I have started eating smarter, I owe it to myself. The other night I baked some Cod. The piece was too large to eat the whole thing, so I halved it, and stored it in the refrigerator. The next day for lunch, I broke it into pieces, then added cubed tomatoes, lettuce, balsamic vinegar, and Olive Oil, delish.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Asparagus and Roasted Pepper Bisque
I don't like to waste food, so I try to incorporate everything I can into my cooking, including things such as the tough ends of asparagus stalks, and brocoli stalks. I made several dishes recently with asparagus, so I needed to use the stalks. Thus, the following recipe.
1-1/2 Asparagus stalks
1 ripe bell pepper
1 Tbs.Onion flakes
3 stalks celery
2 cloves garlic crushed
6 drops hot sauce
1/4 tsp. curry powder
1 32 oz. chicken stock
olive oil
Place oil for sauteing in pan, cut bell pepper half and seed, then place over burner to roast, until you have black bubbles formed on skin. Set aside to cool. When cool dice into 1" pieces. Cut the stalks of celery lengthwise, and then dice. Add the onion flakes, and garlic to the pan and saute for 1 minute. Now add the celery, and bell peppers to the saute. Don't worry about the black pieces from the peppers, they provide that extra "roasted" flavor. Saute until soft, about 5 minutes, now add the asparagus, and saute an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the hot sauce, and curry powder. Now add the stock, and bring to a boil, uncovered. Turn pan off, and cover. Let the pan sit for 1/2 hour. This will tenderize the vegetables, without making them soggy, so that you'll get a fresh vegetable taste. If you prefer, you can simply cook everything for 20 minutes, and the veggies will be tender.
Cool for 1/2 hour, now place in a blender, food processor, or food mill, and process until everything is liquified. Since the stems are likely a little woody, sieve the liquid, and you'll have liquid silk. If you used a food mill, you can skip this step.
This was made without milk, but if you want it creamy, you can add milk, half and half, plain yogurt, or sour cream as an addition. It would also be good with cheese sprinkled on top. Always add the milk to it when it is cooled a little, to avoid curdling. Enjoy.
1-1/2 Asparagus stalks
1 ripe bell pepper
1 Tbs.Onion flakes
3 stalks celery
2 cloves garlic crushed
6 drops hot sauce
1/4 tsp. curry powder
1 32 oz. chicken stock
olive oil
Place oil for sauteing in pan, cut bell pepper half and seed, then place over burner to roast, until you have black bubbles formed on skin. Set aside to cool. When cool dice into 1" pieces. Cut the stalks of celery lengthwise, and then dice. Add the onion flakes, and garlic to the pan and saute for 1 minute. Now add the celery, and bell peppers to the saute. Don't worry about the black pieces from the peppers, they provide that extra "roasted" flavor. Saute until soft, about 5 minutes, now add the asparagus, and saute an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the hot sauce, and curry powder. Now add the stock, and bring to a boil, uncovered. Turn pan off, and cover. Let the pan sit for 1/2 hour. This will tenderize the vegetables, without making them soggy, so that you'll get a fresh vegetable taste. If you prefer, you can simply cook everything for 20 minutes, and the veggies will be tender.
Cool for 1/2 hour, now place in a blender, food processor, or food mill, and process until everything is liquified. Since the stems are likely a little woody, sieve the liquid, and you'll have liquid silk. If you used a food mill, you can skip this step.
This was made without milk, but if you want it creamy, you can add milk, half and half, plain yogurt, or sour cream as an addition. It would also be good with cheese sprinkled on top. Always add the milk to it when it is cooled a little, to avoid curdling. Enjoy.
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Sunday, March 8, 2009
Carrot Raisin Salad
12 carrots grated
1/2 to 1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 can pineapple tidbits in juice only
3 Tbs. Mayonnaise
1 Tbs. Balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs. freeze dried raspberries, or
1/4 cup fresh
juice contents of pineapple tidbits
Soak raspberries in cold water for 20 minutes. I part raspberries, to 3 parts water. Combine carrots, raisins, walnuts, and drained pineapple. Now place balsamic vinegar, and raspberries in small bowls, and use a whip to mash berries and combine with vinegar, now add mayonnaise, and combine until thoroughly mixed. Now mix in with salad mixture. If you need more liquid, use the juice, until you have the right consistency.
I used organic carrots, so did not peel, as that is where much of the nutrition is located. You could get by without the raspberries if you used raspberry vinegar. A nice variation would be to add a drained can of diced beets.
1/2 to 1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 can pineapple tidbits in juice only
3 Tbs. Mayonnaise
1 Tbs. Balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs. freeze dried raspberries, or
1/4 cup fresh
juice contents of pineapple tidbits
Soak raspberries in cold water for 20 minutes. I part raspberries, to 3 parts water. Combine carrots, raisins, walnuts, and drained pineapple. Now place balsamic vinegar, and raspberries in small bowls, and use a whip to mash berries and combine with vinegar, now add mayonnaise, and combine until thoroughly mixed. Now mix in with salad mixture. If you need more liquid, use the juice, until you have the right consistency.
I used organic carrots, so did not peel, as that is where much of the nutrition is located. You could get by without the raspberries if you used raspberry vinegar. A nice variation would be to add a drained can of diced beets.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Lat night I wrote this. I am celebrating a non-material Christmas this year, so this is my gift to you.
In my 65 years on this planet, I've noticed a few things I'd like to share:
1. Life is NOT a destination, it is a journey.
2. The world could be a different place, if we all just decided to be a little nicer to each other.
3. Most all successful politicians arrive at their positions of power through the constant, thorough manipulation of others.
4. Each day, it is good to learn something new, all through one's life.
5. The world is a better place when you do something meaningful in the life of another person each day.
6. Children's laughter is an elixir.
7.Civility with others is the ultimate social lubricant.
8. We all just need a little recognition.
9. Gathering friends and family around food is always a good idea.
10. Fundamentalism of any kind defines the world in an immutable fashion that exists only in the mind of the person that holds the fundamental belief.
11. Bankers are never your friend.
12. There is much good in innocence.
13. Walking the world in judgment of others guarantees a lonely life.
14. The horizon was once clear for 50-100 miles, naturally.
15. Never listen to those who talk the talk, always listen to those who walk the walk.
16. Create laughter wherever you go.
17. Smell the roses.
18. There are great aromas in the world, starting with toast, coffee, popcorn, bacon, star jasmine, and rosemary.
19. Watching a campfire for hours, up close, is a meditation.
20. Computers will connect us, or destroy us. The jury is still out.
21. There is a wealth of beauty in the world, if one just opens their senses.
22. There is a beauty in words.
23. Sex is fleeting, and wonderful.
24. Touch heals.
25. Luck is the meeting of preparation and opportunity.
26. You don't need everything you have.
27. Life could be so much worse.
28. Health matters.
29. Water is scarce, we just don't know it yet.
30. Making mud pies is a fundamental right.
31. Jealously both destroys you, and makes you ugly.
31. Trust your instincts.
32. Lifelong learning is a gift we can give ourselves.
33. Strawberries are a celebration, especially with sour cream, and powdered sugar.
34. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each day, is imperative.
35. Define who you are, don't let others define you.
36. Music heals.
37. Friendship is always worth the investment.
38. Fresh tomatoes from the garden are a sacrament.
39. Listen!
40. Smile more often.
41. Care about others, especially when they don't make it easy.
42. If at all possible, live in a house with a porch.
43. Take long walks on a beach when you can.
44. Show appreciation.
45. Experience gratitude.
46. Know yourself, no matter how painful.
47. Smoking kills slowly.
48. Creativity opens you up as a person.
49. Being willing to be vulnerable pays great dividends.
50. You know more than you think.
51. Hurting others, ultimately hurts you.
52. Pickles make you pucker.
53. If you want others to do it right, don't try to control them.
54. Progress starts with a willingness to trust.
55. I have no tolerance for zero tolerance.
56. Anonymity breeds incivility.
57. Rubber bands are weapons.
58. Water bombs are fun for kids of all ages.
59. Breasts are a gift from God.
60. Humor heals.
61. Everyone has a gift.
62. We have it within our power...
In my 65 years on this planet, I've noticed a few things I'd like to share:
1. Life is NOT a destination, it is a journey.
2. The world could be a different place, if we all just decided to be a little nicer to each other.
3. Most all successful politicians arrive at their positions of power through the constant, thorough manipulation of others.
4. Each day, it is good to learn something new, all through one's life.
5. The world is a better place when you do something meaningful in the life of another person each day.
6. Children's laughter is an elixir.
7.Civility with others is the ultimate social lubricant.
8. We all just need a little recognition.
9. Gathering friends and family around food is always a good idea.
10. Fundamentalism of any kind defines the world in an immutable fashion that exists only in the mind of the person that holds the fundamental belief.
11. Bankers are never your friend.
12. There is much good in innocence.
13. Walking the world in judgment of others guarantees a lonely life.
14. The horizon was once clear for 50-100 miles, naturally.
15. Never listen to those who talk the talk, always listen to those who walk the walk.
16. Create laughter wherever you go.
17. Smell the roses.
18. There are great aromas in the world, starting with toast, coffee, popcorn, bacon, star jasmine, and rosemary.
19. Watching a campfire for hours, up close, is a meditation.
20. Computers will connect us, or destroy us. The jury is still out.
21. There is a wealth of beauty in the world, if one just opens their senses.
22. There is a beauty in words.
23. Sex is fleeting, and wonderful.
24. Touch heals.
25. Luck is the meeting of preparation and opportunity.
26. You don't need everything you have.
27. Life could be so much worse.
28. Health matters.
29. Water is scarce, we just don't know it yet.
30. Making mud pies is a fundamental right.
31. Jealously both destroys you, and makes you ugly.
31. Trust your instincts.
32. Lifelong learning is a gift we can give ourselves.
33. Strawberries are a celebration, especially with sour cream, and powdered sugar.
34. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each day, is imperative.
35. Define who you are, don't let others define you.
36. Music heals.
37. Friendship is always worth the investment.
38. Fresh tomatoes from the garden are a sacrament.
39. Listen!
40. Smile more often.
41. Care about others, especially when they don't make it easy.
42. If at all possible, live in a house with a porch.
43. Take long walks on a beach when you can.
44. Show appreciation.
45. Experience gratitude.
46. Know yourself, no matter how painful.
47. Smoking kills slowly.
48. Creativity opens you up as a person.
49. Being willing to be vulnerable pays great dividends.
50. You know more than you think.
51. Hurting others, ultimately hurts you.
52. Pickles make you pucker.
53. If you want others to do it right, don't try to control them.
54. Progress starts with a willingness to trust.
55. I have no tolerance for zero tolerance.
56. Anonymity breeds incivility.
57. Rubber bands are weapons.
58. Water bombs are fun for kids of all ages.
59. Breasts are a gift from God.
60. Humor heals.
61. Everyone has a gift.
62. We have it within our power...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Rum Nut Squash Bake
This being Thanksgiving, I wanted a non-sugary dish to replace the traditional sweet potato casserole with the walnuts, butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. Having recently been given some acorn squash, I came up with this.
Acorn Squash
2 ripe pears (or apples)
1/2 cup pecan halves
3 TBS olive oil
1 TBS dark rum
1 tsp onion flakes
1 tsp garlic flakes
1 TBS fresh sage
Take 4 small, or 3 medium acorn squash, split in half, remove the seeds and pulp, Pam a baking pan and place acorns split side down and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1-1 and 1/4 hours based on size. Let them cool. Now remove skins and place in mixing bowl, core and thin slice pears, about 1/8th to 1/4", now add all ingredients, and mix well and place in casserole. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1/2 hour covered, then uncover, and bake an additional 15 minutes, and serve. If there are leftovers, you can reheat it with a layer of grated cheese of choice. In my case, it will be smoked gouda.
Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Acorn Squash
2 ripe pears (or apples)
1/2 cup pecan halves
3 TBS olive oil
1 TBS dark rum
1 tsp onion flakes
1 tsp garlic flakes
1 TBS fresh sage
Take 4 small, or 3 medium acorn squash, split in half, remove the seeds and pulp, Pam a baking pan and place acorns split side down and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1-1 and 1/4 hours based on size. Let them cool. Now remove skins and place in mixing bowl, core and thin slice pears, about 1/8th to 1/4", now add all ingredients, and mix well and place in casserole. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1/2 hour covered, then uncover, and bake an additional 15 minutes, and serve. If there are leftovers, you can reheat it with a layer of grated cheese of choice. In my case, it will be smoked gouda.
Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Curried Cream of Cauliflower
As I've said before, I'm an opportunistic cook, using what I have. I made a creamed cauliflower side dish the other day, called fauxtatoes by some, due to it's low carb nature. I steamed a head of cauliflower for 15 minutes, then added it to my vita mix with 1/4 cup chicken stock, and 1/2 tsp. salt, and blended until it was smooth. Then I added about 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan, and served. It was delicious.
Having about 1 and 1/2 cup leftover, I combined the remainder with 1 cup chicken stock, 3/4 tsb curry powder, and blended until it was soup. Delicioso!
Having about 1 and 1/2 cup leftover, I combined the remainder with 1 cup chicken stock, 3/4 tsb curry powder, and blended until it was soup. Delicioso!
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