Potato Salad, Hubby's Way

I have a couple of ways that I make potato salad, but this is how my husband likes it. I especially like the pimentos for the color and the taste. And leave the potato skins on (it's healthier and colorful).




POTATO SALAD, HUBBY’S WAY

2 to 3 pounds small red potatoes
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
4 tablespoons diced pimentos
1/8 cup yellow mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup diced onion
1 hard-boiled egg, diced
salt and pepper

Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain and cool slightly.

Meanwhile, mix all other ingredients in a large bowl to create dressing. Add potatoes and toss well.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Smoky Black Bean Soup

So sorry! It's not the most appetizing picture... But the soup tastes really good and it's quite healthy, too. Even healthier if you add brown rice instead of white like I did.

SMOKY BLACK BEAN SOUP

2 teaspoons olive oil
8 ounces cooked ham, diced
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced zucchini
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained, rinsed and divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add diced ham and cook until lightly browned. Add onion and zucchini; cook until vegetables are tender. Stir in minced garlic and chipotle chili powder; cook 30 seconds. Add chicken broth, 1/2 cup black beans and salt. Puree remaining beans with water in a food processor or blender; stir into soup and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and then simmer for 30 minutes.

Optional: Garnish individual servings with sour cream and cilantro. Serve topped with a scoop of rice.

Yield: 4 servings

Be sure to dice the ham, onion and zucchini the same size. I forgot to do that, and my zucchini stood out because I didn't cut it as small. Not a real problem, but I think I'll prefer the zucchini smaller next time. Also, just 1/2 teaspoon of chipotle chile powder is pretty hot, reduce that if you don't care for hot.

Spaghetti Pie

You know that I put some spaghetti sauce in the freezer recently, right? Well, here's one of the ways I like to use it.

SPAGHETTI PIE

8 ounces spaghetti
2 eggs, beaten separately
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups meat spaghetti sauce (heated)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Spray a deep dish pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Combine one egg, Parmesan and butter with the cooked pasta. Press mixture evenly into bottom of 9-inch deep dish pie plate.

In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese with one egg; spread over pasta. Spoon spaghetti sauce over ricotta layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake 15 more minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.

Cut into wedges to serve.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Italian Sauteed Beans

ITALIAN SAUTEED BEANS
1/2 cup roasted red peppers (from a jar)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini or great northern beans (drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Cut peppers into 1/4-inch pieces. Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes.

Place oil in pan; swirl to coat. Add garlic, peppers, and remaining ingredients (except basil); cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until beans are thoroughly heated. Stir in basil; cook 1–2 more minutes or until fragrant.

Yield: 4 servings

Note: This can also be served as a cold bean salad. It was really good when I ate it cold the next day for lunch!

This recipe came from Publix Simple Meals.

Thrifty Housewife

I have enjoyed going to Goodwill and other thrift stores for many years. The first time I went was to search for a Halloween costume or maybe it was for a Hawaiian shirt for a luau party. Anyway, you can find a lot of interesting things at thrift stores. I still look there when I need something for a theme party.

I also discovered that they are a great place to find some everyday clothes. It takes a lot of patience and time to sort through clothing that is arranged by color, rather than size. Sometimes you just get lucky and find something good that looks almost brand new.

Here are a few recent items I found.

This turquoise top will be nice when I have a job again... Cost $4.00.

I had this eggplant top in a larger size and gave it away when I lost weight. I found another at Goodwill in a smaller size. It was about $4.00.



This military style jacket is a dark chocolate brown heavy twill. It will look better once I iron it. This cost me $5.50.

I bought some other items that I will show you another time. I am cutting and sewing and making them better.

Upside Down Potpie

Next time you bake, grill or cook chicken, make a little extra for this.

UPSIDE DOWN POT PIE

2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, green beans, peas)
1 (5.5 or 6 ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (I use Grands)

Combine first 6 ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat 10 to 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring often. Meanwhile bake biscuits according to package directions.

Split hot biscuits in half; spoon chicken/vegetable mixture over biscuit halves.

Yield: 4 servings

Kitty Conversation

Woodrow says: "What's for dinner?"



Ashley says: "I don't know, but I can cook it with my laser eyes!"