Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Chicken Enchiladas (by request)(super popular)


Probably one of my favorite meals because it's so easy and then we eat it for a couple days. Ann Dee, would this work for Sunday dinners?

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Quick and Easy Garlic Chicken


We make this once a week. At least. Add a baked potato or salad and it's perfect.

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Help...

Friday night I'm invited to a boy's house and I'm supposed to bring a snack/appetizer.
THIS IS SERIOUS!

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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread



I got this recipe after baby decided bananas were so yesterday. I kept trying and trying. Buying more bananas and more bananas on the off chance that yesterday would be the new today. But no. So I did a little internet research and tried to find the EASIEST banana bread recipe I could. This is it. We like it and I can make it fast. HOWEVA, If you have a better one (even if it's sort of hard) please post it. I'm trying to broaden my horizons.

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad


This is a very easy pasta that my family loves. I serve it with sour dough bread that I get from a yummy local bakery.
If you are wondering this is Paulette, Anndee's sister in- law.




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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Restaurant Review


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Friday, May 23, 2008

Homemade Granola


When my friend Eva couldn't find the perfect recipe for homemade granola, she concocted her own. It is simple and yummy and my kids prefer it to boxed cereal. I'm munching on it now . . .

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Homemade Whole Grain Pancake Mix

Homemade Whole Grain Pancake Mix
Adapted from King Arther Flour's Whole Grain Baking

Pancake Mix

4 cups (17 ounces) whole wheat flour (I like the kind ground from white wheat)
1 cup (4 1/2 ounces) white flour
3 1/2 cups (12 1/4 ounces) old-fashioned or rolled oats
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) sugar
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1/2 to 3/4 C Canola oil

To make the mix: Measure all ingredients except the oil into a large bowl. Put half of the mixture into a food processor with a blade, turn it on and quickly pour in about half the oil. Pour the mixture into the container you are going to store it in (I use a Ziploc bag and keep it in the freezer). Repeat with second half. Pour all of the mix back into the large bowl and stir it a little to incorporate the two batches. If the mix holds together when you squeeze some in your hand, it's just right. If it won't hold together, stir in tablespoonfuls of oil, one at a time, until the consistency is correct. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature, or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer. Yield: 10 cups dry mix.

To make pancakes: Whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup of buttermilk (you can use soured milk, but buttermilk gives noticeably superior results; a combination of half plain yogurt and half milk also will do), and 1 large egg. Don't worry if it seems thin at first: the oats will soak up the milk, and the mix will thicken a bit as it stands. Let the batter stand for at least 15 minutes before cooking. (I only let it stand when I have time, and if it is too thick I add a little milk).

Heat a lightly greased griddle to 350°F (if you've got a griddle with a temperature setting; if not, medium-hot will do). Drop the batter onto it in 1/4-cupfuls (a jumbo cookie scoop works well here) to make a 3 1/2-inch diameter pancake. If you have English muffin rings, use them; they make a perfectly round, evenly thick pancake. When the edges look dry and bubbles come to the surface without breaking (after about 90 seconds, if your griddle is the correct temperature), turn the pancake over to finish cooking on the second side. Yield: a batch using one cup of the mix will make about ten 3 1/2-inch pancakes.

Note: If you don't have buttermilk in the house, but do have buttermilk powder, try this: In place of the buttermilk, add 2 tablespoons buttermilk powder to 1 cup of dry mix, then stir in 1/3 cup water and 1 large egg.

Variation: Add 1 tablespoon orange juice to the dry mix along with the buttermilk. We've found that the acidity and sweetness of the orange juice helps mellow the tannic taste some people perceive in whole wheat flour; while the pancakes won't have any orange flavor, they may taste slightly milder to you, if you're not a fan of whole wheat flour (but still want to get more whole grains into your diet).

Waffles: If I want to make waffles I add and extra egg or two and I only put the yolks into the batter. Then I beat the whites until stiff and fold them into to batter as the very last step.




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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Are you worried?

So after a while you all are bound to start worrying about how often I eat out...

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Katy's contribution



Can I contribute in a different way?

So you all know that I don't cook. I don't have time and it isn't easy to cook for one person. Call those excuses if you want but it is what it is.

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The Great Crockpot Dump


You guys, I'm super fat with child. And I still have more than three months. And people of all ages are making pretty rude remarks like "holy cow, are you having twins?" or "you're not due till September? Is the doctor worried?" or "I'm only three weeks behind you and I'm not even really showing yet." In rebellion, I made a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies and Van and I sat on the floor and ate them. He likes chocolate chips. Also in rebellion, I've been cooking like this . . .

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Seared Salmon with Tomato Chive Sauce and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes



Seared Salmon with Tomato-Chive Sauce and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
-The Fly Trap Restaurant, San Francisco

This salmon recipe is one of our favorites. It is extremely simple and very elegant when served with the mashed potatoes on the bottom and the fish and sauce stacked on top.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

Best. Pasta. Salad. Ever.
I am not exaggerating.
Go make it. Make a double batch.
It gets better every day it sits in the fridge.
I try not to make it because I want to eat the entire bowl myself. I've been known to hide it from people when I do make it and take it to potlucks.
If people don't find it at potlucks, I take the leftovers home and eat this salad for lunch and dinner until it is gone.
It's really that good.
You've been warned.

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Florentine Meatballs


I first saw this recipe on an episode of Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals. I was intrigued by the ingredients, and excited because it seemed like a delicious and low-carb recipe. (Hubby has Type 1 Diabetes, so I've had to retool the recipe box on his behalf.) 

It is easy and inexpensive and worth a try.

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Monday, May 19, 2008

Thai Waterfall


This is a delicious Thai dish that isn't too risky if you're a cautious overseas eater. It has a tasty cilantro taste to it. I loved it! (authentic dish)


You need 1 lb steak, cut fairly thick.


Marinade

1 tbsp fish sauce, 1/3 cup lime juice, 2-3 tbsp chopped shallots, 2-3 tbsp chopped cilantro, 2-3 tbsp chopped mint leaves, 2 tbsp khao koor(see below), 1 tbsp freshly roasted sesame seeds, 1-3 tsp freshly ground dried red chilis.


Khao Koor: get a medium sized wok fairly hot, and add a couple of tablespoons of uncooked jasmine rice. Keep in movement until the rice starts to turn golden brown. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Grind to fairly coarse powder in a spice mill, or coffee grinder. (Also can purchase ready-made Khao Koor)


Method


In a wok bring a little oil to medium high heat and add the strips of beef, immediatedly followed by all the remaining ingredients. Stir fry until heated through. (about a minute)


Serve with Thai sticky rice or Pad Thai.





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Saturday, May 17, 2008

Homemade Custard Style Yogurt

Homemade Custard Style Yogurt
From my aunt--Sue Laing

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BBQ Salmon



I didn't take this picture but it's the best I could find that represents what the fish will look like once it's cooked. This is an old family recipe for BBQ Salmon. The sauce is the key part of the recipe and it also goes well on chicken or anything else you usually put BBQ sauce on. This recipe makes enough to baste one large salmon fillet (an entire salmon) but I usually double it to have more to pour on as you eat.

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Friday, May 16, 2008

Summer Salad


This salad is so simple and so tasty. I use this dressing ALL THE TIME, so it's good to have. This is fantastic with dinner on a hot summer night...very refreshing and delicious.

[Note: I am posting a lot this week, I know...Tod's working extra hours so I have the time. Don't feel pressure to keep up with my pace. You won't be able to, I'm just that fast...]

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Recipe Requests

By adding a comment to this post, requesting a recipe...

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Mac & Cheese

Okay, so Millie requested this and P.S, it IS good. All my good recipes are from Ina Garten. I do make changes because I can't be fancy all the time, right? I make this when I have to take dinner to someone. It's pretty easy but it takes A LOT of pans and can get chaotic for about ten to fifteen minutes [translation: make sure kid is occupied] So here it is . . .

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Artichoke Stuffed Chicken


If you want to grill something delicious, try this! There are a few ingredients you'll have to buy, but once you have them you can make this all the time. So easy and it is one of our favorite grilling recipes! (Don't let the long list of directions scare you...it's really really simple)

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Cranberry Glazed Pork


Okay, I'm going to attempt a post with this new format. No, I did not take this picture. However, Tod's favorite Cranberry Glazed Pork Roast is perfect for holidays and is SO SO SO SO easy! All you need is a crockpot and the following:

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Spaghetti Carbonara


This is a fast and delicious recipe that I got out of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food...which Colton already knew how to make of course, and gave me more tips. A carbonara sauce is typically made with bacon, eggs, and cheese. This recipe includes cream or half-and-half for a silky texture.

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Posting


Some instructions on how to use this posting format. All you need is a dash of previous blogging experience.

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