Use a combination of Steen's 100% Pure Cane Syrup, and Sugar in the Raw natural cane Turbinado sugar, in appropriate amounts in place of the refined sugar that most recipes call for. Stir well, and let it sit for a few minutes. Stir again, then serve with lots of ice. This will make a lemonade that's darker than you may be used to, but well worth it. There will be no sugar collecting at the bottom of the pitcher, and the pure cane products aren't as bad for you as the refined sugar is, anyway.
Postscript: This recipe also works well with lime juice, for limeade.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Rosemary Steak
Use a good, thick cut of steak, something like London broil.
Salt, to taste.
Pepper, to taste.
Coat steak, both sides, with olive oil.
Cover steak with rosemary. Dried is OK. Fresh herb is better.
Last, cover one side of steak with minced garlic.
Put on microwave-safe plate and microwave until done to taste, or on foil in gas-stove broiler, same. I like mine medium rare.
Goes very well with an Italian-style vegetable-pasta side dish.
Salt, to taste.
Pepper, to taste.
Coat steak, both sides, with olive oil.
Cover steak with rosemary. Dried is OK. Fresh herb is better.
Last, cover one side of steak with minced garlic.
Put on microwave-safe plate and microwave until done to taste, or on foil in gas-stove broiler, same. I like mine medium rare.
Goes very well with an Italian-style vegetable-pasta side dish.
A Cheap And Easy Sandwich With 4 Basic Ingredients
2 slices of whole-grain bread
Underwood deviled ham
Cream cheese
Cucumber slices
Spread deviled ham on one slice of bread, to taste. Then spread cream cheese on the other slice of bread, to taste. I use Philadelphia reduced-fat onion and chive flavor. Put cucumber slices between, and it's basically ready. Mustard may be added to your taste, if you like it.
Postscript: Tomato slices, zucchini slices or yellow squash slices are also good additions or alternatives. Depends on how many veggies you like on your sandwich.
Underwood deviled ham
Cream cheese
Cucumber slices
Spread deviled ham on one slice of bread, to taste. Then spread cream cheese on the other slice of bread, to taste. I use Philadelphia reduced-fat onion and chive flavor. Put cucumber slices between, and it's basically ready. Mustard may be added to your taste, if you like it.
Postscript: Tomato slices, zucchini slices or yellow squash slices are also good additions or alternatives. Depends on how many veggies you like on your sandwich.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Lazy Man's Sangrita
I have a "traditional" blender recipe for sangrita on this blog, but if you just want to throw something together and not have as many dishes to wash, this works well, too.
5.5 oz. Snap-e-Tom tomato juice cocktail (It's a hard-to-find product by Del Monte, but it's available online by the case.) This is roughly half of an 11.5-oz can. The reason this is an important component is that, in addition to tomato juice concentrate, it contains juices of onion and green chiles, which are part of what makes sangrita taste like it does.
If you can't find Snap-e-Tom, V-8 hot and spicy juice works OK in the same amount.
About 4 oz. orange juice, any kind.
About 1.5 oz. lime juice, any kind. The reconstituted type in bottles will do for this.
Mexican-style hot sauce, your choice, to taste. Sriracha, the Southeast Asian serrano hot sauce with garlic, also works well in this.
Combine in a tall glass and stir well.
This is traditionally a chaser for shots of tequila with lime wedges and a little salt. If you are on the wagon, it also makes a good nonalcoholic "virgin Mary" (or as they say in Australia, a bloody shame).
5.5 oz. Snap-e-Tom tomato juice cocktail (It's a hard-to-find product by Del Monte, but it's available online by the case.) This is roughly half of an 11.5-oz can. The reason this is an important component is that, in addition to tomato juice concentrate, it contains juices of onion and green chiles, which are part of what makes sangrita taste like it does.
If you can't find Snap-e-Tom, V-8 hot and spicy juice works OK in the same amount.
About 4 oz. orange juice, any kind.
About 1.5 oz. lime juice, any kind. The reconstituted type in bottles will do for this.
Mexican-style hot sauce, your choice, to taste. Sriracha, the Southeast Asian serrano hot sauce with garlic, also works well in this.
Combine in a tall glass and stir well.
This is traditionally a chaser for shots of tequila with lime wedges and a little salt. If you are on the wagon, it also makes a good nonalcoholic "virgin Mary" (or as they say in Australia, a bloody shame).
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Fast And Easy Mustard Potato Salad
Ingredients:
3 medium red potatoes, boiled or microwaved with skins on. If you don't like potato skins, peel them, but I leave them on because the skins contain nutrients.
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped. For vegans, chopped tofu, the firm kind, may be substituted in an appropriate amount.
Mayonnaise, to taste. I use the kind that has an olive oil base.
Mustard, just plain salad type will do, to taste, but plenty -- this is mustard potato salad.
2 slices of bacon, well-done and crisp, crumbled. You can skip this if you're a vegetarian or vegan.
Dill weed, to taste.
Paprika, to taste.
Dill pickle, chopped, to taste. I use one smaller one, or a wedge of a bigger one.
Combine everything in a large bowl, mix well and mash until you have a slightly chunky potato salad consistency. Then chill for a couple of hours before serving.
Skip the salt unless you omit the bacon. If you don't, there should be enough salt in all the other ingredients.
Chopped onion, chopped celery, celery seed, and pepper or hot sauce are optional, but may be added to taste. Some people also like cumin powder in potato salad, to taste. Warning: This will give it a brown appearance.
All this should make a heaping bowl with enough to serve 3-4 people. Double the recipe if you expect 6 guests and yourself.
3 medium red potatoes, boiled or microwaved with skins on. If you don't like potato skins, peel them, but I leave them on because the skins contain nutrients.
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped. For vegans, chopped tofu, the firm kind, may be substituted in an appropriate amount.
Mayonnaise, to taste. I use the kind that has an olive oil base.
Mustard, just plain salad type will do, to taste, but plenty -- this is mustard potato salad.
2 slices of bacon, well-done and crisp, crumbled. You can skip this if you're a vegetarian or vegan.
Dill weed, to taste.
Paprika, to taste.
Dill pickle, chopped, to taste. I use one smaller one, or a wedge of a bigger one.
Combine everything in a large bowl, mix well and mash until you have a slightly chunky potato salad consistency. Then chill for a couple of hours before serving.
Skip the salt unless you omit the bacon. If you don't, there should be enough salt in all the other ingredients.
Chopped onion, chopped celery, celery seed, and pepper or hot sauce are optional, but may be added to taste. Some people also like cumin powder in potato salad, to taste. Warning: This will give it a brown appearance.
All this should make a heaping bowl with enough to serve 3-4 people. Double the recipe if you expect 6 guests and yourself.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The Steve McQueen Cocktail
Steve may never have had one of these, but perhaps he should have. He only lived to be 50 anyway, and these probably beat laetrile.
Ingredients:
3 oz. of brandy. Cheap California stuff is fine.
1 heaping teaspoon of ketchup.
1 raw egg.
A dusting of cayenne pepper.
Mix brandy and ketchup together in a glass and chill. Then crack raw egg into mixture, and top with pepper dusting.
It's often recommended that these be swallowed with one or two determined gulps. I find them tasty, but that might not be a universal opinion.
Good hangover therapy -- again, I won't say "cure," because there's no cure for a hangover other than sleep, food and abstinence. But this will help take the sting out of a "big" night before.
Some people may have qualms about a raw egg. Do they use mayonnaise?
Postscript: Some recipes also call for a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with this. This could add some nutrients. There are also those who like a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce in theirs. Angostura bitters, a few dashes, is another additive.
Ingredients:
3 oz. of brandy. Cheap California stuff is fine.
1 heaping teaspoon of ketchup.
1 raw egg.
A dusting of cayenne pepper.
Mix brandy and ketchup together in a glass and chill. Then crack raw egg into mixture, and top with pepper dusting.
It's often recommended that these be swallowed with one or two determined gulps. I find them tasty, but that might not be a universal opinion.
Good hangover therapy -- again, I won't say "cure," because there's no cure for a hangover other than sleep, food and abstinence. But this will help take the sting out of a "big" night before.
Some people may have qualms about a raw egg. Do they use mayonnaise?
Postscript: Some recipes also call for a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with this. This could add some nutrients. There are also those who like a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce in theirs. Angostura bitters, a few dashes, is another additive.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Red Eye recipe
This is a variation of a drink sometimes called "red beer," but it's stronger and reputed to be theraputic for a hangover. (I'm not going to say "cure," because there's really no cure for a hangover except for food, sleep, vitamins and abstinence.) I will say "therapy" because a hair of the dog will help you endure the pain. Here goes:
6 oz. lager beer
1.5 oz. vodka
A few drops of hot sauce, Tabasco traditionally, but any will do
Top with tomato juice or V-8. 4-5 oz., with the rest, should fill a tall glass.
By some traditions, this drink also contains a raw egg. It's optional -- you may want to dodge the salmonella risk, but from experience I'd say it's very slight.
Some people also like a couple of dashes of Worchestershire sauce in theirs.
6 oz. lager beer
1.5 oz. vodka
A few drops of hot sauce, Tabasco traditionally, but any will do
Top with tomato juice or V-8. 4-5 oz., with the rest, should fill a tall glass.
By some traditions, this drink also contains a raw egg. It's optional -- you may want to dodge the salmonella risk, but from experience I'd say it's very slight.
Some people also like a couple of dashes of Worchestershire sauce in theirs.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Caesar cocktail, Canadian-style
This is one of the best cocktails I can remember having. (Remembering may be the key word to this.) It's a variation on the bloody Mary, and I would say it's an improvement on it.
For a double:
2 shots of vodka or gin, 1.5 ounces for each shot.
About a half teaspoon of horseradish, the prepared kind that has no dairy content in it.
About a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice.
A few drops of Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce, to taste.
About another teaspoon of Worchestershire sauce.
A jigger (1.5 oz.) of clam juice -- or commensurate Clamato juice, if you have it. I can't drink it because it has MSG.
If you don't have Clamato or can't drink it -- tomato juice or V-8 to make up for the lack of that. As much of that as fills the glass.
Celery sticks for garnish.
Plenty of ice to chill!
Black pepper, to taste. This should have enough salt already, but that can also be added to taste.
Some recipes call for fresh clams, if you can find them.
Combine and enjoy! Best way I've ever found to get a light buzz on before dinner!
For a double:
2 shots of vodka or gin, 1.5 ounces for each shot.
About a half teaspoon of horseradish, the prepared kind that has no dairy content in it.
About a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice.
A few drops of Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce, to taste.
About another teaspoon of Worchestershire sauce.
A jigger (1.5 oz.) of clam juice -- or commensurate Clamato juice, if you have it. I can't drink it because it has MSG.
If you don't have Clamato or can't drink it -- tomato juice or V-8 to make up for the lack of that. As much of that as fills the glass.
Celery sticks for garnish.
Plenty of ice to chill!
Black pepper, to taste. This should have enough salt already, but that can also be added to taste.
Some recipes call for fresh clams, if you can find them.
Combine and enjoy! Best way I've ever found to get a light buzz on before dinner!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Ranch And Cheese Vegetable Medley
This was an experiment, brought on by produce and other items that were in need of use, that turned out to be a success.
Ingredients:
Broccoli, a full head, crowns only, chopped
About half of a zucchini, chopped
1 medium potato, microwaved to tenderness first
A thick slice of onion, chopped
About half of a Roma tomato, chopped
Ranch dressing, to taste (I recommend Paul Newman's. The others have MSG.)
Paprika, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Jalapeno, chopped (Optional. I used one large fresh one.)
Poblano or bell pepper, a whole one, chopped
Buttermilk, to taste and for texture
Olive oil, about a tablespoon
Butter, about the same amount
Sage, to taste
1 egg
Cilantro, a small handful, chopped
Garlic, chopped, to taste
1 slice of cooked bacon, crumbled
Finish with grated Mozzarella cheese, a handful
Combine all ingredients in a pot and sautee, covered, and mix until everything is done and tender.
Ingredients:
Broccoli, a full head, crowns only, chopped
About half of a zucchini, chopped
1 medium potato, microwaved to tenderness first
A thick slice of onion, chopped
About half of a Roma tomato, chopped
Ranch dressing, to taste (I recommend Paul Newman's. The others have MSG.)
Paprika, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Jalapeno, chopped (Optional. I used one large fresh one.)
Poblano or bell pepper, a whole one, chopped
Buttermilk, to taste and for texture
Olive oil, about a tablespoon
Butter, about the same amount
Sage, to taste
1 egg
Cilantro, a small handful, chopped
Garlic, chopped, to taste
1 slice of cooked bacon, crumbled
Finish with grated Mozzarella cheese, a handful
Combine all ingredients in a pot and sautee, covered, and mix until everything is done and tender.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Easy Rosemary Potatoes
Bake or microwave one potato per person.
Once cooled a bit, mash them up in a bowl, size according to the number of potatoes.
Then add:
Rosemary. I prefer the powdered kind. If that's not available, crush the rosemary as finely as possible before adding. Amount will be to taste.
Butter. I recommend light butter from Land O'Lakes, made with olive oil. Add enough to give the potatoes a moist, fluffy consistency.
Salt and pepper, to taste.
Minced garlic, one clove worth per potato (optional).
Mix everything up very well, until a consistency of mashed potatoes is reached. If the consistency isn't what you want, a little milk will probably get it there. Keep mixing until it's got the mashed consistency. Then bake or microwave everything in the bowl until it's hot again.
Serve immediately. Goes very well with any main course.
Once cooled a bit, mash them up in a bowl, size according to the number of potatoes.
Then add:
Rosemary. I prefer the powdered kind. If that's not available, crush the rosemary as finely as possible before adding. Amount will be to taste.
Butter. I recommend light butter from Land O'Lakes, made with olive oil. Add enough to give the potatoes a moist, fluffy consistency.
Salt and pepper, to taste.
Minced garlic, one clove worth per potato (optional).
Mix everything up very well, until a consistency of mashed potatoes is reached. If the consistency isn't what you want, a little milk will probably get it there. Keep mixing until it's got the mashed consistency. Then bake or microwave everything in the bowl until it's hot again.
Serve immediately. Goes very well with any main course.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Pasta Puttanesca (The Madame's Pasta)
They say that the ladies of the evening in Naples would have this simmering on their stoves to help lure customers. That's how this dish got its name.
Ingredients, using common sense for amounts:
Pasta, any kind you like
Tomato sauce
Garlic, minced
Anchovies
Capers
Black or Kalamata olives, sliced
Chopped onion
Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.)
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Chopped veggies, any kind you like. I recommend fresh fennel.
Optional -- any kind of seafood also goes well in this sauce.
A teaspoon of white wine
Black pepper. I don't recommend any salt -- the olives, capers and anchovies will be salty enough.
Combine all ingredients, except pasta, in a pan and simmer, covered, until wonderful aroma fills your kitchen. Stir occasionally. Cook pasta until al dente, then pour sauce over pasta. Finish with grated Parmesan and/or Romano cheese and chopped Italian parsley.
The wine? As the late Justin Wilson said, "Any kind of wine you like."
Ingredients, using common sense for amounts:
Pasta, any kind you like
Tomato sauce
Garlic, minced
Anchovies
Capers
Black or Kalamata olives, sliced
Chopped onion
Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.)
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Chopped veggies, any kind you like. I recommend fresh fennel.
Optional -- any kind of seafood also goes well in this sauce.
A teaspoon of white wine
Black pepper. I don't recommend any salt -- the olives, capers and anchovies will be salty enough.
Combine all ingredients, except pasta, in a pan and simmer, covered, until wonderful aroma fills your kitchen. Stir occasionally. Cook pasta until al dente, then pour sauce over pasta. Finish with grated Parmesan and/or Romano cheese and chopped Italian parsley.
The wine? As the late Justin Wilson said, "Any kind of wine you like."
Lazy Man's Frittata For One
For those unfamiliar, a frittata is sort of like an Italian version of an omelet.
Ingredients:
1 real egg, large
Egg substitute, equivalent of 2 eggs
Chopped ham, about 4 oz. Turkey or chicken breast also works.
black pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
Chopped vegetables, at least 4 oz. Bell pepper, broccoli and asparagus are examples of what will work. Tomato and onion are also good. Use one or more of the aforementioned.
1 clove of garlic, minced
A little butter or olive oil
A tiny splash of skim milk (makes the egg fluffier)
A pinch of dried oregano and/or basil
Combine and mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and nuke until the egg is done to scrambled consistency.
Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and chopped Italian parsley. Enjoy -- an especially good breakfast, with whole-grain toast. For those who like the heat, hot sauce may be added during or after cooking.
Ingredients:
1 real egg, large
Egg substitute, equivalent of 2 eggs
Chopped ham, about 4 oz. Turkey or chicken breast also works.
black pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
Chopped vegetables, at least 4 oz. Bell pepper, broccoli and asparagus are examples of what will work. Tomato and onion are also good. Use one or more of the aforementioned.
1 clove of garlic, minced
A little butter or olive oil
A tiny splash of skim milk (makes the egg fluffier)
A pinch of dried oregano and/or basil
Combine and mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and nuke until the egg is done to scrambled consistency.
Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and chopped Italian parsley. Enjoy -- an especially good breakfast, with whole-grain toast. For those who like the heat, hot sauce may be added during or after cooking.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Another Meal-For-One Pork Chop, Italian-Style
Cover 1 boneless butterfly pork chop with:
About 1 tablespoon of olive oil
A couple of cloves worth of minced garlic
About half a teaspoon of fennel seeds
A roma tomato, cut into chunks
About half a teaspoon of dried basil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
About a teaspoon of marsala wine. Dry sherry will also do.
Mix everything up in a microwave-safe, shallow bowl and let it marinade in the refrigerator for an hour or more. Then microwave until the pork chop is fairly well-done.
I recommend a caesar salad and some style of potato as sides. If serving two, double the recipe amounts, etc.
About 1 tablespoon of olive oil
A couple of cloves worth of minced garlic
About half a teaspoon of fennel seeds
A roma tomato, cut into chunks
About half a teaspoon of dried basil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
About a teaspoon of marsala wine. Dry sherry will also do.
Mix everything up in a microwave-safe, shallow bowl and let it marinade in the refrigerator for an hour or more. Then microwave until the pork chop is fairly well-done.
I recommend a caesar salad and some style of potato as sides. If serving two, double the recipe amounts, etc.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
A Quick, Simple Meal For One That's Yum
1 boneless pork chop. They are usually 5-6 ounces.
Put it in a microwave-safe bowl.
Add: about a teaspoon of sherry, and about a tablespoon of soy sauce. Then a pinch of salt and a pinch of brown sugar, sprinkled.
If you like it extra hot, add several chiles japones to the liquid.
Add a few cloves of garlic to the liquid, then cover with thick slices of fresh leek. About 10 will cover it. Onion slices can be a substitute. Then finish with a dusting of black pepper.
Put it in the refrigerator and let the meat marinade for at least an hour.
Then cover with wax paper, put it in the microwave oven and nuke until the pork is done and the leeks are tender.
I recommend fresh cantaloupe slices and whole-grain bread as sides. The bread is good for mopping up the sauce.
Put it in a microwave-safe bowl.
Add: about a teaspoon of sherry, and about a tablespoon of soy sauce. Then a pinch of salt and a pinch of brown sugar, sprinkled.
If you like it extra hot, add several chiles japones to the liquid.
Add a few cloves of garlic to the liquid, then cover with thick slices of fresh leek. About 10 will cover it. Onion slices can be a substitute. Then finish with a dusting of black pepper.
Put it in the refrigerator and let the meat marinade for at least an hour.
Then cover with wax paper, put it in the microwave oven and nuke until the pork is done and the leeks are tender.
I recommend fresh cantaloupe slices and whole-grain bread as sides. The bread is good for mopping up the sauce.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Bloody Bull Cocktail
I swear to you that I'm not getting any kickbacks from Del Monte, the makers of Snap-E-Tom tomato juice cocktail. It's just one of the best mixers around, if you can find it. Sometimes you have to order it online, by the case. That should last a long time, unless you swill these kinds of drinks every day (get help!)
A double bloody bull:
3 oz. vodka
3 oz. beef boullion
3 oz. Snap-E-Tom
About a teaspoon of Worchestershire sauce
About the same of lemon juice
A few drops of Tabasco or similar hot sauce (optional, depending on your heat preference)
Skip the salt -- this already has plenty. Mix with ice cubes, and enjoy. Celery sticks make a good garnish.
If you are on the wagon, skip the vodka -- in Australia, that's called a Bloody Shame.
A double bloody bull:
3 oz. vodka
3 oz. beef boullion
3 oz. Snap-E-Tom
About a teaspoon of Worchestershire sauce
About the same of lemon juice
A few drops of Tabasco or similar hot sauce (optional, depending on your heat preference)
Skip the salt -- this already has plenty. Mix with ice cubes, and enjoy. Celery sticks make a good garnish.
If you are on the wagon, skip the vodka -- in Australia, that's called a Bloody Shame.
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