I realize I normally don't post on the weekends, but since tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, I figured I'd post these today. (And yes, there is a bit of debate about whether St. Patrick was good for the non-Christians around him. Let's just go with the "let's eat" part of it, okay?! You can use the food to celebrate either way.)
Today's post includes two Colcannon recipes and Vegetarian "Beef" and Guinness Stew. Enjoy!
Note: About.com has changed into DotDash.com, and split into different channels. Jolinda Hackett has since left DotDash.com. I haven't had time to check on the other writers listed in today's post. Hopefully, I'll be able to do that in the near future.
COLCANNON
I've posted two colcannon recipes today. The first one comes from the March 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts of, "This ultra-Irish dish varies from one county to the next, with some cooks using cabbage in place of kale, others using leeks or onions for extra flavor. Here, it gets a modern-day makeover with purple potatoes, garlic and shiitake mushrooms to reflect all the delicious new options found in Irish markets today. If you can’t find purple potatoes, Yukon gold, fingerling or russet varieties also work well." Serves 6
1 lb. purple potatoes
1 lb. kale, tough stems removed
2 to 3 Tbs. olive oil
10 oz. shiitake mushrooms, sliced (about 3 cups)
3 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 Tbs.)
1 cup unsweetened rice milk, warmed
Place potatoes in large pot, and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until very tender. Drain, and return to pot. Heat potatoes over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes to steam off excess water, and set aside.
Meanwhile, bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add kale, and cook 5 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and garlic, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and all liquid has evaporated. Stir in kale, and cook 1 minute more, or until hot. Season with salt and pepper.
Mash rice milk into potatoes until soft, but still chunky. Fold in kale mixture, and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 184; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Sodium: 406 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 5 g; Vegan
COLCANNON
This one comes from About.com's Fiona Haynes, who does the Low Fat Cooking blog. She writes, "Colcannon is a perfect side dish for St. Patrick's Day. It's basically a mashed potato and cabbage dish, although many variations exist. I like to blend in milk-simmered leeks in this version. Other people swear by kale rather than cabbage, which may be more in keeping with tradition. Add a little nutmeg or mace if you have it." Prep Time: 0 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves 6 - 8.
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
1 small cabbage, cored and chopped
2 small leeks, white parts only, sliced
1 cup fat-free milk
4 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Directions
Boil potatoes in a large pot of water until tender, about 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a second pot, boil or steam cabbage for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain, cover and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, simmer leeks in milk for 5 minutes. When leeks are soft, remove with a slotted spoon and put to one side, reserving the milk.
When potatoes are tender, drain well. Add half the milk used to simmer the leeks. Mash the potatoes until all the lumps have gone. Add cream cheese and white pepper then mash again until blended. Use remaining milk if needed. Stir in cabbage and leeks.
Serve immediately.
Per Serving: Calories 132, Calories from Fat 6, Total Fat 0.7g (sat 0.2g), Cholesterol 2mg, Sodium 113mg, Carbohydrate 25.3g, Fiber 4.2g, Protein 6.2g
VEGAN IRISH COLCANNON POTATOES AND CABBAGE
Can we really have too many recipes for colcannon? Maybe...or not. Here's another version of this yummy recipe. Even after St. Patrick's Day is over, this can be eaten any time.
This one came from Jolinda Hackett, About.com's vegetarian food expert. She writes, “Colcannon is a traditional Irish side dish made with potatoes and cabbage, and this version is both vegetarian and vegan and it's gluten-free as well (double check that your soy milk is gluten-free). Make this recipe for St. Patrick's Day, or any day that you are longing for a wee taste of Ireland.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
water for boiling
5 large potatoes
1 head green cabbage, chopped
3 leeks, sliced
1 cup soy milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Place potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for at least 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
In a separate pot, boil the cabbage in water for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In another pot or skillet, cook leeks in soy milk until tender, about 15 minutes.
When potatoes are done cooking, mash them together with leeks, soy milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Add cabbage and stir to combine. Add more salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
IRISH SODA BREAD
This is from Fiona Haynes, About.com's Low Fat Cooking expert. She writes, "Irish Soda Bread requires only a few simple ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. Throw in a cup of raisins if you like, and some orange zest, too. Traditional Irish Soda Bread is made without these, however, as it was made as a daily bread to accompany meals. Enjoy the original version warm with a little low fat spread with some tea, or as an accompaniment to a lean beef stew." Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yields 1 round loaf (8 - 10 wedges or slices)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups low fat buttermilk
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, stir dry ingredients together with a whisk. Make a well in the center and add 1 cup of the buttermilk, reserving 1/2 cup. Combine dry ingredients and buttermilk with a fork, gradually adding more of the remaining liquid until a soft dough is formed.
Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface for 1 minute. Form into a slightly flattened circle. Place on a parchment lined (or silicone baking mat) cookie sheet. Mark a large 1/2-inch deep X with a sharp knife and bake soda bread for 40-45 minutes. The bread is ready when it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Per Serving: Calories 148, Calories from Fat 6, Total Fat 0.7g (sat 0.4g), Cholesterol 1 mg, Sodium 582mg, Carbohydrate 30.5g, Fiber 1g, Protein 5g
SWEET IRISH POTATO ROLLS
From about.com's bread baking guru, Elizabeth Yetter, who wrote, "Sweet Irish potato rolls are made with mashed potatoes and the water you use to boil the potatoes. These rolls are soft, moist, and slightly sweet. They taste great with salty dinners, such as ham, and with most stews. The rolls can be made ahead of time, cooled, and frozen. This recipe for sweet Irish potato rolls makes 18 medium sized rolls."
Prep Time: 2 hours; Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup potato water
1 tbsp (2 pkg) active dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
5 cups bread flour, about
Preparation:
Melt stick of butter in small saucepan.
In large bowl, add mashed potatoes, potato water, and melted butter. Mix and let set until lukewarm.
Add yeast, sugar, salt and eggs to mixture. Stir well.
Stir in 2 cups bread flour. Let mixture sit for 15 minutes in warm place.
Stir down sponge and add enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn dough out onto floured board and knead until soft and smooth. Put dough in greased bowl. Turn dough over in bowl so that the top is also lightly greased. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until double in bulk.
Punch dough down. Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead out air bubbles. Divide and shape dough into 18 rolls. Put rolls on 2 greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes or until doubled.
Bake rolls at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm or cold.
VEGETARIAN "BEEF" AND GUINNESS STEW
Jolinda Hackett is about.com's vegetarian cuisine guide. She wrote, "Beef and Guinness stew, an Irish pub favorite, gets a vegetarian makeover in this recipe, using seitan instead of beef to absorb all that rich stout flavor. Yum! The flavor of the beer is very strong in this recipe, so I've suggest using half the amount of Guinness and adding an equal amount of vegetable broth if you aren't a Guinness fan."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes
Ingredients:
Approx 14 oz seitan, cut into thin strips
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp steak sauce
3 tbsp butter or margarine
1 onion, diced
3 ribs celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 medium potatoes chopped into 1 inch pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 12 oz bottles Guinness Stout OR 1 bottle plus 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Sautee seitan in olive oil and soy sauce until slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat, add steak sauce and stir until seitan is lightly coated. Remove from heat and aside. In a large pot, sautee onions, celery, carrots, potatoes and garlic in butter or margarine for 3-5 minutes, or until onions are slightly soft. Reduce heat and slowly add Guinness, gently stirring to combine. Add flour, thyme, sugar, salt and pepper and stir well. Add seitan and allow stew to simmer until Guinness reduces and stew thickens, about 40-50 minutes.
Add more salt and pepper if desired and enjoy!
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Friday, March 15, 2019
Friday Recipes
Finally, Friday! Here's to trying to cram as much as possible over the weekend. Not that we'll get everything we want to get done actually accomplished, but we can try!
Of course, we do have to eat. With that in mind, here are six yummy recipes to help you though the weekend, including Vegetable Fajitas and Super Easy Vegetarian and Vegan Chili. Enjoy!
POUND CAKE
This comes from MyDailyMoment.com, and begins, “Who says you can't have your cake and eat it, too? With this low-sodium pound cake, you'll enjoy a decadent dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth.” Makes 12 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, unsalted and softened
5 eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar and butter in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (2 to 3 minutes). Continue beating, adding eggs one at a time, until well mixed (2 to 3 minutes). Add sour cream, milk and vanilla. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Reduce speed to low. Add flour; beat just until moistened. Spoon batter into greased and floured 12-cup bundt or 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
VEGETABLE FAJITAS
This is from the Vegetarian Times website (posted May 10, 2017), and begins, “Colorful, sizzling vegetables, a sprinkling of vegan cheese, and you've got yourself the perfect summer meal.”
Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 recipe Mojo Chili Marinade, click here for recipe (recipe also follows)
3 medium bell peppers (one red, yellow and green), quartered
1 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
4 portobello mushroom caps
4 to 6 8-inch flour tortillas
Directions
Prepare marinade in large shallow glass bowl. Add vegetables, turning to coat. Let marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Preheat gas grill to medium-high or prepare a hot charcoal fire. Set fine-meshed grill rack on top to heat.
Lightly oil grill topper. Grill vegetables in batches until nicely browned and tender, turning often, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer vegetables to shallow bowl when done. When all vegetables are grilled, cut into thin strips.
Place each tortilla on grill until warm or hot according to package directions. Transfer tortillas to serving plates. Spoon about 1 cup of vegetables onto tortillas. Top each serving with shredded vegan cheese, salsa and cilantro; roll up.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 250; Carbohydrate Content: 40 g; Fat Content: 7 g; Fiber Content: 4 g; Protein Content: 7 g; Saturated Fat Content: 2 g; Sodium Content: 270 mg
MOJO CHILI MARINADE
This is from the Vegetarian Times website (June 2, 2002). Makes 1 serving.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tsp. grated orange peel
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 Tbs. minced garlic
2 Tbs. minced onion
Directions
In food processor or blender, combine all ingredients, and process until smooth and well blended.
Pour marinade into large bowl. Add vegetables or other foods to be marinated, turning to coat.
If preparing ahead, store in airtight container in refrigerator up to three days. Stir well before using.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 45; Carbohydrate Content: 2 g; Fat Content: 4 g; Sodium Content: 40 mg
HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI
This also comes from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Simple, fresh flavors and an innovative way with tofu—it's blended with herbs and seasonings until creamy and ricotta-like—make this lasagna one you'll want to make year-round. The key: Use the best purchased marinara sauce you can find, then drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/herbed-tofu-lasagna-with-zucchini/.
2 14-oz. pkg. firm tofu, well drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 Tbs. olive oil
4 medium-size zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 3 cups)
5 cups marinara sauce
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine tofu, basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes and sugar in food processor; blend until smooth and similar to ricotta in texture.
Put oil and zucchini in large nonstick skillet. Sauté 3 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or until just tender.
Spread 3 Tbs. marinara sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Cover with layer of noodles, overlapping slightly, half of tofu mixture and half of zucchini mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, remaining tofu and zucchini, and 1/2 cup sauce. Finish with another layer of noodles and remaining sauce.
Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 314; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Sodium: 617 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 10 g; Vegan
SUPER EASY VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN CHILI
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, vegetarian expert for The Spruce. Jolinda wrote, “Even though this easy homemade vegetarian chili recipe uses canned ingredients, a generous amount of spices are simmered to give it a homemade taste. Vegetarian chili is great to serve for large groups or to bring to potlucks, and this super easy chili recipe won't disappoint.
“This recipe is both vegetarian and vegan, and, it can easily be made gluten-free by using water in place of the vegetable broth. Or, make your own homemade vegetable broth, or just shop around to find a gluten-free vegetable broth (several brands are available). Similarly, if you're adding in the optional TVP, check the ingredients to make sure yours is gluten-free if needed. Bob's Red Mill Brand TVP is gluten-free, but you may want to double-check the ingredients list for hidden additives if you're using another brand.”
Makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can black or pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
dash cayenne pepper (optional)
dash red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup TVP + 1/2 cup water (optional)
Directions
In a medium to large soup pot, sautee the onion, bell pepper and garlic in the olive oil.
Add tomatoes, vegetable broth and chili powder and stir.
Reduce heat to medium low and add beans. Stir occasionally and cook for at least 20 minutes. Add TVP and water 10 minutes before done cooking. Of course, the longer you cook chili the better, but if you're pressed for time, 20 minutes is fine.
For a spicier chili, add extra cayenne and red pepper flakes, if you'd like.
Nutrition Facts (from Calorie Count):
One serving of this vegetarian chili (based on six servings) provides approximately:
Calories: 334, Calories from Fat: 54, Total Fat: 6.0g, 9%, Saturated Fat: 0.9g, 4%, Cholesterol: 0mg, 0%, Sodium: 260mg, 11%, Total Carbohydrates: 55.4g, 18%, Dietary Fiber: 15.5g, 62%, Sugars: 5.9g, Protein: 18.7g, Vitamin A 49%, Vitamin C 107%, Calcium 11%, Iron 35%, Based on a 2000 calorie diet
GJELINA’S ROASTED YAMS
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “These roasted yams are adapted from a recipe that Travis Lett, the chef and an owner of Gjelina in Venice, Calif., published in a 2015 cookbook devoted to the restaurant’s food. They are a marvelous accompaniment to a roast chicken, but they are maybe even better as a platter to accompany a salad of hearty greens, cheese and nuts. What makes them memorable is a technique Lett calls for during the cooking: tossing the tubers in honey before roasting them, which intensifies their caramelizing. The crisp, near-burned sweetness works beautifully against the heat of the pepper and the acidic creaminess of the yogurt you dab onto the dish at the end. It is a simple dish, but it results in fantastic eating.”
Yield: Serves 3 - 6; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “A New California Cuisine”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 large yams
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Espelette pepper, or crushed red-pepper flakes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Greek-style yogurt
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, approximately 2 limes
2 scallions, both green and white parts, trimmed and thinly sliced, for garnish
Preparation
Heat oven to 425. Cut the yams lengthwise into 4 wedges per yam. Put them in a large bowl, and toss them with the honey, 1/2 tablespoon of the Espelette pepper or crushed red-pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so, tossing once or twice to coat, as the oven heats.
Transfer the yams to a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet, season with salt and pepper and then bake until they are deeply caramelized around the edges and soft when pierced with a fork at their thickest part, approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
As the yams roast, combine the yogurt, lime juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a small bowl, and whisk to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
When the yams are done, transfer them to a serving platter, drizzle the yogurt over them and garnish with the remaining Espelette pepper or red-pepper flakes, the scallions and some flaky sea salt if you have any.
Of course, we do have to eat. With that in mind, here are six yummy recipes to help you though the weekend, including Vegetable Fajitas and Super Easy Vegetarian and Vegan Chili. Enjoy!
POUND CAKE
This comes from MyDailyMoment.com, and begins, “Who says you can't have your cake and eat it, too? With this low-sodium pound cake, you'll enjoy a decadent dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth.” Makes 12 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, unsalted and softened
5 eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar and butter in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (2 to 3 minutes). Continue beating, adding eggs one at a time, until well mixed (2 to 3 minutes). Add sour cream, milk and vanilla. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Reduce speed to low. Add flour; beat just until moistened. Spoon batter into greased and floured 12-cup bundt or 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
VEGETABLE FAJITAS
This is from the Vegetarian Times website (posted May 10, 2017), and begins, “Colorful, sizzling vegetables, a sprinkling of vegan cheese, and you've got yourself the perfect summer meal.”
Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 recipe Mojo Chili Marinade, click here for recipe (recipe also follows)
3 medium bell peppers (one red, yellow and green), quartered
1 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
4 portobello mushroom caps
4 to 6 8-inch flour tortillas
Directions
Prepare marinade in large shallow glass bowl. Add vegetables, turning to coat. Let marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Preheat gas grill to medium-high or prepare a hot charcoal fire. Set fine-meshed grill rack on top to heat.
Lightly oil grill topper. Grill vegetables in batches until nicely browned and tender, turning often, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer vegetables to shallow bowl when done. When all vegetables are grilled, cut into thin strips.
Place each tortilla on grill until warm or hot according to package directions. Transfer tortillas to serving plates. Spoon about 1 cup of vegetables onto tortillas. Top each serving with shredded vegan cheese, salsa and cilantro; roll up.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 250; Carbohydrate Content: 40 g; Fat Content: 7 g; Fiber Content: 4 g; Protein Content: 7 g; Saturated Fat Content: 2 g; Sodium Content: 270 mg
MOJO CHILI MARINADE
This is from the Vegetarian Times website (June 2, 2002). Makes 1 serving.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tsp. grated orange peel
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 Tbs. minced garlic
2 Tbs. minced onion
Directions
In food processor or blender, combine all ingredients, and process until smooth and well blended.
Pour marinade into large bowl. Add vegetables or other foods to be marinated, turning to coat.
If preparing ahead, store in airtight container in refrigerator up to three days. Stir well before using.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 45; Carbohydrate Content: 2 g; Fat Content: 4 g; Sodium Content: 40 mg
HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI
This also comes from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Simple, fresh flavors and an innovative way with tofu—it's blended with herbs and seasonings until creamy and ricotta-like—make this lasagna one you'll want to make year-round. The key: Use the best purchased marinara sauce you can find, then drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/herbed-tofu-lasagna-with-zucchini/.
2 14-oz. pkg. firm tofu, well drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 Tbs. olive oil
4 medium-size zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 3 cups)
5 cups marinara sauce
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine tofu, basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes and sugar in food processor; blend until smooth and similar to ricotta in texture.
Put oil and zucchini in large nonstick skillet. Sauté 3 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or until just tender.
Spread 3 Tbs. marinara sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Cover with layer of noodles, overlapping slightly, half of tofu mixture and half of zucchini mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, remaining tofu and zucchini, and 1/2 cup sauce. Finish with another layer of noodles and remaining sauce.
Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 314; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Sodium: 617 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 10 g; Vegan
SUPER EASY VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN CHILI
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, vegetarian expert for The Spruce. Jolinda wrote, “Even though this easy homemade vegetarian chili recipe uses canned ingredients, a generous amount of spices are simmered to give it a homemade taste. Vegetarian chili is great to serve for large groups or to bring to potlucks, and this super easy chili recipe won't disappoint.
“This recipe is both vegetarian and vegan, and, it can easily be made gluten-free by using water in place of the vegetable broth. Or, make your own homemade vegetable broth, or just shop around to find a gluten-free vegetable broth (several brands are available). Similarly, if you're adding in the optional TVP, check the ingredients to make sure yours is gluten-free if needed. Bob's Red Mill Brand TVP is gluten-free, but you may want to double-check the ingredients list for hidden additives if you're using another brand.”
Makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can black or pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
dash cayenne pepper (optional)
dash red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup TVP + 1/2 cup water (optional)
Directions
In a medium to large soup pot, sautee the onion, bell pepper and garlic in the olive oil.
Add tomatoes, vegetable broth and chili powder and stir.
Reduce heat to medium low and add beans. Stir occasionally and cook for at least 20 minutes. Add TVP and water 10 minutes before done cooking. Of course, the longer you cook chili the better, but if you're pressed for time, 20 minutes is fine.
For a spicier chili, add extra cayenne and red pepper flakes, if you'd like.
Nutrition Facts (from Calorie Count):
One serving of this vegetarian chili (based on six servings) provides approximately:
Calories: 334, Calories from Fat: 54, Total Fat: 6.0g, 9%, Saturated Fat: 0.9g, 4%, Cholesterol: 0mg, 0%, Sodium: 260mg, 11%, Total Carbohydrates: 55.4g, 18%, Dietary Fiber: 15.5g, 62%, Sugars: 5.9g, Protein: 18.7g, Vitamin A 49%, Vitamin C 107%, Calcium 11%, Iron 35%, Based on a 2000 calorie diet
GJELINA’S ROASTED YAMS
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “These roasted yams are adapted from a recipe that Travis Lett, the chef and an owner of Gjelina in Venice, Calif., published in a 2015 cookbook devoted to the restaurant’s food. They are a marvelous accompaniment to a roast chicken, but they are maybe even better as a platter to accompany a salad of hearty greens, cheese and nuts. What makes them memorable is a technique Lett calls for during the cooking: tossing the tubers in honey before roasting them, which intensifies their caramelizing. The crisp, near-burned sweetness works beautifully against the heat of the pepper and the acidic creaminess of the yogurt you dab onto the dish at the end. It is a simple dish, but it results in fantastic eating.”
Yield: Serves 3 - 6; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “A New California Cuisine”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 large yams
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Espelette pepper, or crushed red-pepper flakes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Greek-style yogurt
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, approximately 2 limes
2 scallions, both green and white parts, trimmed and thinly sliced, for garnish
Preparation
Heat oven to 425. Cut the yams lengthwise into 4 wedges per yam. Put them in a large bowl, and toss them with the honey, 1/2 tablespoon of the Espelette pepper or crushed red-pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so, tossing once or twice to coat, as the oven heats.
Transfer the yams to a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet, season with salt and pepper and then bake until they are deeply caramelized around the edges and soft when pierced with a fork at their thickest part, approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
As the yams roast, combine the yogurt, lime juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a small bowl, and whisk to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
When the yams are done, transfer them to a serving platter, drizzle the yogurt over them and garnish with the remaining Espelette pepper or red-pepper flakes, the scallions and some flaky sea salt if you have any.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Pi(e) Day
It's Pi Day, the day dedicated to celebrating the mathematical constant Pi. And since pi and pie are homonyms, many people celebrate with pies.
I doubt many of us object to pies. I know I don't. That said, here are five pie (and one pie crust) recipes to try for dessert – or for any time, including Straight-Up Rhubarb Pie and Peanut Butter Pie. Enjoy!
GREAT-GRANDMA'S PIE CRUST
This is my great-grandma's pie crust recipe. When Mom was in college, some group had a baking contest and Mom won with a pie baked in this crust. Years later, Mom called me several times for the recipe (she'd begun to use store-bought crusts), as well as the recipes for my grandmother's (her mom's) oatmeal cookie and peanut butter cookie recipes, thus letting me know that I was/am the unofficial family-recipe-keeper.
2 cups flour (do NOT use self-rising flour; you can use almost any other kind of flour, although I use unbleached flour for this)
2/3 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 – 4 tablespoons cold milk
Grease one or two 9-inch pie pans.
Put flour in large bowl and add shortening. Cut shortening into flour. Note: Cutting shortening is basically cutting it (yup, makes sense, right?) with two knives so that the shortening is incorporated into the flour. Take the knives, one in each hand, with the sharp part of the blades facing each other. Work them together as if you were cutting a piece of food – large veggies, etc – so that the shortening is cut up. You're finished when the shortening and flour look crumbly (for lack of a better explanation) and the shortening is fairly mixed into the flour.
Add salt to mixture and stir once or twice.
Add milk, stirring into the flour-shortening mixture. For into a ball, then cut in half. You now have enough crust for two single-crust pies or one double-crusted pie.
Take a dish towel and cover it with flour. Place half of the crust-ball onto the floured towel. Roll crust out into a circular shape. (Note: Rub flour over the work-surface of the rolling pin to make this job a lot easier.)
When you're ready to place the crust into the pie pan, place the rolling pin near the edge of the crust. Using the edge of the towel, wrap part of the crust around the rolling pin, then drop the towel. Use this method (pin-crust-towel) to move the crust to the pan.
Do the same to the second half of the crust-ball. If making two single-crust pies, put the second crust into the second pan. If it's a double-crust pie, fill the pie crust in the pan, then top with the second crust.
Bake the pie according to the pie's instructions. However, if the pie is one that doesn't need baking, bake the crust alone for 10 – 15 minutes at 325 decrees or until lightly brown.
Note: Many fruit pies call for a top crust. This can be accomplished either by putting a solid crust on top, to which a few vent holes are added, or by making a lattice pie crust. With the solid crust, the vent holes are added so that any steam from inside the pie can be released (yes, this does happen). The holes don't have to be big; in fact, I usually take a sharp knife and simply poke a few vents in several spots across the top crust.
A quick tutorial for making a lattice pie crust can be found from Carroll Pellegrinelli's blog. Carroll is About.com Desserts and Baking expert. To find her tutorial, click here.
CRANBERRY PIE
My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
This can be found in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.
Note: You can make the pie either with or without a top crust. My dad's version was without the top crust, like the photo above, but either way is acceptable.
Photo: Cranberry Pie with top crust.
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
PEANUT BUTTER PIE
There’s also a story that goes along with the Peanut Butter Pie. I’d driven cab for several years. One Friday afternoon, I got a call to pick up a single dad from the store. When I dropped him off, his son and daughter came out of the trailer to help bring in the groceries.
“Did you remember to get the stuff for the peanut butter pie?” his daughter asked. They were taking it to an early Thanksgiving gathering that weekend.
“Sure did,” he answered.
“Peanut butter pie?” I asked, as we finished unloading the groceries. “How do you make that?”
“With peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and a few other things,” came the answer.
The following week, I managed to pick the dad up again. This time, I managed to get the ingredients: pie crust, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip. It wasn’t until the third (and final) time I picked him up in as many weeks that I got the exact amounts. He used 1/3 cup each of peanut butter and sugar, both of which I upped to 1/2 cup each.
8-ounce tub of Cool Whip (see note)
8-ounce block of cream cheese (see note)
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is preferable)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Pie crust (see note)
Put Cool Whip, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. With beaters, beat on high. Pour into pie crust, smooth out, and freeze for 1 hour.
Note: Cool whip (or store equivalent) can be fat-free. Cream cheese can be regular cream cheese or the 1/3 less fat kind, but do not use fat free, as the pie won't set up right. I usually use a store-bought graham cracker crust for the pie, which is what the man used to make this. However, you can also use an Oreo cookie crust.
STRAIGHT-UP RHUBARB PIE
This is from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This rhubarb pie contains no distractions, like strawberries. The crust is made with shortening. (Butter is fine if you want a French tart, but it's not American pie unless it's made with shortening, the author Anne Dimock said.) The top is marked with 8 razor-thin vents.”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Circular Thinking” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2/3 cup vegetable shortening, plus 2 tablespoons
6 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
5 cups sliced rhubarb
1 1/4 cups sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Make the crust: before measuring the flour, stir it to leaven with air and then measure out 2 cups. Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Cut the shortening into the flour with a fork or pastry blender. Stop as soon as the sheen of the butter disappears and the mixture is a bunch of coarse pieces. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water at a time over the dough, lifting and tossing it with the fork. When it begins to come together, gather the dough, press it into a ball and then pull it apart; if it crumbles in your hands, it needs more water. (It's better to err on the side of too wet than too dry.) Add a teaspoon or two more water, as needed.
Gather the dough into two slightly unequal balls, the larger one for the bottom crust and the smaller one for the top. Flatten the larger ball, reforming any frayed edges with the sides of your hand. Dust with flour and roll the dough, starting from the center and moving toward the edges. Take a knife or thin spatula and quickly work its edge between the crust and the counter top. Lift the dough to the side; dust the dough and counter top with flour. Roll again until the diameter is an inch or 2 larger than that of the pie pan. Lay the rolling pin a third of the way from one of the edges. Roll the crust onto the pin and then unroll the crust into a 9-inch pie pan and press it into place. Place in the freezer.
Make the filling: in a large bowl, blend the rhubarb, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Pour into the crust-lined pie pan. Dot with butter.
Roll out the top crust. Dab the rim of the bottom crust with water to create a glue. Then place the top crust over the rhubarb; trim, seal and cut several vents. Bake for 15 minutes; reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake 25 to 30 minutes more, or until a bit of pink juice bubbles from the vents in the crust.
Tip
Anne Dimock's secret ingredient is Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cassia Cinnamon, available from Penzeys Spices, www.penzeys.com.
STRAWBERRY PIE
This yummy recipe was posted in the You Asked For It column in the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times). It was sent in by Doris Wanamaker and is listed as “easy.” I’m listing it as yummy.
To view this on the Times website, click here.
4 to 5 heaping cups whole fresh strawberries (about 2 16-ounce containers)
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 graham cracker crust
Whipped cream or topping for serving
Pour strawberries in a medium saucepan and mash lightly. Add cornstarch and sugar. Over medium heat, cook until thick, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning. Once thickened, add butter and stir until melted. Pour into pie crust; cool, and refrigerate until serving. Serve with Cool Whip or whipped cream.
CHAI-SPICED PEAR PIE
This is from Audra, otherwise known as The Baker Chick. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you might remember me posting quite a few recipes from Audra (although it’s been a while). Her blog rocks! If you haven’t checked it out, you really should. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
This recipe begins, “I can’t possibly let you enter Thanksgiving week without another pie recipe. As the person in charge of desserts in my family, I’m always looking to make something classic with a twist and this gorgeous pie is just that apples get all the attention in the fall, but baking with firm, sweet pears is in my opinion just as good but way more unique and impressive.
“This pear pie is tossed with warm chai spices like cardamon, cinnamon, ginger and even a crack of black pepper. The result is just a bit more kick than what you’re probably used to with apple pie, but that same warm, melt-in-your-mouth goodness just waiting for a scoop of vanilla.”
Yield: 1 9-inch pie
To view this online on Audra’s blog, click here.
Ingredients
2-3 single layers of Pie Crust (see note)
10 cups of peeled, thinly sliced pears (from about 8-10 pears depending on size, use something firm like bosc)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3-4 twists of freshly ground black pepper (1/8 teaspoon, optional)
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Keep crust chilling in the fridge while you prep the pears.
In a large pot or dutch oven, toss together the pears, brown sugar, flour, and spices. Stir in water and dot with the butter.
Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, tossing everything around to par-cook the pears a bit. Keep checking to see when a pear slice is "bendy" and slightly tender, but for me I cooked them for 10-15 minutes.
Allow pears to cool while you prep your dough. If you are doing a lattice or braided crust, roll some of the dough out now, form the braids, and freeze them until pie is ready to be assembled. If you are just doing a double crust- wait until the pears are mostly cool.
Roll out one layer of crust and drape over the bottom of a 9- inch pie pan leaving a bit of overhang. Pour the cooled pears into the crust and top with another sheet of pie crust, a lattice top, or the braids.
Trim and crimp edge of crust and pop the whole thing in the freezer for 10-30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425.F. Place pie onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, then reducing the heat to 350F and baking for another 45-50 minutes. If the crust seems to be getting too dark you can drape some foil on top for the remainder of the baking.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
*If you want a little extra pie dough to work with for a decorative crust, I like to have a bit extra and usually make 3 batches of crust. If you are just doing a classic top, two single layers is fine!
I doubt many of us object to pies. I know I don't. That said, here are five pie (and one pie crust) recipes to try for dessert – or for any time, including Straight-Up Rhubarb Pie and Peanut Butter Pie. Enjoy!
GREAT-GRANDMA'S PIE CRUST
This is my great-grandma's pie crust recipe. When Mom was in college, some group had a baking contest and Mom won with a pie baked in this crust. Years later, Mom called me several times for the recipe (she'd begun to use store-bought crusts), as well as the recipes for my grandmother's (her mom's) oatmeal cookie and peanut butter cookie recipes, thus letting me know that I was/am the unofficial family-recipe-keeper.
2 cups flour (do NOT use self-rising flour; you can use almost any other kind of flour, although I use unbleached flour for this)
2/3 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 – 4 tablespoons cold milk
Grease one or two 9-inch pie pans.
Put flour in large bowl and add shortening. Cut shortening into flour. Note: Cutting shortening is basically cutting it (yup, makes sense, right?) with two knives so that the shortening is incorporated into the flour. Take the knives, one in each hand, with the sharp part of the blades facing each other. Work them together as if you were cutting a piece of food – large veggies, etc – so that the shortening is cut up. You're finished when the shortening and flour look crumbly (for lack of a better explanation) and the shortening is fairly mixed into the flour.
Add salt to mixture and stir once or twice.
Add milk, stirring into the flour-shortening mixture. For into a ball, then cut in half. You now have enough crust for two single-crust pies or one double-crusted pie.
Take a dish towel and cover it with flour. Place half of the crust-ball onto the floured towel. Roll crust out into a circular shape. (Note: Rub flour over the work-surface of the rolling pin to make this job a lot easier.)
When you're ready to place the crust into the pie pan, place the rolling pin near the edge of the crust. Using the edge of the towel, wrap part of the crust around the rolling pin, then drop the towel. Use this method (pin-crust-towel) to move the crust to the pan.
Do the same to the second half of the crust-ball. If making two single-crust pies, put the second crust into the second pan. If it's a double-crust pie, fill the pie crust in the pan, then top with the second crust.
Bake the pie according to the pie's instructions. However, if the pie is one that doesn't need baking, bake the crust alone for 10 – 15 minutes at 325 decrees or until lightly brown.
Note: Many fruit pies call for a top crust. This can be accomplished either by putting a solid crust on top, to which a few vent holes are added, or by making a lattice pie crust. With the solid crust, the vent holes are added so that any steam from inside the pie can be released (yes, this does happen). The holes don't have to be big; in fact, I usually take a sharp knife and simply poke a few vents in several spots across the top crust.
A quick tutorial for making a lattice pie crust can be found from Carroll Pellegrinelli's blog. Carroll is About.com Desserts and Baking expert. To find her tutorial, click here.
CRANBERRY PIE
My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
This can be found in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.
Note: You can make the pie either with or without a top crust. My dad's version was without the top crust, like the photo above, but either way is acceptable.
Photo: Cranberry Pie with top crust.
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
PEANUT BUTTER PIE
There’s also a story that goes along with the Peanut Butter Pie. I’d driven cab for several years. One Friday afternoon, I got a call to pick up a single dad from the store. When I dropped him off, his son and daughter came out of the trailer to help bring in the groceries.
“Did you remember to get the stuff for the peanut butter pie?” his daughter asked. They were taking it to an early Thanksgiving gathering that weekend.
“Sure did,” he answered.
“Peanut butter pie?” I asked, as we finished unloading the groceries. “How do you make that?”
“With peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and a few other things,” came the answer.
The following week, I managed to pick the dad up again. This time, I managed to get the ingredients: pie crust, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip. It wasn’t until the third (and final) time I picked him up in as many weeks that I got the exact amounts. He used 1/3 cup each of peanut butter and sugar, both of which I upped to 1/2 cup each.
8-ounce tub of Cool Whip (see note)
8-ounce block of cream cheese (see note)
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is preferable)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Pie crust (see note)
Put Cool Whip, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. With beaters, beat on high. Pour into pie crust, smooth out, and freeze for 1 hour.
Note: Cool whip (or store equivalent) can be fat-free. Cream cheese can be regular cream cheese or the 1/3 less fat kind, but do not use fat free, as the pie won't set up right. I usually use a store-bought graham cracker crust for the pie, which is what the man used to make this. However, you can also use an Oreo cookie crust.
STRAIGHT-UP RHUBARB PIE
This is from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This rhubarb pie contains no distractions, like strawberries. The crust is made with shortening. (Butter is fine if you want a French tart, but it's not American pie unless it's made with shortening, the author Anne Dimock said.) The top is marked with 8 razor-thin vents.”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Circular Thinking” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2/3 cup vegetable shortening, plus 2 tablespoons
6 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
5 cups sliced rhubarb
1 1/4 cups sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Make the crust: before measuring the flour, stir it to leaven with air and then measure out 2 cups. Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Cut the shortening into the flour with a fork or pastry blender. Stop as soon as the sheen of the butter disappears and the mixture is a bunch of coarse pieces. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water at a time over the dough, lifting and tossing it with the fork. When it begins to come together, gather the dough, press it into a ball and then pull it apart; if it crumbles in your hands, it needs more water. (It's better to err on the side of too wet than too dry.) Add a teaspoon or two more water, as needed.
Gather the dough into two slightly unequal balls, the larger one for the bottom crust and the smaller one for the top. Flatten the larger ball, reforming any frayed edges with the sides of your hand. Dust with flour and roll the dough, starting from the center and moving toward the edges. Take a knife or thin spatula and quickly work its edge between the crust and the counter top. Lift the dough to the side; dust the dough and counter top with flour. Roll again until the diameter is an inch or 2 larger than that of the pie pan. Lay the rolling pin a third of the way from one of the edges. Roll the crust onto the pin and then unroll the crust into a 9-inch pie pan and press it into place. Place in the freezer.
Make the filling: in a large bowl, blend the rhubarb, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Pour into the crust-lined pie pan. Dot with butter.
Roll out the top crust. Dab the rim of the bottom crust with water to create a glue. Then place the top crust over the rhubarb; trim, seal and cut several vents. Bake for 15 minutes; reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake 25 to 30 minutes more, or until a bit of pink juice bubbles from the vents in the crust.
Tip
Anne Dimock's secret ingredient is Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cassia Cinnamon, available from Penzeys Spices, www.penzeys.com.
STRAWBERRY PIE
This yummy recipe was posted in the You Asked For It column in the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times). It was sent in by Doris Wanamaker and is listed as “easy.” I’m listing it as yummy.
To view this on the Times website, click here.
4 to 5 heaping cups whole fresh strawberries (about 2 16-ounce containers)
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 graham cracker crust
Whipped cream or topping for serving
Pour strawberries in a medium saucepan and mash lightly. Add cornstarch and sugar. Over medium heat, cook until thick, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning. Once thickened, add butter and stir until melted. Pour into pie crust; cool, and refrigerate until serving. Serve with Cool Whip or whipped cream.
CHAI-SPICED PEAR PIE
This is from Audra, otherwise known as The Baker Chick. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you might remember me posting quite a few recipes from Audra (although it’s been a while). Her blog rocks! If you haven’t checked it out, you really should. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
This recipe begins, “I can’t possibly let you enter Thanksgiving week without another pie recipe. As the person in charge of desserts in my family, I’m always looking to make something classic with a twist and this gorgeous pie is just that apples get all the attention in the fall, but baking with firm, sweet pears is in my opinion just as good but way more unique and impressive.
“This pear pie is tossed with warm chai spices like cardamon, cinnamon, ginger and even a crack of black pepper. The result is just a bit more kick than what you’re probably used to with apple pie, but that same warm, melt-in-your-mouth goodness just waiting for a scoop of vanilla.”
Yield: 1 9-inch pie
To view this online on Audra’s blog, click here.
Ingredients
2-3 single layers of Pie Crust (see note)
10 cups of peeled, thinly sliced pears (from about 8-10 pears depending on size, use something firm like bosc)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3-4 twists of freshly ground black pepper (1/8 teaspoon, optional)
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Keep crust chilling in the fridge while you prep the pears.
In a large pot or dutch oven, toss together the pears, brown sugar, flour, and spices. Stir in water and dot with the butter.
Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, tossing everything around to par-cook the pears a bit. Keep checking to see when a pear slice is "bendy" and slightly tender, but for me I cooked them for 10-15 minutes.
Allow pears to cool while you prep your dough. If you are doing a lattice or braided crust, roll some of the dough out now, form the braids, and freeze them until pie is ready to be assembled. If you are just doing a double crust- wait until the pears are mostly cool.
Roll out one layer of crust and drape over the bottom of a 9- inch pie pan leaving a bit of overhang. Pour the cooled pears into the crust and top with another sheet of pie crust, a lattice top, or the braids.
Trim and crimp edge of crust and pop the whole thing in the freezer for 10-30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425.F. Place pie onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, then reducing the heat to 350F and baking for another 45-50 minutes. If the crust seems to be getting too dark you can drape some foil on top for the remainder of the baking.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
*If you want a little extra pie dough to work with for a decorative crust, I like to have a bit extra and usually make 3 batches of crust. If you are just doing a classic top, two single layers is fine!
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Wednesday Recipes
Here we are, half-way through the work week. Today's recipes, which should help you through the rest of the week, include African-Style Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Stew, Frozen Peanut Butter Cup Pie, and Ginger Tea. Enjoy!
NUTTY DARK BANANA BREAD
This is from tbsp. (tablespoon.com), and begins, “Crunchy walnuts and dark brown sugar make this banana bread moist and utterly sinful.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 2 loaves
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 large bananas
1 1/s cups sugar
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 large eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup oil
3 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups walnuts, chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray 2 loaf pans with non-stick baking spray (preferably the kind with flour in it).
Peel bananas and add to large mixing bowl. With mixer, cream bananas and add sugar and brown sugar, salt and soda, mixing well. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Add water and oil.
Slowly add flour, mixing well. When all flour is added, beat well. Stir in nuts.
Pour into prepared pans and bake at 350° F for 60-65 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and edges of loaves are brown.
Cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
GLAZED CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO CUPCAKES
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Avocado replaces the eggs and most of the oil creating a rich, chocolatey batter that's ultra moist.”
Makes 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup plain soymilk
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Glaze
1/4 block soft silken tofu (from 14-oz. container), drained and patted dry
3 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
4 oz. semisweet vegan chocolate, melted
Preparation
To make Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Purée avocado in food processor until smooth. Add maple syrup, soymilk, oil, and vanilla, and blend until creamy. Whisk avocado mixture into flour mixture.
Spoon batter into prepared cupcake cups. Bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out with some crumbs attached. Cool.
To make Glaze: Blend tofu, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in food processor until smooth. Add chocolate to tofu mixture and blend until smooth. Transfer to bowl. Dip tops of Cupcakes into Glaze, pulling straight up from Glaze to form peaks.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 287; Carbohydrate Content: 44 g; Fat Content: 12.5 g; Fiber Content: 4 g; Protein Content: 4 g; Saturated Fat Content: 3 g; Sodium Content: 304 mg; Sugar Content: 24 g
AFRICAN-STYLE SWEET POTATO AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW
This recipe comes from Publix.
Servings: 8; Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes; Active Time: 10 minutes
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes
1 can chickpeas (garbanzos), (15–16 oz), drained
1 (14.5-oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
8 oz prediced bell pepper mix (1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon chunky garlic paste
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or stock)
1 package fresh (or frozen) prediced butternut squash (15–16 oz)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Directions
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Drain chickpeas. Place in slow cooker: sweet potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, bell peppers, seasoning, garlic paste, and broth; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours (or LOW for 4–6 hours) or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in squash during last 30 minutes of cook time. Chop cilantro and peanuts.
Remove 1 cup of liquid from stew and whisk with peanut butter until blended. Stir peanut butter mixture into stew. Serve topped with cilantro and peanuts.
FROZEN PEANUT BUTTER CUP PIE
This comes from Diana Rattry, Southern Cooking guide for The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This awesome frozen peanut butter cup pie is the perfect dessert or weekend treat for a hot summer day. The classic graham cracker pie shell and simple cream cheese and peanut butter filling take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to prepare; just mix, freeze, and enjoy!
“To make this even easier, use a store-bought deep-dish graham cracker pie shell. An oreo or chocolate cookie crust would be an excellent choice as well.
“Freeze the peanut butter cups to make chopping them much easier.”
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Yield: 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Crust
1 3/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar or granulated sugar
Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sweetened condensed milk using a liquid measuring cup
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tub (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup chopped peanut butter cups, frozen for easier chopping, plus more for garnish if desired
Sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping, for garnish
Warm chocolate syrup or chocolate sauce, for garnish
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers with melted butter and 1/4 cup of brown sugar or granulated sugar. Mix well and press firmly over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Cover and refrigerate the crust to chill for at least 1 hour.
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and confectioners' sugar. Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer until smooth and well blended. Fold in the whipped topping until blended, and then fold in the chopped peanut butter cups.
Fill the chilled graham cracker pie shell with the peanut butter mixture.
Cover the pie tightly and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until the filling is firm.
Set the frozen pie out at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce. Sprinkle with reserved chopped peanut butter cups, if desired.
Tips:
If possible, freeze the pie for several hours or overnight before serving.
Give the pie about 10 minutes at room temperature to soften slightly before slicing.
If desired, bake the crust in a preheated 400 F oven for 10 minutes. Cool completely and chill slightly before filling.
Make this peanut butter sauce to drizzle over the pie along with the chocolate syrup.
CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA WITH PESTO AND TOMATOES
This comes from Ready Set Eat, and begins, “Cauliflower crust pizza recipe is topped with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella cheese and organic diced tomatoes for a 'low carb' pizza.”
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 75 minutes; Servings: 4; Number of ingredients: 8
To view this online (and to check out the site), go to https://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Cauliflower-Crust-Pizza-with-Pesto-and-Tomatoes-8115.
Ingredients
PAM® Organic Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray
6 cups fresh cauliflower florets (6 cups florets = about 1-1/2 pounds)
3 large egg whites, beaten
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup refrigerated basil pesto
4 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, halved
1 can (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes, drained well (or try Hunt's® Organic)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 12-inch round pizza pan with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray; set aside.
Place half of cauliflower in food processor bowl; pulse until mixture resembles ‘rice’. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. Place cauliflower 'rice' in large microwave-safe bowl; cover. Microwave on HIGH 3 to 5 minutes or until cauliflower is steamed. Carefully place on kitchen towel in single layer; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Twist towel to squeeze liquid from cauliflower (removing about 1 cup). Place drained cauliflower in medium bowl.
Add egg whites, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano and pepper to bowl; stir to combine. Spread mixture on pizza pan, pressing lightly to edge of pan with hands to resemble pizza crust. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Remove from oven. Spread pesto over crust; top with cheese and drained tomatoes. Bake 8 to 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Cut into 8 slices.
Tips:
Cauliflower florets (with little stem) work best for this recipe.
For gluten free preparation, confirm all recipe ingredients are gluten free by reading product labels each time you make this recipe.
NUTTY DARK BANANA BREAD
This is from tbsp. (tablespoon.com), and begins, “Crunchy walnuts and dark brown sugar make this banana bread moist and utterly sinful.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 2 loaves
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 large bananas
1 1/s cups sugar
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 large eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup oil
3 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups walnuts, chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray 2 loaf pans with non-stick baking spray (preferably the kind with flour in it).
Peel bananas and add to large mixing bowl. With mixer, cream bananas and add sugar and brown sugar, salt and soda, mixing well. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Add water and oil.
Slowly add flour, mixing well. When all flour is added, beat well. Stir in nuts.
Pour into prepared pans and bake at 350° F for 60-65 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and edges of loaves are brown.
Cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
GLAZED CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO CUPCAKES
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Avocado replaces the eggs and most of the oil creating a rich, chocolatey batter that's ultra moist.”
Makes 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup plain soymilk
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Glaze
1/4 block soft silken tofu (from 14-oz. container), drained and patted dry
3 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
4 oz. semisweet vegan chocolate, melted
Preparation
To make Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Purée avocado in food processor until smooth. Add maple syrup, soymilk, oil, and vanilla, and blend until creamy. Whisk avocado mixture into flour mixture.
Spoon batter into prepared cupcake cups. Bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out with some crumbs attached. Cool.
To make Glaze: Blend tofu, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in food processor until smooth. Add chocolate to tofu mixture and blend until smooth. Transfer to bowl. Dip tops of Cupcakes into Glaze, pulling straight up from Glaze to form peaks.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 287; Carbohydrate Content: 44 g; Fat Content: 12.5 g; Fiber Content: 4 g; Protein Content: 4 g; Saturated Fat Content: 3 g; Sodium Content: 304 mg; Sugar Content: 24 g
AFRICAN-STYLE SWEET POTATO AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW
This recipe comes from Publix.
Servings: 8; Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes; Active Time: 10 minutes
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes
1 can chickpeas (garbanzos), (15–16 oz), drained
1 (14.5-oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
8 oz prediced bell pepper mix (1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon chunky garlic paste
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or stock)
1 package fresh (or frozen) prediced butternut squash (15–16 oz)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Directions
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Drain chickpeas. Place in slow cooker: sweet potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, bell peppers, seasoning, garlic paste, and broth; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours (or LOW for 4–6 hours) or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in squash during last 30 minutes of cook time. Chop cilantro and peanuts.
Remove 1 cup of liquid from stew and whisk with peanut butter until blended. Stir peanut butter mixture into stew. Serve topped with cilantro and peanuts.
FROZEN PEANUT BUTTER CUP PIE
This comes from Diana Rattry, Southern Cooking guide for The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This awesome frozen peanut butter cup pie is the perfect dessert or weekend treat for a hot summer day. The classic graham cracker pie shell and simple cream cheese and peanut butter filling take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to prepare; just mix, freeze, and enjoy!
“To make this even easier, use a store-bought deep-dish graham cracker pie shell. An oreo or chocolate cookie crust would be an excellent choice as well.
“Freeze the peanut butter cups to make chopping them much easier.”
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Yield: 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Crust
1 3/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar or granulated sugar
Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sweetened condensed milk using a liquid measuring cup
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tub (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup chopped peanut butter cups, frozen for easier chopping, plus more for garnish if desired
Sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping, for garnish
Warm chocolate syrup or chocolate sauce, for garnish
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers with melted butter and 1/4 cup of brown sugar or granulated sugar. Mix well and press firmly over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Cover and refrigerate the crust to chill for at least 1 hour.
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and confectioners' sugar. Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer until smooth and well blended. Fold in the whipped topping until blended, and then fold in the chopped peanut butter cups.
Fill the chilled graham cracker pie shell with the peanut butter mixture.
Cover the pie tightly and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until the filling is firm.
Set the frozen pie out at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce. Sprinkle with reserved chopped peanut butter cups, if desired.
Tips:
If possible, freeze the pie for several hours or overnight before serving.
Give the pie about 10 minutes at room temperature to soften slightly before slicing.
If desired, bake the crust in a preheated 400 F oven for 10 minutes. Cool completely and chill slightly before filling.
Make this peanut butter sauce to drizzle over the pie along with the chocolate syrup.
CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA WITH PESTO AND TOMATOES
This comes from Ready Set Eat, and begins, “Cauliflower crust pizza recipe is topped with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella cheese and organic diced tomatoes for a 'low carb' pizza.”
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 75 minutes; Servings: 4; Number of ingredients: 8
To view this online (and to check out the site), go to https://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Cauliflower-Crust-Pizza-with-Pesto-and-Tomatoes-8115.
Ingredients
PAM® Organic Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray
6 cups fresh cauliflower florets (6 cups florets = about 1-1/2 pounds)
3 large egg whites, beaten
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup refrigerated basil pesto
4 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, halved
1 can (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes, drained well (or try Hunt's® Organic)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 12-inch round pizza pan with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray; set aside.
Place half of cauliflower in food processor bowl; pulse until mixture resembles ‘rice’. Repeat with remaining cauliflower. Place cauliflower 'rice' in large microwave-safe bowl; cover. Microwave on HIGH 3 to 5 minutes or until cauliflower is steamed. Carefully place on kitchen towel in single layer; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Twist towel to squeeze liquid from cauliflower (removing about 1 cup). Place drained cauliflower in medium bowl.
Add egg whites, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano and pepper to bowl; stir to combine. Spread mixture on pizza pan, pressing lightly to edge of pan with hands to resemble pizza crust. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Remove from oven. Spread pesto over crust; top with cheese and drained tomatoes. Bake 8 to 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Cut into 8 slices.
Tips:
Cauliflower florets (with little stem) work best for this recipe.
For gluten free preparation, confirm all recipe ingredients are gluten free by reading product labels each time you make this recipe.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday, because not everyone loves tacos. (I know! Surprising, isn't it?)
Today's double-post offerings include Simple Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
APPLE BREAKFAST BARS
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups raw apples, shredded
Directions
Combine all ingredients. Let stand 10 minutes. Press mixture into 8" x 8" baking dish. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Loosen with spatula, and cut into bars while warm. Serve hot for breakfast.
STRAWBERRY FROSTY
This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The program has changed, but I'm using the values from when this was sent.
This begins, “Our Strawberry Frosty is much less fattening than typical fast-food shakes — and it's just as creamy!”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 2; Preparation Time: 5 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
1 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp strawberry jam
Directions
Combine ingredients in a blender; blend until thick and frothy. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN at VeryWellFit. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Total Time: 65 min; Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 45 min; Servings 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER LASAGNA
This comes from The Food Network, and starts off, “Cauliflower is the star in this healthy lasagna, appearing in two roles-once when it's blended into the ricotta cheese filling for texture, and a second time when it's roasted and used in place of the traditional meatballs or sausage. Sweet red bell pepper adds complexity to the tomato sauce and balances the richness of the cheeses.” Total Time: 1 hr. 40 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/roasted-cauliflower-lasagna.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
8 cups cauliflower florets (from 1 head cauliflower; about 2 1/2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating the lasagna noodles
Kosher salt
One 28-ounce can no-salt added whole plum tomatoes
5 cloves garlic, 4 sliced and 1 chopped
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup fresh basil leaves
8 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles)
1 cup part-skim ricotta
1 large egg
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Toss the cauliflower in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread the florets in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast, tossing once, until tender and golden brown in spots, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool slightly.
Put the tomatoes in a medium bowl and use your hands to crush them. Rinse the can with 1 1/2 cups water and add it to the bowl of tomatoes.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil with 4 cloves sliced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small Dutch oven over medium heat until the garlic begins to sizzle and becomes aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate, about 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes with their juice and 4 large leaves of basil. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 40 minutes. You should have about 3 3/4 cups of sauce.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop the lasagna noodles one at a time into the pot. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles in a colander. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons oil to the noodles, tossing to coat to prevent them from sticking, and drape over the side of a large bowl.
Combine the ricotta, egg, 1 1/2 cups of the roasted cauliflower and 1 chopped clove garlic in a food processor and pulse until evenly pureed. Tear the remaining basil into small pieces, add to the food processor and pulse 3 to 4 more times to chop the basil finely, but not puree. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl.
Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of sauce (around 1/4 cup) on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Lay 4 of the noodles on the bottom, without overlapping, cutting to fit, if necessary. Spread with half of the cauliflower-ricotta mixture, followed by half of the roasted cauliflower, one-third of the tomato sauce, one-third of the mozzarella and one-third of the Parmesan. Loosely fit 3 more noodles on top of the cheese without overlapping. Spread with the remaining cauliflower-ricotta mixture, followed by the remaining roasted cauliflower, one-third more of the tomato sauce, one-third more of the mozzarella and one-third more of the Parmesan. Top with the remaining 4 lasagna noodles, cutting just to fit. Then add the remaining tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake until bubbly and hot, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook until the cheese begins to brown, about 10 minutes more. Allow to rest for 10 minutes so the lasagna will cut more easily. Garnish with the parsley.
CORN MUFFINS
Recipe Yield: Servings: 12
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/corn-muffins
Ingredients
1/2 cup corn meal
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
Directions
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add lightly beaten egg, milk and butter.
Mix just until moist.
Bake in muffin tins lined with cupcake papers for 20 minutes at 400F.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 95; Fat: 2.5 g; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g
VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Ready Set Eat, and begins, “A heart healthy recipe for stuffed peppers filled with brown rice, vegetables and cheese for a Mexican flavor influence.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 4; Number of ingredients: 8.
To view this online (and to check out more recipes), go to https://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Vegetarian-Stuffed-Peppers-7419.
Ingredients
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 large green or red bell peppers
1/2 cup instant brown rice, uncooked
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies-No Salt Added, drained
1-1/2 cups frozen Southwest mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, red peppers)
1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce, divided
1/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8x8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut bell peppers lengthwise through stem into halves. Remove and discard seeds and membranes. Place peppers, cut-side down, in dish. Bake 15 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package directions, adding cumin and garlic salt. Add drained tomatoes, mixed vegetables and half of tomato sauce to cooked rice; stir to combine. Divide rice mixture and place inside peppers. Top with remaining tomato sauce; sprinkle with cheese.
Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes or until peppers are hot and cheese melts.
Today's double-post offerings include Simple Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna and Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
APPLE BREAKFAST BARS
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups raw apples, shredded
Directions
Combine all ingredients. Let stand 10 minutes. Press mixture into 8" x 8" baking dish. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Loosen with spatula, and cut into bars while warm. Serve hot for breakfast.
STRAWBERRY FROSTY
This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The program has changed, but I'm using the values from when this was sent.
This begins, “Our Strawberry Frosty is much less fattening than typical fast-food shakes — and it's just as creamy!”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 2; Preparation Time: 5 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
1 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp strawberry jam
Directions
Combine ingredients in a blender; blend until thick and frothy. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN at VeryWellFit. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Total Time: 65 min; Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 45 min; Servings 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER LASAGNA
This comes from The Food Network, and starts off, “Cauliflower is the star in this healthy lasagna, appearing in two roles-once when it's blended into the ricotta cheese filling for texture, and a second time when it's roasted and used in place of the traditional meatballs or sausage. Sweet red bell pepper adds complexity to the tomato sauce and balances the richness of the cheeses.” Total Time: 1 hr. 40 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/roasted-cauliflower-lasagna.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
8 cups cauliflower florets (from 1 head cauliflower; about 2 1/2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating the lasagna noodles
Kosher salt
One 28-ounce can no-salt added whole plum tomatoes
5 cloves garlic, 4 sliced and 1 chopped
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup fresh basil leaves
8 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles)
1 cup part-skim ricotta
1 large egg
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Toss the cauliflower in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread the florets in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast, tossing once, until tender and golden brown in spots, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool slightly.
Put the tomatoes in a medium bowl and use your hands to crush them. Rinse the can with 1 1/2 cups water and add it to the bowl of tomatoes.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil with 4 cloves sliced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small Dutch oven over medium heat until the garlic begins to sizzle and becomes aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate, about 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes with their juice and 4 large leaves of basil. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 40 minutes. You should have about 3 3/4 cups of sauce.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop the lasagna noodles one at a time into the pot. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles in a colander. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons oil to the noodles, tossing to coat to prevent them from sticking, and drape over the side of a large bowl.
Combine the ricotta, egg, 1 1/2 cups of the roasted cauliflower and 1 chopped clove garlic in a food processor and pulse until evenly pureed. Tear the remaining basil into small pieces, add to the food processor and pulse 3 to 4 more times to chop the basil finely, but not puree. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl.
Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of sauce (around 1/4 cup) on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Lay 4 of the noodles on the bottom, without overlapping, cutting to fit, if necessary. Spread with half of the cauliflower-ricotta mixture, followed by half of the roasted cauliflower, one-third of the tomato sauce, one-third of the mozzarella and one-third of the Parmesan. Loosely fit 3 more noodles on top of the cheese without overlapping. Spread with the remaining cauliflower-ricotta mixture, followed by the remaining roasted cauliflower, one-third more of the tomato sauce, one-third more of the mozzarella and one-third more of the Parmesan. Top with the remaining 4 lasagna noodles, cutting just to fit. Then add the remaining tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake until bubbly and hot, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook until the cheese begins to brown, about 10 minutes more. Allow to rest for 10 minutes so the lasagna will cut more easily. Garnish with the parsley.
CORN MUFFINS
Recipe Yield: Servings: 12
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/corn-muffins
Ingredients
1/2 cup corn meal
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
Directions
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add lightly beaten egg, milk and butter.
Mix just until moist.
Bake in muffin tins lined with cupcake papers for 20 minutes at 400F.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 95; Fat: 2.5 g; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g
VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Ready Set Eat, and begins, “A heart healthy recipe for stuffed peppers filled with brown rice, vegetables and cheese for a Mexican flavor influence.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 4; Number of ingredients: 8.
To view this online (and to check out more recipes), go to https://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Vegetarian-Stuffed-Peppers-7419.
Ingredients
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
2 large green or red bell peppers
1/2 cup instant brown rice, uncooked
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies-No Salt Added, drained
1-1/2 cups frozen Southwest mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, red peppers)
1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce, divided
1/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8x8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut bell peppers lengthwise through stem into halves. Remove and discard seeds and membranes. Place peppers, cut-side down, in dish. Bake 15 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package directions, adding cumin and garlic salt. Add drained tomatoes, mixed vegetables and half of tomato sauce to cooked rice; stir to combine. Divide rice mixture and place inside peppers. Top with remaining tomato sauce; sprinkle with cheese.
Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes or until peppers are hot and cheese melts.
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday, where we check out yummy taco recipes that (gasp) don't contain any meat. Can such a thing exist?
You bet it can! Just to show this, here are six yummy taco recipes with absolutely no meat in them, including American BBQ Tacos, Mocha Dessert Tacos, and Banana Chocolate Tacos. Have I got your attention yet? Enjoy!
SPICY GRILLED TEMPEH TACOS WITH FRIJOLES MOLIDOS AND HOMEMADE SOUR CREAM [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]
This recipe comes from OneGreenPlanet, and is Dairy Free; Gluten-free; Vegan; Wheat Free.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Tempeh and Tacos:
Tempeh, as needed
Spicy bean paste, as needed
Tortillas (gluten-free if necessary)
Pico de gallo
Guacamole
For the Frijoles:
6 cloves roasted garlic
4-5 cups cooked red beans
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cumin
Juice of 2 limes
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Sour Cream
1 cup raw, pre-soaked cashews
1 cup rejuvelac (see notes)
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Preparation
Brush the tempeh with the bean paste and then grill.
Lightly grill tortillas for about 30 seconds/side.
To make the sour cream, put all ingredients in a high-speed blender and run until very smooth. Then set out in a covered glass container to culture for at least 24 hours. Taste for sourness. Colder climates will require more time. 24 hours at 85°F is about perfect. Refrigerate until thickened.
To make the beans, roast your garlic or pan fry them whole in a skillet until brown. Then cook the beans a minute or two longer than normal, drain, but reserve your bean juice.
Mash the garlic cloves with a fork, then add the beans and spices over low heat. Allow them to simmer for a couple minutes while you go to work with a potato masher. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and bean juice to keep the mixture soft and workable.
Assemble tacos and add pico de gallo and guacamole.
Notes:
Rejuvelac is a fermented liquid you can buy online or make at home.
BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.
This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible
1 small onion, halved
1 bay leaf
1 large sprig epazote (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
4 poblano chiles
Soft corn tortillas
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded
1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries
8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Preparation
Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.
Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.
To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.
MOCHA DESSERT TACOS
I found this, along with five other taco recipes, on the Runner’s World website (posted on June 26, 2018), though it’s originally from the Prevention test kitchen.
This recipe begins, “These blueberry-pancake taco shells are made from whole wheat flour for extra heart-healthy magnesium (a mineral the typical American diet falls short on).”
Serves: 6; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Times: 25 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
4 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped
1 tsp instant espresso powder or coffee granules
2 medium bananas
3 large eggs
1 c blueberries
1/2 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp whole milk
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp canola oil
2 c berries (such as blueberries and raspberries)
Directions
Microwave chocolate in 15-second bursts in microwave-safe bowl, stirring intermittently, until melted. Stir in espresso powder until smooth.
Puree bananas, eggs, blueberries, flour, milk, baking powder, and salt in blender until smooth.
Heat 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet over medium. Dollop 1/4 cup batter into skillet (spread slightly) and cook until top is set, 2 to 3 minutes; flip and cook until golden on bottom, 2 minutes more. Repeat with remaining batter, adding remaining oil as needed.
Fold each pancake and fill with berries. Drizzle with chocolate-coffee sauce.
Per serving: 260 calories, 7 g protein, 36 g carb, 7 g fiber, 18 g sugars (9 g added sugars), 11 g fat, 4.5 g sat fat, 94 mg cholesterol, 163 mg sodium
CRISPY VEGETARIAN TACOS
This yummy taco recipe comes from Kraft, and begins, “Make next Monday the most delicious meat-free Monday ever with these Crispy Vegetarian Tacos. Explore the recipe to learn more about these tasty tacos.” Of course, you can also use this for Taco Tuesday!
Prep Time: 25min.; Total Time: 25min.; Servings: 6 servings, 2 tacos each
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. oil
1 Tbsp. KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/2 cup chopped onions
1-1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
12 TACO BELL® Crunchy Taco Shells, warmed
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1 tomato, seeded, finely chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
Directions
Heat oil and dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions; cook and stir 5 min. or until lightly browned. Add corn; cook 2 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in beans; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until mixture is heated through.
Fill taco shells with lettuce, bean mixture and remaining ingredients.
AMERICAN BBQ TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “For authentic Southern flavor, top these tacos with prepared coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
BBQ Sauce
1 1/2 Tbs. ketchup
1 Tbs. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste
Tacos
1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup soy crumbles, such as Lightlife Gimme Lean
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
2 Tbs. chopped red onion
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded Romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs. pickle relish, optional
Instructions:
To make BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.
To make Tacos: Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and carrots, and cook 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened, stirring halfway through. Add soy crumbles and 2 Tbs. BBQ Sauce. Cook 8 minutes, or until soy crumbles are browned.
Fill tortillas with soy crumble mixture. Top with red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and relish, if desired. Serve with BBQ Sauce.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 178; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Sodium: 409 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g
BANANA CHOCOLATE TACOS
Chocolate? Bananas? On tacos? Sure, why not? This one (from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World) begins, “This taco is a smart dessert choice as research shows dark chocolate can improve brain functioning. Each bite also has the carbs needed to restock your muscles after a spirited run. Plus, ricotta is rich in whey protein to make it easier to build stronger muscles.”
Ingredients
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. almond butter
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1–2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 oz. chopped dark chocolate
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 small bananas, sliced into 1/2" pieces
4 small (6") whole-wheat tortillas, heated according to package
1/4 cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
Directions
Stir together ricotta, almond butter, syrup, orange zest and vanilla.
Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until chocolate is melted. Stir in cinnamon.
Spread ricotta mixture on tortillas and top with banana. Drizzle chocolate sauce over top and sprinkle on coconut flakes. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 439; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 13 g; Total fat: 20 g; Saturated fat: 9.5 g; Sodium: 342 mg.
You bet it can! Just to show this, here are six yummy taco recipes with absolutely no meat in them, including American BBQ Tacos, Mocha Dessert Tacos, and Banana Chocolate Tacos. Have I got your attention yet? Enjoy!
SPICY GRILLED TEMPEH TACOS WITH FRIJOLES MOLIDOS AND HOMEMADE SOUR CREAM [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]
This recipe comes from OneGreenPlanet, and is Dairy Free; Gluten-free; Vegan; Wheat Free.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Tempeh and Tacos:
Tempeh, as needed
Spicy bean paste, as needed
Tortillas (gluten-free if necessary)
Pico de gallo
Guacamole
For the Frijoles:
6 cloves roasted garlic
4-5 cups cooked red beans
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cumin
Juice of 2 limes
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Sour Cream
1 cup raw, pre-soaked cashews
1 cup rejuvelac (see notes)
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Preparation
Brush the tempeh with the bean paste and then grill.
Lightly grill tortillas for about 30 seconds/side.
To make the sour cream, put all ingredients in a high-speed blender and run until very smooth. Then set out in a covered glass container to culture for at least 24 hours. Taste for sourness. Colder climates will require more time. 24 hours at 85°F is about perfect. Refrigerate until thickened.
To make the beans, roast your garlic or pan fry them whole in a skillet until brown. Then cook the beans a minute or two longer than normal, drain, but reserve your bean juice.
Mash the garlic cloves with a fork, then add the beans and spices over low heat. Allow them to simmer for a couple minutes while you go to work with a potato masher. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and bean juice to keep the mixture soft and workable.
Assemble tacos and add pico de gallo and guacamole.
Notes:
Rejuvelac is a fermented liquid you can buy online or make at home.
BLACK BEAN AND POBLANO TACOS
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “There are many kinds of tacos, some piled high and overstuffed and some more minimal, meant to be more a snack than a meal. These little tacos are in the second category, similar to what you might find in a Mexican market for a quick bite. Savory black beans and roasted poblano chiles make a satisfying vegetarian version. Fresh soft corn tortillas, hot off the griddle, are essential.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings.
This was featured in “The Unstuffy Taco” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 pound black beans, rinsed and soaked 4 to 6 hours, or overnight if possible
1 small onion, halved
1 bay leaf
1 large sprig epazote (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
4 poblano chiles
Soft corn tortillas
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella or Oaxacan-style string cheese, shredded
1/2 pound queso fresco, available in Latino groceries
8 ounces crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Preparation
Drain beans, put in medium pot, add water to cover and bring to a boil over hight heat. Add onion, bay leaf, epazote and salt and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 1 hour, longer if necessary, adding water occasionally if liquid falls below surface of beans. When beans are tender, taste and adjust salt. Keep beans warm in their broth.
Meanwhile, roast poblano chiles over a charcoal grill, under the broiler or directly on a gas stovetop burners until skins are completely blackened and blistered. Set chiles aside to cool, then split lengthwise. Scrape away skins and seeds with a paring knife. Cut cleaned chiles into 1/2-inch ribbons, transfer to small bowl and season lightly with salt.
To serve, warm the tortillas on a hot griddle or cast iron pan over a burner. Put 2 warm tortillas side by side on a small plate. With a slotted spoon, place 2 tablespoons beans on each tortilla. Top with a few shreds of mozzarella and 2 or 3 strips of poblano. Crumble a little queso fresco and drizzle about 1 teaspoon crème fraîche on each taco.
MOCHA DESSERT TACOS
I found this, along with five other taco recipes, on the Runner’s World website (posted on June 26, 2018), though it’s originally from the Prevention test kitchen.
This recipe begins, “These blueberry-pancake taco shells are made from whole wheat flour for extra heart-healthy magnesium (a mineral the typical American diet falls short on).”
Serves: 6; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Times: 25 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
4 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped
1 tsp instant espresso powder or coffee granules
2 medium bananas
3 large eggs
1 c blueberries
1/2 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp whole milk
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp canola oil
2 c berries (such as blueberries and raspberries)
Directions
Microwave chocolate in 15-second bursts in microwave-safe bowl, stirring intermittently, until melted. Stir in espresso powder until smooth.
Puree bananas, eggs, blueberries, flour, milk, baking powder, and salt in blender until smooth.
Heat 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet over medium. Dollop 1/4 cup batter into skillet (spread slightly) and cook until top is set, 2 to 3 minutes; flip and cook until golden on bottom, 2 minutes more. Repeat with remaining batter, adding remaining oil as needed.
Fold each pancake and fill with berries. Drizzle with chocolate-coffee sauce.
Per serving: 260 calories, 7 g protein, 36 g carb, 7 g fiber, 18 g sugars (9 g added sugars), 11 g fat, 4.5 g sat fat, 94 mg cholesterol, 163 mg sodium
CRISPY VEGETARIAN TACOS
This yummy taco recipe comes from Kraft, and begins, “Make next Monday the most delicious meat-free Monday ever with these Crispy Vegetarian Tacos. Explore the recipe to learn more about these tasty tacos.” Of course, you can also use this for Taco Tuesday!
Prep Time: 25min.; Total Time: 25min.; Servings: 6 servings, 2 tacos each
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. oil
1 Tbsp. KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/2 cup chopped onions
1-1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
12 TACO BELL® Crunchy Taco Shells, warmed
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1 tomato, seeded, finely chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
Directions
Heat oil and dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions; cook and stir 5 min. or until lightly browned. Add corn; cook 2 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in beans; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until mixture is heated through.
Fill taco shells with lettuce, bean mixture and remaining ingredients.
AMERICAN BBQ TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “For authentic Southern flavor, top these tacos with prepared coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
BBQ Sauce
1 1/2 Tbs. ketchup
1 Tbs. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. honey
1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste
Tacos
1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup soy crumbles, such as Lightlife Gimme Lean
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
2 Tbs. chopped red onion
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded Romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs. pickle relish, optional
Instructions:
To make BBQ Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.
To make Tacos: Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and carrots, and cook 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened, stirring halfway through. Add soy crumbles and 2 Tbs. BBQ Sauce. Cook 8 minutes, or until soy crumbles are browned.
Fill tortillas with soy crumble mixture. Top with red onion, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and relish, if desired. Serve with BBQ Sauce.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 178; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Sodium: 409 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g
BANANA CHOCOLATE TACOS
Chocolate? Bananas? On tacos? Sure, why not? This one (from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World) begins, “This taco is a smart dessert choice as research shows dark chocolate can improve brain functioning. Each bite also has the carbs needed to restock your muscles after a spirited run. Plus, ricotta is rich in whey protein to make it easier to build stronger muscles.”
Ingredients
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. almond butter
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1–2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 oz. chopped dark chocolate
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 small bananas, sliced into 1/2" pieces
4 small (6") whole-wheat tortillas, heated according to package
1/4 cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
Directions
Stir together ricotta, almond butter, syrup, orange zest and vanilla.
Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until chocolate is melted. Stir in cinnamon.
Spread ricotta mixture on tortillas and top with banana. Drizzle chocolate sauce over top and sprinkle on coconut flakes. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 439; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 13 g; Total fat: 20 g; Saturated fat: 9.5 g; Sodium: 342 mg.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Cookies
Is there anything better than homemade cookies? Today's offerings include Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies and Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies. Enjoy!
SUGAR COOKIES
This absolutely yummy treat comes from Grace Parisi on the Today show’s website. It begins, “It's cookie swap season — but unlike gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies are perfect all year round, so bookmark this recipe for your next baby shower, Halloween, Valentine's day, or — my favorite — July 9, which is National Sugar Cookie Day!
“Cookies, rolled and cut into holiday shapes then festively decorated, are essential around the holidays. And these cookies in particular are fantastically delicious and easy to bake. Plus, decorating them is a snap and the whole family can involved.
“Simply choose from three simple decorations to make them your own, brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with sugar before baking, glaze with white icing (use a squeeze bottle for easy handling) or glaze with a mix of white and colored icings.
“Make-ahead tip: These cookies can be stored between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container for up to one week.”
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (8 ounces)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups confectioners' sugar
Sanding sugar, sprinkles, nonpareils for decorating
Preparation
Make the dough.
In a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, vanilla and salt and beat until combined. Add the flour and beat on low speed until moistened. Divide the dough into 3 discs, wrap them each in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
Roll out and stamp the dough.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 3 baking sheets with parchment. Working with one disc of dough at a time, on a floured surface, roll the dough 1/4-inch thick. Stamp out as many cookies as possible.
Time to bake!
Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet, and spread them out about 1-inch apart. Gather the scraps and re-roll to make more cookies. Bake the cookies in the center of the oven until lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling the scraps.
Make the glaze.
In a bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the lemon juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread the white glaze over the cookies, covering them completely and let them dry.
Let's decorate!
Transfer the remaining glaze to a piping bag or a squeeze bottle with a tiny tip and pipe designs all over the cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Let the cookies dry completely, then transfer them to platters to serve.
How to make alternative decorations:
1. Lightly brush the unbaked cookies with a mixture of 2 egg yolks combined with 2 tablespoons of water. Let the egg wash dry slightly, then sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake the cookies as directed above.
2. Divide the glaze into bowls and add food coloring to each. Glaze the cookies with one solid color then pipe dots or lines onto the wet glaze. Let the cookies dry completely before serving.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
One of Grandma Hallock’s cookie recipes.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar & brown sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
GRANDMA'S OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
CHOC-PEANUT FROZEN COOKIES
From an old Weight Watchers' email.
POINTS® Value: 1; Servings: 16; Preparation Time: 5 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
This recipe begins, “ If you love dark chocolate, you're bound to love these: a decadent way to cool off on a hot summer day.”
Ingredients
1/4 cup fat-free skim milk
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa, powder
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
2 tsp canola oil
Directions
Mix milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to boil, then remove from heat. Add peanut butter and stir into mix until melted. Stir in oatmeal and oil. Drop 16 spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for at least four hours; they are better the day after you make them. Yields one cookie per serving.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
From an old Weight Watchers' email. This begins, “Moist and chewy, chocolate and cherries make these cookies sinfully rich. Make the cookie dough ahead of time, freeze it and then bake anytime for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 36; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 12 min; Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp table salt
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup dried cherries
Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a small bowl; set aside.
Place room temperature butter into bowl of a mixer and mix with a paddle attachment until smooth, or beat with an electric mixer. Slowly pour granulated sugar in an even stream into butter and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour in brown sugar, mix until incorporated and then scrape mixture down from sides of bowl.
Slowly beat in each egg one at a time until incorporated. Slowly beat in flour mixture until incorporated. Scrape mixture down from sides of bowl and stir in oatmeal and then dried cherries. (Note: Freeze dough at this point or continue to step 6 for baking.)
Scoop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto a nonstick sheet pan, a pan lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set. Cool completely. Either serve cookies or stack between sheets of waxed paper in an air-tight container and freeze for up to two weeks before serving. Yields about 1 cookie per serving.
OATMEAL CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This comes from One Green Planet's e-newsletter. This vegan, gluten-free, dairy free recipe makes 21 cookies. The recipe starts out, “The slight crunch from the brown sugar, the texture of the oats, and the tart from the cranberries, along with the decadence of the chocolate chips make this cookie very special indeed. If Santa's looking for a change-up from his traditional chocolate chip cookies, or if you're searching for a special treat to share with your loved ones, these holiday cookies are sure to touch that special place in your heart. Package them up with a pretty bow, made from any number of upcycled materials, and you'll have a meaningful homemade gift anyone would love to receive.”
The recipe writer mentioned several brands that he or she uses in this recipe; I've included these in parentheses, but if you have a favorite brand to use in place of what the recipe writer uses, feel free to. Be advised, though, that if using non-gluten-free flour, the recipe, of course, won't be gluten-free.
To view this online, click here.
1 Tbsp. Ground flaxseed meal
3 Tbsp. water
1 1/2 cups gluten-free old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (like Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose Baking Flour)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2/3 cup vegan butter substitute (like Earth Balance Organic Whipped Buttery Spread)
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 oz. Package sweetened dried cranberries (such as Newman's Own Organic Dried Cranberries)
2/3 cup semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with a silpat to prevent sticking, if desired. (Note: I usually use parchment paper.)
In a small bowl, make a flaxseed egg by combining flaxseed meal and water, stir and set aside.
In a medium bowl, add dry ingredients: gluten-free oats, gluten-free flour, baking soda and salt. Whisk to sift and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl add vegan butter substitute and brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
Mix in flaxseed egg until combined.
Slowly mix in dry ingredients until combined.
Stir in cranberries and non-dairy chocolate chips.
Drip spoonfuls of cookie dough onto cookie sheet.
Bake approximately 10 – 12 minutes.
SUGAR COOKIES
This absolutely yummy treat comes from Grace Parisi on the Today show’s website. It begins, “It's cookie swap season — but unlike gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies are perfect all year round, so bookmark this recipe for your next baby shower, Halloween, Valentine's day, or — my favorite — July 9, which is National Sugar Cookie Day!
“Cookies, rolled and cut into holiday shapes then festively decorated, are essential around the holidays. And these cookies in particular are fantastically delicious and easy to bake. Plus, decorating them is a snap and the whole family can involved.
“Simply choose from three simple decorations to make them your own, brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with sugar before baking, glaze with white icing (use a squeeze bottle for easy handling) or glaze with a mix of white and colored icings.
“Make-ahead tip: These cookies can be stored between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container for up to one week.”
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (8 ounces)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups confectioners' sugar
Sanding sugar, sprinkles, nonpareils for decorating
Preparation
Make the dough.
In a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, vanilla and salt and beat until combined. Add the flour and beat on low speed until moistened. Divide the dough into 3 discs, wrap them each in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
Roll out and stamp the dough.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 3 baking sheets with parchment. Working with one disc of dough at a time, on a floured surface, roll the dough 1/4-inch thick. Stamp out as many cookies as possible.
Time to bake!
Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet, and spread them out about 1-inch apart. Gather the scraps and re-roll to make more cookies. Bake the cookies in the center of the oven until lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling the scraps.
Make the glaze.
In a bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the lemon juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread the white glaze over the cookies, covering them completely and let them dry.
Let's decorate!
Transfer the remaining glaze to a piping bag or a squeeze bottle with a tiny tip and pipe designs all over the cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Let the cookies dry completely, then transfer them to platters to serve.
How to make alternative decorations:
1. Lightly brush the unbaked cookies with a mixture of 2 egg yolks combined with 2 tablespoons of water. Let the egg wash dry slightly, then sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake the cookies as directed above.
2. Divide the glaze into bowls and add food coloring to each. Glaze the cookies with one solid color then pipe dots or lines onto the wet glaze. Let the cookies dry completely before serving.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
One of Grandma Hallock’s cookie recipes.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar & brown sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
GRANDMA'S OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
CHOC-PEANUT FROZEN COOKIES
From an old Weight Watchers' email.
POINTS® Value: 1; Servings: 16; Preparation Time: 5 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
This recipe begins, “ If you love dark chocolate, you're bound to love these: a decadent way to cool off on a hot summer day.”
Ingredients
1/4 cup fat-free skim milk
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa, powder
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
2 tsp canola oil
Directions
Mix milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to boil, then remove from heat. Add peanut butter and stir into mix until melted. Stir in oatmeal and oil. Drop 16 spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for at least four hours; they are better the day after you make them. Yields one cookie per serving.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
From an old Weight Watchers' email. This begins, “Moist and chewy, chocolate and cherries make these cookies sinfully rich. Make the cookie dough ahead of time, freeze it and then bake anytime for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 36; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 12 min; Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp table salt
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup dried cherries
Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a small bowl; set aside.
Place room temperature butter into bowl of a mixer and mix with a paddle attachment until smooth, or beat with an electric mixer. Slowly pour granulated sugar in an even stream into butter and mix on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour in brown sugar, mix until incorporated and then scrape mixture down from sides of bowl.
Slowly beat in each egg one at a time until incorporated. Slowly beat in flour mixture until incorporated. Scrape mixture down from sides of bowl and stir in oatmeal and then dried cherries. (Note: Freeze dough at this point or continue to step 6 for baking.)
Scoop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough onto a nonstick sheet pan, a pan lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set. Cool completely. Either serve cookies or stack between sheets of waxed paper in an air-tight container and freeze for up to two weeks before serving. Yields about 1 cookie per serving.
OATMEAL CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This comes from One Green Planet's e-newsletter. This vegan, gluten-free, dairy free recipe makes 21 cookies. The recipe starts out, “The slight crunch from the brown sugar, the texture of the oats, and the tart from the cranberries, along with the decadence of the chocolate chips make this cookie very special indeed. If Santa's looking for a change-up from his traditional chocolate chip cookies, or if you're searching for a special treat to share with your loved ones, these holiday cookies are sure to touch that special place in your heart. Package them up with a pretty bow, made from any number of upcycled materials, and you'll have a meaningful homemade gift anyone would love to receive.”
The recipe writer mentioned several brands that he or she uses in this recipe; I've included these in parentheses, but if you have a favorite brand to use in place of what the recipe writer uses, feel free to. Be advised, though, that if using non-gluten-free flour, the recipe, of course, won't be gluten-free.
To view this online, click here.
1 Tbsp. Ground flaxseed meal
3 Tbsp. water
1 1/2 cups gluten-free old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (like Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose Baking Flour)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2/3 cup vegan butter substitute (like Earth Balance Organic Whipped Buttery Spread)
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 oz. Package sweetened dried cranberries (such as Newman's Own Organic Dried Cranberries)
2/3 cup semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with a silpat to prevent sticking, if desired. (Note: I usually use parchment paper.)
In a small bowl, make a flaxseed egg by combining flaxseed meal and water, stir and set aside.
In a medium bowl, add dry ingredients: gluten-free oats, gluten-free flour, baking soda and salt. Whisk to sift and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl add vegan butter substitute and brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
Mix in flaxseed egg until combined.
Slowly mix in dry ingredients until combined.
Stir in cranberries and non-dairy chocolate chips.
Drip spoonfuls of cookie dough onto cookie sheet.
Bake approximately 10 – 12 minutes.
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