Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

Leftovers. The bane to anyone's fridge storage. So today I used: An onion Leftover bacon  Half a container of sour cream The last of a brick of cheese 2 eggs Leftover mashed potatoes Garlic (lots) Salt and pepper Olive oil crushed up crackers, chips or bread crumbs All this was bits and pieces That took space but wasn't really enough To do anything with. So in my food processor I pureed The first 8 items And spooned into a casserole dish Drizzled with olive oil Then I sprinkled with the "bread crumbs". Bake at 350 For 30 to 45 min depending how crispy You prefer the top. Sprinkle with some parmesan cheese If desired. Great side dish for chicken fingers Or chicken nuggets  Or Salisbury steak..... "Bon appetit!"

Bake 9 potatoes Drizzled in oil At 350 for 40 minutes. Cool until handle-able. Cut each potato in half. Scoop out center And place it in a bowl. Set empty potatoes aside. Mash and add Parsley Salt and pepper to taste 2 tbsp butter Spread the mashed potatoes In a greased pie plate And smooth out. In a bowl mix together 1lb ground beef Parsley Salt and pepper Diced onions Form 18 rough meatballs. Stuff a boccini mini mozza ball Or a cube of your favourite cheese And roll the meatball One more time To encase the cheese completely. Now take the  potato shells And stuff with the meatballs. Place stuffed potato shells Meatball side down  On mashed potato crust. Cover all the potatoes  in a bechamel sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella. Bake at 350 For  20 minutes. Serve with a big salad. "Bon appetit!" Bechamel Sauce Melt 3 tablespoons (45 ml) butter On medium heat Stir in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) flour Forming a light paste Then add 2 cups (500 ml) milk 1/2 onion,...

Cut 1.5 potatoes per person Into wedges Drizzle with olive oil Mix until covered. *I used frozen fries and it worked fine Sprinkle with Salt and pepper And Paprika Put onto bake sheet evenly With 4 garlic cloves Bake at 350 for 30 min Remove garlic and mash Mix together: 1tbsp mayo 2tbsp cream cheese And mashed garlic Add 3 tbsp milk  And mix to creamy consistency. In a square baking pan Lined with parchment paper, Cover bottom  with shredded mozzarella cheese. Stand fries along edges working in Until pan is full. Drizzle milk mixture between potatoes Sprinkle with more Shredded mozzarella And some bacon. Bake again at 400 For 10 minutes. Sprinkle chopped green onion. Great for sharing. "Bon appetit!" Taken from https://www.facebook.com/110597240574537/posts/343498773951048/

1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 to 4 pounds) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, cut into 1-inch pieces 3/4 cup Asian black bean sauce Or Hoisen sauce 1/4 cup reduced-sodium beef broth 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms 8 ounces fresh snow peas, trimmed 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cold water Hot cooked rice 4 green onions, sliced Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown roast 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker.  Add onion.  Whisk together black bean sauce and broth; pour over roast.  Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours. Add mushrooms and snow peas;  continue cooking on low until meat is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove roast and vegetables to a serving platter; keep warm.  Transfer cooking juices to a small saucepan; skim fat. Bring cooking juices to a boil.  In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir int...

Ingredients: 1 medium spaghetti squash  Cut squash lengthwise in half  remove and discard seeds.  Place squash in a baking pan,  cut side down add 1/2 in. of water.  Bake, uncovered, 40 minutes.  Drain water from pan. When squash  Is cool enough to handle,  Use a fork to separate strands.  ***note: I did not believe this would work. BUT It did work! So I mixed it in with the pasta! We had a tough time finding it So a great way to add even MORE Veggies to a spaghetti supper. 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean) 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 4 garlic cloves, minced, divided 4 plum tomatoes, chopped 1 rib celery diced 1 small zucchini diced or shredded 1\2 onion diced 1 cup chopped spinach leaves 2 cups pasta sauce 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper Half a bag of spaghetti Cooked as directed. Grated Parmesan cheese Directions Preheat oven to 375°.  In a large skillet,  cook beef a...

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 celery rib, finely chopped 1 small green pepper, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (15 ounces) Italian tomato sauce 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 pound uncooked shrimp (31-40 per pound), peeled and deveined 1 1\2 cups brown rice In a large skillet,  Heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and pepper Cook and stir 5-7 minutes or until tender.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato sauce,  diced tomatoes,  water, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered,  10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened,  stirring occasionally.  Add shrimp;  cook 2-4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.  Serve with cooked rice "Bon appetit!"

Ingredients: 1 bag egg noodles 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 package frozen Italian meatballs, thawed 1-1/2 cups beef broth 1 cup shredded carrots 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 3/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup heavy whipping cream 3/4 cup sour cream Directions: Cook egg noodles according to package directions for al dente; drain. Meanwhile, in a large skillet,  heat oil over medium-high heat.  Brown meatballs;  Remove from pan.  Add broth,  stirring to loosen browned bits  from pan.  Add seasonings.  Bring to a boil;  cook until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup,  5-7 minutes. Add meatballs, noodles and cream.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat;  simmer, covered,  until slightly thickened,  Mix in 1\2 cup of shredded cheese  And cook on low for 3-5 minutes.  Stir in sour cream;  heat through. "Bon appetit!"

Ingredients: 2 cups (8 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni 2 pounds ground beef 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can (19 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 can tomato paste 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, drained 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped optional *I used  a green pepper Directions: Cook macaroni according to package directions.  In a large saucepan,  Cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.  Drain.  Stir in next 8 ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered,  for 10 minutes.  Stir pasta into beef mixture. Preheat oven to 375°.  Transfer macaroni mixture  to 2 greased 2-qt. baking dishes.  Top with cheese and jal...

Ingredients 1 pound bulk pork sausage 1 celery rib, chopped 1 medium carrot, shredded 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin or squash 1 container whipping cream 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/4 teaspoon each ground ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 20 wonton wrappers Or 1 package of fresh lasagna sheets 2 Bag shredded cheese Directions: In a large skillet,  cook sausage, celery,  Carrot and onion over medium heat  until sausage is no longer pink  and vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes,  breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain. Now in a large saucepan,  Combine pumpkin, cream,  wine and spices.  Heat through (do not allow to boil). Preheat oven to 350°.  Spread 1 cup pumpkin sauce  into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.  Place 2 tablespoons sausage filling  In center of a wonton wrapper.  ***Cover remaining wrappers with a damp paper towel until ready to use. Note: I could not find...

Ingredients: 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced 1 small yellow summer squash, thinly sliced 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms 1 small onion, halved and sliced thinly 1/2 RED pepper sliced thinly 1 medium carrot, julienned 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 cup sour cream 1 cup salsa 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Directions In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet,  saute the vegetables with salt and pepper  In oil until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon,  Place veggies on burger Mix: Sour cream and salsa And Fold in cheese. Bbq (or fry) enough burgers for dinner Place on bun or tortilla, Add some of the cheese mixture. Serve open faced or closed. "Bon appetit!" Notes: I changed it to red pepper As it would "look" prettier. This is a GREAT recipe to use  Those thinner burgers. We used good Ones and this was super filling. Leftover veggies and cheese Can be put on nacho chips For a quick plate of n...

Ingredients: 12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed Cooking spray 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend 1 container 5 layer dip Directions: Preheat oven to 425°.  Press warm tortillas  Into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray,  pleating sides as needed.  Spritz tortillas with additional cooking spray. Or Turn a muffin tray upside down and Fold each tortilla in half Standing them between the cups. Sprinkle cheese in bottom Bake until melted, 5-7 minutes.  Layer each tortilla with beans,  chicken mixture  And 5 layer dip. Top with ranch dressing Or extra hot sauce. Bake again if desired. Serve with rice. "Bon àppetit!"

A great recipe to "Clean out"  The veggie's in the fridge. Growing up and even now, My mom is kinda famous For this yummy meatball. In a crockpot: 1\2 can tomato juice Chopped Celery Sliced Onions Diced Peppers Diced tomatoes Minced garlic You can also add: Torn Spinach Mushrooms Diced zuchinni .... Really  Any veggies that are left in the crisper. Sprinkle with: Pepper Salt Red pepper flakes to taste Stir well Add pre made meatballs - count on 2 or 3 per person. Turn on high heat And bring to a boil Covered. Stir Then reduce heat And half remove lid For steam to escape. Evaluate if the meatballs need Some more tomato juice. The mixture should be juicy  But not all liquid. Allow to simmer for an hour Then reduce heat to low. As you can see in the photo You can also speed up this recipe By doing it on the stove. At parties The meatballs are served as a  Buffet item or appetizer. If using for a main course, The sauce is fabulous on egg noodles Or spaghetti....

This recipe originally was made with homemade crust but I took a shortcut. Pizza dough recipe at bottom. I Pillsbury pizza crust Spread on a greased pan. In a pan cook: 1 pound sausage 3 cups fresh spinach 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon minced garlic Drain if necessary and set aside Now mix together: 1/4 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Spread over crust. Now start making your pizza. 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 pound pork sausage, cooked and drained 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 pound sliced mushrooms 1/2 chopped yellow pepper 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil, optional Bake 20 minutes  or until crust is golden brown.  Sprinkle with fresh basil if desired.  Cut into squares. "Bon appetit!" **************************** Directions for crust from scratch: 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast 1 teaspoon suga...

Ingredients: 1 can cream-style corn 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 1 teaspoon paprika 1-1/2 cups crushed corn bread 4 boneless pork loin chops (6 ounces each) 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard Directions In a large bowl, combine the corn,  onion, celery and paprika.  Stir in stuffing.  Transfer to a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Arrange pork chops over stuffing.  Combine brown sugar and mustard Then spread over chops.  Bake, uncovered, at 400°  for 35-40 minutes. Serve with large cubed fried potatoes And carrots. "Bon appetit!"

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon canola oil 2 beef tenderloin steaks (1 inch thick and 4 ounces each) 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1 tablespoon chopped green onion 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon salt Dash pepper 2/3 cup chicken or beef broth 1/8 teaspoon browning sauce, optional Directions In a large skillet,  heat 2 tablespoons oil  over medium-high heat;  cook steaks to medium rare 5-6 minutes per side.  Remove from pan,  Reserving drippings. Slice steaks into strips  Then place in a warm crock pot. In same pan you cooked steak in, heat drippings and butter  over medium-high heat. Saute mushrooms and green onion  Until tender.  Stir in flour and salt and pepper until blended.  gradually stir in broth  and, if desired,  browning sauce.  Bring to a boil,  stirring constantly. cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes.  Pour over steak strips. Keep warm until time to serve. "B...

Ingredients; 12 chicken wings (about 3 pounds)  or 3 breasts cut into strips Place in a Ziploc bag. Next mix together well: 1 cup honey 1/2 cup canola oil 2 tablespoons soy sauce 3 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder 2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot 1 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon chives 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional 1 tsp Sesame seeds optional Then pour into half into the Ziploc bag   Over the chicken. Place bag in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.  Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade. Preheat oven to 400°.  Drain chicken, discarding marinade.  Place wings on a rack  in a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan.  Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes,  turning once.  Bake 15-20 minutes longer  or until chicken juices run clear,  turning and basting occasionally  With reserved marinade.  Serve with veggies and dip  Or on the side with pizza! "Bon appetit!" Note: five...

In a deep pan stir fry cook: 2 cups diced cooked chicken (2 breasts) 1 cup diced bacon strips Then add: 2 cups frozen chopped broccoli 1 cup spinach leaves 1\2 cup diced green pepper Turn on low until spinach wilts. Let sit. Cook and drain: 1 box of jumbo pasta shells With a food processor  Or with a knife Dice up chicken mixture But do not puree it. Add: 1 jar (16 ounces) Alfredo sauce 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Mix well Spoon into pasta shells.  Place in a greased baking dish And or foil pans with lids for freezer. When ready: Cover and bake at 350°  for 30 minutes or until heated through. Freeze option:  Cover and freeze unbaked casserole.  Preheat oven to 350°.  Bake casserole as above but for 1 hour. Serve as an appetizer Or with large salad and bread. **this made 36 shells!!! "Bon appetit!"

Quick and tasty! Preheat oven to 350°.  Ingredients: 6 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each) Any vegetable will work. As you can see I also stuffed an eggplant and pepper too! Cut each zucchini lengthwise in half.  Scoop out pulp,  leaving a shell Chop pulp 1 pound ground pork  In a large skillet  Cook meat and zucchini pulp  over medium heat 6-8 minutes  or until sausage is no longer pink,  Breaking sausage into crumbles  Drain if necessary 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon pepper Stir in tomatoes,  bread crumbs,  Parmesan cheese,  herbs and pepper.  Spoon into zucchini shells. Place into ungreased 13x9-in. baking dishes.  Bake covered, 15-20 minutes  or until zucchini is tender.  3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake, uncovered,  5-8 minutes longer...

Still busy using up my leftovers (planned)! 1 bowl of mashed potatoes In a large bowl mix together Mashed potato Diced ham (or bacon) 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder Salt and pepper Shredded cheese to taste And 3 eggs Mix well - I used the masher to  Ensure everything was distributed. Refrigerate. Roll potatoes into balls Large or small really is up to you. Now roll lightly in flour Dip in egg wash Roll in bread crumbs. I had a very wet mixture So I just rolled directly into bread crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze. Bake, air fry or deep fry. "Bon appetit!" ***hint. No bread crumbs? Use up all those small amounts of Leftover crackers, croutons and chips. Process into fine bits and... Bread crumbs.

Ingredients: 1 chicken breast per person, cut into thick strips Toss meat with seasonings 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt Heat oil in large skillet 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil Add chicken and sautee for 10 minutes Reduce heat and add 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 garlic clove, minced Stir fry then stir in 1/3 cup Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons maple syrup Now cook and stir  Until sauce is caramelized  And chicken is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. "Bon appetit!"