Turkey Chili that Tastes Like Beef

Turkey Chili that Tastes Like Beef

Yes, Turkey Chili can taste as hearty as Beef  My recipe for Turkey Chili was an experiment.  Could I make a chili as satisfying as a beef chili but using turkey? Often I find ground turkey lacking a lot of flavor for my palate and usually prefer the heartier flavor of beef over either ground chicken or ground turkey. My addition of low sodium soy sauce in this recipe picks up the umami flavor for that heartier taste more like a beef chili. The exact soy sauce I used is by Lee Kum Kee.  This soy has become my new go to because it isn’t as salty as other low sodium brands I have used and the flavor is deep and rich. This is a great recipe for a beginning level cook too. Quick, very simple to make, no need for take out and will reheat very well as most stew type dishes do.   Cutting cholesterol for better health? Go leaner with the ground white meat only turkey. Another option is to substitute ground white meat chicken in this recipe would work well also for watching cholesterol. If you use all white meat ground turkey the cholesterol is less

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Cream Cheese Glaze

Cream Cheese Glaze

Cream Cheese Glaze….more flavor than a plain glaze When you need just some light glaze over carrot cupcakes, pumpkin bread, muffins or even a quick bread….this is my favorite go to recipe.  This could be called cream cheese glaze frosting.  It has more flavor than just a plain powdered sugar glaze. Depending on what you are using this for you can use other extracts or even a liquor or brandy.     Just one of the many ways to use this glaze.   More interesting than the usual sugar glaze on pastries, quick breads or muffins.  Any item where cream cheese is a natural flavor go to.   One way to use this glaze       © Angel’s Food Paradise 2018

Simply Fabulous Pumpkin Bread

Simply Fabulous Pumpkin Bread

This is my famous, even though newly created recipe, for Simply Fabulous Pumpkin Bread.  Pumpkin recipes are perfect especially in the fall.  This is a very easy pumpkin bread recipe to make. My favorite time is fall with all the newly picked apples, fresh pumpkins, squashes and cranberries.  I could write a book on those ingredients with all the recipes I’ve made over the years. Pumpkin isn’t just for Jack O’ Lanterns, it’s actually a very useful and tasty fruit.  Yes tell you kids that, just like one of my other favorites tomatoes, they are a large fruit! These are made with this very healthy fruit….Pumpkin!   Nutritionally they are loaded with beta carotene which converts to vitamin A.  Eye health, your immune system, heart disease are all helped by eating low calorie beta carotene foods like pumpkin. Shhhh….we don’t have to mention how healthy this is to the kids!   I always had a house rule for my kids, you must try 1 bite and then decide to eat more or not.  They usually ate, unless it was green! It’s not easy being healthy green food….sigh. This is my absolute favorite Pumpkin Bread recipe I’ve ever created.  It is wonderful

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Mango Banana Smoothie

Mango Banana Smoothie

Mango Banana Smoothie If you’re looking for a refreshing nutrition packed start to your morning or even later in the day this Mango Banana Smoothie is a favorite of mine.  I often buy frozen mango chunks but I will use in this either fresh or frozen bananas.  By using fruit no ice is needed when blending so there is no dilution of flavors.         Mango Banana Smoothie Ingredients 1 cup cubed frozen mango cubes 3/4 cup sliced ripe banana (about 1 medium) 2/3 cup milk or almond milk 1 teaspoon honey 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Preparation: Place frozen mango and the remaining ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy! To freeze your own mangos: If using fresh mangos, peel and cube then arrange the mango cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet; freeze until firm (about 1 hour).

Rainy Day Grilled Cheese Surprise

Rainy Day Grilled Cheese Surprise

Rainy days and Tuesdays in New York City… Today has been a dark very rainy cool day in New York City. Lunch for me today was very late.  Starting the New Year super busy!  Busy is wonderful!   I’m not one to just slack off. Sometimes you just need a change of pace for lunch.  This was one of those, “wonder how it would be if I add….” moments in the kitchen.  This will be definitely a make again lunch and a favorite.  If I can I will lay out the Swiss cheese and ham for a bit till they get closer to room temperature to aid the melting of the cheese.   If not and the cheese isn’t runny enough I will often cover the pan till it’s gooey.  Enjoy!! Rainy Day Grilled Cheese Surprise Zesty pickled jalapeños, oozy gooey Swiss cheese, and very thinly sliced ham!   Other versions of this sandwich could be prepared and very tasty with thinly sliced turkey or chicken for sure! Rainy Day Grilled Cheese Surprise Serves 1 2 slices of Swiss Cheese (about the size of the bread slice) 2 ounces thinly sliced ham pickled jalapeño slices 2 slices of whole wheat bread 1 Tablespoon

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Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprika

Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprika

When people often think of Hungarian food they often think of either Hungarian Goulash or Chicken Paprika This recipe for Chicken Paprika, is my daughter’s favorite dish.  Now that she is a young lady living on her own, she will always ask for this chicken when she visits. (How did she get old enough to live on her own?) Here’s a tip:  Do not mistake the tins of HOT and SWEET paprika in your spice rack. Having made that mistake of not really reading the labels for the hot and sweet paprika when my daughter visited once, I quite careful now! The chicken was bit spicier than usual but it was still wonderful to eat.  (She doesn’t like spicy foods.)  This is NOT smoked paprika in this recipe.  Smoked is yet another kind of paprika. My preference is to mix of Hot and Sweet Hungarian paprika in this dish. The small amount of Hot just gives it a bit more kick.  Always cook to your taste preferences!  It’s your dinner, adjust it. Mom only used the sweet paprika in hers and I love it that way also.  Sweet or kicked up heat this dish a full of flavor and comforting. Grandmother

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The Uncanny Smooth Style Jellied Cranberry Jelly

The Uncanny Smooth Style Jellied Cranberry Jelly

Prefer Smooth Jelly Style Cranberry Sauce? This is nicer than the usual canned cranberry jelly styled sauce from the can.  Will you miss the ridges from the can?  I know we don’t!   It’s really about flavor, flavor, flavor for my family!  This is so simple to make! It really is just my basic Very Berry Basic Whole Cranberry Compote that is strained to remove the pulp.   The Uncanny Smooth  Style Jellied Cranberry Jelly strained and decorated for giving The Uncanny Smooth Style Jellied Cranberry Jelly 6 servings + Ingredients 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 14 oz fresh whole cranberries Whole Cranberries Preparation Bring water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan . Add the cranberries and simmer till the berries start popping and the liquid thickens.  Before allowing to cool down, strain the sauce using a wire strainer set over a bowl. Work carefully because those hot sugary syrups really can give quite a nasty burn. Once most of the liquid is strained out, then use a sturdy spoon to mash down the berries and get the remaining juices. wire mesh strainer Don’t forget to scrape the outside of the strainer to get all the fine pulp into the liquid in

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The Very Berry Basic Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

The Very Berry Basic Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Basic whole cranberry sauce This is the very basic recipe for whole berry homemade cranberry sauce or compote. From this one recipe many variations can be made adding other fruits, nuts or even rum. Check more of my recipes for cranberry compotes.    The Very Berry Basic Whole Berry Cranberry Compote<a  The Very Berry Basic Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce 6 servings + Ingredients 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 14 oz fresh whole cranberries (or whole frozen berries not defrosted) Preparation Into a saucepan bring water and sugar to a boil. Add the cranberries and simmer till the berries start popping and liquid thickens. The liquid will thicken even more while cooling. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator until you need to serve.    

Super Simple Modern Style Homemade Chicken Soup

Super Simple Modern Style Homemade Chicken Soup

Super Simple Modern Style Homemade Chicken Soup One of my favorites things on a cool rainy day is a nice big steaming hot comforting bowl of homemade chicken soup. The aroma of chicken soup simmering takes me back to childhood.  Mom made the best soups! There is always so much more flavor and nutrition in soups you make at home! Controlling the sodium is one of the important healthy improvements that can be done at home.  That is important for everyone’s health. Soup is one of the easiest foods to prepare. This super simple modern style chicken soup doesn’t start out with a whole chicken.  Yes, I can break a whole chicken down to make it, but it’s not my favorite thing to do.  I love using chicken thighs with the bone in and skin on because there is a lot more flavor in those parts. Thigh meat doesn’t dry out as easily as white meat. Homemade is still the best flavored soup Once you prepare homemade soup,  your palate will tell you there is no going back to canned soups. You get a ton more nutrition in homemade soups and other foods and it is made to your taste and health requirements too.

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Warm Hearty Pumpkin Cranberry Oatmeal Bowls

Warm Hearty Pumpkin Cranberry Oatmeal Bowls

I think fall and I think what can I make with pumpkin A hearty healthy breakfast in the fall needs some additional fall ingredients such as pumpkin. Two of my favorite things about fall….the brilliant leaves against sunny gray skies….and the classic fall flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, the new fresh crop of apples, and cranberries.  Just makes me think cozy fires and hanging around with friends and family. It’s fun for me just seeing what’s in the kitchen and experimenting with new flavor profiles.  This is one of those recipes with things always in the pantry but a new combo to please the palate.  Super simple, easy and quick…all things you love for a weekday morning recipe. One of my prerequisites creating a new recipe is nutritional value.  If we fill with food lacking what our body needs, we will wind up eating more later because our body isn’t satisfied and that promotes overweight.  The addition of the pumpkin in this recipe boosted our daily intake of Vitamin A, C, iron, B6. and magnesium. Just one cup of pumpkin is 197% of the Vitamin A which we require daily but only 30 calories.   That’s a win-win food: tasty and healthy!   Warm

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Busy Morning Corn Muffins

Busy Morning Corn Muffins

There really is nothing like fresh muffins right out of the oven, but who has the time?   You do!  Make these Busy Morning Corn Muffins Here’s how I save time in the morning. If I’m already pulling out all the ingredients, measuring spoons and cups I also pull out a 2nd bowl or more and here’s why:    You can make at least 1 extra dry mix and store individual recipe portions in air tight containers.  Please remember to label them as muffin mix so there’s no confusion later.   Label the container with the liquids you need to add and baking times also.   This is like making your own box mix muffins without the chemicals and with out over paying! Do this the night before, days ahead or even weeks ahead. This is also a nice gift mix to bring with you too  (dress up the packing and attach instructions for finishing and baking) I often use those quart size deli containers since I have so many I’ve saved with Chinese takeout over the years.  Love those containers for portioning and storing soup stocks, marina and other sauces also. These muffins are perfect on their own or slathered

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Experimental Food Ideas – Irish Eggs in a Well

Experimental Food Ideas – Irish Eggs in a Well

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment with Food! Irish Eggs in a Well All recipes were creative projects at some point in time! Last week I was looking in the refrigerator not sure what I wanted to eat for breakfast.  So, I decided to be a little creative!   Creative Breakfast Food Ideas So, what food is in the fridge that might help with the creativity today?  Eggs, and leftover steel cut oatmeal. My favorite oatmeal is McCann’s steel cut Irish oatmeal. It takes a little longer prep time but definitely worth the extra time, about 25-30 minutes and I give it rest time also.  I make it as per the tin’s instruction, which makes 4 servings, and will have 3 servings left for other days unless I have people here to help eat it. This oatmeal is fine leftover too, so no big problem with that!  I actually had less than one portion left so what to do, what to do? Get creative! In a small frying pan, I melted a bit of butter (only use real products), added the cold oatmeal to heat it through.Once heated through I made a hole or well in the center and let the

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