Quick and easy meals with a twist

Looking for a unique meal but not confident enough in your
cooking ability to try new dishes? Here are three easy and fun
recipes to try.

Jian Bing (Beijing Crepe)

Known as the Beijing pancake, the Jian Bing is the Chinese
equivalent of an American breakfast sandwich. This fried and sweet
meal is usually cooked by street vendors and costs less that one
America dollar.

ingredients:

2 T. millet flour

2 T. milk

½ t. vegetable oil

1 t. water

1 T. Chinese black bean sauce

½ t. Asian Chile pepper sauce, or to taste

1 egg, beaten

2 whole crackers

½ green onion, sliced

Tablespoon of torn fresh cilantro leaves

PREPARATION:

1. Whisk together millet flour, soymilk, and vegetable oil in a
bowl to make a batter the consistency of heavy cream. Add a
teaspoon of water to thin the batter, if necessary.

2. Mash the black bean sauce in a small bowl with 1 t. of water
to make it easy to spread. In a separate small bowl, mix the hot
chili sauce with 1 t. of water. Set the sauces aside.

3. Spray a large skillet generously with cooking spray, and heat
over medium-low heat. Pour the batter into the skillet, and spread
evenly to make a thin crepe. Cook the crepe for 1 to 2 minutes,
until firm. Pour the egg evenly over the crepe. Cook an additional
one to two minutes, until the egg is set. Sprinkle the crepe with
green onion slices and cilantro leaves, pressing them firmly into
the cooked egg.

4. Flip the crepe and spread with bean sauce and chili sauce.
Place the crackers in the center of the crepe, leaving about 1/4
inch of space between the two crackers. Flip the top third of the
crepe down over the crackers, flip the bottom third up, and then
fold the crepe in half so the crackers are stacked on top of each
other in a tidy package. Serve hot.

Hummus

A Middle Eastern staple that has became popular in the United
States; hummus is a spread that is usually served with a flatbread
such as pita. The dish can be served hot or cold, depending on
preference. Note: Tahini is stored in a jar and can be found at
grocery stores. To make your own, simply bake sesame seeds for 10
minutes and then blend them in a food processor with olive oil or
vegetable oil.

ingredients:

16 oz. can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans

¼ c. liquid from can of chickpeas

1 ½ T. Tahini

2 cloves garlic, crushed

½ t. salt

2 T. Olive oil

PREPARATION:

1. Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine
remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add ¼ c. of the
liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until
thoroughly mixed and smooth.

2. Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the
center of the hummus.

3. Add a small amount (1-2 T.) olive oil in the well. Garnish
with parsley (optional).

4. Serve immediately with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread, or
cover and refrigerate.

 

Grilled apple and cheese sandwich

Cheese and apples may be the last two items you would expect to
be in a sandwich. But don’t let that stop you from trying it. Using
a variety of apples and cheeses can lead to a different culinary
experience every time you make this sandwich.

ingredients:

2 slices whole wheat bread

1½ t. olive oil

½ apple peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1/3 c. shredded cheese

PREPARATION:

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush one side of
each slice of bread with the olive oil. Place 1 slice of bread,
olive oil side down into the skillet, and arrange the apple slices
evenly over the top. Sprinkle the cheese over the apple, and then
top with the remaining slice of bread, olive oil-side up. Cook
until the bread is golden brown, then flip the sandwich over, and
cook until the other side is golden brown and the cheese has
melted, 1 to 2 more minutes.

 

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