yogurt

Blueberry Yogurt Fritters

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Time To Eat: Blueberry Yogurt Fritters! I’m assuming everyone likes those small, round, deep purplish-blue fruits called blueberries. Now gently fold them into a batter that, when baked, creates a slightly crisp outer covering. One bite reveals a fluffy inner cake that tastes like a donut, only better. You’ll know because the sweetness of the glaze is a perfect finish. Except……your taste buds will nudge you towards “just one more.” Minis make that possible.

BLUEBERRY YOGURT FRITTERS

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 5.3-ounce cartons blueberry Greek yogurt

6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

1 cup fresh blueberries

2-3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

2 teaspoons blueberry jam

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick oil. Set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt. In a smaller bowl, combine blueberry Greek yogurt, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg. Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture. Stir until well mixed. Fold in blueberries. Spoon fritter mixture into each mini muffin cup. Do not overflow. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. While fritters are baking, make the glaze. Combine powdered sugar, milk, and blueberry jam until it drips easily off the back of a spoon. Remove muffins from pan and dip the tops in the glaze. Turn over to broil. Watch carefully and remove when the tops are slightly caramelized. Let muffins cool slightly on a wire rack; then brush with remaining glaze mixture. Serve when the glaze hardens.

Uff-Da Bread Tacos

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Cheerful Choices: Uff-Da Bread Tacos! Did you know there is a difference between naan and pita bread? Pita bread is definitely enhanced by all the ingredients stuffed into it. Naan, on the other hand, is made with egg and yogurt-instead of water-which are typically fermented (or rested) in the dough before baking in a clay oven, which makes it chewy and delicious. The texture is different and more pliable. Have I piqued your curiosity? If so, now it’s time to see for yourself. You’re welcome.

UFF-DA BREAD TACOS

Ingredients:

4 single-serving naan bread slices

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound ground chorizo

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup picante sauce, divided

1 cup romaine lettuce, gently torn

1 cup pinto beans, drained

1 cup Mexican blend cheeses, finely shredded

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup black olives, sliced

1/2 cup sour cream

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook chorizo. Break apart the meat as it cooks. Drain off excess grease. Reduce heat to low; sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, and black pepper. Mix well. Simmer 2 minutes. Keep warm. Warm grill pan, over medium-high heat; brush pan with vegetable oil. Use remaining vegetable oil to lightly coat naan on both sides. Place naan slices on pan for 1 minute; flip and repeat for one minute longer. Naan will be slightly charred, soft, and pliable. Remove pan from heat. Set aside. To assemble bread tacos, spoon picante sauce on each naan. Layer with romaine lettuce leaves, pinto beans, crumbled chorizo, Mexican blend cheeses, red onion slices, and black olives. Top with a dollop of sour cream and the remaining picante sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

No-Boil Mac ‘n Cheese

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Stir. Spread. Flip. Repeat: No-Boil Mac ‘n Cheese! Depending on who you talk to, there are probably over 100 ways to make macaroni and cheese. No wonder when the grandkids order it in a restaurant, they sometimes take one bite, turn up their noses, and push the plate away. Odds are, ever since they could hold a spoon as a toddler from the comfort of a high chair, more than likely Mother was busy preparing dinner and relied on the store-bought variety in the blue and orange box. It was cheesy, buttery, salty, and established itself as a comfort food early on. This recipe is more an adult version of an old favorite. Try it, if you dare.

NO-BOIL MAC ‘N CHEESE

Ingredients:

8 ounces dry pasta shells

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup fontina cheese, shredded

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1/8 teaspoon mustard powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes

3/4 cup saltine crackers, crushed

1 tablespoon butter, room temperature

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon paprika

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Butter a 9”x9” baking dish. In the baking dish, add dry pasta, half the mozzarella cheese, half the cheddar cheese, and half the fontina cheese. Add the milk, Greek yogurt, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and 3 ounces of water. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Stir to combine. Press the cubes of cream cheese into the pasta. Tightly cover the baking dish; bake for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the saltine crackers, butter, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Uncover the pasta; sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and fontina cheese. Top evenly with the crushed cracker mixture. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Lime Watermelon Sticks

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Stir. Spread. Flip. Repeat: Lime Watermelon Sticks! Watermelon can be a finger food that commands attention at the next social gathering. Won’t that be impressive? Notice how the watermelon rind serves as a natural handle for picking it up. It certainly makes it easier for dipping into a creamy sauce. Now that I’ve caught your attention, add watermelon to your shopping list.

LIME WATERMELON STICKS

Ingredients:

1/2 small watermelon, cut into sticks

1/2 teaspoon chili-lime seasoning

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 teaspoons natural raw honey

1/8 teaspoon tajin seasoning

Zest of lime, for garnish

Instructions:

Arrange water melon sticks on a plate. Sprinkle with chili-lime seasoning. To make a dipping sauce, combine Greek yogurt, lime juice, raw honey, and tajin seasoning. Mix well. Spoon into a small dish. Sprinkle with lime zest. Serve watermelon sticks with the yogurt sauce on the side for dipping.

Oven Spinach Frittata

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Oven Spinach Frittata! Frittata is a fancy word for an Italian omelet baked in the oven without a crust. It also cooks in half the time, making it less labor-intensive. Somehow that doesn’t sound near as exciting as a French quiche. Yet, it is because the filling ends up being light, fluffy, and savory. The feta cheese is a crowning point with its rich tangy flavor. And the next time you need something versatile for leftover lunch the next day, think frittata. Even at room temperature, it tastes amazing.

OVEN SPINACH FRITTATA

Ingredients:

4 eggs

1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 green onion, chopped

1 strip bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup cherrywood deli ham, sliced

1/4 cup baby spinach leaves

2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Italian dried herbs, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, Greek yogurt, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes until combined. In an iron skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add the green onions; sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked bacon, cherrywood ham, and baby spinach. Cook one minute, stirring gently. Pour the egg mixture into the pan. Place cubed feta cheese on top. Transfer the iron skillet to the preheated oven. Bake 25 minutes or until the eggs are puffy and slightly browned. Remove pan from oven. Garnish with a pinch of dried Italian herbs. Serve immediately.

Avocado Onion Dip

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Avocado Onion Dip! Nowadays I look for any reason to eat avocados. Once I’ve have my fill of guacamole, I turn to other creative ways to produce a nutritional boost to the menu. Although stuffed avocados can be baked or grilled, sometimes it’s a real treat to prepare them this way. Some might call it a light lunch, simply because it satisfies the appetite as a filling meal.

AVOCADO ONION DIP

Ingredients:

8 ounce Neufchâtel cheese, softened

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons capers, chopped

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup crispy-fried onions, slightly crushed

2-3 ripe avocados, halved and pits removed

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Green onion snips, for garnish

Whole celery seed, for garnish

Instructions:

Using an electric mixer, beat together softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, chopped capers, and cayenne pepper until blended. Fold in crushed crispy-fried onions until combined. Transfer to a covered bowl. Refrigerate for one hour. Prepare avocado halves. Brush with lime juice; sprinkle with sea salt and garlic powder. When ready to serve, scoop onion dip into each avocado half. Garnish with green onion snips, chopped capers, and a sprinkling of whole celery seed. Serve immediately.

Bacon Bit Sweet Potato Bisque

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Here Come the Holidays: Bacon Bit Sweet Potato Bisque! My pantry is sometimes filled with good intentions. I envision a nutritious meal and then get sidelined by other ingredients, especially in the Produce Department of the local grocery. I mean, just look at the bin overflowing with organic sweet potatoes. Medium-sized, smooth skin, pretty color, and screaming “Pick me. I’m healthy.” Soon after I get home, I store them out of sight in a cool, dark area only to discover them three weeks later. Thank goodness, sweet potatoes are very forgiving. Their shelf life is easily 5 weeks. If you ever wondered how to tell if it’s time to toss them out, press the skin. If it’s soft, discolored, or has an unpleasant odor, throw them out and promise yourself you’ll do better next time.

BACON BIT SWEET POTATO BISQUE

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, cut in half

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup yellow onion, diced

1/4 cup celery, diced

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

Green onion snips, for garnish

Bacon bits, for garnish

Dollop Greek yogurt, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Brush olive oil over the skins of the sweet potatoes. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Scoop the sweet potatoes into a bowl and thoroughly mash. Discard peels. Warm butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not scorch. Add diced onion and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, ground ginger, cumin powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for one minute longer. Add chicken broth; reduce heat to simmer. Transfer sweet potatoes to a food processor and Pulse until consistency is smooth. Whisk sweet potatoes into broth until heated through. Ladle into bowls. Garnish with green onion snips, bacon bits, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Tzatziki Ranch Chip Dip

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Splurge-Worthy Goodness: Tzatziki Ranch Chip Dip! When you shop the produce department of the grocery store, pay close attention to the different kinds of cucumbers. The fancy ones, wrapped in plastic wrap, are known as English cucumbers. There’s a reason for their madness. The skin is extremely thin and tender. The plastic wrap actually serves a purpose of protection against bruising, punctures, and dehydration. Hmmm. The seeds are much smaller, too. Because the skin is thinner and tender, there is no need to peel the tubular vegetable before proceeding with the recipe. I think you’ll be impressed. The English cucumber is less bitter, making it almost sweet and wonderful for transforming into a fabulous party dip. Be kind to others. No double-dipping.

TZATZIKI RANCH CHIP DIP

Ingredients:

1 English cucumber, seeded, coarsely grated, and squeezed dry

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 envelope ranch seasoning mix

1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons light cream

2 tablespoons olive oil

Fresh dill, for garnish

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine grated cucumber, kosher salt, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix, Greek yogurt, and light cream. Stir well. Cover and chill one hour, or until ready to serve. Before serving, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill. Serve with crinkle-cut potato chips.

Cereal Milk Smoothie

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Splurge-Worthy Goodness: Cereal Milk Smoothie! After yesterday’s post, it’s only fair to give the kids equal time on a delicious treat. Grown-ups, simply tap your heels together to be transported back to a time where you started your day at the kitchen table with a bowl of your favorite cereal. Remember how the sugary sweet morsels crunched their way to mushy softness leaving the milk at the bottom of the bowl tasting like syrup? At that point my brother would put down his spoon and lift the bowl to his mouth to slurp up the remaining goodness. Of course Mother never saw it, as she was usually standing at the counter buttering toast with her back to us. Well nowadays, the nostalgic flavor of cereal milk smoothies are a thing. Anyone with a sugar addiction is jumping for joy. And why shouldn’t they? It brings out the inner child in all of us.

CEREAL MILK SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

1 cup Crispix* cereal

1/2 cup skim milk

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 banana, sliced and frozen

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons agave nectar, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions:

In a blender, combine cereal, skim milk, Greek yogurt, frozen banana slices, cinnamon, nutmeg, and one tablespoon agave nectar. Pulse until smooth. On a sheet of waxed paper, crush a few cereal pieces until almost fine. Add sprinkles; mix together. With the remaining agave nectar, apply to the rim of a glass. Dip the glass into the topping to coat the rim. Fill with cereal milk smoothie. Add a paper straw. Serve immediately.

*I receive no recompense for mentioning this product.