Split Pea Soup

(Sleepy Soup)

1 lb dry green split peas
1 meaty ham bone
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp pepper
1 c finely chopped carrot
1 c finely chopped celery

1/2 c evaporated milk

2 slices bacon

Simmer ham bone for a few hours. Remove bone & add peas. Simmer another 1 1/2 hours. Chop meat and return to pot with vegetables and seasonings, simmer until tender, stir in milk. Garnish with bacon bits.

Quinoa with Dried Cherries and Pistachios

Photo and Recipe from Cooking Light, December 2010

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3/4 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 3/4  cups  uncooked quinoa
• 2  tablespoons  plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 3  tablespoons  finely chopped shallots
• 2  cups  water
• 1/3  cup  dry white wine or chicken broth
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 3  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice
• 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground pepper
• 1/2  cup  dried sweet cherries, chopped
• 1/2  cup  dry-roasted pistachios, chopped
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh mint
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Rinse and drain quinoa. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Add 2 cups water, wine, and salt to pan; bring to a boil. Add quinoa; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat; set aside, and cool slightly.

2. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add quinoa, cherries, and remaining ingredients; toss gently to combine.

From Kelly!

Cinnamon-Mascarpone Baked Pears

2 medium-large ripe pears
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp butter
1/4 cup white grape juice

6 Tablespoons mascarpone cheese
2 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375'. Halve the pears lengthwise and core. Place cored side up in medium baking dish. spoon 1/2 tsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp butter into each cavity. Pour grape juice into baking dish. Bake 20 minutes, until pears are tender and lightly brown.

Stir together cheese, sugar, and cinnamon.

To serve, arrange one pear half per plate. Top with 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese mixture.

Baked Beans

This is Aunt Edna's recipe:

4 c white beans (soak overnite) Drain.
Cover with clean water and slowly cook with ham or bacon until done (soft).
Add:
(These amts are approximate. Add to taste.)
1c brn sugar
1/2 c catsup
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt, dash pepper
Mix well and bake a couple of hours at 325.

Waffles

Steven is the one who really likes waffles, so I make his favourite recipe:

2 cups flour
1scoop vanilla protein powder
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 1/4 c milk
4 T melted butter

Sift together dry ingredients, set aside.

Separate the eggs. Whip the white till stiff, then stir in the yolks. Add remaining wet ingredients, then mix in the dry ingredients.

Makes 6-8 Belgian style/size waffles.

Glico Curry - found in the Asian aisle at Superstore

Follow the instructions on the box, or:

Cook your chicken and veggies all day in a crock pot. At dinner time shred the chicken and stir in 2 bars of curry.

Either way, serve with rice.

Blondies

This recipe makes me think of my Aunt Ruth and picnics in Edmonton.

1/3 c butter
1 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 c flour
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together, spread in a 9x9 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Bake 350 x 20 minutes.