Hot Dog and Vegetable Soup With Pasta: A Speedy Meal

Even when mixes were available, my mother was still a scratch cook. Over the years I've followed here example, but do use some commercial products, such as a baking mix. These mixes are pretty much the same: flour, shortening, salt, dehydrated milk, and a leavening agent. Reduced fat mixes are also available.The reduced fat baking mix has about 40 percent less than all-purpose mix.

When I checked the pantry, however, I didn't find any plain oatmeal. There was a box of instant, sugar-free oatmeal with dried apples and cinnamon and I decided to use it in a basic cookie recipe. I also decided to reduce the sugar and fat, and add more vanilla. (I adore vanilla!)

Crisco has less fat than butter, according to the manufacturer, so I decided to use a butter-flavored baking stick instead of butter. Although I've used Spenda Blend for baking, I haven't seen this product in stores lately. I decided to make my own blend with brown sugar and Splenda. Would these changes, including the instant oatmeal, work? The only way to find out was to test the recipe.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Boil large pot of water and salt well. Add green beans & cook for 5 mins. Drain and put in ice water to stop cooking. Drain ice water and set aside. In oven-safe skillet on medium heat, add olive oil, shallots, and garlic. Add salt & pepper & stir. Cook 2-3 mins. Add mushrooms & add a bit more salt & pepper. Cook for 3-4 mins. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to coat ingredients. Cook for 1 minute, then slowly add vegetable stock. Keep whisking. Add almond milk & keep whisking. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low to thicken. Cook for 5-7 mins until thick & bubbly. Remove from heat and add some of the gluten-free french fried onions and all of the cooked green beans. Toss to coat well, and top with remaining french fried onions. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-15 mins. Serve immediately.

Dinner Roll Buns: You can make your home burger buns, by placing these rolls on a greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Shape them a little round and flatter. They will puff up and you can press them down lightly about ½ way through the rising process and again in the baking process.

Bring your stock pot down to a simmer, and add your skillet ingredients. Cover and let simmer on medium, low for 16-22 minutes, depending upon the heating source. Remove from heat and let your rice rest for 7 minutes before opening your lid; enjoy your rice- Garnish with chopped Spanish, purple onions for more vibrant, visual appeal. Place a bowl of extra-virgin olive oil to be added table side, for more nutty flavor.(an individual choice of course).

Spanish rice is vastly different that everyday white rice. Albeit, rice is always a nice way to compliment any lunch or dinner meal entrée, it can also be seasoned as a complete meal by adding chicken, shrimp, or fish and other seasonings, spices and vegetable additives.