Asparagus Pesto Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 2 pounds asparagus

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1/4 cup pine nuts (lightly toasted if you feel like you have time)

• 1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast)

• 1 pound spiral pasta

• 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced (optional, delicious)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus (don't cut them into bite-size pieces, you'll see why in a sec). Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add the asparagus spears. Cook until just tender, about 4 minutes. Without emptying the water from the pot, lift out the asparagus spears and place them in a colander. Rinse with cool water.

2. Bring the water back to a boil. Add salt, if needed, and add pasta. Cook until the pasta is al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, and drain and rinse the pasta with cool water. Put into a serving bowl.

3. Place the asparagus on a cutting board. Trim off the top 3 inches of the asparagus spears, and put the tips into the bowl with the pasta. Cut the bottoms into several pieces, and set aside to use in the pesto sauce.

4. Use a food processor to make the pesto: With the processor running, drop in the garlic cloves and allow them to chop. Add 2 tablespoons of the pine nuts, and pulse to chop. Add the lemon juice, basil, salt, cheese, and the asparagus pieces (not the tips!) along with 3-6 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. (Start with 3 tbsp. water and add more as needed.) Puree until smooth.

5. Toss the pasta, asparagus tips, and tomatoes (if using) with the pesto, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining pine nuts.

6. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

---

Original recipe: Fat Free Vegan

Posted by Jasmine

Green Chicken Enchiladas

 Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning (Emilee's conversion: 1/4 cup)
• 3 cups mozzarella, shredded
• 3 cups Monterey jack, shredded
• 1 cup sour cream
• 10 10" corn tortillas (or more)
• 1 28-oz can green enchilada sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl combine shredded chicken, 2 cups of the mozzarella and 2 cups of the Monterey jack cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning. Mix until well incorporated.
3. Wrap tortillas in a damp paper or tea towel and microwave for 1 minute.
4. Scoop ⅓ cup of the enchilada filling into the tortilla and roll tightly. Arrange (seam side down) in a 9X13 baking dish and repeat with remaining tortillas. 
   TIP: Spread some enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish first to prevent the tortillas from sticking.
5. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the prepared enchiladas followed by the remaining cheese.
6. Bake for 25 minutes.

---

Original Recipe: The Modern Proper

Posted by Emilee

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Nachos

INGREDIENTS

For the roasted sweet potatoes:

• 1 to 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups cubed)
• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed or canola)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

For the beans:

• 2 tablespoons Sofrita sauce (in the Mexican aisle, in jars)
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• Apple cider vinegar or water, as needed

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 tablespoons Flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 1.5 cups shredded sharp Cheddar

To serve:

• Tortilla chips
• Tomatillo salsa verde, homemade or store-bought
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced thin
• Chopped tomatoes
• Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• Lime wedges
• Whatever else you want

  

METHOD

1. Roast the sweet potatoes: 
1. Preheat oven to 425F. 
2. In a medium-sized bowl, toss the sweet potatoes, 2 tablespoons oil, salt, cumin, and chili powder. Spread on a baking sheet in an even layer. 
3. Bake 15 minutes, then use a spatula to flip and stir the sweet potatoes. Roast another 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes have puffed up and have crisp, roasted edges.
2. Make the cheese sauce: 
1. Melt the butter in a small sauce pot. 
2. Add the flour, and heat and whisk the butter and flour together until they become bubbly and foamy. Continue to cook and whisk the bubbly mixture for about 60 seconds. 
3. Whisk the milk into the flour and butter mixture. Turn the heat up slightly and allow the milk to come to a simmer while whisking. When it reaches a simmer, the mixture will thicken. 
4. Once it's thick enough to coat a spoon, turn off the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar, one handful at a time, until melted into the sauce. If needed, place the pot over a low flame to help the cheese melt.
3. Heat the black beans: 
1. Mix Sofrito and beans, then nuke them in the microwave until warm
4. Serve the nachos: 
1. Make a bed of chips, top with cheese sauce, then whatever toppings you wish.

---

Original recipe: Simply Recipes and Budget Bytes

Posted by Jasmine

The Best Broccoli of Your Life (This is most certainly true)

 Ingredients

• 4 to 5 pounds of broccoli, cut into large florets
• 5 Tbs olive oil
• Salt & Pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced**
• 1/3 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon (optional)
• 3 Tbs toasted pine nuts (optional)
• 2 Tbs julienned fresh basil (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 425.
2. Toss broccoli pieces with olive oil, salt and pepper and lay out on a cookie sheet
3. Sprinkle garlic cloves and Parmesan cheese.
4. Roast in the oven 20 to 25 minutes, until “crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned.”
5. When it’s done, take it out of the oven, zest a lemon over the broccoli, squeeze the lemon juice over the broccoli, add 3 Tbs toasted pine nuts and Basil ***

** I just grab a glop out of my giant jar of minced garlic that I have at all times - life's too short

*** I never put the pine nuts and basil, and I usually just sprinkle lemon juice instead of zesting, because who remembers to buy a lemon? Not me.  It's still extremely good

---

Original recipe: Amateur Gourmet

Posted by Jasmine

Creamy Polenta with Roasted Corn and Fresh Sage

Ingredients

• 2 ears corn
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup cornmeal
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cut kernels from corn and Sauté on the stove with butter and sage
2. In a heavy 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onions; reduce heat to low and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in water and milk and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Slowly stir in cornmeal, whisking thoroughly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking and burning. Season with salt and pepper; simmer 15 minutes more.
4. When mixture is thick and the cornmeal is tender, stir in corn, sage and Parmesan cheese. 

---

Original recipe: All Recipes

Posted by Jasmine

Scallops and Garlic Kale with Parmesan Risotto

INGREDIENTS

Parmesan Risotto:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 minced clove garlic or 1 minced shallot (or both)
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 3-ish cups of chicken broth
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Seared Scallops:

• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
• 1 pound jumbo scallops

Sauteed Kale:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 4 cups kale

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Risotto: 

1. In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic or shallots and saute for a minute or two, until soft and fragrant. 
2. Add the arborio rice, stir to coat with butter. Add the white wine and enjoy the sizzles. 
3. Add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, and simmer/stir after each addition until the rice is soft and creamy. 
4. Add the parmesan and stir until incorporated. Salt + pepp to taste.

For the Seared Scallops: 

1. Heat oil in nonstick skillet. 
2. Pat scallops dry (VERY DRY, as dry as possible), sprinkle with salt, and add to pan. They should sizzle (if not, you need a hotter pan.) Shake gently to prevent sticking. 
3. After 2-3 minutes, flip each scallop over. They should have a pretty golden brown exterior and an opaque inside. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil. 
4. Serve immediately.

For the Sautéed Kale: 

1. Heat the oil over medium low heat. Add the garlic, stir for a minute to get the flavor going. 
2. Add the kale and stir until wilted.

*OG recipe called for brown butter to drizzle over everything, but since everything is cooked in oil already and the parmesan has a pretty strong flavor, I didn't think it added much

---

Original recipe: Pinch of Yum

Posted by Jasmine

Oktoberfest Stew with Lager and Smoked Sausage

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (14 ounce) package beef smoked sausage, cut into bite-size slices*
• 1 1/2 onion, sliced into thin semi-circles
• 1/2 head small cabbage, quartered, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway seeds
• Pinch salt
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup German-style lager beer (Oktoberfest variety)
• 2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed to bite-size pieces
• 2 1/2 cups hot chicken stock
• 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped

 Preparation:

1. Place a medium-large pot over medium-high heat, and add the olive oil;
2. Once the oil is hot, add in the sliced beef smoked sausage, and allow the slices to caramelize and brown in the oil, for about 4-5 minutes;
3. When the sausage is browned, add in the sliced onions, stir, and allow the onions to caramelize with the sausage for another few minutes, until golden-brown and softened;
4. Once onions are caramelized, add in the sliced cabbage, stir to combine, and allow the cabbage to soften and take on the flavors of the sausage and onions for  few minutes;
5. Once the cabbage is softened and golden, add in the black pepper, ground caraway seeds and the pinch of salt, and stir to combine;
6. Next, stir in the garlic, and once it becomes aromatic, add in the cup of lager, and stir the mixture to combine; allow the beer to slightly reduce for about 3 minutes or so;
7. Next, add in the cubed potatoes and the hot chicken stock, stir, and allow the mixture to come to the boil; once it comes to the boil, place a lid on (slightly askew to allow just a little steam to escape), and reduce the heat to low to gently simmer the stew for about 40 minutes;
8. After the 40 minutes, turn the heat off, and finish the stew by stirring in the apple cider vinegar and the chopped parsley (add more salt if necessary, too).

Serve in large bowls with some hearty, rye bread or rustic rolls with butter or cream cheese.

* Type of sausage: A good quality beef smoked sausage is perfect for this; but you could certainly substitute pork or even bratwurst, as well, if you'd like to go even more “Oktoberfest”.

---

Original recipe: The Cozy Apron

Posted by Jasmine

Pumpkin Pie Crisp

INGREDIENTS

Pumpkin Filling

• 1 (15-oz.) canned pumpkin purée
• 1 cup Sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup heavy cream

Cinnamon Streusel

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups Sugar
• 1 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Topping

• Vanilla Ice Cream

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a medium casserole dish. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk in heavy cream until smooth. Pour into prepared skillet and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted butter and stir with a fork until crumbly. 
4. Spread cinnamon streusel topping on top of pumpkin pie mixture in an even layer.
5. Bake until the filling is set and the top is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm topped with Vanilla Ice Cream.

---

Original recipe: Dixie Crystals

Posted by Jasmine

Kufteh Berenji - Persian Meatballs

 Ingredients

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 1/2 cup yellow split peas

• 2 eggs, whisked
• 2 teaspoons Persian Spice mix*
• 1 large onion, grated
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 cup chopped savory
• 1/4 cup chopped tarragon
• 1 cup chopped fresh dill
• 2 cups chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cups chopped scallions

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads  

Optional for garnish: pomegranate, chopped mint and toasted pistachios

Directions

1. Pick over the rice and peas and rinse. Cook the rice and peas covered for 30 minutes until cooked thoroughly.
2. Place the eggs, spice mix, onion, ground meat, fresh herbs, and scallions in a large mixing bowl and mix with cooked peas and rice. Knead the mixture thoroughly until it resembles a smooth paste. You can do this by hand or with the aid of a mixer fitted with a paddle at low speed.
3. In a large sautee pan lightly coated with olive oil, add the sliced onion and garlic and sauté until lightly caramelized. Add the tomato juice, chicken stock, lime juice and saffron. Simmer for 15 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
4. Shape the meat mixture into meatballs and gently add them to the simmering sauce. Cook until the meatballs are cooked through (about 15 minutes).
5. Serve with fresh pita and plenty of sauce. Garnish with pomegranate, chopped mint and toasted pistachios.

*Persian Spice Mix (Advieh) is made from equal parts cinnamon, coriander, sesame seeds, cardamom, and cumin (all ground). If you can find pesticide free rose petals they should be added, if not use a drop of rose water in the sauce.

---

Original recipe: My Jewish Learning

Posted by Jasmine

Easy Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Bubble-Up Bake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken, cut into cubes
• 8 oz bacon, cooked, crumbled
• 10 oz frozen broccoli florets
• 1 1/4 cups ranch dressing
• 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits) 
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

Steps

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. In 10- or 12-inch skillet, cook chicken until browned and no longer pink in center.
3. In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish, place cooked chicken, bacon, broccoli and ranch dressing; stir until chicken and bacon are evenly coated with dressing. Sprinkle with pepper to taste.
4. Separate dough from biscuits into 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 8 pieces. Evenly spread biscuit pieces over chicken mixture in dish.
5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until biscuit pieces are puffed and no longer doughy.
6. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese over top; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Cut into squares to serve.

---

Original recipe: Pillsbury

Posted by Jasmine