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Spicy White Chicken Chili

INGREDIENTS

  • 5-6 cups chicken broth depending on if you want it a bit soupy
  • 6 cups cooked shredded chicken I used rotisserie chicken
  • 2 15.3 ounce cans Northern White beans, drained
  • 2 cups salsa verde I chose jalapeno salsa verde for an even spicier chili!
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 tablespoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped/diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 jalapeno peppers diced (remove the seeds for a milder version, leave the seeds in for a VERY HOT version)
  • 1 poblano pepper diced (if you want REALLY spicy, substitute serrano chilis for the poplano, or leave the seeds in from the jalapeno peppers. If you want less spicy, leave the seeds out)
  • Sour Cream more jalapenos, shredded cheese, and green onion for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Heat onion, peppers, and garlic in a large skillet over medium/high heat until the onions are transparent.
  • Add all of the ingredients (except garnish) to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer, cooking for 5-10 minutes at least on simmer.
  • Serve hot garnished with sour cream, shredded cheese, and more peppers if desired. Enjoy!
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Easy Classic Spinach Souffle+

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons plus 4 tablespoons butter (softened, divided)
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1 pound spinach (stemmed and chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 3 eggs (separated)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Brush the inside of a large soufflé, deep casserole dish, or 6 individual ramekins with 1 1/2 tablespoons of softened butter. Sprinkle the buttered surface evenly with grated Parmesan cheese and put to one side while you prepare the filling. 
  3. Gently heat a large saucepan, add the chopped spinach and sauté until it wilts and the juices have evaporated—keep a close eye on this as the spinach can catch quite easily and burn.
  4. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  5. In a separate medium saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat and stir in the flour and salt with a wooden spoon. Cook, whisking constantly, for 30 seconds to cook out the flour.
  6. Add the milk to the flour while whisking vigorously and cook for about 4 minutes, until the mixture thickens. 
  7. Add the chopped spinach to the flour mixture and continue cooking over medium heat for 1 minute. Season the mixture with black pepper and nutmeg.
  8. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot spinach into the egg yolks.
  9. Then add the egg yolk mixture back into the hot spinach, stirring to completely incorporate. Do not overheat this mixture or you risk splitting the mixture, and if this happens, unfortunately, there is no way back. 
  10. Beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form in a scrupulously clean bowl (a greasy or dirty bowl will prevent the eggs from stiffening).
  11. Stir one-third of the egg whites into the spinach.
  12. Then fold the remaining egg whites into the mixture.
  13. Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish(es) and bake for 30 minutes, until the soufflé is puffed up and cooked through.
  14. Serve immediately. The soufflé is lovely on its own and with a fresh, green salad on the side and don’t forget a glass of wine.
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Honey Citrus Chicken Thighs+

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1 1/3 pounds)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (about 1/2 a large onion)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 thin-skinned lemon, halved and thinly sliced in half-rounds
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Pat the chicken pieces dry with a clean towel. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Let the chicken rest at room temperature while you prep other ingredients.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

In a large, nonstick skillet or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Reduce the heat to medium. Working in batches, if necessary, and without overcrowding the pan, add the thighs and sear, without moving, until golden brown on one side, about 10 minutes. Flip each piece and repeat on other side until browned, about 6 more minutes.

If the chicken sticks, use a thin spatula to gently loosen. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. Transfer the browned chicken to an ovenproof dish, cover and keep warm in the oven.

In the same pan over medium heat, add the onions and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the orange juice, honey, water, lemon slices and oregano and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 minutes, scraping the pan to loosen any browned bits that stuck to the pan.

When the lemon slices are softened and sauce is thickened, return the chicken thighs to the pan, turning each piece several times to coat in the sauce.

If desired, place the chicken on a serving platter. Spoon the sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with the fresh basil, if desired, and serve.

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Chicken Tikka Masala+

Chicken Tikka Marinade:

· 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into cubes

· 1/2 c plain Greek yogurt

· 6 cloves garlic (1.5 Tbsp)

· 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated

· 1 tsp garam masala

· 1 tsp each: salt, cumin, ground coriander, paprika

· 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

· 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

· pinch black pepper

· 1 tsp lemon juice

 

Curry Sauce Spices:

· 2 tsp turmeric

· 1 Tbsp garam masala

· 2 tsp coriander

· 1 tsp cumin

· 1/8 tsp cardamom powder

· 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

 

Curry Sauce:

· 3 Tbsp vegetable oil

· 2 Tbsp unsalted butter

· 1 onion, finely chopped

· 1 tsp salt

· 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated

· 6 cloves garlic, crushed or grated

· 1 Tbsp paprika (not smoked)

· 1 2/3 c tomato puree (I combined 1 1/2c water with 2 Tbsp tomato paste)

· 1 2/3 c water

· 1/3 c + 1 Tbsp cream

· 1 tsp sugar

· 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

 

Chicken Tikka:

1. Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl and mix.  Add chicken and turn well to coat.

2. Cover with cling wrap and leave in fridge to marinate overnight (3 hr minimum)

3. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a non-stick pan over high heat until smoking. Add half the chicken and spread out. Leave for 2 minutes or until charred. Turn each piece and cook the other side until charred – don’t worry if not cooked inside. Remove into bowl.

4. Scrape out charred bits left in the pan and discard. Repeat with remaining chicken.

 

Sauce:

1. Wipe skillet with paper towels (or do this part in a pot as you need a lid). Turn heat down to medium high.

2. Add oil and butter. When butter is melted, add onions, ginger and salt.

3. Cook, stirring constantly to ensure it doesn’t burn, until the ginger is starting to turn golden and the onions smell sweet, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic and paprika and cook for 2 minutes.

5. Add the Curry Sauce Spices and cook a further 2 minutes, stirring.

6. Add the tomato puree and water and mix. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low.

7. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. Let the sauce cool a bit then put ½ in a blender and puree it until smooth. Pour into another bowl and repeat with the other half of the sauce.

9. Once pureed, return it all to the skillet or pot. Add cream, sugar and butter. Stir to melt the butter.

10.  Add chicken and stir. Simmer for a few minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

11.  Serve over rice.

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Mushroom and Beef Stroganoff+

Makes 4 servings

12 ounces boneless sirloin steak, trimmed and thinly sliced across the grain

¾ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp olive oil

1 or 2 large shallots, chopped (about ½ cup)

Two 10-ounce packages white button mushrooms, cleaned, stemmed, and sliced (about 6 cups)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp flour

1¼ cups low-sodium beef broth

2 tsp Dijon mustard

½ cup sour cream

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Cooked whole-grain egg noodles

Season the meat with ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the beef and cook for one to two minutes, until seared but still pink inside. Transfer the meat with its juices to a plate.

Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of oil to the skillet (medium heat). Add the shallot and cook for about a minute, stirring, until softened. Add the mushrooms, and then the garlic, and cook for eight to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released their water and it has evaporated.

Sprinkle the mushrooms with the flour and stir until well combined. Add the beef broth and, stirring, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low; add the remaining 1½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Cook for about five minutes, until the mixture thickens and reduces slightly, then stir in the mustard until well incorporated. Add the sour cream, stirring until well blended.

Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pan; cook for one to two minutes, until the meat is just warmed through, but still medium-rare.

Serve warm, garnished with the parsley, over the noodles.

Per serving (without the noodles): 310 calories, 25 grams protein, 11 g carbohydrates, 19 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 70 milligrams cholesterol, 450 mg sodium, 2 g dietary fiber, 5 g sugar

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Homemade Green Bean Casserole+

  • 1 1/2 lb. haricots verts, trimmed (see Note)
  • 4 oz. pancetta or bacon
  • 9 c. sliced, stemmed shiitake mushrooms and/or sliced cremini or button mushrooms (1 1/2 lb.)
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 2 tbsp. flour
  • 1 1/2 c. half-and-half
  • 1 (5.2 oz.) pkg. semisoft cheese with garlic and fine herbs, broken into pieces
  • 1/4 c. dry white wine
  • Crispy Shallots (see recipe) or commercial French-fried onions

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart gratin or baking dish.

In a 10-inch skillet, parcook beans in enough lightly salted boiling water to cover until crisp-tender, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain. Transfer beans to large bowl of ice water to stop cooking them; drain.

In the same skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain, reserving the drippings. Finely crumble or chop pancetta.

Meanwhile, add mushrooms, garlic and thyme to drippings in skillet (if there aren’t many drippings, you may need to add up to 1 tablespoon vegetable oil). Cook and stir 5 to 6 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and liquid has evaporated. Stir in pancetta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add mushroom mixture to beans, tossing gently to combine.

For sauce, in a 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Add half-and-half all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Whisk in cheese, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Remove from heat; stir in wine. Pour sauce over green bean mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Transfer green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Bake, uncovered, 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and beans are tender. (If using commercially made French-fried onions, sprinkle them on the bean mixture for the last 5 minutes of baking.) Let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Crispy Shallots.

 

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Irresistible Almond Bars

Crust:

  • 1 c butter
  • 1/2 c powdered sugar
  • 2 c flour

Filling:

  • 8 oz softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 2 eggs

Icing:

  • 1 1/2 c powdered sugar
  • 1/4 c butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp milk
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • sliced almonds

To make crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all crust ingredients. Put into 9×13″ pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

To make filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar and almond extract together. Add one egg at a time and beat. Pour into baked crust and bake an additional 15-20 minutes.

To make icing: Mix all ingredients together and spread over bars. Cut into squares. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top. Refrigerate bars.

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Cauliflower Steaks with Curry and Chutney

Serves 2.

Note: To carve out your steaks, you’ll be bisecting the cauliflower from the crown down through the center of the stem, and making parallel cuts an inch or more from that center cut. It’s easier if you make the side cuts before you cut the center one. Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you may have 3 or 4 cups of florets leftover when the steaks have been cut. Either way, just season to taste. From Robin Asbell.

  • 1/2 c. slivered almonds
  • 1 1/2 lb. cauliflower (1 medium)
  • 1 tbsp. fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
  • 3/4 tsp. turmeric
  • Salt
  • 1 c. coconut milk
  • 1/2 c. fresh mint, packed
  • 1 tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 1 large jalapeño, seeded
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. whole cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp. brown mustard seeds
  • 2 tbsp. canola oil

Directions

Place the almonds in a heat-safe cup and pour boiling water over them to cover by an inch. Let stand for 30 minutes, then drain.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Trim the leaves from the cauliflower, trim the bottom flat and stand it up on its base. Cut out 2-inch-thick steaks from the center of the head and reserve. Break the remaining cauliflower into florets.

Put 4 cups of the florets in a steamer, and steam for 15 minutes, until the cauliflower is very soft. Place the steamed cauliflower, drained almonds, ginger and lemon zest in a food processor and process to purée. Scrape down and repeat until smooth. Add the curry powder, turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and process. Then add the coconut milk and process until very smooth. Transfer to a small pan to heat on the stove (this makes more than you need for 2 steaks; reserve the rest for another use).

Wash the processor and place the mint, ginger and jalapeño in the bowl. Process to mince, scrape down and mince well again. Add the lemon juice, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

In a small pan, place the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and place over medium heat. Swirl the pan until the seeds are fragrant and the mustard seeds start to pop. Transfer to the food processor, then process until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Scrape the chutney into a small bowl.

To cook the steaks, have a baking sheet handy. Heat the canola oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Slide the steaks carefully into the oil and sear on each side, pressing down with a sturdy spatula to make sure the cauliflower is in contact with the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, until evenly browned. Transfer to the baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, until you can insert a paring knife into the fat part of the stem with no resistance.

To serve, spread 3/4 cup of the sauce on each dinner plate, and place a cauliflower steak on top. Sprinkle with chutney and serve immediately. Provide steak knives for carving.

 

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Cheesy Baked Zucchini Noodle Casserole+

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 pounds zucchini (about 5 to 6 good sized zucchini, enough for 8 to 10 cups of salted zucchini noodles)
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 16 ounces Italian sausage (in bulk, out of casings)
  • 1 1/2 cups diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
  • 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese (about 8 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 Spiralize the zucchini, toss with salt, let drain: Using a spiralizer, use the zucchini to make zucchini noodles (zoodles) with the device, following manufacturer’s directions. You should have a generous 8 cups of zucchini noodles.

Place in a colander over a bowl. Snip zucchini noodles with scissors here and there to keep them from tangling too much.

Toss the zoodles with 3 teaspoons of kosher salt. Let the zoodles drain of excess moisture while you make the sauce.  Rinse really well to remove the salt.

2 Lightly brown the sausage: Coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with olive oil. Break up the Italian sausage into small clumps in the pan. Heat on medium heat and gently cook the sausage until it is just cooked through and lightly browned. Remove to a bowl. Discard all but 1 Tbsp of rendered fat.

3 Brown the onions and garlic: In the same pan, add the chopped onion. Cook until softened and lightly colored, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook a minute more.

4 Add tomatoes, cooked sausage, then simmer, add basil: Add the canned crushed tomatoes and cooked sausage to the pot with the onions. Bring to a simmer and lower the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 additional minutes.

Stir in thinly sliced basil and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt.

5 Squeeze moisture out of zoodles: While the sauce is simmering, use a clean dish towel (or several paper towels) to squeeze more moisture out of the zucchini noodles.

6 Add zoodles to sauce, place in casserole: Add the zucchini noodles to the pot with the tomato sausage sauce. Gently stir to combine so that all of the noodles are coated with sauce.

Transfer into an oiled 8×13 casserole dish and spread into an even layer.

7 Top with ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan, and bake: Arrange the ricotta in clumps on the casserole. Press the ricotta into the zucchini noodles to penetrate the casserole a bit. Mix the grated mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese together and sprinkle over the top in an even layer.

Bake at 350°F, uncovered, for 35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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Spinach and Cheddar Souffle+

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the inside of a 6 to 8-cup souffle dish (6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches in diameter by 3 1/2 inches deep) and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan and bread crumbs.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the hot milk, the nutmeg, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, until smooth and thick.

Off the heat, while still hot, whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Stir in the Cheddar, 1/4 cup of Parmesan and the spinach and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Put the egg whites, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed for 1 minute, on medium speed for 1 minute, then finally on high speed until they form firm, glossy peaks.

Whisk one quarter of the egg whites into the cheese sauce to lighten and then fold in the rest. Pour into the souffle dish, then smooth the top. Draw a large circle on top with the spatula to help the souffle rise evenly, and place in the middle of the oven. Turn the temperature down to 375 degrees F. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (don’t peek!) until puffed and brown. Serve immediately.