Monday, April 25, 2016

Poached Chicken Soup With Coconut Milk and Chunky Vegetables


Cashew Chicken and Greens Stir-Fry


Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Mac-and-Cheese


Friday, April 22, 2016

Whole-Wheat Pasta With Braised Squash, Chard, and Pistachios


Pan-Roasted Steak with Creamed Kale


Chicken Stew with Couscous, Spinach, and Parmesan


chicken-stew-couscous-spinach

Ingredients

  1. 3 tablespoons olive oil
  2. 1 large onion, sliced
  3. 1/2 cup pearl couscous (also called Israeli couscous)
  4. 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  5. 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  6. 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  7. 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
  8. Kosher salt and black
  9. 1 bunch spinach, stems discarded and roughly chopped
  10. grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and couscous. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the couscous is lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and rosemary. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. 
  2. Add the broth, chicken, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the couscous is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and, using 2 forks, coarsely shred; return it to the pot. Stir in the spinach.
  3. Serve topped with the Parmesan. 
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/popular-ingredients/chicken-stew-couscous-spinach-parmesan

Enchiladas with Mushrooms, Beans and Cheese


Monday, April 18, 2016

Chick Pops (Chicks on a Stick)

 

  • 12 Double Stuf golden Oreo cookies
  • 1 1/2 cups bright yellow candy melts (such as Wilton)
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 12 white paper treat sticks
  • 3 orange jelly beans
  • 12 pairs Wilton candy eyeballs
  • 1 tablespoon white nonpareils
  • 1 piece Styrofoam (to hold sticks while they dry) or wax paper

Directions

  1. Place cookies on a baking sheet. Microwave candy melts and oil in a glass bowl or measuring cup at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir. Continue melting at 50% power in 30-second increments (stirring after each) until smooth.
  2. Dip a treat stick into melted candy, then insert into cookie filling, pressing down to sandwich. Refrigerate 5 minutes to firm.
  3. Carefully cut jelly beans in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half crosswise (for a total of 4 pieces from each; these will become the beaks).
  4. At any time, return melted candy to microwave for 15 seconds to keep fluid. Dip a cookie into melted candy, then shake off excess. Scrape back of cookie along bowl edge to keep from dripping. Add eyes and jelly bean beak. Hold cookie over a bowl and use a small spoon to add nonpareils at the bottom to resemble an eggshell. Secure stick in Styrofoam or place flat on a sheet of wax paper and continue with remaining chicks.
http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/pop-chicks/

Flower Cake


Flower CakeIngredients 
 
Cake
  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 2 large eggs
Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 box (16 oz) confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons half-and-half or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pink gel food coloring
  • Generous 1/2 cup assorted-colored M&M's (makes 15 flowers)

Directions

Cake
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees . Coat two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line pans with wax or parchment paper; coat paper with spray.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, 1/2 cup of the milk and the shortening in a large bowl. Beat at low speed until blended, then beat on high speed 2 minutes.
  3. Combine remaining 1/2 cup milk, the lemon juice, lemon zest and eggs in a small bowl. Gradually add to batter and beat on high speed 2 minutes longer, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Divide batter between pans.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees for 33 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center tests clean. Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes. Remove cakes from pans to racks and remove paper. Let cool completely.
Buttercream Frosting
  1. While cake cools, with an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, half-and-half and vanilla and beat until smooth. Tint frosting pink with food coloring. Set aside.
  2. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread top with 1 cup of the frosting. Gently press second cake layer on top. Spread remaining frosting on side and top of cake. Press M&M's into cake to resemble flowers, alternating colors of centers and petals.

http://www.familycircle.com/recipe/flower-cake/ 
Advertiesement

Lemon Bars with Olive Oil and Sea Salt

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 ¼ cups/155 grams all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup/50 grams granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons/25 grams confectioners’ sugar, plus more for sprinkling
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 10 tablespoons/142 grams cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

For the curd:

  • 4 to 6 lemons
  • 1 ½ cups/300 grams sugar
  • 2 large eggs plus 3 yolks
  • 1 ½ teaspoons/5 grams cornstarch
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons/57 grams butter
  • ¼ cup/60 milliliters fruity extra-virgin olive oil
  • Confectioners’ sugar
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 325 degrees and line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with enough parchment to hang over two of the sides (to be used as handles later to lift the bars out of the pan).
  2. To make the shortbread base, pulse together the flour, granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar, lemon zest and salt in a food processor, or whisk together in a large bowl. Add butter and pulse (or use two knives or your fingers) to cut the butter into the flour until a crumbly dough forms. Press dough into prepared pan and bake until shortbread is pale golden all over, 30 to 35 minutes.
  3. While the shortbread is baking, prepare the lemon curd: Grate 1/2 tablespoon zest from lemons and set aside. Squeeze lemons to yield 3/4 cup juice.
  4. In a small saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, sugar, eggs and yolks, cornstarch and fine sea salt over medium heat until boiling and thickened, 2 to 5 minutes. Make sure mixture comes to a boil or the cornstarch won’t activate. But once it boils do not cook for longer than 1 minute or you risk the curd thinning out again. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl. Whisk in butter, olive oil and lemon zest.
  5. When the shortbread is ready, take it out of the oven and carefully pour the lemon curd onto the shortbread base; return the pan to the oven. Bake until topping is just set, 10 to 15 minutes more. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold before cutting into bars. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and flaky sea salt right before serving.
Cooking Notes
500
Who can see this note?
Melissa Clark
If anyone is having problems with the curd setting up, it's probably because either the curd didn't reach a vigorous enough boil, or you may have over boiled it. The curd need to come to a full boil and stay there for at least 30 seconds or so. You should see it thicken up before you take it off the heat. But overboiling will thin it out. Cornstarch can be tricky. One thing to note: Olive oil does make it softer than the usual lemon bar topping, so keep these in the fridge until serving time.
Peter S
Second time I made these I think I solved the "Runny Curd" issue. Melissa's edict to bring to a boil, but no more than a minute for the curd, saw me turning it off with the first appearance of bubbles at the edges of the pan. Next time the stuff was clearly boiling across the entire surface and it resulted in a firmer curd. So, bring it to a clear boil- for about 10+ seconds. And keep on whisking as it cooks.
Christina
I would change the cornstarch to potato starch in the lemon curd. Potato starch holds up better to heat and acidity. It won't break down and get "weepy" the way cornstarch does.
S. Ann
Made twice to rave reviews. The second time, I used only 1 cup sugar and they were just as good.
Show More Notes

Friday, March 11, 2016

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Bacon


Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces (about 4 cups) uncooked radiatore pasta (or your favorite shape)
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 ounces thinly sliced deli American cheese, cut into thin strips
  • 1 cup (4 oz) grated Gouda cheese

Directions

  1. Coat a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain. Crumble 6 slices of the bacon and add to slow cooker with milk, evaporated milk, mustard, onion powder, salt and pepper. Whisk until blended, then stir in pasta. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 hours.
  3. Stir in cheeses and cook an additional 30 minutes. Crumble remaining 2 slices bacon and sprinkle on top.

Nutrition Information for Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Servings Per Recipe: 6
PER SERVING: 516 cal., 22 g total fat (14 g sat. fat), 66 mg chol., 813 mg sodium, 52 g carb. (3 g fiber), 26 g pro.

Slow-Cooker Lamb Roast With Spinach and Chickpeas


Classic Chicken and Dumplings



Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Pork and Rice Meatball Soup


Baked Chicken Parmesan


White Bean Chicken Chili


White Bean Chicken Chili
  • Makes: 6 servings
  • Yield: servings
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Slow Cook: on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 Cubanelle peppers, seeded and sliced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz each) white shoepeg corn, drained
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
  • Cornbread (optional)

Directions

  1. Coat slow cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, onion and garlic. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add to slow cooker.
  3. Stir in broth, Cubanelle peppers, jalapeno, ancho chile powder, oregano, cumin and salt. Mash 1 can of the beans and stir in with remaining can of beans and the corn.
  4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours.
  5. Stir in lime juice and cilantro. Serve with cornbread, if using.

Tip

  • For easy cleanup: Line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner. Do not lift or transport the disposable liner with food inside.

Nutrition Information for White Bean Chicken Chili

Servings Per Recipe: 6
PER SERVING: 440 cal., 15 g total fat (3 g sat. fat), 147 mg chol., 1020 mg sodium, 39 g carb. (11 g fiber), 40 g pro.

Game Day Double Beef Chili

Game Day Double Beef Chili
  • Makes: 12 servings
  • Yield: servings
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 18 mins
  • Slow Cook: on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8 hours

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 2 pounds beef brisket, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 large green bell peppers, seeded and diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cans (8 oz each) tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 6 cups cooked Texmati rice
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Cotija cheese
  • Chopped scallion and red onion for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Coat slow cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, onions and garlic; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place in slow cooker. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil and the brisket to skillet; cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, until browned. Place in slow cooker.
  3. Stir in green peppers, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt and cayenne.
  4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
  5. Serve with rice and Cotija. Garnish with scallion and onion, if using.

Tip

  • For easy cleanup: Line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner. Do not lift or transport the disposable liner with food inside.

Nutrition Information for Game Day Double Beef Chili

Servings Per Recipe: 12
PER SERVING: 451 cal., 14 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 92 mg chol., 865 mg sodium, 38 g carb. (4 g fiber), 41 g pro.

Spicy Vegetable and Barley Chili


Spicy Vegetable and Barley Chili

  • Makes: 6 servings
  • Yield: servings
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Slow Cook: on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours

Ingredients

  • 4 cups low-sodium spicy vegetable juice
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4 cups cauliflower florets (about half a head)
  • 2 cups frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 zucchini, cut into 1-inch dice
  • 1 large summer squash, cut into 1-inch dice
  • 1 sweet orange pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice
  • 2 ribs celery, sliced
  • 1 cup pearled barley
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions

  1. Coat slow cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Stir in 3 cups of the vegetable juice, the chili powder, salt, oregano, cumin, onion and garlic. Stir in cauliflower, corn, zucchini, squash, sweet pepper, celery and barley.
  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours. During last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir in remaining 1 cup vegetable juice, the beans and spinach. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Tip

  • For easy cleanup: Line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner. Do not lift or transport the disposable liner with food inside.

Nutrition Information for Spicy Vegetable and Barley Chili

Servings Per Recipe: 6
PER SERVING: 341 cal., 2 g total fat 791 mg sodium, 72 g carb. (19 g fiber), 15 g pro.