Monday, February 9, 2009

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

If you looking for a way to impress that special someone for Valentine’s Day, why not prepare him or her an excellent meal at home? Not only will you save a bit of cash in these tough economic times, but you'll also be able to show off your many talents. At some point or another in your life I’m sure you’ve had stuffed peppers. This recipe is an updated version, utilizing sausage to give it a more complex flavor. This dish is hearty enough to serve as a main course and would pair excellently with a light salad and/ or roasted red potatoes. You’re also in luck because red bell peppers are on sale this week.

Sausage Stuffed Peppers
4-6 Red Bell Peppers
12 oz Italian Sausage (casing removed) or ground beef
(Veg-heads can substitute tofu, tempeh or vegan “sausage”)
1 cup long grain brown rice (not minute rice)
1 medium onion (red or yellow) (diced)
1 -2 cloves of garlic (diced)
1 cup diced tomatoes (drained)
2 oz red wine (optional)
3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Few pinches dried oregano
Few pinches dried sage and/ or rosemary (optional)
Dash of Hot Sauce (optional)
Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Large Pot
Baking Pan or Casserole Dish
Sauté Pan
Medium Pot

Method:
Preheat oven to 375°
1. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
2. Remove sausage from casing and set aside to add to stuffing (wash hands thoroughly after this step).
3. Wash and pat dry the Bell Peppers. Chop of the tops about ½ - 1 inch from stem and remove seeds; dice tops and reserve for stuffing mix.
4. Bring pot of lightly salted water to boil. Place peppers in boiling water for 2-3 minutes; remove peppers, rinse in cold water and let cool.
5. In sauté pan heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Once hot add diced onion, garlic, pinch of salt and ground pepper. Add red wine after about 4 minutes to deglaze pan. Cook until onion is soft; about 5-7 minutes total.
6. Remove sauté pan from heat and add meat, rice, tomatoes, dried herbs, hot sauce and a few more pinches of salt and pepper; mix well.
7. Prepare baking dish by rubbing with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Rub the peppers with the remaining 1 tbsp. of olive oil.8. Stuff peppers with sausage/ veggie/ rice mix and place in baking dish cut side up; add about ¼ cup water to bottom of dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until sausage is cooked completely.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Carrot Ginger Muffins

This week’s recipe is one of my favorite varieties of muffins, Carrot Ginger. These little gems are great in the morning or as a snack, and on cold winter mornings they pair well with a hot cup of coffee or tea. I like to reach for one after a mid-day run. You can double this recipe, or make two batches, and put some in the freezer for the future.

Carrot Ginger Muffins
The recipe lists raisins and walnuts as optional. For a vegan muffin you can sub soy milk for the milk, and 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water for the egg.

2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Can use whole wheat or ½ ww and ½ AP)
1½ teaspoons Baking Soda
½ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger (2 Tablespoons fresh ginger)

¾ cup Sugar (can reduce to ½)
1 cup Milk
1 large Egg
1/3 cup Canola Oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Cup Grated Carrot
½ Cup Raisins (optional)
½ Cup Walnuts (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350°
In large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients including flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger (if using fresh ginger add to wet ingredients). In a separate bowl combine egg and sugar until smooth, then add oil and vanilla.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and combine until just incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix your batter as this will make your muffins dense and dry.
Now mix in your grated carrot, raisins (if using) and walnuts (if using).
Portion out into non-stick muffin pan or line your pan with muffin/ cupcake papers (lightly spray muffin papers with cooking spray. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full.
Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
Test with a tooth-pick to ensure the muffins are completely done. Remove muffins from pan and let cool on a wire rack, or turn them on their side on a plate.
Makes about 10 muffins

Feel free to post your comments!

Friday, January 30, 2009

American Steele



Former Md. Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele is the new Republic National Committee Chairman

NEW Tough Times series on the blog

Is the economic crisis keeping your mind on your money and your money on your mind (Say that 5 times fast)? With Wallstreet tanking, and the US Economy struggling pell-mell through a tunnel without a light, people are forced to adapt their lifestyles as businesses turn off the lights and lay off workers to continue to turn a buck.
The House just passed a Stimulus Bill with a price tag of $819 billion, which the Senate will take up and vote on next week. The Obama administration hopes the bill will shift the nation's economy back on a more stable track.

In the coming weeks WSDL will be tracking the economic tides and examining how the (global) economic crisis is affecting Delmarva. We will be producing a feature for air, and blogging, and want to hear your story!
How has the economic downtown affected you and your family? Have you or a loved one been layed off? Struggling to make your mortgage? Are you scraping together pennies to find a way to help your child pay for college?

Email us at michael.piorunski@gmail.com with your story! (Be sure to put TOUGH TIMES in the subject line, and include your contact info)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Youth and nation come out to serve at RFK, Michelle Obama makes appearence

Thousands from all corners of the nation gathered at RFK Stadium to
assemble care-packages for the troops on tour overseas.
Michelle Obama, senator Dodd and many cabinant appointees came out to
serve and energize the crowds.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Huge crowds in nation's Capitol

The crowds stretched for nearly a mile to try to gain access to
today's events at lincoln memorial...

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Viewing screens lined the Inner Harbor

Despite the frigid temperatures nearly a thousand people were gathered at this viewing screen near the Baltimore Aquarium in the Inner Harbor area of downtown Baltimore. There were several other viewing areas set-up in the Harbor and the surrounding streets.

Whistle-Stop Tour!

Security was tight as expected and people were everywhere.

WSDL Inauguration Blog

Hey everyone!
WSDL and public radio Delmarva are breaking ground with 4 days of
inauguration coverage. Angela and I are gearing up to cover some of
the many inaugural events including the Whistle-Stop Tour stop in
Baltimore, the Obama celebration concert at the Lincoln Memorial,
several MLK Day service projects and of course the Inauguration. We'll
be giving you first hand access to the sights, sounds, smells and
energy of these momentous events. We'll be talking with some of our
elected officials and some of the themany others taking part in history
in the making.
Please tell us what you'll be doing to celebrate the inaugural events!
Be sure to check the blog often, we'll be updating several times daily....
Email us your plans @ michael.piorunski@gmail.com
Also check out our twitter feed @ www.twitter.com/wsdlnews


Michael Piorunski

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

111th Congress, MD Senators and Reps get down to business

Pelosi and House Democrats waste no time in 111th Congress...
The 111th Congress conviened on Tuesday, January 6th for what proved to be a game-changing first day in session. House democrats, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), pushed through several rule changes including a change in the rules on motions to recommitt bills for new amendments to their approving committees, one which was received with scathing criticism from House Republicans.

Kratovil thinks Congress should "put money where mouth is..."
In keeping with his campaign promises for fiscal responsibility and bi-partisanship, freshman 1st District Representative Frank Kratovil joins fellow reps in support of a bill to put an end to congress' annual $4700 pay increase. Kratovil told The Baltimore Examiner "With middle class families struggling as they are, it's a bad time for Congress to be taking a pay raise."

Cardin and Mikulski co-sponsor bill to honor life and legacy of Harriet Tubman...
The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park Act, first introduced in the 110th congress, looks to establish two national parks in honor of Harriet Tubman. The two parks, one on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the other in New York, will honor her life as a leader of both the Underground Railroad movement to free thousands of slaves, as well as her work for suffrage and the aging African American community.