Mystery Thread - Page 2

InLove · 08-20-2005, 06:34 AM

Hi, luna--

Thanks for the "receipt" (as my grannies and folks used to call them

).

You asked about cauliflower? My bestest girlfriend in the whole world once won a bunch of money for her cauliflower recipe--I will look that up for you, and it is a good excuse to call her (to make sure it is okay if I post it). It may take me a while, because apparently I am doing well at my new job, because they are keeping me quite busy--(yay! more money).

Get back to ya on this---

InPeace,
InLove

InLove · 09-08-2005, 06:40 AM

Well, okay--it is about the end of summer (for those who see the seasons). So, if anyone has access to fresh basil, now will be the last harvest, depending on your location.

So, if you have a fresh batch of basil, then it only seems right at this time to turn it into pesto. So harvest it, and chop it all up.

Find the best extra virgin olive oil you can (Spectrum brand is great,but I know pricey--use whatever you have) and find some pine (pinion) nuts. And if you happen to have some fresh garlic, great--if not, buy some ( and not the "elephant" kind--just the humble garlic).

Also, you need a small block of real parmasian (no time to check "speeling" I know it is not right)--not the kind you shake on pizza or spaghetti, but a real block of real smelly cheese.

And you need some proper freezer containers--small ones, because it does not take much pesto per dish.

Put all of this stuff in a food processor, one thing at a time, and blend and taste, blend and taste--it is heavenly....

Oh--wait, you need lemons, too--make sure you do not get any lemon seeds into your mix, because it will be terribly bitter if you do.

When you get it the way you like it, freeze and label it, and then use it on pasta and stuff until next August or so....

Yum....

juantoo3 · 09-08-2005, 03:49 PM

Awesome thread!

I don't get to cook much, and as a bachelor I figure I'm pretty limited to begin with. Cooking for one creates its own challenges.

I am not a strict vegetarian, but I do not eat nearly as much meat as I used to, and when I do I try to get the better cuts. I like lamb on occasion, especially for Passover.

One quick meal I have come to like a lot came from a liking for Ramen noodles. Until I read the ingredients and realized all of the junk in them. So, the substitute I found that cooks in the same few minutes is angel hair pasta. I usually break the lengths into three shorter lengths so it is not as messy to eat. Boil it with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking, and a pinch of sea salt to hasten boiling. A little water (just covering, about 2 cups for "two" servings of pasta) will make the noodles pretty much without water, more water makes more of a soup, both of which are good.

From there I toss in some frozen mixed vegetables, after the pasta is cooked. Bring back just to boiling and cut off the heat, and add season to taste. I prefer garlic and cayenne, and usually a (tiny!) pinch of tumeric, all of which have medicinal properties for arthritis.

Short, sweet, simple and tastes good. Sometimes I vary by adding a little tuna, or if I am feeling really adventurous I will drain the noodles/veggies and add alfredo sauce and warm on low so I don't scorch the sauce.

Cheap and easy, and pretty quick. Usually done in about ten minutes. That's my bachelor solution!

Thanks to everyone for all the great recipes!

juantoo3 · 09-08-2005, 03:50 PM

BTW, does anyone have a recipe for barley and mushroom soup? I ate this once, and it was so good, and very filling!

dauer · 09-08-2005, 04:01 PM

I like tofu hash. I don't know how to make it. But I can describe it for you:

It tastes really really good, like regular hash, only with tofu instead of meat.

You know, I think that's the secret to making it. Substitute tofu for meat in a good hash recipe. I may have to try that and see how it goes.

Dauer

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine · 09-09-2005, 02:12 AM

My throwtogether casserole that I brought for lunch today (I shared, so don't worry) was rather simple and one can use real ground beef for it (althought I don't):

1 c. raw rice (the regular stuff, not the instant)
3 c. water
1 T. butter or oleo
Salt to taste
1/2 lb. ground meatless (3/4 lb. ground beef or ground turkey)
1/2 lb. chopped broccoli
2 T. tomato paste
1 1/2 t. hot sauce (or to taste)
1 c. shredded cheese

Cook the rice with water, butter and salt in a large saucepan. Add the uncooked meatless (if using real meat, brown first, just to be safe, and drain the fat) and the broccoli. Mix thoroughly. Add the tomato paste and hot sauce. Mix thoroghly again. Transfer to a 13 x 9 inch casserole/baking pan. Top with cheese. Bake or microwave until cheese is melted. Serve.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

Bandit · 09-11-2005, 04:31 AM

shredded wheat cereal & milk.

options:
top with sliced bananna, strawberry, blue berry or other fruit.

InLove · 09-11-2005, 08:01 AM

Hi Everyone--this thread is really going so well! Thanks for the wonderful responses

.

I personally think that tofu is much maligned. It can be very lovely, IMHO.

It can take on the characteristics of whatever one chooses to add to the skillet. My Mom (when I get to see her) hardly ever fails to provide me with the "Kung Pao" version of this humble soybean cake.

But I must admit, I have never heard of tofu hash! Hmmm....thinking about this... Dauer, you are a mentor of mine, whether you want the job or not.

On the subject of ramen--it can truly be a lifesaver--but I know what y'all mean when you talk about the ingredients--salt is listed, like, maybe first? So I think the solution with the angel hair is a good one, juan. Also, there is a product sold around here, which I cannot help but think was originally Italian, but it is sold in the Mexican markets here--called Fideo--really nothing but angel hair pasta. Good stuff, and affordable.

And, hey Bandit--thanks for the reminder about the shredded wheat--the thing about it is that one can pretty much doctor it up however one needs to! I like that because I can make it healthy (like it isn't already-LOL, even with frosting!)

Phyllis--your lunch sounds good to me--so when are you inviting me to your place for dinner so I can pick up my cat?

InPeace,
InLove

InLove · 09-15-2005, 06:25 AM

TRUDY'S PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY BEAN COOKIES

1. Read the Mad Lib Story Thread All the Way Through

2. Contribute.

3. Find your Mom's or Dad's or Grandma's or Grandpa's best peanut butter cookie recipe ( and if you feel forced or so compelled, make it heart-healthy or something)

4. Give us the details.

5. Forget the jelly beans--

InPeace,
InLove

P.S. (Oatmeal, Raisin, and Chocolate Chip (even Carob) also welcome here....

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine · 10-08-2005, 06:40 AM

A recipe not for those who dislike chocolate (Triple Chocolate cookies). I'm still working to perfect it, so the recipe might change a bit in the future.

Make your favorite recipe for Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies. While cookies are baking, melt @ 16 oz of bittersweet chocolate with 2 T. vegetable shortening. When the cookies are cooled, dunk them in the melted chocolate, carefully removing the excess. Place on waxed paper to cool/harden.

I've added some cocoa nibs to my personal recipe for a bit of crunch, but as I said before, it's a work-in-progress.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

pohaikawahine · 10-10-2005, 03:49 AM

on a hot summer day try some tofu over ice .... use the soft tofu, cut into squares about 3/4" - 1" in size .... place the tofu on ice and serve with grated ginger, soy sauce (just a little), and green onion .... enjoy, poh

Rouge47 · 11-10-2005, 06:37 PM

Anybody know some good smoothie recipies? I love fruit smoothies!

Tao_Equus · 11-14-2005, 03:56 PM

My favourite dish of the moment:

Sweet'n'spicy Mackrel Pasta (serves 4)

INGREDIENTS
2 or 3 fillets of smoked mackrel
3/4 lb of cherry tomatoes
1 medium onion
2tsp sugar
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
2tbsp Olive oil
Seasoning
3/4lb dry pasta
1 nice loaf of white bread

METHOD
Put water on boil for pasta
Finely chop onion and sweat off in olive oil
Half the tomatoes and add to onions
Add sugar, cayene and season
Cook gently till pasta is cooked
Break mackrel into smallish pieces and add to sauce for last minute of cooking
Toss all together

Serve with hot buttered toast.

Enjoy!!!

Note: A large can of tinned mackrel can be substituted for smoked fillets but is not so tasty.

wil · 11-14-2005, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Anybody know some good smoothie recipies? I love fruit smoothies!

two secrets for me...throwing a handful of raw almonds in the blender first and turning them to powder before adding the fruit...one excellent thickener and sweetener...and then if one wants to make it a whole meal...toss in some green powder, alfalfa, spirulina, wheat...whatever green to your liking... changes color not taste, good and good for you!

other than that whatever fruits float your boat.

namaste,

dauer · 11-14-2005, 06:47 PM

It's the cookie that's good for you!

Great Aunt Ida's Drop Cookies

400o 15-20min

2 3/4 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 c. wheat germ
3/4 c. sesame seeds
1/2 c. drk brwn sugar
1 c. or more of raisins

Mix all of these ingredients. Then add:

1/2 c. water or milk
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 c. oil
cinnamon and nutmeg

mix well. drop by tsp on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with wet hands. 15-20 on 400.

Doctor as it delights you. This one just came out of the family vault (no, we don't really have one) and I and my family already have discussed some ways this cookie might be doctored with other healthy ingredients like shredded coconut for example or, since it comes to mind, maybe some of those sweet soy beans found in cliff bars. Mmmmm.

Dauer