While many of us think of Chili as great food for late fall or winter, there's no reason not to have it all year 'round, even as the weather warms up. To that end, here are six yummy chili recipes to help you through the day, including Busy Day Chili and Quick Turkey Chili. Enjoy!
SLOW-COOKER THREE-BEAN CHILI
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "You won't miss the meat in a spicy chili brimming with three kinds of beans."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 10 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15.5 ounces) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15.5 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup dried lentils (8 ounces), sorted and rinsed
1 large vegetarian vegetable or chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
1 envelope (1.25 ounces) chili seasoning mix
3 cups water
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and mild green chilies, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
Instructions
Mix all ingredients except tomatoes and tomato sauce in 3- to 4-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours.
Stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce. Increase heat setting to high. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until heated through.
WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI
This comes from the Food Network kitchen, and starts out, “This 30-minute weekenight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)”
Level: Easy; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1-1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1-1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.
HEARTY SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CHILI
This also comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This easy slow cooker chicken chili is relatively light and low-calorie compared to the classic beef or pork chili. Boneless chicken breasts and a variety of canned beans make the chili super easy and convenient. If you prefer to cook the chili on the stovetop, see the tips below the recipe.
“Feel free to use boneless chicken thighs in the recipe and use the canned beans you have on hand. We used pinto beans and great northern beans, but kidney beans, navy beans, black beans and cannellini beans are all excellent alternatives.
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 hours; Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless chicken breasts (about 4 large chicken breast halves)
1 cup onion (chopped)
1/2 cup green bell pepper (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced; or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder)
1 (15-ounce) can great northern beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups corn kernels (frozen, thawed)
1 tablespoon chili powder (heaping)
1 teaspoon cumin (ground)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
1 bay leaf
Garnish: sour cream or shredded cheese
Optional: chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Dice the chicken or cut it into strips. Put the chicken pieces in the slow cooker along with the onion, bell pepper, garlic, drained and rinsed beans, tomatoes and tomato sauce, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Stir to blend ingredients.
Cover and cook on high for 1 hour, then cook on low for 3 to 4 hours longer, or until the chicken is cooked and tender. Or cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Remove the bay leaf.
Spoon the chili into bowls and garnish with sour cream or shredded cheese, along with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.
Serve with cornbread, crackers, or crusty bread.
Tips
Stovetop: Put ingredients in a large Dutch oven instead of a slow cooker. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 to 2 hours.
For thicker chili, add a few tablespoons of cornmeal about 30 minutes before it's done.
Recipe Variations
Other vegetables that may be added include sliced summer squash or zucchini, shredded or julienne-cut carrots, and sliced celery.
For a little heat, add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno pepper or serrano. Or add some crushed red pepper flakes.
Use different varieties of canned beans, or use cooked dried beans instead. See crock pot great northern beans.
Use part or all boneless chicken thighs in the recipe. Chicken thighs stay tender and juicy in the slow cooker, so they're especially good in this recipe if you will be cooking it longer than the recommended times.
BUSY DAY CHILI
This is from Elizabeth Mervosh at Southern Living. It begins, "Minimal work is required, but busy day chili tastes like you cooked all day."
The recipe then states, " The beautiful thing about chili is that it's a bit of a recipe life raft: You can deploy it and everyone will be happy. In short, it saves the day. And on top of that, folks can make it a bit more personal with their own toppings.
"So consider this busy day chili your emergency rescue for winter's long days, especially on nights when inspiration is far from your mind, and time is on the short side. We've streamlined the spices and ingredients so there's no need to fiddle or fuss. The seasoning packet takes the guesswork out and actually results in a flavorful, hearty meal."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. 90/10 lean ground beef
1 medium (8-oz.) yellow onion, chopped (about 1-1/4 cups)
1 medium (6-oz.) poblano chile, chopped (1 cup)
1 (16-oz.) can dark kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-oz.) can seasoned diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Rotel Chili Fixin’s)
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
1 (1.25-oz.) envelope chili seasoning mix
Sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, and tortilla strips (optional)
Directions
Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high. Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef crumbles and is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add onion and poblano chile; cook over medium-high, stirring often, until tender, about 6 minutes.
Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, tomato sauce, chicken stock, and chili seasoning mix.
Bring to a vigorous simmer over high. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Divide evenly among 4 bowls and top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and tortilla strips, if desired.
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
QUICK TURKEY CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Finish this turkey chili with your preferred toppings, like corn chips, cheese, and sour cream."
Active Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-turkey-chili-8704058.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1-1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)
3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper (from 1 bell pepper)
3 Tbsp. taco seasoning mix (from 1 [1-oz.] envelope)
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 (14 1/2-oz.) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
1-1/2 cups water
1 lb. ground turkey (white and dark meat)
1 (15-oz.) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1-1/2 Tbsp. finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (about 2 canned chiles)
1 tsp. kosher salt
Toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, and tortilla chips
Directions
Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add taco seasoning and tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant and tomato paste has darkened, about 1 minute.
Stir in crushed tomatoes and water, scraping bottom of Dutch oven to release any browned bits.
Add turkey, and stir to break into smaller pieces.
Stir in beans, chiles, and salt. Bring to a simmer, undisturbed, over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
Ladle evenly into 4 bowls, and serve with desired toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you fix bland turkey chili?
If you find your turkey chili is bland after cooking, add extra seasonings as desired to bump up the flavor. Adding a splash of vinegar can also help wake up the flavors.
How do you thicken turkey chili?
To thicken up the chili, you can continue to simmer, add a cornstarch slurry, or lightly smash some of the beans for a thickened texture.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Supernatural Brownies and Spicy Orange Chicken That's Better Than Take-Out. Enjoy!
GREEN TEA, BLUEBERRY, AND BANANA SMOOTHIE
This recipe, as well as the next one (Blueberry-Lemon Scones), was found in an article on Prevention, titled “11 Recipes with Fresh Blueberries.” Click here to see the article and all twelve recipes.
SERVINGS: 1
Ingredients
3 tbsp water
1 green tea bag
2 tsp honey
1 1/2 C frozen blueberries
1/2 med banana
3/4 C calcium fortified light vanilla soy milk
Directions
Microwave water on high until steaming hot in a small glass measuring cup or bowl. Add tea bag and allow to brew 3 minutes. Remove tea bag. Stir honey into tea until it dissolves.
Combine berries, banana, and milk in a blender with ice crushing ability.
Add tea to blender. Blend ingredients on ice crush or highest setting until smooth. (Some blenders may require additional water to process the mixture.) Pour smoothie into tall glass and serve.
NUTRITION (per serving) 269 cal, 3.7 g pro, 3.4 g carb, 7.8 g fiber, 2.7 g fat, 0.2 g sat fat, 52.3 mg sodium
BLUEBERRY-LEMON SCONES
SERVINGS: 12
Ingredients
Scones
3 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C granulated sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 C cold butter, cut into small cubes
1 C buttermilk
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
1 C fresh or frozen blueberries
Glaze
1 1/2 – 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 c confectioners' sugar
Directions
To Make the Scones: Heat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Put flour in large bowl. Reserve 1 Tbsp of the flour in small bowl. Add granulated sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt to large bowl with flour. Cut in butter with pastry blender or hands until fine crumbs form.
Combine buttermilk and applesauce. Gradually mix with dry ingredients, stirring gently to form dough. Toss berries with reserved flour in small bowl and gently fold into batter. (Mix well, but do not overwork dough.) Separate into 2 equal portions.
Flour a clean surface and your hands. Press dough into two 1"-thick rounds. Cut each round into 6 wedges.
Transfer scones to prepared baking sheets. Bake until firm to the touch and golden brown on top, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on rack.
To Prepare the Glaze: Gradually mix lemon juice into confectioners' sugar in small bowl until just pourable in consistency. Drizzle over scones. Cover leftovers with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
NUTRITION (per scone): 227 cal, 4 g pro, 43 g carb, 1 g fiber, 4.5 g fat, 2.5 g sat fat, 285 mg sodium
HERBED CARROT SOUP
From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett
Directions
2 pounds of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, diced
6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 Tbs of butter
6 C of vegetable stock
Freshly grated mace or nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.
Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.
ANTHONY'S CHICKEN CACCIATORE
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Using bottled pasta sauce and shredded cheeses makes this classic Italian dish quick and easy – and so good!” Serves 4 to 6; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces of fettuccine, cooked as package directs
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 (about 1 pound) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups (about 8 ounces) fresh mushrooms, slice
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (26 ounce) jar CLASSICO roasted garlic pasta sauce
1 cup (about 2 ounces) shredded mozzarella or provalone cheese
Directions
In shallow dish, combine flour and Italian seasoning. Coat chicken with mixture. In large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown chicken in hot oil; remove chicken from skillet. Add mushrooms and onions to skillet; cook and stir until tender. Add pasta sauce and chicken. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Top each chicken breast with cheese. Serve with hot pasta.
SUPERNATURAL BROWNIES
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This recipe is an accidental creation by Nick Malgieri, who (in a rare human moment for a pastry chef) once forgot to double the flour when baking his own fudge brownie recipe. He also adds a measure of brown sugar to the basic formula. The experts are divided as to whether the brown sugar actually contributes flavor or simply makes the brownie moister (molasses, which makes brown sugar brown, is powerfully hydrophilic). It’s my belief that the slightly bitter taste of molasses acts as an invisible enhancer to the chocolate. The result is as complex and sophisticated as any terrine or truffle I have ever produced.”
Yield: 15 large or 24 small brownies; Time: About 1 hour
This was featured in “Simple Pleasure, American Style”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, more for pan and parchment paper
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional
Preparation
Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter, chocolate and sugars together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt and vanilla.
Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.
Tip
For best flavor, bake 1 day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.
SPICE ORANGE CHICKEN THAT'S BETTER THAN TAKE-OUT
This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on Very Well. Kaleigh's website, Lively Table, is full of wonderful recipes.
Kaleigh wrote, "Chinese takeout is notorious for being full of sodium. Between the sugar and sodium-laden sauces, breaded meat, egg rolls, and fried rice, a takeout meal can quickly add up when it comes to saturated fat and salt. A better option is to make your own at home. It may seem intimidating at first, but it's actually pretty easy and doesn't require too many ingredients.
"This recipe for spicy orange chicken uses fresh orange juice, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for tons of flavor without added sugar or salt. The only sodium comes from a little bit of reduced-sodium soy sauce, which research shows can actually reduce the amount of sodium in dishes without affecting flavor. Searing the chicken instead of breading and frying it and adding plenty of carrots makes this dish even more virtuous.
"Serve this dish with a side of cooked brown rice or quinoa and top with sliced green onions and red pepper flakes for a super-easy version of takeout that is much healthier. It all comes together in less than 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinner!"
To view this online, click here.
Total Time: 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 2 servings (400 calories each)
Ingredients
3/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (from about 2 medium oranges)
zest from 1/2 an orange
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 boneless skinless chicken breast (8 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 sliced green onion
red pepper flakes, to taste
Preparation
In a medium bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, stirring occasionally so that all sides get browned. Once chicken has browned, add carrots and cook, stirring, until carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour in sauce and cook until sauce is thickened, 3 to 5 more minutes.
Spoon into bowls with rice or quinoa and sprinkle with green onions and red pepper flakes.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
To bulk up this dish even more, add more veggies like broccoli, snow peas, or cabbage.
For a gluten-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce, or look for gluten-free soy sauce.
For a grain-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce or arrowroot (or tapioca) starch instead of cornstarch and serve with cauliflower “rice."
Cooking and Serving Tips
This dish comes together quickly, so make sure your ingredients are chopped and prepped ahead of time to make cooking go more smoothly.
GREEN TEA, BLUEBERRY, AND BANANA SMOOTHIE
This recipe, as well as the next one (Blueberry-Lemon Scones), was found in an article on Prevention, titled “11 Recipes with Fresh Blueberries.” Click here to see the article and all twelve recipes.
SERVINGS: 1
Ingredients
3 tbsp water
1 green tea bag
2 tsp honey
1 1/2 C frozen blueberries
1/2 med banana
3/4 C calcium fortified light vanilla soy milk
Directions
Microwave water on high until steaming hot in a small glass measuring cup or bowl. Add tea bag and allow to brew 3 minutes. Remove tea bag. Stir honey into tea until it dissolves.
Combine berries, banana, and milk in a blender with ice crushing ability.
Add tea to blender. Blend ingredients on ice crush or highest setting until smooth. (Some blenders may require additional water to process the mixture.) Pour smoothie into tall glass and serve.
NUTRITION (per serving) 269 cal, 3.7 g pro, 3.4 g carb, 7.8 g fiber, 2.7 g fat, 0.2 g sat fat, 52.3 mg sodium
BLUEBERRY-LEMON SCONES
SERVINGS: 12
Ingredients
Scones
3 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C granulated sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 C cold butter, cut into small cubes
1 C buttermilk
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
1 C fresh or frozen blueberries
Glaze
1 1/2 – 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 c confectioners' sugar
Directions
To Make the Scones: Heat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Put flour in large bowl. Reserve 1 Tbsp of the flour in small bowl. Add granulated sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt to large bowl with flour. Cut in butter with pastry blender or hands until fine crumbs form.
Combine buttermilk and applesauce. Gradually mix with dry ingredients, stirring gently to form dough. Toss berries with reserved flour in small bowl and gently fold into batter. (Mix well, but do not overwork dough.) Separate into 2 equal portions.
Flour a clean surface and your hands. Press dough into two 1"-thick rounds. Cut each round into 6 wedges.
Transfer scones to prepared baking sheets. Bake until firm to the touch and golden brown on top, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on rack.
To Prepare the Glaze: Gradually mix lemon juice into confectioners' sugar in small bowl until just pourable in consistency. Drizzle over scones. Cover leftovers with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
NUTRITION (per scone): 227 cal, 4 g pro, 43 g carb, 1 g fiber, 4.5 g fat, 2.5 g sat fat, 285 mg sodium
HERBED CARROT SOUP
From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett
Directions
2 pounds of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, diced
6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 Tbs of butter
6 C of vegetable stock
Freshly grated mace or nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.
Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.
ANTHONY'S CHICKEN CACCIATORE
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Using bottled pasta sauce and shredded cheeses makes this classic Italian dish quick and easy – and so good!” Serves 4 to 6; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces of fettuccine, cooked as package directs
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 (about 1 pound) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups (about 8 ounces) fresh mushrooms, slice
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (26 ounce) jar CLASSICO roasted garlic pasta sauce
1 cup (about 2 ounces) shredded mozzarella or provalone cheese
Directions
In shallow dish, combine flour and Italian seasoning. Coat chicken with mixture. In large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown chicken in hot oil; remove chicken from skillet. Add mushrooms and onions to skillet; cook and stir until tender. Add pasta sauce and chicken. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Top each chicken breast with cheese. Serve with hot pasta.
SUPERNATURAL BROWNIES
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This recipe is an accidental creation by Nick Malgieri, who (in a rare human moment for a pastry chef) once forgot to double the flour when baking his own fudge brownie recipe. He also adds a measure of brown sugar to the basic formula. The experts are divided as to whether the brown sugar actually contributes flavor or simply makes the brownie moister (molasses, which makes brown sugar brown, is powerfully hydrophilic). It’s my belief that the slightly bitter taste of molasses acts as an invisible enhancer to the chocolate. The result is as complex and sophisticated as any terrine or truffle I have ever produced.”
Yield: 15 large or 24 small brownies; Time: About 1 hour
This was featured in “Simple Pleasure, American Style”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, more for pan and parchment paper
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional
Preparation
Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter, chocolate and sugars together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt and vanilla.
Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.
Tip
For best flavor, bake 1 day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.
SPICE ORANGE CHICKEN THAT'S BETTER THAN TAKE-OUT
This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on Very Well. Kaleigh's website, Lively Table, is full of wonderful recipes.
Kaleigh wrote, "Chinese takeout is notorious for being full of sodium. Between the sugar and sodium-laden sauces, breaded meat, egg rolls, and fried rice, a takeout meal can quickly add up when it comes to saturated fat and salt. A better option is to make your own at home. It may seem intimidating at first, but it's actually pretty easy and doesn't require too many ingredients.
"This recipe for spicy orange chicken uses fresh orange juice, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for tons of flavor without added sugar or salt. The only sodium comes from a little bit of reduced-sodium soy sauce, which research shows can actually reduce the amount of sodium in dishes without affecting flavor. Searing the chicken instead of breading and frying it and adding plenty of carrots makes this dish even more virtuous.
"Serve this dish with a side of cooked brown rice or quinoa and top with sliced green onions and red pepper flakes for a super-easy version of takeout that is much healthier. It all comes together in less than 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinner!"
To view this online, click here.
Total Time: 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 2 servings (400 calories each)
Ingredients
3/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (from about 2 medium oranges)
zest from 1/2 an orange
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 boneless skinless chicken breast (8 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 sliced green onion
red pepper flakes, to taste
Preparation
In a medium bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, stirring occasionally so that all sides get browned. Once chicken has browned, add carrots and cook, stirring, until carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour in sauce and cook until sauce is thickened, 3 to 5 more minutes.
Spoon into bowls with rice or quinoa and sprinkle with green onions and red pepper flakes.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
To bulk up this dish even more, add more veggies like broccoli, snow peas, or cabbage.
For a gluten-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce, or look for gluten-free soy sauce.
For a grain-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce or arrowroot (or tapioca) starch instead of cornstarch and serve with cauliflower “rice."
Cooking and Serving Tips
This dish comes together quickly, so make sure your ingredients are chopped and prepped ahead of time to make cooking go more smoothly.
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Jerk Chicken Tacos, Cheeseburger Tacos, and Chipotle Shrimp Tacos. Enjoy!
CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1-1/2 pounds
3 scallions, left whole
1 bay leaf
1 thyme branch
3 black peppercorns
1 allspice berry
2 cloves
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can
1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)
8 fresh corn tortillas
For Garnish:
1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained
Thinly sliced serrano chile
Thinly sliced radishes
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese
Crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Cilantro sprigs
Dried oregano
Lime wedges
Preparation
Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.
Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.
Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.
Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH TACOS WITH CRANBERRY-JALAPENO RELISH
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4-6 servings; Serving Size: 2-3 tacos
Relish adapted from The New York Times
Read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/butternut-squash-tacos-with-cranberry-jalapeno-relish/
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
12 small corn tortillas
2 cups cooked black beans
For the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish:
1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
1 1/2 pounds tart apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a large bowl, toss together the butternut squash, olive oil and salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer and roast until tender, 20-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, apples, sugar and apple cider vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until cranberries start to pop and mixture has thickened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the jalapeño and ginger and remove from heat.
Warm the corn tortillas according to package directions. Serve the tortillas stuffed with the butternut squash and black beans, and topped with the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish.
Notes
Both the butternut squash and relish can be made ahead of time! Just reheat the butternut squash before stuffing it into the tortillas.
JERK CHICKEN TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish. According to the site, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” I’ve checked out The Judy Lab and have one word to say for it: Wow! I recommend checking it out.
This recipe begins, “Give your taco fillings a Caribbean twist.”
Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. white vinegar
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tbsp. jerk seasoning
1 tbsp. brown sugar
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cut into 2" pieces
8 corn tortillas
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 1/2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 c. Shredded cabbage
1 c. salsa verde
1/2 c. fresh chopped cilantro
2 limes, cut into wedges
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, jerk seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper; add chicken and marinate for 5 minutes. In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add chicken without marinade; sear chicken on one side until deep golden brown, then flip chicken and add marinade to pan. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165° and sauce begins to reduce. Turn off heat and set aside. Shred chicken using 2 forks, mixing with pan sauce.
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet in batches. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and wrap to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk heavy cream and cheese until creamy.
Assemble tacos: Top tortillas with shredded cabbage, chicken, salsa, cheese sauce, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
This is from TasteforLife, and can be viewed online here.
Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time;Number of Servings: Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen
Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c thinly sliced red radish
1 c thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 soft corn taco shells
Diced cucumber, for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions:
Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.
Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.
Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.
Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)
To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Notes:
A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.
CHEESEBURGER TACOS
This is from Family Time, and begins, “Cheeseburger tacos are a tasty take on tried-and-true burgers. Try them filled with lettuce, onion and pickle relish and seasoned with savory taco seasoning mix.”
Serves: 6; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound lean lean beef
3/4 cup water
1 packet (1.25-oz.) ORTEGA® Taco Seasoning Mix
8 ounces pasteurized prepared cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
12 ORTEGA® Taco Shells or White Corn Taco Shells, warmed
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups chopped tomato
1 cup sweet pickle relish
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup ORTEGA® Medium Taco Sauce
Directions
Brown beef; drain. Stir in water and seasoning mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Add cheese and mustard; stir until cheese is melted.
Fill taco shells with beef mixture. Top with lettuce, tomato, relish, onion and taco sauce.
ALL AMERICAN BEEF TACO
This is from Alton Brown at the Food Network.
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/all-american-beef-taco-recipe-2014469.
Ingredients
3/4 cup peanut oil
12 (6-inch) yellow corn tortillas
Kosher, for seasoning, plus 1 teaspoon for beef
1 medium onion, chopped
16 ounces ground sirloin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 recipe Taco Potion #19, recipe follows
2/3 cup low-sodium beef broth
6 ounces panela cheese, crumbled
12 pickled jalapeno slices
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, optional
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped, optional
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, optional
Taco Potion #19:
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Special equipment: heavy duty aluminum foil
Directions
Make a taco mold by rolling out aluminum foil and folding it over in 10-inch increments until you have a 4-sheet-thick piece of foil. Fold the large foil square in half horizontally, bringing the bottom to the top, and then turn 90 degrees. Crimp over the top and bottom edges by 1 inch, and then fold over the sides by 1 inch. Place the aluminum foil roll or a narrow rolling pin into the center of the foil square and bring the sides together to create a hollow, narrow tube to mold the taco, making sure it can stand up on the long side.
Heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Heat the peanut oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer, about 5 minutes. Adjust the heat to maintain the temperature.
Shape 1 tortilla around the aluminum foil mold, forming a taco shape. Use tongs to hold up the sides against the mold and put the bottom of the tortilla into the hot oil and fry for 20 seconds. Lay 1 side of the tortilla down in the hot oil and fry for 30 seconds. Flip the tortilla over and fry for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the taco shell to a cooling rack set over a newspaper lined half sheet pan and cool for 30 seconds before removing the mold. Sprinkle the hot tortillas with kosher salt, to taste. Repeat frying procedure with the remaining tortillas. Keep the taco shells warm in the heated oven while preparing the filling.
Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil from the skillet and return to medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook until softened and lightly browned around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, and garlic. Cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to break up the meat. Add Taco Potion and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until sauce is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
Assemble each taco with meat mixture, panela, jalapeno slices, lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Taco Potion #19:
Yield: 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons
Put all of the ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1-1/2 pounds
3 scallions, left whole
1 bay leaf
1 thyme branch
3 black peppercorns
1 allspice berry
2 cloves
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can
1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)
8 fresh corn tortillas
For Garnish:
1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained
Thinly sliced serrano chile
Thinly sliced radishes
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese
Crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Cilantro sprigs
Dried oregano
Lime wedges
Preparation
Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.
Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.
Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.
Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH TACOS WITH CRANBERRY-JALAPENO RELISH
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4-6 servings; Serving Size: 2-3 tacos
Relish adapted from The New York Times
Read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/butternut-squash-tacos-with-cranberry-jalapeno-relish/
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
12 small corn tortillas
2 cups cooked black beans
For the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish:
1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
1 1/2 pounds tart apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a large bowl, toss together the butternut squash, olive oil and salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer and roast until tender, 20-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, apples, sugar and apple cider vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until cranberries start to pop and mixture has thickened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the jalapeño and ginger and remove from heat.
Warm the corn tortillas according to package directions. Serve the tortillas stuffed with the butternut squash and black beans, and topped with the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish.
Notes
Both the butternut squash and relish can be made ahead of time! Just reheat the butternut squash before stuffing it into the tortillas.
JERK CHICKEN TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish. According to the site, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” I’ve checked out The Judy Lab and have one word to say for it: Wow! I recommend checking it out.
This recipe begins, “Give your taco fillings a Caribbean twist.”
Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. white vinegar
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tbsp. jerk seasoning
1 tbsp. brown sugar
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cut into 2" pieces
8 corn tortillas
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 1/2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 c. Shredded cabbage
1 c. salsa verde
1/2 c. fresh chopped cilantro
2 limes, cut into wedges
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, jerk seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper; add chicken and marinate for 5 minutes. In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add chicken without marinade; sear chicken on one side until deep golden brown, then flip chicken and add marinade to pan. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165° and sauce begins to reduce. Turn off heat and set aside. Shred chicken using 2 forks, mixing with pan sauce.
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet in batches. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and wrap to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk heavy cream and cheese until creamy.
Assemble tacos: Top tortillas with shredded cabbage, chicken, salsa, cheese sauce, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
This is from TasteforLife, and can be viewed online here.
Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time;Number of Servings: Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen
Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c thinly sliced red radish
1 c thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 soft corn taco shells
Diced cucumber, for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions:
Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.
Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.
Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.
Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)
To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Notes:
A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.
CHEESEBURGER TACOS
This is from Family Time, and begins, “Cheeseburger tacos are a tasty take on tried-and-true burgers. Try them filled with lettuce, onion and pickle relish and seasoned with savory taco seasoning mix.”
Serves: 6; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound lean lean beef
3/4 cup water
1 packet (1.25-oz.) ORTEGA® Taco Seasoning Mix
8 ounces pasteurized prepared cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
12 ORTEGA® Taco Shells or White Corn Taco Shells, warmed
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups chopped tomato
1 cup sweet pickle relish
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup ORTEGA® Medium Taco Sauce
Directions
Brown beef; drain. Stir in water and seasoning mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Add cheese and mustard; stir until cheese is melted.
Fill taco shells with beef mixture. Top with lettuce, tomato, relish, onion and taco sauce.
ALL AMERICAN BEEF TACO
This is from Alton Brown at the Food Network.
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/all-american-beef-taco-recipe-2014469.
Ingredients
3/4 cup peanut oil
12 (6-inch) yellow corn tortillas
Kosher, for seasoning, plus 1 teaspoon for beef
1 medium onion, chopped
16 ounces ground sirloin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 recipe Taco Potion #19, recipe follows
2/3 cup low-sodium beef broth
6 ounces panela cheese, crumbled
12 pickled jalapeno slices
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, optional
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped, optional
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, optional
Taco Potion #19:
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Special equipment: heavy duty aluminum foil
Directions
Make a taco mold by rolling out aluminum foil and folding it over in 10-inch increments until you have a 4-sheet-thick piece of foil. Fold the large foil square in half horizontally, bringing the bottom to the top, and then turn 90 degrees. Crimp over the top and bottom edges by 1 inch, and then fold over the sides by 1 inch. Place the aluminum foil roll or a narrow rolling pin into the center of the foil square and bring the sides together to create a hollow, narrow tube to mold the taco, making sure it can stand up on the long side.
Heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Heat the peanut oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer, about 5 minutes. Adjust the heat to maintain the temperature.
Shape 1 tortilla around the aluminum foil mold, forming a taco shape. Use tongs to hold up the sides against the mold and put the bottom of the tortilla into the hot oil and fry for 20 seconds. Lay 1 side of the tortilla down in the hot oil and fry for 30 seconds. Flip the tortilla over and fry for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the taco shell to a cooling rack set over a newspaper lined half sheet pan and cool for 30 seconds before removing the mold. Sprinkle the hot tortillas with kosher salt, to taste. Repeat frying procedure with the remaining tortillas. Keep the taco shells warm in the heated oven while preparing the filling.
Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil from the skillet and return to medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook until softened and lightly browned around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, and garlic. Cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to break up the meat. Add Taco Potion and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until sauce is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
Assemble each taco with meat mixture, panela, jalapeno slices, lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Taco Potion #19:
Yield: 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons
Put all of the ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Monday, April 21, 2025
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Chicken & Avocado Burritos and Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells. Enjoy!
CHILI MAC
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.
Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid
8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)
Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving
Preparation
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.
Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, 1/4 cup at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.
FRENCH ONION BURGER
This is from Bush's Beans site, and begins, "Ready to bring your burger game up a notch? Try this quick and easy French Onion Burger recipe. Topped with sautéed onions, Worcestershire sauce, and Gruyere cheese, this is a savory stack the whole family will love. This savory burger with BUSH’S® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans takes less than an hour to make and uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. The burgers can be prepared using a skillet or a grill, making this recipe a staple for any season. To get the most flavor out of this burger, coat your bun of choice with a thin layer of butter and grill it on the same pan you used to sauté the onions. This will create a crispy, flavorful layer to your bun that tastes like the croutons in French Onion Soup. BUSH’S® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are a perfectly sweet complement to this savory entrée."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/bean-recipes/french-onion-burger.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup beef broth
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire
1-1/2 lb lean ground beef
4 slices Gruyere or Swiss cheese
4 hamburger buns
1 can (16 oz) Bush's® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans
Dijon mustard for serving
Directions
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat and sauté onion, stirring occasionally until deep golden, about 25 minutes.
Stir in beef broth, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 teaspoon pepper then cook just until onions are glossy.
Mix beef with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and form into 4 burgers.
Cook burgers in a skillet or grill until cooked to your preferred doneness.
Melt cheese over each burger.
Top burgers with Dijon mustard and serve with heaping spoonfuls of Bush's® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans.
CHICKEN & AVOCADO BURRITOS
This is from Campbell's, and begins, "Chicken & Avocado Burritos stuffed with chicken, avocado, cheese and sour cream, cooked until browned and crisp on the outside? Yes, please! The best part is that with this recipe, you don't have to prep and cook the chicken- canned chicken is the perfect time saver! Learn how to make these chicken burritos. It really couldn't be easier, and it's easy to customize, too! Want to use whole wheat tortillas? Go for it. Is shredded Cheddar cheese your favorite? Use that instead! This Chicken & Avocado Burritos recipe is foolproof, and ready to eat in less than 20 minutes!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/swanson/recipes/chicken-avocado-burritos/.
Ingredients
1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
1/3 cup Pace® Salsa Verde
2 tablespoons light sour cream or plain nonfat Greek yogurt
4 flour tortilla (10-inch), warmed
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lime, cut into quarters
Instructions
Stir the chicken, salsa verde and sour cream in a bowl.
Place the tortillas onto a work surface. Spoon the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado, cheese and cilantro. Fold in two sides of each tortilla and roll up to enclose the filling.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the burritos for 4 minutes. Turn the burritos over and cook for 4 minutes or until hot. Serve with the lime wedges and additional salsa verde, if desired.
THREE-CHEESE BEEF PASTA SHELLS
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "These Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells can be ready to impress in no time at all. Perfect for company and cozy nights at home, this hearty dish only looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. In fact, you can pull stuffed pasta shells with ground beef together with just 25 minutes of prep time, then get the rest of the meal ready while it bakes. These stuffed shells with cream cheese, ground beef, melty cheese and pasta sauce bring a whole new meaning to the term "comfort food." No matter the occasion, nothing satisfies quite like a warm dish of Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic chunky tomato & herb pasta sauce
1/4 cup water
1 container (8 oz) chive and onion cream cheese spread
1-1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
In large bowl, mix pasta sauce and water. Pour 1 cup of the pasta sauce mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. In medium bowl, mix cheese spread, 1 cup of the Italian cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg and cooked beef. Spoon heaping tablespoon mixture into each shell. Arrange stuffed shells over sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over top, covering shells completely. Cover with foil.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese filling is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Italian cheese. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP
Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces
2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.
Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
CHILI MAC
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.
Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid
8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)
Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving
Preparation
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.
Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, 1/4 cup at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.
FRENCH ONION BURGER
This is from Bush's Beans site, and begins, "Ready to bring your burger game up a notch? Try this quick and easy French Onion Burger recipe. Topped with sautéed onions, Worcestershire sauce, and Gruyere cheese, this is a savory stack the whole family will love. This savory burger with BUSH’S® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans takes less than an hour to make and uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. The burgers can be prepared using a skillet or a grill, making this recipe a staple for any season. To get the most flavor out of this burger, coat your bun of choice with a thin layer of butter and grill it on the same pan you used to sauté the onions. This will create a crispy, flavorful layer to your bun that tastes like the croutons in French Onion Soup. BUSH’S® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans are a perfectly sweet complement to this savory entrée."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/bean-recipes/french-onion-burger.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup beef broth
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire
1-1/2 lb lean ground beef
4 slices Gruyere or Swiss cheese
4 hamburger buns
1 can (16 oz) Bush's® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans
Dijon mustard for serving
Directions
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat and sauté onion, stirring occasionally until deep golden, about 25 minutes.
Stir in beef broth, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 teaspoon pepper then cook just until onions are glossy.
Mix beef with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and form into 4 burgers.
Cook burgers in a skillet or grill until cooked to your preferred doneness.
Melt cheese over each burger.
Top burgers with Dijon mustard and serve with heaping spoonfuls of Bush's® Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans.
CHICKEN & AVOCADO BURRITOS
This is from Campbell's, and begins, "Chicken & Avocado Burritos stuffed with chicken, avocado, cheese and sour cream, cooked until browned and crisp on the outside? Yes, please! The best part is that with this recipe, you don't have to prep and cook the chicken- canned chicken is the perfect time saver! Learn how to make these chicken burritos. It really couldn't be easier, and it's easy to customize, too! Want to use whole wheat tortillas? Go for it. Is shredded Cheddar cheese your favorite? Use that instead! This Chicken & Avocado Burritos recipe is foolproof, and ready to eat in less than 20 minutes!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/swanson/recipes/chicken-avocado-burritos/.
Ingredients
1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
1/3 cup Pace® Salsa Verde
2 tablespoons light sour cream or plain nonfat Greek yogurt
4 flour tortilla (10-inch), warmed
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lime, cut into quarters
Instructions
Stir the chicken, salsa verde and sour cream in a bowl.
Place the tortillas onto a work surface. Spoon the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado, cheese and cilantro. Fold in two sides of each tortilla and roll up to enclose the filling.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the burritos for 4 minutes. Turn the burritos over and cook for 4 minutes or until hot. Serve with the lime wedges and additional salsa verde, if desired.
THREE-CHEESE BEEF PASTA SHELLS
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "These Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells can be ready to impress in no time at all. Perfect for company and cozy nights at home, this hearty dish only looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. In fact, you can pull stuffed pasta shells with ground beef together with just 25 minutes of prep time, then get the rest of the meal ready while it bakes. These stuffed shells with cream cheese, ground beef, melty cheese and pasta sauce bring a whole new meaning to the term "comfort food." No matter the occasion, nothing satisfies quite like a warm dish of Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic chunky tomato & herb pasta sauce
1/4 cup water
1 container (8 oz) chive and onion cream cheese spread
1-1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
In large bowl, mix pasta sauce and water. Pour 1 cup of the pasta sauce mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. In medium bowl, mix cheese spread, 1 cup of the Italian cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg and cooked beef. Spoon heaping tablespoon mixture into each shell. Arrange stuffed shells over sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over top, covering shells completely. Cover with foil.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese filling is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Italian cheese. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP
Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces
2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.
Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
Meatless Monday
We're more than half-way through April. Where does the time go?
Here are six recipes to get your week started, including Make-Ahead Creamy Spinach Lasagna and Penne With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Enjoy!
TOFU-SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from PETA's website. Whether you like PETA or not, they do have good vegetarian recipes. This one makes 6 to 8 servings, and can be viewed online at https://www.peta.org/recipes/tofu-spinach-lasagne/.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced fresh basil
2 tsp. salt
4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside.
Place the tofu, sugar, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the spinach.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third of the noodles). Follow with half of the tofu filling. Continue in the same order, using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
MAKE-AHEAD CREAMY SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Whether you have a dinner party on the horizon or just need to plan out a week’s worth of meals, this creamy, veggie-filled lasagna deserves a spot in your freezer. Its flavor is downright impressive, but only you need to know how simple it is to prepare!"
Prep Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/make-ahead-creamy-spinach-lasagna/7beea4bf-5309-4e52-83b3-d204245db470.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups Progresso™ vegetable broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 packages (8 oz each) sliced mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 bags (5 oz each) baby spinach
1 container (15 oz) whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12 oz)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (3 oz)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 oven-ready no-boil lasagna noodles
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk; cook and stir 2 minutes. Slowly beat in broth, whipping cream, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg with whisk. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and any liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually add spinach, stirring constantly, and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 1/4 cups of the cream sauce. Reserve remaining sauce.
In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
To assemble: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 3/4 cup of the sauce into bottom of baking dish. Top with 3 of the lasagna noodles in single layer. Evenly top with 1 cup of the cheese filling and 1 1/3 cups of the spinach mixture. Repeat layers twice, starting with noodles and ending with spinach mixture. For final layer, top with 3 noodles; pour remaining 3/4 cup sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to be able to lift assembled lasagna out of dish.
Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce and spinach mixture 30 to 40 minutes before making cheese filling and assembling lasagna. Stir 2 1/4 cups cream sauce into spinach mixture. Assemble lasagna in dish as directed; cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked lasagna about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen lasagna to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Expert Tips
We used white button mushrooms for this recipe, but if you want a stronger mushroom flavor, try cremini mushrooms.
Using oven-ready lasagna noodles saves time and steps in preparing this dish. You can find them with the other dried pastas in the supermarket.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold fall days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Note: This recipe originally called for “3 cups fat-free chicken broth.” But since this is a vegetarian blog, I substituted vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free vegetable broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
PENNE WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, "This exquisitely simple recipe came to The Times in a 2001 article about Paola di Mauro, an Italian winemaker in Marina, a small town southeast of Rome. She was one of a band of cooks who helped distinguish 'cucina castlinga,' roughly translated as 'housewives' cooking.' From her humble kitchen, Ms. di Mauro mentored some of the best Italian chefs and restaurateurs in the United States, including Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, Piero Selvaggio and Tony May. Her recipe is easy and calls for just five ingredients – cherry tomatoes, olive oil, pecorino romano and penne pasta – but get your hands on the best ingredients you can afford. Ms. di Mauro intended this to serve four as a first course, but if you're making this for dinner, double the recipe."
Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 35 minutes
This was featured in "A Roman Muse For America's Great Chefs," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1778-penne-with-roasted-cherry-tomatoes.
Note: When you get a minute or two, click on the article link above and read the article. I found the article to be interesting reading, and I'm sure you will, too. In fact, if you want to do that now, go for it. I'll wait…(tap, tap, tap)
Ingredients
1 pound small cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 to 3 tablespoons for tossing
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino romano, more for serving
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 pound penne
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line bottom of casserole dish with cherry tomatoes in a single layer, halved side up. Pour oil on top, season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top. Bake until tomatoes have wilted, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with enough sea salt so that water tastes mildly of salt. When tomatoes are just about done, add penne to water and cook until al dente (it should be pliable, but still firm in center). Scoop out about a cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain pasta and add to casserole. Fold tomatoes and pasta together, adding another 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it is dry, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve, passing more grated cheese at the table.
MAQUE CHOUX
This is from Gabrielle Hamilton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Gabrielle wrote, "This classic Cajun side dish is a sweet, hot, juicy, milky, buttery combination of corn, onions and peppers. It’s often cooked in rendered bacon fat and enriched with heavy cream, but this version relies upon only butter and a little water in their place, which allow the ingredients’ flavors to sing more clearly. While it is commonly understood that Fat Equals Flavor, there is a point at which too much fat actually masks complexities in flavors and dulls their vibrancy. Try the maque choux this way and see if you notice how bold and lively it tastes. If you miss the smokiness that bacon imparts, try instead a pinch of smoked paprika stirred in at the end."
Yield: About 1 generous quart; Time: 20 minutes
This was featured in "This Cajun Corn Dish Screams ‘Summer’", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021176-maque-choux.
Note: I highly recommend reading the article ("featured in" link, above). I read it in The New York Times Magazine on Sunday, June 21. Interesting reading.
Ingredients
3 fresh ears of corn, shucked
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 red onion, cut into small dice
2 celery ribs, cut into small dice
Kosher salt
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small poblano pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small serrano chile, very thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Smoked paprika (optional)
Preparation
Working with 1 corn cob at a time, set the ear of corn upright in a medium bowl. Shave the corn from the cob by slicing down the sides using the tip of a sharp chef’s knife, holding the knife almost vertical. (This gives you neat tablets of corn that land squarely in the bowl and keeps the kernels from scattering all over the counter.) Using the back of the knife, scrape each cob to release all the nibs and the “milk” of the kernels into the bowl. Repeat with remaining ears of corn, then snap the cobs in half, and add them to the bowl.
In a large, deep sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat until foaming. Add onion and celery, and season with 1 or 2 pinches of kosher salt. Stir constantly until softened and translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons butter and the bell pepper, poblano and serrano, and stir constantly, adding another pinch of kosher salt, letting the butter melt and the peppers soften and become translucent, about 2 or 3 minutes. You will smell the peppers’ sweetness and their mild capsaicin releasing.
Add the final 3 tablespoons butter and the corn mixture from the bowl, cobs included, and another pinch of kosher salt. Stir constantly to coat with the butter and combine thoroughly.
When everything starts to hiss and sound hot, but isn’t cooking so hard as to take color, add 1/2 cup water and a healthy few grinds of black pepper, and cover the pan for a couple of minutes to steam/shallow braise the mixture.
Remove the lid, and stir well, noticing the corn releasing its liquid and the kernels softening, and the cobs turning somewhat translucent, if however vague. You will notice a general softening and melding together. Return the lid, and let cook a few more minutes, noticing the water evaporating and the remaining liquid reducing and gaining some “body” and gloss. Discard the corn cobs, but do suck them before tossing — those buttery juices make a nice cook’s treat.
Taste for salt, and serve. It should be sweet, spicy, a bit wet and surprisingly complex, given the few ingredients and their ordinariness. If you want a smoky taste, add a good pinch of smoked paprika.
QUICK AND EASY GAME TIME NACHOS
This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Serve up these Quick and Easy Game Time Nachos while you and your family get your game on this fall. Stir Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning Mix into your cheese to add some flavor and serve up over crispy corn tortilla chips with tomatoes and cilantro. Salty, crunchy, cheesy and spicy, all in one bite. These nachos are always a winner for your game day fun."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings
You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-game-time-nachos.
Ingredients
6 oz light prepared cheese product, cut into cubes (from 16 oz loaf)
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz)
3 tablespoons fat-free (skim) milk
1 1/2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ 40% Less-Sodium taco seasoning mix (from 1 oz package)
3 oz baked bite-size tortilla chips (about 64 chips)
1 1/2 cups finely chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (about 5 medium)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
In 1-quart saucepan, heat cheese product, Cheddar cheese, milk and taco seasoning mix over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.
Meanwhile, arrange chips on large serving platter. Pour warm cheese mixture over chips. Top with tomatoes and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
For a fun presentation, vary the color of tortilla chips you use. Choose among red, green white, yellow and blue tortilla chips.
Here are six recipes to get your week started, including Make-Ahead Creamy Spinach Lasagna and Penne With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Enjoy!
TOFU-SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from PETA's website. Whether you like PETA or not, they do have good vegetarian recipes. This one makes 6 to 8 servings, and can be viewed online at https://www.peta.org/recipes/tofu-spinach-lasagne/.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced fresh basil
2 tsp. salt
4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside.
Place the tofu, sugar, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the spinach.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third of the noodles). Follow with half of the tofu filling. Continue in the same order, using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
MAKE-AHEAD CREAMY SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Whether you have a dinner party on the horizon or just need to plan out a week’s worth of meals, this creamy, veggie-filled lasagna deserves a spot in your freezer. Its flavor is downright impressive, but only you need to know how simple it is to prepare!"
Prep Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/make-ahead-creamy-spinach-lasagna/7beea4bf-5309-4e52-83b3-d204245db470.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups Progresso™ vegetable broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 packages (8 oz each) sliced mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 bags (5 oz each) baby spinach
1 container (15 oz) whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12 oz)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (3 oz)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 oven-ready no-boil lasagna noodles
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk; cook and stir 2 minutes. Slowly beat in broth, whipping cream, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg with whisk. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and any liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually add spinach, stirring constantly, and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 1/4 cups of the cream sauce. Reserve remaining sauce.
In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
To assemble: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 3/4 cup of the sauce into bottom of baking dish. Top with 3 of the lasagna noodles in single layer. Evenly top with 1 cup of the cheese filling and 1 1/3 cups of the spinach mixture. Repeat layers twice, starting with noodles and ending with spinach mixture. For final layer, top with 3 noodles; pour remaining 3/4 cup sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to be able to lift assembled lasagna out of dish.
Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce and spinach mixture 30 to 40 minutes before making cheese filling and assembling lasagna. Stir 2 1/4 cups cream sauce into spinach mixture. Assemble lasagna in dish as directed; cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked lasagna about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen lasagna to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Expert Tips
We used white button mushrooms for this recipe, but if you want a stronger mushroom flavor, try cremini mushrooms.
Using oven-ready lasagna noodles saves time and steps in preparing this dish. You can find them with the other dried pastas in the supermarket.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold fall days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Note: This recipe originally called for “3 cups fat-free chicken broth.” But since this is a vegetarian blog, I substituted vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free vegetable broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
PENNE WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, "This exquisitely simple recipe came to The Times in a 2001 article about Paola di Mauro, an Italian winemaker in Marina, a small town southeast of Rome. She was one of a band of cooks who helped distinguish 'cucina castlinga,' roughly translated as 'housewives' cooking.' From her humble kitchen, Ms. di Mauro mentored some of the best Italian chefs and restaurateurs in the United States, including Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, Piero Selvaggio and Tony May. Her recipe is easy and calls for just five ingredients – cherry tomatoes, olive oil, pecorino romano and penne pasta – but get your hands on the best ingredients you can afford. Ms. di Mauro intended this to serve four as a first course, but if you're making this for dinner, double the recipe."
Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 35 minutes
This was featured in "A Roman Muse For America's Great Chefs," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1778-penne-with-roasted-cherry-tomatoes.
Note: When you get a minute or two, click on the article link above and read the article. I found the article to be interesting reading, and I'm sure you will, too. In fact, if you want to do that now, go for it. I'll wait…(tap, tap, tap)
Ingredients
1 pound small cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 to 3 tablespoons for tossing
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino romano, more for serving
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 pound penne
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line bottom of casserole dish with cherry tomatoes in a single layer, halved side up. Pour oil on top, season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top. Bake until tomatoes have wilted, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with enough sea salt so that water tastes mildly of salt. When tomatoes are just about done, add penne to water and cook until al dente (it should be pliable, but still firm in center). Scoop out about a cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain pasta and add to casserole. Fold tomatoes and pasta together, adding another 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it is dry, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve, passing more grated cheese at the table.
MAQUE CHOUX
This is from Gabrielle Hamilton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Gabrielle wrote, "This classic Cajun side dish is a sweet, hot, juicy, milky, buttery combination of corn, onions and peppers. It’s often cooked in rendered bacon fat and enriched with heavy cream, but this version relies upon only butter and a little water in their place, which allow the ingredients’ flavors to sing more clearly. While it is commonly understood that Fat Equals Flavor, there is a point at which too much fat actually masks complexities in flavors and dulls their vibrancy. Try the maque choux this way and see if you notice how bold and lively it tastes. If you miss the smokiness that bacon imparts, try instead a pinch of smoked paprika stirred in at the end."
Yield: About 1 generous quart; Time: 20 minutes
This was featured in "This Cajun Corn Dish Screams ‘Summer’", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021176-maque-choux.
Note: I highly recommend reading the article ("featured in" link, above). I read it in The New York Times Magazine on Sunday, June 21. Interesting reading.
Ingredients
3 fresh ears of corn, shucked
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 red onion, cut into small dice
2 celery ribs, cut into small dice
Kosher salt
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small poblano pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small serrano chile, very thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Smoked paprika (optional)
Preparation
Working with 1 corn cob at a time, set the ear of corn upright in a medium bowl. Shave the corn from the cob by slicing down the sides using the tip of a sharp chef’s knife, holding the knife almost vertical. (This gives you neat tablets of corn that land squarely in the bowl and keeps the kernels from scattering all over the counter.) Using the back of the knife, scrape each cob to release all the nibs and the “milk” of the kernels into the bowl. Repeat with remaining ears of corn, then snap the cobs in half, and add them to the bowl.
In a large, deep sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat until foaming. Add onion and celery, and season with 1 or 2 pinches of kosher salt. Stir constantly until softened and translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons butter and the bell pepper, poblano and serrano, and stir constantly, adding another pinch of kosher salt, letting the butter melt and the peppers soften and become translucent, about 2 or 3 minutes. You will smell the peppers’ sweetness and their mild capsaicin releasing.
Add the final 3 tablespoons butter and the corn mixture from the bowl, cobs included, and another pinch of kosher salt. Stir constantly to coat with the butter and combine thoroughly.
When everything starts to hiss and sound hot, but isn’t cooking so hard as to take color, add 1/2 cup water and a healthy few grinds of black pepper, and cover the pan for a couple of minutes to steam/shallow braise the mixture.
Remove the lid, and stir well, noticing the corn releasing its liquid and the kernels softening, and the cobs turning somewhat translucent, if however vague. You will notice a general softening and melding together. Return the lid, and let cook a few more minutes, noticing the water evaporating and the remaining liquid reducing and gaining some “body” and gloss. Discard the corn cobs, but do suck them before tossing — those buttery juices make a nice cook’s treat.
Taste for salt, and serve. It should be sweet, spicy, a bit wet and surprisingly complex, given the few ingredients and their ordinariness. If you want a smoky taste, add a good pinch of smoked paprika.
QUICK AND EASY GAME TIME NACHOS
This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Serve up these Quick and Easy Game Time Nachos while you and your family get your game on this fall. Stir Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning Mix into your cheese to add some flavor and serve up over crispy corn tortilla chips with tomatoes and cilantro. Salty, crunchy, cheesy and spicy, all in one bite. These nachos are always a winner for your game day fun."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings
You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-game-time-nachos.
Ingredients
6 oz light prepared cheese product, cut into cubes (from 16 oz loaf)
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz)
3 tablespoons fat-free (skim) milk
1 1/2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ 40% Less-Sodium taco seasoning mix (from 1 oz package)
3 oz baked bite-size tortilla chips (about 64 chips)
1 1/2 cups finely chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (about 5 medium)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
In 1-quart saucepan, heat cheese product, Cheddar cheese, milk and taco seasoning mix over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.
Meanwhile, arrange chips on large serving platter. Pour warm cheese mixture over chips. Top with tomatoes and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
For a fun presentation, vary the color of tortilla chips you use. Choose among red, green white, yellow and blue tortilla chips.
Friday, April 18, 2025
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Whether you've got plans for a full weekend, or plan to just take it easy, we still need to eat. Therefore, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Rancher's Meatloaf, Chicken and Avocado Burritos, and Beef Meatball Calzone. Enjoy!
TURKEY AND VEGGIE ALFREDO POT PIE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Let help you give a new look to your holiday leftovers. This creamy vegetable and turkey casserole is easy to make for busy days. "
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 5
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 bag (12 oz) frozen broccoli, carrots, cauliflower & cheese sauce
1 tablespoon butter1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cans (6 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits (5 Count)
2 tablespoons shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook frozen vegetables as directed on bag for minimum time.
Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Cook onion and bell pepper in butter about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in Alfredo sauce, turkey, cooked vegetables with sauce, basil and black pepper. Cook until mixture is thoroughly heated and bubbly, stirring constantly. Spoon into baking dish.Separate dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each biscuit in half crosswise. Arrange around edge of baking dish, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.
BEEF MEATBALL CALZONE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Meet the ultimate craveable comfort food! These incredible beef calzones blend all the best parts of pizza—melty cheese, savory meatballs, and delicious sauce—into a portable, golden-brown pocket that seriously ups the fun factor. Our simple beef calzone recipe is a fun and easy way to bring those amazing flavors together in a meal that's perfect for a casual dinner or game day snack."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick™ Original Pancake & Baking Mix
2/3 cup hot water
Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour, for dusting
1/4 cup marinara sauce
1/2 lb frozen beef meatballs, thawed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Olive oil, for brushing the dough
Instructions
Heat oven to 450ºF. In a large bowl, combine the Bisquick and hot water. Stir until a dough is formed. Cover and rest for 5 minutes.
On a surface dusted with flour, roll the dough into a 10-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
On one half of the circle, evenly spread the marinara. Top the marinara with the meatball pieces and cover with the mozzarella.
Fold the other half of the dough over the toppings to form a semicircle, and press the edges together to seal the calzone. Brush the calzone with olive oil.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer the calzone to a wire rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
CURRY ROASTED HALF CHICKEN AND PEPPERS
This is from Genevieve Ko in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Genevieve wrote, "A half chicken, cut right between the breasts and back, is sold in most supermarkets and just what you want when cooking for one, offering both light and dark meat, and the juiciness that comes with all the bones. After it cooks — quickly, relative to a whole bird — it leaves you with two meals or one very hearty dinner. Here, this curry-rubbed chicken roasts over peppers and onion, which release their natural sweetness into the pan juices. It’s great over rice or with bread, and leftovers can be simmered with coconut milk for a stewed curry, or chopped and mixed with mayonnaise for a chicken salad sandwich."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 1 to 2 servings
This was featured in "Cooking for One Can be Fun, Easy, and Delicious. Here's How." You can view the recipe at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025395-curry-roasted-half-chicken-and-peppers.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
2 tablespoons Madras or yellow curry powder
3 sweet bell peppers (red, orange and yellow), diced
1 large onion, diced
Salt and black pepper
1 whole half chicken (about 1-1/2 pounds), patted dry with paper towels
Lemon or lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
In a small bowl, mix the oil, garlic and curry powder. Toss the peppers and onion with 2 tablespoons of the curry oil. Spread in an even layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Set the chicken over the vegetables and rub the remaining curry oil all over the bird and under the breast skin. Sprinkle the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
Roast until the chicken juices run clear when you stab the drumstick with a paring knife, about 35 minutes. If you’d like, squeeze lemon or lime juice all over before serving.
CHICKEN & AVOCADO BURRITOS
This is from Campbell's, and begins, "Chicken & Avocado Burritos stuffed with chicken, avocado, cheese and sour cream, cooked until browned and crisp on the outside? Yes, please! The best part is that with this recipe, you don't have to prep and cook the chicken- canned chicken is the perfect time saver! Learn how to make these chicken burritos. It really couldn't be easier, and it's easy to customize, too! Want to use whole wheat tortillas? Go for it. Is shredded Cheddar cheese your favorite? Use that instead! This Chicken & Avocado Burritos recipe is foolproof, and ready to eat in less than 20 minutes!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/swanson/recipes/chicken-avocado-burritos/.
Ingredients
1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
1/3 cup Pace® Salsa Verde
2 tablespoons light sour cream or plain nonfat Greek yogurt
4 flour tortilla (10-inch), warmed
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lime, cut into quarters
Instructions
Stir the chicken, salsa verde and sour cream in a bowl.
Place the tortillas onto a work surface. Spoon the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado, cheese and cilantro. Fold in two sides of each tortilla and roll up to enclose the filling.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the burritos for 4 minutes. Turn the burritos over and cook for 4 minutes or until hot. Serve with the lime wedges and additional salsa verde, if desired.
RANCHER'S MEATLOAF
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Take your taste buds down to the ranch with this easy recipe for Rancher's Meatloaf. Filled with barbecue flavor, fiber-filled black beans, and good-for-ya veggies, this is one meatloaf that'll really get you saying, 'Yeehaw!'"
Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Beef/Ranchers-Meatloaf.
Ingredients
2 pounds extra lean ground beef
1 (8-1/4-ounce) can julienne carrots, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup cornflake crumbs
3 tablespoons minced onion
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons low-carb barbecue sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, carrots, black beans, cornflake crumbs, minced onion, egg substitute, and pepper; mix well. Place in loaf pan. Spread barbecue sauce evenly over top.
Bake 1-1/2 hours, or until no pink remains. Allow to sit 5 minutes. Pour off excess liquid, if any, then slice and serve.
TURKEY AND VEGGIE ALFREDO POT PIE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Let help you give a new look to your holiday leftovers. This creamy vegetable and turkey casserole is easy to make for busy days. "
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 5
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 bag (12 oz) frozen broccoli, carrots, cauliflower & cheese sauce
1 tablespoon butter1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cans (6 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits (5 Count)
2 tablespoons shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook frozen vegetables as directed on bag for minimum time.
Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Cook onion and bell pepper in butter about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in Alfredo sauce, turkey, cooked vegetables with sauce, basil and black pepper. Cook until mixture is thoroughly heated and bubbly, stirring constantly. Spoon into baking dish.Separate dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each biscuit in half crosswise. Arrange around edge of baking dish, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.
BEEF MEATBALL CALZONE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Meet the ultimate craveable comfort food! These incredible beef calzones blend all the best parts of pizza—melty cheese, savory meatballs, and delicious sauce—into a portable, golden-brown pocket that seriously ups the fun factor. Our simple beef calzone recipe is a fun and easy way to bring those amazing flavors together in a meal that's perfect for a casual dinner or game day snack."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick™ Original Pancake & Baking Mix
2/3 cup hot water
Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour, for dusting
1/4 cup marinara sauce
1/2 lb frozen beef meatballs, thawed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Olive oil, for brushing the dough
Instructions
Heat oven to 450ºF. In a large bowl, combine the Bisquick and hot water. Stir until a dough is formed. Cover and rest for 5 minutes.
On a surface dusted with flour, roll the dough into a 10-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
On one half of the circle, evenly spread the marinara. Top the marinara with the meatball pieces and cover with the mozzarella.
Fold the other half of the dough over the toppings to form a semicircle, and press the edges together to seal the calzone. Brush the calzone with olive oil.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer the calzone to a wire rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
CURRY ROASTED HALF CHICKEN AND PEPPERS
This is from Genevieve Ko in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Genevieve wrote, "A half chicken, cut right between the breasts and back, is sold in most supermarkets and just what you want when cooking for one, offering both light and dark meat, and the juiciness that comes with all the bones. After it cooks — quickly, relative to a whole bird — it leaves you with two meals or one very hearty dinner. Here, this curry-rubbed chicken roasts over peppers and onion, which release their natural sweetness into the pan juices. It’s great over rice or with bread, and leftovers can be simmered with coconut milk for a stewed curry, or chopped and mixed with mayonnaise for a chicken salad sandwich."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 1 to 2 servings
This was featured in "Cooking for One Can be Fun, Easy, and Delicious. Here's How." You can view the recipe at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025395-curry-roasted-half-chicken-and-peppers.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
2 tablespoons Madras or yellow curry powder
3 sweet bell peppers (red, orange and yellow), diced
1 large onion, diced
Salt and black pepper
1 whole half chicken (about 1-1/2 pounds), patted dry with paper towels
Lemon or lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
In a small bowl, mix the oil, garlic and curry powder. Toss the peppers and onion with 2 tablespoons of the curry oil. Spread in an even layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Set the chicken over the vegetables and rub the remaining curry oil all over the bird and under the breast skin. Sprinkle the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
Roast until the chicken juices run clear when you stab the drumstick with a paring knife, about 35 minutes. If you’d like, squeeze lemon or lime juice all over before serving.
CHICKEN & AVOCADO BURRITOS
This is from Campbell's, and begins, "Chicken & Avocado Burritos stuffed with chicken, avocado, cheese and sour cream, cooked until browned and crisp on the outside? Yes, please! The best part is that with this recipe, you don't have to prep and cook the chicken- canned chicken is the perfect time saver! Learn how to make these chicken burritos. It really couldn't be easier, and it's easy to customize, too! Want to use whole wheat tortillas? Go for it. Is shredded Cheddar cheese your favorite? Use that instead! This Chicken & Avocado Burritos recipe is foolproof, and ready to eat in less than 20 minutes!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/swanson/recipes/chicken-avocado-burritos/.
Ingredients
1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
1/3 cup Pace® Salsa Verde
2 tablespoons light sour cream or plain nonfat Greek yogurt
4 flour tortilla (10-inch), warmed
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lime, cut into quarters
Instructions
Stir the chicken, salsa verde and sour cream in a bowl.
Place the tortillas onto a work surface. Spoon the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado, cheese and cilantro. Fold in two sides of each tortilla and roll up to enclose the filling.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the burritos for 4 minutes. Turn the burritos over and cook for 4 minutes or until hot. Serve with the lime wedges and additional salsa verde, if desired.
RANCHER'S MEATLOAF
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Take your taste buds down to the ranch with this easy recipe for Rancher's Meatloaf. Filled with barbecue flavor, fiber-filled black beans, and good-for-ya veggies, this is one meatloaf that'll really get you saying, 'Yeehaw!'"
Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Beef/Ranchers-Meatloaf.
Ingredients
2 pounds extra lean ground beef
1 (8-1/4-ounce) can julienne carrots, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup cornflake crumbs
3 tablespoons minced onion
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons low-carb barbecue sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, carrots, black beans, cornflake crumbs, minced onion, egg substitute, and pepper; mix well. Place in loaf pan. Spread barbecue sauce evenly over top.
Bake 1-1/2 hours, or until no pink remains. Allow to sit 5 minutes. Pour off excess liquid, if any, then slice and serve.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Bread
Years ago, I used to make homemade bread at least once a week. It always tasted wonderful, made the house smell good, and was a hit, no matter who ate any of it.
Unfortunately, I've slowed down some on baking homemade bread, though I do attempt to bake some maybe once a month.
That said, here are six yummy bread recipes (including cornbread and biscuits) to help you through the day. Check out the Texas Moppin’ Rolls, the No-Knead Bread, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!
ALL-PURPOSE BISCUITS
This is from Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Sam wrote, "Homemade biscuits are what take us into the kitchen today to cook: fat, flaky mounds of quick bread, golden brown, with a significant crumb. Composed of flour, baking powder, fat and a liquid, then baked in a hot oven, they are an excellent sop for syrup, molasses or honey. They are marvelous layered with country ham or smothered in white sausage gravy, with eggs, with grits. They make a great Thanksgiving side. And if you've never made them before, you'll be delighted to know that biscuits are easy to make. Really. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "A Quest for New York’s Perfect Biscuit," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013741-all-purpose-biscuits. While you're at it, sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter. I highly recommend doing so, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 scant tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, preferably European style
1 cup whole milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a food processor. Cut butter into pats and add to flour, then pulse 5 or 6 times until the mixture resembles rough crumbs. (Alternatively, cut butter into flour in the mixing bowl using a fork or a pastry cutter.) Return dough to bowl, add milk and stir with a fork until it forms a rough ball.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and pat it down into a rough rectangle, about an inch thick. Fold it over and gently pat it down again. Repeat two more times. Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
Gently pat out the dough some more, so that the rectangle is roughly 10 inches by 6 inches. Cut dough into biscuits using a floured biscuit cutter (or even a glass, though its duller edge may result in slightly less tall biscuits). Do not twist cutter when cutting; this crimps the edges of the biscuit and impedes its rise.
Place biscuits on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
EGG CINNAMON BREAD
I've been making this for years – actually, for decades – and almost always gotten rave reviews on this recipe. It got to the point that several people have specifically requested this recipe – and, if I'm visiting, it's pretty much expected that I'll bake up a batch. This recipe makes three loaves.
Ingredients
2 envelopes yeast
1 C warm water
1-2 T honey
1 C milk (Note: 1 cup soy milk can be used in place of the milk)
1/2 C margarine (1 stick)
2 eggs, beaten
6-7 C unbleached white flour
1/4 to 1/2 C margarine (1/2 to 1 stick)
2-3 C cinnamon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
Stir honey into warm water. Stir in yeast. Set aside.
Heat milk until warm. Pour into large bowl and add 1/2 C margarine, cut into 4 pieces. Stir, allowing margarine to melt. Cool to room temperature. Stir in salt, yeast mixture and eggs. Add flour, 2 cups at a time until stiff. Place dough on floured towel and knead for 4-5 minutes.
Wash and dry bowl. Oil dough, place in bowl, cover with clean towel and place out of draft in a warm place. Allow to rise for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, until double.
Melt 1/4 to 1/2 C margarine. Grease 3 loaf pans. Punch dough down, then divide into three sections. Roll out with rolling pin, then brush with melted margarine. Spread cinnamon sugar over melted margarine, then roll all three sections into loaves. Place in pans, place clean towel over pans, and allow to rise again for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
Remove towel, then place loaf pans into preheated 350 degree F oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
BROWNED BUTTER JALAPENO CORNBREAD
This incomes from the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Renew by UnitedHealthcare, page 26. It begins, "Browned butter adds nutty depth and jalapeno adds a kick to this classic crowd-pleaser, made mildly sweet with honey and moist with yogurt." Makes 9 servings
Ingredients
1/4 cup better
1/3 cup honey
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams, then turns to a toasty brown color, about 2 minutes. Remove rom heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the browned butter to a 9X9 inch baking pan, swirling to coat the bottom.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining butter, honey, egg, yogurt and milk, whisking to combine.
Add the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking powder all at once. Stir together only until combined. Stir in the halapeno. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve warm.
Nutrition: Calories: 207, Total Fat: 6.6 g; Saturated Fat: 3.8 g; Cholesterol: 36.5 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Carbs: 33.6 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g; Protein: 4.3 g
NO-KNEAD BREAD
This is from Jim Lahey and adapted by Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipes, Mark wrote, "Here is one of the most popular recipes The Times has ever published, courtesy of Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan Street Bakery. It requires no kneading. It uses no special ingredients, equipment or techniques. And it takes very little effort — only time. You will need 24 hours to create the bread, but much of this is unattended waiting, a slow fermentation of the dough that results in a perfect loaf. (We've updated the recipe to reflect changes Mark Bittman made to the recipe in 2006 after publishing and receiving reader feedback. The original recipe called for 3 cups flour; we've adjusted it to call for 3-1/3 cups flour.) In 2021, J. Kenji López-Alt revisited the recipe and shared his own tweaked version."
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hour 30 minutes, plus about 20 hours resting time; Yield: One 1-1/2-pound loaf
This was featured in "Three Recipes to Savor to the Last Crumb," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11376-no-knead-bread.
Ingredients
3-1/3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more for dusting
Generous 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran, as needed
Preparation
In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1-1/2 cups/345 grams water and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.
Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.
Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.
At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is OK. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.
TEXAS MOPPIN' ROLLS
Yield: 12 rolls.
I frequently make these (from Breaking Bread with Father Dominic) to go with chili or homemade spaghetti. Definitely yummy!
Ingredients
2 packages Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast
1 teaspoon honey
2 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1/2 cup minced onion
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
6 1/2 to 7 cups all-purpose flour, divided
Directions:
Combine yeast, honey and warm water in large bowl; stir until completely dissolved. Add salt, hot red pepper flakes, onion, Monterey Jack cheese and Cheddar cheese; stir until thoroughly mixed. Add 6 cups of the flour, 2 cups at a time, mixing after each addition until the flour is completely incorporated.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 6 to 8 minutes, adding enough of remaining flour to form a fairly stiff dough. Rinse and dry the bowl, then oil surface of dough and place dough in bowl. Cover with a clean, dry cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place about 1 hour, or until doubled.
Punch down dough. Knead briefly to expel large air bubbles. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a fat oval. Place rolls in a lightly greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan (three rolls across, four down). Let rise about 20 minutes, or until nearly doubled.
While rolls are rising, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place on middle rack of oven and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until top crust is browned. Remove rolls from pan and let cool on racks.
Note: "With so many different palates to please, our abbey cooks are usually pretty cautious about spicy seasonings. As a result, sometimes monastery food is a bit bland, so I like to create breads with strong flavors. Every time I serve these rolls, one of the brothers is sure to comment on how he expected "just another roll" and got a mouthful of pepper-and-cheese-bread-with-an-attitude. These rolls are actually pretty mild compared to a lot of Tex-Mex food, so feel free to increase the amount of crushed red pepper.
"I used ordinary dried crushed red pepper (hot red pepper flakes) for this recipe, but if you keep fresh jalapenos or other hot peppers in the fridge, by all means use them. Three 3-inch jalapenos, minced fine, provide moderate heat. You can experiment with other peppers as well." (All notes after the recipes are Father Dominic's notes.)
MAGIC CATERPILLAR PEANUT BUTTER BREAD
Years ago, I got hooked on Breaking Bread with Father Dominic on (if I remember correctly) the local PBS station. Unfortunately, the show has since left the air, at least where I live. However, you might be able to check out a few episodes by Google-ing his name for the latest places that show him, or on YouTube. Check out his website, The Bread Monk, at http://www.breadmonk.com/. This recipe yields 1 loaf.
Ingredients
1 package Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
For decoration: tubes of colored frosting, candies, gumdrops, licorice, etc.
Directions:
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl; stir to dissolve yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes, or until foamy.
Combine milk, peanut butter, sugar and salt in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Let cool to lukewarm, then add to yeast mixture. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until flour is thoroughly incorporated.
Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 5 minutes, adding small amounts of the remaining flour as needed to keep dough manageable. Rinse and dry bowl, then lightly oil surface of dough and place dough in bowl. Cover with a dry cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 1 hour.
Punch down dough. Knead briefly to expel large air bubbles. Roll dough into a rope about 24 inches long. Form rope into a large S shape on a lightly greased 18x12-inch baking sheet. Using a butter knife or dough scraper, chop rope into 3-inch sections, but do not separate completely. Cover with a cloth and let rise about 30 minutes. (The caterpillar will magically grow back together during rising and baking.)
About 15 minutes before end of rising time, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake loaf 25 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Let cool on baking sheet 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate cooled loaf with frosting and gumdrops or other candy. Poke holes in the sides with a wooden pick and insert sections of licorice for legs.
Note: Decorating gel doesn't work as well as frosting as a glue for the candy decorations, so make sure you pick up the right tube at the store. Any candies will work to make spots for the caterpillar's sections. Thin red licorice makes the perfect legs and antennae, unless you know your youngsters prefer the flavor of black licorice.
Unfortunately, I've slowed down some on baking homemade bread, though I do attempt to bake some maybe once a month.
That said, here are six yummy bread recipes (including cornbread and biscuits) to help you through the day. Check out the Texas Moppin’ Rolls, the No-Knead Bread, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!
ALL-PURPOSE BISCUITS
This is from Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Sam wrote, "Homemade biscuits are what take us into the kitchen today to cook: fat, flaky mounds of quick bread, golden brown, with a significant crumb. Composed of flour, baking powder, fat and a liquid, then baked in a hot oven, they are an excellent sop for syrup, molasses or honey. They are marvelous layered with country ham or smothered in white sausage gravy, with eggs, with grits. They make a great Thanksgiving side. And if you've never made them before, you'll be delighted to know that biscuits are easy to make. Really. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "A Quest for New York’s Perfect Biscuit," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013741-all-purpose-biscuits. While you're at it, sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter. I highly recommend doing so, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 scant tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, preferably European style
1 cup whole milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a food processor. Cut butter into pats and add to flour, then pulse 5 or 6 times until the mixture resembles rough crumbs. (Alternatively, cut butter into flour in the mixing bowl using a fork or a pastry cutter.) Return dough to bowl, add milk and stir with a fork until it forms a rough ball.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and pat it down into a rough rectangle, about an inch thick. Fold it over and gently pat it down again. Repeat two more times. Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
Gently pat out the dough some more, so that the rectangle is roughly 10 inches by 6 inches. Cut dough into biscuits using a floured biscuit cutter (or even a glass, though its duller edge may result in slightly less tall biscuits). Do not twist cutter when cutting; this crimps the edges of the biscuit and impedes its rise.
Place biscuits on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
EGG CINNAMON BREAD
I've been making this for years – actually, for decades – and almost always gotten rave reviews on this recipe. It got to the point that several people have specifically requested this recipe – and, if I'm visiting, it's pretty much expected that I'll bake up a batch. This recipe makes three loaves.
Ingredients
2 envelopes yeast
1 C warm water
1-2 T honey
1 C milk (Note: 1 cup soy milk can be used in place of the milk)
1/2 C margarine (1 stick)
2 eggs, beaten
6-7 C unbleached white flour
1/4 to 1/2 C margarine (1/2 to 1 stick)
2-3 C cinnamon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
Stir honey into warm water. Stir in yeast. Set aside.
Heat milk until warm. Pour into large bowl and add 1/2 C margarine, cut into 4 pieces. Stir, allowing margarine to melt. Cool to room temperature. Stir in salt, yeast mixture and eggs. Add flour, 2 cups at a time until stiff. Place dough on floured towel and knead for 4-5 minutes.
Wash and dry bowl. Oil dough, place in bowl, cover with clean towel and place out of draft in a warm place. Allow to rise for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, until double.
Melt 1/4 to 1/2 C margarine. Grease 3 loaf pans. Punch dough down, then divide into three sections. Roll out with rolling pin, then brush with melted margarine. Spread cinnamon sugar over melted margarine, then roll all three sections into loaves. Place in pans, place clean towel over pans, and allow to rise again for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
Remove towel, then place loaf pans into preheated 350 degree F oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
BROWNED BUTTER JALAPENO CORNBREAD
This incomes from the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Renew by UnitedHealthcare, page 26. It begins, "Browned butter adds nutty depth and jalapeno adds a kick to this classic crowd-pleaser, made mildly sweet with honey and moist with yogurt." Makes 9 servings
Ingredients
1/4 cup better
1/3 cup honey
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams, then turns to a toasty brown color, about 2 minutes. Remove rom heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the browned butter to a 9X9 inch baking pan, swirling to coat the bottom.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining butter, honey, egg, yogurt and milk, whisking to combine.
Add the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking powder all at once. Stir together only until combined. Stir in the halapeno. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve warm.
Nutrition: Calories: 207, Total Fat: 6.6 g; Saturated Fat: 3.8 g; Cholesterol: 36.5 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Carbs: 33.6 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g; Protein: 4.3 g
NO-KNEAD BREAD
This is from Jim Lahey and adapted by Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipes, Mark wrote, "Here is one of the most popular recipes The Times has ever published, courtesy of Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan Street Bakery. It requires no kneading. It uses no special ingredients, equipment or techniques. And it takes very little effort — only time. You will need 24 hours to create the bread, but much of this is unattended waiting, a slow fermentation of the dough that results in a perfect loaf. (We've updated the recipe to reflect changes Mark Bittman made to the recipe in 2006 after publishing and receiving reader feedback. The original recipe called for 3 cups flour; we've adjusted it to call for 3-1/3 cups flour.) In 2021, J. Kenji López-Alt revisited the recipe and shared his own tweaked version."
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hour 30 minutes, plus about 20 hours resting time; Yield: One 1-1/2-pound loaf
This was featured in "Three Recipes to Savor to the Last Crumb," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11376-no-knead-bread.
Ingredients
3-1/3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more for dusting
Generous 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran, as needed
Preparation
In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1-1/2 cups/345 grams water and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.
Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.
Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.
At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is OK. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.
TEXAS MOPPIN' ROLLS
Yield: 12 rolls.
I frequently make these (from Breaking Bread with Father Dominic) to go with chili or homemade spaghetti. Definitely yummy!
Ingredients
2 packages Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast
1 teaspoon honey
2 cups lukewarm water
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1/2 cup minced onion
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
6 1/2 to 7 cups all-purpose flour, divided
Directions:
Combine yeast, honey and warm water in large bowl; stir until completely dissolved. Add salt, hot red pepper flakes, onion, Monterey Jack cheese and Cheddar cheese; stir until thoroughly mixed. Add 6 cups of the flour, 2 cups at a time, mixing after each addition until the flour is completely incorporated.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 6 to 8 minutes, adding enough of remaining flour to form a fairly stiff dough. Rinse and dry the bowl, then oil surface of dough and place dough in bowl. Cover with a clean, dry cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place about 1 hour, or until doubled.
Punch down dough. Knead briefly to expel large air bubbles. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a fat oval. Place rolls in a lightly greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan (three rolls across, four down). Let rise about 20 minutes, or until nearly doubled.
While rolls are rising, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place on middle rack of oven and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until top crust is browned. Remove rolls from pan and let cool on racks.
Note: "With so many different palates to please, our abbey cooks are usually pretty cautious about spicy seasonings. As a result, sometimes monastery food is a bit bland, so I like to create breads with strong flavors. Every time I serve these rolls, one of the brothers is sure to comment on how he expected "just another roll" and got a mouthful of pepper-and-cheese-bread-with-an-attitude. These rolls are actually pretty mild compared to a lot of Tex-Mex food, so feel free to increase the amount of crushed red pepper.
"I used ordinary dried crushed red pepper (hot red pepper flakes) for this recipe, but if you keep fresh jalapenos or other hot peppers in the fridge, by all means use them. Three 3-inch jalapenos, minced fine, provide moderate heat. You can experiment with other peppers as well." (All notes after the recipes are Father Dominic's notes.)
MAGIC CATERPILLAR PEANUT BUTTER BREAD
Years ago, I got hooked on Breaking Bread with Father Dominic on (if I remember correctly) the local PBS station. Unfortunately, the show has since left the air, at least where I live. However, you might be able to check out a few episodes by Google-ing his name for the latest places that show him, or on YouTube. Check out his website, The Bread Monk, at http://www.breadmonk.com/. This recipe yields 1 loaf.
Ingredients
1 package Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
For decoration: tubes of colored frosting, candies, gumdrops, licorice, etc.
Directions:
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl; stir to dissolve yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes, or until foamy.
Combine milk, peanut butter, sugar and salt in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Let cool to lukewarm, then add to yeast mixture. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until flour is thoroughly incorporated.
Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 5 minutes, adding small amounts of the remaining flour as needed to keep dough manageable. Rinse and dry bowl, then lightly oil surface of dough and place dough in bowl. Cover with a dry cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 1 hour.
Punch down dough. Knead briefly to expel large air bubbles. Roll dough into a rope about 24 inches long. Form rope into a large S shape on a lightly greased 18x12-inch baking sheet. Using a butter knife or dough scraper, chop rope into 3-inch sections, but do not separate completely. Cover with a cloth and let rise about 30 minutes. (The caterpillar will magically grow back together during rising and baking.)
About 15 minutes before end of rising time, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake loaf 25 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Let cool on baking sheet 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate cooled loaf with frosting and gumdrops or other candy. Poke holes in the sides with a wooden pick and insert sections of licorice for legs.
Note: Decorating gel doesn't work as well as frosting as a glue for the candy decorations, so make sure you pick up the right tube at the store. Any candies will work to make spots for the caterpillar's sections. Thin red licorice makes the perfect legs and antennae, unless you know your youngsters prefer the flavor of black licorice.
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