Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Friday, February 3, 2023

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! If you're like me, you probably have a zillion things to get done over the weekend. And, if you're also like me, half of those things will still be waiting to get done when the weekend is over. Sound familiar?

One thing we do need to do, though, is eat. To that end, here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Comforting Chili (a vegan recipe from One Green Planet) and Winter Vegetable Medley with Paella-Style Orzo. Enjoy!

ITALIAN WHITE BEAN AND KALE SOUP

This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Add a slice of crusty bread and a tossed salad to this soup for a quick, satisfying cold-weather meal.

“To make the soup without the Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, simply substitute two 15-ounce cans whole tomatoes for the slow-roasted tomatoes and water used.”

View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/italian-white-bean-and-kale-soup-recipe/.

Servings 4

Ingredients

10 thawed Slow-Roasted Tomatoes (1 cup)

1 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 large onion, finely chopped (2 cups)

6 oz. lacinato kale, coarsely chopped

1 cup cooked white beans

Directions

Blend tomatoes with 2 cups water in blender or food processor until smooth (you should have about 3 cups); set aside.

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until translucent. Add tomato purée and 4 more cups water, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add kale and white beans; cook 10 minutes more, or until kale is tender. Serve drizzled with oil.

STAND 'N STUFF BREAKFAST TACOS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Tacos for breakfast? Absolutely! The Old El Paso® Stand 'n Stuff soft taco shells make the perfect vessel to hold your breakfast favorites."

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

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/stand-n-stuff-breakfast-tacos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

1/4 cup half-and-half

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons butter

1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed

4 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)

6 Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa

1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced

1/3 cup sour cream

Preparation

In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add half-and-half and salt; beat well. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook about 7 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist. Gently fold in beans and green onions, stirring to combine.

Heat tortillas as directed on package. Divide egg mixture evenly among tortillas. Top with Toppings. If desired, garnish with dark green tops of green onions.

Expert Tips

Complete this fabulous meal with a delicious fresh fruit salad.

COMFORTING CHILI [VEGAN]

This is from Jeunesse Pouchet on One Green Planet. She wrote, "Sometimes we just need a warm, comforting and hearty bowl of Chili, especially for those cozy rainy days. And this Chili is all of the above! Better yet, it's quick and simple to make. Accompanied with pickled cabbage, grilled plantain, and a dollop of vegan sour cream. This bowl of goodness is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients."

This dairy free recipe serves 2, and can be found online at https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/comforting-chili-vegan/.

Ingredients

For the Chili:

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 cans black beans, drained

1/2 cup whole corn kernels

2/3 cup pumpkin (medium), diced

2 Tomatoes medium, diced

1/4 Cup Onion (small), diced

2 tablespoons garlic, finely diced or minced

2 tablespoons chive or cilantro, chopped

2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon roasted Geera or cumin

1 1/2 - 2 Cups water

For The Pickled Cabbage

2 cups purple cabbage, diced or shredded

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (adjust quantity to taste)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

For The Grilled Plantain:

1 Plantain medium ripe, sliced

2 tablespoons coconut oil

For The Sour Cream:

1/4 cup vegan mayo

1 tablespoon fresh chive, chopped

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Preparation

For the Chili:

Add the coconut oil to a pot and place on medium heat.

Then add the diced onion, garlic, chive, apple cider, paprika, chili, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and geera. Stir and saute for a minute until fragrant.

Toss in the tomatoes and pumpkin, then stir and saute for another minute.

Add the black bans and corn kernels and stir to combine. Then pour in the water and partially cover. Cook for approximately 20-22 minutes until the chili has reduced and thickened. Remove from heat.

For The Pickled Cabbage

Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate until ready to serve.

For The Grilled Plantain:

Using a pan, place on medium heat and coat with the coconut oil.

Place the plantain slices on the heated pan and grill each side until golden brown. You can reduce or turn up the heat to suit.

For The Sour Cream:

Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.

ITALIAN GRILLED STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Kraft and begins, “Discover these Italian Grilled Stuffed Peppers and bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen! These grilled stuffed peppers are delicious!”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups water, divided

1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked

2 cups frozen BOCA Veggie Ground Crumbles

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

1-1/2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce, divided

1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1 large each red, yellow and green pepper, cut lengthwise in half, seeded

Directions

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice; cover. Simmer 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Stir in crumbles, zucchini, seasoning and 1 cup each pasta sauce and cheese; spoon into peppers.

Place each filled pepper half on center of 12-inch-square sheet heavy-duty foil. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bring up foil sides. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the remaining water onto bottom of each foil packet. Double fold top and ends to seal packets, leaving room for heat circulation inside.

Grill 20 to 25 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through (160ºF).

WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH PAELLA-STYLE ORZO

This recipe, from Vegetarian Times, begins, "Good-quality saffron is the key to this dish." Makes 4 servings

This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/winter-vegetable-medley-with-paella-style-orzo/.

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. saffron threads

1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted whole tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved, and tomatoes halved

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces

1 cup orzo pasta

1/4 cup frozen peas

2 cups large cauliflower florets

8 green onions, each cut into thirds

1 cup large broccoli florets

Directions

Bring broth to a simmer in saucepan. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, saffron, and tomato liquid. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and keep hot.

Coat large skillet or 8-qt. Dutch oven with cooking spray, add oil, and heat over high heat. Add tomatoes, sear 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and dry, and transfer to plate. Add bell pepper, sear 2 to 3 minutes, and transfer to same plate.

Sprinkle orzo into skillet, and stir 30 seconds. Stir in broth and peas, and reduce heat to medium. Arrange cauliflower florets on top of orzo in pot. Arrange green onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper pieces around cauliflower; cover, and simmer without stirring, 11 minutes. Scatter broccoli over vegetables, remove pot from heat, and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, or until orzo has absorbed all liquid and broccoli is crisp-tender.

BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE

This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tsp. olive oil

1/2 cup thinly sliced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

5 cups broccoli florets

1 1/4 cups 1% milk

1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

4 large egg whites, lightly beaten

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.

Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Breakfast

“This recipe is certainly silly. It says to separate two eggs, but it doesn't say how far to separate them.” - Gracie Allen

Found in Women's Lip: Outrageous, Irreverent and Just Plain Hilarious Quotes, edited by Roz Warren, page 43.

When I was a kid, two of my frieds - siblings - lived next door. I'd frequently run over to their house about 30-seconds before my mom would want me to set the table for dinner. (I may have timed it that way on purpose...)

Thursday evenings at their house was usually reserved for breakfast-for-dinner night: their dad was going to get paid the next day, the parents would take the family grocery shopping, and it was time to get rid of the extra half-empty cereal boxes, toaster waffles, etc. So the kids would be sitting around the table with boxes of cereal, a carton of milk, just chowing down on breakfast-for-dinner.

"Why can't we have breakfast for dinner?" I'd ask Mom when I got home. (This was frequently asked with a slight whine, especially if Mom had cooked fried liver for dinner.)

But no such luck.

These days, it's a little more permissible to have breakfast for dinner. To that end, here are six breakfast recipes to try out for dinner - or for breakfast - including Parisian-Style Sweet Crepes and Pirate Eggs. Enjoy!

Mom and Dad



EGG AND POTATO BREAKFAST TACOS

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Quick and easy to assemble, it makes sense why tacos are enjoyed during any time of the day in Mexico. Roast potatoes with poblano peppers and onions until golden brown, then enjoy on warm tortillas with buttery scrambled eggs."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/egg-and-potato-breakfast-tacos-3363842.

Ingredients

8 large eggs

1 teaspoon chili powder

Kosher salt

2 Yukon gold potatoes (about 1 pound), diced

1 onion, diced

1 poblano chile pepper, thinly sliced

Cooking spray

3 plum tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons jalapeno hot sauce

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

12 white corn tortillas

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F. Separate 1 egg; set the yolk aside. Whisk the egg white, chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until frothy. Add the potatoes, onion and poblano; toss. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray; spread out the vegetables, then coat with more cooking spray. Bake, flipping once, until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1 tablespoon hot sauce in a bowl; season with salt and set aside.

Whisk the reserved egg yolk and 7 eggs with 1/4 cup cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl until frothy. Melt the butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat; swirl to coat. Add the egg mixture and cook, stirring, until just set, about 5 minutes.

Toast the tortillas in a dry skillet or wrap in a damp paper towel and warm in the microwave. Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1 tablespoon hot sauce with the vegetable mixture. Divide the vegetables and scrambled eggs among the tortillas. Serve with the tomato salsa.

PIRATE EGGS

When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.

The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.

Ingredients

1-2 eggs

1-2 pieces of bread

margarine for the pan

Directions

Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hole. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!

SPINACH FRITTATA

I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.

Ingredients

4 eggs

2-4 Tablespoons milk

1 onion, chopped

1 pepper, chopped

1 potato, peeled and diced

1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced

1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese

margarine for pan

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!

CHICKPEA AND CHERRY FRITTATA

This is from the February 2014 issue of Runner’s World. It begins, “All runners (not just diabetics) benefit from the abundant carbs, protein, and antioxidants in this tasty dish. ‘It's big and bold-flavored,’ says (Sam) Talbot,” a runner, surfer, and type 1 diabetic who “makes this dish for a hearty pick-me-up breakfast after a morning workout.” Serves 4 to 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 eggs, lightly whisked

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 cup chopped fresh cherries or 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup loosely packed, torn fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix the eggs, chickpeas, cherries, goat cheese, almond milk, thyme, agave nectar, and cream of tartar. In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes without stirring. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake till the eggs are puffed and set in the middle, about 20 minutes. Let the frittata cool for 5 to 10 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently work the frittata out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut the frittata into wedges and serve garnished with the mint. Serves four to six.

GLUTEN-FREE EGG AND BLACK BEAN BREAKFAST TACOS

This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD at VeryWellFit. Kaleigh wrote, “Did you know that corn tortillas are actually considered a whole grain? They are also low in sodium, so they make a great base for healthy breakfast tacos.

“Fried potatoes, meats like bacon and sausage, and cheese can quickly add up when it comes to sodium and saturated fat. These tacos have none of that. Instead, try adding sauteed vegetables, beans, and creamy avocado to your eggs for healthy and flavorful tacos that will have you feeling good all morning long.

“These breakfast tacos are gluten-free and vegetarian, and can be made dairy-free if you leave out the milk or use a milk substitute. If you have other vegetables that need to be used up, feel free to add them in with the onions and jalapeno. Top with your favorite salsa for a flavorful and delicious breakfast.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 2 (1 taco each).

To view this recipe online, click here.

Ingredients

olive oil spray

2 tablespoons onion, diced

1 tablespoon jalapeno, diced

1/4 cup low sodium black beans

1 large egg

1 tablespoon skim milk

2 corn tortillas

1/4 small avocado, sliced

1 tablespoon cilantro

Directions

Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat and spray with oil. Add onions and jalapeno and cook, stirring, until softened, about three minutes. Add black beans and continue cooking until heated through. Remove from skillet and wipe clean.

Turn heat to low and spray skillet with oil again. Whisk together egg and milk. Pour into pan and cook, stirring, until eggs are set.

In a separate pan, heat tortillas over low heat. Divide eggs and bean mixture between the tortillas. Top with avocado and cilantro. Serve.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

You can use egg whites or egg substitute in place of the egg for a lower-fat version.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Serve with a side of fresh fruit for a balanced meal.

PARISIAN-STYLE SWEET CREPES

This comes from the September 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37. It begins, "Cafés and brasseries in the French capital sell passersby sweet crêpes slathered in butter, jam, chestnut purée, and (VT favorite) Nutella. The experience is easy to re-create at home for breakfast, Sunday supper, or a snack."

Makes 8 crêpes

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/parisian-style-sweet-crepes/.

Ingredients

Crêpes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 cup low-fat milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Fillings (optional)

Nutella

Jam

Butter

Chestnut Purée

Preparation

Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt in bowl. Whisk in egg; mixture will be shaggy. Whisk in milk 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk in vanilla. Cover, and chill 30 minutes, or overnight.

Whisk 1/4 to 1/2 cup water into batter to thin. Lightly grease 9-inch nonstick skillet with canola oil. Heat skillet over medium-high heat.

Pour 1/4 cup batter into hot skillet, tilting pan to swirl batter so it coats bottom of pan. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until edges begin to brown and center is dry. Flip; cook 30 seconds to 1 minute more.

Transfer crêpe to plate, and repeat with remaining batter. To serve crêpes: Reheat 1 minute in lightly greased skillet. Spread with desired fillings, fold into quarters, and serve.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Soup's On!

When it's cold out, there's just something comforting (and warming) about a bowl of homemade soup. Check out today's six soup recipes, including Roasted Squash and Apple Chowder with Colorful Potatoes and Slow-Cooker Lentil Soup. Enjoy!

SWEET AND SOUR CABBAGE SOUP

This is from Micah Siva, RD in Simply Recipes. The recipe begins, "With lots of savory, sweet, and sour flavor, this easy-as-can-be sweet and sour cabbage soup will be your wintertime go-to. The vegetarian recipe freezes well, too."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this (and Micah's wonderful dialogue about the recipe) online, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/sweet-and-sour-cabbage-soup-recipe-6835442.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 pounds), core removed and thinly sliced

3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

1 bay leaf

8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Sauté the onion, garlic, tomato paste, and paprika:

Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot (about 4 to 5 quarts) over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until it softens slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste, and paprika and stir. Cook for another minute.

Add the soup ingredients:

Add the cabbage, carrots, and bay leaf to the pot. Pour the broth, crushed tomatoes, vinegar, and brown sugar over the cabbage. Stir to combine.

Bring to a boil and adjust the heat to a simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer until the cabbage is fully cooked and tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Finish and serve:

Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more sugar or seasoning as needed.

Serve topped with fresh parsley and freshly ground pepper.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

HERBED CARROT SOUP



From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett



Ingredients

2 pounds of carrots, chopped

1 large onion, diced

6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking

2 cloves garlic, crushed

4 Tbs of butter

6 C of vegetable stock

Freshly grated mace or nutmeg

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.

Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.

LENTIL SOUP

This is from Giada De Laurentiis at the Food Network. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lentil-soup-recipe-1942507.

Note: The recipe originally called for chicken broth, but since I’m posting this on a vegetarian blog, I changed it to vegetable broth. If you tend to eat meat, you can change it back to chicken broth.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 (14-1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 pound lentils (approximately 1 1/4 cups)

11 cups low-salt vegetable broth

4 to 6 fresh thyme sprigs

2/3 cup dried elbow pasta

1 cup shredded Parmesan

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat. Add the broth and stir. Add the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.

Stir in the pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

SLOW COOKER LENTIL SOUP

This is from Weight Watchers. Each serving is 1 point; Makes 8 servings; Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 8 hours; Total Time: 8 hours 12 minutes; Level: Easy

Ingredients

2 medium uncooked carrots, peeled, cut into large chunks

2 ribs uncooked celery, medium, cut into large chunks, reserve celery leaves for garnish, if desired

1 medium uncooked onion, cut into large chunks

2 medium cloves garlic, minced

2 cups dry lentils, picked over

3 leaves bay leaf

1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed

1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste

8 cups canned chicken broth

4 oz uncooked Canadian bacon, diced (4 or 5 slices)

Directions

Place all the ingredients in a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker in the following order: carrots, celery, onion, garlic, lentils, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and broth. Cover the slow cooker; cook on the low setting for 6 hours. Uncover, stir in the bacon and heat for 30 minutes more; remove bay leaves, and garnish with celery leaves, if using, before serving.

Serving size: about 1-1/2 cups.

Notes

To thicken the soup, remove 1 cup of cooked lentils and puree them in a food processor; stir the pureed lentils back into the soup. For a lighter flavor, replace 4 cups of chicken broth with 4 cups of water. To make this vegetarian, substitute a cup of sliced shiitake mushroom caps for the Canadian bacon and use vegetable broth.

ROASTED SQUASH AND APPLE CHOWDER WITH COLORFUL POTATOES

This is from the October 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 76. It starts off, “Puréed roasted butternut squash provides the creamy base for a hearty chowder. If making the chowder ahead, prepare the recipe through step 3, then assemble and reheat just before serving.” Serves 8.

2 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks (6 cups), divided

3 medium apples, peeled and diced (3 cups), divided

2 large leeks, white parts cut into 1-inch chunks (1 cup), plus 1/2 cup thinly sliced leek greens, divided

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 Tbs. pure maple syrup

1 lb. multicolored potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks

1/2 cup apple juice

1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine 5 cups butternut squash chunks, 2 cups diced apple, leek whites, oil, and maple syrup in large bowl, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread squash mixture in single layer on prepared baking sheet, and roast 30 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Cook potato chunks and remaining 1 cup butternut squash in boiling, salted water 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and set aside.

Purée roasted vegetables in blender until smooth. Add purée and apple juice to large soup pot with 4 cups water. Whisk in vinegar, and heat over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add boiled potatoes and squash, remaining 1 cup diced apple, and leek greens, and simmer 5 minutes, or until hot.

nutritional information Per 1 1/4-cup serving: Calories: 162; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 12 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

BROCCOLI CHOWDER

From Diabetic Gourmet. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each

Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)

1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)

2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3-1/2 cups vegetable broth (two 14-ounce cans)

8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)

1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.

Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday, since not everyone is a big fan of tacos. Today's offerings include Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers and Summer Minestrone Soup. Enjoy!

TRIPLE TOMATO PASTA WITH SPINACH AND WHITE BEANS

This comes from Molly Cleary, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC on VeryWellFit. Molly wrote, “Tomatoes get their red color from lycopene, an antioxidant that may help to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cooking tomatoes actually helps to increase lycopene content, therefore potentially boosting its disease-fighting power.

“In addition to lycopene, this recipe also provides great nutritional benefits from the cannellini beans. These beans are full of fiber, at 6 grams per half cup serving. They are also one of the highest potassium beans out there, a micronutrient and electrolyte that can help lower blood pressure.”

Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 ounces whole wheat penne pasta

1 can low sodium cannellini beans

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 package baby spinach

2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil

1/4 cup sliced/slivered almonds

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon minced)

2 teaspoons dried basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Combine pesto ingredients (slivered almonds through crushed red pepper) in a food processor and blend until mostly smooth; some small chunks are okay. You may need to a litter water to thin, but do not add more than a few tablespoons since the sauce is meant to be thick.

Drain and rinse cannellini beans.

Add olive oil to a pan and heat to medium high. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.

Combine the pasta, beans, spinach, and tomatoes into one large pot. Add the pesto and mix well.

Divide into 4 bowls and serve.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

If you cannot find sun-dried tomatoes in oil, then you can substitute 3/4 cup bagged sun-dried tomatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil. It works best if tomatoes are soaked in the oil for at least an hour.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Leftover pesto tastes delicious as a sandwich spread. It also freezes well.

MASHED TURNIPS WITH ROASTED GARLIC

Servings: 8

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/34.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pound small turnips, peeled and quartered

1 ripe bartlett pear, about 6 ounces, peeled, cored and chopped

4 cloves garlic, roasted and peeled

1 tablespoon margarine

2 tablespoons skim milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

Steam turnips over boiling water until fork tender, about 15 minutes.

Drain turnips and place in a food processor or blender along with pear, garlic, and margarine.

Process until smooth, adding skim milk as needed.

Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 41; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable

SUMMER MINISTRONE SOUP

This comes from tbsp.com, and begins, “Minestrone soup, swimming with beans and macaroni, is vegetable soup’s heartier Italian cousin. Preparing it in advance and having at the ready in your freezer will have you singing ‘That’s Amore’ when dinnertime comes around.”

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cut (1/2-inch) green beans

1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ broth vegetable

Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired

Directions

In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and salt; cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cannellini beans, zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni.

Add stock; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

To freeze: In 8-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and salt; cook about 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Stir in tomatoes and cannellini beans. Transfer to 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Mix zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni in another 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Freeze both bags up to 3 months. When ready to serve: In 4-quart saucepan, mix broth and bag of frozen tomato-bean mixture; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook until frozen tomato-bean mixture is completely thawed, stirring occasionally. Add bag of vegetables and macaroni; return to simmering. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Expert Tips

Lots of fun small pasta shapes are on your grocery store shelves. Try ditalini, orzo or small shells for a change of pace from elbow macaroni.

Canned chickpeas are a good substitute for the cannellini beans in this soup.

VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS

This recipe was posted by DWYATT on AllRecipes, and begins, "This was the first vegetarian recipe I ever made--green peppers stuffed with a mixture of brown rice, nuts, dried cranberries, tofu and cheese. Substitute soy cheese for the Parmesan to create a vegan delight."

Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 1 hour 10 minutes; Ready In: 1 hour 20 minutes

View this online here.

Note: If you're like me and don't have cooking sherry around, feel free to replace it with with alcohol-free cooking sherry (if there is such a thing) or 3 tablespoons of water. Personally, it's been decades since I've had cooking wine/sherry/etc in my house, as well as non-cooking (drinking) alcohol. When I want to celebrate, say at New Year's, etc., I've found that there are plenty of non-alcoholic sparkling juices on the market.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups brown rice

6 large green bell peppers

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons cooking sherry

1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 cups extra firm tofu

1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups tomato sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a saucepan bring 3 cups water to a boil. Stir in rice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, core and seed green peppers, leaving bottoms intact. Place peppers in a microwavable dish with about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom. Microwave on high for 6 minutes.

In a small frying pan bring soy sauce, wine and Worcestershire sauce to a simmer. Add tofu and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Combine rice (after it has cooled), tofu, cranberries, nuts, cheese, salt and pepper; mix and pack firmly into peppers. Return peppers to the dish you first microwaved them in, and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine tomato sauce and brown sugar; heat until hot throughout. Spoon sauce over each serving.

HONEY PISTACHIO ICE CREAM

This comes from Anita Schecter, who writes for The Spruce Eats.

For this recipe, Anita wrote, “As much as I love all desserts, nothing quite makes me swoon as much as the combination of sweet and salty. It's why chocolate covered salty pretzels and I are old friends and caramel sauce only interests me if it's got a good hit of sea salt. Candied or chocolate covered nuts are good but way more awesome if the nuts are salted.

“And so, as fond as I am of pistachios, pistachio ice cream and, basically all things pistachio, store bought pistachio ice cream is usually too sweet and one note for me. I'm missing the balance of the salt.

“Fortunately, I can easily remedy this situation by making my own and by using roasted and salted pistachios. You can make this with sugar only and omit the honey, if you like, but honey vanilla is another favorite flavor of mine so I decided to combine the two.

“When it comes to homemade ice cream, you can use a cooked custard base, which contains eggs. Or you can go for a straight dairy only option which doesn't require cooking. Because I wanted little bits and pieces of pistachios in my finished ice cream, I went with a no-cook method. If I wanted to strain them out, I would have cooked them with the base mix.

“I should also note that the color of pistachios, while definitely green, is nowhere near the deep green shade you find in store bought pistachio or even mint ice cream. You can certainly add some green food color to your ice cream if you really want that bright green shade. But I prefer to keep it all natural so my ice cream is still mostly beige but with green flecks from the bits of pistachios.

“This recipe is easy and simple and results in the perfect hit of sweet, salty and creamy. A perfect treat for a hot summer day. Enjoy!”

Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Freeze: 240 minutes; Total Time: 292 minutes; Yield: 8 (1/2 Cup) Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 Cup whole milk

2 Cups heavy cream

1/2 Cup honey

1/4 Cup sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla (vanilla paste is best, if you have it)

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup shelled roasted and salted pistachios

Preparation

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, honey, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add the pistachios to a food processor and pulse a few times until the nuts are very broken down but not powder or paste. Add to the bowl.

Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions for use. Churn for 40 minutes and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

PINEAPPLE CREAM PIE

This is one of those gems from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing lists.

Ingredients

1 graham cracker crust or pre-baked regular crust

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 large can crushed pineapple, well drained

1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk. Stir in pineapple and pecans. Put into pie crust and top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Refrigerate for several hours.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday.

There was a time when tacos meant a crunchy taco shell and ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese (or some combination of these). If one was really creative, a spoonful of sour cream might be added.

While there's nothing wrong with the aforementioned taco, tacos can be so much more. First off, you can have tacos without meat!!! (This is, after all, a vegetarian blog.)

Also, there are interesting things you can put onto tacos. Check out the Egg and Potato Breakfast Tacos, the Soft Black Bean Tacos with Salsa and Cabbage, and a Death By Chocolate Taco. Enjoy!

TACO ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

This comes from Linday Funston on Delish, and begins, “So flavorful, you won't even notice the noodles are gone.”

Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 - 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. ground beef

3/4 c. ricotta

1/2 c. sour cream, plus more for drizzling

1 large egg

1/3 c. salsa

3 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise

2 c. shredded Cheddar

2 c. Shredded Monterey Jack

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 8 minutes more. Drain fat.

In a small bowl, stir together ricotta, sour cream, and egg. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large baking or casserole dish, spread a thin layer of salsa. Top with a layer of zucchini noodles, sour cream mixture, ground beef, cheddar, and Monterey Jack. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, ending with zucchini noodles.

Bake until noodles are tender and cheese is bubbly, 25 minutes.

Drizzle with sour cream, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

EGG AND POTATO BREAKFAST TACOS

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Quick and easy to assemble, it makes sense why tacos are enjoyed during any time of the day in Mexico. Roast potatoes with poblano peppers and onions until golden brown, then enjoy on warm tortillas with buttery scrambled eggs."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/egg-and-potato-breakfast-tacos-3363842.

Ingredients

8 large eggs

1 teaspoon chili powder

Kosher salt

2 Yukon gold potatoes (about 1 pound), diced

1 onion, diced

1 poblano chile pepper, thinly sliced

Cooking spray

3 plum tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons jalapeno hot sauce

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

12 white corn tortillas

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F. Separate 1 egg; set the yolk aside. Whisk the egg white, chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until frothy. Add the potatoes, onion and poblano; toss. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray; spread out the vegetables, then coat with more cooking spray. Bake, flipping once, until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1 tablespoon hot sauce in a bowl; season with salt and set aside.

Whisk the reserved egg yolk and 7 eggs with 1/4 cup cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl until frothy. Melt the butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat; swirl to coat. Add the egg mixture and cook, stirring, until just set, about 5 minutes.

Toast the tortillas in a dry skillet or wrap in a damp paper towel and warm in the microwave. Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1 tablespoon hot sauce with the vegetable mixture. Divide the vegetables and scrambled eggs among the tortillas. Serve with the tomato salsa.

CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH SPICY SRIRACHA BLACK BEANS

This is from Katie Lee Biegel on the Food Network.

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Cauliflower:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small head cauliflower, finely chopped

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup salsa

Black Beans:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium yellow onion, diced

One 15-ounce can black beans (do not drain)

1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha hot sauce

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Tacos:

Warm flour tortillas, for serving

Guacamole, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, shredded cabbage or bagged coleslaw mix and sour cream, for topping

Directions

For the cauliflower: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chili powder, garlic salt and oregano. Cook another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the salsa and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the liquid has been mostly absorbed by the cauliflower, about 5 minutes.

For the black beans: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender and translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the black beans with their liquid and the sriracha. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to gently mash the beans, leaving some texture.

For the tacos: Build the tacos with the tortillas, black beans, cauliflower and desired toppings.

MUSHROOM, CORN AND POBLANO SOFT TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAM

I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found here.

From Garnish with Lemon. View this online at http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/mushroom-corn-and-poblano-soft-tacos-with-avocado-cream/ Yields 5.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 (8-ounce) package mushrooms, sliced

1 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 large poblano pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn

1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup salsa

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided

1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, depending on your preference)

Kosher salt

10 taco-sized corn or flour tortillas

1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

1/2 cup sour cream

Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Stir in onions, oregano, garlic, chili powder, cumin and poblano pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and beans to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and stir in salsa, 1 tablespoon lime juice and hot sauce. Season to taste with salt.

Place avocado, sour cream and remaining lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. If avocado cream is too thick, add additional lime juice to reach desired consistency. Season to taste with salt.

Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon mushroom mixture into tortillas, garnish with avocado cream and chopped cilantro. Serve.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE TACO

This is from Laura Rege at Delish. Laura wrote, "We can hear the ice cream truck music in our heads with each bite of these super decadent dessert tacos made with Ortega® Yellow Corn Taco Shells. There’s a bit of freezer work involved here, but don’t be intimidated. The recipe is incredibly simple and the end result is totally worth the wait."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a33527634/death-by-chocolate-taco-recipe/.

Ingredients

2-1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 c. refined coconut oil

6 Ortega® Yellow Corn Taco Shells

2 pt. chocolate chocolate chip ice cream

3/4 c. hot fudge, chilled

1/2 c. chopped cocktail peanuts

1/2 c. sweetened coconut flakes, lightly toasted

2 tbsp. rainbow sprinkles

Directions

Line two small rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of the chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil. Microwave until just melted, about 1 minute on high. Stir to combine.

Holding one taco shell from the inside over the bowl of chocolate, use a spoon to spread the outside with melted chocolate, letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Repeat with remaining shells and melted chocolate.

Arrange on prepared baking sheets and freeze until chocolate is hardened and chilled, at least 10 minutes.

Using a serrated knife, slice the ice cream crosswise into thin rounds. Cut each round crosswise into strips. Keep ice cream frozen when not using.

Working with one coated taco shell at a time, remove the shell from the freezer. Fill halfway with ice cream. Spread fudge over top. Return to sheet tray in freezer. Repeat with remaining coated taco shells, ice cream, and fudge. Freeze 1 hour until fudge is hardened. Freeze filled taco shells until frozen and firm, at least 2 hours.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine remaining 1-1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and remaining 3 tablespoons of the coconut oil. Microwave until just melted, about 1 minute on high. Stir to combine.

Working with one filled taco at a time, spoon the chocolate sauce over the top of the ice cream, completely covering the ice cream. Sprinkle with either half the peanuts(1/4 cup), half the coconut flakes (1/4 cup), or half the sprinkles (1 tablespoon). Arrange finished tacos standing up on the parchment lined baking sheet (use small bowls or measuring cups to hold tacos up). Repeat with remaining tacos, chocolate sauce, and toppings.

Freeze filled taco shells until frozen and firm, at least 1 hour.

SOFT BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH SALSA AND CABBAGE

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Canned black beans and lots of cabbage combine in a quick, utterly satisfying one-dish taco dinner. They can be served open-faced or folded over.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: about 20 minutes.

This was featured in “Quick One-Dish Meals, Some Cooking Required” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola or grape seed oil

1 teaspoon medium-hot chili powder (more to taste)

1 teaspoon ground lightly toasted cumin seeds (more to taste)

2 cans black beans, with liquid

Salt to taste

8 corn tortillas

1 cup fresh or bottled salsa

3 ounces either queso fresco, feta, or sharp cheddar, grated or crumbled

2 cups shredded cabbage

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add the chili powder and ground cumin. Allow the spices to sizzle for about half a minute, until very fragrant, and stir in the black beans and 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring and mashing the beans with the back of your spoon, for 5 to 10 minutes, until thick and fragrant. Be careful that you don’t let the beans dry out too much. If they do, add a little more water. Remove from the heat.

Heat the tortillas, two or three at a time, in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, or in a microwave. Top with the black beans, salsa, cheese and cabbage. Fold the filled tortillas over if desired and serve. Alternatively, one at a time, place a tortilla on a plate, top with the beans and cheese and heat through for 30 seconds to a minute in a microwave. Then top with salsa and a generous handful of cabbage, and serve.

Tip

Make fresh salsa with 2 or 3 chopped roma tomatoes, 1 or 2 jalapeños or serrano chiles, a little chopped onion or shallot if desired, salt, a squeeze of lime juice, and chopped fresh cilantro.

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Portobello Bulgogi Korean Tacos and Huevos Rancheros. Enjoy!

Monday, January 30, 2023

Monday Recipes

It's Monday again, time to get the week started off. Today's offerings include Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Ricotta and Tumble-Jumble Strawberry Tart. Enjoy!

LEMON SNACKING CAKE WITH COCONUT GLAZE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “With a poundcake-like texture and zippy lemon flavor, this tender treat is loaded with grated citrus zest and topped with a sweet, mellow coconut frosting. Like many snacking cakes, it’s easily whisked together without a mixer, and quick to bake. Perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up, it goes as well with a glass of milk as it does with mugs of coffee, tea or hot cocoa.”

Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour, plus cooling

This was featured in “Three Snacking Cakes to Change Your Afternoons”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola, plus more for pan

3 lemons

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 large eggs

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 packed cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Glaze:

3 tablespoons coconut milk

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Pinch of fine sea salt

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Finely grated lemon zest, for garnish

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan, and then line with parchment paper, letting the two long ends hang over the edge of the pan by at least 2 inches.

Grate 2 tablespoons of zest from the lemons. Juice the lemons so you have 1/4 cup juice. Add juice and zest to a medium bowl, then whisk in oil, sour cream, coconut milk and eggs.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk wet mixture into dry mixture until smooth.

Scrape batter into baking pan and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with shredded sweetened coconut. Bake until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely.

When cake is cool, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, oil and salt. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Pour over the cake, and grate some lemon zest over the top. Let the glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

CREAMY CHEESY MACARONI

This yummy recipe comes from The Mayo Clinic Diet. If you haven’t check out the site, you should. (That, as well as the main site, https://www.mayoclinic.org, have a lot of good stuff to check out.)

Serves 10; Serving size: 1 cup

To view this online, go to http://diet.mayoclinic.org/food-fitness/recipe-for-creamy-cheesy-macaroni-/17551.

Ingredients

1 package pasta, whole-wheat, elbow macaroni (14.5 ounces)

1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, nonfat

2 tablespoons oil, canola

1/2 cup flour, all-purpose

1/2 teaspoon pepper, black ground

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups milk, fat-free

2 cups cheese, cheddar, sharp, reduced-fat, shredded

2 cups tomatoes, cherry, cut in half

Instructions

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, blend cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth. Set aside.

In a large saucepan over a medium heat, combine oil, flour, pepper and garlic powder; stir until mixed. Gradually stir in the milk and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes or until thickened and smooth. Add the blended cottage cheese and cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.

Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. After the macaroni has been cooked and drained, place it in the prepared casserole dish. Pour the cheese mixture over the macaroni and mix until blended. Bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes or until heated through. Top with tomatoes just before serving.

TEXAS POTATO SALAD

This is from Derrick Riches, a former writer for The Spruce Eats. Derrick wrote, “If you haven't tried a Texas-style potato salad, you're missing out. Think German potato salad meets traditional potato salad with a touch of Southwestern flair. A must try at your next cookout!”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 18 minutes; Total Time: 38 minutes; Yield: serves 4-6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Pickled Jalapeños:

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 large jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped)

For the Potatoes:

8 medium poatoes (Yukon gold, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks)

For the Salad Dressing:

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon sea salt (more if needed)

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse ground)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or chipotle chili powder)

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons pickling juice

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Assembly:

2 stalks celery (washed and diced)

2 green onions (green part only, washed and chopped)

1/4 cup cilantro (leaves, washed and chopped)

2 eggs (hard-boiled, cut into medium chunks)

Directions

Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this potato salad dish is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.

Make the Pickled Jalapeños:

Gather the ingredients.

In a small glass or plastic bowl, add rice wine vinegar, mustard seed, salt, and diced jalapeño. You can use serrano peppers if you prefer.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.

Make the Potatoes:

Gather the ingredients.

Bring 8 cups of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon salt to water as it begins to bubble.

Peel and cut Yukon potatoes into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to pot and boil for 15-18 minutes. Potatoes are done when easily pierced by a fork. Make sure they are still firm and not mushy.

Once potatoes are cooked through, drain and add to an ice bath (a large bowl with cold water and 1 cup of ice), for several minutes. This halts the cooking process and cools the potatoes.

Make the Dressing

Gather the ingredients.

Add mustard, mayonnaise, salt, sugar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, vinegar, pickling juice, chili powder, and garlic powder to bowl.

Combine and taste for salt content. Remember that potatoes tend to need a little more salt, so add 1/2 teaspoon more if necessary.

Assemble the Potatoes

Gather the ingredients.

Drain potatoes from ice bath.

Add to bowl along with celery pickled jalapeños, cilantro, egg, and green onions.

Using large spoon, gently combine with salad dressing.

Scoop potato salad into serving dish, top with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.

This, along with the Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, was featured in “The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Crushed red pepper (optional)

2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)

6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature

Grated pecorino

Basil leaves, for garnish

Preparation

Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.

Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.

Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).

Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.

QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2-1/2 cups.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

5 pounds tomatoes

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 garlic clove, halved

1 basil sprig

1 bay leaf

Preparation

Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.

Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.

Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2-1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.

TUMBLE-JUMBLE STRAWBERRY TART

This is from Dorie Greenspan at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Dorie wrote, “I first had a strawberry tart like this one more than 10 years ago at the Paris cafe La Palette, and I’ve been making my own version of it ever since. It’s simply a crust slicked with some jam and then topped with an abundance of berries; whipped cream or crème fraîche is optional. The recipe is straightforward, but the construction is genius. You bake the crust, which is both crisp and tender, to a beautiful golden color and then set it aside. (Use the scraps of dough to make cookies; sprinkle with sugar before baking.) When you’re ready for dessert, you cut and finish only as many servings as you need, ensuring that the crust will always have great texture and the berries will always be fresh and bright. You could use a store-bought crust, but there are so few components in this dessert, it’s good to make each one count.”

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and cooling.

This was beautifully featured on “My Summer Jam: An Update of the French Fruit Tart”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020343-tumble-jumble-strawberry-tart.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup/40 grams confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

9 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus additional for greasing

1 large egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Topping:

1/2 cup strawberry jam

1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled

Granulated sugar, as needed (optional)

Whipped cream or crème fraîche, for serving (optional)

Preparation

Put the flour, both sugars, salt and lemon zest, if you’re using it, in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to blend. Scatter the butter on top; pulse the butter into the dry ingredients until you’ve got a bowlful of curds. At first the dough will look like cornmeal, but it will change as you go, so work in long pulses — you might need as many as 20 — and scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl often.

Whisk the yolk and vanilla together, and add in three additions, pulsing after each. Pulse just until the dough starts to come away from the sides of the bowl; it should form moist clumps and hold together when pinched. Turn it out onto a counter, knead it into a compact ball and flatten it into a disk between two sheets of parchment or wax paper.

Roll the dough into an 11-inch circle. If it’s cold enough, fit it into a 9- to 9½-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, prick the bottom with a fork and trim the top even with the pan’s rim; if it’s not cold, chill it until it’s workable. Refrigerate the crust in the pan for at least 1 hour (or cover and freeze up to 2 months; bake straight from the freezer).

Heat oven to 400. Place the dough in its pan on a baking sheet, cover with a piece of buttered foil or parchment and fill with rice.

Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the foil or paper and rice. Bake, uncovered, until the crust is golden, another 8-10 minutes. Let cool, at least 30 minutes.

If you’re serving 6, cover the bottom of the crust with a layer of jam, and then cut the tart into wedges. (Otherwise, cut the number of wedges you need, and spread each portion with jam.) Halve or quarter as many berries as you’d like — be generous — and if you want, toss with a little granulated sugar. Place each wedge of crust on a plate, and spoon over berries, letting them tumble where they might. If you’d like, top each serving with whipped cream, or pass the cream at the table.

Friday, January 27, 2023

Friday Recipes

Are you ready for the weekend?

If you're like me, you probably are. This time of year tends to be a little busy, to put it mildly.

But since we still need to eat, here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Black Bean Breakfast Burrito with Plantains and Mango Salsa and Vegetable Manicotti. Yum! Enjoy!

VEGAN LASAGNA

This was in the October 1997 issue of Vegetarian Times, and posted online on May 10, 2017. It begins, “The tomato sauce recipe makes enough to serve on the side or to freeze and enjoy later with pasta.” Makes 12 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Tomato Sauce

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 6-oz. can tomato paste

3 28-oz. cans peeled plum tomatoes, chopped with juices reserved

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Lasagna

1 Tbs. salt

1 lb. dry uncooked eggless lasagna noodles

2 16-oz. pkg. firm tofu, drained

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

To make Sauce: In large, heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juice, basil, parsley, oregano and red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer over low heat about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, bring large pot of water to boil. When water boils, add salt and noodles. Cook until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain, rinse with water and drain again.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Crumble tofu into medium bowl. Add garlic, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir until well blended.

Spoon about 1 cup sauce over bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Add layer of noodles and top with one-third tofu mixture. Spoon over about 1 1/2 cups sauce and top with another layer of noodles. Cover with one-third tofu mixture and top with 1 1/2 cups of sauce and another layer of noodles. Top with remaining tofu mixture and 1 cup sauce.

Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand about 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Serve with remaining sauce.

BLACK BEAN BREAKFAST BURRITO WITH PLANTAINS AND MANGO SALSA

This comes from the March 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Ripe plantains have a starchy consistency like potatoes, but with more fiber.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups sliced ripe plantains (2 medium)

1 lime, juiced and zest grated (2 Tbs. juice and 1 tsp. zest)

1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup prepared mango salsa, plus more for serving, optional

4 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed

Directions

Combine plantains, lime juice, and 1/2 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover pan, and simmer 20 minutes, or until plantains are very soft. Mash with fork or potato masher, and stir in lime zest. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Combine beans and salsa in small saucepan; warm over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Spread heaping 1/4 cup plantains on bottom half of each tortilla, leaving 2-inch border. Top with 1/2 cup bean mixture. Fold sides of tortilla over filling, then roll from bottom up. Serve with additional salsa, if using.

nutritional information Per Burrito: Calories: 349; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 72 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 779 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 18 g; Vegan

CREAMY LEMONADE PIE

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

Ingredients

1 (5 oz) can evaporated milk

1 (3.4 oz) pkg. instant lemon pudding mix

2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese softened

3/4 C. lemonade concentrate

1 graham cracker crust

Directions

In mixing bowl combine milk & pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light & fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually beat in lemonade concentrate. Gradually beat in pudding mixture. Pour into crust. Cover & refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

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.

VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS

This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”

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

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 corn tortillas

1/4 c. Country Crock Original

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

1 red pepper, diced

1 yellow pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp. chili powder

1 tbsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes

1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

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

1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving

1/4 c. sour cream

1/4 c. shredded Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.

Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.

Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.

VEGETABLE MANICOTTI

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. It begins, “A great back-to-school recipe, this manicotti can be prepared in advance and kept frozen until you are ready to bake them.” Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup carrots, shredded

1/2 cup zucchini, shredded

1 cup spinach, chopped

2 cups plain yogurt cheese

1 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3 eggs

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

12 manicotti shells, cooked

1 32oz jar tomato sauce

Directions

Using layered cheesecloth, strain the whey from 1 quart of yogurt overnight to make yogurt cheese. One quart of yogurt will yield approximately 2 cups of yogurt cheese.

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil, and cook manicotti noodles until still slightly firm, being careful not to overcook. Drain noodles, rinse with cold water.

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9x13 baking dish, coat the bottom of the dish with 4 tablespoons of tomato sauce. Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, fold vegetables, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, herbs, salt, pepper & eggs into yogurt cheese. Using a spoon, gently fill the manicotti shells with the cheese & vegetable mixture & place in the baking dish. Once shells have been filled, top manicotti with remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 minutes. Top with remaining shredded cheese & bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Serve warm.