the slaw with some of the avocado crema until it’s nice and creamy.
Tacos: Fill each tortilla with slaw, cauliflower, a drizzle of avocado crema, and cilantro. Perfection!
Notes:
Gluten Free: use almond meal and GF corn tortillas.
Vegan: use non-dairy milk and skip the sour cream in the sauce.
Cauliflower Pro Tip: It helps if you have a greased wire rack to back the cauliflower on – this allows excess batter to drip down and promotes crispiness. 👍🏼 But it works fine without, too.
Notes about texture: The texture as written is pretty firm and crispy, but not deep-fried-level crispy. Not surprisingly, you’d have to deep fry to achieve that. Which you could totally do! Here’s a recipe with a deep fry batter that I’d recommend if you want to spend the time doing that (it’s delish). But to me, this is a really great middle-of-the-road alternative that is a) much easier, b) healthier, and c) still really tasty!
SPICY TURKEY TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish and begins, “Thought ground turkey was blah? Think again.”
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” Check out both Delish and The Judy Lab.
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 hard corn taco shells
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey
4 tsp. Mexican seasoning
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 c. crushed tomatoes
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 c. grated mozzarella
1 c. Pico de Gallo
1 c. sour cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Place taco shells on a sheet pan.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add ground turkey; brown while breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with Mexican seasoning, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Add garlic and onions; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cilantro and stir until warmed through. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.
Just before serving, bake taco shells until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Spoon spicy turkey mixture into taco shells and top with mozzarella, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.
HOMEMADE TORTILLAS
This, as well as the next two recipes (Chipotle Pork and Sweet Potato Tacos and Chicken Lettuce Tacos with Pickled Strawberry Salsa), are from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and can be found here. This one begins, “Corn tortillas are rich in flavonoids, which help protect against certain cancers.”
Ingredients
2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups warm tap water
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine masa and salt. Slowly pour the water into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is just moistened and forms small clumps. Add more water, if needed by the tablespoon, but don’t let dough become too moist. It should feel like play-dough.
Divide dough into 12 golf-ball size balls. Cover with a damp paper towel. Cut a quart-size ziptop plastic bag up both side seams. Place one ball of dough between the plastic sheets and press down firmly with a medium pot or a tortilla press to form a 4 -5” circle about 1/8” thick.
Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium and lightly brush with some oil. Cook the tortilla for 1 minute, or until darkened in some spots and the dough looks dry. Flip and cook for 30 seconds more. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and fold over to keep warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas, brushing the skillet with more oil as needed.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 69; Protein: 2 g; Carbs: 15 g; Fiber: 1 g; Total fat: 1 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 99 mg
CHIPOTLE PORK AND SWEET POTATO TACOS
This one begins, “Grated sweet potato cooks in a flash so you can quickly nail your immune-boosting vitamin A quota. Pork tenderloin provides plenty of low-fat muscle-building protein and a yogurt topping gives you some gut-friendly probiotics.”
Ingredients
4 tsp. canola oil or grapeseed oil
1 lb. pork tenderloin, sliced 1/4” thick
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large sweet potato, peeled and shredded
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp. minced chipotle chili in adobo sauce
1/2 tsp. lime zest
1 1/2 tsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
8 small corn tortillas
2 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup cilantro
Instructions
Heat 2 tsp. oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the pork with salt and pepper, add to pan and cook until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Remove pork and set aside. Add remaining oil to skillet. Add sweet potato, season with salt and pepper and cook until tender, stirring often, about 4 minutes.
Stir together yogurt, chipotle chili, lime zest, lime juice, cumin and a pinch of salt. Top tortillas with spinach, pork, sweet potato, yogurt sauce and cilantro. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 367; Protein: 29 g; Carbs: 41 g; Sugar: 7 g; Total fat: 10 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 202 mg
CHICKEN LETTUCE TACOS WITH PICKLED STRAWBERRY SALSA
This one begins, “Using crisp lettuce as a taco base adds fresh flavor and shaves off calories. The vinegar soaked strawberries infuses the salsa with sweet, briny taste and special antioxidants shown to bolster heart health by improving cholesterol numbers.”
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar; more as needed
2 cups halved strawberries
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. lean ground chicken
1/2 cup chopped mint
2 tsp. lemon zest
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
8 large lettuce leaves, such as Boston
Instructions
In a glass jar, stir the sugar and 1/2 tsp. salt with 1/4 cup boiling water until dissolved. Add the cider vinegar and let cool to room temperature. Add the strawberries and more vinegar if needed to cover berries. Seal lid and let stand for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day in the refrigerator.
In a large skillet, bring coconut milk, garlic and 1/2 tsp. salt to a simmer. Stir in chicken and simmer until meat is no longer pink, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt.
Remove strawberries from brine and toss with tomato, yellow pepper, scallions and jalapeno.
Divide chicken among the lettuce leaves and top with strawberry salsa. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 221; Protein: 22 g; Carbs: 12 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 6 g; Total fat: 10 g; Saturated fat: 3 g; Sodium: 360 mg
TACO PIZZAS
This is from Lena Abraham at Delish. The recipe begins, “Tacos and pizzas are meant to be together.”
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 tostada shells
1 c. salsa
2 c. Mexican blend cheese
1 c. cherry tomatoes, cut into rounds
1 c. Shredded lettuce
1/2 c. sour cream
Cilantro, for garnish
Directions
In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and taco seasoning, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat and set aside.
Build your “pizza”: spread a spoonful of salsa on your tostada shell, then top with cheese, meat, tomatoes, lettuce and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve.
BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREMA
This is from Lindsay, whose blog, Pinch of Yum, is really good. Feel free to check it out!
This recipe begins, “This colorful, spicy, crispy, mega-yum recipe was inspired by the amazing buffalo ‘wings’ at J. Selby’s in Saint Paul and this recipe from Sarah Sullivan. Thanks to both sources of inspiration!”
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Yield: 8-10 tacos (probably 4-5 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos:
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, salt, and pepper
1 head cauliflower (4-5 cups florets)
3/4 cup hot sauce (I used Frank’s brand)
shredded cabbage or slaw
chopped fresh cilantro
tortillas
Avocado Crema
2 avocados
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup sour cream (yogurt would work, too)
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
squeeze of lemon or lime
Instsructions
Batter the cauliflower: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk flour, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip cauliflower pieces in the batter and let excess drip off. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake on an upper rack for 15-20 minutes until lightly crisped and browned.
Spice the cauliflower: Gently toss the baked cauliflower in a bowl with the hot sauce. Return to pan. Bake for another 5-10 minutes.
Avocado Crema: Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Slaw: Toss the slaw with some of the avocado crema until it’s nice and creamy.
Tacos: Fill each tortilla with slaw, cauliflower, a drizzle of avocado crema, and cilantro. Perfection!
Notes:
Gluten Free: use almond meal and GF corn tortillas.
Vegan: use non-dairy milk and skip the sour cream in the sauce.
Cauliflower Pro Tip: It helps if you have a greased wire rack to back the cauliflower on – this allows excess batter to drip down and promotes crispiness. 👍🏼 But it works fine without, too.
Notes about texture: The texture as written is pretty firm and crispy, but not deep-fried-level crispy. Not surprisingly, you’d have to deep fry to achieve that. Which you could totally do! Here’s a recipe with a deep fry batter that I’d recommend if you want to spend the time doing that (it’s delish). But to me, this is a really great middle-of-the-road alternative that is a) much easier, b) healthier, and c) still really tasty!
SPICY TURKEY TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish and begins, “Thought ground turkey was blah? Think again.”
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” Check out both Delish and The Judy Lab.
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 hard corn taco shells
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey
4 tsp. Mexican seasoning
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 c. crushed tomatoes
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 c. grated mozzarella
1 c. Pico de Gallo
1 c. sour cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Place taco shells on a sheet pan.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add ground turkey; brown while breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with Mexican seasoning, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Add garlic and onions; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cilantro and stir until warmed through. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.
Just before serving, bake taco shells until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Spoon spicy turkey mixture into taco shells and top with mozzarella, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.
Monday, May 21, 2018
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's six recipes include Tex-Mex Stuffed-Crust Pizza and Chocolate-Honey Brownie Bars. Enjoy!
CHICKEN MOZZARELLA
This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “This effortless meal from the oven features mozzarella-topped chicken breasts baked in an Italian-seasoned tomato sauce...and it's on the table in just 40 minutes!”
Serves: 4 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes
This can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast half
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup
Dried oregano leaves, crushed or 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 ounce)
1/2 of a 1-pound package rotini pasta (about 3 cups), cooked without salt and drained
Directions
Heat the oven to 400°F.
Place the chicken into an 11 x 7 x 2-inch baking dish. Stir the soup, Italian seasoning and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Spoon the soup mixture over the chicken.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle the chicken with the cheese. Serve the chicken and sauce with the pasta.
Ingredient Note: (from Family Time) “We develop our recipes using a 4-to 5-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast half per serving. However, there are a range of sizes available in-store, from the butcher counter to the meat case and the freezer section. Use whichever you prefer- just follow the recipe as written above for the best result. If you're using larger chicken breasts they may require a little longer cooking time.”
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.
CARROT CAKE
This comes from Alton Brown of the Food Network show Good Eats.
Total:2 hr 50 min; Prep: 40 min; Inactive: 1 hr; Cook: 1 hr 10 min; Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Yield: approximately 2 cups
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.
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.
CHOCOLATE-HONEY BROWNIE BARS
This is from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “These brownies not only have honey in the batter, but are also drizzled with a luscious chocolate-honey topping for an extra-special touch.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 24 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
2 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey, divided
2 eggs
1 cup flour
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Microwave butter and 6 oz. chocolate in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Add sugar and 1/2 cup honey; mix well. Blend in eggs. Add flour; stir until blended. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely.
Microwave remaining chocolate and honey in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Drizzle over brownie.
Refrigerate 5 min. or until chocolate is firm. Use foil handles to remove brownie from pan before cutting into bars.
CHICKEN MOZZARELLA
This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “This effortless meal from the oven features mozzarella-topped chicken breasts baked in an Italian-seasoned tomato sauce...and it's on the table in just 40 minutes!”
Serves: 4 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes
This can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast half
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup
Dried oregano leaves, crushed or 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 ounce)
1/2 of a 1-pound package rotini pasta (about 3 cups), cooked without salt and drained
Directions
Heat the oven to 400°F.
Place the chicken into an 11 x 7 x 2-inch baking dish. Stir the soup, Italian seasoning and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Spoon the soup mixture over the chicken.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle the chicken with the cheese. Serve the chicken and sauce with the pasta.
Ingredient Note: (from Family Time) “We develop our recipes using a 4-to 5-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast half per serving. However, there are a range of sizes available in-store, from the butcher counter to the meat case and the freezer section. Use whichever you prefer- just follow the recipe as written above for the best result. If you're using larger chicken breasts they may require a little longer cooking time.”
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.
CARROT CAKE
This comes from Alton Brown of the Food Network show Good Eats.
Total:2 hr 50 min; Prep: 40 min; Inactive: 1 hr; Cook: 1 hr 10 min; Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Yield: approximately 2 cups
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.
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.
CHOCOLATE-HONEY BROWNIE BARS
This is from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “These brownies not only have honey in the batter, but are also drizzled with a luscious chocolate-honey topping for an extra-special touch.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 24 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3/4 cup butter
2 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey, divided
2 eggs
1 cup flour
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Microwave butter and 6 oz. chocolate in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Add sugar and 1/2 cup honey; mix well. Blend in eggs. Add flour; stir until blended. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely.
Microwave remaining chocolate and honey in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Drizzle over brownie.
Refrigerate 5 min. or until chocolate is firm. Use foil handles to remove brownie from pan before cutting into bars.
Meatless Monday
It's Meatless Monday, time to check out how to eat (for at least one day a week) like a vegetarian. And really, how hard is it to go for a day without meat?
Of course, if you're a vegetarian, you know that it really isn't difficult at all. In fact, many people (myself included) find it easier to come up with a meal that doesn't revolve around meat.
That said, here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Chocolate Layer Cake and Edamame Succotash. Enjoy!
EDAMAME SUCCOTASH
This yummy recipe is from the January 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times. Amazingly simple, and oh-so-good! It begins, “Fresh green soybeans, called edamame, have a sweet, nutty flavor. They offer a great variation on this classic dish, standing in for the traditional lima beans. Edamame are available frozen and fresh, in the pod and shelled. Look for them in large supermarkets, natural food stores or Asian markets. For a great twist, serve the succotash in hollowed-out tomatoes. If you’re using frozen edamame, make it according to package directions, omitting any salt. Drain well.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/edamame-succotash/.
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen shelled edamame
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
3 Tbs. white wine or vegetable stock
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, onion and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Stir in edamame, corn and wine; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, pepper, parsley and basil. Serve.
nutritional information Per serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
SCALLOPED POTATOES
This comes from the January 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “There are lots of reasons to scallop sweet potatoes instead of plain white spuds. Vitamins A and E—both good for the immune system—are two. And since this recipe has only 3 grams of fat (versus the 9 grams or more in many homemade versions), you won't have to turn down seconds!” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups roasted or low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup low-fat milk
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 bay leaf
3 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 lb.), peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 8 8-oz. ramekins or 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion slices, and sauté until soft, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add broth, milk, garlic, thyme, nutmeg and bay leaf; bring to a simmer. Cook until liquid is reduced to just under 3 cups, about 7 minutes. Remove bay leaf, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add sweet potatoes to liquid. Return to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
Pour mixture into ramekins or baking dish; bake 30 minutes for ramekins, 40 minutes for baking dish, basting potatoes occasionally with liquid in dish. Sprinkle cheese over potatoes, and bake ramekins 10 minutes; large dish 20 minutes. Let both rest 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 161; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 7 mg; Sodium: 194 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 2 g
CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
This also comes from the January 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 73. It begins, “If there's a synonym for ooey gooey, this is it: diner-style chocolate cake. But while this version has a moist, velvety texture and a deep chocolate flavor, it's surprisingly light—227 calories per slice; others run anywhere from 450 to 620.” Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
Cake
1 cup puréed firm silken low-fat tofu
1 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup brewed strong coffee, cold
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Chocolate Frosting
10.5 oz. extra-firm silken tofu
2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 oz. vegan semisweet chocolate, melted
Raspberries for garnish, optional
To make Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 8-inch round cake pans. Whisk together tofu, syrup, coffee, and vanilla with 1/4 cup cold water in large bowl until smooth.
Sift together all remaining cake ingredients. Add to tofu mixture, and beat with electric mixer until smooth, about 2 to 4 minutes.
Divide batter between cake pans. Bake about 15 minutes, or until springy to the touch. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks, and cool completely.
To make Chocolate Frosting: Place tofu, vanilla, and chocolate in blender or food processor, and process until smooth.
To assemble: Place 1 cake layer on serving plate. Spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer. Decoratively frost top and sides. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 227; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 40 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 173 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 24 g; Vegan
CRANBERRY PIE
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
THREE SISTERS STEW
This comes from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The three sisters—corn, squash and beans—merge into a delicious stew. The stew should be thick, but you may need to thin it slightly with vegetable stock or water. Recipe courtesy of Michelle Emond, a PhD student at Stanford University.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
1 Tbs. olive oil or canola oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced
1 lb. medium-sized yellow summer squash, 3/4-inch-thick slices
2 medium-sized zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1 lb. green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup corn kernels, preferably fresh
2 16-oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable stock or water
1 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeño, and sauté until the onion is tender and translucent, for about 5 minutes.
Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the thyme, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, over low heat for 15 to 25 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.
Add the thyme leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Add the salt and pepper to taste, stirring them in well, and serve the stew warm.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 330; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Sodium: 140 mg; Fiber: 20 g; Sugar: 11 g; Vegan
Of course, if you're a vegetarian, you know that it really isn't difficult at all. In fact, many people (myself included) find it easier to come up with a meal that doesn't revolve around meat.
That said, here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Chocolate Layer Cake and Edamame Succotash. Enjoy!
EDAMAME SUCCOTASH
This yummy recipe is from the January 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times. Amazingly simple, and oh-so-good! It begins, “Fresh green soybeans, called edamame, have a sweet, nutty flavor. They offer a great variation on this classic dish, standing in for the traditional lima beans. Edamame are available frozen and fresh, in the pod and shelled. Look for them in large supermarkets, natural food stores or Asian markets. For a great twist, serve the succotash in hollowed-out tomatoes. If you’re using frozen edamame, make it according to package directions, omitting any salt. Drain well.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/edamame-succotash/.
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen shelled edamame
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
3 Tbs. white wine or vegetable stock
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, onion and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Stir in edamame, corn and wine; cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, pepper, parsley and basil. Serve.
nutritional information Per serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
SCALLOPED POTATOES
This comes from the January 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “There are lots of reasons to scallop sweet potatoes instead of plain white spuds. Vitamins A and E—both good for the immune system—are two. And since this recipe has only 3 grams of fat (versus the 9 grams or more in many homemade versions), you won't have to turn down seconds!” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups roasted or low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup low-fat milk
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 bay leaf
3 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 lb.), peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 8 8-oz. ramekins or 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion slices, and sauté until soft, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add broth, milk, garlic, thyme, nutmeg and bay leaf; bring to a simmer. Cook until liquid is reduced to just under 3 cups, about 7 minutes. Remove bay leaf, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add sweet potatoes to liquid. Return to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
Pour mixture into ramekins or baking dish; bake 30 minutes for ramekins, 40 minutes for baking dish, basting potatoes occasionally with liquid in dish. Sprinkle cheese over potatoes, and bake ramekins 10 minutes; large dish 20 minutes. Let both rest 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 161; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 7 mg; Sodium: 194 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 2 g
CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
This also comes from the January 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 73. It begins, “If there's a synonym for ooey gooey, this is it: diner-style chocolate cake. But while this version has a moist, velvety texture and a deep chocolate flavor, it's surprisingly light—227 calories per slice; others run anywhere from 450 to 620.” Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
Cake
1 cup puréed firm silken low-fat tofu
1 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup brewed strong coffee, cold
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Chocolate Frosting
10.5 oz. extra-firm silken tofu
2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 oz. vegan semisweet chocolate, melted
Raspberries for garnish, optional
To make Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 8-inch round cake pans. Whisk together tofu, syrup, coffee, and vanilla with 1/4 cup cold water in large bowl until smooth.
Sift together all remaining cake ingredients. Add to tofu mixture, and beat with electric mixer until smooth, about 2 to 4 minutes.
Divide batter between cake pans. Bake about 15 minutes, or until springy to the touch. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks, and cool completely.
To make Chocolate Frosting: Place tofu, vanilla, and chocolate in blender or food processor, and process until smooth.
To assemble: Place 1 cake layer on serving plate. Spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer. Decoratively frost top and sides. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 227; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 40 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 173 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 24 g; Vegan
CRANBERRY PIE
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
THREE SISTERS STEW
This comes from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The three sisters—corn, squash and beans—merge into a delicious stew. The stew should be thick, but you may need to thin it slightly with vegetable stock or water. Recipe courtesy of Michelle Emond, a PhD student at Stanford University.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
1 Tbs. olive oil or canola oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced
1 lb. medium-sized yellow summer squash, 3/4-inch-thick slices
2 medium-sized zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1 lb. green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup corn kernels, preferably fresh
2 16-oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable stock or water
1 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeño, and sauté until the onion is tender and translucent, for about 5 minutes.
Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the thyme, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, over low heat for 15 to 25 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.
Add the thyme leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Add the salt and pepper to taste, stirring them in well, and serve the stew warm.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 330; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Sodium: 140 mg; Fiber: 20 g; Sugar: 11 g; Vegan
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