Monday's Recipes - and Three Recalls

Today's post starts off with a three Recall Notices: Braga Organic Farms is recalling their pistachios sold both online and in retail stores because of a potential Salmonella contamination risk. Read more here.

Also being recalled are meal replacements by Garden of Life. You can read more here.

And finally, there is a nationwide cough syrup recall, as morphine was detected in Pamona, CA, Mater Herbs, Inc. product. All lots of their Licorice Coughing Liquid have been recalled. Read that recall here.

I have to admit, I love veggies.

There, I said it. And while I do tend to favor some of them more than others, I'm willing to give most veggies a try at least once. Who knows where one's next favorite will come from?

If you're like me, I think you'll find these a nice variety to get you started. And not to worry: I'll post more in the future.

SWEET POTATO SALAD WITH APPLE AND AVOCADO

This comes from the February 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “More a meal than a side dish, this potato salad gets its protein from avocado and pumpkin seeds, both good sources of essential fatty acids. Nutrient-rich corn and diced apple give it crunch. Try serving it over a bed of spinach or arugula.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this recipe online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/sweet-potato-salad-with-apple-and-avocado/.

1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 cup frozen corn

1/4 cup unsalted hulled pumpkin seeds or pepitas

1 medium red apple, diced (1 cup)

1/2 small onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup lime juice

2 Tbs. olive oil

1/2 avocado, finely diced

Place sweet potatoes in large saucepan, and cover with water. Bring to a boil, and cook 3 minutes. Add corn, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, or until potatoes are tender. Drain in colander and rinse under cold water to cool. Drain well.

Toast pumpkin seeds in dry skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes, or until seeds begin to pop. Transfer to plate, and cool.

Combine apple, onion, cilantro, and lime juice in large bowl. Stir in sweet potatoes, corn, and oil, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Stir in avocado and toasted pumpkin seeds just before serving.

nutritional information Per 3/4-cup serving: Calories: 179; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 117 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

BAKED BUTTER CARROTS

These are from my Grandma Hallock, who was a fantastic cook. You can find this, as well as the remainder of today's recipes, in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.

Note: I can hear a faint voice asking, "Oleo? What is oleo?" My grandmother used to call margarine oleo. Since then, I've heard several others call margarine oleo. Apparently, it was once called oleomargarine. Go figure.

2 1/2 lbs. carrots

2 T oleo or butter

dash of pepper

1 T salt

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. lemon juice

Peel carrots. Cut into lengthwise slices. Put them & rest of ingredients into casserole. Cover & bake at 275 degrees for 3 hours. Uncover & brown on top for 15 minutes. Serves 6.

SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE

My mom’s recipe. I have fond memories of this dish.

4-5 sweet potatoes

1 small can pineapple

2 T orange juice concentrate

cinnamon

1/2 C brown sugar

1 egg

1 C nuts

1/2 tsp. salt

dash pepper

9 large marshmallows

Peel & dice sweet potatoes, place in pan of water, and cook until tender. Mash & add other ingredients except marshmallows. Put in square pan, cut in 9 squares & place 1 marshmallow in each square. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

ONION SUPREME

My dad came for a week at Christmas, 1987. He fixed this to go with Christmas dinner, along with several other veggies. The day I drove him to Tampa International to fly back to New York, we went for coffee at a shop in the airport. When I asked for a copy of this, he grabbed a paper napkin and wrote down the recipe. It’s a great way to fix onions; I’ve always had onions in things, but never as a side dish. However, this is incredibly easy, as well as fantastic.

2 leeks (discard green), sliced thin

4 bunches scallions (discard green), sliced thin

2 cloves garlic, sliced thin

3-4 yellow onions, sliced thin

1 stick butter or margarine

20 small white onions

1 1/2 C half & half

Melt butter over low heat & sauté leeks, scallions, garlic & yellow onions for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, cook white onions in enough water to just barely cover. Add white onions (after 45 minutes) to skillet & pour in half & half. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes more & serve.

JASON'S HOME FRIES

This is one of my oldest son's inventions. He fixed this on one of his many trips back home.

3-4 potatoes, scrubbed, not peeled

3-4 T butter or oil (or both)

1 pepper (red, green or yellow), diced

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Cut potatoes across (not length-wise). Heat oil or butter. Add potatoes, onions, pepper & garlic. Cover, cook over medium heat, turning occasionally with a spatula, until brown & crusty.

JEAN'S SPECIAL POTATOES

Jean and I used to spend many hours on the phone together. One afternoon, we spent the better part of 30 minutes talking about food. I told her about Dad’s Onion Supreme; she, in turn, gave me this recipe.

8-10 potatoes

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 C butter

2 tsp. chives

Peel & cook potatoes. Whip cream cheese & add potatoes. Mix sour cream, butter & chives. Add to potato mix. Cover & chill overnight (or several hours). Put in greased 2-quart casserole & cover; bake in oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour.