Archives

Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

Cauliflower becomes an “in” vegetable.Cauliflower Pizza_852

It is interesting to see how vegetables that have gone unnoticed are now the trend.  Kale and collard greens are two that come to mind.  Cauliflower is another vegetable now seen with mashed potatoes, or mashed as a side dish, roasting  and stir-frying are  additional ways of cooking cauliflower. New recipes and preparations teaches us how versatile cauliflower can be.  Vegan and vegetarian diets have made a big difference in the way we eat and choose foods.  Also having world-wide food communities expands  the traditional thinking.

Friday Nights:  Pizza Night!

Vegeie Pizza_280Friday night has long been a pizza night at our house.  Traditionally it was ground beef or ground turkey, cheeses, mushrooms and onions. You know the pizza!  I began trying different vegetables which was usually zucchini, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms and onions.  Recently I decided to try cauliflower, of course I added cheeses, mushrooms and onion and other stables of a pizza. I get limited in my own adventurousness.

 

I had  a small bag of semolina flour in the freezer I had gotten for pasta.  I thought it was time to be using it up.  I used semolina flour and all-purpose flour for the crust.  I was not impressed with this crust.  It was thinner and crispier than my wheat and all-purpose flour dough.  The pizza dough recipe I usually use makes a thicker bread-like crust. I have given the recipe for my regular Pizza Dough.

 

Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

By the time  I was done dressing up the Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza you could not see the cauliflower.

Baked Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

Baked Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza                                                                                                                                                     

Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

Julia Ann
Versatile cauliflower is used as the base for a pizza. Serve it as an appetizer, snack or start a Pizza night.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes
Course Pizza
Cuisine American
Servings 8 slices

Ingredients
  

  • PIZZA DOUGH
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast room temperature
  • 1 cup of water at 105-113F
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour or 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • Extra flour for rolling out the crust.
  • FILLING
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1-2 cups cauliflower 1/4 inch slices and small florets.
  • 1 red pepper 1/4 inch slices or rings
  • 1/4 cup onion diced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 cup crimini mushrooms sliced
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino-Romano cheese
  • Chopped parsley
  • Red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • PIZZA DOUGH
  • Put water in a large bowl.
  • Sprinkle with the yeast.
  • Add the honey and olive oil, stir and let set until the mixture becomes foamy on top.
  • Add the flour and stir until thick dough and sticky.
  • Pour our on a floured bread board and knead until smooth and elastic.
  • Roll into a ball, put the dough into a greased bowl and let set for 30-45 minutes, until double.
  • Roll out into a pizza pan.
  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • FILLING:
  • Spread tomato sauce over the pizza dough.
  • Sprinkle the 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over sauce.
  • Lay the cauliflower slices and florets evenly on top of the cheese.
  • Spread with the onion and garlic.
  • Spread the mushroom slices evenly on top.
  • Add the cheeses.
  • Add chopped parsley and red pepper flakes to taste

Notes

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring 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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

CAULIFLOWER BENEFITS

1 cup of cauliflower has 29 calories.
Cauliflower is high in Vitamin C
Vitamin K provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
Inhibits tumor growth
Boosts the immune system.
The fiber content  provides digestive system support.

CHOOSING THE BEST CAULIFLOWER AND PREPARATION

Select creamy white, clean and solid clusters of florets.
Leaves protect the head of cauliflower and will be fresher.
Size is not related to the quality, choose what you need.
Store in the refrigerator in a paper or plastic bag, it will be good up to a week.
Store the head of cauliflower stem down to prevent moisture forming in the floret clusters.
The florets are most often eaten, the stem and leaves are edible too, or add to soup stock.
Sauteing in water, vegetable or chicken broth is healthiest way of cooking.

YOU MIGHT LIKE……

eating well.com – Healthy Cauliflower Recipes and Cooking Tips

Food – Cauliflower Recipes

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann andcookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes  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.

Baked Pork Chops

 

Baked Pork Chops in Sauce and Vegetables

Baked Pork Chops in Sauce and Vegetables

Now summer is over, grilling outdoors begins to wane as the temperature changes. I began to look for a new recipe for  pork chops.  Having many cookbooks, I decided I would try a recipe that I have not tried from The New Your Times Menu Cook Book by Craig Claiborne, 1966.  The recipe for Country Pork Chops became my Baked Pork Chops. 

Baked Pork Chops

Browned Pork Chops and Vegetables

Browned Pork Chops and Vegetables

I really did not adapt it so much. A pork seasoning dry rub was used to marinate the pork chops before browning. I used Dijon mustard in place of prepared mustard and beef bouillon in place of the beef stock.  My other changes were using a thinner pork chop, not the 1 inch thick and only 2 instead of 6 and preparing a smaller amount of the sauce. The sauce recipe would be enough for 6 chops.  Actually thought the sauce would be good over other meats and less expensive cuts such as pork or steak cutlets. 

Sauce Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

Once again using my old reliable cast iron skillet for the browning and making the sauce..

Cooking the Sauce

Cooking the Sauce

Baked Pork Chops in Sauce

Baked Pork Chops in Sauce

Baked Pork Chops

Julia Ann
Pork chops topped with a mild tomato sauce and chopped vegetables to make an interesting change of pace from summer time grilling.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 center cut pork chops
  • 1 teaspoon pork seasoning dry rub or salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup carrots finely diced
  • 1/4 cup celery finely diced
  • 1/2 cup onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup beef bouillon or stock
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Chopped parsley

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Trim excess fat off pork chops.
  • Heat the olive oil in large skillet.
  • Season pork chops on both sides with pork seasoning dry rub or salt and pepper.
  • Brown on both sides about 10-15 minutes.
  • Put the carrots, celery and onions in a shallow two quart casserole.
  • Arrange the browned pork chops on top.
  • Pour out any excess fat from the skillet.
  • Add the bouillon or stock, tomato sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce to skillet.
  • Whisk together to blend.
  • Pour mixture over the pork chops; cover.
  • Bake for 50 minutes.
  • Remove cover and bake 15 minutes longer.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Notes

Recipe taken from Craig Claiborne, Country Pork Chops, The New York Times Menu Cook Book1966.
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring 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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Baked Pork Chop Dinner

Here is a suggestion for your dinner of Baked Pork Chops:  baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, country prepared green beans from the pressure cooker seasoned with onion and Ciabatta Bread.

Baked Pork Chop Dinner

Baked Pork Chop Dinner

Summer Time Cole Slaw and American Apple Pie would round out this country Baked Pork Chop Dinner.

Some other Pork Chop recipes you might like to try:

Annie’s Eats – Parmesan-Crusted Pork Chops

Simply Recipes –  Brined Pork Chops

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring 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.

 

Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Crock-Pot Cookery

As summer is slipping away for another year and heading into the fall and winter months, the recipes are also changing.  like the seasons.  The comfort food of soups, casseroles of macaroni and cheese and crock-pot or slow cooker meals are plentiful.  Do you have a favorite crock-pot recipe?

Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham was the right dish to take to a carry-in 3 hours away.  This recipe was inspired by Crock-Pot by Rival. Country Scalloped Potatoes and Ham. My changes were additions such as garlic and onion powders, and 1/4 cup  or less of jalapeno  peppers.  I also layered the potatoes, ham and cheese before adding the sauce.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Serving Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

A recipe for a carry-in or pitch-in.

This carry-in was with my farm family.  There was no lack of food, with bratwurst, fried chicken, hot dogs and hamburger, shredded pork, spaghetti and meatballs. chili, scalloped corn, baked beans, green bean casserole, all with a variety of finger foods, and salads.  Oh the desserts! Pie, cake, brownies, and a favorite cookie, Buckeyes. Of course they were hit of chocolate and peanut butter.

Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Julia Ann
Richly seasoned potato and ham dish for making in the crock-pot or slow cooker. It could be the entree for a meal with ham, cheese, mushroom soup and potatoes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Course Vegetable Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 -12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 pound fully-cooked ham, cut in 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup jalapeno peppers finely diced
  • 1 package 1 oz country-style gravy mix
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 can (10 1/2 oz cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • Lightly grease crock-pot.
  • Layer potatoes, ham, part of the cheese and jalapeno peppers in the crock-pot
  • Whisk the gravy mix, onion and garlic powders, soup and water until well blended and smooth.
  • Pour the blended gravy over the potatoes.
  • Cover and cook on LOW 7 to 9 hours (HIGH: 3 to 4 hours).
  • To with cheese last 30 minutes of cooking.

Notes

To prevent darkening of uncooked potatoes, put into a cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar, toss, drain and continue with recipe.................
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Spices, bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spices for your cooking experience. ©2007-2020 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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Suggested menu with Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Allrecipes.com – Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Recipe4living.com – Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

 

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann andcookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring 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.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

The air is cooler, the leaves have that rustling sound and it is quieter. The fields of green are no of longer green corn stalks or green soybeans.  The horizon is a golden and amber of fall.  Soon we will remember what  James Whitcomb Riley wrote, “The frost is on the punkin”.

Indiana Pumpkin Patch

 Pumpkin becomes the vegetable in the dessert buffet. It is delicious with a cream cheese spread.  I selected my  reliable Pumpkin Bread recipe that was received in a elementary school bazaar.  It had to be goo.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Another favorite pumpkin dessert is Libby’s Pumpkin Roll recipe..  It is easy to make this extra special dessert with the canned pumpkin with the cream cheese filling. 

 I still prefer to buy my pumpkin in a can. Children or grandchildren are not available to enjoy the fun of jack-0-lanterns.  Remember when Halloween was a one day event.  Now it is as festive with decorations and tree lights like Christmas. 

Pumpkins and Mums

Pumpkins and Mums

Another favorite dessert in the Midwest is persimmon cake,  bread, pudding, cookies and some places have persimmon ice cream!  Our family favorite, American Persimmon Cake uses the small Midwest persimmons.

Enjoy a slice of fall:  Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Julia Ann
A moist dessert bread to enjoy with your coffee or tea. Share the recipe and a loaf at the next church or school bazaar.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 4 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup cooking oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Grease and flour 2- 9 x 5 loaf pans, or put greased parchment paper on the bottom.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients.
  • Add the eggs, oil, water and pumpkin.
  • Mix until very smooth.
  • Pour into the prepared loaf pans.
  • Bake at 350 F for 1 hour.

Notes

While bread is still very warm, wrap in plastic wrap and let cook completely. Bread tastes better after setting at room temperature 24 hours. This freezes well....Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Spices, bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spices for your cooking experience. ©2007-2019 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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

This makes 2  large loaves of Pumpkin Bread,  it can easily be frozen, or given away in a bazaar.

Loaves of Pumpkin Bread

Loaves of Pumpkin Bread

I received a pumpkin recipe that is making me to ‘think outside of the box’ of desserts.  jenreviews sent a tantalizing recipe for using pumpkin as a spaghetti sauce.         

Fresh Sage Whole Wheat Sage Spaghetti with Creamy Pumpkin … www.igotthatfire.com/freshsage-whole-wheatsageFresh Sage Whole Wheat Sage Spaghetti with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce and Crispy Presunto Source: ( Jen Reviews ) The go-to food in my home, like many others I assume, is a plateful of spaghetti.

Once Upon a Chef– Pumpkin Bread

Simply Recipes — Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox
bring you great recipesfor 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.

Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Chuckwagon Stew

There is a long history behind the Chuckwagon.  They were used by the cowboys working on the Texas cattle drives as early as 1867.  Each had their own cook, often called “Cookie” and was king of his chuckwagon.  The chuckwagon was the social center for the cowboys out on a drive.  He determined when, what to eat and sometimes, how much. 

Turkey Chuckwagon Stew  Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Not much different than the  home “Cookies”   However, I doubt turkey was very the main meat in the stew, not when moving beef across the land.  There are some very interesting stories of the chuckwagon history.

Every ready baked potatoes.

My real intention of taking about this stew was the use of prebaked potatoes to have in the refrigerator to add to soups, stews, or for stir frying without the waiting for the potato to bake.  I bake four russet potatoes, wrapped in foil for 1 hour at 400 F.  They are cooled to room temperature in the foil, and stored until ready for addition to a recipe.  That was the beginning of the Chuckwagon Turkey Stew.

Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Julia Ann
A savory stew to enjoy around a camp fire or picnic. Just as great to have for a quick evening week day dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Stew
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons of jalapeno pepper diced (more if preferred hotter)
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2-3/4 cup cooked or canned navy beans drained (other canned beans if preferred)
  • 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1-2 cups baked potatoes diced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon Netta Belle's Choice Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/4 cup of ketchup
  • Netta Belle's Choice Sea Salt
  • Netta Belle's Choice Ground Black Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground turkey in the olive oil, drain on paper towels, set aside.
  • Brown the onion, garlic, jalapeno pepper in olive oil until soft.
  • Add the browned turkey to the skillet.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the turkey, stir to blend. This is to thicken the juices.
  • Add beans, tomatoes and potatoes.
  • Stir to blend together.
  • Add the seasonings.
  • Simmer for 25 minutes.

Notes

This recipe is versatile to prepare to your family's taste. Ground beef or sausage could be used in place of the turkey, as well as your choice of beans and seasonings. Enjoy for a quick supper/dinner.-----------------------------------
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring 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.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Stone Ground Corn Bread

Stone Ground Corn Bread                                                                                                       

 

Enjoy Stone Ground Cornbread
with Chuckwagon Turkey Stew.

 

 

 

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2020 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.