Author Archives: creativecook

Moving Heavy Furniture Easily

To easily move a piece of heavy furniture, slide a skateboard under each end and wheel it away.

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 or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

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

Hamburger tip

To keep hamburger patties from shrinking, just poke a hole in the center of the patty before grilling. The hole will fill in as the burger cooks and the patty will remain the same size.

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 or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

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

Macaroon Meringue Cookies

MACAROON MERINGUE COOKIES

1 Tbl. Sugar
2 Fat-free saltine crackers, finely crushed
1 Tbl. Shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted
1 1/2 tsp. Finely chopped pecans
2 tsp. Semisweet chocolate mini-morsels
1/8 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 Egg white
1 Tbl. Sugar
Parchment paper

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or heavy brown paper; set aside.

Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.

Beat egg white at high speed of an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add 1 tablespoon sugar, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2 to 4 minutes). Fold in cracker crumb mixture.

Drop mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake at 200? for 2 hours. Turn off oven. Cool in oven 1 hour with oven door closed.

Carefully remove from paper; let cool completely on wire racks.

Yield: 10 cookies

Nutritional information per cookie:
Calories 22; calories from fat 33%; fat 0.8g; saturated fat 0.5g; carbohydrate 3.7g; protein 0.5g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 11mg

Exchanges: 1/5 starch; 1/5 fat
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 or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

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

Print Recipe
Macaroon Meringue Cookies BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
Share this Recipe
 

Saucy Chicken and Peaches

SAUCY CHICKEN AND PEACHES

1 tsp. Oil
4 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 (15 or -16 oz.) can Sliced peaches, undrained
1 Tbl. Cornstarch
2 Tbl. Brown sugar
1 Tbl. Cider vinegar
1 Tbl. Soy sauce
1/2 to 1 tsp. Dried basil
Rice to serve casserole over

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken. Cook 4 to 5 minutes. Turn chicken over. Cover and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear. Remove from skillet; keep warm.

Meanwhile, drain peach syrup into a glass measuring cup. Add water to make 1 cup liquid.

Combine cornstarch, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and basil. Pour into hot skillet; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Gently stir in peach slices and chicken.

Yield: 4 servings

If desired, serve with hot cooked rice.
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 or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

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

Print Recipe
Saucy Chicken and Peaches BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
Share this Recipe
 

Strawberry -Angel Dessert

1 (3 oz.) pkg. Strawberry-flavored gelatin
1 cup Boiling water
2 (10 oz.) pkgs. Frozen strawberries, partially thawed
1 Tablespoon Lemon juice

1 (3 oz.) pkg. Lemon-chiffon pie filling
8 cups (1-inch) cubes Angel food cake (about 1 -10-inch tube cake)
1 cup Whipping cream, whipped

Dissolve the gelatin in water; add 1 package strawberries and lemon juice. Chill until partially set. Prepare chiffon pie filling according to the package directions. Fold into the gelatin. Fold in the cake cubes.

Spread in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Chill until set.

Cut into squares, garnish with whipped cream and remaining package of strawberries.

Yield: 12 to 15 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 or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

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

Print Recipe
Strawberry -Angel Dessert BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
Share this Recipe
 

Knitter's tips

Cylinders that potato chips come in are handy for knitting projects – just wash and dry the empty can, place a skein of yarn in it, cut a hole in the plastic top and pull the end of the yarn through the hole.

You can cover the outside of the can with contact paper, if you like to make it pretty. It's especially convenient for taking your knitting with you when traveling.

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.

Frutti-Tutti Milk Shakes & Freezer Pops

FRUTTI-TUTTI MILK SHAKES

1 1/2 cups Cold milk (whole is best)
1 (8 3/4 oz.) can Peach slices
1 (11-oz.) can Pineapple tidbits and mandarin orange sections, drained
1 cup Ice cubes
1/2 cup Cream-style cottage cheese

Pour milk into a blender container. Drain peach slices, reserving 1 tablespoon of the syrup.

Add reserved syrup, peach slices, pineapple tidbits and mandarin orange sections, half of the ice cubes, and the cottage cheese to the blender container. Cover and blend well.

Add the remaining ice cubes; cover and blend until mixture is smooth.

Makes 5 (6-oz) 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.

FRUTTI-TUTTI FREEZER POPS

Prepare Frutti-Tutti Milk Shakes as above, except pour into 5 (7-opz.) paper cups.

Cover each with foil. Make a small hole in the foil with a knife. Insert a wooden stick into cup through hole.

Freeze 6 hours or until firm.

Before serving, let stand 5 minutes.

Remove foil and paper.

Print Recipe
Frutti-Tutti Milk Shakes & Freezer Pops BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
Share this Recipe
 

Favorite Pancakes for One or Two – Syrup

FAVORITE PANCAKES FOR ONE OR TWO

2/3 cup Sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. Sugar
1/4 tsp. Salt
1 Beaten egg
1/2 cup Milk
1 Tbl. Vegetable oil

Sift together dry ingredients. Combine egg, milk, and oil; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

Bake on hot, lightly greased griddle.

Yield: four 4-inch pancakes

MAPLE SYRUP

1 cup Light corn syrup*
1/4 cup Water
Few Drops Maple flavoring
Optional:
1 Tbl. Butter
As desired Cornstarch

Combine 1 cup light (clear or sometimes called white) corn syrup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water; cook and stir until sugar dissolves. Add a few drops (or as desired) maple flavoring and 1 tablespoon butter. (*If you don?t have light, you can substitute with dark syrup.) I store it in the Tupperware sweet saver. A Pyrex measuring cup with a pour spout is great to heat it in and serve from, because it has a lip to pour off of, a handle to hold the hot pitcher.
(To make it thicker, mix cornstarch with cold water and add to hot syrup and cook until thickened to desired consistency. – Best used immediately not left over if thickened this way.)

I don?t use the butter because it hardens in the refrigerator unless I am serving it hot.

Store syrup in the refrigerator if kept for a long time. Good served hot over pancakes, French toast, etc., cold over ice cream, spice cakes, etc.

HONEY BUTTER

Gradually add 1/4 cup honey to whipped butter (1/2 cup/1/4 pound whipped until fluffy), beating until smooth. If desired, add 2 teaspoons grated orange peel.

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
Favorite Pancakes for One or Two - Syrup BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
Share this Recipe
 

Delmonico Potatoes

DELMONICO POTATOES

2 Tablespoons Butter or margarine
2 Tablespoons All-purpose flour
1 cup Milk, heated
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon White pepper
3 large Potatoes, washed, cooked, and peeled
3 Hard-cooked eggs, sliced
1/2 cup Grated Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 quart casserole

Preheat oven to 350?F. Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole; set aside.

Melt butter in small saucepan on moderate heat. Add flour; stir constantly for 2 minutes. While stirring constantly, gradually add milk. Cook just until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in salt and pepper; set aside.

Cut potatoes into thin slices.

Layer potatoes, eggs, and cheese in prepared casserole.

Pour sauce over ingredients in casserole.

Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Yield: 4 to 6 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
Delmonico Potatoes BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
Share this Recipe
 

Equipment for making sandwich fillings

Both a potato masher and pastry blender work great for smoothly and evenly mixing up the ingredients for a sandwich spread like chicken or ham salad. A potato masher will make a smoother filling and the pastry blender will leave foods in small pieces better.

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.