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Summer Vegetable Soup

 Summer Vegetable Soup

A hearty and healthy Summer Vegetable Soup

       A Healthy and Hearty Summer Vegetable Soup

When the world is upside down with quarantine and social distancing to stay well, try a familiar treat from your own kitchen. Here is an easy recipe for vegetable soup to provide home-style comfort.

Summer Vegetable Soup

Julia Ann
A healthy and hearty vegetable soup, get your 5-a-day vegetables in one bowl.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10
Calories 114 kcal

Equipment

  • Soup kettle

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teas olive oil extra virgin
  • ½ cup onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup celery diced
  • ½ cup carrots sliced
  • ½ cup green and/or red bell peppers diced
  • 15 oz can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
  • 4 small red potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small zucchini cut into ½ slices
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes and juice
  • 32 oz vegetable broth or low-fat chicken broth
  • 6 oz. tomato paste
  • ¼ cup ozro pasta
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasonings
  • 1 teas ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • 1. Clean and cut all vegetables before starting to cook soup.
    2. Heat olive oil in a 6 quart soup kettle.
    3. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery; cook until soft and onion translucent.
    4. Add the remaining vegetables, broth, tomato paste and pasta.
    5. Add the seasonings and pepper.
    6. Stir to blend, cover and bring to a boil.
    7. Simmer for 30 or 45 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupSodium: 275mgCalcium: 45mgVitamin C: 13mgVitamin A: 1390IUSugar: 4gFiber: 5gPotassium: 626mgCalories: 114kcalSaturated Fat: 1gFat: 2gProtein: 5gCarbohydrates: 22gIron: 2mg
Keyword , vegetables
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Summer Vegetable Soup is healthy and hearty.  This soup is without meat. I use low-fat chicken broth; vegetable broth would be good to use too. Chopping up the vegetables is the most time-consuming; I like them close in size for even cooking.  When short of time, I will prepare the day ahead, cook for about 15 minutes, allow to cool and put in refrigerator until ready to heat. The next day, I put it in the crock pot and cook on low until all the vegetables are tender.

More broth or water can be added to make it a thinner soup.  It does make a large quantity and it freezes well.

When I make soup I will put the simmering soup in pint jars to refrigerate to use later.  The lids usually seal, but since not processed in a pressure canner, the soup should be kept refrigerated and used within 2 weeks.

A serving of Summer Vegetable Soup

 

I like to serve cornbread and a orange-pineapple jello salad with the soup for a light lunch with friends.

Enjoy a healthy and hearty Summer Vegetable Soup even in the winter time.

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Chicken & Mushrooms in Herb Sauce

Chicken & Mushrooms in Herb Sauce

Chicken & Mushrooms in Herb Sauce

Chicken & Mushrooms in Herb Sauce

 Chicken and Mushrooms in Herb Sauce

This recipe is great for those evenings you are running  behind in the schedule. There is the entree of chicken breasts with a mushroom her b sauce to put over rice, pasta or potatoes. Just add a green veggie such as green beans and a salad of cabbage apple slaw, and ending with the family’s favorite dessert.  May I suggesr peach up-side down cake for the dessert.  

Chicken & Mushrooms in Herb Sauce

Julia Ann
Mushrooms and chicken breasts in a creamy and herb flavored sauce to enhance rice, pasta or potatoes. Comfort food at its best.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Poultry
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large chicken breasts skinless, boned and halved
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cream *
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup large fresh white button mushrooms sliced
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or more as needed

Instructions
 

  • Butterfly ** the chicken breasts and pound to make them equal thickness.
  • Mix the bread crumbs, thyme, sage, black pepper and sea salt in a plastic bag.
  • Pour the cream into a bowl.
  • Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet.
  • Dip each of the chicken pieces into the cream then in bag of seasoned bread crumbs, shake to coat the chicken with crumbs.
  • Lay the chicken pieces into the hot oil/butter mixture.
  • Brown the chicken on both sides.
  • Remove to a plate and keep warm.
  • Pour the broth in the skillet, breaking loose any crumbs in the skillet*** with a whisk.
  • Add the flour and stir to blend; add more chicken broth if too thick.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet and layer the sliced mushrooms over the chicken.
  • Heat chicken and mushrooms in the sauce until cooked through.
  • Serve over rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.

Notes

*Undiluted evaporated milk can be used as cream substituter.**Remove the fat from chicken breast; to butterfly, cut horizontally through the thickest part of the breast until it opens up as a book. do not cut through or off. Pound the piece of breast between wax paper, to get it equal in thickness. ***To deglaze a pan, pour a small amount of liquid into pan of residue bits of chicken to loosen and heat to become a part of the sauce before adding the flour and liquid. .
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 √ Benefits of Mushrooms:

  • They are low in calories and sodium
  • They  are fat-free, cholesterol free, gluten-free.
  • They are a good source of B vitamins, i.e. riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid.
  • They have vitamin D, copper, copper, potassium and selenium.
  • They provide antioxidants to protect inflammation from disease and strengthen the immune system.

√ For more Benefits of Mushroom information go to www. mushroominfo.com/benefits.

Chicken & Mushrooms  Herb Sauce Dinner Menu Suggestions:

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings
you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018  Netta Belle’s Choice®
The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”
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Eggplant Appetizers

Eggplant Appetizers

Eggplant (Aubergine)

copy-of-eggplant

 

Eggplant,  a vegetable from Asia and now identified most often with Mediterranean recipes, such as Eggplant Parmigiana, Ratatouille, Moussaka or eating fried eggplant dipped in a batter or egg and flour and fried in a skillet.   

The eggplants are readily available in the farmer’s markets at this time, late August and September.  The deep purple globes are hard to resist, and are in all sizes.  The larger the eggplant the more seeds and tendency to more bitterness.  Small eggplants have smaller and fewer seeds.

Cooking Eggplant

Eggplant Appetizers

Eggplant Appetizers

LBuy firm deep purple eggplants, store in the refrigerator until ready to use within a day to two. Cut it with stainless steel knife to help prevent the slices turning black.  It does not have to be peeled.  Eggplant has a lot of moisture therefore sprinkle with salt to draw out the moisture.  Also sprinkling with lemon juice will prevent the flesh from blackening.  Put  pieces into a colander, let set for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the juice be drawn out.  Rinse the eggplant pieces and dry on paper toweling before proceeding with the recipes.

Eggplant Appetizers

Eggplant Appetizers

Julia Ann
A simple blend of eggplant, cheese and ham for an warm or hot appetizer to a grand meal of roast chicken or meat.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 20 slices

Ingredients
  

  • 3 small eggplants 2 inches x 3-4 inches
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • water to rinse
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of a seasoning blend or Italian Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon dried sweet basil flakes
  • pepper to taste
  • 1/4 pound Provolone Cheese sliced thin
  • 1/4 pound ham sliced thin
  • Marinara Sauce
  • Parmesan Cheese

Instructions
 

  • Wash and slice eggplants in 1/2 inch slices.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice.
  • Salt each slice; put into a colander for 30-45 minutes.
  • Drain and rinse, pat dry on paper towels.
  • Mix the oil and seasonings into a large bowl.
  • Dip each of the slices in the seasonings and place on jelly roll pan.
  • Top each eggplant slice with a slice of Provolone, ham, and a teaspoon of marinara sauce.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.
  • Broil until slices are browned and cheese has melted.
  • Serve warm or hot.

Notes

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 
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 Eggplant Benefits

Lower weight,  increased energy, healthy hair and skin are benefits from eating eggplant and a variety of fruits and vegetables.  Eggplant studies has indicated a decrease in diabetes, heart disease and obesity.  Vitamin C, vitamin B-6 and fiber are important for cardiovascular disease.  Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds protect the body from cancer.  Because eggplant is low in calories, it provides another source of a low-calorie diet.

Serve with Chicken Schnitzel

Chicken Schnitzel

Chicken Schnitzel

Enjoy a dessert of Spicy Red Anjou Pear Sauce

Spicy Red Anjou Pear Sauce

Spicy Red Anjou Pear Sauce

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Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience.  ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet    Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”  Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®                               All rights reserved.

 

Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Slow Cooker Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Happy New Year 2016!

Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

In the Italian tradition, lentils-sausage stew was our New Year’s food for luck. It seems across the continents good luck is thought to be prosperity,  good health, happiness, success and longevity. We aren’t Italian, we  wanted to try another tradition to celebrate the New Year’s.  It would be interesting to prepare the New Year’s evening menu recipes from around the world which are noted to be Lucky New Year’s Food. 

Here is my suggestion for your 2017 New Year’s Menu celebration.

Italy:  Cotechino con Lenticcjie, pork and lentils
American South: Black-eyes peas, Hoppin’ John, cooked greens
Japan:  Toshikoshi Soba, long buckwheat noodles
Ireland  Buttered Bread Sandwiches
Spain:  12 grapes  referring to Champagne
Berlin:  Berliner Pfannkuchen, jelly doughnuts
Greece: Vasilopita, a New Year’s Cake with a coin hidden in it.                                                                        The person getting the coin will have good luck all year.

Slow Cooker Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Slow Cookers or Crock-Pot cooking are  great for winter hearty stews, soups or casseroles. Red Lentils-Sausage Stew is a good example of easy meal preparation.  We had a romaine tossed salad, crusty garlic bread, Cinnamon Apple Sauce and Brown Sugar Marble Pound Cake om/crock-for desert. No Champagne, however, we did have some Soft White Wine by Oliver’s Winery.  It was a quiet and satisfying New Year’s Eve. Looking forward to 2016 offerings. 

 

Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Slow Cooker Red Lentils-Sausage Stew

Julia Ann
A slow cooker makes a hearty stew of red lentils, sausage and vegetables. A winter time comfort food to enjoy with crusty bread.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Entree
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 sausage remove casing and crumble, or crumble whole sausage
  • 1 cup red lentils rinse
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup carrots coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium potato chopped in 1/2 inch cubes
  • 14.5 oz tomatoes and juice
  • 1 cup frozen cut spinach
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Layer all the vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Add the crumbled sausage.
  • Pour in the broth and water.
  • Add the seasonings and stir into the broth.
  • Cover, cook on high for 3 hours.

Notes

3 links of bratwursts were used in this recipe; other sausages links or ground sausage could also be used. 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Wishing you many blessings during 2016:  healthy lives, friends, safety and joys in abundance.

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Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

A few years ago I was cleaning out boxes stored in a closet.  I found a cookbook in a box, Williams-Sonoma, Simple Italian Cooking recipes by Chuck Williams.  These recipes started my adventure in Italian cooking and eating.  The Mediterranean Diet works for my family with plenty of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit.  My Caramelized Oranges with Almonds is adapted from a favorite recipe “Oranges with Mint and Toasted Almonds.”  I made a few changes to  the recipe and serve as  an appetizer, salad or dessert.  It is wonderful with a brunch instead of orange juice.  Put the oranges on spinach or romaine lettuce the syrup for dressing;  there is a salad for dinner of chicken and pasta.  After eating a heavy meal of beef stew, Caramelized Oranges with Almonds lend a sweet and light dessert to the meal.

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Julia Ann
A dish of fresh oranges in mild sweet syrup with toasted almonds and coconut for an appetizer, salad or dessert.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizers / Salad / Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon slivered orange zest
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sweet Marsala wine optional
  • 4 large navel oranges
  • 4 tablespoons toasted almond slices
  • 4 tablespoons toasted shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dry oranges.
  • Grate the rind off the oranges to get the zest.
  • Cut off the top and bottom of the oranges.
  • Cut off the peel and white pith.
  • Slice the peeled oranges into 1/2 inch slices, put into a serving bowl.
  • Save any orange juice.
  • In a medium sauce pan, put the zest, sugar, lemon juice, wine and orange juice.
  • Cook over medium heat until mixture is amber colored, about 5 minutes without stirring.
  • Remove the syrup from heat and pour over the orange slices.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.
  • Serve slices with the toasted almonds and toasted coconut on top.

Notes

Inspired by Williams-Sonoma Simple Italian Cooking...........................Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.
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Suggestions of other recipes to serve with Caramelized Oranges

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”  Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®  All rights reserved.