As of Feb. 3rd...

Basic Beef Stew with Carrots and Mushrooms

4/5*

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 1 pound small cremini mushrooms
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 ounces)
• 2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 (14-ounce) cans less-sodium beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups (3/4-inch) cubed peeled white potato (about 1 pound)
• 1 1/2 cups (1-inch) slices carrot (about 12 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Preparation

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. Spoon mushrooms into a large bowl. Lightly coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; sauté 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add onion mixture to mushroom mixture.

Place flour in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dredge beef in flour, shaking off excess. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add half of beef mixture; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Add browned beef to mushroom mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining beef mixture and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Add 1 cup wine to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add thyme, broth, and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Stir in beef mixture. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 1 hour or until beef is just tender.

Stir in potato and carrot. Simmer, uncovered, 1 hour and 15 minutes or until beef and vegetables are very tender and sauce is thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Discard bay leaf. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

Chicken, Cashew, and Red Pepper Stir-Fry

5/5*

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, divided
• 2 teaspoons dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
• 1 pound chicken breast tenders, cut lengthwise into thin strips
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped unsalted cashews
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cups julienne-cut red bell pepper (about 1 large)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

Preparation

1. Combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and next 4 ingredients (through hot pepper sauce) in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

2. Combine remaining 2 3/4 teaspoons cornstarch, remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and chicken in a medium bowl; toss well to coat.

3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add cashews to pan; cook 3 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring frequently. Remove from pan.

4. Add oil to pan, swirling to coat. Add chicken mixture to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan; place in a bowl. Add bell pepper to pan; sauté 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds. Add chicken and cornstarch mixture to pan; cook 1 minute or until sauce is slightly thick. Sprinkle with cashews and green onions.

Quick rice pilaf: Cook 1 (10-ounce) package frozen white rice (such as Birds Eye SteamFresh) according to package directions. Combine cooked rice, 2 tablespoons drained chopped water chestnuts, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Parmesan Chicken and Rice

4/5*

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
• 3/4 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup uncooked instant rice
• 1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, and mushrooms; sauté 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add chicken; sauté 4 minutes or until the chicken is lightly browned. Add wine, salt, and pepper; cook 3 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates.

Stir in rice and broth. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in cheese and parsley.