Budget Cooking...Comfort & Gourmet!

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Salmon Crusted with Panko




INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 lbs boneless Salmon
1 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Spicy Mustard
1/2 tbsp Whole Grain Mustard
1 teaspoons chopped fresh Thyme
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 tsp Lemon Pepper
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Paprika

Mix Panko, Herbs, Spices and Olive Oil















Mix Honey, Spicy Mustard and Whole Grain Mustard



















DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400°F Set the salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet skin side down.

In a small vessel, combine the honey & the mustard. In another separate small bowl, mix the panko with the remaining the seasonings, & the olive oil.

Using a spoon, spread the mustard mixture on the salmon; top with the bread crumb mixture.

Roast the salmon for 12-14 minutes (test at 10) or until it is almost firm to the touch and flakes when poked with a fork. Serve right away.

I used this method with boneless Tilapia as well & it was delicious!



Tips:
- Salt & Pepper the fish before adding the honey mustard mixture
- Be sure that the Salmon is room temperature before putting into hot oven. If it is cold, there is a weird congealed result. Not appealing

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Whole Grain Spaghetti





I grew up eating whole grain spaghetti. The variety was very limited at that time.
I think my mom used to buy Hodgeson's Mill brand. My mom usually put pulled apart chicken thighs in the sauce.



I like to prepare mine with ground turkey and turkey kielbasa. Since the 1970's food manufacturers have come up with whole grain blends that are not as heavy as some of the earlier pastas. Whole Grain pasta blends are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes.



When it comes to Spaghetti Sauce, I am not a purist. Some people prefer to make their own from scratch. I am sure it does not take that long to prepare.
Eventually, I will get to that point. For now, I am sticking with the jarred variety.

INGREDIENTS

2 pkgs Whole Wheat Spaghetti
1 lb Turkey Kielbasa
1 lb. Ground Turkey
2 Onions
3 Cloves fresh pressed Garlic
1 tsp each: Lawry's Seasoning Salt, Italian Seasoning, Basil, Garlic Powder,
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp fresh cracked Pepper
1 67 oz bottle of your favorite prepared Spaghetti Sauce






















DIRECTIONS

Combine all the dry herbs & seasonings. Grind them with a tart shaper for a mortle & pestle effect. This will release the oils. Set Aside.

Boil Spaghetti in a large Stock Pot with salted water. Drain & set aside.

Caramelize Onions & Garlic. In the same pan, brown the cut kielbasa and ground turkey.
To the ground turkey mixture, add the seasonings and herbs.



Pour prepared sauce over the meat mixture.
Add cooked pasta and mix well.

If you prefer to control your portions better, keep the sauce separate.
If you combine the pasta and the sauce, the favors will penetrate the pasta.
This dish tastes even better on the second day.

Serve with Parmesan Cheese & Cracked Pepper Seeds with
Texas Toast or Garlic Bread sticks & Salad. YUM!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Scrumptious Spice Cake (CASEIN FREE - No Dairy)



I tweaked a Fannie Farmer Spice Cake recipe.
Of course, you may swap out the non-dairy items for butter & milk.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 pound soy margarine or 1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup rice milk
1/2 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper













DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Use pan ease to prepare baking pan.
For this recipe, I used a fluted pan. Cooking times will vary, depending on the shape, qty, & or material from which your pan is made.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, & spices. (Sift to prevent lumps & ensure proper distribution of baking soda. Set Aside.

Cream the margarine or shortening & slowly add the sugars, beating until light.
Next, beat in the eggs. Add the rice milk & molasses. Beat thoroughly.

Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture until well blended.
Pour the batter into the baking pan(s) & bake.

2 layers = 30 mins
square = 45-50 mins
fluted = 45-50 mins

Test to see if knife comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes before turning out cake(s) onto cooking rack.

Frost with Creamy Frosting.
Click Here for Creamy Frosting Recipe



Creamy Frosting (CASEIN FREE- No Dairy)





I made this recipe as a substitute for cream cheese frosting.
It has zero dairy, whey or casein.

INGREDIENTS

1 Softened Stick of Soy Margarine or 1/2 cup butter flavor shortening
1 8oz Container Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (Softened)
2 Cups Sifted Powdered Sugar

DIRECTIONS

Using a Mixer, Cream the Margarine (or shortening) with the Tofutti BTCC,
Gradually add 2 Cups prepared sugar.





Cover & store in refrigerator.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Moist Meatloaf (Turkey)





INGREDIENTS

2 lbs Ground Turkey
1 Cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal
1 Egg
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp garlic powder (Divided)
1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper (Divided)
1 tsp salt


1 Medium Onion finely Chopped (Divided)
3 Garlic Cloves Finely Chopped (Divided)
1 8oz Can Tomato Sauce
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Cap full of White Vinegar
1/3 Cup Ketchup



















DIRECTIONS

Sauce
Mix Tomato Sauce, Ketchup, 1/2 the garlic, 1/2 the pepper, 1/2 the chopped onion mixture, honey & vinegar.
Divide. (You will need 1/2 to mix into the meatloaf & 1/2 to top it)


Mix Ground Turkey, Oatmeal, 1/2 the chopped onion/garlic mixture.
Add salt, 1/2 the garlic, 1/2 the black pepper & Worcestershire Sauce.
Add 1/2 of the tomato sauce mixture & an egg.
Mix well.

Transfer to loaf pan. Cover with sauce.

Cook at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Let the meat rest. Slice & enjoy!