Recipes Jan 12th 2012

1. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry http://chinese.food.com/recipe/the-best-easy-beef-and-broccoli-stir-fry-99476
This is really fast and easy served with jasmine rice.  I substitute one red bell pepper for the onions because my daughter doesn't care for them.  Better color too.  Serves 4.


2. Carrot bisque served with brown bread and a green salad made with goat cheese and roasted beets with balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing.  Also good served with goat cheese broiled on toast.  This recipe is from my Jacqui from Paris, it is a very hardy soup.  Serves 4.

Carrot Bisque

5 slices of uncooked bacon

1 lb of carrots sliced thick

3 stalks of celery, sliced thick

1 cup of mushrooms, sliced

6 scallions, diced

1 cup of water

1 bay leaf, crumbled

4 sprigs of fresh thyme

¾ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

4 cups of chicken broth

1 cup of heavy cream or half and half

In a dutch oven, or non stick large sauce/soup –pan, brown the bacon.  Add the next 5 ingredients and saute approx 10 minutes.  Add the seasonings and chicken broth and simmer for 50 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool about 15 minutes.  Puree in the food processor 2 cups at a time (hot liquid expands).  Pour back into pot and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in the cream. 

**You can make the soup without the cream ahead of time and freeze it and then thaw and bring to a boil and add the cream just before serving. 

3. Turkey Meatloaf served with sweet potato fries (can also add the steamed green vegetable of your choice).  The following recipe is from the cookbook Entirely Entertaining in the Bonnet House Style, a gift from my sister-in-law, Carolyn.  Serves 4-6.


1 pound of ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (or canned, or panko works fine also)
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
12 oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/3 cup of milk
2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp of dried
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp dried
salt and pepper to taste


Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Shape into a loaf and bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes.   *If you make 4 mini meatloaves, they cook in about 30 minutes and the kids seem to like them better.


Sweet potato fries are easy to buy in the frozen section, or make them by cutting sweet potatoes in long 3/4 inch strips, toss them in olive oil, S&P, and bake at 400 for 40 minutes or so, turning 2-3 times.