Sharing Recipes: Sunshine Salad

The Erie Beach Hotel in Port Dover has a luncheon special which includes fresh perch and a portable salad bar. Before leaving, each patron is given a small pamphlet with six of their salad recipes.

I liked the sunshine or orange mandarin salad. This light and delicious salad is easy to prepare and involves a handful of ingredients.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

4 cups sour cream
500 grams miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tin of pineapple chunks
2 small tins of mandarin oranges

Procedure

• Combine the sour cream, marshmallows and coconut in a large salad bowl.
• Drain all the liquid from the pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges.
• Add to the sour cream mixture.
• Chill and let it stand for a few hours.
  

Sharing Recipes--Donna's Beer Muffins

This is the weekend for all beer lovers to head out to the C.N.E Bandshell in Toronto. The Toronto Beer Festival will be in full swing until Sunday, August 8th.

According to Global News, there will be hundreds of different beers and a variety of beer-infused, barbecued foods to sample. I have decided to offer my own contribution to all the beer lovers out there.


Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp white sugar
1 bottle beer
butter
grated cheese

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl.
• Add the beer and stir to blend.
• Spoon into greased muffin tins and brush the tops with butter.
• Sprinkle a bit of grated cheese on each muffin.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Makes 9 large muffins

Source--Muffin Mania by Cathy Prange & Jan Pauli

Sharing Recipes--Blueberry Loaf

Enjoy this quick and easy-to-make loaf throughout the day. Have a piece with yogurt for breakfast or save it for a snack later in the day.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Procedure

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, cream together the sugar and margarine
• Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla.
• Add the flour mixture to the cream mixture.
• Fold in the blueberries.
• Pour into a greased loaf pan.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 15 minutes before removing the loaf from the pan.
  

Sharing Recipes--Peanut Butter and Jam Muffins

These moist and peanut buttery muffins are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Enjoy!


Ingredients

1 egg
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp strawberry jam
2 tbs smooth peanut butter

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use a wire whisk to beat the egg, 1 cup peanut butter, and oil in a large bowl.
• Add the sugar and mix well.
• Gradually add the milk.
• In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the peanut butter mixture and stir until moistened.
• Spoon enough batter into each of 12 paper-lined muffin cups to cover the bottom of the cup.
• Spoon the jam and remaining peanut butter into each of the cups.
• Cover evenly with the remaining batter.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 12 muffins

Sharing Recipes--Carrot Muffins

These muffins are an excellent source of Vitamin A and a good source of dietary fibre.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup natural wheat bran
1/2 cup oat bran
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter (or margarine)
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  

• Combine flour, wheat and oat brans, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.

• Blend in sugar until no lumps remain.

• In a separate bowl, beat together egg, milk and butter. Stir in carrots.

• Combine with dry ingredients.

• Add raisins. Stir until just moistened.

• Spoon into greased muffin tins.

• Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 8-10 muffins.

Sharing Recipes--Anti-aging Smoothie

Ingredients

1 serving vanilla why protein powder
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup blackberries
1 cup water
1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Procedure

• Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend at high speed until smooth.
• You may use 1 1/2 cups of a frozen four berry mixture instead of adding the four berries separately.

Source: The Hormone Diet by Dr. Natasha Turner

Getting Creative With Peanut Butter

The peanut butter and jelly sandwich was a staple in most of our lunch bags. But, there are so many other options available.

After spreading peanut butter on a slice of whole wheat bread, add...

• Bacon, apple, and alfalfa sprouts
• Bacon, lettuce, and tomato
• Banana, dates, and honey
• Banana, lettuce, ham, and bacon
• Currants and cashews
• Marshmallows and chocolate chips
• Onion and low-fat mayo
• Raisins and carrots
• Raisins and celery
• Raisins and sunflower seeds
• Sweet pickles and honey
• tomato and low-fat mayo
  

Sharing Recipes--Pineapple Banana Muffins

I love eating pineapple all year round. One cup of fresh pineapple chunks contains 75 calories and provides 25 mg of vitamin C. Pineapples also contains thiamine, folate, vitamin B6, iron and manganese.

The following recipe combines pineapples and bananas into tender, moist, and delicious muffins that keep and freeze well.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup chopped raisins
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas (about 5 medium)
1 1/4 cups crushed, undrained pineapple
1 cup vegetable oil

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, raisins, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
• In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Stir in bananas, pineapple, and oil until blended. Add to dry ingredients and stir until moistened.
  
• Spoon into large greased muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minute or until tops are firm to the top.

Makes 30 muffins

Sharing Recipes--Roasted Vegetables

Feel free to substitute your favourite vegetables. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 eggplant
2 zucchini
2 summer squash
1/2 sweet onion
1 red pepper
2 medium sweet potatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice eggplant, zucchini, and squash into 1/2-inch half-moons.
• Slice sweet onion and red pepper into 1/2-inch strips.
• Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch half-moons.
• Toss all the vegetables with the olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
• Pour onto 2 baking sheets.
  
• Bake for 40-45 minutes, turning vegetables twice.
  

Hot Drinks For One

Take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule and treat yourself to one of the following hot drinks:

Rum Toddy Stir 2 tbsp of honey into a mug of hot herbal tea. Add 2 tbsp of rum or brandy and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Marmalade Tea Stir 1 tbsp of orange marmalade into a mug of hot strong-brewed tea. Add 1 tsp of sugar and 1 tsp of lemon.

Mochaccino Pour hot strong-brewed coffee into a mug. Stir in 2 tbsp chocolate syrup, a splash of half-and-half, and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Serve topped with whipped cream.

Sharing Recipes--Apple Cinnamon Muffins

I find it hard to resist warm muffins, especially those made from scratch. The following recipe contains the traditional combination of apple and cinnamon and very few calories.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped and peeled apple
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup skim milk
3 tbsp melted butter

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

• In a separate bowl, combine the apple, egg, milk, and butter.

• Add the apple mixture to the dry ingredients. Be careful not to over mix.

• Spoon into lightly greased muffin cups.

• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden.

Makes 12 muffins

Sharing Recipes--Eggnog

It wouldn't be Christmas without eggnog. This recipe has been in my family for years.

Enjoy!


Ingredients

6 cups cold milk
6 eggs
12 tsp sugar
3 tsp vanilla
6 scoops ice cream
Nutmeg

Procedure

• Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  

• Using a blender, mix until smooth.

• Cool in the refrigerator.

• Pour into punch cups and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Makes 12 servings

Sharing Recipes--Francesca's Chocolate Snowballs

Growing up, this was one of my favourite Christmas treats. Each year, my mother (Francesca) would make a few batches of these snowballs during the holiday season.

Enjoy!


Ingredients

4 ounces Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp milk
2 cups icing sugar
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/4 tsp vanilla
Dash of salt
3 cups Kraft miniature marshmallows
2 cups coconut (amount may vary)

Procedure

• Combine softened cream cheese and milk until well blended.
• Gradually add sugar.
• Melt chocolate and add to mixture.
• Stir in vanilla and salt.
• Fold in marshmallows.
• Drop rounded teaspoons of the mixture in coconut and toss until well covered.
• Place on baking sheet.
• Chill for 24 hours or until firm.

Makes 36 snowballs

Sharing Recipes--Chocolate Zucchini Cake

This easy-to-make cake is both nutritious and delicious. Adults and children alike will find it hard to resist the combination of zucchini, chocolate chips, and cinnamon.

Enjoy!



Ingredients

1 3/4 whole grain pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2cups shredded zucchini
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Line a 8" x 8" baking pan with aluminum foil
• Coat the foil with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, yogurt, oil, and vanilla with a wire whisk. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips.
• Add the zucchini mixture to the flour mixture and stir until blended.
• Scrape into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool for 30 minutes.

Makes 16 servings

Sharing Recipes--Zucchini Squares

This quick and easy-to-prepare recipe can serve as a main entree or a side dish. The squares can be served warm or cold.

Enjoy!


Ingredients

2 eggs
5 egg whites
4 cups shredded zucchini
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1/4 tsp baking powder

Procedure

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Coat a 9" x 13" non-stick baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and egg whites.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients.
  
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
• Cut into squares

Makes 24 squares

Sharing Recipes--Chocolate Banana Protein Shake

Quick and easy to make, this shake will keep you satisfied and energized all morning. It contains between 30 and 35 grams of protein and is an excellent source of calcium and Vitamins D and B12.

Feel free to experiment with the strawberry or vanilla flavoured whey protein.

You may wish to start with 1 tbsp of ground flax seeds and gradually work up to 2 tbsp.

Ingredients

1 banana
1 cup skim milk
6 ice cubes
1 scoop chocolate whey protein
2 tbsp ground flax seeds

Procedure

• Combine all ingredients in the blender.

• Blend until smooth and frothy.

Makes 1 serving

Sharing Recipes--Waldorf Salad

This salad was first created at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City in the 1890s. The original salad combined apples, celery and mayonnaise. There are many ways to build this tasty salad. I prefer to substitute yogurt for mayonnaise and add oranges. Feel free to add or substitute your favourite fruits.


Ingredients

6 ounces low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 apples
1 large orange
1 rib celery
1/2 cup golden raisins
3 tbsp chopped cashews

Procedure

• Cut apples into 1/2" chunks.
• Peel and separate orange into segments.
• Chop celery.
• In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon.
• Add the remaining ingredients.
• Stir to mix.

Makes 6 servings

Sharing Recipes--Chocolate Chip Muffins

I found this old favourite as I was rummaging through my recipe books. These quick and easy-to-make muffins will delight everyone.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 egg
1 cup chocolate chips

Procedure

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Grease the muffin tins with butter or margarine.
  

• Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

• Add the chocolate chips

• In a separate bowl, combine the egg, milk, and butter.

• Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture.

• Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 12 muffins

Sharing Recipes--Easy Vinaigrette

You can enjoy unlimited spring greens tossed with 1 tablespoon of the following vinaigrette. It can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste

Procedure

• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and garlic.

• Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Setting Up A Coffee Bar

While browsing through the Marymount College Alumnae Cookbook, I discovered the section on After Dinner Coffees.

Lena Dorigo, the mother of alumnae Debra and Nancy, described a very pleasant way to end a delicious meal.

Before your guests arrive, set up a buffet table with the following items: cinnamon sticks, grated chocolate, sugar, lemon peel, cream, whipped cream, grated nutmeg, Tia Maria, brandy, rum, cognac, whiskey, and creme de cacao.

After dinner, brew a few carafes of strong coffee. Then, pass out menus with instructions and have each guest toast the country of his/her choice.

Fiesta Coffee
Add a cinnamon stick and grated chocolate.

Mexican Fiesta
Add Tia Maria.

Tuscana Cafe
Add sugar, lemon peel, and brandy.

Caribbean Coffee
Add cream, rum, and grated nutmeg.

Martinique Cup
Add cinnamon, sugar, cream, grated nutmeg, and rum.

Parisian Coffee
Add cognac and whipped cream.

Viennese Coffee
Add cognac, whipped cream, and grated nutmeg.

Coffee of Eire
Add whipped cream and whiskey.

Brazilian Cup
Add a cinnamon stick, cream, creme de cacao, and grated chocolate.

Source: Chef's Choice, Marymount College Alumnae, 1983