ELVIS COOKIES ala DUFF GOLDMAN

Duff says that the King deserves a cookie. And you know what, he’s absolutely right, and I for one am so glad Duff created a cookie for him! Elvis was known for some odd eating combos and this cookie showcases them all – bananas, peanut butter, garlic, bacon, pretzels… YEP I said garlic. I always make a recipe as written the first time and then adjust from there. I did include the garlic, but I WILL omit it next time. Hubby couldn’t taste it, but I could.

ELVIS COOKIES ala DUFF GOLDMAN yields 30 cookies
3 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon PURE vanilla extract
BIG pinch of baking powder*
1 garlic clove, minced **(optional)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 VERY ripe bananas
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
3/4 cup pretzel crumbs (about 5 ounces hard pretzels smashed)
10 bacon strips, cooked crisp and chopped FINE

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl combine the butter, peanut butter, molasses, sugar, baking powder, garlic and salt, mixing until all one color.
  • Add the bananas, mixing until all the same consistency.
  • Add flour and gently mix until incorporated with no lumps.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips, pretzel pieces and bacon.
  • This is my little addition – chill the entire batch of dough for 1 hour before using.
  • Place large walnut sized spoon fulls onto prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart.
  • Chill baking sheets 10 minutes.
  • Bake for 12 minutes or until golden on the outside and gooey in the middle.
  • Cool on wire rack.

*NOTE: Duff qualifies this by saying yes, he said a BIG pinch of baking powder and to get over it 😀

**NOTE: Duff claims that the garlic isn’t weird and that there is actually a long standing tradition of putting garlic in chocolate chip cookies. I have to admit t does sound weird, but in reality no weirder than the bacon 😀 But like I said hubby couldn’t taste it, but I could so I will omit it next time and leave it up to you.

OVARIAN CANCER

Set Goals To Help You Overcome Cancer

Anyone who wants to turn their hopes and dreams into realities can benefit from writing about their goals. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with a serious illness, form mesothelioma, fibromyalgia to even autoimmune disorders. When faced with a serious diagnosis, people sometimes stop trying to achieve goals because they’re afraid they won’t be able to accomplish them in their lifetimes or feel that nothing matters besides their illness. However, setting and achieving goals can help you live a high quality life despite your diagnosis and might aid you in living a longer, healthier life despite a stated prognosis. 

Short-Term Goals
Patients often focus on short-term goals such as getting through treatment or going into remission for a year. Writing about these tangible goals can help them cope with treatment better. Just as anyone who sets a goal is more likely to achieve it, patients who set goals for their treatment have a better prognosis than those who do not. 

Patients can approach these short-term goals in a variety of ways. Writing down their goals and hanging them up where they can see them helps remind them of what they are trying to achieve and keeps them focused on recovery. Some patients also find it helpful to keep a journal about their treatment. Journaling is an effective way to release negative feelings about disease so that patients can remain in the positive state of mind necessary for cancer recovery.

Quality of Life
It’s important for patients to avoid focusing exclusively on their disease and its treatment. Before getting ill, most people had hobbies and things they looked forward to, and it can sometimes be difficult to focus on these things after a diagnosis. However, enjoying life as much as possible for as long as they can after diagnosis can help patients recover better. In addition, individuals should make as many good memories as possible—-positivity is uplifting and guides healing. 

Thus, patients should add some daily goals to their treatment goals. For example, some patients may set a goal of reading a certain amount of pages in a book. Writing down these goals can help patients remember the things they enjoy and give them things to look forward to, both of which can help improve their chances of recovering from cancer.

The Elephant in the Room…

The Elephant in the Room…

November 9, 2009 at 4:04pm

When you google dementia this is what you get:
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases.

Symptoms ~ Problems may involve language, memory, perception, emotional behavior or personality, and cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment). Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness.

Symptoms include:
*Changed feeling (sensation) or perception
*Changed sleep patterns
*Change in sleep-wake cycle
*Insomnia
*Need for increased sleep
*Decrease in problem-solving skills and judgment
*Disorientation
*Confused about people, places, or times
*Unable to pick up cues from the environment
*Disorders of problem-solving or learning
*Trouble making calculations
*Unable to learn
*Unable to think abstractly
*Unable to think in general terms
* Impaired recognition (agnosia)
*Trouble recognizing familiar objects or people
*Trouble recognizing things through the senses
* Lack of or poor language ability (aphasia)
*Unable to form words
*Unable to name objects
*Unable to read or write
*Unable to repeat a phrase
*Unable to speak (without muscle paralysis)
*Unable to understand speech
*Have impaired language skills
*Repeat phrases
*Speak poorly (enunciation)
*Use slang or the wrong words
*Memory problems
*Unable to remember new things (short-term memory problems)
*Unable to remember the past (long-term memory problems)
*Motor system problems
*Gait changes
*Impaired skilled motor function (apraxia)
*Unable to copy geometric figures
*Unable to copy hand positions
*Unable to dress self ~ and lack of desire to bathe, brush teeth and the ability to live with those smells and without regard to those around them.
*Inappropriate movements
*Other motor system problems
* Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) and having false ideas (delusions)
*Severe confusion
*Personality changes
*Anxiety
*Decreased ability to care for oneself
*Decreased interest in daily living activities ~ often accompanied by frequent “woe is me I’d be better off dead” drama scenes
*Depression
*Inappropriate mood or behavior ~ such as blurting out whatever they may be thinking without censure, often creating ambivalence in those around them.
*Irritability
*No mood (flat affect)
*Not flexible
*Only concerned with self (self-centered)
*Poor temper control
*Unable to function or interact in social or personal situations
*Unable to keep a job
*Unable to make decisions
*Withdrawal from social interaction
*Unable to be spontaneous
*Unable to concentrate

Other symptoms that may occur with dementia:
* Incontinence
* Swallowing problems

Treatment ~ The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms of dementia. Treatment depends on the condition causing the dementia. Some people may need to stay in the hospital for a short time.

Stopping or changing medications that make confusion worse may improve brain function. Medicines that contribute to confusion include:
* Anticholinergics
* Central nervous system depressants
* Cimetidine
* Lidocaine
* Painkillers (analgesics)

Treating conditions that can lead to confusion can often greatly improve mental functioning. Such conditions include:
* Anemia
* Decreased oxygen (hypoxia)
* Depression
* Heart failure
* Infections
* Nutritional disorders
* Thyroid disorders

Medications may be needed to control behavior problems. Possible medications include:
* Antipsychotics
* Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) for Alzheimer’s-type dementia
* Dopamine blockers (haloperidol, risperdal, olanzapine, clozapine)
* Mood stabilizers (fluoxetine, imipramine, citalopram)
* Serotonin-affecting drugs (trazodone, buspirone)
* Stimulants (methylphenidate)

A person’s eyes and ears should be checked regularly. Hearing aids, glasses, or cataract surgery may be needed.

Psychotherapy or group therapy usually does not help because it may cause more confusion.

LONG-TERM TREATMENT:
A person with dementia may need monitoring and help at home or in an institution. Possible options include:
* Adult day care
* Boarding homes
* Convalescent homes
* In-home care

Family members can get help caring for the person with dementia from:
* Adult protective services
* Community resources
* Homemakers
* Visiting nurses or aides
* Volunteer services

In some communities, support groups may be available (see elder care – support group). Family counseling can help family members cope with home care.

Other tips for reducing disorientation:
* Have familiar objects and people around
* Keep lights on at night
* Provide environmental and other cues with reality orientation
* Reward appropriate behaviors and ignore inappropriate ones to control unacceptable or dangerous behaviors
* Stick to a simple activity schedule

Advance directives, power of attorney, and other legal actions may make it easier to decide about the care of the person with dementia. Seek legal advice early in the course of the disorder, before the person with dementia is unable to make such decisions.
Causes

The two major causes of non-reversible (degenerative) dementia are:

  • Alzheimer’s disease ~ Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a term that is used to describe a group of brain disorders. These brain disorders cause memory loss and make it harder to carry out daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease develops slowly over time. The symptoms begin to appear so gradually that it is often mistaken for normal aging.
  • Loss of brain function due to a series of small strokes (vascular dementia)

The two conditions often occur together.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a leading cause of dementia in elderly adults. People with this condition have abnormal protein structures in certain areas of the brain.

The structures and symptoms of DLB are similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is not clear whether DLB is a form of Alzheimer’s or a separate disease. There is no cure for DLB or Alzheimer’s.

Conditions that damage blood vessels or nerve structures of the brain can also lead to dementia.

Treatable causes of dementia include:
* Brain tumors
* Dementia due to metabolic causes
* Infections
* Low vitamin B12 levels
* Normal pressure hydrocephalus
* Thyroid conditions

Dementia usually occurs in older age. It is rare in people under age 60. The risk for dementia increases as a person gets older.

Tests & diagnosis
The following tests and procedures may be done:
* B12 level
* Blood ammonia levels
* Blood chemistry (chem-20)
* Blood gas analysis
* Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
* Drug or alcohol levels (toxicology screen)
* Electroencephalograph (EEG)
* Glucose test
* Head CT
* Liver function tests
* Mental status test
* MRI of head
* Serum calcium
* Serum electrolytes
* Thyroid function tests
* Thyroid stimulating hormone level
* Urinalysis

Prognosis ~ Dementia usually gets worse and often decreases quality of life and lifespan.

Prevention ~ Most causes of dementia are not preventable.

You can reduce the risk of vascular dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes, by quitting smoking and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes. Eating a low-fat diet and exercising regularly may also reduce the risk of vascular dementia.

Complications ~ Complications depend on the cause of the dementia, but may include the following:

* Abuse by an overstressed caregiver
* Increased infections anywhere in the body
* Loss of ability to function or care for self
* Loss of ability to interact
* Reduced life span
* Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder

When to contact a doctor:
* Call your health care provider if dementia develops or a sudden change in mental status occurs.
* Call your health care provider if the condition of a person with dementia gets worse.
* Call your health care provider if you are unable to care for a person with dementia at home.

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TUSCAN STYLE HERB CHICKEN

TUSCAN STYLE HERB CHICKEN
1 cup chicken bone broth
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 LARGE russet or 6 Yukon gold potatoes, diced bite size
1 cup peeled and sliced carrots
3/4 cup frozen peas
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can diced tomatoes with herbs, drained WELL
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Italian herbs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk Italian herbs and butter into the chicken broth.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Arrange potatoes, carrots, peas and tomatoes into the bottom of a baking dish. I like to use my enameled cast iron for even baking.
  • Nestle chicken pieces into veggies.
  • Pour broth mixture over and around chicken and veggies stirring gently to coat well.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes until potatoes and carrots are tender and chicken is cooked through.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY & MENU PLANS week 5 of 2022

Doing Happy Homemaker Monday so extensively helps keep me on track as it summarizes the past week and lays out a fairly concise plan for this week.

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

What an exciting playoff day yesterday was! The sacks, the interceptions, overtime – the games had it all!!! So sorry Jean 🙁 I really thought the Chiefs had it until the very end. When the coin toss for overtime came up in their favor I was sure it was all over. It has been so many years since the Bengals have even made it to the playoffs, let alone through them that I’m not totally disappointed. It was a good game.

The Rams game didn’t start out well, but boy was the second half an edge of the seat worth the wait! I’m not from California, but I grew up there. My dad was an “original’ Rams fan from when they were originally a Los Angeles team so I grew up with them being the home town team. Honestly I would have been okay with the 49ers winning, but am so glad to see the Rams be one of the first teams to go to the Super Bowl in their brand new home stadium.

Our weekend rain didn’t materialize until last night and while it poured A LOT, it was short lived leaving us with an even colder week ahead. Saturday was actually gorgeous – sunny and bright despite being cold. With the sun the temperature actually hit 40 and we were able to take a comfortable hike around the pond. That sun was short lived though and the low was 29° that night 🙁 This week will be in the low 40’s with very little sun making it a bone chilling cold again. Nights will be in the low 30’s. But, I am LOVING the continued turtlenecks, flannels, hoodies and UGG’s though.

I’m a positive, upbeat person 95% of the time who loves to interact with people and be involved in multiple projects, but I can seriously see how easy it would be to become an agoraphobic person.

I seriously question leaving the house EVERY time I do it these days. COVID variants and people’s actions or lack of are on my mind ALL the time these days. I never used to judge people and hate to admit I do now. I try to not even use public restrooms these days, but every now and then it is a necessity and when I see someone leave a restroom without washing their hands I cringe and just want to yell at them!!!!

Because of my immuno compromised status I am ALWAYS (and have been for a VERY long time) aware of my surroundings and the actions of those around me, but MORE than ever it makes life a challenge these days.

Hot water and cherry yogurt!

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a load of towels to do, but the rest of the laundry is up to date. I’ll vacuum later. It’s been so cold at night that we are still getting those pesky tiny black ants. They are not in search of anything, but warmth since they never get into food, but boy are they annoying!! So I like to vacuum them up as often as possible.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have hair and pedicure appointments this week so will work the groceries and misc. errands into those appointments. The painting class for the Eagles is on Saturday also, but that’s super local with people I know and in a LARGE room appropriately spaced.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS & PROJECTS Still whittling down a bunch of stuff.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’ve been reading a couple of new cook books and working on down sizing a few more recipes for February.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • PEACOCK Fraiser reruns
  • TUBI That Girl reruns
  • DISNEY+ Sulphur Springs Season 2
  • CABLE I have some cooking shows (Next Level Chef, Alex VS. America, Girl Meets Farm, The Lost Kitchen), Hallmark movies and some CBS shows (Magnum, Blue Bloods, NCIS, Bull) that haven’t yet gone on Hiatus as well as some Rawhide reruns recorded that I’ve been watching in between things.

I’m finishing up THE LAKESIDE INN by Leanna Morgan and will start BUNDLE OF TROUBLE by Diana Orgain this week. Bundle of Trouble wasn’t on my original list for the year, but popped up as a free kindle read in my email so I thought I’d try a new to me author.

It’s been completely dry and super cold lately with heavy dense fog mornings that haven’t been clearing off until around lunchtime, but that has been creating some incredible sunsets. 😀 I caught this one just in time on Friday afternoon.

Then on Saturday when it actually warmed up a bit with the sun we walked around the pond and were rewarded with this cute beaver sunning himself on a downed log.

Recently they cut back A LOT of brush from around the pond and you can now see all the beaver activity as they begin building their summer home.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
TACO SPAGHETTI
SALAD with GOAT CHEESE CROUTONS and CITRUS VINAIGRETTE
TEX MEX CHICKEN POT PIES
SEAFOOD SALAD & NO KNEAD SALAMI BREAD
SAUERBRATEN, POTATO PANCAKES & HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
CHICKEN & DUMPLING SOUP with NO KNEAD ONION BREAD
HAMBURGER HASH with MARINATED BEAN SALAD
DESSERT
MOLLY CHOCO CHIP COOKIES

  • MARINATED BEAN SALAD
  • TUSCAN STYLE HERB CHICKEN
  • ELVIS COOKIES ala DUFF GOLDMAN
  • MARINATED PORK CHOPS & FRIED POTATOES

APPLE PANCAKE

APPLE PANCAKE adapted from MOLLY YEH
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup 
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
1 1/4 teaspoons QUALITY ground cinnamon 
Pinch kosher salt 
1 medium HONEYCRISP or GRANNY SMITH apple, peeled, cored and sliced 1/4 inch (about 1 cup) 
4 LARGE eggs 
2 tablespoons FINE sugar 
1/2 cup buttermilk**
1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla 
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Flaky salt, for finishing 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°.
  • In an 8-inch nonstick skillet (preferably cast iron) over low heat, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, 3/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and a pinch kosher salt. Whisk together and whisk to combine.
  • Turn the heat up to medium and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Allow to boil vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Carefully add the apple slices and toss until the apples are fully coated in the caramel mixture.
  • Reduce heat to low and allow mixture to bubble for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften and appear translucent.
  • Place the skillet onto a foil, parchment or silpat lined baking sheet to catch any bubbled-over caramel and bake for 5 minutes while you prepare the batter.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until frothy.
  • Whisk in the buttermilk, flour, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and the nutmeg to combine until no longer lumpy.
  • Remove the pan from the oven.
  • Carefully pour the batter into the skillet over the apples, swirling around the perimeter and ending in the center. According to Molly beginning on the sides and working inward gives the pancake better structure and will also ensure that the pancake “souffles” evenly.
  • Place pan back into the oven to bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the sides have risen and the edges are dark.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to settle for a minute or two.
  • Carefully invert on a plate.
  • Sprinkle with flaky salt and serve immediately.

**NOTE: Buttermilk can be made by using a combination of whole milk and vinegar.

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK EGG ROLLS

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK EGG ROLLS yields 15 egg rolls
1 pound ribeye, sliced thin
1 tablespoon butter
1 red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup WHOLE milk
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
1 ounce Velveeta cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
15 egg roll wrappers
oil for frying
Sweet chili sauce for dipping

  • In a large skillet melt the butter.
  • Cook steak slices 4-6 minutes over medium high heat until browned.
  • Add pepper slices and onions stirring 3-4 minutes until tender.
  • Reduce heat.
  • Stir in milk and cheeses until melted.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Stir in garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Cool.
  • Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of an egg roll wrapper.
  • Fold bottom corner up over filling.
  • Fold sides over filling.
  • Wet remaining edges with water.
  • Roll tightly until edges are sealed.
  • Repeat with remaining egg roll wrappers.
  • Heat oil to 375°.
  • Fry egg rolls until golden brown.
  • Drain on paper toweling.
  • Serve hot with chili sauce.

KILBOURN SANDWICHES

KILBOURN SANDWICHES yields 10 sandwiches
1 1/4 pounds sliced turkey
1 1/4 pounds sliced tavern ham
10 slices baby Swiss cheese
20 slices QUALITY white bread
4 cups buttermilk pancake mix
oil for frying
powdered sugar for dusting

  • Layer meats and cheese on 10 slices of bread. Top with other 10 slices of bread. Cut each sandwich in half diagonally.
  • Prepare pancake mix according to package directions.
  • Dip sandwiches into batter mix, allowing excess to drip off.
  • Arrange sandwiches on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
  • Freeze until firm.
  • Heat oil to 375.
  • Fry frozen sandwiches 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Fry in batches.  DO NOT CROWD PAN.
  • Drain on paper toweling.
  • Serve with dipping sauce.

DIPPING SAUCE
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup strawberry preserves

  • Dust with powdered sugar.
  • Combine the preserves and sour cream.

SWEET CANDIED CARROTS

This is a super simple, yet sweet and flavorful recipe and quite honestly my favorite way to eat carrots.

SWEET CANDIED CARROTS
2 pounds carrots, sliced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup PACKED brown sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
MINCED parsley

  • Place carrots in a wide saucepan.
  • Cover by 1 inch of water.
  • Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 8-10 minutes until crisp tender.
    Drain and set aside.
  • In the same pan, combine the butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper; stirring to combine until butter is melted.
  • Return carrots to pan; cooking and stirring 5 minutes until well coated and glazed well.
  • Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 4 of 2022

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up
with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

First off, my sympathies  🙁 to all my Packer fan friends, Carrie in particular. I’ve never been a 49er fan, but that was the game of the year with a seriously unexpected outcome!

And having grown up in southern California before the RAMS went to St. Louis, I’ve always been a RAMS fan, well because my dad was – they were our home team. 😀 So, that was a good outcome (as far as I was concerned) and a really “historic” game with Tom Brady receiving his first ever un-sportsman like flag and penalty.

As for the Bengals and Titans I had no preference, but I do like the Bengals helmets – ha ha I know, such a girl thing to say! 😀

I’ve always been a Bills fan for some unknown reason, but am also a Chiefs fan so had no true preference there either except to see a good game, which we certainly did! It truly was the Josh Allen & Patrick Mahomes show. Congratulations Jean 😀

All 4 playoff games were quite good and I really enjoyed them all, but it’s time to get this week started.

Looks like we’re heading back into wet weather later this week, which is normal for us at this time of the year. The dry weather we’ve been having has been kinda nice after all the snow and rain, but much colder 24/7 with it being so clear, making the rain a welcome change.

This week will be in the high 40’s during the days and 30’s at night with the rain returning over next weekend. Either way I get to keep enjoying turtlenecks, flannels, UGG’s and snuggling in blankets and quilts.

Hot water & Apple Blueberry toddler squeeze

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING 2 loads of laundry to do and some more sorting through clothes and stuff.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS Hubby and I each have a couple appointments this week. Unfortunately, they’re on 4 separate days! Have been trying to combine things where possible to save on gas – it’s gotten so expensive!
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS & PROJECTS I’m working on some paperwork and calls.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menus are planned through mid month pending any serious change in weather 😀 I’ve been reworking recipes I had set aside to try into servings for 2 with NO leftovers!

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • PRIME Looking forward to the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in February
  • DISNEY+ Black Widow
  • CABLE We finished Yellowstone through season 4 which upset hubby because season 5 won’t start before at least November along with the Four 6’s. Last year we watched a single episode of Resident Alien, but somehow missed the rest of the season so we’re watching it now before season 2 begins. We’ll also catch up with BULL, Law & Order SVU, the CHICAGO trilogy, SWAT, 911, Fixer Upper, Kid’s Baking, Next Level Chef, Alex vs. America, Beat Bobby Flay, a few movies

I’m finishing up THE LAKESIDE INN by Leanna Morgan and will start BUNDLE OF TROUBLE by Diana Orgain this week. Bundle of Trouble wasn’t on my original list for the year, but popped up as a free kindle read in my email so I thought I’d try a new to me author.

I’m getting a third blooming on all my Christmas cacti. 😀

 
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
DINNER
STUFFED MEATBALL PIES
WONTON CROUTON SALAD
BOBBY FLAY CHIPOTLE SALISBURY STEAKS with MASHED POTATOES
C.O.R.N. CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
CHICKEN & DUMPLING SOUP with NO KNEAD BREAD
BAKED GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES and BOOZY TOMATO SOUP
PROCIUTTO STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS & PASTA
DESSERT
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHEWY BROWNIES

  • CHIPOTLE SALISBURY STEAKS
  • DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHEWY BROWNIES

BALSAMIC PINEAPPLE CHICKEN with ROASTED POTATOES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

It’s all about the sauce! Sauce is the BEST way to add extra flavor to ANY dish! I use pineapple jam, but have also used apricot pineapple, tart cherry, peach and even fig. When you add your favorite jam to a QUALITY balsamic vinegar and FRESH herbs the flavors mingle with the pan drippings and caramelized onions so that the flavors explode into the PERFECT sauce.

BALSAMIC PINEAPPLE CHICKEN with ROASTED POTATOES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

12 ounces Yukon gold potatoes, diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 Red Onion, halved – one half sliced thin, the other half diced
2 tablespoons FRESH thyme leaves
1 LARGE Lemon, juiced
2 boneless, skinless chicken steaks
4 tablespoons WONDRA flour
2 tablespoons QUALITY Balsamic Vinegar
3 tablespoons Pineapple jam
1/3-1/2 cup homemade chicken stock
2 cups halved and trimmed small BRUSSELS SPROUTS
1 + 1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 + 1 tablespoon butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Toss potato pieces and Brussels sprouts
  • Dice potatoes into ½-inch pieces; toss on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Roast on top rack, tossing halfway through, until browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.
  • Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  • Generously season all over with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Dredge in WONDRA and and shake off excess.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side.
  • Transfer to a cutting board and set aside to rest.
  • Add the remaining oil to the pan oil in pan.
  • Add the onion slices and thyme leaves, cooking 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Whisk vinegar, lemon juice and jam together.
  • Add jam mixture to pan and simmer 2-3 minutes until syrupy.
  • Stir in stock and simmer 2-3 minutes until thick and glossy.
  • Remove pan from heat and stir in remaining butter until melted.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Thinly slice chicken crosswise if you’d like.
  • Divide chicken, potatoes, and green beans between plates.
  • Drizzle to your heart’s content over the chicken and or potatoes and Brussels sprouts. ENJOY every bite.
  • Serve with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

BAYOU BLEND CASSEROLE – previously known as BLEND IN THE BAYOU and once known as SEAFOOD CASSEROLE EXTRAODINAIRE

I’m trying to clean up some old recipe posts. This was originally posted on March 24, 2010 and again on November 4, 2010. I then posted it for the Magazine Monday meme on March 24, 2011. I’m now changing it to a current date so I can update it. It was originally done tutorial style, but I was never happy with the pictures so am updating it a bit.

Magazine Mondays was hosted by Ivonne over at Cream Puffs in Venice.  She HAD a great blog with some great recipes, but has since deleted it I guess. I really intended to stick with this recipe as it was originally written, really I did! But, as I read it more closely I felt some changes coming on. You know that feeling you get when you realize hubby won’t like ingredient 5 or your son would hate ingredient x, etc… The more I messed with the recipe the further it got from what they intended.

So here is their recipe as written:

BLEND IN THE BAYOU
8 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 pound cooked medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined
2 – 6 ounce cans crab meat, drained and flaked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup cooked rice, prepared
4 1/2 ounce jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crushed butter-flavored crackers
  • In a small saucepan, cook and stir the cream cheese and 2 tablespoons butter over low heat until melted and smooth. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet, saute the onion, celery and green pepper in remaining butter until tender.
  • Stir in the shrimp, crab, soup, rice, mushrooms, garlic salt, pepper sauce, cayenne and cream cheese mixture.
  • Transfer to a greased 2 quart baking dish.
  • Combine crackers crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle over top.
  • Bake, uncovered 25 minutes or until bubbly.

and here is the new recipe as made and enjoyed and savored as the plates were licked clean!

SEAFOOD CASSEROLE EXTRAODINAIRE inspired by Taste of Home’s Blend in the Bayou
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 large bunch green onions, chopped

4 large mushrooms, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green or red pepper, cleaned of ribs and seeds, diced

1 – 8 ounce package crab meat, chopped & flaked
2 – 6 ounce cans white albacore tuna, drained and flaked
1 can cream of celery soup
3/4 cup cooked rice, prepared
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 + teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
3/4 cup shredded cheddar/jack cheese
1/2 sleeve crushed butter-flavored crackers (I used Keebler herb and butter)
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a small saucepan, cook and stir the cream cheese, soup and 2 tablespoons butter over low heat until melted and smooth. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet, saute the onion, mushrooms and garlic in remaining 1 tablespoon butter until tender.
  • Stir in the tuna, crab, soup, rice, mushrooms, salt, pepper sauce, chili powder and cream cheese mixture.
  • Transfer to a greased 2 quart baking dish.
  • Sprinkle crackers over top.
  • Bake, uncovered 25 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake 5 minutes more.