Another good stir fry, another great recipe from Food Network Magazine.   Have you subscribed yet?

Chinese Beef with Broccoli

2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
5 tablespoons peanut oil
1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 thin slices peeled ginger
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
1 large onion, halved and sliced 1/2 inch thick
3 plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise (I used halved cherry tomatoes)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooked white rice, for serving

1.  Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a large bowl.  Add the steak and toss to coat.  Refrigerate until ready to cook.
2.  Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon each cornstarch and soy sauce, the oyster sauce, and chicken broth in a small bowl; set aside.
3.  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat.  Add the ginger, broccoli and remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and stir-fry 3-4 minutes; transfer to a plate.  Heat 1 more tablespoon oil in the skillet, add the onion and stir-fry 2-3 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and cook, turning gently, 2 minutes.  Transfer the onion and tomatoes to the plate with the broccoli.
4.  Reduce the heat to medium high; add the remaining 2 tablespoons peanut oil to the skillet.  Add the garlic and steak and stir-fry 1 minute.  Whisk the sauce mixture, then add to the skillet and simmer 1 minute.  Return the vegetables to the skillet; cook until the meat is cooked through, 3-4 minutes.  Serve with rice.

We’ve made Salmon Sundays a pretty regular tradition here.  Usually Matt fires up the grill and makes Cedar-Planked Salmon, but this was a good change of pace and worked great on my grill pan.  This was delicious meal that came together easily.

Cuban-Style Grilled Salmon
Food Network Magazine, July/August 2011

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of two lemons or limes
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 large shallots, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin (we omitted this)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
1/2 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
4 6-oz center-cut salmon fillets, skin removed
1 14-oz can hearts of palm, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Vegetable oil, for brushing
2 cups mixed salad greens

Preheat a grill to medium high.  In a large bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of one lemon, the garlic, shallots, cumin, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and half of the cilantro.  Add the salmon and turn to coat.  Let marinate 15 minutes at room temperature.

Meanwhile, toss the hearts of palm and tomatoes in a bowl with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the juice of the remaining lemon, and the rest of the cilantro.  Season with salt.

Brush the grill with vegetable oil.  Grill the salmon round side down until marked on the bottom, about 4 minutes.  Turn and continue grilling until marked on the other side and cooked through, 2 to 3 more minutes.  Divide the salmon among plates.  Serve with the greens and hearts of palm salad; drizzle the juices from the salad over the greens.

This was a good, easy meal that was a little different from our every day cooking.  It was great left over for lunch the next day too.  I recommend a spicy sausage.

Cajun Rice with Sausage
Food Network Magazine, June 2011

2 slices bacon, chopped
12 ounces spicy chicken sausage (I used spicy pork sausage)
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup long grain rice
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups chopped frozen okra, thawed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat.  Add the bacon and cook until crisp.  Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.  Add the sausage, onion, celery and bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and the sausage begins to brown, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the skillet, then stir in the rice.  Add the chicken broth and 1 cup water and bring to a boil.  Stir in the okra, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes.  Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, 5 minutes.  Add the bacon and parsley and fluff with a fork.

Matt and I are trying to eat more fish lately, which has been interesting because both of us become pickier eaters where fish is concerned.  Cedar-plank salmon has become a Sunday night tradition, but this is the first time we branched out to eating fish on a weeknight.  I couldn’t find halibut, and probably wouldn’t have paid up for it anyway.  I used a package of frozen fish called dory, (not this Dory), straight from the cold waters of New Zealand (carbon footprint be darned!).  It was cheap, and this whole dish was remarkably tasty.  I’m putting the original recipe here, but next time I think we’ll use lime instead of orange.  Also, instead of the chipotles in the butter, I used several spoonfuls of the salsa negra I had made the night before.  Not bad for fish!

Halibut with Chipotle Compound Butter in Foil Packets
Source: Annie’s Eats

4 skinless white fish fillets (such as halibut), 6-8 oz. each
Salt and pepper
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp. minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, divided
1 tsp. grated orange zest
2 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups corn kernels
½ red onion, diced
2 scallions, chopped
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro, divided

Directions: 
Heat a grill to medium-high heat.  (Alternatively, preheat the oven to 425? F.)

Pat the fish dry with paper towels.  Season the fillets with salt and pepper.  In a small bowl, combine the butter, half of the chipotles, the orange zest, half of the garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.  Stir with a fork until well blended. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of the fillets.

In a medium bowl combine the remaining chipotles, the orange juice, the remaining garlic, the beans, corn, onion, scallions, and half of the cilantro.  Add in ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.  Mix well to combine.  Lay four 14-inch squares of foil out on a work surface.  Divide the bean mixture evenly between the pieces of foil, placing it over the lower half of each piece.  Top each mound of the bean mixture with a fillet.  Fold the foil over the fish and fold up the edges to seal the packets.

Place the packets on the grill, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the fish registers 160? F.  (You can poke the probe of a thermometer directly through the foil rather than opening the packets.)  Alternatively, bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes just until the fish is cooked through.

Open the packets carefully to avoid contact with the steam and sprinkle with the remaining cilantro.  Serve warm.

Source: America’s Test Kitchen The Best Simple Recipes via Pink Parsley Catering

Betsy actually had this on her Meal Plans document, which I look at from time to time for ideas, under the stuff to try section.  I made it a month ago or so and it was delish!  I’m putting it on here, in hopes that you will all make it.  Caution:  it makes quite a large amount!  You could almost halve the quinoa and do 1 bell pepper and a whole can of beans (can’t really halve a can of beans!), and halve everything else.  I like making ours with lots of chili powder and cayenne, because we like it with some kick!  Also, I cook the pepper for longer than she says to, but still leave them with some crunch.

This is a vegetarian meal, but apparently quinoa is one of the “grains” (actually, it’s a seed…) out there.  It’s full of complete protein, meaning it has all nine amino acids.  So what if Will and I get nerded up about these things? Anyway, you don’t miss the meat on this one at all!

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• half a red bell pepper, chopped
• half a green bell pepper, chopped
• half a yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1-2 teaspoons chili powder, depending heat preferences
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1 -15 ounce can black beans, drained
• 3/4 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 2 limes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 6-8 ounces baby spinach
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1/3 cup cheddar or feta cheese
• 1 avocado, diced

Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, swirl a bit of olive oil in a saute pan. Heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and saute for 3-5 minutes, until translucent and tender. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne and peppers and saute an additional 2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Stir in the black beans, tomatoes, and the juice of 1 lime. Stir in quinoa. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill.

Roughly cut baby spinach into strips like you would shred iceberg lettuce for tacos. Remove about 1 cup of cilantro leaves from the bunch, rinse and pat dry, and toss with the spinach. Divide spinach and cilantro mixture evenly among 4 salad plates. Top each plate with a scoop of the quinoa salad. Top each salad with your choice of cheese and diced avocado. Cut the remaining lime into slices to garnish the plates.

Matt declared this a top-10 recipe.  I didn’t tell him until the next day that it had fish sauce in it.  I think he’ll still eat it!  I also liked this recipe because it provides a recipe for cooking rice if you don’t have leftover rice or forgot to make it the day before.

Fried Rice, Indonesian-Style
Cook’s Illustrated, May/June 2011

5 green or red Thai chilies, stemmed (I used one serrano pepper, seeds and all, and it was spicy.  Jalapenos will work too.)
7 large shallots, peeled (I didn’t use 7, maybe more like 4)
4 large garlic cloves, peeled
2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp light or mild molasses (I just used Grandma’s – I didn’t realize there was such a thing as light molasses)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp fish sauce
Table salt
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 recipe Faux Leftover Rice (recipe follows)
12 ounces shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed, cut into 1″ pieces
4 large scallions, sliced thin
2 limes, cut into wedges

1. Pulse chilies, 4 shallots, and garlic in food processor until coarse paste is formed, about fifteen 1-second pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.  Transfer mixture to small bowl and set aside.  In second small bowl, stir together brown sugar, molasses, soy sauce, fish sauce, and 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of salt.  (I omitted this, and had to add salt later.  Guess I forgot I was working with a finely-tuned Cooks Illustrated recipe.)  Whisk eggs and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in medium bowl.

2. Thinly slice remaining 3 shallots and place in12-inch nonstick skillet with oil.  Fry over medium heat, stirring constantly, until shallots are golden and crisp, about 6-10 minutes.  Using slotted spoon, transfer shallots to paper towel-lined plate and season with salt to taste.  Pour off oil and reserve.  Wipe out skillet with paper towels.

3. Heat 1 teaspoon reserved oil in now-empty skillet, gently tilting pan to evenly coat bottom.  Cover and cook until bottom of omelet is spotty golden brown and top is just set, about 1 and 1/2 minutes.  Slide omelet onto cutting board and gently roll up into tight log.  Using sharp knife, cut log crosswise into 1-inch segments (leaving segments rolled).  Repeat with another teaspoon reserved oil and remaining egg.

4.  Remove rice from refrigerator and break up any large clumps with fingers.  Heat 3 tablespoons reserved oil in now-empty skillet over medium heat until just shimmering.  Add chile mixture and cook until mixture turns golden, 3 to 5 minutes.  Add shrimp, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring constantly, until exterior of shrimp is just opaque, about 2 minutes.  Push shrimp to sides of skillet to clear center; stir molasses mixture to recombine, and pour into center of skillet.  When molasses mixture bubbles, add rice and cook, stirring and folding constantly, until shrimp is cooked, rice is heated through and mixture is evenly coated, about 3 minutes.  Stir in scallions, remove from heat, and transfer to serving platter.  Garnish with egg segments, fried shallots, and lime wedges; serve immediately.

Faux Leftover Rice

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups jasmine or long-grain white rice, rinsed
2 2/3 cup water

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering.  Add rice and stir to coat grains with oil, about 30 seconds.  Add water, increase heat to high, and bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes.  Off heat, remove lid and place clean kitchen towel folded in half over saucepan; replace lid.  Let stand until rice is just tender, about 8 minutes.  Spread cooked rice onto rimmed baking sheet, set on wire rack, and cool 10 minutes.  Transfer to refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes.

This is a good soup that tasted different than I expected.  The peppers give it a sweet flavor.  Overall, a very easy meal.

Fajita Chicken Chowder
Taste of Home Feb/March ’11

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
1 each medium green, sweet red and yellow peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cups water
2 cups frozen corn
1 cup uncooked brown rice
15 oz can green enchilada sauce
4 oz can chopped green chilies
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
8 oz sour cream
Tortilla chips and chives for garnish

In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook and stir the chicken, peppers, and onion in oil until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Stir in the water, corn, rice, enchilada sauce, chilies and salt.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes or until rice is tender.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cheese and sour cream until cheese is melted.  Serve with chips and chives if desired. (more…)

Um, yum. This was easy and delicious. It’s a Guy Fieri recipe and I don’t watch his show, but I wanted to make Pork Chops and Apples and I found this recipe. The marinating of the pork really helped it to stay juicy, which has been my number one problem with making pork chops. I also bought super thick chops, which I’m sure didn’t hurt. Here’s the recipe!

Ingredients

4 pork chops, double cut, center cut, bone in
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup sliced (1/4-inch) yellow onions
2 cups cored and sliced (1/4-inch) Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup raisins
2 tablespoons butter

Directions

In a resealable plastic bag, add the chops, apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Marinate for 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large saute pan heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to almost smoking, then add pork chops, shaking off excess marinade. Brown on both sides, then place on a sheet pan and put in the oven for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees F.

In the same saute pan deglaze with wine then add onions, apples and raisins and cook until apples are soft and onions are translucent. Add butter salt and pepper, to taste, and keep warm.

Remove chops from oven and add to the apple mixture. Serve hot.

This was so good that I wanted to post it right away!  I’ve made at least two other black bean soups, and this blows them both out of the water.  It’s from The Kitchen Sink Recipes, which I started reading a few months ago, and her recipes always look delicious!

I used my immersion blender (thanks, Mom!) to blend this, but I didn’t totally puree it.  Yummy!  (By the way, the chipotle powder makes this spicy.  Remember, you can always add more! :))

Black Bean Tomato Soup

2 center-cut bacon slices, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion (about 1 small)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes, undrained
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth (or homemade)
Garnishes: sour cream, slivered scallions, lime wedges, cilantro leaves, tortilla chips

Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings in pan; set bacon aside.

Add onion and celery to pan; cook 5 minutes or until celery is tender. Stir in 2 teaspoons cumin, chile powder, and garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in bacon, pepper, beans, tomatoes, and broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.

Place half of bean mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining bean mixture; process until smooth.

Serve with the garnishes.

This was our favorite from last week!  It has half and half in it (but not much!).  Use milk if you must…but please don’t! 🙂 I’m adding a jalapeno or two in with the onion next time!

White Chicken Chili

Serves 4

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 medium onion, small diced

1 T vegetable oil

2 cans cannellini beans

14.5 ounces chicken broth

2 4-ounce cans chopped green chilies

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp cayenne

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup half & half

8 ounce reduced fat sour cream

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the chicken and chopped onion and saute for about six minutes, or until the chicken is seared and the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another three minutes.

Add the beans, spices, chicken broth and green chilies and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for thirty minutes.

Turn off the heat and add the sour cream and half & half. Serve with cheddar cheese and additional sour cream to top.