Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Showing posts with label Vegetarian Tamale Pie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vegetarian Tamale Pie. Show all posts

Monday, September 14, 2026

Monday Recipes

It's Monday, time to get the work week started. Today's offerings include Steakhouse Potatoes Romanoff and Vegetarian Tamale Pie. Enjoy!

COLESLAW

This yumminess is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kay wrote, "This classic coleslaw recipe is also the simplest, with a light, creamy, tangy-sweet dressing spiked with celery seeds. For the best coleslaw, make it a few hours ahead and refrigerate it to allow all the flavors to marry and soak into the cabbage. Celery seeds add strong, aromatic, grassy notes, but simply skip them if they’re unavailable. For extra flair, you could add 1/2 cup of your favorite chopped fresh herb, such as parsley, tarragon or dill. Leftovers make a great topping for tacos, hot dogs, sliders and sandwiches."

Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023278-coleslaw. 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 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 pounds)

1/2 medium head purple cabbage (about 1 pound)

2 carrots, grated on the large holes of a box grater

Preparation

In a very large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and celery seeds. Season with salt and pepper, and mix until smooth.

Shred the cabbage: Using a sharp knife, quarter and core the green cabbage. Arrange quarters cut side down, so they sit flat and stable. Thinly slice them lengthwise for longer shreds (or crosswise for shorter shreds). Repeat with the purple cabbage. You should get about 16 total cups of shredded green and purple cabbage.

Add all the shredded cabbage and the shredded carrots to the bowl, season with salt and pepper, and toss until well combined. (Hands work best here.)

Transfer coleslaw to a serving bowl and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate 3 hours ahead of time and up to overnight for the best texture, and serve chilled.

IRISH BROWN BREAD

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you can't make it to Ireland anytime soon, bring the taste of Ireland to your table tonight! One of the easiest and quickest breads to bake up, this Irish Brown Bread has become a favorite in our Test Kitchen. We like to slice it up and serve it warm with a little margarine or sugar-free jam on the side."

Cook Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 16; Serving Size: 1 (16th of a round)

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Bread/Irish-Brown-Bread-6746.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour



1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons light butter, cut into small pieces

1 egg

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well.

Add butter, then the egg and buttermilk. Using your hands, mix until just combined. Place dough on baking sheet and shape into a round loaf about 1 inch high. Make a crisscross cut (an "X") across the top with a floured knife.

Bake bread 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake 25 to 30 more minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack, then cut into wedges and serve warm.

VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."

Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Chili

1 large red or white onion, halved

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)

1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed

1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes

3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin

3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

For the Cornbread3/4 cup fine cornmeal

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons honey

2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving

1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.

Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.

Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.

Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.

While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.

Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.

STEAKHOUSE POTATOES ROMANOFF

This is from John Mitzewich (aka Chef John) at Allrecipes, and begins, "My potatoes Romanoff is an ideal dish for big holiday gatherings since you can make it the day before and bake it when needed. Featuring shredded baked russet potatoes and sweet shallots fluffed up with sour cream and lots of Cheddar cheese, this delicious potato casserole is the perfect side dish for any cut of steak. Chef John Schenk taught me how to make this special potato gratin ten years ago at his restaurant Strip House in Las Vegas."

Prep Time:20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Addtional Time: 8 hours; Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/276526/steakhouse-potatoes-romanoff/.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter, or as needed

3 large russet potatoes, scrubbed

1/4 cup minced shallots

3 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

2-1/2 cups grated sharp white Cheddar cheese

1-3/4 cups sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Wrap each potato in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Use a small knife to poke holes in the potatoes.

Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Let potatoes cool to room temperature. Unwrap and place on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled, 8 hours to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a casserole dish.

Leave skin on potatoes. Use a cheese grater to shred potatoes into a large bowl. Add shallots to potatoes; season with salt, white pepper, and cayenne. Toss with two forks until well combined.

Add Cheddar cheese and mix well. Gently toss in sour cream until barely combined.

Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, piling it up high, then patting it down very lightly.

Bake in the preheated oven until piping hot and the top is browned, 30 to 35 minutes.

Chef's Notes

You can use 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of fine salt instead of kosher salt. Ground black pepper can be used instead of white.

If you do use shallots, note that a little will go a long way because they are raw. Feel free to sauté them in a little butter to take off the sharp, raw edge.

WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH PAELLA-STYLE ORZO

This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 30). It begins, "Good-quality saffron is the key to this dish. Shop at a reliable source such as a gourmet store or online spice purveyor, and choose brands that indicate where the saffron was harvested." Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/winter-vegetable-medley-with-paella-style-orzo/.

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. saffron threads

1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted whole tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved, and tomatoes halved

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces

1 cup orzo pasta

1/4 cup frozen peas

2 cups large cauliflower florets

8 green onions, each cut into thirds

1 cup large broccoli florets

Preparation

Bring broth to a simmer in saucepan. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, saffron, and tomato liquid. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and keep hot.

Coat large skillet or 8-qt. Dutch oven with cooking spray, add oil, and heat over high heat. Add tomatoes, sear 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and dry, and transfer to plate. Add bell pepper, sear 2 to 3 minutes, and transfer to same plate.

Sprinkle orzo into skillet, and stir 30 seconds. Stir in broth and peas, and reduce heat to medium. Arrange cauliflower florets on top of orzo in pot. Arrange green onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper pieces around cauliflower; cover, and simmer without stirring, 11 minutes. Scatter broccoli over vegetables, remove pot from heat, and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, or until orzo has absorbed all liquid and broccoli is crisp-tender.

CRISPY TOFU AND CABBAGE STIR-FRY

This is from Ali in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. The recipe begins, "This tumble of crisp tofu, charred cabbage and citrusy coriander includes a couple tricks you’ll want to employ in other dishes. The flavor of the stir-fry is propelled by using the coriander plant multiple ways: Combining coriander seeds with fresh stems and leaves — also known as cilantro — creates a range of complex but related flavors. Then there’s what might be the quickest — and your new favorite — way to cook cabbage: When large pieces of cabbage are cooked undisturbed in a hot pan, they don’t have a chance to turn to mush. Instead, the cabbage becomes sweet and crisp-tender, with a smoky edge. Eat the stir-fry with grains or noodles, like rice noodles or soba.

"To get vegetarian recipes like this one delivered to your inbox, sign up for The Veggie newsletter."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022830-crispy-tofu-and-cabbage-stir-fry..

Ingredients

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Kosher salt

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, patted dry and torn into 1-inch pieces (see Tip)

1/4 cup neutral oil (such as canola or grapeseed), plus more as needed

About 1 1/2 pounds green or red cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces, leaves separated

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos, plus more to taste

1 tablespoon coriander seeds, crushed

1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves and stems

2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 large lime)

Directions

In a large bowl, sprinkle the red onion with salt and stir to combine. In a medium bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the tofu and toss to coat.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add the cabbage and cook, undisturbed, until charred underneath, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir, spread into an even layer, and cook, undisturbed, until charred in spots and crisp-tender, another 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce, and season with salt. Transfer to the bowl of red onions.

In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high. Add the tofu and cook until golden on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side, adding more oil and scraping the bottom of the pan as necessary. Remove from heat, add the coriander seeds and stir gently until fragrant and toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cabbage-onion mixture and stir to combine, then stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Season to taste with soy sauce.

Tip

It can be tricky to tear pieces of the same size, so start by slicing the tofu crosswise so that you have 1-inch-thick slabs, then tear off cubes from there.

Friday, May 22, 2026

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six meatless recipes to help you through the weekend, including Make-Ahead Egg, Spinach and Feta Wrap and Veggie Chili Cornbread Casserole. Enjoy!

SAUTEED JAMAICAN CALLALOO

This yumminess is from Gabi Odebode on the Food Network.

This recipe starts off, "Callaloo is so popular in Jamaica that this leafy green is often referred to as Jamaican spinach. Although it looks something like spinach, it has a sturdier texture that’s akin to collard greens. Believed to have traveled to the Caribbean from West Africa, callaloo is cooked in many ways throughout the islands, including in ways similar to Southern braised collards. In Jamaica, it’s often sautéed, particularly with bell peppers and other vegetables for a bit of sweetness. Herbs and spice are added for robust flavor that’s bound to please even those who aren’t greens fans. Fresh callaloo can be difficult to find so we use frozen leaves in this recipe. Serve the dish with rice, plantains or boiled dumplings for a full Jamaican experience."

Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 Servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sauteed-jamaican-callaloo-18572553.

Note: This recipe originally called for either chicken or vegetable bouillon powder. I’ve omitted the chicken option, leaving it at vegetable bouillon.

Ingredients

5 ounces frozen callaloo

2 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small red bell pepper, diced

1 small yellow bell pepper, diced

2 scallions, sliced

1 habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper, chopped, optional

2 teaspoons vegetable bouillon powder, optional

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Sea salt, to taste

Directions

Place the frozen callaloo in a medium bowl and allow it to thaw about 10 minutes. Remove and discard the thick stems from the callaloo but keep the thin stems attached to the leaves. Roughly chop the callaloo, place it in a strainer and rinse it thoroughly with room-temperature water to remove any dirt. Set aside in the strainer.

Fill a bowl large enough to comfortably hold the strainer with boiling water. Place the strainer with the callaloo into the water for about 3 minutes. Rinse the callaloo in cold water until cool, about 2 minutes. This step helps soften the callaloo and brighten its color. Press down on the callaloo in the strainer to remove excess water or wrap it in cheesecloth and wring out the water. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the red and yellow bell peppers and cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Add the scallions and habanero pepper, if using, and cook for another minute. Add the callaloo and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium low. Stir in the bouillon powder, if using, and the thyme and cook for another 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue cooking until the callaloo is completely wilted and dark green, about 5 minutes. Taste again and add more salt if needed.

VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."

Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Chili

1 large red or white onion, halved

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)

1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed

1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes

3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin

3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

For the Cornbread3/4 cup fine cornmeal

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons honey

2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving

1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.

Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.

Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.

Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.

While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.

Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.

VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.

Ingredients

Chili:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon lime juice

Cornbread:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped

Garnish:

1 jalapeno pepper, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.

Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.

Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.

LEMONY ORZO WITH ASPARAGUS AND GARLIC BREAD CRUMBS

This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "Every spoonful of this pasta has a happy jumble of lemony orzo, grassy asparagus, garlicky bread crumbs, fresh herbs and salty Parmesan. The pasta and thinly sliced asparagus cook together in the same pot, then rest in a lemony dressing while the garlic bread crumbs are toasted, so the pasta has time to absorb as much flavor as possible."

Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021068-lemony-orzo-with-asparagus-and-garlic-bread-crumbs. 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

Salt and black pepper

1 cup orzo

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and thinly sliced on a diagonal (about 1/4-inch thick)

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 3 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more as needed (from about 1 large lemon)

1/2 cup panko or homemade bread crumbs

1 small garlic clove, finely grated

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

1/2 cup fresh dill, mint or parsley leaves (or any combination), torn if large

Preparation

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente according to package directions. Two minutes before the orzo is done, add the asparagus. Drain the orzo and asparagus. Wipe out and reserve the pot.

While the orzo and asparagus cook, make the dressing: In a large bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons oil and the lemon zest and juice; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the drained orzo and asparagus and toss to coat. Set aside while you toast the bread crumbs.

In the reserved pot, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the panko and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in the garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Stir the Parmesan and herbs into the orzo, taste, then season with salt, pepper and additional lemon juice, if desired. Top with the toasted bread crumbs and more Parmesan if you like. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MAKE-AHEAD EGG, SPINACH AND FETA WRAPS

This is from Naz Deravian in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Naz wrote, "Packed with protein, enough baby spinach to make Popeye proud, and punchy umami from sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese, these wraps are ideal for make-ahead breakfasts. Feel free to customize by adding herbs like dill, parsley or cilantro, or a small handful of chopped roasted red peppers or pitted olives. The frittata-like egg mixture is baked in the oven in a baking pan and sliced into rectangles to fit easily on lavash wraps or burrito-size flour tortillas. If you don’t want to make wraps, you can simply serve the tender frittata by itself."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: 5 wraps

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026810-make-ahead-egg-spinach-and-feta-wraps. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up forThe New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

Cooking spray or neutral oil, as needed

1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, plus 3 tablespoons oil from the jar (see Tip)

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper

5 to 6 ounces baby spinach (5 to 6 cups packed)

10 large eggs

1/2 cup/3 ounces crumbled feta

5 lavash wraps (about 10-by-12 inches) or burrito-size flour tortillas, at room temperature (see Tip)

Cream cheese, fresh goat cheese or flavored soft cheese, such as Boursin, optional

Preparation

Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray, making sure to spray the sides well. (Alternately, you can lightly brush with neutral oil.) Line the baking pan with parchment paper with overhang on at least two sides and spray the parchment paper with oil. Heat the oven to 375 degrees with the rack in the center position.

In a large skillet, heat the sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt, add the sundried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the spinach, in batches if necessary, and cook, stirring frequently, just until wilted. (You don’t want the spinach to release any liquid.) Season with salt and pepper, keeping in mind you will also season the eggs. Remove from the heat.

Add the eggs to a large bowl, season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and beat with a whisk or a fork until combined. Add the spinach mixture to the eggs and mix to combine. (Wipe out the skillet and set aside.) Transfer the egg mixture to the baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Top with the feta cheese and bake until the eggs are fully set and the cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 2 minutes.

Slide the frittata onto the cutting board. Slice the frittata widthwise into 5 equal rectangles (each about 2-1/2 inches wide). Place a lavash wrap on a work surface and spread with cream cheese, if using. Place a slice of frittata on the lavash, leaving a 2-inch border from the bottom. Bring the sides of the lavash in and then fold up the bottom, rolling up the lavash like a flat burrito. Repeat with the remaining lavash and frittata.

Heat the same skillet over medium. Spray each lavash wrap lightly with oil on both sides. Place seam side down on the pan and cook until the lavash is warmed through and slightly golden on each side, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Take care not to cook too long so the lavash doesn’t get crispy.) Slice in half, on the diagonal if you like, and serve. (To make ahead, wrap the pan-cooked egg wraps in foil and keep in the fridge for 3 days, or the freezer for 3 months. Reheat in the microwave, in a skillet over low heat, or in the oven at 350 degrees.)

Tips

Instead of sun-dried tomato oil, you can substitute olive oil.

Cold lavash is harder to wrap and can tear, so be sure to take the lavash out of the fridge for a few minutes before wrapping.

LENTIL SLOPPY JOES

This is from Diabetes Food Hub.

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 6; Serving Size: 1 hamburger bun and about 1/2 cup lentil mix

To view this online, go to https://diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/lentil-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

1 medium white onion (sliced into 12 thin onion slices)

6 leaves lettuce

6 whole whole wheat hamburger buns

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 cup lentils (green, rinsed)

2 cups low sodium vegetable broth

2 cloves garlic (minced)

\1 small yellow onion (diced)

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, 3–4 minutes.

Add the broth and lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover for about 20 minutes, until lentils are tender.

Stir in the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.

To serve, divide lentils between buns. Top with lettuce and onion rings.

Serve with a tossed salad on the side.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Wednesday Recipes

Here we are, half-way through the week. If we made it this far, there's a good chance we can make it to the weekend.

Of course, we do have to eat. To that end, here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Steakhouse Potatoes Romanoff and Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl. Enjoy!

CHICKLESS POT PIE

This comes from country star Trisha Yearwood, who also has her own show on The Food Network (called Trisha's Southern Kitchen). The recipe starts off, “Trisha Yearwood's vegetarian take on chicken pot pie is just as decadent without the meat. Although the luscious vegetable filling with peas, carrots and potatoes could be a meal on its own, wrapping it in premade pie dough seals in flavor with a crispy crust.” Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 25 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 50 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: easy

Read more online at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/chickless-pot-pie-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 cup thinly sliced carrots

1 cup frozen green peas

1 cup small diced potatoes

1/2 cup thinly sliced celery

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup butter substitute, such as Earth Balance

1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1-3/4 cups vegetable broth

2/3 cup almond milk

Two 9-inch unbaked pie crusts, lard free

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a jelly-roll pan or baking sheet with foil to place the pie on before cooking; it will keep any filling from dripping into the oven and burning.

In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots, peas, potatoes and celery. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter substitute until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, celery seed and garlic powder. Cook for 2 minutes to get the flour taste out. Slowly stir in the broth and then add the milk. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the drained vegetables.

Roll out one of the unbaked crusts to a 13-inch diameter and place in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Pour the mixture into the bottom crust. Roll out the second pie crust and place on top. Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. If the top of the pie becomes too dark, loosely cover with foil and continue cooking. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

This is from Millie Peartree and adapted by Kiera Wright-Ruiz in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipes, Kiera wrote, "There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It’s adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can’t find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."

Total Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling; Yield:8 to 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020515-southern-macaroni-and-cheese. Also, check out Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese."

While you're at it, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 cups whole milk

2 large eggs

4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted

2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.

Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)

Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."

Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Chili

1 large red or white onion, halved

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)

1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed

1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes

3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin

3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

For the Cornbread3/4 cup fine cornmeal

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons honey

2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving

1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.

Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.

Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and ¼ teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.

Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.

While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.

Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.

Ingredients

8 baking potatoes, washed

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 sticks salted butter

1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3 green onions, sliced

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.

Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.

With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.

Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

STEAKHOUSE POTATOES ROMANOFF

This is from John Mitzewich (aka Chef John) at Allrecipes, and begins, "My potatoes Romanoff is an ideal dish for big holiday gatherings since you can make it the day before and bake it when needed. Featuring shredded baked russet potatoes and sweet shallots fluffed up with sour cream and lots of Cheddar cheese, this delicious potato casserole is the perfect side dish for any cut of steak. Chef John Schenk taught me how to make this special potato gratin ten years ago at his restaurant Strip House in Las Vegas."

Prep Time:20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Addtional Time: 8 hours; Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/276526/steakhouse-potatoes-romanoff/.

Ingredients



Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter, or as needed

3 large russet potatoes, scrubbed

1/4 cup minced shallots

3 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

2-1/2 cups grated sharp white Cheddar cheese

1-3/4 cups sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Wrap each potato in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Use a small knife to poke holes in the potatoes.

Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Let potatoes cool to room temperature. Unwrap and place on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled, 8 hours to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a casserole dish.

Leave skin on potatoes. Use a cheese grater to shred potatoes into a large bowl. Add shallots to potatoes; season with salt, white pepper, and cayenne. Toss with two forks until well combined.

Add Cheddar cheese and mix well. Gently toss in sour cream until barely combined.

Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, piling it up high, then patting it down very lightly.

Bake in the preheated oven until piping hot and the top is browned, 30 to 35 minutes.

Chef's Notes

You can use 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of fine salt instead of kosher salt. Ground black pepper can be used instead of white.

If you do use shallots, note that a little will go a long way because they are raw. Feel free to sauté them in a little butter to take off the sharp, raw edge.

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal."

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 2 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/roasted-veggie-buddha-bowl-5293785.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

Monday, March 23, 2026

Monday Recipes

It's Monday, time to get the week started. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help us along, including Veggie Chili Cornbread Casserole and Chickless Pot Pie. Enjoy!

VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."

Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Chili

1 large red or white onion, halved

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)

1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed

1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes

3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin

3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

For the Cornbread3/4 cup fine cornmeal

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons honey

2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving

1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.

Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.

Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.

Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.

While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.

Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.

Ingredients

8 baking potatoes, washed

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 sticks salted butter

1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3 green onions, sliced

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.

Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.

With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.

Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE

This yumminess is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Melissa wrote, "This casserole may upset some mashed potato purists, but take heart: one bite and they'll be won over. The genius of this recipe, besides its utter deliciousness, is that it can be made the day before, or even two. Cook the potatoes, assemble the casserole, wrap tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When dinnertime comes, dust it with the cheese, butter and bread crumbs and bake the whole thing off. (And for everything you need to know to make perfect potatoes, visit our potato guide.) Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."

Total Time: 40 minutes plus 30 minutes' baking; Yield: 12 to 14 servings

This was featured in "What Can I Prepare Before the Actual Day of Thanksgiving?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013923-mashed-potato-casserole.

You might also want to check out "Melisa Clark's Thanksgiving" and Julia Moskin's guide, "How to Cook Potatoes."

One last thing: 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

14 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, and more for the pan

6 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1-1/2 cups sour cream

1 teaspoon black pepper

6 tablespoons finely chopped chives

2/3 cup bread crumbs

2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation

Lightly grease a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan.

In a large pot, bring the potatoes, 4 quarts water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.

Mash potatoes with 10 tablespoons butter, sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Mash in the chives. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Spread potatoes into the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate for up to three days.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, bread crumbs and cheese. Mix together until it forms coarse crumbs. Crumbs can be refrigerated for three days.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the potato casserole and bake until golden and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes.

CHICKLESS POT PIE

This comes from country star Trisha Yearwood, who also has her own show on The Food Network (called Trisha's Southern Kitchen). The recipe starts off, “Trisha Yearwood's vegetarian take on chicken pot pie is just as decadent without the meat. Although the luscious vegetable filling with peas, carrots and potatoes could be a meal on its own, wrapping it in premade pie dough seals in flavor with a crispy crust.” Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 25 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 50 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: easy

Read more online at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/chickless-pot-pie-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 cup thinly sliced carrots

1 cup frozen green peas

1 cup small diced potatoes

1/2 cup thinly sliced celery

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup butter substitute, such as Earth Balance

1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1-3/4 cups vegetable broth

2/3 cup almond milk

Two 9-inch unbaked pie crusts, lard free

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a jelly-roll pan or baking sheet with foil to place the pie on before cooking; it will keep any filling from dripping into the oven and burning.

In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots, peas, potatoes and celery. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter substitute until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, celery seed and garlic powder. Cook for 2 minutes to get the flour taste out. Slowly stir in the broth and then add the milk. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the drained vegetables.

Roll out one of the unbaked crusts to a 13-inch diameter and place in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Pour the mixture into the bottom crust. Roll out the second pie crust and place on top. Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. If the top of the pie becomes too dark, loosely cover with foil and continue cooking. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.

Ingredients

Chili:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon lime juice

Cornbread:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped

Garnish:

1 jalapeno pepper, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.

Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.

Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.

GRILLED TOFU

This is from Kay Chun at The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kay wrote, "Pouring hot marinade over tofu slices encourages faster absorption of flavors, eliminating the need to marinate overnight. In a pinch, this method yields tasty results in three hours, but the recommended six hours deliver a much more complex, richer flavored tofu. Grilled, it makes a versatile side dish and is delicious warm or at room temperature. Pair it with steamed rice and a simple green salad, or turn the tofu into satisfying vegetarian sandwiches by tucking it into pita bread with lettuce and avocado."

Total Time: 20 minutes, plus 6 hours' marinating; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022297-grilled-tofu. 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 (14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu, sliced crosswise into eight equal slices (about 1/2-inch thick)

2 tablespoons safflower or canola oil, plus more for greasing grates

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons turbinado sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped scallions

Preparation

Arrange sliced tofu in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate. Press top with more paper towels to remove excess water. Arrange tofu in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, or any shallow dish that can hold the tofu in one layer.

In a small saucepan, combine oil, garlic and ginger over medium; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, sugar, pepper and 1/4 cup water, and cook, stirring to dissolve the sugar, about 2 minutes.

Pour hot marinade over tofu. Gently turn tofu slices to evenly coat, then cover dish tightly with plastic wrap to seal in heat. Refrigerate for 6 hours (or up to 8 hours), flipping tofu slices halfway through.

Heat grill to medium and grease grates well (or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium and lightly grease). Grill tofu over direct heat until golden and caramelized, about 3 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, transfer marinade to a small saucepan over medium and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in scallions.

Transfer tofu to a serving plate and spoon over the sauce. Serve warm.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Wednesday Recipes

What day is it? It's hump day (otherwise known as Wednesday). Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, and head you to the rest of the week. Check out the Chickless Pot Pie, the Vegetarian Tamale Pie, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!

PAUL MCCARTNEY'S LENTIL SOUP

This is from Annie Campbell at Allrecipes, and begins, "Music may have taken Paul McCartney on his biggest life journey, but food has played a pretty significant role in his story, too. Early on, his eating habits looked fairly traditional—think sugar butties, egg and chips, and classic British roasts. But by 1975, after marrying Linda McCartney, his plate—and his philosophy—looked very different..."

Annie goes on to write about Paul and Linda McCartney, vegetarianism, and "The Simpsons", before finishing with, "Seriously: this soup is one-pot, two steps, and undeniably comforting. Sure, it's a sensible meal—budget-friendly, easy to make in large batches—but it's also deeply satisfying. Hearty and warming, with simple, cozy flavors that taste better the longer they sit. A soup nobody could have complaints about."

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/paul-mccartney-lentil-soup-11892596.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 cup carrots, chopped

2 celery sticks, chopped

1/2 cup lentils

1 bay leaf

2-1/4 cups vegetable stock or water

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Directions

Heat the oil in a large stock pot and add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.

Add the lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15–20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the parsley, and remove the bay leaf before serving.

IRISH BROWN BREAD

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you can't make it to Ireland anytime soon, bring the taste of Ireland to your table tonight! One of the easiest and quickest breads to bake up, this Irish Brown Bread has become a favorite in our Test Kitchen. We like to slice it up and serve it warm with a little margarine or sugar-free jam on the side."

Cook Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 16; Serving Size: 1 (16th of a round)

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Bread/Irish-Brown-Bread-6746.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour



1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons light butter, cut into small pieces

1 egg

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well.

Add butter, then the egg and buttermilk. Using your hands, mix until just combined. Place dough on baking sheet and shape into a round loaf about 1 inch high. Make a crisscross cut (an "X") across the top with a floured knife.

Bake bread 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake 25 to 30 more minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack, then cut into wedges and serve warm.

STEAKHOUSE POTATOES ROMANOFF

This is from John Mitzewich (aka Chef John) at Allrecipes, and begins, "My potatoes Romanoff is an ideal dish for big holiday gatherings since you can make it the day before and bake it when needed. Featuring shredded baked russet potatoes and sweet shallots fluffed up with sour cream and lots of Cheddar cheese, this delicious potato casserole is the perfect side dish for any cut of steak. Chef John Schenk taught me how to make this special potato gratin ten years ago at his restaurant Strip House in Las Vegas."

Prep Time:20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Addtional Time: 8 hours; Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/276526/steakhouse-potatoes-romanoff/.

Ingredients



Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter, or as needed

3 large russet potatoes, scrubbed

1/4 cup minced shallots

3 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

2-1/2 cups grated sharp white Cheddar cheese

1-3/4 cups sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Wrap each potato in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Use a small knife to poke holes in the potatoes.

Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Let potatoes cool to room temperature. Unwrap and place on a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled, 8 hours to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a casserole dish.

Leave skin on potatoes. Use a cheese grater to shred potatoes into a large bowl. Add shallots to potatoes; season with salt, white pepper, and cayenne. Toss with two forks until well combined.

Add Cheddar cheese and mix well. Gently toss in sour cream until barely combined.

Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, piling it up high, then patting it down very lightly.

Bake in the preheated oven until piping hot and the top is browned, 30 to 35 minutes.

Chef's Notes

You can use 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of fine salt instead of kosher salt. Ground black pepper can be used instead of white.

If you do use shallots, note that a little will go a long way because they are raw. Feel free to sauté them in a little butter to take off the sharp, raw edge.

VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."

Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Chili

1 large red or white onion, halved

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)

1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed

1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes

3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin

3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

For the Cornbread3/4 cup fine cornmeal

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons honey

2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving

1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.

Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.

Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and ¼ teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.

Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.

While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.

Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.

MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE

This yumminess is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Melissa wrote, "This casserole may upset some mashed potato purists, but take heart: one bite and they'll be won over. The genius of this recipe, besides its utter deliciousness, is that it can be made the day before, or even two. Cook the potatoes, assemble the casserole, wrap tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When dinnertime comes, dust it with the cheese, butter and bread crumbs and bake the whole thing off. (And for everything you need to know to make perfect potatoes, visit our potato guide.) Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."

Total Time: 40 minutes plus 30 minutes' baking; Yield: 12 to 14 servings

This was featured in "What Can I Prepare Before the Actual Day of Thanksgiving?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013923-mashed-potato-casserole.

You might also want to check out "Melisa Clark's Thanksgiving" and Julia Moskin's guide, "How to Cook Potatoes."

One last thing: 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

14 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, and more for the pan

6 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1-1/2 cups sour cream

1 teaspoon black pepper

6 tablespoons finely chopped chives

2/3 cup bread crumbs

2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation

Lightly grease a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan.

In a large pot, bring the potatoes, 4 quarts water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.

Mash potatoes with 10 tablespoons butter, sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Mash in the chives. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Spread potatoes into the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate for up to three days.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, bread crumbs and cheese. Mix together until it forms coarse crumbs. Crumbs can be refrigerated for three days.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the potato casserole and bake until golden and crisp, 30 to 40 minutes.

CHICKLESS POT PIE

This comes from country star Trisha Yearwood, who also has her own show on The Food Network (called Trisha's Southern Kitchen). The recipe starts off, “Trisha Yearwood's vegetarian take on chicken pot pie is just as decadent without the meat. Although the luscious vegetable filling with peas, carrots and potatoes could be a meal on its own, wrapping it in premade pie dough seals in flavor with a crispy crust.” Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 25 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 50 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: easy

Read more online at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/chickless-pot-pie-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 cup thinly sliced carrots

1 cup frozen green peas

1 cup small diced potatoes

1/2 cup thinly sliced celery

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup butter substitute, such as Earth Balance

1/3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1-3/4 cups vegetable broth

2/3 cup almond milk

Two 9-inch unbaked pie crusts, lard free

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a jelly-roll pan or baking sheet with foil to place the pie on before cooking; it will keep any filling from dripping into the oven and burning.

In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots, peas, potatoes and celery. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter substitute until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, celery seed and garlic powder. Cook for 2 minutes to get the flour taste out. Slowly stir in the broth and then add the milk. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the drained vegetables.

Roll out one of the unbaked crusts to a 13-inch diameter and place in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Pour the mixture into the bottom crust. Roll out the second pie crust and place on top. Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. If the top of the pie becomes too dark, loosely cover with foil and continue cooking. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's vegetarian offerings include West African Peanut Soup and Vegetarian Tamale Pie. Enjoy!

ITALIAN GRILLED STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Kraft and begins, “Discover these Italian Grilled Stuffed Peppers and bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen! These grilled stuffed peppers are delicious!”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups water, divided

1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked

2 cups frozen BOCA Veggie Ground Crumbles

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

1-1/2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce, divided

1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1 large each red, yellow and green pepper, cut lengthwise in half, seeded

Directions

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice; cover. Simmer 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Stir in crumbles, zucchini, seasoning and 1 cup each pasta sauce and cheese; spoon into peppers.

Place each filled pepper half on center of 12-inch-square sheet heavy-duty foil. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bring up foil sides. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the remaining water onto bottom of each foil packet. Double fold top and ends to seal packets, leaving room for heat circulation inside.

Grill 20 to 25 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through (160ºF).

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP

This interesting soup comes from Drumnwrite in Allrecipes. The recipe begins, "Tomatoes and peanut butter? YES! The first time I tried this at a health food restaurant, I was hooked. About 5 years of tweaking the recipe to my personal taste has created a spicy, sweet favorite amongst my friends and family. Luckily there is always enough for everyone!"

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings:10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/68530/west-african-peanut-soup/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium onions, very finely diced

2 large bell peppers, (any color) finely chopped

6 large cloves garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice

8 cups vegetable broth

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 (18 ounce) jar creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Add rice to soup and stir. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, or until rice is tender.

When rice is cooked, whisk in peanut butter and return to a simmer, and serve. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.

SUPER DECADENT MAC AND CHEESE

This yumminess is from Kardea Brown on the Food Network.

Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 8 to 10 Servings; Level: Easy

To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/super-decadent-mac-and-cheese-9831363.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound elbow macaroni

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed

4 ounces cream cheese

One 16-ounce block sharp Cheddar, shredded

1-1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

2 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with butter.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Strain in a colander, run cold water over the pasta and set aside.

Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Bring to a simmer, add the cream cheese and the shredded Cheddar except for 1/2 cup and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.

Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the macaroni and cheese. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish, fold in the cubed Cheddar and top with the reserved 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar. Bake until the top just begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more.

VEGETARIAN TAMALE PIE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Melissa wrote, "Not to be confused with a Latin American tamale, tamale pie is a comforting retro casserole made from ground beef chili that is topped with cornbread batter and then baked. This vegetarian version relies on vegetables and beans instead of meat. Fresh green chiles and onions are broiled until charred to deepen their flavor, then puréed with tomatoes to make a complex sauce for the beans. The cornbread topping — crisp at the surface, tender underneath — gets an optional handful of Cheddar folded into the mix for added verve. Serve this one-pot meal on its own or with a creamy dollop of sour cream or yogurt on the side."

Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "A Vegetarian Update for Old-School Tamale Pie," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023880-vegetarian-tamale-pie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Chili

1 large red or white onion, halved

2 jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded (if desired)

1 poblano or green bell pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds removed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed

1 (28-ounce) can whole plum or diced tomatoes

3 fat garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons mild or hot chili powder, more as needed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-3/4 teaspoons ground cumin

3 (15-ounce) cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (optional)

For the Cornbread3/4 cup fine cornmeal

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt, plus more for serving

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 teaspoons honey

2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced, plus more for serving

1 cup grated Cheddar (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the chili: Move a rack as close to the heating element as possible and heat the broiler. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Finely dice half of the onion and set aside for later.

Slice remaining onion half into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place jalapeños and poblano next to onions, cut sides down. Lightly brush vegetables with oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Broil 2 to 4 minutes, until vegetables are charred on one side. (If the chiles are small, they will be charred after 1 to 2 minutes.) Flip vegetables and broil until the other side is charred, 1 to 3 minutes.

Transfer pan to a rack until cool enough to handle, then stem the peppers. Transfer charred vegetables and any accumulated juices to a blender (or use a bowl and immersion blender). Add canned tomato and ¼ teaspoon salt, and blend to a coarse purée. You can make this up to 4 days ahead, and store in the refrigerator until needed.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add diced onion and sauté until lightly browned, 6 to 9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, oregano, remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and cumin, and cook until spices darken, about 30 seconds.

Add beans and the reserved tomato purée, and let mixture simmer until thick like a chili, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro, if using. Taste and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.

While the chili simmers, prepare the cornbread: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, butter and honey. Whisk egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until combined. Fold in scallions.

Spread cornbread topping over the chili, then top with grated cheese, if using. Bake, uncovered, until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot or warm, topped with sour cream and more scallions.

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.

Ingredients

8 baking potatoes, washed

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 sticks salted butter

1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3 green onions, sliced

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.

Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.

With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.

Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

PAUL MCCARTNEY'S LENTIL SOUP

This is from Annie Campbell at Allrecipes, and begins, "Music may have taken Paul McCartney on his biggest life journey, but food has played a pretty significant role in his story, too. Early on, his eating habits looked fairly traditional—think sugar butties, egg and chips, and classic British roasts. But by 1975, after marrying Linda McCartney, his plate—and his philosophy—looked very different..."

Annie goes on to write about Paul and Linda McCartney, vegetarianism, and "The Simpsons", before finishing with, "Seriously: this soup is one-pot, two steps, and undeniably comforting. Sure, it's a sensible meal—budget-friendly, easy to make in large batches—but it's also deeply satisfying. Hearty and warming, with simple, cozy flavors that taste better the longer they sit. A soup nobody could have complaints about."

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/paul-mccartney-lentil-soup-11892596.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 cup carrots, chopped

2 celery sticks, chopped

1/2 cup lentils

1 bay leaf

2-1/4 cups vegetable stock or water

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Directions

Heat the oil in a large stock pot and add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.

Add the lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15–20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the parsley, and remove the bay leaf before serving.