Sloppy Janes Recipe

Here is my Sloppy Joes recipe. I actually call them Sloppy Janes; they are a vegetarian and vegetable-laden counterpoint to Joe! Kids love them and they are slow cooker friendly!

VEGETARIAN SLOPPY JOES AKA SLOPPY JANES

• 1 Tbsp Molasses
• 1-3/4 cups Water (hot)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Onions medium-sized, chopped
• 1/2 pound Carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks Celery, chopped
• 1 Green Bell Pepper medium-sized, cored, seeded and chopped
• 1 can Diced Tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 can Tomato Paste (6 oz can)
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Allspice 
• 1/4 cup Ketchup
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce, Braggs Amino Acids or Soy Sauce 
• 2 cups TVP® (Textured Vegetable Protein) you can also use meat or cooked lentils

Directions

In a medium bowl combine the hot water with the 2 cups TVP. Set aside while preparing the chopped onion, celery, carrots and green pepper.

Heat a nonstick skillet, add the olive oil and quickly saute the chopped onion, green pepper, carrots, celery and minced garlic. Cook until onion is slightly translucent and green pepper has softened slightly. Add the TVP.

Mix the tomato paste with the can of tomatoes and seasonings and stir into the skillet. Bring to a boil, taste and add salt if desired. Sauce should be thick, but spreadable; add a little more water if needed.

Spoon sauce on bottom half of split roll, hot dog bun or a cornbread pancake. Pile on lettuce and cheese (if desired) and top with other half of bread. 

Cookbooks: the gift that keeps on giving!

Cookbooks

I guess with new life in the house, I haven't been reading cookbooks like I usually do. However, I do still read and below are the cookbooks on my list to check out.

Here are my latest recommendations, many by authors whose cookbooks I already have.

Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Flavors Remixed  Bryant Terry does it again (and again). His Vegan Soul Kitchen changed my cooking. I think this has more of a diaspora bent, but it is quite in the line of his usual fare. Great for newcomers to his style, but I don't see anything groundbreaking for those who have his other books.

I've been meaning to pick up Pati Jinich's Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking. I get sucked into her PBS show. She has a pretty songbird voice and quick, flavorful recipes. I'm betting her tres leches recipe is the truth.

The Slanted Door: Modern Vietnamese Food I really like Vietnamese food and like the influences of France, especially for the desserts.

Plenty More, by Yotam Ottolenghi helps along the adage, "Eat your vegetables!" Infinitely easier when armed with this cookbook and "Plenty", "Jerusalem" (my favorite) and "Ottolenghi".

I am curious to peruse Mama Dip's Kitchen, named after a North Carolinian's woman's restaurant. Plenty of southern cooking recipes I often yearn to make.

For the vegan potty mouth: Thug Kitchen. I will just leave it there.

B. Smith is on my mind, given her Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and recent struggles. I love this cookbook and use it often.

Marcus Off-Duty is probably closest to the way I cook. Samuelsson's chicken-fried steak on salad juxtaposed with quinoa with coconut, broccoli and cauliflower exemplify the meaty and earthy sides of indulgence, yet balance each other nicely.

It is now my goal in life to get invited over to Dorie Greenspan's home in Paris for dessert. But for now, I will consult this cookbook.

"You are what you eat" is an oft-quipped phrase, but I didn't curtail my wheat intake until I witnessed my newborn suffer. She is what I eat, too, at least for now. So, after a gastrointestinal consultation, I cut out wheat and dairy from my diet, adding back limited dairy. Every time I try some wheat, I am reminded that it is no longer welcome in my temple! As a food lover, cook and inquisitive person, I've thought of many ways to "have my cake and eat it too." I layer cheeses, turkey pepperoni on tomatoes, kale and onions sans crust for veggie pizza; I use chestnuts, coconut, tree nuts and flax to make delicious cookies and wrap blanched kale leaves around my favorite hot dogs topped with ketchup, onions, tomatoes and homemade cole slaw. But I still have a ways to go, so I will probably consult Dr. Davis' latest Wheat Belly cookbook.

You are probably wondering: How do I feed my voracious cookbook appetite? The "library". I get hardcover and Kindle library books; the latter I use through Overdrive, an app that links to my library and library card and enables me read and return books all day, every day. It is 1000% free and so convenient!!!!

These are a few of my favorite things: a gift-giving guide

"Oh, you shouldn't have!"

Do you ever wonder if people really mean it? Here are some gift recommendations for people with inscrutable tastes...

A Google map of great places
Sometimes the best gifts are gifts of your time and efforts. Make a map of your favorite places or places you would like to try or visit. You can map them all out with comments and "gift" them with a hyperlink for nearby or visiting friends and family. Here is one I did for New Orleans: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ll=29.946605,-90.06815&spn=0.079429,0.154324&t=h&z=13&vpsrc=6&msa=0&msid=200281274416280337000.0004c1572431e1f8288e3

Leather goods spell Levenger for me. I love the quality, colors and functionality of their totes, portfolios and pens.

Anyone who sees me on a regular basis has seen me in clothes and shoes from Boden. They go up to size 18/20 and almost always fit well for me.  About 75% of their clothes, including woolens, silks and lined dresses, are machine washable! They are from the UK, so it's an online-only experience here in the U.S. Make good use of their garment measurements to determine your size for each article of clothing and check out the Clearance section. They also have great clothing for children and adults. I recommend Talbots (on sale) for work pants and Target for sweaters. I have at least 15 Target sweaters! Many of my 3-season coats and shoes are here: http://www.pinterest.com/oshunwave/spring-in-my-step/ and http://www.pinterest.com/oshunwave/play-clothes-closet/  

My favorite pregnancy styles-Tunics, low boots, straightleg jeans, leggings and off-shoulder dresses: http://www.pinterest.com/oshunwave/bumpin-style/ The best wardrobe thing I did while pregnant was to find an amazing strapless bra. I never had to worry about proportions and the strap sliding off; it always stayed up thanks to the bump, and I rocked some fun strapless outfits during the summer! My go-to: Lilyette Indulgent Comfort Strapless with Lift (on Pinterest)

Have a stylish friend, aunt, uncle, brother, grandma, mate or someone who just hates the cold? Head to Hats.com (ha!) They have some excellent-quality hats and some good deals, too!

For your book nerd

I am not a big t-shirt wearer, but I like Lithographs: "Unique t-shirts created entirely from the text of your favorite books." That's all she wrote!!

Want to buy an expensive kitchen electric appliance? Williams-Sonoma and Costco are my favorites, since you can return troublesome items with the most ease.

Some inexpensive kitchen items: 

A personal Crock-Pot for work

Great whisks

Garlic Press-you can leave the peel on!

Simple, effective juicer

Kitchen Shears--take apart, so they don't get gunky

A great peeler

A chef's knife
Silicone mats, great for making very soft cookies

Perfumes? This is a gift I prefer to give rather than get. I have several dozen perfumes yet am extremely picky about them. I buy fragrance oils, beauty oils and essential oils from From Nature With Love. "Designer" perfumes are from Fragrancenet.com, beautyencounter.com andScentiments.com. I tend to buy Eau de Parfums. Notice how I didn't mention department stores? The only department store purchases are for newer Estée Lauder (Modern Muse), Chanel (Chance Eau Tendre) or Lancôme perfumes with which I can snag a gift with purchase.

My main current perfume wardrobe: Crystal Noir by Versace, Fancy Nights by Jessica Simpson (smells like Shalimar and SO cheap), DKNY Golden Delicious (smells close to "J'adore"; j'adore le prix!), Amor Amor by Cacharel, Champagne/Yvresse by Yves St. Laurent, L'Instant de Guerlain, Pamplelune by Guerlain, Flower by Kenzo as well as several Nina Ricci scents. My favorite night fragrances: Midnight Rain by La Prairie, Fancy Nights and Fracas by Robert Puiget. The best office fragrances: Elie Saab Le Parfum, Pamplelune by Guerlain, Chanel Chance Eau Tendre and Honeymania by Body Shop. Many of these are on "Just for the Smell of It" on Pinterest. For men? Kenzo Tokyo, Bvlgari Man Extreme and Bvlgari AQVA Marine and AQVA Toniq. Loved La Nuit de L'Homme by YSL but the scent disappeared too soon. My mom loves Annick Goutal's Passion. Fragrantica.com is a great online community for scent lovers, and you can get great perfume suggestions and comments.

OK, I need to give a shout-out to The Body Shop. I worked there 20 years ago and have been a fan before, during and ever since. I remember when Mango Body Butter first came out. I would mix scents and take home samples and make gift baskets. The best deals are when you become a Love Your Body member. I get insane deals and get points and free gifts. I seriously save hundreds every year and get sweet-smelling soft locs and skin as a result. And the still don't test on animals! Check out my Pinterest site for some of my favorite products.

The Sweet Smell of Christmas (Scented Storybook) Hardcover by Patricia M. Scarry, $8-$9 retail, is one of my favorite childhood Christmas books. It has a cute little bear and has six smells; I still remember candy canes, an orange, gingerbread, apple pie and a pine tree--from over 30 years ago! Scholastic has these books, and my daughter loves picking up these books at school.

Pippi Longstocking DVD set: Every year this movie would come on TV, and it was one of the highlights of the season for me. I often dreamed of a world with kids doing what they wanted, so I loved this story and shared the notion kids should be in charge!

NPR has over three hours of music from 2014. Make a mixtape for your bestie!

Chopped! BLT Salad

A delicious, bright salad to enjoy in fall to winter. Use grape tomatoes if larger tomatoes are not looking great in the supermarket.

Turkey Bacon, Kale and Heirloom Tomato Chopped Salad
Serves 2-3 as main course or 4-5 as appetizer

Ingredients
4 ounces (4 pieces) good-quality turkey bacon, each cut into 8 pieces
8 leaves kale, washed and chopped into bite-size pieces
A small handful of fresh parsley, chopped
One shoot/stalk of spring onion, minced
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Dash lemon juice (or vinegar), salt and pepper
2 pounds tomatoes, preferably heirloom, diced into 1/2-inch pieces

Directions
Brown turkey bacon in small skillet 3-5 minutes. Turn off heat and chop/prepare other ingredients or wait 5 minutes. Add kale to skillet and stir to release browned seasoning from turkey bacon. Meanwhile, scoop mayonnaise into serving bowl. Add onion, parsley, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Stir enough to combine thoroughly.  Press diced tomatoes to release seeds and extra juice, then add to mayonnaise mixture. Add bacon mixture and stir. Serve immediately (will be a little warm) or chill 2 hours or more.

Sweet and Sour Kale Salad

We are overrun with kale in our garden, and use it often. Here is the recipe from this weekend, when I wanted to experiment with a new raw kale salad and add Chia seeds, which I am learning to incorporate into more meals. And I love sweet and sour "agrodolce" flavors!

Kale Salad Agrodolce
Serves 6 as main course, 12 as side dish
• 1 large sweet white onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• 8 cups thoroughly washed kale, woody stems removed, about 1/2 pound
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup julienned carrots
• 1/2 cup Chia seeds
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 5 sprigs of parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
• 6 pitted dates, minced
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
Soak sliced onion in red wine vinegar and pomegranate molasses and set aside. Using kitchen scissors, cut kale into pieces the size of a cracker. Then place kale in a large bowl with olive oil, lemon pepper and salt. With very clean hands, "massage" kale for 3 minutes, until it is shiny, dark and wilted. Meanwhile, pour liquid from soaked onions into a small pan; add onions into kale bowl. Cook over high heat until it is cooked down to a thin syrup like maple syrup. Remove from heat and let cool a minute or two, which will thicken the vinegar liquid. Add hot liquid into bowl with kale. Add remaining ingredients into the bowl and mix with a large spoon until well blended.
I prefer to wait at least an hour to serve so Chia seeds can soak up dressing and soften and flavors can meld.

Gluten-free Skillet Cornbread

I am curious to see whether going wheat-free will improve how I digest food. A few days ago, I wanted to make cornbread but did not have a wheat-free recipe on hand. This recipe combines some of my favorite methods from America's Test Kitchen.

Gluten-free Skillet Cornbread

Serves 8

• 2 1/4 cups fine-ground cornmeal
• 1 3/4 buttermilk (I now sometimes use a can of evaporated milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus about 1/4 cup water. It adds a depth of flavor.)
• 1 1/4 cups super sweet frozen corn, thawed
• 1/4 cup sugar, or less, to taste
• 1/4 c. canola or vegetable oil
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut in 4 pieces
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place rack in middle position. Place 10-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet or 9- by 9-inch metal pan in oven to preheat for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal and buttermilk. Set aside.

Process the corn kernels and sugar in a blender until very smooth, about 1 minute.

Carefully add the oil to the hot skillet and continue to bake until oil is just smoking, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and add butter, carefully swirling pan until butter is melted. Pour all but 1 tablespoon of oil mixture into the cornmeal, leaving remaining oil mixture in pan. Whisk corn purée, beaten eggs, baking powder, baking soda and salt into cornmeal mixture until well-combined.

Pour mixture into the hot skillet and bake until top begins to crack and edges are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cornbread cool in pan for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Variations: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped jalapeños, 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar or pepper jack cheese just before baking.

When life gives you garlic, make garlic confit!

Garlic confit, which is cloves of garlic that one cooks in oil on low heat until softened, is easy, delicious and useful. The recipe below from Le Cordon Bleu and many other sources requires time and attention but very little skill. Your reward is unctuous cloves of mild yet flavorful, spreadable garlic which will keep awhile in the fridge along with its delicious garlic-infused olive oil.

I have several small variations from the original recipe and concept. I mix olive oil and canola oil, because it's cheaper and the garlic-infused taste makes it hard to taste the green, fresh taste of pure olive oil anyway. I halve the recipe, since I don't want to keep 80 garlic cloves in my fridge at once. I add water or red-wine vinegar and mash the cloves to make a delectable thick sauce to spread on bread, mix in with pasta or vegetables, bake with meats and use as a springboard for vinaigrette or garlicky mayonnaise.

Below is my version, followed by Le Cordon Bleu's recipe.

Garlic Confit Sauce
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup red wine or sherry vinegar
About 30 cloves peeled whole garlic
3 whole black peppercorns
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 fresh bay leaf
½ teaspoon kosher salt

In a deep skillet-size saucepan (mine is about 10 inches in diameter and 2-3 inches high) or dutch oven or 4-quart saucepan, place all ingredients. Do not cover. Start on medium-high heat until you see the first bubbles. Then turn down the heat to low to simmer-you still see small bubbles but they don't get bigger and bigger.When the liquid has almost cooked away, probably after 15 minutes, the garlic will look bigger and softer. It will smell like GARLIC. Stir gently, making sure most of the liquid is gone. Then cover and keep on low for about 20 more minutes. All the garlic should be soft. Take out thyme, bay leaf and peppercorn, if you like. Mash garlic cloves with a large fork. Let cool, then transfer into glass jars or bowls. It will make about 2 1/2 cups and will keep for at least a week in the fridge.

How to Make Garlic Confit-Le Cordon Bleu

One of the advantages of attending schools of culinary arts is learning cooking techniques that can be applied to any style of cooking.  One technique taught in culinary school is confit. 
Confit takes its name from the French word confire, meaning to preserve. Any similarities between the fruits and vegetables your grandmother puts up every autumn and garlic confit end right there. Traditional canning and preserving methods use vinegars and/or salts and sugars to preserve food.
Confit is a generic term to describe anything that is poached at a low temperature in a rendered fat. Duck confit, where duck legs are slowly cooked in duck fat, is probably the most famous example of it. For our money, however, the most delicious version of it is garlic confit.

Garlic Confit Recipe

Garlic confit and its garlic infused oil can be used on anything from homemade vinaigrettes to garlic bread and garlic mashed potatoes. The process of poaching garlic in oil is not that different from roasting garlic, where no oil is used. Both leave mellow and mild garlic cloves that can be spread on bread like butter, but with confit you also have the oil. Save it. After you’ve eaten all of the garlic, the infused oil can be added to nearly all of your favorite meat and vegetable dishes to add another layer of flavor.
This garlic confit recipe is filled with fresh ingredients and could not be simpler to make.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups peeled whole garlic (about 80 to 90 cloves)
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 5 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 fresh bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
• Combine garlic, oil, and seasonings in a braising pan or Dutch oven. Cover pan and cook for 1 hour or until the garlic becomes brown and tender
• Let cool completely and transfer to a glass jar for storage. It will last in the refrigerator up to two weeks. You can also use traditional canning and sterilization methods to keep it unopened on your shelf for up to six months 

http://www.chefs.edu/Student-Life/Culinary-Central/April-2012/How-To-Make-Garlic-Confit

Mod New Mom Tips

Mod New Mom Tips 

Baby's got my back!

I am not obviously organized. I have too many things, and they are often out of place. I know what time it is, usually within 10 minutes of accuracy, yet I am often 15 minutes late. However, I think that I have an organized mind and an affinity for certain things. I cook and bake without measurements; I know the contents of my vast closet and friends' closets; I can tell you retail prices of most foods and clothes broken out by store. I can look at most people and guess their clothes and shoe size and figure out what gifts they would like. A gatherer's mind.

Analysis also comes easily to me.  So, with the arrival of our second child, I wondered what I could do beyond some of the obvious tasks to make things more manageable and enjoyable. If I don't do these, I risk not showering, eating unhealthy food or eating too infrequently, not exercising and panicking because I am missing ingredients for recipes that I want to make. Otherwise known as most of what happened with baby #1!

Before a baby/big event:

Get hair brows, hair style and other grooming maintained or done right before you deliver if you have a scheduled date. If you have others in your household, get them groomed too!

Stock your pantry with nuts, dried fruit, tomato products, grains, granola bars, mixes, spices and condiments. Also, have friends/family bring grocery items for you, especially heavy or bulk items. Have a list ready to text and modify as needed. Repeat as needed after baby is born.

Buy and stash soft drinks in anticipation of people coming by to visit, especially if you are West African!

Take a nice, comfortable outfit for you and baby, good for pictures and after the hospital.

After the big event...

Keeping up appearances: Brush your teeth--in the shower! Taking two quick showers allows me to brush my teeth and do one other type of maintenance--all-in-one shampoo or washing with conditioner AM and mouthwash/teeth brushing plus a quick shave or face scrub PM. You'll still be out fast and will maintain an even level of cleanliness as the hours and days zoom by. If baby starts crying or another task (blissful sleep) happens instead, you will be ahead of the curve. Also, keep fancy beauty products or wonderful samples you've been meaning to try nearby to pamper yourself during a stressful time.

Costco does announcements online. Often ready in warehouse next day. We bought the copyrighted photos from the photo company that takes pictures in the hospital. Then I created announcements on the computer at Costco.com--100 for under $30. We made out ahead and can keep using the proofs.

Compile list of nearby takeout places for the question: "Can I bring you anything?"

Get cash or cash back often so you can pay people back for grocery/takeout runs, lunch money, etc.

Sling out sister: get some Vitamin D and exercise in with a walk when baby can't sleep! The rocking motion will really help baby. The exercise will help you sleep better, too.

I love the time at home and often get the inspiration to bake. With fewer trips to the store, I keep evaporated milk and egg replacer powder in the pantry so I can bake in a pinch.

It doesn't work for me to make food ahead and freeze. Either the food gets eaten by an unintended person at an unintended time, or I find the taste or texture is compromised. I prefer using the whole foods from the pantry with fresh and frozen ingredients.

Likewise, I make use of the slow cooker, pressure cooker and slow roasting in the oven. Wings, boneless chicken and most boneless meats can go into a 200-250-degree oven for an hour or two with dry seasoning, then pat dry and get finished on stovetop or broiled. I often make steak by seasoning (no salt) and baking it at 200·F for up to an hour. Then I can do laundry, feed the baby, then add salt and sear the steaks stovetop. Wings I season and salt, then put in a nonstick roaster at 250·F for 2-2 1/2 hours, then crank the heat up to 400·F for the last 10-20 minutes.

Rice pudding, caramel sauce, and soup have gone in the electric pressure cooker. When it's on simmer, it's like a slow cooker on high. I can have something in there that would burn stovetop or prep and cook soup in ten minutes.

Please share any suggestions you may have.

The "I can't cook" No-Plan Summer Party

I have learned that I am not like most people--in many ways, but I mean in terms of cooking! Many people won't or can't cook anymore. Or they don't think it's worth the time and effort. In this convenience culture, that's fine. At least until the weather makes it hard to eat out or it's so tempting to go outside or...when it's time to have people over for dinner.
I am also an anomaly in that it doesn't faze me if people pay a surprise visit. I can crank out a meal more or less from scratch without too much fuss. I stock up on stuff and can whip things up. Here are some tips for feeding more than 10 people with little notice. That leaves an hour to grocery shop if your fridge and pantry are not stocked, a little over an hour in the kitchen, plus one hour to tidy up the place and take a shower!

Cous Cous or Bulgur  Wheat
I try to have these on hand at home, since they can be baked or cooked in less than ten minutes. Really hard to burn or even stick to the pan as long as you stay in the kitchen a few minutes and add enough water (which you can keep adding without wrecking the grains, unlike rice.) For both, just add the 1.5 the amount of boiling water in ratio to the grain--1 cup cous cous needs 1 1/2 cups lightly salted boiling water or stock; bulgur wheat may need a little more liquid. Allow to sit in pan or metal bowl with lid for 5 minutes, then mix and flavor. Best thing? Both of these can be served hot, cold or room temperature.

Add-ins:
Chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, seasoned well with salt and vinegar, then strained (prepare before cooking grains)
Crumbled feta cheese
Lightly cooked and seasoned peas and carrots
Chopped sweet or red onions cooked in salt and butter until soft and clear
Raisins (golden look prettiest) and chopped green olives
Craisins or fresh pomegranate seeds and chopped shelled pistachios

Hamburgers (or meatballs)
A good, quality burger at home is cheaper than a good-quality burger at a restaurant when you count all the servings left over. I figured out a way to make hamburgers using stew beef that comes out tender, cheaper, and of better quality meat than the ground variety. Did you know that 400 different cows can contribute to one package of ground meat? And we wonder why there are so many recalls? Plus, there's only a fraction of the fat of a regular hamburger in this version. As good or better than many restaurants, too. You will need a food processor for this. Well, maybe you don't need one; you can ask the butcher to grind some chuck or eye round for you and chop the turkey bacon at home and incorporate.

3 lbs. fresh stew beef--chuck and eye round work well--cubed (the smaller the pieces, the better)
8 slices turkey bacon
2 slices bread
2/3 cup milk
1 medium onion
Pepper to taste

Get the grill ready, or...
Set oven to broil or 500 degrees. Mash bread and milk together in a small bowl. Set aside. Pulse half of stew meat in food processor with onion. Tear half of the turkey bacon into chunks. Add to processor when stew meat is almost free of chunks. Add in half of bread paste. Add pepper to taste. Pulse until just about uniform (maybe 5 more times.) Shape into burgers or meatballs and repeat.

Make 12 patties or 30-35 meatballs and put on a greased oven-safe pan. Shake a little salt on top, if desired. I also slice another onion and put in the pan for burger toppings. Spray meat and onions with nonstick spray, if desired. Broil for 3 minutes. Turn heat down to 350 and cook 8-10 minutes longer, until juices run clear for a well-done burger. The great thing is that you grind the meat at home and use right away, so there are a lot fewer bacteria on freshly-ground beef than the ground beef from the store. Therefore, the hamburgers or meatballs don't have to be well done at 160 degrees to be safe. (I do medium-well, with a little pink in the middle.)

Variation: Meatball Subs
Add some basil, oregano and thyme or Italian seasoning to the meat mixture. Heat or make marinara sauce. Prepare long rolls (grilling or toasting, if desired.) Add meatballs and sprinkle mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top. Meatless option needed?

Black Bean Sliders
1 can (15.5 oz)  black beans, drained, then rinsed
1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix or dry Ranch or Italian salad dressing mix
1/2 cup fresh salsa from refrigerator case (or homemade), drained well
1/2 cup bread crumbs or try 1/3 cup milled flax seed
1 egg or Egg Replacer powder + liquid equivalent
12 potato rolls-the kind stuck together or other buns that are about 2-inch squares 
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges plus fresh cilantro, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray or use paper towel to brush with oil. Empty drained and rinsed beans in a medium bowl, then mash with fork. Add seasoning and salsa. Mix, then add bread crumbs/flax seed and egg. Mix well.

Shape into 12 mini patties, to fit in small buns. Place on cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes, then flip with spatula. Bake 4-6 minutes longer.  Place patties on open buns. Top each with 2 slices avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, cilantro and top with remaining bun half.
 
3.5 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Wing sections (6-8 pounds)
If you marinate these as soon as you can, you will be awarded with a flavorful dish to serve for company. These can be seasoned in many ways and grilled (but wings are tricky that way) or baked. Chicken thighs can also make a great, juicy burger or meatballs. 3.5 pounds with a half-onion in each batch as described for meatballs--no need to add milk/bread mixture. Turkey bacon optional; add salt to mixture if not using.
My favorite combinations for baking--can also be used with beef meatballs:
Lemon and garlic-Slice 2 lemons and use 10 sliced cloves garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Salsa, about one cup (fresh is best), along with a half cup of Goya brand mojo criollo (lemon and orange juice, plus cumin and black pepper and salt)

Green beans (especially if you can get some Trader Joe's Frozen Haricots Verts)
Trader Joe's has the most delectable frozen thin green beans. I prefer them to fresh, steamed green beans in most cases. I actually like to wash, snap and eat fresh, uncooked green beans with homemade garlicky mayonnaise or a really good creamy dressing. They are a great, cheaper alternative to snap peas or snow peas on a veggie tray, too!
But I digress...I sometimes sauté green beans in olive oil and butter with mushrooms. But, my new favorite way is to cook 1.5 cups chicken stock down to 3/4 cup with one-half of a chopped onion and a little bit of red pepper flakes. If you want to add carrots, put some in a cold pot with the stock and pepper. Then add about 10 ounces green beans (almost the whole package), which I cook for about 10 minutes. The stock is still there but is cooked almost all the way down with the onions. I add salt if needed. Do two batches (you will need about 1.5 pounds for 10) or double recipe in a large pot if it's for 10+ people.) If kids are picky about onions, cut onion into big chunks and don't put any on their plate.

Two-Way Punch (Sangria and Alcohol-Free)

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen strawberries; allow to partially thaw
2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen pineapple concentrate 

2 cans (11 1/2 ounces each) frozen grape or cranberry concentrate, thawed
1.5 Litre Rosé Wine (Red Zinfandel is a nice choice)
3 2-liter-bottles seltzer--raspberry flavor if available
1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 orange, thinly sliced

Get two large beverage serving containers ready, each able to accommodate 1.5 gallons or more.

Place each package of opened strawberries in a gallon-size freezer bag. Squish each package of strawberries until most lumps are gone. Add contents of each into the beverage containers. Add pineapple concentrate to non-alcoholic beverage; add grape or raspberry concentrate to sangria container. Mix each juice-berry slush well, adding orange slices, then wine slowly to one and lemon then one bottle seltzer to the other. Once mixed well, add one bottle seltzer to each and top off with ice. Stir before serving.

Watermelon
Chill as soon as possible. I like buying small ones (a little bigger than cantaloupes). They are usually sweet and chill pretty fast.

Chocolate Fondue (Prepare this later, as dinner food is being cleared off the table)
Feeling empowered? Want something fancy? Make ganache--when kept warm, it is a versatile dessert sauce that firms when cooled. Melt one 12-ounce bag of chocolate (and/or white chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch) chips in a glass bowl in the microwave 50 percent 2-3 minutes; you have to hang around and check, since they require low heat. It does not need to bubble! The chocolate is ready when 75-80% of the chips are melted and all the chips are glistening. Stir gently and add about 8 ounces room temperature or cool half and half or 8 ounces coconut milk for a vegan version (make sure you use vegan chocolate chips!) Serve with fresh or toasted cake cubes or warmed madeleines, fresh berries, fresh orange sections, pretzel rods and/or meringues.

Or, buy pound cake or another unfrosted cake (must be room temperature, not warm) and use as "frosting" by using a spatula to spread on whole cake. Let cool in fridge until set, about 15 minutes. Serve with fruit, chocolate shavings or chopped nuts.


Bags(s) of ice
For a couple dollars you can get a head start on chilling beverages and even the watermelon without worrying about fridge space. Handy for smoothies and serving drinks, too!

Americana flavors make Mac'n'cheese zing

There can be too much of a good thing. I can't repeat dishes and leftovers too often, or I get bored. Or somehow they get moved to the back of the fridge. So when I didn't face eating Mac'n'cheese with sheer delight, something was amiss. I thought of the other things I had handy to pique my taste buds. Below is the delectable result, gone in a day!

Mac'n'cheese with tomato jam and "onion ring" bread crumbs

For fastest results, start Mac'n'cheese and tomatoes simultaneously.

Tomato Jam

Almost 1/4 cup brown sugar-not packed down-or use 2 tablespoons

6 whole allspice berries or 1/2 teaspoon powder

1 each large or eight cherry green and/or yellow tomatoes, cut in 1-inch pieces or smashed in pan

10 ounces stewed tomatoes-small can, or half of a large can, with juices

3 tablespoons dried onion or 1/2 cup fresh onion cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon red-wine or apple-cider vinegar

Dash lemon pepper, optional

Creamy Mac'n'cheese 

1 pound-a box farfalle pasta
Salt for pasta water (save 1/2 cup pasta water)

6 ounces cream cheese
Dash cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg
1/2 cup Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigianno Reggiano or Parmesan cheese. Grate before measuring.

I start my pasta in cold, salted water using a wide, deep pan, more like a skillet than a pasta pot. Meanwhile, I start to cook all the ingredients for the tomato jam in a small saucepan on high heat until it boils, then I turn it down to the lower heat settings to bubble gently for about 25 minutes (or longer on very low heat for firmer texture and fuller flavor), until it gets a little shiny, looking like jam and not tomato sauce. Be sure to stir every five minutes to avoid burning.

When the pasta is about two minutes from being done (it's not chewy but is firm when you bite it), I drain out the water except for a half cup. Then, I put it back on the stove over low heat and add the cream cheese and spices. After about 5 minutes over high heat and a lot of stirring, I have a sauce that's creamy but a little thin, like baked potato soup or just-melted ice cream. I turn of the heat and add the cheese, stirring until it's mixed into the sauce. It should thicken well while remaining creamy.

You can serve those next to each other. To layer and serve as a meal, I spread the pasta out in a class or ceramic rectangular serving dish then spoon the tomato jam on top. I also have crushed then toasted French-fried onions and buttered bread pieces and/or some grated hard cheese for 5-8 minutes, and sprinkled that on top, aka onion ring bread crumbs.

P.S. The tomato jam is also great with meatloaf and burgers!

Cool Tricks!

Everyone who loves the kitchen has them...those little shortcuts and secrets that save time and make dishes "younique". As you may have guessed, I have several! I just realized it's been a while since I've shared my latest cool tricks.

Cool Trick #1: Citrus Powder

I was all set to put a hex on Trader Joe's for discontinuing the Fast Flavor Sticks. Those were my ultimate cool trick! They had natural flavors and half stevia, half sugar mix. They went into smoothies, jelled desserts, iced teas, sorbets, spritzers, you name it.
But I had to move on. After extensive grocery store searches for mixes without sucralose (Splenda) and aspartame (NutraSweet), I found True Lemon brand had a stevia-citrus drink powder. But they ALSO had lime, lemon, orange and even grapefruit powders crystallized, WITHOUT sweetener. Suddenly, I had something to add to marinade--think lemon pepper or garlic lime, my own "twist of lime" tortilla chips, soups, seltzer, yogurt and cocktails. After buying some True Lime sachets and some drink mixes at Whole Foods, I ordered more products online at Amazon.com . I like that these products are sugar- and salt-free.

Cool Trick # 2: Applewood Smoked Salt (recipe follows)

I've really cut back on meat, since my digestive system seems much happier when I do so. Of course, what do I crave more than ever? Smoked meat (groan). Well, that taste can be pretty hard to replicate. Correction: it was hard to replicate. I am now making some kickin' kale and some magnificent mushrooms that have the smoky flavor of bacon. I did add a little turkey bacon to my split pea soup, but the smoked sea salt made the flavors pop without adding more fat or meat. After scoring scoring some from Marshall's and some alderwood smoked sea salt (milder flavor) from Home Goods, I invested in a pound of applewood smoked sea salt from the wonderful Frontier brand at Amazon.com.

Cool Trick #3: Stewed Tomatoes--so retro, so useful!

You may not know this, but stewed tomatoes are humble. So, they don't tell you they make amazing tomato soup and pasta sauce. Now you know. A small can, about 11 ounces, with 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (or 1-1.5 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon water), a dash of salt, a dash of pepper and a couple basil or parsley leaves and a chopped stalk of scallions (or 1/4 onion, dried onion or onion powder). Boil all ingredients except the cream. Then add the cream and blend until smooth with a couple small lumps. It usually serves 2 people in my family. You can just over double it by using a large can and doubling the other ingredients. Do the same base for bolognese sauce with 1 large can sewed tomatoes (about 27 ounces--but don't add water), adding one pound browned meat, 1 celery, 1 carrot, 1 onion, thyme and nutmeg. Simmer for one hour, then add a couple teaspoons heavy cream or butter to finish. If you want marinara, leave out the carrots, celery and cream, add a clove of chopped garlic and add 2 tablespoons olive oil at the end.

Cool trick #4: Fruit juice concentrate

I try not to add sugar to my drinks. It was such a slippery slope for me--why not add more sugar and stretch it out? However, when I make ginger beer aka nyamakoji, sorrel aka dabilenni and other steeped concoctions, I want a way to add flavor without adding granulated sugar. I now always keep 100% juice concentrate in the freezer for these drinks and love the flavor and colors they provide. Another cool trick? I make sweet-and-sour sauce with pineapple juice concentrate, ketchup, a dash of ginger powder, soy sauce and sesame oil.

Cool trick #5: Good seasons natural dressing mix 

I think my addiction to "sauce packets" started in Peace Corps. In fact, I know it did. Ubiquitous mayonnaise became ranch dressing; pasta became alfredo; vegetables became a wonder with Indian curry mixes. I am a label-gazer. I often look for the best or least bad set of ingredients. Cooking from scratch often happens when I read labels. Take Jello--I don't buy those packets. I buy organic bovine gelatine online and add my own sweetener and flavorings. Yes, it's a bit much, but I and the others I prepare food for a worth it! OK, I am getting off my homemade soap box to laud a dressing packet. Good Seasons Italian All Natural Salad Dressing Mix is a great dressing starter, marinade, seasoning for beans, dips and hot vegetables. 
Ingredients: Sugar, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Garlic (Dried), Onions (Dried), Spice, Red Bell Peppers (Dried), Carrots (Dried), Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin (from Corn), Parsley (Dried), Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Citric Acid.

Application: I really like to use the dressing mix as a marinade chicken for Caesar salad and chicken salads. I start with frozen skinless chicken breast tenderloins in a single layer-covered in a skillet in about a quarter cup of water and cooked on medium to high heat. I add one packet of marinade/dressing mix. Next, after about ten minutes, I turn over the chicken and uncover the skillet. Finally, after 5 more minutes or when the water is almost cooked all the way down, I add about a teaspoon of olive oil. Then sauté on one side for two to three minutes. In less than 20 minutes, I have browned yet tender, well-seasoned chicken breasts. It's one pot, no cleaning and my meal is halfway done. It's mostly hands-off, so I can cook or do other things at the same time.

Cool trick #6: Pancake Bake (recipe follows)

My daughter loves pancakes. However, I am often loathe to stand and flip mini mountains of pancakes, and I don't like the ones as big as the pan; they taste dry or don't flip well for me. Solution? Bake a thick large pancake using a glass pie plate in the toaster oven. Before anyone scoffs, the really cool trick is to make a layer of buttery syrup underneath, so it's sweet on the bottom and sides. Then I top it with blueberries. Destruction!

Pancake Bake
I use Trader Joe's multigrain pancake mix and add a few spoons of oats or bran. I basically calibrate whatever yield works with one egg.
First off, however, I am preparing the pan with 2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 teaspoon water, 4 tablespoons organic sugar and a good shake of cinnamon. I mix them together directly in the glass pie plate, then put that in the toaster oven. I set it for 30 minutes, but it will be done in a little less time than that. My toaster oven is not running as hot as it used to because the top element isn't working. My guess is that 325-350 is about right.
Next, I make the pancake batter. I then take the pie plate out with a mitt, pour the pancake batter in, then put the pie plate back in the oven. By that time, there is about just over 20 minutes for the pancake to cook, which is about right. I get out the blueberries (or whatever fruit you like) and go upstairs to get ready.
Usually, the 20 minutes have elapsed plus about 5 minutes warming time in the oven. I would say to stay downstairs to see how long it takes the first time. Toaster ovens are precarious; two minutes too long can burn your stuff.
Then smugly eat the delicious unflipped concoction. You can call it a pancake pie or whatever you think will work to get people to take the first bite. How many people does this serve? Unfortunately, this has only been serving a greedy mother and child.

Recipe highlighting smoked salt:
Split Pea/Carrot Ginger Mash-up Soup
With an electric pressure cooker, it's done in 25 minutes, including prep time.
I love a good music mash-up and collabo. This soup is a mash-up of two winter favorites!

Ingredients:
6 ounces turkey bacon, chopped with kitchen scissors-optional
2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
2 stalks celery with leaves, rinsed, then chopped with kitchen scissors
2 large or 3 small carrots, chopped about the size of a fingernail or larger
1 teaspoon smoked sea salt (start with half if using chicken stock)
About 8 ounces organic dry split peas
About 6 ounces dry red split lentils
About 5 sprigs of fresh parsley leaves, chopped with kitchen scissors
1 "nub" of peeled fresh ginger, thumb size
Black pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic
A handful kale or spinach, rinsed and chopped with kitchen scissors (optional)
5 cups water (or a combination of chicken stock and water). Just note you may have to decrease the sea salt when using chicken stock to avoid oversalting.

Cooking directions:
Brown butter or oil in the electric pressure cooker for one minute. Add chopped turkey bacon and brown for two minutes. Then add celery and carrots and cook for one or two minutes, still on the "brown" or high setting. Next, add all of the remaining ingredients into the pressure cooker. Change the setting to "low pressure". Close and align the pressure node, then set the pressure cooking time for 7 minutes. Meanwhile, set the table and clean. After the cooking time ends and you are almost ready to serve, puree about half of the soup if you like (I used a stick blender). Serve and enjoy!