Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Here’s a simple casserole made using leftovers! It’s so good that when I’m making mashed potatoes for a meal I intentionally double the batch so I can make this with the leftovers the next day. You can use fresh mashed potatoes or boxed in a pinch.

What you will need: mashed potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions (not shown).

Just mix the sour cream with the mashed potatoes (use a little sour cream or a lot, that’s up to you). Spread in a casserole dish and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes until heated thoroughly. Top with cheddar cheese, cooked crumbled bacon. Pop back in the oven until cheese is bubbly. If desired add thinly sliced green onions for extra flavor and garnish.

If simple cooking is your style be sure to visit me at Seaside Simplicity for lots of quick and easy ideas!

BANANA BUNDT CAKE with PEANUT BUTTER BUTTERCREAM GLAZE ~ Save Room for Dessert

I brought this cake to work for a meeting, a breakfast meeting, and it was gone in moments.  To me peanut butter and banana have a wonderful affinity for each other.  If you want to really pump it up, toss in some chocolate chips to the cake batter…whatever you choose to do, be sure to save room for dessert, even if it’s 9:30 am…
Banana Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Buttercream Glaze
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature.
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4 very ripe bananas, mashed, about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups
1 cup sour cream
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray or generously butter a 12-cup Bundt pan (After a disastrous cake inversion, I now use this)
  • Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  • Beat butter until creamy; add sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after you plop in each egg
  • Unless you want to be splattered with batter, reduce the speed to low and add the bananas.
  • Then, add in half of the dry ingredients, the entire cup of sour cream, and then the rest of the dry ingredients.
  • Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. During the baking time, check after about 30 minutes, and if it is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
  • Transfer the cake to a rack and cool for 10 minutes before inverting to cool completely.
  • Pour on Peanut Butter Buttercream Glaze or just dust with powdered sugar.

Peanut Butter Buttercream Glaze
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk, or more
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 cups powdered sugar
Pinch of salt

  • In a microwave safe bowl, heat butter and milk until butter melts.  Add peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until mixture is smooth.
  • Add 1 cup powdered sugar, mix well.  Add more powdered sugar or milk to achieve desired consistency.

Cake recipe adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s Baking: From My Home to Yours

Mom’s Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Carrot Salad

This recipe is one of my mom’s best and one of our most favorite.  It is perfect for Memorial Day or any backyard BBQ!

Mom’s Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrot Salad
1 head of broccoli
1 head of cauliflower
10-15 sliced carrots
1/2 diced red onion
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup mayo

Directions:  Wash vegetables.  Cut up broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and red onion.  Combine sugar, mayo and apple cider vinegar.  Pour the dressing over the vegetables, mix and refrigerate.

Wash and cut off stems from broccoli.  Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Wash and cut off stems from cauliflower.  Cut into bite-sized pieces.

Slice up carrots.  I used about 15 baby carrots.

Measure out 3/4 cup mayo, 3/4 cup sugar, and 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar.  Mix until the mayor is absorbed.
Dice 1/2 of a red onion and then pour the dressing over the veggies.

Veggie Tales by Kris: Smoothies!

SMOOTHIE TIME! Smoothies are a great snack, small breakfast, and they make your skin look fabulous from all of those vitamins and nutrients! Get creative!

Here’s my smoothie recipe!
Very Berry Banana Smoothie:
Toss the following into a blender: 1 handful blackberries, 1 handful raspberries, 1 handful blueberries, 6 large strawberries, 1 banana (cut into pieces first). Add 3/4 low fat milk or carrot juice for dairy free. Blend away then slurp up! You can add a little peanut butter too and then it would be like a PB&J Smoothie! For the adventurous… you can add 2 large handfuls of spinach or kale to the blender. You won’t taste it I promise. It’s a great way to get more fiber, vitamin c, k,  and iron!

Fire Day Friday: Zucchini Spiedini

Grilling, it’s not just for meat anymore….

Technically these are not true spiedini since they are vegetable, but c’mon, the name just sounds hilarious. I try to make all of my grilled side dishes take 10 minutes or less to grill. That way I can cook them on the grill as the meat is resting. This is one of our favorite quick veggies during the week.
Speedy Zucchini Spiedini
Servings: 2
2 ea zucchini
½ cup Italian dressing (or any vinaigrette)
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 oz feta cheese
Cut zucchini into ½ inch slices. I like to cut them on a bias just for appearance sake but it’s not necessary. Place sideways on kabobs.
TIP:  To get the stripes like above, run a veggie peeler lengthwise down the zucchini in a few places before slicing.
Marinate kabobs in the vinaigrette for 30 minutes. Remove from marinade and season both sides with season salt.
Grill for 3 minutes a side over a 350f fire.
Sprinkle with fine crumbled feta cheese or pecorino romano cheese.
Also, it’s not too late to enter my May BBQ Giveaway over at Nibble Me This.   You have until Saturday Night at midnight.  It’s sponsored by Bush Beans and comes with all of these great BBQ and bean accessories.  Yes, that includes the Emile Henry bean pot pictured. 

MAITAKE MUSHROOM LACED CASHEW CHICKEN

This is a recipe I revamped to include the awesome dehydrated mushrooms that I received from Justin at Marx Foods a while back. I was NOT disappointed and you won’t be either.  Marx Foods has some great quality bulk online wholesale foods available.  These mushrooms added a rich nutty flavor that complimented the cashews perfectly.
4 chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized pieces
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
1 ounce dehydrated Maitake mushrooms, re-hydrated and then chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons oil
2 cup hot chicken broth
2 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup cashews
cooked rice
  • Heat canola oil over medium high heat until JUST sizzling.
  • Saute’ green onions and mushrooms until tender. Using a slotted spoon remove onions and Maitake mushrooms to drain on paper towels.
  • Stir fry chicken in hot oil in frying pan or wok until chicken is lightly brown and tender, about 8 minutes. 
  • Remove chicken from oil and drain excess oil from the pan. 
  • Whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and  the  Worcestershire sauce. 
  • Blend well, then add chicken stock to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened. 
  • Add lemon juice; add chicken pieces, onions and mushrooms and reheat. Do not boil. 
  • Taste to correct seasonings. 
  • Add cashews. 
  • Serve over hot rice.
He all but licked his plate!

KUNG PAO CHICKEN

I looked everywhere for hot chile paste. I have no idea what it is. I haven’t found it at my local grocery stores so when I decided to make this recipe that called for hot chile paste, I just subbed hot red pepper spread. It’s super spicy by itself but delicious in sauces. It worked. This was awesome. I’ll for sure make it again.

I’ve made several versions of Kung Pao chicken recipes but this is my favorite. I also cut WAY down on the peanuts. Kung Pao chicken is known for having a lot of peanuts in it. This recipe called for 4 oz. Well, 4 oz. of peanuts was more calories than the chicken so I decided just to put in a few. Again, it worked and it seemed fine. You are welcome to add more peanuts if you’d like. My husband ate this over rice and as usual, I chose to put it over broccoli. While it had a wonderful flavor, it wasn’t overly saucy so if you want a lot of sauce, go ahead and double the sauce. It was fine for me, I enjoyed it. The egg roll was just from Asian Sensations. I love egg rolls.

Kung Pao Chicken
1 pound boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoon white wine, divided
2 tablespoon soy sauce, divided
1 tablespoon sesame oil, divided
2 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon hot red pepper spread (or hot chile paste)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 teaspoon brown sugar
4 green onions
1 tablespoon
chopped garlic
1 can water chestnuts
3 tbsp chopped peanuts

To make marinade: 

  • Combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon oil and 1 tablespoon cornstarch water mixture and mix together. 
  • Place chicken pieces in plastic bag and add marinade for about 30 minutes.
To make sauce: 

  • In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 teaspoons oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture, chile paste, vinegar and sugar. Mix together.
  • Add green onions, garlic, water chestnuts and peanuts. I
  • n medium skillet, heat sauce slowly until aromatic. 
  • Meanwhile, remove chicken from marinade and saute in large skillet until meat is done. 
  • When sauce is done, add sauteed chicken to it and let simmer together until sauce thickens. 
  • Serve over rice or broccoli.
Total calories = 1015
3 servings = 338 calories

Freezer Convenience, Garlic Logs

I make this handy dandy convenience product for myself, and it happens to be a great gift to foodie friends as well. If you grow your own garlic, this would be wonderful at harvest time. However I currently do not grow garlic, so I get a big bag at Costco.
This is really simple, takes about an hour, with exception to the cooling time for the roasted garlic. Your investment of time, will give back to you ten fold. Lets get started…..

Frozen Garlic Logs
by the seat of my pants
makes 5 – 4 plain and 1 roasted

3 pounds of garlic cloves, peeled
2 T olive oil
5 gallon freezer bags
10 clothes pins

To make roasted garlic:

Pour a rounded 2 cups of garlic into a roasting pan with a lid, drizzle with the oil.

Cover and bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
Stir, reduce heat to 250, bake 20 minutes, stir and bake 20 additional minutes. When you remove this from the oven, stir one last time.
Keep lid off, and let cool. When cool process the garlic in the same manner as the fresh garlic, and freeze.  

Do be aware that the roasted garlic, has a sticky texture, and will chop much quicker than the raw garlic.

To freeze fresh garlic:
Empty half of the remaining garlic into food processor bowl, process until finely chopped, using the pulse button at the end, to prevent making a mush or puree.

Empty into a glass or stainless bowl (I think this much garlic might smell stain a plastic bowl). Repeat with remaining garlic.

Smooth top of garlic in the bowl, score into 4 sections.

Prepare the wrappers:

Cut the zip strip off the freezer bag. Cut bag at the seam on each side, leaving the folded bottom intact. Open bag flat, you will have a large rectangle.
Spoon 1/4 of the mixture onto the bag. Shape into a compact rectangle. Bring sides together, and the rectangle will fold in half, fold the sides down snug against the garlic. Twist one end, and secure with a clothespin. “Sit” the log on the clothespin end, and gently work out any air. Work the next end to be as flat as possible, twist the plastic and secure with a clothespin. Repeat with remaining chopped garlic, freezer bags and clothes pin.
Place logs in the freezer. When frozen change out the clothespins with a secure closure of your choice, the clothespins were only needed to quickly close the end of the logs and are not meant to be used after the logs have frozen solid and easier to work with.

To use:  Slice a thin slice of frozen garlic, this is equal to a clove of minced garlic.
Enjoy!

As always, thanks for taking a moment to stop and say hello.  I appreciate your time and your comments.

For more great ideas, come and visit me here:
http://momssundaycafe.blogspot.com/

STRAWBERRY BANANA DACQUIRI CAKE ~ Save Room for Dessert

I subscribe to Lagniappe, the free email newsletter of Louisiana Cookin’ magazine.  It’s published each Friday, and typically contains 3 Louisiana-centric recipes.  Friday’s newsletter contained this recipe, and I knew I had to make it, even though I had already written today’s post.  But, as strawberries are in season, I decided to share this recipe with you all.
The flavor is lovely, although the texture was a little moist.  No one seemed to mind, however, and the cake was the perfect ending to a delicious grilled meal on the patio.  I think it would be perfect for a Memorial day cookout, as it’s quick to whip up and if you’re like me, I find it quite nice to have something on my menu that takes little thought and prep.  Be sure to save room for dessert when you make this delicious cake… 

Strawberry-Banana Daiquiri Cake

1 Strawberry Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 eggs
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon light rum (did not use, I increased lime juice to 3 tablespoons)
Lime Glaze (recipe follows)
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Grease and flour a Bundt pan; set aside.
  • In large bowl, combine the cake mix, berries, banana, eggs, and lime juice.
  • Beat for 2 minutes at highest speed.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Prepare glaze while cake is baking.
  • Cool cake upright for 25 minutes before inverting onto serving place.
  • Spoon glaze evenly over cake. Garnish with lime zest, if using.
Lime Glaze
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon butter
Powdered sugar
  • Microwave lime juice and butter until butter melts. 
  • Whisk in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.

SPICY CHICKEN SPAGHETTI

Spicy Chicken Spaghetti adapted from So Are You To Me
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts; diced
8 oz. uncooked spaghetti
1/2 OF an onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Hot Rotel
1 can cream of mushroom soup
6 oz. Velveeta
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Mean while, saute diced chicken breasts, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in olive oil over medium high heat until chicken is no longer pink, drain and set aside.  Drain the pasta and return to pan. Stir in diced Velveeta, Hot Rotel, cream of mushroom soup, and the cooked chicken mixture. Season with salt and pepper.  Pour into a baking dish and top with sharp cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.

Modifications:
-I used cream of chicken soup.

Here’s what you’ll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Dice up a green pepper, mince 2-3 garlic cloves, and dice up 1/2 of an onion

Cut up the chicken breasts and cook in olive oil.  Add the green pepper, garlic, and onion (forgot to take a picture)

Cook the spaghetti until al dente.  Drain and add the cut up Velveeta.
Add the soup.

Add the can of Ro-Tel.

Add the chicken mixture.

Put the spaghetti mixture in a greased 9×13 baking dish.  Spread the cheese over the top and pop into the oven.
What you’ll end up with:

This dish was so good . . . how could it not be?  It has Velveeta and Ro-Tel so it is basically cheese dip with spaghetti.  YUMMY!

MY GRANDMA’S GRANOLA RECIPE

This month for Cultural Connection I am staying right here in America. I am bringing you my grandmother’s recipe for granola, I think she just called it dry cereal when I was a kid. She raised a family during the depression, and because of that was very frugal. She even used to make her own cracked wheat bread, where my grandma and grandpa had use an old (well it’s old to me) glass jar coffee grinder to crack the wheat in.. My dad used to love getting store bought bread as a kid because it was a special treat for him. We never could get that recipe from her, because she didn’t use one (of course, many grandma’s recipes are not written down).

I had to check to see if granola was in fact an American discovery and indeed it is. You can read the long version or check out a brief history of granola (the brief is through the eyes of Crapola-a granola company)…but in short it was JH Kellogg who came up with granola in 1863, and it might of fallen into obscurity, but was rediscovered and popular once again by the health food movement of the 1960’s.
There are many was you can make granola, but this is my grandma’s recipe the way I grew up eating it.
Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup oat bran (she used bran flour)
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut (I use the wide flakes)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey

The nice thing about granola is there has to be one for everyone and there are many way you can make it: Add some cinnamon and apple or pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg and ground cloves, or leave out the coconut or sunflower seeds, add some pepitas or other nuts…it is endless….  I added chopped crystallized ginger in this one (I’ve been on a ginger kick lately) I have also used dried cherries or cranberries, but you can use other dried fruit you might like. My grandma didn’t use dried fruit in hers, but as always…you can add what you like.
It’s really simple, just dump and mix! A large bowl works best and I start with a wooden paddle spoon and end up using my hands!
Then spread it on one or two cookie sheets pressing it down in the pans. I use my stoneware bar pan it’s large, I also used my medium size bar pan.
Toast at 350° for 10-12 minute then stir and turn. Continue to toast it for another 10-12 minutes until the desired golden toasted, crispy, goodness. If you are adding dried fruit add that and mix it in when the granola comes out of the oven, that way it doesn’t get too hard and chewy.
You can eat it in a bowl and add milk or just snack on it as is. Use it as a topping for ice creams, yogurts or desserts. I have been making my own granola for years and really have a hard time eating any store bought granola…it’s just not the same. I like how mine is not too sweet, and you can control all the good stuff that goes in it!

Thanks for stopping by on this beautiful Saturday!

SHREDDED CHICKEN VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS

SHREDDED CHICKEN VEGETABLE EGG ROLLS
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken or pork pieces
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 large stalk celery, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic, jar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4 tablespoons canola oil
egg roll wrappers (I use Melissa’s)

  • Heat skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add onion, garlic, celery and carrots, Saute’ until tender.
  • Drain, retaining oil.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss meat pieces with sesame oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Add vegetables and blend well.
  • Cool 5-10 minutes.
  • Fill center of each wrapper with 2 tablespoons of filling.
  • Fold 1st corner towards the center. Then fold each edge towards the center. With a pastry brush wet the exposed triangle of dough and roll the bulk onto it.
  • Add oil back into pan and add the additional 2 tablespoons and bring to medium heat.
  • Cook egg rolls on all 4 sides until golden.



BLACKBERRY PINEAPPLE DIPPING SAUCE
1/2 cup Blackberry Pineapple Jam
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • Heat jam in microwave for 20 seconds to warm and thin.
  • Whisk in honey and soy sauce.
  • Set aside.