November, 2021 - Homemaker Geek

Green Bean Bundle Casserole (Bacon wrapped!)

Liven up the traditional canned bean and soup cassarole for the Holidays.
These little individual Bacon wrapped bundles could be a meal in themselves!
The homemade Mushroom Cream Sauce puts canned to shame and can also be made into cream of Mushroom soup. You can even use it on Pot Roast, Pork Chops, Swiss/Cube Steak or Chicken .
This Recipe can be cut in half or altered to Serve individual Servings (shown above).
Also, if you don’t want some of that fresh crunch in your beans, you can Blanch or partially cook them to be less on the Fresh side and cooked more tender.
For my you tube video on this https://youtu.be/FK05-XdtSx8

INGREDIENTS:
1 Recipe of my Mushroom Cream Sauce Mushroom Cream Sauce see pic Below.
6 oz chopped Crimini Mushrooms.
1 1/4 c 1/2 and 1/2.
1 c Heavy Whipping Cream.
2 1/2 Tbsp Flour.
1 Tbsp Reduced Sodium Better than Bullion Chicken.
1/4 t Pepper.
3 Tbsp Butter.
Salt to taste after
******.
FOR THE BEAN BUNDLES AND ONION BED:
2 lbs Slender French Green Beans. Blanched or par steamed below. (I use a Costco’s 2 lb Pkg. You won’t use all).
8 slices of Thick Sliced Bacon..
1 Vidallia Sweet Onion Sliced thinly.
8 Oz Crimini Mushrooms divided. 1/2 thinly Sliced and 1/2 chopped.
1- 6 Oz container of French’s Crispy Fried Onions or equivalent.
Aluminum Foil to cover.
Baking Spray to spray the back of the Foil

MAKE THE CREAM SAUCE:
Follow Directions for the Sauce.
Set aside.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE CASSEROLE :
Use an 8×8 or 9×13 Casserole Dish.
Slice the Onion into thin slices and loosely line the Bottom of the Casserole Dish with them.
TO PAR STEAM BEANS: Use a Lotus Steamer in a larger Pot, pour about a cup and a half of Water in the Pot. Carefully, and keeping the Beans all in the same direction, add them to the Steamer. Bring the pot to a boil and steam the Beans until they turn that Fresh Bright Green color. Immediately remove the Pot from the Burner and run the Beans under cold Water to stop the cooking process. Lay the Beans on a kitchen Towel to Pat them dry.
*If you have an Instant Pot, you can also steam them for a minute using a glass lid, and rather than Blanch the Beans, put them on a lotus steamer and set the IP for 0 min, add your 1 c Water to the pot and DONT LEAVE… do an immediate QR after the pot comes to pressure., remove the Beans from the pot and run under Cold water to stop the cooking process. Pat them Dry.

PAR COOK THE BACON: Using a Frying Pan, partially Cook the Bacon until about 1/2 done. Reserve the Grease to pour a little over the Wrapped Beans and Onions on the Bottom of the Dish. Wrap each piece snuggly around 12-14 Green Beans.
Pour about 1 Tbsp of the Bacon Grease over the Onions in the Bottom of the Casserole Dish.

TO ASSEMBLE AND BAKE. OVEN 350°:
Gather about 12-14 Green Beans (depending on what other food your making, You can add More per serving if You want.).
Wrap one piece of Bacon around the handful of Beans. Lay the Bundle with the seam side down onto the Onions, Repeat until you fill the Pan. drizzle about a tsp of Grease over the Beans.
Pour the Mushroom Sauce over the Bacon and Middle of the Beans, you may not need it all, use your discretion and save the rest in the Refrigerator for something else.
Spray the Back of the Foil with the Baking Spray or EVOO so that the Sauce won’t stick. and then use it to cover the Casserole.
Bake on a Lower rack in the Oven at 350° for 30 min and then remove the Foil.
Add the Fried Onions to the Top of the Beans and Sauce.
Return the Casserole to the Oven uncovered and Bake for 10-15 min more until Beans are Slightly Crisp or soft, to your liking. The edges will be wilted but the Centers are what your watching for doneness, they will continue to cook when you bring them out, so test one of the Beans in the Middle of the Casserole for doneness.

See my video on how to make this sauce. https://youtu.be/AZnVWb6041k

Bacon Wrapped Bundles beneath the Sauce.

Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Wild Rice Medley. Meat and Vegetarian Versions IP

This Squash can be made with Italian or an Indian flair depending on seasoning. I give both choices. Also if you want to, you can cut the recipe in half for just one Squash. Two (4 halves) will fit well in the 8qt.
Just an FYI, I usually use a 1:1 Ratio of Liquid to Quinoa for any Quinoa that I Make. 6 min/10-15 Min NPR.

INGREDIENTS. For 1 Acorn Squash WITH MEAT:
1 Acorn Squash Deseeded, add the Bacon below to the cavities
1/2 c Quinoa.
1/2 c Rice Medely
7 Sausage Links Sliced.
1/4 c REAL Bacon crumbles or chopped cooked bacon
2 Tbsp Dry soup Veggies (peppers, onions carrots etc).
2 Tbsp Craisins.
3 Tbsp Slivered Almonds or Nuts like Pecans or Cashews
1 Tbsp unsweetened Coconut if desired.
2 tsp Reduced Sodium Better than Bullion Chicken.
2 Tbsp Evoo.
2 Tbsp Butter. Divided..(1 tsp per Acorn cavity)
2 Cloves Garlic minced
1/2 c Chopped Onion.
1/2 tsp Italian Season (or Garam Masada for Indian Flair)
3-4 c Fresh Baby Spinach. (Save til after).
OPTIONAL.. 2 Tbsp Brown sugar to be divided between Acorn Cavities.

INGREDIENTS for 2 Squash.. VEGETARIAN VERSION
2 med sized Acorn or small Butternut Squash cut in half lengthwise and de seeded.
1/2 Sweet Vidallia Onion fine chopped (1 c).
1 Apple chopped (1 c).
3 cloves Garlic Minced.
1/2 C Cashews
1/2 c Craisins.
1 c wild rice Medely.
1 c quinoa, any kind
2 1/4 c water or vegetable Broth (For non vegetarians you can use Chicken Broth or water and 1 heaping Tbsp Costco’s Better than a bullion Chicken) the onions and apple will add more liquid to the rice.
1 tsp of Italian season —-OR —-2 tsp Garam Masada (for Indian flair).
1 tsp Mrs Dash Onion and Herb seasoning.
1/2 tsp Salt.
1/2 Tsp Pepper
1/4 c Tbsp Evoo divided.
2 tsp Butter
2 Tbsp Basalmic Vinegar.
3-5 Oz Baby Spinach (save til last)

Optional 1/2 Tsp red Chili flakes. (More if you like the kick)
or 1 Serrano Pepper chopped.

DIRECTIONS FOR EITHER OF THE ABOVE:
After you cut and de seed the Squash, drizzle a couple of teaspoonfuls of EVOO on the halves, add tsp Butter to each cavity as well. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper and the Mrs Dash onion and Herb or your favorite Seasoning Salt. Set aside.
Rinse the Rice and Quinoa well and drain well before adding it to the Pot. Add the Water or Broth, Onions, Garlic and all other Ingredients except for the Squash and Spinach, add the 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp Butter to the Pot, then add a long legged trivet. If using the 3 qt, use the normal one Stack the Squash in the pot strategically to allow for even cooking criss cross if you will. I have made half this Recipe and have also used the 3 qt….Two Acorn halves fit in the
3 q well.
If your using the 6 or 8 qt just set the Trivet right down into the Rice Medley mixture and set the Squash halves on the Trivet. Set time for 6 min. Allow 10-15 min NPR. Take the Lid off and remove the Squash ..set aside and keep warm. Taste and add more salt or other seasoning if necessary. Dump the Spinach in and mix with the Rice and Quinoa. Close the Lid and let it set for about 3 min.
spoon into the Squash Cavity and Serve.

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BELOW FOR 2 SQUASH VEGETARIAN VERSION

Griswold Waffle Iron Restoration.

Before and After.

Pork Half LOIN Roast IP (3.94Lb)

I have added this Picture so that there will be NO confusion on what cut of Meat this is. It is 3.94 lb Pork 1/2 LOIN Roast. (see label pic At the Bottom.)
Also see my Recipe for the much smaller “Tenderloin” (shown in the First Pic on the left) above as well as the 2 pack 3rd from the left here.Pork Tenderloin IP. And from Frozen Pork Tenderloin Frozen IP

This Delicious Tender and Juicy Pork Roast Recipe makes a lot of Broth, so if you want to you can save some of the Broth or Make the Gravy and plan on making Hot Pork Sandwiches with Leftovers.
It’s important to Bring this Meat to Room temp first. (1 hr) or add another minute to the cook time.
Now is a good time to Prep your Sides..Rice, Potatoes, Greens etc. We likeAsian sautéed Brussel Sprouts. Pic of the Recipe at the Bottom.
I need to add that you also need to allow a few minutes of extra time just in case from the shape of this Roast or a small variation in Searing time, you want it more done after you check the Temp. Food Safety guidelines and Target temp is 145°. If it isn’t there yet when you check, it will keep cooking on the Keep warm which is between 140° and 172°. So if You need to, You can flip the Roast over into the Broth and let it set longer or Slice it up and return the pieces into the Broth for a minute. Or even turn the Pot off and back on to Saute for a couple minutes.. set the lid on and then turn it off again, while you prepare the Slurry for the Gravy.
This Recipe is for the Roast and Gravy only..choose your sides and fix them, now is a good time.

DO THIS IN THE 8q Pot. (I have not done it in the 6 q but it may fit tightly.)
INGREDIENTS:
1 Pork Loin Roast. 3.94 lbs or close to it. You may need to Add 1 min if it’s 4 Lbs.
1 1/2 c Chicken Broth.
2 Vidalia Sweet Onions chopped. ( about 3 cups)
2 Campari (Costco)Tomatoes, (a little bigger than Golf Balls and sweet and ripe)
2 Tbsp Rub ( my spice blend in Pics).
1 Tbsp Chimichurri Seasoning If you have it.see pic below
2 Tbsp EVOO.

FOR GRAVY
For 3-4 c Broth.
1 1/2 Tbsp Corn Starch.
1 1/2 Tbsp Flour
3-4 Tbsp Water

DIRECTIONS:
Bring the Pork Loin to Room Temp, (or about an Hour. It’ll still be a bit cold)
Open the Package and Pat Roast Dry on all sides.
Pour the Chicken Broth into the bottom of the Stainless Pot
Heat a large heavy Frying Pan or Griddle to 8 (Med Hi).
Meanwhile, pour the EVOO onto all sides of the Meat and then Sprinkle it with the Rub on all sides and Rub it in a bit.
Chop Onions as Meat Sears. ( pic Below)
Turn a fan on, open a Door, it’s gonna smoke, (or sometimes do this part outside on an induction Cook top).
When the Pan is Hot or if it’s Cast Iron and just starts to smoke, lay the Roast on the Griddle/Pan.
Sear hot for about 3 min per side, there are actually like 3 sides, Turn and do the other two sides and then using a sturdy turning or Carving Fork and Spatula, Jab the Fork Deep into the Meat and pick it up using the Spatula to stabilize it, turn the Roast on its end, Sear each end for about 1 min Ea. (See pic)
As the Roast Sears, rough chop or just slice your Onions, put about 2/3 of the Onions down into the Broth. Don’t add a Trivet with this one.
When the Roast is finished Searing, lift it, and Transfer it to the Pot. Set it directly down onto the Onions and into the Broth. Again, NO trivet, this is part of the cooking Process. It cooks better on the bottom.
Set your Time for 7 min and allow full 30 min NPR. It will still be cooking after the Pin drops (10 min in). Remember that Keep warm kicks on automatically if the temp drops below 140°.
After the full 30 min, open the Lid and check the temperature with a good Digital Thermometer. Push it through the middle and lift back towards the top to make sure that it is 145° top to bottom. If it’s not, use a good turning fork to flip it over and put it back into the hot Broth and set the lid back on for a few minutes. You can also turn the pot off and back on to saute HI for a couple of minutes with the lid set on Cockeyed to hold the heat in, turn off and let set. Better to be a tad bit undercooked than over cooked and hard and dried out.
Turn the Pot off and back on to Sauté Hi, Remove the Roast.
After your happy with the Roasts temperature, transfer it to a cutting Board or Platter.
At this point, I slice the Roast in half to see if it is where I like it, (knowing full well that the ends will be a bit more cooked than the Center) If not then I’ll slice it up from the middle out toward the edges, and dip the middle slices into the Broth quickly. Problem solved. Keep Roast warm.
Mix your Slurry in a small bowl and set it aside.
If you have an Immersion Blender and want the Gravy Smooth then use that. Slowly pour the slurry into the Broth and Whisk to make the Gravy.
I use the Immersion Blender to make it Smooth. You can leave it as is or blend it up.
Slice the Roast up into 1/3”- 1/2” slices and Serve with the Hot Gravy.

*************************************************************BELOW is the Recipe for the Brussel Sprouts.

Stir Fry’s

This is a basic guide line to make your own Stir Fry. For this Recipe, You can use your own Favorite Veggies including Broccoli or Kohlrabi, Bok Choy, Asparagus ….whatever you have…your favorites. Add your own hot and spicy Peppers if You like. Make your Stir Fry your own. Look at the various Pics of different Veggie Combos. You Can even Combine Meats and add Shrimp to Cook along with the other Food towards the end of the Stir Fry. It is best to start with a good, sturdy, sharp Knife.
Oh! And for an idea for Leftover Stir fry’s check out My Egg Foo Young. Here Egg Foo Young with Almond Sauce…Oven or Breville Toaster Oven

Serves 4-6.
Decide if your making Rice, Noodles, Cauliflower, Rice or Shiritake Noodles, or Konak rice to Serve this over. Prepare these First and set aside.

1-2 lbs thinly sliced raw Meat. Pork, Beef, Chicken, Ground Turkey or Chicken
Optional.. 1/2 lb raw Shrimp
1 carrot sliced.
2 ribs Celery Sliced.
1/4 head Cabbage sliced or 1”chunks.
3 cloves Garlic minced.
1” knob of Ginger.
1 sweet Onion sliced thinly.
3 Scallions sliced
1 lg Handful Snow Peas. (Chinese Peas)
1 bag Bean Sprouts (2-3 cups)
1 Colored, red yellow or orange Bell Pepper sliced.
1 cup chopped Cilantro.
1/2 Yellow Squash
1 Aneheim Pepper
4 Oz Mushrooms.
2 Eggs.
2 Tbsp Sesame oil.

FOR THE SAUCE:
2 Tsp Thai Chili paste
2 Tbsp Oyster Sauce.
2 tsp bean paste or Miso.
2 Tbsp Simply Asia Sweet Ginger Garlic spice Blend
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce, I use tamari. Light is fine.
1 1/2 Tbsp Corn Starch.
1 tsp Sesame oil
Peanut oil adds flavor too.
Optional.
1 tsp Thai Garlic Chili Sauce.
1/4 tsp Fish Sauce
1 Tbsp Shoaxing Cooking Wine

Other Options:
Broccoli
Serranos.
Zucchini

GARNISH:
Scallions, Cilantro, Lemon or Lime Wedges.

SERVE OVER RICE OR NOODLES.

When I make Veggies as Sides, I often chop as I go, But with Stir Fry, because it happens soooo fast, I always Prep the Meats and Veggies Before hand and separate out what I want to Cook first, (the veggies that take longest to cookgo in first after meat, Garlic and Onions and the minced Garlic and grated Ginger which I toss in after the Meat is Partially cooked.
I always prepare my Sauce mixture and set aside in a bowl so that I can just toss it in.

DIRECTIONS:
Mix the Sauce.
Mix the Cornstarch with Soy Sauce, Thai Chili Paste, Oyster Sauce, Chili Sauce, Bean paste or Miso bean Paste, 1 tsp Sesame Oil or Peanut Oil.
I also often times mix the Eggs with a couple drops of Sesame Oil and a shake or two of Simply Asia Sweet Ginger and Garlic and Cook them first, in a small Omelette Pan with, sesame Oil then chop it up to add to the Stir Fry towards the end as I Cook.
Sooo,
Beat Eggs and add about 1 tsp of the Simply Asia. add a tsp of the Sesame Oil to a preheated Omelette Pan on Med heat and cook the Eggs like an Omelette. Pull the Pan off the heat before it’s cooked all the way and let it set. Eggs continue to cook. Don’t worry if you end up scrambling them. Set aside, cut up after a few minutes.
Chop Veggies and set aside, Slice Meats and set aside Mince Garlic and Mince or Grate Ginger. Set them aside. Either use a small dipping sauce Bowl or separate it from on the cutting Board. You will use these as your meat cooks.
To the Meat, if there is time you can add a bit of Soy, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Ginger, Scallions and Simply Asia, I just sprinkle some on for Marinade.
Cut up your Veggies. Sometimes I get fancy in cutting them on a Slant (shown in some pics) and sometimes, when I am in a hurry, I use my Cuisinart Food processor with the 4 mm slicer Blade and let the Veggies all Pile up in the 14 c Bowl.
TIME TO STIR FRY: DONT WALK AWAY?
IMPORTANT. As you cook this stir Fry, it is critical that you add other Ingredients after the previous ones are just Hot, not “cooked”. Meat is still partially raw before adding the Garlic and Ginger, and then Onions because their heat will cook the other Veggies and the Meat will cook more while the other ingredients cook.
Preheat the Wok to Hot on Hi Heat. (The Meat and Veggies will cook fast and cool the Wok, so Quickly add Sesame oil, swish it around. Don’t let it sit…then add the Sliced Meat, quickly move it around as it cooks. Spread it out evenly to the sides so that it doesn’t BOIL (30 seconds ish). It should be sizzling hot.
When it is half way cooked, add the Ginger and Garlic, push it around with the Meat and then add the Onions. Stir and add Veggies that take longest to cook next…(Brocc, Carrots, Celery) Stir.
Make a hole in the center of the Wok and pour the Sauce in. (The Corn Starch needs to cook) wait a few seconds and then stir quickly to heat the Sauce. Work fast. As the Sauce thickens, stir in a few Veggies to it to coat the Veggies, then quickly stir all together, then stir by folding motion flipping the food over a few times before quickly adding Mushrooms and Cabbage. Stir and then quickly add the Eggs and rest of the Veggies…( bean Sprouts, Scallions, Cilantro).
Turn Burner off. Gently fold the Wok ingredients over a few times to heat it all through. If you think it needs to cook a bit more, be really careful here, but set a lid on top to allow the food to continue steaming for about 30 seconds. Remember that it all will continue to cook even after you put this in your Bowl.
Serve over Rice or Noodles or eat just as they are.
Enjoy..

Here is my latest. Dark Soy really picks the flavor up a notch. I didn’t add Corn Starch to this recipe, it has liquid in the Bottom but the stir fry is so fast that the Veggies dont have much time to give up their Juices. 1 Carrot cut in half lengthwise and sliced on the diagonal
3 large Multi color Sweet Peppers sliced on the diagonal
1 summer squash sliced on the diagonal
1 c Snow Peas
5 Mini Bok Choy chopped
8 Spring Onions sliced diagonally
1/2 c Cilantro chopped
2 Tbsp minced Ginger
3 Tbsp minced Garlic
3 Thai Chilis sliced thin and diagonally

2 c chopped Cabbage
1 c sliced Mushrooms

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs sliced thinly
2 thin cut Pork Chops sliced thinly

3 eggs, whisk and add a little “simply Asia Sweet Ginger Garlic” to them as you whisk them up, then precook in small frying pan with a tsp of its own Sesame Oil and cook like an Omelette. Chop up. set aside.

2 Tbsp Sesame oil
1 Tbsp Peanut oil
3 dashes Fish Sauce

2 1/2 – 3 Tbsp Simply Asia Sweet Garlic Ginger

2-3 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce

Preheat the Wok to Hot on between Med Hi and High before quickly adding the Oils and then the Garlic and Ginger. Then immediately add the Thinly Sliced Meats and Fish Sauce. Stir until the raw color is gone but no more before adding 1/2 of the Carrots first, quick stir and then add 1/2 of the other Veggies. Stir til the Veggies are hot and then toss all the others in. Toss and heat through. Add the chopped Eggs and pour the Soy over. toss and Serve immediately.

Coconut Curried Catfish and Crappie

This Recipe is in Honor of Crappie Bob with Crappie Bobs Fishing Guide service and his side kick daughter Sarah. Look him up! CrappieBob.com
Thanks for the Great day on Sam Rayburn Lake!

Coconut Curry Catfish and Crappie over Rice.
Crappie is pronounced “Cropy”
I had frozen Hush Puppies that I heated in the Oven at 325° for 1/2 hr. See My recipe here Hush Puppies /Fish Fry Mix

Makes 2 Servings:
1 lb Catfish and or Crappie Filets Chopped into 2” pieces, (Bones removed. Thawed if previously frozen.)
1/2 Onion chopped fine.
3 Roma Tomatoes chopped (Or 5-6 Campari’s)
1 can Coconut Milk.
3 cloves Garlic minced
1/2” knob of Ginger (1 tsp grated ).
1 Tsp Cumin Seeds.
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds.
1/4 tsp Coriander Seeds. Crushed ( tip..these are seeds from Cilantro plants)
1/4 tsp Cardamom Seeds
1/4 tsp Garam Masala.
1/4 tsp Turmeric
2-3 Tbsp EVOO or Wesson Oil
1/3 c chopped Cilantro.
1/4 c chopped Thai Basil.
3 Scallions Chopped.
1/2 tsp Salt.
3 Tbsp Water or chicken broth.
1 tsp Lower Sodium Better than Bullion Chicken
1 Limes Juice.
1/2 Lemons Juice
Optional: Hot peppers, Thai, Fresno, or jalapeño. Cayanne
2-3 cups of Pre cooked Rice.

GARNISH:
Lime wedges.
Lemon wedges
Cilantro.
Basil.
Scallions.

Make your Curry Sauce. This sauce takes some time for flavors to meld together. The Microwave can shorten the Sauce time if you want)
To a Medium Skillet, heated to Medium, add the Oil to heat up and then add all of the Seeds. Stir the seeds around for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until they become fragrant and are just toasted. Careful that they don’t burn, then Quickly add the Onion. (Hot Peppers will go in now too).
Sauté until Onions are translucent. You may need to pull the Pan from the heat for a few seconds.
Add Garlic, Sauté for 30 seconds.
Add the Ginger and sauté for another 30 seconds.
Add the Tomatoes and continue to sauté until Onions and Tomatoes starts to make a Sauce.
Add the Water, Lemon and Lime Juices to kick it into sauce mode.
Put a lid on the Pan and turn the Burner down to Simmer and let simmer for about 20 min. (If you are in a hurry, you can always microwave the Sauce in a covered glass bowl for a couple minutes before finishing in the Pan). The Onions and Tomatoes need to be really soft.
Saving out some of the Cilantro, Scallions, and Basil, for Garnishing, add the rest to the Sauce now.
Add the Coconut Milk and heat Sauce to a Boil then Simmer to reduce the Sauce, let it reduce for about 10 min. It should thicken up a bit. See Pics below.
Add the Catfish, and put the lid on for 5 -7 min, while the Catfish cooks.
Check for doneness.
Serve over Rice or Cauliflower Rice. Rice is better for absorbing the Sauce.
Garnish with Scallions, cilantro, Basil, and a wedge of Lemon or Lime and your favorite toppings.