WhatsForDinner: Moussaka

WhatsForDinner: Moussaka: "When I make this recipe I cut enough vegetables to cover the bottom of a 13' x 9' casserole dish. Take that into account when you are gath..."

Moussaka

When I make this recipe I cut enough vegetables  to cover the bottom of a 13" x 9" casserole dish. Take that into account when you are gathering ingredients.

2 medium eggplant rinsed  & cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices.
salt..((( if eggplant is not your cup of tea, use more zucchini instead)
4 medium new potatoes, rinsed & sliced lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices
2 medium zucchini , rinsed & sliced lengthwise into 1/4- 1/2 inch slices
1 pound ground beef or ground lamb ( I prefer grass fed beef)
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 1/4  cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup dry wine ( red or white )
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground pepper (black or white)
1 cup of Parmesan Cheese divided into 4 portions 1/4 cup each.
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup flour ( all purpose)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3 cups milk
Salt... ( 1 tsp for the meat mixture, 1/4 tsp for the cream sauce  and a shaker of salt for salting vegetables)

sprinkle salt on both sides of the eggplant and set into a colander for 1/2 hour to drain.

Heat a frying pan with about a 1/4 cup of olive oil over a medium heat.
Fry the potatoes until lightly brown and tender. Place on paper towels to drain.
Repeat with the zucchini adding more oil if needed. Place on Paper towels to drain.
Repeat with the eggplant adding more oil if needed. Place on Paper towels to drain.

Bring frying pan to a medium high heat, saute onions with ground meat and garlic. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain drippings and return to heat. Add tomatoes, wine, parsley, 1 tsp salt, cinnamon and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is absorbed or evaporates.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish.

Layer the bottom with potatoes, 1/4 cup cheese, zucchini, 1/4 cup cheese, eggplant, 1/4 cup cheese. Top with meat mixture.

In frying pan over a med high heat, melt butter and whisk in flour, 1/2 tsp salt and nutmeg. Cook for 1 minute. Using a whisk very slowly whisk in milk until it is boiling and thickens. ( if too thick add more milk). Pour over meat mixture and top with the last 1/4 cup of cheese.

 Bake for 40 minutes. If the top is not browned , I broiled it on high for 2 minutes until bubbling brown. Makes 9 servings.

WhatsForDinner: Amazing Blueberry Muffins.. Start to finish in 30 ...

WhatsForDinner: Amazing Blueberry Muffins.. Start to finish in 30 ...: "Ingredients 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup white sugar 1/4 tsp Cinnamon 1/8 tsp clove 1/8 tsp ginger 2 teaspoons baking powder 1..."

Amazing Blueberry Muffins.. Start to finish in 30 minutes! 1 Bowl 1 measuring cup!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp clove
• 1/8 tsp ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3-1/2 cup milk ( I start with 1/3 and if the batter is thick add a splash more)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Topping:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners. 12 regular size muffing cups
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, spices and baking powder.
3. In a bowl mix the Milk, Egg and Oil. Mix in dry ingredients.
4. Fold in blueberries. Do not over mix.
5. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together sugar,  flour,  butter, and  teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
6. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done. (lightly browned on top.

WhatsForDinner: 2 quarts of sports drink for less than 30 cents?

WhatsForDinner: 2 quarts of sports drink for less than 30 cents?: "1 Kool-Aid packet or similar kid drink mix ( 27cents @ Target 20 cents @Wal-mart and they have a no frills brand for 12 cents) 1/4 tsp Li..."

2 quarts of sports drink for less than 30 cents?

1 Kool-Aid packet or similar kid drink mix ( 27cents @ Target  20 cents @Wal-mart and they have a no frills brand for 12 cents)
1/4 tsp  Lite salt
1/4-1/2 tsp   salt
 heaping 1/2 cup sugar
2 quarts water
1/2 tsp citric acid or 2 tbls of lemon juice ( citric acid is sold in the health dept or wine/cheese making stores)

Measure, Mix, Chill, Drink.

Easier than driving to the store. If you are going to be sweating a lot you may want to use more sodium. **** disclaimer, I am not a Doctor nor do I play one on TV. Please do your own research. This is one of many sites that discuss Sports Drinks.

http://www.mademan.com/mm/health-benefits-sports-drinks.html

WhatsForDinner: Low Fat Vegetable Creamcheese spread. Not just for...

WhatsForDinner: Low Fat Vegetable Creamcheese spread. Not just for...: "When I recently purchased vegetable cream cheese spread, I realized how salty it tasted and that it had almost double the sodium than regula..."

Low Fat Vegetable Creamcheese spread. Not just for Breakfast.

When I recently purchased vegetable cream cheese spread, I realized how salty it tasted and that it had almost double the sodium than regular cream cheese. That led me to make my own, which I truthfully liked better. It takes only minutes.

2 tablespoons Minced Celery

1 tablespoon grated carrot

1 tablespoon minced red pepper.

1 clove garlic grated. ( if you like onion i would use 1 tsp grated) or omit if you don't want vampire potion breath.

1/2 brick of  Neufchâtel ( aka low fat Cream cheese) I like the low fat NOT the Fat free which , to me is like while flavorless jello. Yucko ***

Mix together and use to top bagels, toast, pita..even fill celery stalks for a snack or serve as cracker spread.

If you want heat, you can mix in some hot sauce or Tabasco.

***I buy the low fat cream cheese at Aldi supermarket if the store doesn't have it on sale. It is wrapped in the same foil as Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Hmmm interesting.

WhatsForDinner: Whoops I made a gallon of Bean Dip.

WhatsForDinner: Whoops I made a gallon of Bean Dip.: "One of the best mistakes I ever made.... My goal was to make amazing baked beans however my Pressure cooker had a different plan. This ..."

Whoops I made a gallon of Bean Dip.

One of the best mistakes I ever made....

My goal was to make amazing baked beans however my Pressure cooker had a different plan.

This can be done in a pot too.

In my electric pressure cooker I placed the remainder of the Easter Ham bone and meat that I had froze after I knew we would not finish it at Easter.

Recipe:

• Ham bone
• 15 bean soup mix ( i do not use the seasoning packet)
• water. ( don't have a measurement because I had to add water a few times) I started with about 4 cups...but added more later.

I pressure cooked 10 minutes and it was not enough, I added some more water, I cooked 4 more minutes still not enough. 2 more minutes and I let the pressure come down itself. Overcooked. Panic? Heck no. I took out the ham bone, took off the ham, removed the fat and used my hand held blender to blend the overcooked beans with the ham, adding water to get a nice consistancy for dip. Keeping it a little on the thick side.  Done. No extra seasoning was needed it all came from the ham.

This seriously made close to Gallon of dip. this could be used in burritos but what I did was smeared it in a casserole dish about a 1/2 inch worth and topped with cheddar cheese and microwaved until the cheese melted and served with chips and I made a Cold Taco dip to go with it as a separate dish.

You can use just about any type of dried beans but this is what I use.
Beans cost me 85 cents , Cheese was less than $2.00 and the Ham was leftover so I call that Zero.

http://www.meijer.com/s/hursts-hambeens-15-bean-soup-4-cans-20-oz-ea/_/R-118585;jsessionid=6F6F986DE26563DD5584756F3B8D0139.instance03?CAWELAID=317656777&cmpid=goobase

WhatsForDinner: Mom's Blueberry Buckle Recipe

WhatsForDinner: Mom's Blueberry Buckle Recipe: "Every summer Mom would go outside and return with a treasure of blueberries and whip up her delicious Blueberry Buckle for dessert. That is ..."

Mom's Blueberry Buckle Recipe

Every summer Mom would go outside and return with a treasure of blueberries and whip up her delicious Blueberry Buckle for dessert. That is if we could wait until dinner was over. Usually not, Dad would eye up and seize the corner piece and go eat it in the livingroom while watching the Yankees game.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a square pan, 9 x 9 x 2 inches or a 9 x 1 1/2 inche round pan.

1/2 c sugar
1/4 salt
1/4 c shortening ( I prefer to use non-hydrogentated shortening.)
1/4 c milk
1 egg

2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 c blueberries *fresh or frozen)
2 tbls flour

Cream together wet ingredients then stir in dry. Toss Blueberries in 2 tablespoons for flour. (this helps keep the blueberries from settling to the bottom of the cake.) Carefully fold blueberries into batter.

for topping
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts optional

mix until crumbly and sprinkle over batter

bake 45 to 50 min  in a preheated oven at 375 degrees until Toothpick comes out clean.

Chop nuts set aside ( optional )

I mix crumb topping and place if fridge or freezer while I prepare batter. This is so the butter doesn't get too warm. Warm butter melts too fast crumb topping won't be as crumby..Crumby is good.

Whisk together wet ingredients then mix in dry.

Toss blueberries in flour then fold into batter.

Grease and flour baking pan, my Nana always marked a cross on the center of her pan, my Mom continued the tradition and so do I. 

Folding in Blueberries.

Sprinkle crumb topping over batter.

 Bake as directed above and enjoy.

WhatsForDinner: Aunt Nellie's BBQ Chicken Marinade

WhatsForDinner: Aunt Nellie's BBQ Chicken Marinade: "1/2 cup cooking oil ( I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil) 1 cup cider vinegar 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp poultry seasoning 1/4 tbsp pepper 1 egg ..."

Aunt Nellie's BBQ Chicken Marinade

• 1/2 cup cooking oil ( I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1/4 tbsp pepper
• 1 egg

Beat egg then add oil beat again. add other ingredients - stir well.
I use a hand blender.

I reserved and refrigerated  1/2 cup for basting when cooking.

Rinse Chicken well....



Rinse Chicken to remove any bone shards.

  For ease, place in 1 chicken to marinade over night.

Fold the edge down to keep clean.

Pour Marinade over chicken reserving 1/2 cup for basting.

One of the Handiest gadget to have in a kitchen.

 Cook 30-40 mins over Hot coals or grill.
Basting with refrigerated reserved marinade.
 If you use up all the marinade, I have made a 1/2 batch of marinade just for basting.

ENJOY - Thank Aunt Nellie in heaven if you like it.

WhatsForDinner: Salmon crusted with homemade Pistachio Basil Pesto...

WhatsForDinner: Salmon crusted with homemade Pistachio Basil Pesto...: "Ingredients 3 cloves garlic ( crush it first before adding to food processor) 1/2 cup shelled pistachios 4 cups loosely packed basil..."

WhatsForDinner: Happy Donut day... or in this case Aebleskiver , E...

WhatsForDinner: Happy Donut day... or in this case Aebleskiver , E...: " Ingredients 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoo..."

Happy Donut day... or in this case Aebleskiver , Ebleskiver, Poffertjes or as we call them... Doughnut Holes.

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)

1. In a bowl, mix flour with sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a small bowl, beat egg to blend with milk and 2 tablespoons butter. Add liquids to dry ingredients and stir until evenly moistened.

2. Place an aebleskiver pan over medium-low heat. When pan is hot enough to make a drop of water dance, spray with non-stick spray ,fill each to slightly below the rim with batter.
3. in Center of batter drop a small amount of Jam.
4. In about 1 1/2 minutes, thin crusts will form on bottoms of balls (centers will still be wet); pierce the crust with a slender wood skewer and gently pull shell to rotate the doughnut holes until about half the cooked portion is above the cup rim and uncooked batter flows down into cup. Cook until crust on bottom of doughnut hole is again firm enough to pierce, about another minute, then rotate doughnut hole with skewer until the ridge formed as the doughnut hole first cooked is on top. Cook, turning occasionally with skewer, until doughnut holes are evenly browned and no longer moist in the center, another 5-7 minutes. Check by piercing center of last pancake ball added to pan with skewer--it should come out clean--or by breaking the ball open slightly; if balls start to get too brown, turn heat to low until they are cooked in the center. remove  doughnut holes from pan and roll in cinnamon sugar.

WhatsForDinner: Sweet Potato Latkes for 2 ( Easily Doubled) Yumm...

WhatsForDinner: Sweet Potato Latkes for 2 ( Easily Doubled) Yumm...: " whoops.. wrong Latke....this is more like it.... 1 sweet potatoes, peeled and finely shredded 1 eggs, lightly beaten 1-1/2 teaspoon..."

WhatsForDinner: Summer Tomatoes on Toasted Ciabatta Bread

WhatsForDinner: Summer Tomatoes on Toasted Ciabatta Bread: "Thinly slice fresh Ciabatta bread and toast lightly. I use low fat Hellmann's Olive Oil Mayo or I make my own. Depends on what I have on ..."

Sweet Potato Latkes for 2 ( Easily Doubled) Yummy anytime.



whoops.. wrong Latke....this is more like it....

1 sweet potatoes, peeled and finely shredded

1 eggs, lightly beaten

1-1/2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons light olive oil for frying

lightly mix together everything except for the frying oil.  Prepare a plate with several paper towels to place Latkes on and more paper towels to place on top to help drain additional oil. When working with hot oil you want to make sure you have everything ready so you are not distracted while frying.

In a very hot pan heat oil carefully. Add the sweet potato mixture with a heaping tablespoon and then spread out quickly with the spoon or fork. Let fry until it is browning around the edge. Flip carefully and brown on other side. Once fully cooked placed on paper towel and top with paper towel and press to dab off excess oil. Continue until all Latkes are cooked. Served hot.  Can be served with applesauce , sour cream or any other topping you want to try.

To avoid greasy Latkes, I make sure to press the excess oil out of Latkes with  paper towels

Eggs with Celery, Sundried Tomatoes , Onions and Garlic

Sundried Tomatoes are Like Garden Candy

Celery in Eggs? Why?  Why not? Celery is one of the most underrated vegetables out there. And organic celery has a much Earthier taste. Try adding it to more than tuna salad. Live on the Edge!!!
I love the vibrant flavors in sun dried tomatoes. When I can buy them in bulk I do because I like to cook with them in Sauces, pasta dishes, and vinaigrette's with Olive Oil and Garlic for bread and over calamari. Below the recipe and photos.. I posted some information about the health benefits I have read about regarding these vegetables. The war over the benefits of Eggs come and go.... so you make the call.

On to the food:

Today I:
sauteed in

• Olive Oil:
• Minced sun dried tomatoes 
• celery
• vidalia onion
• Smashed Garlic

once the veggies are sauteed to heat through.

• add in an Egg ( this can be done with Egg white). I let the egg cook for a bit before I mix it in.

and  a little cheddar Cheese ( if you like) with a pinch of pepper.
Once egg is cooked through, serve and enjoy.

 What Bobby Flay taught me... Take a clove of Garlic, and sprinkle coarse sea salt on it. Using the blade of a knife, smash the garlic dragging blade on the flat side as press down.

Going over several times you will eventually come to what is more like a Garlic Paste. This will melt into whatever you are blending it into. It's grate added to pasta, smeared on beef , pork or chicken, mixed in with a Shrimp sautee and especially great to make Garlic bread or garlic oil dip.

What the Web says about the benefits of :

Celery provides an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber.: http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsofcelery.html and may help reduce Blood Pressure : http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org/benefit-of-celery.html
Onions are a very good source of vitamins B6 and C, chromium, biotin, and fiber.  http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsofonions.html
Garlic provides an excellent source of vitamin B6. http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsofgarlic.html
Tomatoes provide an excellent source of vitamins C and K, carotenes (especially lycopene), and biotin.   http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsoftomatoes.html
Sundried Tomatoes are higher concentrated in Lycopene content (µg/ 100 gram food)  Tomatoes, sun-dried 40750.0 vs Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw,  average 2570.6 - 2575.0
 http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/lycopene-sources.php
Eggs...you make the call....
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/health-benefits-of-eggs.htm