Recipe: Spinach Salad with Dressing

As I have said before and am going to say again, I love salads, particularly lettuce salads. They are so versatile and can have them for a side or main dish and can pile on the toppings or have it plain. Almost every dinner meal I make a salad but always ends up being the standard green salad with a few toppings  (tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons), with our preferred salad dressings of Lighthouse Bleu Cheese and Lighthouse Caesar dressing.

This salad is a nice change, fresh, and has a nice crispy, satisfying crunch to it.

Salad

1 bag of fresh spinach

1 cup of bean sprouts

4 slices of bacon, cooked and broken into small pieces

½ cup slivered almonds

1 small can of water chestnuts, optional.

Place all ingredients in a big bowl and set aside.

Dressing

½ cup vegetable oil

2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 Tablespoons ketchup

1/3 cup sugar

2 small green onions, finely chopped

Place all ingredients into a jar with a tightly fit lid.

Shake to combine.

Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Mix dressing and salad and serve immediately.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Recipe: Basic Dessert Crepes

One of my favorite things I hardly ever make is Crepes, especially dessert crepes. They are really thin, somewhat sweet and remind me of really thin pancakes. I love filling it with a mixture of cream cheese and powdered sugar, rolling it up, and drizzling the top of the crepe with a favorite jam, fresh fruit, or chocolate sauce, then sprinkling it with powdered sugar. I had an instant craving for them so I whipped up a small batch of them. Yum!

Basic Dessert Crepe Batter

2 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/8 cup water

1/2 tablespoon melted butter

In a blender, combine ingredients in a blender jar; blend for about 1 minute.

Scrape down sides with rubber spatula and blend for another 15 seconds or until smooth.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat a traditional crepe pan on medium-high heat.
Taking about 1/8 cup pour batter in pan and immediately tilt pan in all directions, swirling the batter to cover the bottom of the pan in a very thin layer.
Return the pan to the heating unit and cook until the botton is browned, 1 minute.
Turn the crepe over and brown the other side for a few seconds.
Remove from pan and stack on plate.
Repeat until all batter is used up.
Makes 10-15 crepes.

Crepe Cookery cookbook by Mable Hoffman

Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

If you are the type that loves really creamy, yummy, hot, fresh, just absolutely delicious mashed potatoes then these are the ones for you. Ever since I saw the recipe for these on The Pioneer Womens blog I have wanted to make them. So I finally I got to make them. These mashed potatoes are really easy and the results were just delicious. I was so full but I still kept going back for more helpings of potatoes. Now this is what you definately call comfort food. I made these mashed postates for dinner with garlic chicken and a green salad.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

2 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup half-n-half
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoning Salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Peel and cut potatoes till they are about the same size.
Place in a pan and fill with water just till the potatoes are barely covered.
Bring to a boil and cook till potatoes are fork tender, and can easily be cut in half.
Drain water and place pan back on stove with the heat turned to low.
Mash potatoes. Mash potatoes some more.
Add butter, cream cheese, seasoning salt, and black pepper.
Mash some more until all ingredients are mixed together well.
Place in an oven proof dish and add a few slices of butter on top.
Place in an oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.

Makes 4-6 servings

Recipe: Blackberry Jam

On the property of our house are blackberries, lots of blackberries. When we moved in, the previous tenants warned us about them. At first I didn’t really notice them since it was the wrong season for them. Now since summer I can’t keep the blackberry bushes trimmed back fast enough. The majority of them are near our mailbox which I’m sure is inconvenient for our postal person delivering our mail. My son went out a few weekends ago and picked a big bowl full. We ate them raw. This last weekend my son and I both went out and picked 5 cups worth of blackberries. We had fun but it sure is pokey! I didn't want these delicious, fresh blackberries to go to waste so this batch of blackberries was made into jam! It is perfect for on top of toast, pancakes, or even on a dish of ice cream.

Our blackberry bushes

and more blackberry bushes

and MORE blackberries (that's my little helper, picking blackberries)

mmmm...fresh picked blackberries

Blackberry Jam

5 cups fresh blackberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

In a medium saucepan, combine the blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt.

Mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon until the berries have released their juices.

Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened, about 18-25 minutes.

Transfer to containers and refrigerate for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 1 year.

Makes 3 cups

Real Simple magazine July 2011 realsimple.com

Recipe: Date Delight Oatmeal Cookies

I have been in a very big cleaning and organizing mood. My spinning pantry has been on my mind a lot and made the time to clean ingredients out, organize spices, put all the baking and sweet stuff in one section, olive oils, and vinegars together, and the espresso syrups in one place. In the process of doing all of this I found a box of chopped dates (which I knew I had and had a specific recipe to make the dates with). I just hadn't made them yet. It was when I turned the chopped dates box over and realized there was a recipe for cookies on the back. I was feeling in a baking mood and read through the recipe to see if it would be something I would like to make. It definately was!

These cookies turned out to be unbelievably delicious. They remind me very much like oatmeal raisin cookies, but instead of raisins there are chopped dates.

Date Delight Oatmeal Cookie

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 cup Quick Oats

1 (8 ounce) pack chopped dates

Cream butter and both sugars together.

Then add egg and vanilla and combine well.
Next add flour, baking soda, and cinnamon, and combine into ingredients.
Finally add quick oats and dates and mix together.
Use a teaspoonful to drop mix onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 11 to 12 minutes ato 350 degrees or until golden brown.
Recipe makes 2 dozen.

Recipe on back of an 8 ounce box of Amport Chopped Dates

Random Post: Labor Day Shopping

This Labor Day weekend my mom and I took the two kids down to Oregon to visit their great grandparents and great aunt and uncle. Our husbands were out hiking for the long weekend and neither my mom nor I wanted to sit home alone. One of my highlights I was so excited to get to do (besides visiting family) was to stop at a Penzeys Spices store. We got to the store and was incredibly disappointed to find it was closed for the holiday. We went on our way down the road and stopped at a Starbucks in a really REALLY nice BIG shopping center to get coffee for the road. I saw a Home Goods store across the parking lot from Starbucks and since we weren’t in much of a hurry to get, we took a wander through. I have been to a couple of Home Goods stores and always thought they had cute decorating and kitchen items. I had mentioned to my mom just an hour before how I would really like to find some Irish Cream latte glasses- those cute tall glasses with the handle. Well I found just that at Home Goods and grabbed two boxes (set of 4) for only $7.99. I was thrilled! I love making coffee in them and during the holidays I make my own peppermint mochas with whipped cream and crushed peppermint on top. It looks so fun and fancy in these glasses.

Random Post: My Most Favorite Kitchen Items

Wooden Spoon. This isn’t just your standard wooden spoon. If I am sautéing something this is the first wooden spoon I grab for. It is comfortable to hold and the way the spoon is made just works so well for what I am doing in the pan. Many years ago my parents visited the East Coast, and on their travels visited the Stonewall Kitchen store where they got this wooden spoon.

Kitchen Aid Mixer. A few miles from where I live there is a cute little community that has an annual garage sale during the summer. I love to go these garage sales. A few years ago this is where I found my Kitchen Aid mixer. The guy selling it said it had only been used a couple of times and was only a couple years old. It was very clean and came with an unopened box of attachments (meat grinder, etc). I had been borrowing my mom’s mixer at the time and really did need one, so I asked the guy selling it how much it was. He said, “$40”. gulp uh, duh, SOLD!!

Martha Stewart Cutting Board. This cutting board I received for our wedding. I was quite desperate for new boards since all my other cutting boards had been cut into too many times and was time to get them replaced. This Martha Stewart cutting board is fantastic and has a no slip backing so doesn’t slid around on the counter while trying to chop.  The size of the board is perfect and allows you to have space to push whatever items aside and out of the way of your knife.

Mini Spatula. This little handy kitchen tool has been used more than any of my other spatulas. This one is perfect for scrapping the bottom of a salad dressing jar and has many uses for those small little dishes and spaces you want to scrape clean. I have a dark green so it doesn't stain and is dishwasher safe.

Whisk. Given to me from Pampered Chef. It is the my ultimate favorite for mixing sauces on the stove.

Kitchen Shears:  I love having sharp kitchen shears for opening packages of chicken or cutting the fat of chicken breasts. I grab for these all the time. The scissors completely separate into two pieces and they are dishwasher safe.

Recipe: Creamy Penne Pasta with Bacon

Pasta is one of those dishes I love to make with a big salad and side of fresh bread. A rather simple meal, but fully satisfying and easy to make. The one pasta dish I seem to make often is fettuccini. I have been really craving some but didn’t have the fettuccini noodles in my pantry, and instead had penne noodles so I whipped up this creation instead.  Wow! This was a huge hit for dinner.

Creamy Penne with Bacon

1 package (12 ounce) Penne noodles

6 strips of bacon, cooked until crispy, broken into small pieces

½ white onion, chopped

2 small heads of garlic, minced

1 pint (16 ounces) heavy whipping cream

½ cup sour cream

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 package (ounces) finely shredded parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley, for garnish

In a large pan, boil Penne according to package directions; drain water.

Fry bacon on medium heat until crispy.

Place bacon on paper towel to soak up extra grease and set aside.

Pour grease into disposable container.

In the same pan as you cooked the bacon, add the onions and garlic.

Cook until onions are translucent and soft, about 3-5 minutes, stirring often.

In a saucepan on medium-high heat, add cream, sour cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Stir until sauce is well blended and comes to a boil.

In the same pan as the noodles, combine onions, garlic, cream sauce, parmesan cheese; mix until cheese is melted.

Serve in a big bowl; add the bacon on top, and parsley for garnish.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe: Kahlua Flavored Latte (non-alcoholic)

Coffee is one of those "morning have to haves" while driving on my way to work and I continue to drink it most of the morning while at work. My usual is black coffee with lots of cream and sugar. I like some of the flavored creamers from time to time to pour in, instead of cream and sugar, just to mix it up.

Many years ago I was really interested in learning how to make espressos at home. I found a Mr. Coffee espresso machine at a garage sale for $10. It was a start and an inexpensive way to learn how to make different espressos. I found recipes online to get me started and was soon making caramel macchiatos with the whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top every Sunday afternoon as a treat for my parents. Eventually the machine was put back in a cupboard and not used very often and ended up passing it along to someone that would use it more than I was.

Overtime, I really missed having an espresso machine. I added one to our wedding registry and we got it! I was thrilled. We bought syrups and we made espressos everyday for weeks. I was needing a little extra caffeine one evening and made this latte.

Kahlua Flavored Latte (non-alcoholic)

2-3 tablespoons Kahlua flavored syrup

1/2 cup frothed milk

2 shots espresso

Mix syrup, milk, and espresso together in your favorite coffee cup.

Sip.

Enjoy.

Makes 1 cup.

Ahhhh......

Life is good...really good!

Recipe: Boneless Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

I’m not sure where my recent obsession came from for The Pioneer Woman-Ree Drummond, but she has been my inspiration lately. I have been on her Web site daily, and my mom is letting me borrow the book “From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, A Love Story by Ree Drummond’, which I can’t put down. My son was given Ree Drummond’s children’s book, ‘Charlie the Ranch Dog’ for his 5th birthday and I adore the illustrations. I saw a brief video clip of Ree’s new cooking show and was wishing I actually had a TV so I could watch it, but then I probably wouldn’t get anything else done because I would be so hooked on watching The Food Network and favorite cooking shows, so therefore we don’t have a TV! I can’t wait to get a copy of her cookbook, ‘The Pioneer Woman’s Cookbook- Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl’ either.

One of the recipes I found from The Pioneer Women’s blog, that looks amazing, are the Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce. Of course I never seem to completely follow the recipe exactly, so instead of using short ribs with the bone-in like Ree did, I used boneless short ribs. Instead of using thyme like Ree did, I used Herbes de Provence, and instead of a can of whole tomatoes, well like Ree did, I used a can of diced tomatoes because that is what I had in my pantry and wanted to use up. Here is my own spin on the recipe.

Boneless Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

5 boneless short ribs, cut in half crosswise

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup baby carrots, sliced

½ white onion, chopped

3 heads of garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup red cooking wine

1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

1 teaspoon red pepper

1 pound fettuccini

Finely shredded Italian cheese, for garnish

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a pan with a drizzle of olive oil, turn on high heat.

Sprinkle short ribs with salt and pepper, to taste.

With tongs, place each short rib in the smoking hot pan and brown on each side for 1 minute.

Remove short ribs and place in an ovenproof dish.

Turn heat down to medium-high and add carrots to pan.

Sauté for 3 minutes stirring often, then add in onions and garlic and mix together till carrots and onions are soft, about 2 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine, Herbes de Provence, and red pepper to onions.

Mix well and let the sauce simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the tomato mix over ribs and cover tightly with tin foil.

Place in preheated oven for 1 ½ hours.

Bring a pot of water to boil, add the fettuccini, and boil till noodles are soft.

Place noodles on bottom of serving dish, then add tomato mix (not all of it, as you will have leftover sauce), and place short ribs on top, sprinkle ribs with cheese, and add some fresh parsley to the dish.

Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

NOTE: You can use the leftover tomato sauce to make spaghetti!

Random Post: Things I have learned about blogging

When I started this blog in March 2009 I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just got this idea to start a blog and have taken it one posting at a time. Although I feel like I have come a long ways, I feel like I have a ways to go.  When I first started posting, I would find a recipe I wanted to try, cook it, post the recipe, add the picture, and site the recipe if it wasn’t my own, and that was that. Now, I am completely redoing my site; adding a section about gardening and the outdoors, my crafty things, a new recipe search, and adding my own voice more.  A few things I have learned about blogging along the way.

Be yourself. Write like you are talking to your best friend. I am very quiet natured in person and usually not real wordy while blogging either, but I’m working on adding my own voice more.

I need to take a photography class. I am not a photographer by any means and really not too fond of taking pictures, to be honest. In my photos, the lighting doesn’t seem to be right to capture the yumminess of my food, the angle seems off, the photo comes out blurry, or I just completely forget to take a picture of the final dish and then I remember after the food has been devoured. Where is my mother-in-law when I need her to take the pictures?!

Blog Often.  When I first started, I would post up to 2-3 posts a day. As my life became more insane, the blogging slowed down and eventually was neglecting for months, specifically while I was planning my wedding and what seemed like I was spending every minute of my evenings making my wedding isle décor called kissing balls. Now I have recently been inspired, I understand how important it is to blog often.

Write about varied topics. Since this blog was created mainly to write about food, I do like to mix it up a little and throw in a quote, a kitchen tip, write about a restaurant I had just eaten at, or just whatever I feel like writing about. I just want to make it fun!

Re-read what I just typed. This can be a challenge for me since I know what I mean when I write, but do others understand what I mean when they read it? With the new design of my blog I am in the process of working on, I am embarrassed to see some mistakes I have in recipes: “Preheat the oven to 3275 degrees”. I didn’t know my oven went that high, or does she mean 325 degrees?, or wait, is that 375 degrees?!” There is a big difference there.

I don’t know what to write about aka writer’s block. Most of the time this is very true, but I still need to sit down and post something. As I mentioned previously, I neglected my blog while planning my wedding when I could have been posting things about the wedding planning process. I recently found some inspiration, so on I go with the blogging!

Value my readers. Although I don’t know who most of you are that read my blog, I appreciate your comments and taking the time to read my posts. You are appreciated more than I let you know.

Recipe: Simple Breakfast Croissant

I am not a breakfast person but I LOVE eating breakfast food. For sure I have to have my coffee in the morning with cream and sugar. I definately enjoy having breakfast for dinner. I really don't have time to make breakfast in the morning with my crazy schedule, especially a big breakfast so that is why I like to take the time in the evening to make a big dinner-breakfast for my family.

Tonight I made some easy breakfast sandwiches. I made some shredded hash browns on the side cooked in butter, and a fresh fruit (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) salad. For "dessert" I made some cinnamon rolls.

4 butter croissants, sliced lengthwise, toasted, if desired

Mayo

Honey ham, thinly sliced (I just used the lunch meat packages)

8 slices of Bacon, figure 2 slices of bacon per sandwich

Shredded Mexican style cheese

4 Eggs, scrambled

Take each croissants and slice them in half lengthwise and toast if you like it that way.

Add enough mayo to cover each slice of croissant, or to your desired liking.

Take a small pan, add some butter and turn it up to medium-high heat.

Add the honey ham and fry for a few minutes on each side; remove and keep warm.

Cook bacon until crispy, and break each strip in half.

Using the same pan from cooking the ham, add a little bit of butter and cook the egg, preferrably scrambled. (If you fry the egg with a soft and runny yolk, beware when you take a bite- the yolk will run everywhere and can make a real disaster! Trust me I do know about this.)

To assemble the breakfast croissant: take the bottom half of croissant and add mayo, slices of ham, then the bacon, half a handfull of shredded cheese, egg, and put the other half of the croissant on top.

Serve immediately while hot.

Makes 4 servings; 1 sandwich per person

Random Post: Trader Joe's Raffle: Part 1

I love to shop at Trader Joes! They have some very unique items, but it is always fresh and have never been disappointed during my shopping experience. I don't go too often but my husband and I love the Sea Salt Pita Chips with hummus for a snack! YUM!

At every register there is a small container and a roll of tickets. If you bring your own bag for the groceries you can put your name and phone number on a ticket and drop it in the container at the register knowing it will be never be drawn since they have 8 registers and all the buckets full with tickets from the week, proabably a good couple hundred tickets to draw from.

Well this last Friday I had received a message from our local Trader Joes saying they had drawn MY name for the week! I was so excited that it could actually be ME! I went to the store as soon as I could and was handed a gift card for $10, which isn't a lot but, it is $10! I can definately put that to good use.

Random Picks: What I Love About My Kitchen!

A few months ago I came across an article that was titled, "What do you love most about your kitchen?" I often dream of my future kitchen and the features I one day look forward to having but this article got me thinking about my current kitchen. Although we currently rent and can't call this kitchen "mine" there are things I do love about it:

• It is centrally located in the house.


• There is tons of wide counter space.


• I love watching my husband cook the bacon or hamburger meat and still have plenty of room to prep the rest of the dinner together.


• There is plenty of cupboard space to hold all my necessary kitchen utencils and equipment.


• It has all the necessities I need to make a scrumptious meal.


• I have a view out my kitchen window into my backyard right to where all the bird feeders are and can enjoy watching the birds come and go.


• I can open the kitchen window and talk to my amazing husband while he BBQs on the deck as I prep the other side dishes inside.


• I have a colorful view of the flowers on my deck and can enjoy them all summer long!


• It is square and just the perfect size kitchen.

Recipe: Greek Salad

One of my most favorite things to eat is salad. Just about every dinner I make a salad but it tends to be the quick green salad with a few toppings and a jar of our favorite dressing, either Bleu cheese, or Ceasar dressing. I came across this recipe and it looked so good I couldn't wait to try this salad. I have had Greek salads before and love them. The result of this dressing was delicious!

This recipe came from the Cook's Country April/May 2008 issue.

1 1/4 cups crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons plain whole-milk yogurt (I used a Plain Greek yogurt)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 red onion, sliced thin

1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced thin

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives

2 romaine hearts, torn into bite-sized pieces (about 8 cups)

salt and pepper

Process 1/2 cup feta, yogurt, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and oil in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Combine dressing and onion in large bowl and let sit for 20 minutes.

Add remaining feta, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and romaine to bowl with dressing mixture and toss to combine.

Season with salt and pepper.

Serve.

Serves 4 to 6.

Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

We often eat boneless skinless chicken breasts a couple times a week. I like to have our chicken, potatoes, a vegetable, green salad and/or a fruit salad. I came across this mashed potato casserole and wanted to see the results with this chicken dinner. Since there are only two adults and two small children in the household I cut the recipe in half and there was still tons leftover. The end results of the mashed potato casserole were "mmmmmm.....that is really good!"

This recipe is the full version as printed in the Cook's County December/January 2008 issue.

4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1/2 cup half-and-half

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 garlic clove, minced

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons salt

4 large eggs

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.

Bring potatoes and water to cover by 1 inch to boil in large pot over high heat.

Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Heat half-and-half, broth, butter, garlic, mustard, and salt in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth, about 5 minutes. Keep warm.

Drain potatoes and transfer to large bowl.

With electric mixer on medium-low speed, beat potatoes, slowly adding half-and-half mixture, until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.

Scrape down bowl; beat in eggs 1 at a time until incorporated, about 1 minute.

Fold in chives.

Transfer potato mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish.

Bake until potatoes rise and begin to brown, about 35 minutes.

Let cool 10 minutes.

Serve.

NOTE: The mashed potatoes will look very soupe when they are poured into the casserole dish. They will firm up and rise in the oven.

For better browing and an impressive presentation, use a fork to make a peaked design on top of the potato casserole.

MAKE AHEAD: The baking dish with the potatoes can be covered with plastic and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Increase baking time by 10 minutes.

Random Picks: Garbage Can Composting

Lately I have really been wanting to start composting. It seems like every chance I get I am outside working in the yard trying to do little 'mini makeovers' in some areas of the yard. We have lots of weeds and wanted to improve the dirt in our garden area. It also helps on cutting down on the amount of trash we have.

I checked some books out on composting at the library and have spent quite a bit of time visting Web sites about composting and how to do it and techniques. I didn't want to build a permanent compost structure and couldn't quite justify spending literally hundreds of dollars on a composting bin so I decided to go with the basic trash can method. I went to The Home Depot and purchased a black Rubbermaid 32 gallon trash can with a lid. I also got a small pitchfork (for turning the compost). I left the store paying a total of $40. My dad drilled about 16 half inch holes in the can with a drill and got two pieces of wood (to set the trash can on so the bottom has air circulation). Simple as that.

I have been collecting kitchen scraps under my kitchen sink for a few days. I got a box of bio bags, purchased a $2 bathroom sized trash can at Goodwill and keep the can under my kitchen sink for easy access to throw decent composting scraps in.

Tonight I started my first pile. I ripped up some old newspaper, threw in my bio bag fill of goodies, added some recently pulled greens from the yard and a small shovelful of dirt, added a little bit of water (enough to get it damp) and closed the lid. I will check on it in a few days, turn it over, maybe add to it some more, and just let it do its thing.

I'm excited to see this process the kind of 'black gold' I get from it!

Random Picks: Cake Pops

I recently got interested in making cake pops. They looked fun, easy, and we all like a small sweet treat once in awhile. I saw a really fun looking cookbook, "Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistable Mini Treats" with all the fun ways to display them and ways you could make them for the holidays, birthdays, or everyday treats.

The first time I made them I had a mess on my hands. My cake balls seems lumpy and I had melted chocolate all over. Although they tasted good, they didn't look so pretty. I had used a boxed strawberry cake mix with white chocolate coating and some sprinkles on top.

I had an excuse to try again. My son's preschool was celebrating July birthdays early since school was ending and decided to make each kid in his class and two teachers cake pops. WOW! They turned out amazing. The balls were not lumpy and the chocolate coating was so smooth. This time I used a white cake mix with a light cocoa chocolate coating, dipped in sprinkles. I wrapped each one in a plastic treat bag and tied it with ribbon. Everyone seemed to enjoy them!

Recipe: Chicken Club Pizza

It seems at least once a week (usually on a Friday) my family has pizza for dinner at home. With two adults in the house working full-time, and two hungry kids when we walk in the door, we are tired at the end of the week and want something quick for dinner. I came across this recipe on Kraft.com. I love the mix of chicken and bacon on pizza topped with lettuce and tomatoes. Pure yumminess! It is very easy to prep after a long day and can get it on the table quickly for the family to enjoy!

1 can (13.8 ounce) refrigerated pizza crust (I used the premade Boboli brand pizza instead)
1/4 cup Mayo with Olive Oil Mayonnaise

1/2 cup Ranch Dressing, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded Kraft triple cheddar cheese with a touch of Philadelphia, divided
1 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
6 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled
1 1/2 cups finely shredded lettuce
1 tomato, finely chopped

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix mayo and 1/3 cup dressing; spread onto crust.

Top with half the cheese, chicken, remaining cheese and bacon.

Bake 5 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted.

Top with lettuce and tomatoes; drizzle with remaining dressing.

Happy eating!


Recipe from Kraftrecipes.com

Guacamole

I love chips and dip! That salty crunch is just so satisfying. I also enjoy a good guacamole on the side. While I was grocery shopping yesterday, I got an instant craving for guacamole. I went to the refrigerated dairy section and found many varieties/brands of guacamole. It was hard to decide so I grabbed a small container of La Mexicana Guacamole. It has a layer of salsa on the top, plus it came in a smaller container (I got the 10-ounce size) which was smaller than my other options, since I needed just a little bit. As soon as I got a chance to take a bite I was instantly disappointed and disgusted. There was a certain spice that was not satisfying and almost tasted like it had too much lemon juice in it–quite sour. I’m still on the lookout for a good store bought guacamole. In the meantime, while I continue my good-quality tasting, store bought guacamole search, here is the homemade guacamole recipe my family uses:

1 avocado, peeled, sliced, and smashed
2 tablespoons sour cream
½ teaspoon seasoning salt
A few splashes of hot jalapeño sauce
1 slice of white onion, chunked in small pieces, sautéed, optional

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
NOTE: If using the white onion, you can use it raw, however it can overpower the guacamole so I like to sauté it for a minute so it’s not so oniony, but still gives a nice flavor.

For every whole avocado you use, double the recipe. For example; if you use 2 whole avocados, use 4 tablespoons sour cream, 1 teaspoon seasoning salt, 2 slices of white onion, etc.

Check back for updates while I continue my search for a ‘good-quality tasting, store bought guacamole’.

Happy Cooking!

Best Grape Salad

This recipe is very creamy and sweet, and a great mix of flavors. It is kid friendly too! It is so easy to make. I cut the recipe in half and there was still plenty of leftovers for a snack.

2 pounds green seedless grapes

2 pounds red seedless grapes

8 ounces sour cream

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste

1 cup brown sugar, packed, to taste

1 cup crushed pecans, to taste

Wash and stem grapes; set aside.

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla by hand until blended.

Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.

For topping: Combine brown sugar, and crushed pecans.

Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely.

Chill overnight.

www.recipezarr.com Recipe #35450

So Busy...

I know it has been awhile since I have posted a recipe. I have been planning my wedding and know I have neglected my blog. Thank you for your patience and please check back often and I will have new recipes posted soon!

Bon Appetit!

Recipe: Peppermint Bonbon Cookies

8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup finely crushed hard peppermint candies

6 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

Additional coarsely crushed hard peppermint candies, divided

1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional)

2 1/2 teaspoons milk (optional)

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels, melted (optional)

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; cook over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat, and stir in 1/2 cup crushed peppermint and 6 tablespoons sugar.

Let cool 30 minutes.

Add eggs to melted chocolate, 1 at a time, stirring well.

Stir in extacts.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to chocolate mixture, stirring until combined.

Stir in chocolate morsels.

Cover and chill dough 2 hours or until firm enough to shape.

Shape dough into 1 1/2 inch balls; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake at 325 degrees for 12 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and cracked on top.

Sprinkle coarsely crushed peppermints onto cookies; press candy lightly into cookies.

Let cookies cool 5 minutes on baking sheets.

Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Whisk together powdered sugar and milk; drizzle over cooled cookies, if desired.

Drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired.

Sprinkle cookies again with chopped peppermint, if desired.

Let cookies stand until glaze and chocolate are firm.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen

Oxmoor House, June 2007

Recipe: Green Beans with Mustard Vinaigrette

2 pounds green beans, trimmed

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 shallots, sliced

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons grey poupon mustard

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Add green beans and cook just until tender, 4 to 5 minutes.

Drain and run under cold water to cool; transfer to a serving bowl.

In a saucepan, add heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add shallots and cook till tender, 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in vinegar and mustard.

Serve on side or toss to combine with green beans.

Makes 8 servings

My own recipe- December 2010

Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are delicious- crispy on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle. They make big sized cookies, but well worth it! -Susan

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

2 tablespoons water

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups chopped semisweet chocolate

Preheat overn to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the corn syrup, water, vanilla extract.

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into peanut butter mixture.

Fold in chocolate chunks.

Drop by 1/4 cupfuls 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in a preheated oven, or until edges are golden.

Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen

Recipe by Kathy Bliesner, found on Allrecipes.com

Recipe: Chocolate Chunk-Peanut Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

1 (11.5 ounce) bag chocolate chunks (I used milk chocolate chips)

Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; add chunky peanut butter and sugars, beating well.

Add eggs, beating until blended.

Combine flour and next 4 ingredients.

Add to butter mixture, beating well.

Stir in peanuts and chocolate chunks (or chips).

Shape dough into 2-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie).

Flatten slightly, and place on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool on pan 1 to 2 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 28 cookies.

Southern Living, May 2004

Recipe: Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

1 1/3 pounds chicken tenders

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 eggs

2 cups bread crumbs (Panko)

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix buttermilk and Tabasco in a resealable plastic bag.

Add chicken tenders and marinate for at least 1 hour up to 1 day.

In a shallow dish, mix flour with salt and cayenne pepper.

In another shallow bowl, beat together eggs with 2 tablespoons water.

Place bread crumbs in a separate shallow dish.

Remove chicken tenders from buttermilk, draining any excess, and dredge individually in flour mixture, shaking off excess; then dip into egg, draining any excess.

Next, dip chicken in bread crumbs, pressing gently into crumbs to coat.

(Chicken may be prepared up to 5 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate).

In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

When hot, add one third of chicken tenders and cook, turning, until golden, about 4 minutes.

Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Wipe out pan and repeat cooking procedure in 2 more batches with remaining oil and tenders.

Makes 6 servings

All You, April 2006

Recipes: Stuffed Peppers

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice

1 cup water

6 green bell peppers

2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until evenly browned.

Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the bell peppers.

Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. (Slice the bottoms of the peppers, if necessary, so that they will stand upright).

In a bowl, mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper.

Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers.

Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

Makes 6 servings

Allrecipes.com

Recipe: Korean-Style Pork with Asian Slaw

1 large or 2 small pork tenderloins (about 1 1/4 pound), trimmed

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup rice vinegar

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 medium cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

1 tablespoons Asian sesame oil

1 tablespoon Asian chile sauce (like Sriracha)

1 pound Napa cabbage, thinly sliced

1 cup grated carrot (about 2 medium carrots)

4 scallions (both white and green parts), trimmed and thinly sliced

5 tablespoons canola or peanut oil

Kosher salt

Cut the pork on the diagonal into 1/2 inch thick medallions.

In a small measuring cup, whisk the soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of the rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar, the garlic, ginger, 1/2 tablespoon of the sesame oil, and 2 teaspoon of the chile sauce.

Toss 1/2 cup of this mixture with the pork medallions in a large bowl; reserve the remaining mixture to use as a sauce.

Let the pork sit at room temperature for 25 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

Meanwhile, in another large bowl, toss the cabbage and the carrot with half of the scallions, 1 tablespoon of the canola oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and the remaining 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon chile sauce.

Let sit for 15 minutes, toss again, and transfer to a large serving platter.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the canola oil in a heavy based 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, shaking off the excess, and transfer the pork to a clean plate.

Discard the marinade.

Add half of the pork medallions to the skillet, spacing them evenly.

Cook them until well browned on one side, about 2 minutes.

Flip and cook until the pork is just cooked through, about another 2 minutes.

Set the pork on top of the slaw.

Pour out the oil and wipe the pan with paper towels.

Return the pan to medium-high heat.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil, and cook the remaining medallions in the same manner.

Top the slaw with the remaining pork and pour the reserved soy-ginger sauce over the medallions.

Serve immediately, sprinkled with the remaining scallions.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Fine Cooking magazine, Fall 2008

Recipe: Cauliflower with Mustard-Lemon Butter

1 small head of cauliflower (about 1 3/4 pound)

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard

1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Butter rimmed baking sheet.

Cut cauliflower in half, then cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices.

Arrange slices in single layer on prepared sheet; sprinkle with salt.

Roast until cauliflower is slightly softened, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat.

Whisk in lemon juice, mustard, and lemon peel.

Spoon mustard-lemon butter evenly over cauliflower and roast until crisp-tender, about 10 minutes longer.

Transfer cauliflower to platter.

Sprinkle parsley and serve warm.

Makes 6 servings

Source unknown

Recipe: Gooey Mozzarella-Garlic Bread

1 loaf Italian or French bread, halved crosswise
olive oil
garlic powder
shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Sprinkle olive oil evenly to coat each side of bread.
Sprinkle garlic powder evenly on both sides of bread.
Place enough cheese to cover evenly on each slice of bread.
Close bread, as if making a sandwich.
Wrap in foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese melts.
Makes 4 servings

Recipe from Robin Miller on Food Network.com

Recipe: Chicken with Provencal Sauce

4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup less-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoons dried herbes de Provence

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Place chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Add chicken; cook 6 miutes on each side or until done.

Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

Add garlic to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Add broth and herbes de Provence, bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.

Cook until broth mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup (about 3 minutes).

Remove from heat, add butter, and lemon juice, stirring until butter melts.

Serve sauce over chicken.

Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

Makes 4 servings

Cooking Light, January 2005

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

This is such a simple recipe but so delicious and a great company meal.

2 cups baby carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
3-4 large baking potatoes, cut into bite size pieces, slightly cooked
1 (12 ounce) package frozen peas
2 chicken breasts, throughly cooked and cut into bite size pieces
1 (12 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
1 package refrigerated pie crust

Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
In a saute pan, add carrots and onions and saute until slightly soft.
In a pot, boil potatoes until soft but do not completely cook.
Mix carrots, onions, and potatoes in the baking dish.
Add the frozen peas and chicken pieces, mix well.
In another bowl, add soup and milk; mix well.
Pour soup mixture over ingredients in baking dish.
Cover top of pot pie with the pie crust.
Place in oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until crust is slightly brown.

Makes 4-6 servings

NOTE: You don't want to thoroughly cook the vegetables since they will be cooking again in the oven. If you overcook, they will get very soft and mushy.

My own recipe by Susan

Recipe: Enchilada Casserole

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup onion
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water
1/2 cup enchilada sauce
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 dozen corn tortillas
1 pound shredded Mexican blend, shredded

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease a 13 x 9 baking dish.
In a skillet cook beef and onions.
Add next ingredients and simmer for 10 munutes uncovered till liquid evaporates.
Pour 1/2 of sauce in dish and arrange 1/2 of tortillas to cover bottom of dish.
Pour 1/2 of remaining sauce evenly over tortillas.
Spoon in beef mixture, and sprinkle with 1/2 of cheese.
Place remaining tortillas and spread with remaining sauce.
Top the rest of cheese.
Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes, then another 5 minutes uncovered.
May be prepared 24 hours in advance.

Recipe modified by Susan, original recipe by Sara Stickland

Recipe: Herbed Chicken Parmesan

1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs (I used Panko breadcrumbs, usually found in the ethnic section of your grocery store)

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

1 pound chicken breast tenders

1 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups tomato-basil pasta sauce

2 teaspoons balsalmic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded provolone cheese (I used sliced provolone and used enough cheese to cover the top of each chicken tender)

Preheat broiler.

Combine 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish.

Place egg white in a shallow dish.

Dip each chicken tender in egg white; dredge in the breadcrumb mixture.

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Set aside.

Combine 1/8 teaspoon salt, pasta sauce, vinegar, and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap; vent.

Microwave sauce mixture on HIGH 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Pour the sauce over chicken in pan.

Sprinkle evenly with the remaining Parmesan and provolone cheese.

Wrap handle of pan with foil, and broil 2 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Makes 4 servings

Cooking Light, November 2003