Pupusas de queso

This is an El Salvadorian appetizer that is so good! It takes some practice to make the pupusas perfect, but well worth the try. : ) Serve with curtido on the side to make it authentic! (see below)

Ingredients:

2 cups of Masa
1 cup of water
1 cup of Queso cheese
(4 servings)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stir the masa and water together in a mixing bowl until smooth; knead well. Cover bowl, and let the dough rest 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Shape the dough into eight, 2 inch diameter balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball into 6 inch diameter round. Sprinkle 1/4 cup queso fresco over each round. Place a second tortilla over the cheese, and pinch the edges together to seal in the cheese.
3. Heat ungreased skillet over medium-high heat. Place one tortilla into the skillet at a time, and cook until cheese melts and tortillas are lightly browned, about 2 minutes on each side.


Curtido (side for pupusas)


INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 head green cabbage, cored and shredded
* 1 carrot, grated
* 1 quart boiling water
* 3 green onions, minced
* 1 cup distilled white vinegar
* 1/2 cup water
* 2 teaspoons dried oregano
(4 servings)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the cabbage and carrot in a large bowl and pour the boiling water over the mixture. Allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes; drain well. Return the cabbage and carrots to the bowl. Mix in the green onion, vinegar, 1/2 cup of water, and oregano. Toss until all ingredients are combined. Chill for 20 minutes before serving.

Optional: Add refried beans

"Chicken" Bowls

Ingredients:

Mashed potatoes
Sweet corn
Chik'n nuggets (Morning Star)
Brown gravy (Check under my Holiday section)
Low-fat shredded cheese


Directions:

Make homemade mashed taters or if your in a rush use instant, you don't get a gold star for making real ones :). Bake nuggets according to directions. Warm your gravy and corn up. Add mashed potatoes in a serving sized bowl, chop nuggets into bite sized pieces and mix into bowl. Mix in corn and gravy. Top with shredded cheese and drizzle barbecue sauce over top if desired. Morning star nuggets have 40 percent less fat than your regular chicken nuggets!

Artichoke and Spinach Lasagna

INGREDIENTS:

* cooking spray
* 9 uncooked lasagna noodles
* 1 onion, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, chopped
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 (14 ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
* 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
* 1 (28 ounce) jar tomato pasta sauce
* 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
* 1 (4 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
3. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium-high. Saute onion and garlic for 3 minutes, or until onion is tender-crisp. Stir in broth and rosemary; bring to a boil. Stir in artichoke hearts and spinach; reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in pasta sauce.
4. Spread 1/4 of the artichoke mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish; top with 3 cooked noodles. Sprinkle 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese over noodles. Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with artichoke mixture and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top.
5. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover, and bake 15 minutes more, or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Vegetable Fried Rice and Cream Cheese Wontons

Ingredients:

* green onions
* 3 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon salt
* Pepper to taste
* 4 tablespoons oil for stir-frying, or as needed
* 4 cups cold cooked brown rice
* 1 - 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or oyster sauce, as desired
* Add vegetables of your choice (I use carrots and peas)

Optional: Add a little sesame oil for flavor

Directions:

Wash and finely chop the green onion. Lightly beat the eggs with the salt and pepper.

Heat a wok or frying pan and add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggs. Cook, stirring, until they are lightly scrambled but not too dry. Remove the eggs and clean out the pan.

Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add the rice. Stir-fry for a few minutes, using chopsticks or a wooden spoon to break it apart. Stir in the vegetables and soy sauce or oyster sauce as desired.

Ingredients:

Wonton wrappers
Reduced Fat Cream cheese
Canola Oil


Directions:

Stuff small amount of cream cheese on wonton. Fold in half and seal edges with water. Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add wontons and cook until golden brown. (Usually about 3-5 minutes)

Easy as pie! This is so much cheaper to do yourself. Not to mention it's yummo : ) Don't forget to dip them in sweet and sour sauce.

Stuffed Peppers my way : )

(Makes approx. 2 servings)

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup water
* 1/2 cup uncooked Arborio rice
* 2 green bell peppers, halved and seeded
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 2 green onions, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 pinch ground black pepper
* 1 tomato, diced
* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese


DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in the rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
3. Place the peppers cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Roast 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender and skin starts to brown.
4. While the peppers are roasting, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in oil for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato, and cook for 5 minutes. Spoon in the cooked rice, and stir until heated through. Remove from heat, mix in the feta cheese, and spoon the mixture into the pepper halves.
5. Return to the oven for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.