Kale has been one of my go to foods for the last few months and trying to find recipes that subdue its powerful flavor has been a bit challenge. This recipe I found on Pinterest has really hit the mark for my entire family which includes two small kids. It’s extremely enjoyable to watch kids eating a superfood like kale. Try it because it does not disappoint!
The scent of peppermint is the fresh and clean aroma of all things holiday. Vases filled with sweet red and white pinwheels of sugar, the Christmas tree speckled with dangling candy canes and a variety of treats filled with that savory minty fresh flavor. This past weekend I tried my hand at a new recipe that incorporated not only peppermint candies but also the after dinner butter mint. So yes, if you love a mint flavored cookie bar, this recipe is for you!
This will probably be our last post with the word garden in it (for a while anyway) since the days and trees are starting to turn to autumn. So today I wanted to share one last garden inspired recipe with you all. Since I still have tomatoes ripening in my garden, I decided to whip up a quick side for our dinner the other night. I didn’t measure out a thing for this one but combined the following ingredients:
Garden fresh tomatoes.
Mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, Tuscan herb olive oil and basil
The Tuscan herb olive oil I picked up is from here. The blend of flavor is really nice and light, which makes it versatile for use in numerous meals. Even over a simple salad like this, it adds just the right amount of flavor. If you still have tomatoes in the garden I would consider giving this very simple recipe a shot. Enjoy!
My garden is having some serious cucumber over flow right now but to be honest there are only so many recipes that include the use of a cucumber. I have done many of the typical recipes; tea sandwiches, chilled soup, a couscous salad, in a glass of water, even over sleepy eyes. I wanted a new and fresh way to incorporate cucumbers into a meal. So the only possible next step was to browse the web for some inspiration.
This pasta salad I came across has been the ultimate dish to pass, it uses a variety of refreshing, summer infused ingredients and has become a summertime favorite of mine. For me, the combination of dill, feta and red onion in this recipe really turned up the YUM factor! I did omit the shrimp, but for folks that like seafood I am sure it’s a great addition.
Since my garden is turning out so much produce, I plan to turn them over to our local food pantry. Our community pantry takes any and all fresh produce that you would want to donate. They even have a program in spring where they adopt out tomato and cucumber plants at the farmers market. They then encourage you to grow it, eat what you want and bring in any produce that you and your family cannot consume to share with others. Does your community pantry do anything like that? Let us know if you try this recipe and what you think of it. Enjoy!
To me bananas and chocolate are a fantastic treat when combined. So when the banana’s on my counter were uneaten day after day, I smiled. This recipe is so good and can easily be frozen for the impromptu visitor. I changed the recipe just a little bit by omitting the nuts for the sweet addition of milk chocolate chips. Enjoy!
For the woman "HOO" knows best!
A fun way to say how awesome mom is!
The "can't go wrong" gift, a unique fabric scarf.
Try this brunch recipe for mom.
A mother's touch.
A little over a week ago, we had a 70 degree, blue sky kind of day. It was great to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and what better way to do so then with an impromptu cook out. I wanted an easy and quick side dish to go with burgers on the grill. After a quick switch at the grocery store, (I was planning to make the ever popular, but time consuming stuffed mushrooms) I went with a light and summery couscous inspired dish. Couscous takes only 5 minutes to make (simplicity at its finest). I cut up cucumbers, tomatoes and scallions, threw it all in a bowl with Italian dressing to taste and my work was done.
This dish could only get better with fresh veggies from the garden or the farmers market. If your looking to make this for a main dish adding any meat or fish would complete this as a meal. What’s your 5 ingredient go-to recipe for entertaining on a whim?
Cookies! I should just end my post here because really is there anything else to say. Actually…maybe milk! Anyway, I just love a good cookie especially during the holidays, so today I am sharing my great grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe. If you like a crunchy cookie that you can soak in a glass of milk. This one is for you!
Wet Ingredients Dry Ingredients
1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup softened butter 1 teaspoon tarter
1 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla
Frosting
Melted white chocolate and sprinkles
Combine wet ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth. Combine dry ingredients. Gradually add to mixing bowl. Mix until dough has formed. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and store in fridge overnight.
The next day, roll dough into balls, place onto greased baking pan and press the dough with two fingers. Chop chocolate and melt over the stove. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. After the cookies have cooled, cover them generously with the melted chocolate. Add sprinkles. Let the chocolate cool and don’t forget to leave a few for Mr. Claus! Enjoy!
With food on my mind and Thanksgiving a day away I wanted to share one of my favorite soups. Chicken and dumplings. The dumplings are made from scratch and not only are they D-LICIOUS, but super easy too. This is such a feel good recipe. Reminds me of cold days and a warm, happy belly. The chicken can be substituted with leftover turkey or for my vegetarian friends, tofu.
Here’s what you’ll need: (I like to use as many organic ingredients as possible)
2 large boxes of chicken broth, 5 chicken breasts,1 small onion (diced), 1 cup celery (diced), 1 cup carrots (diced) 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, 1 teaspoon curry powder.
In soup pot, pour broth, chicken and onion, Boil for about 20 minutes. Remove chicken from broth and cut into small pieces or shred with fork. Place cut chicken back into the broth. Add celery, carrots, seasoning salt, curry and boil for 15 minutes. Prepare the dumpling batter.
Egg Drop Dumplings:
1 tsp. salt, 2 cups flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup boiling water, 1 Tablespoon butter
Put salt, flour and egg in medium bowl. Pour boiling water with butter into flour mixture. Stir until smooth. Drop the batter in by teaspoons into the center of the boiling water. Boil for 15-20 minutes more. Serve and enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving!