This is no longer a blog but a simple collection of recipes from a cooking Mom who loves providing good food for her family over the many years. I will leave our homeschooling curriculum up as a separate page for those interested. God Bless.
Our favorite use for this rub is on a mess of waangs. It is not an overwhelming curry flavor.
2 T Kirkland No Salt Seasoning
1 T paprika
1/2 T garlic pwdr
1/2 T smoked salt
1 heaping teaspoon of curry powder, adjusted to taste
Use your preferred curry powder. I use S&B Oriental Curry powder purchased from a local International Market. When you open the can you can smell it from across the room, as it should be. If you can’t smell it like that, then you may need a new batch.
A comment about the smoked salt: use either smoked salt OR smoked paprika, but probably not the smoked versions of both of them at the same time. A smoked alderwood salt is pretty nice in this mix. In today’s mix, I’m using a rather generic smoked paprika and pink himalayan salt from Costco.
Enough rub for 3 doz wings, 3 lbs chicken or pork, or more than enough for 6 nice sized fish filets.
4 C total of any combination of fresh or canned – whole or diced, I like fresh Roma + 1 can diced to equal about 4 or more cups 2 C V8 juice, low sodium 1 small to medium onion, diced 3 T butter 2 T flour 1/2-1t garlic powder couple dashes of celery seed 1/2-1 t salt 1/2 t freshly ground pepper 2 T sugar, or less 1 C cream or half & half, preferably cream
You will need a blender, regular or immersion and a good size heavy pot.
Saute onion in the butter until soft on a medium low to medium heat. Add flour to make roux. Stir frequently at least 5 minutes to cook the flour. Don’t let it stick or brown too much. Add tomatoes, V8, and herbs/spices. Simmer about 1/2 hr until the fresh tomatoes are cooked. Puree using your blender. Add sugar, stir well. Add cream and bring soup back to a simmer, but do not allow it to boil. Taste and adjust spices if needed.
Add’l spices or flavors to add: finely chopped red bell pepper, pinch or two of any red pepper for some heat, 1/2 t basil or thyme. Can also garnish with fresh basil, shaved parmesan cheese, or chives.
Enjoy with your favorite grilled cheese, of course.
So very good! Had this at Wildflower B&B in Mtn View, Arkansas and I have to say this was my favorite during our stay.
Gala Apples & Fresh Cranberries in a Crumble
4 C of apples, chopped, no need to peel (I used 4 medium size Gala)
2 C cranberries – fresh or frozen
1/2 C white sugar
*****
1/2 C regular oats
1/2 C brown sugar
1/3 flour
1/2 C pecans, rough chopped
1 stick butter – softened
couple pinches of kosher or pink salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º.
Spray a 9-10″ casserole dish.
Mix oats, brown sugar, flour and nuts. Mix in the softened butter with your hands, a pastry blender, fork, etc. Set aside.
Place apples & cranberries in the dish and sprinkle with the white sugar.
Crumble the oats mix over the fruit mix. Sprinkle with the salt.
Bake 45 minutes, uncovered.
Notes
Serve over ice cream for dessert or yogurt for breakfast. Also serves as a sweet side dish for a ham or poultry meal.
A hint about the cranberries…I have a terrible time finding cranberries from about mid January to mid November, so I recommend stocking up fresh cranberries in the freezer.
Let’s face it…we live a convenience-filled life. We are busy and as much as we’d love to sit and have a from-scratch meal with our beloveds, the time just isn’t there. Besides, save the “from scratch” for biscuits, pie crusts, and most proteins. (say no to chicken nuggies!) That doesn’t mean we have to eat plain ole food though. So plan to make the most out of canned & boxed foods…it is OK. Now grab those onions & bell peppers.
BakedBeans
2 cans of Bush’s Baked Beans (any flavor)
1/2 C each chopped green or any color pepper, onion
Add one or more of the following:
1/2 T molasses
1/4 – 1/3 C bbq sauce … just not ketchup!
2 or more T salsa
1 t garlic powder
splash of apple cider vinegar or a bit of mustard
Bake awhile…350º x 30 minutes
Black Beans
2 cans of Black Beans – any kind
1/2 C each finely chopped green pepper, onion
1 t garlic powder
1/2 – 1 t cumin (1/2 t is enough for me)
couple dashes of thyme – optional
ONE dash of ground cloves – this is a must add
Serve w/ a small side of squash pickles (homemade or boughten)
Refried Beans – any kind will do
Add: salsa and cheese, the end.
Green Beans
1 slice bacon, uncooked
some onion (onion powder, dehydrated onion, fresh finely chopped onion)
black pepper, no salt
Cook until the bacon is done & the onions soft.
Spaghetti Sauce – Paul Newman’s Sockarooni or Marina. Yes, only that brand!
Add garlic and a wee bit more basil. Cook ground beef separately and mix it all together and simmer awhile. Highly recommend a small amount of ground Italian sausage…say half a package, at most.
Mac N Cheese – Homemade baked mac n cheese is in a class by itself and the Pioneer Woman’s is sublime. But we’re not home on the range, so buy that blue box on sale.
boxed Mac n Cheese – make with full fat milk and butter, don’t be skimpin’ just ‘cuz it comes from a box
add cheese, any cheese, but mostly cheddar and a slice or two of American
dry mustard – even the slightest bit helps
slightest dash of nutmeg
Ranch Dressing – Still have to mix up the dressing ‘cuz that bottled stuff is nasty.
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing prepared as directed
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t garlic powder, more or less, probably a little less
couple dashes of hot sauce – totally optional
Tuna Salad – Make it as you normally would but add about a tablespoon of frozen OJ.
Chicken Salad – You have to find a good brand, first off! Don’t get one with added grapes or nuts b/c you will add those yourself. It will taste so much fresher.
Add any or all of the following, but don’t get too carried away:
grapes, halved or quartered, or substitute pineapple, dried cranberries
artichokes – marinated or not, chopped into bite sizes
pecans or walnuts – chopped into bits
water chestnuts – chopped
black pepper, freshly ground
Potato Salad& Cole Slaw – Just kidding, there are no acceptable pre-made versions of these. The best you can do is buy the shredded cabbage in a bag for the slaw. Chop it up more and it will give you more flavor. And add garlic to the slaw…always.
Oatmeal– do not, Do NOT use instant. Ever. It is the reason people hate oatmeal. Save the instant oatmeal for No Bake Cookies! And do not, Do NOT cook it in the microwave. Ever. Cook the oatmeal slow and it won’t get that gummy texture. Substitute some milk for the water for a creamier oatmeal. Use water, alone, for a firmer, drier oatmeal.
The combinations are almost endless with cooked oatmeal, but basically you need a fruit, a fat, and maybe a crunch. These are my favorites:
•Blueberry – Add frozen berries at the beginning, when starting the water to boil. Add a bit of cream and lemon zest, if you have it.
•Banana Nut – Mash bananas and add to cooked oatmeal w/chopped pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon, and butter. Consider mini chocolate chips.
•Apple – Add a chopped apple, cinnamon, butter, maple syrup, maybe chopped walnuts
•Cookie Version – Add raisins during cooking, so they soften up a bit. Top with almond slivers and drizzle with honey.
•Candy Version – Add spoonful of peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, coconut
•The Best – butter, salt, lots of pepper. Don’t add another thing, it is already perfect.
Dollop of yogurt or whipped cream is always appropriate. Dollop.
Savory Oatmeal? Nah. Huh-uh.
Blueberry Sauce
Frozen blueberries- cook down w/a small amount of water.
lemon juice – a tablespoon at most,
nutmeg, just a dash
Blackberries and raspberries, or any combination of, are great, too. Pour this sauce over everything! But mostly waffles.
Dump Cakes – No list like this is complete without dump cakes and about the time I don’t want to see another one, I’m putting a big ole spoonful of that fruity cakey mess in my mouth. See here.
That’s it for now. My number 1 tip…always use butter. Never margarine. Maybe coconut oil, especially when making brownies.
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