Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet Potato Soup

Bring 1 1/4 cups diced sweet potatoes, 1 1/4 cups diced butternut squash, 3 cups chicken broth, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground mace and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to a boil. Simmer 15 minutes, puree in a blender. Drizzle with buttermilk.

Basmati Rice Pudding with Oranges

Basmati Rice Pudding with Oranges

Using condensed milk gives this pudding a creamy consistency.

Serves 6 to 8
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 20 to 25 minutes

3/4 cup basmati rice or any long-grain white rice
3 large navel oranges
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
4 cups fat-free evaporated milk
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional, for garnish)
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)
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In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, boil 2 cups of water. Add the rice, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the water has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, finely grate 1 teaspoon of zest from one of the oranges and juice it; reserve the juice. With a sharp knife, peel the remaining 2 oranges, removing the pith. Cut sections between the membranes. Set aside.

When the rice is tender, add 1/2 cup of the orange juice, orange zest, vanilla bean, evaporated milk, condensed milk and sugar. Cook over medium heat, uncovered, stirring frequently until it has a creamy consistency, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and divide the rice mixture among bowls to serve warm, or cover and refrigerate to serve chilled. At serving time, garnish each portion with a few orange sections, pistachios and pomegranate seeds, if desired.

Grapefruit Dessert Sauce

Grapefruit Dessert Sauce

Add segments from 2 grapefruits to saucepan with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Cook on medium-high heat for 30 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 whole clove. Serve 2 tablespoons over angel food cake, ice cream or a citrus sorbet.

Grapefruit Salmon

Grapefruit Salmon

Dust a 6-oz salmon fillet with cumin, ground coriander, salt and pepper. Add to a pan with 1/2 cup sliced button mushrooms and 4 sprigs cilantro, chopped. Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Top with 5 diced grapefruit segments and serve.

Sauteed Beets with Mustard Seeds

Sauteed Beets with Mustard Seeds

Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

2 lb gold and red beets (about 8 medium or 16 baby beets), scrubbed and rinsed
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 small green serrano chile peppers, sliced into 1/4″ rounds
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1. Cover beets with water in medium pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until just tender. Drain, cool, peel and chop beets into 1/2″ cubes (quarter baby beets, if using).

2. Heat oil in large skillet over high heat. When it begins to smoke, add mustard seeds and cover pan with lid or splatter screen. When they have stopped sputtering, stir in peppers. Add beets and salt. Toss, cover and cook another 6 to 8 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

3. Toss with cilantro and lemon juice (to taste).

Easy Chicken Curry

Easy Chicken Curry

Try this dish over brown rice seasoned with ginger.

Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

4 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped (about 3 cups)
2 teaspoons finely grated garlic (about 4 large cloves)
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne or red pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds, finely ground
1 tablespoon + 1 cup hot water, divided
3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped (2 cups)
3 lb skinless chicken pieces with bones (thighs and drumsticks work well)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
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1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and saute onion 10 minutes or until caramelized.

2. Combine garlic, cayenne, turmeric and cumin in small bowl with 1 tablespoon of the water to make a thick paste. Add to onions and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring to break up tomatoes, about 2 minutes (do not allow to scorch).

3. Add chicken and turn to coat with spice paste. Stir over medium heat 10 minutes. Add remaining 1 cup water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of chicken registers 165°F. Stir in vinegar and sugar and simmer 1 minute.

Adobo Pork Sandwiches

Adobo Pork Sandwiches

2 tablespoons coarse salt
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons dried oregano
12 cloves garlic, peeled
2 5-pound boneless pork shoulders
6 tablespoons corn oil
2 bay leaves
6 cups chicken or beef stock
20 sandwich rolls
1 1/4 pound Gruyère or Swiss cheese, sliced
Mayonnaise, for dressing the sandwiches
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In a food processor, combine salt, pepper, oregano and garlic, and pulse to form a paste. Spread mixture evenly over pork shoulders and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat, add pork and sear on each side until brown. Add bay leaves and stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 3 to 4 hours. Remove pork and let cool. Pull meat apart with your hands. Heap shreds of pork onto sandwich rolls dressed with cheese and mayonnaise.

Asian Turkey Burgers with Wasabi Sauce

Asian Turkey Burgers with Wasabi Sauce
by Sara Moulton

Serves 6.

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 small head napa cabbage, shredded
4 scallions, finely chopped
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons cilantro, mint or basil, finely chopped
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, divided
1 tablespoon finely grated gingerroot
1 teaspoon sesame oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
2 teaspoons prepared wasabi
6 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted
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1. Mix together the turkey, bell pepper, cabbage, scallions, egg white, cilantro, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, salt and pepper. Shape into 6 patties about 1/2 inch thick.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over high heat until hot. Reduce heat to medium; add burgers and cook 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through, adding more oil as needed.

3. Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, wasabi, remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil.

4. Put a burger in each bun and top with about 1 tablespoon of the sauce.

Apple Cider Syrup

Apple Cider Syrup

Use apple cider, not apple juice, when creating this reduction syrup. Start with 3 cups of apple cider, or double it to get a bigger batch.

Cinnamon Apple Syrup: In a small stainless-steel or enamel saucepan bring 3 cups of apple cider, a stick of cinnamon, and 2 whole cloves to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer over medium heat for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until cider thickens and is reduced to 1/3 cup. Strain.

Apple-and-Herb Syrup: In a small stainless-steel or enamel saucepan bring 3 cups of apple cider, two 2-inch sprigs thyme, one 2-inch sprig rosemary, and one 2-inch sprig marjoram to boiling. Reduce heat, simmer over medium heat 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until cider thickens and is reduced to 1/3 cup. Strain.

Spicy Apple Syrup: In a small stainless steel or enamel saucepan bring 3 cups of apple cider and 1 serrano chile pepper, cut in half, to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer over medium heat for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until cider thickens and is reduced to 1/3 cup. Strain.

Baked Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp

Baked Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp

1 spaghetti squash (about 3 pounds), halved and seeded
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 large onion, chopped (3/4 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
14.5 oz can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
2 oz mild feta cheese, crumbled, divided
8 kalamata olives, halved lengthwise and pitted
16 Chile Sauteed Shrimp, halved lengthwise (about 1 cup)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place squash cut-side down on baking sheet. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until flesh just yields to pressure. Remove from oven and let cool enough to touch.

2. Heat oil in medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute 5 minutes until softened. Pour in tomatoes (with juice), oregano, and red-pepper flakes (if using) and bring to a simmer. Stir in half of cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 4 minutes longer.

3. Scrape fork against flesh of cooled squash in long diagonal motions to yield long strands (4 cups total). Add squash, olives and shrimp to tomato mixture. Cook 2 minutes until sauce clings to squash. Crumble remaining cheese over top. Servings: 4 (5 cups total)

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