Tag Archives: vegetables

Meatless navy Bean Soup

Meatless Navy Bean Soup

Meatless navy Bean Soup

Meatless Navy Bean Soup and Corn Bread”Back in the olden days”  it was said that Monday was wash day and  Meatless Navy Bean Soup was the day’s meal. 

Meatless Navy Bean Soup

Pressure cooker speeds up the cooking.

A pot of beans on a busy  day is a good day’s meal .  I like to cook the dried navy beans in the pressure cooker then store in pint jars ready for use in soups, stews, with vegetables or baked beans.  I do not put meat in bean soup, mainly for health reasons there is no ham.  Though wouldn’t ham, bacon, pork or even chicken be a good addition?  That gets to be your choice. 

Canned Navy Beans

Canned Navy Beans    

A good use for the pressure cooker:

Presto Pressure Cooker

Presto Pressure Cooker

This was 1 1/2 cups of dried navy beans, soaked in 4 cups of water for 4 to 8 hours.  After they are drained, I put them in the pressure cooker add enough water to cover about 1/2 inch, no salt or seasonings at this time.  They are cooked for 11 minutes under 15 lbs. of pressure.  I turn off the heat and let the pressure come down slowly before opening.  I like a softer bean for soup, the reasons for the longer cooking.  This  makes 2 pints of beans and the broth.  Best to follow your pressure cookers instructions.  OR  simply buy 2-3 cans of navy or great northern beans.  

I like to add onion, garlic, jalapeno pepper, carrots, one small potato and fresh grated ginger to soup.  These I cook in a little water in the microwave on high until almost tender.  Now I am ready assemble the Meatless Navy Bean Soup. The final addition to the soup seasoning  is a natural mesquite liquid smoke.  

Meatless Navy Bean Soup

Julia Ann
A robust Meatless Navy Bean Soup and vegetables with a subtle flavor of mesquite smoke. Makes you think you are around an old chuck wagon out west.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups dried navy beans
  • 4 cups of water to soak beans
  • ---------------
  • soaked beans
  • 2 cups water
  • OR 2 cups canned beans and juice
  • 1/4 cup onion minced
  • 1/4 cup jalapeno pepper finely diced
  • 1/2 cup carrots finely diced
  • 1/2 cup potato finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger freshly grated
  • 1 cup chicken broth or more if thinner soup is preferred.
  • 2 teaspoons mesquite liquid smoke

Instructions
 

  • Soak the dried beans in the 4 cups of water 4-8 hours.
  • Drain beans, cook in pressure cooker with water to cover, 11 minutes.
  • Put 2 cups cooked beans and juice into a large pot.
  • Add all the vegetables together in a microwave proof bowl with 1/4-1/2 cup water.
  • Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the cooked vegetables and water to the beans.
  • Add the chicken or vegetable broth.
  • Add the mesquite liquid smoke.
  • Simmer 30 minutes.

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.
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Meatless navy Bean Soup

Meatless Navy Bean Soup and Corn Bread

Benefits of making home-made Meatless Navy Bean Soup

 The great benefit of making any soup is the freedom to substitute or make changes as you prepare.  Now of course there are times when making a specific recipe is the goal. That is the fun and challenge of cooking. 

Suggestions for the the rest of the meal:

The Corn Bread and Chocolate Pudding with Maraschino Cherries are recipes to come in future blogs.  The recipes for the Wheat Flax Seed-Apple Muffins and the Orange Coconut Walnut Bowl are available.

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spices for your cooking experience. ©2007-2021 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.

Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions

Brussels Sprouts and Pearl Onions

Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions

Brussels Sprouts and Pearl Onions with Sesame Seeds

Brussel Sprouts and Pearl Onions

Brussel Sprouts and Pearl Onions are not one of the first side dishes served, unless at winter holiday times  The Brussel sprouts are fresh as the growing time is autumn to early spring.  A good Brussel sprout has vivid green leaves and a solid firm head, much like cabbage, only smaller.  Leaves that have perforations in them are to be discarded as it indicates aphids within.

Brussel sprouts will keep 10 days in the refrigerator if kept unwashed and untrimmed in a plastic bag in the vegetable drawer.  To cook, steam Brussel sprouts between 3 to 5 minutes before freezing.  Frozen they will keep up to 1 year. Overcooked Brussel sprouts will lose their taste and nutrient value, and also emit an unpleasant smell of sulfur.  Overcooked crucierous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli will also have an unpleasant smell.

Benefits of Brussels Sprouts and Pearl Onions with Sesame Seed

The nutritional profile of Brussel sprouts is excellent for vitamins K and C.  Folate, manganese, vitamin B6, B1, copper are also very good nutrients in sprouts. They have important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits and cancer and cardiovascular health.

Pearl Onion 

The pearl onion is a relative to the leek.  They are used mostly for pickling, relishes or with other vegetables giving a sweeter taste than the common onion.  The nutrient benefits are in helping cardiovascular health, stablize blood sugar levels and acting as an antioxidant and anti-iflammatory.

Sesame Seed

The tiny sesame seed is chocked full of nutrients:  copper, manganese, calcium, iron magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fiber.  The special lignans fibers in the sesame seed have benefits of cholesterol-lowering effectn in human and prevent high blood pressure.

Enjoy a side dish which is rich in beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Brussels Sprouts and Pearl Onions

Julia Ann
A vegetable dish made flavorful and healthy with a sprinkling of sesame seeds over steamed Brussels Sprouts and Pearl Onions. These are a winter holiday favorite.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Vegetables
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts
  • 1 cup fresh pearl onions
  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds toasted

Instructions
 

  • Toast sesame seeds by stirring in a hot skillet until lightly brown. Watch carefully to keep from burning.
  • Trim outer leaves and cut bottoms of Brussels sprouts, cut in half and wash.
  • Steam sprouts in vegetable steamer or parboil in boiling water for 5-7 minutes; drain.
  • Bring a saucepan of water to boil, drop in the whole unpeeled pearl onions. Boil for 3 minutes.
  • Drain onions.
  • Cut the end off the onions and squeeze the onion out of the outer skins.
  • Melt the butter in skillet, add Brussels sprouts and pearl onions, heat briefly to keep at serving temperature.
  • Add toasted sesame seeds prior to serving.

Notes

Microwave Brussels Spouts: Boil 3-4 cups water in microwave (10 seconds on high), add the Brussels spouts and boil for 6-7 minutes. Drain and put them into skillet of melted butter. Microwave Pearl Onions: Boil 2-3 cups water in microwave (3 minutes), add the onions and bring back to boil for 3 minutes. Drain and cut end of onions and squeeze the onion out of outer skins. Add to Brussels Sprouts, heat to serving temperature.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions

Brussels Sprouts and Pearl Onions with sesame seed

Another Menu Suggestion:

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

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox©2007-2021 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.

 

Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew Salad

Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew Salad

Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew SAlad

Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew Salad

Peas and cauliflower are not vegetables often served.  Peas get added to soups or rice, rarely used in salad or as a side dish as buttered peas.  Cauliflower is in almost every vegetable tray  set up at the grocery or buffet.  It is a once-in-awhile vegetable on my table.  After eating the , Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew Salad, raw cauliflower is becoming a salad stable.

Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew SAlad

Peas, Cauliflower and Cashew Salad

Julia Ann
Peas, cauliflower, nuts and a bit of bacon makes a delicious summer recipe for your luncheon or dinner,
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 pound bacon fried, drained and crumbled
  • 10 ounces frozen peas
  • 1 cup cauliflower cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup celery diced
  • 1/4 cup green onions diced
  • 1/4 cup yellow mini pepper diced
  • 1 cup cashew pieces lightly salted
  • 1 cup Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions
 

  • Fry bacon, drain on paper towel.
  • Cool and crumble in small pieces.
  • Wash and cut the cauliflower, celery, green onions and peppeer
  • Mix the Ranch dressing and sour cream.
  • Mix bacon and vegetables together, except peas, into a large bowl.
  • Stir in the dressings.
  • Pour into a large serving dish, refrigerate.
  • Add the frozen peas 45 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

Notes

This recipe was adapted from Peas Cashew Salad by Janice Griggs in "Our Pitch-In Secrets" by UNISYS, HIM Service Center employees.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Cauliflower protects against cancer and packed with vitamin C and vitamin B folate helping your  immune system.  To get the most benefit of the nutrients, it is best to steam, cook in a wok or microwave.  Boiling the cauliflower in water causes it to lose those nutrients.

Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

Cauliflower Vegetable Pizza

 Cauliflower with Mornay Sauce

Cauliflower with Mornay Sauce

Cauliflower with Mornay Sauce

Stir-Fried Frozen Cauliflower

Stir-Fried Frozen Cauliflower

Stir-Fried Frozen Cauliflower                                                        

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Julia Ann

Julia Ann

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.

 

Smoothies

Basic Smoothies

Mixed Fruit Smoothie

Mixed Fruit Smoothie

 Smoothies are a good and quick way to get the daily balance of fruits and/or vegetables in one glass full.  It is more a time saver than juicing and uses less fruits or vegetables to get a more than a glass.  The blender does it all, it is good if your blender will crush ice. The ingredients are simple:   juice, fruits and/or vegetables, combined or all one flavor, add ice.  Blend to mix, add honey if sweetness is preferred or make  a dessert smoothie with the use yogurt or milk instead of juice.

Benefits of Smoothies

When using the whole raw fruit or vegetable,  it gives the vitamins, minerals, sugars, starches and almost all of the plant’s nutrients.  The fiber from the fruits provide the benefits to the health of the colon and bowel.  Remember to wash the raw fruits and vegetables.

Making a Smoothie

Making a mixed Fruit Smoothie

Does your winter diet need altered?

Our morning smoothie gives us a good way to start the day.  It is a bit of sunshine for these dark and cold mornings.  Have you noticed you like your comfort foods this time of the year?  Think of the times you pamper yourself with a chocolate bar, desserts,  dish of potatoes, gravy, noodles, macaroni and cheese, and pasta.  

Mixed Fruit Smoothie

Basic Mixed Fruit Smoothie

Julia Ann
A quick healthy way to get the nutrients from fruits and vegetables in a refreshing beverage in one glass by drinking a Smoothie
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 4 glasses

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mango and passion fruit juice consider "Lite" juice
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 1 small orange peeled and sliced
  • 1 medium apple cored and cut in small chunks
  • 2 tablespoon of blueberries
  • 2-3 cups of ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Using a blender which crushes ice or crush up the ice cubes.
  • Pour juice into the blender.
  • Add the banana, orange, apple pieces.
  • Puree until blended.
  • Add the blueberries
  • Blend briefly
  • Add ice cubes, few at a time and blend until the ice is crushed.

Notes

Add a carrot, celery, or ginger to the fruit blend. Use your imagination of combinations of fruits or vegetables. Use less ice if a thinner smoothie is preferred, more ice makes it frozen slush. Yogurt, sherbet, milk, ice cream added would make dessert smoothies, though a lost in the amount of nutrients from the fruit.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Freshly made Mixed Fruit Smoothies

Enjoy freshly made Mixed Fruit Smoothies

How about these with the smoothies?

Favorite Blog Sites:

Simply Recipes – Smoothies

There’s a Cook in my Kitchen – Smoothies

My Ginger Garlic Kitchen – Smoothies

 

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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.

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.
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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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