It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Crispy Baked Tacos with Pineapple Salsa and Mini Tofu Tacos. Enjoy!
GLUTEN-FREE LENTIL QUINOA TACO PIE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "Sometimes you want a complex, engaging cooking project that results in an exciting, creative meal, perfect and elegantly plated. Other times you just want to mix a couple things together, stick one pan in the oven, and have dinner for six people (or one person with leftovers for days) come out the other side. This lentil-quinoa taco pie is the latter type of recipe.
"The casserole features black beans, lentils, and quinoa, so you know it’s going to be hearty. As written, the recipe calls for egg and cheddar cheese, but plant-based versions of both will work well here. Customize the spices and garnishes in the taco pie to your preferences. For best results, cook and cool quinoa ahead of time, or use frozen cooked quinoa and thaw before using."
Prep Time 25 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pie
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 15-oz BPA-free can black beans, drained and rinsed (TRY: Eden Organic Black Beans No Salt Added)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil (TRY: Origin 846 Unfiltered Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped
1 tbsp ancho chile powder
1 tsp ground cumin (TRY: Simply Organic Ground Cumin)
2 cups BPA-free canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1 19-oz BPA-free can lentils, drained
1/4 tsp each sea salt and ground black pepper (TRY: Simply Organic Ground Black Pepper)
Garnishes
1/4 cup sour cream, optional
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
2 tbsp pickled sliced jalapeño peppers
2 tbsp chopped tomato
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
Make pie: Preheat oven to 375°F. Mist a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together quinoa, beans, one-half of cheese, beaten egg and cilantro. Set aside.
In a medium skillet on medium, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add bell pepper, chile powder and cumin; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, water and lentils. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.
Spread half of sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Top with quinoa mixture. Top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining one-half of cheese and bake for 10 minutes more.
Serve taco pie topped with sour cream (if using), lettuce, jalapeños, tomato and cilantro.
SNAPPY TACOS
This is another good taco recipe from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, "Just two of these tacos provide nearly all the soy protein of the daily FDA recommendation of 25 grams." Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
4 tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
12-oz. pkg. soy crumbles, plain or taco-flavored
1/4 cup dark beer (see Note
1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup salsa, drained
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
8 taco shells
Garnishes: See my note under Toppings for the Tasty Black Beans & Corn Tacos, above.
Note: If you - like me - don't have dark beer (or any beer, for that matter), I suggest simply increasing the low-sodium vegetable broth to 3/4 cup
Instructions:
In large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup onion and 1/4 teaspoon garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat and mix in soy crumbles, beer and broth. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to plate and set aside. Wipe out skillet.
Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano and jalapeños, stirring until mixture is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add reserved crumbles, salsa and cilantro and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes.
Spoon 1⁄4 cup filling into each taco shell. Top with some or all garnishes and serve hot.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 302; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 633 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: g
THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS TACOS WITH CRANBERRY SALSA [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]
This is from Annessia Maillet & Beth DeCarlo at One Green Planet. The recipe begins, "Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches are kind of legendary. We mean, the best part about Thanksgiving is getting to put all those leftovers in a sandwich, right? Well, why no try it in a taco? You can make this recipe using your Thanksgiving leftovers, but if you don’t happen to have a refrigerator full of leftovers, you can easily whip up some Thanksgiving tacos from scratch. Just roast a couple of veggies, sauté up some herbed seitan or veggie meat, top it off with some cranberry salsa and a drizzle of tahini, and you have yourself one glorious taco."
Serves 8
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/thanksgiving-leftovers-tacos-with-cranberry-salsa/.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Salsa:
1-1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1 large apple (a sweet variety, like Gala or Fuji, works best)
1/2 a jalapeño pepper
1 shallot or 1/2 small onion
Juice from 1 lime
3 tablespoons of sugar or coconut sugar
For the Tacos:
2 small sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes
8 ounces Brussels sprouts
8 ounces seitan or 2 cups any veggie meat, cubed
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 flour tortillas (gluten-free if necessary)
Tahini, for drizzling (see notes)
Preparation
To Make the Salsa:
Dice the apple, jalapeño, and shallot into 1/4-inch pieces. Remove the seeds from the jalapeno before dicing if you prefer.
Add the cranberries, apple, jalapeño, and shallot to your food processor. Pulse several times so that the ingredients are finely chopped but are not liquefied.
Put the mixture in a small bowl. Add the lime juice and sugar, then stir. Let the flavors meld for at least 15 minutes before serving.
To Make the Tacos:
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Peel and cut the sweet potato into 1/2-inch cubes. Cut the Brussels sprouts into quarters.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the sweet potatoes on one sheet and the Brussels sprouts on the other. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each sheet, and sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and salt. Toss to make sure the vegetables are well-coated.
Bake both sheets for 15-20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are soft and the Brussels sprouts are soft and beginning to brown. The sweet potatoes may need to be baked 5 minutes longer than the Brussels sprouts. Remove both sheets from the oven when they are ready.
While the vegetables are baking, cut the seitan or veggie meat into bite-size pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
When the pan is hot, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and the seitan. Add the thyme and sage and stir to make sure the seitan is well-coated. Cook the seitan for 5-7 minutes, turning the seitan frequently to brown on all sides.
Remove from the heat once brown and crispy.
Warm the tortillas in a skillet, add the sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and seitan. Top with salsa. Drizzle tahini over each taco.
Notes
If your tahini is too thick to drizzle, thin it out with some warm water.
MINI TOFU TACOS
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "These bite-sized vegetarian treats evoke the flavors of a crispy fried fish taco. Delicious, crispy spiced tofu is stuffed into mini corn tortillas with fresh and flavorful toppings like pico de gallo, crunchy cabbage, avocado, fresh jalapeño and crema for a healthful snack that’s loaded with flavor."
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 18 mini tofu tacos; Level: Easy
View this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mini-tofu-tacos-12138037.
Ingredients
1 14-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil, for frying
18 4-1/2-inch corn tortillas
Shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, pico de gallo, crema, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeño and/or lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Cut the tofu lengthwise into 7 even planks. Cut each plank lengthwise into thirds, then evenly dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Spread the diced tofu on a large baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel or paper towels. Cover with another towel to absorb the moisture. Set aside 5 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the cornstarch, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano and garlic powder in a large bowl. Season the tofu with salt, then toss with the cornstarch mixture to coat. Heat 1/4 inch vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu in an even layer and cook, undisturbed, until the tofu starts to brown slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Gently stir, then continue to cook, tossing, until golden brown all over and very crispy, 5 to 7 more minutes. Transfer the tofu to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with salt.
Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave until softened and hot, 30 to 45 seconds.
Assemble the tacos: Place some cabbage in the center of each tortilla; top with a slice of avocado. Add some tofu, pico de gallo, a drizzle of crema, chopped cilantro and jalapeño. Serve with lime wedges.
CRISPY BAKED TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA
This is from Dana, the co-founder (with her husband, John) of the Minimalist Baker. Talk about a great looking site! And the recipes look absolutely wonderful. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), I’ll be checking out this site again…and again. (Thanks for putting up the site, Dana and John!)
This recipe “comes together in just 30 minutes” (always a plus when you’re hungry!). Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; for a Total Time of 30 minutes. Serves 3 - 4.
To view this on the Minimalist Baker site, go to http://minimalistbaker.com/crispy-baked-tacos/.
Ingredients
Tortillas
6 - 8 white or yellow corn tortillas
Avocado or grape seed oil
Sea salt
Beans
2 cups Mexican Pinto Beans (or 1 1/2 15-ounce cans pinto beans) (Note: Click link for the Mexican Pinto Beans on the Minimalist Baker, which also follows this recipe)
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground chili powder
Pinch each sea salt + black pepper
Salsa*
1/4 cup diced pineapple
1/2 cup diced tomato
optional: 3 Tbsp diced jalapeño
3 Tbsp diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp lime juice, plus more to taste
Pinch each salt and pepper
Toppings, optional
Ripe sliced avocado
Hot sauce
Lime juice
Fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and get out two baking sheets, as well as a few mini cupcake liners if you have them. As long as you have either cupcake liners or two baking sheets, you can make this method work!
Lightly brush tortillas on both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt. Then stack two baking sheets and lift one side. Tuck as many tortillas as will fit comfortably on the edge, then lower the top baking sheet and fold the tortilla over the top, so it forms a shell shape. In addition or alternatively, simply arrange tortillas on a baking sheet, fold over, and slide two mini cupcake liners inside the shell so it creates an opening. See photo for guidance!
Bake 10 - 20 minutes (will depend on brand and freshness) until light brown and crisp.
Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
While tortillas are baking, add pinto beans to a small pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat, then lower heat to low and simmer until serving. Taste and season - I suggest ground cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
Lastly, prepare pineapple salsa by adding all ingredients to a small bowl and tossing to coat. Taste and adjust flavors as needed, adding more salt for flavor balance, lime for acidity, or pineapple for sweetness. Set aside.
Once tacos are done baking and slightly cooled, filled generously with pinto beans, pineapple, and other toppings. I went with avocado, hot sauce, and cilantro.
The shells are best when fresh. I would only make as many as you want to enjoy immediately as they tend to lose their crispiness when stored.
Notes
*I also think this Blended Red Salsa would be delicious with these tacos!
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 8 tacos without additional toppings (i.e. avocado).
Nutrition Information: Serving size: 1 taco (of 8) without additional toppings Calories: 130 Fat: 4.6 g Saturated fat: 0.7 g Carbohydrates: 20 g Sugar: 1.5 g Sodium: 203 g Fiber: 4.2 g Protein: 3.8 g
MEXICAN PINTO BEANS FROM SCRATCH (1 POT)
This is also from Dana of the Minimalist Baker. Prep Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes.
View this on the Minimalist Baker list at http://minimalistbaker.com/mexican-pinto-beans-scratch-1-pot/.
Ingredients
1 pound pinto beans*, soaked overnight in cool water (or for at least 6 hours)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 white onion, diced
3 large cloves garlic, minced (1 1/2 Tbsp)
1 pinch each sea salt + black pepper, plus more to taste
1 quality vegetable bullion (or 1 cup vegetable broth)
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 tsp adobo sauce, plus more to taste
1/2 cup diced tomatoes and green chilies (I used Muir Glen fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies)
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder*
optional: 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Add pinto beans to a large pot and cover with cool water (at least a few inches above the beans as they will expand). Soak for at least 6 hours or overnight* uncovered at room temperature.
Once beans are soaked, drain and set aside.
Heat your large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil, diced onion and garlic, and season with a healthy pinch each sea salt and black pepper. Stir to coat and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until onion is soft and translucent.
Next add drained beans and bouillon cube and cover with water about 2 inches over the top, as the beans will expand while cooking. If using vegetable broth in place of a bouillon cube, add vegetable broth first, and then water so you don't add too much liquid.
Add chipotle pepper and diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a low boil. Then reduce heat to low or medium-low and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until beans are tender.
Once the beans are tender and cooked through add remaining seasonings: adobo sauce, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon (optional). Stir to coat and cook on low for 10 more minutes to let the flavors meld.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt to taste, cumin for smokiness, chili for depth of flavor, cinnamon for warmth, or adobo sauce (and minced adobo peppers) for heat. You want them very well seasoned, so don't be shy!
Your beans are now ready to enjoy! These make a delicious addition to burrito bowls, burritos, tacos, nachos, taco salads, veggie burgers, and more. You could also add them to chili!
Store beans well covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Will keep in the freezer for 1 month (oftentimes longer).
Notes
*1 pound dried beans typically equals 2 cups dried or 4-5 cups cooked.
*The chili powder I used was from Whole Foods and contains a blend of chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, coriander, cloves and allspice.
*6-8 hours is the optimal amount of time for soaking your beans. The longer you soak them, the more tender they will become, and the more likely they will split and separate during cooking. So if you can't get to them right away, simply drain, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
*Recipe method adapted from All Recipes and The Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 half-cup serving of 10 total servings. The recipe yields roughly 5 cups cooked beans.
*I recently discovered that Trader Joe's beans are BPA-free, which is great news if you forget to prep ahead of time. In a pinch, buying cans that are BPA-free is still a good option.
Nutrition Information: Serving size: 1/2 cup Calories: 189 Fat: 2.5 g Carbohydrates: 31.6 g Sugar: 2 g Sodium: 367 mg Fiber: 8.4 g Protein: 10.6 g
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Monday, February 6, 2023
Monday Recipes
It's Monday, the start of the work week. To help you get motivated, a little Manic Monday (care of the Bangles) should help. Try getting that earworm out of your thoughts today!
Another way to get the week started off just right is with some yummy vegetarian recipes, including Vegan Fried “Chicken” with Seitan, Easy Vegan Tempeh Chili, and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
BAKED BANANA SPLITS
This was in an old Weight Watchers email (we're talking more than 10 years ago). The plan has changed several times since then.
This recipe begins, “Try substituting any flavored extract you like in the sauce for this creative take on banana splits. Almond, maple, rum, orange -- let your imagination run wild. They're perfect for Mother's Day!”
POINTS® Value: 4 (value from when this recipe was emailed); Servings | 4; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 sprays cooking spray
4 large banana(s), ripe, peeled
8 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained
2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cups raspberries
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in pan.
Combine pineapple, 1 tablespoon of Splenda and cinnamon in a small bowl; pour over bananas. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: The canned pineapple is already sweet so omit the Splenda if you prefer.)
Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining tablespoon of Splenda and vanilla in another small bowl; set aside.
Place one baked banana in each of four individual serving bowls and top each with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple sauce and 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of raspberries. Serve immediately.
Note: Okay, this is me talking. I personally would refrain from the Splenda, simply because I'm not a big fan of non-sugar (read not-quite-sure-it's-not-synthetic) sweeteners. But that's my preference. I would use sugar or no sweetener at all. It's your call here.
EASY VEGAN TEMPEH CHILI
This is from OnTrackDiabetes, a site with some good information for diabetics and their families.
Servings: 6; Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 30 minutes; Total: 40 minutes
You can view this at https://www.ontrackdiabetes.com/recipes/easy-vegan-tempeh-chili.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces tempeh
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 15-ounce can of organic pinto beans (undrained)
1 15-ounce can of organic kidney beans (drained)
2 15-ounce cans of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
3/4 cup of water
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large (6-quart) saucepan on medium heat.
Remove tempeh from the package and crumble it into saucepan. Brown for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add chopped onion, bell peppers and celery to saucepan. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes.
Add beans (1 drained and 1 undrained), tomatoes, water and remaining seasonings. Stir well to combine.
Simmer on low heat for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until peppers are cooked yet still firm.
Nutrition Information Per Serving: 330 calories (33% calories from fat), 18 g protein, 12 g total fat (2 g saturated fat), 38 g carbohydrates, 12 g fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, 767 mg sodium
VEGAN FRIED “CHICKEN” WITH SEITAN
This is from Jolinda Hackett, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Vegan fried ‘chicken’ made with seitan. This fried seitan "chicken" dish is deep-fried, so it isn't particularly healthy, though it is cholesterol-free and it sure is mighty tasty! Deep fried seitan and a blend of spices create a dish that's really quite similar in appearance and taste to fried chicken. If you like southern fried chicken, try vegan southern fried seitan made with all the same ingredients including a spicy batter and a coat of flour to make it just the perfect amount of crispiness. Make sure you have some ketchup or mustard or something to serve alongside to dip your vegan fried chicken in.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
You can view this online here.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon salt (or seasoned salt)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: dash cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups flour
Optional: 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup mustard
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 cup water
1 lb. seitan (or another chicken substitute, cut into 1 to 2" square pieces)
Directions
In a medium to large bowl, mix together the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, flour, black pepper, cayenne, and nutritional yeast.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mustard and water. Add 1/3 cup of the flour mixture to the mustard mixture and combine well.
Add baking powder to the flour mixture and combine well.
Coat pieces of seitan or mock chicken with the mustard batter, then coat each piece with the dry flour mixture.
Fry chunks of "chicken" in the oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel, serve with ketchup, ranch dressing, honey mustard, hot sauce or barbecue sauce.
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.
RED VELVET CHEESECAKE
Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen
Total: 2 hr; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 40 min; Yield: 10 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies (about 28 cookies)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
For the filling:
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon red food coloring
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt in a bowl. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
Make the filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the flour, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Transfer 2 cups batter to a bowl; stir in the cocoa powder and food coloring. Pour the red batter into the crust, then pour the white batter on top. Using a spoon, pull some of the red batter up from the bottom of the cake and swirl. Bake until the edges are set but the center is still wobbly, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Turn off the oven but keep the cake inside to cool, 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan (don't remove the springform side), then transfer to a rack to cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing.
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.
Another way to get the week started off just right is with some yummy vegetarian recipes, including Vegan Fried “Chicken” with Seitan, Easy Vegan Tempeh Chili, and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
BAKED BANANA SPLITS
This was in an old Weight Watchers email (we're talking more than 10 years ago). The plan has changed several times since then.
This recipe begins, “Try substituting any flavored extract you like in the sauce for this creative take on banana splits. Almond, maple, rum, orange -- let your imagination run wild. They're perfect for Mother's Day!”
POINTS® Value: 4 (value from when this recipe was emailed); Servings | 4; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 sprays cooking spray
4 large banana(s), ripe, peeled
8 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained
2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cups raspberries
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in pan.
Combine pineapple, 1 tablespoon of Splenda and cinnamon in a small bowl; pour over bananas. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: The canned pineapple is already sweet so omit the Splenda if you prefer.)
Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining tablespoon of Splenda and vanilla in another small bowl; set aside.
Place one baked banana in each of four individual serving bowls and top each with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple sauce and 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of raspberries. Serve immediately.
Note: Okay, this is me talking. I personally would refrain from the Splenda, simply because I'm not a big fan of non-sugar (read not-quite-sure-it's-not-synthetic) sweeteners. But that's my preference. I would use sugar or no sweetener at all. It's your call here.
EASY VEGAN TEMPEH CHILI
This is from OnTrackDiabetes, a site with some good information for diabetics and their families.
Servings: 6; Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 30 minutes; Total: 40 minutes
You can view this at https://www.ontrackdiabetes.com/recipes/easy-vegan-tempeh-chili.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces tempeh
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 15-ounce can of organic pinto beans (undrained)
1 15-ounce can of organic kidney beans (drained)
2 15-ounce cans of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
3/4 cup of water
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large (6-quart) saucepan on medium heat.
Remove tempeh from the package and crumble it into saucepan. Brown for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add chopped onion, bell peppers and celery to saucepan. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes.
Add beans (1 drained and 1 undrained), tomatoes, water and remaining seasonings. Stir well to combine.
Simmer on low heat for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until peppers are cooked yet still firm.
Nutrition Information Per Serving: 330 calories (33% calories from fat), 18 g protein, 12 g total fat (2 g saturated fat), 38 g carbohydrates, 12 g fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, 767 mg sodium
VEGAN FRIED “CHICKEN” WITH SEITAN
This is from Jolinda Hackett, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Vegan fried ‘chicken’ made with seitan. This fried seitan "chicken" dish is deep-fried, so it isn't particularly healthy, though it is cholesterol-free and it sure is mighty tasty! Deep fried seitan and a blend of spices create a dish that's really quite similar in appearance and taste to fried chicken. If you like southern fried chicken, try vegan southern fried seitan made with all the same ingredients including a spicy batter and a coat of flour to make it just the perfect amount of crispiness. Make sure you have some ketchup or mustard or something to serve alongside to dip your vegan fried chicken in.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
You can view this online here.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon salt (or seasoned salt)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: dash cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups flour
Optional: 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup mustard
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 cup water
1 lb. seitan (or another chicken substitute, cut into 1 to 2" square pieces)
Directions
In a medium to large bowl, mix together the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, flour, black pepper, cayenne, and nutritional yeast.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mustard and water. Add 1/3 cup of the flour mixture to the mustard mixture and combine well.
Add baking powder to the flour mixture and combine well.
Coat pieces of seitan or mock chicken with the mustard batter, then coat each piece with the dry flour mixture.
Fry chunks of "chicken" in the oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel, serve with ketchup, ranch dressing, honey mustard, hot sauce or barbecue sauce.
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.
RED VELVET CHEESECAKE
Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen
Total: 2 hr; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 40 min; Yield: 10 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies (about 28 cookies)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
For the filling:
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon red food coloring
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt in a bowl. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
Make the filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the flour, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Transfer 2 cups batter to a bowl; stir in the cocoa powder and food coloring. Pour the red batter into the crust, then pour the white batter on top. Using a spoon, pull some of the red batter up from the bottom of the cake and swirl. Bake until the edges are set but the center is still wobbly, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Turn off the oven but keep the cake inside to cool, 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan (don't remove the springform side), then transfer to a rack to cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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