Slightly Asian Slaw

This salad is my version of several recipes for an Asian-type slaw.  It’s very flavorful and goes nicely with any kind of sandwich.  Also, I like the fact that it can be served immediately rather than having to prepare it an hour or two in advance of a meal.

• Servings: 4
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• 1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 2 Tblsp. peanut oil
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• ¼ tsp. Mongolian Fire Oil (opt.)
• 1 Tblsp. rice vinegar
• ½ Tblsp. granulated sugar
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 3 green onions, chopped (white and green part)
• 1/4 cup grated carrots
• 1 Tblsp. peanuts
• 1 Tblsp. snipped cilantro

Place peanut butter in a small jar with a lid. Add peanut oil, sesame oil, Mongolian Fire Oil, vinegar and sugar.  Whisk with a fork…

…and then put a lid on the jar and shake vigorously.

In a large bowl, toss the shredded cabbage, onions and carrots together.   Salad can be covered and refrigerated at this point.

When ready to serve, add peanuts, cilantro and dressing.  Toss well.

4 side-salad servings 

A Good Sunday Lunch

I offered to fix lunch for my two daughters and two grandchildren before they headed for the large pool at Coney Island in Cincinnati.  One daughter suggested an oriental style pasta salad would be good and I found one on Allrecipes.  This is my edited version with a few changes.

SESAME PASTA CHICKEN SALAD

• Servings: 8
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• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 8 oz bow tie pasta (Barilla Piccolini)
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup Teriyaki sauce
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 3 Tblsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• few gratings of black pepper
• 2 chicken breast halves, baked and shredded
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

Heat a small skillet over medium high heat.  Add sesame seeds and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted.   Remove from heat and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook for 7 minutes.  Drain pasta and rinse under cold water.  Transfer pasta to a large bowl.

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine canola oil, Teriyaki sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger and pepper.  Shake well.  Pour dressing over pasta and toss to coat evenly.  Gently mix in chicken, cilantro and toasted almonds.

The three adults loved this salad – it was exactly what I was looking for in flavor and I would suggest that you not omit the fresh cilantro.  It just adds so much to the salad.

For dessert, I pulled out a recipe for a pie that myoldest daughter had made for a pie contest at the Hamilton County Fair (Cincinnati) in 1985.  She won an award and as soon as we tasted it, we could see why.  It’s incredibly rich, so plan on at least 8 servings.

NANCY'S CHOCOLATE LIME PIE

• Servings: 6-8
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• 16 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (Oreo)
• 2 Tblsp. butter, melted
• 3 egg yolks
• 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
• 2 envelopes of Nestle Choco-Bake pre-melted chocolate
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 3 egg whites
• 7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Crust:

In a 9″ pie pan, combine crumbs with melted butter.  Press onto bottom and up sides of pie plate.  Bake @ 375 degrees  F for about 8 minutes.  Cool while preparing filling.

Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees F.

Filling:

In mixer bowl beat egg yolks at high speed about 4 minutes.  Add condensed milk, pre-melted chocolate and lime juice, mixing well.  Pour into prepared crust.

Meringue:

Beat egg whites to soft peaks, gradually adding marshmallow creme, incorporating well and beating to stiff peaks.  Spread over filling.

Bake @ 350 degrees F for 12 minutes until meringue is golden brown.

Chill for 2-3 hours.

Note: It’s important to chill the pie well and to chill any leftovers to make the pie easier to serve.

Teriyaki Almonds — New Year’s Snack

These almonds are really good and addictive.  They are quick and easy to make and since they’re baked and have a small amount of sweetener and oil, they make a nice snack, especially for New Year’s Eve.

TERIYAKI ALMONDS

• Servings: Makes about 2 cups of almonds
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• 2 cups whole natural almonds
• 1 Tblsp. teriyaki sauce
• 1 Tblsp. Lyle’s Golden Syrup or honey
• 1 tsp. sesame oil

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  On an ungreased sheet, spread almonds.  Toast in oven for 15 minutes without stirring.  Remove sheet from oven and let almonds cool.  Reduce oven heat to 250 degrees F.

In a medium sized saucepan over medium low heat, bring the teriyaki sauce and Lyle’s syrup/honey to a boil.  Stir in almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until the almonds absorb the sauce, about 2-3 minutes.  Remove from heat and add oil.  Toss until almonds are well coated.

Turn onto baking sheet, separating almonds.  Bake for 5 minutes, stir, then turn almonds and bake 6 minutes longer.

Cool on wire rack, stirring frequently.  Store in a plastic bag or covered container.  Makes about 2 cups.

According to my DietPower software, a 1/4 cup serving would be:  122 calories, 10 gr. fat, 0 gr. cholesterol, 6.04 gr. carbohydrates, 3.72 gr. protein.