Moqueca de Peixe: Grand Prix Gourmet, Brazil

Moqueca de Peixe: Brazilian Fish Stew. This has been a popular dish in Brazil for at least three hundred years. (Deservedly). It’s easy to make and when served with boiled rice, the quantity shown in the recipe below will feed at least eight people for a hearty meal. Make sure that there’s plenty of lovely fresh, crusty bread available too so that your guests can mop up the delicious sauce. I like to make sure that...

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Mexican Cabbage Salad

Mexican Cabbage Salad Mexican Cabbage Salad is another recipe I’ve tried to replicate from a favorite local restaurant in San Diego. Cinco de Mayo or anytime, it’s a family favorite. It brings back memories of leisurely dinners complete with margaritas, chips and salsa, and friends. We often enjoyed sharing one of these salads with our dinner order. Usually we make coleslaw with mayo, but this is so crisp and refreshing with oil and...

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Beef Stroganoff: Grand Prix Gourmet, Russia

If you enjoy delicious stews, then this is a must! Beef Stroganoff is a traditional Russian dish made with strips of lean sirloin steak cooked in a sauce of onions, cream and mushrooms. The beef must be cut into thin strips that are half an inch thick and about 2 inches in length. All fat must be removed.   Save Print Beef Stroganoff Rating  5 from 1 reviews Prep time:  30 mins Cook time:  1 hour Total time:  1...

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Moules Marinière: Grand Prix Gourmet, Belgium

Poor old Belgium gets a bad press when it comes to its cuisine because it sits under the shadow of France. However, my husband lived there for a few years, and he enjoyed so many delicious meals and he always tells me that he would very happily eat Belgian food every day! The most famous dish must be Moules Marinière served with fries, mayonnaise, and a tankard of wonderful Belgian beer. Belgium is a small country, but it boasts about...

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Hungarian Goulash: Grand Prix Gourmet

Hungarian Goulash. If you enjoy delicious thick stews and the taste of tomato and paprika, then this recipe is perfect! There are many different recipes for Goulash, but my dad taught me this one, and it is delicious. It is traditionally made outside in a cauldron, but this is not vital. The main thing is that you must not use flour to thicken the stew but tomato puree and potatoes. I have listed some root vegetables, but others can...

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Grand Prix Gourmet: Austrian Schnitzel with Chicken

When you think of Austrian food, what comes to mind?  Sacher Torte?  Knodel?  Perhaps one of the delicious cookies, like the linzer tarts with jam filling?  At our house Austrian meant Schnitzel with red cabbage. Most commonly made with pork or veal, we eventually switched to chicken.  Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cook in just a few minutes. My husband was the master of this process. One of the secrets is slicing the chicken...

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Grand Prix Gourmet: French Lemon Chicken

French Lemon Chicken recipe This recipe comes from the delightful book, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits and is authentically modern French. This is not one of those classic French dishes that will have you slaving over a hot stove all day. This is the sort of food that today’s Parisian woman – stylish, busy and entertaining – cooks for her dinner party guests. This is so simple to...

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Grand Prix Gourmet: Azerbaijan – Dogva

Dogva recipe from Azerbaijan Until 2016 when the Grand Prix racing first went to Baku, I had no idea that there was such a place as Azerbaijan. As you can tell, I’m really shaky on matters geographical. But Baku, the largest city in Azerbaijan, is an incredible place. Dogva is a meat-free soup that can be served cold in the summer, warm in the winter, and is extremely tasty and easy to make. Traditionally, it is a soup served at...

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Grand Prix Gourmet: Quiche Monaco

Quiche Monaco recipe Everyone should have a great quiche recipe in their repertoire. Quiche is incredibly adaptable and you can vary the fillings depending on your taste and the ingredients you have to hand. This delicious version features wonderful goat cheese and some additional fabulous flavours. Use your favourite pastry recipe or, which is what I do these days, use frozen. The great thing about quiche is that it can be served as...

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Shrimp in Spicy Tomato Sauce, Grand Prix Gourmet, Spain

  Spain is famous for its delicious satisfying cuisine, with certain dishes in particular.  Paella, gazpacho, flan, to name a few.  But there are so many other wonderful dishes, many including shrimp or other seafood.  This is a favorite featuring shrimp in a rich tomato sauce, spiced up with red chili pepper. It sounds wonderful! Since their schedule is quite different from the usual American schedule, this main dish is usually...

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Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A Tasty Cabbage Dish for a Delicious Dinner This time of year cabbage is usually available for excellent prices, just in time for corned beef and cabbage and St. Patrick’s Day. If you are like me, I usually end up with an extra head or two of cabbage after the dinner and the day are over. This is a perfect and easy recipe for that time–or any time. Fortunately cabbage is a filling addition to your diet all year long. The...

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Japanese Shrimp: Grand Prix Gourmet

This is a recipe that I found in an old newspaper dating from the nineteen fifties. It had been supplied to the paper by a young Japanese woman, Reiko Takeda, who was an air stewardess flying regularly between her home country and the USA. She cooked this dish on a hibachi but I find that a charcoal grill works very well and gives the seafood that lovely smoky flavour. The shrimp need to marinate for a couple of hours before you cook,...

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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: Vegetarian recipe

Stuffed cabbage rolls – delicious vegetarian or vegan entrée It’s time to rethink cabbage rolls! This is a wonderfully adaptable recipes that makes a splendid meat-free meal or can be served as a side, or even appetiser. Unlike traditional cabbage rolls, these are light and fresh, plus they are quick to cook. Preparation is easy too. You can vary the ingredients to suit your own tastes – for example,I often add...

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Simple Salmon

A simple salmon recipe So many times, fish is smothered in elaborate, rich sauces. If the fish isn’t quite perfect, then a sauce can really help but sometimes fish cooked simply can be far better. That’s especially the case if you’re cooking some lovely, fresh salmon. Below is a very simple to prepare salmon recipe from Scotland that I first found published in the nineteen seventies. Scotland of course, is famous for...

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Cheese & Onion Pasties

Cheese and onion pasties recipe We used to buy frozen cheese and onion pasties from a local store – until I realised just how expensive they were and how easy they are to make at home. I don’t make pastry from scratch very often these days (when I do, this is a great recipe) and for this recipe I use ready-to bake croissant dough – it seems to be tastier that the commercial pastries you can buy. We don’t eat...

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Grand Prix Gourmet: Chinese Walnut Chicken

 Taking an authentic recipe from 1941 to 2015 Walnut Chicken is an “authentic recipe from Shanghai”  that was found in an old edition of the Milwaukee Sentinel (April 21, 1941).  Back then the article spoke of how few recipes Americans used for Chinese cooking, the main one being Chop Suey.  They introduced this recipe as a delightful way to combine of egg with chicken.  Thankfully, we have come a long way since then! If...

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Grand Prix Gourmet: Bahrain Chickpeas

Chickpea Stew Recipe. This is a lovely recipe that is ideal for a family meal – or to serve to a crowd; just adjust the ingredients accordingly. It takes a while to cook but needs little attention. It’s my interpretation of a recipe from my favourite cookbook. If I forget to soak the chickpeas beforehand, I use the canned variety but it’s an amazingly value-for-money, satisfying meal. Serve with a salad and crusty...

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Watercress, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad

Watercress, pecan and blue cheese salad recipe. This is probably the easiest salad in the world and can be adapted easily to suit your own tastes. One of the reasons I like this so much is that it needs no additional seasoning. The blue cheese means that no extra salt is required and the watercress has its own peppery flavour. This makes it ideal for picnics too as it means there’s no need to take condiments along.  Pack the...

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Recipe: Mushrooms in red wine sauce

This is a splendid recipe which we often have as the main dinner course. We are a non meat eating household but I’ve served this dish to devoted carnivores who love it. If you wish, it’s excellent to serve as a side dish or even as an appetizer.Because these delicious mushrooms are cooked and served in a red wine sauce, it’s quite a rich dish that is perfect to serve with pasta or rice. Its very richness also makes...

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Citrus Chicken Recipe

Citrus chicken recipe This is a recipe that I’ve had for ages and although we no longer eat meat,I often use this recipe to make the yummy sauce when we are having guests for a barbecued meal. The recipe is very tasty when made exactly as you see it below. When I’m making it as is, I just make a couple of changes — but it’s up to you. I serve the grapefruit and kiwi in separate bowls rather than using the fruit...

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Lamb & Chicken Gabonais Recipe from Marion Preminger

Lamb & Chicken Gabonais Recipe from Marion Mill Preminger Before we get to this African recipe,I’ll just explain first that Marion Mill was the one-time wife of movie director and producer, Otto Preminger. She then fell in love with a suspected Nazi spy, unsuccessfully, and then spent many years working with Albert Schweitzer in his hospital in Africa. By 1964, she was living in New York with her husband Albert Mayer, a...

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Spicy onion fritters

Spicy onion fritters – or use the vegetables of your choice. These vegetable fritters are so delicious.Part of the reason for that is the beautifully light batter. It’s truly fabulous and contains a special secret ingredient. I like to make onion fritters using this special batter – it’s really so light and tasty – but I’ve experimented with other vegetables too. Use whatever you have available...

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Mint Lime Grilled Mahi-Mahi

Mint Lime Grilled Mahi-Mahi This recipe will work well with any firm white fish but the author recommends mahi-mahi. I suspect that many of us could do with more fish in our diets and this is a wonderful way to serve it. It’s perfect for summer grilling or for those of us who are lucky enough to live somewhere where we can cook outdoors all year round. Save Print Mint Lime Grilled Mahi-Mahi Rating  5 from 1 reviews...

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Pear and blue cheese pizza recipe

 Pear and blue cheese pizza – delicious recipe We love pizza. I don’t think I’ll ever be bored with it. I’m pretty convinced that I could eat pizza every day if I had to. But, well,there are other considerations such as calories and cholesterol and all those boring things. Boring yes, but we do have to pay attention. This doesn’t mean that I will ever (hopefully) have to give up a delicious Pizza...

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Chicken Dijon with Snap Peas

A Delicious, Fast Chicken Dijon Dinner Tender, moist chicken breast with fresh sugar snap peas and mushrooms in a tasty light sauce. Sound interesting? It tastes wonderful! My husband was the creative cook in our household. He made a dish very similar to this. We would seriously sigh through every bite, it was so delicious. This recipe is similar only I’ve added vegetables and a slightly different flavor with dijon. I was so...

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Cauliflower, Spinach and Turkey Meatballs

Delicious in a Submarine Sandwich. Suggestion for the day: Add cauliflower to meatballs next time you make them! It’s fantastic! Adding fresh vegetables to ground meat is an excellent way to use less meat yet have more servings. It is also a great way to get more veggies into your diet. Wednesday was one of my marathon cooking days. While I was cooking up a few dishes using ground turkey to stash in the freezer, I decided to...

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Baked Brie Cheese

It’s the holiday season and we are in full swing for a Christmas that will just be the best one ever. Who doesn’t love all the food and friends, the excited chatter and family rekindling old times as the new times are happening. It is the best part of the whole “Christmas Scene”. The other best part is all the food that is brought by friends and family to share. Food has to be one of the best ways of telling people that you love them....

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Easy Classic Stuffed Peppers

An easy and tasty recipe. It’s that time of the year when fresh produce is ready in the garden. Pepper plants can produce quite a few peppers. So what to make with them is the question, right? There are many different things you can make with them but stuffed peppers are quite a delight. Especially since I haven’t made them in ages and my brother gave me some from his garden. So I looked up recipes online to which there are many...

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Tuna Melt Calzone

Melted Cheese Delicious The other day while I was making bread dough for cinnamon rolls, I cut off a piece to try making a calzone.  It was a delicious spinach and cheese calzone  that you can see here. Then a friend and I were talking about forming an official Tuna Melt Association, so I had to try it in a calzone.  It is delicious!  I used bread dough made in my bread machine again, but a thinner crust, such as a pizza crust is...

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Barbecued Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Are you barbecuing chicken this weekend?  Just the thought of it brings to mind summer picnics, with potato salad of course, after a swim in the lake. If you have any leftover, here is a very tasty use for them.  You could use any leftovers actually, from hamburgers to the potato salad.  Anything tastes yummy in a lettuce wrap. Rotisserie chicken is wonderful fixed this way too.  Seems every time I get one there is a little bit left....

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Vegetable frittata recipe

Delicious frittata for breakfast or lunch This recipe will serve four people as a breakfast dish. For lunch, it’s ideal served with fresh crusty bread and salad. We often have this for dinner and it serves the two of us – we are both very greedy – and it makes a quick and easy meat-free meal. Of course, if you do eat meat or fish,this is a beautifully flexible recipe. Seafood is a great addition as is small slices of...

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Boston Bake: A recipe to use up leftovers

Use your leftovers to make this delicious and easy meal. I hate wasting food, don’t you? This is a recipe I developed many years ago when I ran a health food store. We sold takeout lunches and invariably had leftovers. A business can’t afford those losses. So Boston Bake was the result. It’s incredibly adaptable. Although the original version is meat-free, you can include chopped leftover ham, turkey … anything...

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Bangers & Mash: A la Rolling Stones

Keith Richards’ bangers & mash recipe Should you ever find that Rolling Stone, Keith Richards, is dropping in for a bite to eat, this is his favourite food made in the exact way he prepares the dish himself. As he says, he has been cooking sausages all his life but it’s only recently that he discovered the real secret to truly excellent bangers. He discovered the secret from a ‘lady on TV’. He says that it...

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Muffin Omelets

  Here’s an easy, versatile recipe for a brunch or a simple family breakfast.  They also work great for something to grab on-the-go. Chop a little onion, some ham or bacon, any vegetables you would like to add.  Try spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers… It doesn’t take very much.  Sprinkle some cheese in with the egg, and bake them up. If you serve them immediately, they are nice and high.  If they will be served...

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Salmon and spinach lasagna

Salmon and spinach lasagna recipe This special recipe comes from Belgian chef, Dirk De Cuyper. Now a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dirk was formerly a sought-after chef creating delicious meals aboard luxury yachts. This recipe features homemade lasagna (you’ll find the recipe here) but of course,you can use a fresh, high quality, commercial brand if you wish. The chef recommends this as a main course for lunch,...

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Vegetarian White Bean and Soy Chili

White Bean Chili. Our family loves a bowl of chili on a cold winter night. Our favorite used to be the traditional chili with the basic ground beef. Now that I’m trying to eat less meat and finding more vegetarian dishes, my goal was to see what I could create with my favorite white beans. I’ve tried it with ground turkey too. That’s very tasty, but this time I wanted to go totally vegetarian. That’s how this...

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Homemade Pasta

Making fresh pasta at home. If you’ve never made pasta at home you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Gourmet pastas can cost a fortune at speciality food stores and delis – so why not make your own? Using this recipe, from top chef Dirk Du Cuyper, you can make your own special pastas at home. Flavour your pasta, if you wish. Try basil, sun-dried tomatoes, olives or garlic for truly Mediterranean tastes. Add...

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Indian Cauliflower Rice with Spinach

Fresh, vegetarian, and healthy!  When I first saw a recipe on Food and Wine for Indian Cumin Rice, I knew I had to try with riced cauliflower instead. Cauliflower, either run thru a blender or grated into rice size bites with a grater, make an excellent substitute for regular rice.  It’s lighter, healthier, and very adaptable in so many dishes.  It works wonderfully in Fried Rice  and in Spanish Rice, so why not with an Indian flair....

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Eggplant rolls recipe

Eggplant rolls – quick and easy recipe. This is an easy dish to make and is a delicious meat-free meal. You could also serve these tasty rolls as a side dish or an appetizer. It’s a very flexible recipe too, as you can add leftovers, or flavourings of your choice, to the stuffing. The recipe uses a commercial pasta sauce but it’s even tastier if you make your own. I’ve also made this using a quick, simple sauce...

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Garlic Shrimp and Spinach Sautéed in Coconut Oil

Garlic Shrimp and Spinach Sautéed in Coconut Oil. Large fresh shrimp sautéed two ways, one in butter, one in coconut oil.  Both scrumptious. Since I had a pound of fresh, uncooked shrimp, it seemed a perfect time to experiment.   I am happy to report it was a huge success! It seems over the years I had gotten into the habit of buying cooked shrimp, mostly to save the time and effort, but also to have it on hand in the freezer for a...

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Spanish Cauliflower Rice

Have you ever tried Spanish rice without any rice?  Try this method using riced cauliflower instead! Ever since I first tried using riced cauliflower in fried rice , I’ve been experimenting with it in other rice dishes.  It’s surprising how well it substitutes for regular rice, in texture and even taste. By the time you blend it with a sauce, the taste is very similar.  Sometimes I will do half and half, like I did my the fried rice...

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Romanesco Mozzarella Tart

Italian Romanesco, Mozzarella & Garlic Tart: Meat free recipe. Have you come across the wonderful Romanesco cauliflowers? You can make this lovely tart with a regular cauliflower and that’s super-tasty but for something really special, try the Romanesco. You can make your own pastry – here’s my favourite recipe – or use a ready-to-bake pastry if you’d prefer. This makes a lovely meat-free meal for two...

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Asparagus and new potatoes in butter lemon sauce with fresh herbs

Asparagus and new potatoes in butter lemon sauce with fresh herbs. A quick and easy recipe. This is a wonderfully fresh and clean tasting recipe. It’s lovely to serve as a meat-free entree with crusty bread.  It also makes a great dish for lunch.If you don’t eat dairy, it’s still delicious if you omit the butter and cheese (but I prefer the dairy version, I must admit). It’s such a versatile recipe because you...

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Henry Lie: The Norwegian Skater and his Meatball Recipe

Skating star Henry Lie and his meatballs It’s difficult to find out biographical details about Henry Lie. But we do know that he was a champion skater who was originally from Norway where he was the Men’s National Champion. He had previously been atop chef and his cooking talents remained in demand. He was well-known for his meatball recipe. You can see him in the photograph below, which dates from 1948. He liked...

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Japanese Rice with Mixed Vegetables

Japanese Rice with Mixed Vegetables The Easiest Vegetarian Dish Ever since I started working out of my home, I made it a point to cook my own meals as much as possible. There are times when things get too hectic that I succumb to the occasional take-out food, but if I can manage, I’d always rather make my own meals. This way I know exactly what goes into my body, especially important when I’m trying to stay healthy. But...

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Homemade Vegetarian Chili

I learned to make this recipe from my sister. She made this while we were visiting her. Everyone had gotten sick in the house so she wanted to make something that we all could just easily eat as we got better. Although this soup isn’t your get better kind, it does have healthy ingredients in it. Plus when it’s chilly out it will warm you up! As she made it the smell made me hungry! She is such a good cook. To my surprise when I tried...

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Mexican Cabbage Salad

Mexican Cabbage Salad Mexican Cabbage Salad is another recipe I’ve tried to replicate from a favorite local restaurant in San Diego. Cinco de Mayo or anytime, it’s a family favorite. It brings back memories of leisurely dinners complete with margaritas, chips and salsa, and friends. We often enjoyed sharing one of these salads with our dinner order. Usually we make coleslaw with mayo, but this is so crisp and refreshing with oil and...

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Cajun Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

Cajun is a favorite flavor with a yummy bite to it.  It’s delicious with any fish actually.  Did you know it also makes a great pasta sauce?  The sauce included here will make you smile if you enjoy spicy food.  The lemon juice and the creole seasoning in the olive oil are wonderful with our healthy zucchini pasta. Using zucchini instead of pasta makes for a low calorie, healthier meal.  You can use any kinds of squash, but zucchini...

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Spinach Quesadillas

 Spinach Quesadillas In another one of those “why didn’t I think of that” moments, I happened to see a recipe for a quesadilla that included spinach.  Spinach on a quesadilla sounds perfect, and I had never tried it.  As soon as it was lunch time, I remedied that. After all I am never one to pass up a spinach recipe.  You can browse some of my other spinach recipes here on Jacquo. In the recipe I liked that they included spinach, of...

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Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps Have you tried lettuce wraps yet? Pretty much anything that you can put in a sandwich or a tortilla works well in a lettuce wrap too. So if you are cutting back on your bread or carbohydrates, they make a great substitute. You might have seen my article on Chilled Lettuce Wraps  here on Jaquo. These are three of my favorites. They were definitely not good choices for vegetarians. So today’s wraps are. The...

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Pear and blue cheese pizza

Pear and blue cheese pizza recipe. We love regular cheese and tomato pizza but for something different, try this tasty, healthy and easy-to-prepare pizza using the delicious and unusual combination of luscious pear and French cheeses. If you make your own pizza dough, this recipe would probably be even more scrumptious but for the sake of speed and ease, I use the ready-to-bake dough that comes in tubes.You need one tube for this...

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Slow Cooker Refried Beans

Refried beans a favorite at our house, since they are easy to grab to make a quick and easy dinner.  Mexican food always sounds good, but as you probably know, restaurant meals can be terribly high in calories. So more and more I am trying to create my own dishes in a healthier fashion. There are now fat free brands available at the grocery story.  Still, I like to know just what ingredients are included in a dish, so I decided it was...

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Bacon Spaghetti

The Irresistible Bacon. What is it about bacon that always appeals, even when we are trying to eat less meat? The word alone brings the wonderful aroma to mind, along with thoughts of each crispy bite. It’s no exception is this recipe. When I was growing up, and in need of comfort, mom would make Bacon Spaghetti. Something about it always made me feel better. The recipe must have been my Norwegian grandmother’s since my...

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Easy Chunky Vegetarian Chili Recipe

Easy Chunky Vegetarian Chili Recipe Are you looking for a vegetarian recipe for chili that doesn’t use veggie crumbles, and just more vegetables? Congratulations; you have found it. Years ago, I was looking for the very same thing myself. I did find some different variations, and have finally modified the recipes to be more personalized to what we like. This chili recipe has colorful bell peppers in it as well as two intriguing...

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Creamy Cauliflower Enchiladas

Vegetarian or Not, You’ll Love these Cauliflower Enchiladas I’m all for quick and easy meals that can be made at the last minute. This enchilada fits right in to that! This enchilada in a creamy cauliflower sauce is a tasty treat without many ingredients. Using no oil or butter keeps it lighter too. Cauliflower is a natural to add to any Mexican recipe.  After trying the Cauliflower Vegetarian Enchiladas, it sounded interesting...

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Taco Salad with Cauliflower and Ground Turkey

Sneak More Veggies Into Your Meals Hungry for a taco salad yesterday, I decided to make my own.  Once I started cooking the ground turkey, the head of cauliflower in the fridge was calling out to me.  It is a natural to add to ground meat anytime you are cooking it, and is especially tasty with taco seasoning!  With the spicy flavor, it is still another way to add more veggies to your meals.  I bet you won’t even notice it is there....

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Eggplant Parmesan Light

Eggplant Parmesan has been a family favorite for many years. We would spend hours preparing it, along with sauce and an Italian feast. Dipping slices I the egg batter and flour, the frying in olive oil until golden brown. My husband would sample the finished product and stash it in the fridge. That was because cold eggplant sandwiches were his favorite. Have you tried it that way?  The time it would take and the amount of oil the dish...

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Salmon for Dinner, Heart and Brain Healthy

 Salmon for Dinner, Heart and Brain Healthy. Lucky for me, salmon is one of my favorite fish. I love it baked, grilled, sautéed, whatever. Since it is considered one the the top foods for brain health, I eat it often. It is also great for heart health. Since improved blood flow surely aids both, you can see why it would be a good choice. It’s interesting, though not surprising, that most of the top 10 foods are on the same list. Nuts,...

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Smothered Chicken with Mushrooms

Served on a Bed of Zucchini & Squash Noodles A light sauce made with sherry and broth adds a lovely flavor to these chicken fillets.  Mushroom slices, green onion and cheese perfect it.  What a delightful dish!  Especially served over spinach and squash noodles. You can never have too many ways to cook chicken breasts. When you eat them often it is so nice to have a variety.  This particular recipe has just been added to our...

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Aidell’s Spicy Mango and Jalapeno Chicken Meatballs in Spaghetti

My daughter made us a very quick and easy meal last night using Aidell’s meatballs. She cooked the pasta according to the package directions. She made her favorite tomato based pasta sauce and added the Aidell’s Spicy Mango and Jalapeno Chicken Meatballs. You can use any kind of pasta sauce for this quick meal. She added some spinach just before serving so that the spinach was just wilted. For my serving I need my pasta...

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The Best Ever Tuna Casserole

My other half has started to do most of the cooking on weekdays. Simple cooking, but really good cooking too! He is retired and I’m still working so some of the cooking duties fall to him. Tonight we just had the best ever tuna casserole, it really beats anything I have made in the past, hands down. Ready in a pinch, good for you, and it uses us some of the pantry goods that might otherwise overlooked. The kicker is the topping that...

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Dad’s Potato Salad

Dad’s Basic Formula – Potato Salad. This recipe was developed in the 1950s before they told us that too much mayonnaise [cholesterol] was not good for you.   Save Print Dad's Potato Salad Rating  5 from 1 reviews Ingredients 8 to 10 pounds Russet potatoes [he always made a BIG batch] 8 to 12 hard boiled eggs, 8 jumbo or 12 regular 2 cups celery with tops, chopped 1 large Onion, chopped 1 large bell pepper, chopped 2...

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Creamy Pesto Lasagna with Artichoke Hearts

Baked Creamy Pesto Lasagna with Artichoke Hearts.   Save Print Creamy Pesto Lasagna with Artichoke Hearts Rating  5 from 1 reviews Serves: 6 portions Ingredients 1 box lasagna noodles 10 oz frozen spinach OR 2 to 4 cups fresh spinach 1 can quartered artichoke hearts in water (optional) 16 oz ricotta cheese 1 egg ½ t garlic powder ½ t parsley or oregano (optional) 1 T olive oil 1 T butter 1 to 2 cups onion (one...

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Mom’s Spanish Rice

My Mom’s Spanish Rice and My Adapted Version.   Here is my Mom’s basic recipe with adaptations by me to follow. Save Print Mom's Spanish Rice Rating  5 from 1 reviews Prep time:  20 mins Cook time:  50 mins Total time:  1 hour 10 mins Serves: 4 cups Ingredients 3 - 8 oz cans tomato sauce 1 - 28 ounce can whole tomatoes 24 ounces water 4 tbsp olive oil 1 large yellow onion, chopped 1 cup uncooked...

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Pre-Cooked Mac & Cheese with Burger Hotdish

Easy hot dishes make for easy meals especially this recipe. There is no boiling the macaroni noodles. They are already precooked. You’re probably wondering about what this precooked means, huh? Well it’s a precooked mac & cheese. I didn’t know about these sort of noodles until I got a package like this. I wasn’t even sure what to do with it. I’d never heard of it or seen it before. It comes in a bag and can be kept frozen until...

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Barilla Gluten Free Pasta with Shrimp Recipe

My daughter Silver [her pen name] has had issues with her digestive system. She was having severe intestinal cramps and other symptoms. She was finally diagnosed with intolerance to gluten products. She had to forget about eating breads and pasta dishes. She heard about new products that are alternatives for pasta and other wheat substitutes. Finally, there is a solution for her with the new arrival from Barilla America company who...

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Oven Ready Lasagna

Lasagna is always a good meal; not to hard to put together either. The reason I call this one oven ready lasagna is because of the noodles. I’ve never tried noodles that were oven ready before and decided to give this a try. Oven ready noodles means there is no boiling them. You just put them into your pan and add the layers. I used the recipe right off the box of the oven ready noodles as well. Not something I usually do. I...

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Easy Pizza Hotdish

Make a simple pizza hotdish for a easy dinner to put together. It’s nice to have a quick and easy recipe when you’ve had a busy day and want something like pizza – yummy to eat. The flavor is exquisite and simple. Make a salad to go with this hotdish and you’re all set to fill your tummy with good food. You could make this hotdish with regular hamburger or with veggie burger. Either way it’s a reversible...

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Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad. I can’t think of anything that scares people more, than the thought of getting cancer…..doctors, nutritionist, and a host of people are convinced that diet plays an important part in reducing your risks of becoming another victim of this hideous disease. To that end, I get several different recipe sources that are supposed to be good for you in any and every situation in life. Some of these recipes...

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Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna in Tomato Sauce

Lasagna was a regular meal in our household, along with most every Italian dish you can think of.  When my husband cooked, it always seems like we did it all.  Two huge pots of his homemade pasta sauce, meatballs, sausage, even ribs and chicken legs.  Then as long as we were at it, may as well make eggplant parmesan and lasagna.  The aroma of garlic lingered for days, much like an Italian deli. Back then we would use a meat sauce or...

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Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Noodle Casserole With Tuna. Tuna noodle casseroles can be made in many varied ways. I make mine stove top. It can also be made in the oven. I usually use elbow noodles. You can use egg noodles which makes for a nice swirly casserole look. There are times I’ve used half and half of each kind of these noodles and it turned out really great. I like to use mushroom soup in my casserole because it turns out nice and creamy. I add...

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Lasagne Recipes

Lasagna Recipes. As people what their favourite cuisine is and I imagine that a large number would tell you that Italian food is at the top of their list. Understandably, too. Here are some of our favourite lasagne recipes:   Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna in Tomato Sauce Lasagna was a regular meal in our household, along with most every Italian dish you can think of.  When my husband cooked, it always seems like we did it all....

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Shrimp and Veggie Burritos

Quick and Easy Dinner If you like shrimp, I bet you will enjoy this delicious, satisfying Shrimp and Veggie Burrito. Not only does it have tasty big bites of shrimp, but it also provides the extra nutrients of spinach and cauliflower, all at a lower calorie count. Burritos of any kind are one of my favorite Mexican dishes, whether eating at home or dining out. Usually my requirements for home cooking are 1) fast and 2) easy. Burritos...

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How to Make Japanese Croquettes

Croquettes are one of the most popular things to eat in Japan. You can pretty much find them almost anywhere you go-the supermarket deli, bento shops, mom and pop restaurants and meat shops. They are loved by everyone young and old and although they have their origins in France, they are considered comfort food for many Japanese. My mom’s croquettes are the best in the world! And I’m not just saying that because...

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Lasagne – an Authentic Italian Recipe

Lasagne is one of Italy’s most loved and famous dishes – it was one of my favourites when I was growing up, and I was very fortunate to have an Italian granny who taught my mum, who in turn taught me this recipe, so it is authentic. That means there are no sausages, chopped vegetables, cottage cheese, or anything else that people throw in – the result is an absolutely delicious dish that any Italian trattoria would be proud to serve....

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Spinach and Mushroom Calzones

Using a bread machine makes it so easy to have fresh bread any day.  Lately I’ve been making dinner and sandwich sized rolls with it so I can use the fresh bread for hamburger buns.  This time I cut off a piece to try my hand at calzones. A calzone is another recipe that is surprisingly adaptable.  Not only can you use your favorite ingredients and cheese, you can also leave the veggies uncooked when you make the calzone and allow...

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Avocado Chicken Quesadillas

 Avocado Chicken Quesadillas Avocado Quesadillas with Chicken are another San Diego County favorite.  There was a little local restaurant on the coast that served them.  It wasn’t fast food, but it was very casual dining frequented by locals.  Fresh avocados grow in many backyards there, so we ate them often. The dish  was always so good that it was hard to order anything different. Since it is far away now, I had to try to copy it. ...

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Vegetarian Enchiladas with Crumbled Soy and Cauliflower

Vegetarian Enchiladas with Crumbled Soy and Cauliflower Mexican food is usually a top choice when deciding to go out for dinner. Since I enjoy eating it more often than I go out these days, it has been fun and tasty to try some dishes in my kitchen. Burritos and enchiladas are among the most requested.   In either dish, the ingredients are so flexible. Any meat, poultry or fish, all sorts of vegetables, and cheese, rolled up into a...

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Chicken Florentine Pasta

Ah…Pasta!  Seems I can never have noodles often enough.  Sometimes I’ll mix zucchini noodles in with it.  Sometimes long skinny angel hair sounds best, other times ziti or rigatoni.  Anyway you serve it, it’s a favorite choice. That being the case, it is a continual challenge finding ways to lighten up the topping I serve with it.  As you see in this recipe.  Spinach is a must, along with chopped onion.  This time I...

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Salmon and Edamame in Ponzu Sauce

Salmon and Edamame, Brain Health Favorites. Salmon with Edamame in Ponzu sauce is a dish that was a favorite restaurant dish of mine when I lived in southern California. With that restaurant now 900 miles away, I decided to try to create it myself. I think I did pretty well–it came out so tasty! Grilled salmon, one of the best foods for brain health, served with edamame, another powerhouse food. Since we’ve had...

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Alfredo Sauce Made from Mushrooms?

Alfredo Sauce Made from Mushrooms? When I first ran across a similar recipe to this on Pure Wow, I knew I had to try it. Mushrooms are so tasty, and also very low in calories. I love Alfredo sauce, but try not to use it often because it is so rich and high in calories. Making a sauce from mushrooms sounded too good to be true. It works! It still surprises me that mushrooms will make such a thick sauce, but they do. The original recipe...

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Homemade Sloppy Joes

Four Ingredients I was looking for something easy, low budget and with just a few ingredients. Then a co-worker suggested making home-made sloppy joes. All you use is hamburger, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar she said. That sure piqued my interest. So I went home and made it.   Oh my goodness I’ll never buy the canned sloppy joe sauce ever again! Making them like this is so good and even better. I was never reallly fond of the...

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Homemade Veggie Pizza

Veggies on my pizza! Veggies are so good for you and I love them. There are many ways that you can make them. They can be used by themselves cooked or raw, in casseroles or even on pizza. That’s what this recipe is all about, veggies on your pizza. Buying veggie pizzas is a easy, normal instinct to do but making it homemade is just as easy and healthier for you. Just think of topping your pizza with fresh veggies from your...

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Vegetarian Taco Hot Dish

Taco Hot Dish. Turn a regular Taco Hot Dish recipe into a vegetarian one instead. Swap out one ingredient for a different one. It’s nice when you can adapt a recipe that you really like a lot to fit the health needs of yourself or when cooking for others. Its fun to experiment with these types of recipes in switching out ingredients to see what works or doesn’t work. So find a recipe of yours to see what alterations you...

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Vegetarian Won Tons

Vegetarian Won Tons Making Wontons Wonton making is incredibly fun! I’ve always looked at wontons and egg rolls and thought they would be too hard to make. Since I had some time this morning I decided to experiment. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I have. The best part is you can put anything in them you like! I added two others as long as I was making the basic ones. Kids would get a kick out of helping too, and...

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Cheesy Tuna Casserole with a Twist

Cheesy Tuna Casserole with a Twist Tuna casserole is one of this dishes you love or hate. Before you decide though, check it out. This one might be just a little bit different that the ones you’ve had in the past. Whenever I told my husband that I was making it for dinner, we would go out instead—guaranteed! While he apparently wasn’t fond of it, it was always one of my favorites, especially when it has all these ingredients in it!...

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Classic Seven Layer Salad

Quick and Easy To Make. I’ve been making this salad for some time now. It’s a big hit wherever I take it. Everyone loves it. Most of the time I make it just as the recipe says but sometimes I will switch out a veggie for a different one or add another one. It depends who I am making the salad for. My oldest son who doesn’t like cucumbers so I might add radishes instead. For me I love all veggies.That’s the...

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Hot Dogs: Pups in a Pocket

Hot dogs: Pups in a Pocket  Hot Dogs! Most of us in the United States grew up eating hot dogs, one way or another, didn’t we? We’d eat them raw, dipped in mustard or ketchup, barbecued, in a bun, or pretty much any way they were served. They always taste like summer to me. But sometimes, you want those dogs to impress, to be an dining adventure, as well as to satisfy. That’s why I decided to try these out. Little...

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Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

One of my favorite summer salads is a Zesty Italian Pasta Salad. It is easy and simple to make. You can make it with plain noodles, colored noodles even pretty bow pasta. My favorite way is using colored noodles because they make the salad look so pretty look inviting with all the different colors. You can make this salad with all your favorite veggies from your garden and even a few from the store. If there is one you don’t...

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Vegetarian Lasagna

Learn to make vegetarian lasagna with veggie burger. Making lasagna is pretty each and pasta dishes are fun to make. There are so many variations of them. Everyone makes it different. What’s really nice is that you can swap out one ingredient for another one. So if you don’t like a certain kind of burger meat or in my case I needed to make it vegetarian so I used veggie burger. It’s a nice alternative for non-meat...

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Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables

Stir Fried Chicken and Vegetables Stir fry is such a fast and nutritious way to serve up a colorful meal. This recipe came from just that need the other night, and I had dinner on the table in less than a half hour. You can save even more time if you slice the chicken and prep the veggies early. I’ll do that often, putting the onions and celery into a baggy, and the other veggies in another. Then they are ready to pour into the...

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Chicken Brunswick Stew

A New Twist for the Traditional Brunswick Stew Brunswick Stew is one of my most popular recipes. It’s also one of my personal favorite soups made with chicken. It’s always on the menu during the winter months, but I love to keep some in the freezer to grab for an easy, filling meal any time of year.  It is such a  satisfying meal loaded with vegetables, chicken and a tasty broth. Usually Brunswick stew calls for pork, but we...

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Shrimp Cocktail Lettuce Wraps

Succulent Shrimp for a Low Calorie Wrap So many foods are wonderful in a lettuce wrap.  Nearly anything that can go in a sandwich will work.  So when I was in the mood for a shrimp cocktail, I thought, why not?  Shrimp cocktail has always been a favorite appetizer of mine. Lovely bites of meaty, large shrimp, blended with celery and homemade cocktail sauce.  Yum. The first time my husband made cocktail sauce for us at home, I was...

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Bacon, Avocado,Tomato and Spinach Wrap

In the mood for a lighter, healthier version of a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich?  Then do try this one!  It is similar to a BLT, but I love spinach.  So instead of the traditional blend, I tossed together baby spinach leaves, chopped tomato and avocado with some crispy bacon slices for a scrumptious wrap.  The flavors go beautifully together. It’s now a favorite.  Whether in a wrap or a sandwich actually.  Spinach is a super food...

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Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap

A chicken salad is perfect in a lettuce wrap!  Doesn’t it look like it belongs there?  Chicken salad has been a family favorite for years and years.   Today we still love it, but my recipe has changed to so be so much lighter and more nutritional besides.   Often I’ll serve it on a bed of greens for a satisfying dinner. The difference today?  Far less mayonnaise and a couple of my favorite ingredients lately: spinach and...

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Cauliflower and Bean Burritos, A Vegetarian Delight

A Lighter Burrito Want to lighten up a burrito? Try this vegetarian version with cauliflower and beans. It is delicious! It’s become a habit any more to find ways to cook any dish with lower calories. I also try to find ways to eat less meat and lots more vegetables. That it’s vegetarian is just a bonus. Lately I’ve been on a cauliflower kick. Since trying it as a rice substitute in my Fried Cauliflower Rice and then...

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Faux Salisbury Steak

Turkey Patties with Beef Gravy Did you grow up with favorite comfort meals that were traditions at your house? This recipe for ground meat patties is one of mine still today. Besides Sunday supper, when we would eat dinner at lunchtime, we had a few other traditions that we always loved. My favorite was  eating dinner together while we watched good old Perry Mason, in black and white.  A few years later we added Mission Impossible to...

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Omar Sharif’s Lamb Fatta Recipe

Omar Sharif’s Lamb Fatta Recipe Omar Sharif was more than just  heartthrob actor. He adored food. He grew up loving food from his own country, Egypt, and when he moved to the United States fell in love with Italian food. In 1968, he was quoted as saying: ‘Cooking is the preparation, the preliminary, to the great ceremony of eating. And eating is one of the highest pleasures person can experience.’ Probably mindful of...

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Noodles with Ground Turkey, a Stroganoff Substitute

Noodles with Ground Turkey, a Stroganoff Substitute Ever feel like a stroganoff dish without the rich sauce?  That is why this dish was created.  Calling it non-Stroganoff doesn’t quite cover it though. While I was having one of my marathon cooking days, I had a some ground turkey leftover.  So I decided to saute it with veggies for an easy dinner.  While stroganoff is always a hit, it’s often nice to have the pasta without a creamy,...

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Asian Beef Stew

 Quick Asian Beef Stew Recipe   An Asian stew stirs my taste buds.  Doesn’t that sound like an interesting twist to traditional beef stew?  Thoughts of soy sauce, teriyaki, hoisin or ponzu sauce, always inspire cravings.  They have a unique and wonderful flavor.  Of course, I had to try one. Many of the recipes I found were for the slow cooker.  Normally that would sound perfect—toss the ingredients in and let it be.  This time I...

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Shrimp Burritos Anyone?

 Shrimp Burritos Anyone? A shrimp burrito is one of the dishes I missed most when I moved from the San Diego area to southern Oregon. It was always a favorite to-go order from a local fish taco restaurant.  Bite sized morsels of shrimp, combined with beans, cheese and spices… No wonder it was so popular! So I decided to make one myself.  Turns out it wasn’t difficult to achieve.  It isn’t an exact copy.  The restaurant has its...

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Cauliflower, Spinach and Turkey Meatballs

 Cauliflower, Spinach and Turkey Meatballs One of my favorite ways to play in the kitchen is finding ways to include vegetables like spinach and cauliflower in recipes.  It still surprises me how easy it is to do.  These meatballs are one of the most popular options. Perhaps the easiest method is to include both in ground meat of any kind.  Since I rarely use beef, my choice for this recipe was ground turkey.  Whether a meat loaf,...

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Stuffed cabbage rolls: Recipe & ideas

Stuffed cabbage rolls. So versatile Once you have mastered the art of cooking stuffed cabbage rolls, you have a wealth of recipes to work with. The reason is that so many foods are suitable to use as a filling. Even better, this is a quick-to-make dish and very simple. It’s even planet-friendly. Let me explain more. What are the advantages of this delicious recipe? Depending on the filling used, it’s a remarkably...

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Quick and easy pizza recipes

In our household, pizza is just one of those staples –  something we have for dinner when there’s little in the fridge or when inspiration simply doesn’t strike. For many years that simply meant picking up the telephone – you  know what it’s like – it’s just so easy, isn’t it? Well yes, but eventually I realised that it’s healthier, much cheaper and much, much quicker to make pizza...

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Pasta Alfredo – a lighter, healthier version

Pasta Alfredo – a lighter, healthier version We try to eat as healthily as possible. And I prefer to cook food that takes little time – we’re all so busy these days. But sometimes we simply crave for some delicious, creamy pasta. Something like a Pasta Alfredo but oh, those calories. Have you ever looked it up and seen how many calories there are in the usual version? So in order to satisfy our cravings, and eat...

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Chicken with Toasted Barley

Chicken with Toasted Barley Toasted barley has become a comfort food. Put it with chicken and you have double comfort in a satisfying, tasty dinner. I put this together one day recently trying to use up odds and ends I had. I had a little barley left, and two frozen chicken thighs, and the last of some veggies. Fortunately the ingredients were some of my favorites. It takes a bit of time for the cooking, but it’s really a simple and...

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Fettuccine Gorgonzola

Fettuccine Gorgonzola If you are looking for a distinctive dish featuring fettuccine, but don’t want the standard Alfredo sauce, you will be impressed with this recipe. Fresh gorgonzola cheese, is mixed with mascarpone for a rich delicious sauce. It is perfect over spinach or tricolor fettuccine. It’s special enough to serve your discerning guests yet easy enough to prepare for a family dinner. It goes together very fast considering...

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Vegetarian Soft Tacos – Spinach and White Beans

Vegetarian Soft Tacos – Spinach and White Beans These quick and easy vegetarian tacos are one of my most popular recipes. They are also very versatile. I love them with white beans, but any beans would work. While all beans are nutritious, good for brain and heart health, and a good source of protein, black beans are considered one of the best. It tastes great with either. I left the cheese off this batch so it is strictly...

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Meat-free haggis recipe

A vegetarian haggis recipe I have to admit something to you. In the days when I used to eat meat, I used to like haggis. In those days, it was available in our local supermarket. Of course, the fact that it’s traditionally served with a glass of Scotch might have something to do with it and frankly, it’s not too good an idea to dwell on the ingredients if you’re a squeamish eater. As I don’t especially care for...

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30 Minute Meals: Easy Ginger Beef Recipe

30 Minute Meals: Easy Ginger Beef Recipe Tired of relying on take-out food and processed frozen dinners on nights when you don’t have time to cook? Having a few quick and easy 30 minutes meals stashed in your collection of recipes helps make eating more home cooked meals a reality, especially for people and families who are scheduled to the max. Just because you are short on time, it doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on...

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The Best Stuffed Mushroom Recipe Ever!

The Best Stuffed Mushroom Recipe Ever! Are you looking for a delicious stuffed mushroom recipe that will wow you and your guests? These spicy Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Mushrooms made with roasted garlic and bacon have officially been declared the best stuffed mushroom recipe ever by our friends and family! Bite into one of these scrumptious mushrooms stuffed with a blend of three cheeses, spicy jalapenos, crispy bacon and roasted garlic...

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The Queen Mother: Her favourite food

Queen Elizabeth,the Queen Mother. Her diet and her favourite recipe The Queen Mother lived to be one hundred and one years old. She was born in 1900 and even though she was born into an aristocratic family, we have to admit that she didn’t receive the benefits of modern medical science. The royal family are known for enjoying healthy foods. Despite the impression that we might get – that they feast on rich an luxurious...

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A Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe That Kids Love

A Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe That Kids Love I’m sure lots of children have trouble eating vegetables because they are cooked badly. Imagine being faced with soggy boiled green things that taste horrible! My solution is to prepare fresh crunchy vegetable stir-fry. I think there’s more to this aversion to veggies than meets the eye. Did you know that babies are frightened of plants? They have an innate reluctance to touch plants...

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Chili Stew Spices Up the Winter Appetite

Chili Stew Spices Up the Winter Appetite There’s nothing like the sassy, spicy taste of Chili Stew to perk up the winter dinner. For me, a pot of chili goes a long way. Chili dogs are a favorite as well as chili burritos. One of the key ingredients in my version of this delicious red elixir is pineapple juice. I like a slightly sweet stew. Beans are an integral part of a successful recipe in my book, so I try to use two or three...

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White Bean Chili, Vegetarian with Soy Crumbles

White Bean Chili, Vegetarian with Soy Crumbles My favorite chili used to be one served with ground beef crumbled throughout. I loved the texture and taste with the beans. Since I try not to eat beef often anymore, our family needed a recipe that did not have meat. That is how this yummy recipe came about. It’s totally vegetarian, yet filled with the same taste of ground meat. Soy crumbles make it possible, and make it delicious. The...

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Bean Burritos with Cauliflower: You won’t know it’s there

Bean Burritos with Cauliflower: You won’t know it’s there If you are trying to lighten up the meal you serve now that the holidays are over, here is a recipe you will enjoy. These delicious, rich burritos are much lower in calorie and fat than you would expect. Yet they taste even better. Burritos are a favorite of mine. I like that are easily made at home, any size you want, and that you know exactly what ingredients are going...

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Brunswick Stew, the Recipe and the Controversy

Brunswick Stew, the Recipe and the Controversy Who would expect a simple stew to have a debate over its origination? If you know anything about Brunswick Stew, you are probably aware that it does. Virginia and Georgia each claim it was first prepared in their fine state in the 1800’s, but some think it began in the first Brunswick city of Braunschweig, Germany. It was also said to be a favorite of Queen Victoria which would also mean...

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Spinach Mushroom Pasta

Spinach Mushroom Pasta You can’t go wrong with this dish or these ingredients. Three of my favorites tastes, combined in with garlic, onion and olive oil for a tasty and filling dish. Spinach has become a passion of mine. I enjoy seeing how many ways I can prepare it or add it to various meals I cook. Happily, it goes in nearly anything from pasta, to burgers. This recipe makes a low calories meal considering the pasta. An entire...

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