Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Chicken Pot Pie

I found a recipe for a Tuna Pot Pie, but the idea of tuna mixed with cream of chicken soup didn't sound good to me. Instead I used vegetarian chicken strips. (If you decide to try the tuna, it called for two cans.)

I mixed a package of vegetarian chicken strips with cream of chicken soup and frozen mixed vegetables. I put whole biscuits on top and baked it. The recipe said to cut the biscuits into pieces. I should have done that because the bisquit didn't finish baking. Mel liked it, but I think it would have been better if the biscuits had finished cooking.

This is a simple 4 ingredient recipe. Your kids will love this dish.

Happy Cooking,
Ellen

Pizza Quiche

I found a recipe for Pizza Quiche in a women's magazine. I couldn't figure out why they wanted to put a can of concentrated potato soup into the pie. Of course, I eliminated it and took the basic idea to create a recipe of my own.

I used vegetarian pepperoni and sausage, but it isn't necessary. The vegetarian pepperoni has only about a couple of fat grams compared to 14 for the meat version, and it had more protein. It tasted so similar that you could probably fool your meat eaters. The only difference is the lack of grease. That may tip them off, but it may be worth a shot if you're wanting to eat healthier. Mel said that the taste was great, but the lack of grease gave away the healthier ingredients.

I used a store bought pie shell. After prebaking the shell, I layered cheese and the pepperoni, sausage, olives and peppers and onions like a lasagna. You can use whatever pizza toppings you like in the pie. On top I poured the egg mixture. Mel liked it that way because it was very flavorful, but not too eggy.

Bake until you can stick a fork into the center and it comes out clean.

This is a keeper in our household. Mel said that the only thing that would make it better was a dollop of pizza sauce on top or on the side to dip bites into.

Happy Cooking,
Ellen

Friday, February 19, 2010

Secret Ingredient Apple Crisp

Mel couldn't believe what I used to make an apple crisp healthier. Diet soda.

Recipe: I chopped up 4-6 apples, poured 1/2 cup of diet soda over them, and sprinkled 2-3 tablespoons of raisins over them. I tossed on some seasonings, such as cinnamon or pie spice. Mix together homemade cereal in previous post and spread over the fruit. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 325 degrees.

The diet soda softens and seasons the apples as they bake. I worried that the diet soda would make it runny, but the apples soaked it up.

If you want it to be sweeter, you can add 1 tablespoon sugar with the apples and soda. I think brown sugar sounds mouthwatering delicious.

Happy, Healthy Cooking,
Ellen

Homemade Cereal

Recipe: 1 3/4 cup of whole oats, 3/4 cup pecans, 6 tablespoons of maple syrup, 6 tablespoon of butter/margarine Mix all ingredients together and spread over a baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden. Cool and crumble. It will last for 2 weeks in an airtight container.

I think the maple syrup is too mild according to the above recipe. You could definitely add a couple more tablespoons of syrup if you like sweeter cereal.

I found that if you forget the butter, the cereal will burn. Oops! I had to throw out my first batch because of this. Since I used the last of my nuts on the first batch, I had to go without in the second. In other words, the nuts can be optional if you don't like them. At a later date, I used walnuts instead and loved it just the same. I also added a tablespoon or two of wheat germ to one batch to add more fiber and vitamins. Mel didn't realize. I can't believe I actually fooled Mr. Super Palette.

Mel liked it with milk for breakfast and with yogurt for a snack.

I wanted to make some and give as gifts in small canning jars, but waited too close to Christmas to find jars at short notice. Oh well, maybe next year I will give a small jar of this healthy homemade cereal to my family, friends and Santa. What says "I love you" more than a healthy homemade present. Hey, at least it's not fruitcake.

Healthy cooking and eating,
Ellen

Baked Bean Casserole

When I tried this recipe I found I eliminated the hot dogs, since Mel and I are trying to eat more vegetarian. We didn't miss the meat because it had a great flavor without it. The fun about casseroles is how easy they are to adjust for different diets.

Instead of using processed potatoes for the topping, you can substitute homemade varities, such as mash potatoes, hash browns or cut potatoes. The original recipe called for Mexicorn, but I substituted frozen corn mixed with peppers and onions. A variety of vegetables could be used instead. Since the beans and potatoes are starchy, you could eliminate the corn and use less starchy vegetables instead for diabetics.

Casseroles like this one are a great way to use up leftovers or canned goods or frozen foods. It's a good thing that casseroles are making a come back.

Recipe: I mixed a can of baked beans, 1 cup salsa in a baking dish. I stirred together frozen corn and pepper strips and copped onion together, before combining with the beans and salsa. Then stir in 1/2 cup of Cheddar cheese. I prefer sharp for a little more kick in flavor. Top with frozen Tater Tots. Bake at 400 degress for 30 minutes. Then sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese onto casserole. Bake until cheese melts and it is bubbly, which I think was about 2-5 minutes.

I bet this will be a crowd pleaser, especially for kids.

Happy cooking,
Ellen

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Rub that Bird the Right Way

This delicious rub only has three ingredients. I made this for the first time around November. People keep asking for it. So many people have asked for it in the last few months, that I have had it once a week for the past three weeks.

Spicy Bird Rub Recipe:
The first time I made it for Mel I used a 3 lb. whole chicken. I stirred 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 1 tablespoon cumin powder. I basted it on the chicken and slow cooked it covered for three hours on 325 degrees in my favortie stone bowl. I uncovered it and cooked it for a half and hour. The skin looked black. The chicken melted off the bones as Mel carved it.

For Christmas, I doubled the rub for a 6 lb turkey breast. My family loved it. Usually, they ask Mel to cook the turkey. I expected them to be disappointed that I had cook the turkey this year, but they weren't.

In the past three weeks, I have made it three more time. My cousin invited us over for dinner and asked me to bring that recipe, so I made it with a whole chicken again. Due to a snow storm, we couldn't go, so Mel transformed my chicken into tacos. This recipe makes the chicken so tasty that the tacos didn't need any other seasonings. I had to buy another whole chicken for when we rescheduled the cancelled dinner and my cousin and her husband ate almost the whole chicken. Tonight, I made it for the recipe party (mentioned in the previous post). Everyone loved it.

It's so simple that people are shocked when I tell them what goes into the rub.

When I'm ready to eat this again, I think I'm going to change it up and baste it onto fish or tofu.

Happy Cooking,
Ellen

Event Review: Recipe Party

A recipe party? A simple idea turned into a wonderful party. Everyone made a dish and brought copies of the recipe. A pitch-in with a purpose.

We all lined up to dish out the twenty dishes onto our plates to taste each one. We sat and chatted as we savored each taste. The dishes ranged from soups, salads, casseroles, turkey (my recipe to be discussed in another entry), bbq pork, appetizers and of course, desserts. Chocolate was had by all.

The party is simple to organize.
1) Invite 10 friends to bring a dish, copies of their recipes and a friend.
2) Set up a place for the food and the people.
3) Provide plates, eating utensils, and drinks.
4) Eat and socialize with all the great cooks attending your party.
5) Gather the recipes.

I highly recommmend this type of party. It also can be fun to add a theme to the food. One woman tonight suggested a summer dessert party in her backyard when it gets warmer. Mel suggested a picnic/cookout theme at a park or in someone's yard. Think of the possibilities - vegetarian, international, chili or soup, or more. Since casseroles are making a come back, I think that would be a great recipe party idea.

Food is a great way to bring people together. I enjoyed making new friends over this dinner. The only thing I think could have made it better was shuffling some cards and chatting over a game after dinner.

For the cookbook authors, this would be a great way to promote a cookbook with some adjustments to the way the party is organized.

Cook, Eat and Be Happy,
Ellen