Category Archives: Side Dish

Stuffed is a Good Thing

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , , ,

What does it mean to be “stuffed”?  Is it good or bad?  Actually, it’s both.

Stuff is a word that has ancient origins, originally pertaining to cloth, but its meaning has changed over time with some interesting applications.  Take the following phrases for instance:

stuff it—expresses rejection

and stuff—additional things, i.e. she had lots of furniture and other stuff

be stuffed up—nasal congestion as with a cold

fill out the skin of a dead animal–stuffed parrot

to over eat–to stuff yourself  (as in Thanksgiving)

to fill a receptacle or cavity–a stuffed toy or the turkey

Since the year 2000 the word stuff  has had an increase in usage usually connected to other words like cool stuff, new stuff, great stuff,  etc.

Well, today’s recipe is about filling a cavity with some really cool stuff.  I’m sure you will like it so well that you will stuff yourself after which time if someone were to offer you another serving you would tell them to go “stuff it”.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed Acorn Squash

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Yield:   Serves 4

Ingredients:

I used a package of convience rice, precooked.

I used a package of convience rice, precooked.

  • 2 Acorn squash, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. dried rubbed sage
  • coarse salt and pepper
  • 1 box (6-oz.) wild rice blend (seasoning packet discarded)
  • 1/2 cup cried cherries or cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, chopped ( I used sliced almonds)

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 450*F.  On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange squash halves cut side down.  Cover tightly with foil.  Roast till tender when pierced, about 40 minutes.

2.  Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat.  Add shallot, garlic, and sage.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring occasionally, till tender, 3 – 5 minutes.  Add rice and 1 3/4 cup water;  Bring to boil, cover, and reduce heat to low.  Cook until tender without stirring, about 25 minutes.**

3.  Remove rice from heat and stir in cherries and pecans.  Season with salt and pepper.  Season the inside of each squash half with salt and pepper.

IMG_5712

Mound stuffing into cavities of squash, dividing evenly and serve while hot.

Squash half, filled with rice stuffing.

Squash half, filled with rice stuffing.

**Instead of using wild rice, I used a package of precooked rice, intended for the microwave, but cut it  open and heated it in the skillet with the shallot and garlic, plus a little chicken broth to moisten it.  I’ve recently discovered these packages of rice by Uncle Ben’s.   They are the perfect amount for two people, and saves lengthy cooking time for long-grain rice.

SOURCE:  Martha Stewart.com

Broccoli-Cheddar Oven Risotto

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Main Dish, Side Dish and tagged with , , , , , , , ,
Broccoli-Cheddar Oven Risotto

Broccoli-Cheddar Oven Risotto

Risotto is one of those old-time comfort foods that I grew up on.  It was prepared by my Northern Italian grandfather who was so fussy about how it was made that he didn’t trust anyone to get it right except himself.  My mother’s sister, my aunt, watched him carefully as he made the risotto in a big copper kettle, and after my grandfather passed on, she was the keeper of the “secret” of how to make a good risotto. And she was the one who continued the tradition of making it for us.

By watching my aunt make this simple rice dish I too learned how to make a “good” risotto.  Without a lot of details here, let me just say it required lots of stirring, and adding the hot chicken broth in small amounts until it was absorbed, then adding a little more, and so on…. Risotto also needed to be flavored with saffron which gave the rice a light yellow color, and enticing aroma and flavor.

IMG_5628

Although we all loved risotto, it was not made frequently, because it was labor intensive beginning with stewing a whole chicken to get the rich broth needed to cook the rice.  All the meat was saved and stirred into the rice at the end of its cooking time, making this dish very filling and hearty.   My Dad particularly loved my aunt’s rice,  rather unusual for a Swede, but you can’t account for a person’s taste, and like him, I love it too.

With this back story in mind, you can imagine my delight when I came across this recipe for risotto, baked in the oven, and no lengthy stirring required.  Well, I was all over that recipe like flies on a dead pig!!

I made it for the first time this week.   Mr. D. thought it was marvelous and I thought it was great, too.  The addition of broccoli that is roasted in the oven while the rice bakes, then added in at the end with cheddar cheese, produces a tasty, cheesy and filling main dish. I treated it as a side dish, and served it with sliced ham.   Not quite the same as the risotto I remember, but certainly a rendition that I plan to make again.

Baked risotto with ham.

Baked risotto with ham.

Times and cooking methods change.  More and more of the old ethnic dishes are being modernized and fused with new ingredients, so that what was once old is new again.  I, for one, like this trend.

BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR OVEN RISOTTO

Yield:    Serves 4

Ingredients:

Use Arborio rice which produces a very creamy risotto.

Use Arborio rice which produces a very creamy risotto.

  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
  • 1 bunch broccoli, cut into small florets
  • 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 1 3/4 cups arborio rice
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)

Directions:

1.  Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 425*F.    Bring chicken broth to a low simmer in a saucepan.

Warm the chicken broth.

Warm the chicken broth.

Toss the broccoli with the olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet.

Prepare the broccoli for roasting.

Prepare the broccoli for roasting.

2.  Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large Dutch oven or ovenproof pot over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.

Sauté onions in butter.

Sauté onions in butter.

Add the rice and stir to coat.

Add the rice to butter and onions and stir to coat.

Add the rice to butter and onions and stir to coat.

Pour in the wine and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute.  Add the hot both, 3/4 tsp. salt, and pepper to taste;  bring to a boil.

Add the wine and chicken broth all at once.

Add the chicken broth all at once.

3.  Cover the pot and set on the bottom oven rack.  Place the broccoli on the upper rack.  Bake, stirring the rice and broccoli once halfway through cooking, until most of the liquid has been absorbed in the rice and the broccoli is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

4.  Remove the rice and broccoli from the oven.  Add 3/4 cup hot water, the remaining 1 Tbsp. butter, and the cheese to the rice and stir until creamy (add a little more hot water to loosen, if necessary).  Stir in the broccoli.

Add cheese to baked rice.

Add cheese to baked rice.

Stir in roast broccoli.

Stir in roast broccoli.

Incredibly good served with ham.

Incredibly good served with ham.

SOURCE:    Cooking Light

A Recipe of Few—

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , ,

Today has been a very busy day and at this hour I’m tired so this will be a post of few words.  Luckily the recipe I have to share with you is one of few words also.  A recipe of few—-

few ingredients

few steps

few utensils

BUT

big flavor

Try it!

Old Bay Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Old Bay Roasted Sweet Potatoes

OLD BAY ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

Few ingredients: 1-2-3.

Few ingredients: 1-2-3.

Yield:   Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes  ( about 1 1/2 pounds total),  scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 450 *F.  On a rimmed baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes, olive oil, and Old Bay seasoning.

Utensils? a knife and a baking dish.

Utensils? a knife and a baking dish.

Bake until  potatoes are deep golden brown on all sides, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Out of the oven, crusty and brown.

Out of the oven, crusty and brown.

This side dish goes will with roasted chicken or pork, seared steak, or sautéed shrimp.

If you’ve never used Old Bay seasoning, you must try it.  It contains a mixture of several spices, usually used on shell fish, but it brings out the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes.

SOURCE:    Martha Stewart

Gardener’s Ratatouille

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,
Gardner's Ratatouille

Gardner’s Ratatouille

What could be better at this time of year than Ratatouille, a vegetable stew.  Using all the fresh vegetables that are so plentiful now, I made up a large pan of this dish.  We love it when I first make it, and we like it even better the second time around when the  flavor seems to get even better.

Extras can be slowly reheated very successfully, but it is actually quite good served cold.  We particularly enjoy folding the leftovers inside a croissant, for a light lunch.  If you wish you can turn this dish into a hearty meal by adding some protein such as grilled sausages during the final stage of cooking.

The ingredients listed provide a guideline;  you can change up the vegetables to suit your taste, or what’s available when you make it.  For instance I used yellow summer squash instead of zucchini.  A red pepper can take the place of a green pepper.  One thing you must do, if making this dish, is use lots of fresh herbs.  Unfortunately I didn’t have any fresh oregano, so I used dried, ( 1 teaspoon),  but I did use fresh basil and parsley.   Fresh herbs make a hugh difference in the taste.

Also, you know how eggplant can soak up a lot of oil, well this recipe only uses 2 teaspoons olive oil to sauté the onions, the rest of the moisture comes from the vegetables as they are cooked slowly while covered, and the eggplant takes on the flavors of the vegetables and herbs it is cooked with.  Also, be sure to cut all the vegetables the same size to ensure even cooking.

GARDENER’S RATATOUILLE

Yield:  6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

    Beautiful Fresh Vegetables

    Beautiful Fresh Vegetables

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 3 cups chopped plum tomato ( about 1 pound, or 3 tomatoes)
  • 2 cups chopped peeled eggplant (aubergine)
  • 1  1/2 cups chopped zucchini
  • 1 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1.   Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add onion;  sauté 3 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently.

Saute onions with peppers.

Saute onions, then add tomatoes

Add tomato, eggplant, pepper, squash, and garlic.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer slowly about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add in all the remaining vegetables.

Add in all the remaining vegetables.

2.  When vegetables are tender, stir in oregano and remaining ingredients;  cook, uncovered 5 minutes or until most of the liquid evaporates.

Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

IMG_4978

Serving size:  3/4 cup.   Calories, 91,  Fat, 3 g,  Protein, 2.8g., Carb 16g.. Fiber  4.6 g.,  Sodium 308 mg.

SOURCE:  Cooking Light

Potatoes au Gratin

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , , , ,
Potatoes au Gratin

Potatoes au Gratin

Calling all potato lovers!  If you are anything like me you love potatoes in any form.  And really, potatoes are  a healthy, non-fattening food.  Its how they are cooked and what you put on them that makes all the difference.

The potato is best known for its carbohydrate content (approximately 26 gm, in a medium potato), with starch being its predominant form.  A large quantity of this starch is resistant to digestion, and so it reaches the large intestines largely intact.  This resistant starch is considered to have many beneficial effects similar to those of fiber.  When you eat the skin of a potato this increases the fiber benefit.  Without getting into a lengthy physiological explanation, let me just say that the bulk that fiber provides offers protection against colon cancer, improves glucose tolerance, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and increases satiety (feelings of fullness and satisfaction).

Most notably potatoes contain high levels of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Potassium.  A medium potato also contains about 75 gm. water.  So you see, potatoes can be a healthy food.  Preparation is the key in preserving the nutrients.

The following recipe for Potatoes au Gratin in one that I like to make as an accompaniment to baked ham, or meatloaf.  You will note that I have kept the above mentioned facts in mind in my preparation:  using a good quality Idaho potato,  limiting the amount of cheese and using cheeses that provide good favor, and using low-fat milk with just a little flour for thickening.  Chopped green onions many be added as desired to the potato mixture for further flavor.

POTATOES AU GRATIN

Yield:   4 servings

Ingredients:

Note that only three potatoes are used to make 4 servings.

Note that only three potatoes are used to make 4 servings.

  • 1 lb. Idaho baking potatoes
  • 3 oz. grated cheese (Swiss, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby are all good )
  • 3/4 cup milk  (I use skim milk with no problems)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  •  black pepper, to taste
  • 1  1/2 teaspoon flour
  • paprika

1.  Preheat oven to 350*F.  Lightly butter a shallow au gratin dish, or spray with non-stick baking spray.

2.  Slice potatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds.

3.  Arrange one layer of potatoes to cover the bottom of the baking dish.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4.  Mix together the cheese and flour, and sprinkle 1/3  of it over top of potatoes.

5.  Repeat with another layer of the potatoes, salt and pepper, 1/3 of the cheese and flour mixture.

Layering the potatoes with cheese/flour mixture.

Layering the potatoes with cheese/flour mixture.

6.  Repeat a third layer of potatoes, cheese and flour.    Warm the milk in the microwave, then pour gently over the potatoes.  Sprinkle with paprika.   Bake for 50 minutes until potatoes are tender and milk is absorbed.

Just out of the oven, nicely browned and crusty.

Ready for the oven.

Out of the oven, nicely browned and crusty.

Out of the oven, nicely browned and crusty.

SOURCE:   a Carolyn Original

Scalloped Tomato and Cheese Bake

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , ,
Scalloped Tomato and Cheese Bake

Scalloped Tomato and Cheese Bake

It’s “Theme Thursday”, and guess what it’s not about zucchini/squash.  I’m switching gears, ahem, vegetables.  Today starts a series about tomatoes.  I can’t pass by a display of fresh native tomatoes without stopping to look, feel and ultimately buy a few.  They are so good eaten right out-of-hand, with just a light sprinkle of salt and/or sugar, but let’s face it there are so many ways of cooking with tomatoes that I would like to pass along some of the ways that we enjoy eating them.

So delicious!

So delicious!

Today I want to share with you an old recipe that I’ve had for years. The clipping is yellowed and folded at the edges, taped into a notebook holding many such clippings that I’ve collected over the years.  An “oldie, but goodie” you might say, but old recipes can be made new again with some simple updating.  This one is the original, as I found it; as good now as it was then.  I hope you like it.   In the accompanying photos I am making half the recipe for two of us.

SCALLOPED TOMATO AND CHEESE BAKE

Yield:   Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

Just a few ingredients.

Just a few ingredients.

  • 4 large firm-ripe tomatoes
  • 1 medium-size onion, chopped ( about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 cups soft bread crumbs (4 slices)
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. dried leaf marjoram
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1.   Core tomatoes; cut each into 8 even-size wedges

2.   Saute onion in butter in a large skillet until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add bread crumbs, salt, pepper, sugar and marjoram; toss lightly to coat.

3.   Line a 1 – 1/2 quart shallow baking dish with half the tomatoes;  sprinkle with half the bread crumb mixture.  Repeat with remaining tomato wedges and crumb mixture.   Drizzle melted 1/4 cup butter over the top.

Layered in a baking dish.

Layered in a baking dish.

4.   Bake at 350*F  for 25 – 30 minutes or until tomatoes are soft and crumbs are lightly browned.  Sprinkle cheese over top and return to oven until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

Out of the oven, hot and bubbly with a crunchy, cheesy, topping.

Out of the oven, hot and bubbly with a crunchy, cheesy, topping.

A further note:   This vegetable casserole goes nicely served with baked fish, or baked potatoes and a meatloaf.  My two favorite ways to enjoy it.

SOURCE:   from an old clipping, don’t remember the source.

Sweet Corn with Parmesan and Cilantro Spread

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , ,
Sweet Corn with Parmesan and Cilantro Spread

Sweet Corn with Parmesan and Cilantro Spread

Right about now native sweet corn is everywhere;  the supermarket, the local farm stand or farmer’s market and maybe in your own garden.  Sweet corn ranks right up there with fresh native tomatoes on just about everyone’s list of favorite summertime foods.  I know we are eating it several times a week, because when its gone, its gone for another year.  However, as much as we love it, sometimes fixing it the same way all the time,  i.e.. steamed or grilled with butter and salt and pepper on it, gets a little boring.

A flavorful twist on the simple ear of corn.

A flavorful twist on the simple ear of corn.

If you are among those who would enjoy eating it with some slightly different flavors on it, then this recipe might appeal to you as it did to me.  You start out boiling the corn for just a couple of minutes, drain, and then spread each ear with this mixture of Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and some other seasonings, then fry the corn briefly to brown it up, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.  If cilantro is not your thing, substitute some parsley.

A little tart, and a little tangy, this is a fun way to fix corn and a nice change from the usual corn on the cob.

SWEET CORN WITH PARMESAN AND CILANTRO SPREAD

Yield:  4 servings

Ingredients:IMG_4951

  • 4 large ears sweet corn, husks removed
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 6 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 1 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

1.  Place corn in a stockpot; cover with water.  Bring to a boil;  cover and cook for 3 – 5 minutes or until tender.  Drain.  Note:  do not overcook.  I cooked mine for 3 minutes and it was fine.  Remember, it will be cooked again in the fry pan.

2.  In a small bowl, combine the cheese, 5 Tbsp. oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, hot sauce, salt and pepper.  Brush about 1 tablespoon over each ear.

Spread the seasoned cheese on each ear and fry to brown up.

Spread the seasoned cheese on each ear and fry to brown up.

3.  In a large skillet, cook corn in remaining oil over medium heat for 4 – 6 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally.  Stir cilantro into remaining cheese mixture;  brush over hot corn and serve.

Almost at the point of perfection.

Almost at the point of perfection.

A great side to ribs and coleslaw. Oh, Yeah!!

A great side to ribs and coleslaw. Oh, Yeah!!

SOURCE:   Taste of Home

Summer Squash Casserole

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , ,
Summer squash casserole with crumb topping.

Summer squash casserole with crumb topping.

I was tempted to call this post ” How to eat squash every day and not want to kill yourself”, but at the risk of offending someone I decided to rename it as you see here.   Yes, I know, it’s yet another squash recipe,  but at least it’s a switch from zucchini to yellow squash, and I think it just may be one of the best ones for yellow, summer squash.  This is the way my mother always, well almost always, fixed it, and we loved it.  So why mess with a good thing?

Summer squash can be pretty boring, when simply cooked and seasoned with salt, pepper and a little butter.  But when you bake it with cheddar cheese, and a topping made from Ritz cracker crumbs, magic happens.  This casserole and a green tossed salad satisfies me as a whole meal.  Mr. D., however likes a little meat with most of his meals so I served it with this chicken and some pasta.    Can’t tell you how good it was!  😀

Squash casserole served as a non-boring vegetable.

Squash casserole served as a non-boring vegetable.

SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE

Yield:  makes 4 – 6 servingsIMG_4908

Here’s what you need:

  • 2 yellow squash, about a pound or a little less, cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 3 scallions, white and green parts, sliced
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/2  cup Ranch Salad Dressing (light or low fat is OK)
  • 3/4 cup shredded, mild cheddar cheese
  • 8 – 10 Ritz crackers, crushed

Here’s how to make it:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*F.   Lightly spray a 1-qt. casserole with non-stick cooking spray.

2.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Spoon into the casserole.

3.  Top with cracker crumbs.

Top squash mixture with crushed Ritz cracker crumbs.

Top squash mixture with crushed Ritz cracker crumbs.

4.  Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until heated through, and squash is tender.

Summer squash casserole with crumb topping.

Summer squash casserole with crumb topping.

These are some ways that I have varied this dish:  substitute zucchini for half the squash,  add some grated carrot for some added color.  You can use reduced-fat Ritz crackers with good results,  regular onions instead of scallions,  Southwestern or Bacon Ranch dressing.  Add a can of diced green chilies for a little more zing, and use shredded Mexican Blend cheese.  YUM!  All are good.  Let your imagination run wild with this one.

SOURCE:   Family recipe, don’t know its origins

Ranch Potato Salad

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables and tagged with , , , , , ,
Ranch Potato Salad

Ranch Potato Salad

Fifty ways to make potato salad.  Can you believe it?  I was amazed when I found a small recipe booklet for potato salads  included in a regular sized copy of Food Network Magazine, probably about two years ago.  Up until then I knew of perhaps three ways to make it. I always made it same way with a mayonnaise dressing, chopped celery, hard-cooked egg and little onion,  but I never really loved potato salad.  It was just something we always had in the summer with cook-out meals and I would eat a little, but it wasn’t a big deal with me.

Let me tell you, the little booklet changed all that.  Out of a list of 50 recipes I’ve made at least 10;  but there is one that stands out with both me and Mr. D. and I find myself going back to it and have even made it to bring to a picnic where everyone loved it.  It is made using red skin potatoes and the dressing has the same ingredients that would be used to make Ranch Salad Dressing, so the flavor is familiar.  We like this potato salad because it is moist and creamy, and stays that way even if it’s left over.  With other potato salads I’ve made the potatoes tend to absorb the dressing and the salad gets really thick.  But not this.  Perhaps because of the red-skin potatoes which are more waxy and dense.  Anyhow, I’m including it here today in case you’re ready for a change and are looking for a replacement for the way you always make potato salad.

RANCH POTATO SALAD

Yield:   about 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds red-skin potatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise (low-fat is OK)
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

1.  In a large pot of salted water, cook potatoes until fork tender.  Drain, cool, and cut into cubes or chunks.

Red-skin potatoes cooked tender.

Red-skin potatoes cooked tender.

2.  In a large mixing bowl,  place the potatoes, celery, and scallions.

Mix potatoes together with other ingredients.

Mix potatoes together with other ingredients.

3.  In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and remaining ingredients.   Pour over the potato mixture and toss to coat evenly.    Chill at least an hour to allow flavors to meld, and serve cold.

Mix all together and allow to chill a while before eating.

Mix all together and allow to chill for about an hour before eating.

4.  Leftovers will remain moist and become even more flavorful.

Perfect with franks and baked beans.

Perfect with franks and baked beans.

SOURCE:  Food Network Magazine

Zucchini-cheese Pancakes

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Brunch, Main Dish, Side Dish and tagged with , , , , , ,
Zucchini-Cheese Pancakes

Zucchini-Cheese Pancakes

For everyone who is a gardner growing zucchini, you are probably starting to say “gad zukes, what will I do with it all?”  If you are not inundated with zucchini now, you most likely will be very soon.  So I’m going to feature some recipes that utilize zucchini in the starring role.  Look for them on Thursdays, which I am designating as “Theme Thursdays”.   After zucchinis, I’ll see what other food items there might be that I can do the same thing with.  It’s kind of fun to see how many different ways a particular food can be incorporated into the various categories of dishes.

Last summer at the farm stands near me, I saw a few yellow zucchini, and I tried one.  Except for the color it is the same as the green variety.  This year, I’m seeing a lot more of them.  In fact my neighbor was selling some really large ones for $1.00 each.  Of course, I bought several, thinking how apt they would be to feature on a blog called “Delicious on a Dollar”.  Watch for them to show up in some of these posts.

Yellow zucchini.

Yellow zucchini.

Today we will start with these pancakes that are moist, savory and delicious hot from the griddle;  or warm,  at room temperature….even cold.  They can be for breakfast,  or dinner, whenever you are in the mood for some non-traditional pancakes.

For breakfast with sausages.

For breakfast with sausages.

I have experimented with these pancakes and added an ear of cooked corn, cut from the cob.  They were delicious served with salsa and sour cream.  You can also vary the cheese used and get a somewhat different flavor.   And if you don’t have scallions, try grating a sweet onion instead.   Many recipes that use zucchini have you squeeze the liquid out of the zucchini, but this recipe doesn’t require that as long as you cook the batter just after it is made.  If you let it sit a while the zucchini will add too much moisture and the batter will become wet.  If that happens, just add some more flour to compensate.

Recipe:  ZUCCHINI-CHEESE PANCAKES

Yield:   about 20 pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup chopped chives or scallions;  about 1 bunch scallions trimmed and chopped
  • 2 tsp. salt, to taste
  • 1 tsp. dried basil**
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano**
  • 4 cups coarsely grated zucchini; about one 10″ zucchini
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ** substitute 2 tsp. Pizza Seasoning for the dried herbs, if desired. reducing salt to 1  1 /2 tsp.
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan, cheddar, Monterey Jack or other cheese  ( or a combination).

Preparation:

1.  Preheat a griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat;  If you have an electric griddle, set the heat to 400*F.

2.  Beat the eggs with the oil, salt and pepper until thoroughly combined.

3.  Add the herbs, scallions, zucchini, and cheese, stirring to combine.

4.  Stir in the flour.  This will be a very thick batter.

A very thick batter.

A very thick batter.

5.  Grease the hot griddle lightly.  Drop the batter in 1/4 cupfuls onto the griddle; spread the batter to about 3 1/2″ to 4″ diameter.

Spread batter to about 4" rounds.

Spread batter to about 4″ rounds.

6.  Cook the cakes for 3 minutes, or until they’re brown on the bottom, and bubbles have appeared on their tops.  The top surface will appear somewhat dry and set.  (My pancakes did not get bubbles on top.  Lift the edges, and peek at the bottom.  If brown, turn them over.)

Turn over when they start to get brown.

Turn over when they start to get brown.

7.  Flip the cakes, and cook them for about 3 – 4 minutes on the second side, or until they’re as moist/cooked as you like when you break one open.

8.  Continue cooking until you have used all the batter.

9.  Serve warm with butter and grated cheese, salsa and sour cream, or applesauce.  Store any leftovers, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator.  Reheat in a toaster or toaster oven, if desired.

Serve with butter and grated cheese. YUM!

Serve with butter and grated cheese. YUM!

SOURCE:   King Arthur Flour