Portobello Burgers

This recipe was submitted by zsvendsen on July 1st



Here's a recipe for portobello burgers (including link to my blog, but it's just duplicate info)

http://zandyring.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/the-secret-to-portobello-burgers/

You have to start with some good caps. Shriveled caps don’t work for me – they’re tough. I don’t mean fully dried ones, I mean ones that are old enough to shrivel. Skip those and go for some good, fresh, fleshy caps. The shriveled ones work better chopped up.

So get some good caps (one per burger), clean (use a damp paper towel – mushrooms absorb water so running them under the tap will make them bloat), pat dry, and put into a ziplock bag (or a container, whatever suits your fancy – just make sure it seals) with your marinade of choice. Good options include garlic/red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, teriaki sauce, even Worcestershire sauce. Choose something that you like.

If you need a recipe try this:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar (I use marsala in a pinch)
a tablespoon or two of crushed garlic
a few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
a teaspoon of crushed red pepper (to taste, more if you really want some heat)
Mix up in the bag (or bowl – whatever), and then add the caps. Let them sit for 10 minutes on a side, then remove. If they marinate for too long they will get mushy.

Toss on the grill (start with the smooth side on top) and grill on each side for about 4 minutes. Put on a bun. If you’re making cheese burgers, top the portobello with cheese after your first flip and it’ll melt nicely (try Swiss!).  Serve with the regular lettuce, tomato, etc.

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

It's not Friday, but I made these for dinner tonight and had to share the recipe with you before I forgot it (I don't do well with writing recipes I create down).  I threw these together with leftovers from the fridge, so feel free to adapt it to fit your leftover usage needs. :)

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

4 Med bell peppers (peppers that stand on their own are helpful)
2 Cups cooked rice
1 can diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning (or use fresh if you have them)
3/4 c pasta sauce (alternatively you could use broth, soup, cream, etc...)
1 1/4c Italian Cheese Blend, divided
1/4 c panko bread crumbs (or whatever you have on hand)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
handful of chopped parsley

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Fill a pan with hot water and place it in the oven with a backing rack over it (this is what you'll use to seam the peppers)
3. Cut the tops off the peppers and clean out the seeds and membranes.  Cut a bit off the bottom if necessary to make them stand up nicely, but be careful not to have hols in the bottom or your filling and juices will come out.
4. Place peppers on the baking rack in the oven and let them steam for about 10 minutes until they feel like they have softened most of the way.
5.  Meanwhile, cook your rice and combine with the tomatoes, pasta sauce and 1 cup cheese.
6.  In a separate bowl,  combine bread crumbs, 1/4 cup cheese, chopped parsley and olive oil.  Stir to combine
7.  Remove peppers, baking rack and pan from the oven.  Spray a small pan with a bit pan spray and put the peppers in, and stuff them with the rice mixture and top with breadcrumbs.
8.  Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy!

Avocado and Black Bean Salsa

This recipe was submitted by atc282 on June 24th

This is perfect as a summertime appetizer, side dish, or a relish for any grilled meat! Super easy and great to serve if you're doing Mexican or are grilling out!!

Avacado & Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients:
1-2 large fresh tomato(es) or 1 can diced tomatoes
1 Can Black Beans
1 large avacado
1/2 Can Corn
1/2 Lime, juiced
1 small red onion (optional)
1 bunch fresh cilantro (optional)
Seasonings: Cumin, Salt & Pepper

Directions:
In a strainer, drain (if using canned) tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Chop and dice (if using fresh) tomatoes, avacados, red onion (optional). Combine all ingredients in bowl, and squeeze on the lime juice. Season to your liking with cumin, s&p. Add chopped cilantro to top before serving (optional).
Served best as an appetizer with blue corn tortilla chips! Another great addition is adding a handful of crumbled queso fresco or feta to the dip right before serving. 

Cheddar Veggie Soup

This recipe was submitted by Heather92708 on June 24th

I am seriously all about minimal preparation- this is a very easy meal to make.  It does make quite a bit, enough for leftovers the next day.

Cheddar Veggie Soup
 Ingredients
3 cups chicken broth
1 package (16 ounces) frozen cauliflower, broccoli and carrot blend
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups Cheddar Cheese sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, optional

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring broth, frozen vegetables, celery and onion to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Stir in cheese sauce, salt and Italian seasoning. Cook on low heat until heated through.
Sprinkle with cheese if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

Summer Brie Pasta

This recipe was submitted by 123pcb on June 24th


Warning - NOT the healthiest of dishes, but unreal.

Summer Brie Pasta
I have no measurements for this, as it is all done by practice and taste, but I promise you will fall in love.
One wheel of brie cheese cut into cubed pieces about a quarter size
1 minced sweet vidalia onion - needs to be vidalia season (summer) because you want the onion to have more sweet than bitter.
1 -2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
2-3 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp ground sea salt
TONS of basil. If you are buying it at the store, I use the whole package. If you are cutting it from your garden, it's about 10 large pieces.
Optional - Kalamata Olives
Your choice of great pasta - we find that fusili is the best because the brie melts into the nooks.
Dice the onion and garlic, place in a large bowl. Add the halved tomatoes and cubed brie cheese, add your fresh basil and ground sea salt (If you are using the olives, don't use as much salt). Cover the mixture in olive oil - I usually put enough olive oil to really, really coat everything. Wrap the bowl in saran wrap and let it marinate. I have marinated it anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours and it's always delicious.
Cook the pasta, drain, and then place pasta in the bowl with your marinated mix. Mix it together. Make sure to do this right away so the brie melts a little into the mixture. Really stir it to make sure there is brie spread throughout the pasta.
Add salt to taste.

Spinach Corn Enchiladas

This recipe was submitted by Sugarpie27 on June 24th

These Spinach corn enchiladas look kinda hard, but they're not. And they're super delicious! We adapted it from meatlessmondays.com.

Filling:

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup yellow onion, chopped

1 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 7oz can fire-roasted mild green chilis

1 10 oz package creamed spinach

1 ear fresh corn on the cob, kernels cut off 

For the sauce:

¼ cup flour

2 ½ cups veggie or chicken stock

1 cup low fat sour cream

1 cup jack cheese, grated

To complete the dish:

9 x 13 inch baking dish

8 6-inch tortillas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and cook onion and bell pepper until tender.

Add the corn and the spinach and season with salt and pepper to taste and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Transfer the veggie mixture to bowl, add mild chilis and mix.

In the same sauté pan, add 3 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat and allow to melt completely. Add flour to melted butter and whisk until the roux isn’t lumpy. Allow the roux to cook for 3-5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly, stirring so it doesn’t burn. Add broth and stir for about 2-3 minutes, or until thick.

Take skillet off heat and add sour cream and ½ cup of the jack cheese. Stir to combine.

Add 1/2 cup of the sauce to the veggie mix.

Spray baking dish with cooking spray. Take one tortilla at a time and coat both sides with the sauce. Scoop approximately 1/4 cup of the veggie mix into each tortilla and roll them up.

Line them fold side down on the baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over prepared enchiladas and sprinkle the remaining jack cheese over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and a little golden.

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

This recipe was submitted by Kristen61607 on June 24


Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
Adapted from The Kitchen Sink

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup low sodium chicken stock (or vegetable stock to make it veg.)
1 bell pepper, halved and seeded
2 green onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup cannellini beans
1 small shallot, minced
1 tomato, diced
salt
pepper
Aprox. 2 tbsp grated cheese (I used mozzarella)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. Split the peppers in half and clean them out; place them in the baking dish. Roast for 20 minutes.
Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa and reduce heat and cook until the broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally. During the last minute or two of cooking, add green onion, shallot and garlic to the quinoa.
In a medium bowl add tomatoes, beans and cooked quinoa. Mix together gently.
Stuff quinoa mixture into par-roasted peppers. Top with grated cheese and bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is completely melted. Serve hot.

Coconut Encrusted Salmon with Blueberry Citrus Sauce

This recipe was submitted by Kristen61607 on June 18th

Coconut Encrusted Salmon with Blueberry Citrus Sauce
One of "my" recreations from a restaurant meal! 
Ingredients
For the salmon:
1-2 skinless salmon filets
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 egg
1-2 tbsp skim milk
1/3 cup plain panko bread crumbs
1/3 (or more) cup sweetened coconut flakes
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper

For the Blueberry Citrus Sauce:
1 hand full of blueberries (about 1/2 cup)
1-2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tbsp. sweetened coconut flakes
1 tsp granulated sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with nonstick olive oil spray. Season both sides of salmon with salt and pepper and set aside. Set up a breading station: on one plate, add flour; in a small bowl, whisk together egg and milk; and on another plate add panko and coconut. Using your fingers, mix panko and coconut together until coconut is evenly distributed amongst panko.

Press salmon into flour until completely coated, then dip into egg mixture, then dredge in panko coconut mixture. Press panko mixture into salmon until well coated on all sides. Place filet(s) in prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top of the filet with any extra panko/coconut that didn't get used. Spray the top of the filet with non-stick olive oil spray and place in oven for about 20 minutes. Check the filet after about 10-15 minutes to make sure the coconut isn't burning. If it is, cover the baking dish loosely with foil.

While salmon is baking, make blueberry citrus sauce. In a small blender (I use the magic bullet blender), add blueberries, coconut, sugar and lime juice and blend until smooth. Taste the sauce after it's blended and add more lime juice or sugar to taste.

Serve the fish hot with blueberry citrus sauce.

Read more: http://lepetitpierogi.blogspot.com/2010/03/coconut-encrusted-salmon-with-blueberry.html#ixzz1PdTbuhVq

Vegetarian Chili

This recipe was submitted on June 10th by jamie217

 I got this off a blog a couple yrs ago, it's easy, healty and so good!  I usually double it!
Vegetarian Chili
serves 6-8
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
28 oz can crushed tomatoes with basil*
14 oz can black beans*
14 oz can kidney beans*
1 cup corn kernels
1 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup bulgur wheat
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Heat oil in a large pot. Add onions, carrots and garlic; sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add yellow pepper, jalapenos, celery and chili powder; cook another 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans (with liquid), corn, salt and spices. Bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in bulgur wheat. Cover and simmer at least 30 minutes (I usually let everything simmer for a couple of hours to let the flavors really develop, but it’s okay to take it off when the veggies and bulgur are soft), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Just as you’re taking the chili off the heat, stir in the balsamic vinegar.

Black Bean Burgers

This recipe was submitted on June 10th by kristen61607

This recipe, and many others can be found on kirsten61607's blog: http://lepetitpierogi.blogspot.com/

Ingredients

1 can low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed well
1/4 medium yellow onion, minced well
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 medium carrot, shredded finely
1 egg
1/4 c. herbed bread crumbs
1 sprig thyme, chopped
3 green onions, green parts only, chopped finely
salt
pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment. Using a fine meshed sieve over the sink, add shredded carrots and press out all moisture using your fingers. Then in a large bowl combine all ingredients and mash well with a potato masher.

Using hands (if mixture is relatively goopy, don't worry), place bun-sized patties onto baking sheet. Put into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until edges have crisped up and burgers are cooked through. Remove from oven and serve on a fresh roll with nice thick tomato slices and fresh lettuce.

Lentil Bolognese

This recipe was submitted on June 10th by blondek8

I made this last night and even my red meat and potatoes-eating husband liked it. I LOVED it. It made lots and I had leftovers for lunch today. You can make it vegan and/or gluten-free by removing the milk and/or substituting the whole wheat pasta for brown rice pasta. I didn't use the fennel or the white wine vinegar -- didn't have either of those kicking around. I used apple cider vinegar instead -- haha. Lentil Bolognese INGREDIENTS: 2 tsp olive oil 1 medium onion, diced small ( 1 cup) 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced small (1 cup) 2 small celery stalks, diced small (1/2 cup) 1 small fennel bulb, diced small (1 ½ cups) 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 cup green lentils 2 tsp dried oregano 2 tsp dried parsley 1 tsp dried basil 8 oz. wide whole-wheat pasta noodles such as linguine, fettucini, tagliatelle or rigatoni ½ cup low-fat milk ¼ tsp sea salt ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper  INSTRUCTIONS: ONE: In a large Dutch oven or saucepot, heat oil on medium-high. Add onion, carrot, celery, fennel and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until released water evaporates and brown bits begin to form on bottom of pot, about 15 minutes. Add vinegar and scrape any brown bits from bottom of pot as liquid evaporates. Stir in broth, 1 cup water, lentils, tomatoes, oregano, parsley and basil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, partially uncovered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. TWO: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and set aside. THREE: Add milk to bolognese and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide pasta among 4 bowls and top each with about 1 ½ cups of bolognese.