Almost Homemade pickles

These pickles are so easy no one will know they aren't homemade . 

Recipe

1 quart Kosher Dill Pickles

1/2 cup terragon vinegar ( optional you can use plain vinegar without the terragon 

2 3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoon of mixed pickling spices

Drain the pickles and slice them. Mix the pickling spices and sugar, vinegar and spices. Let the stand at room temperature until the sugar is dissolved stirring them occasionally . Put them in a container and refrigerate them for 2 weeks . My mother always has these in her refrigerator and everyone thinks they are homemade . 

Source : cooks.com 

Sick of the ice and snow

And this is what i do to get rid of the cabin fever . I found the mirror at Tuesday Morning and  The other things i already had . A good find always seems to strengthen my soul. 

Still havent gotten around to fixing that   floor.......

My Favorite Veggies

So much flavor and a healthy combination

1 small package of thin baby carrots

1 package of tiny baby potatoes cut in three's per potato

 Brussels sprouts cut in half

2 leaks 

Parchment paper Do not let the parchment paper touch the racks and the oven burner.

9x13 pan

Line 9x13 with a piece of parchment paper 

Placed sliced veggies in the pan.  wash the leeks really well because they can be dirty

Salt and pepper

Cook. 400 degrees done I also lay a piece of foil loosely on top so they will not brown quickly  .

You can season them with seasoning packets or however you wish. 

Delicious served with chicken .enjoy 

Crock Pot Pork Chops and Applesauce

I am trying out a new porch chop and apples recipe on thus beautiful Fall day . Taking a break from tiling to get ready for a new structure going up tomorrow I am really excited about . I am a little skeptical about putting the apples in with the chops because in the reviews this was an issue  . This may become Pork Chops and Applesauce . If you are at your grocery store look for Johnathon Smith Apples they are a wonderful baking apple you can only get this time of year . I have made the most delicious apple cakes recently . I usually come out with a drier cake with even using the Granny Smiths . I have let them sit in the sugar all day and for just a few hours and the results were the same , moist and delicious . 

• 6 pork loin chops, about 1-
  
• inch thick, trimmed of visible fat
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt
• 6 tart apples, such as Granny Smith, cored and thickly sliced
• 1/4 cup currants or raisins 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

PREPARATION

Brown chops in oil over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt. Place pork chops in the slow cooker/Crock Pot; combine remaining ingredients and pour over the pork chops. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours, or on high 3 to 4 hours.

Source : http://southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotporkchops/r/bl58c6.htm

Homemade Tortillas

I have always made homemade tortillas and they have always been one of my staples so I was overly ecstatic to find the ones at the store with all natural ingredients and cooks in 1 minute 

Flour

Salt

Sugar

Water

Canola

I found these in my refrigerator section by the cheese so look for them because they are way better than this cooked ones . 

I used them to make apple Flautas 

Take apple pie filling or fresh apples and slice the apples thin and add sugar , lemon juice. , cinnamon to taste cook the apples until tender . 

Cinnamon sugar- 1/4 cup sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.  Put this in an airtight container to store . Use however much you like to sprinkle on the Flautas . 

Just heat the tortillas according to package instructions and spray canola oil on one side of the cooked tortilla and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar . Put about 2 tablespoons of apples in a single row on the tortilla and roll with the cinnamon sugar on the outside and bake until crispy on top . Usually about 10 minutes at 350 . 

These are super easy and kids love these as a breakfast meal or an afternoon snack . 

Ranchero Eggs

Two of my favorite things combined eggs and tomatoes. This is a really simple dish to make for breakfast or supper 

Ingredients

1 jalapeño 

2 cans fire roasted tomatoes

1 onion chopped

Large clove of garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can black beans rinsed

1/4 TSP cumin 

Eggs

2 tablespoons oil

Fresh cilantro

Cheese

Sauté the chopped onion, garlic , and chopped jalapeño in 2 tablespoons

 oil until tender. Add cumin , 2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes, 1 can of black beans and simmer for about 10 minutes with the lid on. Break the eggs carefully over the sauce in the pan while the sauce is cooking on medium. I leave the heat on because it makes my eggs run less . I set the heat at around 4 and cook the eggs til done . I don't like my eggs runny so I cook them to a hard boil stage. Add whatever cheese you want on top and put the lid back on and melt the cheese and add fresh cilantro on top . 

Serve with tortilla chips, baked corn tortillas or taco bowl strips and sour cream 

You don't have to add the cumin but I love it with black beans 

Tomatoes and Fried Eggs

This is such an easy recipe to make for breakfast  . First , start with your favorite tomato and slice them in big slices . Place them on a cookie sheet that has some edges and sprinkle with olive oil , freshly ground black pepper , kosher salt and oregano . Broil them for about 3 minutes . Fry some eggs in olive oil and sprinkle with your favorite Parmesan cheese .