Taste Of Home's Winning Vegetable Recipes
When the editors of Taste of Home magazine asked their readers for submissions for their Garden Bounty recipe contest, they were inundated with all manner of delicious dishes, from appetizers to salads to vegetarian entrees to fruit-laden desserts.
After reviewing all the recipes, they found their winner: Kathryn Pehl, the third 2007 Taste of Home contest winners to appear on The Early Show. Katie hails from Prescott, Ariz., and the judges could not resist her Spaghetti Squash with Red Sauce, especially her flavorful tomato sauce, which is served over spaghetti squash instead of the usual pasta.
If you're interested in participating in a Taste of Home recipe competition, the next contest is "Corn is King." You can also still submit a recipe for Slow Cookers. To get more information, click here.
Spaghetti Squash with Red Sauce
PREP: 25 min.
COOK: 15 min.
This fabulous, meatless main dish is a great way to get the kids to eat lots of vegetables … and a great way for you to use some of the fresh harvest from your garden. — Kathryn Pehl, Prescott, Ariz.
1 medium spaghetti squash (about 4 pounds)
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds.
Place squash, cut side down, on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 14-16 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté tomatoes, mushrooms, green pepper, carrot, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and pepper in oil for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Add tomato sauce; heat through.
When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands. Place squash on a serving platter and top with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Yield: 6 servings.
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup squash with 1/3 cup sauce (calculated without Parmesan cheese) equals 135 calories, 4 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 372 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
Editor's Note: This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave.
Apple-Brie Spinach Salad
PREP/TOTAL TIME: 30 min.
In the summer, I don't like to prepare or eat large meals, so I often make salads. I'm always on the outlook for new and interesting recipes, and this one is a winner that I like to make for company. — Rhonda Crowe, Victoria, British Columbia
4 large apples, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
4 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
8 cups fresh baby spinach
1 round (8 ounces) Brie or Camembert cheese, cubed
1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted
DRESSING:
1/4 cup apple cider or juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
Place apples on an ungreased baking sheet; brush with 2 tablespoons syrup. Broil 3-4 inches from the heat for 3 minutes. Turn; brush with remaining syrup. Broil 3-5 minutes longer or until crisp-tender.
In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, cheese, pecans and apples. In a small saucepan, combine the dressing ingredients and bring to a boil. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Yield: 10 servings.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
PREP: 30 min. + chilling
My children wanted to plant a garden, and we ended up with buckets of cucumbers. When I got tired of making pickles, I came up with these pretty little sandwiches. We made 200 of them for a family gathering, and everyone wanted the recipe. — Kimberly Smith, Brighton, Tenn.
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon snipped fresh dill
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 large cucumbers, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup pimiento-stuffed olives, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
12 slices whole wheat bread
Cucumber slices and fresh dill sprigs, optional
In a small mixing bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; beat until blended. Stir in the cucumbers, red pepper, onion, olives and parsley. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Remove crusts from bread; cut each slice into four triangles. Spread with cream cheese mixture. Garnish with cucumber slices and dill sprigs if desired. Yield: 4 dozen.
Grilled Three-Potato Salad
PREP: 25 min.
GRILL: 10 min.
Everyone in our extended family loves to cook, so I put together all of our favorite recipes in a cookbook to be handed down from generation to generation. This recipe comes from the cookbook. It's a delicious twist on traditional potato salad. — Suzette Jury, Keene, Calif.
3/4 pound Yukon Gold potatoes (about 3 medium)
3/4 pound red potatoes (about 3 medium)
1 medium sweet potato, peeled
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 to 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Place all of the potatoes in a Dutch oven; cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse in cold water. Cut into 1-inch chunks.
Place the potatoes in a grill wok or basket. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 8-12 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Transfer to a large salad bowl; add onions.
In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, celery seed and pepper. Drizzle over potato mixture and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature. Yield: 6 servings.
Editor's Note: If you do not have a grill wok or basket, use a disposable foil pan. Poke holes in the bottom of the pan with a meat fork to allow the liquid to drain.
Raspberry Patch Cream Pie
PREP: 35 min. + chilling
Our family loves raspberries, and this pie keeps the flavor and firmness of the berries intact. The combination of the berry-gelatin and cream cheese layers keeps everyone coming back for seconds. — Allison Anderson, Raymond, Wash.
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
TOPPING:
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/3 cups cold water
1/4 cup raspberry gelatin powder
3 cups fresh raspberries
In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.
For filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla. Carefully spread over the crust.
For topping, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin until dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until slightly thickened.
Arrange raspberries over filling. Spoon gelatin mixture over berries. Refrigerate until set. Yield: 6-8 servings.