Banana Creme Pie Or Now We Know Why Terri Can't Fit Into Her Summer Clothes!

We had a fall like day last week ~ you know those kind with the brisk wind that pushes all the curtains straight out !
I spent the afternoon cooking for my family and was so grateful to be doing it!
Tender fresh corn ~ steamed for just a few minutes.

A big pot of Chili, on the hot side, with some cheddar cheese on the side.

Crispy corn muffins ~ cooked in my great-grama Nannie's muffin tin.

And what else to do with all these ripe bananas ~

but borrow a recipe from my son's cookbook. ( the one I bought him in middle school and haven't had the heart to give him for his own home)

OH YUMMY Banana Creme Pie!!!

I always make double the whipped creme ~ you need extra to lick the beater!

OH ~ let me just jump right in!!!!

I get SUCH joy over making my family a good ole' fashion 1950's style supper like this!

YUP! I even wore an apron!

Lasagna Is What Was For Dinner Tonight!

Lasagna is EASY to make!

Start with a pound of ground chuck and a diced onion that you cook together until the meat is brown.
Add a 16 oz jar of an authentic Italian brand sauce and a small can of crushed tomatoes.

Season to taste ~ perhaps a bit of  hot chili powder to add a little "bite"
Next ~ cook your noodles ~ don't they look lovely!

Mix up a large container of Ricotta cheese with fresh parsley, 2 eggs and a pinch of nutmeg.

Thinly slice an 8 oz piece of mozzarella cheese and start layering ~

sauce on the bottom of the pan ~

line with noodles ~

top with ricotta ~

top with meat sauce ~

top with mozzarella cheese.

Do this until you run out of ingredients.

Top the last layer with sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes ~ let rest on oven for 10 minutes.

Now wasn't that easy!!!

Oh and by the way ~ if you drop the tin foil and it unravels on the floor ~

it never rolls back up quite as neatly as it started.

Yummy Winter Meal ~ Tortilla Soup

I really get my money's worth from Martha Stewarts "Everyday Food!"
It comes out monthly and was just $10.00 for a years subscription.
Today I tryed the " Tortilla Soup With Black Beans. "

It was WONDERFUL !

Recipe ~ my version ~

Add 4 large minced garlic cloves to 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet.

Add 2 teaspoons chili powder and cook on med. heat till garlic is cooked ~ a few minutes.

Add one carton of Pomi chopped tomatoes (16 oz) (or your fav brand)

1 can 14.4 oz chicken broth (i use the organic cartons)

2 cans (15 oz ea) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 package (10 oz) frozen organic corn ~ i used shoe peg corn

Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper flakes to taste.

I melted cheddar cheese over organic blue tortilla chips and put this on top of the soup before serving.

Also a little lime is wonderful.

Serve with a big salad ~ what a yummy meal!!!

And easy on the wallet too!

This brand is HANDS DOWN the BEST!!!

We started using it when my daughter and husband developed food allergy's many years ago.

You can eat it right out of the carton ~ it taste like summer fresh tomatoes!

Housekeeping and A Wonderful Comfort Meal

Do you have one of these that hold the large water jugs? (This holds the large Poland Spring water jugs)
You may want to be sure to clean it OFTEN!
I had thought every change of season was good enough but I am finding every 2 months may be better.
I had just cleaned mine in August but I hate to admit upon checking this week ~ it had a layer of yellow "stuff"
at the bottom. OH YUCK!!!!
After cleaning every surface spotless with hot water ~ I filled the container with hot water and a small bottle of vinegar. After soaking for about 30 minutes ~ I opened the spigot and let the water escape that way ~ so that anything "icky" in there would be washed away!
Lastly ~ wipe the entire outside surface and spigot with vinegar and water mixture.

NOW time to make a wonderfully easy Comfort Meal :)

Matza Ball Soup

Chicken Cutlets

Boiled Red Potaotes

Spring Salud with Sauted Pears and Green Apples

In a medium saucepan ~ pour a qt of organic chicken broth.

Add a large onion, 2 carrots, the center part (with the leaves) of a head of celery, a small whole potatoes.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Let this simmer for an hour or so.

I follow the directions on the Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix to make the balls. (i don't buy the package that includes the broth ~ I prefer making my own as the one in the box is FAR too salty!)

I use one packet which made all the balls in the picture above ~ about 12.

Start boiling your Red Potatoes.

While that is cooking ~ dip boneless chicken in egg and Italian Bread Crumbs. Cook in pan with butter ~ turning when needed or Bake at 350 till just white in the middle. Time varys depending on how thick your cutlets are.

Saute pears and green apples in olive oil till tender.

Layer organic spring mix lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, and pear and apple mixture right from pan and breadcrumbs.

(My daughter Ashley created this salad recipe and added breadcrumbs tossed in olive oil and broiled on the top)

The pear mixture heats up the goat cheese slightly and it is HEAVENLY!

This would be nice with a raspberry - olive oil dressing ~ we just used olive oil and rice vinegar.

What a GREAT easy meal for your family to come home to!

Teddi LOVED the chicken broth!