Lentil Soup
My favourite because it is simple, delicious, nutritionally good and so easy. If you prefer a creamy consistency (like I do), when soup has cooked, purée half the batch.
Ingredients
1 tsp olive oil
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté celery, carrots, garlic and onion for 10 minutes.
Stir in stock and water: bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir in lentils and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are tender. Season with up to 1/4 tsp salt and pepper to taste.
#soup #lentil #nutritional
Sue Ekserci, RD
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Monday, 11 August 2014
Pasta Sauce
My own spaghetti sauce!
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion chopped fine
2 cloves garlic minced
3-4 pieces of pork meat-neck bones, breast or riblets
2-28oz cans of whole plum peeled tomatoes puréed
1 5.5oz can tomato paste
Water
1 tbsp butter
1 bunch basil chopped or torn
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Heat a large pot on medium heat and add just enough olive oil to cover the bottom.
Add pork meat and cook till brown, stirring frequently. Add chopped onions, salt and pepper and cook till soft. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes.
Add about 1/2 cup of water stir with wooden spoon and rest the spoon on top of pot with lid leaving a vent. Stir occasionally until most of the water evaporates.
Stir in puréed tomatoes. Add water by rinsing cans. Add paste, butter, basil, salt and pepper.
Raise the heat to a high boil, then simmer for 1 hour. Vent the pot once again and simmer for 1 hour.
Notes
For a tastier sauce, add Italian sausage and meatballs when browning the meat.
#tomatosauce #italian #spaghetti
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion chopped fine
2 cloves garlic minced
3-4 pieces of pork meat-neck bones, breast or riblets
2-28oz cans of whole plum peeled tomatoes puréed
1 5.5oz can tomato paste
Water
1 tbsp butter
1 bunch basil chopped or torn
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Heat a large pot on medium heat and add just enough olive oil to cover the bottom.
Add pork meat and cook till brown, stirring frequently. Add chopped onions, salt and pepper and cook till soft. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes.
Add about 1/2 cup of water stir with wooden spoon and rest the spoon on top of pot with lid leaving a vent. Stir occasionally until most of the water evaporates.
Stir in puréed tomatoes. Add water by rinsing cans. Add paste, butter, basil, salt and pepper.
Raise the heat to a high boil, then simmer for 1 hour. Vent the pot once again and simmer for 1 hour.
Notes
For a tastier sauce, add Italian sausage and meatballs when browning the meat.
#tomatosauce #italian #spaghetti
Easy Burgers
Easy Burgers
I've been making these for many years. The recipe originally is for pan frying but if you want to BBQ, add some breadcrumbs to the mix and split the recipe in four, you will have juicy quarter pounders!
Ingredients
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp finely chopped onion
1 lb ground beef or turkey or chicken
1/4 cup milk
Instructions
Beat together eggs, seasonings and flour till smooth. Stir in onion, beef and milk, mix well. Drop 6 large spoonfuls into lightly greased non-stick frying pan, flatten to make patties. Fry three or four minutes at medium heat, turn and fry other side. Serve on toasted buns with toppings of your choice.
#burgers #bbq #summerfood
I've been making these for many years. The recipe originally is for pan frying but if you want to BBQ, add some breadcrumbs to the mix and split the recipe in four, you will have juicy quarter pounders!
Ingredients
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp finely chopped onion
1 lb ground beef or turkey or chicken
1/4 cup milk
Instructions
Beat together eggs, seasonings and flour till smooth. Stir in onion, beef and milk, mix well. Drop 6 large spoonfuls into lightly greased non-stick frying pan, flatten to make patties. Fry three or four minutes at medium heat, turn and fry other side. Serve on toasted buns with toppings of your choice.
#burgers #bbq #summerfood
Fran's Macaroni Salad
Fran's Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
1 lb cooked macaroni (any short type will work)
Hellman's regular or light mayonnaise as much as you need or want
1-2 cans drained flaked tuna
1 celery chopped finely
2 green onions chopped finely
Salt
Pepper
Directions
Cook pasta "al dente". Strain and rinse in cold water. Strain well.
Add mayonnaise, tuna, celery, green onions, salt and pepper.
Serve chilled.
***You can add finely chopped red peppers and/or grated carrots.
#macaronisalad #salad #tuna
Ingredients
1 lb cooked macaroni (any short type will work)
Hellman's regular or light mayonnaise as much as you need or want
1-2 cans drained flaked tuna
1 celery chopped finely
2 green onions chopped finely
Salt
Pepper
Directions
Cook pasta "al dente". Strain and rinse in cold water. Strain well.
Add mayonnaise, tuna, celery, green onions, salt and pepper.
Serve chilled.
***You can add finely chopped red peppers and/or grated carrots.
#macaronisalad #salad #tuna
Homemade Pizza
Homemade Pizza
How can you not scream it every time! L.O.V.E. pizza who doesn't?
We hardly ever order takeout pizza when you can make it at home in the time you would go pick up the pizza or have it delivered. And there is nothing better than having a hot piping homemade pizza right out of the oven.
And the varieties...endless, endless I tell ya!
Tip with bakery bought dough:
Leave open bag of dough sit at least 1/2 hour for a second rising.
Pepperoni and mushrooms pizza:
Ingredients
Bakery or store bought pizza dough
1/2 jar Ragu with mushrooms pasta sauce (trust me, it's the best or use whatever you prefer), or you can use homemade marinara sauce. See in my blog
Grated mozzarella cheese as as much as you need or want
Sliced pepperoni
1 canned or fresh mushrooms
Directions
Turn oven on to 425 degrees. Spray pizza pan with cooking spray. With well floured hands place dough on floured counter. Press the dough outward with your fingers then pick up the dough and stretch it by grabbing the outer edges pinching the ends in a circular motion. Place dough back onto counter and adjust the size to fit the pan rolling it with a rolling pin.
Place pizza dough on a large pizza tray sprayed with cooking spray and poke pizza dough all over with a fork (or you can purchase a pizza roller).
Place in the oven for about 30 seconds. (This step will eliminate a soggy pizza).
Carefully remove tray from oven and tadd spread sauce, add mozzarella, pepperoni slices and mushrooms.
Bake at 425 degrees till bubbly and the cheese starts to turn colour. If you want a well done pizza (always my favourite), slide pizza off the tray and let it bake on top of oven rack for about 30 seconds.
Remove pizza from oven sliding it back onto tray. Let it rest a few minutes, slice and enjoy!
***You have some time on your hands and you want to make your own dough you say? It's easy if you have a good mixer with a dough hook.
This recipe is made with baker's yeast. Most bakeries will sell their yeast to customers. Usually sold in a 1 pound piece like a pound of butter, I cut it up into 1 tbsp size individually wrapped and put in freezer ready to use any time! A little bit of work but so worth the effort!
Ingredients
This recipe is for a 24 slice tray of pizza. Cut recipe in half for 1 large pizza.
2 tbsp yeast (defrost if frozen)
2 cups warm water
2 tbsp olive oil
4 to 5 cups of flour
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp oil
Directions
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water, cover with a tea towel 5-10 minutes. When yeast is formed, add the 2 tsp olive oil.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Slowly add the yeast mixture to the mixer kneading the dough until all the flour is incorporated and dough is smooth, about 10 minutes. If dough is sticking to the bowl, add a little more flour. Bowl should be clean of the flour.
Coat 1 tbsp oil in a large bowl. Place dough in bowl then flip it to coat other side.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in warm place for about 2 hours.
On a floured counter, remove dough and give a quick knead. Cover once again and let it rest for 1/2 hour.
Continue with directions above.
#pizza #Italian #homemade #pepperoni #mushrooms
How can you not scream it every time! L.O.V.E. pizza who doesn't?
We hardly ever order takeout pizza when you can make it at home in the time you would go pick up the pizza or have it delivered. And there is nothing better than having a hot piping homemade pizza right out of the oven.
And the varieties...endless, endless I tell ya!
Tip with bakery bought dough:
Leave open bag of dough sit at least 1/2 hour for a second rising.
Pepperoni and mushrooms pizza:
Ingredients
Bakery or store bought pizza dough
1/2 jar Ragu with mushrooms pasta sauce (trust me, it's the best or use whatever you prefer), or you can use homemade marinara sauce. See in my blog
Grated mozzarella cheese as as much as you need or want
Sliced pepperoni
1 canned or fresh mushrooms
Directions
Turn oven on to 425 degrees. Spray pizza pan with cooking spray. With well floured hands place dough on floured counter. Press the dough outward with your fingers then pick up the dough and stretch it by grabbing the outer edges pinching the ends in a circular motion. Place dough back onto counter and adjust the size to fit the pan rolling it with a rolling pin.
Place pizza dough on a large pizza tray sprayed with cooking spray and poke pizza dough all over with a fork (or you can purchase a pizza roller).
Place in the oven for about 30 seconds. (This step will eliminate a soggy pizza).
Carefully remove tray from oven and tadd spread sauce, add mozzarella, pepperoni slices and mushrooms.
Bake at 425 degrees till bubbly and the cheese starts to turn colour. If you want a well done pizza (always my favourite), slide pizza off the tray and let it bake on top of oven rack for about 30 seconds.
Remove pizza from oven sliding it back onto tray. Let it rest a few minutes, slice and enjoy!
***You have some time on your hands and you want to make your own dough you say? It's easy if you have a good mixer with a dough hook.
This recipe is made with baker's yeast. Most bakeries will sell their yeast to customers. Usually sold in a 1 pound piece like a pound of butter, I cut it up into 1 tbsp size individually wrapped and put in freezer ready to use any time! A little bit of work but so worth the effort!
Ingredients
This recipe is for a 24 slice tray of pizza. Cut recipe in half for 1 large pizza.
2 tbsp yeast (defrost if frozen)
2 cups warm water
2 tbsp olive oil
4 to 5 cups of flour
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp oil
Directions
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water, cover with a tea towel 5-10 minutes. When yeast is formed, add the 2 tsp olive oil.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Slowly add the yeast mixture to the mixer kneading the dough until all the flour is incorporated and dough is smooth, about 10 minutes. If dough is sticking to the bowl, add a little more flour. Bowl should be clean of the flour.
Coat 1 tbsp oil in a large bowl. Place dough in bowl then flip it to coat other side.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in warm place for about 2 hours.
On a floured counter, remove dough and give a quick knead. Cover once again and let it rest for 1/2 hour.
Continue with directions above.
#pizza #Italian #homemade #pepperoni #mushrooms
Fran's Potato Salad
Foodie Fran's Potato Salad
I don't have exact measurements because I've always done it "as needed" depending how many potatoes I was using. However, I will base it on 5 lbs of potatoes because your guests will want seconds on this!
Ingredients
5 lbs potatoes coarsely chopped about the same size
Hellman's regular or light mayonnaise (as much as you need for a creamy consistency)
(I swear by Hellman's, nothing else measures up, but use what you prefer)
4 hard boiled eggs - 3 chopped 1 sliced
1 finely chopped celery
2 green onions finely chopped
1 tablespoon relish
Back pepper
Paprika
Directions
Boil potatoes in salted water, cooking about 20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked. Drain.
Mash the potatoes immediately and let them cool.
Mix in mayonnaise, chopped eggs, celery and green onions.
Add relish and black pepper. Taste to add more salt if needed.
Place in serving bowl. Sprinkle paprika all over and add the egg slices forming a circle for presentation. If you have a small leafy stalk of the celery, add in centre of egg circle for added presentation :)
Serve chilled.
**You can add finely chopped red peppers and/or grated carrots.
#potatosalad
I don't have exact measurements because I've always done it "as needed" depending how many potatoes I was using. However, I will base it on 5 lbs of potatoes because your guests will want seconds on this!
Ingredients
5 lbs potatoes coarsely chopped about the same size
Hellman's regular or light mayonnaise (as much as you need for a creamy consistency)
(I swear by Hellman's, nothing else measures up, but use what you prefer)
4 hard boiled eggs - 3 chopped 1 sliced
1 finely chopped celery
2 green onions finely chopped
1 tablespoon relish
Back pepper
Paprika
Directions
Boil potatoes in salted water, cooking about 20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked. Drain.
Mash the potatoes immediately and let them cool.
Mix in mayonnaise, chopped eggs, celery and green onions.
Add relish and black pepper. Taste to add more salt if needed.
Place in serving bowl. Sprinkle paprika all over and add the egg slices forming a circle for presentation. If you have a small leafy stalk of the celery, add in centre of egg circle for added presentation :)
Serve chilled.
**You can add finely chopped red peppers and/or grated carrots.
#potatosalad
Banana Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies
Ahmazing! These cookies were so easy to make and delicious! Next time I will add chopped walnuts :)
Banana Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
3/4 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini, squeezed dry
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
Cream the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs and beat again. Stir in the zucchini and banana. Sift together the dry ingredients and slowly add until incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely. Store in sealed containers.
#cookies #chocolatechips #zucchini #banana
http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2010/07/zucchini-overload
Banana Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
3/4 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini, squeezed dry
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
Cream the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs and beat again. Stir in the zucchini and banana. Sift together the dry ingredients and slowly add until incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely. Store in sealed containers.
#cookies #chocolatechips #zucchini #banana
http://insidebrucrewlife.com/2010/07/zucchini-overload
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