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Showing posts with label thai food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thai food. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Easy dinner recipes for the entire week

Chili Macaroni
 
Monday - Chili Macaroni

This family favorite ground beef and pasta dinner recipe has wagon wheel macaroni and green beans in a spicy tomato sauce. With its short preparation and cooking time, you will be adding this one to your weeknight meal rotation. Plus, its a great way to get your kids to eat more green vegetables.

ingredients

    * 12 ounces lean ground beef or uncooked ground turkey
    * 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
    * 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chilies
    * 1-1/4 cups tomato juice
    * 2 teaspoons chili powder
    * 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
    * 1 cup dried wagon wheel macaroni or elbow macaroni
    * 1 cup frozen cut green beans
    * 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces) (optional)
    * Tortilla chips (optional)

directions

   1. In a very large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium until meat is brown. Drain off fat. Stir undrained tomatoes, tomato juice, chili powder, and garlic salt into meat mixture. Bring to boiling. Stir in pasta and green beans. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until pasta and beans are tender.
   2. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and and serve with tortilla chips, if desired. Makes 4 servings.t


Curried Coconut-Butternut Squash Soup

Tuesday - Mark Bittman on Shine: Curried Coconut-Butternut Squash Soup

By Alaina Sullivan

Squash soups typically rely on a blender to give them a luxuriously creamy consistency, yet this version achieves richness without being pureed to a pulp. Small cubes of butternut squash are cooked in a milky-sweet broth, and they hold their shape all through cooking. The soup becomes creamy by way of coconut milk, which contributes a rich flavor without weighing it down. Curry, cinnamon and cumin spike the broth just enough to accent the squash without masking its natural flavor. The curry and coconut shine together as they usually do, but it’s the cinnamon that brings a warm, unexpected undertone to the dish.

It’s a soup that sits in limbo somewhere between creamy and brothy, sort of the best of both worlds. Garnish with fresh cilantro or mint. Recipe from Mark Bittman’s Kitchen Express.

Curried Coconut-Butternut Squash Soup

Cook two cups of chopped squash in a few tablespoons of vegetable oil, along with a diced onion, a teaspoon of cumin, a half teaspoon of cinnamon, and a teaspoon of curry powder (or more to taste). Cook the vegetables and spices until the onion is soft, about three minutes. Add five cups of chicken broth or water and a cup of coconut milk; bring to a boil and cook for about six minutes or until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a knife. Serve the soup topped with fresh cilantro and crusty bread or a scoop of rice.


Pork Chops with Gorgonzola and Pears
Wednesday - Pork Chops with Gorgonzola and Pears

The juicy, flavorful rib chop is the main attraction in this Tuscan-style main dish but its flavor is heightened when served with the creamy Gorgonzola cheese sauce. The fruit flavor of the lightly browned pears mingles well with the meaty taste of the chops. For other ways to prepare pork chops, see more recipes that are available.

ingredients

    * 4 pork rib chops, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick
    * Sea salt, kosher salt, or salt
    * 2 Tbsp. olive oil
    * 2 medium ripe pears, peeled, cored; each pear cut into 8 wedges
    * 2 Tbsp. butter
    * 1/4 cup dry white wine or apple juice
    * 1/4 cup whipping cream
    * 8 oz. creamy Gorgonzola or blue cheese, cut up
    * Freshly ground black pepper
    * Additional Gorgonzola cheese, cut into chunks (optional)

directions

   1. Sprinkle pork chops with salt. In a 12-inch skillet cook pork chops in hot oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Turn chops and cook 5 minutes more or until browned and juices run clear (160 degrees F). Transfer chops to a serving platter. Drain fat from skillet.
   2. In same skillet cook pear wedges in butter over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until browned, turning once. Add pears to platter.
   3. For sauce, add wine and cream to skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, 1 to 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the 8 ounces Gorgonzola; whisk until cheese is almost melted. Remove from heat. Serve with pork and pears. Sprinkle with pepper; serve with additional cheese. Makes 4 servings.
   4. Test Kitchen Tip: Rib chops are notable for flavor and juiciness.


Spinach and broccoli-stuffed shells

Thursday - Spinach and broccoli-stuffed shells

This Italian staple has all the comfort you’d want from a baked pasta dish, but with the bonus of veggies: Broccoli and spinach are folded into a creamy filling made with Parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta.


Recipe Ingredients
16 jumbo shells (from a 12-oz box)
2 cups marinara sauce
1 10-oz pkg frozen leaf spinach, thawed
1/2 16-oz pkg frozen broccoli florets, thawed
1 15-oz container part-skim ricotta
2 oz Parmesan, grated (about 1/2 cup)
4 oz part-skim mozzarella, grated (about 1 cup)
Kosher salt and pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 small head romaine lettuce, torn
1 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced


Recipe Preparation
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

2. Spread the sauce onto the bottom of a large broiler-proof baking dish.

3. Squeeze the spinach of excess moisture, roughly chop and place in a large bowl. Chop the broccoli and add it to the bowl. Stir in the ricotta, Parmesan, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the shells (about 1/4 cup each) and place on top of the sauce.

4. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and bake until the shells are heated through, 10 to 12 minutes. Increase heat to broil. Broil the shells until the cheese begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper. Toss with the lettuce, cucumber and onion. Serve with the shells.


Two-Bean Tamale Pie
Friday - Two-Bean Tamale Pie

This delicious casserole has all the spicy, savory flavors of Mexican tamales, with considerably less fat and less preparation time. A hearty mixture of beans, vegetables, and seasonings is baked beneath a cornbread crust for a delicious vegetarian meal; it's perfect for a cold winter night. Using a packaged cornbread mix, jazzed up with cheese and cilantro, keeps things simple while adding terrific texture and flavor.

ingredients

    * 1 cup chopped green sweet pepper
    * 1/2 cup chopped onion
    * 2 cloves garlic, minced
    * 1 tablespoon cooking oil
    * 1 15-ounce can kidney beans or black beans, rinsed, drained, and slightly mashed
    * 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed, drained, and slightly mashed
    * 1 6-ounce can (2/3 cup) vegetable juice
    * 1 4-ounce can diced green chile peppers, undrained
    * 1 teaspoon chili powder
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    * 1 8-1/2-ounce package corn muffin mix
    * 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
    * 1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro or parsley

directions

   1. Grease a 2-quart square baking dish or 10-inch quiche dish; set aside.
   2. In a medium skillet cook sweet pepper, onion, and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in kidney beans, pinto beans, vegetable juice, chile peppers, chili powder, and cumin; heat through. Spoon bean mixture into the prepared dish.
   3. Prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions. Add cheese and cilantro to muffin mix, stirring just until combined. Spoon cornbread mixture evenly over top of bean mixture. Bake, uncovered, in a 400 degree F oven about 25 minutes or until golden. If desired, serve with salsa and sour cream.
   4. Makes 6 main-dish servings


Salmon with Pepita-Lime Butter
Saturday - Salmon with Pepita-Lime Butter

Recipe Nutrition
Per serving: 185 calories; 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 2 g mono unsaturated fat); 61 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 0 g fiber; 349 mg sodium; 466 mg potassium Nutrition Bonus: Excellent source of omega-3s.

ingredients

    * 2 tablespoons unsalted pepitas (see Tip)
    * 1 tablespoon butter
    * 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
    * 2 tablespoons lime juice
    * 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
    * 1 pound salmon fillet, skinned (see Tip) and cut into 4 portions
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

directions

   1. Toast pepitas (see Tip). Place in a small bowl with butter, lime zest, lime juice and chili powder.
   2. Generously coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper, add to the pan and cook until browned and just cooked through in the center, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the salmon to a plate. Add the butter-lime mixture to the hot pan; stir until the butter is melted. Serve the salmon topped with the sauce.
   3. Tips: Pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) can be found in the bulk-foods section of natural-foods stores or Mexican groceries. Place a salmon fillet on a clean cutting board, skin side down. Starting at the tail end, slip the blade of a long, sharp knife between the fish flesh and the skin, holding the skin down firmly with your other hand. Gently push the blade along at a 30° angle, separating the fillet from the skin without cutting through either. Place pepitas in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.


Tuscan-Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream
Sunday - Tuscan-Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream

Ingredients
1 (20-oz.) package refrigerated four-cheese ravioli
1 (16-oz.) jar sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce
2 Tbsp. white wine
2 medium-size fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish: fresh basil strips

Preparation
Prepare pasta according to package directions

Meanwhile, pour Alfredo sauce into a medium saucepan. Pour wine into sauce jar; cover tightly, and shake well. Stir wine mixture into saucepan. Stir in chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped basil, and cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Toss with pasta, and top evenly with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish, if desired.

Recipes by Yahoo

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Thailand calls holiday to allow escape from floods.

flood in thailand
Flood in Thailand
(Reuters) - Thailand announced a five-day holiday on Tuesday to give people the chance to escape floods closing in on Bangkok as the prime minister warned that the capital could face an inundation of 1.5 meters (nearly five feet) of water if barriers collapsed.

The cabinet declared October 27-31 a holiday in Bangkok and 20 provinces affected by the country's worst flooding in 50 years as weekend high tides in the Gulf of Thailand could complicate efforts to divert water from the low-lying capital.

Financial markets will remain open.

As water levels climbed, some of those already evacuated were preparing to be evacuated again, with 4,000 people sheltering at a northern Bangkok airport told they would be moved to the eastern province of Chon Buri.

The floods have killed at least 366 people since mid-July and disrupted the lives of nearly 2.5 million, with more than 113,000 in shelters and 720,000 seeking medical attention.

Authorities are scrambling to pump out water around the east and west of Bangkok but record-high water levels in the Chao Phraya river that winds through the city raise the risk of floods in the commercial heart when the high tides come.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned in a televised address that central Bangkok, which authorities have been struggling to protect, could be swamped by up to 1.5 meters (nearly five feet) of water if barriers broke.

She told residents to get their belongings up high and get ready. She said authorities would guard important places such as the royal palace and power stations and do their best to limit damage and pump water out of the city.

Seri Supharatid, director of Rangsit University's Center on Climate Change and Disaster, said the city's fate rested with dikes along the Chao Phraya river.

"In the worst-case scenario, if all the dikes break, all parts of Bangkok would be more or less flooded," Seri said.

The floods have also forced the closure of seven industrial estates in Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces bordering Bangkok, causing billions of dollars of damage, disrupting supply chains for industry and putting about 650,000 people temporarily out of work.

The cabinet announced a 325 billion baht ($10.6 billion) budget on Tuesday to help rebuild the country, mostly for small and medium-sized enterprises, small vendors and individuals.

"If they get back to normal quickly, it will help push the economy forward," said Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala.

Thirachai last week said growth for this year could be barely 2 percent due to the flooding, down from the central bank's earlier forecast of 4.1 percent.

Heavy rain late on Tuesday, the first in four days, could complicate an already precarious situation and more showers were forecast for Wednesday.

Don Muang Airport, Bangkok's second biggest, closed late on Tuesday due to concerns that passengers and staff might have problems reaching the terminal. It is expected to reopen on November 1.

Airports of Thailand said the main Suvarnabhumi Airport, built on a snake-infested swamp, was not affected because it was on higher ground. However, Thai Airways International Pcl, which operates out of Suvarnabhumi, said it may reduce flights because of staffing concerns.

As water levels rose, there were concerns the Lat Krabang and Bangchan industrial zones in the north and east of Bangkok would be inundated, threatening a total of 344 factories, 49 of which are operated by Japanese firms that include including Honda Motor Co and Isuzu Motors Ltd.

"The situation behind the factory isn't good," Tanapon Karakasikum, an official at an auto components factory at Lat Krabang, told Reuters. "The flood barrier is too low but the operators of the estate are not doing anything."

BANGKOK TENSE

The center instructed residents of the Muang Ake housing estate in northern Bangkok to evacuate on Tuesday after a flood protection wall in nearby Pathum Thani province was breached, adding to tension in the capital, where residents have fortified their homes and stockpiled food and water.

The Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday it would relax import tariffs and regulations on food, water and some consumer goods in short supply as a result of hoarding.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra issued a new flood warning late on Monday for Bang Phlad district, west of the Chao Phraya river and closer to Bangkok's commercial heart.

Bang Phlad is home to department stores, universities and hospitals. Siriraj Hospital, where Thailand's revered king has been for more than two years, is nearby.

Government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang said the holiday had been called due to the high tides and to give residents the option of leaving Bangkok. Sukhumbhand said the holiday would allow authorities to handle the crisis better.

Authorities opened most canal gates in Bangkok late last week, a high-risk operation taking pressure off defensive walls by diverting water around the east and west of the capital into the sea, but raising the chance of inner-city flooding.

Hundreds of people were evacuated over the weekend as water in Lak Si and Don Muang reached levels as high as two meters (six feet), spilling out of swollen canals and rivers. Several escaped farm-reared crocodiles have been killed or captured in residential areas of Ayutthaya. Snakes have also been a problem.

At least 227 bank branches have been forced to close by floods, most of them in the provinces north of Bangkok.

The central banks of Japan and Thailand said on Tuesday they were looking at a mechanism to offer funds in baht backed by Japanese government bonds to help affected Japanese firms. The Bank of Thailand also said it was discussing similar plans with other countries.

Big Japanese firms such as Toyota Motor Corp, Sony Corp and Nikon Corp have had to close down operations in Thailand.