July Recipes - Week 3

This week was a combination of some family favorites (Black Bean Quesadillas), some dishes I have made before that were filed into the "I should remember to make this again sometime." recipe pile (Chana Masala, Creamy Meatballs and Noodles), a new salad that was good, but I am not sure I will make again (Summertime Barley Salad) and another recipe passed on from my Grandmother (Peach Cake). Enjoy!


Black Bean Quesadillas


Preparation Tip: These quesadillas take only a few minutes to make and only a few more to cook and are delicious! This recipe is slightly different than the Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas recipe I posted previously. I prefer this one and it is the one that I tend to use more often. If you have never made quesadillas in a frying pan before, be sure to give it a try. It is quicker than the oven (which means better for hot days) and they come out so much crispier. I will never go back to doing them in the oven again!


Lilah's Take: Lilah loves quesadillas! They are a great kid-friendly finger food. 


Ingredients
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 c. frozen corn kernels
1/3 c. green pepper, diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
4 large tortillas
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 c. salsa (for serving)
1/2 c. sour cream (for serving)


Directions:
In a large bowl, combine beans, tomato, corn, green pepper, green onions, and salt. Divide among halves of each tortilla, sprinkle with cheese; fold.
Brush large skillet with half of the oil; heat over medium heat. Cook 2 quesadillas, turning once, until golden brown and crisp, about 6 minutes. Serve with salsa and sour cream. 

Chana Masala
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/quick_and_easy/chana_masala.php


Preparation Tip: Don't be afraid of this Indian dish. It is actually very mild and sweet tasting. Serve it over rice and with naan bread. 


Lilah's Take: Lilah is a bean lover (and a bread lover) so this dish goes over quite well with her. She tends to just pick the chickpeas out of the dish and leave the onions behind, but that is fine with me because at least she is eating the protein packed part of the meal. 


Creamy Meatballs and Noodles
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/quick_and_easy/creamy_meatballs_and_noodles.php


Preparation Tip: If you have time, make the meatballs ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to cook them. It makes cooking this dish SO much faster! Bonus: They will also hold their shape better when you do cook them. 


Lilah's Take: This dish always goes over well with Lilah because 1) it is pasta; 2) it is creamy; and 3) there are peas in it. As long as the meatballs are cut up, they make their way into her mouth too though.  


Peach Cake
This peach cake is another one of my grandmother's recipes. Delicious!


Preparation Tip: To peel peaches, soak them in boiling water for about 5 minutes. The peel should come off very easily.


Ingredients
Cake:
2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1 c. milk
1/4 c. butter, melted
4 large or 6 small peaches, peeled and sliced
Topping:
1/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. cold butter

Directions
Mix all dry cake ingredients, add egg, milk and butter. Pour into greased 9 X 9 square pan. Layer sliced peaches on top. Using fingers, mix butter with topping ingredients. Sprinkle on top of cake. Bake in 350 degree oven for about and hour.

Summertime Barely Salad
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/summertime_barley_salad.php


Preparation Tip: I mentioned that I didn't think I would make this recipe again. That isn't because it wasn't good, it was. It is because it made such a large portion that we were eating it for days and I am sick of it. It was my first time using Pearled Barley and I would love to find more recipes that use it! 


Lilah's Take: Of course, Lilah picked the chunks of cheese out of the salad, but that was about it. I guess I would also avoid making it again because she wasn't really a big fan.