Wednesday Recipes - Also known as Hump Day

We're half-way through the work week...otherwise known as Hump Day. (Mike, Mike, Mike!)

Once you've gotten that smile, check out today's recipes, including Spicy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili and Maple Monkey Bread. Enjoy!

LIMONADA (BRAZILIAN LEMONADE)

This is from Gabriella Lewis in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Gabriella wrote, "Creamy, frosty and tart, this popular Brazilian drink is a fantastic refreshment for a hot day. In Brazil, it’s also known as limonada Suíça, which translates to Swiss lemonade, because it typically includes sweetened condensed milk, which was marketed by the Swiss company Nestlé in Brazil in the 1940s. Sweetened condensed milk is essential to Brazilian sweets, including desserts like brigadeiros. A shelf-stable dairy product that doesn’t curdle in the presence of acid, it gets blended here with limes, sugar, ice and water to make this tangy beverage creamy. Limonada Suíça always includes condensed milk, but limonada sometimes leaves it out. And even though it’s called lemonade, it often uses limes since the word limão is often used interchangeably for lemons and limes in Portuguese. Pulsing the entire lime into this drink adds an extra layer of brightness and depth from the rind. This drink takes only minutes to blend and is best served immediately, but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days."

Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024120-limonada-brazilian-lemonade.

Ingredients

4 limes, scrubbed and washed, plus wedges or wheels for serving

1/3 cup granulated sugar

Half of a 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

4 cups cold water

4 cups ice, plus more for serving

Preparation

Cut off and discard the tips of the limes, then cut the limes in quarters.

Working in batches if your blender is smaller, pulse limes, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, water and ice in a blender 5 to 8 times until the ingredients are just combined. You’re looking to extract flavor from the limes, but not to pulverize them, which can make the drink too bitter. Pieces of lime rind may still be visible.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher or bowl with a spout. Use the back of a spoon to push out as much liquid as possible; discard the solids.

Divide among tall, ice-filled glasses, garnish with lime wedges and serve immediately. (You can also pour it into bottles and refrigerate for up to 3 days, shaking before serving.)

BRIGADEIROS

This is from Natalia Pereira and adapted by Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Tejal wrote, "The Brazilian sweets known as brigadeiros are a classic treat at birthday parties and family get-togethers, where the fudgy, chocolate-milk caramels are often rolled in sprinkles. The chef Natalia Pereira of Woodspoon in Los Angeles also makes more grownup, bittersweet brigadeiros by rolling them in cocoa powder or shredded coconut. Try her recipe, which she learned from her mother in Minas Gerais, Brazil, using either canned condensed milk or a homemade version. Either way, the candies will be tender and delicious."

Time: 1-1/2 hours, plus cooking; Yield: About 24 pieces

This was featured in "A Brazilian Treat for Home Cooks in a Hurry", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021918-brigadeiros.

Ingredients

For the Sweetened Condensed Milk (optional)

5 cups whole milk

1 cup granulated sugar

For the Brigadeiros

2 teaspoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing your hands

1-3/4 cups homemade sweetened condensed milk or 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

5 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted

Pinch of flaky sea salt

1 cup chocolate or rainbow sprinkles

Preparation

Step 1

If using store-bought condensed milk, skip to Step 2. If making the sweetened condensed milk from scratch, add the milk and sugar to a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping the sides and bottom of the pan with a spatula, for about 30 to 40 minutes. When the milk reduces to about 1-3/4 cups, thickens to a syrup texture and turns slightly yellow, it is ready.

Step 2

Prepare the brigadeiros: Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over low heat. Add the condensed milk, cocoa powder and salt, and whisk until no trace of cocoa remains, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Turn the heat up to medium, and use a heatproof spatula to stir the mixture constantly until it becomes thick and shiny and pulls away from the bottom of the pan as a mass when you drag the spatula across it, about 7 minutes. If you’re not sure the mixture is ready, take 1/2 teaspoon of it and run it under cold water. When it’s cool enough to touch, squish it with your fingers — it should be the texture of a soft and fudgy caramel.

Step 4

Scrape all of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper, and let it cool down until it’s easy to handle, about 30 minutes. Lightly butter your hands, and use them to shape a scant tablespoon of the mixture into a ball or rough cube, then roll it in the sprinkles. Place each one on a paper wrapper, if you like. The brigadeiros will keep in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 1 month. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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

SPICY SLOW COOKER VEGETARIAN CHILI

This is from WW (formerly Weight Watchers), and begins, "This super-flavorful vegetarian chili is ready to cook in just 20 minutes. The rest of the work is done by the slow cooker so you can move on with your day. Full of wonderful veggies, this chili packs a bit of heat from the poblano peppers and chipotle chili powder. If you want to dial it down, use green bell peppers instead of the poblano. A rich tomato base and filling beans makes each bowl hearty enough for the staunchest meat-lover to embrace. Toss the ingredients together at night and start the slow cooker on your way to work in the morning. When you arrive home, dinner is ready!"

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes; Serves: 6; Difficulty: Easy; 1 point

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

29 oz. canned diced tomatoes, fire-roasted with garlic

3 Tbsp Canned tomato paste

1 Tbsp Olive oil

1 Tbsp chili powder, regular-variety

1/2 tsp chili powder, chipotle-variety

1 tsp ground cumin

2 large uncooked zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch dice (about 4 cups)

2 cups frozen corn kernels

15 oz. canned black beans, rinsed and drained

15 oz. canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 medium poblano chile, seeded and diced (about 1-3/4 cups)

3/4 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped

1/2 cup water, or up to 1 cup if needed

3/4 tsp table salt, or to taste

Directions

In a 4-quart or larger slow cooker, combine tomatoes, tomato paste, oil, both types of chili powder and cumin. Add zucchini, corn, both types of beans and poblanos; stir to mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW setting until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours.

Stir in cilantro and enough water to desired consistency; season with salt.

Yields about 1-1/2 cups per serving.

Notes

Serve topped with reduced-fat sour cream, if desired.

SHEET-PAN SWEET POTATO FIJITAS

This is from Eating Well, and begins, "These vegetarian sheet-pan sweet potato fajitas are mild and tender with a little bit of char from the broiler. The colorful toppings add freshness and texture."

Active Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7955526/sheet-pan-sweet-potato-fajitas/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 (10-ounce) sweet potatoes, peeled, halved crosswise, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick sticks

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

1 large poblano pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips

1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 (5 inch) corn tortillas, warmed

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

1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes

1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves

6 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco

1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

Place a large rimmed baking sheet on middle oven rack; preheat to 475°F. Combine oil, chili powder, garlic powder and cumin in a large bowl and whisk to mix. Add sweet potatoes and toss to fully coat. Carefully spread the sweet potatoes in an even layer on the hot baking sheet, reserving any remaining oil and spices in the bowl. Bake until the sweet potatoes begin to brown on the bottom and are just fork-tender but not soft, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, add onion, poblano and bell pepper to the bowl with the reserved oil and spices; toss to coat. Move the sweet potatoes to one half of the baking sheet and add the onion mixture in an even layer to the other half. Bake until the sweet potatoes are tender and the peppers and onions are just tender, about 10 minutes. Switch oven to broil on high; broil until the peppers and sweet potatoes begin to char, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt. Divide the vegetable mixture among tortillas; top evenly with avocado, radishes, cilantro and queso fresco. Serve with lime wedges.

MAPLE MONKEY BREAD

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).

Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN'S RapidRise Yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1 cup maple syrup

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat milk, water and 5 tablespoons butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); stir into dry ingredients. Stir in eggs and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cover; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 32 pieces and roll into balls. Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter; dip balls of dough in butter. In bottom of greased 10-inch tube pan with non-removable bottom, evenly layer 1/3 cup syrup, 1/2 cup walnuts and 16 balls. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 1/3 cup syrup. Cover and let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 40 minutes, or follow CoolRise Method (below).

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done; cover with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent excess browning. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert onto serving plate.

CoolRise Method:

Shape loaf as directed. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 to 24 hours. To bake, remove from refrigerator, uncover dough and let stand 10 minutes at room temperature. Bake and cool as directed.