Comfort Cups

Meatloaf Cups

Mac N' Cheese Cups:

Since my discovery of kid's food cups, I've been on a mission to see how many possible meals I can create in a muffin pan.  My last two experiments, Meatloaf and Mac n' Cheese Cups, were as delicious as they were successful with my twins, and the best part of all is that I have a freezer-full of leftovers for rainy days in our near future.

Taste of Home's Meatloaf Cups:

Servings: 10 meatloaf cups

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 cup crushed cornflakes

4 tbsp dried minced onion

1 tsp prepared mustard

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean)

-additional ketchup for dipping

In  a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Press into 12 foil-lined or greased muffin cups.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes until an internal thermometer reaches 160 degrees.  Serve with ketchup.

Giada's Mac N' Cheese Cups:

Servings: 6-8 servings

Vegetable cooking spray

2 cups dried bread crumbs, divided

1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

8 oz ground turkey or chicken, preferably dark meat

1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning

8 oz small pasta (such as pennette, shells or elbows)

2 cups grated Parmesan

1 1/2 cups grated white cheddar

1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 cups chopped broccoli, blanched* see note

1 lb asparagus, cut into 3/4" pieces, blanched* see note

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Spray 2 (12-cup) muffin or cupcake pans with vegetable cooking spray.  Using 1 cup of the bread crumbs, coat the inside of each muffin cup with crumbs, shaking off any excess. 

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the ground turkey or chicken, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 5-8 minutes.  Set aside and cover to keep warm.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the pasta and cooked until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes.  Drain and add to a large bowl.  Stir in the cooked turkey and the cheeses.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Spoon the prepared pasta mixture into the cupcake molds, filling evenly to about 2/3 full.  Arrange a few pieces of tomato, broccoli, and asparagus into each cup.  Top with a thin layer of remaining bread crumbs and drizzle with olive oil. 

Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.  Let cool for a few minutes and carefully unmold with a spoon on a serving platter. 

*Cook's note: To blanch vegetables, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the veggies and cook for 1-2 minutes until very crisp.  Using a small strainer, remove veggies and immediately plunge into a bowl of iced water. Drain and use.

PC: Tasteofhome.com and foodnetwork.com

Dirt Cups

My girlfriend Allyson claims she isn't the crafty type, yet she'll show up to playgroup with adorable dirt cups for the kids or host a girl's dinner with the most creative centerpieces you've ever seen (think chalkboard mugs lining the table filled with gorgeous flowers and rolling pin place cards). 

Her latest craft-dirt cups-was a huge hit with our playgroup and I thought I'd pass it along since it's perfect for Halloween. And let's be honest, it's adult-friendly too.

Kraft Dirt Cups:
Serves: 10

Ingredients:
1 pkg JELL-O (3.9 oz) Chocolate instant pudding
2 cups cold milk
1 tub (8 oz) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
15 Oreo Cookies, crushed
10 worm, chewy fruit snacks

Beat the pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in COOL WHIP and 1/2 cup cookie crumbs.  Spoon into 10 (6- to 7-oz.) paper or plastic cups; top with remaining cookie crumbs.

Refrigerate for 1 hour. Top with fruit snacks just before serving.

Thanks Allyson!

PC: Kraftrecipes.com

Playdate 5.0

Any parent can attest that when 3 PM hits, there is still a lot of day to be had. Since some afternoons tend to drag, I love to spice them up with a "make your own pizza" party for my kids.  I invite over their friends, buy pre-made dough, sauce, and cheese from Whole Foods, and let the kids stretch, roll, poke, and play with the dough.  Afterwards I usually throw theirs out (toddlers tend to throw it on the floor more than anything), and make a large pizza for their dinner. (If they actually don't throw it on the floor then bake it using my simple directions below).

Scared to make homemade pizza? Don't bother-it's easy peasy. Just buy pre-made dough from Whole Foods or your local pizzeria and follow my simple directions:

1) Throw your pizza stone into your oven and turn the temperature to 500 degrees.  Try to let it heat up for 30 minutes if possible.

2) Give each child a small ball of dough to play with.  Show them how to roll it, poke it, stretch it, and smush it. 

3) While they're playing, roll out your own large pizza on a floured surface (try to make the pizza around 12"-14").  Throw it on the pizza stone (and stretch it out so it stays large).  Poke it all over with a fork so it won't puff up in the oven.

4) Bake it for 3 minutes. 

5) Remove it from the oven and add pizza sauce and cheese (and any additional ingredients).

6) Bake for an additional 9 minutes (pizza should be golden brown and cheese will be bubbly).

7) Remove from the oven, slice and serve. 

I always have fresh fruit on hand as well as chicken fingers for picky eaters. 

PC: Tonyastaab.com

Cheeseburger in Paradise

After months of serving my twins deconstructed burgers nightly (browned turkey, beef, or chicken mixed with ketchup, shredded cheese, and avocado), I discovered Cheeseburger Cups and they've changed my life in terms of clean up.  My kids gobble them down like a Thanksgiving turkey and I feel satisfied knowing that they're reaping the nutritional benefits of eating meat.  

*Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken.  And go for the fattier cuts (like the thigh). Your kids need the fat for brain development.

Cheeseburger Cups:

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (I use grass-fed 85% lean, when possible)
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp prepared mustard
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tube (12 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup shredded american cheese

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.  Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.  Remove from the heat; set aside.

Press each biscuit onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased muffin cup.  Spoon beef mixture into cups; top with shredded cheese.  Bake at 400 for 14-16 minutes or until brown.  Yield: 5 servings

PC and recipe: Taste of Home

Eat your Greens

Looking for a new salad? Here are two of my new favorites.  If you don't have the time to make the dressing, go for balsamic vinaigrette.  It works just as well.

Baby Lettuces with Feta, Strawberries and Smoked Almonds:
*make sure to use smoked and not regular almonds... it makes all the difference

Ingredients: 2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1 small shallot, minced
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/3 cup EVOO
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
12 cups packed assorted baby lettuces (about 6 oz)
1 quart strawberries, hulled and halved
4 oz feta (preferably French), crumbled (1 cup)
1 cup smoked almonds,

In a small bowl, stir together the mustard, honey, shallot and vinegar.  Stir in the EVOO and season with salt and pepper.  Put the lettuces in a big bowl.  Add the strawberries, feta and almonds.  Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss well and serve.

Nectarine and Blue Cheese Salad with Plum Vinaigrette:

Ingredients: 2 black plums, halved, pitted, chopped
1/2 cup EVOO
4 tsp ume plum vinegar or red wine vinegar
kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
12 cups (lightly packed) mixed greens (such as arugula or frisee)
4 nectarines or peaches, halved, pitted, cut into eighths
8 oz firm blue cheese, such as Cabrales, sliced
1/2 cup almonds, preferably Marcona


Bring plums and 3/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally and mashing plums with the back of a spoon, until plums have completely broken down, about 15 minutes.  Pour plum mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a small bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much purée as possible; discard solids in sieve. Let purée cool.  Add oil, vinegar, and 2 Tbsp. water to purée; whisk to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Divide greens among plates. Scatter nectarines, cheese, and almonds over, dividing equally, and drizzle some of dressing over. Season with salt and pepper.DO AHEAD: Dressing can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

***This vinaigrette also goes well on a salad with apricots, goat cheese, and pistachios.

PC: Food and Wine and Bon Appetit

California Chili

The minute the leaves start to change, the only thing I crave more than Fall clothes is a hearty bowl of chili. Since I love trying modern classics, I decided to try Giada's California Chili and let's just say it was love at first bite.  The quinoa and toasted pine nuts add the most perfect crunch to the spicy and savory chili.  Like always, I served it with Ina's corn muffins (I keep them in the freezer), and crushed blue tortilla chips, white cheddar, and onions.  It was a Sunday love fest.

Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large cloves garlic, smashed, peeled and chopped
• 2 large poblano chiles, stemmed, seeded and diced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (dark meat)
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, crushed
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)
• One 15 to 16-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained
• Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf, recipe follows
• Assorted garnishes, such as chopped onion, shredded white Cheddar, chopped tomatoes and/or sour cream

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy, large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, poblanos, celery and onions. Saute until the vegetables soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the turkey and saute until no longer pink, breaking up the turkey with the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over and stir to blend. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to blend. Add the broth and beans. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the flavors blend and the chili thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf into deep bowls. Ladle chili over. Serve with garnishes.

Cook's Note: Other garnishes that you could offer: chopped radishes, pickled jalapenos, crumbled cotija cheese, tortilla chips and/or pico de gallo.

Simplest Quinoa and Pine Nut Pilaf:

• 1 1/4 cups whole grain quinoa (about 7 ounces)
• 1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth (preferably organic)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley
• 1/3 cup pine nuts

Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.

Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.

Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.

PC: Foodnetwork.com

Spaghetti Burger

What do you do when you feel like a hearty bowl of spaghetti yet your husband feels like a juicy burger? You combine them (of course) to create a sensational Spaghetti Burger! Thanks Rachael Ray for letting me kill two birds with one stone with this quirky, yet awesome, burger combo. (It's all about the compromise, I tell you).

On the same note, this burger is spicy and the real deal.  I served it with roasted eggplant wedges to keep it balanced.  I'll definitely be making it again and again.

The Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 lb sweet Italian Sausage, casings removed (I used 1/2 lb hot turkey sausage)
2 cups cooked spaghetti, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup jarred marinara sauce
4 tsp finely chopped garlic (about 3 cloves)
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend
6 tbsp butter, at room temperature
12 slices sourdough (I used sourdough hoagies, scooped out)
**Sky's addition: sliced provolone and extra marinara sauce for topping

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the beef, sausage, and spaghetti.  Add the parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, 2 tsp garlic and the Cajun seasoning.  Mix well and form into 6 oval-shaped patties.

Preheat the stovetop grill (or grill pan) on medium heat.  In a small bowl, mix the butter and remaining 2 teaspoons garlic.  Spread the butter on both sides of each bread slice and grill until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes per side.  Set aside.  Grill the patties for 6-7 minutes per side.  Top the bread slices with a patty, sliced cheese and a dollop of heated marinara sauce.  Set the remaining bread slices into place.

Serve with roasted eggplant wedges or baked french fries.

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray
PC: Rachaelraymag.com

Asian Made Simple

Asian food is one of my favorite go-to's for week night cooking.  It's flavorful, comforting, and therapeutic since it requires a lot of chopping and handling.  After sampling a few of my friend's flavorful dishes at a recent Cooking Club, I'm never at a loss for a better-than-takeout meal.

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
Servings: 3

Ingredients:
3-4 boneless chicken breasts
salt/pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Sweet and Sour Sauce:
3/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp ketchup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic salt

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Rinse the chicken, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper (1 good pinch of each).  Coat the chicken in cornstarch and then the egg.  Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken in two batches until browned (the chicken will not be fully cooked through).  Place the chicken in a greased 9x13 pryex.  In a separate bowl, mix the ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce and pour evenly over the chicken.  Bake for one hour and turn every 15 minutes.  Serve with brown or white rice and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Allyson Becker from Lifeasalofthouse.blogspot.com

P.F. Chang's Mongolian Beef
Servings: 2
12 oz sliced beef tenderloin (Whole Foods will do this for you)
1 tbsp soy bean oil (I used olive oil)
1 tsp garlic
2 oz soy sauce
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp rice wine
2 oz green onion sticks, 3" long

Heat the oil in a saute pan.  Add the beef and cook for 30-60 seconds or until cooked.  Beef should be slightly browned around the edges and gray throughout the rest of the surface.  Add the garlic and toss for about a minute.  Add the rice wine, soy sauce, and sugar and bring to a boil.  Cook and reduce the sauce around the beef until all sauce has caramelized onto the beef (it should take around 5 minutes).  The pan should be dry before proceeding.  Add the green onion and toss into beef.  Serve with rice.

Recipe courtesy of Emily Hoffman from P.F. Changs

Martha's Cashew Chicken
Servings: 4

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes
1 tbsp cornstarch
coarse salt and ground pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil, such as safflower
6 cloves garlic, minced
8 scallions, white and green parts separated, each cut into 1" pieces
2 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
3/4 cup raw cashews (4 oz), toasted

In a medium bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch until chicken is coated; season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat.  Cook half the chicken, tossing often, until browned, about 3 minutes.  Transfer to a plate.  Add remaining oil and chicken to skillet along wtih garlic and white parts of scallions.  Cook, tossing often, until chicken is browned, about 3 minutes.  Return first batch of chicken to pan.  Add vinegar, cook until evaporated, about 30 seconds.  Add hoisin sauce and 1/4 cup water, cook, tossing, until chicken is cooked through, about 1 minute.  Remove from heat.  Stir in scallion greens and cashews.  Serve immediately over white rice, if desired. 


PC: Tablefortwoblog.com, pfcb.com, Martha Stewart