Garden Fresh Kabobs

Do you need some ideas for an abundant tomato supply? If so, I think this is an easy, refreshing fun recipe. A great recipe to make with your children or friends.

My recipe for Garden Fresh Kabobs is as follows:

Garden Fresh Kabobs

Toothpicks
Platter
Fresh Vine Ripe Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
Fresh Ciliegine Mozzarella (cherry size mozzarella balls)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Fresh Small Basil Leaves

On a toothpick place 1 tomato, 1 basil leaf, 1 mozzarella ball, makes about 24 servings.

Place kabobs on a platter, sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with Olive Oil. YUMMY!

Try this recipe at your next party or family gathering. 

The Lunch Lady :)

Fan Potatoes

Today is a perfect day to be in my kitchen, breeze blowing, and low temps. Perfect conditions for creating yummy recipes. I have been busy and will share my creations over the next few days. For starters I made some Fan Potatoes, super easy, pretty and wonderful combination of flavors. Try them for your next party. Great finger food for appetizers or a side dish for dinner.

My recipe for Fan Potatoes is as follows:

Fan Potatoes

4 Potatoes
Italian Breadcrumbs
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Italian Seasonings or Chopped Basil Leaves (not fresh)
Garlic Salt
Black Pepper
Olive Oil or Canola Cooking Spray
Bacon

Cut 4 pieces of bacon into small pieces and cook until crisp. Save bacon grease for later use. In a bowl mix together 1/4 c. Italian Breadcrumbs, 1/4 c. Shredded Parmesan Cheese, 1 t. Italian Seasonings or Basil, 1 t. Garlic Salt, 1/4 t. Black Pepper, mix well, set aside.

Place 4 potatoes in microwave and cook for 6-8 minutes, until soft.

To cut potatoes into fan shape, place a chopstick on either side of potato lengthwise and slice through potato crosswise 3/4 of the way through. See picture if confused.

Place fan cut potatoes onto a baking sheet. Spray each potato section with cooking spray, fill each potato section with breadcrumb mixture. Drizzle 1 T. of bacon grease across each potato, place one piece of bacon in each section.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 35 minutes or until somewhat crunchy.

Top with sour cream to serve. If you want to use for appetizer. Cut potato apart and top each slice with sour cream and extra bacon, serve on platter and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

I just ate my potato for a snack and it was delicious.

The Lunch Lady :)

Pesto Wraps

Try this easy wrap recipe for a light lunch or dinner. I used the homemade pesto recipe from yesterday's blog posting. You can add any extra items you would like. These were easy to make and a huge hit.

Tortilla Wraps
Lunchmeat (turkey, ham and salami)
Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves
Shredded Cheese
Shredded Carrots
Tomatoes(sliced)
Sprouts

Pesto Mayonnaise (equal parts homemade pesto and mayonnaise)

Place a flour tortilla on a plate, spread some pasto mayo on tortilla, top with spinach leaves, lunchmeat, carrots, tomatoes and sprouts, roll up and cut in half. Serve with your favorite fresh fruit and chips.

These were very refreshing and delicious.

The Lunch Lady :)

Pammie's Pesto Pasta

What to do with all that fresh basil in your garden? Well, I made some homemade pesto and put a couple batches in the freezer for later use. You can add it to pasta, wraps, salad dressing, soup and any entree for a little something special. Be creative.

My recipe for Pammie's Pesto Pasta is as follows:

Pammie's Pesto Pasta

I use my food processor when preparing pesto.....so here goes. Add 2 cups fresh basil leaves, 1/2. c. olive oil, 1/2 c. pinenuts, salt and pepper to taste, 1 T. minced garlic, and 2/3 c. parmesan cheese. Pulse until smooth, add more oil to make thinner. If freezing leave the cheese out and add when thawed.

Now to prepare the pasta part of Pammie's Pesto Pasta. In a large skillet slowly cook 1 pkg. smoked, diced sausage, when browned add 3 cups cooked pasta, add 1 c. fresh, cooked corn, and 1 c. prepared pesto. Top with parmesan cheese and serve.

Enjoy making this dish full of fresh summer flavors. 

The Lunch Lady :)

Grilled Pork Chops

I wanted to share this recipe with you today, it is a wonderful addition to any salad. The marinade is easy to make and delicious on any meat.

The recipe of my Grilled Pork Chops is as follows:

Grilled Pork Chops

In a glass bowl add 2 T. honey, 2 T. Worcestershire, 2 T. original stone ground mustard, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (chopped),  salt and pepper to taste, 2 T. sweet and sour sauce or orange marmalade, and 2 T. chopped garlic. Mix well and brush marinade on to boneless pork chops while grilling. Serve pork chops with homemade mashed potatoes or basmati rice.

Any leftover pork chops would be delicious sliced and served over your favorite salad greens, with sliced apples, blue cheese crumbles, candied pecans and a balsamic dressing.

I hope you will try this recipe and enjoy it as much as we did today.

The Lunch Lady :)

Pammie's Chipped Beef

This recipe is one of my favorite go to comfort meals. I used to make this for my son when he lived at home. Can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner or parties. I served it over some of my crumbled homemade bread today for my lunch, YUM.

Recipe for Pammie's Chipped Beef is as follows:

Pammie's Chipped Beef

In a skillet over medium heat, add 3 T. butter and allow to melt, add 1/4 c. flour and stir, add 2 c. milk and heat. Add 1 pkg. of Budding Original Beef, chopped (can be found in lunch meat section at the grocery store). add 1/2 t. black pepper and pour over crumbled bread or toast. Enjoy!

The Lunch Lady :)

Homemade Bread

I will confess I am not a baker, so if I can make this bread, it must be easy. Try it with some homemade blueberry or tomato jam.

My recipe for Homemade Bread is as follows:

Homemade Bread

In a mixing bowl combine, 1/2 c. warm water with 1 pkg of yeast (combine together and allow to sit a few minutes remaining ingredients), add 1/2 c. warm milk, 2 eggs, 1 t. salt, 2/3 c. softened butter, 1 t. honey and 3 c. flour. Mix until well blended. Place dough in greased glass mixing bowl and cover with saran wrap, allow to rise for 30 minutes. Place dough on floured surface and knead about 20 times until smooth. Place back into clean greased glass bowl, cover and allow to rise for 40 minutes or until doubled in size. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 45-50 minutes until golden brown. While cooling brush bread with butter. Serve with your favorite toppings, herb butter, homemade jam, herbed olive oil or nutella.

I wish you could smell how delicious this bread smells. If you prefer you can bake it in a loaf pan.

Options: 

Add 1/2 c. fresh herbs to dough mix before baking

Add 1/2 c. peanut butter

Add 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 c. fresh herbs

Add 1/2 c. raisins (soak in water or rum to hydrate) and 2 t. cinnamon

Enjoy and have fun trying this recipe.

The Lunch Lady :)