Veggie Tails and Flowers for Fancy Veggie Basket

My Mother began making fancy cut veggie baskets for special occasions after I left home, so I didn't have the chance to watch or help her much. Now that she's passed to the other side of the veil I had to recall, search for photos of her vegetable basket and online to "see" how to make various veggie tails and flowers.  In addition I asked myself questions.  I began to get some inspiration of my own--possibly from her whispering suggestions in my ear.  I felt her nearby as I thought of her, which made for a priceless time.   

What follows is how I make radish roses, green onion tails and stems, carrot crinkles and flowers, jagged cucumber circles, celery tails and turnip flowers. 

Green Smoothies

Health Tip of the Day

"Getting Fit. . . One Step at a Time"

Green smoothies are both nutritious and
delicious.  For an easy snack or meal:
combine 2 medium mangoes, 2 bananas and
1½ cups spinach and blend well. Add pure
water if smoothie is too thick.
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Blender Whole Wheat Pancakes

My cousin Janis put this recipe in our family cookbook years ago and I just tried them for the first time this morning.  Even though they are thinner than usual, we really liked the taste!  I also like that I can make whole wheat pancakes so easily and quickly with little mess and no stirring.  A bonus is that since you make them in the blender, or in our case the Vitamix, you just pour the batter onto the hot griddle.  

It took my Mother awhile to get used to sweet (maple syrup) on bread (pancakes) when she moved to the U.S.  Now she eats them with an egg on top with maple syrup on it as does most of the rest of our family. It's taken my husband some time to yet used to this taste!  

Try it, you may like it too.

Blender Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 c. whole wheat (the kernels) 

1 c. water or milk

Add and blend 4 minutes more (less for vitamix):

1/2 c. oil

1/2 c. milk

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

4 tsp. baking powder

Canned Beans Taco Soup

I made this quick meatless taco soup for dinner and we liked it.  The hominy in it feels like the meat you leave out of it.  

When you serve it you may add salsa or ketchup or tabasco according to your taste, if desired.

Canned Beans Taco Soup

1/4 c. water  to saute the onions in

1 small chopped onion

3 cans (4 oz.) chopped green chilies

1 tsp salt (optional)

1 tsp pepper

1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (16 oz.) lima beans, rinsed and drained (I used 1 package of frozen lima beans instead, but should have used half of that).

1 can (14.5 oz.) hominy, drained

3 cans  (14.5 oz.) stewed tomatoes

1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 pkg. 1 1/4 oz. ) taco seasoning

1 1/2 c. water 

Tortilla chips (optional)

In a large soup kettle, saute onion in water until tender.

Add all ingredients except chips; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

Serve with tortilla chips, if desired.