Microwave: Instant Imitation Colcannon

I don't pretend this recipe resembles the true Irish dish: Colcannon.

Below are steps to make one generous serving.

Instant Imitation Colcannon


Ingredients:

5 full tablespoons instant mashed potatoes
Hot water as needed
2 dollops of milk
1 Tspn butter
3 full TBspns sauerkraut
1Tspn Onion powder
1 Tspn Garlic powder
2 Tspns Veggie Bacon Bits
1-2 Tspns Horseradish sauce
2 Dashes Paprika
Ground black pepper
S/P to taste


Process:

Add instant potatoes to bowl.
Add a bit of hot water, stir.
Add enough hot water to make the potato flakes thicken, stir.
Add milk, stir thoroughly.
If too thick, add more milk.
If too thin, add more instant potatoes.
Stir.
Add butter. Stir.
Add sauerkraut.
Add onion and garlic powders
Add horseradish sauce.
Add bacon bits.
Add ground black pepper and paprika.
Stir to mix ingredients thoroughly.
S/P to taste.


Some Colcannon Recipe Sources:
http://www.europeancuisines.com/Three-Irish-Colcannon-Recipes
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/colcannon/

Updated: 4/21/20

Wrap-A-Plenty

As you will see, I am getting into Wraps big time.

I am not a gourmet as these recipes make clear. I just shoot for healthy and tasty.

It started with a Lunch Meat Wrap where I spread cream cheese over a large flour tortilla. Then added diced olives, a handful of shredded carrots, a dash of ground black pepper, then put a slice of  turkey lunch meat on top and rolled it up. Yum.

Then, I made a Chicken Salad Wrap, see previous post.

Then, I made Chicken Pineapple Wrap using another chicken slice from a Chinese take out meal, I diced a slice, added diced tomato, onion,  a few chunks of pineapple and sprinkled a bit of curry powder over the items. Yummy.

Now, my Egg Breakfast Wrap is still a work in progress but the good news is I made a cup of

scrambled eggs in the microwave and it came out perfect. 

For the scrambled eggs, I used a small coffee cup not a mug. I broke one egg into the cup and added a dollop of milk. Then, whipped it together with a fork until it was well-mixed. Cooked it one minute on high in the microwave.

After placing the eggs on the tortilla, I added diced chicken, tomato, onions and a dab of refried beans. My spice is ground black pepper. The only problem was I made enough for two wraps, so it spilled over.

I love "finger food" and the best thing about Wraps is fewer dirty dishes. It's almost like put it together and eat.

Making Wraps has stimulated my imagination, so I am thinking of other items to use. Hmm, what can I do with oysters, apples, potatoes, capers, mushrooms, vegetables.......

Another Frugal Almuerzo - Chicken Salad Wrap

Chicken Salad Wrap

While this is another frugal lunch, it also demonstrates why I enjoy being frugal.

I am not an artist nor am I truly creative but being frugal does stimulate my imagination and creativity as well as challenging my cooking skills.

Plus, I continue to try and get my meal costs lower.

When I get my servicio de domicilio almuerzo (lunch) ($70 pesos with tip = 3 meals) delivered once a week, it comes with about five corn tortillas. I don’t usually eat them with my meal, I often put them on a plate, microwave them for 2 minutes on each side and make corn chips. But, today, I decided to make chicken wraps.

When I get Chinese carryout ($88 with tip) about once a month, I can make about 4-5 meals out of it.

Dicing a few pieces of chicken from my Chinese takeout, I mixed in 1/4 diced red onion, a heaping tablespoon of mayo, a few chunks of pineapple, a few grinds of ground black pepper, and a dash of lemon juice. Using corn tortillas from my servicio de domicilio, I had enough for more than two chicken wraps.

I have found a new way to increase the number of meals I can get from my servicio de domicillo and Chinese takeout!

Tales from the Indies -- Sales Report 2-2-2016

Essentially, ¨sold" 12 copies, balance 1.12, removed image for security reasons.

What a Tightwad Almuerzo (Lunch)!

After I made my first Imitation Tuna Fish Recipe, decided to get a masher because crushing the garbanzo beans with a fork was hard work. So, of course, as a tightwad, I made an attempt to find a masher at a good price.

Without a car, I am limited in my options but I make the best of it. Below are four mashers I found at the grocery store, in order of price: $24.90, 55.03, 69.00, 99.00 (pesos).

Each masher had a different patterned foot. I choose No. 1 for $24.90 not just because of price but because the foot pattern (a square of little squares) seemed the best for my purposes and I felt plastic might last longer than a metal one that could rust.

Following my Imitation Tuna Salad recipe (see recipe below), I used my new masher and it worked great! Also, I used a spatula to get the last of the mayo from the jar. But, this time I added 1 teaspoon of frozen canned salmon juice I had saved which gave the dish that fishy taste. I think Sardines and Canned Salmon are still sustainable seafood products from what I've read.

Also, I toasted one slice and the end piece from the last of a multigrain loaf of bread in a skillet. I do love the end pieces.

Also, I had some leftover soup. I can stretch a can of ready-made soup into three meals. Also, I get one almuerzo with servicio a domicillco a week, including a soup, I can make three meals out of one almuerzo.

For the beverage, I used my carbonated water maker, some leftover tonic water, a plastic glass I saved from a frozen dessert, and wedge of a lime given to me from a neighbor who has lime tree in her garden, to make a tonic water spritzer.

Imitation Tuna Fish

Ingredients:

6 Tbspns cooked garbanzo beans, drained
1/8 - 1/4 Red onion, diced
1 Heaping Tbspn Mayo
1 Tbspn Pickle relish
4-5 Twists from Black Pepper grinder
4-5 Shakes Paprika
2 Slices Multi-Grain Bread, toasted

Process:

Place garbanzo beans in a bowl.
Mash well with a fork.
Add onion, mayo, relish and seasonings to taste.
Stir well. Mash beans some more if necessary.
Spread a tablespoon of mixture on a slice of toast.
Top with second slice.
Cut sandwich in half.

Option: add teaspoon of leftover sardine oil or salmon juice.

Updated: 1/14/16

Carrot, Raisin & Almond Salad

I am thrilled with this recipe.

OMG!!! I even did my first test recipe (much smaller than original). It was a bit sweeter than the final recipe, but it tasted good. I am overjoyed at the success of this recipe. I am never sure of what I am doing. I worried about ruining a 600g bag of shredded carrots. I use a new spoon for everything because I worry about cross contamination of who knows what. I wash my hands after almost every step.


Carrot, Raisin & Almond Salad
(adapted from several recipes including http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_carrot_salad/)

Ingredients:
4 cups carrots, shredded
1/2 cup raisins
2 level teaspoons of almonds, slivers
2 level tablespoons mayo
2 level tablespoons yogurt, plain
2 level teaspoons coconut cream

1/2 a capful of lime juice concentrate

Process:

• First, add the carrots and raisins into the large bowl of a container with a lid.
• Then, crush almonds in the palms of your hands before adding.
• Add mayo, yogurt & coconut cream.
• Add the lime juice.
• Stir well to coat the carrots, raisins & almonds.
• Cover and refrigerate.

Servings 4

Notes:
Used almost whole 600g bag of shredded carrots.

Meet Hannah Crawford - Writer, Editor and Publication Specialist at The Write Place

Interview

Hannah Crawford

Writer and Editor

The Write Place

a small independent publisher

Pella, IA

Hello, Hannah:

Hannah Crawford
Writer & Editor
The Write Place

Thank you for agreeing to do an interview for my blog.

As a the Write Place (WP) client and self-published author, I am always curious about how the publishing side works.

WP offers a wide variety of services from writing, editing, design, marketing and more. So, I am excited about this interview.

Q. How long have you been with the Write Place?

A. I joined the Write Place in 2011 as the book division coordinator.

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?

A. The variety of books people bring to us for publication. I’ve been able to work with authors on children’s books, poetry books, memoirs, novels, history, photo books…I’m sure there are more that I’m not thinking of right now!

Q. As a writer and editor for the WP, are there some favorite projects you have worked on and why? Were there some projects that presented unforeseen issues? If so, what were some of those issues?

A. One of my favorite projects was the winner of our 2014 Book Contest, Lost in the Tallgrass. I loved the story so much, it was truly a pleasure to work with the author throughout the editing process.

It seems like every book project has something new or unexpected that comes up during the production process. Oftentimes this is the author wanting to add additional photos or text at the last minute. Fortunately we can usually accommodate them and still meet their deadline—but sometimes we have to remind them that it might be time to let their baby go!

Q. What advice would you give to a new author seeking to use the WP self-publishing services?

A. Keep in mind that publication is just the beginning. For your book to succeed, you have to have a solid marketing plan. This can be as much work, if not more, than writing the book itself.

Q.  What is the typical the WP production process for a self-published eBook or Book?

A. We provide a wide range of services, and not all authors take advantage of all of them. This means that there really is no “typical project.”

But just as an example: an author comes to us with a completed manuscript and wants us to usher it through the entire production process. We’d start with editing, then develop a cover design and interior design. Once the author is happy with the text and design, we’d lay out the entire book. We then send it to a print on demand printer, so the author can order as many copies as he or she wants. We’d also set it up for distribution through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and other online sites.

Q. What are some typical costs to produce an eBook?

A. It depends on the complexity and length of the eBook. I’d be happy to provide a quote for anyone interested!

Q. Are there some common misconceptions new authors have about self-publishing using TWP services?

A. The WP has been providing a wide range of publishing services to business clients and authors for many years. The WP must have gone through many technological changes as the print industry changes.

Q. What are some innovations TWP has adopted?

Technology is what makes our business possible—without print on demand, it just wouldn’t be economically feasible for many authors to publish their book.

Q.  Does the TWP participate in any book conventions or writing workshops?

A few years ago I attended the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College and discussed self-publishing with some of the authors who were attending. That was a blast!

Q.  What do you see in the future for eBook and POD publishing?

I see the technology, especially for eBooks, becoming increasingly accessible and flexible. I’m sure there is amazing technology people are developing right now that I can’t even imagine!

Thanks Hannah, it has been a pleasure working with you and the WP staff. Thanks for the interview.

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Pella, IA and Lakeville, MN

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