Cream of Mushroom Soup

• 1 tsp beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 C boiling water
• 3 C sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 C chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 C milk
• 6 oz cream cheese, cubed

1. In a small bowl, dissolve bouillon in water; set aside. In a small saucepan, saute mushrooms and onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour.
2. Gradually add milk and reserved broth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in cream cheese until melted and soup is heated through.

Robyn's notes: I used beef broth instead of the bouillon granules, it turned out fine. He liked this, it has strong flavor.

Vegetable Turkey Soup

Note: Check the Yield before making!

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1/3 C chopped onion
• 1/3 C chopped green pepper
• 29 oz beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 C cubed potatoes
• 3/4 C green beans
• 1/2 C chopped carrot
• 1/2 C water
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. Cook turkey, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
2. Serve immediately or transfer to freezer containers. May be frozen for up to 3 months. To use frozen soup: thaw in fridge overnight. Transfer to a saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until heated through.

Yield: 6 servings

Robyn's notes: easy, takes about an hour total. He liked it.  We didn't ever get around to eating the rest of the leftovers, though.  I found them in the freezer much later, forgotten.  Basically the last time we tried making a large soup and storing most for future consumption.

Pizza Ravioli

Note: this is vegetarian only because I used meatless pepperoni.  If you don't have access to that, it won't be.

• 16 frozen cheese ravioli, cooked and drained
• 2 tsp butter
• 1/4 C finely chopped sweet yellow pepper
• 1/4 C finely chopped green pepper
• 1/4 C finely chopped sweet onion
• 1/2 C pizza sauce
• 12 slices pepperoni, cut into quarters
• 1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Divide ravioli between two microwave safe bowls; dot with butter. Top with peppers, onion, pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese.
2. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Robyn's notes: this wasn't terribly exciting. Easy, though. I used meatless pepperoni.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Tarragon Crusted Chicken with Garden Salad

• 1/4 C dry bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh tarragon
• 1 tsp grated lemon peel
• 1/4 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, combine lemon juice and oil. Dip the chicken in lemon juice mixture, then crumb mixture.
2. In a small skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

Fresh Garden Salad

• 1/2 small zucchini, sliced
• 1/2 small summer squash, sliced
• 1/2 sweet red pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 thin slice sweet onion, quartered
• 1/4 cup poppy seed salad dressing

1. In a small bowl, combine the zucchini, yellow squash, red pepper and onion. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

Robyn's notes: salad was fine, but the chicken just wasn't good. Very little flavor and I had to burn them to get them to cook through, even though I used thin sliced chicken breasts. He was not impressed.

* 1 Star: Not Too Good. Neither of us liked this enough for me to bother making it again without complete overhaul

Creamy Gorgonzola Polenta with Summer Squash Saute

• 14 oz vegetable broth, divided
• 3/4 C water
• 6 Tbsp cornmeal
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 1/3 C crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 small summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 C chopped fresh basil

1. Bring 1 C broth and 3/4 C water to a boil in small saucepan. Slowly whisk in cornmeal and pepper until smooth. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until very thick and no longer grainy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in Gorgonzola; remove the pot from heat.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add zucchini and squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and garlic; stir to coat. Stir in the remaining broth and bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the vegetables are tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in basil; serve the saute over the polenta.

Robyn's notes: he loved this, and it was much easier than it appears.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Spinach and Mushroom Couscous with Feta

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 5oz crimini mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 2 C baby spinach
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/3 C whole wheat couscous
• 2 C chicken broth
• 1/4 C pine nuts, toasted
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

1. Heat oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add mushrooms and cook 1 minute.
3. Add remaining ingredients, except pine nuts and cheese, and bring to a boil; cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.
4. Toast the pine nuts lightly.
5. After 5 minutes, fluff with a fork and sprinkle with pine nuts and cheese.

Robyn's notes: Very quick and easy, he liked it a lot. 

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Rosemary Turkey and Vegetables

• 1 pkg uncooked Parmesan couscous
• 1/4 C chicken broth
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 lb fresh turkey breast slices, cut into 1/4 inch thick strips
• 1/2 tsp salt
• dash pepper
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 medium zucchini, julienne cut
• 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 3/4 tsp dried rosemary leaves

1. Cook couscous as directed on package, cover to keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine broth and cornstarch; blend well. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add turkey, salt and pepper; cook and stir 5 to 7 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink in center.
4. Add bell pepper and zucchini; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender.
5. Stir broth mixture until smooth. Add broth mixture, tomatoes, and rosemary to skillet; cook and stir until sauce is bubbly and thickened. Serve with couscous.

Robyn's notes: good but I didn't think it was worth all the steps in preparing.

Spicy Chinese Chicken Tacos

• 6 taco shells
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized strips
• 1 tsp grated gingerroot
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 large green onion, sliced
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 C shredded lettuce

1. Spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, gingerroot and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Reduce heat to low. Add soy sauce, honey, onion, and crushed red pepper flakes; stir to coat. Cover; cook 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center, stirring occasionally.
3. Place about 1/4 C chicken mixture in each taco shell. Top each with lettuce. 

Robyn's notes: I substituted cabbage for lettuce and flour tortillas for taco shells. He liked it, ate it all very quickly.

Ravioli with Salsa-Black Bean Sauce

• 1 (9oz) pkg refrigerated cheese-filled ravioli
• 1 (14.5oz) can salsa-style tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1. In large saucepan, cook ravioli to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain in colander; cover to keep warm.
2. In same saucepan, combine tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cumin; mix well. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.
3. Add cooked ravioli; stir gently to mix. Spoon onto serving platter or into serving bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Robyn's notes: easy and quick

Turkey Burgers with Avocado Mayonnaise

• 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 Tbsp dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut up
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 2 whole grain burger buns, split
• 2 slices tomato

1. In medium bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, chili powder and garlic salt; mix well. Shape mixture into two 4-inch patties.
2. Place patties in medium skillet and cook until no longer pink in the center, turning once.
3. Meanwhile, in blender container, combine mayonnaise, avocado, lemon juice and garlic powder. Cover; blend until smooth.
4. Spread bottom halves of buns with mayonnaise mixture. Top with turkey patties and tomato slices. Cover with top halves of buns.

Robyn's notes: the recipe instructed for these to be grilled, but the grill isn't ready yet, and I didn't want to broil them for fear of making them too dry (if broiling is preferred, these are the instructions: To broil turkey patties, place on broiler pan; broil 4 to 6 inches from heat using times above as a guide, turning once.). I used safflower mayonnaise and the heels from a loaf of whole wheat bread (why buy a whole package of buns?).

Chewy Granola Bar

• 1 C maple syrup or honey
• 2/3 C chunky natural peanut butter
• 2 2/3 C rolled oats
• 1 C whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 C wheat germ
• 2 C mix-ins in any combination of the following: sweetened flaked coconut, raisins, chocolate or carob chips, unsalted nuts, any finely chopped dried fruit such as dates, apricots, apples, etc.

Example:

• 1/2 C raisins or dried apple
• 1/4 C wheat bran
• 1/2 C walnuts (for omega-3's)
• 4 scoops soy protein powder (between 1/4 and 1/2 C)

(These would add up to the 2 C total)

1. Mix syrup (or honey) and peanut butter until well blended. Stir in oats, flour, wheat germ, spices, and mix-ins. If mixture seems too dry, add water 1 tsp at a time. If it is too sticky, add oats 1 tsp at a time. Mixture should be slightly sticky, but still easily spread in a pan with greased fingers.
2. Press into a 9x13 inch pan lightly greased. Bake at 350°F until barely browned (approx 12 minutes). Do not overbake! Cut while warm into desired sized bars.
3. When completely cool, remove from pan with a greased spatula. Wrap each bar separately in plastic wrap then store in a zip bag or air tight container.

Makes about 2 dozen bars.

1 serving contains: Carbs: 37 grams; Protein: 12 grams; Fat: 7 grams; Fiber: 5 grams

Pecan Chicken w/ Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce

Chicken

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/3 C purchased honey mustard salad dressing
• 1/2 C finely chopped pecans
• 2 Tbsp butter

Sauce

• 2 Tbsp purchased honey mustard salad dressing
• 1/3 C sour cream
• 1 tsp sliced green onions

1. Pound each chicken breast half to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.
2. Place flour, 1/3 C dressing, and pecans in 3 separate small flat dishes. Coat each chicken breast half with flour. Dip in dressing to coat well. Dip in pecans, coating both sides.
3. Melt butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add chicken; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear, turning once. Remove chicken from skillet; place on serving platter. Cover to keep warm.
4. To drippings in skillet, add 2 Tbsp dressing and sour cream; cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle with onions.

Robyn's notes: I felt that there wasn't enough dressing or pecans for both chicken breast halves, and since I can't eat pecans, I made a different breaded chicken dish for myself and only gave this to him. He said it was one of the best chicken dishes he had ever had.

**** 4 Stars: Very Good. Enjoyed by us both, I will make this frequently

Turkey Chow Mein

• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 7oz beef broth
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 3/4 C sliced celery
• 1 (8oz) can bean sprouts, drained
• 1 (4oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 (4oz) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 Tbsp water
• 2 C chow mein noodles

1. Brown turkey in large skillet over medium heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
2. Add broth, soy sauce, ginger, celery, bean sprouts, water chestnuts and mushrooms; mix well. Cover; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine cornstarch and water; blend until smooth.
4. Stir cornstarch mixture into turkey mixture. Cook until mixture boils and thickens. Serve over chow mein noodles. If desired, serve with additional soy sauce.


Robyn's notes: had to be careful not to make the turkey dry. But was an easy recipe.

Chicken 'n' Pepper Subs

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into strips
• 1/8 tsp salt
• dash pepper
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 C sliced sweet red pepper
• 1/2 C sliced green pepper
• 1/2 C sliced onion
• 3/4 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
• 2 slices provolone cheese (1oz each)
• 2 submarine or hoagie buns, split

1. In a large skillet, saute the chicken, salt and pepper in oil until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm. In the same pan, saute the peppers, onion, vinegar and garlic until the vegetables are tender. Stir in hot sauce and chicken.
2. Place cheese on bun bottoms; top with chicken mixture. Broil 4-6 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Replace bun tops.


Robyn's notes: This was so easy and the chicken had a lot of flavour.

Macaroni Salad

• 1/2 C uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/2 C quartered cherry tomatoes
• 3 Tbsp chopped celery
• 3 Tbsp chopped carrot
• 3 Tbsp chopped peeled cucumber
• 2 Tbsp chopped radishes
• 1/4 C fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a small bowl, combine the macaroni and vegetables.
2. In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir before serving.

Robyn's notes: Fast, easy. I used safflower mayonnaise.

Crunchy Turkey Salad

• 1 C cubed cooked turkey breast
• 1/4 C seedless red grapes, halved
• 3 Tbsp chopped celery
• 4 tsp chopped pecans
• 4 tsp chopped water chestnuts

Dressing

• 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tsp dried minced onion
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• dash curry powder

1. In a small bowl, combine the turkey, grapes, celery, pecans and water chestnuts. In another small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Pour over turkey mixture; toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Robyn's notes: easy, quick. I almost always use safflower mayonnaise instead of regular mayo and did this time as well.

Italian Lentil and Barley Soup

Robyn's notes: crockpot recipe, plan ahead

• 1/2 C lentils
• 1/4 C pearl barley
• 1/2 C carrots, chopped
• 1/2 C celery, chopped
• 1/2 C onions, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 3/4 C vegetable broth
• 1 1/4 C water
• 7oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
• 1/2 C fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 Tbsp cider vinegar

1. Sort through lentils to remove debris and shriveled beans, then rinse.
2. Add lentils to crock pot, along with barley, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, dried herbs and bay leaf.
3. Pour in broth, water, and tomatoes.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 12 to 14 hours, or on high heat for 5 to 6 hours.
5. Discard bay leaf and just before serving stir in parsley and vinegar.

Robyn's notes: This is the halved recipe. The original states the yield as 12 servings, but this halved version does not serve 6. There is no way that it would serve more than 3, max. I added chopped zucchini. I had training out of town all day, so this was for him only.

Sour Cream Meatballs

• 1/4 C dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 C grated peeled potato
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp beaten egg
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp pepper, divided
• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 3/4 C water
• 2/3 C condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1/2 C sour cream
• 1/3 C canned mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 4 1/2 tsp onion soup mix
• hot cooked egg noodles

1. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, potato, onion, egg, garlic powder and 1/8 tsp pepper. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well.
2. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place in a shallow 1qt baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine the water, soup, sour cream, mushrooms, soup mix, and remaining pepper, pour over meatballs.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 30-40 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Serve with noodles.


Robyn's notes: I didn't peel the potato before grating it. This was easy, although not quick, about an hour total time. Had a surprising amount of flavour.

White Bean Hummus Pitas

Note: Check yield before starting!
Hummus

• 1 small garlic clove, chopped
• 1 (15.5oz) can great northern beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1/4 C loosely packed fresh parsley

Sandwiches

• 1 1/2 C loosely packed spinach leaves
• 1/2 medium zucchini, very thinly sliced
• 4 very thin slices red onion, halved
• 8 thin slices tomato, halved
• 4 (6-inch) whole wheat pita pocket breads, halved

1. Chop garlic in food processor bowl with metal blade. Add all remaining hummus ingredients except parsley; process 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Add parsley; pulse to chop.
2. To assemble sandwiches, place spinach leaves, zucchini, onion and tomato slices in each pita bread half. Spoon about 2 Tbsp hummus into each.

Yield: 8 sandwiches; 4 servings

Robyn's notes: this was really quite good and very easy to make. I just had white bread pitas with the hummus, while he had the whole wheat pitas with everything. If variation is desired, the hummus can be made with either sun-dried tomato or marinated artichoke heart. Add either ingredient when adding the parsley.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Alfredo Chicken Ravioli

• 1 1/2 C frozen cheese ravioli
• 1 boneless skinless chicken breast half, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 bacon strips, chopped
• 3 tsp minced garlic
• 1/8 tsp adobo seasoning
• 1/3 C chopped onion
• 1/3 C chopped sweet red pepper
• 1 can (10.75oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/2 C milk
• 1/3 C sour cream
• 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 C frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained

1. Cook the ravioli according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook and stir the chicken, bacon, garlic and adobo seasoning over medium heat until chicken is no longer pink. Add onion and red pepper; cook and stir until tender.
2. In a small bowl, combine the soup, milk, sour cream and Parmesan cheese; stir into chicken mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes.
3. Drain ravioli; add to chicken mixture. Stir in broccoli; heat through.

Robyn's notes: I used cheese and spinach ravioli, vanilla soymilk and turkey bacon. It was quick to make and he enjoyed it.

Meatball Stew

• 2 portions Versatile Turkey Mix, thawed
• 4 Tbsp flour
• 4 tsp canola oil
• 1 medium potato, peeled and quartered
• 1 medium carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 C beef gravy
• 2/3 C water
• 2/3 C sliced celery
• 1/2 C chopped onion
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/8 tsp dried thyme

1. Shape turkey mix into three meatballs; coat with flour. In a large skillet, brown meatballs in oil on all sides. Remove and keep warm.
2. Add remaining ingredients to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Stir in meatballs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink.


Robyn's notes: I added green beans and peas. This was ok, but not exciting, needs a little something. I never peel potato for him, he likes the skin, so I just scrubbed them hard.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Versatile Turkey Mix

Note: check yield, this is a mix intended to be used as a base for multiple recipes

• 1 egg
• 1/2 C dry bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 pound ground turkey

In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Divide into four portions; place in freezer containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Yield: 4 portions

Robyn's notes: I have four recipes that use this mix. I used vanilla soy milk and Italian-style bread crumbs.

Tossed Salad with Dressing Options

Salad

• spinach
• red cabbage, shredded
• carrot, shredded
• hard-boiled egg, diced
• red onion, sliced
• mushrooms, sliced
• bell pepper, sliced
• tomatoes, sliced
• yellow squash, sliced

1. Combine all ingredients, toss. Serve with chosen dressing:

Chili Lime Vinaigrette

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 2 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp chili powder
• 1 garlic clove, minced

1. In a small, nonmetal bowl, combine all ingredients. Blend well, refrigerate.

Lemon-Pepper Parmesan Vinaigrette

• 4 tsp olive oil
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1/8 tsp garlic salt
• dash coarsely ground pepper

1. Combine all ingredients. Blend well, refrigerate.

Cumin Red Pepper Vinaigrette

• 2 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• salt to taste
• ground red pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp olive oil

1. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt and ground red pepper until smooth. Gradually whisk in the oil.

Pine Nut Dressing

• 3 Tbsp pine nuts
• 3 Tbsp water
• 4 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 C packed fresh parsley sprigs
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 C olive oil

1. Place pine nuts in blender; cover and process until finely ground. Add the water, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, basil and salt; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream.

Robyn's notes: I made all four dressings, put each in a labeled jar, and let him choose. He went for the Pine Nut Dressing. I wanted to have edamame in the salad, but couldn't find any at the 5 different grocery stores I tried (including the local organic market and health foods market). Frustrating.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

• 2oz reduced-fat goat cheese
• 8 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
• 1C spinach leaves
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

1. Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Combine goat cheese, tomatoes, and spinach leaves. Spread mixture over chicken, roll up and secure with toothpicks.
2. Place on backing sheet and brush with olive oil. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until juices run clear.

Robyn's notes: I served with whole-wheat couscous. If goat cheese is not available, use feta cheese. The recipe called for frozen spinach, which we rarely use, fresh spinach was fine. I never secure my rolled up chicken dishes with toothpicks, I just roll them carefully so they'll stay on their own. Surprisingly healthy, if served with strawberries and whipped cream for dessert (which we didn't), this entire meal has 766 calories, 30g fat, 9g saturated fat, 62g Protein, 66g carbohydrate, 15g fiber, 412mg sodium. Very easy and he and I both really liked it.

Zucchini Chickpea Tagine Over Couscous

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 can chickpeas (15oz), rinsed and drained
• 1 pinch each of ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and/or cumin
• 10 oz vegetable broth
• hot sauce to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Stir in chickpeas and spices. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add broth and hot sauce. Cook for 5 minutes to mellow flavor and thicken sauce slightly.

Serve with whole-wheat couscous (GF see note below); sliced tomatoes garnished with fresh mint leaves

Robyn's notes: if harissa is available (spicy yet mellow pepper paste made from chiles, garlic, olive oil, cumin and other spices), use it in place of the hot sauce. This was really easy and he liked it a lot.  GF if served over rice instead of couscous.

Tossed Salad with Pine Nut Dressing

• 2 C baby spinach
• 1/4 C seasoned salad croutons
• 1/4 C shredded red cabbage
• 3 Tbsp shredded carrot
• 3 Tbsp shredded zucchini
• dash pepper

Dressing:

• 3 Tbsp pine nuts
• 3 Tbsp water
• 4 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 C packed fresh parsley
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved*
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 C olive oil

1. In a small salad bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Place the pine nuts in a blender; cover and process until finely ground. Add the water, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, basil and salt; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream.
2. Transfer dressing to a small pitcher or bowl. Serve with salad. Refrigerate remaining dressing for up to 3 days.


Robyn's notes: He really liked this. Raved over it. It was very quick to make.  Gets 3 stars instead of 4 because I can't eat salad.
*garlic: I used the chopped garlic in a jar, because I was in a hurry. Worked fine.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Cacciatore Chicken Breasts

• 1/2 medium onion, sliced and separated into rings
• 1/2 medium green pepper, sliced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 3/4 C canned stewed tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. In a large skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil until crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. Cook chicken over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.
2. Add the tomatoes, broth, garlic salt, rosemary and pepper to the skillet; cook and stir until heated through. Add onion mixture. Serve over chicken.


Robyn's notes: I served this over rice, and it was really quite pretty and filling. He and I both liked it. It went quickly (about 30 minutes) but once started there was no walking away from it.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Dilled Potato-Leek Soup

• 1 C sliced leeks (white portion only)
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp butter
• 2 C chicken broth
• 1 1/2 C cubed peeled Yukon Gold potatoes
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/2 C buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tsp snipped fresh dill or 1/2 tsp dill weed

1. In a large saucepan, saute leeks and celery in butter until tender. Stir in the broth, potatoes, carrot, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Cool slightly.
2. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Return to the pan. Whisk a small amount of soup into buttermilk; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Add dill; heat through (do not boil).

Yield: 3 3/4 C

Robyn's notes: This was very easy and quick to make. He really liked it. I had potato soup for myself. Substituted vanilla soymilk for the buttermilk.

Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

• 1/4 C diced carrot
• 2 Tbsp diced celery
• 2 Tbsp chopped onion
• 1 tsp butter
• 2-1/2 C chicken broth
• 2/3 C diced cooked chicken
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp dried marjoram
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• dash pepper
• 1/2 C uncooked medium egg noodles
• 1 tsp minced fresh parsley

1. In a large saucepan, saute the carrot, celery and onion in butter until tender. Stir in the broth, chicken and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Add noodles; cook for 10 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with parsley.


Robyn's notes: I used rigatoni because it's what I had in the house, and it absorbed more of the broth than I expected, but it was still good. Research shows that chicken noodle soup actually is good for colds and the flu, and since he's had a really bad flu since Xmas, I was hoping to boost his immune system a bit.

Indian Spiced Whole Wheat Couscous with Chickpeas

• 1/2 C whole wheat couscous
• 1-1/2 C vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp dried onions
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• dash salt
• dash pepper
• 1 (7oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1. Bring vegetable broth, olive oil and spices to a boil.
2. Add couscous and chickpeas, cover and remove from heat.
3. Let stand for 7-8 minutes.

Robyn's notes: easy, fast, and he liked it a lot. Lots of flavor. If garam masala is available, use it in place of the allspice.

Chili Macaroni

• 1/3 C uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/3 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 C chopped onion
• 1 C canned diced tomatoes
• 3/4 C tomato juice
• 3/4 C canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 3/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 2 Tbsp sweet pickle relish

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain.
2. Add the tomatoes, tomato juice, beans, garlic, chili powder, salt, oregano, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
3. Drain macaroni; add to beef mixture. Stir in pickle relish; heat through.


Robyn's notes: I used whole wheat penne pasta instead of elbow mac. He liked this, and it was easy to make.

Roasted Eggplant Parmesan

• 1 medium eggplant
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 C marinara sauce
• 2 oz mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Trim both ends from eggplant and slice crosswise into 8 circles of equal thickness. Brush a baking sheet with half the oil, arrange the slices on it in a single later and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the slices are browned on top and tender in the center.
2. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F. Brush an 8"x8" baking pan with the remaining oil and arrange 4 eggplant slices in a single layer in the bottom of the pan. Spoon half the marinara sauce evenly over the eggplant and top with half the mozzarella. Add a second layer of eggplant slices directly over the first to form sandwiches. Top with the remaining sauce and cheese.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and bubbling.


Robyn's notes: easy, but it was hard to tell if the eggplant was roasted properly. He liked it. Low fat. GF - I'm finding conflicting information about the availability of gluten-free marinara sauces, so I'm marking this as gluten-free but that's the ingredient to check.

Turkey Couscous Salad

• 2/3 C water
• 1/2 C uncooked couscous
• 2-1/2 oz sliced deli turkey, cut into 1/2 inch strips
• 1/2 C grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 C pitted ripe olives, halved
• 1/3 C fat-free plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
• 2-1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1 oz reduced-fat cheddar cheese, cut into cubes

1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil; stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Fluff with a fork; cool.
2. Add the turkey, tomatoes and olives. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, parsley and vinegar. Pour over couscous mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.


Robyn's notes: I served his on a bed of spinach. He really liked it.

Southwest Turkey Casserole

• 2/3 C condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/4 C sour cream
• 1/4 C chopped onion
• 1/4 C canned chopped green chilies
• 3 corn tortillas (6 inches) cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 C cubed cooked turkey
• 1/4 C shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a small saucepan, combine the first six ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
2. Pour half of the turkey mixture into a 3-cup baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with remaining turkey mixture and cheese.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.


Robyn's notes: I used flour tortillas, because I can't have the corn. This was not exciting, mostly just tasted like the chilies.
* 1 Star: Not Too Good. Neither of us liked this enough for me to bother making it again without complete overhaul

Lentil and Barley Vegetable Stew

• 1/2 C uncooked lentils, sorted, rinsed
• 1 small sweet potato, peeled, cubed
• 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 rib celery, thinly sliced
• 1/4 C uncooked quick-cooking barley
• 1 (14.5oz) can vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
• dash pepper
• 1/2 C frozen peas

1. In large saucepan, combine all ingredients except peas; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 18 to 22 minutes or until lentils, barley and vegetables are tender.
2. Add peas; cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until peas are tender.


Robyn's notes: I couldn't find quick-cooking barley, so I used regular barley and just started cooking it 45 minutes before I started the rest of the meal. As always, I used refrigerated, not canned, broth.

Roasted Potatoes and Artichokes

• 8 small red potatoes, quartered
• 1/2 C halved water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 3/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/8 tsp salt
• dash coarsely ground pepper

1. Place potatoes and artichokes in a shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper; stir to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 425°F for 35-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring every 15 minutes.

Robyn's notes: this was ok, but the potatoes were a little too crunchy for my taste. I probably needed to bake them longer.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Oregano Chicken

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 3/4 tsp crushed garlic
• 3/4 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp olive oil

1. Rub chicken with garlic; sprinkle with lemon-pepper and oregano. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in the oil for 5 minutes.
2. Transfer to a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400°F for 30-35 minutes or until juices run clear.

Robyn's notes: good, easy, not exciting. Served with Roasted Potatoes and Artichokes.

Quinoa

Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard. It has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and its mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it an alternative to white rice or couscous.

The protein content of quinoa is very high, and it is a complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. This means it takes less quinoa protein to meet one's needs than wheat protein. Quinoa is especially well-endowed with the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair. It is a good source of dietary fiber, riboflavin, and phosphorus, is gluten free and considered easy to digest. Because quinoa is a very good source of manganese as well as a good source of magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorous, it may be especially valuable for persons with migraine headaches, diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Quinoa Corn and Bean Salad

Quinoa and Corn

• 1/2 C uncooked quinoa
• 1 C water
• 1/2 C frozen corn

Dressing

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp grated lime peel
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 garlic clove, minced

Salad

• 1 (7oz) can black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1/2 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 lettuce leaves

1. In fine strainer, rinse quinoa with cold water, rubbing grains together with fingers; drain well. In saucepan, combine quinoa and 1 C water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until tender, adding corn during last 2 minutes of cooking time. Place in strainer; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well. Place in large serving bowl.
2. Meanwhile, in small nonmetal bowl, combine all dressing ingredients; blend well. Refrigerate.
3. Add beans, celery, tomato, cilantro and dressing to quinoa and corn; mix well. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors.
4. To serve, line individual plates or bowls with lettuce. Spoon salad onto lettuce. If desired, garnish with additional cilantro.

Robyn's notes: I left out step 4 entirely, as he doesn't eat lettuce. I also left out the lime peel because it's such a waste to buy a whole lime just for such a small amount of peel, since I always have lime juice on hand. He loved this, said it was one of the best salads he'd ever had. GF - doublecheck your black beans.

**** 4 Stars: Very Good. Enjoyed by us both, I will make this frequently

Meaty Rigatoni Pizza Bake

• 1 C uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta
• 1/2 lb lean ground turkey, ground beef, or bulk Italian sausage
• 1-1/2 C spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (4oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1/2 C shredded Italian cheese blend
• 8 slices pepperoni

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, crumble meat into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and mushrooms. Drain pasta; add to meat mixture.
2. Transfer to a 1-qt baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with cheese and pepperoni. Cover and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Robyn's notes: recipe originally called for bulk Italian sausage instead of ground turkey.  I used turkey the first time, and beef the second time I made it, and with the turkey when stirring in the mushrooms, I also stirred in cubed eggplant. This was really easy and he liked it.  The second time making it (photo above) I dished into two small baking dishes instead of one larger one.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Lentils

Lentils are legumes, seeds of a plant, and they grow in pods that contain either one or two lentil seeds. They generally have a mild, earthy, somewhat nutty flavour. They cook relatively quickly, but before cooking, always rinse them and pick out stones and other debris. Unlike dried beans and peas, there's no need to soak them. Lentils cook more slowly if they're combined with salt or acidic ingredients, so add these last. Bigger or older lentils take longer to cook. Store dried lentils for up to a year in a cool, dry place.

Lentils are the vegetable with the highest level of protein, other than soybeans, and they were apparently selected by Health Magazine as one of the 5 healthiest foods. They are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, and the high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal. They are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Studies show that eating high fiber foods such as lentils, helps prevent heart disease.

The legume also has significant amounts of folate, magnesium, and iron.

GF - Depending on the brand you purchase, the lentils may have been processed on the same equipment as wheat products. Lentils themselves are, of course, gluten-free, but check your packaging.

Lentil Soup for the Soul

• 1/3 C chopped peeled parsnip
• 1/3 C diced peeled potato
• 1/4 C chopped green onions
• 1/4 C chopped leek (white portion only)
• 1/4 C chopped carrot
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 can (14.5oz) vegetable broth
• 1 C canned no-salt-added whole tomatoes, cut up
• 1/3 C dried lentils, rinsed
• 1/4 C dry red wine or additional vegetable broth
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/3 C minced fresh cilantro

1. In a large saucepan, saute the parsnip, potato, onions, leek, carrot and celery in oil for 3 minutes. Add the broth, tomatoes, lentils, wine or additional broth, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
2. Just before serving, discard bay leaf; stir in cilantro.

Yield: 4 Cups

Robyn notes: the recipe looks more time-intensive than it is, because the ingredient list is long, but once you chop everything up it goes really quickly. He prefers that I not peel any vegetables, so I just wash them really well and chop them up. I couldn't find actual bay leaves at the grocery the other day, so I sprinkled a small amount of dried chopped bay leaves, since I wasn't sure how strongly it would change the flavour. I rarely use canned broth, I tend to use enough of both vegetable broth and chicken broth that I have the cardboard refrigerated containers on hand, and I just measure out the right amount. In this case, to get 14.5oz, it's a little more than 1 and 3/4 C. I also didn't bother to cut up the whole tomatoes, once the soup had been brought to a boil, I just pressed the spoon hard to the center of each tomato and they broke apart in the pot. I know there's a lot of notes for this one, but it was a simple recipe and went over very well. He really liked it, actually scarfed down two full servings real quick.

Mexican Veggies

• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1/2 C fresh or frozen corn
• 1/2 C salsa

1. Place 1 inch of water in a small saucepan; add zucchini and corn. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until zucchini is almost tender. Drain. Stir in salsa; heat through.


Robyn's notes: fast, easy. I purposely undercooked it for his preference

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

• 2/3 C condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 2/3 C sour cream
• 2 C shredded cooked chicken breast
• 1/2 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• 4 flour tortillas (6 inches)

1. In a small bowl, combine soup and sour cream. Spread half over the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.
2. Place 1/2 C chicken and 1 Tbsp cheese down the center of each tortilla; roll up and place in the baking dish. Top with remaining soup mixture; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 18-22 minutes or until heated through.

Robyn's notes: served with Mexican Veggies. This went very quickly, and we liked it but if I make it again I'll add some type of flavoring to the chicken.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Thai Tofu Sandwiches

• half package extra firm tofu
• 2 heaping Tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
• dash garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce
• 2 Tbsp chopped red bell pepper
• 2 Tbsp sliced green onions
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• whole wheat pita
• spinach leaves
• sliced tomato

1. Drain tofu if necessary; gently press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. In medium bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, and hot pepper sauce; mix well. Add tofu, bell pepper, onions and cilantro; stir with fork until well mixed and tofu is crumbly.
3. Stuff split pita pockets with spinach leaves, sliced tomato, and tofu mixture.

Robyn's notes: I used the remaining half of the package of tofu from last week. This went quickly and was quite easy, as well as being different from the tofu sandwich filling I served last week.

Tofu

Tofu, also known as soybean curd, is a soft, cheese-like food made by curdling fresh hot soymilk with a coagulant. Traditionally, the curdling agent used to make tofu is nigari, a compound found in natural ocean water, or calcium sulfate, a naturally occurring mineral. Curds also can be produced by acidic foods like lemon juice or vinegar. The curds then are generally pressed into a solid block. Tofu is an excellent source of cholesterol-free protein, B-vitamins, and iron, is low in sodium, and is full of phytoestrogens, which may protect against some cancers and heart disease, bring relief from some of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, and protect against osteoporosis. Depending on the coagulant, tofu may be high in calcium and magnesium.

Tofu comes in several consistencies: soft, regular, firm, extra-firm. It is often sold in a small cardboard box found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store or in the Asian ingredients aisle. In all of my grocery stores, we have sections specifically for refrigerated soy products (such as tofurkey and "chik n nuggets"), and that's where tofu is located. The most common package sizes are 10.5oz, 12oz, and 14oz. If purchased already cold (the only way I've bought it), refrigerate until ready to use; otherwise, store in a cool, dark place. If you use only part of a package of tofu, store the rest in the refrigerator, covered with water, for 1 week.

Tofu can be used in smoothies, to add protein and to thicken them. The best tofu to use for smoothies is soft silken tofu, which is slightly more creamy than soft tofu.

Tamale Pie

• 1/3 lb lean ground turkey
• 3 Tbsp chopped onion
• 3/4 C stewed tomatoes, chopped
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp chili powder
• dash salt and pepper
• 2 flour tortillas (6 inches)
• 2/3 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 Tbsp sliced ripe olives

1. In a small skillet, cook turkey and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
2. Place one tortilla in a 3-cup round baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with half of the meat mixture and cheese; repeat layers. Sprinkle with olives. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Robyn's notes: this was not exciting. It was fine, but neither of us was wild about it. Needs more chili powder maybe. I used extra onions because he was in the mood for more of them.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Curried Tofu Salad Sandwiches

• half package (10.5oz) firm or extra firm tofu
• 2 Tbsp chopped celery
• 1 Tbsp sliced green onions
• 2 Tbsp low-fat plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 1 tsp sweet honey mustard
• 1/4 tsp curry powder
• dash turmeric
• whole wheat pita breads
• spinach leaves
• 1 small tomato, sliced

1. Drain tofu if necessary; press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place tofu in medium bowl; break up slightly with fork. Add celery and onions; mix well.
2. In medium bowl, combine yogurt, relish, mustard, curry powder and turmeric; blend well. Stir carefully into tofu mixture. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Fill pita breads with spinach leaves, tomato slices, and tofu mixture.

Robyn's notes: This was quite easy and I was pleasantly surprised at how much he liked it, as this was his first foray into tofu. I had it in the fridge for a couple hours and it got a little watery and turned very yellow, but neither of those things were a problem.

Ingredient Info: Turmeric is used in some recipes as a substitute for expensive saffron. It is commonly used in curries and to provide colour (bright yellow). The turmeric plant, by the way, is thought to have many medicinal properties in Ayurvedic medicine.

Fruity Snack Mix

Notes: check yield, this is intended to be eaten as a snack for multiple days.  Time-intensive recipe

• 1 C peanut butter
• 1/2 C honey
• 1/2 C water
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 3 C rolled oats
• 1 (15.6oz) pkg cranberry quick bread and muffin mix
• 1 (6oz) pkg dried fruit bits
• 1/2 C shelled sunflower seeds

1. Heat oven to 250°F. In medium saucepan, combine peanut butter, honey, water and butter; mix well. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
2. In large bowl, combine oats and quick bread mix; mix well. Pour peanut butter mixture over oat mixture; mix well. Crumble and spread mixture in bottom of ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Mixture will be quite moist and crumbly.
3. Bake at 250°F for 1.5 to 1.75 hours or until deep golden brown and almost dry and crisp, stirring and breaking up pieces every 30 minutes.
4. Add fruit bits and sunflower seeds to oat mixture in oven; mix well. Turn oven off; leave pan in warm oven for 30 minutes.
5. Remove pan from oven. Stir mixture. Cool in pan 20 minutes or until completely cooled. (Mixture becomes crisp as it cools) Store in tightly covered container.

Yield 10 Cups

Robyn's notes: another snack mix for the road, this one mostly for him. Obviously this is a time-intensive recipe.

Microwave Mexi Snack Mix

Note: check yield, this is intended to be a snack eaten over multiple days.

• 3 C bite-size baked cheese crackers (Cheez-its)
• 2 C twisted butter-flavored pretzel sticks
• 1 C salted peanuts
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 2 Tbsp Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix (from 1.25oz pkg)

1. In 2.5 quart microwave-safe bowl, combine crackers, pretzel sticks and peanuts. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix; toss to coat.
2. Microwave on High for 4 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking. Spread on waxed paper; cool 5 minutes before serving.

Yield 5-6 cups

Robyn's notes: easy, quick, some of the Cheez-its actually burned, but not many. We're going out of town for 4 days this weekend, and it's a road trip. Since I'm doing the driving (I like to drive, he generally doesn't), and I know that I'm one of those drivers who likes to snack, I'm bringing this for one of those snacks. I substituted Keebler Club Snack Sticks for pretzels because I can't eat pretzels. 

I made this a second time in July 2012, with some substitutions.  The box of Cheez-Its I had only had 2 Cups in it, so I used all of that, 1 Cup of salted peanuts, 1 Cup of Safeway Rice Pockets cereal (generic for Rice Chex), and since I'm not able to eat pretzels and couldn't find the Keebler Club Snack Sticks I used last time, I used 1 Cup of Keebler Club Minis Original flavour, each one broken in half.  Worked out fine (and is the photo above).  

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Hopping John Risotto

• 2 C water
• 3 C shredded cabbage
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 C chopped onions
• 1/3 C long-grain white rice
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 C cooked black eyed peas

1. In a 2-quart saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Carefully add the cabbage, bring the water back to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Drain, saving the liquid.
2. Place the oil in a microwave safe 8"x8" baking dish. Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Stir in the onions and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir in the rice and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
3. Measure the reserved cabbage water. Stir 1 1/2 C of the water into the dish. Add the thyme, salt, and pepper flakes. Stir in the cabbage. Microwave on high for 8 minutes. Stir the mixture well and microwave on high for another 3 minutes.
4. Add the black-eyed peas and microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the rice is just tender. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.


Robyn's notes: very important=if doubling this recipe, the times are all different (in other words, don't). The recipe lists the option of using bacon drippings instead of olive oil, but I don't just randomly keep bacon drippings in a jar and this was a vegetarian day anyway.

Bachelor's Prize Chicken

• 2 bone-in chicken breast halves
• 1/2 C nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1/8 tsp ground red pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking pan with heavy foil. Remove the skin from the chicken.
2. In a small bowl, blend the yogurt, peanut butter and pepper until smooth. Dip the chicken in the mixture to coat evenly and arrange the pieces, rib side down, in a single layer on the prepared pan.
3. Bake on the top shelf of the oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken is richly browned and the juices are clear when the breast is pierced with a fork. Serve hot or cold.


Robyn's notes: I only had boneless skinless chicken breasts in the house, so I substituted them. Very simple to make, served with rice and green peas. Made this again June 13, 2011. Used boneless, skinless chicken breasts again, and should have pounded them out a little bit.
*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Polish Cabbage & Mushrooms in Yogurt

• 2 tsp butter
• 1/4 C finely chopped onions
• 1 C finely chopped mushrooms
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried dill weed
• 1/4 tsp salt
• pepper to taste
• 4 C shredded cabbage
• 2/3 C water
• 1/2 C low-fat plain yogurt

1. Melt the butter in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Stir in the mushrooms, garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mushrooms begin to release their juices and look oily.
2. Add the cabbage and water, raise the heat to high and bring quickly to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and cook the cabbage, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is just tender. If there is water remaining in the pan, remove the cover, raise the heat to high and cook the cabbage, stirring constantly, until most of the water has evaporated.
3. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the yogurt. Serve hot.


Robyn's notes: served over biscuits. I actually chose this recipe because I had a lot of plain organic yogurt left over from previous recipes, and if we can get through 3 more containers of it before January 31, 2008, I can get him a free subscription to Organic Gardening Magazine.

Enchilada Stuffed Shells

• 8 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
• 1/2 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 can (5oz) enchilada sauce
• 1/4 tsp dried minced onion
• 1/8 tsp dried basil
• 1/8 tsp dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 C fat-free refried beans
• 1/2 C shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a nonstick skillet, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in enchilada sauce and seasonings; set aside.
2. Place a rounded teaspoonful of refried beans in each pasta shell, then fill with turkey mixture. Place in a baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Cover and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Robyn's notes: I made this dish in two halves. For my half, I used bean dip instead of refried beans (I can't have whole beans). For his half, I used chunky salsa instead of enchilada sauce. It was ok, not exciting.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Mixed Salad with Avocado Dressing

Avocado Dressing

• 1 C buttermilk
• 1/2 C fat-free plain yogurt
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 C minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp dill weed
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. In a food processor, combine all ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Serve over salad. Store in the refrigerator.
Yield 2 Cups

Mixed Salad

• baby spinach
• sliced cucumber
• cherry tomatoes
• chopped hard-boiled egg
• dried cranberries
• chow mein noodles
• sliced mushrooms

1. Combine salad ingredients, toss with dressing.

Robyn's notes: I used the blender instead of the food processor to mix the dressing. It was very easy and fast. The salad, of course, can be any salad ingredients you wish, this was just an example of what I used today. He liked it a lot.

Pita Pizzas

• 1/4 lb ground turkey
• 2 whole pita breads
• 1 can (8oz) fat-free refried beans
• 1/2 C chunky salsa
• 1/3 C shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
• 3 Tbsp fat-free sour cream
• 1 green onion, sliced

1. In a nonstick skillet, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink, drain. Place pitas on a baking sheet. Spread with refried beans; top with turkey, salsa and cheese.
2. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.
 
Robyn's notes: this was really easy. It was listed in a cookbook for easy cooking for diabetics. Neither of us is diabetic, but it's good to watch sugar levels and fats and all the rest, so I like to look at the exchanges sometimes.

Brunswick Stew

• 2 C water
• 2 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 C diced fully cooked ham
• 1 can (14.5 oz) whole tomatoes, cut up
• 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
• 1/3 C cream-style corn
• 1/3 C frozen lima beans
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 drops hot sauce
• dash pepper
• dash cayenne pepper

1. In a large saucepan, combine the water, chicken, onion, and ham. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Remove chicken; cool slightly. Remove meat from bones; discard bones. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; return to the pan.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until potato is tender, stirring occasionally.


Robyn's notes: lots of notes on this one. We don't generally eat grocery store ham, so I left that out entirely (both of us have experienced raising hogs, so we know how much better it tastes). I used a 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes instead of cutting up the whole tomatoes, because I knew I'd be short on time. I didn't peel the potatoes because he prefers the skins left on. I didn't have hot sauce, so I left that out. Oh and I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and just simmered a little shorter. It was good but if I make it again I'll use chicken broth instead of water.

Brighton Beach Eggplant

• 12 oz eggplant
• 1/2 medium onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 large sweet red pepper
• 1 medium ripe tomato
• 2 cloves unpeeled garlic
• 2 Tbsp seedless raisins
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• salt to taste
• ground red pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise. Brush the cut sides of the eggplant and onion with the oil. Arrange the eggplant and onion, cut side down, on a baking sheet. Add the sweet pepper, tomato and garlic.
2. Roast the vegetables on the top shelf of the oven for 30 minutes, or until they are tender. Transfer them to a chopping board to cool. Scrape out the pulp from the eggplant and discard the skin. Remove the skin from the tomato and pepper. Coarsely chop all the vegetables and place them in a medium mixing bowl.
3. Peel the garlic and put it through a garlic press; add it to the chopped vegetables. Stir in the raisins, cilantro, turmeric, salt and ground pepper. Mix well.
4. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to blend the flavors. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Robyn's notes: I served this stuffed in pita pockets. Didn't have any turmeric in the house, so I just left that out. Looked kinda gross (basically a mush of a bunch of stuff), but he liked it.

Black Eyed Pea Salad

• 1 C frozen black eyed peas
• 1 C fresh or frozen corn, thawed
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped red onion
• 4 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

1. Cook peas according to package directions; drain. In a salad bowl, combine the peas, corn and onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over vegetables and toss to coat. Serve warm or chilled.


Robyn's notes: I added tomato quarters to this just before serving, and he was really glad. Very easy, but cooking the peas takes some time.

Turkey Tetrazzini

• 2 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken in half
• 1 C cubed cooked turkey breast
• 2/3 C condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 C chopped onion
• 1 Tbsp diced pimientos
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 tsp salt, optional
• 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Stir in the turkey, soup, cheese, onion, pimientos, Worcestershire sauce and salt if desired.
2. Transfer to a 1-qt baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.


Robyn's notes: I substituted whole wheat linguine for the spaghetti. This went quickly and both of us liked it. Served with Black Eyed Pea Salad.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Corn and Lima Bean Tossed Salad

• 1/3 C frozen baby lima beans
• 1 C water
• 1/2 C frozen corn
• 1 C chopped lettuce
• 1/4 C roasted sweet red peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
• 2 Tbsp chopped red onion
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. In a small saucepan, bring lima beans and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add corn; simmer 4-5 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Drain and cool.
2. In a small bowl, combine the lettuce, red peppers, onion and bean mixture. Refrigerate until chilled.
3. Just before serving, combine the lime juice, oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.

Robyn's notes: I substituted baby spinach for the lettuce, because lettuce has basically no nutritional value, just roughage, and therefore he doesn't really want to eat it.

Easy Burrito Roll-Ups

Note: This is a slow-cooker recipe, requires a full day.  My mom emailed me this recipe.  The yield is more than 2, but I don't know what it is officially. I halved it and we had at least one full serving left over.  I am providing the halved version. More notes follow the recipe.

• 1/2 of a 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (or a 7oz can if you can find one)
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 Tbsp chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (from 7oz can)
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 C 'thick n chunky style' salsa
• 6 flour tortillas (10inch)

Toppings:

• 1/2 C sour cream
• 1 C shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1/4 C sliced ripe olives
• 1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro

Optional (see notes below):

• chopped tomatoes
• guacamole

1. In a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, layer beans, chicken thighs, garlic, chiles, cumin and salsa.
2. Cover; cook on Low setting 7 to 8 hours.
3. About 15 minutes before serving, heat oven to 350°F. Wrap tortillas in foil; heat in oven about 15 minutes or until warm. Meanwhile, place all topping ingredients in individual serving dishes.
4. Remove chicken from slow cooker; place on large plate. With fork or potato masher, mash beans slightly to thicken sauce. Shred chicken with 2 forks; return to slow cooker and mix with bean mixture to moisten.
5. Have guests place warm tortilla on serving plate, spoon about 1/2 C chicken mixture onto tortilla; top with desired toppings. Fold side of tortilla over filling.

Robyn's notes: I can't eat black beans, so in order to be sure I could eat this, I didn't mash the beans at all. He still liked it, and it meant I could eat it just fine. The "Optional" items are things that he suggested might be good toppings to go with. I didn't heat the tortillas in the oven, and since they're easy to heat in the microwave, that's probably what I'd do next time. This was easy, and it was good.  On December 17th, 2007, I made this again, at full-size, as my contribution to our Office Holiday Potluck.  It was well-received and was easy to take, as I did step 1 before leaving the house, then plugged the slow-cooker in when I arrived.  We were having our potluck around 2pm and I start work at 7am, so the timing was just right.  

Hong Kong Primavera w/ Spicy Peanut Sauce

• 3oz vermicelli or thin spaghetti
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 C water
• 2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2/3 C coarsely grated carrots
• 1/4 C frozen green peas
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 C thinly sliced napa (Chinese) cabbage

1. Cook the vermicelli or spaghetti according to the directions on the package but without salt. Drain and toss with the green onions; keep warm.
2. While the pasta cooks, combine the water, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in a blender container. Cover and process until smooth. Add the pepper flakes and set aside.
3. Place the oil in a heavy, 10" nonstick skillet; stir in the carrots, peas, ginger and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for 1 minute, or until the cabbage is wilted. Add to the pasta and toss well. Serve hot, cold or at room temperature.

Robyn's notes: I used red wine vinegar, chunky peanut butter, and whole wheat fettucine because that's what I had in the house. I didn't have any red pepper flakes, so I sprinkled in some ground cayenne pepper. I didn't use the blender because I didn't want to wash it, so I whisked/stirred with a fork.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Chipotle Apple Chicken Breasts

• 2 bacon strips, diced
• 1 small tart apple, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 Tbsp dried minced onion
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 to 1 tsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 tsp olice oil
• 1 tsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 C unsweetened apple juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. In a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 tsp drippings. In the drippings, saute apple until tender. Add the onion, applesauce, chipotle peppers and bacon; saute 2 minutes longer.
2. Cut a pocket in each chicken breast half; stuff with apple mixture. In a small skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides. Transfer to an ungreased 8-in square baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 425°F for 12-15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
3. Meanwhile, add the flour, apple juice, salt and pepper to the skillet; stir to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken.


Robyn's notes: He really liked this, but I thought it didn't have much flavor. It might be that I stuffed the two breast halves differently or that I didn't give myself enough sauce. I used turkey bacon and I served it over enriched brown rice.

** 2 Stars: Acceptable. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, if I make changes

Black Bean Pesto

• 1/2 C homemade or bottled salsa
• 2-3 fresh cilantro springs (optional)
• 3/4 C canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1. Place the salsa, then the cilantro and then the beans in a blender. Process on medium-high speed until the pesto is smooth; stop the motor as necessary to scrape down the sides of the container.
2. Serve immediately or place in the refrigerator for an hour to blend the flavors.


Robyn's notes: I used bottled salsa and dried cilantro. Served as a dipping sauce for broccoli.

Fettucine with Spinach and Feta

• 8 C spinach leaves, loosely packed
• 1 green onion
• 2/3 C crumbled feta cheese
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dried dill weed
• pepper to taste
• 4oz fettucine

1. Pick over and stem the spinach, discarding any withered or yellow leaves. Wash the spinach well in several changes of water until no trace of sand or dirt is left behind. Drain the spinach in a colander and set aside.
2. Thinly slice the green onion, including the tender green part, and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add the feta, oil, lemon juice, dill and pepper.
3. Cook the fettucine according to the directions on the package but without salt. For the last 30 seconds of cooking, stir the spinach into the water with the fettucine and push it under the water to wilt it. Drain.
4. Add the fettucine and spinach to the bowl and toss with the cheese mixture. Serve the pasta hot or at room temperature.


Robyn's notes: I used whole wheat linguine instead of fettucine. Served with Black Bean Pesto and broccoli.

Zucchini Panned with Red Peppers

• 1/2 small sweet red pepper
• 1 pound zucchini
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 C finely chopped onions
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• pepper to taste

1. Cut the red pepper into strips about 1/2" wide, stack the strips and cut them across the make 1/2" squares.
2. Trim the ends from the zucchini and cut into thin rounds.
3. Add the oil to a heavy 8" nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the peppers and onions; cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but not brown. Stir in the garlic, zucchini, basil, salt and pepper.
4. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the zucchini is just tender.


Robyn's notes: I used yellow sweet pepper, because it's what I had in the house. He thought it was really good and ate it very quickly.

Flavorful Chicken

• 2 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika

1. In a shallow bowl, combine butter and soy sauce; dip chicken on both sides. Place in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and paprika.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170°F.

Robyn's notes: This was surprisingly tasty for such a simple dish. I served it with Zucchini Panned with Red Peppers. He and I both really liked this.

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Country Style Cucumbers

• 1 large cucumber
• 4 red onion slices
• 2 Tbsp rice or white-wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• ground red pepper to taste

1. If the cucumber is waxed, peel it; otherwise leave the skin intact. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds with the tip of a teaspoon and slice the cucumber into 1/4" crescents. Place the slices in a small mixing bowl.
2. Separate the onion slices into rings and add them to the bowl.
3. In a measuring cup, stir together the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and red pepper. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onions.
4. Let the salad stand for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before servings, or cover and chill overnight. Serve cold or at room temperature.
 
Robyn's notes: I used red-wine vinegar because it's what I have in the house.

Turkey Florentine

• 8 oz boneless turkey breast cutlets (1/4" thick)
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 2 tsp butter
• 4 tsp minced onions
• 1/4 C apple juice
• 8 C spinach, loosely packed
• 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg (optional)

1. Dry the turkey pieces with a paper towel, then sprinkle them with the salt and pepper.
2. Place a heavy, 10" nonstick skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Swirl in the butter and add the turkey. Cook, turning as necessary, for 3 minutes, or until the turkey is browned and firm to the touch, with no trace of pink in the center. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. To the skillet, add the onions, apple juice and spinach. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 1 minute, or until the spinach is barely wilted. Sprinkle with the nutmeg (if using). Place the spinach on a serving plate, top with the turkey and serve.

Robyn's notes: this went fast to cook. Looks pretty and fancy when done, but definitely needs a side dish. I served with couscous for me, and Country-Style Cucumbers for him.

Peanut Ginger Pasta

• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp water
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 Tbsp peanut butter
• 1 1/4 tsp minced fresh gingerroot
• 1 1/4 tsp grated lime peel
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 4 oz uncooked whole wheat linguine
• 1 C chopped fresh broccoli
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 1/2 medium sweet red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh basil

1. In a blender, combine the first 10 ingredients; cover and process until blended. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, cook linguine according to package directions, adding broccoli during the last 5 minutes. Cook until tender; drain.
3. In a large bowl, combine the carrot, red pepper, onion and basil. Add linguine, broccoli and lime juice mixture; toss to coat.


Robyn's notes: if I make this again, I won't use the blender to combine the first ingredients. I could whisk them together just as easily (although it would definitely take longer) and wouldn't have to wash the damned blender afterwards. Plus, I lost a lot of the mixture because I wasn't able to get it out of the blender all that well. The ginger was strong, especially for my taste. He liked this and ate most of mine as well as his own.

Curry Powder

Many items in the spice aisle of the grocery store are a single spice or herb, dried, chopped or ground, etc. Curry powder, however, is not a single spice or herb. When purchasing curry powder, different brands will have different amounts of the spices, and sometimes other spices added.

Most curry powders usually include coriander, turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek in their blends. Additional ingredients such as ginger, garlic, fennel seed, cinnamon, clove, mustard seed, green cardamom, black cardamom, mace, nutmeg, red pepper, long pepper and black pepper may also be added.

The curry powder I have on hand contains coriander, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, bay leaves, celery seed, nutmeg, cloves, onion, red pepper, and ginger.

GF - because curry powder is not a single spice, there is a slight possibility of gluten in some brands. The McCormick company is very dependable on this subject and does not hide wheat on their labels (if it's there, it'll say "wheat", not "natural flavours"). At the time of this writing, McCormick curry powder is gluten-free, as are most others.

Curried Chicken and Bulgur Salad

• 1/4 C medium-grain bulgur
• 1/2 C water
• salt to taste
• 2 Tbsp mango chutney
• 2 Tbsp nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 green onion
• 1/2 C cubed cooked chicken
• 1 Tbsp currants or seedless raisins
• 1/2 C canned mandarin orange segments, drained

1. In a small saucepan, combine the bulgur, water, and salt; bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bulgur is tender and the water is absorbed. Fluff the bulgur with a fork and turn it into a mixing bowl to cool.
2. If there are large pieces of mango in the chutney, dice them; then place the chutney in a medium bowl with the yogurt and curry powder. Mix well with a table fork. Add the bulgur and toss everything until the bulgur grains are well-coated.
3. Cut the green onions, including the tender green parts, into fine slices. Add the green onions, chicken, currants or raisins and oranges to the bulgur mixture and toss again. If desired, cover the bowl and chill the salad for 30 minutes or overnight to blend the flavors.


Robyn's notes: He didn't get to eat much of this, because he ate too much at the work Halloween party, but he tasted it and really liked it.

Chili Non Carne

Note: Long cooking time. Plan ahead, will need over 90 minutes total.

• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 C chopped onions
• 6 Tbsp chopped celery
• 6 Tbsp diced carrots
• 1/4 C chopped green peppers
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 C canned tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 C water
• 3/4 C canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 1/2 Tbsp bulgur
• salt to taste

1. Place the oil in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Add the onions, celery, carrots and peppers. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but not brown. Stir in the garlic, chili powder and cumin; cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the tomatoes (with juice) and water; bring the chili to a simmer. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
3. Add the beans and bulgur. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, or until the bulgur is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Add salt to taste. Serve hot.
 
Robyn's notes: yeah, yeah, I know, lots of bulgur recipes recently, haha! It bulks up the chili and adds nice flavor. When I made old-fashioned chicken macaroni salad, I chopped up more green pepper than I needed, and kept the extra in a sealed container in the fridge, knowing that I'd need some for this recipe.  He really, really liked this a lot.

Turkey Medallions Seared in Thai Butter

• 1/4 C lime juice
• 2 tsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 tsp sugar
• 8oz boneless turkey breast cutlets (1/4" thick)
• salt to taste
• 4 tsp butter
• 6 thinly cut lime slices
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro

1. In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, ginger and sugar until the sugar dissolves; set aside.
2. Dry the turkey pieces with a paper towel and sprinkle them with the salt.
3. Place a heavy 8" or 10" nonstick skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Swirl in the butter. Quickly add the turkey. Cook for 3 minutes, turning as necessary, until the turkey is firm to the touch and browned on both sides, with no trace of pink in the thickest part.
4. Transfer the turkey to a warm serving plate. Pour the lime juice mixture into the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, or until it becomes syrupy and is reduced by half. Pour over the turkey. Garnish with the lime slices and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Robyn's notes: I made no notes the first time I made this, so thoughts from the second time, in 2021: the lime was super strong, knocked us back a bit, but we both cleaned our plates. I had lowered the heat to medium and the sauce still went to caramel in seconds, so I pulled it off the heat immediately. Recipe goes fast, prep ingredients ahead. 

*** 3 Stars: Good. At least one of us liked this enough for me to make it again, but not often

Old-Fashioned Chicken Macaroni Salad

• 2/3 C uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/3 C frozen corn
• 1 C cubed cooked chicken
• 1/4 C sliced celery
• 1 hard-cooked egg, chopped
• 2 Tbsp chopped green pepper
• 1 Tbsp chopped onion
• 1/2 C mayonnaise
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Cook corn according to package directions, drain and cool.
2. In a serving bowl, combine the macaroni, corn, chicken, celery, egg, green pepper and onion. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.


Robyn's notes: I chopped up extra green pepper for use in another recipe later, and I always make more hard-cooked eggs than I need. I used safflower mayonnaise for health reasons.

About Bulgur

Bulgur is parboiled broken pieces of whole wheat. Middle Eastern cooks have developed a unique way of processing their wheat, which makes this grain cook quickly and retain essential nutrients. Whole kernels of wheat are steamed or parboiled and then cracked into small pieces. This process softens the wheat without removing the fiber-rich bran or the nutrient-rich germ.

Bulgur has a pleasantly mild, nutty flavor. The mild flavor goes well with stir-fries and curries. It is the chief ingredient in Middle Eastern tabbouleh (tabouli) and kibbeh. It's higher nutritional value makes it a good substitute for rice or couscous.

Look for bulgur at health food stores, Middle Eastern groceries and some supermarkets. Check the package or bin; fine-grain and medium-grain bulgur cook quickly, while coarse-grain bulgur must be cooked for a long time. Cracked wheat is not a good substitute.

Downsized Tabbouleh

Note: Yield is 1 serving, don't forget to double for 2!

• 1/3 C medium-grain bulgur
• 1/2 C water
• pinch salt
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 C finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 clove crushed garlic
• 1/2 green onion
• 1/2 medium tomato, cubed
• 1/4 C cubed cucumbers
• 2 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese

1. In a small saucepan, combine the bulgur, water and salt; bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bulgur is tender and the water is absorbed. Fluff the bulgur with a fork and turn it into a mixing bowl to cool for 10 minutes.
2. Add the lemon juice, oil, parsley, mint and garlic. Toss well.
3. Cut the green onion, including the tender green part, into thin slices. Add the tomatoes, green onions and cucumbers to the bulgur and toss well.
4. Cover the tabbouleh and chill for several hours or overnight to blend the flavors. Serve sprinkled with the feta.

Yield: 1 serving

Robyn's notes: He thought this was 'awesome'. It was really easy and quick to make. There were too many ingredients that I'm not able to eat for me to try it.