Blog Archives

Baked Apples

1/29/2015

This super simple recipe makes a great dessert or a side dish for pork. When I was growing up, we had baked apples for dessert at least once a month. You can get creative use, nutmeg, top with oats, or replace the sugar with syrup.
Baked Apples

Ingredients:
·         4 Apples (or one per person)

·         The juice of ½ a lemon

·         2 tbsp. Brown Sugar

·         1 tsp. Cinnamon

·         4 pats butter (one for each apple)

Directions:
1.       Preheat oven to 375ºF

2.       Cut out top part of apple core to make a well in each apple. Don’t remove the entire core.

3.       Sprinkle with lemon juice

4.       Place apples in baking dish

5.       Mix sugar and cinnamon

6.       Fill Apple wells with sugar mixture

7.       Place pat of butter into wells of each apple

8.       Bake for 50 minutes

Donna’s Shrimp and Pasta Extraordinaire

1/29/2015

This is a recipe for a really good all in one dinner. It is open to creativity. You can change up the vegetables to your tastes. Try asparagus, tomatoes, cauliflower, carrots, or spinach.

Donna’s Shrimp and Pasta Extraordinaire

Ingredients:
·         16 oz. pasta of your choice

·         1 clove garlic, chopped

·         1 red or yellow bell pepper

·         1 cup broccoli, chopped

·         1 pound shrimp, shelled and cleaned

·         ¼ cup butter or olive oil

·         1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:
1.       Cook Pasta per package directions

2.       Sauté garlic in large pan

3.       Add bell pepper and broccoli, cook for about 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat

4.       Add shrimp and continue to cook until it turns pink

5.       Toss shrimp, vegetables, butter, and cheese with pasta

Donna's Vegan Tomato Soup

1/27/2015

This is a healthy vegan alternative to traditional Tomato Soup, it is easily made gluten-free and it is sweetened with coconut milk rather than sugar.

Donna’s Vegan Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
·         2 cups vegetable broth

·         2-3 large tomatoes, diced to yield about 3 cups

·         Dash of herbs and seasonings of your choice – I use thyme, basil or dill

·         2 TBS olive oil

·         2 TBS all-purpose flour[1]

·         1 cup coconut milk

Directions:
1.       Put tomatoes including their juice, broth and herbs in a pot, bring to boil

2.       Lower heat and Simmer for at least 30 minutes

3.       Use a hand blender or food processor to puree tomatoes (Optional per your preferences)

4.       In a separate pot, combine oil and flour to make a roux

5.       Slowly add coconut milk and stir until smooth

6.       Stir for about 5 minutes until thick

7.       Combine tomato mixture and coconut milk mixture into one pot

8.       Simmer on low for about an hour

[1] Sweet rice flour is a gluten free alternative

Donna's Tomato Soup

1/27/2015

I enjoy tomato soup. But I wasn't satisfied looking at recipes I found on the net. They all seemed to include sugar and I think there are better ways of adding taste.

Donna’s Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
·         2 cups vegetable broth

·         2-3 large tomatoes, diced to yield about 3 cups

·         1 carrot, shredded (Optional adds sweetness)

·         Dash of herbs and seasonings of your choice – I use thyme, basil or dill

·         2 TBS butter

·         2 TBS all-purpose flour[1]

·         1 cup milk or cream

Directions:
1.       Put tomatoes including their juice, carrots, broth and herbs in a pot, bring to boil

2.       Lower heat and Simmer for at least 30 minutes

3.       Use a hand blender or food processor to puree tomatoes (Optional per your preferences)

4.       In a separate pot, combine butter and flour to make a roux

5.       Slowly add milk and stir until smooth

6.       Stir for about 5 minutes until thick

7.       Combine tomato mixture and milk mixture into one pot

8.       Simmer on low for about an hour

[1] Sweet rice flour is a gluten free alternative

Meatloaf

1/15/2015

Tonight my family is having a favorite meal, Meatloaf. This comfort food is tasty and inexpensive family meal. I am cooking it in the slow cooker because I have plans this evening during my normal dinner prep time. It also allows for flexibility and creativity. Today instead of mustard I used Buffalo Ranch Salad Dressing. And in place of the shredded cheese, I mixed cream cheese into the meat.
Meatloaf

INGREDIENTS:

·         1 lb. ground beef

·         ¼ cup ketchup

·         ¼ cup mustard

·         1 egg

·         1 onion, chopped

·         ¼ cup breadcrumbs

·         1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

·         ½ cup cheese, shredded or crumbled

DIRECTIONS:

1.    Pre-heat oven to 400ºF

2.   Mix all ingredients except cheese

3.   Press half of the meat into loaf baking dish

4.   Layer cheese onto meat

5.   Cover with the remainder of meat

6.   Bake for 40 minutes

Or instead of the oven

Shape the meat and put in slow cooker on low for 6 hours

Yorkshire Pudding

1/14/2015

the next time you make roast beef, how about delicious Yorkshire pudding to go with it? It isn't as difficult as you might imagine and sure to impress!

Yorkshire Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

·         1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

·         ¾ tsp. salt

·         ¾ cup milk, room temperature

·         3 eggs, room temperature

·         ¾ cup water

·         ½ cup beef drippings

DIRECTIONS:

1.    Preheat oven to 400º F

2.   Mix flour and salt together until blended

3.   Make a well in the flour, add the milk, and whisk until consistent

4.   Beat the eggs into the batter

5.   Add water and beat again until the mixture is light and frothy

6.   Set aside for an hour

7.   When the roast beef is ready to come out of the oven, ready the mixture

8.   Pour off drippings from roast beef and measure out ½ cup

9.   Pour drippings into a 9x12 inch baking dish and place into the oven until the drippings sizzle

10. Pour the batter over the drippings and bake for 30 minutes (or until the sides have risen and are golden brown)

Simple Baked Eggplant

1/12/2015

This recipe works as a side, vegetable or even entree for your meal. It is very simple with only three ingredients, but delicious.

Simple Baked Eggplant

Ingredients:
·         1 Eggplant, peeled (if not fresh) and sliced to ½ inch thickness

·         ¼ cup mayonnaise or salad dressing (use olive oil and make it Vegan)

·         ½ cup breadcrumbs

·         Salt/pepper

Directions:
1.       Preheat Oven to 350ºF

2.       Brush eggplant slices (both sides) with mayonnaise

3.       Coat with breadcrumbs

4.       Place on prepared baking sheet

5.       Bake for 45 minutes, turning halfway through

Baked Garlic Parmesan Squash Chips

1/10/2015

This recipe for a healthy snack or perfect party appetizer is sure to please.

GARLIC PARMESAN SQUASH CHIPS

INGREDIENTS:

·         4 yellow squash sliced to ¼-inch to ½-inch thickness

·         3 tablespoons olive oil

·         salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

·         1 cup panko crumbs

·         1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

·         1 teaspoon dried oregano

·         1 teaspoon garlic powder

·         cooking spray (optional)

Directions:

1.      Preheat oven to 450º

2.      Combine olive oil, salt and pepper

3.      Pour mixture over squash

4.      In a separate bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and garlic powder.

5.      Dip squash slices in cheese/panko mixture and coat on both sides, pressing on the coating to stick.

6.      Place the squash in a single layer on the baking sheets lined with parchment paper

7.      Lightly spray each slice with cooking spray. (optional for crispiness)

8.      Bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through

Bold Florida Broiled Grouper

1/9/2015

I wanted to make something different for dinner last night. I created this recipe. It turned out really tasty

Bold Florida Broiled Grouper

Ingredients
·         2 pounds fresh grouper fillets, cleaned and de-boned

·         Juice of ½-1 orange

·         2 oz. cheddar cheese, grated

·         ¼ cup butter, softened

·         3 tablespoons mayonnaise

·         1 tsp horseradish, ground

·         salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1.       Preheat the oven's broiler.

2.       Place the grouper fillets on a greased baking tray.

3.       Squeeze orange juice over grouper

4.       In a small bowl, stir together the cheese, butter, mayonnaise, horseradish, salt and pepper. Set aside.

5.       Broil the fillets for about 6 minutes, until they can be flaked with a fork.

6.       Remove from the oven and spread the cheese mixture on top of fillets.

7.       Return to the broiler for an additional 30 seconds – 1 minute or until the topping is browned and bubbly.