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Library Restaurant's House Soup: Swiss Onion Au Gratin

 A Houghton landmark, the Library Restaurant has been in operation since 1967 in a beautiful brick building on Isle Royale Street.  Prior to sitting dormant for several decades, the building was a cabinet making business and another eatery and pub known as the Board of Trade.  But it was Jon Davis who created the spot it continues to be today, after at least three other owners.  Their house soup was always a favorite of mine and so many.  Swiss Onion Au Gratin with its crunchy dark rye croutons and sprinkles of tart Swiss cheese has been on my top ten list since childhood. I got this recipe from a former employee but I did tweak it a bit, after several attempts, to ensure it was as close as I could come to the original, while also bringing the quantity down to feed 6, not 200. Swiss Onion Au Gratin Soup Ingredients: 2 med-large onions, small diced 1 T butter 1/2 c chicken broth 5 c water 3 T dry white wine 1 t dried basil  1 t dried thyme  1/2 t salt 1...
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Recent posts

Gluten Free White Bean Chicken Chili

 I love White Bean Chicken Chili and I am surprised I hadn't yet posted the recipe I had been using for several years.  But recently, I have made it without flour, therefore it is gluten free.  I actually like this modified version better.  It is a bit lighter and it keeps in the fridge better than the version made with flour.  As we are in the Autumn season, and soon to be Winter, soups and stews (and chili) are always welcome and comforting. This recipe serves a big crowd (16) but it can be cut in half for a smaller batch.    White Bean Chicken Chili   Ingredients: 2 T  olive oil 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded) 2   onions, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 (15.5 oz) cans great Northern beans, rinsed and drained 2 (14.5 oz) cans  chicken broth 4 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies 2 t  salt 2 t  ground cumin 1 t  ground black pepper ½ t  cayenne pe...
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Cabbage Roll Casserole

Hello Fellow Foodies:  I has been a minute since my last post.  I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer.  I certainly am.  Have been spending a lot of time with my 2 year old grandson, Miles and it has been so much fun.  Speaking of Miles, I made this quick and satisfying cabbage roll casserole this week and he loved it!     Cabbage Roll Casserole (serves 6)   Ingredients: 1lb ground beef 1 small onion, minced 1 t salt 1/2 t pepper 1/3 c water 1/2 t garlic powder 3 t Worcestershire sauce 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (with liquid) 1/2 c uncooked rice 3 c shredded cabbage shredded cheese (optional)   Directions: Brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add minced onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce and cook until onions are translucent and soft (about 7 minutes). Add the diced tomatoes, water and rice.  Stir to combine. Add cabbage. Bring to a boil and let cook for one minute.  Remove from heat. Transfer mixtur...
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Red Lentil Soup

 Soups are something I am starting to appreciate so much more as I get somewhat 'older'.  A meal in a bowl is a magical thing.  I have made countless soup recipes from the Internet and cookbooks and will start to share some of my favorites here. This recipe for Red Lentil Soup was found on NYT Cooking and it was simple and so flavorful.  The bright color and the delicate texture were very appealing.  Hope you love this one.  It is ready in less than an hour! NYT Red Lentil Soup Ingredients Yield: 4 servings 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon ground cumin Salt and black pepper Pinch of chili powder or ground cayenne, plus more to taste 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup red lentils 1 large carrot, peeled and diced Juice of ½ lemon, more to taste 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro   Preparation Step 1 In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons oil over high...
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Classic Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

 With the cooler temperatures come the instinctual craving for comforting, warm food.  Scalloped potatoes with ham is something my mother made often while I was growing up but I bet I hadn't made it more than twice since I have been married (and that is a long time!).   There are many versions of this recipe, some with flour, some without, some with cheese and some just with milk or cream.  I did more of the classic version with cream, potatoes, ham and spices and only sprinkled cheese on top for the last step.  This is the perfect way to use leftover ham, so give it a try after your Holiday ham dinner.  This recipe can easily be doubled for a large group.  Simple and delicious!   Classic Scalloped Potatoes and Ham   Ingredients 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes 1 medium yellow onion 2T evoo 3 C heavy cream or whole milk 1 1/2 t dried Thyme 1 t salt 1/2 t black pepper 1 1/2 C chopped or sliced ham 2 oz shredded cheese (swiss, cheddar, etc - optio...
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The Best Instant Ramen

Hello Fellow Foodists.  It has been some time since my last blog post.  I am sorry to share the news that our middle child, Rachel, passed away this past Spring.  She had congenital heart defects and had lived a mostly asymptomatic life, but tragically, she died of a heart attack on May 29th, 2024 at the age of 31.  Needless to say, we have been grieving her loss each and every day, but keeping her memory alive is so important.  She was the best travel companion and a lover of great food and cooking. This recipe I found on NYT Cooking, as I do with many of my posts.  This simple and comforting ramen dish is made with only a few ingredients and takes about ten minutes to prepare from start to finish.  It is also soo delicious.  The author of the recipe, Korean-American Chef Roy Choi, referred to this dish as  “It’s our snack, it’s our peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it’s our bowl of cereal,” Mr. Choi said. “It’s something that has been a pa...
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Black Bean Chili

 Chili is one of those dishes that everyone has their own unique version of.  There are wide differences in the level of heat, meat and meatless versions,  chunky with veggies or smooth.  No wonder there are so many chili contests around.  I don't envy the judges as there is no gold standard for chili, only personal choice. Ron loves chili and asks me to make it at least once per month.  I posted at least one other version in my blog.  The last time he asked for it, I did not have kidney beans or chili beans in the house but I did have black beans so I used then and wow, this was so dang good I needed to post so I would remember how to make it again.   Super simple, super yummy.  I hope you enjoy.  Adjust the spices to your personal preferences, of course! Black Bean Chili Ingredients: 1lb lean ground beef evoo 1/2 t onion powder 1/2 t garlic powder 1/2 t cayenne pepper 1/2 t chili powder 1/2 t salt 1/2 t pepper 1 15 oz can petite ...
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