Innholdsfortegnelse for April - May 2017 i Taste of Home

Poor peas. Pushed around plates, cagily dropped for the dog, they get a bad rap at the table. Well, I think they’re delicious, and so do my kids. Peas have been their go-to veggie since they were sprouts—one of Jess’ first table foods and Jackie’s most-requested TV snacks. I remember watching the girls follow their grandma in her garden, eagerly waiting for her to pop freshly shelled green morsels into their mouths, dirt and all. It’s nice that they like them, because these legumes pack a big nutritious punch. Lowfat, high-fiber peas are chock-full of vitamins —A, B1, B6, C and osteoporosis-fighting K— and are a major source of vegetable protein. Isn’t it time to give ’em a chance? Peas Please Asian Noodles My Asian-inspired pasta salad doubles up on…

Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans I was under doctor’s orders to reduce the amount of sodium I was eating, but I just couldn’t part with some of my favorite foods. After many experiments, I came up with this potluck favorite, and now everyone’s happy! —Sherrel Hendrix, Arkadelphia, AR Prep: 10 min. + soaking • Cook: 8 1/2 hours • Makes: 12 servings (1/2 cup each) 1 pkg. (16 oz.) dried great northern bean 2 smoked ham hocks (about 1/2 lb. each) 2 cups water 1 medium onion, chopped 2 tsp. garlic powder, divided 2 tsp. onion powder, divided 1 cup barbecue sauce 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 2 tsp. hot pepper sauce, optional 1. Rinse and sort beans; soak according to package…

“I call this my ‘go big or go home’ lasagna, perfect for special occasions. Guests love it with chilled white wine.” —AMANDA BLAIR, LEBANON, OR Special Mushroom Lasagna This rich, cheesy recipe proves that casseroles can be both convenient and classy. If you want to take it even further, stir in fresh crabmeat. —Amanda Blair, Lebanon, OR Prep: 90 min. • Bake: 55 min. + standing Makes: 12 servings 6 Tbsp. butter, divided 3 1/2 lbs. sliced baby portobello mushrooms 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 cup Marsala wine 8 garlic cloves, minced, divided 2 Tbsp. dried minced onion 12 uncooked lasagna noodles 5 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. white pepper 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 3 cups whole milk 1 pkg. (8 oz.)…

German Brat Seafood Boil Grilled bratwurst and onion add a smoky flavor to corn, potatoes and fish for a hearty meal that’s always a hit. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, ID Prep: 25 min. • Cook: 30 min. Makes: 6 servings 1 pkg. (19 oz.) uncooked bratwurst links 1 medium onion, quartered 2 qt. water 2 bottles (12 oz. each) beer or 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup seafood seasoning 5 medium ears sweet corn, cut into 2-in. pieces 2 lbs. small red potatoes 1 medium lemon, halved 1 lb. cod fillet, cut into 1-in. pieces Coarsely ground pepper 1. Grill bratwurst, covered, over medium heat, turning frequently, 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Grill onion, covered, until browned, 3-4 minutes on each side. Cut bratwurst into 2-in.…

WINNING RECIPES RIGHT FROM READERS? KITCHENS Golden Beet Curry Risotto with Crispy Beet Greens I was delighted to find golden beets at the farmers market, and I knew they’d be ideal in a risotto recipe I was working on. Be sure to include the baked crispy beet greens...amazing! —Merry Graham, Newhall, CA Prep: 30 min. • Cook: 50 min. Makes: 6 servings 3 golden beets, greens attached 3 Tbsp. melted coconut oil, divided 3/4 tsp. sea salt, divided 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 cup chopped leeks (white portion only) 1 tsp. curry powder 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 cup medium pearl barley 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 cup grated Manchego cheese 3 Tbsp. lemon juice (Meyer lemons preferred) 4 tsp. grated lemon peel, divided 1/4 tsp. coarsely ground…

GET SOCIAL! HOT ON FACEBOOK Our fans couldn’t pass up Mama’s Potato Salad from Sandra Anderson. Like us for big helpings of fun. facebook.com/tasteofhome HEY, INSTAGRAMMERS! Visit @tasteofhome on Instagram to feast your eyes on photos and videos of scrumptious recipes like Carolyn Henderson’s Sausage Manicotti. GET PINSPIRED Hop on over to our Easter Treats Pinterest board to get loads of ideas for baskets, brunches and more. tasteofhome.com/eastertreats SHORT & TWEET Deliciousness in 140 characters. twitter.com/tasteofhome Spring Greens Tell us how you make the most of vibrant greens with spinach pasta salad, gingery bok choy stir-fry, a baby kale smoothie and more. Share Your Story We want to hear what makes your spring celebrations shine. Is it making the ultimate breakfast in bed for Mom? How about that annual trek…

1FRESH PEACH My smoothies use vanilla almond milk, orange juice, peaches, Greek yogurt and a surprise ingredient: English cucumber. —Angela Lively, Conroe, TX 2GREEN GOODNESS I make smoothies with frozen or fresh fruit, kefir, spinach and unsweetened almond milk, plus flax and chia seeds. Yummy! —Jami Kruse, Baltic, SD 3PEACH MELBA I use frozen peaches, raspberries, yogurt, peach nectar, wheat germ and vanilla to make mine taste like this old-school dessert. —Mari Lizzt, Kalamazoo, MI 4 STRAWBERRY-BANANA I make a smoothie almost every day for my oldest granddaughter using 1 banana, 1/2 cup strawberry yogurt, a splash of coconut water and a handful of frozen strawberries. —Don Mellott, Durand, MI 5SWEET POTATO-CHERRY There’s nothing like a blend of sweet potatoes, banana and cherries. —Brenda Nora, Memphis, TN 6COCONUT-MANGO My favorite smoothie…

Setting the Scene ARTICHOKE VASE Using a chef’s knife, cut off an artichoke’s stem and level its base. Using a serrated knife, cut off the top fourth of the artichoke. Open the leaves slightly by gently pushing them outward. Use a melon baller to scoop out the interior of the artichoke just down to its base, deep enough to hold the stems of a small bouquet. Add the bouquet and adjust the arrangement as needed. ASPARAGUS-WRAPPED CANDLE Trim asparagus so tips reach about ½ inch below the top of a pillar candle. Place stalks around the candle and secure with a rubber band at the center. Cut two pieces of raffia string, ensuring they’re long enough to create 2 inches of overhang when tied. Stack the raffia and wrap it…

MEET PRISCILLA Hometown: Indian Harbour Beach, Florida Taste of Home reader since: 1994 Recipes published: 50 MY FIRST RECIPE IN TASTE OF HOME…Mincemeat Apple Cake was published in the October/November 1997 issue. Some of my first published recipes are framed on my kitchen wall. I keep hardbound TOH cookbooks handy, too IN MY FREEZER RIGHT NOW…I keep a good variety on hand as quick fixes for overnight company and family gatherings. I have homemade cakes and breads, seafood, chicken, pot roast, sausages, burgers and pasta sauce, as well as individual servings of chili, casseroles and desserts. And, of course, ice cream. THE KITCHEN TOOLS I CAN’T DO WITHOUT… Measuring cups and spoons I WANT TO LEARN TO COOK…After 63 years of cooking, I can’t think of anything I haven’t cooked…

Is it fresh? The nose knows, so ask for a sniff at the fish counter. The fillet you choose shouldn’t smell fishy. It should have moist flesh and look freshly cut. How long can I keep fish in the freezer? Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna keep for two to three months, while lean fish like cod and catfish can go as long as six. When you’re ready to use it, do the smell test again, and make sure the packaging is taut and the fish is free of freezer burn. Is it done? Poke the fish with a fork. If it begins to flake, it’s ready. When cooked through, seafood and whitefish change from translucent to opaque. A rule of thumb is to cook fish 10 minutes for…

For all crusts: Once you mix the crumbs, transfer to an ungreased 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Press onto the bottom and up the sides. Bake at 350 degrees. PRETZELS Mix 2 3/4 cups crushed pretzel sticks with 3/4 cup melted butter and 1/3 cup sugar. Bake for 12-15 minutes. CAP’N CRUNCH Crush about 4 cups Cap’n Crunch cereal in a zip-top bag to make 2 3/4 cups crumbs. Mix crumbs with 1/2 cup melted butter. (No sugar is needed.) Bake 10-12 minutes. SALTINES Crush about 60 saltine crackers to make 2 3/4 cups crumbs. (You’ll need about 1 1/2 sleeves of crackers.) Mix crumbs with 1/2 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar. Bake 15-18 minutes. TEDDY GRAHAMS Crush enough Teddy Grahams to equal 2 3/4 cups crumbs. (Use most…

TEST KITCHEN BEST EVER TASTE OF HOME The Best Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Here’s my tried-and-true version of scalloped potatoes. I slice them extra thin and toss them in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Then, to make them the greatest potatoes around, I sprinkle the top with fresh-made bread crumbs that get nice and crispy in the oven. Make room for these at all your family get-togethers. —Aria Thornton, Taste of Home Prep Cook Prep: 40 min. • Bake: 75 min. + standing Makes: 10 servings 4 Tbsp. butter 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 tsp. ground mustard 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups whole milk 1 block (12 oz.) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided 1 block (4 oz.)…

Whip Smart It’s important that the heavy cream is cold when you mix it—you’ll get more volume. Start out on low speed and be patient. You can make the whipped cream up to 2 hours ahead, then gently stir to reincorporate when you’re ready to serve it. In a Pinch If you don’t have buttermilk handy, put a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and fill with regular milk to reach the 1 cup mark. Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake Grandma always served hers with homemade vanilla ice cream, but sweetened whipped cream is just as tasty. —Angela Lively, Conroe, TX Field Editor Prep: 30 min. + standing Bake: 20 min. • Makes: 8 servings 6 cups sliced fresh strawberries 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla…

EASTER IS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY. My wonderful grandmas, who both grew their own vegetables, taught me the love of cooking. All those delicious traditions live on in the Easter parties I host every year. I’ve cooked for both intimate soirees and big 50-person bashes with adult Easter egg hunts. Good thing eggs are plentiful at my house—my husband, Skip, and I raise ducks, seven chickens and a rooster, and they all come when I call. I also use their eggs to make deviled eggs, soaking them first in pickled beet juice overnight to make them pink, just because it’s Easter! GOOD EGGS An Easter table just isn’t complete without a platter of pretty deviled eggs waiting to be devoured. Take a peek at our favorite little devils. tasteofhome.com/ eastereggs Herb…

Cuban Sliders Bake till these wonderful little rolls are lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftovers are even delicious cold! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, TX Takes: 30 min. • Makes: 2 dozen 2 pkg. (12 oz. each) Hawaiian sweet rolls 1 1/4 lbs. thinly sliced deli ham 9 slices Swiss cheese (about 6 oz.) 24 dill pickle slices TOPPING 1/2 cup butter, cubed 2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Without separating rolls, cut each package of rolls in half horizontally; arrange bottom halves in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Layer with ham, cheese and pickles; replace top halves of rolls. 2. In a microwave, melt butter; stir in onion and mustard. Drizzle over rolls. Bake, covered, 10 minutes. Uncover; bake until…

Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies— especially when it comes to using fresh ingredients like these. I make this salad as a wonderful treat at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, WA Takes: 20 min. • Makes: 6 servings 1 beef top round steak (1 lb.) 4 cups sliced fresh asparagus (cut in 2-in. pieces) 3 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 Tbsp. sesame oil 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar 1/2 tsp grated gingerroot Sesame seeds Bibb lettuce leaves, shredded carrots, sliced radishes, fresh cilantro leaves, optional 1. Preheat broiler. In a broiler pan 3-4 in. from heat, broil meat on each side until it reaches desired doneness (mediumrare, 135 °; medium, 140 °; medium-well, 145 °). Cool; cut into thin strips. 2. In…