Saturday, May 18, 2013

Asparagus Quiche


Another Great Recipe From Vegetarian Times

Crust
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅛ tsp. salt
  • 6 Tbs. cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 2 large eggs, divided
Filling
  • ½ lb. trimmed asparagus spears
  • 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups spring or green onions
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1 oz. grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup)
1. To make crust: Sift flour and salt into large bowl. Rub in butter with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat 1 egg and 2 Tbs. water in small bowl. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture just until dough comes together, adding 1 Tbs. more water if necessary. Flatten dough into disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill 1 hour, or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 12-inch circle on floured work surface. Press dough into 9-inch springform pan or fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Trim edges, and prick bottom all over with fork. Line tart shell with parchment paper, and fill with dried beans. Bake 25 minutes, or until barely golden. Remove beans and paper. Beat remaining egg, and brush on bottom of crust. Bake 5 minutes more.
3. To make Filling: Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water 3 minutes. Drain, and cut into 1 1/4-inch lengths.
4. Heat oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, and cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until softened. Remove from heat.
5. Whisk together eggs and milk in bowl. Stir in onions and asparagus. Pour into Shortcrust, and place pan on baking sheet. Sprinkle tart with Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until tart is set in center, covering edges with foil if they start to get too brown. Unmold, and serve.
Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pasta Primavera


This recipe is from Vegetarian Times.
  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
  • 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
  • 8 oz. fusilli pasta
  • 2 small yellow squash, halved and cut into ½-inch-thick slices
  • 1 medium orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 oz. small broccoli florets (3 cups)
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 8 green onions, thinly sliced (½ cup)
  • ½ cup torn fresh basil leaves
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese for garnish, optional
1. Combine oil, garlic, and lemon zest in small bowl. Set aside.
2. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water according to package directions. Add squash and bell pepper 4 minutes before end of cooking time. Add broccoli 3 minutes before end of cooking time. Drain pasta and vegetables, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.
3. Return pasta mixture to pot, and stir in tomatoes, green onions, basil, oil mixture, and reserved cooking water. Heat over medium-low heat until tomatoes are hot. Serve with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Texas Stuffed Vidalia Onions

I love onions...... !

I previously posted a recipe for Glazed Roasted Onions. It's one of my favorite Onion recipes.
Here's another favorite.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Texas Stuffed Vidalia Onions:

6 un- peeled large Vidalia Onions, (remove any loose skin)
3 C Shiner Bock Beer ( this is an important ingredient for a Texas recipe)!
1/2 C Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 C Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C Plain Bread Crumbs
1 4oz. can Diced Green Chiles, drained well
6 small fresh Mozzarella Balls
Salt and Pepper to taste

Place Onions in large stock pot
Cover Onions with Beer and enough Water to cover the Onions within an inch.
Bring to a rapid boil
Reduce to med - low heat and simmer for 30 minutes
Remove from heat and cool completely in the beer for 3 hours to allow them to marinate in the beer.
Drain and discard the beer
Place the Onions in a covered bowl and refrigerate overnight ( plan ahead when preparing this recipe)
Remove from the bowl and use a sharp paring knife to trim the root end of the Onions so they can stand up.
Cut a deep cavity into the top of each Onion and hollow out the center  as deep as possible without cutting through the sides and bottom.
Dice the removed Onion, set aside in a bowl
Remove the skin from the Onions

In the bowl with the diced Onion, combine:
Pepper Jack Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Bread Crumbs
Green Chiles
Adobo Seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix well

Place 1 cheese ball in the cavity of each Onion
Pack the Onions tightly with the diced Onion mixture
Place Onions in a 9"X13" baking dish
Bake for 30 - 45 minutes

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!







Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Hollandaise Sauce / Quick Blender Version

This is my Dallas Morning News Recipe of the Week!

4 Large Egg Yolks
1 1/2 TBS Lemon Juice
1 TBS Water
1/8 tsp Salt
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
1/2 Pound  ( 2 sticks ) Unsalted Butter, melted, but not extremely hot

Place Yolks , Lemon Juice and Water in a small (7 - 9 inch ) heavy skillet
On very low heat, stir constantly with a flat wooden spatula or a fork with the tines lying flat on the bottom of the pan to scrape the bottom. Cook until the mixture begins to thicken.
Do not over heat, or the yolks will scramble. Immediately remove from heat and continue stirring for 1 minute.

Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor, add salt and cayenne pepper. Blend for a few seconds, then allow to cool 1 to 2 minutes.
With the machine running, slowly drizzle the melted butter into the machine. The sauce will begin to thicken before all of the butter is added. Continue adding all of the butter.
Season with additional salt and cayenne pepper according to taste.

Prepare Eggs Benedict with Asparagus and add the sauce or use the sauce on steamed asparagus as a side dish with an entree.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Angel Food and Pie Filling Cake !

Angel Food and Pie Filling Cake:

    1 Box Angel Food Cake Mix 1 Can Apple Pie Filling*

    *Variations - 1 can of pie filling, your choice. You can use the kind with whole fruit such as cherry, blueberry, apple, peach -or- use a can of the cream pie filling such as key lime, lemon or coconut cream.You can also make it with a 20 oz. can of Crushed Pineapple ( Juice included) and 1 tsp of Vanilla.


* Mix dry cake mix right from the box with the entire can of fruit filling or Pineapple with juice + vanilla.
* Pour into an ungreased 9x13 baking dish ( another famous 9x13 pan recipe)!
* Bake according to the box directions.
* Serve with cool whip and or fresh fruits and berries on top of each slice.


I like the simplicity and ease of preparing this cake.
It can also be made in the pan listed on the Angel Food Cake Mix box.
You can use my Pan Release if you use a 9x13 glass pan but it's not recommended when using an Angel Food Cake Tube Pan. The un greased pan allows the batter to have something to grab onto as it bakes.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Monday, May 13, 2013

Hippy Wraps

I've been thinking about posting some healthier recipes
Summer is approaching rapidly and it makes me want to eat something lighter.

When I lived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado I ate healthier. We ate a variety of Veggie Wraps.
I've put together some of my favorites.

I should start with my Hippy Wrap.

Multiply the ingredients as needed for additional wraps.

Hippy Wrap:

1 - 10" Flour Tortilla
1 TBS Cream Cheese, softened
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
2 TBS Shredded Carrot
2 TBS Diced Green Bell Pepper
2 TBS Diced Red Onion
1/4 C Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1/2 Avocado, diced
Fresh Spinach Leaves
Alfalfa Sprouts
Salt & Pepper to taste

Spread Cream Cheese in the center of the Tortilla
Spread Mustard over the Cheese
Layer in order of ingredients listed

Fold Sides in and Roll from the Bottom.

Enjoy! Peace in the Kitchen


Mozzarella / Tomato / Basil Wrap:

1 - 10" Flour Tortilla
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, thinly sliced
Tomato, thinly sliced
Fresh Basil Leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste
Olive Oil

Place a slice of Cheese in the center of the Tortilla
Place a slice of Tomato on the Cheese
Top with Fresh Basil Leaves
Drizzle with Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Fold Sides in and Roll from the Bottom

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Taco Salad Wrap:

6 - 10" Flour Tortillas
1 can of Vegetarian Refried Beans, mashed in a bowl
2 tsp Olive Oil
1 Tbs Adobo Seasoning
3 Roma Tomatoes, dices
1 C Shredded Queso Quesadilla Cheese
1 C Shredded Lettuce
1 Avocado, diced

Mix together:
Beans
Olive Oil
Adobo Seasoning

Spread some Bean Mixture in the center of each Tortilla

Top with:
Lettuce
Tomato
Cheese
Avocado

Fold Sides in and Roll from the Bottom
Serve with a side of my Homemade Salsa

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Fresh Veggie Wrap:

8 - 10" Flour Tortillas
1 Avocado, diced
1 TBS Mayonnaise
1 tsp Adobo Seasoning
2 Tomatoes, diced
1 Cucumber, diced
1 Green Pepper, diced
1 C Shredded Cheese, your choice

Mix together in a bowl:
Avocado
Mayonnaise
Adobo Seasoning
Blend well

Spread each Tortilla with the Avocado Mixture

Mix together in another bowl:
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Bell Pepper
Cheese

Top the center of each Tortilla with some of the Mixture

Fold Sides in and Roll from the Bottom

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Squash & Goat Cheese Wrap:

4 - 10" Flour Tortillas
1 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 C diced Onion
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 tsp Cumin
1 - package of Frozen Butternut or Winter Squash, thawed and mashed
Salt and Pepper
Fresh Spinach Leaves, chopped
1 C Crumbled Goat Cheese

In a Skillet, heat the Olive Oil and Saute the Onion, Garlic and Cumin until tender.
Add Squash and mix well until the squash is heated
Season with Salt and Pepper

Spoon some of the Squash Mixture in the center of each Tortilla
Top with Cheese and Spinach

Fold Sides in and Roll from the Bottom

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Fruit Wrap:
Multiply ingredients as needed for additional Wraps

1 - 10" Flour Tortilla
1 TBS Cashew Butter or Almond Butter
1 TBS of your favorite Fruit Preserves
1 TBS Dried Cranberries or Blueberries
1 TBS Diced Dried Apricots
1 tsp Honey

Spread Butter in the center of the Tortilla
Top with Preserves
Sprinkle with Dried Fruits
Drizzle with Honey

Fold Sides in and Roll from the Bottom

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!











Sunday, May 12, 2013

1960's New Foods and Products

I loved researching the last 60's project so much that I continued my quest for 60's information and discovered Foods and Products that were introduced in the 60's.

I'm certainly aware of many of the products on the list. I remember them well and a kid. I did not know the dates that they were introduced to America. This was a trip down memory lane for me, it will be for many of my readers too.

Some of these products are already extinct and others are still available.

Here's the list by decade:

1960:

Coffee Rich
Aluminum Cans for Food & Beverages
Granny Smith Apples were introduced to the USA
Domino's Pizza
Single Serve Ketchup Packets

1961:

Total Breakfast Cereal
Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup
Green Giant Frozen Peas
Sprite
Coffee Mate
Hardee's Fast Food Restaurant

1962:

Frozen Bread Dough
Frozen Pie Crust
Diet Rite Cola ( Royal Crown)
Tab opening aluminum cans for Soft Drinks
Taco Bell Fast Food Chain

1963:

Tab ( Coca Cola Company)
Wondra Flour
Cremora


1964:

Pop Tarts
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Buffalo Wings ( Anchor Bar, Buffalo, New York)
Coca Cola in Cans
Ruffles Potato Chips
Lucky Charms ..... a personal favorite of mine!
Bugles
Chiffon Margarine
Seven Seas Salad Dressing
Yoplait Yogurt
Awake ( Synthetic Orange Juice) ... never heard of this!
Maxim Freeze Dried Coffee .... my Grandparents drank this!

1965:

Shake and Bake
Cool Whip
Tang... another childhood favorite!
Rock Cornish Game Hens ( Tyson )
Apple Jacks...... loved 'em!
Cranapple Fruit Juice
Diet Pepsi

1966:

Bac O's
Product 19 Cereal
$100,000 Candy Bar
Taster's Choice Freeze Dried Coffee
Doritos
Instant Oatmeal
Easy Cheese..... what the heck was that?

1967:

Taco Seasoning Mix ( Lowrey's )

1968:

Red Lobster Restaurant Chain
Legal Seafoods Restaurant Chain

1969:

Campbell's Chunky Soups
Kaboom Cereal
Frosted Mini Wheats Cereal
Chipos Snack Food... never heard of these!
Pringles Potato Chips.... I could eat a can of these at one time!
Wendy's Restaurant Chain
Long Lohn Silver's Fish'n Chips Restaurant Chain


Here's a list of Brands that were advertised in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine in 1960:

Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
Quaker Oats in Cardboard Cannisters
Kraft Miniature Marshmallows
Betty Crocker Frosting Mixes
Wish Bone Salad Dressing in Russian, Italian and French flavors
Dole Hawaiian Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
Baker's Angel Flake Coconut in cans
Hormel SPAM
Diamond Walnuts
Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix
Wrigley's Spearmint Gum
Wesson Oil in Glass Bottles
Borden's Instant Whipped Potatoes
Heinz Tomato Sauce
French's Mustard in a Glass Jar
Coca Cola King and Regular size Glass Bottles
Kraft Miracle Whip
Hunt's Tomato Sauce
Betty Crocker Cake Mixes

Top Ten most owned Kitchen Items in 1966:

1. Toaster
2. Coffee Maker
3. Skillet
4. Waffle Maker
5. Can Opener
6. Hand Mixer
7. Blender
8. Counter Top Mixer
9. Knife Sharpener
10. Carving Knife

I found all of these tidbits very fascinating and it certainly took me back to the 60's.
If I really want to be reminded of the 60's, I would post a list of the top ten songs from each decade.
I believe I still have all of those songs on 45 RPM's..... and I still have a turntable!

Until then, I'll reminisce about the Food and Recipes from the 60's and I'll ......

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!