ENVIOUS

Seriously..... I envy people who can make cake pops.  I have tried a few times.... let me just say, UNSUCCESSFUL!! 

I am not sure what I am doing wrong.  I can make the cake balls, however, dipping them into the chocolate tends to always ruin them.  The worst part is that every cake ball I ruin I have to eat.  Not sure if that's a bad thing or not!!!  Maybe one day I will figure it out. 

For those of you that are good, I am proud of you.  You have a talent I truly lack!

happyFALL

Apples always make me think of Fall.  Check out GLORIOUS TREATS for 

delicious caramel apples. 

YUMMY! YUMMY! YUMMY!

sunday bbq

Today we are celebrating Abby (my sister) and David (brother in law)!!  It is their birthday.... well technically David is one day older than Abby or Abby is one day younger, either way we are celebrating!!!  And it is going to be a blast.  We got a fun evening in store and delicious food.  I attempted my first twice baked potatoes and super excited to see how they turned out.  They were fairly easy to prepare.  I am always nervous to make something the first time when you are serving multiple people but think they will turn out so yummy.

But enough about that.... Happy Birthday David and Abby!

Farmer's Market Pizza

Best pizza of all time.  I have never thought to put corn on pizza and was kind of in a toss up when I was actually doing it.  It however turned out fabulous.  As I always mention I love creating new things in the kitchen and generally like trying new stuff... so I was super excited about how it was going to turn out!

1 tablespoon olive oil                                             Cooking spray

1 cup thinly sliced red onion                                    2 teaspoons fresh oregano

1 thinly sliced red bell pepper                                  1 cup grated parmesan cheese

5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced                                     1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup fresh corn kernels                                         1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 square Flatbread, 12 x 8 in                                    1/3 cup fresh basil leaves

Preheat oven to 425°. Position an oven rack in the next to lowest setting. Place a 16-inch pizza pan on the rack.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to pan, and swirl to coat. Add onion to pan; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add bell pepper and garlic to pan; cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn, salt, and black pepper to pan; cook for 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.

Remove pan from oven. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Place flatbread on pan, spread olive oil evenly on top and sprinkle with fresh oregano.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Spread the corn mixture evenly over cheese. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes. Arrange tomatoes, feta, and basil evenly over pizza; bake an additional 5 minutes or until crust is browned. Remove from oven. Cut into 8-10 slices.  Serve.

BBQ Delicious

In celebration of James' FIRST birthday, we are throwing a little par-tay for him.  Not only do we get to celebrate his birthday but we get to eat some ever-so-good food and spend time together!

For the celebration our menu is your basic good old bbq-ing.

Hot Dogs

Hamburgers

Green Salad

Sliced Watermelon

Chips

Good Brews 

It's about to be a fantastic party.  Anytime James is around it's bound to be a blast.  He gets to open gifts, eat dessert (no cake.... only on his actual birthday), and be the center of attention (as always).

want a bowl?

Looking for something for all types of eaters.... try these delicious bowls.

INGREDIENTS
1-2 cups cooked quinoa
1 can of black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can of corn, drained
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
fresh cilantro
1 avocado, chopped

DRESSING
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
1 garlic glove, mined

Combine all dressing ingredients and allow flavors to blend.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook quinoa according to package.  In a large bowl mix quinoa, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro.  Top with dressing and mix well.  Spoon into bowls.  Top with avocado and cilantro.

Lemon Pepper Chicken

On sunday I made the most juicy, moist chicken dish.  Not very often do I bake chicken because I always feel like it gets dried out.... however, this dish DID NOT!  It was exceptional.  I wrapped it in parchment paper to keep the moisture in and it did miracles.

2 chicken breasts, thawed
2-3 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 teaspoon lemon pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
Parchment paper

In a bowl mix sunflower oil, lemon pepper, and garlic.  Place chicken breasts in mixture and rub onto both sides of chicken breasts.  Lay out a piece of parchment paper, place chicken on top and wrap chicken in paper.  Place the chicken in a pyrex baking dish, with open side of parchment paper down.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Serve with a delicious side or two (click on links below for good side ideas).

• Spring Panzanella
• Roasted Green Beans with Tomatoes
• Spinach Dish
• Thin Spaghetti with Basil Pesto and Tomato Salad

Mediterranean Bell Pepper Salad

Made this on Mother's Day and it was a hit!

So fresh, So Good....  and it requires NO LETTUCE!

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
                                                     

1/4 cup cold water
                                                                

1 tablespoon kosher salt
                                                      


2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 red onion, chopped


3 bell peppers (any work great, but color is always fun)                                                                  

1 cucumber                                                     

1 carrot, chopped into thin strips

1/4-pound crumbled feta cheese                                                

1/4 cup olive oil


Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh Basil, finely chopped

Swish together the red wine vinegar, water, kosher salt and sugar in a small bowl until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Add the red onion and set it aside.

Core and seed your bell peppers and chop them into 1/2-inch pieces. Chop the cucumber into similarly-sized chunks. Cut carrots into thin strips.  Put your peppers, cucumber, and feta in a large bowl.

By now, your onions will have lightly pickled, both sweetening and softening their blow. Drain them and add them to the other vegetables in the large bowl, but reserve the vinegar mixture. Pour a quarter cup of the vinegar mixture over the salad, then drizzle with olive oil.  Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, or to taste. Add chopped basil.  Toss evenly and serve at once, or let the flavors muddle together in the fridge for a few hours.

(adopted and adjusted from original recipe found on SmittenKitchen)

Sesame and Poppy Seed Dressing

1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons grated onion
1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar

In a blender, add all ingredients.... EXCEPT vinegar.  Combine until mixed and smooth.  Slowly add the vinegar to create a moderately thick substance.

Mix this into a spring lettuce salad with fresh produce such as apples, pears, strawberries, or mandarin oranges.  Top with feta and slivered almonds, pecans, or walnuts!

Kale Caesar Salad

Normally caesar salads are made with romaine lettuce, however, try this one with kale.  Kale is a leafy green that I would not normally try in a salad, generally wilted, but highly recommend trying this recipe out!

Put 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 garlic glove, 2 anchovy fillets, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce in a blender and puree.  Toss 2 cups crusty bread cubes with 1 tablespoon of dressing and broil on a baking sheet until toasted, roughly 2 minutes.  Toss 1 large head of chopped kale with remaining dressing, broil on a baking sheet for 5 minutes or until lightly crisp but still fresh.  Divide the kale and dressing mixture on four plates and top with croutons.  Sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese.  Serve!

Mexi Style Chicken

The easiest, super moist chicken dish ever.... and you can do so much with it.

2 medium chicken breasts

2/3 cup salsa

1/3 cup monterey jack cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 375.  Line a glass baking dish with parchment paper.  Place chicken in dish.  Top with salsa.  Wrap the chicken loosely with the parchment paper.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Sprinkle with cheese.

Serve this with a side of spanish rice, black beans, and a side salad.  Shred chicken and add to a quesdilla, taco, or burrito.  Shred and add to a taco salad.  Get creative with an easy dish!

Chop Salad

Made a delicious salad this weekend....TRY IT!!

1 head Romaine Lettuce, chopped
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tomatoes, diced
4 slices freshly sliced turkey (I used deli turkey from the local grocery store)
2 slices provolone cheese
Fresh Basil
Balsamic Vinaigrette

Chop lettuce and tomatoes.  Toss into a large salad bowl.  Add chickpeas (slowly add depending on how many servings you need).  Slice turkey and cheese in thin strips.  Add to lettuce, tomato, and chickpea mixture.  Chop basil into fine thin strips and had to salad bowl.  Toss with Balsamic Vinaigrette.  Serve with a side of fresh, warm bread.

Hummus-Vegetable Sandwich

2 slices Dave's Killer Bread
Hummus (any flavor)
1 tomato, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
Lettace
Handful of alfalfa sprouts
Feta Cheese

Spread hummus on both two slices of bread, sprinkle feta cheese on both slices.  Top one slice with sliced tomato, cucumber, lettace, and sprouts.  Put sandwich together.  Serve with a side of grapes, soup, salad, or if you're really wild a handful of Doritos!

Stolen Pizza Recipes

Last week while I was searching for a great BBQ chicken pizza recipe to make with Steve, I found all of these delicious looking recipes as well.  Click on the link below for the recipes and more pictures!  (you're mouth will water, mine sure did)

Pizza Caprese with Garlic Focaccia Crust

Black Bean Mexican Pizza

Supreme Veggie Pizza with Mozzarella and Feta

Flatbread Pizza with Sausage and Zucchini

Grilled Asparagus and Red Onion Pizza

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This last weekend Steve and I made delicious BBQ Chicken Pizza.  It turned out so good and I could have eaten the whole thing!!!  Even though homemade pizza is a long process... it is so worth it!


Store bought or homemade pizza dough
2 thawed chicken breasts, cubed
Mozzarella Cheese
Cilantro
BBQ Sauce
Tomatoes, Diced
Corn Meal

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Place pizza stone in the oven about 30-45 minutes before you bake the pizza.  Pizza stones work best when they have been pre-heated.  Saute chicken in a skillet over medium heat.  Flour a large clear surface.  Also flour the pizza dough.  Roll out pizza to desired size (be sure the center is not to thin or it will tear).  Remove pizza stone from oven, sprinkle corn meal on the pizza stone, and transfer dough to the stone.  Spread a layer of BBQ sauce down, top with cilantro, and spread chicken evenly.  Add a thin layer of mozzarella cheese.  Spread the tomatoes over the cheese and add another layer of mozzarella cheese.  Drizzle BBQ sauce over the pizza and place in the oven.  Bake for 12-16 minutes.  Remove and slice.

Cucumber Tomato Tea Sandwiches

It's late in the day... I normally post early but have been super busy.  However, I have a wonderful recipe for tea sandwiches.  I like to try new things in the kitchen and these are amazing.....  check them out.

1 loaf good quality white and/or wheat bread ( I like both for pretty appearance)
1 8oz bar of cream cheese, room temperature
1 Jar Toby's Feta Dressing (found in the refrigerated health section at selected markets)
1 cucumber, sliced, 1/4"
2 tomatoes, sliced, 1/4"

Mix cream cheese and Toby's Dressing to reach desired consistency (it should be thick but spreadable).  Spread a good amount of mixture on one slice of white bread.  Add cucumber and tomato.  Spread cream cheese dressing mixture onto slice of wheat bread (or white) and put together the two pieces of bread.  Cut off the crust.  Cut the sandwiches in half, creating mini triangles.  Repeat.  After completely all the sandwiches, until ready to serve put damp paper towels over the sandwich tray to prevent dryness.  Serve.

Black Bean and Corn Stew

need an easy meal.... this soup is perfect for a cold, winter day when you lack time.

4 teaspoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons cumin

1 can chopped green chiles

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can corn, drained

In a stockpot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions and saute until soft and tender.  Add garlic and cumin, stirring often.

To the stock pot add chiles, black beans, and tomatoes (with juice), and 2 cups water.  Add salt to taste.  Bring mixture to a boil and then return to medium-low heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes.  The soup will thicken slightly.  

In a food processor or blender, puree 2 cups of the stew (this will create a thickness).  Return to the stockpot and add the corn.  Simmer until heated throughout.  Serve warm with avocado and sour cream, if desired.

Tomato -Basil Pizza

basic, yummy, satisfying pizza.

1 pound favorite dough

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 tomatoes, thinly sliced

fresh basil leaves

feta cheese

roll out pizza dough.  spread corn meal onto a pre-heat pizza stone.  rub olive oil on dough.  sprinkle garlic over the olive oil.  top with basil.  evenly spread tomato slices over the basil.  top with crumbled feta.  bake at 350 for 18-25 depending on dough.

Valentine's Chocolate Wafer Cookie's

These easy treats are super yummy and so easy to make!

1 package Famous Chocolate Wafers
whip cream, store bought or homemade
red/pink food coloring

Mix red or pink food coloring with whip cream.  Spread a small amount of whip cream on one wafer.  Top with a second wafer, spread with whip cream.  Repeat this 6 times, continuing until you have a 7 layer cookie stack.  Place a cookie sheet.  Repeat until you are out of wafers, making many 7 layer cookie stacks.    Place in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours, or until soft.  Serve.

Hummus Platter

Just in time for SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!

This Hummus Platter is super yummy and simple easy to prepare

2 cups hummus, homemade or store bought

1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

3/4 cup cucumbers, diced into small pieces

1/2 cup feta cheese

Spread the hummus on a platter, layer with tomatoes, followed by cucumbers.  Sprinkle feta cheese over the top and serve with pita chips, crackers, or veggies.

Want homemade...... (click the links for recipes)

Hummus

Pita Chips

Tortilla Chips