Author Archives for Shannon

Cajun Turkey Sliders with Spicy Remoulade

So the big game is this weekend. May you care. Maybe you don’t. I care only because I love football and hate to see the season end but don’t care because I could care less who wins. I won’t be attending any parties this weekend but if you are (or are hosting, you crazy person!), these Cajun Turkey Sliders with Spicy Remoulade are mighty tasty and who doesn’t love a slider for the big game?

Ground turkey is mixed with scallions and hot sauce and also spiced up with a little Cajun seasoning. After being sprinkled with even more seasoning before cooking, these sliders are cooked and topped with sautéed peppers and onion adding yet even more flavor. The remoulade, which is slathered onto the bun, packs its own punch with flavors from pickle relish, spicy mustard, parsley, hot sauce, and lemon. I used leftover remoulade on anything I could, that was how much I loved it. These sliders are packed with flavor and whether you make them for the game or not, they are sure to be a hit.

IMG_3093

In a very large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-low heat. Add sweet peppers and onion; cook about 10 minutes or until very soft and tender. Remove from skillet; keep warm.

IMG_3088

In a large bowl, combine turkey, green onions, Cajun seasoning, bottled hot pepper sauce, salt, and black pepper; mix well. Form into 12 patties slightly larger than the buns. Sprinkle both sides of each patty generously with Old Bay® seasoning. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add patties; cook about 8 minutes or until done (165 degrees F), turning once halfway through cooking time.

IMG_3089

For the remoulade, combine mayonnaise, pickle relish, capers, mustard, parsley, bottled hot pepper sauce, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.

IMG_3090

IMG_3091

Serve in buns with sweet pepper mixture and Spicy Remoulade. Makes 12 sliders.

IMG_3092

Additions: None

Omissions:

  • Onion
  • Capers

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Love It

Source: Better Homes & Garden magazine

Slow-Cooker Black Bean and Zucchini Chili

As I’m sure you’ve heard, we are supposed to get a little bit of snow here in the Northeast. I’m not someone who panics and runs to the grocery store when a storm is coming (although maybe I should) but I did happen to pick up a few things anyway. I did a lot of cooking this weekend so I have plenty of food to get me by (assuming I don’t lose power). After a quick trip to the produce stand on Saturday, I decided to use some extra zucchini for this Slow-Cooker Black Bean and Zucchini Chili. Warm and hearty, this chili will hopefully keep me warm while it snows.

Ground turkey (the recipe calls for beef), zucchini, black beans, onion, fire-roasted tomatoes and seasonings are combined in a slow-cooker where the meat melts into the sauce. Because I used ground turkey, I only cooked this chili for about 3 1/2 hours on high and it turned out perfect. The fire-roasted tomatoes given this chili so much flavor while the zucchini and beans help make it hearty. I’m really happy to nosh on this over the next few days. Now I just have to pray that I don’t lose power. Cold chili just isn’t the same.

IMG_3184

In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the meat, tomatoes, beans, zucchini, onions, tomato paste, garlic, chili powder, oregano, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.

IMG_3157

Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked through, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours (this will shorten total recipe time).

IMG_3168

Serve the remaining chili with the sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.

IMG_3185

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Love It

Source: Real Simple magazine

Sweet Chipotle Snack Mix

I’m trying to be a little bit smarter about my snacking. I’m someone who has no problem snacking on nuts…so long as they have chocolate chips and dried cherries mixed in. But eating plain old nuts is no fun. So many people don’t like to eat nuts because they are so high in calories but they are also so high in good fat. Like with everything else, it’s about watching how much you eat and be careful with portions. But with nuts, they easily fill you up so a small handful (a portion) is just enough to do what a snack needs to do: satisfy! This Sweet Chipotle Snack Mix is a perfect snack mix to have on hand when my stomach is rumbling and I need something quick.

Slivered almonds, pumpkinseeds, and cashews are mixed with a frothy egg white and a spicy mixture of sugar (or Splenda), chipotle chile powder, cumin, oregano, and chile powder and baked until warm and crispy. Spices are a fun way to add a lot of calorie-free flavor to nuts to make them a little more interesting. Mixed with sugar, this spice mixture is sweet, spicy and smoky without being overly sweet, overly spicy or overly smoky. The combination is perfectly mellow but completely flavorful that makes this snack mix a little bit addicting. But just remember, a little goes a long way so this snack will last you for days and days.

IMG_3129

Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine sugar, salt, chipotle chile powder, cumin, oregano, and chili powder in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

IMG_3125

Place egg white in a large bowl; stir with a whisk until foamy. Add the almonds, cashews, and pumpkinseeds; toss well to coat. Sprinkle with spice mixture; toss well to coat.

IMG_3126

IMG_3127

Spread nuts in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes, stirring once. Turn oven off. Remove pan from oven; stir snack mix. Immediately return pan to oven for an additional 15 minutes (leave oven off). Remove pan from oven and place on a wire rack; cool completely.

IMG_3128

Store snack mix in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

IMG_3130

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions:

  • Splenda

Overall Rating: Like It

Source: Cooking Light magazine

1 … 12 13 14 … 147
Blog at WordPress.com.