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Donna VanBuecken

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Zucchini Quiche

October 8, 2020

The leaves of the zucchini and yellow squash as they looked during the summer.

Want to use your leftover zucchini and eggplant? Here’s a suggestion. Bake a quiche and freeze it!

Zucchini Quiche*

4 c thinly sliced zucchini (cut away large seeds if large zucchini)
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 tbsp butter
2 eggs
2 tsp each salt, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
2 c (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tsp prepared mustard
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 in)

In a large skillet, saute zucchini, onion, and butter until tender; drain. In a large bowl, beat eggs, parsley, salt, garlic powder, basil, oregano, and pepper. Stir in zucchini mixture and cheese. Spread mustard over pastry shell; add egg mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and crust is golden brown. (Cover loosely with foil after 25 minutes if needed to prevent over-browning.) Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

Yield: 6-8 servings

*From Our Wisconsin magazine, August/September 2020

Notes:

  • You can use eggplant or a combination of zucchini and eggplant to make a variation of the recipe.
  • Use fresh basil and oregano to gain a whole new taste.
  • Eggplant contains a lot of moisture. Put the eggplant into a colander, sprinkle with salt, and toss. Set this aside in the sink to catch the liquid. Let the eggplant sit for 30 minutes or longer to catch the liquid that is going to be released from the eggplant. After that time, rinse the eggplant and use the salad spinner or paper towels to dry.
  • Additionally, you can add mushrooms, bell pepper, and cherry, grape, or Roma tomatoes if you want.
  • Try a medium cheddar, Monterey Jack, provolone or Swiss cheese to alternate taste.
  • Bake quiche in the lower third of the oven because the bottom crust will be crisp and the rim will not over-brown.
  • To freeze quiche before baking: Wrap the quiche with heavy-duty aluminum foil or in a freezer bag. Seal, label, and freeze. When ready to serve, unwrap and pop into the oven. Do not thaw! Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 25 minutes, or until heated through.
  • Add a dollop of Picante and salsa sauce to the dish. Add a couple of tomato slices and a sleeve of basil.
  • Want to add a perfect drink? Just add home-canned tomato juice or V8.
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Cinco de Mayo – Hominy

May 5, 2020

Tomorrow, May 5th, Cinco de Mayo, is a day many schools and communities celebrate here in the U.S., as well as in Mexico. Often mistaken as Mexico’s celebration of independence, it actually is intended to celebrate the Battle of Puebla. It has, however, become more of a fun holiday that celebrates the Mexican way of life. To add to your enjoyment, here is a recipe from my favorite New Mexico area.

Hominy

2 tbsp butter
1 can hominy, drained
1/2 tsp salt
1 onion, diced (medium)
1 can green chili, diced
1 cup cheese, grated (medium cheddar, Monterey, etc.)

Mix hominy in the frying pan to caramelize. Add onion and green chili. Heat until cheese melts.

If you are serving a main dish, add a pound of hamburger (fried), one can of tomato soup, and one can of green chili. Serve with toasted flour tortillas.

From Trevor Noah

From the April 30, 2020 episode: On Cinco de Mayo, you can help create a national salute to the first responders from your couch and have your family and friends do the same. Post your thank you using #CincUp. For every public post using #CincUp, ModeloUSA will donate $1 (up to $500K) to #FirstRespondersFirst to help get PPE to medical teams.

From ModeloUSA, an additional donation up to $500,000 as part of the #CincUp social fundraiser. This Cinco de Mayo, Modelo is encouraging people 21+ to celebrate from home while saluting and supporting first responders. For every public post on May 5 with #CincUp, Modelo will donate $1 to #FirstRespondersFirst. (Thrive Global)

Eastern Monarchs overwintering during 2017-18 in the forest areas of Mexico. Photo by Wendy Caldwell

Butterflies in Mexican Culture

Because of its importance in Mexican culture, it is also a day to celebrate the monarch butterfly. Whether you celebrate Cinco de Mayo Day or not, this holiday would be a good opportunity to take the time to learn more about the monarch butterfly migration and to explore the native plants that attract these butterflies to your garden or yard. Plant more of these plants at your home or encourage your employers and your communities to plant more in their green spaces.

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Cinco de Mayo – Chile Rellenos

May 3, 2019

Native to the southernmost border of the USA, chile ristras are hung to bring good health and good luck. Realistically, they are hung to dry for cooking and eating later. Photo courtesy of National Park Service.

Sunday, May 5th is the annual celebration of Cinco de Mayo — a celebration of the Mexican way of life and its importance to the continued survival of the Monarch butterfly. See Cinco de Mayo May 5th.

As some of you already know, John and I spent the first seven years of our life in New Mexico courtesy of the Vietnam War. There I learned to cook some wonderful New Mexican food and make a really good, but simple Margarita. So today, I thought I would share a new one with you. Here’s my recipe for Chile Rellenos Casserole: [Read more…]

Enchiladas New Mexico-style

December 19, 2018

Chili peppers drying on an adobe house in New Mexico. We receive a Red Chili Ristra wishing us good health and good luck from friends in New Mexico every Christmas. We used to see dried red chili and dried garlic ristras hanging throughout New Mexico. They are used as decoration and as a sign of welcome, while at the same time preserving food for later use. Hatch, New Mexico is often referred to as the chili capital of the world. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Boston Public Library,

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