Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Chicken marinated in Buttermilk and Basil with Bacon and Asparagus (Christine Restivo Mulvania)


This recipe is super good.  It's a nice way to make chicken interesting and using buttermilk as a marinade is great because it helps keep all the juices in so you won't be serving up any dry chicken with this.  You can use any cut of chicken that you'd like.  I like to make it with a mix of chicken wings, thighs, and drumsticks. The sweet and savory marinade makes for some very tasty skin on the chicken too.  This can be cooked either on the grill or in the oven on broil.  Plus asparagus and bacon were like practically made for each other.  Best vegetable side dish ever.  Serves about 4-5 people.

Need: about 8-10 pieces of chicken ( drumsticks, wings, and thighs), 2 cups of buttermilk, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil, 1 tsp. fresh ground pepper, 1 tsp. salt, 1 bunch of asparagus, 3 slices of bacon.

Directions:  Place the chicken in a large Ziploc bag.  If all the pieces don't fit, divide into 2 bags but be sure to divide your marinade ingredients evenly in both bags.  Add the buttermilk, chopped garlic, chopped basil, salt and pepper to the Ziploc bag.  Toss and evenly coat the chicken.  Place in the refrigerator and allow to sit for about 30 minutes.  After they have marinaded for a bit, place in an oven safe dish and broil or place on the grill.  I usually cook the chicken for about 30 minutes or so (15 min on each side) depending on the size of the pieces.  When the chicken is done, you will notice that some of the skin will have turned a nice golden brown and when cut into the juices will run clear.

For the asparagus-Cook the bacon slices in a frying pan.  When they are done remove and place on a plate with a paper towel.  Add the asparagus to that same pan and saute in the bacon grease for a few minutes until they are a bright green and tender.  Chop up the bacon slices, toss with the asparagus in the pan.  Remove and serve.

Steak in a Red Wine Cream Sauce with Steamed Broccoli (Christine Restivo Mulvania)



I will usually serve this over a nicely sliced roast or london broil but you can use any type or cut of beef that you prefer.

Need: Your preference of steak, 1 large portobello mushroom cap, 1 cup of red wine, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 tbsp. and 1 tsp. fresh chopped parsley separated ( you can substitute with dried parsley if fresh is unavailable), olive oil, salt, and pepper and 2 crowns of broccoli for the side.

Directions:  Put the steak in an oven safe dish.  Generously cover the steak in olive oil, 1 tbsp. of parsley, pepper (the flavor of fresh ground pepper goes very nicely with the sauce so go generous on the pepper), and salt to taste.  Cook in the oven at the specified temperature for the cut and pound amount of meat.  This is usually stated on the label.  Cook until desired preference is reached.  I like to have my steak medium to medium rare. In a saucepan over medium heat add the red wine.  Brush the portobello mushroom cap clean and remove the stem.  Dice it up and add to the red wine.  Allow this to simmer until the liquid is about 1/3 cup. Add the cream to the wine while stirring continuously with a wire whisk, lower the heat to a very low setting and add 1 tsp. of fresh parsley, fresh ground pepper and about 1/4-1/2 tsp. salt (feel free to salt this to your taste).   Cut up the broccoli crowns and steam.  I usually steam broccoli on the stove top using a large pot with about an inch of water in the bottom and placing a colander inside the pot ( I know, kind of ghetto, but my vegetable steamer is still packed from my move, so if you don't have a steamer try it this way) where I put the broccoli, a little salt, and pepper, cover and steam (set the small amount of water in the pot to boil) for about 5-7 minutes until tender. 

Slice and plate your meat, cover with about 3 tsp. of the cream sauce and serve the broccoli on the side.  I made this once and served alongside some roasted potatoes which were perfect if there was a little extra sauce on the plate.  mmmm so good.

Tortellini Sausage Soup (Tobi Wilkinson)

Tortellini Sausage Soup (Our Best Bites)
3 links Italian sausage
4 cloves pressed garlic
1 onion, diced
½ c. water
2 15-oz. cans chicken broth
½ c. apple cider (don’t leave this out! I did once and it wasn’t the same…)
1 16-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. sliced carrots
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 medium zucchini, grated (great way to use your food processor if you have one)
8-10 oz. package cheese tortellini (check the freezer section of your grocery store; if you can find it there, it will almost always be way cheaper than fresh tortellini. Also, Barilla makes a great dry cheese tortellini)
2 Tbsp. dried parsley (yes, that’s two tablespoons)
If you’re using link sausage, remove the casings and crumble into a large soup pot. To remove the casings, you can use a sharp knife to cut a slit down one side of the sausage and then peel back the casing. And just so you know, both Sara and I have tried taking pictures of this method and there is no G-rated way of posting those pictures…
Begin cooking sausage over medium heat, stirring frequently. If your sausage is pretty fatty, you’ll want to drain it when it’s about halfway cooked. Meanwhile, chop onions and garlic

and add to the sausage. Continue cooking until onions are translucent and your sausage is cooked. Your house will smell heavenly.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, juice, water, chicken broth, carrots, oregano, and basil. Cover and simmer for 1/2 hour. Add parsley and zucchini and simmer for another 15 minutes or so.

Add the tortelli, cook until tender and then serve with bread and grated parmesan



Sunday, February 5, 2012

Herbed Crusted Pizza By Katie Bell

3 cups flour
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 tbsp olive oil (herbed use a good quality evoo)
1 tsp fast rising yeast (bread machine yeast also works)
12 tsp brown sugar
12 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp basil
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp parmesan cheese (finely grated) 
1Preheat your oven to roughly 150 degrees. Just enough to make it warm enough to cause the dough to rise well. Then turn your oven off as soon as it heats up.
2Add all the above ingredients in the order above into your stand mixing bowl. Mix using a dough hook until it forms a ball. Place it in an oiled bowl and cover with a cloth. Place in the warm oven for about 30 minutes or until the dough doubles in size.
3When dough has doubled, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
4Roll out the dough in desired shape. You may need to flour your surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. I usually just sprinkle my baking sheet (or stone) with corn meal and garlic salt and just press out my dough. (I pressed it)
5Add your favorite toppings and bake for approximately 15-18 minutes depending on the size of pizza you're making. Should just be bubbly.
6Enjoy with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
 NOTES:  I actually changed this slightly.  I mixed the yeast and warm water together and let it foam up prior to adding it to the rest of the ingredients.  Seemed to make the pizza more light and fluffy.


ALSO, I used my homemade marinara sauce I had bottled. (It can be found under sauces)  I just put it into the blender to make it really smooth.  Add your choice of cheese and toppings.  ENJOY!
 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Herb Garlic Butter

Herb Garlic Butter Recipe

1-2 sticks of butter (Fill ice cube molds halfway)
1-2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed

On low heat, melt a stick of butter into a small pan. 
In the meantime, finely chop the parsley and crush the garlic cloves. 
Mix into the melted butter for about 5 minutes and pour mixture into ice cube trays. Store in the refrigerator for about a week or in the freezer for longer.
(Idea From Wishful Chef)


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Buttermilk Spice Muffins By Katie Bell (Mimi's Cafe)

Ingredients

Muffin Batter:
1 cup Sugar
½ cup Butter or margarine
3 Eggs
2-½ cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Nutmeg
½ tsp. Cinnamon
¾ cup + 1 tbsp. Buttermilk

Nut Topping:
½ cup Sugar
1 cup Walnuts (finely chopped)
½ tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and the butter together with an electric mixer. When they are thoroughly mixed, add eggs and beat one more minute.
  2. Sift the flour into a separate bowl, together with the baking soda, nutmeg and the cinnamon.
  3. Add the flour and the buttermilk to the first mixture, mix at low speed until smooth. To avoid lumps in the batter, add the wet and dry ingredients alternately, in small amounts.
  4. Make the nut topping: Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Grease muffin tins with butter or margarine. You can also use paper baking cups. Fill each cup 3/4 full of batter. Add a full, rounded tablespoon of nut topping on top of each muffin cup of batter. Bake immediately or the topping will sink to the bottom of the muffin.
  6. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the middle of the muffin should come out dry. Home ovens heat differently from commercial ovens so you may need to adjust the temperature or the baking time accordingly.
  7. Recipe yields 12 standard-size muffins, or six Mimi's-size muffins. If using the jumbo muffin pans, reduce the oven temperature by 25° and increase the baking time 5-10 minutes.
NOTES:  I did 20 minutes on my medium pan of muffins, and 13 minutes on my bite size muffins.  Oh the bite size ones are to die for!  You can just pop it right into your mouth!
Found this on the Mimi's website!

Olive Garden Bread Sticks By Katie Bell

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm
  • water (105 to 115 degrees F)
  • 16 ounces bread flour (3 cups)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
  • On top:
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Cooking Directions
    Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water in a small
    bowl or measuring cup and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes,
    or until it becomes foamy on top.
    Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Use the paddle
    attachment on a stand mixer to mix the softened butter into
    the flour. If you don't have a stand mixer, use a mixing spoon
    to combine the butter with the flour. When the yeast mixture
    is foamy, pour it into the flour mixture and use a dough hook
    on your mixture to combine the ingredients and knead the
    dough for approximately 10 minutes. If you don't have a stand
    mixer, combine the ingredients and then knead the dough
    by hand on a countertop for 10 minutes.
    Place the dough in
    a covered container and let it sit for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until it
    doubles in size. When the dough has doubled, measure out 2-ounce portions
    and roll the dough between your hands or on a countertop
    to form sticks that are 7 inches long. Place the dough
    on parchment paper-lined baking sheets, cover and set aside
    for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size once
    again.
    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
    Bake the breadsticks for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.
    When the breadsticks come out of the oven, immediately
    brush each one with melted butter and sprinkle with a little
    garlic salt.
    Makes 12-13 breadsticks


    I learned the secret was in making them with Bread Flour instead of all purpose.
    Recipe Found on a Morning Show!

    Cinnamon and Spice Muffins by Christine Restivo Mulvania


    Breakfast time!  For the weekend!  I love to make breakfast on the weekends because Saturday and Sunday are the only days Ryan and I can sit down and eat breakfast like civilized people.  We can sit, and eat, and chill, nowhere to rush off too (usually) and we can watch all the pretty little birds in our pretty backyard.  Good times.

    I have been experimenting with this recipe for the past couple weeks.  I love cinnamon and sugar and I love enjoying it during the winter so I was really looking for a nice muffin recipe for the mornings.

    Need: 1/2 cup of unsalted butter (1 stick) softened, 1 cup and 1 tbsp. of sugar ( keep 1 tbsp. separate for the topping), 2 large eggs, 1 tsp. of vanilla, 2 tsp. of baking powder, 1/4 tsp. of salt, 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 tsp. of ground cloves, 2 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon (keep 1 tsp. separate for the topping), 1/2 tsp. of nutmeg, small amount of orange zest (about 1/4 tsp.).

    Directions:  With some butter, grease a muffin pan and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  In a small bowl mix 1 tbsp. of sugar and 1 tsp. of cinnamon and set aside.  In a large bowl with a mixer cream the butter, then add the sugar and combine until it is light and fluffy.  Add the eggs (one at a time mixing after each one), vanilla, baking powder, salt, cloves, nutmeg, orange zest, 1 and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon.  Combine.  Add the flour and milk, alternating as you combine into the mixture.  Spoon into the muffin pan.  Top each muffin with cinnamon and sugar from the bowl you set aside earlier.  Bake for about 15-20 minutes.  Recipes makes about 8-10 muffins.

    Snickerdoodle Bread (PLUS) by Katie Bell

    Ingredients
    • 2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 2 tsp. cinnamon
    • 1 cup butter, softened
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 tsp. vanilla
    • 3/4 c. sour cream
    • 1 c chocolate chips
    • TOPPING:
    • 3 T. sugar
    • 3 t. cinnamon
    Instructions
    1. Cream butter, sugar, salt and cinnamon until fluffy. Add eggs and mix well.
    2. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix well.
    3. Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add to wet ingredients and mix until all combined.
    4. Add cinnamon chips and stir into batter. Set aside.
    5. Spoon batter into 4 mini loaf pans until about 2/3 full.
    6. Mix 3 T. sugar and 3 t. cinnamon in a bowl and sprinkle over the batter in each loaf pan.
    7. Bake at 350 for 35-38 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan.
    Bread is amazing by itselfs, but if you really want to make something specially add the honey butter and glaze to it.  


    HONEY BUTTER
    1/2 cup butter, softened
    1/4 cup powdered sugar
    1/4 cup honey
    1 tsp pure vanilla extract

    GLAZE
    1 cup powdered sugar
    3 Tbsp milk





    Black Bean Hummus by Emily Jenkins Drolshagen


    Empty contents into blender or food processor
    1 can black beans
    1 tomato
    1 wad fresh cilantro
    1/4-1 whole jalapeno with no seeds, add to taste
    3 T lemon juice or to taste
    1-2 T extra virgin olive oil
    pinch of salt

    Blend until desired consistency. Serve with veggies, chips, tortillas or on sandwiches or burgers

    Regular Garlic Hummus by Emily Jenkins Drolshagen

    Empty contents into a blender or food processor
    1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
    12 cloves pealed roasted garlic (roasted at 400 for 30 min in foil with olive oil until soft)---this makes it kinda spicy you can use less cloves
    1 handful fresh basil (almost any herb would be good)
    3 T lemon juice or to taste
    1-2 T extra virgin olive oil
    pinch of salt

    Blend until desired consistency. Serve with veggies, chips, tortillas or on sandwiches or burgers.

    Change it up!  Add roasted peppers or other ingredients you like such as olives or chives!

    Buttermilk Syrup by Katie Bell


    Ingredients
    • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
    • 3/4 cup buttermilk
    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Directions
    1. In a saucepan, stir together the sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda. Bring to a boil, and cook for 7 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the vanilla. 

    Did you know that if you cook your buttermilk syrup until it's a deep amber color...then you refrigerate the leftovers, and it thinkens up...(if you never have leftovers, make a double batch...please!)

    It's pretty much caramel?

    Caramel that's perfect for dipping apples in or eating with a spoon? Or...probably drizzling on ice cream?

    Pot roast with Cream of Mushroom from JoLynn Mowrer

    • 1 (3 -4 lb) chuck roast
    • 1 (10 ounce) can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
    • salt
    • pepper

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Place heavy duty aluminum foil (Reynolds Wrap) in a shallow baking sheet with all 4 edges of foil long enough to bring up and cover the roast.
    3. Place roast onto the foil and salt and pepper both sides.
    4. Pour soup over top of roast.
    5. Bring up the sides of the foil and seal all of the edges very tightly.
    6. Place into oven at 350 degrees F. and cook for 1 hour.
    7. Reduce heat to 300 degrees F. and cook for the remaining 2 hours.
    8. Unwrap roast and remove to a cutting board to slice the meat.
    9. Pour the delicious gravy into a bowl.
    Serve with rice or noodles or mash potatoes to soak up gravy. Used golden mushroom soup also instead of the regular kind.

    Monday, January 30, 2012

    Crock Pot Steak Teriyaki By Katie Bell



    INGREDIENTS:
    1/2 C Beef Broth
    1/2 C Soy Sauce
    1 tbsp Sugar
    2 tbsp Olive Oil
    2 tbsp Teriyaki Sauce
    Steak, your choice of cut
    2 Cloves of Garlic minced
    Salt Pepper to taste



    DIRECTIONS:
    In a mixing bowl mix soy sauce, sugar, oil, teriyaki sauce, and minced garlic together.
    Cut steak into bite size pieces.
    Pour beef broth into crock pot, place steak in crock pot.
    Salt and Pepper.
    Pour mixture on top and cover with lid.
    Cook on High for two hours or Low for up to 5 hours.

    NOTES:  This actually cooks very quickly.  We tried a bite only after 2 hours on High and it was perfect.  We then turned it on Low while we went out, but it seemed a little more dry then it did with the first bite.  So I recommend cooking it on low the whole time if you want to wait longer to eat, or only leave it in for two hours max on high.  ENJOY!

    Sunday, January 29, 2012

    Cheesy Garlic Rolls By Katie Bell


    1 1/2 cup Bisquick
    1 1/2cups shredded cheddar cheese
    1/2 cup milk
    2 tbsp butter
    1 tbsp oregano (you can omit or use less)
    3/4 tsp garlic salt



    1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray cooking sheet with non-stick spray.

    2. Put biscuit mix, cheese and milk in a bowl and mix well to form a sticky dough.

    3. Using spoon, drop lumps of dough onto cookie sheets 1.5in apart. Bake for 10min.

    4. In a bowl, melt butter and mix with oregano and garlic salt.

    5. When the timer goes off, take them out and brush with butter mixture and bake 5min at 400F and another 5-6min at 350F.

    FOUND ON PINTEREST

    Breaded Cheddar Chicken with Sauce

    Chicken:
    4 large chicken breasts
    2 sleeves Ritz crackers
    1/4 t salt
    1/8 t pepper
    1/2 C milk
    3 C cheddar cheese, grated
    1 t dried parsley


    Sauce:
    1   10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
    2 T sour cream
    2 T butter

    DIRECTIONS:
    1. Cut each chicken breast into 3 large chunks.

    2. In a small food processor grind up the ritz crackers.
     3. Pour the milk, cheese and cracker crumbs into 3 separate small pans. Toss the 1/4 t salt and 1/8 t pepper into the cracker crumbs and stir the mixture around to combine.

    4. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk...

    then the cheese....

    and finally the cracker crumbs.

    5. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and lay the chicken inside the pan.

    6. Sprinkle the dried parsley over the chicken.

    7. Cover the pan with tin foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove the tin foil, bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the edges of the chicken are golden brown and crispy.

    8. Into a medium sized sauce pan combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream and butter with a whisk. Stir it over medium high heat until the sauce is nice and hot. Serve over the chicken.
    RECIPE FOUND ON JAMIE COOKS IT UP!

    Twice Baked Potato Casserole By Katie Bell

    Ingredients
    • 1-1/2 pounds red potatoes (about 6 medium), baked
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
    • 3 cups (24 ounces) sour cream
    • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
    • 2 green onions, sliced
    Directions
    • Cut baked potatoes into 1-in. cubes. Place half in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the salt, pepper. Top with half of the sour cream, bacon and cheeses. Repeat layers.
    • Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until cheeses are melted. Sprinkle with onions.
     Found On Pinterest

    Machaca By Shirley Ricks Lines

    Machaca



    2 pounds beef roast
    2 pounds pork roast
    1-2 large onions
    1-2 4-ounce cans of mild diced green chiles
    3-4 10-ounce cans green chile enchilada sauce

    Use equal portions of pork roast and beef roast.  (Don't get the leanest cuts - the fat will help keep the meat from drying out.)  The portions above feed our family of 5 for 2 meals.  For larger families or gatherings, just increase everything proportionally.

    Cut each onion into 6 wedges and peel apart each layer and place amongst the meat in the roasting pan or Crock Pot.  Spread 1 can of the diced green chiles over the meat.  Salt and pepper well.

    Cook the meat for at least 12 hours on the medium setting on your roaster or Crock Pot.
    Remove the meat from the pan, and drain almost all the juices.  Try to save some of the onions to shred with the meat.  Shred the meat either on a cutting board or back in the roasting pan.  Mix all the shredded meat together in the roasting pan.

    Add the last can of diced chiles to the meat.  Add the green chile enchilada sauce one can at a time until it is moist.


    Mix all together, and cook for an additional 4-6 hours on a low-medium heat.  Stir often to avoid hot spots that will burn the meat.  If the meat seems too dry, add more sauce.  Allowing the meat to cook longer on a lower setting lets all the flavors meld together and get extra yummy.

    (If we plan on eating this for dinner, I start the meat the night before, around 6.  Since my Crock Pot only has medium and high settings, I cook the meat on high for about 4 hours, then turn it down to cook all night.  In the morning, probably around 10, I remove the juice and shred the meat, then add all the sauce and let it cook on the lower setting until we’re ready to eat around 6.  So, the meat really cooks for a total of 24 hours.)

    Serve on tortillas.  We like to add cheese, lettuce, olives, salsa, sour cream, and tomatoes and eat it burrito style.  Leftovers that won't be eaten within the week can be frozen.  Leftovers (when cold) can also be used as filling in Sonoran tacos!  We recently tried it out, and it was AMAZING!!!

    Saturday, January 28, 2012

    White Bread From Grandma Davidson's Recipes

    INGREDIENTS:
    3 C warm water
    3 tbsp active dry yeast
    3 tsp salt
    4 tbsp vegt. oil
    1/2 C white sugar
    8 C bread flour

     

    Directions

    1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups flour. Mix thoroughly, and let sponge rise until doubled in size.
    2. Gradually add about 4 cups flour, kneading until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn several times to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled.
    3. Punch down the dough, let it rest a few minutes. Divide dough into three equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in three 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch greased bread pans. Let rise until almost doubled.
    4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes. The loaves may need to be covered for the last few minutes with foil to prevent excess browning. 

    Mango Black Bean Salad By Emily Drolshagen

    This is fresh and delicious!  It really takes me somewhere else :)  Love it!

    1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
    1 diced ripe mango
    1 pinch of chopped fresh cilantro
    1/4 red onion (I only had white onion in the pic but red is better)
    squirt of lemon juice
    pinch of kosher salt

    ENJOY!

    Chicken Marsala with Asparagus and Sweet Potato from Jannette Basham

    Pork Chops Marsala with Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus ~ HIT Recipe from The Peoples Chemist



    Recipe from The Peoples Chemist

    (I found everything on this list at Trader Joes)

    6 to 8 organic boneless pork loin chops
    Salt
    Pepper
    1/2 tsp thyme
    3 garlic gloves minced
    Olive Oil
    REAL butter
    1 package sliced cremini mushrooms (came in a sealed package)
    1/2 white onion, chopped (could use a shallot too if preferred)
    One bunch of asparagus
    3 large sweet potatoes and 1 large yam
    4 slices Prosciutto (meat section... yes, I didn't have a clue what this was, I thought it was cheese)
    1/2 organic chicken broth
    1/3 cup Marsala wine


    Directions:
    1.Sprinkle salt and pepper on pork chops.
    2.Peel and cut potatoes into 2 inch chunks. Boil accordingly to make mashed potatoes.
    3.Heat large skillet with about 2 tsp olive oil and brown chops evenly on both sides with center slightly pink. About six minutes turning over once. Remove from skillet and set aside.
    4.Heat about 1 tsp olive oil to the same skillet. Add onions, mushrooms and thyme. Cook until mushrooms are brown and onions are soft. About 5 minutes.
    5.While onion and mushroom mix is cooking add chopped Prosciutto and butter to a separate skillet. Cook about 2 minutes and add asparagus and garlic. Cook to your own preference.
    6.Add broth and wine to mushroom mix and simmer on low about 5 minutes.
    7.Drain potatoes and mash with 1 tbs butter, a bit of heavy whipping cream ( or milk) and salt.
    8.Pour sauce over pork chops and serve with asparagus and sweet potato mix.

    Orange Rolls by Jannette Basham

    Feel free to change things as you wish.  I always do ;-)

    (I use a bread maker on the dough setting)
    1/3c. sugar (or honey)
    1/3c. soft butter
    2 eggs
    1 cup milk heated
    1tsp. salt
    2TBSP yeast
    3c. flour (start with 2 cups while dough is mixing then and add rest to form a not too sticky dough, add more flour if needed)
    Let rise 1 hour
    Rol lout dough and spread on soft butter, sugar, orange zest (a good layer) roll up and cut.

    *** let rise *** approx. 30-45 min.

    Bake:350
    15-20min - watch till golden

    Frosting:

    Cream:
    1¼ c. powdered sugar
    ½ c. soft butter
    1/8 tsp. salt

    Add:
    1 tsp. vanilla
    2 TBSP milk
    2¼ c. powdered sugar (or until slightly thick, you can always add more powderedsugar)
    Add:
    2-3 TBSP orange juice from the oranges you zested pulp and all
    Lots of yummy orange zest
    Spread over rolls after baked and cooled
    right out of the ovenfrosted, yes there is one missing in the middle. It wasn't me ;-)

    No Sugar Cocoa Nut Balls by Jannette Basham and Jessica Christensen

    I made these in 20 minutes start to finish!

    These are SO GOOD! I tripled the recipe ha ha but here it is doubled so you get enough to enjoy... if you have a family like mine. This recipe is also on my friends blog that I posted as VEGAN dessert. So if you want that 100% recipe go to her website. This is what I did with ingredients in my home.

    MIX:
    1 c. cashews ~ ground (I used the blender, be careful you don't chop too long or it gets pasty, or use the chopper)
    1/4 c. coconut
    2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa

    ADD:
    1/2 c. dried fruit (any berry blend, I used Trader Joe's Golden Berry Blend: blueberries, cranberries,cherries)
    1/2 c. craisens
    1/2 c. peanut butter
    4 tsp. honey
    4 TBSP coconut milk

    Will be gooey but able to roll into balls. I used the pampered chef tiny scoop to get the dough out into my hands and rolled them. Worked great.

    Roll into balls and then roll in coconut. Put into refrigerator for a bit to harden up a tad, will still be soft. 
    ENJOY! 

    This is how many a triple batch made... minus a few ;PUp close and personal!

    Fresh Cucumber Salsa by Jannette Basham

    OH MY GOSH I LOVE THIS!!! Beware though... once you start eating, you won't be able to stop! So this is what I do. I take out the "serving size" of chips and put it on my plate, then I just eat until my chips are gone. :-D

    2 cucumbers diced (optional, I only did this because we had a million cucumbers growing in our garden!)
    4-5 tomato (I like Roma, less seeds)
    1/2 red bell pepper diced
    1/2 orange bell pepper diced
    1/2 yellow bell pepper diced
    1 green bell pepper diced
    1 small onion diced VERY SMALL (I like the Pampered Chef Chopper)
    3 cloves of garlic minced
    2 small limes juiced
    1 tsp. fresh parsley chopped
    2 tsp. fresh cilantro chopped
    1/2 tsp. dry dill
    1/2 tsp. salt
    1 can black beans drained and rinsed
    1 can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
    2 can corn drained (or I used 2 cups of my cannery corn soaked and drained YUM!)

    avacado (on the side cuz it turns brown)

    I eat this with TRADER JOE'S Flaxseed and Soy chips ~ OH SO GOOD! Makes a healthy portion. Serves 24+


    NOTHING too BAD FOR YOU IN THIS ONE! 


    EAT UP! 

    Trader Joe's Soy and Flaxseed tortilla chips. They are pretty healthy too! For those carb watchers!

    Oven Fried Catfish w/ Southwestern Relish by Jannette Basham


    Coating:
    1/2 c. Corn Meal
    1 tsp. paprika
    1 tsp. thyme
    1 tsp. salt
    1/2 tsp. onion powder
    1/2 tsp. garlic powder (or 2 cloves)
    1/2 tsp. pepper
    1/2 cup milk

    Add all dry ingredients in a flat dish (big enough to dip your catfish fillets in)
    Put milk in a bowl.  Dip catfish in milk.  Flip in mixture to coat.

    Place coated fillets on a GREASED cookie sheet.  Spray the top of the fish with olive oil PAM.

    Bake 425 for 15-20 min.

    Relish:
    1 can black beans
    2 avocados diced
    2 tomatoes
    2 TBSP sliced scallions
    2 tsp lime peel
    4 TBSP lime juice
    2 TBSP fresh cilantro chopped
    2 TBSP fresh oregano chopped (1 tsp dry)
    2 garlic cloves
    1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
    2 TBSP olive oil

    Chocolate Chip Cookies by Katie Bell

    Sift Together

    2 cups flour
    1/2 tsp cinnamon
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/2 tsp baking soda
    1 1/2 tsp baking powder
    Cream Together
    1/2 cup shorting
    1/2 softened butter
    3/4 cup sugar
    1/4 cup brown sugar
    1 tbsp vanilla
    2 eggs
    Add sifted ingredients with cream mixture, add in chocolate chips to your liking.
    Bake 350 for 10 minutes (I use a small spoon when I put them on the cookie sheet, for larger cookies you may need to bake them longer)
    I went through a lot of batches trying to make my own recipe. I love cookies that are fluffy and soft. That just melt in your mouth, and I tell you these are it!! So hope you enjoy!
    My very own recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies!! Gone through a few batches working it out, but totally worth it in the end! Best I've ever had! Light fluffy and melt in your mouth!

    Meat Loaf and Cucumber Sauce by Jannette Basham

    1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (less fat % the better)
    1 cup oats
    1 small onion chopped
    1 1/2 tsp. salt
    1/4 tsp. pepper
    1 cup tomato juice or sauce or V8!
    1 egg beaten
    2 garlic cloves (optional)

    Mix all together and place in a loaf pan.  Bake 350 for 1 hour 15 min.  Let set 5 min. before slicing.

    Here is a sauce you can add to the top of your meat loaf if you are looking for a way to jazz it up, I found it when I had a million cucumbers in my garden! Or you can just add ketchup....

    Sauce:
    2 cucumbers seeded, peeled and diced very small
    1/2 tsp. salt.
    2/3 cup plain yogurt
    1/2 tsp chopped fresh mint
    1/2 tsp dill

    Salmon with Dill Sauce by Jannette Basham

     Cook your Salmon as desired - I spread olive oil on the top and put it on a tray lined with tin foil and bake it at 350 till done, about 10-20 min depending on size.

    Sauce:
    1/3 cup mayonnaise
    2 TBSP honey
    2 TBSP dijon mustard
    1 TBSP sugar
    2 tsp white-wine vinegar
    MIX then ADD
    3 TBSP fresh dill or 1 TBSP dried dill
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/8 tsp black pepper
    stir and refrigerate until ready to use

    Add a spoon full (or two) to the top of your salmon! Serve with asparagus (or your choice of green veggies, swiss chard is great too) brown/wild rice and a fruit like half an orange (don't forget the fruit, vitamin C helps absorb the vitamins in the fish) YUM!

    There is a space there for fruit....Don't forget the fruit! Orange Slices, strawberries, pineapple, apple slices etc.  In this picture I used the Trader Joe's Basmati Rice no added veggies or anything.  Right out of the bag.  15 min cook time! Then steamed yellow squash and zucchini with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top.  We love our cheese!

    Pizza and Sauce by Jannette Basham

    Homemade Pizza and sauce



    Dough:

    1 cup + 2 TBSP very warm water
    2 TBSP Olive Oil (or veg)
    3 cups flour
    1 tsp sugar
    1 tsp salt
    2 1/2 tsp yeast
    2 tsp dried OREGANO

    Mix well and kneed 10 min.  Let rise 1 hour.  Divide dough into 2 parts.  Make your crust to desired thickness and place on a pizza pan.  Place about 1 cup of sauce in center of dough and spread.  Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.  Add your desired fruit/veggies.  Sprinkle another layer of mozzarella over the toppings.  Bake at 400 for about 15-20 min. or until cheese is golden.

    SAUCE:
    12oz tomato paste
    3/4 cups water (add little at a time)
    1/8 cup olive oil
    1 tsp oregano
    3 garlic cloves
    1/4 tsp salt
    1/8 tsp pepper
    1 1/4 cup FRESH BASIL (or 1 tsp dried)
    1/4 cup rosemary crushed

    Mix above ingredients adding more or less water to desired thickness.  Covers 2 pizzas.

    We like to make Ham and Pineapple pizzas with spinach.  I used freeze dried spinach and sprinkled it over the sauce before the first layer of cheese.  This particular pizza I rolled cheese sticks into the edges of the crust.

    (4) different FROSTINGS by Jannette Basham

    Ever take off half the frosting on a cupcake or your slice of birthday cake because it just tastes nasty? Well, here is a frosting you can leave on! In fact, you can even spread it on some graham crackers and make a tasty treat!!!

    BUTTER-CREAM FROSTING:

    3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
    1/2 cup soft butter or margerine (1 stick)
    1/8 tsp salt
    1 tsp vanilla
    4 TBSP milk

    Cream 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar with butter and salt.  Blend in vanilla and milk with the remaining 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar.  Add more powdered sugar to get the thickness you desire.

    Frosting with thicken slightly in refrigerator or if left out.

    This will frost approximately 2 (9 inch) round layers.

    ***CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

    1/4 cup melted butter
    1/2 cup cocoa
    1/4 tsp salt
    1/3 cup milk
    1 1/2 tsp vanilla
    3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

    Combine butter, cocoa and salt.  Add milk and vanilla.  Mix in sugar in 3 parts.  Mix until smooth and creamy.  Add more powdered sugar to thicken or milk to thin.

    Frosts 2 (8-9") layers or 1 (13x9")

    Cheese Cream Frosting:

    4 oz unsalted butter
    4 oz cream cheese
    2 cups powdered sugar
    1 tsp vanilla extract

    Salted Caramel Frosting:

    •1/4 cup granulated sugar
    •2 tablespoons water
    •1/4 cup heavy cream
    •1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    •12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
    •1 teaspoon sea salt
    •1 cup powdered sugar

    Stir sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking, without stirring, until mixture turns dark amber in color, about 6 to 7 minutes.
    Remove from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla, stirring with a wooden spoon until completely smooth. Set aside until cool to the touch, about 25 minutes.
    Combine butter and salt in the bowl beat on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add powdered sugar, and mix until completely incorporated.
    Turn mixer off and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add caramel. Beat frosting on medium-high speed until airy and thoroughly mixed, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until stiff, about 45 minutes, before using.

    Butter cream frosting Cream Cheese frosting is in the cinnamon roll recipe :D