Classic Yellow Cake with Yogurt Cream and Berries

I was looking for a simplified recipe for a classic birthday cake that didn’t require three different bowls and beating egg whites. This recipe fit my criteria and was delicious. I cannot bring myself to put 1 1/2 cup of sugar in a single recipe so I reduced to 1 cup and no one missed that extra sugar.

Classic Yellow Cake with Yogurt Cream and Berries
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Servings
10 servings
Servings
10 servings
Classic Yellow Cake with Yogurt Cream and Berries
Print Recipe
Servings
10 servings
Servings
10 servings
Ingredients
Cake
Yogurt Cream Frosting
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Arrange a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°F.
  2. Brush two 9 inch layer cake pans with butter. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; brush again with butter.
  3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
  4. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides as needed, until light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add vanilla and yolks in 2 additions, scraping down bowl after each. Reduce mixer speed to low and add dry ingredients, alternating with milk mixture in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients and beat just until smooth.
  5. Divide batter between prepared pans.
  6. Bake cakes until light golden brown and a tester inserted into the centers comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 30–35 minutes.
  7. Let cool in pans at least 15 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks, peel off parchment, and let cool completely.
Cream Frosting
  1. Beat the whipping cream with a mixed until the beater starts making tracks. Slowly add the powdered sugar while continuing to beat, add vanilla and beat just until cream is stiff.
  2. Carefully fold in the Greek yogurt with a spatula.
  3. Spread the 1/3 of frosting on the first layer. Cover the layer with berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or a mix of berries).
  4. Place second layer, topside down. Spread remaining frosting on the top layer, letting it run down the sides. Place berries on top of the cake.
Recipe Notes

Modified from

Epicurious: Classic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

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Eggplant Ragu on Quinoa

Who knew eggplant could be yummy? It’s probably my least favorite vegetable, but this recipe makes an un-favorite veggie into a delicious meal!

I serve it over CMF Quinoa, or if time allows, I make quinoa “cakes”. The quinoa cakes are a great breakfast option, so I make enough go have for dinner and breakfast: topping them with eggplant ragu in the evening and later in the week with defrosted mixed berries I warm up 1 cup berries with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt and it’s like dessert for breakfast.

The smoked mozzarella gives this dish a unique, gourmet flavor, but it’s delicious with fresh mozzarella as well. Another delicious alternative is fresh Bulgarian-style feta cheese (I add the feta just before serving). I’ve also made this without cheese.

The colors are so pretty, it’s a nice meal for dinner guests. Here are a couple of menu ideas:

Appetizer
White Bean Dip with Rosemary (or other CMF hummus/bean dip) with veggie sticks (carrot, bell pepper, celery etc) and pita or tortilla chips.

Main Course
Rosemary Pork Tenderloin

OR Broiled Chicken Breasts with Artichoke Hearts

OR broiled fish fillets with lemon

Any spinach-based CMF salads. It’s especially nice with the Spinach and Orange Salad giving the meal a Mediterranean flair. Or the Greens Edamame Salad for a more international fusion-style.

Dessert
Zucchini Brownies or Epicurious: Raspberry Buttermilk Cake.

Eggplant Ragu on Quinoa
Print Recipe
Who knew eggplant could be yummy? It’s probably my least favorite vegetable, but this recipe makes an un-favorite veggie into a delicious meal!
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Eggplant Ragu on Quinoa
Print Recipe
Who knew eggplant could be yummy? It’s probably my least favorite vegetable, but this recipe makes an un-favorite veggie into a delicious meal!
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Quinoa Cakes
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
Eggplant Ragu
  1. Make CMF Quinoa. While quinoa is cooking make eggplant ragu.
  2. Heat olive oil in large heavy skillet until it begins to shimmer. Add eggplant, onion, garlic, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and cook over medium heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in tomatoes, roasted peppers, and water and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is very tender and mixture is thick about 10 minutes.
  4. Carefully mix in the diced mozzarella cheese and let melt for 5 minutes before serving.
  5. Serve over CMF Quinoa. If time allows, I like to make quinoa cakes. I serve the eggplant ragu over the quinoa cakes and use the remainder for breakfast with poached eggs and spinach or defrosted from mixed berries I warm up 1 cup berries with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt and it’s like dessert for breakfast.
Quinoa Cakes
  1. Toast quinoa in saucepan over medium heat until it starts to make popping sounds. Add water, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Turn off heat. Let rest 5 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350. Generously brush a muffin tin with olive oil.
  3. Transfer to a large bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, and then stir in eggs.
  4. Pack muffin cups two-thirds full with quinoa using the back of a spoon or a spatula, dipping in water if it gets too sticky. Place in oven and bake 25 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes. Carefully remove from muffin tin with a spatula and place on plate.
To Serve
  1. While quinoa cakes are cooling, stir in parsley and half of mozzarella into eggplant ragù and on low heat simmer just until cheese begins to soften, about 1 minutes.
  2. Spoon over ragu quinoa cakes, sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
Recipe Notes

*Fresh mozzarella can be used instead of smoked mozzarella. I also use fresh Greek or Bulgarian feta cheese instead of mozzarella. If using feta, I cut into pieces and put on top of ragu just before serving (do not on heat the feta).

Modified from Quinoa Cakes with Eggplant Tomato Ragu and Smoked Mozzarella

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Easter Fruit Cookie

Fruit on a cookie, so fun to make!The first time my mini-chef M made was rather stressful. She wanted to do it her way. I quickly realized my then-four-year-old has her own creative instinct. It was a sloppy “Easter Egg” but she was so proud of it, and it was delicious.

Since then, this has become our dessert and a family tradition on Good Friday. M and her cousins love making it. The colors are so pretty, it’s delicious and I get huge satisfaction serving a fruit dessert everyone enjoys on a weekend of too much sugar and sweet.

I make two “egg” shaped whole-wheat sugar cookies ahead of time. When the cousins arrive, I set out different fruit in separate bowls and let the children decorate their “Easter egg” cookie however the muse inspires them.

As they’ve gotten bigger, their cookies get more decorative and neat. Pretty or not, they’re always delicious to eat.

I aim to use fruits that are local and seasonal if possible (strawberries). I do supplement with imported fruits for color (blueberries) because Easter is a special occasion.

Avoid fruit that will oxidize and turn brown (apples, pears) and those that will make the cookie soggy (oranges)

Variation

  • Spread raspberry or blackberry preserves on cookie
  • Spread cream cheese on cookie. I blend 1 – 2 tablespoons of honey with about 1/2 cup of cream cheese

 

Easter Egg Fruit Cookie
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Easter Egg Fruit Cookie
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Ingredients
Adjust servings: 16 servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Prep the fruit. Wash and lay out on clean dishtowels or paper towels to dry.
  3. Make cookie dough.
  4. Divide cookie dough in half . On a floured surface, roll out cookie dough into an egg shape about 1/4 inch thick.
  5. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with the second half.
  6. Bake 8 – 10 minutes until edges just begin to turn golden.
  7. Remove from oven and cool.
  8. While cookies are baking, prep the fruit.
  9. Prep cream cheese, mix with 1 tablespoon honey and if more sweetness is desired, mix in another tablespoon honey.
  10. Let the cookies cool.
  11. Spread each “egg” with cream cheese/honey mix (or raspberry preserves)
  12. Place the fruit decoratively on the cookie.
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Frozen Orange Mousse Torte with Berry Sauce

I get enthused about certain recipes and make them with frequency until they’re no longer interesting and they fall off my repertoire. But this recipe has endured more than 10 years of entertaining.
It’s one of my absolute favorite desserts because:

  •  everyone loves it
  • can be made days in advance
  • gluten-free
  • can double recipe for a large dinner party (24 guests). I cut modest size servings and can serve 12 per torte
Frozen Orange Mousse Torte
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Servings
12 - 16 servings
Servings
12 - 16 servings
Frozen Orange Mousse Torte
Print Recipe
Servings
12 - 16 servings
Servings
12 - 16 servings
Ingredients
Make Crust
Make Berry Sauce
Make Mousse
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
Make Crust
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Blend first 4 ingredients in processor until almonds are coarsely chopped.
  3. Add melted butter and blend until moist crumbs form. Using a square of parchment paper, press almond mixture onto bottom (not sides) of 9-inch-diameter spring-form pan.
  4. Bake crust until golden, about 8 minutes.
  5. Chill while preparing mousse.
  6. Can be prepared a week or two before, covered and frozen.
Make Berry Sauce
  1. Place berries, sugar and orange juice in a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil, turn down to simmer and cook about 10 minutes. Cool.
  3. Purée berry mixture in processor. Strain through sieve set over bowl, pressing on solids.
  4. Mix in orange juice and peel. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
  5. Can be made the weekend before. Keep refrigerated.
Make Mousse
  1. Whisk orange juice, sugar and egg yolks in a medium metal bowl.
  2. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (the bowl should not to touch the water). Whisk until candy thermometer registers 170°F, about 5 – 6 minutes.
  3. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat yolk mixture until cool and thick, about 6 - 8 minutes. Carefully mix in 1 cup plain Greek yogurt. Beat in Grand Marnier.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup cream and orange peel in bowl until stiff. Fold cream into yolk mixture. Pour mousse into crust.
  5. OPTIONAL: Beat 1/3 whipping cream until stiff. Spoon whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe cream around top edge of torte. Cover spring form pan and freeze overnight. *
Serve
  1. Cut around pan sides to loosen torte. Release pan sides.
  2. Cut torte into wedges.
  3. Pour a couple spoonfuls of Berry Sauce on each wedge and serve.
Recipe Notes

*Note: Frozen torte can be made a week or a few days before. Cover springform pan tightly with cling wrap.

Modified from:

Epicurious: Frozen Mousse Orange Torte with Boysenberry Sauce

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Romaine and Apple Salad with Walnuts

My salads are a general framework rather exact recipes with precise ingredients and measurements. My favorite combination for this salad is romaine and a crisp apple – Pink Lady, Honey Crisp and Granny Smith are my preferred choices. But I often make it with other greens.

Variations:

  • Instead of Romaine lettuce, mixed greens, spinach, arugula, baby kale
  • Replace walnuts with any nut (almond, pecan, etc) or seed (pumpkin, sunflower)

Note: I always buy nuts and seeds raw and roast them myself 1) either a large batch on a baking sheet for 5 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 or 2) toasting specific amount as needed in a skillet on the stove top at medium heat

Green Salad with Apple and Walnuts
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Green Salad with Apple and Walnuts
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Trim off base of romaine, and about 1/2 inch from the top. Quarter in half lengthwise, then cut into bite-size pieces
  2. Wash and dry in salad spinner
  3. Thinly slice green onions, using both white and green parts, toss into lettuce
  4. Core apple, quarter, cut into fine slices, then into matchsticks. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice to prevent from oxidizing. Mix half of apple into lettuce
  5. Chop toasted walnuts. Mix half of walnuts into lettuce
  6. Toss salad with CMF Salad Dressing (lemon version)
  7. Sprinkle remaining apple and walnuts on top and serve.
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One-Pan Pesto Crusted Fish with Asparagus and New Potatoes

Pretty colors, wonderful flavor and texture, AND nutrient-rich. This recipe also reduces the number of prepping bowls, pots and pans in preparing dinner, truly a one-dish meal. Well, I serve it with a salad so I guess it is a two dish meal. It can be a simple romaine and pea salad with CMF Basic Salad Dressing

Other salad options could be  Spinach and Orange Salad with Black Olives

or Kale, Apple and Cranberry Salad with Pumpkin Seeds 

To jump start another meal, I’ll add another 1/2 lb of fish. The leftovers (fish, asparagus and potatoes) can be tossed into a green salad and/or quinoa. Or made into a wrap with a hummus/bean spread of mashed avocado.

Variations

  • Pesto happens a lot in my kitchen pending what fresh herbs are growing: cilantro, arugula, mint, kale or a mix of herbs: parsley/basil/mint; cilantro/cilantro etc. I experiment with whatever I have on hand. It’s a great way to use up herbs that are at risk of going bad
  • Instead of asparagus, use green beans or broccoli (cut broccoli into 1-inch segments)
  • I’ve used a variety of potatoes: red-skinned, fingerling, Yukon, even sweet potatoes. I cut them into 2-inch chunks, leaving the skin on if they’re organic. If not organic, I peel the potatoes.
  • Instead pesto on the fish, I thin the pesto with add 1 – 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon, or even water and mix into the vegetables. In that case, I brush the fish with olive oil and place lemon slices on it
One-Pan Pesto Crusted Fish with Asparagus and New Potatoes
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
One-Pan Pesto Crusted Fish with Asparagus and New Potatoes
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Mix olive oil with minced garlic.
  3. In a roasting pan toss new potatoes with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the garlic olive oil.
  4. Place in oven and bake 15 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, toss asparagus with remaining garlic olive oil and spread pesto over fish fillet with pesto.
  6. Remove roasting pan from oven, add asparagus to roasting pan. Make a space in the center of the potatoes and asparagus and place fish fillet there. Put roasting pan back in the oven and bake 15 minutes.
  7. Test fish to make sure it is cooked in the middle (trout cooks faster than salmon which cooks faster than cod), if not bake another 3 – 5 minutes or until done.
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Healthy Plant-Rich Enchiladas

I tend to avoid Tex-Mex food because it is so heavy and leaves me feeling like I’ve eaten a tank.

Then I made Sweet Potato Enchiladas from Oh She Glows cookbook and I discovered crazy delicious, digestible enchiladas.

Casting about for something to take to a friend’s house for the Superbowl today, enchiladas seemed to be a Superbowlish kind of food.
I was astonished at how fast they were eaten, from the 3 year-old and up, everyone enjoyed them.

Variations:

  • Make it vegan: use 1 1/2 cup cooked lentils instead of ground meat
  • Make it spicy: keep the poblano seeds or add 1/4 – 1/2 red pepper flakes
  • Make it chicken: use chopped up leftover (or rotisserie) chicken instead of ground meat

I use this Enchilada Sauce
Gimme Some Oven: Red Enchilada Sauce

Next time I’ll make a double recipe and save half for a second dinner later in the week.
1. Shepard pie with mashed sweet potatoes OR
2. Stuff a spaghetti squash (scoop out seeds first), sprinkle cheese on top and cook in oven for 30 – 40 minutes.

I’ve discovered it’s easy to make taco seasoning. I double the recipe (without onion powder or garlic powder simply because I never have any)  from Family Fresh Meals and keep it in a small mason jar.

Simply Enchiladas
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Servings
6 servings
Servings
6 servings
Simply Enchiladas
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Servings
6 servings
Servings
6 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with avocado or olive oil. Set aside.
  2. Heat avocado oil in a pot over medium heat until it just starts to shimmer. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add ground meat and cook, stirring occasionally until no longer pink.
  3. Mix in garlic and taco seasoning. Cook 2 – 3 more minutes.
  4. Mix 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Add poblano and bell peppers, tomato and black bean. Mix again and cook just until poblano and bell peppers soften. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped cilantro.
  6. Set up an assembly line with tortillas, enchilada sauce, ground beef mixture, and cheese. Spread two tablespoons enchilada sauce over the surface of the tortilla, then about 2 large spoonfuls of ground beef mixture. Roll up the tortilla and place,
  7. Spread remaining enchilada sauce on top of the tortillas.
  8. Sprinkle 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded cheese on top, (depends how cheesy you prefer.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove from oven, sprinkle another 1/4 cup chopped cilantro on top and serve.
Recipe Notes

Modified from: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/beef-enchiladas-recipe/print/

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White Bean Dip

We usually have hummus or bean dip in our house. It’s a quick snack with rice cakes, pretzels, carrot/celery sticks. Dips make a great sandwich or wrap spread, simply add shredded carrots, spinach (or other green like arugula, baby kale etc) and a sprinkle of pumpkin or sunflower seeds

It’s also an easy appetizer, served with pita or corn chips or to dress it up, spread on toast squares or triangles with a sprig of herb of choice (pending the variation)

Beans are a pantry staple. A can of white beans can be a dip in 10 minutes.

 

Variation 1: White Bean Black Olive Dip

  • Add 1/4 cup black olives, chopped

Variation 2: Southwest White Bean Dip

  • Add 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Add half a jalapeño, chopped

Variation 3: Herbed

  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (or basil)
White Bean Dip
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Servings
2 cups
Servings
2 cups
White Bean Dip
Print Recipe
Servings
2 cups
Servings
2 cups
Ingredients
Adjust servings: cups
Units:
Instructions
  1. Place extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in food processor or blender.
  2. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Pulse until blended. If it is too thick or dry, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it has desired consistency. (For sandwich spread, consistency of peanut butter, for a dip, more fluid)
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Notes

A Color My Food original recipe

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Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

Cauliflower was a boring vegetable I pretty much ignored until I discovered its exceptional health boosting powers.

[su_expanding_quote_book source_author=”Michael Greger MD” source_title=”How to Not Die” full_quote=”Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale can potentially prevent DNA damage, activate defenses against pathogens and pollutants, help prevent lymphoma, boost liver detox enzymes and target breast cancer cells. The component responsible for these benefits is thought to be sulforaphane, which is formed almost exclusively in cruciferous vegetables.” short_quote=”Cruciferous vegetables can potentially prevent DNA damage, activate defenses against pathogens and pollutants, and help prevent cancer”]

And Alfredo sauce was something I avoided as heavy, fatty and too white. I like color in my food after all. But my family loves Alfredo sauce.

This recipe happily marries the benefits of cauliflower with my family’s eating pleasure. Simple and quick to make, it can also be a vegan Alfredo sauce.

Recipe Variations

  • Use almond milk or broth for a lighter meal
  • Use dairy milk for a creamier sauce
  • Add 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan for a special treat

Serving Variations

  • Toss with whole-wheat fettuccini, cooked shrimp and peas
  • Toss with bowtie pasta, chopped up leftover chicken and sautéed mushrooms
  • Saute sliced onion, sliced red bell pepper and coarsely chopped kale and toss with pasta
  • Toss with steamed edamame and pasta
Califlower Alfredo Sauce
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Califlower Alfredo Sauce
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Cut off bottom of cauliflower stem and leaves, chop into large pieces
  2. Place cauliflower in a steamer basket in a pot with 1 inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Steam 8 – 10 minutes until very tender when pierced with a fork.
  3. Place steamed cauliflower in food processor or blender with remaining ingredients and puree.
  4. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe Notes

A Color My Food recipe

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White Bean and Kale Stew

I may be a little obsessed with nutrient-dense foods and repeating over and over again how greens, beans and onions are an immune-boosting power cocktail, but putting aside repetition, this soup is flavorful and sticks to the ribs.

Variations:

  • Add other vegetables (bell pepper, a turnip, maybe a cup of chopped broccoli or cauliflower) depending on what is in my refrigerator
  • Garbanzo beans or kidney beans if that was on hand
  • Add sausage (cook with the chopped onions)
  • Add leftover cooked chicken when adding the kale
  • Use other greens (spinach, swiss chard) instead of kale
Kale and White Bean Stew
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Kale and White Bean Stew
Print Recipe
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in medium pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook 5 minutes. Add carrots and celery, cook another 5 – 10 minutes until softened, add garlic and cook 2 more minutes.
  2. Add white wine and simmer 8 minutes.
  3. Add white beans, 4 cups broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes.
  4. Add kale and simmer 5 minutes longer. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
  5. Mix in vinegar and chopped fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
Recipe Notes

Modified from Epicurious: Kale and White Bean Stew

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