Brussels Sprouts

These may be just a bit over the top... but oh.... I thought I was making enough for two.

Brussels sprouts. I started with frozen.
 Bacon- two strips- or one per person
chopped onion.

As usual, I cooked in a cast iron skillet!

Brown the bacon.
 Slice the Brussels sprouts in half.
 Add the onion and Brussels sprouts to the bacon and bacon grease in the skillet.
Brown.
 enjoy!

Oven "Fried" Jalepeno Chicken Tenders

Here is the link! Oven "Fried" Jalapeno Chicken Tenders

Jalapeño Jelly

Jalapeño Jelly

 

This is one of the easiest jellies you can make!

 

 

10-15 jalapeño peppers (red or green, or both)

 

6 1/2 cups of white sugar

1 1/2 cups Apple cider vinegar

 

6 fluid oz. liquid fruit pectin 

(The box contains two three oz. packets- use both!)

 

You will also need a few simple tools:

 

7 half pint jelly jars, with rings and new lids. (Wash, rinse, and allow to sit in hot water until ready to fill.)

A wide mouth funnel.

A Ladle.

A jar lifter.

A non-metallic, heat proof spoon/spatula for stirring.

GLOVES!!!!!

 

 
 

 Wearing gloves, remove the stem and seeds from the jalapeño peppers. Then, chop them fine, OR... Use a food processor!

 In a stainless steel (or other non-aluminum pot) bring to a boil the vinegar, sugar, and jalapeño peppers. 

 Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the six oz. of fruit pectin.  Return to boil and cook for FIVE MINUTES.

Turn off the heat.

I use a towel to protect my counter top from spills, and set the hot, clean jars on it. Using the wide mouth funnel to help keep the jar rims clean, I ladle the jelly into the jars.

Use a clean, damp cloth or paper towel to wipe the rims clean.

Place a lid on each jar, and screw a jar ring down finger tight.

Lift the jars into a pot of boiling water. Jars should have ONE inch of boiling water covering their tops.

Boil for 10 minutes.

Remove from boiling water bath. (Use the jar lifter!)

Set in a draft free place to cool.

When cooled, check to be sure the jar is sealed by gently pressing down on center. If it "pops", then place this jar into the fridge and use soon.

Sealed jars need not be refrigerated.

So.... What can you DO with Jalapeño Jelly?
Some people like it over toast. Some people warm it a bit and pour it over a block of cream cheese and serve it with fancy crackers. But THIS is our favorite way to use it:  Panko Jalapeño  Chicken Bake


 

 

 

how to make onion rings

Onions, sliced
flour
corn meal
cajun seasoning or seasoning salt
eggs

in a mixing bowl mix 1 part corn meal to to 2 parts flour and add seasoning to taste,
in a separate bowl beat 1 or 2 eggs
heat oil in a cast iron skillet

one at a time put onion slices in eggs, turn onion slice over, remove and place in flour mix and cover onion slice in mix

place egg laden, flour mix covered onion slice in now hot pan of oil. let brown (or blacken) flip browned onion slice and brown other side. Remove from pan and repeat process with remaining onion slices until you run out of onions in your house, and if you want you could try eating these

Crispy Tater Bacon Casserole

Crispy Tater Bacon Casserole

 

 

One medium potato per person, thinly sliced.

 

+ One potato "for the pot" for every 4 people. (Example: four people = five potatoes. Two people I would still use three potatoes!)

 

Chopped onion

 

minced garlic

 

minced jalapeño pepper

 

shredded cheese (your favorite variety)

 

thin sliced bacon (uncooked) cut into 1" pieces

 

I started with lightly oiling a cast iron skillet. With the amount of bacon I used, this may of been unnecessary!

 

Place a layer of bacon in the bottom of the skillet (or casserole dish.) I did NOT solidly cover the bottom, but left room between the pieces.

Over this I placed a layer of sliced potatoes.

Next, onion, garlic, and jalapeño peppers. (As much of these as you like- I used one jalapeño in the entire dish, one onion, and three small cloves of garlic)

Another layer of potatoes.

Top with shredded cheese, and more bacon on top of that.

 

Shove the skillet into a hot oven (450*) for about 20-25 minutes- until it begins to be a beautiful brown.

 

Remove from oven, tilt to drain grease off!

 

Serve hot!

 



Grilled Jalapeno Popper Squash Casserole

Grilled Jalapeño Popper Squash Casserole

 

 

 

You may of noticed a theme in my most recent rash of recipes. Squash. I am trying to keep a happy face with every batch that comes in from the garden. I tell myself- $1.89 a lb... The current cost of fresh squash at the grocery stores here. We are rich!

 

Today's adventure is totally off the cuff.

 

In a disposable foil pan, add enough coconut (or olive) oil to coat the bottom.

Place a single layer of thin sliced bacon strips (cut the strips to fit, or into bite sized pieces if you like.) into the pan.

 

 Next, I added sliced squash. I cut it about 1/4 inch thick. I added two layers, because that will feed the four of us. I used both yellow and zucchini squash. Over each layer, I sprinkled garlic powder and Tony Chachere's  Creole seasoning.

 

Then, I sliced several jalapeño peppers lengthwise, and removed the seeds. (Recommend gloves for this!) I laid these cut side UP on top of the squash.

 

I filled each of the jalapeños with ricotta cheese, then dolloped more ricotta between the peppers.

 

Add a generous sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese.

 

Finish with more thin sliced bacon strips.

 

I plan to grill this until it is done- squash tender and I HOPE the bacon on top crisps up. 

 
 

Pickled Green Beans

Pickled Green Beans

 

One year in the early 90's, I made some pickled green beans. We tried them right away... and YECH! I ended up giving all the rest of them away.

Only later, people to whom the beans had been given began giving me feedback.

"They were awesome!"

"Can I get more?"

"Can I get the recipe?"

Clearly, they had not had the same beans as we did.

 

As it turns out, when you pickle a vegetable, you need to give it several weeks to mature the flavors!

 

I tried the pickled green beans again in recent years. This time I let the pickled beans rest a few weeks before we tried them. They are awesome! And here is my so called recipe:

 

Fresh, fairly straight green beans

fresh garlic

dill (fresh or dried)

Vinegar (I used apple cider because I had it on hand)

canning salt

water

jalapeno peppers, split in half and seeds removed, if desired

clean pint canning jars and lids, sterilized

****************

Bring the hot water in a deep pot to a boil, for the boiling water bath.

In a stainless or ceramic pot, mix 2 parts vinegar to 1.5 parts water. Begin heating to a boil.

(I added 1 teaspoon mustard seed and 1 teaspoon black peppercorns to this. I'll let you know how THAT turns out!) (I used 4 cups of vinegar to 3 cups of water. I had leftover from filling 6 pints)

 

Wash and trim the ends off of the green beans.

Peel and smash a clove of garlic for each jar.

I used 1/2 jalapeno pepper in each jar.

I stood the green beans in the jars on their ends, poking them into the jar until the jars are packed full. (I found it helpful to lean the jars nearly sideways.)

 

Once green beans are packed into the jars, I added 1/4 teaspoon of dried dill and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to each jar. (This year the grasshoppers ate my fresh dill. Feel free to add a sprig of fresh dill to each jar instead of the dried)

 

Fill each jar with the boiling vinegar/ water mixture.

Wipe rims. Add jar rings.

Place in boiling water "bath".

 I boiled mine for 15 minutes once the water returned to a boil.

Remove from bath, allow to cool.

 

Check to be sure jars have sealed after they cool. If not, refrigerate.

 

Please let these sit for at least 4 weeks or more before you taste test them

 

I found that an opened jar is an empty jar. We simply do not have leftovers when pickled green beans are served. Wish I could say as much about regular green beans!

 



Ravioli and Vegetable cheese sauce...

Ravioli and Vegetable Cheese Sauce

 

Tonight I got home from work and wondered what to fix for supper.

Leftovers have not gone over well recently.

After digging through the freezer and tossing out several frostbitten items, I discovered I had a half a bag each of two types of frozen ravioli...
 I had a container of roasted vegetable cheese spread
as well.

Sooo...
 I boiled the frozen ravioli.... drained it. While it sat draining...
I added 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of half and half to the 2 cup container of vegetable cheese spread. The container wasn't full. (And I also had a cup of roasted veggies that COULD of been added, if one felt the need to have even more veggies..)
 once the roasted veggie cheese spread melted and warmed, I added the ravioli.

Great reviews from the guys!

Served with garlic green beans. and microwaved yellow squash.
(The trimmed beans were added to a skillet containing olive oil and a clove of garlic. Stirred and covered for about 25 minutes. Sprinkled with garlic granules, butter, and salt. VERY good!) Squash as trimmed, sliced, microwaved. Butter and salt added. Pretty good... but it was squash. AGAIN)


Squash and Pepper Salad

Squash and Pepper Salad

 

You might have noticed a trend in my last several posts... Yep. An abundance of garden fresh squash. While I was certain one each of yellow, and zucchini would be plenty... Mr C took no chances and planted four of each. It was probably a good thing he had the foresight to do so, since  thankfully  the snow on the third of May took out several of each variety, leaving us with two yellow and three zucchini.

 

Down to just four of us at home... this is more than enough squash for all of our fresh squash needs. I have given away squash to the neighbors, until they refuse to answer their doors when they see me coming. OK... that is a minor exaggeration. But we do have PLENTY of squash. And since it is $1.89 a lb! at the grocery store, I really don't want to waste any.

 

I have made squash relish, both sweet and dill. Squash casseroles, squash in place of lasagna noodles. Last night, I was marinating the following recipe, which I fully intended to grill in a disposable foil pan.

However, Mr C saw it and sampled it, and decided it was a great salad.

It has (surprise!) Squash!

 

I used both yellow and zucchini squash, sliced into  quarter rounds.

 

It has sweet peppers, chopped.

 Fresh onions/ scallions.

jalapeno peppers

 and I used some bottled salad dressing (Newman's Own Balsamic vinaigrette)

 

Marinated the veggies a couple hours before supper. It was every bite eaten.

Made more tonight using a store brand of raspberry vinaigrette.

Cheese Spread/ Roasted vegetable

Roasted Vegetable Cheese Spread

Thank you Alton Brown of Good Eats!

This is my take on Alton brown's recipe. Make it your own: It is VERY good as a sandwich spread, cracker spread, tortilla roll up. Even use it as a dip for fresh veggies!

 

Vegetables:

 I used:

 Zucchini

 yellow squash

onion

 jalapeno peppers

 sweet peppers (yellow, orange, red. Bell Pepper is acceptable if you like it)

carrots

garlic

green beans

(Use what is in season! What do YOU have on hand? Olives, black beans, spinach might be added, but I probably wouldn't roast them first!)

 

 

 

Other:

Cream Cheese (I used the reduced fat neufchatel cheese)

Cheddar cheese

cooking oil spray

Salt

 

****************Preheat oven to 450*

 

Spray your baking sheet with cooking oil spray.

Cut the vegetables to get the most surface area... Angle the squash and carrots and such.

Spread the sliced vegetables on a baking dish (or two).

Sprinkle with salt. (I used Himalayan pink Salt because it is what I happen to keep on hand)

Spray vegetables with additional oil.

 

Cook until vegetables are done/ tender. Monitor them if cooked together, some cook faster than others!

 

Allow veggies to cool.

Place in food processor and pulse until chopped fine.

I used about 1 cup of the cooked chopped veggies and froze the rest for later*.

Add 1 package (8oz) of cream cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese to veggies in food processor.

Pulse until combined.

Cover.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Use within 1 week.
* The roasted veggies not used can be added to soups, casseroles... or more spread at another time!

Dill Relish

Dill (Squash) Relish

Once again, I forge a path because I cannot find a recipe I like!

 

8 cups chopped zucchini squash

2 cups chopped fresh onion

3 jalapeño peppers (or to taste)

1 cup chopped sweet peppers (I used a mixture of red, orange and yellow. Green is acceptable if you like green!)

1/4 cup salt (I used Himalayan pink salt because it is what I have on hand)

2 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

2 1/2 cups water

1 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon mustard seed

2 teaspoons dry dill (use fresh if you have it, increase quantity to 1/4 cup chopped)

2 large cloves roasted garlic, chopped fine (Remember a clove is a segment of the HEAD of garlic!)

1 tablespoon sugar (optional... I added it to the mix so included it here)

1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (also optional)

 

Chop the vegetables and mix with the salt.

I did NOT cover with water this time, but did refrigerate mixture several hours (or overnight if convenient)

 

Rinse the vegetables several times and drain well.

 

In a non-aluminum pot, bring the vinegar, water, and spices to a boil. Add the vegetable mixture. Return to boil and cook 15 minutes.

 

Ladle into sterile jars.

Wipe rims.

 Add lids and rings.

Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes.

Remove from boiling water, allow to cool.

 Check seals.

The dill relish needs to mature several weeks to develop best flavor.





Spicy Squash Relish

Spicy Squash Relish

 

10 cups chopped squash. (I used yellow and zucchini- did not peel them)

3 cups chopped onion

3 seeded jalapeno peppers, minced fine

4 TBS himalayan (pink) salt

2 cups apple cider vinegar

3 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp tumeric

2 tsp celery seed

1 tsp mustard seed

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Sprinkle chopped squash and onions with the salt.

Combine thoroughly.

Add enough cold water to cover squash.

Refrigerate overnight.

Next morning, rinse the squash mixture with cold water and allow to drain.

In a large (stainless steel) pot, combine the sugar, vinegar, tumeric, celery seed and mustard seed.

Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the drained squash to the syrup mixture.

Return to boil, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.

Ladle into sterilized half- pint (or pint) jars.

Wipe rims with a clean cloth.

Place lids and rings onto jars.

Submerge in a boiling water bath for 10 -(15) minutes.

Remove from boiling water bath and allow to cool in a draft free place overnight. Check seals.



Spinach Salad... two?

Spinach Salad

I say two, after Tyrel's Spinach salad "soup" on this blog!

Fresh Spinach
Leaf lettuce, if desired
 tomatoes
cucumbers, chopped
cooked cubed turkey
sliced fresh mushrooms
chopped fresh sweet peppers
shredded cheese
dried cranberries
mixed nuts
salad dressing of choice

 Wash spinach and tear to bite sized pieces. Wash and prepare leaf lettuce.
I set the ingredients out in bowls, in a "create your own" style.

It was wonderful.

Oven "Fried" Tilapia Fish

Oven Fried Tilapia

 

Thawed/ fresh tilapia filets

crushed Ritz* Crackers (I used the Roasted Vegetable variety)

Panko bread crumbs

eggs

 Bleu Cheese salad dressing (I used Marzetti)

milk

coconut oil

flour (I used whole wheat)

Salt

garlic

cayenne/ ground red pepper

grated Parmesan cheese

 

I preheated the oven to 425*

 

Melted* a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil in a casserole dish. Coconut oil is solid to 77*, but liquid above that. It is still cold here!

 

Then, I got out three shallow dishes. In the first, I had about 1/2 cup of flour, some salt, and some garlic, and ground red pepper. Use as much as your family likes the taste of!

 

In the second, I mixed 1/2 to 3/4 cup of Marzetti Bleu Cheese salad dressing, 2 beaten eggs, and about 1/2 cup of milk to make a thick viscosity liquid.

 

In the third, I crushed up about 3/4 of a sleeve of the roasted vegetable Ritz crackers. I added about 3/4 cup of Panko bread crumbs. (We prefer the taste of the Kikkoman brand here!)

 

 

I laid out a sheet of waxed paper. Dipped each thawed tilapia fillet  into the flour, rolling to coat. Then into the egg/blue cheese mixture, and finally into the cracker/panko mixture.

 

 

When all were coated, I transferred them into the casserole dish, and turned to coat both sides with the melted coconut oil. I could of gone right from the last dip into the oiled pan, except my coconut oil was still melting at the time!











 

 

I sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese, and baked 25 minutes.

 

This was the best (home made) baked fish I ever ate. Seriously.

 

Potato Fishcakes... from leftovers

Potato Fishcakes

 

 

It is the day before grocery day! In the refrigerator, I had some leftovers;

 

Baked tilapia fillets with (somewhat soggy) Panko crumb breading

Garlic mashed potatoes

Celery (because my hubby can't walk through the produce section without buying celery.)

Onions (sweet onions that are going soft quickly!)

Eggs

Seasonings (Curry powder, garlic granules, salt, red pepper) (Technically, these were not in the fridge)

 

I flaked up three tilapia fillets (Already cooked!) in a bowl. I added 3/4 cup of garlic mashed potatoes, 1/4 cup each of minced celery and onion, and seasoning. I beat 2 eggs, and stirred all this up with the mixture. If my fish had not already been breaded, I would of added flour, or cracker crumbs to the mixture to hep bind it.

 

I heated my cast iron skillet and melted just a bit of (coconut) oil on it, then drop large spoonfuls of my mixture onto the hot skillet, and flattened it a bit. I let the patties/ cakes brown on one side, turned them, and cooked until they were brown on both sides and hot throughout.

 

Mr C ate his on bread, with salsa. It would be good with leftover cocktail sauce, or tartar sauce. Served with coleslaw. (He ate two sandwiches, and yet another patty by itself. For one of my 'creations', he seemed to really like it!)