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Come Party With Me: St. Patrick's Day - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:00:16 -0700

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays because everyone goes to the local pub, drinks beer, and is in a great mood. It's also a fabulous time to meet guys, so this year I'm inviting all my single ladies over for appetizers before we head out to the bars. Since some of my girlfriends are vegetarian, I'll offer a meat-free menu of green snacks. To start there's green goddess dressing with green crudités like celery sticks, green beans, edamame, and sugar snap peas. A warm spinach artichoke dip is decadent, but healthy when served with pita wedges. Slices of pizza topped with fresh pesto and arugula are delicious and filling.

Broccoli soup is pretty and portable when placed in small tea cups or shot glasses. To look at these green themed recipes, perfect for any St. Patty's Day soirée, read more.

Green Goddess Dressing
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

1/2 cup packed parsley leaves
1 to 2 anchovy fillets, optional
1 scallion, coarsely chopped
1/2 small garlic clove
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

In a food processor, pulse parsley, anchovies, scallion, and garlic until scallion and parsley are finely chopped.
Add mayonnaise, yogurt, and vinegar; pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with grilled shrimp, fish or crudités. If storing, cover and refrigerate up to 5 days.

Serves 10.

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Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip
From Ellie Krieger

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 cloves garlic
1 (9-ounce) package artichoke hearts, defrosted, rinsed and dried
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted, excess liquid squeezed out.
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup (4 ounces) Neufchatel cheese (reduced-fat cream cheese)
2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until onions are light golden but not browned. Remove from heat and cool.
In the bowl of a food processor combine artichoke hearts, spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, Neufchatel, mozzarella and salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Add cooled onion-garlic mixture to the food processor and pulse a few times to combine.
Transfer mixture into an 8-inch glass square baking dish or 9-inch glass pie plate which has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through.
Serve with pita wedges or crudites.

Serves 12.

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Pesto Pizza
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1/2 store bought pizza dough
5 tablespoons store-bought pesto
One 3-ounce package thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into pieces (optional)
2 to 3 handfuls arugula leaves
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Invert a large baking sheet and place it on a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat the oven to 500°. Invert a second baking sheet on a work surface and cover it with a sheet of parchment paper. Stretch the pizza dough to fit the parchment paper.
Using the back of a spoon, spread the pesto over the dough.
Slide the pizza and the parchment from the cool baking sheet to the hot baking sheet in the oven. Bake until golden, about 7 minutes.
Top with the prosciutto (if using), arugula and Parmesan, and cut into pieces.

Makes one 10x16 inch pizza.

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Creamy Broccoli Soup
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large white onion, chopped
3 small celery ribs, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 pounds broccoli, cut into florets
3 1/2 cups water
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Cheddar crisps, optional for serving

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.
Add the broccoli and water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes.
Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender and puree until smooth.
Season the soup with salt and pepper and serve with the Cheddar Crisps, if desired.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Broccoli Soup With Cheddar Toasts

partysugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:45:15 -0700

Although broccoli can be found year-round, it's actually in season during the Fall. Take advantage of the crisp, green vegetable with this upscale variation of the classic broccoli and cheddar combination.

The delicious and well-seasoned puree makes for a healthy yet comforting meal. Topped with crisp cheddar toasts, this soup is elegant enough to entertain with. Get the recipe and read more.

Broccoli Soup With Cheddar Toasts
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 bunches broccoli (about 3 1/4 pounds), stems and florets chopped separately into 1/2-inch pieces
7 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup skim milk
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated or crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
8 thin slices crusty baguette

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add onion, garlic, and broccoli stems; cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.
Add stock and salt; cover, raise heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
Add broccoli florets; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, until florets are just tender, about 10 minutes.
Remove soup from heat, and let cool, about 10 minutes. Fill a blender no more than halfway to puree soup in batches until smooth.
Return soup to pot; stir in milk and cayenne. Cook over medium heat until heated through (do not boil).
Heat broiler. Divide cheese among bread slices; toast under broiler until melted and golden brown, 45 to 60 seconds.
Divide soup among bowls. Top each bowl with a cheese toast, and serve.

Serves 8.

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Yummy Link: Broccoli Soup and Salmon Eggs

YumSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:15:19 -0700

I love the idea of broccoli soup and salmon eggs. It looks so light and summery, I almost want to try it chilled. - La Tartine Gourmande

Soup's On: Broccoli Cheese Soup

partysugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:40:31 -0800

Normally, when one thinks of broccoli cheese soup, cheddar cheese comes to mind. However one of my favorite supermarket soups is a delicious blend of broccoli and blue cheese. Now don't go all "eww I hate blue cheese" on me. Stirred into a puree of tender, green broccoli, the blue cheese is mild and creamy rather than moldy and pungent.

This soup is elegant, delicious, and elevates a cafe classic to a whole new level of sophistication. I topped my bowl with crunchy cheddar croutons. You really won't regret giving this smooth soup a chance, so see how I made it when you read more.

Broccoli Cheese Soup
Modified from William Broderick at the Port Charlotte Hotel in Scotland

For Soup:
1/4 cup butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 head broccoli, thick stems removed, chopped
6 tbsp. flour
3 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup Stilton or other blue cheese, crumbled
Salt and pepper
4 to 5 tbsp. heavy cream
For Croutons:
2 slices of white bread per person, crusts removed, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
olive oil to coat
salt and pepper
1 heaping tbsp. per person finely grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add the vegetables, and fry gently for 5 minutes until soft but not browned.

Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Stir in the stock and return to heat. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously until the soup thickens. Allow to simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile make the cheddar croutons: preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the bread cubes on a cookie sheet covered with foil. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper to coat. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

Bake in the oven until crisp and brown 12-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Cool soup slightly and blend with an immersion blender or regular blender.

Return soup to pan, add the milk, and heat gently. Stir in the Stilton, salt and pepper, and heavy cream until melted. Reheat slowly allowing the cheese to melt, over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Do not allow soup to boil at this point, it will curdle.

To serve, garnish with croutons.

Serves 4-6.

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Mmm, National Soup Month

YumSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:58:00 -0800

In the long cold days of winter there is nothing more soothing than sitting down to a warm bowl of soup and a glass of wine. Soups chock full of ingredients and flavor are hearty and heating, yet sometimes a simple soup that highlights the goodness of one or two vegetables is the only way to go. I first heard about this technique when I read French Women Don't Get Fat.

Apparently one of the reasons French women stay so thin is because they eat a lot of simple vegetable soups. I propose that tonight we all pretend we are French by enjoying a no frills simple cream of broccoli soup that reader Colormesticky requested. To be French for a night, and to celebrate National Soup Month, read more

Simple Cream of Broccoli Soup
From Food Network

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cream, heavy, light or half-n-half
1 onion, chopped
1 russet potato, peeled and chop
Nutmeg, to taste
6 cups canned chicken stock, warmed
Salt
3 cups chopped broccoli florets and stems
Pepper

In a large pot, melt butter and cook onion until tender over medium high heat.
Add potato and toss to coat with butter.
Add hot stock and bring to a simmer.
Stir in broccoli and return to a simmer.
When potato and broccoli are tender, puree in batches in a blender or food processor.
Return to pot and add cream.
Season to taste and serve warm.

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Oh and if you're interested in (or enjoyed) the French Women book, BuzzSugar pointed out that there's also a book called Japanese Women Don't Get Old or Fat.

Must-Read: Williams-Sonoma Soup

YumSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:15:48 -0700

Although I've always been a fan of eating soup year-round, now that the weather has cooled down a bit, soup is a regular part of my meal rotation. That was my logic behind acquiring Williams-Sonoma Soup ($16.95). To see my thoughts on the cookbook, read more.

Pros:

Ingredient measurements include other measuring system equivalents: A recipe calling for dried black beans, specifies that 2 cups equals 14 ounces or 440 grams.
In addition to a full-page picture, each recipe contains an added bonus: a tip with a corresponding picture, pertaining to the recipe.
The back of the book has helpful information like stock recipes, basics of making soup, garnish options, a glossary, and an index.

Cons:

The recipes are written in paragraph form, but could have been written in easier-to-follow steps.
Helpful details such as cooking time or nutritional facts would have made a big difference.

Recipes: Some of the recipes call for gourmet ingredients that one may not typically have on hand, such as kombu seaweed flakes, tawny Port, or Thai red curry paste. I flagged the following recipes to make at home:

Classics - New England Clam Chowder
Simple Soups - Puree of Vegetable Soup, Broccoli-Leek Soup
Dinner Party Soups - Three-Mushroom Soup With Sherry, Mussels Mariniere
Winter Soups - Black Bean Soup With Salsa Crema, Provence-Style Fish Stew
Chicken Soups - Avgolemono, Thai-Style Curried Chicken Soup

Imagery: The images are abundant and appetizing.

Overall Rating: I'm a huge fan of this book, which contains lots of staple soup recipes. If you're already a soup whiz with an expansive recipe collection, this book may not be for you, but if you're on the market for a soup cookbook, this affordable book could just be the one. Have you checked it out yet?

Campbell's Green Bean Casserole

Sponsor — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:17:38 -0800

No holiday meal is complete without Green Bean Casserole. This recipe using Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup is the perfect side dish that will win rave reviews!

INGREDIENTS
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (regular, 98 percent fat free, or 25 percent less sodium)
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Dash ground black pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cups French's® French Fried Onions

DIRECTIONS
Mix soup, milk, soy, black pepper, beans, and 2/3 cup onions in 1 1/2-qt. casserole.

Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until hot.

Stir. Sprinkle with remaining onions. Bake 5 minutes.

Tip: Use 1 bag (16 to 20 oz.) frozen green beans, 2 packages (9 oz. each) frozen green beans, 2 cans (about 16 oz. each) green beans, or about 1 1/2 lb. fresh green beans for this recipe.

For a change of pace, substitute 4 cups cooked broccoli flowerets for the green beans.

For a creative twist, stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese with soup. Omit soy sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup additional cheddar cheese when adding the remaining onions.

For a festive touch, stir in 1/4 cup chopped red pepper with soup.

For a heartier mushroom flavor, substitute Campbell's® Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup for Cream of Mushroom Soup. Omit soy sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped red pepper with green beans.

Chili's Bottomless Express™ Lunch

Sponsor — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:00:10 -0700

Do you...
Eat lunch at your desk because you are constantly starved for time?
Find it difficult to fit in a meal between all your errands?
Wish for a dining experience that is quick, easy, and excellent?

If so, here's a solution for you! Introducing Chili’s Bottomless Express™ Lunch! With chips and house-made salsa, a Caesar or House salad, one of three delicious soups, and unlimited drink refills - you can have your perfect meal and then get back to your day!

Want some comfort?
Indulge yourself with the Baked Potato Soup, a traditional creamy soup filled with chunks of potatoes & topped w/cheese and applewood smoked bacon.

Veggies with a twist?
Fill up on the Broccoli Cheese Soup, a thick & creamy cheddar cheese soup blended with broccoli & topped w/cheese & pico de gallo.

Feeling spicy?
Enjoy the Chicken Enchilada Soup, a hearty soup with marinated shredded chicken & topped w/tortilla strips, cheese & pico de gallo.

Treat yourself and try something new! Visit Chilis.com to find a location nearest you!

Fast & Easy Dinner: Cheese Tortellini and Broccoli Rabe

partysugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:01:18 -0800

Broccoli and cheddar is one of those classic flavor pairings that always works. Whether combined in a salad, sandwich, or soup, broccoli and cheddar cheese is wonderfully comforting and constantly delicious. Tonight serve the dynamic duo in a modern, Italian variation. Substitute the broccoli with broccoli rabe and the cheddar with ricotta. Toss both of these with cheese tortellini for a quick, delectable vegetarian meal. To read the recipe, read more

Cheese Tortellini and Broccoli Rabe
From Hallmark

8 oz. dried, shelf-stable cheese tortellini (or 12 oz. refrigerated or frozen)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch broccoli rabe (1 pound), chopped (6 cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

In a large pot of boiling water, cook the tortellini according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and broccoli rabe, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli rabe is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the broccoli rabe mixture to the pasta and toss gently. Stir in the ricotta, salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Serves 4.

Each serving has: 463 calories, 23 g fat (7.1 g saturated), 19 g protein, 47 g carbohydrates (2.2 g fiber), 46 mg cholesterol, 679 mg sodium. Good source of: beta-carotene, vitamin C.

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Reader Recipe: Light 'n' Tasty Soup

YumSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:15:36 -0700

When I think of soup, I usually think of heavy, time-consuming recipes. You know, the sort of thing that sits on your stove all day building layers of flavor upon itself.

So when I saw TeamSugar member celebrity_soup's recipe in the Kitchen Goddess group, I was immediately intrigued. The soup is Nigella Lawson's "Light 'n' Tasty" soup, and it comes together in a few minutes. It's perfect for a quick lunch or a fast dinner. The best part is that it's also rather adaptable. Don't like bok choy? Replace it with broccoli. Don't have sprouts on hand? Just omit! To see the simple yet versatile recipe, read more.

Submitted by TeamSugar member celebrity_soup

Dinner For Two: Nigella's Noodle Soup
Nigella Lawson

Sundays are lazy days for me and this past Sunday I had to make a little something for dinner.
No leftovers from Saturday, awwww.
Not to worry I said, I'll whip up something quick and easy..and lets not forget delicious.
Now I don't know about you guys, but the first people that come to my mind are Rachael Ray and Nigella Lawson.
Nigella, music to my ears and a kitchen goddess, sounds good.
Instantly I found a video of her making a fantastic looking Noodle Soup, that I couldn't resist making!

Ingredients

6 ounces udon noodles (dried, from a packet)
3 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 star anise
1 teaspoon minced ginger
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3/4 cup bean sprouts
1 cup chopped patty pans/zucchini
3/4 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms (I used button mushrooms)
2 heads baby bok choy, finely sliced (I used broccoli instead)

2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro leaves (optional)

Directions
Cook the noodles according to packet instructions and while the water is boiling fill a nearby saucepan with stock, brown sugar, star anise, ginger and soy sauce. (When the noodles are done, just drain them and put half in each bowl.)

When the flavored stock comes to a boil, add the vegetables. They should be cooked before 2 minutes are up.

Pour half into each bowl, over the cooked and drained noodles and sprinkle with cilantro.

Serves 2

...and here's the video of the goddess cooking up this fab dish:

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