Innie or Outie

Here’s another original home cooked meal idea, Make Ahead Carrot Soup Brunch:

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This is another “from scratch” meal. I prefer to keep the skin on the soup veggies for the added nutritional and fiber benefits. This method tends to make the soups a bit thicker than usual. Also, a regular pot method can be used if you prefer to not make the soup ahead of time.

Equipment and All Ingredients Needed

1 Crockette 1 Strainer 1 Knife 1 Cutting board 1 Cookie cutter 1 Blender/processor
1 Microwavable container with lid 1 Microwave 2 Frying pans 2 Stovetop burners

7 Frozen shrimp

4 Cherry tomatoes

2 Slices bread

1 Spanish olive

1 Large carrot

1 Thin slice white onion

¼ Cucumber

1½ Cups milk

1½ Cups cream

1½ Cups frozen karashina (mustard greens)

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons sesame oil

1 Tablespoon leek

1 Tablespoon mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 Tablespoon minced garlic paste

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

3 Teaspoons white pepper

1 Teaspoon minced ginger paste

1 Teaspoon powdered marjoram

1 Teaspoon dried oregano flakes

1 Teaspoon cracked black sesame seeds

1 Teaspoon chicken broth granules

½ Teaspoon powdered thyme

¼ Teaspoon anise seed

¼ Teaspoon horseradish

Iceberg lettuce

Fresh radish sprouts (kaiware)

Fresh parsley sprigs

View video with further details.

Here’s an original home cooked meal made from scratch (except the bread), Creamy Potato Soup Dinner:

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Although there seems to be an enormous amount of ingredients (this is from scratch), the meal really is a simple to make.

Equipment and All Ingredients Needed

1 Small container with lid 1 Strainer 1 Knife 1 Cutting board
1 Microwavable container with lid 1 Microwave 1 Blender Toothpicks
1 Medium pot 1 Small frying pan 2 Stovetop burners 1 Toaster

5 Medium new potatoes

8 Frozen shrimp

4 Cherry tomatoes

2 Spanish olives

1 Slice whole wheat bread

1 Slice bacon

1 Slice American cheese

1 Slice white onion

¼ Cucumber

1 Cup milk

1 Cup cream

3 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon leek

1 Tablespoon white pepper

1 Teaspoon mayonnaise

1 Teaspoon dried oregano flakes

½ Teaspoon minced garlic paste

½ Teaspoon minced ginger paste

½ Teaspoon nutmeg

¼ Teaspoon horseradish

¼ Teaspoon dried basil flakes

¼ Teaspoon dried thyme flakes

¼ Teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Iceberg lettuce

Grated parmesan cheese

Croutons

View video with further details.

This is a tasty and different way to serve beef with noodles, Crockpot-Beef & Pasta Dinner:

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This meal consisted of crocketted (mini crockpot) beef roast with powdered allspice, nutmeg, and white pepper; brown sugar, fresh ginger, sesame oil, white onion, and minced garlic paste; dried red chili pepper, parsley, oregano, and thyme flakes on a bed of pasta; surrounded by steamed frozen broccoli and sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese; with whole wheat dinner roll slices on the side.

Here are the specifics:

Equipment and All Ingredients Needed

1 Crockette 1 Knife 1 Cutting board
1 Medium pot 1 Stovetop burner 1 Strainer

1 Pound beef roast

½ White onion

2 Cups frozen broccoli

¼ Cup sesame oil

1 Tablespoon minced garlic paste

1 Tablespoon white pepper

1 Tablespoon dried oregano flakes

1 Teaspoon brown sugar

1 Teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1 Teaspoon fresh ginger

½ Teaspoon dried thyme flakes

½ Teaspoon dried red chili pepper flakes

½ Teaspoon powdered allspice

¼ Teaspoon powdered nutmeg

Pasta of choice

Whole wheat dinner rolls

Grated parmesan cheese

View brief video with further details.

Here’s a familiar home cooked snack with a local twist, SeaChicken Snack:

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Equipment and All Ingredients Needed

1 Small container with lid 1 Knife 1 Cutting board

1 Small bowl 1 Can opener 1 Kettle**** 1 Stovetop burner****

1 Small can tuna

½ Cup water

2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon fresh chives

1 Tablespoon cracked black sesame seeds

1 Teaspoon soy sauce

1 Teaspoon dehydrated wakame

½ Teaspoon minced garlic paste

4 Precut spiced-nori sheets

4 Slices bread of choice

*Soup of choice ***Speedy Option*** 2 packets instant miso soup

View video with further details.

Here’s another simple and filling meal that can be made in minutes with a precooked basic crockpot chicken base, Simple Crockpot-Chicken & Bean Pasta Dinner:

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Whenever convenient, precook basic crockpot chicken base of finely chopped carrot, bell pepper, onion, potato and chicken thigh with dried fennel, bay leaves, red miso paste, sesame oil, white pepper, rosemary leaves, minced garlic paste, minced ginger paste, water, and chicken broth granules. Remove bay leaves and freeze until needed.

When needed, remove chicken base from freezer; place in pot; and begin defrosting on medium-low heat. Meanwhile, start short pasta-of-choice water and cook according to directions on package. Also, in a seperate skillet, heat olive oil and saute frozen bean mix of choice adding dried oregano flakes; once defrosted thoroughly combine with chicken base; stir-in quartered fresh cherry tomatoes. Once pasta is al dente, strain and add to chicken base combining completely; plate and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese; garnish with fresh basil leaves; add whole wheat dinner roll on the side as an accompaniment.

Here’s another quick and simple meal for those busy days, Turkey-Rice Dinner:

The meal consisted of canned turkey chili on leftover recooked rice topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh basil; an iceberg lettuce, cucumber, scallion, and cherry tomato salad topped with creamy cheese dressing, bacon bits, grated parmesan cheese and dried oregano flakes; and toasted whole wheat dinner roll slices with garlic paste.

An absolutely scrumptous dish by hubby, Papa’s Savory Chicken Sauté:

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Included in this meal by hubby was chicken sautéed in sesame oil and chopped fresh garlic and parsley with a chicken bouillon granule and sour cream sauce; sautéed bell pepper, carrot, and green cherry tomatoes; a whole wheat dinner roll, and an iceberg, cucumber, cherry tomato salad with creamy cheese dressing and dried oregano flakes.

The final nippy winds of the year have kicked in and hubby had a perfect answer to take the chill off, Papa’s Seafood Soup Snack:

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For the meal for two, hubby simply combined 380 grams of tomato juice and canned button mushroom slices with some leftover Spicy Seafood Soup; garnished with chopped fresh parsley; and added garlic toast as an accompaniment.

I think this may only be the second time I have ever attempted a fresh squid dish. The inspiration came from a Portuguese soup recipe by Alan Leonetti found on Recipezaar, Curried-Squid Pasta:

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Equipment and All Ingredients Needed

1 Knife 1 Cutting board 2 Medium pots 1 Small pot
2 Stovetop burners 1 Toaster 1 Strainer

2 Pounds squid

6 Cherry tomatoes

3 Medium dried laurel leaves

½ Large white onion

1 Cup fish stock*

½ Cup white wine

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon minced garlic paste

1 Tablespoon white pepper

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 Teaspoon dried curry powder

½ Teaspoon minced ginger paste

Whole grain bread slices

Fresh parsley sprigs

Long pasta of choice

Minced garlic paste

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

*1 Packet shaved bonito flakes if you don’t have premade fish stock

View video with further details.

Here’s another absolutely delish seafood dish by hubby, Papa’s Spicy Seafood Soup:

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The ingredients consisted of squid, shrimp, potato, carrot, asparagus, bonito stock, olive oil, canned whole tomatoes with liquid, crushed garlic, white onion, and cayenne pepper garnished with fresh chopped parsley. Accompanying the soup, a whole wheat dinner roll and butter.