Any Veggie Coconut Curry

Makes 6 servings

The vegetables listed below are favorites, but any vegetables you have on hand can be used along with the coconut milk and spices. If you decide to use coconut milk, it is important to note that this product has a high fat content and should be used in moderation. Try lite coconut to get the sweet nutty coconut flavor without all the fat. Cauliflower, squash, and sweet potatoes are other tasty choices. This is a great way to use up “going-bad” fresh or frozen vegetables! Serve over rice or your favorite whole grain.

1 cup uncooked brown rice
2 cups water
1 large onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, chopped (about 4 teaspoons)
3 large carrots, chopped
¼ cup vegetable broth or water
1 ½ tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon turmeric
pinch cayenne pepper
1 medium potato, chopped (peeling optional)
3 cups chopped kale
2 cups chopped broccoli florets, or 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli florets
8 mushrooms, sliced
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed, or 1½ cup of cooked garbanzo beans
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
1 cup lite coconut milk, or 1 cup non-dairy milk + 1 teaspoon
coconut extract
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bring rice and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Lower heat and simmer, covered, until all the water is absorbed (about 30 minutes).

In a large saucepan, sauté onion, garlic, and carrots in vegetable broth or water on medium-high heat until onion becomes translucent. Add curry, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add potato, kale, broccoli, mushrooms, beans, peas, and coconut milk or non-dairy milk mixture. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potato can be pierced easily with a fork. Sprinkle with soy sauce before serving.

Per serving (1/6 of recipe): 320 calories; 5.2 g fat; 2.5 g saturated fat ; 14.7%
calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 12.3 g protein; 59.3 g carbohydrate; 5.9
g sugar; 12.3 g fiber; 407 mg sodium; 115 mg calcium; 4.7 mg iron; 37.7 mg
vitamin C; 6312 mcg beta-carotene; 1.7 mg vitamin E

Recipe by Jennifer Reilly, R.D.

Coconut Curry Tofu

Prep Time: 25 Min
Cook Time: 15 Min
Ready In: 40 Min
Serves 6.

2 bunches green onions
1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
1/4 cup soy sauce, divided
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons chile paste
1 pound firm tofu, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
4 cups chopped bok choy
salt to taste
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1. Remove white parts of green onions, and finely chop. Chop greens into 2 inch pieces.

2. In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, mix coconut milk, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, ginger, and chile paste. Bring to a boil.

3. Stir tofu, tomatoes, yellow pepper, mushrooms, and finely chopped green onions into the skillet. Cover, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in basil and bok choy. Season with salt and remaining soy sauce. Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender but crisp. Serve over rice. Garnish with remaining green onion.

Variation: If bok choy is unavailable, substitute a bag of spinach for it.

Meatless Stuffed Peppers

Prep Time: 25 Min
Cook Time: 45 Min
Ready In: 1 Hr 10 Min
Yield: 4 servings

1/2 cup uncooked white rice
3/4 cup water
4 green bell peppers
1 onion, chopped
4 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces textured vegetable protein
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 cups tomato sauce
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
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1. Combine rice and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

3. Cut tops off peppers, seed insides, and arrange peppers in a large baking dish. Chop usable portion of the tops.

4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chopped peppers and onions in oil until soft. Stir in textured vegetable protein and parsley. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Mix in cooked rice and 1 1/5 cups tomato sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the peppers, and top each with remaining tomato sauce.

5. Cover, and bake about 45 minutes. Uncover, top each pepper with mozzarella cheese, and bake until cheese is melted.

Variation: Use cilantro instead of parsley, brown rice instead of white rice and add about 1/4 tsp of cumin.

Jamie Oliver’s Sweet and Sour Pork

Ok, this is easy but it’s a quick one, so you’ll have to concentrate and stay on the ball. Sweet and sour pork is an absolute classic and was one of the first Chinese-style dishes introduced to Britain. I’ve tried to make it fresh, light, and full of wonderful crunch, sweetness, and flavor. I’ve also brightened it up by introducing some lettuce leaves, which add texture and freshness. It’s best to cook this for two–perfect, fast, one-pan cooking for nights in.

Serves 2.

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 C long-grain or basmati rice
1/2 pound pork tenderloin
1 small red onion
1 red or yellow bell pepper (or 1/2 of each)
a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 – 1 fresh red chile, to your taste
a small bunch of fresh cilantro
peanut or vegetable oil
1 heaped teaspoon five-spice powder
1 t cornstarch
2 – 3 T soy sauce
1 (8 oz) can of pineapple chunks
2 T balsamic vinegar
1 small heart of romaine or 1/2 a butterhead lettuce
2 t sesame seeds
~~~~~~~~~~~
To prepare:
Bring a pan of salted water to a boil and add the rice.
Cook according to the package instructions.
Drain the rice in a strainer, put back into the pan, and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm until needed.
Halve the pork tenderloin and cut into 3/4″ cubes.
Peel and halve the red onion, then dice into 3/4″ cubes.
Halve the bell pepper, seed, and cut into 3/4″ cubes.
Peel and finely slice the ginger and garlic.
Finely slice the chile.
Pick the cilantro leaves and put them to one side.
Finely chop the cilantro stalks.

To cook:
Preheat a wok or large frying pan on a high heat and once it’s very, very hot add a good lug of peanut oil and swirl it around.
Add the pork and the five-spice powder and toss or stir them around.
Cook for a few minutes until browned then transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
Carefully give the wok or pan a quick wipe with a ball of paper towels and return to the heat.
When it’s really hot, add 2 good lugs of peanut oil and all the chopped ingredients.
Toss or stir everything together and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the cornstarch and 2 T of soy sauce.
Let everything cook for 30 to 40 seconds, then add the pineapple chunks with their juice, the browned pork and balsamic vinegar.
Season with black pepper and a little more soy sauce, if needed.
Break apart a piece of pork, check it’s cooked through, and remove from the heat.
Reduce the sauce to a gravy-like consistency by cooking for a few minutes more.

To serve:
Divide the rice and lettuce between 2 bowls or plates.
Spoon the pork, veggies, and sauce over the top and sprinkle with the sesame seeds and reserved cilantro leaves.

A Complete Meal: Rice and Beans, Green Salad and Banana Flambé

Recipes by Eric Ripert, Le Bernadin, New York City

Serves: 4

FOR THE BEANS
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced (1-inch)
2 cans (12-15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper

FOR THE RICE
2 cups white rice
3 ¼ cups water

FOR THE SOFRITO
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 small onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Heat canola oil in a pot over medium heat; add the diced butternut squash and sauté the squash until lightly colored, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the pinto beans and 4 cups of water to the butternut squash, bring the beans to a simmer and let cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes, adding more water as needed. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Place the rice in a bowl and rinse the rice until the water runs clear; drain. In a pot, bring the rice and the water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the water has been absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff gently with a fork to separate the grains.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the sofrito. Heat oil in a pan and add the onions and peppers; sweat until limp, but with no color, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the chopped cilantro and oregano; season with salt and pepper. To serve, stir the sofrito into the beans and serve over rice.

FOR THE GREEN SALAD
Ingredients:
• 1 large head green leaf lettuce
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Thoroughly wash and dry the green leaf lettuce and parsley. Tear the lettuce into “bite size” pieces, no larger than 2-square inches. Place the lettuce and parsley in a large bowl and set aside in the refrigerator.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, zest and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and gradually whisk in the olive oil to make the vinaigrette.
3. Season the greens with salt and pepper. Toss the greens with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat. Serve immediately.

FOR THE BANANAS FLAMBÉ
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 bananas, peeled
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup rum

Directions:
1. Peel the bananas and slice them in half lengthwise.
2. Heat the butter in a large sauté pan and add the bananas, round-side down.
3. Cook the bananas for 2 to 3 minutes on each side turning them carefully so as not to break them.
4. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the bananas and continue cooking.
5. Add the rum and light it. Serve immediately.

Roasted Tilapia with Orange-Parsley Sauce

All parts of the orange–juice, rind and pulp–flavor the quickly cooked fish. Substitute brown, basmati or jasmine rice, if you prefer.

Serves 4.

3 oranges (about 1 lb)
1/4 C chopped fresh parsley, divided
2 T extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3/4 t salt, divided
4 (6 oz) tilapia fillets
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 C hot cooked instant white rice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Grate 2 t orange rind. Peel and section oranges over a bowl, reserving 2 T juice. Chop sections. Combine rind, chopped orange, 2 T parsley, 5 t oil, and 1/4 t salt in a bowl; toss well.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

3. Sprinkle fish evenly with 1/4 t salt and 1/4 t pepper. Place fish in an ovenproof skillet coated with remaining 1 t oil. Bake at 400 degrees for 14 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

4. Combine 2 T reserved juice, remaining 2 T parsley, remaining 1/4 t salt, remaining 1/4 t pepper, and rice. Spoon 1/2 C rice onto each of 4 plates; top with 1 fillet and 1/4 C salsa.

Sesame-Orange Shrimp and Chicken Stir-Fry

Serves 6.

Sauce:
1 C water
1/3 C soy sauce
1/4 C cornstarch
1/4 C orange juice
1 T sugar
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t dark sesame oil
1/4 t kosher salt
1/4 t ground red pepper
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
1 (14-oz) can chicken broth
Stir-fry:
2 t olive oil, divided
12 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1″ pieces
2 C coarsely chopped broccoli florets
1 C chopped carrot
1 C mushrooms, halved
1 C snow peas, trimmed
1/2 C chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 lb medium shrimp, cooked and peeled
3 C hot cooked long-grain rice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. To prepare sauce, combine the first 11 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Set aside.

2. To prepare stir-fry, heat 1 T olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan, and stir-fry for 4 minutes or until done. Remove chicken from pan, and keep warm. Add the remaining 1 T olive oil to pan. Add chopped broccoli and the next 5 ingredients (through garlic) to the pan, and stir-fry for 4 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Return chicken to pan and stir in shrimp. Add sauce, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Serve over rice.

Pork Tenderloin in Peaches and Pecan Sauce

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 servings.

1 T olive oil
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb), cut into 3/4″ slices
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, sliced
1 can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 can (about 15 oz) sliced peaches in juice, drained, reserving juice
3 T soy sauce
2 T honey
1/4 C pecan halves, toasted and broken into large pieces
Hot cooked rice
~~~~~~~~~~
1. Heat oil in 10″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until well-browned on both sides. Remove pork from skillet.

2. Add garlic and onions to skillet and cook and stir 1 minute. Stir soup, peach juice, soy sauce and honey in skillet and heat to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until soup mixture is slightly reduced.

3. Return pork to skillet. Stir in peaches. Reduce heat to low. Cook until pork is cooked through. Stir in pecans. Serve pork and sauce with rice. Sprinkle with additional sliced green onion, if desired.

Horchata de arroz

(Rice Cooler)

Serves 4.

1 C rice
2 cinnamon sticks (preferably Mexican canela)
8 C water, divided
1/2 C sugar
~~~~~~~~
Soak rice and cinnamon sticks in 4 cups of the water overnight. Using blender, in batches puree rice mixture 2 minutes to lose grittiness. Put pureed rice into saucepan with sugar and remaining 4 cups of water. Simmer over medium heat 20 minutes. Strain rice water through fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth; twist cloth to squeeze out all liquid and discard solids. Pour liquid into pitcher, chill in refrigerator and enjoy over ice.

General Tso’s Chicken

Prep: 45 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Serves 4

1 1/4 cups long-grain brown rice
1/4 cup cornstarch, divided
1 pound snow peas, trimmed and halved crosswise
4 garlic cloves, sliced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated and peeled
3 tablespoons light-brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
2 large egg whites
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Cook rice according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Add snow peas, garlic, ginger, sugar, soy sauce, and red-pepper flakes; toss to combine, and set aside.

2. In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken, and toss to coat.

3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Lift half the chicken from egg-white mixture (shaking off excess), and add to skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate; repeat with remaining oil and chicken, and set aside (reserve skillet).

4. Add snow-pea mixture to skillet. Cover; cook until snow peas are tender and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet (with any juices); toss to coat. Serve with rice.

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