What I love, What I do, (from the Kitchen): February 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Buttermilk Dressing (mix)Shrimp Salad- Mo's Style (a good repeat)

I have talked about Mo's before when I posted my Clam Chowder recipe. It is a place in Newport Oregon that "Gourmet Guy" and I have loved for years and years. In fact it is past time to go there again. Newport is a place we like to go to get away from everyday... there are Mo's in other parts of Oregon but this one, the orginal, is our favorite. Of course the Clam Chowder is the best ever but they have other menu items that we love as well. Because it is on the coast the seafood is fresh and tasty. They make a Shrimp Salad that is very enjoyable with a bowl of chowder and garlic toast. The key is the ranch dressing that they make is simply the best. We were told that they were going to market it but we haven't seen it yet.

Here is our version! So simple yet so good.

Green cabbage, cut into small pieces

Fresh salad shrimp, cooked and clean

Ranch Dressing, (Mo's would be the best of course but here is a mix recipe that we like with it.)

Ranch Dressing

1/2 c. buttermilk powder
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1 t. dried minced onion
1 t. MSG
1 t. salt
1 T. dried parsley
1/4 t. ground pepper
2 c. mayonnaise
1 c. water

This is a great mix, I have often made it and given as gifts. I have given each of my married daughters a combination of my mixes as a gift to start them off when they are setting up as Newlyweds. One of my friends asked for my Dill Dip mix every year for Christmas.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Quatro Frijoles con Pollo Cantaro--slow cooker

Again I found this recipe and can't give credit for it but I recently tried it and like it. I would add jalapeno peppers to the recipe to give it a little kick. I would also use pork rather than chicken.

1 c. pitted black olives
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 16 oz. garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 16 oz. can Great Northern or navy beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 16 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 c. chicken stock, plus extra as needed
1 Tbsp. olive or canola oil
1 c. onion, minced
2 tsp. garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
hot sauce to taste
2 c. crushed corn chips
6 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
(small jalapeno seeded and minced finely, optional)

Combine olives, chicken, beans, chilies, and chicken stock in slow cooker. Mix well and set aside. Heat oil in large skillet, over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic, and cumin until onion is soft. Add to the chicken mixture. Cover, cook on low 4-5 hours. check liquid about halfway through, adding more hot broth as needed. Taste and add hot sauce, salt and pepper. Serve in warm bowls and garnish with corn chips and cheese.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A Bounty of Blessings

Over the years I have made large meals for a growing family. Often I would double up on meals and freeze them for use at a later time or to give to someone who might need an extra meal...

As my family began to grow out of the home I have had difficulty in making smaller meals out of habit with my recipes. I started to make mini meals for daughters living in apartments or for my mother-in-law to make sure she was eating well.

This is one of the mini chicken pot pies.

I am officially an "empty nester," oh I hate the thoughts!!!! My gourmet guy is gone a lot so I am often debating what to do for dinner. It just isn't as fun to cook for myself. However, part of my new years resolution was to do a better job eating nutritionally especially when I am alone. I planned out a menu and I checked in the freezer and found a freezer meal. I found myself enjoying the blessing of my own freezer meal. A bounty of blessings that includes one for myself.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Valentine cleaverness from my daughter

My daughter continues to do such fun things for her family. This was for her husband as a breakfast in bed. I couldn't resist posting this to show how fun it is.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Asian Beef with Broccoli (slow cooker)

This is a recipe that I found while I was teaching classes at the Macey's Little Theatre, I have had it on file for a long time and decided to try it. I can't give credit to the magazine I got it from but it is a really easy and tastes really good. (We will add mushrooms in the last 15 mins, as well in the future.)

1 1/2 pounds chuck steak, about 1 1/2 inches thick, sliced into thin strips
1 10.5 oz. condensed beef consomme, undiluted
1/2 c. oyster sauce
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 bag (16 oz) frresh or frozen broccoli florets
6-8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
Hot cooked rice
Sesame seeds

Place beef in cloe cooker. Pour consomme and oyster sauce over beef. Cover, cook on high for 3 hours. Combine cornstarch and 2 Tbsp. cooking liquid in small bowl. Add to slow cooker, stir well to combine. Cover, cook on high for 15 mins. longer or until thickened. Poke holes in broccoli bag with fork.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Oreo Ice Cream Dessert ----Truly decadent

24 Oreo's-crushed

1 stick butter, melted

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

1 bar German sweet chocolate

1 stick butter

2/3 c. sugar

2/3 c. evaporated milk

1 tsp. vanilla

8 0z. cool whip

Put crushed (remove Oreo's (remove the filling from the center) in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Drizzle 1 stick of melted butter over Oreo's. Refrigerate. Spread vanilla ice cream over the crust. Melt German chocolate, 1 stick of butter, evaporated milk, and sugar. Boil 4 minutes to thicken, stirring constantly so it doesn't scorch. Cool to room temperature. Put on top of ice cream. Put on Cool Whip. Freeze until served.

(My daughter made this for her husbands birthday. She used an Oreo pie crust in place of the
Oreo cookies. This is very rich!)

The Pantry

The pantry can be a life saver if it is well stocked and can help when you just don't know what to fix for dinner.

As I have made meals over the years I have stocked up on things that are common in my recipes so all I have to do is shop from my shelves. It is easy to come up with things quickly when you have supplies on hand. It may seem like a lot to have on hand but these are some of my pantry/storage staples and if you build slowly it isn't oppresive to purchase. Watch the ads and sales in your local stores.

Canned/Storage:
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
chicken broth
beef broth
tuna
chicken
corn
olives
beans- kidney. canellini, black, refried
dried beans, red, white, pinto, split peas
creamed soups, mushroom. chicken. celery
tomato soup
bean with bacon soup
rice
flour
sugar
favorite spices
variety of pasta's
peanut butter

Freezer:
chicken breasts
bone in hams
chuck roasts pork roasts
pork chops
lean ground beef
ground turkey
Itailian sausage
vegetables

Refrigerator:
milk
eggs
butter
Tillamook cheddar cheese
Lowfat mozerella cheese
sour cream
cream cheese
mayonnaise
miracle whip
ketchup
mustard
half and half
cucumber
lettuce
celery
carrots
apples
limes

Pantry Shelf:
onions
avocados
tomatoes
garlic
potatoes, red and Idaho russet

Home Canned Items: (I love to can!)
tomatoes
chicken breasts
green beans
salsa
chile sauce

Favorite From the Pantry Recipes

Lauri's Italian Sauce

3 bottles whole tomatoes (4cans approx. 1 lb size)
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
3 8 oz. cans mushrooms

3 T. dried Oregano
3 T. dried Marjoram
3 T. dried Basil
1 ½ T. dried Thyme
T. Fennel (optional)
dried onion or two chopped fresh onions
2 T. minced dried garlic or 5 cloves fresh garlic minced (if using fresh onion and garlic sauté them in olive oil until transparent and then add the remaining ingredients)

Combine all of the above ingredients and bring to a boil, simmer on low heat until thickened. (I usually simmer it for several hours)

Meat Sauce

4 lbs, lean ground beef
2 chopped onions
2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Brown the meat and add the onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add to the marinara sauce and simmer.

Sour Cream Enchilladas

Mix
4 lb. hamburger
2 onions, chopped
6 carrots, grated or chopped
1 or 2 green pepper chopped
2 T. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 t. garlic salt

Brown beef and drain, add prepared vegetables. Cook until tender and drain, cool.*

Add to hamburger mixture
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 oz. can green chili's chopped (more if you want a little more spice)
1 c. sour cream
1 c. milk
Monterey jack and cheddar cheese grated (to your taste)
corn tortillas

Fill corn tortillas with meat mixture. Place seam down in a 9x13 baking pan. Layer with sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 mins. This can also be served lasagna style in a casserole dish. This saves time rolling the enchiladas. It just depends on how you want the dish to look on the plates.

*This meat mixture is great to use for other things as well, it can be used to make sloppy joes, tacos, or with other ground beef recipes. It is a great way to add more vegetables to meals with out children or picky eaters even knowing. Just freeze into portions in a zippered bag and thaw when you need a quick meal.

Tips

Always fill your sink with hot soapy water and wash as you go. This helps to keep the mess under control. (I love to cook to I really hate to clean up after!)

When you fix rice for a meal make extra and freeze some of it in a zipper bag. With this premeasured rice it is easy to do a quick thaw and serve or add to other ingredients for a quick and easy meal.

Post a shopping list where you can find it, when you run out of something simply write it down and teach your family to do the same. You are less likely to be caught off guard when you are making your favorite dish.

Make a menu and include your shopping list. You spend less time in the store when you have a plan. When you make more trips to the store you simply spend more money. Having worked with a large grocery chain I learned some of the tricks used to get you to buy more. Be prepared when you go!

Shop the Ads. Make your menu out with the ad and use the shopping list. Most people don't have time to run from store to store getting the best deal on just a few things. When you compare and find the best prices it saves you time, money, and gas.

When making dishes like lasagna, manicotti, chicken pot pie, and many casseroles make two at the same time and freeze the second one for rainy day or a sick friend. It takes little effort to make the extra and it can be a big bonus in your freezer.

Tomatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator but on your counter top. The cold causes them to break down and turn mushy.

If you need to ripen your avacados faster place them in a small paper bag with a banana or apple. The gas that they put off causes the avacado to ripen faster.

Don't store onion and garlic together because the garlic goes bad faster from the gas emitted from the onions,

Applesauce Spice Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 c. thick unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 t. cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. allspice
1 t. salt
8 t. baking powder (that's right)
3 c. flour
1 c. nuts chopped (optional)

Cream together shortening and sugar, add eggs. Mix dry ingredients and combine both mixes. Spread on to a sheet cake pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Frosting:

½ c. plus 2 T. butter
5 c. powdered sugar
2½ t. Mapleline flavoring
3 T. milk

Soften butter and combine with remaining ingredients, spread on top of cake.

This is good to take to Pot Luck dinners or large gatherings. I would also freeze leftover cake in individual servings for my kids after school or when they needed a quick, small snack.

Zucchini Blues

Took it for granted
When it was planted
That I had just enough

Now during my days
I'm trying new ways
To use up all this stuff

My basement is crammed
It's been jellied and jammed
Make into bread and cake

It's been chopped and sliced
And grated and diced...
There's nothing else to make!

I've baked it and planned it
Boiled and canned it
And frozen all I need

I have had my fill
There's too much... and still
It's growing like a weed.

(After going away for a week I came home to find six zucchini that were bat size in the garden. Seems like the kids didn't look as hard as they said they did! So I thought of this poem. Anyone need some Zucchini?)