zucchini bread

This bread goes fast in our home! Sometimes its better to double the recipe so you can share with a neighbor, or savor it longer than 1 day!! Hope you enjoy.

3 cups flour
1 tsp of each: salt, baking soda & baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
3 med sized-eggs
1 cup veggie oil
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 tsp vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini, well drained!
Optional: nuts (walnuts or pecans)!

Grease two loaf pans & preheat the oven to 325F. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda/powder & cinnamon. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla. Combine both mixtures and mix well. Add grated zucchini and stir well. Pour into loaf pans and bake 45-60 minutes. Test with a toothpick or knife to see if its done. Best when warm, buttered and sipped with tea. :)
glory to my sweet friend Jess.

chicken * soup

2 large chicken breasts OR 3 chicken legs, boiled & shredded
3-5 carrots, julienne sliced
1 onion, chopped small
1 squash - sunburst, zucchini (2 if small)
1 T garlic salt OR 2 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
3 cloves garlic, diced
6 cups chicken stock (if you have it!)
one of these:
*1/2 pkg egg noodles, 1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup barley (soaked), 2 potatoes (skinned & cubed)
optional:
celery (1-2 stalks, chopped)

To create your chicken stock: Boil chicken with onion, garlic and spices for about 45 minutes. Take chicken off bone, cut up vegetables into bite size pieces, put vegetables and *noodles/rice/barley/potatoes into the broth boil 20-30 minutes, put chicken pieces back into broth with veggies. Ready to serve, with bread or biscuits!

glory to Ann, my first mentor at the age of 14

croutons

6-10 slices of bread, cubed
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 tsp garlic salt (optional)
1 tsp dried basil (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). In large saute pan, melt butter over med heat. Add fresh minced garlic and simmer for 1 minute. Add optional spices, and mix well. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Spread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until crisp & browned. Check frequently to prevent burning. Let cool. Store croutons in a sealed container or ziploc bag. Serve over soups or salads. Yum!!

fudgy brownies

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small 1/2 T chunks
8 oz. dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1.5 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat over to 350F (175C). Butter & flour an 8" square pan. Melt chocolate & butter in a glass bowl, stirring to combine. You can do this by microwaving the butter & chocolate in 20-second increments, stirring in between until fully melted/mixed. Allow the chocolate & butter to cool - about 10 minutes, then add sugar. Add eggs one at a time*. Stir until smooth before adding next egg. Add vanilla & stir lightly. Fold in the flour and salt. Transfer to pan. Bake 35-45 minutes.*
The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is overdone (according to the fudginess of this recipe!). Cool in pan for 15 minutes, or chill in the fridge until they are set. Cut into squares. Yum!!

*Do not vigorously stir at any step, or the batter will incorporate too much air and will not be as fudgy. Aim to combine ingredients well (eggs esp). Fold the flour & salt lightly just until combined.

potato beef stir fry

Not really sure what to call this creation. I ordered a dish like this on the street months ago, and it tasted SO great. I have no idea how it was made - but this is my feeble attempt to re-create something of similar hue/flavor/combination! If you have a suggestion for a better name - please share!!

1/2 kilo beef (you can use other meats too), cubed
2-3 potatoes (washed, peeled & cut into small cubes)
veggie (2-3 carrots or cauliflower or none at all)
oil - 1/3+ cup
4-6 garlic cloves, diced
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1-2 T tomato paste
salt to taste (1/2 tsp?)
hot water

Optional: *onions, extra garlic

Heat oil in wok over high heat. Add meat and fry until cooked thru. Add salt & garlic to flavor. *You can add onions here if desired. Add teriyaki sauce and tomato paste and mix well. Add potatoes, veggies and stir well for 5 minutes. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, and simmer until potatoes are cooked thru. Serve over white/brown rice.

sage turkey burgers

Here are some zesty, quick-fix ground turkey burgers.

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 T finely chopped onion
1.5 tsp rubbed sage
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound ground turkey (your can use chicken or pork too)

In a bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Crumble ground turkey over mixture and combine well. Shape into eight 1/2-inch patties. Refrigerate for 1 hour. In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, fry patties for 6-8 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink. I think this would work over the barbecue as well. Hope you enjoy!!
glory to Amy, who is a master in the kitchen!

buttermilk biscuits

sift together
2 cups flour (white or wheat)
2.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

with a pastry blender or knives/fork, cut in finely:
1/2 cup shortening or butter

add
1 cup buttermilk (1 T vinegar + 1 cup milk)

Stir with a fork to make a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 8-10 times. Roll or pat to desired thickness (about 3/4") then cut into biscuits with round cookie cutter, glass or knife. Place on an ungreased baking sheet all together for soft sided biscuits or
about 1" apart for crusty-sided biscuits. Bake 425F for 12-15 minutes.
glory to Amy, mother of three, living in China too!

flour tortillas

4 cups flour
2 heaping teaspoons baking powder
2 tsp salt
4 tsp vegetable oil
1.5-2 cups hot water

In a large bowl mix dry ingredients. Mix in oil, stir well. Gradually add hot water and stir...Add enough water to make a soft and warm dough that is not sticky. knead about 1 min. Divide
into 10-15 balls. Let rest 5 min - roll out and cook in pan on med heat. No oil needed in your pan.
glory to Amy: mother of three in China

banana oatmeal choc.chip cookies

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter/margarine
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups mashed bananas

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Optional:
cocoa or nuts

Bake 190C (375F) 10-12 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen.

fudgesicles

1/2 cup sugar
2 T corn starch
3 T cocoa powder
2.5 cups milk

Cook all ingredients over low heat until thickened stirring constantly - then add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 T margarine (optional). Then remove from heat and allow to cool. Then pour into Popsicle molds and freeze! yum!!

chocolate pudding

1/3 cup sugar
2 T corn starch
2 T cocoa powder
2 cups milk

Optional: 1 tsp vanilla, 1 T margarine

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, and simmer over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly with a whisk. Turn off heat and add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 T margarine (optional). Pour into a container (or small cups) and chill. Enjoy with whipped cream or toppings.