Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (because not everyone loves tacos). Today's offerings include Chipotle Veggie Chili and Fudgy Zucchini Brownies. Enjoy!
SNOWBALL MERINGUE COOKIES
These are from Weight Watchers. They're worth 2 PointsPlus per serving (1 cookie per serving).
Ingredients
cooking spray
1 tsp all purpose flour
4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray; coat with a light dusting of flour and shake off excess.
In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form; gently fold in mini chocolate chips and vanilla extract.
Drop mixture by heaping tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart, making 24 cookies.
Bake until lightly golden and no longer sticky on the surface, about 1 hour. Turn oven off and let cookies sit in over for 1 hour. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
CHIPOTLE VEGGIE CHILI
This yummy recipe is from Morningstar Farms, and begins, “Chipotle peppers, packed in adobo sauce, kick up the flavor of this veggie-packed chili, making it perfect for serving before the big game.”
Prep Time: 15 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 package (12 oz.) Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™
2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen whole corn kernels
Keebler® Club® Cornbread Cracker Bites Homestyle
Directions
In nonstick Dutch oven cook onion, bell pepper, carrots and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in cumin. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
Stir in tomatoes, water, kidney beans, chipotle pepper and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in MORNINGSTAR FARMS MEAL STARTERS GRILLERS RECIPE CRUMBLES, zucchini and corn. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve topped with KEEBLER CLUB Cornbread Cracker Bites Homestyle.
CARROT TART WITH RICOTTA AND FETA
This comes from Sue Li on The New York Times cooking email. Sue wrote, “Carrots work beautifully in this simple tart, but onions, parsnips, beets, zucchini or pumpkin work just as well. The key is to cook the vegetables before putting them on the tart, since the moisture released by baking raw vegetables would make the puff pastry soggy and prevent it from rising. Once you remove the tart from the oven, let it cool for 10 minutes before cutting to allow the cheese to firm up slightly. The tart can be served warm, or cooled to room temperature, and would make a great addition to a picnic.”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour.
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020174-carrot-tart-with-ricotta-and-feta.
Ingredients
Flour, for rolling out dough
1 (14-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 pound multicolored carrots, scrubbed and sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Kosher salt and black pepper
8 ounces ricotta
4 ounces feta, crumbled
1 garlic clove, grated
Chopped fresh parsley, chervil or chives, for garnish
Preparation
Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Using a paring knife, lightly score a border around the perimeter of the puff pastry about a 1/4-inch away from the edges. Place puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick the pastry inside the border using a fork to prevent puffing in the center. Bake on top rack until puff pastry is lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, toss carrots with 1 tablespoon oil, season generously with salt and pepper and spread into a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast carrots on the bottom rack (underneath the puff pastry) until the edges are golden brown and carrots are still crisp-tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
While puff pastry and carrots are in the oven, blend ricotta, feta and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread the cheese mixture onto the puff pastry up to the border and arrange the carrots in a single layer on top. Bake until the carrots are tender and the edges of the cheese mixture are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs before serving.
FUDGY ZUCCHINI BROWNIES
This comes from Audra, otherwise known as The Baker Chick. If you haven’t check out her site, you really, really should. (Hint, hint.)
Anyway, Audra write, “I put green vegetables in your brownies - please don’t hate me.” She then goes on to talk about putting zucchini in her brownies. What can I saw, but I love her comments, as well as these brownies.
To view this online (and to check out Audra’s comments), go to http://www.thebakerchick.com/2014/08/fudgy-zucchini-brownies/.
Recipe adapted from: All Recipes
Ingredients
1/2 cup coconut oil (another vegetable oil will work as well)
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dark)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups finely shredded zucchini*
For the Frosting:
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup melted butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray or grease a 9x13 baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar and vanilla until smooth and well-combined. Sprinkle the flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt over the wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated. (The batter will be dry at this point- worry.)
Fold in the zucchini and mix for just a few seconds or until batter is well combined.
Spread into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the pan comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting:
In a medium-large bowl, stir together the butter and cocoa powder until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with the milk. Stir in the vanilla.
Spread frosting over cooled brownies and enjoy!
Notes
*Finely shredding the zucchini helps it release more liquid leading to the right texture of brownies. If your batter seems extremely dry after combining all the ingredients, your zucchini may be on the dry side. You can add a tablespoon of water at a time until the batter comes together. The zucchini will release a lot of water during baking and help bind the brownies and give them their rich and fudgy texture!
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.
This, along with the Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, was featured in “The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2 1/ 2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Taco Tuesday
It's Tuesday – time for another round of Taco Tuesday recipes.
I seldom (if ever) had tacos when I was growing up. (OMG! Really? Yup.) It wasn't until we moved to Florida when I was 17 that Mom decided to try fixing tacos for dinner. At that time, it involved hard taco shells (as opposed to the soft ones), warmed up, then brought to the table where my brother, sister, and I would fill them with whatever we felt like adding to them. This was, of course, as long as what we wanted involved ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, and/or shredded cheese.
Years later, I would watch as someone I knew filled taco shells with peanut butter and mustard (yes, together!), along with anything else that hit his fancy at the moment.
Well, tacos have evolved into a lot more than the hamburger/tomatoes/lettuce/cheese concoction (though this is perfectly fine - just make sure I've got tofu crumbles in place of the hamburger), and a lot more appealing than the peanut-butter-and-mustard tacos of that certain someone. Peanut butter? Okay, maybe. Mustard? Fine. Together? Hmmm...not so much.
Here are today's six taco recipes to help you through the day, and only one of them involves peanut butter. (Hint: It's the Spicy Thai Tacos.) You’ll also find Butternut Squash Tacos with Cranberry-Jalapeno Relish, Zucchini and Crimini Tacos, and several more taco recipes. Enjoy!
PORTOBELLO BULGOGI KOREAN TACOS
This is from Rachael Hartley in her blog Avocado A Day Nutrition. (Nice blog, Rachael! I just signed up for it!) Rachael wrote, "Beef bulgogi Korean tacos are one of my favorites. Try this vegan twist using meaty portobello mushrooms, which soak up all the delicious marinade." Serves 6.
You can view this yummy recipe online here.
Ingredients
Mushrooms:
6 medium-large portobello mushroom caps, cleaned and sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin (see note, below)
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons raw sugar or coconut sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon gochugaru (see second note)
Slaw:
1 bag of shredded cabbage
1 large carrot, shredded on the large grates of a cheese grater
2 scallions, thinly sliced
8 corn tortillas
First Note: Mirin is a Japanese cooking wine and is made from rice. It's supposed to be sweeter than sake. Since I don't keep alcohol around, I use water in place of miring.
Second note: Gochugaru is Korean chile flakes. If you can get it locally, and plan to use it in several dishes, great. Since I probably wouldn't use it elsewhere - unless I fell madly in love with it - I might consider something a little cheaper and more generic.
Instructions
Two to four hours before cooking, whisk together all the marinade ingredients for the mushrooms. Add portobellos and toss to combine. Refrigerate and marinade 2-4 hours.
When ready to cook, heat the grill to medium-high. Place the mushrooms evenly on the grill or toss into a grill pan if you have one. Reserve the marinade. Cook about 10 minutes total, flipping halfway.
While the mushrooms cook, pour the reserved marinade into a small pot. Set to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Boil about 10 minutes total until reduced to a thick syrup. Set aside.
Warm the tortillas. Spoon slaw on the bottom of each tortillas. Top with mushrooms and reserved sauce.
TASTY BLACK BEANS AND CORN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Filled with beans and vegetables, these healthful tacos will be a kid’s favorite." Makes 12 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
Black Beans and Corn Filling
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium-sized zucchini, diced
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup mild enchilada sauce
Tortillas
12 6- to 8-inch corn or flour tortillas
Toppings, Optional
Note: No toppings were listed, but I would suggest shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and/or sour cream. A diced avocado would be nice, too. Or if there's something else that you love to top your tacos with, go for it! Just one thing: Enjoy!
Instructions:
To make Black Beans and Corn Filling: Put all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until heated through.
To prepare Tortillas: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle on stove over medium-high heat. Lay tortillas in single layer on skillet or griddle for about 10 seconds. Turn and warm other side. Remove from heat, and wrap in a napkin or dishcloth until ready to assemble tacos.
To assemble, set a tortilla on a plate, and spoon on some filling. Top as desired, roll up and eat.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 100; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 1 g
BUTTERNUT SQUASH TACOS WITH CRANBERRY-JALAPENO RELISH
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4-6 servings; Serving Size: 2-3 tacos
Relish adapted from The New York Times
Read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/butternut-squash-tacos-with-cranberry-jalapeno-relish/
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
12 small corn tortillas
2 cups cooked black beans
For the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish:
1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
1 1/2 pounds tart apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a large bowl, toss together the butternut squash, olive oil and salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer and roast until tender, 20-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, apples, sugar and apple cider vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until cranberries start to pop and mixture has thickened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the jalapeño and ginger and remove from heat.
Warm the corn tortillas according to package directions. Serve the tortillas stuffed with the butternut squash and black beans, and topped with the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish.
Notes
Both the butternut squash and relish can be made ahead of time! Just reheat the butternut squash before stuffing it into the tortillas.
ZUCCHINI AND CRIMINI TACOS
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.
From A Spicy Perspective at http://www.aspicyperspective.com/taco-recipe/. YIELD: 8-10 tacos; PREP TIME: 20 minutes; COOK TIME: 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 large onion, peeled, quartered and sliced thin
1 1/2 lbs. crimini mushrooms, sliced thin
2 zucchini, sliced thin
2 summer squash sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tb. butter
1 Tb. cuban seasoning (McCormick makes a good one)
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 chipotle chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups crumbled California panela cheese (or queso fresco)
1 package corn tortillas
Directions:
Chop the veggies and leave in separate piles. Mix the salt and spices in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over all the veggies.
Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and heat to hight heat. Once the butter is melted, add the onions and garlic. Saute' for 1-2 minutes until just barely soft. Remove from the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, add the mushrooms and saute' and stir until brown and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Remove and add the last tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Add the zucchini and summer squash to the skillet. Saute' and stir for 2-3 minutes until golden, but just barley cooked through and still firm.
To serve, place a tortilla on a plate (you can double them up for extra stability) and load it with veggies. Top each taco with a generous sprinkling of crumbled panela cheese. Serve warm.
CRISPY THAI ROASTED CAULIFLOWER TACOS [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]
This comes from One Green Planet, and starts off, “These cauliflower tacos are an explosion of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. The crispy Thai cauliflower is mellowed by a tasty slaw and the whole taco is tied together with a delightful avocado-lime sauce. These tacos are sure to be crowd pleasers.”
This recipe is: Dairy-Free and Vegan; Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
4 cups cauliflower florets
2 teaspoon Thai seasoning (see below)
4 small, gluten-free tortillas
For the Slaw:
3 cups purple cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
3 tablespoon cilantro, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon flaked toasted coconut
2 teaspoon each extra virgin olive oil and lime juice
1 teaspoon agave
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
For the Avocado Lime Drizzle:
1 avocado, pitted
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup water
2 limes, peeled (flesh only – take the skin and white bits off with a knife)
For the Thai Seasoning:
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried lemon zest
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 teaspoon ground coriander
A few pinches of dried chili flakes
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a bowl, whisk together the curry paste, olive oil, and lime juice to make a thinner paste.
Toss the cauliflower in the mixture and stir it to coat.
In a small jar, combine all spices for the Thai seasoning and shake them together to blend.
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the Thai seasoning over the cauliflower and stir it to coat.
Line a baking sheet with foil and scatter the cauliflower florets in a single layer.
Roast them for 15-20 minutes or until they are crispy.
Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the cabbage slaw in a large bowl.
Stir the olive oil, lime juice, and agave together. Then, pour it over the slaw and stir everything in.
In a blender, puree all ingredients for the avocado drizzle. Transfer it to a bottle with a squeeze top, or a sealed jar as you’ll have extra to store in the fridge.
When the cauliflower is ready, remove it from the oven.
Divide the cabbage slaw between 3-4 tortillas, then evenly distribute the roasted cauliflower. Drizzle the tacos with avocado sauce and garnish with additional cilantro and toasted coconut if desired.
SPICY THAI TACOS
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.
This from Spabettie and can be viewed online at https://www.spabettie.com/2012/09/18/spicy-thai-tacos-taco-tuesday/. This recipe is dairy and gluten free, and vegan.
Ingredients
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon sesame oil
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon tamari
1 clove garlic, minced fine
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 block extra firm tofu, cut into strips
fresh corn, cut from cob
broccoli slaw
corn tortillas
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, sriracha, sesame oil, lime juice, tamari, garlic, and chili powder. Arrange tofu strips on (prepared – silpat, parchment or spray) baking sheet, brush with marinade to coat completely (you will have extra marinade for sauce). Bake at 325 for 25 minutes – can also be grilled on an outdoor grill.
Serve in corn tortillas with fresh corn and broccoli slaw as garnish, drizzled with remaining marinade.
I seldom (if ever) had tacos when I was growing up. (OMG! Really? Yup.) It wasn't until we moved to Florida when I was 17 that Mom decided to try fixing tacos for dinner. At that time, it involved hard taco shells (as opposed to the soft ones), warmed up, then brought to the table where my brother, sister, and I would fill them with whatever we felt like adding to them. This was, of course, as long as what we wanted involved ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, and/or shredded cheese.
Years later, I would watch as someone I knew filled taco shells with peanut butter and mustard (yes, together!), along with anything else that hit his fancy at the moment.
Well, tacos have evolved into a lot more than the hamburger/tomatoes/lettuce/cheese concoction (though this is perfectly fine - just make sure I've got tofu crumbles in place of the hamburger), and a lot more appealing than the peanut-butter-and-mustard tacos of that certain someone. Peanut butter? Okay, maybe. Mustard? Fine. Together? Hmmm...not so much.
Here are today's six taco recipes to help you through the day, and only one of them involves peanut butter. (Hint: It's the Spicy Thai Tacos.) You’ll also find Butternut Squash Tacos with Cranberry-Jalapeno Relish, Zucchini and Crimini Tacos, and several more taco recipes. Enjoy!
PORTOBELLO BULGOGI KOREAN TACOS
This is from Rachael Hartley in her blog Avocado A Day Nutrition. (Nice blog, Rachael! I just signed up for it!) Rachael wrote, "Beef bulgogi Korean tacos are one of my favorites. Try this vegan twist using meaty portobello mushrooms, which soak up all the delicious marinade." Serves 6.
You can view this yummy recipe online here.
Ingredients
Mushrooms:
6 medium-large portobello mushroom caps, cleaned and sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin (see note, below)
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons raw sugar or coconut sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon gochugaru (see second note)
Slaw:
1 bag of shredded cabbage
1 large carrot, shredded on the large grates of a cheese grater
2 scallions, thinly sliced
8 corn tortillas
First Note: Mirin is a Japanese cooking wine and is made from rice. It's supposed to be sweeter than sake. Since I don't keep alcohol around, I use water in place of miring.
Second note: Gochugaru is Korean chile flakes. If you can get it locally, and plan to use it in several dishes, great. Since I probably wouldn't use it elsewhere - unless I fell madly in love with it - I might consider something a little cheaper and more generic.
Instructions
Two to four hours before cooking, whisk together all the marinade ingredients for the mushrooms. Add portobellos and toss to combine. Refrigerate and marinade 2-4 hours.
When ready to cook, heat the grill to medium-high. Place the mushrooms evenly on the grill or toss into a grill pan if you have one. Reserve the marinade. Cook about 10 minutes total, flipping halfway.
While the mushrooms cook, pour the reserved marinade into a small pot. Set to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Boil about 10 minutes total until reduced to a thick syrup. Set aside.
Warm the tortillas. Spoon slaw on the bottom of each tortillas. Top with mushrooms and reserved sauce.
TASTY BLACK BEANS AND CORN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Filled with beans and vegetables, these healthful tacos will be a kid’s favorite." Makes 12 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
Black Beans and Corn Filling
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium-sized zucchini, diced
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup mild enchilada sauce
Tortillas
12 6- to 8-inch corn or flour tortillas
Toppings, Optional
Note: No toppings were listed, but I would suggest shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and/or sour cream. A diced avocado would be nice, too. Or if there's something else that you love to top your tacos with, go for it! Just one thing: Enjoy!
Instructions:
To make Black Beans and Corn Filling: Put all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until heated through.
To prepare Tortillas: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle on stove over medium-high heat. Lay tortillas in single layer on skillet or griddle for about 10 seconds. Turn and warm other side. Remove from heat, and wrap in a napkin or dishcloth until ready to assemble tacos.
To assemble, set a tortilla on a plate, and spoon on some filling. Top as desired, roll up and eat.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 100; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 1 g
BUTTERNUT SQUASH TACOS WITH CRANBERRY-JALAPENO RELISH
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4-6 servings; Serving Size: 2-3 tacos
Relish adapted from The New York Times
Read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/butternut-squash-tacos-with-cranberry-jalapeno-relish/
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
12 small corn tortillas
2 cups cooked black beans
For the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish:
1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
1 1/2 pounds tart apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a large bowl, toss together the butternut squash, olive oil and salt. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer and roast until tender, 20-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, apples, sugar and apple cider vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until cranberries start to pop and mixture has thickened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in the jalapeño and ginger and remove from heat.
Warm the corn tortillas according to package directions. Serve the tortillas stuffed with the butternut squash and black beans, and topped with the Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish.
Notes
Both the butternut squash and relish can be made ahead of time! Just reheat the butternut squash before stuffing it into the tortillas.
ZUCCHINI AND CRIMINI TACOS
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.
From A Spicy Perspective at http://www.aspicyperspective.com/taco-recipe/. YIELD: 8-10 tacos; PREP TIME: 20 minutes; COOK TIME: 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 large onion, peeled, quartered and sliced thin
1 1/2 lbs. crimini mushrooms, sliced thin
2 zucchini, sliced thin
2 summer squash sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tb. butter
1 Tb. cuban seasoning (McCormick makes a good one)
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 chipotle chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups crumbled California panela cheese (or queso fresco)
1 package corn tortillas
Directions:
Chop the veggies and leave in separate piles. Mix the salt and spices in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over all the veggies.
Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and heat to hight heat. Once the butter is melted, add the onions and garlic. Saute' for 1-2 minutes until just barely soft. Remove from the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, add the mushrooms and saute' and stir until brown and cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Remove and add the last tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Add the zucchini and summer squash to the skillet. Saute' and stir for 2-3 minutes until golden, but just barley cooked through and still firm.
To serve, place a tortilla on a plate (you can double them up for extra stability) and load it with veggies. Top each taco with a generous sprinkling of crumbled panela cheese. Serve warm.
CRISPY THAI ROASTED CAULIFLOWER TACOS [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]
This comes from One Green Planet, and starts off, “These cauliflower tacos are an explosion of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. The crispy Thai cauliflower is mellowed by a tasty slaw and the whole taco is tied together with a delightful avocado-lime sauce. These tacos are sure to be crowd pleasers.”
This recipe is: Dairy-Free and Vegan; Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
4 cups cauliflower florets
2 teaspoon Thai seasoning (see below)
4 small, gluten-free tortillas
For the Slaw:
3 cups purple cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
3 tablespoon cilantro, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon flaked toasted coconut
2 teaspoon each extra virgin olive oil and lime juice
1 teaspoon agave
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
For the Avocado Lime Drizzle:
1 avocado, pitted
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup water
2 limes, peeled (flesh only – take the skin and white bits off with a knife)
For the Thai Seasoning:
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried lemon zest
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 teaspoon ground coriander
A few pinches of dried chili flakes
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a bowl, whisk together the curry paste, olive oil, and lime juice to make a thinner paste.
Toss the cauliflower in the mixture and stir it to coat.
In a small jar, combine all spices for the Thai seasoning and shake them together to blend.
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the Thai seasoning over the cauliflower and stir it to coat.
Line a baking sheet with foil and scatter the cauliflower florets in a single layer.
Roast them for 15-20 minutes or until they are crispy.
Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the cabbage slaw in a large bowl.
Stir the olive oil, lime juice, and agave together. Then, pour it over the slaw and stir everything in.
In a blender, puree all ingredients for the avocado drizzle. Transfer it to a bottle with a squeeze top, or a sealed jar as you’ll have extra to store in the fridge.
When the cauliflower is ready, remove it from the oven.
Divide the cabbage slaw between 3-4 tortillas, then evenly distribute the roasted cauliflower. Drizzle the tacos with avocado sauce and garnish with additional cilantro and toasted coconut if desired.
SPICY THAI TACOS
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found http://ohmyveggies.com/vegetarian-taco-recipes/>here.
This from Spabettie and can be viewed online at https://www.spabettie.com/2012/09/18/spicy-thai-tacos-taco-tuesday/. This recipe is dairy and gluten free, and vegan.
Ingredients
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon sesame oil
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon tamari
1 clove garlic, minced fine
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 block extra firm tofu, cut into strips
fresh corn, cut from cob
broccoli slaw
corn tortillas
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, sriracha, sesame oil, lime juice, tamari, garlic, and chili powder. Arrange tofu strips on (prepared – silpat, parchment or spray) baking sheet, brush with marinade to coat completely (you will have extra marinade for sauce). Bake at 325 for 25 minutes – can also be grilled on an outdoor grill.
Serve in corn tortillas with fresh corn and broccoli slaw as garnish, drizzled with remaining marinade.
Monday, May 6, 2024
Casseroles
For years, if someone mentioned Casseroles, the first thing to come to mind was a way to use up left-overs. While casseroles might be a goodway to do that, they're so much more. They can be a great way to get a bunch of ingredients together in one yummy dish.
A brief anecdote: when my maternal grandparents were newly-weds, my grandfather invided his boss home for dinner. My grandmother had gotten rave reviews about her chicken casserole, to the point that whenever their church or any other group had a potluck dinner, people would request that she bring along her chicken casserole. It needed, among other ingredients, an entire chicken; no left-overs here!
So, for grandpa's boss, it was grandma's chicken casserole. Unfortunately, the boss made the mistake of thinking that the casserole was a left-overs dish, and stated, "If you knew your husband was bringing home the boss, you might have fixed something better than left-overs!"
To say that the comment was not kindly taken was an understatement. Grandma was off and running her mouth, informing him that she'd had to go out and buy a fresh chicken that morning for the casserole. (This was at a time when chicken was expensive enough that it was usually saved for Sunday dinner, or special occasions - like the boss coming for a meal.)
Fortunately, the boss apologized, tasted the casserole, and was impressed.
Grandma and Grandpa
Since this is a vegetarian blog, and since I don't have a copy of Grandma's chicken casserole, that recipe is not here to start off the week. However, check out the Cheesy Potato Casserole, the vegan Chili Cornbread Casserole, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!
CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
This is from Melanie Sorrentino on One Green Planet. Melanie wrote, "The only thing more delicious than golden cornbread dipped in chili is a cornbread casserole with chili filling! The hearty chili is made with rice, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and plenty of seasoning. As is, this recipe is ridiculously easy and minimalist. Add some sautéed green peppers and onions into the chili mix if you want to amp it up a bit."
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chili-cornbread-casserole/.
Ingredients
1/2 cup dry rice
1 14-ounce can kidney beans
1/2 of 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
A sprinkle of poultry seasonings
Onion and garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 of 1 15-ounce box of cornbread mix
1/2 cup almond milk
1 4.5-ounce can of green chilis (optional)
Preparation
Add a 1/2 cup of dry rice to a pot along with about 3/4 cup of water. As soon as the water starts boiling, put a lid on it, and turned the temperature down to the second lowest on the stove. Allow to simmer with the lid on for about 15 minutes.
Add one can of beans and half of the large can of crushed tomatoes. The goal is simply to coat the rice and beans without making it soupy.
Added 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, a sprinkle of poultry seasonings, onion and garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes.
Pour into a casserole dish.
Add half of the cornbread mix into a bowl and slowly add almond milk. Start with 1/3 cup almond milk, whisk it into the dry mix and then add a couple more splashes. If you'd like, add a small can of green chilis.
Pour cornbread batter on top and bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes. Serve.
THREE SISTERS CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "A Native American expression, 'three sisters' refers to the practice of growing beans, corn, and squash together. This filling casserole can be frozen for an upcoming party or made fresh for dinner. Serve with Pumpkin Seed Pesto." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/three-sisters-casserole/.
Ingredients
Polenta topping
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 Tbs. chili powder
3/4 tsp. salt
Filling
3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 large red or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch dice (1 cup)
1 lb. kabocha squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (2 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes with chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
Preparation
To make Polenta Topping: Whisk together cornmeal, chili powder, salt, and 4-1/2 cups water in double boiler, or in large metal bowl over barely simmering water. Cook 40 minutes, or until polenta is thick and stiff, stirring 3 or 4 times. Remove from heat.
To make Filling: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 7 minutes, or until softened, stirring often. Add bell pepper, and cook 5 minutes more, stirring often.
Stir in squash, tomatoes, garlic, coriander, and cumin. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup water and salt. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, partially covered, 10 to 15 minutes, or until squash is tender. Stir in beans and corn, and cook 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
Coat 8- x 11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 2 cups polenta over bottom of prepared dish. Spoon squash mixture over polenta. Smooth remaining polenta (about 2-1/2 cups) over top.
Score casserole into 6 squares with knife. Brush top with remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until heated through and top is lightly browned.
ZUCCHINI PARMESAN
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “This is a simple layered casserole with three elements: roasted zucchini, a really good homemade tomato sauce and Parmesan. Roasting, rather than frying the zucchini, allows you to cut down on olive oil and time.” Time: About 1-1/2 hours; Makes 6 servings.
To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017523-zucchini-parmesan
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce:
2 to 2-1/2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste)
Salt and pepper
1/8 teaspoon sugar
2 sprigs fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
For the Zucchini Parmesan:
2 to 2-1/4 pounds zucchini
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (pepperoncini), to taste
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Preparation
If you have a food mill, quarter tomatoes. If not, peel, seed and chop them. (See step 5.)
To make tomato sauce, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar and basil sprigs. Increase heat to medium-high. When tomatoes are bubbling briskly, stir and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down and are beginning to stick to pan, 15 to 25 minutes, depending on consistency. Remove basil sprigs; taste and adjust seasoning.
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment. Trim ends off zucchini and cut in half crosswise, then into lengthwise slices, about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Season on both sides with salt and pepper and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange zucchini slices on baking sheets in one layer and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Roast for 12 minutes, until lightly browned and easily pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 375 degrees.
If using a food mill, put sauce through medium blade. If not, pulse sauce in a food processor fitted with steel blade until just coarsely puréed. Stir in chopped basil.
To assemble the dish, oil a 2-quart gratin with olive oil. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over bottom of dish. Arrange a third of the zucchini in an even layer over tomato sauce. Spoon a third of remaining sauce over zucchini and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat with 2 more layers, ending with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Drizzle on remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE
This is from VeryWellFit, and begins, "Vegetable casseroles are a great way to enjoy fresh produce from the farmers market or make use of a bumper crop. But they can also be loaded with cream and cheese making for a very heavy and high-caloric dish.
"To make this zucchini casserole recipe healthier, instead of adding cream to the sauce it is enriched with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs. The zucchini is then topped with just a bit of cheese. You may notice the absence of breadcrumbs, which also helps cut down on the calories. To compensate for the breadcrumbs' job of soaking up some of the liquid the vegetables exude during cooking, this recipe calls for starting the casserole on a higher heat to dry it out a bit, and then adding the last of the cheese on the top (otherwise it gets too brown or could even burn).
"This zucchini casserole recipe works well with any kind of zucchini or green summer squash, including a combination of squashes."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup onion (chopped, about 1/2 of a medium onion)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
3/4 pound tomatoes (fresh or canned—about a 1-pound can of whole tomatoes, drained)
1 teaspoon Italian herbs (or oregano)
Salt and pepper
1 pound zucchini (approximately 2 medium)
1 cup Italian cheese mixture (grated, packaged, or your own mix including mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone)
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 F.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Sauté the onion in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another 30 to 60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
Cut each tomato into 3 to 5 pieces and add to the oil, along with the herbs, salt, and pepper.
Cook over medium heat until the liquid is mostly gone (but not dry), stirring occasionally—you should end up without about 1 cup of the mixture. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut the zucchini into slices approximately 1/4 inch thick. These can be either round slices, or lengthwise. Take the largest slices and line the bottom of a 9x9-inch or 8x8-inch pan, or a similarly-sized round pan.
Spread about 1/4 of the tomatoes on top of the zucchini (don't even try to spread evenly; it won't work), followed by 1/4 cup of the cheese.
Continue layering the sauce, zucchini, and cheese. It should come out to 4 layers, but if it only makes 3, just try to divide things relatively evenly. Don't put the final layer of cheese on yet.
Bake for 20 minutes. Top with the rest of the cheese, and lower the temperature to 375F. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.
Ingredient Substitutions and Cooking Tips
If you'd like to cut down on the fat even more, substitute low-fat or fat-free cheese. Just keep in mind that when you remove the fat, you also lessen the cheeses' melt-ability.
SMOKED TOFU FARFALLE CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "Here's a new twist on old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole." Serves 6
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/smoked-tofu-farfalle-casserole/.
Ingredients
4 tsp. olive oil
1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 cups frozen baby peas
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
2 1/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
8 oz. farfalle pasta (bows)
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk
3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
3 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup)
6 oz. smoked tofu, diced
3 Tbs. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425F. Heat 1 tsp. oil in 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes. Stir in frozen peas, garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
Wipe out Dutch oven; fill with water, and bring to a boil. Add pasta, and cook about 4 minutes, or until just al dente. Drain and transfer to clean bowl. Drizzle with 2 tsp. olive oil, and toss to coat. Return Dutch oven to stove.
Heat 1-1/2 cups milk in Dutch oven over medium heat until almost simmering. Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup milk with flour in small bowl, then whisk into hot milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 2 minutes, or until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add pasta, bell pepper mixture and tofu, and stir to combine.
Mix breadcrumbs with remaining 1 tsp. oil in small bowl; sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered, 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve hot.
CHILE RELLENO CASSEROLE
This yumminess is from Christine Gallary at TheKitchn. This recipe begins, "Chile relleno casserole is made up of layers of poblano peppers, Monterey Jack cheese, and cooked chorizo sausage baked in a batter of egg, flour, and milk. Instead of stuffing individual peppers, the poblanos are cut open and layered into the baking dish, guaranteeing each bite has everything in it. Some chile relleno casseroles include a tomato sauce. But for crispier edges reminiscent of the fried chile relleno batter, I skip it and serve the casserole with tomato salsa or hot sauce instead."
Prep Time: 30 to 40 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour; Serves: 6 to 8
To view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/chile-relleno-casserole-recipe-23392104.
Ingredients
8 medium poblano peppers (about 2 pounds total)
Cooking spray
12 ounces to 1 pound uncooked Mexican or soy chorizo
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional)
12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (about 3 cups pre-shredded)
8 large eggs
1 cup whole or 2% milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Hot sauce or blended tomato salsa, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat the broiler to high and arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Trim the stems from 8 medium poblano peppers and halve lengthwise. Remove the core, ribs, and seeds. Place the peppers skin-side up on the baking sheet in a single layer (they can be touching) and press down on them as needed so they sit fairly flat. If they don’t all fit on the baking sheet, broil in 2 batches.
Broil until the skin on the peppers is almost completely blackened and blistered, 5 to 12 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet as needed so they evenly blacken. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Remove the casings from 12 ounces to 1 pound uncooked Mexican chorizo and add to the pan. Cook, breaking up the meat into smaller pieces, until browned and cooked through (add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the pan if it is dry), 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
When the peppers are ready, transfer to a large heatproof bowl and cover with the aluminum foil on the baking sheet. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to steam.
Meanwhile, reduce the oven temperature to 375ºF. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Shred 12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 4 cups, or use 3 cups pre-shredded). Place 8 large eggs, 1 cup whole or 2% milk, 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender halfway through, 45 to 60 seconds total.
Peel off and discard the skin from the peppers, using a paper towel to rub off any skin that doesn’t come off easily (do the best you can, it doesn’t all have to come off); it’s okay if the peppers tear.
Pour enough of the egg mixture into the baking dish to just cover the bottom. Arrange half of the peppers in an even layer over the egg mixture. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo over the peppers in an even layer. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Arrange the remaining peppers evenly over the cheese. Pour the remaining egg mixture evenly over the peppers, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake on the upper third rack until puffed, the center is set, and the edges are golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with salsa or hot sauce if desired.
Recipe Notes
Poblano substitute: 4 (10-ounce) cans fire-roasted whole green chiles can be substituted for the poblanos. Drain, and gently tear open any whole chiles so they sit flat. Pat dry with paper towels before assembling in the casserole (no need to broil first).
Make ahead: The peppers can be broiled and peeled and the chorizo cooked up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate in separate airtight containers. Alternatively, the casserole can be assembled without the top layer of cheese, covered, and refrigerated overnight. When ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature while the oven heats. Uncover and sprinkle with the cheese right before baking, and add 5 minutes to the bake time.
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The baked casserole can also be cooled, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil, and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, covered, in a 325ºF oven until warmed through.
A brief anecdote: when my maternal grandparents were newly-weds, my grandfather invided his boss home for dinner. My grandmother had gotten rave reviews about her chicken casserole, to the point that whenever their church or any other group had a potluck dinner, people would request that she bring along her chicken casserole. It needed, among other ingredients, an entire chicken; no left-overs here!
So, for grandpa's boss, it was grandma's chicken casserole. Unfortunately, the boss made the mistake of thinking that the casserole was a left-overs dish, and stated, "If you knew your husband was bringing home the boss, you might have fixed something better than left-overs!"
To say that the comment was not kindly taken was an understatement. Grandma was off and running her mouth, informing him that she'd had to go out and buy a fresh chicken that morning for the casserole. (This was at a time when chicken was expensive enough that it was usually saved for Sunday dinner, or special occasions - like the boss coming for a meal.)
Fortunately, the boss apologized, tasted the casserole, and was impressed.
Grandma and Grandpa
Since this is a vegetarian blog, and since I don't have a copy of Grandma's chicken casserole, that recipe is not here to start off the week. However, check out the Cheesy Potato Casserole, the vegan Chili Cornbread Casserole, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!
CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
This is from Melanie Sorrentino on One Green Planet. Melanie wrote, "The only thing more delicious than golden cornbread dipped in chili is a cornbread casserole with chili filling! The hearty chili is made with rice, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and plenty of seasoning. As is, this recipe is ridiculously easy and minimalist. Add some sautéed green peppers and onions into the chili mix if you want to amp it up a bit."
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chili-cornbread-casserole/.
Ingredients
1/2 cup dry rice
1 14-ounce can kidney beans
1/2 of 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
A sprinkle of poultry seasonings
Onion and garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 of 1 15-ounce box of cornbread mix
1/2 cup almond milk
1 4.5-ounce can of green chilis (optional)
Preparation
Add a 1/2 cup of dry rice to a pot along with about 3/4 cup of water. As soon as the water starts boiling, put a lid on it, and turned the temperature down to the second lowest on the stove. Allow to simmer with the lid on for about 15 minutes.
Add one can of beans and half of the large can of crushed tomatoes. The goal is simply to coat the rice and beans without making it soupy.
Added 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, a sprinkle of poultry seasonings, onion and garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes.
Pour into a casserole dish.
Add half of the cornbread mix into a bowl and slowly add almond milk. Start with 1/3 cup almond milk, whisk it into the dry mix and then add a couple more splashes. If you'd like, add a small can of green chilis.
Pour cornbread batter on top and bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes. Serve.
THREE SISTERS CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "A Native American expression, 'three sisters' refers to the practice of growing beans, corn, and squash together. This filling casserole can be frozen for an upcoming party or made fresh for dinner. Serve with Pumpkin Seed Pesto." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/three-sisters-casserole/.
Ingredients
Polenta topping
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 Tbs. chili powder
3/4 tsp. salt
Filling
3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 large red or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch dice (1 cup)
1 lb. kabocha squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (2 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes with chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
Preparation
To make Polenta Topping: Whisk together cornmeal, chili powder, salt, and 4-1/2 cups water in double boiler, or in large metal bowl over barely simmering water. Cook 40 minutes, or until polenta is thick and stiff, stirring 3 or 4 times. Remove from heat.
To make Filling: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 7 minutes, or until softened, stirring often. Add bell pepper, and cook 5 minutes more, stirring often.
Stir in squash, tomatoes, garlic, coriander, and cumin. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup water and salt. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, partially covered, 10 to 15 minutes, or until squash is tender. Stir in beans and corn, and cook 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
Coat 8- x 11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 2 cups polenta over bottom of prepared dish. Spoon squash mixture over polenta. Smooth remaining polenta (about 2-1/2 cups) over top.
Score casserole into 6 squares with knife. Brush top with remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until heated through and top is lightly browned.
ZUCCHINI PARMESAN
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “This is a simple layered casserole with three elements: roasted zucchini, a really good homemade tomato sauce and Parmesan. Roasting, rather than frying the zucchini, allows you to cut down on olive oil and time.” Time: About 1-1/2 hours; Makes 6 servings.
To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017523-zucchini-parmesan
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce:
2 to 2-1/2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste)
Salt and pepper
1/8 teaspoon sugar
2 sprigs fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
For the Zucchini Parmesan:
2 to 2-1/4 pounds zucchini
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (pepperoncini), to taste
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Preparation
If you have a food mill, quarter tomatoes. If not, peel, seed and chop them. (See step 5.)
To make tomato sauce, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar and basil sprigs. Increase heat to medium-high. When tomatoes are bubbling briskly, stir and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down and are beginning to stick to pan, 15 to 25 minutes, depending on consistency. Remove basil sprigs; taste and adjust seasoning.
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment. Trim ends off zucchini and cut in half crosswise, then into lengthwise slices, about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Season on both sides with salt and pepper and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange zucchini slices on baking sheets in one layer and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Roast for 12 minutes, until lightly browned and easily pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 375 degrees.
If using a food mill, put sauce through medium blade. If not, pulse sauce in a food processor fitted with steel blade until just coarsely puréed. Stir in chopped basil.
To assemble the dish, oil a 2-quart gratin with olive oil. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over bottom of dish. Arrange a third of the zucchini in an even layer over tomato sauce. Spoon a third of remaining sauce over zucchini and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat with 2 more layers, ending with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Drizzle on remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE
This is from VeryWellFit, and begins, "Vegetable casseroles are a great way to enjoy fresh produce from the farmers market or make use of a bumper crop. But they can also be loaded with cream and cheese making for a very heavy and high-caloric dish.
"To make this zucchini casserole recipe healthier, instead of adding cream to the sauce it is enriched with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs. The zucchini is then topped with just a bit of cheese. You may notice the absence of breadcrumbs, which also helps cut down on the calories. To compensate for the breadcrumbs' job of soaking up some of the liquid the vegetables exude during cooking, this recipe calls for starting the casserole on a higher heat to dry it out a bit, and then adding the last of the cheese on the top (otherwise it gets too brown or could even burn).
"This zucchini casserole recipe works well with any kind of zucchini or green summer squash, including a combination of squashes."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup onion (chopped, about 1/2 of a medium onion)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
3/4 pound tomatoes (fresh or canned—about a 1-pound can of whole tomatoes, drained)
1 teaspoon Italian herbs (or oregano)
Salt and pepper
1 pound zucchini (approximately 2 medium)
1 cup Italian cheese mixture (grated, packaged, or your own mix including mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone)
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 F.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Sauté the onion in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another 30 to 60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
Cut each tomato into 3 to 5 pieces and add to the oil, along with the herbs, salt, and pepper.
Cook over medium heat until the liquid is mostly gone (but not dry), stirring occasionally—you should end up without about 1 cup of the mixture. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut the zucchini into slices approximately 1/4 inch thick. These can be either round slices, or lengthwise. Take the largest slices and line the bottom of a 9x9-inch or 8x8-inch pan, or a similarly-sized round pan.
Spread about 1/4 of the tomatoes on top of the zucchini (don't even try to spread evenly; it won't work), followed by 1/4 cup of the cheese.
Continue layering the sauce, zucchini, and cheese. It should come out to 4 layers, but if it only makes 3, just try to divide things relatively evenly. Don't put the final layer of cheese on yet.
Bake for 20 minutes. Top with the rest of the cheese, and lower the temperature to 375F. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.
Ingredient Substitutions and Cooking Tips
If you'd like to cut down on the fat even more, substitute low-fat or fat-free cheese. Just keep in mind that when you remove the fat, you also lessen the cheeses' melt-ability.
SMOKED TOFU FARFALLE CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "Here's a new twist on old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole." Serves 6
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/smoked-tofu-farfalle-casserole/.
Ingredients
4 tsp. olive oil
1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 cups frozen baby peas
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
2 1/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
8 oz. farfalle pasta (bows)
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk
3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
3 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup)
6 oz. smoked tofu, diced
3 Tbs. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425F. Heat 1 tsp. oil in 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes. Stir in frozen peas, garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
Wipe out Dutch oven; fill with water, and bring to a boil. Add pasta, and cook about 4 minutes, or until just al dente. Drain and transfer to clean bowl. Drizzle with 2 tsp. olive oil, and toss to coat. Return Dutch oven to stove.
Heat 1-1/2 cups milk in Dutch oven over medium heat until almost simmering. Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup milk with flour in small bowl, then whisk into hot milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 2 minutes, or until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add pasta, bell pepper mixture and tofu, and stir to combine.
Mix breadcrumbs with remaining 1 tsp. oil in small bowl; sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered, 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve hot.
CHILE RELLENO CASSEROLE
This yumminess is from Christine Gallary at TheKitchn. This recipe begins, "Chile relleno casserole is made up of layers of poblano peppers, Monterey Jack cheese, and cooked chorizo sausage baked in a batter of egg, flour, and milk. Instead of stuffing individual peppers, the poblanos are cut open and layered into the baking dish, guaranteeing each bite has everything in it. Some chile relleno casseroles include a tomato sauce. But for crispier edges reminiscent of the fried chile relleno batter, I skip it and serve the casserole with tomato salsa or hot sauce instead."
Prep Time: 30 to 40 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour; Serves: 6 to 8
To view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/chile-relleno-casserole-recipe-23392104.
Ingredients
8 medium poblano peppers (about 2 pounds total)
Cooking spray
12 ounces to 1 pound uncooked Mexican or soy chorizo
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional)
12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (about 3 cups pre-shredded)
8 large eggs
1 cup whole or 2% milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Hot sauce or blended tomato salsa, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat the broiler to high and arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Trim the stems from 8 medium poblano peppers and halve lengthwise. Remove the core, ribs, and seeds. Place the peppers skin-side up on the baking sheet in a single layer (they can be touching) and press down on them as needed so they sit fairly flat. If they don’t all fit on the baking sheet, broil in 2 batches.
Broil until the skin on the peppers is almost completely blackened and blistered, 5 to 12 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet as needed so they evenly blacken. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Remove the casings from 12 ounces to 1 pound uncooked Mexican chorizo and add to the pan. Cook, breaking up the meat into smaller pieces, until browned and cooked through (add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the pan if it is dry), 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
When the peppers are ready, transfer to a large heatproof bowl and cover with the aluminum foil on the baking sheet. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to steam.
Meanwhile, reduce the oven temperature to 375ºF. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Shred 12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 4 cups, or use 3 cups pre-shredded). Place 8 large eggs, 1 cup whole or 2% milk, 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender halfway through, 45 to 60 seconds total.
Peel off and discard the skin from the peppers, using a paper towel to rub off any skin that doesn’t come off easily (do the best you can, it doesn’t all have to come off); it’s okay if the peppers tear.
Pour enough of the egg mixture into the baking dish to just cover the bottom. Arrange half of the peppers in an even layer over the egg mixture. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo over the peppers in an even layer. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Arrange the remaining peppers evenly over the cheese. Pour the remaining egg mixture evenly over the peppers, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake on the upper third rack until puffed, the center is set, and the edges are golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with salsa or hot sauce if desired.
Recipe Notes
Poblano substitute: 4 (10-ounce) cans fire-roasted whole green chiles can be substituted for the poblanos. Drain, and gently tear open any whole chiles so they sit flat. Pat dry with paper towels before assembling in the casserole (no need to broil first).
Make ahead: The peppers can be broiled and peeled and the chorizo cooked up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate in separate airtight containers. Alternatively, the casserole can be assembled without the top layer of cheese, covered, and refrigerated overnight. When ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature while the oven heats. Uncover and sprinkle with the cheese right before baking, and add 5 minutes to the bake time.
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The baked casserole can also be cooled, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil, and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, covered, in a 325ºF oven until warmed through.
Friday, May 3, 2024
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday, time to Celebrate (with a little help from Kool and the Gang). Does it get much getter than that?
Of course, it does help to have something decent to eat over the weekend. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help with that, including Two Bean Spicy Chili Corn Bread and Spicy Sloppy Joes. Enjoy!
SOUR CREAM BANANA BARS
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 cup Sour cream
1/2 cup Butter, softened
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cup Bananas, mashed, 3 large
2 tsp Vanilla
2 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup Nuts, chopped
Directions
Mix sugar, sour cream, butter and eggs in large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping bowl occasionally, about 1 minute. Beat in banana and vanilla on low speed, 30 seconds. Beat in flour and baking soda on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread dough in greased and floured jelly roll pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes in preheated 375F oven. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cut into bars.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 3 oz pkg cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, 1 T milk and 1 tsp vanilla until creamy. Stir in 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth.
CREAMY TURMERIC PASTA
This is from Sue Li in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sue wrote, "This earthy pasta is cobbled together using ingredients that you almost certainly already have in your kitchen. Its approach is fairly standard: Melt some butter, sauté some garlic and shallots, simmer with cream, then add some Parmesan and pasta cooking water to create a silky sauce. That alone would make a great meal, but what makes this recipe really special is the addition of ground turmeric, which gives this simple dish its vibrant color and sophisticated depth of flavor. This is meant to be a lazy meal — the kind of dish you throw together, then eat out of a big bowl while sitting on the couch — but if you're feeling the need for something green, serve the pasta with a simple salad dressed with vinegar and olive oil."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020033-creamy-turmeric-pasta.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 cup half-and-half
2 cups lightly packed freshly grated Parmesan (about 4 ounces), plus more for serving
4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley or chives
Preparation
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water and drain.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until golden-brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add turmeric and stir to toast, about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half then bring to a simmer.
Whisk in the 2 cups Parmesan, then add the cooked spaghetti and all of the reserved pasta cooking liquid and toss to coat. Serve with chopped parsley and more Parmesan.
MUSHROOM, GREEN PEPPER AND ONION OMELET
Recipe Yield: Makes two servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mushroom-green-pepper-and-onion-omelet.
Ingredients
3/4 cup good quality marinara sauce
1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Canola cooking oil spray
1 small onion, cut in crescents
6 medium white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips
Salt, as desired
3 large egg whites
1 large egg
1 tsp. grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano cheese
Directions
In a small saucepan, heat marinara sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, just until hot. Season with pepper to taste and set aside.
Coat medium non-stick pan liberally with cooking oil spray. Set pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly colored, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.
Whisk egg whites and egg with cheese, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat pan with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg mixture, tilting pan to coat bottom evenly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until eggs are well-set, about 4 minutes. Slip spatula gently around edges, then underneath to loosen omelet. Slide it onto a serving plate.
Spoon filling to cover half of omelet and fold omelet, covering filling. With a spoon, drizzle sauce in a ribbon effect across omelet. Serve immediately.
Notes:
Additional info: 1 g. saturated fat, 3 g. dietary fiber
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 545 mg; Protein: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Low-Fat Meat
HARVEST WALNUT PUMPKIN PIE
This comes from Allrecipes, and begins, "A walnut topping adds lovely crunch to this quick and easy spiced pumpkin pie with a hint of maple flavoring. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 8; Yield: 1 9-inch pie
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268384/harvest-walnut-pumpkin-pie/.
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can plain pumpkin puree
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon maple-flavored extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
Walnut Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, maple extract, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix well and pour into the graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking until filling is set, about 30 minutes.
Prepare walnut topping while pie is baking. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts.
Remove pie from the oven and cover evenly with the topping. Continue baking until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.
Cook's Note
Substitute an unbaked pie shell for the graham cracker crust if preferred.
SPICY SLOPPY JOES
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Ale adds a subtle richness to this updated version of the classic chili hash. Mound the Sloppy Joe filling on soft sandwich rolls (try our Wheat Beer and Potato Rolls) and top with sliced avocados and shredded lettuce. This recipe easily doubles for a party." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/spicy-sloppy-joes/.
Ingredients
3 Tbs. canola oil
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 lb. soy crumbles
3 Tbs. chili powder
1 to 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
1 1/4 cups pale ale or brown ale, room temperature
3/4 cup low-sodium bottled chili sauce
2 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
1 cup finely chopped green onions
Preparation
Warm oil in large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and green pepper, and sauté, stirring frequently, 5 minutes.
Stir in soy crumbles and chili powder. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add jalapeños, ale, chili sauce, and soy sauce; mix well. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring often, about 15 minutes, until thickened.
Mix in green onions; season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
TWO BEAN SPICY CHILI CORN BREAD
This yumminess comes from Eden Foods. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.edenfoods.com/recipes/view.php?recipes_id=568.
Ingredients
15 ounces Eden Chili Beans (seasoned dark red kidney), do not drain
15 ounces Eden Spicy Pinto Beans, do not drain
2 cup fresh organic tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup carrots, diced
1/3 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup organic sweet corn, fresh or frozen
1 tsp Eden Shoyu Soy Sauce
Cornbread
1 cup organic corn flour
3/4 cup organic unbleached white flour
2 tsp non-aluminum baking powder
1/2 tsp Eden Sea Salt
1 cup Edensoy Extra Original
1 Tbsp Eden Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, or Brown Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or Safflower Oil
1 Tbsp organic maple syrup
3 Tbsp water
1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°. Mix the beans, carrot, pepper, onion, corn and shoyu together and pour into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Smooth out the mixture with a spoon.
To prepare the corn bread, mix all the wet ingredients together in a measuring cup and let stand for 5 minutes. Mix all dry ingredients and the parsley together. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix well and pour evenly over the top of the bean mixture. Do not stir. Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes until the beans are hot and the corn bread is done. Test if the corn bread is done with a cake tester or fork.
Of course, it does help to have something decent to eat over the weekend. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help with that, including Two Bean Spicy Chili Corn Bread and Spicy Sloppy Joes. Enjoy!
SOUR CREAM BANANA BARS
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 cup Sour cream
1/2 cup Butter, softened
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cup Bananas, mashed, 3 large
2 tsp Vanilla
2 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup Nuts, chopped
Directions
Mix sugar, sour cream, butter and eggs in large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping bowl occasionally, about 1 minute. Beat in banana and vanilla on low speed, 30 seconds. Beat in flour and baking soda on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread dough in greased and floured jelly roll pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes in preheated 375F oven. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cut into bars.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 3 oz pkg cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, 1 T milk and 1 tsp vanilla until creamy. Stir in 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth.
CREAMY TURMERIC PASTA
This is from Sue Li in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sue wrote, "This earthy pasta is cobbled together using ingredients that you almost certainly already have in your kitchen. Its approach is fairly standard: Melt some butter, sauté some garlic and shallots, simmer with cream, then add some Parmesan and pasta cooking water to create a silky sauce. That alone would make a great meal, but what makes this recipe really special is the addition of ground turmeric, which gives this simple dish its vibrant color and sophisticated depth of flavor. This is meant to be a lazy meal — the kind of dish you throw together, then eat out of a big bowl while sitting on the couch — but if you're feeling the need for something green, serve the pasta with a simple salad dressed with vinegar and olive oil."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020033-creamy-turmeric-pasta.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 cup half-and-half
2 cups lightly packed freshly grated Parmesan (about 4 ounces), plus more for serving
4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley or chives
Preparation
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water and drain.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until golden-brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add turmeric and stir to toast, about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half then bring to a simmer.
Whisk in the 2 cups Parmesan, then add the cooked spaghetti and all of the reserved pasta cooking liquid and toss to coat. Serve with chopped parsley and more Parmesan.
MUSHROOM, GREEN PEPPER AND ONION OMELET
Recipe Yield: Makes two servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mushroom-green-pepper-and-onion-omelet.
Ingredients
3/4 cup good quality marinara sauce
1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Canola cooking oil spray
1 small onion, cut in crescents
6 medium white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips
Salt, as desired
3 large egg whites
1 large egg
1 tsp. grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano cheese
Directions
In a small saucepan, heat marinara sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, just until hot. Season with pepper to taste and set aside.
Coat medium non-stick pan liberally with cooking oil spray. Set pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly colored, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.
Whisk egg whites and egg with cheese, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat pan with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg mixture, tilting pan to coat bottom evenly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until eggs are well-set, about 4 minutes. Slip spatula gently around edges, then underneath to loosen omelet. Slide it onto a serving plate.
Spoon filling to cover half of omelet and fold omelet, covering filling. With a spoon, drizzle sauce in a ribbon effect across omelet. Serve immediately.
Notes:
Additional info: 1 g. saturated fat, 3 g. dietary fiber
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 545 mg; Protein: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Low-Fat Meat
HARVEST WALNUT PUMPKIN PIE
This comes from Allrecipes, and begins, "A walnut topping adds lovely crunch to this quick and easy spiced pumpkin pie with a hint of maple flavoring. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 8; Yield: 1 9-inch pie
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268384/harvest-walnut-pumpkin-pie/.
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can plain pumpkin puree
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon maple-flavored extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
Walnut Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, maple extract, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix well and pour into the graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking until filling is set, about 30 minutes.
Prepare walnut topping while pie is baking. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts.
Remove pie from the oven and cover evenly with the topping. Continue baking until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.
Cook's Note
Substitute an unbaked pie shell for the graham cracker crust if preferred.
SPICY SLOPPY JOES
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Ale adds a subtle richness to this updated version of the classic chili hash. Mound the Sloppy Joe filling on soft sandwich rolls (try our Wheat Beer and Potato Rolls) and top with sliced avocados and shredded lettuce. This recipe easily doubles for a party." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/spicy-sloppy-joes/.
Ingredients
3 Tbs. canola oil
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 lb. soy crumbles
3 Tbs. chili powder
1 to 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
1 1/4 cups pale ale or brown ale, room temperature
3/4 cup low-sodium bottled chili sauce
2 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
1 cup finely chopped green onions
Preparation
Warm oil in large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and green pepper, and sauté, stirring frequently, 5 minutes.
Stir in soy crumbles and chili powder. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add jalapeños, ale, chili sauce, and soy sauce; mix well. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring often, about 15 minutes, until thickened.
Mix in green onions; season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
TWO BEAN SPICY CHILI CORN BREAD
This yumminess comes from Eden Foods. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.edenfoods.com/recipes/view.php?recipes_id=568.
Ingredients
15 ounces Eden Chili Beans (seasoned dark red kidney), do not drain
15 ounces Eden Spicy Pinto Beans, do not drain
2 cup fresh organic tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup carrots, diced
1/3 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup organic sweet corn, fresh or frozen
1 tsp Eden Shoyu Soy Sauce
Cornbread
1 cup organic corn flour
3/4 cup organic unbleached white flour
2 tsp non-aluminum baking powder
1/2 tsp Eden Sea Salt
1 cup Edensoy Extra Original
1 Tbsp Eden Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, or Brown Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or Safflower Oil
1 Tbsp organic maple syrup
3 Tbsp water
1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°. Mix the beans, carrot, pepper, onion, corn and shoyu together and pour into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Smooth out the mixture with a spoon.
To prepare the corn bread, mix all the wet ingredients together in a measuring cup and let stand for 5 minutes. Mix all dry ingredients and the parsley together. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix well and pour evenly over the top of the bean mixture. Do not stir. Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes until the beans are hot and the corn bread is done. Test if the corn bread is done with a cake tester or fork.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Thursday Recipes
Ahhhh...we're in the home-stretch of the week. Tomorrow is Friday, and then the weekend. But first, let's get through today.
Since we do need to eat, here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day. Check out the Italian White Bean and Kale Soup, the Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese with Brussels Sprouts, the Anytime Black Forrest Blizzard, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!
PUTTANESCA CHICKPEA-TOMATO SALAD
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "This recipe turns tomato salad into a meal by marrying creamy beans with some of the briny, salty ingredients found in pasta puttanesca, like tomatoes, capers, olives and garlic. While Parmesan isn’t traditional to puttanesca, coarsely chopped pebbles of it add bursts of umami to this salad. Feel free to omit the cheese for a vegan dish, or embellish the mix with fresh or dried chile, tinned fish or more vegetables. This recipe is not only adaptable but also improves as it sits: The tomato juices mingle with the oil, olives and capers — and the beans drink it all up."
Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023396-puttanesca-chickpea-tomato-salad. While you're there, sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already.
Also, check out Melissa Clark's helpful guide "How toCook Beans". Even if you've been cooking beans for a while, you're bound to find some useful info.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes of any size, cut into 1- or 2-bite pieces
3 cups cooked, rinsed chickpeas, white beans or a mix (homemade or from two 15-ounce cans)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley leaves and stems
1-1/2 ounces Parmesan, coarsely chopped or crumbled (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup kalamata olives, torn in half and pitted
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus more to taste
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
Kosher salt
Preparation
In a large bowl, stir together the tomatoes, chickpeas, parsley, Parmesan, olive oil, olives, capers, lemon juice and garlic. Season lightly with salt and stir once more. Let sit for 10 minutes or up to 2 hours at room temperature.
Before serving, taste and add more salt and lemon juice until it tastes bright. The balance is largely dependent on your tomatoes. (This salad keeps for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE
This yumminess is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. This recipe begins, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."
Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie.
Ingredients
For the Chili
1 large red or white onion, halved
2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)
1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed
1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes
3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin
3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)
For the Cornbread
3/4 cup fine cornmeal
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
1 large egg, at room temperature
/1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons honey
2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving
1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.
Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.
Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.
Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.
While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.
Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES CASSEROLE
This comes from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 51. It begins, “If you like stuffed grape leaves, you’ll love this casserole, which has all the flavors of the bite-size appetizers without all the rolling. You don’t have to parboil jarred grape leaves, but a quick dip in boiling water tenderizes them and removes some of their saltiness.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
30 jarred or fresh grape leaves
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing top of casserole and casserole dish
1 large onion, finely diced (2 cups)
1 cup brown rice
2 cups low-sodium tomato juice or vegetable juice
1 cup chopped unsalted, hulled pistachios
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup raisins or dried currants
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 lemon, sliced, for garnish
Pomegranate molasses, for drizzling, optional
Directions
Dip grape leaves in large pot of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 7 to 10 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add rice and 21/2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 30 to 40 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, and stir in tomato juice, pistachios, parsley, mint, raisins, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. (Mixture will be very wet.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 2-qt. baking dish with olive oil. Pat grape leaves dry. Line bottom and sides of baking dish with grape leaves, allowing leaves to hang over sides. Spread half of rice mixture over grape leaves. Top rice with more grape leaves, then top with remaining rice mixture. Cover casserole with remaining grape leaves, and seal by folding over grape leaves around edges. Brush top with olive oil. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until grape leaves on top darken and casserole looks firm and dry.
Dip knife in cold water. Cut straight down with tip of knife to make 8 servings, then remove servings with spatula. Garnish with lemon slices, and drizzle with pomegranate molasses (if using).
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 341; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 48 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 408 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 17 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
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.
ANYTIME BLACK FORREST BLIZZARD
This was in the September 2012 issue of Runner’s World, page 50. Contributing chef Pam Anderson comes up with quite a few really yummy recipes. This recipe starts off, “Plain Greek yogurt has roughly twice the protein and half the sugar of plan traditional yogurt. Cherries contain antioxidants that help reduce postrun inflammation. ‘To add crunch, stir in Famous Chocolate Wafers,’ says Anderson.”
I doubt that Pam is reading this, but if she is, all I can say is: Keep it up, please!
Ingredients
1 heaping cup frozen, dark sweet cherries
1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1 C chocolate soymilk
1/4 C Greek yogurt
2 tsp honey or agave syrup
1/4 tsp almond extract
4 Famous Chocolate Wafers, crumbled
Directions
Place all the ingredients – except the Famous Chocolate Wafers – in a blender; process until creamy smooth. Divide between two glasses. Top each with a portion of crumbled Famous Chocolate Wafers. Serves two.
Calories per serving: 273; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 4 g
SHEET PAN MAC AND CHEESE WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS
This is from Grace Elkus at TheKitchn. For this recipe, Grace wrote, "Here, I’m sharing my favorite iteration: sheet pan mac and cheese with Brussels sprouts. You’ll cook the noodles and make the cheese sauce while the veggies roast, then mix everything together, return it to the sheet pan, and pop it under the broiler until every bite is crispy-creamy. It’s the ultimate mash-up of two of my favorite foods — and my only regret is I didn’t think of it sooner."
Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook time: 35 minutes to 40 minutes; Serves: 4 to 6
To view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/sheet-pan-mac-cheese-brussels-sprouts-23215360.
Ingredients
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
1 pound Brussels sprouts (about 15 large)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces dried cavatappi pasta
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded (1 cup)
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, preferably white, shredded (1 cup)
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups whole or 2% milk
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
Arrange 2 racks to divide the oven into thirds and heat the oven to 425°F. Bring a Dutch oven or large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, trim and halve 1 pound Brussels sprouts (quarter if large). Place on a rimmed baking sheet (make sure to include any stray leaves). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and several grinds black pepper. Toss to combine, then arrange in a single layer cut-side down.
Place the baking sheet on the lower rack. Roast until the sprouts are crispy, tender, and browned in spots, 14 to 16 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta and grate the cheeses.
Add 12 ounces cavatappi to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Grate the following cheeses on the large holes of a box grater, keeping them separate on the cutting board: 4 ounces Gruyère cheese (about 1 cup), 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 cup), and 1 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup).
When the Brussels sprouts are ready, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
When the pasta is ready, drain and set aside. Return the pot to the stovetop, add 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, and melt over medium-low heat. Transfer 1 tablespoon into a small heatproof bowl. Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the remaining butter in the pot and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until fragrant and foaming, about 2 minutes.
While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 3 cups whole or 2% milk and whisk until the flour is completely dissolved. Bring just to a full simmer over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 4 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat. Add the Gruyère and cheddar cheeses, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds black pepper. Whisk until smooth and the cheese is melted. Taste and season with more salt as needed (likely about 1/2 teaspoon kosher). Heat the broiler to high.
Add the cavatappi and roasted Brussels sprouts to the pot and stir until well-coated in the sauce. Transfer to the same baking sheet used to roast the Brussels and spread into an even layer.
Add 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs and the Parmesan cheese to the reserved bowl of melted butter and stir to combine. Sprinkle the pasta with the bread crumb mixture. Broil until the bread crumbs are golden-brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Since we do need to eat, here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day. Check out the Italian White Bean and Kale Soup, the Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese with Brussels Sprouts, the Anytime Black Forrest Blizzard, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!
PUTTANESCA CHICKPEA-TOMATO SALAD
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "This recipe turns tomato salad into a meal by marrying creamy beans with some of the briny, salty ingredients found in pasta puttanesca, like tomatoes, capers, olives and garlic. While Parmesan isn’t traditional to puttanesca, coarsely chopped pebbles of it add bursts of umami to this salad. Feel free to omit the cheese for a vegan dish, or embellish the mix with fresh or dried chile, tinned fish or more vegetables. This recipe is not only adaptable but also improves as it sits: The tomato juices mingle with the oil, olives and capers — and the beans drink it all up."
Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023396-puttanesca-chickpea-tomato-salad. While you're there, sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already.
Also, check out Melissa Clark's helpful guide "How toCook Beans". Even if you've been cooking beans for a while, you're bound to find some useful info.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes of any size, cut into 1- or 2-bite pieces
3 cups cooked, rinsed chickpeas, white beans or a mix (homemade or from two 15-ounce cans)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley leaves and stems
1-1/2 ounces Parmesan, coarsely chopped or crumbled (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup kalamata olives, torn in half and pitted
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus more to taste
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
Kosher salt
Preparation
In a large bowl, stir together the tomatoes, chickpeas, parsley, Parmesan, olive oil, olives, capers, lemon juice and garlic. Season lightly with salt and stir once more. Let sit for 10 minutes or up to 2 hours at room temperature.
Before serving, taste and add more salt and lemon juice until it tastes bright. The balance is largely dependent on your tomatoes. (This salad keeps for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE
This yumminess is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. This recipe begins, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."
Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie.
Ingredients
For the Chili
1 large red or white onion, halved
2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)
1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed
1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes
3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin
3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)
For the Cornbread
3/4 cup fine cornmeal
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
1 large egg, at room temperature
/1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons honey
2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving
1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.
Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.
Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.
Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.
While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.
Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES CASSEROLE
This comes from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 51. It begins, “If you like stuffed grape leaves, you’ll love this casserole, which has all the flavors of the bite-size appetizers without all the rolling. You don’t have to parboil jarred grape leaves, but a quick dip in boiling water tenderizes them and removes some of their saltiness.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
30 jarred or fresh grape leaves
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing top of casserole and casserole dish
1 large onion, finely diced (2 cups)
1 cup brown rice
2 cups low-sodium tomato juice or vegetable juice
1 cup chopped unsalted, hulled pistachios
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup raisins or dried currants
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 lemon, sliced, for garnish
Pomegranate molasses, for drizzling, optional
Directions
Dip grape leaves in large pot of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 7 to 10 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add rice and 21/2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 30 to 40 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, and stir in tomato juice, pistachios, parsley, mint, raisins, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. (Mixture will be very wet.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 2-qt. baking dish with olive oil. Pat grape leaves dry. Line bottom and sides of baking dish with grape leaves, allowing leaves to hang over sides. Spread half of rice mixture over grape leaves. Top rice with more grape leaves, then top with remaining rice mixture. Cover casserole with remaining grape leaves, and seal by folding over grape leaves around edges. Brush top with olive oil. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until grape leaves on top darken and casserole looks firm and dry.
Dip knife in cold water. Cut straight down with tip of knife to make 8 servings, then remove servings with spatula. Garnish with lemon slices, and drizzle with pomegranate molasses (if using).
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 341; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 48 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 408 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 17 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
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.
ANYTIME BLACK FORREST BLIZZARD
This was in the September 2012 issue of Runner’s World, page 50. Contributing chef Pam Anderson comes up with quite a few really yummy recipes. This recipe starts off, “Plain Greek yogurt has roughly twice the protein and half the sugar of plan traditional yogurt. Cherries contain antioxidants that help reduce postrun inflammation. ‘To add crunch, stir in Famous Chocolate Wafers,’ says Anderson.”
I doubt that Pam is reading this, but if she is, all I can say is: Keep it up, please!
Ingredients
1 heaping cup frozen, dark sweet cherries
1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1 C chocolate soymilk
1/4 C Greek yogurt
2 tsp honey or agave syrup
1/4 tsp almond extract
4 Famous Chocolate Wafers, crumbled
Directions
Place all the ingredients – except the Famous Chocolate Wafers – in a blender; process until creamy smooth. Divide between two glasses. Top each with a portion of crumbled Famous Chocolate Wafers. Serves two.
Calories per serving: 273; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 4 g
SHEET PAN MAC AND CHEESE WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS
This is from Grace Elkus at TheKitchn. For this recipe, Grace wrote, "Here, I’m sharing my favorite iteration: sheet pan mac and cheese with Brussels sprouts. You’ll cook the noodles and make the cheese sauce while the veggies roast, then mix everything together, return it to the sheet pan, and pop it under the broiler until every bite is crispy-creamy. It’s the ultimate mash-up of two of my favorite foods — and my only regret is I didn’t think of it sooner."
Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook time: 35 minutes to 40 minutes; Serves: 4 to 6
To view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/sheet-pan-mac-cheese-brussels-sprouts-23215360.
Ingredients
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
1 pound Brussels sprouts (about 15 large)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces dried cavatappi pasta
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded (1 cup)
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, preferably white, shredded (1 cup)
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups whole or 2% milk
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
Arrange 2 racks to divide the oven into thirds and heat the oven to 425°F. Bring a Dutch oven or large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, trim and halve 1 pound Brussels sprouts (quarter if large). Place on a rimmed baking sheet (make sure to include any stray leaves). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and several grinds black pepper. Toss to combine, then arrange in a single layer cut-side down.
Place the baking sheet on the lower rack. Roast until the sprouts are crispy, tender, and browned in spots, 14 to 16 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta and grate the cheeses.
Add 12 ounces cavatappi to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Grate the following cheeses on the large holes of a box grater, keeping them separate on the cutting board: 4 ounces Gruyère cheese (about 1 cup), 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 cup), and 1 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup).
When the Brussels sprouts are ready, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
When the pasta is ready, drain and set aside. Return the pot to the stovetop, add 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, and melt over medium-low heat. Transfer 1 tablespoon into a small heatproof bowl. Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the remaining butter in the pot and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until fragrant and foaming, about 2 minutes.
While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 3 cups whole or 2% milk and whisk until the flour is completely dissolved. Bring just to a full simmer over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 4 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat. Add the Gruyère and cheddar cheeses, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds black pepper. Whisk until smooth and the cheese is melted. Taste and season with more salt as needed (likely about 1/2 teaspoon kosher). Heat the broiler to high.
Add the cavatappi and roasted Brussels sprouts to the pot and stir until well-coated in the sauce. Transfer to the same baking sheet used to roast the Brussels and spread into an even layer.
Add 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs and the Parmesan cheese to the reserved bowl of melted butter and stir to combine. Sprinkle the pasta with the bread crumb mixture. Broil until the bread crumbs are golden-brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Pasta
It's Wednesday (also known as hump day). If we made it to the half-way point of the week, we can make it to the weekend.
In the meatime, here are six pasta recipes to help you through the day. Today's offerings include Manicotti and Cherry Tomato Spaghetti. Enjoy!
VEGGIE-LOADED PASTA
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet. Serving size: 1-1/2 cups. Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
12 ounces soy crumbles, ground
2 cans tomatoes, diced, no salt added (14.5 ounces each)
2 cups small zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground
6 ounces whole wheat bow-tie pasta
3 tablespoon basil, fresh (or 3 teaspoons dried basil)
Instructions
Place a large saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add the oil, onion, mushrooms and garlic. Cook until the onion is tender.
Add soy crumbles, tomatoes, zucchini, Italian seasoning and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
While the mixture is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
When the pasta is finished cooking, drain well and gently mix into the vegetable sauce. Garnish with basil.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 260; Total fat: 6 g; Saturated fat: 1 g; Sodium: 300 mg; Total carbohydrate: 33 g; Dietary fiber: 8 g; Protein: 17 g
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.
This, along with the Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, was featured in “The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2 1/ 2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
CHERRY TOMATO SPAGHETTI
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis, and begins, “Quick-and-easy spaghetti topped with a sauce of cherry tomatoes, basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Serving Size: Serves 4-6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried spaghetti pasta
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 pints red cherry tomatoes
1 pint small yellow tomatoes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup thinly sliced basil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Cook the spaghetti to al dente and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the shallot and garlic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and salt and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer the mixture until the tomatoes are slightly popped, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add the pasta, Parmesan, pasta water, and basil and toss thoroughly with tongs. Serve warm or at room temperature.
MANICOTTI
This is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kay wrote, "Manicotti are very large ridged pasta tubes that are stuffed and baked. The filling is a tasty combination of cheeses, often with the addition of ground meat or vegetables. In this simple weeknight version, the pasta is stuffed with a three-cheese filling flavored with garlic and nutmeg. Ricotta adds creaminess, mozzarella melts and binds, and Parmigiano-Reggiano adds nutty flavor and salinity. For ease and speed, this recipe suggests the use of store-bought marinara sauce. If you’d like to add some greens to the dish, thaw a 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, squeeze out all the water, then finely chop the spinach and add it to the filling before stuffing the manicotti."
Time: 1-1/4 hours; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023360-manicotti.
Ingredients
Olive oil, for greasing the dish
Salt and pepper
1 (8-ounce) box manicotti shells (about 14)
1-1/2 pounds/3 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 large egg, beaten
3 cups store-bought or homemade marinara sauce
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, cook the manicotti shells according to package directions until al dente. Rinse them under cold water until cool enough to handle; drain well.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, the Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley, garlic and nutmeg; mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then add egg and mix until smooth. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag or a pastry bag fitted with a round piping tip.If using a resealable plastic bag, use scissors to snip off a corner tip of the bag. Pipe the cheese filling into the cooked and cooled manicotti.
Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce in the prepared baking dish. Arrange the manicotti in a single layer in the dish. Top evenly with the remaining 2 cups marinara sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until filling is heated through and cheese is melted and golden, about 15 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE
This recipe is from Lidia Bastianich and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Julia wrote, "Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce — and it's made with basic pantry ingredients. All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe. Use a skillet instead of the usual saucepan: the water evaporates quickly, so the tomatoes are just cooked through as the sauce becomes thick. (Our colleagues over at Wirecutter have spent a lot of time testing skillets to find the best on the market. If you're looking to purchase one, check out their skillet guide.)"
Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 3-1/2 cups, enough for 1 pound of pasta
This was featured in "Marinara Worth Mastering," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015987-classic-marinara-sauce.
Note: Take time to read the article ("Marinara Worth Mastering"). It's an interesting read.
Ingredients
1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes, certified D.O.P. if possible
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
Small dried whole chile, or pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large fresh basil sprig, or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, more to taste
Preparation
Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
In a large skillet (do not use a deep pot) over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add whole chile or red pepper flakes, oregano (if using) and salt. Stir.
Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 15 minutes. (If using oregano, taste sauce after 10 minutes of simmering, adding more salt and oregano as needed.) Discard basil and chile (if using).
In the meatime, here are six pasta recipes to help you through the day. Today's offerings include Manicotti and Cherry Tomato Spaghetti. Enjoy!
VEGGIE-LOADED PASTA
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet. Serving size: 1-1/2 cups. Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
12 ounces soy crumbles, ground
2 cans tomatoes, diced, no salt added (14.5 ounces each)
2 cups small zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground
6 ounces whole wheat bow-tie pasta
3 tablespoon basil, fresh (or 3 teaspoons dried basil)
Instructions
Place a large saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add the oil, onion, mushrooms and garlic. Cook until the onion is tender.
Add soy crumbles, tomatoes, zucchini, Italian seasoning and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
While the mixture is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
When the pasta is finished cooking, drain well and gently mix into the vegetable sauce. Garnish with basil.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 260; Total fat: 6 g; Saturated fat: 1 g; Sodium: 300 mg; Total carbohydrate: 33 g; Dietary fiber: 8 g; Protein: 17 g
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.
This, along with the Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, was featured in “The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2 1/ 2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
CHERRY TOMATO SPAGHETTI
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis, and begins, “Quick-and-easy spaghetti topped with a sauce of cherry tomatoes, basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Serving Size: Serves 4-6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried spaghetti pasta
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 pints red cherry tomatoes
1 pint small yellow tomatoes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup thinly sliced basil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Cook the spaghetti to al dente and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the shallot and garlic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and salt and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer the mixture until the tomatoes are slightly popped, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add the pasta, Parmesan, pasta water, and basil and toss thoroughly with tongs. Serve warm or at room temperature.
MANICOTTI
This is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kay wrote, "Manicotti are very large ridged pasta tubes that are stuffed and baked. The filling is a tasty combination of cheeses, often with the addition of ground meat or vegetables. In this simple weeknight version, the pasta is stuffed with a three-cheese filling flavored with garlic and nutmeg. Ricotta adds creaminess, mozzarella melts and binds, and Parmigiano-Reggiano adds nutty flavor and salinity. For ease and speed, this recipe suggests the use of store-bought marinara sauce. If you’d like to add some greens to the dish, thaw a 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, squeeze out all the water, then finely chop the spinach and add it to the filling before stuffing the manicotti."
Time: 1-1/4 hours; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023360-manicotti.
Ingredients
Olive oil, for greasing the dish
Salt and pepper
1 (8-ounce) box manicotti shells (about 14)
1-1/2 pounds/3 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 large egg, beaten
3 cups store-bought or homemade marinara sauce
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, cook the manicotti shells according to package directions until al dente. Rinse them under cold water until cool enough to handle; drain well.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, the Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley, garlic and nutmeg; mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then add egg and mix until smooth. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag or a pastry bag fitted with a round piping tip.If using a resealable plastic bag, use scissors to snip off a corner tip of the bag. Pipe the cheese filling into the cooked and cooled manicotti.
Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce in the prepared baking dish. Arrange the manicotti in a single layer in the dish. Top evenly with the remaining 2 cups marinara sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until filling is heated through and cheese is melted and golden, about 15 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE
This recipe is from Lidia Bastianich and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Julia wrote, "Homemade marinara is almost as fast and tastes immeasurably better than even the best supermarket sauce — and it's made with basic pantry ingredients. All the tricks to a bright red, lively-tasting sauce, made just as it is in the south of Italy (no butter, no onions) are in this recipe. Use a skillet instead of the usual saucepan: the water evaporates quickly, so the tomatoes are just cooked through as the sauce becomes thick. (Our colleagues over at Wirecutter have spent a lot of time testing skillets to find the best on the market. If you're looking to purchase one, check out their skillet guide.)"
Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 3-1/2 cups, enough for 1 pound of pasta
This was featured in "Marinara Worth Mastering," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015987-classic-marinara-sauce.
Note: Take time to read the article ("Marinara Worth Mastering"). It's an interesting read.
Ingredients
1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes, certified D.O.P. if possible
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered
Small dried whole chile, or pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large fresh basil sprig, or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, more to taste
Preparation
Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
In a large skillet (do not use a deep pot) over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add whole chile or red pepper flakes, oregano (if using) and salt. Stir.
Place basil sprig, including stem, on the surface (like a flower). Let it wilt, then submerge in sauce. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 15 minutes. (If using oregano, taste sauce after 10 minutes of simmering, adding more salt and oregano as needed.) Discard basil and chile (if using).
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Autumn Vegetable Minestrone and Vegan Sweet Potato Lasagna. Enjoy!
ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS SKEWERS WITH LEMON-THYME DIPPING SAUCE
This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 36). It begins, "Roasting Brussels sprouts produces a tender, juicy interior encapsulated by a crispy, caramelized exterior. Hemp oil lends a nutritious element to the light sauce, but you could substitute olive oil or walnut oil." Makes 8 servings Great for the holiday table.
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-brussels-sprouts-skewers-with-lemon-thyme-dipping-sauce-recipe/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1 Tbs. hemp oil
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, whole (if small and tender), or finely chopped
32 Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (about 2 lb.)
2 Tbs. safflower oil, or other high-heat oil
Preparation
Preheat oven to 500°F. Whisk together lemon juice, maple syrup, hemp oil, and thyme in small bowl. Set aside.
Toss Brussels sprouts with safflower oil on large, rimmed baking sheet, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add 1 Tbs. water to pan, and arrange Brussels sprouts cut side down. Cover tightly with foil. Roast 10 minutes, remove foil, then roast 10 to 15 minutes more, or until Brussels sprouts are heavily browned. Toss with 2 Tbs. dipping sauce, and let rest until cool enough to handle but still warm.
Thread 4 Brussels sprout halves onto each skewer, and arrange on platter. Serve warm, with remaining dipping sauce on side.
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP
This interesting soup comes from Drumnwrite in Allrecipes. The recipe begins, "Tomatoes and peanut butter? YES! The first time I tried this at a health food restaurant, I was hooked. About 5 years of tweaking the recipe to my personal taste has created a spicy, sweet favorite amongst my friends and family. Luckily there is always enough for everyone!"
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings:10
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/68530/west-african-peanut-soup/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, very finely diced
2 large bell peppers, (any color) finely chopped
6 large cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice
8 cups vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 (18 ounce) jar creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Add rice to soup and stir. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, or until rice is tender.
When rice is cooked, whisk in peanut butter and return to a simmer, and serve. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.
VEGAN SWEET POTATO LASAGNA
This comes from Betsy Nelson on UnitedHealthcare, and begins, "Slices of nutrient-rich veggies take the place of noodles in this lasagna. If you miss the cheese, add 1/4 cup grated cheese to the filling mixture and sprinkle with another 1/4 cup over the top of the veggies during the last 15 minutes of baking. This lasagna is easier to slice when made the day before you plan to eat it."
To view this online, go to https://www.medicare.uhc.com/wellness/health/uhcarticle/hwal-vegan-sweet-potato-lasagna.
Ingredients
8 ounces low-sodium, no-sugar added marinara sauce
1/2 pound cauliflower
6 ounces extra-firm curd-style tofu, crumbled
1/4 cup yellow onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning, no-sodium added
1 medium sweet potato, sliced vertically into 1/4" thick slices
1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4" thick slices
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and pour half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the pan. Shred the cauliflower into small bits using a box grater, food processor or knife. Mix the cauliflower, tofu, onion, garlic, olive oil and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and roast until golden brown, about 30–35 minutes, until slightly golden. Layer half of the sweet potato slices over the sauce in the loaf pan and then top with a layer of half of the zucchini slices. Spread with the cauliflower tofu filling and then top with remaining zucchini slices and then the remaining sweet potato slices. Spread the remaining marinara sauce on top. Wrap the pan with non-stick aluminum foil or a layer of parchment paper and then a layer of foil. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 and bake for 45–50 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes more. Allow lasagna to sit and cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Serves 4.
Calories: 161, Total Fat: 6.8g, Saturated Fat: 1.2g, Cholesterol: 1.1mg, Sodium: 58.6mg, Carbs: 20.8g, Dietary Fiber: 4.2g, Sugar: 9.2g, Protein: 6.1g
ARROZ CON LECHE: MEXICAN RICE PUDDING
This is from Chelsie Kenyon in The Spruce Eats. Chelsie wrote, "Rice pudding is a beloved dessert found in cuisines all over the world, including Mexico where it is called arroz con leche. This version is thick and creamy with the added warm spice of cinnamon and the welcoming chewy texture of raisins. The rice and milk combine with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, adding richness and sweetness to this comforting dessert.
"When making rice pudding, it is best to use short- or medium-grained rice, such as arborio, as it will give you the creamiest texture. In this recipe, the cinnamon flavor comes from cinnamon sticks, but if you don't have any, simply use one teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead. And be mindful that the raisins need to soak in water before being added to the rice pudding; about 30 minutes in some warm water will plump them up nicely.
"Arroz con leche is served hot with a little sprinkling of cinnamon and perhaps a pat of butter on top."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 2 to 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/arroz-con-leche-mexican-rice-pudding-2343000.
Ingredients
3 cups whole milk
1-1/4 cups water
1 cup rice (short or medium grain)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup raisins (soaked in warm water to soften and drained)
Ground cinnamon and butter, for garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the whole milk and water in a large pot and bring to a slow simmer over medium-low heat.
Stir in the rice, add the cinnamon sticks, and continue cooking at barely a simmer, uncovered, until the rice is softened, for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
When the rice is soft, remove the cinnamon sticks.
Stir in the condensed milk, vanilla, salt, and raisins.
Return to a slight simmer and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice has a pudding-like consistency.
Serve hot, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dot of butter.
Enjoy.
Tip
If you don't often cook with condensed milk, you may want to familiarize yourself with the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk; they will be shelved together in the grocery store and may have similar looking labels, but they are not the same and can't always be swapped for one another. Sweetened condensed milk is evaporated milk with sugar added; if you use the unsweetened evaporated milk, the rice pudding will not be sweet.
AUTUMN VEGETABLE MINESTRONE
This is from an older Weight Watchers' emailing list.
Ingredients
2 14.5 oz cans vegetable broth
1 18 oz can crushed tomatoes – undrained
3 medium carrots, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 small zucchini, cut into 1/2" slices
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2" pieces
8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
Mix all ingredients except rice and basil in a 3-1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in rice. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
Per serving: WW Points: 1; 195 Calories; 2g Total Fat; 7g Protein; 39g Carbohydrate; 1mg Cholesterol; 1198mg Sodium
BROCCOLI PASTA
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Believe it or not, the star behind this 5-ingredient supper is overcooked broccoli! We over-steam it here to give the broccoli a delicate and creamy texture, making it perfect for mashing, mixing with pasta water and tossing with pasta."
Active Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/broccoli-pasta-12375930.
Ingredients
1 bunch broccoli (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into large florets
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces spaghetti
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Set up a steamer basket in a 3-quart saucepan. Add enough water to come up to the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets to the basket, cover and cook until the broccoli is soft and nearly falling apart but still holds its shape, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Transfer the broccoli to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and gently toss; season with salt and pepper, then mash.
Cook the spaghetti according to label directions, then reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain.
In a large skillet, cook the garlic in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil for 30 seconds. Add the mashed broccoli, the Parmesan and half of the reserved cooking water. Cook, stirring, until saucy. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with the spaghetti, adding more cooking water as needed.
ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS SKEWERS WITH LEMON-THYME DIPPING SAUCE
This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 36). It begins, "Roasting Brussels sprouts produces a tender, juicy interior encapsulated by a crispy, caramelized exterior. Hemp oil lends a nutritious element to the light sauce, but you could substitute olive oil or walnut oil." Makes 8 servings Great for the holiday table.
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-brussels-sprouts-skewers-with-lemon-thyme-dipping-sauce-recipe/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1 Tbs. hemp oil
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, whole (if small and tender), or finely chopped
32 Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (about 2 lb.)
2 Tbs. safflower oil, or other high-heat oil
Preparation
Preheat oven to 500°F. Whisk together lemon juice, maple syrup, hemp oil, and thyme in small bowl. Set aside.
Toss Brussels sprouts with safflower oil on large, rimmed baking sheet, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add 1 Tbs. water to pan, and arrange Brussels sprouts cut side down. Cover tightly with foil. Roast 10 minutes, remove foil, then roast 10 to 15 minutes more, or until Brussels sprouts are heavily browned. Toss with 2 Tbs. dipping sauce, and let rest until cool enough to handle but still warm.
Thread 4 Brussels sprout halves onto each skewer, and arrange on platter. Serve warm, with remaining dipping sauce on side.
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP
This interesting soup comes from Drumnwrite in Allrecipes. The recipe begins, "Tomatoes and peanut butter? YES! The first time I tried this at a health food restaurant, I was hooked. About 5 years of tweaking the recipe to my personal taste has created a spicy, sweet favorite amongst my friends and family. Luckily there is always enough for everyone!"
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings:10
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/68530/west-african-peanut-soup/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, very finely diced
2 large bell peppers, (any color) finely chopped
6 large cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice
8 cups vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 (18 ounce) jar creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Add rice to soup and stir. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, or until rice is tender.
When rice is cooked, whisk in peanut butter and return to a simmer, and serve. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.
VEGAN SWEET POTATO LASAGNA
This comes from Betsy Nelson on UnitedHealthcare, and begins, "Slices of nutrient-rich veggies take the place of noodles in this lasagna. If you miss the cheese, add 1/4 cup grated cheese to the filling mixture and sprinkle with another 1/4 cup over the top of the veggies during the last 15 minutes of baking. This lasagna is easier to slice when made the day before you plan to eat it."
To view this online, go to https://www.medicare.uhc.com/wellness/health/uhcarticle/hwal-vegan-sweet-potato-lasagna.
Ingredients
8 ounces low-sodium, no-sugar added marinara sauce
1/2 pound cauliflower
6 ounces extra-firm curd-style tofu, crumbled
1/4 cup yellow onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning, no-sodium added
1 medium sweet potato, sliced vertically into 1/4" thick slices
1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4" thick slices
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and pour half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the pan. Shred the cauliflower into small bits using a box grater, food processor or knife. Mix the cauliflower, tofu, onion, garlic, olive oil and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and roast until golden brown, about 30–35 minutes, until slightly golden. Layer half of the sweet potato slices over the sauce in the loaf pan and then top with a layer of half of the zucchini slices. Spread with the cauliflower tofu filling and then top with remaining zucchini slices and then the remaining sweet potato slices. Spread the remaining marinara sauce on top. Wrap the pan with non-stick aluminum foil or a layer of parchment paper and then a layer of foil. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 and bake for 45–50 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes more. Allow lasagna to sit and cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Serves 4.
Calories: 161, Total Fat: 6.8g, Saturated Fat: 1.2g, Cholesterol: 1.1mg, Sodium: 58.6mg, Carbs: 20.8g, Dietary Fiber: 4.2g, Sugar: 9.2g, Protein: 6.1g
ARROZ CON LECHE: MEXICAN RICE PUDDING
This is from Chelsie Kenyon in The Spruce Eats. Chelsie wrote, "Rice pudding is a beloved dessert found in cuisines all over the world, including Mexico where it is called arroz con leche. This version is thick and creamy with the added warm spice of cinnamon and the welcoming chewy texture of raisins. The rice and milk combine with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, adding richness and sweetness to this comforting dessert.
"When making rice pudding, it is best to use short- or medium-grained rice, such as arborio, as it will give you the creamiest texture. In this recipe, the cinnamon flavor comes from cinnamon sticks, but if you don't have any, simply use one teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead. And be mindful that the raisins need to soak in water before being added to the rice pudding; about 30 minutes in some warm water will plump them up nicely.
"Arroz con leche is served hot with a little sprinkling of cinnamon and perhaps a pat of butter on top."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 2 to 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/arroz-con-leche-mexican-rice-pudding-2343000.
Ingredients
3 cups whole milk
1-1/4 cups water
1 cup rice (short or medium grain)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup raisins (soaked in warm water to soften and drained)
Ground cinnamon and butter, for garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the whole milk and water in a large pot and bring to a slow simmer over medium-low heat.
Stir in the rice, add the cinnamon sticks, and continue cooking at barely a simmer, uncovered, until the rice is softened, for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
When the rice is soft, remove the cinnamon sticks.
Stir in the condensed milk, vanilla, salt, and raisins.
Return to a slight simmer and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice has a pudding-like consistency.
Serve hot, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dot of butter.
Enjoy.
Tip
If you don't often cook with condensed milk, you may want to familiarize yourself with the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk; they will be shelved together in the grocery store and may have similar looking labels, but they are not the same and can't always be swapped for one another. Sweetened condensed milk is evaporated milk with sugar added; if you use the unsweetened evaporated milk, the rice pudding will not be sweet.
AUTUMN VEGETABLE MINESTRONE
This is from an older Weight Watchers' emailing list.
Ingredients
2 14.5 oz cans vegetable broth
1 18 oz can crushed tomatoes – undrained
3 medium carrots, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 small zucchini, cut into 1/2" slices
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2" pieces
8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
Mix all ingredients except rice and basil in a 3-1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in rice. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
Per serving: WW Points: 1; 195 Calories; 2g Total Fat; 7g Protein; 39g Carbohydrate; 1mg Cholesterol; 1198mg Sodium
BROCCOLI PASTA
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Believe it or not, the star behind this 5-ingredient supper is overcooked broccoli! We over-steam it here to give the broccoli a delicate and creamy texture, making it perfect for mashing, mixing with pasta water and tossing with pasta."
Active Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/broccoli-pasta-12375930.
Ingredients
1 bunch broccoli (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into large florets
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces spaghetti
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Set up a steamer basket in a 3-quart saucepan. Add enough water to come up to the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets to the basket, cover and cook until the broccoli is soft and nearly falling apart but still holds its shape, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Transfer the broccoli to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and gently toss; season with salt and pepper, then mash.
Cook the spaghetti according to label directions, then reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain.
In a large skillet, cook the garlic in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil for 30 seconds. Add the mashed broccoli, the Parmesan and half of the reserved cooking water. Cook, stirring, until saucy. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with the spaghetti, adding more cooking water as needed.
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