Weeknight cooking: recipes in 30 minutes or less.
QUICK CHICKEN MOLE
SERVES 4 TO 6 / 30 MINUTES
A traditional Mexican mole sauce takes hours, but we tinkered with it and came up with a version that achieves similarly deep flavors in a fraction of the time.
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TOFU and RICE NOODLES with BLACK BEAN SAUCE
SERVES 4 / 30 MINUTES
Pan-searing sliced tofu gives it a meatiness that's deliciously offset by crunchy vegetables and a drizzle of black bean sauce (pour on a little less if you're salt-sensitive). The Asian ingredients can be found in any large grocery store.
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SCALLOPS with ORANGE, AVOCADO, and JICAMA
SERVES 4 / 30 MINUTES
Elegant and fast-cooking, scallops make a smart choice when you're expecting company on a weeknight.
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SERVES 4 TO 6 / 30 MINUTES
A traditional Mexican mole sauce takes hours, but we tinkered with it and came up with a version that achieves similarly deep flavors in a fraction of the time.
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1 tbsp. vegetable oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 medium garlic clove, chopped 1 tsp. New Mexico chile powder' (optional) 1/2 tsp. each pepper, kosher salt, cayenne, and cinnamon 1/4 tsp. anise seeds 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds 1/2 cup each tomato puree and reduced-sodium chicken broth 3 tbsp. semisweet chocolate chips 2 lbs. boned, skinned chicken thighs 1/2 to 1 serrano chile, minced 1/2 cup cilantro leaves Lime wedges 1. Heat a grill to high (450[degrees] to 550[degrees]). Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in spices, sesame seeds, and almonds and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato puree, broth, and chocolate chips. 2. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until flavors develop and sauce thickens and darkens slightly, about 10 minutes. Puree in a blender with 1/2 cup water until smooth, about 30 seconds. 3. Pour 1 cup mole sauce over chicken in a medium bowl and toss to coat. 4. Grill chicken, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Set chicken on a serving plate and sprinkle with minced chile and cilantro leaves. Serve with remaining mole sauce and lime wedges. * Fruity, mild New Mexico chile powder is available at well-stocked grocery stores and Latino markets, but if you can't find it, you can leave it out and still have a flavorful dish. PER SERVING 226 Cal., 44% (99 Cal.) from fat; 24 g protein; 11 g fat (2.5 g sat.); 8.1 g carbo (1.8 g fiber); 318 mg sodium; 92 mg chol. GF/LC/LS
TOFU and RICE NOODLES with BLACK BEAN SAUCE
SERVES 4 / 30 MINUTES
Pan-searing sliced tofu gives it a meatiness that's deliciously offset by crunchy vegetables and a drizzle of black bean sauce (pour on a little less if you're salt-sensitive). The Asian ingredients can be found in any large grocery store.
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16 oz. pad Thai rice-stick noodles 14 to 21 oz. firm tofu, drained 3 tbsp. vegetable oil 20 small, thin carrots, peeled 1/3 cup black bean garlic sauce 1/4 cup Shaoxing rice wine 3 tbsp. each soy sauce and toasted sesame oil 1 tbsp. chili garlic sauce 1 1/2 tsp. sugar 1 tbsp. each toasted sesame seeds and minced fresh ginger 2 green onions, chopped 4 oz. sugar snap peas, thinly sliced crosswise 1. Boil noodles according to package directions, about 6 minutes. Drain. 2. Meanwhile, set tofu with a long side facing you. Cut tofu into eight 1/2-in.-thick slices, then lay between sheets of paper towels; gently press out excess moisture. 3. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add tofu and fry until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate of tofu. Halve tofu diagonally. 4. Meanwhile, stir black bean garlic sauce, rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, green onions, and 1/4 cup water together in a medium bowl. 5. Add black bean mixture to frying pan and boil over medium heat until sauce is reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes. 6. Divide noodles among 4 wide bowls. (If noodles are stuck together, rinse with hot water and drain.) Spoon 3 tbsp. sauce over each bowl. Arrange 4 pieces tofu, 5 carrots, and 1/4 cup snap peas over each, and spoon on remaining sauce if you like. PER SERVING WITH 3 TBSP. SAUCE 828 Cal., 31% (256 Cal.) from fat; 19g protein; 299 fat (3.6 g sat.); 118 g carbo (7.6 g fiber); 890 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. VG
SCALLOPS with ORANGE, AVOCADO, and JICAMA
SERVES 4 / 30 MINUTES
Elegant and fast-cooking, scallops make a smart choice when you're expecting company on a weeknight.
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8 small Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced 3 tbsp. butter Salt and pepper 1 orange, such as Cara Cara, blood, or novel 1/2 cup finely diced jicama 1 small shallot, finely chopped 2 radishes, halved and thinly sliced 1/2 firm-ripe avocado, diced 1 tbsp. each chopped fresh dill and lemon juice Salt and pepper 12 dry-packed sea scallops (about 1 lb.) 2 tbsp. olive oil 4 dill sprigs 1. In a large nonstick frying pan, spread potatoes evenly. Add butter and 3/4 cup water. Cook over medium-high heat, partially covered, until water evaporates and potatoes are soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes just begin to turn golden on the edge, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper and keep warm over low heat. 2. Meanwhile, with a small, sharp knife, cut ends off orange and set on a cut side. Following the fruit's curve, slice off peel and white pith. Cut orange between inner membranes to release segments; discard membranes. Finely dice segments and put in a medium bowl. Stir in jicama, shallot, radishes, avocado, dill, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 3. Heat a large, heavy frying pan (not nonstick) over high heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Swirl in oil and heat until just beginning to smoke. Sear scallops until browned, about 1 minute. Turn and sear until just cooked through, about 30 seconds more. 4. Divide potatoes among 4 wide, shallow bowls. Arrange 3 scallops in each bowl and spoon on some jicama and orange mixture. Top bowls with bits of dill. * Any orange works in this dish, but the Cara Cara holds its shape especially well when diced. PER SERVING 434 Cal., 39% (170 Cal.) from fat; 24 g protein; 19g fat (6.89 sat.); 41 g carbo (4.3 g fiber); 257 mg sodium; 60 mg chol. GF/LC/LS
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Title Annotation: | Food & Drink |
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Publication: | Sunset |
Date: | Mar 1, 2014 |
Words: | 1035 |
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