Showing posts with label best recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best recipes. Show all posts

Saturday, October 11, 2014

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

Today I am sharing my delicious Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe with my readers. For years, I have been enjoying other people's recipes for this nutritious vegetarian dish. It was high time that I make baked eggplant parmesan in my own kitchen. This is one tasty dish that surely tastes better than it actually looks! The challenge is how to make it look pretty on a plate.

my delicious Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe
Well, at least it is a pretty plate! You've probably seen the Corelle Bamboo Leaf Square Round 16-Piece Dinnerware Set a lot in my various food recipes. I really love the square shape of the Corelle dinnerware along with the pretty bamboo leaf design.

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Cost

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Ingredients Cost
I went shopping at my local Publix to pick up the necessary ingredients. So, how much does it cost to make?

I didn't need to pick up the olive oil, which I used to coat my two baking dishes, since I already had that item. You get a pretty good idea how much it will cost to make baked eggplant parmesan. I spent a little over $30.00 on that shopping trip. Depending upon your serving portions, you can easily serve up to 8-12 with this recipe.

It surely isn't a cheap dish as the cheese cost is a bit much. You may opt to use a bit less cheese in your recipe! In my ingredients photo below, you don't see the second jar of spaghetti sauce that I used.

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe


My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Ingredients
Ingredients:
2 bags shredded mozzarella cheese
2 bags shredded parmesan cheese
8 oz. ricotta cheese
2 jars spaghetti sauce
3 cups bread crumbs
4 eggs
6 tablespoons of olive oil
Dash of salt and pepper

Instructions:
Prepare for bread crumb dip: Crack the eggs into a dipping dish and blend well. Pour the bread crumbs into another dipping dish.

Prepare baking dishes: You will need two baking dishes. I use a large Pampered Chef rectangular stoneware dish and a Corningware square casserole dish. Add olive oil to bottom of both dishes and distribute evenly.

Remove the skin from the eggplants. Cut into ½ inch slices. Dip the eggplant slices in the egg wash and then into the bread crumbs; generously coating both slides with bread crumbs.

Add one layer of the eggplant slices to your baking dishes. On top of that layer, distribute the ricotta cheese in teaspoonfuls. Add one jar of spaghetti sauce on top. Sprinkle one bag of mozzarella cheese and one bag of parmesan cheese on top.

Add second layer of the eggplant slices to your baking dishes. Add second jar of spaghetti sauce on top. Sprinkle second bag of mozzarella cheese and second bag of parmesan cheese on top.

Bake at 350 deg. F for sixty minutes.


Eggplant Parmesan in Baking Dishes

My Eggplant Parmesan Recipe before baking
I love my Pampered Chef rectangular stoneware baker! You can find something like it at Amazon; Rectangular Baker 9" x 13". I love how the stoneware evenly distributes the heat for baking your casserole dish.

My Eggplant Parmesan Recipe before baking
That is my 2 qt. baking dish from the Corningware StoveTop 4-pc Blue Cornflower Casserole Set. I have had this casserole set for over forty years! It sure does go the extra mile.

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe - Done!

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Done

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Done

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe - Freezer Dishes

My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe - Freezer Dishes
I opted to only prepare three corningware freezer dishes and the rest went in the refrigerator. I sure had more than my fill of baked eggplant parmesan for a lot of meals. You probably don't want to prepare the full recipe if you are a single person ... not unless you invite the family over for dinner. This would be a great recipe to prepare as a Thanksgiving side dish! If you are attending a family get-together, you can take the stoneware casserole dish and keep the corningware dish for yourself!

What's different about my recipe? In some other recipes, you will bake the eggplant slices first. I personally prefer to not go through that extra step, but instead to bake the two dishes a bit longer to ensure the eggplant is fully baked. Also, you may opt to not add any extra salt and pepper to your recipe and let your guests season their own dishes. I find the ingredients I used had enough seasonings for my personal taste. I've also noticed that in some recipes, the skin is still on the eggplant!

Eggplant Nutritional Information

Hey! They say you should eat more eggplant as it is good for you. And, if you find younger eggplants, to leave the skin on for additional nutritional benefits. Check out the facts on eggplant nutrition from that printer-friendly page!

P.S. The next time I prepare My Baked Eggplant Parmesan Recipe, I will be cutting the recipe in half.

Saturday, October 04, 2014

My Award-Winning Chili Recipe

Get my award-winning chili recipe right here. It is meaty and slightly spicy! My tasty homemade chili recipe took first place in a chili cook-off that was held in Jacksonville, Florida. The chili cook-off pitted about one dozen local chefs against each other in a friendly food competition. The points were tabulated, and my chili recipe won the bragging rights of the best award-winning chili ever! Hey! Who doesn't like this comfort food? Hey; I love chili!!

my award winning chili in a bowl
I am sharing with you today, the secret ingredient(s) to make my award-winning chili. If you are a great chef, you already know that it is OK to vary your personal recipe according to your audience's tastes!

So, you may opt to not include that one special ingredient; or you may opt to use more of certain spices.

After all, experimenting and customizing is the mark of a great chef!!! Great chefs know how to customize recipes to create their own delicious recipes for the best-ever chili recipe! I like to add a little extra zing with cayenne pepper, the chili spice barometer!

Come on in and sample some of my award-winning chili please. It is one of my spicy comfort foods that tastes oh so good! It is perfect for a Super Bowl chili cookoff!

Photo Credit: My award-winning chili made and photographed by JaguarJulie.

How Hot Do You Like Award-Winning Chili?
Please answer or spicy poll question! Do you like it mild, medium or hot?

my award winning chili hot poll results
  1. Please make my chili as mild as you can!
  2. Oh, I am a middle of the road.
  3. Sock it to me spicy! Yeah man!

My Confession : I Truly Love This Comfort Food.
Call me a cayenne pepper enthusiast : I like it spicy!

jaguarjulie glamour shot in red dress
"I sure do love making My Award-Winning Chili for friends and family. This is a recipe that is fun to make and fun to dress up with toppings of onions and cheese!"

My confession? Well, first of all cayenne pepper is that spice ingredient that can monitor the spicy level of your award-winning chili. Next, well I do have another special secret ingredient ... come on in and find out!

You know, there are so many different variables with the delicious ingredients that you put into award-winning chili! I can't think of another type of comfort food that can be so customized as this comfort food. Try a little bit of this, and a lot of that, and presto! You have your own award-winning chili recipe!

Chili is a great food for dressing up with toppings too to customize to your tastes. Chopped onions, cheese, jalapeno peppers -- you name it! Bring it along in a crock pot for tailgating, picnics, camping and other outings! And, why not consider some award-winning chili as an alternative food for the Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. You don't always want turkey and ham, you know? Make your chili the best ever with your delicious "secret" ingredients and toppings.

More and more, when we speak of toppings, it isn't just what you can put ON TOP of CHILI ... it is more and more what chili goes on top of as a hearty addition. For example, spaghetti or noodles or macaroni. People are substituting chili for their spaghetti sauces! For years, we've heard of chili as a hot dog additive ... now it is much more. What do you put it on top of?

Hope you get to try some award-winning chili -- yours! ;) And, what a perfect time for a chili cookoff > Super Bowl Sunday! Get a heads up on your Super Bowl chili recipes right here! --The Brand Ambassador JaguarJulie!

My Award-Winning Chili Recipe
This Batch Will Feed a Small Army! - You too can earn awards for competing in Chili Cookoffs!

my award winning chili in a bowl

Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to tell you that you can scale my award-winning recipe down in size as this particular batch was made to feed a small army! Usually chili is good for feeding armies or lots of people at work. My hubby mentioned that we were up as the chef of the week to feed the office staff on Friday. So, figuring out what to feed 10-12 people, I opted to prepare my award-winning chili along with a mixed green salad!

Ingredients for My Award-Winning Chili Recipe
Revealing that secret ingredient right here.

my award-winning chili ingredients by jaguarjulie

6.75 lbs. Ground Chuck - 80/20
2 - 28 oz. cans DelMonte Diced Tomatoes Garlic/Onion
3 - 15 oz. cans Joan of Arc Spicy Chili Beans
3 - 15 oz. cans Hunt Tomato Sauce
3 - Medium Vidalia Onions
2 pkgs. Lawry Chili Seasoning
1 pkg. Publix Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded
1 - 12 oz. can Budweiser Select Beer *
Spice Islands Cayenne Pepper
Salt and Pepper -- season to taste
Lawry Garlic Salt -- season to taste
1 cup of water

*The secret ingredient!

First Step: Browning the Ground Meat for This Spicy Dish!
This is probably the most labor-intensive part!

ground meat frying for my award winning chili recipe

This one frying pan held half of the ground chuck -- about 3.3 pounds. I had two frying pans going at one time to brown the ground chuck over a medium heat. You want to fry the meat until it loses its reddish pink color, being sure to stir the meat to help break up the pieces. After it is a uniform brownish-color, you will remove it from the heat and drain the oil from the pan.

You can make this as hot or as mild as you
like it by adding more or less cayenne pepper!

Preparation of the Ingredients for My Award-Winning Chili

While your ground chuck is browning, you can chop two of the onions [one of the onions will be saved for the topping] and add to your crockpot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili beans, and spices. Since I was using two different crockpots, I divided up the ingredients proportionately between the two crockpots.

Once you have drained the ground chuck, you will add that on top of the other ingredients. I usually pour the beer on top and mix in as the final step to covering the crockpots, setting it to high. Once it starts to bubble, I turn in down a notch and let it simmer for a couple of hours.

Slow Cooking My Award-Winning Chili
In a Large Rival Crockpot - Can you smell my award-winning chili cooking?

my award winning chili slow cooking in rival crockpot

Slow Cooking My Award-Winning Chili -- In Another Crockpot
There Was an Overflow! This is a good portion of award-winning chili for a family of 4

my award winning chili slow cooking in crockpot

The Cost to Make My Award-Winning Chili Recipe
These ingredients were purchased from Publix

my award-winning chili cost of ingredients by jaguarjulie

Serving up a Bowl of My Award-Winning Chili
I serve it with chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese.

my award-winning chili in a bowl

The cost per person is approximately $4.00
which allows for the guys to have seconds!

Get a Start on Your Chili

Start with McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix. This handy little packet helps. Over the years, I've relied on McCormick Seasoning for a little help. Until you become a professional chef, try the chili seasoning in a packet!

There is everything right about using a little spice helper in a package. These are the primary spices and seasonings that I add to my chili. You can feel free to substitute your favorite brand of cayenne pepper -- which is the one ingredient that you can control to make a spicy chili recipe that will knock their socks off! Normally, I make mine about a 7.5 on the Richter Scale!

Get a Portable Crockpot!
Consider the Crock-Pot SCCPVL600S 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Stainless Steel Cooker. It is very handy to have a portable crockpot to take with you to tailgating or to that chili cookoff!

I appreciate the oval shape of the 6-quart oval stoneware. You can really see your chili cooking. You also have the high, low, and warm settings to control the cooking process.

The lid-mounted locking system is a must have for transporting your chili to the cookoff! It secures to keep your recipe sealed until you are ready to unveil. This measures 15 by 10 by 15 inches. What a great size!

Thanks for visiting!
So, what do you think of my recipe? Have you got a secret ingredient for your chili recipe -- oh? You don't want to share it. Well, that's OK! Go ahead and tell me about it anyhow. I love to share recipes and food tips!

History: My Award-Winning Chili Recipe was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on July 28, 2009. On December 12, 2010 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #28 overall. This was a top lens with 39 days on the Top 100 list. Lens #466 in the quest for Giant Squid 500 Club.

Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe

I love Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs! Who doesn't love chicken thighs? This is a very easy to prepare and very tasty recipe for Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs.

Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
I've always loved the smell of chicken baking in the oven! And, I especially love it when I am using the boneless skinless chicken thighs because there are obviously no bones!

You will find that my recipe is a sort of mock-breaded in that I love using Italian Style bread crumbs.

No bones about it, you know? Perhaps you will like it too?

All photos and content copyright JaguarJulie.

Lightly Breaded Please!
Sharing one of my easy to make comfort food recipes.

jaguarjulie glamour shot in red dress
You know, chicken is one of my favorite comfort foods that is so easy to prepare? If I was a vegetarian, I would seriously miss my baked chicken!

When I was married, we had chicken thighs a couple of times during the week. However, they were usually prepared on the outside gas grill or inside on our finished patio on the fancy Jenn-Air Barbecue Grill.

Chicken thighs are so versatile to prepare. I love their perfect little size that you can use a knife or eat them with your fingers.

I personally like to use Vigo Italian Style Bread Crumbs for my breading. You'll find a lot of prepared breading mixes at your grocers, but this is the one I use! Along with the same brand of olive oil.

Plus, my main side dish has long been one of the Uncle Ben's packets of rice. They only take 90 seconds in the microwave and really are quite good. Lately, I've been enjoying the Quinoa and Brown Rice with Garlic. It has quite the interesting texture! ~ The Comfort Foods Ambassador, Jaguar Julie!

A Closer Look at the Ingredients!
You get an idea how simple this is to prepare!

ingredients for breaded baked boneless skinless chicken thighs
ingredients for breaded baked boneless skinless chicken thighs

You know, I've been using the Vigo brand of products for years. It seems to make sense to use those bread crumbs with their olive oil. Rather a synergistic effect on taste; Italian Style!

Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe
My recipe is actually like a mock breaded option.

Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe
I don't dip my chicken thighs in egg wash ... you don't really need it.

I like this recipe because it can feed one person three times, two people twice, or three people once. Get it? What's great is that you can also use the baked chicken the next day to make some tasty sandwiches!

Serving Size: 2 chicken thighs with a side of rice and perhaps a salad?

Ingredients
6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
1/2 cup Vigo Italian Style Bread Crumbs with Imported Romano Cheese
4 Tablespoons Vigo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Dash Garlic Salt
Dash Cayenne Pepper
Dash Salt and Pepper
Side Dish: Uncle Ben's Quinoa and Brown Rice with Garlic

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Thoroughly wash your chicken thighs.
  3. Add olive oil and seasonings to bottom of casserole dish.
  4. Place chicken thighs in casserole dish - preferably Corningware Blue Cornflower.
  5. Add olive oil and season with garlic salt, dash of salt and pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  6. Sprinkle your bread crumbs generously to coat the chicken thighs.
  7. Cover and put in oven to bake for one hour.
  8. Uncover at one hour and allow to brown up for 15-20 minutes.
  9. When ready to serve, microwave your packet of rice for 90 seconds.
  10. Serve with suggested serving size of two and a side of rice.
Prep time: 10 min; Cook time: 1 hour 20 min; Ready in: 1 hour 30 min; Yields: 2-3. 

Step-by-Step Instructions and Photos to Guide You!
It's an easy recipe, but I love to get your taste buds drooling.

#1 - These 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs have been thoroughly washed. Net wt. 1.69 lbs., $3.89/lb., total price $6.57.

#2 - In the bottom of your corningware casserole dish, add olive oil along with all your seasonings and spice and breadcrumbs. Then, place chicken thighs on top of that layer. Add your olive oil and all of your seasonings and spices. As much as you like! Easy on the salt.

#3 - Sprinkle your bread crumbs to generously coat the chicken thighs.

#4 - Cover your dish - getting ready to put in a preheated oven.

#5 - Put in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

#6 - Bake your dish for one hour covered. You will see it take on a golden glow; plus you will smell the amazing aroma!

#7 - Uncover and leave in the oven for 15-20 minutes to golden up and crisp the tops.

#8 - Your chicken thighs are done! Remove from oven and cover until ready to serve.

#9 - This is the side dish I like best! Don't forget to tear the two top edges before microwaving for 90 seconds.

#10 - Serve two breaded baked boneless skinless chicken thighs with a side of rice - here it is on my Corelle Bamboo Leaf Square Dinnerware!

I Love Corningware and Corelle!

Who doesn't love Corningware, I ask? Would you believe, I think my set is over 40 years old! I seriously can't believe it ... they say this stuff is indestructible and that it will probably outlive you and me. I believe it!

I am one of the many home cooks who rely on my Corningware casserole set for baking. The cornflower pattern is like a vintage collectible. I think it is a right of passage that each homemaker start off with such a set.

Get your own Corningware StoveTop 4-pc PYROCERAM Blue Cornflower Casserole Set!


You probably recognize this dinner plate in my photos. I honestly love love love my Corelle Bamboo Leaf Square Round 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4! When I bought it in June 2009 from Amazon, as soon as it arrived, I purchased a second set! Yep, it is that stylish.

You get 4 dinner plates, 4 luncheon plates, 4 soup/cereal bowls, and 4 mugs. It is made of Vitrelle glass that is dishwasher and microwave safe! You will love the bamboo leaf design and the square shape.

Keep an eye on your guests so that they don't try to take it home with them.

Poll : Do You Love It?
Does this recipe grab your tastebuds? How do you like my particular breaded and baked recipe?
  1. It sounds quite tasty!
  2. I already prepare mine with a similar recipe.
  3. I like my chicken thighs a different way.
Hey chicken lovers from around the globe!

Don't you just love how many ways you can prepare chicken. I also love grilling the chicken breasts and then chopping up the meat the next day for putting on a salad or making chicken salad. Hey, you'll want to take a look at my Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Salad! I did chop up a chicken breast and made such a delicious salad, you wouldn't believe!! So, what about the thighs? I just love to hear from my readers - whatever is on your mind. Love my recipe or not?

History: Breaded Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 8, 2014.

Friday, October 03, 2014

Brussels Sprouts Love - Facts and Recipes

I Love Brussels Sprouts. It is my favorite green vegetable. Find out more about this delicious little cabbage head. Interesting factoids, nutrition and recipes. In fact, you get 5 plus 2 Fabulous and Tasty Recipes. Looking for the very best, fabulous and tasty 5-star recipes for preparing brussels sprouts so that everyone will love them?

brussels sprouts in a basket long island seeds
Here are some of the most delicious recipes for fixing these little green cabbage heads! This green vegetable is great in a variety of side dishes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and really every day! Learn how to prepare brussels sprouts with these hand-selected recipes.

This is one of my favorite green vegetables along with broccoli, cabbage, and cucumbers! I think of all those veggies as some of my favorite comfort foods. Yes, veggies!

I know that you too will love these tasty recipes for preparing your own brussels sprouts side dishes.

Who knows, perhaps these little cabbage heads will become your favorite green vegetable of all time. Let's give this little green veggie a try shall we?

Yummy Photo Credit: Long Island Improved Seeds.


Love Them or Maybe Not Poll
Please answer our poll question! There's no neutral ground here ... love brussels sprouts?
  1. Love them ... yummy!
  2. Yech ... not my style!!

My Confession: I Love Them Any Way You Fix Them!
Yes, indeed these are cool little veggies!

jaguarjulie glamour shot in red dress
You'll find that brussels sprouts are great when cooked simply in a butter sauce or with balsamic vinegar or with a cheesy sauce or with herbs or extra garlic flavoring! Prepare them on the stovetop, in the microwave, or oven-roasted. There are so many delicious ways to prepare this green little cabbage head!

Don't let that signature smell turn you off. A specific isothiocyanate, namely allyl isothiocyanate, is credited for the smell. And, that is a good thing, as allyl isothiocyanate has shown to be unfriendly to precancerous cells in research studies.

They are super tasty and quite delicious in roasted recipes. Ah, to me, this mini cabbage head, green vegetable is the most delicious vegetable. Try one of these tasty recipes or experiment with some of your own favorite ingredients.

Pop them into a casserole and try oven-roasting. You can't go wrong! You'll find they can be quite yummy. Trust me!

I have been talking about this vegetable for a long time, before they became popular. Now, people worldwide are talking about them. Hey, there are more than five plus two ways to prepare these little cabbage heads - I too am constantly experimenting with them. There are a lot of things you can do with brussels sprouts ... try them alone or as part of a more complex recipe.

You know, you can find quite a few websites promoting recipes for this vegetable. Yes, learning how to prepare these tasty morsels should be on your list! Let's get started.

By the way, I must take time to thank my readers for being there over all these years. What a rewarding experience to be able to write about my fond food memories and to have such a fantastic readership base. Thank you! --The Brand Ambassador JaguarJulie!

P.S. I WAS the Official Squidoo Comfort Foods Contributor! Did you know that? Well, you probably guessed it. Yes, brussels sprouts are some of my favorite green comfort foods!

5 Plus 2 Little Green Factoids!
They are good for you.

brussels sprouts factoids by jaguarjulie
brussels sprouts factoids by jaguarjulie
  1. Brussels sprouts come from the very same vegetable family that includes cabbage, collard greens, broccoli, kale, and kohlrabi.
  2. They contain Vitamins A and C, folic acid and dietary fiber.
  3. Because they contain sinigrin, it is thought that they help protect against colon cancer.
  4. Nearly all of these vegetables in the United States come from California.
  5. Approximately 2% actually are grown in Long Island, New York.
  6. "Brussels sprout" is a countable noun. In the plural, it is "Brussels sprouts."
  7. "Listen here, I've loved these little green cabbage heads long before they became socially-acceptable." --JaguarJulie

Nutrition Facts of Brussels Sprouts
Everything you ever wanted to know and more!

nutrition facts on brussels sprouts
These little green vegetables are good for you! Check out the nutritional facts of these little cabbage heads and learn more about them whether cooked, boiled or drained!

You will find a great reference for fresh foods is freshcutproduce.com where you can get pertinent nutritional data and delicious facts about your favorite fresh foods; green or otherwise.

Delicious Brussels Sprouts Recipes
Check out these hand-selected recipes.

#1 Three Point Brussels Sprout Casserole: Ingredients include beaten eggs, soft bread crumbs, cream of mushroom soup, onion, butter, and cheddar cheese. Everyone loves to make casseroles. This recipe will convert the biggest critic.

#2 Golden-Crusted Brussels Sprouts Recipe: This is a very easy dish to prepare. You will probably find the ingredients on your shelf - extra-virgin olive oil along with fine-grain sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. You decide which grated cheese to add. Just a little does it.

#3 Pan-Browned Brussels Sprouts Recipe: I love using fresh garlic cloves which is a key ingredient for this recipe. You'll need some pine nuts, olive oil, butter, pepper and salt. This is another easy way to prepare this delicious green vegetable.

#4 Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar: The key ingredient in this preparation is balsamic vinegar. It's not just for salads. You'll also use olive oil, garlic, onion, butter, and salt and pepper. The vinegar nicely coats the veggies and enhances the flavor. You might make a convert with this dish.

#5 Buttered Simple Recipe
This is the traditional fast and easy recipe. They are great MASHED and served with Butter! - Use your fork to mash these little cabbage heads!

brussels sprouts mashed by jaguarjulie
brussels sprouts mashed by jaguarjulie

2 lbs. Brussels Sprouts, trimmed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Cook Brussels Sprouts in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender. Do not over boil please. Check at 10 minutes as they should be tender to a fork. Drain water and toss with butter and salt and pepper to taste.

Simply easy ... any chef should be able to handle this. I know, I do! Sometimes you don't want to mess with your food preparation, but want to enjoy the true taste of your food. This is the way to go! ~ Compliments of Jaguar Julie.

#6 Potato and Blue Cheese Soup Recipe
One of our readers, Phil, stopped by to share this recipe, "Here is a soup that I invented."

1/2 onion - finely chopped 1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp crushed ginger
1 tbsp olive oil
2-1/2 cups milk - warmed
2 cups chopped cooked brussels sprouts
1-1/2 cups chopped cooked potatoes
1 tbsp dry sherry
100gm blue cheese
Nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste

Saute onion, garlic and ginger in olive oil for 10 minutes or until onion is soft. Add the chopped vegetables to the warmed milk and stir to combine. Add vegetables and milk to onion, garlic and ginger. Blend to puree.

Add crumbled blue cheese and dry sherry. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Reheat until cheese melts and soup is hot. Do not boil.

#7 Lima Beans and Garlic Puree Recipe
Submitted by one of our readers, Ali Hakala on November 1, 2009. "Very flavorful dip for crackers or vegetables! Freezes well."

1 lb. brussels sprouts
4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups cooked lima beans
1-1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp. Italian parsley, fresh
1 Tbsp. oil or butter
salt and pepper to taste

1. Prepare and blanch brussels sprouts for 2 minutes, remove from water and toss into ice-cold water, drain.
2. Saute garlic and brussels sprouts in oil or butter on medium or medium low. Season with salt and pepper.
3. When brussels sprouts are cooked through, add lima beans, then milk or broth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and cool somewhat.
5. Blend thoroughly. Can also add a splash of lemon.
6. Spoon into serving bowl and garnish with chopped parsley.

brussels sprouts favorite recipe poll results
What is Your Favorite Recipe?
Please answer our poll question. Which of these is your favorite?
  1. Cheesy Casserole
  2. Golden-Crusted
  3. Pan-Browned
  4. Balsamic Vinegar
  5. Buttered Simple
  6. Potato and Blue Cheese Soup
  7. Lima Beans and Garlic Puree

The Pickled Poll
brussels sprouts pickled poll results
First came the pickle! What is your experience with these pickled vegies?
  1. I love them pickled ... hot or medium or mild!
  2. I love dill pickles and dill you-know-whats!
  3. Not yet tried them pickled.
  4. I'm just learning to love them regular style.
  5. Not a lover.

Please Give Brussels Sprouts a Try!

Perhaps you have not liked the taste of this green vegetable since you were a kid? I've found that I need to give all foods a chance, especially if I didn't like them when I was young.

Our taste buds change as we get older. Something old can taste new again. Why not give these little green vegies a second chance?

You know, they are great whole, sliced or diced, or even mashed! There is a lot that you can do with those little cabbage heads.

Already love them? Drop me a note in the guestbook and tell me how much.

Got a favorite recipe that you would like to share? Please tell me about it especially if you would like me to feature it here on my fan page.

Ready to Grow Some Brussels Sprouts?

I've had a lot of luck using Burpee Seeds! May I recommend you try Burpee 50171 Brussels Sprouts Brawny Seed Packet.

I recently planted a sunflower garden with 4 different packets of their seeds.

After the great success with that flower garden, I would want to next try some of these.

Have you grown any little green cabbage heads yet? Why not try it.

Take a Closer Look : This Food Can be Whimsical Art

It's a singular vegetable! What a cute little gift idea for the cabbage head lover in your life.

I love a little whimsy in my figurines. This will put a smile on your food lovers face.

Consider more than one; like a school of fish or little cabbage heads.

Thanks for dropping by today.

We truly love to hear from our readers. Won't you take a moment to let us know you were here? And, definitely let us know what you favorite recipe is for preparing this delightful little green vegetable comfort food.

History: I Love Brussels Sprouts was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on January 12, 2008. On February 8, 2010 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content. It was honored with the Squidoo lens of the day LOTD on August 29, 2014.

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Eight Layer Salad Recipe with Artistry

Presenting for my readers enjoyment, it is my Eight Layer Salad : A Delicious Side Dish Recipe with Artistry! Over the years, this has been a much requested, hearty specialty salad of mine. Have you tried an Eight Layer Salad yet?

Eight Layer Salad by jaguarjulie
I've been refining my personal recipe for Eight Layer Salad for a few years and have finally hit on a winning recipe that I am now sharing. It is my best-ever recipe that is oh so delicious! My Eight Layer Salad recipe has an extra layer to the traditional seven layer salads that you can find on the internet.

I've got a couple of 'secret' ingredients that give my layered salad more zip and a zestier taste. Depending upon the occasion, I might increase one of two of the seasoning ingredients. In this lens, you'll learn how to make this salad that's bound to be a hit with your family and friends! I sure do love the artistic appearance and delicious taste of this side dish.

So, what are you waiting for? Why not create your own work of art and make a mark with a hearty and artistic layered salad? An Eight Layer Salad which proves that food can be art, ah salad art! Presentation is important too for showcasing the various artsy levels of your layered salad -- experiment with different "see-through" salad serving bowls.

I've presented several fabulous serving bowl suggestions from which to choose. To me, there is nothing prettier than a beautiful work of art of a layered salad. All those pretty colors and layers ... why, people will all be clammering to dig into your delicious and tasty dish! Ah, I'll have some of that artistic comfort food please.

Folks, this is the perfect salad recipe for holidays and get-togethers. I always make mine for Thanksgiving and Christmas and for football parties too like Super Bowl Sunday. It's a great artistic side dish to bring to a potluck dinner. Get my delicious recipe here!

Photo Credit: Delicious Eight Layer Salad Copyright by JaguarJulie. 

eight layer salad in acrylic bowl

The Layered Salad Poll
Please answer this poll. Don't you just love layered salads? Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven! Which of these fits your tastes?
  1. I love layered salads!
  2. I've never had such a dish.
  3. I'll be making this side dish after reading this page.
eight layer salad in acrylic bowl

My Confession : I Love Eight Layer Salad!

You probably guessed that by now.

jaguarjulie glamour shot in red dress
"OMG! My Hearty Eight Layer Salad Recipe has surely changed my creative and artsy life forever. I find having a normal salad, these days, that I feel I am seriously missing out on all the creative layers. How about you?"

What I find interesting, is the power of the internet. When I originally created this page in September 2008, you just couldn't find another recipe or picture for any kind of eight layer salad. Today I am seeing more experimenting chefs celebrating their own hearty recipes for this artistic salad. It is amazing just how many others are now preparing eight layer salads of their own. The power of word of mouth ... great taste! Yumm!

What is particularly amazing, a lot of those other recipes are really more like dinner food than a side dish. I personally prefer a salad every once in a while.

I have found it quite amazing the power of the internet. Today, I can find quite a few other people writing about this type of artistic side dish. Just a few years ago, it seemed that it was only my recipe with those keywords. Today, a lot of people are celebrating this side dish in beautiful pictures.

Have some of this delicious comfort food for yourself. And? Make it pretty please. --The Brand Ambassador JaguarJulie! P.S. I was the Official Squidoo Comfort Foods Contributor! Did you know that? Well, you probably guessed it.

Beautiful Top View of my Artistic Eight Layer Salad
You can almost smell and taste this delicious side dish!

Top View of my Artistic Eight Layer Salad

The Layer Ingredients List for My Eight Layer Salad 

Ingredients:
3 romaine hearts
16 oz. frozen baby green peas
2 bunches of green onions / scallions
12 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
16 oz bacon
6 hard-boiled eggs
Seasonings:
salt
pepper
garlic salt
cayenne pepper
paprika

Eight Layer Salad Green Ingredients
Thinking Green and Healthy - Adding color and crispness to this side dish! 

Eight Layer Salad Green Ingredients

Eight Layer Salad Colorful Ingredients
Adding a Little Color With Ingredients - We have chopped bacon, chopped hard-boiled eggs and shredded cheddar cheese!

Eight Layer Salad Colorful Ingredients

The Magical Topping of my Artistic Eight Layer Salad
Once you mix it up, you will want to have a taste of this topping! Yumm, I say.

Magical Topping of my Artistic Eight Layer Salad

Topping Ingredients
Blend the following ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

1-1/4 cup Kraft Miracle Whip
1/4 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp. creamy horseradish sauce
3 sweetener packages
Dash of garlic salt
1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper

My Secret Ingredients
Cayenne Pepper -- Spice it up!
Creamy Horseradish Sauce -- Zest it up!
Sour Cream -- Add a little zing!

Preparation of the Ingredients

The bacon and eggs are 'cooking' with the frozen green peas in a dish to thaw while I am chopping the romaine hearts.

Bacon: My tip for preparing the bacon is to cut the slices into strips before frying slowly to be crispy and easy to crumble. Drain the bacon and when it has cooled, crumble into tiny pieces.

Eggs: Boil them to be hard-boiled - I probably over-boil, but I like really hard eggs. Chop into small pieces.

Romaine Hearts: Peel off the outer leaves, wash, and dry with paper towels. Chop into small pieces and set aside in a bowl.

Green Onions/Scallions: Wash, dry with paper towels, cut off roots and upper tips. Cut into tiny slices.

Beautiful Side View of my Artistic Eight Layer Salad
Look at the beautiful and colorful ingredients making up those layers!

Beautiful Side View of my Artistic Eight Layer Salad

Layering the Ingredients for Eight Layer Salad

The key part to your salad is the layering -- It's all in the layering! I like to use a large acrylic bowl to display the layers of the salad.
  1. Use about 1/2 of your chopped romaine spread evenly on the bottom of your bowl; lightly season with salt and pepper.
  2. Spread the chopped egg; lightly season with salt and pepper.
  3. Spread the green peas; lightly season with salt and pepper.
  4. Spread the remaining 1/2 of the chopped romaine; lightly season with salt and pepper.
  5. Spread the crumbled bacon - do not add salt and pepper as the bacon has enough salt.
  6. Spread 1/2 of the chopped green onions; lightly season with salt and pepper.
  7. Spread the shredded cheddar cheese; lightly season with salt and pepper.
  8. Add the topping and carefully spread evenly as though you are icing a cake! Add the remainder of the green onions. Sprinkle a dash of paprika.

Refrigerate, Toss, and Serve
Refrigerate your salad for 12-24 hours before serving.

This salad makes a pretty presentation on your table. When you are ready to serve, mix your salad so that the topping and layers are distributed evenly. It tastes even better the next day; if there are any leftovers.

Print Recipe for Eight Layer Salad

print edition of eight layer salad recipe by jaguarjulie ann brady


Eight Layer Salad is All Mixed Up
The Side Dish is Ready to Serve - Take a closer look at all those beautiful and tasty ingredients! Yumm.

Eight Layer Salad is All Mixed Up

Seven Layer Salads
Seven Layer Salads
Recipe for a Traditional Seven Layer Salad

Recipe for a Traditional Seven Layer Salad
Recipe for a Traditional Seven Layer Salad
P.S. I have presented this recipe in a pretty text jpg for you to download and print!

Cauliflower and Parmesan Cheese Seven Layer Salad Recipe
Cauliflower and Parmesan Cheese Seven Layer Salad Recipe
Cauliflower and Parmesan Cheese Seven Layer Salad Recipe
P.S. I have presented this recipe in a pretty text jpg for you to download and print!
Remember the bacon.

My friend Victoria's Personal Recipe
A hint of red color ... Victoria prepares her 7-layer salad a little differently. She uses iceberg lettuce which she tears by hand into mouth-size pieces. Two other ingredients that she uses are chopped celery and a hint of sliced red cabbage for color. She also sprinkled the bacon and cheese on top of the topping.

You will need a clear bowl!

Might I suggest the Prodyne PF-70 Large Salad Bowl for you. It is quite the affordable salad serving bowl!

You'll appreciate this stylish clear bowl which puts the spotlight on your artistic dish! I love clear bowls for presenting your artistic food creations!

These are also great for snacks. Use you creativity and imagination. There are no limits. 10 x 4.5 inch Salad Bowl. Made of durable, unbreakable polycarbonate. Dishwasher safe.

Thanks for visiting!
I love to hear from my readers. Please take a moment to leave a comment. Did you like my recipe? Or perhaps you have a personal recipe with a different ingredient that you'd like to tell me about?

History: Eight Layer Salad : A Delicious Side Dish Recipe was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on September 29, 2008. On August 25, 2009 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content.