March, 2020 - Homemaker Geek

Veggies in light Creamy Sauce

I usually serve these type of Vegetables when we are not having any other sides with a Main dish but this time..I made some Rice in the IP.

I know that this is a list of Veggies, but THESE are just the ones that I used. You can add others or, omit some if you like. It can also be made total Vegetarian if you like.
This recipe is about the Creamy sauce mixed into the Sautéed Veggies.

4 oz sliced Crimin Mushrooms.
1/2 Zucchini diced into 1/2” chunks.
1/2 Summer Squash Diced into 1/2” chunks.
1 Carrot Sliced into 1/4” wide x 1” long pieces.
1 c Onion Chopped.
3 Cloves Garlic Sliced thinly.
4 cups Fresh Spinach.
1 Roma Tomato Diced.
1/6 of a head of Cauliflower sliced thinly.
1 Tbsp Costco’s Better than Bullion Chicken
1 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Fresh Basil.
2 Tbsp EVOO.
3 Mini multi colored Peppers sliced into 1/4” slices.
6 small Brussels Sprouts sliced lengthwise into 3 or 4 pieces.
1 c Cream.
1 Tbsp Flour
2 Tbsp Parmesean Cheese.
4 slices of Chopped cooked Bacon.
A few shakes of Red Pepper flakes

Whisk the Cream and Flour together. Add the Better than Bullion to the cream and flour. Mix well. Set Aside.

Using a large frying Pan, on Medium High heat, add the Butter and EVOO. Sauté the Mushrooms first and then onions. Add the Carrots, then the Cauliflower, Brussels, Zucchini, Summer Squash.

Pour the Cream/Bullion mixture over the Veggies and mix in while stirring. Stir Into the Veggies and let it sauté for a couple minutes. The Cream mixture needs a couple min to heat through… Then add all of the rest of the ingredients including the Basil and Bacon.

Banana Bread moms Old recipe

Oven 350°

1 Loaf Pan 9×3”

2 c Flour

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 1/4 tsp Salt

1/2 c Shortening (I use Butter, but 1/4 c butter and 1/4 c shortening would work)

3/4 c Sugar

2 eggs

6 Tbsp Buttermilk or Sour Milk

1 cup Mashed Bananas

1/2 c Chopped Walnuts

Sift and measure the Flour. Mix with Soda Salt and Baking Powder. Cream the Shortning (Butter) until light, blend in the Eggs. Add the Buttermilk and Bananas. Add to the creamed mixture. Add the flour gradually mixing only with dry ingredients until dampened/moistened. Fold in the Nuts. Pour into well greased 9×3 pan. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes.

Use that Fat! Sometimes called Schmaltz

This is NOT a new concept, just a reminder of how fat can be used in the place of Butter or Lard, especially the fat that has seasoning in it. Butter makes the greatest Biscuits, but let’s face it, it’s expensive. Sooooo, for those of you whom already use Butter or Lard in your cooking this is a substitute.

During hard times, sometimes Butter can be too expensive to buy or even hard to find in the Grocery stores. Some even call rendered Chicken Fat, Schmaltz.
Skim the fat off, (or suck it out with a baster).. from Pulled Pork, Chicken Broth and Beef. It doesn’t matter if some juice gets in because when you pop it in the frig, you can just pull it off the juice and use that way.

Refrigerate or freeze this fat and use it in place of Butter or Lard.
Use for Dumplings, Veggies, Mashed Potatoes, Tamales, Biscuits, freeze it for using in place of Shortening/Lard in Pie Crusts, (I use half Butter and half fat) or use in place of Butter in frying or sautéing. Some people even love it on Toast.

See my Biscuits or Pie Crust recipes in the files.

Creamed Ham

Serve on Toast, Biscuits, or Grits with Scrambled Eggs . ( Change it up, add hard Boiled eggs and skip the scrambled egg side.. This can also be adapted for dinner…add Boiled Eggs, Cheese and or Peas and serve over noodles or even mashed potatoes etc).
I have another Recipe for this as well, and either can be used for Creamed Chipped Beef. Link here . Cream Chipped Beef
Or Creamed Ham For Biscuits.
Here is the Link for My Biscuits Biscuits

INGREDIENTS:
2-3 c Diced Ham.
1 can evaporated milk Or you can just use Whole Milk
1 c Half and Half.
2 Slightly rounded Tbsp flour.
3 Tbsp salted Butter
Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Use a Medium sized Frying pan heated to Medium heat. Melt the butter and allow it to slightly brown, then add the flour and stir until it is slightly browned. Keep your half and half close by to use after adding the Evaporated Milk. Using a Whisk, add all of the Evaporated Milk at once, whisking quickly , making sure not to let it lump up… be ready with your half and half to add it as the Sauce thickens.
Stir for a few minutes, making sure all lumps are gone and it is at the desired thickness. Add the Ham and stir it for a couple minutes. Turn the heat down to simmer. Remove from heat if necessary.

This is the same Cream Sauce that you would use for Creamed Chipped Beef or even Cheese Sauce.

Biscuits

Pot Scrub/Soak Tips

Sooo, I did it. I “Ruined” my pot making Caramel, I accidentally really BURNT the Sugar, Cream, and Butter onto the bottom of the pot. It was totally black and hard, stuck on bad. Soaking did nothing at first UNTIL I used the Tide Pod. Guess what. Not Ruined at all. Doesn’t work on everything but caramel, sugar stuff.. yes.

Just FYI…this does not work well for things that have constantly been Re-burned over and over such as the burner drip pan etc, even though it may loosen some.

Fabric softener has been used to lift burned on food from pots and pan surfaces.

I did not have Fabric softener so I used one of my Tide pods that has the combo of Detergent and Softener.

Loosen what comes off easily, don’t worry about the rest . You can always do it twice.

Toss one Tide Pod into your pot or pan. Add hot water to cover the bottom of the pot by 1”.

let set for 8ish hours or over night is better.

use a metal spatula to get one edge of the burn stuff lifted, do not scrape, just get some up.

I heated my pot up in the morning just enough to get it boiling to loosen it up even more.

look!

Colcannon IP, Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage or other root Veggies.

Notice that this is only a very light mash with a hand held masher.

Or to some Brits, it may trigger memories of a version of something called Bubble and Squeak. The biggest difference is that this is not fried or broiled.
This traditional Irish dish, is commonly made with cabbage… however, there are those whom like to add turnips, rutabagas and or carrots mixed in with their mashed potatoes? Also for those of you that love Brussels sprouts. You can add some to this or even exchange all of the cabbage for Brussels Sprouts. The recipe is just suggestions so add the veggies that you want.

5 med Potatoes….Unpeeled and chopped
1 c chopped Carrot or your choice of root veggies.
1/2 small head of cabbage or about 10-12 Brussel sprouts.
1 nice handful Arugula or Parsley.
1 cup of broth from the Corned Beef .. Made with Stout Beer…see recipe in the files. Use Chicken broth if you don’t have the corned beef broth. (2 tsp Costco’s Better than Bullion Chicken and water tastes great)
Cut potatoes into 1 1/2” chunks.
(If you have leftover Carrot from St Patrick’s day, toss in a couple of carrot pieces from the leftovers from the corned beef).
1/2 of a stick of Butter.
1/4 c cream.
1/2 c Onion chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Optional: Add 1 c chopped Carrot and Use a couple of Tbsp of Bacon grease substituted for some of butter. Use some Bacon Bits.

Put everything in the IP and set to Pressure cook for-4 min and 5 min NPR . You want potatoes and cabbage soft.

This is where Personal taste comes in……at this point, you can either fork mash or… When the potatoes are done, remove them to a mixer bowl and mash them well, add the butter, and cream and mash more. I used the Kitchen aid.

Serve up. Make a well in the middle of the potatoes and put a pat of butter in the middle.

Shish Kabobs From Pork Shoulder

2- 1 1/4” slabs of Pork Shoulder

1/2 large onion see below for cutting

5 mini peppers sliced into 1” pieces

1 Yellow Summer Squash Sliced into 1” pieces

1 Zucchini Sliced into 1” pieces

Johnnies Seasoning Salt Or equivalent

Mrs Dash Onion and Herb blend

EVOO

7 or 8 bamboo skewers

Parchment Paper

For the sauce:

In a bowl pour And mix in the following and set aside:

1/2 c Yoshida’s Teriyaki Sauce (You can use as is or add the following and jazz it up):

1 Tsp Miso paste

1 Tbsp Sesame oil

1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds

1 tsp schriracha

1 Tbsp catsup

1/2 tsp Ginger

2 tsp Honey

Take the slabs of Pork shoulder and slice them into 1 1/4” cubes.

Slice the Zucchini, Summer Squash and Peppers into 1” Pieces.

Take the Onion half and lay it on the flat side, cut into half and then cut each half into half again.

Pre heat the oven or air fryer oven to 480° .

Put all the veggies in a bowl, break the Onion apart and drizzle or spritz with EVOO. Then sprinkle with some Mrs Dash and Johnnies.
Alternating veggies and meat, put Pork, Pepper, Onion, Pork, Squash, Pork, Onion, etc..just load the Skewers so that everything can cook evenly…see pics if you like.

The Kabobs will make about a cup of juice as they cook so be sure to have a pan under them.

You can also use a broiler pan with a cookie rack in it to cook them in an oven at 480° or use an Air fryer. I used my Air Fryer Oven to cook them.
Put the parchment onto the air fryer basket. Take a skewer and poke a ton of holes in it and lay the Kabobs on the parchment.

If your using the Breville smart oven Air, put the basket in the Air Fry position and cook on Air Fry. Make sure to have the broiler pan under neath to catch the juice.

Cook for 7 min and flip halfway 18-20 min total. .

Corned Beef, Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes IP

First , let me say that Corned Beef is also really good without the Beer, if you like it Richer, use the Beer, if not….plain water in place of the Beer gets it done. The same goes for the Vegetables. They will be Richer Flavor in the Beer Broth vs Water.
I need to say this for those that don’t rinse their Meat. Some folks don’t rinse because they want all the flavor in the Beef. so rinsing does produce a little more mild Corned Beef. if you want it stronger then you don’t have to Rinse….totally your choice.. also add more spice mix to it if you like. If you do choose no rinsing, then you may want to remove the Grey matter from the Broth and Meat before adding your Veggies.

1 FLAT CUT Corned Beef preferably 1 1/2-2” thick. You may want to add 5 min if it’s 2 1/2”. (I make 2 on occasion for leftovers.). *If it’s a 6 lb one or more, see below
1 16 oz can Stout Beer.
2 c water
1 Onion rough chopped.
4-5 cloves Garlic Smashed.
3-4 Carrots.
4-6 med Potatoes quartered or Equivelent of baby potatoes, I use Baby potatoes.
1/2-1 head Cabbage cut into 8 wedges

Rinse Corned Beef and place on trivet fat side up. (Or don’t rinse if you don’t want to)
Add packet or make your own spice mix of:

1 Tbsp Mustard Seed.
1 Tbsp Pepper Corns.
1 tsp Anise seed.
4 Bay leaves.
1 tsp red Pepper Flakes.
1 Tbsp Coriander.
2-3 whole Allspice corns 1/4 tsp.

Add spices to the pot, then throw in the chopped Onion and Smashed Garlic.
Lower the Corned Beef down into the pot fat cap side up, on top of the Onions and Garlic.
Pour the Stout over the Beef.
Close the lid and set the time to 70 min. Keep in mind that for 70 min= 1 hr and 10 min, on some pots registers as 110 rather than 110 min . Confusing, I know. (*90 min for a 6 pounder. Cut it in half)
When it’s done cooking, allow 30 min NPR and then QR the rest out.
Remove the Beef and All except for 2 cups of the liquid. Add the potatoes, Carrots, and then the Cabbage into the liquid. Cabbage on top, put the lid back on and dont forget to turn it to seal. Reset the time for 3 min and when done, QR the rest of the steam.
Remove the veggies and cut the Beef against the grain.
Serve with stone Ground Mustard and Some Butter for the Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes.

I cheated. I use my mini 3 for the veggies.

As you can see, I have made this before?

This is another one. Made with The stout Beer

This one is made without the Stout, not rinsed.

Pork Steak from Pork Shoulder Air Fryer

These were cooked @ 400° for almost 35 min (150° internal temp) These are 1 1/2-2” thick

These were done in the Instant Pot 8 qt Duo Crisp + Air fryer. … about 30 min total flipped at 18 min

There are several different pics of these, and different ways to fix them. All basically the same. All Pork Shoulder, and all well seasoned with a flour coating. The flour seals the seasoning and juices inside the Pork.
Spritzing the surface of the flour coating on the meat with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) prevents dry spots on the meat as you air fry.

1 1/2 lb slab of Pork Shoulder/Butt (should be about 1 1/4- 1 1/2” thick).
3-6 Tbsp AP flour.
1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning.
1/2 tsp Mrs Dash Onion and Herb (Purple lid). OR Tony Chachere’s Creole
1/2 tsp Slap ya Mama Seasoning (Spicy) or just Johnnies Seasoning Salt or equivalent.
EVOO Spritzer for spraying the floured meat

OPTIONAL:
2-1/4” Slices of 1 sweet Onion.
4 1/4” slices of Tomato.

Cut your slab of Pork and lay it on a plate or cookie sheet and let your Pork come to room temp.
Sprinkle one side of the Pork with Slap ya Mama and the other side with Mrs Dash Onion and Herb seasoning.
Scoop Flour in a gallon sized Baggie.
Drop the Meat into the flour in the baggie. Zip the baggie closed, leaving some air in it as you zip it closed. Shake the meat in the baggie to cover all surfaces with flour. Let it set in the flour for a few minutes to absorb more flour to coat it well.
Spritz the top of the coated meat well with EVOO (olive oil) this will prevent dry spots of flour on the Meat.

Optional:
Place the slabs of Onion On the Meat. You may have to cut one in half to fit it on the meat… Then place tomato slabs on the Onion slabs.
Sprinkle Tomato with a dash of sugar if they are not good tomatoes, Salt and Pepper, and then sprinkle with Italian Seasoning. Spritz well with EVOO but don’t soak them.

Preheat the Oven to 425° or air fryer to 400°. If using the Duo Crisp, spray the upper rack and the top of the pot with Pam for easy clean up. (The Breville BSOA can go to 480° use this for crisper outsides).
Place the Meat on the Air fryer Rack or on a broiler rack with a pan under it to catch the drippings. (See several of the pics for different rack ideas)
Cook for 15 minutes, check them, at this point, you may want to remove the onion and tomato and set it beside the meat so that the surface will get crisp…and the veggies will keep cooking. Cook for 5-10 min more.
If using the Duo Crisp air fryer, flip the meat half way through……

This is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp +Air Fryer

This is another version…

If you have an Breville air fryer, turn it to Air Fry 480° cover the Pork Steak and Air Fry for 25-30 min.

This one cooked @480° On Air Fry, for 25-30 min, in the Breville Smart oven Air.

This was another day. Seems that we like avocados with Sriracha catsup and Green a beans with Blackeyed peas !

And yet Another:

And Another without onion or Tomatoes, just a light coating.

this one was done in the Breville Smart oven on Air fry.

This is a different batch done in theBreville oven air fryer setting

Chicken n Rice Mushroom soup Casserole Breville or Oven

5 bone in and skin on Chicken thighs

1 c Rice, plain White, Basmati, or Jasmine

1 c Onion sliced

1 clove of Garlic minced

2 Tbsp Butter

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

3 Tbsp dehydrated Veggies

1 Tbsp Dehydrated mixed Peppers

3/4 c Chicken Broth or 1 Tbsp Costco’s Better than Bullion mixed with 3/4 c water

3/4 c Milk

375°
1 hr and 15 min ( 1 hr covered and and 15 min uncovered. )

Preheat the Oven to 375°

Using an oven safe frying pan, Sauté the rice in Butter until it starts to brown slightly and then add the Onion And Garlic and sauté for a minute.
Mix the Better than Bullion with 1/4 c hot water and dissolve it together, then add the other 1/2 c water to make the 3/4 c, of the broth that the recipe called for.
Pour the cooked Rice into a Cassarole dish or leave it in the oven safe frying pan.
Pour the Broth evenly over the Rice and Onions. Put the chicken thighs, skin side up on the Rice. Mix the Mushroom soup with the Milk, and pour evenly over the Chicken and Rice. Cover and place in the Oven. After 1 hr, uncover the Casserole…check the rice to see if it may need a bit more water,..if so add it now, then place it back in the Oven for 10 min, then turn the Oven to Broil for the last 5 min.