Apple Braised Chicken

Adapted from Weight Watchers recipe.

Ingredients:
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 large onion, sliced
2 medium apples, firm, cored and sliced
1 cup fat-free chicken broth
1 cup Mott's Apple Juice
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Instructions:
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, warm oil over high heat. Toss chicken with flour in a medium bowl, patting off excess. Place chicken in skillet and brown well on both sides. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Reduce stove temperature to low and add onion to skillet. Sauté, stirring often, until onion is tender and lightly browned.

Stir in juice, chicken broth, salt, ginger and chicken. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes, adding in apples halfway through.

Yields 1 chicken breast and about 3/4 cup of apple-onion mixture per serving.

Chicken Chili

Adapted from a Weight Watchers recipe.

Ingredients:
2 tsp canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 oz chopped green chilies, canned, mild
6 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp Durkee Ground Cumin Seed, or other brand
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1 pound uncooked extra lean ground chicken breast, skinless
1 cup salsa, mild, chunky variety
1 cup Ragu Traditional Tomato Sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the chiles, chili powder, cocoa, cumin, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chicken and cook, breaking itup with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes.

Add the salsa, tomato sauce, and water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the flavors blend and the chili thickens slightly, about 1 hour. When serving, sprinkle with the cheese.

Senegalese Peanut Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potatoes

Recipe courtesy of Weight Watchers. 

Ingredients:
1 spray(s) cooking spray
2 medium onion(s), roughly chopped
1 medium green pepper(s), cored and roughly chopped
1/2 pound(s) sweet potato(es), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
2 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, minced
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
4 cup(s) vegetable broth, reduced-sodium
6 Tbsp peanut butter, natural, creamy-variety
8 cup(s) spinach, leaves, stemmed, packed, chopped

Directions:
Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the sweet potato and garlic; cook for 1 minute, stirring often. Add the ginger, cloves, salt and cayenne; cook for 30 seconds.

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.

Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer slowly, stirring once in a while, until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

Add the spinach; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Yields about 1 2/3 cups per serving.


One Year Ago: Olive Garden Style Salad Dressing and Garlic Bread
Two Years Ago: Moroccan Lamb Chops & Couscous
Three Years Ago: Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Raspberry-Walnut Crumble Bars

Recipe from Real Simple.

Ingredients:
nonstick cooking spray
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup raspberry jam
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Heat oven to 350° F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with the cooking spray. Line the pan with a piece of parchment, leaving an over-hang on two sides; spray the parchment with the cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).

Transfer two-thirds of the dough to the prepared pan and press in evenly; spread the jam on top. Crumble the remaining dough over the jam and sprinkle with the walnuts. Bake until golden, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool completely in the pan.

Holding both sides of the paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan, transfer to a cutting board, and cut into 24 rectangles (6 rows by 4 rows). Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Latkes

It's Chanukah time again - and that means Latkes! This year I made a recipe from Real Simple,which baked the latkes instead of frying them.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 pounds (5 medium) peeled medium-starch potatoes, such as Yukon gold
1 medium red onion, finely chopped (3/4 cup)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
applesauce and sour cream, for serving

Directions:
Heat oven to 450° F. Brush 2 baking sheets with 1 tablespoon of the oil and set aside.

Using a box grater or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade, coarsely grate the potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a large bowl with the onion, flour, salt, pepper, eggs, and the remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss to mix well.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets and press lightly to make patties. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Turn the latkes with a metal spatula and rotate the baking sheets. Bake another 5 minutes or until golden.

Transfer to a platter and serve with the applesauce and sour cream. This recipe makes 2 dozen latkes.

Pasta with Veggies in Peanut Sauce

A really easy weeknight dinner. Originally I was going to use Shirataki Noodles, but the section of my grocery store that has them was under construction tonight, so I went with whole wheat spaghetti. I also used frozen veggies to save some time.

Ingredients: 
Whole wheat spaghetti
Frozen veggie mix (I used a peppers blend that also included onions)
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp. dark sesame oil

Directions:
Cook spaghetti according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a wok, heat a teaspoon of oil (I used sesame oil) til hot. Add frozen vegetables and garlic and heat through, about 5 minutes. Once the bottom of the pan got watery, I drained the veggies and returned them to the wok.

While pasta and veggies are cooking, put peanut butter in glass measuring cup and heat in microwave about 2 minutes, or until very soft. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, and whisk together until well combined.

Add drained pasta and sauce to the wok and mix together til combined. Serve!

Leftover Turkey Soup: Part Duex

Another year, another Thanksgiving, another chance to make Leftover Turkey Soup! This year I didn't have any good leftover veggies to add into the soup, so I roasted some Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts while the broth simmered.

Ingredients:
Broth:
Turkey carcass
2 quarters of a large onion (or 4 quarters of a medium onion)
Celery tops/leaves
Sprig of fresh thyme
Sprig of fresh rosemary
A few leaves of fresh sage
Bay leaf
Salt and pepper

Soup:
Leftover turkey, shredded or cut into bite-size pieces
Large onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped

2 sweet potatoes
1 lb Brussel Sprouts

Directions:
Cover turkey carcass in soup pot with water. Add remaining broth ingredients. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, chop sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Toss in 1 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper  and roast at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut Brussel Sprouts in half. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic, salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove stock from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve, saving the liquid, and throwing away the carcass, vegetables, and herbs.

In the soup pot, add a bit of oil and cook onions and celery over medium heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Add strained stock. Add the turkey and remaining vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle the soup into serving bowls.

Ginger Sugar Cookies

Recipe featured on the cover of the Dec '10 issue of Food and Wine.

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Royal Icing
1 large egg white
1/2 pound confectioners' sugar
1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Water

Directions:
In a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter with the flour and salt at low speed until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, ginger, vanilla and orange zest and beat at low speed until smooth. Divide the dough in half and shape into 2 disks. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350° and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working in batches if necessary, roll out the dough a scant 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Stamp out shapes as close together as possible. Arrange the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until lightly golden, 14 to 18 minutes depending on their size. Transfer to a rack to cool. Meanwhile, refrigerate the scraps until chilled, then reroll, stamp out more cookies and bake.

To make the icing, in a bowl, beat the egg white at medium speed until foamy. Add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating between additions until the sugar is completely incorporated. Add the lemon juice and beat at high speed until the icing holds its shape, about 5 minutes. Thin with water as needed. Decorate!

The baked, undecorated cookies can be wrapped well and frozen for up to 1 month. The decorated cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Curried Zucchini Soup

Recipe from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook.

Ingredients:
2 tsp evoo
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch half moons
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
3 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup plain fat-free or low fat yogurt
Salt and pepper


Directions:
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini, ginger, curry powder, and garam masala. Cook 3 more minutes. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until veggies are tender, about 10 minutes Puree soup in blender or food processor until smooth. Whisk in yogurt.

Cannellini Bean Salad

Recipe from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp evoo
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
3/4 tsp oregano
1 tbsp minced red onion
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Whisk together oil, vinegar, and oregano in a large mixing bowl. Add cucumbers, onions, beans, and bell pepper; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Recipe from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook.

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower
1 tbsp evoo
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups water
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Cut cauliflower into florets and slice stems into 1/4 inch pieces. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add cauliflower and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add water, cover, bring to a simmer, and cook until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes.

Puree vegetables and cooking liquid in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to saucepan and whisk in sour cream and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Apple-Butternut Squash Soup

Recipe from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp evoo
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces (or 2 packages of frozen pureed squash)
3 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup unsweetened apple cider
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add squash, cover and cook 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add broth and simmer 15-20 minutes.

Puree solid ingredients to blender or food processor with apple juice until smooth. Add 1/3 cups of the cooking liquid and puree til smooth. Stir back into the pan.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Raspberry Center

Red Velvet Cupcake recipe by Martha Stewart - the Raspberry is my own little twist. Recipe makes 24 cupcakes.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self- rising), sifted
2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon red gel-paste food color (I used a 1 fl oz bottle of red liquid food coloring)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Seedless Raspberry Jelly (about a teaspoon per cupcake)

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 pound (4 cups) confectioners' sugar, sifted
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Red decorating gel or sanding sugar to decorate


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together cake flour, cocoa, and salt.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk together sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in food color and vanilla.

Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and whisking well after each. Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam); add mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed 10 seconds.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

I use the cone method to fill the cupcakes with the raspberry jelly. Using a small paring knife, cut out a cone (at about a 45 degree angle) about halfway into the cupcake. Pull the cone of cake out and cut off the pointy end, about half of the cone. Use a teaspoon to place the jelly into the cupcake, then place the cake top right back on top of the cupcake.

To make frosting, beat butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, and then vanilla; mix until smooth. Frosting can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; before using, bring to room temperature, and beat until smooth.

I fill a ziploc bag with the frosting and cup the tip (in place of a real pastry bag) and pipe the frosting on top of the cupcake. Decorate with red gel or sugar on top.

Refrigerate up to 3 days in airtight containers; bring to room temperature before serving.

Celery with Herbed Cream Cheese and Walnut

Recipe from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup walnuts
1 8oz package reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tbsp chopped chives or dill
16 large celery stalks, trimmed
Salt and pepper


Directions:
Heat oven to 275 degrees. Spread walnuts on a baking tray and bake until fragrant and toasted, about 10 minutes. Roughly chop.


Combine walnuts, cream cheese, and herbs in a mixing bowl. Mix well and add salt and pepper to taste.


Fill each celery stalk with 1 tbsp cream cheese mixture to serve.

Spiced Oatmeal with Dried Apricot and Walnuts

Recipe from The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup walnuts
2 cups water
1/2 cup steel-cut oats
12 dried apricots, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 1/2 tsp sugar-free pancake syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt

Directions:
Heat oven to 275 degrees. Spread walnuts on a baking tray and bake until fragrant and toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Roughly chop.

While the nuts are toasting, combine water, oats, apricots, syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in an 8-cup microwave safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, vent, and cook at full power for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir, replace plastic wrap, vent, and cook at full power for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, until liquid is mostly absorbed. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.

The oatmeal keeps for up to 5 days in the fridge.