Gaylord's Mac n Cheese with Truffle Oil

(My name is Gaylord. So this is mine, mine, all mine.)

Do not walk, RUN to your grocery store and make this. You won't regret it. My husband and I recently had a mac n cheese dish at a nice restaurant near Times Sq. with some friends and HOLY MOLY was it good. The new addition? Truffle oil. Lord have mercy. My husband ordered THREE of them - 2 for the table, and 1 all for himself. (He likes cheese.)

I made up my own recipe for it and just made it a couple of days ago. And now I'm sharing it with you. I also doubled this recipe and it made a LOT of it. Oops!

1 1/2 cup uncooked tri-colored orzo
1 1/2 cups grated, slightly packed, sharp cheddar cheese (I might recommend Wisconsin, I used regular sharp cheddar and it was delicious)
1-2 Tbs white truffle oil
2-3 green onions, sliced thinly
2 Tbs (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 Tbs flour
3/4 cup milk (I used whole, 2% would be fine too)
3/4 cup canned vegetable broth
salt & pepper to taste

Bring 2 quarts lightly salted water to boil in medium pot. Add orzo slowly, stirring to make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom. Bring back to rapid bowl, stirring, and boil for 8-10 minutes. Discard water, drain orzo.

In another medium pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 Tbs of butter, add flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes. Add milk and vegetable broth, whisking constantly, and bring to boil. Continue whisking for 2 additional minutes. You will see it begin to thicken.
Add green onions, continue whisking for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Add grated cheddar cheese, stirring until all the cheese has melted. Add 1-2 Tbs white truffle oil, stirring until incorporated. Add drained orzo and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately or chill and heat up to serve again. Yum!

Spelt Salad with Fava Beans

Spelt is a nutty-tasting grain that's similar in taste and texture to wheat berries. Look for it in health-food stores and the natural-foods aisle of large supermarkets. Once the fava beans are shelled, their tough outer skins need to be peeled; blanching and then rinsing the beans in cool water makes the skins easier to remove.

Yield 6 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked spelt or wheat berries
• 4 cups water
• 2 cups shelled unpeeled fava beans (about 2 pounds whole pods)
• 1/2 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/3 cup dried currants
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Place spelt in a large saucepan; cover with water to 2 inches above spelt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until spelt is tender. Drain.

Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add fava beans; cook 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain. Remove and discard tough outer skins from beans.

Combine spelt, fava beans, tomatoes, celery, and currants in a large bowl. Combine vinegar and next 4 ingredients (through garlic), stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over spelt mixture; toss well to coat. Sprinkle with parsley.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 190 (22% from fat)

Fat: 4.6g (sat 0.5g,mono 2.5g,poly 0.5g)

Protein: 6.2g

Carbohydrate: 35.4g

Fiber: 2.9g

Cholesterol: 0.0mg

Iron: 2.8mg

Sodium: 252mg

Calcium: 40mg

Cynthia Nicholson, Cooking Light, JUNE 2005

Three-Cheese Calzones

This recipe serves 4

Hands-On Time 0h20m

Total Time 0h35m

Ingredients

• 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 cup fresh ricotta
• 1 cup grated mozzarella (4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
• 1 bunch spinach, thick stems removed and roughly chopped (5 cups)
• black pepper
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced salami
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup jarred marinara sauce, warmed

Directions

• 1Heat oven to 400° F. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll and stretch them into 8-inch rounds.
• 2In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• 3Layer the salami on one side of each round of dough and top with the cheese mixture. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
• 4Brush the tops of the calzones with the oil. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve with the sauce.

• By Kate Merker, November 2008
  

Quick Tip

If the dough is too elastic and shrinks back when you roll it flat into full rounds, let it rest for 15 minutes before trying again.

From RealSimple.com

Mac 'n Cheese with Cauliflower

I love cauliflower, but don't use it much as it's not always a favorite of other peoples'. I will definitely be trying this out next time I want to make Mac 'n Cheese.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces multigrain elbow macaroni
• 1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped
• 4 slices multigrain bread, torn
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar (6 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup 1 percent milk
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions

• 1Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the cauliflower during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain.
• 2Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to combine; set aside.
• 3Return the pasta pot to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, just until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in the pasta, cauliflower, cheese, sour cream, milk, and mustard.
• 4Transfer to a shallow 3-quart baking dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

• By Sara Quessenberry and Kate Merker, February 2009

Nutritional Information Servings Per Recipe 6

• Amount Per Serving

• Calories 537
• Calories From Fat 39%
• Protein 24g
• Carbohydrate 63g
• Sugar 8g
• Fiber 8g
• Fat 23g
• Sat Fat 9g
• Sodium 692mg
• Cholesterol 51mg

From RealSimple.com

Leek and Apsaragus Frittata

I have made this several times and love it! Try adding cherry tomatoes cut in half, face-down around the top of the frittata in a ring for an additional aesthetic and taste sensation! Also, I often substitute Gruyere for Fontina.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 1 cup chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)
• 1 12-ounce bunch thin asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1 cup sliced stemmed shiitake mushrooms
• 8 large omega-3 eggs
• 1 cup diced Fontina cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  

Preparation

Preheat broiler. Melt butter in heavy broilerproof 10-inch-diameter nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and sauté 4 minutes. Add asparagus and shiitake mushrooms, sprinkle lightly with salt, and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes. Whisk eggs, 3/4 cup Fontina cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl. Add egg mixture to skillet; fold gently to combine. Cook until almost set. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Fontina cheese and Parmesan cheese over. Broil until frittata is puffed and cheese begins to turn golden, about 3 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.

From epicurious.com

Cheesy Polenta Lasagna with Mushrooms and Seitan

yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

active time: 35 min

total time: 1 hr

Increasingly available in supermarkets, the firm wheat protein known as seitan is mild in flavor and versatile in the kitchen. In this casserole, it takes on the earthy flavor of mushrooms, adding heartiness and heft.

Ingredients
For cheese sauce:

• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 pound Italian Fontina, coarsely grated (about 1 cup)
• 3 ounces Gruyère, coarsely grated (about 1 cup), divided
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

For mushroom-seitan filling:

• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces seitan (patted dry and thinly sliced)
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 (16-to 18-ounce) logs ready-made plain polenta

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in upper third. Lightly butter a 2-to 2 1/2-quart shallow baking dish.

Make cheese sauce:
Melt butter in a 2-to 3-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth, then cook roux, whisking frequently, until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat milk in a separate small saucepan until just about to boil. Add milk to roux in 2 batches, whisking constantly until very smooth. Bring to a boil, whisking, then cook, whisking, 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in Fontina, half of Gruyère, nutmeg, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and set aside, whisking occasionally.

Make mushroom-seitan filling:
Cook garlic in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until beginning to turn pale golden. Stir in mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are softened, about 3 minutes. Add seitan and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms and seitan are slightly golden, about 4 minutes. Add water and cook briefly, scraping up any brown bits.

Assemble and bake lasagne:
Spread 1/2 cup cheese sauce in bottom of baking dish.

Slice 1 log of polenta into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and arrange enough rounds to cover bottom of dish, overlapping slightly. Spoon half of filling evenly over polenta, then spread with half of remaining cheese sauce (about 1 cup). Slice enough rounds from second log to form a second layer. Cover with remaining filling, then cheese sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Gruyère and bake until top is just bubbling and slightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cooks’ notes: —Lasagne can be assembled 1 day ahead and chilled. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
—Any leftover polenta log can be sliced and sautéed in oil or butter to serve with eggs at breakfast.

From epicurious.com

White Cheddar Puffs with Green Onions

(Adapted from The Bon Appetit Cookbook: Fast Easy Fresh)

Makes about 18 puffs

1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
3/4 cup (packed) extra-sharp white cheddar
1/3 cup green onions, minced

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring the water, butter, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Remove from heat; mix in flour. Stir over medium heat until the mixture becomes slightly shiny and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a sticky dough. Mix in the cheese and green onions.

Using two teaspoons, form the dough into 1-1 1/4 inch ovals. Drop onto baking sheet 1 inch apart.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake cheese puffs until golden, about 30 minutes if using room temperature dough and 35 minutes if the dough is chilled or frozen. Serve immediately.

From Dishing Up Delights.

Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pao de Queijo)

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	20 Min
READY IN	40 Min
Original recipe yield 6 breads Servings

Servings
US

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil or butter
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup milk or soy milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups tapioca flour
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 beaten eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Pour olive oil, water, milk, and salt into a large saucepan, and place over high heat. When the mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat immediately, and stir in tapioca flour and garlic until smooth. Set aside to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Stir the cheese and egg into the tapioca mixture until well combined, the mixture will be chunky like cottage cheese. Drop rounded, 1/4 cup-sized balls of the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven until the tops are lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad
(From Diana's family recipe)

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1/3 cup celery
1/4 cup walnuts
6 tablespoons pomegranate seeds from one POM Wonderful pomegranate
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon canola oil
3/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, oil, and vinegar. In a separate bowl, toss the apples, celery, and pomegranate seeds. Toss the apple mixture with the honey mixture and refrigerate for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes. Toss in the walnuts and serve.

From Dishing Up Delights.

Kale Salad

Update: I made this salad last night (w/out seeds or jicama) and it was awesome. I loved it. I can't wait to make it again!

I had a salad much like this last night at a local restaurant and LOVED it. Kale is so good for you, and it's hard to make taste yummy sometimes, I think, but this flavor combo was incredible. I will substitute the pomegranate seeds with sliced jicama, as I think the restaurant did last night. YUM - and this recipe couldn't be easier. I will report after I try it.

Kale Salad with Parmesan and Lemon
(Adapted from The Kitchn)

1 small bunch kale, washed, trimmed of stems, and leaves sliced into thin ribbons
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, shaved
1 lemon, juiced
1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)

Toss the kale with the cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice and olive oil and pour over the salad. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Let the salad sit at room temperature for an hour before serving. Top with pomegranate seeds before serving, if desired.

From Dishing Up Delights blog.

Vegetable and Chickpea Curry

Aromatic Indian spices mingle with chickpeas, green beans, and potatoes. Coconut milk is stirred into the cooked curry for a creamy finish. Serve over quick-cooking couscous.

Yield 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups vegetable mixture and 1 lemon wedge)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup (1/4-inch-thick) slices carrot
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
• 3 cups cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• 1 1/2 cups cubed peeled baking potato
• 1 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 cup (1-inch) cut green beans
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (14-ounce) can vegetable broth
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 6 lemon wedges

Preparation

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrot; cover and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Add curry powder, sugar, ginger, garlic, and chile; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Place onion mixture in a 5-quart electric slow cooker. Stir in chickpeas and next 8 ingredients (through broth). Cover and cook on HIGH 6 hours or until vegetables are tender. Add spinach and coconut milk; stir until spinach wilts. Serve with lemon wedges.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 276 (23% from fat)

Fat: 7.2g (sat 1.9g,mono 2.3g,poly 1.3g)

Protein: 10.9g

Carbohydrate: 44.7g

Fiber: 10.6g

Cholesterol: 0.0mg

Iron: 4.3mg

Sodium: 623mg

Calcium: 107mg

Robin Robertson, Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2004

Barley-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Pine Nuts and Currants

This dish works well assembled the night before, so a little planning gives you a great head start on the next day's dinner. Trimming away part of the thick center vein from the cabbage leaves makes them more pliable and easier to roll up. Try stirring in one cup thawed frozen meatless crumbles in place of or in addition to the feta cheese. You can also cook the rolls on LOW for six to eight hours

Yield 4 servings (serving size: 4 cabbage rolls and 2 tablespoons sauce)

Ingredients

• 1 large head green cabbage, cored
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
• 3 cups cooked pearl barley
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup dried currants
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained

Preparation

Steam cabbage head 8 minutes; cool slightly. Remove 16 leaves from cabbage head; discard remaining cabbage. Cut off raised portion of the center vein of each cabbage leaf (do not cut out vein); set trimmed cabbage leaves aside.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cover and cook 6 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat; stir in barley and next 4 ingredients (through parsley). Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Place cabbage leaves on a flat surface; spoon about 1/3 cup barley mixture into center of each cabbage leaf. Fold in edges of leaves over barley mixture; roll up. Arrange cabbage rolls in bottom of a 5-quart electric slow cooker.

Combine the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper, apple juice, vinegar, and tomatoes; pour evenly over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on high 2 hours or until thoroughly heated.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 402 (25% from fat)

Fat: 11.3g (sat 4.2g,mono 4.4g,poly 1.9g)

Protein: 11.3g

Carbohydrate: 70.1g

Fiber: 11.3g

Cholesterol: 19mg

Iron: 5mg

Sodium: 693mg

Calcium: 234mg

Robin Robertson, Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2004

Cucumber Mango Salad

The blend of sweet, fiery, and smoky qualities common to Ethiopian fare is exemplified in this simple salad. Since red jalapeños are sometimes hard to find, you can always double up on the milder green variety.

Yield 6 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup)

Ingredients

• 2 cups thinly sliced peeled English cucumber (about 1)
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon peanut oil
• 2 cups chopped seeded tomato (about 1 pound)
• 3 tablespoons chopped unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded red jalapeño pepper (about 1)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded green jalapeño pepper (about 1)
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• Dash of ground cinnamon
• Dash of ground cloves
• 1 3/4 cups diced peeled ripe mango (about 1)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Preparation

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a colander; toss gently to coat. Let stand at least 20 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomato and next 8 ingredients (through ground cloves) to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until tomato is tender. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes).

3. Combine drained cucumber mixture, tomato mixture, mango, cilantro, and lime juice in a medium bowl; toss gently to combine.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 95 (32% from fat)

Fat: 3.4g (sat 0.5g,mono 1.5g,poly 1.1g)

Protein: 2.8g

Carbohydrate: 15.9g

Fiber: 2.9g

Cholesterol: 0.0mg

Iron: 0.7mg

Sodium: 204mg

Calcium: 31mg

Marcus Samuelsson, Marcus Samuelsson, Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2008

Grilled Portobello Goat Cheese Pitas

If the tomatoes are ripe, skip grilling them. Serve with a tropical fruit salad of mangoes, cantaloupe, and pineapple sprinkled with toasted coconut.

Yield 4 servings (serving size: 1 topped pita)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 4 (6-inch) pita rounds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 (6-ounce) package portobello mushrooms
• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/3 cup (3 ounces) goat cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation

Preheat a grill pan over medium heat.

Combine garlic and oil; brush evenly over pitas. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper evenly over pitas. Place pitas in pan, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until toasted.

Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper evenly over mushrooms and tomatoes. Place mushrooms in pan; cook 6 minutes or until tender, turning once. Remove mushrooms from pan. Add tomatoes to pan; cook 1 minute.

Spread goat cheese evenly over pitas. Arrange the mushrooms and tomatoes evenly over pitas. Sprinkle with chopped basil.

Nutritional Information

Calori es:283 (27% from fat)

Fat: 8.5g (sat 4.7g,mono 2.4g,poly 0.7g)

Protein: 11.9g

Carbohydrate: 39.8g

Fiber: 2.9g

Cholesterol: 17mg

Iron: 2.7mg

Sodium: 731mg

Calcium: 133mg

Alison Lewis, Cooking Light, AUGUST 2004

Herbed Wild Mushroom Bundles

The earthy flavors of these crepes will make a great side dish to accompany grilled beef, roast pork, or sautéed chicken breast. Or serve three bundles as a meatless entrée.

Yield 8 servings (serving size: 1 bundle)

Ingredients

* 6 green onions
* 1 1/2 teaspoons butter
* 1 3/4 cups diced shiitake mushroom caps (about 4 ounces)
* 1 1/3 cups diced oyster mushrooms (about 4 ounces)
* 1 (8-ounce) package cremini mushrooms, coarsely chopped
* 1/3 cup dry white wine
* 1 tablespoon 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
* 2 teaspoons minced fresh chives
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
* 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 8 Herbed Crepes
* Cooking spray

Preparation

Remove green tops from green onions. Cut onion tops lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide strips to form 8 ties. Drop green onion strips in boiling water, and cook for 10 seconds or until limp. Drain onion strips; set aside. Chop white portion of each onion.

Melt butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and mushrooms; cook 5 minutes or until mushrooms release their moisture and darken. Add wine to pan; cook 2 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Remove from heat; stir in cheese and next 5 ingredients (through pepper).

Preheat oven to 350°.

Spoon 1/3 cup mushroom mixture into the center of 1 crepe. Gather edges of crepe, and crimp to seal, forming a purse. Tie 1 green onion strip around crimped top of bundle. Repeat procedure with remaining crepes, mushroom mixture, and green onion strips. Place bundles in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until crepes are thoroughly heated.
Nutritional Information

Calories: 92 (29% from fat)
Fat: 3g (sat 1.5g,mono 0.8g,poly 0.3g)
Protein: 4.9g
Carbohydrate: 12.4g
Fiber:1.5g
Cholesterol: 38mg
Iron: 1.3mg
Sodium: 236mg
Calcium: 48mg

Cynthia Nims, Cooking Light, JUNE 2006

Moroccan Pumpkin Soup (Chorbat al qara'a)

This is a French–influenced variation of a popular seasonal pumpkin soup, and it makes a fine first course for any dinner spread or as part of a Moroccan meal. While fresh pumpkin is more traditional in this recipe, butternut squash is easy to prepare and a good alternative.

3 1/2 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled fresh pumpkin or butternut squash (about 1 1/4 pounds)
2 cups organic vegetable broth (such as Emeril's)
1 3/4 cups diced yellow onion
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Ras el Hanout
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon butter
8 teaspoons plain yogurt
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

2. Place half of squash mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour pureed mixture into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining squash mixture. Return pureed mixture to pan over low heat. Add milk and butter to pan; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with yogurt and cilantro.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 2/3 cup soup, 1 teaspoon yogurt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cilantro)

CALORIES 91 ; FAT 2.3g (sat 1.3g,mono 0.6g,poly 0.1g); CHOLESTEROL 6mg; CALCIUM 84mg; CARBOHYDRATE 17.4g; SODIUM 392mg; PROTEIN 2.2g; FIBER 2.8g; IRON 0.9mg

Cooking Light, JANUARY 2009

Moroccan Country Bread (Khubz Maghrebi)

Many Moroccan home cooks prepare and bake bread every morning to serve at meals throughout the day. These plain, rustic loaves are a good accompaniment to tagines, and a slice makes a tasty scoop for eating a carrot or beet salad. This dough is deliberately not kneaded to help achieve the characteristic coarse texture. Though it's best eaten the day it's made, you can also freeze the bread for up to one month; thaw at room temperature, wrap in foil, and reheat at 300° for 15 minutes.

1 1/2 packages dry yeast (about 1 tablespoon)
2 1/2 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
31.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 7 cups) plus 2 teaspoons, divided
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1. Dissolve yeast in 2 1/2 cups warm water in a large bowl. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Stir salt into yeast mixture. Gradually stir in 7 cups flour, one cup at a time; beat with a mixer at medium speed until dough forms a ball. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; shape dough into a 12-inch log. Divide dough into 3 pieces; shape each piece into a (4-inch) dome-shaped loaf. Place loaves on a baking sheet lightly covered with flour; dust tops lightly with 2 teaspoons flour, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)

2. Position oven rack in lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 350°.

3. Uncover loaves, and brush each with 1 teaspoon oil. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until sounds hollow when tapped (bread doesn't brown). Remove from oven; cool on wire racks.

Yield: 24 servings (serving size: 1/8 of a loaf)

CALORIES 139 ; FAT 0.9g (sat 0.1g,mono 0.5g,poly 0.2g); CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 6mg; CARBOHYDRATE 28g; SODIUM 161mg; PROTEIN 4g; FIBER 1.1g; IRON 1.8mg

Cooking Light, JANUARY 2009

Parmesan Popovers

Classic popovers are moist on the inside, crispy on the outside. We've added a crunchy top layer of Parmesan. If you don't have the cheese on hand, simply omit it for a more traditional version.

1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
2.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
1.5 ounces whole wheat flour (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk until blended. Let stand 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 375°.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and salt, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add flour mixture to milk mixture, stirring well with a whisk.

4. Coat 6 popover cups with cooking spray; brush butter evenly among cups to coat. Place popover cups in a 375° oven for 5 minutes. Divide batter evenly among prepared popover cups. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 popover)

CALORIES 143 ; FAT 4.5g (sat 2.3g,mono 0.9g,poly 0.3g); CHOLESTEROL 45mg; CALCIUM 127mg; CARBOHYDRATE 17.5g; SODIUM 243mg; PROTEIN 8g; FIBER 1.2g; IRON 1.1mg

Cooking Light, JANUARY 2009

Kalamata Olive Bread with Oregano

1 Tbs olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
9 oz all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 Tbs butter, melted
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1 Tbs chopped fresh oregano
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350F.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; saute 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Set aside.

Weight or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine buttermilk, butter, and egg whites, stirring with a whisk. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in onion, olives, and oregano.

Spread batter into an 8x4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 mins in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 slice)
From Cooking Light, Jan/Feb 2009.

Black Pepper Sage Popovers

1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
1 Tbs finely chopped fresh sage
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
2.75 oz all-purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
1.5 oz whole wheat flour (about 1/3 cup)
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Cooking spray
2 tsp butter, melted

Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk until blended. Let stand 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375F.

Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Gradually add flour mixture to milk mixture, stirring well with a whisk.

Coat 6 popover cups with cooking spray, and brush melted butter evenly among cups to coat. Place the popover cups in a 375F oven for 5 minutes. Divide the batter evenly among prepared popover cups. Bake at 375F for 40 minutes or until golden. Serve popovers immediately.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 popover)
From Cooking Light, Jan/Feb 2009.