Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Black Bean Corn and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers and Pasta Alla Norma. Enjoy!
POTATIES AU GRATIN
This recipe begins, “You say potatoes, we say we've got a great au gratin dish on our hands. Even the most novice cook can throw together this gourmet-tasting grub on the fly. It's got plenty of 'appeal'!”
Servings: for 12 people.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
32 ounces frozen hash browns
1 can (10.75 oz.) condensed cream of celery soup
1 can (10.75 oz.) condensed cream of celery soup
1 1/2 cups can condensed cream of potato soup
8 ounces container sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 small finely chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. Spread frozen hash browns into the bottom of the prepared pan. Mix together potato soup, celery soup, onion, green bell pepper and sour cream; pour mixture over the potatoes. Bake in the oven at 300 degrees for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with cheese, and bake another 30 minutes or until the cheese melts.
BLACK BEAN, CORN AND QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Easy to make stuffed peppers, packed with protein-rich quinoa and plenty of Mexican flavors.”
To view this online, click here.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 sweet potato, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 red onion, diced
1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (8 oz) Old El Paso™ Black Beans, drained
1 package (12 oz) frozen corn
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
4 red bell peppers, sliced lengthwise and seeds removed
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 scallion, finely diced (for garnish)
2 pinches coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange the diced potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with cumin, chili powder and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Toss and roast for 20 minutes. Once roasted, lower the heat to 375°F.
Cook the quinoa in boiling water until they pop into little spirals, about 15 minutes. Drain.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the onions and sauté until they start to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the jalapeno and garlic; sauté another minute, until fragrant.
Add the black beans and frozen corn; cook for 5 minutes, until warmed. Add the roasted sweet potatoes, cooked quinoa, lime juice, cilantro leaves, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
Stuff the mixture into each pepper half, and sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the peppers have softened, and the cheese is melted and starting to bubble.
Garnish with scallions and serve immediately.
POT LUCK PASTA SALAD (KID-FRIENDLY
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 recipe begins, “This colorful salad has something for everyone. If you’re short on time, buy the ingredients already cut from a salad bar and use your favorite bottled fat-free Italian dressing.”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 12; Preparation Time: 30 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, corkscrew shape (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, wheel shaped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 oz olives, canned, sliced, black (about 10 medium black olives)
1 medium green peppers, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 medium sweet red peppers, chopped (about 1 cup)
3/4 cup grape tomatoes, or other small tomatoes, halved (about 10 tomatoes)
1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse pasta with cold water; drain again and set aside.
Meanwhile, prepare salad dressing by mixing together oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, salt, black pepper and garlic in a small bowl; set aside until ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with vegetables; pour in dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and chill about 2 hours. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
PHILADELPHIA-CHERRY DANISH DESSERT
This is from Kraft, and begins, “Skip the line at the bakeshop and make your own cherry Danish dessert! These PHILADELPHIA-Cherry Danish Dessert squares take just 15 minutes of prep.” Very yummy!
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Makes: 24 Servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 egg white
1 tsp. vanilla
1 can (20 oz.) cherry pie filling
3 Tbsp. milk
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Unroll 1 can crescent dough into 2 rectangles; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray, firmly pressing perforations and seams together to seal.
Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, egg white and vanilla with mixer until blended; spread onto crust. Cover with pie filling.
Unroll remaining can of crescent dough into 2 rectangles; pat into 13x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations and seams together seal. Place over pie filling.
Bake 25 to 30 min. or until golden brown; cool slightly.
Mix milk and remaining sugar until blended; drizzle over dessert.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN on the VeryWellFit site. 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.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Servings: 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/vegetarian-spinach-lasagna-4144632.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Directions
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.
PASTA ALLA NORMA
This recipe comes from Pure Wow, and begins, “If you’re taking a trip to Italy soon, that’s amazing. (We’re totally jealous.) But for the rest of us, this Sicilian dish from Catania is the next best thing. Presenting pasta alla Norma with eggplant, basil and pecorino cheese. Best of all, you can make four servings for less than $10. Salute!”
PREP: 20 MIN; COOK: 40 MIN; TOTAL: 1 HR; Makes: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.purewow.com/recipes/pasta-alla-norma
Ingredients
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large eggplant, sliced into 1-inch strips
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound bite-size dry pasta, like rigatoni
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese
Directions
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant in batches and cook on all sides until golden brown. Remove the eggplant from the pan and set aside on a large plate. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the onion to the same pan and sauté until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute more.
Stir in the tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the red-pepper flakes and oregano, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the flavor of the sauce develops.
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package. Drain well.
Add the pasta and eggplant to the sauce; toss well to coat. Add the parsley, basil and pecorino, and toss well to combine. Serve immediately.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Thursday Recipes
Today's yummy offerings include Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers and Swirled Frozen Yogurt Pie. Enjoy!
WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI
This comes from the Food Network kitchen, and starts out, “This 30-minute weekenight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)”
Level: Easy; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.
SWIRLED FROZEN YOGURT PIE
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 recipe begins, “Substitute your favorite frozen yogurts to create a different pie every time. For more options, swap the yogurt with fat-free varieties of ice cream or Tofutti.”
Was POINTS® value of: 8; Now POINTS® value of: 5; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 20 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
1 1/2 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
6 oz pie crust
1 cup fat-free whipped topping
Directions
In a large bowl, combine both yogurts by gently folding flavors together.
Add chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into prepared crust; cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Top with whipped topping before serving. Slice into 8 pieces.
Chef Tips We renovated Swirled Frozen Yogurt Pie by:
Using fat-free frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
Using fat-free whipped topping instead of regular topping.
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.
ALMOND, TOASTED OAT AND CHERRY TRAIL MIX
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 recipe began, “Take this energy-packed treat with you when you head to the great outdoors.”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 6; Preparation Time: 8 minutes; Cooking Time: 25 minutes; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
2/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 tsp table salt
1 Tbsp Land O Lakes Stick Light Butter, or similar product, melted
1/4 cup honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sided sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, cherries, almonds and salt. Drizzle with butter and honey and toss thoroughly. Spread mixture evenly on sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning, about 20 to 25 minutes; let cool. Yields about 1/3 cup per serving. (You might want to double the recipe and store the mix for a few days in an airtight container.)
GLAZED CARROTS WITH ORANGE AND GINGER
This comes from Mark Bittman at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “When carrots are cooked, it’s often a sad affair. They are boiled to death and presented almost as an apology. Yet when they’re treated with the respect they deserve, even ordinary supermarket carrots can be among the most reliable and enjoyable of vegetables, especially from fall through spring. This braise-and-glaze technique can be varied at will and can also be used with other roots, like beets, turnips and radishes. Once you have the hang of the technique, changing the flavorings is a snap. Try substituting a mixture of half balsamic vinegar, half water or soy sauce similarly diluted for the orange juice, adding a few cloves of peeled garlic with the carrots. Or add a half cup or so of chopped onions, shallots, scallions or leeks, or of chopped pitted dates or raisins, dried currants or even dried tomatoes.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “Versatile Carrots, Repectfully Braised” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound carrots, trimmed and peeled if necessary, cut into 1/4-inch coins or sticks
2 tablespoons butter or extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced or grated peeled fresh ginger
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley, dill, mint, basil or chervil leaves for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Combine all ingredients except lemon juice and garnish in a saucepan no more than 6 inches across. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring to coat, then adjust heat so mixture simmers. Cover.
Cook, more or less undisturbed, until carrots are tender and liquid is almost gone, 10 to 20 minutes. Uncover and boil off remaining liquid, then add lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot or within an hour or two, garnished with herbs, if you like.
WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI
This comes from the Food Network kitchen, and starts out, “This 30-minute weekenight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)”
Level: Easy; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.
SWIRLED FROZEN YOGURT PIE
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 recipe begins, “Substitute your favorite frozen yogurts to create a different pie every time. For more options, swap the yogurt with fat-free varieties of ice cream or Tofutti.”
Was POINTS® value of: 8; Now POINTS® value of: 5; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 20 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
1 1/2 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
6 oz pie crust
1 cup fat-free whipped topping
Directions
In a large bowl, combine both yogurts by gently folding flavors together.
Add chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into prepared crust; cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Top with whipped topping before serving. Slice into 8 pieces.
Chef Tips We renovated Swirled Frozen Yogurt Pie by:
Using fat-free frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
Using fat-free whipped topping instead of regular topping.
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.
ALMOND, TOASTED OAT AND CHERRY TRAIL MIX
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 recipe began, “Take this energy-packed treat with you when you head to the great outdoors.”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 6; Preparation Time: 8 minutes; Cooking Time: 25 minutes; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
2/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 tsp table salt
1 Tbsp Land O Lakes Stick Light Butter, or similar product, melted
1/4 cup honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sided sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, cherries, almonds and salt. Drizzle with butter and honey and toss thoroughly. Spread mixture evenly on sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning, about 20 to 25 minutes; let cool. Yields about 1/3 cup per serving. (You might want to double the recipe and store the mix for a few days in an airtight container.)
GLAZED CARROTS WITH ORANGE AND GINGER
This comes from Mark Bittman at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “When carrots are cooked, it’s often a sad affair. They are boiled to death and presented almost as an apology. Yet when they’re treated with the respect they deserve, even ordinary supermarket carrots can be among the most reliable and enjoyable of vegetables, especially from fall through spring. This braise-and-glaze technique can be varied at will and can also be used with other roots, like beets, turnips and radishes. Once you have the hang of the technique, changing the flavorings is a snap. Try substituting a mixture of half balsamic vinegar, half water or soy sauce similarly diluted for the orange juice, adding a few cloves of peeled garlic with the carrots. Or add a half cup or so of chopped onions, shallots, scallions or leeks, or of chopped pitted dates or raisins, dried currants or even dried tomatoes.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “Versatile Carrots, Repectfully Braised” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound carrots, trimmed and peeled if necessary, cut into 1/4-inch coins or sticks
2 tablespoons butter or extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced or grated peeled fresh ginger
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley, dill, mint, basil or chervil leaves for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Combine all ingredients except lemon juice and garnish in a saucepan no more than 6 inches across. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring to coat, then adjust heat so mixture simmers. Cover.
Cook, more or less undisturbed, until carrots are tender and liquid is almost gone, 10 to 20 minutes. Uncover and boil off remaining liquid, then add lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot or within an hour or two, garnished with herbs, if you like.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Let 'Em Eat Cake
Nothing quite says celebration as well as cake. Today's yummy post of six cake recipes includes Coconut Layer Cake and Apple Spice Cake with Vanilla Butter Sauce. Enjoy!
ROCKY ROAD CAKE
Years ago, I'd gone back to school at the local junior college, something that eventually took way longer than I'd anticipated: a few years here, a couple of semesters there, until I finally graduated in 2002. (Hooray!!!)
One of the classes that was required to graduate was a speech class. One week we had to give a demonstration speech. One of the students demonstrated how to make this cake. After her short demonstration, she passed out copies of the recipe along with pieces of cake. It’s absolutely delicious. The icing can be used on almost any kind of cake; it would be really good on carrot cake!
This recipe can also be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
1 C chopped nuts
4 eggs
1 C raisins
1 C mayonnaise
1 C mini-marshmallows
1 C water
6 oz. package of chocolate
1 package (18.25 oz) Devil’s Food cake mix with pudding
Grease and flour 2 9” pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix first four ingredients in medium-size bowl.
In large bowl at low speed, mix cake mix, eggs, mayo and water until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Stir the nut mixture into the cake batter, then pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes on cooling rack.
Icing (for Rocky Road Cake)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter
8 oz. cream cheese
1 box confectioners sugar
Place ingredients in bowl and cream together. When cake is cool, ice. ENJOY!
RED VELVET CAKE
We lived in Connecticut for several years while I was growing up. During this time, a lady called the local radio station and said she’d recently returned from a trip. During a stay in a fancy hotel with her husband, she had this cake in their restaurant. Returning home, she wrote to the hotel and requested a copy of the recipe, saying she’d pay for it. She received a copy of the recipe, along with a bill for $300. (This was during the mid-1960s.) Furious over the bill, she proceeded to read the recipe over the air.
1/2 C butter (note)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C sugar
1 C buttermilk
2 eggs, well beaten
1 T vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 T cocoa
2 1/4 C flour (sifted)
2 oz. red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour two 8" round pans. Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs. Make paste of food coloring & cocoa. Add to 1st mix. Add salt & buttermilk alternately with flour. Add vanilla. Dissolve soda in vinegar & add this last. Blend all ingredients, as little as possible. Pour into pans & bake for 30-40 minutes. When cool, split each layer horizontally.
FROSTING FOR RED VELVET CAKE
1 C butter (note)
1 C milk
1 C sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
5 T unbleached flour
Cream butter with sugar. Cook flour & milk in saucepan until very thick, stirring the whole time. Cool. Combine 2 mixes & add vanilla, using electric mixer. Spread on cake.
NOTE: Butter must be used in the frosting, otherwise the frosting will liquefy & refuse to harden. In the cake itself, though, margarine may be used. Also, if two 9" round pans are used, layers don’t need to be cut in half.
COCONUT LAYER CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This impressive and wonderfully moist layer cake is less sweet than the usual coconut affair, thanks to a tangy cream cheese frosting on top and dose of orange juice in the batter. This is a great dessert to make in advance. You can bake the cake layers up to 3 days ahead and store them, well-wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator. The frosted cake will keep for 2 days in the fridge as well, either under a cake dome or overturned bowl, or loosely tented with foil. Just make sure to bring the cake to room temperature before serving.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling.
This was featured in “A Sugar Rush, Not Crush”, and can be viewed online here.
Also, to find more layer cakes, click here. Also, check out Melissa’s guide, “How to Frost a Cake”.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, separated, plus 3 whites
1 1/2 cups cream of coconut
1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons coconut or dark rum
7 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
For the Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
7 1/4 cups/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar
2 3/4 cups unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
Preparation
Make the Cake:
Grease 3 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and reserve. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl with spatula. Lower speed and gradually add flour mixture. Batter will be thick and pasty.
Whisk together cream of coconut, coconut milk, rum and orange juice. Alternately add shredded coconut and the orange juice mixture to the batter.
In the clean bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack. Unmold cakes once cool.
Make the Frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla extract. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, scraping down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix until combined and fluffy.
Spread 1/4-inch-thick layer of frosting on top of the first layer of cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Place next cake layer on top and repeat with frosting and coconut. Repeat with the third layer, spreading frosting on top and around sides of cake. Hold cake steadily in one hand and use other hand to pat remaining coconut onto edges of cake.
CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. Nigella writes, “For me, a chocolate cake is the basic unit of celebration. The chocolate Guinness cake here is simple but deeply pleasurable, and has earned its place as a stand-alone treat.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; one 9-inch cake or 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for pan
1 cup Guinness stout
10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups superfine sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
For the Topping:
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
Preparation:
For the cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to one hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.
For the topping: Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream, and mix until smooth and spreadable.
Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.
APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
1 teaspoon Ground Allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.
Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.
Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.
Vanilla Butter Sauce:
Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.
TOMATO SOUP CAKE
This came from Carroll Pellegrinelli on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Tomato Soup Cake you say? Yuk. That’s what I thought about this cake. It’s not like that at all. First of all, you can’t even taste or smell any tomatoes. Secondly, if you enjoy spice cakes, you’ll enjoy this one too. The cream cheese frosting makes it taste even better.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: 24 pieces (24 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon*
1/2 teaspoon cloves*
1 1/2 teaspoon allspice*
1 10 ounce can tomato soup
1/2 cup butter (melted or vegetable oil)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk (or water)
For the Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup/4 ounces butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. (325 degrees F. for a dark or glass pan). Grease an 13 x 9 baking pan. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground all spice in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Set the bowl aside. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato soup, melted butter, eggs and milk. Mix completely. Add the soup mixture to the flour mixture and mix until completely combined. Carefully, pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for at least 40 minutes or until it is tested done. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.
Once the cake is completely cool, make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese until it’s fluffy. Add the butter until the mixture is even fluffier. Slowly add the milk. Be sure to mix each time the milk is added. Add the vanilla and continue to mix the frosting. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Continue to add the sugar until all of it is used. If the frosting seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time. Frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting. If you don’t want that much frosting, the excess can be frozen for a later use.
*Feel free to substitute nutmeg for one of the spices you don't happen to have.
ROCKY ROAD CAKE
Years ago, I'd gone back to school at the local junior college, something that eventually took way longer than I'd anticipated: a few years here, a couple of semesters there, until I finally graduated in 2002. (Hooray!!!)
One of the classes that was required to graduate was a speech class. One week we had to give a demonstration speech. One of the students demonstrated how to make this cake. After her short demonstration, she passed out copies of the recipe along with pieces of cake. It’s absolutely delicious. The icing can be used on almost any kind of cake; it would be really good on carrot cake!
This recipe can also be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
1 C chopped nuts
4 eggs
1 C raisins
1 C mayonnaise
1 C mini-marshmallows
1 C water
6 oz. package of chocolate
1 package (18.25 oz) Devil’s Food cake mix with pudding
Grease and flour 2 9” pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix first four ingredients in medium-size bowl.
In large bowl at low speed, mix cake mix, eggs, mayo and water until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Stir the nut mixture into the cake batter, then pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes on cooling rack.
Icing (for Rocky Road Cake)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter
8 oz. cream cheese
1 box confectioners sugar
Place ingredients in bowl and cream together. When cake is cool, ice. ENJOY!
RED VELVET CAKE
We lived in Connecticut for several years while I was growing up. During this time, a lady called the local radio station and said she’d recently returned from a trip. During a stay in a fancy hotel with her husband, she had this cake in their restaurant. Returning home, she wrote to the hotel and requested a copy of the recipe, saying she’d pay for it. She received a copy of the recipe, along with a bill for $300. (This was during the mid-1960s.) Furious over the bill, she proceeded to read the recipe over the air.
1/2 C butter (note)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C sugar
1 C buttermilk
2 eggs, well beaten
1 T vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 T cocoa
2 1/4 C flour (sifted)
2 oz. red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour two 8" round pans. Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs. Make paste of food coloring & cocoa. Add to 1st mix. Add salt & buttermilk alternately with flour. Add vanilla. Dissolve soda in vinegar & add this last. Blend all ingredients, as little as possible. Pour into pans & bake for 30-40 minutes. When cool, split each layer horizontally.
FROSTING FOR RED VELVET CAKE
1 C butter (note)
1 C milk
1 C sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
5 T unbleached flour
Cream butter with sugar. Cook flour & milk in saucepan until very thick, stirring the whole time. Cool. Combine 2 mixes & add vanilla, using electric mixer. Spread on cake.
NOTE: Butter must be used in the frosting, otherwise the frosting will liquefy & refuse to harden. In the cake itself, though, margarine may be used. Also, if two 9" round pans are used, layers don’t need to be cut in half.
COCONUT LAYER CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This impressive and wonderfully moist layer cake is less sweet than the usual coconut affair, thanks to a tangy cream cheese frosting on top and dose of orange juice in the batter. This is a great dessert to make in advance. You can bake the cake layers up to 3 days ahead and store them, well-wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator. The frosted cake will keep for 2 days in the fridge as well, either under a cake dome or overturned bowl, or loosely tented with foil. Just make sure to bring the cake to room temperature before serving.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling.
This was featured in “A Sugar Rush, Not Crush”, and can be viewed online here.
Also, to find more layer cakes, click here. Also, check out Melissa’s guide, “How to Frost a Cake”.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, separated, plus 3 whites
1 1/2 cups cream of coconut
1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons coconut or dark rum
7 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
For the Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups cream cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
7 1/4 cups/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar
2 3/4 cups unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
Preparation
Make the Cake:
Grease 3 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and reserve. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl with spatula. Lower speed and gradually add flour mixture. Batter will be thick and pasty.
Whisk together cream of coconut, coconut milk, rum and orange juice. Alternately add shredded coconut and the orange juice mixture to the batter.
In the clean bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack. Unmold cakes once cool.
Make the Frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla extract. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, scraping down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix until combined and fluffy.
Spread 1/4-inch-thick layer of frosting on top of the first layer of cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Place next cake layer on top and repeat with frosting and coconut. Repeat with the third layer, spreading frosting on top and around sides of cake. Hold cake steadily in one hand and use other hand to pat remaining coconut onto edges of cake.
CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. Nigella writes, “For me, a chocolate cake is the basic unit of celebration. The chocolate Guinness cake here is simple but deeply pleasurable, and has earned its place as a stand-alone treat.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; one 9-inch cake or 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for pan
1 cup Guinness stout
10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups superfine sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
For the Topping:
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
Preparation:
For the cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to one hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.
For the topping: Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream, and mix until smooth and spreadable.
Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.
APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
1 teaspoon Ground Allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.
Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.
Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.
Vanilla Butter Sauce:
Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.
TOMATO SOUP CAKE
This came from Carroll Pellegrinelli on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Tomato Soup Cake you say? Yuk. That’s what I thought about this cake. It’s not like that at all. First of all, you can’t even taste or smell any tomatoes. Secondly, if you enjoy spice cakes, you’ll enjoy this one too. The cream cheese frosting makes it taste even better.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: 24 pieces (24 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon*
1/2 teaspoon cloves*
1 1/2 teaspoon allspice*
1 10 ounce can tomato soup
1/2 cup butter (melted or vegetable oil)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk (or water)
For the Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup/4 ounces butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. (325 degrees F. for a dark or glass pan). Grease an 13 x 9 baking pan. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground all spice in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Set the bowl aside. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato soup, melted butter, eggs and milk. Mix completely. Add the soup mixture to the flour mixture and mix until completely combined. Carefully, pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for at least 40 minutes or until it is tested done. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.
Once the cake is completely cool, make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese until it’s fluffy. Add the butter until the mixture is even fluffier. Slowly add the milk. Be sure to mix each time the milk is added. Add the vanilla and continue to mix the frosting. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Continue to add the sugar until all of it is used. If the frosting seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time. Frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting. If you don’t want that much frosting, the excess can be frozen for a later use.
*Feel free to substitute nutmeg for one of the spices you don't happen to have.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Creamy Broccoli Soup and Apple Breakfast Wedges. Enjoy!
APPLE CRISP PANCAKES
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Apple crisp and pancakes rolled into one. Diced apples add chunky goodness to the Bisquick® batter and then before flipping, the pancakes get topped with a brown sugar-oatmeal streusel.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 13
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cold butter
Pancakes
2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup peeled diced Granny Smith apple (1/4-inch)
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Toppings, If Desired
Powdered sugar
Real maple syrup
Sweetened whipped cream
Directions
In medium bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut in butter using pastry blender or fork until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
In large bowl, stir all pancake ingredients until well blended. Heat nonstick griddle to 350°F. or 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. (To test griddle, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles jump around, heat is just right.) Brush lightly with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray before heating to help prevent streusel from sticking to griddle.
For each pancake, pour 1/4 cupful batter onto hot griddle. Sprinkle each pancake evenly with scant 2 tablespoons and Streusel mixture. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbly on top and dry around edges. Turn; cook other side until light golden brown around edges about 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. Scrape off griddle between batches of pancakes if necessary.
To serve, serve pancakes Streusel side up and top as desired using any of the toppings listed.
APPLE BREAKFAST WEDGES
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Slice into a warm apple breakfast or brunch treat. All you need is 15 minutes of prep, and it's in the oven.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium cooking apples, peeled, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
2 eggs
Maple-flavored syrup, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. Generously grease 9-inch glass pie plate with shortening or cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Add apples; toss to coat. Set aside.
In 2-quart saucepan, heat water and butter to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Add Bisquick mix; stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs, one at a time; continue beating until smooth.
Spread batter in bottom of pie plate. Arrange apples on top to within 1 inch of edge of pie plate.
Bake about 23 minutes or until puffed and edges are golden brown. Serve immediately. Drizzle with syrup.
Expert Tips
Use slightly tart apples with a crisp texture, such as Haralson apples. If you like a sweeter apple, choose Fuji, Prairie Spy or Gala.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve with warm maple syrup.
NUTELLA MUG CAKE
This easy yumminess is from TheSpruceEats, and begins, “This gloriously simple mug cake recipe puts you just 60 seconds away from a super indulgent dessert for Nutella lovers looking to satisfy a craving in a hurry. With ingredients you probably already have on hand, this is a perfect sweet treat for one.”
Total Time: 7 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 2 minutes; Yield: 1 Serving.
To view this yumminess online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup whole milk (can also use 2 percent)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup Nutella
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Add milk, flour, and baking powder in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Whisk until smooth.
Add the Nutella and stir until the batter has no lumps.
Microwave on high for about 45 to 60 seconds.
Continue microwaving slowly in 15-second intervals. Microwaves vary but what you’re looking for is to see the cake look set and dry, the edges will pull away from the side of the mug and the cake will feel springy and fluffy to the touch. It will probably take an additional 30 to 60 seconds in total.
For best results, serve immediately.
CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.
Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g
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.
HEARTY VEGGIE CHILI
This is from MorningStar Farms, and begins, “During the week, convenience is key. Here’s a way to turn Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles® into a zesty chili. Just the right combination of red onion, tomatoes, kidney beans and zucchini complement the frozen crumbles for a family-pleasing chili.”
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online click here.
Ingredients
1 cup coarsely chopped red onions, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 package (12 oz.) Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles®
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Parsley sprigs (optional)
Directions
In nonstick Dutch oven cook 3/4 cup of the onion and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in chili powder and cumin. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, undrained diced tomatoes, water, sugar and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in MORNINGSTAR FARMS MEAL STARTERS GRILLERS RECIPE CRUMBLES and zucchini. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve topped with the remaining 1/4 cup onion, cheddar cheese and parsley (if desired).
APPLE CRISP PANCAKES
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Apple crisp and pancakes rolled into one. Diced apples add chunky goodness to the Bisquick® batter and then before flipping, the pancakes get topped with a brown sugar-oatmeal streusel.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 13
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cold butter
Pancakes
2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup peeled diced Granny Smith apple (1/4-inch)
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Toppings, If Desired
Powdered sugar
Real maple syrup
Sweetened whipped cream
Directions
In medium bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut in butter using pastry blender or fork until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
In large bowl, stir all pancake ingredients until well blended. Heat nonstick griddle to 350°F. or 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. (To test griddle, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles jump around, heat is just right.) Brush lightly with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray before heating to help prevent streusel from sticking to griddle.
For each pancake, pour 1/4 cupful batter onto hot griddle. Sprinkle each pancake evenly with scant 2 tablespoons and Streusel mixture. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbly on top and dry around edges. Turn; cook other side until light golden brown around edges about 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. Scrape off griddle between batches of pancakes if necessary.
To serve, serve pancakes Streusel side up and top as desired using any of the toppings listed.
APPLE BREAKFAST WEDGES
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Slice into a warm apple breakfast or brunch treat. All you need is 15 minutes of prep, and it's in the oven.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium cooking apples, peeled, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
2 eggs
Maple-flavored syrup, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. Generously grease 9-inch glass pie plate with shortening or cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Add apples; toss to coat. Set aside.
In 2-quart saucepan, heat water and butter to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Add Bisquick mix; stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs, one at a time; continue beating until smooth.
Spread batter in bottom of pie plate. Arrange apples on top to within 1 inch of edge of pie plate.
Bake about 23 minutes or until puffed and edges are golden brown. Serve immediately. Drizzle with syrup.
Expert Tips
Use slightly tart apples with a crisp texture, such as Haralson apples. If you like a sweeter apple, choose Fuji, Prairie Spy or Gala.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve with warm maple syrup.
NUTELLA MUG CAKE
This easy yumminess is from TheSpruceEats, and begins, “This gloriously simple mug cake recipe puts you just 60 seconds away from a super indulgent dessert for Nutella lovers looking to satisfy a craving in a hurry. With ingredients you probably already have on hand, this is a perfect sweet treat for one.”
Total Time: 7 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 2 minutes; Yield: 1 Serving.
To view this yumminess online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup whole milk (can also use 2 percent)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup Nutella
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Add milk, flour, and baking powder in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Whisk until smooth.
Add the Nutella and stir until the batter has no lumps.
Microwave on high for about 45 to 60 seconds.
Continue microwaving slowly in 15-second intervals. Microwaves vary but what you’re looking for is to see the cake look set and dry, the edges will pull away from the side of the mug and the cake will feel springy and fluffy to the touch. It will probably take an additional 30 to 60 seconds in total.
For best results, serve immediately.
CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.
Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g
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.
HEARTY VEGGIE CHILI
This is from MorningStar Farms, and begins, “During the week, convenience is key. Here’s a way to turn Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles® into a zesty chili. Just the right combination of red onion, tomatoes, kidney beans and zucchini complement the frozen crumbles for a family-pleasing chili.”
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online click here.
Ingredients
1 cup coarsely chopped red onions, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 package (12 oz.) Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles®
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Parsley sprigs (optional)
Directions
In nonstick Dutch oven cook 3/4 cup of the onion and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in chili powder and cumin. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, undrained diced tomatoes, water, sugar and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in MORNINGSTAR FARMS MEAL STARTERS GRILLERS RECIPE CRUMBLES and zucchini. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve topped with the remaining 1/4 cup onion, cheddar cheese and parsley (if desired).
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday, where we explore vegetarian tacos. (Yes, it is possible to have tacos without meat in them!) Today's offerings include Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Tacos and American BBQ Tacos. Enjoy!
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.
HUEVOS RANCHEROS
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, “A spicy sauce made fresh from sautéed vegetables helps you begin the day with a good dose of vitamins A and C.”
Serves:4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
3 tsp olive oil
1 med green bell pepper, chopped
1 med yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 can (14 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juice
2 Tbsp chopped chipotle pepper in adobo
1/4 c chopped cilantro + leaves for garnish
4 eggs
1 c canned black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
4 whole wheat tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat 2 tsp oil over medium until shimmering in medium saucepan. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until onion is translucent, 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, chipotle, and cilantro and cook until reduced slightly, 10 minutes. Puree with regular or hand blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet and fry eggs sunny side up. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1 egg, and desired amount of sauce. Top with cilantro leaves.
Per serving: 272 cal, 14 g pro, 40 g carb, 8 g fiber, 6 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 9.5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 186 mg cholesterol, 476 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.
JAMAICAN JERK TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Brian Sanuels’ wonderful food blog, A Thought For Food. You really should check out both his food blog and photography site (the first link).
To read what Brian wrote about tempeh (something I really need to get more into), as well as to view this recipe on his site, click here.
Ingredients for jerk tempeh
8 oz package organic, non-GMO tempeh, sliced (the size is up to you. It's for tacos, so not too thick).
1/2 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 tablespoons minced ginger
1.5 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons molasses
1/3 cup soy sauce
Juice of two limes
3 tablespoons olive oil
For the tacos
Soft corn or flour tortilla
Fennel bulb, white part thinly sliced
Radish, thinly sliced
Cilantro
Lime, cut into wedges
Directions
In a bowl, add the garlic, ginger, spices, molasses, soy sauce, lime juice, and olive oil and whisk to combine.
Add the sliced tempeh and onion to the marinade and mix to coat each piece. Transfer to a container with a lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, and as many as 8, before using (I let it sit overnight). This will allow them to absorb the jerk marinade and the lime will cure the sliced onion. Be sure to warm (or bring to room temp) before using.
To prepare the tacos, spoon some of the tempeh and onion onto a tortilla, along with some of the jerk marinade. Top with sliced fennel, radish, and cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedge.
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
AVOCADO TACOS
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Most top chefs will tell you the same thing: When they finally escape from the elaborate labors they oversee in the kitchen, they crave late-night street food that’s poetically simple and satisfying: hot dogs, fried rice, a bowl of noodles. For Enrique Olvera, the chef at Cosme in New York and Pujol in Mexico City, that hand-to-mouth haiku can be found in avocado tacos, which he scarfs down around the clock. They serve as both ‘a comfort,’ he said, and ‘a cultural expression.’ In its most basic form, an avocado taco is like a two-bite couplet in praise of Mexican ingredients: a chewy corn tortilla enclosing creamy slices of the-butter-that-grows-on-trees. Spare additions elevate that avocado: a pinch of salt, a spray of lime juice, a sprinkle of chopped onions and cilantro. But the chef takes elevation one step further with a salsa made of pasilla chiles and tomatillos.”
Yield: 12 tacos; Time: 45 minutes.
This recipe was featured in “Scouting the Scene” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 pasilla chiles
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
2 garlic cloves
10 tomatillos, boiled in salted water for 15 minutes or until soft
3 avocados, sliced thin
12 corn tortillas
3/4 cup white onion, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
Make the salsa: Snap the stems off the chiles and remove the seeds. Using tongs, carefully hold the chiles over a medium flame to char on all sides. Transfer chiles to a food processor, add the salt and process into a powder. Add the garlic and tomatillos and purée until smooth. (This makes 1 pint salsa, more than needed; refrigerate the rest in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)
To serve, place 3 or 4 slices of avocado on each tortilla and top with salsa, onion and cilantro.
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.
HUEVOS RANCHEROS
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, “A spicy sauce made fresh from sautéed vegetables helps you begin the day with a good dose of vitamins A and C.”
Serves:4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
3 tsp olive oil
1 med green bell pepper, chopped
1 med yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 can (14 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juice
2 Tbsp chopped chipotle pepper in adobo
1/4 c chopped cilantro + leaves for garnish
4 eggs
1 c canned black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
4 whole wheat tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat 2 tsp oil over medium until shimmering in medium saucepan. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until onion is translucent, 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, chipotle, and cilantro and cook until reduced slightly, 10 minutes. Puree with regular or hand blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in large nonstick skillet and fry eggs sunny side up. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1 egg, and desired amount of sauce. Top with cilantro leaves.
Per serving: 272 cal, 14 g pro, 40 g carb, 8 g fiber, 6 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 9.5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 186 mg cholesterol, 476 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.
JAMAICAN JERK TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Brian Sanuels’ wonderful food blog, A Thought For Food. You really should check out both his food blog and photography site (the first link).
To read what Brian wrote about tempeh (something I really need to get more into), as well as to view this recipe on his site, click here.
Ingredients for jerk tempeh
8 oz package organic, non-GMO tempeh, sliced (the size is up to you. It's for tacos, so not too thick).
1/2 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 tablespoons minced ginger
1.5 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons molasses
1/3 cup soy sauce
Juice of two limes
3 tablespoons olive oil
For the tacos
Soft corn or flour tortilla
Fennel bulb, white part thinly sliced
Radish, thinly sliced
Cilantro
Lime, cut into wedges
Directions
In a bowl, add the garlic, ginger, spices, molasses, soy sauce, lime juice, and olive oil and whisk to combine.
Add the sliced tempeh and onion to the marinade and mix to coat each piece. Transfer to a container with a lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, and as many as 8, before using (I let it sit overnight). This will allow them to absorb the jerk marinade and the lime will cure the sliced onion. Be sure to warm (or bring to room temp) before using.
To prepare the tacos, spoon some of the tempeh and onion onto a tortilla, along with some of the jerk marinade. Top with sliced fennel, radish, and cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedge.
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
AVOCADO TACOS
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Most top chefs will tell you the same thing: When they finally escape from the elaborate labors they oversee in the kitchen, they crave late-night street food that’s poetically simple and satisfying: hot dogs, fried rice, a bowl of noodles. For Enrique Olvera, the chef at Cosme in New York and Pujol in Mexico City, that hand-to-mouth haiku can be found in avocado tacos, which he scarfs down around the clock. They serve as both ‘a comfort,’ he said, and ‘a cultural expression.’ In its most basic form, an avocado taco is like a two-bite couplet in praise of Mexican ingredients: a chewy corn tortilla enclosing creamy slices of the-butter-that-grows-on-trees. Spare additions elevate that avocado: a pinch of salt, a spray of lime juice, a sprinkle of chopped onions and cilantro. But the chef takes elevation one step further with a salsa made of pasilla chiles and tomatillos.”
Yield: 12 tacos; Time: 45 minutes.
This recipe was featured in “Scouting the Scene” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 pasilla chiles
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
2 garlic cloves
10 tomatillos, boiled in salted water for 15 minutes or until soft
3 avocados, sliced thin
12 corn tortillas
3/4 cup white onion, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
Make the salsa: Snap the stems off the chiles and remove the seeds. Using tongs, carefully hold the chiles over a medium flame to char on all sides. Transfer chiles to a food processor, add the salt and process into a powder. Add the garlic and tomatillos and purée until smooth. (This makes 1 pint salsa, more than needed; refrigerate the rest in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)
To serve, place 3 or 4 slices of avocado on each tortilla and top with salsa, onion and cilantro.
Monday, April 29, 2019
Lasagna
I love lasagna. What's not to love? Thick pasta noodles, layered with sauce and cheese. Yum! Here are six lasagna recipes to help you through the day, including Roasted Cauliflower Lasagna and Spinach Lasagna. Enjoy!
VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
I’d been making lasagna for years, using a favorite cookbook. One time, my oldest son took the same recipe, and replaced the meat with eggplant. His came out tasting better than when I made it.
I tried recreating the eggplant version, but it never quite came out the same. So, I ended up changing the recipe drastically, changing ingredients and amounts. The funny thing is that, while I use one or two packages of tofu crumbles instead of meat, it tastes enough like meat to fool several non-vegetarians. One person, after eating this, even looked at me aghast, asking, “What are you, some kind of vegetarian?” Never heard from him again.
Ingredients
Tomato sauce:
2 – 3 onions, chopped
3 – 5 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz. can tomatoes
2 – 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste
2 T oil
1 T oregano
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. dill
1 tsp. anise
1 or 2 – 10 oz. package tofu crumbles, or 1 package frozen meatless crumbles (see note)
Cheese layer:
2 C sour cream
2 C cottage cheese
2 eggs
4 C mozzarella, grated
2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 C Parmesan cheese
Note: My favorite vegetarian crumbles are Boca Meatless Ground Crumbles Vegan 12 oz. Absolutely love them. But since I can no longer find them, I've been using Morningstar Farms® Grillers® Crumbles™, which are also very good. If you have a preference on frozen meatless crumbles, that's fine, too.
Directions
Brown onions & garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, simmer for 1 hour. While sauce is cooking, in a separate pot, cook 16 oz. lasagna noodles
Make cheese layer:
Mix ingredients together in large bowl.
Assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked lasagna noodles length-wise. Top with half the cheese mixture, then half the tomato sauce. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before cutting, as it tends to be a little runny when it first comes out of the oven. Serve with a salad and a loaf of hot Italian bread. Very yummy.
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.
AL ROKER’S VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This is from The Today Show’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “This vegetarian lasagna, which is bubbling with gooey cheese, is a delicious way to sneak lots of vegetable servings into dinner.”
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 1 lasagna
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 small yellow squash, medium dice
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
3 tablespoons chopped basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Lasagna
32 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 pound dry lasagna noodles, cooked according to packaging
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preparation
For the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, squash, onion and red peppers. Season with salt and sauté vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour in marinara sauce and chopped basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
For the lasagna:
While sauce is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, assemble the lasagna: Spoon vegetable sauce on bottom, cover with noodles in a single layer, spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle some Parmesan. Repeat until the lasagna is fully built, finishing by covering the top with the shredded mozzarella.
Cover lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a 400°F oven, covered, for 40 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown.
Once cooked, let lasagna sit for 8-10 minutes before cutting and 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.
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
SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from the January 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, "'Many people don't know that the crock inside a slow cooker is ovenproof and you can transfer a dish like lasagna into the oven (up to 400°F) for 10 minutes to brown the top,' says Golino. Just be sure the pot is hot, to avoid drastic temperature changes that can cause it to crack." Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 medium onion, quartered
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 Tbs. dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, peeled, plus 1 clove minced (1 tsp.), divided
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into chunks
1 28-oz. can chopped fire-roasted tomatoes
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for oiling slow cooker
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 10-oz. pkgs. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
8 oven-ready lasagna noodles
1 16-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed and drained
1 16-oz. container low-fat ricotta cheese, divided
1 cup grated Swiss cheese, divided
Place onion, basil, oregano, and 2 whole garlic cloves in food processor; pulse 6 times, or until onion and garlic are chopped. Add tempeh, and pulse until tempeh is ground. Add tomatoes, oil, salt, and pepper; pulse until chunky sauce forms.
Combine spinach and minced garlic in bowl, and season with salt and pepper.
Coat bottom and sides of 4-quart slow cooker with oil. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over bottom, and cover with layer of lasagna noodles, breaking them in pieces to fit around edges. Spread 3/4 cup spinach mixture over top. Place 1 layer roasted red peppers over spinach, and top with 3/4 cup ricotta. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over ricotta. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup Swiss cheese. Repeat, layering noodles, spinach, peppers, ricotta, Swiss cheese, and tomato sauce. Top with 1 more layer noodles and remaining spinach, tomato sauce, ricotta, and Swiss cheese.
Cook 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Let stand uncovered 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 322; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 5.5 g; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 762 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 8 g
VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
I’d been making lasagna for years, using a favorite cookbook. One time, my oldest son took the same recipe, and replaced the meat with eggplant. His came out tasting better than when I made it.
I tried recreating the eggplant version, but it never quite came out the same. So, I ended up changing the recipe drastically, changing ingredients and amounts. The funny thing is that, while I use one or two packages of tofu crumbles instead of meat, it tastes enough like meat to fool several non-vegetarians. One person, after eating this, even looked at me aghast, asking, “What are you, some kind of vegetarian?” Never heard from him again.
Ingredients
Tomato sauce:
2 – 3 onions, chopped
3 – 5 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz. can tomatoes
2 – 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste
2 T oil
1 T oregano
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. dill
1 tsp. anise
1 or 2 – 10 oz. package tofu crumbles, or 1 package frozen meatless crumbles (see note)
Cheese layer:
2 C sour cream
2 C cottage cheese
2 eggs
4 C mozzarella, grated
2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 C Parmesan cheese
Note: My favorite vegetarian crumbles are Boca Meatless Ground Crumbles Vegan 12 oz. Absolutely love them. But since I can no longer find them, I've been using Morningstar Farms® Grillers® Crumbles™, which are also very good. If you have a preference on frozen meatless crumbles, that's fine, too.
Directions
Brown onions & garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, simmer for 1 hour. While sauce is cooking, in a separate pot, cook 16 oz. lasagna noodles
Make cheese layer:
Mix ingredients together in large bowl.
Assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked lasagna noodles length-wise. Top with half the cheese mixture, then half the tomato sauce. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before cutting, as it tends to be a little runny when it first comes out of the oven. Serve with a salad and a loaf of hot Italian bread. Very yummy.
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.
AL ROKER’S VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This is from The Today Show’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “This vegetarian lasagna, which is bubbling with gooey cheese, is a delicious way to sneak lots of vegetable servings into dinner.”
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 1 lasagna
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 small yellow squash, medium dice
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
3 tablespoons chopped basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Lasagna
32 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 pound dry lasagna noodles, cooked according to packaging
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preparation
For the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, squash, onion and red peppers. Season with salt and sauté vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour in marinara sauce and chopped basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
For the lasagna:
While sauce is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, assemble the lasagna: Spoon vegetable sauce on bottom, cover with noodles in a single layer, spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle some Parmesan. Repeat until the lasagna is fully built, finishing by covering the top with the shredded mozzarella.
Cover lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a 400°F oven, covered, for 40 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown.
Once cooked, let lasagna sit for 8-10 minutes before cutting and 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.
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
SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from the January 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, "'Many people don't know that the crock inside a slow cooker is ovenproof and you can transfer a dish like lasagna into the oven (up to 400°F) for 10 minutes to brown the top,' says Golino. Just be sure the pot is hot, to avoid drastic temperature changes that can cause it to crack." Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 medium onion, quartered
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 Tbs. dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, peeled, plus 1 clove minced (1 tsp.), divided
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into chunks
1 28-oz. can chopped fire-roasted tomatoes
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for oiling slow cooker
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 10-oz. pkgs. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
8 oven-ready lasagna noodles
1 16-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed and drained
1 16-oz. container low-fat ricotta cheese, divided
1 cup grated Swiss cheese, divided
Place onion, basil, oregano, and 2 whole garlic cloves in food processor; pulse 6 times, or until onion and garlic are chopped. Add tempeh, and pulse until tempeh is ground. Add tomatoes, oil, salt, and pepper; pulse until chunky sauce forms.
Combine spinach and minced garlic in bowl, and season with salt and pepper.
Coat bottom and sides of 4-quart slow cooker with oil. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over bottom, and cover with layer of lasagna noodles, breaking them in pieces to fit around edges. Spread 3/4 cup spinach mixture over top. Place 1 layer roasted red peppers over spinach, and top with 3/4 cup ricotta. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over ricotta. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup Swiss cheese. Repeat, layering noodles, spinach, peppers, ricotta, Swiss cheese, and tomato sauce. Top with 1 more layer noodles and remaining spinach, tomato sauce, ricotta, and Swiss cheese.
Cook 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Let stand uncovered 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 322; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 5.5 g; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 762 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 8 g
Friday, April 26, 2019
Friday Recipes
We finally made it to the end of the week. (Yay, Friday!) Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Squash and Spinach Lasagna and Red Lentil Soup With Lemon. Enjoy!
APPLESAUCE PANCAKES
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Enjoy these delicious pancakes flavored with applesauce and made with Bisquick® mix. Perfect when you want your breakfast to be ready in 15 minutes.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 5
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
1 cup sweetened applesauce
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
Directions
In medium bowl, stir all ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended.
Brush griddle or skillet with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F or heat skillet over medium heat.
For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook other sides until golden brown.
CHOCOLATE LOVER'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE
This recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Chocolate crust with a milk chocolate coating, fluffy chocolate filling, whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle: this pie is not for the faint of heart!”
Serves: 12; Prep. time: 25 minutes; Cooking time: 11 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Baking Cocoa
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 3/4 cups (16 ounces) NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
2 teaspoons Powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, cocoa and granulated sugar in 9-inch pie plate. Stir in butter until all ingredients are moistened; press onto bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 cup morsels over bottom of hot crust; let stand for 10 minutes or until all morsels are shiny. Spread chocolate over bottom and up sides of crust. Cool to room temperature.
Microwave 2 cups morsels and 3/4 cup cream in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
Beat remaining cream, sugar and vanilla extract in chilled small mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Fold 2 cups whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Spoon into crust; swirl top. Garnish with remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate until firm.
Microwave remaining 1/4 cup morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag on HIGH (100%) power for about 30 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle chocolate over pie; let stand a few minutes before serving.
RED LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This is a lentil soup that defies expectations of what lentil soup can be. It is light, spicy and a bold red color (no murky brown here): a revelatory dish that takes less than an hour to make. The cooking is painless. Sauté onion and garlic in oil, then stir in tomato paste, cumin and chile powder and cook a few minutes more to intensify flavor. Add broth, water, red lentils (which cook faster than their green or black counterparts) and diced carrot, and simmer for 30 minutes. Purée half the mixture and return it to the pot for a soup that strikes the balance between chunky and pleasingly smooth. A hit of lemon juice adds an up note that offsets the deep cumin and chile flavors.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “A Lentil Soup to Make You Stop, Taste and Savor”, and can be viewed online here.
The Times has two more links with this recipe that come in handy: “How to Make Soup,” a guide by Samin Nosrat and “How to Cook Beans,” a guide by Melissa Clark. Both of these are extremely helpful when making homemade soup and/or cooking beans. I highly recommend both.
Note: This recipe originally called for 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth. For obvious reasons, I've limited it to the veggie broth.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil, more for drizzling
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch of ground chile powder or cayenne, more to taste
1 quart vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 cup red lentils
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon, more to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons oil over high heat until hot and shimmering. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until golden, about 4 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste, cumin, salt, black pepper and chili powder or cayenne, and sauté for 2 minutes longer.
Add broth, 2 cups water, lentils and carrot. Bring to a simmer, then partially cover pot and turn heat to medium-low. Simmer until lentils are soft, about 30 minutes. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Using an immersion or regular blender or a food processor, purée half the soup then add it back to pot. Soup should be somewhat chunky.
Reheat soup if necessary, then stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve soup drizzled with good olive oil and dusted lightly with chili powder if desired.
BELL PEPPER SALAD
Servings: 4
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/40.shtml
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Ingredients
1 medium-sized red bell pepper
1/2 cup creamy garlic dressing
1 medium-sized green bell pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium-sized yellow bell pepper
2 teaspoons capers, rinsed and drained
Directions
Preheat broiler.
Place bell peppers under broiler and lightly charred, turning to grill all sides.
Remove from broiler to a paper bag. Close bag and set aside.
When peppers cool, peel, core, seed and cut into strips.
Arrange peppers on a platter, alternating colors so that they form a petal, and spoon dressing over them.
Sprinkle with black pepper.
Garnish with capers and serve warm or chilled.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 67 mg; Carbohydrates: 6 g; Exchanges: Sodium: 67 mg
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
SQUASH AND SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from the Food Network, and begins, “Lowfat milk thickened with cornstarch takes the place of a traditional bechamel and ricotta filling and it still tastes incredibly creamy. Fresh, sweet squash also lends a nice richness and part-skim mozzarella gives you that gooey cheese goodness. Fresh baby spinach adds vitamins and minerals to this vegetarian main.”
Level: Intermediate; Total Time: 1 hr 40 min; Prep Time: 15 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook Time: 1 hr 15 min; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups lowfat (1-percent) milk
1/4 cup cornstarch
Two 5-ounce packages baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped, plus more, for garnish
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 butternut squash (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, seeded, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Soak the lasagna noodles in warm water.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and browned, about 10 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.
Meanwhile, stir together 1/2 cup of the milk and the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the remaining 3 1/2 cups milk in a large saucepan until bubbling. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the milk and bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring, until the milk thickens to the consistency of a thin batter, about 5 minutes. Stir in the onion mixture, spinach, parsley and nutmeg, and cook until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
Drain the noodles. Spread 1 cup of the spinach mixture over the bottom of a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the spinach. Arrange half of the squash over the noodles, overlapping slightly, and sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella. Spoon 1 cup spinach mixture over the cheese, and top with 3 noodles, the remaining squash and another third of the mozzarella. Top with 1 cup spinach mixture, followed by the last 3 noodles and the remaining 1 cup spinach mixture. Cover tightly with foil; reserve the remaining mozzarella.
Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top. Bake until bubbling and the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.
Cook’s Note
For freezing and reheating, allow the lasagna to cool completely. Divide into 8 even portions and store in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag or container. Transfer to a microwave-safe plate, loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave until hot, 4 to 5 minutes.
APPLESAUCE PANCAKES
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Enjoy these delicious pancakes flavored with applesauce and made with Bisquick® mix. Perfect when you want your breakfast to be ready in 15 minutes.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 5
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
1 cup sweetened applesauce
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
Directions
In medium bowl, stir all ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended.
Brush griddle or skillet with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F or heat skillet over medium heat.
For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook other sides until golden brown.
CHOCOLATE LOVER'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE
This recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Chocolate crust with a milk chocolate coating, fluffy chocolate filling, whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle: this pie is not for the faint of heart!”
Serves: 12; Prep. time: 25 minutes; Cooking time: 11 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Baking Cocoa
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 3/4 cups (16 ounces) NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
2 teaspoons Powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, cocoa and granulated sugar in 9-inch pie plate. Stir in butter until all ingredients are moistened; press onto bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 cup morsels over bottom of hot crust; let stand for 10 minutes or until all morsels are shiny. Spread chocolate over bottom and up sides of crust. Cool to room temperature.
Microwave 2 cups morsels and 3/4 cup cream in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
Beat remaining cream, sugar and vanilla extract in chilled small mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Fold 2 cups whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Spoon into crust; swirl top. Garnish with remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate until firm.
Microwave remaining 1/4 cup morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag on HIGH (100%) power for about 30 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle chocolate over pie; let stand a few minutes before serving.
RED LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This is a lentil soup that defies expectations of what lentil soup can be. It is light, spicy and a bold red color (no murky brown here): a revelatory dish that takes less than an hour to make. The cooking is painless. Sauté onion and garlic in oil, then stir in tomato paste, cumin and chile powder and cook a few minutes more to intensify flavor. Add broth, water, red lentils (which cook faster than their green or black counterparts) and diced carrot, and simmer for 30 minutes. Purée half the mixture and return it to the pot for a soup that strikes the balance between chunky and pleasingly smooth. A hit of lemon juice adds an up note that offsets the deep cumin and chile flavors.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “A Lentil Soup to Make You Stop, Taste and Savor”, and can be viewed online here.
The Times has two more links with this recipe that come in handy: “How to Make Soup,” a guide by Samin Nosrat and “How to Cook Beans,” a guide by Melissa Clark. Both of these are extremely helpful when making homemade soup and/or cooking beans. I highly recommend both.
Note: This recipe originally called for 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth. For obvious reasons, I've limited it to the veggie broth.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil, more for drizzling
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch of ground chile powder or cayenne, more to taste
1 quart vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 cup red lentils
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon, more to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons oil over high heat until hot and shimmering. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until golden, about 4 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste, cumin, salt, black pepper and chili powder or cayenne, and sauté for 2 minutes longer.
Add broth, 2 cups water, lentils and carrot. Bring to a simmer, then partially cover pot and turn heat to medium-low. Simmer until lentils are soft, about 30 minutes. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Using an immersion or regular blender or a food processor, purée half the soup then add it back to pot. Soup should be somewhat chunky.
Reheat soup if necessary, then stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve soup drizzled with good olive oil and dusted lightly with chili powder if desired.
BELL PEPPER SALAD
Servings: 4
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/40.shtml
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Ingredients
1 medium-sized red bell pepper
1/2 cup creamy garlic dressing
1 medium-sized green bell pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium-sized yellow bell pepper
2 teaspoons capers, rinsed and drained
Directions
Preheat broiler.
Place bell peppers under broiler and lightly charred, turning to grill all sides.
Remove from broiler to a paper bag. Close bag and set aside.
When peppers cool, peel, core, seed and cut into strips.
Arrange peppers on a platter, alternating colors so that they form a petal, and spoon dressing over them.
Sprinkle with black pepper.
Garnish with capers and serve warm or chilled.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 67 mg; Carbohydrates: 6 g; Exchanges: Sodium: 67 mg
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
SQUASH AND SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from the Food Network, and begins, “Lowfat milk thickened with cornstarch takes the place of a traditional bechamel and ricotta filling and it still tastes incredibly creamy. Fresh, sweet squash also lends a nice richness and part-skim mozzarella gives you that gooey cheese goodness. Fresh baby spinach adds vitamins and minerals to this vegetarian main.”
Level: Intermediate; Total Time: 1 hr 40 min; Prep Time: 15 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook Time: 1 hr 15 min; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups lowfat (1-percent) milk
1/4 cup cornstarch
Two 5-ounce packages baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped, plus more, for garnish
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 butternut squash (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, seeded, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Soak the lasagna noodles in warm water.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and browned, about 10 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.
Meanwhile, stir together 1/2 cup of the milk and the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the remaining 3 1/2 cups milk in a large saucepan until bubbling. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the milk and bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring, until the milk thickens to the consistency of a thin batter, about 5 minutes. Stir in the onion mixture, spinach, parsley and nutmeg, and cook until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
Drain the noodles. Spread 1 cup of the spinach mixture over the bottom of a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the spinach. Arrange half of the squash over the noodles, overlapping slightly, and sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella. Spoon 1 cup spinach mixture over the cheese, and top with 3 noodles, the remaining squash and another third of the mozzarella. Top with 1 cup spinach mixture, followed by the last 3 noodles and the remaining 1 cup spinach mixture. Cover tightly with foil; reserve the remaining mozzarella.
Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top. Bake until bubbling and the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.
Cook’s Note
For freezing and reheating, allow the lasagna to cool completely. Divide into 8 even portions and store in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag or container. Transfer to a microwave-safe plate, loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave until hot, 4 to 5 minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)