Sunday, August 20, 2023

4 Bean Salad


Classic 4 Bean Salad

Ingredients

1/2 Red Onion, chopped fine and then placed in cold water to soak for at least 10 minutes (this takes the sharp edge off  the taste)

1 Can Cannelini Beans

1 Can Kidney Beans

1 Can Garbanzo Beans

1 Can Cut Green Beans

1 TBSP of Mixed Italian Spice (suggested Penzey's Italian Mix) and/or 

1 Cup loosely packed fresh Parsley leaves, finely chopped

1 teaspoon of fresh Rosemary, finely chopped

1/3 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar

2-3 TBSP of Granulated Sugar

1/4 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1+1/2  teaspoon of Course or Kosher Salt

1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground Black Pepper


1. Chop red onion and set aside in cold water if you haven't already.

2. Rinse and Drain all beans.

3. Put all the beans together into a large bowl.

4. Drain the chopped red onion and add this to the bowl of beans. 

5. Add the Spice mix, Parsley, and Rosemary to the bowl of beans and gently mix.

6. In a seperate medium bowl add Apple Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper and whisk until all is mixed in and evenly distributed.

7. Add the Vinegar/Oil mix to the large bowl of beans and mix until coated.

8. Put in the refrigerator to soak for a couple of hours.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Vegan Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup or Vegan Avgolemono - cooked in an Instapot

Lemon Orzo Soup

This soup is one of my Daughter's favorites and it just made a nice offering at a pot luck. There's no dairy, no meat, and can even be made gluten free if you are careful with your ingredients. What is this magical mystical wonder food? I'm talking about Vegan Lemon Orzo Soup or as the Greek say, Avgolemono. You can make this in a regular stock pot, but I like to cook it in the Instant Pot because I can keep it warm for a long time as if it were in a slow cooker. There is no pressure used on the Instapot, but I use the saute and warm settings. Your slow cooker might have these settings, too. Otherwise, just make this in a pot on the stove, it will cook beautifully either way. 

I originally found this recipe on simple-veganista.com. Of course I have a couple of tweaks, but it's pretty much theirs - credit where credit is due. This is a perfect recipe if you have a lot of lemons.

Here is the Recipe for Lemon Orzo Soup

Ingredients

1 TBSP Olive Oil

1/2 a Large Onion or 1 Small Onion, Diced

3 Carrots, peeled and diced

3-4 Cloves of Garlic, minced

8 Cups of Vegetable Broth

1 Cup of Orzo (or Gluten Free Orzo or Rice)

2 Cans of Chickpeas, drained and rinced

1/3 Cup of Tahini

The Juice of 3-4 Fresh Lemons (about 1/2 cup or more)

A Large Handful of Baby Spinach or Kale

1-2 TBSP of Fresh Chopped Dill

1-2 tsp of Large Crystal Salt 

About 1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper


Preparation

Heat oil over medium heat on the saute setting in the Instapot. 

While the Instapot is heating, prepare the broth if needed. I use the Knorr Vegetarian bullion, so I always mix it up first. I don't worry if the broth is not perfectly mixed or heated, I just want it to have some pre-mixing. 

Once it the Instapot is hot, add the onion and carrots. Saute for about 5 minutes, add the garlic and saute for another minute or so.

Add the broth to the pot and bring to a boil.

Add the orzo and chickpeas, reduce heat to low and cook at a gentle boil for 7-9 minutes or when the orzo is tender. (If you are using rice, add about 10 minutes to let the rice soften.)

Turn off heat, add tahini and fresh squeezed lemon juice, stir well. 

Add the baby spinach or kale and stir in.

Stir in the dill.

Season with salt and pepper.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Irish Soda Bread


I know, we haven’t posted in forever, but this blog is a food memory repository for our family and this one deserves a write up. 

During Covid lockdowns we found ourselves shopping for groceries online and having them delivered. One service included some recipes and this one satisfied our need for bread when yeast was in short supply.

A simple recipe with only 4 ingredients, this Irish Soda Bread can be made from scratch in under an hour. Pair with a soup or a salad for a delicious meal.

Irish Soda Bread

2 Cups Buttermilk

3.5 cups (1 pound) of Flour

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda


Take out a heavy pot or pan (I use a rose shaped bundt pan). Spray pan with spray oil or Pam and set aside.

Preheat oven to 450* Fahrenheit

Sift flour into large bowl, add salt and baking soda and mix them together.

Stir in buttermilk to the mixture with a wooden spoon until dough forms a soggy mass. Don’t over-mix.

Put dough into the prepared heavy pan. Give the top a few slices with a knife to let the dough expand.

Bake for 45 min. uncovered. 

If you find your oven runs hot, you can bake for 45 min covered and then uncover and bake for 15 min more.

Serve warm with butter.


Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Bread-maker Oatmeal Bread - a no egg recipe

It is late March in Los Angeles.  We are in the midst of the only Worldwide Pandemic that has been seen in generations.  We are "Sheltering in Place" staying in our homes to avoid getting and spreading Covid-19, a disease that is extremely contagious and that kills 2-3% of the people who get it. 

In these times of quarantine, I find myself cooking so much and looking back at our blog which was started to save and share family recipes and memories.  How we came together and cooked for each other will be a memory our family won't soon forget. I feel blessed to have food and bread machines and family.  Now seems like a good time to share again. 

This recipe was adapted from the Bread Machine Baking cookbook to accommodate a lack of certain ingredients.  Unlike at any time in my generation, it is difficult to shop and things like eggs run out quickly.  A quick trip to the store is not taken lightly so we adapt.  The adaptation was a success.  This hearty bread is crunchy on the outside and lighter-than-expected spongy on the inside.  The oats popped up as a nutty detail to chew.  It was good paired as a sandwich with savory insides salami and cheese as well as a sweeter snack with honey.

Bread Machine Oat Bread

1 cup Water
2 1/2 teaspoons Yeast
3/4 cup Steel Cut Oats
1 tablespoon Melted Butter or Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon Molasses
1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
2 1/2 cups of All-purpose Flour

Place the water in the bread-maker
Stir in the Yeast
Add the Steel Cut Oats and let sit for 10 minutes to soften the oats.
Add the rest of the ingredients in order.
Select basic, standard, or white bread on the machine and select start.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Carrot Parsnip Soup


One of my favorite recipes to make on a cold winter's day is Carrot Parsnip soup.  Filling and warm, chock full of healthy ingredients, this recipe nourishes you from the inside out.

Carrot Parsnip Soup - originally from Gourmet Magazine as doctored up by Candice Colbert

1 Onion, chopped 
2 Carrots, diced
2 Parsnips, diced
1 TBSP Butter
2 Cups of Chicken Broth (or veggie broth if desired)
1 clove of Garlic, diced or smashed
Dash of Salt and Pepper

In a medium to large sauce pot, cook the onion, carrot, parsnips, butter, and garlic over a moderately low heat stirring occasionally for 10 min.
Add the broth and seasons.  
Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
With a hand blender, food processor, or blender, puree the mixture until smooth and ready to eat.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Down for a Decadent Delight - Bananas Foster Nutella Crepes

Low on funds, but still want a delicious breakfast?

Make crepes I say!  

After a friend asked for some low cost recipes I was inspired to make a meal I haven't made in forever, Bananas Foster Nutella Crepes.  This recipe has few ingredients, which are low cost, and often in the pantry.  Plus, it's a way to use up bananas that are going a bit black. 

Crepe batter from The Moosewood Cookbook.



Here's what you need:

Crepes:
1 large egg
1 1/4 cup of milk
1 cup of flour
1/4 tsp of salt

a little oil for the pan

Mix all crepe ingredients in blender or whisk in a bowl until smooth.
Heat a nonstick or stainless omelet pan.
Brush a bit of oil over the pan.
Pour batter in the pan, enough to coat the pan in a thin layer.
Cook for about 20 seconds and then flip the crepe and cook about 10-15 seconds more or until firm.
Put crepe and repeat process until batter is used up (about 4-6 crepes depending on the size of the pan)


Filling:
1 Tbsp butter
a couple of rotting bananas, sliced into circles
Nutella or Peanut Butter

In another pan melt the butter and add the bananas.
Cook on a medium heat until bananas are pleasantly caramelized. 

Spread Nutella or peanut butter on a crepe and put filling over it.  Fold over or roll crepe up.

Cost of this meal (enough to feed 4) - maybe $2.00 - $3.00 worth of ingredients, and yet you are eating like a king!

Friday, October 30, 2015

Halloween Lunch!


Yep, I still make the occasional Bento.  The kids are 9, and still need some magic in their lives, or at least creepy pizza fingers!
Happy Halloween!

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Recipe for a week of meals for 4 for $100.

As a woman who has had to stretch a paycheck or two on occasion, I have been thinking of sharing a menu for a family who has little to spend on the weekly grocery bill. I used a budget of $100 for the whole family of four for the week.  I tried to make somewhat balanced meals with fruits, veggies, dairy, and meats everyday. Many of the items on the shopping list can be purchased more cheaply, and you can always find ingredients for more.  I used an average price you would find at a California store in 2015 for most of the ingredients.
This menu is assuming you are starting from scratch as if there was no pantry.  If you have some staples like spices and flour, you are really far ahead of the game. Use this as a loose guide and improvise and improve as needed.  Please send comments and any corrections you see that need to be made.

Shopping List:

24 Eggs  $6.00
1.25 lb ground turkey  $3.50
1 lb ground beef $3.50
1 lb of chicken breast  $4.00
2 cups fresh spinach (about 16 oz)  $2.50
1 bag panko crispy bread crumbs  $2.50
1 red onion $0.75
1 bulb garlic  $0.50
Salt  $1.00
2 pears $1.00
Black Pepper  $1.50
ketchup  $1.75
Pack of Burger Buns  $2.00
10 lb Sack of Potatoes  $4.00
Bag of Rice  $2.00
Box of cherry or grape tomatoes  $3.00
4 Apples  $2.00
8 Bananas $1.75
2 cans of soup  $3.00
Spray oil (like Pam) $2.25
1.5 - 2 Gallons of Milk  $5.00
1 lb Butter unsalted $3.50
Old Fashioned Oatmeal canister  $3.00
Brown Sugar  $2.00
White Vinegar  $1.00
2 Tuna Cans  $4.00
Sliced cheap wheat bread  $1.50
Mayo $2.00
Box of Corn Flakes  $2.00
Cheddar Cheese Bar  $3.00
Broccoli Crowns  $1.50
Bag of whole Carrots  $1.00
1/2 lb of sliced turkey $3.50
3 lb chicken thighs $4.00
5 lb Bag of flour $2.50
1 lb bacon or turkey bacon $3.00
Ranch dressing  $2.50
Romaine Lettuce $2.00
Yogurt Cups 2 for a dollar $2.00
Baking powder $1.50
Splurge - 2 liter of soda or bag of chips $1.00
$100.00

Day 1

Breakfast

2 Apples sliced for all to shareOatmealBrown SugarMilk

Lunch

Egg Salad Sandwiches (4 eggs)Home made potato chipsCarrot sticks

Dinner

Meatloaf Cupcakes with Home Made Mashed Potatoes instead of packaged potatoes (use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce).Home Made Mashed potatoes are: about 1-2 pounds of potatoes, 1/4-1/2 cup of milk, 2-3 TBSP of butter and salt as desired.  Boil potatoes for about 20 minutes or until soft.  Drain water and mash up potatoes with other ingredients.Meatloaf recipe makes 6 servings (2 cupcakes a person) - eat 8 cupcakes at dinner and reserve 4 for a brown bag lunch.

Day 2

Breakfast

Toad in the hole (4 eggs cooked over easy in a piece of toast with the center cut out.)

Lunch

Meatloaf cupcakesHome made potato chips - preheat oven to 450 degrees F, slice 3-4 potatoes very thin. Boil the potato slices in water for 3-5 minutes. Drain the water and sprinkle with salt and pepper (add chopped garlic if desired). Spray oil a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes or so until chips are golden brown. (eat half, save half for tomorrow).

Dinner

Rice and soy sauce1/2 lb Chicken with sauteed spinach and garlic 

After Dinner Snack (dessert) 

Muffins

1-3/4 cups of flour

4 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 Cup milk

1 egg

4 tsp unsalted butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Spray a 24 cup mini-muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray (I use a silicone pan with spray)3. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.4. In a small bowl combine egg, milk, and butter. Pour over the flour mixture and stir, just until blended (do not overmix).5. Spoon the batter into the cups, only filling the cups until they are just to the top, not over the sides.6. Bake 20-25 minutes.


Day 3

Breakfast

Corn Flakes (with brown sugar if desired) & Milk

Lunch

Wheat Bread and Tuna Sandwiches (2 cans of tuna, mayo, 1 hard boiled egg)Carrot sticks with Ranch

Snack

Leftover Muffins

Dinner

Baked potatoes with butter, broccoli and cheese topping.Romaine lettuce salad with a few tomatoes, a little shredded cheddar, and thin sliced carrots.Bananas sauteed in butter for dessert

Day 4

Breakfast

OatmealBrown SugarMilk

Lunch

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (Wheat bread, buttered, cheddar, and tomatoes)1 can of soup2 Apples sliced for all to share

Snack

Any leftover muffins

Dinner

1/4 lb Burgers made with garlic, salt, pepper, soy sauce served on buns with lettuce.Homemade french fries with KetchupCarmelized 1/2 Red Onion.  Try simplifying a gourmet recipe like this: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_caramelize_onions/ by using what you have on hand, spray oil, white vinegar

Day 5

Breakfast

Jiffy Corn Muffins (need 1 egg +1/2 Cup milk)Yogurt cups

Lunch

Cherry tomatoesSliced turkey and mayo or ranch with lettuce sandwiches on hamburger buns or sliced bread.2 pears sliced and shared

Snack

Splurge items like soda or chips or if you did not have that extra dollar, try a simple rice pudding with rice, milk and brown sugar.

Dinner

Chicken Adobo - Recipe here - maybe make half if the chicken thighs are not cheap.  Borrow a bay leaf from a friend or skip it.rice 

Day 6

Breakfast

Corn Flakes with sliced bananas & Milk

Lunch

Rice and Soy Sauce, leftover chicken adobo

Snack

Biscuits - Here's a recipe http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013741-all-purpose-biscuits

Dinner

Quiche - Pie crust + 1/2 lb bacon, 5 eggs, milk, any spinach, broccoli, tomato and onion that is left over

Day 7

Breakfast

Spinach, tomato, and egg scramble (Spray oil into the pan, saute spinach and tomato until spinach is wilted.  Scramble up 4-5 eggs, a little milk, salt, pepper into the pan.  Cook until fluffy.)Toast with butter

Lunch

Bacon and Cheddar slices of whatever cheese is left on last of the hamburger buns, biscuits, or sliced bread - with mayo or ranch dressing. 1 can of soup

Snack

If you have enough butter left you can make shortbread cookieshttp://amydouglass.blogspot.com/2011/02/butter-brown-sugar-flour.html

If not, and you are hungry, have some oatmeal with brown sugar and milk.

Dinner

Carrots cooked in brown sugar and butter1/2 lb Chicken, sliced, dipped in a little milk and 1 egg, and coated with a mixture of panko crumbs, salt, and pepper.  Spray a lot of oil into a pan and cook or spray a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees F, 10-12 minutes on each side or until cooked through.Mashed potatoes or baked potatoes with butter.


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