GRILLED CAJUN RED ONIONS

grilled red onions

tonight the perfect meal / baked sweet potato, grilled cajun red onions and spinach bites

INGREDIENTS:

red onions, peeled and sliced

olive oil, 1/2 cup

2 Tbsp. dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. oregano

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 Tbsp. crab boil

1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Simmer the ingredients for 5 minutes.  Brush generously over the grilling onion slices.  Repeat witht he other side. 

Missing an ingredient?  It won't matter, you can't mess this one up.

SPINACH BITES

mix together all of the ingredients in a large bowl

roll into balls and place on parchment topped cookie sheet

baked sweet potato, spinach bites and grilled Cajun onions

INGREDIENTS:

2 pkg. frozen chopped spinach

2 cups seasoned bread stuffing (Pepperidge Farm)

1 cup Parmesan cheese

3 Tbsp. olive oil

6 eggs, beaten

salt and pepper  and garlic powder to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Cook spinach according to directions on pkg.  Drain well.

Mix all in the order given.

Shape into bite size balls.

Place on greased cooking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.

These can be cooked then frozen and reheated when needed.  I freeze these on a cookie sheet then drop them into a freezer bag. 

QUIZ / TRUTH IN LABELING

Which of these egg-certification seals claiming humane treatment is the only one to guarantee the hens were allowed outdoors?

a.  American Humane Certified

b.  Animal Welfare Approved

c.  Certified Humane


scroll down for the answer








The answer is B

  -  The Animal Welfare Approved  (source:  "The Morally Informed Consumer: Examining Animal Welfare Claims on Egg Labels,"  in Temple Journal of Science, Technology & Environmental Law)

MOM'S BROWNED CAULIFLOWER

so easy so good / do I dare admit I eat an entire head?

All you need for this recipe is 1 head (I use 2) of cauliflower and olive oil.  I use nothing else.

Cut up cauliflower into flowerettes.  Heat some olive oil in a large pot.  Add cauliflower and put the lid on.  Cook low until the cauliflower turns brown, darker in some areas.  Stir every once in awhile.  Cauliflower will be soft and browned. 

This is so tasty, I don't even add salt.  If you're looking for something to enhance the flavor, try coriander.

Cauliflower does NOT need a fattening cheese sauce!!!

THE TEN WORST AND BEST FOODS

The First Food Day has been set for this coming Monday in the hopes of promoting healthier eating in the United States.  This is the latest effort by the Center for Science to help educate the public.  Check your area for many local events being held.

Meanwhile, in the interest of educating, a list of the 10 worst and best foods have been published.  Check them out.

http://cspinet.org/nah/10foods_bad.html


 
one example from the worst food choice list

"People don’t expect light desserts at The Cheesecake Factory. But the Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake kicks things up a notch. If it weren’t served on its side, this one would stand over six inches tall. And upright or not, the slab of cake still weighs in at three-quarters of a pound. What do you get for all that heft? Just 1,760 calories and 2½ days’ worth of saturated fat (50 grams), mostly from chocolate, sugar, cream, white flour, and butter."

SCORE YOUR DIET, take this quiz:

http://cspinet.org/EatingGreen/score.html

Nutrition Action Healthletter is a wonderful newsletter that keeps the public informed with the latest safety and nutrition news.  Check it out:

http://cspinet.org/

SHUCKING CORN / does this work?

I'm not a big fan of the microwave BUT wonder if anyone has ever tried this method of shucking corn.

BEANS AND GREENS w/ LEMON ZEST

I started this recipe with fresh picked green from my garden.

collards in an earth box

Swiss chard / earth box

INGREDIENTS:

large bowl of mixed greens (I used Swiss chard, mustard greens, arugula, collards), cut off bottoms, soak,  spin dry, rough cut

olive oil

5 cloves garlic

1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

salt & pepper

1 can white beans, drain and rinse

1/2 box whole wheat pasta, cook and reserve 1 cup of the water

1 lemon, zest only

rough cut mixed greens

garlic and red pepper flakes saute in olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

In a small amount of oil, saute the garlic and red pepper flakes. 

Add the greens, turn the heat up a bit.  Season with salt and pepper.

When the greens start to wilt, add the beans.  Continue to cook and wilt the greens, add some of the pasta water, the cooked pasta and the lemon zest.

Adjust the seasoning.

Garnish with toasted pine nuts and serve with Parmesan cheese.

a quick throw together meal

the typical version of this recipe calls for 2 bunches of escerole