Showing posts with label Four Letter F Word ending with OOD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Four Letter F Word ending with OOD. Show all posts

September 24, 2013

Fruits in the form of tea

Some people obsess over fashion. Others like their coffees or shoes. Some people are hooked on crack (okay - those are two polar examples). But me? I love me some tea.  I like hoarding collecting tea so much, that I moved around my cookbooks on the shelf to accommodate my tea containers.  I think what I like so much about them is that there are SO many types, and there are fancy smancy containers.  There are even restaurants dedicated to their cause! There was even a party in the 1700s. I'm sure it was great!

For my birthday, I received an awesome mix of iced teas.  In this gift box, there were 6 types of teas in containers, and a pound of rock sugar.

Berry Mint Cassis and Rasberry Riot Lemon Mate

Pineapple Kona and Wild Orange Blossom 

Not Pictured: Blueberry Bliss and Watermelon Mint Chiller

This rock sugar will last a REALLY long time since I am not trying to use sugar all that much.  


This was after making Blueberry Bliss, as the tea started to settle.  How cool to watch the water change! It was delightfully delicious!  We didn't add additional sugar, but if you wanted it sweeter - you can add the rock sugar when the water's warm.  

*My only concern about the Teavanna teas is the amount of sugar, hidden in the teas.  I have a serious addiction (I kid....only sorta).  Anyone know of the best COMPLETELY sugar free tea? 

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August 18, 2013

Stand up and grill


There's something thrilling when the cardboard box arrives on our doorstep, and even if I know what it's it- I still feel a bit of a rush as I peel back the lid.  This month we received a fantastic box from BeSpokePost  which advertises as a box of awesome, and awesome it is!
After getting my own box of fun last month, I thought it was time that Mister got something!

Last month's box marketed Himalayan Salt plate - and really, what is more awesome!? This block of salt goes on the grill, or open gas oven (which we don't have).  You can cook fish, steak, veggies, chicken - pretty much anything! The salt naturally seasons the item, making it super tasty. 

In addition to the salt block, the package also came with two rubs/seasonings and a spatula. The price of the box per month is $45.00.  After looking up the prices of the items, the box was clearly worth it!

Cant't wait to make more, as right now it's just a thing of beauty.  Salt blocks are ideal not only for cooking food, but also for serving.  Raw fish, like sushi, picks up the saltiness of the block.  Put the block in the fridge for about two hours, and arrange tomatoes and cheese, or watermelon, mint and feta.  If you let it sit for 20 minutes or so, the salt will totally pop!

After some searching, I found Salt Block Cooking by Mark Bitterman.  The recipes in here looking A-mazing!  My favorite is the apple onion tart with blue cheese.  


I can't wait to get cooking on this!  
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July 05, 2013

Grilled Chicken with pineapple

Holy Heavens! I had the best meal today. We bought a giant pineapple and a ridiculous amount of chicken.  On the grill, we mixed the two and made a wonderful dinner baby.

There's something about grilling and a the little bit of charred that makes the food taste so much better! 
Pineapple Coconut Kebobs
pound of cubed chicken
fresh pineapple cubed
can of cream of coconut


We pretty much did the follow: diced the chicken and threw it in a bowl filled with cream of coconut milk overnight.
We like to buy whole pineapples - pretty much it's more bang for your buck and it's almost always super juicy. I am a little intimidated cutting it - but Mr. doesn't seem to have a problem. 

After cutting up the pineapple and cubing it, we then alternating sticking chicken and pineapple on skewers.  We only used half of the pineapple, and saved the other half for a sweet treat later in the day.
A pound of chicken and half of pineapple with 6-7 pieces each on a skewer made about 22.



We let them sit on the grill and flipped them every few minutes.  The pineapple juice ran a bit into the chicken so it was extra flavorful. 

It was a perfect quick (sorta quick) lunch and it was ultra healthy.
Happy 4th of July weekend!!
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A Salty Treat for the Salty Shore

Prepping for the 4th of July literally meant Mr. and I were in the kitchen all day - ALL day.  Today was the first truly sunny day in what I think we had in weeks, if not months, maybe even years. I feel like rain has been pouring down since as long as I can remember -and the one day the sun decided to peek out, we had to man the kitchen.  However, after looking at the five day forecast, it seems promising that we didn't miss out on the only sunny day. 

After visiting the local ice cream shop multiple times this week (and it's only Wednesday), I can't seem to get enough of the Salted Carmel Pretzel ice cream.  I decided to carry this sweet treat over in the form of a cookie.  Scouring the internet, I adapted the recipes I found from Ambitious Kitchen,  and created a salty goodness ready for the 4th of July. 

The one main ingredient that makes this recipe mind-blowing (maybe that's a bit exaggerated, maybe not) is Nutella. Now, if you have never in your life had the chocolate hazelnut spread that is Nutella, please run out to the store now,buy it and spread it on anything. Seriously - anything. A piece of bread, moldy cheese, anything. It will literally change your life in only the best way possible. 

Now with that being said,  if you aren't a fan of hazelnut chocolately goodness, then just omit it from the recipe. But don't hate it till you tried it :)

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies and Sea Salt

2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 sticks of butter (melted)
2/3 jar of Nutella
1 cup chocolate chips (let's be real - I use the whole bag)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon greek yogurt


  1. Mix flour and baking soda together and set aside. 
  2. With a mixer, mix the butter and sugars until well blended. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and yogurt until combined. Add the flour mix and beat until completely combined. Gently fold in all of the chocolate chips.
  3. Place dough in fridge for at least 2 hours. I left mine in for 4 hours, which worked out better with the Nutella. Place Nutella in fridge during this time to solidify a bit. 
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. After dough hardens, take out of fridge and make into balls of dough.  Flatten them in the palm of your hand and spoon chilled Nutella in the middle. Be sure to fold dough around this gently and completely. 
  5. Bake the cookies 10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn golden brown. They will look a bit underdone in the middle, but will continue to cook once out of the oven. Cool the cookies on the sheets and sprinkle with a little sea salt. 




I am NOT a fan of salt, but these cookies had a different type of taste that set them apart from most chocolate chip cookies I've made.  I think sea salt had a lot to do with that.  So yummy with a tall glass of milk!
Enjoy!


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July 04, 2013

An Apple a Day


To counteract all the sugar I recently devoured, a healthy lunch was in order. To go along with my deep seeded love for green apples, Mr. and I thew together this yummy salad. By Mr and I, I mean I told him what to do and he made it. Details.

Kale Apple Chicken Salad

Dressing
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoon of dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon honey
sea salt to taste

1 bunch kale
2 green apples - cored and cubed
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 ounces crumbled goat cheese (we just used the entire container)
1 pound chicken - grilled and cubed

*As the chicken was grilling, we made the dressing. However, if you don't have the ingredients, you can always mix it with any dressing - I've used Newman's Lite Honey Mustard and Raspberry. Both so yummy!

This salad made enough for 4 helpings and still enough for another sitting.




*Thank you Domino Sugar for making an appearance in this picture. Your assistance in baking my desserts was most appreciated.  Too bad I am a jerk and used you for everything you had.

Try this recipe - you will not be disappointed!



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Gimme S'more of that Mess

First off, I have a love-hate relationship with s'mores. I love the idea of them, but it somehow ends up not only on my fingers, but in my hair, up my nose, and once in my ear. I don't know. Clearly I can't control my hands, and I guess I touch my face more often than I realize...But a summer without the graham cracker, mallow and chocolate mix doesn't quite seem like a summer. 

To prevent the blinding marshmallow mess that usually ensues during the 4th day in July, I thought maybe I would make S'more bars to prevent any embarrassing facial messes. I adapted the recipe from Sally's Kitchen, and came up with a sticky mess. Somehow what I made, looked NOTHING like what she created.
 I felt like I am on Pinterest Fail (a wildly amusing site that I wished I thought of!) Basically, it's where  "good intentions come to die." With that motto, I wish I could squeeze the girl that writes this blog and call her my new best friend. I literally pee with laughter when I see the contributing pictures  ....well maybe not literally pee, but I'm peeing on the inside. Just thinking about the hanging string ball or the "Bake a heart into a cupcake" makes me giggle all over again. 
But I digress.....
This recipe did NOT in any way turn out the way I thought it would look....I guess that's mainly because I had measuring and don't fallow directions that well.  However, they taste AMAZING!! The additional peanut butter chip was a great  add-on. 

S'More Cookie Bar

1 stick of melted butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg
1 cup flour
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 and 1/4 cup chocolate chips
a whole bag of mini marshmallows (maybe this was my downfall?)
half bag of peanut chips
8oz of sweetened condensed milk


  1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line 8x8 tray with parchment paper and spray.  **This is important - I used a tray WAY to big, and ran out of mix......** This recipe makes enough for a family of four, or one person who has a serious addiction problem with sweet treats. 

  1. Cream the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed. Beat for about 2 minutes until smooth and combined. Add the vanilla extract and egg, beating until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl down as needed. Set aside.

  1. Toss the flour, graham cracker crumbs, and baking powder together until combined. With the mixer running on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.

I used a 9x13 pan because that's all I had at the shore - DON'T do that unless you make more mix


  1. Press 2/3 of the graham cookie dough into prepared pan. Cover the layer with the mini marshmallows. The sprinkle with chocolate chips. 





 I covered half with just chocolate chips and the other half of the tray with peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.

Drizzle the entire can of sweetened condensed milk on top. 

  1. Bake the bars for 22 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown. Allow to cool completely before cuttng into squares.

*These taste amazing, but don't have the look appeal. But really, does it matter if it looks good? It doesn't look that fabulous once my teeth mash it up!*

Instead of neat little squares, they came out more like oblong misshapen messes - BUT they were fantastic.
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July 02, 2013

Cayenne Margaritas and thoughts



One of my favorite places to spend my summer days is my parents' shore house.  There's something about salty air, the call of seagulls, and being able to catch your dinner right in the backyard that puts life into perspective.   Every weekend, we leave our troubles in North Jersey, as we drive down the Parkway to Exit 58. Seven of us, my favorite seven people in the world spend each (or most) Friday nights through Sunday nights together.  Between board games, fishing, eating (lots of eating), and drinking, memories are made.

This past weekend, A created a wickedly delicious margarita recipe.   


She always has the best concoctions - so we left it up to her to make the mixings. 


I've been on a super fruit kick, and before we left for the shore, A asked if I like grapefruit. I can say in all honesty, I find them irritating to eat because I can never open them like people say. Instead, I end up squirting myself in the eye.  With that being said, A decided to create a fun mix to ring in Saturday night :)

Cayenne Grapefruit Margaritas
Tequila 12 oz
grapefruit juice 22 oz
tonic water 14 oz
cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp
This should make 6 drinks!
(The original recipe she found called for simple syrup, but I'm not a fan - so she switched to Tonic water which is also no cal)



You can even see the pepper floating on the top. 


It had just enough pop to open your sinuses but not too much that you sneezed (maybe that's just me) or cause you to gag. 

You can either use grapefruit juice OR squeeze fresh grapefruit - which we tried but it was SUPER duper messy. 


Try and let me know what you think!


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March 25, 2013

Luck of the Irish

Come the month of March, I like to buy stock in green food coloring -and soon everything I ingest is a greenish hue. I think it's fabulous, Mr. thinks it's odd. But I look past this, and do what I want!

I draw the line at coloring cabbage and meats. I just can't do it. But I can trade my coloring for an irish banquet. St. Patrick's Day (March 17) is an annual feast day which celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a day celebrated with parades, the wearing of green, and of course, beer. It's also popular with many people because it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring.

Make this St. Paddy's Day memorable with these Irish-inspired recipes. And remember, if you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough! 'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'

This is what we had last week:

Sweet Irish Whiskey Glazed Corned Beef
Servings: 4 - 6 Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 9 hours on low
This corned beef cooks all day in the slow cooker. Just broil the corned beef to make the sweet Whiskey glaze (we used bourbon whiskey) a few minutes before serving it up for your St. Patrick's Day Supper.

DIRECTIONS
• 3 lb corned beef brisket
• 1 lb red potatoes
• 1/2 lb carrots
• 1 bottle(s) beer
• 1/4 cup(s) orange marmalade
• 2 tbsp bourbon
• 1 tbsp ketchup, low sod.
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
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1. Place red potatoes, carrots (cut in 2 inch pieces), and 1 beer (we used Sam Adams lager) in a slow cooker. Place trimmed corned beef on top. Most corned beef comes with a seasoning packet. If it does, add the seasoning packet to the slow cooker. Cook for 8-9 hours on low (4-5 on high).

2. Remove corned beef from slow cooker. Whisk together bourbon, ketchup, marmalade and vinegar. Brush over corned beef. Broil beef about 6 inches from heat for 5 - 6 minutes or until it caramelizes.

3. Thinly slice corned beef against grain and serve with carrots and potatoes (quartered).

Second Beef Recipe
Muenster and Corned Beef Press
Servings: 2 Prep Time: 10 min. Cook Time: 20 min.
We usually buy deli corned beef for these sandwiches but it is also a great way to use up your corned beef dinner leftovers.

INGREDIENTS
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DIRECTIONS
• 1 head cabbage (green), thinly sliced
• 1 cup(s) chicken broth, low sodium
• 4 slice(s) rye bread
• 1 tbsp butter, with salt
• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 4 oz deli corned beef, cooked
• 2 slice(s) muenster cheese

1. Combine cabbage and chicken broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let simmer and cover for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and season with s&p.

2. Spread butter on four slices of rye bread. Place buttered side down and spread dijon mustard on each slice. Top two slices with corned beef, cabbage and a slice of cheese. Top with remaining two bread slices.

3. Cook on a heated panini press (or in a grill pan with a heavy pot on top) for 4 - 6 minutes or until crispy and cheese is melted.

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July 04, 2012

Breakfast fruit goodness

Hello friends! I greatly apologize for my long absence from the bloggy world! This year has been crazy hectic and I haven't felt very creative, but through the months I have felt like a piece of me has been missing.  So I am hoping this summer I can reconnect with that part of me! Here it goes......... 

Breakfast.  The dreaded B word Monday through Friday. It seems no matter what time I wake up, my breakfast always suffers.  This morning I drank my breakfast  - a Yoohoo. A what?! Nothing nutritious. If liquid is part of my morning routine, these three choices appeal to me!

New Breakfast Option
1 cup frozen strawberries or raspberries
1 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk (Have you had this before - what is your favorite kind?)
1 cup of Fiber One yogurt - any flavor.  I like vanilla or plain because then the flavor doesn't compete with the strawberries or raspberries


2nd Breakfast Option
Morning Banana Cinna-Roll
1 cup almond milk
1 frozen banana
1 tsp hemp seeds
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 scoop of protein vanilla
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3rd Breakfast Option
Mango Smoothie
1 cup chopped ripe mango
1/4 avocado, chopped
1/2 mango sorbet
1/4 skim milk
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 crushed ice
1 tablespoon honey

4th Breakfast Option
Many Fruit Smoothie
blueberries
raspberries
green grapes
pineapple
banana
strawberries
apple
greek yogurt
skim milk
protein powder
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    These four recipes seem to be better and healthier than a Yoohoo!!!  Can't wait to go to the farmer's market, and get blending on these drinks!!



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    May 26, 2011

    Breakfast for Wine Weekend Part 2

    Because I don't plan on stopping till I get enough, we need to start each morning out with a wholesome filling breakfast.  The number of wineries located on Seneca Lake are ridiculous (I believe there are over 70!), and I can't quit after the second one because I didn't eat enough in the morning.  
    My days at work have been filled with not only actually doing my job, but picking out the very best and tasty recipes for next weekend's jaunt.

    After one morning of cheesecake pancakes (please see yesterday's post), another filling (and not so healthy treat) would be stuffed french toast.  Just when french toast couldn't get yummier, you stuff it with Nutella, bananas, or strawberries and your life has changed for the better.  

    Nutella Stuffed French Toast ( I apologize no picture -but we haven't made it yet!)
    Ingredients:
    2 slices of bread
    * nutella
    1 egg
    1/4 cup milk
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    a pinch of salt
    1 teaspoon butter
    1 tablespoon powdered sugar

    Directions:
    1. Spread nutella on one slice of bread and make a sandwich.
    2. Mix the egg, milk, vanilla and salt.
    3. Dip both sides of the sandwich into the egg mixture.
    4. Melt the butter in a pan.
    5. Cook the sandwich in the pan until it is golden brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side.
    6. Top with powdered sugar.
    Easy peasy. 

    What else can you stuff into French Toast? 
    From Mama Seasonings



    1 Loaf, day old, french bread (Challah bread is divine too)
    Butter to coat pan

    1 16 oz pkg of Marscarpone Cheese (or cream cheese)
    1 tsp of sugar
    1 tsp cinnamon
    1 tiny pinch of salt

    6-8 Eggs
    1/4 c Milk
    1 tsp cinnamon
    1/2 tsp Vanilla
    1/4 tsp Nutmeg

    Powdered Sugar
    Berry Mixture (optional)
    Vanilla Ice cream (optional)

    Let cheese come to room temperature. With a spatula, mix together cheese, sugar, cinnamon and salt.

    Next whisk eggs and add milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg. Whisk a little more until a froth, or bubbles, begins to form and all ingredients are combined thoroughly.

    Slice bread, on the diagonal for a nicer presentation, about 2-2 1/2" thick. Cut a small slit 3/4 of the way through the bread and about 2" wide. With a butter knife, take about 1 T of the cheese mixture and spread evenly inside bread.

    Heat skillet to Medium heat and add butter.
    Dredge bread in egg mixture on both sides evenly and place in pan. Cook until the bread is a light golden color.

    Serve with fresh berries and sift powdered sugar on top. For a dessert treat, serve warm with Vanilla Ice cream and/or Chocolate sauce.
     

    This recipe seems easy enough for me, and definitely falls into the Desserty breakfast category.
    Counting down the days till these are in my belly!  

    Have a great weekend!!


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    May 25, 2011

    Menu Planning Take 452

    Our favorite line when Little asks for something: "You going to pay for that with your good looks?" Sometimes, we go out to eat, but if we went out as often as Little asks, we would be in debt to Applebees. Menu Planning allows us to work with our budget, and to plan some fun meals.

    This week's Menu(What's left of the week!):
    Slow Cooked Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    Baja Egg Sandwich with Avocado
    Mashed Avocado Sandwich

    Raspberry and Hazelnut Bars

    I will end this post with I love avocado. I am obsessed. If my husband comments on this post, he will verify. Gone off the deep end with avocado talk.  



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    Please find me a couple to snack with



    Not that I am lonely, but two is always better than one.  When it comes to snacking I mean.

    Two snacks are always more endearing than one - and what if they hardly added calories to your diet? Even better!  What can you add to your tasty cold ice cream to make it even more delicious?!

    Breyers, when on sale (because I refuse to pay 4.99 for anything that will go straight to my hips, but I will let it go for 1.99, compliments my evenings.  I am always drawn to the "bad" ice creams - the ones with all the glitz and glam.  I like chopped nuts, broken cookies, crumbs, and drizzle in my ice cream.  None of this plain crap.  BUT wait.

    Breyer's Double Churn Fat Free Ice cream mixed with Reddi Whip Fat free - for under 100 calories, I can afford to toss an oreo (reduced fat) in there and make my own blender.

    What about Breyer's Loaded Cookie and Cream ice cream and strawberry jam/sugar free? Have you tried this combo? What are you waiting for????

    What about floats? I haven't had one in ages...and I am getting the hankering...but all that carbination....burp central. What if a Dr.Pepper float? Let's try Fat free low sugar garbage Dr. Pepper and Breyer's Slow Churn light and creamy vanilla.


    I have snacks on the brain....and that's all I can think of now - anything and everything having to do with ice cream :)

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