Posted in #Recipes

25 Ripe Banana Recipes to Use Up Your Bunch

And just like that, another week flew by without even touching the bananas in the fruit bowl. They’re probably deeply freckled or almost black, but just because they’re too ripe to peel and eat plain doesn’t mean they’re not salvageable. Since the bananas are soft and extremely sweet at this point, they’re perfect for mashing up and using in ripe banana recipes.

This collection includes plenty of banana desserts, such as decadent banana cheesecake, ice cream, brownies, chocolate cake, classic banana pudding and even a fancy bananas Foster. Of course, there is no shortage of breakfast recipes where bananas shine in smoothies, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, coffee cake and muffins. And it’s not a complete list without plenty of banana bread recipes, from the classic loaf to modern offshoots like pumpkin and apple topped with caramel and coconut.

So many banana recipes are available. Whether you’re working with one ripe banana or a whole bunch, you’ll definitely find a recipe that inspires you. And if your bananas aren’t quite ripe yet but you’re itching to use them in overripe banana recipes, you can totally ripen bananas yourself. I prefer the oven technique, but the microwave method works too!

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We Tried Dolly Parton’s 5-Layer Casserole, and Now We’re Making It on Repeat

Dolly Parton has written and performed plenty of chart-topping country songs. She’s also made countless appearances on TV (like this Netflix Christmas musical), along with penning several books. To us, though, Dolly is famous for her chicken and dumplings as she is for “Jolene.”

This Dolly Parton casserole recipe is rumored to be one of her signature dishes. It’s made up of simple ingredients, jam-packed with potatoes, ground beef and vegetables to make the ultimate comfort food. It’s not fancy, but sometimes, the beauty of a dish is its simplicity.

How to Make Dolly Parton’s Casserole

Dolly Parton Casserole Ingredients
Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3 large russet potatoes, sliced
  • 1 pound ground beef, browned and seasoned
  • 2 onions, sliced and rings separated
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1-1/2 green bell peppers, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, generously to taste

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30 Healthy Winter Soups to Warm and Fill You Up

As a dietitian surviving thriving in cold Michigan winters, soup season is a serious time of year. A steamy bowl of soup warms you from the inside out, and it’s one of the best ways to boost nutrition when fresh summer produce dwindles. These healthy winter soups pack nutrient-rich vegetables, whole grains and lean protein into every comforting bite. From soups made creamy with veggie purees to fiber-rich lentil and chicken noodle soups, you’ll find a flavorful soup here that fits your nutrition goals.

What sets these recipes apart is their focus on whole foods and from-scratch cooking. Using wholesome ingredients like homemade bone broth, herbs, spices and seasonal vegetables, like butternut squash, kale and carrots, these soups deliver valuable nutrition without being difficult to prepare. And because life doesn’t slow down when you’re hungry, you’ll find plenty of one-pot meals and slow-cooker soups that come together quickly, proving that healthy winter cooking can be both nourishing and doable.

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Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

The wonderful thing about chili is it’s infinitely customizable. Our turkey sweet potato recipe is the perfect example; it contains no beef or tomatoes and includes sweet potato puree or canned pumpkin for a hint of sweetness and extra nutrition. It’s a wonderful dish to start on a cool morning, as much of the cooking is done in a slow cooker. This just might become your new signature chili recipe!

Ingredients for Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

  • Ground turkey: 1 pound of already ground turkey gives this recipe plenty of protein.
  • Onion: One small onion, chopped, is all you need for this dish. Feel free to add more if you enjoy loads of onions or omit them if you don’t care about them.
  • Chicken broth: Chicken broth adds umami to this dish; you’ll need 2 cups for this chili recipe.
  • Sweet potato puree or canned pumpkin: One 15-ounce can of either item adds color and flavor to the chili. It also saves time, as you won’t have to peel or cook sweet potatoes.
  • Chopped green chiles: One 4-ounce can adds heat and makes the chili a little spicy.
  • Spices: Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, curry powder, oregano and salt team up to make this a wonderfully aromatic and delicious chili.
  • Great northern beans: Rinse and drain one 15-ounce can of these beans for the chili.
  • Sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced red onions (optional): These add-ons can be served at the table so everyone can choose their favorite extras.

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Posted in #Recipes

45 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes to Add to Your Dinner Rotation

You don’t need meat to enjoy a satisfying Mexican meal. Vegetarian Mexican recipes starring cheese, black beans, veggies and even lentils make comforting dishes inspired by traditional fare. You’ll find twists on classic recipes, like a Mexican street corn bake, plus Tex-Mex food like queso.

While many easy vegetarian recipes are adapted from non-vegetarian dishes, certain Mexican recipes are naturally meatless. To name a few: guacamole, homemade tortillas and bean tostadas! Round out your feast with tequila cocktails and any one of these sweet Mexican dessert recipes.

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Posted in #Recipes

Healthy Mediterranean Recipes by Dietitian Wendy Jo

Registered dietitian Wendy Jo Peterson prescribes meals like these better-for-you Mediterranean recipes to her clients. To round out any Mediterranean meal, pair it with lean proteins, nuts, olive oil, beans and extra vegetables.

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Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup

Have you ever been digging into a chicken enchilada and thought, this would be even better if I were eating it with a spoon? No, is it just us?

Well, we took apart the beloved Mexican dish and reimagined it as a soup. We led with southwestern flavors from poblano peppers, cumin and enchilada sauce, and added lean protein from shredded chicken. This healthier, homemade take on enchiladas doesn’t require much more than popping the ingredients into a slow cooker and going about your day. But if you don’t have a slow cooker, we’ve got your back in our recipe variations below.

While comforting, this dish is fiber-and-protein-filled for a nourishing weeknight dinner (and you can easily freeze it for future meals.) We love it alongside some cornbread or margaritas for the adults.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup Ingredients

  • Anaheim or poblano peppers: These large, green peppers are more savory than spicy, adding smokiness and complexity to the flavors in the soup. Poblano peppers are slightly more spicy than Anaheims (although not by much)—both are relatively mild.
  • Onion: Aromatic and savory, onion (yellow onion is usually best in a soup) also adds a little touch of sweetness
  • Garlic: Bold and aromatic, garlic provides a key, savory flavor to this meal. Fresh garlic will have the strongest flavor, so opt for that over pre-minced garlic or powder.
  • Chicken: The primary protein in your dish, this chicken will be shredded for tender bites.
  • Chicken broth: This is the liquid base for your soup. Using chicken broth amplifies the savory flavors for a more dynamic dish.
  • Mexican diced tomatoes: This refers to diced tomatoes mixed with other ingredients, often green chilis. If you can’t find this, make your own mix of diced tomatoes and canned green chilis for a similar southwestern-inspired taste.
  • Enchilada sauce: Enchilada sauce typically includes flavors like chiles, tomatoes, cumin and oregano. It’s not usually that spicy.
  • Tomato paste: This paste helps increase the enchilada flavor with a very concentrated taste of tomatoes.
  • Chili powder: This is where you’ll get the heat and a little bit of smokiness.
  • Cumin: Earthy and warm cumin compliments the other flavors and spices in the enchilada sauce, helping the dish taste more vibrant.
  • Chipotle hot pepper sauce: While optional, a chipotle hot pepper sauce will, unsurprisingly, increase the heat, while also lending a savory, smokey flavor.
  • Cilantro: Bright and herbal, cilantro lifts the heavier flavors. If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can omit it.
  • Cheddar cheese: An optional topping, cheddar cheese has a sharp flavor that adds dimension to your soup. For best results, shred the cheese yourself!
  • Avocado: An optional topping, avocado can help tame the hotter flavors and add a rich, healthier creaminess.
  • Sour cream: An optional topping, sour cream can balance the heat from the chili powder and hot sauce while providing a well-balanced tang.
  • Tortilla strips: An optional topping, tortilla strips add a little extra crunch.

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Cheeseburger Quiche

This cheeseburger quiche is so much more than just a quiche with ground beef. The cheeseburger-inspired recipe is packed with all your favorite burger add-ons—juicy tomatoes, onions, tangy pickle relish, smoky bacon and a hint of mustard—to really amp up the cheeseburger flavor in every bite. All the burger fixings are mixed into a creamy egg custard, topped with melty cheddar and Parmesan, and baked in a flaky, golden pie crust.

Cheeseburger quiche is delicious straight from the oven, but you can take it up a notch by adding extra burger toppings, such as chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes or a drizzle of burger sauce, for a fun finishing touch. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, a fun weeknight dinner or a potluck, this quiche recipe delivers an easy, satisfying meal.

Cheeseburger Quiche Ingredients

  • Pie crust: A refrigerated pie crust is a great timesaver, but you can use a homemade or frozen crust if you prefer—just be sure to thaw it according to package directions first.
  • Ground beef: An 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio gives the best balance of flavor and juiciness, but 90/10 ground beef works if you’d like a lighter quiche. Be sure to drain any excess grease so the crust stays crisp and the filling doesn’t get greasy.
  • Tomatoes: Chopped plum tomatoes add a touch of bright acidity that balances the rich, savory flavors of the beef and cheese.
  • Onion: Yellow or white onions work best to add sweetness and aromatic depth, or try red onions for a sharper onion flavor.
  • Dill pickle relish: Stirring pickle relish into the ground beef adds a tangy, zesty flavor—just like a burger with special sauce. Boost the pickle punch with a few spoonfuls of chopped dill pickles, or use sweet pickle relish for a milder taste.
  • Cooked bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a smoky, salty depth and a slightly chewy texture for bacon cheeseburger vibes. You can swap in pancetta or turkey bacon for a leaner option that still delivers plenty of flavor. Not a bacon fan? Simply leave it out.
  • Eggs: The backbone of any quiche, whole eggs provide structure and richness and help bind the filling together. Let the eggs come to room temperature before mixing—they’ll whisk more smoothly and blend evenly with the dairy.
  • Cream and milk: A 1:2 ratio of milk and cream creates a rich custard base that keeps the quiche filling creamy and tender. You can use all milk for a lighter quiche, although the taste and texture will be slightly less decadent.
  • Seasonings: The meat mixture gets extra flavor from a couple of teaspoons of prepared mustard and a dash of hot pepper sauce, adding just the right balance of tanginess and a subtle kick.
  • Cheeses: Cheddar is the classic choice for that signature cheeseburger flavor and perfect meltiness—use mild or sharp depending on your taste. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds a nutty, savory note for extra depth. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses, such as mozzarella, Swiss or Monterey Jack.
  • Optional toppings: Finish each slice with your favorite burger fixings—a dollop of mayo, crumbled bacon, pickle slices, relish, chopped onion and fresh tomatoes all add flavor, texture and an extra-fun touch.

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Posted in Book Reviews

101 Things To Do With Canned Soup

Discover the possibilities of canned soup with 101 tasty yet simple recipes from the authors of Eat More Tortillas and 101 Things to Do With Chicken.

From creamy varieties to everyone’s favorite (tomato, of course!), find 101 new uses for the most popular staple in your cupboard. Easy favorites are simplified with canned soup shortcuts: Classic Tuna Casserole, World’s Best-Baked Beans, Chile Verde Enchiladas, and Southwest Black Bean Chili, plus try creative new recipes for Souper Tamale Pie, Upside Down Pizza Casserole, Tomato Soup Cake, Potato Chive Biscuits, and Chocolate Zucchini Cake! These flavorful recipes show there’s more to cooking with soup than just cream of chicken.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From classic casseroles and appetizing dips to multipurpose sauces and unexpected breakfasts and baked goods, these flavorful recipes show there’s more to cooking with soup than just cream of chicken.

Zesty Roast Beef Bites

Squash Cornbread Casserole

Hot Turkey Salad

Unstuffed Cabbage

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

And more!

Posted in #Recipes

Sheet-Pan Chicken Potpie

There’s nothing I love more than feeling warm and cozy when it’s cold outside. And when it comes to meals that make me feel this way, nothing beats chicken potpie. This sheet-pan chicken potpie is a twist on the classic comfort food, with a creamy, hearty filling spread onto a sheet pan instead of into a pie plate, and a topping of puff pastry instead of pie crust that ensures there’s enough golden-brown pastry for every single forkful.

Shortcut ingredients including frozen veggies, shredded rotisserie chicken and refrigerated puff pastry make prepping this crowd-sized recipe a breeze.

Ingredients for Sheet-Pan Chicken Potpie

  • Puff pastry: Cut the store-bought puff pastry into strips and use them as a buttery, flaky topping for the chicken potpie. Feel free to use homemade puff pastry if you have it; it’s a fun baking project to try sometime if you’ve got a few hours on your hands.
  • Veggies: The savory filling includes classic potpie veggies, including peas, corn, carrots, green beans and onions. Using a frozen bag of mixed vegetables makes the prep work a breeze.
  • Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds a rich flavor to the filling.
  • Chicken broth: Chicken broth adds a savory, concentrated chicken flavor to the filling. Use a low-sodium variety to control the salt level in the final dish.
  • Shredded rotisserie chicken: This sheet-pan chicken potpie recipe uses store-bought rotisserie chicken. You could also use leftover shredded or cubed chicken breast or chicken thighs for this recipe. Use any leftovers in another rotisserie chicken recipe.
  • Flour or cornstarch: Flour helps to thicken the savory filling. You could also use cornstarch as a thickener.
  • Egg: A beaten egg is used to create an egg wash that’s brushed onto the pastry strips, giving them a shiny, golden brown finish once baked.

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