Friday, December 2, 2011

Healthy Sloppy Joes or Stuffed Peppers

For a yummy alternative make the sloppy joe mix, stuff it in bell peppers, top with your favorite cheese, and put it under the broiler for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

FORMULA:

1 lb. ground turkey, beef or vegetarian ground meat, or 28 – 30 oz. pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
1 red or yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1 large carrot, finely diced
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. ketchup
8 whole wheat buns, (or use taco shells)

PROCESS:

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meat in its own juices until it is almost cooked through. (If you are using vegetarian ground “meat” or the beans, add them after the tomato sauce instead). (Meanwhile, start the potato chips, if you are serving them.)
Drain off the excess liquid, if necessary, and add the diced vegetables to the skillet (if you are making a meatless version, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in the skillet before adding the vegetables).
Sauté the mixture for 2 minutes and add all the remaining ingredients, except the buns. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and simmer it for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. At this point you can refrigerate or freeze the mixture, or proceed to the next step.
To serve the sandwiches, lightly toast the buns and fill each one with a large spoonful of the meat mixture.

Pretzel Rolls

I got this recipe from Pennies on a Platter.  These are sooooo good.

FORMULA:

  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 2 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted then cooled to room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Kosher or pretzel salt to top rolls
PROCESS:



In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, yeast, flour, butter, sugar and salt. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment to mix the ingredients, then knead at medium-high speed for 1 minutes. (This will help develop some gluten.) If not using a stand mixer, you can also do this by hand or with a hand mixer fitted with the dough hooks. Shape the dough into a ball and place it back into the mixing bowl. Cover with clean kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. 

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Separate into 4 equal portions if making hamburger sized buns or 8 equal portions if making dinner rolls. Form into balls by pulling the sides to the center and pinching to seal. Place the formed rolls, seam side down, onto a parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheet. Cover with the towel and allow to rise again for 30 minutes. 

Heat the oven to 425F degrees. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large sauce pan, then add 1/4 cup of baking soda. Boil each roll for 1 minute, flipping over halfway. Place the boiled rolls back onto the lined baking sheet, seam side down. Brush the tops with beaten egg, then lightly sprinkle with salt. Slice a shallow "X" into the top of each roll, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Serve warm or at room temperature. You can also freeze for later use in a freezer bag once cooled to room temperature. Microwave for 30 seconds to thaw. (If not consuming the same day they are baked, freeze right away to preserve freshness.)

Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana is our favorite.  I finally found a recipe that I like.  I adapted it from The Pioneer Woman.

FORMULA:
  • 1/2 bunches Kale, Picked Over, Cleaned, And Torn Into Bite Sized Pieces
  • 12 whole Red Potatoes, Sliced Thin
  • 1 whole Onion, Chopped
  • 1-1/2 pound Italian Sausage
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
  • 2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 2 cups Whole Milk
  • 4 cups Half-and-half
  • Splash Of Heavy Cream
  • Fresh Or Dried Oregano
  • Black Pepper To Taste
PROCESS:

Prepare the kale and set it aside.

In a medium pot. boil sliced potatoes until tender. Drain and set aside.

In a large pot, crumble and brown the Italian sausage. Drain as much as the fat as you can. Stir in the red pepper flakes, oregano, chicken broth, milk, and half-and-half. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Give it a taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the potatoes, a splash of heavy cream for richness, then stir in the kale. Simmer an additional 10-15 minutes, then serve.

Mongolian Beef

Serves 2 (can easily be doubled to serve 4)
From Elly Says Opa who adapted from Pink Bites

Note: Toss in broccoli, snow peas, or any veggie of your choosing during the last five minutes of cooking, making this more of a wholesome one pot meal. 


FORMULA:

  • 2/3 lb. flank steak, sliced across the grain
  • 3 Tbsp. corn starch
  • 3 tsp. canola oil, divided
  • 1/2 tsp. grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. (heaping) red pepper flakes
  • 2-3 large scallions, sliced
PROCESS:

1. Pat the steak pieces with a paper towel to get rid of any moisture. Toss the steak and cornstarch together; shake of excess cornstarch using a fine strainer.
2. Mix together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl or large measuring cup.
3. Heat half the oil in a wok or large fry-pan at medium-high heat and add the ginger and garlic.  Cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant, then add the soy sauce mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes and transfer back to the bowl or measuring cup.
4. Turn the heat up on the wok and add the remaining oil. Add the beef and cook, stirring until just browned.
5. Pour the sauce back in and let it cook with the meat. Simmer for around 5 minutes or until thickened. Place beef mixture on top of a bed of brown rice and garnish with scallions. Serve with a side of steamed veggies dolloped with leftover soy sauce mixture (or see note above).

Monday, June 6, 2011

Mexican Chocolate Cake with Marscarpone Frosting

This recipe makes 2 (8-inch)  frosted cakes.

For the cake:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 3/4 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 Tablespoons vanilla

Put all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add all of the liquid ingredients.

Mix until smooth.  How gorgeous is this batter?  It is almost black.  Yum.

Spray two 8-inch pans with cooking spray.  Put a piece of parchment on the bottom of the pan and spray again.  Here is the best tip I have ever learned.  To get even and flat cakes, take two strips of old towel and dampen them.  Wrap them around the outside of the cake pans.  Your cakes will come out completely level.  I did not believe it until I saw it for myself.

Pour the batter into the cake pans.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes.  Turn them out and let cool completely.

For the frosting:

1 (8-ounce) tub of mascarpone cheese
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
pinch of salt
2 cups heavy cream

Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.  In another bowl, whisk together the mascarpone, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and sugar.  Gently fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture.
Use half of the frosting and cover the top of your cake.

Sprinkle cinnamon on top for garnish.

This cake is moist, flavorful, and delicious.  A perfect ending for a Mexican feast or something to bring to a Cinco de Mayo party.

Carly's Favorite Frosting


FORMULA:

  • 5 Tablespoons Flour
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)

PROCESS:

Bake your favorite chocolate cake and let it cool.

In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick, thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix is. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.) It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in vanilla.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You don’t want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven’t beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Brazilian Lemonade



FORMULA:     

2 limes
 3 c. cold water
½ c. sugar
3 Tbl. sweetened condensed milk

PROCESS:

Wash limes and warm in the microwave for 10 seconds to get juices flowing.  Cut off a small slice from each end, then chunk into eight pieces.  Place in blender, squeezing slightly to release juice.  Add water, sugar, and milk.  Cover and pulse for a few seconds to mix and roughly chop limes.  Strain and serve over ice.  Makes about four cups. 

Monday, April 4, 2011

Parker House Rolls

I found these at The Pioneer Woman blog.  So easy and tasty.


FORMULA:


4 cups Whole Milk
2 sticks 1 Cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
4-½ teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
8 cups All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt
1 cup (additional) All-purpose Flour
2 sticks Melted Butter (additional)


PROCESS:
Combine 4 cups milk, 2 sticks butter, and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a simmer, and when the mixture is hot (but not boiling) turn off heat and allow to cool to warmer than lukewarm, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Sprinkle in the yeast and 8 cups of flour. Stir to combine, then cover and allow to rise for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, add baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 additional cup of flour. Stir to combine. Divide dough in half, then turn out onto floured surface. Knead dough for 8 to 10 minutes, then form into a ball and cover with a towel and allow to rise in a warm place. for 30 to 45 minutes. (Repeat with other half of dough, or store it for a later use.)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 2 sticks of butter in a saucepan.
Roll out dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut circles with a 2 1/2 inch cutter. Dunk each circle in melted butter, then immediately fold in half and place on a cookie sheet, flat side down. Press lightly to encourage sealing. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Cover with a towel and allow rolls to rise 30 to 45 minutes.
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Easy Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos

I'm always look for a good slow-cooker recipe that doesn't call for a can of "Cream of ..."  I adapted this from a Serious Eats recipe.

FORMULA:

3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/3 cup cider vinegar
Kosher salt
1 pound pork butt
1 carrot
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 medium onion, quartered
3 tablespoons bottled or homemade barbecue sauce
1 chipotle pepper from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce, minced, plus extra sauce

 
PROCESS:
 
Mix together brown sugar, ground coriander, vinegar and 1 ½ tablespoons salt in bowl large enough to fit pork. Add pork, toss to combine, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

Add half of carrot, garlic, and onion to bottom of slow cooker. Add pork and 2 tablespoons juice from marinade. Pour ½ cup water over pork. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for about 8 hours. Pork should be very tender and shred easily. Transfer to bowl, leaving vegetables behind. Shred with two forks. Add ½ teaspoon salt, three tablespoons broth, and barbecue sauce. Stir in minced chipotle and adobo sauce to taste. Season to taste with salt.

Baked Falafel

I found this recipe on Chow Vegan.  It was a great week-night meal and Oliver liked it too.

FORMULA:

1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans

1 small onion, finely chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Salt and pepper to taste


PROCESS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans. Put in a medium sized bowl and smash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Form into small balls, about 1 1/2″ in diameter and slightly flatten. Place onto an oiled baking pan.

Bake for 15 minutes on each side, until nicely browned (since it’s baked, only the part actually touching the pan will be browned and crispy).

Serve with mini pita pockets, hummus, tahini sauce, tomatoes, lettuce and/or cucumber.