Chicken and Dumpling Soup Sunday, Jan 22 2017

3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
1 cup water
2 cups frozen french-cut green beans
1-1/2 cups sliced onions
1 cup shredded carrots
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
2/3 cup reduced-fat biscuit/baking mix
1/3 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/3 cup fat-free milk

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink. Remove from heat.

In a large saucepan, whisk flour and 1/2 cup broth until smooth. Stir in water and remaining broth. Add beans, onions, carrots and marjoram. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add chicken; return to a simmer.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix biscuit mix, cornmeal and cheese. Stir in milk just until moistened. Drop batter in 12 portions on top of the simmering soup. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of dumpling comes out clean.

Taste of Home, September/October 2013, page 17

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Shrimp Lo Mein Friday, Jan 20 2017

8 ounces lo mein noodles
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
½ pound snow peas, trimmed
4 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
2 cloves garlic, chopped
kosher salt
¼ cup oyster sauce (found in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
crushed red pepper, for serving

Cook the noodles according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the shrimp, snow peas, scallion whites, garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the oyster sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, and ¼ cup water; cook, tossing, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the noodles and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with the red pepper and scallion greens.

Real Simple, January 2012, page 124

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Cabernet Short Ribs with Parmesan Polenta Thursday, Jan 19 2017

Ribs:16 (3-ounce) bone-in beef short ribs, trimmed
5/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped shallots
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
6 garlic cloves, sliced
1 rosemary sprig
2 1/2 cups cabernet sauvignon or other dry red wine
1 1/4 cups lower-sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons water
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Gremolata:
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 garlic clove, minced

Polenta:
3 cups fat-free milk
1 cup water
5/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup quick-cooking polenta
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil to pan. Add 8 ribs, and sauté for 6 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove ribs. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 teaspoon oil and 8 ribs. Add onion and the next 5 ingredients (through rosemary) to pan; sauté 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine to pan, and bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook for 13 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Add broth to pan, and bring to a boil. Return ribs to pan. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 1/2 hours, turning ribs after 45 minutes. Remove ribs from pan, and strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Discard the solids. Skim fat; discard. Return cooking liquid to pan. Combine flour and 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl, stirring well. Add to pan, and bring to a boil. Cook for 11 minutes or until reduced to about 1 cup. Stir in vinegar.

To prepare gremolata, combine 1/3 cup parsley, 1/2 teaspoon lemon rind, and minced garlic.

To prepare polenta, bring 3 cups milk, 1 cup water, 5/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper to a boil over medium heat. Slowly stir in 1 cup polenta. Cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Stir in cheese. Place 1/2 cup polenta in each of 8 shallow bowls, and top each serving with 2 ribs, 2 tablespoons sauce, and about 2 teaspoons gremolata.

Cooking Light, October 2011, page 88

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Cabernet Short Ribs with Parmesan Polenta Thursday, Jan 19 2017

Ribs:
16 (3-ounce) bone-in beef short ribs, trimmed
5/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped shallots
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
6 garlic cloves, sliced
1 rosemary sprig
2 1/2 cups cabernet sauvignon or other dry red wine
1 1/4 cups lower-sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons water
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Gremolata:
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 garlic clove, minced

Polenta:
3 cups fat-free milk
1 cup water
5/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup quick-cooking polenta
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil to pan. Add 8 ribs, and sauté for 6 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove ribs. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 teaspoon oil and 8 ribs. Add onion and the next 5 ingredients (through rosemary) to pan; sauté 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine to pan, and bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook for 13 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Add broth to pan, and bring to a boil. Return ribs to pan. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 1/2 hours, turning ribs after 45 minutes. Remove ribs from pan, and strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Discard the solids. Skim fat; discard. Return cooking liquid to pan. Combine flour and 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl, stirring well. Add to pan, and bring to a boil. Cook for 11 minutes or until reduced to about 1 cup. Stir in vinegar.

To prepare gremolata, combine 1/3 cup parsley, 1/2 teaspoon lemon rind, and minced garlic.
To prepare polenta, bring 3 cups milk, 1 cup water, 5/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper to a boil over medium heat. Slowly stir in 1 cup polenta. Cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Stir in cheese. Place 1/2 cup polenta in each of 8 shallow bowls, and top each serving with 2 ribs, 2 tablespoons sauce, and about 2 teaspoons gremolata.

Cooking Light, October 2011, page 88

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Chicken and Gruyère turnovers Monday, Jan 16 2017

1 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 ½ cups grated Gruyère
1 cup frozen peas
2 sheets puff pastry (one 17.25-ounce package frozen), thawed
1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup Dijon mustard

Heat oven to 400° F. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, Gruyère, and peas.

Cut the 2 sheets of puff pastry in half to form 4 rectangles and place on a baking sheet. Dividing evenly, top half of each rectangle with the chicken mixture. Fold over and seal the turnovers; brush the tops with the egg. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with the mustard.

Real Simple, March 2011, page 198

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Lamb Bolognese with Feta Sunday, Oct 30 2016

1 lb ground lamb
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup trimmed and chopped celery
1/2 cup peeled, trimmed and chopped carrot
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chopped plum tomatoes, juices reserved, about 7 whole tomatoes (I recommend removing the skins)
1 box angel hair pasta
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tbsp flour
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 oz feta cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)

In a large skillet, heat oil on medium. Add lamb and cook, until browned. Add onion, celery, carrot and Italian seasoning and saute, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in wine and increase heat slightly. Cook, stirring every once in awhile, until wine evaporates, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomatoes with juices. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring often, until sauce thickens.

Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions.

In a small bowl, whisk milk and flour. Stir into lamb mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in ricotta cheese until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

Divide angel hair pasta among serving plates. Top with lamb and tomato mixture and feta.

original

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Cornish Game Hens with Cider-Sage Sauce Wednesday, Oct 26 2016

2 1 – 1 1/2 – pounds fresh or frozen Cornish game hens
2 slices bacon
1 cup coarsely chopped onion (1 large)
1 cup coarsely chopped celery (2 stalks)
1 cup coarsely chopped, unpeeled firm, tart apples (such as, Rome Beauty, Stayman Winesap, Granny Smith) (1 large)
2/3 cup chopped fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon snipped fresh sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup dry bread cubes (1 1/2 slices bread)
1 tablespoon water, apple juice or chicken broth

Olive oil or vegetable oil
Lemon juice
Sea salt or kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
Cider-Sage Sauce (recipe follows)
Apple slices (optional)
Lemon wedges (optional)

Thaw hens, if frozen. Use kitchen shears or a long, heavy knife to cut hen in half lengthwise. Cut through the breast bone, just off center. If you like, cut on each side of the backbone to completely remove the backbone; discard backbone. If you like, remove and discard as much skin as you can from the hen halves. Set hens aside.

For stuffing: In a medium skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in skillet. Cook onion and celery in reserved bacon drippings over medium heat until onion is tender. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbled bacon, apples, cranberries, sage, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cinnamon. Stir in bread cubes. Drizzle just enough of the water over bread mixture to moisten, tossing lightly until mixed.

Spoon stuffing into four mounds on the bottom of a greased 13x9x2-inch (3-quart) baking dish. Place hen halves, cut side down, over the stuffing mounds. Brush hens with oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Roast, uncovered, in a 375 degrees oven for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the Cider-Sage Sauce.

Brush with some of the Cider-Sage Sauce, then roast, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes more or until hens are tender and no longer pink and an instant-read thermometer registers 170 degrees in breast and 180 degrees in thigh (the thermometer should not touch bone), brushing hens once or twice with more the sauce.

Remove hens from oven. Let stand, loosely covered, for 10 minutes before serving. Using a wide spatula, transfer hens with stuffing to dinner plates. If you like, garnish dinner plates with sliced apples and lemon wedges. Heat remaining sauce until bubbly and pass at the table.

Apple Cider-Sage Sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in 1 cup fresh apple cider or apple juice, 1 1/2 teaspoon snipped fresh sage leaves and 1 clove garlic, minced. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon boiled cider (purchase in specialty stores or see recipe on midwestliving.com), applejack, apple brandy or brandy. Makes about 1 cup sauce.

Midwest Living, October 2012, page 98

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Meatball Banh Mi Wednesday, Oct 19 2016

Slaw
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1 3/4 cups shredded carrot
1 3 /4 cups shredded daikon radish
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallion greens
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Meatballs
8 ounces ground pork
8 ounces ground chicken breast
1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped scallion whites
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce or other Asian hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 20-inch baguettes, preferably whole-wheat, cut into thirds
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1-2 teaspoons chile-garlic sauce or other Asian hot sauce
36 thin slices English cucumber (about 1/2 large)
2/3 cup gently packed fresh cilantro

To prepare slaw: Whisk lime juice and sugar in a medium bowl. Add carrot, daikon, scallion greens and basil and toss to coat. Set aside.

To prepare meatballs: Preheat oven to 450 °F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Gently mix pork, chicken, water chestnuts, scallion whites, garlic, fish sauce, chile-garlic sauce and pepper in a large bowl (do not overmix). Using a generous 2 tablespoons each, make 18 meatballs. Bake on the prepared baking sheet until just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

To assemble sandwiches: Cut each portion of baguette in half horizontally, then pull out about half of the soft bread in the center of each piece (reserve for another use, if desired). Combine mayonnaise and chile-garlic sauce to taste in a small bowl. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of the mixture on each piece of baguette. Divide the reserved slaw among the sandwiches and top with cucumber and cilantro. Add 3 meatballs to each sandwich. Serve immediately.

Eating Well, March/April 2012, pages 74-75

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Shrimp Pho Monday, Oct 17 2016

12 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
Shells from 3 pounds large peeled shrimp
½ bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1½ cups chopped yellow onion
1⅓ cups chopped green bell pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce (Sriracha)
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1½ pounds peeled and deveined large fresh shrimp
1 (8-ounce) package rice noodles
1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
2 limes, cut into wedges
½ cup Thai basil leaves

In a large stockpot, combine 12 cups water, broth, shells, cilantro, onion, bell pepper, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, ginger, chile-garlic sauce, and coriander. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 1 hour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding solids. (At this point, the pho base can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.)

In a large stockpot, bring pho base to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, and add shrimp and rice noodles. Cook until shrimp are pink and firm and noodles are cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.

Serve pho topped with sliced jalapeño peppers, lime wedges, and basil. Add additional chile-garlic sauce to each serving to taste.

Louisiana Cooking, September/October 2013, page 73

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Sesame Chicken and Noodles in Mushroom Broth Sunday, Oct 16 2016

4 shiitake mushrooms
1 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
4 teaspoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced
1 serrano chile, thinly sliced
1 quart water
2 cups uncooked fresh Chinese-style noodles
1 pound chicken cutlets
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup toasted sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sesame oil
4 baby bok choy, cut in half lengthwise
1/2 cup (1/4-inch-thick) slices red bell pepper
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

Remove mushroom stems. Thinly slice caps; set caps aside. Bring stems, broth, and next 6 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan. Remove pan from heat.

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add noodles; cook 3 minutes or until done. Drain.

Sprinkle chicken with black pepper. Place seeds in a dish. Press seeds into both sides of chicken. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan. Add bok choy, cut sides down; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Add reserved mushroom slices and bell pepper. Strain broth mixture through a sieve into pan; cover and cook 2 minutes. Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon.

Thinly slice chicken. Place 1/2 cup noodles, about 1/4 cup vegetables, and 4 ounces chicken into 4 shallow bowls. Spoon 1/4 cup broth mixture over each. Garnish each with two lime wedges.

Cooking Light, August 2012, page 26

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