Wednesday, October 20, 2010

corn chowder with chiles

Here is The Pioneer Woman’s Recipe:

Corn Chowder with Chilies
Ingredients

* 2 slices Bacon, Cut Into 1/2-inch Pieces (or Smaller)
* 2 Tablespoons Butter
* 1-½ whole Yellow Onion, Diced
* 5 ears Corn, Shucked (about 4 Cups)
* 2 whole Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce, Finely Diced
* 1 whole 4-ounce Can Diced Green Chilies
* 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Chicken Broth
* 1-½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
* ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt (more To Taste)
* 3 Tablespoons Corn Meal OR Masa
* ¼ cups Water

Preparation Instructions

(Carefully) slice the corn kernels off the cob. Set aside.

Add bacon pieces to a pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Cook for a couple of minutes. Throw in diced onion and stir, cooking the onion for 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter and melt. Add corn. Stir and cook for one minute. Add both kinds of chilies and stir.

Pour in chicken broth and cream. Add salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low.

Combine cornmeal (or masa) with water. Stir to combine, then pour into the chowder. Cover and cook for 15 minutes over low heat. If chowder needs more thickening, add another tablespoon of cornmeal mixed with water. Cook for another ten minutes.

Serve with crusty sourdough bread or in a bread bowl. Absolutely yummy!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

apple cider doughnuts


Apple Cider Doughnuts
adapted from Diana’s Desserts
serves 24

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: You will need a mini bundt baking pan with 6 or 12 cavities or a 6 or 12 cavity doughnut baking pan.

approximately 3 tbsp sugar for baking pans
baking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
1½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp grated nutmeg
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup apple butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup apple cider
1/3 cup plain yogurt
3 tbsp oil

ICING (optional)
1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
1-2 tbsp apple cider

Preheat oven to 350*.
Brush cavities of a mini bundt pan or doughnut pan with oil or baking spray.
Sprinkle with sugar, shaking out excess.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside.
In another bowl, whisk together egg, brown sugar, apple puree, maple syrup, cider, yogurt and oil.
Add dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.
Divide the batter among the prepared mini bundt pan or doughnut pans, filling only about halfway up the pans.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched lightly.
Loosen edges and turn the doughnuts out onto a rack to cool.
If required, clean the pans then re-coat it with oil and sugar.
Repeat with remaining batter.

TO MAKE THE ICING
Combine confectioners sugar and 1 tbsp of apple cider in a small bowl.
Mix until the icing is of a drizzling consistency. If not, add more cider.
Dip the tops of the donuts in the glaze.
Return to a wire rack to allow icing to set.

Red Onion Potato and Goat Cheese Pizza

The sweetness of red onions is tempered by tangy goat cheese in this carb-lover's pizza. Use any color fingerling potatoes you like—blue or purple varieties are particularly dramatic.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 2 pieces)

Ingredients

  • 7 ounces fingerling potatoes (about 5 potatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
  • 1 (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled goat cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°.

2. Place potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes or until just tender; drain. Cool slightly; cut potatoes crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

3. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan, and sauté 8 minutes or until tender.

4. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to a 14 x 10–inch rectangle. Sprinkle cornmeal over a large baking sheet; place dough on baking sheet. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over dough. Arrange potatoes and onion over mozzarella; top evenly with goat cheese and garlic. Bake in lower third of oven at 450° for 15 minutes or until browned. Sprinkle with thyme; cut into 12 pieces.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
314
Fat:
10.3g (sat 4.9g,mono 3.7g,poly 0.6g)
Protein:
14.4g
Carbohydrate:
39.8g
Fiber:
1.8g
Cholesterol:
22mg
Iron:
2.4mg
Sodium:
599mg
Calcium:
173mg

Thursday, October 14, 2010

vegetarian taco salad

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (see Tip) or frozen, thawed
  • 4 large tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain brown rice (see Tip)
  • 1 15-ounce can black, kidney or pinto beans, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/3 cup prepared salsa
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
  • 2 1/2 cups coarsely crumbled tortilla chips
  • Lime wedges for garnish

Preparation

  1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and corn; cook, stirring, until the onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Coarsely chop 1 tomato. Add it to the pan along with rice, beans, chili powder, 1 teaspoon oregano and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the tomato cooks down, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  2. Coarsely chop the remaining 3 tomatoes. Combine with cilantro, salsa and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano in a medium bowl.
  3. Toss lettuce in a large bowl with the bean mixture, half the fresh salsa and 2/3 cup cheese. Serve sprinkled with tortilla chips and the remaining cheese, passing lime wedges and the remaining fresh salsa at the table.

Tips & Notes

  • Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days; reheat slightly before serving.
  • Kitchen Tips: To remove corn kernels from the cob, stand an ear of corn on its stem end and slice the kernels off with a sharp, knife.
  • To cook rice, bring 1 cup water and 1/2 cup long-grain brown rice to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer at the lowest bubble until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Nutrition

Per serving: 395 calories; 17 g fat (5 g sat, 5 g mono); 20 mg cholesterol; 52 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 14 g protein; 9 g fiber; 459 mg sodium; 774 mg potassium.

Bean Bolognese

Ingredients

  • 1 14-ounce can salad beans, (see Shopping Tip) or other beans, rinsed, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrot
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • 8 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Mash 1/2 cup beans in a small bowl with a fork.
  2. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery and salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and bay leaf; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add wine; increase heat to high and boil until most of the liquid evaporates, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and their juices, 2 tablespoons parsley and the mashed beans. Bring to a lively simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Add the remaining whole beans; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes more.
  3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in the boiling water until just tender, about 9 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.
  4. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls. Discard the bay leaf and top the pasta with the sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan and the remaining parsley.

Tips & Notes

  • Shopping tip: A can of salad beans, a mixture of chickpeas, kidney and pinto beans, adds depth and variety to this recipe. Look for it in the natural-foods section of larger supermarkets or natural-foods stores. If you can't find it, substitute a can of your favorite beans.

Nutrition

Per serving: 443 calories; 11 g fat (3 g sat, 6 g mono); 9 mg cholesterol; 67 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 14 g fiber; 707 mg sodium; 281 mg potassium.

black bean croquettes

Ingredients

  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup plain dry breadcrumbs, divided
  • 2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
  • 2 scallions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, hot if desired, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 avocado, diced


Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Mash black beans and cumin with a fork in a large bowl until no whole beans remain. Stir in corn and 1/4 cup breadcrumbs. Combine tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and salt in a medium bowl. Stir 1 cup of the tomato mixture into the black bean mixture.
  3. Mix the remaining 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, oil and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder in a small bowl until the breadcrumbs are coated with oil. Divide the bean mixture into 8 scant 1/2-cup balls. Lightly press each bean ball into the breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake the croquettes until heated through and the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Stir avocado into the remaining tomato mixture. Serve the salsa with the croquettes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 405 calories; 12 g fat (2 g sat, 8 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 61 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 16 g protein; 16 g fiber; 438 mg sodium; 621 mg potassium.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

slow cooker texas chili

Ingredients

* 2 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
* 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
* Kosher salt
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 5 cloves garlic, smashed
* 2 4.5-ounce cans chopped green chiles, drained
* 1 tablespoon ground cumin
* 3/4 cup chili powder
* 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with chiles
* 1 to 2 tablespoons green hot sauce
* Sliced scallions, fresh cilantro and/or sour cream, for topping
* Tortilla chips, for serving (optional)

Directions

Toss the beef with 1 tablespoon each brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef in batches until browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes (do not crowd the pan). Transfer to a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker.

Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chiles, cumin and chili powder and cook 3 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and the tomatoes and simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low, 7 hours.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar and the hot sauce to the chili. Serve with scallions, cilantro and/or sour cream for topping, and chips, if desired. (Reserve 3 to 4 cups for Chili-Corn Casserole.).

roast kielbasa supper

Ingredients

* Pantry Items:
* EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* Salt and pepper
* 5 Ingredients:
* 2 pounds baby red-skinned potatoes, halved or quartered, depending on how large they are
* 4 large onions, quartered with root end attached
* 2 pounds kielbasa, cut into 2-inch pieces
* 4 Gala or Honeycrisp apples, cut into wedges
* Honey, for garnish


Preparation

Preheat oven to 425˚F.

In a large, shallow roasting pan, drizzle potatoes and onions with EVOO, salt and pepper. Roast 40 minutes.

Drizzle the apples with honey, EVOO, salt and pepper. Add kielbasa and apples to potatoes and onions in the last 20 minutes of cooking time.

To serve, arrange kielbasa, apples, onions and potatoes on dinner plates and garnish with the pan juices.

chicken ragu

Ingredients

* Salt
* 1 pound whole-wheat or whole-grain rigatoni or other short cut pasta
* 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 1/4 pound pancetta, a couple thick slices, cut into fine dice
* 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, chopped into small bite-sized pieces
* 1 medium to large onion, chopped
* 1 carrot, peeled
* 2 to 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and finely chopped
* 1 bay leaf
* 2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
* Black pepper
* 1/2 cup Marsala, a couple glugs
* 1 (28 ounce) can San Marzano tomatoes
* Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
* A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn


Yields: Serves 4
Preparation

Heat a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt the water when it boils and cook the pasta to al dente.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the EVOO over medium-high heat. Brown the pancetta for 3 to 4 minutes, then add another tablespoon of EVOO. Add the chicken and brown evenly for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onions, rosemary, bay leaf, and garlic, then season with salt and pepper, then grate the carrot with a box grater directly into the pan and stir in. Cook until the vegetables are soft, 5 to 6 minutes.

Add the wine to the chicken and vegetables, stir and reduce for a minute, then add the tomatoes and crush them with a wooden spoon. Simmer for a few minutes to thicken the sauce and combine the flavors.

Drain the pasta and toss with the chicken ragu and cheese. Discard the bay leaf. Garnish with some torn basil. Serve immediately.