Veggie Tacos-Southwest Black Bean with Quinoa and Avocado

March 5, 2017March 5, 2017Leave a comment

We did a day hike and this was the perfect lunch. I premade a southwest flavored quinoa and added a complimentary vinaigrette. I let it chill and put it in an airtight container. I also grabbed a can of refried black beans and put in another air tight container. We had a whole unpeeled avocado we tossed in our pack along with some tortillas. When we got to our picnic spot I mashed up the avocado and layered it with the beans and quinoa. It’s was super yummy! If you want to check out our hike head over to www.getoutsideflorida.com and check our Juniper Springs and the Florida Trail.

Caramelized Onions

March 5, 2017March 5, 2017Leave a comment

Caramelized Onions

These are so yummy! Super easy to make just requires a lot of patience.

Deep Non-stick skillet

3 Tbls of Butter

6 large sweet onions sliced or diced.

Start with melting the butter in the skillet. Add the sliced onions and stir, stir, stir until they reach the desired color and texture. I added a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. I kept the stove top on Medium and stirred the onions A Lot! I took them off the heat after about 30-35 minutes. I then put them in a plastic ice tray and popped them in the freezer. This will be a great flavor and time saver for weeknight meals. PS, I also do the ice cube trick for gravy and red wine 🙂

Crock Pot Chicken Wings

February 28, 2017April 25, 2017Leave a comment

These are so yummy and I do a few tricks to cut down on time and effort. First I bought the chicken wings BOGO (YAY)! When they are fresh I add them to the sauce, shake and stir to coat well. Then I put them in a freezer bag and freeze. Then when I’m ready for them I simply drop them in the crock pot turn on low and let them go about 6 hours. If I have the time after they cook all day I will finish them on the grill just to give them a little grill markers and extra flavor. We have taken them with us camping. I pack them frozen and keep frozen until ready to use. I do have to make sure I pack our crock pot. The last time we made these camping my husband finished them on the charcoal grill OMG! They were perfect! You know I don’t measure much but I’ll try to get close below.

16 Fresh Chicken Wings

1/2 Bottle of BBQ Sauce Sticky Fingers Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue Sauce – Pack of 2 – 18oz Bottles

1/4 Cup of Sofrito

1/4 Cup of Red Hot Wing Sauce

1/4 Cup of Honey

Taste it before you add the chicken and adjust for your liking. Enjoy!

Lime Pepper Salmon

February 28, 2017April 25, 2017Leave a comment

Take frozen organic salmon out of the freezer place in a plastic container. Take 3-4 limes and put in the microwave for 30 seconds. This softens them up so they are easier to squeeze. Roll on counter cut the limes in half and squeeze on the salmon. Leave the limes in the container place the lid on it and put in the fridge. They will be ready to grill when you get home from work. Spray olive oil spray generously on the grill place the salmon skin side down on med-high close lid wait 3 minutes. Or bake at 325 for 30 – 35 minutes. If you have Lime Pepper Durkee Lime Pepper Seasoning, 20-Ouncethat would be great don’t use lemon pepper it doesn’t mix well with the lime bath. If you don’t have the Lime Pepper generously crank fresh cracked pepper on it this side of the salmon. Spray the salmon with the olive oil spray and flip turn on low close the lid crank more pepper on this side. Wait another 3-4 minutes until the fish begins to flake. Serve skin side down maybe add another splash of lime.

The salmon is paired with Spinach Feta and Brown Rice as a side.

Organic Wild Salmon 2 filets $11.00
Limes $1.00

Spooky box of wine AKA The Halloween Wine Holder

January 28, 2017February 21, 2017Leave a comment

True!

This is a fake foam pumpkin I bought from the local craft store. We measured the nozzle on the box of wine spout. Then we drilled a hole in the front with a paddle bit. We carved the top like you would a traditional pumpkin. Then we dropped the bladder from the box of wine in and pulled the spout out of the hole. If I’m serving white wine or a sangria I toss in a couple ice packets. This is the best Halloween Wine Holder EVER!

Always a crowd pleaser! And doubles as a great Halloween decoration.

Upstairs Fridge

January 28, 2017April 25, 2017Leave a comment

Yep enough said!

‘Pop Up Inflatable Wine Cooler by Franmara

Burnt Green Beans

January 26, 2017February 27, 2017Leave a comment

“Burnt” Green Beans

1 Bags of Fresh Green Beans

1/4 Cup Chicken Broth

3-4Tbs Balsamic VVinegar

1 Tbs Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

Dehydrated Onions

Herb Blend

Add the olive oil to a sauté pan. Steam the green beans in the chicken broth adding the spices. Once the beans turn bright green and start to soften up turn the stove top to high and add the balsamic. Toss the beans until all the liquid is absorbed and they begin to get a little char on them.

Enjoy

Northern White Bean and Ham Soup

January 6, 2017February 27, 2017Leave a comment

1 Bag of Dried Northern White Beans

1/4 lb ham

1 cup fresh/frozen kale

3 large carrots

1/2 large sweet onion

Garlic

Italian Spice blend

Onion and herb blend

Dried onion

1 box of chicken or beef broth

Soak your beans overnight in three times the amount of water. I used left over ham from Christmas Day. It was perfect before going into the soup but after OMG! I also had some homemade chicken broth on hand. I still ending up using 1/2 a box of beef stock in addition. Add all the ingredients to your trusty crock pot on low for about 6 hours. The beans will be very soft perfect if you want to zizz them up with an emersion blender that would be super yummy! Enjoy 🙂

Buttercream Recipe

December 29, 2016February 20, 2017Leave a comment

Do you love a light but sweet buttercream? Then this is it! It can be whipped up quickly and is just yum. I do sift the confections sugar one cup at a time. It is a bit tedious but worth the step for that light and fluffy texture.

Buttercream recipe

1 1/2 sticks butter

1/4cup criso

1 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups confectioners sugar

2-4 tablespoons milk

To make a Crumb Coat for a two tier 6″ & 8″ make a double batch. Check the consistency after each tablespoon of milk. 6 Tablespoons seemed good for the frosting decor but when it got warm the frosting became a bit drippy. 4 Tablespoons seemed to be the sweet spot 🙂

Left Over Turkey and Corn Chowder

December 29, 2016Leave a comment

White and Dark meat skin and bones removed chopped in small pieces

Left over mashed potatoes (or store bought works well too)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

Small Bag of frozen corn with peppers and onions

A little garlic powder salt and pepper

Add chicken broth and milk until you get the consistency you like.

Serve with shredded cheese on top

Yum!