Quick and easy a la Vodka Sauce

1 can of crushed tomatoes,preferably tuttorosa with basil
1 can of diced tomatoes with basil

1 small onion,chopped
1 Tablespoon of minced garlic
! teaspoon of oregano or italian dry seasoning

2 Tb olive oil
2 Tablespoons of Vodka
salt and pepper to taste

Heavy cream 1/2 cup

in heavy sauce pot, heat oil on medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for 2 minutes until onions are soft-be careful not to burn garlic
add vodka, let heat until evaporated

add tomatoes , stir, bring to boil and immediately turn to low heat, cover for 15 minutes

heat cream in microwave until just warm
Add to pot Season with salt and pepper to taste
Optional-chopped parsley and basil

COOK 1 Pound Penne Pasta according to directions and drain

Toss Cooked hot pasta with grated parmesan
Toss with Sauce

Peach,blueberry,or any fruit CRUMBLE

WHEN YOUR FRUIT IS VERY RIPE
make a great crumble in minutes
2-4 portions
DOuble crumb topping ingredients to make an 8x8 pan

1/2 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon

combine add more flour if not crumbly

Butter an oven proof pan or tin
Toss any very ripe fruit together-combine them for fun

Top with crumb topping

Bake 350 until heated through and crispy-usually 20-25 minutes

Take the mystery out of Tuna-Sesame Seared with wasabi cream

10 minutes preparation and cooking

Plan for 6 oz per person
Most Markets sell frozen or fresh tuna steaks pretty cheaply
If frozen, defrost overnight in the fridge and cook that day

You will need
tuna steak(about 1"thick)
salt and pepper
sesame seeds

Salt and pepper lightly both sides of tuna
Place sesame seeds on plate and press tuna onto each side
Heat Small Saute pan with 1 tb vegetable oil
Add TUna
Saute 30 seconds on each side
Slice immediately and serve with sauce
Optional:serve with prepared seaweed salad available at every sushi counter


Prepare and refrigerate
wasabi paste or powder(combined with water-little at a time- to make a paste)
mayonnaisse
Combine 1TB of paste with 3 TB of Mayonnaisse-adjust heat accordingly!!

hot artichoke dip

wow your friends with this easy dip
you need an oven proof pie pan or something of similar size


5 minutes prep 30-45 cook time
preheat 400 degree oven
1 can artichoke hearts-chopped not so fine
1-1/2 cups Hellmans May
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
\
combine
cook in pie pan for 30-45 minutes until brown and bubbling
serve with any type crackers

Steak au poivre

A piece of filet mignon is best but if that is beyond your budget, buy a strip or rib-eye-they are always on sale and you could find one for abour $5

Season steak with a little kosher salt and lots of ground peppercorns(best freshly ground)
10 minutes
In a saute pan
add 1tb olive or veg oil
Heat pan on medium heat for 30 seconds
Add steak
Cook 3 minutes on each side
Remove from pan, keep covered in foil

Add 1/4 cup water, 1 bay leaf, 2 Tb red wine or rum or brandy to pan. Scrape up the bottom of the pan, while on the fire

:When liquid is reduced, add 2tb of heavy cream
If steak is too rare-put in oven for 5 minutes or less
Pour sauce over steak

Fast and Easy Salsa-local fresh tomatoes

Chop by hand or use a mini food chopper or processor or blender
If you can not chop finely, I recommend processing the jalapeno or serrano peppers
if using a processor, chop vegetables into large pieces before processing

3 large ripe tomatos, chopped
1/2 small onion,chopped
2 serrano or 2 jalapeno peppers(less if you like it mild),minced fine
2 tsp lime juice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
salt and pepper

Can make and refrigerate and eat for 3-5 days

Fast and Easy Salsa

garlic and cumin saute of string beans

It is string bean season
1 pound of string beans, trimmed(rough side only-snap by hand)
1 tb cumin seed
2 tb minced garlic
1 tb fresh ginger, minced
2 tb olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

In large saute pan or saucepan(or whatever you have) heat oil on medium heat
add cumin seeds and stir until lightly browned
Add garlic and ginger for one minute
add string beans and coat well with mixture
Add 1/2 cup water, cover for 3-7 minutes depending on preferred doneness
salt and pepper to taste

garlic and cumin saute of string beans

layered mexican dip-good and easy for a crown

5 minutes preparation 30 minutes cooking time
Preheat oven 375 degrees

1 can refried beans, regular or vegetarian
1 can black beans, drained , optional
1 15 oz jar salsa
1 pint sour cream
1 package shredded cheddar cheese

Nacho chips

IN ovenproof dish or aluminum tin layer beans, salsa,sour cream and cheese
Bake uncovered 30 minutes or until hot and melted
serve with chips

Banana nut bread-using those old ugly bananas

When those bananas are past the looks of eating, peel them and put them in a baggy in the fridge for a few days or the freezer for a few months. The sweet "mush" will make the best banana bread or muffins



10 minutes prep time

20-50 minutes baking

preheat oven to 350. Butter a loaf pan or muffin tins

Combine dry ingredients:

3/4 Flour 1/4 c. oatmeal 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter, softened at room temperature or 10 seconds in microwave
3/4 cup sugar
Cream sugar and butter in large bowl with wooden spoon or beaters

Add

2 eggs with beater or fork
1/4 cup warm water
3 bananas, 2 smashed, 1 in chunks
Walnuts(optional) 3/4 cup

Bake in Loaf Pan 50 minutes or 20 minutes for muffins Test in middle with toothpick

Penne Pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil

It is Tomato Season-enjoy local tomatoes by themselves, in salads or in an easy recipe



Serves 6



1 pound penne pasta or any kind, cook according to directions(can be done ahead of time and refrigerated-if so, add a drop of oil to keep from sticking)



4 Tablespoons(1/4 cup) of Olive or vegetable oil

1 small onion, chopped not so fine or sliced

2-3 large tomatoes, chopped into chunks
1/2 cup white wine,
salt and pepper to taste

Basil leaves,ripped or chopped
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese




IN large skillet, heat oil over medium flame, add onion, cook 3 minutes until soft, add tomatoes, salt and pepper, cook on high heat for two minutes ,add winepasta is , add pasta and basil leaves,stir until pasta is hot parmesan cheese

arme

tsatsiki sauce for pita and gyros

1 cucumber,peeled, grated or chopped
1 onion minced(by hand, mini chopper, blender or processor)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 pint or sour cream or plain yogurt or combination of the two
1 tablespoon chopped dill(optional but yummy)
salt and pepper

Combine above. Holds five days in the refrigerator Max likes it on toasted pita with chicken, lettuce and tomato

Sweet and Tangy Roast Chicken

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1 chicken cut up

1 can whole cranberry sauce
1 packet dry onion soup
1 bottle french salad dressing
2 tablespoons minced garlic

Mix all ingredients together
toss chicken in roasting aluminum pan

Place in oven for one hour
Great the second day

The best caesar salad

Serves 4
The dressing can be made up to one week ahead and refrigerated


1-2 heads Romaine Hearts(prewashed), cut or torn into bite-size pieces

Croutons

Preheat oven 375 degrees

Any old bread, rolls, cut into 1-2" squares

Oil

Lay out bread cubes on cookie sheet, drizzle slightly with oil

Place in oven and bake 5-7 minutes until brown

Dressing

Whisk in bowl(with fork ok) or in blender

2 Tablespoons of Hellmans Mayo

1 teaspoon of chopped garlic

1 teaspoon Worcesteshire sauce

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

4 Tb Lemon Juice

1 cup oil

1/2 cup vegetable, soy or canola oil

sprinkle of ground pepper



If you like anchovies which are authentic to Caesar Salad, you can open a can and place whole anchovies on top of the salad OR add 2 chopped anchovies to dressing




Combine lettuce and croutons toss with salad dressing

Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Turn on your oven to 375 degrees

Spray a cookie sheet with pam or spread with butter

Prepare all your ingredients first

1. Combine your dry ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup oats

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2. with beaters or a wooden spoon, combine
2 sticks of softened butter(take out of fridge for 30- minutes)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

Beat in 2 eggs into the above mixture with beaters or fork

Add 1-1/2 teaspoons REAL vanilla

3. Mix in dry ingredients to above

4. Add 12 oz package of chocolate chips

5. drop by tablespoons onto sheet pan one inch apart 7-8 minutes or until lightly brown

Cool one minute and remove with flat spatula