Tag: simple

New Traditions · Soups and Stews

Hamburger Soup

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Hamburger Soup is quick, simple and delicious.  Enough said.

HAMBURGER SOUP

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion , diced
2 cloves garlic , minced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups beef broth
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
1 can condensed tomato soup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups mixed vegetables, fresh or frozen (I used carrots, celery, corn & peas)

  • Brown onion, ground beef and garlic until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
  • Add potatoes, broth, tomatoes, tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning and bay leaves. Simmer covered 10 minutes.
  • Stir in vegetables. Simmer 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Recipe slightly adapted from Spendwithpennies

Fresh Pear Bread
Breads · New Favorite

Fresh Pear Bread

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Pears, pears, pears!  I’ve overrun with pears thanks to my CSA shares this fall. They have been absolutely delicious but more than I can eat.

This recipe was simple and resulted in a moist, delicious bread great for a breakfast treat with a cup of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate.  Due to family tastes, I omitted the nuts, but it would be delicious with walnuts or pecans!

Fresh Pear Bread
Fresh Pear Bread

FRESH PEAR BREAD

3 eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups finely chopped peeled ripe pears (about 4 medium)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  • In a bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir into the egg mixture just until moistened. Toss pears with lemon juice. Stir pears and walnuts into batter (batter will be thick).
  • Spoon into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 loaves.

Recipe from Taste of Home

Gluten Free · New Favorite · Salads · Vegan · Vegetarian

Cruciferous Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

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Trader’s Joe’s finally came to Denver last year and what fun we’ve had exploring their many wonderful products.  During one of my trips, they were tasting their Cruciferous Crunch Salad with mixed nuts and Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette.  Yummy in the tummy!

trader-joes-cruciferous-crunch-collection

The recipe is so simple, it doesn’t need one.  Chop the contents of the salad mix. Chop about 1 cup of mixed nuts (or nuts of your choice), and top with Trader Joe’s Asian Style Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette dressing. Toss and serve immediately.

It’s simple, delicious, and good for you.  What’s not to like?

New Favorite

DUMP CAKE…decadent and sinfully simple

cathysmaha4 Comments

Dump Cake is NOT a low cal dessert but it is easy and delicious. My buddy, Jan, again shared this recipe with me. Somehow this recipe escaped me all these years and I wanted to research it’s origin. Research points to the original Heloise for this recipe, although I couldn’t confirm nor deny this fact.

What I can confirm…this is a decadent pleasure to enjoy ‘once in a blue moon.’

DUMP CAKE

1 can (21 ounce) cherry pie billing (or apple)
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick margarine
1 cup chopped pecans
whipped cream

  • Place pie filling and pineapple in 9×13″ cake pan.
  • Sprinkle on top 1 box yellow cake mix.
  • Slice 1 stick margarine and place over cake mix.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup chopped pecans over the top.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
  • Serve with whipped cream and enjoy every bite!

 

Family · Family Favorites · New Traditions

Fancy Schmancy Asparagus…simple crowd pleaser!

cathysmaha1 Comment

A dear friend introduced me to this dish a few years ago.  The asparagus is elegant enough for a nice dinner party yet casual enough for an appetizer or family side dish. People will ‘ooh and aah’ at the presentation and keep coming back for more.

We are coming into fresh asparagus season and a perfect time to try this recipe.

Fancy Schmancy Asparagus

This dish is best served fresh from the oven.  Enjoy this favorite dish enjoyed by family and friends.

FANCY SCHMANCY ASPARAGUS

1 pound fresh asparagus
1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls
Garlic salt

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease large baking sheet.
  • Wash and trim fresh asparagus and dry on paper towels.
  • Open crescent rolls and separate dough into four squares. On a cutting board, cut dough into strips of about 1/8-1/4″.
  • Wrap one strip of dough around each piece of asparagus and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until dough is light brown.
  • Serve immediately.