Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

So, I adapted this recipe to items I knew I had on hand and could replace in the printed recipe. It looks incredibly yummy! Although there is a big prep time, it takes as long to cook as a small roast, so they are finished at the same time. I use a food processor to do my thin slicing but you do it the way you are comfortable with. Preheat oven to 350 and grease a baking dish. Set aside. 2 pounds thinly sliced potatoes (5-6 cups) 1 pound thinly sliced carrots (1-2 cups) 1 large onion thinly sliced Set these aside until it is time to assemble. 2 cups of chicken broth 1 cup sour cream (they called for whipping cream) 3 tbsp of dijon mustard 3/4 tsp of italian seasoning (it called for thyme) 3/4 tsp salt (omitted) 1 tsp black pepper In a large measuring cup mix above items. 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese 1/4 cup flour Mix lightly and set aside. 1cup fine soft bread crumbs 1 tbsp melted butter Mix together and set aside. Ok, now you are ready to assemble! ...

So back to the recipe book I traveled, and I (and John and Judy) really wanted to try this. In my opinion the recipe called for a lot of waste and needed a kick. I will post my suggestions below. This photo was taken just before I baked it. It smelt yummy and this dish was filled AFTER 3portions were given away in tupperware, and 4 side servings had been eaten!!!!!!!!!!! It make A LOT. My advice is to cut the recipe in 1/2. Unless you are cooking for more than 8 people. The cheese they chose, AND the one I used had very little flavour as well. I will make this again as I did enjoy it, but all who have tried it said it was lacking.....something. nonstick cooking spray large casserole dish Spray your pan and set aside. Preheat oven (if cooking immediately) to 350. 900g package of shell macaronni Boil pasta and drain. Set aside in a large mixing bowl. 1/4 cup margarine 1 medium onion sliced thinly (or diced if you prefer) 1/3c flour 3/4 tsp salt (we omitted) 1/2 tsp pe...

Judy decided this was a recipe she'd like to try, and it was fabulous. It is definitely a "make this again". nonstick cooking spray rectangular baking dish Preheat oven to 400 (we only use 350) and lightly spray baking dish. Set aside. 1 cup of diced pancetta, bacon or ham 1 cup of diced onion 2 cloves of garlic peeled and minced 1 cup of wine or apple juice In a large skillet cook the meat over medium heat until brown and crisp. remove meat from pan leaving drippings for use. Add onion to drippings and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic. Add wine and stir the mixture including the browned bits on the bottom. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/2. Remove from heat. 4 cups chicken broth 16 oz / 2 cups orzo pasta In a large pot, bring broth to a boil. Stir in orzo. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow orzo to absorb liquids. 1 cup provolone cheese (shredded or diced) 1/2 cup of di...

Chocolate bars should be a a food group! I love them! It is also apple season and the perfect time to incorporate them into any recipes we can! While this isn’t your typical “Salad” ................... This recipe is awesome! I know there are many different versions out there, this whips up in a matter of 10 minutes and then chills until ready to serve. Thanks to Charlene who made this and it was amazing! INGREDIENTS 6 regular size Snickers Candy Bars *(or your favourite) 4 medium apples I used Red Delicious 1 (5.1 oz.) package Vanilla Instant Pudding dry, do not prepare 1/2 cup milk 1 (16 oz.) tub cool whip thawed to room temp 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping INSTRUCTIONS Whisk vanilla pudding packet, 1/2 cup milk and cool whip together until well combined. Chop up apples and Snickers into bite size pieces. Stir chopped apples and Snickers into pudding mixture. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with caramel ice cream topping. Chill for at le...

What a deal! On the almost new/never used reduced area of the meat section, I found bbq thick pork chops for 1/2 price. Pork Chops are John's go to meal. He loves them. I love stuffed pork. Judy hates stuffing. Tonight I decided to try something a bit different! 3 - 1" or thicker pork chops (1/2 frozen if possible as they are easier to work with) Take a very sharp knife and slit a hole into the meat making a pocket in each. Set aside to continue thawing while you make the stuffing etc. I use a rice cooker. Thanks to Pam, I asked for one, and thanks to Mom I have one. Use whatever method makes you happy. 2 cups rice 4 cups water 1 package of Knorr beef vegetable soup mix Italian seasoning 1/2 cup bread crumbs Cook the rice, and set aside approx  1 1/2 cups in a mixing bowl. Set the rest aside as a side dish for either this meal or tomorrow nights! Into the bowl I added the Italian spice and bread crumbs (which I make from the last bits of cracker...

And here is the second recipe. It goes well with the Yummy Homemade Lasagna. Original recipe makes 6 servings Change Servings 1/2 cup butter, softened   2 tablespoons mayonnaise   1/4 teaspoon sage   1 cloves garlic, chopped   2 teaspoons dried oregano   2 teaspoons garlic salt (may need more... I didn't measure.) 1/4 teaspoon salt   1/2 teaspoon ...

1/2 can of cherry pie filling 3 cups frozen raspberries/blackberries  (I used both) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1tsp Epicure Maple dip mix bring above to mild boil on med heat. Pour mixture into a greased loaf pan. 1 cup of sifted flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tspbaking powder (I sifted it with tthe flour) 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup of refrigerated butter can use hard margarine Mix dry ingredients and cut in butter. (I used a pastry mixer/masher thing!) When combined, add cold milk until the mixture is moistened 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk. Drop by spoonful over berry mixture Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. (it suggest 400 but that is really hot). Serve with whip cream, ice cream or heavy cream. Serves 6-8. Reviews were amazing. "Bon Appetit!"

1 large cheap pork roast.....a good one does not shred as easy. Boil your roast, this will remove some of the salt and then roast in the oven at 350 for 2 hours with 2 cups of water (for moisture). Pull roast out of oven and let cool to be able to handle by hand. Remove any visible fat, and then with a fork shred the meat off the roast. Place into a crock pot. Add onion, peppers, pineapple, S&P, and 1 bottle of your favourite BBQ sauce. Fill the bottle with water and add to the crock pot too. Stir well, if you feel it is still too thick, add another bottle of water or tomato juice. You can add more spices or chilli's if you'd like. Cook at high for 3 hours. Stirring occaionally. Serve on buns, with a salad. This is lovely at backyard parties. Easy and filling. "Bon Appetit!"

I seen this on tv last night! As you would normally do, prepare 4 slices of bread (4 per burger) to make 2 grilled cheese sandwiches! Over the cheese on one sandwich lay sliced cooked bacon or sprinkle crumbled cooked bacon and close. Set aside. Over the cheese on the other sandwich, add jalapenos or onions, or leave plain. Close and set aside. Cook your hamburgers as you would normally. When they are 1/2 cooked, make your grilled cheese sandwiches. Use the sandwiches instead of buns! Top with traditional toppings. ***We found lettuce a little too hard to handle, and we all removed it, as it made the burgers slide too much. "Bon Appetit!"

In a large bowl mix 4 cups blackberries 3/4 cup sugar 1 tbsp flour 1 tsp lemon rind Mix together and set aside. Take thawed but cold puff pastry (I used the thawed frozen kind). Roll out on floured serface. I rolled out until I had enough for 3-4 layers of pastry. Beat one egg with a little water and brush on both sides of pastry. In a lightly greased square or rectanguar baking pan, pour in the berries. Lay down layer after layer of pastry brushed with egg. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes. "Bon Appetit!"

So I had many views on how well this would work. I was told (by a butcher) that an inside round would be good. Another butcher said no, that top sirloin would be the right choice. Another said any roast would work, so we are going with both!!! We have bought 2- 3ish ib inside round roasts and 2- 3ish pound sirloin tip roasts. They are spitted and seasoned and ready to go. Under these roasts in a dispoable roasting pan will be 8-10 cups of beef broth (water and boullion), garlic, 1 large chopped red onion and 2 med chopped white onions, fresh chives and roasted pepper mix. For the rub, we used a generous helping of paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and red pepper mix with very little salt. We had about 3/4 of a cereal bowl when i was done. I would have added dried chives but we were out. This is to be put on a rotisserie and cooked on medium for 22 min for every lb. Do not open bbq often as this releases the steamed spices that are marinating the meat. This was great! Personally I pr...

Supper was delicious tonight -- we both LOVED it . . . and I love trying new recipes.  Can you tell? Lettuce and Tomato Salad 1 tomato 2/3 curly leaf lettuce 2 radishes 1 green onion Salt and pepper Cut the tomatoes into segments and place them in a salad bowl.  Add lettuce leaves.  Finely slice radish and green onion then add them to the bowl.  Pour in 2 tbsp Classic Vinaigrette.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Toss and serve. Pasta with Sausage and Cauliflower ½ onion, coarsely chopped 1-1/4 cups cauliflower, cut into small florets 1/2 tbsp olive oil 2 Italian sausages ¼ dried chilli peppers, minced ¾ cup chicken broth, warm 2 cups penne rigate or other short pasta Salt and pepper 2 tbsp parmesan Keep the serving dishes in the oven at the lowest setting so they are warm when you serve.  Put a colander in the sink to drain the cooked pasta so that it will be ready when needed.  Prepare vegetables.  Heat the oil in a frying pan over m...

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED these recipes and I was sure Hal would too.  Wrong again.  The man likes tomatoes, fruit, rice, curry and he has unwittingly eaten tofu many, many times in Thai food.  But apparently I'm wrong.  He liked the rice and the strawberries . . . sigh . . . well I won't give up!! Tomato Salad with Oregano 2 tomatoes cut into quarters 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Salt & pepper to taste ¾ tsp dried oregano Put all ingredients into a bowl and toss well. Makes 2 servings. Tofu Curry with Fruit ½ onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced ½ apple, peeled and cut into quarters 2 slices canned pineapple, cut into bit-size pieces 1 banana, cut into bite-size pieces 150 g watermelon, cut into bit-size pieces 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp curry powder ½ cup vegetable broth 220 g firm tofu, cut into 1.5 cm cubes ½ tbsp canola oil ¼ cup cream 15% Salt and pepper to taste Heat half of the butter in a pan over medium heat.   Add the onion and garlic, t...

I wanted to make something different and still easy for my family for breakfast this Sunday.  It doesn't get much easier than this.  It's a great idea for when you are having a bunch of people coming for breakfast and you want to serve pancakes, but don't want to stand at the stove all day.  I hope you enjoy it.  We did! Yields:  6 servings Ingredients : 2 cups pancake mix (don't use the just-add-water kind) 1 1/2 cups milk 1 egg 1tbsp vegetable oil 1-2 tsp ground cinnamon Generous 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (or 1/2 sliced bananas and 1/2 chocolate chips) butter, maple syrup and/or powdered sugar Directions: In a large bowl, combine the pancake mix, milk, egg, oil and cinnamon just until blended.  It's OK if the batter is still lumpy! Fold in berries.  Pour into a generously greased 9 x 13" pan.  Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes or until golden.  Serve with deserved toppings.