Quote

"I cannot live without books: but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object." -- Thomas Jefferson

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Hotplate: Tindade

One of the things I love about @bootstrapcook, is Jack Monroe believes even people on a tight budget should be able to eat well.

When I read Jack’s Tindade recipe in Cooking on a Bootstrap, I guess I did not really understand what it was. For me, it turned out to be a tasty spread for bread chunks or crackers.
 
 
Hotplate: Tindade
(Adapted from: Cooking on a Bootstrap by Jack Monroe)
 
 
Jack’s recipe ingredients were in metric, I converted the measurements to ounces.

300ml milk = 10.14oz
500 grams fish = 17.6oz
330 grams potatoes = 10oz
400g Beans = 14oz

I looked for canned mackerel in 3 different stores but could not find any, so I used 2 cans of salmon. I think I could have added one more can.

Also, I made a lot of changes based on what I had.


Ingredients:

4oz milk
Salt /pepper to taste
1 Tspn Thyme, dry
1 Tspn Parsley
2 Cans Salmon, drained
1 Can potatoes, diced, drained and rinsed
10oz Peruano Refried Beans (white beans)
A Dab Vegetable oil
Lime juice


Process:

In a medium pot, add milk.
Set hot plate on medium low.
Let milk warm up.
Add spices.
Stir well.
Add salmon.
Add potatoes.
Stir mixture well.
Use a spoon to scoop out the beans from the packet and add to pot.
Add oil.
Stir mixture thoroughly.
Let mixture cook on medium-high for 5-10 minutes.
Stir frequently to keep mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Mash the mixture, if you want it creamier.
Pull pot off hot plate.
Add lime juice.
Stir.
Let it cool a bit.
Taste mixture, stir in more s/p and/or herbs, if you’d like.
 
 
Use as a dip or spread with crackers or chunks of bread, or as side dish.

See Jack’s original recipe for recipe tips and his suggestions for how to use the empty leftover cans.

Monday, July 26, 2021

Refrigerator: Carrot Relish

I was surprised, this simple recipe is quite tasty and a great addition to many recipes.
 
I, first, saw Chef Susanne Duplantis on the short-lived Netflix Cooking Show Leftovers. A search found her website, Makeover My Leftover.

I will never be a real cook, so I depend on the advice and ideas of real cooks and chefs.

This is my first Chef Duplantis's recipe to try. Of course, I had to adapt the recipe based on the tools and ingredients I had.


Ingredients:

3-4 TBspns grated carrot, peeled
1/2 Tspn Lime Juice
Lime Zest*
1/2 TBspn sugar


Process:

Peel carrot with grater.
Grate carrot into a bowl.
Add the lime juice and zest.
Add sugar.
Stir ingredients thoroughly.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
 
Made a turkey lunchmeat quasidilla with one slice turkey lunchmeat, shredded cabbage and 1/2 TBspn carrot salsa. It was great.
 
Lime zest is grated lime peel.


Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Microwave: Mug O'Rice & Pineapple

Microwave: Mug O'Rice & Pineapple
(Adapted from: Baked Pineapple Rice by A Cookbook by Ted)

I mugified the original recipe because I am cooking for one.
 
Pre-preparation:

Sauce
3 TBspns Butter
3 TBspns Honey

In a small dessert bowl, add butter.
Cover.
Microwave for 15-20 seconds to melt butter.
Add honey.
Stir ingredients to mix well.
 

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil
Cooked rice
Canned Pineapple chunks
Butter and honey sauce
 

Process:

Add a dollop of vegetable oil to mug.
Add a small layer of rice.
Add a small layer of pineapple  hunks.
Dribble a little of the butter & honey sauce over layer.
Continue to make layers until mug is almost full.
Top with a bit of the butter & honey sauce.
Put mug on a plate before putting it into the microwave to catch any overflow.
Cover with a saucer.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Leftover idea:
 
Skillet: Fried Rice and Pineapple with Shrimp and an Egg
 
Pre-Preparation:
 
In a baggie, add about 4 TBspns of small, thawed shrimp. Add a bit of lime juice and ground black pepper.

Close bag, shake a bit to coat all the shrimp. Let it sit in the frig for about 1 hour.

Remove shrimp.
 
 
Ingredients:
 
A Dollop of Vegetable Oil
3-4 TBspns Leftover rice and pineapple mixture.
3-4 Seasoned Shrimp
1 Egg
Ground Black Pepper (Optional)


Process:

Add a dollop of vegetable oil to a small skillet.
Add about 3-TBspns of rice and pineapple mixture.
Spread rice mixture over bottom of skillet.
Add 2-3 TBspns of small seasoned shelled thawed shrimp.
Add Ground Black Pepper to taste.
Stir ingredients thoroughly.
Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Uncover, stir mixture.
Crack an egg into the mixture.
Gently, and slowly stir the egg into the mixture.
Using a wooden spoon, gently push and pull small portions of the rice and egg mixture around on the bottom of the skillet. The goal is to scramble and cook the egg.
Cover skillet and let mixture cook for about 1 minute.
Uncover, stir mixture.
The egg mixture should be cooked.
 
OR
 
Make a:
 
Microwave: Mug O'Rice, Pineapple, Shrimp and Egg

Using the same ingredients as above, plus a dollop of Coconut Creme and consider Cilantro dressing as a topping.

Add a dollop of oil to a mug.
Add about 3-4 TBspns of Rice and Pineapple mixture.
Add Shrimp.
Add a dollop of coconut creme.
Add an egg.
Stir and whip the mixture vigorously.
Add Ground Black Pepper to taste.
Stir thoroughly.
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes.
Tip contents into a bowl or onto a plate.
Top with some Cilantro dressing.


Monday, July 19, 2021

Microwave: Mug O'Faux Treacle Bread Pudding

Hot from the microwave. Hmmm, it's tasty but I'd call it Honey Bread Pudding.

Of course, because I watch a lot of British TV shows, Treacle Pudding or Treacle something is often mentioned, so I had to try some version of it.

The recipe called for Black Molasses. I could not find any molasses, so I tried some heavy Sugar Syrup.


Microwave: Mug O'Faux Treacle Bread Pudding
(Adapted from: https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-treacle-tart-recipe-435039)


Ingredients:

1-2 Slice Bread, various, torn
2-3 TBspns Sugar Syrup or honey
1 TBspn Dark Thick Syrup or Black Molasses
1/4 Tspn Lime zest
1/4 Tspn Lime juice
1 Capful Vanilla flavoring
1 Egg
A Dollop of Coconut Creme
1 Tspn Bread crumbs
Topping: Plain yogurt
 
 
Process:

Essentially, mix all ingredients thoroughly for a minute or more.
Cover mug with a saucer.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Serve with yogurt, or crème fraiche, or vanilla ice cream.

 
Obviously, very high in sugar and calories.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Carrots, Carrots, Carrots

Never thought I’d be so happy to see a carrot.

For some reason, I don’t recall, I, recently, grated one carrot. I don’t usually grate carrots.

But, I had been gathering carrot recipes and one, a carrot relish, required grated carrot.

But, instead of making the relish, I added half of the grated carrot to a can of salmon (drained) with a tablespoon of mayo and a bit of lime juice and made a salmon salad which I used to make a few mini sandwiches.
 

Then, I got the bright idea, let’s try using the remaining grated carrot in my version of Jack Monroe’s Carrot Cake Overnight Oats.
 
When I first made her recipe, I fell in love with overnight oats. But, where I live now, I can’t find canned carrots, a necessary ingredient in his recipe. I had tried sliced and cooked carrots but could not achieve the same taste.

When I used the grated carrot in a batch of "Carrot Cake Overnight Oats", the result was just about right.

So, now I have ribboned or made curls, and grated another carrot and some of the recipes I hope to try are:
 

(Weird, my pictures came out too red.)

Carrot relish
Carrot cookies
Vegetable Skewers
And for the umpteenth time, maybe I will try Jack’s infamous Carrot, Cumin & Kidney Bean Burgers, with modifications of course.
 
Plus, there's more I want to do with a carrot, like:
 
Use curls, or diced or sliced carrots with sliced apples and cucumbers for a fresh salad.
Add carrot slices to DIY Pickles.
Add diced or grated carrot to macaroni salad.
Cut thinly sliced/julienned carrot, add to a bowl of raisins, almonds, and yogurt for a tasty salad.
Add oil and honey to a dish of carrot curls as a side salad.
Try making a Mug O'Carrot cake.

#Anti-Inflammatory-friendly

Monday, July 12, 2021

Microwave: Mug O'Spinach Frittata (Anti-Inflammatory)

Ok, Now, I have to search for Anti-Inflammatory recipes.
 
Here's my first attempt.
 
Microwave: Mug O’Spinach Frittata
(Anti-Inflammatory)
(Adapted from: Spinach-Tomato Frittata https://www.consumerreports.org/cooking-baking/anti-inflammatory-diet-recipes/)
 
 
Pre-Preparation:
 
1 Tomato Bouillon
1 Cup Water
 
In one cup of water, add Tomato bouillon, microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir until bouillon has dissolved.


Ingredients:

1 Dollop Veg oil
1 Grind Black Pepper opt
1 Tspn Onion Flakes
1/2 a Small Dessert Bowl Frozen Spinach
1 egg
1 Tspn Milk
1 TBspn Parm
1 TBspn Tomato Bouillon
Topping: Sprinkle with Thyme
 

Process:
 
Add oil to Mug.
Add Ground Black Pepper.
Add Onion Flakes.
Add Frozen Spinach.
Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
Stir ingredients thoroughly.
Return to microwave, cook on high for about 1 minute.
Add egg, milk, Parmesan cheese, tomato bouillon.
Stir, whip and mix ingredients vigorously.
Cover mug with a saucer.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
When cooked, use a fork to loosen egg mixture from sides of mug.
Tip contents onto plate.
Slice cooked mixture.
Sprinkle with Thyme.
 
 
Then, there are the dirty dishes :-) and the remaining Tomato bouillon for later use. Decided to freeze leftover tomato bouillon in an ice cube tray.
 
 
 
I added too much spinach but it was still tasty.
 
Note: I am not a dietitian, nutritionist etc.
I just try to eat as healthy as I can. Many of my recipes are GERD-friendly and now I am focusing on Anti-inflammatory-friendly recipes.
I do use a bit of dairy products which are on the GERD and Anti-inflammatory Do Not Eat lists.
 
#Anti-Inflammatory-friendly

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Stovetop and Microwave: Shrimp, Spinach & Cheese Quesadillas

Lately, I've been trying several recipes from Budget Bytes (https://www.budgetbytes.com/) or using Beth Moncel's recipes for inspiration.
 
I am always on the lookout for easy and GERD-Friendly recipes.
 
While I do not always adhere to the GERD Do Not Eat Foods List, but I do try to modify recipes and minimize the use of forbidden items.
 
 
Stovetop and Microwave: Shrimp, Spinach & Cheese Quesadillas
 
Pre-Preparation:

A Dessert Bowl of Frozen Shrimp.
Squeeze some lime juice over shrimp.
Sprinkle Shrimp with a bit of Garlic Powder.
Sprinkle Shrimp with a bit of Ground Black Pepper.
Microwave on high 30 seconds to 2 minutes to cook shrimp.
Drain and reserve.
 
Spinach
Fill a dessert bowl with frozen chopped spinach.
Microwave on high for 1-3 minutes.
Drain and reserve.

Alternative cooking method: Add shrimp with a bit of oil to skillet. Season as desired. Cook on medium. Stir shrimp as they cook. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove and drain. Add spinach to skillet with a bit of oil, cook on medium, stir as the spinach cooks. Cook until all the spinach has thawed and is warmed throughout. Remove and drain.
 

Ingredients:
 
Cooked Shrimp, dice, if necessary
Cooked Spinach
Mozzarella Cheese, grated
Vegetable Oil for frying Tortillas
1-2 Tortillas
 
 
Process:
 
Add oil to skillet.
Add tortilla.
Fry until bottom is light brown.
Flip.
Top tortilla with 1-2 spoonfuls of shrimp, spread in center.
Top shrimp with spinach.
Top spinach with cheese.
Season with additional Black Pepper, if desired.
 
 
Fold tortilla.
Cook for a short time to melt cheese.
 

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Stovetop and Microwave: Hug-A-Mug - Spicy Ramen Noodles with Leftover Chicken & Vegetables

Hug-A-Mug - Spicy Ramen Noodles with Leftover Chicken & Vegetables
(Adapted from: https://www.budgetbytes.com/chicken-yakisoba/)
 
Obviously, I adapted and reduced the size and ingredients of this recipe going from a bowl to a mug.
 
This is Not, Not #NotGerd-Friendly.
 
Use a large mug.
 
 
Ingredients:
 
A Dolllop of Vegetable Oil
1/2 Tspn Ginger powder
1 Tspn Onion flakes
1 TBspn Soy Sauce
1 TBspn Worcestershire Sauce
2 TBspns ketchup
1 Capful Hot Sauce
1 Tspn Sugar
2-4 TBspns Leftover Canned Mixed vegetables
2-3 TBspns Leftover Cooked Chicken, diced
2 TBspns Sauerkraut
3/4 Packet of Cooked Ramen Noodles
Noodle water
 
 
Process:
 
In a pot, add enough water to cover ramen noodles, bring water to boil, add noodles, cook for about 2-3 minutes until noodles are done. Drain and reserve some of the noodle water.
 
Add spices to mug, stir and mix well. 
Microwave for 30 seconds.
Add vegetables, chicken, sauerkraut.
Stir and mix ingredients thoroughly.
Add about half of the cooked noodles.
Add about 2 TBspns of noodle water.
Stir and mix all ingredients, thoroughly.
Microwave on high 1-2 minutes. 
 
This was an interesting recipe. It was much spicier than I imagined. 
 
But, it was a great recipe for leftovers.