VALENTINES!!!!

SWEET TREATS... I love this time of the year. I have great memories of  my childhood. I remember the big box of chocolates, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers that my dad would bring home to us girls  Valentines is a time for chocolates...flowers...love...romance...and so much more.


 I am collecting fun recipes for you...  I am excited to share some delicious fudge recipes...they are fun and easy to make. 

FRUIT SALSA WITH HOMEMADE CINNAMON CHIPS

Good Morning...yes I know it's almost 1pm.  What a great morning I have had, except my kitten tried to climb up my leg and I cut my finger good, I will spare the gory pictures of it.  

I was really in the mood for something sweet this morning, but I am trying not to give into my cravings and go with what is important to eat. I want to start my mornings right, so I decided on juicing this morning with my favorite...apples,carrots and parsley.

I did want to share a snack with you that I have had for a couple of years.  What I like about this recipe is you can use whatever fruit you may have at home.  I used pears, apples, bananas, strawberries and blueberries to make the fruit salsa.  The pita chips are just tortillas that you bake in the oven at 350 for 8 minutes.  I tried cooking them in my skillet and didn't like that they became to soft over time.

It takes about 1/2 hr to put together and serve.  Start with cutting up your fruit into small pieces. Add a T of brown sugar, and 2T of a fruit preserve of your choice, honey and lime juice works well too. I used my homemade strawberry jam. Mix it all together in a bowl.  Pita chips are made by a light coating of butter flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar and bake.   Cut into wedges.

                                                                          

                                                                                                                                            

                                    

Yes... it's time again to get my apron on and get busy in the kitchen.  I know you probably think I spend alot of time in the kitchen cooking and baking..I really don't. 

I do have days that I like to spend in the kitchen trying out new/old recipes. 


I don't know about you, but on these really cold days I like being in a warm cozy house, bundle up in some fluffy blanket absorbing all the heat...I think that's called lazy. I like being at home in my petite kitchen listening to some good music and just being creative with food. Here is a good easy recipe for you to try.


WHOLE WHEAT MOLASSES BREAD

                                                                                    


Bread it is today....there is 6 ingredients and no sugar added.  I can't wait for you to see the finish look of this Molasses Bread. It smells so good!!!

I am trying really hard to stick to healthy ideas. I am on a mission to rid myself of a few pounds.  
In May my husband and I will celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii.  I would love to put on a bikini with confidence.  I want to look great!!!!


This bread is sweet and savory. It has a nutty flavor with the cornmeal added. I think serving this delightful bread warm is the best way.  I will say again, this is a very simple recipe for anyone to try.

                                                                                    

 

HERES THE RECIPE

1 2/3 C  YOGURT

2 1/2 C WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR

1/2 C CORNMEAL

1t SALT

1t BAKING SODA

1/2 C MOLASSES

Preheat your oven to 325'. Grease and flour your 8x4x9x5 loaf pan  

Mix in a small bowl plain yogurt or buttermilk and molasses. 

Mix in a large bowl the flour,cornmeal,salt and baking soda. Mix the wet with the dry ingredients. Pour the bread batter into your prepared pan.Then place your pan into the oven and cook for 45 minutes.

Stick a toothpick in the bread to see if it comes out clean.If not let cook for a few more minutes.  Take out of oven and let set for 20 minutes before serving.

This Molasses bread goes so well with a hearty soup, or serve it for breakfast with some butter or some yogurt topped with your favorite fruit.

                                                                                      
I really hope you try this recipe and please let me know your thoughts!!  Here's to a great 2011.   Susan  

                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                 

GO DUCKS!! Party Chocolates

OREGON DUCKS CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES 

  In celebration of all you Duck fans, I thought I would make these delicious chocolates.  I don't think I need to say good luck..they are an awesome team and will win the championship.  I wish I could be sitting in the stands on Monday night watching this GREAT game!! If your planning on watching with friends and need a great treat to bring then give these a try.

    RECIPE                                                                            

1 8oz cream cheese
3 C powdered sugar
1pkg Bakers semi sweet chocolate
1 1/2 t vanilla
Suggested coatings, sprinkles, cocoa powder,coconut, or chopped nuts

BEAT  With an electric mixer, mix the cream cheese first, then add the powdered sugar, set aside.

ADD    Melted chocolate and vanilla.  Melt either in microwave or on the stove. Mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour

SHAPE  into 1 inch balls and roll  them into your coatings.   Serves 24

GO DUCKS!!!!!!      


                                                                                 

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Grape-nuts Granola

 This is at the top of my list for a great breakfast in a hurry, some fresh fruit, yogurt, and  homemade granola.  I'm so excited to share this granola recipe with you. I started making this a couple of years ago...and I love it!!  It's very easy to make.  I came across this recipe at a local Farmers Market I was involved with. I decided to add the granola to the list of selling items...to my surprise the granola was a hit.  People love homemade goods and appreciate the time and effort you put into it.  I decided to add some dried blueberries and apples that we had dried earlier in the year.  I think it's a great snack for anytime of the day.

 
Recipe for Homemade Granola...


3/4 C Canola oil
3/4 Honey
Splash of Vanilla Extract
1 T brown sugar

Heat these 4 ingredients in a sauce pan for 1 minute. Set aside

51/2 C Rolled Oats
3 C Grape-Nutes
In a bowl add the rolled oats and grape-nuts cereal. Pour the the wet honey mixture into the bowl and stir.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and pour the granola onto the pan. 
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes on 300 degrees. Turn the granola once while cooking.  Take out of the oven and let cool for a few minutes.  You can store this in bags or jars.  I added dried apples and blueberries to my granola.  Coming soon I will show you how I dried my fruit and how to store them.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and let me know what you think..Enjoy  Susan                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                

PASTA TONIGHT

ORZO-STUFFED PEPPERS

 

 Eating on the lighter side...that is one of the many things I am going to accomplish this year. I have known for many years how much food plays apart in how I feel. There are foods that literally cause inflammation in our bodies which we know leads to many diseases out there these days.  I know exactly what foods I can eat once a week or twice a month. What foods give me energy and what foods drag me down.   So I want to prepare dishes that are simple but yet taste out of this world with flavor.  So it excites me to share some really good healthy ideas with you this year.  

 TOMATOES we know are high in Vitamin A & C, and Potassium. There are other great vitamins and minerals in tomatoes which fight Heart Disease and Cancer.

GARLIC..I can't say enough great things about it. Garlic is an excellent herb for creating and maintaining overall health. Garlic is a natural antibiotic and fights against viruses, and bacterias 

PEPPERS are another great source of  vitamin C and B6 and beta-carotene and Folic Acid. They also is a great source of iron.

 

                                                                           
  Preheat oven to 400'F
 

1 ( 28-oz) can of whole italian tomatoes
2 medium zucchini grated
1/2 C fresh mint
1/2 C cheese
1/4 C extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1 t salt
1t freshly ground black pepper
4 C low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 1/2 C orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
6 peppers ( red or yellow)
1/4 C chopped basil for garnish
          
 Pour tomatoes and their juices into a large bowl and break up the tomatoes. Add the zucchini, mint, cheese, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir together.


Meanwhile bring the chicken/vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the orzo and cook for 4 minutes. The orzo will be partially cooked. Drain the orzo through a sieve, reserving the chicken broth, and add the orzo to the large bowl with the vegetables. Stir and transfer the warm chicken broth to a 3 quart baking dish.   


Spoon the orzo mixture into the peppers. Place the peppers in the baking dish with the warm chicken/vegetable broth. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle each popper with cheese and continue baking until the cheese is golden.  
Remove and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with some basil.

Dinner made simple and healthy for you and me. Please join me in planning better meals for ourselves and make this a healthy year!!      Enjoy Susan                                                     

Specialty Sandwich

Caprese Sandwich

 Looking for a light lunch to serve for your family that is healthy.  I love this combination of mozzarella, tomatoes,basil leaves, pesto and olive-oil garlic focaccia bread.  You probably have ordered a caprese salad at a restaurant before. This salad is a great summer idea.  I just decided to make it into a sandwich using the same ingredients, just adding some really good toasted bread and a little pesto. I fell in love with the fact that this recipe is so simple and yet one of my favorites in taste.   Go on give this a try you will love it.  

Yummy!!  
To start off, add a little olive-oil to the bread and toast it on the stove or in the oven. When that's done spread a little pesto on both sides of the bread. Then with the basil leaves I layered mozzarella slices, yellow and red tomatoes sliced thick with some salt & pepper and then finished if off with a few more basil leave. You can layer as much as you want.  If you want you can toast the whole sandwich after assembling it. I think the melted cheese and tomatoes is so good hot. I also thought adding some fresh spinach would taste really good, I just didn't have any in my refrigerator. 
I am going to start off the year right by taking some good steps to eating healthier. Lets do it together.  I know on Sunday afternoon we like to come home and fix a simple meal that's easy to clean up.  I  hope you enjoy this as much as we do. I would love to hear any great ideas to feeling and living a better life.  Wishing you a healthier year in 2011!!!     Enjoy Susan