Author Archives: creativecook

Bacon tips

Coat bacon strips with flour before frying. I shake the bacon strips in a plastic bag with flour before frying in a pan or baking in a microwave. The flour creates a nice coating that tastes great and gives the bacon a new texture, while reducing shrinkage.

After purchasing bacon, cut it into half strips (to make the stips shorter) and layer with plastic wrap type product or roll into rolls (rolling from the long ends) before freezing. The bacon frys better and more evenly if it is in shorter pieces in your frying pan, so the half slices produce a better finished product. When bacon is frozen in rolls, it is easy to remove a roll at a time for use and if cut while frozen it is easy to use in recipes and omlets, etc. Cut the rolls in quarters or size desired. If done while frozen, the bacon is easy to handle as it will hold it's firmness for cutting.

Save money and buy bacon ends and pieces if available from your butcher. These are usually very lean and cost effective. If bacon will be cut into pieces for baked beans, casseroles, soup and toppings, this is ideal. You only need to cut it as needed and offers a good quality flavor while saving time and money. I freeze my ends in layers with plastic wrap product inbetween or roll it and cut it into pieces while still frozen so it is still firm for cutting ease.

When a recipe calls for bacon, split it so that you save some for the topping. Fry some of it and crumble for garnish on the top of the dish at serving time.

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Alphabet Cookies

ALPHABET COOKIES

4 1/2 cups Unsifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups Butter (room temperature)
3 Hard cooked egg yolks
3/4 cup Sugar
3 Raw egg yolks
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
Optional: Colored sugar or chocolate chips

Equipment:
Large bowl
Small bowl
Fork, knife
Pastry blender
Rolling pin
Pastry sheet
Flour to roll dough
Cookie sheet (lightly greased)
Spatula to remove cookies from sheets
Cooling racks

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Measure flour into a large bowl.
3. Cut butter into small pieces and add to the flour. Mix with your fingers or pastry blender until the flour and butter form fine crumbs.
4. Mash cooked egg yolks with sugar and stir into the flour mixture.
5. Blend raw egg yolks with vanilla and stir into the flour mixture with a fork.
6. Press the mixture with your hands into a firm ball. Work with the dough at room temperature, but refrigerate it if you will bake it later.
7. Roll out the dough. Cut 3-inch or 4-inch strips and roll with your palm to make ropes.
8. Shape the ropes into letters. Flatten them slightly so they are about 1/4-inch thick. If you like, decorate the letters with colored sugar or chocolate chips.
9. Place the letters on a cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Yield: Depends on what letters you make

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

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Peeling tomatoes

To peel tomatoes, dip in boiling water for about 2 minutes or until the skin pops. Some people like to cut an “x” in the skin at the bottom of the tomato before immersing it in the water to see the indication that the skin is ready to peel. When it starts to curl or come apart at the cut, remove it promptly and immerse it in ice water (to stop the cooking action). Be sure that you have enough water in a large kettle to be able to maintain the boil after tomatoes are placed into the water. Only blanch a few at a time, or the water will cool too much and not retain the “boil”. A potato peeler may be used, however it is slower and more of the tomato itself is lost in the peeling process. If you have a gas stove, you can hold the tomato over an open flame (on a long fork like a meat fork or grill fork) and turning it continually until the skin pops and is ready to slide off.

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Zucchini Bread

2 cups Grated raw zucchini
3 cups All-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
3 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
1 cup Vegetable oil
3 Eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups Granulated sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
1 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans

Grate squash and set aside. Sift dry ingredients together and set aside.

Combine oil, eggs, sugar, squash and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and blend well. Stir in dry ingredients, mixing well, but do not beat. Add nuts and mix lightly. Spoon batter into 2 well-greased loafpans, Bundt pan, or muffin pans.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours or until done.

Yield: see above regarding pans

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Print Recipe
Zucchini Bread BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
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Sauteed Zucchini with Mushrooms

1 cup Thinly sliced zucchini
1/2 cup Sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 clove Garlic, minced
1 Tablespooon Sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons Minced fresh basil
To taste Salt
To taste Seasoned pepper
1/2 medium Tomato, peeled and diced
5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon Grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon Crushed croutons

Prepare (clean and slice) zucchini and mushrooms; set aside.

Saute garlic in sesame oil until transparent. Add zucchini and mushrooms, basil and seasonings. Mix well and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and continue sauteing until vegetables are crisp tender.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and crushed croutons.

Yield: 2 servings

 

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Tomato Zucchini Salad

1 cup Torn salad greens
1/2 small Tomato, cut into wedges
1/4 cup Thinly sliced zucchini
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon French salad dressing
1 teaspoon Wheat germ, toasted
1/4 teaspoon Granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon Vinegar

Combine greens, tomato and zucchini. Combine remaining ingredients; drizzle over salad.

Yield: 1 serving

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

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Tomato Zucchini Salad BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
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Salad People

SALAD PEOPLE

1 Carrot
1 small Cucumber, sliced into thick coins
4 Grapes
1 Lettuce leaf
8 Raisins
As desired: Alfalfa sprouts
Cherries
Chocolate, chips
Broccoli florets
Radish slices
Nuts
Shredded red cabbage
Assorted vegetables, seeds, etc. as your imagination leads you

Assemble all the pieces to look like people; a cucumber body, a grape head, carrot stick arms and legs, lettuce hair, raisin buttons, and so on. Use sprouts for beards or hair, cucumber for body, raisins for eyes, seeds for freckles (poppy seeds), or create however you'd like, then eat your people.

Yield: 4 servings

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

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Salad People BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
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Blood stains

To remove blood stains, cover the area with meat tenderizer. Apply cool water to make a paste. Wait 15-30 minutes, sponge with cool water.

If the fabric is not white, check if it is colorfast first.

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Wine subtitutions

When a recipe calls for only a little bit of wine and you do not want to buy a whole bottle, you can substitute with beef broth or cranberry juice for red wine and chicken broth, white grape juice, or apple juice for white wine.

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Zucchini Caserole

4 to 5 cups Penny sliced zucchini squahs
2 Tablespoons Butter or margarine
1/2 cup Chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 or 1 1/2 pounds Ground beef
1/2 pound Diced cheese (flavor of your choice, I prefer sharp cheddar)
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can Cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup *Buttered bread crumbs (additional butter plus dry bread crumbs)

Melt margarine and add onion and beef, cook until onion is tender. Drain any excess fats.

Place a layer of zucchini in a large 2 1/2 quart casserole or 9x9x2-inch pan. Add a layer of meat, half of the cheese and half of the soup. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

* Buttered crumbs are made by melting butter and combining with dry bread crumbs and mixing until well blended. Butter amount is as desired, usually about 2 tablespoons per cup.

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.

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

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Print Recipe
Zucchini Caserole BigOven - Save recipe or add to grocery list Yum
Servings
Servings
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