02-15-10
Pineapple-Glazed Pork with Chiles and Lime
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
1 cup pineapple juice, divided
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped seeded red jalapeño chiles
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 3/4-pound pork tenderloins
Chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
Preheat oven to 500°F. Bring 3/4 cup pineapple juice and sugar to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover; boil until syrup is deep brown, checking frequently to prevent burning, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Immediately swirl in remaining 1/4 cup pineapple juice, chiles, and allspice. When bubbling stops, whisk in lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/4 cup glaze into small bowl and reserve.
Line baking sheet with foil; place rack in center of sheet. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper; place on rack. Brush with glaze from saucepan. Roast until thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 145°F, brushing occasionally with glaze from saucepan, about 15 minutes. Slice pork. Drizzle with reserved glaze and sprinkle with cilantro.
02-15-10
Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries
Makes 4 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups dried tart cherries (6 ounces)
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Position 1 rack in bottom third and 1 rack in top third of oven; preheat to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Blend first 4 ingredients in processor 30 seconds. Add eggs; process to blend. Add next 4 ingredients. Using on/off turns, process until oats are coarsely chopped and mixture is blended. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in cherries and chocolate chips.
Spoon batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart (cookies will spread). Bake until tops of cookies are golden brown, rotating baking sheets after 7 minutes, about 14 minutes total. Transfer cookies to rack; let cool. Repeat with remaining batter.NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 120 calories; 6 g fat; 1.5 g fiber; 15.5 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Chicken Curry in a Hurry
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
1/2 cup mild Indian curry paste
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 3- to 3 1/2-pound cut-up chicken
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups chopped onions (about 2 medium)
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
Combine curry paste, white wine vinegar, ginger, cumin, and cardamom in processor; blend to paste. Transfer spice paste to large bowl; add cut-up chicken pieces and rub to coat well, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and any spice paste remaining in bowl to skillet; cook until well browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to bowl. Add onions to skillet; sauté until golden, adding water by tablespoonfuls if dry, about 5 minutes. Add diced tomatoes with juice; bring to simmer. Return chicken pieces to skillet. Spoon some of juices in skillet over chicken. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until chicken is cooked through, adding water by 1/4 cupfuls to thin juices, if desired, and turning chicken once, about 25 minutes. Transfer chicken pieces and juices to shallow bowl. Divide chicken equally among 4 plates; sprinkle each portion with chopped fresh cilantro and serve.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 495 calories; 27 g fat; 2 g fiber; 12 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Creme Caramel Bread Pudding
Makes 8 Servings
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
4 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubes crustless egg bread (such as challah or brioche)
7 large eggs
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 pinches of salt
Directions:
Spread brown sugar evenly in bottom of 8×8x2-inch glass baking dish (or other 9- to 10-cup dish). Sprinkle bread cubes evenly over. Combine eggs, cream, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl; whisk to blend well. Pour custard through sieve over bread in dish. Let pudding stand 30 minutes, occasionally pressing on bread to submerge.
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Place baking dish in roasting pan. Pour enough lukewarm water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of baking dish. Bake pudding until set, brown on top, and small knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool in water 20 minutes.
Spoon bread pudding into dessert bowls and serve warm.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 496 calories; 29 g fat; 0.5 g fiber; 50 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Feta Dressing
Makes 4 First-Course Servings or 2 Main-Course Servings
Ingredients:
1 9-ounce bag fresh spinach leaves
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium red onion, halved, cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges with some core attached
1 7-ounce package feta cheese, coarsely crumbled
2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar
Directions:
Place spinach in large bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add onion; sauté until brown and softened, about 7 minutes. Transfer to bowl with spinach; remove skillet from heat. Add remaining 3 tablespoons oil and cheese to skillet. Stir to melt cheese slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour over spinach; toss to coat and wilt slightly.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 330 calories; 28 g fat; 3 g fiber; 9 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Barramundi Fillets with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprout Chips
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
1 small shallot, minced (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
3 teaspoons fresh lime juice, divided
1 1/4 teaspoons finely grated lime peel
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon honey
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 3/4 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup warm whole milk
8 ounces brussels sprouts, leaves separated, cores discarded
4 5- to 6-ounce barramundi fillets
Directions:
Whisk shallot, 1 teaspoon lime juice, lime peel, vinegar, and honey in small bowl. Whisk in 2 tablespoons oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Pierce sweet potatoes in several places with fork. Place on sheet of aluminum foil and roast 30 minutes. Turn potatoes over and roast until soft, about 20 minutes longer. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Scoop flesh into processor; discard skins. Puree sweet potatoes until smooth. Add 3 tablespoons butter, thyme, nutmeg, and remaining 2 teaspoons lime juice; process until blended and smooth. Add milk; process to blend. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Vinaigrette and potatoes can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature and rewhisk before using.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place brussels sprout leaves on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread leaves out in even layer. Roast until almost all leaves are brown in spots and crisp, tossing occasionally, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet. Continue to cook fish until edges appear opaque, occasionally basting by spooning juices in skillet over, about 4 minutes. Turn fish over. Cook until just opaque in center, about 2 minutes.
Rewarm sweet potatoes in microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through, stirring occasionally. Divide sweet potatoes among plates. Arrange fish alongside and drizzle vinaigrette over. Sprinkle brussels sprout chips over and serve.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 590 calories; 34 g fat; 6 g fiber; 26 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Mini Halloween Pumpkin Cupcakes
Makes 24 Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 cup self-rising flour
2/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg
1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Chopped crystallized ginger (optional)
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
Orange and black food coloring; orange, black, white, and yellow candies and sugar crystals
Special Equipment
Mini muffin pans
1 3/4×1-inch paper liners
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 24 mini muffin cups with 1 3/4×1-inch paper liners. Mix flour, golden brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice in large bowl. Whisk egg, canned pure pumpkin, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract in medium bowl. Add mixture to dry ingredients; stir to fully combine. Spoon batter into paper liners (batter will almost fill liners). Scatter crystallized ginger over, if desired.
Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 16 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely on rack.
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl to blend. Beat in powdered sugar.
Divide frosting among 3 bowls. Tint frosting in first bowl with orange coloring (or combine red and yellow coloring to make orange) and frosting in second bowl with black coloring, keeping frosting in third bowl white. Chill frosting 2 hours or until firm enough to easily spread.
Frost cupcakes; decorate using candy and sugar crystals as desired.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 164 calories; 10 g fat; 0.4 g fiber; 18 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Lime and Honey-Glazed Salmon with Basmati and Broccolini
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons finely grated lime peel
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro plus additional for sprinkling
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup sliced shallots (about 3 large)
1 1/2 cups basmati rice (9 to 10 ounces)
3 1/4 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
4 5- to 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets
1 bunch broccolini, bottom inch trimmed, stalks separated if necessary
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Whisk lime juice, lime peel, honey, 2 tablespoons cilantro, and soy sauce in small bowl; set aside.
Heat oil in large deep ovenproof skillet or casserole (with lid) over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté until beginning to soften and brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in rice, then 3 1/4 cups broth; bring to boil. Cover skillet tightly with lid; place in oven and bake 10 minutes (rice will be almost cooked through and most of broth will be absorbed; mix in more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if dry).
Remove skillet from oven. Sprinkle rice lightly with salt. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper and arrange on rice, pressing in lightly. Tuck broccolini in around fish, with stems anchored in rice. Spoon 1 tablespoon lime mixture over each salmon fillet. Cover skillet tightly and return to oven; bake until salmon is just opaque in center and broccolini is crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drizzle remaining lime mixture over fish and rice; sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro and serve from skillet.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 473 calories; 14 g fat; 5 g fiber; 45 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Penne with Lemon and Root Vegetables
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups 2×1/2×1/2-inch sticks peeled assorted root vegetables (such as parsnips, carrots, celery root, and golden beets)
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
2 celery stalks, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide pieces, plus 6 tablespoons chopped celery leaves, divided
8 ounces penne rigate or whole grain penne
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon (scant) ground nutmeg
Directions:
Heat extra-virgin olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add vegetables; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté 9 minutes. Using garlic press, squeeze in garlic. Add sliced celery stalks. Sauté vegetables 1 minute longer. Add 1 cup water. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
Add pasta to vegetables in skillet. Add 3/4 cup reserved cooking liquid, cheese, lemon peel, nutmeg, and 4 tablespoons celery leaves. Toss until heated through and sauce coats pasta, adding more cooking liquid if dry, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowls; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons celery leaves.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 438 calories; 11 g fat; 9 g fiber; 56 g carbohydrates
02-15-10
Salmon with Hoisin, Orange, and Bok Choy
Makes 2 Servings
Ingredients:
2 heads of baby bok choy, each cut lengthwise into 6 wedges
2 5- to 6-ounce salmon fillets
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
3/4 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Form bed of bok choy in center of each of two 12-inch square pieces of foil. Top bok choy with fish. Mix orange juice, green onion, hoisin, ginger, and orange peel in small bowl. Spoon mixture over fish, dividing equally. Sprinkle with salt and coriander. Top with cilantro. Fold up foil sides and pinch tightly to seal above fish and at both ends of packets, enclosing contents completely. Place packets on baking sheet. Bake until fish is just opaque in center, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer packets to plates and serve.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 262 calories; 11 g fat; 1 g fiber; 6 g carbohydrates