Archive for category Main Dishes

Coconut Curry Tofu

A friend of mine gave me this recipe.  I haven’t had a chance to try it, but it sounds delicious.

  • 2 bunches green onions
  • 1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons chile paste
  • 1 pound firm tofu, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
  • 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 4 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 4 cups chopped bok choy
  • salt to taste

Remove white parts of green onions, and finely chop. Chop greens into 2 inch pieces.
In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, mix coconut milk, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, ginger, and chile paste. Bring to a boil.
Stir tofu, tomatoes, yellow pepper, mushrooms, and finely chopped green onions into the skillet. Cover, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in basil and bok choy. Season with salt and remaining soy sauce. Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender but crisp. Garnish with remaining green onion.

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Garlic Lemon Chicken Breasts

  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon rind (fresh)
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Hungarian paprika
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • olive oil
  • salt, pepper, garlic powder (for sprinkling)
  • 4 sprigs Italian parsley
  • 4 onion slices (sliced in thick rings)
  • heavy duty aluminum foil

Cut 4 rectangles of heavy duty aluminum foil, each about the size of 1/2 a standard cookie sheet.

Combine first 5 ingredients (this can optionally be done in a blender).

Spray (or brush) the 4 large rectangles of aluminum foil with olive oil. Place chicken in center; brush with lemon/garlic mixture, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lightly dust with garlic powder.

Place a slice of onion and a sprig of parsley over each. Fold up aluminum into a loose, square packet and crimp edges tightly to seal well. Place in a shallow baking dish or on the grill.

Bake at 350°F for about 50-60 minutes (this depends on the size of each chicken piece).

4 Servings.

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Pistachio Crusted Chicken

  • 1 cup chopped pistachios
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch strips

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Mix together pistachios and bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper until smooth. Dip chicken into Dijon mixture to coat, then coat with bread crumbs. Place onto prepared baking sheet.
Place into preheated oven and turn the oven down to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake until the chicken is no longer pink and the pistachio coating is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

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Pasta Alfredo with Proscuitto, Peas, and Caramelized Onion

This is a slight modification to a dinner I had recently at Biaggis.  Enjoy!

  • 1 lb box pasta
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz proscuitto
  • 1 cup cooked peas
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan and/or romano cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to directions on box.  Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium high heat.  Add onions and small amount of salt.  Caramelize onions to desired color.  Add proscuitto and garlic.  Cook for about 2 minutes.  Add heavy cream and peas.  Cook for another 2 minutes.  Add cheese and allow to melt.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Mix pasta and sauce.  Serve immediately.

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Farfalle Alfredo

I went to Biaggi’s this past Sunday for dinner, and this is what I had.  Seems to be the same recipe they use.

  • 1/8 cup prosciutto or bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/8 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup sliced grilled chicken or sliced baked chicken
  • 1/8 cup diced roasted red pepper
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup alfredo sauce
  • 1/8 cup frozen peas
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked farfalle pasta or pasta, of your choice cooked al dente
  • 2 tablespoons fresh-grated parmesan cheese (use a 50/50 blend of Parmesan & Romano cheese if possible)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh-grated asiago cheese

Fry Prosciutto or bacon in a large skillet for 1-2 minutes; add onions to skillet and continue cooking until Prosciutto is browned; drain any excess fat; add chicken and red peppers to skillet; add chicken stock and deglaze the skillet; add alfredo sauce and gently bring to a boil; add peas.
Meanwhile, refresh the pasta by placing it into boiling water for 30-60 seconds; drain pasta then add it to the skillet; increase heat to high and toss contents of skillet for 20-30 seconds; remove from heat and add cheeses; toss to distribute evenly; serve.

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Mushroom Black Eyed Pea Burgers

  • 6oz sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
  • 1 shallot
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 green onion
  • 1Tbs fresh parsley
  • 1 can black eyed peas
  • 1/4 – 1/2 tsp chili sauce

Saute mushrooms in a little olive oil until browned.  Add toasted walnuts.  Cook for about a minute.
Add shallot, garlic, green onion, parsley, and peas together in a bowl and partially mash peas with a fork.
Add mushroom and nut mixture to pea mixture.  Add chili sauce and salt to taste.  Mix well.
Form into patties.  Coat with flour and fry in a hot skillet until browned.  Flip burgers and cook until done.

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Crock Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

  • 1 large can V8 juice
  • 1 box Zatarains cajun rice mix
  • 2-3 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 large vidalia onion, diced
  • 4 large green peppers, cut into 1 inch strips
  • 1/4 tsp celery salt
  • salt and pepper to taste

Cook onions, rice mix and ground beef together in a skillet until onions are tender and the beef is done, stirring frequently.

Drain excess grease and put mixture into a crock pot.  Add green peppers, V8 juice, celery salt, and salt and pepper.

Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Any soup or stew vegetables may be added for a heartier soup.

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Easy Mexican Chicken and Beans

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast strips for stir-fry
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
  • 1 can black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained
  • 1/4 cup water

Spray 10 inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray.  Cook chicken in skillet over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center

Stir in seasoning mix, beans, corn and water.  Cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce is slightly thickened.  Serve with tortillas.

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Sushi Rice

This is the recipe I use for sushi rice.

  • 2 cups uncooked sushi rice
  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 Tbs rice vinegar
  • 2 Tbs sugar

Wash and rinse rice until water runs clear.  Cook rice with 1 3/4 cups water.

Mix salt and rice vinegar together until dissolved.  Add sugar to rice vingear and stir until dissolved completely.

Add rice vinegar mixture to cooked rice while still hot.  Mix vinegar into rice evenly, while fanning rice to cool it.  Take care not to smash the rice, or you will end up with a pasty mess.

Your sushi rice is now ready to be used to make your favorite sushi!

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Black Bean & Pumpkin Chili

I was looking around the other day for some savory pumpkin dishes, and found this one at veganvisitor.wordpress.com.  Sounds like it would be very good!

  • 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Onion, finely diced
  • 2 Medium Carrots, peeled and finely diced
  • 1 Stalk Celery, finely diced
  • 1 small, dried red chili pepper
  • 3 Cups Any Basic Tomato Sauce
  • 3 Cups Fresh Tomatoes, skinned and chopped or 1 – 28oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2 – 19oz Cans Black Beans, drained and well rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • Crack of Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme, scant
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander Seed
  • 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 1 Cup Dice Pumpkin, roasted

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Clean and cube half a Jarrahdale or other good baking pumpkin.
Using about 1 tablespoon of the olive oil lightly cover the pumpkin, tossing to coat.
Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes or until tender.
Heat the remaining oil in a large stockpot and add the diced onion, carrots and celery.
Sauté the vegetables until slightly softened and the onions are transparent.
Add the chopped tomatoes, sauce and spices then bring everything to a simmer.
Stir in drained, rinsed beans and continue to simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until the carrots are soft.
Remove the chili pepper and add the cubed pumpkin.

Serve it up with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of cheddar (or smoked gouda) along with tortilia chips or a loaf of fresh crusty bread.

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