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May 28, 2012  

Twice Baked Overloaded Potatoes

Who does not like Twice baked potatoes‘? You can eat them alone, with a salad or as a side dish to your meal.  You can use them as appetizers by cutting them in half when finished.  Very easy and a nice way to present the potato yet again!

4 large baking potatoes (russets)

½ lb thinly sliced deli ham

3 green onions chopped

¾ lb of cooked broccoli florets

8 oz sour cream

4 tbsp unsalted butter (pantry)

Salt and pepper to taste (pantry)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Rinse the potatoes well with cold water. Using a sharp knife poke 6-7 holes in each potato. Bake the potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour (depending on their size) or until tender. You can also cook them in the microwave for around 15-20 minutes depending on their size and your microwave. (keep an eye on the microwave they can become hard and unusable!

While the potatoes are baking chop the ham slices and cooked broccoli into small pieces.

Once the potatoes are fully cooked remove them from the oven and carefully cut them in half lengthwise. Using a clean kitchen towel to protect your hands scoop the flesh of the potatoes into a large bowl and add the ham, green onions, broccoli, sour cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Using a potato masher, mash the mixture together until it reaches the texture you like. Return the mixture to the potato skins, top with cheddar cheese, place them on a baking sheet, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

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May 28, 2012  

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Rhubarb Salsa

I love cooking pork chops, grilled, broiled, pan fried  they are really good.  Here we have the rhubarb salsa that gives them an extra bit of tastyness. This salsa would also be really good on a honey glazed chicken. The sweet and tangy salsa pairs well with sweet meats!

2 tbsp canola oil (pantry)

4 tbsp all purpose flour (pantry)

2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper (pantry)

1 tsp salt (pantry)

2 lbs bone-in pork chops (I used boneless)

Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Meanwhile, combine the flour, pepper and salt in a dish. Dredge the pork chops in the flour mixture, shake off any excess flour, and place them in the heated pan to cook for 4 minutes per side (depending on thickness) cook until no longer pink.

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Rhubarb Salsa

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 4 minutes

Serves: 4

2 cups diced rhubarb

1 cup diced apple

1/3 cup diced red onion

1 jalapeño seeded and diced

1 ½ tbsp honey (pantry)

The zest and juice of one lime

Boil the rhubarb in water for 4 minutes. Remove the rhubarb from the boiling water and place in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once the rhubarb has cooled combine it with the remaining ingredients and spoon on top of the cooked pork chops.

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May 28, 2012  

Greek Chicken with Cucumber Salad

I made this on a hot day with my daughter, we were just sitting around the pool reading and thought this would be a nice meal. It does not take long to prepare and the cold salad was nice with the warm pita bread and chicken!

1 tbsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

2 tbsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

2 lbs chicken thighs

2 tbsp canola oil

 

Combine the oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large oven proof pan. Rub the chicken with the spice blend

and place the thighs skin side down in the pan to cook for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is crispy.

Turn the thighs over and transfer the pan to the oven to finish cooking (20-25 minutes).

Remove the chicken from the pan once it is cooked through and serve with warm pita bread and Greek style cucumber salad (recipe follows).

 

Greek Style Cucumber Salad

 

1 seedless/ hothouse cucumber

¼ cup of diced red onion

6 oz Greek yogurt

1 ½ tsp dried dill

 

Slice the cucumber into thin slices (use a mandoline if you have one) if not and you prefer to cut it into larger pieces you can cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Place the halves, flat side down on your cutting board and cut them into 1/4″ half moon shapes. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium size bowl making sure the cucumber is evenly coated with the yogurt and dill.

 

 

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May 28, 2012  

Sesame Grilled Asian Pork Patty with Pineapple

It doesn’t get much better than this. Do I really have to tell you what I’ll be up too? Trying to squeeze in all the cooking I can do as well as the enjoyment of family and friends! Summer is upon us and the time to eat light and grill is here.  I love to try new grill recipes, and grilling pineapple is one of my favorite things to do! This recipe was a nice light meal and it was so incredibly tasty! I will certainly be making this more often this year!  I served this with a Corn and Avocado Salsa… MMMM *YUMMY*

3 tablespoon(s) reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 scallions, chopped

2 clove(s) garlic, minced

1 tablespoon(s) minced fresh ginger (I used powdered ginger)

2 teaspoon(s) sesame oil, divided

2 tsp sesame seeds

1 pound(s) ground pork

1 tablespoon(s) rice vinegar

4 (1/4-inch-thick) pineapple rings

4 cup(s) (about 1 large bunch) red leaf lettuce

Directions

Preheat grill to medium-high

Combine soy sauce, scallions, garlic, ginger, sesame seed and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a small bowl. Place pork in a medium bowl. Add half of the sauce mixture to the pork and gently combine without overmixing. Form into 4 patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil and vinegar to the remaining sauce mixture and set aside.

Oil the grill rack. Grill the burgers, turning once, do not turn or squish the burgers they will retain a nice juicy texture you don’t want to squish that out onto the grill! Cook about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the pineapple rings to the grill and cook, turning once, until dark grill marks appear.

Rinse the lettuce and shake dry then place  in a large bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the reserved sauce. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Top each portion with a pineapple ring and a burger. Drizzle any remaining sauce on top.

I accompanied this recipe with my Corn and Avocado Salsa

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May 28, 2012  

Easy Corn and Avocado Salsa

Easy Corn and Avocado Salsa

This is a snap to make and I made enough for a dinner party. It should be noted that the longer it sits the better it gets. I found this recipe on Delish and it is everything and more. I made some alterations to the easy recipe and I think they worked out tremendously well.

2 avocados chopped

1 bag of frozen corn thawed (small bag)

1 red onion chopped

A handful of fresh cilantro chopped

2 plum tomatoes’ chopped

Salt (to taste)

Mrs Dash extra spicy mix (to taste)

1 jalapeño seeds removed and chopped

The juice of one lime

Bag of blue corn tortilla chips

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I am telling you this will be a hit no matter when you make it!

May 17, 2012  

Baked Spaghetti

Ok as we may all know Tuesday was a busy evening for me (see previous post) so making the meal was on the fly..  Here we have Baked Spaghetti, a real quick and tasty meal that you can make when time is slipping away!

 

1 lb of dry spaghetti (1 used half a box)

4 cups simple tomato sauce (recipe follows)

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese (1 bag shredded)

8 oz ricotta cheese

2 egg

Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

 

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package direction and drain. Do not rinse the pasta.

 

While the pasta is cooking combine the ricotta, mozzarella, egg, and simple tomato sauce in a large bowl.

Once the pasta is cooked mix it thoroughly with the tomatoes and cheese mixture then pour it into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with parmesan cheese and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown on top.

 

Simple Tomato Sauce

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

2 tbsp olive oil (pantry)

½ cup diced onion

3 cloves of minced garlic (pantry)

2 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes or 5 cups of fresh tomatoes diced

2 tbsp dried basil (4 tbsp if using fresh) (pantry)

 

Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for 3 minutes before adding the garlic.

Allow the onions and garlic to sauté for 1 additional minute before adding the remaining ingredients. Reduce the heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes.

Bon Appétit

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May 16, 2012  

The Death of Door to Door sales at our home!

I have been putting extra hours in at work this month, so it was no wonder that I was home later than usual and scrambling to make dinner at  close to 7PM; when I received a knock on our door,  I was greeted by a nicely dressed, young man and  girl. She said she was helping “promote” her friend’s cleaning company, I don’t recall the name but said it was near a local store I did recognized, the gentleman was holding bottles of febreeze and said they were giving them away as a promotion for the company and that every one of them would earn them a “credit”. I asked what was involved when he shoved the febreeze into my hand. “Nothing at all” he stated.  “All I need to do to gain a credit is show you one of our cleaning products” I asked how long this would take and what it was, I also stated that it was late and I was making dinner for my family (which I had yet to start) he stated that it was for carpet (our entire first floor and basement is wood) I indicated that I don’t really have a lot of carpet or time, and the girl said they would just do a few stairs. I was stupid enough to fall for her bit and I figured they had a cleaning gel or something and I would get a few stairs cleaned.  A large SUV pulls into the driveway and two guys bring in a huge vacuum cleaner in package and start removing it from the package.  I asked what they were doing, and they just kept telling me how wonderful this was going to be,  I told them immediately there was no way I was going to buy the vacuum, but she insisted that they still get “credit” for demonstrating the Kirby and proceeded to leave after touring the house and oohing and ahhing.

At this time they never even asked if my husband was home (He was working in the backyard) When he came in and saw them he wanted to know what it was and did not look pleased. He continued to the garage, and in the back of my mind I knew he was not very happy.  Sales people IN OUR HOME!

Fast forward, they are demonstrating the kirby on our carpets, (Yes it picks up dirt) I asked how much it was and he said 2500K! I said no way; I would not be spending that kind of money on a vacuum at this time. He told me not to worry and that they would be able to get me a great price. That his boss would negotiate it all with me.  I told him I was not buying and he said he was not selling.  I explained that I did not want to chat with another person over a sale that I already knew would not be happening. Ignoring my requests he then asks if he can go to our bedroom and vacuum the bed. OF COURSE NOT! He insisted in doing so and after I said no to him NO LESS than three times, AND I told him he was wasting his time I was not going to purchase the vacuum…. In walks my husband as the guy is walking up the stairs.

I like to think that Stephan was listening and he heard how incredibly rude the guy was and he jumped to my rescue. He asked me what was going on, as the guy moved his equipment upstairs to my daughters’ room. I told him the guy was trying to explain the vacuum and that I already told him I was not buying it. Stephan went upstairs and he insisted that the guy leave, who was already upstairs getting his stuff together to demonstrate for my daughter who at this time is the only one watching him. The guy tried telling my Husband to watch and learn. (OUCH mistake after mistake)Stephan insisted they pack their stuff up and leave our house. The guy was terribly rude at this point, saying our Dyson was a piece of s**t and that we must like dirt.  I thought they were going to fight =(  The guy called his boss and told him to come and get him. He said he had never been bounced from a house before (MMM I wonder about that) Kept saying rude remarks, while Stephan watched and told them to keep it to themselves while in the house. Once they started packing up he went in the garage to tinker with his bike.

I am in the kitchen starting our late dinner, and the guy comes in and starts trying to sell to me telling me it is not my fault that the vacuum I have is not doing a good job. REALLY, he then leaves me with his number and a price cut on the vacuum LOL  it was still 1950.00.

I was so disappointed by the outright lie the girl told me to get in the house. Her counterpart didn’t clean anything. In fact, he made a bigger mess by taking his Kirby filters and putting them all over my floor, consequently getting whatever dust he vacuumed up all over the place. And the fact that he was in my home for so long, after my husband had politely (and then not so politely) asked him to pack up his stuff was just flat out rude.  I have to honestly say, this company has the worst sales tactics ever; tacky, pushy and rude. And to top it off he took back my free bottle of febreeze. Real winners right there!

At a little after 8PM a pest company comes to the door and even though I was polite and insisted that we were not interested, he kept trying. I told him that my husband just kicked a company out and that the prospect of him doing it again did not please me.  He was bright enough to take the hint and left.

Lesson Learned, no soliciting sign will be placed on front door today!

 

Just wanted to vent a bit.

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May 15, 2012  

West Indies Inspired Chicken Thighs with Coconut Mango Rice

This is a great meal that takes about 30 minutes to make. The chicken has a slight kick to it when using the Jalapeño, rather than the Scotch Bonnet. The food of the West Indies combines the tastes and flavors of many cuisines. The British, Dutch, French colonial, Spanish and African influences can be tasted in every dish.* My Husband said this had many flavors that melded together perfectly! Enjoy the recipe.

2 tsp honey

1 tbsp light brown sugar

1 tsp dried thyme

½ tsp cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

2 cloves of minced garlic

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1 Scotch Bonnet pepper seeded and diced (optional) (VERY HOT!!)

*You could substitute seeded jalapeño peppers for a less spicy option.

2 lbs of bone in chicken thighs

2 tbsp canola oil

Green onion

Chevre (goat cheese)

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Chop the Jalepeno very small, and make sure to remove the seeds. (wash your hands after handling this)

Heat the oil in a large oven safe pan over medium high heat.

Using your hands rub the spice mixture onto the thighs and place them skin side down into the pan. (I removed my skin)

Allow them to cook for 4-5 minutes or until the skin is crispy before turning them over and transferring the pan to a pre heated 350 degree oven to bake for an additional 20 minutes or until cooked through.

 

 

Coconut Mango Rice

 

2 cups of uncooked rice

4 cups of water

1/3 cup of unsweetened grated coconut

The flesh of one mango peeled and diced

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Combine the rice, water, and coconut in a medium sauce pan and bring it to a boil.

Once it comes to a boil reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow it to cook for 20 minutes. Once the rice is cooked fluff it with a fork and combine with the diced mango.

 

Serve with the cheese crumbled on top and some diced green onion.

 

Bon Appétit

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May 11, 2012  

Peanut Butter Banana Soft Serve with an Almond Joy Drizzle

 

This concoction may sound weird but I can tell you it was really good.  I don’t do desserts too often and when I do it is a treat.  I read on another blog about banana ice cream; or something along that line of thinking.  I decided to try my hand at it from what I could remember.  The following is what I came up with.  I tend to think it is a “good for you” dessert as long as the drizzle is kept to just a drizzle.

 

1 Bunch of ripe Bananas

3 tbsp of smooth peanut butter

¼ cup chocolate morsels

3 tsp Almond Joy coffee creamer (I know who would have thought)

Cut the bananas into bite size pieces and freeze for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Once frozen you are going to want to blend them either with a food processor or a hand blender, add the peanut butter and blend until there are no more chunks.

Put the banana blend into your serving container and put it into the fridge.  Melt the chocolate and once melted add the creamer.

Drizzle over the banana / peanut butter soft serve and put it in the freezer for a few minutes to set up.  This was delicious!

Bon Appétit

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May 11, 2012  

Caprese Pizza

 

 

If you’re ever just short of time and need a quick meal, individual pizzas are really a great alternative to fast food.  You can put a assortment of items on them and they are quick and easy.  I opted for a Caprese “salad” on a whole wheat pre-made bottom.

Pre-made Pizza bottom

Pesto

Basil (leaves & ½ tsp chopped)

Mozzarella cheese (can be shredded I cut mine in large rounds)

Top the pizza with the pesto, I made mine but you can buy it in the store, I added some chopped basil to my pesto as well.

Add the cheese and top with basil leaves.

Bake at 400 for about 7 minutes.

Throw some more basil leave whole and chopped on top and serve.

Bon Appétit

 

A swift and undemanding meal the whole family will enjoy.  I love the way it all melts together. This was delicious and just enough.

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