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Fast & Easy Dinner: Feta-Stuffed Pita Burgers

partysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:50:39 -0800

Who says a burger has to be served between two buns? This recipe takes the traditional notion of the cheeseburger and turns it on its head. Instead of crumbling cheese over the patties, the feta is stuffed into the middle of a ground meat mixture. A soft pita replaces the classic bun and spicy arugula stands in for the usual slice of lettuce. The resulting dish, which is full of Mediterranean flavors, would be great for impromptu weeknight entertaining. To create a meal, serve with store-bought hummus, pita chips, and kalamata olives. Want to see the recipe? Keep reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Manhattan Clam Chowder

partysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:30:13 -0800

Living in San Francisco it's virtually impossible to find a Manhattan-style red clam chowder. To enjoy this chunky and filling soup, I have to make it myself, thus I've decided to experiment with this recipe.

With its pieces of clams, tomatoes, and veggies, this red chowder is healthier then the cream-based variation. Serve with a side of mixed greens and a hunk of crusty bread, and you've got a deliciously comforting weeknight meal. Check out the recipe and read more.

Manhattan Clam Chowder
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1 pint shucked clams or two 6-1/2-ounce cans minced clams
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
1/4 cup chopped carrot (1 small)
2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking oil
1 8-ounce bottle clam juice or 1 cup chicken broth
2 cups cubed red potato
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons purchased cooked bacon pieces or cooked crumbled bacon*

Directions

Chop fresh clams, if using, reserving juice; set clams aside. Strain clam juice to remove bits of shell. (Or, drain canned clams, reserving juice.) If necessary, add enough water to reserved clam juice to equal 1-1/2 cups. Set juice aside.
In a large saucepan cook celery, onion, and carrot in hot oil until tender.
Stir in the reserved 1-1/2 cups clam juice and the 8 ounces clam juice. Stir in potatoes, thyme, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in undrained tomatoes, clams, and bacon.
Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish Rolls

partysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:15:24 -0700

Serving fish lightly fried is a great way to introduce nonfish lovers to the pleasures of the sea. The technique is familiar - who hasn't had fried chicken?! - and the texture is ideal because it's both crunchy and soft.

This recipe takes fried catfish fillets and makes them even more accessible by slathering them with a quick Russian dressing and sticking them in between two pieces of toasted bread. It's a crisp and filling sandwich that makes a well-rounded meal. To check out the recipe, read more.

Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish Rolls
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1-1/2 lb. catfish fillets
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tsp. Cajun or blackening seasoning
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 baby sweet peppers or 1/4 of a large sweet pepper
1 stalk celery
1/4 of a small red or sweet onion (optional)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. ketchup
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)
8 cocktail-size rolls, split and toasted

Directions

Rinse fish; pat dry. Cut in 8 pieces.
In a shallow dish combine cornmeal and 1-1/2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning; coat fish with cornmeal mixture.
In 12-inch skillet cook fish in hot oil over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned and fish flakes when tested with fork.
Meanwhile, thinly slice peppers, celery, and onion and combine in medium bowl.
In small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, remaining 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, and hot pepper sauce. Add 1 tablespoon mayonnaise mixture to pepper-celery mixture.
Spread some of remaining mayonnaise mixture on cut sides of rolls. Place catfish pieces on roll bottoms. Top with celery mixture and roll tops. Pass any remaining mayonnaise mixture.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Pork Cutlets With Brussels Sprouts

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:12 -0700

If you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, think again! The small leafy green vegetable is horribly misunderstood, but I assure you, when you give it a second chance you'll be amazed and delighted by the flavor.

Why not do so tonight with this recipe? The sprouts are served alongside lightly floured pork scaloppine. They're sautéed in butter before being tossed with a creamy, slightly sweet sauce. To check out the recipe, read more.

Pork Cutlets With Brussels Sprouts
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

4 1/2-inch-thick boneless pork chops
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. paprika or smoked paprika
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 Tbsp. butter
1 8-oz. carton light sour cream
2 Tbsp. milk or half-and-half
1 tsp. packed brown sugar

Directions

Using meat mallet or heavy rolling pin pound pork, layered between plastic wrap, to 1/4-inch thickness. In shallow dish combine flour, half the paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Coat pork in flour mixture; set aside.
In large skillet cook sprouts in hot butter over medium-high 5 to 8 minutes, until crisp-tender and edges are brown. Remove from skillet. Cover and keep warm.
In same skillet add additional butter, if needed. Cook pork 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden outside and slightly pink in center. Remove from skillet. Cover; keep warm.
For sauce, combine sour cream, milk, and brown sugar. Whisk into skillet. Heat through (do not boil). Serve sauce, sprinkled with remaining paprika, over pork and sprouts.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Beet Salad With Goat Cheese and Walnuts

partysugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:50:53 -0700

On the weekends, I like to treat myself and eat whatever I feel like eating, be it an oversize serving of macaroni and cheese or a decadently fudgey brownie. However, that means during the week I stock up on tons of vegetables and fruits. One way to do this is to enjoy salads for dinner. The key to a satisfying salad is to select elements that have different textures. There has to be something creamy, crispy, chewy, and tangy. With its beets, goat cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette, this recipe is just the sort of salad I'm talking about.

The ingredient list calls for bottled balsamic dressing, but I prefer to quickly whisk my own. To serve up this salad, get the recipe and read more.

Beet Salad With Goat Cheese and Walnuts
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

2 small cooked beets or one 8-1/4-ounce can tiny whole beets, chilled
1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons bottled reduced-fat or fat-free balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
4 cups mixed baby salad greens
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1 ounce semisoft goat cheese (chevre), crumbled

Directions

Slice beets into bite-sized wedges.
In a medium bowl, combine cut-up beets, basil, and pepper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the salad dressing; toss to coat.
Arrange greens on 2 salad plates; sprinkle with remaining dressing.
Top with beet mixture, walnuts, and goat cheese.

Serves 2.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Mixed Mushroom Pizza

partysugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:00:21 -0700

Pizza is my ultimate comfort food. I can't get enough crispy crust and melted cheese. I also enjoy making pizza at home. With the help of a store-bought dough, it can be quick and uncomplicated to throw together.

This recipe is for mushroom lovers. It tops the dough with caramelized onions and tons of sauteed mushrooms. To start your weekend by chowing down on this pizza, check out the recipe and read more.

Mixed Mushroom Pizza
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1 store-bought pizza dough
8 ounces Fontina Valle d'Aosta, fontina, provolone, or mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
2 large sweet onions (such as Vidalia or Walla Walla), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups assorted sliced mushrooms (such as shiitake, oyster, cremini, chanterelle, morel, and/or button)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons snipped fresh rosemary
Snipped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out pizza dough as directed using a 16x12x1-inch pan.
Arrange cheese slices on top of dough in pan.
In a large skillet, cook onions, covered, in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat for 13 to 15 minutes or until onions are tender, stirring occasionally. Uncover; cook and stir over medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes more or until onions are golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, combine mushrooms, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the garlic, and rosemary. Cook over medium heat until mushrooms are tender; drain well.
Spoon mushroom mixture over cheese. Top with onions.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until crust bottom is slightly crisp and brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Cut the pizza into 4-inch squares and serve immediately.

Serves 12.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Jamaican Pork With Melon

partysugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:45 -0700

While I've had the classic pairing of pork and apples, and the more unconventional combination of pork and peaches, I've yet to try pork with melons. However, this enticing recipe brings the two ingredients together expertly with Jamaican jerk seasoning and honey.

One can only imagine that the spices provide a nice heat and the honey adds a subtle sweetness. Serving this meal on skewers appeals to children and makes it fun to eat, so get the recipe when you read more.

Jamaican Pork With Melon
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1-1/2 pound boneless pork tenderloin, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
2 small red onions, quartered lengthwise
2 tablespoons roasted peanut oil or peanut oil
4 teaspoons Jamaican jerk seasoning
1/4 of a small honeydew melon, cut into 2-inch cubes
1/2 of a small cantaloupe, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Toss pork cubes and onion with oil and jerk seasoning in a medium mixing bowl until evenly coated. Thread eight 12-inch skewers alternately with pork, onion, honeydew, and cantaloupe pieces.
Place pork skewers on the lightly oiled of the grill directly over medium heat.
Grill for 18 to 24 minutes or until pork is cooked through and no pink remains. Remove from grill; brush with honey.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Steak and Potato Salad

partysugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:48 -0700

Tonight serve your loved ones a meal inspired by the classic steakhouse dinner of meat, potatoes, and wedge salad. The potatoes are roasted in the oven, while the ribeye steaks are seared on the grill. A quick but wildly flavorful salsa verde (a mixture of chives, capers, oregano, thyme, and garlic) coats the cooked and crispy potatoes. Serving the potatoes and steak on a bed of crunchy romaine lettuce makes this a balanced meal that's sure to be enjoyed by all.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Steak and Potato Salad
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

2 lbs. small new Yukon Gold potatoes, halved or quartered
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2 to 2 lb. ribeye steaks, cut 1-inch thick
2 heads romaine lettuce
1/2 cup chopped Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped chives
3 tablespoons drained capers
2 teaspoons chopped oregano
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
2 cloves minced garlic
5 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place potatoes in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast, uncovered, 50 to 60 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly.
Meanwhile, brush remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil on steaks. Season with salt and pepper. For charcoal grill, grill steaks on rack of uncovered grill directly over medium coals, 10 to 12 minutes (145 degrees F for medium-rare), turning once. (For gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place steaks on rack over heat. Cover; grill as above.)
Slice romaine into six 2-inch-thick slices, reserving tops for another use.
In bowl combine parsley, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, chives, capers, oregano, thyme, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Place slice of romaine on each serving plate; drizzle; with 1/2 of the salsa.
Toss warm potatoes with remaining sauce and green onions. Spoon onto romaine. Thinly slice steak and place on top of potatoes.

Serves 6.

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Fasy & Easy Dinner: Fresh Corn-Rice Salad

partysugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:50:44 -0700

During the Summer, it's hard not to take advantage of the plethora of farm stand produce that's available. This recipe utilizes the season's bounty of corn and tomatoes. There's no fancy ingredients or exotic spices, thus the pure and colorful freshness of the veggies is highlighted. By mixing in cooked rice, the salad becomes substantial enough to make up a whole meal. To learn the uncomplicated technique, read more.

Fresh Corn-Rice Salad
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

4 ears fresh corn
1-1/2 cups cooked rice, cooled
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh arugula
1 small red onion, cut in thin wedges
1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
Tbsp. rice vinegar or red wine vinegar
Tbsp. olive oil

Directions

Husk corn and remove silk with a stiff brush; rinse. Cook corn in boiling, lightly salted water for 3 minutes. Remove corn; let cool. Cut corn off the cob in planks. To cut planks, place an ear on its side on a cutting board. Holding the corn firmly with fingers away from the blade, cut off a side of the corn. Rotate and repeat until all sides are removed. Use a spatula to gently move planks to salad.
Combine cooked rice, tomatoes, arugula, onion and jalapeño pepper. Transfer to serving bowl; top with corn.
Drizzle with vinegar and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serves 10 to 12.

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Fasy & Easy Dinner: Turkey Burgers With Mustard Sauce

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:00:09 -0700

One can never have too many turkey burger recipes: they're simple, versatile, and crowd-pleasing. The secret ingredient in this variation is honey mustard. It not only flavors the patties, but when combined with mayonnaise, it makes for a creamy sauce that slathers the bun. Although the recipe tops the burgers with avocado and tomato slices, you could throw in a number of typical add-ons from caramelized red onions to Muenster cheese. Place this burger in your recipe collection when you read more.

Turkey Burgers With Mustard Sauce
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

5 Kaiser rolls or hamburger buns
1 lb. uncooked raw turkey
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 Tsp. honey mustard
1/4 tsp. each salt and black pepper
1 Tsp. olive or vegetable oil
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced

Directions

For bread crumbs, in blender or food processor coarsely process one roll.
In large bowl combine turkey, egg, 1 cup of the crumbs, 1 tablespoon of the mustard, and the salt and pepper. Shape turkey mixture into four patties.
In extra-large nonstick skillet cook turkey patties in hot oil over medium heat for 12 minutes, turning once, or until no longer pink (165 degrees F).
In a small bowl combine mayonnaise and remaining 2 tablespoons mustard. Spread some sauce on remaining four rolls. Layer turkey patty, tomato, avocado, a dollop of sauce, and roll top.

Serves 4.

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