Tag Archives: tomatoes

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: 1cupCalories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 275mgPotassium: 626mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1390IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 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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 cookbookinabox BBQ Sauce

Here is the “go-to barbecue sauce” for all seasons:  cookbookinabox® BBQ Sauce, a sweet, tangy and lip-smacking sauce for chicken, beef, pork of other meats if you desire. This is a great sauce to use as a condiment on eggs, fried potatoes, or sandwiches. 

Turkey and Sausage Meatloaf

Turkey and Sausage Meatloaf with cookbookinabox BBQ Sauce

In the good old summertime we think of picnics, parties, and patio barbecues.  Some sauces are terrific to add to poultry and meats baked in the oven or in slow-cookers all year around. 

 

cookbookinabox Bar-B-Que Sauce

cookbookinabox BBQ Sauce

Julia Ann
A sweet, spicey and tangy sauce to dress up meats for indoor or outdoor barbecue. It also makes a great condiment for sandwiches, use in sloppy joes, on omelets, and fried potatoes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course sauce/condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/4 cup molasses mild flavor
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce light sodium
  • 1/4 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • optional 1/4 teaspoon powdered garlic
  • optional 1 tablespoon mesquite liquid smoke

Instructions
 

  • Mix ingredients in a medium heavy pan;
  • Whisk to blend well.
  • Heat the sauce over mediium heat, whisking to prevent sticking.
  • Cover while simmering over low heat for 20 minutes.
  • Pour into a quart or 2 pint jars, put on lids and allow cool.
  • Keep in the refrigerator and ready for use.

Notes

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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Check out another great sauce: Maple Mesquite Bar-B-Que Sauce

cookbookinabox Bar-B-Que Sauce

cookbookinabox Bar-B-Que Sauce

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.

 

 

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.
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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.

 

Southwest Vegetarian Pot Pie

Southwest Vegetarian Pot Pie

 

Using what I learned!

At a local cooking class, once again I was kicked out of my usual thinking:  pot pies have  to have a pastry crust or puff pastry.  Biscuits and refrigerated rolls out of a can are quick and easy toppings.  I had never thought of cornbread.  When do I bake cornbread?   Usually when serving chili or soups there is  a pan of cornbread.  Now to be creative!  What else goes with corn bread other than ham and beans.  BEANS?

Go southwest!

The west is a fascinating landscape, so colorful and different from the mid-west states.  When- ever we drove out to Arizona, I always liked to stop at the Pueblo Indiana Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico to look in the shops, the museum and the Restaurant.  The food was so good, but look out for the salsa.  Hot!!!

So here is my version of Southwest Vegetarian Pot Pie Recipe.

Southwest Vegetarian Pot Pie

Julia Ann
A blend of southwestern vegetables and seasoning with topping of corn bread, quick and easy to bake together for a one dish meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Vegetarian
Cuisine Southwest
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery chopped
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1-15 ounce pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups corn frozen or whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1-15 ounce tomatoes diced and with juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup water if needed for more liquid
  • CORN BREAD TOPPING
  • 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven 400 F.
  • Use 8-inch cast iron skillet (or grease 2 quart casserole dish)
  • Heat olive oil in skillet.
  • Add onion, celery, red bell pepper, and garlic to softened.
  • Add remaining vegetables.
  • Heat to simmering.
  • MIX CORNBREAD TOPPING
  • Whisk dry ingredients together.
  • Add milk, egg and oil.
  • Stir until just mixed, do not beat until smooth.
  • Pour over the bubbling vegetables in cast iron skillet (Or pour hot vegetables into greased casserole and cover with corn bread batter.
  • Bake 25 minutes.
  • Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, set in oven to melt cheese.

Notes

cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Spices, bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spices for your cooking experience.---------
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!

 

Evening Southwest Sky

Evening Southwest Sky (Personal Photo of cookbookinabox)

Enjoy an evening dinner with Southwest Vegetarian Pot Pie.

 Serve with

 

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.

 

Preserving San Marzano Tomatoes

Preserving San Marzano Tomatoes

Fresh San Marzano Tomatoes

At the local farmer’s market I bought San Marzano Tomatoes.  I had not seen them before and took the opportunity to try them and preserving some.  They are similar to a Roma tomato, long shaped and meaty, with small core and few seeds.

I washed them, poured boiling water over for 3-4 minutes, then put into ice water bath. The skin peeled off easily.  They were cut in half and laid out on a pan lined with parchment paper.

San Marzano tomatoes ready for oven drying.

San Marzano tomatoes ready for oven drying.

Fresh thyme was put on the paper, then topped with the tomato halves.  I sprinkled olive oil and Kosher salt on tomatoes and baked at 450°F for 15 minutes.  The oven was turned off and the pan of tomatoes were left in the oven for 2 hours to dry.

Oven Dried San Marzano Tomatoes

Oven Dried San Marzano Tomatoes

Preserving San Marzano Tomatoes

Julia Ann
This is an easy recipe for fixing home oven-dried tomatoes as a means of preserving for later use.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Course Oven Dried Tomatoes
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds of San Marzano tomatoes

Instructions
 

  • Wash and remove tomato skins by pouring boiling water on them for 3-4 minutes.
  • Drain, put into an ice water bath.
  • Peel tomatoes, skins come off easily.
  • Cut tomatoes in half, remove core and seeds.
  • Drain on toweling or a towel.
  • Put parchment paper on cookie sheet, spread thyme sprigs on paper.
  • Place the tomatoes on top of thyme.
  • Drizzle olive oil over tomatoes and season with Kosher salt.
  • Bake at 450 F for 15 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, let tomatoes dry out for 2-3 hours.
  • Put into jelly jars and cover with olive oil.
  • Refrigerate. Olive will become solid, but will melt when setting out to use.

Notes

©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk.Off.”
Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office.” nettabelleschoice.com and cookbookinabox.com. All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

I put the tomatoes into jelly jars and partially covered with olive oil and stored in the refrigerator. They were soon used in salad, soup and sauce and soon were gone.  They were softer than the commercial dried tomatoes and much better flavor.  I could be partial.

I prepared the next 2 lbs of San Marzano Tomatoes as for drying, except I put them in freezer bag in one layer and froze them.  I haven’t cooked with those yet.

Frozen San Marzano Tomatoes

Frozen San Marzano Tomatoes

There were about 1 1/2 pounds of the tomatoes left, so decided to make a puree. The preparation was removing skins, cutting in half, removing core and the seeds.  I put them into blender, pureed until smooth.  I had 1 1/4 cup of puree which was cooked in small kettle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar.  I cooked to reduce it to one-half.

Preparing San Marzano Tomatoes to make puree.

Preparing San Marzano Tomatoes to make puree.

I poured it into a 1/2 pint jar which was hot from boiling and covered with lid and ring.  I sat it into a pot of hot water which covered the jar letting it come to rolling boil and let boil for 20 minutes.  Then removed the can from the hot water to cool for 24 hours and also to seal the lid.

1 cup of seasoned Canned San Marzano Puree.

Preserving  seasoned  San Marzano Puree.

I hope this will give you incentive to try San Marzano Tomatoes and to give drying, freezing and canning a try.  When doing it in small amounts, it is more manageable in time and space to work and for storage.

Have you done canning, freezing or drying?  Please let me know what you have preserved.

cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®bring you great recipes for your cooking experience.

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® cookbookinabox® Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk.Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office.” nettabelleschoice.com and cookbookinabox.com.  All rights reserved.