Confessions of a Foodie

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Taco Tuesday

If you love tacos as much as I do, you won't mind that it's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Mexican Street Tacos, Portobello Bulgogi Korean Tacos, and Pineapple Chicken Tacos. Enjoy!

CILANTRO-LIME SHRIMP TACOS

This comes from Delish.com, and begins, "Originating in Baja California, fish and shrimp tacos have become popular pretty much anywhere seafood is available. These in particular have quickly become a fan favorite. The combination of avocado slaw, marinated shrimp, and garlic-lime mayo makes for a seriously delicious taco. Serve 'em up with a margarita and extra hot sauce on the side."

Total Time: 35 minutes; Yields: 4 servings

To view this online (including more Q&A about this), go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/a21271308/cilantro-lime-shrimp-tacos-recipe/.

Ingredients

For the tacos

Juice of 3 limes

2 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 tbsp. olive oil

Zest of 1 lime

Kosher salt

1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined

8 Tortillas, warmed, for serving

For the cabbage slaw

1 c. shredded green cabbage

1/4 c. cilantro

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Juice of 1 lime

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

For the garlic-lime mayo

1/3 c. Duke's Mayonnaise

2 tbsp. hot sauce

Zest of 1 lime

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Kosher salt

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, olive oil, lime zest and season with salt. Add shrimp and cover with plastic wrap. Let marinate 20 minutes in refrigerator.

Make slaw: in a large bowl combine all slaw ingredients. Toss gently to combine and season with salt.

Make garlic-lime mayo: in a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Whisk and season with salt.

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat. Grill shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Build tacos: add a scoop of slaw, a few shrimp, and a drizzle of the garlic-lime mayo to each taco. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

PORTOBELLO BULGOGI KOREAN TACOS

This is from Rachael Hartley in her blog Avocado A Day Nutrition. (Nice blog, Rachael! I just signed up for it!) Rachael wrote, "Beef bulgogi Korean tacos are one of my favorites. Try this vegan twist using meaty portobello mushrooms, which soak up all the delicious marinade." Serves 6.

You can view this yummy recipe online here.

Ingredients

Mushrooms:

6 medium-large portobello mushroom caps, cleaned and sliced 1/2 inch thick

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup mirin (see note, below)

2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

3 scallions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons raw sugar or coconut sugar

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon gochugaru (see second note)

Slaw:

1 bag of shredded cabbage

1 large carrot, shredded on the large grates of a cheese grater

2 scallions, thinly sliced

8 corn tortillas

First Note: Mirin is a Japanese cooking wine and is made from rice. It's supposed to be sweeter than sake. Since I don't keep alcohol around, I use water in place of miring.

Second note: Gochugaru is Korean chile flakes. If you can get it locally, and plan to use it in several dishes, great. Since I probably wouldn't use it elsewhere - unless I fell madly in love with it - I might consider something a little cheaper and more generic.

Instructions

Two to four hours before cooking, whisk together all the marinade ingredients for the mushrooms. Add portobellos and toss to combine. Refrigerate and marinade 2-4 hours.

When ready to cook, heat the grill to medium-high. Place the mushrooms evenly on the grill or toss into a grill pan if you have one. Reserve the marinade. Cook about 10 minutes total, flipping halfway.

While the mushrooms cook, pour the reserved marinade into a small pot. Set to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Boil about 10 minutes total until reduced to a thick syrup. Set aside.

Warm the tortillas. Spoon slaw on the bottom of each tortillas. Top with mushrooms and reserved sauce.

PINEAPPLE CHICKEN TACOS

This comes from Ree Drummond on the Food Network site. Active Time: 16 minutes; Total Time: 16 minutes; Yield: 2 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/pineapple-chicken-tacos-5215870.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 scallions, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

One 6-ounce can 100% pure pineapple juice

1/4 cup hot sauce

2 tablespoons honey

4 small flour tortillas

12 ounces broccoli slaw

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 to 3 tablespoons chipotle sauce

1 lime, zested and juiced

1/2 cup thinly sliced pineapple wedges

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Serving suggestions: tortilla chips and salsa

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Add the vegetable oil to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook, turning halfway through, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the scallions and garlic and continue to cook for another minute.

In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the pineapple juice, hot sauce and honey. Add the liquid to the skillet, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, shingle the tortillas on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for 5 minutes.

Put the broccoli slaw in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the mayo, chipotle sauce, lime zest and half of the lime juice. Add the dressing to the slaw and toss. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper and additional lime juice if needed.

Remove the chicken to a cutting board. Lower the heat under the skillet and continue to reduce the remaining juices to a syrup consistency. Slice the chicken.

To build the tacos, place the tortillas flat on a plate, add the sliced chicken down the middle and spoon on some of the reduced sauce from the skillet. Top with the pineapple, slaw and cilantro. Serve alongside chips and salsa.

MEXICAN STREET TACOS

This comes from Chungah and her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. If you've never run across this site, I highly reecommend checking it out. Seriously. Go ahead, I'll wait…

Okay, so starts off with the disclaimer, "Easy, quick, authentic carne asada street tacos you can now make right at home! Top with onion, cilantro + fresh lime juice! SO GOOD!"

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Yield: 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://damndelicious.net/2019/04/18/mexican-street-tacos/. If you're like me, you'll also enjoy the intro to the recipe. Check it out!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

2 tablespoons canola oil, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 pounds skirt steak, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

12 mini flour tortillas, warmed

3/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, 1 tablespoon canola oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin and oregano.

In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine soy sauce mixture and steak; marinate for at least 1 hour up to 4 hours, turning the bag occasionally.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add steak and marinade, and cook, stirring often, until steak has browned and marinade has reduced, about 5-6 minutes, or until desired doneness.

Serve steak in tortillas, topped with onion, cilantro and lime.

TACOS WITH SPICY TOFU, TOMATOES AND CHARD

This is from Martha Rose Shulman on The New York Times cooking site. Martha wrote, "In these tacos, tofu stands in for meat in a vegan picadillo, cooked in a modified salsa ranchera. I’ve never been one for meat “substitutes,” and I normally don’t advocate using tofu in anything other than Asian dishes. But I find this pretty irresistible, a sort of vegan picadillo. You can make it spicier by adding more chiles, milder by using less. The tofu is cooked in a modified salsa ranchera; being tofu, it absorbs the sweet and spicy flavors of the tomatoes and chiles. I used firm tofu and mashed it with the back of my spoon. Silken tofu is also a good choice, though then you will have something more akin to Mexican scrambled eggs."

Yield: 8 tacos, 4 servings; Time: About 45 minutes

This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016748-tacos-with-spicy-tofu-tomatoes-and-chard.

Ingredients

1 pound tomatoes

1/2 pound Swiss chard, stemmed, leaves washed in 2 changes of water

Salt to taste

1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

1 small or 1/2 medium red onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground

1 teaspoon mild chili powder

1 to 2 serrano or jalapeño chiles (to taste), seeded if desired and minced

1 14-ounce box firm tofu, drained and cut into medium-size cubes

1/4 cup chopped cilantro (more to taste)

8 warm corn tortillas

Salsa fresca (optional)

Preparation

Preheat broiler with rack set about 4 inches from the heat. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Place tomatoes on foil and broil for 6 minutes, until blackened in spots or all over. Using tongs, flip over and broil for another 4 to 6 minutes. The tomatoes should be charred and cooked through. Remove from oven and tip, with juices, into a bowl. Allow to cool until you can handle them, then core and discard skins. Purée, along with juices in the bowl, in a blender or a food processor.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil while you stem and wash the chard. When water comes to a boil, add salt to taste and chard. Blanch for 1 minute and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and take up chard by the handful to squeeze out excess water. Cut in 1/4-inch wide strips and set aside.

Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring, until tender and beginning to color, 5 to 8 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt, the garlic, cumin and chili powder and cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add puréed tomatoes, which should sizzle as soon as they hit the pan. Cook, stirring often, until purée thickens and leaves a canal when you run your spoon down the middle, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Add minced chiles and tofu, and mash tofu into the tomatoes using the back of your spoon. Add Swiss chard and salt to taste, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring and mashing tofu. Stir in cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Heat tortillas and top with tofu mix. Serve with salsa on the side if desired.

Tip

Advance preparation: The cooked tofu keeps well for a couple of days.

TACO LETTUCE WRAPS

This is from Kristina72913 at AllRecipes. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/274968/taco-lettuce-wraps/.

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey

1 (16 ounce) package frozen corn

1 (15 ounce) can black beans

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

romaine leaves, rinsed and dried

Directions

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground turkey in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook until heated through, 10 to 12 minutes.

Lay lettuce leaves on a flat surface and fill with turkey and bean mixture.

Monday, August 23, 2021

Chili - Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with chili, and includes Simple Perfect Chili and Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili. Enjoy!

BUSH’S® BIG GAME CHILI

This is from BUSH'S® Best, and begins, "Your friends will become big fans of this hearty chili recipe, made with two types of BUSH'S® Chili Beans. Garnish with chopped green onions and sour cream for added flavor."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 10 cups

To view this online, go to https://bushbeans.com/en_US/recipe/big-game-chili.

Ingredients

1 can (16 oz) BUSH'S® Chili Beans

1 can (16 oz) BUSH'S® Dark Red Kidney Beans

1 lb lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1/2 cup water

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp chili powder

2 tsp oregano

2 cloves garlic, chopped

Garnish:

Chopped green onion

Sour cream

Directions

In large pan, cook beef, onion, and green pepper until meat is browned. Drain excess grease.

Stir in remaining ingredients, except green onion and sour cream. Bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Garnish with green onion and dollop of sour cream.

HEALTHY LENTIL CHILI

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "This hearty vegetarian chili is both nutritious and satisfying, thanks to the protein-packed navy beans and brown lentils. We added a generous dose of dried spices and other pantry staples to boost the flavor and make this dish accessible for any night of the week."

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 6; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/healthy-lentil-chili-8707622.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

Two 14.5-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes

One 15-ounce can navy beans or another small white bean (do not drain)

1 cup dried brown lentils

1 dried bay leaf

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Shredded reduced-fat Cheddar, plain yogurt, pickled jalapenos and crushed tortilla chips, for serving (all are optional)

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until vegetables are just tender and browned in spots, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, then continue to cook until fragrant and brick-red in color, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.

Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, beans (and their liquid), lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Bring to a steady simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 35 to 45 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with toppings as desired.

SUPER-EASY SLOW-COOKER THREE-BEAN CHILI

This comes from WW (Weight Watchers), and begins, "This chili recipe makes enough to serve ten people. Using almost entirely canned items, you can have a filling, flavorful warm dish. And don't let the total cook time scare you: The majority of that time is for the ingredients to boil down. For a huge chunk of that time, you just have to monitor it. If you don't have 10 people to enjoy this with, you can meal-prep it for the week, or use the leftovers to fill tacos or a burrito."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 3 hours; Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes; Serves: 10; Difficulty: Easy

To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/recipe/super-easy-slow-cooker-three-bean-chili/5626a63b2084d63a3401c10f.

Ingredients

1 large uncooked onion, minced

Garlic clove, 1 medium clove, minced

30 oz Canned black beans, rinsed and drained

30 oz Canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained

30 oz Canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

29 oz Canned diced tomatoes with chilies

15 oz Canned tomato sauce

Spiced seasoning mix, 1 1/4 oz, chili variety

Frozen corn kernels, 14 oz, thawed

Fresh lime juice, 1 Tbsp, or to taste

Cilantro, 1/2 cup(s), fresh, chopped

Directions

Combine onion, garlic, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours (or low heat for 4-6 hours). Add frozen corn during last hour of cooking. Stir in lime juice and cilantro just before serving.

Serving size: about 1 1/3 cups

SLOW COOKER CHIPOTLE CHILI

This is from duboo, who posts recipes on AllRecipes. For this recipe, he wrote, "My friend Keni's love of smokey chipotle peppers inspired this recipe. It comes together perfectly and is a unique chili that will stand out against others. It is a spicy chili that at the same time is mellow. It gives you the kick without the lingering burn like many chilis do."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes; Yield: 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/237576/slow-cooker-chipotle-chili/.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 pound bulk Italian sausage

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 (16 ounce) cans chili beans, undrained

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 (7 ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped

1/2 (3 ounce) package bacon bits

1 tablespoon chili sauce

1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®)

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and sausage in the hot skillet until some of the fat renders, 2 to 3 minutes; add onion and garlic and continue to cook and stir until the meats are browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker.

Stir kidney beans, chili beans, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, chipotle chiles, bacon bits, chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, and salt with the beef mixture.

Cook on Low until vegetables are completely tender but the celery retains a slight bit of firmness, 6 to 8 hours (or 3 to 4 hours on High).

ROOT VEGETABLE CHILI SOUP

This is from the September 2007 (?) issue of Vegetarian Times (page 76), and begins, "Root vegetables like rutabagas and carrots are great for spicy kitchen experiments because they lend subtle sweetness to dishes. Believe it or not, you can use curry powder in place of the chili powder here—the soup will have an Indian flair. Dishes that call for chili and curry powders get better over time, so make this dish a day ahead." Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/root-vegetable-chili-soup/.

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed

2 Tbs. canola oil

1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

4 tsp. mild chili powder

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 small rutabagas, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1 1/2 lb.)

2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1/2 lb.)

1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes

1 small russet potato, finely diced (1 cup)

2 Anaheim, banana, or mild peppers, seeded and chopped (3/4 cup)

1 small red bell pepper, chopped (2/3 cup)

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced, optional

1 15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Preparation

Heat large pot over medium heat. Add corn, and sauté 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add oil, onion, and garlic, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Stir in chili powder and cumin, and cook 2 minutes, scraping bottom of pan with spatula.

Add rutabagas, carrots, tomatoes, potato, Anaheim pepper, bell pepper, jalapeño, if using, and 3 cups water.

Bring pot to a simmer, and season with salt. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Add beans and cook, uncovered, 45 minutes, or until soup thickens. Serve garnished with green onions or cilantro.

SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI

This comes from Ree Drummond on the Food Network. Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/simple-perfect-chili-recipe-2107099.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

2 cloves garlic, chopped

One 8-ounce can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 cup masa harina

One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Shredded Cheddar, for serving

Chopped onions, for serving

Tortilla chips, for serving

Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.

After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.

Meatless Monday - Burgers

It's Meatless Monday, time to check out vegetarian food. And today's Meatless Monday deals with burgers.

Whether cooked on a stove or grilled outside, burgers are the quintessential summer food here in the U.S.

Yet, for years, vegetarians were left in the lurch when it came to burgers, unless they experimented with veggies and legumes to make something to replicate the taste and texture of burgers.

Fortuantely, there are now many decent vegetarian burgers on the market. There are also tons of wonderful recipes for veggie burgers to make even the most die hard burger lover happy. Here are six yummy vegetarian burgers to try, including Vegan Reuben Burgers and Falafel Burgers with Tahini-Dill Sauce. Enjoy!

HOMEMADE GRILLED VEGGIE BURGER

This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Making a grilled veggie burger from scratch used to produce a crumbly mess. But thanks to the smart use of chickpeas and other healthy binders like mushrooms and black beans, these veggie burgers bring a whole new level of delicious awesomeness."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Makes 3 - 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/homemade-grilled-veggie-burger-recipe/.

Ingredients

8-oz pack baby bella mushrooms, sliced

1 1/2 red onion, sliced

1/2 bell pepper, sliced

5 cloves garlic

Olive oil (for coating veggies and basting burgers)

1 cup chickpeas

1 1/2 cups black beans

2 eggs

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp sriracha

2 Tbsp BBQ sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tsp water

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup almond flour (more may be needed for consistency)

Burgers

Burger buns

Cheddar cheese Lettuce Tomatoes Mustard Mayo Pickles

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Mustard

Mayo

Pickles

Special Equipment

Food Processor

Preparation

Preheat your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Before you make the patties, you must first dehydrate excess moisture from the veggies so the burgers will keep their shape.

Place mushrooms, red onion, bell pepper, and garlic cloves in a grill basket. Coat with some olive oil, season to taste with salt and pepper, and mix well. Set aside.

Punch a couple of small holes in the bottom of a foil pan, then fill it with your chickpeas and black beans. The holes will allow excess water to drain from the veggies while roasting. Set aside.

Before placing veggies on the grill, toss some hickory wood chips on the coals.

Place the grill basket and foil pan on the grill, and roast them with the lid closed for about 30 minutes. Stir them about halfway through the cook.

Once roasted, remove veggies from the grill and allow them to cool. You can extinguish the grill if you’re roasting the vegetables well ahead of time, or you can let it cruise while you prepare your patties if you’re doing this recipe in one go.

Once cooled, pour the veggies from the grill basket into a food processor. Add eggs, soy sauce, sriracha, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, and the mixture of cornstarch and water, then blend until fairly smooth.

Add chickpeas, black beans, parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs to the food processor. Lightly pulse a few times in the food processor — you want the beans in your burger mix to maintain some varying texture, so don’t fully purée as in the above step.

Pour burger mix into a bowl, gradually incorporating a little bit of almond flour at a time. Aim for a consistency that’s thick enough to form a patty that’ll hold its shape.

Once your mixture can be easily formed into burgers, sprinkle a light layer of flour onto a dish. Create 3–4 patties and place them on the floured dish to prevent sticking.

Brush olive oil on top of the patties. This will be the side that hits the grill first. The olive oil will help the patties receive some color and easily release from the grates.

Place patties in the fridge, uncovered, for at least 10 minutes before grilling. This will help them keep their form when they hit the grill.

Preheat your grill to 350 degrees, adding more charcoal if necessary.

Brush the grill grates with olive oil just before placing your patties on the grill.

Grill the veggie burgers for about 6–8 minutes a side, until crisp and golden brown on each side. Keep the grill lid down during the cook, lifting it only to baste the top side of your burgers with olive oil before flipping them. OPTIONAL: After flipping, baste the top of the burgers with a bit of melted butter.

Melt slices of cheese over the patties before removing them from the grill. Adding cheese during the final minute of the cook should get the job done.

Plate and serve the burgers with your toppings of choice, and enjoy!

BBQ TEMPEH BURGERS

This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and can be found at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/vegan-vegetarian-recipes/entrees/5-healthy-plant-based-burger-recipes/. It begins, “The nutty flavor and meaty texture of tempeh makes it a natural fit for veggie burgers, and ounce for ounce, it contains twice the protein as tofu. Adding pinto beans means a big magnesium boost, which can help reduce your risk for diseases such as diabetes.”

Hands-On Time: 25 Minutes; Cook Time: 8 Minutes; Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 tsp oil

1 cup onions, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/4 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup cooked or canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup wheat germ

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp almond or peanut butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp liquid smoke, optional

1 (8 oz) package tempeh, cubed

2 tbsp sesame seeds

4 hamburger buns

1/3 cup low-sugar barbecue sauce

1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

2 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add onions, carrots and salt and cook until onions have softened and darkened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. To a food processor container, add cooked vegetables, pinto beans, wheat germ, lime juice, tomato paste, nut butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, chili powder and liquid smoke (if using). Pulse until beans are roughly mashed but not pureed. Add tempeh and pulse until just incorporated. Form into 4 patties. Spread sesame seeds out on a plate and coat both sides of burgers with seeds. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Heat grill to medium and grease grates. Cook burgers until browned and warmed through, about 4 minutes per side. Serve on buns with equal amounts of barbecue sauce, red peppers and cabbage.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 432, fat 16 g, carbs 56 g, fiber 11 g, sugar 7 g, protein 23 g, sodium 472 mg

Nutrition Boost: The beans and cabbage in this burger provide an insane amount of belly-friendly dietary fiber.

FALAFEL BURGERS WITH TAHINI-DILL SAUCE

This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and can be found at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/vegan-vegetarian-recipes/entrees/5-healthy-plant-based-burger-recipes/.

This begins, “Middle Eastern cuisine is having a moment, and these burgers make a great alternative to greasy fried falafel. The tahini-dill sauce adds a savory flavor layer and is so versatile you can make extra to use on steamed veggies, sandwiches or grilled chicken. Trade the buns for pita for a more traditional feel.”

Hands-On Time: 25 Minutes; Cook Time: 6 Minutes; Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients

Burgers

1/3 cup shelled pistachios

1 cup flat-leaf parsley

2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/3 cup chickpea flour

1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes

1/2 cup red onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

4 whole-grain hamburger buns, toasted

4 thick slices tomato

4 lettuce leaves

Tahini-Dill Sauce

1/3 cup tahini

3 tbsp chopped dill

2 tsp lemon zest

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp salt

3 tbsp warm water

Directions

Add pistachios and parsley to a food processor container and chop into small pieces. Add chickpeas, chickpea flour, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper and blend until slightly chunky. Form into 4 patties and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Heat grill to medium and grease grates. Cook burgers 3 minutes per side, or until a golden crust has formed. Whisk together tahini, dill, lemon zest, garlic, paprika and salt. Stir in warm water, adding more, if needed. Serve burgers topped with tomatoes, lettuce and tahini-dill sauce.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 482, fat 20 g, carbs 62 g, fiber 14 g, sugar 5 g, protein 20 g, sodium 846 mg

Nutrition boost: Chickpeas are a great source of folate, which helps keep blood pressure in check, according to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

GREEK-INSPIRED VEGGIE BURGERS

This is from WeightWwatchers, and begins, "Although you can use any frozen veggie burger you’d like, the flavors of Mediterranean chickpea burgers—made with spinach, tomatoes, and Greek spices—work particularly well here. We found that toasted or grilled English muffins make a great substitute for a hamburger bun; the craggy texture captures the tzatziki, a sauce made with yogurt, cucumber, and spices, perfectly without getting too soggy. It's pretty easy to find prepared tzatziki in markets, but you can make your own my mixing finely chopped or grated seeded and peeled cucumbers into plain yogurt and season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 1; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 sprays cooking spray

1 serving frozen vegetarian burger(s)

1 English muffin, grilled or toasted

2 Tbsp Tzatziki

1/4 cup Roasted red peppers (packed in water), thinly sliced

1/4 cup Cucumbers, cut in ribbons with a peeler

Directions

Lightly coat grill pan with nonstick spray. Grill burger over medium heat, turning once, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.

On English muffin, layer tzatziki, burger, red peppers, and cucumber.

VEGAN REUBEN BURGERS

Recently, I was looking through old folders on my computer, seeing what I could delete, what to save, that sort of thing. We all need to do that periodically, right?

I stumbled across one folder that read "recipes from different sources" that had another folder inside called "more recipes from online." (Okay, you with me so far?) One of those recipes was labeled "How to Make Vegan Reuben Burgers (Recipe)" that had been posted in the Broward Palm Beach New Times waaaay back on November 7, 2014. Yikes!

The article (with recipe) was posted by Hannah Sentenac. (Sorry for the delay in posting this, Hannah!) The article starts off, "I was putting ketchup on some breakfast potatoes the other day when I noticed an intriguing recipe staring at me from the back of the Heinz bottle: Reuben Burgers.

"Needless to say, they weren't vegan. Nor were they healthy. Nonetheless, I was inspired to veganize them, and the end result was magically delicious. So delicious, in fact, that I knew I had to share."

And the recipe? Yum

You can view this online at https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/restaurants/how-to-make-vegan-reuben-burgers-recipe-6905451.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons sauerkraut

2 slices of rye bread (toasted)

2 slices Creamy Original Field Roast Chao Cheese (or dairy-free cheese of choice)

1/3 package Trader Joe's Beefless Ground Beef (or meatless crumbles of choice)

2 TBS Tofutti Sour Cream

2 TBS Heinz ketchup

Instructions:

Heat up the beefless beef in a skillet over medium heat for two or three minutes. Add the Tofutti Sour Cream and the Heinz Ketchup and stir until mixed.

Remove from heat and spoon mixture over pre-toasted slice of rye bread.

Top with Chao cheese and allow to melt (you can also pop it in the microwave for a few seconds -- Chao cheese is super melty). Then, spoon sauerkraut on top.

Top with remaining slice of rye bread. Cut in half. Eat. NOM NOM NOM.

THE ULTIMATE VEGGIE BURGER

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “You make a veggie burger because you want the hamburger experience without the meat. This one delivers. It’s got a firm, beefy texture that takes on the char and smoke of the grill, but is adaptable enough to cook inside on your stove. The enemy of a veggie burger is mushiness, which stems from a high moisture content. To combat that, the very watery ingredients – mushrooms, tofu, beans and beets – are roasted to both dehydrate them somewhat and intensify their flavors. Yes, the ingredient list here is long; you need a diverse lot to make a good veggie burger. And each one adds something in terms of flavor and/or texture. Garnish this any way you like, and don’t forget to toast the buns.” Yield: 6 burger.

This was featured in “The Ultimate Veggie Burger”, and can be found online here.

Also, there are two guides that went with this recipe that you might want to check out. The first is “How to Cook Beans”, and the second is “How to Grill”. Enjoy!

Ingredients

4 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained

Olive oil

1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed

Black pepper, as needed

1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 medium beet, peeled and coarsely grated (3/4 cup)

3/4 cup tamari almonds or cashews

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

2 ounces Cotija cheese or queso blanco, crumbled or grated (about 1/2 cup)

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 scallions, sliced

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

3/4 teaspoon dulce pimentón or sweet smoked paprika

4 ounces tempeh, crumbled

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice tofu into 1/4-inch-thick slabs and pat dry with paper towel. Arrange tofu on one half of a rimmed baking sheet; brush both sides with oil. Spread mushrooms on the other half of the baking sheet; toss with 2 tablespoons oil and salt and pepper.

On a second rimmed baking sheet, toss beans and grated beet with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper, then spread the mixture into one layer.

Transfer both baking sheets to the oven. Roast bean-beet mixture, tossing occasionally, until beans begin to split and beets are tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Roast mushrooms and tofu until golden and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 25 minutes. Let everything cool.

Place nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Add cooled bean-beet mixture, mushrooms, tofu, panko, cheese, eggs, mayonnaise, scallion, garlic, pimentón and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Pulse until ingredients are just combined. Pulse in tempeh and rice but do not overprocess. You want small chunks, not a smooth mixture. Scrape mixture into a bowl and chill at least 2 hours or up to 5 days (you can also freeze the burger mix).

When you are ready to make the burgers, divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form each portion into a patty about 1 inch thick. Return to the fridge until just before grilling. They grill better when they start out cold.

Heat the grill. Cook the burgers over a low fire until they are charred on both sides and firm when you press on them, 4 to 6 minutes per side. If they start to burn before they firm up, move them to the sides of the grill to finish cooking over indirect heat. Alternatively, you can cook these on a grill pan or in a skillet over low heat.

Friday, August 20, 2021

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup and Chicken Alfredo Pasta Skillet. Enjoy!

COWBOY CAVIAR

This yumminess is from Margaux Laskey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Margaux wrote, "Depending on where you’re from, this simple dip is known as cowboy caviar, Texas caviar or Dixie caviar, and it’s a favorite at tailgates and potlucks all over the South. Its creator, Helen Corbitt, a dietitian from New York, had never heard of black-eyed peas when she moved to Texas in 1931. The exact details are fuzzy, but at some point in her 40 years working in restaurants there, she combined black-eyed peas with a simple vinaigrette, and it was a big hit. The recipe has evolved over the years, and you can find a number of variations online. Some contain corn and black beans (as this one does), and others avocado. Some call for bottled Italian salad dressing, others homemade. No matter how you tweak it, it’s always good with a pile of tortilla chips."

Yield: 8 cups; Time: 15 minutes, plus 2 hours' chilling

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020433-cowboy-caviar.

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Kosher salt and black pepper

For the salad:

3 plum tomatoes, cored, seeded if desired, and diced

1/2 red onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed

1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed

1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 2 to 4 cobs) or thawed, drained frozen sweet corn (about 8 ounces)

1 red, green or yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more for garnish, if desired

1 scallion, white and green parts, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Tortilla chips, for serving

Preparation

Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to combine.

Add the tomatoes, red onion, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño and cilantro. Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

To serve, toss well and season to taste. Sprinkle with scallions and serve with tortilla chips.

STEAK, ROASTED TOMATO AND BEAN CHILI

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/steak-roasted-tomato-and-bean-chili.

Ingredients

3 pounds Shoulder Steaks, cut 3/4-inch thick

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2-1/2 cups no-salt added roasted tomato salsa

1/4 cup chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

2 cans (15 ounces each) no-salt added black beans, rinsed, drained

Optional Toppings/Additions

Guacamole, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped purple onion, chopped tomato, shredded cheese

Directions

Cut beef steaks into 3/4-inch pieces.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown beef in three batches. Set aside.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, bell pepper and onion to same stockpot. Cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Return beef and accumulated juices to stockpot.

Add salsa, chili powder and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender.

Stir in beans; cook, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes or until beans are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Serve chili in bowls. Garnish with Toppings, as desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 289; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 6 g; Sodium: 264 mg; Cholesterol: 78 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g

ALMOND BERRY LAYER CAKE

This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, "Behold! An ode to summer in cake form. In this towering dessert from the food stylist and cookbook author Susan Spungen, crumbly yet tender layers of almond cake are layered with mounds of fresh berries and a rich filling of mascarpone and crème fraîche. It's not difficult to make, but it does take some time, so save this for a lazy Saturday when you've just scored piles of perfect berries from the farmers' market."

Yield: 1 cake; Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This was featured in "Trunk Food," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/8588-almond-berry-layer-cake.

Ingredients

For the cake:

Unsalted butter, for greasing pans

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more for pans

1 3/4 cups whole blanched almonds

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

2 large egg whites

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract

For the filling:

1 pound mascarpone cheese

8 ounces crème fraîche

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more to taste

1 tablespoon kirsch or amaretto, optional

For assembly:

2 pounds (about 6 cups) mixed berries

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Preparation

For the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush 3 (8-inch) round baking pans with butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper cut to fit. Brush with butter again and dust with flour, tapping out excess.

Place 1 tablespoon flour, the almonds, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground.

Fill a pot (large enough to set the bowl of an electric mixer in it without the bowl touching the bottom) with 1 inch water and bring to a simmer over low heat.

Place the eggs, egg whites and sugar in the bowl and gently whisk to incorporate. Place the bowl over the pot of steaming water and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes.

Return bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until pale yellow, thick and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Add vanilla and gently stir to combine.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold almond mixture into batter. Divide batter evenly among pans and bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. The centers will rise and fall during baking. Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool 5 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges of the cakes and turn them out onto a flat plate or cardboard round. Peel off parchment and invert onto another plate or round. Cakes should be right-side up. Cool completely and wrap in plastic wrap if not using immediately.

For the filling:

In a chilled metal bowl, whip the mascarpone and creme fraiche, either by hand or with an electric mixer, until it holds its shape and is not at all runny. Add the lemon zest, confectioners' sugar and liqueur, if using, and beat to combine well. Add up to 2 tablespoons more sugar, to taste, if you choose.

To assemble:

Place one of the cakes on a serving plate. Top with 1/3 of the mascarpone filling and 1/3 of the berries. Repeat with the remaining 2 layers, leaving the prettiest berries for the top. If not serving right away, chill until ready to serve. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA SKILLET

Here's a simple, yet yummy, meal from Betty Crocker that begins, "A scratch dinner done in 40 minutes using just one pan? It’s not too good to be true—but it is so very good! A classic homemade Alfredo sauce gets tossed with cooked chicken, peas and ziti pasta for an impressive meal that you can make on the fly."

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 6

To view this online at the Betty Crocker site, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

3 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

8 oz uncooked ziti pasta (2 1/2 cups)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken

3/4 cup frozen sweet peas

Chopped Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, if desired

Directions

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat until melted; add garlic. Cook and stir constantly about 1 minute or until fragrant. Add broth, pasta, salt and pepper; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium. Cook uncovered 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of liquid is absorbed.

Stir in whipping cream and Parmesan cheese; cook over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until bubbly. Stir in chicken and frozen sweet peas; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Expert Tips

Leftover shredded cooked chicken may be used in place of deli rotisserie chicken.

Penne pasta may be substituted for the ziti pasta.

SAUSAGE-PEACH BAKE

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

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 cups Bisquick

1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained and juice reserved

1 package brown-and-serve sausage links

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk, then spread into prepared pan.

Slice each sausage link into four or six pieces. Lay over batter, and top with peach slices. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

While mixture is baking, combine 1/2 cup of the peach juice, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, then cook until mixture bubbles and thickens. Stir in syrup and butter. Remove baked mixture from oven, and cut into squares.

Serve with warm cooked sauce.

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.

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Breakfast

When I was growing up (more years ago than seems possible), two of my friends - a brother and sister - lived next door. They were the oldest of four kids, and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging around with them. Frequently, when my mother was fixing dinner, I'd wander over to Robbie and Audrey's place to see what they were doing.

At one point, I noticed that on Thursday evenings (the last night before pay-day for most families in our neighborhood), their mother would have the four kids at the table, wolfing down cereal, pancakes, French toast, or other breakfast foods for dinner. If it was a cereal night, all the remaining cereal boxes from the previous shopping trip would be on the table, along with a gallon of milk, happy slurping noises coming from the table.

"Eat up!" their mother would admonish. "We'll get more cereal tomorrow, so you guys can finish those boxes up."

I so envied them. "Why can't we have cereal (or pancakes or French toast) for dinner?" I'd ask my mom. This, of course, was especially true whenever she was making that dreaded of meals, liver and onions.

"Those are breakfast things," Mom would explain, as though to a slow child.

Mom, with my younger brother, circa early 1960s



No matter. Since moving out on my own, and starting my own family (who are now grown), I occasionally made breakfast for dinner. There's nothing wrong with that, opinions to the contrary.

And so, here are six breakfast recipes that you can make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, including Salsa Verde Scrambled Egg Tacos and Raspberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Enjoy!

SAUSAGE-PEACH BAKE

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

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 cups Bisquick

1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained and juice reserved

1 package brown-and-serve sausage links

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk, then spread into prepared pan.

Slice each sausage link into four or six pieces. Lay over batter, and top with peach slices. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

While mixture is baking, combine 1/2 cup of the peach juice, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, then cook until mixture bubbles and thickens. Stir in syrup and butter. Remove baked mixture from oven, and cut into squares.

Serve with warm cooked sauce.

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

This also comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 16 to 18 (4-inch) pancakes.

Ingredients

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons milk

1 large egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup picked-over raspberries

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a small saucepan melt 2 tablespoons butter over moderately low heat, stirring. Stir in milk and heat until just warm. Remove pan from heat. In a bowl whisk together milk mixture and egg. Into another bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and stir in egg mixture until just combined. Gently stir in raspberries and chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Heat a griddle over moderate heat until hot enough to make a drop of water scatter over surface. Add 1 teaspoon butter and with a metal spatula spread over griddle. Working in batches, drop 1/4-cup measures of batter onto griddle to form pancakes about 4 inches in diameter and cook until bubbles appear on surface and undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip pancakes with spatula and cook until undersides are golden brown and pancakes are cooked through. Transfer pancakes as cooked to an ovenproof platter and keep warm, uncovered, in oven. Make more pancakes with remaining butter and batter in same manner.

Serve pancakes with syrup. Makes about 10 pancakes, serving 2 generously.

Accompaniment: pure maple syrup, heated

BAKED CHORIZO BREAKFAST BURRITO BOWLS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Wake up and start the day with these easy-to-make and filling breakfast burrito bowls. Layers of shredded cheese, crispy potato crowns, chorizo seasoned pork and fluffy eggs packed inside soft tortilla bowls; warmed and then topped with your favorite fresh toppings."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/baked-chorizo-breakfast-burrito-bowls.

Ingredients

48 (about 3 1/3 cups) frozen seasoned shredded potato crowns (from 30-oz bag)

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 1/2 cups Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (6 oz)

1/2 lb ground pork

1/3 cup water

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chorizo Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup salsa

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 15x10x1-inch ungreased pan, spread frozen potatoes in single layer. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to plate. Wipe out bottom of pan.

In same pan, place tortilla bowls standing up, next to each other. Divide 1 cup of the cheese among tortilla bowls. Top with potatoes (6 per tortilla bowl); set aside.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook pork over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; do not drain. Stir in water, taco seasoning mix and chiles; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Divide among tortilla bowls. Carefully wipe out skillet.

In same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add eggs; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until set. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Divide among tortilla bowls.

Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until warmed. Top with sliced avocado, green onions and salsa. Sprinkle cilantro on top.

Expert Tips

To slice avocado, cut in half and remove pit. Using large spoon, scoop flesh from skin. Place one half avocado cut side down on cutting board. Cut lengthwise into strips. Repeat with other half of avocado.

Try a drizzle of hot sauce instead of salsa to add a nice kick to the burrito bowls.

Nutrition: 8 bowls; 1 Bowl Calories 430 (Calories from Fat 220); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 2g); Cholesterol 185mg; Sodium 990mg; Total Carbohydrate 33g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 3g); Protein 17g; % Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 20%; Iron 15%; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 2

MUSHROOM, GREEN PEPPER AND ONION OMELET

Recipe Yield: Makes two servings.

Source: AICR

Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mushroom-green-pepper-and-onion-omelet.

Ingredients

3/4 cup good quality marinara sauce

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Canola cooking oil spray

1 small onion, cut in crescents

6 medium white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips

Salt, as desired

3 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 tsp. grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat marinara sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, just until hot. Season with pepper to taste and set aside.

Coat medium non-stick pan liberally with cooking oil spray. Set pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly colored, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.

Whisk egg whites and egg with cheese, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat pan with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg mixture, tilting pan to coat bottom evenly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until eggs are well-set, about 4 minutes. Slip spatula gently around edges, then underneath to loosen omelet. Slide it onto a serving plate.

Spoon filling to cover half of omelet and fold omelet, covering filling. With a spoon, drizzle sauce in a ribbon effect across omelet. Serve immediately.

Notes:

Additional info: 1 g. saturated fat, 3 g. dietary fiber

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 545 mg; Protein: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Low-Fat Meat

HAM AND PEPPER FRITTATA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings, Serving size: 1/4 of recipe

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/ham-and-pepper-frittata.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1 cup diced, lean, reduced-sodium ham

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

2 cups fat-free egg substitute

1 cup shredded, reduced-fat, white Cheddar or Swiss cheese

Directions

Coat a large ovenproof skillet with the olive oil and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, ham, parsley, and black pepper and saute for several minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the ham is beginning to brown. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet.

Pour the egg substitute over the skillet mixture and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook without stirring for about 6 minutes, until the eggs are almost set (the edges will be cooked but the top will still be runny).

Remove the lid from the skillet and wrap the handle in aluminum foil (to prevent it from becoming damaged under the broiler). Place the skillet under a preheated broiler and broil for a couple of minutes, until the eggs are set but not dry. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and broil for another minute to melt the cheese. Cut the frittata into 4 wedges and serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 222; Fat: 8.3 g; Sodium: 690 mg; Cholesterol: 32 mg; Protein: 28 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

SALSA VERDE SCRAMBLED EGG TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Enjoy your scrambled eggs in a mini soft tortilla bowl with these delicious breakfast tacos, perfect for kids and adults! They’re topped with shredded cheese, fresh pico de gallo, avocado and Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings

View this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/salsa-verde-scrambled-egg-tacos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 package (12 count) Old El Paso™ Mini Soft Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend

1/2 cup pico de gallo

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, diced

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce

Preparation

In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add milk and salt; beat well.

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook 3 to 5 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist.

Divide eggs evenly among warm tortilla bowls. Top with cheese, pico de gallo and avocado; drizzle with sauce.

Expert Tips

Try chopped tomatoes in place of pico de gallo.

Kids love to help in the kitchen. After filling tortillas with eggs, let the kids top with their favorite cheese and fresh toppings!

Add cooked breakfast sausage to tacos for a flavor twist.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Cool Desserts

This time of year, when summer has gone on a little too long, is there anything better than Cool Desserts? Probably not. Today's post of six cool desserts includes No-Churn Strawberry-Lemonade Sorbet, Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream, and Peach Ice Cream. Enjoy!

AVOCADO-GREEN TEA POPSICLE

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "This grown-up popsicle is made creamy from the combination of avocado and yogurt. It tastes indulgent without many calories attached to it."

Makes 6 servings

View this online at https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/avocado-green-tea-popsicle.

Ingredients

1 avocado (halved, pitted)

1 banana (peeled, roughly chopped)

1 cup fat-free milk

1/2 cup fat-free, plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon green tea matcha powder

1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Halve the avocado and remove the pit. Spoon the avocado's flesh into a food processor or blender, also adding the chopped banana, milk, yogurt, matcha powder, and honey.

Purée until mixture is smooth.

Carefully pour mixture into 6 (4-ounce) popsicle molds. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze until firm, at least 8 hours.

Run the outside of the popsicle mold under warm water to easily remove popsicle from the mold.

Quick Tips

Cooking Tip: Matcha is a finely powdered green tea loaded with many antioxidants, often found at health food stores, if not in the tea aisle of the grocery store. Consider adding 1 to 2 teaspoons into a morning smoothie or make an afternoon drink of fat-free milk, matcha powder, and ice in the blender.

Keep it Healthy: Trying to reduce sugar intake? Adding a banana or other ripe fruit, like in this popsicle recipe, is a smart way to add sweetness.

Tip: Add a little ice into this recipe to turn this into a smoothie for 2. Or, sprinkle a little granola into the popsicle molds before filling with the base to make this into a breakfast popsicle.

HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

This comes from Authentic Florida (originally posted on Feb. 20, 2018, and sent out again on January 14, 2021). The recipe begins, "Did you know that Plant City, Florida is the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World?!? Right now (February) is the perfect time to take a trip to Plant City or to your local pick your own strawberry field and fill up a bucket of fresh, delicious strawberries. Grocery stores and farmers’ markets are also keeping a plentiful inventory. Read on to see how to use these delicious fresh-picked berries for an authentic Florida fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe.

"Enjoy this easy recipe and the delightful pleasure of making your own homemade ice cream."

This can be viewed online at https://authenticflorida.com/articles/homemade-strawberry-ice-cream/.

Ingredients for Florida Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

3 Cups fresh Florida strawberries, stemmed and sliced

4 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1-1/2 Cups of sugar divided (1/2 cup & 1 full cup)

1-1/2 Cups of whole milk

2-3/4 Cups heavy cream

1-1/2 Teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

Step One

In a small bowl, combine the strawberries with the lemon juice and 1/2 cup of the sugar.

Stir gently and allow the strawberries to macerate in the juices for 2 hours.

Using a strainer, strain the berries, reserving the juices.

Then, mash or puree half the berries.

Step Two

In medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on low speed to combine the milk and remaining granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved, about 1-2 minutes. If you don’t have a mixer, use a hand whisk for 3-4 minutes.

Stir in the heavy cream, reserved strawberry juice, mashed strawberries and vanilla.

Step Three

Turn the machine on; pour the mixture into the freezer bowl, and let mix until thickened about 20-25 minutes.

Five minutes before the mixing is completed, add the reserved sliced strawberries and let mix in completely.

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, don’t despair, you don’t need one, just:

Pour in the reserved strawberries, mix and place into a plastic container covered with a tight lid and chill in the freezer overnight, stirring occasionally until hardened.

Note: The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer about 2 hours. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

Adapted from Cuisinart recipe.

FRESH FRUIT YOGURT POPS

This comes from Vegetarian Times (July/August 2005 issue, page 65), and begins, "Corn syrup keeps these super-simple treats from developing ice crystals or freezing into blocks. Feel free to play around with fruit combinations." It also states, "Any summer fruit except watermelon, which has too high of a water content, will work in this recipe for healthy, colorful popsicles." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/fresh-fruit-yogurt-pops-recipe/.

Ingredients

2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup corn syrup

2 cups fresh summer fruit, such as raspberries, pitted cherries, etc.

Preparation

Place yogurt, vanilla, lemon juice, corn syrup and 1 cup fruit in blender or food processor, and purée until smooth. Add remaining fruit, and pulse 3 or 4 times, or until fruit is broken down into small pieces.

Pour mixture into 8 1/2-cup frozen-pop molds. Place top on mold; insert wooden sticks. Freeze at least 4 hours.

LEMON-GINGERBREAD ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

This comes from Vegetarian Times (July/August 2005 issue, page 62), and begins, "These ice cream sandwiches will become a year-round favorite." Serves 12

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/lemon-gingerbread-ice-cream-sandwiches/.

Ingredients

1/3 cup molasses

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup boiling water

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. each ground cloves, ground nutmeg, ground black pepper and salt

8 Tbs. (1 stick) soy margarine, softened

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 pints lemon sorbet

4 cups vanilla soy "ice cream"

Preparation

Put molasses in heatproof bowl. Sprinkle baking soda over top. Add boiling water; whisk with fork.

Blend flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper and salt in large bowl. Cream margarine and brown sugar in another bowl. Add molasses mixture; beat until soft dough forms. Divide in half, wrap each in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour.

Put 1 dough ball between 2 sheets wax paper. Roll into 8 1/2 x 12 1/2-inch shape; remove top wax paper. Using sharp knife, trim dough edges; cut dough into 12 2×4-inch rectangles. Prick with fork. Transfer on wax paper to cookie sheet; chill 30 minutes.

Repeat with remaining dough.

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease 2 cookie sheets. Transfer rectangles from wax paper to cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but still soft to the touch. Transfer to wire rack, and cool completely.

Meanwhile, scoop sorbet and ice cream into large bowl; blend with wooden spoon. Freeze 20 minutes or longer, or until mixture is firm.

When completely cool, spread 1/2 cup frozen lemon filling onto bottom of one cookie. Pat filling down with spatula. Place second cookie on top (pricked side up), and gently press down. Scrape away any filling that spreads past edges, and use it to fill in corners. Smooth edges. Repeat with remaining cookies. Wrap sandwiches in plastic wrap, and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

NO-CHURN STRAWBERRY-LEMONADE SORBET

This recipe, from the Food Network, begins, "The nostalgic flavors of a classic summertime drink come together in the easiest ever two-ingredient sorbet. The trick? It's made in a food processor rather than an ice cream machine."

Active Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (includes freezing time); Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/no-churn-strawberry-lemonade-sorbet-8813666.

Ingredients

16 ounces (about 4 cups) frozen strawberries

3 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate

Directions

Add the strawberries and lemonade concentrate to a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until scoopable, about 1 hour. The sorbet will keep for up to 2 months.

PEACH ICE CREAM

This comes from Julia Reed in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Julia wrote, "This easy ice cream is meant to evoke hazy memories of a summer spent luxuriating on a front porch, cold glass in hand, waiting as your ice cream maker does the churning work for a late-afternoon treat. Use the best peaches you can find — the flavor of this depends directly on the fruit. You can also use mangoes or strawberries, or other stone fruits. Use your imagination, but let the ice cream maker do most of the work."

Yield: About 1 1/2 quarts, 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 1 hour, plus freezing

This was featured in "FOOD; Frozen Assets", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/6658-peach-ice-cream.

Ingredients

4 pounds ripe peaches

1 1/4 cups sugar (or more, as needed)

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 quart (4 cups) heavy cream

1 2-inch piece of vanilla bean (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract)

Preparation

Peel peaches over a large bowl to catch the juice. Halve and pit them and chop roughly. Place in the bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of sugar, the salt and lemon juice and let them sit for 30 minutes.

While peaches macerate, put cream and remaining sugar in saucepan with vanilla bean or vanilla. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to keep from scorching, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool. Discard vanilla bean.

Pour cream over peaches and mix thoroughly. Taste to see if it needs more sugar. (This will depend on the peaches.) Refrigerate until chilled.

Pour the mixture into an ice-cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions until set but not quite hard. (If serving immediately, freeze harder.) Pack the ice cream into a bowl or mold to completely solidify. When it has hardened, dip mold into hot water or wrap in a hot towel and invert onto a serving platter. Or, simply scoop and serve.

Tip

This recipe is also delicious made with fresh mangoes.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff and Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma. Enjoy!

JIM HARRISON’S CARIBBEAN STEW

This is from Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Jim Harrison, the poet and epicure, hunter and fisherman, novelist, essayist and enthusiastic cook, published a version of this recipe in the literary magazine Smoke Signals in 1981. I adapted it more than three decades later, after Harrison's death in 2016. The key ingredients: a lot of tomato paste and a good, floral hot sauce, ideally made with Scotch bonnet peppers, which combine in marvelous ways. Parboiling the ribs allows the recipe to come together relatively quickly, and the cooking otherwise is totally serial: one step after another until you slide the pot into the oven and allow the heat to do its work. Substitute different meats, or fewer, if you like, depending on availability.”

Time: 2 hours; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

This was featured in “A Larger-Than-Life Caribbean Stew”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018697-jim-harrisons-caribbean-stew.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds pork spareribs, cut into single ribs

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 Italian sausages, hot or sweet

1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons hot-pepper sauce, ideally one made with Scotch bonnet peppers, or to taste

1 cup chicken stock, homemade or low-sodium

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

Preparation

Place spareribs in a pot, and cover with water. Place pot over high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower heat slightly, and cook, covered, for 15 or 20 minutes, then remove ribs to a large bowl and discard the water.

While the ribs cook, pour the oil into a Dutch oven set over high heat, and swirl it around. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and when the oil begins to shimmer and is about to smoke, add them to the pan, skin-side down. Brown the chicken aggressively, about 5 to 7 minutes per side, then add the chicken to the bowl with the ribs. Repeat with the sausages, browning them on all sides for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, then add to the bowl with the chicken and the ribs. Cook the onions and garlic in the fat remaining in the Dutch oven, stirring occasionally until they soften and begin to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Heat oven to 300. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, lemon juice, hot-pepper sauce, chicken stock, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chile powder and paprika to the onions and garlic in the Dutch oven, then stir to combine, and allow to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the meats to the Dutch oven, stirring and tossing them so that they are well covered with the sauce, then cover the pot, and place in the oven to cook, undisturbed, for approximately 90 minutes, or until the meats are tender and, in the case of the chicken and the ribs, pulling from the bone.

ADAM RICHMAN'S CHICKEN CHILE VERDE

This comes from Adam Richman on Today's website. Adam wrote, "I think most people are used to the traditional brick red spicy, smoky chili that we all know and love. But in New Mexico, I was introduced to this delicious variation on the theme. The color is bright, it's still rich but oddly refreshing due to all the greens used in it.

"Technique tip: You can freeze homemade salsa for weeks and use for other dishes throughout the month.

"Swap option: Green tomatoes can be used in the place of tomatillos. A 2-pound pork picnic roast can be used instead of chicken."

Prep Time: 60; Cook time: 60 minutes; Servings: 8-10

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/adam-richman-s-chicken-chile-verde-recipe-t172164.

Ingredients

Salsa Verde

1 pound tomatillos, peeled

1 large white onion, peeled and quartered

4 cloves garlic, peeled

3 to 4 jalapeños

Olive oil

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chicken Chili

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Garlic powder

Four 15-ounce cans white beans, rinsed and drained

8 cups chicken broth

2 cups salsa verde (recipe above)

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 yellow onion, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

To serve

1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1 avocado, sliced

Lime wedges

Preparation

For the salsa verde:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Toss the tomatillos, onion, garlic cloves and jalapeños with a drizzle of olive oil and spread out evenly on rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes turning at the halfway mark.

Carefully remove veggies from baking sheet and blend in blender or food processor, making sure you still leave some texture to the mixture.

Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat in saucepan. When oil begins to ripple, add blended vegetables and stir.

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 15-20 minutes then pour mixture back in blender, add cilantro and blend again.

Salsa can be used immediately, or kept in fridge for roughly three days.

For the chicken chili:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and garlic powder.

Place chicken in a slow-cooker on low for 6-8 hours.

Take the chicken out, shred and cut into bite size pieces. Place back into the slow cooker with the juices.

Add the beans, chicken broth, salsa verde and spices. Place lid on the slow cooker and turn heat up to high.

In a skillet, place the diced onion with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and cook until softened and translucent. Add the onions to the slow cooker and let simmer for 1 hour.

Add the chopped cilantro right before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sour cream, Jack cheese, avocado and lime.

OVEN-ROASTED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "Here is a recipe for an oven-roasted version of the classic street-side flavor bomb usually cooked on a rotisserie. It is perfect for an evening with family and friends. Serve with pita and tahini, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, some olives, chopped parsley, some feta, fried eggplant, hummus swirled with harissa, rice or rice pilaf. You can make the white sauce that traditionally accompanies it by cutting plain yogurt with mayonnaise and lemon juice, and flecking it with garlic. For a red to offset it, simmer ketchup with red pepper flakes and a hit of red-wine vinegar until it goes syrupy and thick, or just use your favorite hot sauce instead.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus marinating

This was featured in "Chicken Shawarma Deluxe, No Rotisserie Required", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017161-oven-roasted-chicken-shawarma.

Ingredients

2 lemons, juiced

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves garlic, peeled, smashed and minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

A pinch ground cinnamon

Red pepper flakes, to taste

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 large red onion, peeled and quartered

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Prepare a marinade for the chicken. Combine the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon and red pepper flakes in a large bowl, then whisk to combine. Add the chicken and toss well to coat. Cover and store in refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.

When ready to cook, heat oven to 425 degrees. Use the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to grease a rimmed sheet pan. Add the quartered onion to the chicken and marinade, and toss once to combine. Remove the chicken and onion from the marinade, and place on the pan, spreading everything evenly across it.

Put the chicken in the oven and roast until it is browned, crisp at the edges and cooked through, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to rest 2 minutes, then slice into bits. (To make the chicken even more crisp, set a large pan over high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, then the sliced chicken, and sauté until everything curls tight in the heat.) Scatter the parsley over the top and serve with tomatoes, cucumbers, pita, white sauce, hot sauce, olives, fried eggplant, feta, rice — really anything you desire.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "When you transform a classic special-occasion meal into an easy-breezy weeknight dinner, it’s no wonder that you’re a top-rated recipe by hundreds of home cooks. Find out what all the buzz is about and try this beef stroganoff slow cooker recipe the next time you’re in need of mealtime inspiration."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup

1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)

1 container (8 oz) sour cream

6 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

Directions

In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes or until beef is browned.

In 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.

Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.

Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.

Expert Tips

Sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.

Beef sirloin steak is more tender than other cuts of beef that are used for stews. Cooking the beef in butter until browned, results in the best flavor. Then the very low heat of the slow cooker keeps the meat tender.

With the slow braising of the stroganoff, the cream cheese creates an instantly smooth sauce, that combined with the sour cream stays thick and rich.

It’s easier to cut the beef into clean slices when it’s partially frozen for about 1 hour.

To save precious minutes in the morning, use minced garlic in a jar. You could also cut up the beef the night before and refrigerate.

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

This is from VeryWellFit, and begins, "Vegetable casseroles are a great way to enjoy fresh produce from the farmers market or make use of a bumper crop. But they can also be loaded with cream and cheese making for a very heavy and high-caloric dish.

"To make this zucchini casserole recipe healthier, instead of adding cream to the sauce it is enriched with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs. The zucchini is then topped with just a bit of cheese. You may notice the absence of breadcrumbs, which also helps cut down on the calories. To compensate for the breadcrumbs' job of soaking up some of the liquid the vegetables exude during cooking, this recipe calls for starting the casserole on a higher heat to dry it out a bit, and then adding the last of the cheese on the top (otherwise it gets too brown or could even burn).

"This zucchini casserole recipe works well with any kind of zucchini or green summer squash, including a combination of squashes."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/3 cup onion (chopped, about 1/2 of a medium onion)

3 cloves garlic (chopped)

3/4 pound tomatoes (fresh or canned—about a 1-pound can of whole tomatoes, drained)

1 teaspoon Italian herbs (or oregano)

Salt and pepper

1 pound zucchini (approximately 2 medium)

1 cup Italian cheese mixture (grated, packaged, or your own mix including mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone)

Preparation

Heat oven to 400 F.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Sauté the onion in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another 30 to 60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.

Cut each tomato into 3 to 5 pieces and add to the oil, along with the herbs, salt, and pepper.

Cook over medium heat until the liquid is mostly gone (but not dry), stirring occasionally—you should end up without about 1 cup of the mixture. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the zucchini into slices approximately 1/4 inch thick. These can be either round slices, or lengthwise. Take the largest slices and line the bottom of a 9x9-inch or 8x8-inch pan, or a similarly-sized round pan.

Spread about 1/4 of the tomatoes on top of the zucchini (don't even try to spread evenly; it won't work), followed by 1/4 cup of the cheese.

Continue layering the sauce, zucchini, and cheese. It should come out to 4 layers, but if it only makes 3, just try to divide things relatively evenly. Don't put the final layer of cheese on yet.

Bake for 20 minutes. Top with the rest of the cheese, and lower the temperature to 375F. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.

Ingredient Substitutions and Cooking Tips

If you'd like to cut down on the fat even more, substitute low-fat or fat-free cheese. Just keep in mind that when you remove the fat, you also lessen the cheeses' melt-ability.

BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

Here's a yummy recipe from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients:

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided

6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided

Sliced green onions (optional)

Directions:

Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 ½ – to 3-quart casserole dish.

Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.