This supremely satisfying Creamy Wild Rice soup is comfort food. The wild rice is filling, while the finely minced and chopped vegetables give the soup consistent flavor. Healthy, nutritious and earthy good. Beans aren’t usually on the menu at Chez Charlene’s. Hearty Calico Beans, of course, which uses kidney beans, lima beans or navy beans. Tacos or taco salad with black beans or refried beans. I had to look up Cannellinni beans when I saw this recipe. It is one of four types of white beans -- Navy beans, Great Northern beans, Cannellini beans, or Baby Lima beans aka butter beans. I’ve heard of the other three and used them in cooking. How did I miss Cannellini beans? Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be ... [Read More]
Beans
Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
Green Beans are a favorite at our house. This elegant version elevates basic green beans to a whole new level. This dish is great for entertaining because it looks and tastes like you spent a lot more time on it than you actually did. Roasting the green beans assures they will be crisp tender and full of robust flavor. As an added bonus, the extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese greatly enhances the natural appeal of this classic side. Green Beans are actually the seed pod of the common bean plant — though I’m not really sure that fact makes them taste better! Names vary according to their characteristics of growth -- string beans, snap beans, pole beans, bush beans or French beans. Green beans are low in calories and carbs but high in nutritional value. They ... [Read More]
Chicken Tikka-Masala Tacos
Tortillas filled with chicken in a tikka-masala sauce. I was confused. Is it from India? Mexico? Chapitas from India are similar to a Mexican tortilla, but are made from whole wheat flour with water, oil and salt. The Mexican tortilla is made from refined flours (or corn) with milk, oil and salt. Tortillas are more readily available in US groceries. So Chicken Tikka-Masala Tacos are an American adaptation of an Indian dish?? Sort of -- but there is that matter of the filling. In India, Chicken Tikka is usually a kebab, small pieces of chicken skewered and then roasted. In the UK, cooks skip the skewering part and cooks smaller bits of chicken in a savory sauce and call it tikka. A British adaptation of India cuisine. Only the masala part was left alone. And, what is masala? ... [Read More]
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip
The first time I made Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip, I wasn’t so sure anyone would like it. They didn’t just LIKE it, they thought it was fantastic! Black beans, corn and spicy (sort of!) enchilada sauce and all. The creamy melty cheese didn’t hurt either! It is just as good the second day, too, though I had to hide a sample so I could check that out. :-) Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top before running it through the microwave to reheat. Rotisserie chicken works well for this, as does leftover chicken or turkey. Dice the meat on the small side for easier eating and so it won’t break the chips. I used mild enchilada sauce, but if your family likes the spicier versions go right ahead. I did add the cumin for a bit more kick so you might want to adjust that or even use a ... [Read More]
Taco Salad
Wheel’s sister, Jay-El*, introduced Taco Salad to us at a family dinner once upon a time. It was an immediate hit! The guys loved it. Like all recipes that come my way, it’s been tweaked a bit here and there – well, a lot come to think of it. First was the ground beef. Bytes and his brother would leave behind anything with taco spices, but they would eat chili mixed with the ground beef. Like any sane mother, I went with the flow and opted for what they would eat as long as it was on the healthy side. Then Bytes turned up with an allergy to tomatoes, so they were served on the side and until he outgrew the allergy, his ground beef was plain. Growing young men go more for cheese and meat rather than lettuce and dressing so the layer method was developed. Bytes brother brought ... [Read More]
Meals that mend: eating to heal
Had a burp in the bubble of serenity (such as it is!) here at Chez Charlene. Wheels had surgery yesterday (at home now and doing fine – thank you!) but has to be off his feet for several days followed by reduced activity for a couple of weeks. Good health is controlled by diet and exercise, so it takes a little planning to keep that balance during a down time. Even the healthiest of us can’t avoid strains, sprains, or some periods of forced inactivity for other reasons. It is possible to adjust your way of eating to maintain health during those times – and even to aid quick recovery! Off to the grocery to do some thinking and planning on the move. Problem: Control the number of carbs and calories per meal to avoid weight gain and unstable blood sugar and still provide enough food and ... [Read More]
