Easy Brownie Mix Cookies

Recipe from Mary Beth Buloc, 26 June 2023 
 

(https://www.backtomysouthernroots.com/brownie-mix-cookies/)

These cookies are awesome!!!

Ingredients
 
1 - 18 ounce box of brownie mix
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
 
Instructions
 
Heat oven to 375-degrees. Grease a cookie sheet with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
 
Add the brownie mix to a large bowl.
 
Next, add the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and flour and mix well. (It will be very thick dough).
 
Add the chocolate chips and mix.
 
Roll the cookies in 1-1/2-inch balls and set them two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
 
Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before moving them from the pan.
 
Cool on a cooling rack.
 
Notes
 
TIP: The batter will be a very thick batter.
 
If the cookies are still doughy after 10 minutes, bake them for a few more minutes until the outsides look crinkly.

 
 

Sandy Nielson's Asparagus Quiche with a Spaghetti Squash Crust

Recipe from Sandy Nielson, 26 June 2023

(Adapted from: https://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/asparagus-quiche-with-a-spaghetti-squash-crust/ and one of Sandy's other recipe she uses to make a quiche).

*Serves 6-8*
 
A perfect quiche for gluten intolerant folks and a great recipe to make when asparagus is plentiful!
 
Ingredients:
 
13 ounces of asparagus - I used a dozen or so asparagus spears cut into bite size pieces and blanched
1 good sized medium shallot diced into small pieces (or 1⁄2 small onion)
1 - 2 garlic cloves (your preference)
1 - 2 teaspoons of olive oil
5 eggs
1 cup of milk
1 1⁄2 cups of swiss cheese divided (I used Trader Joe’s Swiss & Gruyere shredded cheese mix)
1⁄2 teaspoon of salt
1⁄4 teaspoon of pepper
3 cups approximaely of cooked spaghetti squash (1 medium squash) **see note below on how to prep squash for the pie “crust”
1⁄8 tsp fo red chili flakes (optional)
 
Preparation:
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
 
Wash and cut off/snap off the woody ends of the asparagus. Cut the asparagus spears into 1 inch long pieces and set aside. Chop the shallot or onion and mince the garlic.
 
Next, bring a pot of water to a boil with a tsp of salt. Toss the cut asparagus spears into the boiling water for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes (depending on their thickness) and then remove them quickly with a slotted spoon. Plunge them immediately into a bowl of ice water. Drain and set asparagus pieces aside on a dish towel to remove the excess moisture and so that they will cool off. This “plunge” keeps their vibrant green color!
 
Next, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat, and saute the shallots or onion, and garlic for a few minutes until soft and translucent. *If you prefer not to blanch the asparagus using the above method, you can now add them here, and continue to sauté until the asparagus has turned bright green and is soft but not limp.
 
Whisk together the eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper, pepper flakes.
 
Grease a pie plate lightly with a butter or olive oil. Press the cooked spaghetti squash into the sides and bottom of the pan, forming an “even crust”. Spread 1⁄2 cup of the swiss cheese in the bottom of the pie pan. Then sprinkle the asparagus spears, shallot or onion mixture and garlic in the bottom of the squash crust. Pour the egg mixture into the pie plate. Add the last 1 cup of cheese to the egg mixture, and be sure it sinks in.
 
Bake for 40 - 50 minutes until the quiche is firm and enjoy!
 
*How to Prep the Spaghetti Squash:
 
Cut the squash in half. Remove all the seeds by scraping them out with a tablespoon. Brush with olive oil and lay both halves, cut side down on parchment paper. Bake for approximately 40-50 minutes at 425 degrees.
 
When the squash has cooled some, use a fork to shred the spaghetti squash and put it into a colander to drain any excess moisture. You can use the back of a large spoon to press or squeeze out the excess H2O in the squash as it sits in the colander. Next, put all the shredded squash into the pie plate and press it to form “the crust”. This part of the recipe can be done the day before if you prefer, so that it’s all ready to go the next day and it cuts down on the prep time the day of baking. Just cover the crust with Saran Wrap and put it in the refrigerator. (This simplified the process a bunch for me and was a timesaver.)
 
The next day you can remove the prepared crust from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes, to bring to room temperature. Next, bake the spaghetti “crust” for 7 minutes at 400 degrees. This is so that the spaghetti “crust” isn’t too “wet” or moist. Take it out of the oven after 7 minutes and then prepare the egg mixture.

Tortilla Pinwheels

 Recipe from Donna Kranchalk Danchisko, June 2023

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 can(4 1/4 ounces) chopped black olives
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
1/2 cup chopped green onions
Garlic powder, to taste
Seasoned salt, to taste
5 flour tortillas
Salsa, optional

Directions

Beat together cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese until blended. Stir in olives, chilies, onions, garlic and salt.

Spread over tortillas. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap. Twist ends. Refrigerate several hours.

Unwrap. Cut with a serrated knife into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices. Serve with salsa, if desired.

Grape Salad with Pecans

 Recipe from Donna Kranchalk Danchisko, 16 April 2023

Ingredients
 
4-5 cups red seedless grapes (you can use a mix of red and green seedless if you like)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Directions
 
Wash, dry and leave grapes whole.
 
Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Combine with grapes.
 
Refrigerate for several hours.
 
Mix together brown sugar and pecans. Sprinkle over grapes just before serving.

Enjoy!
 
 

CHOCOLATE CHUNK PECAN PIE

 Recipe from Pat D'Amato, 12 April 2023

 
Ingredients
 
1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
3 Large eggs
! cup light corn syrup
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
 
Directions
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
 
Combine eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla extract in medium bowl with a wire whisk.  Stir in pecans. Sprinkle chocolate chips over bottom of crust.  Pour pecan mixture into pie crust.
 
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until knife inserted 2 inches from center comes out with little bits of filling attached.  If browning too quickly, cover with foil.  Cool on wire rack for 2 hours; refrigerate until serving time.  

Turkish Tomato, Bulgur & Red Pepper Soup

 

Recipe from Cheryl

Ingredients:
 
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
1 Onion, chopped
2 Red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 t Dried mint
1/2 t Smoked paprika
1/8 t red pepper flakes
1 T Tomato paste
1/2 C Dry white wine
1 28 oz Can, diced fire-roasted tomatoes
4 C Chicken broth or vegetable broth
2 C Water
3/4 C medium-grind bulgur, rinsed
1/3 C chopped fresh mint.
 
Directions:
 
Heat the oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, bell peppers, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper and cook until softened and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
 
Stir in garlic, dried mint, smoked paprika, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
 
Stir in wine, scraping up any brown bits, and simmer until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and their juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and begin to  break apart, about 10 minutes.
 
Stir in broth, water, and bulgur and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until bulgur is tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve, sprinkling individual portions with fresh mint.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Recipe from Tamee Taylor

Ingredients:
 
1/2 stick of butter
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 C finely diced onions
1/2 C finely diced celery
2 garlic cloves, minded
1/4 C flour (I added more flour as needed to get to desired thickness I was cooking)
1 quart half-and-half (I used 1-3/4 of 2 quarts)
2 (14-oz) cans of chicken broth (I used 1 32 oz can)
1/4 Salt
1/2 t dried thyme (I used 1/2 t. oregano and 1/2 t. rosemary)
1/2 t dried parsley flakes
1/4 t ground nutmeg (optional)
1 C finely shredded carrots
1 C coarsely chopped fresh spinach leaves
1 C diced cooked chicken breast (you can use rotisserie chicken)
1 16 oz package ready-to-use gnocchi
 
Directions:
 
Melt the butter into the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
 
Add the onion, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes translucent.
 
Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Whisk in the half-and-half. Simmer until thickened.
 
Whisk in the chicken broth. Simmer until thickened again. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Simmer until the soup is heated through.
 
Before serving, season with additional salt if necessary.

Navy Bean, Bacon & Spinach Soup

 

 Recipe from Wendy Robbin

(From https://www.skinnytaste.com/navy-bean-bacon-and-spinach-soup-pressure-cooker-slow-cooker-or-stove-top/)

 
Ingredients:
 
3 15 oz cans navy beans, rinsed and drained
4 slices center cut bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh rosemary, I used a bouquet garni for tossing
3 cups baby spinach
 
 
Slow Cooker:
 
In a blender, blend 1 can of beans with 1 cup of water.
 
Saute the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Set aside on paper towels.
 
Add the onion, carrots and celery to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker with the tomato paste, pureed beans, canned beans, broth, rosemary and bay leaves.
 
Cover and cook low 8 hours. Remove rosemary and bay leaves. Place 2 cups of the soup in the blender and puree to thicken, then add back to the soup along with the spinach and stir until wilted, adjust salt to taste. To serve, ladle into 6 bowls and top with bacon.
 
 
Instant Pot:
 
In a blender, blend 1 can of beans with 1 cup of water.
 
Press Saute button then cook the bacon until crisp. Set aside on paper towels.
 
Add the onion, carrots and celery to the pot and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste then add the pureed beans, beans, broth, rosemary and bay leaves.
 
Cook on high pressure 15 minutes. Let the pressure release, remove rosemary and bay leaves. Place 2 cups of the soup in the blender and puree to thicken, then add back to the soup along with the spinach and stir until wilted. To serve, ladle into 6 bowls and top with bacon.

Stove Top:

In a blender, blend 1 can of beans with 1 cup of water.

Saute the bacon in a large pot until crisp. Set aside on paper towels.

Add the onion, carrots and celery to the pot and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste then add the pureed beans, beans, broth, rosemary and bay leaves.

Bring to a boil, cover and cook on low until the beans and vegetables are soft, about 25 minutes. Place 2 cups of the soup in the blender and puree to thicken, then add back to the soup along with the spinach and stir until wilted. To serve, ladle into 6 bowls and top with bacon.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

 

 Recipe from Donna Kranchalk Danchisko

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
2 quarts water
1 quart tomato juice
1 1/2 cups chili sauce
3 medium red or green bell peppers, diced
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 celery ribs, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 teaspoons browning sauce (optional)
3 chicken bouillon cubes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
 
Note: This is the original recipe. I replace the bouillon cubes with 2 teaspoons of Orrington Farms chicken flavored low sodium broth base and eliminate the 1/2 teaspoon of salt since there’s already plenty of sodium in the tomato juice, chili sauce and browning sauce- use the browning sauce, it gives the soup great flavor!
 
Directions:
 
In a large kettle or Dutch oven, over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink; drain. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for one hour or until rice is tender.
 
Enjoy!

Sausage Lentil Stew (Instant Pot)

Recipe from Monica Pileggi

Adapted from Recipe from: https://meaningfuleats.com/instant-pot-sausage-lentil-stew/

 
My changes are in  [  ]
 
Prep Time 10 minutes    

Cook Time 25 minutes   

Total Time 35 minutes
 
Servings 8

Ingredients:

 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage  [I used a combination of sweet and hot; 6 links, which came to 1 lb 2.7 oz total]
1 large onion chopped [I had 3/4 of a large onion on hand]
2 stalks celery chopped [I used 3 stalks]
3-4 carrots peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
29 oz canned diced tomatoes
5 cups chicken stock [I only had 4 cups chicken stock, so I added 1/4 white wine and 3/4 cup beef broth]
1 1/2 cups dry lentils rinsed and picked over (preferably French green lentils)
1 cup finely chopped kale (optional)

Directions:

 
Press the SAUTE button on the instant pot and let preheat for 1-2 minutes. Add the olive oil and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking into small pieces with a spoon, until no longer pink.
 
Add the onion, celery and carrot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and salt.
 
Add the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, and lentils. Stir to combine.
 
Close the instant pot [turn the dial to pressure cook] and press MANUAL and set timer for 10 minutes. When the time is up let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest of the steam.
 
Stir in the chopped kale. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Turkey Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

 Recipe from Amy Comiskey

This makes 16 roll ups.

Ingredients:

1 package lasagna noodles (use the kind you Boil, not the no boil ones)

1 jar tomato sauce (I used Lowes Spicy Arrabbiata sauce)

1 can fire roasted tomatoes

1 lb ground turkey

1 small container fresh baby spinach

32 oz. Ricotta cheese (I used part skim)

1 egg

~1 tsp Italian seasoning

~1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 package shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1) Boil large pot of water and cook lasagna according to package (suggest cooking in 2 batches so the noodles don't stick)

2) Mix tomato sauce and fire roasted tomatoes together

3) While lasagna is cooking brown ground turkey and drain off any excess liquid/fat then mix with a little bit of sauce

4) When lasagna is cooked, carefully coat with a bit of sauce and then lay out flat to cool for a bit

5) Chiffonade (thin slice) the baby spinach

6) Mix together Ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning and garlic powder to taste

7) when cheese, egg, etc. are well mixed add in spinach and stir well to coat it all and evenly distribute

8) Coat the bottom of a ceramic baking dish with a bit of sauce

9) When lasagna noodles are cool enough to handle lay out one at a time on parchment paper and smear with cheese/spinach mix leaving about 1-2 inches at top of noodle clear, sprinkle with a bit of turkey and shredded mozzarella

10) Starting from bottom roll up the loaded lasagna noodle

11) Place upright in the baking dish, repeat

12) Lightly drizzle top and dish side of noodles with any remaining sauce

13) Cover with tinfoil 

14) Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes 

Artichoke Dip

 Recipe from Monica Pileggi

I made this for a recent book club evening.

1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts (not in oil), drained well, and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced 
3 T. chopped onion 
3 basil leaves, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese + a little for the topping
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 4.5 oz. canned green chilies, drained
3 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
Dash or two of hot sauce (optional)
Pepper to taste 
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1 t. fresh lemon juice

Crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
 
Combine the dip ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.

Place in an 8x8 baking dish and top with additional mozzarella cheese. 

Bake for 30 minutes. It should come out nice and golden on the top. 
 
Serve with the sliced crusty bread, crackers, or tortilla chips. 

Optional:  Add 1 cup chopped fresh spinach to the mixture.

Corn Salsa

Recipe from Val Renzelman
 
Dressing:
 
2T olive oil 1T fresh lime juice
¼ c fresh cilantro, chopped
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
 
Salsa:
 
2 (10 oz) bags frozen corn, half thawed
1 pint grape tomatoes, washed and quartered
½ c finely diced red onion
1-2 fresh jalapeno peppers, washed, seeded and finely diced
 
**Optional add-ins:
 
1 Avocado, peeled and diced
1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
 
Directions:
 
In serving bowl, whisk together dressing. Add corn, quartered tomatoes, onion and jalapenos (if using). Mix well. Let rest for 15 min and taste.
 
Add more olive oil, lime juice and seasonings if needed.
 
Serve at room temperature with Tostitos scoops.
 
Serves 4-6
 
Perfect snack for beach or poolside!!
 

Mediterranean Strata

 

Recipe from Monica Pileggi

4 October 2022
 
The Brunswick Forest Cookbook Club organizer (Alan) selected “The Breakfast Bible 100+ Favorite Recipes To Start The Day from Williams Sonoma.”
 
I selected the Mediterranean Strata. It was very easy to put together.
 
Serves 4-6 (10-12 servings for a pot luck dinner).
 
1 T unsalted butter
1/2 lb crusty Italian bread, day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used a French baguette)
1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained well and chopped
1/3 C Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (I didn’t read this correctly and thought it said 1/2 cups).
1/4 C oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced (I chopped them)
1/4 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded (I small-diced the cheese)
1.5 T grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 C lightly packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
6 large eggs
2 C. whole milk (I used 1.75 cups half and half; and 1/4 cup water)
Salt and freshly pepper
 
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9”x13” baking dish that is 2” deep. Place the bread cubes in a single layer in the prepared dish. Top with the artichoke hearts, olives sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil, spreading the ingredients out evenly.
 
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and season with salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the strata. Cover with aluminum foil and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.  (I did the 1-hour method).
 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
 
Bake the strata, covered for 20 minutes.  Uncover and continue to bake until the eggs are set and the strata is golden brown, about 20 minutes longer.
 
Let cool slightly, the cut into squares and serve.

Overall, a very easy dish to make and quite tasty. 

Cherry Tomato, Feta & Basil Salad

 

Recipe from Monica Pileggi

I was supposed to make a Tabbouleh salad for our most recent LOTL's pool party but something came up that I didn't have the time to make it.

I had a bunch of cherry tomatoes and fresh basil on hand, so I whipped this up quickly for the party.

Ingredients

1 clove garlic, minced

3 T. Olive Oil

1 T. Balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Squeeze of lemon juice, maybe 1/2 t.

2 C. Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half

Fresh basil, chopped, about 12 leaves

1/4 C. Crumbled Feta cheese

Directions

Combine the first five ingredients in a serving bowl and whisk together. 

Add the tomatoes, basil, and feta cheese; toss to combine.