Category: RECIPES

“Colors of the Caribbean” Lemonade

We made it… safe and sound and home.  While I did indeed cook a great many dishes on the island, when we returned, we wanted to have a theme drink to serve our friends while we bored them with our stories and photographs.
Like this one…
See that beautiful color of the ocean.  This photo was taken in “the Baths” in Virgin Gorda, of the British Virgin Isles.  I just fell in love with the colors of the Caribbean waters, and wanted to recreate this color in a drink.
So, I give you the “Colors of the Caribbean” Lemonade
Start with 1/2 a pitcher (about 5 cups) of your favorite Lemonade
Add 1 cup Blue Alize Liqueur (blue Alize is a French Cognac mixture with Passion Fruit, Cherries, Ginger and other exotic fruit juices.
Fill with ice
Garnish with Lemon Slices
Serve in tall Collins size glass, and garnish with Lemon Slices
And it is just that simple.  So far, as long as we keep the drinks flowing, no one minds listening to our stories too much.

Dave here from MY YEAR ON THE GRILL. It really is just this easy!  

 … I CAN COOK THAT! 

And so can you!

BBQ Cola Meatballs

Welcome to Healthy Meals on Our Krazy Kitchen.  I like to focus on real, everyday, satisfying meals that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying!
I find meatballs adorable. They are like little mini meat loaves with a scrumptious sauce all around them. What’s not to love?  I’ve made meatballs different ways.  I’ve baked them, I’ve pan fried them. These, I did in the crockpot. (and the oven).  They were baked first, then I threw them in the crock pot.  
Then I made a delicious BBQ sauce with a unique sweetener. COKE! I thought that was awesome when I first saw it!!  I got this recipe from Kel from Between the Lines.  I’m always looking for new ways to prepare everyday food so when I saw this, I knew I had to try it!
Doesn’t that look awesome!!! They held together great so gently stirring wasn’t a problem. We ended up eating every last bit of the sauce!! They were made with ground turkey so they weren’t greasy at all.  I ate 7 of them and was quite full!! 
We ate this with a delicious Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese.  This was a fantastic meal!  Healthy and filling!

Barbecue Cola Meatballs

Adapted from Between the Lines

Meatballs:
1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey
1 1/4 cups bread crumbs (I used panko)
1 egg
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 (1 oz) package dry ranch style dressing mix

Sauce:
3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup barbeque sauce
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup cola
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup green or red pepper, chopped
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

In a large bowl, mix together the meatball ingredients until well blended. Shape into meatball and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes at 375 turning them over half way.

Mix up the sauce ingredients in slow cooker. Remove meatballs from baking sheet and place in sauce in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, then remove lid and cook for an additional 15 – 30 minutes before serving. Mine made 40 meatballs.

Total calories = 1922 calories
40 meatballs = 48 calories per meatball with sauce

7 BBQ Cola Meatballs + Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese = 582 calorie dinner
Check out the spaghetti squash mac and cheese and more healthy recipes at Debbi Does Dinner Healthy! 

PEACH NUTTY CHEESE BARS

1 cups all-purpose flour
1 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cups chopped cashews
1/2 + 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 large eggs
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup peach jam

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9″x 13″x 2″ baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
  • Combine flour, oats, cashews, 1 cup sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter. Reserve 1 & 1/2 cups of mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Set pan on wire rack to cool. 
  • Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer. When mixture is creamy, add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract. Beat until combined. 
  • Spread apple butter over cooled crust. Spread cream cheese mixture over apple butter. Top with reserved oat mixture. Bake 35-40 minutes or until cream cheese layer is set. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
  • Let cool.  Store in air tight refrigerated container.

CHICKEN SCAMPI

A while back I made Shrimp Scampi and it was so good I decided to make Chicken Scampi.

1 1/2 pounds chicken pieces
1/3 cup clarified butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
Fresh parsley for garnish
salt and pepper, to taste
  • Clean and rinse chicken pieces, dry well and set aside.
  • Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook garlic 1 or 2 minutes or until softened but not browned.
  • Add chicken pieces, green onions, wine and lemon juice; cook until chicken is cooked through.
  • Do not overcook.
  • Add chopped parsley and salt and pepper before serving.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and parsley sprigs if desired.
  • Serve with buttered noodles and a green veggie. I tossed them all together for a one pot meal.

HOMEMADE DING DONGS, HO~HO’S or what we like to call CHOCOLATE HEAVENS

3 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 Jumbo eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup apple juice
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 cups flour
1 jar marshmallow cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 bag milk chocolate chips
  • Heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Generously grease a 9×13 pan.
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Then add 1/2 cup of the sugar, the cinnamon and 1/2 cup of the apple juice, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Cool.
  • Mix the baking soda into 2 teaspoons of orange juice.
  • In a large mixing bowl cream the butter with 1 cup sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
  • Alternate the milk and flour, sifting the flour into the cream mixture and blend until smooth.
  • Add the baking soda mixture and blend well.
  • Add the cooled chocolate mixture and blend well.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Level pan by dropping on counter top to remove air bubbles.
  • Bake until springy 55-60 minutes.
  • Cool thoroughly and then invert onto platter.
  • Cut into desired shapes and sizes.
  • Slice each in half.
  • Spread marshmallow cream over bottom half and replace tops.
  • In a small sauce pan melt chocolate.
  • Whisk in heavy cream and heat until thickened.
  • Pour over tops of cakes.
  • Cool.

Tomatoes are good for you, no I mean REALLY good for you!

Tomato Bisque
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped small
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups fresh Roma tomatoes, peeled
4 cups chicken broth
3 or 4 sprigs fresh parsley
5-10 fresh basil leaves
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Sea salt and white pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

  • Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. 
  • Add chopped onions, carrots, celery and garlic.
  • Cook stirring often until soft, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Add chicken broth and tomatoes, stirring well.
  • Tie herbs together in cheesecloth and drop into the soup. This makes it easy to remove later.
  • Season with sea salt and white pepper to taste.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
  • Remove herbs and discard.
  • Add whipping cream and blend until smooth.
  • Ladle into bowls and top with freshly grated cheese and fresh basil.
Pairs really well with Tuna Melts.

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Deep Fried Asparagus Throwdown

I’ll be honest. I have no clue how this post ties in with my theme of Fire Day Friday. But it is too *$&# good to pass up.
The best restaurant appetizer and best restaurant main course I have ever eaten are from the same place, Puleo’s Grille in Knoxville. Their shrimp and grits are comfort food times infinity. But their deep fried asparagus should be illegal. No vegetable should be this delectable. These asparagus spears are crispy on the outside, tender when you bite into them, and have just a little kick.
We bought a deep fryer and the first thing we wanted to make in it is deep fried asparagus.

Stockton Fried Asparagus
Source: Stockton Asparagus Festival Cookbook

1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 egg whites
2/3 cup cold flat beer
3 pounds (2 cups) raw, whole asparagus, cleaned and cut above white end

Mix all ingredients except asparagus in a bowl with a wire whisk until well blended. Dip asparagus spears individually in the batter and deep fry them in at least 2 inches of peanut oil for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Dust generously with grated Parmesan cheese.

I mixed it up as directed but it was too thick, almost a dough instead of a batter. I added more beer to thin it out, maybe too thin. They were still very good they just looked a little funny.
Puleo’s serves theirs with two dips, a honey mustard and a spicy avocado ranch. Here is a quick and easy knock off of the avocado ranch. We have used this as a dip several times.

Spicy Avocado Ranch Dip
source: NibbleMeThis.com

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Cruise Farms Buttermilk
3 Tbsp Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 avocado, seeded and peeled
1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Use 1/2 tsp of cayenne if you prefer mild over spicy. Use 1 tsp if you lean more toward the spicy side.
Stop by my blog to enter my August giveaway, it’s my best one yet. I’m giving away a brand new Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse smoker!!!!

TOMATO BISQUE

Tomato Bisque
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped small
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups fresh Roma tomatoes, peeled
4 cups chicken broth
3 or 4 sprigs fresh parsley
5-10 fresh basil leaves
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Sea salt and white pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

  • Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. 
  • Add chopped onions, carrots, celery and garlic.
  • Cook stirring often until soft, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Add chicken broth and tomatoes, stirring well.
  • Tie herbs together in cheesecloth and drop into the soup. This makes it easy to remove later.
  • Season with sea salt and white pepper to taste.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
  • Remove herbs and discard.
  • Add whipping cream and blend until smooth.
  • Ladle into bowls and top with freshly grated cheese and fresh basil.
Pairs really well with Tuna Melts.

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POTATO OMELET MUFFINS

Potato Omelet Muffins
Ingredients:
5 medium potatoes (you could get away with 4, easily)
8 eggs or egg beaters
12 teaspoons bruschetta sauce
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons chives, chopped (you can use dried – I ran out half way through so I added dried for the rest.)
2 slices yogurt-herb cheese or cheese of choice
1 orange pepper, diced
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream (low-fat)
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large skillet, put the butter and half the olive oil. Use remaining oil if needed. I used it then took another tablespoon and added it to the skillet.
Peel potatoes and shred.
Cook for three minutes, orange pepper and scallions. Add chives for one additional minute.
Remove from pan and replace with potatoes. I did three batches so not to overcrowd.
I browned the potatoes because we like them crisp. You can cook until translucent and then finish baking it, in the oven.
While potatoes are cooking, mix milk, eggs, sour cream, bruschetta sauce, and cheese.
Add peppers, scallions and chives to egg mixture.
Put potatoes on the side.
I did it again. I forgot the bruschetta. I had already filled a few muffin inserts so I put a piece of bruschetta on top of each and then poured the rest into the egg mixture. It added a great flavor to this. You could use liquid cayenne (hot pepper sauce) instead but I am not sure how much you would need since I chose not to use it. You can add heat to this if you like your food hot.
Take potatoes and put them on the bottom of each insert.
Using an ice cream scoop or ladle, scoop the mixture into each muffin compartment.
Bake for 30 minutes. I put a sharp knife in the middle of a few, like we do for baked goods, to make sure I did not have soft eggs. They came out dry but barely dry, the way I would want it to be.

BOHEMIAN PORK CHOPS aka PORK CHOPS IN BEER GRAVY and a drum roll please…

Let’s start the day off with our big CSN giveaway winner.  Drum roll please…

The winner is Julie from Mommie Cooks!
Congratulations!

This was from another scrap of recipe I found in gram’s things.  I don’t know if she ever made it, but pork chops and beer in the same sentence got hubby’s interest and so we had some fun experimenting with this recipe.

BOHEMIAN PORK CHOPS aka PORK CHOPS IN BEER GRAVY
4-6 thick boneless pork chops
1 small onion, cut into thin rings
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 tablespoons flour
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup water
1 beer ~ your favorite flavor
  • In a large skillet, melt butter.
  • Brown pork chops, generously salting and peppering.
  • Remove pork chops, keep warm.
  • Saute’ onion and celery until soft and translucent.
  • Add flour, stirring until golden.
  • Add water, stirring until well blended.
  • Add beer and simmer until begins to thicken.
  • Add pork chops back in and heat through.
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Apricot and Cherry Galette

Pie Dough Ingredients*
For a 9-inch crust
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) of butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 cup ice water
Filling Ingredients**
For one 9-inch galette
  • 3/4 pound fresh apricots, pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 pound fresh cherries, pitted
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup sugar + more for sprinkling
  • Juice of half a lemon
Ingredients for Assembly
  • 1 egg, beaten
ASSEMBLY
  • Cut butter into small cubes and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  • Pulse flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. 
  • Add butter and pulse until it resembles a coarse meal. 
  • Gradually add ice water and pulse until the dough forms a coarse meal. 
  • Turn the dough out onto a work surface and very lightly and sparingly, knead just to incorporate dry ingredients. 
  • Flatten into a circle; wrap individually in plastic. 
  • Refrigerate dough for at least an hour. 
  • Remove dough from refrigerator; place on floured work surface. 
  • Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a rough 11-inch circle. 
  • Trim the edges to a clean circle with a pairing knife. 
  • Transfer the circle to a baking sheet or pizza pan lined with parchment paper. 
  • Mix 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl and spread on the bottom of the dough. 
  • Toss apricots and cherries with the rest of the cornstarch, sugar and lemon juice. 
  • Arrange the fruit on the bottom of the dough, leaving 2 inches of dough left outside. 
  • Fold up and pleat the dough over the top of the fruit, leaving the center uncovered. 
  • Lightly brush the top of the pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle both the dough and the fruit with 1/4 – 1/3 cup sugar. 
  • Place the Galette in the oven and cook for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. 
  • Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack immediately. 
  • Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
*If you are in a huge hurry, Pillsbury from the dairy case can be substituted.
**1 can Comstock cherries can be substituted.  Just add apricots!

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BBQ BACON ROASTED CHICKEN

I found an awesome sale recently on roasting chicken and more importantly found this awesome 8 pound bird.  Yep, I said 8 pounds.  I’m going to get several meals out of this one!  As for the leftovers, I think we’ll have a Chicken Caesar salad and some Chicken a la King – haven’t had that in eons!
I will write the recipe though based on a standard size bird. I also swear I had bacon in the meat keeper, but it’s not there now so today we made it with hard salami and guess what?  It was awesome!  Honestly the main purpose of the meat is to keep the moisture in.
BBQ BACON SALAMI ROASTED CHICKEN
3-4 pound roasting chicken
6 slices bacon, cut as necessary
1 cup favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
3 stalks celery, washed and halved lengthwise
3 large carrots, washed and halved lengthwise
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Clean and wash the chicken well.
  • Layer celery and carrots on bottom of roasting pan.
  • Pour broth over vegetables.
  • Generously salt and pepper chicken.
  • With a silicone basting brush, brush chicken with a layer of BBQ sauce.
  • Basket weave the bacon together over the entire chicken.
  • Brush another coat of BBQ sauce over the bacon.
  • Roast chicken uncovered.
  • Baste with BBQ sauce every 1/2 hour.
RULE OF THUMB FOR ROASTING CHICKEN:  
30 minutes per pound up to 3 1/2 pounds.

22-25 minutes per pound over 3 1/2 pounds
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