March 21st, 2016
It has been a while since I have posted a recipe for Meatless Monday. This is a “global movement, created in 2003 by Sid Lerner in association with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health”. It is a way to eat just one day a week free of meat….go vegetarian for just that one day will help in our overall health. For more information, and recipes, as well, please visit http://www.meatlessmonday.com.
I had a couple of good size eggplants and decided that today, being Monday, I would use them to make Eggplant Parm. I have made this dish so many times, and every time I either add something or delete something. I always make recipes my own. So should you, it is fun to experiment.
2 medium to large eggplants
3 eggs
Oil for frying
Italian Breadcrumbs (If manking it gluten free, please make sure you buy some of the many available breadcrumbs that are gluten free.)
Spaghetti Sauce (I tried Mia’s Kitchen Bistro Marinara from Safeway and it is all natural and gluten free, made in Sonoma, California.)
Mozzarella Cheese (I used the already shredded cheese, but you can shred your own if you are eating gluten free. Make sure to read the labels.
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese. I grated it myself, which is great if you are eating gluten free. The packaged cheeses already grated might have an additive that contains gluten.
Basil
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
Slightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Put about a cup of the spaghetti sauce and spread.
Cut the eggplant in round slices. I do not peel the eggplant. I think the skin looks great and it is where your vitamins are, as well.
In a shallow bowl cracked the eggs and mix. In a plate put the Italian breadcrumbs.
In a large frying pan put enough vegetable oil in order to fry the eggplant. It does not have to be too deep.
Dip the eggplants in the eggs and then dip in the Italian breadcrumbs.
Fry them until lightly brown. I usually get them out and let them sit on paper towels, but you can just transfer them directly to the prepared baking dish, as well.
Arrange them on the baking dish as you wish. You will be making two layers.
Spread spaghetti sauce on them and also half of the mozzarella. Repeat the process and at this point you will also sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top. Sprinkle some Basil for color too. Then to the oven.
Bake for about 45 minutes or so until they look like this…….
This dish has so much color….it should also be the center of attention on your plate. A green salad or green veggie is all you need.
For dessert, well, it is that time of the year when you just have to think that summer is around the corner but if you feel like living dangerously, well, go ahead and maybe go visit Edie Bees on Second Street in Lewes, Delaware, and grab something sweet and sinfully delish.
November 9th, 2015
All summer long the road stand markets keep us well nourished. Full of local vegetables and fruits. It does not get any better. Now we are into November and it is getting a bit chilly. So, yesterday I went by Brittingham’ Produce, located at Route 5 in Milton, Delaware. Tel. 302-684-4232
Unfotunately, this past week-end was the last one. Next year around June they will open once again. The vegetables looked gorgeous and it is a season for turnips. They are wonderful when roasted.
Their apples were from T.S. Farms in Bridgeville. Brittingham’s Produce is picked daily.
Please visit dda.delaware.gov.
In this website you can find over 80 farm stands and markets in Delaware; Christmas Tree Farms, Creameries, U-Pick Farms, On-Farm Markets, Garden Centers and even Horse Racing. Or, there is a free APP for your smart phone. To get it visit http://www.apps.delaware.gov
For a great recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash with Corn, Red Onions & Cranberries please click on May 15, 2015 on this website, AboutMyBeaches. Just first click on May of 2015 and scroll down to the 15th. It is great.
Have a good one!!
May 15th, 2015
The gates are beginning to open…..Summer 2015 officially opens next week. Yikes….a new way of trying to figure out when to go here or there. Welcome to the Delaware Beaches!!
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell-attitude.” julia child
Even though my recipes can, at any time, be begged, borrowed, or stolen….this recipe was given to me as a gift by my friend, Jody. It is totally delish and you can serve it by itself for any meatless day; with a salad for a complete veggie meal. Or, just let it sit by the side of beef, chicken or fish.
The main ingredient is a butternut squash. This fruit/vegetable is full of Vitamin C, A, & E. It is also a good source of manganese, magnesium and potassium.
Butternut squash can be roasted, toasted, pureed for soups, or mashed and used in casseroles, breads and muffins.
2 new sauces for this recipe, and they are easily found at Peppers on 176 Coastal Hwy. #1 in Lewes, Delaware. The Garlic Pepper Sauce made out of aged red peppers and garlic and the Peri Peri Pepper Sauce which is a blend of Moroccan flavors.
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CORN, RED ONIONS & CRANBERRIES
1 2 lb. butternut squash, peeled with a veggie peeler
1 large red onion, chopped into bite size pieces, not diced
4 Tbsps. Olive Oil
2 Tsps. Garlic Pepper Sauce (Mountain Man) Taste it and add more….I did.
2 Tsps. Peri Peri Pepper Sauce (Warrior’s Potion) Taste it and add more…I did.
1 Tsp. Sea or Pink Himalayan Salt
1.5 Cups Frozen Corn or steamer bag of “honey roasted corn”
1/8 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup chopped cilantro
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Chop the peeled butternut squash into circular disc pieces then cut in cubes from the discs. Lightly toss the pieces in olive oil or in coconut oil and a bit of salt. The smaller the pieces are, the faster they will roast in the oven.
Put on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in batches for about 10 minutes. You want them tender but not mushy.
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and saute onion. Add corn, hot sauces, salt, and cayenne to the onions and stir for a minute or so. Then add cranberries.
Add the roasted squash cubes to the mixture and stir for a few minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Then add the chopped cilantro.
This recipe has a very good combination of flavors….a little heat, the sweetness of cranberries, and cilantro. As usual, make it your own.
Enjoy. Talk to you later.
April 6th, 2015
I don’t even know when I decided to put recipes for Meatless Monday. Some Mondays I do not follow this global movement. But others, like tonight, made me want to construct a Bean Burger….The recipe is stolen, adding my own twist.
Meatless Monday started in 2003, launched in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It has been catching on. The movement is active in about 36 countries. Every nation brings its uniqueness…culture, customs, and cuisine to the table in meat free dishes. To learn more, please visit http://www.meatlessmonday.com.
Monday is the chosen day because we see it as the beginning of the week. I get it, I get it….I always start my diets on Monday. It is a fresh start. Yeah, and at times is downhill from Monday on.
This recipe is so easy. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. I am sure you can make it your own, as well.
A BLACK BEAN BURGER FOR MEATLESS MONDAY
2 cans black beans, divided, rinsed and drained (I bought low sodium beans)
1 small chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 minced garlic clove
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (optional)
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons oil for frying pan (your preferred oil)
3/4 bag of frozen peas and carrots
1 cup panko (I bought Chipotle Panko)
2 eggs
Puree 1 can beans, onion, parsley, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Mine looks a little chunky because I do not own a food processor. The blender was a pain, but I did it, somewhat.
To the burger mixture, add the other can of beans, the peas and carrots, the panko and the eggs. Mix to combine.
Heat a skillet to medium heat.
In the meantime form the burger patties.
Place them in two batches in the skillet and cook until browned. About 4 minutes on each side.
Serve on rolls….I chose this Pretzel Roll. Add lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard and avocado.
Or serve on a salad if you are not eating carbs.
Enjoy!!
March 27th, 2015
A rainy day is the perfect time for Mexican Meatball Soup. It is simple, savory, soothing and satisfying….eat it in front of a fire wishing Summer would please hurry up!!
Remember that recipes are made to be adjusted to your needs. For this recipe I did not use cans of beef broth. I used an unsalted broth. If you so desire….add some salt later on. The recipe calls for diced tomatoes in juice. I used stewed tomatoes…like them better. Just chop them up.
MEXICAN MEATBALL SOUP
2 tablespoons olive oil
2-3/4 cups chopped onion (divided use)
4 garlic cloves, minced (divided use)
2 small bay leaves
7 1/4 cups of beef broth (I used unsalted beef broth.)
1 (28 ounce can diced tomatoes in juice (I used 2 cans of stewed tomatoes.)
1/2 cup chunky salsa (medium or hot) I used hot.
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (divided use) Some people do not like cilantro…it is so good though. You know what to do.
1 pound of lean ground beef
1/4 bulk pork sausage (Your choice.)
6 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup whole milk (I used cashew milk.)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup long-grain while rice
A couple of ripe avocados for garnish.
It is easier to prepare ahead of time the ingredients. Then, you don’t have to be running around the kitchen.
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 3/4 cups onions, 2 garlic cloves and bay leaves; saute 5 minutes.
Add broth, tomatoes with juice, salsa and 1/4 cup cilantro. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine ground beef, sausage, cornmeal, milk, egg, salt, pepper, cumin, remaining onions, 2 garlic cloves and 1/4 cup cilantro in a bowl. Mix well.
Shape meat mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Measure a well rounded tablespoon.
Add rice and meatballs to soup and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice and meatballs are tender, which is about 20 minutes.
Stir occasionally…Season with salt and pepper if you want to.
Ladle into bowls, garnish with avocado, serve and enjoy!!
Note: This recipe can easily be doubled.
January 20th, 2015
My tiny bag of pearled barley is part of my decor….does not fit in any cabinet. Barley has a low glycemic index. It is also the highest in fiber of all the whole grains.
Check this recipe out!! It is a Stolen Recipe…not my own, even though I usually try to make recipes my own…in this particular recipe the lettuce used was not the one suggested. It worked out just fine.
BARLEY WALDORF SALAD
3/4 cup pearled barley
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt (I used non-fat yogurt, instead) Anything to help the battle of the bulge.
3 tablespoons light mayo
1/4 teaspoon of finely shredded lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest (This was an extra addition, it gave it a better lemony taste.)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar (I used Stevia.)
1/4 teaspoon of Sea Salt
1 1/2 cups seedless gred graves, halved (I bought the smaller seedless ones.)
2/3 cup corsely chopped red apple
1/2 cup finely sliced celery
lettuce….Any leaf lettuce will do. The recipe called for 8 leaves of butterhead, Boston or Bibb lettuce. I tore my lettuce leaves.
1/4 cup walnuts and walnut pieces….toasted
In a large saucepan toast pearled barley over medium to low heat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring. Add 4 cups of water. You can also cook it in unsalted chicken broth, like I did. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 40 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse. Set aside to let it cool off.
The rest of the ingredients are just an easy assembly.
In a large bowl combine yogurt, mayo, lemmon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Stir in cooked barley, grapes, apple and celery.
Toast the walnuts in a medium heat over the stove, in a frying pan.
To serve, spoon barley mixture over your choice of lettuce. Sprinkle with walnuts and garnish with the shredded lemon peel.
I thought it was great….one of my sons thought it was okay!! You decide.
Have a good one!! Quiet day on Silver Lake in Rehoboth Beach.
December 7th, 2014
 
Plenty of times I don’t attend parties where they are going to be selling something. These invitations always say that they love to see you, that you can check things out and don’t be pressured to by anything and on and on. I should be happy that someone, actually, invited me, right? But, I always feel I have to buy something. That changed a couple of weeks ago, when my personal friend, Jade McClure, invited me to a Sip & Shop, Stella & Dot Party. I invited my friend, Paula, to come along, as well. The beginning of the Holiday Season with friends and meeting others in the community sounded like a good proposition. Jewelry?, Accessories….Sip, Shop, & Chat!
Jade McClure is an Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot. Her Stylist ID is 183187. I am giving you her info. now because you will want to come back to it after the post. Tel. 302-245-9502. On Facebook, please find her as Stella & Dot Stylist, Jade McClure. Her email is jadestelladotstylist@gmail.com. Website? http://www.stelladot.com/jademcclure When the website opens, you can see her name under Stella & Dot. And, if you don’t just click on Stylist and put her name on. Congratulations to Jade on her new venture.
Stella & Dot is a designer of jewelry and accessories for every woman on your list, including young girls. Independent stylists host parties showing what this company has to offer and friends also get to hosts parties, as well….getting all kinds of goodies too. A comfortable setting at someone’s house, appetizers, drinks, and shopping.
Ordering was easy. It took no time to receive it. The jewelry is well made, and the pieces I bought show that I was in the Holiday Spirit. The recipients of these pieces are going to love them.
 
On the left is the Rory Necklace. With that particular person in mind living in the tropics….perfect! The one on the right is the Mae Necklace. It is also for someone living in the tropics and the color reminded me of the island’s Flamboyan!
Loved these: Necklace & Bracelet!!
 
Jade’s Sip & Shop was very well attended. Sipping the Sassy N Simple Apple Pie Sangria, tasting some delicious finger foods…and trying some of the samples that Jade had on display.
The Apple Pie Sangria was so good and light…perfect for the Holidays.
2 bottles (regular size) white, sweet wine like Riesling or Moscato
5 cups fresh apple cider
2 cups ginger ale
2 cups caramel vodka (less strong? 1 cup and add more if desired)
3 honey crisp apples, chopped
3 pears, chopped (pears are so good this time of the year)
2 cinnamon sticks
Cut the fruit and place in bottom of your pitcher or jug.
Combine all of the ingredients except the cinnamon sticks. Stir, and stir, and stir again.
Let sit overnight, or at least a couple of hours. Then, about 4 hours before serving, throw in the cinnamon sticks. Again, the stirring process…a few times. Serve over ice and Enjoy!!
NOTE: You may save the ginger ale until just before serving, making the Apple Pie Sangria a bit crisper.
So, what are you waiting for? Have a Good One!!
November 3rd, 2014
I have tons of cookbooks. Not enough years to read them. Some I like better than others. This Meatless Monday recipe is not my own, but I treat it like it is. It was Giada’s mother’s recipe. It is good; perfect for company. A little tricky getting out of the loaf pan, though.
Veggie Loaf gives you an opportunity to leave meats on the side. Just by itself, it is plenty. Serve it with a fruit salad would be my choice.
VEGGIE LOAF
LOAF:
Cooking Spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small white onion, chopped (finely, please)
1 shredded carrot
1 celery stalk, sliced (thinly, please)
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 15 ounce canned cooked lentils, drained
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 cup low fat shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup canned corn
1/3 cup chopped basil leaves (If not available use basil paste by the vegetables in the grocery store. Use about 2 tablespoons.)
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 tsp. kosher salt (optional)
1/2 tsp. freshly black pepper
2 medium tomatoes, sliced (You can use smaller tomatoes, as well.)
SAUCE:
1 box (pint) cherry tomatoes, halved
3 scallions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped (optional)
8 fresh basil leaves (Use basil paste, if fresh basil leaves are unavailable.)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp. Kosher salt (optional)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Make the sauce first and just put it aside. In a blender or food processor chopped the ingredients. Do not puree, you want them a little coarse. I used a blender.
Proceed with the loaf:
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a skillet, over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, carrot, onion, celery….cook for about 5 minutes or so stirring frequently. Put in a large bowl to cool.
In the same skillet, cook spinach until it wilts, which does not take long. Drain and let cool slightly. Squeeze the excess liquid. On a cutting board coarsely chop it. Add to the onion mixture.
Add the lentils, brown rice, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella, the corn, basil, eggs, egg white, salt, pepper and 3/4 cup of the sauce to the already cooled veggie mixture.
Fill the loaf pan with this mixture. Arrange the tomatoes in a couple of rows, depending on their size, covering the mixture.
Sprinkle the remining 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Bake until loaf is heated through and the topping has melted and starts to brown. It might take 35 minutes or a bit more. Let it cool for about 15 minutes.
Slicing this loaf is tricky. Do so while the loaf is still in the pan. Do not attempt to take it out. Otherwise, you will have to do some rearranging.
I think 1 inch slices will be a good portion. Arrange on plates and top with sauce. Enjoy your Meatless…..whatever day you want it to be.
Note: This recipe was gluten free. Please check the labels for canned goods, grate your own mozzarella cheese or read the label on the bag. If using basil paste instead of fresh basil, Gourmet Garden, Basil Paste is gluten free and usually available by the produce in the local grocery stores.
 
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