Cauliflower Cheese Pie

Original recipe makes 4 servings

2 cups shredded potatoes

1/4 cup grated onion
1 egg, beaten
1 tea spoon salt
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 head cauliflower, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a shallow 9 inch baking dish or pie pan.

2. To make crust: Use a cheese cloth to squeeze extra liquid from the grated potatoes. In a medium size mixing bowl, combine potato, onion, egg, salt and flour. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pie pan, and pat it down with a rubber spatula or your fingertips. Bake for 30 minutes. Brush the crust with oil, and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove crust from oven, and reduce the oven's temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

3. To make the filling: In a large frying pan over a high heat, heat the oil until hot. Reduce the temperature to medium and saute onion, garlic, basil, thyme, salt, pepper and paprika in the hot oil; cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the cauliflower into the pan and cook for 15 minutes.

4. Spread 1/2 of the cheese onto the potato crust. Spoon the vegetables on top of the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the sauteed vegetables. Beat the milk and eggs together in a small bowl, and then pour over the vegetables and cheese. Sprinkle paprika over the mixture.

5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top of the pie is slightly browned.

This turned out better than I thought it was going to.

Tried to make peanut brittle.  I don’t think that it turned out very well.  Haven’t looked at it since I poured it out on the cookie sheet.

Dreamy Nighttime Drink

Original recipe makes 1 drink

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon honey

2 drops vanilla extract

1 pinch ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Pour milk into a microwave safe mug and place into microwave. Cook on High until the milk is very hot and begins to foam, about 3 minutes. Stir in honey and vanilla, then sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

This is a very good winter drink.  No alcohol.  Just the wonderful taste of cinnamon, honey and vanilla.

 

Orange Ginger Pork Roast

Original recipe makes 6 servings

3/4 cup orange marmalade

2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 pounds boneless pork roast

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a small bowl, mix orange marmalade, lemon juice, ginger, and mustard. Place pork in a medium baking dish.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, then baste with the orange glaze. Continue baking to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 40 minutes more. Baste with the glaze every 10 minutes while baking. Let stand 10 minutes before carving.

This came out perfect!!!  We even have leftovers for sandwiches and for dinner tonightJ

Mushrooms and Spinach Italian Style

Original recipe makes 4 serving

 4 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
14 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
10 ounces clean fresh spinach, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup white wine
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic in the oil until they start to become tender. Add the mushrooms, and fry until they begin to shrink, about 3 to 4 minutes. Toss in the spinach, and fry, stirring constantly for a few minutes, or until spinach is wilted.

2. Add the vinegar, stirring constantly until it is absorbed, then stir in the white wine. Reduce heat to low, and simmer until the wine has almost completely absorbed. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

This was a tasty side dish.

Went to the dentist today.  I did not like him very much.  No bed side manner.  He hurt me a couple of time and didn’t seem to care much.  Got the divots between tooth and gum fixed.  It cost me a little over $300 to have it done.  I am glad that I did it though.  Hopefully that will help to keep my teeth from falling out.  I am going to ask Dannie if he has me on his dental and vision.  That way the next time I go it wont cost me so much.

Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

Original recipe makes 4 servings

 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed

cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Directions

 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake asparagus 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.
4. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus to serve.

The thing about this recipe that was good is the sauce.  I would steam the vegetables instead of bake them.  I think that they would have turned out better if I had.

Grilled Peanut Chicken

Original recipe makes 4 servings

2 tablespoons reduced fat peanut butter

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/3 teaspoon curry powder
1 dash ground cayenne pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions

1. Preheat grill for high heat.

2. In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, curry powder, and cayenne pepper.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place chicken on grate, and brush with 1/2 the sauce. Grill 6 to 8 minutes. Turn chicken, and brush with remaining sauce. Continue grilling 6 to 8 minutes, until chicken juices run clear.

This was very good!!!  Dan did this on our Indore grill.

 We are in the process of filling out the forms for the accommodation for me at work.  I will be seeing my eye doctor this coming Monday.  I talked to Linda because I thought that they might try and fire me because I can’t use the skillet.  She told me that she thought since I have been there for four years that I should not have any thing to worry about.  I am so glad that I have Lind for my supervisor.  I feel that she has been very supportive of me.  Thank you Jesus for her.

I will be using a microwave this coming Thursday.  I am looking forward to the challenge of using it.

Dan has an appointment on Monday like I do.  I am hoping that he will be getting has hearing checked.  I guess after we saw Pete Thousand on the TV I guess that helped him to want to do something about his ears. 

After our appointments we are planning on going out to lunch/breakfast!!

BLT Wraps

 makes 4 servings

1 pound thick sliced bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

4 (12 inch)flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 large tomato
Lettuce

Directions

 1.Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and set aside.

2.Place 1 tortilla on a microwave-safe plate. Sprinkle tortilla with 1/4 cup cheese. Cook in microwave 1 to 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Immediately top with 1/4 of the bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Fold sides of tortilla over, then roll up. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Cut each wrap in half before serving.

Beef Yakitori

Original recipe makes 4 servings

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound sirloin steak, cubed

Directions

 

1. In a glass or plastic bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oil, lemon juice, sesame seeds, sugar, green onions, garlic, and ginger.

2. Thread the meat onto skewers. (If you are using wooden skewers, soak them 30 minutes first.) Place the skewers in a plastic or glass container just large enough to hold them, and pour the marinade over the meat, turning to coat well. Cover, and chill for a minimum of 4 hours.
3. Preheat grill for high heat, and position grate 5 inches from coals.
4. Brush grate with oil, and place skewers on grill. Grill for 10 to 15 minutes, occasionally turning kabobs to ensure even cooking.
Dan did this recipe.  This was soooooo good.  Dan does all recipes that require the grill.   We use pork instead of beef.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs I

 

 makes 6 to 8 servings

2 pounds ground beef

1 egg

1 onion, chopped

1 pinch salt

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle chili sauce

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 cup grape jelly

Directions

1.In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion and salt. Mix together, then shape into little balls.

2.In a slow cooker combine chili sauce, lemon juice and grape jelly. Stir in meatballs and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.\

This was good.  It made two meals.

Went out to lunch with Jackie and Mom.  Went to a pho restaurant.  Dan and I have been there before.  For some reason they didn’t offer tea.  I was surprised at that.

I have given all my yarn to Mom.  I am no longer interested in crocheting.  I spend most of my time on the computer or watching TV.

I am planning on making Dan some cookies for Christmas.  He gave me a Christmas list and I have rejected it.  The stuff he had on it he can buy himself.  I have created a book wish list and a cd wish list.  I told him that he needs to select something from one or both of them.  I have made it easy for him to get to the list so there is no excuse for not giving me a list.

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Original recipe makes 12 servings

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

 4 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1 (1 pound) loaf French bread, halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

 1. In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic and oregano; spread on cut sides of bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Slice and serve hot.

I love a good garlic bread.  We had the with soup.

Mexican Pork Chops

 

Original recipe makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 boneless pork chops

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chopped stewed tomatoes, with juice

1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (8 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained

1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice

1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, drained

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the pork chops about 5 minutes on each side. Remove chops from skillet and drain oil.

3. Mix the tomatoes, corn, kidney beans, rice, chilies, and salt into the skillet. Bring liquid to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute, until heated through. Transfer the tomato mixture to a baking dish. Arrange the browned pork chops over the mixture.

4. Bake covered 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue baking 10 minutes, until rice is tender and pork has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

This was very tasty.  The chops turned out moist. 

River Omelets

Original recipe makes 6 servings

10 eggs

1/3 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 dashes hot pepper sauce, or to taste

1/2 pound bacon - cooked, and chopped into bite-size pieces

1 (4 ounce) can black olives, drained

2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1/3 cup mushrooms, sliced

3/4 cup Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat an 8 inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine eggs and milk. With an electric mixer, beat until frothy. Blend in salt and hot pepper sauce. Stir in bacon, olives, tomatoes, green onions, mushrooms and cheese. Pour into prepared pan, and cover with lid or aluminum foil.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until eggs are set in the center.

Dan fixed this one.  We had enough for two days!!

 

Shrimp Verde

Original recipe makes 4 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 cup chopped green onion

1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Saute garlic and scallions briefly, but do not brown the garlic.

2. Toss in shrimp and saute until pink and opaque in the center. Stir in parsley and heat through.

3. Remove from heat and pour into a serving dish. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Serve with cooked pasta or rice

This recipe should be doubled!!  It was that good!!

The taste of Sams is finally over!!  What a zoo!!  People out the ying yang!!  I worked six days in a row!!!  I have the next three days off!!!  I get to spend black Friday with Dan.  I have to work Saturday.  On Sunday I am hoping to get together with my friend Jayne.  I haven’t seen her in a while.  It will be nice to see her.  I think that we are going out to lunch.  Not sure where yet.  I am sure that where ever we go it will be nice.

Linda (my supervisor) has suggested that I get a accommodation because I don’t want to do fry food.  I know that I can do that but I have never done it on such a grand scale before.  I feel more comfortable  doing microwave with some help.  Than I would doing fry foods.  I guess I will see what happens with that.

Mom is doing well.  She is crocheting like no bodies business.  It is so good to know that she is enjoying herself. 

We will be spending Thanksgiving with Jackie and family.  Katie for the first time will not be there.  She will be missed.  She starts nursing training in January.  Hopefully the time will go fast for her. 

I have put my piano on Craigslist.  So far no hits.  Just scammers.  I would really like to sell it.  If I can’t sell it I am going to see how much it will cost to ship it to Julie.  She said that she would like to have it.  I guess I will see what happens with that.