Finally: Friday and the weekend. With the holidays kicking into gear this month, chances are you'll be busier than usual. But since we still need to eat, here are some recipes to get food on the table fairly easily, including Veggie Patch Soup and Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash. Enjoy!
SPINACH, PEPPERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PENNE RIGATE
This is from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 28. It begins, "Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach add bright color, flavor, and body to this Mediterranean-style dish." Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (6 oz.)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, and sliced
10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)
4 cups packed baby spinach leaves (8 oz.)
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently, or until lightly browned.
Increase heat to high. Add roasted peppers, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
Add tomatoes, spinach, olives, oregano, lemon zest, and pepper. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts, stirring frequently. Add pasta and reserved pasta-cooking water; cover, and cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 266; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 340 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan
VEGGIE PATCH SOUP
Yield: 10 servings
Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/835.shtml
Source: Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook
Ingredients
6 cups water
2 medium-sized white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
4 large tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
4 medium-sized carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
3 medium-sized zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 medium-sized green bell peppers, coarsely chopped
2 medium-sized onions, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
In a soup pot, combine all the ingredients; mix well and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 84; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 383 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 2 Vegetable
VEGETABLE POT PIES
This comes from the June 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page. 74. It starts off, "Sometimes you just want pot pie. This one is wholesome, delicious, and freezer-friendly. Make a batch, and freeze some for heat-and-eat weeknight meals. Poultry seasoning (yep, it’s veg) is the secret flavor booster in this recipe." Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Dough
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt
4 Tbs. cold soy margarine, cut into pieces
Filling
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium leek, white and green parts chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 cups chopped celery or fennel
2 large carrots, diced (1 cup)
8 oz. button mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
4 oz. red-skinned potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1 1/2 cups)
2 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
2 Tbs. creamy cashew butter, optional
6 asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup fresh or thawed frozen peas
1/2 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
Directions
To make Dough: Whisk together flours and salt in bowl. Cut or rub margarine into flour mixture until no large pieces remain. Stir in 3 to 4 Tbs. cold water until smooth dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill while making Filling.
To make Filling: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add leek, celery, carrots, and mushrooms; sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender. Stir in flour
and garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add potatoes, broth, and poultry seasoning. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cashew butter (if using), and
cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat, and stir in asparagus, peas, and corn.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out Dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 8 4-inch rounds.
Divide Filling among 8 1-cup ramekins. Place dough rounds on top, pressing dough around sides of ramekins with fork to crimp and seal. Poke hole in top of each pot pie. Place pot pies on baking sheet, and bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Pot pie: Calories: 244; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 35 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 207 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 5 g; Vegan
CRANBERRY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
This is from Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Oragne marmalade, cranberries, brown sugar, sweet onion, and spices sweeten up stuffed acorn squash cooked in the microwave. Kids may even consider this dessert!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 (1-pound) acorn squash
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup finely-minced sweet onion
3 Tablespoons orange marmalade or orange juice
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted but cool
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation:
Pierce the acorn squash all over with a fork or sharp knife so it will not burst in the microwave. Cook on High for 6 to 10 minutes (microwave power levels vary, so check). Turn the squash over, if necessary, and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from microwave and let rest for 10 minutes.
While the acorn squash is resting, stir together cranberrries, sweet onion, marmalade or orange juice, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until well-combined. Place mixture in a micro-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap (venting to let air pressure escape), and cook on High for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cranberries have popped and softened. Remove and let cool slightly while you proceed with the acorn squash.
Cut the acorn squash in half from stem to point and remove seeds. Place cut-side up on a platter. Fill with the cranberry mixture. If necessary, cover and reheat on a micro-safe platter on High for 1 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH POTATO TOPPING
This came from Kathy Kingsley, who also wrote for The Spruce Eats. Kathy wrote, “Although this dish is called a “pie,” there isn’t any pastry involved. It is simply a mix of ground turkey and vegetables in a sauce with a topping of mashed potatoes. The dish is browned in the oven for a delicious example of comfort food. For a pretty effect, pipe the topping over the filling, using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Serve this hearty meal with a steamed green vegetable.” The recipe serves 6 to 8 and can be viewed online here.
If you'd like to make this a vegetarian meal, substitute the ground turkey with a vegetarian meatless crumble of your choice.
Ingredients
Potato Topping
3 1/2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inches pieces
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup thawed frozen peas
3/4 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Preparation
Make the potato topping: In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes with enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes well in a colander. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, milk, butter, salt and pepper to taste. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed until smooth. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bring a small saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the carrots and cook for 2 minutes to blanch. Drain and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the ground turkey, breaking up the large pieces with a fork, and cook until browned. Add the blanched carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix well. Cook, stirring often, until the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes. Season with black pepper to taste.
Spray a 3-quart gratin dish or shallow casserole with vegetable oil spray. Spoon the vegetable-turkey mixture into the prepared dish. Top with dollops of mashed potatoes. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through. Serve hot.
Recipe Notes
• You can mash any type of potato, but those with a high starch/low water content, such as russet and Yukon Gold, produce perfect results. The starch creates a fluffy texture, and the low water content allows them to absorb milk and butter without becoming gummy.
• Never try to whip potatoes in a food processor or you will have a gluey mess.
• Ideally, mashed potatoes should be served freshly made, but this is not always possible. Mash them up to 1 hour before serving, reserving one-third of the milk. Place them in a heatproof bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour the reserved milk over the top. Just before serving, stir the milk into the potatoes.
• Potatoes are more fragile than you might think, so handle them carefully to prevent bruising. Keep them unwashed in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. If stored in a place that is too hot, the sugar will convert to starch and the potatoes will lose their natural sweetness.
• Choose fairly clean, smooth, firm potatoes. For even cooking, pick potatoes that are about the same size. Do not select ones with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces, or green areas. Green spots mean they have been exposed to light; cut the spot off before cooking to eliminate bitterness.
LITHUANIAN APPLE CAKE
This came from Brett Moore, who also wrote for The Spruce Eats. He wrote, “The apple cake recipe is simple to throw together at a moments notice but wonderfully delicious. A spongy light cake stuffed with tons of spiced apples! Decorate with dried apples and serve with vanilla ice cream for a fancy end to your dinner or leave plain and enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee.”
Unfortunately, the old link for this no longer works. But it is so yummy, I wanted to add it, while giving a nod to Brett for coming up with this.
Ingredients
Apples
5 medium apples, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons of sugar
Batter
4 large eggs
1 cup of vegetable oil/melted margarine
1/4 cup of orange juice
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
3 cups of sifted flour
2 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons of baking powder
Powdered sugar
Dried apple slices (optional)
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Makes 1 9-inch cake
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Mix apples with cinnamon and sugar and let stand in bowl.
In another large bowl, mix together all batter ingredients except the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
Butter and flour the cake pan (use a springform pan, deep 8-inch pan or a regular 9- by 13-inch pan). Pour half of the batter in the pan and arrange half of the apple slices on top of the batter. Pour the rest of the batter and arrange the remaining apple slices on top.
Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
If you like, decorate the top of the cake with dried apple slices. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. Vanilla ice cream is a wonderful partner.
Showing posts with label Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash. Show all posts
Friday, November 10, 2023
Friday, March 11, 2016
Friday Recipes
I've been under the weather all week and, while I am on the mend, I'm recycling November 9, 2015's post. Monday, I'll be back to new posts. In the meantime, Enjoy!
Here are today's six recipes to get you going. Enjoy!
THREE-BEAN SOUP
This is one of my favorite quick meals that I usually only fix on weekends, especially if it happens to be cold and/or rainy. It’s from the November/December 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37, in that issue’s “30 Minutes; Quick, Fast Food” section. This vegan recipe serves 6, and starts off, “Here’s a straight-from-the-pantry soup that’ll become a weeknight favorite. (Or, in my case, weekend favorite.) Pureeing one of the cans of beans creates a creamy base without adding extra fat or cholesterol. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and serve with vegetable chips, if desired.”
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
1 15.5-oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 Tbs.)
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
1 15.5-oz. can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute onion 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft. Add navy beans, black beans and garlic, and continue cooking and stirring 8 to 10 minutes more. Stir in 1 cup broth.
Meanwhile, put great Northern beans and remaining 1 cup broth into food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. Pour puree into soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with more broth or water, if desired.
Spoon into individual soup bowls, and serve hot.
Per serving: 231 calories; 13 g protein; 5 g total fat (0 g saturated fat); 39 g carbs; 0 mg cholesterol; 557 mg sodium; 11 g fiber; 5 g sugars
APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP
I'm not sure where I originally found this; probably on an old emailing list.
2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place evenly into baking dish.
In the same bowl, combine oats, flour and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are tender.
BAKED ZITI
This was originally posted on April 2, 2010. Great for a yummy, easy meal.
What to fix when you've just gotten home from work and you want something good, hot and with a minimum amount of effort? Baked Ziti fits the bill on all three counts. And if you're like me, chances are you have all the makings in your cupboard and fridge.
Here's what it takes:
16 ounce box of ziti
26 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
1 jar-full of water
2 C shredded cheese
Okay, I can hear you asking, "What brand of spaghetti sauce? What type of sauce? And the cheese...Cheddar? Mozzarella? Can it be the stuff already shredded and in a bag or does it have to be a block of cheese that I grate and measure?" Here's the good part: Use what you have.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Take a 9 X 13 inch baking pan. Dump the dried ziti into the pan. (No, no, do NOT cook the ziti first. Dump the ziti uncooked straight from the box.) Pour the spaghetti sauce into the pan and add one jar-full of water into the pan. Stir to mix. Add most of the shredded cheese, reserving 1/4-1/2 cup of cheese. Stir to mix. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake for another 5 minutes for a total time of 40 minutes.
Serve with a salad and possibly garlic bread.
See? Simple, hot, good and with at minimum amount of energy. What could be better for an after-work or weekend dinner?
VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP
This recipe is from Diabetic Gourmet
Yield: 6 servings
Source: "The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/17.shtml
Notes: This recipe originally calls for chicken broth and butter. To make it vegetarian, I've substituted vegetarian broth and olive oil.
Ingredients
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (14.5) cans vegetarian broth
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped
1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: this is in place of butter – for a total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Stir well before serving. If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 210, Protein: 8 g, Carbohydrate: 18 g, Fat: 9 g, Cholesterol: 14 mg, Sodium: 1020 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 2 Fat, 2 Vegetable
POTATO GNOCCHI
This comes from the January/February 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 38. It starts off, “The secret to fluffy, tender gnocchi is to make the dough while the mashed potatoes are hot, add just enough liquid to hold it together, and work it as little as possible. To freeze: place cooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer, freeze until gnocchi are hard, and transfer to resealable plastic bags. To reheat: add frozen gnocchi to boiling water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese.” Serves 6 (makes about 100 gnocchi)
2 1/2 lb. russet or Idaho potatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup potato starch
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick potatoes all over with fork, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until soft to touch. Slice open, and let cool 10 minutes.
Scoop out potato flesh (it will still be hot); reserve skins for another use. Mash potato flesh in bowl or put through potato ricer. Stir in salt, then egg with fork. Stir in potato starch until dough comes together and no longer sticks to fork or your hands.
Scoop out 1/2 cup dough, and roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope on work surface dusted with potato starch. Cut rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set back of fork atop 1 gnocchi, and use fork to roll gnocchi toward you, making light indentations with fork tines. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi, and cook 2 minutes, or until gnocchi float to top. Drain, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving (about 16 gnocchi): Calories: 207; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 213 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Gluten-Free
CRANBERRY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com's Homecooking guide, writes, “Oragne marmalade, cranberries, brown sugar, sweet onion, and spices sweeten up stuffed acorn squash cooked in the microwave. Kids may even consider this dessert!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 (1-pound) acorn squash
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup finely-minced sweet onion
3 Tablespoons orange marmalade or orange juice
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted but cool
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation:
Pierce the acorn squash all over with a fork or sharp knife so it will not burst in the microwave. Cook on High for 6 to 10 minutes (microwave power levels vary, so check). Turn the squash over, if necessary, and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from microwave and let rest for 10 minutes.
While the acorn squash is resting, stir together cranberrries, sweet onion, marmalade or orange juice, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until well-combined. Place mixture in a micro-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap (venting to let air pressure escape), and cook on High for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cranberries have popped and softened. Remove and let cool slightly while you proceed with the acorn squash.
Cut the acorn squash in half from stem to point and remove seeds. Place cut-side up on a platter. Fill with the cranberry mixture. If necessary, cover and reheat on a micro-safe platter on High for 1 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Here are today's six recipes to get you going. Enjoy!
THREE-BEAN SOUP
This is one of my favorite quick meals that I usually only fix on weekends, especially if it happens to be cold and/or rainy. It’s from the November/December 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37, in that issue’s “30 Minutes; Quick, Fast Food” section. This vegan recipe serves 6, and starts off, “Here’s a straight-from-the-pantry soup that’ll become a weeknight favorite. (Or, in my case, weekend favorite.) Pureeing one of the cans of beans creates a creamy base without adding extra fat or cholesterol. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and serve with vegetable chips, if desired.”
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
1 15.5-oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 Tbs.)
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
1 15.5-oz. can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute onion 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft. Add navy beans, black beans and garlic, and continue cooking and stirring 8 to 10 minutes more. Stir in 1 cup broth.
Meanwhile, put great Northern beans and remaining 1 cup broth into food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. Pour puree into soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with more broth or water, if desired.
Spoon into individual soup bowls, and serve hot.
Per serving: 231 calories; 13 g protein; 5 g total fat (0 g saturated fat); 39 g carbs; 0 mg cholesterol; 557 mg sodium; 11 g fiber; 5 g sugars
APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP
I'm not sure where I originally found this; probably on an old emailing list.
2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place evenly into baking dish.
In the same bowl, combine oats, flour and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are tender.
BAKED ZITI
This was originally posted on April 2, 2010. Great for a yummy, easy meal.
What to fix when you've just gotten home from work and you want something good, hot and with a minimum amount of effort? Baked Ziti fits the bill on all three counts. And if you're like me, chances are you have all the makings in your cupboard and fridge.
Here's what it takes:
16 ounce box of ziti
26 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
1 jar-full of water
2 C shredded cheese
Okay, I can hear you asking, "What brand of spaghetti sauce? What type of sauce? And the cheese...Cheddar? Mozzarella? Can it be the stuff already shredded and in a bag or does it have to be a block of cheese that I grate and measure?" Here's the good part: Use what you have.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Take a 9 X 13 inch baking pan. Dump the dried ziti into the pan. (No, no, do NOT cook the ziti first. Dump the ziti uncooked straight from the box.) Pour the spaghetti sauce into the pan and add one jar-full of water into the pan. Stir to mix. Add most of the shredded cheese, reserving 1/4-1/2 cup of cheese. Stir to mix. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake for another 5 minutes for a total time of 40 minutes.
Serve with a salad and possibly garlic bread.
See? Simple, hot, good and with at minimum amount of energy. What could be better for an after-work or weekend dinner?
VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP
This recipe is from Diabetic Gourmet
Yield: 6 servings
Source: "The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/17.shtml
Notes: This recipe originally calls for chicken broth and butter. To make it vegetarian, I've substituted vegetarian broth and olive oil.
Ingredients
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (14.5) cans vegetarian broth
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped
1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: this is in place of butter – for a total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Stir well before serving. If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 210, Protein: 8 g, Carbohydrate: 18 g, Fat: 9 g, Cholesterol: 14 mg, Sodium: 1020 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 2 Fat, 2 Vegetable
POTATO GNOCCHI
This comes from the January/February 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 38. It starts off, “The secret to fluffy, tender gnocchi is to make the dough while the mashed potatoes are hot, add just enough liquid to hold it together, and work it as little as possible. To freeze: place cooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer, freeze until gnocchi are hard, and transfer to resealable plastic bags. To reheat: add frozen gnocchi to boiling water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese.” Serves 6 (makes about 100 gnocchi)
2 1/2 lb. russet or Idaho potatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup potato starch
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick potatoes all over with fork, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until soft to touch. Slice open, and let cool 10 minutes.
Scoop out potato flesh (it will still be hot); reserve skins for another use. Mash potato flesh in bowl or put through potato ricer. Stir in salt, then egg with fork. Stir in potato starch until dough comes together and no longer sticks to fork or your hands.
Scoop out 1/2 cup dough, and roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope on work surface dusted with potato starch. Cut rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set back of fork atop 1 gnocchi, and use fork to roll gnocchi toward you, making light indentations with fork tines. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi, and cook 2 minutes, or until gnocchi float to top. Drain, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving (about 16 gnocchi): Calories: 207; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 213 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Gluten-Free
CRANBERRY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com's Homecooking guide, writes, “Oragne marmalade, cranberries, brown sugar, sweet onion, and spices sweeten up stuffed acorn squash cooked in the microwave. Kids may even consider this dessert!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 (1-pound) acorn squash
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup finely-minced sweet onion
3 Tablespoons orange marmalade or orange juice
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted but cool
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation:
Pierce the acorn squash all over with a fork or sharp knife so it will not burst in the microwave. Cook on High for 6 to 10 minutes (microwave power levels vary, so check). Turn the squash over, if necessary, and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from microwave and let rest for 10 minutes.
While the acorn squash is resting, stir together cranberrries, sweet onion, marmalade or orange juice, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until well-combined. Place mixture in a micro-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap (venting to let air pressure escape), and cook on High for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cranberries have popped and softened. Remove and let cool slightly while you proceed with the acorn squash.
Cut the acorn squash in half from stem to point and remove seeds. Place cut-side up on a platter. Fill with the cranberry mixture. If necessary, cover and reheat on a micro-safe platter on High for 1 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Meatless Monday
Hope your weekend was good. Mine was, even if it was too short! Here are today's six recipes to get you going. Enjoy!
THREE-BEAN SOUP
This is one of my favorite quick meals that I usually only fix on weekends, especially if it happens to be cold and/or rainy. It’s from the November/December 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37, in that issue’s “30 Minutes; Quick, Fast Food” section. This vegan recipe serves 6, and starts off, “Here’s a straight-from-the-pantry soup that’ll become a weeknight favorite. (Or, in my case, weekend favorite.) Pureeing one of the cans of beans creates a creamy base without adding extra fat or cholesterol. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and serve with vegetable chips, if desired.”
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
1 15.5-oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 Tbs.)
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
1 15.5-oz. can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute onion 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft. Add navy beans, black beans and garlic, and continue cooking and stirring 8 to 10 minutes more. Stir in 1 cup broth.
Meanwhile, put great Northern beans and remaining 1 cup broth into food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. Pour puree into soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with more broth or water, if desired.
Spoon into individual soup bowls, and serve hot.
Per serving: 231 calories; 13 g protein; 5 g total fat (0 g saturated fat); 39 g carbs; 0 mg cholesterol; 557 mg sodium; 11 g fiber; 5 g sugars
APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP
I'm not sure where I originally found this; probably on an old emailing list.
2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place evenly into baking dish.
In the same bowl, combine oats, flour and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are tender.
BAKED ZITI
This was originally posted on April 2, 2010. Great for a yummy, easy meal.
What to fix when you've just gotten home from work and you want something good, hot and with a minimum amount of effort? Baked Ziti fits the bill on all three counts. And if you're like me, chances are you have all the makings in your cupboard and fridge.
Here's what it takes:
16 ounce box of ziti
26 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
1 jar-full of water
2 C shredded cheese
Okay, I can hear you asking, "What brand of spaghetti sauce? What type of sauce? And the cheese...Cheddar? Mozzarella? Can it be the stuff already shredded and in a bag or does it have to be a block of cheese that I grate and measure?" Here's the good part: Use what you have.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Take a 9 X 13 inch baking pan. Dump the dried ziti into the pan. (No, no, do NOT cook the ziti first. Dump the ziti uncooked straight from the box.) Pour the spaghetti sauce into the pan and add one jar-full of water into the pan. Stir to mix. Add most of the shredded cheese, reserving 1/4-1/2 cup of cheese. Stir to mix. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake for another 5 minutes for a total time of 40 minutes.
Serve with a salad and possibly garlic bread.
See? Simple, hot, good and with at minimum amount of energy. What could be better for an after-work or weekend dinner?
VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP
This recipe is from Diabetic Gourmet
Yield: 6 servings
Source: "The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/17.shtml
Notes: This recipe originally calls for chicken broth and butter. To make it vegetarian, I've substituted vegetarian broth and olive oil.
Ingredients
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (14.5) cans vegetarian broth
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped
1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: this is in place of butter – for a total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Stir well before serving. If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 210, Protein: 8 g, Carbohydrate: 18 g, Fat: 9 g, Cholesterol: 14 mg, Sodium: 1020 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 2 Fat, 2 Vegetable
POTATO GNOCCHI
This comes from the January/February 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 38. It starts off, “The secret to fluffy, tender gnocchi is to make the dough while the mashed potatoes are hot, add just enough liquid to hold it together, and work it as little as possible. To freeze: place cooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer, freeze until gnocchi are hard, and transfer to resealable plastic bags. To reheat: add frozen gnocchi to boiling water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese.” Serves 6 (makes about 100 gnocchi)
2 1/2 lb. russet or Idaho potatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup potato starch
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick potatoes all over with fork, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until soft to touch. Slice open, and let cool 10 minutes.
Scoop out potato flesh (it will still be hot); reserve skins for another use. Mash potato flesh in bowl or put through potato ricer. Stir in salt, then egg with fork. Stir in potato starch until dough comes together and no longer sticks to fork or your hands.
Scoop out 1/2 cup dough, and roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope on work surface dusted with potato starch. Cut rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set back of fork atop 1 gnocchi, and use fork to roll gnocchi toward you, making light indentations with fork tines. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi, and cook 2 minutes, or until gnocchi float to top. Drain, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving (about 16 gnocchi): Calories: 207; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 213 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Gluten-Free
CRANBERRY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com's Homecooking guide, writes, “Oragne marmalade, cranberries, brown sugar, sweet onion, and spices sweeten up stuffed acorn squash cooked in the microwave. Kids may even consider this dessert!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 (1-pound) acorn squash
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup finely-minced sweet onion
3 Tablespoons orange marmalade or orange juice
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted but cool
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation:
Pierce the acorn squash all over with a fork or sharp knife so it will not burst in the microwave. Cook on High for 6 to 10 minutes (microwave power levels vary, so check). Turn the squash over, if necessary, and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from microwave and let rest for 10 minutes.
While the acorn squash is resting, stir together cranberrries, sweet onion, marmalade or orange juice, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until well-combined. Place mixture in a micro-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap (venting to let air pressure escape), and cook on High for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cranberries have popped and softened. Remove and let cool slightly while you proceed with the acorn squash.
Cut the acorn squash in half from stem to point and remove seeds. Place cut-side up on a platter. Fill with the cranberry mixture. If necessary, cover and reheat on a micro-safe platter on High for 1 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
THREE-BEAN SOUP
This is one of my favorite quick meals that I usually only fix on weekends, especially if it happens to be cold and/or rainy. It’s from the November/December 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 37, in that issue’s “30 Minutes; Quick, Fast Food” section. This vegan recipe serves 6, and starts off, “Here’s a straight-from-the-pantry soup that’ll become a weeknight favorite. (Or, in my case, weekend favorite.) Pureeing one of the cans of beans creates a creamy base without adding extra fat or cholesterol. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and serve with vegetable chips, if desired.”
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
1 15.5-oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 Tbs.)
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
1 15.5-oz. can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute onion 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft. Add navy beans, black beans and garlic, and continue cooking and stirring 8 to 10 minutes more. Stir in 1 cup broth.
Meanwhile, put great Northern beans and remaining 1 cup broth into food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. Pour puree into soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with more broth or water, if desired.
Spoon into individual soup bowls, and serve hot.
Per serving: 231 calories; 13 g protein; 5 g total fat (0 g saturated fat); 39 g carbs; 0 mg cholesterol; 557 mg sodium; 11 g fiber; 5 g sugars
APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP
I'm not sure where I originally found this; probably on an old emailing list.
2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place evenly into baking dish.
In the same bowl, combine oats, flour and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are tender.
BAKED ZITI
This was originally posted on April 2, 2010. Great for a yummy, easy meal.
What to fix when you've just gotten home from work and you want something good, hot and with a minimum amount of effort? Baked Ziti fits the bill on all three counts. And if you're like me, chances are you have all the makings in your cupboard and fridge.
Here's what it takes:
16 ounce box of ziti
26 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
1 jar-full of water
2 C shredded cheese
Okay, I can hear you asking, "What brand of spaghetti sauce? What type of sauce? And the cheese...Cheddar? Mozzarella? Can it be the stuff already shredded and in a bag or does it have to be a block of cheese that I grate and measure?" Here's the good part: Use what you have.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Take a 9 X 13 inch baking pan. Dump the dried ziti into the pan. (No, no, do NOT cook the ziti first. Dump the ziti uncooked straight from the box.) Pour the spaghetti sauce into the pan and add one jar-full of water into the pan. Stir to mix. Add most of the shredded cheese, reserving 1/4-1/2 cup of cheese. Stir to mix. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake for another 5 minutes for a total time of 40 minutes.
Serve with a salad and possibly garlic bread.
See? Simple, hot, good and with at minimum amount of energy. What could be better for an after-work or weekend dinner?
VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP
This recipe is from Diabetic Gourmet
Yield: 6 servings
Source: "The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/17.shtml
Notes: This recipe originally calls for chicken broth and butter. To make it vegetarian, I've substituted vegetarian broth and olive oil.
Ingredients
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (14.5) cans vegetarian broth
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped
1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: this is in place of butter – for a total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Stir well before serving. If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 210, Protein: 8 g, Carbohydrate: 18 g, Fat: 9 g, Cholesterol: 14 mg, Sodium: 1020 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 2 Fat, 2 Vegetable
POTATO GNOCCHI
This comes from the January/February 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 38. It starts off, “The secret to fluffy, tender gnocchi is to make the dough while the mashed potatoes are hot, add just enough liquid to hold it together, and work it as little as possible. To freeze: place cooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer, freeze until gnocchi are hard, and transfer to resealable plastic bags. To reheat: add frozen gnocchi to boiling water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese.” Serves 6 (makes about 100 gnocchi)
2 1/2 lb. russet or Idaho potatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup potato starch
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick potatoes all over with fork, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until soft to touch. Slice open, and let cool 10 minutes.
Scoop out potato flesh (it will still be hot); reserve skins for another use. Mash potato flesh in bowl or put through potato ricer. Stir in salt, then egg with fork. Stir in potato starch until dough comes together and no longer sticks to fork or your hands.
Scoop out 1/2 cup dough, and roll into 3/4-inch-thick rope on work surface dusted with potato starch. Cut rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Set back of fork atop 1 gnocchi, and use fork to roll gnocchi toward you, making light indentations with fork tines. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi, and cook 2 minutes, or until gnocchi float to top. Drain, and serve.
nutritional information Per Serving (about 16 gnocchi): Calories: 207; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 47 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 213 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Gluten-Free
CRANBERRY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com's Homecooking guide, writes, “Oragne marmalade, cranberries, brown sugar, sweet onion, and spices sweeten up stuffed acorn squash cooked in the microwave. Kids may even consider this dessert!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 (1-pound) acorn squash
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup finely-minced sweet onion
3 Tablespoons orange marmalade or orange juice
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted but cool
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fresh-grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation:
Pierce the acorn squash all over with a fork or sharp knife so it will not burst in the microwave. Cook on High for 6 to 10 minutes (microwave power levels vary, so check). Turn the squash over, if necessary, and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from microwave and let rest for 10 minutes.
While the acorn squash is resting, stir together cranberrries, sweet onion, marmalade or orange juice, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until well-combined. Place mixture in a micro-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap (venting to let air pressure escape), and cook on High for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cranberries have popped and softened. Remove and let cool slightly while you proceed with the acorn squash.
Cut the acorn squash in half from stem to point and remove seeds. Place cut-side up on a platter. Fill with the cranberry mixture. If necessary, cover and reheat on a micro-safe platter on High for 1 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
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