Start your day of with a kick!

Apple sausage and homemade hash.

Family Day 2011

I can remember just like it was yesterday.  Mikey was playing college in Crete, NB on Saturdays....Branden was playing at Red Mountain High School on Fridays and Bryant was playing at Fremont Jr High on Wednesday.  I worked at an insurance company Monday thru Friday....did hair part-time....catered part-time and had to make it to every game.  What was dinner time?  Life for all of us is so hectic and we and our children are over scheduled and never on the same schedule.  September 26, 2011 is National Family Day and studies show that family meals are a very important part of raising healthily, responsible kids.  I would like to challenge all of you to try and have at least 2 sit-down-with-family meals every month.  As we grow closer to September let's try to make it 3 sit-sown-family-meals a month.  Not only does this give us time with our young ones it also opens the lines of communications which are very important. 
My two older sons are done with college, the oldest has a family of his own and the baby is a senior in College and my husband is working overseas to insure the financial stability of his family.  If I could turn back the clock I would have made sure that we shared a meal together at least once a week.  When Bryant is finished with college and hopefully back in Arizona, WE WILL have a family dinner at least once a month!!!  Keep me informed on how this is working out for you and yours.  Remember no TV, no cell phones and no silence.

Ham with pineapple and cranberry salsa

Next time you bake your Virgina Ham, add pineapple and cranberry salsa. Let me know if you would like the recipe.

Your next kitchen purchase

During this time where we are all trying to save money you can't afford not to add this to your kitchen.  Food really does last longer and I have started saving all my leftovers and freezing them for a later date.  I also use it on Sundays when I cook food for a few days, freeze them and pull them out on a day that I am running short on time.  Once you try it, you'll be hooked.

Bodacious Blueberry

Did you know that a good muffins have a moist interior and a coarse, rounded top. Make sure the  texture is  somewhat crumbly. Beating the batter too much produces a mixture that's too compact and the muffin will be to dense. It's best to mix the batter just to combine and moisten the ingredients. For the best results, use fresh blueberries and add them at the end of the mixing process.

Apple Sausage and Homemade Hash

My sister-in-law usually cooks some STRANGE food but here is one of her recipes I had to share.

Breakfast Vegetable Hash

Serves 4

The trick to perfecting this hash is frying the potatoes and sautéing the vegetables separately and then combining them.  Accompany this dish with your favorite breakfast sausage or bacon and fresh fruits and you’ve created the perfect start for the day.

            4 large Idaho potatoes, peeled and diced

            1 green bell pepper, chopped

            1 red bell pepper, chopped

            1 medium onion, chopped

            3 cloves garlic, minced

            2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped        

            2 tablespoons vegetable oil

            3 tablespoons butter

            Salt and pepper to taste

Heat and melt 1½ tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet.  Add potatoes, salt and pepper to taste and sauté until evenly browned and cooked through.

In a separate large skillet, heat and melt the remaining 1½ tablespoons of butter.  Add the red and green bell peppers, onion and garlic.  Salt and pepper to taste and sauté on medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the edges of the peppers are browned.

Add the vegetables to the potatoes and heat through.  Add parsley, toss together and serve.

Personalize you invatations or place cards

Make your own statement.  I have come across a great graphic designer who will not disappoint.  Give him a try for your family reunion, dinner party, wedding, birthday party and more.  You can contact him at wcsmith17@yahoo.com.

An apple a day

For tonight's dessert try Twice Cooked Apples.

Core and hollow out 4 Granny Smith apples

Chop the meat of the apple in to small cubes and fry them in a medium sauce pan with cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, light brown sugar and a splash of lemon juice.  Fill the hollowed out apple and bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 and drizzle with chocolate sauce or melted caramel and savor the flavor.

Don't throw that left over chicken away

Yesterday you served baked chicken for dinner.  What to do with the left overs?  Don't throw it out, freeze it!  On a busy day take it out and simmer it with chicken broth, potatoes, and vegetables of your choice for about 20 minutes and dinner is served.

Sandwich History

Did you know that the sandwich was invented by a compulsive gambler in the late 1700's?  Earl John Montagu spent every free moment pub-hopping and gambling, some times for several days at a time.  He was so obsessed with gambling that he did not want to stop and eat.  Since there was no room at the table for a plated meal, he came up with the idea of putting the meat and cabbage inside of bread.  He could even hold it in one hand and play with the other!  Not wanting to give Earl John an advantage other gamblers started asking for their meals in a loaf of bread. Today sandwiches are a standard part of cuisine all around the world.

Welcome to the neighborhood

Nothing says "welcome" to the new neighbors like a chocolate cake.

Double Dipped Fried Chicken

Everyone has made or attempted to make fried chicken but here is a new idea.  I don't measure so you'll just have to tailor it to your own taste.  Thaw your favorite cuts of chicken and season with fresh ground black pepper, sea salt, paprika and Lawry's Season Salt.  In a 2 large bowls mix 2 eggs and about 1/4 cup of milk and the same seasonings mentioned above.  Allow the chick to marinate in the egg wash for about 15-30 minutes.  In a 2 separate plastic bags mix together flour and all the seasonings.  Take the chicken from the egg wash to the 1st bag of flour mixture, then dip in the second bowl of egg wash and place in the second bag of flour mixture.  In a large frying pan heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees and add chicken.  Cook for 7-12 minutes until golden brown.  Serve with potatoes and broccoli or your favorite side dishes.  Be sure to clean as you go and to thoroughly clean all services and dishes used in preparing the chicken to cut down on cross contamination.

Show your kids how important they are in your life

Leave work early.... bake up some fresh cookies and meet the kids at the door when they come home from school.  No matter what the age, the look in their eyes and the smiles on their faces will warm your heart and let them know they are truly loved.

Pretty little cupcakes

Want to know how this was done?  Keep checking my blog and find out.

Quick Italian dinner in a few minutes

 Try Parmesan coated chicken and angel hair pasta with diced tomatoes, basil and lemon.

with the flat side of the meat tenderized pound a boneless, skinless chicken breast until it's about a quarter inch thick; season to taste; coat each side with flour; dip in the egg wash (1egg & 4 tbs milk) and then coat both sides with a mixture of Parmesan Cheese, a dash of flour, basil; salt, pepper and fresh parsley.  In a large frying pan, heat about a quarter cup of oil.  Once the oil is hot cook chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes per side or until tender and golden brown.

Boil angel hair pasta for 8 minutes in boiling salt water drain and simmer in a sauce pan of canned diced tomatoes juice and all; fresh basil; fresh parsley; fresh mint; salt and pepper and a little garlic salt for another 4 minutes until fork tender.
Plate; serve, spritz with lemon juice and ENJOY!

Try the grilled octopus in Greece

Aside from Thessaloniki Greece being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, your trip will not be completed with out dining on the grilled octopus.  It may sound a little strange but the taste is exquisite.

Fish tacos

For a light meal try making fish tacos.  Take a couple of pieces of your favorite fish, bread and fry it.  Using a soft tortilla, place 2 pieces of fish, garnish with shredded cabbage and ranch dressing.  ENJOY!

Seasonings

When cooking your favorite meals, spice it up with newseasonings such as basil; thyme; cumin or crushed mint to have a whole new dining experience.

New twist on a old favorite

Try surprising your family with Sheppard's Delight.

6-8 Idaho Potatoes
2 cups each of Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese
2 pounds of ground beef
1/2 cup each of onions & green pepper
1/4 finely chopped fresh parsley

Peel and thinly slice potatoes.  Brown and season the ground beef.  In a glass baking dish start with a layer of potatoes, then add a layer of ground beef, then a layer of cheeses.  repeat, ending with a layer of potatoes and top with cheeses and finely chopped parsley.  Bake for 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees and enjoy.

Green salads don't have to be boring

Try adding breaded and fried squash blossoms to baby spinach leaves for a refreshing twist to the every day salad.

Colorful and good for your health

Try adding different color bell peppers to your salads, pasta and meat dishes.  Not only do they make the dish more pleasing to the eye but they are also a  a great source of vitamins A and C.

Start your day with doughnuts and friends

Take a little time in the morning to make up some fresh homemade doughnuts and herbal tea.  Then call up and friend or two to share it with and you will have the perfect start to a good day!

A Time for Comfort

As we come to grips on what happened in Tuscon with Rep. Gifford, and as we hear of the bad weather sweeping across most parts of the USA, let's take a moment and say a little prayer for all of those in need if we agree or disagree with them.  Afterwards, curl up in your favorite blanket and enjoy your life with a little comfort food.  My world is always better after laying on the sofa, wrapped in my fuzzy blanket and enjoying a huge bowl of Chilli.

Bigger is not always better

When planning your next party try serving bite size items instead of full size ones.  Not only does this give your guests something to talk about, it is also easier to serve.

The end of one fruit season, the beginning of another

Now that the holiday season is over, it's time to put the fruit cake away and eat the healthier version of fruit.

quick treat

When the girls drop by for a chat, serve up a slice of butter cake and mixed berries.  When baking, make an extra cake and freeze it and always keep frozen fruit on hand and this is something that's easy to make and can be on hand for an impromptu get together. 

Cupcakes

Question of the day:  Can anybody stay mad if there are cupcakes?  Next time you have a dispute with friends or family, drop by with cupcakes and a sincere apology and life will be good!

Make time for friends

As we enter 2011 make an honest effort to get together with friends at least once every three months.  It is easier than you think.  Pick someones home, everyone bring a snack and a good story.  PARTY'S ON!