Archive for May, 2008

Simple, Quick and Easy Tex Mex Recipes; Refried Bean Soup and Amish Style Taco Squares

Saturday, May 31st, 2008
Linda Wilson asked:


Busy cooks we have some tasty and easy recipes for you.  Whether you are a beginning cook, strapped for time, or just don’t like spending lots of time in the kitchen, you can serve your family these recipes with little fuss.  The Refried Bean Soup is a tasty and simple meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes.  Add a salad or relish tray, crackers, or warmed tortillas, and you have a meal.  The Amish-Style Taco Squares are a simple recipe using biscuit mix.  They are easy to put together and will be on the table in less than an hour, including baking time.  Again, add a salad or vegetable and you have a meal with little prep or clean-up time involved. 

REFRIED BEAN SOUP

1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1 can (31-oz) refried beans

1 can (14.5-oz)chicken broth

1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro

5 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch strips, optional

Sour cream, optional

Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, optional

In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes, onion and garlic to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the refried beans, broth, and cilantro. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place tortilla strips on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp. Dip soup into bowls and top with crisp tortilla strips. Add sour cream and cheese over the crisp strips, if desired.

AMISH STYLE TACO SQUARES

This recipe is from an Old Order Amish lady that lives in Indiana. Her family travels by horse and buggy and they do not use electricity. The state of Indiana is one of the states with several Amish communities that still practice old-fashion Amish ways. And they are always good cooks!

2 cups biscuit mix

1/2 cup cold water

1 lb hamburger

1 tbsp chopped onion

1 green pepper

1 cup pizza sauce

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 cup sour cream

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/3 cup salad dressing

Combine the biscuit mix and the water. Stir the mixture with a fork until blended. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Brown the hamburger with the onion and chopped green bell pepper. Add the taco seasoning and pizza sauce. Spoon the hamburger mixture over the warm crust. Combine the sour cream, cheese, and salad dressing. Spread the sour cream mixture over the meat mixture. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly at 375 degrees.

Enjoy!



Bessie

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Easy low fat recipes for picky kids?

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
Incognito asked:


Maybe even vegetarian type meals? I have a few picky eaters and on some weekends we have all the kids so there are 7 plus my husband and myself so it would need to be relatively easy and of course healthy, low fat and nutritious. I have one kiddo who hates almost everything except pasta, sandwiches and cereal(of course, it could be also that he just prefers his moms cooking which I can respect). I feel guily trying to make my kids eat foods they don’t like but for the sake of their health they need to eat veggies, beans, whole grains, proteins, etc.

So anyone with good recipes for picky eaters would be appreciated.

And please don’t just say ‘make them eat what you serve’. I’ve tried that and it seems cruel to watch them sit there so long and then leave the table hungry because after awhile I tell them to just go if they refuse to eat their veggies or whatever. I also have tried withholding any snacks or desserts if they won’t eat their dinner - doesn’t work either.

Thanks!

Samantha

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Posted in Cooking & Recipes | 6 Comments »

Layered Casserole Dinner, Easy, Economical and Suitable for Diabetics, Too!

Thursday, May 15th, 2008
Linda Wilson asked:


With grocery prices on the rise, along with everything else it seems, we are all looking for ways to feed our families without breaking our budgets.  This menu is a great meal for feeding families economically and yet healthfully.  Layered casserole dinner uses ground beef and combines five vegetables and dairy all in one inexpensive dish.  Add a fruit gelatin mold and you have a family meal in two dishes. 

LAYERED CASSEROLE DINNER

1 lb lean ground beef

4 med red potatoes, peeled & cut into 1/4-inch slices

2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces

1 large onion, sliced

1 med green bell pepper, sliced

1 can (15-16 oz) italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp basil

1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese

Crumble ground beef into large skillet and cook until all pink is removed.  Drain well.  In a large casserole dish, layer ingredients in order listed above, omiting the cheese.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Remove lid and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.  Bake 5 minutes more.

 

GELATIN FRUIT MOLD

2 1/2  cups boiling water

1 large box sugar-free strawberry-flavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold pure orange juice mixed with 1/2 cup cold water

1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks, in their own juice; drained

1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a large bowl, pour gelatin powder and add boiling water.  Stir at least 3 minutes to be sure all gelatin is thoroughly dissolved.  Stir in cold juice/water mixture.  Refrigerate about 1 1/2 hours or until thickened enough that a spoon drawn through the gelatin will leave an impression.  Stir in fruit and nuts.  Spoon into a 6-cup mold that has been sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.  Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm.  Unmold.

Note:  Do not use fresh pineapple as gelatin will not set. 

 Enjoy!



Georgia

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Posted in Recipes | No Comments »

Does anyone have some good dinner recipes for two elderly people? They don’t eat a lot?

Monday, May 12th, 2008
deejaydevoted asked:


I need easy to prepare meals that are well balanced and nutritional. I’m asking this question for a male friend who cooks for his invaled wife.

Donna

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Posted in Cooking & Recipes | 10 Comments »

Italian Pasta Recipe - Pasta With Roasted Vegetables & Fresh Herbs

Sunday, May 11th, 2008
Ralph Serpe asked:


Here is a quick, easy and delicious summer Italian pasta recipe that you just have to make for dinner tonight. Anyone can make this. Your family will feel like they are eating at an authentic Italian restaurant after eating this dish.

But before we get to this recipe, I would like to provide you with a few tips on how to buy the best quality ingredients for this dish.

Tips For Buying Your Vegetables

The key to this dish, or any dish that calls for fresh vegetables, is to educate yourself on how to choose the best ingredients. It can be confusing at the store with all of the different varieties, textures, sizes and shapes that vegetables are available in.

I try to only use organic fruits and vegetables. They may be more expensive, but they are tastier, higher in nutrients, and for the most part, free of any dangerous chemicals.

For this particular dish I use Roma or Plum tomatoes. A Roma tomato is a type of Plum tomato, and to the best of my knowledge, there is no real difference between the two. I like to use Plum or Roma tomatoes for cooking and making sauces. They are more meaty and have less seeds and juice than other varieties. They also taste better in my opinion.

Choose tomatoes that are heavy for their size and have a deep rich color. This deep rich color not only indicates a tastier tomato, but it also is an indication that the tomato has a higher supply of the healthy ingredient “lycopene”.

Smell the tomatoes. They should smell fresh and earthy.

Choose tomatoes that are smooth and free of cuts, blemishes and soft spots.

When choosing your squash , make sure it is firm and heavy for its size.

Examine the skin for any cuts or soft spots. Look at the stem and make certain it is not discolored or shriveled.

Choose squash that is smaller and younger as these are usually more tender.

THE PASTA

Am I really going to devote a section of this article to pasta? Can’t you just use any old pasta? Does it really make a difference?

In my opinion, yes, it does make a difference. There are many varieties of pastas on your supermarket shelves, but not all are created equal. I have tried many different brands of pasta and always find myself coming back to Barilla.

It just cooks up perfectly, every time. When I say perfectly, I mean “Al Dente”. When Pasta is cooked “Al Dente”, it should be firm, but not hard. Cooking pasta to this perfect state does require practice. Follow the instructions on the back of the box. They are usually quite accurate. My recommendation would be to taste the pasta a minute or two before the suggested cooking time is reached.

INGREDIENTS

Here are the ingredients that you will need. These measurements are by no means set in stone. Not everyone has the same preferences. You can easily adjust the ingredients below to suit your taste. Cooking is all about experimentation and I find that many of my recipes evolve over time.

1 Pound of Barilla Pasta - I use penne. I have tried other types of pasta like spaghetti and ziti, but penne seems to have the best texture and holds up the best with the ingredients in this dish.

3 - 4 Yellow Summer Squash Cut Into 1/2 Inch Pieces

3 - 4 Roma or Plum Tomatoes Cut Into 1/2 Inch Pieces

4 Cloves of Garlic Peeled and Smashed

1 - 2 Tablespoons Fresh Thyme Chopped

1 Cup of Torn Fresh Basil Leaves

1/4 Cup of Fresh Italian Parsley

1/4 Cup Asiago or Parmesan Cheese Plus a bit more for serving

Several Drizzles of Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Unsalted Butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Add your vegetables and garlic to a large baking sheet. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Stir so that vegetables are coated well with the olive oil.

Put the vegetables in the preheated oven and roast , stirring occasionally, until vegetables are browned. Make sure they do not burn! It shouldn’t take longer then 30 minutes.

While the vegetables are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain pasta but reserve a cup or so of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot.

Add the roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, cheese, butter, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to the pasta.

If the mixture is dry, add some of the reserved pasta water.

Toss and serve. Top with cheese if desired.

Enjoy!



Deborah

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Posted in Pasta Dishes | No Comments »

Tips for Hosting a Dinner Party

Friday, May 9th, 2008
gurpreet singh asked:


There is nothing like an evening of good friends and good conversation. If you love to entertain friends and co-workers, but lack the funds for a traditional dinner party, you are in luck. If you shop smart, it doesn’t take a lot of money to throw an event that will make you the envy of your social circle. When all else fails, consider a potluck. Have each one of your guests bring their favorite dish or appetizer. It can be a lot of fun to try new recipes and variations.

First off set the mood! A good dinner party is all about ambiance. Consider going to your local dollar store or discount store to purchase some inexpensive tapers and candles. They are an easy way to brighten up a room, and encourage conversation. Don’t be afraid to try something fun, either. Try a themed party like a Hawaiian theme, or an 80’s theme. The possibilities are endless, and it will help break the ice among your guests. Encourage your guests to dress up, for instant glamour.

Once you have the mood set, it’s time to think about food. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to serve a seven course meal. Stick with cheap appetizers and fingers foods. Fondue parties are a blast to throw, and cost very little to pull off. Encourage your guests to bring their favorite dippers, to save you even more. A wine tasting party is also a fun event, and can cost you almost nothing to throw. Ask each guest to bring a bottle of their favorite wine. All you have to do is supply the wine glasses! If you choose to go a more traditional route, try buying your food online. There are many websites that sell discount goodies, and you can save even more by using an e-coupon site. If you go through one of these coupon sites you can purchase lobsters, wine, chocolate, steaks, appetizers, and just about anything else you can think of. It only takes a few minutes to shop, and many vendors offer free shipping. It couldn’t be easier!

Pay special attention to the dinner party invitations. A good invitation will help convey the theme of the party, and instruct the guests on any food or items that they need to bring to the event. You can create cheap, one-of-a-kind invitations, by using supplies available at your local craft supply store. Each invitation shouldn’t cost more a few cents apiece. Don’t forget to address the envelope in your own handwriting; it gives it a personal touch. Good luck!



Kim

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Buffet Recipes And Tips For The Imperfect Hostess

Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Daniel Millions asked:


Hosting a dinner party for friends? Or have you been selected (or singled out, ahh!) to host Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year? How exciting. And what a pain in the rear. While having the people you love in your home and feeding them a ton of food is rewarding and can be a lot of fun, chances are you’re a little stressed about it. Unless, of course, you’re Martha Stewart.

When you’re overwhelmed planning a dinner party, sometimes choosing a few good buffet recipes and setting up a simple buffet seems like the easiest thing. And though it’s true that, in many ways, a buffet is simpler to do than a sit-down dinner (where you have to prepare each guest his or her own plate), hosting a buffet style dinner is no walk in the park. After all (and especially if your family is as piggy as mine), you’ll still have to cook a whole big pile of food, won’t you?

Choosing Buffet Recipes: When choosing recipes for a buffet dinner, the first thing you’ll want to think about is ease of preparation. When having a lot of people over for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner (or any other holiday celebration), there is always a lot of food involved. Can you easily prepare a particular dish for a large number of people? Do you have room in your oven or on your stove to cook all of your dishes at once?

Another thing to think about when choosing buffet recipes is how much time each dish will take to prepare. When you host a dinner party, there are about 100 things on your to-do list the day of the party or holiday… and about 100 other things that you never even thought of. The best way to cut down on your work load a bit?

Pick recipes that you can make ahead of time. If 80% of the cooking is done in the morning before your dinner party, you can be sure that things will be a lot easier when the guests arrive. Some great dinner party recipes that you can make up ahead of time are:

1. Cold vegetable salads and pasta salads

2. Soups and stews (add any rice or pasta at the last minute)

3. Veggies and dips

4. Cold appetizers

5. Reheat-able sauces

6. Breads, biscuits, etc.

7. Sliced cheese and fruit trays

8. More stuff I can’t think of now

Last, you’ll want to think about how easy a particular dish is to eat. Especially if you’re going to have some guests on their feet or perched on chairs, you’ll want foods that they can eat without too much cutting or hacking. Unless you want them to eat a whole steak in their hands like some kind of carnivorous squirrel (which would be entertaining but unhygienic), skip preparing a large piece of meat.

Buffet Table Setting Tips: Got your buffet recipes figured out? Now it’s time to get the table ready. While it seems like setting up a buffet table should be as simple as tossing things together, there are a few things you can do to make you buffet table both look nicer and be easier to use. One is to vary the height of different dishes.

This makes the table look more appealing visually and makes it easier for guests to access a particular dish. Another important buffet table setting tip is to… avoid being boring! Most people have been to about 1000 buffets in their lifetime, and most of them are ordinary and all the same.

But with some creative decorating ideas and a little flair for the unusual, you can create a beautiful and unforgettable buffet table. Good luck!



Lee

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Posted in Cooking Tips | No Comments »

I need a recipe for a fantastic birthday dinner, thats quick, easy and delicous any suggestions?

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
gezzdaman44 asked:


My sister is turning 18 on friday but shes goin out that day so I want 2 make her a spectacular dinner on thursday, can anyone help me! Im desperate and i have have all kinds of meat except veal, venison, and fish.

Arlene

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Posted in Cooking & Recipes | 7 Comments »