Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Summer Squash Ribbons with Oregano, Basil, and Lemon

You can also toss the ribbons with wide flat pasta, such as pappardelle, for a delicious entrée. While we recommend basil and oregano, use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand. Serve with a crisp sauvignon blanc and crusty bread.

3 small zucchini (about 1 pound)
3 small yellow squash (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

1. Shave zucchini and yellow squash into ribbons using a vegetable peeler, stopping at the seeds; place ribbons in a large bowl. Discard seed cores.
2. Combine oil, rind, juice, salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Drizzle oil mixture over vegetable ribbons; sprinkle with basil and oregano. Toss gently. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup vegetable mixture and 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese)

CALORIES 50 (52% from fat); FAT 2.9g (sat 0.9g,mono 1.6g,poly 0.3g); IRON 0.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 3mg; CALCIUM 62mg; CARBOHYDRATE 4.4g; SODIUM 207mg; PROTEIN 2.8g; FIBER 1.3g

Cooking Light, JULY 2008

My Twist - Add egg noodles or any type of pasta!

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Marshmallow Cream Filling

Ingredients
Cookies:
1 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup fat-free buttermilk
Cooking spray

Filling:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin (about 2 1/2 teaspoons)
3/4 cup cold water, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. To prepare cookies, combine 1 cup sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 2 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and eggs; beat until combined. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, 1 teaspoon salt, baking powder, and baking soda; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until set. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

4. To prepare filling, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a large bowl; set aside. Combine remaining 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, syrup, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 244°. Remove from heat. Gradually pour hot sugar syrup into softened gelatin mixture, beating with a mixer at low speed, then at high speed until thick (about 6 minutes), scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; beat until well blended.

5. Quickly spread about 2 tablespoons filling over bottom side of 1 cookie; top with another cookie. Repeat procedure with remaining filling and cookies.

Yield
16 servings (serving size: 1 cookie)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 197(21% from fat); FAT 4.6g (sat 2.6g,mono 1.3g,poly 0.3g); IRON 1.1mg; CHOLESTEROL 36mg; CALCIUM 46mg; CARBOHYDRATE 36.6g; SODIUM 329mg; PROTEIN 3.7g; FIBER 1g
Susan Kwun, New York City , Cooking Light, JULY 2008

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Marshmallow's

"Marshmallow candy dates back to ancient Egypt where it was a honey-based candy flavored and thickened with the sap of the root of the Marsh-Mallow plant (althea officinalis). Marsh-Mallow grows in salt marshes and on banks near large bodies of water. It is common in the eastern United States. Until the mid 1800's, marshmallow candy was made using the sap of the Marsh-Mallow plant. Gelatin replaces the sap in the modern recipes."

Althea officinalis (Marshmallow)

Make your own marshmallows with this recipe from popular author and caterer, Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. Marshmallows are not that difficult to make and do not requite any exotic ingredients.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preparation:
Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat. With the mixer on low speed slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

With a sieve, generously dust an 8 x 12-inch non-metal baking dish with confectioners' sugar. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top and dust with more confectioners' sugar. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out.

Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares. dust them with more confectioners' sugar.

Yield: 20 to 40 marshmallows, depending on cut size

Pastra Trivia

For a little fun...check out your Knowledge of Noodles!

Pasta Trivia Quiz

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Hazelnut - crusted chicken with raspberry sauce

Juicy chicken with a crunchy nut coating and a sauce that's both fruity and savory: a terrific dinner-party dish.
4 servings
Recipe by Anna Pump

Raspberry Sauce
3/4 cup lightly packed fresh raspberries (about 3 1/2 ounces)
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup safflower oil
3 to 6 teaspoons water (optional)

Chicken
1 cup chopped hazelnuts (about 4 1/2 ounces)
3/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) or plain dried breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
3 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper, divided
1/3 cup honey mustard
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4 large skinless boneless chicken breast halves, butterflied
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons peanut oil
4 cups baby salad greens
1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Preparation

For Raspberry Sauce
Puree raspberries, white wine vinegar, and sugar in blender until smooth. With blender running, gradually add safflower oil. Add water by teaspoonfuls as needed to thin to desired consistency. Season raspberry sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

For Chicken
Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix hazelnuts, panko, 1 tablespoon coarse salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper in shallow bowl.
Mix honey mustard, mint leaves, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, remaining 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and remaining 1 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Add chicken; coat.
Dip chicken pieces, 1 at a time, into crumb-nut mixture, coating both sides and pressing to adhere. Transfer coated chicken pieces to baking sheet.
Divide equal amounts of butter and peanut oil between 2 large nonstick skillets; heat over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken pieces to each skillet; reduce heat to medium and cook until chicken is light brown, about 4 minutes per side. Place chicken on rimmed baking sheet; transfer to oven. Roast chicken until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Divide salad greens among 4 plates; top with chicken. Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve raspberry sauce alongside.

My Tip: Go EASY on the SALT!!! You can always add more later!

Grits, Cheese, and Onion Souffles

These versatile soufflés can be served for breakfast or lunch, or as a side dish for dinner.

4 Main-course servings
Prep:30 min Total: 50 min
Recipe by the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen

June 2008
Ingredients
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped leek
1 1/2 cups whole milk, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup quick-cooking grits
4 large eggs, separated
3 green onions, chopped
1 cup (packed) grated hot
pepper Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces), divided

Preparation
Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter four 11/4-cup soufflé dishes. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and leek; sauté 3 minutes. Mix in 11/4 cups whole milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then grits; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until thick, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk remaining 1/4 cup milk and yolks in small bowl to blend.
Remove grits from heat. Stir in yolk mixture, then green onions and 3/4 cup cheese. Beat whites in medium bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold into grits in 3 additions. Divide mixture among prepared dishes (mixture will come all the way to top of dishes). Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
Bake soufflés until puffed and brown on top, about 18 minutes. Serve immediately.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Zesty Citrus Chicken

The chicken marinates in citrus juice so the meat stays tender. A touch of coconut flour adds tropical flavor to the breading. Use all-purpose flour instead, if you prefer.

6 limes
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
6 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
1/4 cup coconut flour or all-purpose flour (about 1 ounce)
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Cooking spray
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
12 thin orange slices

Grate rind from limes, reserving 2 tablespoons rind; set aside. Squeeze juice from limes to equal 3/4 cup.
Combine lime juice, lemon juice, and chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 2 hours, turning bag occasionally.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Remove chicken from bag, reserving 2 tablespoons marinade. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour mixture. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add 3 chicken breast halves; cook 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Place chicken in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and chicken.

Combine lime rind and brown sugar; sprinkle over chicken. Combine reserved marinade and broth; drizzle around chicken. Top each chicken breast half with 2 orange slices. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until chicken is done. Place chicken on a serving platter. Strain any remaining liquid in dish through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl. Discard solids. Spoon sauce over chicken.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and about 1 tablespoon sauce)

CALORIES 332 (14% from fat); FAT 5.1g (sat 1.2g,mono 2.2g,poly 0.8g); IRON 2.2mg; CHOLESTEROL 99mg; CALCIUM 56mg; CARBOHYDRATE 29.9g; SODIUM 533mg; PROTEIN 41.5g; FIBER 3.8g

Cooking Light, MARCH 2007

Sulpher Springs Fishing Camp Apple Dumplings

1 pkg cresent dinner rolls
2 RED apples or peaches
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick real butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mountain dew

Peel, core, quarter apples
Microwave for 2 minutes, roll an apple quarter in each cresent roll segment
place in a large glass dish
mix melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla and spoon mixture over rolls
pour mountain dew over all the rolls
cook 45 minutes at 350

Raw Sweet Corn and Cashew Chowder

TOTAL TIME: 15 MIN
SERVES: 4
The Good News Not only is yellow corn a good source of vitamin B, magnesium and thiamin, it also contains carotenoids (organic pigments with health benefits) not found in white corn. Ani Phyo likes to add a handful of vitamin A–rich spinach or soft lettuce to the chowder. “Then it becomes part-soup, part-salad,” she says.
ingredients
3 1/4 cups fresh yellow corn kernels (from 4 large ears)
2 cups water
1/2 cup raw cashews
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small garlic clove
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped cilantro leaves
Freshly ground pepper

directions
In a blender, combine 2 1/4 cups of the corn with the water, cashews, olive oil, garlic and salt and puree until smooth. Pour the soup into bowls. Garnish with the remaining 1 cup of corn kernels, the cilantro and a sprinkle of pepper, then serve.
MAKE AHEAD The corn chowder can be refrigerated overnight.

NOTES One Serving 402 cal, 31 gm fat, 4.6 gm sat fat, 30 gm carb, 4 gm fiber.

Recipe by Ani Phyo
From Simply Delicious Raw-Food Recipes
This recipe originally appeared in June, 2008.