MY FAVORITE POTATO SALAD

Here is my favorite recipe for potato salad. I vary
this recipe from time to time based upon my mood and what I have in the refrigerator. I encourage you to do the same.






Potato Salad


Ingredients:

10 - 12 whole russet potatoes
4 to 6 hard boiled eggs chopped
1 bunch green onions chopped
½ bunch celery chopped
¼ cup pickle relish
1 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup yellow mustard
2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to tasted
paprika

Preparation:

1. Boil potatoes with skin on for 30 - 45 minutes. When fork can be easily inserted. Potatoes are done.
2. Pour hot water out and run cold water over potatoes to cool them off for 5 minutes.
3. When potatoes are cool, peel off skin and cut into bite sized pieces. If you overcook them, they don't really hurt
the recipe since the extra potatoes just mixes in with
the creamy portion of the mixture.
4. Stir all ingredients gently except for the paprika.
After all ingredients are well mixed, pour into a bowl.
Add the paprika across the top.
5. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve
serve 16-20

Try 1/2 cup of slice black olives or 1/4 cup of sheered carrots or 1/2 cup of chopped green or red bell pepper or dell pickles chopped in place of sweet relish.

KWANZAA RECIPE DAY-7

7th Kwanzaa Principle: Imani or Faith
Health Principle: Believe that you are an important part of Divine Creation. Have faith in your ability to heal yourself and the world.





JOLLOF RICE

Ingredients
1 large onion, slice
1(14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1/2 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup diced carrots
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped into 1 to 2 inch pieces
1//4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pour oil into large saucepan. Cook onion in oil over medium-low heat until translucent. Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste,and season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes,Worcestershire sauce and rosemary.
Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, stir in water, and add chicken pieces. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in rice, carrots, and green beans, and season with nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer until the chicken is fork-tender and the rice is cooked, 25 to 30 minutes.

KWANZAA RECIPE DAY-6

6th Kwanzaa Principle: Kuumba or Creativity
Health Principle: Use imagination to keep diet and exercise routines interesting







Okra, Corn and Tomatoes

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen cut okra
1 (14.5 ounce)cans diced tomatoes
1(20 ounce) packages frozen corn
2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 - 1 tsp Cayenne pepper(depending on your heat tolerance).

Place bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir to release some of the juices, and then add the onion and okra. Fry until tender and browned, stirring constantly. Add a little vinegar or squeeze of lemon can be used to brighten the taste and reduce the sliminess.Be careful, as this tends to brown quickly. Pour in the tomatoes, and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Mix in the corn, and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with Creole seasoning, salt and pepper, and serve.


To make this a one pot meal, add 1/2 pound of cook chicken and ½ pound of kielbasa sausages use a little sprayed in a pan, cook the smoked sausage until it’s a bit blackened on both sides and add with the corn. You can also try 1 pound of clean and deveined raw shrimp add with the corn. Its great serviced over white rice.

KWANZAA RECIPE DAY-4

4th Kwanzaa Principle: Ujamaa or Cooperative Economics
Health Principle: Buy food from local farmer’s markets and co–ops. Food will be fresher and you’ll be supporting businesses in your community.

The first group of Africans slaves landed in Jamestown Virginia, they brought food over to America including seeds of there native crops and introduced several plants and black-eyed peas was one of the seeds. Black-eyed are healthy and slaves ate them to become strong. One of the more popular ways of cooking black-eyed peas is the dish called Hoppin John", a traditional African-American dish served on New Year's day for good luck.

BLACK EYED PEAS
(Hoppin John)

Ingredients:
1 pound black-eyed peas or 2 package of frozen
4 cups water
1 medium onion
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 or 4 smoked necks bones* or smoked turkey parts
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper (optional)
3 cups of cooked rice

Preparation:
Thoroughly pick and wash the black-eyes peas in strainer picking out small pebbles. Place peas in pot and add water covering the peas, place in refrigerator for 24 hours. (If frozen eliminate this step)

*Clean smoked neck bones (there is a brain stem that runs down the neck of the pig), When the bones are chopped, the stern can be found in the channel-like opening, remove it.
Boil the bones or turkey parts until they are ½ way tender using enough water to cover, through the boiling period maintain this level of water,use the pot liquor add with water to make 4 cups, Add Black Eye Peas Combine with salt, pepper, onion, water, and pork or other meat, you can add crushed red pepper if you like spicy food. Bring to rapid boil, cover and reduce heat simmer for 1½ to 2 hours or until tender.
Serves 4 to 6

Tips:
If you're up to the challenge, you might try adding the rice to the black-eyed pea mixture.
If not, I suggests, "cheat" at serving time placed the black-eyed peas on top of the rice on your plate this works for me.
The challenge: After the peas are tender, Add the rice, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed, about 10 to 15 minutes. Mix well, and serve immediately.

KWANZAA RECIPE DAY-3

3rd Kwanzaa Principle: Ujima or Collective Work and Responsibility
Health Principle: Make collective partnerships of family members, your health care team and friends to realize your healthy living goals.

Chicken Yassa
services 4-6

Ingredients
• 1 4-6 lb. Chicken
• 3 Medium Onions (Vidalia or other, thinly sliced)
• 1/4 C. Parsley (chopped)
• 1 t. Freshly Ground Pepper
• 1 t. Coarse Salt
• 1 Bay Leaf (crumbled)
• 1/4 t. Thyme
• 1/2 t. Crushed Red Pepper (Optional)
• 1/3 C Lemon Juice
• 1/4 C Oil
• 11/2C Water

Marinate at least 30 minutes, longer or even overnight is ideal.
Preparation
1. Cut the chicken in half or in pieces and spread out on a baking pan
2. Put giblets in water and simmer (for sauce for chicken and onions) (need 1 C. of stock)
3. Cover with the onions, parsley, salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme and red pepper
4. Pour lemon juice and salad oil over the chicken and onions
5. Marinate for at least 30 minutes
6. After marinating remove the chicken and broil until chicken is browned on all sides
7. Simmer the onion mixture over medium heat stirring occasionally to prevent onions from browning (approx. 5 minutes)
8. Return chicken to baking pan and cover with the onion mixture
9. Pour 1 cup chicken stock (including giblets) over the chicken and onions
10. Make white rice
11. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until onions turn a light golden color.
12. Serve over rice

KWANZAA PRINCIPLE DAY-1

Health Principle: Recognize the unity of your body, mind and spirit.

OXTAIL STEW

INGREDIENTS
1 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 cubes beef bouillon
10 cups water
6 whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup oil
3 pounds beef oxtail
1 large onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup cornstarch dissolved in ½ cup water


DIRECTIONS
1. Place celery, garlic, tomato paste, bouillon cubes, and water into a large Dutch oven; stir until the tomato paste has dissolved. Add peppercorns and bay leaves, place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oxtail and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove oxtail from hot oil and place into Dutch oven. Pour out all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook the onion until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes; add to oxtail.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 2 1/2 hours. Season with salt and pepper, recover, and continue to cook until the oxtail is tender, but not falling off of the bone, about 30 minutes.
4. Remove oxtail pieces and place into a serving dish. Dutch oven and return to a simmer. Thicken with cornstarch dissolved in water, simmer for 1 minute until thickened and clear. Pour sauce over the oxtail.

Note
Oxtail should be ready when a knife slices easily through the meat. It should not be overcooked otherwise it will fall off the bones and go stringy - and if not cooked long enough it will not come off the bones easily enough. I normally find 4 hours cooking is just perfect.

CHRISTMAS COUNT DOWN 5 DAYS OF QUICKIE RECIPES
Day 1 Quickie Recipes
Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

Ingredients:
2 cups dried red beans
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 ham hock
1 pound Andouille or Kielbasa sausage, thinly sliced
*2 teaspoon salt
3 cups hot cooked long-grain rice

Direction:
1. Pick over the dried beans, and soak them in water overnight.
2.The next day, drain off the soaking water, and place the beans
in a crockpot. Cover with water, and stir in first 8 ingredients.
Push the ham hock down into the beans cover with lid and cook
on high heat for 5 hours.
3. Discard bay leaf stir in sausage and *salt and season to taste. Simmer for 20
minutes and serve over rice.
* add only after the beans or fully cooked.

COLLARD GREENS - DAY 10

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound smoked meat (ham hocks, smoked neck bones) or smoked turkey wings (that what I use these day cut back on the old pork)
6 bunches collard greens - rinsed, trimmed and chopped (4 bags of *pre-washed greens
2-3 cups water (just to cover the meat)
5 cups chicken stock or (low sodium chicken stock in the can or cartons)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 onion coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste

Preparation:
In an extra large pot, bring ham hocks and water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.

Immerse greens in a sink full of water and wash well to remove sand and grit. Lift out, drain water, fill sink, and repeat the procedure approximately 3 or 4 times to ensure they are clean and free of sand, grit and insects. Cut out the thickest part of stems that runs down the center and coarsely chop the greens.

Increase the heat under the hocks to medium-high; add about 1/3 of the greens to the pot. Cover, and cook for about 5 minutes, until wilted. Add remaining greens in two more batches, until all the greens fit into the pot.

Stir in the broth, garlic, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally about 2 hour or until the greens are tender. When done taste and adjust **seasoning.

Remove ham hocks and cut meat from bones. Dice and add back to the greens. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a serving bowl. If desired, pass the juices (also known as pot liquor) for dipping cornbread.

*wash your pre-washed greens just one time (yes they need to be wash).
** If it need a little salt, this is the time to add the salt.

GRANDMA'S OLD-FASHION POUND CAKE

Day 9

The pound cake, most known as a rich cake, originally contained a pound of each of the main ingredients, including flour, sugar, and butter. That’s where the pound cake gets its name.
When I was a young girl, my grandmother didn't have a mixer she would beat this cake by hand and folded the dry ingredients in a little at a time before baking. She said it needed 300 strokes so we used to count as she mixed. She would bake it during the week for Sunday dinner, also she would bake one for my dad's Friday Fish Fry.


1,2,3,4 POUND CAKE


Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour sifted (to day we use Swans Down Cake Flour)
4 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 teaspoon orange zest, grated
1 - 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate, thawed


Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat on medium speed 10 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add flour mixture alternately with milk and flavorings, creaming by hand until smooth after each addition. Spread batter into prepared 10-inch bundt pan. Bake until tester inserted into cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on rack.
Glaze with OLD-FASHIONED BOURBON GLAZE: Combine sugar, bourbon, zest and enough orange juice to make a thin glaze. Drizzle onto cake.

24th DAY OF CHRISTMAS(Roast Beef Sandwich)

Open face broiled Roast Beef Sandwich

Ingredients

4 hoagie buns, split
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 teaspoons prepared coarse-ground mustard
2 pound deli sliced *roast beef
4 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
8 slices provolone cheese
salt and pepper to taste
* you can use any combination of meat and cheese.

Directions

1. Preheat oven on broiler setting.
2. Cut rolls in half, and toast in a bread toaster. Place on a baking sheet. Spread each half with mayonnaise and mustard. Layer with roast beef, tomato, red onion, Provolone, salt and pepper.
3. Broil 3 to 6 inches from heat source for 3 to 5 minutes (keep a constant eye on it) until cheese is bubbly and is beginning to brown.
Add a bowl of soup for a very filling dinner.

23th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chicken Stew)

Spicy Crockpot Chicken Stew

Ingredients

2 baking potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb.), peeled and cut into chunks (3 1/3 cups)
1 (10 oz.) package frozen sweet corn
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (1 cup)
1 green bell pepper, thickly sliced
1 onion, thickly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (12.5 oz.) jar salsa
2 teaspoons kosher salt
11/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, halved (about 1 lb.)
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 10.5 oz.)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 (6 inch) fresh corn tortillas, cut into strips

Preparation

Place potatoes, corn, celery, carrots, bell pepper, onion and garlic in crockpot. Stir in salsa, salt, cumin, chili powder and pepper. Distribute chicken evenly on top of vegetables and pour chicken broth over chicken. Mix tortilla strips into stew. Serve warm. Cook stew on high for 4-6 hours, transfer chicken to a plate and shred with two forks into bite-size chunks; return to clockpot. Mix tortilla strips into stew. Serve warm

22th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Bake Chicken)

Honey Baked Chicken

Ingredients

1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces or thighs and legs
1/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup *prepared mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
* Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place chicken pieces in a shallow baking pan, skin side up. Combine the melted butter or margarine, honey, mustard, salt and paprika and pour the mixture over the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hours, Cover for half of the cooking time and then uncover, basting every 15 minutes with pan drippings, until the chicken is nicely browned and tender and the juices run clear.
Serve with rice or noodles

20th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chicken Casserole)

Cheesy Chicken Casserole

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1 1/3 cups water
3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cup frozen broccoli flowerets
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1.Heat the oven to 375°F. Stir the soup, water, rice, onion powder, black pepper and broccoli in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
2.Top with the chicken. Cover the baking dish.
3.Bake for 50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. Top with the cheese. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes. Stir the rice before serving.

19th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chili)

Black Bean Chili

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 (15.5 ounce) cans black beans, drained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup thick and chunky salsa
1 (15 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup water or chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
Garnish: sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions
Combine all ingredients except garnishes in 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting 7 to 8 hours. Top individual bowls with sour cream and Cheddar cheese.

18th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Tuna)

Tuna Casserole

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
1/2 cup can green peas
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk or water
4 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms (optional)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
ground black pepper to taste
1 cup crushed potato chips

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
3. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix macaroni,  1 cup cheese, peas, tuna, and mushrooms, mix the soup and milk together and add.
4. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish, add  remaining 1 cup cheese and crushed potato chip on top.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is bubbly.

17th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Sloppy Joe)

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
3/4 cup ketchup
3 teaspoons brown sugar
2-3 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup cheese
8 hamburger buns, split

Directions

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper; drain off liquids.
2. Stir remaining ingredients except the cheese, mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. top buns with sauce and cheese.

16th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Cajun Rice)

JAMBALAYA

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
1 16 ounce package kielbasa, cut into 1⁄4-inch rounds
1 14.5 can diced tomatoes
1 10 ounce can Rotel tomatoes and chilis
1 cup water
1 8-ounce box jambalaya, Spanish, or fiesta-flavored rice mix
1 pound peeled and deveined raw shrimp
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)

Preparation

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the kielbasa and cook until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice mix. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for the time specified on the rice package. Add the shrimp and stir. Cover and cook until the shrimp are pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the hot pepper sauce (if using). Spoon into individual bowls.

15th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Soup)

Spicy Beef Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 (30 ounce) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
3 1/2 cups water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables or fresh carrots and potatoes
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup sliced celery
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Transfer to a slow cooker. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the vegetables are tender.

14th DAY CHIRSTMAS (Chicken and Rice )

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:
6 - 8 chicken breasts (or any pieces of chicken you like)
2 cups Minute Rice
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 onion, diced 1 c. celery, diced
1 bag frozen peas and carrots (or can use canned, fresh, etc.)
2 tsp poultry seasoning
2 tsp black pepper Water
2 cup water

Directions:
Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray. Pour rice into pan. Add soups,water, onion, celery, veggies and seasonings. Stir together. Salt and pepper the chicken and place on top of rice mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40-50 minutes or until chicken is done. (Baking time depends upon the chicken and bone-in pieces may take longer to cook.)

13th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Pot Roast)

Crockpot Pot Roast

Ingredients:
1 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of
mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1/2 cups water
5 1/2 pounds pot roast
3 Tablespoons of flour
3 Tablespoons of oil

Directions:

1. Seasoned the roast with salt, pepper, and flour, browned the roast on all sides in a hot skillet with oil.
2. Mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water.
3. Place pot roast in crockpot and coat with soup mixture.
4. Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.