Jello Shamrock Cookies

Original:
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 pkg 3 oz lime jello (mom revised to 6 oz jello)
1 cup shortening (mom revised to 1/2 cup)
3 eggs
1-2 tbsp milk

Add shortening to dry, then eggs, then roll out and cut into shapes. bake 350F for 8 minutes

Notes: better with lime extract added

3/13/2021: I made the original recipe using lard instead of shortening and 1 tbsp milk. I added a tsp of lime extract which boosted the lime flavor quite a bit and was very nice.

3/17/2024: By weight, three cups flour is not enough (i.e. 360 grams). Do cups by volume next time, or use 154 grams per cup rather than 120 grams.

Onion Dip with Veggie Sticks

This is a really nice dip for veggies. From the 100 Days of Real Food cookbook

16 ounce container sour cream
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1.5 tsp onion powder
1.25 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt

Mix and store in sour cream container.

For a serving option, divide the dip between 8 small serving cups and put carrots, cucumber, and celery sticks in the cups.

NOTE: This is great when you use 8 oz sour cream with 4 oz miracle whip (approximately). The kids liked the stronger seasonings and it made a better consistency.

Black Eyed Peas + Creole Okra side dish

https://www.simplyhappyfoodie.com/instant-pot-black-eyed-peas/

This was delicious, made it for new years with corn bread. Definitely add to rotation.

and a creole okra side dish:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/77400/creole-okra/
Tasted pretty well for okra that had been frozen over a year. Would make again if had okra that needed to be used. was maybe a 3.

Mung Bean curry soup

Based on this with alterations in parenthesis:
https://www.heynutritionlady.com/mung-bean-and-coconut-curry/

4 Tbsp sunflower oil
1 Tbsp whole cumin seeds
9 cloves garlic crushed (about 3 Tbsp crushed garlic)
14 oz can crushed tomatoes (i used stewed)
2 Tbsp freshly grated ginger (i used frozen cubes from trader joes)
2 Tbsp ground coriander (omitted, did not have)
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cayenne pepper (1/8 tsp only)
4 cups water (only did 3 cups)
1 cup mung beans picked over for stones and well rinsed (I used less water because I used split yellow mung beans.)
14 oz can coconut milk
1-2 medium limes juiced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped (omit, did not have)

This turned out to be a very delicious soup. I served it with flatbread and it is really great. I used the instant pot to saute and did ~30 minutes on low after the beans went in. The beans still had some bite which was nice.

Tomato and Cream soup

garden fresh roma tomatoes, about a dozen (peels removed, frozen fine)
1 quart chicken broth
1 minced onion
2 tsp "justice" from penzeys
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup cream
salt

boil tomatoes in broth. Puree in blender on low so there are still a few little chunks. Add spices and bay leaf, boil for 15 minutes. remove bay leaves, add cream. Then add salt to taste (a couple tsps at least?)

Serve with jalopeno cheese bread or cheese toast or breadsticks.

Banana Cake

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/banana-cake/

Banana cake

This was good. I topped it with sweetened whipped cream with a ~3 tablespoons of peanut butter in it. Was a nice combo.

Baked meatballs

https://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/best-ever-easy-baked-meatballs/
meatballs

These were quick and easy. I used 85/15 ground beef and it made it SOOO good and helped fry the onions in the oven. Definitely would do this again. I also baked it for 20-25 minutes at 400.

Instant Pot Lentils

https://www.rainbowplantlife.com/blog/how-to-cook-lentils-in-the-instant-pot

6 minutes
twice water for lentils

with onion and salt.

Pear Balsamic pizza

https://www.inspiredtaste.net/18331/easy-pear-pizza-recipe-with-balsamic-and-walnuts/
Pear balsamic pizza

This is my favorite pizza, but it's not popular with my 2 and 5 year old. I don't add the brown sugar and i used a vidalia onion. You can do 1-2 pears depending on what needs to be used. I used pecans too.

2023 note: My former 5 year old has been converted to this pizza. My former 2 year old remains skeptical. I used balsamic glaze and regular yellow onion. Entry in mfp.

Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Spaghetti Squash

https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/keto-sheet-pan-sausage-peppers-whole-30/
Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers with Spaghetti Squash

So good!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/soft-chewy-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies/

I made this as written except i used 1 cup of lily's dark chocolate chips which are stevia sweetened. The cookies were sweet but not as sweet as regular oatmeal cookies, but I liked them and it was perfect. Will remember this recipe.

Cardamom Rose Gingerbread Cake

https://www.cardamomandtea.com/blog/cardamom-rose-gingerbread-cake

Cardamom Rose Gingerbread Cake

A really good cake. I had a hard time tasting the Cardamom or rose water, even in the frosting, and this was a bit too much work for something I don't notice. I probably won't make it again unless I have some extra rose water again. It was a strong cake that isn't too sweet, which was nice.

I used cardamom seeds and ground them myself for the best flavor.

Norwegian Meatballs

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/norwegian-meatballs/

Norwegian Meatballs

I made a half batch for a ward function and it filled an entire sheet pan. It was delicious. Should definitely make again! The gravy was good too.

Short Rib Ragu

https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/keto-short-rib-ragu-instant-pot-sckc/

Short Rib Ragu

This was good, flavorful, I halved the recipe and used stewed tomatoes instead of whole. 1 hour wasn't long enough for the meat to fall off the bone, I would add another 20 or 30 minutes to the time next time. Served it over pasta (and zoodles), but I think rice would soak up the sauce better.

Potato Latkes, using hash browns

https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/potato-pancakes-quick-version-354683

Double this recipe and use a 30 oz bag of hash brown shredded potatoes. Turned out terrific! I left out the parsley because i didn't have it. Skillet number 7 heat.

Potato Latkes, using hash browns