Cheesy Veg Soup

Yeah, I sort of threw this together today but everyone loved it so I am trying to at least remember the basic recipe...
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom
about 3-4 cups broth (or more)
package of mix veggies
package of hash browns (I use from 10 to 15 oz usually but you can do any amount)
onion
thyme
garlic salt/onion powder
parsley

Roux - 1 T butter + 1 T flour, cup of milk and cheese (about 2 cups)

Lemon Bars

LEMON BARS

1 C butter, softened
1/2 C sugar
2 C flour

6 eggs
1 C lemon juice
2 1/4 C sugar
1/2 C flour

Mix butter, sugar and flour to make a shortbread crust. Use a 15 in pan (if you like thicker crust use a 9x13 but you'll need to reduce the filling to about 2/3). Press crust into pan and bake 350 for about 15 minutes
Whisk other ingredients together and pour over baked crust. Bake another 15 minutes (more if you need to).
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Black Bean Zucchini Casserole

Black Bean Zucchini Casserole
*allrecipes with changes


1 1/2 cup brown rice, cooked in broth

1/3 cup diced onion
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced (I julienne mine)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2+ teaspoon cumin
salt/pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers, drained
1 1/2 cup shredded carrots
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or a mexican mix)

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender. Mix in the zucchini, chicken, and mushrooms. Season with cumin, salt, and ground cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until zucchini is lightly browned
In large bowl, mix the cooked rice, onion, zucchini, chicken, mushrooms, beans, chiles, carrots, and 3/4 the cheese. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish, and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Cover casserole loosely with foil, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated 350 oven. Uncover, and continue baking 10 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Coconut Zuchinni Bread

•  
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/8 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• In mixer combine egg, applesauce, oil and sugar. Add zucchini and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and add to mixer. Stir in coconut and raisins. Bake at 350

Herb Zucchini Casserole

 Herb Zucchini Casserole
*off allrecipes with some changes

1 1/2 C brown rice, cooked in broth

1 1/2 pounds zucchini, cubed
1 cup sliced green onions (or yellow onions)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic salt
1 Tbsp fresh basil (1/2 teaspoon dry basil)
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Saute onions and garlic. Add zucchini and saute till tender. Add herbs/spices. Add tomatoes, rice and cheese. Combine. Place in casserole dish (9x13) and top with a little more cheese (you can choose a different type too). Bake for about 20 min at 350.

*I did have 2 extra sausage links I added to this recipe once. It was good.

Sausage Zuchinni Casserole

1 1/2  cup uncooked brown rice

3 morning star sausage patties, cut up/crumbled (1/2 pound pork sausage)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced fresh tomato
1 cup corn (frozen or fresh)
2-3 cups cubed zucchini squash
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
4 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 cup sharp cheddar (or more :)
pinch thyme
pinches of dill weed
pepper to taste

Cook rice. In a pan saute garlic and onions. Add tomtoes, sausage, corn, zucchini, mushrooms and cook till slightly tender (or however you want them). Add cream cheese and mix till cream cheese is melted. Remove from heat and stir in rice, feta, cheddar, thyme, dill and pepper. Stick in 9x13. Cover with a little more extra cheddar :) Cook at about 300 till the cheese is melted and it is warmed through.

Sweet Zucchini Pancakes

I found this recipe just browsing the web one day. I can't remember where is came from...

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (you can do less)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted (you can do a little less)
1 1/4 cup milk
1 cup grated zucchini, excess water squeezed out

Mix wet ingredients, mix dry ingredients...mix together until just combined.
I usually have to double this recipe.

Orange Julius - no egg/pudding

ORANGE JULIUS

6 oz or about 3/4 C frozen orange juice concentrate
1 C milk
1 C water
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 - 1/4 C sugar
6-10 ice cubes depending on quality of blender and desired consistancy

Main Dish Crepes

Crepes
1 C flour
1 1/2 C milk
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 tsp salt

Mix with whisk and cook. Makes 14-16.

Filling
1 C frozen peas
1 (15oz) can of cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can of milk (reduce or add till you reach desired consistency)
1/2 C sour cream
1 C cheddar cheese
Mix. You can add shredded chicken if you'd like, this will also thicken the consistency a bit. Recipe is forgiving so you don't need exact amounts. They are a tad runny/thin so I usually make enough for everyone to have a few.
Spread filling onto crepes and roll up. Place in 9x13 greased pan. Top with cheese and left over filling. Bake at 300 for about 20 minutes.

Pressure Cooking Times

I have a hard time finding cooking times for certains items, especially grains, for a pressure cooker.The manual that came with my pressure cooker had times for veg, fruits, meats, and some beans but nothing more. I thought I would start a list and update it as I go. These are estimates because each cooker is different but at least it is a start...

BEANS
Black Beans - 9 to 11 minutes on high (assumes a pre-soak, can be done in cooker)

FRUITS

GRAINS 
*note: it is usually recommended that you use a natural pressure release for grains. This often takes around 20 minutes or more depending on your cooker

Barley - Stovetop use 1:3 grain to water ratio, 40 minutes
Pressure cooker us 1:2 grain to water ration, 20-24 minutes

Quinoa - Stovetop use 1:2 grain to water ratio, 20 minutes
Pressure cooker 1: 1 1/2 grain to water ratio, 7-9 minutes on high

Rice (Brown) - Stovetop (I usually look at the package)
Pressure cooker 1: 1 1/2 grain to water ratio, 20-25 minutes on high
Rice (Brown, Short-grain, Organic) - Pressure cooker 1: 1 1/2 grain to water ratio, 30-35 minutes on high. This is a short grain, brown rice I get at costco and it takes longer than 20-25 minutes to cook.

Steel Cut Oats - Stovetop (check package, there are some quick cooking steel cut oats now)
Pressure cooker 1:3 (maybe 2 1/2) ration grain to liquid (you can use milk for part), 10 minutes on high

Wheat - Stovetop use 1:3 grain to water ratio, 120 minutes
Pressure cooker 1:2 grain to water ratio, 40-60 minutes

VEGETABLES

Cantaloupe Pops

I lived in South Korea growing up and this is reminiscent of the delicious melon bars they always had there. The flavor is a little different combination that Americans are used to but the milk fruit combo is delicious. They even put milk in their soda, my all time favorite Milkas :)

2-3 lbs shredded cantaloupe
1 can (5oz) evaporated milk
1 C water
1/4 - 1/2 C sugar

Combine ingredients and place in fridge for a few minutes till the sugar dissolves. Place in popsicle molds (you can use anything) and freeze.

Chocolate Yum Yum Cupcakes

1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, soft
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
6 oz chocolate chips (I like the mini ones)
1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine the first set of ingredients in a bowl and blend in chips. In another bowl combine ingredients, sift the dry ones first and then add the liquids. Fill muffin cups 1/3 the way full with chocolate mixture. Drop 1 Tbsp of cream cheese mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies (so far)

My friend gave this recipe to me and it has been the best so far.  Follow the directions.  I don't use the parchment paper but other than that if you follow everything you'll get the right texture.

2 sticks cold and cubed unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle, cream together butter and sugars until well blended and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mix in vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
2. Add flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and mix until just combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips/chunks. Don’t overmix the dough.
3. Transfer dough to clean work surface and gently mix dough by hand to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
4. Place each on sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven 10-12 minutes.

Barley Cereal

2 C barley
3 C water

Cook in pressure cooker for about 22-24 minutes

1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp flax
3 Tbsp honey
1/2 C raisins
milk

Tuna Casserole

1 pkg egg noodles (8oz)
2 cans cream of mushroom
2 cans tuna
3/4 C sour cream
2 C cheese (cheddar, or your favorite blend)
1/4 C milk
1/2 - 1 C mushrooms
1/2 C chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder

Cook noodles.  Mix together ingredient.  Top with bread crumbs or crackers.  Bake 425 for 15 minutes.

Creamy Tomato Bowtie Pasta

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can stewed tomatoes
8 oz cream cheese
milk (to desired sauce consitancy but at least a cup)
(optional) sausage
parsley and rosemary to taste

Bag of boxtie pasta (about 15 oz)

Add oil, onion, garlic to pan.  Cook till onions are tender (you can add your sausage here but make sure to drain it).  Add cream cheese, tomatoes, milk and cook till nice and bubbly and thick, 8-10 minutes (if you want your sauce a little thicker you can use cream or add a little corn starch).  Cook pasta and add it to sauce :)

Chicken Noodle Soup

2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 C onion, chopped
1 C celery, chopped
1 C carrots, sliced
1/4 C roasted peppers
10 C chicken broth (you can adjust this however)
1 package egg noodles
1/2 C diced chicken
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
3/4 tsp basil
1/2 oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
dash or two of celery salt
dash or two or garlic salt
dash of pepper

Pork Chop Louisiana

PORK CHOP LOUISIANA *this is obviously modified from round steak

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 pepper, sliced or I used frozen roasted peppers about 3/4 a cup
2-3 pork chops, sliced into strips
1 Tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp flour
2 cans stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 C beef broth
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp pepper
cooked brown rice

Brown pork chops in oil and remove from pan.  Add flour to drippings/oil and mix well.  Add stewed tomatoes, broth, sugar, spices, garlic to pan.  Cook until the mixture starts to thicken slightly.  Layer sweet potatoes, onions, pepper in large baking dish.  Pour tomato mixture over veggies and then put the meat on top.  Bake covered at 350 for a hours or till meat and veggies are done.  Serve over a little brown rice to pick up all the yummy juices ;)

Hello Dollies Cookie

HELLO DOLLIES
*I am sure this has different names but that is what is was in our house

4-5 Tbsp butter
1 pkg graham crackers, crushed
1 - 1 1/2 C semi sweet chocolate chips
1 - 1 1/2 C butterscotch chips
1 - 1 1/2 C coconut, shredded
1 can sweetened condensed milk
chopped nuts

Melt butter in cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs and press into pan.  Sprinkle chocolate chips and butterscotch chips over graham crackers.  Sprinkle coconut over pan.  Drizzle condensed milk over chips and coconut.  Top with chopped nuts if desired.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.