Recipe To Help Hurricane Helene Survivors

No words right now. 

Prayers, thoughts for everybody who are in the path of Hurricane Helene

The hurricane knocked out power to many, caused flooding across several states, devastating families, destroying homes and claimed 55 lives.

It will take many months for homes, businesses to recover from what happened.

On the left side of the website are links to some organizations that are helping familes.

Whatever you can do to help will be greatly appreciated. 

Polynesian Fried Rice

This perfect for a quick meal or anytime.

 I’ve used boil in a bag rice, but you can use instant rice instead.

1 6 oz. can pineapple chunks

2 bell peppers sliced

1/2 c. snow peas

1/4 c. green onions chopped

1 bag boil in bag rice

1/8 c. oil

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, fresh ginger

pinch red pepper 

Open can of pineapple, drain, reserve pineapple juice for later use, set aside.

Rinse, seed, slice peppers, set aside.

Rinse, snip ends from, cut snow peas in half, set aside.

Rinse, remove ends from, chop green onions, ginger root, set aside.

Microwave rice according to package instructions.

While rice is cooking, preheat skillet to medium high heat.

Lower heat to medium, add oil.

Add vegetables, pineapple, ginger, salt, pepper, pepper flakes.

Stir fry vegetables for a few minutes.

Carefully remove rice from microwave, drain excess water from rice, snip open rice bag and pour rice into  pan with vegetables. Stir fry rice for a few minutes more.

To serve: 

Place rice on a clean plate, garnish with green onions.

Mocha Ice Cream

This is great for the last weeks of summer or anytime.

I used heavy cream for this, but you can use milk instead too.

2 - 3 c. heavy cream

Pinch of salt

1/8 - 1/3 c. sugar

1 - 2 tsp. espresso powder

1 - 2 T. cocoa powder

1/2 - 1 tsp. vanilla extract

In a clean jar combine ingredients.

Screw lid on jar and shake jar for  5 min and place jar in freezer to chill for a few hrs. 

Serves 4.

Nectarine Salad

This is perfect as a late summer side dish, simple lunch or anytime.

1 - 2 nectarines pitted, sliced

2 c. lettuce

1/3 c. sliced radishes 

Rinse, pat dry lettuce, place in a clean salad bowl.

Rinse, cut in half, remove the pit, slice nectarines.

Arrange nectarines over lettuce in bowl.

Rinse, cut ends from, slice radishes, place in salad.

Cover salad bowl in plastic wrap and place in fridge until ready to serve.

Serves 4.

Panzanella

This is perfect for summer or anytime.  

I’ve used Roma tomatoes, but you can use what tomatoes you have.

3 Roma tomatoes, cut into quarters

8 slices of a French baguette, cut in half

1/4 c. olive oil

1 T. balsamic vinegar 

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, dried basil

non stick cooking spray 

1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped 

Preheat oven to 350’ F.

Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.

Cut 8 slices from a French baguette and each slice in half, arrange on baking sheet. 

Drizzle some of the oil on both sides of the bread and place in oven to toast for a few minutes on one side.

Halfway through cooking, flip bread on other side and toast for a few minutes more.

 Keep an eye on bread so that it doesn’t burn.

While bread is cooking, peel, rinse and chop garlic, set aside.

In a clean measuring cup, combine rest of oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, basil and garlic.

Stir with a clean fork to mix.

Rinse, chop tomatoes and place on a clean serving plate, set aside. 

Remove baking sheet from oven and arrange bread on serving plate.

Drizzle dressing over salad with a clean spoon. 

Serves 4.

A Simple Salad

Sometimes the best joys of life are the simple joys.

This is perfect for a light lunch or anytime.

I used romaine lettuce, but you can use what lettuce you like.

1/8 - 1/4 c. olive oil

1/2 c. shallots, feta cheese

2 c. lettuce 

1/2 - T T. balsamic vinegar 

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

Rinse and pat dry lettuce leaves, set aside.

Peel, rinse, chop shallots, set aside. 

To serve:

Arrange lettuce on 4 clean plates.

Arrange shallots & feta cheese over lettuce.

You can drizzle desired amount of oil, balsamic vinegar with a clean spoon over the salad.

Sprinkle salt and pepper over salad.

Serves 4.

Grownup Watermelon

This is a perfect way to beat the heat or anytime.

I’ve used rum but you can use tequila too.

8 slices watermelon

2 - 3 T. oil

1/4 tsp. salt 

1/8 - 1/4 c. rum

Cut watermelon in half & cut 8 slices from melon.

Place watermelon on a shallow plate. 

Pour rum over both sides of watermelon.

Cover plate with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator until ready to grill.

When ready to grill, remove watermelon from fridge.

Brush melon on both sides with oil.

Preheat grill pan to medium heat, lower heat to medium. 

Place melon slices on grill and cook on 1 side for a few minutes.

Flip melon over and cook on other side for a few minutes more or until done.

Sprinkle melon with salt.

Serves 4