Cuisinart CBT-500 Perfect Popovers, Ricotta Spinach Pie, simple supper entrée. Makes 8 servings

2cups fat free, low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock

2cans recipe ready diced tomatoes (151⁄2 oz.) with juices

2roasted red peppers, seeded 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 cup half-and-half

Heat the butter and olive oil in a Cuisinart®

33⁄4-quart Saucepan over medium low heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot, cover loosely and cook until the vegetables are tender, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the rice, basil and oregano, cook until rice is opaque, 2 minutes. Stir in the stock and tomatoes. Raise heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover loosely and simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

Strain the solids from the cooking liquid, reserving the cooking liquid and returning it to the saucepan. Place the solids in the blender jar. Add 1 cup of the cooking liquid to the blender jar. Set on High. Pulse 10 times to chop, then process for 30 to 40 seconds until totally smooth and creamy. Add the salt, pepper, blend 5 seconds longer. Return the blended tomato mixture to the cooking liquid in the saucepan. Heat on medium until it just begins to simmer then add the half-and-half. Do not allow to boil. The soup may be made ahead and reheated – if making ahead, do not add half-and-half until it is reheated.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 87 (28 % from fat) • carb. 13g • pro. 3g •

fat 3g • sat. fat 1g • chol. 7mg • sod. 367mg •

calc. 47mg • fiber 3g

PERFECT POPOVERS

Impress your guests with these deceivingly simple popovers that are mixed in a matter

of seconds in your Cuisinart® Blender. Our 50 ounce blender is large enough that you may increase this recipe by 50 percent to make a larger batch.

Makes 18 popovers

6 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2cups evaporated fat free milk, not reconstituted

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375°F. Thoroughly coat eighteen 1/2-cup popover, custard, or muffin cups with cooking spray or melted butter.

Place the eggs, flour, milk and salt in the blender jar in the order listed; cover blender jar. Set on Low. Blend for 10 seconds. Scrape the sides of the jar if needed. With the blender running, add the melted butter in a steady stream and blend for 10 seconds. Let batter rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven until puffy and nicely browned, about 40 minutes. Use a cake tester to pierce each popover several times and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven, loosen from pans with a thin bladed knife and gently lift out. Serve hot.

Nutritional information per popover:

Calories 126 (37% from fat) • carb. 14g • pro. 6g •

fat 5g • sat. fat 3g • chol. 79mg • sod. 91mg •

calc. 93mg • fiber 0g

For Pesto Popovers: add 1/2 cup prepared pesto (page 18) to the batter. Bake as directed.

RICOTTA SPINACH PIE

Somewhat like a crustless quiche, serve Ricotta Spinach Pie with Rustic Tomato Sauce for a

simple supper entrée. Makes 8 servings

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 ounce Asiago cheese, cut into 1/2" cubes

1/2 slice white or wheat bread (1/2 ounce) cut into 1/2" cubes

1/2 teaspoon dry basil

4 large eggs

2cups fresh baby spinach leaves, packed (about 21⁄2 ounces), washed & dried

3cups lowfat ricotta cheese

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper

Preheat oven to 350°F. Use a pastry brush to coat a 10" deep dish pie plate with olive oil and set aside. Place Asiago cheese cubes in blender jar; cover blender jar. Set on Low and Pulse 10 to 12 times to grind the cheese. Remove and reserve. Place bread cubes in blender jar, pulse 5 to 10 times to grind; add basil, blend for 5 seconds. Remove and reserve.

Place the eggs, spinach, ricotta, reserved Asiago cheese, salt, and pepper in the blender jar. Set on Low and Pulse 10 times, then blend for 15 seconds; use a spatula to scrape the sides of the blender jar. Blend for an additional 15 to 20 seconds. Pour the blended ricotta mixture into the prepared pie plate. Sprinkle evenly with the reserved breadcrumbs. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set and the pie is puffed. Remove and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve. Top with Rustic Tomato Sauce, page 17.

Nutritional information per serving:

14