Cheese-brocolli casserole!

I tasted this really amazing casserole this Thanksgiving and asked my friend, Humeshkar for the recipe, here goes the recipe for one super-simple, super-tasty dish in the chef's own words:

Requirements

• A box of Ritz crackers
• Broccoli
• American Singles Cheese
• Butter

First lay out a layer of broccoli, then a layer of cheese,then a layer of ritz crackers,layer of broccoli,cheese and ritz crackers.Then pour a cup of butter(you might use more if you want a better flavour) all over,so that you wet the crackers. Set the oven for 350 degrees.Put in the tray and let it bake for 30 to 35 minutes.Pull out the tray and see if all the cheese has melted and the broccoli has been cooked.You may want to bake it for some more time if you want to do so. After baking the top surface might be uneven.I generally use a knife to make it look more even.

Enjoy!

Easy 3 bean soup recipe.

Ingredients:

1/2 can of - black beans, red beans, pinto beans each

1/8 can of - fire-roasted tomatoes

1/4 cup of vegetable stock, milk each

garlic, ginger, oregano, turmeric, bay leaf, fresh parsley, cheese, salt and pepper



I came up with this really simple recipe on one of those days when I felt super-lazy to cook a big dinner. So, finely chop garlic and ginger, saute in 2 spoons of olive oil or butter on a hot pan, add turmeric (to give it an Indian touch :), bay leaf, oregano. Add the 3 beans and mix well on the pan for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes, mix well and let it all heat up for a few minutes. In goes the vegetable stock and then the milk. Mix well and let stand for 5 minutes. Finally add milk, salt and pepper as needed. Turn off heat after a few minutes and then add, finely chopped parsley and a bit of cheese and voila!

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Broccoli...finally!

I finally prepared a broccoli dish that k can ingest!

Source: Google search!

Deviations: I added salt to the broccoli and potato. Also added fresh thyme leaves to the potato.

Results: Quite tasty (for people used to spicy food, feel free to add a lot of pepper/paprika, I went easy and it was a bit bland).

Asparagus!

Roasted Asparagus

Source: Rachael Ray 30 minute meals

Deviations: none

Results: Super healthy and pretty tasty, I was surprised!

Rice and Veggies!

• Eggplant, Zucchini and Tomato Fry!
  
  Source: Wild Oats
  
  Deviations: I broiled it in the oven for 7 seven minutes instead of using a grill.
  
  Results: Tasty!
  


• Rice salad!
  
  Source: Wild Oats
  
  Deviations: I used brown rice.
  
  Results: Definitely worth trying! Made the brown rice much more palatable and it has a mix of different flavors!
  

Vegetable stir-fry!

Ingredients: Onion -1, Squash -1, Grape Tomatoes -5, Apricots -3, Green Pepper -1, Lemon -1, Paprika, Olive oil, Balsamic Vinagarette, Rosemary, Oregano, Nutmeg, Italian Seasoning, Urad Dal - 2 spoons, Pepper and Salt.

Cut vegetables lengthwise (5 inch strips). I added a drizzle of lemon juice to the apricots but skip that if you don't like it too tangy :) Coat bottom of pan with olive oil, add spices, urad dal, vegetables, balsamic vinagarette, stir until golden brown/soft, add apricots, pepper and salt, give it all a toss and viola, you've a bowl of colorful healthy veggies!

Note: Unabashedly borrowed RR's lingo :p

Attempted Recipes!

• Spectacular Strawberry Spinach Salad
  
  Source: Wild Oats
  
  Deviations: Err...no poppy seeds :)
  
  Results: Yummy!
  


• Crunchy Vanilla-Almond French Toast with Fancy Fruit Topping
  
  Source: Rachael Ray 30 minute meals
  
  Deviations: Forgot to add nutmeg, used egg-substitute instead of eggs :)
  
  Results: So-so, the bread became a bit soggy!
  


• Fresh (what else?) Raspberry Juice
  
  Source: Ahem...RS :)
  
  Ingredients: Raspberries (a box), lemons (1), sugar(2 spoons), ice cubes (6), orange juice (1/4 cup).
  
  Recipe: Beat together ingredients to make 4 glasses of fresh raspberry juice!
  
  Results: Yummy!
  


• Simple Vegetable Stir Fry
  
  Source: Wild Oats
  
  Deviations: No red pepper, added balsamic vinaigrette!
  
  Results: Niceee!
  


• Asparagus and Spring Pea Toss
  
  Source: Wild Oats
  
  Deviations: Added cheddar instead of Parmigiano-Reggiano and not so much of it!
  
  Results: Bland!
  


• Apple Cider Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Yams
  
  Source: Wild Oats
  
  Results: So-so...kinda bland.
  



• Hummus!
  
  Source: Rachael Ray 30 minute meals
  
  Deviations: I added peanut butter instead of tahini sauce and I soaked chick peas overnite and boiled it instead of using canned garbanzo beans.
  
  Results: The chick peas still had a very raw taste and didn't improve much even after I added more lemon juice and salt! Maybe the trick is in the tahini sauce :(
  

To be Attempted Recipes!

Apple Cider Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Yams

Asparagus and Spring Pea Toss

Source: Wild Oats