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    Honeydew Jalapeño Margarita

    If you’re rounding up the sassiest – and most delicious – spins on the margarita for upcoming Cinco de Mayo festivities, check out this El Pepino from La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Created by the historic hotel’s F & B Director John Cuviello and Beverage Manager Sara Davis, this refreshing cocktail has just the right balance of sweetness and spice. 

    La Fonda on the Plaza’s El Pepino

    Serving Size: 1 Drink

    Ingredients:

    3 jalapeño slices, muddled1.5 oz. blanco tequila.75 oz. orange liqueur1 oz honeydew jalapeño shrub1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juiceTajin seasoning and lime wedge for rimAdditional lime wedge for garnish

    Directions:

    Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass and dip it into Tajin seasoning. Fill glass with ice.Combine tequila, orange liqueur, honeydew jalapeño shrub, and fresh-squeezed lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.Shake and strain into prepared glass. Garnish with lime wedge and enjoy.

    Recipe courtesy of La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Created by the historic hotel’s F & B Director John Cuviello and Beverage Manager Sara Davis.  More

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    Seafood Paella

    By Bobbie Ames

    Ingredients:Yields 4 to 6 servings

    Non-stick vegetable cooking spray1 cup short-grain rice (such as Arborio)1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or use vegetable broth and/or white wine if serving vegetarians)1 bay leaf1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika1/8 teaspoon saffron1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided1 shallot, thinly sliced1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails left intact1/2 pound langoustines or scallops1 pound mussels1 pound cherrystone clams3/4 cup canned chopped tomatoes1/2 cup sliced roasted red peppers1/4 cup green olives (such as Cerignola or Castelvetrano), pitted, sliced1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley1 preserved Meyer lemon, chopped or grilled slices from one lemon

    Directions:

    Arrange rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Coat rimmed baking sheet or *cazuela with cooking spray. Spread rice on the bottom and put into oven to toast for 5 minutes.Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan bring broth, bay leaf, pepper, paprika, saffron, and 1 tsp. salt to a low boil over medium heat.Remove rice from oven and stir. Arrange shallots evenly over rice and pour broth mixture carefully over. Cover baking sheet or cazuela with foil and bake 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil, stir rice mixture, and continue to bake uncovered, 5 minutes more.Combine shrimp with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Remove baking sheet from oven, discard bay leaf, and stir rice mixture again. Scatter shrimp, mussels, langoustines or scallops, tomatoes, red peppers, and olives over rice. Continue baking until rice is tender, shrimp is opaque and pink, and mussels have opened, about 8 minutes more. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and toss with parsley and preserved Meyer lemon.

    *Cazuela: a Spanish dish that can be used to serve and cook food in the oven or on top of the stove. More

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    Midnight Meatballs

    By Chef Kenny Bowers
    Ingredients:Yields 6 to 10 servings
    12 ounces (3/4 of a loaf) white bread
    3 cups whole milk
    salt, iodized, to taste
    black pepper, table grind, to taste
    1 cup parmesan cheese
    1 ounce basil, fresh, chopped 3/8” no stem
    2 1/2 pounds ground beef
    1 1/2 pounds ground pork
    Directions:
    Tear bread into small pieces approximately 1”.  In a large bowl, combine milk and bread.  MIX TOGETHER BY HAND, making sure bread is completely dissolved in milk to form a soupy paste-like consistency. Add salt, pepper, cheese, basil and mix.  REFRIGERATE FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR BEFORE NEXT STEP.
    Gently mix in meat making sure everything is evenly mixed.
    With slightly wet hands form 4 oz. wt. balls (approximately 20).
    Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes until medium brown and an internal temperature of 160.
    Place meatballs in oven-proof dish, top with favorite marinara sauce, cover with mozzarella cheese, and bake until cheese is brown & bubbly.  Approx. 3 minutes at 450 degrees.
    Kenny Bowers is owner and executive chef of Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill (Dallas), Kenny’s Burger Joint (Plano and Frisco), Kenny’s Italian Kitchen (Dallas) and Kenny’s Authentic East Coast Pizza (Plano). More

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    Sweet Potato and Andouille Soup

    By Chef Tim Byres and Chef Josh Trunnell
    Ingredients:Yields 8 quarts
    1/4 cup butter
    2 onions, medium diced
    1/2 bunch of celery, small dice
    1/2 cup garlic, minced
    4 quarts chicken stock
    5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, large dice
    3 pounds Andouille sausage, small dice
    1/2 cup Tabasco sauce
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    2 tablespoons salt
    ground pepper to taste
    fresh sage, fine chiffonade, to taste
    Directions:
    Melt butter in a 12-quart soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are tender. Add stock and sweet potatoes. Bring soup to a simmer and cook until sweet potatoes fall apart, about 1 hour.
    Pan-fry sausage in 1/2 cup oil until done and lightly caramelized. Drain.
    Remove soup from the stove and puree with immersion blender. Return soup to the stove and bring to a simmer.
    Add sausage, spices, and 2 tbsp. of salt. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce.
    Hot hold soup, covered, for service. Garnish each serving with fresh sage.
    James Beard award-winner, Tim Byres, is co-owner and food mastermind behind Smoke (Dallas and Plano), Chicken Scratch (Dallas), The Theodore (Dallas), Spork (Dallas), Bolsa (Dallas), and The Foundry (Dallas). He is the author of Smoke, New Firewood Cooking. Josh Trunnell is the executive chef of Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro At Panorama (Washington). More

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    Chicken “Zoodle” Lo Mein

    By The American Heart Association
    This restaurant favorite can be mastered at home—with even more flavor, less sodium, and a lot less calories with zucchini subbing for regular noodles.
    Servings: 6 | Serving Size: 1 1/3 cups
    Ingredients:
    4 medium zucchini
    1 1/2 pound skinless, boneless, thinly sliced chicken breast (cut into 1-inch strips)
    2 teaspoons garlic powder (divided)
    2 teaspoons ground ginger
    1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (divided)
    1/8 teaspoon salt (divided)
    3 teaspoons canola oil (divided)
    1 (14.4-ounce) bag frozen broccoli stir-fry vegetables, thawed
    2 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
    1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
    1 tablespoon cornstarch
    1/4 teaspoons red hot chile flakes (optional)
    1/2 cup chopped green onion
    2 cups fresh bean sprouts
    1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
    Directions:
    Place the shredder blade onto the spiralizer to cut zucchini into spaghetti-like threads. Spiralize each zucchini, and cut threads into 6- or 8-inch pieces so they are easier to eat. Add all the zucchini into a large bowl and reserve.
    Place the chicken breast lengthwise onto a cutting board and cut 1-inch strips of chicken. Add to a bowl and continue slicing remaining chicken. Season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ginger, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon salt.
    Warm a large nonstick pan with 1 teaspoon oil over high heat. Add chicken; stirring frequently, saute until chicken is fully-cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes depending on thickness. Remove from heat, transfer chicken to a plate, and cover with foil to keep warm.
    Again warm 1 teaspoon oil in the large nonstick pan over high heat. Add thawed stir-fry vegetables, stirring constantly and cooking until vegetables are cooked and all the water has evaporated, around 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl to reserve.
    Make the sauce: In a small bowl, add soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ginger, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and (optional) chile flakes. Stir together with a fork until cornstarch is dissolved. Also, chop the scallions.
    Warm 1 teaspoon oil in the large nonstick pan over high heat. Add half the zucchini, using tongs to stir constantly, until zucchini is somewhat wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in remaining zucchini along with the sauce, again using tongs to cook the zucchini and let it absorb the sauce. Cook until all the zucchini is tender, about 2 more minutes.
    Quickly stir in reserved chicken and vegetables. Cook another minute. Remove from heat and add bean sprouts, scallions, and sesame seeds. Serve.
    Quick Tips:
    Cooking Tip: A wok can also be used instead of a large nonstick pan. In fact, woks are an excellent piece of cooking equipment to own. Between its large round surface and its nonstick quality, it’s a great way to cook nutritious vegetables.
    Keep it Healthy: Frozen stir-fry veggies—whether using in a stir-fry recipe or not—are a convenient way to get a variety of vegetables into a dish without the work of chopping.
    Tip: Don’t have a spiralizer? Grate the zucchini on a box grater or buy about 12 cups of packaged spiralized zucchini in the grocery aisle.
    Nutritional Information:
     Calories: 226 Per Serving
     Protein: 29g Per Serving
     Fiber: 4g Per Serving
    To learn more about the Chicken “Zoodle” Lo Mein recipe from the American Heart Association, click here. More

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    Chicken Tortilla Soup

    By The American Heart Association
    A garnish of avocado bits, thinly sliced red bell pepper, and crisp tortilla strips adds texture and color to this popular soup.
    Servings: 4 | Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
    Ingredients:
    1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (all visible fat discarded, cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
    2 cups frozen whole kernel corn (thawed)
    2 cups fat-free, no-salt-added chicken broth
    14.5 ounces canned, no-salt-added, diced tomatoes (undrained)
    1/4 cup finely chopped onion
    1 teaspoon sugar
    1 teaspoon ancho powder
    2 medium garlic cloves (minced)
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    2 6- inch corn tortillas (cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips, plus)
    1 6- inch corn tortilla (torn into pieces)
    2 to 4 tablespoon snipped, fresh cilantro
    1/4 cup finely chopped avocado
    1/4 medium red bell pepper (cut into matchstick-size strips)
    Directions:
    In a 3-4 1/2-quart round or oval slow cooker, stir together the chicken, corn, broth, tomatoes with liquid, onion, sugar, ancho powder, garlic, and salt. Cook, covered, on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
    Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    Arrange the tortilla strips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack. Let the strips stand for about 15 minutes, or until cool. Transfer to an airtight container and set aside.
    When the soup is ready, transfer 1 cup to a food processor or blender. Stir in the tortilla pieces. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute so the tortilla pieces soften. Process until smooth. Stir the mixture into the soup. Stir in the cilantro.
    Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the avocado, bell pepper, and reserved baked tortilla strips.
    Quick Tips:
    Cooking Tip: Adding the processed soup and tortilla mixture to the rest of the soup gives the finished product more body and distributes the tortilla flavor.
    Nutritional Information:
     Calories: 292 Per Serving
     Protein: 30g Per Serving
     Fiber: 5g Per Serving
    To learn more about the Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe from the American Heart Association, click here. More

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    Spinach Soufflés

    By The American Heart Association
    This classic French dish combines egg yolks and egg whites with savory spinach, herbs, and grated Parmesan. While baking, the egg mixture puffs up to form a golden crust on the outside, sealing in light, airy goodness.
    Servings: 4 | Serving Size: 1 soufflé
    Ingredients:
    Cooking spray
    1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons whole-wheat bread crumbs (lowest sodium available)
    4 large egg whites
    1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
    6 ounces baby spinach
    1 teaspoon minced garlic
    1 tablespoon chopped, fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley OR 1 teaspoon dried parsley (crumbled)
    2/3 cup fat-free milk (cold)
    2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    1/8 teaspoon black pepper
    2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
    2 large egg yolks
    Directions:
    Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly spray four 6-ounce ramekins with cooking spray. Lightly sprinkle the bread crumbs in each, spreading to coat the bottom and sides completely.
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg whites and cream of tartar. Set aside.
    Lightly spray a small skillet with cooking spray. Cook the spinach and garlic over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted but still very green, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parsley. Set aside.
    In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, flour, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat. Let cool for 10 minutes.
    Meanwhile, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the egg white mixture on high speed for 20 to 30 seconds, or until medium peaks form.
    Stir the spinach mixture into the milk mixture. Stir in the Parmesan and egg yolks until well combined. Gently fold in one-third of the egg white mixture at a time until well combined.
    Spoon 1/2 cup of the soufflé mixture into each of the ramekins. Gently tap the ramekins on the counter 2 or 3 times to level the mixture. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet.
    Bake for 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350˚F. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the soufflés are puffy and golden brown. Serve immediately.
    Quick Tips:
    Cooking Tip: Don’t get excited and open the oven early to peek! Doing this may cause the soufflé fall.
    Nutritional Information:
     Calories: 144 Per Serving
     Protein: 14g Per Serving
     Fiber: 1g Per Serving
    To learn more about the Spinach Soufflés Recipe from the American Heart Association, click here. More

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    Meatloaf with Black-Eyed Peas

    By The American Heart Association
    Check out this Simple Cooking with Heart recipe featuring the ultimate American comfort food: meatloaf served with black-eyed peas — a hearty-healthy side from the South.
    Servings: 6  
    Ingredients:
    For the Black-Eyed Peas: 
    31 oz. canned, low-sodium black-eyed peas
    For the Meatloaf: 
    1 small onion (finely chopped)
    1 medium bell pepper (any color), finely chopped
    1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
    2 clove minced, fresh garlic OR 1 tsp. jarred, minced garlic
    2 Tbsp. fat-free, skim milk
    1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
    1.5 lb. extra-lean, fat-free ground turkey (95% or 99% lean) (can substitute extra lean ground beef or pork)
    2 eggs (beaten)
    1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
    8 oz. canned, no-salt-added tomato sauce (divided use)
    1/4 tsp. black pepper
    1 tsp. dried parsley
    1 tsp. cider vinegar
    non-stick Cooking spray
    Directions:
    For the Black-Eyed Peas:
    Heat (un-drained) in microwave-safe covered dish on high for 5 minutes, or until warm. 
    For the Meatloaf:
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    Place onions and bell pepper in a glass 9×5 loaf pan, drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
    Cover loaf pan with a plate and microwave on high for 3 minutes (NOTE: if you are using a metal loaf pan do NOT put it in the microwave!). Allow vegetables to cool slightly.
    In a medium bowl, combine vegetables, minced garlic, milk, oats, turkey meat, eggs, mustard, 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, pepper and parsley – mix well with hands.
    Spray loaf pan with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into loaf and place in loaf pan.
    In the medium bowl, mix remainder of tomato sauce and cider vinegar, pour over loaf.
    Bake for 50-60 minutes until internal thermometer reads 165 for poultry and 160 for beef or pork. Let stand for 5-10 minutes and slice.
    Quick Tips:
    Tip: Make mini-loaf by baking in muffin tins. These individual sized mini-loaves are great for freezing, fun for kids, or a great alternative if you’re in a rush because they only cook for half the time!
    Nutritional Information:
     Calories: 322 Per Serving
     Protein: 40g Per Serving
     Fiber: 7g Per Serving
     Cost Per Serving: $2.61
    To learn more about the Meatloaf with Black-Eyed Peas Recipe from the American Heart Association, click here. More