Veggie Spring Rolls

Veggie Spring Rolls:

2 lb. Head of Cabbage, finely chopped

1 c. Carrots, shredded

2 c. rice vermicelli, cooked (You can find these at local asian markets and they are very reasonably priced.)

1 Tbsp. Ginger, Fresh and finely chopped

1 Tbsp. Garlic, Fresh and finely chopped

2 Tbsp. Rice Cooking Wine

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil (I use Extra Virgin OL.)

1 pkg. Egg Roll Wrappers (Available in the produce section of Wal-mart for $2.78)

1. In a large pan saute the Cooking Wine, Olive Oil, Garlic and Ginger.

2. Add cabbage, stir, turn the burner to med-low and cover for 5 minutes.

3. Add carrots and vermicelli to the pan and stir.

4. Cook about 5 minutes on medium.

5. Take pan off heat and let cool for a few minutes.

Now we are on to the fun assembly part! :)

1. Take the wrappers out of the package and get a cutting board to work on.

2. Place one wrapper on the cutting board diagonally pointing towards you.

3. Place about 3 Tablespoons of the cabbage mixture in the center of the wrapper.

4. With either water or egg wet the corner closest to you. Then fold the outer corners in like this.

5. Now roll it up starting with the far corner. Try to do it tightly, but don't pull too hard because you'll break the delicate dough! :)

6. Finish your roll on the end you just moistened with either water or egg! Viola!

7. You are well on your way to becoming a pro now! Just do that with the other 19 of them! They should look something like this above.

8. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with a thin layer of cooking spray.

9. Then place your spring rolls on the baking sheet. They can be quite close because they won't really change in shape. Lightly, I mean very lightly, spritz them with cooking spray. (Just so they will be somewhat "oven fried" and more authentic. It's still WAY better than having to actually fry them. They turn out really well this way too...)

10. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 17 minutes! They'll turn out something like this! :)

Enjoy! From my table to yours! :)

Marinara Sauce

Marinara Sauce:

1.5 lbs. Roma Tomatoes, diced

1 medium Onion, diced

1 c. Carrot, shredded

2 Tbsp. Garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)

2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste

1 tsp. Basil

1. Saute the garlic and onion in the olive oil until onion is slightly transparent.

2. Add tomatoes, carrots, paste and basil to the pot and stir.

3. Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Turn the heat to medium low, cover and cook for another 30 minutes.

5. Add meatballs if you'd like and serve on your favorite pasta. (I recommend whole grain pasta.)

Spinach and Carrot Dip

Spinach and Carrot Dip

1/4 c. Sour Cream (I used fat-free)

1/4 c. Cream Cheese (I used Neufchâtel)

1/4 c. Mozzarella (I used the reduced fat kind)

1 c. Spinach, chopped (I used frozen)

1 c. Carrots, shredded

1 tsp. Jerk Seasoning

1/2 tsp. Chili flakes

Put all the ingredients in a small pan and mixing together. Continue to stir while slowly heating it until bubbly and heated through.

Serve with crostini, crackers or veggies.

Makes about 4 servings.

Apple Cake-like Dessert

3 c. Apples, cored and thinly sliced (I used Braeburn.)

1 t. Lemon Juice, toss with sliced apples

1 c. Skim Milk

1.25 c. Flour

1/4 c. Sugar

1 Egg

1 t. Orange Zest (Sounds weird, but it totally makes it!)

1 t. Cinnamon (I prefer Ceylon true cinnamon, but use whichever you prefer!)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large bowl combine the milk, flour, sugar, egg, zest and cinnamon.

3. Spray a round casserole dish with cooking spray.

4. Gently fold the apples into the batter in the bowl.

5. Pour the apple mixture into the sprayed dish and bake for 45-55 minutes. (Or until browned)

Beef Stirfry

3 c. Vegetables of your choice, fresh or frozen

1/2 lb. Beef, cut into bite sized pieces.

Marinade:

1 T. Rice Cooking Wine

2 T. Vinegar

1 T. Sriracha hot sauce

1 t. Soy sauce

Dash Pepper

Dash Jerk seasoning

Dash Ginger

1. I marinated 1/2 lb. of stir fry beef for about 6 hours.

2. When I was ready to make dinner, I heated 1 T. of olive oil in my wok.

3. Then I added the beef and cooked it.

4. Then I added 3 c. of veggies and let them cook for about 5 minutes.

5. I served it over brown rice and it was just enough for my husband and me. (He does eat a lot though...)

Hello!

This is my very first post for my cooking blog!  I had been thinking about start it for a while.  And after some persuasion (from my Mom and hubby) I'm actually doing it!  So, it's January 21st, 2010 and I'm starting A Delicious Melody, where I will share stories about life, love and food as well as recipes!  :)  Enjoy!

Baked Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Here's my tutorial on how to make a baked grilled cheese.  Tasty, and much easier than on the stove.  You can also do more at a time than on the stove!  :)