Today's meatless post has a little of this and a little of that. Check out the Slow-Cooker Vegetable Minestrone Soup, the Maple Sriracha Roasted Vegetables, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!
BISQUICK DUMPLINGS
This recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "With a fluffy, light texture, dumplings are somewhat like a very moist biscuit. The Bisquick drop dumplings require only 2 ingredients and 5 minutes to mix up. Dropped by spoonfuls onto simmering stew or soup, they expand into their fluffy, cloud-like texture."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Original Bisquick™ Baking Mix
2/3 cup 2% milk
Chopped fresh parsley, if desired
Instructions
In medium bowl, mix Bisquick and milk just until Bisquick is moistened and a soft dough forms.
Drop dough by large spoonfuls onto boiling stew; reduce heat until liquid maintains a simmer.
Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover and cook and additional 10 minutes or until dumplings are no longer doughy in the center.
Spoon stew into serving bowls. Use slotted spoon to carefully place a dumpling on top of each serving. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
RESTAURANT-STYLE SPINACH MANICOTTI
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Who says you need fancy restaurants for classic Italian dishes? Our Restaurant-Style Spinach Manicotti is a lighter version of your favorite baked pasta dish, so you can still enjoy this Italian dish, in moderation of course!"
Cook Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 7
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Pastas/Restaurant-Style-Spinach-Manicotti.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) package manicotti shells (14 shells)
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, diced
1 (32-ounce) container fat-free ricotta cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1-1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups light spaghetti sauce
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions, omitting the salt; drain, rinse, drain again, and place in a large baking dish. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Coat a small saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until tender. Add the mushrooms and saute until brown.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, the egg, spinach, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Add the onion mixture; mix well.
Spoon the mixture into the manicotti shells (see Note), top with the spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until heated through.
Note
To fill the shells, carefully place the cheese mixture in a large resealable plastic storage bag with a corner snipped off. Then you can just squeeze the filling into the manicotti shells, using the storage bag like a pastry bag. Simple, right?
SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE
This yumminess is from Kardea Brown on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 8 to 10 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/super-decadent-mac-and-cheese-9831363.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded
1-1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
MAPLE SRIRACHA ROASTED VEGETABLES
This is from Kikkoman.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/recipes/maple-sriracha-roasted-vegetables/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Kikkoman® Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
2 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup red onion, coarsely chopped
For Serving
1/2 teaspoon flaky salt
Directionos
Preheat oven to 400ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir together oil, maple syrup and sriracha. Add brussels sprouts, carrots and red onion. Mix well to coat.
Spread vegetables evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
Serve hot topped with flaky sea salt.
SAUTEED JAMAICAN CALLALOO
This yumminess is from Gabi Odebode on the Food Network.
This recipe starts off, "Callaloo is so popular in Jamaica that this leafy green is often referred to as Jamaican spinach. Although it looks something like spinach, it has a sturdier texture that’s akin to collard greens. Believed to have traveled to the Caribbean from West Africa, callaloo is cooked in many ways throughout the islands, including in ways similar to Southern braised collards. In Jamaica, it’s often sautéed, particularly with bell peppers and other vegetables for a bit of sweetness. Herbs and spice are added for robust flavor that’s bound to please even those who aren’t greens fans. Fresh callaloo can be difficult to find so we use frozen leaves in this recipe. Serve the dish with rice, plantains or boiled dumplings for a full Jamaican experience."
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sauteed-jamaican-callaloo-18572553.
Note: This recipe originally called for either chicken or vegetable bouillon powder. I’ve omitted the chicken option, leaving it at vegetable bouillon.
Ingredients
5 ounces frozen callaloo
2 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, sliced
1 habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper, chopped, optional
2 teaspoons vegetable bouillon powder, optional
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt, to taste
Directions
Place the frozen callaloo in a medium bowl and allow it to thaw about 10 minutes. Remove and discard the thick stems from the callaloo but keep the thin stems attached to the leaves. Roughly chop the callaloo, place it in a strainer and rinse it thoroughly with room-temperature water to remove any dirt. Set aside in the strainer.
Fill a bowl large enough to comfortably hold the strainer with boiling water. Place the strainer with the callaloo into the water for about 3 minutes. Rinse the callaloo in cold water until cool, about 2 minutes. This step helps soften the callaloo and brighten its color. Press down on the callaloo in the strainer to remove excess water or wrap it in cheesecloth and wring out the water. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the red and yellow bell peppers and cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Add the scallions and habanero pepper, if using, and cook for another minute. Add the callaloo and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium low. Stir in the bouillon powder, if using, and the thyme and cook for another 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue cooking until the callaloo is completely wilted and dark green, about 5 minutes. Taste again and add more salt if needed.
SLOW-COOKER VEGETABLE MINESTRONE SOUP
This is from Eating Well. It begins, "A winter classic, this crock pot version of minestrone is heavy on the vegetables and light on the pasta, keeping carbs in check while providing plenty of flavor."
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Additional Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269114/slow-cooker-vegetable-minestrone-soup/.
Ingredients
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 (15 ounce) cans no-sodium-added red kidney beans, rinsed
2 (15 ounce) cans no-sodium-added diced tomatoes, undrained
6 cups no-sodium-added vegetable broth, such as Kitchen Basics
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 large zucchini, chopped
4 ounces whole-wheat pasta elbows or other small pasta (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine carrots, celery, onion, garlic, green beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a 6- to 8-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Stir in zucchini, pasta, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook on Low until the pasta is tender, 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve immediately, topping each serving with about 1-1/2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Tips
Equipment: 6- to 8-qt. slow cooker
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Wednesday Recipes
It's Wednesday, half-way through the week. If we made it this far, we should be able to make it to the weekend.
In the meantime, we still need to eat. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Creamy Tomato Spaghetti With Preserved Lemon and West African Peanut Soup. Enjoy!
BLACK BEAN AND CORN QUESADILLAS
This was submitted by EFasse to allrecipes. The recipe begins, "These black bean quesadillas are really cheesy, a little bit spicy, and a little bit sweet. My vegetarian husband goes crazy over them every time! Delicious with salsa and sour cream."
Prep Time: 10 mins; Cook Time: 30 mins; Total Time: 40 mins; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/104850/black-bean-and-corn-quesadillas/.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/4 cup salsa
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons butter, or as needed
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add salsa, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Melt about 1-1/2 teaspoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the Monterey Jack cheese, then top with ¼ of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top; cook until the bottom is golden, then carefully flip and cook until the other side is golden. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
Cook’s Note
This is a very versatile recipe. Feel free to play around and add chicken or veggies if you desire.
CREAMY TOMATO SPAGHETTI WITH PRESERVED LEMON
This is from Nargisse Benkabbou in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummines, Nargisse wrote, "Something magical happens when preserved lemon and tomato are cooked together. In this quick and simple pasta, fragrant lemon permeates the tomato paste, creating a beautifully aromatic (and pantry-friendly) sauce with the addition of heavy cream. Spaghetti is tossed with the sauce, which ends up subtly sweet and yet bright and tangy — a comforting weeknight twist on the always beloved tomato pasta."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026820-creamy-tomato-spaghetti-with-preserved-lemon. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
Fine sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced or crushed in a garlic press
5 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 preserved lemon, seeded and minced (about 2 tablespoons), plus more to taste
2 teaspoons honey, plus more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 pound spaghetti (or other long pasta)
Finely grated Parmesan (optional), for garnish
Preparation
Place a large pot of water over high heat, add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan or pot over medium-low. Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of the minced preserved lemon, the honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
Mix in the cream, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more preserved lemon, honey and salt as necessary. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat and cover with a lid to keep the sauce warm.
Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until almost al dente according to the package instructions, 6 to 7 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain pasta.
Over medium-low heat, add the spaghetti to the sauce along with 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water, and toss to coat. Continue to toss until the spaghetti is al dente, adding more cooking water as needed to achieve a glossy sauce that clings to the pasta, 3 to 4 minutes.
Serve warm, topped with Parmesan if desired.
CHEDDAR BAY DROP MINI BISCUITS
This is from WeightWatchers, and begins, "Our version of everyone’s favorite meal starter from a certain popular seafood restaurant chain is just as savory, lightly sweet, and cheesy-good—but much lighter, leaning on fat-free Greek yogurt for richness instead of loads of butter. We do use a little butter, but it’s brushed on after the biscuits come out of the oven. That way, the butter has the biggest impact possible, since it sits on the surface and hits your palate first. The biscuits are best served warm, so if you have leftovers, reheat them briefly in a 350°F oven before serving."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 24; Difficulty: Easy; Serving size: 1 biscuit
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups white self-rising flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 oz (1/2 cup) sharp reduced fat cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2-1/2 cups plain fat free Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, garlic powder, and cayenne. Add cheese and parsley and toss to combine. Add yogurt; stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Scoop dough by 1/8-cupfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
Bake at 425°F until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Brush biscuits with melted butter.
Notes
To make larger biscuits, use 1/4 cup dough per biscuit. Add additional cooking time if necessary.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
BUSY DAY CHILI
This is from Elizabeth Mervosh at Southern Living. It begins, "Minimal work is required, but busy day chili tastes like you cooked all day."
The recipe then states, "The beautiful thing about chili is that it's a bit of a recipe life raft: You can deploy it and everyone will be happy. In short, it saves the day. And on top of that, folks can make it a bit more personal with their own toppings.
"So consider this busy day chili your emergency rescue for winter's long days, especially on nights when inspiration is far from your mind, and time is on the short side. We've streamlined the spices and ingredients so there's no need to fiddle or fuss. The seasoning packet takes the guesswork out and actually results in a flavorful, hearty meal."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Note: This recipe originally called for 1 pound ground beef. I changed that to a 12-ounce package of vegetarian crumbles to make it a vegetarian chili.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 12-ounce package vegetarian crumbles
1 medium (8-oz.) yellow onion, chopped (about 1-1/4 cups)
1 medium (6-oz.) poblano chile, chopped (1 cup)
1 (16-oz.) can dark kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-oz.) can seasoned diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Rotel Chili Fixin’s)
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
1 (1.25-oz.) envelope chili seasoning mix
Sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, and tortilla strips (optional)
Directions
Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high. Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef crumbles and is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add onion and poblano chile; cook over medium-high, stirring often, until tender, about 6 minutes.
Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, tomato sauce, chicken stock, and chili seasoning mix.
Bring to a vigorous simmer over high. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Divide evenly among 4 bowls and top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and tortilla strips, if desired.
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.
In the meantime, we still need to eat. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Creamy Tomato Spaghetti With Preserved Lemon and West African Peanut Soup. Enjoy!
BLACK BEAN AND CORN QUESADILLAS
This was submitted by EFasse to allrecipes. The recipe begins, "These black bean quesadillas are really cheesy, a little bit spicy, and a little bit sweet. My vegetarian husband goes crazy over them every time! Delicious with salsa and sour cream."
Prep Time: 10 mins; Cook Time: 30 mins; Total Time: 40 mins; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/104850/black-bean-and-corn-quesadillas/.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/4 cup salsa
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons butter, or as needed
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add salsa, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Melt about 1-1/2 teaspoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the Monterey Jack cheese, then top with ¼ of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top; cook until the bottom is golden, then carefully flip and cook until the other side is golden. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
Cook’s Note
This is a very versatile recipe. Feel free to play around and add chicken or veggies if you desire.
CREAMY TOMATO SPAGHETTI WITH PRESERVED LEMON
This is from Nargisse Benkabbou in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummines, Nargisse wrote, "Something magical happens when preserved lemon and tomato are cooked together. In this quick and simple pasta, fragrant lemon permeates the tomato paste, creating a beautifully aromatic (and pantry-friendly) sauce with the addition of heavy cream. Spaghetti is tossed with the sauce, which ends up subtly sweet and yet bright and tangy — a comforting weeknight twist on the always beloved tomato pasta."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026820-creamy-tomato-spaghetti-with-preserved-lemon. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
Fine sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced or crushed in a garlic press
5 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 preserved lemon, seeded and minced (about 2 tablespoons), plus more to taste
2 teaspoons honey, plus more to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 pound spaghetti (or other long pasta)
Finely grated Parmesan (optional), for garnish
Preparation
Place a large pot of water over high heat, add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan or pot over medium-low. Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of the minced preserved lemon, the honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
Mix in the cream, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more preserved lemon, honey and salt as necessary. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat and cover with a lid to keep the sauce warm.
Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water until almost al dente according to the package instructions, 6 to 7 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain pasta.
Over medium-low heat, add the spaghetti to the sauce along with 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water, and toss to coat. Continue to toss until the spaghetti is al dente, adding more cooking water as needed to achieve a glossy sauce that clings to the pasta, 3 to 4 minutes.
Serve warm, topped with Parmesan if desired.
CHEDDAR BAY DROP MINI BISCUITS
This is from WeightWatchers, and begins, "Our version of everyone’s favorite meal starter from a certain popular seafood restaurant chain is just as savory, lightly sweet, and cheesy-good—but much lighter, leaning on fat-free Greek yogurt for richness instead of loads of butter. We do use a little butter, but it’s brushed on after the biscuits come out of the oven. That way, the butter has the biggest impact possible, since it sits on the surface and hits your palate first. The biscuits are best served warm, so if you have leftovers, reheat them briefly in a 350°F oven before serving."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 24; Difficulty: Easy; Serving size: 1 biscuit
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups white self-rising flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 oz (1/2 cup) sharp reduced fat cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2-1/2 cups plain fat free Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, garlic powder, and cayenne. Add cheese and parsley and toss to combine. Add yogurt; stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Scoop dough by 1/8-cupfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
Bake at 425°F until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Brush biscuits with melted butter.
Notes
To make larger biscuits, use 1/4 cup dough per biscuit. Add additional cooking time if necessary.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
BUSY DAY CHILI
This is from Elizabeth Mervosh at Southern Living. It begins, "Minimal work is required, but busy day chili tastes like you cooked all day."
The recipe then states, "The beautiful thing about chili is that it's a bit of a recipe life raft: You can deploy it and everyone will be happy. In short, it saves the day. And on top of that, folks can make it a bit more personal with their own toppings.
"So consider this busy day chili your emergency rescue for winter's long days, especially on nights when inspiration is far from your mind, and time is on the short side. We've streamlined the spices and ingredients so there's no need to fiddle or fuss. The seasoning packet takes the guesswork out and actually results in a flavorful, hearty meal."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Note: This recipe originally called for 1 pound ground beef. I changed that to a 12-ounce package of vegetarian crumbles to make it a vegetarian chili.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 12-ounce package vegetarian crumbles
1 medium (8-oz.) yellow onion, chopped (about 1-1/4 cups)
1 medium (6-oz.) poblano chile, chopped (1 cup)
1 (16-oz.) can dark kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-oz.) can seasoned diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Rotel Chili Fixin’s)
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
1 (1.25-oz.) envelope chili seasoning mix
Sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, and tortilla strips (optional)
Directions
Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high. Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef crumbles and is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add onion and poblano chile; cook over medium-high, stirring often, until tender, about 6 minutes.
Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, tomato sauce, chicken stock, and chili seasoning mix.
Bring to a vigorous simmer over high. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Divide evenly among 4 bowls and top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and tortilla strips, if desired.
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.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's vegetarian offerings include West African Peanut Soup and Vegetarian Tamale Pie. Enjoy!
ITALIAN GRILLED STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Kraft and begins, “Discover these Italian Grilled Stuffed Peppers and bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen! These grilled stuffed peppers are delicious!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups water, divided
1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
2 cups frozen BOCA Veggie Ground Crumbles
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1-1/2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1 large each red, yellow and green pepper, cut lengthwise in half, seeded
Directions
Heat grill to medium-high heat.
Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice; cover. Simmer 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Stir in crumbles, zucchini, seasoning and 1 cup each pasta sauce and cheese; spoon into peppers.
Place each filled pepper half on center of 12-inch-square sheet heavy-duty foil. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bring up foil sides. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the remaining water onto bottom of each foil packet. Double fold top and ends to seal packets, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
Grill 20 to 25 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through (160ºF).
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.
SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE
This yumminess is from Kardea Brown on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 8 to 10 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/super-decadent-mac-and-cheese-9831363.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded
1-1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "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."
Total 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. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
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 Cornbread3/4 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 ¼ 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.
TWICE-BAKED POTATOES
This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.
Ingredients
8 baking potatoes, washed
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 sticks salted butter
1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3 green onions, sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.
Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.
With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.
Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)
Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.
PAUL MCCARTNEY'S LENTIL SOUP
This is from Annie Campbell at Allrecipes, and begins, "Music may have taken Paul McCartney on his biggest life journey, but food has played a pretty significant role in his story, too. Early on, his eating habits looked fairly traditional—think sugar butties, egg and chips, and classic British roasts. But by 1975, after marrying Linda McCartney, his plate—and his philosophy—looked very different..."
Annie goes on to write about Paul and Linda McCartney, vegetarianism, and "The Simpsons", before finishing with, "Seriously: this soup is one-pot, two steps, and undeniably comforting. Sure, it's a sensible meal—budget-friendly, easy to make in large batches—but it's also deeply satisfying. Hearty and warming, with simple, cozy flavors that taste better the longer they sit. A soup nobody could have complaints about."
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/paul-mccartney-lentil-soup-11892596.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 cup carrots, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
1/2 cup lentils
1 bay leaf
2-1/4 cups vegetable stock or water
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Directions
Heat the oil in a large stock pot and add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.
Add the lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15–20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the parsley, and remove the bay leaf before serving.
ITALIAN GRILLED STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Kraft and begins, “Discover these Italian Grilled Stuffed Peppers and bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen! These grilled stuffed peppers are delicious!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups water, divided
1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
2 cups frozen BOCA Veggie Ground Crumbles
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1-1/2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1 large each red, yellow and green pepper, cut lengthwise in half, seeded
Directions
Heat grill to medium-high heat.
Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice; cover. Simmer 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Stir in crumbles, zucchini, seasoning and 1 cup each pasta sauce and cheese; spoon into peppers.
Place each filled pepper half on center of 12-inch-square sheet heavy-duty foil. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bring up foil sides. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the remaining water onto bottom of each foil packet. Double fold top and ends to seal packets, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
Grill 20 to 25 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through (160ºF).
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.
SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE
This yumminess is from Kardea Brown on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 8 to 10 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/super-decadent-mac-and-cheese-9831363.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded
1-1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "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."
Total 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. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
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 Cornbread3/4 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 ¼ 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.
TWICE-BAKED POTATOES
This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.
Ingredients
8 baking potatoes, washed
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 sticks salted butter
1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3 green onions, sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.
Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.
With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.
Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)
Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.
PAUL MCCARTNEY'S LENTIL SOUP
This is from Annie Campbell at Allrecipes, and begins, "Music may have taken Paul McCartney on his biggest life journey, but food has played a pretty significant role in his story, too. Early on, his eating habits looked fairly traditional—think sugar butties, egg and chips, and classic British roasts. But by 1975, after marrying Linda McCartney, his plate—and his philosophy—looked very different..."
Annie goes on to write about Paul and Linda McCartney, vegetarianism, and "The Simpsons", before finishing with, "Seriously: this soup is one-pot, two steps, and undeniably comforting. Sure, it's a sensible meal—budget-friendly, easy to make in large batches—but it's also deeply satisfying. Hearty and warming, with simple, cozy flavors that taste better the longer they sit. A soup nobody could have complaints about."
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/paul-mccartney-lentil-soup-11892596.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 cup carrots, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
1/2 cup lentils
1 bay leaf
2-1/4 cups vegetable stock or water
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Directions
Heat the oil in a large stock pot and add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.
Add the lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15–20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the parsley, and remove the bay leaf before serving.
Taco Tuesday
I don't know about you, but I love tacos!
It seems that Taco Tuesday has become one of the latest food trends – which is a lot better than many of the food trends over the years. That said, here are six taco recipes to try out today, including Cauliflower & Red Onion Tacos and Tasty Black Beans & Corn Tacos. Enjoy!
TACOS WITH BLACK BEANS AND CHARD
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “If you are looking to feed a crowd, one way to meet the challenge is to pick up a supply of corn tortillas and make a big pot of beans and some other dishes that are at home in a taco. Buy some salsa, or make your own, and your house will be taco party central. You can make fillings in advance and arrange in bowls or on platters. Then all it takes is warming tortillas in a microwave, oven or steamer, and guests can assemble their own tacos. These beans are great in tacos, but can also be eaten on their own.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound black beans, soaked for 4 to 6 hours or overnight in 2 quarts water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt to taste
1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 pound Swiss chard, stemmed, washed and roughly chopped
12 to 16 corn tortillas
Fresh or bottled salsa
2 to 3 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
Preparation
Step 1
Place the beans and their soaking water in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Skim away foam and add the onion and half the garlic. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the remaining garlic, salt to taste and half the cilantro, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Step 2
Add the Swiss chard, cover and simmer 10 minutes. The chard should be tender but still have some bright color. Stir in the remaining cilantro, taste and adjust salt.
Step 3
Warm the tortillas. Top with a generous spoonful of beans with chard, a spoonful of crumbled queso fresco, and salsa if desired.
Tip
Advance preparation: Make the beans through Step 1 a day ahead for best results. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with Step 2. The beans will keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
CAULIFLOWER AND RED ONION TACOS
This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Vegetables bathed in vinegar are typical condiments in Mexico, but you can bring them to the center of the plate as a filling for a taco. If you want spice, add the chipotle, or garnish with some salsa. If salt is an issue, use ranchero rather than cotija cheese.” Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 45 minutes.
This was also featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 small or medium cauliflowers, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
1 red onion, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced crosswise across the grain
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (to taste)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 chipotle chilies in adobo or pickled jalapeños, drained and thinly sliced (optional)
12 corn tortillas
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise in thin strips (chiffonade)
3 ounces cotija or ranchero cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Place the cauliflower and onion in a steaming basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam 1 minute. Lift the lid for 15 seconds, then cover again and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Refresh with cold water and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, cilantro, capers, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and onion and toss together. Marinate, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes if possible before serving. For an added kick, stir in the chili or chilies. Transfer the mixture to a skillet and heat through over medium heat.
Warm the tortillas. Top with the marinated vegetables and a handful of romaine, sprinkle on the cheese and serve.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the cauliflower and onion mixture up to a day ahead, but omit the cilantro until shortly before serving so that its color doesn't fade. The filling keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
CRUNCHY BLACK BEAN TACOS
This comes from The Kitchn’s e-newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for The Kitchn’s e-newsletter yet, I highly recommend that, as well as its sibling site, Apartment Therapy.
This recipe serves 3 to 4, or makes 8 tacos; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes and can be found online by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked black beans
1/2 cup minced red onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Pinch of salt
4 to 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) grated Pepper Jack cheese
2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
8 corn tortillas
Toppings
Avocado
Hot sauce
Salsa
Sour cream
Directions
In a medium bowl, add beans along with red onion, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Add a pinch of salt and lightly mash all the ingredients together. Grate the cheese and have it ready as well.
In a large, nonstick or cast-iron skillet, add the 2 tablespoons oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add one corn tortilla at a time and let each get hot in the oil for a few seconds. Then add about 1/4 cup of the bean filling to one half of the tortilla. Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese. Try not to overfill the tacos, or you might have issues flipping them without losing filling.
Using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over to form a shell. Press down lightly on the tortilla so it holds its shape. If some cheese spills out, don’t worry — it will get crispy and delicious.
As the first taco cooks, move it to the side and begin a second one. Depending on the size of your pan, you can cook two or three tacos at once. A griddle will hold even more.
Cook each taco until they are nicely browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. When flipping the taco to cook on the other side, use a spatula and flip the taco toward the fold so the filling doesn’t fall out. If your pan is very dry between batches, add another drizzle of oil.
Place the cooked tacos in a warm oven while you finish the rest. If the tacos are very greasy, blot them with a paper towel before moving them to the oven.
Serve tacos with toppings like hot sauce, salsa, avocados, and sour cream.
Recipe Notes:
Corn tortillas are resilient to heat. Don’t worry about burning them; they are very sturdy. Just be sure to cook tortillas on each side long enough to get them really crispy.
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.
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
LOADED GUACAMOLE VEGETARIAN TACOS
This is from Karen, the Soup Addict. Karen wrote, “Veggie-loaded with lots of guacamole, black beans, corn, and peppers, these vegetarian tacos are full-on yummy.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 28 minutes; Serves: 6 tacos.
This can be viewed online at http://soupaddict.com/2014/06/loaded-guacamole-vegetarian-tacos/.
Ingredients
for the guacamole
2 avocados, pit and skin removed, roughly chopped
1/2 of a lime
1/2 of a lemon
1/4 salt (plus extra as needed)
1/3 cup corn kernels (raw, from about 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper
1 tablespoon diced red onion
1 tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper
2 teaspoons minced cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
for the black beans
1 can black beans (15 ounces)
1/3 cup corn kerns (raw, from 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup poblano peppers, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
for the tacos
6 small flour or soft corn tortillas
2 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
hot sauce, such as Cholula or Sriracha (optional)
lime and/or lemon wedges
Instructions
prepare the guacamole
Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork (or molcajete) until it reaches your desired consistency, chunky or smooth. Add a small squeeze each of lime and lemon juice, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and taste. Add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salt as you like. Stir in the remaining guacamole ingredients. (To make ahead, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press gently against the guacamole. The entire surface of the guac should be touching and covered by the wrap, to keep air out. Then, cover the bowl with a second sheet of wrap, and refrigerate.)
prepare the black beans
Add all of the black bean ingredients to a 2 quart sauce pot and heat over medium-low until hot. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to a very warm, eatable temp (a few minutes should do it).
assemble
If the tortillas are not soft and pliable (or if you like your tortillas warm), stack them on a microwaveable plate, separated with paper towels, and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.
Line half of each tortilla with lettuce. Spoon the black bean mixture over the lettuce (on half of the tortilla). Spoon guacamole on the other half. Top with a few shakes of hot sauce (optional) and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.
It seems that Taco Tuesday has become one of the latest food trends – which is a lot better than many of the food trends over the years. That said, here are six taco recipes to try out today, including Cauliflower & Red Onion Tacos and Tasty Black Beans & Corn Tacos. Enjoy!
TACOS WITH BLACK BEANS AND CHARD
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “If you are looking to feed a crowd, one way to meet the challenge is to pick up a supply of corn tortillas and make a big pot of beans and some other dishes that are at home in a taco. Buy some salsa, or make your own, and your house will be taco party central. You can make fillings in advance and arrange in bowls or on platters. Then all it takes is warming tortillas in a microwave, oven or steamer, and guests can assemble their own tacos. These beans are great in tacos, but can also be eaten on their own.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 2 hours.
This was featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound black beans, soaked for 4 to 6 hours or overnight in 2 quarts water
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt to taste
1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 pound Swiss chard, stemmed, washed and roughly chopped
12 to 16 corn tortillas
Fresh or bottled salsa
2 to 3 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
Preparation
Step 1
Place the beans and their soaking water in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Skim away foam and add the onion and half the garlic. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the remaining garlic, salt to taste and half the cilantro, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
Step 2
Add the Swiss chard, cover and simmer 10 minutes. The chard should be tender but still have some bright color. Stir in the remaining cilantro, taste and adjust salt.
Step 3
Warm the tortillas. Top with a generous spoonful of beans with chard, a spoonful of crumbled queso fresco, and salsa if desired.
Tip
Advance preparation: Make the beans through Step 1 a day ahead for best results. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with Step 2. The beans will keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.
CAULIFLOWER AND RED ONION TACOS
This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Vegetables bathed in vinegar are typical condiments in Mexico, but you can bring them to the center of the plate as a filling for a taco. If you want spice, add the chipotle, or garnish with some salsa. If salt is an issue, use ranchero rather than cotija cheese.” Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 45 minutes.
This was also featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 small or medium cauliflowers, broken into florets (about 6 cups)
1 red onion, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced crosswise across the grain
1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar (to taste)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 chipotle chilies in adobo or pickled jalapeños, drained and thinly sliced (optional)
12 corn tortillas
1 romaine heart, cut crosswise in thin strips (chiffonade)
3 ounces cotija or ranchero cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Place the cauliflower and onion in a steaming basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam 1 minute. Lift the lid for 15 seconds, then cover again and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Refresh with cold water and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, cilantro, capers, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and onion and toss together. Marinate, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes if possible before serving. For an added kick, stir in the chili or chilies. Transfer the mixture to a skillet and heat through over medium heat.
Warm the tortillas. Top with the marinated vegetables and a handful of romaine, sprinkle on the cheese and serve.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the cauliflower and onion mixture up to a day ahead, but omit the cilantro until shortly before serving so that its color doesn't fade. The filling keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
CRUNCHY BLACK BEAN TACOS
This comes from The Kitchn’s e-newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for The Kitchn’s e-newsletter yet, I highly recommend that, as well as its sibling site, Apartment Therapy.
This recipe serves 3 to 4, or makes 8 tacos; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes and can be found online by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked black beans
1/2 cup minced red onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Pinch of salt
4 to 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) grated Pepper Jack cheese
2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
8 corn tortillas
Toppings
Avocado
Hot sauce
Salsa
Sour cream
Directions
In a medium bowl, add beans along with red onion, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Add a pinch of salt and lightly mash all the ingredients together. Grate the cheese and have it ready as well.
In a large, nonstick or cast-iron skillet, add the 2 tablespoons oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add one corn tortilla at a time and let each get hot in the oil for a few seconds. Then add about 1/4 cup of the bean filling to one half of the tortilla. Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese. Try not to overfill the tacos, or you might have issues flipping them without losing filling.
Using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over to form a shell. Press down lightly on the tortilla so it holds its shape. If some cheese spills out, don’t worry — it will get crispy and delicious.
As the first taco cooks, move it to the side and begin a second one. Depending on the size of your pan, you can cook two or three tacos at once. A griddle will hold even more.
Cook each taco until they are nicely browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. When flipping the taco to cook on the other side, use a spatula and flip the taco toward the fold so the filling doesn’t fall out. If your pan is very dry between batches, add another drizzle of oil.
Place the cooked tacos in a warm oven while you finish the rest. If the tacos are very greasy, blot them with a paper towel before moving them to the oven.
Serve tacos with toppings like hot sauce, salsa, avocados, and sour cream.
Recipe Notes:
Corn tortillas are resilient to heat. Don’t worry about burning them; they are very sturdy. Just be sure to cook tortillas on each side long enough to get them really crispy.
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.
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
LOADED GUACAMOLE VEGETARIAN TACOS
This is from Karen, the Soup Addict. Karen wrote, “Veggie-loaded with lots of guacamole, black beans, corn, and peppers, these vegetarian tacos are full-on yummy.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 28 minutes; Serves: 6 tacos.
This can be viewed online at http://soupaddict.com/2014/06/loaded-guacamole-vegetarian-tacos/.
Ingredients
for the guacamole
2 avocados, pit and skin removed, roughly chopped
1/2 of a lime
1/2 of a lemon
1/4 salt (plus extra as needed)
1/3 cup corn kernels (raw, from about 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper
1 tablespoon diced red onion
1 tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper
2 teaspoons minced cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
for the black beans
1 can black beans (15 ounces)
1/3 cup corn kerns (raw, from 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup poblano peppers, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
for the tacos
6 small flour or soft corn tortillas
2 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
hot sauce, such as Cholula or Sriracha (optional)
lime and/or lemon wedges
Instructions
prepare the guacamole
Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork (or molcajete) until it reaches your desired consistency, chunky or smooth. Add a small squeeze each of lime and lemon juice, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and taste. Add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salt as you like. Stir in the remaining guacamole ingredients. (To make ahead, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press gently against the guacamole. The entire surface of the guac should be touching and covered by the wrap, to keep air out. Then, cover the bowl with a second sheet of wrap, and refrigerate.)
prepare the black beans
Add all of the black bean ingredients to a 2 quart sauce pot and heat over medium-low until hot. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to a very warm, eatable temp (a few minutes should do it).
assemble
If the tortillas are not soft and pliable (or if you like your tortillas warm), stack them on a microwaveable plate, separated with paper towels, and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.
Line half of each tortilla with lettuce. Spoon the black bean mixture over the lettuce (on half of the tortilla). Spoon guacamole on the other half. Top with a few shakes of hot sauce (optional) and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Monday Recipes
It's Monday, time to get the week started. My weekend wasn't quite long enough, but that's okay, there's always next weekend.
In the meantime, we still need to eat. Here are siz yummy vegetarian recipes to get the week started off just right, including Southern Macaroni and Cheese and Chickless Pot Pie. Enjoy!
THREE SISTERS CASSEROLE
This was in the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 61. It 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."
Serves 6.
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.
SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Millie Peartree and adapted by Kiera Wright-Ruiz in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipes, Kiera wrote, "There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It’s adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can’t find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."
Total Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling; Yield:8 to 10 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020515-southern-macaroni-and-cheese. Also, check out Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese."
While you're at it, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.
BASIC ROLLS
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
This recipe makes about 30 rolls.
Ingredients
1 package FLEISCHMANN's Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs, beaten
5 to 5 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour, divided
Directions
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in small bowl; stir to dissolve. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes, or until foamy.
Heat milk in a saucepan until lukewarm; do not boil. Add butter, sugar and milk; mix well.
Combine milk mixture, yeast mixture and eggs in large bowl of electric mixer fitted with dough hook. Add 2 cups of the flour; mix with dough hook until blended. Add 2 cups flour and mix until blended. Add 1 cup flour and mix on medium speed 2 minutes.
Remove dough from mixing bowl and place on a floured surface. Knead, adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed to form a smooth, elastic dough. Place dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
Punch down dough. Knead 2 minutes to work out air bubbles. Let dough rest 10 minutes. Shape dough into desired rolls. (For shape variations, visit Tips & Techniques.) Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise about 30 minutes, or until doubled.
When dough is nearly finished rising, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake rolls 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
CHICKLESS POT PIE
This comes from country star Trisha Yearwood, who also has her own show on The Food Network (called Trisha's Southern Kitchen). The recipe starts off, “Trisha Yearwood's vegetarian take on chicken pot pie is just as decadent without the meat. Although the luscious vegetable filling with peas, carrots and potatoes could be a meal on its own, wrapping it in premade pie dough seals in flavor with a crispy crust.” Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 25 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 50 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: easy
Read more online at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/chickless-pot-pie-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1 cup small diced potatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup butter substitute, such as Earth Balance
1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1-3/4 cups vegetable broth
2/3 cup almond milk
Two 9-inch unbaked pie crusts, lard free
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a jelly-roll pan or baking sheet with foil to place the pie on before cooking; it will keep any filling from dripping into the oven and burning.
In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots, peas, potatoes and celery. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter substitute until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, celery seed and garlic powder. Cook for 2 minutes to get the flour taste out. Slowly stir in the broth and then add the milk. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the drained vegetables.
Roll out one of the unbaked crusts to a 13-inch diameter and place in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Pour the mixture into the bottom crust. Roll out the second pie crust and place on top. Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. If the top of the pie becomes too dark, loosely cover with foil and continue cooking. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
MAPLE SRIRACHA ROASTED VEGETABLES
This is from Kikkoman.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/recipes/maple-sriracha-roasted-vegetables/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Kikkoman® Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
2 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup red onion, coarsely chopped
For Serving
1/2 teaspoon flaky salt
Directionos
Preheat oven to 400ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir together oil, maple syrup and sriracha. Add brussels sprouts, carrots and red onion. Mix well to coat.
Spread vegetables evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
Serve hot topped with flaky sea salt.
MEXICAN PASTA
This is from allrecipes, and was submitted by someone named Mimi. The recipe begins, "Mexican pasta is a great vegetarian dish with a kick!"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/21518/mexican-pasta/.
Ingredients
1/2 pound seashell pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes
1/4 cup salsa
cup sliced black olives
1-1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook onions and bell pepper in oil until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Stir in corn and heat through. Stir in black beans, tomatoes, salsa, olives, seasoning mix, and salt and pepper and cook until thoroughly heated, about 5 minutes.
Toss sauce with cooked pasta and serve.
In the meantime, we still need to eat. Here are siz yummy vegetarian recipes to get the week started off just right, including Southern Macaroni and Cheese and Chickless Pot Pie. Enjoy!
THREE SISTERS CASSEROLE
This was in the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 61. It 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."
Serves 6.
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.
SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Millie Peartree and adapted by Kiera Wright-Ruiz in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipes, Kiera wrote, "There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It’s adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can’t find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."
Total Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling; Yield:8 to 10 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020515-southern-macaroni-and-cheese. Also, check out Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese."
While you're at it, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.
BASIC ROLLS
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
This recipe makes about 30 rolls.
Ingredients
1 package FLEISCHMANN's Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs, beaten
5 to 5 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour, divided
Directions
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in small bowl; stir to dissolve. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes, or until foamy.
Heat milk in a saucepan until lukewarm; do not boil. Add butter, sugar and milk; mix well.
Combine milk mixture, yeast mixture and eggs in large bowl of electric mixer fitted with dough hook. Add 2 cups of the flour; mix with dough hook until blended. Add 2 cups flour and mix until blended. Add 1 cup flour and mix on medium speed 2 minutes.
Remove dough from mixing bowl and place on a floured surface. Knead, adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed to form a smooth, elastic dough. Place dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
Punch down dough. Knead 2 minutes to work out air bubbles. Let dough rest 10 minutes. Shape dough into desired rolls. (For shape variations, visit Tips & Techniques.) Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise about 30 minutes, or until doubled.
When dough is nearly finished rising, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake rolls 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
CHICKLESS POT PIE
This comes from country star Trisha Yearwood, who also has her own show on The Food Network (called Trisha's Southern Kitchen). The recipe starts off, “Trisha Yearwood's vegetarian take on chicken pot pie is just as decadent without the meat. Although the luscious vegetable filling with peas, carrots and potatoes could be a meal on its own, wrapping it in premade pie dough seals in flavor with a crispy crust.” Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 25 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 50 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: easy
Read more online at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/chickless-pot-pie-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1 cup small diced potatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup butter substitute, such as Earth Balance
1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1-3/4 cups vegetable broth
2/3 cup almond milk
Two 9-inch unbaked pie crusts, lard free
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a jelly-roll pan or baking sheet with foil to place the pie on before cooking; it will keep any filling from dripping into the oven and burning.
In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots, peas, potatoes and celery. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter substitute until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, celery seed and garlic powder. Cook for 2 minutes to get the flour taste out. Slowly stir in the broth and then add the milk. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the drained vegetables.
Roll out one of the unbaked crusts to a 13-inch diameter and place in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Pour the mixture into the bottom crust. Roll out the second pie crust and place on top. Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. If the top of the pie becomes too dark, loosely cover with foil and continue cooking. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
MAPLE SRIRACHA ROASTED VEGETABLES
This is from Kikkoman.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/recipes/maple-sriracha-roasted-vegetables/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Kikkoman® Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
2 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup red onion, coarsely chopped
For Serving
1/2 teaspoon flaky salt
Directionos
Preheat oven to 400ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir together oil, maple syrup and sriracha. Add brussels sprouts, carrots and red onion. Mix well to coat.
Spread vegetables evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
Serve hot topped with flaky sea salt.
MEXICAN PASTA
This is from allrecipes, and was submitted by someone named Mimi. The recipe begins, "Mexican pasta is a great vegetarian dish with a kick!"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/21518/mexican-pasta/.
Ingredients
1/2 pound seashell pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes
1/4 cup salsa
cup sliced black olives
1-1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook onions and bell pepper in oil until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Stir in corn and heat through. Stir in black beans, tomatoes, salsa, olives, seasoning mix, and salt and pepper and cook until thoroughly heated, about 5 minutes.
Toss sauce with cooked pasta and serve.
Friday, February 20, 2026
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Fettuccine with Asparagus and Katharine Hepburn's Brownies. Enjoy!
STUFFED SHELLS I
This is from SallyJun at AllRecipes. SallyJun wrote, "Jumbo macaroni shells stuffed with cheese mixture, covered with sauce, and baked."
Prep: 25 m; Cook: 25 m; Ready In: 50 m
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
4 cups large curd cottage cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 pinch garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook shells according to package directions. Place in cold water to stop cooking. Drain.
Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder. Rub the dried herbs in the palms of your hands to pulverize them, and stir into the cheese mixture. Stuff mixture into the shells.
Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan. Place shells open side up, and close together in pan. Spread remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
LEMON ICEBOX PIE III
This is from Heather Simpson on AllRecipes. The recipe begins, "A family favorite when a no-bake, fast pie is needed. (And family members too small to use the oven can make dessert!) Very pretty when garnished with whipped cream and mint leaves.”
This recipe makes 8 servings and can be found online here.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS
This comes from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Pierre wrote, “Finding a 30-minute dish that's elegant enough for a dinner party is no simple task, but this warm-weather pasta is one to fit the bill. It is gleefully easy to put together. Just toss slices of blanched asparagus with a tangle of cooked fettuccine slicked with butter. Shower with grated Parmesan and serve.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.
Not sure how to cook asparagus? Read ”How to Cook Asparagus”, David Tanis’s guide to cooking this wonderful vegetable. (David Tanis writes The New York Times’s City Kitchen column. Many of his recipes are posted in the Times’s cooking e-newsletter.)
To view Pierre Franey’s Fettuccine with Asparagus recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
6 fresh asparagus spears, about 1/2 pound
10 ounces fresh fettuccine or 3/4 pound dried fettuccine
2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Cut off tough ends of asparagus spears. Cut each on the bias into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups. Rinse well and drain.
Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook about 2 minutes. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Drop the fettuccine into salted boiling water. Let cook to desired degree of doneness (cooking time will range from about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for fresh pasta to 9 minutes or more for dried). Reserve 2 tablespoons cooking water. Drain the pasta.
Heat the butter in the pot in which the pasta was cooked. Add the asparagus pieces and the fettuccine. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of cooking water and basil. Toss to blend. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese on the side.
LASAGNA ROLL-UPS
This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “These tender lasagna rolls are filled with a ricotta-mushroom-pesto mixture, and baked in a special sauce made by combining Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce and Pace® Picante Sauce.”
Serves: 4 servings (2 roll-ups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 can (about 4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto sauce
8 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained
2 cups Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce or Tomato, Basil & Garlic Italian Sauce
3/4 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
Directions
Stir the ricotta, mushrooms and pesto in a medium bowl. Top each noodle with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Spread to the edges. Roll up like a jelly roll. Place the rolls seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
Stir the Italian sauce and picante sauce in a small bowl and pour the mixture over the roll-ups.
Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until they're hot and bubbling. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.
STUFFED SHELLS I
This is from SallyJun at AllRecipes. SallyJun wrote, "Jumbo macaroni shells stuffed with cheese mixture, covered with sauce, and baked."
Prep: 25 m; Cook: 25 m; Ready In: 50 m
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
4 cups large curd cottage cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 pinch garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook shells according to package directions. Place in cold water to stop cooking. Drain.
Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder. Rub the dried herbs in the palms of your hands to pulverize them, and stir into the cheese mixture. Stuff mixture into the shells.
Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan. Place shells open side up, and close together in pan. Spread remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
LEMON ICEBOX PIE III
This is from Heather Simpson on AllRecipes. The recipe begins, "A family favorite when a no-bake, fast pie is needed. (And family members too small to use the oven can make dessert!) Very pretty when garnished with whipped cream and mint leaves.”
This recipe makes 8 servings and can be found online here.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS
This comes from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Pierre wrote, “Finding a 30-minute dish that's elegant enough for a dinner party is no simple task, but this warm-weather pasta is one to fit the bill. It is gleefully easy to put together. Just toss slices of blanched asparagus with a tangle of cooked fettuccine slicked with butter. Shower with grated Parmesan and serve.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.
Not sure how to cook asparagus? Read ”How to Cook Asparagus”, David Tanis’s guide to cooking this wonderful vegetable. (David Tanis writes The New York Times’s City Kitchen column. Many of his recipes are posted in the Times’s cooking e-newsletter.)
To view Pierre Franey’s Fettuccine with Asparagus recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
6 fresh asparagus spears, about 1/2 pound
10 ounces fresh fettuccine or 3/4 pound dried fettuccine
2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Cut off tough ends of asparagus spears. Cut each on the bias into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups. Rinse well and drain.
Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook about 2 minutes. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Drop the fettuccine into salted boiling water. Let cook to desired degree of doneness (cooking time will range from about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for fresh pasta to 9 minutes or more for dried). Reserve 2 tablespoons cooking water. Drain the pasta.
Heat the butter in the pot in which the pasta was cooked. Add the asparagus pieces and the fettuccine. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of cooking water and basil. Toss to blend. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese on the side.
LASAGNA ROLL-UPS
This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “These tender lasagna rolls are filled with a ricotta-mushroom-pesto mixture, and baked in a special sauce made by combining Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce and Pace® Picante Sauce.”
Serves: 4 servings (2 roll-ups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 can (about 4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto sauce
8 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained
2 cups Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce or Tomato, Basil & Garlic Italian Sauce
3/4 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
Directions
Stir the ricotta, mushrooms and pesto in a medium bowl. Top each noodle with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Spread to the edges. Roll up like a jelly roll. Place the rolls seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
Stir the Italian sauce and picante sauce in a small bowl and pour the mixture over the roll-ups.
Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until they're hot and bubbling. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese sems to be one of those iconic comfort foods that many of us crave froom time to time. To that end, here are six mac and cheese recipes to help you through the day, incluuding my Grandma’s Mac And Cheese and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese. Enjoy!
SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE
This yumminess is from Kardea Brown on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 8 to 10 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/super-decadent-mac-and-cheese-9831363.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded
1-1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I had been looking for a really simple but good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and this fits the bill. My daughter and granddaughter had come over on my granddaughter's birthday; while they were here, my daughter whipped up this recipe. She'd been making it for quite a while. It was a definite hit with everyone in the house.
Ingredients
1 box (16 ounce) cannelloni pasta (see Note)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: Just about any tubular pasta can be used in this recipe, though it seems to work best with something bigger than elbow macaroni. Some of the better substitutes for the cannelloni would be ziti, penne, rigatoni, or elicoidali - though elbow macaroni can be used if that's what's on hand (or your preference).
Directions
Turn oven on to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. If the package gives you a bracket – say, 12 – 14 minutes – lean toward the lower time, since you don't want the pasta to be too mushy. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter on low heat, then add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Remove from heat and add macaroni, stirring it into mixture. Add the shredded cheese, and stir in completely.
Pour mixture into a 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove carefully, as it will be hot. (You knew that, right?) Dig in.
This makes 4 – 5 servings.
Photo: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, on the left in the blue dish, and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese, on right, in orange casserole dish (from Avon)
BENECOL MACARONI AND CHEESE
For several years, there was a magazine dedicated to walking, titled Walking Magazine. It had many good articles, tips and recipes for those of us who feel a little more comfortable race-walking than running. Unfortunately, the magazine folded several years ago. This recipe was in it during its final year. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. small shell style macaroni
4 Tbs. Benecol
3 Tbs. all purpose flour
3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1-1/2 C 2% milk, warmed
few drops Tabasco Sauce
1-pint nonfat cottage (or ricotta) cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C flavored bread crumbs
1 Tbs. olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-9 inch pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook shells according to package directions, strain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
To prepare sauce, melt Benecol in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Quickly whisk in flour, add onions, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour milk into flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add Tabasco Sauce and cook an additional minute. Whisk in cheese and salt, and blend in shells; transfer mixture to prepared pan.
In small bowl, mix oil and bread crumbs together; spoon over top of macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Per Serving: 510 calories; 27.2% calories from fat; 3G saturated fat; 65G carbohydrates; 12MG cholesterol; 612MG sodium; 2G fiber
GRANDMA'S MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from my e-cookbook, titled Off the Wall Cooking, found on Amazon.com.
Both of my grandmas were characters; I could write a book about either one. This is my dad's mom's version of the ultimate comfort food. She told me she made this for my dad and my uncle when they were kids. Very simple, but very good.
Ingredients
1 lb. elbow macaroni
1 – 2 jars of Cheese Whiz
Directions
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Heat Cheese Whiz, either in microwave or boiling water. (Remove lids from jars first.) Drain macaroni, dump into a large bowl, add heated Cheese Whiz, stir, and PIG OUT!!!
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Eric wrote, "This macaroni and cheese recipe, inspired by Stouffer’s, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that’s slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don’t soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness."
Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "The Platonic Ideal of Macaroni and Cheese", and can be viewed online at https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/dining/baked-macaroni-cheese-recipe-homemade.html.
Another link to check out is for Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese." While you're at it, you might want to sign up Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Great recipes, helpful guides, etc. I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
Salt
1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5-1/4 cups)
8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of ground cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
Step 4
Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
MAC AND CHEESE
This recipe is from Ina Garten and was posted on the Food Network. Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE
This yumminess is from Kardea Brown on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 8 to 10 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/super-decadent-mac-and-cheese-9831363.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded
1-1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.
Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I had been looking for a really simple but good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and this fits the bill. My daughter and granddaughter had come over on my granddaughter's birthday; while they were here, my daughter whipped up this recipe. She'd been making it for quite a while. It was a definite hit with everyone in the house.
Ingredients
1 box (16 ounce) cannelloni pasta (see Note)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: Just about any tubular pasta can be used in this recipe, though it seems to work best with something bigger than elbow macaroni. Some of the better substitutes for the cannelloni would be ziti, penne, rigatoni, or elicoidali - though elbow macaroni can be used if that's what's on hand (or your preference).
Directions
Turn oven on to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. If the package gives you a bracket – say, 12 – 14 minutes – lean toward the lower time, since you don't want the pasta to be too mushy. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter on low heat, then add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Remove from heat and add macaroni, stirring it into mixture. Add the shredded cheese, and stir in completely.
Pour mixture into a 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove carefully, as it will be hot. (You knew that, right?) Dig in.
This makes 4 – 5 servings.
Photo: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, on the left in the blue dish, and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese, on right, in orange casserole dish (from Avon)
BENECOL MACARONI AND CHEESE
For several years, there was a magazine dedicated to walking, titled Walking Magazine. It had many good articles, tips and recipes for those of us who feel a little more comfortable race-walking than running. Unfortunately, the magazine folded several years ago. This recipe was in it during its final year. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. small shell style macaroni
4 Tbs. Benecol
3 Tbs. all purpose flour
3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1-1/2 C 2% milk, warmed
few drops Tabasco Sauce
1-pint nonfat cottage (or ricotta) cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C flavored bread crumbs
1 Tbs. olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-9 inch pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook shells according to package directions, strain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
To prepare sauce, melt Benecol in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Quickly whisk in flour, add onions, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour milk into flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add Tabasco Sauce and cook an additional minute. Whisk in cheese and salt, and blend in shells; transfer mixture to prepared pan.
In small bowl, mix oil and bread crumbs together; spoon over top of macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Per Serving: 510 calories; 27.2% calories from fat; 3G saturated fat; 65G carbohydrates; 12MG cholesterol; 612MG sodium; 2G fiber
GRANDMA'S MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from my e-cookbook, titled Off the Wall Cooking, found on Amazon.com.
Both of my grandmas were characters; I could write a book about either one. This is my dad's mom's version of the ultimate comfort food. She told me she made this for my dad and my uncle when they were kids. Very simple, but very good.
Ingredients
1 lb. elbow macaroni
1 – 2 jars of Cheese Whiz
Directions
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Heat Cheese Whiz, either in microwave or boiling water. (Remove lids from jars first.) Drain macaroni, dump into a large bowl, add heated Cheese Whiz, stir, and PIG OUT!!!
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Eric wrote, "This macaroni and cheese recipe, inspired by Stouffer’s, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that’s slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don’t soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness."
Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "The Platonic Ideal of Macaroni and Cheese", and can be viewed online at https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/dining/baked-macaroni-cheese-recipe-homemade.html.
Another link to check out is for Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese." While you're at it, you might want to sign up Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Great recipes, helpful guides, etc. I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
Salt
1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5-1/4 cups)
8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of ground cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
Step 4
Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
MAC AND CHEESE
This recipe is from Ina Garten and was posted on the Food Network. Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
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