Cookin' with Carol recipes on NBC5 - September 2006


Strawberry-Mango Frozen Yogurt

 

Serves 8

 

This fruity dessert is cool and refreshing---perfect for the holiday weekend!

 

2 cups lowfat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup finely chopped strawberries

1 mango, peeled, seeded and chopped

 

Whisk together yogurt, milk, and sugar for 1 minute, or until sugar is mostly dissolved. Stir in strawberries and mango. Pour mixture into an electric ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s directions. When mixture is thickened, scoop into bowls and serve. Enjoy!

 

Notes:

 

Alternatively (if you do not have an electric ice cream maker), you can pour the mixture into an 8-inch baking pan, cover, and freeze for 4 to 6 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until mixture is thickened.

 

(Air Date: September 2, 2006)


Jícama and Orange Pico de Gallo

 

Serves 4

 

Unlike the tomato-based salsa-like pico de gallo served at most Tex-Mex restaurants, this recipe is based on a traditional Mexican pico de gallo which highlights the crispy, slightly sweet jícama, and juicy fresh oranges.

 

1/2 small jícama, peeled and diced

1 orange, peeled, seeded and diced

2 sprigs cilantro, finely chopped

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 pinch salt

1 pinch cayenne pepper

 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well. Serve pico de gallo chilled, over lettuce, if desired.

 

Notes:

 

Jícama, or Mexican potato, is a root vegetable that resembles a large potato. It has a crunchy texture, similar to water chestnuts or apples. It is usually eaten raw, but may be slightly cooked. Peel it with a knife---the skin can be rather tough for a vegetable peeler.

 

(Air Date: September 16, 2006)


Frosty Fruit Smoothies

 

Serves 2

 

Here’s a great breakfast-to-go, a nutritious midday snack, or a delicious fruity dessert. Smoothies are terrific anytime!

 

1/2 cup fruit

1 banana, peeled

6 ounces lowfat strawberry yogurt

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup ice

 

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process for 20 to 30 seconds, until smooth. Pour into two glasses and enjoy!

 

Notes:

 

Use any fruit of your choice (fresh, canned or frozen). Here are some suggestions: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, mango, and/or pineapple.

 

For added nutrition, you can add 2 tablespoons of the following ingredients to the blender: toasted wheat germ, ground flax seed, toasted oat bran, and/or toasted wheat bran.

 

(Air Date: September 23, 2006)


Fried Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Bites

 

Serves 8 to 10; 3 to 4 macaroni cheese bites per serving

 

Celebrate the spirit of the State Fair of Texas with the latest trend in deep-fried delicacies. This recipe was inspired by a colleague’s snack recommendation during a recent visit to a fancy Kentucky bowling alley. My version has a Texas taste twist with the addition of spicy jalapeños.

 

4 cups prepared macaroni and cheese with jalapeños, chilled (see recipe below)

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 cup water

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Vegetable oil for frying

1/2 cup flour

Salsa for dipping

 

Spread prepared macaroni and cheese into an 8-inch square baking pan that has been lined with foil. Cover and freeze for 8 hours. Uncover and invert macaroni and cheese onto a cutting board. Using a sturdy chef knife, cut the macaroni and cheese into 3/4-inch cubes. When ready to cook, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, water, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour and baking powder, mixing well. Add flour mixture to the liquid mixture and mix until just combined (batter will be lumpy which is okay). Fill a medium saucepan halfway (or a deep fryer, according to manufacturer's directions) with vegetable oil (do not fill pan more than halfway or oil will overflow when cooking). Heat oil to 365°F (a candy/deep-fry thermometer works best to monitor this). While oil is heating, line a baking sheet or tray with several layers of paper towel. Have heat-resistant slotted spoons and metal tongs handy. Coat 4 to 5 frozen macaroni and cheese pieces with flour, then dip into batter and carefully place in the hot oil and deep-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using a heat-resistant slotted spoon or metal tongs, remove and drain fried macaroni bites on paper-towels. Repeat with remaining macaroni and cheese pieces and batter (in batches of 4 to 5). Serve with salsa on the side.

 

Notes:

 

For a more flavorful batter, substitute 1 cup beer for the water and omit the baking powder. You can cover and refrigerate this “beer batter” for up to 1 hour to allow the flavor to deepen.

 

You can use your own favorite macaroni and cheese recipe (and add 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeños), or simply use your favorite frozen macaroni and cheese dinner, if desired. However, my Spicy Macaroni and Cheese recipe is highly recommended.

 

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese

 

Serves 8

 

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños

4 cups cooked macaroni

 

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender, stirring occasionally. Add flour and stir with a spoon or roux whisk and cook over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly to cook the flour. Add milk gradually (whisking constantly as you add). Cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add all cheeses and jalapeño peppers and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted. Place half of the cooked macaroni in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the macaroni. Repeat with the remaining macaroni and cheese sauce. Cover baking dish and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or until mixture is heated through. You can remove the cover during the last 10 minutes of cooking time for a crust-like top, if desired.

 

Notes:

 

If using this recipe for fried macaroni and cheese bites, prepare the cheese sauce in a large saucepan. Stir in the cooked macaroni and stir to coat well. Spread mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan that has been lined with foil. Cover and freeze for 8 hours. Uncover, and invert macaroni and cheese onto a cutting board. Using a sturdy chef knife, cut the macaroni and cheese into 3/4-inch cubes. Batter and fry as directed for Fried Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Bites.

 

(Air Date: September 30, 2006)