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 . 

Tile Day

Does anyone remember that I'm tiling a tub surround ? Well I am trying to tile a tub surround but it seems other things in life are taking over and I must be the slowest tiler in history , I really don't mind it that much because.  I  Hate Tiling ! I can sit here and tell you a gazillion things I would rather be doing than fighting uneven walls. , uneven tiles that aren't glued on the grid straight and  15 minute set glue . So this is where I am at so far and keep in mind I have changed the design about. 6 times . 

And don't ask me what I am going to put inside if the square because that was just done on a whim  . So stay tuned 

Upside Down Blueberry Pancake

This is what we had for breakfast this morning and it was super easy . 

Canned blueberries  or  you can use fresh blueberries 

Pancake mix

I did make mine a little too thick abd would have loved to show you what it looks like flipped over on a platter but mine was more like a cake  because I thought more was better . Wrong . Remember to only use 1 cup of your favorite pancake batter and you can also make your own  batter if you like. 

Start off by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a cake or pie pan . I just put it in the preheated oven until melted . 

Pour  (1) 16 ounce can of blueberries over the butter and spread evenly. I used blueberry pie filling since it is my daughters favorite but next time I am going to try fresh blueberries 

Pour 1 cup of the prepared pancake batter over the blueberries and bake at  350 degrees until done and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean . 

Recipe

2 cup pancake mix 

(1) 16 ounce can of blueberries drained 

2 tablespoons of butter melted 

Directions 

Heat oven to. 350 degrees . Prepare pancake mix according to package directions and set aside . Pour melted butter in a 9 inch pie plate . Drain blueberries and put them evenly over the butter . Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the top springs back when touched . Loosen the edges and invert it on a plate . 

Cut into wedges and serve with your favorite maple syrup . 

Spinach Tomatoes and Orzo Salad

I served thus dish with my favorite roasted seeded carrots

A simple recipe full of flavor . I put these tomatoes over orzo and fresh organic spinach. I actually doubled up on the recipe so it would serve about 4 people . You can also sprinkle fresh Parmesan or feta cheese on top 

INGREDIENTS

- Package of cherry or grape tomatoes

- 1/4 cup of maple syrup

- 1/ 4 of olive oil

- 1 Tbsp. of balsamic Vinegar

- 1 Tsp. of minced garlic

- 1 Tsp. of salt

- 1 Tsp. of black pepper

- 1 Tbsp. of parsley

- 1 Tsp. thyme

- 1/2 lb of uncooked orzo

DIRECTIONS

- Preheat oven to 250 degrees

- Combine syrup, oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley and thyme and whisk them together

- Add tomatoes and mix

- Place in a baking dish or stone

- Bake for about 2 hours

Source  :Finding Home Blogspot 

Making Carrots

I found some organic carrots at my local grocery store and decided to try something different which involves pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and some other seeds .

I kept the carrots whole and peeled and snipped off the tops  .Let them sit in the counter and dry off a little because you will be using parchment paper 

Drizzle the carrots with olive oil and sprinkle pumpkin , sunflower. Hemp, seseme seeds and sprinkle on some cumin salt and pepper

Bake at 400 degrees until fork tender stirring about every 15 minutes 

You have these beautiful carrots packed with flavor

A New Addition

a Multicooker Crockpot

I love it. I can

brown the meat

slow cook

make gravy

steam veggies

and the pot is so much lighter than having to handle and wash those ceramic ones.

Here is the link where you can find it on Amazon. Retail price is around 299.00 but I have seen it on Amazon ranging from $116.00-$135.00. They were also running a 15.00 off coupon on it the last few weeks so be watching for that.

Click This Link To Purchase the Cuisinart Multicooker from Amazon

It has definitely made life a lot easier

Maple Cranbery Granola

I have tried many granolas and I have finally found my favorite one. I am not much a fan of the prepackaged ones because I find the texture is too hard for my teeth . I hope you feel the same as I do. If you make homemade granolas you will not go back to buying it. I mix this in with my Dannon lite vanilla yogurt and it makes a very satisfying breakfast or afternoon snack. There are 2 things that I have found that are a must while making the granola. #1 always use parchment lined cookie sheets #2 beat a large egg white until frothy and mix it in with the granola right before you pour it on the cookie sheet. This will bind the granola together. enjoy

 



Recipe

 

3 cups old fashioned oats

 

1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

 

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts or 1/2 cup each

 

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup wheat germ

 

2 tablespoon olive oil

 

1/2 teaspoon course salt

 

1/2 cup Pure maple syrup

 

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

1 1/2 cups died cranberries

 

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine all ingredients but the egg white and dried fruit in a large bowl and toss to coat evenly. whisk the egg white until frothy. Stir in the granola mixture and mix evenly . Half way through the cooking gently stir around the granola trying not to break up the clumps. cook about 50-55 minutes. Seal in an airtight container

1975 Electrical Box

So what do  you do to hide the ugly metal electrical box that is on display in many older homes?

You cover it up.

 

 

 This is a simple frame with a door put over the metal electrical door.

 

 

Pasta Salad

 A very simple tasty salad.

 

 

If you have not tried these fresh dried herbs it is well worth the money spent. I use these a lot more than the fresh herbs because of their shelf life.

Recipe

 

1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

 

tortellini 8-ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes

 

1 cup small mini pepperoni

 

chopped 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half

 

1/3 cup fresh basil,

 

, chopped 2/3 cup Ranch Dressing

 

Salt and pepper to taste

 

 

Directions

 

cook the tortellini according to package directions and drain well

add the rest of the ingredients and stir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken n Spinach Bake

 

 

 

 Take cooked and drained frozen spinach and place it in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan

                                                                     

Brown chicken Breasts in olive oil

 Place the browned chicken breasts over the spinach

 

 

Mix up the cream of chicken, sour cream, mayonnaise,  lemon juice and  black pepper in a bowl in a bowl



 

 

 

 Spread it over the chicken and  COVER WITH ALUMINUM FOIL and  bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done . Remove from oven and spread the cheese on top and Bake just until the cheese melts.

I usually serve this with rice.

Recipe

 

1 large frozen package of leaf spinach

 

4-6 chicken breasts

 

1 can cream of chicken soup

 

1/2 cup sour cream

 

1/2 cup mayonnaise

 

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (your preference)

 

2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

1/2 to 1 cup sharp chedder cheese

 

cook the frozen spinach and drain. Place the spinach in the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish. Spread it out evenly. Put about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet and brown the chicken. Place the browned chicken over the spinach. next mix up the soup, sour cream, mayonnaise , lemon juice and black pepper all together. Pour over the entire dish of spinach and chicken. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done. Remove and add the desired amount of cheese across the top and bake until the cheese is melted

 

*a lower fat version can be made by using lower fat products for the sour cream, cream of chicken and mayonnaise. 

Whats going on?

     Someone stole my tile. uggg. yes. I go outside to finish the glass subway pieces above the tub and they vanished out of sight. I have looked everywhere but we cannot find them and I remember where I put them. So I have to begin again but this time I picked out some marble pieces that match the borders so I hope they arrive this week to make up for doing nothing last weekend
     I am currently experiencing some TMJ and it has been so painful so I cannot eat anything but liquids and this is not fun for someone who loves to cook southern food. I cannot talk so it is very quiet at out house so left brain  is  enjoying some much needed peace and quiet. I am getting out my soup recipes and I have a delicious butternut soup that I am eating which is low fat and really delicious

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced small
1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, then cut into 1 inch cubes
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1  russet potato , cut into 1 inch cubes
4 cups vegetable stock
1 cup skim milk
salt and pepper as needed
1. In a large pot, heat oil to medium-low and add garlic, onions and a pinch of salt, stirring until translucent
2. Add squash, carrots, potato and stock, bring to boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables can be easily pierced with a fork. Remove from heat and add the coconut milk.
3. I use the hand blender which makes it much simpler but if you do not have one you can put it in small batches in the blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Garnish with parsley

    

Options

Sweet French Bread

 

Sweet Bread

1 package yeast

1 cup warm water

3/4 cup warm Vanilla Rice Milk

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

4 cups bread flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

 

In a medium bowl dissolve the yeast in the water and rice milk. Let stand for 5 minutes or until yeast is foamy.

Add the powdered sugar and brown sugar to the yeast mixture

combine the flour and salt and slowly add the wet ingredients to the flour and salt mixture and mix it up

Place the dough on dusted wax paper and knead for about 5 minutes.

place on a greased cookie sheet and let it rise until double in size

Preheat the oven to 400 and bake for 45 minutes

check the center for doneness. If it is starting to get too brown lay a piece of foil over the bread during cooking.

 

I always make my bread in this bread machine which makes it so much easier and it comes out perfect every time. This is the one I use My Bread Machine. It has more than already paid for itself.

 

I always put the ingredients in this order in the bread machine

wet ingredients

flour

sugars

salt

make a little dip with a spoon in the center of the flour and pour the package of yeast in it. (you do not want the yeast to touch the liquid). Hit dough cycle. It is super easy this way . My machine lets it rise some in the machine and I am very gentile while removing the bread . I either place it in a loaf pan or cookie sheet and until it doubles in size. 

 

*This is a great bread for milk allergy  or lactose intolerant because it is a soft bread and always turns out great.

*This bread makes the best French Toast that you have ever eaten

 

 

 

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal with Mini Chocolate Chips and Nuts

 

 

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 to 1/3 cup  packed light brown sugar (depends on how much sugar you want)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup walnuts

1/4 cup chopped pecans 

1 cup (125 grams) sliced strawberries (divided)

1/4 cup (58 grams) semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

2 cups milk

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

 

 

Combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt .Stir and mix well in  a bowl. add 1/2 cup of the strawberries ,  1/4 cup walnuts in the oatmeal mixture and give it a stir. Pour this in a 8x10 or 8x8 baking pan.  In another bowl mix 2 cups milk, 1 large egg , 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat well with a whisk. Pour this over the oatmeal mixture. Top the oatmeal with the remaining 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped pecans, 1/2 inch sliced banana pieces evenly on top and sprinkle with 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips . Bake 35-40 minutes on 375 degrees.

 

*You can leave out the nuts or use all walnuts or all pecans.

*You can also set your oven to broil and sprinkle a small desired amount of brown sugar on top to give it a nice crisp coating of sugar. This only takes about 30 seconds or less. It burns very easily so watch it and never try to get the pan out of the oven like left brain did and get 3rd degree burns . Always slide out the rack first.

Salad in Color

I had this urge to make something colorful and healthy so I made a run to the store and apparently it got robbed while I was in there but the people and workers remained calm and I was just shopping away with idea. until I walked out of the store and saw all the police.

This is a very simple dish with lots of color.

3-4 small cucumbers

 

7 chopped radishes

 

almost a whole package of chopped salad tomatoes

 

3 chopped green onions

 

1 -15 ounce can garbanzo beans

 

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic

 

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

 

Romaine lettuce

 

Homemade buttermilk dressing or prepared dressing of your choice

 

Wash the garbanzo beans until they do not continue to foam. toast the pine nuts in a skillet or in the oven . Chop the ingredients to your preference and mix together.

 

Dressing

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

1/4 teaspoon of dry dill (or a teaspoon chopped fresh)

 

In a medium bowl, stir together the buttermilk and mayonnaise until fully mixed. Add in the other ingredients.

Keeps for a week when  covered in the fridge.

 

*You can use low fat mayo  and lower fat milk or substitute the milk for Greek Yogurt

 

place the romaine lettuce on a plate and top with vegetable mixture and dressing

 

 all the chopped vegetables with so much color

 I topped off the Romaine Lettuce with the vegetables and drizzled it with the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and added homemade croutons

 

If you haven't made homemade croutons before it is definitely something that you should try because they are worth the small amount of effort. I used my homemade milk free bread for the croutons. Slice them in small squares whatever size is your preference. Next spray oil lightly or you can drizzle them with olive oil or butter. I usually use flavored olive oils that you buy in the grocery store. Place them in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes  turn them a little and then add some parmesan cheese or the 5 blend Italian cheese (if you wish) and cook for another 15 minutes.

Other ways to season the croutons

Italian Herbs

Fresh Garlic

Cajun Seasoning 

 

 

 

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