Thursday, October 6, 2011

This One's For You...

I think this recipe came from a dream or something. I'm not really sure, but it's strangely been on my mind for quite some time now, ever since I had some leftover canned pumpkin that I wanted to use. I'm not much of a baker, so the traditional fall desserts didn't strike my fancy, but pasta goes with everything! Or so I hoped! I now know that it definitely goes well with pumpkin...and candied pecans...and cheese....and parsley...mmmm. I must confess, though, that I was really nervous about making this last night because I had a terrible cooking day yesterday. I do a lot of cooking at work, and my attempt at meatballs ended up as slop in the garbage disposal. I hate throwing food away, so that was a big bummer. Nonetheless, I forged ahead...and I'm glad I did because this recipe just worked! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I must say that prep is essential for this because everything kind of happens quickly and at the same time. I found it helpful to have 3 different pans going at once. And I divided up every ingredient that was going into each pan and set them right next to the pan.
The Elements:
Candied Pecans:
1/2 c. Chopped Pecans
2 Tbls. Maple Syrup
In a small fry pan, over medium heat, toss the syrup and pecans together, stirring often until the syrup is absorbed and the nuts get roasted and sticky. Remove from burner and let cool. 
Pumpkin Sauce:
2 Tbls. Butter
1 c. Canned Pumpkin
3/4 to 1 c. Half-n-Half
dash of Cinnamon
1/2 Tbls. Maple Syrup
In a small saucepan, add butter over medium low heat. Stir continuously until butter begins to brown. Be careful not to overcook, or the butter will burn. Once the butter browns, add the half-n-half and pumpkin and stir to combine. Add the Cinnamon and Syrup and stir. You may have to adjust the amounts of cream and pumpkin to achieve the texture you want. I wanted mine smooth, so I added more cream as necessary. I also tasted it often and adjusted the amount of sweetness I wanted, so feel free to experiment.
Pasta:
Stuffed Cheese Ravioli that you get in the refrigerator section
1 Tbls. Oil (to prevent sticking)
Chopped Fresh Parsley & Parmesan Cheese for garnish
Cook the pasta according to package directions, making sure to add the oil so the pasta doesn't stick. Once finished, toss pasta with the Pumpkin Sauce. Serve on a plate and top with the Pecans, Parsley, and Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I would like to say "Thank You" for reading this and for faithfully checking back!! I am sorry that I left you hanging, left you to stare at the same old recipes for weeks with no new inspiration! I hope you have found some yummy new things to cook. Life kind of got away from me for a bit, but I've wrangled it back and will try to make it up to you with 2 new posts, both of which are delicious!! Still not satisfied?? What if I told you I made up one of the recipes myself with you in mind!?! That's right! You mean that much to me!!!

Well, this recipe is really more of a technique, but I think it's soooo delicious every time! I have only recently discovered the technique of roasting veggies, but it has become one of my favorite ways to cook vegetables. Throw in fresh whole mushrooms...oh man! You found my weakness:-) It's also a great way to use up stuff in the fridge, so have fun!

Toss all the chopped veggies in some olive oil (or you could get fancy and try some fun flavored oils!), add a sprinkle of Salt and Pepper, and finish with a good helping of freshly chopped Rosemary (or your favorite herb). Bake at 400 degrees until the veggies are tender and starting to get that yummy roasting smell that makes you close your eyes and take a deep breath! They're done!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Come Sail Away....

...In my Zuchinni Boat! These were delish, and they were made entirely from my dad's garden stuff, except the cheese. I think dishes like this are a real summer treat and it's a great way to use up all the leftover produce in the fridge! I got this recipe from a new cookbook I acquired: Gluten-free, Sugar-free Cooking by Susan O'Brien. And though the recipes lack sugar and gluten, they are overflowing with flavor, so don't let that scare you!!

Here it is...
6 large zucchini (I used 3 because my large and her large are very different:-)
1 lg red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 lb mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 Tbls olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten

I also added tomatoes and eggplant to mine because I needed to use them up. I thought they were a great addition! Feel free to clean out your produce drawer; I don't think you could mess this one up:-)

Preheat oven to 350.

Wash the zucchini and place in a steamer. Steam until crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Cut off the ends and cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides, mash and place in a large bowl. Set the zucchini shells aside. In a large skillet, saute the red bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in oil until soft, 5-7 minutes. Add the herbs, mashed zucchini pulp, and half the cheese mixture. Mix well. Add the beaten eggs and cook until the mixture is thick and heated through. Stuff into the zucchini shells and top with the remainder of the cheese. Place in a baking dish. Bake until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 20 minutes.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Apple Walnut Pasta...

Well hello...It's a treat to see you again. I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I moved...houses that is, and let me tell you...I have a lot of stuff! My moving crew will tell you the same thing!! Before I moved, I was determined to not buy any groceries and use up as much as I could in my fridge as possible. Ummm, it got pretty weird. But here I am, moved and mostly settled and cooking yummy things again. This recipe is another Real Simple. It was a cinch and would be a quick go-to meal if you're in a pinch for time. I don't have a link for the recipe, but it's super simple.

Cook up some of that tasty-already-to-go ravioli in the refrigerator section of the grocery store; toast some delicious chopped walnuts; slice up a red apple (a juicy sweet kind) and throw some lemon juice on it so it doesn't get brown; chop some fresh parsley, and boom, you're done! Mix everything but the pasta together; spoon it over the cooked pasta and top with some parmesan. Delicious and fancy-looking! Actually makes great leftovers too!! Enjoy!


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Vegetable Summer Rolls...

The Challenge: Make something fun with Napa Cabbage!...The Outcome: One of the prettiest things I think I've ever made!! These Summer Rolls were so pretty and colorful and fabulous to eat on a hot day.
Though the technique took some practice, they really were simple to make! I felt so fancy too! I've never made anything like this before, and I'm going to let you in on a little secret! The rice wrappers that you need to make these are in the Asian foods aisle of the grocery store. That took me a while! Also, parchment paper works better than paper towels, and I substituted chili sauce for tomato paste for a sweeter flavor! If you tackle these and they don't roll up nicely on your first try, Don't give up!!! You can do it!! And if they don't look pretty, it doesn't matter! They're delicious anyways:-) Have fun!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Summer Mango Salsa...


Happy Summer everyone!! I hope your 4th of July was lazy and lovely like mine. I think the final grill-out count was 4 times for me! I love to grill...and eat outside....and drink yummy tea when it's hot out...and be lazy....all while surrounded by amazing people! This recipe is not made on the grill, but it's a great snack while you're waiting for your tasty burgers to get done!! This recipe is just a jumping off point. I think there is lots of room for improvisation! Like, next time I make it, I'm going to make it spicy by adding some hot peppers! But that's just me, I like spicy food. I hope you'll make it...and eat it...and love it....and then tell me what fabulous detours you took with the recipe!! Happy Summer to ya!


Mango Salsa
2 cups diced Roma Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups diced mango
1/2 cup diced Red Onion
1/2 cup chopped Fresh Cilantro
2 Tbls fresh lime juice
1 Tbls Cider Vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Mix it all up and let it get acquainted in the fridge for an hour, and then make it disappear!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Black and Blue-Berry Cookies...

I'm not usually a baker, but extra special occasions call for extra special deserts! This was a fun, summer treat for a tradition some of my friends and I started about 3 years ago. We're all spread out across the state as growing up does to good friends, and we don't get to see each other often, but a good drive-in movie with a schmorgishboard of snacks will definitely do the trick!
 It's a cake-cookie with blueberries baked in and two different kinds of frosting! Joy the Baker thought this one up. Check out her recipe here

Sunday, June 19, 2011

It's Just Peachy...

Hello friends! Sorry to have kept you waiting for more delicious things to drool over. I want you to prepare yourselves for this post, though. It's awfully tasty and definitely worth the gap in yummy recipes. I thought this recipe would be delicious in the fall when peaches are so juicy and can be found everywhere, but I just couldn't wait! And guess what? It's delicious in the spring too!! I should tell you what it is so you know what in the world I'm slobbering over! Glazed Chicken and Peaches with Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits, and mashed sweet potatoes! Rachael Ray paired the chicken, peaches, and biscuits. I added the sweet potatoes because they're sweet and orange! I love orange! I don't know what else to say about this one. It's a cinch, it's hearty, you'll get great leftovers, and it tastes like a fiesta of flavors in your mouth. Try it! I'm sure you'll love it:-) 

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Here Comes the Sun...

The sunshine makes me so happy! I especially love hot days, and now that we're getting some hot, sunny days, it feels like summer. And what is more refreshing on a hot day than homemade sun tea? Well, maybe an ice cream cone, but iced tea is a close second! I have never made my own before. I was always the tear the packet open and stir kind of gal, but I decided to take it on for real this time. I dug up some recipes, and then I felt silly! It was so easy; who knew?! Throw some tea bags in some water and put it out in the sun!!
It's the ultimate set it and forget it! Anyways it was refreshing, and I felt so sophisticated drinking it with my stir fry for dinner. So, there's no recipe for today, just an idea. Take it and run! Enjoy these lazy days with an ice cold cup of tea!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

I love Mangos!...

 







 Banana bread...eh.
Banana bread with chocolate chips...yum.
Zucchini bread with chocolate chips...Yuumm.
Mango bread...YUUUUMMMMM!!!!!!!!

So that's my pyramid of preference when it comes to sweet sugary breads; you can decide for yourself. However, I must warn you! This bread is delicious and unexpected and moist and sweet and fruity and disappears quickly! I am not a big baker, but I got the baking bug and this is what came out the oven! I might have to do that more often! This is another shout out to Joy the Baker and her yummy Mango Bread!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Blackberry Muffins...

I thought this recipe would make for a good morning! I recently got back from a camping trip with some friends and I brought these along! They were yummy and an easy breakfast. They were also a cinch to whip up, which is great because I had a brief and fleeting desire to bake last week, so I hopped on board and whipped these up before the desire vanished. That usually happens when I see the mound of dirty dishes in my sink...dirty dishes make me grumpy, but clean kitchens make me happy, so I charged through my baking, washed the dishes, and sat down and ate a muffin. It was all worth it:-) These Blackberry Muffins are another Joy the Baker recipe. Cheers to baking, and making messes, and cleaning them up, and muffins, and all those little things that make you smile!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sweet and Summer...

So it's been awhile since I've taken on a new recipe and shared it with you all. And I even received a pretty new apron from my mom to dress up the whole cooking mess I usually make in the kitchen. But, tonight I donned the new apron (trying not to get it dirty:-) and tackled another Rachael Ray recipe for Citrus Soy Stir Fry...say that ten times fast! It was tasty with the sweet and spicy combo and lots of colors that remind me of summer. And true to my nature, I couldn't just follow the darn recipe; I had to improvise. I threw in some carrots, extra hot sauce, and served mine with rice instead of pasta. And I'm already dreaming up what else would be scrumptious for next time. So go ahead, throw whatever the heck you want in that wok and go crazy!!

P.S. The linked recipe is not the exact recipe from her book, but it looked close.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A FRIENDly surprise....

Today, I was inspired by a couple of different things. First, the lovely weather inspired me to whip out the grill! Yay:-) Second, a loving and dear friend of mine sent me a surprise package of some fun new dishes to jazz up my display options for photos. So, tonight I made Steak with crispy potatoes and pistachio pesto. I have to say that this was another golden recipe! It was so yummy!!! Though I did veer from the recipe slightly (I grilled my steak and roasted my broccoli), I followed the pesto part closely and mmmm, mmmmm I'm glad I did!  I loved the delicious nutty flavor of the pistachios with the steak...who would of thought? So there you go! Enjoy...


 P.S. Despite my desire to consume this entire platter, I refrained:-) Leftovers here I come!!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Yuuuuummmmmm.....

 




Okay, so I have to start off by saying that my mouth is still watering over these pictures even though I'm stuffed to the brim!! This was so yummy! It was another recipe of firsts: First time cooking with leeks; First time correctly zesting a lemon; Second time cooking with raw shrimp (which taste so much better than the precooked ones:-) I also think it would be good with chicken if you're not a shrimp person. This Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta was from my Real Simple magazine and it was fantastically quick. I had such a lovely evening chopping, prepping, zesting and smelling all of its yumminess while the sun shined (or shown?) into the kitchen. Hooray for Spring...and yummy food:-) Happy eating everyone!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Quinoa for Breakfast...


I love mango and I love coconut, but I'm not so thrilled about quinoa...yet. I found this recipe on Joy the Baker's blog (which you should DEFINITELY check out...just don't compare her pics to mine...they're fabulous!) and it was rather tasty. Quinoa is definitely an acquired taste, and lately I have been seeing recipe after recipe for it. I will not give up yet! Especially since it was uber expensive at the grocery store and I have a ton of it left. This recipe definitely made progress in the "I'm getting to like it" direction. The only downside...it took me two tries to get the coconut right. Who knew toasting coconut would be the hardest part?!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Keen...Wa

This little mystery plant was new to me until very recently. Apparently, it's a great protein source, but it cooks up like rice. I tried it tonight with Salmon and Asparagus, and I felt healthier just standing in its presence:-) I mixed mine with lemon juice, fresh dill, a little butter, and a little salt. I love discovering new things like this! And thanks to my dear sister-in-law, I now know how to pronounce it...Keen-Wa!


Monday, April 11, 2011

Mmmmm....

I have a confession to make....I did not share any of this half of the squash. I ate it all myself because it was so delicious. And the funny thing is, I am not regretting it one bit as I sit here, pleasantly full, looking at it once again!

I figured we might not be seeing these veggies too much again until next fall, so I enjoyed using up my butternut squash. This recipe stemmed from someone saying 'stuffed squash' and I began to think..."what could I stuff into a squash?" Turns out this particular combination of ingredients worked great, so I'll share it with you, although it's the kind of thing I'm pretty sure you could wing with whatever is in your fridge and it would taste good:-) Nonetheless, if you're a recipe kind of cook, here goes:
1 Butternut squash
1 c. Wild Rice
1/2 c. Brown Rice
1 pint Brown Portabella mushrooms
2 handfuls Pecans
1/2 c.Vegetable broth
An unknown number of Fresh Thyme sprigs (to your taste)
1 Granny Smith Apple

Happy Feasting:-)

Not your ordinary Sandwich...

I found this recipe in Real Simple Magazine and thought it would be a fun twist on an ordinary sandwich. I love the bright springy colors too! It's made up of a boiled egg, tomato, lettuce, kalamata olive spread, and a drizzle of olive oil. I haven't eaten it yet, so I'll keep you posted:-)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

A Classic treat with a Twist~


I baked these yummy Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies for a friend's birthday, and it's probably best that I'm giving most of them away....soon because it's hard to say 'no' to a jumbo, ooey, gooey, chocolately cookie! These seemingly classic looking cookies have bits of sweet and sugary coconut hidden inside, which I think adds a nice texture. This recipe was a Taste of Home recipe that I followed more or less, using what I had in my cupboard. Here's the recipe if you'd like to make them yourself!

Monday, April 4, 2011

The First Grill of the Season...

It's always exciting to me when I get to use my little gas grill, especially for the first time this season! I had heard of a pineapple burger before but didn't have a recipe, so I made it up myself. I used a can of crushed pineapple (with the juice drained), soy sauce, egg, and bread crumbs. They turned out really well and went great with swiss cheese, tomato, and lettuce. There was just a hint of pineapple flavor in them, which made it feel slightly tropical:-) So, even though it's cold and snowy today, Happy Spring everyone!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Spring is Here!

I love eating...That's probably pretty clear by now. And I love eating food that is colorful. Spring seems to be coming, and with it, yummy fresh produce. I think the color of mangoes may just be my favorite color; it's so happy! This salad is made up of basically everything you see here:
Spinach
Chicken
Mango
Avacado
Pecans
Raspberry Vinaigarette
Mix and match to your heart's content...it's different every time I make it:-) 
Happy Spring!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

I will not be defeated!!!

I am pretty sure every great chef has a few hiccups in the kitchen. Though the odds are good that whatever they make is delicious, every now and then I am convinced that what they make is purely a culmination of "woopsies" and "Maybe this will work".  I definitely hit a few speed bumps in the kitchen today. I have recently learned that I am not a good multi-tasker, and I proved it yet again tonight when I attempted to make Orange glazed chicken and Lemon risotto at the same time. I felt like I was in one of those cooking races where everything is happening all at once. Although, in those races, their ingredients are always fresh; tonight I had to quickly substitute two rotten onions and one rotten lemon, all while trying not to burn the risotto! Though my dish has a slightly funny brown color to it, and the chicken is a bit chewy because I overcooked it trying to thicken the sauce, it still tasted delicious. Bring on the speed Bumps!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Simple Soup...
















I have never had collard greens before, so tonight was a first for me. This soup was a cinch to throw together and required only 5 ingredients from the grocery store...I already had the remaining few items at home. Like most good soups, a recipe is not entirely necessary. I treat them more like some people treat the blinkers on their cars...optional. This one was just Chicken broth, onion, celery, andouille sausage, thyme, salt and pepper, a little red wine vinegar, and collard greens. You cook everything except the greens and vinegar in a crock pot, and then about 20 minutes before dinner, add them in too. Such a cinch!  Nice hot soup for a somewhat crummy day outside. Happy Feasting!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Stuffed Peppers...

This is one of my favorite throw-together meals because it uses basically whatever is approaching expiration in my fridge, and it's so delicious! Each time I make it is different too, so it's always a bit of an adventure. Unfortunately, since I just make this dish up as I go, I don't have a recipe to share. Just throw some yummy things into some bright bell peppers, slap some cheese on top and bake! Enjoy!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Taste of Tropics...



Though it was literally a blizzard outside today, my dinner tonight was the perfect cure for a little cabin fever. These Chicken Cutlets with Orange and Arugula by Rachael Ray were super yummy! Aside from a slight argument I had with my blender, they were very easy to make too. I love Minnesota, but winter can seem so long sometimes, so I am thankful for those small pleasures in life that brighten my day, even if it's just for a few moments. Delicious food, good company, and lots of colors...that's a great way to finish off the weekend! Plus I got to play around with a fun new lens on my camera!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

It was a Crock Pot Sunday...

 This week's new recipe was easy peasy to make. The crock pot is a marvelous invention, especially on a casual Sunday afternoon. I kept wandering through the house catching subtle whiffs of my curried chicken with ginger and yogurt, greatly anticipating dinner time. This was a stretch beyond the norm, flavor wise, for me. I don't cook a lot with curry, so as I dumped the entire jar of my curry powder into the crock pot, I got a bit nervous. However, it turned out delicious and not too strong! I also chose to add raisins to mine because I like the sweet and tangy combo. I have had a curry dish at Good Earth that was the inspiration to this recipe detour. 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Meatball Subs with a touch of FANCY!

I thought this seemed an appropriate dish on Superbowl Sunday. Though I must confess I did not actually watch the game, I spent the afternoon molding raw meat into delicious cheese-filled balls...just as manly as football I'd say. Although this manly meatball sub has a touch of fancy...a lovely sprig of basil and some finely shredded cheese! I've received a comment that posting the recipes would be much kinder than taunting you all with photos but without a way of enjoying the yummy food on your own. So, if you'd like to make this tasty dish, the recipe is here.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Picture Bible...Not just for kids!









I recently had an idea that would help me to memorize more scripture...use pictures! This month, Psalm 31:14-15 has really been on my mind. These verses remind me of two very important things. First, God is the director of my life. I forget that sometimes when I run away with making plans. Second, my life is not my own. My purpose in this world is in the hands of the One who created it. Not only is this a great reminder, but it is also a great comfort.

I had a lot of fun taking the picture and playing around in Photoshop! Hopefully, there will be more of these to come.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Lovely Dish...

Today, I was reminded in so many ways that God is good! He has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life, and I just found myself saying thank you to Him all day. Plus He gave us such a bright sunny day, the perfect kind to drive down to Northfield for lunch with a friend. This picture is not a picture of our lunch, however; this is what I made for dinner. I thought it was a perfect ending to a lovely day. And I love all the colors!