RECIPE : LENTILS WITH BACON an Italian classic with a twist

We don't take advantage of protein packed lentils enough.
Lentils are packed and also have great fiber and B Vitamins. They are also very very economical, and, like most things go very well with bacon!

Here is a new take on an Italian Classic that usually uses Pancetta, (uncured bacon), I have added more vegetables and use regular bacon.

for more info on prep for this dish please refer to THE GREAT GRANNY Diet on Amazon Kindle htttp://www.amazon.com

serves 4

1/2 pound bacon, chopped
1 cup red onion chopped
1 cup celery chopped
3 cloves garlic smashed and minced
2tsp dried thyme
2tsp dried sage (or both fresh if possible)
2tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves
1 cup dried lentils (don't use split orange)..wash and rinse well.
2 cups red wine mixed 50:50 with hot stock, or just stock
2 pounds fresh tomatoes, skinned and seeds, stems removed, flesh sliced into strips
1 cup torn fresh basil
salt & ground black pepper
1 cup chopped zucchini or squash (may use chopped butternut/acorn)
2 cups field spinach or tender greens
juice 2 lemons(optional)
2 cloves garlic chopped

 Method:
heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed saucepan/Dutch oven
Fry the bacon until crisp, remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
Saute the onion and celery for 3 mins.
Add the garlic, herbs and lentils, saute for 3 mins.
Pour the wine and stock mix over the vegetables and lentils, bring to boil and cook with a tight lid on medium simmer for 30-50 mins. Until Lentils are almost cooked.
Remove any scum on surface.
Add the zucchini, tomatoes, and spinach and cook also lidded for 20 mins.
Season to taste, adding lemon juice to cut the fat.
Remove the bay leaves and skim off any fat.
Add the basil and cooked bacon, stir in and serve.
Great with crusty bread.

A delicious hearty meal

CARAMELIZED ONION RELISH..GLOBAL RECIPE

The main ingredient of  this dish is YOUR PATIENCE!!

The process cannot be hurried, so, if you have other things to  do, don't attempt this recipe!

The original recipe called for red onions, but brown or white ones work just fine and in place of balsamic vinegar*  use cider or red wine vinegar and add an extra 1tbsp dark brown sugar to the mix.


3 cups very thinly sliced onions (3-4  medium sized onions)
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup dark red wine
3tbsp balsamic vinegar* see above
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp fresh thyme minced (do not substitute, dried thyme, if you don't have the fresh, omit it)


Combine the onions and sugar in a heavy bottomed non stick skillet.
Cook over medium heat, slowly for 25-45 mins or until the onions turn golden, and begin to caramelize..stirring occasionally (do not keep stirring, or they won't caramelize).

Stir in the wine and vinegar and bring to boil, and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated (about 15 mins) stirring well. Be careful of the steam the vinegar will make your eyes water.

Season with the salt & pepper and add the fresh thyme is using

Spoon into wide mouthed, sterilized hot jars and seal.
Process in boiling water for 10 mins for 1/2 pint jars.
remove from boiling water with tongs and place on  a wooden board and allow to cool, lids should pop, so secure more tightly when cool.

Store in a cool dark pace or even in the freezer



This is perfect with any roasted meat, chicken  or broiled fish.
Also goes perfectly with any cooked cheese dishes.

"Muffnuts" & Bacon Date Muffins..fine old recipes from America's Southern States

"MUFFNUTS"  aka French Breakfast Puffs makes 1 dozen cup cake sized muffins

these are a cross between a donut and a muffin


All ingredients at room temp please
Preheat oven 350f middle shelf
Batter:
1/3 cup butter or shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup milk

topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter

Method:
Cream the shortening with the sugar and add the egg, beat very well.
Sift flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg and set to one side.
Add the dry to the mix alternatively with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
Mix well and spoon the batter into well greased muffin/cupcake molds DO NOT USE PAPER LINERS.
FILL 2/3 FULL AND BAKE 25 MINS OR UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN.

Topping:
Combine the sugar with the cinnamon.

When muffins are ready, remove from oven and carefully un-mold while they are hot ..be careful as they are very tender.
Roll each into the melted butter and then the cinnamon sugar shaking off excess both times.
Plate and allow them to cool

Serve with fresh berries or OJ

BACON DATE MUFFINS
 This recipe makes 1 1/2 dozen using cupcake pans or small muffin molds

PREHEAT OVEN 400F MIDDLE SHELF

Batter:
1/4 cup butter
2tbsp sugar
1 large egg     

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 cup chopped dates* (or dried prunes, dried apricots, raisins, cranberries)
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (American bacon is streaky and smoked and is cooked crisp rendering all the fat out).

Method;
Cream the butter and sugar well and add the egg and continue to beat.
Combine the dry as in previous method and add alternatively with the milk beginning and ending with the dry.
Fold in the chopped fruit and bacon.
Spoon 2/3 full into well greased muffin pans
Bake for 20 mins and serve warm with maple syrup, honey or agave syrup.
Chop or slice the dried fruit fresh with scissors do not use pre- chopped fruit as it contains oat flour and will affect the recipe...make it heavier.

Paradise Cove Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe..Using The Great Granny Diet Book

Paradise Cove in Malibu CA is about half way between the Movie Star Colony and Zuma Beach, it is where they filmed a lot of The Rockford Files and is the location for many Celebrity private homes.
I made this one evening for a "sundowner dinner" at a famous singer's beach side home, and it is fantastic.
Try and make the sauce the day before and allow the skinless boneless chicken breasts to marinate in it overnight, before cooking.

serves 4-6

2tbsp olive oil
8 cloves garlic smashed and minced
1 cup minced onion
1/2 cup minced celery
1/2 cup minced carrot
1/2 cup pitted and chopped green olives
2 tsp minced fresh jalepeno or 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups chopped red tomato
2 cups chopped yellow tomato (if not available add another 2 cups red tomatoes)
1 tsp sea salt
1 cup vegetable stock
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 cup white wine or apple juice
2tsp dried thyme (or 1tsp fresh)
2tsp dried rosemary (or 1tsp fresh)
2 bay leaves

4-6 x 7ozs skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Make the sauce as for the Gallon of tomato sauce in my recipe book, THE GREAT GRANNY Diet,  adding the hot pepper and olives after adding the tomatoes.

Cook the sauce for 30 mins then test for seasonings and allow to cool completely.
Place the chicken breasts in a plastic bag and cover with the  cold sauce and marinate overnight or for 6 hours in fridge.


Preheat oven 350F middle shelf
grease a 10 x 9 inch ovenproof dish, and place 3/4 the sauce in first and top with the chicken breasts, adding the 1/4 left to top the chicken and bake,tightly covered in foil for 35-45 mins. so the meat is fully cooked.

Remove from oven and drain off any oil, grease, and sprinkle with fresh thyme and/or rosemary.
Serve with steamed rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, couscous, whole grain pasta and or green salad.

VARIATIONS: you may add any sliced mushrooms or bell peppers (particularly good with roasted red peppers added just before baking)

ALABAMA STYLE CRAB CAKES, CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS, MEXICAN STYLE GARLIC SOUP GREAT RECIPES AND INFO

PREVIOUS 2 CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

MEXICAN STYLE GARLIC SOUP..GREAT COLD CURE OR COLD NIGHT WARMER, MAKE IT A MEAL BY ADDING POACHED OR FRIED EGGS

THESE ALABAMA STYLE CRAB CAKES ARE LIGHT AND FANTASTIC

These and many more, up to date, fantastic recipes can be found in my new Recipe book/Bio
                               RECIPES FOR SUCCESS   
                                       THE GREAT GRANNY Diet  VOL #1
   (recipes and tips that your Great Grandmother should have taught you)

On Amazon Kindle..no need to have a Kindle reader, you can download the Kindle Viewer App when you buy the book and at just $7.00 it is cheaper than a plate of crab cakes!



Just enter the name of the book in the search box on amazon (it is available worldwide) link below. Then transform your life by  preparing and enjoying, better, home cooked meals.

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               Now don't get crabby there are enough for everyone!!