Category: Ethnic – Regional

Asian Sauces

Ginger Dipping Sauce

1/4 cup onions, finely chopped

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 ounce gingerroot, (nickel sized) peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 lemon

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon white vinegar

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend on low speed for 30 seconds or until gingerroot and garlc have been pureed. Chill before serving.

Asian Sauces

Asian Style BBQ Sauce

1/3 cup tomato ketchup

1/4 cup Indonesian sweet soy sauce

3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar

3 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

1 – 2 garlic cloves – minced

1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese chile paste with garlic

In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients. The sauce will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Makes about 2/3 cup.

Italian Soups Vegetarian

Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

1 lb ground chuck

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon thyme

1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar

1 (32 ounce) box chicken broth

2 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cup broken lasagna noodles

1 (5 ounce) package grated parmesan cheese

2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

garlic crostini, recipe follows

Garlic Crostini:

1 thin French baguette

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 cloves smashed garlic

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large Dutch oven, combine ground chuck, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well.

Stir in thyme, brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 to 10 ovenproof bowls. Evenly sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6-inches from heat, 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly. Add a garlic crostini slice on top. Serve immediately.

*To make this vegetarian, substitute Vegetable Broth for Chicken Broth

For the garlic crostini:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut bread into 1/4-inch round slices. Place on baking sheet and brush each slice with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; place in oven and bake until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Rub each side with smashed garlic cloves.

Servings: 8 to 10 servings

Italian Soups

Lighter Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

Post author By Sharon
Post date September 8, 2011
No Comments on Lighter Tastes Like Lasagna Soup

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 pound Italian turkey sausage, casings removed

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (32-ounce) container chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

4 ounces broken whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 4 noodles)

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

8 Whole-wheat breadsticks or grissini (optional)

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick saucepot or Dutch oven. Add the sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is crumbled and browned, 8 – 10 minutes.

Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Add the noodles; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender, 10 – 12 minutes. Serve with the breadsticks, if using. (whole-wheat lasagna noodles take a little longer to cook.)

Recipe Courtesy of Bobby Deen and the Paula Deen Test Kitchen

Asian Soups

Egg Drop Soup

4 cups chicken stock, plus 2 tablespoons

1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 green onions, chopped, including ends

salt and pepper, to taste

Bring stock, ginger and soy sauce to a boil. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of chicken stock and stir. Slowly pour in the cornstarch mixture while stirring the stock, until thickened. Reduce heat to a simmer. Pour in the eggs slowly while stirring the soup in the same direction. Take off heat. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with green onion. Serve immediately.

4 Servings

Dressings Mexican Salads Sauces

Pico de Gallo

2 tomatoes, medium, diced

1/2 cup Spanish onions, diced

2 teaspoons fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded, de-ribbed and chopped

2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, finely minced

pinch salt

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill.

2 Servings

Homemade Mixes Mexican

Taco Seasoning

1/4 cup dried onion flakes, minced
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons chili powder
3 teaspoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
3 teaspoons garlic, dried minced
3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
3 teaspoons bouillon, beef

Mix all ingredients well. Store in an airtight container.

Appetizers Asian Chicken Dips Spinach

Sesame Chicken Dip

2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
3 packages (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese
8 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts
2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach
1 jar (10 ounces) sweet-and-sour sauce
Sesame rice crackers

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic; add the chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Spread cream cheese onto a large serving platter; top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with onions, peanuts and spinach. Drizzle with sweet-and-sour sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with crackers.

Yield: 36 servings (1/4 cup each).

Appetizers Mexican Vegetarian

Mushroom Quesadillas

Vegetable oil spray
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
3 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortillas
6 tablespoons shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeqo peppers or low-fat cheddar cheese
Salsa (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a large skillet with vegetable oil. Cook mushrooms, onion and garlic in skillet over medium heat until onion is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cilantro and remove from heat.

Arrange one-third of the mushroom mixture on half of one tortilla. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over cheese. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 quesadillas total.

Bake quesadillas about 5 minutes, or until filling is hot and cheese melts. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges. Serve warm with salsa if desired.

Microwave Method:

Spray a microwave-safe casserole with vegetable oil. Add mushrooms, onion and garlic. Cook, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 5 to 7 minutes, or until onion is tender, stirring twice. Stir in cilantro.

Assemble quesadillas as directed above and arrange them on a microwave-safe plate or platter. Cook, rotating plate once, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 to 2 minutes, or until filling is hot and cheese melts.

Appetizers Mexican

Mini Taco Cups

48 corn tortillas, chips, such as Tostitos Scoops
3/4 cup sour cream, low fat
8 pickled jalapenos
1 1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning mix
1 -15 oz. can chili , vegetarian
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, taco flavored, shredded
fresh parsley, chopped

Place rack in uppermost position. Heat oven to broil. Select 48 unbroken chips and place in single layer on one or two baking sheets. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, jalapenos and taco seasoning mix.
Place about 1 teaspoon chili into each tortilla cup. Top with about 1/2 teaspoon shredded cheese per cup. Place on top rack and broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese melts and chili is heated through (tortilla edges will just begin to brown). Once cups are heated, top with a small dollop of the jalapeno sour cream. Garnish with parsley; serve with additional sour cream on side.

48 Servings