Pizza Toast

 Pizza Toast

 

Ingredients:

1 Slice Bread

1 Drizzle Vegetable Oil

A Few Grinds Ground Black Pepper

1 Tbspn DIY Marinara Sauce

1-2 Tbspns Cheese, mozzarella or other cheese, grated, shredded or slivers or crumbled

Optional toppings: diced ham, or chicken, or Spam, diced bell pepper, pineapple chunks, or sliced olives

 

 

Process:

Toast slice of bread.

Remove.

Drizzle vegetable oil over toast.

Add black pepper.

Spread marinara sauce over toast.

Cover top with the cheese.

Add topping of choice (optional)

Place toast on a piece of aluminum.

Place piece of aluminum with toast on a toaster oven tray.

Bake in oven / toaster oven until cheese has melted.

 

Refrigerator / Toaster Oven: Polish-Style Sardines on Toast

It’s 2:30 in the morning and I could not get a line of dialogue out of my mind. I had been watching Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot’s BBC TV show, “Elephant’s Can Remember.” A character in the story had said, “I had sardines on toast.”

Because I enjoy British dramas, I occasionally focus on the food mentioned in the stories.

I laughed, nothing says British cuisine like “Sardines on Toast.” It’s simple, cheap and sounds bland.

But, I like sardines and knew I could find some “fancy” recipes for “Sardines on Toast.”

The recipe I choose (link below) is an enjoyable read. Also, the author provides more information and ideas on ways to make and serve “Polish-Style Sardines on Toast.”

 

 

Polish-Style Sardines on Toast
(Adapted from: https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/sardines-on-toast/)

Ingredients:

1 Slice Multigrain bread, toasted

Mustard, or Butter, or Veg oil

1 Large sardine from 425g can of sardines

2 TBspns DIY Pickle Relish

1 Tspn Onion flakes

2 Tspns Dry Parsley

1 TBspn Ketchup

1 TBspn Mayo

Salt to taste

Ground Black pepper to taste

1/2 Capful Lime juice

Optional: add diced radishes.

 

Process:

Spread mustard or selected spread on toast.

Place toast on a plate.

In a bowl, add 1 sardine, pickle relish, onion flakes, parsley, ketchup, mayo, salt and pepper.

Mix, stir, and smash ingredients until ingredients are throughly mixed and smooth.

Spread mixture over toast.

Sprinkle with lime juice.

Sprinkle a little parsley on top.

 

Refrigerate any remaining spread.

 

Microwavee / Toaster Oven: Mug O'Scrambled Egg Bread Pudding or Toast Topping

Went to the frig, what did I need to use up? There was a cracked egg. There was a bit of salsa and a piece of baguette. Sounds like a bread pudding, to me.

Now, while I am getting better at making dishes from various food items and while they often come out ok, I always assume it will be a disaster.

 Mug O’Scrambled Egg Bread Pudding or Toast Topping

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil

Black pepper and Garlic powder

1 Egg

3 TBspns Coconut creme or milk

1-2 Tspns Canned salsa

1 Tspn Dry Thyme, crushed between the palms

1 Small piece Baguette (Approximately 2” in length), torn into pieces

Variation: a slice of toast with a light layer of mayo.

Optional Topping: Cilantro dressing

 

Process:

In a mug, add vegetable oil.

Add black pepper, garlic powder, egg and coconut creme.

Stir and whip ingredients well, for about 30 seconds.

Add salsa, thyme and bread.

Stir thoroughly, so the bread is soaked in liquid.

Cover mug with a saucer.

Microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Note: the saucer may pop off.

 

 
Serve straight up in mug, or tip onto a plate, or onto a piece of toast with a light layer of mayo. If on toast, slice egg mixture so that it covers the top of the toast.

 
I was amazed, the thyme gave this a scrambled egg bread pudding a special flavor. I also tried a bit of Cilantro dressing, while I liked it, I liked it plain, better.

 

Toast Topping: Poached Egg & Ham

A relatively simple Toast Topping.

 

Toast Topping: Poached Egg & Ham

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 slice of multigrain bread toast

Mayo

Ground Black pepper

2 Drops Hot Sauce

1 Slice of ham lunchmeat, diced

1 TBspn Mozzarella cheese, grated, or shredded, or diced

2 TBspns Water

1 egg

Topping: Cilantro dressing (Optional)

 

 

Process:

 

•  Place toast on a plate.
  
• Swipe toast with a light layer of mayo.
• Sprinkle mayo with ground black pepper.
• Add drops of hot sauce on top of toast.
• Place ham chips evenly on toast.
• Add layer of cheese over mayo and ham.
• Place plate with toast and toppings in toaster oven. If it is still warm, let it sit, if cold, turn on toaster setting for about a minute until the cheese melts.
  

 

 

 Make poached egg:

 

• Add water to a small microwaveable bowl.
• Crack egg carefully and gently drop egg into water.
• Place bowl in microwave.
• Cover.
• Microwave on high for approximately 30 seconds.
• Remove bowl using a pot holder.

• Remove toast from toaster using a pot holder.
• Use a slotted ladle to lift egg gently out of water. Tip ladle a little to drain off water.
• Add egg on top of cheese and ham.
  
• Sprinkle with more ground black pepper.

  

Option: Add a dribble of Cilantro dressing.

 

 

 

Microwave: Mug O'Scrambled Egg with Cilantro Aderezo (Dressing)

Life is all about solving problems. From birth to death, we face problems to solve. We fight for breath upon birth. We struggle to grasp the significance of the world around us from day one. We must learn to communicate, to move, to walk, to run, to play, to fight, to defend, to love, to wait, to plan, to laugh, to cry, to care, to repair, to decide.

As we age, many nagging problems are often insignificant. We are always learning, how to balance the checkbook, how to change a tire, how to fix the mechanical things we rely on, how to fold a fitted sheet, how to remove a stain, how to study for the latest test, how to parallel park, how to sew, how to catch the right bus, how to read the electric bill, how to find shoes that fit or the right coat or sweater to grab as we run out the door. Problems can nag at us like, forgetting to pickup eggs, milk and bread or aspirin when needed, hoping the ATM has cash and won't reject your card, forgetting to plug in the phone when the battery is low, damning the scammers & money seekers who call day and night, and struggling to find the right ingredients for a new recipe.

I have struggled to use fresh cilantro (can't find any bottles of dry cilantro or coriander where I live). Just pulling the tiny leaves off the stems is a struggle. Freezing does not work for me. So, when I saw this bottle of Cilantro Aderezo (dressing), I decided to give it a try.

Solving problems is also one of the joys of life. Buying that bottle of dressing was a good decision. It has a great taste and does make this recipe full of flavor.

This recipe reminds me of the joy of flavors and how we crave a variety of flavors, hot, sweet, salty, tangy, bitter, intense, smoky, sour, and more.

 

 

Microwave: Mug O’Scrambled Egg with Cilantro Aderezo (Dressing)
(Adapted from: Scrambled Eggs - Indian Style, BBC Food, https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/indianscrambledeggs_86454)

 

Ingredients:

1 Dollop Vegetable oil
1 Tspn Butter
3-4 Shakes Onion flakes
2-3 Drops Hot sauce
2 Grinds Black pepper
1 TBspn Salsa
1 Egg
1 Dollop Milk
Topping: Bottled Cilantro dressing

 

 

Variation, Toast Topping:
1 Tspn Mayo
1 Slice Multi-grain bread, toasted

 

Process:

Add oil, butter, onion, hot sauce, and black pepper to mug.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Add salsa, egg and milk.

Whip and stir ingredients quickly and thoroughly.
Microwave on high for 1-1:30 minutes.
Dump egg mixture onto plate or on top of toast spread with mayo.
Top with a 1/2 capful of Cilantro Aderezo.

 

 

(Product Del Molino de Cortez https://www.alcorsa.com/)

 

Skillet: Chicken and Vegetable Hash (Toast Topping)

I had a bell pepper I had to use before it went bad. I did not want to do the usual dice it up and freeze it. So, I hunted down a few recipes where I could use fresh diced bell pepper.

This one is great for using vegetable and chicken leftovers.

 

Chicken and Vegetable Hash (Toast Topping)
(Inspired by: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/creamy-chicken-hash)

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil

1/2 Tspn Onion flakes

1/2 Tspn Garlic powder

1-3 Drops Hot sauce

2 Grinds Black pepper

1/4 Bell pepper, diced or 1/2 Cup Frozen mixed vegetable, drained, rinsed, cooked

1/4 Cup Canned Mushrooms, drained, rinsed, sliced

1/4 Cup Potato, cooked, diced (Optional)

1/4 Cup Chicken, cooked, diced

Optional sauce:

2 TBspns BBQ sauce

2 TBspns Milk

Add ingredients to a separate bowl. Mix well and set aside.

 

Process:

Add oil to skillet.

Add onion, garlic, hot sauce, black pepper.

Stir and mix.

Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

Add bell pepper and mushrooms.

Stir ingredients thoroughly.

Sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium.

Add potatoes. (Optional)

Add vegetables. (Optional)

Add chicken.
Mix ingredients.

Cook on medium-high until cooked and warmed throughout.

Stir frequently.

 

Optional sauce: add 1 TBspn of BBQ sauce into mixture or as a topping.

Variation: Serve as a Toast Topping.

Spread 1 Tspn mayo over toast.

Add some hash to top of toast.

Option: Top with 1 Tspn if BBQ sauce.

For me, the “heat” factor was high.

 

Microwave: Mug O'Fried Rice & Egg Using Leftovers

Microwave: Mug O'Fried Rice & Egg Using Leftovers (LO)
 

Ingredients:

A Dab Vegetable oil
1 Egg
6 Tspns LO Cooked rice
1-3 Drops Hot sauce
2 Tspns Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Ground Black pepper, to taste
1 TBspn LO Canned salsa
1 TBspn LO Canned corn, drained and rinsed
A dollop of Milk
A dribble of Lime juice

 
Process:

Use a dab of oil to coat bottom and sides of mug.
Add remaining ingredients to the mug.
Whip and stir mixture thoroughly.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Remove.
With a fork, check bottom of mug to make sure there is no uncooked liquid left. If so, microwave 30 seconds or more until all liquid has cooked.

Eat straight from the mug or use mixture to make a Toast Topping.

Microwave: Mug O'Chilaquiles

Good Morning!

Chilaquiles is a delicious Mexican dish.

Plus, you can use your leftover stale corn tortillas.

It's been a long time since I made a recipe that was perfect the first time around and often when I make the recipe again, it just never tastes as good as the first one.

My eye jumps to Mug recipes that scroll by on YouTube or Twitter, so I was thrilled to see a mug recipe for Chilaquiles.

As usual, I did not have all the ingredients the recipe called for, like sour cream, so I made my own.

 

Microwave: Mug O'Chilaquiles (Toast Topping)

(Adapted from: https://www.thedailymeal.com/recipes/coffee-cup-chilaquiles-recipe )

Pre-preparation:

Ingredients:

Leftover corn tortillas

Cream

Apple cider vinegar

1 slice of multi-grain bread

 

DIY Tortilla Chips

Use leftover corn tortillas.Spread tortillas over on a microwaveable plate.

Microwave on high 2 minutes.

Remove.

Turn tortillas over.

Return plate to microwave.

Microwave on high 1-2 minutes.

Remove.

When tortillas have cooled, break them into small pieces.

Save unused tortilla chips and pieces in a closed container.

DIY Sour Cream

In a refrigerator container with a lid, add 3 TBspns of cream.

Add 1 TBspn of apple cider vinegar to cream.

Stir cream and vinegar together.

Cover and store in frig for 10-30 minutes.

Make toast.

Ingredients:

 
1 egg
2 TBspns milk
Ground black pepper
3 Drops hot sauce
3 TBspns mozzarella or monetary jack cheese, shredded
1 Tspn Dry onion flakes
Handful of DIY tortilla chips, broken into small pieces.
3 TBspns canned salsa, drained
Toppings: Mayo, DIY Sour cream, Dry parsley or cilantro (optional)



Process:

 
In a microwave-safe mug:
Add egg.
Add milk.
Add black pepper.
Add hot sauce
Whip together with a fork.

Add cheese and onion flakes to the egg mixture.
Stir.

Add tortilla chips and salsa.
Stir.

Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, or until cooked through.

Spread mayo over toast.

Add egg mixture to top of toast and spread over surface of toast.

Garnish with about 2 TBspns of sour cream, and sprinkle with parsley or cilantro.

 

 

Converting Jack's Peach and Chickpea Curry into a Toast Topping

As you can see, if you preview my blog posts, I follow Jack Monroe https://cookingonabootstrap.com/.

I have also bought most of her books. Like Amy Dacyczyn, author of the Tightwad Gazette, Jack encourages people on a limited budget with limited cooking skills that they, too, can make great frugal meals.

Here is Jack's original Peach and Chickpea Curry:
https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2019/11/05/peach-chickpea-curry-recipe/.

While this post is not an actual recipe, you can go to Jack's website and try her recipe.

I was skeptical about trying to make this recipe for several reasons. Because I need to adapt recipes to make them GERD-friendly and according to available supplies, I wondered if I could actually achieve a curry.

Suffice it to say, adapting the recipe to make it GERD-friendly meant No onions, No garlic and No tomatoes. I tried to use a bit of onion and garlic powders. I tried to give it the tomato flavor by adding a few crumbles of tomato bouillon. If I use too much of any of these spices, my stomach rebels.

Well, it did not turn out the way I thought. So, I now I had a lot of peaches/chickpea mix left.

What could I do with this? First, I thought, I’d try to make the curry again by recooking a batch with additional spices. No, that won’t work, it would be too spicy.

Ok, let me sleep on it.

Then, I thought let’s see if it works as a toast topping. So, in the morning, I spread some cream cheese on a slice of toast and topped it with a 1 1/2 tablespoons of the peaches/chickpeas mix. It worked! It’s great. Hurray, another save!

#GERD-friendly

Microwave: Mug O'Something - Kitchen Sink Variety

I have been a small meal eater for over 20 years.

It began when my family went to a restaurant and when my meal came, I was shocked. The plate was piled high with food. There was no way I could eat all that food, so I asked for a doggie bag, immediately. Then, I divided the meal in half and saved the rest. I have been doing that ever since.

I consider a burrito a meal. Previously, at home, when I cooked casseroles or one-pot dishes, I divided them into single serving containers and froze them for work lunches or dinner.

But, it was when I started making and collecting recipes for my next cookbook, I began to focus on what I called:

Small meals
Spoonful snacks
Savor the flavor bits, and
Micro-nutrients

When I make a meal, I think, what does it provide from the concepts of MyPlate:

1 serving vegetables
1 serving fruit
1 serving protein
1 serving grains
1 serving fiber

I am also using the term "serving" liberally. I consider a spoonful of protein or fiber a serving.

Toast toppings and mug recipes probably triggered several of these ideas.

With a toast topping or mug recipe you could add one bit of something healthy mixed in with the rest of the ingredients.

For example, today, I wanted to make a toast topping with one egg.

In these COVID19 Crisis times, using one egg in one recipe seems extravagant. I am now pondering how to use one egg in a recipe that makes more than 1 serving. Frittatas come to mind.

After perusing my frig, what did I have to make a healthy toast topping?

I had some chorizo left. When I buy chorizo, I slice it into wafers and freeze them. Then, when I want to add some chorizo to a recipe, I take one wafer, crumble it into a mug and microwave it for 45 seconds to cook it. I do this because chorizo is a meat and I want to make sure it is cooked.

I realize that my definition of "healthy" is pretty broad.  In essence, it's not a bag of potato chips for dinner, or 10 chocolate-filled cookies, or cupcakes. I generally, eat chicken and fish, and some pork. To me, cooking beef is too much effort and the taste is nothing to get excited about.

Then, I added the egg and a dollop of milk.
 
But, I wanted some vegetables, too. Attempting to stretch my vegetable supplies, I used two spoonfuls of my Rice, Chicken and Vegetable Stew. I added a few drops of hot sauce and a few grinds of ground black pepper.

Then, I stirred and whipped the ingredients thoroughly. Then, microwaved the lot for 1:30 seconds on high (high is the only setting, I have).

Meanwhile the toast was ready. I was out of mayo, what should I use to coat the toast? What did I have? I had Italian dressing, ketchup, mustard, thousand island dressing, and vegetable oil. I choose the oil.

I added a dab of oil onto the toast and smeared it around.

When the egg mixture was ready, I stacked it on top of the toast and then mashed it down and sprinkled a bit more ground black pepper on top.

The results were tasty.

Now, did I get the daily recommended amount of vitamins, minerals, grains, and protein, etc? No, but I did get a micro-amount of many of these items.

You'd think I'd be slim because of all these small meal tactics, but I am overweight. I think it's because I like late-night snacks, even though they are small. Plus, when I used to gather with family and friends, eating and talking were usually the main events.



Microwave: Mug O’Something - Kitchen Sink Variety


Ingredients:

1 Slice of Chorizo, crumbled
1 Egg
1 Dollop of milk
Ground black pepper to taste (Optional)
1-2 Drops of hot sauce
1-2 Tspns of Rice, Chicken and Vegetable Stew or find something in your frig to add
1 Slice of bread
A Dab of oil


Process:

Make a slice of toast and set aside.
After crumbling the chorizo into the mug, microwave on high for 45 seconds.
Add egg.
Add dollop of milk (I used powdered milk mix).
Add some ground black pepper to taste.
Add drops of hot sauce.
Add Rice, Chicken and Vegetable Stew or your addition of choice.
Stir and whip ingredients thoroughly.
Cover mug (I use a saucer).
Microwave on high for 1:30.
Add a dab of oil to toast top.
Dump egg mixture on top of toast.
Smash it down and spread over toast.

 

Toaster Oven/Stovetop: Fishy Snacks - Anchovy Savories and Deviled Eggs Stuffed with Sardine Mash

During the last few weeks of recipe frustration, I did make two recipes that came out well but only for people who like sour and salty snacks.

I like anchovies, so I had to try Jack’s recipe Anchovy Savories from Cooking on a Bootstrap (eBook version).

While it looks like a simple recipe, it is, but the whole melting butter mixed with flour thing intimidates me.


Toaster Oven / Hotplate: Anchovy Savories
(From Jack Monroe’s Cooking on a Bootstrap (eBook) )

Makes enough sauce for 2 slices of toast.


Ingredients:

1 tspn Butter
1 tspn Flour
A little Milk
A small lump of hard Cheese, grated
A few drops of hot sauce
2 pieces of multi-grain bread
Parsley (optional)
1 36g (1.25oz) Can of anchovies, drained


Process:

Make toast, first, either in a skillet or in a toaster oven.

In a small skillet, add butter.
On a low heat, melt butter.
Add flour and stir.
Keep stirring as you slowly add a bit of milk.
Keep stirring to avoid lumps.
Add grated cheese.
Keep stirring.
Add a bit more milk, if needed.
Add hot sauce.
Keep stirring, scraping the bottoms and sides of skillet.
Sauce should be slightly thick.
Spread a layer of sauce on toast.
Top with a few anchovies.
Add parsley (optional).
Eat immediately.

To my mind, this is a snack food.

Note: You may have heard about the controversy over the contents of some Parmesan Cheese containers. Some companies were selling cheese flavored sawdust. Well, the same problem exists in the spice industry. I had a jar of Parsley that was more like twigs than parsley leaves. So, that is why I did not use parsley in this recipe




I credit Alex Fergus for the inspiration for the following recipe. You can find him at https://www.alexfergus.com/blog/51-sardine-recipes-for-the-fussiest-of-fish-eaters.


Deviled Eggs Stuffed with Sardine Mash

Pre-preparation:

Make hard-boiled eggs via toaster oven. See recipe on this blog.

Make sardine mash. See recipe on this blog.

Ingredients:

Hard-boiled egg(s)
Sardine mash
1 TBspn Mayo and a little more
1/2 Capful of lime juice
Ground black pepper to taste
1 TBspn of parsley, dry


Process:

Peel egg(s) and cut in half lengthwise.
Carefully remove the yolk(s) and put into sardine mash container.
Add Mayo into container.

Add Lime juice to mixture.
Add ground black pepper.
Stir and mix sardine mash and yolk(s) well.
Stir mixture until it is creamy.
Add more mayo if needed.
Take a Tsp scoop or more of mixture and fill the hollow in the egg halves.
Sprinkle deviled egg(s) with crushed dry parsley.

#GERD-friendly if you do not add Black pepper.

Toaster Oven: My First Baked Hard Boiled Egg Toast Topping

A landmark achievement!

I made my First Baked Hard Boiled Egg Toast Topping.

There were many reasons why I bought a Toaster / Convection Oven (TCO), one was because my hotplate can not boil water, so I couldn't make hard-boiled eggs, a favorite menu item.

When I read that one could make hard-boiled eggs in a toaster oven, I got excited.

The purchase of the TCO was a bit much for me. Plus, it has thrown my whole cooking, shopping routine into a tizzy.

So, inch by inch, recipe by recipe, test by test, I will expand my menu choices.

Toaster Oven: Hard Boiled Eggs

Toaster Oven: Hard Boiled Eggs
(Adapted from: https://ashleydiy.blogspot.com/2012/05/toaster-oven-hard-boiled-eggs.html)

Wow! Hurray! A Success!
I did it, I made hard-boiled eggs in my toaster oven, thanks to Ashley.


Preparations:

Set Toaster / Convection Oven on Bake.
Set temperature to 325 deg.
Pre-heat Toaster / Convection Oven by setting timer to 5-7 minutes.
Need a Toaster Oven rack set in the middle of the oven.
Need oven mitts or pot holders.


Ingredients:

3 eggs
Bowl with cold water (add ice)

Process:

Wash eggs.
Place eggs onto rack.
Bake 25 minutes.

Remove eggs and place into bowl with cold water with some ice cubes for 15 minutes.

When the bath was done, I took the eggs out and peeled one. It peeled without any problems!

Notes:

When I started, my eggs were cold. I let them sit out while the oven pre-heated. They were still cold when I put them into the oven.

When the eggs were done cooking, one egg was spotted. It was hard to retrieve the hot eggs from the rack, I had to grab them one by one and drop them onto an oven mitt. Then, I dropped the eggs into the ice cold water.

Also, I forgot to change setting to Bake, it was set on Toast, but they still cooked.

I used one hard-boiled egg to make a toast topping using guacamole sauce as a base on one slice of toast. I added a few slivers of hard cheese.

Then, I sliced the egg and added slices to the top of the guacamole and cheese. Then, I topped this with imitation bacon bits, a few bits of cooked, diced, bell peppers and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Then, I cut the toast into quarters. Yum.

I am looking forward to more hard-boiled egg recipes!

Other Resources: 

 

Make Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Oven

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Hard-Boiled-Eggs-in-the-Oven

 

Easy Hard-Boiled Eggs in Oven

https://fitfoodiefinds.com/easy-hard-boiled-eggs-in-oven/

 

Toast Topping: Sauteed Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, and Cream Cheese

Toast Topping: Sauteed Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, and Cream Cheese

Ingredients:

Olive Oil
1-2 Slices of Integral Bread
3-4 TBspns Bell pepper slices (Fresh or Frozen)
3-4 TBspns Mushroom pieces, canned, drained
1-2 TBspns Rice Vinegar
1-2 TBspns Cream cheese
Ground black pepper


Process:

Toast the bread slices and set aside.

Add a dollop of olive oil to skillet.
Add Bell pepper slices.
Season with a few grinds of ground black pepper.
Cook on low to medium heat.
Stir peppers in skillet as they cook.
Cook until soft and slightly brown.
Remove from skillet and reserve.

Add another dollop of olive oil to skillet.
Add mushrooms.
Add vinegar.
Season with a few grinds of ground black pepper.
Cook on low to medium heat.
Stir mushrooms as they cook.
Cook until softer and a bit brown.
Remove from skill and reserve.

Place toast on plate.
Spread a full TBspon of cream cheese over toast.
Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of bell peppers.
Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of mushrooms.
Season with a bit of ground pepper.