Almost Olive Garden Vegetable Soup

This is a family favorite, much requested and happily eaten by all. Great with fresh bread and a salad. It also lends itself to many variations.


* 2 tablespoons oil
* 1 cup finely chopped white onion (about 1 small onion)
* 1/2 cup frozen cut green beans or 1 can green beans
* 1/2 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
* 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves) or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 6 cups water
* 1-2 cups leftover vegetables that seem right for this soup
* 1 chicken substitute bullion cube, it you have it
* 1 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or great northern beans, drained
* 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes or 1 small can tomato paste
* 1 cup carrot, finely chopped or shredded
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried
* 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano or 1/4 cup fresh
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 cup small shell pasta or alphabets or broken fettuccini or whatever

1 ) Heat the oil in your soup pot. Add the onion, celery and garlic. Simmer gently for several minutes.

2 ) Add the vegetables, beans, water, bullion cube, tomatoes and herbs. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes to half an hour.

3 ) Add the pasta and simmer another 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with Parmesan cheese to top. A few croutons wouldn't hurt either!


This can also be made in a crockpot. Put all but the noodles in at the beginning of the day and let it cook. Just remember to add the pasta about 20 minutes before serving.

Faux Swiss Steak

This is adapted from a recipe that I found at Recipezaar.com. It got rave reviews from nearly everyone in the family. My husband thought that it was a Morningstar Farms product, only better. Since MSF burgers are now nearly $1 each, I am very happy to have found this recipe!

The bullion cubes without animal products can be found  at natural food stores or even in the natural food sections at Kroger.

1/2 pound mushrooms, grated or run through a food chopper

1 medium onion, likewise chopped

1 not-quite-chicken or beef bullion cube (if you have it)

2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 cups uncooked oatmeal

1-2 teaspoons garlic powder

1-2 teaspoons onion powder

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 cup water

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 eggs

salt and pepper

1 ) Mix all of the above thoroughly. Let sit while you stir up the topping.

1 cup light sour cream

1 can mushroom soup

1/4 cup water

2 ) Heat frying pan and spray with non-stick spray. Put a bit of oil in. Make mushroom mixture into small patties and fry until golden.

3 ) Put fried patties into a greased baking pan, preferably 9" x 11". Pour sauce over patties and bake at 375 for about 1/2 an hour, until the top is browning.

Serves 6 or so. If you'd like to make it a little more quickly, microwave the sauce while you fry the burgers. That will cut cooking time by about 10 minutes.

The burgers can also be fried and served on a bun, or covered with sauces of your choice. They're very versatile!



This is perfect with Potatoes Romanoff!

Mexican Pizza

This isn't very Mexican, but it's very requested at our house. No pizza night is complete without it! It's also fast and easy.

1 unbaked pizza crust - homemade, store bought, mix, swiped from a neighbor's counter - whatever!
1 14 - 16 ounce can of refried beans
1 12 - 24ounce bottle of your favorite salsa, taco sauce, picante sauce, etc.
2 - 4 cups cheese - cheddar, Mexican blend, etc.

1 ) Spread the beans on the crust. Pour on as much sauce as you like. Don't skimp! Let the crust rise if needed.

2 ) Bake at 400 (or whatever temp is recommended) until the edges are getting a bit golden and the bottom is nearly done.

3 ) Top with cheese and return to the oven until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and maybe a bit browned.

4 ) Remove from the oven. Cut.  If you like, put out bowls of chopped lettuce, olives, salsa, peppers, etc to top the slices.

Cauliflower Quiche

My husband loves this so much that he once recommended it to a restaurant that he sold bread to. It was on their menu for several years. It is absolutely delicious and very sophisticated.

1 pie crust

1/2 to 3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1/2 medium cauliflower, separated into florets and steamed until nearly tender

1/2 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

2 cups cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

few shakes of pepper

1 ) Mix mayo, milk, cheese, eggs and seasonings in a blender or mixer.

2 ) Put cauliflower into crust, then dump egg mix on top.

3 ) Bake at 375 for 30 - 40  minutes, until set.

Boston Roast

This is from Nikki and David Goldbeck's American Wholefoods Cuisine.

It's been adjusted a bit over the years, as usual. It's a nice dish for a Sunday dinner, with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.

1 cup soft bread crumbs

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

2 cups cooked beans or 1- 16 ounce can vegetarian refried beans

1 teaspoon grated onion or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt, less if the beans are salted

pepper

1/2 cup ketchup, catsup, or whatever

1 ) Preheat oven to 350. Shred bread, cheese and mash beans in that order to save utensils.

2 ) Combine everything but ketchup , dump in a greased casserole, and pour ketchup over the top.

3 ) Bake for about 40 minutes.