Author Archives: kkregel

by | April 23, 2012 · 7:45 am

Curry Chutney Dip

My office recently moved from the ‘burbs to downtown Milwaukee and as despite not loving the longer commute, I am glad to be back near a plethora of great lunch options. One of my faves is Beans & Barley, a road-paver in Milwaukee’s local food scene, offering tons of vegan and vegetarian options at both their cafe and deli. If you live in Milwaukee and haven’t been there, you should absolutely go.

I get cravings for their flavor-packed vegan Curry Chutney Dip so I decided to try to make my own based on the ingredient list Beans so thoughtfully puts on their containers. I think I got the proportions pretty close! It’s great on crackers but even better on some snappy veggies.


Curry Chutney Dip
1 1/2 C veganaise
1 Tbsp mango chutney
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp Madras curry
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ginger powder
pinch kosher salt

In a small bowl, whisk together veganaise, chutney and lemon juice. Whisk in garlic, ginger and curry until well combined. Chop scallions and parsley and fold in to evenly distribute. Season with a pinch of salt.

Serve with any variety of crudite. I like carrots, snap peas and cucumbers.

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by | April 16, 2012 · 7:35 am

Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread

My family has somewhat of an obsession with almond flavored foods. Breads, cheesecake, cookies…we find a way to sneak into all sorts of baked goods. This easy quick bread recipe lets almond be the star and can satisfy a morning sweet tooth or could even be served as a simple dessert. The mini loaves make a great gift for friends as well.

Almond Poppyseed Quick Bread
3 C flour
2 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 C milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 C vegetable oil
1 1/2 Tbsp poppyseeds

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and poppyseeds with a whisk. Beat in milk, almond and vanilla. Beat in vegetable oil. Beat in eggs and mix well, for approximately 2 minutes. Pour batter into two greased loaf pans or 4-5 mini loaf pans. Bake regular loaves for 60-65 min or mini loaves for about 45 min. Let cool.

Glaze (optional)
1 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 C orange juice

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Drizzle glaze over top of loaves and let set for at least 1 hour before cutting.

Loaves can be wrapped in foil and placed in a zipper freezer bag and frozen if you don’t plan on eating them within a day or so.

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by | April 9, 2012 · 7:56 am

Sausage Mushroom Strata

Since eggs go hand-in-hand with yesterday’s Easter holiday, it seemed timely to post about a family favorite egg dish, Sausage Egg Strata or “Egg Bake” as we called it as kids. This is a hearty, easy breakfast dish that easily serves a crowd. It’s prepared the night before and simply tossed in the oven, making it a good pick for family holiday events or brunches…which at my house usually involve a lot of last minute running around the Morning Of.

The Sausage Mushroom version is kind of “the original recipe” but we’ve subbed in various vegetables and breakfast meats over the years. Bacon and red peppers or ham and asparagus would be equally delicious combos!

Sausage Mushroom Strata
Serves 8-12
8-10 thick slices of good white bread, cubed
1 lb breakfast sausage links (or substitute ham steak, cubed), sliced into bite-size pieces
3/4 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 onion, minced
1 pkg baby bella mushrooms, finely chopped (optional)
8 eggs
2 1/2 C milk
1 C half & half
2 tsp stone ground mustard or brown mustard
1/2 tsp kosher salt
4 Tbsp butter, thinly sliced
1/2 Tbsp worcestershire
1 1/2 tsp dill
1 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease a 9×13 glass baking pan with butter. Slice bread into small cubes, a bit larger than a dice. If using sausage links, cook links in a saute pan according to instructions on the package until links are cooked through and have a nice crisp crust. Slice each link into small pieces. If using ham steak, simply slice steak into small cubes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk and half and half. Whisk in mustard, salt, worcestershire, dill and pepper. Set aside.

Spread bread cubes into greased pan. Mix in meat and smooth out to create an even layer of filling. Pour egg mixture over bread and meat. Top evenly with thin slices of butter. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, let stand at room temp for 1 hour, then bake uncovered for 1 hour.

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by | April 2, 2012 · 7:30 am

Byerly’s Wild Rice Soup

Maybe it’s the Minnesota in me but I have a soft spot for wild rice soups. Growing up we used to frequently have this homemade Wild Rice Soup, adapted from the cafe/deli version served at Twin Cities gourmet grocer, Byerly’s.

It came to me via my mom via her friend and I’ve slightly modified it to my liking so it’s strayed from the actual Byerly’s recipe I’m sure but it’s certainly a great stand in. It’s great for a hearty weekend supper or even a casual dinner party.

Byerly’s Wild Rice Soup
6 Tbsp butter
1/2 onion, minced
6-8 Tbsp flour
6 C low sodium chicken broth
4 C cooked wild rice
8 oz ham steak, minced
1 pkg mushrooms, chopped
1 C carrots, grated
1/2 C sliced almonds
2 C half & half (or 1 C half & half, 1 C milk)
4 Tbsp cooking sherry
2-3 tsp salt (to taste)

In a large pot, cook wild rice according to package instructions. Wild rice takes about 40-50 minutes to cook, so you’ll need to account for this time. Rice can be slightly al dente but should be mostly cooked.

In a stock pot, melt butter over medium heat and saute onion until onion is tender. Slowly whisk in flour to thicken, adding small amounts of the chicken broth if needed to create a thick roux and prevent from burning. Gradually add remaining stock, whisking until smooth. Stir in cooked rice, ham, mushrooms, carrots and almonds and bring to a boil. Season with salt, adding 1 tsp at a time until flavors pop. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add half & half and sherry and stir to combine. Season with additional salt if needed. Simmer for 1-2 hours.

Byerly's Wild Rice Soup

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by | March 26, 2012 · 7:45 am

Buffalo Chicken Poppers with Avocado Blue Cheese Dip

God bless Pinterest. Over the weekend our neighbors put together a progressive dinner with “potluck style” apps. Since the apps were subbing for dinner, I wanted to make something that had a little heft to it but I don’t really make apps that often and didn’t have a go-to recipe in mind. I had recently run across this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Poppers from Iowa Girl Eats on Pinterest and thought it could be the perfect solution.

I used all the same ingredients as the original recipe but slightly tweaked the quantities and execution. Instead of cooking and cutting a chicken breast, I shredded up store-bought rotisserie chicken and mixed all of the filling elements together to cut down on prep time. I would do it that way again since it was not only easy and fast, but also made the filling extra creamy. The poppers were a gone in a flash and will definitely be made again!

Buffalo Chicken Poppers
makes 32 poppers
2 pkgs crescent rolls
3 1/2 C shredded rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts
1 8 oz pkg reduced fat cream cheese, softened
4 tsp ranch dressing mix powder
6 Tbsp Franks Red Hot buffalo wing sauce

Preheat oven to 375 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and ranch dressing powder until well mixed. Mix in wing sauce. Remove meat from rotisserie, leaving skin and carcass behind. Shred chicken using two forks and transfer chicken to the bowl with the filling. Use a wooden spoon to mix chicken into filling so that it is evenly coated and mixture is creamy.

Roll out crescent rolls on the parchment paper. Slice the pre-sliced triangles in half so that you end up with 16 triangles on each baking sheet. With each triangle, use your fingers to gently spread the dough out a bit so that you have room for more filling. You may need to work in groups of 3-4 triangles. Scoop about 2 teaspoons of filling into the center of each triangle. Fold the corners of the triangle up to meet in the center and gently pinch together the seams between the points.

Once all poppers are formed, bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with Avocado Blue Cheese Dip if desired.

Avocado Blue Cheese Dip
1 ripe avocado
1/2 C blue cheese dressing

Peel avocado and cut into small chunks in a small bowl. Add dressing. Use a hand mixer to cream together until avocado is mostly smooth. If you don’t have a hand mixer, simply mash well, however your dip will be a bit more chunky.


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by | March 19, 2012 · 7:35 am

Spicy Edamame Chickpea Snack Mix

With unseasonably warm weather reminding me that swim suit season is just around the corner (and I don’t have a prego bump as an excuse to opt out this year), I’ve been trying to eat healthier and limit my snacking. It’s obviously just a good habit anyways, but as a chronic light snacker it’s tricky.

My sister, who seeks out healthy foods due to multiple food allergies, mentioned that she had been snacking on roasted chickpeas lately. It inspired this easy, healthy snack mix that relies on zippy spices for big flavor. I’ll be able to keep this in my desk drawer at work and not feel guilty when those late afternoon munchies hit!
roasted chickpeas
Spicy Roasted Chickpeas & Edamame
1 can chickpeas
1/2 bag shelled, frozen edamame – thawed
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1/4+ tsp sea salt
1/4+ tsp garlic powder
1/4+ tsp chipotle powder

Preheat oven to 400. Drain and rinse chickpeas in a colander and mix with thawed edamame. Let as much water drain as possible while you’re mixing your spices, then dab legumes with a paper towel to make as dry as possible. In a small bowl, combine cumin, brown sugar, salt, garlic and chipotle powders.

Transfer edamame and chickpeas to a medium bowl. Sprinkle spices over legumes and toss gently to evenly coat. Bake for 40-45 minutes, gently stirring every 15 minutes or so, until chickpeas are crispy on the outside.  Let cool and transfer to a small bowl.  Dust lightly with additional salt, chipotle and garlic if desired.
spicy roasted chickpeas and edamame

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by | March 14, 2012 · 7:44 am

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Over the weekend, the hubs and I decided last minute to invite his family over for Sunday dinner of jambalaya made with some homemade smoked andouille sausage – a collaboration between he and his dad. Since I hadn’t planned on entertaining, I needed a quick dessert that would go well with the spicy jambalaya.

I chose this quick recipe for Frozen Lemonade Pie from the Food Network’s Gina & Pat Neely, which I adapted to my tastes. I swapped in Nilla wafers for their recommended graham cracker crust and also snuck in some flaxseed, because, well, why not. The flavors are reminiscent in flavor and texture to a key lime pie and a great closure to a spicy meal. For me it turned out more creamy than frozen but just as delicious.
Lemonade Pie

Frozen Lemonade Pie
adapted from Food Network
Crust
2 C Nilla wafers, ground
3 tsp ground flaxseed*
7 Tbsp butter, melted

Filling
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 tub Cool Whip
9 oz frozen lemonade concentrate, slightly thawed

*optional

Preheat oven to 350. Using a food processor or blender, pulse wafers until finely ground and sand-like. Transfer wafer crumbs to a 9″ pie plate. Dust on ground flaxseed, if desired. Pour melted butter evenly over crumbs and use a fork or whisk to mix wafers and butter together until mixture is moist and crumbly. Use your fingers to pat down the crumbs along the bottom and sides of the pie plate until crust is even and smooth. Bake for 7 minutes and let cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping by gently folding together. Gradually fold in the lemonade, taking care to not overmix so that the mixture doesn’t get runny. Transfer mixture to the cool crust. Freeze overnight.

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by | March 9, 2012 · 7:30 am

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows for Cocoa

Since we served at hot chocolate bar at our recent baby celebration for Anne, Stef and I thought it would be fun to have a variety of ways for people to gussy up their cocoa. One of the garnishes I made was these oversized, chocolate dipped marshmallows. Not only do they look pretty but you can let the chocolate melt into your drink for some extra richness.

I made them with my sister, which made it easier since you have to work fast. Adding sprinkles would be a fun task for little helpers – just have them be careful not to touch the hot, melted chocolate.

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows
1 bag of marshmallows (I used the jumbo size)
1 bag of chocolate chips
OR
1/2 bag of chocolate chips and 1/2 bag of white chocolate chips
assorted sprinkles or sanding sugars
parchment paper

Melt chocolate over medium heat using a double boiler or make your own faux double boiler by placing a glass mixing bowl on a sauce pan so that the bottom of the bowl hangs about 1″ above your water. This will only work if your bowl fits securely into your pan. You could also melt the chocolate in the microwave, however I find I get more control with a double boiler since you don’t want to overheat the chocolate – especially the white chocolate.

As soon as the chips have all just melted, reduce the heat to medium low. If you’re using white chocolate, add any food coloring you wish now and quickly stir it in.

Working quickly, dunk and twirl the top of each marshmallow into the chocolate until the top is coated.

Set the dipped marshmallow chocolate side up on your parchment paper. Dust with sprinkles or sugar. Let set until chocolate has solidified.

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by | February 27, 2012 · 7:45 am

Lighter Blackened Chicken Alfredo

I used to always shy away from alfredo sauces. Even though I’m not usually a calorie counter, I just couldn’t bring myself to choose the fatty, rich alfredo when I enjoy a healthier tomato-based sauce just as much. However, a few months ago I came across a “lightened up” version of alfredo in Food Network Magazine and I couldn’t resist.

Now I’ve modified this from their version so I can’t be sure on the exact cal counts, but by using skim milk, low fat cream cheese and tangy parmesan (which is naturally a lower fat cheese), you significantly reduce calories and fat without sacrificing the luxurious alfredo texture or flavor. Pair it with some spicy blackened chicken and you won’t go back to the standard version.

“Lighter” Pasta Alfredo
adapted from Food Network Magazine
2 Tbsp butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp flour
2 oz reduced fat cream cheese
3/4 C skim milk
1/4 C half and half
2/3 C parmesan cheese, finely shredded
freshly cracked black pepper
1 box pasta

Add water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add pasta of your choice, along with a generous sprinkle of salt, and cook pasta according to box instructions to al dente.

In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and saute lightly. Next, whisk in flour. Slice cream cheese into small chunks and add to pan. Add liquids and continue whisking until cream cheese is whisked smooth. Whisk in parmesan cheese and reduce heat. Let cheese continue melting and thickening slightly while you finish your pasta and chicken. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper.

Blackened Chicken Tenderloins
slightly adapted from This Week for Dinner
1 lb chicken tenderloins
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine spices in a shallow bowl. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Dip tenderloins in spices, lightly coating and transfer to your pan. Sear on the first side for 4-5 minutes. Use a tongs to flip and sear on the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer or slice one piece of chicken in its thickest part to check doneness. If chicken is not fully cooked through, reduce heat slightly and continue cooking for another few minutes.

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by | February 20, 2012 · 7:46 am

Cherry Oatmeal Flaxseed Bars

I’ve been recently intrigued with flaxseed. Relatively unnoticeable with just a hint of a nutty flavor, these little powerhouses are packed with omega-3s, antioxidant lignans and everyone’s favorite, fiber. I’ve been trying to work them into more dishes and figured they would be pretty discreet in these easy bars. With fruit and two whole grains, it’s almost like they become a health food…right? Ok, not quite but it can’t hurt!

Cherry Oatmeal Flaxseed Bars
makes 16 bars
3/4 C butter, softened
1/4 C sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp almond extract
1 egg
1 C flour
1 Tbsp ground (milled) flaxseed
1 C heaping, dried cherries
2 C rolled oats

In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in almond extract, salt and egg. Lightly beat in flour and flaxseed. Use a spatula to fold in oats and cherries.

Line a 9×9 glass baking pan with parchment paper and grease lightly with butter. Transfer batter into pan, smoothing out so that batter is evenly dispersed. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Let cool completely.

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