I was on several foodie and recipe emailing lists for a number of years and discovered many wonderful recipes while on them. Unfortunately, some of the lists closed, others slowed down, and the rest...It got so that if I didn't check certain email accounts in a timely way, I'd end up overwhelmed. Now I'm not on any of them, though there are times I really miss them.
Here are a few recipes found from a few of those long-since-forgotten emailing lists, including Fettuccine Alfredo and Tiramisu. Enjoy!
FRESH APPLE CAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
Whoever posted this wrote, "I've had this recipe for years and make it often since Michigan has an abundance of apples. The caramel sauce is a special touch, especially when serving guests."
Servings: 9; Time: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups chopped peeled baking apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Caramel Sauce:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup cream or evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in apples and walnuts. Turn into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until cake tests done.
Meanwhile, for caramel sauce, blend brown sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes. Serve cake warm or cold with warm caramel sauce.
Nutrition Facts: One serving: (1 piece); Calories: 436; Fat: 21 g; Saturated Fat: 11 g; Cholesterol: 91 mg; Sodium: 335 mg; Carbohydrate: 60 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 5 g
PUMPKIN APPLE BUTTER
A great butter for spreading on your toast, muffins, bagels, crackers, you name it! You'll find this pumpkin apple butter recipe is easy to make. And, it is so tasty, that it will quickly disappear.
Makes: 3 cups
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups Solid Pack Pumpkin
1 cup Apple Juice
1 cup(about 1 medium) Peeled and grated Apple
1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
3/4 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
Directions:
Combine pumpkin, apple juice, apple, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Pour into container. Cover,chill. May be stored in refrigerator for up to two months.
TIRAMISU
The email added, "A tiramisu made with sponge cake and sweetened cream cheese or mascarpone filling."
Ingredients:
1 sponge cake (10-12 inch), about 3" tall
1/3 cup strong black coffee
5 tablespoons rum or brandy, good quality
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1 to 1/2 cups superfine or powdered sugar
sifted unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions:
Cut across middle of sponge cake, making two even layers, each about 1 1/2 inches high. Combine coffee and brandy. Sprinkle enough of mixture over bottom half of cake to flavor strongly. Don't moisten cake too much. Beat room-temperature cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and the cream cheese mixture is light and fluffy. Test for sweetness and add more sugar if necessary. Spread cut surface of bottom layer with half of the cheese mixture. Replace second layer and top this with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle top liberally with sifted cocoa. Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.
FETTUCCINE ALFREDO
"This fettuccine recipe is purported to be similar to a famous Italian restaurant's fettuccine dish," according to the email sender.
Ingredients:
8 ounces fettuccine
8 ounces cream cheese, cut in small pieces
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
1/2 cup milk
Preparation:
Cook fettuccine in boiling salted water following package directions. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, and milk, stirring constantly until smooth and hot. do not boil. Toss the hot cooked pasta lightly with sauce, coating well.
Serves 4.
PASTA ROMA SOUP
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Whoever submitted this to the list it was on wrote that it "Mimics Olive Garden's soup." To make this a vegetarian verson, I've added soy "bacon" in place of the bacon and vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup uncooked miniature pasta bow ties
2 cans (approx. 15 ounces each) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
6 slices soy bacon, cooked, drained, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 cup julienne-cut carrots
1 can (14.5 ounces) tomatoes, diced
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground rosemary
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
Preparation:
Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Add garbanzo beans to food processor and pulse until beans are well mashed. Scrape down sides of work bowl occasionally. Set aside. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot. Add carrots, onions, celery and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add remaining ingredients except pasta and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Keep warm. Add pasta to finished soup, heat through, and serve immediately.
Serves 4.
DUMP CAKE
Ingredients:
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple
1 (18 oz) pkg. yellow cake mix
8 oz. chopped walnuts
1/2 C. butter (melted)
Preparation:
In a 9x13 pan mix cherry pie filling and pineapple. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pineapple and cherry mixture, stir until just combined. Then sprinkle walnuts over top. Drizzle top with melted butter. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Comfort Food
It's Wednesday, and the counts from yesterday's election are still being counted. If you're as stressed as many of us seem to be (no matter which candidate you voted for), it's time for some comfort food. Check out Ina Garten's Mac and Cheese, the Maple-Apple Pie, or any of the other comfort foods in today's post. Enjoy! (And don't forget to breathe.)
VEGAN SLOW COOKER RED BEANS AND RICE
This comes from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sarah wrote, "This vegan version of New Orleans-style red beans and rice omits the sausage and ham hock, and instead adds smoked paprika, miso and soy sauce for a savory, rounded flavor. If you have a favorite Cajun or Creole spice mixture on hand, use 1 heaping tablespoon of it in place of the sage, cayenne, garlic, onion powders and sweet paprika, and taste before adding any salt, as seasoning blends contain a varying amount of sodium. These vegan beans are not as creamy as the ones made with pork, so smash a few against the side of the pot before serving to thicken the liquid. Serve with hot sauce, preferably a vinegary, cayenne-based Louisiana-style sauce like Crystal, Louisiana brand or Tabasco."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 7 1/2 hours
To view this absolute yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020816-vegan-slow-cooker-red-beans-and-rice.
Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 heaping tablespoon white or yellow miso paste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cayenne, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground sage (optional)
1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
3 dried bay leaves
3 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Cooked rice, for serving
Sliced scallions, for serving
Louisiana-style hot sauce, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring, until the onion is limp and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, miso paste, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and sage, if using. Grind in a generous amount of black pepper and add 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine until the miso has dissolved, then remove from the heat and scrape the mixture into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Add the beans, bay leaves, thyme and 6 cups water. Cook on high until the beans are very tender and creamy, about 7 hours.
Before serving, add the soy sauce, and season to taste with salt and cayenne. Using a fork or the back of a spoon, mash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker to make the mixture slightly creamy. (It will continue to thicken as it sits.) Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Top the beans with hot cooked rice and scallions; serve with hot sauce.
CHRISTINA TOSI'S CROCKPOT CAKE
This comes from Same Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "Christina Tosi, the pastry chef and an owner of Momofuku Milk Bar, sits near the beating heart of David Chang’s eclectic and innovative Momofuku restaurant empire. Off the clock, though, her cooking runs to inspired simplicity, as in this simple, tangy, slightly-caramelized at the edges slow-cooker cake, a version of which appears in her cookbook from Clarkson Potter, “Milk Bar Life.” Slow-cooker recipes invariably tell you to make something at night and enjoy them in the morning, or to make them in the morning and eat them after work. That only works if you don’t sleep much, or have a part-time job. This is a recipe for a weekend afternoon, or for cooking from the moment you get home until the very near end of a dinner party. It is a four-to-six hour affair."
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 5 hours
This was featured in "The Slow Cooker, Redeemed", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017227-christina-tosis-crockpot-cake.
Ingredients
1/2 pound unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed
1 1/2cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation
Put all but 1 tablespoon of the butter and the sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and cream with the paddle attachment at medium-high speed, until the mixture is smooth and pale, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the eggs and vanilla, then continue to mix for another 3 minutes, until fluffy. Add the buttermilk and oil and mix briefly to combine.
Set the mixer to a very low speed and add the cake flour, baking powder and salt, mixing for a minute or so and scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice, until the batter has just come together, with no lumps.
Use the remaining tablespoon of butter to grease the interior of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, then pour the batter into the pot. Cover and cook on low for somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 6 hours, until the cake has set and is cooked through at the center. To serve, run a knife around the edge of the slow cooker to loosen the cake and then carefully invert onto a platter, or simply spoon the cake out of the slow cooker.
MAC AND CHEESE
This recipe is from Ina Garten and was posted on the Food Network. Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
MAPLE-APPLE PIE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Experience a whole new apple pie taste! Just a touch of syrup adds the sweet familiar taste of maple for a flavorful new twist on a classic dessert.”
Ingredients
Double-Crust Pastry (See Below)
6 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples, (5 medium)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
6 tablespoons maple-flavored syrup
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Make Double Crust Pastry.
Mix apples and brown sugar. Turn into pastry-lined pie plate. Drizzle with butter and 3 tablespoons of the syrup. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Cover with top pastry that has slits cut in it; trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold and roll top edge under lower edge, pressing on rim to seal; flute as desired.
Bake 15 minutes. Make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart through top crust. Pour remaining syrup over top. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Bake about 25 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Cool.
Double-Crust Pastry
Ingredients
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
Directions
Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
Roll one round on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Going meatless doesn't mean giving up flavor with this layered lasagna, filled with vegetables and three kinds of cheese."
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 9 hours 25 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/vegetarian-lasagna/591e01c7-8027-4a6b-88c6-974ad3572ede.
Ingredients
2 cups Muir Glen™ Organic Pasta Sauce Tomato Basil (from 25.5 oz jar)
1 medium zucchini, shredded (1 cup)
1 (12-oz.) container (1 1/2 cups) low-fat cottage cheese or 1 (15-oz.) container low-fat ricotta cheese
1 (9-oz.) pkg. frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain well
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
8 oven-ready lasagna noodles (each about 7x3 inches)
1 (4-oz.) can mushroom pieces and stems, drained
8 oz. (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Spray 12x10-inch sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine pasta sauce and zucchini; mix well. In another medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese and oregano; mix well.
Spread 1/4 cup sauce mixture in ungreased 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish. Top with 2 lasagna noodles. Spread about 1/2 cup sauce mixture over noodles. Drop 1/2 cup of spinach mixture by small spoonfuls over sauce mixture; spread carefully. Sprinkle with 1/4 of mushrooms and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers 3 more times, beginning with noodles. Cover with foil, sprayed side down; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 400°F. Bake covered for 45 minutes.
Uncover baking dish; bake an additional 10 minutes or until lasagna is bubbly around edges. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
Look for precooked oven-ready lasagna noodles near the dry pasta in the grocery store or in the frozen pasta section. Trim the precooked lasagna noodles to fit, if necessary.
This recipe may be baked immediately after assembly. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Uncover the dish and continue baking for about 10 minutes, or until it is bubbly around the edges.
COPYCAT STARBUCKS CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO
This is from Delish, and begins, "The caramel frappuccino is the most iconic Starbucks drink. It's sweet, strong, and drizzled with lots of caramel. The drink is easy to make at home and makes the perfect little afternoon pick me up."
Yields: 2 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 c. cold, strong-brewed coffee
3/4 c. whole milk
1/2 c. caramel, plus more for serving
1 c. ice
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Blend coffee, milk, caramel, vanilla, and 1 cup of ice until smooth, thick, and icey. Add more ice, if necessary to reach desired consistency.
Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream. Drizzle with more caramel sauce.
VEGAN SLOW COOKER RED BEANS AND RICE
This comes from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sarah wrote, "This vegan version of New Orleans-style red beans and rice omits the sausage and ham hock, and instead adds smoked paprika, miso and soy sauce for a savory, rounded flavor. If you have a favorite Cajun or Creole spice mixture on hand, use 1 heaping tablespoon of it in place of the sage, cayenne, garlic, onion powders and sweet paprika, and taste before adding any salt, as seasoning blends contain a varying amount of sodium. These vegan beans are not as creamy as the ones made with pork, so smash a few against the side of the pot before serving to thicken the liquid. Serve with hot sauce, preferably a vinegary, cayenne-based Louisiana-style sauce like Crystal, Louisiana brand or Tabasco."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 7 1/2 hours
To view this absolute yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020816-vegan-slow-cooker-red-beans-and-rice.
Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 heaping tablespoon white or yellow miso paste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cayenne, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground sage (optional)
1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
3 dried bay leaves
3 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Cooked rice, for serving
Sliced scallions, for serving
Louisiana-style hot sauce, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring, until the onion is limp and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, miso paste, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and sage, if using. Grind in a generous amount of black pepper and add 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine until the miso has dissolved, then remove from the heat and scrape the mixture into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Add the beans, bay leaves, thyme and 6 cups water. Cook on high until the beans are very tender and creamy, about 7 hours.
Before serving, add the soy sauce, and season to taste with salt and cayenne. Using a fork or the back of a spoon, mash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker to make the mixture slightly creamy. (It will continue to thicken as it sits.) Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Top the beans with hot cooked rice and scallions; serve with hot sauce.
CHRISTINA TOSI'S CROCKPOT CAKE
This comes from Same Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "Christina Tosi, the pastry chef and an owner of Momofuku Milk Bar, sits near the beating heart of David Chang’s eclectic and innovative Momofuku restaurant empire. Off the clock, though, her cooking runs to inspired simplicity, as in this simple, tangy, slightly-caramelized at the edges slow-cooker cake, a version of which appears in her cookbook from Clarkson Potter, “Milk Bar Life.” Slow-cooker recipes invariably tell you to make something at night and enjoy them in the morning, or to make them in the morning and eat them after work. That only works if you don’t sleep much, or have a part-time job. This is a recipe for a weekend afternoon, or for cooking from the moment you get home until the very near end of a dinner party. It is a four-to-six hour affair."
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 5 hours
This was featured in "The Slow Cooker, Redeemed", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017227-christina-tosis-crockpot-cake.
Ingredients
1/2 pound unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed
1 1/2cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation
Put all but 1 tablespoon of the butter and the sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and cream with the paddle attachment at medium-high speed, until the mixture is smooth and pale, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the eggs and vanilla, then continue to mix for another 3 minutes, until fluffy. Add the buttermilk and oil and mix briefly to combine.
Set the mixer to a very low speed and add the cake flour, baking powder and salt, mixing for a minute or so and scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice, until the batter has just come together, with no lumps.
Use the remaining tablespoon of butter to grease the interior of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, then pour the batter into the pot. Cover and cook on low for somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 6 hours, until the cake has set and is cooked through at the center. To serve, run a knife around the edge of the slow cooker to loosen the cake and then carefully invert onto a platter, or simply spoon the cake out of the slow cooker.
MAC AND CHEESE
This recipe is from Ina Garten and was posted on the Food Network. Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
MAPLE-APPLE PIE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Experience a whole new apple pie taste! Just a touch of syrup adds the sweet familiar taste of maple for a flavorful new twist on a classic dessert.”
Ingredients
Double-Crust Pastry (See Below)
6 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples, (5 medium)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
6 tablespoons maple-flavored syrup
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Make Double Crust Pastry.
Mix apples and brown sugar. Turn into pastry-lined pie plate. Drizzle with butter and 3 tablespoons of the syrup. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Cover with top pastry that has slits cut in it; trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold and roll top edge under lower edge, pressing on rim to seal; flute as desired.
Bake 15 minutes. Make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart through top crust. Pour remaining syrup over top. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Bake about 25 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Cool.
Double-Crust Pastry
Ingredients
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
Directions
Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
Roll one round on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Going meatless doesn't mean giving up flavor with this layered lasagna, filled with vegetables and three kinds of cheese."
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 9 hours 25 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/vegetarian-lasagna/591e01c7-8027-4a6b-88c6-974ad3572ede.
Ingredients
2 cups Muir Glen™ Organic Pasta Sauce Tomato Basil (from 25.5 oz jar)
1 medium zucchini, shredded (1 cup)
1 (12-oz.) container (1 1/2 cups) low-fat cottage cheese or 1 (15-oz.) container low-fat ricotta cheese
1 (9-oz.) pkg. frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain well
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
8 oven-ready lasagna noodles (each about 7x3 inches)
1 (4-oz.) can mushroom pieces and stems, drained
8 oz. (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Spray 12x10-inch sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine pasta sauce and zucchini; mix well. In another medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese and oregano; mix well.
Spread 1/4 cup sauce mixture in ungreased 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish. Top with 2 lasagna noodles. Spread about 1/2 cup sauce mixture over noodles. Drop 1/2 cup of spinach mixture by small spoonfuls over sauce mixture; spread carefully. Sprinkle with 1/4 of mushrooms and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers 3 more times, beginning with noodles. Cover with foil, sprayed side down; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 400°F. Bake covered for 45 minutes.
Uncover baking dish; bake an additional 10 minutes or until lasagna is bubbly around edges. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
Look for precooked oven-ready lasagna noodles near the dry pasta in the grocery store or in the frozen pasta section. Trim the precooked lasagna noodles to fit, if necessary.
This recipe may be baked immediately after assembly. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Uncover the dish and continue baking for about 10 minutes, or until it is bubbly around the edges.
COPYCAT STARBUCKS CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO
This is from Delish, and begins, "The caramel frappuccino is the most iconic Starbucks drink. It's sweet, strong, and drizzled with lots of caramel. The drink is easy to make at home and makes the perfect little afternoon pick me up."
Yields: 2 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 c. cold, strong-brewed coffee
3/4 c. whole milk
1/2 c. caramel, plus more for serving
1 c. ice
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Blend coffee, milk, caramel, vanilla, and 1 cup of ice until smooth, thick, and icey. Add more ice, if necessary to reach desired consistency.
Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream. Drizzle with more caramel sauce.
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Cakes - Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post deals with cakes, and includes Chocolate Guinness Cake and Stuffed Pinata Cake. Enjoy!
ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson, from The New York Times' cooking newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for greasing baking pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the Frosting:
6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
3 ounces (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Preparation
For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.
Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.
Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.
Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.
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 (with repeated classes), 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!
FABULOUS VEGAN FUDGE CAKE WITH BITTERSWEET ICING
This recipe, from the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 66, begins, “'I’ve tried vegan cake recipes in the past, but didn’t like the sour taste of the vinegar that is usually used to activate the leavening,' says single mom and café manager Shelly Platten. 'I tinkered with some recipes that didn’t use vinegar to come up with a fudgy, satisfying cake.'” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill organic unbleached white flour
1 2/3 cups Florida Crystals organic cane sugar, divided
1 1/3 cups Chatfield’s cocoa powder, divided
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup Silk vanilla soymilk, divided
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup canola oil, divided
1 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch round pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Whisk together 2/3 cup soymilk, 1/3 cup oil, and 1/2 cup water in separate bowl. Stir soymilk mixture into flour mixture. Spread in prepared pan, and bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Unmold onto plate.
3. Warm remaining 2/3 cup cocoa, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup oil in saucepan over medium heat. Pour in remaining 1/3 cup soymilk, and cook 1 minute, or until smooth. Spread icing over warm cake, and sprinkle with hazelnuts.
from the September 2012 issue, p.66
nutritional information
Per Slice:
Calories: 525; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 25 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 67 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 315 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 43 g
STUFFED PINATA CAKE
This is from The Food Network, and begins, “Your guests will certainly be delighted by the sight of this bright cake. But make sure they don't put their cameras away too soon: once you cut into it, a candy surprise comes spilling out!”
Total: 3 hours 15 minutes; Active: 1 hour 5 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/stuffed-pinata-cake.
Ingredients
Frosting:
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pinch fine salt
6 large egg whites
4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks, at room temperature
5 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Filling and Decoration:
Blue, orange, yellow, purple and pink food coloring
2 cups of your favorite small and soft candies (none in wrappers), such as gummies or candy-covered chocolates
Cake:
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
DirectionsFor the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and line the bottom of each with parchment.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk, vanilla, eggs and egg yolk together in another medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium high until light and fluffy. Add about a third of the flour mixture and beat on medium low until incorporated. Now add a third of the egg-milk mixture and continue to beat on medium low until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Repeat with the remaining flour and egg-milk mixtures, finishing with the flour.
Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until the cake bounces back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the cake pans on a rack.
For the frosting: Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold a heatproof stand mixer's bowl above the water.
Add the sugar, lemon juice, salt and egg whites to the mixer bowl and whisk together by hand. Set the bowl above the boiling water and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch and the sugar completely dissolves. Transfer to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat at medium-high speed until cool and the whites hold stiff peaks, 10 to 15 minutes.
Toss in a couple of chunks of butter at a time, making sure the pieces are incorporated before adding more. After all the butter is added, continue beating on medium-high speed. The mixture will deflate and appear curdled. Continue beating until the frosting comes back together to a smooth and spreadable consistency. (If the frosting is very soft or begins to break, refrigerate until set but still spreadable, then beat until light before using.)
For the filling and decoration: Dye the coconut: Have ready 5 resealable plastic bags or plastic containers. Put 1 1/2 cups of the coconut in one container with 6 to 8 drops of blue food coloring. Put 1 cup of coconut in the second container with 5 to 6 drops of orange food coloring, 1 cup of coconut in the third with 5 to 6 drops yellow food coloring and 1 cup of coconut in the fourth with 6 to 8 drops purple food coloring. Put the remaining 1/2 cup coconut in the fifth container with 4 to 5 drops pink food coloring. Seal each container and shake vigorously until the coconut is evenly dyed. Add more food coloring 1 drop at a time as needed to get bright, vibrant colors.
Assemble the cake: Cut a 4-inch circle out of the center of each cake (reserve the small cut-out cake rounds). Put one of the cake rings on a cake stand or serving platter and frost with about 1 cup of frosting. Put the other cake ring on top and push down slightly. Fill the hole with candy. Cut one of the reserved cake rounds in half horizontally to make 2 thinner rounds. Use one to fill the hole on top of the cake. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Cut a strip of parchment about 30 inches long and 3 inches wide. Wrap this parchment around the cake like a collar, leaving 1 inch of frosting exposed around the bottom perimeter of the cake. Pack some of the blue coconut onto the exposed frosting to make your first strip of color. Lift the collar up another 1 inch and do the same with the orange coconut. Remove the collar and fill the remaining inch of frosting with the yellow coconut. For the top, make 1-inch-wide rings, starting on the outside and working your way in, with the purple, pink, blue and orange coconut until the top is completely covered. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.
STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE
This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
For the filling for each cake:
1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.
Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.
Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.
To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.
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.
ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson, from The New York Times' cooking newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for greasing baking pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the Frosting:
6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
3 ounces (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Preparation
For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.
Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.
Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.
Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.
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 (with repeated classes), 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!
FABULOUS VEGAN FUDGE CAKE WITH BITTERSWEET ICING
This recipe, from the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 66, begins, “'I’ve tried vegan cake recipes in the past, but didn’t like the sour taste of the vinegar that is usually used to activate the leavening,' says single mom and café manager Shelly Platten. 'I tinkered with some recipes that didn’t use vinegar to come up with a fudgy, satisfying cake.'” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill organic unbleached white flour
1 2/3 cups Florida Crystals organic cane sugar, divided
1 1/3 cups Chatfield’s cocoa powder, divided
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup Silk vanilla soymilk, divided
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup canola oil, divided
1 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch round pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Whisk together 2/3 cup soymilk, 1/3 cup oil, and 1/2 cup water in separate bowl. Stir soymilk mixture into flour mixture. Spread in prepared pan, and bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Unmold onto plate.
3. Warm remaining 2/3 cup cocoa, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup oil in saucepan over medium heat. Pour in remaining 1/3 cup soymilk, and cook 1 minute, or until smooth. Spread icing over warm cake, and sprinkle with hazelnuts.
from the September 2012 issue, p.66
nutritional information
Per Slice:
Calories: 525; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 25 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 67 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 315 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 43 g
STUFFED PINATA CAKE
This is from The Food Network, and begins, “Your guests will certainly be delighted by the sight of this bright cake. But make sure they don't put their cameras away too soon: once you cut into it, a candy surprise comes spilling out!”
Total: 3 hours 15 minutes; Active: 1 hour 5 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/stuffed-pinata-cake.
Ingredients
Frosting:
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pinch fine salt
6 large egg whites
4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks, at room temperature
5 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Filling and Decoration:
Blue, orange, yellow, purple and pink food coloring
2 cups of your favorite small and soft candies (none in wrappers), such as gummies or candy-covered chocolates
Cake:
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
DirectionsFor the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and line the bottom of each with parchment.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk, vanilla, eggs and egg yolk together in another medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium high until light and fluffy. Add about a third of the flour mixture and beat on medium low until incorporated. Now add a third of the egg-milk mixture and continue to beat on medium low until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Repeat with the remaining flour and egg-milk mixtures, finishing with the flour.
Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until the cake bounces back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the cake pans on a rack.
For the frosting: Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold a heatproof stand mixer's bowl above the water.
Add the sugar, lemon juice, salt and egg whites to the mixer bowl and whisk together by hand. Set the bowl above the boiling water and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch and the sugar completely dissolves. Transfer to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat at medium-high speed until cool and the whites hold stiff peaks, 10 to 15 minutes.
Toss in a couple of chunks of butter at a time, making sure the pieces are incorporated before adding more. After all the butter is added, continue beating on medium-high speed. The mixture will deflate and appear curdled. Continue beating until the frosting comes back together to a smooth and spreadable consistency. (If the frosting is very soft or begins to break, refrigerate until set but still spreadable, then beat until light before using.)
For the filling and decoration: Dye the coconut: Have ready 5 resealable plastic bags or plastic containers. Put 1 1/2 cups of the coconut in one container with 6 to 8 drops of blue food coloring. Put 1 cup of coconut in the second container with 5 to 6 drops of orange food coloring, 1 cup of coconut in the third with 5 to 6 drops yellow food coloring and 1 cup of coconut in the fourth with 6 to 8 drops purple food coloring. Put the remaining 1/2 cup coconut in the fifth container with 4 to 5 drops pink food coloring. Seal each container and shake vigorously until the coconut is evenly dyed. Add more food coloring 1 drop at a time as needed to get bright, vibrant colors.
Assemble the cake: Cut a 4-inch circle out of the center of each cake (reserve the small cut-out cake rounds). Put one of the cake rings on a cake stand or serving platter and frost with about 1 cup of frosting. Put the other cake ring on top and push down slightly. Fill the hole with candy. Cut one of the reserved cake rounds in half horizontally to make 2 thinner rounds. Use one to fill the hole on top of the cake. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Cut a strip of parchment about 30 inches long and 3 inches wide. Wrap this parchment around the cake like a collar, leaving 1 inch of frosting exposed around the bottom perimeter of the cake. Pack some of the blue coconut onto the exposed frosting to make your first strip of color. Lift the collar up another 1 inch and do the same with the orange coconut. Remove the collar and fill the remaining inch of frosting with the yellow coconut. For the top, make 1-inch-wide rings, starting on the outside and working your way in, with the purple, pink, blue and orange coconut until the top is completely covered. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.
STRAWBERRY COUNTRY CAKE
This is from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 2 (8-inch) cakes; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
For the filling for each cake:
1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream, chilled
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans. Then line them with parchment paper and butter and flour the lined pans.
Cream the butter and sugar on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the sour cream, zests, and vanilla, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. On low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and combine just until smooth.
Pour the batter evenly into the pans, smooth the tops, and bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove to wire racks and let cool to room temperature. If using 1 cake, wrap the second well and freeze.
To make the filling for one cake, whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until firm. Slice one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife. Place the bottom slice of the cake on a serving platter, spread with 1/2 the whipped cream and scatter with sliced strawberries. Cover with the top slice of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Decorate with strawberries.
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.
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's yummy vegetarian tacos include Roasted Tomatillo and Black Bean Tacos and Sweet Thai Peanut Cauliflower Tacos. Enjoy!
VEGGIE BEAN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tonya Burkhard (Davis, Illinois), " In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/veggie-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Reduced-fat sour cream, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, saute corn in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute tomatoes, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, oregano, salt, pepper and corn; heat through.
Divide filling among tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, avocado and, if desired, sour cream.
CHILI-LIME MUSHROOM TACOS
This also comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Greg Fontenot (The Woodlands, Texas), "I used to make this dish with beef, but substituting with portobella mushrooms turned it into my family's vegetarian favorite. It's quick, nutritious, low fat and tasty."
Prep/Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes: 4 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chili-lime-mushroom-tacos/.
Ingredients
4 large portobello mushrooms (about 3/4 pound)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into strips
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons lime juice
8 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Directions
Remove stems from mushrooms; if desired, remove gills using a spoon. Cut mushrooms into 1/2-in. slices.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute mushrooms, red pepper and onion until mushrooms are tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic, seasonings, lime zest and juice; cook and stir 1 minute. Serve in tortillas; top with cheese.
Health Tip: Making these tacos with lean ground beef adds almost 4 grams of saturated fat per serving. That’s a good reason for a meatless taco Tuesday!
SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.
“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”
Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup water, divided
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ketchup
Taco Sauce
1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For Cauliflower:
Canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups seltzer water
1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)
For Tacos:
8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded red cabbage
2 scallions, chopped (optional)
Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)
White sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Thai Chili Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, ¼ cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup
Tacos
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.
Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.
To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.
Tip
It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on July 28, 2019. It begins, "Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot."
Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/black-bean-toasted-corn-tacos.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese, optional
Preparation
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
TACOS WITH ROASTED POTATOES, SQUASH AND PEPPERS (RAJAS)
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "You can turn the heat up or down on this taco, depending on your taste for spiciness. Season the potatoes, onions and squash before roasting. A comforting filling that you can heat up or tone down, depending on your taste for spicy. If you like heat, use a preponderance of poblanos and Anaheims for your peppers; if not, use more bell peppers. I season the potatoes, onions and squash with cumin and chili powder before I roast them, and serve the tacos with a cooked salsa ranchera." Yield: Serves 4; Time: 40 minutes.
This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night" and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound potatoes, such as Yukon golds, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound summer squash, preferably a dense squash like Ronde de Nice, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium red onion, cut in half lengthwise and sliced in half-moons
1 pound mixed sweet and hot peppers (such as a mix of poblanos and bell peppers), roasted, peeled, seeded and cut in thin 2-inch strips
8 warm corn tortillas
1 recipe salsa ranchera (without chipotles)
3 ounces goat cheese (about 3/4 cup crumbled)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place potatoes on one baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, 3/4 teaspoon each of the ground cumin and chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread in an even layer.
Place squash and onion slices on other parchment-covered baking sheet and toss with the remaining olive oil, salt to taste, cumin and chili powder.
Depending on the size of your oven, roast vegetables together or separately on the middle rack. Roast potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender all the way through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Roast squash and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, until tender and lightly colored. Remove from oven and add to bowl with potatoes. Add pepper strips (rajas) and toss together. Season to taste with salt, and add more chili powder if desired. Keep warm.
Spoon filling onto warm tortillas and add a generous spoonful of salsa. Top with goat cheese and serve.
ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.” Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional
Instructions:
Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.
Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.
Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 226; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Sodium: 457 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 7 g; Yield: Serves 4
VEGGIE BEAN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tonya Burkhard (Davis, Illinois), " In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/veggie-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Reduced-fat sour cream, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, saute corn in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute tomatoes, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, oregano, salt, pepper and corn; heat through.
Divide filling among tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, avocado and, if desired, sour cream.
CHILI-LIME MUSHROOM TACOS
This also comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Greg Fontenot (The Woodlands, Texas), "I used to make this dish with beef, but substituting with portobella mushrooms turned it into my family's vegetarian favorite. It's quick, nutritious, low fat and tasty."
Prep/Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes: 4 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chili-lime-mushroom-tacos/.
Ingredients
4 large portobello mushrooms (about 3/4 pound)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into strips
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons lime juice
8 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Directions
Remove stems from mushrooms; if desired, remove gills using a spoon. Cut mushrooms into 1/2-in. slices.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute mushrooms, red pepper and onion until mushrooms are tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic, seasonings, lime zest and juice; cook and stir 1 minute. Serve in tortillas; top with cheese.
Health Tip: Making these tacos with lean ground beef adds almost 4 grams of saturated fat per serving. That’s a good reason for a meatless taco Tuesday!
SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.
“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”
Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup water, divided
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ketchup
Taco Sauce
1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For Cauliflower:
Canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups seltzer water
1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)
For Tacos:
8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded red cabbage
2 scallions, chopped (optional)
Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)
White sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Thai Chili Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, ¼ cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup
Tacos
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.
Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.
To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.
Tip
It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.
BLACK BEAN & TOASTED CORN TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on July 28, 2019. It begins, "Surprise! These brown-bag-friendly tacos are just as good chilled as they are served hot."
Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 4
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/black-bean-toasted-corn-tacos.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, divided
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 6-inch corn tortillas
12 baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 small green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese, optional
Preparation
Bring beans, salsa, garlic, and 1 tsp. cumin to a simmer in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Remove from heat, and mash with fork to crush beans for creamier filling, if desired.
Heat skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil cooking spray. Wrap corn in paper towels, and squeeze out excess water. Add corn to skillet in single layer, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring frequently.
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas in toaster oven 1 minute to soften. Alternately, bake tortillas on taco baking rack in oven 7 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup corn, 3 spinach leaves, red pepper strips, cilantro, and green onions. Top each taco with 1 Tbs. cheese, if using. Serve immediately, or pack into lunch container, and chill.
TACOS WITH ROASTED POTATOES, SQUASH AND PEPPERS (RAJAS)
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "You can turn the heat up or down on this taco, depending on your taste for spiciness. Season the potatoes, onions and squash before roasting. A comforting filling that you can heat up or tone down, depending on your taste for spicy. If you like heat, use a preponderance of poblanos and Anaheims for your peppers; if not, use more bell peppers. I season the potatoes, onions and squash with cumin and chili powder before I roast them, and serve the tacos with a cooked salsa ranchera." Yield: Serves 4; Time: 40 minutes.
This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night" and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound potatoes, such as Yukon golds, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound summer squash, preferably a dense squash like Ronde de Nice, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium red onion, cut in half lengthwise and sliced in half-moons
1 pound mixed sweet and hot peppers (such as a mix of poblanos and bell peppers), roasted, peeled, seeded and cut in thin 2-inch strips
8 warm corn tortillas
1 recipe salsa ranchera (without chipotles)
3 ounces goat cheese (about 3/4 cup crumbled)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place potatoes on one baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, 3/4 teaspoon each of the ground cumin and chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread in an even layer.
Place squash and onion slices on other parchment-covered baking sheet and toss with the remaining olive oil, salt to taste, cumin and chili powder.
Depending on the size of your oven, roast vegetables together or separately on the middle rack. Roast potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender all the way through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Roast squash and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, until tender and lightly colored. Remove from oven and add to bowl with potatoes. Add pepper strips (rajas) and toss together. Season to taste with salt, and add more chili powder if desired. Keep warm.
Spoon filling onto warm tortillas and add a generous spoonful of salsa. Top with goat cheese and serve.
ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.” Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional
Instructions:
Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.
Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.
Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 226; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Sodium: 457 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 7 g; Yield: Serves 4
Monday, November 2, 2020
Monday Recipes
It's the first Monday of November; where does the time go? Wasn't January just last week? (Then again, the way 2020 has been, maybe it was five years ago...)
Here are six recipes to get your week started, including Make-Ahead Creamy Spinach Lasagna and Penne With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Enjoy!
TOFU-SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from PETA's website. Whether you like PETA or not, they do have good vegetarian recipes. This one makes 6 to 8 servings, and can be viewed online at https://www.peta.org/recipes/tofu-spinach-lasagne/.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced fresh basil
2 tsp. salt
4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside.
Place the tofu, sugar, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the spinach.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third of the noodles). Follow with half of the tofu filling. Continue in the same order, using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
MAKE-AHEAD CREAMY SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Whether you have a dinner party on the horizon or just need to plan out a week’s worth of meals, this creamy, veggie-filled lasagna deserves a spot in your freezer. Its flavor is downright impressive, but only you need to know how simple it is to prepare!"
Prep Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/make-ahead-creamy-spinach-lasagna/7beea4bf-5309-4e52-83b3-d204245db470.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups Progresso™ vegetable broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 packages (8 oz each) sliced mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 bags (5 oz each) baby spinach
1 container (15 oz) whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12 oz)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (3 oz)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 oven-ready no-boil lasagna noodles
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk; cook and stir 2 minutes. Slowly beat in broth, whipping cream, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg with whisk. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and any liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually add spinach, stirring constantly, and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 1/4 cups of the cream sauce. Reserve remaining sauce.
In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
To assemble: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 3/4 cup of the sauce into bottom of baking dish. Top with 3 of the lasagna noodles in single layer. Evenly top with 1 cup of the cheese filling and 1 1/3 cups of the spinach mixture. Repeat layers twice, starting with noodles and ending with spinach mixture. For final layer, top with 3 noodles; pour remaining 3/4 cup sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to be able to lift assembled lasagna out of dish.
Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce and spinach mixture 30 to 40 minutes before making cheese filling and assembling lasagna. Stir 2 1/4 cups cream sauce into spinach mixture. Assemble lasagna in dish as directed; cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked lasagna about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen lasagna to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Expert Tips
We used white button mushrooms for this recipe, but if you want a stronger mushroom flavor, try cremini mushrooms.
Using oven-ready lasagna noodles saves time and steps in preparing this dish. You can find them with the other dried pastas in the supermarket.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold fall days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Note: This recipe originally called for “3 cups fat-free chicken broth.” But since this is a vegetarian blog, I substituted vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free vegetable broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
PENNE WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, "This exquisitely simple recipe came to The Times in a 2001 article about Paola di Mauro, an Italian winemaker in Marina, a small town southeast of Rome. She was one of a band of cooks who helped distinguish 'cucina castlinga,' roughly translated as 'housewives' cooking.' From her humble kitchen, Ms. di Mauro mentored some of the best Italian chefs and restaurateurs in the United States, including Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, Piero Selvaggio and Tony May. Her recipe is easy and calls for just five ingredients – cherry tomatoes, olive oil, pecorino romano and penne pasta – but get your hands on the best ingredients you can afford. Ms. di Mauro intended this to serve four as a first course, but if you're making this for dinner, double the recipe."
Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 35 minutes
This was featured in "A Roman Muse For America's Great Chefs," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1778-penne-with-roasted-cherry-tomatoes.
Note: When you get a minute or two, click on the article link above and read the article. I found the article to be interesting reading, and I'm sure you will, too. In fact, if you want to do that now, go for it. I'll wait…(tap, tap, tap)
Ingredients
1 pound small cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 to 3 tablespoons for tossing
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino romano, more for serving
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 pound penne
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line bottom of casserole dish with cherry tomatoes in a single layer, halved side up. Pour oil on top, season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top. Bake until tomatoes have wilted, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with enough sea salt so that water tastes mildly of salt. When tomatoes are just about done, add penne to water and cook until al dente (it should be pliable, but still firm in center). Scoop out about a cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain pasta and add to casserole. Fold tomatoes and pasta together, adding another 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it is dry, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve, passing more grated cheese at the table.
MAQUE CHOUX
This is from Gabrielle Hamilton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Gabrielle wrote, "This classic Cajun side dish is a sweet, hot, juicy, milky, buttery combination of corn, onions and peppers. It’s often cooked in rendered bacon fat and enriched with heavy cream, but this version relies upon only butter and a little water in their place, which allow the ingredients’ flavors to sing more clearly. While it is commonly understood that Fat Equals Flavor, there is a point at which too much fat actually masks complexities in flavors and dulls their vibrancy. Try the maque choux this way and see if you notice how bold and lively it tastes. If you miss the smokiness that bacon imparts, try instead a pinch of smoked paprika stirred in at the end."
Yield: About 1 generous quart; Time: 20 minutes
This was featured in "This Cajun Corn Dish Screams ‘Summer’", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021176-maque-choux.
Note: I highly recommend reading the article ("featured in" link, above). I read it in The New York Times Magazine on Sunday, June 21. Interesting reading.
Ingredients
3 fresh ears of corn, shucked
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 red onion, cut into small dice
2 celery ribs, cut into small dice
Kosher salt
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small poblano pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small serrano chile, very thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Smoked paprika (optional)
Preparation
Working with 1 corn cob at a time, set the ear of corn upright in a medium bowl. Shave the corn from the cob by slicing down the sides using the tip of a sharp chef’s knife, holding the knife almost vertical. (This gives you neat tablets of corn that land squarely in the bowl and keeps the kernels from scattering all over the counter.) Using the back of the knife, scrape each cob to release all the nibs and the “milk” of the kernels into the bowl. Repeat with remaining ears of corn, then snap the cobs in half, and add them to the bowl.
In a large, deep sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat until foaming. Add onion and celery, and season with 1 or 2 pinches of kosher salt. Stir constantly until softened and translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons butter and the bell pepper, poblano and serrano, and stir constantly, adding another pinch of kosher salt, letting the butter melt and the peppers soften and become translucent, about 2 or 3 minutes. You will smell the peppers’ sweetness and their mild capsaicin releasing.
Add the final 3 tablespoons butter and the corn mixture from the bowl, cobs included, and another pinch of kosher salt. Stir constantly to coat with the butter and combine thoroughly.
When everything starts to hiss and sound hot, but isn’t cooking so hard as to take color, add 1/2 cup water and a healthy few grinds of black pepper, and cover the pan for a couple of minutes to steam/shallow braise the mixture.
Remove the lid, and stir well, noticing the corn releasing its liquid and the kernels softening, and the cobs turning somewhat translucent, if however vague. You will notice a general softening and melding together. Return the lid, and let cook a few more minutes, noticing the water evaporating and the remaining liquid reducing and gaining some “body” and gloss. Discard the corn cobs, but do suck them before tossing — those buttery juices make a nice cook’s treat.
Taste for salt, and serve. It should be sweet, spicy, a bit wet and surprisingly complex, given the few ingredients and their ordinariness. If you want a smoky taste, add a good pinch of smoked paprika.
QUICK AND EASY GAME TIME NACHOS
This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Serve up these Quick and Easy Game Time Nachos while you and your family get your game on this fall. Stir Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning Mix into your cheese to add some flavor and serve up over crispy corn tortilla chips with tomatoes and cilantro. Salty, crunchy, cheesy and spicy, all in one bite. These nachos are always a winner for your game day fun."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings
You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-game-time-nachos.
Ingredients
6 oz light prepared cheese product, cut into cubes (from 16 oz loaf)
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz)
3 tablespoons fat-free (skim) milk
1 1/2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ 40% Less-Sodium taco seasoning mix (from 1 oz package)
3 oz baked bite-size tortilla chips (about 64 chips)
1 1/2 cups finely chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (about 5 medium)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
In 1-quart saucepan, heat cheese product, Cheddar cheese, milk and taco seasoning mix over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.
Meanwhile, arrange chips on large serving platter. Pour warm cheese mixture over chips. Top with tomatoes and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
For a fun presentation, vary the color of tortilla chips you use. Choose among red, green white, yellow and blue tortilla chips.
Here are six recipes to get your week started, including Make-Ahead Creamy Spinach Lasagna and Penne With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. Enjoy!
TOFU-SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from PETA's website. Whether you like PETA or not, they do have good vegetarian recipes. This one makes 6 to 8 servings, and can be viewed online at https://www.peta.org/recipes/tofu-spinach-lasagne/.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced fresh basil
2 tsp. salt
4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside.
Place the tofu, sugar, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the spinach.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third of the noodles). Follow with half of the tofu filling. Continue in the same order, using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
MAKE-AHEAD CREAMY SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Whether you have a dinner party on the horizon or just need to plan out a week’s worth of meals, this creamy, veggie-filled lasagna deserves a spot in your freezer. Its flavor is downright impressive, but only you need to know how simple it is to prepare!"
Prep Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/make-ahead-creamy-spinach-lasagna/7beea4bf-5309-4e52-83b3-d204245db470.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 cups Progresso™ vegetable broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 packages (8 oz each) sliced mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 bags (5 oz each) baby spinach
1 container (15 oz) whole-milk ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12 oz)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (3 oz)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 oven-ready no-boil lasagna noodles
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk; cook and stir 2 minutes. Slowly beat in broth, whipping cream, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and the nutmeg with whisk. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and any liquid from mushrooms has evaporated. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually add spinach, stirring constantly, and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 1/4 cups of the cream sauce. Reserve remaining sauce.
In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
To assemble: Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 3/4 cup of the sauce into bottom of baking dish. Top with 3 of the lasagna noodles in single layer. Evenly top with 1 cup of the cheese filling and 1 1/3 cups of the spinach mixture. Repeat layers twice, starting with noodles and ending with spinach mixture. For final layer, top with 3 noodles; pour remaining 3/4 cup sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to be able to lift assembled lasagna out of dish.
Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce and spinach mixture 30 to 40 minutes before making cheese filling and assembling lasagna. Stir 2 1/4 cups cream sauce into spinach mixture. Assemble lasagna in dish as directed; cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked lasagna about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen lasagna to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 400°F. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center), bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Expert Tips
We used white button mushrooms for this recipe, but if you want a stronger mushroom flavor, try cremini mushrooms.
Using oven-ready lasagna noodles saves time and steps in preparing this dish. You can find them with the other dried pastas in the supermarket.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from an old Weight Watchers emailing list, and begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold fall days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.”
POINTS® Value: 2; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 25 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Note: This recipe originally called for “3 cups fat-free chicken broth.” But since this is a vegetarian blog, I substituted vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Ingredients
1 large onion, cut into large chunks
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups winter squash, cubed
2 servings cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
3 cups fat-free vegetable broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in a large pot; add broth and milk. Season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, and blend until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Puree soup in batches to prevent hot liquid from splatterng, if necessary. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Notes
You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
PENNE WITH ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES
This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, "This exquisitely simple recipe came to The Times in a 2001 article about Paola di Mauro, an Italian winemaker in Marina, a small town southeast of Rome. She was one of a band of cooks who helped distinguish 'cucina castlinga,' roughly translated as 'housewives' cooking.' From her humble kitchen, Ms. di Mauro mentored some of the best Italian chefs and restaurateurs in the United States, including Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, Piero Selvaggio and Tony May. Her recipe is easy and calls for just five ingredients – cherry tomatoes, olive oil, pecorino romano and penne pasta – but get your hands on the best ingredients you can afford. Ms. di Mauro intended this to serve four as a first course, but if you're making this for dinner, double the recipe."
Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 35 minutes
This was featured in "A Roman Muse For America's Great Chefs," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1778-penne-with-roasted-cherry-tomatoes.
Note: When you get a minute or two, click on the article link above and read the article. I found the article to be interesting reading, and I'm sure you will, too. In fact, if you want to do that now, go for it. I'll wait…(tap, tap, tap)
Ingredients
1 pound small cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 to 3 tablespoons for tossing
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated pecorino romano, more for serving
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 pound penne
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line bottom of casserole dish with cherry tomatoes in a single layer, halved side up. Pour oil on top, season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top. Bake until tomatoes have wilted, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with enough sea salt so that water tastes mildly of salt. When tomatoes are just about done, add penne to water and cook until al dente (it should be pliable, but still firm in center). Scoop out about a cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain pasta and add to casserole. Fold tomatoes and pasta together, adding another 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. If it is dry, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve, passing more grated cheese at the table.
MAQUE CHOUX
This is from Gabrielle Hamilton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Gabrielle wrote, "This classic Cajun side dish is a sweet, hot, juicy, milky, buttery combination of corn, onions and peppers. It’s often cooked in rendered bacon fat and enriched with heavy cream, but this version relies upon only butter and a little water in their place, which allow the ingredients’ flavors to sing more clearly. While it is commonly understood that Fat Equals Flavor, there is a point at which too much fat actually masks complexities in flavors and dulls their vibrancy. Try the maque choux this way and see if you notice how bold and lively it tastes. If you miss the smokiness that bacon imparts, try instead a pinch of smoked paprika stirred in at the end."
Yield: About 1 generous quart; Time: 20 minutes
This was featured in "This Cajun Corn Dish Screams ‘Summer’", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021176-maque-choux.
Note: I highly recommend reading the article ("featured in" link, above). I read it in The New York Times Magazine on Sunday, June 21. Interesting reading.
Ingredients
3 fresh ears of corn, shucked
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 red onion, cut into small dice
2 celery ribs, cut into small dice
Kosher salt
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small poblano pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice
1 small serrano chile, very thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
Smoked paprika (optional)
Preparation
Working with 1 corn cob at a time, set the ear of corn upright in a medium bowl. Shave the corn from the cob by slicing down the sides using the tip of a sharp chef’s knife, holding the knife almost vertical. (This gives you neat tablets of corn that land squarely in the bowl and keeps the kernels from scattering all over the counter.) Using the back of the knife, scrape each cob to release all the nibs and the “milk” of the kernels into the bowl. Repeat with remaining ears of corn, then snap the cobs in half, and add them to the bowl.
In a large, deep sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat until foaming. Add onion and celery, and season with 1 or 2 pinches of kosher salt. Stir constantly until softened and translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons butter and the bell pepper, poblano and serrano, and stir constantly, adding another pinch of kosher salt, letting the butter melt and the peppers soften and become translucent, about 2 or 3 minutes. You will smell the peppers’ sweetness and their mild capsaicin releasing.
Add the final 3 tablespoons butter and the corn mixture from the bowl, cobs included, and another pinch of kosher salt. Stir constantly to coat with the butter and combine thoroughly.
When everything starts to hiss and sound hot, but isn’t cooking so hard as to take color, add 1/2 cup water and a healthy few grinds of black pepper, and cover the pan for a couple of minutes to steam/shallow braise the mixture.
Remove the lid, and stir well, noticing the corn releasing its liquid and the kernels softening, and the cobs turning somewhat translucent, if however vague. You will notice a general softening and melding together. Return the lid, and let cook a few more minutes, noticing the water evaporating and the remaining liquid reducing and gaining some “body” and gloss. Discard the corn cobs, but do suck them before tossing — those buttery juices make a nice cook’s treat.
Taste for salt, and serve. It should be sweet, spicy, a bit wet and surprisingly complex, given the few ingredients and their ordinariness. If you want a smoky taste, add a good pinch of smoked paprika.
QUICK AND EASY GAME TIME NACHOS
This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Serve up these Quick and Easy Game Time Nachos while you and your family get your game on this fall. Stir Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning Mix into your cheese to add some flavor and serve up over crispy corn tortilla chips with tomatoes and cilantro. Salty, crunchy, cheesy and spicy, all in one bite. These nachos are always a winner for your game day fun."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings
You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-game-time-nachos.
Ingredients
6 oz light prepared cheese product, cut into cubes (from 16 oz loaf)
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese (1 oz)
3 tablespoons fat-free (skim) milk
1 1/2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ 40% Less-Sodium taco seasoning mix (from 1 oz package)
3 oz baked bite-size tortilla chips (about 64 chips)
1 1/2 cups finely chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (about 5 medium)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
In 1-quart saucepan, heat cheese product, Cheddar cheese, milk and taco seasoning mix over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.
Meanwhile, arrange chips on large serving platter. Pour warm cheese mixture over chips. Top with tomatoes and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
For a fun presentation, vary the color of tortilla chips you use. Choose among red, green white, yellow and blue tortilla chips.
Friday, October 30, 2020
Halloween Recipes
Tomorrow is Halloween - and it falls on a Saturday! Yay! To get in the mood, here are six autumn/Halloween-ish recipes, including Pumpkin Parfaits with Oat Crunch and Harvest Corn Custards. Enjoy!
CRANBERRY TART WITH NUT CRUST
This is from The Kitchn, one of my favorite email newsletters. Serves 6. Makes one 9-inch tart.
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
For the pie:
4 cups (16 ounces) fresh (or defrosted) whole cranberries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup golden syrup
Zest of 1/2 unwaxed lemon
For the crust:
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup nut flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
1 to 3 tablespoons cold water
Directions
In a medium sauce pan, combine the sugar and golden syrup over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is bubbling. Add the cranberries and lemon zest and turn over several times to coat evenly with the sugar mixture. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
Prepare the dough: If using a food processor, combine the dry ingredients in the processor bowl and pulse to combine. Drop in the butter pieces and pulse several times until the consistency of oatmeal. If preparing by hand, combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter pieces and cut in with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture is the consistency of oatmeal.
Continue preparing the dough by adding the water one tablespoon at a time until the dough just barely comes together in a ball. Turn the dough out onto the counter and gather up and shape into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Unwrap the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out to a rough 9-inch circle. Carefully transfer to a 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and then form a lip around the edge by turning the pan while gently pinching the lip between your left thumb on the outside and right thumb and forefinger on the inside. Chill the prepared pan for 10-15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
When ready to bake, remove the prepared pan from the refrigerator and prick the bottom a few times with the tines of a fork. Line the bottom of the tart shell with pie weights or a layer of parchment paper and uncooked beans. Bake for 10 minutes or until crust begins to show some drying and browning.
Remove the tart shell from the oven and pour the cool cranberry mixture into the shell, spreading it out from the middle so as not to drip on the lip of the crust. Drizzle any remaining sugar mixture from the pan throughout the shell, again avoiding the lip of the tart.
Bake for another 30 minutes, or until crust deepens in color and the filling is bubbling. Cool on a wire rack. Carefully remove the outer ring, and serve while still warm, or at room temperature. Top with a scoop of ice cream, or a dollop of cream.
PUMPKIN PARFAITS WITH OAT CRUNCH
This comes from the October 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 69. It begins, "This recipe makes 1 cup of Oat Crunch, which is more than you'll need for the parfaits. Save the rest to serve with yogurt, fresh berries, or sorbet." Serves 2.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Oat Crunch
1/2 cup puffed rice cereal
1/4 cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant), such as Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
2 Tbs. raw pumpkin seeds
2 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Pumpkin Mousse
3 Tbs. gluten-free tofu cream cheese, such as Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Cream Cheese Alternative
1/2 cup sweetened pumpkin pie filling
6 oz. vanilla soy yogurt
Ingredients
To make Oat Crunch:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Combine puffed rice, oats, and pumpkin seeds in small bowl. Add maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and pinch of salt; stir well. Transfer ingredients to prepared baking sheet; spread into thin layer. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until light brown. Remove from oven; let cool. Break up Oat Crunch with fingers, and set aside.
To make Pumpkin Mousse:
Whisk tofu cream cheese in bowl until fluffy. Add pumpkin pie filling, and whisk until smooth. Chill.
Spoon 2 Tbs. yogurt into serving glasses. Top with one-quarter Pumpkin Mousse. Sprinkle 1 Tbs. Oat Crunch over each parfait. Repeat process with yogurt, Pumpkin Mousse, and Oat Crunch.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 227; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 261 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 25 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
CRANBERRY PIE
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking, which is for sale on Amazon.com. (To buy a copy of it for your Kindle or tablet, click here.) My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
Note: This pie can be made with either one crust (bottom photo) or two crusts (top photo), though when Dad sent the recipe, it was with one crust.
Ingredients
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Directions
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
COUNTRY PUMPKIN CHOWDER
This comes from the October 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Pumpkins are loaded with beta-carotene, the antioxidant that imparts a bright orange color. Current research suggests that a diet rich in beta-carotene offers protection against heart disease and certain types of cancer." Serves 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 6-oz. pkg. soy “chicken” strips, cut into 1-inch lengths
2 cups cubed baby Dutch yellow potatoes
1/3 cup dry sherry
3 cups vegetarian “chicken”-flavored stock, hot
1 14.5-oz. can Mexican stewed tomatoes, chopped or pulsed in blender
1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbs. nutritional yeast
1 Tbs. tamari
Hot pepper sauce to taste
Directions
Heat the oil and crushed red pepper in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add garlic, onion and bell pepper, sauté for 2 minutes and add the soy “chicken” strips. Cook for 2 minutes, and add the potatoes. Cook mixture for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the sherry, stir for 30 seconds, and add the stock and tomatoes.
Reduce the heat to medium, and spoon in the pumpkin, stirring to mix thoroughly. Add the cilantro, yeast, tamari and hot pepper sauce to taste. Reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 minutes, or until ready to serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 177; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 732 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 13 g; Vegan
HARVEST CORN CUSTARDS
This decadent dessert is sure to be a hit. It comes from the October 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36, and begins, "Layers of colorful custard and snowy whipped cream mimic the look of candy corn in this dessert." Serves 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
2 cups low-fat milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. honey
Orange or red and yellow food coloring, such as Wilton or Seelect
1 oz. chopped semisweet chocolate or 3 Tbs. chocolate chips
1 cup whipping cream
Ground nutmeg, for sprinkling
Directions
Whisk together eggs and sugar in heat-proof bowl until smooth and light-colored. Whisk in flour and salt.
Bring milk to a boil in saucepan. Whisk 1/4 cup boiling milk into egg mixture. Whisk in 1/2 cup milk, then gradually whisk in remaining milk. Return mixture to saucepan, and cook 2 minutes over medium heat, or until thickened, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat, and whisk in vanilla.
Scoop 1 cup custard into bowl, and whisk in honey. Add food coloring to achieve bright-orange color.
Transfer remaining custard to separate bowl, and whisk in chocolate until melted. Cover both custards with plastic wrap pressed directly onto surface to prevent skin from forming. Cool.
Once cooled, whisk both custards until smooth.
Beat whipping cream with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Whisk 1/2 cup whipped cream into chocolate custard.
Spoon 21/2 Tbs. honey custard into 6 small glasses, pressing down to remove any air pockets. Layer 1/4 cup chocolate custard atop honey custard in each glass, and smooth with spoon. Top each serving with 3 Tbs. whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg.
nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 304; Protein: 7 g;Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: 121 mg; Sodium: 124 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g;Sugar: 21 g
PUMPKIN GNOCCHI WITH BROWNED BUTTER AND SAGE
(GNOCCHI DI ZUCCA)
This comes from Danette St. Onge, who writes for The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “A tempting, toothsome fall dish, these homemade gnocchi can be made with either butternut squash or pumpkin (or any other rich, sweet winter squash). They are classically served with a very simple sauce of browned butter and sage (burro e salvia), but really you can serve them with any sauce you'd like -- simpler ones will work better, as the gnocchi themselves are so flavorful.” Yields 4 to 6 servings.
Unfortunately, the link I had for this recipe no longer works. Hopefully, I'll be able to run across it...
Ingredients
For the Gnocchi:
1 1/2pounds raw butternut squash or pumpkin
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
For The Butter and Sage Sauce:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4-6 small fresh sage leaves, washed and dried
Freshly grated pecorino (optional)
Directions
For the gnocchi:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the squash into large chunks (about 3 to 4 inches in size), retaining the rind, and scoop away the seeds and strings with a spoon. Place the squash pieces on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake (still in the rind) until tender enough to be pierced with the tines of a fork, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the rind, into a fine-mesh strainer placed over a large bowl. Set aside until the squash has cooled completely and is thoroughly drained of excess liquid.
Transfer the squash to a large mixing bowl and mash with a wooden spoon or potato masher. If there are still large chunks, you can use a handheld immersion blender, blender, or food processor to quickly puree it until smooth. Add the eggs and salt and stir to combine. Then add the flour, a little bit at a time, stirring after each addition until evenly incorporated.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Meanwhile, start forming the gnocchi: using a teaspoon, scoop up a small amount of the dough, then use your fingers (or another small spoon) to shape each small, round gnocco. If using spoons, you can use the shape of the spoons themselves to form small quenelles, or you can make them smaller and ball-shaped. If you wish, you can also use the tines of a fork to press the traditional gnocchi grooves into each ball, but that is optional.
When the water is boiling, gently drop the gnocchi in at the same time. When they start to float (after just a few minutes, but timing will depend on the size of your gnocchi), they are done -- remove them with a slotted spoon.
About 16 gnocchi should be enough to serve 4 people as a "primo" (pasta course that will be followed by a main dish) or 24 if it's the main dish itself.
For the sauce:
While the gnocchi are cooking, gently brown the butter in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Be careful not to burn it, as there is a fine line between "browned" butter and burnt butter! Add the sage leaves – whole if small enough, or coarsely chopped if large – and stir to coat well and flavor the butter, about 1 minute.
Serve each dish topped with browned butter and sage and a sprinkle of freshly grated pecorino, if desired. A dry white wine would pair well with this meal.
CRANBERRY TART WITH NUT CRUST
This is from The Kitchn, one of my favorite email newsletters. Serves 6. Makes one 9-inch tart.
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
For the pie:
4 cups (16 ounces) fresh (or defrosted) whole cranberries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup golden syrup
Zest of 1/2 unwaxed lemon
For the crust:
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup nut flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
1 to 3 tablespoons cold water
Directions
In a medium sauce pan, combine the sugar and golden syrup over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is bubbling. Add the cranberries and lemon zest and turn over several times to coat evenly with the sugar mixture. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
Prepare the dough: If using a food processor, combine the dry ingredients in the processor bowl and pulse to combine. Drop in the butter pieces and pulse several times until the consistency of oatmeal. If preparing by hand, combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter pieces and cut in with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture is the consistency of oatmeal.
Continue preparing the dough by adding the water one tablespoon at a time until the dough just barely comes together in a ball. Turn the dough out onto the counter and gather up and shape into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Unwrap the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out to a rough 9-inch circle. Carefully transfer to a 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and then form a lip around the edge by turning the pan while gently pinching the lip between your left thumb on the outside and right thumb and forefinger on the inside. Chill the prepared pan for 10-15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
When ready to bake, remove the prepared pan from the refrigerator and prick the bottom a few times with the tines of a fork. Line the bottom of the tart shell with pie weights or a layer of parchment paper and uncooked beans. Bake for 10 minutes or until crust begins to show some drying and browning.
Remove the tart shell from the oven and pour the cool cranberry mixture into the shell, spreading it out from the middle so as not to drip on the lip of the crust. Drizzle any remaining sugar mixture from the pan throughout the shell, again avoiding the lip of the tart.
Bake for another 30 minutes, or until crust deepens in color and the filling is bubbling. Cool on a wire rack. Carefully remove the outer ring, and serve while still warm, or at room temperature. Top with a scoop of ice cream, or a dollop of cream.
PUMPKIN PARFAITS WITH OAT CRUNCH
This comes from the October 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 69. It begins, "This recipe makes 1 cup of Oat Crunch, which is more than you'll need for the parfaits. Save the rest to serve with yogurt, fresh berries, or sorbet." Serves 2.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Oat Crunch
1/2 cup puffed rice cereal
1/4 cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant), such as Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
2 Tbs. raw pumpkin seeds
2 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Pumpkin Mousse
3 Tbs. gluten-free tofu cream cheese, such as Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet Cream Cheese Alternative
1/2 cup sweetened pumpkin pie filling
6 oz. vanilla soy yogurt
Ingredients
To make Oat Crunch:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Combine puffed rice, oats, and pumpkin seeds in small bowl. Add maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and pinch of salt; stir well. Transfer ingredients to prepared baking sheet; spread into thin layer. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until light brown. Remove from oven; let cool. Break up Oat Crunch with fingers, and set aside.
To make Pumpkin Mousse:
Whisk tofu cream cheese in bowl until fluffy. Add pumpkin pie filling, and whisk until smooth. Chill.
Spoon 2 Tbs. yogurt into serving glasses. Top with one-quarter Pumpkin Mousse. Sprinkle 1 Tbs. Oat Crunch over each parfait. Repeat process with yogurt, Pumpkin Mousse, and Oat Crunch.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 227; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 261 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 25 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
CRANBERRY PIE
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking, which is for sale on Amazon.com. (To buy a copy of it for your Kindle or tablet, click here.) My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
Note: This pie can be made with either one crust (bottom photo) or two crusts (top photo), though when Dad sent the recipe, it was with one crust.
Ingredients
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Directions
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
COUNTRY PUMPKIN CHOWDER
This comes from the October 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Pumpkins are loaded with beta-carotene, the antioxidant that imparts a bright orange color. Current research suggests that a diet rich in beta-carotene offers protection against heart disease and certain types of cancer." Serves 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 6-oz. pkg. soy “chicken” strips, cut into 1-inch lengths
2 cups cubed baby Dutch yellow potatoes
1/3 cup dry sherry
3 cups vegetarian “chicken”-flavored stock, hot
1 14.5-oz. can Mexican stewed tomatoes, chopped or pulsed in blender
1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbs. nutritional yeast
1 Tbs. tamari
Hot pepper sauce to taste
Directions
Heat the oil and crushed red pepper in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add garlic, onion and bell pepper, sauté for 2 minutes and add the soy “chicken” strips. Cook for 2 minutes, and add the potatoes. Cook mixture for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the sherry, stir for 30 seconds, and add the stock and tomatoes.
Reduce the heat to medium, and spoon in the pumpkin, stirring to mix thoroughly. Add the cilantro, yeast, tamari and hot pepper sauce to taste. Reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 minutes, or until ready to serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 177; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 732 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 13 g; Vegan
HARVEST CORN CUSTARDS
This decadent dessert is sure to be a hit. It comes from the October 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36, and begins, "Layers of colorful custard and snowy whipped cream mimic the look of candy corn in this dessert." Serves 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
2 cups low-fat milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. honey
Orange or red and yellow food coloring, such as Wilton or Seelect
1 oz. chopped semisweet chocolate or 3 Tbs. chocolate chips
1 cup whipping cream
Ground nutmeg, for sprinkling
Directions
Whisk together eggs and sugar in heat-proof bowl until smooth and light-colored. Whisk in flour and salt.
Bring milk to a boil in saucepan. Whisk 1/4 cup boiling milk into egg mixture. Whisk in 1/2 cup milk, then gradually whisk in remaining milk. Return mixture to saucepan, and cook 2 minutes over medium heat, or until thickened, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat, and whisk in vanilla.
Scoop 1 cup custard into bowl, and whisk in honey. Add food coloring to achieve bright-orange color.
Transfer remaining custard to separate bowl, and whisk in chocolate until melted. Cover both custards with plastic wrap pressed directly onto surface to prevent skin from forming. Cool.
Once cooled, whisk both custards until smooth.
Beat whipping cream with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Whisk 1/2 cup whipped cream into chocolate custard.
Spoon 21/2 Tbs. honey custard into 6 small glasses, pressing down to remove any air pockets. Layer 1/4 cup chocolate custard atop honey custard in each glass, and smooth with spoon. Top each serving with 3 Tbs. whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg.
nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 304; Protein: 7 g;Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: 121 mg; Sodium: 124 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g;Sugar: 21 g
PUMPKIN GNOCCHI WITH BROWNED BUTTER AND SAGE
(GNOCCHI DI ZUCCA)
This comes from Danette St. Onge, who writes for The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “A tempting, toothsome fall dish, these homemade gnocchi can be made with either butternut squash or pumpkin (or any other rich, sweet winter squash). They are classically served with a very simple sauce of browned butter and sage (burro e salvia), but really you can serve them with any sauce you'd like -- simpler ones will work better, as the gnocchi themselves are so flavorful.” Yields 4 to 6 servings.
Unfortunately, the link I had for this recipe no longer works. Hopefully, I'll be able to run across it...
Ingredients
For the Gnocchi:
1 1/2pounds raw butternut squash or pumpkin
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
For The Butter and Sage Sauce:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4-6 small fresh sage leaves, washed and dried
Freshly grated pecorino (optional)
Directions
For the gnocchi:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the squash into large chunks (about 3 to 4 inches in size), retaining the rind, and scoop away the seeds and strings with a spoon. Place the squash pieces on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake (still in the rind) until tender enough to be pierced with the tines of a fork, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the rind, into a fine-mesh strainer placed over a large bowl. Set aside until the squash has cooled completely and is thoroughly drained of excess liquid.
Transfer the squash to a large mixing bowl and mash with a wooden spoon or potato masher. If there are still large chunks, you can use a handheld immersion blender, blender, or food processor to quickly puree it until smooth. Add the eggs and salt and stir to combine. Then add the flour, a little bit at a time, stirring after each addition until evenly incorporated.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Meanwhile, start forming the gnocchi: using a teaspoon, scoop up a small amount of the dough, then use your fingers (or another small spoon) to shape each small, round gnocco. If using spoons, you can use the shape of the spoons themselves to form small quenelles, or you can make them smaller and ball-shaped. If you wish, you can also use the tines of a fork to press the traditional gnocchi grooves into each ball, but that is optional.
When the water is boiling, gently drop the gnocchi in at the same time. When they start to float (after just a few minutes, but timing will depend on the size of your gnocchi), they are done -- remove them with a slotted spoon.
About 16 gnocchi should be enough to serve 4 people as a "primo" (pasta course that will be followed by a main dish) or 24 if it's the main dish itself.
For the sauce:
While the gnocchi are cooking, gently brown the butter in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Be careful not to burn it, as there is a fine line between "browned" butter and burnt butter! Add the sage leaves – whole if small enough, or coarsely chopped if large – and stir to coat well and flavor the butter, about 1 minute.
Serve each dish topped with browned butter and sage and a sprinkle of freshly grated pecorino, if desired. A dry white wine would pair well with this meal.
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Almost Halloween
It's almost Halloween, which means a few more Halloween recipes, including Maple-Apple Pie and LIBBY'S® Pumpkin Roll. Enjoy!
PUMPKIN PANCAKES WITH HOT CIDER SYRUP
This is from a long-since-forgotten emailing list, though it's apparently a diabetic emailing list that I was on for a while.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup canned pumpkin, mashed
4 egg yolks
4 ounces melted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites, stiffly beaten
Directions
In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, coriander, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, combine milk, pumpkin, egg yolks, butter and vanilla extract. Pour combined liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Carefully fold in egg whites. Cook pancakes on a light oiled griddle.
Hot Cider Syrup
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup corn syrup
2 ounces butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Grated rind from 1 lemon
2 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
Directions
In a small saucepan, combine apple cider, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon rind. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Add apples. Heat for several minutes more. Serve over pancakes.
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Grain (Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1 Fruit; 5 1/2 Fat; 4 1/2 Other Carbohydrates
Per serving: 786 Calories (kcal); 29g Total Fat; (32% calories from fat); 11g Protein; 124g Carbohydrate; 212mg Cholesterol; 977mg Sodium
LIBBY'S® PUMPKIN ROLL
This is from Very Best Baking by Nestle, and begins, "Dazzle family and friends with Libby's® Pumpkin Roll; moist and creamy, with a tantalizing aroma and beautiful presentation." My take on this? Yum!
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Cookingi Time: 13 minutes; Skill Level: Intermediate; Makes 14 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32372/libbys-pumpkin-roll/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Cooking Tip:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.
SPICY PUMPKIN AND COLLARDS
This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
You can view this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/spicy-pumpkin-and-collards-recipe-2108870.
Ingredients
2 2-to-3-pound sugar pumpkins
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, diced
1 plum tomato, diced
1 Scotch bonnet chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1 pound frozen chopped collard greens, thawed
Kosher salt
1 cup evaporated milk
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
4 tablespoons breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkins and discard. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, tomato, chile pepper, thyme and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the scallions and collard greens, add 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and cook, stirring, until the greens are slightly tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and nutmeg and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, the cheddar cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and the mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Put the pumpkins in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and fill evenly with the collard greens mixture.
Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs with the parmesan. Sprinkle over the filling. Add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkins are tender, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until browned and bubbly on top, about 30 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then scrape the pumpkin flesh and serve with the collards.
APPLE-PUMPKIN BROWN BETTY
This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
You can view this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/apple-pumpkin-brown-betty-recipe-2108907.
Ingredients
1 2-to-3-pound sugar pumpkin
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup cubed bread (preferably from a baguette)
2 Gala apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
Maple syrup, for drizzling
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off and reserve the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 4 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the apples, brown sugar and raisins to the skillet and cook until the apples are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the rum, vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Return the bread to the skillet.
Put the pumpkin in a small baking dish and fill the pumpkin with the apple mixture. Cover with the pumpkin top and add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkin is tender, 2 hours to 2 hours, 30 minutes. Remove the foil and pumpkin top and return the stuffed pumpkin to the oven. Bake until the filling is lightly browned, about 10 more minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle with maple syrup. To serve, scrape the pumpkin flesh and stir into the apple mixture.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Get ready to meet your new favorite fall cookie! Pumpkin and chocolate chips make a powerful pair in these cakey treats with rich pumpkin pie spice flavor and loads of semi-sweet morsels. The cookies don't spread much in the oven, so flattening the dough is key."
Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: About 4 dozen cookies; Level: Easy
View this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-8899244.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
One 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
Add the butter and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla and beat until combined.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto each prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound into a 2 1/2-inch round with slightly wet hands. The cookies will not spread much during baking.
Bake until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
When the baking sheets have cooled completely, repeat with the remaining dough to bake more cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
MAPLE-APPLE PIE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Experience a whole new apple pie taste! Just a touch of syrup adds the sweet familiar taste of maple for a flavorful new twist on a classic dessert.”
Ingredients
Double-Crust Pastry (See Below)
6 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples, (5 medium)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
6 tablespoons maple-flavored syrup
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Make Double Crust Pastry.
Mix apples and brown sugar. Turn into pastry-lined pie plate. Drizzle with butter and 3 tablespoons of the syrup. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Cover with top pastry that has slits cut in it; trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold and roll top edge under lower edge, pressing on rim to seal; flute as desired.
Bake 15 minutes. Make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart through top crust. Pour remaining syrup over top. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Bake about 25 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Cool.
Double-Crust Pastry
Ingredients
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
Directions
Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
Roll one round on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
PUMPKIN PANCAKES WITH HOT CIDER SYRUP
This is from a long-since-forgotten emailing list, though it's apparently a diabetic emailing list that I was on for a while.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup canned pumpkin, mashed
4 egg yolks
4 ounces melted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites, stiffly beaten
Directions
In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, coriander, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, combine milk, pumpkin, egg yolks, butter and vanilla extract. Pour combined liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Carefully fold in egg whites. Cook pancakes on a light oiled griddle.
Hot Cider Syrup
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup corn syrup
2 ounces butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Grated rind from 1 lemon
2 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
Directions
In a small saucepan, combine apple cider, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon rind. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Add apples. Heat for several minutes more. Serve over pancakes.
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Grain (Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1 Fruit; 5 1/2 Fat; 4 1/2 Other Carbohydrates
Per serving: 786 Calories (kcal); 29g Total Fat; (32% calories from fat); 11g Protein; 124g Carbohydrate; 212mg Cholesterol; 977mg Sodium
LIBBY'S® PUMPKIN ROLL
This is from Very Best Baking by Nestle, and begins, "Dazzle family and friends with Libby's® Pumpkin Roll; moist and creamy, with a tantalizing aroma and beautiful presentation." My take on this? Yum!
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Cookingi Time: 13 minutes; Skill Level: Intermediate; Makes 14 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32372/libbys-pumpkin-roll/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Cooking Tip:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.
SPICY PUMPKIN AND COLLARDS
This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
You can view this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/spicy-pumpkin-and-collards-recipe-2108870.
Ingredients
2 2-to-3-pound sugar pumpkins
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, diced
1 plum tomato, diced
1 Scotch bonnet chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1 pound frozen chopped collard greens, thawed
Kosher salt
1 cup evaporated milk
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
4 tablespoons breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkins and discard. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, tomato, chile pepper, thyme and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the scallions and collard greens, add 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and cook, stirring, until the greens are slightly tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and nutmeg and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, the cheddar cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and the mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Put the pumpkins in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and fill evenly with the collard greens mixture.
Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs with the parmesan. Sprinkle over the filling. Add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkins are tender, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until browned and bubbly on top, about 30 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then scrape the pumpkin flesh and serve with the collards.
APPLE-PUMPKIN BROWN BETTY
This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
You can view this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/apple-pumpkin-brown-betty-recipe-2108907.
Ingredients
1 2-to-3-pound sugar pumpkin
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup cubed bread (preferably from a baguette)
2 Gala apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
Maple syrup, for drizzling
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off and reserve the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 4 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the apples, brown sugar and raisins to the skillet and cook until the apples are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the rum, vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Return the bread to the skillet.
Put the pumpkin in a small baking dish and fill the pumpkin with the apple mixture. Cover with the pumpkin top and add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkin is tender, 2 hours to 2 hours, 30 minutes. Remove the foil and pumpkin top and return the stuffed pumpkin to the oven. Bake until the filling is lightly browned, about 10 more minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and drizzle with maple syrup. To serve, scrape the pumpkin flesh and stir into the apple mixture.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Get ready to meet your new favorite fall cookie! Pumpkin and chocolate chips make a powerful pair in these cakey treats with rich pumpkin pie spice flavor and loads of semi-sweet morsels. The cookies don't spread much in the oven, so flattening the dough is key."
Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Yield: About 4 dozen cookies; Level: Easy
View this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-8899244.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
One 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
Add the butter and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla and beat until combined.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto each prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound into a 2 1/2-inch round with slightly wet hands. The cookies will not spread much during baking.
Bake until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
When the baking sheets have cooled completely, repeat with the remaining dough to bake more cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
MAPLE-APPLE PIE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Experience a whole new apple pie taste! Just a touch of syrup adds the sweet familiar taste of maple for a flavorful new twist on a classic dessert.”
Ingredients
Double-Crust Pastry (See Below)
6 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples, (5 medium)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
6 tablespoons maple-flavored syrup
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Make Double Crust Pastry.
Mix apples and brown sugar. Turn into pastry-lined pie plate. Drizzle with butter and 3 tablespoons of the syrup. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Cover with top pastry that has slits cut in it; trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold and roll top edge under lower edge, pressing on rim to seal; flute as desired.
Bake 15 minutes. Make diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart through top crust. Pour remaining syrup over top. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Bake about 25 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Cool.
Double-Crust Pastry
Ingredients
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening
4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
Directions
Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
Roll one round on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
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