Category: MISC

SWEET LEMON CHICKEN

SWEET LEMON CHICKEN
4-6 skinless, boneless chicken steaks
1/2 cup Wondra flour
3 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons Litehouse Chives
Pink Himalayan salt and Fresh cracked pepper to taste
1/2 cup White Moscato wine
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Avocado oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

  • Add chives to eggs and let set 5 minutes.
  • Generously salt and pepper chicken pieces.
  • In a large skillet melt butter, then add oil over medium-high heat.
  • Dredge chicken breast through the eggs and then the flour before adding to skillet.
  • Pan sear chicken breasts until golden.
  • Add wine and lemon juice, cooking until sauce thickens.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese and enjoy!

SUNNY DAY BARS

I added sprinkles for the holiday and a little food coloring for a festive coloring.

SUNNY DAY (LEMON OATMEAL) BARS
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cups quick cooking oats
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla

  •  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a large mixer bowl, combine all bar ingredients, beating at low speed until well blended.
  • Spread into an un-greased 13×9 pan.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

GLAZE
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

  • Combine all ingredients, stirring until smooth.
  • With the cake tester poke a dozen or so small holes in the cake so the glaze will ooze in.
  • Pour glaze over warm bars.
  • Cool completely.

LIFE AS IT HAPPENS – BLOGMAS 2014 – DAY 22

WOW seems like we just started this journey through BLOGMAS 2014 and here we are 3 days until Christmas.  Today and tomorrow are my BIG days for preparing for Christmas.  These are the days that I’m mostly in the kitchen or cleaning the house, wrapping last minute packages or running last minutes errands for ingredients for the BIG DAY.  The only thing on my list that I didn’t accomplish was the cleaning so will spend all day tomorrow doing laundry, vacuuming and cleaning the bathrooms.

Remember when I told you I was a list girl?  Well, these help – A LOT!  I couldn’t get very good pictures, but those little presents are battery operated lights that change colors (red, blue and green) that I’m going to include on the plate when I deliver the goodies to the neighbors.  The purple list is accomplished and half the green list is done and will be finished up tomorrow and Wednesday.

This is Cinnamon Roll day too – YUMMY! One of my favorite days of the year.  The recipe originally came from one of my favorite aunts who taught me a lot about art, cooking and just plain being creative.  I have made a few minor updates to suit our tastes, but this recipe was ALL her and a secret that my cousin and I kept until the day she died.

ROLLS OF SHARON aka CINNAMON RAISIN BUNS
ROLLS
2 packages Fleischman’s Rapid Rise Yeast
1/2 cup + 2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup WARM water
1 cup scalded milk (2 minutes in the microwave)
1/2 cup Crisco stick
5 cups flour, divided
2 large eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon salt

  • In a small bowl combine the warm water, 2 teaspoons of sugar and both packages of yeast until well blended. Set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl combine the scalded milk, Crisco stick, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Blend well.
  • Add yeast mixture and blend well.
  • Add the well beaten eggs and half the flour. Mix until well blended.
  • Add the remaining flour (a little more if too sticky) and mix well until dough leaves the sides of the bowl and is elastic.
  • With vegetable oil, wipe the inside of another bowl.
  • Place dough in bowl and turn once.
  • Cover with wax paper and a towel.
  • Let rest in a warm place until double in size.
  • Punch down and divide into 2 balls.
  • Put one on the pastry board and one back in the bowl.
  • Let rest 10 minutes.
  • While resting prepare the filling ingredients.
  • Roll the dough to 1/8 inch thickness in a rectangle about 18×24 inches.
  • Spread half the melted butter over the dough and sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar.
  • Spread half the raisins over that.
  • Roll tightly jelly roll style and cut into 18 rolls.
  • Place rolls in greased pans 1/4 to 1/2 inches apart.
  • Cover with wax paper and a towel.
  • Let rise again until double in size.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
  • While baking prepare the icing.
  • When rolls come out the oven, put globs of icing on each one. Return to the oven for a minute or two to melt icing all over the rolls.

FILLING
1 stick melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
1 cup golden raisins

  • Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon until well blended.

ICING
1 stick butter, softened
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon powdered vanilla
4-6 tablespoons milk

  • Mix all together until smooth.

When re-heating rolls, put a pad of butter on top of roll before microwaving.
These freeze really well.

As we get to the end of our countdown I have remembered a few more fun anecdotes.

  • Every year we received a box of See’s candy and I was ALWAYS on the search for the sprinkle coated ones a.k.a. Milk Bordeauxs YUMMY!

  • One year my dad got my mom diamond earrings.  He wrapped them in their original box and then with my brother’s and my help we proceeded to nest these in other boxes (wrapping each box as we went) culminating with a Dishwasher box full of bricks in the bottom – Boy was she surprised and it made for chaotic family fun on Christmas Eve.

  • Another year we built an elaborate scavenger hunt all through the house to lead my dad to his ultimate gift in the garage.

MENU PLAN & HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

Good Morning! I had a SUPER productive weekend. NOW I am ready for CHRISTMAS and a great new week!   I hope you are too.  It’s Monday morning so be sure to join in with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Go check it out to see what it’s all about!

ON THE BREAKFAST MENU:

  • A big cup of coffee, maybe 2 or 3 wit a touch of Mocha Kahlua and apple maple cinnamon oatmeal with golden raisins. 

TODAY’S TO DO LIST:
  • Phone Calls
  • Cleaning
  • Baking

CURRENTLY (STILL) READING:

TV SHOWS THIS WEEK:

    Christmas Movies

    WEATHER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:
    Rain, rain and more rain, but there is a slight chance of Snow for a white Christmas.

    ON THE MENU:
     Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie


    		 DATE BREAKFAST
    		DINNER
    MONDAY 12/22 OATMEAL
    		Chicken in Sabayon Sauce & Upside Down Potatoes
    TUESDAY 12/23 YOGURT
    		Vegetable Barley Soup & Grilled Cheese & Bacon
    WEDNESDAY 12/24 OATMEAL
    		Prime Rib, Garlicky Cheese Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    THURSDAY 12/25 Farmer’s Casserole
    		Baked Ham with Apricot Pineapple glaze, Scalloped Potatoes, Coconut Rum Carrots, Caramel Apple Cheesecake
    FRIDAY 12/26 C.O.R.N.
    		C.O.R.N.
    SATURDAY 12/27 French Toast
    		C.O.R.N.
    SUNDAY 12/28
    Bacon and Eggs

    		Chimichurri Chicken & Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

    NEW RECIPES TO TRY:
    Nothing this week.

    IN THE YARD & GARDEN
    Nothing this week.

    FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
    Ominous sky during storm last week.

    HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:

    • Add a dry paper towel to your salad spinner and it will help absorb ALL the moisture.
    • If you’re like me at this time of year, you have batch after batch of goodies going into the oven.  To save time, line your pan with heavy duty foil before adding your recipe.  After cooling, you can lift the foil out with the goodies and start over with the next batch without having to stop and wash the pan.  Plus the foil gives you an easy, flat cutting surface. 
      ON MY MIND LATELY:

      Hoping everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year.

      INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

      THE TABLECLOTH – BLOGMAS 2014 – DAY 21

      This story originally came across my email and I was reminded that it is a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas Holiday spirit so I thought I’d share. This is such a beautiful story that makes you understand that things truly do happen for a reason. Don’t forget to grab the tissue box.

      The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

      They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc… and on December 18th they were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

      On December 19th a terrible tempest – a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.

      On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

      The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

      By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc… to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

      Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet.. ‘Pastor,’ she asked, ‘where did you get that tablecloth?’ The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.
      The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.

      The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth, but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a house cleaning job.

      What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn’t leaving.

      The man asked him where he got the Tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike.

      He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.

      The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

      He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman’s apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

      This true Story was submitted by Pastor Rob Reid.

      More entries over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom’s BLOGMAS.

      LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS – BLOGMAS 2014 – DAY 20

      I’m a Virgo and as such tend to make lists and be over-prepared. So, the only last minute gifts I tend to need are a couple extras for those surprises that come up like a surprise gift from a neighbor.

      A few of the “things” I keep on hand (with a festive ribbon already tied to them) for those occasions are:

      • Dutch Brothers coffee gift cards
      • Homemade applesauce
      • Homemade jam
      • And closer to the actual day a plate full of homemade goodies

      Here are a couple of recipes I made yesterday that are great to have around and NEVER EVER go to waste.

      CARAMEL BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE
      1 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
      1 1/4 cup butterscotch chips
      1/2 cup Kraft caramel bits
      1 can Eagle-Brand sweetened condensed milk
      1/3 cup Fisher’s Cinnamon Pecans

      • Line a 9×9 pan with heavy duty foil leaving enough foil overhanging the edges to use as handle to lift the foil out of the pan after the fudge has set.
      • Using a double boiler over medium heat melt the chips, caramel bits and condensed milk together until smooth.
      • Immediately pour into the foil lined pan.
      • Top with pecans using a piece of wax paper to press the pecans slightly into the fudge.

      CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
      1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
      1 cup peanut butter chips
      1 cup milk chocolate chips
      1 can Eagle-Brand sweetened condensed milk
      1/3 cup Crushed Honey Roasted Peanuts

      • Line a 9×9 pan with heavy duty foil leaving enough foil overhanging the edges to use as handle to lift the foil out of the pan after the fudge has set.
      • Using a double boiler over medium heat melt the chips and condensed milk together until smooth.
      • Immediately pour into the foil lined pan.
      • Top with peanut pieces using a piece of wax paper to press the pecans slightly into the fudge.

      PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS – BLOGMAS 2014 – DAY 19

      The packages are all wrapped and those that need to be shipped are on their way.  So, now it’s time to turn to the kitchen and start preparing the plates for the neighbors.

      This is truly my favorite holiday to cook for.  I try to add a few new goodies each year that I bake for “Neighbor” plates.

      This year I’m adding (I’ll post the recipes as soon as I can after I get pictures):

      • Lemon Oatmeal Bars
      • 4 Layer caramel crunch nougat brownies
      • Chunky Monkeys
      • Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with chocolate.

      Here are a few of our favorites from year’s past:

      This recipe is sooooooooooooooooo simple, but messy! Have fun making them. They are quite rich though – be forewarned!  The centers will turn to a clear sugary liquid in a day or so.

      CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES
      1 cup butter, melted
      1 can sweetened condensed milk
      3 pounds confectioners sugar (about 8 cups)
      3-10 ounce jars maraschino cherries(about 120 cherries), really well drained
      1-2 pounds milk chocolate candy coating, chopped (I used almond bark)

      • Combine butter and milk until smooth.
      • Gradually add in confectioner’s sugar until a soft dough forms.
      • Roll into 1 inch balls and flatten into 2 inch circles.
      • Place a cherry in the center of each one.
      • Wrap sides around cherry until cherry is completely covered and roll into a smooth ball.
      • Melt chocolate until smooth and dip each ball into the chocolate.
      • Place on wax paper until cool and sprinkle with sprinkles.
      • Cool well.
      2008 Neighbor Plates

      OREO CHEESECAKE BALLS – YUM YUM GOOD!
      1 regular package Oreos
      12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
      Almond Bark
      Candy Decorations

      • Crush Oreos in food processor
      • With hand mixer, mix together the Oreo crumbs and cream cheese
      • Roll into small balls.
      • Put balls into freezer for 5 minutes.
      • Melt Almond bark in small batches.
      • Coat each ball in almond bark.
      • Immediately decorate.
      • Let harden.

      BUTTERFINGER COOKIES
      Ritz crackers
      creamy peanut butter
      almond bark
      sprinkles

      • Spread peanut butter on ritz crackers and top with another cracker. 
      • Melt almond bark in the microwave. 
      • Dip each cookie in the almond bark and set onto wax paper to harden. 
      • If you’re using sprinkles do so before the almond bark hardens.

      GRAN’S VINAIGRETTE

      2 cloves garlic, minced
      1 large green onion, minced
      1 tablespoon brown sugar
      1 tablespoon white sugar
      1/2 teaspoon sea salt
      1/3 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
      1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
      3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
      2 tablespoons heavy cream
      juice of 1 lemon
      juice of 1 lime
      3/4 cup olive or peanut oil

      • In a dressing bottle combine the garlic and onion. sugars, salt and pepper.
      • In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, oil, sugars, salt and pepper.
      • Pour over the garlic and onion.
      • Shake well to combine until well blended.

      THE REASON for the SEASON ~ FAITH, LOVE & BELIEVE

      • So it’s only 7 days until Christmas.  The big question is what will you do now? Will you stress out? freak out? or relax and enjoy the moment?   

      • In years past I have been known to stress out or freak out, but quite honestly these days I’m the one that will relax and enjoy the moment.  May I suggest you do the same? 

      • I truly believe that there is a reason for this season, I try to carry that reason throughout the year in my heart and my actions.  Faith, Love and your belief are the most important elements of keeping FAITH, LOVE AND BELIEFS in your life. So, in the spirit of the season I offer you up my favorite Christmas movies and encourage you to take the time to sit and watch them with your kids and family.  These movies portray those meanings best. Make a bowl of popcorn, have some eggnog and relax. They are worth it!

      STOCKING STUFFERS – BLOGMAS 2014 – DAY 18 – STOCKING STUFFERS

      Stuffing stockings is one of my favorite things to do.  I’m always on the look out for special little items that I tuck away all year long waiting for just this day. Since the kids are grown hubby gets my full attention and he hates it (sort of) because he isn’t as good at it, but he tries hard and is getting better every year.

      Shhhh don’t tell him, but I can tell you this because I know he doesn’t read my blog. This year so far, he’s getting:

      • 2 new Wii U games (Amazon had an awesome Black Friday sale I could do from home in my PJ’s)
      • fun snacks – M&Ms, cashews, pistachios and DILL peanuts.
      • some camo carbiners
      • some camo notepads
      • an Army magnet
      • new winter gloves
      • Mason jar shot glasses so he’ll quit using my REAL mason jars
      • a couple of additional watchband choices to accessorize one of his gifts from mom
      • .50 caliber pocket knife
      • lottery tickets

      SMOTHERED TANGERINE CHICKEN

      I bought too many tangerines for making applesauce.  I can’t possibly eat them all so needed to come up with a recipe or two to help use them.

      One of my favorite “toys” from a product review a few years ago is the Deni MT149 Meat Tenderizer with 49 stainless steel blades. I had had a fantastic melt-in-your-mouth chicken recipe at my cousin’s house and she attributed it to her meat tenderizer so I had to get one an this one is PERFECT. Every piece of meat I have used this on whether it is beef, chicken or pork turns out fork tender and juicy.  I HIGHLY recommend this meat tenderizer to anyone who cooks!

      SMOTHERED TANGERINE CHICKEN
      4 thin chicken steaks
      1 medium Vidalia sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
      1 lemon, room temperature
      3 tangerines, room temperature
      1/2 pound bacon
      1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
      3 heaping tablespoons brown sugar
      salt and pepper to taste

      • Juice together the lemon and tangerines.
      • Use the meat tenderizer gently on each chicken piece.
      • Place chicken pieces in shallow baking dish.
      • Sprinkle chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
      • Pour juice over chicken pieces, turning to coat.  Set Aside for 30-45 minutes.

      • In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp.
      • Drain on paper towels.
      • Add onion slices to the bacon grease, sauteing until translucent.
      • Move onions to the edges.
      • Drain chicken pieces.  
      • Add chicken pieces to the bacon grease, sprinkle with the brown sugar, cover and saute’ for 4-5 minutes per side until golden.
      • Plate chicken and immediately top with cheese.
      • Add crumbled bacon to the onions and mix well.
      • Top chicken with onion bacon mix and ENJOY!