Tag: benny cenac cooking

Vegan Pizza Recipe

This vegan pizza is a perfect weeknight fix and is quite the crowd-pleaser. It’s an easy base to add to as well, in case you’re one of those people who eat pineapple on pizza and want to see how it goes with veggie meatballs.

Why go vegan?  Several reasons:

  1. For Your Health

Well-planned vegan diets follow healthy eating guidelines, and contain all the nutrients that our bodies need. Both the British Dietetic Association and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognise that they are suitable for every age and stage of life. Some research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Going vegan is a great opportunity to learn more about nutrition and cooking, and improve your diet. Getting your nutrients from plant foods allows more room in your diet for health-promoting options like whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables, which are packed full of beneficial fibre, vitamins and minerals.

 

  1. For The Animals
    Preventing the exploitation of animals is not the only reason for becoming vegan, but for many it remains the key factor in their decision to go vegan and stay vegan. Having emotional attachments with animals may form part of that reason, while many believe that all sentient creatures have a right to life and freedom. Specifics aside, avoiding animal products is one of the most obvious ways you can take a stand against animal cruelty and animal exploitation everywhere. A more detailed overview on why being vegan demonstrates true compassion for animals can be found here.

 

  1. For The Environment

The production of meat and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment – from crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from farm to fork. The vast amount of grain feed required for meat production is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. In Brazil alone, the equivalent of 5.6 million acres of land is used to grow soya beans for animals in Europe. This land contributes to developing world malnutrition by driving impoverished populations to grow cash crops for animal feed, rather than food for themselves. On the other hand, considerably lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet, making the switch to veganism one of the easiest, most enjoyable and most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment. For more on how veganism is the way forward for the environment, click here.

  1. For People

Just like veganism is the sustainable option when it comes to looking after our planet, plant-based living is also a more sustainable way of feeding the human family. A plant-based diet requires only one third of the land needed to support a meat and dairy diet. With rising global food and water insecurity due to a myriad of environmental and socio-economic problems, there’s never been a better time to adopt a more sustainable way of living. Avoiding animal products is not just one of the simplest ways an individual can reduce the strain on food as well as other resources, it’s the simplest way to take a stand against inefficient food systems which disproportionately affects the poorest people all over the world. Read more here on how vegan diets can help people.

 

Technique tip: For the “mozzarella” sauce, if you are not using a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, soak cashews overnight or boil for 10 minutes and drain. This will soften them and ensure a silky smooth cream. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for up to one month and thawed before using.

Ingredients

MEATBALL PIZZA
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 pound pizza dough
1 cup tomato sauce
3/4 cup mozzarella sauce
1 cup Vegetarian Meatballs
Optional toppings: Caramelized onions, fresh basil, sliced tomato, crushed red pepper

“MOZZARELLA” SAUCE
1½ cup raw cashews
1 cup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1½ teaspoons sea salt
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly brush a large baking sheet (approximately 9- x 13-inch) with olive oil.

2. Sprinkle the bottom of the baking sheet with cornmeal. On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a large rectangle. Fit it into the baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Spread enough tomato sauce to generously cover the dough, leaving about a ¾-inch border. Top with meatballs and any optional toppings. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until edges are golden.

3. For the “mozzarella” sauce, in a high powered blender, combine cashews and water. Blend on high until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, salt, garlic, onion powder, and cornstarch and blend until smooth.

4. Remove pizza from oven, lightly drizzle with Mozzarella Sauce, then bake for 1 minute more. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing. If desired, season with crushed red pepper before eating.

Click Here for more vegan recipes.  Click Here for more general recipes.

 

Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Is there a more classic comfort food than scalloped potatoes?  This dish seems to have transitioned from the staple homemade cheese-goodness to a the quicker $1 and a half box recipe over the last few years and it’s time we bring it back to its from-scratch glory.  We guarantee you’ll never go back to boxed!

Ingredients
1 clove garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/4 pounds Yellow Finn potatoes or other waxy-style potato
2 cups half-and-half
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of organic nutmeg

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the garlic and then the butter around the inside of a Pyrex casserole dish and let it dry. This butter garlic rub is non-stick.

Peel and thinly slice the potatoes with a vegetable slicer (about 1/8-inch-thick slices).

In a medium saucepan, combine the garlic, butter, potatoes, half-and-half, salt, pepper to taste, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring, until the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. Shake the pan so the potatoes are distributed evenly.

Bake the potatoes, basting occasionally, until lightly browned and bubbly, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Click here for more delicious and easy comfort food recipes and here for lots of yummy recipes of all kinds!

 

Best Roasted Broccoli Pasta Recipe

If you enjoy a good, classic casserole but also the crispy, lightly browned veggies, you will LOVE this roasted broccoli pasta.  This simple recipe has all the elements of the usual casserole — the pasta and vegetables tossed with ricotta and topped with Parmesan-dusted bread crumbs. But because all the ingredients are spread out on a sheet pan instead of being piled into a baking dish, everything browns, which in turn means more crunch and crisp edges. First, the broccoli is roasted until it softens and browns. Then, the other ingredients are spooned on top, and everything is quickly baked, making for a speedy, vegetarian weeknight meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (optional)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 12 ounces tube-shaped pasta
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 ounces best quality, whole milk ricotta
  •  Fresh lemon juice, for serving (optional)

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a baking sheet, toss together broccoli, oil, cumin (if using), 3/4 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes. Roast until tender and browned at the edges, 18 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through. Remove from oven and set oven to broil.
  2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together Parmesan, panko, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and the black pepper.
  4. Toss cooked pasta with broccoli on baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then dollop with ricotta. Sprinkle with Parmesan mix, drizzle generously with oil, and broil until topping is crisped and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice to taste, and serve.

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Seafood Salsa Dip

This seafood salsa dip is one for the books. These days more people are interested in eating healthier and lighter so rich, creamy, cheesy dips are becoming a thing of the past, even more so at parties and get-togethers.  Today.com has a great spin on the regular, boring salsa that is light, healthy, and best of all- EASY!  This would be the perfect option to bring to a potluck, picnic or barbecue.  This recipe serves 4 and only takes 15 minutes to prepare!!

Ingredients

    • 3 cups Dungeness crab meat
    • 1 cup chopped cilantro
    • 3/4 cup chopped tomato
    • 3/4 cup chopped mango
    • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon agave syrup
    • 1/2 teaspoon finely minced jalapeño (optional)
    • Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
    • 1 large avocado, diced
    • 1 bag tortilla chips, for serving

Preparation

In a large, non-reactive mixing bowl, gently toss the crab meat, cilantro, tomato, mango, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, lime juice, agave syrup and jalapeño together to evenly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Gently fold the avocado into the salsa mixture. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with chips on the side.  For more on tropical recipes, click here.

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Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Delish.com is well known for sharing some of the most tasty and popular recipes that are searched for on the internet. Which is why is it no surprise when the Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe is featured on their website. This recipe is not only appetizing and easy on the taste buds, it also takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The full recipe, with pictures and video included, can be found here.

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp. butter, divided

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tbsp. dry white wine (or water)

Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter and olive oil. Add shrimp, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook until shrimp is pink, 3 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in remaining tablespoon butter, lemon juice, white wine, and parsley.
  3. Serve

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Baked Smokin’ Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

 

Now who doesn’t love a phenomenal mac n cheese recipe? Lucky for us, Southern Living values a good old-fashioned macaroni recipe just as much as we do. The best thing about this one is that it is filled with a variety of creamy cheese and even some smoked ham. So, whether you are cooking this as a side for a family BBQ lunch on a Sunday or a one pot dinner on a weekday, once you taste this, you’ll be looking for more excuses to make it over and over again. For more information on this recipe, like cooking time and serving size, click here.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound uncooked cellentani (corkscrew) pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups fat-free milk
  • 1 (12-oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk
  • 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded 1.5% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper, divided
  • 1 (8-oz.) package chopped smoked ham
  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • 1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare cellentani pasta according to package directions.

Step 2

Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and evaporated milk until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Whisk in Gouda cheese, next 3 ingredients, and 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in ham and pasta.

Step 3

Pour pasta mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Stir together crushed cereal, 1 Tbsp. melted butter, and remaining 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper; sprinkle over pasta mixture.

Step 4

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Step 5

Note: We tested with Barilla Cellentani pasta and Cabot 5% Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

Step 6

Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese: Substitute 1 1/2 cups 5% reduced-fat pepper Jack cheese for Gouda and Cheddar cheeses. Omit ground red pepper, if desired. Stir 1 (5-oz.) can chopped green chiles into pasta mixture.

Sweet Pea-and-Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese: Omit ham. Saute 2 oz. thin prosciutto slices, cut into thin strips, in a small skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until slightly browned. Stir prosciutto and 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed, into pasta mixture.

Pimiento Macaroni and Cheese: Substitute 1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese for Gouda and Cheddar cheeses. Stir 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained, into pasta mixture.

Ham-and-Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese: Stir 1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed and coarsely chopped, into pasta mixture.