Roasted Carrots

We're having a Dickens Christmas this year and these are very traditional. These are simple and tasty.
There's nothing complicated about them.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
A Rimmed Sheet Pan

3 lbs. Large Carrots (halved and cut into 3" pieces.
1/4 C Olive Oil
2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Chopped Fresh Parsley for Garnish

On the Sheet Pan:
Carrots
Oil
Salt
Pepper
Toss to combine well.

Roast in the oven for 35 - 45 minutes, tossing occasionally until tender and browned.
Transfer to a Serving Bowl and sprinkle with Parsley.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

7 Cans Soup

I recently discovered this Soup. There are variations on the title but I settled for this one.
I happen to love Soup and I try to make some every week during Fall and Winter. I do have Summer favorites too but I love Soup during cold weather.
I love the simplicity of this one and the variety of ingredients.
You can personalize it to your own taste but I would try to stick to the "7 Cans" concept.

An image of Ree Drummond's Soup

I've added a Vegetarian twist to mine.

Here's what you'll need:
A Cast Iron Dutch Oven or a Soup Pot.
Purchase full sized Cans for the recipe.



1 Can of Vegetarian Chili

This is the Vegetarian Version I use. You can certainly use regular Hormel Chili.

1 Can of Pinto Beans
1 Can of Black Beans
1 Can of Kidney Beans
1 Can of Mexi Corn

This is an 11oz. can.

1 Can of Rotel
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes
8 oz. of Velveeta Cheese, cubed.

Garnishes:
Crushed Tortillas Chips
Sliced Green Onions
Sour Cream

Do not Drain any of the Cans.

Pour all of the Canned ingredients into the Soup Pot.
Stir to combine well.

Bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce Heat and Simmer for 15 minutes.

Add:
Cheese Cubes.
Stir well until completely melted and well combined.

To transport:
Transfer to a Crock Pot on Low.

Ladle into individual Serving Bowls.
Top with the Garnishes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce:

I often recommend Jonagold Apples for my tart, pie or crisp recipes. I was researching the best Apples for Apple Sauce and the list of best Apples for various recipes including eating them fresh off the tree, Pies, Apple Sauce. Tarts, etc.... every list included Jonagold. I think it was the only variety on every list.

Here's my favorite recipe for Jonagold Apple Sauce:

12 Jonagold Apples, peeled, cored and chopped into 1/2" pieces

1/2 C Organic Apple Juice

1 TBS Irish Butter

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 TBS Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup ( Grade B or Grade A Dark Amber are the best Maple Syrups)

In a saucepan:

Melt butter on low

Add apple juice, apples , cinnamon

Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes, stir occasionally

Add honey or maple syrup and mix well

Remove from heat

Mash with a potato masher to retain some chunks or use a stick blender ( immersion blender) and puree.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Cauliflower Soup

I love Cauliflower and I love Soup so this was the perfect recipe to add to the Blog.

Here's what you'll need:
A Large Soup Pot or Cast Iron Dutch Oven.

1 Head of Cauliflower, break off the florets.
1 Large Carrot, Shredded.
3 Stalks of Celery, Diced
1 small Onion, Diced
4 C Water, flavored with Vegetarian Chicken Broth or  3 Vegetable Bouillon Cubes.
3 TBS Butter
3 TBS Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
2 C Whole Milk
1 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese + additional for Garnish.


In a Soup Pot:
Cauliflower
Carrot
Celery
Onion
Water
Bring to a Boil.
Reduce Heat to a Simmer.
Cover and simmer 12 - 15 minutes.
Do not drain.

In a Saucepan on Medium High Heat:
Butter, until melted.
Add:
Flour
Salt
Pepper
Whisk well.

Add:
Milk, slowly and whisk well.

Reduce Heat to Low.
Add:
Cheese
Stir well until Melted and incorporated.
Add this to the Cauliflower Mixture.
Stir to combine well.

Spoon into individual Soup Bowls and top with additional Cheese.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pastry Cream

This is my Favorite Pastry Cream.
It's definitely one of my Best of the Best Recipes.
It may seem strange to some people but once you make it and taste it, you'll agree with me that it's the best you've ever tasted.

It can be used for:
Cream Puffs
Icing in the Center of a Layered Cake
Strawberry Shortcake
Aebelskiver Filling
Trifle
Eclairs
Macaron Filling
Fruit Tarts

Here's what you'll need:
A Stand Mixer with a Whisk Attachment.

1 Pint of Heavy Cream (2 C)
1 Pint of Vanilla Ice Cream, softened.
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Almond Extract
1 1/2 Boxes of Instant French Vanilla Pudding Mix.

In a Stand Mixer:
Cream
Ice Cream
Whip on Low Speed just until completely combined.

Add:
Vanilla
Almond
Mix to combine well.

Gradually Add:
Pudding Mix
Beat to combine well until it begins to thicken.

Transfer to a Mixing Bowl.
Cover with Plastic Wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 1 Hour.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Apple Chart

I'm always asked about the best apple for the right recipes.
I decided to simply post this chart to make it easier to reference.

Tex - Mex Refried Bean Soup

I make my own Refried Beans in a Crockpot but I like the simplicity of this recipe using canned refried beans.
This is another great Tex - Mex recipe.

I use this Vegetarian product for all of my Soup bases.
It comes in a variety of Vegetarian flavors.
It's also great for Sauces and Gravies.
I use this one to make Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup
or simply drink it as a Broth.

Here's what you'll need:
A Cast Iron Dutch Oven

1 TBS Vegetable Oil
1 C Diced Onion
2 - 16 oz. Cans of Refried Beans
1 - 11 oz. Can of Mexican Corn , undrained.
1 - 11 oz. Can of White Shoe Peg Corn, drained.
1 - 4.5 oz. Can of Diced Green Chiles, undrained.
1 C Thick and Chunky Salsa
2 C Vegetarian Chicken Broth
1 tsp Taco Seasoning
1/3 C Fresh Lime Juice

Garnish:
Crushed Tortilla Chips
Sour Cream

In a Dutch Oven on Medium Heat:
Oil, until Hot.
Add:
Onion
Sauté 3 minutes, until translucent.

Add:
Beans
Mexi Corn
Shoe Peg Corn
Chiles
Salsa
Broth
Lime Juice
Stir Well.
Bring to a Boil.

Reduce Heat to Low.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Stir occasionally.

Ladle into individual Soup Bowls.
Garnish with Tortilla Chips and Sour Cream.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!