Outdoor Wednesday

Happy Blue Monday ! I am obsessed with watching my hummingbirds.... I love that I was able to capture this shot against a cloudless blue sky ...

It's Outdoor Wednesday hosted by the wonderful A Southern Daydreamer !

Do you see the hummingbird way up in this tree ??? It's sitting on the branch to the right...

Just.Make.This.

This is a my little ol' hummingbird getting ready to feed ! Happy Blue Monday ! {hosted by the wonderful Smiling Sally}


I could watch these guys all day long.... here they are, playing tag !


Oh my goodness.... this is soooooooooo good. {Participating in Foodie Friday hosted by the wonderful Designs by Gollum !}

Especially when you need a fabulous side dish to go with enchiladas, rice & beans.......

Barefoot Contessa's Guacamole Salad is ...well perfect! Spicy, crunchy, delicious...

It's great on it's own, or if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, then I put this amazing salad inside a flour tortilla and have a veggie burrito ................. Y U M !

{note: the only variation I made was that I added cilantro}

Guacamole Salad by Barefoot Contessa

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup small diced red onion
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.

Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.

Jalapeno Popper Spread

I love to feed hummingbirds...we have at least 5 that float around our yard. This little guy was not afraid of the big green monster lurking...

{participating in Outdoor Wednesday hosted by A Southern Daydreamer !}

This Jalapeno Popper Spread was a hit. If you like it hot, this is for you... oh, and yes...it tasted exactly like a jalapeno popper !! Participating in Foodie Friday hosted by the wonderful Designs by Gollum !



JALAPENO POPPER SPREAD {adapted from allrecipes.com }

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 small can jalapeno peppers, chopped

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)


1. Using hand mixer, stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in jalapeno peppers. Pour in bake safe dish ( I used a pie plate ). Spread 1 c. parm cheese on top and then sprinkle with panko all over.

2. Bake at 375 for 20 min.



I served mine with pita chips... {tortilla chips are great of course too !}

S U M M E R

I have been out of the kitchen most of the summer...enjoying time with family...

We have friends coming for dinner this weekend, so I'm back in the kitchen this week.
I'm planning on a Mexican Menu... Stay tuned for recipes !

Happy Outdoor Wednesday hosted by A Southern Daydreamer !

Golden Macaroni & Cheese

We were blessed with beautiful weather for the 4th of July... We have family visiting from out of town, so I hosted the 4th.

I had a very simple menu... hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken in a garlic/balsamic marinade...fresh tomatoes... and watermelon & cantaloupe. The real hit, even with adults was this homemade macaroni & cheese. {Happy outdoor wednesday ! } Also participating in Foodie Friday hosted by the wonderful Designs by Gollum !

Golden Macaroni & Cheese {Southern Living}

1 (8-ounce) package elbow macaroni (about 2 cups uncooked macaroni)
2 cups milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion salt
2 (10-ounce) blocks sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 4 1/2 cups) and divided*
1 cup soft breadcrumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well. Set aside.

Place milk, flour, and onion salt in a quart jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously 1 minute.

Stir together flour mixture, 3 1/2 cups cheese, and macaroni.

Pour macaroni mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish or 2 (11-inch) oval baking dishes. Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs and remaining 1 cup cheese; drizzle evenly with melted butter.

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

*20 ounces loaf pasteurized prepared cheese product, shredded or cut into small cubes, may be substituted. Omit breadcrumbs if using prepared cheese product.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Kraft Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Cheese. ( I used this cheese also, and it was just perfect!)

Yum. Oh yum !!

Pölka dot Riesling

Hot, humid, summer nights require something cold to drink !
I bought this on sale for $9.00 at my local grocer today.
Oh my goodness...this is just what I need...
Polka Dot balances floral aromas with ripe fruit flavors of pear, nectarine and apricot. Delicious !!

Clone of the Cinnabon ?

I stumbled across this amazing 'CLONE OF THE CINNABON' recipe on allrecipes.com and just had to try it.
Clone? I think not.
Tastes like the real deal to me !

CLONE OF THE CINNABON {allrecipes.com}

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, melted
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, softened

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

1.Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.

(note: just for fun, the next time I make these, I'm going to try the ready made frozen dough from the grocery and see if they are just as good. I'll let you all know!)

2.After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

3.Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

4.Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.


Oh Mamma Mia ! I would definitely recommend making these.... yum!

Warning:

I had quite the sad teenagers milling about when they realized they gobbled them all up and I didn't have 'more' hanging around...

{participating in DIY DAY hosted by A Soft Place to Land & Foodie Friday hosted by the wonderful Designs by Gollum !}

Strawberry Salad

Happy Foodie Friday hosted by the wonderful Designs by Gollum !




I love buying my fruit and veggies at our local farmers market...

I love supporting the local farmers...I scooped up fresh strawberries and went home and made my favorite strawberry salad.

{Participating in Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer ! }

I. LOVE. THIS. SALAD. It's refreshing. Perfect for hot summer nights...

{Participating in DIY day over at a soft place to land. }

Strawberry Salad

1 head of romaine, chopped or baby spinach

red onions to taste

strawberries

Dressing:

1/2 C. Mayo

2 TBS. milk

2 TBS. rice vinegar

1 or 2 TBS. poppy seeds

1/2 C. sugar

Chinatown Chicken Salad

{Quite possibly my favorite beach home around here... I took this photo because I adore this color...it makes me happy just looking at it.}

I love spring & summer foods !

After a long winter of soups & pasta, I really look forward to summer salads !

I made one of my favorite summertime salads last night....

Chinatown Chicken Salad { from California Sizzles Cookbook }

1/2 pkg. wonton wrappers

vegetable oil

1 med. head lettuce, shredded ( I use the pre-packaged cabbage/carrot mix )

extra shredded carrots

shredded cooked chicken

1 C. roasted peanuts

3 T. sesame seeds (optional)

2 T. chopped cilantro or to taste

Dressing:

1 t. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. powdered ginger

2 tsp. soy sauce

2 T. sesame oil

1/3 C. veg. oil

1/3 C. rice vinegar

1. Slice wontons into strips and fry in veg . oil until lightly browned. Drain and set aside.

2. Combine lettuce or cabbage mix, chicken, peanuts, sesame seeds and cilantro. Toss with dressing.

3. Add fried wontons before serving.

It's Foodie Friday hosted by the wonderful Designs by Gollum !

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I could probably eat this entire bowl myself in one sitting, it is THAT GOOD !

Penne with Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce

In case you didn't know... I LOVE PASTA !!!!!!

And in case you were wondering, this is my FAVORITE SAUCE !!!!!!!!!! I've been making this for 18 years.

Penne with vodka tomato cream sauce {bon appetit}

1 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 sm. onion, chopped

1 (28 oz.) can Italian plum tomatoes, drained, seeded, chopped

1 c. whipping cream

1/4 c. vodka

1/4 tsp. dried crushed red pepper

1 lb. penne pasta (any tubular pasta)

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Minced fresh chives

Melt butter with oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes.

Add tomatoes and cook until almost no liquid remains in pan, stirring frequently, about 25 minutes.

Add cream, vodka and red pepper and boil until thickened to sauce consistency, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate).

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl. Bring sauce to simmer. Pour over pasta and toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chives and serve. 6 servings.

{It's BLUE MONDAY hosted by the wonderful Smiling Sally !
Also participating in DIY DAY over at A Soft Place to Land. and Outdoor Wednesday hosted by the fantastic A Southern Daydreamer ! }

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

"IT'S A KEEPER!".... that's what my boys said when they took a bite.

I love 'make ahead'  recipes for busy, Holiday weekends...

Sausage Breakfast Casserole
 { from Allrecipes.com}


1 pound ground pork sausage
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
6 slices white bread, toasted and cut into cubes
8 ounces mild Cheddar cheese, shredded

1.Crumble sausage into a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat until evenly brown; drain.

2.In a medium bowl, mix together mustard powder, salt, eggs and milk. Add the sausage, bread cubes, and cheese, and stir to coat evenly. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight.

3.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

4.Cover, and bake 45 to 60 minutes. Uncover, and reduce temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until set.

Oh, and Happy Blue Monday !  Hosted by the wonderful Smiling Sally !