Meatless Tacos (Slow Cooker Lentil Taco Filling)

Posted on November 20, 2012 by kitchenbelle

While the rest of the world is honing their recipes for whipped sweet potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts, I am not. I am honing recipes that can be prepared with minimal effort and eaten during the busy holiday season when the fridge is full but there is nothing to eat.

I am always searching for the next best slow cooker recipe and this one, my friends, is a GEM. I love eating lentils but admit that I find the plain old lentil soup (while delicious) can get a tad boring. Enter: Meatless Taco Filling.

This recipe is at the top of my list because:

  • It uses the slow cooker = I don’t have to worry about dinner once I have tossed all of the ingredients and turned the dial to “on”
  • It is healthy! Three cheers for lentils (fiber, folate, + non-animal protein)
  • It is delicious! While you might not fool a diehard carnivore into thinking it is meat, it does feel just like meat on the palette and you might trick them for a few minutes. This is a fantastic recipe for vegetarians AND meat eaters.
  • Everyone loves taco night!

I am documenting this recipe immediately so that I don’t forget about it!

Meatless Tacos (Slow Cooker Lentil Taco Filling):

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 14 ounces vegetable broth (beef or chicken broth can be substituted) plus an additional 5-6 oz.
  • 1 cup salsa
  •  14 ounce can of corn
  • your favorite taco fixings (tortilla shells, grated cheese, sour cream/Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, chopped tomatoes etc.)
Put everything in the crock pot (except for corn and taco fixings) and cook on low for 9 hours, stirring occasionally and adding broth or water as needed. When done, stir in canned corn. Use as you would a meat taco filling.

Adapted from recipe found here on Food.com.

P.S. I love Food.com!

Filed under: beans, Main Dish, tacos, VEGETARIAN | 3 Comments »

Lentil and Brown Rice Soup

Posted on September 22, 2011 by kitchenbelle

The weather has been a little strange lately. We had a few gorgeously crisp fall days followed by some summer-like weather. Today is rainy and humid. That said, we are technically in soup season and there’s nothing like a pot of soup simmering on the stove to warm the house and beckon your family.  Soup is so practical too–make one large pot at the beginning of the week and reheat it for several lunches and dinners during the days that follow.  Better yet, freeze the leftovers. This recipe is chock full of nutrients and fiber.  It is also hearty, filling, and delicious.

Ideas:

–Transform this recipe to vegetarian by using vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth and beef stock.

–Serve with a warm crusty baguette for a wonderfully satisfying weeknight meal.

–For easy entertaining, make a pot and invite some friends over to watch a football game (go Patriots!)

–Perfect for a Halloween dinner because it won’t require your attention while you answer your door to trick-or-treaters!

Lentil and Brown Rice Soup:

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups beef stock
  • 1 1/2 cups dry lentils (picked over and rinsed)
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain brown rice
  • 1  28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 3  14-0unce cans diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 large stock of celery, chopped
  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

In a large pot (I used Le Creuset) combine broth, stock, lentils, rice, tomatoes, onion, celery, garlic, carrots, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and vinegar. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 45-55 minutes or until the lentils and rice are tender. Stir in spinach, salt, and pepper. Don’t forget to remove and discard the bay leaf.

Adapted from So Easy, So Delicious by Ellie Deaner. Buy it!

Filed under: beans, Fall, Main Dish, rice, soup, spinach, tomato, VEGETARIAN | 2 Comments »

Beef and Green Beans

Posted on May 31, 2011 by kitchenbelle

Tonight I bring you another easy, fresh, week night, go-to dinner!  If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you may recall that I find it incredibly gratifying to prepare meals that have the flavors of takeout that I am drawn to, yet are healthy, fresh, and not loaded with MSG, unhealthy oils, and unknown ingredients.  My husband’s favorite Chinese food takeout is beef and broccoli. He orders it every single time. This recipe is very similar in taste to beef and broccoli yet the fresh garlic and ginger really bump up the flavor. Serve over brown rice and it is a delicious and filling week night dinner. We enjoyed every bite!

 Notes:

  • Flank steak is a reasonably priced piece of meat that cooks up quickly. Don’t forget to season both sides with salt and pepper prior to cooking.
  • Red pepper flakes add a hefty kick of spice. Add less or more depending on your preferences. Start with less–you can always add more!
  • Fresh garlic and fresh ginger are “superfoods.” I try to incorporate them into week night meals whenever possible.

If you like these types of meals you may also enjoy:

Beef and Green Beans:

  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • a few glugs of cooking oil (olive or vegetable are fine)
  • 1 pound fresh green beans rinsed, trimmed, and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 lb. flank steak, seasoned with salt and pepper and thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  • 4 scallions thinly sliced

{If you wish to serve over brown rice, prepare rice according to package directions and set aside.}

Whisk together first five ingredients. Set aside.

Heat a glug of oil in a large skillet over high heat.  Add green beans and cook until they are tender but still crisp.  Move beans to a bowl and set aside.

Heat two more glugs of oil in the empty skillet. Add steak slices and cook until brown.

Add beans back to pan and then add water chestnuts, garlic, and ginger. Toss to combine all ingredients. Add hoisin sauce mixture. Toss again to coat. Be sure sauce and vegetables are heated through. Serve over prepared brown rice. Garnish with scallion. Serve immediately.

 

Inspired by America’s Test Kitchen 30 minute Suppers, Summer 2011.

Filed under: beans, beef, Main Dish, rice, steak | 2 Comments »

White Bean and Asparagus Salad

Posted on July 30, 2010 by kitchenbelle

I don’t think I am alone when I say that as much as I adore cooking, the heat of the summer can really test that love.  I don’t find myself extremely hungry when it is hot and humid and since it is my hunger and cravings that usually prompt a wild rendezvous in the kitchen I am less and less likely to be inspired to get in there and get busy. That said, however, there are nights when I am really hungry and the physical heat of the kitchen becomes my deterrent.  That is when the grill out back becomes my hero. And what goes better with a grilled protein than a cool fresh summer side? Enter this White Bean and Asparagus Salad.

Not only is this superfood-packed salad a perfect accompaniment to grilled steak tips, lamb kebabs, or burgers, but also it stands up on its own just perfectly.  I really enjoyed eating the leftovers for lunch.  This is one of those salads where the flavors actually improve after a few days. And because asparagus is nice and fibrous it doesn’t get mushy. 

*A Note about Raw Garlic: I am a garlic fiend. I love eating chunks of fresh raw garlic in foods, therefore, in salads like this one, if I am preparing it for myself and my family, I only roughly chop the garlic. However, chunks of raw garlic aren’t pleasant for most people. If you are preparing a dish containing raw garlic for a crowd, I recommend always finely mincing it or passing it through a garlic press.

White Bean and Asparagus Salad:

  • 2 bunches fresh asparagus, trimmed and rough ends snapped off
  • 7 sundried tomatoes (not in oil)
  • 3 cloves of garlic*, roughly chopped or minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • a pinch or two of crushed red pepper
  • 1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 teaspoons capers, drained
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese

In a steamer basket over boiling water, place asparagus and dried tomatoes. Cover and steam until asparagus is crisp and tender–approximately 4 minutes. Remove tomatoes and set aside. Using tongs, remove asparagus from basket and place into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the water. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces and set aside.  Roughly chop the tomatoes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Add asparagus, tomatoes, beans, and capers. Toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Adapted from recipe found here on MyRecipes.com.

Filed under: asparagus, beans, cannellini beans, Main Dish, salad, tomato, VEGETARIAN | 7 Comments »

Delicata Squash Stuffed with Kale and White Beans

Posted on February 7, 2010 by kitchenbelle

This may sound odd, however, I am going to say it anyway.  There are certain foods that when I look at them my first thought is, “There really is a god.”  Now, I wouldn’t exactly categorize myself as super religious, however, when I see little pieces of nature that strike me so intricate I can’t help but be taken back.  Blackberries are one of those foods.  Each little perfectly plump drupelet can’t be a fluke.  And delicata squash is another.  Each one is like a little work of art.  It looks like someone took a paintbrush and daintily and deliberately stroked each one to perfection.  They are just so darn pretty!

This recipe is so bright with the colors of nature and rich in vitamins and nutrients you will feel good eating it.  It would nicely accompany most any protein I can think of (I served ours with stuffed pork).  Enjoy!

Delicata Squash Stuffed with Kale and White Beans:

  • 2 delicata squashes
  • a few glugs of olive oil
  • 1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 large bunch of fresh kale, washed, dried and roughly chopped
  • 1-2 cans of white beans (cannellini or navy beans will both work well)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Use a large knife to carefully cut each squash in half. Scoop out seeds and discard.  (Or toast them for munching!)  Place squash halves cut side up in a  9×13 glass baking dish.  Carefully add water to the baking dish so that it reaches about a quarter of the way up the side of the squash.  Cover the dish tightly with foil. (You are creating an environment to steam the squash.)  Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until the inside of the squash is tender and can be easily scraped with a fork.

Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a large-medium pan.  Add the finely chopped onion and cook until very tender.  I think it is important not to rush the onion.  The longer and slower they cook, the sweeter they will be.  Once they are soft and you are happy with their fragrance add the garlic (be careful not to burn it) and cook until tender.  Then add your kale.  Cover the pan and let the kale steam for about 10 minutes, but keep your eye on it.  Uncover occasionally to stir.  Once kale has wilted, add the white beans, salt and pepper.  Stir and warm until the entire mixture is heated through. 

Remove squash from the oven and place each one on your serving dish.  Use a fork to gently scrape the squash from the sides of the skin.  Fill each squash with kale filling and serve.

A Kitchenbelle Original inspired by Eggs on Sunday.

Filed under: beans, cannellini beans, Fall, kale, Side, squash, VEGETARIAN | 3 Comments »

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