Around the world in cookbooks

Years ago, a friend of mine would share posts from a friend of hers where she'd cook from the different cookbooks she owned, and post pictures. I thought this was such a cool idea, so I'm going to feature some on my blog. And since I often search for and pin recipes on Pinterest, I'm going to share some of those recipes with corresponding links. I hope you enjoy!

Spanish Style Vegetable Casserole

One can never get enough vegetables. Rather than go with the standard fare, try different ways of serving them. Here's one example!

Spanish Style Vegetable Casserole

One onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
One tomato, chopped
One green bell pepper, chopped
One large potato, diced
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 t. cayenne
1 c. brown rice
2 c. vegetable broth
2 carrots, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
2 c. frozen green peas

Saute the onion and garlic in water until beginning to soften. Add the tomato and bell pepper and saute until the onion is softened. Add potato, paprika, and cayenne and saute briefly to get everything mixed well. Add the rice, broth, carrot, zucchini, and peas. Bring to a boil, reduce, cover and simmer for about 30 - 45 minutes, or until the vegetables and rice are done. Serve. Enjoy!

West Indian Potato Bean Stew for the Instant Pot

I've discovered how much I really love using an Instant Pot. My gosh, so simple! So far I've still only used the pressure cooking function, but I will eventually brave the other options.

West Indian Potato Bean Stew

One onion, diced
One red onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, sliced
4 c. vegetable broth
2 cans white beans, drained
3 red potatoes, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
One sweet potato, cubed
1 t. turmeric
1/4 t. black pepper
1 t. cinnamon
One package frozen corn, thawed
One package frozen green peas, thawed

Once again, I didn't use the saute function, but feel free to saute the onions and garlic in oil until soft. Otherwise, all the ingredients to the pot, cook for 8 minutes. Let pressure release for 5 minutes, then do quick release. Serve over rice if you like. Enjoy!

Black Eyed Peas and Beer Brat Soup in the Instant Pot

I finally got an Instant Pot. I'd been wanting one and kept looking at them every time I went to a store that sells them. "One of these days," I kept telling myself. One of those days finally arrived a few months ago. Then the inevitable where it sat while I stared at it for awhile, uncertain how to proceed. My son is braver. He got one months before I did, and his sat unopened in his dining room. We both decided to brave it. He went first.

Black Eyed Peas and Beer Brat Soup

2 c. dried black eyed peas, soaked overnight
One red onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
6 c. vegetable broth
One small can tomato paste
2 t. oregano
One bay leaf
1 t. salt
1 t. crushed red pepper flakes
3 T. brown sugar
One package vegan beer brats, sliced
One green bell pepper, chopped

Because this was my first recipe, I didn't use the saute function, but you can saute the onion and garlic first, if you prefer. Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot and cook at pressure for 5 minutes. When done, release pressure after 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Serve. Enjoy!

Brazilian Kale/Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Salad

When family gathers for a big meal, I like to bring more than one item. Must be a mom thing - I always want to make sure everyone gets enough to eat!

Brazilian Kale

One bunch of kale, sliced thin
2 T. coconut oil (or whatever oil you have)
5 garlic cloves, minced
One onion, diced
1/4 c. vegetable broth
1/2 t. liquid smoke
Salt to taste

Saute the garlic and onion in the oil until softened. Add a handful of kale and stir until wilted. Continue adding handfuls of the kale until you've cooked all of it. Sprinkle it with the broth and liquid smoke and let it steam for about 5 minutes. Season with salt, as desired. Serve. Enjoy!

Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Salad

3 c. Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, sliced in half
Olive oil
Salt to taste
1-1/2# butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
Olive oil
3 T. maple syrup
1/2 t. cinnamon
2 c. pecan halves
1 c. dried cherries

Lightly grease a cookie sheet with oil. In a separate bowl, mix Brusssels sprouts with 2 T. olive oil and salt. Spread the Brussels sprouts on the cookie sheet cut side down, and roast at 400F for about 20 minutes. After about 10 minutes, flip them over for even roasting.
Lightly grease a second cookie sheet with oil. In a separate bowl, mix the squash with 1 T. olive oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Spread the squash on the cookie sheet and roast at 400F for about 20 minutes. After about 10 minutes, turn it over for even roasting.
In another large bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts and the squash with the pecans and cherries. Mix well. Serve. Enjoy!

Pisto with Potatoes

Spanish pisto is somewhat like ratatouille, but this one is made using potatoes and isn't nearly as much work!

Pisto with Potatoes

One onion, chopped into chunks
1/4 c. vegetable broth
Two large potatoes, cut into cubes
One green bell pepper, cut into pieces
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. oregano
One eggplant, peeled and cubed
One yellow squash, cut into cubes
4 tomatoes, diced
1 T. paprika
1 T. lemon juice
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper

Saute the onion in oil or water until softened. Add the broth, potatoes, bell pepper, garlic, and oregano and saute until the bell pepper is softened. Stir in the eggplant, squash, tomatoes, paprika, and about 1/2 c. water and cook until the potatoes are tender. Season with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve. Enjoy!

Cabbage Stew

Not everyone likes cabbage, and the smell it makes while cooking isn't particularly appealing. However, mixed in with other things while it cooks, and you won't even notice.

Cabbage Stew

One package sliced mushrooms
4 celery stalks, diced
2 carrots, diced
One onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. basil
1 t. oregano
1 t. paprika
1 t. salt
1 t. thyme
4 c. vegetable broth
One large can diced tomatoes
One small can tomato paste
Half a head of cabbage, chopped
2 T. apple cider vinegar

Saute in oil or water the mushrooms, celery, carrots, and onion until the onions are softened. Add the garlic, seasonings, vegetable broth, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer about 10 minutes. Add the cabbage and simmer another 10 minutes, or until the all the vegetables are tender. Add the vinegar, season with salt and pepper, and serve. Enjoy!