While Salads are great any time of the year, they seem especially wonderfull during the summer. To that end, here are six yummy salad recipes to help you through the day, including a Fantastic Fruit Salad and Rhubarb and Citrus Salad with Black Pepper Vinaigrette. Enjoy!
NO-COOK CHILI BEAN SALAD
This is from Hetty Lui McKinnon in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Hetty wrote, "All the usual suspects found in a vegetarian bean chili appear in this salad — canned beans, tomato, bell pepper, red onion and spices — but there’s no cooking-with-heat required. The tomatoes are salted to tenderize and coax out their sweet, umami juices. Cumin, coriander, smoked paprika and dried oregano inject smoky earthiness and complexity. While black and pinto beans are used here, it is absolutely viable to use whatever beans you have on hand for this pantry-friendly recipe. Best of all, the salad can be dressed up with the usual chili toppings such as avocado, sour cream and cheese. Eat as is, or with tortillas or corn chips on the side."
Cook Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026926-no-cook-chili-bean-salad. Also, be sure to sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 pound tomatoes, roughly chopped into 1-inch chunks
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed
1 bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 to 1 jalapeño, chopped
Handful chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, or more as needed
1 lime, quartered
Any combination of corn chips, tortillas, sour cream, avocado and cheese (such as Cheddar, crumbled feta or queso blanco), for serving
Preparation
Place the tomatoes, red onion, garlic, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl and toss to combine. Leave to marinate for 5 to 10 minutes. Using your hands, squeeze the tomatoes to crush them roughly, extracting juice and softening them.
To the tomatoes, add both types of beans, the bell pepper, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, oregano, jalapeño, cilantro and 1/4 cup olive oil; toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper and more olive oil, if you like.
Divide the salad among four serving bowls. Serve with lime wedges on the side, and top with desired toppings.
FANTASTIC FRUIT SALAD
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “This refreshing fruit salad is delicious to the core, and if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, this will surely do the trick! No matter how you slice it, you're sure to be satisfied with healthy treat.”
Makes 4 servings.
View this online at https://www.mydailymoment.com/recipes/fantastic_fruit_salad.php.
Ingredients
1 red apple, cored and chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
1 nectarine, pitted and sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8 oz.) container, nonfat lemon yogurt
Directions
In a large bowl, combine red apple, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, celery, dried cranberries, and walnuts. Mix in yogurt. Chill until ready to serve.
TEXAS POTATO SALAD
This is from Derrick Riches, a former writer for The Spruce Eats. Derrick wrote, “If you haven't tried a Texas-style potato salad, you're missing out. Think German potato salad meets traditional potato salad with a touch of Southwestern flair. A must try at your next cookout!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 18 minutes; Total Time: 38 minutes; Yield: serves 4-6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Pickled Jalapeños:
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 large jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped)
For the Potatoes:
8 medium poatoes (Yukon gold, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks)
For the Salad Dressing:
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sea salt (more if needed)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse ground)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or chipotle chili powder)
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons pickling juice
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Assembly:
2 stalks celery (washed and diced)
2 green onions (green part only, washed and chopped)
1/4 cup cilantro (leaves, washed and chopped)
2 eggs (hard-boiled, cut into medium chunks)
Directions
Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this potato salad dish is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.
Make the Pickled Jalapeños:
Gather the ingredients.
In a small glass or plastic bowl, add rice wine vinegar, mustard seed, salt, and diced jalapeño. You can use serrano peppers if you prefer.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.
Make the Potatoes:
Gather the ingredients.
Bring 8 cups of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon salt to water as it begins to bubble.
Peel and cut Yukon potatoes into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to pot and boil for 15-18 minutes. Potatoes are done when easily pierced by a fork. Make sure they are still firm and not mushy.
Once potatoes are cooked through, drain and add to an ice bath (a large bowl with cold water and 1 cup of ice), for several minutes. This halts the cooking process and cools the potatoes.
Make the Dressing
Gather the ingredients.
Add mustard, mayonnaise, salt, sugar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, vinegar, pickling juice, chili powder, and garlic powder to bowl.
Combine and taste for salt content. Remember that potatoes tend to need a little more salt, so add 1/2 teaspoon more if necessary.
Assemble the Potatoes
Gather the ingredients.
Drain potatoes from ice bath.
Add to bowl along with celery pickled jalapeños, cilantro, egg, and green onions.
Using large spoon, gently combine with salad dressing.
Scoop potato salad into serving dish, top with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
PUTTANESCA CHICKPEA-TOMATO SALAD
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "This recipe turns tomato salad into a meal by marrying creamy beans with some of the briny, salty ingredients found in pasta puttanesca, like tomatoes, capers, olives and garlic. While Parmesan isn’t traditional to puttanesca, coarsely chopped pebbles of it add bursts of umami to this salad. Feel free to omit the cheese for a vegan dish, or embellish the mix with fresh or dried chile, tinned fish or more vegetables. This recipe is not only adaptable but also improves as it sits: The tomato juices mingle with the oil, olives and capers — and the beans drink it all up."
Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023396-puttanesca-chickpea-tomato-salad. While you're there, sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already.
Also, check out Melissa Clark's helpful guide "How to Cook Beans". Even if you've been cooking beans for a while, you're bound to find some useful info.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes of any size, cut into 1- or 2-bite pieces
3 cups cooked, rinsed chickpeas, white beans or a mix (homemade or from two 15-ounce cans)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley leaves and stems
1-1/2 ounces Parmesan, coarsely chopped or crumbled (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup kalamata olives, torn in half and pitted
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus more to taste
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
Kosher salt
Preparation
In a large bowl, stir together the tomatoes, chickpeas, parsley, Parmesan, olive oil, olives, capers, lemon juice and garlic. Season lightly with salt and stir once more. Let sit for 10 minutes or up to 2 hours at room temperature.
Before serving, taste and add more salt and lemon juice until it tastes bright. The balance is largely dependent on your tomatoes. (This salad keeps for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
RHUBARB AND CITRUS SALAD WITH BLACK PEPPER VINAIGRETTE
This is from the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. This recipe begins, "In just 15 minutes, throw together this refreshing spring side."
Total Time: 15 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
3 stalks rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1-in. pieces
1/4 c. olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
2 Cara Cara oranges
3 oz. baby spinach (about 4 c.)
2 bunches watercress, thick stems removed
1/4 c. toasted pistachios, chopped
1 oz. ricotta salata, shaved
Directions
In small bowl, whisk together honey and vinegar. Add rhubarb and toss to coat. Let stand at least 5 minutes and up to 10 minutes, then add olive oil, 1/2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper.
Meanwhile, cut away peel and white pith from oranges, then thinly slice.
In large bowl, toss spinach and watercress; fold in orange slices and divide among plates. Spoon rhubarb and dressing over each salad and top with pistachios and ricotta salata.
SPINACH SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS AND DRIED FRUIT
This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 38). It begins, "This celebratory salad is packed with complementary sweet, sour, earthy, and savory flavors. For color, choose a mixture of beets, such as golden and Chioggia (candy cane), in addition to the usual red." Makes 8 servings. Great for holiday meal
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/spinach-salad-with-roasted-beets-and-dried-fruit/.
Ingredients
1 lb. beets, scrubbed and trimmed
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/3 cup dried goji berries
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. olive oil
10 oz. baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup dried cranberries (apple-juice sweetened)
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°F. Wrap beets individually in foil, and place on baking sheet. Roast 1 hour, or until tender. Cool.
Meanwhile, pour orange juice over goji berries in small bowl. Soak goji berries 1 hour, or until plump and softened.
When beets are cool enough to handle, rub off skins using paper towel, then cut beets into thin slices.
Strain goji berries into small, clean bowl, and reserve juice. Whisk together 2 Tbs. reserved juice with mustard, vinegar, and oil in separate bowl.
Toss spinach with dressing in large bowl, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Sprinkle with goji berries, beets, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Hungarian Cabbage with Noodles and Home-Style Gingerbread. Enjoy!
VEGETARIAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletterr. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegetarian-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Directions
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary.
HOME-STYLE GINGERBREAD
This was originally from about.com, which has changed to dotdash.com. I've checked around, and can't locate this recipe on any of their channels; if anyone happens to find it there, please let me know!
This recipe began, “This wonderful ginger and cinnamon-scented cake is sure to bring a smile to your face, and it's the perfect dessert for a cold winter weekend. Top this warm gingerbread with a generous dollop of fresh sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.”
Ingredients
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup molasses
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Grease & flour 9-inch square baking pan or spray with baking spray with flour. Heat oven to 325°. Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl; beat on low speed of electric mixer until ingredients are combined. Scrape sides of the bowl & increase mixer speed to medium; beat for about 3 minutes longer. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cut into squares and serve with freshly whipped cream. To serve leftover gingerbread, warm slightly in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds.
This gingerbread freezes well: cut into squares and wrap individually. Thaw & warm in the microwave just before serving.
HUNGARIAN CABBAGE WITH NOODLES
This recipe is from Barbara Rolek on The Spruce Eats. Barbara wrote, “This Hungarian comfort-food dish known as kaposztás tészta is a simple recipe to make, consisting of cabbage, onion, butter, egg noodles, salt, and pepper.
“Cabbage with noodles is a popular and easy dish common throughout Eastern Europe. In Poland, it's called kapusta z kluski orhałuski, in the Czech Republic, it's known as nudle s zelí, and Slovaks call it haluski (without the accent on the "L" as in Polish).
“This can be a strictly vegetarian dish, sometimes with added sautéed mushrooms, or can be enhanced with bacon or other smoked meat, and it makes a terrific side dish or main-course offering that holds up well on a buffet table. If this recipe doesn't tickle your fancy, there are many more Eastern European cabbage recipes to choose from.
Total: 50 mins; Prep: 20 mins; Cook: 30 mins; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 large head cabbage (cored and shredded)
1 large onion (chopped)
8 ounces butter (2 sticks)
Salt (to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 pound medium Hungarian egg noodles (homemade or store-bought, cooked)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, sauté cabbage and onion in butter until golden brown and tender.
Season with salt and pepper.
Mix with cooked egg noodles. Adjust seasonings and rewarm if necessary to serve piping hot.
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Add 1 cup sliced button, cremini or other mushrooms to the skillet with the cabbage and onion, and cook until they are all golden brown and tender.
Before serving, add 1 cup cooked, crumbled or diced bacon to the cabbage, onion, and noodles mixture.
After mixing the cabbage and onion with the noodles, add 1 cup chopped ham combining well and rewarm to serve hot.
More Hungarian Noodle Recipes
Basic Hungarian Noodle Dough Recipe: This egg dough can be transformed into thin noodles, wide noodles and everything in between.
Tarhonya or Grated Egg Noodles Recipe: These noodles are made by grating chunks of noodle dough instead of rolling and cutting. They are dried and used in soups or browned in butter as a side dish.
More About Hungarian Noodles
Hungarian egg noodles, known as Magyar tojasos teszta (MAHG-yahr toy-YAH-shohss TESS-tah) or metelt (MEH-telt), come in a staggering number of varieties, rivaled possibly only by Italian pasta.
Hungarians roll them, cut them, pinch them, grate them, and drop them. There's a noodle for every dish and a dish for every noodle.
Teszta is actually the Hungarian word for "dough" and metelt means "noodles," but they are used interchangeably.
When the word tojasos is added, we're talking about egg noodles, the pride of Hungarian cuisine. They are made with three simple ingredients—flour, eggs, and salt—and, in some kitchens, not even any salt.
No water or oil is added to authentic Hungarian noodle recipes because many cooks feel the addition of water creates longer drying times and increases the potential for the noodles to mold when stored.
FROZEN BERRY-BANANA CREAM POPS
This is from the Mayo Clinic. To view this recipe online, go to http://diet.mayoclinic.org/diet/recipe/frozen-berry-banana-cream-pops.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups plain, fat-free yogurt
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries)
1 large banana, sliced
6 paper cups, 5-oz. to 9-oz. size
Aluminum foil
Wooden Popsicle® sticks
Instructions
Place yogurt, fruit (slightly thaw frozen fruit first) and banana in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Divide mixture evenly into paper cups.
Cover each paper cup with foil. Make a slit in the center of the foil covers and insert one Popsicle stick in each cup.
Place in freezer for 3 to 4 hours or until frozen solid.
Peel off paper cup and serve.
Serves 6.
VEGETARIAN MUSHROOM SHAWARMA PITAS
This comes from Alexa Weibel at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alexa wrote, “Dusted with smoky spices like cumin, coriander and paprika, these thick-cut roasted portobello mushrooms are inspired by shawarma, Middle Eastern spiced lamb — and they taste surprisingly meaty. The flavors are bold, but the prep is simple: While the mushrooms and onions roast, make an easy turmeric and Greek yogurt sauce, and toss sliced red cabbage with salt. Pile everything into a pita with a flurry of cilantro and mint to freshen things up (parsley or salad greens would also do the job in a pinch). While these hearty pitas are best enjoyed with a knife and fork as open-faced sandwiches, they can also be folded into half-moon parcels and eaten out of hand.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.
To view this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020291-vegetarian-mushroom-shawarma-pitas.
Ingredients
3/4 pound portobello mushroom caps, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 medium red onion, halved and cut into 1/3-inch wedges
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground sweet or smoked paprika (optional)
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 pitas
2 packed cups very thinly sliced red cabbage (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup low-fat or whole-milk Greek yogurt
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
Cilantro or mint, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a large rimmed sheet pan, drizzle the mushrooms and red onion with 3 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with cumin, coriander, paprika (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer and roast until tender and browned, about 20 minutes. Add the pitas directly to the oven rack to warm during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Meanwhile, toss cabbage with remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a medium bowl; toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, stir together yogurt and turmeric; season with salt and pepper.
To serve, slather yogurt over warm pitas. Top with cabbage, mushroom mixture and herbs, and serve immediately.
NO-KNEAD BRAN BREAD
Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).
This was one of the recipes on his show. Yield: 2 loaves
Ingredients
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup instant non-fat dry milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN'S RapidRise Yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup butter or margarine
2 cups all-bran or bran buds cereal*
1 egg, large
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
Directions
In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, dry milk, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water and butter until very warm (120 to 130F). Stir in all-bran cereal; let stand about 2 minutes or until cereal is softened. Stir into dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg and 1/2 cup flour. Beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Turn into 2 (8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch) greased loaf pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 375F for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans. Brush tops of loaves with melted butter, if desired. Cool on wire racks.
Note:
* 4 cups 40% bran flakes may be substituted
VEGETARIAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletterr. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegetarian-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Directions
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary.
HOME-STYLE GINGERBREAD
This was originally from about.com, which has changed to dotdash.com. I've checked around, and can't locate this recipe on any of their channels; if anyone happens to find it there, please let me know!
This recipe began, “This wonderful ginger and cinnamon-scented cake is sure to bring a smile to your face, and it's the perfect dessert for a cold winter weekend. Top this warm gingerbread with a generous dollop of fresh sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.”
Ingredients
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup molasses
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Grease & flour 9-inch square baking pan or spray with baking spray with flour. Heat oven to 325°. Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl; beat on low speed of electric mixer until ingredients are combined. Scrape sides of the bowl & increase mixer speed to medium; beat for about 3 minutes longer. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cut into squares and serve with freshly whipped cream. To serve leftover gingerbread, warm slightly in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds.
This gingerbread freezes well: cut into squares and wrap individually. Thaw & warm in the microwave just before serving.
HUNGARIAN CABBAGE WITH NOODLES
This recipe is from Barbara Rolek on The Spruce Eats. Barbara wrote, “This Hungarian comfort-food dish known as kaposztás tészta is a simple recipe to make, consisting of cabbage, onion, butter, egg noodles, salt, and pepper.
“Cabbage with noodles is a popular and easy dish common throughout Eastern Europe. In Poland, it's called kapusta z kluski or
“This can be a strictly vegetarian dish, sometimes with added sautéed mushrooms, or can be enhanced with bacon or other smoked meat, and it makes a terrific side dish or main-course offering that holds up well on a buffet table. If this recipe doesn't tickle your fancy, there are many more Eastern European cabbage recipes to choose from.
Total: 50 mins; Prep: 20 mins; Cook: 30 mins; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 large head cabbage (cored and shredded)
1 large onion (chopped)
8 ounces butter (2 sticks)
Salt (to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 pound medium Hungarian egg noodles (homemade or store-bought, cooked)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, sauté cabbage and onion in butter until golden brown and tender.
Season with salt and pepper.
Mix with cooked egg noodles. Adjust seasonings and rewarm if necessary to serve piping hot.
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Add 1 cup sliced button, cremini or other mushrooms to the skillet with the cabbage and onion, and cook until they are all golden brown and tender.
Before serving, add 1 cup cooked, crumbled or diced bacon to the cabbage, onion, and noodles mixture.
After mixing the cabbage and onion with the noodles, add 1 cup chopped ham combining well and rewarm to serve hot.
More Hungarian Noodle Recipes
Basic Hungarian Noodle Dough Recipe: This egg dough can be transformed into thin noodles, wide noodles and everything in between.
Tarhonya or Grated Egg Noodles Recipe: These noodles are made by grating chunks of noodle dough instead of rolling and cutting. They are dried and used in soups or browned in butter as a side dish.
More About Hungarian Noodles
Hungarian egg noodles, known as Magyar tojasos teszta (MAHG-yahr toy-YAH-shohss TESS-tah) or metelt (MEH-telt), come in a staggering number of varieties, rivaled possibly only by Italian pasta.
Hungarians roll them, cut them, pinch them, grate them, and drop them. There's a noodle for every dish and a dish for every noodle.
Teszta is actually the Hungarian word for "dough" and metelt means "noodles," but they are used interchangeably.
When the word tojasos is added, we're talking about egg noodles, the pride of Hungarian cuisine. They are made with three simple ingredients—flour, eggs, and salt—and, in some kitchens, not even any salt.
No water or oil is added to authentic Hungarian noodle recipes because many cooks feel the addition of water creates longer drying times and increases the potential for the noodles to mold when stored.
FROZEN BERRY-BANANA CREAM POPS
This is from the Mayo Clinic. To view this recipe online, go to http://diet.mayoclinic.org/diet/recipe/frozen-berry-banana-cream-pops.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups plain, fat-free yogurt
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries)
1 large banana, sliced
6 paper cups, 5-oz. to 9-oz. size
Aluminum foil
Wooden Popsicle® sticks
Instructions
Place yogurt, fruit (slightly thaw frozen fruit first) and banana in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Divide mixture evenly into paper cups.
Cover each paper cup with foil. Make a slit in the center of the foil covers and insert one Popsicle stick in each cup.
Place in freezer for 3 to 4 hours or until frozen solid.
Peel off paper cup and serve.
Serves 6.
VEGETARIAN MUSHROOM SHAWARMA PITAS
This comes from Alexa Weibel at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alexa wrote, “Dusted with smoky spices like cumin, coriander and paprika, these thick-cut roasted portobello mushrooms are inspired by shawarma, Middle Eastern spiced lamb — and they taste surprisingly meaty. The flavors are bold, but the prep is simple: While the mushrooms and onions roast, make an easy turmeric and Greek yogurt sauce, and toss sliced red cabbage with salt. Pile everything into a pita with a flurry of cilantro and mint to freshen things up (parsley or salad greens would also do the job in a pinch). While these hearty pitas are best enjoyed with a knife and fork as open-faced sandwiches, they can also be folded into half-moon parcels and eaten out of hand.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.
To view this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020291-vegetarian-mushroom-shawarma-pitas.
Ingredients
3/4 pound portobello mushroom caps, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 medium red onion, halved and cut into 1/3-inch wedges
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground sweet or smoked paprika (optional)
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 pitas
2 packed cups very thinly sliced red cabbage (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup low-fat or whole-milk Greek yogurt
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
Cilantro or mint, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a large rimmed sheet pan, drizzle the mushrooms and red onion with 3 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with cumin, coriander, paprika (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer and roast until tender and browned, about 20 minutes. Add the pitas directly to the oven rack to warm during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Meanwhile, toss cabbage with remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a medium bowl; toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, stir together yogurt and turmeric; season with salt and pepper.
To serve, slather yogurt over warm pitas. Top with cabbage, mushroom mixture and herbs, and serve immediately.
NO-KNEAD BRAN BREAD
Years ago, Fr. Dominic Garramone (AKA the Bread Monk had a show on PBS. I'm sure I'm not the only person who got hooked on his show. Unfortunately, it went off the air years ago. But his cook books are still in circulation, and you can always go to his website (above).
This was one of the recipes on his show. Yield: 2 loaves
Ingredients
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup instant non-fat dry milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN'S RapidRise Yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup butter or margarine
2 cups all-bran or bran buds cereal*
1 egg, large
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
Directions
In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, dry milk, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water and butter until very warm (120 to 130F). Stir in all-bran cereal; let stand about 2 minutes or until cereal is softened. Stir into dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg and 1/2 cup flour. Beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Turn into 2 (8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch) greased loaf pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 375F for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans. Brush tops of loaves with melted butter, if desired. Cool on wire racks.
Note:
* 4 cups 40% bran flakes may be substituted
Taco Tuesday
It's Taco Tuesday. Here are six vegetarian tacos to help you through the day, including Jamaican Curried Tempeh Tacos and Grilled Portabella & Poblano Tacos. Enjoy!
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.
VEGGIE TACOS WITH AVOCADO TOMATILLO SALSA
This is from Jeanine and Jack at Love & Lemons. This wonderful recipe begins, “I know – another taco recipe already? Well, I like tacos. I’m sure you do too because you are here after all. In all honesty, these were originally going to become enchiladas until I stopped short. Which is why they’re in a baking pan. Plus, it was a convenient way to get floppy tacos to stand up for the photo.”
Prep time: 10 mins; Cook time: 30 mins; Total time: 40 mins; Serves: serves 2-3
To view this recipe (with yummy photos and interesting chatter online, click here.
Ingredients
1 small Japanese eggplant, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped summer squash (yellow, pattypan, or zucchini)
1 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
6 corn or flour tortillas
1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 avocado, diced
handful of cilantro
1 serrano pepper, sliced (optional)
crumbled cotija cheese (optional)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Tomatillo Sauce:
1/3 cup store-bought or homemade tomatillo salsa
1/4 cup pepitas
1/2 avocado
handful of spinach
2 tbsp olive oil
squeezes of lime, to taste
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chopped eggplant, squash, red pepper and tomatoes onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper and roast until golden brown around the edges 25-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make your sauce. In a food processor, blend together the tomatillo salsa, pepitas, avocado, spinach, olive oil, lime juice and pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble the tacos with the black beans, roasted vegetables, diced avocado, cilantro, serrano, cotija (if using), and a generous scoop of the avocado tomatillo sauce. Serve with extra sauce on the side.
Store extra sauce in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Notes
Vegan: skip the cotija cheese
Gluten free: use corn tortillas
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
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.
GRILLED PORTABELLA AND POBLANO TACOS
This is from Food.com. Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pico de Gallo
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 finely minced garlic clove
1 pinch salt
2 teaspoons lime juice
Grilled Portabella Filling
4 medium portabella mushrooms or 1 lb portabella mushroom
1 small red onion, cut into thick slices
1 teaspoon canola oil
salt and pepper
1 whole poblano chile
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lime juice
1⁄2 teaspoon dried chipotle powder
Assembly and Toppings
8 small corn tortillas, warmed
guacamole
fresh cilantro stem
lime wedge
monterey jack cheese (Shredded) or cheddar cheese (Shredded)
Directions
Preheat a lightly oiled grill on medium-high heat.
While the grill is heating up, prepare the pico de gallo. In a small mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, salt and lime juice. Set aside.
Next, prepare the grilled portabella filling. Remove the stems from the portabellas, and discard. Using a spoon, scrape out the dark gills from the underside of the mushroom caps.
Lightly brush the portabellas and the onions on both sides with canola oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
Arrange the mushrooms, onion, and poblano on the hot grill, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until the mushrooms are softened and the onion is lightly charred. Remove from heat and transfer to a cutting board.
Remove the stem and seeds from the poblano, and discard. Cut the poblano and the portabellas into thin strips, and roughly chop the onion. Transfer to a mixing bowl and toss with lime juice and chipotle powder until well coated.
To assemble, arrange 2 tortillas per plate, and divide the mushroom filling evenly between them. Serve with pico de gallo and bowls of the different toppings so that everyone can garnish their tacos as they please.
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot.” Yield: Makes 4 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cottage or feta cheese, optional
Instructions:
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 362; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 74 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 904 mg; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 9 g
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 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.
VEGGIE TACOS WITH AVOCADO TOMATILLO SALSA
This is from Jeanine and Jack at Love & Lemons. This wonderful recipe begins, “I know – another taco recipe already? Well, I like tacos. I’m sure you do too because you are here after all. In all honesty, these were originally going to become enchiladas until I stopped short. Which is why they’re in a baking pan. Plus, it was a convenient way to get floppy tacos to stand up for the photo.”
Prep time: 10 mins; Cook time: 30 mins; Total time: 40 mins; Serves: serves 2-3
To view this recipe (with yummy photos and interesting chatter online, click here.
Ingredients
1 small Japanese eggplant, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped summer squash (yellow, pattypan, or zucchini)
1 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
6 corn or flour tortillas
1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 avocado, diced
handful of cilantro
1 serrano pepper, sliced (optional)
crumbled cotija cheese (optional)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Tomatillo Sauce:
1/3 cup store-bought or homemade tomatillo salsa
1/4 cup pepitas
1/2 avocado
handful of spinach
2 tbsp olive oil
squeezes of lime, to taste
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chopped eggplant, squash, red pepper and tomatoes onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper and roast until golden brown around the edges 25-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make your sauce. In a food processor, blend together the tomatillo salsa, pepitas, avocado, spinach, olive oil, lime juice and pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble the tacos with the black beans, roasted vegetables, diced avocado, cilantro, serrano, cotija (if using), and a generous scoop of the avocado tomatillo sauce. Serve with extra sauce on the side.
Store extra sauce in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Notes
Vegan: skip the cotija cheese
Gluten free: use corn tortillas
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
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.
GRILLED PORTABELLA AND POBLANO TACOS
This is from Food.com. Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pico de Gallo
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 finely minced garlic clove
1 pinch salt
2 teaspoons lime juice
Grilled Portabella Filling
4 medium portabella mushrooms or 1 lb portabella mushroom
1 small red onion, cut into thick slices
1 teaspoon canola oil
salt and pepper
1 whole poblano chile
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lime juice
1⁄2 teaspoon dried chipotle powder
Assembly and Toppings
8 small corn tortillas, warmed
guacamole
fresh cilantro stem
lime wedge
monterey jack cheese (Shredded) or cheddar cheese (Shredded)
Directions
Preheat a lightly oiled grill on medium-high heat.
While the grill is heating up, prepare the pico de gallo. In a small mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, salt and lime juice. Set aside.
Next, prepare the grilled portabella filling. Remove the stems from the portabellas, and discard. Using a spoon, scrape out the dark gills from the underside of the mushroom caps.
Lightly brush the portabellas and the onions on both sides with canola oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
Arrange the mushrooms, onion, and poblano on the hot grill, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until the mushrooms are softened and the onion is lightly charred. Remove from heat and transfer to a cutting board.
Remove the stem and seeds from the poblano, and discard. Cut the poblano and the portabellas into thin strips, and roughly chop the onion. Transfer to a mixing bowl and toss with lime juice and chipotle powder until well coated.
To assemble, arrange 2 tortillas per plate, and divide the mushroom filling evenly between them. Serve with pico de gallo and bowls of the different toppings so that everyone can garnish their tacos as they please.
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot.” Yield: Makes 4 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cottage or feta cheese, optional
Instructions:
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 362; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 74 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 904 mg; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 9 g
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
Monday, July 28, 2025
Monday Recipes
It's Monday, time to get the work week started. Here are six vegetarian recipes, including Vegetarian Skillet Chili and White Bean Enchiladas. Enjoy!
BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CREAMY BEANS
This is from Laurel Randolph at Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Laurel wrote, "All I want once winter arrives is cozy. A cozy cup of hot tea, a cozy blanket, a cozy mystery. This applies to food, too. I just want comforting, warming dishes that I can feel from my mouth to my toes—soups, stews, roasts, and the like. The only problem? These dishes tend to take time to cook and develop their flavors.
"And while I’m in a cozy state of mind during the winter months, I’m also busy. While slowly cooking a pot roast all day can be a nice activity, I’m not always free to indulge in that much lazy kitchen time. That got me searching for a dish that still feels comforting, filling, and warming without the time commitment."
Makes 2 to 3 servings
To view this online, as well as read the rest of what Laurel wrote, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/broccoli-cheddar-creamy-beans-recipe-8762050.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 (10 to 12-ounce) bag frozen chopped broccoli or broccoli cuts
4 ounces (1 packed cup) grated sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Place a medium pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds.
Add the beans and broth and bring to a simmer. Mash about 1/4 of the beans using a masher or wooden spoon. Add the broccoli, stir, and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring a few times, until the beans and broccoli are tender, 3 to 6 minutes (chopped broccoli will take less time, and broccoli cuts will take longer).
Remove the lid and turn the heat to low. Add half of the cheese, stirring until it melts. Add the remaining cheese and stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with a sprinkle of extra cheese.
Easy Upgrades
I love the simplicity of this dish, but it’s easy to amp up the flavors a bit without adding time spent. I’ll often add a teaspoon or two of white miso to give the beans more umami flavor—in fact, I tend to add miso to all of my beans. Just be sure to taste before adding any salt since miso is salty. My husband tends to add hot sauce, which is a solid move.
For cheesier beans, use more cheese (duh) or swap for extra sharp cheddar. I also like to add a teaspoon or two of nutritional yeast, which adds a delicious nacho-esque flavor.
SUMMER PARTY SALAD
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "We all love having several easy salad recipes to make during the summer, but this salad, is not only easy. It's gorgeous! Plus, whether you use it as an appetizer with pita chips, or as a side dish for the main course, everyone is going to love our Summer Party Salad! It's full of vibrant colors, and so much yummy flavor that no matter how you serve this up, it's going to disappear nearly as quickly as it took to throw together."
Serve: 12; Makes: 12 cups; Chill Time: 1 hour
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Misc-Salads/Summer-Party-Salad.
Ingredients
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons lime juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallion
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.
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.
VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Melissa wrote, "If you keep canned beans, tomatoes, onion and garlic in your pantry, you can make this dish on any weeknight without having to shop. The pickled onions aren’t strictly necessary, but they are simple to make and add a welcome tangy contrast to the beans. Pickled peppers are a fine substitute. If you have a bell pepper or jalapeño or two, chop them up and sauté them with the onions. And if you want to be fancy, grate the zest off the lime before juicing for the pickles, and stir it into the sour cream."
Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "5 Easy Meals for the Distracted Cook," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017704-vegetarian-skillet-chili. Also, be sure to sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
For the Pickled Onions
1 lime
1 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced
Large pinch of kosher salt
Small pinch of granulated sugar
For the Chili
Olive or grapeseed oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, or to taste, minced
1 teaspoon chile powder, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano, plus more to taste
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
Kosher salt
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Make the pickled onions: Squeeze lime juice into a bowl, and add onion, salt and sugar. Let rest while you make the chili.
Prepare the chili: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the oil. When hot, add onion and sauté until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic, chile powder and oregano and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add beans and tomatoes and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the tomatoes break down, about 20 minutes.
Taste and add more salt, chile powder and/or oregano to taste. Serve with the pickled onions and any of the garnishes you like.
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.
WHITE BEAN ENCHILADAS
This comes from MyRecipes (originally from the November 2000 issue of Cooking Light, and begins, "The reader loves experimenting in the kitchen, and is always on the lookout for low-fat ideas. This reader once came across a lasagna recipe that called for white beans instead of cheese; that's what inspired this dish. These enchiladas are really easy to make, and you can put them together up to a day ahead. They reheat well in the microwave, too."
Makes 3 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas)
To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-enchiladas-0.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat Mexican blend or cheddar cheese, divided
2 tablespoons canned chopped green chiles
1 tablespoon sliced green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso), divided
1/4 cup water
6 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine the sour cream and beans in a food processor; process until almost smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese, chiles, onions, chopped cilantro, and cumin.
Combine 1/3 cup enchilada sauce and 1/4 cup water in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Dip one tortilla in the sauce mixture to soften; transfer to a plate. Spread 1/4 cup bean mixture down center of tortilla; roll up. Place roll, seam side down, in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas and bean mixture. Add remaining sauce to pan; cook 1 minute. Spoon over enchiladas; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with minced cilantro, if desired.
BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CREAMY BEANS
This is from Laurel Randolph at Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Laurel wrote, "All I want once winter arrives is cozy. A cozy cup of hot tea, a cozy blanket, a cozy mystery. This applies to food, too. I just want comforting, warming dishes that I can feel from my mouth to my toes—soups, stews, roasts, and the like. The only problem? These dishes tend to take time to cook and develop their flavors.
"And while I’m in a cozy state of mind during the winter months, I’m also busy. While slowly cooking a pot roast all day can be a nice activity, I’m not always free to indulge in that much lazy kitchen time. That got me searching for a dish that still feels comforting, filling, and warming without the time commitment."
Makes 2 to 3 servings
To view this online, as well as read the rest of what Laurel wrote, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/broccoli-cheddar-creamy-beans-recipe-8762050.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 (10 to 12-ounce) bag frozen chopped broccoli or broccoli cuts
4 ounces (1 packed cup) grated sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Place a medium pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds.
Add the beans and broth and bring to a simmer. Mash about 1/4 of the beans using a masher or wooden spoon. Add the broccoli, stir, and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring a few times, until the beans and broccoli are tender, 3 to 6 minutes (chopped broccoli will take less time, and broccoli cuts will take longer).
Remove the lid and turn the heat to low. Add half of the cheese, stirring until it melts. Add the remaining cheese and stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with a sprinkle of extra cheese.
Easy Upgrades
I love the simplicity of this dish, but it’s easy to amp up the flavors a bit without adding time spent. I’ll often add a teaspoon or two of white miso to give the beans more umami flavor—in fact, I tend to add miso to all of my beans. Just be sure to taste before adding any salt since miso is salty. My husband tends to add hot sauce, which is a solid move.
For cheesier beans, use more cheese (duh) or swap for extra sharp cheddar. I also like to add a teaspoon or two of nutritional yeast, which adds a delicious nacho-esque flavor.
SUMMER PARTY SALAD
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "We all love having several easy salad recipes to make during the summer, but this salad, is not only easy. It's gorgeous! Plus, whether you use it as an appetizer with pita chips, or as a side dish for the main course, everyone is going to love our Summer Party Salad! It's full of vibrant colors, and so much yummy flavor that no matter how you serve this up, it's going to disappear nearly as quickly as it took to throw together."
Serve: 12; Makes: 12 cups; Chill Time: 1 hour
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Misc-Salads/Summer-Party-Salad.
Ingredients
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons lime juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallion
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.
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.
VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Melissa wrote, "If you keep canned beans, tomatoes, onion and garlic in your pantry, you can make this dish on any weeknight without having to shop. The pickled onions aren’t strictly necessary, but they are simple to make and add a welcome tangy contrast to the beans. Pickled peppers are a fine substitute. If you have a bell pepper or jalapeño or two, chop them up and sauté them with the onions. And if you want to be fancy, grate the zest off the lime before juicing for the pickles, and stir it into the sour cream."
Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "5 Easy Meals for the Distracted Cook," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017704-vegetarian-skillet-chili. Also, be sure to sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
For the Pickled Onions
1 lime
1 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced
Large pinch of kosher salt
Small pinch of granulated sugar
For the Chili
Olive or grapeseed oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, or to taste, minced
1 teaspoon chile powder, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano, plus more to taste
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
Kosher salt
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Make the pickled onions: Squeeze lime juice into a bowl, and add onion, salt and sugar. Let rest while you make the chili.
Prepare the chili: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the oil. When hot, add onion and sauté until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic, chile powder and oregano and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add beans and tomatoes and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the tomatoes break down, about 20 minutes.
Taste and add more salt, chile powder and/or oregano to taste. Serve with the pickled onions and any of the garnishes you like.
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.
WHITE BEAN ENCHILADAS
This comes from MyRecipes (originally from the November 2000 issue of Cooking Light, and begins, "The reader loves experimenting in the kitchen, and is always on the lookout for low-fat ideas. This reader once came across a lasagna recipe that called for white beans instead of cheese; that's what inspired this dish. These enchiladas are really easy to make, and you can put them together up to a day ahead. They reheat well in the microwave, too."
Makes 3 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas)
To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-enchiladas-0.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat Mexican blend or cheddar cheese, divided
2 tablespoons canned chopped green chiles
1 tablespoon sliced green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso), divided
1/4 cup water
6 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine the sour cream and beans in a food processor; process until almost smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese, chiles, onions, chopped cilantro, and cumin.
Combine 1/3 cup enchilada sauce and 1/4 cup water in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Dip one tortilla in the sauce mixture to soften; transfer to a plate. Spread 1/4 cup bean mixture down center of tortilla; roll up. Place roll, seam side down, in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas and bean mixture. Add remaining sauce to pan; cook 1 minute. Spoon over enchiladas; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with minced cilantro, if desired.
Friday, July 25, 2025
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Two Bean Chili and Vegetarian Kofta Curry. Enjoy!
MASHED POTATOES WITH GARLIC AND BASIL
This is from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (Hint: If you haven't signed up for their enewsletter, I highly recommend it. You'll be able to access their yummy recipes, guides, and tips for cooking.)
Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "60-Minute Gourmet," and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4118-mashed-potatoes-with-garlic-and-basil.
Ingredients
6 to 8 medium Washington, Idaho or Yellow Gold potatoes
6 whole garlic cloves, peeled
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
1-1/4 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Freshly ground white pepper
Preparation
Peel the potatoes and cut them into 3/4-inch cubes. Place the pieces in saucepan and cover with water. Add the garlic and salt.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Do not overcook.
Drain. Discard garlic. Put the potatoes through a food mill or ricer, or mash them well with a potato masher.
Add the olive oil, and beat to blend. Add the warm milk, basil and pepper. Blend well. Serve piping hot.
SMOKED TOFU FARFALLE CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "Here's a new twist on old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole." Serves 6
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/smoked-tofu-farfalle-casserole/.
Ingredients
4 tsp. olive oil
1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 cups frozen baby peas
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
2 1/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
8 oz. farfalle pasta (bows)
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk
3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
3 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup)
6 oz. smoked tofu, diced
3 Tbs. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425F. Heat 1 tsp. oil in 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes. Stir in frozen peas, garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
Wipe out Dutch oven; fill with water, and bring to a boil. Add pasta, and cook about 4 minutes, or until just al dente. Drain and transfer to clean bowl. Drizzle with 2 tsp. olive oil, and toss to coat. Return Dutch oven to stove.
Heat 1 1/2 cups milk in Dutch oven over medium heat until almost simmering. Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup milk with flour in small bowl, then whisk into hot milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 2 minutes, or until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add pasta, bell pepper mixture and tofu, and stir to combine.
Mix breadcrumbs with remaining 1 tsp. oil in small bowl; sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered, 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve hot.
VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This recipe was posted by DWYATT on AllRecipes, and begins, "This was the first vegetarian recipe I ever made--green peppers stuffed with a mixture of brown rice, nuts, dried cranberries, tofu and cheese. Substitute soy cheese for the Parmesan to create a vegan delight."
Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 1 hour 10 minutes; Ready In: 1 hour 20 minutes
View this online here.
Note: If you're like me and don't have cooking sherry around, feel free to replace it with with alcohol-free cooking sherry (if there is such a thing) or 3 tablespoons of water. Personally, it's been decades since I've had cooking wine/sherry/etc in my house, as well as non-cooking (drinking) alcohol. When I want to celebrate, say at New Year's, etc., I've found that there are plenty of non-alcoholic sparkling juices on the market.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups brown rice
6 large green bell peppers
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons cooking sherry
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups extra firm tofu
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a saucepan bring 3 cups water to a boil. Stir in rice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, core and seed green peppers, leaving bottoms intact. Place peppers in a microwavable dish with about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom. Microwave on high for 6 minutes.
In a small frying pan bring soy sauce, wine and Worcestershire sauce to a simmer. Add tofu and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Combine rice (after it has cooled), tofu, cranberries, nuts, cheese, salt and pepper; mix and pack firmly into peppers. Return peppers to the dish you first microwaved them in, and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine tomato sauce and brown sugar; heat until hot throughout. Spoon sauce over each serving.
TWO BEAN CHILI
Yield: Makes about 7 cups (7 servings)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/509.shtml
Ingredients
2 onions, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons canola, corn, or olive oil
One 14-15 ounce can stewed tomatoes with juice
1 can or bottle beer (12 ounces)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or 1 tablespoon hot salsa or picante sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
One 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 large green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
Direction
Saute the onions and garlic in oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with their liquid, the beer, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, and salt (if desired).
Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Stir in the beans and green pepper; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes longer.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 173; Protein: 9 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 32 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 2 Vegetable
VEGETARIAN KOFTA CURRY
This yumminess is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Tejal wrote, "Kofta curry — a saucy dish of gently spiced meatballs — is often made with meat. But this one, based on my grandfather’s, swaps in a mash of beans. Bound with bread crumbs and seasoned with ginger, garlic, green chile and herbs, it’s a variation full of flavor and texture. Have it with some flatbread and some sliced cucumber in yogurt, or spooned over a bowl of rice. It’s also delicious in a sandwich the next day."
Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "I Think of My Grandfather Every Time I Make Kofta", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021415-vegetarian-kofta-curry.
Note: Seriously, you might want to click the link above to the article. I found it to be interesting. Thanks for the good read, Tejal.
Ingredients
4 garlic cloves
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
2 green chiles (such as jalapeño or serrano), stems removed
1 (14-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 spring onions or scallions, trimmed and chopped
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, 1 tablespoon reserved for garnish
1 bunch fresh mint, chopped, 1 tablespoon reserved for garnish
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1 teaspoon garam masala, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon red chile powder
1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more as needed
1/2 cup neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
8 to 10 ripe Roma tomatoes (about 3 pounds) or 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Black pepper
Preparation
Put the garlic, ginger and green chiles in a food processor, and pulse until you have a coarse paste. Put half the paste into a large bowl. Set the rest aside.
Add the beans, spring onions, fresh herbs, bread crumbs, egg, garam masala, chile powder and salt to the large bowl with the paste. Mix well with a fork, mashing up the beans as you go into small pieces.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on the pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil, and bake until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium. Sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining garlic, ginger and chile paste, and sauté until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. If using fresh tomatoes, purée them until smooth in the food processor. Stir the tomato purée or crushed tomatoes, coriander and cumin into the skillet, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the kofta to the skillet, and turn the heat to low. If necessary, add enough water for the liquid to come about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the meatballs, then simmer another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kofta are warmed through and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with a light dust of garam masala and some extra herbs.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Vicki Shata Retelny, RDN, at VeryWellFit. She wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Servings: 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/vegetarian-spinach-lasagna-4144632.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
MASHED POTATOES WITH GARLIC AND BASIL
This is from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (Hint: If you haven't signed up for their enewsletter, I highly recommend it. You'll be able to access their yummy recipes, guides, and tips for cooking.)
Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "60-Minute Gourmet," and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4118-mashed-potatoes-with-garlic-and-basil.
Ingredients
6 to 8 medium Washington, Idaho or Yellow Gold potatoes
6 whole garlic cloves, peeled
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
1-1/4 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Freshly ground white pepper
Preparation
Peel the potatoes and cut them into 3/4-inch cubes. Place the pieces in saucepan and cover with water. Add the garlic and salt.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Do not overcook.
Drain. Discard garlic. Put the potatoes through a food mill or ricer, or mash them well with a potato masher.
Add the olive oil, and beat to blend. Add the warm milk, basil and pepper. Blend well. Serve piping hot.
SMOKED TOFU FARFALLE CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "Here's a new twist on old-fashioned tuna noodle casserole." Serves 6
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/smoked-tofu-farfalle-casserole/.
Ingredients
4 tsp. olive oil
1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 cups frozen baby peas
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
2 1/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
8 oz. farfalle pasta (bows)
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk
3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
3 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup)
6 oz. smoked tofu, diced
3 Tbs. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425F. Heat 1 tsp. oil in 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes. Stir in frozen peas, garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes more. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
Wipe out Dutch oven; fill with water, and bring to a boil. Add pasta, and cook about 4 minutes, or until just al dente. Drain and transfer to clean bowl. Drizzle with 2 tsp. olive oil, and toss to coat. Return Dutch oven to stove.
Heat 1 1/2 cups milk in Dutch oven over medium heat until almost simmering. Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup milk with flour in small bowl, then whisk into hot milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 2 minutes, or until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add pasta, bell pepper mixture and tofu, and stir to combine.
Mix breadcrumbs with remaining 1 tsp. oil in small bowl; sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered, 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve hot.
VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This recipe was posted by DWYATT on AllRecipes, and begins, "This was the first vegetarian recipe I ever made--green peppers stuffed with a mixture of brown rice, nuts, dried cranberries, tofu and cheese. Substitute soy cheese for the Parmesan to create a vegan delight."
Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 1 hour 10 minutes; Ready In: 1 hour 20 minutes
View this online here.
Note: If you're like me and don't have cooking sherry around, feel free to replace it with with alcohol-free cooking sherry (if there is such a thing) or 3 tablespoons of water. Personally, it's been decades since I've had cooking wine/sherry/etc in my house, as well as non-cooking (drinking) alcohol. When I want to celebrate, say at New Year's, etc., I've found that there are plenty of non-alcoholic sparkling juices on the market.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups brown rice
6 large green bell peppers
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons cooking sherry
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups extra firm tofu
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a saucepan bring 3 cups water to a boil. Stir in rice. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, core and seed green peppers, leaving bottoms intact. Place peppers in a microwavable dish with about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom. Microwave on high for 6 minutes.
In a small frying pan bring soy sauce, wine and Worcestershire sauce to a simmer. Add tofu and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Combine rice (after it has cooled), tofu, cranberries, nuts, cheese, salt and pepper; mix and pack firmly into peppers. Return peppers to the dish you first microwaved them in, and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine tomato sauce and brown sugar; heat until hot throughout. Spoon sauce over each serving.
TWO BEAN CHILI
Yield: Makes about 7 cups (7 servings)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/509.shtml
Ingredients
2 onions, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons canola, corn, or olive oil
One 14-15 ounce can stewed tomatoes with juice
1 can or bottle beer (12 ounces)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or 1 tablespoon hot salsa or picante sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
One 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 large green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
Direction
Saute the onions and garlic in oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with their liquid, the beer, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, and salt (if desired).
Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Stir in the beans and green pepper; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes longer.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 173; Protein: 9 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 32 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 2 Vegetable
VEGETARIAN KOFTA CURRY
This yumminess is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Tejal wrote, "Kofta curry — a saucy dish of gently spiced meatballs — is often made with meat. But this one, based on my grandfather’s, swaps in a mash of beans. Bound with bread crumbs and seasoned with ginger, garlic, green chile and herbs, it’s a variation full of flavor and texture. Have it with some flatbread and some sliced cucumber in yogurt, or spooned over a bowl of rice. It’s also delicious in a sandwich the next day."
Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "I Think of My Grandfather Every Time I Make Kofta", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021415-vegetarian-kofta-curry.
Note: Seriously, you might want to click the link above to the article. I found it to be interesting. Thanks for the good read, Tejal.
Ingredients
4 garlic cloves
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
2 green chiles (such as jalapeño or serrano), stems removed
1 (14-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 spring onions or scallions, trimmed and chopped
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, 1 tablespoon reserved for garnish
1 bunch fresh mint, chopped, 1 tablespoon reserved for garnish
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1 teaspoon garam masala, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon red chile powder
1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more as needed
1/2 cup neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
8 to 10 ripe Roma tomatoes (about 3 pounds) or 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Black pepper
Preparation
Put the garlic, ginger and green chiles in a food processor, and pulse until you have a coarse paste. Put half the paste into a large bowl. Set the rest aside.
Add the beans, spring onions, fresh herbs, bread crumbs, egg, garam masala, chile powder and salt to the large bowl with the paste. Mix well with a fork, mashing up the beans as you go into small pieces.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on the pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil, and bake until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium. Sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining garlic, ginger and chile paste, and sauté until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. If using fresh tomatoes, purée them until smooth in the food processor. Stir the tomato purée or crushed tomatoes, coriander and cumin into the skillet, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the kofta to the skillet, and turn the heat to low. If necessary, add enough water for the liquid to come about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the meatballs, then simmer another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kofta are warmed through and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with a light dust of garam masala and some extra herbs.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Vicki Shata Retelny, RDN, at VeryWellFit. She wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Servings: 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/vegetarian-spinach-lasagna-4144632.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Breakfast
When I was a kid, two of my friends – siblings – lived next door. I'd frequently run over to their house about 30-seconds before my mom would want me to set the table for dinner. (I may have timed it that way on purpose...)
Thursday evenings at their house was usually reserved for breakfast-for-dinner night: their dad was going to get paid the next day, the parents would take the family grocery shopping, and it was time to get rid of the extra half-empty cereal boxes, toaster waffles, etc. So the kids would be sitting around the table with boxes of cereal, a carton of milk, just chowing down on breakfast-for-dinner.
"Why can't we have breakfast for dinner?" I'd ask Mom when I got home. (This was frequently asked with a slight whine, especially if Mom had cooked fried liver for dinner.)
But no such luck.
These days, it's a little more permissible to have breakfast for dinner. To that end, here are six breakfast recipes to try out for dinner – or for breakfast – including Parisian-style Sweet Crepes and a Chickpea and Cherry Frittata. Enjoy!
Mom and Dad
CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST
This yumminess is from Ina Garten on the Food Network.
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Inactive Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 8 large slices
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 extra-large eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon good honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large loaf challah or brioche bread
Unsalted butter
Vegetable oil
To serve:
Pure maple syrup
Good raspberry preserves (optional)
Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.
QATAYEF ASAFIRI (STUFFED SEMOLINA PANCAKES)
This is from Reem Kassis in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Reem wrote, "Qatayef are synonymous with Ramadan. It is during this month that bakeries start making the pastry for these stuffed pancakes, and the lines spill into the street as people wait their turn to buy them. Golden underneath and speckled with bubbles on top, qatayef are cooked only on one side. They can be large or small. The large ones are normally stuffed with nuts or cheese and folded over, then fried or baked, and drenched in sugar syrup. The small ones, called qatayef asafiri (or little bird qatayef), are stuffed with a creamy filling, only half closed, then dipped in pistachio and drizzled with thick, faintly floral sugar syrup. The batter is very simple; the key is to make sure it is the right consistency, like that of heavy cream."
Yield: About 30 pieces; Time: 45 minutes
This was featured in "The Dessert That Tastes Best One Month Out of Every Year", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023041-qatayef-asafiri-stuffed-semolina-pancakes.
Ingredients
For the Syrup:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination
For the Batter:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup fine semolina flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant or quick-rise yeast
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab (optional, see Tip)
1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water (optional)
For the Filling:
1 cup/8 ounces mascarpone
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination
1/4 cup/about 1 ounce finely ground unroasted, unsalted pistachios, preferably Turkish, for finishing
Preparation
Prepare the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool completely, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water.
Make the batter: Add 1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water to a blender or food processor. Add all the batter ingredients and process until smooth. The batter should be quite loose, similar to heavy cream in consistency. Set aside to rest for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Place the mascarpone, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water in a small bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to whip into stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cook the qatayef: Place a medium nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot. Mix the batter to ensure it is smooth, then pour separate 1-tablespoon portions of batter into the pan, fitting about 4 circles. Cook qatayef until the entire surface is covered in small bubbles and the center loses its sheen, about 30 to 45 seconds. (You might be able to cook off more at a time once you’ve determined the right temperature and consistency of the batter.) If the bubbles are large and sparse, then your batter is too thick; stir 1 tablespoon of water into the batter to thin. Qatayef cook only on one side; the base should be uniformly golden and the top covered in small bubbles. If the disks brown too quickly — or unevenly — underneath before the batter loses its sheen on top, lower the heat slightly.
Transfer each cooked qatayef to a large tray lined with a dish towel and cover with another dish towel while you cook the remaining batter.
Fill the qatayef: Fold each into a half-moon, bubble side on the inside, and pinch to seal the edges together halfway. Using a teaspoon or a piping bag, fill the opening with the cream, then dip the exposed cream filling into the ground pistachios.
Arrange the filled qatayef on a serving platter. These can be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for several hours until ready to serve. To serve, drizzle the cooled syrup over the qatayef and offer guests more syrup to add to their individual plates, if they choose.
Tip
Mahlab, the kernel found inside the pit of a cherry, adds a floral and nutty aroma to sweets and gives Arabic cheese its distinct flavor. It is available whole or ground from Middle Eastern grocery stores, but goes rancid quickly, so buy it whole and grind it as needed, storing the rest in the freezer until needed.
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
Ingredients
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Directions
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPANISH OMELET
POINTS® value | 5
Servings | 1
Preparation Time | 8 min
Cooking Time | 10 min
Ingredients
2-1/2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped (do not dry)
2 large egg(s)
2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp olive oil
Directions
In a medium saucepan, cook spinach with just the water that clings to it until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain well, squeezing out all liquid. Cool, then chop finely.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water.
In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil. Pour egg mixture into pan; reduce heat and cook until base is set and top is still a little creamy, about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle spinach over one half of eggs; fold omelet in half and cook until eggs are completely set, about 1 minute longer. Serve at once.
PARISIAN-STYLE SWEET CREPES
This is from the September, 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Cafés and brasseries in the French capital sell passersby sweet crêpes slathered in butter, jam, chestnut purée, and (VT favorite) Nutella. The experience is easy to re-create at home for breakfast, Sunday supper, or a snack.”
This recipe makes 8 servings, and can be found online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/parisian-style-sweet-crepes.
Ingredients
Crêpes
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup low-fat milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Fillings (optional)Nutella
peanut butter
butter
jam
chestnut purée
Preparation
Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt in bowl. Whisk in egg; mixture will be shaggy. Whisk in milk 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk in vanilla. Cover, and chill 30 minutes, or overnight.
Whisk 1/4 to 1/2 cup water into batter to thin. Lightly grease 9-inch nonstick skillet with canola oil. Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
Pour 1/4 cup batter into hot skillet, tilting pan to swirl batter so it coats bottom of pan. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until edges begin to brown and center is dry. Flip; cook 30 seconds to 1 minute more.
Transfer crêpe to plate, and repeat with remaining batter. To serve crêpes: Reheat 1 minute in lightly greased skillet. Spread with desired fillings, fold into quarters, and serve.
CHICKPEA AND CHERRY FRITTATA
This is from the February 2014 issue of Runner’s World. It begins, “All runners (not just diabetics) benefit from the abundant carbs, protein, and antioxidants in this tasty dish. ‘It's big and bold-flavored,’ says (Sam) Talbot,” a runner, surfer, and type 1 diabetic who “makes this dish for a hearty pick-me-up breakfast after a morning workout.” Serves 4 to 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 eggs, lightly whisked
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup chopped fresh cherries or 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup loosely packed, torn fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix the eggs, chickpeas, cherries, goat cheese, almond milk, thyme, agave nectar, and cream of tartar. In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes without stirring. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake till the eggs are puffed and set in the middle, about 20 minutes. Let the frittata cool for 5 to 10 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently work the frittata out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut the frittata into wedges and serve garnished with the mint. Serves four to six.
Nutrition Information: Calories Per Serving: 395; Carbs: 25 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 22 g; Fat: 22 g
Thursday evenings at their house was usually reserved for breakfast-for-dinner night: their dad was going to get paid the next day, the parents would take the family grocery shopping, and it was time to get rid of the extra half-empty cereal boxes, toaster waffles, etc. So the kids would be sitting around the table with boxes of cereal, a carton of milk, just chowing down on breakfast-for-dinner.
"Why can't we have breakfast for dinner?" I'd ask Mom when I got home. (This was frequently asked with a slight whine, especially if Mom had cooked fried liver for dinner.)
But no such luck.
These days, it's a little more permissible to have breakfast for dinner. To that end, here are six breakfast recipes to try out for dinner – or for breakfast – including Parisian-style Sweet Crepes and a Chickpea and Cherry Frittata. Enjoy!
Mom and Dad
CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST
This yumminess is from Ina Garten on the Food Network.
Prep Time: 10 minutes, Inactive Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 8 large slices
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 extra-large eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon good honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large loaf challah or brioche bread
Unsalted butter
Vegetable oil
To serve:
Pure maple syrup
Good raspberry preserves (optional)
Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.
QATAYEF ASAFIRI (STUFFED SEMOLINA PANCAKES)
This is from Reem Kassis in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Reem wrote, "Qatayef are synonymous with Ramadan. It is during this month that bakeries start making the pastry for these stuffed pancakes, and the lines spill into the street as people wait their turn to buy them. Golden underneath and speckled with bubbles on top, qatayef are cooked only on one side. They can be large or small. The large ones are normally stuffed with nuts or cheese and folded over, then fried or baked, and drenched in sugar syrup. The small ones, called qatayef asafiri (or little bird qatayef), are stuffed with a creamy filling, only half closed, then dipped in pistachio and drizzled with thick, faintly floral sugar syrup. The batter is very simple; the key is to make sure it is the right consistency, like that of heavy cream."
Yield: About 30 pieces; Time: 45 minutes
This was featured in "The Dessert That Tastes Best One Month Out of Every Year", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023041-qatayef-asafiri-stuffed-semolina-pancakes.
Ingredients
For the Syrup:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination
For the Batter:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup fine semolina flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant or quick-rise yeast
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab (optional, see Tip)
1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water (optional)
For the Filling:
1 cup/8 ounces mascarpone
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination
1/4 cup/about 1 ounce finely ground unroasted, unsalted pistachios, preferably Turkish, for finishing
Preparation
Prepare the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool completely, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water.
Make the batter: Add 1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water to a blender or food processor. Add all the batter ingredients and process until smooth. The batter should be quite loose, similar to heavy cream in consistency. Set aside to rest for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Place the mascarpone, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water in a small bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to whip into stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cook the qatayef: Place a medium nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot. Mix the batter to ensure it is smooth, then pour separate 1-tablespoon portions of batter into the pan, fitting about 4 circles. Cook qatayef until the entire surface is covered in small bubbles and the center loses its sheen, about 30 to 45 seconds. (You might be able to cook off more at a time once you’ve determined the right temperature and consistency of the batter.) If the bubbles are large and sparse, then your batter is too thick; stir 1 tablespoon of water into the batter to thin. Qatayef cook only on one side; the base should be uniformly golden and the top covered in small bubbles. If the disks brown too quickly — or unevenly — underneath before the batter loses its sheen on top, lower the heat slightly.
Transfer each cooked qatayef to a large tray lined with a dish towel and cover with another dish towel while you cook the remaining batter.
Fill the qatayef: Fold each into a half-moon, bubble side on the inside, and pinch to seal the edges together halfway. Using a teaspoon or a piping bag, fill the opening with the cream, then dip the exposed cream filling into the ground pistachios.
Arrange the filled qatayef on a serving platter. These can be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for several hours until ready to serve. To serve, drizzle the cooled syrup over the qatayef and offer guests more syrup to add to their individual plates, if they choose.
Tip
Mahlab, the kernel found inside the pit of a cherry, adds a floral and nutty aroma to sweets and gives Arabic cheese its distinct flavor. It is available whole or ground from Middle Eastern grocery stores, but goes rancid quickly, so buy it whole and grind it as needed, storing the rest in the freezer until needed.
PIRATE EGGS
When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.
The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.
Ingredients
1-2 eggs
1-2 pieces of bread
margarine for the pan
Directions
Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!
SPANISH OMELET
POINTS® value | 5
Servings | 1
Preparation Time | 8 min
Cooking Time | 10 min
Ingredients
2-1/2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped (do not dry)
2 large egg(s)
2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp olive oil
Directions
In a medium saucepan, cook spinach with just the water that clings to it until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain well, squeezing out all liquid. Cool, then chop finely.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water.
In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil. Pour egg mixture into pan; reduce heat and cook until base is set and top is still a little creamy, about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle spinach over one half of eggs; fold omelet in half and cook until eggs are completely set, about 1 minute longer. Serve at once.
PARISIAN-STYLE SWEET CREPES
This is from the September, 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Cafés and brasseries in the French capital sell passersby sweet crêpes slathered in butter, jam, chestnut purée, and (VT favorite) Nutella. The experience is easy to re-create at home for breakfast, Sunday supper, or a snack.”
This recipe makes 8 servings, and can be found online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/parisian-style-sweet-crepes.
Ingredients
Crêpes
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup low-fat milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Fillings (optional)Nutella
peanut butter
butter
jam
chestnut purée
Preparation
Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt in bowl. Whisk in egg; mixture will be shaggy. Whisk in milk 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk in vanilla. Cover, and chill 30 minutes, or overnight.
Whisk 1/4 to 1/2 cup water into batter to thin. Lightly grease 9-inch nonstick skillet with canola oil. Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
Pour 1/4 cup batter into hot skillet, tilting pan to swirl batter so it coats bottom of pan. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until edges begin to brown and center is dry. Flip; cook 30 seconds to 1 minute more.
Transfer crêpe to plate, and repeat with remaining batter. To serve crêpes: Reheat 1 minute in lightly greased skillet. Spread with desired fillings, fold into quarters, and serve.
CHICKPEA AND CHERRY FRITTATA
This is from the February 2014 issue of Runner’s World. It begins, “All runners (not just diabetics) benefit from the abundant carbs, protein, and antioxidants in this tasty dish. ‘It's big and bold-flavored,’ says (Sam) Talbot,” a runner, surfer, and type 1 diabetic who “makes this dish for a hearty pick-me-up breakfast after a morning workout.” Serves 4 to 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 eggs, lightly whisked
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup chopped fresh cherries or 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup loosely packed, torn fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix the eggs, chickpeas, cherries, goat cheese, almond milk, thyme, agave nectar, and cream of tartar. In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes without stirring. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake till the eggs are puffed and set in the middle, about 20 minutes. Let the frittata cool for 5 to 10 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently work the frittata out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut the frittata into wedges and serve garnished with the mint. Serves four to six.
Nutrition Information: Calories Per Serving: 395; Carbs: 25 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 22 g; Fat: 22 g
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Drinks
Many of us get into a rut when it comes to Drinks; there's always coffee, tea, soda, milk, water...But there are so many ways to mix up our drinks, as today's post shows. Check out the Ginger Tea, the London Fog, and the rest of today's interesting (and yummy) drinks. Enjoy!
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
This is from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Martha wrote, "This will taste like a strawberry shake if you use a banana that is truly ripe. Frozen strawberries will lend it a shake-like texture."
Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: One 16-ounce or two 8-ounce servings
This was featured in "Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012542-strawberry-smoothie. 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
1 medium-size or large, ripe banana
1 heaped cup fresh or frozen hulled strawberries
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 to 3 ice cubes
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
Tip
Advance preparation: Smoothies should be made and drunk right away. This will thicken and lose flavor if it sits.
STRAWBERRY LASSI
This is from Zaynab Issa in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Zaynab wrote, "Strawberry lassi is a popular variation of lassi, the yogurt-based blended beverage with origins in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. This refreshing drink is made with frozen strawberries instead of ice to add flavor while keeping it cool. Sugar is the traditional sweetener in lassi, but the maple syrup here adds a subtle earthiness and dissolves quickly while blending. South Asian dahi (yogurt) is ideal for achieving the drink’s characteristic tart creaminess, but plain whole-milk yogurt will also work well. (Greek yogurt and skyr can be too thick for lassi.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "Nothing Quenches Thirst Like a Lassi," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026600-strawberry-lassi. 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
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt, preferably South Asian dahi
2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup, depending on desired sweetness
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal
4 green cardamom pods, cracked open, seeds only (see Tip)
1-1/2 cups/about 8 ounces frozen whole strawberries
Preparation
Add yogurt, maple syrup, salt, cardamom and strawberries to a blender. Blend, gradually increasing the speed, until smooth. For a thinner consistency, blend in 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Tip
You can also substitute 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom for the cardamom seeds.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY MINT SHAKES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Milk shakes, like other simple concoctions, are only as good as their ingredients, so use high-quality ice cream and vanilla extract. Combining peppermint extract and vanilla ice cream gives the drink an extra-refreshing, minty flavor you wouldn't get from using regular mint chip ice cream."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: 1 or 2 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/st-patricks-day-mint-shakes-3362525.
Ingredients
1 pint vanilla ice cream (2 cups)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 or 4 drops green liquid food coloring
Whipped cream and green sanding sugar, for garnish
Directions
Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, vanilla and food coloring in a blender until smooth. Pour into one or two serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream and sanding sugar.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
LIZARD LOUNGE TEA
My oldest son spent several summers traveling the country, both singly and with friends. Several times, he wound up at the Rainbow Gathering, where he hooked up with a larger group of friends. Most of them had grown up in hot areas of the country, so they nicknamed themselves lizards; their area of the camp site was the lizard lounge. They would cook up their version of iced tea, which they would barter for other commodities. They were frequently asked what their secret ingredient was.
This is a scaled down version. I found that cranberry or cranberry-apple herb tea works very nicely with this, but any herbal tea can be used.
Ingredients
1/2 gallon apple cider
4 – 5 herbal tea bags
Directions
Place cider in a large pan or teakettle and bring to a boil. Place herbal tea bags into a large container and pour the boiled cider over the tea bags. Let steep for 15-30 minutes and cool. Very good.
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
This is from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Martha wrote, "This will taste like a strawberry shake if you use a banana that is truly ripe. Frozen strawberries will lend it a shake-like texture."
Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: One 16-ounce or two 8-ounce servings
This was featured in "Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012542-strawberry-smoothie. 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
1 medium-size or large, ripe banana
1 heaped cup fresh or frozen hulled strawberries
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 to 3 ice cubes
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
Tip
Advance preparation: Smoothies should be made and drunk right away. This will thicken and lose flavor if it sits.
STRAWBERRY LASSI
This is from Zaynab Issa in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Zaynab wrote, "Strawberry lassi is a popular variation of lassi, the yogurt-based blended beverage with origins in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. This refreshing drink is made with frozen strawberries instead of ice to add flavor while keeping it cool. Sugar is the traditional sweetener in lassi, but the maple syrup here adds a subtle earthiness and dissolves quickly while blending. South Asian dahi (yogurt) is ideal for achieving the drink’s characteristic tart creaminess, but plain whole-milk yogurt will also work well. (Greek yogurt and skyr can be too thick for lassi.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "Nothing Quenches Thirst Like a Lassi," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026600-strawberry-lassi. 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
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt, preferably South Asian dahi
2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup, depending on desired sweetness
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal
4 green cardamom pods, cracked open, seeds only (see Tip)
1-1/2 cups/about 8 ounces frozen whole strawberries
Preparation
Add yogurt, maple syrup, salt, cardamom and strawberries to a blender. Blend, gradually increasing the speed, until smooth. For a thinner consistency, blend in 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Tip
You can also substitute 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom for the cardamom seeds.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY MINT SHAKES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Milk shakes, like other simple concoctions, are only as good as their ingredients, so use high-quality ice cream and vanilla extract. Combining peppermint extract and vanilla ice cream gives the drink an extra-refreshing, minty flavor you wouldn't get from using regular mint chip ice cream."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: 1 or 2 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/st-patricks-day-mint-shakes-3362525.
Ingredients
1 pint vanilla ice cream (2 cups)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 or 4 drops green liquid food coloring
Whipped cream and green sanding sugar, for garnish
Directions
Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, vanilla and food coloring in a blender until smooth. Pour into one or two serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream and sanding sugar.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
LIZARD LOUNGE TEA
My oldest son spent several summers traveling the country, both singly and with friends. Several times, he wound up at the Rainbow Gathering, where he hooked up with a larger group of friends. Most of them had grown up in hot areas of the country, so they nicknamed themselves lizards; their area of the camp site was the lizard lounge. They would cook up their version of iced tea, which they would barter for other commodities. They were frequently asked what their secret ingredient was.
This is a scaled down version. I found that cranberry or cranberry-apple herb tea works very nicely with this, but any herbal tea can be used.
Ingredients
1/2 gallon apple cider
4 – 5 herbal tea bags
Directions
Place cider in a large pan or teakettle and bring to a boil. Place herbal tea bags into a large container and pour the boiled cider over the tea bags. Let steep for 15-30 minutes and cool. Very good.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (since not everyone loves tacos). Todays offerings include Vegetarian Chili and a vegan Vegetable Pancit. Enjoy!
NO-COOK CHILI BEAN SALAD
This is from Hetty Lui McKinnon in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Hetty wrote, "All the usual suspects found in a vegetarian bean chili appear in this salad — canned beans, tomato, bell pepper, red onion and spices — but there’s no cooking-with-heat required. The tomatoes are salted to tenderize and coax out their sweet, umami juices. Cumin, coriander, smoked paprika and dried oregano inject smoky earthiness and complexity. While black and pinto beans are used here, it is absolutely viable to use whatever beans you have on hand for this pantry-friendly recipe. Best of all, the salad can be dressed up with the usual chili toppings such as avocado, sour cream and cheese. Eat as is, or with tortillas or corn chips on the side."
Cook Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026926-no-cook-chili-bean-salad. Also, be sure to sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 pound tomatoes, roughly chopped into 1-inch chunks
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed
1 bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 to 1 jalapeño, chopped
Handful chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, or more as needed
1 lime, quartered
Any combination of corn chips, tortillas, sour cream, avocado and cheese (such as Cheddar, crumbled feta or queso blanco), for serving
Preparation
Place the tomatoes, red onion, garlic, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl and toss to combine. Leave to marinate for 5 to 10 minutes. Using your hands, squeeze the tomatoes to crush them roughly, extracting juice and softening them.
To the tomatoes, add both types of beans, the bell pepper, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, oregano, jalapeño, cilantro and 1/4 cup olive oil; toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper and more olive oil, if you like.
Divide the salad among four serving bowls. Serve with lime wedges on the side, and top with desired toppings.
VEGAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Whitney English at the Food Network. The recipe begins, "Stuffed peppers go Tex-Mex style and vegan. Filled to the brim with black beans, corn, quinoa and spinach, these peppers make a hearty addition to your weekday dinner rotation--Meatless Monday perhaps? The cilantro-lime cream adds a welcome zesty kick."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Yield: 6 servings: Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/vegan-stuffed-peppers-12154163.
Ingredients
Stuffed Peppers:
6 medium sweet bell peppers
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
Two 14.5-ounce cans chopped tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 14.5-ounce can corn kernels, rinsed
One 14.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed
3 cups baby spinach
1 cup cooked quinoa
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Vegan Cilantro-Lime Cream:
1/2 cup vegan sour cream or vegan cream cheese (see Cook's Note)
1 teaspoon lime zest plus 1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt
Directions
For the stuffed peppers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut off the bell pepper tops, up to about 1/2 inch; discard the stems. Cut the tops into small dice and reserve. Discard the seeds and white membranes from the insides of the peppers. If a pepper doesn't stand upright, trim the bottom until level.
Add the oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and diced bell pepper and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
Transfer 1-1/2 cups of the tomato mixture to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish and use a spatula or spoon to spread over the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
Add the corn, black beans, spinach, quinoa, chili powder and cumin to the remaining tomato mixture in the sauté pan. Cook on low heat until the spinach is fully wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and let cool for 5 minutes.
Spoon the quinoa mixture into the cavity of each pepper, packing the mixture in. Arrange the peppers side by side in the baking dish and cover with foil. Bake until the peppers are tender, about 45 minutes.
For the vegan cilantro-lime cream: Whisk together the sour cream, lime zest and juice and cilantro in a small mixing bowl until smooth and combined. Season with salt.
Top the peppers with the cream immediately before serving.
Cook’s Note
If substituting with vegan cream cheese, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin the mixture.
VEGETABLE PANCIT [VEGAN]
This is from Meatless Monday in a OneGreenPlanet enewsletter. It begins, "Pancit is a traditional Filipino dish made with rice noodles. While pancit dishes often feature meat, this vegetable version is a light and healthy take that’s a perfect fit for healthy eating resolutions."
This is Dairy Free and Serves 8
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/recipe/vegetable-pancit-vegan/. The recipe also ends with, "This recipe comes to us from Christin, the Veggie Chick."
Ingredients
8 ounces rice noodles
3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
1 package (15 ounce) extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 1 inch pieces and pressed with paper towel to remove all moisture
1 white onion, peeled and diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large carrots, grated (about 1 cup)
3-4 cups chopped green cabbage (about 1/2 head)
2 cups baby broccoli florets
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger)
1 veggie bouillon cube
3/4 cup vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
Directions
Place the rice noodles in a large bowl; cover with warm water and let sit. When the noodles are soft, after about 20 minutes, drain and set noodles aside.
Heat 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and sauté until browned, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the tofu from the wok. Reduce heat to medium.
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the wok. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add the carrots, cabbage and broccoli. Stir fry until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
Add the tamari, ginger, veggie bouillon cube, vegetable broth and sea salt. Stir until the bouillon cube is dissolved. Add the cooked tofu, rice noodles and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Serves 8. Best served immediately. Stays fresh in the fridge for 1 day.
VEGETARIAN CHILI
This comes from Robin Miller at the Food Network.
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/vegetarian-chili-recipe-1917088.
Ingredients
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen baby lima beans or regular lima beans
1 cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced pickled jalapeno (from can or jar)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried Mexican oregano or regular oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/3 cup couscous
1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients but the couscous, shredded cheese, cilantro and salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Five to 10 minutes before serving (depending on temperature of slow cooker) add couscous, cover and cook, until couscous is tender. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.
Just before serving, top each serving with shredded cheese and cilantro.
BLACK BEAN AND SALSA SOUP
This is from allrecipes, and was submitted by someone named Maryanne. Maryanne wrote, "This soup is one of those last minute things I tossed together one night. It's very simple and it takes about 5 minutes to put together."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 4; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14132/black-bean-and-salsa-soup/.
Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1-1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chunky salsa
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
Directions
In an electric food processor or blender, combine beans, broth, salsa, and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.
Heat the bean mixture in a saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly heated.
Ladle soup into 4 individual bowls, and top each bowl with 1 tablespoon of the sour cream and 1/2 tablespoon green onion.
EASY CHICKPEA CURRY
This is from Shayma Saadat at Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Shayma wrote, "Every week, this chickpea and spinach curry takes center stage in our kitchen. As someone of Pakistani heritage, I’ve added my own twist to the classic South Asian chana masala to make it practical for weeknights. It’s quick, easy, and packed with both protein and vegetables—ideal for feeding my husband and son without juggling multiple dishes.
"The beauty of this chickpea curry lies in its simplicity and adaptability; it is perfect for a busy weeknight. It’s packed with such lovely flavors (ginger! garlic! turmeric!) and the coconut milk gives it creamy depth. Plus, it requires just one pot, making cleanup a breeze."
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, and to be able to read the rest of what Shayma wrote, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/easy-chickpea-curry-recipe-8788223.
Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons grated garlic (approximately 3 to 4 garlic cloves)
2 teaspoons grated ginger (from an approximately 1-inch peeled piece of ginger)
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
2 packed cups baby spinach (about 5 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the grated garlic and ginger; be cautious, as the mixture will sputter. Stir constantly and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, lowering the heat slightly if needed.
Add the cayenne and turmeric and stir for 30 seconds. Slowly pour in the tomato sauce (covering the pot briefly to minimize splatters). Add the chickpeas to the pot, then stir in the coconut milk. Season with salt and lower the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly, 10 to 12 minutes.
Taste, adding more salt if needed. Add the fresh spinach, turn off the heat, and cover with the lid. After the spinach has wilted in a few minutes, stir it into the curry. Serve warm with rice, naan, or sourdough.
Store leftover curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If the curry thickens in the fridge, add a splash of water or coconut milk while reheating to loosen it up.
NO-COOK CHILI BEAN SALAD
This is from Hetty Lui McKinnon in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Hetty wrote, "All the usual suspects found in a vegetarian bean chili appear in this salad — canned beans, tomato, bell pepper, red onion and spices — but there’s no cooking-with-heat required. The tomatoes are salted to tenderize and coax out their sweet, umami juices. Cumin, coriander, smoked paprika and dried oregano inject smoky earthiness and complexity. While black and pinto beans are used here, it is absolutely viable to use whatever beans you have on hand for this pantry-friendly recipe. Best of all, the salad can be dressed up with the usual chili toppings such as avocado, sour cream and cheese. Eat as is, or with tortillas or corn chips on the side."
Cook Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026926-no-cook-chili-bean-salad. Also, be sure to sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 pound tomatoes, roughly chopped into 1-inch chunks
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed
1 bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 to 1 jalapeño, chopped
Handful chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, or more as needed
1 lime, quartered
Any combination of corn chips, tortillas, sour cream, avocado and cheese (such as Cheddar, crumbled feta or queso blanco), for serving
Preparation
Place the tomatoes, red onion, garlic, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl and toss to combine. Leave to marinate for 5 to 10 minutes. Using your hands, squeeze the tomatoes to crush them roughly, extracting juice and softening them.
To the tomatoes, add both types of beans, the bell pepper, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, oregano, jalapeño, cilantro and 1/4 cup olive oil; toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper and more olive oil, if you like.
Divide the salad among four serving bowls. Serve with lime wedges on the side, and top with desired toppings.
VEGAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Whitney English at the Food Network. The recipe begins, "Stuffed peppers go Tex-Mex style and vegan. Filled to the brim with black beans, corn, quinoa and spinach, these peppers make a hearty addition to your weekday dinner rotation--Meatless Monday perhaps? The cilantro-lime cream adds a welcome zesty kick."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Yield: 6 servings: Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/vegan-stuffed-peppers-12154163.
Ingredients
Stuffed Peppers:
6 medium sweet bell peppers
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
Two 14.5-ounce cans chopped tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 14.5-ounce can corn kernels, rinsed
One 14.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed
3 cups baby spinach
1 cup cooked quinoa
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Vegan Cilantro-Lime Cream:
1/2 cup vegan sour cream or vegan cream cheese (see Cook's Note)
1 teaspoon lime zest plus 1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt
Directions
For the stuffed peppers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut off the bell pepper tops, up to about 1/2 inch; discard the stems. Cut the tops into small dice and reserve. Discard the seeds and white membranes from the insides of the peppers. If a pepper doesn't stand upright, trim the bottom until level.
Add the oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and diced bell pepper and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
Transfer 1-1/2 cups of the tomato mixture to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish and use a spatula or spoon to spread over the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
Add the corn, black beans, spinach, quinoa, chili powder and cumin to the remaining tomato mixture in the sauté pan. Cook on low heat until the spinach is fully wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and let cool for 5 minutes.
Spoon the quinoa mixture into the cavity of each pepper, packing the mixture in. Arrange the peppers side by side in the baking dish and cover with foil. Bake until the peppers are tender, about 45 minutes.
For the vegan cilantro-lime cream: Whisk together the sour cream, lime zest and juice and cilantro in a small mixing bowl until smooth and combined. Season with salt.
Top the peppers with the cream immediately before serving.
Cook’s Note
If substituting with vegan cream cheese, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin the mixture.
VEGETABLE PANCIT [VEGAN]
This is from Meatless Monday in a OneGreenPlanet enewsletter. It begins, "Pancit is a traditional Filipino dish made with rice noodles. While pancit dishes often feature meat, this vegetable version is a light and healthy take that’s a perfect fit for healthy eating resolutions."
This is Dairy Free and Serves 8
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/recipe/vegetable-pancit-vegan/. The recipe also ends with, "This recipe comes to us from Christin, the Veggie Chick."
Ingredients
8 ounces rice noodles
3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
1 package (15 ounce) extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 1 inch pieces and pressed with paper towel to remove all moisture
1 white onion, peeled and diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large carrots, grated (about 1 cup)
3-4 cups chopped green cabbage (about 1/2 head)
2 cups baby broccoli florets
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon dried ground ginger)
1 veggie bouillon cube
3/4 cup vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
Directions
Place the rice noodles in a large bowl; cover with warm water and let sit. When the noodles are soft, after about 20 minutes, drain and set noodles aside.
Heat 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and sauté until browned, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the tofu from the wok. Reduce heat to medium.
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the wok. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add the carrots, cabbage and broccoli. Stir fry until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
Add the tamari, ginger, veggie bouillon cube, vegetable broth and sea salt. Stir until the bouillon cube is dissolved. Add the cooked tofu, rice noodles and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Serves 8. Best served immediately. Stays fresh in the fridge for 1 day.
VEGETARIAN CHILI
This comes from Robin Miller at the Food Network.
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/vegetarian-chili-recipe-1917088.
Ingredients
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen baby lima beans or regular lima beans
1 cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced pickled jalapeno (from can or jar)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried Mexican oregano or regular oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/3 cup couscous
1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients but the couscous, shredded cheese, cilantro and salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Five to 10 minutes before serving (depending on temperature of slow cooker) add couscous, cover and cook, until couscous is tender. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.
Just before serving, top each serving with shredded cheese and cilantro.
BLACK BEAN AND SALSA SOUP
This is from allrecipes, and was submitted by someone named Maryanne. Maryanne wrote, "This soup is one of those last minute things I tossed together one night. It's very simple and it takes about 5 minutes to put together."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 4; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14132/black-bean-and-salsa-soup/.
Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1-1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chunky salsa
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
Directions
In an electric food processor or blender, combine beans, broth, salsa, and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.
Heat the bean mixture in a saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly heated.
Ladle soup into 4 individual bowls, and top each bowl with 1 tablespoon of the sour cream and 1/2 tablespoon green onion.
EASY CHICKPEA CURRY
This is from Shayma Saadat at Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Shayma wrote, "Every week, this chickpea and spinach curry takes center stage in our kitchen. As someone of Pakistani heritage, I’ve added my own twist to the classic South Asian chana masala to make it practical for weeknights. It’s quick, easy, and packed with both protein and vegetables—ideal for feeding my husband and son without juggling multiple dishes.
"The beauty of this chickpea curry lies in its simplicity and adaptability; it is perfect for a busy weeknight. It’s packed with such lovely flavors (ginger! garlic! turmeric!) and the coconut milk gives it creamy depth. Plus, it requires just one pot, making cleanup a breeze."
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, and to be able to read the rest of what Shayma wrote, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/easy-chickpea-curry-recipe-8788223.
Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons grated garlic (approximately 3 to 4 garlic cloves)
2 teaspoons grated ginger (from an approximately 1-inch peeled piece of ginger)
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
2 packed cups baby spinach (about 5 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the grated garlic and ginger; be cautious, as the mixture will sputter. Stir constantly and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, lowering the heat slightly if needed.
Add the cayenne and turmeric and stir for 30 seconds. Slowly pour in the tomato sauce (covering the pot briefly to minimize splatters). Add the chickpeas to the pot, then stir in the coconut milk. Season with salt and lower the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly, 10 to 12 minutes.
Taste, adding more salt if needed. Add the fresh spinach, turn off the heat, and cover with the lid. After the spinach has wilted in a few minutes, stir it into the curry. Serve warm with rice, naan, or sourdough.
Store leftover curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If the curry thickens in the fridge, add a splash of water or coconut milk while reheating to loosen it up.
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