November 21, 2024

Apple-Butternut Soup

September 29, 2015 by

Oh!  ‘Tis the season…apple season, that is!  Here in NY State, our farmers grow a huge portion of the country’s apple crop…and it is a GOOD one this year!  We are going apple picking next week but I didn’t want to wait to start with the recipes.  This one, Apple-Butternut Soup, included a few tart green Granny Smith apples. The tartness of the apple along with the sweetness of the squash melded together nicely.  This recipe is simple and easy, (and quick too!) and makes a smooth, thick soup which was very filling and satisfying.  If you would like to keep your soup vegetarian (or vegan), just use vegetable broth.  This soup fits perfectly into our healthy but oh-so-yummy POV, too.  Enjoy!

And please don’t let the task of cutting up the squash scare you off!  Be sure to use a sharp knife and just be careful.  I used a melon baller to scoop out the seeds and all the string-y business.  Here are a couple of pics of the process.

2015-09-26 16.43.57

2015-09-26 16.48.37

 

 

 

 

 Apple – Butternut Soup

2015-09-26 18.38.34

ingredients:

1 large butternut squash (3#), peeled and seeded, cut into 1-1+1/2″ cubes
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
sea salt and freshly ground pepper (I use lemon-pepper blend)
1 sweet onion, chopped small
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (I use jarred)
2 or 3 apples, peeled and chopped
2 quarts chicken stock
1 cup cider (or additional broth)
1 cup water
big handful fresh greens (baby spinach, kale, arugula), sliced thinly

directions:

  • preheat oven to 425
  • line large baking sheet with parchment paper
  • in a large bowl, use just enough olive oil to lightly coat the squash and season well w/ s&p
  • pour seasoned squash onto the baking sheet; spread them out in a single layer…use two pans if necessary (I needed two)
  • roast until just beginning to brown, about 20-25 minutes; remove from oven and set aside

meanwhile…

  • in a 6 quart stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute onion for 8-9 minutes over medium heat (or  ‘til softened and translucent)
  • reduce heat to low; add ginger and garlic and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly ’til fragrant
  • add chopped apples, cider, chicken stock and water; bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer
  • save out a cup or so of the roasted butternut; add the rest to the pot and simmer  for 15 minutes or  so
  • using an immersion blender**, puree soup ’til almost smooth
  • carefully taste and season, if necessary, with salt and pepper
  • place a handful of sliced greens and some of the reserved squash in bottom of bowl; fill with soup

**also can be pureed in a standard blender but be very careful and puree in batches

   ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥ 

God loves you!   ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

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Baked Potato Soup – Load It Up

January 13, 2014 by

Yum!  Do you enjoy a baked potato with all the fixin’s?  I must admit I do!  What is your favorite topping?  Mine is bacon. And even choosing just what to put on top…when my husband gets done “loading” his potato, it is a masterpiece (and he enjoys every bite)!  But we’ve learned a few things about the balancing act with carbs…and so, a loaded baked potato finds it’s way onto my plate once in a blue moon.  However, this soup…now this i can enjoy perhaps every full moon!

A friend had asked me for a recipe for this soup. (I had never even heard of ‘Baked Potato Soup!’)   You can only imagine the variety of recipes to be found out on the internet!  Well, you can easily guess just what they were “loaded” with—many more calories than I desire to serve to my husband and guests (and me)!   And we surely couldn’t include a recipe like most of those I saw on our Monday post on the At Home w/ GCH blog!

So here is how I made our healthy-but-oh-so-yummy version—this recipe includes cauliflower. Using cauliflower as a main ingredient does a number of things in a healthy and yummy way:

  • provides our bodies with more veggies
  • and for those of you trying to sneak veggies into your family’s repertoire…perfect!
  • keeps the carb count down (approximately the same # of carbs in an entire head of cauliflower as in one russet potato)
  • bulks up the soup so it is thick and creamy without exhorbitant quantities of heavy cream and cheese (lots of fat and calories)

I encourage you to try this soup…it is a very satisfying comfort food but is light on the carbs and the fat calories.  A nice treat!  Enjoy!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Healthy but oh-so-yummy Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Healthy but oh-so-yummy Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients
soup:
2 medium-sized russet* potatoes, washed and dried
1 head of cauliflower, rough chopped
1+1/2 cups chicken, or vegetable, broth
1+1/2 cups 2% milk (warmed)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
toppings:
2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (you can use turkey bacon if you wish)
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 cup shredded very sharp cheddar cheese
dried parsley

Directions

  • First get the baked potatoes going. After scrubbing them, pierce potatoes with a fork in 4 or 5 places. I prepared mine in the microwave oven (on high for 5 minutes; turn over and cook another 3-5 minutes, until tender). Or, you can bake them at 400° for approximately 1 hour or until tender. Either way, when potatoes are done, cool for 10-15 minutes. Then they can be peeled and chopped. This recipe is also a great way to use up leftover baked potatoes!
  • While the potatoes are cooking and cooling, you can prepare the other main ingredients. Here’s how I cook bacon: I stack the slices and, using kitchen scissors, I cut it into approximately 1+1/2″ to 2″ pieces. I find that the bacon cooks much more quickly and evenly this way. Place the pieces into a COLD small frying pan, heat over medium heat. Once the bacon starts frying, I reduce the heat a bit and cook to the desired degree of doneness, keeping a careful eye so that it does not burn. I like to cook bacon over a medium low heat so that most of the fat is rendered out. Using a slotted spoon or spatula, remove the bacon, leaving the drippings, and place onto a couple of paper towels to finish draining. Set aside for topping the soup.
  • Now while the bacon is cooking, place the cut-up cauliflower into a medium-sized pot along with the broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then cover and simmer ‘til tender. Do not drain.
  • Once cauliflower is cooked, add warmed milk and the chopped baked potatoes to the pot, and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer ‘til thoroughly heated, stirring once or twice; this will take just a couple of minutes. Remove pot from heat and scoop out about 1/3 of the veggies; set aside.
  • Now you are going to puree (smooth out) the soup. I use an immersion or stick blender** to puree. Other options would be to use a potato masher, or to puree the soup in your blender. You must be very careful doing it this way because it is hot! See below for tips (just ‘cause God loves you…we don’t want to see you get hurt!). Once pureed, place pot back on very low heat, add back in the reserved veggies, the sour cream, half the parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper. heat on very low ‘til nice and hot, stirring occasionally.

Now to “load” your potato soup!  Ladle soup into each bowl.  Top each serving with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese, a sprinkle of the remaining parsley, and some of the crumbled bacon. Healthy but-oh-so-yummy!

   ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥      ♥ 

God loves you!  ♥   (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥   Coleen

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Butternut Squash-Sausage Soup

September 30, 2013 by

♪♬  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  ♬♪  Yes, I know…that’s a song you might sing during the Christmas holiday season…but for me AUTUMN is the most wonderful time of the year!  The weather is delightful…back to sleeping with the windows open a crack, and we get to break out our beautiful sweaters!  And some of my favorite ingredients to cook and bake with are in-season: pumpkin, apples, cider, pears, cranberries, butternut squash (ok…all the winter squashes!), cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale!

For the next few weeks, our Monday blog here on At Home w/ GCH will focus on these ingredients while keeping to our healthy but oh-so-yummy! point of view.

Today’s recipe is also our first soup of the season…Butternut Squash-Sausage Soup.  Here’s a link showing the incredible nutritional value of butternut squash.  This recipe remain within our healthy but oh-so-yummy parameters as it is l-o-a-ded with veggies and, while very smooth and  creamy, contains not a speck of butter or sour cream or cheese.  Enjoy!

Butternut Squash-Sausage Soup

2013-09-28 13.33.17

 

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, 3#2013-09-27 16.59.05
2-3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2# italian turkey sausage, removed from casings
1/2# ground chicken (or turkey)
1 large sweet onion
6-8 ounces Baby Bella mushrooms
1 red or yellow bell pepper
3-4 tablespoons chopped garlic
kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon each: dried sage, marjoram, and basil
8 cups chicken broth
1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed

 

Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 425.
  • Cut and peel butternut squash; dice into 2″ pieces. Place in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil; liberally season with salt & pepper.  Stir until well-coated.  Pour onto a large baking sheet lined with foil and roast for 10 minutes.  Stir and flip pieces over.  Roast for an additional 10 minutes.  Remove from oven, and set aside.
  • While the butternut squash is roasting, saute meats together in a large frypan, allowing them to brown just a bit.  Use the edge of a wooden spoon (or a potato masher) to break pieces up as they cook into smaller pieces.  Remove to a bowl, leaving the juices in the pan.
  • Dice the onion, the pepper, and the mushrooms into similar-sized pieces, approximately 1+1/2″.  Add the onion to the frypan and saute for 5 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  Then add the mushrooms.  Cook for another 5 minutes; allow the veggies to begin to caramelize.  Add in the peppers; cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Finally add the chopped garlic and the seasonings, cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring to a boil.  Add the roasted butternut squash and the beans.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Scoop out about 1+1/2 cups of the chunkier pieces; set aside.
  • With a hand-held immersion blender * carefully puree the soup (or in batches in a countertop blender).
  • Add in the cooked meats plus the veggies you put aside.  Stir all well together, and simmer for 5-10 additional minutes.  Taste (carefully!) for additional seasoning.

* Note: I simply love my immersion blender (we own the Oster 3-in-1)!  I use it almost every day.  It is so handy for many simple, quick blending jobs…even for smoothies or milkshakes.  The best part—it is extremely easy to clean and most often is used right in the cooking pot you are using…not dirtying yet another thing to wash up!   A good quality immersion blender can be purchased for around $25.

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

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At Home with GCH: Focus on Health

February 13, 2013 by

beet and goat cheese salad

In writing this blog series, “Focus on Health.” I am reminded of several articles I read around the start of the year, listing “The Healthiest Foods You’re Not Eating.”  Basically, all the lists were comprised of super foods—those veggies, fruits, grains and other ingredients that we know are good for us but that we avoid for whatever reason.  One that we’ll be looking at this month is BEETS.  Yay, beets!

Beets are high in folic acid, which is crucial during pregnancy.  They are also chock full of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, calcium and iron.  They are being studied for their cancer and heart disease prevention properties.  Especially of interest to scientists is the pigment that gives beets their bright red color—Betacyanin—because it has been shown to fight cancer and possesses powerful antioxidants.

Perhaps you had them prepared the wrong way, like boiled to death.  Perhaps you see them in the store and just don’t know what to do with them.  In any case, beets are in season now, just waiting for you at your local farmer’s market or grocery store.  Let’s look closer!

There are two main varieties:  common red beets, and golden beets.  Both are delicious and are prepared the same way, but golden beets have a milder flavor, while red beets have a stronger, earthier and sweeter taste.  When you buy them, look for bright, strong leafy greens attached.  The greens are edible and are highly nutritious themselves—don’t throw them out! If you aren’t going to cook the beets the day you buy them, keep them in the fridge, with the greens wrapped in a damp paper towel.  The beets can last quite a while in your fridge, but the greens must be eaten quickly, like within a day or two, or they get limp and gross.

My favorite way to cook beets is to roast them in the oven.  Wash the beets, remove leaves and stems, and place them on a large square of aluminum foil.  Drizzle with olive oil, bake for 45 minutes at 375F, and let cool.  The skins will slip right off in your hands.  One warning:  beet juice stains!  You might want to wear gloves or an apron, and wipe up any spilled beet juice quickly.  Okay, ready for some recipes to try?  Here we go!

Twenty years ago I was a vegetarian and living on my own for the first time.  My go-to snack?  A can of beets and a spoonful of orange marmalade, simmered until hot and the juice is thick and sweet.  Better than dessert!

————-

This might be my favorite salad of all time:

http://frugalgirlmet.blogspot.com/2011/02/roasted-beet-and-goat-cheese-salad.html

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I am making this salad on Valentines Day because I love the pink color:

http://paleospirit.com/2012/roasted-beet-and-cucumber-salad-with-yogurt-dressing/

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This recipe for Pennsylvania Dutch pickled red beets and eggs is one my Mom made all my life.  Now that she’s gone, my sister has taken on the tradition.  She makes them every year for Easter.  The color of the eggs – maroon on the outside, white and yellow inside – is shocking and delightful!

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipe/for/pennsylvania-dutch-pickled-beets-and-eggs/106

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Beets can be shredded and eaten raw, too!  Here’s a very minimalist raw beet salad:

http://content.markbittman.com/recipes/raw-beet-salad

————-
When I think of Russian food, my mind immediately goes to Borscht.  Ever had it?

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-beet-borscht-recipe/index.html

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And for you juicers out there, beet juice is the best!  Try out a combination of beets, carrots, and apples for a sweet and healthy treat.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

Please visit me at Frugal Girlmet for more unique recipes!

If you would like to contact Dana in regards to this blog, please email her at Dana@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

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At Home with GCH: Greek Chicken Soup – Avgolemono

February 1, 2013 by

Avgolemono

 

If there is one unifying theme to At Home with GCH, I would say it’s stewardship.  To me, being a good steward means using my resources wisely and creatively.  The biggest challenge to being a good steward is being thrifty and cutting down on waste.  If you haven’t already, check out the post on the Great Freezer Challenge!  And then, check out this soup recipe!

My favorite tip for saving money in the kitchen is buying a whole chicken instead of pre-cut pieces.  You can easily get two meals out of one chicken, and for the same price you would pay for a package of chicken breasts!  For the first meal, you have endless choices; but then comes the challenge—once you’ve cut the legs and breasts off, or roasted the whole bird, what do you do with the carcass? Easy answer?  Soup!

This Greek recipe is called Avgolemono.  In Greek, “avgo” means “egg” and “lemono,” well you can probably guess what that one is!  This is a fresh-tasting soup, with a bright lemony flavor.  There’s also a lot of room to customize—you can add more vegetables beyond just the spinach (bell peppers, onions, zucchini), and you can choose what kind of starch you want in it.  I’ve seen recipes that call for cooked rice, or different shapes of pasta.  However, most will call for orzo, which is a small, rice-shaped pasta.  Or, if you are cutting out refined flours or grains, just don’t add it in!

This makes a great dinner, with a salad and some bread or a roasted sweet potato.

Greek Chicken Soup – Avgolemono

Ingredients:

  • 1 chicken carcass  (You can also use 2 bone-in chicken breasts)
  • 1 (10ounce) box of frozen spinach
  • 3/4 cup orzo
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 2 eggs
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Put chicken carcass in a large pot with enough water to cover.  Cook until chicken is cooked through and falling off the bone.  Remove carcass to a large bowl to cool.  Strain broth and return to the pot.  
  2. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone and shred or chop into small pieces.  You should have 2-3 cups of chicken.
  3. Return broth to the stove and heat on medium.  When it simmers, add the box of spinach (no need to thaw), along with the bay leaves and the chicken.  Now look at the consistency of your soup.  Do you like it really brothy?  You might want  to add more water.  Do you like your soup thicker, more like a stew?  Now is the time to raise the heat and reduce your broth.
  4. When you have your preferred consistency, add the orzo to the soup.  Cook on medium heat for about 8 minutes.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs with the lemon juice.  Slowly add a ladleful of your broth to the eggs and stir, to temper them, so they don’t seize up when you add them to the soup.  Turn the heat off.  Slowly stir the egg/lemon juice mixture into the soup. Keep stirring to make sure you don’t get any eggy clumps.  Season with salt and pepper.

 

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

Please visit me at Frugal Girlmet for more unique recipes!

If you would like to contact Dana in regards to this blog, please email her at Dana@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

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At Home with GCH – SoupPalooza Week 5

January 31, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH  blog, Monday’s are usually focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  But this week, I get to visit with you on Thursday!  This past Monday, our Christi put forth a challenge that you just might want to take part in…check it out!

Christi’s Pantry/Freezer Challenge

We are continuing to celebrate soup, soup, and soup since this is National Soup Month!  Now this week—since SOME of us are gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday with all of the eating attached to the watching—we are making Cheese & Cider Soup, with a Spicy Popcorn topping as well as a hearty Black Bean and Sausage Soup.  These are my contributions to the “Soup”er  Bowl buffet!

Cheese & Cider Soup w/Spicy Popcorn2013-01-29 21.05.45

2 slices bacon, diced
1 medium onion, small dice
1 large Yukon Gold potato, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice
1 medium carrot, minced
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced small
1 heaping teaspoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1+1/2 cups apple cider
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup filtered water
1 can (12 ounce) evaporated milk
Pinch cayenne pepper (add up to 1/8 teaspoon if you enjoy the heat!)
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (I also use Gouda)
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves (if using dried, use 1 tsp)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Fry the bacon in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, 5-10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and set aside.

Add the onion to the bacon drippings and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the potato, carrot, apple, and garlic stirring continuously for about 1 minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.

Dust the flour across the vegetables and stir to coat the vegetables; cook for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture JUST begins to brown on the bottom of the pot.

Gradually whisk in the cider, water, and chicken stock; increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered until the vegetables are cooked, approximately 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally; you will see the liquid begin to thicken slightly.  When the potatoes yield to gentle pressure (done!), whisk in the evaporated milk and bring back to a very gentle simmer. Stir in the cayenne (if using) and the thyme, and then slowly add in the cheese stirring JUST until the cheese melts.  Remove from heat.  Carefully taste for additional seasoning, if necessary.  Ladle into bowls or mugs; serve immediately with Spicy Popcorn on the side.

Spicy Popcorn

In a small bowl, mix:
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8-1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Simply prepare your popcorn in the manner you prefer (you will need about 2 cups).  As soon as it is done popping, IMMEDIATELY sprinkle 2 cups of popped popcorn with the seasoning mixture.  Stir gently.  Serve alongside your Cheddar & Cider Soup along with the bacon bits you prepared in the beginning.  Enjoy!

 _________________________

OK!  Onto our second soup this week, Black Bean and Sausage Soup.  This has a decidedly Mexican flavor so top it with some chopped avocado and red pepper…or a simple guacamole.

Black Bean and Sausage Soupsoup

1/2# Italian sausage meat, hot or sweet—your choice*
1 small onion
2 heaping tablespoons chopped garlic
1 (14-15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
2 cups broth
2 cups filtered water
3 cans (14-15 ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed with warm water**
2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped and drained (optional)
1 teaspoon EACH: dried oregano, chili powder, cumin
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional)
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 small red pepper, seeded and chopped small

Add a small amount of oil to stockpot; heat over medium-high and then saute the sausage meat and onion together for approximately 6-7 minutes.  Stir in chopped garlic and stir continuously for 1 minute.

Then add in tomatoes, broth, TWO (2) cans of the black beans, and all of the seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes allowing for flavors to meld.

Remove from heat.  Take approximately 1 cup of the beans and tomatoes out of the soup and add to the reserved can of black beans.  Using a blender or an immersion blender, CAREFULLY puree, making as smooth as possible.  Add back into hot soup and stir well.  Ladle into bowls or mugs.  Serve immediately.

I like to serve this soup with the following toppings, letting everyone make their own choice of how to finish off their mug of soup:

  • chopped avocado
  • chopped red pepper, and/or tomato
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • sour cream
  • shredded sharp cheddar
  • crushed tortilla chips

*I purchased ground Italian sausage meat OUT of the casings (looks like ground beef and is packaged the same).  However, if you already have sausage links on hand, you could just as easily remove the sausage from the casings and use that.

** reserve 1 can of black beans

 

God loves you!  ♥ (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥ coleen

_________________________________

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this series, you may email her at:  Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

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At Home with GCH: Korean Dumplings (Mandu)

January 25, 2013 by

mandu fried

“Mandu” in Korean, “Gyoza” in Japanese, “pot stickers” or “wontons” at your favorite Chinese restaurant—whatever you call them, everyone loves dumplings!  You can buy them frozen in many Asian grocery stores, but why not make them at home?  It’s fun, and best of all, YOU have control over what does—or does not—go into your food.

You shouldn’t have any trouble tracking down the ingredients for this recipe.  Fresh ginger and wonton skins can be found at nearly all grocery stores.  If you can’t find ground pork, you could try ground turkey instead.  Napa cabbage works best in this recipe, but you can use regular green cabbage; just make sure you shred it finely.

Ready to make dumplings?  Let’s go!

Korean Dumplings  (Mandu)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 large carrot, shredded or chopped in a food processor
  • about 1/2 cup cabbage, shredded
  • 4 green onions, minced
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for the cabbage
  • 1 package gyoza skins (mine had 25 skins in the package)

Directions:

  1. After you’ve shredded your veggies or chopped them in the food processor, sprinkle with a good teaspoon of salt, focusing on the cabbage. Let sit for 15 minutes or so, and then squeeze out the water. You can do this by hand, or put them in a strainer and press with your hands or the back of a spoon. You don’t want watery filling.
  2. Add pork and veggies to a mixing bowl. Then add the ginger, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and salt. Stir to combine or use your fingers to make sure everything is really well mixed.
  3. To fill dumplings, hold a gyoza skin in your left hand, and spoon a teaspoonful (don’t be tempted to over-fill!) of filling into the middle. Dip your finger into a bowl of water and wet one half of the edge of the skin, making a C. Fold the other half over and press to seal. I gave mine two little pleats, just to be pretty, but a straight fold is fine too.

 

mandu raw

To cook: you can add these to soup, or just boil them in chicken broth and add some green onions and a little soy sauce  or miso paste for a really fast dumpling soup. I like mine fried. Heat a tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet and add your dumplings. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on medium-low heat until they get golden and crispy (watch carefully, they burn quickly!). Flip the dumplings, add 3 tablespoons of water to the pan, and cover. This steams them and cooks the filling evenly. After 5 minutes, remove lid and cook until golden and crispy. Serve with a dipping sauce of 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and freshly ground black pepper.

 

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

Please visit me at Frugal Girlmet for more unique recipes!

If you would like to contact Dana in regards to this blog, please email her at Dana@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

 

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At Home with GCH – SoupPalooza, Part 4

January 21, 2013 by

SoupPalooza Part 4 – Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup

Here on our At Home with GCH  blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  We are continuing to celebrate soup, soup, and soup since this is National Soup Month!  Each week we will explore soup basics sometimes along with a bonus recipe for you to serve to your loved ones.

This week we are making Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons. Such a comfort food and indulgence!  The way we manage to stay within our ‘healthy’ parameters is that this soup contains evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.  Using evaporated milk saves approximately 80 calories AND 12 grams of fat (yes, you read that right!) in each serving.  All the yummy creaminess…and now—since you have kept the soup lower in calories—you can thoroughly indulge in those grilled cheese croutons; oh my!

2013-01-18 22.14.54

Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup

1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped small
1 Tablespoon chopped garlic (I use jarred)2013-01-18 21.23.16
1 Tablespoon dried basil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups broth
1 cup red wine, or additional cup of broth
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
1 can tomato puree (28 ounces)
1 small jar of roasted red peppers, chopped small, optional
1 portion homemade condensed tomato soup (see recipe below)
1 can evaporated milk

In a medium-sized saucepan (4 quarts or so), melt butter and olive oil together over medium heat.  Add chopped onion and saute for 5 minutes until softened and transparent.  Add garlic and basil; cook for 1 minute stirring continuously.  Pour in red wine to deglaze pan; then add broth, all tomato products (also roasted red peppers, if you are using them) and salt & pepper.  Stir really well.  Bring up to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally, making sure to mix up from the bottom.  Carefully taste for seasoning, adding if necessary. Finally, add in evaporated milk and heat through.  Keep warm.

Another aspect of this recipe that fulfills our healthy but oh-so-yummy needs is the homemade condensed soup.  You know… just like in the can BUT no wheat, no additives, no un-pronounceable ingredients, no high fructose corn syrup!  So easy and quick to pull together!

Homemade “Condensed” Tomato Soup

8 ounces tomato puree or sauce
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, stir all ingredients together.  Bring just up to a boil, reduce heat to very low and simmer for 2-3 minutes.  Ready to use!

OK!

Now the part that (some of you!) have been waiting for…Grilled Cheese Croutons!  Actually, no recipe 🙂 Prepare your most incredible, delicious, gooey grilled cheese sammies!  You choose the bread (I would suggest cutting off the crusts!)…you choose the cheese!  Make sure that they are really nicely crunchy and toasted! Let them cool for just a minute or two, and cut up into small squares.  Serve alongside the soup…toss them in as you go because you wouldn’t want them to get soggy!  Comfort food that is healthy but oh-so-yummy !

God loves you!  ♥ (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥ coleen

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If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this series, you may email her at:  Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

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At Home with GCH – SoupPalooza Part 3

January 14, 2013 by

SoupPalooza, Part Three

Here on our At Home with GCH  blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  We are continuing to celebrate soup, soup, and soup since this is National Soup Month!  Each week we will explore soup basics sometimes along with a bonus recipe for you to serve to your loved ones.

Last week I shared that I made a commitment to Mr. Hayden to serve soup at least once each day for the month.  So far…so good!  He’s enjoyed  Homemade Mini-Meatball Soup, White Bean & Kale Soup w/Chicken Sausage, as well as Vegetable Tortellini Soup, and homemade Creamy Tomato Soup.

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This week we are making French Onion Soup accompanied by the traditional baguette with a yummy, cheesy topping.  Whenever I think of this soup, I always remember Julia Child!  Any other Julia fans out there?  For fans, or those who would love to be entertained while learning from the best, I have attached a short video of Julia preparing her version of French Onion Soup.    Bon Appetit!

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Onto our preparation…  This soup is fairly uncomplicated but it does take some time. One important part of the preparation for this recipe is the manner in which the onions are cut…really.  In this recipe this is the shape onion that works best.  Onions sliced from top to bottom, or “pole to pole” also cook more evenly.  And they have a shape and size that ‘eats well.’  You don’t want long, stringy pieces of onion falling off your spoon!  Try this: Peel the onions and slice off the ends.  Cut the onion in half through the middle (think: along the equator).  Then lay the half of the onion down and make thin (1/4″) cuts from top to bottom.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
5-6 small to medium-sized onions (approximately 2#), sliced thin **
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup red wine, or additional cup of broth
3 tablespoons flour
2 quarts broth (beef, chicken, or veggie)
1 loaf French, or Italian, bread
3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese (traditionally Gruyere is used; pricey!  I use Jarlsberg)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Melt the stick of butter in a large stockpot over medium heat.  Add all the onions, the herbs and a few grinds of salt and pepper.  Stir well making sure to thoroughly coat all of the onions with the butter. Now just allow the onions to cook; occasionally, give a thorough stir up from the bottom of the pan.  After 10 minutes, turn the heat down just a bit.  The onions will need to cook for an additional 20 minutes or so; during the last minute or two, stir in the chopped garlic.  You will see the onions getting very soft and turning a light brown.  This is called caramelization.  Do Not Let Burn…just brown…this is where the majority of all the yummy flavor of the soup will come from.

Add the wine and raise the heat to bring to a quick boil.  Immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions appear almost dry, about 5 minutes.  Dust the onions with the flour; give them a stir.  Cook for 5 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now slowly add in the broth, and raise the heat to bring the soup back to a simmer; cook for 15 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

When you’re ready to eat, preheat the broiler.  Cut the bread on the diagonal into 1″ slices that will fit into your soup bowl or mug.  Place the bread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with the cheeses (mound it up!) and broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 or 4 minutes. Watch they don’t burn!  I usually make a few extra for dipping.

Ladle the soup into the bowls and float the bread slice on top.  Voila!  French Onion Soup!

God loves you!  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥ coleen

For all the Julia Child fans, I give you Julia at her best—she always gives wonderful tips and ideas!  My favorite here is how to get the onion-y smell off your hands!

http://video.pbs.org/video/2261536742/

** Here is a tutorial about all types of onion cuts, if you would like to check it out: HOW TO CUT ONIONS

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen, in regards to this blog, please email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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GCH: What’s on Your Plate? – SoupPalooza, Part Two

January 7, 2013 by

Soup-Palooza, Part Two

  • “Not from a Box, Nor from a Can” Chicken Broth
  • White Bean & Kale Soup with Chicken Sausage

Did you know that January is National Soup Month?  That is good news to one particular individual here in the Hayden household…my husband would eat soup e-v-e-r-y single day!  So this month I have committed to serving soup at one meal per day for the entire month (ummm, yeah…he’s a happy camper!).  And I am taking YOU along for the ride, too!

Here on our GCH:WoYP, where Monday’s are focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes, we will be promoting soup, soup, and soup for the next four weeks.  Each week we will explore the basics along with a delicious recipe for you to serve to your loved ones.

So, this week we are starting from scratch!  Homemade chicken broth.  Oh, yeah!  Now don’t be afraid, please…this is so simple, I promise!  One way to make this easy to fit into a busy schedule would be to start it as you are making your supper preparations.  Then the broth can simmer away, and you can finalize it after supper.  Just a thought!

This recipe makes a vat…well, not quite a vat…it makes 8+ quarts.  A quart of soup is the size of those aseptically sealed boxes from your grocery store (or approximately 2 cans).  Most soup recipes that feed 4-6 people require two quarts of broth.  Now you can have delicious, nutritious, chemical-free chicken broth handy right in your refrigerator or freezer!  Let’s get started!

“Not From a Can, Nor From a Box” Chicken Broth     

Makes 8+ quarts

1 8-9# ‘oven stuffer’ whole chicken, cut-up (or buy cut-up chicken)*
1 large sweet onion (Vidalia), rough chopped
4-5 stalks of celery WITH the leaves, cut in 3-4″ sized pieces
1/4# carrots (3-4 whole carrots, or ½ bag baby carrots), rough chopped
1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
1 teaspoon kosher salt

4-5 sprigs each of fresh thyme and dill, optional
9 quarts of water; I use filtered; use whatever you would drink 😉

Use the largest pot you own.**  I use a 12 quart-sized pot. You don’t want to fill your pot up to the top; this needs a little room to move around while it is boiling.

Carefully rinse the cut-up chicken (the better the chicken is rinsed…the less yuck floating around in your broth).  Then place the chicken pieces along with the vegetables, and the seasonings, into the pot and pour water over them all.  Cover pot and heat on high ‘til just coming to a boil; reduce heat and partially cover.  You want the soup to be gently boiling.  You can occasionally skim off the yucky stuff from the top of the broth.  Let everything simmer away for a half hour; remove breastmeat to cool.  Continue cooking an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Remove pot from heat.  Take dark meat sections and add to breastmeat which has cooled.  You can strain your broth, if preferred; it all depends on just how clear you would like the broth to be.  CAREFULLY pour, or ladle, the broth along with the cooked veggies into storage containers, leaving enough room to add the chicken.  Cut up (or shred) the chicken into bite-size pieces; keep every last one of all the little bits!  Add back into the broth.

Let cool ‘til container is no longer HOT to the touch; refrigerate.  When thoroughly cooled, I would suggest discarding the layer of fat that will have solidified on the top of the container. This broth freezes very well.  I usually keep 2 quarts in the refrigerator (use within 1 week or so) and the rest in the freezer.

* Toss the wings in the trash…not even worth cooking.  I cut each of the breastmeat pieces in half; that way they don’t overcook.  You want tender meat in the end (but throw the bones into the pot, too).

**Should you not have a pot this size, or cannot beg or borrow one, just reduce all of the ingredients by half and proceed, ok?  Don’t let that stop you!

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Now, to actually USE that healthy but oh-so-yummy broth…

White Bean and Kale Soup with Chicken Sausage 

Makes 6 servings

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8 cups (2 quarts) chicken broth, divided
(1) 12 oz pkg italian chicken sausage, sliced diagonally ½” thick
2+ tablespoons olive oil
1 large sweet onion (Vidalia), sliced
1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic
½ cup white wine, or additional broth
2 cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed
1 can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch kale, stems and tough ribs removed, leaves roughly chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1+1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (I used lemon pepper)
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated if possible
1 lemon

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot (4 quart) over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is just starting to brown, about 5-6 minutes. Add onion slices and additional olive oil, if necessary.  Cook, stirring often, until onions and sausage are slightly browned, about 10 minutes more.  Reduce heat to low; stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.  Remove sausage, onions and garlic; set aside.  Pour wine into pot and scrape up brown bits stuck to the bottom. Let simmer for a minute or two.  Meanwhile, put 3 cups beans and 2 cups broth into a blender and purée ‘til smooth; set aside.  Add all of  the remaining broth to the liquid in pot; increase heat to medium and bring to a boil.  Add kale, reduce heat; cover and gently simmer, stirring a few times until kale is wilted and softened, about 5 minutes. Uncover, add remaining beans, bean puree, sausage and onion mixture; stir well.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Simmer gently until hot, about 5 minutes more.  Ladle into soup bowls; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice.

“This soup is delicious, hearty and satisfying while still light and fresh-tasting.  It definitely fits the healthy but oh-so-yummy comfort food category.”  (Comment from the hubby.)  🙂

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen, in regards to this blog, please email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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