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Amla Legend




"For the mind, body and soul of today's African-American and Afro-Latino family."


Category: Recipes

In Deb’s Kitchen: Saucy Beef With Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry

beef noodle stir fryStir-fry is a staple weeknight meal in our house, and a simple way to shake things up is to swap out the standard rice accompaniment for an Asian-style noodle instead. Even if I have just an ounce or two of steak leftover, I’ll wrap it up to make this stir-fry the next day. A little meat goes a long way, especially when you slice it very thin and add the veggies.

Saucy Beef With Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry

Leftover Honey-Balsamic Filet, cut thinly, crosswise, into bite-sized pieces

2 large heads broccoli

8 oz. ramen, udon or soba noodles

½ cup chopped onions

1 large carrot, sliced

4 tablespoons Soy Vay Teriyaki sauce*

Splash of low-sodium soy sauce

Sesame oil & vegetable oil

Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse and toss with a few drops of sesame oil. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a teaspoon of sesame oil in wok over medium high heat. Add beef and stir-fry until edges brown and crisp. Add a bit more oil and broccoli and continue cooking until broccoli is crisp-tender. Add noodles, teriyaki and soy sauce and cook for about two minutes, until heated through and noodles get a little crispy.

*For a midsummer twist, you could substitute a store-bought peanut sauce for teriyaki and serve cold.

From Deb’s Kitchen, Episode 11

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Photo: Kofi Oliver

 

Black Bean Corn Salad

black bean corn saladIt’s Celiac Awareness Month, so we’re serving up this gluten-free bean salad recipe. But you don’t have to be on a gluten-free diet to enjoy it!

1 cup frozen, whole-kernel corn

14 cup water

12 (15-ounce) can low-sodium black beans, drained

12 cup chopped green bell pepper

12 cup chopped red bell pepper

13 cup chopped red onion

2 tablespoon salsa

14 cup chopped cilantro

2 tablespoon lime juice

12 teaspoon cumin

12 teaspoon salt-free Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend

In a small saucepan bring the corn and water to a boil. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Drain water and set aside to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl combine black beans, peppers, onion, salsa, cilantro, lime juice, cumin and salt-free seasoning. Add the corn to the bean mixture and mix well. Serves 4.

Deb’s Kitchen: The Sex Shake Smoothie

sex shake smoothieIn this episode Kevin and I are making a very sexy and tasty smoothie—one that helps set the mood and also contains some “performance enhancing” ingredients for the guy in your life. Now, this isn’t a recipe we invented from scratch. When we were dating about six or seven years ago, we stumbled across a recipe for a sex shake in a men’s magazine. The shake called for a lot of interesting supplements that claim to help with male circulation (a.k.a. keeping the wind in the sails) and sexual health, such as selenium, Vitamin E, ginseng, ginger, etc. But it wasn’t so tasty. So we just reinvented it with smoothie ingredients that actually taste good and have added benefits. For instance, raw cashews make a great, creamy smoothie base and they also have a ton of zinc, which is known as the “sex mineral” and is said to raise testosterone and, um, sperm production.

The big question, of course, is does it work? Well,  y’all know I’m pregnant with my third baby in three years, so there’s that. And at the very least, the smoothie is something fun to make, try and laugh about together, which I think is a great recipe for lighting the spark.

Sex Shake Smoothie

Large handful of raw cashews

About 1 cup cold low-fat milk

Handful cut pineapple

Handful frozen blueberries

Handful frozen strawberries

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root

10 drops ginseng tincture

1 drop liquid selenium

Fresh strawberries for garnish

Place cashews in blender with enough milk to slightly cover the cashews. Blend. Add remaining ingredients and blend. Garnish with a fresh strawberry. Enjoy with someone special.

From Deb’s Kitchen, Episode 7

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Photo: Kofi Oliver

Deb’s Kitchen: Mushroom, Onion and Truffle Oil Pizza

mushroom, onion & truffle oil pizzaThis yummy pizza is not at all from scratch. Not. At. All. If you’re looking for a recipe for homemade crust or even the best frozen pizza crust, my apologies, this is not the pizza for you! I’ve experimented a few times with using frozen crusts and so far haven’t found one that works with my schedule and taste demands, and that’s how I ended up turning to the wonderful pre-made, uncooked pizzas available at Whole Foods and other grocery stores (and even pizza restaurants in some cities). The advantage is that you get that fresh from the oven, bubbling pizza look and taste, but you don’t have to do much heavy lifting; dinner is ready in 15 minutes. Here, the red onions add a nice pop of color and the crimini mushrooms and truffle oil give a rich, woodsy flavor. Did you know, by the way, truffle oil is an aphrodisiac? Just a little added bonus for your weekly pizza night.

Mushroom, Onion and Truffle Oil Pizza

One large uncooked pizza, such as Whole Foods variety

1/4 cup red onion, chopped

4-5 crimini mushrooms, sliced

Drizzle of truffle oil (8 to 10 generous drops)

Arrange onions and mushrooms on pizza and cook according to instructions. Drizzle truffle oil on pizza (about one drop per slice) and serve.

From Deb’s Kitchen, Episode 6

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Deb’s Kitchen: Homemade Pesto Spaghetti in 5 Minutes

pesto spaghettiPesto is one of my weekly staples. Basically all you need is a food processor or “mini-prep;” you toss the ingredients in and blend and you’ve got a fresh sauce. Sometimes I’ll pair this with store-bought tortellini or ravioli, instead of spaghetti. And if your kids don’t go for the pesto flavor, you can always serve them the noodles with a smidge of butter/olive oil and fresh mozzarella. You can also change up the basil for arugula (or do a mix of both) for more variety.

Pesto & Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

2 cups basil

¼  cup olive oil

2 tablespoons pine nuts

1 clove garlic

½ teaspoon Kosher salt

½ cup Parmesan cheese

8 oz whole-wheat spaghetti

1 cup grape tomatoes, cut into quarters

Fresh mozzarella

  1. Place the first four ingredients (basil through garlic) into the mini-processor. Chop or grind until a paste forms, stopping to push basil and other ingredients back down.
  2. Add salt and Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth. Allow pesto to rest 10 minutes before serving, for flavors to meld.
  3. Divide whole wheat spaghetti into bowls. Place 2 heaping tablespoons of pesto on each serving.
  4. Garnish with cut tomatoes, and dollops of fresh mozzarella. Enjoy!

Serves 2 to 4

From Deb’s Kitchen, Episode 3

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Photo: Lauren Hunter

Deb’s Kitchen: A Chicken Reinvention

rosemary chick saladEasiest way to reinvent the roasted chicken? Throw it on a salad. A quick note about salads: I tend to like mine with fewer ingredients. I generally think less is more–in food and in life–and I find salads with too many flavor profiles to be less enjoyable. Second, it’s laziness! I do my best to eat a salad-type-thing each day, but it takes a long time to chop up those vegetables! I’m much more likely to make it happen if I’ve only got three to four to cut up, instead of, say, seven to eight.

 

Shredded Rosemary Chicken Salad

1 ½ cups (eyeball it) cooked and shredded Lemon Rosemary Chicken (recipe below)

1 box prewashed Spring Mix

1 large carrot, chopped

Red or Vidalia onion, sliced

Red pepper, julienned

Grape tomatoes, quartered

Crumbled Feta cheese

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Toss with dressing and serve.

If you want to be a bit jazzier in terms of presentation, you can arrange the toppings in groups of like items on the bed of lettuce, like the “pie chart” style shown here.

Simplest Balsamic Vinaigrette Ever

3 tablespoons light olive oil

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Salt & pepper to taste (optional)

Combine ingredients in a mini Tupperware-type container that has a lid. Shake vigorously to mix. Toss with salad. That’s it! Serves 2 to 4.

A couple notes: I actually prefer light oil to extra virgin for dressings because it’s a milder flavor and less heavy on the veggies. Also, this dressing is all about the balsamic. I’ve tried a zillion kinds and my favorite is the Barrel Aged kind by Wine Country Kitchens. I don’t love vinegary flavor, but this one is sweet and thick and has just the right amount of tang. It basically makes the dressing—and is well worth the $10 per bottle. If you don’t have that one available, look for one that has a rich, dark, caramel color and almost viscous-looking consistency (not too thin) at the grocery store.

 

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

6 to 8 large chicken breasts (bone in)

For each, individual split bone-in breast you will need:

3 ¼-inch wide strips of lemon peel

1 small clove garlic, minced

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Kosher salt & pepper

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil (eyeball it)

The key to getting the juicy, flavorful meat is putting all the yummy seasonings underneath the skin. So, first things first, gently loosen the skin from the breast by inserting your fingers and gently pushing between the skin and meat. (Dealing with the raw chicken is not my favorite activity, and I usually let my husband, Kevin, take the lead on this duty!)

Next, arrange the garlic, lemon peel and rosemary on the meat, underneath the skin. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, and rub in 1 teaspoon of the olive oil–again, all of this happens underneath the skin. Rub remaining olive oil on top of skin. Place breasts in a Ziploc bag to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

To roast:  Usually we like to roast the chicken on the grill, using a convection or “indirect” method. But you can also roast them in the regular oven, of course!

Preheat to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken breasts in a roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes, until the skin is sizzling golden brown, then reduce temp to 400 and roast until the meat is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Note: If your kitchen gets too smoky, lower your temperature a bit, and lengthen cook time accordingly.

 

From Deb’s Kitchen, Episode 1

Photo: Lauren Hunter

Believe the Hype: Potatoes Are Healthy

potatoes

This is a good news-good news situation: Potatoes are fat- and cholesterol-free and they have more potassium than bananas, so stop worrying about adding this starchy side dish to your dinner menu. Try this healthier version of a classic tonight:

Skinny Twice-Baked Potatoes

4 medium russet potatoes

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Kosher salt

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 leeks (white and light green parts), halved lengthwise, sliced thinly

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons freshly chopped thyme

4 ounces 1/3-less fat chive-and-onion-flavored cream cheese

1/2 cup skim milk

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Rub the potatoes with the oil and season generously with kosher salt. Place on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes are very tender on the inside and crisp on the outside, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and season with salt and pepper, cook until soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Cool slightly.

Cut lengthwise, opening down the center of each potato, stopping about 1 inch from each end. Scoop out the insides into a large bowl, keeping about 1/4-inch shell of potato next to the skin.

Add the leek mixture, cream cheese and milk to the potato and mash well with a fork until combined but slightly chunky. Stir in the chopped parsley. Spoon the filling back into the potato shells, about 1/2 cup of filling for each potato, and place back on the baking sheet. Bake until heated through and the tops are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with extra parsley.

Per potato: Calories: 267; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 4.5 grams; Protein: 8 grams; Total carbohydrates: 41 grams; Sugar: 6 grams; Fiber:3 grams; Cholesterol: 22 milligrams; Sodium: 310 milligrams

From foodnetwork.com

What healthy potato dishes are in your recipe box? Share them with us in the comments section.

An Easy Sunday Recipe: West African Chicken

Many versions of this lemony chicken are served in West Africa, often over rice or couscous.

3-1/2 pounds chicken legs and thighs
3 or 4 sprigs oregano or marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 to 5 tablespoons corn or peanut oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup fresh shredded coconut
2 large onions
2 cloves garlic
2 hot chili peppers
2 cup coarsely chopped plum tomatoes
1 bay leaf

Preheat the broiler. Trim away visible fat from chicken. Wash chicken under cold water and dry with paper towels. Chop fresh oregano or marjoram. Rub herb all over the chicken, and then sprinkle chicken with salt and black pepper. Generously oil a shallow boiler pan. Place chicken in the pan in a single layer. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of oil over the chicken.

Set the pan under the broiler, 6 inches from the heat. Broil chicken for about 5 minutes (or until golden brown). Turn and brown 5 minutes on the other side. Remove the pan from the oven. Pour lemon juice over chicken. Sprinkle coconut over chicken and set aside.

Reset the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

Slice onions, mince garlic and finely dice chilies. Heat the remaining oil in a medium skillet. Add onions, garlic and chilies and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in tomatoes and bay leaf and cook over low heat, stirring, for 15 minutes longer.

Return chicken to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn chicken, pour tomato sauce on top and bake until chicken is tender and brown, about 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve over rice or couscous.

 

This recipe also appears on Kwanzaa Culinarians. Follow Kwanzaa Culinarians on Twitter: @KwanzaaCulinary.

A Twist on an Old Favorite: Raw Collard Green Salad

Mix things up by preparing this healthy salad using raw collards.

Raw Collard Green Salad

1 bunch collard greens, washed

1/8  cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

6 to 8 chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1/3 cup onion, chopped

1 to 3 cloves raw garlic, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

De-stem and chop the collard greens. (An easy way to de-stem collard greens is by folding them in half lengthwise along the stem with the darker green side down and then pull up the stem until it comes off and you’re left mostly with leaf. An easy way to chop the collards is to stack a few leaves, roll them up into a cigar shape and cut the through the collard cylinder, making strips.) Place strips in a large bowl. Pour olive oil on collard strips and sprinkle on salt. Massage the oil and salt into the strips with your hands until all pieces are well coated. Whisk together apple cider vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and ground pepper. Pour apple cider vinegar dressing over the collard green strips. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 to 4 hours, but overnight is best. Serves 4.

From The Daily Raw Cafe

It’s Apple Season!

 

 

From red delicious and gala to honeycrisp, granny smith and pink lady, apples are a good source of vitamin C and fiber, which helps with weight control and may lower your risks for cancer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Baked Apples With Oatmeal Filling

4 large apples

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

2 tablespoon raisins (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350F. Rinse, core and slightly hollow 4 large apples, leaving the bottom of the apple intact to create a well for the filling, and place the apples in a pie pan. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 2 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (optional). If desired, add 2 tablespoons each raisins and/or chopped walnuts. Fill and top each apple with the oat mixture. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the sides of the apples are soft and easily pierced with a knife. 4 servings

From Joy Bauer

 

Spiced Pumpkin Dip (With Apples)

16-ounce can 100% pure packed pumpkin

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1/8 ounces fat-free cream cheese

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Combine cream cheese and pumpkin. (It’s easier to mix if the cream cheese is at room temperature, so you may want to put it in the microwave for about 15 seconds.) Add sugar and spices. Stir together. Can be served chilled or warm. 12 servings

From MD Anderson Cancer Center

 

Green Apple Sourdough Pancakes

Sourdough Starter

1 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon active dry yeast (1/2 packet)

1/2 cup apple cider

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 cup all-purpose flour

 

Pancakes

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 small tart green apple (such as Granny Smith), unpeeled, diced

1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Maple syrup or honey, for serving

Chopped pecans, for garnish (optional)

Make the sourdough starter: Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat to about 110F. Transfer to a medium bowl, sprinkle with the yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the cider, brown sugar, butter and 1 cup flour until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature overnight.

The next morning, make the pancakes: Whisk 1/2 cup flour, egg, baking soda and apple into the sourdough starter. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat and swirl to coat. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until the tops are bubbly and the edges set, about 3 minutes, then flip and cook until golden and cooked through, 1 to 2 more minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter as needed. Drizzle with syrup and garnish with pecans, if desired. 12 servings

From Food Network

 

Curried Carrot & Apple Soup

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped, 2 cups

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

1 tablespoon curry powder

5 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced, 3 cups

2 large McIntosh or other apples, peeled and coarsely chopped, 3  cups

1  bay leaf

4-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt, for garnish (optional)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, dill or basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan or medium soup pot over medium heat. Stir in onion and celery; cook until the onion is softened and translucent, 8 to 12 minutes; do not brown. Stir in curry powder, then add carrots, apples and bay leaf. Stir well over medium heat for 2 minutes, then add broth and salt. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover tightly and simmer until the carrots and apples are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf. Using a large slotted spoon, transfer the soup solids to a food processor, adding about 1/2 cup of the broth; process to a smooth puree. Pour the puree back into the soup. Reheat and season with pepper. Serve piping hot, garnishing each serving, if you like, with a dab of yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. 8 servings

From EatingWell.com

 

Spiced 4 Apple Bread

4 large apples, cored, peeled and chunked

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups white or brown sugar

4 eggs

3/4 cup pecan or walnuts, chopped

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 stick butter

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons orange zest

1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350F. In large bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon and apples. Using wooden spoon, mix well and set aside. In separate large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add eggs, oil, butter, orange juice and vanilla. Mix well until smooth. You may use an electric mixer if easier. Add apple mixture to batter. Combine well. Pour batter into glass or non-stick 1.5 quart baking dish. Bake at 350F for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool. Remove from mold. Cut width wise into 1-inch pieces. 12 to 14 servings

Chef’s note: For a more bread pudding consistency, soak apples in large bowl for 10 minutes. Drain. Proceed according to rest of recipe.

From Flanboyanteats.com