What I love, What I do, (from the Kitchen): August 2013

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Garlic Chicken Farfalle (the constantly missing recipe)

This is a favorite recipe of one of my daughters. For some reason I have just kept the original copy in my own recipe binder but not in my computer file or on here. I am reckoning that today after looking for several hours to find it. Since I am still not completely moved into my new home I was beginning to think it was a lost cause for tonight. She walked in and found it immediately. So here it is for future reference.

Garlic Chicken Farfalle or Penne

16 oz. Farfalle pasta (bowtie) or Penne
1 c. heavy whipping cream
3-4 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in cubes
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T pepper
1/2 c. butter
1 lb. bacon, crumbled
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, plus small amount for garnish
1 12oz.Lawry's chicken marinade with lime juice

Precook bacon, drain and crumble. Cut the chicken into cubes and cook in a small amount of butter. Start the pasta. When chicken is done move to the side and add the butter and garlic, stir. And the cream, pepper, bacon, and parmesan, whisk together over low heat for a few minutes. Drain pasta and add to a large bowl and pour the chicken cream mixture over the top. Garnish with parmesan cheese

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Grilled Chicken and Roasted Garlic Pizza

Grilled Chicken and Roasted Garlic Pizza

1 lb. pizza dough
1 T butter
8 cloves roasted garlic
2 T flour
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. half and half
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 c. grilled chicken breast, cut into cubes
1/4-1/2 c. red onion, diced small
1 c. Mozzarella cheese
1 t fresh thyme (optional)
1/2 t oregano (optional)
fresh basil, chiffonade
1 t fresh Rosemary (or more to taste)

Preheat oven to 450. On baking pan place cornmeal to ease in spreading. Melt butter, saute garlic for a minute, and flour and mix well. Whisk in milk and half and half. Cook until mixture thickens add the pepper and Parmesan. Spread the sauce on the dough, top with onion, chicken, cheese and Rosemary if using. Feta cheese can also be added if desired. Bake approx. 18 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted sprinkle with remaining desired herbs.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Zuppa Toscano (Copy Cat) repeat

Zuppa Toscana- (Olive Garden copy cat)

1½ Mild or Medium Italian sausage
2 medium potatoes, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into 1/4" slices
3/4 c. onions, diced
6 slices bacon
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. kale leaves, chopped
2 cans chicken broth
1 qt. water
1 c. heavy whipping cream

Cook Italian sausage until brown, drain on a paper towel to remove fat. Cook bacon and remove from pan, place on paper towel as well, crumble when cool. Place onions in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until onions are almost clear. Add garlic to the onions and cook an additional 1-minute. Add chicken broth, water, and potatoes, simmer 15 minutes. Add crumbled bacon, sausage, kale, and cream. Simmer 4 minutes and serve.

Cinnamon Roll Cake (updated version!!)

Cinnamon Roll Cake (Newer better version I found on Pinterest but added cinnamon to the cake as well.)

Cake:

3 c. flour
1/4 t salt
1 c. sugar
4 t baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 t cinnamon

Topping:

1 c. butter softened
1 c. brown sugar
2 T flour
1 T cinnamon

Glaze:

2 c. powdered sugar
5 T milk
1 t vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350. For the cake mix everything together with the exception of the butter. Slowly stir in the butter and pour into and greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all of ingredients together well, drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake for 30-32 mins. Let cake cool a little and then pour the glaze evenly across the top.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Strawberry Lemonade (simple)

Strawberry Lemonade

1 c. country time lemonade
2 c. cold water
2 c. sprite (more if desired)
46 oz. can pineapple

Whole strawberries fresh or frozen

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Baby Shower Goodies Natalie does it again!

(Still learning the new house and lighting, sorry for the yellow. I took the pictures so fast as the shower began I didn't have time to make adjustments!)

In celebration of Grandchild number 10 we threw a "Baby Girl" shower for Rachel since everything she has is for a boy. It was great fun and good to be together with family, friends, and good food. It was fun to have our first entertaining event in our new home.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Yumminess Pie

12 oz. cool whip, thawed
8 12 oz. Butterfinger candy bars, crushed
1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
graham cracker crust

Blend cool whip, Butterfinger, and cream cheese. Place into a graham cracker crust and chill.

I found this on a recipe on my phone and can't even give credit to where it came from or even remember the real name. It was a fun find but it is VERY rich. Next time we are going to try it with Heath bars instead of the Butterfinger!

The Pantry

The pantry can be a life saver if it is well stocked and can help when you just don't know what to fix for dinner.

As I have made meals over the years I have stocked up on things that are common in my recipes so all I have to do is shop from my shelves. It is easy to come up with things quickly when you have supplies on hand. It may seem like a lot to have on hand but these are some of my pantry/storage staples and if you build slowly it isn't oppresive to purchase. Watch the ads and sales in your local stores.

Canned/Storage:
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
chicken broth
beef broth
tuna
chicken
corn
olives
beans- kidney. canellini, black, refried
dried beans, red, white, pinto, split peas
creamed soups, mushroom. chicken. celery
tomato soup
bean with bacon soup
rice
flour
sugar
favorite spices
variety of pasta's
peanut butter

Freezer:
chicken breasts
bone in hams
chuck roasts pork roasts
pork chops
lean ground beef
ground turkey
Itailian sausage
vegetables

Refrigerator:
milk
eggs
butter
Tillamook cheddar cheese
Lowfat mozerella cheese
sour cream
cream cheese
mayonnaise
miracle whip
ketchup
mustard
half and half
cucumber
lettuce
celery
carrots
apples
limes

Pantry Shelf:
onions
avocados
tomatoes
garlic
potatoes, red and Idaho russet

Home Canned Items: (I love to can!)
tomatoes
chicken breasts
green beans
salsa
chile sauce

Favorite From the Pantry Recipes

Lauri's Italian Sauce

3 bottles whole tomatoes (4cans approx. 1 lb size)
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
3 8 oz. cans mushrooms

3 T. dried Oregano
3 T. dried Marjoram
3 T. dried Basil
1 ½ T. dried Thyme
T. Fennel (optional)
dried onion or two chopped fresh onions
2 T. minced dried garlic or 5 cloves fresh garlic minced (if using fresh onion and garlic sauté them in olive oil until transparent and then add the remaining ingredients)

Combine all of the above ingredients and bring to a boil, simmer on low heat until thickened. (I usually simmer it for several hours)

Meat Sauce

4 lbs, lean ground beef
2 chopped onions
2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Brown the meat and add the onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add to the marinara sauce and simmer.

Sour Cream Enchilladas

Mix
4 lb. hamburger
2 onions, chopped
6 carrots, grated or chopped
1 or 2 green pepper chopped
2 T. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 t. garlic salt

Brown beef and drain, add prepared vegetables. Cook until tender and drain, cool.*

Add to hamburger mixture
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 oz. can green chili's chopped (more if you want a little more spice)
1 c. sour cream
1 c. milk
Monterey jack and cheddar cheese grated (to your taste)
corn tortillas

Fill corn tortillas with meat mixture. Place seam down in a 9x13 baking pan. Layer with sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 mins. This can also be served lasagna style in a casserole dish. This saves time rolling the enchiladas. It just depends on how you want the dish to look on the plates.

*This meat mixture is great to use for other things as well, it can be used to make sloppy joes, tacos, or with other ground beef recipes. It is a great way to add more vegetables to meals with out children or picky eaters even knowing. Just freeze into portions in a zippered bag and thaw when you need a quick meal.

Tips

Always fill your sink with hot soapy water and wash as you go. This helps to keep the mess under control. (I love to cook to I really hate to clean up after!)

When you fix rice for a meal make extra and freeze some of it in a zipper bag. With this premeasured rice it is easy to do a quick thaw and serve or add to other ingredients for a quick and easy meal.

Post a shopping list where you can find it, when you run out of something simply write it down and teach your family to do the same. You are less likely to be caught off guard when you are making your favorite dish.

Make a menu and include your shopping list. You spend less time in the store when you have a plan. When you make more trips to the store you simply spend more money. Having worked with a large grocery chain I learned some of the tricks used to get you to buy more. Be prepared when you go!

Shop the Ads. Make your menu out with the ad and use the shopping list. Most people don't have time to run from store to store getting the best deal on just a few things. When you compare and find the best prices it saves you time, money, and gas.

When making dishes like lasagna, manicotti, chicken pot pie, and many casseroles make two at the same time and freeze the second one for rainy day or a sick friend. It takes little effort to make the extra and it can be a big bonus in your freezer.

Tomatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator but on your counter top. The cold causes them to break down and turn mushy.

If you need to ripen your avacados faster place them in a small paper bag with a banana or apple. The gas that they put off causes the avacado to ripen faster.

Don't store onion and garlic together because the garlic goes bad faster from the gas emitted from the onions,

Applesauce Spice Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 c. thick unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 t. cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. allspice
1 t. salt
8 t. baking powder (that's right)
3 c. flour
1 c. nuts chopped (optional)

Cream together shortening and sugar, add eggs. Mix dry ingredients and combine both mixes. Spread on to a sheet cake pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Frosting:

½ c. plus 2 T. butter
5 c. powdered sugar
2½ t. Mapleline flavoring
3 T. milk

Soften butter and combine with remaining ingredients, spread on top of cake.

This is good to take to Pot Luck dinners or large gatherings. I would also freeze leftover cake in individual servings for my kids after school or when they needed a quick, small snack.

Zucchini Blues

Took it for granted
When it was planted
That I had just enough

Now during my days
I'm trying new ways
To use up all this stuff

My basement is crammed
It's been jellied and jammed
Make into bread and cake

It's been chopped and sliced
And grated and diced...
There's nothing else to make!

I've baked it and planned it
Boiled and canned it
And frozen all I need

I have had my fill
There's too much... and still
It's growing like a weed.

(After going away for a week I came home to find six zucchini that were bat size in the garden. Seems like the kids didn't look as hard as they said they did! So I thought of this poem. Anyone need some Zucchini?)