"What I made when I didn't have all the ingredients for a broccoli casserole from three different cookbooks" is the official name of this recipe, but I didn't think it would be a very appealing title for readers. The recipe is below, and it was very easy and quite tasty!
1 head of broccoli, chopped into florets
2-3 T butter
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 T flour
1 1/4 cup milk
1 1/4 cup grated cheese - divided
salt and pepper
1/3 cup chopped, salted almonds
2 pieces of bread and butter for it
Cook broccoli in microwave or on stove until bright green, and still fairly crisp. Meanwhile, spray Pam on 2 qt baking dish and toast two pieces of bread - a slow toast in the toaster oven works well. Butter the bread and put it back in the toaster/oven to dry out some more.
When the broccoli is cooked, pour it into the dish.
Place almonds on top of the broccoli.
Melt butter on stove in a small saucepan on medium heat and when melted and hot, add the onion and saute for 5 min. Add the flour and stir for a couple minutes more. Slowly add the milk and stir for few more minutes until hot, add salt and pepper, stir, and then sprinkle in 1 cup of cheese. Stir until melted. Pour the sauce over the broccoli and nuts, add the cheese, then take the toast and break (or cut) it into small pieces and sprinkle over the top. Cook in the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes at 325 degrees.
By the way, I entered this recipe while eating "what I made with navy beans when I didn't have the ingredients listed on the bean bag."
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tough to be a Writer
I just read an interesting, funny and engaging article about writing. The first instruction was that to be a writer, you must write every day. The writer has to "just say no" to the demons of folding the laundry, preparing and eating a snack, texting a friend, and the worst offender - perusing their Facebook page. "I need more time than 30 minutes," "I don't feel creative," "I don't remember what I want to write about," and my latest excuse, "I'm more of an editor than a writer," all crop up when I have that 30 minute time span available.
Yes, I have promised here before to engage in the writing of my eventual book that will include drama, suspense, weird and wild (ok, interesting) characters, and recipes. The problem is that when I have my waves of creative energy flowing and I'm ready to start writing as soon as I open my back door and sit down at the computer, I may never even get there. Okay, excuses again. I walk through that back door and see the laundry that needs to be folded or remember that the wash needs to go in the dryer. Or, I make it to the kitchen table and see a bill in the mail and have to sit down and write a check. Or, I make it past the table to the kitchen sink and realize that I must clean up the dishes, which leads into deciding what to have for dinner, which leads to me looking in a cook book for recipes ... you can see where I'm headed.
So, I might as well spit out what I was thinking of today on my walk that I wanted to enter. I've thought about entering some mystique to my book in answering the question of: What goes on inside each house? Answering that question is not the mystique though, it's the question it presents when you find out what's going on which is: Why? I suppose it's the wanna be psychologist in me. I have known many a wacky individual in my small post office address community, and I have a good enough imagination to add more details as needed. Let me know if you've been intrigued.
I would have written this today, but of course as I was entering my driveway a client called and needed clarification of my email address. We took about a half hour of emailing and texting to try to resolve the problem (not happening). During that time Kevin called and then I returned his call and discussed our issues, then I had to get in the shower to go get the girls from school, get them home and go run another errand, to be back at the house to cook dinner. I just sat down half an hour ago. See why it's tough to be a writer?
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Aging and Wisdom
As I am aging, I see things more clearly. Not that it means that its easier to make decisions, but that I have more choices. I want to make a difference in my lifetime, and choosing what I need to invest the time in is a consistent battle. My primary responsibility is as a wife and mother, and then to pursue my cause(s).
Over the past year, I've read about and watched several documentaries on cancer treatment and prevention using a holistic method. Thankfully, no one in my family has suffered or is suffering from cancer*, and healthy eating, exercise and preventative measures have kept us healthy. But as a mother and wife, I want to keep the cancer at bay, through not only my immediate family, but also my siblings, parents and in-laws.
My sister Jennifer has been on the healthy eating/vegetarian lifestyle for over 20 years. My youngest daughter, Kristin, jumped on the pescetarian (veggies, nuts, eggs, dairy and fish)diet recently, but the draw of a P.Terry's burger or a Chick-fil-A was too strong one day when we were rushed for time the other day. A veggie sub sandwich (which she did have early in the process) or some tasty, greasy chicken or beef?
A cancer-surviving friend, Katelyn, put it well the other day when she said that people who eat chips, candy, meat, much restaurant food and other unhealthy items need to consider it a treat when they consume items that are unhealthy. This is the way I prefer to live, and have not only the fried foods, but also the beef and chicken occasionally instead of on a regular basis.
My input is merely that if we want to be old and wise, we need to eat healthy, and research has shown that healthy living and eating (broccoli, fish, grapes, greens, blueberries and other high anti-oxidant foods) is good for the brain. Old is defined in different ways for different people, but I hope to be movin' and shakin' when I'm in my 80's, yet peacefully being waited on when I'm in my 90's.
*my grandfather, a chain-smoker for at least 50 years who worked in/owned an auto paint shop for at least 30 years died of lung cancer that had metastasized to most of his major organs in a short period of time.
Over the past year, I've read about and watched several documentaries on cancer treatment and prevention using a holistic method. Thankfully, no one in my family has suffered or is suffering from cancer*, and healthy eating, exercise and preventative measures have kept us healthy. But as a mother and wife, I want to keep the cancer at bay, through not only my immediate family, but also my siblings, parents and in-laws.
My sister Jennifer has been on the healthy eating/vegetarian lifestyle for over 20 years. My youngest daughter, Kristin, jumped on the pescetarian (veggies, nuts, eggs, dairy and fish)diet recently, but the draw of a P.Terry's burger or a Chick-fil-A was too strong one day when we were rushed for time the other day. A veggie sub sandwich (which she did have early in the process) or some tasty, greasy chicken or beef?
A cancer-surviving friend, Katelyn, put it well the other day when she said that people who eat chips, candy, meat, much restaurant food and other unhealthy items need to consider it a treat when they consume items that are unhealthy. This is the way I prefer to live, and have not only the fried foods, but also the beef and chicken occasionally instead of on a regular basis.
My input is merely that if we want to be old and wise, we need to eat healthy, and research has shown that healthy living and eating (broccoli, fish, grapes, greens, blueberries and other high anti-oxidant foods) is good for the brain. Old is defined in different ways for different people, but I hope to be movin' and shakin' when I'm in my 80's, yet peacefully being waited on when I'm in my 90's.
*my grandfather, a chain-smoker for at least 50 years who worked in/owned an auto paint shop for at least 30 years died of lung cancer that had metastasized to most of his major organs in a short period of time.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Things to Do with Leftover Cheese
Wow. You have an incredible party celebrating a significant event with all your loved family members in attendance. You send invitations, plan for the location, order food, decorate the venue, set up the music, and the attendees come. In addition to a meeting and greeting of the guests, there is a toast, photo time, and good cheer held by all. The food, the food is awesome. Meatballs, cheese balls and crackers, bruschetta with sliced french bread, a veggie tray and yes, you guessed it, a cheese tray. Havarti, jalapeno jack cheese, a smoky cheddar and an herbed white cheese fill the tray adorned with grapes. For dessert, there's a delicious white cake with cream cheese in the middle and a delightful, fluffy frosting. Since the party begins after meal time, about 30 guests nibble and munch, but come nowhere close to devouring the entire spread. What to do with all the leftovers?
The good news is that all of the foods above can be and were re-created in new forms to offer a delicious solution to the no food waste concept. Yes, new items will be purchased to invent additional treats, but it works very well. Here's what was left over:
A 3/4 full crock pot with meatballs in a delicious sauce.
At least 16 oz. of 3 types of olive, artichoke and tomato bruschetta spread
2+ pounds of veggies - carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes + dip
At least 400 cubes of cheese
Lots of crackers
Cake
Two days post party, we had another smaller gathering with 14 people in attendance, and here's what we did with it:
Meatball Sandwiches - We first reheated the meatballs on the stove and cut up the Havarti cheese cubes into small pieces. We purchased bolillo rolls - submarine sandwich rolls - split them in the middle, toasted them in the oven with butter and garlic salt, then laid cheese in them, meatballs second and cheese on top. They were toasted in the broiler, cut in half and served. All of the meatballs were consumed, along with probably 40 chunks of cheese.
Broiled Bruschetta - The bolillo rolls were split lengthwise and spread with the olive, tomato and artichoke mixtures and topped with the cheese, sliced into smaller pieces. All of the spreads and about 10-15 cubes of cheese were consumed. Yum-eee.
Fresh veggies and Dip - all of the leftover veggies were set out with the dip and at least half were eaten and the dip finished off.
Cheese and crackers - at least 25 cubes of cheese were taken and the majority of the crackers were eaten.
Cake - The pretty top of the cake was sliced and served with other holiday goodies.
After the second gathering of the food, leftovers of cake, veggies, crackers and cheese, cheese and cheese remained! Here is how they were incorporated into daily use:
When the hosting party left on an airplane back home, a bag with 20+ cubes of cheese and the remaining crackers went with them. For dinner one night, the veggies were incorporated into a salad, and three days later, chopped and cooked in with Lentil soup. Almost daily, a piece of cake was had. And the cheese ... put on a grilled cheese sandwich, used as a topping for black-eyed peas (jalapeno cheese made it so tasty!), the smoky cheese was placed on lentil soup and random cubes were used as food fuel. But there is still cheese left!
Down to fifty cube split evenly between smoky cheddar, jalepeno and herb cheese - this next week will see it slowly wane down. Used as food fuel, in the remaining lentil soup and possibly a quiche, the cheese should be gone by the end of the week. The lesson I hope to impart here is that leftovers, especially cheese, which lasts a long time in the refrigerator, should be consumed, and not tossed out.
Thank you to my sister Jenny and brother-in-law Matt, for having the 25th anniversary party in Austin and leaving us with all the cheese!
The good news is that all of the foods above can be and were re-created in new forms to offer a delicious solution to the no food waste concept. Yes, new items will be purchased to invent additional treats, but it works very well. Here's what was left over:
A 3/4 full crock pot with meatballs in a delicious sauce.
At least 16 oz. of 3 types of olive, artichoke and tomato bruschetta spread
2+ pounds of veggies - carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes + dip
At least 400 cubes of cheese
Lots of crackers
Cake
Two days post party, we had another smaller gathering with 14 people in attendance, and here's what we did with it:
Meatball Sandwiches - We first reheated the meatballs on the stove and cut up the Havarti cheese cubes into small pieces. We purchased bolillo rolls - submarine sandwich rolls - split them in the middle, toasted them in the oven with butter and garlic salt, then laid cheese in them, meatballs second and cheese on top. They were toasted in the broiler, cut in half and served. All of the meatballs were consumed, along with probably 40 chunks of cheese.
Broiled Bruschetta - The bolillo rolls were split lengthwise and spread with the olive, tomato and artichoke mixtures and topped with the cheese, sliced into smaller pieces. All of the spreads and about 10-15 cubes of cheese were consumed. Yum-eee.
Fresh veggies and Dip - all of the leftover veggies were set out with the dip and at least half were eaten and the dip finished off.
Cheese and crackers - at least 25 cubes of cheese were taken and the majority of the crackers were eaten.
Cake - The pretty top of the cake was sliced and served with other holiday goodies.
After the second gathering of the food, leftovers of cake, veggies, crackers and cheese, cheese and cheese remained! Here is how they were incorporated into daily use:
When the hosting party left on an airplane back home, a bag with 20+ cubes of cheese and the remaining crackers went with them. For dinner one night, the veggies were incorporated into a salad, and three days later, chopped and cooked in with Lentil soup. Almost daily, a piece of cake was had. And the cheese ... put on a grilled cheese sandwich, used as a topping for black-eyed peas (jalapeno cheese made it so tasty!), the smoky cheese was placed on lentil soup and random cubes were used as food fuel. But there is still cheese left!
Down to fifty cube split evenly between smoky cheddar, jalepeno and herb cheese - this next week will see it slowly wane down. Used as food fuel, in the remaining lentil soup and possibly a quiche, the cheese should be gone by the end of the week. The lesson I hope to impart here is that leftovers, especially cheese, which lasts a long time in the refrigerator, should be consumed, and not tossed out.
Thank you to my sister Jenny and brother-in-law Matt, for having the 25th anniversary party in Austin and leaving us with all the cheese!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Book Cook
I've just decided that my book must have some aspect of cooking in it - if not the whole theme - maybe a cookbook? I have the general concept of the book which is about the life of a citygirl who grows up and has babies and then moves to the country with her husband who travels all the time. The lifestyle there is very different, and she embraces it, because she sees that many of the people she now lives near were once cityfolk themselves. But the lies, the deception, the failures as well as the joys, the successes and friendships that she sees and endures will make it a page turner!
Back to the cooking - as I sat here at my computer, attempting to write and edit (for work) I decided to cook something substantial, yet quick, to get my brain going. I sliced a piece of Asiago cheese bread, pulled out some eggs, onion, fresh garlic, butter and poured a bit of olive oil in the pan. The small skillet heated up while I chopped the onion and peeled the garlic. I scraped the onions into the hot pan, added a small piece of butter in and stirred. When the onions began to turn clear, I squeezed in the garlic from its press and stirred some more, then pushed down the bread in the toaster. The eggs had been cracked into the bowl and whipped, and as the smell of garlic wafted off the pan, I poured in the eggs. As they sat, the toaster popped up and I put a pat of butter on it to melt as I stirred the eggs. As they became firmer, I pulled the grated mozzarella cheese and salsa from the refrigerator. After sprinkling the eggs with cheese, I spread the softened butter on the crispy toast and cut it in half. The eggs came out of the pan and I spooned a hearty portion of salsa to the side of the eggs. Yum-yum.
There's nothing I like describing more than food, and so that must be incorporated in my book!
I love to share recipes too. :-)
Back to the cooking - as I sat here at my computer, attempting to write and edit (for work) I decided to cook something substantial, yet quick, to get my brain going. I sliced a piece of Asiago cheese bread, pulled out some eggs, onion, fresh garlic, butter and poured a bit of olive oil in the pan. The small skillet heated up while I chopped the onion and peeled the garlic. I scraped the onions into the hot pan, added a small piece of butter in and stirred. When the onions began to turn clear, I squeezed in the garlic from its press and stirred some more, then pushed down the bread in the toaster. The eggs had been cracked into the bowl and whipped, and as the smell of garlic wafted off the pan, I poured in the eggs. As they sat, the toaster popped up and I put a pat of butter on it to melt as I stirred the eggs. As they became firmer, I pulled the grated mozzarella cheese and salsa from the refrigerator. After sprinkling the eggs with cheese, I spread the softened butter on the crispy toast and cut it in half. The eggs came out of the pan and I spooned a hearty portion of salsa to the side of the eggs. Yum-yum.
There's nothing I like describing more than food, and so that must be incorporated in my book!
I love to share recipes too. :-)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Heart Month
February is the month of hearts with Valentine's day right in the middle, but it's also American Heart Association Heart Month, and very appropriately so. In my efforts as a writer/editor, I have been pursuing topics that are healthy to the heart such as exercise, healthy eating and healthy snacks, and it all seems so easy to read, write and edit about it.
In a perfect world, it is easy to live a healthy lifestyle. No life distractions to take you away from exercising, no unhealthy foods attracting you with their smell or visual appeal, and no unhealthy items on the grocery item shelves to distract you from organic oatmeal.
The reality is that with more than one person to keep track of, that is, if you have a family, you can be so easily pulled away from that fitness routine or exercise plan. Transportation to school or other events, athletic competitions and dance recitals and practices, music performances and play dates take your time outside the home, plus shopping, mail and oftentimes outside work. Once home, you've got laundry, meals to prepare, homework to attend to and general housekeeping. Sometimes, that just leaves little time for yourself to get dressed for exercise, exercise, shower and dress.
My solution on those days is to park a little farther from the school or grocery and walk quickly, run up the driveway more than once to check the mail, stretch while I'm in my office working and waiting for the computer to complete a task, and maybe even walk back and forth a couple of times from the baths to the laundry room to get in that extra walk.
Regarding healthy eating, I believe in the rule of everything in moderation. I only occasionally stop in to get those yummy smelling french fries or buy a tasty frappuccino at Starbucks. I stick to the outside edges of the grocery store where the fresh fruit and produce and dairy and meat items are located. Yes, I have to travel to the baking, canned foods and cereal (oatmeal) sections often as well, but the fresh food areas are your most healthy and without processing.
American Heart Month is near and dear to my heart because for at least ten years I volunteered on the communications committee, fundraising and board of directors for the AHA in San Antonio and Dallas. Living a healthy lifestyle is just part of doing what's good for your heart, which leads to a happier life.
In a perfect world, it is easy to live a healthy lifestyle. No life distractions to take you away from exercising, no unhealthy foods attracting you with their smell or visual appeal, and no unhealthy items on the grocery item shelves to distract you from organic oatmeal.
The reality is that with more than one person to keep track of, that is, if you have a family, you can be so easily pulled away from that fitness routine or exercise plan. Transportation to school or other events, athletic competitions and dance recitals and practices, music performances and play dates take your time outside the home, plus shopping, mail and oftentimes outside work. Once home, you've got laundry, meals to prepare, homework to attend to and general housekeeping. Sometimes, that just leaves little time for yourself to get dressed for exercise, exercise, shower and dress.
My solution on those days is to park a little farther from the school or grocery and walk quickly, run up the driveway more than once to check the mail, stretch while I'm in my office working and waiting for the computer to complete a task, and maybe even walk back and forth a couple of times from the baths to the laundry room to get in that extra walk.
Regarding healthy eating, I believe in the rule of everything in moderation. I only occasionally stop in to get those yummy smelling french fries or buy a tasty frappuccino at Starbucks. I stick to the outside edges of the grocery store where the fresh fruit and produce and dairy and meat items are located. Yes, I have to travel to the baking, canned foods and cereal (oatmeal) sections often as well, but the fresh food areas are your most healthy and without processing.
American Heart Month is near and dear to my heart because for at least ten years I volunteered on the communications committee, fundraising and board of directors for the AHA in San Antonio and Dallas. Living a healthy lifestyle is just part of doing what's good for your heart, which leads to a happier life.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Recipes for Life
I love to bake. It requires measuring, mixing and cooking, using specific ingredients to make it just right. Baking I consider to be different than cooking because you need to follow a recipe a little more closely for items such as pies, cakes, cookies and candies than you do for a roast, green bean casserole or scalloped potatoes. To me, baking means sweets and cooking means real meals.
I'd like to draw an analogy between recipes for life that are baking and cooking related. Things that we should do, such as brush our teeth, shower, eat healthy foods, get rest and exercise are the baking items. The cooking can include watching TV, staying up late, eating those delicious sweets that are baked and sleeping late. Our lives are basically one big cooking show, because we never live our lives strictly by the recipe of what we should do, and it needs to be that way.
The recipe for a happy healthy life includes all of the above.
I'd like to draw an analogy between recipes for life that are baking and cooking related. Things that we should do, such as brush our teeth, shower, eat healthy foods, get rest and exercise are the baking items. The cooking can include watching TV, staying up late, eating those delicious sweets that are baked and sleeping late. Our lives are basically one big cooking show, because we never live our lives strictly by the recipe of what we should do, and it needs to be that way.
The recipe for a happy healthy life includes all of the above.
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