Fat Frog Diary

  Cold Tangy Carrots My partner Dave swears this is a recipe from his youth, and despite the disparate nature of the ingredients, he swears it's delicious.  Notes: Sources: Joys of Jacksonville by the Navy Supply Corps Officer's Wive's Club. (Approx 1985, since it refers in the notes to a news event in 1984.)  ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commissions on products. The links provided are examples of what's available online.  Lena Austin www.fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com

Frankly, I've never made the Creamy Cucumbers. I went straight to the Marinated Cucumbers because it's basically a refrigerated pickle and works with many vegetables. 

  Corn Pudding Please don't expect a "corny" corn pudding that's more savory than sweet. This recipe is almost dessert-like. In fact, I dare say it could be treated as a dessert for those who aren't fond of gooey, sugar-laden pies, cakes and cookies at this time of year. However, I treat this as a side dish.  Sources: McCormick recipe card ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commissions on products. The links provided are examples of what's available online.  Lena Austin www.fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com    

  Praline Yams I started out cutting out recipes from the backs of bottles, boxes, cans and jars when I was 17. This recipe isn't quite that old, but it does specify a certain brand of yam. Recipes from a brand name usually highlighted the best way to use the food inside the package. They aren't some dodgy recipe off the net, but carefully chosen and tested recipes whose purpose is clearly understood: to get you to buy the product.  Notes: No need for marshmallows, but whipped cream is excellent.  ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commission...

Spiderweb Trap Intro: A deliciously different way to have spaghetti squash and potato gnocchi.  Notes: 1. Warning: Do not use cheap gnocchi for this. Get the good stuff, not the dollar store variety.  Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an affiliate, nor do I earn commissions on products. The links provided are examples of what's available online.  Lena Austin www.fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com

Broccoli Cheese Potato Topper Who doesn't love baked potatoes? There's a lot to love, but elevating the humble baked potato beyond butter and sour cream to make it a meal is my idea of a lazy comfort food, especially if you make the baked potatoes in the Instant Pot. Notes: 1. The condensed cheddar cheese soup is worth hunting up. I keep several cans in the pantry, ready for a fast cheese sauce.  2. Use the steam-in-the-bag varieties of broccoli florets. You can even change it up to any one of several veggie mixes such as broccoli and cauliflower.  Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) Some links may give the original poster a small commission on products sold via the link. I personally am not an Amazon affiliate and make no...

  Take the marinated cucumbers recipe. Pack the veggie you want (cucumbers are just the start!) in a jar. Pour the hot vinegar mix over the veggies. Close the jar and let the jars cool down on the counter. Stow in the fridge for 1-3 days. Then consume. Yum! I love not only cucumbers, sweet peppers, and green beans. Next month I intend to try cauliflower. Let me know what you try. UPDATE: I had some fresh baby carrots leftover, and popped those in a jar of the marinated vinegar/sugar mix. OMG! Soo good. 

Just a quick little tip for a snacker who doesn't want to fall off the wagon. (Me!) I'm sure you've seen those mini-peppers in the store in bags, looking colorful and tempting. Were you scared of the heat? Don't be. No heat! Those things wouldn't cause a hot flash even if Leonardo DiCaprio walked by stark naked. (Sorry Leo!) Cut them in half and you can stuff them with cream cheese and ground beef, but for a simple snack with no fuss, cut a mozzarella stick in half and stuff the pepper with that. I stuffed four peppers with four halves of two mozzarella sticks and microwaved them for a minute to melt the cheese to gooey deliciousness. Yum!

Yield: 4 servings 6 bacon strips, diced 2 small zucchini, cut into ¼ inch slices 2 small yellow squash, cut into ¼ inch slices 1 medium onion, thinly sliced In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 2 T drippings. In the drippings, saute the zucchini, yellow squash, and onion for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with bacon to serve. Lee Plumb, NCICS

Yield: 2 Servings ½ pound fresh green beans, trimmed 3 Tbsp peach preserves Dash cayenne pepper 1. Place beans in a steamer basket; place in a large saucepan over 1 in of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. 2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine preserves and cayenne. Cook, uncovered, on high for 30 seconds or until preserves are melted. Transfer beans to a serving bowl; add peach mixture and toss to coat. Lee Plumb, NCICS