Showing posts with label American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American. Show all posts

Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger ~ a Depression-Era food classic that has stood the test of time...


A few weeks ago, I was watching the Travel Channel's show ~ Man v. Food Nation ~ and saw this segment on the famous Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger.  It looked and sounded so good, that I just knew I would have to try making that onion burger at home sometime.  

Well, lunch today was that 'sometime'.  Roy & J had theirs with cheese and I made mine 'low carb' (enjoying it without a bun).  It was a hit!  I used almost an entire large onion...but, next time I will add even more.  It is amazing how much onions will reduce and since the onion is the star of the show ~ the more the merrier!  Check out the backstory of this old-time, Depression-Era, most innovative of American burgers in ~ this Fried Onion Burger recipe.  More real-time cooking in my kitchen :)  


Waldorf Chicken Salad ~ from America's Test Kitchen


When I was on the treadmill at the gym the other day,  I watched this episode clip from America's Test Kitchen (it's available for viewing for a limited time, so check it out soon).  They shared a recipe for a spin on a classic chicken salad.  They called their version ~ Waldorf Chicken Salad.  It looked so good, I came home and made it for my dinner.  The recipe was easy to follow and made for a great tasting chicken salad.  The thing that really caught my attention, was them cooking the chicken breasts in a homemade version of sous-vide cooker.  Interesting concept...  I'm not fully convinced that it was worth the extra effort, but I was glad that I tried preparing it that way. 

I made a simple, throw-it-all-in-the-pot ~ Chicken & Vegetable Miso Soup ~ using the leftover water/broth.  What a great way to use up leftover veggies in the fridge.  There's no waste is this kitchen!!

Since you have to sign-up over at America's Test Kitchen before they will let you see the actual recipe, and some might not want to do that, here is another great sounding Waldof Chicken Salad recipe that has similar flavors. ((this recipe has no Let-us-send-you-a-Cooks-Illustrated-magazine-to-review-&-then-write-'cancel'-on-the-invoice-we-send-to-you-,-even-if-you-don't-want-to-pay-$24.99-a-year-for-a-subscription catch to it.))    :)  teehee  

Sirloin Burger with Fried Onion Gravy


For a quick and tasty dinner, I'll often make sirloin burgers, but, without a bun.  To me, it just seems so much more fancy served this way.  We're lucky that our itty-bitty town has a wonderful, little family-run butcher that grinds their own beef, a few times a day.  Their meat takes a hamburger dinner up to the next level. 

Into the sirloin I'll mix ~ whatever spices sound good at the moment, a handful of bread crumbs, shape it into ovals or circles (depending on my mood) and then fry/grill them up.  Then I'll top them with whatever strikes my fancy.  This time I covered the burgers with beef gravy and French's Fried Onions.   Ahh, a simple dinner that satisfies ~ I like that...and so does my family.  :)


Cinnamon Red Hots Applesauce ~ a vintage family recipe from the 30's


Our dear family friend, Dick, makes a wonderful vintage gelatin 'apple sauce salad'.  I've always called it by my own name for it ~ Cinnamon Red Hots Applesauce.  It's a recipe that he got from his Aunt Maud and dates back to the 1930's.  Way back when, Cherry Jello and Cinnamon Red Hots were new taste sensations that were all the rage, as were Jello/gelatin 'salads'.  So, it's not surprising that she combined them into this unusual combo.  We enjoy it so much, that I always ask Dick to bring a bowlful of it to our holiday dinners.  When he was a child, Dick says he remembers it being served on a bed of lettuce, as the 'salad course' of a special dinner.  I just serve it right along with everything else.  To me it's more of a fun and tasty spin on traditional applesauce, rather than a 'salad'.  Different times, different definitions of what a 'salad' is. 


Yesterday, I posted a picture on the blog's Facebook page showing what we had for our Christmas dinner and mentioned the Cinnamon Red Hots Applesauce.  (it was on last years Christmas dinner plate, too)  Thanks to Crystal (a reader of the blog) for asking for the recipe and giving me the inspiration for today's blog post.   Here you go, Crystal, hope you like it!

Cinnamon Red Hots Applesauce
makes 4~6 servings 
(Roy likes it with 1/4 cup CRH & I like it a little spicier, so sometimes I use 1/3 cup CRH)

Ingredients
  • 1 cup boiling hot water
  • 1/4 cup Cinnamon Red Hots candies (add more for an even spicier, cinnamon-y taste)
  • 1 small box Cherry Jello (or your favorite red flavor)
  • 1 pint unsweetened applesauce (16 oz)
Directions 

Add 1/4 cup Cinnamon Red Hots to one cup of boiling hot water, stir to dissolve.  ((gently heat up the water/CRH in a saucepan if the Cinnamon Red Hots don't dissolve completely with just stirring))

Add one package Cherry Jello to the hot water/Cinnamon Red Hots liquid, stir 2 minutes or until Jello is completely dissolved.   Add the pint of applesauce to the Jello mixture, stir well.  Refrigerate for a few hours until it firms up.   ((It will be thicker than regular applesauce, but not as firm as Jello))  Enjoy!

Meatloaf Patties ~ Festivus for the Rest of Us

Festivus Meatloaf Patties ~ Super quick way to get dinner on the table for this most cracked of holiday traditions.  Thanks to the TV show ~ Seinfeld ~ we have yet another holiday dinner to make.  For that famous episode, Mrs. Costanza made meatloaf.   My meatloaf version cuts out all that time consuming ~ baking, slicing and loaf pan washing.  Just save yourself the trouble and cook it up like you would a hamburger.  Somehow, taking shortcuts on this meal just seems so right...  :)

Today is the 23rd of December and it's the day to celebrate Festivus.  Since the original Seinfeld TV episode ~ The Strike ~ (the one that introduced us all to Festivus, this most particular of holidays) had meatloaf as the meal of honor, I decided I might as well trot out a quick and simple version of 'meatloaf' that I do.  I'm dubbing it my ~ 'Festivus for the Rest of Us' Meatloaf Patties.  If it's good enough to serve at Frank and Estelle's Festivus Celebration, than it's good enough for me to serve at mine!



Festivus Meatloaf Patties
makes 4 festive Festivus single-serving meatloaves

Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground hamburger
  • 1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • salt & pepper, to taste

  • ketchup, gravy or BBQ sauce for topping your Festivus Meatloaf Patty ~ it's your call
Directions

In a medium bowl, mix the first 7 ingredients until well combined.  Divide meat into four lumps and form them into an oval or circle shape, as you see fit.  It's your Festivus Meatloaf Patty, do with it as you will.

Cook the Festivus Meatloaf Patties in a large nonstick skillet, over medium heat, until they are done to your liking.  It's better if you don't burn them.  Top with the condiment of your choice. (less chance for argument that way)  Serve with any sides that trip your trigger.

Happy Festivus for the Rest of Us!  Let the Airing of Grievances and the Feats of Strength begin...  NOT!   teehee

 
 

Traditional Indiana Persimmon Pudding

Traditional Indiana Persimmon Pudding ~ The finished pudding sorta reminds me of  Betty's Indian Pudding/Hasty Pudding that I made a few weeks ago.  It also reminds me of some of the steamed English puddings that I've had in the past. 
 
Tonight, J and I were invited over to Bill and Cheryl's house (our neighbors) for dessert.  Cheryl had made a traditional Indiana favorite ~ Persimmon Pudding.  I've heard of persimmons before, I've seen signs in some of the shops stating that it's for sale ~ either the fruit, pulp, pudding or cake...but we've never tried it.

Cheryl dished up a bowl for each of us, I took a few pictures and we discussed the hows and whys of persimmons.  It's a fruit/tree that has strong roots (pun intended :) in the Hoosier State and there are lots of old-family recipes floating around for this traditional fall/winter pudding treat.  It can be eaten warm or cold; plain, or with whipped cream or milk.

Cheryl showed me an old, 1940's well used, 3-ring binder cookbook that had at least six different versions, all from the kitchens of various, long-gone Indiana homemakers who contributed to the book.  The biggest difference with the recipes seems to be the amount of flour that you add, and the 'to-stir or not-to-stir' choice. Cheryl makes the version where you have to stir it every 15 minutes. (stirring often, while baking, makes it an old-fashioned pudding & not-stirring makes it more like a dense cake)

I found this recipe that sounds a lot like the version Cheryl made.  From reading the recipe comments, I see that this simple recipe has stirred-up quite the passionate discussion ~ some say it's a traditional Indiana persimmon pudding, while others say that it's not how their long standing, passed down through the generations, family recipe is made.  Isn't it great that the lowly, little persimmon (that some discount completely and say is fit only for feeding to the hogs) can cause such a ruckus?!   I'm smitten and so is my son.

Bill and Cheryl ~  Thanks so much for having us over.  FYI ~ Roy wants to put in a request for a bowlful, too!   Pretty please...  : )

Low-Fat 'Fried' Green Tomatoes ~ Meatless Monday

'Fried' Green Tomatoes ~ My version is very low fat & low cal, it makes a perfect summetime meal since green tomatoes are so plentiful right now.  I enjoy this recipe from now until frost.  As long as there are green tomatoes, I'm cooking/eating this dish.  :) 

Grandma Bunni was raised in the hills of West Virgina, where eating Fried Green Tomatoes was part of her childhood & she made it a part of mine.  I gotta say, I'm a huge fan of Fried Green Tomatoes, but not of the actual 'frying in oil' that goes along with making it.  When the tomatoes are cooked like that, they are really tasty, but they just have too much fat & calories to let me enjoy them with a clear conscience.

Years ago, I came up with a recipe that allowed me to enjoy this meal anytime I want to ~ and my version of 'Fried' Green Tomatoes is low fat & low cal ~ Yes!  With green tomatoes now showing up in our garden, (and in Bill & Cheryl's veggie garden, thanks for all the tomatoes, Neighbors!) as well as at the local Farmers Market, now is the perfect time for enjoying this ol' homestyle, summertime favorite.  Who says you have to wait for your tomatoes to get ripe before you can begin enjoying them...certainly not me!  


Low-Fat 'Fried' Green Tomatoes
serves 1
recipe can be doubled, just use a bigger skillet

  • one medium (or large) green tomato, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 Tbsp Italian Style/Spiced bread crumbs *
  • 1 Tbsp cornmeal * (optional, use all bread crumbs if you like)
  • smoked paprika (or regular) ~ for sprinkling on the tomato slices before cooking
  • 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' Spray ~ for spraying on the tomato slices before cooking (& maybe after, too :)
  • Pam, butter flavored or regular
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • your favorite hot pepper sauce, to taste


*double the bread crumbs/cornmeal if making a double batch or if your tomato is really big


Heat skillet over medium heat.  Combine Italian bread crumbs & cornmeal and place in small plate for dredging the tomatoes in.




Take the sliced green tomatoes, dredge both sides in the Italian bread crumbs/cornmeal mixture, sprinkle one side with smoked paprika & spray with 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' Spray.  (there should be enough moisture on the tomato slices for the bread crumb mixture to stick, if not ~ dip the tomato slices in water & then proceed with the dredging)




When the tomatoes are ready, spray the skillet with Pam & lay the tomato slices in a single layer, with the paprika sprinkled side down, so that side cooks first.  Cook for approx. 3 minutes.  While the first side is cooking, sprinkle the top side of the tomatoes with paprika & spray with ICBINB Spray.  When the 3 minutes is over for the first side, flip & cook the other side for an additional 3 minutes or until the green tomatoes are golden & getting softer, but are still a bit firm. (sorta like how pasta cooks to al dente)

Serve the 'Fried' Green Tomatoes with your favorite hot pepper sauce and salt & pepper to taste.  Add some extra ICBINB Spray to the tomatoes, if you're so inclined. (I'm always so inclined, I love that stuff)   I usually make at least 2 or 3 tomatoes for my meal.  I'll eat the first tomato, while the second one is cooking & eat the second one, while the third one is cooking.  Enjoy!



Guiltless Patriotic Fat Free Brownie Supreme with fresh Raspberries & Blueberries ~ A Simple Fourth of July Dessert Idea

Guiltless Patriotic Fat Free Brownie Supreme with fresh Raspberries & Blueberries ~ This is such an indulgent tasting dessert that is actually a snap to make & exceptionally low in fat, make that FAT FREE ~ thanks to Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Fat Free Brownie Mix & Fat Free Cool Whip.

The Fourth of July is just around the corner & I'm playing around with different dessert ideas to celebrate this most patriotic of holidays.  I know Memorial Day is the traditional 'unofficial/official' kick-off for summer, but to me, July 4th is when summer really kicks it into high gear.  The sun is brighter, the days are longer, the nights are hotter & the parties are non-stop,

Here is one of the dessert ideas that I've come up with so far ~ Guiltless Patriotic Fat Free Brownie Supreme with fresh Raspberries & Blueberries.   It's a sinfully good Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Fat Free Chocolate Brownie, hiding beneath a layer of Fat Free Cool Whip & topped with colorful, fresh berries...& did I already mention it's really, really low fat, like FAT FREE?  Almost too good to be true ~ but it is!  I just love it when you can find ingredients that let you create a dessert that's so easy to make, as well as so elegant & festive, too!

Since July 4th falls mid-week this year, our town's grand fireworks display, shot off over the lake, will be held on Sunday, July 1st ~ but everyone will be coming to the lake & hanging around town starting on Friday, June 29th.  That makes for a really long, extended weekend for celebrating the 4th.  I decided I better come up with a few desserts to keep my family & friends happy, that way every day leading up to the Fourth of July will be special, too.   Enjoy!



Guiltless Patriotic Fat Free Brownie Supreme with fresh Raspberries & Blueberries 



  • prepared brownies, either individual microwaved brownies using Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Fat Free Brownie Mix    OR    a full batch of your favorite brownies, store bought or home baked, cut into squares
  • fresh blueberries
  • fresh raspberries
  • tub of Fat Free Cool Whip
Place a brownie ((either still warm or cooled, but we like it best still warm)) in the dessert bowl or pretty glass of your choice.

Layer it with a generous mound of Fat Free Cool Whip, then top it all with fresh blueberries & raspberries.

The dessert can be made ahead of time & kept in the fridge until ready to serve, if you want it chilled ~ OR ~ assemble it at the last minute if space in the fridge is at a premium or you like to eat your brownie warm, like we do.  :)

Let's hear it for the Good Ol' Red, White & Blue!




Homemade Apple Schnapps ~ making homemade Hooch


I learned how to make this very easy version of Homemade Apple Schnapps while visiting some friends, up in Canada, back in the fall of 1993.  They served this delightful beverage to the houseful of guests that were staying with them during the Oktoberfest festivitiesSchnapps is originally from Germany & is a favorite of mine, from way back.  When I first started making this concoction back home, I dubbed it 'Hooch' & I've been making, enjoying & sharing it for almost two decades.




You can easily change up the flavor of the schnapps, just by choosing a different juice concentrate.  I'm partial to the apple flavor, probably because it's the original way I had it.  (my trademark hooch is only made with apple juice concentrate :)   I decant the schnapps/hooch into pretty bottles & keep it in the fridge.  It's perfect to drink before/after dinner or turned into a cocktail, using your favorite mixer. **  Please note:  This is an adult mixed alcoholic beverage.  No underage drinking allowed! Do not overindulge.  Enjoy responsibly.  :)  **


Homemade Apple Schnapps                       

  • one 750ml bottle of Vodka
  • five cans of apple juice concentrate, thawed
  • water to taste

Empty the Vodka into a large pitcher & add all the cans of thawed apple juice concentrate.  Stir until well combined.

Taste & add water if desired, to get it just the way you like it ~ whatever suits your fancy.  Store in the fridge & always keep chilled.

Enjoy straight up as a cordial for sipping after dinner; serve it over ice; maybe a small glassful before dinner or with your favorite mixer as a cocktail. 


(Almost) Homemade Classic Apple Pie ~ homemade apple pie filling with a store bought crust


(Almost) Homemade Classic Apple Pie ~ homemade Apple Pie Filling with a store bought crust ~ When J & I bring back apples from the orchard, Roy always likes me to make an apple pie.  When Roy was growing up in England, he & his brothers would pick apples off the apple tree in their backyard & then his Mom would make homemade apple pies.  Roy remembers those pies fondly & wants J to have the same sort of 'picking, making & eating homemade apple pie' childhood memories...


Well, you might remember me mentioning this before ~ the fact that I am a challenged baker...  I can make a few things well, but when I stray too far off the dessert baking path, (like I can do with non-baking cooking, with no problems) well...I run into problems.  Like with baking 'from scratch' pies (i.e., the apple pies Roy likes) ~ I've tried making a pie crust a few times...it was NOT pretty.  Well, maybe it was pretty...awful.  As I remember it, the crusts all turned out tough.  Never one to give up, I knew there was more than one way to bake a pie, so I turned to the fastest way I knew how.  I went to the store, hit the freezer aisle & bought some frozen pie crusts.  Problem solved.  Works for this gal!  What also works for this gal is the two for $1 Apple Pies at McDonald's.  I admit it, I really like them.  (I totally agree with Carrie from SATC on that one)

Now, all that being said, I do make the Apple Pie Filling from scratch, no canned pie filling for me.  Funny, I have no trouble with the fruit filling aspect ~ just the flour part trips me up every time.  My cooking motto: Play to your strengths & downplay your weakness.  :)

Here is the recipe I use for the Apple Pie Filling, it's taken from an America's Test Kitchen Cookbook.  Just skip right past the part on making the crust (it's already thawing out on the counter, right?) & go directly to the 'For the pie' instructions.  You'll be enjoying your (Almost) Homemade Classic Apple Pie in no time!


Homemade Seitan Sausages ~ Meatless Monday

Homemade Vegetarian Hot Dog ~ made from seitan


When I first started taking food pictures last year, I was learning how to make the vegetarian meat substitute ~ seitan.  I learned how to made it into 'cutlets' (by simmering it in broth) & I also made it into 'sausages' (by steaming it).  I've already shared photos on how I turned some of the seitan sausages into the dish Dublin Coddle & into the favorite Southern dish, Red Beans & Rice.  I also made it into a few more dishes ~ so here are the rest of photos from that first batch of seitan sausages.  They would be perfect for a Meatless Monday meal.

The basic recipe for the seitan sausages came from the blog ~ Vegan Dad.  His is a good recipe & it would be easy to tweak it if you wanted a different flavor, like for an Italian sausage or for a breakfast sausage.  I think these seitan sausages turn out way better than anything I can get over at Whole Foods.  They are so much cheaper when you make them yourself, you know exactly what is going inside your 'sausages' & they're pretty easy to make, too.  Very cool!


Seitan Sausage & Pasta ~ tossed with mushrooms, white beans & spinach


For this dish, I added the seitan sausages to wide pasta noodles & served it with mushrooms, white beans and spinach.  It was the last of the sausages, so this time I decided to keep it simple.  I just tossed it all with some Parmesan cheese, olive oil & spices.  After eating the dish, I realized the 'sausages' really need to have some sort of sauce or condiment on it, or to be in some sort of broth/soup, for the best over-all taste.  (at least for my taste buds)   The next time I made them, I served them with a spaghetti sauce & another time with an Alfredo sauce ~ then the dish/sausages were great.  Live & learn.  :)

Deviled Eggs ~ Simply Perfect

Simply Perfect Deviled Eggs


I love deviled eggs, I've enjoyed them ever since I was a child.  Now that I think of it, I don't have a childhood holiday memory that doesn't include this food on the table.  Grandma Bunni was the queen of deviled eggs, at least I thought so.  She grew up in an era that always included this tasty morsel at every holiday party, get-together, cocktail party or just because.  If there were friends & family present, you could count on there being a tray of her deviled eggs, just waiting to make their appearance.

She would make them several different ways. Sometimes she used for the creamy bit ~ Best Foods mayo, Miracle Whip or even cream cheese. She then might add (in no particular combination)  minced bits ~ sweet pickles, purple onions, celery, spring onions or capers.  Then she would garnish them with whatever struck her fancy ~ sliced garnish ~ black olives, green olives, pimentos, capers, parsley or paprika.  She would mix & match the creamy bit & minced bits with the sliced garnish ~ according to her mood & what she had in the kitchen.  As I got older, I sometimes took over the preparation of the deviled eggs & I would look to some fancier ingredients/presentations, Ă  la 1980's frou-frou recipes from Bon AppĂ©tit or Gourmet magazines.

But of all her/my many combinations, I think the one I like the most is the simplest one she made.  She would make it this way when it was just the two of us ~ for either lunch or dinner.  Sometimes it's the simple things in life that are the best.   Here is the very easy, simple and perfect (at least to me) way to make deviled eggs.  The beauty of this recipe is that you can make just one or one hundred deviled eggs.  When they are this easy to make, there is no need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy these tasty tidbits ~ you just need the longing to enjoy a little taste of home cooking, as it used to be.  I still use Grandma Bunni's white deviled egg plate & still have her old, white hen dish.  They have been a part of eating deviled eggs for as long as I can remember.  Now, J has them as part of his childhood memories, too.  Just as it should be...



Grandma Bunni's Simply Perfect Deviled Eggs

(amounts of servings/ingredients are varied ~ depends on how many you are making)




~           hard boiled eggs, as many as you want (each egg will make two
             deviled eggs)
~           Best Foods or Hellmann's Mayonnaise ~ has to be this kind,
             it's got the perfect flavoring, can be regular or lowfat, but not
             fat free (fat free is sweeter, blah) (it's called Best Foods on the
             west coast & Hellmann's out east ~ don't ask me why, it just is)

~           salt & pepper, to taste
~           paprika & chopped parsley, for garnish




1)          hard boil as many eggs as you want ~ from one egg to as many as
              you need (ie. six eggs will make 12 deviled eggs)

2)         cut each egg in half & pop out the yolk into a bowl

3)         mash yolks with a fork until all yolks are nicely smashed & 'fluffy'

4)         add one heaping teaspoon of mayonnaise per egg yolk
            (or a bit more if you like your deviled egg centers really creamy,
              I like mine a bit firmer ~ so I can really taste the richness of the yolk) 

5)         combine yolks & mayo until well blended & creamy,
            add salt & pepper to taste




6)         put the yolk mixture into the center of each hollowed out egg
            either by spooning it in, or using a baggie with the end cut off,
            or a fancy pastry bag (spooning is easiest)

7)         garnish with paprika & chopped parsley

8)         let them sit in the fridge for at least one hour before serving ~
            so the flavors can develop  


Enjoy!


Creative Leftovers ~ Irish Soda Bread & Corned Beef Seitan

Strawberry Shortcake ~ made with leftover Irish Soda Bread ~ This was amazing!  The soda bread was perfect as a stand-in for traditional shortcake. I just cubed up the leftover soda bread & spooned sugared strawberries over the top.  We like to pour a little half & half (or milk) over our strawberry shortcake, as well as a bit of whipped cream.  It was a perfect dessert to go with the warm temps we have been enjoying this past week.



Remember the Irish Soda Bread and the Vegan Corned Beef & Cabbage I posted about last week?  Well, I had some leftovers from that St. Patrick's Day meal & I always get creative with my 'leftovers'.  When I get through tinkering, you'd never know you were eating the same thing for the second (or third) time.  You could easily use regular Corned Beef, if that is what you have hanging around ~ it would taste amazing no matter which type of Corned Beef  (vegan or regular) you use.




Grilled Open-Faced Vegetarian Corned Beef & Swiss Sandwich with Roasted Red Peppers ~ made with leftover Vegan Corned Beef Seitan ~ I basically started making a grilled Swiss cheese sandwich, but didn't put the two slices of bread together.  Instead I topped each slice of  melted Swiss cheese/bread with some hot, sliced corned beef seitan & then added diced roasted red peppers with a bit of yellow mustard & parsley.  It was sooo good!



Grilled Vegetarian Reuben ~ made with the leftover Vegan Corned Beef Seitan ~ This is addicting!  I thin sliced the corned beef seitan with my mandolin slicer & then cooked the thin slices in a single layer, in a medium hot pan, with a bit of oil - just until it started to get a bit golden.  I heated some sauerkraut & grilled some bread with Swiss cheese & layered it all together with some Thousand Island dressing & mustard.  I served it with some pickled green tomatoes that I made at the end of last summer.  Man, this was crazy good!!!

All ready to assemble...

Slicing it thin...














Vegetarian Reuben with homemade Pickled Green Tomatoes ~ Awesome!!



Vegetarian PâtĂ© ~ made with leftover Vegan Corned Beef Seitan ~ This was so easy to make.  Just take some slices of the corned beef seitan, mash it up with a fork, until you get it fairly smooth.  Then add some of your favorite mayo, a little at a time, until you get a thick, creamy blend.  Since the corned beef seitan is already spiced, you don't have to add any more spices - but get creative if you feel like it.  If you are using regular corned beef, I would use a food processor to blend it, otherwise you would be there all day trying to get it smooth.  :)  I was inspired to make this vegetarian pâtĂ© after I made a regular chicken liver pâtĂ©, for my Mad Men Cocktail Party post.



I hope these photos give you some ideas on what to do with some of your St. Patrick's Day leftovers.  Now, I'm guessing there are no leftovers of this, hanging around in your fridge... and if there are, I'm sure you know exactly what to do with them.  :)








 

Kale Caesar Salad ~ All Hail the King of Salads!

Hail Caesar!   The King of Salads ~ for the Ides of March       ~Kale Caesar Salad~

Today is March 15th, also known as The Ides of March.   Caesar really should have paid more attention to that seer, don't you agree?  I always feel the need to make a Caesar Salad on the 15th & since I make a really good, basic Caesar Salad ~ starring kale instead of romaine ~ I thought I'd share the recipe. 

I don't know about you, but I believe kale is a superfood that has gotten a bad rap.  A lot of people don't think it is very tasty & say it's hard to use in recipes.  I've found it to be very versatile, either when cooked (steamed, braised, sauteed or simmered in soups) or eaten raw, in salads.  I always use the regular curly kale, since I can always find it at the market ~ but the Dinosaur Kale does sound interesting.  I'm up for giving that kind a try, if I ever find it at our local market.  Not sure if it is necessary, but I soak the curly kale for a couple of hours in ice water (so it gets really clean & crispy), spin it dry & then use it in recipes.  I've never had any problems using the regular curly kale that way, I think it must mellow it out.  I sometimes use garbanzo beans when making my Kale Caesar Salad, instead of croutons, to keep the salad low carb.

I love any kind of salad, but I really enjoy a good Caesar Salad.  Et tu, Brute?

Hail to the Kale! Caesar Salad
serves 1-2

5 cups           kale ~ soaked, spun dry & crisped in fridge
                      chopped into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup         garbanzo beans ~ if you want the salad lower carb
                      or use croutons if you want it more traditional
2-3 tbsp        grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
~                    salt & pepper, to taste

Caesar Salad Dressing ~ adapted from Vegetarian Times recipe

4 tbsp            plain yogurt
1 tbsp            lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp     low fat mayo (I'll only use Hellman's/Best Foods)
1 tsp              Dijon mustard
1 tsp              Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp            grated Parmesan cheese  
2 tbsp            sardines, drained & mashed OR tuna, drained & mashed
                      (optional)                   
~                    black pepper, to taste  (I use a fair amount, I really like pepper)

1)     blend all ingredients for the Caesar dressing & set aside

2)     toss the chilled, chopped kale with the Caesar dressing & either the
         garbanzo beans or croutons (depending on which you are using)

3)     plate it up & sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the salad,
        salt & pepper to taste

                                                                 Enjoy!


Quick & Easy Chocolate Cake ~ Eggless & Dairy-free

Chocolate Skillet Cake aka 'Poor Man's Cake' or 'Wacky Cake'


If you are looking for an easy, quick, eggless / butterless chocolate cake recipe ~ one that you probably already have all the ingredients for ~ look no further.  This Chocolate Skillet Cake is for you!  It would be perfect for a birthday, potluck, celebration or just because.  Depending on how you top the cake, it could qualify as dairy-free or as a vegetarian / vegan cake, too.  Just skip the icing & add powered sugar (like I usually do) or if you just love icing (like J does) ~ use a vegetarian 'butter' in the icing.  I just love a dessert that can wear many hats & taste great as all of them!

I have seen this cake in a lot of my really old cookbooks & it goes by many different names, the most unusual is Wacky Cake, but,  Poor Man's Cake is right up there, too.  Since it is eggless, the cake rises due to the chemical reactions of the vinegar & baking soda.  Neat!  Cooking & science project, all in one.

J gets a kick out of making this cake, but, what kid wouldn't?  It has to be one of the most kid friendly cake recipes out there & he just loves getting to lick the bowl.  I know you can save dirtying a bowl & just make it in the skillet ~ but where is the fun in that?  Making a cake is just not the same without licking the bowl...  :)


Poor Man's Lobster ~ Cooking with Cod

Poor Man's Lobster ~ served with melted Lemon Butter
I was feeling a bit nostalgic today & decided to go through some old family cookbooks.  While I was going through one of Grandma Bunni's old cookbooks, I came across a time worn, tattered & torn, clipped newspaper recipe for ~ 'Poor Man's Lobster'.

I remember her making that for us when I was young.  I always loved lobster as a kid, but when we had it, it was only ordered at The Castaway Restaurant & then only on very special occasions.  Since she knew how much I liked it, she would sometimes make her 'special lobster' for us ~ aka 'Poor Man's Lobster' ~ at home, using cod.  We were kids, we didn't know any better.  She would put the lobster/fish on a big plate, with a big saucer of melted lemon butter & away we'd go.  Happy as clams, we were! (excuse the pun)  Dipping the 'lobster' in melted lemon butter was always half the fun anyway.  We were happy, her pocketbook was happy & life was good.

I just so happened to have bought a few pounds of cod (on sale) the other day ~ I'd call that serendipity.  I also called that today's lunch.  It was a blast from the past having 'Poor Man's Lobster' again.  I'll have to make it soon for J.  Maybe one day he will find the recipe, just like I did & hopefully, he'll remember it as fondly as I do...  :)

Fat Tuesday ~ Shrove Tuesday ~ Pancake Day ~ Time for some pancakes!

Perfectly golden...

Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day ~ by what ever name you call it, it is almost here.  In England, it goes by Shrove Tuesday & since the hubby is from England, that is what we call the day that the pancake is king.

As any 7 year old would, J loves his pancakes (a lot) & never needs an extra excuse to eat them. In this house we celebrate Shrove Tuesday by eating lots & lots of pancakes.  Here are a few of our favorite kinds of pancakes to make ~ both traditional & with a little bit of flair...




English Pancakes ~ These are very similar to French Crepes.  I really like to eat this type of pancake with Meyer lemon & sugar.
English Pancakes with Meyer Lemon & Sugar

Traditional Pancakes ~ These are J's favorite.  He really enjoys them at our local cafe.  On the kids menu they have a great big Mickey Mouse face pancake, you can count on him to order it whenever we go there.  At Mom's 'home cafe' he gets them regular.  Either way, he eats them up quick!
Traditional Pancakes with Maple Syrup


English Pancakes ~ You can roll them or you can fold them, any way you do it is good.  I think they look very petite when you fold them this way.  Just add your favorite filling. Yum!!
English Pancakes with Meyer Lemon & Sugar


Dutch Baby Pancakes ~ These baked pancakes are so very good & can be made large or small.  Leftovers, filled with custard/pudding & fresh fruit, make wonderful fruit tart desserts.


Dutch Baby Pancakes



French Crepes ~  I love to make French Crepes because they are so versatile.  They make a wonderful breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.  Tuck leftovers inside & they become special.

French Crepes

Hope you get a chance to celebrate this years Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day with a big plate of golden pancakes.  I know we will!  :)



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