Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Italian-Style Spaghetti Squash

This squash resembles strands of spaghetti.
Serves 4.





Ingredient List
* 2 lb. spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
* 2 Tbs. olive oil
* 1 medium-sized red onion, thinly sliced
* 1 zucchini (8 oz.), diced
* 4 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1/4 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
* 1/2 cup reduced-fat grated Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
* 1 small lemon, sliced

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Place squash halves, cut side down, in baking dish. Add 1/4 cup water, and cover dish with foil. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven, and cool slightly.

3. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook for 3 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add zucchini, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until zucchini begins to brown. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.

4. Using a fork, scrape squash strands into a bowl. Toss with remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Mound squash in the centers of four pasta bowls. Spoon vegetable mixture around or over squash strands, dividing vegetables equally among bowls. Drizzle with more oil, if desired, and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Add lemon slices, and serve.

Italian-Style Spaghetti Squash » Vegetarian Times Issue: January 1, 2004 p.67

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Spicy Tofu Bento Bowl

Bento boxes are lunch containers with separate compartments used for take-along and take-out lunches in Japan. Here we’ve assembled traditional bento box components in a one-bowl salad. Serves 6.


Ingredient List
* Spicy Tofu
* 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 1/4 cup hot chili-garlic sauce
* 2 Tbs. dark sesame oil
* 14-oz. extra-firm tofu, cubed
* 5 green onions, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
* 1/4 cup nonfat yogurt
* 2 Tbs. lemon juice

Salad
* 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 2 Tbs. lemon juice
* 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
* 1 tsp. hot chili-garlic sauce
* 2 cups cooked short-grain brown rice
* 4 1/2 cups mixed baby greens
* 2 carrots, peeled
* 1 cucumber, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
* 1 avocado, peeled and sliced
* 1 Tbs. toasted sesame seeds

Directions
1. To make Spicy Tofu: Whisk together soy sauce, chili sauce and sesame oil in bowl. Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat. Dip tofu in chili mixture. Cook 10 minutes, or until browned, turning occasionally. Cool. Add green onions, yogurt and lemon juice to remaining chili mixture. Toss with tofu.

2. To make Salad: Whisk together soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger and chili sauce in bowl. Mound rice in bowls. Top with greens. Shave strips of carrots over top with vegetable peeler. Top with tofu, cucumber and avocado. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with sauce.

Spicy Tofu Bento Bowl » Vegetarian Times Issue: October 1, 2006 p.84

Monday, October 6, 2008

Spicy Red Lentil Soup

Red lentils soften up quickly when cooked, which makes them great for thickening soups. Tamarind paste has a sweet-sour flavor and can be found in Indian groceries or high-end supermarkets. Serves 6.


Ingredient List
* 1 cup red lentils
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
* 2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
* 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
* 1 15-oz. can light, unsweetened coconut milk
* 1 Tbs. tamarind concentrate or paste, optional
* 1 Tbs. ground coriander
* 1 tsp. ground cumin
* 1 tsp. turmeric powder
* 1 small jalapeño, stemmed, seeded and minced
* 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions
1. Combine lentils, salt and 5 cups water in large saucepan. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, 20 to 25 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Blend lentils with whisk for rustic texture, or purée in food processor for creamier feel.

2. Purée tomatoes and ginger in blender or food processor until smooth. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 30 seconds, or until just golden, stirring often. Add tomato mixture, coconut milk, tamarind if desired, coriander, cumin, turmeric and jalapeño. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Stir in lentils, and simmer, partially covered, 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.

Spicy Red Lentil Soup » Vegetarian Times Issue: October 1, 2006 p.60

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Smoky Penne with Corn and Cherry Tomatoes

Most people associate goat cheese with French cuisine, but it plays a big role in Mexican cooking, too. Chipotle chiles are smoked jalapeños that can be found dried or canned in adobo sauce. Serves 4.


Ingredient List
* 12 oz. penne pasta
* 1 dried chipotle chile, soaked in hot water 10 minutes, or 1 chile from 4-oz. can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
* 2 Tbs. olive oil, divided
* 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
* 1 4-oz. log goat cheese, plus more for crumbling and sprinkling, if desired
* 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
* 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
* 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

Directions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, remove seeds from chipotle chile and finely chop. Heat 1 Tbs. oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add chile and garlic, and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in goat cheese and 1/3 cup water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth sauce forms, stirring constantly. Simmer 2 minutes more, then remove from heat and add cilantro and remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil.

3. Drain pasta, and return to pot. Add tomatoes, corn and cheese sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and transfer to warm serving bowl. Toss in extra goat cheese crumbles, if desired.

Vegetarian Times Issue: September 1, 2006 p.71

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Tuscan-Style Spaghetti with Kale and Cannellinis

For an easy way to wash kale, swish it around in a large bowl of water with 1 tablespoon salt, then rinse. The abrasive action of the salt works to remove grit. Serves 8.




Ingredient List

* 2 Tbs. olive oil
* 1 medium-size onion, diced (about 1 cup)
* 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
* 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
* 2 1/2 lb. kale, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 12 cups)
* 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
* 1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
* 3/4 tsp. salt
* 1 15-oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
* 3/4 cup pitted black olives, chopped
* 1 12-oz. pkg. whole-wheat spaghetti
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion in oil 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes.

2. Add 6 cups kale, and cook 2 minutes, or until wilted, tossing occasionally. Add remaining kale, tomatoes, broth and salt. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer 15 minutes, or until soupy, tossing occasionally. Stir in beans and olives.

3. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain, and return to pot with kale mixture. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat, or until pasta absorbs most of liquid. Sprinkle with Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information
Per SERVING: Calories: 270, Protein: 10g, Total fat: 7g, Carbs: 46g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 379mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugars: 5g

Vegetarian Times Issue: September 1, 2006 p.42

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 medium-sized head of cauliflower, separated into florets and washed
1/2 tomato, chopped finely
5 or 6 cups of vegetable stock
1/4 - 1/2 cup 18% cream, or light coconut milk
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add spice, stir and cook until until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add cauliflower florets and tomato and stir to coat in spices. Allow to cook to a minute or two, then add the stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until cauliflower is quite tender, about 20 minutes.

With an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Add cream, lime juice and salt and adjust to taste.

Curried Cauliflower Soup via Treehugger

Friday, August 15, 2008

Green Pea Ravioli

Making homemade ravioli is a snap when you use wonton wrappers (often sold in the produce section of the supermarket) for the pasta. Leftover wrappers can be covered tightly in plastic wrap and frozen for the next use. Serve the ravioli with prepared pesto, a light tomato sauce or simply a little butter and grated Parmesan cheese.

2 cups fresh or frozen peas
2 shallots, quartered
1 large clove garlic
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
36 wonton wrappers

1. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add peas, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Transfer peas to bowl of food processor or blender. Add shallots, garlic and reserved cooking liquid, and puré until smooth. Add cheese, and process until combined. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Set 1 wonton wrapper on work surface. Brush edges with water, then place 11/2 tsp. pea mixture in center. Fold wrapper into triangle over filling, and press edges with fingers to seal. Transfer to plate lined with damp paper towels. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling, placing damp paper towels between each layer of ravioli. Cover, and set aside.

3. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ravioli, and cook 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain. Place ravioli on plates and spoon desired sauce over top. Serve immediately.

Vegetarian Times: Peas Recipes

Mock Guac(amole)

This recipe is a great option for those times you want to make guacamole but can only find hard, unripened avocados. The puréd peas absorb all the Tex-Mex flavors of the cilantro, lime juice and hot sauce, so most guests won't even guess the main ingredient!

4 cups fresh or frozen peas
1 medium tomato, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 bunch green onions, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce

1. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add peas, and cook 15 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Puré in food processor, then press through medium-meshed sieve with back of ladle to separate skins from puré.

2. Combine pea puré and remaining ingredients in medium bowl. Let stand 30 minutes to develop flavors. Serve with tortilla chips or Mexican dishes.

Vegetarian Times: Peas Recipes

Mango-Pea Salad with Sesame Dressing

Toss this salad with the dressing at the last minute, otherwise the peas will start to turn yellow as the acid in the lime juice "cooks" them.

Mango-Pea Salad
3 cups soybean sprouts
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen peas
2 mangoes, peeled and diced
2 bunches green onions, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
3 Tbs. black sesame seeds

Sesame Dressing
3 Tbs. lime juice
2 Tbs. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1/2 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

1. To make Mango-Pea Salad: Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add sprouts and peas, and cook 2 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain, and chill in ice water to stop cooking and keep peas bright green. Drain again.

2. Toss together sprouts, peas, mangoes, green onions, mint and sesame seeds in large bowl.

3. To make Sesame Dressing: Whisk together lime juice, sesame oil, vegetable oil, ginger, brown sugar and salt in small bowl. Pour over pea mixture, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, and serve on bed of lettuce, if desired.

Vegetarian Times: Peas Recipes

Turkish Tomato Soup

Whether you're looking for a creative twist on tomato soup or you need an appetizer to start off a traditional Turkish meal, this recipe is likely to satisfy. This is also a unique way to enjoy fresh domates (tomatoes) on a cool, summer night.

Ingredients
* 6-7 large tomatoes
* 1 white onion
* pinch of nutmeg
* pinch of oregano
* pinch of sugar
* 4 small bunches of parsley (flat leaf preferred)
* 1 bay leaf
* three cups of broth/stock
* butter
* 1 teaspoon flour
* 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
* salt and pepper to taste

Steps
1. Slice the tomatoes and chop the parsley into very small pieces. Combine with the oregano, sugar, nutmeg, 1/2 tablespoon pepper and the bay leaf.

2. Chop the onion into small pieces and saute on medium high heat with butter in a pan until they are brown/yellow. If you find that your butter is burning you may add a bit of oil (canola or olive- not extra virgin olive oil however) to raise the smoke point of the fats.

3. Add all the ingredients of step one to the fried onion.

4. Mix thoroughly and fry for approximately fifteen minutes on half heat, until tomatoes are soft.

5. While you wait for the tomatoes to soften, heat up three cups broth/stock.

6. When the tomato mixture is soft, add the broth and stir well.

7. Put the lid on the pan and cook the mixture of tomatoes and chicken broth for about ten minutes.

8. Take the pan off the heat, discard the bay leaf, and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until there are no chunks of tomato left.

9. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a big pan.

10. Add teaspoon of flour and stir it well to make a roux - this will melt in the soup and thicken it. For optimal results cook the roux until it reaches a medium golden brown color.
* The more you cook a roux, the less thickening power it will have. It will also give it a stronger, almost nutty taste.

11. Slowly pour the soup into the pan with the butter and flour.

12. Add the whipping cream. Last add salt to taste.

13. Heat the soup on the stove and serve.

How to Make Turkish Tomato Soup - from wikiHow

Shells with Ricotta, Basil and Lemon

Serves 6 in 30 minutes or fewer.

Toasted breadcrumbs give this dish an authentic touch.

1 lb. medium-size dried pasta shells or rigatoni
2 tsp. olive oil
3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese (15 oz.)
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
16 fresh basil leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
1 lemon, cut in wedges

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown.

Combine ricotta, lemon juice and zest in warm serving bowl. Fold in basil; season to taste with salt and pepper.

Toss pasta with ricotta mixture until well coated. Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs, and garnish with lemon wedges.

PER SERVING: 394 CAL; 20G PROT; 6.5G TOTAL FAT (3G SAT. FAT); 65G CARB; 27MG CHOL; 437MG SOD; 3G FIBER; 5G SUGARS

Vegetariantimes: 30 Minutes - No-Cook Pasta Sauces

Spaghettini with Walnuts and Parsley Pesto

Serves 6 in 30 minutes or fewer.

Parsley pesto is a light alternative to basil or sun-dried tomato versions. When storing any homemade or prepared pesto in the fridge, pour a thin layer of olive oil on top of the sauce before closing the lid. The oil seals out the air and keeps the sauce a bright, vibrant green for weeks.

1 lb. spaghettini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
4 cups Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 to 5 cloves garlic, minced (1 to 1 1/2 Tbs.)
1 medium-size cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Toast walnuts in skillet over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned and fragrant, shaking often.

Place parsley, cheese, oil, lemon juice and garlic in bowl of food processor. Pulse several times, or until parsley is finely chopped. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl.

Add walnuts, cucumber and hot pasta to pesto. Toss to combine. Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately.

PER SERVING: 471 CAL; 15G PROT; 18G TOTAL FAT (3G SAT. FAT); 63G CARB; 6MG CHOL; 323MG SOD; 4G FIBER; 2G SUGARS

Vegetariantimes: 30 Minutes - No-Cook Pasta Sauces

Fettuccine with Basil-Tomato Sauce

Serves 6, Vegan, in 30 minutes or fewer.

There’s no better way to showcase ripe, juicy summer tomatoes than with this sauce. Seeding the tomatoes takes only a minute or two and makes all the difference. It keeps the sauce sweet—the seeds can be slightly acidic—and prevents it from becoming too watery.

2 1/2 lb. ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 Tbs. brown rice syrup
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. thinly sliced basil
1 Tbs. chopped chives
1 Tbs. minced Italian parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
1 lb. fettuccine
Basil sprigs, for garnish

Combine tomatoes, rice syrup, vinegar, basil, chives, parsley and garlic in large serving bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Toss pasta with sauce. Season to taste with salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with basil sprigs, and serve.

PER SERVING: 343 CAL; 11G PROT; 1.5G TOTAL FAT (0G SAT. FAT); 69G CARB; 0MG CHOL; 215MG SOD; 4G FIBER; 12G SUGARS

Vegetariantimes: 30 Minutes - No-Cook Pasta Sauces

Farfalle with Feta and Chipotle

Serves 4 in 30 minutes or fewer.

Smoky, creamy, crunchy...this Southwest-inspired sauce has it all. It’s served with farfalle so that the pumpkin seeds and feta crumbles don’t get lost in a pasta tangle.

2 Tbs. pumpkin seeds
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
1/4 tsp. chipotle powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
3 Tbs. lime juice
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. lime zest
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
10 oz. farfalle or other small pasta

Toast pumpkin seeds in small skillet 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat, or until browned, shaking often.

Combine garlic, chipotle powder and salt in small bowl. Add cilantro, lime juice, oil and lime zest. Fold in cheese.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Toss hot pasta with sauce in large serving bowl. Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, and serve.

PER SERVING: 448 CAL; 12G PROT; 15G TOTAL FAT (4G SAT. FAT); 64G CARB; 19MG CHOL; 533MG SOD; 3G FIBER; 1G SUGARS

Vegetariantimes: 30 Minutes - No-Cook Pasta Sauces

Strozzapreti with Cheese and Green Peppercorns

Serves 4 in 30 minutes or fewer.

Strozzapreti—which means “priest chokers”—sounds like it was invented by the Mafia, but it’s actually a type of pasta with curved, medium-length strands. If you can’t find strozzapreti, just use penne or fusilli.

1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese (about 3 oz.)
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. mint leaves, sliced into very thin ribbons
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 tsp. brined green peppercorns, drained
1 8.8-oz. pkg. strozzapreti
2 cups grated zucchini
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)

Toast pine nuts in small skillet over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes or until browned and fragrant, shaking often.

Blend cheese, 1/4 cup mint, oil and peppercorns in food processor until peppercorns are broken up. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile, combine zucchini, garlic and mint sauce in large serving bowl.

Toss hot pasta with sauce. Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Stir in pine nuts and remaining mint leaves, and serve.

PER SERVING: 409 CAL; 16G PROT; 18.5G TOTAL FAT (4.5G SAT. FAT); 46G CARB; 20MG CHOL; 427MG SOD; 3G FIBER; 4G SUGARS

Vegetariantimes: 30 Minutes - No-Cook Pasta Sauces

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Grilled Okra

Ingredients
1 pound fresh okra
1 tablespoon dark (Asian style) sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat the grill to high.

2. Trim the tips off the stems of the okra, but do not cut into the pods. Lay 5 pieces of okra side by side in a neat row at the edge of a cutting board. Skewer crosswise with 2 bamboo skewers, one at the top, one at the bottom. Lightly brush the skewered okra with sesame oil and season with salt and pepper.

3. Grill the okra until tender and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side, turning once with a flat spatula. Serve the okra at once, letting each guest remove the skewers.

This recipe serves: 4 | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 5 minutes

Grilled Okra Recipe Brought to you by FoodFit

Monday, June 2, 2008

Sesame Noodle Salad with Asparagus and Tofu

This vegetarian version of a popular Chinese dish called Bon Bon Chi is amazingly flavorful. Take care not to overcook the vermicelli when it's just tender to the bite, it's ready. If you like your noodles very saucy, use all of the sesame dressing; otherwise, use leftover dressing to spoon over pasta or rice. 6 servings.

Ingredient List
* 1 1/2 Tbs. sesame oil or other mild-flavored oil
* 2 cups well-drained diced firm tofu (13 oz.)
* 2 tsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos
* 1 lb. asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths
* 6 oz. dried vermicelli
* 1 English cucumber, peeled and julienned
* 1/3 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* Pinch of asafetida (optional)

Directions: Sesame Dressing
1. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil for vermicelli. Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Stir in asafetida if desired and tofu. Sprinkle with liquid aminos and cook, stirring often, until tofu is golden-brown, about 7 minutes.

2. Add asparagus, sprinkle lightly with salt, cover and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately remove from heat; set aside.

3. Add vermicelli to boiling water; stir to prevent sticking. Cook until just tender, about 6 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold running water and drain well.

4. Transfer noodles to large bowl; add half the dressing and season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Toss well. Spoon asparagus-tofu mixture on top, sprinkle with cucumber and drizzle with some remaining dressing. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Sesame Noodle Salad with Asparagus and Tofu: Vegetarian Times [Issue: May 1, 2000 p.54 ]

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Roasted Broccolini with Balsamic Vinegar

Ingredients
2 bunches (about 8 oz. each) broccolini
1 tablespoon olive oil
kosher salt to taste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Trim the stem ends of the broccolini and spread the spears on a baking sheet. Brush them with olive oil (especially the flowering part) and sprinkle with salt.
3. Roast the broccolini on the top rack of the oven until the stems become tender when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes.
4. Toss the broccolini with the balsamic vinegar and serve.

This recipe serves: 6 | Preparation time: 5 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes

Roasted Broccolini with Balsamic Vinegar: Recipe by FoodFit

Strawberry Soup with Sorbet

Ingredients
1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled
about 1/2 cup brown sugar
juice of 1 lemon
4 scoops of fruit sorbet

Cooking Instructions
1. Purée the strawberries in a blender or food processor.
2. Strain with a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently on the pulp to release the juice.
3. Blend in the sugar and lemon juice until a pleasant balance of sweetness and tartness is reached.
4. Ladle the soup into soup bowls and serve with a scoop of fruit sorbet.

This recipe serves: 4 | Preparation time: 10 minutes

Strawberry Soup with Sorbet: Recipe by FoodFit

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Sesame Noodles

What’s the trick to making pasta healthy? Use whole-wheat noodles. This popular Asian noodle salad bolsters the fiber content and packs a nutrient punch without sacrificing flavor. The recipe comes courtesy of Annelise Stuart of Germantown, New York.

Serves: 8 (1 1/2 cups each).
Preparation time: 20 minutes


Ingredients
1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar or lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 bunch scallions, sliced, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided (optional)
4 cups snow peas, trimmed and sliced on the bias
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds

Preparation
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just tender, 9 to 11 minutes or according to package directions. Drain; rinse under cold water.

2. Meanwhile, whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, canola oil, vinegar (or lime juice), crushed red pepper, 1/4 cup scallions and 2 tablespoons cilantro (if using). Add noodles, snow peas and bell pepper; toss to coat.

3. To serve, mix in sesame seeds and garnish with the remaining scallions and cilantro.

Elise's Sesame Noodles: Provided by Eating Well

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Greek Salad Pitas







Ingredients
1 cup peeled, seeded and diced cucumber
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup diced zucchini
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini, optional
1/4 cup chopped black olives, preferably kalamata
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 6-inch whole wheat pita breads, cut in half
6 curly leaf lettuce leaves

Directions
1. Combine cucumber, bell pepper, zucchini, feta, onion, pepperoncini, olives, oil, lemon juice, vinegar and oregano in large bowl, and toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Line each pita half with a lettuce leaf; fill with 1/2 cup salad mixture.

To pack this for lunch, wrap the pita pockets separately, and fill them with the salad just before serving. Or enjoy the chopped salad on its own with a bowl of soup for dinner. Note: Pepperoncini are thin, small pickled chile peppers that range in spiciness from medium to medium-hot. Look for them in the Italian section of large supermarkets.
Ingredient List

Serves 6 | 30 minutes or fewer

Greek Salad Pitas: Vegetarian Times Issue: April 1, 2005 p.38

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Lentil Soup

Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion
1 cup brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
4 cups water
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 small kohlrabi or other root vegetables, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 medium potato, peeled and diced
1 large tomato, cored, seeded and diced
salt and freshly ground black pepper
plain low-fat yogurt (optional)

Cooking Instructions
1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onion until lightly browned, 5 minutes.

2. Have kids add lentils and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.

3. Kids can add water, carrots, kohlrabi, celery and potato. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, about 30 minutes.

4. Kids can stir in the tomato. Cover and simmer 30 minutes longer, until lentils and vegetables are tender.

5. Season with salt and pepper. Have kids top each bowl with a dollop of yogurt prior to serving.

This recipe serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

Children's Lentil Soup Recipe by FoodFit

Friday, April 11, 2008

Tortilla Soup

Ingredients
For the soup:
5 cloves garlic, peeled
10 Roma tomatoes, cored and quartered
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
8 cups low-sodium ... broth
1 dried chipotle pepper, stemmed and seeded (optional)
3/4 pound tortilla chips

Optional garnishes:
1 bunch (1/2 cup) fresh cilantro leaves
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 limes, cut in wedges

Cooking Instructions
1. Puree the garlic and tomatoes in a blender until smooth.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over low heat.

3. Add the onion, salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until pale brown and caramelized, about 10 minutes.

4. Stir in the tomato puree and cook 10 minutes longer, stirring frequently.

5. Pour in the ... stock and add the chipotle chile (if desired). Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

6. Stir in the tortilla chips and cook 10 minutes longer, until the chips soften.

7. Remove and discard the chile.

8. Serve hot, with cilantro, avocado, sour cream, lime wedges and some extra crisp, fried tortilla chips for adding at the table.

This recipe serves: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

Tortilla Soup: Recipe by FoodFit

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Peanut Noodle Salad

Ingredients
1/4 cup reduced fat peanut butter
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/4 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound soba noodles
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup blanched peas

Cooking Instructions
1. Mix the peanut butter in a large bowl with the soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil and ginger. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook stirring constantly until the water returns to a boil. Cook until the noodles are al dente.

3. Scoop the noodles out of the pot and directly into the bowl with the peanut butter mixture.

4. Add 2-4 tablespoons hot pasta water to loosen up the sauce.

5. Add the vegetables and toss well. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate.

This recipe serves: 4 children
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

Peanut Noodle Salad [Recipe by FoodFit]

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Cold Zucchini Soup with Cinnamon, Cumin and Buttermilk

Ingredients
1 pound trimmed zucchini
2 1/2 cups rich vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon seeded and minced Serrano chili pepper
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 cups good quality, reduced fat buttermilk
sea salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnish: chopped, fresh cilantro or mint
lime or lemon wedges

Cooking Instructions
1. Chop the zucchini in large chunks.

2. Add the broth to a soup pot, bring it to a boil and add the zucchini.

3. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the zucchini is barely tender and still bright green. Remove from heat and cool.

4. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small, non-stick frying pan. Add the onion, chili pepper, fennel, cinnamon and cumin and fry until onion is soft, but not brown, and spices are fragrant.

5. Put both the zucchini and spice mixture into a food processor and pulse until well chopped but still retaining texture. Pour into a bowl and stir in the buttermilk and season to taste with salt and pepper.

6. Chill for at least 2 hours. Serve garnished with a sprinkling of cilantro and a few added drops of lemon or lime juice to taste.

This recipe serves: 4 | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 5 minutes

Cold Zucchini Soup with Cinnamon, Cumin and Buttermilk | Recipe by FoodFit

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients
2 avocados
1 scallion, sliced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red chili pepper, toasted and crushed
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tomato, diced
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
salt to taste

Cooking Instructions
1. Peel and pit the avocados and place in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off until slightly pureed.

2. Transfer the pureed avocado to a bowl and combine with the remaining ingredients. Season to taste.

This recipe serves: 20 | Preparation time: 15 minutes

Guacamole Recipe Recipe by FoodFit

Green Chile Pilaf

Ingredients
1/2 pound tomatillos, husked, washed and cut into quarters
1 large jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 cup cilantro, stems and leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 poblano chiles roasted, peeled and seeded
4 romaine lettuce leaves
2 green onions
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice

Cooking Instructions
1. Place the tomatillos, jalapeños and 1 cup cold water in a blender or a food processor. Purée just until chunky; add onion, cilantro, salt, chiles, lettuce, green onions and garlic. Purée until smooth, about 2 more minutes. This may be done in batches unless using a large food processor.

2. In a heavy large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-heat. Sauté the rice, stirring constantly until golden and crackling, about 5 minutes. Pour in the purée and stir to combine.

3. Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 40-45 minutes.

4. Stir with a fork and serve hot.

This recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes

Green Chile Pilaf Recipe by FoodFit

Penne with Asparagus and Red Peppers

Ingredients
1 tablespoon kosher salt
12 ounces penne pasta, ziti and rigatoni also work well
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound asparagus, ends snapped off and stalks cut into 2" pieces
2 roasted yellow bell peppers, peeled and diced
2 roasted red bell peppers, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups low-sodium canned [...] stock
1 1/2 tablespoons minced, fresh thyme
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
black pepper freshly ground

Cooking Instructions
1. Bring 1 gallon water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just before it becomes al dente. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 10" skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the peppers and garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add the stock, bring to a boil, and lower the heat to medium.

3. Add the penne and thyme. Stir to combine the ingredients and simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in half of the cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

4. Transfer to a warm bowl, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve.

This recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

Michael Romano's Penne with Asparagus and Red Peppers Recipe by FoodFit

Stuffed Peppers with Tomato Sauce

Simple and festive, these peppers will be welcome at any time of year




Ingredients: Serves 8, 1/2 stuffed pepper each
* 4 large red, green or yellow bell peppers
* 3 Tbs. olive oil
* 4 soy “sausage” links, cut into chunks
* 2 cups chopped onion
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup minced parsley
* 2 14.5-oz. cans chopped tomatoes
* 1 tsp. dried thyme
* Pinch cayenne, or to taste
* 3 cups cooked rice
* 1 cup plus 8 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
* 8 sprigs fresh thyme for garnish, optional

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Slice bell peppers in half lengthwise. Remove core and seeds, rinse and pat dry. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté “sausage” for 2 minutes. Add onion, celery, garlic and parsley, and cook about 10 minutes more. Stir in 1/2 cup tomatoes, thyme and cayenne.

4. Put rice in bowl, and stir in vegetable mixture. Let stand 15 minutes so the rice absorbs any liquid from vegetables. Stir in cheese. Divide rice mixture among pepper halves, mounding mixture into cavities. Pour remaining tomato mixture into small baking dish. Nestle stuffed peppers on top of tomatoes. Cover dish with lid or aluminum foil.

5. Bake 1 hour. Uncover peppers, and sprinkle each pepper with 1 Tbs. Parmesan cheese. Cook, uncovered, 10 minutes. Serve with sauce from baking dish, and garnish, if desired.

Stuffed Peppers with Tomato Sauce: Vegetarian Times Issue: February 1, 2005 p.97

Friday, February 8, 2008

Rainbow Black Bean Salad Recipe

Ingredients
1 cup dried black beans
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 medium red onion, diced
1 large green pepper, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 cup corn kernels
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions
1. Place the beans in a colander and rinse with cold water. Pick over the beans to remove any stones. Place the beans in a clean pot, cover with fresh cold water and soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain.

2. In a large pot, combine the beans, onion quarters, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, cumin, coriander and cayenne pepper with 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.

4. Drain the liquid from the beans and remove the onions, garlic and bay leaf.

5. Combine the black beans, red onion, green and red pepper and corn in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix the lime juice, vinegar and oil. Pour over the beans and vegetables and toss to combine.

6. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding additional cayenne pepper if you want the salad spicier.

This recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

Rainbow Black Bean Salad Recipe [Recipe by FoodFit]

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Silky Carrot and Ginger Soup







Ingredient List

1 Tbs. unsalted butter
1/2 small onion or 2 shallots, chopped
1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
3/4 lb. carrots, peeled, trimmed and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 to 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 Tbs. white rice
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
2 Tbs. thick yogurt for garnish
1 Tbs. slivered mint leaves, optional

Directions
1. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes, until translucent. Add ginger and carrots, and cook, stirring, 5 minutes more. Add sugar, and cook, stirring, 1 minute more; add orange juice; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring bottom of pan with wooden spoon to deglaze. Cook until liquid reduces by about half, about 3 minutes.

2. Add broth and rice, and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper, reduce heat to low, cover and cook about 30 minutes, or until carrots are very tender.

3. Put mixture in food processor (or in blender in batches), and purée until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste. Heat through, garnish with dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of mint leaves and serve. Serves 2 to 3.

Silky Carrot and Ginger Soup [via: Vegetarian Times]

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Pepitas

Ingredients
1 pumpkin, about 2 to 2 1/2 lbs.
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 cups low-fat milk
2 cups water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 pinch allspice
2 tablespoons dry sherry or Marsala wine
sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, for garnish

Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Cut the pumpkin in half, scrape out the seeds, and place it, cut-side down, on a baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes or until tender and easily pierced with a fork. Allow the pumpkin to cool about 10 minutes before proceeding, as it will be easier to handle when it is not so hot.

3. While the pumpkin is baking, heat the oil in a small pan and stir the onion and celery for about 3 minutes or until softened and translucent.

4. Scoop the pumpkin pulp with a large spoon, put it into a large bowl and add the onion, celery, milk and water. Stir to combine. Ladle some of this mixture into a blender and puree it in batches, being careful not to overfill the blender. Strain the soup through a colander to remove any remaining fiber or seeds. Add the lemon juice, cumin, allspice and sherry or Marsala wine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. Spread the pepitas or pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 minutes or until toasted.

6. Reheat the soup, divide it among 4 warmed soup bowls and sprinkle with the toasted seeds.

This recipe serves: 4 | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour

Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Pepitas:Recipe by FoodFit

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Dress Up Ramen for Dinner in Minutes

This delicious noodle dish is one of my favorite "shortcut" recipes -- you can put it together quickly and it leaves you feeling satisfyingly full, but not stuffed. When you're pressed for time, it's surprisingly good even if you make just the main recipe and omit the peanut sambal. You can also dress it up by substituting soba noodles for the ramen...

Ramen Noodles with Peanut Sambal
4-6 servings

2 packages instant ramen noodles
1 tablespoon peanut oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup sweet corn
1 jalapeno, chopped with seeds and ribs removed
2 bok choy or 1 cup cabbage, cut into thin slices lengthwise
4 scallions, chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced

1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add the noodles and boil until al dente, about three minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid.

2. Heat the oil in a sauté pan. Add the garlic, corn, and jalapeno and sauté until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes, then add the bok choy and scallions and sauté another 2 minutes. Add the cooked noodles, soy sauce, and half of the reserved cooking liquid. Toss well.

3. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl. Top with iceberg lettuce and peanut sambal and serve.

Peanut Sambal
Makes 2 cups

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Grated zest and juice of 1 lime
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup roughly chopped peanuts
1 small red onion, chopped
1 large tomato, cut into 1/2-inch dice, or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 chili pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped
4 basil leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1. Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, lime zest, and lemon zest and sauté until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes.

2. Add the soy sauce and stir well to combine. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the peanuts, onion, tomato, chili, basil, lime juice, lemon juice, and parsley. Serve warm, or store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Herbed Lemony Swiss Chard Recipe

Ingredients
2 pounds Swiss chard, washed
1/2 cup low-sodium [vegetable] broth
1 tablespoon minced shallots
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions
1. Slice the chard on the diagonal into 2' pieces.

2. Heat the [vegetable] stock and add the stems of the chard and shallots. Simmer for about 3 minutes and add the chard leaves. Continue to cook until the [vegetable] stock is reduced and the chard is tender, about 5 more minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and toss the chard with the lemon juice and olive oil. Taste and add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with tarragon.

This recipe serves: 4 | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes

Herbed Lemony Swiss Chard Recipe [Recipe by FoodFit]

Friday, January 18, 2008

Garlicky Kale

Ingredients
2 pounds kale, about 2 bunches
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 or 5 cloves garlic
pinch red pepper flakes
splash red wine vinegar
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions
1. Remove stems from the kale and chop the leaves coarsely. Wash and drain well but do not dry.

2. Heat a large sauté pan, add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and enough kale to cover the bottom of the pan, and cook over high heat while stirring to rotate the leaves. Add more kale as the leaves wilt. When all the kale has been added, season with salt, cover and reduce the heat to medium.

3. Cook, stirring occasionally; the cooking time will depend on the maturity of the kale. Young kale will be tender after 4 to 5 minutes. It may be necessary to add a splash of water if the leaves begin to scorch. When the leaves are tender, remove the lid and allow any excess water to cook away.

4. Remove the kale to a warm bowl and set aside. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan along with the garlic and red pepper. Sauté just until you smell the aroma of garlic.

5. Sprinkle the garlic and red pepper over the kale and toss with a splash of vinegar. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes

Garlicky Kale: by FoodFit

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Creamy Spinach Potage

Sweeter, creamier and more flavorful than white potatoes, parsnips form the ideal vegetable base for a French potage, or thick, creamy soup. Choose small to medium parsnips that are heavy for their size, and slice them in uniform pieces for even cooking.


Ingredients:

2 tsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 stalk celery, sliced (about 1/3 cup)
2 low-sodium vegetable bouillon cubes
1 1/2 lb. parsnips, peeled and sliced (about 4 cups)
3 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 Tbs. low-fat milk or plain soymilk

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened. Add 6 cups water, vegetable bouillon cubes and parsnips. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until parsnips are tender.

2. Increase heat to medium-high, and stir in spinach. Cook 1 minute, or until spinach wilts but is still bright green.

3. Transfer soup in batches to blender or food processor, and purée until soup is smooth. (Or purée soup in pot using an immersion blender.) Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Return soup to pot, and keep warm. If making soup ahead of time, refrigerate it until an hour before you plan to serve it, then warm soup over medium heat, but do not boil.

4. Just before serving, whisk yogurt and milk in small bowl until smooth. Serve bowls of soup topped with dollops of yogurt mixture.

Creamy Spinach Potage [Vegetarian Times]

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Pizza Dough

Ingredients
1(1/4 ounce) package dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups warm but not hot water
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semolina or cornmeal
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions
Making the dough by hand:
1. Fill a measuring cup with 1/2 cup of the warm water. Stir in the yeast and sugar. Let the mixture rest until it is foamy, about 5 minutes.

2. Combine the flour, semolina or cornmeal, and salt in large mixing bowl. Stir in the olive oil. Stir in the yeast mixture and then slowly add remaining water until the dough is stiff and sticky. Turn the dough onto lightly floured board and knead until it is smooth, moist, and elastic, about 10 minutes. Transfer to an oil-lined bowl, cover with damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 to 2 hours.

3. Punch down the dough once or twice and turn it out onto a lightly floured board. Cut it into 6 pieces for individual pizzas. Gently knead each piece into a ball. If baking soon, cover with towel and reserve on board. To store, tightly wrap each piece in plastic and store in the refrigerator for up to a day or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Making the dough with a food processor (for large-size processor):
1. Combine the 1/2 cup of the water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let the mixture rest until it is foamy, about 5 minutes.

2. In a processor fitted with the plastic dough blade, combine the flour, semolina or cornmeal, and salt. Pulse a few times to combine. Add the oil and briefly process.

3. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture through the feed tube. Slowly pour in the remaining water just until the dough clears the sides of the bowl and forms a ball on top of the blade. Process for an additional minute. Remove the dough and knead on a floured board about 1 minute. Follow 'hand' instructions for rising.

Making the pizzas:
1. Preheat the oven to 500°F or heat the grill to medium.

2. On a well floured counter, roll the 6 pieces of dough out with a rolling pin into 6 or 8-inch rounds.

3. If you are grilling the pizzas, grill the pizza rounds until they are golden on both sides.

4. Have everyone put their favorite toppings on their pizza.

5. To finish grilling the pizzas, put them back on the grill and cook with the cover down to warm the toppings for 2 or 3 minutes. Or, bake the pizzas on baking sheets in the oven until the crust is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

This recipe serves: 6 | Preparation time: 15 minutes

Pizza Dough Recipe: Recipe by Food Fit

Turkish Bulgur Pilaf with Chickpeas

Ingredients
1/2 cup chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
4 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
1 large onion, diced
1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and cut in 1/2 inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt
3 cups water or broth
2 cups medium to coarse bulgur wheat
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley or fresh mint

Cooking Instructions
1. Soak the chickpeas in 1 1/2 cups cold water in the refrigerator overnight. Drain and rinse. Place the chickpeas in a sauce pan with 1 1/2 cups fresh cold water and cook until tender, about 45 minutes. Set aside. (Or, for your convenience, use canned chickpeas.)

2. Heat the olive oil in another saucepan and add the onion. Cook over moderate heat for 7 minutes, then add the tomato and stir for 3 minutes longer.

3. Add the cooked chickpeas, salt and water and bring to a boil. Add the bulgur and stir well. Cover the pan, lower the heat and simmer 20 minutes. If there seems to be too much liquid, drain it from the pot. Season the pilaf with black pepper and cayenne. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 15 minutes or until dry.

This recipe serves: 6 | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes

Turkish Bulgur Pilaf with Chickpeas: Recipe by Food Fit

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Tomato Chutney

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup diced white onions
4 large tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup dried currants
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup tomato juice
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and tomatoes and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Add the currants, vinegar and juices and cook until reduced by one-third, about 12 to 15 minutes.

3. Add the jalapeño pepper and cook 5 minutes.

4. Add the salt.

This recipe serves: 4 | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes

Todd English's Tomato Chutney Recipe: Recipe by FoodFit