claire's kitchen

My husband and I live in Timberlake Ranch, and I have a passion for cooking. I remember trying to make a white sauce when I was about ten years old. My father tasted it and said, "Too much flour." My skills have improved since then, thankfully. This web page is about sharing--food to cook, food for thought, and food for the soul. Just pretend we're sitting at my kitchen counter with a cup of coffee or tea, munching on homemade bread, and talking about good things as much as we can.

Roasted Red Pepper , Feta, Spinach Quiche

Crust:

1 unbaked pie crust (homemade or purchased)

Suggested Crust:

1 C white flour
½ C whole wheat flour
½ tsp. salt
Dash cayenne pepper
½ C canola oil
2 T milk

Put dry ingredients in 10" pin pan and mix. Combine oil and milk and pour over dry ingredients. Mix and pat over pan to form crust. Bake 10 min at 400 degrees.

Lower oven to 350 degrees.

Custard:

5 large eggs
1 C half-and- half
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
pinch nutmeg

Whisk together until thoroughly blended and set aside.

Filling:

¼ C red onion, diced
1 T garlic, minced
1 T olive oil
1 C fresh spinach, stems removed
½ tsp. soy sauce
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
½ C roasted red pepper, chopped
1 C feta cheese, divided

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until soft. Season with salt and pepper and soy sauce. Add spinach to wilt. Add roasted red pepper.

Crumble ½ C feta in bottom of pie crust. Spread filling over feta. Pour in custard to fill. Top with remaining feta. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes until firm in center and top is golden brown.

This recipe is from the Blue Willow Restaurant in Tucson, Arizona
Claire Knowles, April 5, 2008

CREAM SOUP MIX

2 C nonfat dry milk powder
¾ C cornstarch
¼ C reduced sodium chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp. onion powder
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp pepper

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container

For a condensed cream soup substitute: whisk 1/3 C mix and 1 ¼ C water in a small saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened. Cool. Use as a substitute for one 10 ¾ oz. can of condensed cream of chicken, celery, or mushroom soup.

Nutrition facts: 1/3 C mix equals 149 calories, 1 g fat (0 saturated fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 168 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 10 g protein.

Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat-free milk

Note: Compare the above nutrition facts to ½ C of commercial canned soup.

THE CAKE

In a bowl put:

1 lb. 2.5 oz. Yellow cake mix
4 oz. vanilla instant pudding
4 eggs
¾ C salad oil
¾ C sherry
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground ginger (optional)

Beat all for 5 minutes at medium speed. Pour batter into greased 10" tube pan and bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. When cool, dust with confectioner's sugar.

HEALTHIER JALAPENO POPPERS

Clean seeds and membrane out of jalapenos, which have been cut in half. Mix equal parts of Monterey Jack, Cheddar and Cream Cheese. Spread mix in jalapeno shells.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

-Claire Knowles

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