Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post deals with drinks.
Why drinks? Well, you can't have something yummy to eat without something decent to drink. Am I right?
Sure, you could grab coffee, soda, water, ice tea, whatever. But how about something a little different? Check out the Apple Cider Floats, the Lizard Lounge Tea (no lizards were hurt for this!), or any of the other yummy drinks in today's post. Enjoy!
COPYCAT STARBUCKS CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO
This is from Delish, and begins, "The caramel frappuccino is the most iconic Starbucks drink. It's sweet, strong, and drizzled with lots of caramel. The drink is easy to make at home and makes the perfect little afternoon pick me up."
Yields: 2 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 c. cold, strong-brewed coffee
3/4 c. whole milk
1/2 c. caramel, plus more for serving
1 c. ice
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Blend coffee, milk, caramel, vanilla, and 1 cup of ice until smooth, thick, and icey. Add more ice, if necessary to reach desired consistency.
Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream. Drizzle with more caramel sauce.
CREAMY PINEAPPLE ORANGE REFRESHER PUNCH
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 - 46 oz. can of pineapple juice
1 1/2 pints vanilla ice cream
1 quart orange sherbet
2 liters ginger ale
Directions
In a punch bowl, place the vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet. Slowly add & stir in pineapple juice & then ginger ale.
APPLE CIDER FLOATS
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 c. caramel sauce
1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
2 c. apple cider, warmed
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
cinnamon sticks
Whipped cream, for serving
Apple slices
Directions
Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.
Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
CAPPUCCINO COOLER
This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The recipe begins, “There's no need to pay the small fortune that your corner coffee bar charges for a frozen concoction when you can make this smoothie. If you like your coffee strong, omit the sugar.”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 1; Preparation Time: 6 min; Cooking Time: 0 min;Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
1/4 cup black coffee, but brewed espresso preferred, cooled to room temperature
1/4 cup ice cube(s), about 3 cubes
1/2 tsp sugar, superfine
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
In a blender, combine all ingredients; puree until smooth.
Pour into a tall, chilled glass; sprinkle with additional cinnamon, if you like.
LIZARD LOUNGE TEA
My oldest son spent several summers traveling the country, both singly and with friends. Several times, he wound up at the Rainbow Gathering, where he hooked up with a larger group of friends. Most of them had grown up in hot areas of the country, so they nicknamed themselves lizards; their area of the camp site was the lizard lounge. They would cook up their version of iced tea, which they would barter for other commodities. They were frequently asked what their secret ingredient was.
This is a scaled down version. I found that cranberry or cranberry-apple herb tea works very nicely with this, but any herbal tea can be used.
This, as well as other yummy recipes, can be found in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.
Ingredients
1/2 gallon apple cider
4 – 5 herbal tea bags
Directions
Place cider in a large pan or teakettle and bring to a boil. Place herbal tea bags into a large container and pour the boiled cider over the tea bags. Let steep for 15-30 minutes and cool. Very good.
WATERMELON PUNCH
Years ago, I was a bride’s maid at a friend’s wedding. A friend of the couple held the reception dinner; this punch was served with the hors d’oeuvres. I’ve added ginger ale to the recipe; it’s good either way.
This recipe is from my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking, soon to be updated.)
1 watermelon
1 T honey
6 oz. can orange juice, undiluted
2 liter bottle ginger ale
Put watermelon (excluding rind and seeds) in a blender—and blend. Pour juice through a strainer into a large bowl. Add orange juice and honey, stir, and add ice. Add ginger ale just before serving.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Taco Tuesday
If it's Tuesday (and my calendar indicates that it is), it's time for another Taco Tuesday. The biggest thing to decide, after looking at this post, is which of the six yummy tacos to try. Will it be the Sweet Potato Tacos? The Sweet Thai Peanut Cauliflower Tacos? At least dessert'll be easy: check out the Banana Chocolate Tacos. (Yes, you read that right! It's from the May 2016 issue of Runner’s World, and very yummy.) Enjoy!
ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.”
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-tomatillo-and-black-bean-tacos-recipe.
Ingredients
Ingredients
3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional
Preparation
Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.
Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.
Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.
SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.
“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”
Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup water, divided
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ketchup
Taco Sauce
1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For Cauliflower:
Canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups seltzer water
1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)
For Tacos:
8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded red cabbage
2 scallions, chopped (optional)
Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)
White sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Thai Chili Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, 1/4 cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup
Tacos
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.
Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.
To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.
Tip
It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.
TACOS WITH ROASTED POTATOES, SQUASH AND PEPPERS (RAJAS)
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "You can turn the heat up or down on this taco, depending on your taste for spiciness. Season the potatoes, onions and squash before roasting. A comforting filling that you can heat up or tone down, depending on your taste for spicy. If you like heat, use a preponderance of poblanos and Anaheims for your peppers; if not, use more bell peppers. I season the potatoes, onions and squash with cumin and chili powder before I roast them, and serve the tacos with a cooked salsa ranchera." Yield: Serves 4; Time: 40 minutes.
This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night" and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound potatoes, such as Yukon golds, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound summer squash, preferably a dense squash like Ronde de Nice, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium red onion, cut in half lengthwise and sliced in half-moons
1 pound mixed sweet and hot peppers (such as a mix of poblanos and bell peppers), roasted, peeled, seeded and cut in thin 2-inch strips
8 warm corn tortillas
1 recipe salsa ranchera (without chipotles)
3 ounces goat cheese (about 3/4 cup crumbled)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place potatoes on one baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, 3/4 teaspoon each of the ground cumin and chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread in an even layer.
Place squash and onion slices on other parchment-covered baking sheet and toss with the remaining olive oil, salt to taste, cumin and chili powder.
Depending on the size of your oven, roast vegetables together or separately on the middle rack. Roast potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender all the way through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Roast squash and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, until tender and lightly colored. Remove from oven and add to bowl with potatoes. Add pepper strips (rajas) and toss together. Season to taste with salt, and add more chili powder if desired. Keep warm.
Spoon filling onto warm tortillas and add a generous spoonful of salsa. Top with goat cheese and serve.
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.
TACO SALAD WITH CUMIN DRESSING
Recipe Yield: Servings: 8
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/taco-salad-with-cumin-dressing.
Ingredients
8 tortillas
1 teaspoon powdered mustard
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon ground cumin
8 cups romaine lettuce
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 cups turkey, chopped and cooked
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
4 teaspoons lemon juice
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
Toast the tortillas on a baking sheet in a 400F oven for about 10 minutes.
While hot, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.
Cool and break into bite-size pieces.
Chop the lettuce and arrange it in the bottom of a salad bowl.
Make the cumin dressing by combining the salt, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, mustard, cumin, water and oil in a bowl or jar.
Heat the turkey in a skillet with the cumin seeds.
Sprinkle chunks of turkey over the lettuce.
Add the tomato pieces and cheese.
Pour on the cumin dressing and top with tortilla chips.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 205; Fat: 11 g; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat
SWEET POTATO TACOS
This is from the TODAY Show, and begins, "These tacos are simple to make and require minimal prep, making them an ideal dinner on hectic weeknights. You can dress up this veggie-based meal with avocado, a squeeze of lime, crumbled feta cheese and fresh cilantro."
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/sweet-potato-tacos-recipe-t149463.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
One 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
One 15.25-ounce can corn, drained
1 cup cooked quinoa
18 small corn tortillas, warmed
Toppings (optional)
Avocado, chopped or sliced
Lime wedges
Feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Toss diced sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, honey and cumin. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven for 35 minutes or until tender. Set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté. Add the black beans, corn, cooked quinoa and sweet potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon about 1/3 cup of filling onto each tortilla. Top with chopped avocado, a squeeze of lime and feta cheese.
ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.”
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-tomatillo-and-black-bean-tacos-recipe.
Ingredients
Ingredients
3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional
Preparation
Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.
Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.
Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.
SWEET THAI PEANUT CAULIFLOWER TACOS
This yummy recipe was updated on the Vegetarian Times website on April 30, 2020. It begins, “Meatless Mondays aren’t just for Mondays anymore, and Taco Tuesdays are certainly not just meant for Tuesdays! Enjoy these meatless tacos any day of the week.
“The combination of savory and sweet paired with crispy cauliflower is also a win-win at any party. This is my husband, David’s, absolute favorite recipe in the book, and he has tried them all!”
Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/sweet-thai-peanut-cauliflower-tacos-recipe.Ingredients
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup water, divided
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ketchup
Taco Sauce
1 batch Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For Cauliflower:
Canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal or polenta
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups seltzer water
1 head cauliflower, cut into tiny florets (see Tip)
For Tacos:
8 small (6-inch) soft taco shells, warmed (see Tip)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded red cabbage
2 scallions, chopped (optional)
Cocktail peanuts, crushed (optional)
White sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Thai Chili Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, 1/4 cup of the water, rice vinegar, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan until well combined. Simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, until thickened.
Whisk in the ketchup and transfer to a serving dish or use as needed in a recipe. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yield: 1 cup
Tacos
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan whisk together the Thai chili sauce and peanut butter. Bring to a simmer and heat for 2 to 5 minutes, or until all the peanut butter has mixed in and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
To make the cauliflower: In a wok or large saucepan, pour 3 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil 350°F when tested with a candy thermometer or a drop of batter bubbles up to the top and fries quickly. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the seltzer water until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Working in 2 batches, transfer half of the cauliflower florets to the batter. Mix around until all the pieces are fully coated. Using tongs, shake off excess batter and carefully transfer battered cauliflower pieces, 1 at a time, into the frying oil.
Fry in small batches for 4 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
When all the cauliflower has been fried, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with the peanut-chili sauce.
To build the tacos: Start with a warm tortilla, 2 tablespoons carrot, 2 tablespoons cabbage, 6 to 8 coated cauliflower florets, and a sprinkle of scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds (if using). Serve warm.
Tip
It’s important for these florets to be small so that several can fit on a taco. To make them the size of 1 or 2 marbles, completely remove the stem and cut the floret into smaller florets. Before you fry the cauliflower, warm the taco shells by setting them on a baking sheet (overlapping is okay) and placing in 200°F oven until time to build the tacos.
TACOS WITH ROASTED POTATOES, SQUASH AND PEPPERS (RAJAS)
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "You can turn the heat up or down on this taco, depending on your taste for spiciness. Season the potatoes, onions and squash before roasting. A comforting filling that you can heat up or tone down, depending on your taste for spicy. If you like heat, use a preponderance of poblanos and Anaheims for your peppers; if not, use more bell peppers. I season the potatoes, onions and squash with cumin and chili powder before I roast them, and serve the tacos with a cooked salsa ranchera." Yield: Serves 4; Time: 40 minutes.
This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night" and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound potatoes, such as Yukon golds, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound summer squash, preferably a dense squash like Ronde de Nice, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium red onion, cut in half lengthwise and sliced in half-moons
1 pound mixed sweet and hot peppers (such as a mix of poblanos and bell peppers), roasted, peeled, seeded and cut in thin 2-inch strips
8 warm corn tortillas
1 recipe salsa ranchera (without chipotles)
3 ounces goat cheese (about 3/4 cup crumbled)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place potatoes on one baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, 3/4 teaspoon each of the ground cumin and chili powder, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread in an even layer.
Place squash and onion slices on other parchment-covered baking sheet and toss with the remaining olive oil, salt to taste, cumin and chili powder.
Depending on the size of your oven, roast vegetables together or separately on the middle rack. Roast potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender all the way through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Roast squash and onions for about 15 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes, until tender and lightly colored. Remove from oven and add to bowl with potatoes. Add pepper strips (rajas) and toss together. Season to taste with salt, and add more chili powder if desired. Keep warm.
Spoon filling onto warm tortillas and add a generous spoonful of salsa. Top with goat cheese and serve.
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.
TACO SALAD WITH CUMIN DRESSING
Recipe Yield: Servings: 8
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/taco-salad-with-cumin-dressing.
Ingredients
8 tortillas
1 teaspoon powdered mustard
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon ground cumin
8 cups romaine lettuce
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 cups turkey, chopped and cooked
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
4 teaspoons lemon juice
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
Toast the tortillas on a baking sheet in a 400F oven for about 10 minutes.
While hot, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.
Cool and break into bite-size pieces.
Chop the lettuce and arrange it in the bottom of a salad bowl.
Make the cumin dressing by combining the salt, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, mustard, cumin, water and oil in a bowl or jar.
Heat the turkey in a skillet with the cumin seeds.
Sprinkle chunks of turkey over the lettuce.
Add the tomato pieces and cheese.
Pour on the cumin dressing and top with tortilla chips.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 205; Fat: 11 g; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat
SWEET POTATO TACOS
This is from the TODAY Show, and begins, "These tacos are simple to make and require minimal prep, making them an ideal dinner on hectic weeknights. You can dress up this veggie-based meal with avocado, a squeeze of lime, crumbled feta cheese and fresh cilantro."
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/sweet-potato-tacos-recipe-t149463.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
One 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
One 15.25-ounce can corn, drained
1 cup cooked quinoa
18 small corn tortillas, warmed
Toppings (optional)
Avocado, chopped or sliced
Lime wedges
Feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Toss diced sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, honey and cumin. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven for 35 minutes or until tender. Set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté. Add the black beans, corn, cooked quinoa and sweet potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon about 1/3 cup of filling onto each tortilla. Top with chopped avocado, a squeeze of lime and feta cheese.
Monday, September 14, 2020
Chili
If you love chili as much as I do, then you won't mind starting the week off with these six yummy chili recipes.
When I was growing up, it was almost unheard of (at least where I lived) to have chili without meat. But there are wonderful chili recipes that use veggies (including as meat substitutes) in place of the meat.
To that end, check out the Vegetarian Chili with Corn Bread Topping, the Summer Vegetable Chili, or any of the other recipes in today's post. Enjoy!
VEGAN CHILI
This comes from J. Kenji López-Alt at The New York Times cooking newsletter. The recipe begins, "This chili starts with a few different whole dried chiles, toasted and blended together, then fried with vegan ground meat and other aromatics to form the complex backbone of this stew. Along with tomatoes and kidney beans, I like to add some soy sauce (for umami depth), cider vinegar (for acidity and brightness) and a shot of hard liquor. The volatile alcohol in the liquor helps pull aromas up and out of the chili and into your nose. If you want to opt for a vegetarian version, feel free to use unsalted butter in place of the vegan butter, and garnish with sour cream or Cheddar."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in "How to Cook With Plant-Based Meats", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020866-vegan-chili.
Ingredients
For the Chile Paste (see Note):
2 whole dried ancho, pasilla or mulato chiles, stems and seeds removed, torn into rough 1-inch pieces (about 1/2 ounce)
1 whole dried New Mexico red, California, costeño or choricero chile, stems and seeds removed, and torn into rough 1-inch pieces (about 1/8 ounce)
1 to 2 dried hot chiles, such as árbol or pequín, stems and seeds removed and torn into rough pieces (optional)
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons vegan butter
1 pound vegan ground meat, such as Impossible or Beyond
1 medium onion, grated on large holes of a box grater (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 large garlic cloves, grated on Microplane (about 4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Kosher salt
2 chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes packed in juice, drained and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (16-ounce) can dark kidney beans, drained
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon whiskey, vodka or brandy (optional)
Diced onions, chopped cilantro, chopped pickled jalapeños, sliced black olives, vegan sour cream, shredded vegan cheese, fresh tortillas or tortilla chips, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Make the chile paste: Add all the dried chiles to a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until slightly darkened and giving off an intense roasted aroma, 2 to 5 minutes. Turn down the heat if they begin to smoke. Add 1 cup water; it should immediately boil. Reduce heat so water barely simmers, and cook until chiles have softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chiles and liquid to a blender and blend at high speed, scraping down sides as necessary, until a completely smooth purée is formed, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
Prepare the chili: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the vegan ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fat has mostly rendered and it is starting to sizzle rather than steam, about 10 minutes. (I don’t mind leaving the rendered fat in the chili. It homogenizes as the chili reduces, so the end result should not be greasy. However, you can drain the mixture at this point if you prefer less fat in the finished chili.)
Add the onion, garlic, oregano and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions have softened, about 2 minutes. Add the chipotles, cumin and reserved chile paste, and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste reduces to the point that it starts to sizzle and fry, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently until homogenous, about 1 minute.
Add chopped canned tomatoes and scrape up any brown bits that have stuck to the pan. Add kidney beans, soy sauce and 1 cup water, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors have developed and chili is thickened to desired consistency, about 30 minutes. Stir in vinegar and liquor, if using. Adjust texture by adding water, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with whatever garnishes you like.
Tip
You can omit the chile paste, and substitute 3 tablespoons chile powder instead. Add chile powder with chipotles and cumin in Step 3, and cook, stirring frequently, until aromatic, about 30 seconds, then add the tomato paste and continue with Step 4.
SUMMER VEGETABLE CHILI
This is from the Food Network.
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 26 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/summer-vegetable-chili-recipe-2112338.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 poblano chile pepper, seeded and diced
2 portobello mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
2 cups frozen corn (preferably fire-roasted), thawed
2 14-ounce cans no-salt-added pinto beans
1 14-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and/or torn fresh cilantro, for topping (optional)
8 corn tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add all but a few tablespoons of the chopped red onion. Stir in the garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the poblano, mushrooms and corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 3 more minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the chili is thick, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the chili among bowls. Top with the cheese, sour cream and/or cilantro; sprinkle with the reserved red onion. Serve with the tortillas.
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS
This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 corn tortillas
1/4 c. Country Crock Original
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.
CHIPOTLE VEGGIE CHILI
This yummy recipe is from Morningstar Farms, and begins, “Chipotle peppers, packed in adobo sauce, kick up the flavor of this veggie-packed chili, making it perfect for serving before the big game.”
Prep Time: 15 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 package (12 oz.) Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™
2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen whole corn kernels
Keebler® Club® Cornbread Cracker Bites Homestyle
In nonstick Dutch oven cook onion, bell pepper, carrots and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in cumin. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
Stir in tomatoes, water, kidney beans, chipotle pepper and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in MORNINGSTAR FARMS MEAL STARTERS GRILLERS RECIPE CRUMBLES, zucchini and corn. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve topped with KEEBLER CLUB Cornbread Cracker Bites Homestyle.
VEGETARIAN CHILI
This comes from Ken Stross in Runner’s World. It begins, “Bursting with protein and fiber, this chili makes a hearty dinner. Serve with brown rice and a green salad.” Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
To view this online, go to http://www.runnersworld.com/recipes/vegetarian-chili.
Ingredients
4 ribs celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large onions, chopped
2 large green bell peppers, chopped
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
1 cup salsa
1 cup low-sodium tomato or vegetable juice
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground smoked paprika
Directions
Combine the celery, garlic, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, beans, chickpeas, corn, chiles, salsa, juice, broth, cumin, chili powder, and paprika in a large stockpot.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH CORN BREAD TOPPING
This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Nigella wrote, “The idea behind this spicy, all-vegetable chili is ease: It’s easily made on a weekend, a meditative wintry afternoon in the kitchen, chopping and stirring. Then, on a weeknight made even shorter by commuting and homework, concoct an easy corn bread topping, spread it on the chili and bake it for a while. It’s healthy, filling food.” Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; makes 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Chili
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups red bell peppers (about 2 large peppers), finely diced
2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 1/2 cups red lentils
3 cups canned chopped tomatoes
3 1/2 cups drained canned kidney beans
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
For The Corn Bread Topping:
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups cornmeal
2 tablespoons flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup butter milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup coarsely grated Cheddar cheese
For Serving:
2 cups sour cream
1 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
To prepare chili, heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a deep, wide pan with a lid. Add onions, garlic and bell peppers, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, coriander, cumin and cardamom pods. Stir in lentils.
Add chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, ketchup, tomato paste, cocoa and 3 cups water. Stir well. Cover, and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is thickened and beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Chili can be made ahead to this point and topping added later. (In that case, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days, bringing to room temperature before proceeding.)
For corn bread topping, heat oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine salt, cornmeal, flour, baking powder and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, honey and oil. Pour liquid ingredients into dry; stir until combined.
Pour chili into a baking dish 13 by 9 by 3 inches. Spread corn bread topping evenly over chili, and sprinkle cheese on topping. Bake until topping has risen and turned golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Remove from oven, and let chili stand about 5 minutes. To serve, cut into squares, and pass sour cream and cilantro at the table.
When I was growing up, it was almost unheard of (at least where I lived) to have chili without meat. But there are wonderful chili recipes that use veggies (including as meat substitutes) in place of the meat.
To that end, check out the Vegetarian Chili with Corn Bread Topping, the Summer Vegetable Chili, or any of the other recipes in today's post. Enjoy!
VEGAN CHILI
This comes from J. Kenji López-Alt at The New York Times cooking newsletter. The recipe begins, "This chili starts with a few different whole dried chiles, toasted and blended together, then fried with vegan ground meat and other aromatics to form the complex backbone of this stew. Along with tomatoes and kidney beans, I like to add some soy sauce (for umami depth), cider vinegar (for acidity and brightness) and a shot of hard liquor. The volatile alcohol in the liquor helps pull aromas up and out of the chili and into your nose. If you want to opt for a vegetarian version, feel free to use unsalted butter in place of the vegan butter, and garnish with sour cream or Cheddar."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in "How to Cook With Plant-Based Meats", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020866-vegan-chili.
Ingredients
For the Chile Paste (see Note):
2 whole dried ancho, pasilla or mulato chiles, stems and seeds removed, torn into rough 1-inch pieces (about 1/2 ounce)
1 whole dried New Mexico red, California, costeño or choricero chile, stems and seeds removed, and torn into rough 1-inch pieces (about 1/8 ounce)
1 to 2 dried hot chiles, such as árbol or pequín, stems and seeds removed and torn into rough pieces (optional)
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons vegan butter
1 pound vegan ground meat, such as Impossible or Beyond
1 medium onion, grated on large holes of a box grater (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 large garlic cloves, grated on Microplane (about 4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Kosher salt
2 chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes packed in juice, drained and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (16-ounce) can dark kidney beans, drained
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon whiskey, vodka or brandy (optional)
Diced onions, chopped cilantro, chopped pickled jalapeños, sliced black olives, vegan sour cream, shredded vegan cheese, fresh tortillas or tortilla chips, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Make the chile paste: Add all the dried chiles to a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until slightly darkened and giving off an intense roasted aroma, 2 to 5 minutes. Turn down the heat if they begin to smoke. Add 1 cup water; it should immediately boil. Reduce heat so water barely simmers, and cook until chiles have softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chiles and liquid to a blender and blend at high speed, scraping down sides as necessary, until a completely smooth purée is formed, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
Prepare the chili: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the vegan ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fat has mostly rendered and it is starting to sizzle rather than steam, about 10 minutes. (I don’t mind leaving the rendered fat in the chili. It homogenizes as the chili reduces, so the end result should not be greasy. However, you can drain the mixture at this point if you prefer less fat in the finished chili.)
Add the onion, garlic, oregano and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions have softened, about 2 minutes. Add the chipotles, cumin and reserved chile paste, and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste reduces to the point that it starts to sizzle and fry, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently until homogenous, about 1 minute.
Add chopped canned tomatoes and scrape up any brown bits that have stuck to the pan. Add kidney beans, soy sauce and 1 cup water, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors have developed and chili is thickened to desired consistency, about 30 minutes. Stir in vinegar and liquor, if using. Adjust texture by adding water, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with whatever garnishes you like.
Tip
You can omit the chile paste, and substitute 3 tablespoons chile powder instead. Add chile powder with chipotles and cumin in Step 3, and cook, stirring frequently, until aromatic, about 30 seconds, then add the tomato paste and continue with Step 4.
SUMMER VEGETABLE CHILI
This is from the Food Network.
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 26 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/summer-vegetable-chili-recipe-2112338.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 poblano chile pepper, seeded and diced
2 portobello mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
2 cups frozen corn (preferably fire-roasted), thawed
2 14-ounce cans no-salt-added pinto beans
1 14-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and/or torn fresh cilantro, for topping (optional)
8 corn tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add all but a few tablespoons of the chopped red onion. Stir in the garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the poblano, mushrooms and corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 3 more minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the chili is thick, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the chili among bowls. Top with the cheese, sour cream and/or cilantro; sprinkle with the reserved red onion. Serve with the tortillas.
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS
This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 corn tortillas
1/4 c. Country Crock Original
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.
CHIPOTLE VEGGIE CHILI
This yummy recipe is from Morningstar Farms, and begins, “Chipotle peppers, packed in adobo sauce, kick up the flavor of this veggie-packed chili, making it perfect for serving before the big game.”
Prep Time: 15 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 package (12 oz.) Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™
2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen whole corn kernels
Keebler® Club® Cornbread Cracker Bites Homestyle
In nonstick Dutch oven cook onion, bell pepper, carrots and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in cumin. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
Stir in tomatoes, water, kidney beans, chipotle pepper and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in MORNINGSTAR FARMS MEAL STARTERS GRILLERS RECIPE CRUMBLES, zucchini and corn. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve topped with KEEBLER CLUB Cornbread Cracker Bites Homestyle.
VEGETARIAN CHILI
This comes from Ken Stross in Runner’s World. It begins, “Bursting with protein and fiber, this chili makes a hearty dinner. Serve with brown rice and a green salad.” Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
To view this online, go to http://www.runnersworld.com/recipes/vegetarian-chili.
Ingredients
4 ribs celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large onions, chopped
2 large green bell peppers, chopped
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
1 cup salsa
1 cup low-sodium tomato or vegetable juice
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground smoked paprika
Directions
Combine the celery, garlic, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, beans, chickpeas, corn, chiles, salsa, juice, broth, cumin, chili powder, and paprika in a large stockpot.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH CORN BREAD TOPPING
This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Nigella wrote, “The idea behind this spicy, all-vegetable chili is ease: It’s easily made on a weekend, a meditative wintry afternoon in the kitchen, chopping and stirring. Then, on a weeknight made even shorter by commuting and homework, concoct an easy corn bread topping, spread it on the chili and bake it for a while. It’s healthy, filling food.” Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; makes 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Chili
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups red bell peppers (about 2 large peppers), finely diced
2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 1/2 cups red lentils
3 cups canned chopped tomatoes
3 1/2 cups drained canned kidney beans
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
For The Corn Bread Topping:
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups cornmeal
2 tablespoons flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup butter milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup coarsely grated Cheddar cheese
For Serving:
2 cups sour cream
1 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
To prepare chili, heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a deep, wide pan with a lid. Add onions, garlic and bell peppers, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, coriander, cumin and cardamom pods. Stir in lentils.
Add chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, ketchup, tomato paste, cocoa and 3 cups water. Stir well. Cover, and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is thickened and beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Chili can be made ahead to this point and topping added later. (In that case, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days, bringing to room temperature before proceeding.)
For corn bread topping, heat oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine salt, cornmeal, flour, baking powder and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, honey and oil. Pour liquid ingredients into dry; stir until combined.
Pour chili into a baking dish 13 by 9 by 3 inches. Spread corn bread topping evenly over chili, and sprinkle cheese on topping. Bake until topping has risen and turned golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Remove from oven, and let chili stand about 5 minutes. To serve, cut into squares, and pass sour cream and cilantro at the table.
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Creamy Broccoli Soup and Easy Whole Wheat Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna. Enjoy!
NO-BAKE FRENCH SILK OREO PIE
This comes from Stephanie on her site Girl Versus Dough. If you've never checked out the site, I highly recommend doing so. Go ahead, I'll wait...
Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes; Yields: 8 servings
To view this on Stephanie’s site, click here.
Ingredients
For the crust:
25 Oreo cookies
5 tablespoons butter, melted
For the filling:
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, plus more for topping
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
4-6 Oreo cookies, crumbled, for topping
Directions
Make the crust: Add Oreo cookies to food processor. Process cookies to fine crumb (alternatively, you can place the cookies in a resealable plastic bag and bang/roll with a rolling pin to a fine crumb). Transfer cookies to a medium bowl. Add butter. Stir mixture with fork until well combined.
Press crumb mixture evenly into bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in small saucepan over medium heat, whisk sugar and eggs until mixture reads 160 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat; stir in baking chocolate until smooth. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes, then stir in butter until melted. Cool mixture until just warm, stirring occasionally.
In large bowl, beat heavy cream with electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar; beat mixture until stiff peaks form.
Carefully fold half of whipped cream into cooled chocolate mixture. Pour filling into chilled pie crust. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours to set. Cover bowl with remaining whipped cream and refrigerate until ready to serve.
When ready to serve, spoon and spread whipped cream in a heap on top of chilled pie. Garnish with grated extra baking chocolate and crumbled Oreo cookies. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
EASY RASPBERRY BROWNIES
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Based on a fudgy brownie mix, these quick-to-fix brownies combine the best of sweet flavors and chewy textures. Mmm!”
Ingredients
1 package (1 pound 3.8 ounces) Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom only of rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Stir brownie mix, water, oil and eggs in medium bowl until well blended. Spread in pan.
Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 1 hour.
Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and preserves in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over brownies. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
Place chocolate and butter in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) about 1 minute or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over brownies. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chocolate is firm. For 18 brownies, cut 6 rows by 3 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.
EASY WHOLE WHEAT VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Easy whole wheat vegetarian lasagna with spinach baked in the oven with three kinds of cheeses. What's not to love? This is the perfect classic spinach lasagna recipe for the whole family!
“Make your vegetarian lasagna just a bit healthier by using this recipe, which calls for whole wheat lasagna noodles and spinach. Even though it uses whole wheat noodles, this Italian spinach lasagna is incredibly rich and creamy as it uses plenty of mozzarella, Parmesan, and low-fat cottage cheese. Of course, you don't have to use whole wheat lasagna noodles if you prefer the regular kind.
“This spinach lasagna recipe is courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 90 minutes; Yield: 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package whole wheat lasagne noodles, cooked slightly (al dente)
1 9-ounce package frozen raw spinach (well thawed and drained)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs
3 cups low-fat cottage cheese
3 cups pre-made or store-bought pasta sauce
3 cups grated low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs then add the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a homemade olive oil spray.
Put one layer of the slightly cooked lasagna noodles flat across the bottom of the baking dish. Add about half of the spinach, pressing down lightly and evenly over the noodles. Top with another layer of lasagna noodles. Top this layer of noodles with the cottage cheese mixture then add the remaining spinach. Then add the last of the lasagna noodles laid evenly on top of spinach.
Once you've layered everything, spread the pasta sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle the whole thing with mozzarella cheese. Press down lightly.
Cover baking dish with foil, using foil sprayed with cooking spray and keeping foil off the center of the lasagna. Secure sides tightly over baking dish.
Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes in oven. To lightly brown the top, remove foil for a few minutes at the end of baking time.
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving): 282 Calories; 12g Fat; 23g Carbs; 19g Protein
CREAMY COLESLAW
This is from a Weight Watcher's emailing list from y-e-a-r-s ago. The recipe began, “Richly-flavored sesame oil and piquant cilantro add a distinctly Asian flavor to America's favorite side dish — lightened up.”
At the time it was posted, it had a points value of 1.
Servings: 4 (about 1 cup per serving); Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
3/4 pound packaged coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
1 medium red onion(s), thinly sliced
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1 tsp dark sesame oil
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic and refrigerate until ready to serve.
SWANSON® RISOTTO
This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, but apparently whoever sent it to the list got it from Campbell's Kitchen, as it begins, “Try this easy, delicious recipe from Campbell's Kitchen,” and attributes it to Swanson's Simply Delicious Cookbook.
Note: The recipe originally called for chicken broth, but I've changed it to use vegetable broth.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cooking Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice OR Arborio Rice
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups Swanson® Vegetable Broth
Generous dash pepper
1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook rice and garlic in nonstick saucepan 2 min. or until rice is browned, stirring.
Add 1/2 cup broth and cook until broth is absorbed, stirring. Add remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until all the broth is absorbed and rice is done and creamy, about 25 min.
Add pepper and cheese.
CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.
Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g
NO-BAKE FRENCH SILK OREO PIE
This comes from Stephanie on her site Girl Versus Dough. If you've never checked out the site, I highly recommend doing so. Go ahead, I'll wait...
Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes; Yields: 8 servings
To view this on Stephanie’s site, click here.
Ingredients
For the crust:
25 Oreo cookies
5 tablespoons butter, melted
For the filling:
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, plus more for topping
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
4-6 Oreo cookies, crumbled, for topping
Directions
Make the crust: Add Oreo cookies to food processor. Process cookies to fine crumb (alternatively, you can place the cookies in a resealable plastic bag and bang/roll with a rolling pin to a fine crumb). Transfer cookies to a medium bowl. Add butter. Stir mixture with fork until well combined.
Press crumb mixture evenly into bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in small saucepan over medium heat, whisk sugar and eggs until mixture reads 160 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat; stir in baking chocolate until smooth. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes, then stir in butter until melted. Cool mixture until just warm, stirring occasionally.
In large bowl, beat heavy cream with electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar; beat mixture until stiff peaks form.
Carefully fold half of whipped cream into cooled chocolate mixture. Pour filling into chilled pie crust. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours to set. Cover bowl with remaining whipped cream and refrigerate until ready to serve.
When ready to serve, spoon and spread whipped cream in a heap on top of chilled pie. Garnish with grated extra baking chocolate and crumbled Oreo cookies. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
EASY RASPBERRY BROWNIES
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Based on a fudgy brownie mix, these quick-to-fix brownies combine the best of sweet flavors and chewy textures. Mmm!”
Ingredients
1 package (1 pound 3.8 ounces) Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom only of rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Stir brownie mix, water, oil and eggs in medium bowl until well blended. Spread in pan.
Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 1 hour.
Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and preserves in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over brownies. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
Place chocolate and butter in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) about 1 minute or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over brownies. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chocolate is firm. For 18 brownies, cut 6 rows by 3 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.
EASY WHOLE WHEAT VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Easy whole wheat vegetarian lasagna with spinach baked in the oven with three kinds of cheeses. What's not to love? This is the perfect classic spinach lasagna recipe for the whole family!
“Make your vegetarian lasagna just a bit healthier by using this recipe, which calls for whole wheat lasagna noodles and spinach. Even though it uses whole wheat noodles, this Italian spinach lasagna is incredibly rich and creamy as it uses plenty of mozzarella, Parmesan, and low-fat cottage cheese. Of course, you don't have to use whole wheat lasagna noodles if you prefer the regular kind.
“This spinach lasagna recipe is courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 90 minutes; Yield: 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package whole wheat lasagne noodles, cooked slightly (al dente)
1 9-ounce package frozen raw spinach (well thawed and drained)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs
3 cups low-fat cottage cheese
3 cups pre-made or store-bought pasta sauce
3 cups grated low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs then add the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a homemade olive oil spray.
Put one layer of the slightly cooked lasagna noodles flat across the bottom of the baking dish. Add about half of the spinach, pressing down lightly and evenly over the noodles. Top with another layer of lasagna noodles. Top this layer of noodles with the cottage cheese mixture then add the remaining spinach. Then add the last of the lasagna noodles laid evenly on top of spinach.
Once you've layered everything, spread the pasta sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle the whole thing with mozzarella cheese. Press down lightly.
Cover baking dish with foil, using foil sprayed with cooking spray and keeping foil off the center of the lasagna. Secure sides tightly over baking dish.
Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes in oven. To lightly brown the top, remove foil for a few minutes at the end of baking time.
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving): 282 Calories; 12g Fat; 23g Carbs; 19g Protein
CREAMY COLESLAW
This is from a Weight Watcher's emailing list from y-e-a-r-s ago. The recipe began, “Richly-flavored sesame oil and piquant cilantro add a distinctly Asian flavor to America's favorite side dish — lightened up.”
At the time it was posted, it had a points value of 1.
Servings: 4 (about 1 cup per serving); Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
3/4 pound packaged coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
1 medium red onion(s), thinly sliced
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1 tsp dark sesame oil
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic and refrigerate until ready to serve.
SWANSON® RISOTTO
This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, but apparently whoever sent it to the list got it from Campbell's Kitchen, as it begins, “Try this easy, delicious recipe from Campbell's Kitchen,” and attributes it to Swanson's Simply Delicious Cookbook.
Note: The recipe originally called for chicken broth, but I've changed it to use vegetable broth.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cooking Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice OR Arborio Rice
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups Swanson® Vegetable Broth
Generous dash pepper
1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook rice and garlic in nonstick saucepan 2 min. or until rice is browned, stirring.
Add 1/2 cup broth and cook until broth is absorbed, stirring. Add remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until all the broth is absorbed and rice is done and creamy, about 25 min.
Add pepper and cheese.
CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP
This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.
Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.
Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.
Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.
Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Pasta
I love pasta. I always have. There's just something about a fresh batch of chewy pasta - whether spaghetti, lasagna noodles, ziti - and a sauce covering it (tomato-y, or cheesy, or any other yumminess). Then there's pasta salads, pasta with tons of veggies...the list goes on. Yum!
That said, here are six yummy pasta recipes to help you through the day, including Pasta with Broccoli, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Lime and French Macaroni and Cheese. Enjoy!
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, "This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017651-pasta-with-fresh-tomato-sauce-and-ricotta.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, "In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer."
Yield: About 2 1/2 cups; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017650-quick-fresh-tomato-sauce.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
FRENCH MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Rebecca Franklin, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Rebecca wrote, "This French macaroni and cheese recipe tastes velvety smooth, rich, and just a touch sophisticated - nothing like those little blue boxes of dry, salty mix sold in markets and convenience stores. This dish takes only 40 minutes to prepare, much less than a quarter of which is spent actively cooking. Use this French-style "mac and cheese" as an unexpected side dish on a dinner menu or as the focal point of a winter-themed mountain lodge party."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 1 bowl macaroni (6 servings)
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/french-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1375553.
Ingredients
16 ounces small macaroni
1 clove garlic (cut in half lengthwise)
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 1/4 cups crème fraiche
2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded)
2 cups Cantal cheese (shredded)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 F.
Prepare the macaroni according to package instructions and drain it.
While the macaroni is boiling, rub the cut end of the garlic across the entire inner surface of a three-quart baking dish.
Brush the same surface with the melted butter.
Pour the drained macaroni into the prepared baking dish.
Stir the crème fraiche, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, salt, and pepper into the pasta.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese over the surface of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly throughout and turns light golden brown on top.
Serve immediately.
BALSAMIC VEGGIE PASTA
This comes from Ali at her wonderful site, Gimme Some Oven. This recipe starts off, "This easy Balsamic Veggie Pasta recipe is overflowing with fresh veggies, and sautéed in a delicious balsamic sauce."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 6-8
To view this online (recipe and chit-chat beforehand), go to https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/easy-balsamic-veggie-pasta/.
Ingredients
12 ounces uncooked pasta (I used penne)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small red onion, peeled and thinly-sliced
1 pound asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces (with ends trimmed off and discarded)
1 small head of broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly-sliced
Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3–4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook pasta in a large stock pot of generously-salted boiling water al dente according to package instructions. Then drain the pasta, and set it aside.
Meanwhile, as the pasta water is heating and the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add the asparagus, broccoli, and red bell pepper, and season the mixture with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Continue sautéing for 4-5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. (Adding in another tablespoon of oil if needed.) Stir in the garlic and continue sautéing for 1-2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat.
Once the veggies and pasta have all finished cooking, return the stockpot to the stove over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, cooked pasta, veggie mixture, balsamic vinegar, lots of freshly-cracked black pepper, and toss to combine. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, so that the pasta is very lightly toasted. Taste, and add extra balsamic vinegar and black pepper if needed.
Remove from heat and serve warm, garnished with lots of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
*Feel free to also add a splash of dry white wine to the pasta along with the balsamic, if you’d like. Delicious!
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.
PASTA WITH BROCCOLI, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, AND LIME
This was in an article titled "Vision Quest, Recipes for Eye Health" in the July 2020 issue of Taste for Life (page 14).
I had picked up a copy of Taste for Life at Rollin' Oats, a Florida health food store with two locations (Tampa and St. Petersburg). Since I live close to the St. Pete store, I try to go there as often as possible (though not often enough, as far as I'm concerned). If you're ever in the area, I highly suggest giving them a try.
Anywho, this recipe's prep time is 30 minutes, and serves 4.
Ingredients
3 cups bite-size pieces of broccoli florets
12 oz penne pasta
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomato slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1 large lime)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Steam broccoli for 5 minutes until tender. Set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Set aside.
Heat sun-dried tomatoes and their oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
Add pasta, reserved cooking water, steamed broccoli, and lime juice to sun-dried tomato mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
That said, here are six yummy pasta recipes to help you through the day, including Pasta with Broccoli, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Lime and French Macaroni and Cheese. Enjoy!
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, "This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat."
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017651-pasta-with-fresh-tomato-sauce-and-ricotta.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, "In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer."
Yield: About 2 1/2 cups; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017650-quick-fresh-tomato-sauce.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
FRENCH MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Rebecca Franklin, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Rebecca wrote, "This French macaroni and cheese recipe tastes velvety smooth, rich, and just a touch sophisticated - nothing like those little blue boxes of dry, salty mix sold in markets and convenience stores. This dish takes only 40 minutes to prepare, much less than a quarter of which is spent actively cooking. Use this French-style "mac and cheese" as an unexpected side dish on a dinner menu or as the focal point of a winter-themed mountain lodge party."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 1 bowl macaroni (6 servings)
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/french-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1375553.
Ingredients
16 ounces small macaroni
1 clove garlic (cut in half lengthwise)
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 1/4 cups crème fraiche
2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded)
2 cups Cantal cheese (shredded)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 F.
Prepare the macaroni according to package instructions and drain it.
While the macaroni is boiling, rub the cut end of the garlic across the entire inner surface of a three-quart baking dish.
Brush the same surface with the melted butter.
Pour the drained macaroni into the prepared baking dish.
Stir the crème fraiche, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, salt, and pepper into the pasta.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese over the surface of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly throughout and turns light golden brown on top.
Serve immediately.
BALSAMIC VEGGIE PASTA
This comes from Ali at her wonderful site, Gimme Some Oven. This recipe starts off, "This easy Balsamic Veggie Pasta recipe is overflowing with fresh veggies, and sautéed in a delicious balsamic sauce."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 6-8
To view this online (recipe and chit-chat beforehand), go to https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/easy-balsamic-veggie-pasta/.
Ingredients
12 ounces uncooked pasta (I used penne)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small red onion, peeled and thinly-sliced
1 pound asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces (with ends trimmed off and discarded)
1 small head of broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly-sliced
Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3–4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook pasta in a large stock pot of generously-salted boiling water al dente according to package instructions. Then drain the pasta, and set it aside.
Meanwhile, as the pasta water is heating and the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add the asparagus, broccoli, and red bell pepper, and season the mixture with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Continue sautéing for 4-5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. (Adding in another tablespoon of oil if needed.) Stir in the garlic and continue sautéing for 1-2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat.
Once the veggies and pasta have all finished cooking, return the stockpot to the stove over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, cooked pasta, veggie mixture, balsamic vinegar, lots of freshly-cracked black pepper, and toss to combine. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, so that the pasta is very lightly toasted. Taste, and add extra balsamic vinegar and black pepper if needed.
Remove from heat and serve warm, garnished with lots of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
*Feel free to also add a splash of dry white wine to the pasta along with the balsamic, if you’d like. Delicious!
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.
PASTA WITH BROCCOLI, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, AND LIME
This was in an article titled "Vision Quest, Recipes for Eye Health" in the July 2020 issue of Taste for Life (page 14).
I had picked up a copy of Taste for Life at Rollin' Oats, a Florida health food store with two locations (Tampa and St. Petersburg). Since I live close to the St. Pete store, I try to go there as often as possible (though not often enough, as far as I'm concerned). If you're ever in the area, I highly suggest giving them a try.
Anywho, this recipe's prep time is 30 minutes, and serves 4.
Ingredients
3 cups bite-size pieces of broccoli florets
12 oz penne pasta
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomato slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1 large lime)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Steam broccoli for 5 minutes until tender. Set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Set aside.
Heat sun-dried tomatoes and their oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
Add pasta, reserved cooking water, steamed broccoli, and lime juice to sun-dried tomato mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
Desserts
I want something snacky!
Who hasn't said that at least once or twice? I know, someone's bound to know someone who's not into snacky food. But most people I know (myself included) love desserts. To that end, here are six desserts to try, including Strawberry-Rhubarb Dump Cake and Sour Cream Banana Bars. Enjoy!
CREME BRULEE PIE
This comes from Jerrelle Guy on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Jerrelle wrote, “This crowd-pleasing dessert imitates the velvety custard and caramelized sugar shell of a crème brûlée, with the added bonus of a flaky crust. A food processor makes easy work of the all-butter pie shell, which can be chilled, then baked, a day in advance. Unlike traditional crème brûlée, there’s no need to simmer the cream on a stovetop or use a blow torch, ramekins or water bath to pull this dessert together. The filling is simply blended together, baked in the pie shell, then chilled. Broil the pie just before serving to achieve that characteristic crackle on top.”
Time: 3 hours, plus chilling; Yield: One 9-inch pie (about 8 servings).
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020556-creme-brulee-pie
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cubed and chilled
7 to 9 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled
Preparation
Prepare the crust: In a food processor, blend the flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt on high for 5 seconds to combine. Open the lid and scatter the cubes of butter evenly across the top, reattach the lid, and pulse until the butter is about the size of peas or a little larger. Drizzle in 5 tablespoons of the water through the lid while continuing to pulse. If the mixture is still dry, drizzle in more water, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and stopping once the dough is properly moist. Check as you go by pinching the mixture between your fingertips: It should look crumbly but it should hold together when you squeeze it. You should be able to compress it without it sticking too much to your fingers.
Set a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface and dump the dough into the center of it. Wrap it up tightly and compress the dough into a flat, smooth disk. Refrigerate the disk at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days.
Remove the chilled dough from the fridge. On a lightly floured work surface, quickly roll the dough out into an even 13-inch round, making sure to occasionally turn, flip and lightly dust the dough and rolling pin as you go. Carefully transfer the crust to a 9-inch glass pie plate, making sure not to stretch it as you nestle it into the corners of the plate.
Using scissors, trim away the rough edges of the dough and tuck the remaining overhang under itself to create a thicker edge that rests on the rim of the pan. Crimp the edges using your fingertips or the tines of a fork, then place the entire plate in the freezer for another 30 minutes to harden.
Heat the oven to 425 degrees and position a rack in the center of the oven. Remove the crust from the freezer and place a sheet of parchment on top of the pie crust, making sure it extends far beyond the edges of the pie, and top the paper with pie weights or uncooked beans. Bake for 30 minutes before removing the weights and parchment, and then bake for another 12 to 15 minutes until the bottom is light golden brown. Transfer the pie crust in its pie plate to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
While the pie crust cools, heat the oven to 300 degrees and prepare the filling: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, egg yolks, vanilla bean paste, salt and nutmeg, and beat on high speed for 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through. The mixture will be very pale and have a marshmallow-like consistency. Reduce the speed to medium, and with the mixer still running, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream, beating until completely combined.
Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and bake until the pie is set around the edges and jiggly in the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 20 minutes before placing in the fridge, uncovered, to chill overnight (or at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days).
When ready to serve, heat the oven to broil and place a rack 3 to 4 inches away from the heat source. Remove the pie from the fridge and using a sheet of aluminum foil and a pair of scissors, cut a hole out of the center of the foil to create a frame that will expose the filling of the pie but covers the crust. Secure it firmly so it’s hugging the crust and sides of the plate. Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar over the filling, and place the pie directly under the broiler for 3 to 6 minutes, watching closely and rotating the pan and foil as needed, until the sugar begins to bubble and burn all over.
Remove from the oven, allow 3 to 5 minutes to cool so the sugar can harden, then gently tap the surface with a knife to break up the sheet of sugar around the areas you intend to cut. Slice and serve immediately, before the sugar softens.
CHERRY ALMOND TART
This is from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “This dessert is as attractive as it is tasty.”
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cooking Time: 45 minutes; Serves: 8 to 10
Ingredients
Crust:
1/2 cup finely ground blanched almonds
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
Filling:
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
Orange zest, grated (about 1 teaspoon)
Directions
Combine almonds, flour and sugar in bowl of food processor. Scatter butter on top and process just until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and process just until dough gathers in a ball. Divide dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other, and shape into flattened discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375º F. Combine cherry pie filling, liqueur and orange zest.
Roll out the larger disc of pastry into 11-inch circle and place in 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom; trim edges. Roll out smaller disc of pastry into 10-inch circle; cut into 10 3/4-inch wide strips for lattice top.
Spoon filling into tart pan. Arrange strips in lattice pattern on top of filling. Trim to fit and gently press ends into pastry shell. Bake until pastry is golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Cool on wire rack 10-20 minutes. Remove side of pan and let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
CRISCO’S® APPLE COBBLER
This also comes from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, though the poster stated that it's from the Crisco® Cookbook. This begins, “Top this wonderful dessert with whipped cream or ice cream.”
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cooking Time 20 minutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
Filling:
5 medium cooking apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup CRISCO all-vegetable shortening, or 1/4 CRISCO Stick
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with Crisco No Stick Cooking Spray.
Filling:
Place apples in a large mixing bowl. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg in small mixing bowl. Pour sugar mixture over apples; toss and stir to combine. Pour apples into prepared pan; dot with butter.
Topping:
Food processor method: In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pulse in Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening until coarse crumbs form. In a small bowl, mix egg, milk and vanilla; add to flour mixture and pulse to combine. Drop biscuit mixture in 8 mounds on top of fruit.
Or
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl; cut in Crisco until coarse crumbs form.
Combine egg, milk and vanilla in a small bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Drop biscuit mixture in 8 mounds on top of fruit.
Bake at 400ºF for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with cream or ice cream, if desired.
Apple-Cranberry Variation: Add 1 cup fresh cranberries and 1/2 cup additional sugar to the filling mixture. Proceed as directed.
STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB DUMP CAKE
This yumminess comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Made with only six ingredients and the help of Betty Crocker™ cake mix, this dump dessert is weeknight- and crowd-friendly!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups sliced rhubarb
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
10 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
In large bowl, toss strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and cornstarch; spread evenly in baking dish. Top with cake mix, and pour melted butter over top, making sure to cover top with butter as much as you can.
Bake about 1 hour or until bubbly and topping is browned. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
Expert Tips
May use fresh or frozen fruit. If using frozen, do not thaw before using.
Make sure to spread out cake mix so there are no large mounds on top of cake.
RHUBARB MACAROON TART
This comes from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Rhubarb makes any dessert a showstopper, but this tart has more than meets the eye. Under the fruit is a luscious vanilla custard nestled in a chewy macaroon shell. When shopping, look for rhubarb that is about 1/2- to 3/4-inch wide; any bigger and the stalks might start to fall apart in the poaching liquid before the center becomes tender, and any smaller and you’ll need to keep a close eye, since they’ll cook quickly. While the rhubarb topping is a show-stopper, freshly sliced fruit makes a great understudy if you can’t find robust pink stalks."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling.
View this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020982-rhubarb-macaroon-tart.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 (14-ounce) bag sweetened, shredded coconut (about 5 cups)
Butter, for greasing
4 large egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Custard:
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1/2 teaspoon rose water (optional)
For the Rhubarb:
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1 3/4 pounds medium rhubarb stalks, cut into 4-inch batons
Preparation
Prepare the crust: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and toast until deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, tossing occasionally and keeping a close eye in the last 5 minutes to avoid burning. Let cool completely. Using butter, grease an 8 1/2-by-12-inch fluted rectangle or a 10-inch fluted round pan with a removable bottom. Line the bottom with parchment and grease the parchment with butter.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut, egg whites, sugar and salt; press into the prepared tart pan. Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until set, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the custard: Set a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. In a separate medium bowl or a large glass measuring cup, whisk together milk, cream and egg yolks. Add sugar and cornstarch to a medium saucepan; gradually whisk in milk mixture until smooth. Add the 2 tablespoons butter and vanilla bean and seeds and cook mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it has thickened and just come up to a low boil, 6 to 7 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for another minute. Pour custard through sieve, using a spatula to scrape it through and discarding any solids. Stir rose water into custard, if using, then pour mixture into prepared crust. Let cool slightly, then cover with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the custard and chill until firm, at least 4 hours.
Prepare the rhubarb: In a medium pot, combine sugar, 2 cups water and the vanilla bean and seeds, and bring to a boil. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Stir in rhubarb, simmer for 1 minute, and remove from heat. Let cool completely.
Gently remove the rhubarb from the cooled pot, letting the syrup drip back into the pot. Top the chilled tart with the rhubarb in a decorative pattern. Lift the tart out of the rim to serve.
SOUR CREAM BANANA BARS
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 cup Sour cream
1/2 cup Butter, softened
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cup Bananas, mashed, 3 large
2 tsp Vanilla
2 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup Nuts, chopped
Directions
Mix sugar, sour cream, butter and eggs in large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping bowl occasionally, about 1 minute. Beat in banana and vanilla on low speed, 30 seconds. Beat in flour and baking soda on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread dough in greased and floured jelly roll pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes in preheated 375F oven. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cut into bars.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 3 oz pkg cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, 1 T milk and 1 tsp vanilla until creamy. Stir in 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth.
Who hasn't said that at least once or twice? I know, someone's bound to know someone who's not into snacky food. But most people I know (myself included) love desserts. To that end, here are six desserts to try, including Strawberry-Rhubarb Dump Cake and Sour Cream Banana Bars. Enjoy!
CREME BRULEE PIE
This comes from Jerrelle Guy on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Jerrelle wrote, “This crowd-pleasing dessert imitates the velvety custard and caramelized sugar shell of a crème brûlée, with the added bonus of a flaky crust. A food processor makes easy work of the all-butter pie shell, which can be chilled, then baked, a day in advance. Unlike traditional crème brûlée, there’s no need to simmer the cream on a stovetop or use a blow torch, ramekins or water bath to pull this dessert together. The filling is simply blended together, baked in the pie shell, then chilled. Broil the pie just before serving to achieve that characteristic crackle on top.”
Time: 3 hours, plus chilling; Yield: One 9-inch pie (about 8 servings).
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020556-creme-brulee-pie
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cubed and chilled
7 to 9 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled
Preparation
Prepare the crust: In a food processor, blend the flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt on high for 5 seconds to combine. Open the lid and scatter the cubes of butter evenly across the top, reattach the lid, and pulse until the butter is about the size of peas or a little larger. Drizzle in 5 tablespoons of the water through the lid while continuing to pulse. If the mixture is still dry, drizzle in more water, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and stopping once the dough is properly moist. Check as you go by pinching the mixture between your fingertips: It should look crumbly but it should hold together when you squeeze it. You should be able to compress it without it sticking too much to your fingers.
Set a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface and dump the dough into the center of it. Wrap it up tightly and compress the dough into a flat, smooth disk. Refrigerate the disk at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days.
Remove the chilled dough from the fridge. On a lightly floured work surface, quickly roll the dough out into an even 13-inch round, making sure to occasionally turn, flip and lightly dust the dough and rolling pin as you go. Carefully transfer the crust to a 9-inch glass pie plate, making sure not to stretch it as you nestle it into the corners of the plate.
Using scissors, trim away the rough edges of the dough and tuck the remaining overhang under itself to create a thicker edge that rests on the rim of the pan. Crimp the edges using your fingertips or the tines of a fork, then place the entire plate in the freezer for another 30 minutes to harden.
Heat the oven to 425 degrees and position a rack in the center of the oven. Remove the crust from the freezer and place a sheet of parchment on top of the pie crust, making sure it extends far beyond the edges of the pie, and top the paper with pie weights or uncooked beans. Bake for 30 minutes before removing the weights and parchment, and then bake for another 12 to 15 minutes until the bottom is light golden brown. Transfer the pie crust in its pie plate to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
While the pie crust cools, heat the oven to 300 degrees and prepare the filling: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, egg yolks, vanilla bean paste, salt and nutmeg, and beat on high speed for 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through. The mixture will be very pale and have a marshmallow-like consistency. Reduce the speed to medium, and with the mixer still running, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream, beating until completely combined.
Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and bake until the pie is set around the edges and jiggly in the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 20 minutes before placing in the fridge, uncovered, to chill overnight (or at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days).
When ready to serve, heat the oven to broil and place a rack 3 to 4 inches away from the heat source. Remove the pie from the fridge and using a sheet of aluminum foil and a pair of scissors, cut a hole out of the center of the foil to create a frame that will expose the filling of the pie but covers the crust. Secure it firmly so it’s hugging the crust and sides of the plate. Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar over the filling, and place the pie directly under the broiler for 3 to 6 minutes, watching closely and rotating the pan and foil as needed, until the sugar begins to bubble and burn all over.
Remove from the oven, allow 3 to 5 minutes to cool so the sugar can harden, then gently tap the surface with a knife to break up the sheet of sugar around the areas you intend to cut. Slice and serve immediately, before the sugar softens.
CHERRY ALMOND TART
This is from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “This dessert is as attractive as it is tasty.”
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cooking Time: 45 minutes; Serves: 8 to 10
Ingredients
Crust:
1/2 cup finely ground blanched almonds
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
Filling:
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
Orange zest, grated (about 1 teaspoon)
Directions
Combine almonds, flour and sugar in bowl of food processor. Scatter butter on top and process just until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and process just until dough gathers in a ball. Divide dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other, and shape into flattened discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375º F. Combine cherry pie filling, liqueur and orange zest.
Roll out the larger disc of pastry into 11-inch circle and place in 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom; trim edges. Roll out smaller disc of pastry into 10-inch circle; cut into 10 3/4-inch wide strips for lattice top.
Spoon filling into tart pan. Arrange strips in lattice pattern on top of filling. Trim to fit and gently press ends into pastry shell. Bake until pastry is golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Cool on wire rack 10-20 minutes. Remove side of pan and let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
CRISCO’S® APPLE COBBLER
This also comes from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, though the poster stated that it's from the Crisco® Cookbook. This begins, “Top this wonderful dessert with whipped cream or ice cream.”
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cooking Time 20 minutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
Filling:
5 medium cooking apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup CRISCO all-vegetable shortening, or 1/4 CRISCO Stick
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with Crisco No Stick Cooking Spray.
Filling:
Place apples in a large mixing bowl. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg in small mixing bowl. Pour sugar mixture over apples; toss and stir to combine. Pour apples into prepared pan; dot with butter.
Topping:
Food processor method: In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pulse in Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening until coarse crumbs form. In a small bowl, mix egg, milk and vanilla; add to flour mixture and pulse to combine. Drop biscuit mixture in 8 mounds on top of fruit.
Or
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl; cut in Crisco until coarse crumbs form.
Combine egg, milk and vanilla in a small bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Drop biscuit mixture in 8 mounds on top of fruit.
Bake at 400ºF for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with cream or ice cream, if desired.
Apple-Cranberry Variation: Add 1 cup fresh cranberries and 1/2 cup additional sugar to the filling mixture. Proceed as directed.
STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB DUMP CAKE
This yumminess comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Made with only six ingredients and the help of Betty Crocker™ cake mix, this dump dessert is weeknight- and crowd-friendly!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups sliced rhubarb
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
10 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
In large bowl, toss strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and cornstarch; spread evenly in baking dish. Top with cake mix, and pour melted butter over top, making sure to cover top with butter as much as you can.
Bake about 1 hour or until bubbly and topping is browned. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
Expert Tips
May use fresh or frozen fruit. If using frozen, do not thaw before using.
Make sure to spread out cake mix so there are no large mounds on top of cake.
RHUBARB MACAROON TART
This comes from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Rhubarb makes any dessert a showstopper, but this tart has more than meets the eye. Under the fruit is a luscious vanilla custard nestled in a chewy macaroon shell. When shopping, look for rhubarb that is about 1/2- to 3/4-inch wide; any bigger and the stalks might start to fall apart in the poaching liquid before the center becomes tender, and any smaller and you’ll need to keep a close eye, since they’ll cook quickly. While the rhubarb topping is a show-stopper, freshly sliced fruit makes a great understudy if you can’t find robust pink stalks."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling.
View this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020982-rhubarb-macaroon-tart.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 (14-ounce) bag sweetened, shredded coconut (about 5 cups)
Butter, for greasing
4 large egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Custard:
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1/2 teaspoon rose water (optional)
For the Rhubarb:
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1 3/4 pounds medium rhubarb stalks, cut into 4-inch batons
Preparation
Prepare the crust: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and toast until deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, tossing occasionally and keeping a close eye in the last 5 minutes to avoid burning. Let cool completely. Using butter, grease an 8 1/2-by-12-inch fluted rectangle or a 10-inch fluted round pan with a removable bottom. Line the bottom with parchment and grease the parchment with butter.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut, egg whites, sugar and salt; press into the prepared tart pan. Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until set, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the custard: Set a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl. In a separate medium bowl or a large glass measuring cup, whisk together milk, cream and egg yolks. Add sugar and cornstarch to a medium saucepan; gradually whisk in milk mixture until smooth. Add the 2 tablespoons butter and vanilla bean and seeds and cook mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it has thickened and just come up to a low boil, 6 to 7 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for another minute. Pour custard through sieve, using a spatula to scrape it through and discarding any solids. Stir rose water into custard, if using, then pour mixture into prepared crust. Let cool slightly, then cover with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the custard and chill until firm, at least 4 hours.
Prepare the rhubarb: In a medium pot, combine sugar, 2 cups water and the vanilla bean and seeds, and bring to a boil. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Stir in rhubarb, simmer for 1 minute, and remove from heat. Let cool completely.
Gently remove the rhubarb from the cooled pot, letting the syrup drip back into the pot. Top the chilled tart with the rhubarb in a decorative pattern. Lift the tart out of the rim to serve.
SOUR CREAM BANANA BARS
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 cup Sour cream
1/2 cup Butter, softened
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cup Bananas, mashed, 3 large
2 tsp Vanilla
2 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup Nuts, chopped
Directions
Mix sugar, sour cream, butter and eggs in large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping bowl occasionally, about 1 minute. Beat in banana and vanilla on low speed, 30 seconds. Beat in flour and baking soda on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread dough in greased and floured jelly roll pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes in preheated 375F oven. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cut into bars.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 3 oz pkg cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, 1 T milk and 1 tsp vanilla until creamy. Stir in 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday...because not everyone loves tacos. (I was surprised when a relative called me after reading one of my taco posts and informed me that while he was sure some people love tacos, he personally couldn't stand 'em. But to each, his or her own.)
Anywho, today's double post offerings include Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington and Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting. Enjoy!
CRISP GNOCCHI WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS AN BROWN BUTTER
This is from Ali Slagel in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “For a fantastic meal that can be ready in 20 minutes, toss together seared gnocchi and sautéed brussels sprouts with lemon zest, red-pepper flakes and brown butter. The key to this recipe is how you cook the store-bought gnocchi: No need to boil. Just sear them until they are crisp and golden on the outside, and their insides will stay chewy. The resulting texture is reminiscent of fried dough. Shelf-stable and refrigerated gnocchi will both work here, but the shelf-stable ones do crisp up a bit better.”
Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020453-crisp-gnocchi-with-brussels-sprouts-and-brown-butter.
Ingredients
1 pound brussels sprouts
1 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 (18-ounce) package shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced into 6 pieces
1/2 teaspoon honey
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Preparation
Trim and halve the brussels sprouts. Using a vegetable peeler, peel thick strips of lemon zest, then coarsely chop. (You should have about 2 teaspoons chopped zest.)
In a large (preferably 12-inch) skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add the brussels sprouts, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, then arrange the brussels sprouts in an even layer, cut-side down. Scatter the lemon zest over the top and cook, undisturbed, until the brussels sprouts are well browned underneath, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red-pepper flakes, stir and cook until the brussels sprouts are crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high. Break up any gnocchi that are stuck together, add them to the pan and cook, covered and undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the butter and honey, season with salt and a generous amount of black pepper, and cook, stirring, until the butter is golden, nutty smelling and foaming, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the brussels sprouts until warmed through. Serve with grated Parmesan.
GINGERBREAD LOAF WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
This is from Anita Schecter on The Spruce Eats. Anita wrote, “The aroma of gingerbread baking is probably one of the most memorable scents of the Christmas holiday. The combination of spices is hard to mistake and we automatically envision decorated cookies or houses. If making gingerbread from scratch seems too complicated, you're not relegated to those elaborately constructed houses—just skip the architectural project and bake up a rich, moist, and fragrant loaf cake instead.
“Gingerbread is also wonderfully customizable. Love the earthy sweetness of molasses? Use more of that and less of the granulated sugar. Want just a hint of molasses? Feel free to reduce it a bit. This recipe strives for a good balance between the two, but sample the batter and decide for yourself.
“As for the spices, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove are common, but you can alter the proportions to suit your taste. This recipe leaves out the clove for a milder taste. Finally, the sweet tangy notes of cream cheese frosting adds a decadent touch to this simple cake, but a plain icing or powdered sugar will work fine if you'd like to lighten it up.
“This loaf is lovely and rich enough to serve as dessert, but we won't judge if you decide it makes a great breakfast.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
8 tablespoon unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Gather the ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 F.
Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer) and beat for a few minutes until the sugar has been completely incorporated.
Add the eggs one at a time and continue beating.
Add the molasses and vanilla extract and beat to incorporate.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
Alternate beating in the buttermilk and the flour mixture until fully incorporated, but do not over mix.
Butter and flour a loaf pan and pour in the batter.
Bake for 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let rest before removing from the loaf pan.
Add the softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt to a bowl and beat together until smooth.
Stir in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
When the loaf cake has cooled, top with the cream cheese frosting.
Serve and enjoy!
VEGETARIAN MUSHROOM WELLINGTON
This comes from Alexa Weibel at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alexa wrote, “Classic beef Wellington is a technical feat in which a tenderloin is topped with foie gras or mushroom duxelles, then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. This vegetarian version is less exacting yet just as impressive. Seared portobello mushrooms are layered with apple cider-caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, which are seasoned with soy sauce for flavor and bolstered with walnuts for texture. The rich mushroom filling is vegan, and the entire dish can easily be made vegan, too. Swap in vegan puff pastry, a butter substitute in the port reduction and caramelized onions, and an egg substitute for brushing the puff pastry. If you want to prepare ahead, sauté the mushrooms and onions in advance and refrigerate them, then assemble the dish the day you plan to bake and serve it. Prepare the port reduction as the Wellington bakes, or skip it entirely and serve with cranberry sauce for a touch of tangy sweetness.”
Time: 3 hours; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020596-vegetarian-mushroom-wellington.
Ingredients
For the Mushroom Filling:
4 large portobello mushrooms, each about 3 inches wide (8 to 10 ounces total)
1/2 cup plus 5 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster and cremini
4 shallots, finely chopped (about 1 packed cup)
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/3 cup port, or 1 to 2 tablespoons good-quality aged balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts (about 4 ounces)
Ice, for cooling
For the Onions:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
3/4 teaspoon light or dark brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup apple cider or apple juice
1 tablespoon good-quality aged balsamic vinegar (optional)
For Assembling:
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 (14-ounce) package puff pastry
1 large egg, beaten
For the Port Reductions (Optional):
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
1 1/2 cups good-quality port
1 1/2 cups vegetable stock
3 fresh thyme sprigs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt and black pepper
Preparation
Wipe the portobello mushrooms clean using barely moistened paper towels. Remove the stems, then slice off the excess mushroom rim that curls over the gills. (You are making sure the stem side has a flat surface so it will sear properly.) Reserve the stems and scraps for use in Step 2. Brush the portobello mushroom caps on both sides with 3 tablespoons olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet over medium-high and cook the mushrooms, gill-side down, until caramelized, 4 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook until softened, about 4 more minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, gill-side down, to cool.
Prepare the mushroom filling: Separate and reserve any mushroom stems. Roughly chop about two-thirds of the mixed mushrooms, then working in batches, transfer the roughly chopped mushrooms to a food processor and pulse until chopped into small pieces. (They should range from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in size.) Transfer the chopped mushrooms to a large bowl. By hand, finely chop the remaining mixed mushrooms and stems and the reserved portobello mushroom stems and trimmings into 1/4-inch pieces; add them to the large bowl. (Chopping most of the mixed mushrooms in the food processor will save you some time, but you’ll want to chop some by hand for texture.)
Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. (You’ll use this to quickly cool the cooked mushrooms in Step 4. If preparing in advance, you can simply let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.) Wipe out the skillet. Working in two batches, warm 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add about half the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and rosemary, and season lightly with salt and generously with pepper. (You’ll add soy sauce later, so avoid overseasoning at this stage.) Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and repeat with the remaining 1/4 cup oil and the remaining mushrooms, shallots, garlic and rosemary.
Once the second batch of chopped mushrooms is cooked and caramelized, return the first batch to the skillet. Add the port, soy sauce and thyme leaves and cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the liquid evaporates, 3 to 5 minutes. (If using balsamic vinegar instead of port, reduce the cook time to 1 to 2 minutes.) Transfer the mushroom mixture back to the medium bowl and stir in the walnuts. Set the bowl over the prepared ice bath to cool, stirring occasionally, at least 20 minutes.
Prepare the cider-caramelized onions: Wipe out the skillet, then melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with the sugar, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the cider and cook, stirring every few minutes, until the liquid evaporates and the onions are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, if using, then transfer to a bowl to cool.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place a large piece of parchment paper on your work surface and lightly dust it with flour. Unfold your thawed puff pastry and set it on the parchment. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the pastry out into a 13-by-16-inch rectangle. Transfer the parchment paper and puff pastry to a large sheet pan. Rotate the sheet pan, if needed, so that one of the 16-inch sides is closest to you. Arrange half the cooked mushroom mixture in a strip in the center of the puff pastry (it should be about 4-by-10 inches), leaving a 1 1/2-inch border at the ends. Arrange the caramelized onions in a single, 3-inch-wide strip on top of the mushroom mixture, leaving about 1/2 inch of the mushrooms exposed on both sides. Lay the portobello mushrooms on top of the onions in a single line, stem-side down. (If the portobellos are too large to all fit in a row, square off edges so the cut sides lay snugly without overlapping.) Spoon the remaining mushroom mixture on top of the filling, covering the portobello mushrooms, then gently pack the mushroom mixture to form an even layer on top. (You can shape this the same way you might shape a freeform meatloaf.)
To assemble, lift one side of the puff pastry over the mushroom filling to almost completely cover it. Brush the surface of the puff pastry covering the mushrooms with the beaten egg. Lift the remaining puff pastry flap over the egg-washed puff pastry, gently stretching it if need be to create a second layer of puff pastry on top, then gently press the top layer of pastry onto the lower layer using your fingertips to seal. Brush the insides of the short ends of the puff pastry and press to seal. Trim any parchment paper that extends beyond the sheet pan.
Brush the exposed puff pastry on top with the remaining beaten egg. Decorate the top of the puff pastry as you like: Create a cross-hatch pattern by gently slicing through only the top layer of puff pastry in parallel lines, then cutting parallel lines in another direction. (Apply very little pressure, as you only want to cut through the top layer of puff pastry, not the second layer.) You can also slice small decorative vents in the puff pastry (be sure to slice all the way through both layers of puff pastry), or top with additional strips or shapes made from egg-washed puff pastry.
Transfer to the middle rack in the oven and bake until puff pastry is deep golden and flaky, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet, about 10 minutes.
While the Wellington bakes, prepare the optional port reduction: In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium. Add the shallot, garlic and peppercorns, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the port, stock and thyme, and cook over medium-high until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 25 to 30 minutes. Strain the sauce, discarding the solids. (You should have about 1/2 cup sauce.) Cover and set aside until ready to serve. When ready to serve, warm the sauce over medium. Once warmed, whisk in the butter, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
To serve the mushroom Wellington, cut it crosswise into 8 even slabs. (Each slab will include a pretty cross-section showcasing the halved portobello mushroom in the center; this is considered the presentation side.) Serve each piece presentation-side up. Pass with port reduction for drizzling on top.
LEMON SPIKED GARLIC GREENS
Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-spiked-garlic-greens.
Ingredients
Garlic-flavored vegetable cooking spray
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 pounds greens, washed, stems removed, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup water
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onion and garlic until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add greens and water to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until greens are wilted and tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Season to taste with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Notes:
Kale, collard, turnip, or beet greens are excellent choices for this quick-and-easy healthy vegetable.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 58; Fat: 1.7 g; Sodium: 43 mg; Cholesterol: 53.3 mg; Protein: 5.9 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
SUPER GOOD LASAGNA
This is from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 8-12; Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 eggplant
1 box lasagna pasta (I used 12 pieces)
1-2 10 oz. packages spinach, thawed and drained
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Ragu)
10 (or more/less) mushrooms, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
vegetable crumbles (ground beef substitute)
dab of vegan margarine (optional)
olive oil for cooking
1 tub vegan cream cheese (Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese)
Directions
Prepare the eggplant by cutting into thin (1/4 in or about 1 cm thick) long wise. Peel. It is much easier to peel after it has been cut. All you do is lay each piece flat side down and run the knife along the edges! Saute each piece in a bit of olive oil until easily pierced with a fork. Set aside to cool. This can be done the day before, it takes a while to cook fully.
Saute the chopped mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, and the veggie crumbles until tender. Set aside.
Meanwhile, boil and drain your pasta, set aside.
Mix spinach and tofutti cream vegan cheese (room temperature) together until creamy. You may have to microwave it for a few seconds to soften. You can also add a dab of vegan margarine and some salt.
Assembly: Coat bottom of large baking pan with spaghetti sauce. Layer 3-4 noodles, then some mushroom-pepper mixture, then a few slices of eggplant, then some spinach mix, top with spaghetti sauce. Repeat. Make sure you have noodles on top. Cover liberally with more spaghetti sauce (you won't use the whole jar). Cook at 350 degrees for about 30 min or until sauce on top is thick.
MEATLESS MEATBALLS IN MARINARA SAUCE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “These ‘meatballs’ use plant-based ground meat, and a combination of onions, garlic and tamari give them a satisfying chew and robust flavor. Because there’s no egg for binding, these are slightly more delicate than other meatballs, so use a light touch when shaping them, and make sure the mixture is very cold. Serve them on their own, covered in marinara sauce, or stuff them into hero rolls for sandwiches. They are also excellent over spaghetti.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in “The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020740-meatless-meatballs-in-marinara-sauce.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves and tender stems
3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of red-pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 pounds plant-based vegan ground beef (such as Beyond Meat)
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
3 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
Parmesan (optional, or use vegetarian Parmesan if you prefer), for garnish
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, onion, parsley, garlic, tamari, salt, pepper, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add plant-based beef, and blend with your hands until well mixed. Cover mixture and chill for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. (It’s easiest to form the meatballs when the mixture is very cold.)
Heat the broiler. Form 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Transfer meatballs to one or two rimmed baking sheets, and drizzle with olive oil.
Broil meatballs until golden and firm, 7 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce in a pot. Serve meatballs with sauce on top, showered with cheese if you like and drizzled with a little more olive oil.
Anywho, today's double post offerings include Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington and Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting. Enjoy!
CRISP GNOCCHI WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS AN BROWN BUTTER
This is from Ali Slagel in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “For a fantastic meal that can be ready in 20 minutes, toss together seared gnocchi and sautéed brussels sprouts with lemon zest, red-pepper flakes and brown butter. The key to this recipe is how you cook the store-bought gnocchi: No need to boil. Just sear them until they are crisp and golden on the outside, and their insides will stay chewy. The resulting texture is reminiscent of fried dough. Shelf-stable and refrigerated gnocchi will both work here, but the shelf-stable ones do crisp up a bit better.”
Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020453-crisp-gnocchi-with-brussels-sprouts-and-brown-butter.
Ingredients
1 pound brussels sprouts
1 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 (18-ounce) package shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced into 6 pieces
1/2 teaspoon honey
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Preparation
Trim and halve the brussels sprouts. Using a vegetable peeler, peel thick strips of lemon zest, then coarsely chop. (You should have about 2 teaspoons chopped zest.)
In a large (preferably 12-inch) skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add the brussels sprouts, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, then arrange the brussels sprouts in an even layer, cut-side down. Scatter the lemon zest over the top and cook, undisturbed, until the brussels sprouts are well browned underneath, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red-pepper flakes, stir and cook until the brussels sprouts are crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high. Break up any gnocchi that are stuck together, add them to the pan and cook, covered and undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the butter and honey, season with salt and a generous amount of black pepper, and cook, stirring, until the butter is golden, nutty smelling and foaming, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the brussels sprouts until warmed through. Serve with grated Parmesan.
GINGERBREAD LOAF WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
This is from Anita Schecter on The Spruce Eats. Anita wrote, “The aroma of gingerbread baking is probably one of the most memorable scents of the Christmas holiday. The combination of spices is hard to mistake and we automatically envision decorated cookies or houses. If making gingerbread from scratch seems too complicated, you're not relegated to those elaborately constructed houses—just skip the architectural project and bake up a rich, moist, and fragrant loaf cake instead.
“Gingerbread is also wonderfully customizable. Love the earthy sweetness of molasses? Use more of that and less of the granulated sugar. Want just a hint of molasses? Feel free to reduce it a bit. This recipe strives for a good balance between the two, but sample the batter and decide for yourself.
“As for the spices, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove are common, but you can alter the proportions to suit your taste. This recipe leaves out the clove for a milder taste. Finally, the sweet tangy notes of cream cheese frosting adds a decadent touch to this simple cake, but a plain icing or powdered sugar will work fine if you'd like to lighten it up.
“This loaf is lovely and rich enough to serve as dessert, but we won't judge if you decide it makes a great breakfast.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
8 tablespoon unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Gather the ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 F.
Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer) and beat for a few minutes until the sugar has been completely incorporated.
Add the eggs one at a time and continue beating.
Add the molasses and vanilla extract and beat to incorporate.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
Alternate beating in the buttermilk and the flour mixture until fully incorporated, but do not over mix.
Butter and flour a loaf pan and pour in the batter.
Bake for 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let rest before removing from the loaf pan.
Add the softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt to a bowl and beat together until smooth.
Stir in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
When the loaf cake has cooled, top with the cream cheese frosting.
Serve and enjoy!
VEGETARIAN MUSHROOM WELLINGTON
This comes from Alexa Weibel at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Alexa wrote, “Classic beef Wellington is a technical feat in which a tenderloin is topped with foie gras or mushroom duxelles, then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. This vegetarian version is less exacting yet just as impressive. Seared portobello mushrooms are layered with apple cider-caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, which are seasoned with soy sauce for flavor and bolstered with walnuts for texture. The rich mushroom filling is vegan, and the entire dish can easily be made vegan, too. Swap in vegan puff pastry, a butter substitute in the port reduction and caramelized onions, and an egg substitute for brushing the puff pastry. If you want to prepare ahead, sauté the mushrooms and onions in advance and refrigerate them, then assemble the dish the day you plan to bake and serve it. Prepare the port reduction as the Wellington bakes, or skip it entirely and serve with cranberry sauce for a touch of tangy sweetness.”
Time: 3 hours; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020596-vegetarian-mushroom-wellington.
Ingredients
For the Mushroom Filling:
4 large portobello mushrooms, each about 3 inches wide (8 to 10 ounces total)
1/2 cup plus 5 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster and cremini
4 shallots, finely chopped (about 1 packed cup)
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/3 cup port, or 1 to 2 tablespoons good-quality aged balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts (about 4 ounces)
Ice, for cooling
For the Onions:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
3/4 teaspoon light or dark brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup apple cider or apple juice
1 tablespoon good-quality aged balsamic vinegar (optional)
For Assembling:
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 (14-ounce) package puff pastry
1 large egg, beaten
For the Port Reductions (Optional):
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
1 1/2 cups good-quality port
1 1/2 cups vegetable stock
3 fresh thyme sprigs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt and black pepper
Preparation
Wipe the portobello mushrooms clean using barely moistened paper towels. Remove the stems, then slice off the excess mushroom rim that curls over the gills. (You are making sure the stem side has a flat surface so it will sear properly.) Reserve the stems and scraps for use in Step 2. Brush the portobello mushroom caps on both sides with 3 tablespoons olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet over medium-high and cook the mushrooms, gill-side down, until caramelized, 4 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook until softened, about 4 more minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, gill-side down, to cool.
Prepare the mushroom filling: Separate and reserve any mushroom stems. Roughly chop about two-thirds of the mixed mushrooms, then working in batches, transfer the roughly chopped mushrooms to a food processor and pulse until chopped into small pieces. (They should range from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in size.) Transfer the chopped mushrooms to a large bowl. By hand, finely chop the remaining mixed mushrooms and stems and the reserved portobello mushroom stems and trimmings into 1/4-inch pieces; add them to the large bowl. (Chopping most of the mixed mushrooms in the food processor will save you some time, but you’ll want to chop some by hand for texture.)
Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. (You’ll use this to quickly cool the cooked mushrooms in Step 4. If preparing in advance, you can simply let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.) Wipe out the skillet. Working in two batches, warm 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add about half the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and rosemary, and season lightly with salt and generously with pepper. (You’ll add soy sauce later, so avoid overseasoning at this stage.) Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and repeat with the remaining 1/4 cup oil and the remaining mushrooms, shallots, garlic and rosemary.
Once the second batch of chopped mushrooms is cooked and caramelized, return the first batch to the skillet. Add the port, soy sauce and thyme leaves and cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the liquid evaporates, 3 to 5 minutes. (If using balsamic vinegar instead of port, reduce the cook time to 1 to 2 minutes.) Transfer the mushroom mixture back to the medium bowl and stir in the walnuts. Set the bowl over the prepared ice bath to cool, stirring occasionally, at least 20 minutes.
Prepare the cider-caramelized onions: Wipe out the skillet, then melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with the sugar, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the cider and cook, stirring every few minutes, until the liquid evaporates and the onions are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, if using, then transfer to a bowl to cool.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place a large piece of parchment paper on your work surface and lightly dust it with flour. Unfold your thawed puff pastry and set it on the parchment. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the pastry out into a 13-by-16-inch rectangle. Transfer the parchment paper and puff pastry to a large sheet pan. Rotate the sheet pan, if needed, so that one of the 16-inch sides is closest to you. Arrange half the cooked mushroom mixture in a strip in the center of the puff pastry (it should be about 4-by-10 inches), leaving a 1 1/2-inch border at the ends. Arrange the caramelized onions in a single, 3-inch-wide strip on top of the mushroom mixture, leaving about 1/2 inch of the mushrooms exposed on both sides. Lay the portobello mushrooms on top of the onions in a single line, stem-side down. (If the portobellos are too large to all fit in a row, square off edges so the cut sides lay snugly without overlapping.) Spoon the remaining mushroom mixture on top of the filling, covering the portobello mushrooms, then gently pack the mushroom mixture to form an even layer on top. (You can shape this the same way you might shape a freeform meatloaf.)
To assemble, lift one side of the puff pastry over the mushroom filling to almost completely cover it. Brush the surface of the puff pastry covering the mushrooms with the beaten egg. Lift the remaining puff pastry flap over the egg-washed puff pastry, gently stretching it if need be to create a second layer of puff pastry on top, then gently press the top layer of pastry onto the lower layer using your fingertips to seal. Brush the insides of the short ends of the puff pastry and press to seal. Trim any parchment paper that extends beyond the sheet pan.
Brush the exposed puff pastry on top with the remaining beaten egg. Decorate the top of the puff pastry as you like: Create a cross-hatch pattern by gently slicing through only the top layer of puff pastry in parallel lines, then cutting parallel lines in another direction. (Apply very little pressure, as you only want to cut through the top layer of puff pastry, not the second layer.) You can also slice small decorative vents in the puff pastry (be sure to slice all the way through both layers of puff pastry), or top with additional strips or shapes made from egg-washed puff pastry.
Transfer to the middle rack in the oven and bake until puff pastry is deep golden and flaky, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet, about 10 minutes.
While the Wellington bakes, prepare the optional port reduction: In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium. Add the shallot, garlic and peppercorns, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the port, stock and thyme, and cook over medium-high until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 25 to 30 minutes. Strain the sauce, discarding the solids. (You should have about 1/2 cup sauce.) Cover and set aside until ready to serve. When ready to serve, warm the sauce over medium. Once warmed, whisk in the butter, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
To serve the mushroom Wellington, cut it crosswise into 8 even slabs. (Each slab will include a pretty cross-section showcasing the halved portobello mushroom in the center; this is considered the presentation side.) Serve each piece presentation-side up. Pass with port reduction for drizzling on top.
LEMON SPIKED GARLIC GREENS
Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-spiked-garlic-greens.
Ingredients
Garlic-flavored vegetable cooking spray
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 pounds greens, washed, stems removed, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup water
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onion and garlic until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add greens and water to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until greens are wilted and tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Season to taste with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Notes:
Kale, collard, turnip, or beet greens are excellent choices for this quick-and-easy healthy vegetable.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 58; Fat: 1.7 g; Sodium: 43 mg; Cholesterol: 53.3 mg; Protein: 5.9 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
SUPER GOOD LASAGNA
This is from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 8-12; Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 eggplant
1 box lasagna pasta (I used 12 pieces)
1-2 10 oz. packages spinach, thawed and drained
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Ragu)
10 (or more/less) mushrooms, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
vegetable crumbles (ground beef substitute)
dab of vegan margarine (optional)
olive oil for cooking
1 tub vegan cream cheese (Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese)
Directions
Prepare the eggplant by cutting into thin (1/4 in or about 1 cm thick) long wise. Peel. It is much easier to peel after it has been cut. All you do is lay each piece flat side down and run the knife along the edges! Saute each piece in a bit of olive oil until easily pierced with a fork. Set aside to cool. This can be done the day before, it takes a while to cook fully.
Saute the chopped mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, and the veggie crumbles until tender. Set aside.
Meanwhile, boil and drain your pasta, set aside.
Mix spinach and tofutti cream vegan cheese (room temperature) together until creamy. You may have to microwave it for a few seconds to soften. You can also add a dab of vegan margarine and some salt.
Assembly: Coat bottom of large baking pan with spaghetti sauce. Layer 3-4 noodles, then some mushroom-pepper mixture, then a few slices of eggplant, then some spinach mix, top with spaghetti sauce. Repeat. Make sure you have noodles on top. Cover liberally with more spaghetti sauce (you won't use the whole jar). Cook at 350 degrees for about 30 min or until sauce on top is thick.
MEATLESS MEATBALLS IN MARINARA SAUCE
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “These ‘meatballs’ use plant-based ground meat, and a combination of onions, garlic and tamari give them a satisfying chew and robust flavor. Because there’s no egg for binding, these are slightly more delicate than other meatballs, so use a light touch when shaping them, and make sure the mixture is very cold. Serve them on their own, covered in marinara sauce, or stuff them into hero rolls for sandwiches. They are also excellent over spaghetti.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in “The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020740-meatless-meatballs-in-marinara-sauce.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves and tender stems
3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of red-pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 pounds plant-based vegan ground beef (such as Beyond Meat)
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
3 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
Parmesan (optional, or use vegetarian Parmesan if you prefer), for garnish
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, onion, parsley, garlic, tamari, salt, pepper, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add plant-based beef, and blend with your hands until well mixed. Cover mixture and chill for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. (It’s easiest to form the meatballs when the mixture is very cold.)
Heat the broiler. Form 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Transfer meatballs to one or two rimmed baking sheets, and drizzle with olive oil.
Broil meatballs until golden and firm, 7 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce in a pot. Serve meatballs with sauce on top, showered with cheese if you like and drizzled with a little more olive oil.
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