ZELDA RECIPES

Best Ever Ahi Salad

I accidentally discovered this but have to  post it! My invention, but "try it, you will like it".

1 head of Butter Lettuce, chopped for bite size pieces, this is a sweet lettuce, set aside, keep cool

4 pieces of tuna, ahi, lightly salt and pepper, very hot skillet, 1 Tblsp olive oil,  sear on both sides for 90 seconds

While searing, or before, peel and cut up a red papaya in bite sized pieces, plus cut up artichokes in their own oil, mine were Costco, maybe 1 cup for 4 salads.

The dressing, separately mix 1/3 c olive oil, 1/4 c balsamic vinegar, 1 Tblsp sugar, salt and pepper, stir well, keep chilled

Put salad together, first lettuce, then ahi in center of individual bowl, with artichokes and papaya around the sides of the ahi.  Maybe even consider slices of avocado, thought it doesn't need it.  Drizzle the dressing over the salad. 

The ahi will still be a little warm.  Delicious!

A specific picture? I will try to find one, but remember, it was so good I ate it before considering sharing, lol. 

AKA, Sis's stuffedmushrooms

Approximately 20 cleaned and dried mushrooms Flip them over to see the flesh is still connected to the stem to check for freshness. 

Pop off the stems and throw away.

One 12 oz block cream cheese.  (not tub type as it is too thinned and watery) 

1/4 red bell pepper, place in food processor with cream cheese. 

If you like salsa, La Victoria is great, 2 Tblsp. or Pace Picante 1/4 cup, mix thoroughly.

Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet to bake mushrooms.

Put a mound of filling in each mushroom. Don't skimp!

Then sprinkle heavily with Parmesan Cheese. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes til golden.

*Hint-this mixture is also good on bagels

Turn oven on to 400 degrees, 

This is the best recipe I have found for carrot cake.  Found it when I owned a bakery in 1983.  Easy!!

2 c sugar

2  tsp baking soda

2 c flour

1 tsp salt

1-2 tsp cinnamon depending on your liking

4 eggs, beat well first til frothy.

1 1/2 c vegetable oil

3 c grated carrots  (this is when you buy a mini food processor, lol)

Add dry ingredients to the frothy eggs.  Mix slowly and do not overmix.

Add carrots slowly. 

Add nuts of your choice 3/4 cup and or 1/2 c raisins, tastes great even without these additions.

Two choices.  In a hurry? Use a 13 by 9 glass baking dish that has been sprayed with Pam. OR, feeling fancy?

   2-9 inch cake pans, sprayed with Pam. Use baking strips on outside of pan, more even cooking.

Bake 25-30 minutes, 350 degrees, test with toothpick.

Next-  Cream Cheese Frosting

3/4 c real butter

l large cream cheese, mix with butter til creamy

2 tsp vanilla, 

1 lb Confectioners Sugar

Sprinkle with ground nuts after cake iced.  Feeling fancy? Pastry tube flowers as the icing.

Never said it was low calorie so just enjoy and wait for the compliments.

One of my favorite recipes for spring and summer.  It makes a lot so there are leftovers for an easy lunch or dinner.

Rigatoni or any larger pasta, boil 10 minutes then check, may need 2 more minutes

Strain and rinse.

Once cool add:

8 oz crab or fake crab if you chose, or shrimp,  separate until stringy OR cut in half inch pieces

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

3/4 to 1 c finely chopped celery

5 hard boiled eggs, medium chop

1 c peas, can use frozen, thaw first

1/2 c lite mayo, plus add plain yogurt if needed

1/2 c sliced black olives

1 T curry powder

minced or powder garlic to taste

salt, pepper to taste

Some chopped up arugula just adds to the flavor and visual appeal.

I love this easy recipe.  Very tasty on a warm evening. Try it, you will like it!

This recipe is perfect for warmer nights and can be expanded with pasta noodles if needed.  This is simple and fast.

Buy a rotisserie chicken, cut in half.  Save the rest for another meal or use the entire chicken,  If the whole chicken is used double everything.  It is also cost effective as the chickens are usually $8-$9 per chicken.

Half of 2-3 lb rotisserie chicken.

4 hard boiled eggs, cut up.  (Idea, at beginning of week, boil a dozen eggs while doing other things, keep around for just this sort of thing}

3 stalks of celery, thinly sliced

onion, 1/4 medium so not overpowering

one cup sliced red seedless grapes

salt, few dashes, with pepper

1 tsp curry

1/2 tsp garlic powder

4-5 T mayo, adjust as needed

Stir, serve on Romaine lettuce leaves, bread, buns or crackers.  I prefer the lettuce leaves as adds to a more refreshing meal.  Before eating, sprinkle a few peanuts on top for added crispness.  Delicious.

Bonus-this meal is under $6 if only using half.  Debone the rest of the chicken and create the next meal.

Posole or Pozole.  Who cares as long as delicious!

My strange version but I love it!

Posole is a great dish when you want to be nurtured.  It is a Mexican concoction of everything that is good for you, plus the fact you usually make it for a crowd.  Nothing better than sharing nurturing food with a group.

It has been around since the 16th century and has withstood the test of time.

I use pork shoulder or even one of the tubular shaped pieces of pork at the grocery wrapped as a small roast. There are different flavors, I use plain.

1 1/2 lbs pork as noted above

5 cups water

1 cup chicken broth

Bring the liquid to a boil, while waiting cut the pork in cubes, saute in olive oil til browned.  Don't overcrowd the skillet.

Once done, add to the liquid mixture plus 2 tsp salt.  Be careful about adding too much salt or you will have salt mouth for days.

one onion- sliced thinly-add to pot

Skim off the top of the pot for any extra fat.

4 cloves sliced garlic

3 bay leaves

1 Tbsp oregano, dried, put in the palm of your hand and crush even more, add to pot

Let all this boil, then turn to low.

2 28 oz cans hominy-prefer yellow

6 ancho chilis that you have put in a 3 c container of hot water AFTER you have softened in a skillet til they are almost limp.  Allow them to rest in the bowl of hot water for 15-20 minutes.  When they are soft put in a blender with a tight lid with a ladle of broth from your pan  Puree, run  through a strainer and put in original pot of pork, etc.

5 Tbsp of chili powder, warmed in a very hot skillet til the aromas are released.  10-12 minutes.  Add to pot.

2 large poblano peppers, heated til limp in a skillet,  then cut in strips, dice and add to pot.

1 cup fresh corn.  I like to saute with a little onion, 1/4 medium, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp pepper til a little crisp.

     So good, add to the pot.

Simmer for 3 hours on low. 

Delicious.

Usual toppings: avocado, onion, green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheese of your choice, crushed up tortillas, cabbage-shredded, radishes-sliced

This is a mainstay in our home by ourselves or with family and friends.

As I promised, I will be offering many different subjects on this Blog.  I plan to have more time to bake as it is a passion of mine.  Sis, my adopted sister, has taught me so much about baking for fun. I want to share her recipe for something delicious.  She doesn't think that she is very talented, but as you will see in future posts, her creativity is off the charts.  This is a recipe she gave me years ago and I love it.  I never feel guilty eating these, well, maybe just a little.


3 cups milk plus 3 cups old fashioned oatmeal, let sit for 15 minutes
3 eggs
1/2 c sugar
3/4 c Heart Smart Oil
2 tsp vanilla
3 T. baking powder
Mix well with your mixer.
Add 3 cups flour, can divide half white/half whole wheat
I mix the rest by hand as I find the muffins are more dense. May need to add a bit more milk if too thick.
Surprise! No you can add your personal touch, 1 1/2 c chocolate chips or nuts or 2 c coconut, maybe partial raisins?
Be creative. I mix 1/2 chocolate chips and 1/2 coconut, but only if I am feeling decadent. You can also add a little granola on top for crunch. Makes them healthier, right?
Fill muffin cups 90 per cent full
I also use the decorative muffin cups which are a bit larger and don't require a muffin tin. If using regular muffin cups, makes 24.
Bake 425 degrees
Larger cups 22 minutes, smaller cups 20-24
PS After I bake and let them cool, I quickly open a Zip Lock bag and put most in the freezer. Helps to avoid temptation.