It’s Monday, which means the beginning of the work/school week. If you’re like me, you didn’t get everything done that you planned to do over the weekend. No matter; there’s always next weekend!
In the meantime, it’s Meatless Monday, which means vegetarian recipes, including Hearty Sweet Potato Hash and Rigatoni with Braised Vegetables. Enjoy!
THREE-BEAN SOUP
While this soup can be fixed anytime, it’s one of my favorite quick weekend meals, especially if it happens to be cold and/or rainy. It’s from the November/December 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37, in that issue’s “30 Minutes; Quick, Fast Food” section. This vegan recipe serves 6, and starts off, “Here’s a straight-from-the-pantry soup that’ll become a weeknight favorite. (Or, in my case, weekend favorite.) Pureeing one of the cans of beans creates a creamy base without adding extra fat or cholesterol. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and serve with vegetable chips, if desired.”
Ingredients
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
1 15.5-oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 Tbs.)
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
1 15.5-oz. can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Directions
Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute onion 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft. Add navy beans, black beans and garlic, and continue cooking and stirring 8 to 10 minutes more. Stir in 1 cup broth.
Meanwhile, put great Northern beans and remaining 1 cup broth into food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. Pour puree into soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with more broth or water, if desired.
Spoon into individual soup bowls, and serve hot.
Per serving: 231 calories; 13 g protein; 5 g total fat (0 g saturated fat); 39 g carbs; 0 mg cholesterol; 557 mg sodium; 11 g fiber; 5 g sugars
HEARTY SWEET POTATO HASH
This is also from the November/December 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It starts off, “Everybody loves breakfast for dinner; besides, this hearty hash is just too good to eat only in the morning!” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.
Ingredients
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
6 oz. ground soy “meat”
6 large eggs, beaten
1 cup chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add sweet potato and onion, and sauté 10 minutes, or until vegetables are softened. Reduce heat to medium, add corn and garlic, and sauté mixture 2 minutes more.
Add remaining 1 Tbs. oil, and stir in soy “meat.” Stir in eggs, and season with salt and pepper to taste; cook 5 minutes, or until eggs are cooked through, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, spoon hash onto individual plates and garnish each serving with sprinkling of parsley.
Per serving: 258 calories; 14 g protein; 13 g total fat (2 g saturated fat); 23 g carbs; 212 mg cholesterol; 381 mg sodium; 4g fiber; 2 g sugar.
THANKSGIVING POT PIE
This is from the November 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8, begins, “Working toward her master's in social work, Adrianne Dickson, who won first place in VT's 2009 Reader Recipe Contest for this recipe, still finds time to read cookbooks for fun. 'I first developed this recipe while living in Montana after my boyfriend told me he loved pot pie,' she explains. 'I started making the crust in a bag when we were working as raft guides and didn't have any place to roll out a crust.'”
Ingredients
Filling
2 medium potatoes, diced (2 cups)
2 large carrots, sliced (1 cup)
3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 16-oz. pkg. firm tofu, drained and cut into cubes
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. San-J Tamari Soy Sauce, divided
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic, divided
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, divided
2 cups sliced button mushrooms
1 large onion, diced (2 cups)
1 cup chopped broccoli florets
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1/2 cup plain soymilk
3 Tbs. red wine
1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage
1 tsp. hoisin sauce
1/2 tsp. vegan Worcestershire sauce
Crust
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening
1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp. chopped fresh sage
Directions
To make Filling:
Cook potatoes and carrots in large pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
Heat 1 Tbs. oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu, and cook 5 minutes, or until tofu begins to brown. Stir in 2 Tbs. tamari, 1/4 tsp. granulated garlic, and 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, and cook until all liquid has evaporated.
Heat 1 Tbs. oil in skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add mushrooms, and cook 2 minutes. Add onion, broccoli, and garlic, and sauté 6 to 7 minutes, or until onions begin to soften.
Push veggies to side of Dutch oven. Add remaining 1 Tbs. oil to bottom of pot. Stir flour into oil with fork to make roux; stir until smooth. Stir roux into vegetables.
Stir broth into vegetables. Once gravy is smooth, add tofu, potatoes, carrots, soymilk, remaining 1/4 cup tamari, and wine. Stir gently, then add thyme, sage, hoisin sauce, Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1/4 tsp. granulated garlic, and remaining 1/8 tsp. cayenne. Remove from heat, and set aside, or transfer vegetables to large casserole dish.
To make Crust:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix together flour, salt, and shortening with fork or pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Stir in up to 4 Tbs. cold water, if necessary, for dough to stick together. Gently knead rosemary and sage into dough, and shape dough into ball. Place dough ball in plastic bag, and push out from center of ball to shape dough to size of Dutch oven or casserole dish. Remove dough from bag, and lay over vegetable filling in Dutch oven or casserole dish. Poke holes in dough to allow steam to escape. Bake 45 minutes, or until Crust is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 394; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 22 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: less than 1 mg; Sodium: 978 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 5 g; Vegan
PUMPKIN MUFFINS
This comes from G.E. Appliances. Yields 12 muffins.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease or spray a standard sized muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Cream butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add pumpkin and nuts.
Mix dry ingredients together well and add to pumpkin mixture in thirds, alternating with milk. Blend just enough to mix ingredients.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes.
RIGATONI WITH BRAISED VEGETABLES
This vegan recipe is from page 60 of the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “Start heating the pasta water when you add the tomatoes to this stew, and the rigatoni noodles will be perfectly al dente just when the vegetables are ready to serve.” Serves 6.
Ingredients
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 medium-sized yellow squash, halved and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 lb.)
1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed and halved (about 2 cups)
2 medium-sized bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow), cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice
1 large onion, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
2 Tbs. capers
1 15-oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
8 oz. whole wheat rigatoni pasta
1/2 cup torn fresh basil
Directions
Heat oil in skillet over high heat. Add squash, green beans, bell peppers and onion. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are brown.
Stir in tomatoes, garlic and capers. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook 15 minutes.
Stir in beans and salt to taste. Cover, and simmer 10 minutes over medium-low heat.
Cook rigatoni according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
Stir pasta and basil into sauce. Thin sauce with a little pasta water if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.
Per serving: 443 cal; 15 g protein; 9 g total fat (1 g sat. fat); 80 g carb; 0 mg chol; 969 mg sodium; 15 g fiber; 4 g sugars
ANISE-ALMOND BISCOTTI
Also from page 61 of the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “Ground almonds, often sold as almond flour, give these twice-baked cookies a light, crumbly crunch. If you grind your own almonds with a mini-chopper, the flavor will be more intense.” This vegan recipe makes about 32 cookies.
Ingredients
1 Tbs. whole anise seeds
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup almond flour or 1 cup whole almonds, ground to a powder
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sesame seeds
Directions
Toast anise seeds in skillet over medium heat 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Transfer to coffee grinder or mini-blender, and crush to powder.
Combine pastry flour with almond flour or ground almonds in bowl. Whisk together oil, syrup, vanilla and salt in separated bowl. Stir oil mixture into flour mixture. Cover, and let rest 20 minutes.
Preheat over to 350 degrees F. Spread sesame seeds on work surface. Shape dough into 2 8-inch logs, packing dough tightly together so it doesn’t crumble. Roll logs in sesame seeds, and place on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes, or until browned and firm. Set baking sheet on wire rack, and cool 5 minutes.
Cut each log into 1/3-inch-thick diagonal slices with serrated knife. Place flat side down on foil-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Store up to 2 weeks in airtight container.
Per cookie: 110 cal; 2 g protein; 7 g total fat (1 g sat. fat); 10 g carb; 0 mg chol; 37 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 4 g sugars
Monday, October 26, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Yay! It's time to Celebrate. While we're starting off with the same song as last Friday, this time Kool & The Gang's song is done by Playing for Change. While this is their first cover I've heard from Playing for Change done by only kids, it still rocks. If you've never heard of them before, check out some of their covers on YouTube.
I know, I know, I usually don't start of with that much of an intro...It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Pesto Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Caribbean Beef Burgers with Mango Salsa. Enjoy!
FIREHOUSE CHILI GUMBO
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “This recipe is adapted from the one that a Louisiana firefighter named Jeremy Chauvin entered into a national cook-off run by Hormel Foods in 2017, and that took home the prize for America’s Best Firehouse Chili. It is not really a chili in the Texas sense of the word. There is a roux at its base — it’s more like a chili gumbo, a bayou take on the original red. Serve with grated cheese and corn chips. Chauvin told me he was moved to enter the chili contest as a way to honor his brother Spencer, also a firefighter, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. ‘I just want people to remember his sacrifice,’ he said.”
Yield: Serves 8 to 10; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in “This Is the Best Firehouse Chili” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed
3 pounds ground beef, ideally coarse-ground
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons steak sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
For the Gumbo:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 medium shallots, peeled and diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
3 ribs celery, trimmed and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 to 2 cups tomato juice
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar, or to taste
2 tablespoons hot sauce, or to taste
Preparation
Make the chili. Heat the oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the beef, stirring often, until it has begun to brown at the edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer browned meat to a bowl.
Pour off excess fat, turn heat down to medium and return the browned beef to the skillet or pot. Add salt, peppers, chile powder, turmeric, oregano and cumin, and stir to combine. Add steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce and diced tomatoes, and stir again. Cover the skillet or pot, and cook, stirring a few times, for 15 minutes or so.
Make the gumbo. Place a large pot with a heavy bottom over medium heat, and put the butter and oil into it. When the butter is melted and foaming, sprinkle the flour into the pan, and whisk to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture is golden brown, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Add the onion, shallots, bell peppers, celery and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have started to soften, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Make the chili gumbo. Add the beef mixture to the pot with the vegetables along with the tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato juice and ketchup, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, then add apple-cider vinegar and hot sauce to taste. Take the pot off the heat, and serve, or allow to cool and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to cure. Heat before serving.
LUCALI SALAD
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Sam wrote, "Mark Iacono sometimes serves a version of this salad at Lucali, his candlelit church of pizza in Brooklyn. It’s what he calls a “bottom of the bowl” salad, reminiscent of what’s left after a long Sunday dinner with family, with tomatoes, black olives and red onion deeply marinated in a vinegar-heavy dressing. He layers these above and below cold, crisp lettuce, adds a final drizzle of dressing and serves the salad with a meatball on top of it. But it goes as well plain alongside a pizza or under a sausage that’s been simmered in sauce, with stuffed shells or lasagna or eggplant Parm. You don’t need fancy tomatoes or lettuce with bona fides, just strong vinaigrette and enough time to allow the tomatoes to bleed out in it before you assemble the salad and serve."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 40 minutes
This was featured in "Most House Salads Are Terrible. Make Yours Shockingly Superb.", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019208-lucali-salad.
Ingredients
For the salad:
5 smallish tomatoes, halved and cut into fifths
1/2 smallish red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 rib celery with leaves, ideally from the heart, chopped
18 canned, pitted black olives, plus 2 tablespoons olive brine
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
1 head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves and brown bits removed, roughly torn
For the dressing:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
Preparation
Combine the tomatoes, red onion and celery in a large bowl. Add the olives, bruising each slightly between finger and thumb, and the olive brine.
Add the salt, peppers, olive oil and red-wine vinegar to the bowl, and mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.
Wash and dry the lettuce, then put in a bowl, cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad.
Make the dressing. There will be a lot left over, which you can cover and store in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. Combine the olive oil, red-wine vinegar, salt, black pepper and lemon pepper in a jar or large bowl. Cover the jar, and shake until emulsified, or use a whisk to achieve the same result in the bowl. Set aside.
Assemble the salad. Spoon onto a large platter enough of the tomato mixture and accumulated juices to cover its bottom. Arrange some of the iceberg across the top of the tomatoes, and drizzle a little dressing over it. Add some more of the tomato mixture, then another round of the iceberg. Drizzle with some more of the dressing, and then repeat. Serve immediately, so the lettuce does not wilt, either with Italian bread or topped with meatballs, perhaps alongside spaghetti or pizza.
PESTO PASTA SALAD WITH SUN DRIED TOMATOES
This is from Cara Harbstreet on Fruits & Veggies, a website I recently stumbled across. This salad can be served hot or cold, whichever strikes your fancy.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://fruitsandveggies.org/recipes/pesto-pasta-salad-with-sun-dried-tomatoes/.
Ingredients
1 16 oz box cellentani, rotini, or bowtie pasta
1 cup pesto sauce
1 can chickpeas
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 head broccoli florets
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 lemon (optional)
Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Wash and dry the broccoli, then cut into small florets. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast 10 minutes on high heat or until the edges begin to brown and the broccoli is cooked to your preference.
While the oven is preheating, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on your pasta shape.
Meanwhile, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and drain and rinse the chickpeas. Set aside until ready to combine.
Once pasta is cooked, drain and add to a large mixing bowl. Remove the broccoli from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Add to the mixing bowl with the pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and chickpeas. If using lemon, squeeze over the top, being careful not to include the seeds. Gently fold together to combine all ingredients.
Top with parmesan cheese just before serving. Serve warm, or chill until ready to serve.
BEST HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES
This yummy recipe came from Amanda, who came up with her wonderful site, titled Chunky Chef. I'd never seen it before, but you can be sure I'm going to be checking back onto her site! Definitely a good site.
She starts this recipe off by writing, “Step away from the canned sauce and give these homemade sloppy joes a try! They’re truly the best version of a childhood favorite!”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 6 servings; Calories: 266
To view this online, go to https://www.thechunkychef.com/best-homemade-sloppy-joes/.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1/3 green bell pepper, minced
1/2 large yellow onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup water
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp yellow mustard
3/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 tsp black pepper
dash of hot sauce (optional)
Directions
Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander to drain.
Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste. Stir well.
Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.
Notes
Sloppy Joe meat mixture can be frozen!
Cool the mixture completely, then add to freezer containers and freeze for up to 4 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
BLUEBERRY BANANA CAKE
This comes from Carroll Pellegrinelli, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Carroll wrote, "Whether you overbought at the farm stand or your fruit is ripening quicker than you can eat it, this blueberry banana cake is the perfect way to use up the produce and enjoy something sweet. What is great about this recipe is that there are more bananas and blueberries in the batter than flour and sugar, which makes it not only extra fruity and delicious, but also a healthy breakfast, dessert, or snack.
"This cake was made in a cathedral bundt cake pan, but you can use any bundt, cake, or loaf pan."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: 16 slices (16 servings)
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 bananas (very ripe, mashed)
1 cup blueberries (rinsed and dried)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour the cake pan.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Set aside.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture. Combine until just mixed.
Fold in the bananas and blueberries.
Carefully pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Tips
This recipe is somewhat simple, but there are a few tips you should keep in mind to ensure your banana blueberry cake is a success:
First, it is important that the butter and eggs be at room temperature so they both mix into the batter uniformly.
You also want to make sure that the bananas are nice and ripe; the goal is to have them blend into the batter versus remain in chunks. Bananas with almost black skins are ideal.
To achieve the creamiest texture, mash the ripe bananas with a mixer until they are a thick puree. You can use frozen bananas as well, just remember to thaw first.
When it comes to the blueberries, you need completely dry them before adding to the batter. Introducing water to the batter will result in a soggy cake.
This recipe can be baked in a bundt pan, loaf pan, or muffin tins. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times (muffins will take about half the time).
Recipe Variations
Whether you add or sub out ingredients in this cake, there are a few twists on this recipe that are sure to please. If your family is a fan of nuts, adding walnuts to the batter—or sprinkled on top—brings a nice crunch to the cake.
And, chances are, the kids won't object to a few chocolate chips.
You can elevate the cake by layering on a streusel topping before baking, which will create a sweet, crispy outer crust.
CARIBBEAN BEEF BURGERS WITH MANGO SALSA
Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings
Source: TBC
Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/caribbean-beef-burgers-with-mango-salsa.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef
2 tablespoons Caribbean jerk seasoning
Salt
Mango Salsa:
1 large mango, peeled, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Directions
Combine Ground Beef and jerk seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 3/4-inch thick patties.
Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 13 to 14 minutes), until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Season with salt, as desired.
Meanwhile, combine salsa ingredients in medium bowl, mixing lightly. Serve burgers with salsa.
Note: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef doneness.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 193; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 1.1 g; Sodium: 51 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g
I know, I know, I usually don't start of with that much of an intro...It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Pesto Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Caribbean Beef Burgers with Mango Salsa. Enjoy!
FIREHOUSE CHILI GUMBO
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “This recipe is adapted from the one that a Louisiana firefighter named Jeremy Chauvin entered into a national cook-off run by Hormel Foods in 2017, and that took home the prize for America’s Best Firehouse Chili. It is not really a chili in the Texas sense of the word. There is a roux at its base — it’s more like a chili gumbo, a bayou take on the original red. Serve with grated cheese and corn chips. Chauvin told me he was moved to enter the chili contest as a way to honor his brother Spencer, also a firefighter, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. ‘I just want people to remember his sacrifice,’ he said.”
Yield: Serves 8 to 10; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in “This Is the Best Firehouse Chili” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed
3 pounds ground beef, ideally coarse-ground
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons steak sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
For the Gumbo:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 medium shallots, peeled and diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
3 ribs celery, trimmed and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 to 2 cups tomato juice
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar, or to taste
2 tablespoons hot sauce, or to taste
Preparation
Make the chili. Heat the oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the beef, stirring often, until it has begun to brown at the edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer browned meat to a bowl.
Pour off excess fat, turn heat down to medium and return the browned beef to the skillet or pot. Add salt, peppers, chile powder, turmeric, oregano and cumin, and stir to combine. Add steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce and diced tomatoes, and stir again. Cover the skillet or pot, and cook, stirring a few times, for 15 minutes or so.
Make the gumbo. Place a large pot with a heavy bottom over medium heat, and put the butter and oil into it. When the butter is melted and foaming, sprinkle the flour into the pan, and whisk to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture is golden brown, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Add the onion, shallots, bell peppers, celery and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have started to soften, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Make the chili gumbo. Add the beef mixture to the pot with the vegetables along with the tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato juice and ketchup, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, then add apple-cider vinegar and hot sauce to taste. Take the pot off the heat, and serve, or allow to cool and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to cure. Heat before serving.
LUCALI SALAD
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Sam wrote, "Mark Iacono sometimes serves a version of this salad at Lucali, his candlelit church of pizza in Brooklyn. It’s what he calls a “bottom of the bowl” salad, reminiscent of what’s left after a long Sunday dinner with family, with tomatoes, black olives and red onion deeply marinated in a vinegar-heavy dressing. He layers these above and below cold, crisp lettuce, adds a final drizzle of dressing and serves the salad with a meatball on top of it. But it goes as well plain alongside a pizza or under a sausage that’s been simmered in sauce, with stuffed shells or lasagna or eggplant Parm. You don’t need fancy tomatoes or lettuce with bona fides, just strong vinaigrette and enough time to allow the tomatoes to bleed out in it before you assemble the salad and serve."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 40 minutes
This was featured in "Most House Salads Are Terrible. Make Yours Shockingly Superb.", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019208-lucali-salad.
Ingredients
For the salad:
5 smallish tomatoes, halved and cut into fifths
1/2 smallish red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 rib celery with leaves, ideally from the heart, chopped
18 canned, pitted black olives, plus 2 tablespoons olive brine
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
1 head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves and brown bits removed, roughly torn
For the dressing:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
Preparation
Combine the tomatoes, red onion and celery in a large bowl. Add the olives, bruising each slightly between finger and thumb, and the olive brine.
Add the salt, peppers, olive oil and red-wine vinegar to the bowl, and mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.
Wash and dry the lettuce, then put in a bowl, cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad.
Make the dressing. There will be a lot left over, which you can cover and store in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. Combine the olive oil, red-wine vinegar, salt, black pepper and lemon pepper in a jar or large bowl. Cover the jar, and shake until emulsified, or use a whisk to achieve the same result in the bowl. Set aside.
Assemble the salad. Spoon onto a large platter enough of the tomato mixture and accumulated juices to cover its bottom. Arrange some of the iceberg across the top of the tomatoes, and drizzle a little dressing over it. Add some more of the tomato mixture, then another round of the iceberg. Drizzle with some more of the dressing, and then repeat. Serve immediately, so the lettuce does not wilt, either with Italian bread or topped with meatballs, perhaps alongside spaghetti or pizza.
PESTO PASTA SALAD WITH SUN DRIED TOMATOES
This is from Cara Harbstreet on Fruits & Veggies, a website I recently stumbled across. This salad can be served hot or cold, whichever strikes your fancy.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://fruitsandveggies.org/recipes/pesto-pasta-salad-with-sun-dried-tomatoes/.
Ingredients
1 16 oz box cellentani, rotini, or bowtie pasta
1 cup pesto sauce
1 can chickpeas
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 head broccoli florets
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 lemon (optional)
Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Wash and dry the broccoli, then cut into small florets. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast 10 minutes on high heat or until the edges begin to brown and the broccoli is cooked to your preference.
While the oven is preheating, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on your pasta shape.
Meanwhile, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and drain and rinse the chickpeas. Set aside until ready to combine.
Once pasta is cooked, drain and add to a large mixing bowl. Remove the broccoli from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Add to the mixing bowl with the pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and chickpeas. If using lemon, squeeze over the top, being careful not to include the seeds. Gently fold together to combine all ingredients.
Top with parmesan cheese just before serving. Serve warm, or chill until ready to serve.
BEST HOMEMADE SLOPPY JOES
This yummy recipe came from Amanda, who came up with her wonderful site, titled Chunky Chef. I'd never seen it before, but you can be sure I'm going to be checking back onto her site! Definitely a good site.
She starts this recipe off by writing, “Step away from the canned sauce and give these homemade sloppy joes a try! They’re truly the best version of a childhood favorite!”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 6 servings; Calories: 266
To view this online, go to https://www.thechunkychef.com/best-homemade-sloppy-joes/.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1/3 green bell pepper, minced
1/2 large yellow onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup water
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp yellow mustard
3/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 tsp black pepper
dash of hot sauce (optional)
Directions
Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander to drain.
Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste. Stir well.
Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.
Notes
Sloppy Joe meat mixture can be frozen!
Cool the mixture completely, then add to freezer containers and freeze for up to 4 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
BLUEBERRY BANANA CAKE
This comes from Carroll Pellegrinelli, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Carroll wrote, "Whether you overbought at the farm stand or your fruit is ripening quicker than you can eat it, this blueberry banana cake is the perfect way to use up the produce and enjoy something sweet. What is great about this recipe is that there are more bananas and blueberries in the batter than flour and sugar, which makes it not only extra fruity and delicious, but also a healthy breakfast, dessert, or snack.
"This cake was made in a cathedral bundt cake pan, but you can use any bundt, cake, or loaf pan."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: 16 slices (16 servings)
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 bananas (very ripe, mashed)
1 cup blueberries (rinsed and dried)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour the cake pan.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Set aside.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture. Combine until just mixed.
Fold in the bananas and blueberries.
Carefully pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Tips
This recipe is somewhat simple, but there are a few tips you should keep in mind to ensure your banana blueberry cake is a success:
First, it is important that the butter and eggs be at room temperature so they both mix into the batter uniformly.
You also want to make sure that the bananas are nice and ripe; the goal is to have them blend into the batter versus remain in chunks. Bananas with almost black skins are ideal.
To achieve the creamiest texture, mash the ripe bananas with a mixer until they are a thick puree. You can use frozen bananas as well, just remember to thaw first.
When it comes to the blueberries, you need completely dry them before adding to the batter. Introducing water to the batter will result in a soggy cake.
This recipe can be baked in a bundt pan, loaf pan, or muffin tins. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times (muffins will take about half the time).
Recipe Variations
Whether you add or sub out ingredients in this cake, there are a few twists on this recipe that are sure to please. If your family is a fan of nuts, adding walnuts to the batter—or sprinkled on top—brings a nice crunch to the cake.
And, chances are, the kids won't object to a few chocolate chips.
You can elevate the cake by layering on a streusel topping before baking, which will create a sweet, crispy outer crust.
CARIBBEAN BEEF BURGERS WITH MANGO SALSA
Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings
Source: TBC
Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/caribbean-beef-burgers-with-mango-salsa.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef
2 tablespoons Caribbean jerk seasoning
Salt
Mango Salsa:
1 large mango, peeled, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Directions
Combine Ground Beef and jerk seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 3/4-inch thick patties.
Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 13 to 14 minutes), until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Season with salt, as desired.
Meanwhile, combine salsa ingredients in medium bowl, mixing lightly. Serve burgers with salsa.
Note: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef doneness.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 193; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 1.1 g; Sodium: 51 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Soup - Double-Post Thursday
Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's yummy double post deals with that all-time comfort food, homemade soup.
Seriously, when the weather starts cooling off, what can be more comforting than a large bowl of homemade soup? While some soups might seem work-intensive, soups don't have to be difficult.
That said, here are six yummy soups to try, including Roasted Autumn Vegetable Soup and Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup. Enjoy!
HERBED CARROT SOUP
From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett
Ingredients
2 pounds of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, diced
6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 Tbs of butter
6 C of vegetable stock
Freshly grated mace or nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.
Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.
BAKED POTATO SOUP
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, "If we’re being honest, a baked potato isn’t really about the potato. It’s about the toppings: plush sour cream, butter, cheese, salty bacon, bright scallions. This soup version doesn’t skimp on those extras: The potatoes simmer in milk with garlic and scallions until just tender, then they join sour cream and Cheddar in the pot before the toppings — including potato skins — are added. It’s potatoey, creamy and adaptable. Make it smooth or textured, skip the bacon and serve it with a side salad (though it’s plenty hearty all on its own)."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019913-baked-potato-soup.
Ingredients
6 slices bacon, or 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced separately
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, large skins reserved
6 cups whole milk
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
3/4 cup freshly grated Cheddar (about 3 ounces), plus more for serving
Preparation
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon (if using) until crisp, 12 to 13 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate or cutting board. Return the pot with just 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat to the stove. (If there’s not enough fat, supplement with butter to total 3 tablespoons.) If making the soup vegetarian, melt butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Over medium-low heat, sauté the white parts of the scallions and the garlic until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently and adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid burning the garlic. Add the potatoes, milk and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat (resist the urge to heat it faster as this can lead to curdling). Once at a boil, lower the heat and simmer covered until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
As soup simmers, prepare the potato skins: Warm the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Working in batches if needed, add the potato peels in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until crisp and golden-brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or cutting board, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, cayenne and garlic powder. Crumble and set aside.
Once the potatoes are tender, take the pot off the heat, and purée the mixture with an immersion blender if you’d like a smooth soup. (Mash with a potato masher if you’d like a chunkier soup.) Stir in the sour cream and cheese until combined, then season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with crumbled bacon, more sour cream and Cheddar and the green parts of the scallions. Top with potato peels (eat any extra as chips, dipped in ketchup and mustard).
INSTANT POT® HAMBURGER SOUP
This is from Angela Giannetti Snyder on AllRecipes. She wrote, "Easy and delicious soup with a nice thickness. You can make it in the Instant Pot® or on the stovetop. When this cools, it will be very thick, but it thins out when reheated. Freezes very well."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268565/instant-pot-hamburger-soup/.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 (14.5 ounce) cans beef consomme
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups water
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup
4 carrots, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
4 tablespoons pearl barley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Directions
Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot(R)) and select Saute function. Cook and stir beef and onion until browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour in beef consomme, tomatoes, water, and tomato soup. Add carrots, celery, barley, thyme, and bay leaf.
Close and lock the lid. Select Soup function; set timer for 30 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 10 minutes.
Cook's Note:
If you're making it on the stovetop, brown ground beef and onion together, then add the remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for at least 2 hours.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold fall days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
HEARTY HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
This is by Pam Anderson and was in the January 2010 issue of Runner's World (page 44; "The Athlete's Palate"). It begins, "The cabbage in this dish is rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as phytonutrients that helpl protect against some cancers. To save time and speed up the cooking process, heat the broth and tomatoes in the microwave while chopping the vegetables."
Pam Anderson has a really great cooking site, called Three Many Cooks. I really recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap
And now, on to the soup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced into medium pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 large carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced thin
1/2 cabbage, cored, cut into bite-size shreds
12 ounces lean ham steak, diced into small pieces
1 quart chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce can petite-diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Heat the oil over medium-high in a soup kettles. Add the onion, saute until soft and golden, about five minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and saute until fragrant, about one minute. Add the remaining ingredients, then bring to a full simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, simmer gently (partially covered) until the vegetables are just cooked and flavors blended, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley; cover and let stand five minutes. Serve's six.
FRENCH COUNTRY BEAN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings (with chicken)
Source: AICR
View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/french-country-bean-soup
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 carrot, cut in half-moons
1 rib celery, sliced
1 small onion, chopped in bite-size pieces
1 small leek, chopped in bite-size pieces
3 outer leaves Savoy cabbage, rolled and cut in 1/2" strips
4 cups fat-free, reduced sodium chicken broth
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 cups squash (e.g. butternut), peeled and diced
1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas or white beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cooked chicken cut in bite-size pieces(optional)
Directions
Heat oil in medium Dutch oven or large, deep saucepan. Saute carrot, celery, onion, leek, and cabbage until leaves are bright green and other vegetables start to soften, about 3 minutes. Add broth. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add thyme, garlic, squash and beans. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in chicken, if using. Ladle soup into deep bowls and serve accompanied by toasted slices of whole-grain French bread or other rustic bread. (This soup reheats well. It keeps up to 5 days, covered, in refrigerator.)
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 464 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Lean-Meat, 1 Vegetable
Seriously, when the weather starts cooling off, what can be more comforting than a large bowl of homemade soup? While some soups might seem work-intensive, soups don't have to be difficult.
That said, here are six yummy soups to try, including Roasted Autumn Vegetable Soup and Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup. Enjoy!
HERBED CARROT SOUP
From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett
Ingredients
2 pounds of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, diced
6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 Tbs of butter
6 C of vegetable stock
Freshly grated mace or nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.
Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.
BAKED POTATO SOUP
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, "If we’re being honest, a baked potato isn’t really about the potato. It’s about the toppings: plush sour cream, butter, cheese, salty bacon, bright scallions. This soup version doesn’t skimp on those extras: The potatoes simmer in milk with garlic and scallions until just tender, then they join sour cream and Cheddar in the pot before the toppings — including potato skins — are added. It’s potatoey, creamy and adaptable. Make it smooth or textured, skip the bacon and serve it with a side salad (though it’s plenty hearty all on its own)."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019913-baked-potato-soup.
Ingredients
6 slices bacon, or 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced separately
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, large skins reserved
6 cups whole milk
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup sour cream, plus more for serving
3/4 cup freshly grated Cheddar (about 3 ounces), plus more for serving
Preparation
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon (if using) until crisp, 12 to 13 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate or cutting board. Return the pot with just 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat to the stove. (If there’s not enough fat, supplement with butter to total 3 tablespoons.) If making the soup vegetarian, melt butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Over medium-low heat, sauté the white parts of the scallions and the garlic until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently and adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid burning the garlic. Add the potatoes, milk and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat (resist the urge to heat it faster as this can lead to curdling). Once at a boil, lower the heat and simmer covered until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
As soup simmers, prepare the potato skins: Warm the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Working in batches if needed, add the potato peels in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until crisp and golden-brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or cutting board, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, cayenne and garlic powder. Crumble and set aside.
Once the potatoes are tender, take the pot off the heat, and purée the mixture with an immersion blender if you’d like a smooth soup. (Mash with a potato masher if you’d like a chunkier soup.) Stir in the sour cream and cheese until combined, then season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with crumbled bacon, more sour cream and Cheddar and the green parts of the scallions. Top with potato peels (eat any extra as chips, dipped in ketchup and mustard).
INSTANT POT® HAMBURGER SOUP
This is from Angela Giannetti Snyder on AllRecipes. She wrote, "Easy and delicious soup with a nice thickness. You can make it in the Instant Pot® or on the stovetop. When this cools, it will be very thick, but it thins out when reheated. Freezes very well."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268565/instant-pot-hamburger-soup/.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 (14.5 ounce) cans beef consomme
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups water
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup
4 carrots, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
4 tablespoons pearl barley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Directions
Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot(R)) and select Saute function. Cook and stir beef and onion until browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour in beef consomme, tomatoes, water, and tomato soup. Add carrots, celery, barley, thyme, and bay leaf.
Close and lock the lid. Select Soup function; set timer for 30 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 10 minutes.
Cook's Note:
If you're making it on the stovetop, brown ground beef and onion together, then add the remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for at least 2 hours.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold fall days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
HEARTY HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
This is by Pam Anderson and was in the January 2010 issue of Runner's World (page 44; "The Athlete's Palate"). It begins, "The cabbage in this dish is rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as phytonutrients that helpl protect against some cancers. To save time and speed up the cooking process, heat the broth and tomatoes in the microwave while chopping the vegetables."
Pam Anderson has a really great cooking site, called Three Many Cooks. I really recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap
And now, on to the soup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced into medium pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 large carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced thin
1/2 cabbage, cored, cut into bite-size shreds
12 ounces lean ham steak, diced into small pieces
1 quart chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce can petite-diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Heat the oil over medium-high in a soup kettles. Add the onion, saute until soft and golden, about five minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and saute until fragrant, about one minute. Add the remaining ingredients, then bring to a full simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, simmer gently (partially covered) until the vegetables are just cooked and flavors blended, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley; cover and let stand five minutes. Serve's six.
FRENCH COUNTRY BEAN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings (with chicken)
Source: AICR
View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/french-country-bean-soup
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 carrot, cut in half-moons
1 rib celery, sliced
1 small onion, chopped in bite-size pieces
1 small leek, chopped in bite-size pieces
3 outer leaves Savoy cabbage, rolled and cut in 1/2" strips
4 cups fat-free, reduced sodium chicken broth
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 cups squash (e.g. butternut), peeled and diced
1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas or white beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cooked chicken cut in bite-size pieces(optional)
Directions
Heat oil in medium Dutch oven or large, deep saucepan. Saute carrot, celery, onion, leek, and cabbage until leaves are bright green and other vegetables start to soften, about 3 minutes. Add broth. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add thyme, garlic, squash and beans. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in chicken, if using. Ladle soup into deep bowls and serve accompanied by toasted slices of whole-grain French bread or other rustic bread. (This soup reheats well. It keeps up to 5 days, covered, in refrigerator.)
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 464 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Lean-Meat, 1 Vegetable
Diabetic Thursday
It's Diabetic Thursday. Here are six yummy diabetic recipes to try out, including Orange Tapioca and Middle Eastern-Style Chicken. Enjoy!
CHICKEN WITH PEPPERS
Servings: 4
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/309.shtml
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups frozen stir-fry pepper blend
1 can (15 ounces) chunky Italian-seasoned tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Saute chicken and garlic in oil in large skillet until lightly browned. Push chicken to side of pan; add stir-fry pepper blend and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 215; Protein: 28.5 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 674 mg; Cholesterol: 71 mg; Carbohydrates: 9.7 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 3 Meat
NECTARINE AND BERRY TART
Recipe Yield: Serves 8
View online with photo: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart/print/
Ingredients
Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie
5 cups sliced nectarines
1 cup raspberries or sliced strawberries
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, partially thawed
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup Equal Spoonful*
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Roll pastry on floured surface into 12-inch circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet.
Toss nectarines and berries with lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle fruit with combined cornstarch, Equal, lemon peel and allspice. Toss to coat.
Arrange fruit mixture over pastry, leaving 2-inch border around edge of pastry. Bring edge of pastry toward center, overlapping as necessary.
Bake tart in preheated 425F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit is tender.
Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 101 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat
CHILE CORN PUDDING
Recipe Yield: Serves 6.
https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chile-corn-pudding
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn kernels(10 ears) OR 1 16-oz. can corn kernels, drained
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (ground red pepper)
1 (3-oz) can chopped green chiles, drained
1 cup milk
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, beat together all ingredients. Pour into greased 6-cup baking dish, bake for 45-50 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes: This cream corn pudding is a sturdy custard that makes a great mate to a grilled pork roast. It can be served warm or close to room temperature. Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 70; Sodium: 350 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
ORANGE TAPIOCA
https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/orange-tapioca
Recipe Yield: Serves: 4 (1 Serving = 1/2 Cup)
Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes
Book Title: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes
Ingredients
1-1/2 cup fat-free milk
3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 large egg, beaten, or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tablespoon sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 orange, peeled, seeded, and diced
Directions
Combine the milk, tapioca, egg, sugar, and salt in a small non-stick saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil.
Remove from the heat. Add the orange juice slowly, stirring constantly. Return to the heat, stirring until the mixture boils again. Remove from the heat.
Let cool 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in the vanilla and diced orange. Chill well before serving, at least 2 hours.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 98 mg; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Other Carbohydrate
MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE CHICKEN
Yield: 10 servings
Source: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/middle-eastern-style-chicken
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/middle-eastern-style-chicken/print/
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of all fat and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups frozen mixed pepper and onion stir-fry
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup fat-free, low-sodium or regular chicken broth
(14-1/2 ounce) can low-sodium or regular diced tomato
1/2 cup dark raisins
1 large bay leaf
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste (optional)
Directions
In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick spray coating, cook the chicken pieces over medium heat, turning frequently, until they begin to brown.
Add the onion and pepper mixture, garlic, oil and 1 tablespoon of the broth to the skillet. Stir up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Raise the heat and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat again and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 2 or 3 minutes, or until the onion is slightly softened. Add the remaining broth, tomato, raisins, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, allspice, cloves, and black pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has cooked down slightly. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Add salt to taste (if desired).
Serve at once, or transfer to a casserole, cover, and refrigerate. The chicken will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 99; Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 7 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Lean Meat
BEAN AND VEGETABLE STEW
Recipe Yield: 6 Servings (about 1-1/3 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes For People With Diabetes
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/bean-and-vegetable-stew
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/bean-and-vegetable-stew/print/
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 medium Idaho potato, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon flour
1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained
1 can (16 ounces) tomato wedges, undrained
3/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Saute onion, potato, sweet potato, bell pepper, and garlic in oil in large saucepan 5 minutes; stir in flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Add remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper, to saucepan; heat to boiling.
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Fat: 5.5 g; Sodium: 493 mg; Protein: 7.7 g; Carbohydrates: 39 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat
CHICKEN WITH PEPPERS
Servings: 4
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/309.shtml
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups frozen stir-fry pepper blend
1 can (15 ounces) chunky Italian-seasoned tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Saute chicken and garlic in oil in large skillet until lightly browned. Push chicken to side of pan; add stir-fry pepper blend and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 215; Protein: 28.5 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 674 mg; Cholesterol: 71 mg; Carbohydrates: 9.7 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 3 Meat
NECTARINE AND BERRY TART
Recipe Yield: Serves 8
View online with photo: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart/print/
Ingredients
Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie
5 cups sliced nectarines
1 cup raspberries or sliced strawberries
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, partially thawed
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup Equal Spoonful*
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Roll pastry on floured surface into 12-inch circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet.
Toss nectarines and berries with lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle fruit with combined cornstarch, Equal, lemon peel and allspice. Toss to coat.
Arrange fruit mixture over pastry, leaving 2-inch border around edge of pastry. Bring edge of pastry toward center, overlapping as necessary.
Bake tart in preheated 425F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit is tender.
Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 101 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat
CHILE CORN PUDDING
Recipe Yield: Serves 6.
https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chile-corn-pudding
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn kernels(10 ears) OR 1 16-oz. can corn kernels, drained
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (ground red pepper)
1 (3-oz) can chopped green chiles, drained
1 cup milk
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, beat together all ingredients. Pour into greased 6-cup baking dish, bake for 45-50 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes: This cream corn pudding is a sturdy custard that makes a great mate to a grilled pork roast. It can be served warm or close to room temperature. Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 70; Sodium: 350 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
ORANGE TAPIOCA
https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/orange-tapioca
Recipe Yield: Serves: 4 (1 Serving = 1/2 Cup)
Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes
Book Title: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes
Ingredients
1-1/2 cup fat-free milk
3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 large egg, beaten, or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tablespoon sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 orange, peeled, seeded, and diced
Directions
Combine the milk, tapioca, egg, sugar, and salt in a small non-stick saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil.
Remove from the heat. Add the orange juice slowly, stirring constantly. Return to the heat, stirring until the mixture boils again. Remove from the heat.
Let cool 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in the vanilla and diced orange. Chill well before serving, at least 2 hours.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 98 mg; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Other Carbohydrate
MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE CHICKEN
Yield: 10 servings
Source: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/middle-eastern-style-chicken
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/middle-eastern-style-chicken/print/
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of all fat and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups frozen mixed pepper and onion stir-fry
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup fat-free, low-sodium or regular chicken broth
(14-1/2 ounce) can low-sodium or regular diced tomato
1/2 cup dark raisins
1 large bay leaf
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste (optional)
Directions
In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick spray coating, cook the chicken pieces over medium heat, turning frequently, until they begin to brown.
Add the onion and pepper mixture, garlic, oil and 1 tablespoon of the broth to the skillet. Stir up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Raise the heat and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat again and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 2 or 3 minutes, or until the onion is slightly softened. Add the remaining broth, tomato, raisins, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, allspice, cloves, and black pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has cooked down slightly. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Add salt to taste (if desired).
Serve at once, or transfer to a casserole, cover, and refrigerate. The chicken will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 99; Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 7 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Lean Meat
BEAN AND VEGETABLE STEW
Recipe Yield: 6 Servings (about 1-1/3 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes For People With Diabetes
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/bean-and-vegetable-stew
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/bean-and-vegetable-stew/print/
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 medium Idaho potato, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon flour
1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained
1 can (16 ounces) tomato wedges, undrained
3/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Saute onion, potato, sweet potato, bell pepper, and garlic in oil in large saucepan 5 minutes; stir in flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Add remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper, to saucepan; heat to boiling.
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Fat: 5.5 g; Sodium: 493 mg; Protein: 7.7 g; Carbohydrates: 39 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Halloween Recipes
Since Halloween is next week, I figured I'd post several Halloween-themed recipes today. Check out the Pumpkin Spice Ghost Cake, the Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, and the rest of today's recipes. Enjoy!
CAULDRON OF CHILI WITH SPIDER BREAD
My son and I were both on several long-forgotten emailing recipe lists. This is one of the recipes my son passed along from one of those lists.
Source: Target Recipes
Serves: 8; Hands-On Time: 40 Minutes; Total Time: 55 Minutes
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onions
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can spicy chili beans, undrained
1 (11 ounce) can Mexicorn whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained
1 (11 ounce) can refrigerated breadsticks
4 small pimento-stuffed olives, sliced
1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onions over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes stirring frequently until beef is thoroughly cooked. Drain.
Stir in tomatoes, chili, beans and corn; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make an X shape using two pieces of dough. Pinch and twist the center where they meet to create a ball-shaped spider head.
Place on baking sheet, spreading legs of X shape out from the spider body. Use scissors to cut the dough creating four more legs. Attach dough to body and splay all eight legs. Place 2 olive slices on each for eyes.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Top individual serving of chili with cheese and serve with warm spider breads.
PUMPKIN PATCH BROWNIES
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “The sweetest pumpkin patch you ever did see.”
Total Time: 1 hour; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 8 - 10.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 box brownie mix, plus required ingredients
1 c. white chocolate chips
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
green food coloring
1 can chocolate frosting
1 c. crushed oreos
Pumpkin candies
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° and line a 9-x-13” pan with parchment paper then grease with cooking spray. Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick has moist crumbs, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely.
In a small bowl, combine white chocolate chips, vegetable oil and green food coloring. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Stir until smooth then transfer to a small ziplock bag and cut the tip of one corner to pipe.
Spread chocolate frosting over the brownies, then sprinkle with crushed Oreos. Using the green chocolate, pipe vines over the surface of the brownies, then scatter pumpkin candies on top of the brownies.
Slice into squares and serve.
PUMPKIN SPICE GHOST CAKE
This is from Very Best Baking by Nestle, and begins, “Surprise your trick-or treaters with this hauntingly-good pumpkin spice cake with a rich cream cheese frosting.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cooking Time: 35 minutes; Skill level: Intermediate; Makes 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cake:
1 pkg. (18 oz.) spice or carrot cake mix
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 pkgs. (3 oz. each) cream cheeese, softened
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
*Black string licorice, NESTLÉ RAISINETS Milk Chocolate-Covered Raisins and Halloween candy corn (optional)
Instructions
For Cake:
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease and flour two 8- or 9-inch-round cake pans.
Combine cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, water, vegetable oil and pumpkin pie spice in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat for 2 minutes or until thoroughly mixed. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat cream cheese, margarine and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Spread between layers and on top and side of cake.
To Garnish:
Form licorice strings into ghost shapes; press into side of frosted cake. Use Raisinets for eyes. Arrange candy corn between ghosts on side and around top edge of frosted cake.
LIBBY'S® PUMPKIN ROLL
This is from Ver Best Baking by Nestle, and begins, "Dazzle family and friends with Libby's® Pumpkin Roll; moist and creamy, with a tantalizing aroma and beautiful presentation." My take on this? Yum!
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Cookingi Time: 13 minutes; Skill Level: Intermediate; Makes 14 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32372/libbys-pumpkin-roll/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Cooking Tip:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.
PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. Lauren wrote, "Is it a sandwich cookie? Or a handheld little cake? To be honest, we're still unclear. What we do know is that this autumnal spin on the classic American whoopie pie gives us an unreasonable amount of joy once the weather starts to cool down. (Or as soon as September hits.)"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Yields: 16
To view this online, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a55263/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-recipe/.
Ingredients
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened, divided
1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin puree (about 2 cups), preferably chilled
2 large eggs
3 tsp. pure vanilla extract, divided
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 c. powdered sugar
2 tbsp. maple syrup
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin spice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
In a separate large bowl using a hand mixer, beat brown sugar, vegetable oil, 1/2 cup butter, pumpkin puree, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. (The dough will be sticky and soft.)
Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2” between each cookie. Bake until springy to touch, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Make filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat together remaining 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup and remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla and beat until fluffy.
Spread filling onto the bottoms of half of the cookies. Place the remaining cookies, bottom side-down, on top. Serve immediately or store in fridge in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Get ready to meet your new favorite fall cookie! Pumpkin and chocolate chips make a powerful pair in these cakey treats with rich pumpkin pie spice flavor and loads of semi-sweet morsels. The cookies don't spread much in the oven, so flattening the dough is key."
Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: About 4 dozen cookies; Level: Easy
View this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-8899244.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
One 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
Add the butter and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla and beat until combined.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto each prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound into a 2 1/2-inch round with slightly wet hands. The cookies will not spread much during baking.
Bake until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
When the baking sheets have cooled completely, repeat with the remaining dough to bake more cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
CAULDRON OF CHILI WITH SPIDER BREAD
My son and I were both on several long-forgotten emailing recipe lists. This is one of the recipes my son passed along from one of those lists.
Source: Target Recipes
Serves: 8; Hands-On Time: 40 Minutes; Total Time: 55 Minutes
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onions
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can spicy chili beans, undrained
1 (11 ounce) can Mexicorn whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained
1 (11 ounce) can refrigerated breadsticks
4 small pimento-stuffed olives, sliced
1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onions over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes stirring frequently until beef is thoroughly cooked. Drain.
Stir in tomatoes, chili, beans and corn; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make an X shape using two pieces of dough. Pinch and twist the center where they meet to create a ball-shaped spider head.
Place on baking sheet, spreading legs of X shape out from the spider body. Use scissors to cut the dough creating four more legs. Attach dough to body and splay all eight legs. Place 2 olive slices on each for eyes.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Top individual serving of chili with cheese and serve with warm spider breads.
PUMPKIN PATCH BROWNIES
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “The sweetest pumpkin patch you ever did see.”
Total Time: 1 hour; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 8 - 10.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 box brownie mix, plus required ingredients
1 c. white chocolate chips
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
green food coloring
1 can chocolate frosting
1 c. crushed oreos
Pumpkin candies
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° and line a 9-x-13” pan with parchment paper then grease with cooking spray. Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick has moist crumbs, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely.
In a small bowl, combine white chocolate chips, vegetable oil and green food coloring. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Stir until smooth then transfer to a small ziplock bag and cut the tip of one corner to pipe.
Spread chocolate frosting over the brownies, then sprinkle with crushed Oreos. Using the green chocolate, pipe vines over the surface of the brownies, then scatter pumpkin candies on top of the brownies.
Slice into squares and serve.
PUMPKIN SPICE GHOST CAKE
This is from Very Best Baking by Nestle, and begins, “Surprise your trick-or treaters with this hauntingly-good pumpkin spice cake with a rich cream cheese frosting.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cooking Time: 35 minutes; Skill level: Intermediate; Makes 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cake:
1 pkg. (18 oz.) spice or carrot cake mix
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 pkgs. (3 oz. each) cream cheeese, softened
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
*Black string licorice, NESTLÉ RAISINETS Milk Chocolate-Covered Raisins and Halloween candy corn (optional)
Instructions
For Cake:
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease and flour two 8- or 9-inch-round cake pans.
Combine cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, water, vegetable oil and pumpkin pie spice in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat for 2 minutes or until thoroughly mixed. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat cream cheese, margarine and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Spread between layers and on top and side of cake.
To Garnish:
Form licorice strings into ghost shapes; press into side of frosted cake. Use Raisinets for eyes. Arrange candy corn between ghosts on side and around top edge of frosted cake.
LIBBY'S® PUMPKIN ROLL
This is from Ver Best Baking by Nestle, and begins, "Dazzle family and friends with Libby's® Pumpkin Roll; moist and creamy, with a tantalizing aroma and beautiful presentation." My take on this? Yum!
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Cookingi Time: 13 minutes; Skill Level: Intermediate; Makes 14 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32372/libbys-pumpkin-roll/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Cooking Tip:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.
PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. Lauren wrote, "Is it a sandwich cookie? Or a handheld little cake? To be honest, we're still unclear. What we do know is that this autumnal spin on the classic American whoopie pie gives us an unreasonable amount of joy once the weather starts to cool down. (Or as soon as September hits.)"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Yields: 16
To view this online, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a55263/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-recipe/.
Ingredients
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened, divided
1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin puree (about 2 cups), preferably chilled
2 large eggs
3 tsp. pure vanilla extract, divided
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 c. powdered sugar
2 tbsp. maple syrup
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin spice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
In a separate large bowl using a hand mixer, beat brown sugar, vegetable oil, 1/2 cup butter, pumpkin puree, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. (The dough will be sticky and soft.)
Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2” between each cookie. Bake until springy to touch, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Make filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat together remaining 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup and remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla and beat until fluffy.
Spread filling onto the bottoms of half of the cookies. Place the remaining cookies, bottom side-down, on top. Serve immediately or store in fridge in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Get ready to meet your new favorite fall cookie! Pumpkin and chocolate chips make a powerful pair in these cakey treats with rich pumpkin pie spice flavor and loads of semi-sweet morsels. The cookies don't spread much in the oven, so flattening the dough is key."
Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: About 4 dozen cookies; Level: Easy
View this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-8899244.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
One 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
Add the butter and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla and beat until combined.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto each prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound into a 2 1/2-inch round with slightly wet hands. The cookies will not spread much during baking.
Bake until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
When the baking sheets have cooled completely, repeat with the remaining dough to bake more cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Pasta and Roasted Autumn Vegetable Soup. Enjoy!
BITTERSWEET BROWNIE SHORTBREAD
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewletter. Melissa wrote, "These chewy bar cookies combine two all-time favorites: crumbly, buttery shortbread and bittersweet brownies. Nut lovers can mix almonds, pecans or walnuts into the brownie batter, which gives the bars a delightful crunch. But those who prefer savoring the smooth, gooey centers of their brownies can easily leave them out. In any case, be sure not to overbake the brownies. As soon as the top sets, they’re done."
Yield: 32 bars; Time 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Everything You Don’t Know About Chocolate" (which makes for a very interesting read!), and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020851-bittersweet-brownie-shortbread.
Ingredients
For the shortbread:
1 1/2 cups/340 grams cold unsalted butter (3 sticks), cut into 1/2-inch pieces, plus more for greasing the pan
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
For the brownie:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 1/4 sticks)
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup slivered almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Flaky sea salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, and line with parchment paper so that there is a 2-inch overhang on the two long sides.
Prepare the shortbread: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or beaters, mix together flour, sugar and salt. Beat in butter on low speed until dough just comes together but is still a little crumbly. (Or pulse together ingredients in a food processor.)
Press dough into prepared pan. Prick dough all over with a fork. Bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven. Raise oven temperature to 375 degrees.
As shortbread bakes, prepare the brownie: Place butter and chocolate in a large bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each burst, until smooth. (Alternatively, place bowl over a pot of simmering water, and heat chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth and melted.) Whisk in sugars and cocoa powder until smooth, then whisk in eggs and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sea salt. Whisk into chocolate mixture until no streaks of flour remain. Fold in nuts, if using. Spread mixture onto the warm shortbread base. Sprinkle lightly but evenly with flaky sea salt.
Bake until the top is set, the center is soft, and the edges start pulling away from the pan, 23 to 28 minutes. (A toothpick inserted into the center will come out gooey.) Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into bars before serving.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold falldays. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
HAN OAK GALBIJJIM
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "This is a home cook’s take on the short-rib stew the chef Peter Cho serves at Han Oak, the beautiful homestyle Korean restaurant in Portland, Ore., that he runs with his wife, Sun Young Park. It is fragrant and sweet, with deep caramelized flavors that come in part from roasting the meat and vegetables separately before combining them in the braising liquid. Cho fries rice cakes before adding them to the stew, but you can just slide them in plain, if you prefer. Either way, the addition of greens at the end gives the dish an exciting brightness, a zip that many galbijjims lack."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in "A Secret Ingredient Makes This Chef’s Galbijjim Perfect. Just Don’t Tell Mom.", and cam be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019918-han-oak-galbijjim.
Ingredients
3 pounds mixed root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, onions and sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
5 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or vegetable oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 pounds bone-in short ribs, cut by a butcher into 2-inch pieces
2 medium-size Asian pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 large red onion, peeled and diced
12 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons roughly chopped ginger
3 cups chicken stock
1 12-ounce can Coca-Cola
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean chile flakes), or to taste
4 cups roughly chopped kale, optional
1 pound Korean rice cakes, optional
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
3 scallions, trimmed and both white and green parts thinly sliced
3 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
Sesame seeds, to taste
Preparation
Heat oven to 425. Toss the root vegetables in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of oil, and season with an aggressive amount of salt and pepper. Turn the vegetables onto a sheet pan. Put the short ribs in the same bowl, and toss with 1 tablespoon of oil and a lot of salt and pepper, then put the ribs on another sheet pan, bone sides down. Place both pans in the oven and roast, turning the pans once or twice, until the vegetables are soft and caramelized and the ribs are well browned, approximately 40 minutes. Set the pans aside until ready to use.
While the vegetables and ribs cook, place a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and swirl into it the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. When it shimmers, add the pears, onion, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and browning, approximately 15 minutes.
Turn heat to high, add the stock, Coca-Cola, honey, soy sauce, rice-wine vinegar and gochugaru, and bring the mixture to a lively simmer. Cook until pears are tender, approximately 20 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor, and purée the sauce until smooth, then return it to the pot.
Add the cooked short ribs and whatever fat has rendered from them to the pot, cover it and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 90 minutes, or until very tender.
When the meat can be flaked from the bone, add the roasted vegetables to the pot, along with the rice cakes. Cook until the vegetables are hot and the rice cakes (if using) are sticky, then add the greens, and stir them around until they have just started to turn tender.
Drizzle with the sesame oil, top with the scallions, radishes and sesame seeds to taste. Serve immediately.
TURKEY SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI PASTA
This is from the Food Network.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 2 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/turkey-sausage-and-broccoli-pasta-recipe-1957827.
Ingredients
8 ounces rigatoni
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound turkey sausage
Red pepper flakes, to taste
1 onion, chopped
3/4 cups chicken stock
1/2 red pepper, sliced
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
Directions
Prepare rigatoni according to directions on box. Remove sausage meat from casing, set aside. In hot skillet saute onions. Add pepper and crumbled sausage meat. Stir and cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Add florets and cover to steam. Once broccoli is tender add rigatoni to pan. Stir to coat. Serve.
PENNE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO
This is from Diada De Laurentiis from the Food Network show Everyday Italian. This has got to be one of the easiest pasta recipes I've run across in a long time (if not the easiest).
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online at the Food Network site, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-sun-dried-tomato-pesto-recipe-1942250.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
1 (8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
2 garlic cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are finely chopped. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the Parmesan.
Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.
TOMATO-ROSEMARY CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Servings: 12
Source: Family Circle: All-time Favorite Recipes
Book Title: Family Circle: All-time Favorite Recipes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tomato-rosemary-chicken.
Ingredients
12 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4 pounds total)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil (or olive oil)
2 tbsp butter (or margarine)
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 pound proscuitto, chopped
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried, crumbled
12 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
Directions
Season both sides of chicken breast halves with salt and pepper. Place flour on a sheet of waxed paper. Turn chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off any excess and place chicken on another piece of waxed paper.
Heat oven to 375F.
Heat 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 chicken breast halves and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Place chicken in a 15x10x1-inch jelly-roll pan in a single layer, filling half of pan. Repeat with remaining oil, butter, and chicken.
Bake chicken in heated 375F oven for 20 minutes or until internal temperature registers 170F on an instant-read thermometer.
Meanwhile, add garlic and proscuitto to skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Add wine and rosemary; cook 2 minutes, stirring up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.
Add tomatoes and broth. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes.
Place chicken on a serving platter; pour sauce over top. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 257; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 377 mg; Cholesterol: 89 mg; Protein: 34 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Low-Fat Meat; 1 Vegetable
BITTERSWEET BROWNIE SHORTBREAD
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewletter. Melissa wrote, "These chewy bar cookies combine two all-time favorites: crumbly, buttery shortbread and bittersweet brownies. Nut lovers can mix almonds, pecans or walnuts into the brownie batter, which gives the bars a delightful crunch. But those who prefer savoring the smooth, gooey centers of their brownies can easily leave them out. In any case, be sure not to overbake the brownies. As soon as the top sets, they’re done."
Yield: 32 bars; Time 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Everything You Don’t Know About Chocolate" (which makes for a very interesting read!), and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020851-bittersweet-brownie-shortbread.
Ingredients
For the shortbread:
1 1/2 cups/340 grams cold unsalted butter (3 sticks), cut into 1/2-inch pieces, plus more for greasing the pan
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
For the brownie:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 1/4 sticks)
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup slivered almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Flaky sea salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, and line with parchment paper so that there is a 2-inch overhang on the two long sides.
Prepare the shortbread: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or beaters, mix together flour, sugar and salt. Beat in butter on low speed until dough just comes together but is still a little crumbly. (Or pulse together ingredients in a food processor.)
Press dough into prepared pan. Prick dough all over with a fork. Bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven. Raise oven temperature to 375 degrees.
As shortbread bakes, prepare the brownie: Place butter and chocolate in a large bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each burst, until smooth. (Alternatively, place bowl over a pot of simmering water, and heat chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth and melted.) Whisk in sugars and cocoa powder until smooth, then whisk in eggs and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sea salt. Whisk into chocolate mixture until no streaks of flour remain. Fold in nuts, if using. Spread mixture onto the warm shortbread base. Sprinkle lightly but evenly with flaky sea salt.
Bake until the top is set, the center is soft, and the edges start pulling away from the pan, 23 to 28 minutes. (A toothpick inserted into the center will come out gooey.) Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into bars before serving.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold falldays. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
HAN OAK GALBIJJIM
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "This is a home cook’s take on the short-rib stew the chef Peter Cho serves at Han Oak, the beautiful homestyle Korean restaurant in Portland, Ore., that he runs with his wife, Sun Young Park. It is fragrant and sweet, with deep caramelized flavors that come in part from roasting the meat and vegetables separately before combining them in the braising liquid. Cho fries rice cakes before adding them to the stew, but you can just slide them in plain, if you prefer. Either way, the addition of greens at the end gives the dish an exciting brightness, a zip that many galbijjims lack."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in "A Secret Ingredient Makes This Chef’s Galbijjim Perfect. Just Don’t Tell Mom.", and cam be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019918-han-oak-galbijjim.
Ingredients
3 pounds mixed root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, onions and sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
5 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or vegetable oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 pounds bone-in short ribs, cut by a butcher into 2-inch pieces
2 medium-size Asian pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 large red onion, peeled and diced
12 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons roughly chopped ginger
3 cups chicken stock
1 12-ounce can Coca-Cola
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean chile flakes), or to taste
4 cups roughly chopped kale, optional
1 pound Korean rice cakes, optional
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
3 scallions, trimmed and both white and green parts thinly sliced
3 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
Sesame seeds, to taste
Preparation
Heat oven to 425. Toss the root vegetables in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of oil, and season with an aggressive amount of salt and pepper. Turn the vegetables onto a sheet pan. Put the short ribs in the same bowl, and toss with 1 tablespoon of oil and a lot of salt and pepper, then put the ribs on another sheet pan, bone sides down. Place both pans in the oven and roast, turning the pans once or twice, until the vegetables are soft and caramelized and the ribs are well browned, approximately 40 minutes. Set the pans aside until ready to use.
While the vegetables and ribs cook, place a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and swirl into it the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. When it shimmers, add the pears, onion, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and browning, approximately 15 minutes.
Turn heat to high, add the stock, Coca-Cola, honey, soy sauce, rice-wine vinegar and gochugaru, and bring the mixture to a lively simmer. Cook until pears are tender, approximately 20 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor, and purée the sauce until smooth, then return it to the pot.
Add the cooked short ribs and whatever fat has rendered from them to the pot, cover it and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 90 minutes, or until very tender.
When the meat can be flaked from the bone, add the roasted vegetables to the pot, along with the rice cakes. Cook until the vegetables are hot and the rice cakes (if using) are sticky, then add the greens, and stir them around until they have just started to turn tender.
Drizzle with the sesame oil, top with the scallions, radishes and sesame seeds to taste. Serve immediately.
TURKEY SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI PASTA
This is from the Food Network.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 2 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/turkey-sausage-and-broccoli-pasta-recipe-1957827.
Ingredients
8 ounces rigatoni
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound turkey sausage
Red pepper flakes, to taste
1 onion, chopped
3/4 cups chicken stock
1/2 red pepper, sliced
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
Directions
Prepare rigatoni according to directions on box. Remove sausage meat from casing, set aside. In hot skillet saute onions. Add pepper and crumbled sausage meat. Stir and cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Add florets and cover to steam. Once broccoli is tender add rigatoni to pan. Stir to coat. Serve.
PENNE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO
This is from Diada De Laurentiis from the Food Network show Everyday Italian. This has got to be one of the easiest pasta recipes I've run across in a long time (if not the easiest).
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online at the Food Network site, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-sun-dried-tomato-pesto-recipe-1942250.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
1 (8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
2 garlic cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are finely chopped. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the Parmesan.
Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.
TOMATO-ROSEMARY CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Servings: 12
Source: Family Circle: All-time Favorite Recipes
Book Title: Family Circle: All-time Favorite Recipes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tomato-rosemary-chicken.
Ingredients
12 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4 pounds total)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil (or olive oil)
2 tbsp butter (or margarine)
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 pound proscuitto, chopped
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried, crumbled
12 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
Directions
Season both sides of chicken breast halves with salt and pepper. Place flour on a sheet of waxed paper. Turn chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off any excess and place chicken on another piece of waxed paper.
Heat oven to 375F.
Heat 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 chicken breast halves and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Place chicken in a 15x10x1-inch jelly-roll pan in a single layer, filling half of pan. Repeat with remaining oil, butter, and chicken.
Bake chicken in heated 375F oven for 20 minutes or until internal temperature registers 170F on an instant-read thermometer.
Meanwhile, add garlic and proscuitto to skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Add wine and rosemary; cook 2 minutes, stirring up any browned bits from bottom of skillet.
Add tomatoes and broth. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes.
Place chicken on a serving platter; pour sauce over top. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 257; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 377 mg; Cholesterol: 89 mg; Protein: 34 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Low-Fat Meat; 1 Vegetable
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's yummy taco recipes include Easy Green Chile Chicken Tacos, Lime Chicken Tacos, and Southwest Chipotle Fish Tacos. Enjoy!
TACO SOUP WITH RANCH
This is from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 - 6
To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/taco-soup-with-ranch/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pound ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 ounces) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, with juice
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen or canned)
1 tablespoon Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix Shaker
2 cups chicken broth
garnishes of choice: shredded cheese, chopped red onions, sour cream, shredded cabbage, diced avocado, tortilla chips
Directions
In a medium pot set over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add ground beef and sauté, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
Stir in the beans, tomatoes, corn, seasoning mix and broth. Break the tomatoes up with a spoon.
Continue to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the flavors are blended. Serve hot with toppings of choice.
Note: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
SOUTHWEST CHIPOTLE FISH TACOS
This also comes from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/southwest-chipotle-fish-tacos/.
Ingredients
8 frozen fish fillets
1/2 pound coleslaw or shredded cabbage
1/4 cup Hidden Valley® Spicy Ranch Dressing
8 corn tortillas
1 cup salsa
Directions
Prepare fish fillets according to package directions.
In a medium bowl, toss coleslaw and dressing until well-combined.
Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.
To assemble, place 1 fish fillet on each tortilla, top with coleslaw and salsa. Serve immediately.
Notes: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
For dips, make and enjoy your dip creation. Then, refrigerate within 2 hours or discard.
LIME CHICKEN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tracy Gunter (of Boise, Idaho), "Our fun, simple chicken taco recipe is perfect for a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad."
Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 5 1/2 hours; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lime-chicken-tacos/.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chunky salsa
12 fat-free flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
Optional: Sour cream, pickled onions, shredded lettuce and shredded cheddar or Cotija cheese
Directions
Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine lime juice and chili powder; pour over chicken. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 5-6 hours.
Remove chicken. When cool enough to handle, shred meat with 2 forks; return to slow cooker. Stir in corn and salsa. Cook, covered, on low until heated through, about 30 minutes. Place filling on tortillas; if desired, serve with sour cream, pickled onions, lettuce and cheese.
SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.
“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”
Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup water, divided
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ketchup
Taco Sauce
1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For Cauliflower:
Canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups seltzer water
1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)
For Tacos:
8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded red cabbage
2 scallions, chopped (optional)
Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)
White sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Thai Chili Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, ¼ cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup
Tacos
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.
Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.
To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.
Tip
It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on July 28, 2019. It begins, "Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot."
Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/black-bean-toasted-corn-tacos.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese, optional
Preparation
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS
This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.
For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?
“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh jalapeno
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Water
1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles
8 warm corn tortillas
1 small avocado, sliced
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
Fresh cilantro, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.
In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.
You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.
Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.
Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
TACO SOUP WITH RANCH
This is from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 - 6
To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/taco-soup-with-ranch/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pound ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 ounces) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, with juice
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen or canned)
1 tablespoon Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix Shaker
2 cups chicken broth
garnishes of choice: shredded cheese, chopped red onions, sour cream, shredded cabbage, diced avocado, tortilla chips
Directions
In a medium pot set over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add ground beef and sauté, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
Stir in the beans, tomatoes, corn, seasoning mix and broth. Break the tomatoes up with a spoon.
Continue to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the flavors are blended. Serve hot with toppings of choice.
Note: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
SOUTHWEST CHIPOTLE FISH TACOS
This also comes from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/southwest-chipotle-fish-tacos/.
Ingredients
8 frozen fish fillets
1/2 pound coleslaw or shredded cabbage
1/4 cup Hidden Valley® Spicy Ranch Dressing
8 corn tortillas
1 cup salsa
Directions
Prepare fish fillets according to package directions.
In a medium bowl, toss coleslaw and dressing until well-combined.
Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.
To assemble, place 1 fish fillet on each tortilla, top with coleslaw and salsa. Serve immediately.
Notes: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
For dips, make and enjoy your dip creation. Then, refrigerate within 2 hours or discard.
LIME CHICKEN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tracy Gunter (of Boise, Idaho), "Our fun, simple chicken taco recipe is perfect for a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad."
Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 5 1/2 hours; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lime-chicken-tacos/.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chunky salsa
12 fat-free flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
Optional: Sour cream, pickled onions, shredded lettuce and shredded cheddar or Cotija cheese
Directions
Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine lime juice and chili powder; pour over chicken. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 5-6 hours.
Remove chicken. When cool enough to handle, shred meat with 2 forks; return to slow cooker. Stir in corn and salsa. Cook, covered, on low until heated through, about 30 minutes. Place filling on tortillas; if desired, serve with sour cream, pickled onions, lettuce and cheese.
SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.
“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”
Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup water, divided
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ketchup
Taco Sauce
1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For Cauliflower:
Canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups seltzer water
1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)
For Tacos:
8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded red cabbage
2 scallions, chopped (optional)
Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)
White sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Thai Chili Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, ¼ cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup
Tacos
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.
Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.
To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.
Tip
It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on July 28, 2019. It begins, "Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot."
Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/black-bean-toasted-corn-tacos.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese, optional
Preparation
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS
This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.
For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?
“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh jalapeno
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Water
1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles
8 warm corn tortillas
1 small avocado, sliced
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
Fresh cilantro, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.
In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.
You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.
Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.
Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
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