Pasta-Bean Soup with Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon margarine or butter
  • 2 14%-ounce cans vegetable, chicken, or beef broth
  • 4 cup small pasta shells
  • 1 16-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
  • 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme
  • Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven cook the mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot margarine or butter till → Continue reading “Pasta-Bean Soup with Fresh Herbs”

Four Bean Enchiladas

Ingredients

  • 16 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-ounce can navy or great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 11-ounce can condensed cheddar cheese or nacho cheese soup, or 10 ounces of cheddar cheese
  • 1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 14 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
  • Sliced pitted ripe
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Spinach and Rice Caserole

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, chopped (4 cup)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 14-ounce can peeled Italian-style tomatoes, cut up
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil,crushed
  • 8 ounces tofu, drained
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
  • A cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
  • A teaspoon salt
  • A teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seed, toasted

Directions

In a large saucepan cook the onion and garlic in hot oil till → Continue reading “Spinach and Rice Caserole”

Mexican Casserole and Sliced Avocados

You can use either boneless chicken breasts, beans, or other meat substitute for the protein

Ingredients

  • Additional protein: choose from one of the following
    • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • Equivalent mass of cooked chick peas or vegetarian meat substitute
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 4 green onions
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 4 4-ounce can diced green chilies
  • 4 corn tortillas
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans – rinsed and drained
  • 2 ripe avocados
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Spaghetti Squash, Spinach and Turkey Sausage Lasagna

Ingredients

  • 2 small or 1 large spaghetti squash
  • 4 TB olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup onions, diced
  • 1 cup red peppers, diced
  • 8 oz fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 lb. ground mild Italian turkey sausage, or vegetarian sausage
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • Red pepper flakes, use amount based on desired spice/heat level
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425° and line a large baking sheet with
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Pepperoni Pizza Twist

Ingredients

  • 1 package (3.5 ounces) pepperoni slices, diced
  • 1 can (3.24 ounces) pitted, ripe olives, drained and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • 2 packages (11 ounces each) refrigerated French bread dough
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 3750 F
  2. Dice pepperoni and chop olives and prep the parsley
  3. Combine
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Dumplings

A simple recipe for classic dumplings that can be added to any stew or soup that you would like.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Sift flour
  2. Mix together dry ingredients
  3. Mix milk and oil into dry ingredients just enough for them to be combined. Over mixing will make the dumplings dense and tough
  4. Drop tablespoons worth of dough into simmering soup or stew and cook covered for about 10
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Baked Tofu Cubes

This is a recipe for preparing tofu cubes for a number of different dishes. The result is cooked tofu cubes with a great texture that hold together well when added to other dishes.

Ingredients

  • N number of packages of extra firm tofu
  • Seasonings of your choice
  • A couple of teaspoons of vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 375 F.
  2. Drain and remove the tofu from its packaging and wrap in a clean kitchen towel. Place under a
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Snickerdoodle Cookies

My wife made these cookies and they were, by far, the best snickerdoodle cookies I’ve every had. The original recipe can be found here.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cup Flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture

  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter
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Fluffy Waffles

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups Flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 eggs – separated
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Sift dry ingredients in a bowl
  2. Add egg yolks, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla to dry ingredients – using a mixer, beat thoroughly
  3. Beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold egg whites into batter
  4. For use in waffle iron – Follow manufacturer directions! Makes
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