Sunday, August 31, 2008

Seared Steaks


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Ingredients

Serves 4
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 beefsteak tomatoes, thinly sliced crosswise
1 sweet onion, such as Vidalia, one half thinly sliced, other half chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 flat-iron steaks (4 to 6 ounces each)
Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Place tomato and onion slices on a platter, and drizzle with vinaigrette. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat remaining tablespoon oil over medium. Add chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add flour to pan; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk. Stir in spinach and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is tender and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover, and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and medium-rare, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve steaks with tomato salad and creamy spinach.
Helpful Hint

Inexpensive flat-iron steak is a lean cut from the top shoulder; remove center gristle, if any. It's best medium-rare, so it's ready in minutes.

From Martha Stewart

Glazed Pork Chops with Smashed Potatoes and Green Beans


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Ingredients

Serves 4
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium red onion, diced
2 celery stalks, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 package (10 ounces) frozen green beans
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice
1 1/2 pounds red new potatoes, scrubbed well and quartered
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup whole milk
4 bone-in pork chops (about 9 ounces each)
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Directions

In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium. Add onion and celery; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add green beans and tomatoes (with their juice); cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are very tender, about 15 minutes.
Set a steamer basket in a large pot. Fill with enough water to come just below basket; bring to a boil. Add potatoes; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a bowl; set aside.
Remove steamer basket; discard water from pot. In same pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium. Add garlic; cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add potatoes; mash coarsely. Cook, stirring, 1 minute (a film of starch will form on bottom of pot). Stir in milk and remaining tablespoon butter; heat until warmed through, about 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat; cover. Set aside.
Heat broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a small bowl, combine sugar and Dijon. Place pork on sheet; season with salt and pepper. Broil until pork begins to brown, 6 to 8 minutes; spread sugar mixture over top. Broil until glaze is browned and pork is opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve pork with potatoes and green beans.

Form Martha Stewart

Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower


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Ingredients

Serves 4
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 head cauliflower (about 2 1/2 pounds), cored and broken into small florets
1 medium red onion, halved and cut into thin wedges
5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
1/4 cup olive oil
4 slices white sandwich bread
12 ounces cavatappi or other short pasta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving (optional)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Directions

Preheat oven to 475 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss cauliflower, onion, and garlic with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast on lower rack until lightly browned and tender, 20 minutes, tossing once.
Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine bread and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; pulse until coarse crumbs form. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake on upper rack until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes, tossing once.
Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot. Add cauliflower mixture, Parmesan, and parsley; toss to combine. Tossing pasta, gradually add enough pasta water to form a thin sauce that coats pasta. Serve topped with breadcrumbs and, if desired, more Parmesan.
Helpful Hint

Cauliflower tastes surprisingly nutty and sweet when roasted. Break it up into small florets to help it cook quickly. We like cavatappi, but any short pasta will work.

From MarthaStewart

Cuban Black Bean Stew with Rice


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Ingredients

Serves 4
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 red bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed), chopped
2 cans (19 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 ounces) vegetable broth
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Coarse salt and ground pepper
Garnishes (optional): lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and sliced radishes
Directions

Prepare rice according to package instructions. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 8 to 10 minutes.
Add beans, broth, vinegar, and oregano. Cook, mashing some beans with the back of a spoon, until slightly thickened, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fluff rice with a fork. Serve beans over rice, with garnishes, if desired.
Helpful Hint

If you like, serve this protein-rich vegetarian dish with brown rice to boost the health factor even more. It's also delicious with chips or tortillas alongside. Canned beans are a great time-saver to stock in the pantry, but they're often high in sodium, so rinse them in a colander before using.

From Martha Stewart

Friday, August 29, 2008

Bok choy with five - spice sauce


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from Cooking Light 9/08

Combine in a skillet & bring to a boil:
1 c fat free less sodium chicken broth
1/4 tsp five-spice powder

Add cover and cook 3 minutes or until tender crisp:
4 baby bok choy halves in a single layer.

Remove boy choy.  Stir in the following and cook  until reduced to 1/4 cup:
1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp rice vinegar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper.

Serve sauce with bok choy.

Grilled Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas


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Serves 4
 (okay, I know -- these quesadillas have peach in them -- but I couldn't find a better picture!)

1 c monterey jack cheese, shredded
jalapeno pepers
4 8" flour tortillas
1 c shredded cooked chicken

Make 2 flour tortilla 'sandwiches' layering:  tortilla, 1/2 c cheese, peppers, 1/2 c chicken and another tortilla.  Toast in a skillet on each side.  Cut into quarters

Black Bean Soup - Cooking Light

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I found this recipe in Cooking Light 9/08 (Black Bean-Tomato Soup with Cilantro-Lime Cream) -- and searched on line so I didn't have to retype.  (I know -- lazy)  This is what they had on line.  Almost the same soup -- but with just  a few exceptions:  dry beans, 12 vs 4 servings, jalepeno, and the sour cream is plain.  Don't know which one would be better!  So I added the comparisons in blue -- 

Ingredients (Black Bean Tomato Soup with Cilantro-Lime Cream)

1 pound dried black beans (1 15 oz can , drained and rinsed)
2 bacon slices, chopped (same)
1 cup chopped onion (1/2 cup)
3/4 cup chopped carrot (none)
3/4 cup chopped celery (1/4 cup)
2 garlic cloves, minced (1 clove)
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (none)
4 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth (1 can)
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained (1 can diced)
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro (1 Tbsp minced)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (1 Tbsp)
1 teaspoon salt (none but did add 1 tsp cumin)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (1/4 tsp)
3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream (1/4 cup)
none here ( 1/2 tsp grated lime rind)

Preparation
  • Sort and wash beans; place in a large bowl. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; cover and let stand 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse beans.
  • Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Add onion, carrot, and celery to drippings in pan; sauté 10 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and jalapeño; sauté 2 minutes. 
  • Stir in seasonings (reserving 1/4 tsp cumin).  
  •  Add beans, bacon, broth, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender (10 minutes for canned). 
  • Place 4 cups soup in a blender or food processor; let stand 5 minutes. Process until smooth; return pureed soup to pan. 
  • Stir in cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Serve with sour cream. (Combine sour cream, remaining cumin, cilantro, rind and juice)

Yield
12 servings (serving size: 1 cup soup and 1 tablespoon sour cream) (4 - 1 cup servings; 1 1/2 Tbsp Cilantro -Lime Cream)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 215(20% from fat); FAT 4.8g (sat 2.1g,mono 1.6g,poly 0.7g); IRON 3mg; CHOLESTEROL 8mg; CALCIUM 95mg; CARBOHYDRATE 32.5g; SODIUM 570mg; PROTEIN 12g; FIBER 7.7g

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Confetti Chicken Wraps


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These are yummy, healthy and quick!  The first time I followed recipe exactly, the second time -- I used chicken I had precooked, shredded and frozen.  It seemed to have lost some of the flavor.  I liked it best just as the recipe states.)

A great recipe from the Meal Makeover Moms!
Makes 6 to 8 Servings

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large orange bell pepper, finely diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, sliced into thin strips
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili powder
One 15 1/2-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 cup preshredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup salsa
Six to eight 8-inch flour tortillas
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream, optional

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken, cumin, and chili powder and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the beans, corn, cheese, and salsa and cook until the mixture is heated through and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, stack the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, uncovered, and heat in the microwave until warmed through, 30 to 45 seconds. Assemble by placing the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Wrap burrito style and serve with sour cream as desired.

Nutrition Information per Serving: 330 calories, 8g fat (1.5g saturated), 510mg sodium, 41g carbohydrates, 8g fiber, 24g protein, 80% vitamin C

Friday, August 22, 2008

Patrice's Potatoes



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Patrice’s Potatoes

8-10 medium sized red potatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 cube butter, melted
1/4 C olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cayenne powder
2 tsp mild chili powder
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Mix above ingredients and toss with thin sliced potatoes. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 7-10 minutes, then turn potatoes and bake another 7-10 minutes until desired crispness.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Emergency Cooking Methods

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This website lists lots of emergency cooking methods.

Canned Butter

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Canned Butter Recipe
User Rating Be the first to write a review
From Oct7, for About.com
Filed In:Recipes > Dairy Recipes
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Canned butter used to be commercially-available to campers. You can try this reader-submitted method at home which may be stored up to 3 years. I usually freeze butter when I find it on sale (and let it naturally defrost in the refrigerator). However, for extended camping trips with no electricity or in case of power outages, canned butter can come in handy.
Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

High-quality full-fat butter
Preparation:

Use only highest quality butter (Land O Lakes or equivalent).

Heat jelly jars in 250 F.-degree oven for 20 minutes, without rings or seals.

While jars heat, melt butter slowly until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Pour melted butter carefully into heated jars, being careful not to get any butter on rim of jar.

Add lid and ring and close securely. They will seal as they cool. Shake jars a few times during cooling to prevent separation, although this step is optional.

Put into refrigerator or other cool place until butter hardens. After hardening, butter will store for 3 years.

Author Oct7 Comments: This is where low-fat butter and non-fat butter just do not measure up. Only real butter will can and store without separating into chemicals and water. --Oct7

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Make Your Own Hamburger Helper

Print Page"Almost Hamburger Helper" Mix in a Jar

2 cups nonfat dry milk
1 cup corn starch
1/4 cup beef bouillon powder
2 tablespoons onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder

Mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight jar.

Attach the following recipes to the jar:

Chili Mac:
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 c water
1/2 c macaroni noodles (uncooked)
2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 T chili powder
1/2 cup Hamburger Helper mix
Combine all and simmer 20 minutes or until macaroni is cooked.

Stroganoff:
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
2 c water
1/2 c Hamburger Helper mix
2 c uncooked egg noodles
1/2 cup sour cream
Combine all except sour cream. Simmer 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir in sour cream and serve.

Potato Beef Casserole:
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
3/4 c water
6 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 c frozen mixed veggies
1/2 cup Hamburger Helper mix
Combine all and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and cook until excess water is evaporated.

Quick Lasagna:
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 c Hamburger Helper mix
1 onion, chopped
2 c water
16 oz tomato sauce
3 c lasagna noodles, uncooked, broken in bits
1/4 c parmesan cheese
2 c mozzarella cheese, shredded
Combine all except mozzarella in large skillet. Bring to a boil, let simmer for 15 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Top with mozzarella. Turn off heat and let cheese melt.

Homemade Creamy Stroganoff Hamburger Helper:
Ingredients:
1½ pound of ground hamburger meat
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup flour
1 cup milk
½ to 1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worchestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces or half pound box or package of uncooked macaroni, noodles or Rotini pasta
In a large saucepan, boil water to cook either the macaroni, noodles, or Rotini pasta. Cook until just done, drain and set aside. I have given these three options, as either of the three make for a great "Helper" meal.
In a large skillet brown the hamburger until done. To drain off excess oil from hamburger place a paper towel in a colander and add hamburger into colander.
Wash mushrooms under cold water, remove stems, and slice. In another large skillet or even a stock pot, with heat of flame on low, sauté chopped onions and sliced mushrooms in two tablespoons of butter until done. Sprinkle the ¼ cup flour onto mushrooms and onions and gently blend in flour with whisk, slowly add the milk, continuing to blend, then the beef broth. Add the Worchestershire Sauce, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Once everything is blended well, add the hamburger meat, and again blend in well, finally add the cooked noodles and blend so everything has an even coating of the sauce mixture.
Makes 4 Servings
Homemade Cheesy Version Hamburger Helper:
Ingredients:
1½ pound of ground hamburger meat
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup flour
1 to 2 cups milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 tablespoon parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces or half pound box or package of uncooked macaroni, or Rotini pasta.
Once more I suggest the idea of either using macaroni or Rotini pasta, however in this case not the noodles, as these two types of pasta work the best for this meal. In a large saucepan, cook either macaroni or Rotini pasta until done, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet add both onion and hamburger and cook until hamburger is browned and onion is translucent. To drain off excess oil from hamburger and onions place a paper towel in a colander and add the onion and hamburger into colander. Set aside.
In another large skillet or even a stock pot, on low flame, melt the butter, then add the flour and blend thoroughly with a whisk. Slowly add about a cup of the milk and blend with a whisk thoroughly to remove any lumpiness. Add the cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese and once more blend in for an even texture of the "sauce". Since the cheese will thicken the sauce, it's advisable to add more milk according to your preference in the thickness of the cheese sauce. Keep blending for a unified thickness of the sauce. Add the parsley and salt and pepper to taste, then next add the onion and hamburger mixture and blend into the sauce, and finally the macaroni or Rotini pasta.
Makes 4 Servings
Other seasoning ideas:
To add a zesty spicy taste to this Cheese version, one can also add 1 or more tablespoons of a Taco type seasoning to taste...add this seasoning at the same time you blend in the parsley and salt and pepper stage.
Homemade Tuna Helper:
Ingredients:
2 small cans of tuna, drained
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup flour
1 to 1½ cup milk
1 tablespoon parsley
Salt, pepper and Old Bay seasoning to taste
8 ounces or half of a package of uncooked macaroni, noodles or Rotini pasta
In a large saucepan, boil water to cook either the macaroni, noodles, or Rotini pasta. Cook until just done, drain and set aside. Once again all three work great, just as it does with the first hamburger helper type meal.
Wash mushrooms under cold water, remove stems, and slice. In another large skillet or even a stock pot, with heat of flame on low, sauté chopped onions and sliced mushrooms in two tablespoons of butter until done. Sprinkle the ¼ cup flour onto mushrooms and onions and gently blend in flour with whisk, slowly add the milk, continuing to blend, adding enough milk to desired thickness of "sauce". Add the parsley, salt, pepper and Old Bay Seasoning to taste. Once everything is blended well, add the tuna, and again blend in well, finally add the cooked noodles and blend so everything has an even coating of the sauce mixture.
Makes 4 Servings
Other options:
One can make a "cheesy" version of this, by adding a cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese at the making of the sauce stage...add more milk if sauce becomes to thick. Blend sauce and cheese mixture thoroughly with a whisk to remove any lumpiness.

Broccoli and Garlic Penne


Cook: 20 mins
Ready in: 20 mins

1 cup Swanson® Chicken Broth
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves , crushed
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic , minced
3 cups broccoli flowerets
4 1/2 cups hot cooked penne pasta (medium tube­shaped pasta), cooked without salt
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions
MIX broth, basil, pepper, garlic and broccoli in skillet. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat for 3 min. or until broccoli is tender­crisp. ADD pasta and lemon juice. Toss to coat. Serve with cheese.

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