Lentil Hotdish

This is a great dish - no meat, but it's hearty!

1 Cup lentils (washed)
1/2 Cup brown rice
4 Cup chicken broth

Combine above and add:

sautéed onion
yellow pepper
2 garlic cloves
1 T dried basil
1 T oregano flakes
1 T vegetable flakes
1 t thyme
1 t salt
pepper to taste

Put above mixture into greased 9 x 13 pan. Cover with foil and bake at 300 degrees for approximately 2 hours. Serve with cottage cheese and broccoli.

Enjoy!

Southwest Stew

Bill and I never get tired of this comfort food:

Southwest Stew

2 T vegetable oil
3 lbs round steak cut up
1/2 t salt
1/2 C beef broth
1 C prepared chunky salsa
2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise,then
cut crosswise into 3/4 inch thick pieces.
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed, drained
1/2 to 1 C frozen whole corn

In dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add half of beef. Cook, stirring until evenly brown. Remove beef pan. Repeat with rest of meat, and combine together in pan. Season with salt. Stir in broth and salsa. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover tightly. Simmer gently 1 1/4 hours.

Add zucchini, beans, and corn. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover tightly. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until beef and vegetables are tender. Serve with desired toppings.

Suggested optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese.

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European Vacation

Bill and I are having the time of our lives. We have visited Rome, Naples (Italy), Athens, Mykenos, and Rhodes (Greece). Tomorrow we experience Ephesus (Turkey). I have so many great pictures and memories to share, but will post them when I get home as computer time onboard is too limited.

Stuffed Cream Puffs

This is one of my favorite recipes - I make it all the time for luncheons:

Chicken Almond Cream Puffs

1 C water
1 stick butter (1/2 C)
1 C flour
4 eggs
1/4 C shredded swiss cheese

Melt butter in water; bring to boil. Stir in flour all at once until mixture becomes a ball that doesn't separate; remove from heat. Cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each until mixture again becoms a ball that doesn't separate. Stir in cheese. Drop by heaping teaspoons on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree oven. Remove and put on racks to cool.

Stuffing

2 chicken breasts, cooked, cooled, and finely chopped
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
6-10 green olives, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1/4 C slivered almonds
Mayo (start with 1/2 C)
Half and Half if needed to thin mixture

Combine all ingredients. Slice cream puffs in half, stuff with desired amount of filling. Refrigerate. Serve with fruit and chips.

Avocado Salmon Cream Soup

Heat:
2 tsp butter
1 tsp curry
Add:
2 cups veggie stock; bring to boil
Cut:
1 avocado; add to stock; simmer 1 min
Add:
2 oz smoked salmon, cut in bite-sized pieces; simmer 1 min
Add:
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp sour cream
pepper
Mix in blender; keep warm over low flame

Serve with crusty bread.

Busted Bars Recipe

Here is a recipe I reluctlantly give out because it is so addictive:

BUSTED BARS

Soda crackers (enough to line jelly roll pan)
1 C butter
1 C brown sugar
12 oz bag milk chocolate chips

Layer crackers on foil-lined pan. Melt butter and brown sugar; boil for 3 min. Pour over crackres. Bake at 350 degrees 5 minutes. Sprinkle chips on top; melt and spread over hot toffee. Chill for at least 1 hr. Invert pan, peel off foil, and break into various pieces. Keep refrigerated.

Quiet

Today my clan left after four days of family frenzy that happens when three kids, two cats, and 3-4 grownup (depending on Bill's schedule) try to pack as much into a day as possible. I still can't believe my sister Susan drove all the way from Washington with her daughter Leyla and kids; I had just been out to see them three weeks ago! I am so thankful I have had the time off this summer for traveling and visiting family. Bill and I have also been able to have a little fun. Last week we went to Chicago for three days - he on business, me doing a little solo stuff during the day. We went to Greektown (for lamb, flaming cheese, etc.), Uno's (for pizza), and the Taste of Chicago for everything else. Now it's time to settle down a bit and "savor" the memories.