Getting to the point with fresh veggies

I have some good fresh vegetable recipes from readers to share with you today. We also have one of those afternoon storms brewing, so I will get right to the point. Take care and I’ll see you around … Agnes.

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Quick Homemade Pizza

(This is a quick for the kids this summer.)

1 loaf of Marylin Yoder’s homemade Herb Bread

Garlic butter

Pizza or Spaghetti Sauce

Sliced Mozzarella Cheese

Additional toppings

Slice bread to the desired thickness. Lightly toast on one side. Brush the toasted side with the Garlic Butter. Lightly brush with sauce, top with desired toppings and cheese. Place on a pan and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until done. (I used chopped fresh tomatoes, Vidalia onions, bell pepper, and cooked ground beef.)

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New Potatoes for a King

Use as many small red potatoes as you wish. Cook the potatoes in lightly salty water until done. Drain and place in a shallow, buttered casserole in one layer. Put as much Ranch Dressing as you like over potatoes and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees in a pre-heated oven until hot and bubbly. If desired, sprinkle with bacon that has been cooked and crumbled. Serve while hot.

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Grilled Fresh Vegetables

(Can also be baked in the oven.)

5 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

1 large onion sliced

1 large red bell pepper sliced

1 large yellow bell pepper sliced

4 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup chicken broth

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 large piece of heavy duty foil

Make sure foil is large enough to be doubled. Layer vegetables, dot with butter, top with chicken broth with Worcestershire sauce added, cover with all seasonings and sprinkle cheese on top. Seal foil and cook on covered grill over medium heat until potatoes are soft, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. To bake in oven, place foil package in a shallow pan and bake at 350 degrees until potatoes are done.

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Fried Broccoli

1 bunch broccoli

1 clove garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Trim broccoli and cook in salted water for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. In a skillet, sauté garlic in oil. Remove garlic and sauté broccoli until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve at once along with lemon juice.

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Georgia Succotash

(I make this from leftover vegetables)

1 cup each fresh whole kernel corn, cooked and green lima beans, cooked

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoon minced onion

½ cup water, chicken broth, or cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in sauce pan and add onion. Cook over low heat until onion is done. Stir in corn, lima beans, and liquid. Heat until bubbly and season to taste. Serve hot.

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Red Rice

(Serves 4 as a main dish or more as a side dish.)

¼ pound bacon

¼ cup minced onion

¼ cup minced celery

3 cups fresh tomatoes, diced (include juice)

Salt and pepper to taste

Dash hot sauce, optional

Cook and crumble bacon, and set aside. Remove part of the bacon grease from pan and to the remainder add celery and onions. Sauté until tender and add the remaining ingredients. Cook on top of stove for about 10 minutes, pour into a greased casserole dish, cover tightly, and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 to 60 minutes. Sprinkle bacon on top before serving.

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Recipe for Laughter:

It’s always better to get a second opinion.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had a fear of someone under my bed at night. So I went to a shrink and told him: “I’ve got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there’s somebody under it, I’m scared, and think I’m going crazy.”

“Just put yourself in my hands for one year. Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears,” said the shrink.

“How much do you charge?”

“$80 per visit,” replied the doctor.

“I’ll sleep on it,” I said.

Six months later the doctor met me on the street. “Why didn’t you come to see me about those fears you were having?” He asked.

“Well, 80 bucks a visit, three times a week for a year, is $12,480.00. A bartender cured me for $10. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went and bought me a new pickup truck.”

“Is that so?” With a bit of an attitude he said, “And how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?”

“He told me to cut the legs off the bed. I did and there is no one under there now.”

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