Shrimp and Quinoa Stuffed Poblanos

I love chile rellenos and will order them whenever I spot one on a menu. But, they aren't exactly the healthiest since they are battered and deep fried with lots of cheese and sometimes fatty chorizo (oh so good). This is a healthy make-at-home spin on my favorite. I use fresh veggies and whole grains and bake them in a smoky tomato and roasted red pepper sauce.  You could use any veggies your have in the fridge or any leftover whole grains from a dinner early in the week.  Also, you could always skip the shrimp and do chicken or lean ground beef.

Ingredients:

-5-6 poblano peppers

-2 cups of cooked quinoa or other whole grain

-1 cup corn (thawed from frozen or canned)

-1 cup white onion, chopped

-1 cup zucchini, chopped

-1 cup tomato, chopped 

-1 cup cooked shrimp

-handful cilantro, roughly chopped

-1/2 cup cotija or other white cheese

-1 can fire roasted tomatoes
-1/2 jar roasted red peppers, drained

KC Style Oven-Baked Ribs

Summer is soooo close, but it's still supposed to freeze this weekend.  I spotted a nice rack (of pork ribs...) at Trader Joe's this week so I snagged them, hoping to fire up the grill this week.  With near freezing temps and an epic thunderstorm yesterday evening, grilling wasn't an option.  I dug up an old oven recipe and the three ingredients proved magical as always: A lemon, my favorite rub, and my favorite BBQ sauce.  Low and slow in the oven and you have fall-off-the-bone pork, baby back ribs.  It was a picnic at our kitchen table last night while listening to the rain...not too shabby.

Ingredients: 

-1 rack of pork baby back ribs

-1 lemon

-favorite pork rub

-favorite BBQ sauce

Baked Brie with a Brown Sugar Brandy Sauce

Baked Brie is a pretty amazing holiday party appetizer. If there isn't some of this melted cheese at a party, it's a real shame.  Bring this EASY appetizer recipe to your next get-together. It's only a few minutes hands-on time to make the sauce, drizzle on the brie and then bake.  If you're bringing it to a party you can make the sauce beforehand and just bake once you get to there.  Here are a few more easy holiday appetizers. 

Ingredients: 

-1 cup brandy

-1/2 cup brown sugar

-1 wheel of brie

optional garnishes: 

-nuts such as pine nuts, pecans, or walnuts

-earthy herbs such as lavender flowers, rosemary or sage

Pesto Glazed Corvina Sea Bass

An easy but really good fish recipe can be hard to find.  This one can be done in a matter of minutes but is fancy enough for guests.  You can use a jar of pesto you have in the fridge, but of course homemade pesto is always the best.  You can garnish with a sweet pepper relish or olive-oil tossed tomatoes as pictured above. The red and green color contrast is quite stunning on a platter.  Not sure where to get fresh Corvina Sea Bass? My favorite spot is ordering from Chef's Fresh Fish.com. 

Ingredients: 

2 lbs of fresh Corvina Sea Bass fillet

1/4 cup pesto - freshly made is the best, but pre-made will work

1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

1 Tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

PeteyBird Goat Cheese and Fig Ice Cream Roll with Short Bread Cookies

Photographing for Amanda at 5280.com means I get to meet some of the greatest chefs and entrepenuers in town.  My most recent assignment was to photograph these amazing mini ice-cream sandwiches from PeteyBird. Pete of PeteyBird uniquely crafted ice cream sandwiches is engineer turned baker which is fabulous for us Denverites. The creatively flavored sandwiches are ideally sized and will melt in your mouth...just in time for summer!  Pete has mastered all things ice cream and cookies during his lengthy R&D process and this was one of his fabulous creations.  Similar to a savory, spreadable cheese log and cracker duo, this sweet version is a perfect dinner party dessert. The recipe may look a bit daunting but Pete swears it's not that bad (it's really not!).  Well worth a show-stopping and interactive dessert. Also, here are a few of his few ice cream sandwiches first talked about on Amanda Faison's Table Talk blog post.

Sausage, White Bean and Hominy Cassoulet

A typical white bean cassoulet is an amazing blend of flavors and textures, but a mistake in the kitchen took this recipe to whole new level. I thought I grabbed two cans of white beans from the pantry but accidentally opened a can of cannellini's and hominy! Oops.  Add a few Italian sausages, tomatoes, onions and herbs to make a succulent one-pot meal. I followed this recipe...except for my maize mistake.

Ingredients:

-1 pkg sweet Italian sausage

-1 yellow onion

-1 pint cherry tomatoes

-1/8 cup olive oil

-1/8 cup balsamic vinegar

-3-4 springs fresh thyme

-1 can white bean, drained and rinsed (like canellini) 

-1 can hominy, drained and rinsed

-1/2 cups dry white wine

-6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

Black Bean and Quinoa Burgers

 

 

This may have been the first time I've even had a black bean burger. Blake came home from lunch at a little cafe and was raging about one he had with coleslaw and avacado.  I figured it had to be healthy and after a few rounds of testing recipes I came up with this one.  I've been making double batches and freezing them.  My inspiration came from this recipe, but I changed some things because their measurements didn't work well for me. Serve them with Crispy Oven Baked Fries for an filling but healthy meal.

 

Ingredients:

 

-1.5 tsp olive oil (divided)

-1 large shallot, minced

-3 cloves garlic, minced

-1/4 cup quinoa

-2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

-1/4 cup sliced almonds

-1/2 tsp sea salt

-1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

-1/4 cup nonfat greek yogurt

-1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

 

Other:

 

-whole wheat hamburger buns

-1-2 avacado, sliced

-sliced swiss or mozzarella cheese

-red cabbage slaw

 

Crispy Oven Baked French Fries

I don't know how many times I've tried to bake potato wedges or sticks do end up with a soggy mess.  How to you get the crispiness of deep-fried french fries in the oven? Gwyneth Paltrow's trick is to soak the potato slices in ice cold water before baking! Sure enough...it works...everytime. This is my new favorite side dish for black bean or Turkey Burgers.  Serve with some Sriracha Ketchup to heat it up.

Ingredients:

-2-3 large russet potatoes (you can peel if you want)
-2 Tbsp olive oil
-1 Tbsp sea salt

Equipment Needed:

-parchment paper to help prevent sticking
-large bowl of ice water

Tomato, Basil, and Balsamic Salmon

The inspiration for this recipe came from my little kitchen garden I started this spring.  I finally have an abundance of bright, delicate, warm-hued tomatoes taking over the garden. I couldn't be happier.  My first thought on how to use these little gems is the famous Italian trio: tomato, basil and balsamic vinegar, which is often paired with fresh mozzarella in the classic caprese salad.  I took these three base ingredients — and a little red onion — and steamed them in parchment paper with a fresh salmon filet.  The preparation is the easy Fish en Papillote technique as I described in this recipe using cod and other fresh vegetables. Served with some wild rice, this recipe makes a balanced and healthy meal. If you aren't growing your own tomatoes, you can always grab a variety of cherry and grape tomatoes this time of year at your local farmers market or grocery store.  If you're interested in growing these specific tomatoes next year, Botanical Interest's Rainbow Blend Seeds.

My favorite type of salmon is Scottish Salmon that can be ordered online by the pound on Chef's Fresh Fish. It has a high fat content so the texture is like butter and it's hard to over-cook and dry out.

Ingredients:

-1 Scottish Salmon fillet portion - about 6-8 ounces
-1 handful cherry or grape tomatoes
-2 Tbsp thinly sliced red onion (or halved red pearl onions)
-5-6 fresh basil leaves
-1 Tbsp olive oil
-1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
-salt and pepper

Also needed:

-parchment paper

Caramelized Red Onion and Goat Cheese Crostini

Blake and I were at a wedding in Crested Butte a few weekends ago.  The food was amazing! In particular the rehearsal dinner had this little appetizer that we all couldn't get enough of.  They were perfect little finger foods for nibbling on while enjoying a glass of wine. I think they paired especially well with a hefty glass of red wine! I asked the cocktail waitress what was on the crostini and my guess was almost spot on.  Not only caramelized onions, but caramelized red onions which I've never made.  The white creamy spread was nothing but my favorite, goat cheese!  I have a whole post on Caramelized Onions that will help you folks that have never done it.  It's not hard, just takes a little time that is well worth it!

Ingredients:

-1 long loaf French bread

-2 medium red onions

-2 (5.3 ounce) pyramids of spreadable goat cheese (make sure not to get the crumbles)

-1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

-1/8 cup olive oil for brushing, or olive oil spray

-microgreens or fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

-salt and pepper to taste

Rock Chalk Cake Pops

Win or lose we still love our Jayhawks...and we will eat cake pops.  Yes, Kansas lost the National Championship on Monday but we had a great season and none of us are fair-weather fans. I made these for our party and they were devoured.  I was lucky to have a few to photograph the next day.  I'm not a baker and I was even successful at these!  I know I'm thinking ahead, but tailgates next fall? You betchya!

Ingredients:


-1 box yellow cake mix
-eggs (however many the box calls for...I needed 3)
-butter (follow box ingredients again)
-1/2 can cream cheese icing
-2 pkgs white candy bark (you can get any color at Hobby Lobby or white at the grocery store)
-sprinkles

Other things needed:

-double boiler (or just two different sized pots)
-Popsicle sticks (also found at Hobby Lobby or craft store)
-Styrofoam blocks or large ring

Smoky Cornish Game Hen with Pan Sauce

If you're a Reckless Abandon reader, you know I love my roasted chickens! I've never tried a Cornish Game Hen before so I saw it in the store and grabbed one for a quick dinner.  It was absolutely delectable and something I will now make for guests. What is a Cornish Game Hen?  It's actually not a game bird, or even a hen.  It can be male or female and it's a domestic hybrid chicken.  Basically, they are a smaller, juicier version than a regular whole chicken.  I thought I could eat a whole one, but indeed only ate half.  Also, I roasted vegetables around the Hen and threw them in with Farro, a wonderful grain.  You can find the recipe here and you could use couscous or brown rice if you can't find Farro.

Ingredients:


-1 cornish game hen (about 1 lb)
-2 Tbsp kosher salt
-1 tsp pepper
-1-2 Tbsp smoked paprika
-1-2 Tbsp dried thyme
-1-2 Tbsp garlic powder
-1/2 white onion
-1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth

Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Appetizers

I definitely love stuffed mushrooms and often have them as a side dish or sometimes a meal; see the couple recipes below:

• Spinach and Feta Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
• Grilled and Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

This recipe takes the same concept but uses much smaller mushrooms, perfect for finger food.  The sausage makes the appetizer even heartier, making it great for a hungry group or heavy-app party!  I used spicy sausage in half the mushrooms and mild in the other.  Just make sure to garnish differently so your guests (and you) can tell them apart.  I garnished the spicy ones with a red smoky paprika and the mild ones with dried mint, which adds a great earthiness.

Ingredients:

-1 large package of white button mushrooms

-1/4 cup olive oil

-1/4 sherry wine

-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

-about 8 ounces sausage (I used both Polidori's mild and spicy)

-1/2 cup Panko (or any type) of breadcrumbs

-3 garlic cloves
-salt and pepper

Grilled Chicken, Peppers and Red Onion Pizza

Grilled chicken and veggies are my favorite pizza toppings.  Especially on a thin crust and with bubbly white mozzarella cheese.  This is a quick and delicious dinner for a movie-night-in.  I made this for Blake and we jumped on the couch and watched some Alfred Hitchcock Presents (his short film thrillers).  Crazy pick I know, but we've become hooked.  If you have other veggies or even leftover steak, throw them on as toppings instead.

Ingredients: 

-1 can thin-crust pizza dough

-1 green bell pepper

-1 red bell pepper

-1/2 red onion

-1 boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to an even thickness

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

-garlic powder

-salt and pepper to taste

-fresh basil for garnish

Swedish Meatballs over Egg Noodles

I don't think I've ever had "authentic" Swedish meatballs.  Sadly, the only version I've had is from a Lean Cuisine.  Don't judge...I lived alone at one point.  My roommate on the other hand, studied in Denmark and had plenty experience with this dish.  It was a pleasant surprise when she said SHE even enjoyed this recipe. I formed the recipe by combining a number of versions I've found over the last few months.  What are Swedish Meatballs, you ask? They are meatballs formed from ground beef, pork or veal.  They are often browned in a skillet, but I decided to bake mine.  They are then smothered in a light-brown creamy gravy-type sauce.  They can be served as appetizers with toothpicks or over egg noodles as a meal.  This is a great comfort meal to get you through the last of the winter.  They also make lots of leftovers unless you are feeding an army!

Ingredients:


-1 pound lean ground beef
-1 pound ground pork
-1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
-2 eggs
-1 white onion
-3 cloves garlic
-1 Tbsp olive oil
-1/2 tsp (meatballs) + 2 tsp (sauce) ground nutmeg
-1/2 tsp (meatballs) + 2 tsp (sauce) allspice
-1/2 tsp white pepper
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 can (12-ounces) condensed milk
-2 cups beef broth
-1/4 cup butter
-1/2 cup flour
-egg noodles

Roast Chicken over a bed of Lemon and Onions

I could live off of roasted chicken...and some weeks I do!  I'm always looking for new and different ways to raost a chicken and enjoy for days and days.  I found this recipe in one of my new and favorite cookbooks, "All About Roasting" by Molly Stevens.  It was a Christmas gift this year from my mom.  This recipe is so incredibly easy and makes a wonderful sauce to pour over the chicken.  Even better...you can keep the bones and make an awesome chicken stock for soup or to save. 

Here's another a similar recipe of mine - Easy Roast Chicken

Ingredients:

-1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)

-1-2 Tbsp kosher salt

-1 Tbsp pepper

-2 tsp olive oil

- 1/2 lemon

- 1/2 white onion

-1/4 cup white wine

Optional Gadgets:

-meat thermometer

-kitchen twine

Mini Chocolate Truffle Cheesecakes with Graham Cracker Crust

I don't bake.  I'm talkin'...never! First, because I don't have much of a sweet-tooth but secondly, because I'm awful at it.  It forces me to measure...which I'm not precise with while cooking.  My roommate, Annie, can bake so she took me on as her pupil and we conquered our first recipe together.  Of course, this is not my own recipe since the last thing I need to be doing is making up baking recipes.  I found this in a recent issue of Cuisine at Home.  Some due to accident and some due to person preference it toppings, it's adjusted just a bit.  This is the perfect bite-sized end to your Valentine's dinner at home.

Ingredients:


-2 sleeves graham crackers, 18 crackers
-1 Tbsp sugar
-1 stick melted butter melted + 2 Tbsp not melted
-12 ounces bittersweet bar chocolate, broken into pieces
-2 tsp. instant espresso powder (not just ground coffee)
-1 block (8-ounce) cream cheese
-1 cup sugar
-3 eggs
-1 cup heavy cream
-2 tsp. vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:


-Balsamic reduction
-powdered sugar
-jarred caramel sauce (I found butterscotch caramel sauce)
-pecans
-vanilla glaze from the bottle...yep that's how fancy we got
-shredded coconut

Equipment Needed:


-mini cupcake pan
-food processor
-hand mixer

Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Sriracha Ketchup

One of our favorite spots to watch the Kansas games in Denver, CO is at Stoney's.   Their array of dipping sauces is a large part that I keep going back.  My favorite is sriracha ketchup which I find myself putting on anything I can get my hands on.  I wanted to make a lighter version of chicken nuggets to go with sweet but spicy sauce.  These are incredibly easy and miraculously good for not being deep fried in batter.  Instead they are baked to a light crunchiness and inner juiciness! 

Ingredients:

-2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

-2 eggs, egg whites only

-1/2-3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

-1 tsp garlic powder

-1 tsp dried oregano

-1/2 tsp smoked paprika

-1 tsp Italian seasoning blend (or a mix of dried basil, thyme, sage)

-1/4 cup ketchup (4 Tbsp)

-1-3 Tbsp sriracha

Cod en Papillote (Parchment Paper) with Fresh Vegetables and Lemon

Have you ever cooked fish in parchment paper?  If not, it is one of the simplest and healthiest ways to prepare fish.  The technique is called "en papillote" which translates to in parchment.  The pouch holds in moisture to steam the food...in this case fish. The moisture could be a number of things: water, wine, stock or broth. In this recipe I use white wine and the juice from the lemon slices.  I made this for the girls the other  night during our second "Cooking with Rachel" class and they loved it!  I used a variety of vegetables I had on hand, but you can basically use any veggies you like. See a list of suggestions below.

Ingredients:


-Parchment paper (or foil)
-6-8 ounces of white fish per person (I used Cod)
-1 lemon, thinly sliced
-1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
-2-3 Tbsp white wine per fish packet
-1/2 Tbsp butter or olive oil per fish packet (optional)
-fresh sprigs of thyme
-1 yellow squash, sliced into sticks
-2-3 carrots, sliced into sticks
-cooking spray
-salt and pepper to taste

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Enchiladas

My mom made these all the time growing up.  I believe she got the recipe from a good friend years ago and it has been one of her staples ever since.  This is the best recipe for cooking for a large group...especially a large group of hungry boys (or men).  This is comfort food at it's max.  Also, making this on a Sunday and enjoying for the rest of the week for yourself is another option.  The enchiladas get miraculously better in the fridge after a day or so!

Ingredients:


-1 package large flour tortillas
-1 can cream of mushroom soup
-1 can cream of chicken soup
-1 small can of green chilies
-1 small package of sliced mushrooms
-1 (8-ounce) package shredded Monterrey jack cheese
-1 roast chicken, meat torn off in small pieces
-1 (16-ounce) tub of sour cream
-1 tsp cumin
-1 Tbsp Mexican seasoning
-3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
-1 bunch of green onions, chopped
-1 Tbsp butter
-1 Tbsp olive oil