Tasty Turkey Alternatives for Vegetarians

November 17, 2015 by portofino

Thanksgiving isn’t traditionally the most vegetarian-friendly holiday, but there are now a number of ways to make your feast enjoyable for vegetarian guests. These meat-free alternatives to the usual Thanksgiving turkey are both delicious and easy to make.

Acorn Squash Over Penne [health.com]
Who says that you can’t have pasta on Thanksgiving? This autumnal entree includes sweet acorn squash and nutrient-dense kale seasoned with crushed red pepper for a bit of warming spice, and it is served with whole wheat penne for a boost of fiber.

Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf [ohsheglows.com]
Although this hearty vegetarian dish seems more like meatloaf than Thanksgiving turkey, it’s so delicious that your vegetarian guests won’t mind one bit. Lentils and breadcrumbs give it a texture that’s much like meat, while the unique balsamic apple glaze is perfect for fall.

Ricotta and Fontina Stuffed Shells [foodandwine.com]
This veggie take on traditional stuffed shells is made with two types of rich cheeses and more vegetables than you can count. Simply pop the whole pan in the oven for 40 minutes and you’ll have a quick and easy entree that vegetarian guests will love.

Roasted Parsnip Bread Pudding [marthastewart.com]
Instead of the usual stuffing, which is usually cooked in chicken broth, this vegetarian version is seasoned with grated cheese and fresh thyme. Use it to stuff the Thanksgiving tofurkey and you won’t miss the meat at all.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Nadia Prigoda-Lee

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Food, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

Ceviche Recipes You Need to Taste to Believe

September 17, 2015 by portofino

Traditional ceviche is a popular Latin American dish, but the citrus-marinated fish dish has also become popular among ethnic restaurants all over the world. It can be made with a variety of different ingredients, though the flavorful combination of raw fish and lemon or lime remains virtually the same. This trio of creative ceviche recipes is perfect for the adventurous at-home chef.

Halibut-Mango Ceviche [MyRecipes]
Mild halibut is perfectly seasoned with the sweet taste of juicy mango and the spicy kick of jalapeno in this tropical ceviche dish. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and it pairs perfectly with crispy tortilla chips or tostadas!

Coconut Lime Ceviche [Cooking Channel TV]
The meaty cubes of coconut replace the traditional fish in this unique ceviche recipe, but the tart lime juice still adds a refreshing burst of flavor. It’s also seasoned with a wide variety of herbs and spices to add an even more intense taste.

Snapper Ceviche with Chiles and Herbs [Chow]
Both lime and orange juice create a wonderfully acidic reaction with the flaky snapper in this spicy ceviche. The traditional blend of chiles and herbs is also on par with the authentic Latin recipe. Be sure to ask for a top-grade cut of fish since you’ll essentially be serving it raw.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/ladymissmarquise

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Ceviche, Food, Recipes, Seafood

Flavor Meets Nutrition in These Easy Kale Recipes

February 24, 2015 by portofino

Heralded for its nutritional benefits, kale is a having a moment in the culinary world. However, this dark, leafy green requires a little finesse and experience to cook correctly. Here are three recipes to help you get the most out of that fresh bunch of kale:

Whole-Grain Spaghetti With Garlicky Kale and Tomatoes [Real Simple]
Whole grain spaghetti provides a fiber-rich foundation for this weeknight-friendly recipe. Roasted almonds add a little crunch to contrast the tender texture of the kale leaves, which are sauteed in garlic and oil. We suggest adding a handful of white beans to add a little more protein to the dish.

Sauteed Kale [Food Network]
Never cooked kale before? Let this recipe from Food Network star Bobby Flay show you the way. One bunch of kale is sauteed in olive oil and garlic over medium-high heat, then allowed to simmer in a little bit of vegetable stock for optimal flavor.

Chicken and Kale Casserole [Martha Stewart]
A hearty casserole perfect for cooler month, this recipe only takes a little over an hour, start to finish. Shredded chicken is mixed with ricotta cheese and lemon zest, then combined with pasta shells and chopped kale in a casserole dish. Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top, becoming golden-brown in the oven.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Peet Sneekes

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Cooking, Food, Kale, Recipes

Check Out These Interesting Facts About Chocolate

October 28, 2014 by portofino

You know that you love the way that chocolate tastes, but aside from that there’s probably not much else that you know about this sweet treat. Here are two interesting chocolate facts that every chocolate lover should know.

Dark chocolate and milk chocolate differ because of their amount of cacoa, or the beans that chocolate is made from. Dark chocolate also doesn’t have as much milk or sugar, which makes it much healthier but also gives its signature bitter bite.
Some chocolate is actually good for you. Very dark chocolates contain a large number of antioxidants that reduce blood pressure and improve your entire cardiovascular system. They also widen your arteries, promote healthy blood flow, and prevent the buildup of plaque that can block the arteries.

11 Facts about Chocolate [Do Something]
10 Interesting Chocolate Facts You May Not Know [Lindt]
10 Fascinating Facts About the World of Chocolate [Listverse]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Ragnar Jensen

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Chocolate, Diet, Food, Health

There’s No Need to Knead With These 4 Bread Recipes

June 24, 2014 by portofino

Baking bread at home seems difficult, but no-knead recipes make it much easier than ever before. You’ll impress your family and your guests with the scent of freshly baked bread coming from the oven, and you’ll be the only one who knows just how easy it was to prepare.

No-Knead Bread [Steamy Kitchen]
This recipe creates a rustic, gourmet-looking loaf of bread, and it’s so simple that a four year old can make it— and one has! The New York Times made this no-knead recipe famous, but its reliability is what makes it so popular.

No-Knead Bread [Smitten Kitchen]
Using instant yeast to create a fluffy, dense center and a crispy outer crust, this incredible bread recipe is the perfect addition to any sandwich or evening meal.

No-Knead Crusty White Bread [King Arthur Flour]
If you want to make a large amount of bread for a gathering or holiday party, this is the recipe to use. It makes use of the same simple no-knead technique, but this recipe yields four full-sized loaves.

How to Make No-Knead Bread [The Kitchn]
This online tutorial will show you the most important steps for making no-knead bread, with detailed pictures along the way. It also includes video tutorials for certain techniques, such as shaping the dough into a perfect ball.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/TheLizardQueen

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Baking, Bread, Cooking, Food

The Sandwich Goes Sweet in These 5 Dessert Panini Recipes

April 22, 2014 by portofino

Sure, it might sound strange, but the dessert panini is having a moment in the culinary world. Whether you choose to try one for lunch or for dessert, these creative grilled sandwiches will certainly be the sweet spot of your whole day.

Sweet Dessert Paninis [Food Network]
Filled with the sugary, buttery goodness that's signature to celebrity chef Paula Deen, this hazelnut panini is truly decadent.

Nutella S’Mores Panini [Panini Happy]
This sandwich combines chocolate and marshmallow, just like a grown-up s’more.

Strawberry-Nutella Panini [Recipe Boy]
The Nutella is sweet, but strawberries make this recipe a healthier alternative that you can even eat for lunch.

Blueberry, White Chocolate and Marshmallow Panini [Always Order Dessert]
A pinch of salt brings out the sweet, gooey flavors in this unique panini recipe.

Plum and Brie Dessert Panini Recipe [McCormick]
When you’re feeling a bit fancy, this sweet panini offers just the right amount of gourmet taste.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/advencap

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Cooking, Dessert Panini, Food, Recipes

Great Websites for Unique Sandwich Recipes

March 25, 2014 by portofino

You use a recipe for pastas, soups and cakes, but you probably wouldn’t think of looking up a recipe for a sandwich. These helpful websites feature sandwich recipes that are much more elaborate than your usual grilled cheese, and you’ll certainly notice the difference in taste.

Food Network
The Food Network is home to some wonderful shows about sandwiches, and now you can learn to make them yourself. Their Top Sandwich Recipes page features everything from grown-up turkey sandwiches to hot, gravy-covered sandwiches that are more dinner than lunch. The Mahi Mahi Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that you might not have heard of, while the French Dip recipe will show you how to make this diner favorite right at home.

101 Cookbooks
Instead of updating the sandwiches you already love, try something completely new with the unique recipes on 101 Cookbooks. This beautifully-designed website is easy to navigate, and it makes for hours of inspiration for your next sandwich. 101 Cookbooks features an Avocado Asparagus Tartine, Vegetarian Lentil Burgers, and even an Egg Salad Sandwich with Greek yogurt instead of the usual mayonnaise.