Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

[Jamestown1630]

We recently had a request for a ‘vegetable salad’ thread. One of my favorites is Panzanella, or Tuscan Bread Salad. A search will bring up many variations, and a lot of them use only tomatoes, cukes, and onion. I like to make it with those things; but also add some chopped Giardiniera (you can find it jarred in the grocery store) fresh red and green peppers, capers - and sometimes chopped pepperoni or salami. Chef John of ‘Food Wishes’ has a technique for making sure your bread doesn’t go all soggy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Rn9DN3IjU

Looking around, I found some interesting roasted vegetable salads, and I especially like this one from ‘Running to the Kitchen’, for the inclusion of beets:

http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/simple-summer-roasted-vegetable-salad/

-JT

[Flaming Conservative]

Yeah. I always make my own dressing, and it tastes a lot like Olive Garden dressing, only fresher. The important thing is equal amounts oil and vinegar, lots of garlic, and some sugar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning (or just dried basil). It’s good on anything, even a sub sandwich.

[Flaming Conservative]

I’ve had this, and it’s SOOO good!

[Flaming Conservative]

Queso fresca is easy to make at home. There are lots of recipes on line. It’s a fresh cheese, so it doesn’t melt, but it does crumble.

[Liz]

Recipe serves four.....but if you are having a larger party, triple the recipe and then just
serve it in a large dish as a dip with tortilla chips. It’s also awesome wrapped in tortillas.

Seven-Layer Taco Salad

Served at a party.

PREP Prepare Black Beans & Rice as per pkg then combine beans with rice.

ASSEMBLY (single servings): layer in four salad bowls tortilla chip pieces, rice and beans,
layer of corn, guacamole, salsa and lettuce. Season w/ pinch ks/p, a good squeeze of fresh
lime juice and a light drizzle of olive oil. Top with cheese.....feta or queso or shredded
Cheddar/Jack.

SERVE immediately.

[mylife]

You are welcome.

[mylife]

You are welcome.

[Liz]

This accomplished NYC chef turns roasted beets into gourmet heaven.

Francesco Tonelli's Beet Salad / w/ Goat Cheese Mousse

Roasted Beets 1 1/2 to 2 pounds large red beets 1 1/2 to 2 pounds large Chioggia beets 1 1/2 to 2 pounds large golden beets 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup salt 4 tablespoons sugar 3 cups red wine vinegar

Toss trimmed beets,olive oil, salt and sugar, coating evenly. Place in separate roasting pans. Pour into each pan cup ea red wine vinegar/water; foil pan; roast 400 deg 30 min. Remove the beets from the oven, uncover and, using tongs, turn them over in their liquid. Cover; roast tender 30 min, uncover, cool in cooking liquid. Peel/cut in crosswise 1/2" slices, punch out with ring cutters of varying sizes.

Goat Cheese Mousse 1 1/2 cups skim milk 1 cup chèvre 3/4 cup cream 2/3 cup sheep’s milk yogurt 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons salt

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, chèvre, cream and yogurt. Season with lime juice and salt and continue to whisk until thoroughly combined. Transfer the mousse to a whipped-cream canister and charge with the N2O cartridge.

[mylife]

Cucumber salad is a permanent resident in my fridge but why stop there?

I put in green beans, garlic, carrot and serrano peppers

[Stand Watch Listen]

picnic vegetable salad

Ingredients

1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed/drained
1 can chickpeas, rinsed/drained
2 cans (7 ounces each) white or shoepeg corn, drained
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium yellow squash chopped
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 cup Catalina salad dressing nnnnnn OR nnnnn a flavored balsamic vinegar and olive oil with garlic salt, seasoned salt, Italian herbs

Directions

1. In a large salad bowl, combine all the ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. On the side, serve with shredded cheddar cheese and corn chips            

[Stand Watch Listen]

I sometimes add additional vegetables, and sometimes a small amount of sliced red pepper for a bit of color. But add just a few shredded carrots, as carrots seem to discolor the liquid (which is just not to my visual ‘taste’)

[mylife]

Shoepeg corn? I grew up on white “Silver queen”

Picked up some white and yellow corn yesterday 30c the cob

[Stand Watch Listen]

Shoepeg corn?

The corn was named for its peg-like shape. Shoepeg has smaller kernels and is much sweeter than yellow corn.

[mylife]

Never heard of it, but I understand.

Silver queen is small kernel and renowned for sweetness

[mylife]

Buy some of this stuff and lemon basil too.

It grows like a weed and is delicious in salads and in general

http://www.rareseeds.com/basil-siam-queen-thai/

[mylife]

Mint and chives grow like weeds too

[mylife]

Hint, do not be afraid to use blossoms from basil or chives as a garnish.

Deadheading basil actually makes it produce longer.

Chives ate perennials

Lemon basil and flowers are wonderful on fish

[V K Lee]

Tossing into the mix a few sites to explore for new delights

The Recipe Critic
http://therecipecritic.com/

Gimme Some Oven
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/

Carlsbad Cravings
http://carlsbadcravings.com/

Kitch Me
http://www.kitchme.com/the-dish/27-best-ever-chicken-recipes/

[V K Lee]

And the last food site
SCOFF
https://www.youtube.com/user/VideojugFoodAndDrink

The Churro Waffles With Chocolate Sauce Recipe really caught my eye!

[V K Lee]

Last week I posted a you tube with recycling plastic soda bottle ideas (approximately 90) for DIY. There was tremendous response to it. So, I'll carry on and post these additional videos for the same plastic bottles along w/ideas for other plastic bottles.

23 Creative Ways To Reuse Old Plastic Bottles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1hEcrkG46k

DIY Makeup / Room Organiser ♡ Recycle Plastic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNOFKmnLoqc

3 DIY Creative Ways to reuse Plastic Bottles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDQetiepSvk

Plastic Soda Bottle Crafts: Making a Teapot - DIY Recycled Bottles Crafts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_PP5pCrRY

Recycling plastic bottles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1W3UD-v0K4

DIY Recycled Plastic Bottles - DIY creative ideas to reuse plastic bottles - part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zditaXf-24k

10 DIY Creative Ways to Reuse / Recycle Plastic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1J8m4Ji7c0

10 DIY Creative Ways to Reuse / Recycle Plastic Bottles part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edXimuzIVhk

Not a member of Pinterist; though they have great items posted there. Explore Recycle Plastic Bottles, Recycling Ideas, and more! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/447545281703550061/

How to make a slingshot from melted plastic bottles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b7Psa2t0pk

How To Make a Recycled Slingshot From HDPE Bottle Caps - Strong, Lightweight, Waterproof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW-gkYHlJbQ

I do not confess to being a tree hugger but do explore new options and ideas. :-) There should be something included here for most everyone.

[V K Lee]

Last of the video tips today

BEST OF 5-MINUTE CRAFTS - 500+ DIY Projects - The toilet bombs are a wonderful idea!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0ZFWrwn8_g

Amazing Homemade Inventions Simple Ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAeYJwyywj8

TOP LIVE
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCggw4lZuvtKZxjDprcSBzkA
FIVE MINUTE CRAFTS
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC295-Dw_tDNtZXFeAPAW6Aw