Mashed Yams with Honey

A nice side dish, that's kind of different.

6 lbs yams, peeled
2 lbs. potatoes, peeled
1 c. butter
1/2 c. honey

Cut yam & potatoes into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Place in a large pot of boiling water, cook until tender, aobut 25 mins. Drain. Return potatoes to pot. Cook over med. heat until excess liquid evaporates. Stir frequently, about 3 mins. Add butter and honey. Mash until butter mets and potatoes are smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Serves 12.

Enjoy,
Myrna

Roasted Mashed Potatoes with Rosemary

I love mashed potatoes, and roasting them just gives it such a wonderful taste.

2 lbs baking potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. fresh or dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
3/4 c. hot milk
1/4 c. chopped green onions
1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 (8oz.) container of sour cream

Pre-heat oven to 425F. Combine first 5 ingredients in lightly greased shallow pan, toss well to coat. Bake, uncovered for 30 mins. or until tender.

Combine milk and next 4 ingredients in large bowl; add potato mixture. Mash with potato masher. Serve.

Serves 6

Enjoy,
Myrna

Sweet Potato Casserole

I tried this one and loved it.

4 lbs yams (do not peel until after they are cooked)
boiling water
1 tsp. salt
6 med. bananas
1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine

Scrub yams, place in a large saucepan with salt. Add boiling water to cover. Bring to boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low; simmer 30 - 35 mins or until yams are tender. Drain, peel and cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices.

Pre-heat oven to 375F. Using butter or margaine, thoroughly grease a deep casserole dish (2 quart).

Peel bananas, discard skins, slice bananas into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place banana slices in a med. sized bowl and toss with orange juice. In another small bowl, mix brown sugar with cinnamon, set aside. In the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, arrange one third of the yam slices in a single layer, overlapping slightly. Top with half the banana mixture and sprinkle with one third of the sugar mixture. Dot with one third of the butter.

Repeat layering until you use all the yams, and bananas. Sprinkle top with remaining sugar mixture, dot with remaining butter and pour on the rest of the orange uice. Bake 45mins. or until bubbly and very hot.

Makes 12 servings.

Enjoy,
Myrna

Nachynka (Corn Meal)

This is one of the favourite's for our Ukrainian Easter and Christmas family traditions. But it's good at anytime, even for breakfast.

1/4 c. butter
1/4 cup oil
1 medium sized onion, peeled, chopped
1 c. cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 c. boiling water
1 egg
1 c. milk

Pre-heat oven to 350F.
Put butter and oil into a thick pan, add chopped onions. Saute until tender, but not brown. Remove the onions from the pan. To the drippings in the pan, add the cornmeal, salt and pepper and mix well. Fry for 5 mins., carefully so as not to brown, stir constantly.

Add the water gradually, 1/2 c. at a time while stirring over the heat. Beat the egg and add milk, then beat slightly. Add egg and milk mixture, a little at a time, to the cornmeal, stirring constantly to prevent the egg from cooking seperately. Add onions and stir.

Pour into a saucepan or casserole dish and bake for 1/2 hour. Serve hot.

Serves 4

Enjoy,
Myrna

Vegetables in Coconut Gravey

This is great with namm bread and rice.

Any vegetables in season will do.

1 - 1 1/2 lbs vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc.)
2 tbsp. peanut oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 fresh red chili, seeded & chopped
1 tsp. shrimp paste or fish sauce
2 strips of lemon rind
1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 c. consume
1 1/3 c. coconut milk
3 tsp. peanut butter
2 tsp. salt (to taste)

Slice veggies into small pieces. Heat oil in a medium saucepan and fry the onion until soft and starting to change colour. Add garlic, chili, shrimp paste and fry over low heat for 2 mins. Add lemon & tomato. Stir and cook until pulpy.

Add stock & coconut milk and bring to simmering with lid off. Add veggies according to the time they take to cook. they should be tender but still crisp. Stir in peanut butter & salt to taste.

Serves 6

Enjoy,
Myrna

Beets with Orange

I just love beets, boiled or roasted. So here's a nice one that has a lovely citrus taste to it.

12 -14 small beets, do not peel
butter
1 tbsp grated orange peel
1 - 2 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp fresh tarragon (or 1 tsp. dried)
dash of fresh ground pepper

Cook beets in boiling, salted water for about 20 - 25 mins., or until they are barely tender. Let them cool slightly, cut off the stem and roots, and peel.

In pot, melt butter, add the orange peel and orange juice, stir. Add beets, stir. Add tarragon and pepper, mix well. Cook until beets are soft. Serve.

Enjoy,
Myrna

Honey Mustard Carrots

Something new to do with carrots.

4 med. carrots
1 tbsp. prepared mustard
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Cut carrots in 1/4 inch thick matchsticks, in a steamer, steam over boiling water, covered until tender, about 4-5 mins. In a bowl, stir in remaining ingredients, salt & pepper to taste & toss with hot carrots.

Serves 2

Enjoy,
Myrna

Cucumbers with Yoghurt

This is a light & refreshing side dish, good with East Indian Food.

2 small cucumbers
coarse cooking salt
2 tsp. cumin seeds (less if you're using ground cumin)
2 green onions, chopped
1 1/2 c. plain yoghurt
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Peel cucumbers, cut in half lengttwise, remove seeds. Finely chop cucumbers, place in strainer, sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 15 mins. Rinse under cold water, drain well. Place cumin seeds in small pan, stir over low heat until well browned. Combine all ingredients in bowl, mix well. Serve.

Serves 6

Enjoy,
Myrna