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Things You Can Freeze

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Okay, this isn't a recipe, but my neighbors and I have been discussing of late all the things that you can stick in your freezer. Please add to it if you have a trick up your chilly sleeve!

1. Gallons of milk can be frozen. Just pour a little off the top to allow for expansion while freezing. Thaw when you're ready to use it. I've had gallons last three months in the freezer this way. They probably could last longer, I just haven't tried it. When milk goes on sale, I buy several gallons to freeze.

2. Olive and Canola oils. These are convenient to buy in bulk, but don't have the longest shelf life. Stick them in the freezer until you are ready to use.

3. Bread! The day old baked goods at the grocery store, and the Pepperidge Farm outlet on Kenny are two of my favorite spots to visit. I buy a month's worth of bread, bagels, and buns at a time and store them all in the freezer until ready to use. You can toast them for immediate thawing, or just let a loaf sit on your counter for a few hours until its thawed.

4. Fresh herbs. You know all those times you make a recipe that calls for a tablespoon of fresh basil or parsley or whatever? The leftover fresh herbs can be finally chopped and put in your ice cube tray with just a tiny bit of water. As soon as they are frozen, empty the cubes into a freezer ziploc, label and then you just pull out a cube to thaw the next time you need fresh herbs. It works particularly well with soups, sauces, and stews, since you can just throw the cube in without thawing it. For salads, defrost in a separate dish before adding.

Grilled Mexican Corn on the Cob

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I got this recipe from Paula Dean. A friend says that you can buy corn like this from carts on the streets of Mexico. It sounds wierd, but Ryan loves it.

Ingredients:
Corn on the Cob
Butter
Mayonnaise
Salt & Pepper
Chili Powder

Slather butter and mayonnaise over corn. Sprinkle salt, pepper and chili powder all over it. Spray a little pam on the tin foil and wrap corn in tin foil. Place on grill and let cook while your meat is cooking. Need to turn occassionally. Corn will be done when everything else is done! Don't be afraid to use lots of mayonnaise and chili powder. That's what gives it a unique flavor.

Cucumber Onion Dip

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I had a few people ask for this recipe after Enrichment, so I thought it would be easiest to just post it. Its embarrassingly easy. Enjoy!

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat until blended. Serve with rye chips or crackers.

Ice Cream Sandwich

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A yummy cool treat without the guilt. . . .

'SKINNY COW' ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
Nutrition Specs:
97% Fat free
140 calories per cookie
3 grams of fiber per cookie
0 trans fats

I have found them here at Target and Costco.

You won't be disappointed. :)

Watermelon Slushy

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seedless watermelon, cubed
ice cubes
water (if needed to get things moving)

Throw it all in the blender.

add sugar to taste

Easy and Yummy.

Cabbage Crunch Salad

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1 head cabbage, sliced thin
4 green onions, chopped
2-3 chicken breasts, grilled (I use my George Forman and pour a little dressing over it right before it is done)
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 pkg. Top Ramen noodles, broken

dressing:
1/2 cup oil (i use canola)
6 T rice vinegar
4 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 pkg Top Ramen chicken seasoning

I make the dressing in my blender or food processor, pouring the oil in last, slowly. Combine first 3 ingredients in a salad bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Add almonds and broken noodles right before serving, toss again. Also good with mandarin oranges too.

I usually serve it with baked beans and breadsticks.

Please add your variations in the comment section. I know this is a pretty common salad.

Frozen Fruit

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Eating frozen fruit is a great way to cool off.

I have tried:
grapes
blueberries
raspberries
cherries

warning: they are not the best when thawed, so eat them QUICK!

What else have you tried and enjoyed????

Banana Bread

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I love this recipe for bananas that are getting too ripe. If I don't have enough bananas I just add some applesauce. This is a very moist bread so feel free to make your own spin depending on how you like your breads.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe banana

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Nutritional Information - Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 230
Total Fat: 8.9g
Cholesterol: 56mg
Sodium: 246mg
Total Carbs: 35.1g
Dietary Fiber: 1.6g
Protein: 3.7g

Pumpkin Bread

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This bread is great the day after it is made. This has become a staple that I take into work or give friends. It's a recipe that I can make with items from my pantry. The recipe makes about two loaves or can be used for muffins.

INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Nutritional Information - Servings Per Recipe: 24
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 264
Total Fat: 10.3g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 304mg
Total Carbs: 40.6g
Dietary Fiber: 1.1g
Protein: 3.1g

Pina Colada Cake

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My mother-in-law first made me this cake and I loved how light it is. Very easy to make and a nice summery dessert.

Prep Time:10 min Start to Finish:30 min makes:16 servings

1 package (14 1/2 oz) angel food cake mix
1 can (8 oz) unsweetened crushed pineapple
8 oz fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup (2 oz) toasted coconut

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, stir together cake mix and pineapple. Pour into prepared baking dish.
3. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely on a rack.
4. Spread whipped topping over cake. Sprinkle with coconut. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 140 (Calories from Fat 10); Total Fat 1g (Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 230mg; Total Carbohydrate 30g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 21g); Protein 2g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 4%; Iron 0% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable Carbohydrate Choices: 2 *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Hummus

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So simple and much cheaper in the long run than buying pre-made hummus. This is the closest that I have come to duplicating the wonderful hummus at Aladdin's restaurant.

Ingredients
1 can Chick Peas
2 T Tahini Paste (Seasame seed paste - can be found in the ethnic food section)
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 T Lemon Juice
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil

Directions
1. Drain the chick peas and save the juice
2. Combine the chick peas, tahini paste, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth
3. Add the chick pea juice until the hummus takes on a smooth texture (usually about 1/2 the remaining juice)
4. Salt and Pepper to taste. I also add a bit of Olive oil for a smoother texture.

Serve with carrots, cucumber, pita bread, etc.

Summer Bean Pineapple Salsa

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Rinse the following in a colander:
- 2 can of Black Beans
- 1 can of garbanzo beans
- 1 can of white (great northern) beans
- 1 can of kidney beans
- 1 can of pineapple tidbits

Toss bean/pineapple mixture in a large bowl.

Add:
- 2 cups of frozen yellow corn (thawed)
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped
- ½ red onion, chopped
- 1 small hand full / bunch of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 small fresh jalapeno, diced
- 2 TBS of minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves pressed)
- 1 large bottle of Italian Dressing

Mix well, cover, and chill in fridge for at least one hour (or overnight.) Drain excess dressing before serving cold. Goes well with tortilla chips or pita. It is also great as a summer salad served over spinach with feta cheese.

-BY JULIA TODD

BBQ Ranch Chicken and Bacon Wrap

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This has become Matt's and my favorite berfore church Lunch it is so quick and yummy.



12 Banquet Original Chicken Breast Tenders

1/4 C Ranch Dressing

2T BBQ Sauce

4 Flour Tortillas

1 C Shredded Lettuce

1/2 C Chopped Tomato

8 slices of Bacon, cooked crisp

1/2C Shredded Cheese



Cook your chicken Tenders. While cooking combine dressing and BBQ sauce in a bowl, spread over tortillas. Add all else

Mexican Beef Sandwich Rolls

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I grew up on these and just made for the first time this last weekend since I have been married. I had forgotten how yummy they are!

1 can sliced olives, drained (optional)
1 (7 oz.) can green chili salsa (I bought the La Victoria taco sauce and just used half of it)
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili poowder
6 rectangular french rolls (my mom would just do a big one on a loaf of French bread)
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/4 lb. sliced mushrooms (I used canned)(optional)
4 oz. cheddar cheese, sliced
6 slices crisp cooked bacon

Cut rolls in half lengthwise. Scoop out most of inside. Lightly toast cut sides. Set aside. Brown beef. Add onion and mushrooms. Cook until limp. Stir in seasonings and salsa. Simmer until liquid is absorbed. Place beef filling in hollow rolls. Top with 1 slice of bacon and a slice of cheese. Place the top of the roll on and roll in foil. Heat at 375* for 12 to 15 minutes, or if chilled, 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken

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Last night, desperation led to innovation.

I threw one packet of Buffalo Wing Mix  and 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into the crock pot.  It cooked for 4 hours on high, though if I'd had more time, I would have let it go for six so it would completely fall apart.

I served it with crunchy whole wheat rolls.  Everyone in my family enjoyed this quite a bit!  (It's so rare that this happens, that I walked around in amazement for the rest of the night.)  

Soft Gingersnaps

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Anne, your recipe made me quite famous yesterday. THANKS for sharing!! They were SO TASTY!


2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses

4 cups flour
4 tsp baking soda
1 T ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and oil. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beat well after each. Stir in molasses. Combine dry ingredients - gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into 3/4 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place 2" apart on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 -12 minutes. Remove to wire rack.

A fun addition, especially for the holidays: after cookies have cooled, dip half the cookie in white chocolate and cover with red & green sprinkles.

Sesame Chicken

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3 or 4 chicken breasts cubed (raw)
1/4 c. peanut oil
1/2 c. flour with salt & pepper (put in large ziploc bag and shake cut up chicken to coat)
Fry chicken in oil

1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. chives
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1/4 c. soy sauce
Heat to dissolve sugar (you can add this to the pan with the chicken or cook in seperate pan and then combine)

Serve over cooked rice.

Spaghetti Pie

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Cook spaghetti, drain. (use 1 small package)
Mix together 1 Tbsp oil and two beaten eggs in small bowl, and then mix with cooked spaghetti.
Put half in pie plate, cover with mozzarella cheese,
Rest of spaghetti, rest of cheese. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Serve with spaghetti sauce.

Tater-tot Casserole

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Brown one pound ground beef. Drain grease and put in casserole dish. Mix in one can drained green beans and one can Cream of Mushroom soup (I usually add about 1/2 can of milk too) Top with tater-tots. Bake at 350 until sauce bubbles and tater-tots are warm all the way through.

I like to eat this with ketchup as well.

Minestrone Soup

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This is super easy, and similar to taco soup.

1 lb. hamburger browned with onion, salt & pepper
3 cans Campbell's minestrone soup
1 big can pork & beans
3 c. water
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce

Mix and simmer till warm.
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