Salad in Color

I had this urge to make something colorful and healthy so I made a run to the store and apparently it got robbed while I was in there but the people and workers remained calm and I was just shopping away with idea. until I walked out of the store and saw all the police.

This is a very simple dish with lots of color.

3-4 small cucumbers

 

7 chopped radishes

 

almost a whole package of chopped salad tomatoes

 

3 chopped green onions

 

1 -15 ounce can garbanzo beans

 

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic

 

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

 

Romaine lettuce

 

Homemade buttermilk dressing or prepared dressing of your choice

 

Wash the garbanzo beans until they do not continue to foam. toast the pine nuts in a skillet or in the oven . Chop the ingredients to your preference and mix together.

 

Dressing

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

1/4 teaspoon of dry dill (or a teaspoon chopped fresh)

 

In a medium bowl, stir together the buttermilk and mayonnaise until fully mixed. Add in the other ingredients.

Keeps for a week when  covered in the fridge.

 

*You can use low fat mayo  and lower fat milk or substitute the milk for Greek Yogurt

 

place the romaine lettuce on a plate and top with vegetable mixture and dressing

 

 all the chopped vegetables with so much color

 I topped off the Romaine Lettuce with the vegetables and drizzled it with the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and added homemade croutons

 

If you haven't made homemade croutons before it is definitely something that you should try because they are worth the small amount of effort. I used my homemade milk free bread for the croutons. Slice them in small squares whatever size is your preference. Next spray oil lightly or you can drizzle them with olive oil or butter. I usually use flavored olive oils that you buy in the grocery store. Place them in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes  turn them a little and then add some parmesan cheese or the 5 blend Italian cheese (if you wish) and cook for another 15 minutes.

Other ways to season the croutons

Italian Herbs

Fresh Garlic

Cajun Seasoning 

 

 

 

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Bread Machine Milk-Free Loaf Bread

When it snows make bread.

 

During Rising

There is one really good thing about snow . It makes the bread rise. When the snow is falling make bread. When the snow is melting make bread. Not just 2 loaves make lots of bread and freeze it because you will notice the difference in the rising after the snow stops falling.
This is my basic bread that I also use for rolls. I make it with vanilla rice milk because of a milk allergy my son has. I have this great bread machine that I use for all my breads so I just set the dough cycle and put all the ingredients in this order. First to last

Milk

Flour

Sugar

Salt

Crisco

yeast

 

2 cups vanilla rice milk

5 cups flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon finely ground kosher salt

1 tablespoon Crisco or lard

1 package or 2 teaspoons yeast

 

Add these ingredients according to your bread machine instructions.Remove the bread from the machine and make 2 equal parts. I stretch it out a little to fit the pan and tuck under the ends .Gently place in a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan until a little more than double

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. If it starts to get brown before this time lay a sheet of foil over the breads

 

*when using a bread machine for dough it is very important to use the 1 cup measuring cup and to take the straight end of the butter knife and rake it across the top to get the exact 1 cup.

*you do not want the yeast to get near the milk. I always take a spoon and make a small well to put the yeast into.

*Always make sure your flour is pretty level and not in a mound and be sure to cut the Crisco or lard into really small pieces.

*This makes 2 loaves. I usually turn the oven on for a second then turn it off and keep the oven light on to rise the bread. Make sure it doesn't get too hot or it will kill the yeast.

*This can also be used for rolls and hamburger buns.

 



Fried Rice

If you ask my kids what their favorite thing that I cook is I know they would tell you "The Orange Rice". yep that's what we call it . This is actually Mexican fried rice and is suppose to be served with the peas , carrots , and tomatoes but you know kids they can be a bit picky with their eatin.

 

2 tablespoons oil ( I use canola)

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups rice

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1/2 cup tomato sauce

 

add 2 tablespoon oil to the pan along with the 2 cups of rice and 1 teaspoon of salt. Fry the rice on medium heat until very lightly toasted keep stirring the rice and do not let it sit!. You will have to watch this and do not  let it get dark brown because it will taste burned. I am talking about very light brown and not all the rice will get light brown. ( I always  have my 2 cups of chicken broth ready because if you leave this sitting it will get brown on you. ) add the 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of tomato sauce. put a lid on and  let it simmer on low until done. If you really want the true version add the frozen peas and carrots probably about 1 1/2 cups and when it has finished cooking add in the chopped tomato.

 

Glazed Sweet Potatoes

ohhhh let me tell you these are the best sweet potatoes I have ever made.
and so easy if you can get past the slicing .
butter
a lemon yes a whole lemon ( I know I was a little skeptical too) I was thinking a few slices will do but  no it takes a whole lemon which gives it the perfect hint of lemon taste.

 

4 Pounds Sweet Potatoes

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 lemon

1 Stick of Salted Butter
1/4 cup water

dash of salt to taste

 

melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan add  1/4 cup water then sliced sweet potatoes and place the WHOLE lemon in the center of the sweet potatoes and cook with the lid sealed tightly for 45-50 minutes on medium heat. You might want to turn over the lemon half way through cooking time because it will brown a little. It wasn't a problem for me though

 

don't be scared of the butter you are just going to make a sweetened glaze for the potatoes. I didn't have to add any extra water to get these done so don't be scared just check them

Okra and Tomatoes

 

 

1 (28-ounce) can of tomatoes

2 pounds of fresh or frozen okra cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon butter or  margarine

3 strips of bacon fried , crisp and crumbled

 

combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cover. cook 20-30 minutes until tender . Sprinkle the crumbled bacon on top of the okra and tomatoes.

 

I never have to add water to these and it just takes away from the flavor .