Old Fashion Dried Red Beans

                           OLD FASHION DRIED BEANS
INGREDIENTS :
1/2  pound dried beans I mix ...navy, northern, red, pinto, red kidney pink kidney ( your choice)
3 garlic cloves minced
1 large onion sautéed
1 large bell pepper chopped
1 large Hamhock. ( I get two for three dollars) you can ask the butcher to save you some
Or use your favorite bacon chopped
6 to 8 cups of chicken broth. ( you can do 3 cps broth, & 3 cps water )
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
2teaspoons of Cumin
Salt & Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Pour beans into Colander, rinse well, pick out any stones.  Rinse again.
Pour into large bowl with a tight lid.  Add water to cover,  place in fridge overnight.

Next day rinse very well in colander, pick out any stones missed or bad beans,
I use a large pot, get the pot very hot, place about three to four teaspoons of olive oil,
Place either your Hamhock or bacon if using meat.  Turn. The heat to medium low.

When meat is about done add chopped bell peppers, garlic  and onions,  when just tender
Add liquid.  And beans.   Place on a tight lid. If using crockpot I always start in morning,
On high then about one hour later turn it down to medium high or low.
It cooks all day.  On top of the stove I start that in the morning,  and cook it
All day. I start out on. High, boil beans for one hour,then, turn low.
Cook all day.

When beans are done drain most of liquid or not. I like to chop onion and
Put them on top of my beans. We like to add a dash of hot sauce and if not
Salty enough, add to your taste.

Baked Spaghetti

My Baby Sister made this for us when we went from Florida to Ohio.  My son was. 9
He never liked liked anything tomato based.  ( even @ 25 he still didn't)  :D
When Stephanie brought this out and served it to us, he went back for seconds.

                                              BAKED SPAGHETTI

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces of Spaghetti cooked
1 pound ground beef. ( I use 87 / 23.  Prefer. 90 / 10. Or less. )
1 pound ground sausage.  ( optional). I like to use Jimmy Deans Maple flavor
1 large chopped Sweet Onion
1  large Bell Pepper chopped
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms.  ( optional. )
16 ounce bag shredded Mozzarella
16 ounce ricotta
2 to 3 minced garlic cloves
16 ounce finely chopped mixed cheddar cheese
Freshly grated  either Pecorino Ramano cheese or Parmessan ( for the finish topping on your plate)
HERBS & SPICES
2 teaspoons of  fresh Oregano.  ( or 1 teaspoon of dried oregano )
2 teaspoons of Fresh Thyme  .  ( or 1 teaspoon of dried Thyme   )
2 teaspoons fresh chopped rosemary. ( or 1 teaspoon dried Rosemary )
2 teaspoons of onion powder
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons of Cumin
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

INGREDIENTS FOR SAUCE. ( if you are not using jar sauce)
15 plum tomatoes cut in quarters
2 teaspoons of dried oregano or 1 tsp n fresh
2 teaspoons of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons of fresh chopped rosemary. Or 1 teaspoon dried.
2 teaspoons garlic Powder,
2 teaspoons of onion powder
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of cocoa
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Dash of salt ... I use sea salt or kosher. I keep both on hand
2 teaspoons of smoked or sweet Paprika
4 teaspoons to one quarter cup of sugar. Your choice
2 small cans of Tomato paste
3 cups of veggie or chicken broth


DIRECTIONS
PLACE quartered tomatoes in pot and squeeze to squish ( be careful of the squirting juices
When tomatoes are cooking add tomato paste, and also the chicken broth.
When liquid re- boils turn to simmer and add seasonings.
After about one hour of cooking on simmer add cooked meat to the sauce.
If you need more liquid add more water or broth.
Allow to simmer several hours. :D I cook mine on low all day sometimes
Stove top and sometimes crock pot.

DIRECTIONS
Place your Ground beef and sausage in a large bowl,  with
Your spices and herbs. Chopped onion, chopped Bell Pepper, mix well then
Place in large hot pot. turn down the heat to low medium, brown lightly
If there is any grease drain and slowly add to sauce.

Baked Pork Chops

BAKED PORK CHOPS
Serves 6,  ..... ( in my case 2 people ) Eric will eat two or three
I like them the next day for lunch and snack.

INGREDIENTS
6 Lean Center Cut Pork Chops 1/2 inch thick
Bread crumbs to coat
Flour to coat
2 eggs to coat
1 1/2 cups of V- 8 Juice
1/8 cup of milk ( buttermilk optional )
Salt and Pepper to taste
Dash of Smoked Paprika
2 Teaspoons of Onion Powder
2Teaspoons of Garlic Powder
Cayenne ( optional)

In a small bowl to dip pork chops in add bread crumbs, salt and pepper
Onion powder, garlic powder, Smoked Paprika, 1/2 cup flour......
Cayenne  ... Optional...

Another dish for dipping, beat eggs and add milk

Dry pork chops, dip in bread crumb flour mixture,  then dip in
Egg mixture, back into bread crumbs.  
Place in hot skillet with Olive oil in skillet. ( be careful)
Sear on both sides about two minutes.

Place in oiled baking dish, do not over lap. Cover with v8 juice.
You may not need it all :D chill and drink or towards the end of baking
Add slowly pouring on cooking pork chops.
 
A friend,  did not like V8 he thought it was a Bar-B-Que  Sauce.
And ate every bite everytime :D. My hubby thinks I'm a wiz for thinking
Of this.    Enjoy

MIXED GREENS

 If you have never had,  greens you are not only missing out on taste but
Nourishment.   Greens are high in iron,  Dark green leafy vegetables are, calorie for calorie, probably the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats.
    Perhaps the Star Vitamin is .....Vitamin K......Perhaps the star of these nutrients is Vitamin K. A cup of most cooked greens provides at least nine times the minimum recommended intake of Vitamin K, and even a couple of cups of dark salad greens usually provide the minimum all on their own. Recent research has provided evidence that this vitamin may be even more important than we once thought (the current minimum may not be optimal), and many people do not get enough of it.


SEE NOTES & TIPS BELOW RECIPE


                                             MIXED GREENS
 Makes : 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS
2 bunches of Mustard Greens
2 bunches of Turnip Greens
Salt and Pepper Taste

DIRECTIONS
1.). Cut the stems off seperate, place in clean sink with cold water to clean
      You do not want bugs floating in your water when cooking. 
2.).  In a large pot of boiling water, cook greens rapidly, covered, 
       Over medium heat for about 25 minutes, or Until tender.
3.).  Serve warm with  abit of juice from the pot. If desired cut greens 
       In pan with a sharp knife cut before serving.   

NOTES AND TIPS
After I clean my greens... I like Collard Greens, kale, Turnip Greens, Mustard Greens
I then cut then so I and my company can eat them without worrying about bite size.

I use a large soup pot. I get the pot hot to smoking, add 3 tablespoons ofExtra Virgin Olive Oil.
1 Hamhock,   1/2 pound of chopped bacon.
2 large sweet onions chopped ( not diced)
When these are just about done I add 5 cups of Chicken Broth ( Swanson 33% less sodium)
1/2 stick of butter.    ( unsalted real butter , Not Margerine , ... I like to control my salt)

Allow to cook greens as above, this will absolutely be delicious.  

Old Fashion Bread Pudding With Apple - Raisin Sauce

               OLD FASHION BREAD PUDDING WITH APPLE RAISIN SAUCE
This is the original recipe of my Grandmother. I sometimes make like this
Many times I substitute my personal favorite ingredients.


INGREDIENTS for BREAD PUDDING
Serves : 9

10 slices of  whole wheat bread
1 egg
3 Egg whites
1 1/2 cups of milk
1/4 cup of sugar
1/4 cup brown Sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoon sugar

DIRECTIONS FOR APPLE RAISIN PUDDING
1.).  Preheat oven to 350 degrees ... Grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with oil
        Lay slices of bread in the baking dish in two rows over lapping like
        Shingles.
2.).  In a medium bowl, beat together egg, egg whites, milk, 1/4 cup brown sugar
       1/4 cup sugar, and vanilla.   Pour egg mixture over Bread.
3.).  In a small bowl, beat together the Cinnamon, Nutmeg, cloves,
       And 2 tablespoons of sugar.   Sprinkle spiced sugar over the bread
       Pudding.    Bake 30 to 35 minutes until it is browned  & firm to the touch.
4.).  Serve warm or at room Temperature, with warm apple raisin sauce
        Option: ice cream is delicious.


INGREDIENTS FOR APPLE RAISIN SAUCE
Makes: 2 cups

1 1/4 cupsApple Juice
1/2 cup Apple Butter
3Tablepoons Molasses
1/2 cup Raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon  ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon orange zest


DIRECTIONS
Stir all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer
Over low heat. Let the sauce simmer 5 minutes
Serve warm

NOTES & TIPS
For the milk, I like to use Almond Milk
So I do not waste, eggs or the whites, I buy
Egg beaters & egg white beaters. I buy our store brand
Walmart, Publix grocery, Winn -Dixie grocery.
To me they are the same.
     If you are concerned it will spoil before you use it
Again.... Don't worry, pick up about 3 or 4 plastic ice cube
Trays, pour egg or egg white in tray freeze, pop out
And place in a zip lock with name and date of product. :D