Sun 29 Sep 2024

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

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This recipe from Greta Podleski’s Yum & Yummer is a healthy rendition of this popular take-out dish. Marinate the beef while you prepare the sauce and vegetables. Brown the beef and remove from heat. Steam the broccoli, return the beef to the pan, add the onions and add the sauce. Let it bubble for a few minutes and serve, garnished with sesame seeds.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use tamari instead of soy sauce, as it is preserved with alcohol instead of sodium benzoate. I have not been able to find additive-free hoisin sauce, so I make my own; find the recipe here. I used Better Than Bouillon chicken paste instead of beef broth and Lee Kum Kee sesame oil. Both are additive-free. Check the hot pepper flakes and sesame seeds to make sure they don’t contain colour, preservatives or anti-caking agents.

Marinate beef

Brown beef and set aside

Cook vegetables, return beef to pan and add sauce

Ingredients:

Marinade

1 tbsp (15 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) hoisin sauce

2 tsp (10 ml) grated fresh gingerroot

1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic

1 tsp (5 ml) cornstarch

1 lb (454 g) sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

Sauce

½ cup (125 ml) reduced-sodium beef broth

2 tbsp (30 ml) hoisin sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tsp (10 ml) grated fresh gingerroot

1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic

1 tsp (5 ml) dark sesame oil

Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1 tbsp (15 ml) peanut oil

4 cups (1 L) broccoli florets

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped green onions

Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Preparation:

In a medium bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients until well blended. Add beef and toss to coat evenly with marinade. Let beef stand at room temperature for 20 minutes while you prepare the sauce and chop vegetables.

Whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup and set aside until ready to use.

Heat peanut oil in a non-stick wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef. Cook and stir until lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove beef from wok and keep warm.

Add vegetables and ½ cup (125 ml) of water to wok. Cook and stir until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 4 minutes, or cooked to your liking (the water helps steam the vegetables. If your wok has a lid use it!).

Return beef to wok, stir in onions and make a well in the centre. Add sauce. Let it bubble a bit, then give everything a good stir and cook until sauce has thickened. Top with toasted sesame seed before serving. Serves 4.

From Yum & Yummer

 

Sun 22 Sep 2024

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Apple, Fennel and Onion

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This recipe from NYT Cooking is a quick and easy fall sheet-pan supper. Toss chicken with oil, crushed fennel seed, salt and pepper. Toss apple, fennel and onion in oil, season with salt and arrange on sheet pan. Top with the chicken and rosemary sprigs. Roast for about 30 minutes or until chicken is done. Remove rosemary sprigs and broil for a few minutes to brown and crisp the chicken.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the fennel seed does not contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Arrange the apple, fennel and onion on the sheet pan and top with the chicken and rosemary

Sheet-pan chicken with apple, fennel and onion

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons (10 ml) fennel seeds

2½ to 3 pounds (1.1 to 1.4 kg) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry

3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 1½ cups/375 ml)

1 medium fennel bulb, tough outer leaves removed, cored and thinly sliced (about 1 cup/250 ml)

1 tart apple, such as Mutsu (Crispin) or Granny Smith, halved, cored and cut into 8 wedges

4 sprigs rosemary

Flaky salt, for serving

Preparation:

Heat oven to 425 F (218 C) In a small skillet, toast the fennel seeds over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pound into a coarse powder with a mortar and pestle or, alternatively, roughly chop. In a large bowl, toss together the chicken with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil and the fennel seeds and season well with salt and pepper.

Place the onion, fennel and apple slices on the sheet pan. Toss with the remaining olive oil and season well with salt. Spread in an even layer. Add the chicken skin side up on top of the vegetables and lay the rosemary (distributing evenly) on top of the chicken. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the onions, fennel and apples are softened and have begun to caramelize at the edge of the pan.

Turn the oven to broil and move the oven rack to sit right below it. Remove and discard the rosemary sprigs and broil the chicken for 1 to 2 minutes until the skin of the chicken is crispy and golden. Season with flaky salt. Serves 4-6.

From NYT Cooking

 

Sun 15 Sep 2024

Greek Potato Salad with Roasted Red Peppers

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This potato salad from Chatelaine was a big hit with the family this summer. Boil mini potatoes until tender. Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt in a large bowl and add peppers, tomatoes and olives. Add the potatoes and toss. Arrange greens on a platter and top with warm potato mixture. Sprinkle with feta before serving. Cook’s note: I used multi-coloured mini potatoes and omitted the greens.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. I used Unico roasted red peppers, Savor sun-dried tomatoes, Jesse Tree olives and Krinos feta—all are additive-free.

Greek potato salad with roasted red pepper

Ingredients:

1.5 lb (680 g) mini yellow potatoes

3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp (5 ml) dried Greek oregano

½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt

½ cup (125 ml) jarred roasted red peppers, drained and thinly sliced

¼ cup (60 ml) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and thinly sliced

1/3 cup (83 ml) pitted kalamata olives, halved

1 5-oz (142-g) package spring mix

1/3 cup (83 ml) crumbled feta cheese

Preparation:

Add potatoes to a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 15 minutes. Drain and run under cold water for 30 seconds, until cool enough to handle but still warm. Halve or quarter larger potatoes and set aside.

Whisk oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt in a large bowl. Stir in peppers, tomatoes and olives.

Add potatoes to dressing and toss to coat. Arrange spring mix on a platter. Top with warm potato mixture. Sprinkle with feta. Serves 4.

From Chatelaine

 

Sun 8 Sep 2024

Dijonnaise Grilled Chicken Breasts

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This recipe from NYT Cooking produces juicy chicken breasts that don’t stick to the grill. Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper and thyme to make the Dijonnaise. Marinate the chicken in half of the Dijonnaise. Grill the chicken until done and serve with reserved Dijonnaise.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Hellmann’s original mayonnaise, President’s Choice Old-Fashioned Dijon mustard and fresh thyme leaves.

Marinate the chicken in the Dijonnaise

Grill the chicken, turning once

Dijonnaise grilled chicken breasts

Ingredients:

½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise

½ cup (125 ml) Dijon mustard

2 garlic cloves, finely grated

Salt and black pepper

1 teaspoon (5 ml) thyme leaves or dried thyme

1½ to 2 pounds (680 to 907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, patted dry

Preparation:

Heat a grill to medium-high (you can also cook the chicken on the stovetop over medium-high heat, following the same timing). Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard and garlic and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer half to a small bowl and refrigerate until serving.

To the medium bowl with the reserved Dijonnaise, stir in the thyme leaves. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper, then transfer to the medium bowl and toss to coat. Let sit at least 15 minutes or refrigerate up to overnight (let it come to room temperature before cooking).

Clean the grill grates (no need to grease; the mayonnaise keeps the chicken from sticking). Scrape excess marinade off the chicken, then grill over direct heat until the chicken unsticks from the grates and is deep golden and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes per side. If using a gas grill, cover grill between flips. Discard the chicken marinade. Serve with the small bowl of reserved Dijonnaise alongside. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

 

Sun 1 Sep 2024

Grilled Sausage and Vegetable Subs

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This recipe, inspired by America’s Test Kitchen’s Air-Fryer Perfection, makes a great late summer lunch or dinner. Grill sausages, peppers and onion, load into warmed buns and top with your favourite condiments. Cook’s note: To keep onion slices from separating and falling through the grill rack, thread them onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I use Free From hot Italian sausages and Ace Bakery buns, which are additive-free.

Grilled sausage and vegetable subs

Ingredients:

4 mild or hot Italian sausages

1 red pepper, seeded, sides and bottoms sliced off

1 green pepper, seeded, sides and bottoms sliced off

1 red onion, cut into thick slices

Vegetable oil

2 sausage buns

Preparation:

Preheat and grease the grill. Wrap the buns in aluminum foil and warm on the grill. Toss the vegetables with a little vegetable oil. Grill the vegetables, turning once, until charred and tender. Remove from grill and slice into strips. Grill the sausages, turning every few minutes, until they have browned and reached an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C). Place the sausages in the warm buns and top with grilled vegetables. Serves 4.

Adapted from Air-Fryer Perfection

 

Sun 25 Aug 2024

Pearl Couscous Salad with Shrimp and Feta

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This recipe from NYT Cooking is a great summer salad. Cook shrimp and couscous. Make the dressing and add the cooked couscous, vegetables and fresh herbs. Top with the shrimp, more herbs and feta cheese. Cook’s note: I did not add the feta cheese.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used defrosted frozen shrimp preserved with salt and Tre Stelle feta, which is free of additives and preservatives.

Pearl couscous salad with shrimp and feta

Ingredients:

1 pound (454 g) large shrimp (16 to 25), peeled and deveined, tails on or off

Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 lemon, plus more as needed

1 cup (250 ml) pearl couscous

1 teaspoon (5 ml) minced garlic

3 Persian cucumbers, diced (about 2 cups/500 ml)

2 ears corn, kernels cut off of the cob (about 1 cup/250 ml)

½ cup (125 ml) thinly sliced radishes

½ cup (125 ml) crumbled feta cheese

¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more for garnishing

¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced mint leaves, plus more for garnishing

Preparation:

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. In a medium skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the olive oil. Sauté the shrimp until opaque and just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and zest half the lemon over top (about ½ teaspoon/2.5 ml or to taste), then juice the lemon into a large bowl, sprinkle about one-fourth of the juice over the shrimp and set the bowl with the remaining juice aside.

Cook the couscous in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente, according to the package directions. Rinse with cool water and drain well.

While the couscous is cooking, make the dressing. In the bowl with the lemon juice, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil, the garlic, ½  (2.5 ml) teaspoon salt and ¼  teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper.

Add the cooked couscous to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine. Add the cucumbers, corn, radishes, feta, cilantro and mint. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings by adding more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice as needed.

Top with shrimp and a sprinkling of cilantro and mint. Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Serves 6.

From NYT Cooking

 

Sun 18 Aug 2024

BBQ Chicken Wings

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Grilled chicken wings are a great summer meal and this recipe from NYT Cooking is excellent. Grill the wings until cooked, toss with the sauce and return the wings to the grill to brown them. Cook’s note: I added hot pepper flakes to spice up the sauce.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Heinz ketchup, tamari and Marukan rice vinegar. All are additive-free. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents.

BBQ chicken wings

Ingredients:

3 pounds (1.36 kg) of chicken wings

½ cup (125 ml) ketchup

2 tablespoons (30 ml) water

1 tablespoon (15 ml) wine or rice vinegar

1 teaspoon (5 ml) soy sauce

1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili powder

1 teaspoon (5 ml) cumin

2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely chopped onion

1 teaspoon (5 ml) minced garlic

Preparation:

Cut chicken wings into three sections; save the wing tips for stock. Toss the wings with a little neutral oil to keep them from sticking.

Heat a charcoal or gas grill; the fire should be moderately hot and the rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat. Leave one side of the grill cooler for indirect cooking.

Put the wings on the cool side of the grill. Cover the grill and cook, checking and turning once or twice, until most of the fat has been rendered and the wings are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

While the wings cook, combine ketchup, water, wine or rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili powder, cumin, finely chopped onion and minced garlic in a large bowl.

When the wings are cooked, add them to the bowl with the sauce, and toss to coat. Now put the wings on the hot part of the grill, and cook, uncovered, turning as necessary, until they’re nicely browned on both sides. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

 

Sun 11 Aug 2024

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Corn with Lime-Basil Butter

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This recipe from NYT Cooking combines grilled chicken and corn with a delicious lime-basil butter. Marinate the chicken thighs in garlic, oil and lime juice. Combine butter, lime zest, basil, salt and pepper and whirl in a food processor until blended. Grill the chicken and corn, remove the kernels from the corn and top with some of the butter. Place the chicken on top of the corn and top with more butter, basil leaves, lime juice, salt and pepper.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use fresh limes and butter that contains only milk or cream, with no colour added.

Grill the corn and the marinated chicken

Remove kernels from corn and top with butter, then top with chicken and more butter

Grilled chicken thighs and corn with lime-basil butter

Ingredients:

2 pounds (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

3 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper

Juice and zest of 2 limes

4 tablespoons (60 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup (250 ml) basil leaves

4 ears of corn, shucked

Flaky sea salt, to finish

Preparation:

Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and season with the garlic, olive oil, 1 ¾ teaspoons (8.75 ml) salt and juice of 1 lime. Toss to coat. Let marinate at room temperature while the grills heats up or, ideally, refrigerate, covered, overnight.

To make the lime-basil butter, place the butter, lime zest, ¾ cup (187 ml) basil leaves, ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper in a food processor and whizz until basil is chopped and incorporated. Refrigerate overnight or leave out of the fridge if you’re ready to grill.

When ready to cook, light the grill to medium-high. If needed, remove the chicken and lime-basil butter from the fridge and place the butter near the grill so it softens. Place the ears of corn on one side of the grill, turning every 3 minutes or so, until cooked through and lightly charred, 10 to 20 minutes total. Pull the corn off the grill and slice off the charred kernels. Place them on a serving platter and top with some of the basil butter.

While the corn is cooking and being sliced, place the chicken on the grill flat sides down. Char until it releases from the grates easily, 5 to 7 minutes. Rotate the chicken slightly, without flipping, to get more color on the first side. Pay attention to how the color develops and when areas of the first side become chestnut in color and look delicious, flip the chicken and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes. Continue rotating and flipping every few minutes until the chicken is cooked through. To check if the chicken is cooked, poke a knife into the thickest part of the meat. The juices should run clear and the meat should no longer be translucent.

Remove the chicken from the grill, slice each thigh in half across its widest part and place slices on top of the corn. Spoon the remaining basil butter on top of the hot chicken and sprinkle over remaining basil leaves, the remaining lime juice and flaky salt. Grind some extra black pepper over the top. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

 

Sun 4 Aug 2024

Orecchiette Salad with Halloumi Croutons

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This delicious pasta salad from NYT Cooking uses halloumi to make the croutons instead of bread. Cook the pasta and toss it with the tomatoes, oil and vinegar. Cook cubes of halloumi until golden brown. Add the halloumi croutons, cucumbers, arugula, herbs and red onion to the pasta-tomato mixture and toss to combine. Cook’s note: I used small shells instead of orecchiette and omitted the arugula.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Eden Organic red wine vinegar and Saputo halloumi.

Orecchiette salad with halloumi croutons

Ingredients:

1 pint (500 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

4 tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil, plus more as needed

2 tablespoons (30 ml) red wine vinegar, plus more as needed

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

8 ounces (227 g) orecchiette or other small pasta

8 ounces (227 g) halloumi cheese, chopped into ½ -inch (1.25-cm) pieces

3 Persian cucumbers, chopped into ½ -inch (1.25-cm) pieces

2 cups (500 ml) baby arugula (optional)

½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh cilantro

½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh mint

¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped red onion

Preparation:

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, the vinegar, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pepper.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta well and add it to the tomato mixture while still warm. Stir gently to combine, then let the mixture cool slightly.

While the mixture cools, in a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil over medium-high. Pat the halloumi dry with paper towels, then cook it until golden-brown, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the cucumbers, arugula (if using), cilantro, mint and red onion to the pasta; stir to combine. Top with the halloumi, then add more salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar to taste. Serve immediately. Serves 8.

From NYT Cooking

 

Sun 28 Jul 2024

Honey-Brushed Steak with Peppers and Onions

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This recipe from Bon Appetit tops grilled steak with a delicious mixture of peppers, onions, garlic, basil, vinegar, oil, hot pepper flakes and honey. Combine the peppers, onion and garlic with the dressing and set aside. Grill the steak, brushing with a mayonnaise-honey sauce. When the steak is done, let it rest before slicing into strips. Top with the pepper-onion mixture, garnish with basil and serve.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Eden Organic red wine vinegar, Hellman’s mayonnaise and pure honey. Check the hot pepper flakes to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Make the pepper-onion mixture

Honey-brushed steak with peppers and onions

Ingredients:

½ small red bell pepper, halved, ribs and seeds removed, thinly sliced lengthwise

½ small white onion, halved, thinly sliced lengthwise

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

⅓ cup (82 ml) lightly packed finely chopped basil, plus leaves for serving

¼ cup (60 ml) red wine vinegar

3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp (5 ml) crushed red pepper flakes

4 tbsp (60 ml) honey, divided

½ tsp (2.5 ml) Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) Morton kosher salt, plus more

2 1½”-thick (3.8-cm) bone-in rib-eye steaks (1–1½ lb/454-680 g each)

¼ tsp (1.25 ml) freshly ground pepper, plus more

½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise

Vegetable oil (for grill)

Flaky sea salt

Preparation:

Mix red bell pepper, white onion, garlic, basil, red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey and salt in a medium bowl to combine. Taste and season with more kosher salt if needed; set bell pepper mixture aside.

Pat two steaks dry with paper towels; season generously all over with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Stir mayonnaise, a large pinch of kosher salt, a large pinch of black pepper, and remaining 3 tbsp (45 ml) honey in a small bowl to combine.

Prepare a grill for high indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off); oil grate with vegetable oil. Grill steaks over direct heat, turning every minute or so, including standing it on its side with tongs to render fat cap, until browned on all sides, 6–8 minutes.

Move steaks over to indirect heat and continue grilling, brushing with an even layer of mayonnaise mixture and turning every minute, moving closer to or farther away from heat as needed to build even color and a deep crust without scorching, until very dark brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each steak registers 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare (internal temperature should climb to about 130°F/54°C as steaks rest), 15–18 minutes longer (you should have used all of the mayonnaise mixture). Transfer steaks to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let rest 15–30 minutes.

Transfer steaks to a cutting board and slice into thick strips. Arrange on a platter; sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt. Spoon reserved bell pepper mixture over and top with basil leaves. Serves 4-6.

From Bon Appetit

 

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