Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

BRAISED WHITE BEAN & SAUSAGE ONE POT MEAL ~ BLOG 365.296

BRAISED WHITE BEANS & SAUSAGE ONE POT MEAL

1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 pound smoked Andouille sausage, LARGE diced
1/12 cups diced onion
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon FRESH chopped rosemary
2 cans Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained well
1 1/2 cups homemade chicken broth
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups trimmed baby spinach
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons FRESH grated Parmesan cheese

  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add sausage, stirring and cooking until browned.
  • Remove sausage to drain on paper toweling. Keep warm.
  • Add onions to skillet, stirring and cooking 3 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in mustard and 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary, cooking minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in beans, tomatoes if using and chicken broth.
  • Bring to a SLOW but steady simmer over medium high heat.
  • Lightly mash about half the beans. These will help thicken the mixture.
  • Fold in the spinach, cooking a minute or two until wilted.
  • Stir in sausage and 1/4 cup cheese, stirring until cheese is melted.
  • Garnish with remaining cheese and rosemary.

OPTIONAL:

  • Add one can well drained fire roasted tomatoes for a bit more kick!
  • For even more kick I use Better than Bouillon Chili Base to make my broth with.

AUTUMNAL SALAD ~ BLOG 365.294

AUTUMNAL SALAD

DRESSING
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
1/4 cup avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 clove garlic, FINELY minced
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped rosemary

  • Add all ingredients to food processor.
  • Pulse 2-3 minutes.
  • Set aside.

SALAD
1 cup chopped butternut squash
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons FRESH chopped rosemary
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 cups baby spinach, trimmed
1/2 cup Broccolini pieces
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup craisins
1/2 cup chopped candied walnuts
3/4 cup chopped heirloom tomatoes
1/4-1/2 cup chopped radishes
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 LARGE green onions, sliced
1 cup chopped rotisserie chicken pieces
1/2-3/4 cup smashed croutons

  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add squash.
  • Season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Sprinkle with garlic powder and rosemary.
  • Cook 5-7 minutes until squash is tender.
  • Remove from heat and cool completely.

 

  • Add the remaining ingredients, except croutons, to a large salad bowl.
  • Add cooled squash and croutons, tossing well, but gently.
  • Serve and Enjoy!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY week 42 of 2025 with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS ~ BLOG 365.293

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

AHHHHHH a weekend away was just what the doctor ordered! Five years ago hubby and I went to the GREAT JUNK HUNT at the fairgrounds in the county 100 miles to the south of us for a weekend away and it was wonderful. I found not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR vintage recipe boxes.

Two years ago my girlfriend and I went to a great holiday market at the same fairgrounds south of us. We did it all in one day along with a trip to a HUGE Hobby Lobby and it was A LOT to cram in.

Last year we planned it as a weekend and took hubby along. Unfortunately, the holiday market was not as good as the previous year, though we did manage to find several of our favorite vendors and start the Christmas shopping with a bang!

But, this year we went 100 miles north to a GREAT JUNK HUNT and had just as much fun, if not more even though the JUNK HUNT itself was not very good! I’m always on the hunt for more vintage recipe boxes or sewing drawers and found neither this trip!

We were also able to get in some quality antiquing time and FINALLY visited a wonderful architectural salvage house that I’ve been bragging to my girlfriend about for years. She was an interior designed and loves all things architecturally old and vintage.

We also had some great happy hour times sitting and chatting, laughing and enjoying each other’s company at the hotel we stayed at for Friday and Saturday nights as well as checking out some wonderful restaurants that were new to us MOM & POP places. My favorites were Filberts Farmhouse kitchen where Dana had the tomato bisque and I had the most delicious butternut squash bisque with cranberry coulis and we split a Chicken Parmigiana sandwich, Pastini’s Mushroom ravioli with a caramelized leek sauce with garlic bread and Hops&Drops homemade Southwestern taquitos!

Last week’s BLOGTOBER shares were for my favorite:

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Our much needed rain is coming in spurts, but I’ll take it! We are just jumping from summer to winter this year though. Fall is getting lost in the mix! This week’s forecast is cloudy, highs in the 50’s and 60’s with lows in the upper 30’s and some rain each day with much heavier rain coming for next weekend.

ON MY MIND, TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, TRAVELS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I need to get caught up on laundry and the chores I didn’t get done while we were away.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I definitely need to get some groceries and I have pedicure tomorrow so will probably do it then. Wednesday will be the normal Eagle’s shopping and we’re having lunch with some dear friends on Thursday.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS We’re working on a plan for a trip in November, but that will be determined by the discontinued part arrival and mechanic’s time frame for the car we’ll take on the trip.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING planned through October and into November for now. I had hoped to find more recipe boxes this weekend to finish up November, but will dig into my files instead.
  • DVR/TV We’ve changed internet companies and eliminated DISH so there isn’t really any DVR anymore and TV is up to our whims and streaming services. I’ll have to learn a new “normal” to see my “regular” shows.

READING TIME

FUNNIES

The dates are a little off, but the sentiment is the same. 🙂

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
10/20 MONDAY
10/21 TUESDAY
10/22 WEDNESDAY
10/23 THURSDAY
10/24 FRIDAY
10/25 SATURDAY
10/26 SUNDAY
DINNER
JOY’S PASTA ala PASSION
LEMON PORK CHOPS
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
CHICKEN LEMONAISE
NAN’S PORK CHOPS
MANDARIN CHICKEN
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
DESSERT
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I made a little progress on the new sewing cabinet.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • AUTUMNAL SALAD
  • BRAISED WHITE BEAN & SAUSAGE ONE POT MEAL

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLOGTOBER ~ TOP 10 FAVORITE FALL COMFORT FOODS ~ BLOG 365.289B

October is one of those months that the weather can go either way in our neck of the woods. Well, this year does NOT have an Indian Summer in it’s future. Fall is here and winter is close on its heels from what we’re seeing so far!

Because of the sudden onset change in weather I’m thinking comfort foods! So, here are my top 12 favorite rainy and cold weather recipe links.

RUSSIAN CABBAGE SOUP

GREEN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

CHICKEN CHILE VERDE CHILI

BLACK EYED PEA CHILI

RED CHICKEN CHILI

SPLIT PEA & HAM SOUP

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN

CREAMY RUSTIC TOMATO BISQUE & GRILLED CHEESE DIPPERS

SUNDAY GRAVY

SALISBURY STEAK & GRAVY

CABBAGE ROLL aka WAGON WHEEL WINTER SOUP

GRAM’S CHICKEN & NOODLES 

APPLE PIE DUMPLINGS ~ BLOG 365.289

Grams called these Apple Dumplings. The new rage on Facebook calls them Apple Pie Rings. Grams spent time making homemade dough with love and wrap whole apples, but you can cheat and use boxed puff pastry. Grams also used whole eggs for the wash. Either way they are perfect comfort food for fall!

APPLE PIE DUMPLINGS servings: 10 pies

1 box puff pastry sheets 
2 LARGE apples (Granny Smith, Pink Lady or Cosmic are great choices)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons egg whites
Juice of 2 LARGE lemons

  • Thaw puff pastry.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Peel and core the apples to a 1 inch center hole diameter if you want the circle to be large enough to thread the puff pastry through for the pumpkin looking ring. Otherwise the rings can just be wrapped evenly.
  • Slice into rounds.
  
  • Add the lemon juice to a large bowl of water just deep enough to cover the apple slices.
  • Unfold the puff pastry and roll it until it is slightly larger.
  • Cut the puff pastry into 1/2 inch strips.
  • Mix together the cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg in a shallow dish. Set aside.
  • Pat the apple slices dry with a paper towel and dust them with a bit of cinnamon sugar.
  • Wrap strips of the puff pastry (3-4 strips per apple ring) around each apple ring.
  • Brush the wrapped apple rings with egg wash on both sides.
  • Dip the rings into the remaining cinnamon sugar.
  • Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until puff pastry is flaky and light golden brown.
  • Cool for 10 minutes before serving.


NOTE:  DO NOT skip the egg wash; it makes the cinnamon sugar stick to the puff pastry.