MagPad Dinner Table

MagPad Dinner Table

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
2 lbs. Sweet Potatoes (about 3 large or 4 medium)
1/2 cup fat free half & half or skim milk
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Topping:
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup light brown sugar, unpacked
1/4 cup quick cooking oats (or chopped pecans)
1 tbsp. whole wheat flour
1/2 tbsp. melted butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut sweet potatoes in half and roast in oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven & allow to cool slightly. Once cool enough to touch, scoop out insides & place in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until sweet potatoes are slightly mashed. Add in 2 tbsp. butter, brown sugar, half & half, orange juice, vanilla, nutmeg & cinnamon. Beat until incorporated and sweet potatoes become a whipped consistency.
Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray. Pour sweet potato mixture into dish. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup oats, & whole wheat flour. Whisk together. Add half of melted butter and stir to combine. Spoon topping over sweet potato mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle with remaining butter. If desired, broil for one minute more to crisp the top, watching closely.

Rachel got the recipe from this webpage:  http://www.macaroniandcheesecake.com/2010/11/lightened-up-sweet-potato-casserole.html
She also said, "I didn't make the topping.  Instead I just chopped up pecans."

Cranberry Sauce with Cider and Cinnamon

2 cups unfiltered apple cider  
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1 cinnamon stick (3 in. long)
2 bags (12 oz each) fresh cranberries

In a medium sized non-aluminum saucepan, combine the apple cider, sugar, water, and cinnamon stick.  Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Add the cranberries, bring to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally until most of the cranberries have burst, about 10 min.

Let cool to room temperature.  Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to develop the flavors.  Remove the cinnamon stick and let the sauce come to room temperature before serving.

Rachel got this recipe from her co-worker.  

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Hydrogen Peroxide Magic



I got this from Brian Wilkinson Face Book page.  I have no idea who Brian is, but I liked what he said about Hydrogen Peroxide so I thought I’d share it on my recipe blog under the  Cleaning Recipe label

The rest of this post is Brian Wilkinson's words  from his FB page:  

Make sure and Save this so you can have the Recipe Saved on your TIMELINE
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE MAGIC!

Ever since I started using Hydrogen Peroxide to get rid of armpit stains, to clean cookie sheets, as a miracle cleaner in my kitchen and bathroom, and to make my own “oxi clean”…I ALWAYS have at least one bottle of the stuff under my kitchen sink, under my bathroom sink, AND in the laundry room. This stuff is amazingly versatile!

But it wasn’t until recently, after doing some IN DEPTH research on the subject, that I came to realize what a “miracle substance” hydrogen peroxide really is! It’s safe, it’s readily available, it’s cheap, and best of all, it WORKS! It works for a LOT of stuff!

Hydrogen peroxide should really be called oxygen water, since it is basically the same chemical make up as water but with an extra oxygen atom (H2O2). Because of this it breaks down quickly and harmlessly into oxygen and water.

Some other interesting facts about hydrogen peroxide:
  • It is found in all living material.
  • Your white blood cells naturally produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to fight bacteria and infections.
  • Fruit and vegetables naturally produce hydrogen peroxide. This is one of the reasons why it is so healthy to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
  • It is found in massive dosages in the mother’s first milk, called colostrum, and is transferred to the baby to boost their immune system.
  • It is found in rain water because some of the H20 in the atmosphere receives an additional oxygen atom from the ozone (O3) and this H2O2 makes plants grow faster.
  • Next to Apple Cider Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide ranks up there as one of the best household remedies.
  • Besides the obvious (cleansing wounds), did you know that it is probably the best remedy to dissolve ear wax? Brighten dingy floors? Add natural highlights to your hair? Improve your plants root systems? The list goes on and on!
  • There are SO many uses for this stuff that I’ve started replacing the cap on the hydrogen peroxide bottle with a sprayer because it’s easier and faster to use that way.
  • I have compiled a rather impressive list of uses for 3% hydrogen peroxide that I hope will have you as thrilled and bewildered as I was!
  • Wash vegetables and fruits with hydrogen peroxide to remove dirt and pesticides. Add 1/4 cup of H2O2 to a sink of cold water. After washing, rinse thoroughly with cool water.
  • In the dishwasher, add 2 oz. to your regular detergent for a sanitizing boost. Also, beef up your regular dish soap by adding roughly 2 ounces of 3% H2O2 to the bottle.
  • Use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash to freshen breath. It kills the bacteria that causes halitosis. Use a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.
  • Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste for brushing teeth. Helps with early stages of gingivitis as it kills bacteria. Mixed with salt and baking soda, hydrogen peroxide works as a whitening toothpaste.
  • Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide between uses to keep it clean and prevent the transfer of germs. This is particularly helpful when you or someone in your family has a cold or the flu.
  • Clean your cutting board and countertop. Let everything bubble for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse clean. (I’ve been using it for this a LOT lately!)
  • Wipe out your refrigerator and dishwasher. Because it’s non-toxic, it’s great for cleaning places that store food and dishes.
  • Clean your sponges. Soak them for 10 minutes in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a shallow dish. Rinse the sponges thoroughly afterward.
  • Remove baked-on crud from pots and pans. Combine hydrogen peroxide with enough baking soda to make a paste, then rub onto the dirty pan and let it sit for a while. Come back later with a scrubby sponge and some warm water, and the baked-on stains will lift right off.
  • Whiten bathtub grout. First dry the tub thoroughly, then spray it liberally with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit — it may bubble slightly — for a little while, then come back and scrub the grout with an old toothbrush. You may have to repeat the process a few times.
  • Clean the toilet bowl. Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, then scrub clean.
  • Remove stains from clothing, curtains, and tablecloths. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pre-treater for stains — just soak the stain for a little while in 3% hydrogen peroxide before tossing into the laundry. You can also add a cup of peroxide to a regular load of whites to boost brightness. It’s a green alternative to bleach, and works just as well.
  • Brighten dingy floors. Combine half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of hot water, then go to town on your flooring. Because it’s so mild, it’s safe for any floor type, and there’s no need to rinse.
  • Clean kids’ toys and play areas. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe cleaner to use around kids, or anyone with respiratory problems, because it’s not a lung irritant. Spray toys, toy boxes, doorknobs, and anything else your kids touch on a regular basis.
  • Help out your plants. To ward off fungus, add a little hydrogen peroxide to your spray bottle the next time you’re spritzing plants.
  • Add natural highlights to your hair. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide so the solution is 50% peroxide and 50% water. Spray the solution on wet hair to create subtle, natural highlights.
  • According to alternative therapy practitioners, adding half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to a warm bath can help detoxify the body. Some are skeptical of this claim, but a bath is always a nice way to relax and the addition of hydrogen peroxide will leave you – and the tub – squeaky clean!
  • Spray a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide on leftover salad, drain, cover and refrigerate. This will prevent wilting and better preserve your salad.
  • Sanitize your kids’ lunch boxes/bags.
  • Dab hydrogen peroxide on pimples or acne to help clear skin.
  • Hydrogen peroxide helps to sprout seeds for new plantings. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution once a day and spritz the seed every time you re-moisten. You can also use a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 32 parts water to improve your plants’ root system.
  • Remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths. Fill a sink with cold water and a 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry.
  • Use it to remove ear wax. Use a solution of 3% with olive or almond oil. Add a couple drops of oil first then H2O2. After a few minutes, tilt head to remove solution and wax.
  • Helps with foot fungus. Spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry. Or try soaking your feet in a peroxide solution to help soften calluses and corns, and disinfect minor cuts.
  • Spray down the shower with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and viruses.
  • Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water to clean humidifiers and steamers.
  • Wash shower curtains with hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew and soap scum. Place curtains in machine with a bath towel and your regular detergent. Add 1 cup full strength 3% hydrogen peroxide to the rinse cycle.
  • Use for towels that have become musty smelling. 1/2 cup Peroxide and 1/2 cup vinegar let stand for 15 minutes wash as normal. Gets rid of the smell.
  • Use hydrogen peroxide to control fungi present in aquariums. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt your fish. Use sparingly for this purpose.
  • De-skunking solution. Combine 1 quart 3% H2O2, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon Dawn dish detergent, 2 quarts warm water.
  • PLEASE SHARE
  • To SAVE be sure to click photo then click SHARE so it will store on your personal page.
  • I have had a LOT of people send me messages asking where to get hydrogen peroxide.
  • Most people know it simply as peroxide, and you can get it in any drug store, pharmacy and most department stores, and grocery stores. (in a brown bottle like the one in the photo WITH OUT the spayer)
Below is a message I received via my fb inbox:
Hi Brian! I saw your great write up on hydrogen peroxide and noticed someone made an incorrect claim in the comments that it causes oral cancer. She was using a very outdated study from 1977. New research shows this to be untrue and that its a great product to be using for oral care. Why would major bands still be using it in their products if it did actually cause oral cancer? Here is a link to a newer research study if you would like to check it out. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16831183
I have had several people ask me to email this to them, if you are thinking of asking don't.
#1. That is all I would get done doing.
#2. I do not give out or reveal my email address.
It has been shared over 950,000 times!
I have had a lot of people send question to my inbox about this.
It currently has over 950,000 shares.
PLEASE do NOT send me questions!
I will not answer them.
I do not desire to devote my life to answering question about this posting.
Read it and take it for whatever you think it is worth.
If you have questions, use a search engine! This is the Internet people!
I am not Heloise
(From Helpful hint from Heloise)
If you have questions ask her.
http://www.heloise.com


Friday, November 14, 2014

Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cups chicken broth
2-1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cubed avocado and thinly sliced green onions, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and
pepper; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute
longer.
Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker; stir in the remaining ingredients.
Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours. If desired, top with avocado and
green onions. Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

This is Rachel:  I also added 1 can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed).  I didn't cook mine in the crock pot - just on the stove.  I used ground turkey, but ground beef would work fine too.  I topped it with shredded cheese.  You can't really tasty the pumpkin, but it definitely makes it more hearty and filling.  Nice for a cold day!  I doubled the recipe and put half in the freezer.  

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Lentil Stew

(Makes 6 servings)
Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion 
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups lentils 
1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
1 teaspoon curry powder (or to taste)
3 teaspoons. garam masala (or to taste) (I didn't add this)
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups chicken broth (6 cups if you prefer soup) (I used 4 cups)
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cups water
1 tablespoon garlic powder (I used 3 cloves minced garlic instead)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

Directions:
1. Roughly chop your onion and place into a large pot with the olive oil. Cook the onions until they are translucent. In fact, if you know how to caramelize onions, go for it.
2. Add your lentils to the pot and stir.
3. Add the coconut milk to the pot and bring to a low boil.
4. Add all other ingredients. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the beans from burning on the bottom of the pot.
5. Stew is finished when the lentils are soft and fully cooked.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I eat mine over cooked rice.  Yummy!

Rachel asked me to post this after making a batch for her and her sisters.  


Monday, August 18, 2014

Salsa

This is just a few of the ingredients and the finished product.  
It was a gift from Sam's boss' husband
Recipe by: Michael Tarr

There are two versions of this salsa, store brought and fresh.  I use the fresh version only for home grown tomatoes and chilies.  The ingredients and preparation are similar with just a couple of changes.

Store bought version:

2 yellow chilies
2 jalapeños
2 serrano chilies
1 bunch green onions finely chopped
5 cloves garlic
1 bunch cilantro finely chopped
1 med/lg lime juiced
3 cans S&W petite cut tomatoes
Sea salt to taste

Fresh version:

3 yellow chilies
3 jalapeños
3 serrano chilies
5 cloves garlic
1 bunch cilantro finely chopped
1 med/lg lime juiced
1 med tomato plus 5 1/2 to 6 cups finely diced tomatoes
Sea salt to taste

In both versions I roast the chilies until the skin is blackened. To learn how to roast chilies, click here.   I also roast the garlic until the cloves have softened.  For fresh version, roast the med tomato until the skin is peeling and the fruit softened.

Store version:  Put lime juice, roasted garlic and chilies into a blender.  Add juice from canned tomatoes and blend until smooth.  In a large bowl, add tomatoes and onions.  Use bean or potato masher to break down tomatoes and mix.  Pour chile mixture over tomatoes, add cilantro to taste.  Sprinkle a little salt over the top and stir.  Refrigerate to let flavors mix.

Fresh version:   Same as above, except roasted tomato goes into the blender in place of the canned tomato juice.  Add chilies, garlic and lime juice and follow the steps  above.

Enjoy.

Sam came home from work the other day and said,  "Mom, not many people make homemade food better than you, but Teesha's salsa is soooo good.  It has a little kick to it that your salsa doesn't have."  After he told me that, I had to call Teesha and ask her for the recipe.  She said that it was her husbands recipe and that she'd get it for me.   Thank you Michael.  It is delicious!    My mild salsa recipe is found by clicking here.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie




I found this off of a graham cracker pie crust package.  It looked too good and too simple to make not to post. 

Friday, May 23, 2014

Tuna Cottage Cheese Casserole

Click on above picture to read recipe or read below

1 can tuna
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 lb. cottage cheese
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
3/4 t. celery salt
1/2 t.  worcesteshire sauce
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
2 T. butter

Mix tuna, oil from can, cottage cheese, seasonings, and 1/4 cup bread crumbs into beaten eggs.  Turn into oiled 1 quart casserole and top with remaining crumbs, buttered.  Set in pan of hot water and bake in 375 degree oven about 35 minutes or until mxture is set. 

Yesterday as I was leaving Costco after my shopping trip, I ran into Larry and Corinne Steimle.  As we were visiting, the topic of my recipe blog came up.  Larry told me about one of his favorite  recipies.  It sounded like a very interesting recipe....Tuna and Cottage Cheese Casserole?!?    I said if he'd send it, I'd post it on my blog. 

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Beef and Bean Enchiladas

Serves 6

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey) - shredded chicken would also work
3 gloves garlic minced (optional)
Chopped onions
Cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper to taste
2 cups enchilada sauce divided (I prefer green over red)
1  15 oz can refried beans
12 corn tortillas
Grated cheese to top the enchiladas (mozzarella or cheddar work well)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Brown beef with garlic and  onions and drain.  I season my ground beef with cumin, chili powder, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.  You could also used toco seasoning instead.  Add 1 cup of enchilada sauce and the can of refried beans to the meat.  Microwave tortillas for 30 sec - l minute to soften.   Spread a spoonful of sauce on each tortilla and top with meat mixture and cheese.  Roll up tortillas and place seam side down in sprayed 8 inch glass casserole.  Top with remaining sauce to cover and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Bake 20-25 minutes.

I'm visiting Rachel and she made this for me today for lunch.  Yum.  When she made it she used the green enchilada sauce instead of the mild red enchilada sauce.  She also used white cheese instead of the cheddar cheese.