Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Best Black Bean Soup and Vegan Lasagna. Enjoy!
VEGAN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
This was in the June 2016 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 10), and begins, “These ice cream sandwiches are the perfect treat to satisfy your (and your kiddos’) warm-weather sweet tooth - and they’re bound to make you love summer as much as you did as a child.” Unfortunately, there was no link on the website going directly to this recipe.
Ingredients
Ice Cream
3 ripe bananas
1 Tbs. non-dairy milk
2 tsp. maple syrup, optional
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Cookies
1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter, smooth or chunky
1/2 cup cooked white beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup gluten-free old-fashioned oats
2 Tbs. unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup non-dairy chocolate chips, optional, plus more for rolling, optional
Directions
To make Ice Cream: Line 4-by-6-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing paper to hang over sides.
Bland all ingredients in high-speed blender until smooth. Spread in prepared dish, and freeze 2 hours, or until set.
To make Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Blend all ingredients (except chocolate chips) in food processor until dough forms. Fold in chocolate chips, if using.
Roll dough into twelve 1-Tbs. balls, and place on prepared baking sheets. Flatten down into 2-inch circles.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until light brown along edges. Cool on baking sheet. Transfer to freezer until ready to assemble.
Unmold Ice Cream, and cut into 6 disks using 2-inch round cutter. Place each disk between 2 cooks. Roll edges in chocolate chips, if desired. Freeze until fully set.
HONEY BEE AMBROSIA
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Ingredients
4 medium oranges
1 medium banana
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup flaked coconut
Directions
Pare oranges. Cut crosswise into thin slices. Place in serving bowl. Peel bananas. Cut thin slices. Place in the bowl with oranges. Toss fruits. Blend orange juice, honey & lemon juice. Pour over fruits. Sprinkle with coconut.
VEGAN LASAGNA
This comes from Lena Abraham on Delish, and begins, “A lasagna you can feel good about.”
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 10-12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles
1 (14-oz) package firm tofu, drained
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1 (8-oz) package baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 (10-oz) packages frozen spinach, thawed and drained of excess liquid
For the White Sauce
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 c. almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 c. marinara
3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 c. thinly sliced basil, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain.
Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen cloth or paper towels and place on a large plate. Place a pan or heavy plate on top of tofu in order to press out as much liquid as possible. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. When drained, crumble with two forks and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp oregano. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in thawed and drained spinach until completely combined. Remove from heat and set aside vegetables.
Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat to make white sauce: Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add flour and whisk to combine. Cook until lightly golden and nutty, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in nut milk until smooth. Stir in nutritional yeast and garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Build lasagna: In a large baking dish, spoon 1/4 c marinara into an even layer, then add a layer of noodles. Top with an even layer of vegetable mixture, tofu, marinara, and white sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending in marinara. Add a single layer of tomato rounds and season with salt, pepper and remaining oregano.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until tomatoes are cooked and lasagna is heated through. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with basil and serve.
BEST BLACK BEAN SOUP
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This American classic can be a perfect dish: big-tasting, filling, nutritious, easy and very possibly vegetarian. With their rich natural broth, turtle beans do not need bacon, ham or any meat ingredient to make a satisfying soup. Black bean soup recipes have a tendency to turn out sludgy or bland, but the trick here is to season generously, and purée sparingly. The beans should be swimming in liquid, not sitting in sludge: The more beans are puréed, the more starch is released into the soup. For flavor, this recipe deploys marinated chipotle chiles, but a tablespoon each of ground cumin and ground coriander make a good heat-free substitute. (A note: Since there is acid from the wine here, if your tap water is hard there might be a reaction that will prevent the beans from softening. To be safe, add the wine later, along with the stock. And if there is any question about the hardness of your water, use distilled.)”
Yield: 10 servings; Time: About 2 hours
This was featured in “Rediscovering Black Bean Soup”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018592-best-black-bean-soup.
Ingredients
For the Soup
1 small (7-ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo (see note)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 onions, peeled and chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup red wine
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped
1 pound dry black beans (do not soak)
2 quarts mild vegetable or chicken stock
1 tablespoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Red wine vinegar, to taste
For the Pickled Onions and Garnishes (Optional):
1 small red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
Freshly squeezed juice of 2 limes
Salt
Sour cream or Mexican crema
Whole cilantro leaves
Thinly sliced fresh chiles
Sliced avocado
Preparation:
Empty the can of chiles into a blender or food processor. Purée until smooth, scrape into a container, and set aside. Put on a teakettle of water to boil, and keep hot.
In a large, heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add carrots, onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes.
Pour in wine and let simmer until pan is almost dry and vegetables are coated. Add jalapeños and cook, stirring, just until softened, 2 minutes. Push the vegetables out to the edges of the pot and dollop 2 teaspoons of chipotle purée in the center. Let fry for a minute and then stir together with the vegetables.
Add beans, stock, oregano and bay leaves. Stir, bring to a boil, and let boil 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, partly covered, stirring occasionally and adding hot water as needed to keep the soup liquid and runny, not sludgy. Continue cooking until beans are just softened and fragrant, 1 to 2 hours. Add salt and pepper and keep cooking until beans are soft.
Meanwhile, make the pickled onions, if using: In a bowl, combine sliced onions, lime juice and a sprinkling of salt. Let soften at room temperature until crunchy and tart, about 30 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Squeeze dry in paper towels and refrigerate until ready to serve. If desired, chop coarsely before serving.
Adjust the texture of the soup: The goal is to combine whole beans, soft chunks and a velvety broth. Some beans release enough starch while cooking to produce a thick broth without puréeing. If soup seems thin, use an immersion blender or blender to purée a small amount of the beans until smooth, then stir back in. Continue until desired texture is reached, keeping in mind that the soup will continue to thicken as it sits.
Heat the soup through, taste and adjust the seasonings with salt, pepper, drops of red wine vinegar and dabs of chipotle purée.
Serve in deep bowls, garnishing each serving with sour cream, pickled onions, cilantro leaves, sliced chiles and avocado as desired.
Tip
If chipotle chiles are unavailable, use 1 tablespoon each ground cumin and ground coriander. Add to vegetables at the same point in the recipe, in Step 3.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
4 medium Sweet potatoes or yams (about 2 lb)
1/4 cup Packed brown sugar
1/4 cup Butter
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 Can (8 oz) crushed pineapple
1 tablespoon Packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Butter
1 teaspoon Water
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups Miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup Chopped pecans
Directions
Wash sweet potatoes. Prick each 2 or 3 times with fork to allow steam to escape. Arrange in oven at least 1 inch apart. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until fork-tender, 8 to 10 mins. Cover & let stand 5 minutes.
Peel and slice potatoes. Place in 2-quart casserole. Add 1/4 cup butter and the salt. Mash until no lumps remain. Mix in pineapple. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 2 minutes. Stir and set aside.
Place 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, the water, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until butter is melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after half the time. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Top sweet potato mixture with marshmallows. Microwave at HIGH (100 % until the marshmallows are melted and potatoes are heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with pecans.
Enjoy!
ROASTED SQUASH AND APPLE CHOWDER WITH COLORFUL POTATOES
This is from the October 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 76. It starts off, “Puréed roasted butternut squash provides the creamy base for a hearty chowder. If making the chowder ahead, prepare the recipe through step 3, then assemble and reheat just before serving.” Serves 8.
Ingredients
2 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks (6 cups), divided
3 medium apples, peeled and diced (3 cups), divided
2 large leeks, white parts cut into 1-inch chunks (1 cup), plus 1/2 cup thinly sliced leek greens, divided
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1 lb. multicolored potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1/2 cup apple juice
1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine 5 cups butternut squash chunks, 2 cups diced apple, leek whites, oil, and maple syrup in large bowl, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread squash mixture in single layer on prepared baking sheet, and roast 30 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Cook potato chunks and remaining 1 cup butternut squash in boiling, salted water 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
Purée roasted vegetables in blender until smooth. Add purée and apple juice to large soup pot with 4 cups water. Whisk in vinegar, and heat over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add boiled potatoes and squash, remaining 1 cup diced apple, and leek greens, and simmer 5 minutes, or until hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/4-cup serving: Calories: 162; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 12 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Taco Tuesday
If you love tacos as much as I do, you don't mind that it's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's vegetarian tacos include Spaghetti Squash & Black Bean Tacos and Snappy Tacos. Enjoy!
CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH SPICY SRIRACHA BLACK BEANS
This is from Katie Lee Biegel on the Food Network.
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cauliflower:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small head cauliflower, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup salsa
Black Beans:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
One 15-ounce can black beans (do not drain)
1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha hot sauce
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Tacos:
Warm flour tortillas, for serving
Guacamole, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, shredded cabbage or bagged coleslaw mix and sour cream, for topping
Directions
For the cauliflower: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chili powder, garlic salt and oregano. Cook another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the salsa and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the liquid has been mostly absorbed by the cauliflower, about 5 minutes.
For the black beans: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender and translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the black beans with their liquid and the sriracha. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to gently mash the beans, leaving some texture.
For the tacos: Build the tacos with the tortillas, black beans, cauliflower and desired toppings.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH & BLACK BEAN TACOS
This comes from Kelly, whose site, Mountain Mama Cooks is really pretty awesome. I highly recommend checking it out!
This recipe begins, “Crispy blue corn shells filled with black beans, savory spaghetti squash, cotija cheese and plenty of hot sauce. Vegetarian tacos never looked so good.”
To view this online on Kelly’s site, go to https://mountainmamacooks.com/spaghetti-squash-black-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
1– 2 lb spaghetti squash (if you go bigger, increase spices accordingly)
2 tablespoons melted butter
juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 14oz can black beans, thoroughly rinsed
8–10 crispy blue corn tortillas
crumbled cojita cheese
cilantro
hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, throw about 1 teaspoon olive oil on each half and roast both halves face down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the squash halves in the pre-heated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, 45-60 minutes. (Alternately, you can microwave the squash if you’re short on time.)
Meanwhile, combine melted butter, lime juice, chili powder, salt, cumin and garlic powder in a small bowl.
When spaghetti squash is done remove from oven and let cool a few minutes until you can handle it easily. Working over a large bowl, gently scrape out the flesh with a fork. Add butter mixture to the squash and toss well to combine.
In the bottom of each corn tortilla, spread out a small handful (about 2 tablespoons) of black beans. Top with some spaghetti squash (about 1/4 cup). Top again with crumbled cojita cheese.
Line the tacos in a 9×13 baking dish or similar and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
To serve, top with fresh cilantro and hot sauce if desired.
TEMPEH TACOS
I originally saw this on Oh My Veggies on the Vegetarian Tacos part of the site. You can read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-tempeh-tacos-from-betty-goes-vegan/.
This recipe begins, “Spicy tacos made with crumbled tempeh from Betty Goes Vegan by Anne & Dan Shannon.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 6-8 tacos
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. Mexican-spiced diced tomatoes (I used the tomatoes with green chilies)
1 fresh jalapeño, diced
2 – 4 tsp. chili powder (2 was plenty for us!)
3 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. lime juice
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. minced chipotle pepper
1/4 c. Bragg's liquid aminos (coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce work too)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp. water
salt + pepper to taste
olive oil mister or cooking spray
dash of liquid smoke (I omitted this)
6-8 hard taco shells
vegan cheese, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Crumble your tempeh into a large mixing bowl. Then, using a large spoon, mix in the garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chipotle pepper, and Bragg's. Once your tempeh is completely mixed into the spices, mix in the onion and pepper. Then drizzle the water 1 tablespoon at a time into your mix while stirring your ingredients continuously. Taste a little bit of your tempeh and add salt and pepper to taste.
Spray your favorite cast-iron skillet or frying pan with a heavy coating of olive oil cooking spray, and then heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, toss in the tempeh mixture and liquid smoke. Flip your tempeh-vegetable mixture a few times so that it browns evenly. You'll know it's ready when your vegetables are tender and your tempeh has crispy edges. It should take about 10 minutes.
While your tempeh is cooking, heat your taco shells slightly in the oven following the directions on the package.
Once your taco shells are warm, fill them with the tempeh and vegetable mixture. Top with vegan cheese and set aside so it can melt slightly.
Serve with guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, lime wedges and anything else you like on your tacos!
MUSHROOM, CORN AND POBLANO SOFT TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAM
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found here.
From Garnish with Lemon. View this online at http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/mushroom-corn-and-poblano-soft-tacos-with-avocado-cream/ Yields 5.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 (8-ounce) package mushrooms, sliced
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large poblano pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided
1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, depending on your preference)
Kosher salt
10 taco-sized corn or flour tortillas
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1/2 cup sour cream
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Stir in onions, oregano, garlic, chili powder, cumin and poblano pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and beans to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and stir in salsa, 1 tablespoon lime juice and hot sauce. Season to taste with salt.
Place avocado, sour cream and remaining lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. If avocado cream is too thick, add additional lime juice to reach desired consistency. Season to taste with salt.
Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon mushroom mixture into tortillas, garnish with avocado cream and chopped cilantro. Serve.
TASTY BLACK BEANS AND CORN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Filled with beans and vegetables, these healthful tacos will be a kid’s favorite." Makes 12 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
Black Beans and Corn Filling
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium-sized zucchini, diced
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup mild enchilada sauce
Tortillas
12 6- to 8-inch corn or flour tortillas
Toppings, Optional
Note: No toppings were listed, but I would suggest shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and/or sour cream. A diced avocado would be nice, too. Or if there's something else that you love to top your tacos with, go for it! Just one thing: Enjoy!
Instructions:
To make Black Beans and Corn Filling: Put all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until heated through.
To prepare Tortillas: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle on stove over medium-high heat. Lay tortillas in single layer on skillet or griddle for about 10 seconds. Turn and warm other side. Remove from heat, and wrap in a napkin or dishcloth until ready to assemble tacos.
To assemble, set a tortilla on a plate, and spoon on some filling. Top as desired, roll up and eat.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 100; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 1 g
SNAPPY TACOS
This is another good taco recipe from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, "Just two of these tacos provide nearly all the soy protein of the daily FDA recommendation of 25 grams." Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
4 tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
12-oz. pkg. soy crumbles, plain or taco-flavored
1/4 cup dark beer (see Note
1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup salsa, drained
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
8 taco shells
Garnishes: See my note under Toppings for the Tasty Black Beans & Corn Tacos, above.
Note: If you – like me – don't have dark beer (or any beer, for that matter), I suggest simply increasing the low-sodium vegetable broth to 3/4 cup
Instructions:
In large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup onion and 1/4 teaspoon garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat and mix in soy crumbles, beer and broth. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to plate and set aside. Wipe out skillet.
Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano and jalapeños, stirring until mixture is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add reserved crumbles, salsa and cilantro and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes.
Spoon 1/4 cup filling into each taco shell. Top with some or all garnishes and serve hot.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 302; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 633 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: g
CAULIFLOWER TACOS WITH SPICY SRIRACHA BLACK BEANS
This is from Katie Lee Biegel on the Food Network.
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cauliflower:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small head cauliflower, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup salsa
Black Beans:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
One 15-ounce can black beans (do not drain)
1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha hot sauce
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Tacos:
Warm flour tortillas, for serving
Guacamole, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, shredded cabbage or bagged coleslaw mix and sour cream, for topping
Directions
For the cauliflower: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chili powder, garlic salt and oregano. Cook another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the salsa and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the liquid has been mostly absorbed by the cauliflower, about 5 minutes.
For the black beans: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender and translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the black beans with their liquid and the sriracha. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to gently mash the beans, leaving some texture.
For the tacos: Build the tacos with the tortillas, black beans, cauliflower and desired toppings.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH & BLACK BEAN TACOS
This comes from Kelly, whose site, Mountain Mama Cooks is really pretty awesome. I highly recommend checking it out!
This recipe begins, “Crispy blue corn shells filled with black beans, savory spaghetti squash, cotija cheese and plenty of hot sauce. Vegetarian tacos never looked so good.”
To view this online on Kelly’s site, go to https://mountainmamacooks.com/spaghetti-squash-black-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
1– 2 lb spaghetti squash (if you go bigger, increase spices accordingly)
2 tablespoons melted butter
juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 14oz can black beans, thoroughly rinsed
8–10 crispy blue corn tortillas
crumbled cojita cheese
cilantro
hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, throw about 1 teaspoon olive oil on each half and roast both halves face down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the squash halves in the pre-heated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, 45-60 minutes. (Alternately, you can microwave the squash if you’re short on time.)
Meanwhile, combine melted butter, lime juice, chili powder, salt, cumin and garlic powder in a small bowl.
When spaghetti squash is done remove from oven and let cool a few minutes until you can handle it easily. Working over a large bowl, gently scrape out the flesh with a fork. Add butter mixture to the squash and toss well to combine.
In the bottom of each corn tortilla, spread out a small handful (about 2 tablespoons) of black beans. Top with some spaghetti squash (about 1/4 cup). Top again with crumbled cojita cheese.
Line the tacos in a 9×13 baking dish or similar and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
To serve, top with fresh cilantro and hot sauce if desired.
TEMPEH TACOS
I originally saw this on Oh My Veggies on the Vegetarian Tacos part of the site. You can read more at http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-tempeh-tacos-from-betty-goes-vegan/.
This recipe begins, “Spicy tacos made with crumbled tempeh from Betty Goes Vegan by Anne & Dan Shannon.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 6-8 tacos
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. Mexican-spiced diced tomatoes (I used the tomatoes with green chilies)
1 fresh jalapeño, diced
2 – 4 tsp. chili powder (2 was plenty for us!)
3 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. lime juice
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. minced chipotle pepper
1/4 c. Bragg's liquid aminos (coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce work too)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp. water
salt + pepper to taste
olive oil mister or cooking spray
dash of liquid smoke (I omitted this)
6-8 hard taco shells
vegan cheese, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Crumble your tempeh into a large mixing bowl. Then, using a large spoon, mix in the garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chipotle pepper, and Bragg's. Once your tempeh is completely mixed into the spices, mix in the onion and pepper. Then drizzle the water 1 tablespoon at a time into your mix while stirring your ingredients continuously. Taste a little bit of your tempeh and add salt and pepper to taste.
Spray your favorite cast-iron skillet or frying pan with a heavy coating of olive oil cooking spray, and then heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, toss in the tempeh mixture and liquid smoke. Flip your tempeh-vegetable mixture a few times so that it browns evenly. You'll know it's ready when your vegetables are tender and your tempeh has crispy edges. It should take about 10 minutes.
While your tempeh is cooking, heat your taco shells slightly in the oven following the directions on the package.
Once your taco shells are warm, fill them with the tempeh and vegetable mixture. Top with vegan cheese and set aside so it can melt slightly.
Serve with guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, lime wedges and anything else you like on your tacos!
MUSHROOM, CORN AND POBLANO SOFT TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAM
I originally found this at Oh My Veggies. The site has a mess of taco recipes from different places, which can be found here.
From Garnish with Lemon. View this online at http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/mushroom-corn-and-poblano-soft-tacos-with-avocado-cream/ Yields 5.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 (8-ounce) package mushrooms, sliced
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large poblano pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided
1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, depending on your preference)
Kosher salt
10 taco-sized corn or flour tortillas
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1/2 cup sour cream
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Stir in onions, oregano, garlic, chili powder, cumin and poblano pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and beans to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and stir in salsa, 1 tablespoon lime juice and hot sauce. Season to taste with salt.
Place avocado, sour cream and remaining lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. If avocado cream is too thick, add additional lime juice to reach desired consistency. Season to taste with salt.
Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon mushroom mixture into tortillas, garnish with avocado cream and chopped cilantro. Serve.
TASTY BLACK BEANS AND CORN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Filled with beans and vegetables, these healthful tacos will be a kid’s favorite." Makes 12 tacos.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
Black Beans and Corn Filling
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium-sized zucchini, diced
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup mild enchilada sauce
Tortillas
12 6- to 8-inch corn or flour tortillas
Toppings, Optional
Note: No toppings were listed, but I would suggest shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and/or sour cream. A diced avocado would be nice, too. Or if there's something else that you love to top your tacos with, go for it! Just one thing: Enjoy!
Instructions:
To make Black Beans and Corn Filling: Put all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until heated through.
To prepare Tortillas: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle on stove over medium-high heat. Lay tortillas in single layer on skillet or griddle for about 10 seconds. Turn and warm other side. Remove from heat, and wrap in a napkin or dishcloth until ready to assemble tacos.
To assemble, set a tortilla on a plate, and spoon on some filling. Top as desired, roll up and eat.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 100; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 170 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 1 g
SNAPPY TACOS
This is another good taco recipe from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, "Just two of these tacos provide nearly all the soy protein of the daily FDA recommendation of 25 grams." Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
4 tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
12-oz. pkg. soy crumbles, plain or taco-flavored
1/4 cup dark beer (see Note
1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 large jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup salsa, drained
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
8 taco shells
Garnishes: See my note under Toppings for the Tasty Black Beans & Corn Tacos, above.
Note: If you – like me – don't have dark beer (or any beer, for that matter), I suggest simply increasing the low-sodium vegetable broth to 3/4 cup
Instructions:
In large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup onion and 1/4 teaspoon garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat and mix in soy crumbles, beer and broth. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to plate and set aside. Wipe out skillet.
Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add remaining onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano and jalapeños, stirring until mixture is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add reserved crumbles, salsa and cilantro and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes.
Spoon 1/4 cup filling into each taco shell. Top with some or all garnishes and serve hot.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 302; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 633 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: g
Monday, May 15, 2023
Lasagna
As much as I've loved lasagna over the years, I hope no one minds that I'm starting the week off with one of my favorite foods. Today's yummy lasagna recipes include Spinach Lasagna, Roasted Vegetable Lasagna, and several more vegetarian lasagna recipes. Enjoy!
VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
I’d been making lasagna for years, using a favorite cookbook. One time, my oldest son took the same recipe, and replaced the meat with eggplant. His came out tasting better than when I made it.
I tried recreating the eggplant version, but it never quite came out the same. So, I ended up changing the recipe drastically, changing ingredients and amounts. The funny thing is that, while I use one or two packages of tofu crumbles instead of meat, it tastes enough like meat to fool several non-vegetarians. One person, after eating this, even looked at me aghast, asking, “What are you, some kind of vegetarian?” Never heard from him again.
Ingredients
Tomato sauce:
2 – 3 onions, chopped
3 – 5 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz. can tomatoes
2 – 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste
2 T oil
1 T oregano
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. dill
1 tsp. anise
1 or 2 – 10 oz. package tofu crumbles
Cheese layer:
2 C sour cream
2 C cottage cheese
2 eggs
4 C mozzarella, grated
2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 C Parmesan cheese
Directions
Brown onions & garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, simmer for 1 hour. While sauce is cooking, in a separate pot, cook 16 oz. lasagna noodles
Make cheese layer:
Mix ingredients together in large bowl.
Assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked lasagna noodles length-wise. Top with half the cheese mixture, then half the tomato sauce. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before cutting, as it tends to be a little runny when it first comes out of the oven. Serve with a salad and a loaf of hot Italian bread. Very yummy.
QUICK AND EASY LASAGNA
Okay, you've just gotten home from work or a day of running errands. You're hungry and want dinner as quick and easy as possible, but at the same time, something a little more filling than sandwiches. This lasagna fills the bill, as well as your family.
My youngest son came up with this a while back. He wanted lasagna, but without the long wait time that my full-fledged Vegetarian Lasagna takes, as well as without the onions. (He's not big into onions. But we all have our food preferences!) His version of lasagna if quick, fast, and very satisfying.
Ingredients
16 ounce box of lasagna noodles
Jarred Spaghetti Sauce (1 45-ounce jar or 2 23.5 ounce jars; see note)
12-ounce package of Veggie Ground Crumbles (see note)
8-ounce package of Shredded Cheese (see note)
Taco seasoning pack (optional)
15-ounce can Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce (optional)
Ingredients
Start a pot of water for the lasagna noodles. Once the water starts to boil, add the lasagna noodles and back the heat down just a little so that the water doesn't boil over. (If you drop it to medium heat, you've gone too far.) Cook according to the package instructions.
While the water starts to heat, take another large pot and add the jarred spaghetti sauce, veggie ground crumbles, and the taco seasonings (if adding) and sloppy joe sauce (if adding). Stir together, then start heating on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. If this starts bubbling, stir and back the heat down a little.
As soon as the noodles are done cooking, carefully drain through a colander and rinse the noodles in cool water.
To assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked noodles length-wise. You should have three layers across, and use 9 noodles (3 noodles high). Add half of the spaghetti sauce mixture over the noodles, spreading this fairly evenly. Top with half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the process with the remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, remove from oven, and let rest for a minute or two.
Dig in!
Note: With the spaghetti sauce, we tend to use either Prego Heart Smart Traditional or Ragu Traditional, whichever is on sale, but you can use whatever brand you like. Also, we usually put in the larger 45-ounce size sauce, but if you have two of the 23 – 24-ounce size jars (or they're on sale), use them.
With the veggie crumbles, we lean towards Boca's Veggie Ground Crumbles, but you can go with your favorite 12-ounce bag of frozen veggie ground crumbles.
With the shredded cheese, we tend to use shredded cheddar, but have used several other blends of shredded cheese. You can also shred a block of cheddar cheese, if that's your preference, but the bagged shredded cheese saves a little time.
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.
SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking newsletter. The recipe begins, "Equal parts indulgent and virtuous, this meatless lasagna from Mark Bittman will please everyone at the table. Serve it with a green salad on a weeknight, or alongside a platter of meatballs for Sunday dinner. And listen: We won't tell anyone if you use no-boil noodles or frozen spinach. It's all good either way."
Yield: 6 servings or more; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in "Bringing Back the Sunday Dinner", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9616-spinach-lasagna.
Note: I found the article that this was featured in interesting; it's well worth reading. Then put together the lasagna, and enjoy.
Ingredients
12 to 16 dried or fresh lasagna noodles
3 to 4 cups good tomato sauce
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cups cooked spinach, squeezed dry and chopped (about 1 1/2 pounds fresh)
1 1/2 cups ricotta
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated mozzarella
2 cups grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
If you're using dried pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. If you're using fresh pasta sheets, cut them into long wide noodles approximately 3 inches by 13 inches, or a size that will fit into your lasagna dish. Cook the noodles (6 at a time for dried noodles) until they are tender but still underdone (they will finish cooking as the lasagna bakes); fresh pasta will take only a minute. Drain and then lay the noodles flat on a towel so they won't stick.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a rectangular baking dish with the olive oil, add a large dollop of tomato sauce and spread it around. Put a layer of noodles (use four) in the dish, trimming any overhanging edges; top with a layer of tomato sauce, one-third of the spinach, and one-fourth of the ricotta (use your fingers to spread it evenly), the mozzarella and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Repeat the layers twice, and top with the remaining noodles, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan; the top should be covered with cheese; add more ricotta and Parmesan as needed. (The lasagna may be made ahead to this point, wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to a day or frozen. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.)
Bake until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes before serving, or cool completely, cover well, and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze.
ROASTED VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This is part of Vegetarian Times site, and is originally from Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten). Serves 10.
This can be viewed online at https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds eggplant, unpeeled, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
3/4 pound zucchini, unpeeled, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
2/3 cup good olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
10 ounces lasagna noodles, such as De Cecco
16 ounces fresh whole-milk ricotta
8 ounces creamy garlic and herb goat cheese, at room temperature
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
4-1/2 cups good bottled marinara sauce, such as Rao’s (40 ounces)
1 pound lightly salted fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Arrange the eggplant and zucchini in single layers on 3 sheet pans lined with parchment paper. Brush them generously with the olive oil on both sides, using all of the oil. Sprinkle with the oregano (I crush it in my hands), 1 tablespoon salt, and 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper. Roast for 25 minutes, sprinkle the garlic evenly on the vegetables, and roast for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through. Remove from the oven and lower the temperature to 350 degrees.
Meanwhile, fill a very large bowl with the hottest tap water and add enough boiling water to bring the temperature to 140 degrees. One at a time, place the noodles in the water and soak them for 15 -minutes, swirling occasionally so they don’t stick together. Drain and slide the noodles around again.
Combine the ricotta, goat cheese, eggs, basil, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed.
Spread 1 cup of the marinara in a 9 × 13 × 2-inch baking dish. Arrange a third of the vegetables on top, then a layer of the noodles (cut to fit), a third of the mozzarella, and a third of the ricotta mixture in large dollops between the mozzarella. Repeat twice, starting with the marinara. Spread the last 1-1/2 cups of marinara on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Place the dish on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until the lasagna is browned and bubbly. Allow to rest for 10 minutes and serve hot.
TORTILLA LASAGNA
This is from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 48. It begins, "This easy, crowd-pleasing dish is also a kid favorite. Toasting the tortillas before building the lasagna keeps them from getting soggy as the dish bakes. Feel free to mix things up with different beans, cheeses, or vegetables between the layers." Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 8-inch fat-free flour tortillas
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 Tbs. chili powder
2 tsp. ancho chile powder
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 cups strained tomatoes, such as Pomì, divided
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium chayote, peeled and diced, or 2 medium zucchini, diced (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas on 2 baking sheets in oven 5 minutes, or until light brown, turning once.
Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Stir in chili powder, ancho chile powder, and garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Add 11/2 cups strained tomatoes, beans, chayote, corn, and 1/2 cup water, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and cook 10 minutes, or until chayote is tender.
Coat 2-inch-deep x 8-inch round baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/4 cup strained tomatoes in bottom of pan. Set 1 toasted tortilla in pan; top with 3/4 cup bean mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layering 4 more times. Top with last tortilla, and spread remaining 1/4 cup strained tomatoes over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and cheese has melted. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 8 wedges.
nutritional information Per Wedge: Calories: 226; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Cholesterol: 19 mg; Sodium: 506 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 4 g
VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
I’d been making lasagna for years, using a favorite cookbook. One time, my oldest son took the same recipe, and replaced the meat with eggplant. His came out tasting better than when I made it.
I tried recreating the eggplant version, but it never quite came out the same. So, I ended up changing the recipe drastically, changing ingredients and amounts. The funny thing is that, while I use one or two packages of tofu crumbles instead of meat, it tastes enough like meat to fool several non-vegetarians. One person, after eating this, even looked at me aghast, asking, “What are you, some kind of vegetarian?” Never heard from him again.
Ingredients
Tomato sauce:
2 – 3 onions, chopped
3 – 5 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz. can tomatoes
2 – 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste
2 T oil
1 T oregano
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. dill
1 tsp. anise
1 or 2 – 10 oz. package tofu crumbles
Cheese layer:
2 C sour cream
2 C cottage cheese
2 eggs
4 C mozzarella, grated
2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 C Parmesan cheese
Directions
Brown onions & garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, simmer for 1 hour. While sauce is cooking, in a separate pot, cook 16 oz. lasagna noodles
Make cheese layer:
Mix ingredients together in large bowl.
Assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked lasagna noodles length-wise. Top with half the cheese mixture, then half the tomato sauce. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before cutting, as it tends to be a little runny when it first comes out of the oven. Serve with a salad and a loaf of hot Italian bread. Very yummy.
QUICK AND EASY LASAGNA
Okay, you've just gotten home from work or a day of running errands. You're hungry and want dinner as quick and easy as possible, but at the same time, something a little more filling than sandwiches. This lasagna fills the bill, as well as your family.
My youngest son came up with this a while back. He wanted lasagna, but without the long wait time that my full-fledged Vegetarian Lasagna takes, as well as without the onions. (He's not big into onions. But we all have our food preferences!) His version of lasagna if quick, fast, and very satisfying.
Ingredients
16 ounce box of lasagna noodles
Jarred Spaghetti Sauce (1 45-ounce jar or 2 23.5 ounce jars; see note)
12-ounce package of Veggie Ground Crumbles (see note)
8-ounce package of Shredded Cheese (see note)
Taco seasoning pack (optional)
15-ounce can Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce (optional)
Ingredients
Start a pot of water for the lasagna noodles. Once the water starts to boil, add the lasagna noodles and back the heat down just a little so that the water doesn't boil over. (If you drop it to medium heat, you've gone too far.) Cook according to the package instructions.
While the water starts to heat, take another large pot and add the jarred spaghetti sauce, veggie ground crumbles, and the taco seasonings (if adding) and sloppy joe sauce (if adding). Stir together, then start heating on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. If this starts bubbling, stir and back the heat down a little.
As soon as the noodles are done cooking, carefully drain through a colander and rinse the noodles in cool water.
To assemble:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9” X 13” pan, place half the cooked noodles length-wise. You should have three layers across, and use 9 noodles (3 noodles high). Add half of the spaghetti sauce mixture over the noodles, spreading this fairly evenly. Top with half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the process with the remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, remove from oven, and let rest for a minute or two.
Dig in!
Note: With the spaghetti sauce, we tend to use either Prego Heart Smart Traditional or Ragu Traditional, whichever is on sale, but you can use whatever brand you like. Also, we usually put in the larger 45-ounce size sauce, but if you have two of the 23 – 24-ounce size jars (or they're on sale), use them.
With the veggie crumbles, we lean towards Boca's Veggie Ground Crumbles, but you can go with your favorite 12-ounce bag of frozen veggie ground crumbles.
With the shredded cheese, we tend to use shredded cheddar, but have used several other blends of shredded cheese. You can also shred a block of cheddar cheese, if that's your preference, but the bagged shredded cheese saves a little time.
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.
SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Mark Bittman in The New York Times cooking newsletter. The recipe begins, "Equal parts indulgent and virtuous, this meatless lasagna from Mark Bittman will please everyone at the table. Serve it with a green salad on a weeknight, or alongside a platter of meatballs for Sunday dinner. And listen: We won't tell anyone if you use no-boil noodles or frozen spinach. It's all good either way."
Yield: 6 servings or more; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in "Bringing Back the Sunday Dinner", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9616-spinach-lasagna.
Note: I found the article that this was featured in interesting; it's well worth reading. Then put together the lasagna, and enjoy.
Ingredients
12 to 16 dried or fresh lasagna noodles
3 to 4 cups good tomato sauce
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cups cooked spinach, squeezed dry and chopped (about 1 1/2 pounds fresh)
1 1/2 cups ricotta
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated mozzarella
2 cups grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
If you're using dried pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. If you're using fresh pasta sheets, cut them into long wide noodles approximately 3 inches by 13 inches, or a size that will fit into your lasagna dish. Cook the noodles (6 at a time for dried noodles) until they are tender but still underdone (they will finish cooking as the lasagna bakes); fresh pasta will take only a minute. Drain and then lay the noodles flat on a towel so they won't stick.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a rectangular baking dish with the olive oil, add a large dollop of tomato sauce and spread it around. Put a layer of noodles (use four) in the dish, trimming any overhanging edges; top with a layer of tomato sauce, one-third of the spinach, and one-fourth of the ricotta (use your fingers to spread it evenly), the mozzarella and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Repeat the layers twice, and top with the remaining noodles, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan; the top should be covered with cheese; add more ricotta and Parmesan as needed. (The lasagna may be made ahead to this point, wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to a day or frozen. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.)
Bake until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes before serving, or cool completely, cover well, and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze.
ROASTED VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This is part of Vegetarian Times site, and is originally from Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten). Serves 10.
This can be viewed online at https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds eggplant, unpeeled, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
3/4 pound zucchini, unpeeled, sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
2/3 cup good olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
10 ounces lasagna noodles, such as De Cecco
16 ounces fresh whole-milk ricotta
8 ounces creamy garlic and herb goat cheese, at room temperature
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
4-1/2 cups good bottled marinara sauce, such as Rao’s (40 ounces)
1 pound lightly salted fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Arrange the eggplant and zucchini in single layers on 3 sheet pans lined with parchment paper. Brush them generously with the olive oil on both sides, using all of the oil. Sprinkle with the oregano (I crush it in my hands), 1 tablespoon salt, and 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper. Roast for 25 minutes, sprinkle the garlic evenly on the vegetables, and roast for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through. Remove from the oven and lower the temperature to 350 degrees.
Meanwhile, fill a very large bowl with the hottest tap water and add enough boiling water to bring the temperature to 140 degrees. One at a time, place the noodles in the water and soak them for 15 -minutes, swirling occasionally so they don’t stick together. Drain and slide the noodles around again.
Combine the ricotta, goat cheese, eggs, basil, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed.
Spread 1 cup of the marinara in a 9 × 13 × 2-inch baking dish. Arrange a third of the vegetables on top, then a layer of the noodles (cut to fit), a third of the mozzarella, and a third of the ricotta mixture in large dollops between the mozzarella. Repeat twice, starting with the marinara. Spread the last 1-1/2 cups of marinara on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Place the dish on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until the lasagna is browned and bubbly. Allow to rest for 10 minutes and serve hot.
TORTILLA LASAGNA
This is from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 48. It begins, "This easy, crowd-pleasing dish is also a kid favorite. Toasting the tortillas before building the lasagna keeps them from getting soggy as the dish bakes. Feel free to mix things up with different beans, cheeses, or vegetables between the layers." Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 8-inch fat-free flour tortillas
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 Tbs. chili powder
2 tsp. ancho chile powder
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 cups strained tomatoes, such as Pomì, divided
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium chayote, peeled and diced, or 2 medium zucchini, diced (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas on 2 baking sheets in oven 5 minutes, or until light brown, turning once.
Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Stir in chili powder, ancho chile powder, and garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Add 11/2 cups strained tomatoes, beans, chayote, corn, and 1/2 cup water, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and cook 10 minutes, or until chayote is tender.
Coat 2-inch-deep x 8-inch round baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/4 cup strained tomatoes in bottom of pan. Set 1 toasted tortilla in pan; top with 3/4 cup bean mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layering 4 more times. Top with last tortilla, and spread remaining 1/4 cup strained tomatoes over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and cheese has melted. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 8 wedges.
nutritional information Per Wedge: Calories: 226; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Cholesterol: 19 mg; Sodium: 506 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 4 g
Friday, May 12, 2023
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Fettuccine with Asparagus and Katharine Hepburn's Brownies. Enjoy!
STUFFED SHELLS I
This is from SallyJun at AllRecipes. SallyJun wrote, "Jumbo macaroni shells stuffed with cheese mixture, covered with sauce, and baked."
Prep: 25 m; Cook: 25 m; Ready In: 50 m
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
4 cups large curd cottage cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 pinch garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook shells according to package directions. Place in cold water to stop cooking. Drain.
Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder. Rub the dried herbs in the palms of your hands to pulverize them, and stir into the cheese mixture. Stuff mixture into the shells.
Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan. Place shells open side up, and close together in pan. Spread remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
LEMON ICEBOX PIE III
This is from Heather Simpson on AllRecipes. The recipe begins, "A family favorite when a no-bake, fast pie is needed. (And family members too small to use the oven can make dessert!) Very pretty when garnished with whipped cream and mint leaves.”
This recipe makes 8 servings and can be found online here.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS
This comes from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Pierre wrote, “Finding a 30-minute dish that's elegant enough for a dinner party is no simple task, but this warm-weather pasta is one to fit the bill. It is gleefully easy to put together. Just toss slices of blanched asparagus with a tangle of cooked fettuccine slicked with butter. Shower with grated Parmesan and serve.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.
Not sure how to cook asparagus? Read ”How to Cook Asparagus”, David Tanis’s guide to cooking this wonderful vegetable. (David Tanis writes The New York Times’s City Kitchen column. Many of his recipes are posted in the Times’s cooking e-newsletter.)
To view Pierre Franey’s Fettuccine with Asparagus recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
6 fresh asparagus spears, about 1/2 pound
10 ounces fresh fettuccine or 3/4 pound dried fettuccine
2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Cut off tough ends of asparagus spears. Cut each on the bias into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups. Rinse well and drain.
Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook about 2 minutes. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Drop the fettuccine into salted boiling water. Let cook to desired degree of doneness (cooking time will range from about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for fresh pasta to 9 minutes or more for dried). Reserve 2 tablespoons cooking water. Drain the pasta.
Heat the butter in the pot in which the pasta was cooked. Add the asparagus pieces and the fettuccine. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of cooking water and basil. Toss to blend. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese on the side.
LASAGNA ROLL-UPS
This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “These tender lasagna rolls are filled with a ricotta-mushroom-pesto mixture, and baked in a special sauce made by combining Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce and Pace® Picante Sauce.”
Serves: 4 servings (2 roll-ups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 can (about 4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto sauce
8 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained
2 cups Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce or Tomato, Basil & Garlic Italian Sauce
3/4 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
Directions
Stir the ricotta, mushrooms and pesto in a medium bowl. Top each noodle with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Spread to the edges. Roll up like a jelly roll. Place the rolls seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
Stir the Italian sauce and picante sauce in a small bowl and pour the mixture over the roll-ups.
Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until they're hot and bubbling. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.
STUFFED SHELLS I
This is from SallyJun at AllRecipes. SallyJun wrote, "Jumbo macaroni shells stuffed with cheese mixture, covered with sauce, and baked."
Prep: 25 m; Cook: 25 m; Ready In: 50 m
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
4 cups large curd cottage cheese
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 pinch garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook shells according to package directions. Place in cold water to stop cooking. Drain.
Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder. Rub the dried herbs in the palms of your hands to pulverize them, and stir into the cheese mixture. Stuff mixture into the shells.
Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan. Place shells open side up, and close together in pan. Spread remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
LEMON ICEBOX PIE III
This is from Heather Simpson on AllRecipes. The recipe begins, "A family favorite when a no-bake, fast pie is needed. (And family members too small to use the oven can make dessert!) Very pretty when garnished with whipped cream and mint leaves.”
This recipe makes 8 servings and can be found online here.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS
This comes from Pierre Franey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Pierre wrote, “Finding a 30-minute dish that's elegant enough for a dinner party is no simple task, but this warm-weather pasta is one to fit the bill. It is gleefully easy to put together. Just toss slices of blanched asparagus with a tangle of cooked fettuccine slicked with butter. Shower with grated Parmesan and serve.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.
Not sure how to cook asparagus? Read ”How to Cook Asparagus”, David Tanis’s guide to cooking this wonderful vegetable. (David Tanis writes The New York Times’s City Kitchen column. Many of his recipes are posted in the Times’s cooking e-newsletter.)
To view Pierre Franey’s Fettuccine with Asparagus recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
6 fresh asparagus spears, about 1/2 pound
10 ounces fresh fettuccine or 3/4 pound dried fettuccine
2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Cut off tough ends of asparagus spears. Cut each on the bias into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups. Rinse well and drain.
Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook about 2 minutes. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Drop the fettuccine into salted boiling water. Let cook to desired degree of doneness (cooking time will range from about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for fresh pasta to 9 minutes or more for dried). Reserve 2 tablespoons cooking water. Drain the pasta.
Heat the butter in the pot in which the pasta was cooked. Add the asparagus pieces and the fettuccine. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of cooking water and basil. Toss to blend. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese on the side.
LASAGNA ROLL-UPS
This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “These tender lasagna rolls are filled with a ricotta-mushroom-pesto mixture, and baked in a special sauce made by combining Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce and Pace® Picante Sauce.”
Serves: 4 servings (2 roll-ups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 can (about 4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto sauce
8 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained
2 cups Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce or Tomato, Basil & Garlic Italian Sauce
3/4 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
Directions
Stir the ricotta, mushrooms and pesto in a medium bowl. Top each noodle with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Spread to the edges. Roll up like a jelly roll. Place the rolls seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
Stir the Italian sauce and picante sauce in a small bowl and pour the mixture over the roll-ups.
Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until they're hot and bubbling. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Wednesday (AKA Hump Day) Recipes
Guess what day it is? It's hump day (otherwise known as Wednesday). Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Veggie Chili Cornbread Casserole and Maque Choux. Enjoy!
CHERRY-COLA DUMP CAKE
This yumminess comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Super easy to prepare: Just mix devil's food cake mix with cola and pour over cherries. Bake for one hour and voila!"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 9
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 jar (16 oz) maraschino cherries with juice (without stems)
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ devil’s food cake mix
1 cup cola-flavored carbonated beverage
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Into ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, “dump” cherries with cherry juice.
In medium bowl, mix cake mix and carbonated beverage. “Dump” mixture over cherries.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool about 15 minutes before cutting and serving cake.
Expert Tips
Serve with whipped cream and additional cherries.
You could substitute cherry pie filling in place of the maraschino cherries and juice.
CAPELLINI WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL
This is from Ina Garten on her the Food Network show, Barefoot Contessa.
Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this inline, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/capellini-with-tomatoes-and-basil-recipe-1949902.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
1/2 cup good olive oil, plus extra for the pot
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
4 pints small cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
18 large basil leaves, julienned
2 tablespoons chopped fresh curly parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 pound dried capellini or angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Extra chopped basil and grated Parmesan, for serving
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt and a splash of oil to the pot.
Meanwhile, heat the 1/2 cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan. Add the garlic to the oil and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, 2 teaspoons salt, the pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften but don't break up.
While the tomatoes are cooking, add the capellini to the pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water.
Place the pasta in a large serving bowl, add the tomatoes and Parmesan and toss well. Add some of the pasta water if the pasta seems too dry. Serve large bowls of pasta with extra basil sprinkled on top and a big bowl of extra Parmesan on the side.
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.
LENTIL AND ORZO STEW WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT
This is from Yewande Komolafe at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yewande wrote, "For rich, golden cubes of roasted eggplant, a high-temperature oven is crucial. Here, lentils and pasta make for a hearty stew, and the coriander seeds introduce a robust, clean flavor. Use a mortar and pestle, a spice grinder or the base of a wine bottle to crush the seeds, opening them up before they’re tossed with the eggplant. Serve this stew warm or hot, topped with an aged, salty cheese like ricotta salata or feta, and a soft-poached egg if you like. The lemon zest and juice are essential and enhance the finish.'
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings
To view this, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019860-lentil-and-orzo-stew-with-roasted-eggplant.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds eggplant (2 small or 1 large, skin on, or peeled, if desired), chopped into 1-inch pieces
Ingredients
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, crushed
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup dried lentils (green, black or brown)
5 cups chicken or vegetable stock, or water
1/2 cup orzo or other small pasta, such as ditalini, stelline or macaroni
Zest and juice from 1 lemon, plus 4 lemon wedges for garnish
1/4 cup shaved ricotta salata or crumbled feta
Preparation
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and crushed coriander seeds until coated; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until eggplant is tender and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, giving the baking sheet a shake halfway through roasting to toss the eggplant pieces for even cooking.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the carrot, onion and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomato paste begins to darken on the bottom of the pan, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the lentils until coated. Pour in stock or water and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower to medium and simmer until lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the type and age of lentils you use.
Stir in the orzo and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the roasted eggplant pieces and large shavings of ricotta salata, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.
Ingredients
Chili:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon lime juice
Cornbread:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped
Garnish:
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.
Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.
Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.
SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO
This is from Katherine Gillen, a contributor to PureWow. She wrote, "There are nights when we want to pull out all the stops on a fancy mac and cheese, and there are nights when we’ll do almost anything to not make dinner. Spaghetti aglio e olio is for those nights. Our version of the traditional Neapolitan pasta dish takes just 20 minutes to make (and calls for only five ingredients).
"A few tips come dinnertime: One, you’ll want to use a good quality olive oil, since it’s one of the stars of this recipe. And two, cook the oil-garlic mixture in a large, high-sided skillet (or better yet, a Dutch oven) so you’re free to toss vigorously when you add the noodles. It’ll make achieving a glossy sauce *that much* easier."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.purewow.com/recipes/spaghetti-aglio-e-olio.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
12 ounces long strand pasta (such as spaghetti, bucatini or linguine)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more as needed
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley and flaky salt, to garnish (optional)
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with kosher salt. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package directions). Use a liquid measuring cup to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is sizzling and golden, about 3 minutes.
Using tongs, transfer the pasta from the water directly into the olive oil and garlic mixture. Add about 1/2 of the reserved pasta water, and cook, tossing vigorously, until the sauce lightly coats the pasta. (You can add more pasta water as needed.)
Divide the pasta among four bowls, and garnish with more pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, parsley and flaky salt, if using.
CHERRY-COLA DUMP CAKE
This yumminess comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Super easy to prepare: Just mix devil's food cake mix with cola and pour over cherries. Bake for one hour and voila!"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 9
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 jar (16 oz) maraschino cherries with juice (without stems)
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ devil’s food cake mix
1 cup cola-flavored carbonated beverage
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Into ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, “dump” cherries with cherry juice.
In medium bowl, mix cake mix and carbonated beverage. “Dump” mixture over cherries.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool about 15 minutes before cutting and serving cake.
Expert Tips
Serve with whipped cream and additional cherries.
You could substitute cherry pie filling in place of the maraschino cherries and juice.
CAPELLINI WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL
This is from Ina Garten on her the Food Network show, Barefoot Contessa.
Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this inline, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/capellini-with-tomatoes-and-basil-recipe-1949902.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
1/2 cup good olive oil, plus extra for the pot
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
4 pints small cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
18 large basil leaves, julienned
2 tablespoons chopped fresh curly parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 pound dried capellini or angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Extra chopped basil and grated Parmesan, for serving
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt and a splash of oil to the pot.
Meanwhile, heat the 1/2 cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan. Add the garlic to the oil and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, 2 teaspoons salt, the pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften but don't break up.
While the tomatoes are cooking, add the capellini to the pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water.
Place the pasta in a large serving bowl, add the tomatoes and Parmesan and toss well. Add some of the pasta water if the pasta seems too dry. Serve large bowls of pasta with extra basil sprinkled on top and a big bowl of extra Parmesan on the side.
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.
LENTIL AND ORZO STEW WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT
This is from Yewande Komolafe at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yewande wrote, "For rich, golden cubes of roasted eggplant, a high-temperature oven is crucial. Here, lentils and pasta make for a hearty stew, and the coriander seeds introduce a robust, clean flavor. Use a mortar and pestle, a spice grinder or the base of a wine bottle to crush the seeds, opening them up before they’re tossed with the eggplant. Serve this stew warm or hot, topped with an aged, salty cheese like ricotta salata or feta, and a soft-poached egg if you like. The lemon zest and juice are essential and enhance the finish.'
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings
To view this, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019860-lentil-and-orzo-stew-with-roasted-eggplant.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds eggplant (2 small or 1 large, skin on, or peeled, if desired), chopped into 1-inch pieces
Ingredients
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, crushed
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup dried lentils (green, black or brown)
5 cups chicken or vegetable stock, or water
1/2 cup orzo or other small pasta, such as ditalini, stelline or macaroni
Zest and juice from 1 lemon, plus 4 lemon wedges for garnish
1/4 cup shaved ricotta salata or crumbled feta
Preparation
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and crushed coriander seeds until coated; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until eggplant is tender and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, giving the baking sheet a shake halfway through roasting to toss the eggplant pieces for even cooking.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the carrot, onion and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomato paste begins to darken on the bottom of the pan, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the lentils until coated. Pour in stock or water and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower to medium and simmer until lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the type and age of lentils you use.
Stir in the orzo and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the roasted eggplant pieces and large shavings of ricotta salata, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.
Ingredients
Chili:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon lime juice
Cornbread:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped
Garnish:
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.
Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.
Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.
SPAGHETTI AGLIO E OLIO
This is from Katherine Gillen, a contributor to PureWow. She wrote, "There are nights when we want to pull out all the stops on a fancy mac and cheese, and there are nights when we’ll do almost anything to not make dinner. Spaghetti aglio e olio is for those nights. Our version of the traditional Neapolitan pasta dish takes just 20 minutes to make (and calls for only five ingredients).
"A few tips come dinnertime: One, you’ll want to use a good quality olive oil, since it’s one of the stars of this recipe. And two, cook the oil-garlic mixture in a large, high-sided skillet (or better yet, a Dutch oven) so you’re free to toss vigorously when you add the noodles. It’ll make achieving a glossy sauce *that much* easier."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.purewow.com/recipes/spaghetti-aglio-e-olio.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
12 ounces long strand pasta (such as spaghetti, bucatini or linguine)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more as needed
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley and flaky salt, to garnish (optional)
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with kosher salt. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package directions). Use a liquid measuring cup to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is sizzling and golden, about 3 minutes.
Using tongs, transfer the pasta from the water directly into the olive oil and garlic mixture. Add about 1/2 of the reserved pasta water, and cook, tossing vigorously, until the sauce lightly coats the pasta. (You can add more pasta water as needed.)
Divide the pasta among four bowls, and garnish with more pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, parsley and flaky salt, if using.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (since not everyone loves tacos). Today's offerings include Simple Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna and Meatless-Ball Subs. Enjoy!
BEST EVER NO FAT BANANA BREAD
This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 16; Preparation time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 egg substitutes
1/4 cup water or soymilk
1 2/3 cups flour of choice (I use whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
cinnamon to taste (I use several shakes worth)
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees & spray a 9 inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray. If using a standard loaf pan, increase heat to 350.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together first five ingredients until well incorporated.
In a medium bowl, mix the remaining ingredients.
Dump flour mixture into the wet and stir just until uniformly moist. DO NOT OVERMIX! Depending on the type of flour you use, you may need to add a little extra water or soymilk to reach the right consistency. The dough should be somewhere in between pancake batter and cookie dough.
Dump into prepared pan and give it a couple shakes to distribute the batter.
Place on the middle oven rack and bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes. (If using a standard loaf pan, increase baking time.) Check the bread at around 30 minutes. It is done when just starting to brown around the edges and still a little moist looking in the middle. Allow to cool ten minutes before cutting into squares or slices.
The recipe ends with, “Cover and hide the bread so no one else eats it!!”
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD
This yummy macaroni salad is from Christin Mahrlig on her very cool site, Spicy Southern Kitchen. If you’ve never heard of her site (or you have, but never checked it out), I suggest you check it out ASAP. Go ahead, I’ll wait…(Tap, tap, tap…).
Anyway, the recipe begins, “Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is so fabulously creamy and simple. This mayonnaise-based pasta salad makes a wonderful side for summer bbqs and picnics.”
Prep Time: 10 mins; Cook Time: 10 mins; Total Time: 20 mins; Servings: 10
To view this online, go to https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/hawaiian-macaroni-salad/.
Ingredients
16 ounces elbow pasta
1/4 cup grated onion
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon sugar
2 shredded carrots
salt and pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoons kosher salt. Cook pasta according to package directions.
Place onion in a large bowl. When pasta is done, drain it well and add it to the bowl. Add garlic powder and apple cider vinegar and stir. Let sit 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, and sugar.
Set aside about 1/2 a cup and add the rest to the macaroni along with carrots. Stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cover and refrigerate both the bowl of macaroni salad and the reserved 1/2 a cup of mayonnaise mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Stir in the reserved mayonnaise mixture just before serving.
Recipe Notes
Be sure not to overcook your pasta or it will have a mushy texture.
If you to dress it up some, add diced ham or chopped pineapple.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Vicki Shata Retelny, RDN, at VeryWellFit. She wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Servings: 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/vegetarian-spinach-lasagna-4144632.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
BROCCOLI CHOWDER
From Diabetic Gourmet. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each
Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)
1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)
1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3-1/2 cups vegetable broth (two 14-ounce cans)
8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)
1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Directions
Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.
Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BARS
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Ethereal and ready to melt in your mouth, chocolate mousse bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use a chocolate you would be perfectly happy to snack out of hand. The instant espresso powder is optional but adds depth to this simple dessert. To cut beautiful, neat slices, use a long sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean before each cut.”
Yield: 24 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus chilling.
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019316-no-bake-chocolate-mousse-bars.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
18 whole graham crackers (about 9 1/2 ounces)
8 tablespoons (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Filling:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 cups cold heavy cream, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Preparation
Make the crust: Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a food processor, or in a resealable plastic bag, crush the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs (but stop before you have dust). You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Tip the crumbs into the prepared pan and press them down into an even layer on the bottom. Transfer to the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Make the filling: Set the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream, espresso powder and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream until you have stiff peaks. Add the chocolate mixture and gently fold to combine. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust, and spread it out into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, cut the two edges without parchment free with a sharp knife then use the parchment overhang to transfer the bar to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
BEST EVER NO FAT BANANA BREAD
This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 16; Preparation time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 egg substitutes
1/4 cup water or soymilk
1 2/3 cups flour of choice (I use whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
cinnamon to taste (I use several shakes worth)
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees & spray a 9 inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray. If using a standard loaf pan, increase heat to 350.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together first five ingredients until well incorporated.
In a medium bowl, mix the remaining ingredients.
Dump flour mixture into the wet and stir just until uniformly moist. DO NOT OVERMIX! Depending on the type of flour you use, you may need to add a little extra water or soymilk to reach the right consistency. The dough should be somewhere in between pancake batter and cookie dough.
Dump into prepared pan and give it a couple shakes to distribute the batter.
Place on the middle oven rack and bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes. (If using a standard loaf pan, increase baking time.) Check the bread at around 30 minutes. It is done when just starting to brown around the edges and still a little moist looking in the middle. Allow to cool ten minutes before cutting into squares or slices.
The recipe ends with, “Cover and hide the bread so no one else eats it!!”
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
HAWAIIAN MACARONI SALAD
This yummy macaroni salad is from Christin Mahrlig on her very cool site, Spicy Southern Kitchen. If you’ve never heard of her site (or you have, but never checked it out), I suggest you check it out ASAP. Go ahead, I’ll wait…(Tap, tap, tap…).
Anyway, the recipe begins, “Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is so fabulously creamy and simple. This mayonnaise-based pasta salad makes a wonderful side for summer bbqs and picnics.”
Prep Time: 10 mins; Cook Time: 10 mins; Total Time: 20 mins; Servings: 10
To view this online, go to https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/hawaiian-macaroni-salad/.
Ingredients
16 ounces elbow pasta
1/4 cup grated onion
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon sugar
2 shredded carrots
salt and pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoons kosher salt. Cook pasta according to package directions.
Place onion in a large bowl. When pasta is done, drain it well and add it to the bowl. Add garlic powder and apple cider vinegar and stir. Let sit 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, and sugar.
Set aside about 1/2 a cup and add the rest to the macaroni along with carrots. Stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cover and refrigerate both the bowl of macaroni salad and the reserved 1/2 a cup of mayonnaise mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Stir in the reserved mayonnaise mixture just before serving.
Recipe Notes
Be sure not to overcook your pasta or it will have a mushy texture.
If you to dress it up some, add diced ham or chopped pineapple.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Vicki Shata Retelny, RDN, at VeryWellFit. She wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Servings: 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/vegetarian-spinach-lasagna-4144632.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
BROCCOLI CHOWDER
From Diabetic Gourmet. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each
Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)
1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)
1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3-1/2 cups vegetable broth (two 14-ounce cans)
8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)
1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Directions
Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.
Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat
NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BARS
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, “Ethereal and ready to melt in your mouth, chocolate mousse bars are easy to make and even easier to eat. With so few ingredients, it’s important to use a chocolate you would be perfectly happy to snack out of hand. The instant espresso powder is optional but adds depth to this simple dessert. To cut beautiful, neat slices, use a long sharp knife warmed in hot water and wiped clean before each cut.”
Yield: 24 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus chilling.
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019316-no-bake-chocolate-mousse-bars.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
18 whole graham crackers (about 9 1/2 ounces)
8 tablespoons (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Filling:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 cups cold heavy cream, plus more for serving
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional)
Preparation
Make the crust: Line a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a food processor, or in a resealable plastic bag, crush the graham crackers until you have fine crumbs (but stop before you have dust). You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until evenly moistened. Tip the crumbs into the prepared pan and press them down into an even layer on the bottom. Transfer to the freezer while you prepare the filling.
Make the filling: Set the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup cream, espresso powder and salt until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it stand for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream until you have stiff peaks. Add the chocolate mixture and gently fold to combine. Pour the mixture over the prepared crust, and spread it out into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, cut the two edges without parchment free with a sharp knife then use the parchment overhang to transfer the bar to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Fried Yuba Tacos with Sweet Corn Relish, Jamaican Curried Tempeh Tacos, and Banana Chocolate Tacos. Do I have your attention yet? Enjoy!
SPAGHETTI SQUASH & BLACK BEAN TACOS
This comes from Kelly, whose site, Mountain Mama Cooks is really pretty awesome. I highly recommend checking it out!
This recipe begins, “Crispy blue corn shells filled with black beans, savory spaghetti squash, cotija cheese and plenty of hot sauce. Vegetarian tacos never looked so good.”
To view this online on Kelly’s site, go to https://mountainmamacooks.com/spaghetti-squash-black-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
1– 2 lb spaghetti squash (if you go bigger, increase spices accordingly)
2 tablespoons melted butter
juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 14oz can black beans, thoroughly rinsed
8–10 crispy blue corn tortillas
crumbled cojita cheese
cilantro
hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, throw about 1 teaspoon olive oil on each half and roast both halves face down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the squash halves in the pre-heated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, 45-60 minutes. (Alternately, you can microwave the squash if you’re short on time.)
Meanwhile, combine melted butter, lime juice, chili powder, salt, cumin and garlic powder in a small bowl.
When spaghetti squash is done remove from oven and let cool a few minutes until you can handle it easily. Working over a large bowl, gently scrape out the flesh with a fork. Add butter mixture to the squash and toss well to combine.
In the bottom of each corn tortilla, spread out a small handful (about 2 tablespoons) of black beans. Top with some spaghetti squash (about 1/4 cup). Top again with crumbled cojita cheese.
Line the tacos in a 9×13 baking dish or similar and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
To serve, top with fresh cilantro and hot sauce if desired.
CHOCOLATE TACO MINI TACO BOWLS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "A chocolate taco? Delicious! Crispy, sugar-coated mini bowls are dipped into chocolate and chopped peanuts and filled with ice cream for an absolutely addictive version of an ice cream truck favorite. Here's how to make the chocolate dessert tacos of your dreams!"
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Makes 10 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chocolate-taco-mini-taco-bowls.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, melted
10 tortilla bowls from 1 package (5.1 oz) Old El Paso™ Flour Soft Tortilla Mini Bowls (12 Count)
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons finely chopped cocktail peanuts
1-1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup chocolate sauce
1/4 cup caramel topping
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Lightly brush melted butter on all sides of each bowl. Place bowls on cookie sheet. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until browned on edges and firm to the touch. Cool 15 minutes.
In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 60 to 90 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth.
Place 1/2 cup of the chopped peanuts on plate. Hold baked bowls by the bottom, and dip each one into melted chocolate, covering top rim of bowl. Dip and roll top rim into chopped peanuts to coat. Refrigerate bowls about 10 minutes or until coating is set.
Fill each bowl with 2 small scoops (about 1 tablespoon) ice cream; drizzle with chocolate sauce and caramel topping, and garnish with remaining 3 tablespoons peanuts.
Expert Tips
Chopped toasted almonds are a nice alternative to the chopped peanuts in this chocolate taco recipe.
Any flavor of ice cream and sauces will work well for these chocolate-dipped ice cream tacos, so feel free to fill them with your favorite combination.
Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 3 Fat
Carbohydrate Choice: 2
ICE CREAM OREO TACO BOWLS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "The next time you’re craving a chocolate-dipped, cookie-coated, over-the-top, ice cream-filled extravaganza of a dessert, reach for this recipe. These mini ice cream bowls are positively heavenly."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/ice-cream-oreo-taco-bowls.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening
8 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, crushed (about 1 cup)
4 cups cookies & cream ice cream
1/2 cup hot fudge sauce, warmed
8 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, whole
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush melted butter on all sides of each tortilla bowl.
Place bowls on large cookie sheet. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until browned on edges and firm to the touch. Cool 15 minutes.
In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 60 to 90 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth.
Place 1/2 cup of the crushed cookies on plate. Hold baked bowls by the bottom, and dip each one into melted chocolate, covering top rim of bowl. Dip and roll top rim into crushed cookies to coat. Refrigerate bowls about 10 minutes or until coating is set.
Fill each bowl with 2 scoops ice cream; drizzle with hot fudge sauce, and garnish with remaining crushed cookies sprinkled over ice cream and 1 whole cookie inserted upright into ice cream.
Expert Tips
We used cookies & cream ice cream in this recipe, but if you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream, feel free to make a substitution.
If you like a little caramel with your chocolate, you can add a drizzle of warm caramel sauce along with the hot fudge.
Crush cookies quickly and easily by placing them in a food-storage bag and pounding gently with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 3 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 1/2 Milk; 3 1/2 Fat
Carbohydrate Choice: 4
FRIED YUBA TACOS WITH SWEET CORN RELISH
This is from Byrant Terry at Food & Wine. This recipe begins, "In this recipe, Chef Bryant Terry fries rolled yuba, or thin sheets of tofu skin, in avocado oil until crispy, yielding a hearty vegan taco filling. Diaspora Co.'s single-origin turmeric lends its zesty, deeply floral flavor to the summery corn relish that tops these tacos. Diaspora Co. is one in a rising tide of small spice companies delivering better-tasting spices while supporting small, independent farmers. A spoonful of 'green cream'—sautéed spinach stirred together with mashed avocado—holds all of the delicious components in place."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Refrigerate Time: 1 day; Tot Time: 1 day 1 hour 30 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/fried-yuba-tacos-with-sweet-corn-relish.
Ingredients
Sweet Corn Relish
3 large ears yellow corn
12 ripe cherry tomatoes, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeño
2 medium garlic cloves
1-1/2cups unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup water
6 tablespoons raw cane sugar
2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric (such as Diaspora Co.)
Green Cream
2 teaspoons avocado oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 cups)
2 ripe Hass avocados, pitted and peeled
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Fried Yuba Tacos
4 yuba sheets (such as Hodo)
Avocado oil, for frying
Fine sea salt
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
Hot sauce, shredded red cabbage, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, and sliced fresh serrano chile, for serving
Directions
Make the sweet corn relish
Fill a large bowl with ice water; set aside. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high, and add corn. Return to a boil, and cook corn 1 minute; drain. Using tongs, transfer corn to ice water, and let stand 5 minutes. Drain corn, and slice kernels from cobs; discard cobs. Evenly divide corn kernels, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic cloves between 2 clean 1-pint canning jars; set aside.
Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, kosher salt, peppercorns, and turmeric in the same saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Divide vinegar mixture evenly between jars, and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Seal jars, and refrigerate relish 24 hours to develop the flavor.
Make the green cream
Combine oil and minced garlic in a large skillet, and cook over medium, stirring often, until garlic smells fragrant and just starts to turn golden, 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Add spinach to skillet, and cook, stirring often, until spinach is just wilted, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat, and transfer spinach to a cutting board. Finely chop spinach. Combine avocados and vinegar in a medium bowl. Using a fork, mash avocado mixture until almost smooth; stir in chopped spinach, and season with kosher salt.
Make the fried yuba tacos
If yuba sheets are stuck together, run warm water over them while gently separating, being careful not to tear. Using scissors, cut each sheet into 6 (4-inch) squares. Pat sheets dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Stack 2 (4-inch) squares, and roll into a tight cylinder. Set aside, and repeat with remaining squares.
Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Pour avocado oil to a depth of about 1 inch in a deep skillet. Heat over medium-high to 360°F to 375°F. Place 1 yuba roll on a spatula, and gently slide roll into hot oil. Cook, turning gently with spatula for even frying, until yuba is bubbling and starting to brown, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove using a spatula or skimmer, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with fine sea salt. Repeat with remaining yuba rolls.
Assemble each taco by smearing 1 heaping tablespoon green cream on a warm corn tortilla. Top with a fried yuba roll, and sprinkle with 1 heaping tablespoon sweet corn relish. Top with hot sauce, shredded cabbage, cilantro, scallions, and serrano.
Notes
Find yuba sheets at Asian grocery stores or at Whole Foods.
Make Ahead
Sweet corn relish can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 month.
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
BANANA CHOCOLATE TACOS
Chocolate? Bananas? On tacos? Sure, why not? This one is from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and begins, “This taco is a smart dessert choice as research shows dark chocolate can improve brain functioning. Each bite also has the carbs needed to restock your muscles after a spirited run. Plus, ricotta is rich in whey protein to make it easier to build stronger muscles.”
This can be found here.
Ingredients
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. almond butter
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1–2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 oz. chopped dark chocolate
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 small bananas, sliced into 1/2" pieces
4 small (6") whole-wheat tortillas, heated according to package
1/4 cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
Stir together ricotta, almond butter, syrup, orange zest and vanilla.
Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until chocolate is melted. Stir in cinnamon.
Spread ricotta mixture on tortillas and top with banana. Drizzle chocolate sauce over top and sprinkle on coconut flakes. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 439; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 13 g; Total fat: 20 g; Saturated fat: 9.5 g; Sodium: 342 mg.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH & BLACK BEAN TACOS
This comes from Kelly, whose site, Mountain Mama Cooks is really pretty awesome. I highly recommend checking it out!
This recipe begins, “Crispy blue corn shells filled with black beans, savory spaghetti squash, cotija cheese and plenty of hot sauce. Vegetarian tacos never looked so good.”
To view this online on Kelly’s site, go to https://mountainmamacooks.com/spaghetti-squash-black-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
1– 2 lb spaghetti squash (if you go bigger, increase spices accordingly)
2 tablespoons melted butter
juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 14oz can black beans, thoroughly rinsed
8–10 crispy blue corn tortillas
crumbled cojita cheese
cilantro
hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, throw about 1 teaspoon olive oil on each half and roast both halves face down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the squash halves in the pre-heated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, 45-60 minutes. (Alternately, you can microwave the squash if you’re short on time.)
Meanwhile, combine melted butter, lime juice, chili powder, salt, cumin and garlic powder in a small bowl.
When spaghetti squash is done remove from oven and let cool a few minutes until you can handle it easily. Working over a large bowl, gently scrape out the flesh with a fork. Add butter mixture to the squash and toss well to combine.
In the bottom of each corn tortilla, spread out a small handful (about 2 tablespoons) of black beans. Top with some spaghetti squash (about 1/4 cup). Top again with crumbled cojita cheese.
Line the tacos in a 9×13 baking dish or similar and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
To serve, top with fresh cilantro and hot sauce if desired.
CHOCOLATE TACO MINI TACO BOWLS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "A chocolate taco? Delicious! Crispy, sugar-coated mini bowls are dipped into chocolate and chopped peanuts and filled with ice cream for an absolutely addictive version of an ice cream truck favorite. Here's how to make the chocolate dessert tacos of your dreams!"
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Makes 10 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chocolate-taco-mini-taco-bowls.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, melted
10 tortilla bowls from 1 package (5.1 oz) Old El Paso™ Flour Soft Tortilla Mini Bowls (12 Count)
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons finely chopped cocktail peanuts
1-1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup chocolate sauce
1/4 cup caramel topping
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with foil. Lightly brush melted butter on all sides of each bowl. Place bowls on cookie sheet. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until browned on edges and firm to the touch. Cool 15 minutes.
In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 60 to 90 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth.
Place 1/2 cup of the chopped peanuts on plate. Hold baked bowls by the bottom, and dip each one into melted chocolate, covering top rim of bowl. Dip and roll top rim into chopped peanuts to coat. Refrigerate bowls about 10 minutes or until coating is set.
Fill each bowl with 2 small scoops (about 1 tablespoon) ice cream; drizzle with chocolate sauce and caramel topping, and garnish with remaining 3 tablespoons peanuts.
Expert Tips
Chopped toasted almonds are a nice alternative to the chopped peanuts in this chocolate taco recipe.
Any flavor of ice cream and sauces will work well for these chocolate-dipped ice cream tacos, so feel free to fill them with your favorite combination.
Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 3 Fat
Carbohydrate Choice: 2
ICE CREAM OREO TACO BOWLS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "The next time you’re craving a chocolate-dipped, cookie-coated, over-the-top, ice cream-filled extravaganza of a dessert, reach for this recipe. These mini ice cream bowls are positively heavenly."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/ice-cream-oreo-taco-bowls.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening
8 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, crushed (about 1 cup)
4 cups cookies & cream ice cream
1/2 cup hot fudge sauce, warmed
8 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, whole
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush melted butter on all sides of each tortilla bowl.
Place bowls on large cookie sheet. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until browned on edges and firm to the touch. Cool 15 minutes.
In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 60 to 90 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth.
Place 1/2 cup of the crushed cookies on plate. Hold baked bowls by the bottom, and dip each one into melted chocolate, covering top rim of bowl. Dip and roll top rim into crushed cookies to coat. Refrigerate bowls about 10 minutes or until coating is set.
Fill each bowl with 2 scoops ice cream; drizzle with hot fudge sauce, and garnish with remaining crushed cookies sprinkled over ice cream and 1 whole cookie inserted upright into ice cream.
Expert Tips
We used cookies & cream ice cream in this recipe, but if you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream, feel free to make a substitution.
If you like a little caramel with your chocolate, you can add a drizzle of warm caramel sauce along with the hot fudge.
Crush cookies quickly and easily by placing them in a food-storage bag and pounding gently with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 3 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 1/2 Milk; 3 1/2 Fat
Carbohydrate Choice: 4
FRIED YUBA TACOS WITH SWEET CORN RELISH
This is from Byrant Terry at Food & Wine. This recipe begins, "In this recipe, Chef Bryant Terry fries rolled yuba, or thin sheets of tofu skin, in avocado oil until crispy, yielding a hearty vegan taco filling. Diaspora Co.'s single-origin turmeric lends its zesty, deeply floral flavor to the summery corn relish that tops these tacos. Diaspora Co. is one in a rising tide of small spice companies delivering better-tasting spices while supporting small, independent farmers. A spoonful of 'green cream'—sautéed spinach stirred together with mashed avocado—holds all of the delicious components in place."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Refrigerate Time: 1 day; Tot Time: 1 day 1 hour 30 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/fried-yuba-tacos-with-sweet-corn-relish.
Ingredients
Sweet Corn Relish
3 large ears yellow corn
12 ripe cherry tomatoes, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeño
2 medium garlic cloves
1-1/2cups unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup water
6 tablespoons raw cane sugar
2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric (such as Diaspora Co.)
Green Cream
2 teaspoons avocado oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 cups)
2 ripe Hass avocados, pitted and peeled
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Fried Yuba Tacos
4 yuba sheets (such as Hodo)
Avocado oil, for frying
Fine sea salt
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
Hot sauce, shredded red cabbage, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, and sliced fresh serrano chile, for serving
Directions
Make the sweet corn relish
Fill a large bowl with ice water; set aside. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high, and add corn. Return to a boil, and cook corn 1 minute; drain. Using tongs, transfer corn to ice water, and let stand 5 minutes. Drain corn, and slice kernels from cobs; discard cobs. Evenly divide corn kernels, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic cloves between 2 clean 1-pint canning jars; set aside.
Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, kosher salt, peppercorns, and turmeric in the same saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Divide vinegar mixture evenly between jars, and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Seal jars, and refrigerate relish 24 hours to develop the flavor.
Make the green cream
Combine oil and minced garlic in a large skillet, and cook over medium, stirring often, until garlic smells fragrant and just starts to turn golden, 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Add spinach to skillet, and cook, stirring often, until spinach is just wilted, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat, and transfer spinach to a cutting board. Finely chop spinach. Combine avocados and vinegar in a medium bowl. Using a fork, mash avocado mixture until almost smooth; stir in chopped spinach, and season with kosher salt.
Make the fried yuba tacos
If yuba sheets are stuck together, run warm water over them while gently separating, being careful not to tear. Using scissors, cut each sheet into 6 (4-inch) squares. Pat sheets dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Stack 2 (4-inch) squares, and roll into a tight cylinder. Set aside, and repeat with remaining squares.
Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Pour avocado oil to a depth of about 1 inch in a deep skillet. Heat over medium-high to 360°F to 375°F. Place 1 yuba roll on a spatula, and gently slide roll into hot oil. Cook, turning gently with spatula for even frying, until yuba is bubbling and starting to brown, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove using a spatula or skimmer, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with fine sea salt. Repeat with remaining yuba rolls.
Assemble each taco by smearing 1 heaping tablespoon green cream on a warm corn tortilla. Top with a fried yuba roll, and sprinkle with 1 heaping tablespoon sweet corn relish. Top with hot sauce, shredded cabbage, cilantro, scallions, and serrano.
Notes
Find yuba sheets at Asian grocery stores or at Whole Foods.
Make Ahead
Sweet corn relish can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 month.
JAMAICAN CURRIED TEMPEH TACOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The yellow curry filling, mustard greens, and red pepper strips lend these spicy tacos the colors of the tropics.” Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs. peanut oil
1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, diced (1 cup)
1 8-oz. pkg. tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
2 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime zest
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup curly mustard greens, finely chopped
2 Tbs. chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions:
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is softened. Stir in tempeh, pineapple juice, cilantro, curry powder, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes, or until pineapple juice evaporates and tempeh starts to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper.
Fill tortillas with tempeh mixture. Add red bell pepper and mustard greens. Top with peanuts, if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 7.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 313 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 6 g
BANANA CHOCOLATE TACOS
Chocolate? Bananas? On tacos? Sure, why not? This one is from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and begins, “This taco is a smart dessert choice as research shows dark chocolate can improve brain functioning. Each bite also has the carbs needed to restock your muscles after a spirited run. Plus, ricotta is rich in whey protein to make it easier to build stronger muscles.”
This can be found here.
Ingredients
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. almond butter
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1–2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 oz. chopped dark chocolate
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 small bananas, sliced into 1/2" pieces
4 small (6") whole-wheat tortillas, heated according to package
1/4 cup unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
Stir together ricotta, almond butter, syrup, orange zest and vanilla.
Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until chocolate is melted. Stir in cinnamon.
Spread ricotta mixture on tortillas and top with banana. Drizzle chocolate sauce over top and sprinkle on coconut flakes. Serves 4.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 439; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 13 g; Total fat: 20 g; Saturated fat: 9.5 g; Sodium: 342 mg.
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