Monday, February 28, 2011

"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.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

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

Friday, February 25, 2011

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.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

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

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

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

Monday, February 21, 2011

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

Saturday, February 19, 2011

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.

Monday, February 14, 2011

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.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

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!