It's finally Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Rhubarb-Strawberry Refrigerator Cake and Half-Hour Chili. Enjoy!
TOFU FRENCH TOAST
This recipe, as well as the next one (Maple Nut Granola) comes from Compassion Over Killing, and can be found in the breakfast section of their
Easy Vegan Recipes.
You can request (or download) Compassion Over Killing's free Easy Vegan Recipes booklet here.
Makes 6-8 pieces
Ingredients
8 ounces silken tofu
1/2 cup dairy-free milk
1 teaspoon agave or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 ripe banana
Vegan butter, such as Earth Balance, or mild-flavored oil for cooking
6-8 slices of bread
Instructions
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
In a bowl, blend the tofu, dairy-free milk, syrup, cinnamon, and banana on high until smooth. If too thick add a few tablespoons extra dairy-free milk or water. Pour the coating mixture into a shallow dish and dip the bread into the mixture, thoroughly coating both sides.
Melt a teaspoon of oil or vegan butter on the hot skillet, then add your soaked bread.
Cook for 2-3 minutes and flip to cook the other side once the edges begin to turn golden brown. Repeat with remaining bread.
Serve with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or maple syrup.
MAPLE NUT GRANOLA
Makes 6-8 pieces
Ingredients
2 tablespoons flaxmeal
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups oats
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup golden raisins
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flaxmeal with the maple syrup. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then whisk again until flax becomes sticky. Add the oil and spices and mix thoroughly. Add the oats, nuts, and salt and toss to coat completely.
Spread granola on a parchment-lined tray and bake 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool on pan. Toss in the golden raisins and store in an airtight container. Enjoy with some dairy-free milk or sprinkled over vegan yogurt and fresh fruit.
HERB-ROASTED WINTER VEGGIES
This is from the January 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, p.34. It starts off, “These roasted vegetables are delicious over rice or pasta. They also make a fabulous addition to frittatas.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 cups bite-size cauliflower florets, each halved lengthwise
2 cups halved Brussels sprouts
2 medium carrots, cut into sticks
1 medium yam or sweet potato (1/2 lb.), diced
3 Tbs. garlic-infused olive oil, divided
1 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp. lemon juice
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and yam in large bowl. Add 2 Tbs. oil, rosemary, and thyme, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Scatter vegetables evenly on baking sheet, and roast 20 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times with spatula. Increase oven temperature to 500°F, and roast vegetables 10 minutes more, or until tender. Transfer vegetables to large serving bowl, and add parsley, lemon juice, and remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Toss to mix, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 164; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 343 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 6 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
HALF-HOUR CHILI
This recipe begins, “This truly tasty half-hour vegetarian chili is made possible by using convenient canned beans and tomatoes (no pantry should be without them). Whole-grain bulgur adds another layer of toothsome texture and nutritional heft. This chili is relatively mild, so it’s a good crowd-pleaser. If you like it spicy, add extra chili powder or serve with hot sauce.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
View this online at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/5826-half-hour-chili.
Time: 30 minutes (15 minutes prep)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 medium onions, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 – 2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 28-ounce can plus one 14-ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped, with juices
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 15-ounce cans red kidney beans , rinsed
1/3 cup bulgur (see Note)
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt for garnish
1/3 cup chopped scallions for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, carrot, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder to taste and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until the onions and carrot are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add tomatoes with their juices, sugar and salt; cook for 5 minutes over high heat. Reduce heat to low; stir in beans and bulgur. Simmer until the chili is thickened, about 15 minutes.
Garnish with yogurt, scallions and cilantro, if desired.
Note: Bulgur is made by parboiling, drying and coarsely grinding or cracking wheat berries. Don’t confuse bulgur with cracked wheat, which is simply that—cracked wheat. Since the parboiling step is skipped, cracked wheat must be cooked for up to an hour whereas bulgur simply needs a quick soak in hot water for most uses. Look for it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets, near other grains, or online at kalustyans.com, buylebanese.com.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Serving Size: about 1 1/3 cups; Calories: 217; Carbohydrates: 40 g; Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Protein: 10 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 13 g; Potassium: 854 mg; Sodium: 697 mg; Exchanges: 2 starch; 1 vegetable; 1 lean meat
RHUBARB-STRAWBERRY REFRIGERATOR CAKE
My family spent several years in northeast Connecticut. When I was 15, my parents bought a new house in South Woodstock (we'd lived in Thompson).
One of the new house's charms was a good-sized garden; a large patch of rhubarb threatened to overrun the entire garden. While Dad claimed most of the garden (as “John’s Pea Patch”), Mom decided that the rhubarb was hers. This is one of the many rhubarb desserts we had that year.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
6 C rhubarb, cut in 1/2” pieces
1 tsp. vanilla
3 dozen lady fingers, split
1/2 C sugar
whole fresh strawberries
2 pks. (3 oz. each) strawberry gelatin
2 C heavy cream, whipped
Combine rhubarb, sugar and 1 C water in saucepan. Bring to boil. Boil 6 – 8 minutes until soft. Drain 1 C syrup and save. Put rhubarb and remaining syrup in blender. Make pulp (3 1/2 C). Bring pulp to boil. Pour over gelatin and stir until dissolved. Chill until slightly thickened but not firm. Fold in whipped cream. Add vanilla. Line 9” springform pan (3” deep) with ladyfingers. Alternate layers of rhubarb mix and ladyfingers, ending with rhubarb. Chill overnight, or until firm. Top with glaze and strawberries.
Glaze: Mix reserve syrup and 1/4 C sugar. Bring to boil & stir in 1 1/2 T cornstarch. Blend with small amount of water. Boil and cook, stirring until thickened and clean. Add a few drops of red food coloring. Cool.
SWEET POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND APPLE CIDER SOUP
This is from Soup for Every Body by Joanna Pruess with Lauren Braun via Publix's December, 2005 GreenWise.
The recipe originally called for 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock. I simply cut out the chicken stock and left it at 2 cups vegetable stock.
1 1/2 hours prep time (includes baking time); Serves 4-6
1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes (or yams)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 C fresh apple cider
1 Tbsp unsulphured molasses plus 3 Tbsp water
2 C vegetable stock
salt and white pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp finely shredded fresh sage leaves
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes until tender, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool, then peel. While potatoes are baking, heat butter or oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and adjust head to medium. Sauté until golden brown and very tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
Transfer onions, sweet potatoes, and apple cider to food processor. Puree until smooth.
Return puree to pan and stir in molasses and water. Add stock to the puree and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into heated bowls. Sprinkle a small amount of chopped walnuts and shredded sage leaves in center of each bowl and serve.
Per serving: 326 calories; 4 g protein; 59 g carbohydrates; 7 g fiber; 9 g total fat (4 g sta., 2 g mono, 2 g poly); 346 mg sodium; Vitamin A, B6, Manganese, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), C, E, Pantothenic acid, Copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium
Friday, March 31, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Dessert!
Who doesn't like an occasional dessert or snack? I know I occasionally crave something just a little decadent. That said, here are six dessert recipes to help you through the day, including Mini Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches and Rainbow Sprinkle Cake. Enjoy!
ROSALIE'S CHEESECAKE
We lived in New York (state, not city) for a majority of my childhood (with several years in Connecticut). This is from one of our New York neighbors.
This recipe, as well as the next one (The Cake) can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
3 egg yolks
1/2 C evaporated milk
3/4 C sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 T unbleached flour, sifted
juice of 1/2 lemon
8 oz. (1 C) cottage cheese
3 T melted butter
3 egg whites
8 oz. cream cheese
Beat egg yolks with sugar and flour until lemon yellow.
Add cream cheese, cottage cheese and flour.
Add milk, vanilla and lemon juice. Beat all together and add melted butter during process.
Stiffly beat egg whites and fold into mixture.
Put into buttered spring form pan and bake at 350 degrees until brown, about 1 hour.
THE CAKE
This recipe was given to my mom by a friend, who worked as a lawyer for years. She was married to an Episcopal priest; both were involved in the civil rights movement.
This recipe can also be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
1 package (18 oz.) yellow cake mix
1 egg, unbeaten
3/4 C oil
1 package (small) vanilla pudding
3/4 C sherry
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Put ingredients in bowl. Beat for 5 minutes. Pour into greased tube cake pan or mold. Bake for 45 minutes.
PEACH AND RASPBERRY CRUMBLE
This is from Diabetes Self-Management
Yield: 6 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes. Baking time: 30-35 minutes.
Butter-flavor cooking spray
1 can (15 oz) sliced peaches in juice, drained
1 package (12 oz) unsweetened frozen raspberries, thawed
1 C quick-cooking oats, uncooked
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbs reduced-calorie stick margarine, melted
2 Tbs honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 8”X8” baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange peach slices evenly in bottom of the pan. Sprinkle raspberries evenly over peaches. Set aside. In bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon and mix with fork, breaking up brown sugar clumps. Add margarine & honey; stir to combine. Sprinkle topping over fruit. Bake uncovered for 30 – 35 minutes, or until fruit is bubbly. Portion into 6 equal servings. Serve alone or over low-fat, no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream.
Per serving: Calories: 185; Carbs: 33g; Fat: 4 g (sat. fat: 1 g); Sodium: 70 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat
MINI PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
This was in an old Weight Watchers email. The Weight Watchers PointsPlus was 3 per serving.
2 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup lite whipped topping
1 pinch salt
24 items chocolate wafers (about 5 1/2 oz total)
In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter until smooth. Add whipped topping; beat until just combined. Spoon a rounded 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter filling on top of a wafer cooker; place a second wafer on top. Set on a baking sheet and repeat with remaining ingredients; freeze until firm. Yields 1 ice cream sandwich per serving.
RAINBOW SPRINKLE CAKE
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “In the 1990s, when home bakers started putting rainbow sprinkles in their cakes, as well as on their cakes, the Funfetti craze was born. Pillsbury introduced its Funfetti cake mix in 1989, and the idea was quickly adopted by home cooks for waffles, pancakes and cupcakes. Now, as seen on photo-friendly social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest, rainbow sprinkles are decorating everything from morning smoothie bowls to late-night martinis. But the Funfetti layer cake is still the most fun. You can buy premixed rainbow sprinkles, but professionals mix their own to get just the right color combination. (Coming up with a signature "house blend" is a good Saturday morning project for kids.) And though it may be tempting, do not use any sprinkles made with natural colorings in the cake -- they fade away, instead of leaving beautiful streaks of color.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling.
This was featured in “The Funfetti Explosion” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), slightly softened, more for pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, more for pans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2/3 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1 whole egg plus 2 egg whites
1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles (not pastel, or naturally colored)
For the Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, slightly softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), slightly softened
1/8 teaspoon fine salt, more to taste
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup rainbow sprinkles (see note)
Preparation
Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees and place a rack in the center. Butter and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Butter the parchment. Flour the pans, coating the bottom and sides, then tap out any excess flour.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, stir together milk and vanilla.
In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with mixer running, slowly add egg and whites and beat until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down bowl. Add half the flour mixture, then the milk mixture, then the remaining flour mixture, beating to blend after each addition. Scrape down bowl and blend once more. Remove bowl and use a spatula or spoon to mix in sprinkles by hand.
Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake until the tops are just dry to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through baking.
Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 4 hours, before turning out.
Make the frosting: In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter and salt together at medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with mixer running, slowly add sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in vanilla just until incorporated. Taste frosting; you should be able to taste the cream cheese and a little bit of saltiness, as well as the sweetness. If desired, add more salt or sugar. Keep refrigerated.
Turn cooled cakes out of pans. Using a bread knife, cut off any domed or uneven parts of each cake to make flat surfaces. Place one of the cakes on a platter or a cake stand, cut side up. Using an offset spatula, frost the top. Stack the other layer on top, cut side down. Place remaining frosting on top of the cake and, working from the center outward, frost the top and sides of the cake.
Place a baking sheet under the platter or cake stand, to catch any fallen sprinkles. Sprinkle the top with a layer of sprinkles. Toss remaining sprinkles at the sides of the cake, or press handfuls of sprinkles gently up the sides to make a thicker coating. Gather fallen sprinkles and repeat until coated to your liking.
Refrigerate cake 30 minutes or longer to set. Serve cool.
Tip
Julia's house blend: 2 parts blue, 1 part yellow, 1 part orange, 1 part bright pink. It's best not to use white, light pastel or "natural" sprinkles. They just disappear (poof!) into the cake after baking.
BLACKBERRY CHEESECAKE SQUARES
This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.
Total:4 hr 5 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 15 squares; Level: Easy
Ingredients
Crust:
Cooking spray, for spraying foil
One 11-ounce box vanilla wafers
1/2 cup pecans
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
Filling:
Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Topping:
4 cups blackberries
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the crust: Line a 9-by-13-inch rectangular baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
Place the vanilla wafers and pecans into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse again until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. (If they come up the sides, that's okay!)
For the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream and mix again.
Pour the filling into the crust, smooth the top and bake for 50 minutes. Turn off the oven, open the oven door and allow the pan to sit in the open oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
For the topping: Add the blackberries, sugar and 1/4 cup water to a saucepan or skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the juices thicken slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, make a slurry by stirring together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Add the slurry to the berries, return to the boil and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and cool the mixture.
Pour the blackberries over the cheesecake and place the pan into the fridge to cool and set for at least 2 hours (several hours is better).
When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the pan by lifting the edges of the foil. Slice into 15 pieces with a long serrated knife.
ROSALIE'S CHEESECAKE
We lived in New York (state, not city) for a majority of my childhood (with several years in Connecticut). This is from one of our New York neighbors.
This recipe, as well as the next one (The Cake) can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
3 egg yolks
1/2 C evaporated milk
3/4 C sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 T unbleached flour, sifted
juice of 1/2 lemon
8 oz. (1 C) cottage cheese
3 T melted butter
3 egg whites
8 oz. cream cheese
Beat egg yolks with sugar and flour until lemon yellow.
Add cream cheese, cottage cheese and flour.
Add milk, vanilla and lemon juice. Beat all together and add melted butter during process.
Stiffly beat egg whites and fold into mixture.
Put into buttered spring form pan and bake at 350 degrees until brown, about 1 hour.
THE CAKE
This recipe was given to my mom by a friend, who worked as a lawyer for years. She was married to an Episcopal priest; both were involved in the civil rights movement.
This recipe can also be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
1 package (18 oz.) yellow cake mix
1 egg, unbeaten
3/4 C oil
1 package (small) vanilla pudding
3/4 C sherry
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Put ingredients in bowl. Beat for 5 minutes. Pour into greased tube cake pan or mold. Bake for 45 minutes.
PEACH AND RASPBERRY CRUMBLE
This is from Diabetes Self-Management
Yield: 6 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes. Baking time: 30-35 minutes.
Butter-flavor cooking spray
1 can (15 oz) sliced peaches in juice, drained
1 package (12 oz) unsweetened frozen raspberries, thawed
1 C quick-cooking oats, uncooked
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbs reduced-calorie stick margarine, melted
2 Tbs honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 8”X8” baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange peach slices evenly in bottom of the pan. Sprinkle raspberries evenly over peaches. Set aside. In bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon and mix with fork, breaking up brown sugar clumps. Add margarine & honey; stir to combine. Sprinkle topping over fruit. Bake uncovered for 30 – 35 minutes, or until fruit is bubbly. Portion into 6 equal servings. Serve alone or over low-fat, no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream.
Per serving: Calories: 185; Carbs: 33g; Fat: 4 g (sat. fat: 1 g); Sodium: 70 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat
MINI PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
This was in an old Weight Watchers email. The Weight Watchers PointsPlus was 3 per serving.
2 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup lite whipped topping
1 pinch salt
24 items chocolate wafers (about 5 1/2 oz total)
In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter until smooth. Add whipped topping; beat until just combined. Spoon a rounded 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter filling on top of a wafer cooker; place a second wafer on top. Set on a baking sheet and repeat with remaining ingredients; freeze until firm. Yields 1 ice cream sandwich per serving.
RAINBOW SPRINKLE CAKE
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “In the 1990s, when home bakers started putting rainbow sprinkles in their cakes, as well as on their cakes, the Funfetti craze was born. Pillsbury introduced its Funfetti cake mix in 1989, and the idea was quickly adopted by home cooks for waffles, pancakes and cupcakes. Now, as seen on photo-friendly social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest, rainbow sprinkles are decorating everything from morning smoothie bowls to late-night martinis. But the Funfetti layer cake is still the most fun. You can buy premixed rainbow sprinkles, but professionals mix their own to get just the right color combination. (Coming up with a signature "house blend" is a good Saturday morning project for kids.) And though it may be tempting, do not use any sprinkles made with natural colorings in the cake -- they fade away, instead of leaving beautiful streaks of color.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling.
This was featured in “The Funfetti Explosion” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), slightly softened, more for pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, more for pans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2/3 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1 whole egg plus 2 egg whites
1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles (not pastel, or naturally colored)
For the Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, slightly softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), slightly softened
1/8 teaspoon fine salt, more to taste
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup rainbow sprinkles (see note)
Preparation
Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees and place a rack in the center. Butter and line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Butter the parchment. Flour the pans, coating the bottom and sides, then tap out any excess flour.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, stir together milk and vanilla.
In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with mixer running, slowly add egg and whites and beat until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down bowl. Add half the flour mixture, then the milk mixture, then the remaining flour mixture, beating to blend after each addition. Scrape down bowl and blend once more. Remove bowl and use a spatula or spoon to mix in sprinkles by hand.
Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake until the tops are just dry to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through baking.
Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 4 hours, before turning out.
Make the frosting: In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter and salt together at medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with mixer running, slowly add sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in vanilla just until incorporated. Taste frosting; you should be able to taste the cream cheese and a little bit of saltiness, as well as the sweetness. If desired, add more salt or sugar. Keep refrigerated.
Turn cooled cakes out of pans. Using a bread knife, cut off any domed or uneven parts of each cake to make flat surfaces. Place one of the cakes on a platter or a cake stand, cut side up. Using an offset spatula, frost the top. Stack the other layer on top, cut side down. Place remaining frosting on top of the cake and, working from the center outward, frost the top and sides of the cake.
Place a baking sheet under the platter or cake stand, to catch any fallen sprinkles. Sprinkle the top with a layer of sprinkles. Toss remaining sprinkles at the sides of the cake, or press handfuls of sprinkles gently up the sides to make a thicker coating. Gather fallen sprinkles and repeat until coated to your liking.
Refrigerate cake 30 minutes or longer to set. Serve cool.
Tip
Julia's house blend: 2 parts blue, 1 part yellow, 1 part orange, 1 part bright pink. It's best not to use white, light pastel or "natural" sprinkles. They just disappear (poof!) into the cake after baking.
BLACKBERRY CHEESECAKE SQUARES
This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.
Total:4 hr 5 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 15 squares; Level: Easy
Ingredients
Crust:
Cooking spray, for spraying foil
One 11-ounce box vanilla wafers
1/2 cup pecans
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
Filling:
Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Topping:
4 cups blackberries
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the crust: Line a 9-by-13-inch rectangular baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
Place the vanilla wafers and pecans into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse again until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. (If they come up the sides, that's okay!)
For the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream and mix again.
Pour the filling into the crust, smooth the top and bake for 50 minutes. Turn off the oven, open the oven door and allow the pan to sit in the open oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
For the topping: Add the blackberries, sugar and 1/4 cup water to a saucepan or skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the juices thicken slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, make a slurry by stirring together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Add the slurry to the berries, return to the boil and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and cool the mixture.
Pour the blackberries over the cheesecake and place the pan into the fridge to cool and set for at least 2 hours (several hours is better).
When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the pan by lifting the edges of the foil. Slice into 15 pieces with a long serrated knife.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Wednesday Recipes
Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Wild Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie and Roasted-Vegetable Lasagna. Enjoy!
MEYER LEMON TART
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “The Meyer lemon has always been something of a California secret, and every year when its brief growing season begins there, eager cooks sigh with relief. The Meyer is not as assertive as the common supermarket varieties, but it offers so much more in nuanced flavor that it is unforgettable. And these days, the Meyer's secret is finally out. A Meyer lemon contains about four times the sugar of a regular lemon, but it can be used almost interchangeably with the traditional varieties, adding a rounder edge to both sweet and savory dishes. And you can use the whole thing – from pulp to peel. This gorgeous tart is the ideal way to showcase its seductive fragrance and flavor. (Regular lemons will work well in this recipe too, but you'll likely want to add a bit more sugar.)”
Yield: One 10-inch tart; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “All Perfume, No Pucker” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon milk
12 ounces (about 2 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Curd
1 1/4 pound (5 or 6) Meyer lemons
1 cup sugar
5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
7 large egg yolks
5 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Make the crust: in the bowl of a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and the milk, and beat to combine. In a medium bowl, combine the flour with salt. Slowly add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until completely blended. Gather dough into two balls. Freeze one for future use, chill the other for at least 1 hour.
Heavily butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, and place the shell in the freezer for 30 minutes.
While shell is in freezer, prepare lemon curd. Grate zest of lemons. Squeeze lemons to extract 1 cup of juice. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine juice and zest. Add remaining sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.
In bowl of a mixer, combine eggs and egg yolks until blended. Slowly add hot lemon mixture to eggs until blended. Return mixture to saucepan, and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency; do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, and continue to stir to stop the cooking. Strain lemon curd into a bowl. Adjust sugar to taste; the curd should be tart, but may need additional sugar if the lemons were unripe. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it right against the surface of the curd. Allow to cool.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove tart shell from freezer, and bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon lemon curd into tart shell, and smooth the top. Bake until filling has puffed around the edges, about 30 minutes. Cover edges with foil, if necessary, to prevent over-browning. Cool to room temperature before serving.
WILD BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, at VeryWell. Kaleigh wrote, “Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a single meal, especially if you're on the go. They can also be loaded with sugary syrups and fat if you aren't careful when grabbing a smoothie away from home. For a nutritious smoothie you can feel good about, skip the shop and make this tasty version at home.
“Frozen wild blueberries are extra sweet and pack a lot of flavor and antioxidants into this wild blueberry cheesecake smoothie. They also make this smoothie extra cold and frosty without having to use ice. Research suggests that daily blueberry consumption could lower blood pressure due to the production of nitric oxide.
“The Greek yogurt and avocado duo lends a luxurious creamy texture and also contributes healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein to keep you fueled and full. Make this smoothie for a sweet breakfast treat, or split it in half for a healthy snack or dessert.”
Total Time: 5 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 0; Yield: 1 serving.
This can be viewed online here. It can also be found at Kaliegh’s website, Lively Table.
Ingredients
1 cup wild blueberries, frozen
1/2 small avocado
3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
Preparation
Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to your desired consistency.
Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You can typically find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular frozen blueberries, but they will not be as sweet.
This is a great smoothie recipe to disguise veggies, so add a handful of spinach if you want to get a little more vegetable power.
To make this smoothie dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, such as Silk, and unsweetened dairy-free milk of your choice.
Cooking and Serving Tips
This recipe makes a meal-sized smoothie. For a post-workout snack or a healthy dessert, divide into two servings.
ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
4 red bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mixture:
2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
White sauce:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups spinach leaves, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
Preheat broiler.
To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.
Decrease oven temperature to 375°.
To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.
To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.
Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg
MARYANN'S FRUIT SALAD
I hadn’t seen Maryann for over 18 years when she came for a week’s visit. One night, she fixed this to go with dinner.
This recipe, as well as the next one (Fruit Salad) are from my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
2 apples, peeled & diced
2/3 C raisins
3 oranges, peeled & sectioned
1 C grapes
Mix fruits together & chill. May be drizzled with honey just before serving.
FRUIT SALAD
1 cantaloupe, diced
1/2 C grapes (note)
2 bananas, cut up
1 C sour cream
1 can pineapple chunks
Mix & chill.
NOTE: Red grapes look especially nice in this, though any type can be used.
SWEET POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND APPLE CIDER SOUP
This is from Soup for Every Body by Joanna Pruess with Lauren Braun via Publix's December, 2005 GreenWise.
The recipe originally called for 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock. I simply cut out the chicken stock and left it at 2 cups vegetable stock.
1 1/2 hours prep time (includes baking time); Serves 4-6
1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes (or yams)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 C fresh apple cider
1 Tbsp unsulphured molasses plus 3 Tbsp water
2 C vegetable stock
salt and white pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp finely shredded fresh sage leaves
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes until tender, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool, then peel. While potatoes are baking, heat butter or oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and adjust head to medium. Sauté until golden brown and very tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
Transfer onions, sweet potatoes, and apple cider to food processor. Puree until smooth.
Return puree to pan and stir in molasses and water. Add stock to the puree and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into heated bowls. Sprinkle a small amount of chopped walnuts and shredded sage leaves in center of each bowl and serve.
Per serving: 326 calories; 4 g protein; 59 g carbohydrates; 7 g fiber; 9 g total fat (4 g sta., 2 g mono, 2 g poly); 346 mg sodium; Vitamin A, B6, Manganese, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), C, E, Pantothenic acid, Copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium
MEYER LEMON TART
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “The Meyer lemon has always been something of a California secret, and every year when its brief growing season begins there, eager cooks sigh with relief. The Meyer is not as assertive as the common supermarket varieties, but it offers so much more in nuanced flavor that it is unforgettable. And these days, the Meyer's secret is finally out. A Meyer lemon contains about four times the sugar of a regular lemon, but it can be used almost interchangeably with the traditional varieties, adding a rounder edge to both sweet and savory dishes. And you can use the whole thing – from pulp to peel. This gorgeous tart is the ideal way to showcase its seductive fragrance and flavor. (Regular lemons will work well in this recipe too, but you'll likely want to add a bit more sugar.)”
Yield: One 10-inch tart; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “All Perfume, No Pucker” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon milk
12 ounces (about 2 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Curd
1 1/4 pound (5 or 6) Meyer lemons
1 cup sugar
5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
7 large egg yolks
5 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Make the crust: in the bowl of a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and the milk, and beat to combine. In a medium bowl, combine the flour with salt. Slowly add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until completely blended. Gather dough into two balls. Freeze one for future use, chill the other for at least 1 hour.
Heavily butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, and place the shell in the freezer for 30 minutes.
While shell is in freezer, prepare lemon curd. Grate zest of lemons. Squeeze lemons to extract 1 cup of juice. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine juice and zest. Add remaining sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.
In bowl of a mixer, combine eggs and egg yolks until blended. Slowly add hot lemon mixture to eggs until blended. Return mixture to saucepan, and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency; do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, and continue to stir to stop the cooking. Strain lemon curd into a bowl. Adjust sugar to taste; the curd should be tart, but may need additional sugar if the lemons were unripe. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it right against the surface of the curd. Allow to cool.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove tart shell from freezer, and bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon lemon curd into tart shell, and smooth the top. Bake until filling has puffed around the edges, about 30 minutes. Cover edges with foil, if necessary, to prevent over-browning. Cool to room temperature before serving.
WILD BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, at VeryWell. Kaleigh wrote, “Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a single meal, especially if you're on the go. They can also be loaded with sugary syrups and fat if you aren't careful when grabbing a smoothie away from home. For a nutritious smoothie you can feel good about, skip the shop and make this tasty version at home.
“Frozen wild blueberries are extra sweet and pack a lot of flavor and antioxidants into this wild blueberry cheesecake smoothie. They also make this smoothie extra cold and frosty without having to use ice. Research suggests that daily blueberry consumption could lower blood pressure due to the production of nitric oxide.
“The Greek yogurt and avocado duo lends a luxurious creamy texture and also contributes healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein to keep you fueled and full. Make this smoothie for a sweet breakfast treat, or split it in half for a healthy snack or dessert.”
Total Time: 5 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 0; Yield: 1 serving.
This can be viewed online here. It can also be found at Kaliegh’s website, Lively Table.
Ingredients
1 cup wild blueberries, frozen
1/2 small avocado
3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
Preparation
Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to your desired consistency.
Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You can typically find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular frozen blueberries, but they will not be as sweet.
This is a great smoothie recipe to disguise veggies, so add a handful of spinach if you want to get a little more vegetable power.
To make this smoothie dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, such as Silk, and unsweetened dairy-free milk of your choice.
Cooking and Serving Tips
This recipe makes a meal-sized smoothie. For a post-workout snack or a healthy dessert, divide into two servings.
ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
4 red bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mixture:
2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
White sauce:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups spinach leaves, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
Preheat broiler.
To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.
Decrease oven temperature to 375°.
To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.
To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.
Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg
MARYANN'S FRUIT SALAD
I hadn’t seen Maryann for over 18 years when she came for a week’s visit. One night, she fixed this to go with dinner.
This recipe, as well as the next one (Fruit Salad) are from my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
2 apples, peeled & diced
2/3 C raisins
3 oranges, peeled & sectioned
1 C grapes
Mix fruits together & chill. May be drizzled with honey just before serving.
FRUIT SALAD
1 cantaloupe, diced
1/2 C grapes (note)
2 bananas, cut up
1 C sour cream
1 can pineapple chunks
Mix & chill.
NOTE: Red grapes look especially nice in this, though any type can be used.
SWEET POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND APPLE CIDER SOUP
This is from Soup for Every Body by Joanna Pruess with Lauren Braun via Publix's December, 2005 GreenWise.
The recipe originally called for 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock. I simply cut out the chicken stock and left it at 2 cups vegetable stock.
1 1/2 hours prep time (includes baking time); Serves 4-6
1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes (or yams)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 C fresh apple cider
1 Tbsp unsulphured molasses plus 3 Tbsp water
2 C vegetable stock
salt and white pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp finely shredded fresh sage leaves
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes until tender, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool, then peel. While potatoes are baking, heat butter or oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and adjust head to medium. Sauté until golden brown and very tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
Transfer onions, sweet potatoes, and apple cider to food processor. Puree until smooth.
Return puree to pan and stir in molasses and water. Add stock to the puree and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into heated bowls. Sprinkle a small amount of chopped walnuts and shredded sage leaves in center of each bowl and serve.
Per serving: 326 calories; 4 g protein; 59 g carbohydrates; 7 g fiber; 9 g total fat (4 g sta., 2 g mono, 2 g poly); 346 mg sodium; Vitamin A, B6, Manganese, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), C, E, Pantothenic acid, Copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Taco Tuesday
Yay, Taco Tuesday! Here are six taco recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot.” Yield: Makes 4 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cottage or feta cheese, optional
Instructions:
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 362; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 74 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 904 mg; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 9 g
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
TACOS WITH BLACK BEANS AND CHARD
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “If you are looking to feed a crowd, one way to meet the challenge is to pick up a supply of corn tortillas and make a big pot of beans and some other dishes that are at home in a taco. Buy some salsa, or make your own, and your house will be taco party central. You can make fillings in advance and arrange in bowls or on platters. Then all it takes is warming tortillas in a microwave, oven or steamer, and guests can assemble their own tacos. These beans are great in tacos, but can also be eaten on their own.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound black beans, soaked for 4 to 6 hours or overnight in 2 quarts water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt to taste
1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 pound Swiss chard, stemmed, washed and roughly chopped
12 to 16 corn tortillas
Fresh or bottled salsa
2 to 3 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
Preparation
Step 1
Place the beans and their soaking water in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Skim away foam and add the onion and half the garlic. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the remaining garlic, salt to taste and half the cilantro, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Step 2
Add the Swiss chard, cover and simmer 10 minutes. The chard should be tender but still have some bright color. Stir in the remaining cilantro, taste and adjust salt.
Step 3
Warm the tortillas. Top with a generous spoonful of beans with chard, a spoonful of crumbled queso fresco, and salsa if desired.
Tip
Advance preparation: Make the beans through Step 1 a day ahead for best results. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with Step 2. The beans will keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
CAULIFLOWER AND RED ONION TACOS
This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Vegetables bathed in vinegar are typical condiments in Mexico, but you can bring them to the center of the plate as a filling for a taco. If you want spice, add the chipotle, or garnish with some salsa. If salt is an issue, use ranchero rather than cotija cheese.” Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 45 minutes.
This was also featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 small or medium cauliflowers, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
1 red onion, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced crosswise across the grain
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (to taste)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 chipotle chilies in adobo or pickled jalapeños, drained and thinly sliced (optional)
12 corn tortillas
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise in thin strips (chiffonade)
3 ounces cotija or ranchero cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Place the cauliflower and onion in a steaming basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam 1 minute. Lift the lid for 15 seconds, then cover again and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Refresh with cold water and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, cilantro, capers, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and onion and toss together. Marinate, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes if possible before serving. For an added kick, stir in the chili or chilies. Transfer the mixture to a skillet and heat through over medium heat.
Warm the tortillas. Top with the marinated vegetables and a handful of romaine, sprinkle on the cheese and serve.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the cauliflower and onion mixture up to a day ahead, but omit the cilantro until shortly before serving so that its color doesn't fade. The filling keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
ZUCCHINI AND CRIMINI TACO
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.
From A Spicy Perspective at http://www.aspicyperspective.com/taco-recipe/. YIELD: 8-10 tacos; PREP TIME: 20 minutes; COOK TIME: 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 large onion, peeled, quartered and sliced thin
1 1/2 lbs. crimini mushrooms, sliced thin
2 zucchini, sliced thin
2 summer squash sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tb. butter
1 Tb. cuban seasoning (McCormick makes a good one)
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 chipotle chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups crumbled California panela cheese (or queso fresco)
1 package corn tortillas
Directions:
Chop the veggies and leave in separate piles. Mix the salt and spices in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over all the veggies.
Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and heat to hight heat. Once the butter is melted, add the onions and garlic. Saute' for 1-2 minutes until just barely soft. Remove from the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, add the mushrooms and saute' and stir until brown and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Remove and add the last tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Add the zucchini and summer squash to the skillet. Saute' and stir for 2-3 minutes until golden, but just barley cooked through and still firm.
To serve, place a tortilla on a plate (you can double them up for extra stability) and load it with veggies. Top each taco with a generous sprinkling of crumbled panela cheese. Serve warm.
TEMPEH TACOS
I originally saw this on Oh My Veggies on the Vegetarian Tacos part of the site. You can read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-tempeh-tacos-from-betty-goes-vegan/.
This recipe begins, “Spicy tacos made with crumbled tempeh from Betty Goes Vegan by Anne & Dan Shannon.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 6-8 tacos
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. Mexican-spiced diced tomatoes (I used the tomatoes with green chilies)
1 fresh jalapeño, diced
2 – 4 tsp. chili powder (2 was plenty for us!)
3 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. lime juice
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. minced chipotle pepper
1/4 c. Bragg's liquid aminos (coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce work too)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp. water
salt + pepper to taste
olive oil mister or cooking spray
dash of liquid smoke (I omitted this)
6-8 hard taco shells
vegan cheese, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Crumble your tempeh into a large mixing bowl. Then, using a large spoon, mix in the garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chipotle pepper, and Bragg's. Once your tempeh is completely mixed into the spices, mix in the onion and pepper. Then drizzle the water 1 tablespoon at a time into your mix while stirring your ingredients continuously. Taste a little bit of your tempeh and add salt and pepper to taste.
Spray your favorite cast-iron skillet or frying pan with a heavy coating of olive oil cooking spray, and then heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, toss in the tempeh mixture and liquid smoke. Flip your tempeh-vegetable mixture a few times so that it browns evenly. You'll know it's ready when your vegetables are tender and your tempeh has crispy edges. It should take about 10 minutes.
While your tempeh is cooking, heat your taco shells slightly in the oven following the directions on the package.
Once your taco shells are warm, fill them with the tempeh and vegetable mixture. Top with vegan cheese and set aside so it can melt slightly.
Serve with guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, lime wedges and anything else you like on your tacos!
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot.” Yield: Makes 4 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cottage or feta cheese, optional
Instructions:
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 362; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 74 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 904 mg; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 9 g
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
TACOS WITH BLACK BEANS AND CHARD
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “If you are looking to feed a crowd, one way to meet the challenge is to pick up a supply of corn tortillas and make a big pot of beans and some other dishes that are at home in a taco. Buy some salsa, or make your own, and your house will be taco party central. You can make fillings in advance and arrange in bowls or on platters. Then all it takes is warming tortillas in a microwave, oven or steamer, and guests can assemble their own tacos. These beans are great in tacos, but can also be eaten on their own.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound black beans, soaked for 4 to 6 hours or overnight in 2 quarts water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt to taste
1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 pound Swiss chard, stemmed, washed and roughly chopped
12 to 16 corn tortillas
Fresh or bottled salsa
2 to 3 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
Preparation
Step 1
Place the beans and their soaking water in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Skim away foam and add the onion and half the garlic. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the remaining garlic, salt to taste and half the cilantro, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Step 2
Add the Swiss chard, cover and simmer 10 minutes. The chard should be tender but still have some bright color. Stir in the remaining cilantro, taste and adjust salt.
Step 3
Warm the tortillas. Top with a generous spoonful of beans with chard, a spoonful of crumbled queso fresco, and salsa if desired.
Tip
Advance preparation: Make the beans through Step 1 a day ahead for best results. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with Step 2. The beans will keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
CAULIFLOWER AND RED ONION TACOS
This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Vegetables bathed in vinegar are typical condiments in Mexico, but you can bring them to the center of the plate as a filling for a taco. If you want spice, add the chipotle, or garnish with some salsa. If salt is an issue, use ranchero rather than cotija cheese.” Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 45 minutes.
This was also featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 small or medium cauliflowers, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
1 red onion, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced crosswise across the grain
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (to taste)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 chipotle chilies in adobo or pickled jalapeños, drained and thinly sliced (optional)
12 corn tortillas
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise in thin strips (chiffonade)
3 ounces cotija or ranchero cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Place the cauliflower and onion in a steaming basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam 1 minute. Lift the lid for 15 seconds, then cover again and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Refresh with cold water and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, cilantro, capers, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and onion and toss together. Marinate, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes if possible before serving. For an added kick, stir in the chili or chilies. Transfer the mixture to a skillet and heat through over medium heat.
Warm the tortillas. Top with the marinated vegetables and a handful of romaine, sprinkle on the cheese and serve.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the cauliflower and onion mixture up to a day ahead, but omit the cilantro until shortly before serving so that its color doesn't fade. The filling keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
ZUCCHINI AND CRIMINI TACO
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.
From A Spicy Perspective at http://www.aspicyperspective.com/taco-recipe/. YIELD: 8-10 tacos; PREP TIME: 20 minutes; COOK TIME: 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 large onion, peeled, quartered and sliced thin
1 1/2 lbs. crimini mushrooms, sliced thin
2 zucchini, sliced thin
2 summer squash sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tb. butter
1 Tb. cuban seasoning (McCormick makes a good one)
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 chipotle chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups crumbled California panela cheese (or queso fresco)
1 package corn tortillas
Directions:
Chop the veggies and leave in separate piles. Mix the salt and spices in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over all the veggies.
Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and heat to hight heat. Once the butter is melted, add the onions and garlic. Saute' for 1-2 minutes until just barely soft. Remove from the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, add the mushrooms and saute' and stir until brown and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Remove and add the last tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Add the zucchini and summer squash to the skillet. Saute' and stir for 2-3 minutes until golden, but just barley cooked through and still firm.
To serve, place a tortilla on a plate (you can double them up for extra stability) and load it with veggies. Top each taco with a generous sprinkling of crumbled panela cheese. Serve warm.
TEMPEH TACOS
I originally saw this on Oh My Veggies on the Vegetarian Tacos part of the site. You can read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-tempeh-tacos-from-betty-goes-vegan/.
This recipe begins, “Spicy tacos made with crumbled tempeh from Betty Goes Vegan by Anne & Dan Shannon.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 6-8 tacos
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. Mexican-spiced diced tomatoes (I used the tomatoes with green chilies)
1 fresh jalapeño, diced
2 – 4 tsp. chili powder (2 was plenty for us!)
3 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. lime juice
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. minced chipotle pepper
1/4 c. Bragg's liquid aminos (coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce work too)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp. water
salt + pepper to taste
olive oil mister or cooking spray
dash of liquid smoke (I omitted this)
6-8 hard taco shells
vegan cheese, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Crumble your tempeh into a large mixing bowl. Then, using a large spoon, mix in the garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chipotle pepper, and Bragg's. Once your tempeh is completely mixed into the spices, mix in the onion and pepper. Then drizzle the water 1 tablespoon at a time into your mix while stirring your ingredients continuously. Taste a little bit of your tempeh and add salt and pepper to taste.
Spray your favorite cast-iron skillet or frying pan with a heavy coating of olive oil cooking spray, and then heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, toss in the tempeh mixture and liquid smoke. Flip your tempeh-vegetable mixture a few times so that it browns evenly. You'll know it's ready when your vegetables are tender and your tempeh has crispy edges. It should take about 10 minutes.
While your tempeh is cooking, heat your taco shells slightly in the oven following the directions on the package.
Once your taco shells are warm, fill them with the tempeh and vegetable mixture. Top with vegan cheese and set aside so it can melt slightly.
Serve with guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, lime wedges and anything else you like on your tacos!
Monday, March 27, 2017
Monday Recipes
It's Monday, time to start off another week of vegetarian recipes. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes and Meatless-Ball Subs. Enjoy!
BLACK-EYED PEA CHILI
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Like any good chili, this black-eyed pea version is even tastier the second day.” Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. dried black-eyed peas (1 1/4 cups)
2 Tbs. coconut oil
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 small green bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 15-oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
4 green onions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
Instructions:
Place black-eyed peas in large bowl, add 2 qt. water, and soak 8 hours, or overnight at room temperature. Drain, and rinse well.
Set rice cooker setting to “sauté” (or similar), and preheat 2 to 3 minutes. Add coconut oil, and heat 1 minute more. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes; then add bell pepper and garlic, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes more, or until bell pepper and onion have softened. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and chili powder, and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
Adjust rice cooker setting to “slow cook” (or similar). Pour in black-eyed peas and broth. Cover, and cook 5 to 6 hours, or until beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve topped with green onions.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 308;Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 335 mg; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 13 g
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
ASPARAGUS-PESTO LASAGNA
This is from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This recipe uses two popular Italian lasagna fillings: asparagus and pesto.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/asparagus-pesto-lasagna/
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups low-fat milk, divided
6 Tbs. pesto*, or more to taste
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish, optional
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 1/4 lb. asparagus spears, tips cut off and reserved, spears trimmed and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
2 cups shredded Fontina or part-skim mozzarella cheese (8 oz.), divided
Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk flour and 1/2 cup milk in saucepan until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Reserve 1 cup white sauce.
Warm oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped asparagus (not tips) and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place layer of noodles in dish, overlapping slightly. Layer with half of cooked asparagus, 3/4 cup Fontina and half of sauce. Add another layer of pasta, remaining sauce, remaining cooked asparagus and 3/4 cup Fontina. Top with layer of noodles, then with reserved 1 cup white sauce. Arrange reserved asparagus tips over top and sprinkle with remaining Fontina.
Bake, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes; serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Look for the freshest, most flavorful pesto in the refrigerator section of the supermarket, packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or in plastic tubs.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 413; Protein: 21 g; Total Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 44 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 686 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 8 g
RED VELVET MINI CUPCAKES
This comes from The Food Network and begins, “Oil takes the place of butter in these cupcakes, making them lower in fat, but also making the crumb moist. Also, all of the flour is whole wheat! The frosting is simply sweetened reduced-fat cream cheese, but it's plenty tasty.”
Total: 1 hr; Active: 20 min; Yield: 48 mini cupcakes (2 cupcakes per serving); Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/red-velvet-mini-cupcakes-recipe
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup lowfat (1-percent) buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
Nonstick cooking spray, for coating ice cream scoop
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 48 mini muffin cups (2 large tins or 4 small) with paper liners.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the oil and granulated sugar on medium-high speed with a hand mixer in a large bowl until well combined. Add the egg and beat until well blended. Beat in the food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla.
On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour, beating well after each addition. Whisk together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, and then beat into the batter until fully incorporated.
Using a small ice cream scoop sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the mixture and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled cupcakes.
MARINATED CUCUMBER SALAD
Servings: 5
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/4.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup Italian dressing (low-calorie)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup radishes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Combine Italian dressing and pepper in a medium bowl; stir well.
Add cucumber, onion, radishes, and parsley.
Toss gently to coat.
Cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Serve salad and enjoy.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 21; Protein: Trace g; Fat: Trace g; Sodium: 5 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Exchanges: Free
WILD BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, at VeryWell. Kaleigh wrote, “Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a single meal, especially if you're on the go. They can also be loaded with sugary syrups and fat if you aren't careful when grabbing a smoothie away from home. For a nutritious smoothie you can feel good about, skip the shop and make this tasty version at home.
“Frozen wild blueberries are extra sweet and pack a lot of flavor and antioxidants into this wild blueberry cheesecake smoothie. They also make this smoothie extra cold and frosty without having to use ice. Research suggests that daily blueberry consumption could lower blood pressure due to the production of nitric oxide.
“The Greek yogurt and avocado duo lends a luxurious creamy texture and also contributes healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein to keep you fueled and full. Make this smoothie for a sweet breakfast treat, or split it in half for a healthy snack or dessert.”
Total Time: 5 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 0; Yield: 1 serving.
This can be viewed online here. It can also be found at Kaliegh’s website, Lively Table.
Ingredients
1 cup wild blueberries, frozen
1/2 small avocado
3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
Preparation
Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to your desired consistency.
Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You can typically find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular frozen blueberries, but they will not be as sweet.
This is a great smoothie recipe to disguise veggies, so add a handful of spinach if you want to get a little more vegetable power.
To make this smoothie dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, such as Silk, and unsweetened dairy-free milk of your choice.
Cooking and Serving Tips
This recipe makes a meal-sized smoothie. For a post-workout snack or a healthy dessert, divide into two servings.
BLACK-EYED PEA CHILI
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Like any good chili, this black-eyed pea version is even tastier the second day.” Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. dried black-eyed peas (1 1/4 cups)
2 Tbs. coconut oil
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 small green bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 15-oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
4 green onions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
Instructions:
Place black-eyed peas in large bowl, add 2 qt. water, and soak 8 hours, or overnight at room temperature. Drain, and rinse well.
Set rice cooker setting to “sauté” (or similar), and preheat 2 to 3 minutes. Add coconut oil, and heat 1 minute more. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes; then add bell pepper and garlic, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes more, or until bell pepper and onion have softened. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and chili powder, and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
Adjust rice cooker setting to “slow cook” (or similar). Pour in black-eyed peas and broth. Cover, and cook 5 to 6 hours, or until beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve topped with green onions.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 308;Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 335 mg; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 13 g
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
ASPARAGUS-PESTO LASAGNA
This is from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This recipe uses two popular Italian lasagna fillings: asparagus and pesto.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/asparagus-pesto-lasagna/
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups low-fat milk, divided
6 Tbs. pesto*, or more to taste
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish, optional
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 1/4 lb. asparagus spears, tips cut off and reserved, spears trimmed and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
2 cups shredded Fontina or part-skim mozzarella cheese (8 oz.), divided
Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk flour and 1/2 cup milk in saucepan until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Reserve 1 cup white sauce.
Warm oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped asparagus (not tips) and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place layer of noodles in dish, overlapping slightly. Layer with half of cooked asparagus, 3/4 cup Fontina and half of sauce. Add another layer of pasta, remaining sauce, remaining cooked asparagus and 3/4 cup Fontina. Top with layer of noodles, then with reserved 1 cup white sauce. Arrange reserved asparagus tips over top and sprinkle with remaining Fontina.
Bake, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes; serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Look for the freshest, most flavorful pesto in the refrigerator section of the supermarket, packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or in plastic tubs.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 413; Protein: 21 g; Total Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 44 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 686 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 8 g
RED VELVET MINI CUPCAKES
This comes from The Food Network and begins, “Oil takes the place of butter in these cupcakes, making them lower in fat, but also making the crumb moist. Also, all of the flour is whole wheat! The frosting is simply sweetened reduced-fat cream cheese, but it's plenty tasty.”
Total: 1 hr; Active: 20 min; Yield: 48 mini cupcakes (2 cupcakes per serving); Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/red-velvet-mini-cupcakes-recipe
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup lowfat (1-percent) buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
Nonstick cooking spray, for coating ice cream scoop
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 48 mini muffin cups (2 large tins or 4 small) with paper liners.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the oil and granulated sugar on medium-high speed with a hand mixer in a large bowl until well combined. Add the egg and beat until well blended. Beat in the food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla.
On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour, beating well after each addition. Whisk together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, and then beat into the batter until fully incorporated.
Using a small ice cream scoop sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the mixture and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled cupcakes.
MARINATED CUCUMBER SALAD
Servings: 5
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/4.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup Italian dressing (low-calorie)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup radishes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Combine Italian dressing and pepper in a medium bowl; stir well.
Add cucumber, onion, radishes, and parsley.
Toss gently to coat.
Cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Serve salad and enjoy.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 21; Protein: Trace g; Fat: Trace g; Sodium: 5 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Exchanges: Free
WILD BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, at VeryWell. Kaleigh wrote, “Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a single meal, especially if you're on the go. They can also be loaded with sugary syrups and fat if you aren't careful when grabbing a smoothie away from home. For a nutritious smoothie you can feel good about, skip the shop and make this tasty version at home.
“Frozen wild blueberries are extra sweet and pack a lot of flavor and antioxidants into this wild blueberry cheesecake smoothie. They also make this smoothie extra cold and frosty without having to use ice. Research suggests that daily blueberry consumption could lower blood pressure due to the production of nitric oxide.
“The Greek yogurt and avocado duo lends a luxurious creamy texture and also contributes healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein to keep you fueled and full. Make this smoothie for a sweet breakfast treat, or split it in half for a healthy snack or dessert.”
Total Time: 5 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 0; Yield: 1 serving.
This can be viewed online here. It can also be found at Kaliegh’s website, Lively Table.
Ingredients
1 cup wild blueberries, frozen
1/2 small avocado
3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
Preparation
Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to your desired consistency.
Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You can typically find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular frozen blueberries, but they will not be as sweet.
This is a great smoothie recipe to disguise veggies, so add a handful of spinach if you want to get a little more vegetable power.
To make this smoothie dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, such as Silk, and unsweetened dairy-free milk of your choice.
Cooking and Serving Tips
This recipe makes a meal-sized smoothie. For a post-workout snack or a healthy dessert, divide into two servings.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Saturday Recipes
I know, I know...I almost never post on weekends. But since I wasn't able to post for more than a week, I figured I'd offer up a rare Saturday post.
Here are today's six recipes for you to try, including Superfast Fudge Brownies and Roasted-Vegetable Lasagna. Enjoy!
SUPERFAST FUDGE BROWNIES
This recipe comes from The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan and illustrated by Michael Klein. I absolutely love this cookbook. Even vegetarians can find plenty to love in it. The great thing about this recipe is that it really doesn't take much longer than a boxed mix, and is so much better!
The recipe starts with, "The perfect comfort food to go with your burgers. Brownies always lift the spirits. Especially these brownies. They're fast, easy, and foolproof." While I eat veggie burgers, rather than the meat version, I agree! These brownies are quick, easy, and yummy!
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter (or margarine), cut into 4 pieces
1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the cocoa powder, stirring continuously until the butter is just melted. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the butter mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until each is well combined. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with tiny crumbs on it. Serve warm or at room temperature.
PEACH “DOUGHNUTS”
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “These doughnuts are pure fruit. They are inspired by a baked pistachio-encrusted Saturn peach doughnut I learned to make from the pastry chef Sherry Yard. I coat mine with a mix of ground almonds and raw brown sugar, sear them in butter and set them on a lime-inflected raspberry sauce. It’s a match made in heaven.” Time: 45 minutes; makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the raspberry sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
1 6-ounce box raspberries
1 tablespoon crème de cassis liqueur
Finely grated or chopped zest of 1 lime
For the peaches:
6 ripe Saturn peaches
1/2 cup almonds
2 tablespoons raw brown sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, as needed
For serving:
Vanilla ice cream or ice milk (optional)
Additional raspberries (optional)
Preparation
To make raspberry sauce, combine 1/3 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium low and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Stir in raspberries and cassis liqueur. Return to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
Place lime zest in a bowl and strain hot raspberry sauce into bowl. Press raspberry pulp through strainer; discard seeds. Whisk to blend pulp and syrup, and return to saucepan.
To skin peaches, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add peaches. Blanch for 30 seconds and transfer to a bowl of ice water; drain. Cut peaches laterally around pit and gently twist apart. If peaches do not twist apart easily, insert knife tip and cut around the pit, then gently ease it out and separate the peach halves. Remove skin.
Place almonds and sugar in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until mixture is finely ground. Transfer to a wide bowl. Gently dip each peach half into the mixture to coat both sides, and place on a plate.
Shortly before serving, heat sauce and spoon a few tablespoons onto dessert plates.
Heat a large, heavy, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and when it has stopped foaming, add a batch of peach halves; do not crowd the pan. Sear for about 1 minute, until almond coating has browned, and flip over. Sear for another 30 seconds to a minute and remove to dessert plates, placing two halves on each plate, cut side up. Add more butter to pan if necessary and finish searing peaches. If desired, serve peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and, for garnish, additional raspberries.
CREAMY SPINACH SOUP WITH PANEER CROUTONS
This is from the October 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 32. It starts out, “Paneer, a mild Indian cheese, tops this tasty soup. If you can’t find paneer, substitute cubed fresh mozzarella or tofu.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. butter, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. black mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 cup frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
3 2/3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1-lb. pkg. frozen spinach
4 oz. paneer cheese, cubed (1 cup)
Heat 1 Tbs. butter in pot over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, curry powder, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute. Add hash browns and broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, and cook 2 minutes more, or until wilted. Purée with immersion blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 Tbs. butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add paneer cubes, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, turning occasionally. Spoon paneer over soup, and serve hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 264; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 453 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 6 g; Gluten-Free
CUBAN-STYLE ARROZ CONGRI
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “The combination of white rice and black beans is a Cuban staple. Black beans served on top of or next to white rice is most commonly called Moros y Cristianos, a reference to the medieval battle between Islamic Moors and Christian Spaniards on the Iberian Peninsula. When rice and beans are mixed with sautéed aromatic vegetables and sometimes bits of pork, the result is called congrí. (In some Cuban households, it is also called Moros y Cristianos.) As a rule, congrí is a fluffier and drier dish than Moros y Cristianos. Yolanda Horruitiner, who has lived in Cuba for all of her 70 years, makes this simple version of congrí without pork or cumin, which is a staple in some versions. Feel free to add either to the sofrito base. This recipe uses a stovetop to cook both the rice and beans, although the dish can be assembled more quickly using a pressure cooker and rice cooker and making the sofrito in a separate sauté pan, then mixing it into the rice before it’s all cooked.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “For Cuban Home Cooks, Ingenuity and Luck Are Key Ingredients” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco. Since I don’t keep alcohol around, I would substitute 1 tablespoon water.
Ingredients
1 cup dried black beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small green pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
5 or 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
2 small bay leaves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
Preparation
Rinse the beans and pick them over for any small stones. Put the beans and 8 cups water in a medium-size pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, partly cover and cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the bean.)
Meanwhile, make the sofrito: Put the oil in a medium-size pot (large enough to hold the rice as well) over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are limp. Stir in the oregano, dill and bay leaves and remove from heat.
Drain the beans, reserving the broth and being careful to not break the beans. In a large measuring cup, add the vinegar and wine, 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and enough water for all the liquid to measure 2 1/4 cups.
Put the sofrito back on medium heat, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the seasoned bean broth/water mixture and the salt. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 17 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and return cover to pot for 10 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and put rice mixture into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the beans, being careful not to break them. Season well with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot.
ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
4 red bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mixture:
2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
White sauce:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups spinach leaves, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
Preheat broiler.
To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.
Decrease oven temperature to 375°.
To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.
To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.
Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg
SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE
This is my mom’s recipe. Mom used to make this for holiday meals or if she was fixing ham for Sunday dinner. There was seldom any leftover soufflé.
Not to worry: since this is a vegetarian blog, I'm not going to suddenly post meat here. I'm just sharing a memory for decades past. Feel free to fix it whenever you want something a little festive.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
4 – 5 sweet potatoes
1 egg
1 small can pineapple
1 C nuts
2 T orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. salt
Cinnamon
dash pepper
1/2 C brown sugar
9 large marshmallows
Peel & dice sweet potatoes, place in pan of water, and cook until tender. Mash & add other ingredients except marshmallows. Put in square pan, cut in 9 squares & place 1 marshmallow in each square. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Here are today's six recipes for you to try, including Superfast Fudge Brownies and Roasted-Vegetable Lasagna. Enjoy!
SUPERFAST FUDGE BROWNIES
This recipe comes from The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan and illustrated by Michael Klein. I absolutely love this cookbook. Even vegetarians can find plenty to love in it. The great thing about this recipe is that it really doesn't take much longer than a boxed mix, and is so much better!
The recipe starts with, "The perfect comfort food to go with your burgers. Brownies always lift the spirits. Especially these brownies. They're fast, easy, and foolproof." While I eat veggie burgers, rather than the meat version, I agree! These brownies are quick, easy, and yummy!
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter (or margarine), cut into 4 pieces
1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the cocoa powder, stirring continuously until the butter is just melted. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the butter mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until each is well combined. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with tiny crumbs on it. Serve warm or at room temperature.
PEACH “DOUGHNUTS”
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “These doughnuts are pure fruit. They are inspired by a baked pistachio-encrusted Saturn peach doughnut I learned to make from the pastry chef Sherry Yard. I coat mine with a mix of ground almonds and raw brown sugar, sear them in butter and set them on a lime-inflected raspberry sauce. It’s a match made in heaven.” Time: 45 minutes; makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the raspberry sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
1 6-ounce box raspberries
1 tablespoon crème de cassis liqueur
Finely grated or chopped zest of 1 lime
For the peaches:
6 ripe Saturn peaches
1/2 cup almonds
2 tablespoons raw brown sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, as needed
For serving:
Vanilla ice cream or ice milk (optional)
Additional raspberries (optional)
Preparation
To make raspberry sauce, combine 1/3 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium low and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Stir in raspberries and cassis liqueur. Return to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
Place lime zest in a bowl and strain hot raspberry sauce into bowl. Press raspberry pulp through strainer; discard seeds. Whisk to blend pulp and syrup, and return to saucepan.
To skin peaches, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add peaches. Blanch for 30 seconds and transfer to a bowl of ice water; drain. Cut peaches laterally around pit and gently twist apart. If peaches do not twist apart easily, insert knife tip and cut around the pit, then gently ease it out and separate the peach halves. Remove skin.
Place almonds and sugar in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until mixture is finely ground. Transfer to a wide bowl. Gently dip each peach half into the mixture to coat both sides, and place on a plate.
Shortly before serving, heat sauce and spoon a few tablespoons onto dessert plates.
Heat a large, heavy, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and when it has stopped foaming, add a batch of peach halves; do not crowd the pan. Sear for about 1 minute, until almond coating has browned, and flip over. Sear for another 30 seconds to a minute and remove to dessert plates, placing two halves on each plate, cut side up. Add more butter to pan if necessary and finish searing peaches. If desired, serve peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and, for garnish, additional raspberries.
CREAMY SPINACH SOUP WITH PANEER CROUTONS
This is from the October 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 32. It starts out, “Paneer, a mild Indian cheese, tops this tasty soup. If you can’t find paneer, substitute cubed fresh mozzarella or tofu.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. butter, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. black mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 cup frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
3 2/3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1-lb. pkg. frozen spinach
4 oz. paneer cheese, cubed (1 cup)
Heat 1 Tbs. butter in pot over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, curry powder, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute. Add hash browns and broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, and cook 2 minutes more, or until wilted. Purée with immersion blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 Tbs. butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add paneer cubes, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, turning occasionally. Spoon paneer over soup, and serve hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 264; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 453 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 6 g; Gluten-Free
CUBAN-STYLE ARROZ CONGRI
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “The combination of white rice and black beans is a Cuban staple. Black beans served on top of or next to white rice is most commonly called Moros y Cristianos, a reference to the medieval battle between Islamic Moors and Christian Spaniards on the Iberian Peninsula. When rice and beans are mixed with sautéed aromatic vegetables and sometimes bits of pork, the result is called congrí. (In some Cuban households, it is also called Moros y Cristianos.) As a rule, congrí is a fluffier and drier dish than Moros y Cristianos. Yolanda Horruitiner, who has lived in Cuba for all of her 70 years, makes this simple version of congrí without pork or cumin, which is a staple in some versions. Feel free to add either to the sofrito base. This recipe uses a stovetop to cook both the rice and beans, although the dish can be assembled more quickly using a pressure cooker and rice cooker and making the sofrito in a separate sauté pan, then mixing it into the rice before it’s all cooked.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “For Cuban Home Cooks, Ingenuity and Luck Are Key Ingredients” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco. Since I don’t keep alcohol around, I would substitute 1 tablespoon water.
Ingredients
1 cup dried black beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small green pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
5 or 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
2 small bay leaves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
Preparation
Rinse the beans and pick them over for any small stones. Put the beans and 8 cups water in a medium-size pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, partly cover and cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the bean.)
Meanwhile, make the sofrito: Put the oil in a medium-size pot (large enough to hold the rice as well) over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are limp. Stir in the oregano, dill and bay leaves and remove from heat.
Drain the beans, reserving the broth and being careful to not break the beans. In a large measuring cup, add the vinegar and wine, 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and enough water for all the liquid to measure 2 1/4 cups.
Put the sofrito back on medium heat, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the seasoned bean broth/water mixture and the salt. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 17 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and return cover to pot for 10 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and put rice mixture into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the beans, being careful not to break them. Season well with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot.
ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
4 red bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mixture:
2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
White sauce:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups spinach leaves, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
Preheat broiler.
To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.
Decrease oven temperature to 375°.
To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.
To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.
Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg
SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE
This is my mom’s recipe. Mom used to make this for holiday meals or if she was fixing ham for Sunday dinner. There was seldom any leftover soufflé.
Not to worry: since this is a vegetarian blog, I'm not going to suddenly post meat here. I'm just sharing a memory for decades past. Feel free to fix it whenever you want something a little festive.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
4 – 5 sweet potatoes
1 egg
1 small can pineapple
1 C nuts
2 T orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. salt
Cinnamon
dash pepper
1/2 C brown sugar
9 large marshmallows
Peel & dice sweet potatoes, place in pan of water, and cook until tender. Mash & add other ingredients except marshmallows. Put in square pan, cut in 9 squares & place 1 marshmallow in each square. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Friday Recipes,
Well, I'm finally back online just in time for the weekend...Yay!
Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Rhubarb-Strawberry Refrigerator Cake and Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone. Enjoy!
POTATO GNOCCHI
This comes from the January/February 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 38. It starts off, “The secret to fluffy, tender gnocchi is to make the dough while the mashed potatoes are hot, add just enough liquid to hold it together, and work it as little as possible.
To freeze: place cooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer, freeze until gnocchi are hard, and transfer to resealable plastic bags.
To reheat: add frozen gnocchi to boiling water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese.” Serves 6 (makes about 100 gnocchi)
To view this online, click here.
2 1/2 lb. russet or Idaho potatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup potato starch
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick potatoes all over with fork, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until soft to touch. Slice open, and let cool 10 minutes.
Scoop out potato flesh (it will still be hot); reserve skins for another use. Mash potato flesh in bowl or put through potato ricer. Stir in salt, then egg with fork. Stir in potato starch until dough comes together and no longer sticks to fork or your hands.
Scoop out 1/2 cup dough, and roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope on work surface dusted with potato starch. Cut rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set back of fork atop 1 gnocchi, and use fork to roll gnocchi toward you, making light indentations with fork tines. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi, and cook 2 minutes, or until gnocchi float to top. Drain, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving (about 16 gnocchi): Calories: 207; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 213 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Gluten-Free
CURRIED CHICK PEAS AND TOMATOES
This is from Fiona Haynes, About.com's Low Fat Cooking expert. She writes, “Going meatless once in a while is good for our bodies, and a great way to eat cheaply. This curried chick peas and tomatoes recipe is super-fast and super-flavorful, thanks to the curry spices and especially the fresh ginger. Enjoy this healthy curried chick peas and tomatoes dish over microwaveable whole-grain rice.” Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tsp canola oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tbsp curry powder
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 15-ounce cans reduced-sodium chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
Heat oil on medium heat in large skillet.
Add garlic, onion and ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until onion softens.
Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes and chick peas, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in parsley, then serve.
Per Serving: Calories 252, Calories from Fat 53, Total Fat 3.6g (sat 0.4g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 601mg, Carbohydrate 49.1g, Fiber 9.6g, Protein 9.7g
HOMEMADE APRICOT SALSA WITH BEANS
This comes from from Jolinda Hackett, About.com's Vegetarian Food expert. She writes, "Try this homemade apricot salsa for a unique twist on the usual homemade salsa recipes. This easy apricot salsa recipe uses dried apricots and baked beans instead of tomatoes, but also combines the traditional Mexican salsa flavors of fresh chopped cilantro, lime, and jalapeno peppers. Perfect for summer.
"This vegetarian and vegan homemade apricot salsa recipe is courtesy of Bush's® Beans."
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 28 ounce cans vegetarian baked beans
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
2 2.25 cans sliced black olives, drained
2 10 ounce packages frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tbsp jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 tsp cumin
tortilla chips
Preparation
Combine all ingredients, except tortilla chips; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, two to three hours to allow flavors to blend. Stir before serving with tortilla chips.
MEATLESS RICE CASSEROLE WITH BEANS
This is also from Jolinda Hackett, who writes, "A vegetarian rice casserole with beans. This easy rice casserole recipe is a great way to use up any leftover rice you might have on hand. Vegetarian rice and beans casserole can also be prepared super quick if you have all the ingredients on hand. Just open up a can of baked beans, add a few spices and bake! Recipe courtesy of Bush's® Beans."
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 28 ounce can vegetarian baked beans
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Preparation
Combine all ingredients including vegetarian baked beans in a lightly greased 2-quart casserole. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly.
SLOW-COOKER VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE
This recipe begins, “With a few simple steps and time in the slow cooker, you'll have this delicious and nutritious minestrone soup ready to serve.”
This is from Diabetic Connect
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/6654-vegetarian-minestrone-slow-cooker
Ingredients
6 cups vegetable broth
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 large onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 cup green beans
1 small zucchini
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
4 cups chopped fresh spinach
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
Directions
Combine vegetable broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, onion, celery, carrots, green beans, zucchini, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, thyme, and black pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
Stir spinach and macaroni into minestrone; cook another 15 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; Calories: 138; Carbohydrates: 25.2 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Protein: 6.9 g; Sodium: 941 mg; Dietary Fiber: 6.5 g
RHUBARB-STRAWBERRY REFRIGERATOR CAKE
My family spent several years in northeast Connecticut. When I was 15, my parents bought a new house in South Woodstock (we'd lived in Thompson).
One of the new house's charms was a good-sized garden; a large patch of rhubarb threatened to overrun the entire garden. While Dad claimed most of the garden (as “John’s Pea Patch”), Mom decided that the rhubarb was hers. This is one of the many rhubarb desserts we had that year.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
6 C rhubarb, cut in 1/2” pieces
1 tsp. vanilla
3 dozen lady fingers, split
1/2 C sugar
whole fresh strawberries
2 pks. (3 oz. each) strawberry gelatin
2 C heavy cream, whipped
Combine rhubarb, sugar and 1 C water in saucepan. Bring to boil. Boil 6 – 8 minutes until soft. Drain 1 C syrup and save. Put rhubarb and remaining syrup in blender. Make pulp (3 1/2 C). Bring pulp to boil. Pour over gelatin and stir until dissolved. Chill until slightly thickened but not firm. Fold in whipped cream. Add vanilla. Line 9” springform pan (3” deep) with ladyfingers. Alternate layers of rhubarb mix and ladyfingers, ending with rhubarb. Chill overnight, or until firm. Top with glaze and strawberries.
Glaze: Mix reserve syrup and 1/4 C sugar. Bring to boil & stir in 1 1/2 T cornstarch. Blend with small amount of water. Boil and cook, stirring until thickened and clean. Add a few drops of red food coloring. Cool.
Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Rhubarb-Strawberry Refrigerator Cake and Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone. Enjoy!
POTATO GNOCCHI
This comes from the January/February 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 38. It starts off, “The secret to fluffy, tender gnocchi is to make the dough while the mashed potatoes are hot, add just enough liquid to hold it together, and work it as little as possible.
To freeze: place cooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer, freeze until gnocchi are hard, and transfer to resealable plastic bags.
To reheat: add frozen gnocchi to boiling water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese.” Serves 6 (makes about 100 gnocchi)
To view this online, click here.
2 1/2 lb. russet or Idaho potatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup potato starch
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick potatoes all over with fork, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until soft to touch. Slice open, and let cool 10 minutes.
Scoop out potato flesh (it will still be hot); reserve skins for another use. Mash potato flesh in bowl or put through potato ricer. Stir in salt, then egg with fork. Stir in potato starch until dough comes together and no longer sticks to fork or your hands.
Scoop out 1/2 cup dough, and roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope on work surface dusted with potato starch. Cut rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set back of fork atop 1 gnocchi, and use fork to roll gnocchi toward you, making light indentations with fork tines. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi, and cook 2 minutes, or until gnocchi float to top. Drain, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving (about 16 gnocchi): Calories: 207; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 213 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Gluten-Free
CURRIED CHICK PEAS AND TOMATOES
This is from Fiona Haynes, About.com's Low Fat Cooking expert. She writes, “Going meatless once in a while is good for our bodies, and a great way to eat cheaply. This curried chick peas and tomatoes recipe is super-fast and super-flavorful, thanks to the curry spices and especially the fresh ginger. Enjoy this healthy curried chick peas and tomatoes dish over microwaveable whole-grain rice.” Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tsp canola oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tbsp curry powder
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 15-ounce cans reduced-sodium chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
Heat oil on medium heat in large skillet.
Add garlic, onion and ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until onion softens.
Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes and chick peas, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in parsley, then serve.
Per Serving: Calories 252, Calories from Fat 53, Total Fat 3.6g (sat 0.4g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 601mg, Carbohydrate 49.1g, Fiber 9.6g, Protein 9.7g
HOMEMADE APRICOT SALSA WITH BEANS
This comes from from Jolinda Hackett, About.com's Vegetarian Food expert. She writes, "Try this homemade apricot salsa for a unique twist on the usual homemade salsa recipes. This easy apricot salsa recipe uses dried apricots and baked beans instead of tomatoes, but also combines the traditional Mexican salsa flavors of fresh chopped cilantro, lime, and jalapeno peppers. Perfect for summer.
"This vegetarian and vegan homemade apricot salsa recipe is courtesy of Bush's® Beans."
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 28 ounce cans vegetarian baked beans
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
2 2.25 cans sliced black olives, drained
2 10 ounce packages frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tbsp jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 tsp cumin
tortilla chips
Preparation
Combine all ingredients, except tortilla chips; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, two to three hours to allow flavors to blend. Stir before serving with tortilla chips.
MEATLESS RICE CASSEROLE WITH BEANS
This is also from Jolinda Hackett, who writes, "A vegetarian rice casserole with beans. This easy rice casserole recipe is a great way to use up any leftover rice you might have on hand. Vegetarian rice and beans casserole can also be prepared super quick if you have all the ingredients on hand. Just open up a can of baked beans, add a few spices and bake! Recipe courtesy of Bush's® Beans."
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 28 ounce can vegetarian baked beans
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Preparation
Combine all ingredients including vegetarian baked beans in a lightly greased 2-quart casserole. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly.
SLOW-COOKER VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE
This recipe begins, “With a few simple steps and time in the slow cooker, you'll have this delicious and nutritious minestrone soup ready to serve.”
This is from Diabetic Connect
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/6654-vegetarian-minestrone-slow-cooker
Ingredients
6 cups vegetable broth
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 large onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 cup green beans
1 small zucchini
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
4 cups chopped fresh spinach
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
Directions
Combine vegetable broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, onion, celery, carrots, green beans, zucchini, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, thyme, and black pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
Stir spinach and macaroni into minestrone; cook another 15 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; Calories: 138; Carbohydrates: 25.2 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Protein: 6.9 g; Sodium: 941 mg; Dietary Fiber: 6.5 g
RHUBARB-STRAWBERRY REFRIGERATOR CAKE
My family spent several years in northeast Connecticut. When I was 15, my parents bought a new house in South Woodstock (we'd lived in Thompson).
One of the new house's charms was a good-sized garden; a large patch of rhubarb threatened to overrun the entire garden. While Dad claimed most of the garden (as “John’s Pea Patch”), Mom decided that the rhubarb was hers. This is one of the many rhubarb desserts we had that year.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
6 C rhubarb, cut in 1/2” pieces
1 tsp. vanilla
3 dozen lady fingers, split
1/2 C sugar
whole fresh strawberries
2 pks. (3 oz. each) strawberry gelatin
2 C heavy cream, whipped
Combine rhubarb, sugar and 1 C water in saucepan. Bring to boil. Boil 6 – 8 minutes until soft. Drain 1 C syrup and save. Put rhubarb and remaining syrup in blender. Make pulp (3 1/2 C). Bring pulp to boil. Pour over gelatin and stir until dissolved. Chill until slightly thickened but not firm. Fold in whipped cream. Add vanilla. Line 9” springform pan (3” deep) with ladyfingers. Alternate layers of rhubarb mix and ladyfingers, ending with rhubarb. Chill overnight, or until firm. Top with glaze and strawberries.
Glaze: Mix reserve syrup and 1/4 C sugar. Bring to boil & stir in 1 1/2 T cornstarch. Blend with small amount of water. Boil and cook, stirring until thickened and clean. Add a few drops of red food coloring. Cool.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Computer problems
Hi, readers! In case you've been wondering what's up, I'm having computer issues (again). I should be up and running by Friday. Here's hoping! See you then...
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Just Desserts
Have you ever heard someone say, "I want something snacky!"? Heck, maybe you've even said it - or, at least, thought it. I know I've thought (and said) it a few times over the years.
Well, here are six dessert recipes for those times you want something snacky, including Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes and a Meyer Lemon Tart. Enjoy!
RED VELVET MINI CUPCAKES
This comes from The Food Network and begins, “Oil takes the place of butter in these cupcakes, making them lower in fat, but also making the crumb moist. Also, all of the flour is whole wheat! The frosting is simply sweetened reduced-fat cream cheese, but it's plenty tasty.”
Total: 1 hr; Active: 20 min; Yield: 48 mini cupcakes (2 cupcakes per serving); Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/red-velvet-mini-cupcakes-recipe.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup lowfat (1-percent) buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
Nonstick cooking spray, for coating ice cream scoop
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 48 mini muffin cups (2 large tins or 4 small) with paper liners.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the oil and granulated sugar on medium-high speed with a hand mixer in a large bowl until well combined. Add the egg and beat until well blended. Beat in the food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla.
On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour, beating well after each addition. Whisk together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, and then beat into the batter until fully incorporated.
Using a small ice cream scoop sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the mixture and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled cupcakes.
CHOCOLATE FILLED CAKE ROLL
Servings: 12 one-inch slices
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/23.shtml.
Ingredients
Cake:
5 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 packets of Sweet'n Low
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
Filling:
2 cups skim milk
1 package sugar-free chocolate instant pudding mix
Topping:
2 teaspoons sugar-free cocoa mix
Directions
Preheat oven to 400F.
Grease and line the bottom of a 10x15" jelly roll pan with waxed paper.
Beat eggs in a large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy.
Sprinkle sugar, Sweet'n Low and vanilla over eggs; continue beating for 2 minutes.
Sift flour, cornstarch, and baking powder together.
Sprinkle half the mixture over batter; fold in with spatula.
Repeat with remaining flour mixture.
Spread batter evenly in pan.
Bake on center rack in oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until cake is golden and springs back when lightly touched.
Arrange a towel on work surface and cover with wax or parchment paper.
Loosen edges of cake; unmold on paper.
Roll cake jelly roll style, using towel as a guide.
Leave cake rolled until it cools into jelly roll shape.
To make filling, blend milk with pudding mix according to package directions. Refrigerate pudding until it thickens.
Unroll cake, spread evenly with pudding, and reroll.
Lightly sprinkle sugar-free cocoa over the top to decorate.
Cut into 1" slices and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 122; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 197 mg; Cholesterol: 92 mg; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1/2 Skim Milk; 1/2 Fat; 1 Starch
MEYER LEMON TART
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “The Meyer lemon has always been something of a California secret, and every year when its brief growing season begins there, eager cooks sigh with relief. The Meyer is not as assertive as the common supermarket varieties, but it offers so much more in nuanced flavor that it is unforgettable. And these days, the Meyer's secret is finally out. A Meyer lemon contains about four times the sugar of a regular lemon, but it can be used almost interchangeably with the traditional varieties, adding a rounder edge to both sweet and savory dishes. And you can use the whole thing – from pulp to peel. This gorgeous tart is the ideal way to showcase its seductive fragrance and flavor. (Regular lemons will work well in this recipe too, but you'll likely want to add a bit more sugar.)”
Yield: One 10-inch tart; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “All Perfume, No Pucker” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon milk
12 ounces (about 2 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Curd
1 1/4 pound (5 or 6) Meyer lemons
1 cup sugar
5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
7 large egg yolks
5 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Make the crust: in the bowl of a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and the milk, and beat to combine. In a medium bowl, combine the flour with salt. Slowly add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until completely blended. Gather dough into two balls. Freeze one for future use, chill the other for at least 1 hour.
Heavily butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, and place the shell in the freezer for 30 minutes.
While shell is in freezer, prepare lemon curd. Grate zest of lemons. Squeeze lemons to extract 1 cup of juice. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine juice and zest. Add remaining sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.
In bowl of a mixer, combine eggs and egg yolks until blended. Slowly add hot lemon mixture to eggs until blended. Return mixture to saucepan, and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency; do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, and continue to stir to stop the cooking. Strain lemon curd into a bowl. Adjust sugar to taste; the curd should be tart, but may need additional sugar if the lemons were unripe. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it right against the surface of the curd. Allow to cool.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove tart shell from freezer, and bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon lemon curd into tart shell, and smooth the top. Bake until filling has puffed around the edges, about 30 minutes. Cover edges with foil, if necessary, to prevent over-browning. Cool to room temperature before serving.
OATMEAL COOKIES
This is from Vegetarian Times and begins, “Straightforward and tasty, these oatmeal cookies hit the sweet spot.” Makes 24 cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pastry flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs or equivalent Egg Replacer
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. cold water
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease one or more baking sheets.
In medium bowl, mix both flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and ginger. Set aside.
In large bowl with an electric mixer, beat margarine and granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs or Egg Replacer, vanilla and water until blended. Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended. Stir in oats and raisins.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet(s), spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store cookies in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 77; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Sodium: 65 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: g
CREAMY RICE PUDDING
Maybe ten years ago, this recipe was in several issues of Vegetarian Times in ads for Mahatma Rice. I'd lost track of the recipe, which I'd made several times for a certain someone who loved homemade rice pudding. I had to admit, it was definitely worth the time it took to fix it.
1 1/2 quarts 2% milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Mahatma rice (see note)
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Note: The recipe called for Mahatma, Water Maid, Carolina, or River rice.
Combine milk, sugar and rice in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (The milk should just barely simmer, with bubble breaking only at the outside edge of the surface. After an hour, the rice should be soft.)
Add raisins, increase heat to medium heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until rice has absorbed most of the rest of the milkl, but not all, and the pudding is creamy (about 30 minutes longer).
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. When cool, pudding will thicken, but will still be very creamy. Serve warm or well chilled. Serves 8.
ROSEMARY, OLIVE OIL AND ORANGE CAKE
This comes from Yotam Ottolenghi in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yotam wrote, “This is a very light cake, similar to a lemon drizzle but with a ton more flavor. The rosemary and orange add delicious floral notes. A fluted Bundt pan looks especially nice. Prepare the crystallized rosemary sprigs at least 6 to 8 hours (or the day before) before serving the cake, which will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days.”
Yield: 10 servings.
This was featured in “The Bright Magic of Citrus in the Baking Pan” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
For the Crystallized Rosemary:
10 small rosemary sprigs, no more than 1 inch each in size (see note)
1 egg white, lightly whisked
2 teaspoons granulated or superfine sugar (caster sugar)
For the Cake:
About 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, for greasing the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour (plain flour), more to flour the pan
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon superfine sugar (caster sugar)
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from about 1 1/2 oranges)
1 1/2 tablespoons packed finely chopped rosemary leaves
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Orange Icing:
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 3/4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, or 1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar
Preparation
At least 6 hours before you plan to ice the cake, prepare the crystallized rosemary: Brush rosemary on all sides with a little of the egg white and then dip it in the sugar, so the needles are lightly coated on all sides. Set aside on a wire rack to dry. Repeat with remaining rosemary.
Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a 9-inch/23-centimeter Bundt pan with half the butter and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Butter again, generously, and then flour it, tapping away the excess.
Put olive oil, superfine sugar, orange zest and chopped rosemary leaves in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed until combined, then add eggs, one at a time. Whisk for another minute, until thick, then add sour cream and mix until combined on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the whisk.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt together into a small bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the olive oil mixture and mix until combined. Increase speed to high and whisk for 1 minute.
Scrape batter into the Bundt pan and smooth the top with a small spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cake is cooked and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. (You may want to trim the cake at this stage, if it rises unevenly, to allow it to sit flat on the plate.)
Prepare the icing: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. When the cake has cooled, drizzle icing on top, allowing it to drip down the sides of the cake, then top with the crystallized rosemary and serve.
Well, here are six dessert recipes for those times you want something snacky, including Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes and a Meyer Lemon Tart. Enjoy!
RED VELVET MINI CUPCAKES
This comes from The Food Network and begins, “Oil takes the place of butter in these cupcakes, making them lower in fat, but also making the crumb moist. Also, all of the flour is whole wheat! The frosting is simply sweetened reduced-fat cream cheese, but it's plenty tasty.”
Total: 1 hr; Active: 20 min; Yield: 48 mini cupcakes (2 cupcakes per serving); Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/red-velvet-mini-cupcakes-recipe.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup lowfat (1-percent) buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
Nonstick cooking spray, for coating ice cream scoop
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 48 mini muffin cups (2 large tins or 4 small) with paper liners.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the oil and granulated sugar on medium-high speed with a hand mixer in a large bowl until well combined. Add the egg and beat until well blended. Beat in the food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla.
On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour, beating well after each addition. Whisk together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, and then beat into the batter until fully incorporated.
Using a small ice cream scoop sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the mixture and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled cupcakes.
CHOCOLATE FILLED CAKE ROLL
Servings: 12 one-inch slices
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/23.shtml.
Ingredients
Cake:
5 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 packets of Sweet'n Low
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
Filling:
2 cups skim milk
1 package sugar-free chocolate instant pudding mix
Topping:
2 teaspoons sugar-free cocoa mix
Directions
Preheat oven to 400F.
Grease and line the bottom of a 10x15" jelly roll pan with waxed paper.
Beat eggs in a large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy.
Sprinkle sugar, Sweet'n Low and vanilla over eggs; continue beating for 2 minutes.
Sift flour, cornstarch, and baking powder together.
Sprinkle half the mixture over batter; fold in with spatula.
Repeat with remaining flour mixture.
Spread batter evenly in pan.
Bake on center rack in oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until cake is golden and springs back when lightly touched.
Arrange a towel on work surface and cover with wax or parchment paper.
Loosen edges of cake; unmold on paper.
Roll cake jelly roll style, using towel as a guide.
Leave cake rolled until it cools into jelly roll shape.
To make filling, blend milk with pudding mix according to package directions. Refrigerate pudding until it thickens.
Unroll cake, spread evenly with pudding, and reroll.
Lightly sprinkle sugar-free cocoa over the top to decorate.
Cut into 1" slices and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 122; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 197 mg; Cholesterol: 92 mg; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1/2 Skim Milk; 1/2 Fat; 1 Starch
MEYER LEMON TART
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “The Meyer lemon has always been something of a California secret, and every year when its brief growing season begins there, eager cooks sigh with relief. The Meyer is not as assertive as the common supermarket varieties, but it offers so much more in nuanced flavor that it is unforgettable. And these days, the Meyer's secret is finally out. A Meyer lemon contains about four times the sugar of a regular lemon, but it can be used almost interchangeably with the traditional varieties, adding a rounder edge to both sweet and savory dishes. And you can use the whole thing – from pulp to peel. This gorgeous tart is the ideal way to showcase its seductive fragrance and flavor. (Regular lemons will work well in this recipe too, but you'll likely want to add a bit more sugar.)”
Yield: One 10-inch tart; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “All Perfume, No Pucker” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tablespoon milk
12 ounces (about 2 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Curd
1 1/4 pound (5 or 6) Meyer lemons
1 cup sugar
5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan
7 large egg yolks
5 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Make the crust: in the bowl of a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and the milk, and beat to combine. In a medium bowl, combine the flour with salt. Slowly add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until completely blended. Gather dough into two balls. Freeze one for future use, chill the other for at least 1 hour.
Heavily butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, and place the shell in the freezer for 30 minutes.
While shell is in freezer, prepare lemon curd. Grate zest of lemons. Squeeze lemons to extract 1 cup of juice. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine juice and zest. Add remaining sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.
In bowl of a mixer, combine eggs and egg yolks until blended. Slowly add hot lemon mixture to eggs until blended. Return mixture to saucepan, and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency; do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, and continue to stir to stop the cooking. Strain lemon curd into a bowl. Adjust sugar to taste; the curd should be tart, but may need additional sugar if the lemons were unripe. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it right against the surface of the curd. Allow to cool.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove tart shell from freezer, and bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon lemon curd into tart shell, and smooth the top. Bake until filling has puffed around the edges, about 30 minutes. Cover edges with foil, if necessary, to prevent over-browning. Cool to room temperature before serving.
OATMEAL COOKIES
This is from Vegetarian Times and begins, “Straightforward and tasty, these oatmeal cookies hit the sweet spot.” Makes 24 cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pastry flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs or equivalent Egg Replacer
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. cold water
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease one or more baking sheets.
In medium bowl, mix both flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and ginger. Set aside.
In large bowl with an electric mixer, beat margarine and granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs or Egg Replacer, vanilla and water until blended. Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended. Stir in oats and raisins.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet(s), spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store cookies in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 77; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Sodium: 65 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: g
CREAMY RICE PUDDING
Maybe ten years ago, this recipe was in several issues of Vegetarian Times in ads for Mahatma Rice. I'd lost track of the recipe, which I'd made several times for a certain someone who loved homemade rice pudding. I had to admit, it was definitely worth the time it took to fix it.
1 1/2 quarts 2% milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Mahatma rice (see note)
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Note: The recipe called for Mahatma, Water Maid, Carolina, or River rice.
Combine milk, sugar and rice in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (The milk should just barely simmer, with bubble breaking only at the outside edge of the surface. After an hour, the rice should be soft.)
Add raisins, increase heat to medium heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until rice has absorbed most of the rest of the milkl, but not all, and the pudding is creamy (about 30 minutes longer).
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. When cool, pudding will thicken, but will still be very creamy. Serve warm or well chilled. Serves 8.
ROSEMARY, OLIVE OIL AND ORANGE CAKE
This comes from Yotam Ottolenghi in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yotam wrote, “This is a very light cake, similar to a lemon drizzle but with a ton more flavor. The rosemary and orange add delicious floral notes. A fluted Bundt pan looks especially nice. Prepare the crystallized rosemary sprigs at least 6 to 8 hours (or the day before) before serving the cake, which will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days.”
Yield: 10 servings.
This was featured in “The Bright Magic of Citrus in the Baking Pan” and can be viewed online at here.
Ingredients
For the Crystallized Rosemary:
10 small rosemary sprigs, no more than 1 inch each in size (see note)
1 egg white, lightly whisked
2 teaspoons granulated or superfine sugar (caster sugar)
For the Cake:
About 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, for greasing the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour (plain flour), more to flour the pan
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon superfine sugar (caster sugar)
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (from about 1 1/2 oranges)
1 1/2 tablespoons packed finely chopped rosemary leaves
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Orange Icing:
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 3/4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, or 1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar
Preparation
At least 6 hours before you plan to ice the cake, prepare the crystallized rosemary: Brush rosemary on all sides with a little of the egg white and then dip it in the sugar, so the needles are lightly coated on all sides. Set aside on a wire rack to dry. Repeat with remaining rosemary.
Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a 9-inch/23-centimeter Bundt pan with half the butter and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Butter again, generously, and then flour it, tapping away the excess.
Put olive oil, superfine sugar, orange zest and chopped rosemary leaves in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed until combined, then add eggs, one at a time. Whisk for another minute, until thick, then add sour cream and mix until combined on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the whisk.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt together into a small bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the olive oil mixture and mix until combined. Increase speed to high and whisk for 1 minute.
Scrape batter into the Bundt pan and smooth the top with a small spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cake is cooked and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. (You may want to trim the cake at this stage, if it rises unevenly, to allow it to sit flat on the plate.)
Prepare the icing: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. When the cake has cooled, drizzle icing on top, allowing it to drip down the sides of the cake, then top with the crystallized rosemary and serve.
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