Cooking this week

Because we have been sick I haven't done much cooking.  Cliff did grill up a nice tri-tip and we will definitely be doing that again this summer.  I made Stephanie's Blueberry coffee cake.  Very yummy.  I let mine bake for about 30 minutes because I was worried that my dough would still be raw.  I have a picture next to the recipe.  I have to work on my food picture taking skills because I am not really sure that my picture looks all that appetizing.  But trust me, this is definitely one to make if you are looking for something new to fix for a brunch or other morning treat and so easy.  Thanks Stephanie!

Crockpotting 365 days a year

I saw this blog on Amy F's blogspot and had to check it out.  I think I will try a few recipes from this blog and see how they work.  She has them sorted in all sorts of categories and I am going to try some from the "company favorites" category assuming that those should taste the best.  She has pics and even tells about how well the recipe went for her.  

Green Beans

I am really lucky to have a husband that does like vegetables.  He doesn't like the weird ones that I like (artichokes, brussel sprouts, asparagus) but he likes the basics.  So to jazz up green beans I took a cue from PF Changs.

After I have steamed them in the microwave (I buy the beans in a bag ready to steam) I simply saute them in soy sauce and garlic for a few minutes.  If you like a little heat you could add red pepper flakes.  Julia also likes to eat these green beans....we are still working on getting her to eat broccoli.

Grilled Chicken

Cliff and I are a huge fan of grilled chicken.  I am especially a fan of him grilling chicken as I get to just worry about the side dishes.  We found at Costco a yummy sauce/marinade called Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce.  We only bought one bottle because we wanted to make sure we liked it before buying a million bottles.  It is soooooo good!  We are going to buy more bottles when we go back to Costco because it will be just our luck that they will stop selling it.  I highly recommend that y'all take a peek at your Costco to see if they carry it.  You won't be disappointed.

Granola Bars

I am a huge fan of granola bars especially if they have chocolate in them.  Carianne made some for the kids when I was over visiting her and lucky for me I got to take some home.  They were super yummy!  I love that I know exactly what is in the granola bars and can pronounce all the ingredients.  And you can even modify the ingredients to add stuff that you like.

4 1/2 c. rolled oats

1 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

2/3 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. honey

1/3 c. brown sugar, packed

1-2 c. mini chocolate chips

1/2-1 c. craisins

Bake at 325 degrees in a lightly greased 9x13 pan for 18-22 minutes.  Let cool 10 minutes.

Carianne never measure her chocolate chips or craisins.  She just sprinkles them in until it looks good.  She also recommends cutting the bars a few minutes after you remove them from the oven.  Then after they have cooled for about 15 minutes she takes them out of the pan.  She would love to add coconut and nuts to hers(I agree!) but Jared isn't a big fan of those ingredients.  Guess we will just have to make a special batch for us Carianne!  :)

Blueberry Coffee Cake-ish

Love the title of this recipe submitted by my sister-n-law Stephanie.  It looks pretty easy to make which is definitely a plus and it is even possible to keep the items on hand for when you are looking for something sweet in a hurry.

1/2 c. packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (12 ounce) can buttermilk biscuits

1/2 c.  (1 stick) butter, melted

1 c. quick-cooking rolled oats

1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

1/2 c. sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Generously grease a 9-inch square baking dish.  In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well with a fork.  Separate biscuit dough into 10 biscuits.  Cut each biscuit into quarters, dip each piece in melted butter, and coat with brown sugar mixture.  Arrange in a single layer in baking dish.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the oats.

Combine blueberries and sugar in a bow and toss to coat.  Spoon over oats and biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup oats.  Drizzle remaining melted butter on top.  Baker for 20 minutes or until cake is golden brown and center is done.  Cool for 20 minutes...and enjoy!

*an added bonus is to top it with some whipped cream...DELICIOUS!

Holiday Wassail

3 qt. hot water

1- 6 oz. can frozen orange juice

1-6 oz. can frozen pineapple juice

1-6 oz. can frozen lemonade

2 cups sugar

3 cinnamon sticks

Combine sugar and water; boil until sugar is dissolved.  Add frozen juices.  Place cinnamon sticks in double layer of cheese cloth and tie (or you can add sticks directly to mixture, just strain before serving.)  Bring to boil again after adding cinnamon sticks.  Then simmer for several hours.  

I have Torrie Nicholas to thank for this yummy holiday drink recipe.  I probably ask her for it every year.  I like to make it in my crock pot at school so I have a nice hot drink in between music classes.  My student aides always like it as well.