The REAL FOOD recipe thread

[Javamama]

Superfood cabbage soup


1 large onion, coarsely chopped
3-5 stalks celery, sliced
3 carrots, sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 cans great northern beans (or 2-3 cups cooked if using dry)
head cabbage, thinly sliced
6 cups chicken stock
1-2 cups pumpkin
1 tsp salt
tsp pepper
1+ tsp cumin
optional: 8 oz. can tomato sauce

Melt ~1Tbs butter and 2Tbs olive oil. Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and beans in order as you chop them. By the time you add the beans, the onions should be soft. Add salt, pepper, cumin and stir. Add cabbage and cover 5 minutes or so to wilt. Add broth, pumpkin (frozen is fine) and optional tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce to high simmer. Cover and cook 15-30 minutes until carrots and cabbage are tender.

 

[keljonma]

I got some bacon on sale the other day for $1.99/pound. So I sprinkled it liberally with Montreal Steak seasoning and some sugar. Let it sit a while. Pepper bacon at the store is selling for $8/pound. Big savings!

TR and I had the peppered bacon with eggs for dinner.

 

[big brown horse]

A nice, fat baked chicken simply smothered in butter, garlic, sea salt and pepper then baked to perfection.

Creamed Spinach (my version)
1 bag of frozen spinach
4 T of YO-cheese
2 T of butter
splash of heavy cream
2 garlic cloves minced
fresh ground nutmeg
seasalt
pepper
chunks of good parm cheese dropped in at the last minute on the heat.

Side of delicious sauerkraut that I just discovered in the back of the basement fridge...it just gets better with age!!

ETA: I forgot to mention I used butter in the creamed spinach

 

[abifae]

*

 

[big brown horse]

Yummy!!!!

 

[Dace]

We had this for dinner and it is surprisingly delicious for how simple a recipe it is!

POTATO AND LEEK SOUP WITH BRIE CROUTONS

Serves 6 to 8
This recipe can easily be doubled for a crowd and can be prepared up to two weeks ahead of time. Just cool and freeze soup, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating while you prepare the croutons.

Ingredients
3 leeks, white and light green parts only, trimmed and sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth, plus more to taste
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into (1/2-inch) chunks
Salt and pepper to taste
6 to 8 small slices sourdough bread
6 to 8 thin slices (about 5 ounces) Brie
1/4 cup chopped dill or parsley (optional) ( I chopped green onion)

Method
Put leeks, onion and broth into a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Add potatoes, increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat again to medium low, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Working in batches, carefully pure contents of pot in a blender until smooth then return soup to pot. Thin out with a bit more broth, if desired, then season with salt and pepper, cover and keep warm.

Preheat oven to 400F. Arrange bread on a large baking sheet in a single layer, top with Brie and bake until cheese is melted and bread is golden. Ladle soup into bowls, top with croutons, garnish with dill and serve.

Nutrition
Per serving (about 13oz/370g-wt.): 390 calories (70 from fat), 8g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 25mg cholesterol, 820mg sodium, 67g total carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 7g sugar), 16g protein

 

[Dace]

Two Questions.....

Made a pumpkin pie last night and the crust was bitter. I admit I used crisco, since I had it on hand and I am guessing that is what caused the bitter taste. So in sticking with REAL food, so you all use butter in your crust?

Secondly the pie recipe called for evaporated milk. What can I use in it's place?

 

[keljonma]

Make your own evaporated milk - put 1 cup milk in saucepan and reduce by half. Seriously, that is it.

This is the pie crust I make most often
1 1/2 cups crisco or other vegetable shortening
3 cups all purpose flour
1 egg
5 Tablespoons very cold water
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl mix shortening and flour together with pastry cutter for about 3 or 4 minutes, until it resembles coarse meal.

In a small bowl, beat egg with a fork and pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add water, vinegar and salt. Gently stir together until all ingredients are well combined.

Separate the dough into thirds. Form 3 evenly sized balls of dough and place each into a large ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough to about 1/2 inch thick. This will make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. If you want to use immediately, put it in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.

When you are ready to use the dough, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes. On a floured surface, roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. If the dough is too moist, sprinkle a small bit of flour on top of it. If the dough sticks to the countertop use a metal spatula and carefully scrape it up, flip it over, and continue rolling until it is about 1/2 inch larger than your pie pan.

With the spatula, lift the dough carefully onto the pie pan. Gently press the dough against the corner of pan. Pinch and tuck the dough to make a clean edge.


meandthegals posted this crust recipe which is good
1 cups flour (whole-wheat pastry flour best, whole-wheat flour okay)
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
3 Tbsp milk

Place all ingredients in pie pan. Mix with fork until well blended and pat into the pan. Push pastry up the sides and form a nice edge with thumb and finger. Prick to avoid bubbling during baking.

annmarie posted this one
2 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk

Mix flour and salt together. Pour milk and oil into one measuring cup, do not stir, and add all at once to flour. Stir until mixed, and shape into 2 flat balls. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or more. Roll out on lightly floured surface.

 

[Dace]

Make your own evaporated milk - put 1 cup milk in saucepan and reduce by half. Seriously, that is it.

Seriously? Wow......I guess I am dumb.

Thank you for the crust recipes too

 

[keljonma]

Don't feel bad. I didn't believe my mom when she told me that...