Week 21 Sunday January 3, 2010
Vegetarian Moussaka, Greek Salad, Carmel Apple Cheesecake
This Sunday JJ's boss and his family were coming over for dinner. Their daughter Kirin was heading back to college and we wanted to see her before she left. Their other daughter Chandra lives here in town and just graduated from ASU. We love their family and they have become like family to us. It's a little nerve racking trying a new recipe when it's for other people and generally not a good idea. But it is tradition. Their daughter Kirin is mostly a vegetarian so I thought it would be a great chance to try out a new vegetarian dish. When I was planning this meal , for some reason I had the hankering for Greek food. I started thinking about my favorite thing to order at My Big Fat Greek Resturaunt-- Moussaka. Then I read how much meat it called for.... But... then I thought in a world that has an increasing number of vegans and vegetarians, I figured somewhere, was a vegetarian version. And so I found one online- a great place for recipes. The best part about online recipes, are the reviews, and this one had great reviews! I found a Greek salad recipe that sounded tasty and the only thing missing was some yummy bread. Let's face it, I am a carboholic. A meal truly isn't complete without a fantastic grain. I knew no pita I could make or buy was going to compare with the soft and chewy ones from the resturua
Vegetarian Moussaka, Greek Salad, Carmel Apple Cheesecake
This Sunday JJ's boss and his family were coming over for dinner. Their daughter Kirin was heading back to college and we wanted to see her before she left. Their other daughter Chandra lives here in town and just graduated from ASU. We love their family and they have become like family to us. It's a little nerve racking trying a new recipe when it's for other people and generally not a good idea. But it is tradition. Their daughter Kirin is mostly a vegetarian so I thought it would be a great chance to try out a new vegetarian dish. When I was planning this meal , for some reason I had the hankering for Greek food. I started thinking about my favorite thing to order at My Big Fat Greek Resturaunt-- Moussaka. Then I read how much meat it called for.... But... then I thought in a world that has an increasing number of vegans and vegetarians, I figured somewhere, was a vegetarian version. And so I found one online- a great place for recipes. The best part about online recipes, are the reviews, and this one had great reviews! I found a Greek salad recipe that sounded tasty and the only thing missing was some yummy bread. Let's face it, I am a carboholic. A meal truly isn't complete without a fantastic grain. I knew no pita I could make or buy was going to compare with the soft and chewy ones from the resturua
nt. It turns out you can just by their pitas individually.and fairly economically, 50 cents a piece. To buy a pack at fresh and easy was about the same. Yum! I knew with those babies, even if the Moussaka bombed, it would be okay. I bought way more than we needed, which meant leftovers for us! :) Actually the missionaries came for dinner the next day, so I incorporated the rest into that meal.
I picked up the pitas on Saturday night and all I needed to do was fry them up in butter and garlic right before dinner to have the fresh taste. I was so proud of my planning ahead. This was a major advancement for me. Usually I get those bright ideas too late to act on them --about 5 minutes before we are to sit down to dinner. I also took into account our new,(sigh), time for church- 1 pm. Yes, that's right, 1 pm. Isn't that awful time usually reserved for the singles ward? :). Actually it isn't as bad as I remember, especially now that my children aren't nappers. The later schedule does provide time to accomplish things in the morning, like dinner and dessert for instance. Knowing our limited time frame after church and the complexity of our chosen meal, we prepared ahead of time, snaps for us!
Since everything was new, I wanted at least one thing I had tried before. This was the day to try the Carmel Apple Cheesecake recipe again. At least I had tasted the original product at one time and we definitely had learned what not to do in week 3. This time it was going to be great!
I picked up the pitas on Saturday night and all I needed to do was fry them up in butter and garlic right before dinner to have the fresh taste. I was so proud of my planning ahead. This was a major advancement for me. Usually I get those bright ideas too late to act on them --about 5 minutes before we are to sit down to dinner. I also took into account our new,(sigh), time for church- 1 pm. Yes, that's right, 1 pm. Isn't that awful time usually reserved for the singles ward? :). Actually it isn't as bad as I remember, especially now that my children aren't nappers. The later schedule does provide time to accomplish things in the morning, like dinner and dessert for instance. Knowing our limited time frame after church and the complexity of our chosen meal, we prepared ahead of time, snaps for us!
Since everything was new, I wanted at least one thing I had tried before. This was the day to try the Carmel Apple Cheesecake recipe again. At least I had tasted the original product at one time and we definitely had learned what not to do in week 3. This time it was going to be great!
Laney - Head Dessert Chef -- Consulting the recipeApparently there was a bit of a mutiny from Laney and Jordan, who decided they wanted a chance to be head chef too. Isabel has magnanimously decided to share her title with her siblings. Now they each take turns being Head Dessert Chef.
Jordan has become quite adept at egg cracking
Isabel the Chopper
Spreading the Cream Cheese filling.
Layering the apples
Ready for the oven and this time it's done right!
Look at all that Eggplant!!!
Frying it up. JJ quickly learned the eggplant is highly absorbent. After the first batch soaked up the entire puddle of oil within minutes he decided to cook them in the more heart friendly substitute- Water.
Lookin good!
Layering the eggplant sauce and cheese like lasagne.
Vegetarian Moussaka, Greek Salad, Pita BreadVegetarian Moussaka
(We doubled this recipe to make one rather large pan)
Ingredients
2 small eggplants
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 package of veggie ground round (170g)
1 onion chopped
ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or 1/8 for a milder taste)
2 canned tomatoes chopped (we used 2 cans diced tomatoes for double recipe)
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 whole eggs
Bechamel Sauce ( I think he made more bechamel than it called for, this is a pretty small amout)
2 small eggplants
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 package of veggie ground round (170g)
1 onion chopped
ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or 1/8 for a milder taste)
2 canned tomatoes chopped (we used 2 cans diced tomatoes for double recipe)
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 whole eggs
Bechamel Sauce ( I think he made more bechamel than it called for, this is a pretty small amout)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon soy flour or white flour
1 cup of 2% milk or 3.25% milk
1/4 teaspoon salt ( Bechamel sauce)
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (Bechamel sauce)
1 tablespoon soy flour or white flour
1 cup of 2% milk or 3.25% milk
1/4 teaspoon salt ( Bechamel sauce)
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (Bechamel sauce)
Directions:
Peel eggplants and cut into thick slices. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and set aside for 15 minutes. Wash off excess salt and drain. Spray a dash of light cooking spray onto a skillet and add the eggplant slices and fry until lightly browned on both sides. Spray frying pan with light cooking spray and heat the veggie round. Add the onions and fry until soft and golden. Season with remaining salt (1/4 tsp), pepper and cinnamon. Add tomatoes, parsley and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. (we cooked it in our self stirring pot for 1-2 hours like we do a regular red sauce)Sprinkle 1/2 the breadcrumbs into a cooking pan that has been coated with a light cooking spray and cover with half of the veggie round mixture. Add 1/2 the eggplant slices. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the grated cheese. Repeat with layers of remaining veggie round, eggplant and 1/2 the remaining cheese.
Beat the egg yolks in a bowl. Beat in a few TABLESPOONS of hot Bachamel sauce at a time (very important to add in the Bachamel sauce VERY slowly). Pour sauce over the dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until crust is crisp and brown. Serve with yogurt and a salad.
Bachamel Sauce
Melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook over low heat for 1 minute. Add the milk and gradually, stirring with a wire whisk, to form a smooth medium thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Peel eggplants and cut into thick slices. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and set aside for 15 minutes. Wash off excess salt and drain. Spray a dash of light cooking spray onto a skillet and add the eggplant slices and fry until lightly browned on both sides. Spray frying pan with light cooking spray and heat the veggie round. Add the onions and fry until soft and golden. Season with remaining salt (1/4 tsp), pepper and cinnamon. Add tomatoes, parsley and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. (we cooked it in our self stirring pot for 1-2 hours like we do a regular red sauce)Sprinkle 1/2 the breadcrumbs into a cooking pan that has been coated with a light cooking spray and cover with half of the veggie round mixture. Add 1/2 the eggplant slices. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the grated cheese. Repeat with layers of remaining veggie round, eggplant and 1/2 the remaining cheese.
Beat the egg yolks in a bowl. Beat in a few TABLESPOONS of hot Bachamel sauce at a time (very important to add in the Bachamel sauce VERY slowly). Pour sauce over the dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until crust is crisp and brown. Serve with yogurt and a salad.
Bachamel Sauce
Melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook over low heat for 1 minute. Add the milk and gradually, stirring with a wire whisk, to form a smooth medium thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Everyone seemed to really enjoy the Moussaka. It turned out a bit watery, but that made it was great soak up with the pita bread!
The Ultimate Greek Salad Recipe
Dressing
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mediterranean is best)
I added a little sugar
Salad
1 head romain lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
3 large plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 English cucumber, peeled and coarsely chopped (the long, thin, almost seedless ones)
1 medium red onion, cut into thin rings
1 small green pepper, cut into thin rings
3/4 cup kalamata olive
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Great salad! It was nice having something different than the usual.
Carmel Apple Cheese Cake
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1/2 brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 8oz. pkgs. cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 apples granny smith apples, diced thinly
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Struesel Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup butter
Garnish
1/2 cup caramel topping
Directions:
In medium bowl, mix flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter . Press into a 9x13 pan or springform. Bake @ 350 for 15 min. In a large bowl beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla. Pour over warm crust.
Mix apples with 2 tbsp. sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. sprinkle over the cream cheese mixture. Add struesal
mixture on top. Bake @ 350 for 35-40 min until set. Drizzle Caramel topping over when serving.
This recipe is so yummy. When I ate it I remembered why I wanted to make it.
I felt badly later when I realized I never got a picture of their family eating dinner with us. I will have to remember next time. I did however get a couple of little videos of us playing Rock Band together. We borrowed Rock Band and the Xbox from our friends because we thought Ed and the family would have fun. Turns out we were right they stayed late rockin' out! The kids had a blast too. They've gotten pretty good since then. This night was only their second time trying it out.
This was the first song of the night
Isabel is singing, JJ is on Guitar, and Jordan is playing the drums ,
It's hard to see, Laney is sitting on JJ's lap playing the drum and Ed is rockin' on guitar. I love how into it he is!
Side Story
It's kind of funny-- After this night, We ended up having the system for a few weeks, and I think even as early as week one, I found one of Isabel's school papers in which they had to write a goal for the new quarter. On it, they list some things that can keep them from attaining their goal. I noticed the number one goal inhibitor she listed was Rock Band. Even at her age she's realized it proabably wouldn't be a good idea for us to have the system permanently. We did enjoy our temporary new medium of entertainment. Once I got the hang of it, I found myself really getting into it, especially rocking out on the drums. I have to admit, the night we played with Ed and his family, I was quite horrible. After they left and the kids were in bed, we played some more. I got much better and found myself falling in love with the drums. I don't aquire new skills in front of others very well. I was really shy as a kid and I think some elements of that have remained with me as an adult. Oh well, something to work on I guess.
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