Category: Main Ingredient

Main Ingredient

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Spinach & Cheese-Stuffed Manicotti

Ingredients:
2 medium carrots, peeled (2/3 cup finely chopped)
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning Mix
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 jar (24-28 oz) spaghetti or marinara sauce
2 can (14.5 oz) Italian-seasoned petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
12 uncooked manicotti noodles
1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:
1.  Finely chop carrots using Food Chopper. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine carrots, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, seasoning mix and garlic pressed with Garlic Press; mix well. Spoon cheese mixture into a large resealable plastic bag; trim ¾ in. off corner with Professional Shears.
2.  Combine spaghetti sauce, tomatoes and water in Stainless (2-qt.) Mixing Bowl; stir. Spread ¼ cup of the sauce over bottom of Deep Covered Baker. Pipe filling into uncooked manicotti noodles. Arrange eight manicotti in bottom of baker. Top with half of the remaining sauce. Layer remaining manicotti in baker. Pour remaining sauce over top.
3.  Microwave, covered, on HIGH 27-30 minutes or until noodles are tender. Remove from microwave; let stand 10 minutes. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Yield: 6 servings

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Spaghetti alla Carbonara Recipe

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes

This recipe uses raw eggs, which are essentially cooked by tossing with hot pasta. They are not cooked to the point of scrambled though, just enough to thicken the eggs into a sauce. The garlic is optional. It is not traditionally included in spaghetti alla carbonara, but I like the addition of it, so it’s in my version.

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1/2 pound pancetta or thick cut bacon, diced
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 teaspoon (optional)
  • 3-4 whole eggs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
  • 1 pound spaghetti pasta (or bucatini or fettuccine)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

1 Put a large pot of salted water on to boil (1 Tbsp salt for every 2 quarts of water.)

2 While the water is coming to a boil, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bacon or pancetta and cook slowly until crispy. Add the garlic (if using) and cook another minute, then turn off the heat and put the pancetta and garlic into a large bowl.

3 In a small bowl, beat the eggs and mix in about half of the cheese.

4 Once the water has reached a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook, uncovered, at a rolling boil. When the pasta is al dente (still a little firm, not mushy), use tongs to move it to the bowl with the bacon and garlic. Move the pasta from the pot to the bowl quickly, as you want the pasta to be hot. It’s the heat of the pasta that will heat the eggs sufficiently to create a creamy sauce. Toss everything to combine, then add the beaten eggs with cheese and toss quickly to combine once more. Add salt to taste.

Serve at once with the rest of the parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

If you want, sprinkle with a little fresh chopped parsley.

Yield: Serves 4-6.

 

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Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients

Sauce:

  • 2 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes in juice, drained, juice reserved, tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 medium onions, peeled, halved through root end
  • 1/2 teaspoon (or more) salt

Meatballs:

  • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless French or country-style bread
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 8 ounces ground beef (15% fat)
  • 8 ounces ground pork
  • 1 cup finely ground (not grated) Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Preparation

For sauce:
Combine tomatoes with juice, butter, onions, and salt in large wide pot. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard onions. Using immersion blender, process sauce briefly to break up any large pieces of tomato (texture should be even but not completely smooth). Season sauce with more salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat.

For meatballs:
Combine breadcrumbs and milk in small bowl; stir until breadcrumbs are evenly moistened. Let stand 10 minutes.

Place beef and pork in large bowl and break up into small chunks. Add 1 cup ground Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.

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Smoky Yukon Gold Potato Chowder

Ingredients:
2 large leeks, white and light green parts only
1 tbsp (15 mL) salted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped chopped
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1½ tsp (7 mL) smoked paprika
2 lbs (1 kg) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced (see Cook’s Tip)
4 cups (1 L) unsalted chicken stock
1 can (14.5 oz or 398 mL) no-salt-added Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1½ cups (375 mL) 2% milk
3 oz (90 g) extra sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
½ tsp (2 mL) salt
½ tsp (2 mL) coarsely ground black pepper
6 tbsp (90 mL) reduced-fat sour cream

Snipped fresh chives and additional smoked paprika (optional)

Directions:
1.  Cut leeks in half lengthwise; thinly slice crosswise. Place into Stainless (4-qt./4-L) Mixing Bowl and swish in cold water to remove dirt. Drain leeks using medium Stainless Mesh Colander.
2.  Melt butter in (8-qt./7.6-L) Stockpot over medium heat. Add leeks, onion, pressed garlic and paprika to Stockpot; cook, uncovered, 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are softened, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add stock; cook, covered, 12-15 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender, stirring occasionally. Add beans; cook 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Remove Stockpot from heat; cool 5 minutes.
3.  Carefully ladle one-third of the potato mixture into blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour blended potato mixture into Stainless (6-qt./6-L) Mixing Bowl. Repeat with remaining potato mixture.
4.  Return blended potato mixture to Stockpot; stir in milk. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until simmering. Stir in cheese, salt and black pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish each serving with sour cream, chives and additional paprika, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings

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Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Ingredients

 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup chopped onions
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons water

Prep:  15 m

Cook:  25 m

Ready In:  40 m

  1. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, chopped onion, egg, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until evenly mixed. Shape beef mixture into 4 patties, about 3/4 inch thick.
  2. Fry patties in a large skillet over medium heat until browned on both sides, about 10 minutes. Add beef broth, onion, and mushrooms; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until patties are no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes more. Transfer patties to a platter and keep warm.
  3. Bring onion mixture to a boil. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl; stir into onion mixture. Cook and stir until onion gravy is thickened, about 1 minute. Pour over patties to serve.
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Salmon Patties Recipe

Salmon patties, or salmon cakes, are wonderfully easy to make. The base is just cooked salmon, shredded bread, bread crumbs or even saltines, chopped onion, and egg to bind it all into patties, which are then quickly fried. In this recipe my father dresses up the patties with garlic, dill, bell pepper, and paprika. You could also use parsley, Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, Worcestershire sauce, or cilantro.

Ingredients

  • 1 (14.75 ounce) can salmon, undrained and flaked
  • 1 slice of bread, shredded
  • 3 Tbsp chopped green onion, including the green parts
  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh chopped dill weed, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 3 Tbsp minced green bell pepper
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Several turns of freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp vegetable oil

Method

1 In a large bowl, gently mix together the salmon, bread, green onion, garlic, dill, bell pepper, flour, egg, paprika, salt and pepper. Form into 8 patties; each about 1/2 inch thick.

2 Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Cook the patties until nicely browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

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Sausage Balls

  • 1 pound hot country-style ground sausage
  • 3 ½ c. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 c. Bisquick or other baking mix

 

Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands so there are no dry crumbs. Form into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Refrigerate overnight or freeze.

Remove from refrigerator or freezer and place on a baking sheet. Bake until the balls are golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Yield: About 6 dozen.

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Seasoned Chicken & Rice

Ingredients

  • 1  package RICE-A-RONI® Chicken
  • 1  pound uncooked, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2  tablespoons margarine
  • 2  cups water
  • 1  cup small broccoli florets (optional)
  • 1/2  cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Preparation Steps

  1. In large skillet, sauté rice-vermicelli mix with 2 Tbsp. margarine over medium heat until vermicelli is golden brown, stirring frequently.
  2. Slowly stir in 2 cups water, Special Seasonings and 1 lb. uncooked, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; bring to a boil.
  3. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 15-20 min. or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

Cook Tips and Variations

Add 1 cup small broccoli florets during last 5 min. of simmering. Top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese before stand time.

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Simple Cinnamon Chicken

Ingredients

  • Chicken
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp Italian –Style Seasoning
  • 1 ½ Tsp Garlic powder
  • 2 Tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.      Grease baking pan of appropriate size.  Place chicken in dish and sprinkle with seasonings – be careful with the cinnamon!  Bake for ~30 minutes until 175F and juices run clear.

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Skirt Steak With Mushroom-Cream Pan Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 pounds skirt steaks, cut into 4 even portions
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil, divided
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, washed and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup minced shallots (about 2 to 4 shallots)
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

Season steak all over with salt and pepper. In 2 large stainless steel or cast iron skillets, heat 2 tablespoons oil in each over high heat until lightly smoking. Divide steaks between skillets and sear, turning frequently, until well browned on both sides and an instant-read thermometer registers 120 to 125°F for medium-rare, about 7 minutes. Transfer steaks to a plate and keep warm.

Divide remaining 2 tablespoons oil between the skillets and heat until shimmering. Add half the mushrooms to each skillet and cook, stirring frequently and scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan, until mushrooms have released their liquid and it has cooked off, about 6 minutes. Add half the shallots, garlic, and thyme to each skillet and continue cooking, stirring, until mushrooms are browned and shallots are softened and lightly golden, about 7 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.

Add half the wine to each skillet and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up any browned bits. Scrape the contents of 1 skillet into the other and continue cooking until wine has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Add stock and reduce by half, about 4 minutes. Add cream, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until lightly reduced and the sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper.

Return steaks to skillet, bathe with sauce to rewarm and serve right away.

Notes:  Will cook one, start on sauce, then cook the rest in a fresh skillet just before serving, since using very thin breakfast/minute steaks.  Should only need half of ingredients.  Sauce should take ~25-30 minutes, once everything prepped, etc.

 

The plan:

Cook one sacrificial steak, as test and as a way to get some fond to start making the pan sauce right away.  Probably only need about half of what they are calling for.  Beans should only take a few minutes on the inductive burner, so start them last.  Sautee some mushrooms in another pan, have started about the same time the beans get started, they should only take a few minutes.

Mushrooms:

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in skillet over high heat until shimmering, then add sliced mushrooms.  Allow to cook on one side for 1-2 minutes, then flip and cook an additional minute.  Add salt, pepper, shallot and/or garlic to taste.  Serve “immediately”, ie, hot.

Should take ~5 minutes, after mushrooms sliced and oil hot.

Green Beans:

Put steamer basket in saucepan with tight lid, leaving ~1” for water.  Add ~1” water, bring to boil.  Add beans, cover, and let cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on how crisp you want them.  Remove from pan, add butter, salt, and black pepper.  (Be sure to regulate heat.)

Should take about 7 minutes, after beans prepared and water boiling.

Steaks:

Take out ~10 minutes before cooking, probably just before getting the bean in.  Smack with tenderizer a couple of time on each side, then salt and pepper on each side.  Just before everyone ready to eat, put in hot skillet with just a bit of olive oil.  Cook for about 20-30 seconds on each side.  Remove, cover with foil, and get ready to feed!  (And hope everything else is done.)