COOKIE JARS FILLED

The current selection of homemade sweets created by my daughter.

She keeps our bellies filled with wonderful treats.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/healthy-weeknight-dinners/pictures/index.html

Chicken Piccata

Photo: Chicken Piccata Recipe

 

 

Chicken PiccataFrom Food Network Kitchens

 

Notes

Piccata is a classic preparation for chicken, but can be heavy on your diet as it's a butter and wine-based sauce. This lighter version saves you calories by adding the zip of white wine with a tiny bit of vinegar to finish (as opposed to a cup or more simmered down), and getting the most of 1 tablespoon of butter by swirling it into the sauce at the end.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken scaloppini (about 4 ounces each)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, zest reserved for optional garnish, about 2 tablespoons juice
• 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Baby arugula for garnish
• Whole-wheat angel hair pasta or roasted potatoes, for serving

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon flour.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot; cook the cutlets until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cutlets to a plate. (Reserve the skillet.) Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium.
Add the remaining teaspoon oil and garlic to the same skillet; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk together the broth, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon flour, and add to the pan. Simmer sauce until reduced and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, parsley and capers. Swirl in the butter until sauce is shiny and slightly thickened.
Serve chicken with the sauce. Toss the arugula and freshly grated lemon zest with a light drizzle of olive oil; season to taste with salt and pepper, scatter over chicken. Serve with pasta or potatoes as desired.
Serves:4 (does not include arugula or pasta/potatoes for serving); Calories: 203; Total Fat: 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 3 grams; Protein: 27 grams; Total carbohydrates: 4 grams; Sugar: 0 grams; Fiber: 0 grams; Cholesterol: 73 milligrams; Sodium: 268 milligrams
Copyright 2010 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

©Television Food Network G.P.
All Rights Reserved.

 

I love making my own salad dressings.

http://blog.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2010/03/23/make-your-own-salad-dressing/

Make Your Own Salad Dressing

• by Dana Angelo White in Healthy Recipes, Meal Makeovers
• Comments (21)

Bottled salad dressings are my pet peeve — the majority of them are full of sodium, sugar and other preservatives. Whether you like a vinaigrette or the creamy stuff, you only need a few simple ingredients (and a couple minutes) to make some yourself.

Dressing Basics
There are endless rows of bottled dressings at the grocery store. Depending on the kind, they are usually high in fat, sugar or both — and they all have too much sodium. You may think it’s wise to opt for the lower-calorie offerings but light and low-fat dressings often have even more sugar to make up for the lack of flavor.
To ensure you’re getting real ingredients, homemade is the way to go, but watch those portions. A vinaigrette may seem lighter but most are made predominantly from oils, which offer heart-healthy but unavoidable calories. Keep serving sizes to a tablespoon. You can store most homemade dressings in the fridge for up to a week (not that a batch will last that long!).
A Simple Vinaigrette
Just join some sort of acid, oil and flavorings and — ta-da! — you have salad dressing! You can use vinegar or citrus juice for your acid. For oil, choose extra virgin olive oil if you want some olive flavor or canola or grapeseed oil if you want something neutral. Turn up the flavor with minced shallot or garlic, fresh or dried herbs, cumin, paprika or mustard — all those add minimal calories. Try orange juice, honey, jam or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
For a basic vinaigrette, combine one part acid to two parts oil, but that’s not mandatory. Taste as you go and adjust according to your preference.

RECIPE: Simple Salad Dressing

Creamier Choices
Mayo or sour cream make for creamy dressings but the calories coming from fat pile up. Thick and rich Greek yogurt is the key to a lighter creamy dressing. Using low-fat buttermilk or light sour cream will also lower the total fat. Try pureed avocado or almond butter to add unsaturated fat (much more heart healthy).

RECIPES: Ranch Dressing and Green Goddess Dressing

Another Favorite: Honey Mustard
This recipe below doesn’t use oil so it’s low in fat and calories. This dressing works on more than salad greens — use it as a veggie dip or spread some on sandwiches.
Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing
Makes 3/4 cup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup reduced fat (2%) Greek style yogurt
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Transfer to a resealable jar and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Info (per tablespoon):
Calories: 30; Total Fat: 0 grams; Saturated Fat: 0 grams; Carbohydrates: 7 grams; Protein: 0.5 grams; Sodium: 133 milligrams; Cholesterol: 0.5 milligrams; Fiber: 0 gram
Asian-Inspired Picks
I love sesame dressing but my favorite brand had ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. I came up with my own. Toss this with mixed greens and sliced cucumber, rice noodles or use as a marinade for chicken or fish.
Sesame Ginger Dressing
Makes 1 cup
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/4 cup ginger-lime syrup (recipe below)
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 scallion, finely chopped
Juice of 1/2 a lime
1/3 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden; set aside to cool. In resealable jar, combine ginger-lime syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, scallion, lime juice, canola oil, sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. Cover, shake well and serve. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Ginger-Lime Syrup
Makes enough for 2 batches of dressing
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, cut into large chunks
Lime zest (use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to peel off one strip — about 1/4 of the lime)
Combine ingredients in small saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Remove lime and ginger, transfer to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Nutrition Info (per tablespoon):
Calories: 62; Total Fat: 5.5 grams; Saturated Fat: 0 grams; Carbohydrate: 4 grams; Protein: 0 grams; Sodium: 63 milligrams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Fiber: 0 gram
TELL US: What’s your favorite salad dressing?

CARAMEL APPLE BREAD

Yum!  Making this one tonight!

http://bread.betterrecipes.com/caramel-apple-bread-2.html

Ingredients:

1 cup	Flour
½ cup	Whole Wheat Flour
1 Tbsp	Cinnamon
¼ tsp	Baking Powder
¼ tsp	Baking Soda
¼ tsp	Salt
¼ tsp	Nutmeg
1	Egg, beaten
¼ cup	Milk
½ cup	Brown Sugar
	Scant 1/2 Cup Sugar In The Raw
2	Granny Smith Apples, peeled and cut into small chunks
¼ cup	Cooking Oil
	25"dividually Wrapped Caramel Candies, unwrapped and chopped very small

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine flours, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. In another mixing bowl, combine egg, milk, sugars, apples and cooking oil. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients. Roll chopped caramels into a small amount of additional cooking oil with a pinch of kosher salt. Add caramels to batter and pour batter into a greased loaf ban and cook in a 350 degree oven for 55-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing.

ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD WITH LEMON GLAZE

Found a great bread recipe site.  This one sounds delicious.

http://bread.betterrecipes.com/rosemary-shortbread-with-lemon-glaze.html

Ingredients:

½ cup	Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
½ tsp	Salt
1 Tbsp	Granulated Sugar
1 cup	All Purpose Flour
¼ cup	Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp	Chopped Fresh Rosemary
½ cup	Powdered Sugar
1 Tbsp	Fresh Lemon Juice

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, salt and granulated sugar together until light and smooth.

Add cheese, flour and rosemary, then blend together. Place dough on a sheet of plastic wrap and roll up into a log about 2 inches in diameter, covered with plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and slice log into disks 1/2 inch thick, then bake on parchment or a nonstick baking sheet for 12-15 minutes. While cookies bake, prepare glaze by mixing together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If mixture is dry, add more juice or water. Once cookies cool, drizzle with glaze.

EASY BREAD RECIPE

An easy bread to try tomorrow.

http://breadbaking.about.com/od/yeastbreads/r/1loafbread.htm

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE

This looks delicious.
First pie I will make in my new place.

Link to My Recipes

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/strawberry-rhubarb-pie-10000000682833/

GLAZED BLACKBERRY LEMON MUFFINS

Glazed Blackberry-Lemon Muffins

Larger Image

Weight Watchers Recipe

Ratings (23)

5PointsPlus Value

Prep time: 18 min

Cook time: 25 min

Serves: 12

Lemon and blackberry give these muffins a sweet-tart profile. They’re a fun, flavorful addition to any gathering.  

Ingredients 3 spray(s) cooking spray 6 oz fresh blackberries, or frozen and thawed* 3/4 cup(s) sugar, granulated 1 Tbsp lemon zest, finely grated (or more to taste) 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/8 tsp table salt 2 large egg(s) 1 cup(s) buttermilk 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup(s) powdered sugar 1 Tbsp water Instructions Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a 12-hole muffin pan with cooking spray or line with muffin liners.   In a nonreactive bowl, combine berries, granulated sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice; set side until ready for the glaze.   In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.   In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs. Add half of flour mixture and half of buttermilk to eggs; beat until combined. Add melted butter and remaining flour mixture and buttermilk; beat again until all ingredients are incorporated.   Remove 1 tablespoon of liquid from berry mixture; set aside.   Add berry mixture and any liquid in bowl to batter; beat until berries break up a little bit and start to leave purple streaks in batter.   Spoon batter into prepared pan, almost to the top of each muffin hole. Bake until golden on top and a tester inserted in center of muffin comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.   Remove pan from oven and let muffins cool in pan for 5 to 10 minutes; then remove to a rack to cool completely.   While muffins cool, make glaze. Spoon powdered sugar into a small bowl and add reserved tablespoon liquid from berry mixture; mix well. Thin with 1 tablespoon water (or additional lemon juice). Dip each muffin top in glaze and spread with a spoon, if necessary; let set at room temperature for a few minutes. Yields 1 muffin per serving.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA FROZEN TREATS

Lots of good food.  I need to try the mango daiquiris.

Frozen Berries with Hot White Chocolate

Mango Daiquiris

Palmiers

Pesto Pea Salad

Lasagna with Turkey Sausage

http://www.foodnetwork.com/barefoot-contessa/frozen-treats/index.html

WEEKEND WONDERS BY NIGELLA LAWSON

Her show Nigella Feasts filmed in London has become one of my favorites.  Down home type cooking but with some splashes of wonder and surprise.  Here is a complete dinner plan with recipes for

Honey Bee Cake

Garlic Roast Potatoes

Petits Pois a la Francaise

One-Pan Sage-and-Onion Chicken and Sausage

http://www.foodnetwork.com/nigella-feasts/weekend-wonders/index.html

GIADA'S LEMON MERINGUE CUSTARD

I saw Giada demonstrate this today on her show. 

It looks so easy and so delicious.  A definite future dessert.

No picture posted, but I'll take a picure of my creation after I try it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lemon-meringue-with-amaretti-cookie-topping-recipe/index.html

MARGARITA PIE

YUM!

Here is the website I found it on.

http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/frosty-margarita-pie/3588f5ff-64aa-4f47-a44b-1b01c62de583

INGREDIENTS

1 cup graham cracker crumbs (12 squares)

3 Tbl powdered sugar

1/4 cup frozen (thawed) margarita mix concentrate

2 cups lime sherbert, softened

1/3 cup cup frozen (thawed) margarita mix concentrate

3 Tbl tequila

2 cups vanilla ice cream

DIRECTIONS

Mix cracker crumbs and powdered sugar.

Stir in 1/4 cup margarita mix until crumbly.

Press mixture firmly against bottom and side of pie plate, 9x1 1/4 inches

Mix sherbet, 1/3 cup margarita mix and the tequila in large bowl.

Gently swirl in ice cream.

Spoon mixture into crust; spread evenly.

Cover and freeze 4 to 6 hours or until firm.

CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES

(recipe by my daughter G)

Ingredients

1 3/4 Cups all-purpose flour

1/3 Cup white sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

5 Tbl unsalted butter, chilled, cubed

1 Cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 Cup orange juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400*F (200*C)

2. Spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
She uses a scone pan with 16 individual triangle sections.

3. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

4. With a pastry blender or a large fork, cut in the butter until it resembles course crumbs.

5. Fold in the chocolate chips.

6. Mix in the orange juice to form a crumble-like dough

7. Bake in pre-heated oven until golden brown, approximately 12 minutes.

8. Move to wire rack to cool.

REESES CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIES

I found this picture on Pinterest - you can view it HERE. It doesn’t show what site it came from….. but here are the SUPER EASY directions:

Preheat oven to 350; smoosh 1.5 squares of break-apart refrigerated cookie dough into the bottom of each well. Place Reese cup upside down on top of cookie dough (or an Oreo!). Top with prepared box brownie mix, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 18 minutes!

BREAKFAST OMELET MUFFINS

Ingredients

1 pound Italian Sausage

1 cup veggies
8 large eggs
1/4 cup milk

1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp baking powder
salt & pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese as needed

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large saute pan, over medium high heat, brown Italian Sausage for about 5 minutes,
or until the sausage is no longer pink.

3. Remove from heat and stir in veggies.
4. Whisk together eggs, milk, oil and baking powder. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Lightly spray a 12-cupcake pan with oil.

6. Spoon out the sausage and veggie mixture evenly into each cupcake.

7. Ladle the egg mixture over sausage and broccoli.
8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

LEMON BURST CAKE MIX COOKIES

Ingredients

1 box Lemon Cake Mix

1- 8 oz container Cool Whip

1 egg

1/3 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. In medium bowl, beat cool whip, egg and cake mix until well blended.
Dough will be thick and sticky.

3. Drop by teaspoonfuls into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll to coat.

4. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10- 12 minutes

Try these using strawberry or orange cake mix for variety.

BEEF SHORT RIBS - Crock Pot

http://southern.food.com/recipe/slow-cooker-beef-short-ribs-32147

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 1/2 lbs boneless beef short ribs

1/4 cup butter

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup beef broth

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup chili sauce

2 tablespoons catsup

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS

1.  Put flour, salt and pepper in a bag.

2.  Add ribs and shake to coat.

3.  Brown ribs in butter in a lg skillet.

4.  Put in slow cooker. 

5.  In same skillet, combine remaining ingredients.

6.  Bring to a boil, stirring.

7.  Pour over ribs. 

8.  Cover and cook on low for 9 hours.

STEAK AND ASPARAGUS ROTINI

This is a direct post from Lovely Little Snippets
http://lovelylittlesnippets.blogspot.com/2012/03/steak-and-asparagus-rotini.html

I am always looking for new ways to cook steak at our house. Every year my dear husband kills an elk (or 2) and a deer (or 2), so some years, that leaves us with HUNDREDS of pounds of meat! There are a lot of Steak and Potato dinners going on at our house. This was a great DIFFERENT way to use elk at our house! But you could certainly use beef!

Steak and Asparagus Rotini

1 lb. steak pounded to 1/2 inch thick

1 lb. rotini pasta

1 lb. asparagus

2 TBS butter

1 tsp Lemon pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

2 TBS Parmesan cheese

garlic powder, salt and pepper

In a large skillet, melt butter. Season both sides of the steak with salt, pepper and garlic powder and place in the skillet (on high) with the butter. Sear both sides of the steak and then turn to med-low and cover. Continue cooking for about 10 min, or until steak is done to your liking. While the steak is cooking, cook your rotini. As your pasta cooks, trim the tough ends off of the asparagus, cut them unto 1 inch pieces, and put them into a colander. At the end of your pasta cooking time, carefully dip the colander into the boiling water until the asparagus is covered. Hold for about a minute so the asparagus gets par-cooked, then remove. place the colander in the sink and pour the hot pasta over the asparagus to drain. Toss together. Slice the steak into strips and toss with the pasta. Add olive oil, lemon pepper, some S&P and parmesan cheese. Toss well, and serve.

I'M BACK

I've been neglecting this blog since last year. I hit a rough patch and planning meals or even cooking hasn't been my top priority. Lucky my kids are older and they sure have helped me out in the kitchen. I've been stymied by planning meals because I used to work around my husband’s favorites.  Now it’s just me and my 2 girls, and sometimes my adult son.  I went online to find a few new recipes to try and came across a great website that not only has an entire week’s meals planned, including the recipes, but also has information on all types of organizing.  I do love to keep things organized.

I made some changes to her plan and am going to start keeping a menu and grocery list on my blog so I can pick a week and have a grocery list ready.  I'm going to keep my menus on http://artzestmenuplan.blogspot.com/.

Wish me luck!  Go give her a visit.  http://orgjunkie.com/2012/05/menu-plan-monday-may-2112-giveaway.html