More Zuchinni

Yup, I ate zuchinni again . . . just can't help myself.  Here is a quick and easy lunch casserole.

Mexican Vegi Casserole

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

Filling Ingredients

1 Can Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can corn, drained
1 Can chopped tomatoes, partially drained
1 large zuchinni, diced into bite-sized pieces
2 garlic cloves, crushed (use a garlic press if you have one)
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 T corn oil
1 t chili powder
salt and pepper to taste

Crust Ingredients

2/3 C cornmeal
1 T all-purpose organic flour
1/2 t salt
2 t baking powder
1 egg, beaten
6 T milk
1 T corn oil
1 C grated chedder cheese

Steps

1. Saute garlic, bell pepper, and onion in corn oil for 5 to 6 minutes until the onion is transparent.
2. Stir in chili powder, beans, corn, tomatoes and zuchinni and simmer for 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour mixture into an ovenproof casserole dish.
4. Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder together.  Add the egg and milk to the dry mixture and beat until a smooth batter if formed.
5. Spoon crust mixture over the corn/bean/zuchinni mix.  Cover with grated cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is firm and golden brown.

Serve with a lettuce, tomato and palta (avacado) salad.

Note:
     C = Cup
     T = Tablespoon
      t = Teaspoon

Summer Brunch -- Vegie Burgers

In my last receip I told you how much I like Zuchinni . . . well if you have too many in your garden, of if you're like me and you just like them a lot then here is another way to use them. 

Vegie Burgers

Serves six

Ingredients

4 large carrots pealed
4 medium Zuchinni
1 small onion, quartered
6 oz crumbled fetta cheese -- I like the package with sun dried tomatoes and basil
4 T flour (aprox, use your own judgement)
1/2 t cumin seeds
2 t curry powder
1 egg, beaten
2 T butter
2 T olive oil
salt and peper to taste

Steps

1. Grate carrots, zuchinni and onion in a food processor (or by hand if you wish), mix in fetta cheese.
2. Mix spices and flour in a large bowl, season with salt and peper.
3. Add vegies and cheese to the flour mix
4. Mix well, adding egg
5. If the mixture doesn't hold together well enough to make patties you may need to add a little more flour
6. Heat butter and olive oil in fry pan
7. Place heaping tablespoons of mix on fry pan, flatten a little, and cook of low heat on each side for about 2 minutes
8. Drain on paper towels and serve warm

Summer Muffins

I wait all year for summer so that I can eat tons and tons of, yes really, zuchinni.  I eat them sauted in olive oil  with onions and a little tumeric.  I love a crip zuchinni/tomato/fetta cheese salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  But, one of my favorites is to use zuchinni to make vegie muffins:

                                                                          Vegie Muffins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F  (200 degrees C)

Mix together:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

Then add:

1 cup whole milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg (or 2 medium)
4 oz butter (½ stick)  -- Please use real butter
1 Cup shredded zuchinni

Pour mixture into a greased muffin pan or use paper cupcake inserts (ouch . . . you will miss out on the yummy crust).

Bake for 20 minutes

Enjoy . . . one or two of these makes a great summer lunch.

Hot and Dark

It appears that we are located at the center of the wind storm that hit the East Coast last Friday night.  We have now gone seven days without power and there is no end it sight.  Power poles on our street still need to be replaced before new power lines can be hung. 

Through all of this we have learned a few things.  I have been typing them on an a good-old typewriter and will scan and edit the text once power comes back.  For the last couple of days we have been able to get internet connections at Barnes and Nobel and a local McDonalds for about 30 minutes a time.  We have been using a power inverter in the van to keep basic electronics (cell phone, lap top) charged up.

I expect that life will get back to normal next week.  Hope so.  Sitting in the dark with no AC in 100+ degree weather is not my idea of fun. 

Blessings to all . . .

Dave