Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's post includes African-Style Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Stew and Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse. Enjoy!
PUMPKIN PIE IN A SHEET PAN
This yummy pie comes from the Food Network, and begins, “Got a crowd that loves pumpkin pie? This giant dessert in sheet-cake form serves 16. We extended the height of a baking sheet with aluminum foil for a deeper crust that holds the double recipe and placed pie dough rounds around the perimeter for a pretty fanned crust.”
Level: Intermediate; Total: 11 hr (includes cooling and chilling times); Active: 1 hr; Yield: 16 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Dough:
Cooking spray
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 large egg
Filling:
Two 15-ounce cans pumpkin puree
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Special equipment: a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet, 1 roll 18-inch-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil, a 1-inch round cookie cutter
Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Tear off two 24-inch pieces of 18-inch-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil. Line a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet with the foil, crisscrossing the pieces and leaving an overhang on all sides. Fold over each overhang so it stands upright and forms a sturdy wall about 3 inches high. Crimp the corners together, and lightly coat the bottom and sides with the cooking spray.
For the dough: Beat the butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until smooth, about 1 minute. Add half the flour, and beat to incorporate; add the remaining flour, and beat until the dough just starts to come together in large, soft clumps. (It should hold together when squeezed.) Set aside 1/3 of the dough (for decorating the edges).
Press half the remaining dough into the bottom of the baking sheet until it is completely covered, with no gaps, about 1/4 inch thick. (The dough won't be completely smooth.) Press the remaining dough into and about 1 inch up the sides of the foil wall until the dough is about 1/4 inch thick and there are no gaps where the sides and bottom meet. Bake until the dough is light golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.
Meanwhile, knead the reserved dough a few times to bring it together. Put it between 2 pieces of flour-dusted parchment; pat it into a disk, and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out about 50 rounds with a 1-inch round cookie cutter, gathering scraps and rerolling as needed. Lay all the rounds out on a parchment-lined baking sheet or platter, beat the egg with a little water and brush the tops of each round with the egg wash. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the filling: Gently whisk together the pumpkin, cream, granulated sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt in a large bowl until blended well.
Pour the filling into the cooled pie shell. Press the rounds in a single line all around the edges of the crust. (It's OK if part of the round sinks into the filling slightly.) Bake until the filling is only slightly wiggly when shaken, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool completely. Wrap and refrigerate overnight. Cut into squares, and serve with whipped cream.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
CINNAMON BAKED DOUGHNUTS
This is from Ina Garten of the Food Network show, Barefoot Contessa.
Level: Easy; Total: 35 min; Active: 15 min; Yield: 12 doughnuts
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Baking spray with flour, such as Baker's Joy
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the topping:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 doughnut pans well.
Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.
Spoon the batter into the baking pans, filling each one a little more than three-quarters full. Bake for 17 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then tap the doughnuts out onto a sheet pan.
For the topping, melt the 8 tablespoons of butter in an 8-inch saute pan. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Dip each doughnut first in the butter and then in the cinnamon sugar, either on one side or both sides.
SPINACH AND CHEESE BOUREKAS
This was from the Vegetarian Times editors (posted on their site on May 23, 2013), and begins, “Bourekas are savory filled pastries that Israelis often make with puff pastry. To lighten the recipe, this version calls for phyllo dough brushed with olive oil.”
24 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 cups spinach leaves
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, plus 6 Tbs. for brushing phyllo, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup feta cheese, finely crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
12 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 tsp. sesame seeds
Directions
Rinse and drain spinach and, with water still clinging to leaves, transfer to large skillet. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Cool, squeeze out liquid, and coarsely chop. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.)
Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl, and cool.
Stir ricotta and feta cheeses into spinach mixture. Stir in egg. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350˚F, and coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Lay 1 phyllo sheet on work surface with long side closest to you; brush phyllo with oil. Top with second phyllo sheet, and brush with oil. Cut phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 long strips. Place 1 1/2 tsp. spinach mixture on bottom of first phyllo strip. Fold one bottom corner of strip over filling to make a triangle. Continue folding phyllo strip over filling (like a flag) until filling is encased in phyllo. Brush top with oil, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining phyllo, oil, and filling; sprinkle bourekas with sesame seeds.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until triangles are crispy and golden-brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 81; Carbohydrate Content: 7 g; Cholesterol Content: 10 mg; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 0.5 g; Protein Content: 2 g; Saturated Fat Content: 1 g; Sodium Content: 94 mg; Sugar Content: 0.5 g
AFRICAN-STYLE SWEET POTATO AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW
This recipe comes from Publix.
Servings: 8; Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes; Active Time: 10 minutes
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes
1 can chickpeas (garbanzos), (15–16 oz), drained
1 (14.5-oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
8 oz prediced bell pepper mix (1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon chunky garlic paste
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or stock)
1 package fresh (or frozen) prediced butternut squash (15–16 oz)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Directions
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Drain chickpeas. Place in slow cooker: sweet potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, bell peppers, seasoning, garlic paste, and broth; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours (or LOW for 4–6 hours) or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in squash during last 30 minutes of cook time. Chop cilantro and peanuts.
Remove 1 cup of liquid from stew and whisk with peanut butter until blended. Stir peanut butter mixture into stew. Serve topped with cilantro and peanuts.
DARK CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on VeryWellFit. Kaleigh wrote, “No need to deprive yourself if you're following a blood pressure-friendly diet. Whether you need something sweet after dinner or you are asked to bring a dessert to a party, this dark chocolate avocado mousse is the perfect healthy yet decadent dessert.
“It uses avocados instead of heavy cream to give it a rich, creamy texture. Avocados are naturally high in potassium and magnesium, which help to lower your blood pressure. Avocados are also loaded with tons of vitamins, including folate, vitamin K, and vitamin E. They provide healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber to help keep you full and satisfied with just a small portion. Cocoa powder also contains fiber and blood pressure lowering flavonols.
“This mousse couldn’t be easier to make. Just blend everything in a blender until smooth and chill for just a little bit. Nobody will ever know that it’s healthier or that it is made with avocados!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Servings: 4 (1/2 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 small ripe avocados
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
1/2 cup milk of choice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation
Cut avocados in half and remove seeds. Scoop from shells into a blender or food processor.
Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe container and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
Add melted chocolate and remaining ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Divide into 4 serving dishes and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
For dairy-free and vegan, use dairy-free milk of choice and dairy-free chocolate chips.
For vegan, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey, too.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Add more milk by the tablespoon, if needed, until you reach the desired consistency.
VEGAN THAI CURRY VEGETABLES
This comes from Elaine Louie in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Drew Spangler Faulkner, a cooking teacher at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Md., makes a Thai green curry that is a kind of comfort food. The sauce, made creamy with coconut milk, and gently spicy with the curry paste, is flavorful yet soothing. The vegetables, which are simply dropped into the sauce, and gently simmered for about 12 minutes, turn out tender, not soggy. It is startlingly simple. She makes her own green curry paste, but the recipe calls for any one of three store bought pastes. Although some green curry pastes contain fish or shrimp paste, she has found three brands which do not: Thai Taste, Maesri and Thai Kitchen.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time:1 hour
This was featured in “The Temporary Vegetarian: Vegan Thai Curry Vegetables” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
One 13 1/2-ounce can coconut milk (do not shake can)
1/2 cup vegetable stock
4 teaspoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons palm sugar or brown sugar
6 tablespoons Thai green curry paste, like Thai Taste, Maesri, and Thai Kitchen, none of which have shrimp or fish paste
1/2 cup diced (1/2 inch) onion
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) red bell pepper
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) zucchini or other summer squash
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) peeled sweet potato
2/3 cup sliced bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) Asian eggplant
1 lime
8 large basil leaves, cut into thin chiffonade
Preparation
Open the can of coconut milk without shaking it. Spoon 6 tablespoons of the coconut cream from the top of the can into a medium saucepan. Pour remaining contents of can into a medium bowl, and mix well. In a medium bowl, combine vegetable stock, soy sauce, and palm or brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Place saucepan of coconut cream over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Add curry paste and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until very fragrant, about 3 minutes; adjust heat as needed to prevent burning. Add onion, red pepper, zucchini, sweet potato, bamboo shoots, green beans, and eggplant. Stir until vegetables are hot, 2-3 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the soy sauce mixture and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice to taste; you may use the juice of an entire lime. Stir and mix well. Add up to 1/4 cup water if the curry seems too thick.
To serve, place the curry in a warm serving bowl and garnish with the basil chiffonade. If desired, serve over jasmine rice.
Showing posts with label Spinach and Cheese Bourekas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spinach and Cheese Bourekas. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Thursday Recipes
It's almost the end of the first full week of the new year. One more day...
If you're trying to eat more vegetarian meals this year, you've come to the right blog. And today's offerings should help with your resolve, including Vegan Thai Curry Vegetables and Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake (which has two of my favorites in it - peanut butter and chocolate!). Enjoy!
SALTED CARAMEL BANANA BREAD
This is from tbsp. (tablespoon.com), and begins, “Banana bread is delicious all by itself, but add a layer of salted caramel to the top and it's just plain decadent!”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 0 minutes; Servings: 1 loaf
To view t his online, click here.
Ingredients
2 whole eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 ripe bananas
20 unwrapped caramels
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Add eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla to a large bowl. Whisk until combined.
Add flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients.
Mash bananas with a fork and add to the batter. Mix until just combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the glaze by melting caramels and milk in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Poor over bread and sprinkle with sea salt.
SPINACH AND CHEESE BOUREKAS
This was from the Vegetarian Times editors (posted on their site on May 23, 2013), and begins, “Bourekas are savory filled pastries that Israelis often make with puff pastry. To lighten the recipe, this version calls for phyllo dough brushed with olive oil.”
24 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 cups spinach leaves
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, plus 6 Tbs. for brushing phyllo, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup feta cheese, finely crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
12 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 tsp. sesame seeds
Directions
Rinse and drain spinach and, with water still clinging to leaves, transfer to large skillet. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Cool, squeeze out liquid, and coarsely chop. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.)
Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl, and cool.
Stir ricotta and feta cheeses into spinach mixture. Stir in egg. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350˚F, and coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Lay 1 phyllo sheet on work surface with long side closest to you; brush phyllo with oil. Top with second phyllo sheet, and brush with oil. Cut phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 long strips. Place 1 1/2 tsp. spinach mixture on bottom of first phyllo strip. Fold one bottom corner of strip over filling to make a triangle. Continue folding phyllo strip over filling (like a flag) until filling is encased in phyllo. Brush top with oil, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining phyllo, oil, and filling; sprinkle bourekas with sesame seeds.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until triangles are crispy and golden-brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 81; Carbohydrate Content: 7 g; Cholesterol Content: 10 mg; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 0.5 g; Protein Content: 2 g; Saturated Fat Content: 1 g; Sodium Content: 94 mg; Sugar Content: 0.5 g
PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CAKE
This recipe comes from Publix.
Servings: 8; Total Time: about 3 hours; Active Time: 10 minutes
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
Butter-flavor cooking spray
1 (15.25-oz) box devil's food cake mix
2 cups water, divided
2 large eggs
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 (4-oz) semisweet chocolate bar (or morsels)
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
8 tablespoons whipped topping
Directions
Coat 4-quart slow cooker with spray. Place cake mix, 1 cup water, and eggs in large bowl; beat with hand mixer until blended. Add peanut butter; mix well and pour mixture into slow cooker.
Microwave remaining 1 cup water on HIGH for 2 minutes or until steaming. Break chocolate into pieces, if needed, then place in water and stir until melted; let stand 1 minute to cool. Pour chocolate over batter in slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2–2 1/2 hours (or HIGH for 1 1/2–1 3/4 hours) or until toothpick inserted near center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Chop peanuts. Serve cake straight from slow cooker topped with whipped topping and peanuts.
DOUBLE APPLE PIE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This recipe is a keeper. Gently spiced with cinnamon, tinged with brown sugar and loaded with apple butter, it’s as deeply flavored as an apple pie can be, all covered with a buttery wide-lattice top crust. Although it’s at its most ethereal when baked on the same day you serve it, it’s still wonderful made a day ahead. (Don't let making your own pie crust intimidate you: our pie guide has everything you need to know.)”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 2 1/2 hours, plus at least 3 1/2 hours' chilling and cooling.
This was featured in The United States Of Thanksgiving and can viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 sticks/20 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
4 tablespoons vodka (optional)
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
For the Filling
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced crosswise (1/8-inch)
1/2 cup granulated sugar, more as needed
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons apple butter
Heavy cream or milk, as needed
Whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche, for serving
Preparation
Make the crust: In a food processor, pulse together flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add butter and pulse until mixture forms 3/4-inch pieces. Mix vodka with 4 tablespoons ice water (or use 1/2 cup ice water). Add half the ice water mixture to dough, pulse a few times, then continue adding liquid a tablespoon at a time until dough just comes together (you might not use all the liquid). Dough should be moist, but not wet, and hold together when pinched. If there are visible pieces of butter in the dough, all the better.
On a lightly floured surface, gather dough into a ball. Remove a third of the dough and form into a disk. Form remaining dough into a disk. Cover both tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 5 days.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out larger disk to a 12-inch circle. Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Fold over any excess dough, then crimp edges. Prick crust all over with a fork, then chill crust for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
While dough chills, heat oven to 400 degrees. Line chilled crust with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil and weights and bake until pale golden, 5 minutes more. Cool on rack until needed. (You can bake the crust up to 24 hours in advance.)
Toss apples with sugars, tapioca, spices, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the lemon juice. Fold in apple butter. Transfer apples to crust and press gently to make sure fruit is tightly packed.
Roll out remaining dough disk to a 10-inch round. Use a knife to cut strips 1 3/4 inches wide. Arrange strips over the filling in a lattice pattern. Brush top of crust with heavy cream or milk. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Bake 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until crust is golden brown and juices are bubbling thickly, about 1 hour 15 minutes more. Let pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before cutting. Serve with whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche.
VELVEETA ULTIMATE MACARONI & CHEESE
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Cheesy and easy, this homemade stove top macaroni and cheese is a big hit with kids.”
Total Time: 20 Minutes;Prep Time: 5 Minutes; Cook Time: 15 Minutes; Makes 4 servings
View this online here.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3/4 lb. (12 oz.) VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup milk
1/4 tsp. pepper
Directions
Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package; drain well. Return to pan.
Stir in remaining ingredients; cook on low heat until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.
VEGAN THAI CURRY VEGETABLES
This comes from Elaine Louie in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Drew Spangler Faulkner, a cooking teacher at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Md., makes a Thai green curry that is a kind of comfort food. The sauce, made creamy with coconut milk, and gently spicy with the curry paste, is flavorful yet soothing. The vegetables, which are simply dropped into the sauce, and gently simmered for about 12 minutes, turn out tender, not soggy. It is startlingly simple. She makes her own green curry paste, but the recipe calls for any one of three store bought pastes. Although some green curry pastes contain fish or shrimp paste, she has found three brands which do not: Thai Taste, Maesri and Thai Kitchen.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time:1 hour
This was featured in “The Temporary Vegetarian: Vegan Thai Curry Vegetables” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
One 13 1/2-ounce can coconut milk (do not shake can)
1/2 cup vegetable stock
4 teaspoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons palm sugar or brown sugar
6 tablespoons Thai green curry paste, like Thai Taste, Maesri, and Thai Kitchen, none of which have shrimp or fish paste
1/2 cup diced (1/2 inch) onion
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) red bell pepper
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) zucchini or other summer squash
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) peeled sweet potato
2/3 cup sliced bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) Asian eggplant
1 lime
8 large basil leaves, cut into thin chiffonade
Preparation
Open the can of coconut milk without shaking it. Spoon 6 tablespoons of the coconut cream from the top of the can into a medium saucepan. Pour remaining contents of can into a medium bowl, and mix well. In a medium bowl, combine vegetable stock, soy sauce, and palm or brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Place saucepan of coconut cream over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Add curry paste and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until very fragrant, about 3 minutes; adjust heat as needed to prevent burning. Add onion, red pepper, zucchini, sweet potato, bamboo shoots, green beans, and eggplant. Stir until vegetables are hot, 2-3 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the soy sauce mixture and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice to taste; you may use the juice of an entire lime. Stir and mix well. Add up to 1/4 cup water if the curry seems too thick.
To serve, place the curry in a warm serving bowl and garnish with the basil chiffonade. If desired, serve over jasmine rice.
If you're trying to eat more vegetarian meals this year, you've come to the right blog. And today's offerings should help with your resolve, including Vegan Thai Curry Vegetables and Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake (which has two of my favorites in it - peanut butter and chocolate!). Enjoy!
SALTED CARAMEL BANANA BREAD
This is from tbsp. (tablespoon.com), and begins, “Banana bread is delicious all by itself, but add a layer of salted caramel to the top and it's just plain decadent!”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 0 minutes; Servings: 1 loaf
To view t his online, click here.
Ingredients
2 whole eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 ripe bananas
20 unwrapped caramels
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Add eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla to a large bowl. Whisk until combined.
Add flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients.
Mash bananas with a fork and add to the batter. Mix until just combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the glaze by melting caramels and milk in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Poor over bread and sprinkle with sea salt.
SPINACH AND CHEESE BOUREKAS
This was from the Vegetarian Times editors (posted on their site on May 23, 2013), and begins, “Bourekas are savory filled pastries that Israelis often make with puff pastry. To lighten the recipe, this version calls for phyllo dough brushed with olive oil.”
24 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 cups spinach leaves
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, plus 6 Tbs. for brushing phyllo, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup feta cheese, finely crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
12 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 tsp. sesame seeds
Directions
Rinse and drain spinach and, with water still clinging to leaves, transfer to large skillet. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Cool, squeeze out liquid, and coarsely chop. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.)
Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl, and cool.
Stir ricotta and feta cheeses into spinach mixture. Stir in egg. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350˚F, and coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Lay 1 phyllo sheet on work surface with long side closest to you; brush phyllo with oil. Top with second phyllo sheet, and brush with oil. Cut phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 long strips. Place 1 1/2 tsp. spinach mixture on bottom of first phyllo strip. Fold one bottom corner of strip over filling to make a triangle. Continue folding phyllo strip over filling (like a flag) until filling is encased in phyllo. Brush top with oil, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining phyllo, oil, and filling; sprinkle bourekas with sesame seeds.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until triangles are crispy and golden-brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 81; Carbohydrate Content: 7 g; Cholesterol Content: 10 mg; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 0.5 g; Protein Content: 2 g; Saturated Fat Content: 1 g; Sodium Content: 94 mg; Sugar Content: 0.5 g
PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CAKE
This recipe comes from Publix.
Servings: 8; Total Time: about 3 hours; Active Time: 10 minutes
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
Butter-flavor cooking spray
1 (15.25-oz) box devil's food cake mix
2 cups water, divided
2 large eggs
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 (4-oz) semisweet chocolate bar (or morsels)
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
8 tablespoons whipped topping
Directions
Coat 4-quart slow cooker with spray. Place cake mix, 1 cup water, and eggs in large bowl; beat with hand mixer until blended. Add peanut butter; mix well and pour mixture into slow cooker.
Microwave remaining 1 cup water on HIGH for 2 minutes or until steaming. Break chocolate into pieces, if needed, then place in water and stir until melted; let stand 1 minute to cool. Pour chocolate over batter in slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2–2 1/2 hours (or HIGH for 1 1/2–1 3/4 hours) or until toothpick inserted near center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Chop peanuts. Serve cake straight from slow cooker topped with whipped topping and peanuts.
DOUBLE APPLE PIE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This recipe is a keeper. Gently spiced with cinnamon, tinged with brown sugar and loaded with apple butter, it’s as deeply flavored as an apple pie can be, all covered with a buttery wide-lattice top crust. Although it’s at its most ethereal when baked on the same day you serve it, it’s still wonderful made a day ahead. (Don't let making your own pie crust intimidate you: our pie guide has everything you need to know.)”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 2 1/2 hours, plus at least 3 1/2 hours' chilling and cooling.
This was featured in The United States Of Thanksgiving and can viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 sticks/20 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
4 tablespoons vodka (optional)
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
For the Filling
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced crosswise (1/8-inch)
1/2 cup granulated sugar, more as needed
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons apple butter
Heavy cream or milk, as needed
Whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche, for serving
Preparation
Make the crust: In a food processor, pulse together flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add butter and pulse until mixture forms 3/4-inch pieces. Mix vodka with 4 tablespoons ice water (or use 1/2 cup ice water). Add half the ice water mixture to dough, pulse a few times, then continue adding liquid a tablespoon at a time until dough just comes together (you might not use all the liquid). Dough should be moist, but not wet, and hold together when pinched. If there are visible pieces of butter in the dough, all the better.
On a lightly floured surface, gather dough into a ball. Remove a third of the dough and form into a disk. Form remaining dough into a disk. Cover both tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 5 days.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out larger disk to a 12-inch circle. Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Fold over any excess dough, then crimp edges. Prick crust all over with a fork, then chill crust for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
While dough chills, heat oven to 400 degrees. Line chilled crust with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil and weights and bake until pale golden, 5 minutes more. Cool on rack until needed. (You can bake the crust up to 24 hours in advance.)
Toss apples with sugars, tapioca, spices, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the lemon juice. Fold in apple butter. Transfer apples to crust and press gently to make sure fruit is tightly packed.
Roll out remaining dough disk to a 10-inch round. Use a knife to cut strips 1 3/4 inches wide. Arrange strips over the filling in a lattice pattern. Brush top of crust with heavy cream or milk. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Bake 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until crust is golden brown and juices are bubbling thickly, about 1 hour 15 minutes more. Let pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before cutting. Serve with whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche.
VELVEETA ULTIMATE MACARONI & CHEESE
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Cheesy and easy, this homemade stove top macaroni and cheese is a big hit with kids.”
Total Time: 20 Minutes;Prep Time: 5 Minutes; Cook Time: 15 Minutes; Makes 4 servings
View this online here.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3/4 lb. (12 oz.) VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup milk
1/4 tsp. pepper
Directions
Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package; drain well. Return to pan.
Stir in remaining ingredients; cook on low heat until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.
VEGAN THAI CURRY VEGETABLES
This comes from Elaine Louie in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Drew Spangler Faulkner, a cooking teacher at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Md., makes a Thai green curry that is a kind of comfort food. The sauce, made creamy with coconut milk, and gently spicy with the curry paste, is flavorful yet soothing. The vegetables, which are simply dropped into the sauce, and gently simmered for about 12 minutes, turn out tender, not soggy. It is startlingly simple. She makes her own green curry paste, but the recipe calls for any one of three store bought pastes. Although some green curry pastes contain fish or shrimp paste, she has found three brands which do not: Thai Taste, Maesri and Thai Kitchen.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time:1 hour
This was featured in “The Temporary Vegetarian: Vegan Thai Curry Vegetables” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
One 13 1/2-ounce can coconut milk (do not shake can)
1/2 cup vegetable stock
4 teaspoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons palm sugar or brown sugar
6 tablespoons Thai green curry paste, like Thai Taste, Maesri, and Thai Kitchen, none of which have shrimp or fish paste
1/2 cup diced (1/2 inch) onion
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) red bell pepper
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) zucchini or other summer squash
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) peeled sweet potato
2/3 cup sliced bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths
2/3 cup diced (1/2 inch) Asian eggplant
1 lime
8 large basil leaves, cut into thin chiffonade
Preparation
Open the can of coconut milk without shaking it. Spoon 6 tablespoons of the coconut cream from the top of the can into a medium saucepan. Pour remaining contents of can into a medium bowl, and mix well. In a medium bowl, combine vegetable stock, soy sauce, and palm or brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Place saucepan of coconut cream over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Add curry paste and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until very fragrant, about 3 minutes; adjust heat as needed to prevent burning. Add onion, red pepper, zucchini, sweet potato, bamboo shoots, green beans, and eggplant. Stir until vegetables are hot, 2-3 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the soy sauce mixture and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice to taste; you may use the juice of an entire lime. Stir and mix well. Add up to 1/4 cup water if the curry seems too thick.
To serve, place the curry in a warm serving bowl and garnish with the basil chiffonade. If desired, serve over jasmine rice.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Creamy Broccoli Soup and Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse. Enjoy!
APRICOT COBBLER SUPREME
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbs melted shortening
2 cups cooked apricots, sweetened
Directions
Beat egg and sugar until creamy. Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and vanilla to creamed mixture; add shortening. Put fruit in greased baking dish; pour in batter. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until batter is done. Serve warm with cream or ice cream.
Any type fruit, fresh or canned, may be substituted for apricots. If using fresh fruit, sprinkle with 1cup sugar and heat before pouring in batter. Enjoy!
CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.
Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g
CAPPUCCINO SLUSHY
This came from Weight Watchers, and begins, “This coffee-based slushy gives delicious new meaning to the term iced coffee.”
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Serves: 1; Difficulty: Easy; Points: 4
Ingredients
1 tsp sugar
2 pinch ground cinnamon, or more to taste
1/2 C black coffee, Italian or French roast
1/4 C 2% reduced fat milk
1/4 C aerosol whipped cream
Directions
Stir sugar and 1 pinch cinnamon into coffee. Pour into ice cube tray; freeze until solid, about 4 hours.
Blend frozen coffee ice cubes and milk in a mini-food processor until slushy. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and a generous pinch of cinnamon.
SPINACH AND CHEESE BOUREKAS
This was from the Vegetarian Times editors (posted on their site on May 23, 2013), and begins, “Bourekas are savory filled pastries that Israelis often make with puff pastry. To lighten the recipe, this version calls for phyllo dough brushed with olive oil.”
24 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 cups spinach leaves
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, plus 6 Tbs. for brushing phyllo, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup feta cheese, finely crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
12 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 tsp. sesame seeds
Directions
Rinse and drain spinach and, with water still clinging to leaves, transfer to large skillet. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Cool, squeeze out liquid, and coarsely chop. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.)
Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl, and cool.
Stir ricotta and feta cheeses into spinach mixture. Stir in egg. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350˚F, and coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Lay 1 phyllo sheet on work surface with long side closest to you; brush phyllo with oil. Top with second phyllo sheet, and brush with oil. Cut phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 long strips. Place 1 1/2 tsp. spinach mixture on bottom of first phyllo strip. Fold one bottom corner of strip over filling to make a triangle. Continue folding phyllo strip over filling (like a flag) until filling is encased in phyllo. Brush top with oil, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining phyllo, oil, and filling; sprinkle bourekas with sesame seeds.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until triangles are crispy and golden-brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 81; Carbohydrate Content: 7 g; Cholesterol Content: 10 mg; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 0.5 g; Protein Content: 2 g; Saturated Fat Content: 1 g; Sodium Content: 94 mg; Sugar Content: 0.5 g
WINTER SQUASH AND WILD MUSHROOM CURRY
This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This is comfort food, Indian-style, adapted from a recipe by Madhur Jaffrey. It's also vegan, and perfect for a fall evening. Use a mixture of cultivated mushrooms; they come in all shapes and sizes. Look for royal trumpets, a large, meaty type of oyster mushroom; shiitakes, and small portobellos. Use some wild mushrooms too, if you can, like golden chanterelles, lobster or hen of the woods. You can make this as spicy as you wish, but be sure to include some cayenne and green chile, to complement and play off the creamy coconut milk sauce. Serve with basmati rice, rice noodles or mashed potatoes.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes.
This was featured in “A Warming Curry for Fall”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 ounces butternut or other winter squash, peeled and diced in 1/2-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 or 2 small whole green chiles, such as jalapeño or serrano
3 medium shallots or 1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Handful of fresh or frozen curry leaves, optional
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Pinch of cayenne
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 pound mushrooms, preferably a mix of cultivated and wild, trimmed and sliced 1/8-inch thick
3/4 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons lime juice
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
In a wide skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add squash cubes in one layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, letting cubes brown slightly, then flip and cook for 2 minutes more. Use a slotted spoon to lift squash out, and set aside.
Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile to open it, but leave whole. (This allows the heat and flavor of the chile to release into the sauce without making it too spicy.)
Add shallots to skillet, salt lightly and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves and let sizzle for 30 seconds, then add garlic, coriander, cayenne, turmeric and chiles. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds more.
Add mushrooms to pan, season with salt and toss to coat. Continue to cook, stirring, until mushrooms begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Return squash cubes to pan, stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Lower heat to medium and simmer for another 5 minutes. If mixture looks dry, thin with a little water. Taste and season with salt.
Just before serving, stir in lime juice. Transfer to a warm serving dish and garnish with cilantro leaves.
DARK CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on VeryWellFit. Kaleigh wrote, “No need to deprive yourself if you're following a blood pressure-friendly diet. Whether you need something sweet after dinner or you are asked to bring a dessert to a party, this dark chocolate avocado mousse is the perfect healthy yet decadent dessert.
“It uses avocados instead of heavy cream to give it a rich, creamy texture. Avocados are naturally high in potassium and magnesium, which help to lower your blood pressure. Avocados are also loaded with tons of vitamins, including folate, vitamin K, and vitamin E. They provide healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber to help keep you full and satisfied with just a small portion. Cocoa powder also contains fiber and blood pressure lowering flavonols.
“This mousse couldn’t be easier to make. Just blend everything in a blender until smooth and chill for just a little bit. Nobody will ever know that it’s healthier or that it is made with avocados!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Servings: 4 (1/2 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 small ripe avocados
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
1/2 cup milk of choice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation
Cut avocados in half and remove seeds. Scoop from shells into a blender or food processor.
Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe container and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
Add melted chocolate and remaining ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Divide into 4 serving dishes and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
For dairy-free and vegan, use dairy-free milk of choice and dairy-free chocolate chips.
For vegan, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey, too.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Add more milk by the tablespoon, if needed, until you reach the desired consistency.
APRICOT COBBLER SUPREME
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbs melted shortening
2 cups cooked apricots, sweetened
Directions
Beat egg and sugar until creamy. Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and vanilla to creamed mixture; add shortening. Put fruit in greased baking dish; pour in batter. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until batter is done. Serve warm with cream or ice cream.
Any type fruit, fresh or canned, may be substituted for apricots. If using fresh fruit, sprinkle with 1cup sugar and heat before pouring in batter. Enjoy!
CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.
Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g
CAPPUCCINO SLUSHY
This came from Weight Watchers, and begins, “This coffee-based slushy gives delicious new meaning to the term iced coffee.”
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Serves: 1; Difficulty: Easy; Points: 4
Ingredients
1 tsp sugar
2 pinch ground cinnamon, or more to taste
1/2 C black coffee, Italian or French roast
1/4 C 2% reduced fat milk
1/4 C aerosol whipped cream
Directions
Stir sugar and 1 pinch cinnamon into coffee. Pour into ice cube tray; freeze until solid, about 4 hours.
Blend frozen coffee ice cubes and milk in a mini-food processor until slushy. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and a generous pinch of cinnamon.
SPINACH AND CHEESE BOUREKAS
This was from the Vegetarian Times editors (posted on their site on May 23, 2013), and begins, “Bourekas are savory filled pastries that Israelis often make with puff pastry. To lighten the recipe, this version calls for phyllo dough brushed with olive oil.”
24 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 cups spinach leaves
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil, plus 6 Tbs. for brushing phyllo, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup feta cheese, finely crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
12 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1 tsp. sesame seeds
Directions
Rinse and drain spinach and, with water still clinging to leaves, transfer to large skillet. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Cool, squeeze out liquid, and coarsely chop. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.)
Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl, and cool.
Stir ricotta and feta cheeses into spinach mixture. Stir in egg. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350˚F, and coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Lay 1 phyllo sheet on work surface with long side closest to you; brush phyllo with oil. Top with second phyllo sheet, and brush with oil. Cut phyllo sheets lengthwise into 4 long strips. Place 1 1/2 tsp. spinach mixture on bottom of first phyllo strip. Fold one bottom corner of strip over filling to make a triangle. Continue folding phyllo strip over filling (like a flag) until filling is encased in phyllo. Brush top with oil, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining phyllo, oil, and filling; sprinkle bourekas with sesame seeds.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until triangles are crispy and golden-brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 81; Carbohydrate Content: 7 g; Cholesterol Content: 10 mg; Fat Content: 5 g; Fiber Content: 0.5 g; Protein Content: 2 g; Saturated Fat Content: 1 g; Sodium Content: 94 mg; Sugar Content: 0.5 g
WINTER SQUASH AND WILD MUSHROOM CURRY
This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This is comfort food, Indian-style, adapted from a recipe by Madhur Jaffrey. It's also vegan, and perfect for a fall evening. Use a mixture of cultivated mushrooms; they come in all shapes and sizes. Look for royal trumpets, a large, meaty type of oyster mushroom; shiitakes, and small portobellos. Use some wild mushrooms too, if you can, like golden chanterelles, lobster or hen of the woods. You can make this as spicy as you wish, but be sure to include some cayenne and green chile, to complement and play off the creamy coconut milk sauce. Serve with basmati rice, rice noodles or mashed potatoes.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes.
This was featured in “A Warming Curry for Fall”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 ounces butternut or other winter squash, peeled and diced in 1/2-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 or 2 small whole green chiles, such as jalapeño or serrano
3 medium shallots or 1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Handful of fresh or frozen curry leaves, optional
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Pinch of cayenne
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 pound mushrooms, preferably a mix of cultivated and wild, trimmed and sliced 1/8-inch thick
3/4 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons lime juice
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
In a wide skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add squash cubes in one layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, letting cubes brown slightly, then flip and cook for 2 minutes more. Use a slotted spoon to lift squash out, and set aside.
Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile to open it, but leave whole. (This allows the heat and flavor of the chile to release into the sauce without making it too spicy.)
Add shallots to skillet, salt lightly and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves and let sizzle for 30 seconds, then add garlic, coriander, cayenne, turmeric and chiles. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds more.
Add mushrooms to pan, season with salt and toss to coat. Continue to cook, stirring, until mushrooms begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Return squash cubes to pan, stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Lower heat to medium and simmer for another 5 minutes. If mixture looks dry, thin with a little water. Taste and season with salt.
Just before serving, stir in lime juice. Transfer to a warm serving dish and garnish with cilantro leaves.
DARK CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on VeryWellFit. Kaleigh wrote, “No need to deprive yourself if you're following a blood pressure-friendly diet. Whether you need something sweet after dinner or you are asked to bring a dessert to a party, this dark chocolate avocado mousse is the perfect healthy yet decadent dessert.
“It uses avocados instead of heavy cream to give it a rich, creamy texture. Avocados are naturally high in potassium and magnesium, which help to lower your blood pressure. Avocados are also loaded with tons of vitamins, including folate, vitamin K, and vitamin E. They provide healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber to help keep you full and satisfied with just a small portion. Cocoa powder also contains fiber and blood pressure lowering flavonols.
“This mousse couldn’t be easier to make. Just blend everything in a blender until smooth and chill for just a little bit. Nobody will ever know that it’s healthier or that it is made with avocados!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Servings: 4 (1/2 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 small ripe avocados
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
1/2 cup milk of choice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation
Cut avocados in half and remove seeds. Scoop from shells into a blender or food processor.
Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe container and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
Add melted chocolate and remaining ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Divide into 4 serving dishes and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
For dairy-free and vegan, use dairy-free milk of choice and dairy-free chocolate chips.
For vegan, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey, too.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Add more milk by the tablespoon, if needed, until you reach the desired consistency.
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