What's cooking Suzanne?

By Staff
Suzanne Langcuster
Franklin County Times
Once again we are giving you some healthy recipes. There are many delicious recipes you can choose from to develop healthy eating habits for your family. Healthy meals can be also very economical.
With spring just around the corner we will be planning the things we can grow in our own yards that can give us a healthy choice. We will be growing tomatoes on our patio. What is healthier than good fresh tomatoes?
Cucumbers and squash are easily grown in fairly small areas. If you have a large area for a garden you are indeed fortunate. Be creative and plan a garden to suit your yard and your tastes.
Bush's Winter White Bean Chili
1 T. extra olive oil
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. celery
2 T. minced garlic
1 c. chopped carrots
1 lb. chicken-shredded (boneless, skinless)
2 c. zucchini
1/2 c. brown rice (not instant)
1 1/2 c. low sodium chicken stock
2 (4oz.) can Mexican green chilies, drained
1/4 t. cumin
2 (15 oz.) cans Great Northern Beans
1 T. oregano (chopped)
1 T. parsley (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste
Shredded Colby -Monterey Jack Cheese to taste
Heat olive oil in medium pan. Add onions, celery, and garlic. Cook 5 minutes. Put carrots in bottom of slow cooker. Top with chicken, onions, celery and garlic mixture. Cook in slow mixer for 4 hours. Add oregano and parsley. Cook 5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste Serve with cheese.
Macaroni Salad
1 lb. macaroni, cooked and drained
1 lg. bell pepper
1 chopped onion
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 c Eagle Bran milk
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. vinegar (white)
1/2 c. sugar
salt and pepper to taste
Mix all together and serve.
French -Style Salad Dressing
1 c. tomato juice
1 t. minced onion
2 T. dried green peppers
4 T. lemon juice or vinegar
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for a least 2 hours before serving.
Cheesy Squash Casserole
1 lb. squash, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 T. butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
1 c. grated cheese
1 c. crackers
salt and pepper
Combine squash, onion, and butter and cook until tender. Drain and mash. Add remaining ingredients, reserving 1/2 c. cheese to sprinkle on top. Pour into buttered casserole dish. Bake at 375 until firm. Sprinkle cheese on top after casserole is done.
Potato Casserole
4 to 5 medium potatoes
1 can cream of chicken soup
Peel and slice potatoes thinly. Cook in microwave until tender. Pour cream of chicken soup over potatoes and cook in microwave about 10 minutes.
Squash Puppies
5 medium yellow squash
1/2 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. cornmeal (self-rising)
1 egg, beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 c flour
Cook squash and drain and mash. Add other ingredients and mix well. Drop by tablespoons into hot oil. Fry about 5 minutes or until brown.
Jam Cake
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
1 c. buttermilk
3 c. flour
3 c. raisins
1 c. nuts (black walnuts best or pecans)
6 eggs
2 t. soda
1 t. nutmeg
2 t. spice
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1 t. lemon flavoring
1 c. jam (homemade blackberry is best)
Cream butter and sugar. Beat eggs separately and add yolks to first mixture. Add soda to buttermilk. Mix raisins, nuts and spices with part of flour. Add jam, then add the rest of flavoring, flour and fold in beaten egg whites. Bake in layers and use caramel filling and icing.
Fresh Strawberry Pie
1 c. water
1 c. sugar
2 c. strawberries
4 T. cornstarch
2 T. strawberry Jell-O
Cool Whip
Mix and cook water, sugar, and cornstarch until thickened. Stir in Jell-O. Add Berries. Pour into precooked pie shell. Top with Cool Whip before serving.
Cinnamon-Spice Berry Popcorn
3tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1 1/2 tablespoons light margarine
1/2 cup Craisins
6 cups air-popped popcorn
Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, spices and margarine in microwave-safe bowl; cook on high heat for 2 1/2 minutes or until bubbly hot.
Add Craisins to popcorn; toss with hot sugar mixture until well coated. Cool mixture before serving or store in airtight container.