Chicken and 3-Cheese Sweet Potatoes

-750 mL (3 cups) peeled and diced sweet potatoes
-4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
-30 mL (2 tbsp) butter, melted
-30 mL (2 tbsp) butter
-1/2 onion, finely chopped
-2 cloves garlic, chopped
-2 mL (1/2 tsp) finely chopped gingerroot
-2 mL (1/2 tsp) red pepper flakes
-50 mL (1/4 cup) shredded Canadian Gouda
-50 mL (1/4 cup) shredded Canadian Havarti
-50 mL (1/4 cup) shredded Canadian Aged Cheddar
-Salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F), or barbecue to medium-high.

In a large saucepan, cook sweet potatoes in boiling, salted water until soft. Drain and set aside.

While sweet potatoes are cooking, brush chicken with melted butter. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake or barbecue for 20 to 25 minutes.

In the same saucepan, melt butter and cook onion, garlic and gingerroot until soft. Return sweet potatoes to saucepan and mash. Add red pepper flakes and all the cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Reheat mashed sweet potatoes over low heat to melt cheese.

Serve chicken over mashed sweet potatoes with your choice of green vegetable.
Suggestion

Make sweet potatoes with one type of cheese, for a total of about 175 mL (3/4 cup).

For a change of taste, try with Canadian Mozzarella, Provolone, Swiss, another type of Cheddar or Oka.

Seafood Gratin

Recipe ingredients

-4 Tbsp. (60 mL) butter*, divided
-2 cups (500 mL) sliced mushrooms
-1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
-1 1/4 lb (625 g) large fresh or defrosted shrimp, peeled and deveined
-1 1/4 lb (625 g) fresh or defrosted scallops
-or 2 x 340 g Irresistibles shrimps & scallops*
-1 cup (250 mL) dry white wine
-1/4 tsp. (1 mL) crushed dried thyme
-3 Tbsp. (45 mL) flour*
-1 cup (250 mL) milk
-1 1/2 cups (375 mL) shredded Canadian Aged Cheddar, divided
-2 cups (500 mL) coarsely torn baguette or sourdough bread
-Salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation

In a large non-stick saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) butter. Add mushrooms and onion; cook, stirring, until soft. Add shrimp, scallops, wine and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes or until seafood is cooked. Drain, saving 1 cup (250 mL) of cooking liquid. Set seafood mixture aside.

In the same saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp. (30 mL) butter. Remove from heat and add flour, stirring. Gradually add milk and cooking liquid, stirring constantly. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until white sauce starts to boil and thickens.

Remove from heat, add 1 cup (250 mL) cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Add seafood mixture and stir carefully. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Melt remaining 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) butter, toss with bread and remaining 1/2 cup (125 mL) cheese. Divide seafood and sauce mixture evenly among 6 individual gratin dishes, top with cheese and bread mixture. Broil until golden.
Suggestion

Decrease quantity of seafood to 500 g (1 lb) each. In a large saucepan, melt a little butter and cook 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped green pepper and 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped celery. Add 3/4 cup (175 mL) seeded and diced tomatoes and cook until hot. Add seafood and cheese sauce and a pinch of hot pepper sauce or Cayenne. Serve over rice or pasta.

For a change of taste, try with Canadian Swiss or Gouda.

Make seafood and sauce early in the day and refrigerate. A few minutes before serving, top with cheese and bread mixture and broil.

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients:

1 box spaghetti
1.5 jars spaghetti sauce
2 tbsp. butter
1 12 oz. container ricotta cheese
¼ cup sour cream
½ cup alfredo sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
¼ cup parmesan cheese

Cook spaghetti and drain. While pasta is still hot, mix in butter, sour cream, ricotta and half of the parmesan cheese. Spread a layer of alfredo sauce in a casserole dish and add spaghetti mixture. Cover with sauce and top with mozzarella cheese and rest of parmesan. Bake covered with foil at 370 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook an additional 15 minutes until cheese is browned.

Courtesy of this site.

One-Pot Tuna and Mac

2 1/2cups (625 mL) water
2 chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes (or 1 tbsp/15 mL bouillon powder)
2cups (500 mL) small pasta shells (or elbows or other small pasta shape
1cup (250 mL) milk
2cups (500 mL) fresh, frozen or canned green beans, peas or broccoli, cut into 1/2 in. (1 cm) pieces
1/4tsp (1 mL) black pepper
1 1/2cups (375 mL) cheddar cheese, shredded
184g can chunk tuna, drained


1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and bouillon cubes or powder to a boil over high heat. Add the uncooked pasta and bring back to a boil, stirring. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add the milk, veggies and pepper and continue to cook, partially covered, for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, add the cheese and tuna and stir just until the cheese is melted.

Broccoli-Cheddar Puff

INGREDIENTS
6 tbls butter or margarine
6 tbls all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 1/4 cup whole milk
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
4 head broccoli
1 head cauliflower
7 large eggs, separated
½ lb bacon, chopped
small onion, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. Fry up bacon and onion, crisp
2. Chop up broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized chunks, and in stir bacon and onion mixture; place into your greased casserole dish (should comfortably fit, with some headroom for the puff)
3. Melt butter in a large saucepan; and flour, sauté on low heat for a minute or so, to cook out the floury taste, add salt and pepper.
4.Gradually stir in milk, cooking until it boils and thickens, stirring often. Lower heat, and add cheese stirring just until it melts; remove from heat.
5. In small bowl, with fork, lightly beat egg yolks. Stir in about 1/2 cup cheese sauce. Gradually pour egg-yolk mixture into cheese sauce, stirring rapidly to prevent curdling. Cool slightly; meanwhile, preheat oven to 325º F.
6. In large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted. With rubber spatula, gently fold one third of whites into cheese mixture. Fold cheese mixture gently back into remaining whites.
5. Pour sauce over veggies into prepared casserole. Bake 40 minutes or until top is browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve immediately.

Baked Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients

* 12 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise, stems, seeds and membranes removed
* 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, or less, to taste
* 2 large eggs
* 2 tablespoons milk
* 8 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
* 1 cup panko crumbs, or fine dry breadcrumbs
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet and set aside.

In a bowl, cream together the cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, and cayenne.

In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, and 2 teaspoons of the Essence. In a shallow dish, combine the panko crumbs and remaining 4 teaspoons of Essence. In a third dish, combine the flour and remaining 2 teaspoons of Essence. Spread 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture into the middle of each jalapeno half. One at a time, dredge in the flour, dip into the egg mixture, then dredge in the panko crumbs, pressing to coat. If necessary, repeat the process. Place the coated peppers, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the filling is runny and the crust is golden, about 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve immediately with cold beer.
*Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning)

* 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons salt
* 2 tablespoons garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
* 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

Pastitsio

Prep Time: 1 hours, 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hours,
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds of bucatini pasta (or other tubular pasta like penne, ziti #2 etc.)
• 1 cup of olive oil
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1 1/4 cup of chopped onions
• 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
• 2 1/2 cups of peeled, chopped plum tomatoes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• 6 whole cloves
• sea salt
• 20 or more ground peppercorns (to taste)
• 1 1/4 cups of grated kefalotyri cheese (or pecorino)
• 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
• béchamel sauce with cheese or basic béchamel

Preparation:

Make the Meat Sauce
Sauté the onions until translucent in 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed frying pan. Add meat and continue to stir until lightly brown. Add the tomatoes, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, salt, and pepper and stir well to combine. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has been absorbed, about 30-35 minutes. This is very important - the meat mixture should be as dry as possible without sticking to the bottom of the pan. Set meat mixture aside, uncovered, and allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 350F (160C). Lightly grease a baking or roasting pan approximately 11 X 14 X 3 inches high.
Prepare the Pasta
While the meat is simmering, prepare the pasta. Cook until slightly underdone, drain, toss with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
Make the béchamel sauce with cheese.
Spread the breadcrumbs evenly on the bottom of an 11x15x3-inch baking pan. Use 1/2 the pasta for the first layer and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Remove cloves from the sauce, add the meat sauce evenly over the pasta, and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Add the remaining pasta on top. Carefully pour the béchamel over the top and use a spatula to spread evenly.
Bake at 350F (160C) for 30 minutes, then sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese on top, and continue to bake for another 15 to 30 minutes until the sauce rises and turns golden brown.
Remove pan from oven and allow to cool before serving (Pastitsio is served warm, not hot).
Yield: serves 6-8
Notes: This dish can be prepared the day before, all the way to the béchamel sauce, refrigerated overnight, and cooked the next day after adding the sauce.

Ground Beef Quiche

PREP TIME 15 min; COOK TIME 35 min; READY IN 50 min; SERVINGS 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 1/2 cup broccoli florets, cut small
  
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell

DIRECTIONS

1. In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is tender; drain. Stir in broccoli, salt, oregano, garlic powder and pepper. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk and mayonnaise, stir into meat mixture. Fold in cheeses. Pour into pastry shell. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Cheesy Fish Fillets with Spinach

From allrecipes.com

PREP TIME 20 Min; COOK TIME 25 Min; READY IN 45 Min; SERVINGS 4

* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons flour
* 1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon
* 1 dash nutmeg (I used cinnamon; still good)
* dash cayenne pepper
* 1 dash white pepper
* 1 cup milk
* 2/3 cup shredded Swiss or Cheddar cheese
* 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained (I used fresh, and just sauteed it with some onions first to wilt)
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 pound fish fillets (I used red tilapia), cut into serving pieces
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
* Paprika

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat butter over low heat until melted. Stir in flour, bouillon, nutmeg, red pepper and white pepper; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Stir in milk; heat to boiling and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add cheese and cook, stirring constantly, just until cheese melts. Set aside. Place spinach in ungreased 12-in. x 7-1/2-in. baking dish or 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with the lemon juice. Arrange fish on spinach; sprinkle with salt. Spread sauce over fish and spinach. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and paprika; return to oven for 5 minutes.

Diabetic Exchanges: One serving equals 4 protein, 2 vegetable, 1 fat; also; 307 calories, 860 mg sodium, 108 mg cholesterol, 10 gm carbohydrate, 31 gm protein, 16 gm fat.

I was kind of leery about this. I thought that the cheese sauce would be way to heavy and cloying, but its not. It's quite good. And the nutmeg (or in my case cinnamon) gives it a really nice flavour. But just use a dash...
I had a lot of liquid that was released in the cooking, so I probably could have thrown some raw rice in there with the spinach as the base, and that would have cooked up beautifully. Maybe next time, that's what I'll do.