Chili Cups

Oh my. I think this may be my new favorite dinner. It is so fast and easy to make up, and it makes great left-overs too! My mother-in-law Julie made these for superbowl Sunday, and I have been making then weekly ever since. I don't think my husband is as huge a fan as me, but oh well, he'll survive right? I simply top these with some Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream, but feel free to play around and add whatever sounds tasty to you. Also, I used a regular Campbell's chili, but for a totally meat-free meal, you can use your favorite Vegetarian Chili, or home-made as well, just make sure it's a thicker sauce, otherwise it will make the cups soggy. If you like a lot of dough, use the Grands biscuits, they will be on the softer side, if you want them thinner and crispy, like what you see in the pictures, use a regular biscuit.

1 can butter-tastin biscuits. (After using both, I prefer using the Grands)
2 cans Chili of your choice (Or homemade)
Cheddar Cheese
Sour Cream
Toppings of your choice

Preheat oven to 350. Spray muffin tin and set aside. Flour counter or pastry mat and pop open can of biscuits. Roll out biscuit until it is big enough to fill the muffin cup and overlaps the top a little. Repeat with all biscuits. Fill each biscuit with Chili. Top with Cheese. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until edges are Golden Brown. Let sit for 5 min. and then remove from muffin tin. Enjoy with your favorite toppings!!

Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Tarts

Oh my gosh, can I say heavenly??? We had a housewarming party at our new place a month or so ago and Karrie made these. They were gone in a few minutes, and wow, can I say delish? So, since we had some left-over filling (which can be frozen, and then thawed) and pastry, I just did up some more onions, and made some more for the fun of it! These would be perfect for any type of party, brunch or shower! Just beware, they are addicting.....

3 Cups (10 oz.) grated smoked Gruyere cheese (we got ours from the counter at Harmons. They just cut off a chunk for us and we ran it through the food processor.

8 oz. Cream cheese softened

1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard

1 Tbsp. Fresh Oregano

3/4 tsp. Fresh cracked Pepper

2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter

2 Large Sweet Yellow Onions

2 Tbsp. Fresh Thyme

Puff Pastry

Mini Muffin Tin

Heat oven to 400. Mix Gruyere, Cream Cheese, Mustard, Oregano, and Pepper in a bowl and set aside. Make sure to set pastry out to thaw according to package directions! Melt butter in a skillet, add Onions. Cook over med-low heat stirring occasionally until caramelized, about an hour. Stir in the thyme and set aside. Flour counter, or pastry mat. Set out pastry dough, and cut (we used a pizza cutter) into small squares. Place a square of pastry into sprayed muffin tin and press down. Fill all holes in tin with pastry. Next, place a small spoonful of cheese mixture into pastry and spread up on the side a little bit. Repeat with all squares. Then, place a forkful of caramelized onions on cheese mixture until all have been topped. Place in oven and bake 12-15 minutes or until pastry is golden brown!

*Variation-You can also cut pastry into rectangular shape and place onto cookie sheet, spread cheese mixture on and then onions on top of that.

*You can freeze Cheese mixture for up to 2 months. When ready to use, just place in refrigerator a day or two ahead of time to thaw, or defrost slowly in microwave stirring frequently.

Yummy Veggie Lasagna Roll-Ups

This was a yummy way to pack some serious veggies into a meal - it is a little more work than most meals but so much fun and totally worth it!

• Approximately 12 wheat lasagna noodles
• 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
  
• 1 zucchini
• 1 squash
• 1 head broccoli florets
  
• 4 large carrots
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  
• 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
  
• 1 small container ricotta cheese
• cheesecloth
• salt 'n' peppa and garlic and onion powder to taste
  

In food processor shred (together or separate) zucchini, squash and carrots. Once shredded wrap in cheesecloth and squeeze excess water out. In a large container add ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup parmesan, shredded veggies and broccoli. Lay out lasagna noodle and spread cheese/veggie mixture on the noodle. Roll up and place in a cake pan slightly lined with spaghetti sauce. Cover the roll-ups with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese, sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Our Giveaway Winner....

And the winner is: GINA JENSEN!!! Congratulations to the ONE AND ONLY person who actually left us an e-mail. Here is what she wrote:
I LOVED the veggie fajitas! It was also the first time that I have actually cooked onions instead of using dried minced. You know me and my onion crying. Yes, I was bawling my eyes out while making them, but it was worth it. We added a 1/2 lb plain ground turkey that was already cooked up and it was good in there too. It will definitely be going in my permanent recipe book!
When you called me that night asking about the Fajitas, you inspired my sister and I to make them as well, and we had so much that they were eaten as leftovers for days!! They are so yummy. So, Since Gina was the only person to actually make a recipe and e-mail us I am going to take the high road and assume you were all too busy, or just didn't understand the rules of the contest. But, fear not, we will have another one in the future. So Gina, let me know if you want me to mail you the measuring cups, or if you just want to wait and get them when you are here next month! Congratulations, and thanks for taking part in our contest, it was sure fun for us!!!

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS

I know this is a tad crude, but when I saw it, I got the giggles so bad! So in honor of this day of pranks and tricks, here you all go, un-clench and have a good laugh!!!

New Recipe!!

Submitted by our brother Erik!!
Feeds 8-10 adults

Ok so what you do is go out and buy the biggest turkey you can find, you then get a whole duck and a whole chicken. I like to season mine with more meat paste thin it out and inject the wonderful flavor of meat into your birds. You then take the chicken and stuff it into the duck, you want to fill in any gaps with meat stuffing. Take the duck now and stuff it into the turkey and again fill in with meat stuffing. Yes it does fit. You want to then cook this covered at 350 for 6 hours uncovering for the last 1. During this last hour go out and get that BBQ going, marinade some steak with your fave. and grill them bad boys low and slow. Serve all together with beans or even grilled sausage smothered in Wingers juice. Good luck and Good eats.

APRIL FOOLS EVERYONE!!!

Recipe submission is closed!

Ok, get your aprons on and start cooking! The second part of our contest is now underway. You can choose any recipe from the blog and cook it up. Then, send us an e-mail to mostlymeatlessmamas@gmail.com and tell us what you thought about the recipe. You can cook up as many recipes and submit as many e-mail's as you'd like. We may share your e-mail on the blog if we like it! The contest will close on April 15th, and on the 16th, we will announce our winner. Have fun, and happy cooking!!!

Feta Queso

Submitted by Allyson Wall!

Ingredients
3 ounces fat-free cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 flour tortillas (6 inches)
1/4 cup chopped pitted ripe olives
2 tablespoons diced pimientos
1 green onion, chopped

Direction
In a small bowl, beat cheeses with oregano until blended. Spread 3 tablespoons of cheese mixture over half of each tortilla; top with olives, pimientos and onion. Fold tortillas over.
Coat grill with cooking spray before starting the grill. Grill quesadillas, uncovered, over medium heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown

Thick Lentil Soup

Submitted by Angie Rogers!
Serves 8-10

1 c dried lentils
4 c water
1 T salt
½ tsp dried thyme leaves
½ tsp dried marjoram leaves
4 large onions
2 to 4 carrots
¼ c olive or salad oil
8 lb canned chopped tomatoes
(original recipe called for 2 fresh or canned tomatoes)
¼ c parsley, chopped
2 T dry sherry wine
For serving: ¼ to ¾ c grated Swiss or Gruy’ere cheese OR dollop of sour cream

Put lentils in a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Sort lentils; remove any pieces of stone or dirt. Put lentils in a 4 quart pot and add water. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Add to lentils and water the salt, thyme and marjoram. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Be careful not to cook lentils too fast.
Meanwhile, peel onions and carrots. Chop onions very fine. Dice carrots into ¼ inch pieces. In large skillet, heat oil over moderately high heat. When hot, add onions and carrots and cook for 10-15 minutes; stirring frequently with a wooden spoon until vegetables are tender but not browned.
Coarsely chop fresh or canned tomatoes. Add onion/carrot mixture, chopped tomatoes, parsley and sherry wine to lentils. Cover and simmer for about 1 hour longer or until lentils are tender and most of the moisture is absorbed.
To serve: put soup into a heated soup tureen and sprinkle cheese over top or put 1 to 2 T grated cheese in each individual bowl and ladle soup over top or top each serving with a dollop of sour cream.
Notes: After sautéing the vegetables and cooking the lentils for the first 1 hour with the thyme and marjoram, all the ingredients can be combined in a crock pot and cooked for 4 hours.

First Giveaway!!

We are doing our FiRsT giveaway this month!! First off, here are the rules: This giveaway is going to last one full month! The first week (starting today, March16th, 2009) we want all of you to submit your favorite FlExItaRiAn recipe(s). Then, for the rest of the month until April 16th, we want you to pick as many recipes as you want to make and then leave us an e-mail at mostlymeatlessmamas@gmail.com telling us which was your favorite recipe and why. You can choose to make one or more of the recipes, you can make the same recipe over and over or try all of the ones we have on here. The deadline for submitting recipes will be midnight, March 23rd. Karrie and I will be posting them all day the 24th, and then you can start your cooking!! We will choose the winner on April 16th, and then post the big win on here the following day. I'm sure you're all anxious to find out what you're winning right? Well, here it is. A super cool set of collapsible measuring cups! I(Jill) just so happen to have a set of these same measuring cups and I absolutely LoVe them. They are silicone, so they clean up really well, and they just pop down when you need to put them away, I was worried about them collapsing when you filled them, but they are strong and sturdy! So,get your mixers out and your aprons on and tell us what you've been cookin' up!

STRAWBERRY WONTON SALAD

Recipe submitted by Jana Smythe via Gina Jensen!


Flex Variation: If you want to use chicken, cut it up and bake it in a 9 x 13 dish with Yoshida's Special Sauce (from Costco) Put the chicken in the dish and pour the sauce all over the chicken and bake it until the chicken is done. 350 for 45 mins.


Dressing:

2 T. red wine vinegar

3 T. sugar

1/2 C. oil

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 C. strawberry jam



Salad:

1/3 C. sugar

1 C. cashew pieces

15 wontons, cut into thin strips

1 large head red leaf lettuce

strawberries

1 pkg. fresh spinach w/ stems trimmed

1/3 C. bacon pieces (or chicken, see below)



To make dressing: mix all ingredients till well blended

Heat a medium frying pan and add sugar and nuts.

Stir consistently over med. heat until nuts are coated and slightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

Fry wontons in hot cooking oil and drain onto paper towels.

When ready to serve salad, put lettuce, spinach, bacon, and strawberries into a large bowl and toss.

Add salad dtressing and toss.

Add sugared nuts and wontons last.



Variation: Use raspberries and raspberry jam instead of strawberries. Substitute almonds for cashews. When fresh berries are not available, substitute dried cranberries.

PASTA E FAGIOLI

Recipe submitted by Gina Jensen!



2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans diced tomatos

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 can cannellini beans

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 pound whole wheat rotini

1 can dark red kidney beans



Heat oil in 4-quart pot over medium heat until hot.

Add onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until onion is tender.

Add undrained tomatoes, undrained beans, chicken broth, parsley, basil and pepper

Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.

Let boil for approximately 1 minute and then let simmer for 10 minutes, covered.

Add pasta to pot and simmer approximately 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Serve immediately and enjoy.

COWBOY SOUP

Submitted by Alesha Olsen via Gina Jensen!



2 cans vegetarian chili

2 cans stewed tomatoes

2 cans green beans

2 cans corn


Dump in pot stir, heat, etc. Frito chips are best with this soup. Sprinkle cheese on top.

BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

This recipe is also in the cookbook from my mother-in-law, however it was submitted by Gina as well! We LIVE on this soup during winter. It is so good served in a fresh bread bowl. It also re-heats well, and lasts for about a week in the fridge!


1 C. diced onion

2 TB butter

3 chicken bouillon cubes

1 C diced celery

3 ½ C water

4-5 medium potatoes

3-4 sliced carrots

2 cans cream of chicken soup

½ head broccoli

1 lb Velveeta cheese cubed

Fresh parsley (a hand full) Chopped


Sauté onion, celery, and butter. Add water, bouillon cubes, potatoes, carrots, parsley, and broccoli. Cook 15-20 minutes with lid on to steam vegetables. Add cheese and chicken soup. Cook on low until warm.

ZESTY BEAN BURRITOS

Recipe submitted by Gina Jensen!


2 can pinto beans with liquid

1 medium onion chopped (or ½ C dried minced onion)

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

¼ tsp cayenne pepper


Combine all Cook on low for 5-7 hours

Mash beans and serve with warm flour tortillas, sour cream and cheese.

GERMAN PANCAKES

Recipe submitted by Brooke Nielsen via Gina Jensen!

6 Tbsp. Margarine or butter

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 C milk

1 C flour

1/4 tsp. salt


Melt butter in oven in 13 x 9 inch pan while the oven preheats to 425.

Beat next 4 ingredients together and pour into baking dish.

Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned.

BRAN MUFFINS

Recipe submitted by Gina Jensen!

Boil 1 cup water, remove from heat

Add 3 cups Bran Flakes, let soak up

Add:

½ C oil

2 eggs

2 ½ C flour

1 ½ C sugar

2 ½ t baking soda

2 C milk

Refrigerate overnight

Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.

ARTICHOKE SPINACH LASAGNA

Recipe submitted by Gina Jensen!


(4 servings)

4-1/2 uncooked lasagna noodles

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth

1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 (14 ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry

1/2 (28 ounce) jar tomato pasta sauce

1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/2 (4 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium-high. Sauté onion and garlic for 3 minutes, or until onion is tender-crisp. Stir in broth and rosemary; bring to a boil. Stir in artichoke hearts and spinach; reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in pasta sauce.

Spread 1/4 of the artichoke mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish; top with 3 cooked noodles. Sprinkle 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese over noodles. Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with artichoke mixture and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top.

Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover, and bake 15 minutes more, or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY MIZITHRA

This is definitely a favorite at our place! My (Jill) mother-in-law made me a cook book a number of years ago and this recipe was in there. We love it and make it quite frequently. We normally use angel hair pasta, as the regular spaghetti just seems to be too much. You can find myzithra at Smith's or Harmons, and also the Spaghetti Factory sells it as well, although I'm sure it's more expensive to buy it through the restaurant. Enjoy!

Recipe submitted by Gina Jensen!

1 1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup Mizithra cheese

pasta of choice


Cut 2 sticks of butter into 8 pieces and place in a 2-quart sauce pan.
Place the pan of butter on a burner on medium heat.

Bring butter to a slow boil (about 5 minutes)

Once the butter begins to boil, stir constantly to prevent residue from sticking to the bottom of the pan. As the butter cooks, it will start to foam and rise. Continue stirring, otherwise the butter foam could overflow (about 5 minutes) and catch fire.

Once the butter stops foaming and rising, cook until amber in color (about 1 to 2 minutes). It will have a pleasant caramel aroma.

Turn off the heat and remove pan from burner. Let the sediment settle to the bottom of the pan for a few minutes.

Pour the brown butter through a strainer into a small bowl. Do not disturb the residue at the bottom of the pan.

The brown butter can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a microwave as needed.

Boil the pasta of choice until Al Dente. Drain pasta and divide into four servings.

Spread 1/4 cup of Mizithra over each pasta serving. Top with 1/4 cup of hot brown butter.

Risotto with Asparagus and Fennel

1/2 pound asparagus, rough ends removed
2 medium bulbs fennel, with stalks trimmed and set aside
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium Spanish onion, chopped into 1/8-inch dice
1 1/2 cups rice, Vialone Nano or Arborio
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 bunch Italian parsley, finely chopped to yield 1/4 cup

Directions

Measure 4 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add asparagus stalks and 2 tablespoons salt. Set up ice bath next to the pot. Blanch asparagus for 1 minute, place in an ice bath and keep the asparagus cooking water until later. In the meantime, chop fennel into 1/2-inch batons and place in a 12 to 14-inch fry pan with 3-inch sides. Place over medium heat with olive oil and onion. Cook over medium heat until softened but not browned. Add rice and, stirring constantly, cook until rice turns opaque, about 2 minutes. Add asparagus cooking water until it covers the rice. Turn the heat up to high, stirring constantly, and cook the rice until the liquid level goes below the level of the rice. Continue adding the warm asparagus cooking liquid, 1 ladle at a time, to maintain the liquid level above the rice for 15 minutes. Drain asparagus and chop into 1-inch pieces. Add asparagus to rice and cook until rice is soft but still al dente. Remove from heat, add butter, Parmigiano and parsley and stir through. Serve immediately.