We tried this recipe based on our pantry ingredients: https://www.flourishingfoodie.com/blog//2011/07/grilled-vegetable-and-veggie-sausage.html We used three Trader Joe’s Meatless Breakfast Patties, defrosted and crumbled. We also used two shallots in lieu of ½ sweet onion. Finally, we placed the cast iron pan under the broiler (set on low) for a few mins at the end. (Dec. 2016)
Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy
We tried this SkinnyTaste recipe, which ingeniously lightens the dish by substituting half of the minced beef with minced turkey. http://www.skinnytaste.com/skinny-salisbury-steak-with-mushroom/ Although the recipe calls for unseasoned breadcrumbs, we added about ½ tsp each freshly minced sage, oregano, and thyme to the meat mixture. To shape the patties, we used an oval ½ cup measuring… Continue reading Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy
Blueberry cornmeal skillet cake
We tried this recipe but used blue corn meal instead of yellow: http://www.growforagecookferment.com/blueberry-cornmeal-skillet-cake/ (Nov. 2016)
Curried lentil and amaranth soup with spinach
Heat a large Dutch oven, add 2 Tbsp olive oil, and then sauté 1 chopped medium onion and five minced garlic cloves until tender (about 3-4 mins). Add the following spices: 2 tsp cumin seeds, ¾ tsp each turmeric and ground coriander, ½ tsp ground black pepper, and ½ tsp ground ginger (here, microplaned fresh… Continue reading Curried lentil and amaranth soup with spinach
Stove-top teriyaki salmon steaks
We tried this VietWorld Kitchen recipe, including the homemade teriyaki sauce, and it was delicious: http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2013/10/salmon-teriyaki-stovetop-recipe.html (Nov. 2016)Note: After salting the salmon steaks for 30 mins, we patted them dry with paper towels before placing them in a heated teflon pan. Because our salmon steaks were over 2 inches thick, we increased the teriyaki and… Continue reading Stove-top teriyaki salmon steaks
Simple couscous
We followed this recipe from the Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-couscous-165983 We first toasted the couscous in 1 ½ Tbsp melted butter before adding 1 cup hot chicken broth (we skipped the salt). Then we stirred, covered, and turned off the heat and let the covered pan sit for 10 mins undisturbed. (Nov. 2016)
Middle eastern-style chicken and chick pea stew. We tried this recipe: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252878/middle-eastern-chicken-chickpea-stew/ We used 4 boneless chicken breasts (equivalent to two packages of Purdue packets, which we got at BJ’s Wholesale Club). After finding the stew too acidic, we added dash of sugar and about ½ tsp chicken beef bouillon (Better Than Bouillon) directly into… Continue reading
Indian-style curried minced turkey with potatoes
We tried this recipe: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/curried_ground_turkey_with_potatoes/ Our modifications: first, instead of 1 Tbsp garam masala (which imparts a strong cinnamon flavor), we used 1 tsp garam masala and 2 tsp McCormick’s curry powder; second, we used 1 medium-sized Vietnamese red chili pepper; third, we used ½ cup chicken broth in lieu of water; fourth, after cooking… Continue reading Indian-style curried minced turkey with potatoes
Lemon-garlic sautéed broccoli
We followed this recipe: http://busycooks.about.com/od/sidedishrecipes/r/sauteedbroccoli.htm but instead of parboiling in salt water, we microwaved the broccoli pieces in a covered glass dish until crisp-tender (about 1.5-2 mins on high) before stir-frying in garlic-infused olive oil. (Nov. 2016)
Oven-poached sole with lemon-caper sauce
We tried this NYT recipe: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014640-oven-poached-pacific-sole-with-lemon-caper-sauce It was fairly simple, but very sensitive to timing. We served this with lemon-garlic stirfried baby broccoli. (Nov. 2016)