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| Alphabet Soup "V" |
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Welcome to the "V" issue of Alphabet Soup!
"V" Is For VEGGIE TIME!
Time to talk vegetables! Aside from the nutritional value that vegetables have to offer, they add color to your dinner table. The typical vegetable side dish to a well rounded meal is a green salad. But, if you are tired of the typical, try a different dash of green. Green beans, spinach, peppers, broccoli and zucchini are just some of the delicious green veggies to be found. A few nutritional facts: Green Beans - a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Spinach - high in vitamin A, vitamin C and folate, and a good source of fiber. Green Bell Pepper - high in vitamin C.
Broccoli - high in fiber and folate and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Zucchini - a good source of vitamin C. Give these recipes a try. You'll give your tastebuds a treat and your body some essential vitamins at the same time...veggie time! ~*~ Dilly Green Beans 4 cups fresh cut green beans -OR- 2- 10 oz. pkg. frozen cut green beans 2 tablespoons chopped onion 1/4 teaspoon dill weed 1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese spread, cubed 1/4 cup croutons Heat oven to 350F. Cook beans with onion & dill weed; drain. Add Velveeta; mix lightly. Place in 1 quart casserole; top with croutons. Bake at 350F, 12-15 minutes. Serves 6-8. ~*~ Fried Spinach 12 oz canned spinach 1 egg 1/4 c. milk bacon bits - 1 tablespoon or as desired Drain spinach well and place in skillet. Beat egg with milk and bacon bits; add to spinach, mixing thoroughly. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until most moisture is absorbed. ~*~ Golden Baked Peppers 3 green peppers, cut in half 1- 5 oz. jar Old English Sharp cheese spread 1 3/4 cups (1 lb. 1 oz. can) whole kernel corn, drained 1 tomato, chopped 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons margarine, melted Heat oven to 350F. Remove seeds from peppers; parboil 5 minutes. Drain. Heat cheese spread in saucepan over low heat; stir in corn & tomato. Fill peppers. Top with crumbs tossed with margarine; bake at 350F, 30-35 minutes. Serves 6. ~*~ Lemon Broccoli 1 lb of fresh or frozen broccoli 1-2 Tablespoons thinly slivered lemon rind 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Coarsely ground black pepper and salt, to taste 1 additional tablespoon olive oil (for dressing) 1 minced clove of garlic 1/3 cup dry unseasoned bread crumbs. Place broccoli in a saucepan with 1 inch of water. Add lemon rind slivers. Steam broccoli and rind until broccoli is just crisp-tender. Drain broccoli and keep warm. Reserve lemon rind slivers. In a small cup, whisk together lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, black pepper, and salt to taste. While broccoli cooks, in a small frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil; saute minced clove of garlic until golden, not brown. Add dry bread crumbs and lightly toast crumbs while stirring. Pour lemon dressing over warm broccoli. Stir to coat evenly. Top with bread crumbs and lemon rind slivers, and serve. Serves 4. ~*~ Zesty Zucchini 2 lb. zucchini, sliced 1/3 cup chopped onion margarine 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese spread, cubed 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs 3 tablespoons margarine, melted Heat oven to 350F. Cook zucchini & onion in 1/4 cup margarine over medium heat for 5 minutes. Make white sauce with 2 T. margarine, flour, milk & salt. Add Velveeta; stir until melted. Layer half of zucchini mixture, tomatoes, & Velveeta sauce in 12X8" baking dish; repeat layers. Top with crumbs tossed with melted margarine; bake at 350F, 350 minutes. Serves 8. Click here for a printable version of this article!
"V" RECIPES
"V" ARTICLES 
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFEThe other day I was in my usual supermarket, (which shall remain nameless since I teach cooking classes for them), searching for my beloved Pepsi, a 12-pack of cans to be exact. As I perused the soda section I encountered vanilla Pepsi, cherry Pepsi, Lemon Pepsi, caffeine-free Pepsi, and diet Pepsi. EVERYTHING but regular good ole fashioned Pepsi. There was not one 12-pack, 6-pack, or case for that matter, of regular Pepsi. Hello? Anybody home? Obviously we're overdoing it with the bells and whistles.  Read more...BUYING VEGETABLES FOR TWO Whether you are newlyweds or a couple now finding themselves with an "empty nest", knowing how much vegetables to buy for two servings can be tricky. Read more...
VEGETARIAN SHEPHERD'S PIEThis version of vegetarian Shepherd's Pie is very satisfying, thanks to the meaty portabella mushrooms used for the filling. Read more...FOOD FACTS: VEGETABLES Just what vitamins can be found in an carrot? Where does asparagus come from? What is the best way to store potatoes? Find out the facts! Read more...
MOSAIC PLANT STANDDress up a plain wooden stool with colorful mosaic marbles. Easy and stylish, great for your garden decor. Read more...DENIM DIARY FOR GIRLS Does your daughter need privacy? Then it's time to make her very own private diary. All you need are some old jeans, a few supplies, and a lot of imagination. makes a great gift! Read more...INTERGRATING DAILY LIFE WITH READING COMPREHENSION On top of the general surge of hormones, young people are prone to experience depression. Stuck at the crossroads of adulthood, adolescents customarily feel low on the totem pole of life when they're under a lot of stress and duress. Read more...
"V" TIPS 
VEGGIE BLANCHING - MICROWAVE
Fresh vegetables may be blanched in the microwave. Prepare the vegetables as desired (whole, chopped, etc.) and place in microwave casserole. Microwave on High power (100%) for 3-4 minutes per pound, covered, stirring or rearranging halfway through the time. Plunge immediately into ice cold water to cool. Drain, pack and freeze. Microwaved vegetables are HEALTHIER! More nutrients, especially Vitamin C, are retained when microwaved than when conventionally blanched or cooked.
Check out MORE COOKING tips in our Virtual Tipbook! USES FOR VINEGAR 11 Freshen vegetables. Soak wilted vegetables in 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar. 12 Boil better eggs. Add 2 tablespoons water before boiling eggs. Keeps them from cracking. 13 Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Dot the irritation with vinegar and relieve itching. 14 Relieve sunburn. Lightly rub white vinegar; you may have to reapply. 15 Condition hair. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to dissolve sticky residue left by shampoo. 16 Relieve dry and itchy skin. Add 2 tablespoons to bath water. 17 Fight dandruff. After shampooing, rinse with vinegar and 2 cups of warm water. 18 Soothe a sore throat. Put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle, then swallow. 19 Treat sinus infections and chest colds. Add 1/4 cup or more vinegar to the vaporizer. 20 Feel good. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, with a bit of honey added for flavor, will take the edge off your appetite and give you an overall healthy feeling.
Click here for MORE USES FOR VINEGAR! |
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Let's Get Cooking!
