Tag / low calorie recipes

by susanb181

Easy Vegetable Lentil Soup

Easy Vegetable Lentil Soup

Sorry I haven’t written for a while. I had a total knee replacement and it’s taken a lot of time to recover.

Since now we’re all sheltering in place, The is a perfect recipe to have. It’s easy to make, with versatile ingredients, and makes a lot of food that can cover several meals, or eat some and freeze some.

Also, unlike dried beans of any sort, lentils don’t have to be soaked and cook quite quickly. They are tender in approximately one hour. Lentils are also very nutritious, low in carbs and fat and have lots of fiber.* You can add whatever vegetables you have in your larder, fresh, canned or frozen. We are very lucky to have access to fresh produce at this time, and I hope you do as well.

My thoughts and good wishes for you and your loved ones to stay healthy and stay calm.

INGREDIENTS

  • 16 oz. dried lentils, any type ( green, brown, pink)
  • At least 2cups liquid per cup of lentils—I use chicken or vegetable broth ( or more if the soup is drying out)
  • 1/3 cup dry red or white wine (whatever you’ve got)
  • large can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
  • 3-4 carrots sliced
  • 2-3 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3-5 cloves garlic, chopped (we love garlic- use less if you don’t )
  • 2-3 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • Salt or Salt free seasoning, and spices such as thyme; to taste
  • any other vegetables you like, such as green beans, zucchini, red or yellow peppers, peas etc. Canned or frozen are fine. (add additional liquid if adding vegetables)
  • optional: sliced cooked sausage or ham

TO DO: (makes a large pot of soup- enough for 6-8 servings)

1. In  a Dutch oven or 6 qt. pot, Sauté onions, celery, carrots in olive oil for 4-6 minutes.

2.Rinse lentils, and remove any that look shriveled or black.

3. Add lentils to pot. Add Tomatoes, liquids and garlic and other seasoning

4. Cook on stovetop for approx. 1hour, tasting for lentil and veggies tenderness

That’s it!

Serve With whole grain or whole wheat bread, and, as we usually have, a crisp green salad with a tart, lemony vinaigrette–see previous Salad posts for the vinaigrette recipe: https://wordpress.com/post/type2delicious.com/1075

Salad posts for the vinaigrette recipe: https://wordpress.com/post/type2delicious.com/1075

Enjoy!

*https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/297638

www.type2delicious.com

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by susanb181

German Tangy and Sweet Red Cabbage

My Grandma’s Sweet and Tangy Red Cabbage (Rote Kraut)

 

 

 

 

Bowl of Red Cabbage made with sugar and vinegar on a mosaic table My Grandma’s Sweet and Tangy Red Cabbage (RoteKraut) 

 

 

It’s that time of year again? Wow- so fast! This year we’re having Tday 1 early, a week before the actual day, as I’m having a knee replacement early December. It will be at our house again with my son Alex, his girlfriend Shannon, a few friends, and my son-in-law’s parents. (My son-in-law is in the Navy, stationed in Japan, with my daughter and our two grandkids. I’m making authentic German red cabbage. Actually, it was my son’s request–and I was happy to make the recipe. It’s very easy. The trick for the best results is to use no water, just red wine and red vinegar for the liquid. Also it does take a few hours to cook to the right tenderness and flavor, but is just as good if made in advance and reheated. In fact, that’s my favorite method.

When I have had red cabbage at most German-type restaurants I find it too sweet. The way my Grandma made it it is on the tangy side, with just a hint of sweetness, from the apples and sugar, (in this case, Xylitol. ( If you’ve been following my blog, you know that’s my preferred sweetener for low carb sweetening.) It’s such a great way to enjoy a dish that’s not often served, that is low carb, low calorie, and is full of flavor, fiber, and nutrition *.

 

Dining table with my son and his girlfriend at the end Thanksgiving2–my son and his GF at our table

GERMAN TANGY AND SWEET RED CABBAGE

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 red cabbage (size–your choice) this recipe is for about a 1-2 lb, cabbage
  • 1-2 apples,  sweet/tart, such as Pink Lady, or Pippin, cored and chopped (I do peel them, but leave some peel on)
  • 1-2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (the butter gives a smoothness to the result)
  • 1 cup dry red wine (use more if the cabbage is drying out)
  • 1/2 cup good quality red wine vinegar
  • 2-4 Tbsp. Xylitol –to taste
  • Salt or Salt free seasoning–to taste

TO DO: (serves 4-6 as a side dish or 2 with leftovers)

1. Remove cabbage outer leaves and inner core; chop cabbage into approx. 2 “ pieces

2. Core and peel apples, and chop into approximately 1/2″ pieces

3. Add all ingredients into a Dutch oven or 4 qt. pot.

4. Cook on stovetop for approx. 3-4 hours, tasting for sweet/tangy balance and tenderness

That’s it!

Serve as a side dish; and, as we usually have, a crisp green salad with a tart, lemony vinaigrette–see previous Salad posts for the vinaigrette recipe: https://wordpress.com/post/type2delicious.com/1075

Salad posts for the vinaigrette recipe: https://wordpress.com/post/type2delicious.com/1075

Enjoy!

*https://www.livestrong.com/article/272966-red-cabbage-nutrition-information/

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

Knife Skills! A Class on Using Chef’s Knives Properly

Man and woman using chefs’ knives

Knife Skills! How to use knives properly

Learning how to improve my Knife Skills is one of the best things I have done as a cook.

Learning to properly use knives, especially chef’s knives, is a skill that every cook can use. I just returned from a long trip to Italy and France (plus a few stops in the Western Mediterranean). I’ll report on some of the places and foods in subsequent posts, but I thought this would be a good return info post as it’s a topic that’s so useful for all cooks.

The class was held at a local kitchen store in Santa Cruz, Toque Blanche, http://www.mytoque.com, a comprehensive source of all kinds of kitchen items, including a very good stock of knives, with a full range of types and brands. They also professionally sharpen knives for a reasonable fee.

5 Main “Never Do” Points

You may know these but they’re a good reminder:

1. Never put chef’s knives in the dishwasher; (most chef’s knives have wooden handles and the blades can be damaged).

2. Never use the blade to scoop anything off a cutting board- use the back of the knife.

3. Never use a chef’s knife on plastic or glass boards (they dull the blades). Composition/wood boards are best.

4. Never chop bones with a chef’s knife —it can chip the blade; (use a cleaver instead).

5. Never leave chef’s knives in a wet sink- some blades may rust. Wash and dry your knives after use.

Sharpening vs. Honing

Honing: This confused me for a long time. Actually, honing is the action using a honing stick or wand that is recommended every time you use a chef’s knife; just 2 or 3 slides on each side of the blade at approximately 15 degree angle will reform the metal. (I used to do this at a more extreme angle but have learned that is not correct). Some honing sticks have a guide that shows or guides the proper angle.

Sharpening: Sharpening is only necessary once or twice yearly. It is a process of grinding the blade and thus takes off some of the metal. It can be done with commercial sharpening equipment you can buy, or by professional knife sharpeners.

There are many types of chef’s knives, including stamped (blade is cut from a piece of metal and stamped out); forged, (made from a single bar of metal, heated and then pounded into shape- typically heavier and more sturdy then stamped knives, and has a wider lip, called a bolster, on the end of the blade where it meets the handle), Japanese knives (including Santoku, Gyuto), which have a different shape than Western chef’s knives. Chef’s knives range in length too, typically from 8” to 11”. My brother gave me the 11” ( Wusthof, a good brand made in Germany), which intimidated me at first but now I appreciate the length as I know better how to use it’s leverage for chopping.

Another important tip is to hold a knife by the bolster- and make sure you “claw” your other hand as you chop.

Holding a knife near the bolster

Properly holding a chef’s knife by the bolster ( the wide part between the handle and the blade)

 

 

This is just an overview of best knife practices- and that’s the main thing- practice!

Enjoy til next time!

Knife skills class- people using knives

Knife skills class- people learning to use knives properly

 

 

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

German Tangy and Sweet Red Cabbage

 

 

 

 

Bowl of Red Cabbage made with sugar and vinegar on a mosaic table My Grandma’s Sweet and Tangy Red Cabbage (RoteKraut) 

 

 

It’s that time of year again? Wow- so fast! This year we’re having Tday 1 early, a week before the actual day, as I’m having a knee replacement early December. It will be at our house again with my son Alex, his girlfriend Shannon, a few friends, and my son-in-law’s parents. (My son-in-law is in the Navy, stationed in Japan, with my daughter and our two grandkids. I’m making authentic German red cabbage. Actually, it was my son’s request–and I was happy to make the recipe. It’s very easy. The trick for the best results is to use no water, just red wine and red vinegar for the liquid. Also it does take a few hours to cook to the right tenderness and flavor, but is just as good if made in advance and reheated. In fact, that’s my favorite method.

When I have had red cabbage at most German-type restaurants I find it too sweet. The way my Grandma made it it is on the tangy side, with just a hint of sweetness, from the apples and sugar, (in this case, Xylitol. ( If you’ve been following my blog, you know that’s my preferred sweetener for low carb sweetening.) It’s such a great way to enjoy a dish that’s not often served, that is low carb, low calorie, and is full of flavor, fiber, and nutrition *.

 

Dining table with my son and his girlfriend at the end Thanksgiving2–my son and his GF at our table

GERMAN TANGY AND SWEET RED CABBAGE

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 red cabbage (size–your choice) this recipe is for about a 1-2 lb, cabbage
  • 1-2 apples,  sweet/tart, such as Pink Lady, or Pippin, cored and chopped (I do peel them, but leave some peel on)
  • 1-2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (the butter gives a smoothness to the result)
  • 1 cup dry red wine (use more if the cabbage is drying out)
  • 1/2 cup good quality red wine vinegar
  • 2-4 Tbsp. Xylitol –to taste
  • Salt or Salt free seasoning–to taste

TO DO: (serves 4-6 as a side dish or 2 with leftovers)

1. Remove cabbage outer leaves and inner core; chop cabbage into approx. 2 “ pieces

2. Core and peel apples, and chop into approximately 1/2″ pieces

3. Add all ingredients into a Dutch oven or 4 qt. pot.

4. Cook on stovetop for approx. 3-4 hours, tasting for sweet/tangy balance and tenderness

That’s it!

Serve as a side dish; and, as we usually have, a crisp green salad with a tart, lemony vinaigrette–see previous Salad posts for the vinaigrette recipe: https://wordpress.com/post/type2delicious.com/1075

Enjoy!

*https://www.livestrong.com/article/272966-red-cabbage-nutrition-information/

www.type2delicious.com