Elf Chef cooks, grows and reviews.

27/09/2024

After a LONG hiatus from being able to cook upscale recipes, we have finally completed our move from Ohio to South Florida after my wife fully retired from the AIr Force after 30-years.

I'm back in the kitchen now, with all my culinary tools and equipment unpacked and ready for use!

Cooked through the howling tropical-storm-force winds being fed by Hurricane Helene and made my version of Eggplant Parmesan for the two of us, which we ate on our covered pool patio while watching the storm whipping the palms and trees outside of our protected enclosure. Perfect meal for the occasion!

22/10/2023

Last night, my super-picky son decided to spend his own allowance money on Domino's Pizza...so I had a chance to make something for myself without having to worry about cooking for him! Yayyy!
Made a seared rare Ahi Tuna Fillet, marinated in my own light teriyaki sauce mix; cubed and served over Japanese sticky rice with green onions and sesame seeds. Easy and SOOOOOO Yummy! My soon wouldn't get within 500 ft of a delicious meal like this...sigh...

27/09/2023

I made two loaves of Banana Chocolate Chip bread tonight our house, now known as "Chateaux Jennifer"! Mostly to satisfy the soon-to-be 16-Year-old!
One for immediate eating and the other in the freezer for later this week!
Included a hint of cinnamon. Yummy in spades!

24/09/2023

Last night was a chopped broccoli cheesy casserole, made with grated onion, condensed mushroom soup, with a hint of lemon juice, mayonnaise and topped with a bread stuffing mix.
I have trouble cooking for my extremely picky teen son, but I am expanding his tastes...
This all happens in our new house in Sebastian, Florida, where were are preparing the house for my wife's retirement from the Air Force next August. We are calling the house "Chateaux Jennifer"!
Tonight I made sauteed cubed chicken breasts in honey, soy sauce, and grated garlic sauce and served over sticky rice with a side of corn on the cob. Amazingly, he ate it all!! "Thank the culinary gods!"
Now it's on to thinking about how to expand his horizons tomorrow. Sigh....

22/09/2023

Comfort food for dinner!
Broccoli Cheese Casserole using Grated onion and cheese with chopped broccoli in condensed mushroom soup. A little lemon juice, with a topper of bread stuffing mix. Wholesome, filling and Yummy!

Ingredients:
2 (10.8-ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, not diluted
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 egg
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 small onion, grated
3/4 cup dry stuffing mix
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Cook the broccoli in the microwave until just crisp tender, for about 1/2 of the cooking time called for on the package.

Drain the broccoli in a colander.

In a small saucepan over low heat, stir the condensed soup, the cheese, and the lemon juice until the cheese has melted, ensuring the cheese doesn't get too warm.

In a bowl, whisk the egg, the mayonnaise, and the onion together.

Add the broccoli and the soup mixture to the egg mixture.

Transfer the broccoli mixture to the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl, stir the dry stuffing mix and the melted butter together and sprinkle it on top of the casserole.

Bake the casserole until it is heated through and the top is golden-brown, about 15-20 minutes.

Serve.

Bon Appétit

25/08/2023

The Victory Garden Push in WWII is just as apropos to the need for home self-sufficiency and gardening today!

Taking a chapter from the WWII era of Victory Garden Promotion

22/08/2023

This couple makes a perfect 2-for-1 in the White House!s

With Ron DeSantis...the country gets a REAL 2 for 1!

19/08/2023

Made Peach Bread yesterday. So yummy and so easy to make. It's summer time...PEACH time!
Make it yourself from my recipe!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup peeled, diced, and smashed fresh peaches
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside
In a bowl mix together the oil and sugar.
Add in the eggs and sour cream and mix until combined
To the bowl add in the peaches and vanilla. Stir to combine
To the wet ingredients add in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine completely
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and put into the oven. Bake for 50-55 or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
Let it cool slightly before cutting and serving!

OPTIONS:
Sprinkle some powdered Cinnamon into the mix
Add a few drops of Almond Extract

29/06/2023

While now traversing back and forth to our new house purchase in Florida, I have still been trying to keep up with our gardening in our Ohio rental house. So far, so good, and this is what it looks like now in late June with many of the plants already with babies!
I installed a full drip irrigation system so that I don't have to worry about watering on my trips to Florida. The only need will be for wifey to pick mature veggies off the plants while I'm gone!
This year, Zuchinni, Carrots, Daikon radish, Acorn Squash, Spaghetti squash, 25 tomato plants of various types all over the gardenm, two cucumber varieties, summer spinach, bush beans, pole beans, two varieties of edamame, two varieties of egg plants, four varieties of bell and banana peppers, sweet potato, moringa, and a few more. My herb garden is on the patio just outside my kitchen, with all my favorites. Plus...all kinds of flowers and other plants around to attract pollinators, hummingbirds, butterfles, and two bat houses...now occupied!
Next year, it's start from scratch again on the open 1/4 acre next to our new house in South Florida! Grow Your Own!!

29/05/2023

Having a small herb garden right outside, or near your kitchen will provide fresh herbs right at hand, without having to go down to your yard growing area or buying overpriced small packs in the Grocery stores.
To set an example, I am showing MY patio herb plantings that are located on my patio, right outside my kitchen/breakfast area.
When I need some basil for a pizza or to make some pesto for example, I just have to go less than ten steps to grab a few fresh leaves. No need to even put shoes on!
Having fresh, living herbs close at hand will ramp up your culinary activities and make far-better-tasting food creations! Stop going to the store to buy those totally ridiculously priced small packets of herbs that are already past their prime and will likely get only one use before they are no longer usable!
Grow your own!.
It's easy, cheap, fun, rewarding, and useful to grow your own herbs close at hand!
Bon Appetit!😃😋👨🏼‍🍳

23/05/2023

My baking extravaganza continued today after making Sourdough Loafs.
My wife asked if I could make a pineapple bread for my son and her...sooooo....I did!
This bread was made with pineapple, some coconut shreds, walnuts, a pinch of cinnamon and vanilla extract, and just a touch of nutmeg. Came out well, and my wife and kid loved it! Bon Appetit!