Christmas

1. Turkey, baked in a bag.

2. Mashed potatoes, red, skin on, mashed with butter and some roasted garlic.

3.  Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole from Allrecipies.com:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 (14.5 ounce) cans French style green beans, drained
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled buttery round crackers
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth, and cook for one minute. Stir in the salt, sugar, onion, and sour cream. Add green beans, and stir to coat.

Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Spread shredded cheese over the top. In a small bowl, toss together cracker crumbs and remaining butter, and sprinkle over the cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly.

4. Darlene’s Buttered Squash 

Preheat oven to 350
Combine in large saucepan over low heat:
1 package frozen squash
3 T. butter
6 T. sugar
2 eggs
½ c. milk
½ t. ginger
¼ t. coconut flavor
¼ t. salt
Bake in casserole dish for 30 minutes, until set in center. Or, set it up in a crock pot to save room in your oven.

5. Cranberry Sauce

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 1 cup (250 mL) water
• 4 cups (1 12-oz package) fresh or frozen cranberries
• Optional Pecans, orange zest, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice.

Wash and pick over cranberries. In a saucepan bring to a boil water and sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cranberries, return to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries burst. Mash if desired.

6. Rolls Rhodes Multi-Grain heat and serve.

7. Bread Stuffing http://whatisthewillishouseholdeatingnow.blogspot.com/search?q=stuffing

Another Vegetable Soup

I should start by stating that I like hearty soups.  I don't tend to cook flavored water.

So, for dinner tonight, we're having vegetable soup and grilled cheese.

For the vegetable soup,  I dumped the following ingredients into the crockpot, and turned it on:
3 cans of diced tomatoes (with these flavors: fire roasted, basil, garlic, rosemary and oregano)
2 cans of beans, drained
1 package of mixed vegetables
probably about 1/2 can of water


My verdict:  very good!

Stuffing!

Saute in 2 sticks of butter:
3 1/2 c. chopped celery
3+ c. chopped onion

Add:
1 t. thyme
1 1/2 t. salt
2 t. rubbed sage
1 t. pepper

Separately, in large bowl:
1 loaf of Brownberry Health Nut bread, cubed
15 oz. sliced mushrooms
1/3 c. craisins
1/3 c. raisins
3/4 c. walnuts

Pour butter mixture over bread mixture and stir to combine.

I put mine in the oven for an hour, or in the crock pot, and topped it with some pomegranate seeds since I had them on hand.

Blackberry Pie

I started here:
http://eggallergyandrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/09/best-egg-free-apple-crumb-pie.html

But, (as usual) I made some substitutions.  Not that this pie needs any, as I've tasted the original.  Here it is anyway:

1/2 of the flour was whole wheat
2 T. cornstarch vs. 1.5T
1/2 t. ground cloves vs. 1 t. cinnamon
and finally, blackberries instead of apples


Verdict: Mmmm!

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

The Biscuits:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-whole-wheat-biscuits/detail.aspx

I liked them a lot.  I will try them again.  I used brown sugar instead of white.


The Gravy:
most of the drippings from 1 lb. of breakfast sausage
about 1/3 c. flour (some whole wheat)
enough rice milk to make it saucy
salt and pepper to taste

My gravy was too thick and salty, but otherwise, it was a good meal.

Thai Pork Burritos

from my cousin-in-law Kara, from Nancy

I often do this without the pork, and serve it with whole grain tortillas

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground pork (ground turkey works too)

2 T grated ginger root

1 clove garlic, minced

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 bag coleslaw mix

1 tsp. sesame oil

3 T soy sauce

2 T lime juice

½ tsp. crushed red pepper

Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

8 flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Heat dutch oven over high heat. Add pork. Cook, crumble & stir 4-5 minutes or until pork is no longer pink.

2. Add ginger, garlic, onion & coleslaw mix. Stir-fry with with pork 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are wilted.

3. In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients, except tortillas & cilantro. Add to skillet. Stir constantly to blend all ingredients well.

4. Spoon into tortillas. Garnish with cilantro. Roll up.

If you’re really feeling adventurous, this also makes a great filling for egg rolls – use the directions on the egg roll wrapper package. Yum!

Accidental Vegetable Goulash

from the Vegetarian Bean and Barley Soup recipe at this link:

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/soupsstewsandchili/r/barleyvegsoup.htm

Saute in 1 T. butter, 1 T. olive oil:

I minced onion

4 ribs of celery, chopped

4 larger carrots, chopped

approx. 3/4 c. cauliflower

2 cans of vegetable broth, and also added some water

2 cans of crushed tomatoes.

2 cans of beans

1 1/2 + c. pearled barley

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. black pepper

1 t. basil

1 t. Italian seasoning

1 t. thyme

Bring to a boil, simmer for 1 hour.

Served with cornbread muffins from my brother's recipe.

Verdict: good, filling.

Whole Wheat Naan

http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-naan-bread-machine-41503

I have yet to learn how to make soft flat bread.

Karen's Shrimp in Cream Sauce

Friday night dinner, just Jeffry and I ....

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1845,146160-239201,00.html

I used 2 servings of scallops and served it over Ronzoni's Garden Delight fettucine with asparagus on the side.

I think it tasted better with some salt.

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Banana Bread

http://www.food.com/recipe/whole-wheat-peanut-butter-banana-bread-with-chocolate-chips-219189

One word: yummy.

Artichoke Dip

We'll see how I do keeping up with what I'm cooking with my students at work ...

Brit's Pub Artichoke Dip

(from friends, and Tastebook.com)

Preheat oven to 350.

Blend together in a large bowl:

3 cans of artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1 c. chopped spinach

1 c. shredded cheddar

1 c. shredded mozzarella

1/2 c. diced green onions

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/4 c. dijon mustard

1 t. seasoning salt

Place in oven-safe casserole dish and bake for 45-60 minutes (until bubbly). Top with:

diced tomato

shredded Parmesan

Return to oven until cheese starts to brown.

Serve with bread - sourdough, French or italian

French Toast

This morning's French Toast
Mix well:
1 T. Ground Cinnamon
1 t. Ground Nutmeg
1 t. Ground Cloves
1 1/2 t. Vanilla
2 t. Lemon Juice
1/2 c. Milk
12 Eggs

Dip 20 Slices of Bread into egg mixture, and cook on 375 degree griddle

Cara's Cabbage and White Bean Soup

In 2T. butter, saute:
1 chopped onion
1 shredded carrot
1 1lb. bag shredded cabbage/coleslaw

Add:
2 cans white beans (drained)
4 c. liquid (I used chicken broth)
2 T. dried parsley
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. dill weed
salt
pepper
chopped potatoes

cook until potatoes are soft

Potato and Sausage Soup

In skillet:
1 T. butter
1 1/2 c. chopped fresh mushrooms
set aside

In same skillet:
1 T. butter
1 c. chopped sweet onion
2 cloves garlic (minced)
I beat this with a stick blender before adding:
1 1/2 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped carrots
cook until these vegetables are a little bit soft

Add:
3 c. cubed yellow potatoes
2 c. broth
5 sliced sausages (these were chicken with spinach and feta)
salt, pepper and parsley


I served them in beer bread bowls.

Jeffry liked it, but I thought it was just another of my soups. I need to figure out how to get some more variety in my soups.

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

Here's a recipe I found online:

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/zucchini-recipes-whole-wheat-and-honey-zucchini-bread-and-muffins

I didn't have a full cup of honey, so I used some pure maple syrup and then some light corn syrup for the remainder.

Fish Fried Rice

Since the tilapia I make always falls apart, and I didn't put the rice on earlier enough .... I made Fish Fried Rice.

I cooked 1 1/2 cups brown minute rice

I fried 2 fillets of Tilapia in 1 T. butter, letting it crumble apart

Once the fish was done, I added about 1 1/2 c. frozen mixed veggies, then a few minutes later, added the rice and some salt.

Dinner in a jiffy, without complaint from anyone.

WIN!

"Hong Kong Special Soup"

Another attempt at the "Hong Kong Special Soup" I grew up with in Nairobi ...

It's been so long that I don't remember all that was in the soup, so am going on others' suggestions.

Saute for 10-15 minutes in 3 T. oil (I used olive this time)
3 c. chopped carrots
2 c. chopped sweet onion
3 "heads" of baby bok choy
(I omitted suggested celery, broccoli and cauliflower)
1/4 t. salt


Add:
2 cans chicken broth
1T. dried parsley
shrimp (I used cooked, tail off)
shredded pork (sliced chicken will work too)
pepper to taste
soy sauce to taste
noodles : I like to use ramen noodles because the noodles that Hong Kong used were curly. Otherwise, egg noodles are an option. For this batch, I put a metal strainer into the broth with the chunk of noodles just before serving, so that the noodles were cooked, but weren't in the leftovers to get mushy.


I don't think it was quite the same as I remember, but it was very good and I think I'll do it again.

Mom's Sloppy Joes

Brown
1 lb. ground meat (turkey,chicken, beef)

Add:
3/4 c. ketsup
1/4 c. mustard
(amounts may vary according to your personal tastes)

Serve on buns

Egg Bake

Mix together in a large bowl:
6-8 eggs
1 lb. cheese of choice (shredded or cubed)
1 pt. cottage cheese
1 c. Bisquick or pancake mix
1 c. milk
1/4-1/2 c. margarine or butter
ham, bacon, sausage, veggies, etc, if desired

bake at 350 for 40-60 minutes

Sometimes, I'll bake some shredded hashbrowns in the bottom of the pan for a few minutes, and then top with the egg mixture.

Zucchini Bread

Adapted from Mom's recipe:

2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. unbleached white flour
1 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
3/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cinnamon
2 large zucchini, peeled and shredded
3 large eggs
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. oil

optional: nuts, raisins

Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours, or until done in center

Winging it - Banana Bread

Using my Betty Crocker cookbook as a guideline ...

3 mashed bananas
1/3 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk (I cheat and use about 1 1/2 t. vinegar and the rest milk)
1 t. almond flavoring
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. unbleached white flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt

Bake at 350 for 1 hour, 15 minutes, or until done in center

Pork, Broccoli and Noodle Skillet

Another one from Pillsbury

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/pork-broccoli-and-noodle-skillet/a0b39386-adc6-4bf8-9579-45b7538911e3/

For our batch, I used wide whole grain noodles, fresh broccoli, shredded pork I had in the freezer, jarred garlic and canned mushrooms.

Verdict, the picture looked tastier than what I made. It was edible, and I may try it again, but not too soon.

Quesidillas

Simple, yet good.


Put about 1/3 c. shredded cheese (of your choice) between two tortillas, and warm in a skillet until the cheese melts.
Cut into 4 or more pieces and eat with any (or more) of the following toppings:
salsa
queso
lettuce
tomato
onion
olives
guacamole or avocado
sour cream

Sukumawiki

Literally translated, this Kiswahili word means "to push you through the week". This dish is common throughout Kenya. It is traditionally served with "ugali" which is made by mixing cornmeal into boiling water, forming a paste thicker than mashed potatoes. American cornmeal doesn't seem to be quite right, but after so many years, I don't notice the difference as much.

Saute in oil or butter:
1 tomato
1 onion

Add:
a bunch of chopped greens (spinach is okay, but I prefer the crisper texture of something like cabbage or kale)
1/2 cube bullion, or some salt for a bit more flavor

Irish Colcannon

I learned the name for something I've made before - Colcannon.

Melt in large skillet:
3 T. butter

Saute until crisp-tender:
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 c. coleslaw blend

Add, and bring to a boil:
1 1/4 c. water
1 1/4 c. milk
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Remove from heat and add:
2 c. potato flakes
8 oz. (1/2 lb.) sliced or chopped corned beef
1/2 c. shredded cheese


I've done this before without the beef or cheese, and using real potatoes vs. the flakes. Either way, it's very good.

Ham and Potato Chowder

From Pillsbury again ....

In a large saucepan, combine and bring to a boil:
7.8 oz. pkg Au Gratin Potatoes
seasoning packet
1 1/2 c. diced, cooked ham
1/2 c. carrot
1/4 t. pepper
3 c. water
2 c. milk

Reduce heat to medium; cook 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender
Add:
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped


I used real ham, added more carrot and used dried parsley.

Not highly impressed.

Fluffy Stuff

Mix:
1/2 package orange gelatin powder
1-2 c. whipped topping

Add:
3 c. cottage cheese
1 can (drained) mandarin oranges

Enjoy!

Blondies

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/blondies/

Not bad.

Lighter Straw and Hay

this from another Pillsbury monthly:

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/lighter-straw-and-hay/3bbabd9b-ec51-4b19-b6f1-224ee24649e1/

I used plain, dry fettuccine since I couldn't find the refrigerated, nor spinach varieties. I also used tofu instead of the ham. Jeffry liked it, but the rest of us weren't impressed.

Craig's Crazy Chocolate Cake

that name given to this recipe by my mother, many years ago...

Combine, then make a hole in the center:
3 c. flour (I've even snuck in some whole wheat)
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
1 1/2 t. soda
1 t. salt

Into hole of dry ingredients:
2/3 c. oil
2 T. vinegar
2 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. water

mix, pour into greased 9x13" pan
bake at 350 for 30+ minutes

(adjust recipe for smaller cakes, adjust time for smaller cakes and cupcakes)


This variation for my Dad's birthday cake ...
First, I made a package of cheesecake flavored instant pudding
Then I made the cake with...
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
3/4 t. soda
1/2 t. salt

in a glass measuring cup
1/2 c. applesauce
enough oil to make it 2/3 c.
2 T. vinegar (oops, it should have been 1 T.)
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. water

I mixed the cake and then added the pudding to the mixture before baking. I tried only 1/2 c. sugar, but the batter didn't taste right. I know, I know, as a Doctor's daughter, I should know better than to eat cake batter with raw eggs in it. But in this case, I think this particular Doctor will thank me later.
I can give this variation a resounding "yuck". It took over an hour to bake. There was too much pudding in it, so it turned out more like a custard. Dad appreciated it, but I thought it was no good at all.

Grandma Bette's Cheesecake

I don't have a Grandma Bette, but that's the affectionate name I use for my parent's neighbor.

Crust:
mix, then pat into cheesecake pan:
1 package graham crackers, crushed
3 T. (or more) melted butter

Cheesecake:
Beat well in medium sized bowl:
4 large eggs
gradually add;
1 c. sugar

In a separate, large bowl, blend:
24 oz. cream cheese (I actually use the Neufchatel, since it's lower fat)
1 T. vanilla
1/2 t. salt

Combine two mixtures and pour over crust

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (it usually takes longer when I do it) until it's browning on the edges and still jiggles in the center.

Pilgrim's Pie

Thanksgiving in a pie!

I line a pie plate with pastry, then layer the leftovers inside - stuffing, squash, green bean casserole, turkey, gravy and then top it off with the potatoes.

Yum!

You've probably noticed that it's almost 2 months after Thanksgiving, so it freezes well.

Pecan Pie

from Betty Crocker:

line pie plate with pastry (I go with store made, because pastry and I don't agree on mixing and rolling out)

combine in bowl:
1/3 c. butter (melted)
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1/2 t. salt
3 large eggs

once combined, add
1 c. pecans

And just because I'm a chocolate lover and raising a chocolate lover, there were chocolate chips on half of the pie

Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes (until set in center)

Pumpkin Bread

Modified from Aunt Delaine ...

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. nutmeg
2/3 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
2 eggs
1 can pumpkin pie filling

pour into a greased bread pan
bake at 325 for 75-90 minutes

verdict: I don't remember how the oil and all white flour version tasted, so this tasted just fine.

Chili Cheese fries

Chili (adapted from Betty Crocker)

Brown:
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion (I used some fresh sweet onion, and some dried/minced)
2 cloves garlic (I used the ready-minced, jarred garlic)

Add:
1 T. chili powder
1 t. cumin
1 t. oregano
1 t. cocoa
1 t. hickory smoked salt
2 cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
2 cans beans (undrained)

I served them over French fries, with sour cream and shredded cheese. Verdict: very good.

Split Pea Soup

adapted from the many recipes in my "Fix It and Forget It" cookbook ....

In 2 T. olive oil, saute: (I actually did this the night before, in the crock pot)
1/2 a "head"? of celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped

Add:
2 c. shredded ham, and bones
2 bay leaves
1 lb. split peas
5 c. water
1 bullion cube
1 t. pepper

In the Crock Pot on Low for 8 hours.

Homemade Hot Pockets

These are from another Pillsbury monthly ....
(for 3 servings)

Cook 1 c. rice per package instructions

Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

Lightly grease a cookie sheet and place 3 of the crescent triangles flat on cookie sheet

Add to rice:
a 10 oz. package of broccoli in cheese sauce
1/4 c. parmesan
1/4 c. other cheese
salt and pepper to taste

spoon as much of this mixture onto the crescent rolls, cover with another triangle and crimp edges together with a fork.

If desired, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes


verdict: not bad; Jack ate his; I'm not huge on the broccoli stalk chunks that make it into frozen broccoli.

Last Minute Meatball Hoagies

I found a jar of pizza sauce in the back of the fridge, so decided to use it up.

I cut a loaf of French Bread lengthwise, then into 6-inch pieces.

Spread pizza sauce on top, slice meatballs in half and place on bread, cover with shredded mozarella cheese.

Heat in oven until cheese is melted.

Yum!

Skillet Beans and Penne

modified from a Pillsbury monthly cookbook ....

Cook 8 oz. pasta to desired done-ness

In a large skillet melt 1 T. butter, then add the following vegetables and cook util crisp-tender;
1 c. frozen corn
chopped onion
1 can of beans (drained)
2 medium zucchini, cut to desired size
3 chopped tomatoes

Add pasta, and;
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c. cottage cheese (the recipe called for 1/2 and 1/2 but I didn't have any)
1/4 c. shredded parmesan

verdict: babies wouldn't eat much of it, Leesha and I liked it, Jeffry thought it was bland.

Creamy Stroganoff

This recipe originally came from my Aunt Delaine ....

To make a big batch today, (taking meals to friends who just had babies last month):

Brown:
2 lbs. ground chicken (any meat will work, this is just what I chose this time)
1 minced onion

Add:
dried parsley flakes (added mostly for "character" or color)
1 t. ground black pepper
1 pt. cottage cheese
16 oz. sour cream
28 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

Being a mushroom lover, I would have added canned mushrooms if I'd had them on hand.


Serve over prepared noodles