Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sweet And Spicy Pork Chili

Ingredients


1 teaspoon(s) vegetable oil
2 pound(s) boneless pork chops or tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 shallots, coarsely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 clove(s) garlic, minced
2 teaspoon(s) crushed red-pepper flakes
2 tablespoon(s) chili powder
1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce) low-sodium beef broth
1 can(s) (14-ounce) low-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon(s) grated fresh ginger
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut on the diagonal (about 1 cup)
3 tablespoon(s) frozen orange-juice concentrate
1 tablespoon(s) low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup(s) light brown sugar
6 cup(s) hot cooked rice
Chopped scallions (optional)

Directions

In a large Dutch oven, add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot but not smoking, add pork; cook until lightly browned -- 6 to 8 minutes. Remove pork, set aside, and reduce heat to medium.

Add shallots and sauté until translucent -- about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add red-pepper flakes, chili powder, beef broth, coconut milk, and ginger. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Add carrots and simmer for 10 more minutes.
Add orange-juice concentrate, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve warm over cooked rice and sprinkle with chopped scallions, if desired.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Chipotle Vegetable Chili

Ingredients


Vegetable-oil cooking spray
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 small eggplant, cubed
1 medium onion, peeled and cut into eighths
2 medium zucchini, cubed
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
2 clove(s) garlic, minced
1 pound(s) button mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon(s) chili powder dried chipotle pepper, stemmed and diced
1 can(s) (19-ounce) white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce ) low-sodium vegetable broth
1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce ) low-sodium diced tomatoes
2 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Roast the vegetables: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine bell pepper, eggplant, onion, zucchini, and salt with olive oil. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast the vegetables, turning occasionally, until just softened -- 25 to 30 minutes.

Make the chili: In a large Dutch oven, add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot but not smoking, add garlic and mushrooms. Sauté until mushrooms soften -- about 5 minutes. Add bay leaf, chili powder, chipotle pepper, beans, broth, tomatoes, and roasted vegetables. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
To serve: Stir in parsley and serve hot.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Roasted Pepper Tomato Bisque

Cheap Thrills

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Roasted Garlic Soup

Ingredients


2 large garlic heads, whole, unpeeled
1 clove(s) garlic, minced
3 tablespoon(s) olive oil
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
2 cup(s) onion, minced
1 cup(s) carrots, minced
1 large (1 1/4 cups) potato, peeled and cubed
4 cup(s) chicken stock
1/2 cup(s) dry white wine
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground pepper
1/4 cup(s) heavy cream

Directions

Roast the garlic: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a serrated knife, cut the top off each garlic head so that the tip of each clove is exposed. Place the garlic heads on a large piece of aluminum foil and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the bay leaves and fold the foil to form a packet. Place the packet in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Cool slightly. In a small bowl, squeeze the garlic head until all of the roasted flesh is released. Discard outer husks and bay leaves.

Make the soup: In a large heavy-duty saucepan, heat the remaining olive oil and butter, add onions, and cook over medium heat until translucent--about 4 minutes. Add the carrots and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the potato, chicken stock, white wine, roasted garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook for 35 minutes.
Finish the soup: Using a blender, purée the soup in small batches until smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the heavy cream. Heat until warmed. Do not boil. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients


1 (3 1/2-pound) whole chicken
3 quart(s) low-sodium chicken broth
6 carrots, peeled
4 stalk(s) celery, ends trimmed
3 medium onions, peeled
5 black peppercorns
1 clove(s) garlic, crushed
10 sprig(s) parsley
2 sprig(s) thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
4 leeks, tops and root ends removed
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground pepper
3 cup(s) (5 ounces) medium egg noodles

Directions

Make the stock: Place the chicken and chicken broth in a large stockpot and set it over medium heat. Roughly chop 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs, and 1 onion and add to the broth. Add the peppercorns, garlic, 2 sprigs of parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and enough water to just cover the chicken. Bring the broth to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the chicken is very tender -- about 1 1/4 hours -- skimming the surface periodically. Remove the chicken and place in a large bowl. Strain the broth through a very fine sieve into a large, clean bowl or stockpot. Discard the vegetables.

Make the soup: Skim any fat off the top of the strained broth and discard. Slice the remaining carrots, celery, onions, and leeks into 1/4-inch-thick pieces and set aside. Remove and discard the skin and bones from the chicken, cut meat into 1/2-inch pieces, and set aside. Chop the remaining parsley leaves and set aside. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the vegetables and cook until the onions are translucent -- about 7 minutes. Add the chicken, the reserved broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer the soup until the vegetables are tender -- about 1 hour. Stir in the egg noodles and parsley and cook until the noodles are tender -- about 10 more minutes. Serve hot.