Author: QuiltLady

BLT SALAD with CREAMY CHIVE DRESSING

Looking for the perfect summer meal without turning on the oven or grill? Well, here it is, the PERFECT summer salad full of flavor and satisfying to everyone. I make the dressing in a double batch so there is always extra and preparing the bacon the night before after the sun sets keeps you cool too.

BLT SALAD with CREAMY CHIVE DRESSING
12 ounce package center cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup finely minced FRESH chives
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1-2 tablespoons buttermilk (yep, that reads milk :D)
1 head green leaf or Bibb lettuce, torn into pieces
1 package grape tomatoes, halved
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced OR 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
8 ounces of sourdough bread, WELL toasted, lightly buttered and cut into cubes

  • Whisk together the vinegar, garlic and salt. Let stand 10 minutes. This will help mellow the flavor a bit.
  • Whisk in sour cream and avocado oil until well blended.
  • Fold in chives.
  • Thin with milk to desired consistency.

 

  • In a large salad bowl toss together the lettuce, tomatoes, onions and bacon pieces.
  • Fold in toasted bread pieces.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Drizzle with dressing.
  • Garnish with additional chives and ENJOY!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER, MENU PLAN & UPDATE MONDAY week 27 of 2018

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies.  I CANNOT believe we are in JULY already!!!  We had a warm and uneventful weekend here where we watched some NASCAR races between the gym, pool and biking we’ve been doing for my recuperation.  I did make a few new recipes that were yummy and have gotten quite a bit of reading done also.

Be sure to link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – hot, hot and more hot, but the humidity is only about 15% and I grew up in this kind of dry heat so it’s much more tolerable than Texas was with its HIGH humidity 😀 Highs this week are supposed to be around 110° and the lows around 80° and continued LOW humidity.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – a banana, green tea and a protein bar

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – nothing at the moment

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – Life in general makes me happy these days.  I recently read somewhere that the happiest places in the world are those where enlightened leaders shifted their focus from economic development to promoting quality of life. THIS!! THIS is the place we are looking for to live!  Anybody know where it is?

 

HEALTH UPDATE – We are finally following a “recovery” routine.  An hour at the gym in the mornings using the machines specific to building up the muscle I’ve lost and then 2 miles on the stationery bike plus 2 more on the treadmill.  Then it’s home for the pool time where I am using a “volleyball” as a flotation device that I sit on and my arms to tread water back forth for several laps using my arms especially and water aerobic weights before I finish with several regular swimming laps and then just some plain old sun time 😀 After dinner when the sun sets and the temps have dropped below 100 we do several miles on the “regular” bike before showering and calling it a night.

I do seem to be getting more calories and eating better as well as building back the muscle, but am still losing weight so am keeping a close eye on the “BIG” picture.

The goal is to keep up this very specific daily routine between now and our nephew’s wedding in late September in hopes that I can look decent in a dress! as well as get my stamina and strength back so I can lead a good daily routine in life.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I’m still editing through pictures from the trip west as well as my SIL’s house and ran across these. The first was one of my favorites from Cadillac Ranch. I love the face on the wheel.

My late BIL loved crows and had this fountain installed at their house.  The fountain never worked right and they converted it to a cactus garden, but I’ve always loved it and her view beyond it 😀 And her wild flowers that pop up here and there are so gorgeous

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads, after all how much can you dirty living in shorts and swim suits? 😀
  • LIVING AREAS… pretty clean since we are in a smaller space for the summer and I keep the clutter picked up and the dishes done regularly
  • YARD… trying to keep the flowers extra watered and added some extra sun shades
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning for when I get back into a “normal” routine and even some holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING AND ON MY WAIT PILE

I’M READING Debra Clopton’s Windswept Bay series and am almost finished – Book #10 With this Forever

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH – last week was so blasted hot that we did some netflix and redbox movies so we could stay in during the heat of the day.

  • 🙂 12 STRONG – enjoyed it a lot
  • 😀 GAME NIGHT – FUNNY
  • 🙂 HURRICANE HEIST – thought it might be bad as it didn’t have too many well known people in it, but we really enjoyed it
  • 🙂 TOMB RAIDER – really enjoyed it
  • 🙁 THE ESCAPE OF PRISONER 614 – we didn’t even finish this as it was really trite
  • 🙂 HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA – really cute
  • 🙂 HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 – just a cute as the original
  • ??? RED SPARROW – still not sure what I think about this one
  • ??? ANNIHILATION – VERY weird
  • 😀 A WRINKLE IN TIME – good, but so un-Disney
  • 😀 ESCAPE PLAN 1 – REALLY enjoyed this one was looking forward to 2
  • 🙁 ESCAPE PLAN 2 – the audio is horrible with all the techno music and it jumped all over the world leaving a less than cohesive story – we actually turned it off and did not finish it.
  • 🙂 15:17 TO PARIS – this film hit a little close to home since one of the guys was from the town we were living in when the Thalys train attack (August 21, 2015) happened.  That was the same town that just 2 months later had the UCC college shooting (October 1, 2015) needless to say a very emotional time for our little community.
  • 😀 THE WORLDS FASTEST INDIAN – what a neat movie! I can’t imagine anyone but Anthony Hopkins playing this role!

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

CHEESY CHICKEN PANCAKES

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

PINEAPPLE PEPPER CHICKEN & SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

HONEY SOY PORK & PEANUT NOODLES

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

JALAPENO HONEY STICKY WINGS & SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

??

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

BRUNCH at a Friend’s house

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

TEQUILA CHICKEN SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

TWISTED DOGS with TORNADO SAUCE

TWISTED DOGS
4 hot dogs
1/2 cup Bisquick or other pancake mix (DO NOT USE GLUTEN FREE)
2 tablespoons water
Oil for frying (enough to MOSTLY cover hot dogs)

  • Poke a 1/2 skewer through half a hot dog. Spiral cut by diagonally placing your knife against the hot dog while rotating. CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH WHILE CONSTANTLY TURNING SKEWER TO GET A SPIRAL CUT.
  • 
Spread open to create a space between the slits.
  • 
Combine Bisquick with water.
  • Divide mix into 8 portions.
  • Roll the dough out into a 4 inch strip.
Roll the dough around the hot dog between the meat edges.
  • In a large pan (preferably cast iron) heat oil to 325°.
Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning as necessary.
  • Serve with your favorite condiments or some tornado sauce.

TORNADO SAUCE
1/4 cup jalapeño ketchup
2 tablespoons cup mustard

  • Whisk together and enjoy!

JALAPENO HONEY STICKY WINGS

JALAPENO HONEY STICKY WINGS

3 pounds chicken wings and drumettes
1 1/2 cups Heinz Jalapeño ketchup
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup champagne or rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons mild honey
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons liquid smoke
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 jalapeno seeded and sliced thin
1/3 cup minced red onion
sesame seeds, to garnish

  • In a LARGE bowl whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, liquid smoke, honey, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and garlic.
  • Fold in the red onion.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Add chicken pieces and toss to coat.
  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add chicken pieces to slow cooker.
  • Cook on low 3 hours or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
  • Garnish with jalapeño slices and sesame seeds.

NOTE: For a spicier wing add the jalapeno slices with the red onion so they cook the entire time together.

HONEY SOY PORK with PEANUT NOODLES

HONEY SOY PORK with PEANUT NOODLES

2 boneless pork chops
3 green onions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated
1/4 + 1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos
1/8 + 1/8 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 pound bok choy, halved, washed and cut into 1 inch pieces, keeping bulbs and greens separate
6 pieces spaghetti
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
Sriracha, to taste
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • In a large Ziploc bag or baking dish combine 1/4 cup liquid aminos, 1/8 cup rice wine vinegar and 2 tablespoons honey.
  • Pat dry pork chops and add to marinade, turning to coat.

 

  • Cook noodles per package directions, about 8 minutes to al dente’.
  • Drain and rinse in cold water.
  • Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.

 

  • Whisk together the peanut butter, 1/4 cup liquid aminos, 1/8 cup rice wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Set aside.

 

  • In a large pan over medium high heat add sesame oil until shimmering.
  • Add bok choy bulb pieces and green onion whites, sautéing 3-4 minutes until soft.
  • Add cabbage and bok choy leaves, cooking a couple minutes more until leaves wilt.
  • Season to taste and transfer to bowl with noodles.

 

  • Remove pork from marinade. and reserve 2 tablespoons.
  • Return pan to heat and add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil.
  • When shimmering add pork chops and sear on both sides until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
  • Transfer to plate and let rest 5 minutes.
  • Add reserved marinade to peanut sauce and whisk well.

 

  • Add peanuts and peanut sauce to noodle bowl, tossing to coat.
  • Thinly slice pork chops.
  • Plate noodles and vegetables.
  • Top with pork slices.
  • Garnish with green onion tops.

MAPLE ROSEMARY GLAZED PORK CHOPS

MAPLE ROSEMARY GLAZED PORK CHOPS – serves 2

2 bone-in pork chops
1-2 sprigs rosemary, stems removed and chopped fine
2 large green onions, sliced thin
1/2 pound fingerling potatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
1 GALA apple, peeled, cored and diced small
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons PURE maple syrup
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
1 tablespoon butter

  • Pat pork chops dry.
  • Generously season chops to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Melt butter in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add potatoes, sauteing several minutes until starting to soften and turn golden.
  • Add scallion, sautéing slightly.
  • Add chops and cook until browned and cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Remove from pan and keep warm.
  • Reduce heat to medium.
  • Stir in rosemary, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar, maple syrup and bouillon, stirring to blend well. Let simmer until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add butter, blending well.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Add apple pieces and cook a minute or two until beginning to soften.
  • Return chops to pan, turning to coat well.
  • Remove from heat and plate.
  • Garnish with scallion greens.
  • Serve.

CARAMELIZED GRILLED PINEAPPLE & CARNE ASADA ala CITRUS

These pineapple spears are coated in a buttery brown sugar apple cinnamon glaze that caramelizes on the grill! It also pairs perfectly with a citrus carne asada!

CARAMELIZED GRILLED PINEAPPLE Serves: 4-6
Adapted from the Recipe Critic, Alyssa

One large ripe pineapple cut into spears
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon apple pie spice

  • In a shallow baking dish lay the pineapple spears in a single layer pan.
  • Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
  • Whisk together the butter, brown sugar and apple pie spice. It needs to be thin enough to easily pour over the pineapple – microwave a few seconds if necessary.
  • Pour over top of the pineapple spears.
  • Grill for about 7-10 minutes or until it is starting to turn golden brown and has gorgeous grill marks.
  • Brush with excess sauce from the dish before serving.

According to Wikipedia Carne asada is a roasted beef dish, literally meaning “roasted meat”[1][2]. The dish mainly consists of pieces or thin cuts of beef (e.g. flank steak, skirt steak), sometimes marinated, sometimes lightly salted or rubbed with salt, pepper and/or spices, and then grilled. It can be eaten alone, with side dishes, chopped and eaten as tacos, or chopped and used as filler for tortas, burritos, etc. It is commonly accompanied with guacamole, salsa, beans, and grilled scallions and tortillas.

The dish is commonly prepared in the northern parts of Mexico (in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas) as well as in the American Southwest (especially Texas and New Mexico). It can be found as the main ingredient in tacos, tortas, burritos and fajitas, or is simply served as a stand-alone. It is sold at Mexican meat markets called “carnicerias” in the American Southwest; especially those states with Mexican/Mexican-American enclaves.
When purchasing carne asada from meat markets, consumers have two options available to them regarding the amount of preparation the steak has undergone pre-purchase: preparada, marinated meat as described above, serving as a time-saver for the home cook but typically at higher cost; and no preparada, unprepared meat, allowing for a home cook to create one’s own marinade. I buy unprepared meat and doctor my own.
All my pictures are before as we’re having it for dinner tonight. I’ll add an after picture later.


CARNE ASADA
2-3 pounds flank or skirt steak, sliced THIN
1 medium Vidalia onion, sliced thin
2 lemons, 1 sliced thin, 1 wedged for squeezing
1 lime, sliced thin
1 orange, sliced thin
1/3 cup champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
1 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika
  • Soak the meat in the vinegar for an hour or so.
  • Remove meat from vinegar and dry on paper towels.
  • Sift together all the seasonings and rub into the meat on both sides.
  • Layer the meat into a container alternating with the slices of lemon, limes, oranges and onions squeezing lemon juice on each layer as you go.
  • Let marinate for overnight or a day or so.
  • Grill on a VERY hot grill to desired doneness, 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Serve with warm tortillas, Fresh Guacamole and Fresh Garden Salsa.

BEAN SALAD ala 21ST CENTURY

I love 3 bean salad, but I hate kidney beans. So, I developed this recipe to cater to my own likes. If you like kidney beans, just add them back in. I’ve been making this salad for years, BUT, all of a sudden I CANNOT find wax beans ANYWHERE. So, after 3 stores I decided to substitute sliced carrots and you know what? this recipe just got better! The beauty of this recipe is that it just gets more and more flavorful as time goes on.
BEAN SALAD ala 21ST CENTURY
2 – 15 ounce cans green beans
15 ounce can sliced carrots
4 ounce jar pimientos
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 cups sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Drain beans, carrots and pimentos REALLY WELL and place into a jar with enough room for the liquid.
  • In a sauce pan dissolve the sugar and salt into the vinegar and bring it to a boil.
  • Let it cool.
  • Pour it over the beans.
  • Marinate at least 24-48 hours for the best flavor.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER and MENU PLAN MONDAY week 26 of 2018

GOOD MORNING dear friends. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We are at our summer destination finally and almost settled in. I hate admitting that I don’t travel well these days, but it’s a fact that I’m learning to deal with and hope will be non-existent by the time we finish the summer restoring my strength and health. I am pushing myself already to do things that tire me and wear me out, but ultimately will make me stronger.  Time will tell.

Be sure to link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – so we’re finally in the desert and it’s already HOT outside, but I’m going to start the day with swimming so I’m in my swimsuit and cover up while I have my tea. Last week was extreme heat (Friday was 115°) right after we got here so we vegged and settled in over the weekend. This week should be triple digits ranging from 106-114.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green tea and a banana so far

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – nothing at the moment

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Having a HUGE issue with trying to regulate diet and life in general so I can get “healthy”.  I’m used to being a strong, caretaker, fix-it type person and am having BIG issues with admitting that I am NOT that person, at least NOT right now.  I pray that concentrating on getting healthier will happen sooner than later.
  • Also having a HUGE issue with still losing weight no matter how hard I try to eat higher caloric things so I get enough.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA – I’m still sorting through pictures from our trip, but here’s another favorite

This is “FLO”short for Floater. My SIL names all her critters, even the frogs!
With being so sick last week, this became my favorite place to sit in the sun and try to feel better.

On the way to the desert we stopped in Santa Barbara to take hubby’s dad to lunch on his 96 1/2 birthday! We had some time to kill before we got there and went by my very favorite tree, the Moreton Bay Fig Tree originally planted in 1876.  Here’s the link if you’d like to read the history.

INSPIRATION

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED – We tried a few new shows for summer debuts, but I’m just not into TV right now

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing and towels
  • LIVING AREAS… Pretty tidy
  • KITCHEN… pretty clean
  • YARD… did a bunch of weeding and trimming the other day so all is good for awhile
  • APPOINTMENTS – the gym, the pool, get new glasses and do the dentist
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and even some holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING AND ON MY WAIT PILE

I’M READING Debra Clopton’s Windswept Bay series – Book #9 With This Wish

IN THE WAIT PILE TO READ

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race, Dancing With the Stars, American Ninja Warrior, Ransom, Instinct, Taken

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, Midnight Texas

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart, Best Baker in America

WHAT’S IN THE CRAFT BASKET – EVERYTHING is packed so there will be no crafting until late June or so when I start the Christmas gifts and cards

WHERE I’VE BEEN SURFING ON THE NET – I’ve been so busy getting settled into our summer location I have been too tired to do any real surfing.

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

CHERRY BALSAMIC PORK CHOPS and PEACH and TOMATO SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

HONEY SRIRACHA CHICKEN LEGS and CUCUMBER SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

MAPLE ROSEMARY GLAZED PORK CHOPS and RICE

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

HONEY SOY PORK LOIN and 2 1/2 BEAN SALAD

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

OUT

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

C.O.R.N. clean out refrigerator night

LEMON BERRY HAND PIES

SUNDAY

BACON & EGGS

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

PAN SEARED FLOUNDER and SCALLION RICE

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPES TO TRY SOON

  • GRILLED TEQUILA CHICKEN SALAD
  • ARTICHOKE ANTIPASTO SALAD

 

BALSAMIC BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS and CHICKEN SAUTE’

We recently took a walking tour of food in Carmel with several family members thanks to my wonderful nephew and his wife.  Staci, the owner, was super personable guide with a GREAT sense of humor. We had a FANTASTIC time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Staci went above and beyond with her knowledge of the Carmel area and the businesses she was introducing us to. The businesses and foods were well balanced to accommodate your palette and your walking pace. We highly recommend this tour on your next visit to the Carmel area.

One of the stops was to an olive oil company, Trio Carmel. One of the other stops was to a Carmel Honey Company that was begun by an enterprising young bee keeper for a 5th grade project that became a family business. Personally I can’t stand olive oil, but they had some wonderful flavored vinegars that I purchased (Peach and Cranberry Pear). Add in some of the wonderful honey and from there this recipe was born.

This is the perfect recipe for a summer’s evening. There are tons of fresh vegetables sautéed with flavorful balsamic vinegar and topped with roasted cashews, golden raisins and shaved Parmesan cheese. Plus one pan and NO oven! If it’s winter time and you WANT to use your oven, roast the veggies instead before tossing all together.

The beauty of this recipe is that with all the choices of flavored vinegars these days you can easily change up your flavor palette with this versatile recipe! I had some gorgeous fresh peaches that I tossed in also.

BALSAMIC BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS and CHICKEN SAUTE’ serves 4
Author – Tamy

3/4 pound Brussels sprouts, cleaned and halved
2 broccoli crowns, cleaned and chopped
1 cup rotisserie chicken pieces
2 tablespoons Avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
FRESH ground sea salt
FRESH ground black pepper
2-3 tablespoons Peach balsamic vinegar or  Cranberry Pear balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
1-2 tablespoon Meadowfoam honey
1/3 cup roasted cashews
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

  • Heat LARGE skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add Avocado oil and butter.
  • When melted, add Brussels sprouts and broccoli, sautéing 2-3 minutes. We like our Brussels sprouts a bit crispy so I usually add them first and get a crispy edge before I add the broccoli.
  • Add 2 tablespoons water. Cover and cook for a minutes or two.
  • Add Balsamic vinegar and liquid aminos and saute’ a minute or two more.
  • Add honey and stir to coat.
  • Add chicken pieces, raisins and cashews and saute’ a couple minutes more until heated through.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle with a touch more honey and Parmesan cheese before you serve.
  • ENJOY!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 25 of 2018

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies.  Can you believe this is the half way mark through 2018?  Where does the time go?  I hope last week and Father’s Day weekend was wonderful for you and your families.  It went by all too fast for us!

We are still on the travel this morning so I hope this posts when it should. Best laid plans and all has changed this past week many multiple times with me being sick, family plans, lack of internet connectivity… This next week will be much easier for me once we arrive at our destination.  I have to admit to not doing very well these past weeks with all the changes and illness. But, I have also really needed this week of  “down time” to veg and get well.

Be sure to link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE & WHAT I’M WEARING – It’s quite cool here, but absolutely beautiful! I’m wearing Levis and colorful blouse with my favorite sandals.  We’re going to lunch with some old friends in a bit and I’m ready to go. From there we will travel to our next destination to see hubby’s dad who will be 97 this year.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – I had some Cheerios and green tea

CRAFTS / PROJECTS – absolutely nothing 😀

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – as much as I have needed this past week to recuperate I am also anxious to get into a regular routine of the gym and pool to get my life back on track.

SIL lives on a large piece of property in the country where internet and cell signals are almost non-existent and at the end of the line so not very strong when they work. Because of this I wasn’t even aware I was having phone issues, but will go by my carrier’s office on the way out of town to get it fixed.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

My niece Londyn staying occupied with her grandma’s toy bag while we were at dinner.
Momma deer meandering through SIL’s driveway. SIL is surrounded by a greenbelt and often has A LOT of wildlife that she feeds. The baby deer moved out of the frame before I could grab the camera.
Beautiful Lily in SIL’s goldfish pond.
SIL is doing some bee keeping and the bees are really loving all of her fragrant flowers.
The dragon flies are VERY prolific near her ponds. They also need to be very careful as I have seen her frogs have them for a snack.
SIL has 3 different ponds on her property and they all had a lily blooming while we were visiting.

INSPIRATION

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED – nothing as we have been visiting with lots of family for different occasions.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS /  APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads of clothing and towels
  • PHONE CALLS & PAPERWORK… looking forward to finishing up a few things and need a dentist appointment
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and even some holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING AND ON MY WAIT PILE

I’M READING Debra Clopton’s Windswept Bay series – Book #7 WITH THIS PROMISE

IN THE WAIT PILE TO READ

WHAT IS ON THE DVR OR LIST TO WATCH

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, the Amazing Race, Dancing With the Stars, American Ninja Warrior, Ransom, Instinct, Taken

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Orville, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, Midnight Texas

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart, Best Baker in America

WHAT’S IN THE CRAFT BASKET – EVERYTHING is packed so there will be no crafting until late June or so when I start the Christmas gifts and cards

WHERE I’VE BEEN SURFING ON THE NET -LOL nowhere with little to no connection at SIL’s house – it has been a technology free week. Even more than I realized 😀 This is set to auto post, so I hope this posts when it’s supposed to

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

??

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

??

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

??

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK – none unfortunately