Author Archives: creativecook

Repair or replace an appliance

If an appliance is younger than half its life expectancy and cost to repair is less than half the new price, it is cheaper to repair than to replace.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
   
Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley, LLC
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com

Freezing Food Facts

Casseroles:
Most egg, noodle and vegetable based casseroles freeze beautifully.  Wrap them securely in freezer-to-oven safe dishes with foil and seal in a plastic bag or equal; remove from plastic and place directly in the oven to reheat.  Do not heat in a kettle and stir.  The pasta will get mushy.  Potato dishes can get watery and the potato might get grainy.

Cheese:
Unopened bags of already shredded cheese freeze perfectly fine.  Blocks of cheese will change texture slightly, but will be fine shredded and in cooked recipes.  Thaw in the refrigerator.

Baked goods: 
Most breads and cakes freeze well.  Cut the cakes into quarters before freezing so the serving size is just enough for your lunch or meal.

Dairy: 
Butter freezes fine.  Half-and-half milk freezes for short periods (3 to 4 weeks).  Manufacturers do not recommend freezing yogurt, milk, heavy cream or sour cream.

Already cooked meats: 
Cooked meats freeze best in a sauce or cooking juices.  Do not refreeze meat that was previously frozen and thawed.  It will loose quality.

Soups and stews: 
Those that do not contain potatoes freeze best.  (If you're freezing vegetable soup with only a few potatoes, it sould be fine.)  Thaw in teh refrigerator.  Potato soup does not freeze well (because it will discolor and the texture changes drastically.)

Fresh beef, pork and poiunlty: 
Be sure to repackage and freeze by the “sell by” date printed on the package it came in. (Deli meat and ham will change in texture when frozen.  You may however, cube and freeze cooked ham to use in soup, casseroles and skillet meals.  Raw bacon can become ranced.  Do not freeze.  Cooked bacon freezes fine.  Thaw in the refrigerator.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
   
Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley, LLC
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com

Apricot Balls

APRICOT BALLS

3/4 cup Grapenuts cereal
3/4 cup Graham crackers, finely crushed
3/4 cup Dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup Pecans, finely chopped
1/2 cup Powdered sugar, sifted
1/3 cup Light corn syrup
1 Tbl. Orange juice
1/4 cup Powdered sugar

In a mixing bowl, stir together Grapenuts cereal, graham crackers, dried apricots, pecans and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.  Stir in corn syrup and orange juice.

Coat hands with margarine; shape into 3/4 inch balls.  Roll balls in 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

Store in covered container.

Yield: 36 balls

Nutritional Information per serving:
Calories: 110
Cholesterol: 0
Fat: 3g
Sodium: 75mg

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
 

Fabric Softener Sheets – New Uses

Put scented softner sheets in the vacuum cleaner bag.  It will scent your home as you clean and since it is electrostatic it also attracts the dust so use softener sheets for dusting furniture too. If you do sewing, run the needle through a softner sheet and it will go through your fabric easier.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
 
Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley, LLC
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com
www.creativecookingbylydia.com

Keep Salads From Getting Soggy

Before putting a salad into a serving bowl, place a dish (depending on size of bowl) ie. sauce dish, cereal bowl, soup bowl, etc. upside down in the bottom of the salad bowl.  Place salad ingredients above the inverted dish.  At serving time, add dressing.

The inverted dish will allow excess water or dressing to go under the dish, saving the salad ingredients from getting wilted and soggy.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
   
Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley, LLC
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com
www.creativecookingbylydia.com

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

3 Tablespoons             Lemon juice
1/4 cup                      Granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons             Vegetable oil
1 package (10 ounces)  Fresh baby spinach leaves
2 cups                        Sliced fresh strawberries

Place the lemon juice and sugar in a blender.  With blender running, add oil in a slow steady steam; process until slightly thickened. 

Just before serving, combine spinach and strawberries in a large salad bowl or individual bowls or plates; drizzle with dressing. 

Yield:  6 to 8 servings

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
 

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Frothy Orange Soda for 2

Frothy Orange Soda for Two

1 cup     Orange juice
1 cup      Vanilla ice cream
1 cup      Lemon-lime soda

Place orange juice and ice cream in a blende; cover and process until smooth.  Stir in soda. Pour into glasses.

Yield:  2 servings
There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
 
Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley, LLC
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com
www.creativecookingbylydia.com

Print Recipe
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Picnic Partner Potato Salad

PICNIC PARTNER MACARONI SALAD

3-4 SERV. 6-8 SERV.
1 cup 2 cups          Elbow macaroni
1/2 cup 1 cup Cheddar cheese, diced
1/2 cup 1 cup Peas, frozen, thawed and drained (don't cook)
1/4 cup 1/2 cup Celery, sliced
1/4 cup 1/2 cup Green stuffed olives, halved
1/4 cup 1/2 cup Carrot, shredded
1 Tbl. 2 Tbl. Onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup 2/3 cup Mayonnaise (or sour cream or plain yogurt or low-fat yogurt) (Sour cream and yogurt are  better on a hot day.)
1 Tbl. 2 Tbl. Milk (can use skim, etc.)
1 tsp. 2 tsp. Seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. 1 tsp. Parsley flakes or fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp. 1/2 tsp. Sugar, granulated
1/8 tsp.(dash)1/4 tsp. Pepper, black, ground
1 tsp. 2 tsp. Vinegar, white

Optional:
1/2 cup 1 cup Ham, cubed
2 4 (or as desired) Boiled eggs, peeled, sliced
as desired as desired Other raw vegetables, cut-up
1/4 to 1 tsp. 1/2 to 1 tsp. Summer savory (found in the Spice Island  section of herbs and spices)
Optional garnish Paprika

Prepare macaroni according to package directions or as follows; drain. 

Bring 4 cups (3-4 serv. 2 cups) water to rapid boil in a 4 quart (3-4 servings) kettle.  (Covering the pot speeds the boil.)  Add pasta and stir.  Cook UNCOVERED for 10 to 14 minutes (do not overcook).  Drain in a colander.  Rinse well with cold water and drain.

In medium bowl, combine macaroni, cheese, peas, celery and onion, (any optional ingredients you choose).  In small bowl blend mayonnaise, milk, seasoned salt, parsley, sugar and pepper.  Stir in vinegar.  Add to macaroni mixture; mix well.
(Dressing may be doubled if desired, also if adding optional ingredients.)
Cover; chill thoroughly and set bowl in ice (while serving) to keep cold until serving time is done.
Stir gently before serving.
Garnish with boiled egg slices if desired and/or top with paprika if desired.

Refrigerate leftovers.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings or 3 to 4 servings

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
 

Print Recipe
Picnic Partner Potato Salad BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
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Tasty and healthy dip for veggies

For after school snacks, combine peanut butter, honey and orange juice for a tasty and healthy snack dip to serve with carrot, celery and apple sticks or slices.

I am available to teach classes on soap making, cooking, or sewing to all ages or give presentations on any of the above.

Call me at 608-240-9773.  For class schedules, comments, etc. see the icons above.

Thanks.

Lydia Critchley

Zucchini "N" Carrots for Two

ZUCCHINI 'N' CARROTS

Total prep time: 15 min.

1 small Zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/8 teaspoon Dried marjoram
1/8 teaspoon Dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon Dried chervil
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Pepper
2 teaspoons Reduced-fat butter
1 cup Baby carrots
1/4 cup Water

In a nonstick skillet, cook the zucchini and seasonings in butter over medium heat for 8 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Meanwhile, place the carrots and water in a 1-quart microwave-safe dish.  Cover and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until carrots are tender, stirring once; drain.  Stir carrots into zucchini mixture.

Yield:  2 servings

Nutritional analysis:
One serving: 3/4 cup equals 52 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 7 mg cholesterol, 203 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Diabetic exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Creative Cooking by Lydia
I can be reached at 608-240-9773 for class information, questions, etc.  I am available for classes (all ages) and food presentations or the same for soap making and sewing.

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Zucchini "N" Carrots for Two BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
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