Friday, August 31, 2012

Recipes from Fix a Little Feed a Lot

Being prepared for hospitality.

 Tamale Pie



1  pint Meat Sauce Mix
1 cup whole kernel corn, drained
1 can diced green chilies
1 tsp chili powder
1-1/2 cup canned tomatoes
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 batch of Cornbread mix for Topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 2 quart casserole dish. In a medium bowl, combine Meat Mix, corn, green chilies, chili powder, and tomatoes. Stir well. Spread into bottom of casserole dish. Top with grated cheese.  Prepare Cornbread Topping and spoon over meat mixture.  Bake 35 to 4 Minutes, until golden  brown.  
Serve with:Your choice of salsa, sour cream, black olives, avocados, etc.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.


                                  Mexican Stromboli



1 pint Meat Sauce Mix
1 Tbsp Taco Seasoning
1 can (15 oz.) dark red kidney beans
         or pinto beans, drained 
2 pkg. (10 oz.) refrigerated pizza dough 
or 1 recipe bread dough
1 cup  shredded Monterey Jack  
           cheese or Mexi-blend
Milk - for brushing on top

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 15-inch by 10-inch baking pan with parchment paper. 
Add half of the beans into meat mix. 
Mash remaining beans and add to meat mixture.  
On lightly floured surface, roll one sheet of pizza dough or bread dough into a 12-inch by 10-inch rectangle. 
Spoon half of the cheese down center of dough square. 
Spoon half of meat mixture over cheese. 
Moisten dough edges with milk. 
Bring side edges of dough together over filling; stretch and pinch to seal well. Fold ends up and over seam; seal well. 
Repeat with remaining sheet of dough, cheese and meat to make another Stromboli roll. 
Place rolls, seam sides down, on prepared pan. 
Prick tops with fork; brush with milk. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until light brown. 

Yield: 8 servings.


Stuffed Green Peppers


1 pint Meat sauce Mix. Thawed  
2 cups cooked white rice 
bell peppers, seeds and membranes removed
       (or 4 if you cut them in half and stuff the halves )
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Bring 6 to 8 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Place green peppers into water a few at a time and boil about 10 minutes. Drain. In a small saucepan combine meat sauce mix and rice. Heat thoroughly.  Fill peppers with warmed meat sauce rice mixture. Top with grated cheese. Bake in a shallow pan 0 to 15 minutes   Peppers can be prepared in advance and frozen in meal size portions. You can use fewer peppers by cutting them in half before cooking. Mound the meat/rice mixture in the half pepper cup and top with cheese.
 serves: 8

Chicken Packets


Chicken Broccoli Au Gratin



 Apricot Curry Chicken                   


Chicken a la King


Planning and preparing meals in advance saves both time and money. We prepared a chicken mix and a beef mix and used those to create several quick meals.




Friday, August 24, 2012

BEANS AND GRAINS

It is amazing how far you food budget can be stretched just by adding beans and grains to your weekly menu. Our recipes this week proved to be easy and delicious.

Tex Mex Black Bean Wraps 


Cowboy Beans

Cajun Quinoa




Hoppin’ John


Tuscan Bean Soup with Sage






Black Bean Salad


Salad
1½ c cooked black beans
1 English cucumber, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 scallions, chopped
1 lg tomato, diced, optional
 Salt
Ground pepper

Vinaigrette
1 tsp Chipotle en adobo
      Or more to taste
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp honey
2 Tbsp cilantro , fresh, chopped
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1½  Tbsp olive oil, Optional

In salad bowl, combine the beans, cucumber, bell pepper,scallions, and tomato if using.  Toss to mix.
To make the dressing, in a small bowl whisk togetherness chipotle en adobo, honey, garlic, cilantro, and vinegar.  
Whisk in olive oil if using. 
Pour over bean mixture and toss well. 
Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
Serve at room temperature. 
Servings: 4

We have a large group in the kitchen this year. It is so much fun mainly because of the fellowship but also because we get to try more recipes.



Hummus


1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth. 
Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus.
Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional).
For a spicier hummus, add a sliced red chile or a dash of cayenne pepper

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips


1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves
Pita chips

Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, and parsley in the work bowl of a food processor. 
Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. 
Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 
Transfer the bean puree to a small bowl.
Serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside the bean puree.
 Servings: 6



Blackeyed Pea Spinach Skillet


½  med onion, diced
½  med red pepper, diced
1 pkg frozen spinach
1 can black eyed peas
1 can diced tomatoes,Italian style
1 cup jasmine rice
 2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste.

Sauté onion and pepper in a little water, add spinach, blackened peas, and tomatoes, stir.
Add one cup rice in center. 
Add 2 cups water. 
Put on tight fitting lid. 
Simmer for 20 minutes. 
Season with salt and pepper.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Family in the Kitchen

There is nothing sweeter than a kitchen full of women. Especially women who love God. Our hearts grow closer and the bonds deeper as we share our skill and knowledge with each other. Gracious hospitality inspires such sweet fellowship.




SUMMER SQUASH SOUP  


    2 Tbsp olive oil
    1 medium onion, thinly sliced
    2 cloves minced garlic
    3 cup summer (yellow) squash, cut up (1-1 1/2 lbs)
    2 cups rich chicken stock
    2 cups whipping cream
    2 teaspoons minced fresh basil
    2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
    Salt and freshly ground pepper 

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. 
Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
Add yellow summer squash and broth. 
Cook until softened. 
When squash is soft, carefully blend until smooth. 
Add cream, basil and oregano. 
Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes. 
Season with salt and pepper.  
Serves 6



Curried Carrot & Pear Salad


8 large carrots
1/3 cup shaved almonds
2 ripe anjou pears
3 Tbsp curly parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 Tablespoons of water
3/4 teaspoon salt
Juice from 2 lemons
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon mayo

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, curry powder, maple syrup, pepper, mayo and half of your parsley (diced). Place in jar and shake until very well combined. Set in fridge to chill. thin with water if necessary.
Wash and remove first layer of skin on carrots using veg peeler. Cut off ends. Grate carrots
Wash and cut pears into wedges, removing seeds and rough heart from center. Add pears to carrots and toss. Roughly chop remaining parsley and toss in with carrots and pears. Add almonds and toss salad again with your hands. Now add in dressing and toss very well again. Chill and serve cold.


Cream Cheese and Dill Corn

Dill Peas and Walnuts 

Zucchini with Thyme







Roasted Butternut Squash

So very easy you just have to try it!


1 medium butternut squash
2 Tbsp light olive oil
Kosher salt
1/2 stick butter
3 Tbsp honey
1/4 - 1/2 tsp red curry powder
  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds from the center and discard.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and lightly salt
  • Arrange on a greased baking sheet cut side down.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes until easily pierced with a fork.
  • Remove from oven and let cool
  • Scoop out inside and place in a bowl
  • Add butter, honey salt and curry powder to taste.

HERBS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

We tried some new recipes this year with butternut squash and the results were quite tasty. The aroma of Thanksgiving filled the kitchen and the flavor did not disappoint.


Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage and Cranberries

1 medium butternut squash
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil*, divided
Sea salt and ground pepper
2 medium onions
2 tablespoons chopped sage
4 tablespoons dried cranberries or cherries
  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds from the center and discard. Cut squash into large chunks. Coat with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and arrange on a greased baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until well caramelized.
  • Peel onions and cut into large chunks. Coat with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and spread on a second greased baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until well caramelized. When squash and onions are done, toss with sage and cranberries. Return to oven for about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.


FALL SEMESTER 2012

Genesis 1:29a  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth.....

Growing herbs is most rewarding bring both flavor and color to what might be rather plain foods. We find new ways to bring them to our table every year.