Monster Cookie Dough Dip

I think this is a Pampered Chef Recipe. I got it from my friend Suba. We both agreed before trying it we NEVER needed to know this recipe existed. It is suggested to serve with Pretzels. My friend Kym suggested serving it with a spoon.

So I made it for a party. I put out the pretzels. People skipped the pretzels and just used spoons. Me, I think I should have just slathered it too my hips since that's where it will end up. This stuff is seriously evily good.

Monster Cookie Dough Dip

Photo by ALB

Ingredients 
8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened (used 1/3 fat)
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Cup Oats (regular or quick)
1 Cup Miniature Plain M&Ms (I used regular size)
1 Cup Miniature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Preparation
Mix cream cheese, butter, vanilla and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in brown sugar and powdered sugar, mixing well. Next fold in oats, m&m’s and chocolate chips. Serve with pretzels or graham cracker sticks.

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

D made this, very quickly.  It was spicy and good.  He wanted noodles in it. I was fine the way it was.  We both wish it had been creamier, but we both would have again.

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Coconut milk tames the heat and combines deliciously with shredded chicken breast in Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup.

Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)
Hands-on:25 Minutes
Total:32 Minutes

Ingredients
2 teaspoons canola oil

Photo by: Photo: Sang An;
Styling: Philippa Brathwaite

1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (3-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved lengthwise
2 teaspoons sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste)
3 cups Chicken Stock or fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups light coconut milk
4 teaspoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 8 ounces)
1/2 cup green onion strips
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Preparation
1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms and the next 4 ingredients (through lemongrass); cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chile paste; cook 1 minute. Add Chicken Stock, coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken to pan; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Discard lemongrass. Top with onions, cilantro, and juice.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 224; Fat: 9g; Saturated fat: 4.5g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.4g; Polyunsaturated fat: 1.3g; Protein: 22.7g; Carbohydrate: 15g; Fiber: 1.1g; Cholesterol: 58mg; Iron: 1.1mg; Sodium: 463mg; Calcium: 35mg

Cooking Light JANUARY 2012

Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

So I really want to like this. It was so fast and easy to make. It has all my favorite ingredients in it. But can we say bland. I should have looked at the reviews on Cooking Light because they had 5 stars.  I would give it 2 stars.

I made it and it took 15 minutes to make once the water started boiling. But it just wasn't good. It needed some flavor. All I could taste was the Dijon. I wanted more pepper (which my 1/4 tsp was more like 1/2). It just had none. Disappointed to say the least.

Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

Any short pasta can be substituted here--rotini and farfalle are good choices.

Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked mini penne pasta
5 cups broccoli florets (about 1 medium head) (probably used 8C...I like broccoli)
1 1/3 cups fat-free milk, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2.5 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2/3 cup)

Preparation
1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli to pan; drain. Place pasta and broccoli in a large bowl.

2. Combine milk and flour in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened; remove from heat. Add 2 tablespoons Parmesan and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add cheese mixture to pasta mixture; toss. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 381; Fat: 9.8g; Saturated fat: 5.6g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.4g; Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5g; Protein: 20g; Carbohydrate: 54.9g; Fiber: 4.6g; Cholesterol: 29mg; Iron: 3mg; Sodium: 577mg; Calcium: 331mg

Cooking Light MARCH 2013

Chilaquiles

So D and I have had chiliquiles in restaurants and at home.  It is usually a "pile of slop."

This was nothing like that.  It was a stew.  Never had anything like it.  It was good.  It was probably easy.

So we could have again.

Chilaquiles

Before there were nachos, there were chilaquiles. Tomatoes and spices simmer with any kind of meat to make the ideal topping for tortilla chips. Here, chipotle, chicken, and cilantro meld in this filling Mexican favorite.

Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups soup, 1/2 cup tortilla chips, and 1 tablespoon cheese)

Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken breast halves (about 2 1/2 pounds), skinned (used 2#s of boneless thighs)
1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
1 1/4 cups chopped red bell pepper
1 1/4 cups chopped green bell pepper
3/4 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons chopped chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce
6 garlic cloves
2 (28-ounce) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, undrained
5 cups baked tortilla chips
2.67 ounces crumbled queso fresco (about 2/3 cup)

Preparation
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned.

2. While chicken cooks, combine onion and next 9 ingredients (through green chiles) in a 5-quart electric slow cooker. Transfer chicken to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.

3. Remove chicken from slow cooker. Remove meat from bones; discard bones. Return meat to soup. Divide tortilla chips among 8 bowls. Ladle soup over tortilla chips; sprinkle with cheese.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 219; Calories from fat: 0.0%; Fat: 2.5g; Saturated fat: 0.8g; Monounsaturated fat: 0.6g; Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5g; Protein: 25.4g; Carbohydrate: 22.9g; Fiber: 3.8g; Cholesterol: 55mg; Iron: 2.3mg; Sodium: 623mg; Calcium: 92mg

Oxmoor House SEPTEMBER 2012

Sourdough Panzanella with Grilled Flank Steak

I have no clue how easy or hard this was.  We decided to put it on the menu because we had bought sourdough earlier in the week and needed to use more of it.

I like the idea of a salad with no lettuce.  The steak on top of it was really flavorful.  Would have again.

Sourdough Panzanella with Grilled Flank Steak

Photo by ALB

The design of a serrated knife makes it ideal to cut through the skin of soft, juicy tomatoes as well as to cube the bread for this salad. Mincing shallots, slicing flank steak and onions, and chiffonading basil are all tasks well suited to a chef's knife.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups salad and 3 ounces steak)

Ingredients
Beef:

1/4 cup minced shallots
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 pound flank steak, trimmed
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Salad:
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 medium tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges (about 1 pound)
1 (10-ounce) cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
Cooking spray
5 cups (1/2-inch) cubed sourdough bread, toasted (about 8 ounces)
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Preparation
To prepare beef, combine first 6 ingredients in a zip-top plastic bag. Add 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; seal bag. Marinate in refrigerator 2 hours.

To prepare salad, combine 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, onion, and next 6 ingredients (onion through cucumber) in a large bowl. Cover and let stand at room temperature 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Prepare grill.

Remove steak from bag, discarding marinade. Place the steak on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Add bread and basil to cucumber mixture; toss well. Serve salad immediately with steak.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 402; Calories from fat: 29%; Fat: 12.8g; Saturated fat: 4.3g; Monounsaturated fat: 5.8g; Polyunsaturated fat: 1.2g; Protein: 29.2g; Carbohydrate: 42g; Fiber: 4g; Cholesterol: 54mg; Iron: 4.7mg; Sodium: 884mg; Calcium: 78mg

Cooking Light MARCH 2004

Honeyed Yogurt and Mixed Berries with Whole-Grain Waffles

This was pretty easy to make.  I made it last night, and kept everything separate (yogurt and berries and wheat germ) and popped a waffle into the toaster this morning.  It was pretty sweet, which I love, so I would have it again.

I put everything in a cup (tore the waffle) so I could eat it at the hopeful red lights in the car.  Having 3 more times this week.

Honeyed Yogurt and Mixed Berries with Whole-Grain Waffles

As you enjoy this meal, you also enjoy antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C from the berries; protein and calcium from the yogurt; and protein, fiber, and B vitamins from the waffles.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 waffle, 1 cup fruit mixture, about 1/3 cup yogurt mixture, and 1 teaspoon wheat germ)

Photo by: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner;
Styling: Jan Gautro

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
2 cups fresh raspberries (didn't use)
1 cup quartered small strawberries (used 3 cups)
1 cup fresh blackberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 frozen whole-grain waffles, toasted
4 teaspoons toasted wheat germ

Preparation
Drain yogurt in a fine sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth for 10 minutes; spoon into a bowl. Add honey, stirring to combine.

Combine berries, sugar, and juice; let stand 5 minutes. Place 1 waffle on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 cup fruit mixture, about 1/3 cup yogurt mixture, and 1 teaspoon wheat germ. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 377; Calories from fat: 16%; Fat: 6.8g; Saturated fat: 2.3g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.3g; Polyunsaturated fat: 1.6g; Protein: 11.5g; Carbohydrate: 71.6g; Fiber: 8.3g; Cholesterol: 43mg; Iron: 1.9mg; Sodium: 214mg; Calcium: 345mg

Cooking Light JULY 2003

Beer-Cheddar Soup

Would you believe I made this and it was good? It was.

For a person who loves beer and love cheese, I am not a tremendous fan of beer cheese soup. Sure I order it everywhere I go, but that is because I just know I'm supposed to like it. I know of one place in Atlanta that I do like it, but usually I find it bitter.

So I found this recipe the other day when looking for a soup recipe. The note, "Avoid using dark beer, which could make the soup too bitter," grabbed my attention. I decided right away I must have it. Give it a few days. I went to the store, got the ingredients and voila. I actually did use a dark beer. I decided they meant don't use a stout/porter. I was going to use a Bud Light, but I grabbed a Guinness Black Lager (not your traditional Guinness) from the basement and didn't feel like going back downstairs. Update: Have used a can of Guinness. It's still tastes good.

Everything was very easy...just time consuming. Still I would have again. D thought so too. We both liked it the 2nd day.

We each had 2.25 servings.

Beer-Cheddar Soup

Photo by ALB

Avoid using dark beer, which could make the soup too bitter. Toast the bread cubes a day ahead, cool, and store at room temperature. Serve the soup in a tureen with the toasted bread cubes and chives on the side, and let guests help themselves.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: about 2/3 cup soup, about 1 ounce bread cubes, and 1 teaspoon chives)

Ingredients
10 ounce sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (used Pepperidge Farm)
Cooking spray
2 cups chopped onion (about 2 medium)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (12-ounce) bottle beer (used Guinness Black Lager, have used Guinness Stout (whole can))
4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk, divided
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives (used green onions)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°.

Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan; coat bread cubes with cooking spray. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until toasted. Set aside.

Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; sauté 4 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in beer; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes or until onion is very tender.

Place beer mixture and 1 cup broth in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Return pureed mixture to pan. Stir in remaining 3 cups broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.

(I added milk to cup and then added flour to prevent lumps)Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and 1 cup milk, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add flour mixture and remaining 1 cup milk to pan; cook 12 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove pan from heat. Gradually add cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in pepper. Serve with bread cubes and chives.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 172; Calories from fat: 28%; Fat: 5.4g; Saturated fat: 3.2g; Monounsaturated fat: 0.6g; Polyunsaturated fat: 0.2g; Protein: 8.1g; Carbohydrate: 22.9g; Fiber: 1.6g; Cholesterol: 16mg; Iron: 1.1mg; Sodium: 371mg; Calcium: 165mg

Cooking Light NOVEMBER 2007

5 Smart Points (my additions/subtractions at 8 1-Cup servings)