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.