Can you tell I’ve reached the 70’s in mom’s recipe notebooks?  I think I told you about mom’s love of the small cookbooks sold at the checkout stand at every grocery store.  This one happened to be all Bisquick related recipes.  And my poor mother was cursed with a daughter who had a July birthday and a love of hot foods for her birthday dinner.

It started out, I wanted beef stew every year, but then I discovered quiche.  Num!  I have no idea how I even came to find quiche.  Mom probably made it for one of her dinner parties.  She did love the frou-frou and back then, quiche was really uptown.  The smell of frying bacon and onions is too, too fine.  I did not happen to have Swiss cheese in the refrigerator, but I did have a white cheese combo pack that worked quite well.  Like I say, you use what you have.

• 12 slices of bacon cooked, drained, and crumbled
• 1 Cup Swiss cheese shredded (about 4 ounces)
• 1/3 Cup onion diced
• 2 Cups milk
• 1 Cup Bisquick
• 4 Eggs
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1/8 Teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 °F.
2. Lightly grease a 10-inch pie plate.
3. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and diced onion evenly over the bottom of the pie plate.
4. Beat the eggs with the salt and pepper, then stir in the milk.
5. Add in the Bisquick and beat until smooth – it must be smooth to work!
6. Pour the liquid mix over the ingredients in the pie plate.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the quiche comes out clean.
8. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
9. Slice and serve!

 * From the Recipe Box:

This was surprisingly good and amazingly similar to mom’s.  I love quiche.

Both G and I thought it needed a little more seasoning.  Don’t tell the Italian D-I-L, but next time I think I will add the nutmeg just to see if it makes a difference.

I’ve done the Impossible Coconut Pie and next it will be the Impossible Chicken Pot Pie and then I promise I’ll be done.

and remember:  Always remember, you’re unique just like everyone else.  Big kiss, Lynn

This is such an easy squeezy meal.  The whole family will like it and it’s another pantry friendly recipe.  This recipe originated with the Great Marjorie.  As I’ve told you ever so often, mom was such an adventurous cook, always looking for the next great idea.  The original recipe called for salmon and fresh dill, but I didn’t always have that.  However, I always had tuna.  Even if you didn’t want tuna or salmon, you could still get protein from the biscuit base and the creamed peas.

The other thing I found is how special it can look.  For some reason, pie is classy looking.  Put a cream sauce with peas on top and people feel loved.  I made this for more than one or two birthdays.  Give it a try; I think you will be surprised with how versatile it is.

2 ¼ cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Mix together.

Cut in:  1/3 cup Crisco until crumbly.

Add:  2 beaten eggs and ½ cup milk

Mix well.  Roll 2/3 dough into a circle and fit into a 9 inch pie pan.  Drain 1 or 2 cans tuna and flake onto dough.  Cover with 7 or 8 slices of American cheese.  Roll out remaining 1/3 of dough and cover, sealing edges.  Bake 20 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

Serve with Creamed Peas

Melt ¼ cup butter, blend in ¼ cup flour and 1 teaspoon dry mustard.  Cook for 2 minutes.  Gradually add 2 cups of milk.  Cook slowly, stirring constantly until thick.   Add ½ teaspoon salt and 2 cups thawed peas.  Continue cooking until peas are warmed through.

 * From the Recipe Box:

A favorite for C the MP and N the Great.  It was even a birthday dinner request on more than one occasion.

Replace tuna with leftover salmon and omit the cheese.

Back when we had little money, one can of tuna did the trick and no one was the wiser.

Great biscuit crust.  I will use this crust when I’m making actual biscuits.

Love the creamed peas.  When my folks used to go out when I was a kid, I would ask for creamed peas on toast for dinner.

and remember:  Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy.  Big kiss, Lynn

I love meatless dinners.  If the focus is Mexican, I love it even more.  I don’t remember what I was looking for when I spotted this recipe on the Internet.  I’ve had consistent good luck with the recipes I’ve tried from allrecipes.  I’ve been holding on to it for awhile, waiting for just the right moment.  Cooking from the pantry seemed like the perfect time.

2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup salsa, divided

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

7 (8 inch) flour tortillas

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup salsa

1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, mash pinto beans.  Stir in 3/4 cup salsa and the garlic.

In a separate bowl, mix together 1/4 cup salsa, cilantro, black beans and tomatoes.

Place 1 tortilla in a pie plate or tart dish.  Spread 3/4 cup pinto bean mixture over tortilla to within 1/2 inch of edge.  Top with 1/4 cup cheese, and cover with another tortilla.  Spread 2/3 cup black bean mixture, and top with 1/4 cup cheese.  Repeat layering twice.  Cover with remaining tortilla, and spread with remaining pinto bean mixture and cheese.

Cover with foil, and bake in preheated oven for about 40 minutes.  Cut into wedges, and serve with salsa and sour cream.

*  From the Recipe Box:

I have many caveats for this recipe.  The only fresh ingredient I had was tomatoes.  That was fine with G, he is not a cilantro fan.  Also, I rarely use fresh garlic.  Yes, I know it’s better, but I’ve been honest about how lazy I am.  I was also tortilla challenged.  We eat more tortillas than bread, so my supply was a bit low.  I did not make the number of layers suggested by the recipe.

As you can tell by the picture, we decided a bit of green was in order.  I think cabbage would have been better for the crunch.  Also, my bean collection is way down.  I used white beans instead of black and kidney beans instead of pinto.  It was all good.

We both gave this recipe a thumbs up.

and remember what Alice Longworth said:  I have a simple philosophy:  fill what’s empty, empty what’s full.  Scratch where it itches.  Big kiss, Lynn

My dad had very interesting tastes.  He loved boiled beans that he would pour cream over.  He used to tell people it was part of his marriage contract; mom must always have a pot of beans on the back of the stove.  He would cut an avocado in half, remove the seed and combine mayo and ketchup in the hollow and enjoy the heck out of it.  But I think Red Eye gravy might be his favorite.

Red-eye gravy is a Southern favorite comprised of just two ingredients. It’s made from the drippings of fried country ham combined with black coffee. It may sound unusual, but it’s quite tasty and a fun way to spruce up an old-fashioned Southern meal of ham and biscuits, grits, or potatoes.

The name “red-eye gravy” is derived from the fact that a slightly reddish circle of liquid fat forms on the surface of the gravy when it is reduced. This sauce is also known as poor man’s gravy, red ham gravy, bird-eye gravy, cedar gravy, and bottom sop.

• 1 slice of country ham
• 1/2 cup boiling strong black coffee

1. In a skillet, fry the ham slice in its own fat over medium heat until nicely browned on both sides. Once it is cooked, transfer the ham to a warm platter, keeping the drippings in the skillet.
2. Add the boiling black coffee to the skillet. Deglaze, scraping the bottom and sides of the skillet to dissolve any particles that developed when you cooked the ham.
3. What is left in the skillet is red-eye gravy, which you can then pour over the ham and serve.

Or

• grease from frying ham
• 1 – 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 -2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup hot tap water
• 1⁄₂  cup strong coffee
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Heat grease, add flour and sugar until dissolved and incorporated with ham grease. Add water, coffee and bullion cube, stir until gravy is well blended. Turn down heat and cook for 1 minute, add butter and cook for 1 minute longer. Serve immediately with hot biscuits or grits.

*  From the Recipe Box:

We had a few problems with these recipes.  The ham slice I remember from my youth did not look like these.  There was no fat ring around the outer edge like I remembered, so we didn’t get any ham grease.

I want to know what makes the “eye” in the gravy when you’re reducing it.  I tried 2 different recipes and it looked the same on both.  Odd.

and remember:  Here’s to the nights that turned into mornings; the friends that turned into family; the dreams that turned into reality; and the likes that turned into loves.  Big kiss, Lynn

My love affair with You Tube continues.  I can’t take credit for this recipe, someone named David Hood contributed it to You Tube, but I can tell you how nummy it is.  The recipe was quick and easy to put together.  For some reason, lots of people think pork is tricky and takes longer to assemble.  I so disagree.  My mom would fry pork chops until they were well and truly dead.  Things that you needed to worry about when cooking pork are no longer valid.  Lighten up people.

I’m going to compare and contrast this recipe with Jason Smith’s Pork Chop recipe that I wrote about Feb. of last year.  While similar, there really isn’t a contest.  For me, Jason’s is far superior, but G thinks they are neck and neck.  Because of Jason, I now know how to make a sauce using Balsamic vinegar, butter and cream.  That has been an amazing addition to my repertoire.   I love the asparagus and tomatoes he adds to the sauce as well.  So, I’m glad I tried this one, but I’m going to stick with Jason’s for the long haul.  Try them both and let me know what you think.

and remember:  Everything happens for a reason.  But sometimes, the reason is that you’re stupid and make bad decisions.  Big kiss, Lynn

OMG!  I love you You Tube!  You make me think of things that I might not have on a regular day.  This recipe was for a savory Flying Dutchman.  I love Flying Dutchmen.  So, last night I made them for dinner for G and I.  I knew they would be terrific.  I was adding bechamel sauce, ham and an egg to each quarter.

Let me tell you how things that seem like a truly great idea can go south really, really fast.  First, bechamel sauce on a pancake is not a good plan.  In my mind, I pictured this recipe as such a winner.  The pictures on You Tube looked excellent.  I don’t know how you do it, but I picture a bite of the recipe going into my mouth.  I picture rolling it around with my tongue.  I picture swallowing said morsel and savoring it all the way down.  This did not happen!  I didn’t want to hurl, but there was no smiling either.  G was much nicer than I am.  He at least ate it; 2 bites in and I pushed the plate away.

I’m going to continue to try new recipes; why wouldn’t I?  But, I’m going to hope they turn out a lot better.  This one was a disaster.

There will be no Flying Dutchman Croque Madame pictures either.   Even the pictures turned out to be a horrible disappointment.  As a result, I’m including a picture from Friday’s Star War’s themed Pub Crawl in downtown Seattle.  I so wish I was there except for one tiny, little, itty-bitty problem; I don’t like beer.  I know, I’m even a disappointment to myself.  I do love me my Star War’s though.  I’m trying to decide if I should go to Disneyland and see the new Star War’s attraction.  I went to Disneyland once and my world was not rocked, so I really need to think this through.  I’ll keep you posted.  Until then, do not, I beg of you, try the savory Flying Dutchman Croque Madame.

and remember:  Shout out to all the girls out there trying to love themselves in a world that’s constantly telling them not to.  Big kiss, Lynn

I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love Chicken Pot Pies.  Whether it was the Swanson’s 4 for a dollar type (yes, I’m that old), Marie Callendar’s or Costco’s, I love them.  Well, as long as they have plenty of gravy.  I hate a pot pie with limited gravy.

While I grew up with the piecrust chicken pie, I’m really enjoying the puff pastry pie, because it is way easier.  G prefers the piecrust pie.  To his way of thinking, you simply can’t have too much crust.  I’m much more of a filling sort of girl.

1/2 cup sliced carrot

1/2 cup sliced celery

1/2 cup thinly sliced cabbage

1 small onion chopped

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 cube butter

1/2 cup flour

2 cups milk

3 sauted chicken breasts

This is the way that works for me.  In a fry pan, heat oil.  Cube the chicken and saute.  In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Add the carrots, celery, cabbage, onion, thyme and garlic.  Saute until tender.  Add the flour and cook for a couple of minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.  Slowly stir in the milk, stirring constantly while mixture thickens.  You are making a white sauce like you would for mac and cheese or cream peas on toast.  Add chicken.  If you’re using puff pastry, pour the filling into a pie pan and top with puff pastry.  Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

If you are using pie crust, proceed like you were making a pie.  If you are using pre-made pie crust, follow package instructions.  If you are following a cookbook, remember you need to make a 2-crust pie recipe.  I add hot filling to the pan so it won’t take quite as long to bake.  You are going to be the best judge of this, but it will be at least 30 minutes and probably 40.  You will have to keep checking for the color of the crust.  You don’t have to worry about the filling, you know it’s done.

*  From the Recipe Box:

These triangles were just leftovers from the top crust.  You could cut any shape.

If it isn’t tasting “chickenie” enough for you, dissolve a couple of chicken bullion cubes in hot water and add to the gravy.

and remember:  Once you learn to be happy, you won’t tolerate being around people who make you feel anything less.  Big kiss, Lynn

I read about 20 Instagrams a week and about half a dozen blogs.  However, I only follow 1.  I’m making the distinction because they do.  You literally have to sign up and give information about your blood type, your favorite color and things like that.  Yes, of course I’m exaggerating.  I’m really not good sharing my private info.  I’ve talked about Rumbly in my Tumbly before.  She lives here in western Washington fairly close to me.  Her pies are to die for.  I’m not a Keto person like she is, but I still find much to give me inspiration.

Now I personally don’t eat energy-type bars, but G does.  He especially likes a wee nibble after one of his gym runs or marathon walks.  I’ve heard of Lara bars, but I’d never purchased any.  Shannon of Rumbly made these sound so easy and good for you, we decided to give them a try.  These are the exact recipes from Shannon’s blog.

Apple Pie Bar

Ingredients:

• 12 pitted Medjool dates
• ¾ cup raw almonds
• ¾ cup unsweetened dried apples
• ½ cup walnuts
• ⅓ cup golden raisins (unsweetened)
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add the dates to a food processor or high-powered blender like a Vitamix and blend. Add the dried apples, raisins, almonds, walnuts, and cinnamon and pulse until combined – there should be small bits of nuts and raisins remaining, but not too big.
2. Press the dough into a small pan (I used an 8×8) lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least an hour (or overnight) and then cut into squares.
3. Store in an airtight container for up to a month in the fridge. These also freeze well. Enjoy!