Category: Sides

Main Dishes, Pork, Recipes, Rice, Sides

A Tropical Dinner

Sarah

dinnerSo, I know this dinner doesn’t look like much. But it tastes like a million bucks… like a trip to the tropics! Except much, much cheaper, albiet not as relaxing or as fun considering the recent springtime rain we’ve been experiencing here. 🙂

Succulent pork topped with a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, paired with the nutty, refreshing flavor of toasted coconut-infused rice…. incredible! This dinner whips up in a flash and is great for a quick weeknight. It definitely satisfied our desire for vacation, and hope it does the same for you too! [Well, maybe not our need for vacation, but our need to get away for a moment… even if just for dinner!

**Don’t forget to enter my Chobani giveaway before Saturday!

Sweet and Tangy Pork Chops with Pineapple [from Robin to the Rescue by Robin Miller]

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 pork chops
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 2/3 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season the pork chops with pepper, then sear each side in hot skillet for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown.

In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple, orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch, stirring until cornstarch dissolves. Add mixture to pan with pork chops. Cover and let cook for about 5 minutes more, until pork is fully cooked and sauce has thickened.

Coconut Toasted Rice [from Robin to the Rescue by Robin Miller]

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 cup white or brown rice, uncooked
  • one 14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

Directions:

Toast coconut in a dry medium saucepan set over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Add the rice, honey, and coconut milk, then bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes for white rice or 45 minutes for brown rice, until rice is soft and fluffy. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Click here for the printable version: A Tropical Dinner


Black Bean + Corn Quinoa Salad | The Pajama Chef
Main Dishes, Quinoa, Recipes, Sides

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa Salad

Sarah

Over the past year or so that I’ve been reading food blogs, I’ve heard a lot about the wonders of quinoa. Not only is it flavorful and a bit nutty, with a slight crunch, it’s high in protein [a complete protein at that, which is good for a vegetarian/vegan diet] and very filling. It’s an ancient grain, called “the gold of the Incas.” A few months ago during one of my out-of-town Trader Joe’s runs, some quinoa came home with me… and this is the delicious result. I whipped up this salad as one of my recent lunch specials and let me tell you that this sure made my lunches special that week. 🙂 I loved the hint of Mexican flavors that the lime, chili, and cilantro lended to the mix of black beans, corn, and quinoa. And served over baby greens… why it’s just a beautiful dish too. Doesn’t that make lunch time even better? In my book, it does!

Black Bean + Corn Quinoa Salad | The Pajama Chef

P.S. So, Ben and I joined a CSA for this summer. If you’re not familiar with CSAs, they’re a way to purchase vegetables on a subscription basis directly from farmers. More information can be found here, and you can use the site to find local CSAs. I just got an email from our farm and I am so excited about the list of delicious veggies, herbs, and fruits coming my way in just a few short months. Everything from tomatoes to basil to peppers… to new-to-me things like nasturtiums to okra to salsola and more. I’m so over winter… spring and summer? New veggies? New recipes? Yes please!

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa Salad

a The Pajama Chef original

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup red quinoa
  • 2 cups + 1/4 cup chicken broth, divided
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/8 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped and packed
  • zest and juice of 1/2 a lime

Directions:

Prepare quinoa according to package directions, using 2 cups chicken broth instead of water. [I rinse the quinoa (in a coffee filter because I don’t have a fine mesh strainer…), bring to a boil, and then simmer for about 12-15 minutes.] Set aside. In a large bowl, add beans, corn, chili flakes, cilantro, and lime zest. Stir together, then fold in quinoa. Add lime juice, and depending on desired consistency, add up to 1/4 cup chicken broth for additional “dressing.” Serve hot or cold.

Question of the Day: What are some pretty foods you’re enjoying lately? Ever joined a CSA?

Fruit, Recipes, Sides

Cranberry Sauce Face/Off

Sarah

Cranberry sauce is VERY serious business. Because it’s my favorite holiday dish, like stuffing, ya know? It’s the only way I can stomach turkey or a big hunk o’ meat, as is traditional for holiday meals. And FYI… I’m not talking about that stuff in a can. I hope you didn’t think that was the case.

canned cranberry sauce
canned cranberry sauce=gross

No, I’m talking about real, whole berry cranberry sauce. Today I’ll be sharing my two best cranberry sauce recipes, just in time for your Christmas dinner.

cranberry sauces in the snow
The magic of cranberry sauce. On the left, the traditional family Cranberry Relish; on the right, a new recipe: Gingered Cranberry-Apricot Sauce.

I love my family’s traditional cranberry relish because it’s tart and sweet at the same time. The sweetness of the citrus pairs perfectly with tangy cranberries. The Cranberry Relish is a snap to make too–from start to finish, this dish takes about 10 minutes, tops. How simple is that? Love it!

Cranberry Relish

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 orange, scrubbed and sliced
  • 1 lime, scrubbed and sliced
  • 1/2-3/4 cup sugar

Directions:

Place cranberries in the bowl of a food processor. Add half of the orange and lime [including the rind], and pulse several times to chop. Then add the rest of the orange and lime and pulse a few more times. Pour in 1/4 cup sugar and pulse to combine. Taste and add additional sugar as desired. I usually use about 1/2 cup sugar total, but adjust to your tastes. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Notes:

Feel free to use any type of citrus in this cranberry relish… oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, clementines, etc. Just be sure to remove the seeds first!

and for recipe #2…

I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about trying a cooked cranberry sauce. It wasn’t what I had grown up enjoying. However, I am so glad I gave this Gingered Cranberry-Apricot Sauce a try. The combination of spicy ginger, sweet apricot, and tangy cranberries is fabulous! It’s unlike any cranberry dish I have ever tasted… I made it for Thanksgiving and it’s making a repeat appearance at Christmas. Yum!

Gingered Cranberry-Apricot Sauce [from Woman’s Day]

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1/2-3/4 cup sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons ginger
  • 15.25 ounce can apricot halves [I used the lite version in a natural juice]

Directions:

Drain apricots, reserving juice into a measuring cup. Add water to juice to make 1 cup of liquid. Chop apricots into thirds.

In a medium saucepan, combine liquid, cranberries, apricots, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon ginger. Stir together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes or until the majority of the cranberries have burst. Taste, and add additional sugar or ginger to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Click here for the printable: Cranberry Sauce Face/Off

Question of the Day: Cranberry Sauce… Yea or Nay?

Other, Recipes, Sides

CranApple Stuffing

Sarah

So, the stuffing is one of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving dinner. It’s tied with cranberry relish [not the stuff outta a can here!] and pumpkin pie for the top spot on my plate. Mashed potatoes, turkey, green bean casserole… ehh, I’d take ’em or leave ’em. But stuffing? No way. I gotta have it.

Consequently, when Diana at The Chic Life announced the Healthy Thanksgiving Challenge 2010, I knew that stuffing would be my dish! Except, I think the technical term is “dressing” since it’s not stuffed in anything. But technicalities, people, technicalities!

This stuffing, er–dressing, is fabulous. Crisp, flavorful bread punctuated with sweet apples and cranberries and chunky, crisp but not mushy, carrots and celery, all flavored with garlic and herbs.

CranApple Stuffing - an easy, healthy stuffing recipe bursting with apples, cranberries, and carrots!

And you don’t have to tell anyone, but my stuffing is just a little bit healthier too–multigrain bread instead of white bread, additional fruits and veggies for nutrients and flavor, the omission of sausage, and the addition of wheat germ for protein, fiber, and other nutrients galore.

Hungry already? I am! Here’s the recipe, I’m headed to the fridge… leftovers are callin’ my name!

CranApple Stuffing

  • Servings: 6
  • Print

inspired by Betty Crocker

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups multigrain French bread, cut into 1″ cubes
  • 2 tablespoons wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup diced celery [about 2 ribs]
  • 1 cup thinly sliced carrot [1 large]
  • 1 cup peeled and diced apple [1 medium]
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • olive oil

Directions:

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add celery, carrot, apple, and garlic and cook until fragrant and softened, about 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss wheat germ with bread cubes in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, milk, and egg.

After fruits and veggies are softened, stir in cranberries, sage, and thyme. Remove from heat and spoon into bowl with bread cubes.

Pour egg mixture over everything and toss to coat.

Spoon into 1 1/2 quart baking dish, top with freshly ground black pepper, and refrigerate for about 2-3 hours to set before baking.

Then bake in a 350 degree oven, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and top is crispy.

Question of the Day: What’s your favorite healthy substitution?

Recipes, Sides, Vegetables

Aunt Charlotte’s Tex Mex Corn

Sarah

Side dishes are one of those things that I am always unprepared for during meal planning. Sides are hard because I’m not the most skillful at coordinating the timing of meal components. Consequently, our sides are pretty boring–salad, maybe some bread or fruit and I’ll call it a day. I’m a fan of one-dish meals too that combine protein, veggies, and carbs–the less coordination required, the better. The exception to meals with boring sides are when we have company over. Then things can get interesting, and I spend more time planning, shopping, cooking, and experimenting. The following recipe is perfect for company. It can be [mostly] prepared in advance and baked right before mealtime.

My family first had this delectable Tex-Mex Corn on a family vacation. We were visiting my Great Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Cal and were served this dish at dinner one night at their then-home in San Francisco. Though it was made with the unfamiliar ingredients of chilies [probably my first experience with them, ever] and canned corn [I never eat canned veggies], it soon became an often-requested family favorite, and is still going strong, 12 years later.

I made this last weekend during a cooking spree with my mom and sister when I was visiting my family briefly, and as we made it, we realized it hadn’t been served since my parents moved into their new house more than two years ago! We always baked it in an 8×8 pan, which I inherited during the move. After a brief moment of panic realizing the necessary pan was MIA, we discovered that a 10 inch round pan would work just as well. Crisis averted! Well, except for the fact that the recipe had been abandoned for so long. Oh, the travesty! Alas, it has been rediscovered and is here for you all now.

Aunt Charlotte’s Tex Mex Corn... a family classic that is SO good

This is not your average corn casserole. There’s just something about the creaminess of the cream cheese [imagine that!] with the slight tang and bite of paprika and chilies, and the unexpected taste of white corn [instead of the more common yellow corn] that does me in. Nothing simple, nothing fancy, but a lot of yum. I could eat almost a whole pan of this myself… and I would, except I was taught to share. And so I will. But you don’t have to! I won’t tell. 🙂

Aunt Charlotte's Tex Mex Corn

  • Servings: 8
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 15-ounce cans white corn, drained
  • 1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies, drained
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • bread crumbs
  • paprika
  • cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 8 by 8 inch baking pan [or a 10 inch round casserole dish] by greasing with cooking spray.  In a small pot over medium heat, melt cream cheese and stir in milk until well combined. Mix in corn and chilies. Pour into prepared pan, cover with a thin layer of bread crumbs [if making them from scratch, use about 1-1 1/2 slices of sandwich bread] and a sprinkling of paprika. Bake for 30 minutes or until top is lightly browned and crispy.

Note:

If preparing in advance, wait until baking time to add the bread crumbs and paprika or it will be soggy.

Question of the Day: What are some family recipes that you want to rescue from their poor, neglected state?