Sweet & Salty

Nutella Popcorn Snack

                                                                                    

Oh this is so good!!!   This recipe reminds me of making Carmel Corn.  The process is the same, you just add some good chocolate to the recipe.   I have to be honest I didn't know if it was going to taste that good, but let me tell you...it's that good.    The combination of these ingredients are amazing.

If you looking for a good snack for yourself or your family, then give this a try and let me know what you think.  I would love to hear from you.

2/3 C unpopped popcorn
6T  Butter
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C Nutella
1/2 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
1/2 t vanilla
Preheat oven to 220 degrees

Start with popping your popcorn..leave in the bowl. Then on the stove add your first 5 ingredients.
Boil for about  5 minutes, stirring constantly.

 Remove from stove and add baking soda and vanilla.

You want to coat the popcorn.

Take a cookie sheet and spread the popcorn out.  Bake for 1 hour and turn the popcorn every 15 minutes.

Spread out some parchment paper and let popcorn cool.

                                                                    

Selling on Etsy....Bread Bags

Selling my new Bread Bags on Etsy. They are made with very cute fabric and are lined inside.You get 3 to a package. I have 4 different patterns to choose from.  

If your like me I usually have my bread wrapped in saran wrap on the counter. I love these. This is a way to keep the bread fresh and keeps your counters looking neat and clean. 

How fun would these be to give to a friend after you have just baked some delicious bread.  These are a great gift,check  it out.  Thanks Susan      

HARVEST TOMATO SOUP

Happy Monday..


Today I thought I would share a recipe that I love.  This soup sounded good from the moment I woke up. I  also thought  that a good grilled cheese sandwich or turkey sandwich would go well with this pot of  harvest tomato soup...today I went with a turkey sandwich.


I love to hit the local Farmers Market here in Newberg to buy local produce, but unfortunately they are closed for the winter, so I decided to use some canned tomatoes instead...since I had those in my pantry.


I made this soup and decided to share with you on my blog. If your looking for a great dinner idea that is simple and taste good I would recommend this one.
                                                                                  

                                                                                      

 I made this soup often for The Picnic Basket Restaurant.   It became one of our weekly specials.  I liked pairing it with our gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches which included...3cheeses, pesto and a couple of slices of tomatoes.


RECIPE


4T unsalted butter


2T olive oil


1 medium onion


1 medium carrot 


salt & pepper


splash of red wine vinegar


1/4 c flour


3 T tomato paste


1 dried bay leaf


2 cans of low chicken stock


2 cans of whole peeled tomato with juice


1/2 c cream


Start with using a large sauce pan melt butter over medium heat.  Add oil, carrot and onion with salt and pepper.  Cook until the onion is translucent and the carrots are soft, about 8 minutes. Add the splash of of red wine vinegar.


Turn your heat down to low and add the flour, stir. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.


Then you want to add the chicken stock and bay leaf.


At this point you want to add the tomatoes and juices to the pot.  Bring it to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.


Remove from heat.  Use a emulsion blender, puree your soup in the pot until you have reached your desired consistency. You can also let the soup cool and then use your blender.   Then add the cream and stir.     To garnish add some Parmesan Cheese


Note: you can freeze this soup in a zip lock bag,or plastic container. 

                                                                  

FOOD..FRIENDS..FUN
This week I did something a little different. I took the day off from cooking and decided to feature my friend Renee. Our friend Darci, my niece Kate and I spent Wednesday afternoon at Renee's beautiful home up on the hills in Newberg,Oregon. Renee prepared a yummy dish of Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells for us.  We just enjoyed the afternoon catching up.  We all love antiques and enjoy decorating.



Renee's front porch/and fun valentines decor
  

             RENEE'S ART WORK        

Renee has become a good friend of mine in the past few years. Renee and I worked together at the Lions Gate Inn Bed & Breakfast.   
Renee has lived in Newberg most of her life and is a Local Artist 
I have displayed just a few of Renee's art pieces for you to view.  Renee is featured in many of the Art Shows and Wineries, here locally in Newberg. 
If you would like more information about Renee please let me know. 

 RENEE'S TACO STUFFED PASTA SHELLS
                                                                                   
                                                         I will tell you it was delicious!!

                                                                      
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 large box of jumbo pasta shells

1 to 1.5 lbs of organic ground beef

1 3oz package of low fat cream cheese with chives

1 tsp of chili powder

1/4 t salt

1 cup of salsa

1c of cheddar cheese, or a bag of the Mexican blend of cheeses.

1. Cook you pasta, drain and set aside
2.Brown you hamburger, drain, stir in cream cheese and chili powder,salt and simmer for 5 minutes
3.Fill the pasta shells with beef mixture. arrange in a 13x9 baking dish.
4.Top with salsa and cheese
5.Cover and bake for 15 minutes, take of the cover and bake for another 15 minutes.
6. Take out of oven and serve hot.


I think getting together with friends is so healthy and good for us girls. I am looking forward to many more fun afternoons enjoying the great people in my life.   I wish you all a fun filled weekend!!!     Enjoy Susan


I couldn't forget Ella...she's is a wonderful part of there family!!!

                                                                    

                                   

 

APPLE- CINNAMON OATMEAL COOKIES

                                                                              

                                                                            
Yummy!!!  don't these look good. I can't tell you how good these taste.  The taste of cinnamon, oatmeal, and the crunchy granny smith apples just hit the spot for me tonight.   
                                                                     
I found myself wanting to eat the batter...it's just that good.  I think chocolate chip cookie batter is right up there with these...so good just that way. 


 I am feeling a little sorry for my husband this week, so I though I would surprise him with a care package full of my goodies, I think he will be very happy to get something homemade.  
   

 I am so excited today to spend the afternoon with my girlfriends.  I thought I would bring a plate of these delicious cookies to share with them.   I think they will be a nice treat after eating Renee's Stuffed Pasta Shells.

HERES THE RECIPE FOR YOU TO TRY...


1/2 c butter (softened)

1/2 c organic sugar

1/2 c brown sugar

1 large egg

1teaspoon vanilla

1 c wheat flour

1 1/4 c old fashion oats

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

pinch of salt

1 t cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

1 granny smith apples ( chopped into pieces)

dash if fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Start with peeling and cutting your apples into a bowl, add the lemon juice and set aside.
Beat the butter and sugars together for 2 minutes, then add the egg and vanilla....beat for2 minutes or until creamy.

In a bowl add flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon,nutmeg and salt.  Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mix.  Add the apples and mix with a spatula.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool before serving, or if your like me you eat them warm. They are good either way.  I hope you enjoy making these...I hope you enjoy eating them...I hope you enjoy sharing them.

Makes 2 dozen

                                                                                
                                                                            

BLUEBERRY BANANA BREAD

Good Sunday Morning...This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.  I love Sundays...it a day we can spend quality time with our loved ones...its a day to rest...its a day that we can restore ourselves for the week ahead...its another day to be Thankful for all we have.


I am so thankful for all that I have.  I am Thankful for all of you who come and check out my blog. I am having so much fun being in the kitchen and sharing with  you.  This recipe is Banana Blueberry Bread. It is my original Banana Bread recipe with some dried blueberries, and a little cinnamon spice on top.

                                                                  
NEW BREAD BAGS BY SUSAN  Yes...I have decided to get out my new sewing machine and start sewing.  I went to the greatest fabric store near by and found some pretty fun prints. I will be selling them along with many other things very soon. 


 If your like me I always have bread sitting around in saran wrap on the counter. I thought having a pretty bread bag to store your bread in that sits on your counter is great idea.  Or just think if  your putting a basket together for someone this is a super cute idea.  

                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                         

PASTA TONIGHT

Pesto-Glazed Chicken Breast with Spaghetti..

 

Pesto Recipe...start with 2 garlic cloves,1/1/2 C lightly packed fresh basil leaves,1/3C pine nuts,1/3 C fresh grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 C extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper.  You will want to use a food processor, start by adding all the ingredients except the olive oil, turn in on low and slowly add the 1/4 C of olive oil. Stop and scrap the sides. You want the pesto to look thick and creamy.   You can also buy pesto at your local grocery store.

                               Pesto is one of my favorites sauces to cook with

 

 

 

 

 Pesto-Glazed Chicken Breast with Spaghetti...
 Preheat oven to 400 degrees

4 boneless chicken breasts
9oz of dried spaghetti
2T coarsely chopped Italian parsley
1 oz Parmesan cheese, shaved for garnish 
2 T torn basil leaves for garnish
1T pine nuts for garnish.

Start with adding a 1T of olive oil to a oven proof skillet. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown, not completely cooked, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove the pan from the heat. Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken...covering the entire top of the chicken.  Transfer you skillet to the oven and bake until done..about 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile you will want to get a large pot of water and some salt to boil, add your spaghetti until your pasta is cooked,  called al dente, stiring occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan, about 8 minutes. Drain the spaghetti, reserve 1/2 C of the pasta water and put into a saute pan over medium heat. Whisk in1T of olive oil and blend well. Add your spaghetti and parsley and toss.

To serve...take a two prong fork and start by rolling your spaghetti around the fork. Slide the spaghetti off the fork into a mound on your plate.  Cut each chicken crosswise at a angle into 4 slices.

Arrange the chicken slices around your spaghetti garnish with pine-nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese and drizzle with a little olive oil over the top and serve.


This is really simple to make!! It takes less these then a 1/2 hour to put together.  Great recipe for a long day at work...you can have dinner ready for your hungry family in no time. I can't tell you how good this taste. The pesto adds so much flavor to this dish. This is a must try recipe!!   I would love your feedback on this dish.    Enjoy!! Susan                                                               

                                                                        

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