Over-ripe Watermelon Drink

Didn't use the watermelon fast enough, so when I started slicing, I saw a lot of 'soft' watermelon.  The texture makes it inedible although the fruit is still fine.  A gal from Texas recommended trying this and it worked well!  You can add other fruit juices for a punch, or add in a little red wine or sherry for some kick.  Try a small amount before dumping your watermelon. If you don't like 'pulpy' drinks, you could use some cheesecloth to strain the watermelon pulp out. Not a step I need.

Over-Ripe Watermelon Drink

Deseed watermelon. Add in sections to a blender and pulse a few times, then put on high to blend the heck out of it. Chill.   Also, chill cans of 7 Up.

Stir watermelon before serving.  Put some ice in a glass. Fill the glass with equal portions of watermelon juice and 7 up. Add a tablespoon or two of reconstituted lemon juice. Stir. Serve. 

PB&J Supreme Sandwich

Discovered today that this sandwich recipe is not here!  So, let me tell you - this is an AWESOME Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich (PB&J).  The recipe comes from an early HGTV show (back when they featured cooking and gardening) called Savoire Faire with Nick Manojiovich.  This was from Episode 105 Sunday Stuff.  This is totally yummy.   My only change is that I don't include the honey (allergy and diabetes).  This is not diabetic friendly, so plan on this sandwich for lunch on a day when you will follow it with lots of activity.

PB&J Supreme Sandwich

Challah bread (whole wheat, 7 grain or raisin bread can substitute)
Smooth or crunchy peanut butter
Favorite Jam (mine is grape)
Raisins
Unsalted sunflower seeds
Banana, sliced
alfalfa sprouts (optional)

Spread peanut butter on both pieces of bread.
Spread jam lightly on both sides of bread.
Evenly sprinkle raisins and sunflower seeds on one bread - top with banana slices.
Add alfalfa sprouts if desired.
Put other slice on top of the other. Slice in half. Eat!

Spinach Linguine with Salmon, Lemon and Dill

What do you do when you have can after can of canned salmon?   My late brother bought a lot of this stuff and after awhile, I got a little tired of salmon cakes.  So, tried this recipe and it was darn good!

Spinach Linguine with Salmon, Lemon and Dill

From 365 Ways to Cook Pasta by Marie Simmons

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 can (7 1/4 oz) red salmon, drained
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely shredded or grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
12 oz. spinach linguine

Heat butter in a skillet, stir in garlic, saute 1 minute. Add salmon, lemon juice, lemon zest and dill; do not stir.

Meanwhile, cook the linguine in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente, or firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Place linguine in a large shallow bowl; add the salmon sauce; toss just once, being  careful not to break up the pieces of salmon.

Serves 4; Takes 25 minutes of prep and cooking.

Mini-Mexi Nachos

Mom was inspired to find this recipe when we got a deal on Taco Boats. Yes, small tacos in a boat shape intended for appetizers.  This recipe uses Tostitos Scoops. Totally yummy.  This recipe is from the cookbook from Sam's Club called Fresh, Fast and Fabulous c. 2010.

We had Velveeta to use up (from a family member) plus a package of Old El Paso™ Taco Boats™ mini soft flour tortillas that Mom bought from a grocery discounter.  This was absolutely yummy and I would have it again and again in the future.  Can you use other cheeses? Yes. You just have to figure out how to get it to melt well.  Cheese soup probably would not be a good substitute.  Mom just used a random chili seasoning mix.

Mini-Mexi Nachos

Serves 8

1 lb. ground beef
1 1/3 cups prepared  salsa
1 packet French's Chili-O Seasoning Mix
1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 small can black olives, chopped
1 bag Tostitos Scoops

Cut Velveeta into cubes and set aside. Chop olives into small pieces and set aside. Brown ground beef in large skillet, drain fat and return skillet to stove top. Add salsa and chili seasoning to ground beef and mix well. Add Velveeta cubes to ground beef mixture and stir until cheese melts. Place a tablespoon of ground beef mixture into each Tostitos Scoop. garnish with chopped black olives. Repeat with remaining chips. Serve immediately.

Pub Grub for Burgers

 It's been a very long time since I've posted anything due to family deaths and health issues.  So, we are trying some new stuff again!

Classic bar food, the Bacon-Onion Jam is to die for.  If you make the Jam ahead of time, make sure that it is thoroughly hot before putting on burger (didn't heat evenly in the microwave).  This recipe is from Cuisine At Home, Issue no. 128 March/April 2018.

Classic Cheeseburgers

Combine
1.5 lb. ground chuck
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper

Top:
8 slices yellow Cheddar
4 hamburger buns, halved, brushed with unsalted melted butter and toasted

Combine chuck, oil, salt, and pepper; shape into 4 6 oz. patties. Heat a 12 inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high for 2 minutes. Add patties and cook 3 minutes; flip and cook 3 minutes more. Remove skillet form heat.

Top burgers with Cheddar, cover skillet, and allow cheese to melt, 1-2 minutes. Serve cheeseburgers on buns with Bacon-onion Jam.
4 servings. Each serving 698 calories, 23 carbs.

Bacon-Onion Jam

Cook 1 lb. thick-sliced bacon, diced
Melt:
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 cups diced yellow onions
2-3 fresh thyme sprigs

Stir in:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and black pepper to taste

Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp; transfer to a paper-towel-lines plate and discard all but 1 Tbsp drippings. Melt butter with drippings over low heat. Add onions and thyme; cook, covered, until onions are translucent, 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, broth, tomato paste, vinegar and Worcestershire; cook until onions caramelize and become jam-like, 10-15 minutes more. Discard thyme, stir in bacon, and season jam with salt and pepper.
 Makes 16 services (2 cups). 2 Tbsp serving - 194 cal, 9 g carb.

Winter is Coming

Yes, winter is on it's way (and I'm all caught up with Game of Thrones).  I haven't been doing much quilting at all due to a lot of family situations.  A brother, sister and uncle have all passed away this passed year and we are still in recovery mode. In addition, establishing what to do with all the STUFF they left has been and continues to be a chore. Anyway, this funny was found during the elimination. There are variations on the Internet.

Minnesota Temperature Conversion Chart:

60 above
Floridans wear coats, gloves and woolly hats.  Minnesotans sunbathe.

50 above
New Yorkers try to turn on the heat. Minnesotans plant gardens.

40 above
Italian cars won't start. Minnesotans drive with the windows down.

32 above
Distilled water freezes. Lake Superior water gets thicker.

15 above
New York landlords finally turn up the heat. Minnesotans thrown on a sweatshirt.

-0-
Californians fly away to Mexico.  Minnesotans get out their winter coats.

20 below
People in Miami cease to exist. Minnesotans lick the flagpole.

60 below
Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic. Minnesota Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets cold enough.

80 below
Mt. St Helens freezes. Minnesotans rent some videos.

100 below
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Minnesotans get frustrate when they can't thaw the keg.

297 below
Microbial life survives on dairy products. Minnesota cows complain of farmers with cold hands.

460 below
All atomic motion stops.  Minnesotans start saying . . . "Cold 'nuff for ya, eh?"

500 below
Hell freezes over.  The Vikings win the Super Bowl.

Split Pea Soup

This is my aunt's recipe.  This is a soup. If you like pea soup thick like a stew, put in only 4 cups water.

Split Pea Soup

Vilma Bezek, MN

1 1/2 c ham, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tsp salt; if desire
1 onion; diced
6 cups water; heated
4 medium potatoes; cut in 1/2 in. cubes
2 cups split peas; uncooked
1-2 carrots, shredded
1 stalk celery; diced

Put water and split peas into crock pot. Set to high. Add ham, celery and onion. Add salt if ham had been reduced sodium. Cook for 2 hours on high. Add potatoes and carrots. Cook for another 2 hours. Serve.

To prep ham: Boil ham on bone for 45 minutes. Use water for soup water. Remove ham from bone and cut into cubes and add to soup. Toss bone. Finish according to above directions. Alternative: Just put ham on bone into crockpot. Meat can be cut up and bone removed either before adding potatoes or afterwards.

NOTES : Start this at 1:30, be finished before 6 p.m.  Freezes very well. I honestly never liked split pea soup (loved the smell) until I added potatoes to it.