.....NINA'S RECIPES.....

Monday, May 4, 2009

STAKE, CHICKEN, VEGETABLES AND SALAD

GRILLED STAKE, VEGETABLES AND BAKED POTATO

GRILLED CHICKEN, VEGETABLES AND STEAMED RICE

FRESH VEGETABLE SALAD WITH RANCH DRESSING

SOUP DU JOUR - CREAMY BLACK BEAN SOUP (Inspired by "CHA CHA CHA" - Cuban Restaurant in San Francisco)

Not to long ago, we had lunch at this Cuban restaurant in San Francisco called "CHA CHA CHA". We never had cuban food before and we're curious to try something new. The place was very crowded and 1/2 hour waiting. The menu had no pictures so was kind a hard to choose just by the name. We looked at other tables to see what people are eating, to get some idea of what we want to order. Everybody was eating BLACK BEAN SOUP! From the look on they faces looked like they all were in Heaven....mmmm....yummmm.....ohhh.... So, we ordered this "out of this world soup" to see what this fuss was about. Well, my first reaction after I've tasted was "what is this? NO TASTE AT ALL ! Just cream of cooked beans! I'm not going to describe the second meal, but one thing is for sure...no more CHA CHA CHA! I'm not saying no more Cuban food, but we have to try some other places to.
So here is my version of CREAM OF BLACK BEAN SOUP"!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cooked black beans,
1 cup chopped onion,
1 cup chopped celery,
1 cup chopped mixed green and yellow bell peppers,
3 cloves garlic,
3 tablespoons olive oil,
2 tablespoons vegeta,
2 tablespoons sour cream,
pepper;

DIRECTIONS:

Saute onion, celery, peppers and garlic in 3 tablespoons oil few minutes; add cooked beans, vegeta, pepper and 4 cups of water. Bring to boil; let cook for 8 to 10 minutes; in a blender container, blend the entire soup until smooth; return cream soup to cooking pot; add sour cream and cook for 1, 2 more minutes. Serve warm or cold!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

EGG NOODLES WITH WALNUTS, RAISINS AND CINNAMON

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups cooked egg noodles,
1/2 cup chopped walnuts,
1/3 cup brown sugar,
1/2 cup raisins,
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon,
2 tablespoons butter,
1/3 cup water,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract;

DIRECTIONS:

In a sauce pen over medium heat, melt butter; add sugar and walnuts; cook for 1 minute; add water and raisins; cook for 1 minute stirring; pour sauce over the noodles; add vanilla and cinnamon; mix well until noodles are coated. Serve warm or cold!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

DEEP FRIED BELL PEPPERS AND GARLIC SALAD

Sunday, May 3, 2009

WALNUTS RAISINS CHOCOLATE CHIPS COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter softened,
1/2 cup granulated sugar,
1/4 cup brown sugar,
1 egg,
1 teaspoon vanilla,
1 cup flour,
1/2 teaspoon baking powder,
1/4 teaspoon salt,
1/2 cup chopped walnuts,
1/2 cup raisins,
1/2 cup chocolate chips;

DIRECTIONS:

Beat butter,sugars, egg and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt.
Stir in walnuts,raisins and chocolate chips.
Heat oven to 375 F; drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart, onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet; remove and finish cooling on wire racks. (makes about 2 dozen cookies)