- Make a simple rice salad. Artichoke hearts, roasted or raw red pepper, olives, almonds, pistachios and cashews all go along well. Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a teaspoon of sherry wine vinegar, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard combine in a quick dressing that will make your rice seem like anything but a leftover.
- Add your rice to some soup, either canned or fresh. Rice really makes a split pea, lentil or bean soup into a hearty mid-day meal.
- Make a quick rice pudding. Add a cup of organic lowfat vanilla yogurt, a cup of applesauce or finely chopped apple, a handful of raisins, and a teaspoon of cinnamon to each cup of rice. Stir well, heat through, and you're done with the basics. For a richer dessert, crumble a few walnuts on top.
- Saute a few of your favorite vegetables- asparagus, broccoli florets, mushrooms, slices of red and green sweet peppers, onions, butternut squash-spoon over a bed of warmed rice, top with a handful of your favorite "healthy roasted" nut or seed, and enjoy. (To roast nuts and bring out their flavor without damaging their healthy fats, toss them with a little tamari or soy sauce, spread on a pan or cookie sheet, and roast at 170 degrees for 20 minutes.)
- Use the rice to make some Pineapple, Coconut Rice Breakfast. Just add pineapple chunks, almonds, raisins, banana, and coconut milk, and blend.
- Go macrobiotic! Simply reheat your brown rice, drizzle a tablespoon of tamari on top, then sprinkle with a tablespoon of sesame seeds.
- Make a wrap. Spoon rice down the center of a tortilla. Top with a little salsa, some kidney beans, a couple of sliced black olives, some chopped onions, and a tablespoon of low-fat plain yogurt and/or grated low-fat cheddar cheese. If you have an avocado on hand, finish off with a few slices, then roll up and heat in the microwave or oven. Voila—a healthy flavorful meal.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Seven Uses for Leftover Rice
I found this list at World's Healthiest Foods for ways to use up rice. I always seem to have a cup or two leftover when we have rice.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Six Week Bran Muffins
These muffins are called "six week" because the batter will safely keep in the fridge (in a sealed container) for a long time. It makes a big batch, but it won't take you six weeks to use it up, enjoying hot fresh muffins in the morning!
1 1/2 cups chopped dates, raisins, craisins, or golden raisins
5 tsp Baking Soda
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter
4 eggs
5 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 quart buttermilk
2 cups 40% bran flakes
2 cups All Bran cereal
1 tsp salt
1 cup walnuts (optional)
In a bowl mix dates or raisins with baking soda. Over this pour 2 cups boiling water and let cool. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Stir in buttermilk alternately with flour and salt add bran flakes and All Bran and stir until moistened. Then, add the baking soda mixture. Stir just until moistened--do not overmix! Put in well greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Store leftovers in a tight container in refrigerator for up to six weeks.
1 1/2 cups chopped dates, raisins, craisins, or golden raisins
5 tsp Baking Soda
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter
4 eggs
5 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 quart buttermilk
2 cups 40% bran flakes
2 cups All Bran cereal
1 tsp salt
1 cup walnuts (optional)
In a bowl mix dates or raisins with baking soda. Over this pour 2 cups boiling water and let cool. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Stir in buttermilk alternately with flour and salt add bran flakes and All Bran and stir until moistened. Then, add the baking soda mixture. Stir just until moistened--do not overmix! Put in well greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Store leftovers in a tight container in refrigerator for up to six weeks.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Oatmeal Applesauce Struesel Muffins
I am craving muffins today, so I'm trying these out. I found the recipe at Cooks.com. I'm going to use whole wheat flour & regular rolled oats instead of quick. I'll let you know how they turn out!
1 1/2 c. quick oatmeal
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. skim milk
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. veg. oil
1 egg white
Mix together in order given. Top with the following:
1/4 c. oatmeal
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. melted butter
Bake in a preheated 375F oven for about 15 minutes, or until done (depends upon the size of the muffins).
Tips and Tricks:
These just came out of the oven and they are good but could stand a few small improvements--next time I will add a dash of salt to the recipe and use a whole egg, not just the white. I think this will improve the flavor. I didn't get a chance to try the whole wheat as planned because I'm out of flour in my freezer. Serve them with butter & honey for the best taste.
1 1/2 c. quick oatmeal
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. skim milk
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. veg. oil
1 egg white
Mix together in order given. Top with the following:
1/4 c. oatmeal
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. melted butter
Bake in a preheated 375F oven for about 15 minutes, or until done (depends upon the size of the muffins).
Tips and Tricks:
These just came out of the oven and they are good but could stand a few small improvements--next time I will add a dash of salt to the recipe and use a whole egg, not just the white. I think this will improve the flavor. I didn't get a chance to try the whole wheat as planned because I'm out of flour in my freezer. Serve them with butter & honey for the best taste.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Authentic Sour Beef And Dumplings
Prep: 10 minutes plus marinating
Cook: 6 hours
Yield: 12 servings
1-1/2 cups water, divided
1-1/4 cups cider vinegar, divided
2 large onions, sliced, divided
1 medium lemon, sliced
15 whole cloves, divided
6 bay leaves, divided
6 whole peppercorns
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 beef sirloin tip roast (3 pounds), cut in half
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 gingersnap cookies, crumbled
DUMPLINGS:
3 pounds russet potatoes
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash pepper
In a large plastic bag or bowl, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar, half of the onions, lemon, 10 cloves, four bay leaves, peppercorns, sugar and salt; mix well. Add roast. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
Drain and discard marinade. Place roast in a slow cooker; add pepper and remaining ingredients except gingersnaps. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove roast and keep warm. Discard bay leaves. Stir in gingersnaps. Cover and cook on high for 10-15 minutes or until gravy is thickened.
Two to three hours before roast is finished, boil potatoes whole until tender. Drain well. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Peel and grate potatoes. In a bowl, combine the eggs, 3/4 cup flour, bread crumbs, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Add potatoes; mix with hands until well blended. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls; roll in remaining flour.
In a large kettle, bring salted water to a boil. Add the dumplings, a few at a time, to boiling water. Simmer, uncovered, until the dumplings rise to the top; cook 2 minutes longer. Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl. Serve with roast and gravy.
Tips and Tricks
If your roast is large, make sure to cut it in half for even cooking. I skipped the bay leaves for the second half of the recipe. You could also use various types of vinegar if you don't have cider vinegar. I strained the onions and other ingredients out of the gravy, but you could leave them in if you prefer. Be sure to not overboil your potatoes. Russets work best, other varieties of potatoes don't have the starch content needed for dumplings, and overcooked potatoes will not form balls. The refrigeration step is crucial, I also refrigerated my grated potatoes for about 30 minutes to make sure they were dry enough. Mix only until combined, overkneading will negatively affect the quality of the dumplings. If the pot is not large enough, you may need to cook them in two batches.
Make It Healthier
Trim fat from roast. Omit salt.
How Kids Can Help
Measure ingredients. Push buttons on slow cooker. Crush gingersnaps.
Cook: 6 hours
Yield: 12 servings
1-1/2 cups water, divided
1-1/4 cups cider vinegar, divided
2 large onions, sliced, divided
1 medium lemon, sliced
15 whole cloves, divided
6 bay leaves, divided
6 whole peppercorns
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 beef sirloin tip roast (3 pounds), cut in half
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 gingersnap cookies, crumbled
DUMPLINGS:
3 pounds russet potatoes
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash pepper
In a large plastic bag or bowl, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar, half of the onions, lemon, 10 cloves, four bay leaves, peppercorns, sugar and salt; mix well. Add roast. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
Drain and discard marinade. Place roast in a slow cooker; add pepper and remaining ingredients except gingersnaps. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove roast and keep warm. Discard bay leaves. Stir in gingersnaps. Cover and cook on high for 10-15 minutes or until gravy is thickened.
Two to three hours before roast is finished, boil potatoes whole until tender. Drain well. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Peel and grate potatoes. In a bowl, combine the eggs, 3/4 cup flour, bread crumbs, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Add potatoes; mix with hands until well blended. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls; roll in remaining flour.
In a large kettle, bring salted water to a boil. Add the dumplings, a few at a time, to boiling water. Simmer, uncovered, until the dumplings rise to the top; cook 2 minutes longer. Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl. Serve with roast and gravy.
Tips and Tricks
If your roast is large, make sure to cut it in half for even cooking. I skipped the bay leaves for the second half of the recipe. You could also use various types of vinegar if you don't have cider vinegar. I strained the onions and other ingredients out of the gravy, but you could leave them in if you prefer. Be sure to not overboil your potatoes. Russets work best, other varieties of potatoes don't have the starch content needed for dumplings, and overcooked potatoes will not form balls. The refrigeration step is crucial, I also refrigerated my grated potatoes for about 30 minutes to make sure they were dry enough. Mix only until combined, overkneading will negatively affect the quality of the dumplings. If the pot is not large enough, you may need to cook them in two batches.
Make It Healthier
Trim fat from roast. Omit salt.
How Kids Can Help
Measure ingredients. Push buttons on slow cooker. Crush gingersnaps.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
This year's Christmas Cookies:
Yield: About 4 dozen cookies
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 large eggs or 1/2 cup egg beaters
1 teaspoon vanilla (I allways put a little more in)
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
Combine flour and baking powder and set aside
in a mixing bowl mix butter and sugars until fluffy, add eggs and vanilla mix until well blended add flour and stir until combined stir in oats cranberries and white chocolate chips
Bake at 350 for 12 - 14 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is still soft
Yield: About 4 dozen cookies
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 large eggs or 1/2 cup egg beaters
1 teaspoon vanilla (I allways put a little more in)
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
Combine flour and baking powder and set aside
in a mixing bowl mix butter and sugars until fluffy, add eggs and vanilla mix until well blended add flour and stir until combined stir in oats cranberries and white chocolate chips
Bake at 350 for 12 - 14 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is still soft
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sweet Pork Salad
I had a sweet pork salad at Costa Vida last week and was determined to find a way to make this delicious dish at home.
Prep: 30 minutes (plus 6-8 hours to slow cook the sweet pork)
Yield: 6 Salads
* 1 head of Romano lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces.
* 1 can Black or Pinto beans
* 3 Cups of Sweet Pork (recipe below)
* Cilantro Ranch Dressing (see recipe below)
* 6 flour Tortillas
* Pico de gallo (see recipe below)
* Tortilla strip crunchies
* Cilantro Lime Rice (recipe below)
Place a warm tortilla in a bowl or on a plate. Place approximately 1/3 cup of warmed sweet pork and 1/3 cup of warmed Bush’s beans on the tortilla. Place a portion of rice on top of the beans. Place lettuce over the meat and beans. Sprinkle ¼ cup of pico de gallo over the salad as desired. Drizzle with cilantro ranch dressing and top with a healthy amount of tortilla strip crunchies. Serve and enjoy.
Mexican Sweet Pork
* 4 lb pork shoulder roast (the more fatty the roast, the better)
* 1 Cup of Pace Picante sauce. (Medium heat is best, but the mild version will work)
* 2 Cups brown sugar
* Salt and pepper to taste
1. Remove pork roast from packaging, and wash. (Avoid cutting the roast to expedite cooking time)
2. In a separate bowl, mix picante sauce and brown sugar and whisk until sugar is mostly dissolved.
3. In a crock pot or slow cooker, place the roast in the cooker and cover the roast with the mixture of picante sauce and sugar.
4. Place on medium heat, cover and simmer. Check it every hour or so to rotate roast in the juices. The roast will eventually produce enough juices to make the right consistency, so do not add water.
5. Once the roast is fully cooked, it will begin to fall apart. Use a fork to separate the meat into smaller segments. Cover and continue cooking.
6. After 8 hours, continue to shred the meat until no chunks remain.
7. If it appears to be too juicy, turn slow cooker down to its lowest setting, remove the cover and let it reduce as needed.
Cilantro Ranch Dressing
* 1 package of Hidden Valley ® buttermilk ranch dressing, prepared to pkg directions
* 3 Tbsp of prepared salsa verde
* cilantro (1/4 bunch)
* 2 cloves of garlic
* ¼ cup lime juice
* 1/8 tsp Tabasco
Clean and rinse cilantro and remove large stems. Pour prepared ranch dressing in a blender, and add cilantro leaves, salsa verde, garlic, lime juice and Tobasco. Blend until cilantro is finely chopped. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until dressing has thickened.
Pico de Gallo
* 1 cup diced tomatoes (remove seeds)
* 1/3 cup diced red onion
* 1 Jalapeno diced (at least a Tablespoon, but more if you prefer)
* 1 Tbsp minced garlic
* 2 limes juiced (about 1/3 Cup of lime juice)
* 1 Tbsp cilantro, plus extra for garnish
* Salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and stir well. Chill.
Cilantro Lime Rice:
* 1 Tbsp. olive oil
* 1 cup basmati rice
* 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
* 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
* zest from one lime
* 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
* 1 tsp. salt
Add the oil to a sauce pan and heat on low. Add the garlic and rice to the oil and saute for 2 minutes on medium heat stirring frequently.
Add the chicken broth, salt, lime juice and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes or according to rice package directions.
When the rice is done, add lime zest and chopped cilantro and stir to mix in. Serve immediately.
Prep: 30 minutes (plus 6-8 hours to slow cook the sweet pork)
Yield: 6 Salads
* 1 head of Romano lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces.
* 1 can Black or Pinto beans
* 3 Cups of Sweet Pork (recipe below)
* Cilantro Ranch Dressing (see recipe below)
* 6 flour Tortillas
* Pico de gallo (see recipe below)
* Tortilla strip crunchies
* Cilantro Lime Rice (recipe below)
Place a warm tortilla in a bowl or on a plate. Place approximately 1/3 cup of warmed sweet pork and 1/3 cup of warmed Bush’s beans on the tortilla. Place a portion of rice on top of the beans. Place lettuce over the meat and beans. Sprinkle ¼ cup of pico de gallo over the salad as desired. Drizzle with cilantro ranch dressing and top with a healthy amount of tortilla strip crunchies. Serve and enjoy.
Mexican Sweet Pork
* 4 lb pork shoulder roast (the more fatty the roast, the better)
* 1 Cup of Pace Picante sauce. (Medium heat is best, but the mild version will work)
* 2 Cups brown sugar
* Salt and pepper to taste
1. Remove pork roast from packaging, and wash. (Avoid cutting the roast to expedite cooking time)
2. In a separate bowl, mix picante sauce and brown sugar and whisk until sugar is mostly dissolved.
3. In a crock pot or slow cooker, place the roast in the cooker and cover the roast with the mixture of picante sauce and sugar.
4. Place on medium heat, cover and simmer. Check it every hour or so to rotate roast in the juices. The roast will eventually produce enough juices to make the right consistency, so do not add water.
5. Once the roast is fully cooked, it will begin to fall apart. Use a fork to separate the meat into smaller segments. Cover and continue cooking.
6. After 8 hours, continue to shred the meat until no chunks remain.
7. If it appears to be too juicy, turn slow cooker down to its lowest setting, remove the cover and let it reduce as needed.
Cilantro Ranch Dressing
* 1 package of Hidden Valley ® buttermilk ranch dressing, prepared to pkg directions
* 3 Tbsp of prepared salsa verde
* cilantro (1/4 bunch)
* 2 cloves of garlic
* ¼ cup lime juice
* 1/8 tsp Tabasco
Clean and rinse cilantro and remove large stems. Pour prepared ranch dressing in a blender, and add cilantro leaves, salsa verde, garlic, lime juice and Tobasco. Blend until cilantro is finely chopped. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until dressing has thickened.
Pico de Gallo
* 1 cup diced tomatoes (remove seeds)
* 1/3 cup diced red onion
* 1 Jalapeno diced (at least a Tablespoon, but more if you prefer)
* 1 Tbsp minced garlic
* 2 limes juiced (about 1/3 Cup of lime juice)
* 1 Tbsp cilantro, plus extra for garnish
* Salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and stir well. Chill.
Cilantro Lime Rice:
* 1 Tbsp. olive oil
* 1 cup basmati rice
* 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
* 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
* zest from one lime
* 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
* 1 tsp. salt
Add the oil to a sauce pan and heat on low. Add the garlic and rice to the oil and saute for 2 minutes on medium heat stirring frequently.
Add the chicken broth, salt, lime juice and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes or according to rice package directions.
When the rice is done, add lime zest and chopped cilantro and stir to mix in. Serve immediately.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Coconut-Red Curry Pumpkin Soup
Curry and pumpkin in the same dish? I think I'm in love.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
3C Fat-Free Less Sodium Chicken Broth
1 can of Pumpkin (15oz)
2tsp chili sauce w/ garlic (such as Hokan)
1/8tsp salt
1/8tsp curry powder
1C light coconut milk
1T fresh lime juice
Chooped fresh cilantro (optional)
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and add coconut milk, stirring with a wisk. Cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat, and stir in lime juice. Ladle soup into bowls, and sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
3C Fat-Free Less Sodium Chicken Broth
1 can of Pumpkin (15oz)
2tsp chili sauce w/ garlic (such as Hokan)
1/8tsp salt
1/8tsp curry powder
1C light coconut milk
1T fresh lime juice
Chooped fresh cilantro (optional)
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and add coconut milk, stirring with a wisk. Cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat, and stir in lime juice. Ladle soup into bowls, and sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A Fun Bloggy Award, and a Bento Link
Arkonite's Bento has given us this award! I'm interested in browsing her blog for more great Bento ideas! Thank you!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Fun with Sandwiches and Bento
I found this site today, with all sorts of creative ideas for sandwiches. No more boring school lunches! Check it out!
Insanewiches.com
If you liked this, you will probably also enjoy the feature we did last year on Bento lunches.
Insanewiches.com
If you liked this, you will probably also enjoy the feature we did last year on Bento lunches.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Organizing your Way Out of the What's For Dinner Funk
Do you ever find yourself stuck making the same foods over and over again?
Try this: make a file folder of your favorite recipes. On the back list the non-staple ingredients for making quick shopping lists. Put a divider in the back, and one in the front. As you find a new recipe your family likes, make a new card. Place your cards between the two dividers.
When you are planning your meals for the week, choose the number of cards for the number of meals you want to make. Copy the ingredient lists on to your shopping list, and put those recipe cards in front of the front divider to refer to over the upcoming week. Your pantry will be stocked with the necessary ingredients, and you won't be locked into a calendar menu that isn't flexible. Just pull out a card that sounds good and make it.
Once you have made a recipe, tuck it behind the back divider. This will help you keep track of what you have made recently, so no too-soon repeats. But if you want to make something again, you know exactly where to find it.
What is your best tip for making meal planning quick and easy?
Try this: make a file folder of your favorite recipes. On the back list the non-staple ingredients for making quick shopping lists. Put a divider in the back, and one in the front. As you find a new recipe your family likes, make a new card. Place your cards between the two dividers.
When you are planning your meals for the week, choose the number of cards for the number of meals you want to make. Copy the ingredient lists on to your shopping list, and put those recipe cards in front of the front divider to refer to over the upcoming week. Your pantry will be stocked with the necessary ingredients, and you won't be locked into a calendar menu that isn't flexible. Just pull out a card that sounds good and make it.
Once you have made a recipe, tuck it behind the back divider. This will help you keep track of what you have made recently, so no too-soon repeats. But if you want to make something again, you know exactly where to find it.
What is your best tip for making meal planning quick and easy?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Crockpot Chicken Cassoulet
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4-6 hours
Yield: 6 servings
1 can white beans or black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
salt and pepper
1/4 cup sliced sundried tomatoes, not packed in oil
2 tsp EACH dried parsley, thyme and basil
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
one medium onion, cut into chunks
4 cloves garlic, pressed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 2/3 cup chicken stock
Place half the canned beans on bottom of crockpot and top with chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and add chicken stock.
In a small skillet, saute vegetables and spices in oil until tender. Add to chicken and top with the rest of the beans. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
Tips and Tricks
I used frozen black eyed peas. Brown the chicken if you wish.
Make It Healthier
Omit salt.
How Kids Can Help
Older kids can open the beans. Younger kids can dump spices.
Cook: 4-6 hours
Yield: 6 servings
1 can white beans or black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
salt and pepper
1/4 cup sliced sundried tomatoes, not packed in oil
2 tsp EACH dried parsley, thyme and basil
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
one medium onion, cut into chunks
4 cloves garlic, pressed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 2/3 cup chicken stock
Place half the canned beans on bottom of crockpot and top with chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and add chicken stock.
In a small skillet, saute vegetables and spices in oil until tender. Add to chicken and top with the rest of the beans. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
Tips and Tricks
I used frozen black eyed peas. Brown the chicken if you wish.
Make It Healthier
Omit salt.
How Kids Can Help
Older kids can open the beans. Younger kids can dump spices.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Mexican Zuchinni Casserole
Cinnamon gives this stove top casserole a delicious Central American flair. It's a delicious way to use up Zucchini from your garden!
Prep: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
2 T olive oil
3 whole peeled garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced
4 small zucchini, chopped
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup chopped mushrooms
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp dried oregano
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheese
In a large skillet, heat oil, add garlic, onion, & tomatoes. Saute 5 minutes, add zucchini and saute 5 minutes more. Add mushrooms, broth, chicken & spices, mix well and cook until heated through and vegetables are tender. Top with cheese, turn heat to low and cover 5 minutes so the cheese can melt.
Tips & Tricks:
This meal was a hit with all members of my family, but especially my husband. For an even faster dinner, combine ingredients except cheese with raw chopped chicken in crock pot in the morning, then top with cheese 10 minutes before serving.
This casserole would be a delicious wrap filling. Simply heat tortillas & fill with casserole.
Yellow crookneck summer squash can be substituted for zucchini, for either type of squash, peel before hand for a nicer texture.
I didn't have precooked chicken, so I simply cooked 3 half chicken breasts in the oil before adding the veggies, then I cut them up & returned them to the casserole with the broth.
Make it Healthier:
Omit cheese. Reduce or omit salt.
Prep: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
2 T olive oil
3 whole peeled garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced
4 small zucchini, chopped
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup chopped mushrooms
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp dried oregano
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheese
In a large skillet, heat oil, add garlic, onion, & tomatoes. Saute 5 minutes, add zucchini and saute 5 minutes more. Add mushrooms, broth, chicken & spices, mix well and cook until heated through and vegetables are tender. Top with cheese, turn heat to low and cover 5 minutes so the cheese can melt.
Tips & Tricks:
This meal was a hit with all members of my family, but especially my husband. For an even faster dinner, combine ingredients except cheese with raw chopped chicken in crock pot in the morning, then top with cheese 10 minutes before serving.
This casserole would be a delicious wrap filling. Simply heat tortillas & fill with casserole.
Yellow crookneck summer squash can be substituted for zucchini, for either type of squash, peel before hand for a nicer texture.
I didn't have precooked chicken, so I simply cooked 3 half chicken breasts in the oil before adding the veggies, then I cut them up & returned them to the casserole with the broth.
Make it Healthier:
Omit cheese. Reduce or omit salt.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Rustic Herbed Tomato Tart
photo credit: Maura McEvoy, Intimate GatheringsI can't wait to try this out with tomatoes fresh from my own garden.
Rustic Herbed Tomato Tart with a Parmesan Crust
Pastry
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 5 pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
zest from 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup ice water
Filling
1 1/2 TBS. Dijon mustard
2 TBS freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 TBS finely chopped fresh basil
1 TBS finely chopped frsh thyme
1 TBS finely chopped Italian parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
6-8 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/4 lbs.), cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
1 TBS olive oil
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tsp. water
1. To prepare the pastry: In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the flour, butter, salt, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with the motor running, add the lemon zest and pour the water through the feeder tube in a steady stream. Process 5-10 seconds, until the dough begins to bind. Remove dough and shape it into a 12-inch disk.
2. The dough can be used immediately or wrapped in plastic and refrigerated. When ready to use, remove dough from refrigerator and let soften at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 425
4. Place pastry on a baking sheet, using a pastry brush, paint the pastry with the mustard, leaving a 1 1 1/2 inch border all around. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the mustard.
5. In a small bowl, combine the basil, thyme, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Arrange half the tomato slices over the mustard coated portion of the pastry, and sprinkle the herb mixture over the tomatoes. Cover the herbs with the remaining tomatoes, overlapping the slices if necessary.
6. Fold the pastry in half over the tomatoes to enclose the sides of the tart, gently draping the pastry over the tomatoes and folding soft pleats every few inches. Pinch any cracks to seal the pastry and prevent tomato juices from running out during baking. Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes. Using a pastry brush, paint the dough with the egg wash. Place the tart in the oven and bake 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden. Cool slightly, slice and serve warm.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Pumpkin Muffins with Pumpkin Glaze
I found this recipe browsing on a forum where many were raving about how good it is. I haven't tried it out yet to see how much it makes or how long it takes, but it has great reviews and I love pumpkin so I'm looking forward to trying it out!
This is a double batch:
3 C sugar
1 C applesauce
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Mix together until combined
3 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking soda
sift dry ingredients, then add wet to dry
2/3 cup soy or dairy milk
1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin
add half the milk, mix, half the pumpkin, mix again,
the rest of the milk, mix, the rest of the pumpkin, mix
optional:
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips
(just fold these in)
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Pumpkin Icing/Glaze:
2 T butter
2 T canned pumpkin
1 T milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 C powdered sugar
Melt butter, stir in pumpkin, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Add the sugar. Blend until smooth. I love to add it on the muffins when the muffins are still warm, I generally wait 10mins then slather the mix on and watch it melt into the muffins and give such a nice texture and taste when you bit into the muffin.
This is a double batch:
3 C sugar
1 C applesauce
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Mix together until combined
3 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp baking soda
sift dry ingredients, then add wet to dry
2/3 cup soy or dairy milk
1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin
add half the milk, mix, half the pumpkin, mix again,
the rest of the milk, mix, the rest of the pumpkin, mix
optional:
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips
(just fold these in)
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Pumpkin Icing/Glaze:
2 T butter
2 T canned pumpkin
1 T milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 C powdered sugar
Melt butter, stir in pumpkin, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Add the sugar. Blend until smooth. I love to add it on the muffins when the muffins are still warm, I generally wait 10mins then slather the mix on and watch it melt into the muffins and give such a nice texture and taste when you bit into the muffin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)