Thai Red Curry Mussels

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons peanut oil, or canola oil
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• 1-2 teaspoons Thai red curry paste, (see Note)
• 1 14-ounce can “lite” coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce, (see Note)
• 4 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded (see Tip)
• 6 cups trimmed watercress, (1-2 bunches) or trimmed spinach
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil, for garnish

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic, scallion whites, lime zest and curry paste to taste; cook until fragrant and the paste is sizzling, 1 to 3 minutes. Add lime juice, coconut milk, brown sugar and fish sauce. Bring to a boil and let cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add mussels, return to a simmer, cover and cook for 6 minutes. Spread watercress (or spinach) over the mussels, cover and cook until slightly wilted, about 4 minutes; stir into the mussels. (Discard any unopened mussels.) Serve garnished with scallion greens and basil.

Tips & Notes

• Note: Red curry paste and fish sauce, typical Thai ingredients, can be found in the Asian food section of large supermarkets.
• Tip: To clean mussels, scrub with a stiff brush under cold running water. Scrape off any barnacles using the shell of another mussel. Pull off the fuzzy “beard” from each one (some mussels may not have a beard).

Nutrition

Per serving: 273 calories; 13 g fat (6 g sat, 2 g mono); 48 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 1 g fiber; 582 mg sodium; 438 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (108% daily value), Vitamin A & Vitamin C (60% dv), Iron (35% dv), Folate (19% dv), Good source of omega-3s

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 other carbohydrate, 3 very lean meat, 2 fat

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/thai_red_curry_mussels.html

Pad Thai

Ingredients

• 4 ounces dried rice noodles
• 2 teaspoons peanut oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 8 ounces small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups mung bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup sliced scallion greens
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts

Preparation

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water to cover in a large bowl until they are limp and white, about 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil over high heat in a wok until very hot. Add the garlic and stir-fry until golden, about 10 seconds. Add the egg and cook, stirring, until scrambled, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and stir-fry until they curl and turn pink, about 2 minutes.
3. Drain the noodles and add to the wok, tossing with tongs until they soften and curl, about 1 minute. Add bean sprouts, scallion greens, vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and chile-garlic sauce; toss until the shrimp are fully cooked and noodles are heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Per serving: 385 calories; 9 g fat (2 g sat, 4 g mono); 185 mg cholesterol; 51 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 3 g fiber; 857 mg sodium; 375 mg potassium.

3 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 fat

 

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pad_thai.html

The Easiest Bread You’ll Ever Bake

http://www.mensjournal.com/the-easiest-bread

Warm Bacon Potato Salad

Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Vinaigrette:

* 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon coarse-grained mustard
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 2 1/2 pounds red potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes
* Salt
* 6 bacon slices, chopped
* 1 medium sized red onion, diced
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* 1/4 cup freshly chopped dill leaves, plus more for garnish

Directions

For the vinaigrette:

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

Add potatoes to pot of salted cold water. Bring to a boil, over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm, if necessary.

Add bacon to large saute pan and cook until crisp over medium heat. Remove to a paper towel-lined sheet tray and reserve. Add onion, dash of pepper and garlic to bacon grease and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add vinaigrette to vegetables. Let cook until reduced and thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add potatoes, dill and bacon to the pan and toss to coat with dressing. Allow to cook for 3 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer potato salad to a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped fresh dill.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/warm-bacon-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

German Potato Salad

Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

* 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
* 1/2 pound thick-cut bacon
* 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
* 1/3 cup white vinegar
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons minced chives, for garnish

Directions

Place the potatoes in a medium-size pot and cover them with enough water to extend 2 inches above the surface of the potatoes. Salt the water and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and slice into 1/4-inch rounds.

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once crisp, place on a paper towel-lined plate and crumble into small pieces. Pour off the rendered fat, reserving 1/4 cup in the pan. Turn the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook until translucent and just beginning to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Whisk in the vinegar, sugar, mustard, and salt and stir until thick and bubbly. Add the sliced, cooked potatoes and toss to coat. Top with the crumbled bacon and garnish with the chives. Serve warm.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chic-easy/german-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

Sausage Potato Salad

Ingredients
Salad:

* 1 pound red potatoes
* 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 8 ounces kielbasa, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
* 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
* 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Dressing:

* 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the potatoes; boil about 25 minutes or until tender. Drain and let cool. Cut potatoes into quarters and place in a large bowl.

In a large skillet, heat the 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Brown the kielbasa. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Add kielbasa to the bowl with the potatoes along with celery and green onions.

For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in oil. Add the dressing, celery and green onions to the potato mixture and toss to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sausage-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

Triple XXX Family Restaurant Potato Salad

Ingredients

* 4 medium Idaho potatoes
* 3 eggs
* 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise (recommended brand: Miracle Whip)
* 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
* 1 teaspoon sweet relish
* 1/4 cup chopped onion, such as white or Vidalia
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Fill a large pot with cold water. Add potatoes and bring to a boil over high heat. Test the potatoes after 15 minutes by piercing with a thin bladed knife. If it slides in easy, the middle has softened. Remove potatoes and cool with cold running water.

Peel potatoes and cut into equal bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Place eggs in a large pot and fill with enough cold water to cover the eggs by 1-inch.

Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered until they are cool enough to handle. Once cool, shell the eggs and place in an egg cutter. Slice eggs once, turn them 90 degrees and slice again, (you can also use a knife and thinly slice the eggs). Set aside.

In large stainless or glass bowl, mix together mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and onion. Mix until well blended.

Fold the potatoes into the mayonnaise mixture being careful not to smash them while you mix. Add the eggs to the bowl. Mix all together. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cool overnight in refrigerator to increase flavor.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/triple-xxx-family-restaurant-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

Chinese-Style Duck Dumplings

This recipe makes 48 dumplings-a large batch. If you halve the recipe, use the whole egg, and, if it’s more convenient for you, just use 2 boneless duck breast halves. If you have the patience to shape all of the dumplings, just freeze some of them; they will keep, tightly covered, for 2 weeks.

Ingredients
Dough:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups hot water
Filling:
2 boneless duck breasts and legs with skin, put through meat grinder fitted with medium blade
1 cup finely chopped savoy cabbage
3 tablespoons freshly chopped scallions
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons chili paste
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sauce:
1 cup black vinegar
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon chili paste
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons freshly chopped mint leaves
1 tablespoon freshly chopped Thai basil leaves
1/2 habanero pepper, minced
Peanut oil, for cooking
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Lime wedges, for garnish

For the dough:
Whisk the flour with the salt and stir in the water until dough is shaggy. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead briefly; dough should be soft and pliable but not too sticky. Rest, covered, while you make the filling and the sauce.

For the filling:
Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. To check for seasoning, fry a bit in some hot oil until just cooked through. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.

For the sauce:
Combine all but the last 2 ingredients in a bowl for dipping. Sprinkle the basil and habanero over the top.

To Assemble and Cook:
Flour your work surface lightly and roll the dough, or pieces of it, about 1/8-inch thick (too thin and the dough will tear as you fill the dumplings). Cut out circles with a 3-inch round cutter. Cover the dough with a side towel or piece of plastic wrap as you work.

Have a small bowl of water next to you. Place a scant tablespoon of filling in the middle of a dough circle, and press it so that it spreads slightly toward the side edges of the dough. Using your fingertip or a small pastry brush, wet the edge of the dough. Fold the dough up around the filling so that the filling sits on the work surface-that’s the bottom of your dumpling-and the seam is between your fingers. Pleat the dough that is facing you, about 6 times, pressing it against the back to seal-only the front of the dumpling should be pleated. The corners of the dumpling should curl slightly away from you, toward the unpleated side.

Heat a skillet, just large enough to accommodate the number of dumplings you want to cook over high heat. Add a thin coating of oil, heat, then add the dumplings in concentric circles. They should be touching. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown, 3 or 4 minutes (reduce the heat if they are browning too quickly). Add enough water to come about 1/4 of the way up the sides of the dumplings-it will spatter. Cover the skillet, adjust the heat so that the water is simmering, and cook for about 7 minutes. Uncover the skillet and, if there is water left, let it cook off. Check the dumpling bottoms-if they need to brown a bit more, let them, adding a bit more oil if necessary.

Serve the dumplings immediately, drizzled with some dipping sauce and garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chinese-style-dumplings-recipe/index.html

Spinach & Artichoke Mac & Cheese

Ingredients
Salt
1 pound regular penne pasta
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups milk
A few grates fresh nutmeg
1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and wrung dry in a kitchen towel
1 10-ounce box frozen chopped artichokes, defrosted and wrung dry in a kitchen towel
Ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups shredded Italian Fontina cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top
1 1/4 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Place a large pot of water over high heat to cook the pasta. When the water is boiling, salt it well and drop the pasta in. Cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta and reserve.

While the pasta is cooking, place a medium pot over medium-low heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons, and the butter. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook the veggies until very soft, about 10 minutes.

Turn the heat up to medium-high and sprinkle the flour into the pan. Cook for about 1 minute then whisk the wine into the pan, cooking for another minute to burn off the alcohol. Whisk the milk into the pan and bring up to a bubble. Add the nutmeg, veggies, some salt and pepper to the sauce, and simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add the cheeses to the sauce and stir until melted.

Toss the prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle some more Fontina and Parmigiano over the top and bake until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Toss the prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle some more Fontina and Parmigiano over the top and bake until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/spinach-and-artichoke-mac-and-cheese

Shepherd’s Pie with Mushroom Onion Gravy

Cook Time
30 minutes

Yield
8 servings

Ingredients
2 pounds russet potatoes, washed, peeled and cut into chunks
1 clove garlic, smashed
Salt
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (85 percent lean)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup low-sodium beef stock
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, julienned
2 zucchini, julienned
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1 teaspoon Hungarian hot paprika, plus more for garnish
4 ounces Havarti cheese, grated
Mushroom Onion Gravy, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium saucepan, cover potatoes and crushed garlic with enough water to cover by 1-inch. Add some salt and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-high and cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain potatoes, return to pot, and mash together with 3 tablespoons of the butter and the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.

In a large pan on medium-high heat, combine 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil. When butter has melted, add beef, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper and salt and pepper, to taste, and cook until meat is brown. Stir in tomato paste and saute for a few minutes. Add stock and bring to a simmer. Season and remove mixture to a bowl. In the same pan, add remaining butter and oil and saute onions until almost tender, then add red bell pepper, zucchini, carrots and paprika. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

To assemble, in a 9 by 12-inch baking dish layer half of beef, pressing down to pack in, then sprinkle the cheese on evenly. Pour the remaining half of the beef over the cheese and press down. Next, add the sauteed vegetables and top with the mashed potatoes, spreading out with a spatula or the back of a spoon to even out and to form decorative peaks and valleys. Sprinkle top with paprika and bake for 30 minutes or until edges on potatoes turn golden brown. Serve with Mushroom Onion Gravy.

Mushroom Onion Gravy:

1/2 large onion, chopped
8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup red wine
2 cups beef broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, saute onions and mushrooms in oil until tender and mushrooms release their moisture, about 5 minutes. Add flour and stir to evenly coat. Slowly whisk in wine and then the broth. Simmer until thickened and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/shepherds-pie-with-mushroom-onion-gravy-recipe/index.html