A Spring Side

Oh today has been so nice....all of us in Oregon are officially done with winter including the rain, storms, frost, grey clouds, mood swings.

Spring must be in the air, it must start today with warmer temperatures, blue skies, and LOTS of sun.

I want to ware sandels, shorts, sunglasses...and drive with my windows down.  

I was raised in SUNNY California...there are someday's I would love to hop in my car on a long road trip.

I LOVE SUMMER!!!!

What is your favorite part of SUMMER??

Today I wanted to share a very easy recipe.  It's Spring inspired:)

I thought I would cut up some vegetables and saute them.  The twist to this recipe is adding some fresh 

lemon & lime zest and the juices also adding some of my fresh dill.

Start with Zuccini, yellow squash, carrots, snow peas, broccoli...fresh dill. 

I decided to cut them julienne style.

Add some fresh lemon zest and lime zest along with 1t of juice from the lemon and lime. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to your skillet...add your veggies, juices, and fresh dill. Let them saute for about 15 minutes or until tender.  

I think Grilled Chicken or Fish goes really well this dish.    

If your looking for something simple but full of spring flavor...then gives this a try.

Happy Spring to you all!!  

Cheers  Susan

                                                              

Granny's Upside Down Pizza

Passing it on...

I am so excited to share this recipe because it comes from my sweet grandma (Velma Stephens). 

                                                                 

This last month grandma has been on my mind.  I have been missing her and wishing she was sitting at my table.....wishing I could here her tell one more story. Grandma had one of those amazing memories, she loved to tell stories from her past.

I thought I would share some other things about my grandma..she was a good cook..she loved to sew,quilt,grow a big garden....and she canned everything she grew. My grandma never learned to drive...she loved to eat dessert before dinner.( pie was her favorite:)  

Thanks to grandma that is one thing I inherited..I love to eat dessert before dinner.  

Grandma was also good at playing a great game of cards.

Grandma ate a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of black coffee for as long as I can remember, she also liked to  eat dinner early..she said doctors told her it would add 7 years to her life. 

So today I wanted to post a recipe that she made for me many years ago. 

                                                                                

Inspired by granny

Recipe

preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 pound of hamburger

1 onion (diced)

1 green pepper (diced)

1 chopped medium tomato

1 medium jar of Pizza Sauce

1/1/2 Cups of shredded Mozzarella Cheese

I thought I would mention this recipe can be substituted with your favorite pizza toppings..like pepperoni,olives, or sausage..whatever you like...just add it to your hamburger and pizza sauce mixture.

Crust Recipe

2 Cups of flour

1teaspoon of baking powder

11/4 Cups of milk

1Tablespoon olive oil

In a skillet cook your hamburger on medium heat.  Add your sliced onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Cook for about 4 minutes. Add your pizza sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.  Remove from stove and set aside.

In a bowl add your flour, baking powder, milk, and oil.  Mix all together until well incorporated.

Grate your Mozzarella Cheese.

Leaving your pizza sauce mixture in the skillet, spread your cheese evenly over the sauce.  Then pour your crust over the top. Spread evenly making sure it covers all the the cheese.  Place your skillet into the oven.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden.

I hope you enjoy this recipe...it is so simple & easy!!!   

 Thanks Grandma  I love and miss you!!  Susan

  

Painted Herb Pots

Hey blogger friends...I am sitting here absorbing the sun today. Its been a very rainy & cold April so far.  I know that April showers bring on May flowers..so thats what I am holding out for... hat we are going to have a BEAUTIFUL bloom of flowers here in Portland, Oregon this year. 

Most of you that know me, know that I love to grow things. I love a big garden with lots of veggies growing. I love to start from the beginning and see these amazing plants grow into something that I will eat or use in my recipes.

I thought I would share an idea I found on my favorite blog.  Jen is new to blogging but already has great ideas.  When I am surfing out new blogs I find that big colorful pictures get my attention.  What I loved about this idea was painting the terracotta pots with Chalk Paint...great idea I thought. 

                                                                                   

I started with some old terracotta pots, bought some new dirt. I shopped at my local one stop shopping center and picked up some HERBS I new would use in my recipes.  Look for the sales that are always going on when your purchasing your plants.

The first thing to do is tape off the area's that you don't want painted with chalk  Then outside lay down some news paper and begin to spray your pots with the Chalk Paint.  I let the pots set over night before I began writing with my chalk. Fill your pots with dirt and begin planting your herbs. 

 If you decide  you want your pots outside you can buy Chalk Ink from Micheal's. The regular ink will wash off in the rain. 

Spring I will admit is my favorite time of the year.  I love to see after a hard winter the sun begins to come out more, the buds on the tree start to show signs that blooms are on there way. I love to see the beautiful array of flowers that are growing...daffodils, tulups, peonies, lily's, dahila's geranium's, there are to many to share.

Spring really does cheer me up and get me excited for the summer months.  Gardening has become therapeutic for me.  I could spend hours outside getting down and dirty with my garden.  

Cheers to Spring and lots of good gardening.  Love Susan

                                              

                                                             

   

                                    

One CUPCAKE at a time

 LEMON CREAM CHEESE CUPCAKES..working on some fun Easter Treats today.  


What's your favorite cupcake flavor???

Mixed Spring Greens with AVOCADO & MANDARIN ORANGES

SIMPLE SALAD...

There are so many fun spring and summer salads...if your like our family we eat a ton of salad in the warmer months, not sure why, but it just sounds so good with the sun shining. 

There is pasta salads, chicken salads, greek salads, potato salads, green salads, tuna salads, jello salads, fruit salads...it just goes on and on.  

If you think about it you can become very creative with a salad in your kitchen.  Take what you love or what you have in your refrigerator and make a yummy filling salad for the entire family...that doesn't cost alot.

One of my favorites is a green salad with grilled lemon chicken...so easy..so good!!!

Purchasing a avocado....I have found buying them a little on the hard side is better.  Sometimes when they are soft they are over ripe and brown inside.  

Recipe for a Mixed Springs Green w/ avocados & mandarin oranges

I 10oz bag or fresh mixed spring greens

1/2 red onion, cut into thin slices

1 avocado, sliced

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

In a bowl add you salad with fruits and onions, toss.  To finish the salad spray some Balsamic Vinegarette.

Enjoy Susan  

COFFEE ANYONE???

  

           A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness

                          tasted and time well spent  

                                                 

Do you orchestrate your mornings to the tune of coffee?

Do you Consider coffee your vitamin?

Does coffee smell like heaven in the morning?

Sunday morning my husband & I visited a new local Restaurant (Red Hills Market) for breakfast, we had a great conversation about giving back to our community, getting more involved with helping the homeless people or spending more time with friends and family.   The Secret Millionaire Show has become a favorite of mine.  I think spending time with people is what we need more of these days.

                                                                

So, today lets set a date and let me buy you a cup of coffee.  

I thought I would share one last quote I came across..but know this before you read it..I believe in the Bible and the 23rd Psalms was the very first verse I memorized as a child.  I love this verse!!

Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures:
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz:
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal
For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of The Starbucks:
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the House of Mochas forever.
~Author Unknown

Looking forward to seeing you!!!  Susan

                                            

The Best Carrot Cake Ever

On the cake plate today is one of my personal favorites..Carrot Cake.   I know some of you are saying carrots in a cake..but let me tell you this is over the top in goodness.

You know I think my husband is one lucky guy!!  I just had to throw that in there.

This Carrot Cake is spicy, rich, moist and so delicious...the carrots are not overwhelming at all.  There is just a hint of carrot flavor

I have found many variations of this cake...one recipe calls for 3 jars of canned carrot baby food, some recipes call for coconut, some call for applesauce, some with raisins, some with nuts and cranberries.  The ideas are endlist.

I have found this recipe to be easy and full of flavor...so


Looking for a simple Easter Dessert..I think this one is the winner.

RECIP1E

Makes 1 Cake

3 organic eggs

11/4 cups sugar

13/4 cups all-purpose flour

1t vanilla 

1 T baking powder

11/2 cinnamon

1t cardamom

1/2 t ground ginger

1 pinch of salt

1/2 c plus 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

1lb carrots, grated

1t butter and flour for your pan

Frosting recipe

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

1 Cups confectioner's sugar

1 t vanilla 

zest of 1 lime

1/2 cup cream cheese

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees

2. Beat together the egg and the sugar until fluffy and pale.

3. Mix together all the dry ingredients and blend into the egg mixture.

4. Stir in the oil and carrots

5. Pour the mixture into a buttered 9 inch pan 

6. Bake in the center of the oven for about 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

7. Leave the cake to cool

8. Mix together the ingredients for the frosting until creamy and smooth, then spread the frosting over the top of the cake.

I hope your planning and preparing for your Easter Feast with your family and friends. If you have a good family TRADITION to share...please comment.  

Happy Spring Sunday Morning t

                                    

Rosemary Focaccia

Baked Bread...is there anything better than the delightful smell of baked bread in your oven..it's unbelievable.

Yes..its Italian Bread...and you don't have to travel to Italy to find it.

The amazing thing about baking this bread is, it's easy to make and there are so many variations to try.

I love this bread and I can't wait to share some great new ideas. 

If your already planning a trip to your favorite winery this summer, I will posting some ideas...yummy sandwiches, meat & cheese, breads & spreads.  

So get your apron on and start baking.

Tip....place your dough in a large plastic bag and let rise.

as you can see I decided to make one loaf with Rosemary.

I also added a little Parmesan Cheese to the top.

I wanted to mention some other great option for you to try...be creative.

Focaccia w/cherry tomatoes & basil
Parmesan Focaccia
Potato & Goat cheese
Olive & Fennel
Red Onion

RECIPE
11/2 teaspoon of dry yeast
1 Cup of warm water
1/4 C olive oil + 1T for the ziplock bag
2 Tablespoon honey
1Tablespoon flaked salt
41/4 C bread flower

Mix together the water, olive oil, honey, and flaked salt.   Mix the flour and yeast and a little at a time, working it into a dough and kneading for about 5 minutes.

Then add the 1tablespoon to your ziplock bag, make sure it coats the entire bag.  Place your dough in the bag and seal it up.  Let it rise for about 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and divide it into 2 or 1 loaf. Knead the dough and shape it into a ball, than flatten to about one-half in thick

Grease a baking sheet with olive oil and sprinkle with flaked salt. Put the focaccias on the baking sheet and cover with a tea towel. Leave to rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Push your fingers into the dough to make holes.  Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with flaked salt. Add any other flavor that you like.  I used grated Parmesan Cheese and Rosemary

Bake in the center of the oven for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

We love to eat this with a good tomato sauce.

Cheers!!  Susan