Scalloped Potatoes

This is a great recipe for the holidays. I've used cheddar cheese and milk for this but you also make this vegetarian by omitting the ham and using vegan milk and cheese if desired. 

6-8 thinly sliced Potatoes

1 large onions (sliced into rings)

8 - 10 oz Ham

Non- stick cooking spray

1/8 to 1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper. 

1/8 tsp granulated garlic (optional)

1 c low fat milk or cream 

1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F

Spray casserole pan with non stick cooking spray.

Rinse and slice potatoes thinly. Peel and cut onions into slices. 

Layer potatoes in bottom of pan. Top with a layer of sliced onions. Top onions with a layer of 1/2 of the ham. Top the ham layer with cheese. Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic over layer. Repeat process with potatoes, onions, ham and cheese to make layers as needed. 

Pour milk over potatoes. 

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hr. or until done.

Serves 6 to 8. 

(Turkey) Stock

There's nothing better than homemade stock. This recipe is for turkey stock, but chicken can be substituted for the turkey if desired.

Instead of throwing away your turkey carcass after the holidays, why not use it to make stock. 

1 turkey carcass and or turkey parts
4 qt. water
1/8 - 1/2 tsp. each: salt, pepper (adjust to taste)
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1- 2 stalks celery, carrot, leeks quartered
1 onion peeled, cut into eighths
1 tsp. dried or fresh parsley
1- 2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1 bay leaf 


Rinse, peel and chop garlic, onion. 

Rinse and cut celery, leeks and carrot into 4ths.

Combine water, turkey, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, vegetables, herbs into a stock pot.

Bring pot to a boil over high heat. Boil for 5 - 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to low and let simmer covered for 45 min. - 2  hr approx. , stirring occasionally. Skim off any excess foam and fat.

Remove pot from burner and let cool for 20 - 45 min. Pour stock through a sieve into heat proof containers. Discard turkey bones, vegetables and herbs. 

Store in the refrigerator until needed. You can also put stock into the freezer until needed as well. 

Makes 3-4 qt. of stock approx. 

Recipe For Democracy.

This recipe for democracy is simple.  The secret ingredient is your voice.


November 6th is election day. 

Make a difference, VOTE!

Recipe To Help Those Affected By Superstorm Sandy

Once again it takes a natural disaster to remind us that we are all connected and that life is fragile.

Prayers thoughts go to everyone dealing with Superstorm Sandy.


On the left side of the website are links under Recipe To Pay It Forward. These are some organizations that are helping with disaster relief. 

Whatever you can do to help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless for caring.

Smashed Sweet Potatoes ™

This is a great alternative to mashed potatoes. This perfect for fall and the holidays.

I've peeled the sweet potatoes, but you leave the skin on if desired. I've used sugar but you can use your favorite sweetener if desired instead. I've used a reduced fat milk and butter but you can use vegan options instead if desired. 

3 large sweet potatoes quartered and peeled
1/2 c low fat milk or vegan milk
2 T butter or vegan alternative
1/8 - 1/4 tsp pepper to taste
1/8 tsp salt (optional)
1/8 - 1/4 tsp. sugar (optional)

Rinse, peel and quarter sweet potatoes. Place potatoes in pot with water and boil for 20 minutes or until tender. 

Drain water from potatoes in colander or strainer. Transfer potatoes back to pot. Mash with potato masher or ricer. While mashing add butter, salt, pepper, sugar and milk. Mash until smooth.

Serves 4 approx.

A Mothers Love Meatloaf ™

There's nothing better than comfort food on a fall day. What is more comforting than a mothers love and meatloaf.

I've used ground round for the loaves. You can also use ground turkey or even make this vegetarian if desired. This recipe makes 2 loaves, which you can freeze one for later. Enjoy!


2 lbs lean ground beef (ground round)
1/3 c each: chopped onions, bell pepper, chopped celery, bread crumbs 
2 eggs (cage free) or egg substitute 
1 clove crushed diced garlic
1/4 tsp each: salt, black pepper, dried parsley
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Non stick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350' F. Spray 2 loaves pans with non-stick cooking spray. 

In a large mixing bowl combine meat, onion, peppers, celery, bread crumbs, eggs,  salt, pepper, parsley, garlic,  red pepper flakes. Mix ingredients together with clean hands. Divide meat in half and shape into loaves  Place loaves in the 2 loaf pans and place pans into oven. 

Cook meat loaves for 1 hour or until done. Remove meatloaves from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serves 4- 8.

Life Is A Peach Feta Salad ™

This salad is perfect for this time of year when peaches are at their best. Enjoy!

Salad

2 large peaches chopped

1 c chopped red onion

1 - 2 oz feta cheese

Dressing

1/4 c Olive oil

1 tsp red wine vinegar

1/8 tsp each: salt, pepper

1 clove crushed garlic, chopped

Cut peaches in half, discard pits. Chop into chunks and put in a serving bowl. 

Peel red onion.  Chop onion, add to peaches. 

Combine feta chunks with peaches and onions, toss and set aside.

In a small bowl or measuring cup combine:  oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic. Mix well with fork. 
Pour dressing over peaches mixture and toss well. 

Put salad into refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serves 4.

A Midsummers Delight Salad ™

This salad is perfect for summer.

Enjoy!

1 medium head romaine lettuce, torn
1/2 c. each; chopped cucumber, chopped red onion, chopped watermelon
1 - 2 oz. feta cheese, chopped

Rinse lettuce under water. Pat dry with clean dish towel, set aside. 

You can even use a salad spinner to dry lettuce, if desired. 

Chop vegetables, watermelon and feta cheese. 

Combine lettuce, watermelon and vegetables into a salad bowl.

Sprinkle cheese on salad and toss.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 4- 6. 

Asian Dressing ™

What's more satisfying than a fresh from the garden salad during the summer. Here is a great dressing to put your next salad. This dressing is a great marinade too. Enjoy!

1/2 c oil (safflower or canola)
1 T honey
1 tsp each: diced fresh ginger, vinegar, toasted sesame seeds
1/4 tsp each: teriyaki sauce, sesame oil 
1/8 tsp each: black pepper, salt, crushed red pepper flakes

Combine ingredients in a blender. Blend well for 30- 40 seconds.

Makes 8 servings (1 T)

Orange You Glad To See Me Granita ™

This is my version of a granita. 

This is perfect for summer and anytime of the year too.

 Enjoy!

10 oz (1 1/4c) water
1/8 c. sweetener (optional)
1/2 c. fresh orange juice (1 -2 fresh oranges)

Juice oranges into a cup, set aside in fridge.

Bring water to boil over high heat.

Reduce heat to medium high, add sweetner and stir until dissolved about 2- 5 minutes. 

Set aside to let cool for 20 - 30 min.

Pour juice through a strainer into pan with water. 

Mix well with a fork. Pour mixture into a meatloaf pan.

Run fork through liquid a few times.

Cover with plastic wrap, and put in freezer.

40 minutes into freezing, take pan out of freezer and run fork through liquid a few times.

Put back in freezer. Repeat the process every 40 minutes for 3 - 4 hours or until done. 

This will keep the mixture from freezing solid.

Serves 4 approx.

Great Caesars Steak! ™

This is a great way to enjoy a steak for Fathers day. 

It's called Caesar steak because it has some of the components of a Caesar salad. I've used a grill pan for this recipe but it also works on the grill and under a oven broiler too.

4 steaks
1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper, granulated garlic, lemon juice, dried parsley
1/4 - 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 T each: Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan cheese


Place steaks in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle Worcestershire sauce and olive oil over both sides of steaks.

Sprinkle salt, pepper, parsley, garlic lemon juice over both sides of steaks. Cover and let marinate in fridge for a few hours.


Heat grill to medium high heat. Lower heat to medium.  Just before placing steaks on grill, Sprinkle lightly both sides of steaks with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. 


Place steak on grill and cook on 1 side for 5-11 minutes. Turn steaks over and repeat cooking process until desired doneness.


Serves 4.

Happy Memorial Day, Thank You Veterans!

For many this weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. 

Across this country millions of Americans will be enjoying their holiday weekend. Whether it's relaxing at the beach, going to festivals, enjoying the Indy 500 on tv, or grilling in the backyard, many Americans are enjoying their freedom.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, stay safe. Also remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.  


Thank you veterans, and first responders for serving our country. Thank you for preserving our freedom.

Recipe For A Cleaner Earth

This is a very simple recipe that everyone can do to preserve our Earth.

All over the world millions are remembering Earth Day. 

Earth Day was started to bring awareness to environmental and conservation issues.

There are many simple, painless ways that you can make a difference to help our planet every day.

You can start by simply recycling. Here is a photo of some of the many items that appear in my recycling bin. 

By recycling you are not only making less garbage, but what you recycle can often be used to make new items too.

 You can even recycle some used electronics. You can call your city for more info for what can be recycled.

Instead of plastic bags, you can use canvas or ask for paper ones at your local stores.

 You can buy local and organic produce at your local markets. You can buy products that use less packaging. 

You can bring a coffee mug instead of using styrofoam or plastic cups at work, home or school.  

You can even remove your name from junk mailing lists to stop unwanted mail.  

You can use environmentally safe cleaning products. You can use cloths instead of paper towels for cleaning. 

You can use less energy turning off lights and electronics when not in use. You can even support businesses that are eco-friendly.

By making a few small changes you can impact our environment greatly. We all share this world together. 

Why not do your part to keep it clean.

Make a difference. preserve our planet!

Broasted Brussel Sprouts ™

This is a great way to get kids to eat the dreaded vegetable, brussel sprouts.


1 lb. package Brussel Sprouts
non stick cooking spray
1/8 c - 1/4 c olive oil
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp each: black pepper, granulated garlic, lemon juice


Preheat oven to 350' F.


Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.


Rinse brussel sprouts thoroughly in colander. 

Pat brussel sprouts dry with paper towel.


In a mixing bowl combine brussel sprouts, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice. 

Adjust amount of oil as needed. 

Mix well to coat sprouts.


Spread sprouts on baking sheet and place in oven and bake for 30 min. 

Halfway through cooking take baking sheet out of oven, stir or sprouts to cook evenly for 15 minutes or until done.


Serves 4. 

Tickled Pink Cosmopolitan ™

What's a better way to celebrate spring than with a summery cocktail.

4 oz cranberry juice cocktail
2- 3 oz vodka
1- 2  tsp lime juice
Ice


Put 2 martini glasses in freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes.

Cut lime in half.  Cut 1/2 of the lime into 2 wedges, set aside.


Juice other half of lime into a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, ice and cranberry juice into shaker, shake well.

Take glasses out of freezer. Strain Cosmopolitans into glasses. Garnish with lime wedges. 

Serves 2. 

Luck Of The Irish Coffee ™

This is my version of a St. Patrick Day staple. I've used brown sugar for this recipe, but you can use diabetic sugar if desired.


12 oz brewed coffee (regular or decaf)
2- 3 oz whiskey
1-4 tsp sugar (optional)
whipped cream


Brew coffee according to your coffee maker instructions.


Pour coffee into mugs.Add whiskey to coffee.  Add sugar to desired sweetness. Top coffee with whipped cream.


Serves 2.

Easy Cheesy Quesadilla ™

This is perfect for watching the big game, tailgating, company, or even for a quick snack.  I've used a Mexican blend of cheese. Feel free to experiment and use what cheeses and fillings you like. 


Enjoy!


8-10  flour tortillas 
8-10 oz shredded cheese
6- oz each: chopped bell peppers, chopped onions
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp mild chopped chilies (optional)
1- 2 T oil (olive or canola)




Heat skillet to medium high heat.  Lower heat to medium, add oil. 


Lay 1 flour tortilla in pan. Sprinkle some of the cheese, onions, peppers, red pepper flakes, and chile on tortilla. Place another tortilla on top. 


Cook on one side for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip over to cook on other side for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove quesadilla from pan and place on serving place. Repeat cooking process with remaining tortillas and fillings.


To serve, cut quesadilla into 4 slices. 


Serves 4-5 (one quesadilla).

Salt Free And Loving It Seasoning ™

If one of your New Years resolutions is to reduce sodium, here is a tasty salt free way to add flavor to your cooking. 

 I've included basil, parsley, chives, and oregano for this recipe. Feel free to adjust the amount of herb, if needed. If you don't have granulated garlic, you can use dried minced garlic. You can experiment with different herbal blends too, if desired.

1 T. each: dried parsley, dried basil, 

1/2 T. dried oregano, dried chives

1/2 tsp granulated garlic

1/4 tsp. black pepper
Pinch each: turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes 

Combine herbs & spices in small bowl, mix well. Pour herb in a clean salt shaker.

Makes 6- 8 servings (1 tsp approx.)