Turkey Veggie Pasta

I've been trying to eat more brussels sprouts.  I "didn't like them" as a child but to be honest, I'm not really sure that I ever had one. I found this recipe that called for brussels sprouts in pasta and my mind was blown.  I don't think I've ever seen something like that before so I decided to give it a shot!

This pasta is delicious and full of veggies.  I really believe that kids would love it.  The turkey and sausage give it a meaty texture without all of the fat that comes with beef a lot of times.

Turkey Veggie Pasta:

(adapted from Skinnytaste)

Ingredients:

1 sweet or hot pork sausage link, casing removed, crumbled

3/4 lb 93% lean ground turkey

4 tsp olive oil, divided

4 cloves garlic, minced

10 oz brussels sprouts, weight after outer leaves and stems removed

1 small onion, diced small

1 carrot, peeled and diced small

2 celery stalks, diced small

28 oz crushed tomatoes

1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
pinch crushed red pepper
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 lb high fiber, low carb or whole wheat pasta (brown rice pasta for gluten free)

In a large skillet heated over medium-high heat add the sausage and turkey. When the meat is completely cooked through and crumbled into small pieces set aside in a bowl.

Cut the brussels sprouts into thin shreds.  A food processor is awesome at this, but a sharp knife works just as well.

To the skillet, add 2 teaspoons of oil and turn the heat down to medium heat. When hot, add the shredded brussels sprouts, garlic, salt and pepper.  Sauté until everything is tender and starting to crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Set aside in another bowl.

In the same skillet add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and turn the heat back up to medium-high. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until the vegetables turn golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Make sure you stir everything occasionally.

After the veggies are night and brown add the can of crushed tomatoes, sausage and turkey, bay leaf, crushed red pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer about 20 - 30 minutes, or until the sauce is nice and thick.

While sauce is simmering prepare the pasta according to the package directions. 

Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet.  Toss everything together with the cooked brussel sprouts and enjoy!

No Knead White/Wheat Bread

We don't really buy bread often.  There's only 2 of us at home and we just can't eat the loaf of bread quickly enough (and I HATE throwing food away).

 I got a craving the other day for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the other day... i'm also lazy and didn't feel like leaving the house to go to the grocery store.  So I made bread from scratch!  (that's a normal thing to do... right?!)

This was totally worth it!  This recipe isn't quick to make but the flavor is great and the crust on the bread is fantastic.

No Knead White/Wheat Bread:
(adapted King Arthur Flour)

3 cups lukewarm water

4 cups white flour

2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups wheat flour

1 tablespoon salt

1 packet instant yeast

Directions:

*The flour/liquid ratio is important in this recipe. If you measure flour by sprinkling it into your measuring cup, then gently sweeping off the excess, use 7 1/2 cups. If you measure flour by dipping your cup into the canister, then sweeping off the excess, use 6 1/2 cups. Most accurate of all, and guaranteed to give you the best results, if you measure flour by weight, use 32 ounces.

Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Mix everything together to make a rough, sticky dough. I used a stand mixer.

Cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature for 2 hours. Then refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or for up to about 7 days if you prefer a tangier bread.

When you're ready to make bread, sprinkle the top of the dough with flour; this will make it easier to grab a hunk. Grease your hands, and pull off about 1/4 to 1/3 of the dough.  It'll be about the size of a softball, or a large grapefruit.

Plop the sticky dough onto a floured work surface and round it into a ball. Place the dough onto a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Sift a light coating of flour over the top to help keep the dough moist as it rests before baking.

Let the dough rise for about 45 to 60 minutes. It won't appear to rise upwards that much; rather, it'll seem to settle and expand. Preheat the oven to 450°F while the dough rests. Place a shallow metal or cast iron pan (not glass or Pyrex) on the lowest oven rack, and have 1 cup of hot water ready to go.

When you're ready to bake, take a sharp knife and slash the bread 2 or 3 times, making a cut about 1/2" deep. The bread may deflate a bit.

Place the bread in the oven, and carefully pour the 1 cup hot water into the shallow pan on the rack beneath.

Bake the bread for 25 to 35 minutes, until it's a deep, golden brown.  Remove the bread from the oven, and cool it on a rack. Store leftover bread in a plastic bag at room temperature.

Yield: 3 or 4 loaves, depending on size.

Asian Peanut Noodles

I've been bored with my dinner options recently.  I've also been on a bit of an Asian food kick so I've been trying to find some new dishes that incorporate my needs.

I found this recipe from Cooking Light magazine.  I love this recipe.  I always have these ingredients on hand and I was able to whip it up really quickly.  I think that this could serve as a main meal or as a side dish, depending on what you're looking for.

The recipe doesn't call for the vegetable to be cooked at all which is fine, but since I did serve this warm I think next time I'll try to blanch the veggies a little bit.

Asian Peanut Noodles:
(adapted from Cooking Light)

6 ounces whole-wheat linguine or spaghetti
1 teaspoon sirarcha
1 tablespoon reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
3 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 cup matchstick-cut carrots
1/2 cup matchstick-cut green onions

Cook the noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain them well.

Combine the sirarcha, peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk to combine well. Add the noodles, carrots, and green onions; toss and serve immediately.

Weight Watcher's Tabbouleh

I never tried tabbouleh when I worked at the vegetarian cafe in college.  I don't know why, it was a really popular item on the menu.  I found this version when I was poking around one of my cookbooks.  I've enjoyed eating it this summer because it's filling without making me feel gross in the summer heat.

Tabbouleh:
(Weight Watchers- 2 points per serving)

1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup Bulgur
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
3 scallions (green parts only), sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
In a medium saucepan, bring the lemon juice and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil.  Stir in the bulgur, oil, salt, and pepper.  Remove from hear; cover and let stand until the water is absorbed, about 20-25 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, parsley, onion, scallions, and garlic.  Add the bulgur; toss to combine.   Refrigerate, covered for at least 3 hours.

I love this dish because it's easy to make and it will keep a couple of days in an air tight container.  It's perfect for Labor Day picnics too.  :)

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

When I was at my mom's house this weekend I found a new cookbook.  Simply Florida: A Taste of Flavors From the Sunshine State was published by the University of Florida (GO GATORS!!) and focuses on using ingredients that can be found all over the state of Florida.  I think that this book might just find it's way over to my house.  ;)

This is a really easy dinner roll recipe and there is nothing better than warm rolls at supper time,

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls:
(Simply Florida: A Taste of Flavors From the Sunshine State)

2 envelopes dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons sea salt
6 cups whole wheat flour

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water in a large bowl.  Add the hot water, oil honey, eggs, and sea salt.  Mix well.  Add the flour, gradually, mixing after each addition; do not knead.

Place the dough ball in a greased bowl, turning to coat the surface.  Chill, covered with plastic wrap, for 8-10 hours.  Pull down the dough and shape into rolls, about 1/4 cup worth.  Arrange the rolls om two 9x13-inch greased baking pans.

Bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown.