Celeste's Tomato Soup

Historian's Note:  This recipe was created, taste tested, and perfected by Celeste back in 2014.

Instructions:

Start with a can of your favorite Tomato Soup as a base.  Whether it be Campbell's or Progresso or Western Family.  Add to a sauce pan and prepare as directed.

Add the following ingredients (sprinkle and adjust to taste):

• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Italian / Pizza Seasoning
• 1/4 tsp "Season All" seasoning
• 1/4 tsp Pepper

Heat soup to hot, but without boiling.  

Now cook up some tasty grilled cheese sandwiches and enjoy!

NOTE:  The purpose of the seasoning is to enhance the flavour and give it a restaurant or home-cooked zest!

Lanny's Salmon and Sauteed Asparagus with Bacon and Onion

 Lanny's Salmon with Sauteed Asparagus with Bacon and Onion

Both of these are very good and the Asparagus can be a main or side dish.

Lanny's Salmon

Rinse and pat dry 2 - 3 # salmon.  Place skin down on sprayed foil in bottom of broiler pan.

Mix 1/2 C mayo, 1/2 C sour cream, 3 T minced parsley, 2 T mustard, 2 T minced dill week, 2 t freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon rind.  Pour over salmon.  Salt and pepper.

Top with thin slices of tomato and onion.

Preheat oven to 350'.  Bake 20 - 30 minutes. Makes about 6 servings.

Sauteed Asparagus with Bacon and Onion

Cut 1# asparagus into 2" pieces. Cut 1/4# bacon into 1/3" pieces with kitchen shears.

Fry bacon in large frying pan till almost done. Slice 1 red onion into 2" slices and cook in bacon grease till soft.  Add asparagus and cook 5-7 minutes until tender.  If needed, add 1-2 T olive oil.

Add juice of 1 lemon and salt and pepper to taste and cook 1 minute.

Makes 6 side servings or 2-3 main dish servings.

Summer Garden Salad

 

Summer Garden Salad

Chop tomatoes and green peppers. Crush saltines and add Miracle Whip.

I usually use 2-3 tomatoes and 1 green pepper with about 1/2 sleeve of crackers and probably about 1/2 Miracle Whip.  This can be a main or side dish.  My mom used to make it and we now eat it for a main dish in the summertime when our garden produce is ripe!  Yummy!

Garden Vegetable Medley

 Summer Veggie Medley--1st photo

Using a wavy vegetable cutter, slice 2 -3 zucchini and 2-3 yellow summer squash and add a diced onion to melted butter or olive oil in a frying pan. Stir fry and steam (with lid on) until veggies are tender.  Salt and pepper and add grated cheese of your choice.  Cheddar or Parmesan are both very good.

Variation--2nd photo

I used zucchini, mushrooms, onions sauteed in butter and added chopped tomato toward the end.  Salt and pepper and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Just use your imagination---and your garden veggies!

Instant Pot Beef Roast

Instant Pot Beef Roast

This was a 2 - 3 pound cross rib roast so times can increase based on size of roast.

 Cut roast into 3 - 4 pieces.  Salt and pepper each side and sear each side on Saute setting of pressure cooker. Remove from pressure cooker and scrape any pieces on sides and bottom of pressure cooker.  Turn pressure cooker off.

Place roast back in pressure cooker.  Pour 1 C au jus (I made from a package) over roast and close pressure cooker.  Pressure for 1 hour and let release naturally.

This was very tender and flavorful.  We used the leftover meat and au jus with Pandemic Bread for yummy French Dip Sandwiches.

Mandarin Orange Salad

 

Mandarin Orange Green Salad

This makes a large salad that even the kids loved!

Stir 3/4 C sliced or chopped almonds with 1/4 C sugar over medium heat till brown and sugar dissolves.  Set aside.

Combine 1 C diced celery, 1 head chopped Romaine lettuce, 1/2 head chopped iceberg lettuce and 3 whole chopped green onions in large salad bowl.

Dressing:  1/2 C oil, 1/4 C sugar, 1/4 C vinegar, 1 t salt, dash pepper and dash Tabasco.  Shake in a jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Toss salad with 2 cans drained Mandarin oranges, dressing and almonds and serve.