This recipe from NYT Cooking is a great side dish. Roast the parsnips until golden. Meanwhile, combine miso and lemon juice in a large bowl. Cook oil, thyme and garlic until the garlic is just golden and add to the miso mixture. Toss the arugula with the miso mixture and scatter over the parsnips. Sprinkle with Parmesan and lemon zest and serve. Cook’s note: I used a mixture of parsnips and carrots and butter lettuce instead of arugula. I omitted the lemon zest.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Smart Miso brand white miso and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Genuine Parmesan contains no additives—look for the name stamped on the rind.

Parsnips with miso and Parmesan

Ingredients:

2¼ pounds (1.13 kg) parsnips, peeled and quartered lengthwise (or halved, if thin)

5 tablespoons (75 ml extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh thyme leaves, divided

Fine sea salt

1 tablespoon (15 ml) white miso paste

1 teaspoon (5 ml) finely grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice

8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 cups (500 ml) packed arugula

½ cup (125 ml) lightly packed finely grated Parmesan

Preparation:

Heat oven to 450 degrees F (232 C).

Line a 11-by-17-inch (28-by-43-cm) sheet pan with parchment paper. Mix the parsnips with 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of the oil, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the thyme, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) water and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt, then spread them in an even layer. Roast for 20 minutes, then turn them using a spatula and roast until nicely golden, another 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the miso and lemon juice together in a large heatproof bowl.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil, the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) thyme and the garlic to a small pan and heat on medium-high, stirring often, just until the garlic starts to turn lightly golden, about 3 minutes, then pour the mixture into the miso bowl and stir to combine.

To serve, toss the arugula in the miso bowl until well coated. Scatter the arugula and any dressing left in the bowl over the parsnips. Sprinkle the Parmesan and the lemon zest over the top. Serves 4-6.

From NYT Cooking

This delicious recipe from Canadian Living is a great way to get more leafy greens and beans into your diet. Brown sausage, add tomatoes, basil, salt and sugar and simmer. Stir in the beans. Meanwhile, cook the pasta, drain and return to the pan. Add the sauce, reserved cooking liquid and Swiss chard. Transfer to a glass baking dish, sprinkle with cheese and bake for about 30 minutes.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for sausages with no preservatives, such as the PC Free From brand. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Blue Menu or Unico tomatoes and beans are additive-free. Simple brand mozzarella cheese is free of additives and colour. Genuine Parmesan cheese contains no additives—look for the name stamped on the rind.

Sausage and Swiss chard rigatoni

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons (20 ml) olive oil

3 (12 oz/375 g total) Italian sausages casings removed

3 cloves garlic minced

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) hot pepper flakes

1 can (28 oz/796 mL) diced tomatoes

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh basil

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt

1 pinch granulated sugar

1 cup (250 ml) rinsed drained canned navy beans

5 cups (12 oz/375 g) rigatoni pasta

8 cups chopped Swiss chard (13 oz/380 g)

2/3 cups (165 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; sauté sausages, breaking up with spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and hot pepper flakes; cook for 2 minutes.

Add tomatoes, basil, salt and sugar; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in beans. (Make-ahead: Let cool; refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours.)

Meanwhile, in large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook pasta until still slightly firm in centre, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to pot, reserving ½ cup (125 ml) cooking liquid. Add sauce, reserved cooking liquid and Swiss chard; toss to coat. Transfer to 10-cup (2.5 L) glass baking dish.

Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; cover with greased foil. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly and browned, about 10 minutes. Serves 8.

From Canadian Living

You won’t miss the meat in this vegetarian chili recipe from the Globe and Mail. Roast or air fry the sweet potatoes to add flavour. Sauté onion and peppers, add garlic and cilantro, chili powder and cumin. Add tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes and water and simmer for about 45 minutes. Serve with your favourite chili toppings.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. I used Unico tomatoes and Blue Menu kidney beans.

Veggie chili

Ingredients:

1 medium dark-fleshed sweet potato (or winter squash), peeled and cut into chunks

Canola or other vegetable oil, for cooking

Salt, to taste

1 onion, chopped

1 red pepper, seeded and chopped

1 yellow pepper, seeded and chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

Half-bunch of cilantro (optional)

2-3 tbsp (30-45 ml) chili powder

2 tsp (10 ml) cumin

1 28-oz can (796 ml) tomatoes – whole, diced, chopped or whole in puree

1-2 19 oz (540 ml) cans (or 2-3 cups/500-750 ml cooked) beans, such as kidney, black or chickpeas

Crushed corn chips, avocado, sour cream, chili oil or other condiments, for serving

Preparation:

If you like, roast your sweet potato first to give it a charred flavour by tossing the chunks in oil, spreading them out on a rimmed baking sheet and baking 425 F (218 C) – or roast them in an air fryer – for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are turning golden. (Otherwise you can add it to the pot along with the tomatoes and beans.)

Set a pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion, peppers and jalapeno, sprinkling with salt, for about five minutes, until soft. Add the garlic, chop and add the cilantro stems (if you’re using it) and about half of the leaves (save the rest to put on top) along with the chili powder and cumin and cook for another minute or two.

Add the tomatoes, beans and sweet potato, and about half a can full of water (use either the bean or tomato can), bring to a simmer and cook for 30-45 minutes, until thickened and everything is tender. If you like, cool and refrigerate overnight and reheat as needed. Serve topped with any condiments you like. Serves 8.

From the Globe and Mail

This recipe from NYT Cooking flavours chicken thighs with smoky spices, lemon and garlic. Season thighs with spices and pour lemon juice over them. Arrange lemon slices under the chicken, scatter garlic cloves and leeks over the chicken, sprinkle with rosemary and drizzle with oil. Roast for about an hour. After the chicken has cooked for 30 minutes, arrange squash rings on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast for a half hour or until tender. Serve chicken with squash and garnish with a mixture of parsley and lemon zest. Cook’s note: Because the squash was cooked on a separate baking sheet, it is not shown in the photo. I omitted the parsley-lemon zest garnish.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Lemon garlic roast chicken with squash

Ingredients:

6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 ½ to 4 pounds/1.6 to 1.8 kg)

Salt and pepper

1 teaspoon (5 ml) turmeric

1 teaspoon (5 ml) smoked paprika

½ cup lemon juice (from 3 lemons)

3 lemons, 2 cut crosswise into 1/8-inch (0.3-cm) slices, 1 zested

2 heads garlic, separated into unpeeled cloves

3 small leeks, cut into 2-inch (5-cm) lengths

½ cup (125 ml) rosemary leaves, stripped from about 6 sprigs

2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling.

2 delicata squash, seeds removed, sliced crosswise into ½-inch (1.25-cm) rings and seeded

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped parsley

Preparation:

Set chicken thighs in a single layer in a roasting pan. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Put a pinch of turmeric and a pinch of smoked paprika on each thigh and rub into the surface. Pour lemon juice over chicken and let marinate for 30 minutes, if time allows.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C). Arrange lemon slices around and under chicken. Scatter garlic cloves and leeks over top. Sprinkle with rosemary and drizzle with about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil. Roast on the middle rack of the oven, uncovered, for about an hour, until meat is tender and the juices run clear when probed, and the chicken is nicely browned and lemon slices slightly charred.

Meanwhile, arrange the squash rings on a baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add to the oven after the chicken has cooked for about 30 minutes. Roast uncovered on top rack of oven until lightly browned and fork-tender, about 30 minutes.

To serve, mix together parsley and lemon zest. Transfer chicken, garlic, leeks and lemon slices to a serving platter (or serve from an oven-to-table roasting pan). Top with squash rings and parsley-lemon mixture. Serves 6.

From NYT Cooking

This soup from America’s Test Kitchen is a great weeknight supper on a cold night. Cook the bacon and remove from pot. Add potatoes, cabbage and spices to the pot, cook for a few minutes, then add broth and bay leaves and cook until the potatoes are tender. Off heat, lightly mash a few of the potatoes to thicken the soup. Discard bay leaves, stir in bacon and chives and serve.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use bacon that is preserved with celery salt instead of nitrites. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. I used Better Than Bouillon chicken paste to make the stock.

Cabbage and potato soup with bacon

Ingredients:

8 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch (2.54-cm) pieces

1 ½ pounds (680 g) Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut into ½-inch (1.25-cm) pieces

1 small head green cabbage (1¼ pounds/567 g), cored and cut into 2-inch (5-cm) pieces

Salt and pepper

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes

4 cups (1L) chicken broth

2 bay leaves

¼ cup (60 ml) minced fresh chives

Preparation:

Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel–lined plate.

Add potatoes, cabbage, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt, ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pepper, and pepper flakes to fat left in pot. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until cabbage begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth and bay leaves and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Off heat, lightly mash few potatoes with potato masher or spoon until soup is slightly thickened (chunks of potato should remain visible). Discard bay leaves. Stir in chives and bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4.

From America’s Test Kitchen

This hearty vegetarian dish from NYT Cooking is nutritious and economical. Wash, blanch and chop kale. Cook onion, carrots and celery, then add garlic and tomato paste. Add dried beans, spices and kale, bring to a simmer and then bake in the oven for about three hours. Mix olive oil with breadcrumbs, sprinkle on top of the beans and bake for about 30 minutes to one hour.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Simple brand tomato paste is free of additives. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. I whirled some Ace Bakery bread (which is usually free of additives and preservatives) in the food processor to make the breadcrumbs.

Slow-baked beans with kale

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale, stemmed and washed in two changes of water

3 tablespoons (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 rib celery, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 2/3 cups (415 ml) white beans (¾ pound/340 g) or dried lima beans, picked over and soaked for at least four hours and drained

1 6-ounce (170 g) can tomato paste, dissolved in 1 cup (250 ml) water

3 cups (750 ml) additional water

A bouquet garni consisting of 4 parsley sprigs, 2 thyme sprigs and a bay leaf

1 teaspoon (5 ml) herbes de Provence

Salt

A generous amount of freshly ground pepper

½ cup (125 ml) bread crumbs

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F (107 C). Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add the kale. Blanch for two minutes, then transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain, squeeze out water and cut into ribbons. Set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the olive oil over medium heat in a large ovenproof casserole. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the dissolved tomato paste and bring to a simmer.

Add the drained beans, the remaining water, the bouquet garni, herbes de Provence and salt and pepper. Stir in the kale, bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven. Bake three hours until the beans are tender and creamy. Taste and adjust salt. Make sure that the beans come to a simmer on top of the stove before placing them in the oven. Do not use old beans, which will not soften no matter how long you simmer them. If the beans do not soften in the oven after a couple of hours, raise the heat to 300 degrees F (149 C).

Mix together the remaining olive oil and the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the beans and continue to bake another 30 minutes to an hour until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned. Remove from the heat and serve; or allow to cool slightly and serve. Serve 6. Make ahead: You can make this recipe through until the end of the three-hour baking time then cool and store in the refrigerator up to four days ahead of serving. Top with the breadcrumbs and reheat in a 350-degree F (177 C) oven for 15 minutes until the beans are bubbling and the breadcrumbs lightly browned.

From NYT Cooking

Everyone loves enchiladas and this recipe from NYT Cooking is tasty and satisfying. You can used canned enchilada sauce or make your own from the recipe below. Use leftover cooked chicken, meat from a rotisserie chicken or roast a large chicken breast.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the dried spices and tortillas to make sure they don’t contain colour or additives. I use Better Than Bouillon paste for the stock and Simple brand tomato paste. Check the cheddar to make sure it does not contain colour.

Chicken enchiladas

Ingredients:

Enchilada sauce

3 tablespoons (45 ml) vegetable oil

2 tablespoons (30 ml) all-purpose flour

¼ cup (60 ml) chili powder

1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder

1 teaspoon (5 ml) onion powder

1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried oregano

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cumin

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt

2 tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste

3 cups (750 ml) low-sodium chicken, mushroom or vegetable stock

Enchiladas

¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil

12 (6-inch/15-cm) corn tortillas

½ medium white onion, chopped

1 medium poblano or green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 large tomatoes, cored and finely chopped

Kosher salt

2 cups (500 ml) cooked shredded chicken (from a roast chicken or rotisserie chicken)

2 ½ cups (625 ml) enchilada sauce, canned or homemade

12 ounces (340 g/3 cups/750 ml) sharp Cheddar, shredded

Preparation:

Enchilada sauce

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add flour and cook, stirring frequently until clumps have disappeared and mixture is bubbling, about 1 minute. Add chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, pepper and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until a thick paste forms. Use the back of a spoon to smash and smear the paste onto the bottom of the pot, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste, stirring until caramelized, about 1 minute.

Whisk in chicken broth until no lumps remain. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Makes 2 ½ cups (625 ml).

Enchiladas

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Using 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the oil, lightly brush both sides of each tortilla. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high and, working in batches, cook tortillas until lightly browned and just starting to crisp but still pliable, 45 seconds to 1 minute per side. (This will prevent the tortillas from completely falling apart while cooking.) Set aside.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil in a large skillet over medium-high and cook onion, poblano, garlic, tomatoes and juices, and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until most of the liquid has evaporated and tomatoes begin to stick to the skillet, 9 to 11 minutes. Stir in chicken, ½ cup (125 ml) enchilada sauce and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt until combined and just warmed through; remove from heat. Taste and season with additional salt, if necessary.

Pour ½ cup (125 ml) enchilada sauce into a 9-by-13-inch (23-by33-cm) baking dish, spreading to cover the bottom. Working one at a time, arrange a scant ¼ cup (60 ml) of chicken down the centre of the tortilla, roll to secure the filling and place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and chicken, making sure they’re nestled right up against each other.

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas, then scatter cheese on top. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is just beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. For leftovers, divide remaining enchiladas into portions of 2 or 3; wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, seal and freeze for up to 3 months. Serves 6.

From NYT Cooking

This tasty recipe from Canadian Living combines noodles with ground pork flavoured with Korean hot sauce. Cook the noodles and set aside. Make the sauce. Cook the pork until no longer pink and add onion, garlic, ginger and chili peppers. Cook for a few more minutes before adding the sauce. Cook for two minutes and remove from heat. Sprinkle with scallions and more chili peppers and serve. Cook’s notes: I used Rooster brand egg instant noodles. I used half of what the recipe called for and had more than enough. I did not add hot peppers to the garnish.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used tamari instead of soy sauce, Shirakiku brand mirin and Lee Kum Kee sesame oil. All are free of additives. Gochujang often contains colour, so I made my own by combining equal parts of miso paste, maple syrup, hot red pepper flakes, tamari sauce and minced garlic to taste.

Korean-style ground pork stir-fry

Ingredients:

1 lb (454 g) instant noodles

3 tablespoons (45 ml) sodium-reduced soy sauce

2 tablespoons (30 ml) mirin

2 tablespoons (30 ml) Korean hot pepper paste (gochujang)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) brown sugar

2 teaspoons (10 ml) toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil

1 lb (454 g) ground pork

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon (15 ml) grated fresh ginger

2 small chili peppers, thinly sliced

3 green onions, chopped

Preparation:

In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.

Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, gochujang, brown sugar and sesame oil. Set aside.

In large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Cook pork, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon, until almost no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onion, garlic, ginger and chili peppers; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Stir in reserved soy sauce mixture; cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, gently toss with noodles and green onions. Sprinkle with thinly sliced chili peppers and chopped green onions, if desired. Serves 4.

From Canadian Living

This recipe from NYT Cooking is a one-pan meal that combines chicken and scallions with tomatoes in a savoury Dijon-wine sauce. Top with fresh herbs for a pop of colour and flavour.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I use President’s Choice Old-Fashioned Dijon, which is free of additives. I used a white wine from Frogpond Farm with a sulfite content below 10 parts per million. Check the dried oregano to make sure it does not contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Brown chicken

Add tomatoes

Dijon chicken with tomatoes and scallions

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil

1 ½ pounds (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry

Salt and fresh black pepper

4 scallions, light green and white parts thinly sliced

3 garlic cloves, grated or minced

1 tablespoon (15 ml) dried oregano

1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard

½ cup (125 ml) white wine

4 cups (1 L) cherry or grape tomatoes

¼ cup (60 ml) packed cilantro, parsley or basil leaves and tender stems, gently torn or chopped

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a wide pot or deep 12-inch (30-cm) skillet over medium-high until it shimmers. Add the chicken in an even layer and season the top with salt and pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until the chicken is browned and easily releases from the pan, 7 to 9 minutes.

Flip the chicken and add the scallions to the empty spaces in the pot. Season lightly with salt. Let cook until the scallions soften, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, mustard and white wine, turning the chicken pieces over and back again to stir everything together, about 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally and gently pressing the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon, until the tomatoes burst and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes more. Add a few tablespoons of water if it looks dry at any point.

Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

This pasta recipe from America’s Test Kitchen is very tasty and uses only one pan. Cook tomatoes in a hot cast-iron skillet until blistered. Add garlic, tomato paste and hot pepper flakes and cook briefly. Lightly mash the tomatoes. Add uncooked pasta and water, cover and cook until the pasta is done, about 18 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and basil, sprinkle with mozzarella and broil until the cheese is brown and bubbly.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Simple brand tomato paste and mozzarella are free of additives. Check the hot pepper flakes to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Genuine Parmesan has no additives; look for the name stamped on the rind.

Cast iron baked ziti with charred tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds (680 g) grape tomatoes

1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon (5 ml) tomato paste

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes

12 ounces (340 g) ziti

3 cups (750 ml) water, plus extra as needed

1 ounce (28 g/125 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh basil

4 ounces (113 g/250 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preparation:

Adjust oven rack 6 inches (15 cm) from broiler element and heat broiler. Heat 12-inch (30-cm) cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Toss tomatoes with oil and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt. Add tomatoes to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and blistered, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Off heat, coarsely mash tomatoes using potato masher.

Stir in pasta and water and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to vigorous simmer, cover, and cook, stirring often, until pasta is tender, 15 to 18 minutes.

Stir in Parmesan and adjust sauce consistency with extra hot water as needed. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until cheese is melted and spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Serves 4.

From America’s Test Kitchen

« Previous PageNext Page »