Grandmas Hamburger Soup ™

Nothing is better than Grandmas cooking.  This is an easy recipe for my Grandmas soups.


1 lb ground meat (ground round or sirloin)
1 c each: chopped onions, sliced celery, sliced turnip (optional)
2 - 3 c. approx. mixed vegetables 
1 - 2 cans diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp. each: parsley, pepper
1/8 tsp salt (optional)
6 cans (3 cartons) low sodium beef broth
2 cloves garlic crushed & chopped
pinch red pepper flakes



In a skillet, brown hamburger over medium high heat 8-10 minutes, drain off excess fat.

Peel, crush and chop garlic.

In large saucepan combine, broth, tomatoes, onions, celery, hamburger, turnips, mixed vegetables, salt,  pepper, parsley, garlic. Bring to a boil, for 15 min. stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat and let simmer for 1- 2 hours. 


Serves 12.

Moo Goo Gai Pan (Chicken With Mushrooms)

 Moo Goo Gai Pan translated means Chicken with Sliced Mushrooms.

This is very simple recipe for a Chinese classic. Enjoy!

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs  (sliced)
1 c. sliced carrots
1 c. fresh snow peas
1 tsp. fresh ginger (minced)
1 -  2 T. low sodium soy sauce
1 can sliced water chestnuts
½ bell pepper sliced
1 tsp. corn starch
1/ 3  - 1/2 c water (adjust as needed)
1 c green onions sliced
8 oz.  sliced mushrooms
1 -  2 T. oil (olive or canola)
1 tsp. sake (optional)
1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each:  pepper, salt

Cut chicken into slices. Combine chicken, 1 tsp of the ginger, sake, salt, pepper and soy sauce in bowl. Toss to coat chicken and marinate for a few hours.

Heat oil in wok or saute pan over medium high heat. Add chicken slices, ginger, stir fry for 8 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to bowl, set aside.


Add more oil if needed. Add veggies, stir fry for 7 minutes. Return chicken to pan, stir fry for 3 more minutes.


In a cup combine water and cornstarch. Mix well to dissolve cornstarch. 

Push vegetables and chickento sides of pan to make well in middle of pan. Pour water mixture into pan. Let liquid reduce for 1 min.  Stir to coat vegetables with sauce. 


Serves 4.

Grand Slam Lasagna ™

This recipe is called Grand Slam Lasagna because 4 cheeses (Ricotta, Provolone, Parmesan, Mozzarella) are used. This is a home run with family and friends.

I've used my recipe for tomato sauce, but you can use jarred sauced if preferred. You can adjust the amount of sauce, if desired.

I also used ground round for this recipe. Feel free to experiment and use what cheeses and ground meats that you like. You can even make this vegetarian if desired. Enjoy!

1 1/2 lb each: Ricotta cheese, Mozzarella,  lean ground beef (ground round)
1 lb each: Provolone (sliced), Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
1 package lasagna noodles (no boil or regular)
Non-stick cooking spray
6 c pasta sauce, to taste (my recipe or jar)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt (optional)
2 eggs (optional)
1/2 c chopped onions


Preheat oven to 375.

In a skillet or sauce pan, brown meat an onions for 8-10 minutes, drain meat and onions in strainer. Add tomato sauce and cook for 10 minutes more.

Meanwhile cook lasagna noodles according to package and drain, set aside. If using no boil noodles, omit this step.

Place ricotta cheese in mixing bowl add two eggs, and combine well.

Spray baking pan with non stick cooking spray. Take 1/2 - 3/4 cup of tomato sauce and spread on bottom of baking pan.

Layer 1/3 of noodles overlapping each other in bottom of baking pan. Spread 1/3 of sauce and meat over noodles. Arrange 1/2 of ricotta cheese mixture, sliced provolone, 1/3 of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over sauce.

Top with 1/3 noodles and repeat layering process. Set aside 1 c of sauce without the meat. Top with remaining noodles. Layer 1 c of sauce, remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese over noodles.

Cover lasagna with foil and bake for 60-70 minutes.

Makes 10 serving.

Refrigerator Donuts ™

Who doesn't love a good donut?

This recipe is so simple that my niece came up with it. She used canned refrigerated biscuit dough for this recipe. Enjoy!

2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough
2 c vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar (regular or dietetic)
2-3 T ground cinnamon


In a shallow bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Mix well.

Unroll biscuits from can.

With a clean cap from a pop or water bottle, punch a hole out of the biscuits. We use leftover dough to make donuts dots.

Heat oil on high in deep pan. When the temp reaches 365 *F, it's ready. You can tell this by using a deep fry thermometer.

Drop a few doughnuts in the oil. Cook donuts 3 - 5 minutes or until golden brown. While frying, turn donuts over once to cook evenly. Repeat cooking process with remaining donuts.

Drain fried donuts on plate lined with paper towels.

Dredge cooled donuts in sugar cinnamon mixture, coating both sides of donuts.


Makes 20 donuts, (5 servings).

Double Play Panini ™

This is a very simple recipe for my version of a Panini. It's called double play because there are 2 kinds of nitrate free meat and cheeses used.

I've used ham, salami,  Provolone and Swiss cheese. I've used a regular skillet, but this recipe also works on a grill pan, a panini maker or even on an outdoor grill.


Feel free to experiment and use what meats, bread, cheeses, vegetables you like.  Try to use nitrate free if possible. You can even make this sandwich vegan,  if desired. 


Sandwiches

8 slices each: bread
4 slices each: Provolone,  Swiss Cheese ( lean), ham (lean), hard salami
1 Roma tomato (sliced)
4 lettuce leaves



Dressing

1/4 c + 1- 2 T olive oil
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1 small clove garlic (crushed, chopped)
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp each: dried parsley, dried basil


In a small bowl combine: 1/3 c olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, parsley and basil. Mix well and set aside.

To assemble sandwiches: Layer 2 slices of ham and salami, 1 slices of provolone and the Swiss on 4 slices of the bread. Top with tomato slices and lettuce leaves.

Take remaining bread and drizzle or smear dressing on one side of bread. Top sandwiches with the bread dressing side down.

To heat: Heat grill pan or skillet over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add oil. Place 1 sandwich in skillet. Place small pan over sandwich to press down on sandwich. Cook on 1 side for 3 -5 min or until brown. Flip over and cook on other side for 3-5 min or until brown. Repeat cooking process with remaining sandwiches.


Makes 4 servings.

Have a Tasty New Year!

Happy New Year!

May your 2010 be flavored and savored.

Kitchen Sink Omelette ™

I call this recipe Kitchen Sink Omelette because I put everything but the kitchen sink in it!

This is a great basic recipe for breakfast or anytime. Feel free to experiment and add the fillings that you like. You can also make this recipe with egg whites and without the ham too.


1-2 T butter
2 eggs
1 T each: diced mushrooms, diced bell pepper, sliced scallions, diced ham, shredded cheddar cheese,
2 cherry tomatoes halved (you can use grape tomatoes)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt (optional)
1 small clove diced crushed garlic

Crack eggs over a small mixing bowl, beat well (10-15 seconds).

Add remaining ingredients to eggs.

In a medium skillet heat butter on medium high heat. Add egg mixture.

Gently push egg mixture from side of pan. Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes. Flip omelette over to cook on other side for 2-3 min or until done.

Makes 1 serving.