PF Changs: Chang's Spicy Chicken

Sauce

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons chopped garlic (3 to 4 cloves)

3 tablespoons chopped green onions (about 3 onions)

1 cup pineapple juice

2 tablespoons chili sauce

2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar

4 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

1 cup vegetable oil

2 chicken breast fillets

1/3 cup cornstarch

Preparation
1. Make the sauce by heating 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in medium saucepan. Sauté the garlic and onion in the oil for just a few seconds, not allowing the ingredients to burn, then quickly add the pineapple juice, followed by chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce.

2. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons water and add it to the other ingredients in the saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil and continue to simmer on medium/high heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until thick and syrupy.

3. Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a wok or a medium saucepan over medium heat.

4. While oil heats up, chop chicken breast fillets into bite-size pieces. In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with cornstarch until well-dusted.

5. Sauté coated chicken in the hot oil, stirring occasionally, until light brown. Remove chicken to a rack or paper towels to drain for a moment. Pour chicken into a medium bowl, add sauce and toss well to coat chicken. Serve immediately with rice on the side.

Applebee's Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl

List of Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Oil (for frying)

For the glaze:

1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
Dash cayenne pepper
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Salt and pepper to taste



Recipe


Cut chicken into 2-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Stir in egg, salt, pepper and oil. Mix well and set aside.

Stir cornstarch and flour together in another large bowl and mix well. Add chicken mixture to the flour mixture, stirring to coat each piece well.

Pour enough oil to be at least 1/2-inch deep in a wok or heavy skillet and set over high heat. When it reaches 375 degrees F (hot!) carefully add chicken pieces in small batches and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp. Do not overcook or chicken will be tough.

Remove chicken from oil with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Continue frying chicken in small batches until all are nicely browned and crisp. Set aside while you make the glaze:

To make the glaze:

Cool the oil in the skillet slightly, then remove all but 2 tablespoons of oil and set over medium heat. Sauté garlic in oil for 1 minute (if the oil is too hot the garlic will turn bitter). Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Allow to boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens to your liking, stirring frequently.

Pour glaze over chicken. Serve chicken over a bed of cooked white rice. Garnish with slivered almonds and crispy noodles. Applebee's tosses the chicken and orange glaze with an array of stir-fry vegetables like broccoli, snow peas and red peppers.

PF Chang's Crispy Honey Chicken

Ingredients
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into medium size chunks
1 T. minced garlic
Vegetable oil for frying
red bell pepper and/or scallions, julliene
Crispy noodles, rice or egg noodles or steamed rice for serving

Batter:
4 oz. all purpose flour
2-1/2 oz. cornstarch
1 egg
6 oz. water
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda

Chicken Seasoning:
1 T. lite soy sauce
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 T. corn starch

Sauce:
1/2 cup sake or rice wine
1/2 cup honey
3 oz. rice vinegar
3 T. lite soy sauce
6 T. sugar
cornstarch slurry--1/4 c. corn starch mixed with 1/4 c. water

Directions
To make batter: mix ingredients till just combined. Let rest in refrigerator for a couple of hours. Coat chicken well with seasonings and marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Combine sauce ingredients, mix thoroughly and reserve for serving.

Pour vegetable oil into fryer or heavy bottomed sauce pot. Heat slowly to 340-350 degrees. Put 1/4 of the marinated chicken in a clean bowl and pour enough better over to coat. Remove a few pieces at a time from the batter, using slotted spoon or large fork. Shake off excess batter. Carefully lower chicken into the hot oil. Suspend the chicken until the batter "sets," 20-30 seconds. Chicken is done when golden to light brown and crisp. Remove to platter with paper towels to drain. Repeat for all the chicken. Remember to check the oil temperature, it must remain hot.

To finish the sauce, heat it in sauce pan, bring to a boil. Add cornstarch slurry, a little at a time.The sauce will thicken, let it come to a thickness of "loose honey." Let cook for a minute or two.

Heat 2 T. oil in a wok and add some minced garlic, red bell pepper and scallions and stir-fry briefly. Add 1/3 to 1/2 of the chicken (depending on pan size) and stir-fry briefly. Add enough sauce to just coat chicken. Stir-fry again briefly. Serve over noodles or rice.

Cream-Filled Cupcakes

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs

Filling and Swirl:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Glaze:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to blend. Combine the buttermilk and the vanilla in a measuring cup.

3. Beat the butter and the sugar in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium high speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture.

4. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool 10 minutes. Invert and cool completely.

5. Filling and Swirl: Beat butter in a medium-size bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar. Add 2 tablespoons of the milk and beat 5 minutes until almost white and light and fluffy. Add additional milk if mixture is too thick. Spoon frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a medium-size plain round tip. Remove cakes from pan. Insert tip of pastry bag into top of cakes, about 1/2 inch deep, and squeeze.

6. Meanwhile, make the Glaze: Heat the cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

7. Dip the tops of the filled cupcakes into the chocolate glaze. Place on a cooling rack to set for 10 minutes.

8. Change the piping tip for the vanilla frosting to a smaller round tip. Pipe decorative swirls on top of the glazed cupcakes.

http://www.parents.com/recipe/cupcakes/cream-filled-cupcakes/;jsessionid=ELCHQBOK2QMRTQFIBQ4SCZQ

TGI Friday's Dragonfire Chicken

Ingredients

Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded & chopped
2 teaspoons mince garlic
1 tablespoon onion, diced
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 boneless chicken breast fillets, trimmed

Pineapple Pico de Gallo
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup canned pineapple, chopped
1/2 cup diced red onion
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
4 teaspoons minced jalapenos
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/8 teaspoon salt

Kung Pow Sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely minced ginger

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges

Directions

1. Make marinade by combining all ingredients in a blender on high for 1 minute. Pound chicken breast to about 1/2" with a mallet and combine with marinade in a zip-top bag for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Make pineapple pico de gallo by combining all ingredients. Store in a covered container in the fridge until later.

3. Make Kung Pow sauce by combining all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the mixture starts to bubble reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. Cover sauce until needed.

4. When chicken is done marinating, preheat grill to medium heat. Wipe marinade from chicken and grill 5 to 6 minutes per side or until done. Serve chicken drizzled with Kung Pow sauce and pico de gallo on the side. Drain mandarin oranges and sprinkle of top.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Tgi-Fridays-Dragon-Fire-Chicken-282044

PF Chang's Mongolian Beef

Ingredients:
2 tspn vegetable oil
½ tspn minced ginger
1 tbsp chopped garlic
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup water
¾ cup dark brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 lb flank steak
¼ cup cornstarch
2 large green onions

Directions:
Make the sauce by heating 2 tspn of vegetable in a medium saucepan over med/low heat. Don't get the oil too hot or you'll get a major spatter when adding the other liquids. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to about medium and boil the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove it from the heat.

Slice the flank steak against the grain into ¼" thick bite-size slices. Tilt the blade of your knife at about a forty five degree angle to the top of the steak so that you get wider cuts.

Dip the steak pieces into the cornstarch to apply a very thin dusting to both sides of each piece of beef. Let the beef sit for about 10 minutes so that the cornstarch sticks.

As the beef sits, heat up one cup of oil in a wok (you may also use a skillet for this step as long as the beef will be mostly covered with oil).

Heat the oil over medium heat until it's nice and hot, but not smoking.

Add the beef to the oil and saute for just two minutes, or until the beef just begins to darken on the edges. You don't need a thorough cooking here since the beef is going to go back on the heat later. Stir the meat around a little so that it cooks evenly. After a couple minutes, use a large slotted spoon or a spider to take the meat out and onto paper towels, then pour the oil out of the wok or skillet. Put the pan back over the heat, dump the meat back into it and simmer for one minute. Add the sauce, cook for one minute while stirring, then add all the green onions. Cook for one more minute, then remove the beef and onions with tongs or a slotted spoon to a serving plate. Leave the excess sauce behind in the pan.

http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/secret-recipe-archive/12815-p-f-changs-recipes.html

PF Chang's Orange Peel Chicken

Ingredients:
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp minced garlic
4 green onions, sliced
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup water
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ cup vegetable oil
4 chicken breast fillets
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
peel from ¼ orange, julienne (into 1/8" thick strips)

Directions:
Prepare sauce by heating 1 tbsp of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sliced green onions. Add tomato sauce and water quickly before the garlic burns. Add sugar, chili garlic sauce and soy sauce and bring to a boil. Simmer 5 to 6 minutes or until sauce thickens, then turn off the heat.

Prepare the chicken by heating ½ cup oil in a wok over medium heat.

Slice chicken breast fillets into bite-size pieces. Combine beaten egg with milk in a medium bowl. Pour the flour into another medium bowl. Coat chicken pieces by dropping them into the flour a few at a time, then into the egg/milk mixture and back into the flour. Arrange coated chicken on a plate until all chicken is coated. When oil in the wok is hot, add about half of the chicken to the oil and cook for a couple minutes or until brown on one side, then flip the chicken over. When chicken is golden brown, remove the pieces to a rack or paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining chicken. When all of the chicken is cooked rinse the oil out of the wok with water and place it back on the stove to heat up.

When wok is hot again add julienne orange peel and chicken. Heat for 20 to 30 seconds or so, stirring gently. Add sauce to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir dish a couple times but do it gently so you don't knock the coating off the chicken. Cook until the sauce thickens then serve up the dish with white or brown rice on the side.

http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/secret-recipe-archive/12815-p-f-changs-recipes.html

PF Chang's Kung Pao Shrimp

Ingredients:
½ tspn minced garlic
3 oz Kung Pao sauce
½ tspn McCormick crushed red pepper
8 oz shrimp
1 tbsp chopped green onion
5 whole chili pods
sesame oil

Directions:
Heat wok to smoking, introduce oil and shrimp, separate and velvet for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not overcook.

Carefully pour shrimp and oil onto oil skimmer.

Stir fry chili pods and onions; add garlic and Kung Pao sauce. Add shrimp, toss, and add peanuts and chili flakes.

PF Chang's Soothing Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients

8 dried Shiitake mushrooms
2 teaspoons cooking sherry
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite size pieces
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
2 cloves minced garlic
2 chopped green onions
8 oz can bamboo shoots, chopped up
8 oz can water chestnuts, chopped
2 small dried chilies (optional)
1 package of Chinese cellophane rice noodles, cooked according to instructions on the package
Iceberg lettuce leaves


Lettuce Wrap Sauce:
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cooking sherry
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions:
Pour enough boiling water over dried mushrooms to cover. Let soak for 30 minutes, then drain. After the mushrooms have soaked, remove any woody stems and chop up the mushrooms.


While waitng for the mushrooms to finish soaking, combine all of the ingredients for the sauce.

In a separate bowl, mix together the sherry, water, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and chicken. Stir together until chicken is well coated.

Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of oil. After the oil gets hots, add the chicken mixture. Fry quickly for about 3 minutes, or til chicken is no longer pink. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Remove chicken.

To the same skillet, add 2 more tablespoons of oil. Add the fresh ginger, garlic, green onions, and optional chilies, if desired. Fry quickly for 45-60 seconds, or til garlic is a golden color. Do not overcook garlic, or it will taste bitter. Add the dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts. Fry quickly for about 2 minutes.

Return chicken to the skillet. Add the sauce ingredients to the same skillet. Cook until the sauce thickens.

Break the cooked cellophane noodles into small pieces. Spread the noodles onto the bottom of a platter. Pour the chicken mixture on top of the noodles. Spoon into lettuce leafs. Roll up chicken lettuce wraps and secure with toothpicks. See if this doesn't taste just like the PF Chang lettuce wrap recipe to you.

Spaghetti Warehouse Meatball Recipe

Ingredients:
12 ounces ground beef and 4 ounces ground
pork or 1 pound ground beef
4 ounces Parmesan cheese
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 cup bread crumbs
1 salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 cup minced onion
1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley

Mix ingredients thoroughly by hand or with kitchen aid with paddle attachment.

Roll into balls, 2-3 ounces each.

Bake at 250 degrees F until internal temperature is 165 degrees F (about 45 minutes).

Another option is to pan fry in olive oil for a crispier, more browned exterior.

Chipotle's Honey Vinaigrette Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup honey
2 t Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1 1/4 t ground chipotle powder
1 t lime juice
3/4 t black pepper
3/4 t salt
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t onion powder
1/4 t dried oregano
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients, except oil in blender and blend on low speed
for ten seconds.

2. SLOWLY drizzle olive oil into blender on low speed.

3. Chill for at least an hour.

Yield: 1.5 Cups

Chipotle's Rice Recipe

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon vegetable oil or butter
2 tsp. fresh cilantro
2/3 cup white basmati rice
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Lime

Directions:
In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat oil or butter over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted. Add rice and lime juice, stir for 1 minute. Add water and salt, bring to a full rolling boil. At boiling, cover, turn down to simmer over low heat until rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork.

[bahs-MAH-tee]
Basmati is a long-grained rice, with a fine texture. It can be found in Middle Eastern and India markets, as well as some supermarkets.

Chipotle Steak Marinade

Ingredients:
1 (2 ounce) package dried ancho chiles
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons cumin powder
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
6 cloves garlic
1/2 red onion, quartered
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 Small Steaks (6 ounces each)

Directions:
Soak dry chilies overnight in water, until soft. Remove seeds. Add all
ingredients except meat in food processor. Puree until smooth.

Spread mixture over chicken, or other meats and refrigerate at least
one hour, up to 24 hours.

After marinating, heat grill to about 400 degrees F, or if cooking
inside, heat small amount of oil in skillet or grill pan over high
heat. Salt meat to taste (optional), and grill lightly, turning only
once, until done. 8-10 minutes per
side for 3/4" thick steak.

Recipe will make four burritos.

Chipotle's Gucamole Recipe

Individual sized recipe:
2 Hass Avocados
1/2 of a Jalapeno pepper, seeded, and minced
1/4 of a red onion, finely chopped
2 heaping Tablespoons of Cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 of a lime, juiced
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl, and mash together until smooth. Add additional lime juice or salt to taste. For extra spicy guacamole, you can leave in the jalepeno seeds!

Notes: This recipe is an approximation based on the original Chipotle recipe below. Please use it as a base for your guacamole creation, and feel free to make improvements based on your own personal preferences.


Chipotle's Batch Recipe:
Remove stems and stickers from 48 avocados, wash for two minutes. Cut avocados in half, remove pit, scrape out the good stuff.

Mash avocados in large mixing bowl. You don't have to get it to the final consistency yet, but it's easier if they're at least partially mashed at this point.

Now for the other ingredients. Add 2-1/2 cups cilantro, 2-1/2 cups chopped red onions, 1/2 cup chopped jalapeno, 1/2 cup lemon-lime juice, and 3 tablespoons of salt. Continue mashing until smooth.

When you go to store the guac, put a layer of plastic wrap directly on the guac and squeeze the air out, then put another layer of plastic over whatever container you're using. This keeps the guac from oxidizing and turning all brown. Depending on how long you keep it in the fridge, the top might turn brown anyway, so just skim off the top layer before serving.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Ingredients:
1 (2 ounce) package dried ancho chiles
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons cumin powder
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
6 cloves garlic
1/2 red onion, quartered
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 chicken breasts (6 ounces each)

Directions:

Soak dry chilies overnight in water, until soft. Remove seeds. Add all
ingredients except meat in food processor. Puree until smooth.

Spread mixture over chicken, or other meats and refrigerate at least
one hour, up to 24 hours.

After marinating, heat grill to about 400 degrees F, or if cooking
inside, heat small amount of oil in skillet or grill pan over high
heat. Salt meat to taste (optional), and grill lightly, turning only
once, until done. 4 minutes per side of chicken.

Recipe will make four burritos.

Cheesecake Factory's Oreo Cheesecake

Ingredients

Filling
1 1/2 pound cream cheese
1 cup sugar
5 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup flour
8 ounces sour cream
5 Oreo cookies (coarsely chopped for the batter)
10 coarsely chopped Oreo cookies for the topping

Crust
1 1/2 cup Oreo cookie crumbs (about 25 Oreo cookies finely chopped)
2 tablespoon melted butter
9″ spring form pan (buttered on bottom and sides)

1. Mix melted butter with Oreo crumbs and press in the bottom of the spring pan and 1 1/2″ up the sides, set aside.

2.All Ingredients must be at room temperature before beginning. Beat cream cheese with a mixer on low until fluffy.

3. Slowly add sugar and continue beating cream cheese until mixed well.

4. Add eggs one at a time and continue to beat until blended.

5. Measure the vanilla, salt and flour, pour into cream cheese and egg mixture and beat until smooth. Add the sour cream and beat.

6. Stir in the coarsely chopped oreo cookies with a spoon.

7. Pour cream cheese into the spring pan and place the nine coarsely chopped Oreo Cookies on to of the cream mixture.

8. Place pan on the top rack and in the middle of a preheated oven at 325 degrees F and bake for one hour and 15 minutes.

9.After that time, keep oven door open and let the cheese cake stay in the oven for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool enough to place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Panera's 3 Cheese Bread

Ingredients:
Starter
1 cup warm water (95-105 F)
2 teaspoons fresh yeast
1 cup all-purpose flour

Dough
3/4 cup warm water (95-105 F)
3 tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons fresh yeast
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, plus
1 teaspoon vegetable shortening (2 ounces)
4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup romano cheese (1/2-inch cubes )
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (1/2-inch cubes )
1/2 cup asiago cheese (1/2-inch cubes )

Directions

1. To create the starter, combine the water and yeast in a medium mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve the yeast fully. Add the flour to the bowl and stir until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Cover with a cloth and ferment the starter at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2. For the dough, combine the water, honey and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir to dissolve the yeast fully. Add the shortening, flour, salt, cheeses and fermented starter. Mix on low speed until the dough is fully developed. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl.

3. Divide the dough into 2 pieces weighing about 22 ounces each. Set aside any remaining dough and freeze for future use. Roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball. Place the dough on the counter or in a proofing basket and cover with a warm, damp cloth to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

4. Form the dough into loaves, cover with a warm, damp cloth and proof at room temperature for 30 minutes.

5. Score the loaves with a sharp knife, spray with water and bake for 30 minutes, or until the crusts are a deep golden brown and the middle of the loaves is 190-200°F.

6. Remove the bread from the oven and place on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. If the bread was baked in loaf pans, remove the bread from the pans before cooling.

Panera's Black Bean Soup

Ingredients
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1/4 large red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 small chicken bouillon cubes
1-1 1/2 cup boiling water
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 lemon, juice of
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch


Directions
1In a pot, combine the first six ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes.


2Add half a can of beans, salt and cumin; cook for 5 minutes.


3Puree soup (I use an immersion blender which makes it easy to do it right in the pot).


4Add the rest of the beans to the soup.


5Combine the cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water.


6Add the lemon and the cornstarch to the soup; cook until thickened.



http://www.recipezaar.com/Panera-Bread-Black-Bean-Soup-49737

Lasagna

Ingredients:

1/2 of a (1 lb.) pkg. lasagna noodles
1 lb. sausage
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
2-3 tsp. Italian season
2 cloves garlic (garlic powder can tells)
2 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. basil leaves
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, broken up
2-3 tsp. Italian seasoning (optional)
2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
1 egg, beaten
1 (15 oz.) cottage cheese
1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 lb. Mozzarella cheese
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:
Prepare noodles according to package directions. Drain. Cook sausage and ground beef; drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic; stir and cook 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt, basil leaves, pepper, tomatoes and tomato paste. Combine egg, cottage cheese, parsley and salt.

In bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish spoon about 1 1/2 cups meat sauce. Layer 1/3 lasagna, 1/3 meat sauce, 1/3 cottage cheese, 1/3 Mozzarella and 1/3 the Parmesan. Repeat layering. Cover with foil.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake uncovered 25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 8 to 10 servings.

If using just beef add 2-3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, add in with sugar and etc.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1918,153175-233205,00.html