Scrambled Eggs, Toast and Hash Brown Potatoes

There is really a typical American Breakfast. It really depends on the day of the week, regions and person preferences. This is an easy breakfast to prepare but making the Hash Brown Potatoes is a little time consuming so most people either eat this on the week ends or at restaurants. I made it this weekend after reading Any Given Doomsday. Their was one part were they made breakfast.

To make the best hash browns it is desirable to get the potatoes as dry as possible. Usually using a ricer is the preferred method but you can use a grater and then get the potatoes as dry as possible with paper towels.

In a frying pan heat oil on high heat and add the potatoes in a single layer. Fry until crisp and turn. Repeat the other side. This should get you crisp hash browns.

Hash Browns

3 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb baking potatoes, peeled and grated
Salt and pepper to taste

I add a little water to my eggs to help scramble them to help with the mixing.

2 eggs
1 tablespoon water

Mix the eggs and water in a bowl until mixed together. Add to a frying pan with a tablespoon oil. Fry in a frying pan until cooked. Be careful to not over cook.

Banana Bread

I was cleaning out my freezer today and noticed I needed to use up some frozen bananas and some chocolate. I decide to make some banana loafs. These recipe makes one large loaf but since I prefer smaller loafs I made three. Quick breads do not require a lot of time so you can have hot breads in a flash.


Banana Bread

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cups sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoonful baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana (2-3 medium)
1/3 cup shortening, margarine, or butter
2 tablespoons milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In a large mixer bowl combine 1 cup four, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the banana; shortening, margarine or butter and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till blended, then on high speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and remaining flour; beat until blended. Stir in nuts, if desired.

Pour int a greased 8x4x2 loaf pan*. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55 to 60 minutes or when you put a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from the pan, Cool on a wire rack until thoroughly cool. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Makes on loaf (16 servings)

* I used three smaller loaf pans.

Semolina Pilaf (Uppama)

Picture


corn, peanut or olive oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon urad dal or split peas
1 or 2 hot dried red chilies
a few curry leaves if available
1 cup semolina or 10 minute variety cream of wheat

Braing to boil 1 3/4 cups water

Pour oil into a frying pan and over medium heat put the mustard seeds , dal and chilies. Cook until the seeds pop and then add the curry leaves. Stir in the semolina and salt and fry for 3 to 4 minutes.

Reduce heat to low and slowly add the water. Cover and set aside for around 10 minutes until the grains have absorbed the water.

It should be fluffy.

Yankee Pot Roast & Vegetables

This is a very simple roast made in the crock pot Trim off excess fat. Cut into serving pieces and salt and pepper, Combine vegetables , bay leaves rosemary and thyme in the cooker. Place beef over vegetables. Pour broth over. Cover and cook on low for 8 1/2 to 9 hours. Remove beef and vegetables to serving platter

1 beef chuck pot roast
3 medium baking potatoes
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch slices
2 ribs celery, cut into 3/4 inch slices
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large parsnip, cut into 3/.4 inch slices (optional)
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
1/2 cup reduce-sodium beef broth

To make gravy pour juices int a 2 cup measure, let stand 5 minutes and skim fat. Pour into sauce pan, For each cup juice, mix in 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1/4 cup cold water, stir into boiling juices, Stir until thicken.

Brisket of Beef

5-6 pound brisket
3 large onions*
8 whole allspice
1 salt and pepper
1 garlic powder
1 paprika


Slice the onions paper thin Remove excess fat from brisket, but leave a little on top. Place one half of the onions on bottom of pan. Season the onions with a little salt, pepper, garlic powder and lots of paprika. Place brisket on top of onions, then other half of onions and allspice on top of the brisket.




Cover and roast in a 300 degree F. oven for 3 hours. Let it cool and then slice it very thin.

Servings: 8


If desired strain the juice in the pan and thicken it with a little cornstarch or serve it au jus.



NOTE:
Yes, you use three onions. It is not a typo.
Best when made one day in advance. .
Use a good roasting pan with a lit that fits well or covered with heavy duty aluminum foil.
This would be very good with carrots and potatoes roasted with the brisket.

Old-Fashioned Chicken Soup

This is a basic chicken noodle soup. Great for snowy days and days you are under the weather. It really does not require an recipe but for the first time it is good to have an ideas of what should be cooked first. I also If you are able to find a stewing hen they have more flavor but are less tender. I added two teaspoons of instant chicken bouillon to make the soup more flavorful since I used some frying chicken thighs. This is actually a good budget recipe use use the chicken parts you can find on sale in the market.. You can use any type of noodle you prefer I used Alphabet noodles I got form the Hispanic section of the local grocery store.


4 lb chicken
1 each onion, sliced
1 each bay leaf
1 single salt & pepper
3 quart water, cold
1 each carrot, sliced
1 cup celery, sliced
1 teaspoon parsley

Wash and clean chicken carefully; cut in pieces. Cover with the cold water. Add the seasoning and let simmer for 3 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken and cut into pieces. Discard bay leaf. Skim off fat. Bring broth to boiling. Stir in the carrots, celery and noodles and simmer until noodles are tender but still firm. add Stir in chicken and parsley.

Santa Fe Chicken

I just came up with this recipe to use some of the ingredients used on hand. I will try agian next time adding garlic and maybe cumin. I think this could be a good marinate to grill with after letting it marinate for 12 hours or more.

1 cube Knorr Chipotle Season mix
2 teaspoons instant bullion mix
1/2 cup lemon juice


I mixed the first two ingredients together and rubbed the chicken with the mixture and then pour over the chicken. I then cooked in a 350 degree F oven for 1 hour or until cooked.

Quick Rudolph's Cookies

IMG_2633, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

I have make this recipe for regular cookies many times and it always it a big hit with children and adults. If you are binging it to a function make sure you ask first if peanut butter cookies are acceptable since many individuals are allergic. Well I was a little short on time this year to prepare time so I took some of the Better crocker sugar cookie mixture and used the directions for cut out cookies and substituted half of the margarine with peanut butter, This made a nice tender buy one that would hold the pretzels.

1 package Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix -17.5 oz
2 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter
3 3/4 teaspoon margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
pretzels
red gum drops
chocolate chips

Mix mixture as directed for cutout cookies.
Using one tablespoon dough shape into a triangle around 2 1/2 inches long and 2 inches wide. on a greased cookie sheet. Add pretzels as antler on side and add gumdrop noses and chocolate eyes. .
Bake as directed for sugar cookies.

Orginal Homedmade Recipe

Pumpkin Current Bars with Chai White Chocolate Latte Galze

Pumpkin Current Bars, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

I adapted this recipe form the latest Better homes and garden holiday baking. The original recipe called for pecans and I used currents.Frosted with a chai white chocolate glaze the bars are given another dimension without being overpowered. I think this glaze would be wonderful over many fruit bars and breads.

Oven:350

2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1//2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 15 -os can pumpkin
1 cup currents
White Chocolate Chai Glaze

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt, set aside.

Beat the butter with a mixture and add brown sugar and granulated sugar, beat until combined. Beat in eggs until combined. Beat in the pumpkin, Sir in the flour mixture until combined. Add the currents, Spread into the pan.

Bake for 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted with a toothpick. Let it cool on a wire rack. When coll pour glaze over the top. Chill for about 30 minutes. Cut into bars.

Chai White Chocolate Glaze

Meal 8 oz of white chocolate in the microwave. Combine 1/2 whipping cream andn 1 tablespoon chai latte instant tea mix.in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Immediately pour over the white chocolate. Do not stir, let stand for 5 minutes, stir until melted and smooth, Pour over the bars.

CARDAMOM CHRISTMAS COOKIES

I had a box of the Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix so I decided to play around with the flavor a bit and make cardamom flavor cookies. I mix up the drop sugar cookie recipe and then added 1 teaspoon ground cardamom. I then used a scoop to measure our the amount of cookie dough to drop on the baking sheet.

Moist Banana Bread

This banana bread is nice and moist but i still think I prefer my other recipe. Even with the whole wheat flour it turned out very well. This recipe could use a little more experimenting with ingredients. It would still make a nice bread for a tea or coffee. I used colored white chocolate chops in two of the loafs and I think the look very nive. I have only started eating the large loaf and froze the four small loaves . I prefer making my sweet bread in this small loaf pan and freezing some to use at a moments notice for guests. I also freeze any bananas in the freezer if they start getting over ripe to use for bread.

1/2 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
2 to 3 very ripe bananas
1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt

Mash the banana. and mix all the ingredients together.

In another mix mix:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until the ingredients are blended together.

If you like mix in other ingredients such as nuts, dried cherries or chocolate chips.

Pour the dough into greased baking pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Small loaves take about 30 minutes and a normal loaf take around 50 minutes.

Remove from the oven. After they have cooled for 5 to 10 minutes they can be removed from the pan.

Easy Seasoned Tomato sauce

Tomato sauce, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

This is an easy and cheap sauce to make. You can have all of the ingredients on had to make for pasta. In the picture above I used it to cook some filled pasta in the oven. Really the sauce can be used in many dishes. You can add more to this sauce such as mushroom, peppers,and celery .

2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons dry onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 oz can tomato paste
2 cans filled with water
1 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspon opregano
1 tablspoon sugar
1 teasponn salt

Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the dried oinion and garlic. Stir for around 30 seconds and add tomato paste. Add the water . Stir until smooth and thick. Add the seasoning. Cover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.

Tie-Dyed Red Velvet Cheesecake

Tie-Dyed Red Velvet Cheesecake, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

This is a attempt to copy of the cheese cake they are making at the Walt Disney's Pop Century Resort. This recipe is a a try. It cam out taking very nice but I think the cake layer ended up too thick. I used a box mix of red velvet cake mix and put the cheesecake mix on top. So instead of the traditional crust I used cake and a normal cheese cake mixture. I actually like it this way. It made a very different type of frosting.


Red velvet crust:

1 box Velvet cake mix prepared as the box instructed

Pour 1/2 of the cake mix into a greasted spring form pan and bake according totthe diretions on the box. for a 9-inch layer cake. Make a small cake witht he other batter or discard.

Cheesecake:

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperture
1/2 cup sugar
1 tesapoon vanilla extract
1/4 tespoon almond extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
food coloring

Preheat oven to 325 depress F.

In a large bowl bean the cheese , sugar , vanilla and almond extract until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time and then add in sour cream.

Divide mixture into 5 small bowls and add the colors to each one: pink, yellow, blue , green and purple. Pour the batter onto the cake base in the spring form pan. Do not swirl too much , so the colors will be clearly visible. bake 35 minutes , until the center is just about set when you jiggle the pan. allow to cool completely and refrigerate before serving. Run the knife around the cake to release ti before removing the side of the pan.

Serves 12

Baked Beans with Sausage

Baked Beans with Sausage, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

Today was a dish of Boston Baked beans but instead of bacon I used beef sausage. I used a crock pot to cook the beans all day while i was at work.

2 pounds white beans
2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 onion , peeled and minced
1 package of beef sausage chopped


I usual boil the beans and let them soak for two hours. Then i boiled the beans again for another 1/2 hour and put them in the crok pot on low for ten hours with all of the otherr ingredients. you can put a fold towel on top to help keep in the better better. If you wish you can used prepared mustard instead of powdered.

Ramen with Vegetables

Ramen with Vegetables, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

I used two carrots, some mushrooms and sugar peas.

Using three package of R amen soup mix. first add 6 cups water into a pot. After it start to boil add the vegetables ( any vegetables and boil for a few minutes and then add the noodles and two flavor packages. Toss out or save the third one. Remove from heat and let it set for a few minutes or until the noodles are softened.

Plain Muffins

1/4 cup oil
1 medium egg
1 cup milk
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 cups flour

Using a large bowl mix together the oil, milk, salt and sugar. Add the baling soda and flour. Mix until the flour until moistened, It is all right to have lumps. You do not want over over mix. Spoon into a dozen lightly oil muffins cups. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Remove form oven and cool just a little and then finish cooking on a wire rack.

Simple Meat Loaf

This is one of the meatloaf I prepare. Another more expensive version is here and the picture is located with this Sunday dinner post. Theses recipe make 8 servings so 1/2 will be used today and 1/2 for sandwiches on Monday. I will prepare the sandwiches tonight since I do not have a lot of time in the morning. I prepared this one with 1/2 cup oatmeal and 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs I purchased. To go with this meal I will prepare Instant Potatoes which are not the the greatest but are easy and the take a lot less time. I am planning on preparing a Frozen Vegetable mix to go with this and muffins.

Simple Meat Loaf

By:

Categories: main dish, meats

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 1 1/2 hours


2 pounds ground meat
1 cup bread crumbs, oatmeal etc.
1 cup water or broth
2 carrots; shredded
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon garlic cloves or powder
1 onion; peeled, minced


Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. I find it easiest to mix together will my hands. I spray a large loaf pan with cooking spray and place inside of it smoothing out the top. Bake ate 350°F for 1 hour or until done.

Kaiser and Crescent Rolls

finsihed project, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

Today day was sort of bread day for me. Sometimes I get very tired of the regular bread that I can buy locally and get a store. I would have made something from the sponge I have in the fridge but it needs to be developed again since it has been dormant for a while. I have that growing again and plan to make pancakes and another bread Sunday. However, today I prepared Kaiser Rolls and Crescent rolls.

The Kaiser roll is also called the Vienna roll. It is usually a crusty round roll with poppy or sesame seeds. Today I used sesame seeds. It is most often used for sandwiches. If you wanted to impress friend and relatives it would be an easily bread to prepared especially using the technique I used to achieve the not look without all the effort.

The second I prepared was the crescent roll. Yes, you can go to the store and buy tubes of the stuff but this much more fun and makes a whole lot more tasteful. This recipe creates dramatic- looking great flavor and crusty tender crust crescent rolls. Yum!! I hope you enjoy making one of these recipes some time. You can prebaked ¾ of the way and freeze these before to have them ready when you want to serve.

Kaiser Rolls
Makes 8-12 rolls, depending what size you want.
3 1/2 - 4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon malt poser
1 tablespoon shortening, butter or oil
1 egg
1 egg white
1 1/4 cups water

Combine 3 cups of the flour and the other dry ingredients in a mixing bowl , Mix in the water, eggs, and shortening, knead by had for approximately 10 minutes or 5-7 minutes in a mixer. adding more flour as necessary. The dough will be tacky. Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp linen cloth and let rise for around 1 hour. Punch down and let raise another hour.



Divide the down into the amount or rolls you desire. Make into balls and cover and let rest for 5 minutes.



To shape them roll out into flat circles on a floured surface. Now stretch the dough a little and start folding into the center.




Place then fold down on a sheet covered with seeds and let them rise for another hour.



When they have risen turn them over to bake. I used a pan with water in the oven but you can squirt them with water as they bake. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You may need to rotate the pan after 5 minutes to get even browning.

Crescent Rolls

2 packages of active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup shortening
4 cups unbleached flour
butter or margarine, softened

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast int eh water. Stir in the sugar, slat, eggs, shortening and half or the flour into the yeast mixture.

Add the remaining flour blending until smooth. Let rise in a warm place until double. about 1 1/2 hours.

Dive the dough into half. Roll into a circle. Cut each circle into 16 wedges. Spread butter on each wedge. Starting from wide side roll into a place point side down on a greased baking sheet. Curve to form crescents. Cover and let rise until double. around 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 dress f. and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. until golden brown. Brush with soft butter.

Maui -Style Mahi Mahi & Hawaiian Corn Bread

Maui -Style Mahi Mahi & Hawaiian Corn Bread, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

This evening I had some Mahi Mahi that I had purchased at the market early this week. I do not normally buy this fish but when I saw it in the frozen food section it evoked memories of living in Hawaii so I decided to get some fillets. It is a rather popular fish in that area and Mahi Mahi can be found in other tropical areas such as Florida where it is called other names. It has a sweet flesh flavor and firm flesh ideal for a variety of dishes including grilling.

The first place I lived on Hawaii was next to the airport and so using the lanai was out of the question between the flumes and noise. Later we moved farther so we could enjoy the outside lanai and have BBQ s and activities. It was refreshing to sit out when they had a summer rain because the temperature would cool. I was wishing I had my lanai here in Kansas but it just would not be the same anyways I suppose.

This evening I made Maui-style Mahi Mahi. Maui is another beautiful island in the Hawaii Island chain. I also prepared Hawaiian Corn Bread and a simple tossed salad. Just about any of the recipes I have in my Hawaiian recipe section will go with this dish. This corn bread is more cake like and sweeter than normal main land corn bread. I prepared ½ of the following recipe but nest time will prepare the whole amount because I think it will come out better.. Be careful when cutting and serving to avoid it crumpling on you.

Scallopini with Exotic Mushrooms & Meselun with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Scallopini with Exotic Mushrooms, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

Last night dinner was Scaloppini with Exotic Mushrooms and a Mesclun with Cranberry Vinaigrette. At first glance it may seem like just another Schnitzel. But a scaloppini is a not a schnitzel nor is a schnitzel a scaloppini. As I was prepared the scaloppini one of my daughters came to assist. She then asked, What is a Scaloppini”. While trying to give her an idea I said, “It is like a schnitzel”. She then remarked, “Were is the second coating”. Ah yes, that is one of the main differences between the two. Think of the scaloppini in the Mediterranean with a warm climate and casual attire. The schnitzel is double layered in a cooler climate with a more formal environment Therefore one has one layer while the other has a second layer.

The traditional Scaloppine or Scaloppini a ‘scallops’ or ‘escalopes,’ literally means tender cutlets of meat. The traditional meat used was a veal loin. The schnitzel is less traditional on the source of meat and it is made from all types of thinly sliced meat, and even rabbit. Now you will find all types of fusions recipes from deer to turkey. Due to the difficulty of obtaining veal in this region I have to resort to other types of meat. For the meal tonight I used a beef cutlet that had been tenderized.

Garnishes and sauces used are two many to list. You can use form a squirt of lemon juice to a more elaborate wine sauce. The Italians may also put some pine nuts or a spoon full of capers on the scaloppini. The sauce I prepared tonight was a very easy mushroom sauce with exotic mushrooms. For the salad I used some iceberg lettuce purchased form the store with a mixture of romaine and musclum growing in my garden. The mushrooms for the scaloppini I used were Portabellas (Portobellos), shitake and the common white mushrooms. Any varieties locally can be used as well as more exotic types.

The Cranberry Vinaigrette is what is referred to a fusion recipe by using locally available ingredients & adjusts it to their ethnic taste. So in this recipe the French vinaigrette is changed using cranberries. I place were the cranberry is not available the use of raisins would be perfectly acceptable. The sweet and tart taste of the dried cranberries is just perfect for the vinegar mustard mixture of the vinaigrette over the Mesclun. This is a mix or assorted small young salad leaves.