Nature and Nurture

Naturally Nurturing Services for Seniors

Some of Our Favorite Recipes

For Eating... 

Bread Pudding

Grease large casserole and fill with stale bread ( I keep a bag in my freezer with loaf ends and crusts to use for this or stuffing or bread crumbs)

Mix 2 cups milk 500 ml

3 eggs

1/2 cup sugar brown or white 125 ml

Add in any of the following to taste

Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, small pieces of apricot)

Chocolate chips

Orange or Lemon zest

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Pour the mixture over the bread, making sure that all the bread is moist.  You may need more milk or more bread depending on the size of your casserole.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.

Gazpacho

Start with V-8 juice (or similar)  This contains a lot of salt, if you are on a low sodium diet check the label.

Finely chop or grate vegetables and add to the juice.  Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Onions, Peppers, Radishes, Tomatoes, Zucchini are all tasty, use your favorites however leafy vegetables don't work as well.

Add finely chopped fresh herbs, Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Parsley all work well, choose your favorites.  Dried herbs work also but are not as pungent.

Add Tabasco, Worchestershire, Pepper or your favorite flavoring to give it some zip.

Refrigerate at least overnight and serve.

Ratatouille 

olive oil as needed
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
one onion, chopped
one or two green or red peppers, coarsely chopped
one diced eggplant, skin on
one zucchini, sliced and quartered
fresh black pepper to taste
salt to taste
2 to 3 tbsp. chopped fresh basil or 1 tbsp. dried
Cayenne pepper or Tabasco
two or three chopped ripe tomatoes (may use Italian plum)

 

In heavy skillet, saute in oil the garlic, add onions and blend. Add chopped peppers, eggplant (does not need to be soaked or salted before) and zucchini. Blend all together well, mixing with a wooden spatula and shaking the pan. Then add black pepper, salt and basil. Add cayenne or Tabasco if desired. Cook 10 minutes over brisk heat, stirring constantly. Then add chopped tomatoes. Let the ratatouille cook down to the consistency you like.

Lentil Soup

  • 2 cups lentils (500 ml)
  • 2 tsp salt (10ml)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (75 ml)
  • one large onion
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill (60ml) or 1 tbsp dried dill (30 ml)
  • two crushed garlic cloves
  • two bay leaves
  • 4 cups water (1 litre)
  • large can tomatoes (795 ml)

Place first seven ingredients in a saucepan and over medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes. Add water and tomatoes, bring to boil and simmer for 45 minutes. Freezes well.

Thanks to Mme. Jehane Benoit

For Cleaning...

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner Formula


This formula makes 2 cups of formula, and it works on most types of dirt.

½ teaspoon washing soda (if you can find it; if not, skip)
2 teaspoons borax
½ teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water
spray bottle

Combine the minerals, soap or detergent, and water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
Spritz the area every foot or so, and wipe clean with a clean soft rag as you go. For difficult dirt, spray and leave the cleanser on the surface for five minutes or so before wiping.

Thanks to Annie B. Bond