Cook Without Book

Prep Time:  15 minutes Cook Time:  10 minutes Yield:  Makes 16 servings (serving size: 1 whoopie pie)                      Ingredients COOKIES: 1 1/2 cups   all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 2/3 cup   unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed) 1 1/2 teaspoons   baking powder 1/2 teaspoon   sea salt or table salt 1 cup   unsweetened applesauce 1/3 cup   vegetable oil 1  large egg 1/2 cup   granulated sugar 1/4 cup   agave nectar 1 teaspoon   instant espresso powder, dissolved in 1 teaspoon warm water 1 teaspoon   pure vanilla extract FILLING: 2/3 cup   marshmallow crème 1/4 cup   (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup   powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon   pure vanilla extract Preparation 1. To make cookies: Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt); sti...

Prep Time:  3 minutes Cook Time:  9 minutes Yield:  4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop and 1 tablespoon sauce)                      Ingredients 4  (4-ounce) boneless pork loin chops 1 teaspoon   blackened seasoning 1 teaspoon   vegetable oil 1/4 cup   water 1 1/2 tablespoons   low-sodium Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 tablespoons   balsamic vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons   low-sodium soy sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons   sugar Preparation Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with seasoning. Place a large nonstick skillet over high heat until hot; add oil. Add pork chops, and cook 4 minutes on each side or just until done. Remove pork from pan; set aside, and keep warm. Combine water and remaining ingredients. Add soy sauce mixture to hot pan, and cook over medium-high heat 45 seconds until mixture reduces to 1/4 cup, scraping sides and bottom of pan to remove browned bit...

Yield:  1 dozen (serving size: 1 muffin)                     Ingredients 1 3/4 cups   all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons   sugar 3 tablespoons   "measures-like-sugar" calorie-free sweetener 2 teaspoons   baking powder 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1/2 teaspoon   ground allspice 1 cup   fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed and drained 3/4 cup   fat-free milk 1/4 cup   vegetable oil 1  large egg, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon   grated lemon rind 1 teaspoon   grated orange rind 1 teaspoon   vanilla extract Cooking spray Preparation Preheat oven to 400°. Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl; add blueberries, and toss to coat. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Combine milk and next 5 ingredients; add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray, filling two-thirds...

Yield:  Makes 24 cupcakes (serving size: 1 cupcake)                    Ingredients Cupcakes 1 1/3 cups   cake flour 2 teaspoons   baking powder 1 teaspoon   salt 5  large eggs, separated 1 1/4 cups   sugar, divided 1/2 cup   water 1/2 cup   vegetable oil 1 tablespoon   pure vanilla extract 1 cup   sweetened coconut 1/2 teaspoon   cream of tartar Frosting 2  large egg whites 1 cup   sugar 1/4 cup   water 1 1/4 teaspoons   pure vanilla extract 1 cup   unsweetened coconut Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line 2 (12-cup) cupcake pans with paper liners. 2. For cupcakes, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. 3. In another bowl, beat egg yolks and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer on high for 2 minutes. (It will be pale yellow and ribbonlike.) Add water and next 3 ingredients (through swee...

                             "I made this as a birthday cake using a low-fat lemon cream-cheese frosting. It was quite a hit." --CL Reader Yield:  9 servings (serving size: 1 square) Ingredients 1/2 cup   all-purpose flour 1/2 cup   whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon   baking powder 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon   baking soda 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1  large egg 1  large egg white 1/2 cup   packed brown sugar 1/2 cup   canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons   vegetable oil 2 tablespoons   butter, melted 1 tablespoon   grated orange rind 3/4 cup   raisins 1/2 cup   grated carrot 1/3 cup   dried cranberries Cooking spray 2 tablespoons   coarsely chopped walnuts Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 4 ingred...

Yield:  Makes 4 servings                      Ingredients 1/4 cup   chopped scallions 1/4 cup   mango chutney (such as Major Grey) 1 1/2 tablespoons   vegetable oil 1 tablespoon   cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon   salt 1/8 teaspoon   freshly ground black pepper 3 1/2 cups   (3/4-inch) cubed peeled sweet potato (about 1 1/2 pounds potatoes) 1/4 pound   green beans, trimmed and halved (about 1 cup) 2 tablespoons   chopped fresh cilantro Preparation Whisk together the first 6 ingredients (through pepper). Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 13 minutes or until just tender; drain. Cook the beans in boiling salted water 4 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse beneath cold running water. Combine potatoes, beans, and cilantro in a medium bowl. Add the chutney dressing; toss to coat. Nutritional In...

                         Prep Time:  30 minutes Cook Time:  1 hour, 30 minutes Yield:  Makes: 8 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups chili) Ingredients 2 pounds   ground turkey 3/4 teaspoon   black pepper 2 tablespoons   vegetable oil 2  large white onions, chopped 3  garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon   ground cumin 1 teaspoon   dried oregano 2  (4-oz) cans green chilies, rinsed 4  (15-oz) cans white beans, rinsed 4 cups   low-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup   2% milk 1 tablespoon   fine cornmeal Preparation 1. Heat a 5 1/2- to 6-quart pot over medium high. Add turkey and pepper; cook until brown. Transfer to a bowl. 2. Heat oil in pot over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft (10 minutes). Stir in chilies, cumin, and oregano; cook 1 minute. Add turkey, beans, and broth; cook, covered (1 hour). 3. Whis...

                         Prep Time:  10 minutes Cook Time:  19 minutes Yield:  Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast and 1/2 cup apple-spinach mixture) Ingredients 2 teaspoons   vegetable oil 4  (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1/4 teaspoon   black pepper 1  garlic clove, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon) 1 tablespoon   spicy brown mustard 1/2 cup   apple cider 1  medium Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced 6 cups   fresh baby spinach or chopped Swiss chard Preparation 1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, and add to skillet. Cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until well browned. Remove to plate, and keep warm. 2. Add next 4 ingredients (through apple slices) to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, stirring often, 5 minutes. R...

                                Yield:  Makes 6 servings (serving size: 1/6 chicken and 2/3 cup sauce) Ingredients 1 tablespoon   vegetable oil 1  medium onion, finely chopped 2  garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons   cumin 1 teaspoon   cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon   salt 1/4 teaspoon   black pepper 1  (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1  (4-ounce) can diced green chiles 3 ounces   dark chocolate, chopped 1 teaspoon   tahini 1 tablespoon   chopped cilantro Rotisserie chicken Garnish: sliced avocado and tomatoes Preparation Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a large saucepan; add chopped onion, and cook for 3 minutes or until translucent. Add minced garlic, and cook for another minute. Stir in cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute. Stir in diced tomatoes and green chiles; simmer for 10 minutes. Stir ...