Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

A to Z CHALLENGE

It’s almost time for the A to Z April 2012 challenge.  The A-Z challenge doesn’t have any theme other than the alphabet itself. The challenge starts April 1st running through the month of April. We post everyday except Sundays (other than the Sunday it begins).  Come on, join me, you know you want to. Click on the banner to learn more.

OLD FASHIONED CHEESECAKE

For the crust:

1 3/4 cups ginger snap/vanilla wafer crumbs
3 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake:
2 pounds (four 8-ounce boxes) cream cheese, softened
1 1/3 cups maple sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons blackberry extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups sour cream or heavy cream, or a combination of the two

To make the crust:

  • Butter a 9-inch springform pan—choose one that has high sides. Mine is square.
  • Stir the crumbs, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Pour over the melted butter and stir until all of the dry ingredients are uniformly moist.
  • Turn the ingredients into the buttered springform pan and use your fingers to pat an even layer of crumbs along the bottom of the pan and about halfway up the sides. Don’t worry if the sides are not perfectly even or if the crumbs reach above or below the midway mark on the sides.
  • Center a rack in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F and place the springform on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Set the crust aside to cool on a rack while you make the cheesecake.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
To make the cheesecake:
  • Working in a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until it is soft and truly creamy, about 5 minutes.
  • With the mixer running, add the sugar and salt and continue to beat another 4 minutes or so, until the cream cheese is light. Beat in the vanilla and blackberry extract.
  • Add the eggs one by one, beating for a full minute after each addition. Reduce the mixer speed to low and stir in the sour cream and/or heavy cream.
  • Give the batter a few stirs with a rubber spatula, just to make sure that nothing has been left unmixed at the bottom of the bowl, and scrape the batter into the springform pan.
  • Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, at which point the top will be browned (and perhaps cracked) and may have risen just a little above the rim of the pan. Turn off the oven’s heat and open the door a crack.
  • Allow the cheesecake to sit for another hour.
  • After 1 hour, carefully remove from the oven and leet the cheesecake come to room temperature on a cooling rack.
  • Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen sides.
  • When the cake is cool, cover the top lightly and chill the cake for at least 6-8 hours, although overnight would be better.
Serving:
  • Remove springform sides. The easiest way to cut cheesecake is to use a long, thin knife that has been run under hot water and lightly wiped. Keep warming the knife as you cut slices of the cake.
Storing:
  • Wrapped well, the cake will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or for up to 2 months in the freezer. It’s best to defrost the still-wrapped cheesecake overnight in the refrigerator.

STUFFED MEATBALLS & ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

STUFFED MEATBALLS & 
ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE
  • I start with whatever vegetables I have in the vegetable bin. Today was Roma tomatoes, celery stalks, green onions and snap peas.
  • Then I drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper over it all and bake it for an hour at 400 degrees.
  • I started the sauce with a can of Contadina tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Better than Beef Bouillon paste, 2 cups orange juice and a V8. This truly was a clean out the fridge day.
  • When done roasting add the vegetables to the sauce and set to simmer all day. The vegetables will continue to cook down into a uniform consistency with the sauce. Salt & pepper taste.


For the meatballs:
1 pound hamburger
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
3 large slices sourdough bread, crumbled
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseAlign Center
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 bunch green onions, finely minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
mozzarella cheese, about 4 ounces, cut into 1 inch cubes

  • Crumble bread into a large bowl.
  • Toss in Parmesan cheese, parsley, green onions and garlic.
  • Add meat and with your hands mix extremely well until you have a uniform mixture.
  • Roll meatballs around a Parmesan cheese cube.
  • Chill Meatballs until sauce is done.
  • Just before the sauce is finished, brown meatballs.**
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and bring to a medium high simmer until meatballs are cooked though, about 20 minutes.
  • Prepare pasta and Parmesan Cheese Bread while meatballs are cooking.
  • Enjoy

**If you prefer you can add the meatballs directly to the sauce and SLOW simmer for a couple hours instead of browning.


GREEN CHILE TUNA CASSEROLE

 
GREEN CHILE TUNA CASSEROLE
2-5 ounce cans tuna, REALLY well drained
2 cups cooked egg noodles
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 can chopped green chiles, well drained
1 can Campbell’s cheddar cheese soup
1 cup whole milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

  • Preheat oven to 375˚.
  • Blend together milk and soup until well blended.
  • Fold tuna, onions, green chiles, garlic, salt and pepper into soup mixture.
  • Fold in cheese.
  • Gently fold in egg noodles.
  • Pour into a generously greased baking dish.
  • Top with potato chips.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.

Slam Dunk Wings – Fire Day Friday

March Madness is here and the NCAA basketball tournament has kicked off for this weekend.  Wings are always a great “game day” food and here is one I made this past weekend.
Slam Dunk Wings
Source:  NibbleMeThis
6 servings
Ingredients
  • 36 chicken wing pieces (wingettes and drummettes)

For the dry rub

  • 1 1/2 tsp Lawry’s Season Salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 oregano

For the toss sauce

  • 1/2 cup hot sauce
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce

 For the Dunk Sauce

  • 3/4 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 Tbsp diced roasted red pepper
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro, finely minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill set up for indirect heat (or an oven) to 350f.  
  2. Mix the “dunk sauce” together and refrigerate.  
  3. Dry the wing pieces well* and season with the dry rub.  
  4. Cook the wings for 30 minutes and then flip the wings.  Cook another 20 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, whisk together the “toss sauce” over medium heat.
  6. Toss the wings in the toss sauce and grill another 5-10 minutes.  
  7. Serve with the Dunk Sauce

Notes

  • This helps get a crisp skin.
Grilling indirect makes wings nice and roasty toasty!
Tossing – No wings were harmed in this production 😉
Served with dipping sauce…..oh yeah!

KIWI ORANGE GLAZED CHICKEN with SCALLION RICE PILAF


KIWI ORANGE GLAZED CHICKEN with SCALLION RICE PILAF
1 roasting chicken (6-7 pounds)
3 oranges
1/4 cup honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 green onions, sliced and divided

1 tablespoon safflower oil
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon roasted corriander, ground
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup uncooked rice
1/2 cup cashews, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees˚.  
  • Quarter 1 orange, set aside.
  • Grate 1/2 teaspoon zest and juice remaining oranges to 1/2 cup.
  • In a small saucepan bring juice, honey and zest to a slow boil.
  • Cook about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.  Remove from heat.
  • Thinly slice scallions.
  • Place chicken in roasting pan.
  • Fill cavity with orange quarters and scallion slices.
  • In a small food processor combine oil, salt, pepper, garlic, ginger and corriander until well blended.
  • Rub over chicken.
  • Roast 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • Brush reserved honey mixture all over chicken.
  • Roast another 15-20 minutes or until 180˚.
  • Meanwhile prepare rice according to package directions.
  • Add remaining salt.
  • Stir in sliced scallions, cashews and parsley.

Taco Twist Soup

 
Taco Twist Soup adapted from Everyday Light Meals
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth or
  vegetable broth
1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups picante sauce
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 cup uncooked spiral pasta
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
3 Tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

Directions: In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender.  Add the broth, beans, tomatoes, picante sauce, pasta, green pepper and seasonings.  Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.  Serve with cheese and sour cream.

Nutrition Facts:
Cal 216
Fat 5g (2g sat fat)
Cholesterol 12mg
Sodium 1,052mg
Carb 33g
Fiber 6g
Progtein 10g

Diabetic Exchanges:   2 vegetables, 1 1/2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat

Modifications:
-I added 1lb 93/7 ground beef (nutrition facts do not depict the ground beef)

Brown the ground beef.
Saute the onion, pepper, and garlic.
Add the beef broth.
Add the diced tomatoes and black beans.
Add the picante sauce, pasta, and seasonings.

Add the ground beef.  Simmer until the pasta is tender.
Here’s what you’ll end up with:
This soup had a good flavor to it.  It is a fantastic meal for when you don’t have a lot of time.  This recipe is also very versatile.  You could add diced chilies, chicken instead of ground beef, jalapenos, corn, tortilla chips, etc.  Literally, the possibilities are endless.

ITALIAN LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN

I found this recipe at ALLrecipes and it was amazing!!  I did make a few changes for my family’s likes so go check out the original recipe.

ITALIAN LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN

Lemon Butter Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup white wine*
  • Juice of 2 large lemons
  • 5 tablespoons heavy cream❉
  • 1 cup butter, chilled❉
  • salt and pepper to taste

Chicken and Pasta:
1/2 pound dry farfalle (bow tie) pasta
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1 tablespoon safflower oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces bacon
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced
6 ounces artichoke hearts, drained and halved
chopped fresh parsley for garnish

  1. To make the sauce, pour the wine and lemon juice into a saucepan over medium heat. Cook at a low boil until the liquid is reduced by 1/3. Stir in cream, and simmer until it thickens. Gradually add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time to the sauce, stirring until completely incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and keep warm.
  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
  3. To make the chicken, heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. In a bowl, stir together flour, salt, and pepper. Lightly coat chicken with flour mixture. Without crowding, carefully place chicken in hot oil. (If necessary, cook in batches.) Fry until cooked through and golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken to paper towels. Stir the bacon, mushrooms and artichokes into the oil; cook until the mushrooms are soft.
  4. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-size strips, and return them to the skillet. Stir half of the lemon butter sauce into the chicken mixture.
  5. To serve, place pasta in a large bowl. Stir the chicken mixture into the pasta. Taste, and adjust seasonings. Stir in additional lemon butter sauce as desired. Toss well, and garnish with parsley. 

*a dry blush works well also.
❉I didn’t want to use so much butter so substituted 3/4 cup buttermilk this time and was pleased with the results.

Mexican Pizza – Fire Day Friday

I don’t eat much fast food but I do have a few “guilty favorites”, most of them from my teenage years.  Way back in the 1980’s my buddies and I would hit Taco Bell on Third Street in Jax Beach after surfing all day and the Mexican Pizza was one of my favorites.  
I had the craving for one last week and bought one at lunch.  Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be, because that thing was depressing.  Soggy, sauce all poured off the side, and a mess.  Plus, they don’t make them with green onion or black olives anymore.  
I went home that night and made my own version.  MUCH better!  Craving Satisfied.
So I didn’t use a grill, how is this “Fire Day Friday”?  It uses a fiery enchilada sauce that uses Rotel’s new (new to me) tomato & chile sauce.  Not Rotel tomatoes, just sauce.  I stumbled on it at the store and like it for the base of sauces like this. 
Anyway, here is how you can make your own Mexican Pizzas. 
NOT Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza
Serves:  8 
Instructions
  • 1.25 lb ground sirloin
  • 1 cloves garlic, finely diced
  • 2 Tbsp onion, finely diced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 can refried beans
  • 2 cups colby jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 4 oz sliced black olives
  • 8 corn tostadas* 

For the Quick Rotel Enchilada Sauce

  • 8 oz can Rotel Tomato & Chile Sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 clove garlic, finely diced
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground chipotle
Instructions
  1. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small sauce pan and simmer over medium heat.  Stir occasionally.
  2. Cook the taco meat according to directions EXCEPT – after browning and draining the ground beef, quickly saute the onion and garlic before add the beef back to the pan.  Resume package directions.
  3. Heat the refried beans over medium low heat.
  4. Preheat oven to 450f.
  5. Place 4 corn tostadas on a cookie sheet.  Top each with 2-3 Tbsp of beans and 2-3 Tbsp of the cooked beef.  Top each with another tostada, 2-3 Tbsp of the enchilada sauce, and cover with shredded cheese. 
  6. Place in the oven just long enough to melt the cheese, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Top with tomatoes, green onion, and black olives.  Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Taco Bell uses flour tortillas but we like the crunch from the corn tortillas.