Sunday, 26 February 2012

Baked Peaches with Pine Nuts



Simplicity is key to most Spanish cooking, and this light dessert is no exception. Serve warm, with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche.

ingredient list

Serves 8
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 8 large peaches, peeled, halved, and pitted
  • 4 Tbs. butter
  • 3/4 cup pine nuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together wine and sugar in small bowl. Place peaches cavity-side-up on foil-lined baking sheet; fill each cavity with wine mixture. Bake 1 hour, or until tender.

2. Just before serving, melt butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until pine nuts are golden brown.

3. To serve: Place 2 peach halves on each plate. Top with 1 1/2 Tbs. pine nuts.

Maple-Roasted Pear Salad



This tangy-sweet salad is a good excuse to explore the gourmet cheese section of your supermarket and try something like Zamorano, a cheese made from aged sheep’s milk in the Castile-León region of Spain.

ingredient list

Serves 8
  • Salad
  • 2 Tbs. maple syrup
  • 1 Tbs. hazelnut, walnut, or olive oil
  • 4 small firm Bosc pears, halved
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts
  • 8 cups baby arugula
  • 3 oz. Parmesan, Pecorino, Zamorano, or other hard cheese
  •  
  • Beet Dressing
  • 3 Tbs. hazelnut, walnut, or olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. sherry vinegar
  • 1 shallot, minced (2 Tbs.)
  • 1 1/2 Tbs. honey
  • 1 Tbs. whole-grain mustard
  • 8 oz. cooked beets, finely diced (1 cup)

Directions

  1. To make Salad: Preheat oven to 400°F, and line baking sheet with foil. Whisk together maple syrup and hazelnut oil in bowl. Brush oil mixture on pears, and place cut-side down on prepared baking sheet. Roast 22 minutes, or until pears are tender and cut sides caramelized. Set aside to cool.
  2. Reduce oven heat to 350˚F. Spread hazelnuts on baking sheet, and toast 7 minutes, or until browned. Transfer to kitchen towel, and rub off skins with towel. Cool, chop, and set aside.
  3. To make Beet Dressing: Whisk together oil, vinegar, shallot, honey, and mustard in bowl. Stir in beets, and season with salt and pepper. Toss arugula with Beet Dressing in bowl. Divide among 8 plates, and top each with pear half. Shave cheese over each salad with vegetable peeler, and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

Goat Cheese Spinach Flans with Warm Asparagus Salad



Using a steamer to cook vegetable flans keeps them soft and creamy.

ingredient list

Serves 4
  • Flans
  • 4 cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 5 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1/2 cup frozen baby peas, thawed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup evaporated skim milk
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup crumbled aged goat cheese
  •  
  • Salad
  • 1 lb. asparagus
  • 6 cups baby arugula
  • 2 cups torn fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 Tbs. garlic oil

Directions

  1. To make Flans: Coat 4 4-oz. ramekins with cooking spray. Arrange 3 tomato slices in bottom of each ramekin.
  2. Pulse spinach, peas, and eggs in food processor until smooth. Add milk, salt, and nutmeg; process until combined. Pour half of mixture into prepared ramekins. Sprinkle with goat cheese, then top with remaining egg mixture. Cover with squares of foil coated with cooking spray. Place in bottom basket of steamer.
  3. To make Salad: Arrange asparagus in top basket of steamer, and cover. Fill large skillet with 2 inches water, and bring to a boil. Place steamer in skillet, and reduce heat to medium. Steam asparagus 6 minutes; cool until easy to handle. Cook Flans 6 minutes more, then remove from heat.
  4. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Toss together arugula, basil, bell pepper, lemon juice, garlic oil, and asparagus. Unmold Flans onto plates and surround with Salad.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Roasted Red Pepper Pita Pizzas



Jarred roasted red peppers create a speedy homemade sauce for these mini pizzas, but you can also roast your own red peppers to cut down on sodium. 
The mozzarella topping puts a deposit in your tryptophan account.

ingredient list

Serves 4
  • 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers, rinsed and drained (2 large peppers), plus more for garnishing pizzas, if desired
  • 6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, plus 1 Tbs. oil
  • 2 6 1/2-inch whole-wheat pita rounds, split apart to make 4 thin rounds
  • Dried oregano, for sprinkling
  • 1/4 lb. (1 ball) fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and thinly sliced
  • 16 small fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to broil. Purée red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes and their oil in food processor 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth.

2. Place pita rounds on baking sheet. Spread 1/4 cup red pepper sauce on cut side of each pita. Sprinkle with oregano, then top with mozzarella and garnish with sliced red peppers, if desired. Broil 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Scatter basil leaves over pizzas, and serve immediately.

Natale Stuffed Portobellos



The inspiration for this recipe came from Chance Genovese's Italian heritage. "I wanted a dish that used traditional ingredients of Italy but were easily found at the local market," says Genovese, who adopted a meat-free diet at a very young age. "Above all, I knew the dish had to be easy to prepare in the chaos of a holiday celebration."

ingredient list

Serves 4

Mushrooms

  • 1/4 cup Bragg extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. Spectrum balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
  • 4 large portobello mushroom caps

Filling


  • 2 Tbs. breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbs. Bragg extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 8 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
  • 1/2 cup light cream or Silk soy creamer
  • 10 oz. fresh spinach leaves (8 cups)
  • 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
  • 4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped

Directions

1. To make Mushrooms: Preheat oven to 375ºF. Whisk together oil, vinegar, and garlic in bowl. Brush mushroom caps with oil mixture, and place on baking sheet. Roast 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain on paper-towel-lined plate.

2. To make Filling: Toast breadcrumbs on baking sheet 2 to 3 minutes, or until light brown. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Stir in cream, and cook 2 minutes. Add spinach, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until spinach is wilted. Stir in cheeses, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon Filling into mushroom caps, and top with toasted breadcrumbs.

Friday, 24 February 2012

Halloween Party Mix



These tasty nibbles make a festive alternative to chips or roasted nuts.

ingredient list

Serves 6
  • 1/8 tsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup cocoa nibs
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Toss pumpkin seeds in small bowl with oil until coated. Spread seeds in skillet, and heat over medium-high heat. Cook 3 minutes, shaking skillet constantly, or until most of pumpkin seeds swell and pop. Transfer to bowl.
2. Add pine nuts to skillet, and cook 30 seconds, shaking skillet constantly, or until golden flecks appear. Transfer to bowl with pumpkin seeds. Stir in dried cranberries, cocoa nibs, cayenne pepper, and salt, and mix thoroughly. Season with more salt, if desired.

Toffee Apples



Think toffee-covered apples are too much trouble? Think again. If you can read a candy thermometer (found in kitchen supply stores), you can make perfect toffee. Brown rice cereal adds crunch to these treats, but you could also roll them in chopped nuts or granola.

ingredient list

Makes 6 apples
  • 6 small, crisp apples, such as Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Newtown pippin
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch coarse salt
  • ¾ cup crispy brown rice cereal

Directions

1. Line baking sheet with wax paper. Remove stems from apples, if necessary, and push Popsicle stick or chopstick in stem end of apple.
2. Combine sugar and ½ cup water in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add butter, vinegar, and salt, then simmer over medium heat 10 to 15 minutes, or until mixture reaches hard crack stage (290°F) on candy thermometer. Alternatively, boil toffee until tiny amount dripped into bowl of cold water becomes firm.
3. Place brown rice cereal in bowl. Dip apples in toffee, twirling to coat bottom half. Let toffee drip off bottoms before rolling in cereal. Place on prepared baking sheet, and cool. If not eating right away, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Fennel and Tomato Soup



Fennel and tomato pair nicely for an Italian-style tomato soup. Save fennel fronds to use as a garnish. This soup freezes well, so you may want to double the recipe to save half for later.

ingredient list

Serves 6
  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 large fennel bulb, diced (4 cups)
  • 3 vegan Italian sausages, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (2 cups)
  • 1 tsp. fennel seeds
  • 2 Tbs. dry vermouth, dry white wine, or water
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
  • 3 Tbs. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

Heat oil in soup pot over medium heat. Add fennel, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in sausages and fennel seeds, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until fennel seeds are slightly softened and bits of sausage are stuck to bottom of pan. Add vermouth, and cook 5 to 10 seconds to deglaze pan, scraping up any brown bits. Add broth, tomatoes, and parsley; cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Caramelized Onion and Savoy Cabbage Chowder with Thyme



Green cabbage can be substituted for savoy cabbage in this hearty chowder.

ingredient list

Serves 6
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil, divided
  • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter, divided
  • 12 oz. savoy cabbage, cut into large dice (6 to 7 cups)
  • 3 large onions, cut into large dice (1 1/2 lb.)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
  • 2 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped, divided
  • 3 cups Cheese Croutons (recipe, p. 61)

Directions

1. Combine apple cider, soy sauce, and vinegar in small bowl.

2. Heat 1 Tbs. olive oil and 1 Tbs. butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage, and season with salt, if desired. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to shallow bowl.

3. Heat remaining 1 Tbs. oil and 1 Tbs. butter in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, and season with salt, if desired. Cover, and cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until onions are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and cook 16 to 18 minutes, or until onions are golden brown. Add garlic, 1 1/2 Tbs. thyme, and apple cider mixture, stirring to scrape up browned bits on pan bottom. Bring to a simmer, and cook 1 minute. Add cabbage and 5 cups water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and cook 
15 minutes. Serve topped with Cheese Croutons and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. thyme.

Mushroom and Pappardelle Soup with Gremolata



Mascarpone is stirred into this noodle soup just before serving to give it a luscious creaminess and cheesy tang.

ingredient list

Serves 6
Soup
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 4 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick (2 cups)
  • 1 large onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)
  • 3/4 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
  • 7 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 4 oz. pappardelle noodles
  • 1 1/2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
Gremolata
  • 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 2 tsp. grated lemon zest

Directions

1. To make Soup: Heat oil in pot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onion, and sauté 5 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning, then broth. Cover, and bring to a boil. Set aside 1/2 cup broth, then add noodles; simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add green beans, and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk reserved 1/2 cup broth into mascarpone in bowl. Slowly stir mascarpone mixture into Soup.

3. To make Gremolata: pulse parsley, garlic, and lemon zest in food processor until finely chopped.

4. Ladle Soup into bowls. Garnish each with 2 tsp. Gremolata.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

Flaxseed Flatbreads



Nutty flavored flaxseeds provide the nutritional benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans (a type of phytoestrogen) and fiber. One of the easiest and most appealing ways to incorporate flaxseeds into your diet is to use them in yeast breads. Since flaxseeds must be ground to release their benefits, we use ground flaxseeds to replace part of the flour in the dough. A sprinkling of whole flaxseeds creates an appealing topping on this Turkish-style bread.

ingredient list

8 Servings
  • 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • 1 ( 1/4-oz.) pkg. active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup whole flaxseeds
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. low-fat plain yogurt
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • all-purpose flour
  • Semolina or cornmeal for dusting
  • Glaze and topping

Directions

1. In large mixing bowl, mix 1 cup lukewarm water and sugar. Sprinkle in yeast and let stand until foamy, 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in spice grinder or blender, coarsely grind 1/4 cup flaxseeds.
3. With wooden spoon, gradually beat whole wheat flour into yeast mixture; beat about 2 minutes. Stir in ground flaxseeds, oil, yogurt and salt. Gradually beat in just enough all-purpose flour until dough is too stiff to stir.
4. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead, adding just enough flour to prevent sticking, until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes. (You can mix and knead dough in stand-up mixer fitted with paddle attachment, then dough hook.)
5. Place dough in lightly oiled large bowl and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
6. Place baking stone or inverted baking sheet in oven to heat. Preheat oven to 500°F. (Heat baking stone for 25 minutes before baking; heat baking sheet for 10 minutes.)
7. Punch dough down. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead a few times. Divide dough into 2 pieces. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest about 20 minutes.
8. Dust pizza peel or large metal spatula with cornmeal. In small bowl, combine egg and 1 tablespoon water; stir briskly with fork. Use your hands to press one piece of dough into an oval, then continue to stretch and press it into 10 x 7-inch oval, slightly less than 1/2-inch thick. Place oval on pizza peel. Brush top with egg glaze. Dip your fingertips in egg glaze and press them into dough to form dimples all over flatbread. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons whole flaxseeds.
9. Working quickly, open oven door, hold pizza peel at slight angle and tip end toward back of the baking stone. Give pizza peel a quick jerk, letting flatbread slide onto baking stone. Quickly close oven door and bake flatbread until lightly browned and puffed, 11 to 12 minutes. Immediately wrap baked flatbread in kitchen towel to keep it soft and warm. Repeat with remaining dough and flaxseed topping.

Steamed Baby Carrots with Orange-Dill Butter



Tossing hot carrots with a touch of butter, dill, and orange juice and zest yields delectable results. Vary the flavors by using lemon or lime in place of the orange and tarragon or cilantro instead of dill. Holiday prep tip: this dish needs to be made just before serving, but if you have the carrots ready to go in the steamer and the butter and seasonings measured into the serving bowl, you can have it on the table in 10 minutes.

ingredient list

Serves 6
  • 1 1/4    lb. baby carrots, trimmed (4 cups)
  • 4 tsp. orange juice
  • 1 Tbs. butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 tsp. fresh orange zest
  • 1 tsp. dried dill

Directions

Place carrots in steamer basket fitted in large pot; steam over simmering water 7 to 9 minutes, or until just tender. Transfer carrots to large bowl, and toss with orange juice, butter, orange zest, and dill; season with salt and pepper, if desired. 

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Grilled Vegetable Wrap



When you roast asparagus, bell pepper, and squash for this recipe, you’ll be making extra veggies and squash that can be added to salads, pasta, or rice dishes later in the week.

ingredient list

Makes 2 wraps
  • 12 thin asparagus spears, trimmed
  • 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch strips (1 cup)
  • 1 small yellow summer squash or zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds (1 cup)
  • 1 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white beans
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced (1/2 tsp.)
  • 1/2 tsp. red chile sauce, such as sriracha
  • 2 8-inch whole-grain tortillas
  • 6 small whole basil leaves
  • 8 thin slices red onion
  • 1 cup baby arugula leaves

Directions

1. Preheat grill or broiler. Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, squash, and oil on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Grill or broil vegetables 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning once.
2. Mash together beans, garlic, and chile sauce in small bowl until smooth.
3. Spread half of bean mixture over each tortilla. Top each with 3 basil leaves, 1/2 cup roasted vegetables, 4 onion slices, and 1/2 cup arugula. Fold bottom third of tortillas over vegetables, and roll up tightly, tucking in sides as you go. Cut wraps in half on diagonal. Serve immediately, or wrap each half in foil or wax paper, and chill until ready to eat.

Carolina-style Barbecue Sandwiches



A tangy mustard-based sauce distinguishes Carolina-style barbecue from its sweeter Kansas City cousin. This recipe makes 2 cups of sauce, leaving plenty to serve on the side. For crunch in your sandwiches, buy coleslaw at the deli, or make Deep South Slaw.

ingredient list

Serves 4
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2/3 cup no-salt-added ketchup, such as Heinz
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 3 Tbs. dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tbs. molasses
  • 2 tsp. Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 12 oz. seitan, cut into thin strips
  • 4 hamburger-style buns
  • 12 pickle chips, optional
  • 1 cup prepared coleslaw, optional

Directions

Bring vinegar, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, hot sauce, black pepper, and salt to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes. Transfer 1 cup sauce to bowl, and set aside. Add seitan to saucepan, and cook 10 minutes. Divide among buns. Serve with pickle chips, coleslaw, and extra sauce, if using.

Chickpea, Beet, and Apple Panini



Never had raw beet in a sandwich? This panini will have you hooked.

ingredient list

Serves 4
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbs. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
  • 8 slices sesame semolina bread (8 oz.)
  • 1 medium golden beet, peeled and sliced
  • 1 Granny smith apple, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup broccoli or radish sprouts    
  • 4 Tbs. prepared black olive tapenade

Directions

1. Pulse chickpeas, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and tarragon in food processor until chunky. 

2. Spread chickpea mixture on 4 bread slices. Top with beet and apple slices, and sprouts. Spread remaining 4 bread slices with tapenade; close sandwiches.

3. Spray panini with cooking spray. Coat skillet or grill pan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Place panini in pan; weight with smaller-diameter saucepan weighted with 2 cans. Cook 3 minutes. Flip, replace weight, and cook 2 minutes. (Or cook 4 minutes in panini maker.)

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Tofu-Stuffed Mushrooms



These mushrooms are just as good at room temperature as they are hot from the oven, so you don’t have to worry about reheating throughout the party. The stuffing also makes a great filling for an omelet.

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line large baking sheet with foil. Remove mushroom stems and finely chop. Set aside. Place caps, top side down, on prepared baking sheet.
  2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushroom stems, tofu, tomatoes, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, or until tender. Stir in parsley, breadcrumbs and 1 Tbs. water. Remove from heat and cool about 5 minutes.
  3. Stuff each mushroom cap with generous 2 tsp. filling. Bake 20 minutes, or until browned and crisp on top.
Member Rating: 1111

ingredient list

Makes 22 mushrooms
  • 1 lb. large mushrooms
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1/2 7-oz. pkg. firm tofu, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cup)
  • 8 sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 Tbs. dried breadcrumbs

Savory Leek Quiche



Quiches are ideal for potlucks because they don’t have to be piping hot to be delicious. Recipe by Myra Kornfeld.

Directions

  1. To make Crust: Preheat oven to 350F. Coat 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Pulse flour, pine nuts and baking powder in food processor until finely ground. Whisk together soymilk, oil and salt in bowl. Stir in flour mixture. Press into pan. Bake 5 minutes, then cool.
  2. To make Filling: Heat 1 Tbs. oil in skillet over medium heat. Add leeks, and sauté 8 minutes, or until softened. Set aside. Bring large saucepan of water to a boil. Add tofu, and simmer 5 minutes. Drain, and pat dry. Whisk together remaining oil, lemon juice, miso, garlic and salt in bowl. Mash in tofu with fork. Stir in breadcrumbs, basil, sun-dried tomatoes and leeks.
  3. Spoon filling into crust. Bake 40 minutes, or until crust is browned. Cool 5 minutes, then unmold.
Member Rating: 1111

ingredient list

Serves 10
    Crust
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 cup plain soymilk
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
    Filling
  • 4 Tbs. olive oil, divided
  • 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 1 lb. firm or extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into 11/2-inch cubes
  • 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp. miso paste
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped marinated sun-dried tomatoes, drained

Rainbow Bell Pepper Medley



Looking for a salad that’ll stand out in a sea of mesclun greens and mock Caesars? This one-bowl wonder is just the ticket. If you’re not big on bell peppers, try it with 4 1/2 cups grated summer squash and zucchini, or 4 cups bagged coleslaw mix.

Directions

  1. Combine peppers and onion in large nonreactive bowl.
  2. Whisk together mustard, vinegar, olive oil, 1/2 cup water, celery seeds, salt and pepper in saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
  3. Pour dressing over peppers, and toss to coat. Chill 4 hours or overnight. Serve on bed of lettuce.
Member Rating: -

ingredient list

Serves 8
  • 1 each large red, yellow, orange and green bell peppers, cut into 2-inch strips (about 4 1/2 cups)
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. celery seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

New World Chili



This chili showcases ingredients that early explorers discovered in the New World—pinto beans, corn, tomatoes and lima beans. Sprinkle diced avocado and chopped red onion on top for a flavorful garnish. If you don’t have a slow cooker, this recipe is still very easy. For stovetop prep, all of the ingredients except the avocado and red onions go into the pot at once, then everything simmers for about 2 hours.

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients except avocado and red onions in 4-qt. slow cooker or large pot.
  2. Cover slow cooker, and cook on low 4 to 6 hours. Or place lid on pot, and bring chili to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. Spoon chili into bowls, and garnish each serving with diced avocados and chopped red onion.
Member Rating: 1111

ingredient list

Serves 8
  • 1 24-oz. jar medium tomato salsa
  • 1 15.5-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 12-oz. pkg. crumbled soy “meat”
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen lima beans
  • 1/4 cup chili powder, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced, for garnish
  • 1 cup chopped red onions, for garnish

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Farmers’ Market Sauté



The flavor of this dish depends on the quality of the vegetables you include. You can use just about any combination of fresh vegetables you like, just be sure to select the ingredients based on what looks best.

ingredient list

4 Servings
  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. small red-skinned potatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 medium zucchini, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 lb. green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
  • 2 ripe medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1 to 2 Tbs. chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, oregano or rosemary
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cheese, such as feta, goat or blue (optional)

Directions

  1. In large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add onion, garlic, zucchini and green beans and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add broth and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
  3. Add corn, tomatoes and herbs. Cover and cook over medium heat just until potatoes are tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese if desired.