April 25, 2024

Frozen Pea Salad

November 8, 2013 by

Frozen Pea Salad Resized

Here we go, ladies – we’re heading into the holiday season!  Every time I go to the supermarket now I see dozens of magazines at the check out, with photos of glorious turkeys and fantastic centerpieces.  But let’s be honest – not everyone will have to make a turkey this year. In my case, my newlywed brother-in-law and his wife will be hosting Thanksgiving, so they are in charge of the turkey.  But it’s always good to have a couple of  side dish recipes in mind.  I’m usually responsible for making at least one pie and cornbread stuffing, plus some kind of vegetable  dish.  This year, I plan to bring this Frozen Pea Salad.

Before you think I’ve gone off the deep end, No, the peas are not frosty little balls of ice.  They are thawed and cold, but not actually frozen anymore.  The version of this recipe my Mom used to make featured sour cream and a little mayonnaise.  I’ve switched that out for Greek yogurt to up the protein and lower the fat a little bit.  This can easily be doubled or tripled, depending on how many people you are serving, but I would suggest not adding in the cashews and bacon until you are ready to eat, so the textures stay distinct.  It’s sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy, cold and delicious!  If you need an easy, off-beat vegetable side dish, read on, friends!

Frozen Pea Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or more, to taste)
  • 2 green onions, finely sliced
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup salted, roasted cashews (you can break them up a little or leave them whole)
  • 4 slices bacon, fried crisply and drained

Directions:

  1. Take the peas out of your freezer and empty the bag into a Pyrex or other casserole dish.  Set them by the stove as you fry the bacon.  The heat from the stove will help the peas thaw.
  2. Fry the bacon crispy, drain it well, blot with paper towels, and dice.
  3. Are your peas thawed yet?  If not, microwave them for thirty seconds at a time, stirring well each time, just until the ice melts and you can squish a pea between your fingers.  You still want them very cold, just not icy and crunchy.  When thawed and still very cold, drain any extra water in the bowl.  Mix in yogurt and green onion, and season with salt and pepper.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. When serving, sprinkle the pea salad with cashews and bacon.  If you have leftovers, either keep the cashews and bacon separate, or make sure they stay on top.  If they get mixed into the salad and then saved that way, they will soften up.  It will still be delicious, but it won’t have the crunchy versus soft texture difference that makes this salad so fun!

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

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Creamed Kale

October 11, 2013 by

 

Creamed Kale

My favorite side dish in restaurants is creamed spinach.  There’s just something about it that I crave.  And lucky for me, it’s not hard to make at home.  But spinach is a little fussy – it goes mushy in the fridge really quickly, so I don’t have it on hand unless I’m cooking it that day.  But kale on the other hand … that hearty veggie will hang out in your fridge for a few days without appreciable loss of texture or taste.  So I had 2 bunches of curly kale hogging space in my fridge and decided to see if I could cream it.  In short, yes I did!  Creamed Kale for dinner!

Use whatever hearty green you have – kale, chard, or spinach.  If you are using spinach, just wash and blanch it quickly.  Kale and chard need more time in the pot to soften up, so plan accordingly.  I made this with one part whole milk and one part half-and-half, but I think next time I can just use whole milk.  If you like a richer flavor, use all half-and-half.  As for the onion, I used just a regular brown onion.  I think a sweet variety would be even better, so if you see Vidalias or Walla Wallas, pick one up!  Also, I left it out, but you can certainly add a little (or a lot, your choice) grated parmesan cheese to garnish.  Ready to check it out?  Let’s go!

Creamed Kale

(serves 2 as a side dish)

Ingredients:

  • 2 bunches kale, any kind, or chard, or spinach (see note above if using spinach)
  • 1 onion
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Set a large pot of water to boil.  Prepare the kale:  tear out the tough center stem, and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.  Wash well.
  2. Slice the onion as fine as possible – you want thin strings.  In a large pan, cook the onions in 2 tablespoons of butter, stirring to make sure they don’t burn.
  3. Boil the kale for about 3 or 4 minutes.  You don’t want it too soft – a little chew is nice.  Remove to an ice bath.  When cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much water as possible from the kale.
  4. When the onions are soft and browning, add the kale to the pan.  In a bowl, whisk together the milk, half-and-half, and cornstarch.  Pour over kale and onions and stir to incorporate.  Turn the heat down to medium low and simmer for 3 minutes until thick and creamy.  Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.  Stir in last tablespoon of butter, then serve hot.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

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Baked Italian Cauliflower

August 9, 2013 by

Baked Italian CauliflowerResize

 

After I had my second daughter, my friend Sunita brought over dinner for my family.  Not only was that a lovely, thoughtful gesture, but it was a tasty one too!  Sunita made a huge casserole of baked rigatoni  and cauliflower in a spicy tomato sauce, spiked with gobs of melty cheese.  I won’t tell you how quickly I ate up dinner (and all the leftovers) – but it was fast!  Here is a link to the original recipe.  However, my husband and I don’t eat pasta anymore, and my girls aren’t really that into it either.  I wanted to see if I could make the same tasty dish, simplified a little, without the noodles.  I think I did!

Baked Italian Cauliflower is a tasty side dish and will go well with baked meatballs, chicken breasts, whatever you have going!  The only ingredient that may be a little difficult to locate is the cheese.  The recipe calls for 8 oz. of fontina, which is a semi-soft, creamy cheese.  It melts like a dream!  If you can’t find it, you could substitute 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/3 cup shredded swiss cheese.  It won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll still get the gooey, smooth texture from the mozzarella and a little bite from the swiss.  As for the pepper, I used one of those red pepper flake packets that always comes to your house when you order pizza.  Do you have as many of those packets in a kitchen drawer as I do?  If not, use other red pepper flakes, or even a 1/2 teaspoon of Sriracha or other hot pepper sauce.  I’ll let you decide how spicy you want your dish to be.  For me, the pizza pepper packet was enough!

Once you make this (and love it!) you can add in other things to your cauliflower casserole:  cooked Italian sausage or ground beef, slices of summer squash, or some very finely chopped herbs – basil and parsley would be yummy.  Bake this tonight and tell me how you like it!

Baked Italian Cauliflower

Ingredients:

  • 1 large head of cauliflower
  • 1 onion
  • 8 ounces fontina cheese
  • 1-14 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1-6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400*F.  Wash the cauliflower and cut out the core, then chop into bite-sized florets.  Microwave in a covered bowl, with a few tablespoons of water, for 8-10 minutes.  The cauliflower should be cooked but still firm.
  2. Drain the water off and add the cauliflower to a very large mixing bowl.  Chop the onion into very thin slices and add to the cauliflower.  Dice the cheese into tiny cubes, about 1 centimeter square, and add to the bowl.  Mix in tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.  Stir to combine.
  3. Pour cauliflower mixture into a large casserole dish and bake for 45 minutes.  Keep an eye on it towards the end to make sure any exposed cheese doesn’t get too brown.  Serve hot!

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

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Curried Potato Salad

June 28, 2013 by

Curried Potato Salad

No matter what you think of Martha Stewart, you can’t argue that she doesn’t know what she’s doing in the kitchen.  Sometimes when I’m looking around for inspiration and new recipes, I come across something that I might be on the fence about.  Maybe it sounds unusual, or I don’t know if I can make it right, or sometimes the measurements or directions don’t seem correct.  But when you make a Martha Stewart recipe, you know you’re going to end up with something pretty good.  And that’s what you get with this recipe for Curried Potato Salad!

My husband bought me the Martha Stewart Living cookbook 12 years ago, and we’ve certainly gotten our money’s worth out of it.  This was one of the first recipes we made and it has become a family favorite – my Dad, in particular, requests it.  Every ingredient is easy to find in the grocery store, although you may have to look a little harder for cilantro and curry powder, depending on where you live.  Trust me (and Martha) – this recipe is a keeper!

Curried Potato Salad

(Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart Living)

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds baby white potatoes, scrubbed (I’ve used red potatoes, too – just make sure they are small, and all the same size)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (I’ve used red wine vinegar too – it’s fine)
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons homemade mayonnaise, or from a jar
  • 3 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 medium onion, very thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Directions:

  1. Place potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover by several inches.  Bring to a boil over high heat, add 1 tablespoon salt, and reduce to a gentle boil.  Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes.  Drain into a colander. Using gloves or paper towels to protect  your hands, cut potatoes into wedges while still hot.  Drizzle with vinegar, and set aside to cool.
  2. Place eggs in a small pan with enough water to cover by 1 inch, and place over medium-high heat.  When water comes to a boil, turn off heat, cover, and let stand for 13 minutes. Drain, and place in a bowl with cold water to cover. When cold, peel hard-boiled eggs, and cut into quarters lengthwise.
  3. Place mayonnaise, curry powder, and remaining teaspoon of salt in a large bowl; whisk to combine.  Add potatoes to mayonnaise mixture.  Add eggs, onion, and cilantro.  Stir to combine.  Chill until ready to serve.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

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Asian Pasta Salad

June 14, 2013 by

Asian Pasta Salad

This is a recipe my sister used to make 20 years ago.  I think it came from a cookbook she had, which has since been lost in the shuffle of life.  I replicated as closely as I could when I had to bring a dish for a potluck at my daughter’s school.  This Asian Pasta Salad is great alternative to macaroni salad, especially in the summer, since there’s no mayonnaise to worry about.

Use any small pasta shape you like.  I usually like to use bow-ties, but I was out of them for this go around.  To save time, you can cook the chicken the night before you plan to eat this.  I think next time I make this, I will add pea pods and diced green onion.   Those weren’t in the original recipe, but I bet they’d add some sweet, crunchy interest!

Hoisin sauce is widely available, and if your grocery store has an Asian section, I’m sure you can find it – look for a little jar, next to the soy sauce.  You could substitute a jar of Plum Sauce if you can’t find Hoisin.  Hoisin sauce is great for any kind of stir fry you make at home, so I doubt it will go to waste.  The dressing for the Asian Pasta Salad is also tasty on a more traditional “Chinese chicken salad” with shredded cabbage, diced chicken, green onions, slivered almonds, and mandarin orange segments.

Asian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 pound box of dried pasta, small shape preferred (macaroni, mini-shells, or bow-ties work well)
  • 2 chicken breasts, cooked, cooled, and chopped
  • 2 bell peppers (try to get at least one red bell pepper), cut into very thin slices
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions:

  1. Boil the pasta, following the directions on the box.   Don’t overcook!
  2. While the pasta is cooking, in a small container with a lid, shake together the Hoisin, vinegar, and oil.  When the pasta is done, drain and pour into a very large bowl.  Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss well.
  3. Add the chicken, peppers, and cilantro to the bowl and toss to combine.  Taste for seasoning, as you will probably need salt, and may prefer a little pepper.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds and toss again.  Chill for at least an hour, or until ready to serve.

 

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipes, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

 

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Sweet Potato Pizzas

June 7, 2013 by

Sweet Potato Pizza

My husband is a big inspiration to me.  He made a resolve to take his fitness seriously, and keeps me on the right track when I am tempted to go off the rails.  As I was searching online for dinner inspiration, he looked over my shoulder and said, “OOH, I want THAT!”  It sounded weird and unappetizing to me, but I humored him and made it anyway.  What was it?  Sweet Potato Pizzas!

And boy am I glad I listened to him!  Whether you are craving pizza or just want a healthy, fun side dish, this is the way to go!  For the sweet potatoes, choose medium-sized ones that are not too skinny.  They should be about the size of your hand.  I recommend using Italian sausage, because the fennel seed adds a fantastic contrast to the sweet potato.  Use any toppings you like – kids love pepperoni!  In the summer, I microwave the sweet potatoes and then finish them in the toaster oven, but you can do the whole thing in your regular oven if you like.

We eat these as a side dish, with a salad and baked chicken breasts.  Take a chance, like I did, and try this tonight!

Sweet Potato Pizzas

(Makes 2 servings)

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium — large sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce, canned or homemade
  • 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 small can sliced black olives

Directions:

  1. Wash the sweet potatoes.  Scrape off any eyes or weirdness on the outside, then poke several times with a fork.  Wrap in a slightly damp dish towel and microwave until done.  (My microwave takes about 6 – 10 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes.  You’ll know they’re done when you can squeeze them and they yield to your hand – kind of squishy inside.)  Remove from the microwave, unwrap and let cool a bit.
  2. While the sweet potatoes are cooking, crumble the sausage into a frying pan.  Cook until no longer pink.  Drain away any grease, then add the tomato sauce.  Heat over low heat until the sauce is hot.
  3. Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise.  Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet, and mash up the insides.  (I kind of cut-and-fluff them.)  Spoon half the sausage-sauce mixture over each potato.  Cover with shredded mozzarella, then sprinkle with black olives.  Bake or broil until the cheese melts.  Serve hot!

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipes, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

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