Month: November 2021

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Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

Savory roasted acorn squash is a side dish packed with flavor and nutrition! It’s easy to make and is a delicious complement to a roast or tenderloin.

Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

Savory Roasted Acorn Squash

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium acorn squash (1½ pounds)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp grated nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ⅔ tsp dried sage
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450℉.  
  • Halve the squash, remove seeds and cut into 12 wedges.  Place wedges in a large bowl abd toss with olive oil, nutmeg, salt and pepper.  
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lay squash wedges in a single layer.  Roast until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes.
  • While squash is cooking, put butter in a small skillet or saucepan and melt over medium-low heat.  Allow butter to simmer, stirring occasionally, until solids at the bottom begin to brown.  This can take from 1-5 minutes, depending on stovetop type and efficiency.  Do not leave unattended as the butter may burn quickly.
  • Remove pan from heat and whisk in sage, maple syrup and lemon juice.
  • Remove squash from oven after the first bake, flip wedges over and spoon butter mixture over each wedge.  Place back in the oven and roast for an additional 8-10 minutes or until tender.  
  • Hack:  Leftover squash can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.  To freeze, remove the rind and mash squash.  Package in serving size portions and freeze for 10-12 months.
  • Hack:  Uncooked winter squash can be stored in a cool, dark environment (less than 50℉) for up to 2 months so stock up when it’s on sale!  Cook, mash and freeze unseasoned winter squash for up to 12 months as a quick and easy addition to many recipes.
Keyword acorn squash, holiday side dish, oven roasted vegetables, savory squash, vegetable, vegetable side dish, vegetarian, winter squash

Did you know?  Winter squash provides numerous health benefits that may help reduce the risk of many diseases!

Suggestion: This pairs nicely with Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin!

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Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin

The health benefits of cranberries make Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin a festive dish that you can feel good about eating all year-’round!

Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin

Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 279 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pork tenderloin
  • 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard, divided
  • ¼ tsp black pepper, divided
  • ¼ tsp salt, divided
  • 1⅓ tsp dried rosemary, divided
  • 1⅓ tsp dried sage, divided
  • ⅔ tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup ruby port
  • 1½ tsp butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450℉. 
  • Pat pork dry and spread 1 tbsp mustard over the entire loin.
  • Combine ⅛ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp pepper, 1 tsp rosemary, 1 tsp sage and thyme.  Sprinkle over pork, pressing to adhere.  
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pork and brown on all sides.
  • Transfer to a baking pan.  Roast in the oven until reaches an internal temperature of 145℉, 14-18 minutes.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • While the loin is roasting, return the skillet to medium heat.  Add remaining 1 tbsp oil and cranberries to the pork drippings.  Cook until cranberries start to soften, about 2 minutes.  Stir in shallot, remaining 1 tbsp mustard and one 1 tsp each of rosemary and sage.  Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 
  • Stir in broth and port.  Cook until thickened and reduced by half, 4-6 minutes.  Stir in butter and ⅛ tsp each of the remaining pepper and salt.  Spoon sauce over the top of sliced pork loin and serve.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.  To freeze, slice pork and cover in sauce.  Package in serving-sized portions and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Hack:  Fresh cranberries are only between October and December, which is why they’re such a holiday favorite!  Take advantage of that time window to buy a few extra bags for your freezer.  Did you miss your chance?  Check the freezer section of the supermarket where you're likely to find some in with the berry section.
Keyword cranberry pork, cranberry sauce, holiday roast, low calorie, mustard pork, oven roasted pork, Pork tenderloin, port wine recipe, ruby port

Did you know? People call cranberries a superfood for good reason: They have all kinds of health-boosting benefits.

Suggestion:  Pair this with savory roasted acorn squash for a hearty meal with a holiday feel… any time of year!

 

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Sesame Peanut Butter Noodles

Sesame peanut butter noodles are a spicy, nutritious and vegetarian meal. It’s a super quick and easy choice for a busy weeknight dinner!

Sesame Peanut Butter Noodles

Sesame Peanut Butter Noodles

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 2
Calories 291 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 oz rice noodles
  • 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp ginger root, grated
  • ¾ tsp sriracha, or to taste
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp chopped peanuts
  • 1 green onion, sliced

Instructions
 

  • Cover rice noodles in hot water and allow to soak for 30 minutes.  Drain and set aside.
  • In a small microwave bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, lime juice, garlic, sesame oil, ginger and sriracha.  Heat in microwave until heated.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or wok.  Add rice noodles and saute for 4-5 minutes.  Toss with peanut sauce.
  • Place in bowls and sprinkle with sesame seeds, chopped peanuts and green onion. Serve immediately.
  • Hack:  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  For best results, store noodles and peanut sauce separately, combining just before serving.
Keyword Asian cuisine, Asian food, Homemade Asian food, homemade Thai cuisine, homemade Thai food, peanut butter, peanut noodles, Thai cuisine, Thai food, vegetarian

Did you know?  While many are worried about the fat and calories in peanut butter, it can be part of a healthy diet!

If you like this noodle dish, try my recipe for lemon poppy seed chicken noodles!

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Chinese Twice Cooked Pork Belly (huí guō ròu)

This colorful dish, Chinese Twice Cooked Pork Belly, is common in Southwest China and involves two distinct cooking methods: simmering followed by stir-frying with vegetables.

Chinese Twice Cooked Pork Belly

Chinese Twice Cooked Pork Belly (huí guō ròu)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6
Calories 470 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ lbs pork belly without skin
  • 1” knob ginger, chopped
  • 2 green onions
  • A few peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp cooking wine
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 leek, trimmed (white part only)
  • 1 bell pepper (any color)
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 fresh chili peppers
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp sweet bean sauce
  • 1 tbsp jarred crushed pepper
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions
 

  • Put the pork belly in a pan and cover with cold water.  Add ginger.  Cut the white ends from the green onions and add those as well, followed by the cooking wine and peppercorns.  
  • Bring the water to a boil for 20 minutes.  Immediately transfer pork to cold water and soak for 10 minutes.
  • Cut green onions, leek, carrot and pepper into 1” slices.  Slice garlic and chili peppers.
  • Thinly slice pork belly. 
  • Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or wok.  Add pork belly and cook until all the fat has been rendered.  Add bean sauce, crushed pepper, sugar and soy sauce.  Cook and stir until well incorporated.
  • Put carrots in the pan and saute them for a minute or two.  Add leek, garlic and bell pepper and chili peppers. Saute until the vegetables are cooked to your preference, adding green onions in the last few minutes.
  • Serve with rice or noodles, if desired.
  • Hack:  You can replace the carrot and pepper with whatever vegetables you prefer or have on hand.
  • Hack:  You can substitute sweet bean paste or hoisin sauce for the sweet bean sauce. 
  • Hack:  Leftovers can be stored, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months
  • Hack:  Check the produce department for loose, single carrots.  If you don’t see them, ask a clerk if they’re available.   
Keyword asian cooking video, Asian cuisine, Asian food, Chinese cooking video, Chinese cuisine, Chinese food, Chinese Twice Cooked Pork Belly, cooking video, Homemade Asian food, Homemade Chinese food, huí guō ròu, pork belly recipe

For more instructional videos for making traditional Chinese cuisine at home, visit Yuhong’s Country Kitchen on YouTube! Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!

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Homemade Easy Zucchini Bread Bites

We had lots of zucchini so Grandma and Lily teamed up to make some easy zucchini bread bites! Vegetables make this a healthier choice over other quick breads!

Easy Zucchini Bread Bites

Print Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 26 cakes
Calories 95 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1¾ cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • ¼ cup applesauce, room temperature
  • ½ cup  brown sugar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.  Spray wells of Pampered Chef Brownie Bite Pan with cooking spray.   
  • Measure raisins into a heatproof bowl and cover with hot water.  Allow to soak for one hour.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  
  • In a separate bowl, mix together oil, egg, applesauce, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla until well blended.  Fold in raisins and zucchini.
  • Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until well incorporated.
  • Transfer batter to Pampered Chef Batter Dispenser.  Pipe batter into the wells of the brownie bite pan and bake for 8 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove bites from pan to cooling rack. Serve warm or cold.
  • Hack:  Wrap zucchini bread tightly and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.  It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Keyword cooking video, kids recipe, Lily Rose Kindergarten Cook, quick bread, snack, zucchini, zucchini bread

Click here to check out the Pampered Chef products shown in this video!

 To see more videos from Lily-Rose and her friends, check out our YouTube channel!  Don’t forget to like, subscribe and press that notification button so you won’t miss any new videos!

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