Tuscan Bean Salad

I found a similar salad in the salad bar at Kroger and wanted to make it myself at home. While mine isn't as saturated with oil, the lighter dressing still packs a punch with the cider. The crunch of the green pepper and textures from the chick peas and barley are harmonious. It got two thumbs up at my house. 

Yield: 4 cups
Total Time: 35 min

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup barley (I used Trader Joe's 10-minute Barley)
1 can Northern Beans
1 can Garbanzo Beans
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup Sundried Tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup Pesto
1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar (I used Apple Cider Vinegar)
1-2 Tbsp Olive oil
1-2 Tbsp chopped Parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
1) Bring barley and 2 1/2 cups salted water to boil on high in saucepan. Reduce heat to LOW; cook, stirring occasionally, about 15 min until barley is tender. Drain; rinse with cold water.

2) Combine barley, beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, pesto, vinegar, basting oil, and parsley in large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for a couple hours and serve cold. 

Nutrition Info: One serving (4 oz) contains 170 calories, 26 g carbohydrate, (7 g fiber), 7 g protein, 5 g fat, (1 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, and 230 mg sodium.

Indian Butter Chicken

1 ½ cups full-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons ground turmeric
2 tablespoons garam masala
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 pounds chicken thighs, on the bone
¼ pound unsalted butter
4 teaspoons neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil
2 medium-size yellow onions, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely diced
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick
2 medium-size tomatoes, diced
2 red chiles, like Anaheim, or 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
 Kosher salt to taste
⅔ cup chicken stock, low-sodium or homemade
1 ½ cups cream
1 ½ teaspoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons ground almonds, or finely chopped almonds
½ bunch cilantro leaves, stems removed.

Directions:

Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala and cumin in a large bowl. Put the chicken in, and coat with the marinade. Cover, and refrigerate (for up to a day).

In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter in the oil until it starts to foam. Add the onions, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds, and cook until the onions start to brown.

Add the cinnamon stick, tomatoes, chiles and salt, and cook until the chiles are soft, about 10 minutes.

Add the chicken and marinade to the pan, and cook for 5 minutes, then add the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes.

Stir in the cream and tomato paste, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the almonds, cook for an additional 5 minutes and remove from the heat. 

Garnish with the cilantro leaves.

(from Foodgawker & the New York Times)

Vegetable Tian

Find the original recipe Here

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
• 1 large sweet yellow onion cut in half and sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-2 russet potatoes, unpeeled
• 1 zucchini
• 1 yellow squash
• 3 large Roma tomatoes
• Sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Dried thyme, to taste
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a baking dish with olive oil cooking spray. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onions and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 60 seconds. Spread the onion mixture on the bottom of the greased baking dish.

Slice the potatoes, zucchini, squash and tomatoes in 1/4 inch thick slices. Layer them alternately in the dish on top of the onions, fitting them tightly into a spiral, making only one layer. Season with sea salt, black pepper and dried thyme, to taste. Drizzle the last tablespoon of olive oil over the top.

Cover the dish with tin foil and bake for 35 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Uncover and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top and bake for another 25-30 minutes or until browned. Enjoy.

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Ingredients

1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1//2 lb chicken breast, julienned
1/2 lb smoked sausage, cut into rounds 1/4-inch thick
3 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne
Salt to taste
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp oil

Directions
1. In a heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat and add onions, bell peppers, and celery. Cook until vegetables are completely cooked and browned, scrapping the bottom of the pot often, about 10 minutes.

2. Add all seasonings and cook for a few minutes longer, continue to stir and scrap the brown bits on the bottom of the pot.

3. Add the tomatoes and chicken and cook for 5 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink.

4. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil.

5. Stir in the rice and return to a boil.

6. Reduce heat to a simmer, add sausages, and cover the pot. Cook for 20 minutes or until liquid is completely absorbed and rice is fully cooked.