Easy Diet Zucchini Pizza Slices

My daughter Joy created this easy diet pizza recipe and shared it on @thejewishhostess Instagram in a snap.

Directiions:

1. Slice zucchini in thin rounds and bake on a sprayed parchment for 20 minutes.
2. Slide out of the oven and spoon marina sauce on top of each one.
3. Sprinkle with shredded low fat cheese and oregano. Bake at 350 degrees till cheese is melted and toasty.
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This is a perfect summer Shabbat lunch salad (remember to grill your corn on Friday!)

This salad is also a winner for a  Sunday night Mother’s Day barbeque.

Juice of 1 lime

3 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp salt

1 clove garlic crushed

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 pint grape tomatoes cut in halves

1 ripe hass avocado, roughly chopped

2 ears of fresh sweet corn

2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Grill corn over medium heat for 10 to 15 mins.  The corn should have some brown spots and be tender and not mushy.  DO NOT OVERCOOK!!  Cut the corn off the cob and scrape the cob with  the back of your knife to get  the juices.  Set aside and let cool.

Add all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk to combine.  Add the tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and grilled corn.  Mix well  so that everything is coated with the marinade, but be careful not to mash the avocadoes.  Refrigerate for 1 hour and serve.  Bon appetit!

adapted from Jehan Can Cook

How to Grill Corn on the Cob:

It is important to soak the corn in cold water before grilling. Remember to leave the corn husks on, but peel them back first and remove the silk. I usually soak it for 10-20 minutes. Make sure the entire corn ears are covered in the water. This will help prevent premature burning of the husks. If you want to add a little sweetness, you can add sugar to the water.

After soaking the corn on the cob, it is time to season. While there are many different recipes, we will start of with the basic.

Start off by brusing the entire corn with olive oil. We do not recommend butter at this stage, as it will burn the corn.

Add a generous combination of paprika (smoked if you have it), garlic powder, chili poweder, pepper and salt.

Cover the corn back up with the husks, and tie a string around the ends (this will help ‘steam’ the corn while grilling). If you do not have any string, you can use a piece of tin foil, just wrap it wround the end like a rope.

Fire up your girll and place the corn on the cob over indirect heat (not directly over the flame). Turn every 5 minutes to prevent the corn from burning. You will know it’s know when the entire husk looks like it is burnt. Don’t worry, this is what you want.

let the corn rest about 5-10 minutes in the husk, then remove the husks and any excess silk.

Adapted from How to GrillCorn.

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This recipe is courtesy of @FrancineSuttonAronowitz

Pargiot chicken is an Israeli term for a young chicken, or a boneless chicken thigh. In this recipe, Francine Sutton Aronowitz make sure to pack all the flavors of her juicy chicken Pargiot by sealing it under a weighty foil wrapped brick. If you would rather not have the tin foil mingle with your chicken as it cooks, you can always place a heavy cast iron skillet atop your chicken and then layer your brick on top. Thanks- Francine!!!

This is a perfect appetizer for your Purim Party, and remember to keep it in your files as a topping for a Matzo round for a delicious  Passover lunch or dinner treat! Thanks so much to @born2shoplove2cook for submitting to @thejewishhostess via Instagram.

*A note on heirloom tomatoes: 

The popularity of these old fashioned tomatoes has increased among hostesses in recent years due to their refreshing flavor, texture, and crazy colors, and  also because of their historic origins. To be certified heirloom, these tomatoes have to be grown from seed that has produced the same variety of tomato for at least fifty years, and they must be certified organic by a recognized USDA organization.

Heirloom tomato seeds have been handed down from generations of tomato growers whose love of these tomatoes has been shared with their neighbors and communities. Their titles tell the tale of their origins and the farmers who have grown them. Varieties such as Cherokee Purple, Great White, Green Zebra, Nebraska Wedding, and Snow White Cherry are sweetly  juicy served on in recipes like the one below, or just drizzled with olive oil and salt and pepper in a savory summery salad. I’m running out to buy my heirloom tomatoes NOW!

ENJOY!- Marlene

Thank you Lauren Jemal for sharing this tasty roasted tomato, fennel, and bean salad. Looks SO good! Can’t wait to try it! Marlene

Olive Oil Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel with White Beans

• 2 large fennel bulbs with fronds attached
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt, divided
• 2 pints grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
• 4 large fresh oregano sprigs
• 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney beans), drained

Preheat oven to 425°F. Chop enough fennel fronds to measure 1/2 cup. Trim fennel bulbs and cut in half vertically. Cut each bulb in half  to 1/2-inch-wide wedges, leaving some ore attached to each wedge.
Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3 minutes. Add fennel wedges in single layer; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon coarse salt. Cook until fennel begins to brown and soften, turning occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes. Add tomatoes, oregano, garlic, and crushed red pepper; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon coarse salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold together gently.
Transfer skillet to oven. Bake fennel and tomatoes until soft, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Mix in beans and 6 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds. Bake 5 minutes longer to heat through. Transfer mixture to large shallow bowl. Sprinkle with remaining chopped fronds. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Via

Bon Appétit

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Thank you  Ellin for this nice chicken recipe! I love this for Tu Bishvat as it has lot’s of delicious fruits to flavor the chicken! Tu Bishvat fruits are traditionally from the land of Israel- mainly  grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Tu Bishvat this year starts on Friday evening January 25, and continues till Saturday January 26 at sundown.

Perhaps we can even adapt some new Tu Bishvat fruits for this recipe!

Take the Tu Bishvat Chicken challenge!

Anyone have good ideas to convert this into a Tu Bishvat chicken recipe? Comment below!

Chicken with Dried Fruit adapted from Chef Confidential

by Ellin Orlinsky

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pitted dates
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 head garlic peeled and chopped
• 2 tsp minced ginger
• 2 tbs dried oregano
• 2 tbs dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 chickens cut into 1/8ths

This is a great last minute dinner for a cold winter’s night!

A note about the boxed Trader Joe‘s soups: most of the boxed soups are Kof-K Kosher pareve or dairy, but always check the label before purchasing.  They taste really good on their own, but I like to spice them up a bit by throwing in some sauteed veggies, fresh herbs, or dashes of pepper or hot sauce. If you do not live near a Trader Joe’s, there are plenty of other options out there. Imagine makes a creamy organic tomato soup as well. You can purchase kosher soup Amazon.com and have them delivered to your door!”
Imagine Organic Soup, Creamy Tomato, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

Serves 4

Kosher Recipe Ingredients

For the Instant Tomato Soup:

• 1 Box Trader Joe’s or Imagine Brand Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 tbsp dried basil)

For the Grilled Cheese:

• 8 slices whole wheat bread or any healthy grain bread
• 1 pkg. shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese**
• butter and/or olive oil for coating the pan

Pour a dash of olive oil into a pot, turn heat to medium high, and saute your onion until cooked through. Add the box of soup to the pot, lower the heat all the way and let simmer until it is nice and hot.

Take a large nonstick frying pan and put a dollop of butter/olive oil and heat on a medium flame. Put two slices of bread in the pan until toasted. Sprinkle some cheese (about 1/4 cup, depending on how big your bread is) on one slice, then cover with the other slice. While the cheese is melting, throw some more butter in the pan for it to melt (trust me, this will help with sticking). Spread 1 tbsp cheese on top of the grilled cheese, then delicately flip over to the other side of the pan (with the cheese underneath). Wait until the cheese underneath gets nice and crispy, add butter to the pan, then sprinkle cheese on top and flip again. When both sides are crispy, turn onto a plate and cut in half on the diagonal. Watch the video above for a tutorial.

Ladle the soup into four mugs and sprinkle with basil. Place the mug on its saucer and put the grilled cheese on the plate. Dip the grilled cheese into the soup to eat. Alternatively, get cute bowls with attached plates. I found these Soup & Sandwich plates from Crate & Barrel, they are super cheap and adorable!

* Beware of some boxed/canned soups as they can contain a lot of sodium. I always reach for the “lower sodium” options and make sure I don’t make these soups every day. They are great in a pinch but try not to make them a staple in your kitchen.

**If you’re looking to cut calories, you can use fat free kosher cheese. I love cheese so I cannot make that type of sacrifice, but I find that if you use half regular cheese and half fake cheese (like Smart Beat Cheese) it tastes similar to the original and lowers the calories.

Last week I attended a cooking class at the Sephardic Community Center with Peter Berley,  former executive chef of Angelica Kitchen in NYC. His cooking style is based upon the macrobiotic way of eating that was SO popular in the 80′s and 90′s. He now still uses his skills to whip up quick and simple vegetarian meals, and we were so lucky to share some of his recipes and easy healthy  tips in the kitchen.

I especially loved his Sweet Potato Soup, so right after the class, I ran to buy some collard greens (which is supposed to be healthier for your digestive tract than steamed kale, mustard greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage- read more about collard greens HERE) and a jalapeño pepper. I already had a some coconut milk sitting in my pantry just begging to meet that can opener. The ginger, sweet potato and spices are regulars in my fridge. Within 20 minutes I had everything chopped and in the soup pot.

I also have a bag of Jasmine Rice has also been sitting on my kitchen shelf, and after hearing that rice may have arsenic leached within, I’ve been staring at it longingly waiting to hear any good news about poison in rice on CNN. Here’s another report link by ABC NEWS, (also please be educated and informed about  possibly avoiding rice cereals for infants). I decided to skip the Jasmine rice addition until the rice companies decide to literally clean up their act.

Anyways, the soup was piping hot within the hour, and it was just in time to be served with my Grilled Miso Salmon.

I hope that you get to try this recipe. It was SO delicious!  I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of  Peter Berley’s cookbook but you can get it on Amazon just in time for the holidays!

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Ingredients for the soup:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups diced onion (about 2 medium)
2 teaspoons coarse sea salt or kosher salt
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups)
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small jalapeño pepper with seeds, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 (14-ounce) can light coconut milk
1 small bunch collard greens, tough stems removed, and leaves cut in half along the rib, and then crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro, for garnish

Here is the brand of LITE coconut milk that Peter recommends:

1) In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine the rice, butter, and salt with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Stir the rice once, reduce the heat, and cover the pan. Cook until the water is absorbed and the rice begins to stick on the bottom, about 18 to 20 minutes. Let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork when ready to serve.
2
2) In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, and sauté until softened, for 3 to 4 minutes.
3
3) Add the sweet potato, garlic, jalapeño, ginger, coriander, and turmeric, and sauté for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of water, the coconut milk, and 2 teaspoons of salt, raise the heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
4
4) Add the collard greens to the soup and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add a bit of water if the soup is too thick.
5
5) Ladle the soup into 3 or 4 wide soup plates, and top with a spoonful of jasmine rice. Squeeze lime over all and sprinkle with cilantro.