Soap Scum Remover

Great for glass shower doors! 

Ingredients

3 c. hot water

4 tsp. borax

2 tsp. liquid castile

1-1/2 c. white vinegar

1 tsp. essential oils (I like Thieves: http://www.youngliving.com/natural-cleaner/Thieves-Cleaner)

Directions

Mix all ingredients well and pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before using. 

Glass Cleaner

Ingredients

2 c. water

1/4 c. alcohol

1 tbsp. cornstart

1/4 c. vinegar

Directions

Mix ingredients well and pour into a spray bottle. The cornstarch will settle to the bottom, so always shake before using. 

All-Purpose Spray

The only thing I don't use this all-natural, effective cleaning spray for, is glass. Otherwise, it smells great and works like a charm. 

Ingredients

2 tsp. liquid castile soap

5 tbsp. white vinegar

2 tsp. borax

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. essential oils (I like Thieves: www.youngliving.com/natural-cleaner/Thieves-Cleaner)

4 c. hot water

Directions

Fully mix all ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. 

Homemade Laundry Detergent (dry)

Ingredients
1 c. super washing soda
1 c. borax
1 natural bar soap, grated
(Kirk's, Dr. Bronner's, Fels-Naptha, and Ivory all work well!)

Directions
Mix well. Use about a tablespoon for each wash. Works well in high efficiency washers and traditional washers. This recipe fills a quart-sized mason jar.

Shakshuka

This is a traditional Israeli breakfast, best served with warmed pita.

Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 medium brown or white onion, peeled and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium green or red bell pepper, chopped
4 c. ripe diced tomatoes, or 2 cans (14 oz. each) diced tomatoes
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. chili powder (mild)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
Pinch of sugar (optional, to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste
5 to 6 eggs
1/2 tbsp. parsley, freshly chopped
1/3 c. Israeli feta

Directions
Heat a deep, large skillet or sauté pan on medium. Slowly warm olive oil in the pan. Add chopped onion, sauté for a few minutes until the onion begins to soften. Add garlic and continue to sauté till mixture is fragrant. Add the bell pepper, sauté for 5 to 7 minutes over medium, until softened.

Add tomatoes and tomato paste to pan, stir till blended. Add spices and sugar, stir well, and allow mixture to simmer over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes till it starts to reduce. At this point, you can taste the mixture and spice it according to your preferences. Add salt and pepper to taste, more sugar for a sweeter sauce, or more cayenne pepper for a spicier shakshuka.

Crack the eggs, one at a time, directly over the tomato mixture, making sure to space them evenly over the sauce. The eggs will cook "over easy" style on top of the tomato sauce. Cover the pan. Allow mixture to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the eggs are just cooked and the sauce has slightly reduced. To make sure the eggs stay over easy, serve as soon as any clear whites or yolk is gone.

Garnish with the chopped parsley and feta.

Raw Apple Crisp

Ingredients

4 Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced

1/4 c. orange juice

3/4 c. pecan halves

3/4 c. hazelnuts

3/4 c. raisins

3/4 tsp. ground ginger

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions

Toss diced apples with orange juice and put into casserole dish. Smooth the top. In a food processor, combine nuts, raisins, ginger and cinnamon and pulse until chopped and well combined. Spoon the nut mixture over the apple mixture and serve. Serves 8.

NOTE TO SELF: One and a half of this recipe fits into my oval Corning-ware casserole dish. Also, I used raw almonds in the nut mixture, as well, which was terrific. Use up whatever you've got on hand! 

Quinoa Fried Rice

Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
8 oz. shitake mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
1 zucchini, chopped
1/2 c. frozen corn
1/2 c.  frozen peas
2 carrots, peeled and grated
3 c. cooked quinoa (1-1/2 c. uncooked)
1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
3 tbsp. soy sauce
2 green onions, sliced
Sriracha, for serving

Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat. Add eggs and fry until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side, flipping only once. Let cool before dicing into small pieces.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring often, until onions become translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add mushrooms, broccoli and zucchini. Cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add corn, peas, carrots and quinoa. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 1-2 minutes. Add ginger and soy sauce, and gently toss to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 2 minutes.

Stir in green onions and eggs. Serve immediately, drizzled with Sriracha, if desired.

Serves 4 to 6.

Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

6 tbsp. olive oil

4 large carrots, peeled and diced

1 large onion, sliced

1 tbsp. dried basil, crushed

3 28-ounce cans tomatoes

1 qt. chicken broth (I used "no-chicken" boullion)

1 pt. heavy cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add carrots and onion and cook until beginning to soften, 10 minutes, then add basil and cook until vegetables are completely soft, about 5 minutes more.

Add tomatoes and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes, or up to 45 minutes if time permits.

After allowing soup to cool somewhat, purée in a blender or food processor until smooth, doing so in batches if necessary. For a much silkier texture, strain the purée before returning to the pot.

Stir in cream little by little over over low heat, until desired texture is reached and soup is just heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Grilled Cheese

Ingredients
1/2 lb. Brussels sprouts, stems removed and chopped or shredded (I tossed them in the food processor)
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
balsamic glaze 
havarti cheese, sliced
8 slices sourdough bread
softened butter for spreading

Directions
Heat a large skillet oven medium heat and add olive oil. Toss in shredded Brussels sprouts and garlic with salt and pepper, tossing to coat. Cook until wilted and golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove sprouts from the skillet and place them in a bowl.

Heat a skillet oven medium-low heat. Butter the outsides of every bread slice, then layer the sandwiches with slices of cheese, the Brussels sprouts, a good drizzle of balsamic glaze and more cheese. Top off with a slice of bread, buttered-side up. Cook until each side is golden and crisp and cheese is melted, then gently flip and do the same.

Makes 4 small sandwiches.

Cream of Broccoli Soup with Aged Cheddar

Ingredients

1 1b. broccoli, roughly chopped (use the stems here!)

2 leeks, sliced (mostly whites)

a few tbsp. unsalted butter

1/4 c. flour

4 c. vegetable stock, warmed

1 tbsp. fresh thyme

1 tbsp. lemon juice

2 c. heavy cream, light cream or half-and-half

1/2 lb. aged cheddar, shredded

salt and black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Directions

Saute leeks in butter until just browning. Add flour and whisk to create a roux. You may need to add a bit more butter. Whisking continually, add the stock. Toss in your broccoli, thyme, lemon juice and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until broccoli is tender, about 15 minutes. 

Once broccoli is tender, puree the soup mixture and add the cream. Continue to warm on low heat, adding cheese, a little at a time, melting. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Serves 6 to 8.