Marinara Sauce

This is a simple tomato sauce every kitchen should have. All the ingredients are available to most kitchens. Marinara sauce is easy to prepare; it should take 15 minutes for the preparation and the sauce cooks for 1 hour without attendance.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tbs fresh oregano, chopped
1 tbs fresh thyme, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cans 14.5 oz, crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)

Directions:
In a large casserole pot over the medium heat, sauté' garlic, onions in olive oil until onions are translucent (about 5 min.).

Add celery, carrots, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Add dry sherry and cook until the vegetables are softened (about 10 mins).

 Add tomatoes, bay leaf and oregano.

Turn the heat to low and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours. Re season again with salt and sugar. Remove the bay leaf. Let the sauce cool and store in a glass jar with lid in the refrigerator to use on pasta, baked fish and meat or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.

I like marinara sauce a little smooth instead of chunky, so I use a hand-held blender to blend the sauce a few times when it is done.

Coconut Yellow Cake

I found this simple coconut cake recipe in a magazine while in the dentist's office waiting room some months ago. This recipe uses basic simple yellow cake mix from the box or all-purpose flour mix with baking powder, and baking soda helps the cake rise. This cake can be whipped up quickly for last-minute occasions.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup soft margarine, oil or butter
1/2 cup sweet shredded coconut + 1/4 cup for topping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9" x 5" cake pan. Line with parchment paper. Grease the paper with oil and dust with flour. Set aside

Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside

Place butter and sugar in the mixer bowl. Using the paddle attachment, cream (beat) the mixture on medium speed until fluffy (about 2 to 3 minutes)

. Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time. Continue until the mixture increases in volume. Turn the mixer to low speed. Add the flour in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk and ending with the flour. Add vanilla. Do not overmix.

 Fold in the shredded coconut. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

 Top with 1/4 cup of coconut and bake in preheated oven for 30 minute or until the cake is golden brown or by using the cake test, which is when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Salmon-Tomato Soup

I like to prepare this recipe when my garden produces more tomatoes than my family can consume because all ripened tomatoes will be perfect for this soup. It is another hearty, tasty soup from my kitchen.
Ingredients:
Three-8 oz salmon (or trout) fillets, each cut in half
2 tbs oil
1 cup tomatoes, cut in pieces
1 cup celery, cut diagonally
1/2 cup white onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chopped lemongrass (optional)
5 cups chicken stock or water
1 tsp salt, pepper to taste
1 tbs sugar
2 tbs lemon juice
Garnish with bean sprouts, cilantro and green onions, cut diagonally

Directions:
In a small pot, sauté' garlic, lemongrass, and onions in oil until fragrant. Add stock. Bring stock to a boil. Add fish pieces and bring to boil again. Add tomatoes and celery.  Bring to boil. Season with salt, sugar, and black pepper. Place the bean sprouts in the bottom of the soup bowl. Ladle the fish soup. Top with cilantro, green onions and serve.

Quinoa with Beans

Quinoa recently has gained a lot of attention at the health food grocery. I like this small grain-like crop most because it is nutritious and benefits our daily diet. Quinoa cooks the same way as rice but can be used for a variety of dishes in different cuisines. Only a rice cooker is needed to make the quinoa a part of a healthy diet. You can learn more about these unusual beneficial grains by going to this web side: http://bodyecology.com/articles/quinoa_benefits_guide.php
My simple recipe for quinoa can be made in a rice cooker and be ready for breakfast in less than 15 minutes.

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, washed and drained
2 cup cooked beans (your choice)*
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp salt

Directions:
Place the quinoa in the rice cooker. Add broth and salt. Press the cook button. After the quinoa is cooked, add cooked beans and enjoy.

*A can of beans can be used or a 1/2 cup of dried beans soaked overnight. Cook the soaked beans in 3 cups of water until soft.

Stir-fried Cabbage and Tomatoes

Here is my simple vegetable dish, prepared and finished in less than 15 minutes.

Ingredients:
3 cups white cabbage
1 medium-sized tomato
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp chili flakes
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 tsp each soy sauce, salt and pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tbs oil

Directions:

Wash and cut cabbage and tomato into bite-size pieces.

Combine water with soy sauce, salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a wok over high heat, add oil, garlic and tomato. Stir briefly. Add cabbage, chili flakes, and the water mixture. Cover and cook until cabbage has softened, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and serve with a bowl of steamed rice.

Fried Rice With Eggs & Mushrooms

This is another easy recipe to prepare on a rainy day when nothing outside makes you want to get off your comfy couch. Just a few ingredients will make a healthy comfort food for a lazy day.
Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup fried tofu
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup total of diced carrots and corn
2 green onions, chopped
2 tbs cilantro
1 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp soy sauce
2 cups cooked rice
2 tbs vegetable oil

Directions:

Heat oil. Stir fry garlic and mushrooms until the mushrooms wilt. Add eggs and stir until solidified. Remove. Add a little more oil in the same pan. Sauté' carrots and corn. And rice, fried tofu, salt, pepper and soy sauce. Bring back the eggs mixture to the pan. Mix well. Add green onions and cilantro. Serve

Sweet Oatmeal Bread

This nicely shaped loaf of sweet oatmeal bread is at its best when it first comes out from the oven. Cut a thick slice and butter it up. Yummy!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup water
1 tsp salt
1 tbs sugar
2 tbs molasses
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Rice Krispies®
2 cups bread flour + 2 tbs more flour, if needed
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

Directions:
Place all the ingredients as listed in the order above in the bread pan machine or follow the instruction manual for your bread machine. Choose the light crust setting or bread menu and press start.
After the baking cycle ends, remove bread from the bread pan and place on a cookie rack to cool before slicing.
If using an oven, preheat to 350°. Remove the dough from the machine after the first rise. Shape in a 10" x 5" butter loaf pan.

 Allow the dough to rise for a second time (about 45 minutes or until the dough doubles in size). Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.