Chinese Take-out

Friday nights are traditionally our going out to eat night. Occasionally though we decide to pick-up take-out instead. It's a bit more difficult at this house because we are so far away from any take-out that any food is usually cold by the time we get it home. This defeats the purpose. Last Friday night we decided Chinese take-out was in order since both of us were tired so lounging around the house was more appealing that going out.

Chinese Take-out

Chinese take-out is one of the few foods that can handle the traveling time to get from the nearest town of any size to our house. We ordered the Dinner for Three for $29.99 that included egg rolls, soo guy, sweet and sour chicken beef chow mein, chicken fried rice and fortune cookies. This place gives us 10% off for pick-up which is a nice bonus. The price is less expensive than if we ate out and with Chinese take-out we have left-overs that tend to warm up rather nicely. We can usually get 2 meals out of a dinner for three so in terms of price it isn't bad at all.

Where we live the red sweet and sour sauce is quite popular. This is a very thick sticky sauce with a characteristic bright orangy red colour. I haven't found a comparable product in the stores. VH® Sweet & Sour sauce comes the closest but still isn't the same. Chinese food is so easy to make at home and we often do because it is also quite quick to make. Getting Chinese take-out just gives a few more ideas of what we can try making at home.

Cinnamon Coconut Loaf

Quick breads are even easier to make than muffins. They can be used for breakfast, snacking or deserts. In most cases quick bread use few ingredients most of which are basic ingredients in most pantries. The versatility of quick breads make them a must make in any kitchen.

Cinnamon Coconut Loaf

Cinnamon is one of my favourite spices so I'm always looking for new recipes using it. I came across this recipe for a cinnamon coconut loaf that just sounded like it would be really good. The recipe said that there would be a nice swirl pattern when the loaf was cut and while that didn't happen for me, the smell was heavenly. The taste was beyond being heavenly!

Cinnamon Coconut Loaf
modified from: Jean Paré, Muffins & More. Edmonton, Alberta. 1983. Pp. 47

2 eggs
¼c cooking oil
1 c organic sugar
1 c sour cream
1½c unbleached flour
1½tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt
½ c shredded coconut
¼ c brown sugar, packed
2 tsp cinnamon

Beat eggs in a mixing bowl until frothy. Beat in oil, organic sugar and sour cream. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well then mix into wet ingredients. Stir coconut, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl and set aside. Pour half of the batter into a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Sprinkle ½of the cinnamon mix over the batter. Pour the rest of the batter over top then the rest of the cinnamon mix. Use a knife to cut through the batter to give a swirling, marbled effect. Bake at 180ºC/350ºF for 1 hour or until centre come clean when poked with a toothpick. Remove from oven and let stan 10 minutes. Remove from pan then allow to continue cooling on a wire rack.

Spaghetti with Blush Sauce

Pasta is such a versatile food! It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes so there is no end to the meal possibilities. It can be served either hot or cold with a variety of sauces, used as the main course or as a side and as a meatless meal. Pasta is easy to cook, usually boiled or baked. It is an excellent meal stretcher as well. In general sauces tend to be tomato, cream or milk, oil or butter, or gravy based. This results in a lot of possible sauces!

Blush Sauce

A béchamel sauce (white sauce) forms the basis of cheese sauces for pasta and white gravies. This is one of the easiest sauces to master. Melt about 2 tbsp of butter in a sauce pan. Slowly stir in about 2 tbsp of unbleached flour. Stir until nicely combined then continue stirring while slowly adding 2 cups of milk. Continue cooking and stirring until sauce thickens. Season with salt and peper.

I used 2 cups béchamel sauce and 1 cup roasted tomato sauce to make a blush sauce. A blush sauce is a great way to use up left-over tomato sauce that there isn't enough for a full meal. This is a unique, yet richly flavoured sauce ideal for spaghetti. As you can see the sauce is almost pink hence the name. I topped the pasta with the sauce then sautéed vegetables and served with cluster buns for an easy, tasty meatless and frugal dinner.

Kitchen Quick Tips - Ground Beef Packets

Brown 5 lb lean ground beef. Drain well. Divide into 4 portions. If desired you can mix in chopped onion or seasonings with each portion. Allow to cool. Spoon into vacuum freezer bags, vacuum and seal. Freeze for a ready to add meal starter.