It's Monday, time to get another week started. Today's vegetarian offerings include Three Sisters Casserole, Sweet Potato and Corn Chili Pasta, and, for something a little special, Apple Jelly and a Plum-Ginger Freezer Jam (both from The New York Times cooking newsletter). Enjoy!
SWEET POTATO AND CORN CHILI PASTA
This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 31). It begins, "Make this hearty, homey pasta dish spicier by adding more chopped chipotle chile, if desired." Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-potato-and-corn-chili-pasta/.
Ingredients
6 oz. rotelle or wagon wheel pasta (2 1/4 cups)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 14.5-oz. cans zesty chili-style diced tomatoes, such as Del Monte
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 Tbs. finely chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
3 Tbs. chopped cilantro
Preparation
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper; cook 3 minutes, or until bell pepper begins to soften, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, sweet potato, and chipotle chile. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Stir in cooked pasta, reserved pasta-cooking water, and corn. Cook, covered, 3 to 5 minutes more, or until pasta is tender and mixture is heated through. Sprinkle with cilantro.
LENTIL CHICKPEA SLOPPY JOES
This is from Eden Foods. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Serves 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup red bell peppers, diced
14 ounces Eden Crushed Tomatoes
3 Tbsp organic tomato paste
1 Tbsp organic maple syrup
2 tsp Eden Red Wine Vinegar
1-1/2 tsp Eden Shoyu Soy Sauce, or Tamari
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp Eden Brown Mustard
1 tsp Eden Ground Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Eden Ground Cumin
1/4 tsp Eden Sea Salt
1/8 tsp Eden Black Pepper
15 ounces Eden Lentils w/Onion & Bay Leaf
15 ounces Eden Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained
6 whole wheat buns
Directions
Heat oil in large skillet and sauté shallots and garlic 2 to 3 minutes. Add peppers and sauté another 2 minutes. Add all ingredients except the lentils, garbanzo beans and buns. Mix thoroughly. Simmer 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add lentils and garbanzos to sauce. Mix and cook another 10 minutes. Spoon mix onto the buns, serve, and enjoy.
THREE SISTERS CASSEROLE
This was on the Vegetarian Times web site, and begins, "A Native American expression, 'three sisters' refers to the practice of growing beans, corn, and squash together. This filling casserole can be frozen for an upcoming party or made fresh for dinner. Serve with Pumpkin Seed Pesto." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/three-sisters-casserole/.
Ingredients
Polenta topping
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 Tbs. chili powder
3/4 tsp. salt
Filling
3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 large red or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch dice (1 cup)
1 lb. kabocha squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (2 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes with chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
Preparation
To make Polenta Topping: Whisk together cornmeal, chili powder, salt, and 4-1/2 cups water in double boiler, or in large metal bowl over barely simmering water. Cook 40 minutes, or until polenta is thick and stiff, stirring 3 or 4 times. Remove from heat.
To make Filling: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 7 minutes, or until softened, stirring often. Add bell pepper, and cook 5 minutes more, stirring often.
Stir in squash, tomatoes, garlic, coriander, and cumin. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup water and salt. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, partially covered, 10 to 15 minutes, or until squash is tender. Stir in beans and corn, and cook 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
Coat 8- x 11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 2 cups polenta over bottom of prepared dish. Spoon squash mixture over polenta. Smooth remaining polenta (about 2-1/2 cups) over top.
Score casserole into 6 squares with knife. Brush top with remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until heated through and top is lightly browned.
CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE
This recipe is by Cooking Light and posted on MyRecipes. It begins, "From Kimberly Holland, Associate Digital Editor. In Scottsboro, Alabama, Kimberly's grandfather is the cheesy potato casserole chef.Rather than using sodium-loaded canned soup, we made our own creamy sauce to update this dish."
Hands-on: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Makes 10 servings (serving size: 3/4 cup)
To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cheesy-potato-casserole.
Ingredients
2-1/2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 (32-ounce) bag frozen Southern-style hash brown potatoes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1-2/3 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
4 ounces 2% reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded (about 1 cup)
Cooking spray
3 cups cornflakes
1-1/2 tablespoons melted butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 5 minutes. Add potatoes; cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 8 minutes or until potatoes begin to brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and black pepper.
Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk. Add milk mixture to pan; cook 3 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Remove pan from heat. Stir in yogurt and cheese. Spoon mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Place cornflakes in a medium bowl; drizzle with butter and remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons oil, and toss to coat. Sprinkle cornflakes over potato mixture. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and topping is crisp.
PLUM-GINGER FREEZER JAM
This is from Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. She wrote, "This no-cook jam captures the joy of biting into a cold, crisp plum, and the technique it employs is ideal for capturing the freshness of firm ripe summer fruit. This jam, which can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it what's commonly known as a refrigerator or freezer jam, is also packed with ginger and lemon, so you’ll get a bouquet of flavors in every spoonful."
Yield: 6 to 7 cups; Time: 10 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in "Preserving the Season at Its Peak", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022488-plum-ginger-freezer-jam.
Ingredients
3 pounds ripe but firm plums, pitted and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
1 cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons scrubbed, grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons lemon zest (from 4 lemons)
2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon calcium powder, if needed (see Tip)
4 1/2 teaspoons powdered pectin (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Preparation
Using a potato masher or fork, gently crush the plums in a large bowl to release some pulp and juices while keeping the fruit chunky. Toss with the sugar, then add the ginger and lemon zest and juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Measure the volume of your fruit mixture; you should have about 6 cups.
If your package of pectin comes with calcium powder, stir 1/4 teaspoon of the calcium powder into 1/4 cup water to dissolve. Set aside. Place the 4 1/2 teaspoons pectin in a stand blender, or have it measured and ready if using an immersion blender. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then pour it into the stand blender and blend. (If using an immersion blender, add the pectin to the saucepan and blend.) The mixture should become very smooth and look like a soft gel. Stir the pectin mixture into the fruit until evenly combined, then stir in 4 teaspoons of the calcium water, if using. The jam should thicken and be softly set. Add the salt, stir and taste. Adjust after tasting with more teaspoons of lemon juice, if necessary, for a good balance of sweet and tart.
Transfer to clean airtight containers, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks before serving. Or, store in the freezer for up to 3 months; defrost completely in the refrigerator before serving.
Tip
There are different brands of powdered pectin, so the amount needed may change depending on which you buy and the package may include calcium powder. If the package includes instructions for no-cook freezer or refrigerator jam, follow them and adjust the amount of pectin needed based on your volume of cut fruit.
APPLE JELLY
This is from Yewande Komolafe on The New York Times cooking website. She wrote, "This delicate fruit preserve can help you use up your bounty of peak fall apples. A crystal clear jelly is what you are after here, so look for cooking apples — you want firm, crisp fruit that will hold up to stewing and straining without falling apart. Once the apples are cooked and their juices are extracted, the resulting jam is reminiscent of floral honey and tart citrus. Serve with a buttery croissant, warm toast, as a filling for pastries or a glaze for fruit tarts and cakes."
Yield: 4 to 5 cups; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling and canning
This was featured in "Preserving the Season at Its Peak", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022489-apple-jelly.
Ingredients
3 1/2 pounds cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn or Honeycrisp, or a combination, scrubbed
4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Preparation
Cut the apples into 1-inch pieces without peeling or coring, but discard any damaged or spoiled spots.
Place the apples in a large nonreactive pot and pour in 8 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook without stirring until the apples soften, 35 to 40 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Set a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a muslin bag over another large pot, and pour the contents of the pot into the sieve. Do not press on the apples to prevent the jelly from becoming cloudy. You should have at least 7 cups of juice. Some apple varieties absorb more water and may need 2 to 8 hours for the juice to naturally strain out. If that’s the case, refrigerate the pot.
Place a small plate in the freezer to use for testing the setting point of the jelly. Set the pot with the juice over medium-high heat. (Discard the fruit.) Add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, skimming and discarding any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid reduces by about three-quarters and a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 225 degrees, 40 to 50 minutes. To test for doneness, spoon a small amount of liquid onto the cold plate from the freezer and return to the freezer to cool completely, about 2 minutes. Drag a spoon through the jelly. The setting point has been reached if it wrinkles and the wrinkles hold their shape. If they don’t, continue to cook the jelly and test every few minutes on the cold plate.
Once the jelly is done cooking, add the salt, stir to dissolve and adjust with more lemon juice, if needed, for a nice balance of sweet and tart with a floral taste. Ladle the hot liquid into clean, sanitized jars, screw on the lids and follow steps to can, or allow to cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Showing posts with label Plum-Ginger Freezer Jam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plum-Ginger Freezer Jam. Show all posts
Monday, July 31, 2023
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Black Bean and Mango Salad and Basic Vegetable Soup. Enjoy!
PLUM-GINGER FREEZER JAM
This is from Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. She wrote, "This no-cook jam captures the joy of biting into a cold, crisp plum, and the technique it employs is ideal for capturing the freshness of firm ripe summer fruit. This jam, which can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it what's commonly known as a refrigerator or freezer jam, is also packed with ginger and lemon, so you’ll get a bouquet of flavors in every spoonful."
Yield: 6 to 7 cups; Time: 10 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in "Preserving the Season at Its Peak", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022488-plum-ginger-freezer-jam.
Ingredients
3 pounds ripe but firm plums, pitted and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
1 cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons scrubbed, grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons lemon zest (from 4 lemons)
2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon calcium powder, if needed (see Tip)
4 1/2 teaspoons powdered pectin (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Preparation
Using a potato masher or fork, gently crush the plums in a large bowl to release some pulp and juices while keeping the fruit chunky. Toss with the sugar, then add the ginger and lemon zest and juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Measure the volume of your fruit mixture; you should have about 6 cups.
If your package of pectin comes with calcium powder, stir 1/4 teaspoon of the calcium powder into 1/4 cup water to dissolve. Set aside. Place the 4 1/2 teaspoons pectin in a stand blender, or have it measured and ready if using an immersion blender. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then pour it into the stand blender and blend. (If using an immersion blender, add the pectin to the saucepan and blend.) The mixture should become very smooth and look like a soft gel. Stir the pectin mixture into the fruit until evenly combined, then stir in 4 teaspoons of the calcium water, if using. The jam should thicken and be softly set. Add the salt, stir and taste. Adjust after tasting with more teaspoons of lemon juice, if necessary, for a good balance of sweet and tart.
Transfer to clean airtight containers, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks before serving. Or, store in the freezer for up to 3 months; defrost completely in the refrigerator before serving.
Tip
There are different brands of powdered pectin, so the amount needed may change depending on which you buy and the package may include calcium powder. If the package includes instructions for no-cook freezer or refrigerator jam, follow them and adjust the amount of pectin needed based on your volume of cut fruit.
APPLE JELLY
This is from Yewande Komolafe on The New York Times website. She wrote, "This delicate fruit preserve can help you use up your bounty of peak fall apples. A crystal clear jelly is what you are after here, so look for cooking apples — you want firm, crisp fruit that will hold up to stewing and straining without falling apart. Once the apples are cooked and their juices are extracted, the resulting jam is reminiscent of floral honey and tart citrus. Serve with a buttery croissant, warm toast, as a filling for pastries or a glaze for fruit tarts and cakes."
Yield: 4 to 5 cups; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling and canning
This was featured in "Preserving the Season at Its Peak", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022489-apple-jelly.
Ingredients
3 1/2 pounds cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn or Honeycrisp, or a combination, scrubbed
4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Preparation
Cut the apples into 1-inch pieces without peeling or coring, but discard any damaged or spoiled spots.
Place the apples in a large nonreactive pot and pour in 8 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook without stirring until the apples soften, 35 to 40 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Set a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a muslin bag over another large pot, and pour the contents of the pot into the sieve. Do not press on the apples to prevent the jelly from becoming cloudy. You should have at least 7 cups of juice. Some apple varieties absorb more water and may need 2 to 8 hours for the juice to naturally strain out. If that’s the case, refrigerate the pot.
Place a small plate in the freezer to use for testing the setting point of the jelly. Set the pot with the juice over medium-high heat. (Discard the fruit.) Add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, skimming and discarding any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid reduces by about three-quarters and a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 225 degrees, 40 to 50 minutes. To test for doneness, spoon a small amount of liquid onto the cold plate from the freezer and return to the freezer to cool completely, about 2 minutes. Drag a spoon through the jelly. The setting point has been reached if it wrinkles and the wrinkles hold their shape. If they don’t, continue to cook the jelly and test every few minutes on the cold plate.
Once the jelly is done cooking, add the salt, stir to dissolve and adjust with more lemon juice, if needed, for a nice balance of sweet and tart with a floral taste. Ladle the hot liquid into clean, sanitized jars, screw on the lids and follow steps to can, or allow to cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
BLACK BEAN AND MANGO SALAD
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "Black beans and mangoes combine with fresh bell pepper, fresh jalapeno peppers and fresh cilantro in this simple vegetarian, vegan, high-protein, and gluten-free bean salad recipe. The flavors are simple yet powerful, and the combination is quite tasty.
"This black bean and mango salad recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, and, with just one tablespoon of olive oil divided among four servings, it's also relatively low in fat. With less than 200 calories per serving, this bean salad also qualifies as a low-calorie recipe."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/black-bean-and-mango-salad-recipe-3378314.
Ingredients
1 (15.8-ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 cup sweet red, orange, or yellow bell pepper (diced)
6 green onions (thinly sliced)
1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and minced) or hot sauce to taste
1/4 cup cilantro leaves (chopped)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups mango (diced)
Sea salt or kosher salt (to taste)
Prepartions
Gather the ingredients.
In a large bowl, combine the drained and rinsed black beans, the diced bell pepper, green onions, minced jalapeno pepper, and fresh cilantro.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lime juice (and the hot sauce if you're using hot sauce instead of fresh jalapeno pepper).
Pour the olive oil and lime juice mixture over the bean mix, and gently toss together until well mixed.
Once the ingredients are well combined, carefully and gently fold in the diced mango and season lightly with sea salt or kosher salt.
You may want to taste, and adjust the seasonings, or add a bit more salt before serving.
Tips
Use sea salt or kosher salt for the best taste, instead of regular table salt. Similarly, use the best quality olive oil you have, and use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled, if possible, for the best flavor.
MARINARA SAUCE
This comes from WW (formerly Weight Watchers), and begins, "This homemade marinara is quick and versatile, and it can be easily doubled if you’d like to keep some on hand in the freezer. One shortcut on this recipe is using canned whole tomatoes and letting your food processor or blender doing the chopping. However, if you want to use fresh tomatoes, you should; the flavor is amazing. This is a solid base recipe to use as a starting point. From here you can add in your favorite herbs (try oregano, thyme, and rosemary), amp up the minced garlic, stir in some roasted red peppers, or add in some crushed red pepper for a bit of heat."
Prep Time: 8 minutes; Cook: 30 minutes; Total Time: 38 minutes; Serves:8; Difficulty: Easy
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
28 oz Canned whole plum tomatoes
1 tsp Olive oil
1/4 medium uncooked onion, finely chopped
2 medium cloves garlic clove, minced
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
2 Tbsp Basil, chopped
Instructions
In a food processor or a blender, pulse the tomatoes until they're coarsely chopped; set aside.
Heat a medium soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Swirl in the oil, then add the onion. Sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and sauté until just fragrant, 30 seconds more.
Stir in the tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce until thickened, at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour. Stir in the basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serving size: 1/2 cup.
ROASTED VEGETABLES
Long since forgotten email list. The person who posted this wrote that it was from page 201 of THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT SOLUTION COOKBOOK by Dr. Phil McGraw. Makes 8 SERVINGS
Ingredients
1 large rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large turnip, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups baby carrots
2 cups small Brussels sprouts (see Note 1)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Combine the rutabaga, turnip, carrots, and Brussels sprouts in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a roasting or broiler pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl clean of any remaining oil, salt, and pepper; drizzle it over the vegetables.
Roast, tossing every 10 minutes or so to prevent sticking, until golden brown and tender, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Pour the maple syrup into the hot roasting pan and toss with the roasted vegetables (see Note 2). Pour the entire mixture into a serving bowl and drizzle the remaining juices over the vegetables.
NOTE 1: For accurate and even cooking make a small "x" with a paring knife in the stem end of each Brussels sprout.
NOTE 2: If you want a sweet-and-sour dressing, add 1 tablespoon cider vinegar to the oil, and drizzle over the hot vegetables.
BASIC VEGETABLE SOUP
This is from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Some say this soup is the secret to their weight-loss success. It's a great midday snack or dinner appetizer. If you like thick soups, consider pureeing this recipe in the pot with an immersion blender. There are so many variations on this recipe. Add or leave out vegetables to suit your taste. Save time by using frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones (though the texture of the soup might change a bit). You can also buy small amounts of pre-cut vegetables from your supermarket's salad bar."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 12; Serving Size: 1 cup; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 medium uncooked carrots, diced
2 small uncooked zucchini, diced
2 cups uncooked savoy cabbage, shredded, or other variety, shredded
2 cups uncooked Swiss chard, chopped
2 cups uncooked cauliflower, small floret
2 cups uncooked broccoli, small florets
1 medium uncooked onion, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 rib medium uncooked celery, diced
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
6 cups fat free reduced sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, or fresh chives, chopped
1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice, optional
Directions
Put garlic, vegetables, thyme, and broth into a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
Stir in parsley or chives; season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
PLUM-GINGER FREEZER JAM
This is from Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. She wrote, "This no-cook jam captures the joy of biting into a cold, crisp plum, and the technique it employs is ideal for capturing the freshness of firm ripe summer fruit. This jam, which can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it what's commonly known as a refrigerator or freezer jam, is also packed with ginger and lemon, so you’ll get a bouquet of flavors in every spoonful."
Yield: 6 to 7 cups; Time: 10 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in "Preserving the Season at Its Peak", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022488-plum-ginger-freezer-jam.
Ingredients
3 pounds ripe but firm plums, pitted and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
1 cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons scrubbed, grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons lemon zest (from 4 lemons)
2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon calcium powder, if needed (see Tip)
4 1/2 teaspoons powdered pectin (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Preparation
Using a potato masher or fork, gently crush the plums in a large bowl to release some pulp and juices while keeping the fruit chunky. Toss with the sugar, then add the ginger and lemon zest and juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Measure the volume of your fruit mixture; you should have about 6 cups.
If your package of pectin comes with calcium powder, stir 1/4 teaspoon of the calcium powder into 1/4 cup water to dissolve. Set aside. Place the 4 1/2 teaspoons pectin in a stand blender, or have it measured and ready if using an immersion blender. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then pour it into the stand blender and blend. (If using an immersion blender, add the pectin to the saucepan and blend.) The mixture should become very smooth and look like a soft gel. Stir the pectin mixture into the fruit until evenly combined, then stir in 4 teaspoons of the calcium water, if using. The jam should thicken and be softly set. Add the salt, stir and taste. Adjust after tasting with more teaspoons of lemon juice, if necessary, for a good balance of sweet and tart.
Transfer to clean airtight containers, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 2 weeks before serving. Or, store in the freezer for up to 3 months; defrost completely in the refrigerator before serving.
Tip
There are different brands of powdered pectin, so the amount needed may change depending on which you buy and the package may include calcium powder. If the package includes instructions for no-cook freezer or refrigerator jam, follow them and adjust the amount of pectin needed based on your volume of cut fruit.
APPLE JELLY
This is from Yewande Komolafe on The New York Times website. She wrote, "This delicate fruit preserve can help you use up your bounty of peak fall apples. A crystal clear jelly is what you are after here, so look for cooking apples — you want firm, crisp fruit that will hold up to stewing and straining without falling apart. Once the apples are cooked and their juices are extracted, the resulting jam is reminiscent of floral honey and tart citrus. Serve with a buttery croissant, warm toast, as a filling for pastries or a glaze for fruit tarts and cakes."
Yield: 4 to 5 cups; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling and canning
This was featured in "Preserving the Season at Its Peak", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022489-apple-jelly.
Ingredients
3 1/2 pounds cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn or Honeycrisp, or a combination, scrubbed
4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Preparation
Cut the apples into 1-inch pieces without peeling or coring, but discard any damaged or spoiled spots.
Place the apples in a large nonreactive pot and pour in 8 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook without stirring until the apples soften, 35 to 40 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Set a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a muslin bag over another large pot, and pour the contents of the pot into the sieve. Do not press on the apples to prevent the jelly from becoming cloudy. You should have at least 7 cups of juice. Some apple varieties absorb more water and may need 2 to 8 hours for the juice to naturally strain out. If that’s the case, refrigerate the pot.
Place a small plate in the freezer to use for testing the setting point of the jelly. Set the pot with the juice over medium-high heat. (Discard the fruit.) Add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, skimming and discarding any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid reduces by about three-quarters and a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 225 degrees, 40 to 50 minutes. To test for doneness, spoon a small amount of liquid onto the cold plate from the freezer and return to the freezer to cool completely, about 2 minutes. Drag a spoon through the jelly. The setting point has been reached if it wrinkles and the wrinkles hold their shape. If they don’t, continue to cook the jelly and test every few minutes on the cold plate.
Once the jelly is done cooking, add the salt, stir to dissolve and adjust with more lemon juice, if needed, for a nice balance of sweet and tart with a floral taste. Ladle the hot liquid into clean, sanitized jars, screw on the lids and follow steps to can, or allow to cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
BLACK BEAN AND MANGO SALAD
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "Black beans and mangoes combine with fresh bell pepper, fresh jalapeno peppers and fresh cilantro in this simple vegetarian, vegan, high-protein, and gluten-free bean salad recipe. The flavors are simple yet powerful, and the combination is quite tasty.
"This black bean and mango salad recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, and, with just one tablespoon of olive oil divided among four servings, it's also relatively low in fat. With less than 200 calories per serving, this bean salad also qualifies as a low-calorie recipe."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/black-bean-and-mango-salad-recipe-3378314.
Ingredients
1 (15.8-ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 cup sweet red, orange, or yellow bell pepper (diced)
6 green onions (thinly sliced)
1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and minced) or hot sauce to taste
1/4 cup cilantro leaves (chopped)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups mango (diced)
Sea salt or kosher salt (to taste)
Prepartions
Gather the ingredients.
In a large bowl, combine the drained and rinsed black beans, the diced bell pepper, green onions, minced jalapeno pepper, and fresh cilantro.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lime juice (and the hot sauce if you're using hot sauce instead of fresh jalapeno pepper).
Pour the olive oil and lime juice mixture over the bean mix, and gently toss together until well mixed.
Once the ingredients are well combined, carefully and gently fold in the diced mango and season lightly with sea salt or kosher salt.
You may want to taste, and adjust the seasonings, or add a bit more salt before serving.
Tips
Use sea salt or kosher salt for the best taste, instead of regular table salt. Similarly, use the best quality olive oil you have, and use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled, if possible, for the best flavor.
MARINARA SAUCE
This comes from WW (formerly Weight Watchers), and begins, "This homemade marinara is quick and versatile, and it can be easily doubled if you’d like to keep some on hand in the freezer. One shortcut on this recipe is using canned whole tomatoes and letting your food processor or blender doing the chopping. However, if you want to use fresh tomatoes, you should; the flavor is amazing. This is a solid base recipe to use as a starting point. From here you can add in your favorite herbs (try oregano, thyme, and rosemary), amp up the minced garlic, stir in some roasted red peppers, or add in some crushed red pepper for a bit of heat."
Prep Time: 8 minutes; Cook: 30 minutes; Total Time: 38 minutes; Serves:8; Difficulty: Easy
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
28 oz Canned whole plum tomatoes
1 tsp Olive oil
1/4 medium uncooked onion, finely chopped
2 medium cloves garlic clove, minced
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
2 Tbsp Basil, chopped
Instructions
In a food processor or a blender, pulse the tomatoes until they're coarsely chopped; set aside.
Heat a medium soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Swirl in the oil, then add the onion. Sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and sauté until just fragrant, 30 seconds more.
Stir in the tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce until thickened, at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour. Stir in the basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serving size: 1/2 cup.
ROASTED VEGETABLES
Long since forgotten email list. The person who posted this wrote that it was from page 201 of THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT SOLUTION COOKBOOK by Dr. Phil McGraw. Makes 8 SERVINGS
Ingredients
1 large rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large turnip, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups baby carrots
2 cups small Brussels sprouts (see Note 1)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Combine the rutabaga, turnip, carrots, and Brussels sprouts in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a roasting or broiler pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl clean of any remaining oil, salt, and pepper; drizzle it over the vegetables.
Roast, tossing every 10 minutes or so to prevent sticking, until golden brown and tender, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Pour the maple syrup into the hot roasting pan and toss with the roasted vegetables (see Note 2). Pour the entire mixture into a serving bowl and drizzle the remaining juices over the vegetables.
NOTE 1: For accurate and even cooking make a small "x" with a paring knife in the stem end of each Brussels sprout.
NOTE 2: If you want a sweet-and-sour dressing, add 1 tablespoon cider vinegar to the oil, and drizzle over the hot vegetables.
BASIC VEGETABLE SOUP
This is from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Some say this soup is the secret to their weight-loss success. It's a great midday snack or dinner appetizer. If you like thick soups, consider pureeing this recipe in the pot with an immersion blender. There are so many variations on this recipe. Add or leave out vegetables to suit your taste. Save time by using frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones (though the texture of the soup might change a bit). You can also buy small amounts of pre-cut vegetables from your supermarket's salad bar."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 12; Serving Size: 1 cup; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 medium uncooked carrots, diced
2 small uncooked zucchini, diced
2 cups uncooked savoy cabbage, shredded, or other variety, shredded
2 cups uncooked Swiss chard, chopped
2 cups uncooked cauliflower, small floret
2 cups uncooked broccoli, small florets
1 medium uncooked onion, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 rib medium uncooked celery, diced
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
6 cups fat free reduced sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, or fresh chives, chopped
1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice, optional
Directions
Put garlic, vegetables, thyme, and broth into a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
Stir in parsley or chives; season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
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