Food for Thought

On Fridays, Rosie serves a mixed stew of New Jersey food and dining information. Today, read about a new cookbook, 250 Best Meals in a Mug.

"250 BEST MEALS IN A MUG: DELICIOUS HOMEMADE MICROWAVE MEALS IN MINUTES"
By Camilla V Saulsbury

If you have a busy schedule and no time to prepare food, then check out this cookbook geared for solo diners, dorm students, those that eat at the office or anyone looking for a quick individual portion-sized meal. Recipes from breakfast to dinner, which can be made in a few minutes in a mug, are featured by food writer, recipe developer and cooking instructor Camilla V. Saulsbury, who won the Food Network’s $25,000 Ultimate Recipe Showdown for her cookies. Many recipes include canned or frozen ingredients, such as water-packed chunk chicken in the pesto-chicken couscous; or canned tuna in the tuna Nicoise mug; or frozen meatballs in the Italian meatball stew, allowing for easy, quick preparations. We liked the chapter on "Super-Fast, Cheap and Easy Recipes with 4 Ingredients or Less." Here is a recipe from page 35:

Pumpkin-Sage Soup

Bright and beautiful, this velvety pumpkin soup is autumn in a mug. Its rich flavor belies the minimal prep time.

16-oz (500 mL) mug
3⁄4 cup ready-to-use chicken or vegetable broth 175 mL
2⁄3 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling) 150 mL
1⁄4 tsp dried-rubbed sage 1 mL
3 tbsp half-and-half (10%) cream or milk 45 mL
Salt and ground black pepper

In the mug, stir broth, pumpkin and sage until blended. Microwave on high for 1 1⁄2 to 2 1⁄2 minutes (checking at 1 1⁄2) or until hot but not boiling. Stir in cream. Microwave on high for 30 to 60 seconds (checking at 30) or until hot but not boiling. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Tips
Canned pumpkin purée can vary in sweetness. If needed, add a pinch of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup to enhance the flavor of the soup.

Consider topping with seasoned croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds.

Freeze the remaining pumpkin in a small sealable freezer bag. You can freeze the entire amount in one bag, or portion out 2⁄3 cup (150 mL) per bag so that the pumpkin is recipe-ready. Be sure to label the bag with the contents. Store for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator or microwave before using.

Prep Ahead Option
Combine the broth, pumpkin and sage in the mug; cover and refrigerate. Measure the cream into a small airtight container; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

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