Garlic Potato Kugel

Who doesn't love potato kugel? Potato kugel is one of those foods that always goes on all occasions. The thing i dislike is they never come out the same. The second problem is that most potato kugels only taste good fresh. Well here is a wonderful solution, the texture and flavor of this kugel allow it to taste delicious from the freezer. Now I have never frozen potato kugel before, but trust me this one you can. Kudos to my niece SLG for this delicious recipe. 

Garlic Potato Kugel:
5 lb potatoes
1-2 onions
2 garlic cloves
Blend all three ingredients together in the food processer. Place the mxture into a bowl.
Add: 4 eggs
1/2 - 1 c oil
1 tbsp salt
pinch of pepper.
Bake in the oven 375 for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs

If you choose to freeze it, wait till the kugel completely cools before freezing. Take it out of the freezer and stick directly into a warm oven for 1-2 hours (depending on the temperature) before serving.

Dairy Delights

Who loves dairy? I do, hubby thinks dairy doesnt constitute as dinner. So i make it anyways, and after he eats the entire thing he loos at me and sais "so, whats for dinner?" Here is a delicious dairy recipe thats perfect for the kids thursday night dinner, or delicous lunch for the picky men.

Cheese Latkes:
1/2 c. cottage cheese
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c.sugar
pinch of salt
( i always double the amount)
fry them in pam or oil.

I happen to dislike cottage cheese very much, but for some reason i never taste the cottage cheese in it. I got this recipe from my son's first babysitter, she made them for him all the time. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Creamy Salmon

My hubby can eat fish every day if I would make it. The problem is that I hate fish. Being, that it is his favorite food though, I decided to learn to cook it. In the meantime, I started to love making fish, I still wont eat it. This is a winner recipe that my SIL gave to me.

Creamy Salmon:
1/2 c water
1 c vinegar
1 c lemon juice
4 tbsp salt
2 c. sugar
Mix the above ingredients to combine the sauce. Cook 4 pieces of salmon in 1/2 the sauce on a low flame for 15 min. (you can cook the fish in a 9/13 pan on the fire if you dont have a fish pan)
When its finished spill out the juice that the fish cooked in, then take the reserved sauce and add:
7 tbsp mayonnaise
1 onion cut in rings
bay leaves
Mix the new sauce together pour over the fish and bake for 20 minutes on 350 uncovered.

I usually serve fish with either a side salad, steamed vegetables or  baked potato.

Super Easy Stuffed Cabbage

It's that time of year again, time to start making those stuffed cabbages. I used to make these recipes that took so long and were so annoying, I finally came up with a much easier version.

There are all sorts of different ways to prpare the cabbage to be soft. I have tried the freezer method, the microwave etc..., however I have found that boiling the cabbage is the easiest. Begin by coring the cabbage 2-3 inches deep all the way around. Place the cabbage in a pot and bring to boil, and cook for about 30 min. When it cools, remove the cabbage from the head.

Meat Mixture
2 lbs chopped meat
2 eggs
Ketchup
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Pepper
Fried onions
1/4 uncooked rice

Roll the meat mixture in the cabbage leaves and place seam side down in a 9/13 pan. (I like using these pans because I bake and then freeze them in the same pan, as opposed to a pot) I usually put 8-10 pieces in a pan. Pour sauce on top and bake 250 6-8 hrs. Check it it may need longer or shorter depending on your oven.

Sauce
The sauce recipe is for 1 9/13 pan. If you use 1 head and 2 lb chopped meat you should get around 2 or more pans. Make the sauce recipe as many times as the pans you have.
1 can tomato sauce
Fill the can halfway with water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1 apple diced tiny

As an alternative, I usually make the stuffed cabbage sugar free. I substitute the sugar for splenda. It tastes exactly the same. Enjoy and happy cooking.

Potato-Noodle Soup

Ladies, the forecast is starting to feel a little chilly, Nothing like a yummy soup to keep you warm on a cool fall day.

Potato - Noodle Soup
Sautee 2 medium onions diced and 2 tbsp butter
add: 2 Tbsp flour
mix and add:
3 medium potatoes peeled and diced
4 c. water
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp peper
Cook for 45 min until creamy
Optional: last 15 minutes add: 1/4 c. raw egg noodles.

Thank you, Miriam S or this delicious recipe

Beef Wellington

I have had alot of requests for this recipe so here it is:::::


Beef Wellington:
I usually buy the pre- cut sheets of puff pastry dough, buy any will work. My favorite meat to use is minute steak. I take a piece and cut it into a few smaller pieces. Begin by sauteing mushrooms and onions until golden. Add garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Place some of the mixture into a puff pastry sheet with a piece of minute steak on top. Afterwords, tuck all the corners under until it resembles a pillow. At this point I like to freeze raw if I wont be serving them until a later date. When your ready to bake, egg the top sprinkle some sesame seeds and bake at 350 for an hour. Serve with your favorite mushroom sauce.

Labor Day cook off

I always loved Labor Day. To me, it always felt like the last rendezvous of the summer. School were starting and the partying was over. One of the best ways to celebrate was with and end of the summer BBQ with out friends and neighbors. BBQ are always a lot of fun, and they created the perfect relaxed atmosphere. Whether it was burgers or hot dogs, steaks or kabobs everything always tasted delicious. Lately, I have been trying to "spice up" the BBQ and think of new things to grill. I finally found a winner of a recipe in a magazine. I played around with it until I created my own version and I hope you enjoy.

Sausage-Pepper Kabobs
Mix:
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
Salt, pepper, garlic and steak seasoning

Cut onions, peppers and sausages or hot dogs into 1 inch chunks.alternate onto a stick, brush with oil mixture and place on hot grill for 10-12 minutes.

Sunday Funday

Who hates cooking on Sundays? I most certainly do. When I was growing up, we always had leftovers from the weekend for Sunday night dinner. When I got married, my husband decided he doesn't eat leftovers. So I started "pre-overs" where I would make extra food for the weekend, and serve it Thursday night. That still left no solution for Sunday night though. So being that I always have so much food left over, I try to make one fresh thing for Sunday dinner, to serve with the leftover.

Sauteed deli sandwich

Cut up peppers, onions and mushrooms and sauté till golden in olive oil. Sprinkle some spices onto. When fully sauteed, remove to plate. Cut up your favorite cuts of deli meat and sauté in the same pan with BBQ sauce. Serve the meat and vegetable on a fresh steak roll or the bread of your choice.

Weekend Special

Thank Goodness Its Friday!!!!!! Weekends are about relaxation, and spending quality time with those we love. Whether its just your family or your having guests, this salad is a real winner. Kudos to my Mother-In-Law for this delicious salad.

Portabello Mushroom Salad

Portabello Mushrooms
Slice the mushrooms into long thin strips. Lay flat out on a pan and sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and a few shakes of soy sauce. Broil in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Place in the fridge until ready to serve.
When your ready to start serving, put the mushrooms in the bowl, slice a small container of cherry tomatoes in half, and cut 2 avocados into chunks.

Dressing:
1/4 c. oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
garlic powder
salt
basil
oregano

Mix the salad well, and serve immediately.

****** please note there won't be a Saturday post ********

I have to send in dinner to someone that just had a baby....

My friend Devora, posted that she always needs ideas what to send for supper to someone that just gave birth. I though to myself, wow that is a great idea for a post. I had not decided what to post for tonight so I figured all those ideas can wait. After childbirth many women are very tired and not always interested in a heavy meal. In addition, in order to help them regain their strengh and provide the proper nutrients for their nursing baby, I like to send in post baby dinners that are well balanced, nutritious and delicious.
As a mother of two boys, I have had my share of dinners being sent in. I can honestly say at that point I appreciated anything sent in, and the fact that I didn't have to be busy in the kitchen right after birth. Still we all make ourselves crazy to send in the prefect dinner.
In keeping with the "summer easy" theme, here is my idea for the perfect dinner.

Sweet Chicken
Saute 1 large onion, add mushrooms till golden
add:
 16 ounce jar apricot jam
1 cup ketchup
3 tbsp brown sugar

Bring to a boil, pour over 8 chicken legs and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours covered followed by 15 minutes uncovered.
Serve the chicken with your favorite rice.

In addition I always like to send over a salad or vegetable as well as a soup. There is nothing like a fresh pot of soup for a new mother. I think any vegetable soup would go very well with this Chicken. For the salad, you can just cut up some romaine lettuce (or bag mix), pour in some shredded carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers and presto you have a delicious salad. Dress it lightly by pouring over some olive oil, lemon juice and spices.

Not Just another salad

In keeping with the summer light and easy trend, today's post will show you how a salad can go from being ordinary to extraordinary. My hubby's favorite food is salad so I'm always trying to think of new ways to turn a salad into a meal. A great winter idea, whip up a fresh batch of soup and dinner is ready.

Marinated chicken salad with Garlic parsley dressing

Marinated Chicken:
1 pkg boneless chicken breasts
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp honey
4 tbsp mayonnaise

Marinate the chicken and sear in a frying pan for a few minutes on each side. Slice into strips when fully cooked. This chicken is also delicious on it's own served with a side dish of your choice.

Cut up lettuce, tomato, cucumber, purple onion and strips of chicken. I like to sprinkle French's Fried Onions on top. Pour dressing, mix and enjoy right away.

Garlic Parsley Dressing:
1 c. Mayonnaise
1/3 c. Lemon juice and vinegar combined
1 tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 tbsp Mustard
2 frozen parsley cubes
2 frozen garlic cubes
Salt, and pepper

There will be leftover dressing, save in in the fridge for any salad for one week.