These days restaurants serve such large portions. We’re rarely able to finish our dinners, particularly when they load a plate up with delicious French fries. The question is, what do you do with all these leftover French fries?
We find leftovers to be an inspiration, a challenge, to make something creative with an unusual ingredient.
I love split pea soup. My favorite is the thick, Dutch version they serve on Holland America Line’s Alaskan cruises. But their version is complicated and it’s not vegetarian. I really like Anderson’s as well. Anderson’s recipe is the polar opposite of Holland’s it’s very simple, focusing on the basics and it’s vegan.
But, I want to make a recipe that’s Charles’ Signature Pea Soup.
The best way to make a recipe your own is to start with the most basic version and modify it to your liking. That what I’m doing with my pea soup. I studied dozens of split pea soup recipes and they all have the basics in common – three cups of mirepoix, a tablespoon of herbs and seasonings, a pound of split peas and water. What makes each version different is what they add to the basic recipe.
Once you make the basic recipe, taste it, make notes and write a new recipe with some changes. Then do it again, and again. Repeat until you have your signature recipe.
Basic Split Pea Soup
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrot
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp curry powder
1 lbs split peas
6 cups water
Set Multicooker to high sauté and add olive oil
Once hot, add onions, celery, carrots, salt and pepper. Cook until softened
Add curry, stir until well mixed
Add peas, stir until they’re coated
Add water, give it all a good stir
Put on the lid and set the Multicooker to pressure cook for 15 minutes
After the 15 minutes, allow it to naturally depressurize for at least 15 minutes
Reserve half the tea in a separate vessel. Stir in the honey and squeeze the lemon directly into the mug. Pour in the whisky and top with as much of the reserved tea as will fit. Grab a good book. Drink and enjoy.
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
Optional fillings such as diced onion or green onion, sliced black olives, jalapeño slices
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F. In large saucepan, prepare pasta according to package directions until just al dente; drain. Set pasta aside.
In same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour; whisking constantly. Whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. Slowly whisk in 3 cups cheese, cooking and whisking until melted and smooth. Salt and pepper as desired.
Stir pasta into cheese sauce. Transfer half to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Top with Make & Freeze Taco Meat, drained tomatoes and desired fillings. Top with remaining macaroni and cheese. (I mixed all together at once)
Sprinkle with crushed tortillas and remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
2 Eggs ½ cup milk ½ tsp vanilla extract 1 cup crushed corn flakes 6 slices (frozen) Texas toast (with cheese or garlic) Sprinkle of salt ¼ cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 450° In a shallow bowl whisk eggs, milk, vanilla and salt until blended Place corn flakes in another shallow bowl. Dip both sides of bread in egg mixture then in the corn flakes – both sides. (you may need to pat a little to cover)
Place in a sprayed oblong pan. rizzle with the melted butter (or add when it comes out)
We made a fancy breakfast last Sunday. Karalee made Eric’s Potatoes and Charles made an egg soufflé. The soufflé is coming soon, but in the mean time, here’s the recipe for soufflé.
2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt Pinch of pepper 3/4 cup milk 4 egg yolks 2 egg whites 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Prepare soufflé dish by coating with butter and bread crumbs.
Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Stir in milk all at once. Continue stirring until mixture boils and is smooth and thickened.
Separate eggs. Beat yolks well and add ¼ cup of warm sauce mixture to egg yolks.
Combine yolk mixture with remaining sauce, blending thoroughly. Add parmesan cheese, stirring into white sauce until blended. Set sauce aside to cool slightly.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl, until stiff but not dry. Fold some of the egg whites into sauce to make it lighter, then gently but thoroughly fold the sauce into the remaining egg whites.
Carefully pour into 4-cup soufflé dish.
Bake in preheated 375° F oven until puffed and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes or until done.
We made a fancy breakfast last Sunday. Karalee made Eric’s Potatoes and Charles made an egg soufflé. The soufflé is coming soon, but in the mean time, here’s the recipe for Eric’s Potatoes.
1 package savory Cheese Ball mix 10. 75 oz can cream of celery soup 8 oz Sour Cream 1/2 cup Milk 26 oz bag Frozen shredded hash brown pototoes 2 1/2 cups shredded smoked Gouda Cheese or other cheese 2 Tbsp melted butter
Combine first 4 ingredients, set aside. Combine shredded Cheese and hashbrowns Combine all together, spread into a greased 9×11 baking dish Pour melted butter over the top.