Potage of Babble

This is from the Secrets of Pistoulet Book , around 2009

This is a simple easy, hearty Soup

2 TBS Vegetable Oil
2 Leeks, thinly Sliced
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 -3 Medium sized Potatoes, diced
A handful of White Beans or 1 can of Navy Beans with the liquid
2 C of any Broth ( Beef, Vegetable, Chicken) I use Vegetarian Chicken

Pesto

Saute Leeks and Garlic in Oil, until soft
Add Potatoes, Beans and Broth
Bring to a boil
Add Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

Reduce heat and simmer covered for 30 minutes

Serve Hot.
Remove from heat, serve in individual Soup Bowls and top each Bowl with a Tablespoon of Pesto

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

I created this Original Recipe in 2009

2 Onions, diced
4 TBS Vegetable Oil, divided
2 C Vegetable Broth or Vegetarian Chicken Broth ( I use the Vegetarian Chicken)
2 (4oz) cans of diced Green Chiles, including the liquid
1 can Enchilada Sauce
1 can  diced Tomatoes, including the liquid
1 can  Black Beans, drained
1 can  Kidney Beans, Red Beans or Chili Beans, drained ( your choice)
1 can Corn, drained
2 Links of Soy Chorizo, saute in 2 TBS of Vegetable Oil
1 C diced Pickled Jalapeno Slices

Saute Onion in 2 TBS Oil
Add Broth and simmer
Transfer to a Crock Pot/SlowCooker
Add all other ingredients
Cook on Low at least 2 hours

Serve garnished with Shredded Cheddar Cheese and Tortilla Chips

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Praline French Toast Casserole

This is another Best of the Best Recipes!
What a great aroma to wake up to on Christmas morning.

Praline French Toast Casserole:

8 Eggs
1 1/2 C Heavy Cream
1/3 C Maple Syrup ( the good stuff)
1/3 C Packed Brown Sugar
10 - 12  1/2" slices of French Country Bread

Topping:

1 Stick of Butter
1/2 C Packed Brown Sugar
2/3 C Maple Syrup
2 C Chopped Pecans

(I never said it was healthy)

Generously butter a 9"X13" Casserole Dish

In a bowl, whisk together:
Eggs
Heavy Cream
Maple Syrup
Sugar

Place Bread slices in the Casserole dish and cover with the Egg mixture
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator
Remove and let it reach room temperature

Topping:
Melt the Butter in a saucepan
Add Sugar and Maple Syrup and cook for 1-2 minutes
Stir in the Pecans
Pour over the Bread
Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes
Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving

In my book, I wrote WOW!


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Cream of Jalapeno and Cilantro Soup

This is an Original Recipe
Cream of Jalapeno and Cilantro Soup

2 TBS Vegetable Oil
3 - Jalapenos or 1 Large Hatch Chile Pepper, diced
1/2 Yellow Onion, diced
1 firm Avocado, diced
1 - 16 oz. can of diced Tomatoes, with the juice
8 C Heavy Cream
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 Bunch of Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Heat Oil and Saute the Jalapeno or Hatch Chile
Add Avocado, Tomatoes and bring to a boil
Add all remaining ingredients except the Cilantro
Reduce heat and simmer, reducing the soup by 25%. You should end up with 8 - 8 1/2 C
Adjust seasoning and fold in the Cilantro.
Purée with an immersion blender.
Serve with Tortilla Chips on the side.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Bloody Mary Mix

This is definitely a Best of the Best recipe. It's strong and spicy. It's a Bloody Mary that you can sip for hours.

1 qt. Tomato Juice
1 TBS. Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce
1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
1 tsp dried Dill
1 TBS Prepared Grated Horseradish ( it comes in a jar)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute.
It keeps in the refrigerator forever. The longer it sits, the stronger it gets.
This is really the only recipe that I use for a Bloody Mary.

Fill a Rocks Glass with Ice.
Add 2 - 3 oz of your favorite Vodka.
Fill the Glass with the Mix.
Stir well.
Add your favorite Garnishes.


Mix as desired with your favorite Vodka.
Garnish with a combination of the following:
Large Green Olives
Celery Sticks
Cucumber Spears
Pickled Okra
Dill Pickle Spears
Stuffed Olives
Cocktail Onions
Cornichons
Cherry Tomatoes
Chile Peppers
Dill Sprigs
Jalapeno slices
Roasted Garlic
Water Chestnuts
Zucchini Spears
Radishes
Pickled Asparagus
Muddled Tomatoes and Basil



Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

These are made with my recipe.
Garnished with Cornichons, Celery, and Olives.

Home made Grape Jelly !

We're enjoying our home made Grape Jelly for Breakfast this morning.
I grew the grapes, harvested them, made the jelly and.......
I will never do it again.
It's not easy, it's time consuming.

It tastes great, but I'll buy it at the market from now on.

Vegetarian Meatloaf

This is my newest recipe for Meatloaf.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

1- Loaf Pan

1- 14 oz. package of Gimme Lean Beef (or 1 package of Yves Meatless Ground) The Gimme Lean may be  difficult to find) 
1- 14 oz. package of Gimme Lean Sausage ( this seems to be readily available)

1 Medium Onion, diced
1 Can Tomato Soup, divided ( half for the Meatloaf and half for the Sauce)
1- 4 oz. can of Diced Green Chiles, undrained
1 TBS Yellow Mustard
1 TBS Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce (Kroger Brand)
1/4 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Dried Basil
1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
2 Eggs, beaten
1 C Bread Crumbs or Crushed Ritz Crackers

Sauce:

1/4 C Ketchup

1/4 C BBQ Sauce
Remainder of the Soup from the Meatloaf mixture
1 tsp Light Brown Sugar
1 tsp Yellow Mustard
Mix together and set aside.

In a large bowl
Mix together by hand:
Beef
Sausage
Half of the Can of Tomato Soup
Mustard
Worcestershire Sauce
Black Pepper

Once this is combined well , ADD: the Egg , Bread Crumbs, Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Onion and Green Chiles, Mix with a Spatula until well combined.
Transfer mixture to a Loaf Pan. Create a Loaf Shape.
I used a rubber spatula to press the Meatloaf away from the sides of the pan to accommodate the Sauce
Pour half the Sauce over the Meatloaf.

Bake for 55 minutes at 350 degrees
Top with the remainder of the Sauce and Bake an additional 10 - 15 minutes.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!