Bouillabase

I made this the other night, and Dad keeps saying.  "This is SO good, I just love it".  he may have been starving, his claims exaggerated, but he really does eat each and every drop in his bowl.  Add any kind of fish you want.  If you don't like scallops, don't add them..ditto for any other suggested fish. Don't worry, it won't bite you.

Slowly saute  1/2 onion and 2 medium cloves of garlic (or prepared chopped  garlic from a jar) till soft in a bit of olive oil.
Add 4-5 cans or approximately 2 quarts of diced tomatoes - any kind you like(not with chilies though)
Add 1 bay leaf and 2 tsp each thyme and basil
Simmer on low for about 45 minutes. Season to taste w/ salt and pepper
Now add snapper, cod, shrimp, scallops to your taste.  I love cod, especially. Cook another 10 minutes(no more) and serve with a nice loaf of your favorite crusty bread.
YUMMY!

6-8 servings

This last time I also sauteed some brown mushrooms and added them. You don't have to, but it sounded good. If you need to learn how to saute mushrooms call me.  I just learned a trick from Julia Child! (via Julie and Julie - the film)

Yummy Apples

This isn't really a recipe....It's just a reminder that some things in life are their best as close to their natural state as possible.  Apples are one of those.  I used Fugis this morning.  They are flavorful and firm.  I liked that.  If you like them softer try a different variety.  A mix is always best.  Try golden delicious, pink lady, honeycrisp, mackintosh, galas,  or winesaps. Just not something tart like Granny Smiths. Peel and chunk into about 1" pieces. Now add a bit of water to your pot (just an inch will do) and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves, or a mixture of them.  Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat to low and cook till they are soft to a fork. Done!  No sugar  is needed most of the time.  We like them chunked or mashed.  It doesn't matter.  They just smell so good and are a wonderful breakfast treat. I like them served with plain yogurt or mixed in my steel cut oats.

Enjoy!

Sloppy Joes

Why feel under pressure to make a big dinner, when sometimes something super simple is just perfect in a pinch?  This recipe is just the simplest ever, and very yummy.

Prep 10 minutes or less.   Serves 6

l lb ground beef browned with
1/4 cup chopped onion (or whatever you'd like) and
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (or to taste)

Drain the juices and add:
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. prepare mustard
3/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook - or rather, simmer, for about 30 minutes.  I added a bit of water to keep the mixture from getting too thick and sticking.  That's it.
Serve on hamburger buns with veggies or fruit or whatever sounds good.
 I made an easy cole slaw with cabbage, sliced green onions and ranch dressing. If it stands in the fridge for a couple of hours that's nice, but not necessary.

PS if you feel fancy you can add chopped celery to the sloppy Joes, or some sausage. But why?  It's good just as it is. I added celery because I didn't have green pepper. You couldn't tell the difference.