Confessions of a Foodie

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Monday, December 23, 2024

Double-Post Monday, Holiday Style

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday, Holiday Style. Today's offerings include Turkey Breast Roulade With Garlic and Rosemary, Turkey Club Soup, and Sweet Potato, Pecan and Pumpkin Pie. Enjoy!

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS ENCHILADA PIE

This is from Margaux Laskey on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Margaux wrote, “This recipe was developed for a special kids' edition of The New York Times, but we've found that people of all ages love it. It sounds a little strange, but we promise you, it’s surprisingly delicious. It’s easy to make, and anything you don't already have on had can be picked up from the corner store. We used leftover turkey, braised greens and mashed sweet potatoes, but feel free to experiment with savory dishes like sautéed brussels sprouts, cornbread stuffing or mashed potatoes. Top your slice with cranberry sauce salsa, a dollop of sour cream and a scattering of roasted pumpkin seeds. (We used a mix of Velveeta, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses because the Velveeta helps prevent clumping, but, if processed cheese bothers you, leave it out and add a half-cup more Cheddar or Monterey Jack.)”

Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 servings

This can be found at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019047-thanksgiving-leftovers-enchilada-pie. (You might seriously consider signing up for their newsletter. It’s fantastic!)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing the pie plate (or nonstick cooking spray)

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon cumin

2 cups leftover cooked turkey, shredded

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

8 5-1/2-inch soft corn tortillas

1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce

2 cups Thanksgiving leftovers (used singly or a combination of sweet potatoes, sautéed greens or corn, or canned black beans, drained)

1-1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese or any combination of shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack

1/2 cup (4 ounces) Velveeta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray a 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cumin and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Mix in the turkey and heat through. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat.

Using scissors, cut corn tortillas in quarters. Set aside on a plate. Combine shredded cheese and Velveeta cubes in a bowl.

Pour enchilada sauce into a low-sided bowl. Briefly dip each tortilla piece into the sauce, being sure to cover it completely. Cover the bottom of the pie plate with several coated tortilla pieces. It’s O.K. if you can see the bottom of the plate in some places, but try to nestle the tortillas right up to the edge of the pie plate to keep the layers separate and to ensure a clean cut.

Layer half the turkey and onion mixture, half the leftovers or beans and a third of the cheese mixture. Add a second layer of tortillas, the remaining turkey, remaining leftovers and another third of the cheese. Top with a final layer of coated tortillas. Pour any remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Finish off in the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, if desired, for a browned and bubbly top. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving, using a serrated knife to cut. Serve with any of the optional toppings or leftover cranberry sauce salsa.

HARVEST WALNUT PUMPKIN PIE

This comes from Allrecipes, and begins, "A walnut topping adds lovely crunch to this quick and easy spiced pumpkin pie with a hint of maple flavoring. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 8; Yield: 1 9-inch pie

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268384/harvest-walnut-pumpkin-pie/.

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can plain pumpkin puree

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon maple-flavored extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

Walnut Topping

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons butter, cubed

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, maple extract, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix well and pour into the graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking until filling is set, about 30 minutes.

Prepare walnut topping while pie is baking. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts.

Remove pie from the oven and cover evenly with the topping. Continue baking until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.

Cook's Note

Substitute an unbaked pie shell for the graham cracker crust if preferred.

TURKEY BREAST ROULADE WITH GARLIC AND ROSMARY

This recipe is by Ina Garten and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Ina Garten has been known as the Barefoot Contessa since she opened a gourmet store by that name in East Hampton, N.Y., in 1985. She shared this recipe from her book “Modern Comfort Food” with The Times for Thanksgiving in 2020, when many cooks were looking for alternatives to whole turkey. If you don’t like fennel seeds, leave them out: Garlic, sage and rosemary give this roast the flavors of Italian porchetta, and it will still be fragrant, juicy and delicious without them."

Time: 3 hours; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

This yummy recipe (and aren't most of Ina's recipes yummy?) was featured in "How Does Ina Do It?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021643-turkey-breast-roulade-with-garlic-and-rosemary.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons good-quality olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

3/4 teaspoon whole fennel seeds

6 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves, plus 4 whole sage leaves

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

1 whole butterflied boneless, skin-on turkey breast (about 4 to 5 pounds)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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

4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

1 cup dry white wine, such as Chablis

Preparation

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium (10-inch) skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and fennel seeds and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion is tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Off the heat, stir in the chopped sage and the rosemary; set aside to cool.

Set the turkey breast on a cutting board and open it up, skin side down. If necessary, pound the turkey to an even thickness of about 1 inch. Sprinkle the turkey with 4 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Once the onion mixture has cooled, spread it evenly on the meat. Grate the butter and sprinkle it on top. Arrange the prosciutto on top to totally cover the filling and meat.

Starting at one long end of the turkey breast, roll the meat up jelly-roll style to make a compact cylindrical roulade, ending with the seam side down. Tie the roulade tightly with kitchen twine at 2 to 2 1/2-inch intervals to ensure that it will roast evenly. Slip the whole sage leaves under the twine down the center of the roulade.

Place the roulade, seam side down, in a roasting pan and pat the skin dry with paper towels. Brush the skin with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour the wine and 1 cup water into the roasting pan, surrounding the turkey with the liquids without pouring them directly over the roulade. Roast for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours, until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature is 150 degrees.

Remove from the oven, cover the turkey with foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the string, slice the roulade crosswise in 1/2-inch-thick slices, and serve warm with the pan juices.

TURKEY TIKKA MASALA

This is from Samin Nosrat in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, "This twist on the Punjabi-style curry gives a new life to leftover turkey. The turkey is marinated overnight in yogurt, turmeric, garam masala and garlic paste, imparting deep flavors and moisture. Tomatoes and cream add warmth, while serrano peppers give the tikka masala its kick. Serve it alongside steamed basmati rice for a deeply satisfying meal."

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus 4 hours' marinating

This was featured in "Thanksgiving Can Be Bland. Your Leftovers Don’t Have to Be.", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018425-turkey-tikka-masala.

Ingredients

For the marinade:

2 teaspoons garam masala

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 tablespoon paprika

4 teaspoons ground turmeric

1 teaspoon kosher salt

6 cloves garlic, finely grated or pounded in a mortar and pestle

4 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger

1 cup whole-milk yogurt

4 cups cooked turkey (about 1 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

For the masala:

4 tablespoons ghee or neutral-tasting oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

6 cardamom pods, crushed

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger

4 cloves garlic, finely grated or pounded in a mortar and pestle

2 serrano peppers, finely chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

2 cups heavy cream

3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, plus a few sprigs for garnish

Juice of 1 small lemon

Steamed basmati rice, for serving

Preparation

Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, stir together garam masala, coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, kosher salt, garlic, ginger and yogurt. Fold in the turkey. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

Make the masala: On the stove top, heat a Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons ghee or neutral oil, then add onion, cardamom, bay leaf, paprika, pepper flakes (if using), garam masala and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are brown and tender, 10 to 15 minutes, adjusting temperature as needed so the onion doesn’t burn.

Make space among onions in center of pot, and add 1 tablespoon ghee or neutral oil. When ghee has melted or oil begins to shimmer, add ginger, garlic and serrano peppers, and sizzle for about 10 seconds. Combine that mixture with the spiced onions. Stir in tomato paste. Add tomatoes and their juices, crushing them with your hands as you add them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until the liquid is almost gone, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add cream and chopped cilantro to the pot. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaf.

In the meantime, line a baking sheet with foil, turn on oven broiler, and arrange an oven rack about 6 inches from broiling unit. Lay the marinated turkey on the foil in a single layer. Stir any remaining marinade into the sauce. Broil until turkey begins to blacken in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.

Use a hand-held blender (or blender) to purée the sauce, then add turkey and return the sauce to a simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just warmed through. Just before serving, stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

To serve, garnish with cilantro sprigs. Serve hot, with steamed basmati rice. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

SHEET-PAN SWEET POTATO, PECAN AND PUMPKIN PIE

This is from Jocelyn Delk Adams on the Today website. It begins, "This is a fun recipe that will please everyone, even the pickiest people, on holidays! You can have three different flavors of pie all in one, so everyone is satisfied.

"Swap option: You can use canned sweet potato and canned pumpkin. Also puff pastry is a fun sub for refrigerated pie dough."

Prep Time: 60 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/sheet-pan-sweet-potato-pecan-pumpkin-pie-recipe-t200661.

Ingredients

Crust

2 boxes refrigerated rolled pie crust (4 crusts total)

1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water, whisked together

Pumpkin Pie Filling

1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 large egg, room temperature

Pecan Pie Filling

2/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch kosher salt

2 cups pecans, roasted and roughly chopped

Sweet Potato Filling

2/3 cup granulated sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 2/3 sweet potato, fully cooked and mashed

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Preparation

For the crusts:

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Unroll 3 of the pie crusts on a lightly floured work surface. Stack them on top of each other. Roll out the thick, layered dough to a 15- by 21-inch rectangle. Press into a rimmed baking sheet so that the crust comes up the sides and hangs over slightly. This will be the bottom crust.

Chill until ready to use, at least 30 minutes.

For the pumpkin pie filling:

Whisk together the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice and the egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover and set aside.

For the pecan pie filling:

Whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the pecans, cover and set aside.

For the sweet potato pie filling:

Using a handheld mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until fluffy, then carefully mix in the egg and vanilla. Once combined, add mashed sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. As the mixture begins to smooth out, gradually pour in the evaporated milk. Mix until fully incorporated, cover and set aside.

To assemble:

Remove the prepared baking sheet with dough from the refrigerator. Using a fork, poke the pie crust about a dozen times, going all around the dough (except for the crust).

Using a large spatula, carefully scoop, spread and smooth each filling onto the crust. On the left side, start with the sweet potato and allow it to only take up 1/3 of the pan. Next, scoop out the pumpkin pie filling on the opposite right side leaving just the center open then add the pecan filling to the center (because there is a bit more liquid in the pecan mixture, it will spread a bit, do your best to control it by quickly scooping, spreading and smoothing).

Finally, decorate the outside pie dough that is hanging over and brush the outside of the pie crust with your egg wash.

Bake until all pies are set and the crust is golden-brown and crisp, about 50-60 minutes.

Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to completely cool, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Tightly cover the top with nonstick aluminum foil (or plastic wrap) and transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.

Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. Slice, serve and enjoy!

TURKEY CLUB SOUP

This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker. It begins, "All of the classic club sandwich ingredients – bacon, turkey, tomato and cheese – come together in this satisfying soup."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 7 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Croutons

3 cups cubed (1-inch) French bread

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

Soup

6 slices bacon, chopped

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped (1 cup)

2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

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

8 oz prepared cheese product, cut into cubes (from 1-lb loaf)

1 lb smoked turkey breast, coarsely chopped (3 cups)

1 medium tomato, chopped (1/2 cup)

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1/4 teaspoon salt

Chopped avocado, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, mix Crouton ingredients until bread is well coated. Spread in ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.

Meanwhile, in 5-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon to paper towel-lined plate, leaving bacon drippings in Dutch oven; set cooked bacon aside.

Return Dutch oven to stove; reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrot and garlic to bacon drippings. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened. Stir in chicken broth. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly stir in cheese, stirring constantly with whisk, until cheese is melted. Stir in turkey. Add tomato, spinach and salt; cook 3 to 5 minutes longer or until heated through and spinach is wilted.

Serve soup topped with croutons, bacon and chopped avocado.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

Reheat cream or cheese soups slowly. Boiling can case the soup to separate and curdle.

tip 2

Ask for thick slices of turkey breast at the deli, then chop them at home. Or use leftover turkey breast that you have on hand.

Meatless Monday

It's Meatless Monday, time to check out meals without meat. Here are today's six yummy vegetarian recipes that will sit well on your holiday table (as well as help you through the day), including Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake and Acorn Squash Stuffed with Vegetarian Sausage and Apples. Enjoy!

STONE FRUIT POUCHES

This is from Alton Brown on The Cooking Channel.

Total Timei: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups crushed gingersnaps

4 apricots, pit removed and cut into eighths

4 plums, pit removed and cut into fourths

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar

Pinch salt

4 teaspoons lime zest

2 limes, juiced

4 teaspoons brandy

Directions

Heat coals of grill or fire pit. Cut 8 (18 by 18-inch) squares of aluminum foil. Lay down double thickness of foil and divide gingersnaps evenly among the 4 squares. Divide fruit evenly and place on top of gingersnaps. Dot with butter. In small bowl mix sugar, salt, and lime zest. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over fruit, drizzle with juice and brandy and seal packets. Once coals are ash covered, lay packets over them and cover with lid of grill. If cooking in a fire pit carefully try to partially bury packets in hot coals. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and open carefully, as steam inside packet is very hot. Serve on plates as is or spoon into shallow bowls and top with creme fraiche or ice cream.

BLOOMIN’ APPLES

This is from Lena Abraham on Delish. The recipe begins, “Forget onions, bloomin' apples are the true snack hero.”

Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 tbsp. melted butter

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 green apples

4 chewy caramel squares

Lemon wedge

Ice cream, for serving

Caramel, for drizzling

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° and grease a medium baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, whisk together butter, brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon.

Slice off the top of each apple then use a melon baller (or a teaspoon) to scoop out the core. Using a paring knife, make three circular cuts in the apple. Place the apple cut side-down on a cutting board and slice crosswise.

Place cut apples in a small baking dish. Fill each apple with two caramel squares then brush melted butter mixture on top. Bake until the apples are tender, about 30 minutes.

Serve warm with ice cream and drizzle with caramel.

PUMPKIN SPICE CHEESECAKE

This is from Rian Handler on Delish. The recipe begins, “This luscious cheesecake will be your new pumpkin obsession.”

Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3/4 c. graham crackers, crushed

3/4 c. ginger snaps, crushed

6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

kosher salt

3 (8-oz.) bars cream cheese, softened

1 c. packed light brown sugar

1 c. pumpkin puree

1/4 c. sour cream, at room temperature

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin spice, plus more for garnish

Warm caramel, for garnish

whipped cream, for garnish

Chopped, toasted pecans, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 325° with a rack in the middle position. Grease an 8” springform pan with cooking spray.

Make crust: In a large bowl, add cookie and graham cracker crumbs. Stir in butter, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt and mix until well combined. Press crust into bottom of pan.

Meanwhile, make cheesecake batter: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in pumpkin puree, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Add eggs, 1 at a time, until well combined, then beat in flour, pumpkin spice, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour cheesecake mixture over crust.

Double-wrap outside of pan in aluminum foil, making sure to cover the bottom. Place pan in a large baking dish, place the baking dish in the oven, and pour in enough boiling water to reach halfway up the pan. Bake until only slightly jiggly in center, 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.

With oven door propped open, turn oven off and let cool 1 hour in the oven. Remove from water bath and discard foil, then refrigerate cheesecake until cooled completely, at least 3 hours or overnight.

Garnish with a layer of caramel and a few dollops of whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake. Sprinkle all over with pecans and more pumpkin pie spice.

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH VEGETARIAN SAUSAGE AND APPLES

This comes from Jolinda Hackett, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Jolinda wrote, “A vegetarian and vegan recipe for acorn squash stuffed with vegetarian sausage and apples. Use store-bought vegetarian sausage to make this fall entree for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion meal. Stuffed acorn squash makes a very presentable centerpiece for a vegetarian of vegan meal. It's filled with a bread stuffing with plenty of fresh herbs, including sage and thyme - it's these herbs which will fill your kitchen and your entire home with that fabulous Thanksgiving aroma as it bakes.

“If you're looking for a gluten-free stuffed squash recipe, try using a quinoa stuffing instead of bread.

“This vegetarian and vegan stuffed acorn squash recipe serves four, but the portions are generous, so plan on it serving 6-8 if you're serving it as a side dish.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 4 as a main, 6 - 8 as a side.

Note: Unfortunately, Jolinda originally posted this on about.com, which has morphed into .dash. Many of the recipes posted have not come over. If I do find a link for this, I'll post it.

Ingredients

1 package vegetarian sausage (use Gimme Lean brand)

2 cups water

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

6 stalks celery, chopped fine

1 Tbsp fresh sage OR 1 tsp dried

1 Tbsp fresh thyme OR 1 tsp dried

6 oz plain stuffing cubes, OR 8 cups toasted bread crumbs

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 medium apple, any kind, diced

1/3 cup apple cider

2 large acorn squash, cut in half, with seeds removed

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°.

Lightly brown the vegetarian sausage in a non-stick skillet sprayed with a little olive oil, breaking it up and crumbling it with a spatula as it browns, just as you would with a meat sausage. Set aside.

Bring water and olive oil to a boil in a covered pot over high heat. Stir in onion, celery, sage, and thyme. Cook, covered, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Stir in stuffing cubes, salt and pepper, applesauce, apple cider, and the browned sausage, mixing to combine. Taste, and adjust seasonings to taste.

Divide the stuffing evenly among the acorn squash halves. Arrange the halves in a roasting pan and pour water around (not on) the squash to 1 inch.

Lightly spray a piece of aluminum foil large enough to cover the pan with olive oil spray. This will prevent it from sticking to the stuffing. Cover the pan tightly, tending slightly with the sprayed side down.

Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.

CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

This is from Sheela Prakash on TheKitchn. Sheela wrote, “What if I told you that you could have a rich and creamy bowl of mac and cheese while also packing in over a pound of cauliflower? Sounds like a trick, right? No so fast! This recipe does just that, thanks to a base of cheesy cauliflower sauce.”

Serves 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the cauliflower cheese sauce:

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

2 medium heads cauliflower, cut into florets

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 cup grated Gruyère cheese

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the macaroni and cheese:

1 pound dry cavatappi pasta or medium pasta shells

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 cup fresh or panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Arrange a rack in the top third of the oven and heat to 400°F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Make the cauliflower cheese sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and boil for 5 minutes to infuse water.

Add the cauliflower and cook until very fork tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cauliflower to a rimmed baking sheet or medium bowl out of the water, leaving the herbs and garlic behind in the pot (do not drain the pot).

Place 1/2 of the cauliflower in a blender or food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Scoop out 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid and add it to the blender along with 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Blend until very smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer the purée to a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower, 3/4 cup of cooking liquid, and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil; transfer to the same bowl.

Add the cheddar, Gruyère, mustard, salt, and pepper into the purée and whisk to combine. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed; set aside.

For the macaroni and cheese: Bring the pot of infused water back to a boil. Add the pasta and cook per package instructions until just al dente. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter and breadcrumbs in a small bowl; set aside.

Drain the pasta, discard the herbs and garlic cloves, and add the pasta to the bowl of cauliflower sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is entirely coated.

Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan.

Transfer the dish to the oven and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden-brown, 15 to 20 minutes. If the pasta becomes bubbly before the top is golden, you can run the dish under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp the topping.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Make ahead: After transferring the pasta and cauliflower sauce mixture to the baking dish, it can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Return to room temperature, sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese on top, and proceed with baking.

Freezing: After transferring the pasta and cauliflower sauce mixture to the baking dish, it can be also be covered tightly with aluminum foil and frozen for up to 2 months. Bake, frozen and covered, at 350°F, for 1 hour. Uncover, sprinkle with the buttered breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, and bake until the topping is golden-brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.

CURRIED VEGETABLE AND CHICKPEA STEW

This was in an email from TheKitchn. I absolutely love TheKitchn, as well as its sibling site, Apartment Therapy. If you haven’t checked out either site, I highly recommend them. (Go ahead, I’ll wait…tap, tap, tap.)

Anyway, Emma Christensen, Contributor and former editor for The Kitchen, wrote, “This creamy coconut curried stew is a perennial favorite in my house. It's full of tender vegetables and chickpeas, along with the warming flavors of ginger and garlic — and it's vegan! Yes, a batch of this stew makes it worth pulling out the slow cooker and clearing some space on the counter.

“This is a great clearing-out-the-fridge recipe. My inspiration actually came from an old Cooking Light recipe and a fridge full of vegetables that needed using — but not vegetables that the original recipe called for. I love the big pieces of cauliflower that came from that experiment, but I have also made versions with parsnips, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter or summer squash, extra carrots, and Swiss chard.

“Since this makes such a large batch, you can freeze what you don't think you'll eat in a week. Just freeze it before adding the coconut milk since that can separate and become grainy once frozen.

“This recipe is also easily replicated in a Dutch oven, if you'd prefer that route. Preheat your oven to 350°F and do all the steps in your Dutch oven. Cover and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, until the vegetables are tender.

To view this online, click here. Serves 8 to 10. Adapted from Cooking Light. This recipe was originally published on The Kitchn in October 2008.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided

2 medium red or yellow potatoes, diced

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided

2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 medium green bell pepper, diced

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (10-ounce) bag baby spinach

1 cup coconut milk

Directions

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon of the salt, and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and 1 teaspoon of the salt, and sauté until just translucent around the edges.

Stir in the curry, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and cayenne if using and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in 1/4 cup of the broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Transfer this onion-potato mixture into the bowl of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. (Halve this recipe for a smaller slow cooker.)

Add the remaining 1 3/4 cups broth, chickpeas, bell peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes with their juices, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. The liquid should come about halfway up the sides of the bowl; add more broth as needed. Cover and cook for on the HIGH setting for 4 hours.

Stir in the spinach and coconut milk. Cover and let sit for a few more minutes to allow the spinach to wilt. Taste and season with salt and other seasonings as needed. Serve on its own, or over couscous, Israeli couscous, or orzo pasta.

Recipe Notes

Smaller slow cookers: Cut this recipe in half for a smaller slow cooker.

Dutch-oven version: Instead of cooking in a slow cooker, simmer the stew in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over low heat on the stovetop or in a 350°F oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Add the spinach and coconut milk and stir until the spinach has wilted.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Holiday Sides

What is a holiday dinner table without Holiday Sides? Boring, right? Here are six sides to go with your holiday meal, including Sweet Potato Casserole and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic. Enjoy!

ROASTED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

This was in the November/December 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 50. It begins, "Whole sage leaves and thyme sprigs are tossed with carrots and parsnips to add aromatic flavor as they roast." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-carrots-and-parsnips/.

Ingredients

3-4 carrots, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices (2 1/2 cups)

3-4 parsnips, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices (2-1/2 cups)

1-1/2 Tbs. olive oil

8 fresh sage leaves

6 thyme sprigs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss together all ingredients in large baking dish, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Roast 15 minutes, then shake dish to loosen vegetables. Roast 15 minutes more, then shake again, and roast 10 minutes more, or until tender.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

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

Ingredients

4 medium Sweet potatoes or yams (about 2 lb)

1/4 cup Packed brown sugar

1/4 cup Butter

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 Can (8 oz) crushed pineapple

1 tablespoon Packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon Butter

1 teaspoon Water

1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

1-1/2 cups Miniature marshmallows

1/4 cup Chopped pecans

Directions

Wash sweet potatoes. Prick each 2 or 3 times with fork to allow steam to escape. Arrange in oven at least 1 inch apart. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Cover & let stand 5 minutes.

Peel and slice potatoes. Place in 2-quart casserole. Add 1/4 cup butter and the salt. Mash until no lumps remain. Mix in pineapple. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 2 minutes. Stir and set aside.

Place 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, the water, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until butter is melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after half the time. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Top sweet potato mixture with marshmallows. Microwave at HIGH (100 % until the marshmallows are melted and potatoes are heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with pecans.

MASHED POTATOES WITH GARLIC AND BASIL

This is from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (Hint: If you haven't signed up for their enewsletter, I highly recommend it. You'll be able to access their yummy recipes, guides, and tips for cooking.)

Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

This was featured in "60-Minute Gourmet," and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4118-mashed-potatoes-with-garlic-and-basil.

Ingredients

6 to 8 medium Washington, Idaho or Yellow Gold potatoes

6 whole garlic cloves, peeled

Salt to taste

2 tablespoons virgin olive oil

1-1/4 cups warm milk

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Freshly ground white pepper

Preparation

Peel the potatoes and cut them into 3/4-inch cubes. Place the pieces in saucepan and cover with water. Add the garlic and salt.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Do not overcook.

Drain. Discard garlic. Put the potatoes through a food mill or ricer, or mash them well with a potato masher.

Add the olive oil, and beat to blend. Add the warm milk, basil and pepper. Blend well. Serve piping hot.

CINNAMON CHRISTMAS TREE

This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).

Yield: 2 trees (16 rolls each).

Ingredients

Basic Sweet Dough:

3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 package FLEISCHMANN's RapidRise Yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup half-and-half or light cream

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

2 tablespoons butter, softened and divided

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Pinch ground nutmeg (optional)

Topping:

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon milk

Red and green candied cherries, halved

Directions

Sift 2 cups of the flour, yeast and salt into a large mixing bowl; stir until well blended. Place half-and-half, butter and sugar in a saucepan; heat until butter is nearly melted. Let cool to 120 to 130 degrees.

Add half-and-half mixture to flour mixture; beat well. Add egg and vanilla; stir until blended. Add 1 cup flour; stir until thoroughly incorporated. Gradually add enough of the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup flour to make a soft dough that is rather sticky.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 3 minutes, or until the dough is a consistent texture. Cover with a slightly damp towel and let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough in half. Roll one half on lightly floured surface into a rectangle, 14x12 inches. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter on dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Combine sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle half this mixture over butter. Roll up dough from long side, jelly-roll style; pinch seam to seal (brush edge with a little water if necessary to make it stick). Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

Construct a tree shape from each log: Cut a 2-inch piece from one end of the log and reserve. Slice the rest of the log into 15 slices. Line a baking sheet with foil and grease well. On the short side of the baking sheet, center one slice cut side down. This is the top of the tree. Add 2 slices, sides touching, below the first slice, then add 3 more rows of slices to form a tree shape. Complete the tree by centering the 2-inch slice, seam side down, below the last row to form the trunk.

Repeat with second cinnamon roll log. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 45 minutes, or until nearly doubled.

About 15 minutes before end of rising time, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake trees 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. If trunk is browning too fast, cover with foil for the last few minutes. Use foil to move trees from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool thoroughly.

Prepare topping:

Combine confectioners, sugar and milk in a pastry or plastic zipper-sealed bag; cut one corner from bag. Pipe mixture on trees to create garland. Garnish with cherry halves.

THE ULTIMATE BOURBON-MAPLE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH PECANS

This yumminess comes from The Today Show, and begins, “Sweet potatoes are a must-have on Thanksgiving, especially in the South. With its bourbon and pecans (two ingredients with Southern roots), this casserole is the epitome of Southern hospitality. The bourbon adds a depth of flavor to the maple-syrup sweetened potatoes, while the pecans add a buttery crunch. True to the Southern table (and palate) this dish is a little sweet, so feel free to cut back a bit on the maple syrup to satisfy your 'savory tooth.'" Cook Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; servings: 16

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

4 cups apple cider

6 cups water

2/3 cup pure maple syrup

1 stick, plus 2 tablespoons (5 ounces) unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish

2 tablespoons bourbon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

Scant 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder or cayenne pepper

Preparation

Put the sweet potatoes into a large pot along with the cider and water and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered over moderately low heat until tender, but not mushy, 20 to 25 minutes. Reserving 4 cups of the cooking liquid, strain the sweet potatoes, gently shaking out any excess liquid. Return the reserved liquid to the pot and boil until reduced to 2/3 cup, about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Add 8 tablespoons of the butter to the pot, along with the maple syrup and bring to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and bourbon and toss to combine. Mash the sweet potatoes, then whisk until smooth. For super-silky mashed sweet potatoes, puree them in a food processor. Season with salt. Spread the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.

In a small skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the pecans, chipotle powder or cayenne pepper and season with salt. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the sweet potatoes in the baking dish.

Bake until the pecans are toasted and the potatoes are heated through, about 25 minutes.

Make Ahead: The sweet potatoes can be prepared through Step 3 and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH GARLIC

This is from Mark Bittman, no The New York Times' cooking email newsletter. He writes, “If you haven’t yet figured out a go-to recipe for brussels sprouts, this simple dish is the answer. It results in sweet caramelized brussels sprouts that will make a believer out of anyone.” Serves 4 in 45 minutes.
To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pint brussels sprouts (about a pound)

4 to 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, to coat bottom of pan

5 cloves garlic, peeled

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Preparation

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Trim bottom of brussels sprouts, and slice each in half top to bottom. Heat oil in cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers; put sprouts cut side down in one layer in pan. Put in garlic, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cook, undisturbed, until sprouts begin to brown on bottom, and transfer to oven. Roast, shaking pan every 5 minutes, until sprouts are quite brown and tender, about 10 to 20 minutes.

Taste, and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Stir in balsamic vinegar, and serve hot or warm.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Holiday Food

There are so many holidays during November and December. I'm not talking only Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. For everyone who celebrates something this time of year, here are more holiday recipes to help you through the day, including Duchess Potatoes and Panettone Bread Pudding. Enjoy!

BEST THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS SANDWICH

This is from Sohla El-Waylly in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sohla wrote, "The sandwich you make with all the prized leftovers the day after Thanksgiving might be even better than the main event. Assembling this leftover Thanksgiving sandwich is easy, but the details matter. The white and dark turkey meat each get special love and attention: The breast is warmed in butter, while the dark meat is shredded, then warmed in gravy. This club ditches the usual third slice of bread for a slab of crisp, fried stuffing instead. When heating the stuffing, make sure your pan is good and hot so the stuffing fries up fast without falling apart in the skillet. A generous swipe of cranberry mayo brings the whole thing together."

Yield: 4 sandwiches; Time: 20 minutes, plus overnight chilling

This was featured in "3 Brilliant Ways to Transform Leftover Stuffing", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021605-best-thanksgiving-leftovers-sandwich.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan

4 cups leftover stuffing

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup homemade, canned or jarred cranberry sauce

1 cup shredded dark-meat turkey

1/2 cup leftover gravy

4 teaspoons neutral oil

1 cup sliced turkey breast

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 slices sandwich bread (preferably 4- to 5-inch square slices), toasted if desired

2 cups assorted Thanksgiving leftovers (any combination of cooked green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes or other sides), warmed

Preparation

Grease a 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with butter, then line it with parchment paper, covering the bottom and 2 sides with one sheet, creasing it into the corners to ensure a snug fit. If the stuffing is cold, warm it in the microwave for 1 minute or covered in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes.

Put the stuffing into the prepared pan and press into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Top with a sheet of parchment and press firmly with your hands, tightly compacting the stuffing. If you have a second pan of the same size, use that to pack down the stuffing. Cover and chill overnight.

The next day, prepare your sandwich fillings: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and cranberry sauce. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine the shredded dark-meat turkey and the gravy. Gently heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

In a large nonstick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium-high, warm the oil until hot and shimmering. (The stuffing needs to be cooked hot and fast, or it will stick to the skillet and fall apart.) Meanwhile, remove the stuffing from the pan by lifting the parchment overhang, and cut the stuffing into four squares.

Cook stuffing until browned and crisp on one side, gently pressing it down using the base of the baking pan you chilled it in, about 1 minute. Using a flat spatula, quickly flip each piece of stuffing. Cook the other side until browned and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.

In the same skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until foamy. Add the sliced turkey breast, flipping occasionally until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the sandwiches: Evenly spread 2 tablespoons of cranberry mayonnaise on 1 side of each slice of bread. Divide the buttery sliced turkey over the 4 slices of bread. Divide half the assorted leftovers on top of the white meat, then top each with a slab of crisp stuffing.

On top of the crisp stuffing, evenly divide the gravy-dressed dark meat and the remaining assorted leftovers. Top with remaining mayo-slathered bread. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each sandwich on the diagonal and serve right away.

HONEY-GLAZED SWEET POTATOES

This is from the Mayo Clinic, and begins, "Instead of canned sweet potatoes and marshmallows, this recipe uses fresh sweet potatoes, brown sugar and honey." Serves 8

To view this online, go to https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/honey-glazed-sweet-potatoes/rcp-20049674.

Ingredients

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 large), peeled and cut into wedges

Cracked black pepper or chopped herb of choice (rosemary, sage or thyme), to taste

Directions

Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

To make the sauce, in a small bowl add the water, brown sugar, honey and olive oil. Whisk until smooth.

Place a single layer of sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes. Turn to coat them.

Cover and bake until tender, about 45 minutes. Turn the sweet potatoes once or twice to continue coating them. When tender, remove the cover and continue to bake until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes.

Transfer to a serving dish and top with pepper or chopped herb of choice. Serve immediately.

PANETTONE BREAD PUDDING

This is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Tejal wrote, “If you’ve bought a loaf of truly fantastic panettone, made in the Italian tradition from a natural starter, the kind that’s airy and melting, we hope you don’t have any leftovers. But if you find yourself with an excess of mass-produced panettone, or simply very old panettone that’s past its prime, here’s how to transform it into something special. Cut it into thick slices, as the pastry chef Elisabeth Prueitt does with brioche, when she makes her bread pudding at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Toast them. Now layer the bread in a wide dish, and pour over a whisked custard of milk and eggs. It will look like too much liquid, but as it bakes, the panettone will soak it all up, becoming moist and tender and impossibly rich. It’s close enough to a casserole of French toast to make it ideal for a special holiday breakfast, but sweet enough to step in as dessert on a cold night. Vanilla would be a classic way to flavor the custard, but panettone tends to be quite sweet and perfumed already, so taste the bread first before adding extras.”

Yield: 8 servings; Time: 10 minutes plus 1 hour baking

This was featured in “Panettone Has Become an Obsession for American Bakers,” and can be viewed here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

6 to 8 slices panettone

6 eggs

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4 cups whole milk

Confectioners' sugar, to garnish

Preparation

Heat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a deep baking dish that will fit all the bread slices in a single layer, overlapping slightly, about 9 by 5 inches. Place the sliced panettone on a sheet pan and lightly toast it in the oven so that it’s still flexible, but dry to the touch, about 10 minutes. Arrange toast in the baking dish.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar and salt, then add the milk and whisk until smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer over the panettone, allowing the excess mixture to fill up the pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bread has soaked up all the custard and puffed up, and the custard is no longer runny. Allow to cool at least 30 minutes before serving, then use a fine-mesh sieve to dust all over with confectioners' sugar and serve.

PECAN PIE

This is from Vegetarian Times (November 2014, page 71), and begins, "Slow-cooked caramel makes a decadent egg-free pecan pie filling." Serves 12.

Ingredients

Crust

1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

6 Tbs. vegan margarine, such as Earth Balance, melted

1-1/2 Tbs. unrefined sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. sea salt

Filling

1 cup plain unsweetened soymilk

1 cup coconut milk

1-1/2 cups brown rice syrup

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 pinch sea salt

1 Tbs. arrowroot powder

3 cups whole pecans

Directions

To Make Crust: Coat 9-inch pie pan with oil. Stir together all ingredients and 6 Tbs. water in large bowl until down forms. Shape dough into ball, then roll out to 12-inch circle on floured work surface. Press dough into prepared pie pan, and trim edges, leaving 1-inch overhang. Tuck overhanging dough underneath itself to form a thick edge that is even with rim, and flute as desired. Chill 1 hour.

To Make Filling: Combine soymilk, coconut milk, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, and salt in saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour 20 minutes, or until dark caramel in color. Stir in arrowroot powder.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir pecans into Filling. Pour into prepared crust, and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until crust and filling are lightly browned. Cool 2 hours before serving.

CINNAMON ICE CREAM

This is from Vegetarian Times (November 2014, page 71), and begins, "This barely sweet treat plays off the intense caramel flavors of the Pecan Pie." Serves 12

Ingredients

1 whole vanilla bean

1 cup plain unsweetened soymilk

1 cup soy creamer

1/2 cup safflower oil

1 cup coconut milk

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions

Split vanilla bean lengthwise with knife. Scrape vanilla seeds into blender, and add remaining ingredients. (Save vanilla pod for another use.) Blend 2 minutes, then strain mixture through fine sieve. Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions. Keep frozen until ready to use.

DUCHESS POTATOES

This was in the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 67. It begins, "Mashed potatoes usually have to be made just before serving, but this ingenious dish lets you mash them a day ahead, then shape into swirls. If you don’t have a pastry bag, shape with an ice cream scoop."

Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/duchess-potatoes/.

Ingredients

3 lb. russet potatoes (about 3 large), peeled and cubed

4 Tbs. unsalted butter

3/4 cup low-fat sour cream

2 egg yolks

1/2 cup chopped chives

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Bring potatoes and enough water to cover to a boil in pot. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and mash until smooth. Stir in butter and sour cream, then egg yolks and chives. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer potatoes to pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 8 swirled ovals onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until edges begin to brown, or refrigerate until ready to use.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Double-Post Tuesday, Holiday Style

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday, Holiday Style. Today's offerings include Twice-Baked Potatoes and Sweet Potato Casserole. Enjoy!

ULTIMATE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

This comes from Vegetarian Times (November 2013, page 53), and begins, "The Native American “three sisters” - corn, beans, and squash - come together in these individual holiday entrées stuffed with corn pudding and black beans." Makes 8 servings. Great for holiday meals

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/ultimate-stuffed-acorn-squash/.

Ingredients

3 Tbs. olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.), divided

4 acorn squash, halved and seeded

1/2 tsp. ancho chile powder, plus more for sprinkling squash

1/2 tsp. ground coriander, plus more for sprinkling squash

3 cups fresh or frozen organic corn kernels, divided

2/3 cup yellow cornmeal

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

2 large eggs

4 Tbs. melted butter or olive oil

3 oz. soft goat cheese or low-fat cream cheese (1/3 cup)

3 oz. grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (3/4 cup), plus more for sprinkling tops, optional

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 large poblano chile or 1 small red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)

8 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced (1 cup), plus more for sprinkling tops

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine oil and 2 tsp. minced garlic in small bowl. Brush squash halves with garlic oil, and sprinkle lightly with ancho chile powder and coriander. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and place on large baking sheet.

Pulse 2 cups corn kernels in food processor until finely chopped and milky. Set aside.

Whisk 1/2 tsp. each coriander and ancho chile powder into cornmeal, along with sugar, baking soda, salt, and cayenne (if using) in medium bowl. Set aside.

Whisk together buttermilk and eggs in separate bowl. Whisk in butter, then puréed corn, remaining 1 cup corn kernels, goat cheese, Cheddar, and remaining 2 tsp. garlic. Fold in cornmeal mixture with spatula, then fold in black beans, poblano chile, and green onions.

Divide filling among squash halves. Sprinkle each squash with extra Cheddar (if using).

Bake squash halves 30 to 45 minutes, or until squash are tender and filling is set. Sprinkle with green onions. Squash can be prepared 24 hours ahead, then reheated 20 minutes at 325°F.

RICH VEGETABLE BROTH

This comes from Vegetarian Times (November 2013, page 49), and begins, "A flavorful broth is the foundation for delicious gravy. Browning only the onions adds enough color and “caramel” richness to support, but not overwhelm, other ingredients. The finished broth is left unsalted, which ensures that the gravy can be reduced as needed without becoming too salty. Make the broth days ahead and chill, or weeks ahead and freeze." Web site says makes 4 servings; magazine said makes 4 cups.

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/rich-vegetable-broth/.

Note: A good article for making vegetarian gravy (with tips and more gravy recipes) can be found at "How to Make Foolproof Vegetarian Gravy", on the Vegetarian Times web site. (Now, if only they'd bring back the magazine, in all its glory.)

Ingredients

2 Tbs. safflower oil

2 medium onions, peeled, halved, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1 pinch salt

4 canned Italian-style tomatoes packed in juice, excess liquids shaken off

3 large shallots (8 oz.), peeled and quartered lengthwise

3 celery stalks (no leaves), sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips (2 cups)

2 1-inch pieces dried porcini mushrooms

1/2 cup diced carrot

4 whole allspice berries, coarsely crushed

1 1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbs. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Preparation

Heat oil in 5-qt. pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and salt. Sauté 18 minutes, or until onions are deep golden brown, stirring occasionally.

Add 2 qt. cold water, tomatoes, shallots, celery, dried porcini, carrot, allspice, thyme, and pepper. Increase heat, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour. Add parsley, and cook 5 minutes more.

Strain broth into large measuring cup. Press on solids in strainer to yield 4 cups broth. Or return broth to same pot, and cook until reduced to 4 cups. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover. Keep refrigerated or freeze.

CARAMELIZED SHALLOT GRAVY

This comes from Vegetarian Times (November 2013, page 50), and begins, "The sweet, subtle flavor of shallots makes them great for flavoring sauces and gravies." Makes 2 cups

View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/caramelized-shallot-gravy/.

Ingredients

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 lb. large shallots, peeled and cut into 1/8- to 1/4-inch-thick rounds (4 cups)

1 small Turkish bay leaf

1 pinch salt

1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

2 cups Rich Vegetable Broth or low-sodium vegetable broth

1/2 cup extra-dry French or Italian vermouth

1 tsp. dark brown sugar

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp. white wine vinegar

Preparation

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, bay leaf, and salt. Sauté 20 minutes, or until shallots are deep brown, stirring often.

Mix in thyme; stir 30 seconds. Mix in flour. Stir 2 minutes, or until flour is completely absorbed and beginning to color. Add Rich Vegetable Broth and vermouth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in brown sugar and mustard. Simmer 5 minutes, or until gravy is thickened enough to coat spoon, stirring often. Mix in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

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

Ingredients

4 medium Sweet potatoes or yams (about 2 lb)

1/4 cup Packed brown sugar

1/4 cup Butter

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 Can (8 oz) crushed pineapple

1 tablespoon Packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon Butter

1 teaspoon Water

1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

1 1/2 cups Miniature marshmallows

1/4 cup Chopped pecans

Directions

Wash sweet potatoes. Prick each 2 or 3 times with fork to allow steam to escape. Arrange in oven at least 1 inch apart. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until fork-tender, 8 to 10 mins. Cover & let stand 5 minutes.

Peel and slice potatoes. Place in 2-quart casserole. Add 1/4 cup butter and the salt. Mash until no lumps remain. Mix in pineapple. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 2 minutes. Stir and set aside.

Place 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, the water, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until butter is melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after half the time. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Top sweet potato mixture with marshmallows. Microwave at HIGH (100 % until the marshmallows are melted and potatoes are heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with pecans.

Enjoy!

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.

Ingredients

8 baking potatoes, washed

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 sticks salted butter

1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3 green onions, sliced

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.

Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.

With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.

Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

FROM SCRATCH PUMPKIN PIE

This is from Nancy Fuller on the Food Network.

Active Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes (includes chilling and cooling times); Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nancy-fuller/from-scratch-pumpkin-pie-2251073.

Ingredients

Pumpkin:

1 medium sugar pumpkin (about 3 pounds)

Canola oil, for oiling pumpkin

Easy Pie Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for flouring

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup (11 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Filling:

One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3 large eggs

Directions

For the pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Remove the stem from the pumpkin and scrape out the insides, discarding the seeds. Cut the pumpkin in half and lay the pieces cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Rub canola oil all over the skin and bake until fork-tender, about 1 hour. Let cool.

For the easy pie crust: While the pumpkin is cooking, make the crust. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add in the butter and work into the dough with a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in just enough cold water (4 to 5 tablespoons) with a fork just until the flour is moistened. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap one ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for another use.

Roll out the remaining dough ball on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch round. Transfer to a 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Fold the overhangs under and crimp decoratively. Pierce the dough all over with a fork. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Line the crust with foil, fill with dried beans or pie weights and bake until the sides are set, about 12 minutes. Remove the foil and beans. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

For the filling: Scoop out the pulp from the roasted pumpkin and puree in a food processor until smooth (you should have about 4 cups). Add the condensed milk, cream, cornstarch, molasses, canola oil, cinnamon, ginger, salt and eggs and combine thoroughly.

Pour the filling into the crust and bake until the filling is set in the center, about 1 hour. Transfer the pie to a rack and cool for 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Baja Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Slaw and Cheesy Chicken Tacos. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH ROASTED PEPPERS AND ONIONS

This comes from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, “For a fast meal that’s a surefire crowd-pleaser, these tacos fit the bill.” Yield: Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

Roasted Peppers and Onions

3 red bell peppers, thinly sliced (3 cups)

1 large onion, thinly sliced (1 1/2 cups)

1 Tbs. olive oil

Tacos

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)

6 cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbs.)

2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-oz. can diced organic fire-roasted tomatoes

1 Tbs. chili powder

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste

16 organic corn taco shells, warmed

Toppings

3 cups shredded lettuce

1 16-oz. container prepared salsa

2 large tomatoes, diced (2 cups)

2 avocados, diced (2 cups)

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup low-fat sour cream

Instructions:

To make Roasted Peppers and Onions: Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss peppers and onion with oil on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes, stir, and roast 15 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender and peppers are beginning to blacken. Transfer to small bowl.

Meanwhile, to make Tacos: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, and 1 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Mash beans until filling is thickened, but chunky, and most beans remain intact. Adjust seasonings, if necessary. Transfer to serving bowl. Pass taco shells, filling, Roasted Peppers and Onions, and Toppings around the table.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 482; Protein: 16 g; Total Fat: 22 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 57 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 665 mg; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 14 g

BUFFALO STYLE TACOS

Makes 8 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1341

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1341.shtml

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey

1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce

8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tomatoes, diced

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

Directions

Cook turkey as specified on package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.

Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

CHEESY CHICKEN TACOS

This is from Lindsay Funston on Delish. Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 9 tacos.

Click here to view this online.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp. ground cumin

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 c. Shredded chicken

1 can green chilis

1 c. Favorite Salsa

1 Can Refried Beans

9 hard taco shells

1 1/2 c. shredded pepperjack

Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, 6 minutes, then add cumin and season with salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Add chicken, green chilis, and salsa and stir until combined and heated through.

In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of refried beans (to help the taco shells stand up!). Spoon remaining refried beans into the bottom of a taco shell and top with chicken mixture. Place in baking dish. Repeat with remaining taco shells and ingredients, tightly standing up the taco shells in the dish.

Top all over with cheese.

Bake until cheese is melted, 10 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro and serve.

PERFECT FISH TACOS

This is from Lauren Miyashiro, the former Food Director and currently a "contributing recipe" for Delish. Lauren wrote, "Love fish tacos? Well, these are the end-all be-all...

"The fish—we use cod, but any flaky variety, like tilapia, works—marinates in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin that will become your standard. (Seriously, steak or chicken marinated in this will also taste bomb.) But the real gem of this recipe is the cabbage slaw—don't skip it. It takes just a few minutes to toss together and its brightness is the perfect condiment to the spiced cod."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yields: 4 servings

To view this online, including the rest of what Lauren wrote, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a53296/easy-fish-taco-recipe/.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1-1/2 lb. cod (or other flaky white fish)

1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 corn tortillas

1 avocado, diced

Lime wedges, for serving

Sour cream, for serving

For the corn slaw:

1/4 c. mayonnaise

Juice of 1 lime

2 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro

1 tbsp. honey

2 c. shredded purple cabbage

1 c. corn kernels

1 jalapeño, minced

Directions

In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne.

Add cod, tossing until evenly coated. Let marinate 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, and honey. Stir in cabbage, corn, and jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Remove cod from marinade and season both sides of each filet with salt and pepper. Add fish flesh side-down. Cook until opaque and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes before flaking with a fork.

Assemble tacos: Serve fish over grilled tortillas with corn slaw and avocado. Squeeze lime juice on top and garnish with sour cream.

TACOS CON PUERCO

Recipe Yield: Yield: Serves 4

Source: NPB

Recipe and image appear courtesy of the National Pork Board.

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/tacos-con-puerco.

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Pork

1 (14-1/2 oz) can tomatoes, diced, fire-roasted

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

8 taco shells

2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded

2 tomatoes, cut in wedges

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

In heavy skillet, brown ground pork; stir in undrained canned tomatoes, onion, chili powder and garlic powder.

Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until most liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Heat taco shells and portion filling into shells; top with tomatoes and lettuce.

Notes:

Set up the table for everyone to be able to assemble their own tacos. Remember to have salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, guacamole and other taco favorites for condiments.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 285; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 57 mg; Protein: 25 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g

BAJA SHRIMP TACOS WITH CREAMY SLAW

This is from Real Simple, and begins, " For these tacos, we took a couple extra steps to keep the batter for the fried shrimp light: 1) We cut the flour with a little cornstarch, which prevents it from getting tough (because cornstarch has no gluten), but you can substitute rice flour or arrowroot; and 2) Bubbles in the seltzer add air, so the batter stays crisp and light. Pro tip: Whisk your batter over an ice bath to preserve more seltzer bubbles, and then keep it cold until ready to use.

"A tangy cabbage slaw topping balances the richness of the fried shrimp, and then lime, hot sauce, and sliced scallions seal the deal."

Hands On Time: 25minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/baja-shrimp-tacos-creamy-slaw.

Ingredients

For the slaw:

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (about 6 oz.)

2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage (about 6 oz.)

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the tacos:

Vegetable oil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup seltzer or club soda

1 large egg white

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

8 6-in. flour tortillas, warmed

Lime wedges, hot sauce, and sliced scallions, for serving

Directions

Prepare the Slaw: Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl, add both cabbages and cilantro, and then toss to combine. Let stand at least 20 minutes.

Prepare the Tacos: Pour oil into a large heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of about 2 inches, affix with a deep-fry thermometer, and then heat over medium-high to 350°F.

Combine flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl, and then make a well in the center and whisk in seltzer and egg white until just combined.

Dredge a half-pound of shrimp in batter, shaking off excess, and then carefully lower into hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and then repeat with remaining shrimp.

Divide shrimp evenly among tortillas and top with slaw, hot sauce, and scallions. Serve with lime wedges.

Monday, December 16, 2024

Double-Post Monday, Holiday Style

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday, Holiday Style. Today's holiday recipes include Turkey Breast Roulade with Garlic and Rosemary, Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich, and Duchess Potatoes. Enjoy!

ROASTED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

This was in the November/December 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 50. It begins, "Whole sage leaves and thyme sprigs are tossed with carrots and parsnips to add aromatic flavor as they roast." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-carrots-and-parsnips/.

Ingredients

3-4 carrots, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices (2 1/2 cups)

3-4 parsnips, peeled and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices (2 1/2 cups)

1-1/2 Tbs. olive oil

8 fresh sage leaves

6 thyme sprigs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss together all ingredients in large baking dish, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Roast 15 minutes, then shake dish to loosen vegetables. Roast 15 minutes more, then shake again, and roast 10 minutes more, or until tender.

TURKEY BREAST ROULADE WITH GARLIC AND ROSMARY

This recipe is by Ina Garten and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Ina Garten has been known as the Barefoot Contessa since she opened a gourmet store by that name in East Hampton, N.Y., in 1985. She shared this recipe from her book “Modern Comfort Food” with The Times for Thanksgiving in 2020, when many cooks were looking for alternatives to whole turkey. If you don’t like fennel seeds, leave them out: Garlic, sage and rosemary give this roast the flavors of Italian porchetta, and it will still be fragrant, juicy and delicious without them."

Time: 3 hours; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

This yummy recipe (and aren't most of Ina's recipes yummy?) was featured in "How Does Ina Do It?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021643-turkey-breast-roulade-with-garlic-and-rosemary.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons good-quality olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

3/4 teaspoon whole fennel seeds

6 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves, plus 4 whole sage leaves

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

1 whole butterflied boneless, skin-on turkey breast (about 4 to 5 pounds)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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

4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

1 cup dry white wine, such as Chablis

Preparation

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium (10-inch) skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and fennel seeds and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion is tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Off the heat, stir in the chopped sage and the rosemary; set aside to cool.

Set the turkey breast on a cutting board and open it up, skin side down. If necessary, pound the turkey to an even thickness of about 1 inch. Sprinkle the turkey with 4 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Once the onion mixture has cooled, spread it evenly on the meat. Grate the butter and sprinkle it on top. Arrange the prosciutto on top to totally cover the filling and meat.

Starting at one long end of the turkey breast, roll the meat up jelly-roll style to make a compact cylindrical roulade, ending with the seam side down. Tie the roulade tightly with kitchen twine at 2 to 2 1/2-inch intervals to ensure that it will roast evenly. Slip the whole sage leaves under the twine down the center of the roulade.

Place the roulade, seam side down, in a roasting pan and pat the skin dry with paper towels. Brush the skin with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour the wine and 1 cup water into the roasting pan, surrounding the turkey with the liquids without pouring them directly over the roulade. Roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature is 150 degrees.

Remove from the oven, cover the turkey with foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the string, slice the roulade crosswise in 1/2-inch-thick slices, and serve warm with the pan juices.

BEST THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS SANDWICH

This is from Sohla El-Waylly in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sohla wrote, "The sandwich you make with all the prized leftovers the day after Thanksgiving might be even better than the main event. Assembling this leftover Thanksgiving sandwich is easy, but the details matter. The white and dark turkey meat each get special love and attention: The breast is warmed in butter, while the dark meat is shredded, then warmed in gravy. This club ditches the usual third slice of bread for a slab of crisp, fried stuffing instead. When heating the stuffing, make sure your pan is good and hot so the stuffing fries up fast without falling apart in the skillet. A generous swipe of cranberry mayo brings the whole thing together."

Yield: 4 sandwiches; Time: 20 minutes, plus overnight chilling

This was featured in "3 Brilliant Ways to Transform Leftover Stuffing", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021605-best-thanksgiving-leftovers-sandwich.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan

4 cups leftover stuffing

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup homemade, canned or jarred cranberry sauce

1 cup shredded dark-meat turkey

1/2 cup leftover gravy

4 teaspoons neutral oil

1 cup sliced turkey breast

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 slices sandwich bread (preferably 4- to 5-inch square slices), toasted if desired

2 cups assorted Thanksgiving leftovers (any combination of cooked green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes or other sides), warmed

Preparation

Grease a 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with butter, then line it with parchment paper, covering the bottom and 2 sides with one sheet, creasing it into the corners to ensure a snug fit. If the stuffing is cold, warm it in the microwave for 1 minute or covered in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes.

Put the stuffing into the prepared pan and press into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Top with a sheet of parchment and press firmly with your hands, tightly compacting the stuffing. If you have a second pan of the same size, use that to pack down the stuffing. Cover and chill overnight.

The next day, prepare your sandwich fillings: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and cranberry sauce. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine the shredded dark-meat turkey and the gravy. Gently heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.

In a large nonstick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium-high, warm the oil until hot and shimmering. (The stuffing needs to be cooked hot and fast, or it will stick to the skillet and fall apart.) Meanwhile, remove the stuffing from the pan by lifting the parchment overhang, and cut the stuffing into four squares.

Cook stuffing until browned and crisp on one side, gently pressing it down using the base of the baking pan you chilled it in, about 1 minute. Using a flat spatula, quickly flip each piece of stuffing. Cook the other side until browned and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.

In the same skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until foamy. Add the sliced turkey breast, flipping occasionally until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the sandwiches: Evenly spread 2 tablespoons of cranberry mayonnaise on 1 side of each slice of bread. Divide the buttery sliced turkey over the 4 slices of bread. Divide half the assorted leftovers on top of the white meat, then top each with a slab of crisp stuffing.

On top of the crisp stuffing, evenly divide the gravy-dressed dark meat and the remaining assorted leftovers. Top with remaining mayo-slathered bread. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each sandwich on the diagonal and serve right away.

SHEET-PAN SWEET POTATO, PECAN AND PUMPKIN PIE

This is from Jocelyn Delk Adams on the Today website. It begins, "This is a fun recipe that will please everyone, even the pickiest people, on holidays! You can have three different flavors of pie all in one, so everyone is satisfied.

"Swap option: You can use canned sweet potato and canned pumpkin. Also puff pastry is a fun sub for refrigerated pie dough."

Prep Time: 60 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/sheet-pan-sweet-potato-pecan-pumpkin-pie-recipe-t200661.

Ingredients

Crust

2 boxes refrigerated rolled pie crust (4 crusts total)

1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water, whisked together

Pumpkin Pie Filling

1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 large egg, room temperature

Pecan Pie Filling

2/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch kosher salt

2 cups pecans, roasted and roughly chopped

Sweet Potato Filling

2/3 cup granulated sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 2/3 sweet potato, fully cooked and mashed

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Preparation

For the crusts:

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Unroll 3 of the pie crusts on a lightly floured work surface. Stack them on top of each other. Roll out the thick, layered dough to a 15- by 21-inch rectangle. Press into a rimmed baking sheet so that the crust comes up the sides and hangs over slightly. This will be the bottom crust.

Chill until ready to use, at least 30 minutes.

For the pumpkin pie filling:

Whisk together the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice and the egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover and set aside.

For the pecan pie filling:

Whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the pecans, cover and set aside.

For the sweet potato pie filling:

Using a handheld mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until fluffy, then carefully mix in the egg and vanilla. Once combined, add mashed sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. As the mixture begins to smooth out, gradually pour in the evaporated milk. Mix until fully incorporated, cover and set aside.

To assemble:

Remove the prepared baking sheet with dough from the refrigerator. Using a fork, poke the pie crust about a dozen times, going all around the dough (except for the crust).

Using a large spatula, carefully scoop, spread and smooth each filling onto the crust. On the left side, start with the sweet potato and allow it to only take up 1/3 of the pan. Next, scoop out the pumpkin pie filling on the opposite right side leaving just the center open then add the pecan filling to the center (because there is a bit more liquid in the pecan mixture, it will spread a bit, do your best to control it by quickly scooping, spreading and smoothing).

Finally, decorate the outside pie dough that is hanging over and brush the outside of the pie crust with your egg wash.

Bake until all pies are set and the crust is golden-brown and crisp, about 50-60 minutes.

Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to completely cool, about 1-1 1/2 hours. Tightly cover the top with nonstick aluminum foil (or plastic wrap) and transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.

Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. Slice, serve and enjoy!

TURKEY CLUB SOUP

This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker. It begins, "All of the classic club sandwich ingredients – bacon, turkey, tomato and cheese – come together in this satisfying soup."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 7 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Croutons

3 cups cubed (1-inch) French bread

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

Soup

6 slices bacon, chopped

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped (1 cup)

2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

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

8 oz prepared cheese product, cut into cubes (from 1-lb loaf)

1 lb smoked turkey breast, coarsely chopped (3 cups)

1 medium tomato, chopped (1/2 cup)

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1/4 teaspoon salt

Chopped avocado, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, mix Crouton ingredients until bread is well coated. Spread in ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.

Meanwhile, in 5-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon to paper towel-lined plate, leaving bacon drippings in Dutch oven; set cooked bacon aside.

Return Dutch oven to stove; reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrot and garlic to bacon drippings. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened. Stir in chicken broth. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly stir in cheese, stirring constantly with whisk, until cheese is melted. Stir in turkey. Add tomato, spinach and salt; cook 3 to 5 minutes longer or until heated through and spinach is wilted.

Serve soup topped with croutons, bacon and chopped avocado.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

Reheat cream or cheese soups slowly. Boiling can case the soup to separate and curdle.

tip 2

Ask for thick slices of turkey breast at the deli, then chop them at home. Or use leftover turkey breast that you have on hand.

PUMPKIN-CHOCOLATE SWIRL CHEESECAKE

This was in the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 70. It begins, "It took us four tries to get this recipe just right, but the result—a rich, creamy, pumpkin-flavored cheesecake laced with spice and swirled with chocolate—is truly spectacular."

Makes 24 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/pumpkin-chocolate-swirl-cheesecake/.

Ingredients

1 - 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs

4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate

2 cups low-fat cottage cheese

2 8-oz. pkg. Neufchatel cheese, softened

2 cups light brown sugar

3 large eggs

1/3 cup flour

1 15-oz. can pumpkin

1 & 1/2 Tbs. ground ginger

1 - 1/2 Tbs. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F.

To make Chocolate Crust:

Coat 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press into prepared pan, and bake 10 minutes.

Melt chocolate in bowl in microwave on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds to heat evenly. Set aside. Blend cottage cheese in food processor 3 minutes, until smooth. Add Neufchâtel cheese, brown sugar, eggs and flour, and process until smooth. Add pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg, and process 1 minute, or until smooth.

Whisk 1 cup cream cheese batter into melted chocolate. Pour remaining batter into crust. Spoon dollops of chocolate mixture onto batter, and swirl with knife.

Bake cheesecake 1 & 1/2 hours, or until top is firm and cake is beginning to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely on wire rack, then chill well before unmolding and serving.