All-Purpose Seasoned Salt Blend

You can find seasoned salts at your local supermarket.  Did you know you can make your own at home for a lot less money.  Seasoned salts are also very easy to make.  This recipe is for an All-Purpose Seasoned Salt Blend.  The suggested use for this salt is a rub for raw chicken or pork.  Sprinkle it onto steamed vegetables or raw avocado, tomato, and cucumber.  Use it at the table  to season cooked meats, vegetables, eggs, rice, and pasta.

All-Purpose Seasoned Salt Blend
From Cook's Country Magazine

Ingredients:
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon onion flakes
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

Makes about 1/4 cup

Store the salt blend for up to six weeks

Cream of Asparagus Soup

My youngest got his wisdom teeth pulled  so I have been making lots of soup for him.  Rich and creamy soups and some light broth ones.  This recipe is for a rich and creamy soup.   I had some asparagus on hand so I  got to work.  Asparagus are cooked in chicken broth (you can use vegetable broth) with some onions, garlic and seasonings.   Once the asparagus are tender, puree the soup.  You can use a stand blender or an immersion blender.  Add some milk and cream, heat through and your soup is done.    It is thick and has a mild asparagus flavor- not too over powering.  A nice soup for  lunch or dinner.

Cream of Asparagus Soup
From Taste of Home Adapted Slightly by From My Southwest Kitchen

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
2-1/2 cups whole milk, divided
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
2 tablespoons white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Minced fresh chives, optional

Directions
1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 4-6 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add asparagus and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Remove from heat; cool slightly.
 2. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth.
3. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 cup milk until smooth; set aside. In same saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Stir in seasonings and remaining flour until smooth; cook and stir 45-60 seconds or until light golden brown. Gradually whisk in cream, remaining milk and reserved flour mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in wine, lemon juice and asparagus mixture; heat through. If desired, top each serving with chives.

Serves 6-8

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

A rich vegetable soup which is extremely flavorful and hearty.    Did I mention healthy?   It is - loaded with veggies.  This soup is delicious and it all comes together nicely in your Instant Pot.  Carrots, celery, cabbage, beans,  are cooked together in a broth consisting of your favorite marinara sauce with some  chicken broth and for an added kick pesto.  Add some garlic, onion powder, bay leaves, paprika, and of course salt and pepper and you have a wonderful meal for your family.




I served the soup with some grated Parmesan cheese.  Mmmmm good.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
From Pinch of Yum Adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen

Ingredients:
4–5 carrots, chopped
4–5 celery stalks, chopped
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
half of a head of green cabbage, thinly sliced
1/4 cup  pesto
1 24-ounce jar of  marinara sauce
1 14-ounce can cannellini or navy beans
3 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
3 bay leaves
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Parmesan cheese for grating over soup
Directions:
1. Place everything in the first list inside an Instant Pot / pressure cooker. Turn on the soup setting  (30 minutes).
2. Use the quick release to let the steam out (hang on, it takes a few minutes). Pull out the bay leaves.
Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4-6

Skillet Green Beans

I have found a recipe for Green Beans that the entire family loves. In fact, they are asking me when I am going to make this recipe again.  The recipe is very simple and comes together quickly.  The ingredients are few -green beans, vinegar, bacon, onion powder, salt and pepper.  As you can see from the ingredients, the  beans get their flavor from the bacon grease, onion powder, and cider vinegar. They are delicious. 

Skillet Green Beans
From My Recipes adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen

Ingredients:

2 pounds  green  beans, trimmed
4 thick hickory-smoked bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover  4 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.

2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet.

3. Add the green beans to the skillet.  Sprinkle with the onion powder and stir.  Stir in  the vinegar.  Increase heat to medium - high and sauté the green beans for 5 minutes or until hot.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Toss with reserved bacon and serve.

Serves 6

Shredded Ginger Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts - you love them or you don't.  In my family two out of six love Brussels sprouts.  We  will eat them roasted, sautéed, in salad, etc.  The remaining members of the family need to be coaxed into eating this veggie.  I am looking for new ways to get them to eat this delicious veggie.

I found a tasty recipe on the Taste of Home website.   This is a very quick and easy recipe to make. You start by cutting the Brussels sprouts into thin slices.  Toss in some  oil and  most of the other ingredients. Cook over medium heat until tender and serve.  That is all there is to make this delicious side.  Perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

All members of the family loved this dish.

Shredded Ginger Brussels Sprouts
Taste of Home

Ingredients
1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts (about 5-1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
1. Trim Brussels sprouts. Cut sprouts lengthwise in half; cut crosswise into thin slices.

2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Brussels sprouts; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until sprouts begin to brown lightly. Add oil and toss to coat. Stir in onion, ginger, garlic and salt. Add water; reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, 1-2 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in pepper.

Yield: 6 servings

Vegetable Soup

During the cold months, my recipe focus is on soups.  Soups are great comfort food and they warm you up from head to toe.  Today's soup recipe is loaded with lots and lots of great tasting veggies with some pancetta and pasta. Mmmm... delicious.     Top with some Parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread.   Perfect for a light dinner or a great tasting lunch.

Vegetable Soup
From Bon Appetit
Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more

2 ounces pancetta, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 large Yukon Gold potato, peeled, cut into ½” pieces

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes, drained

6 cups chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1 Parmesan rind

½ bunch Tuscan kale, bottom stems trimmed, sliced into ½” strips (about 4 cups)

1 cup cooked pasta, rice, and/or grains

Torn basil leaves and grated Parmesan (for serving)

Preparation

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or small stockpot over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring often, until pancetta is lightly browned around the edges and fat is partially rendered, about 5 minutes. Add onion, carrot, celery, and potato and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are softened and onion is translucent, 10–12 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, lightly breaking them up with your hands as you add to the pot; add chicken broth, bay leaf, and Parmesan rind. Bring to a simmer, season with salt and pepper, and add kale. Simmer until potatoes and kale are tender, 10–15 minutes. Remove from heat and add pasta, rice, and/or grains. Serve with basil, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Serves 8