Top 5...

...salads!!

Crazy post, I know, but I love to eat salad. All of these are restaurant salads (some healthy and some not so)and hear goes...

5. Southwest Chicken Salad (McDonald's)

4. The Blue with buffalo chicken (Zaxby's)

3. 7-Pepper Steak Salad (Longhorn's)

2. Blue Cheese Wedge (Outback)

1. Spicy Chargrilled Chicken (Chick-fil-a)

One Week

Last week Nick and I participated in National Turn Off Your TV week.  It was pretty easy at first, but as the week went on we kind of got really irritated with the whole notion.  We are not the type of people to be dominated by television, but there just was not anything going on last week so it made it harder to fill our time.  We played games with the family, read a lot, went to the library, and took a trip out to the art museum and mall.  It was nice to have the silence and we definitely talked alot more to each other.  Also my mother-in-law and I went to lunch and checked out some local shops.  It was really nice to spend some time with her and just "girl talk"--something I get to do often.  

Overall, nothing profound came out of this experience, but there was more awareness of how we spend our time.  Sometimes we just need to turn off the t.v. and relax. 

Delicious Donuts

Nick and I made donuts and donut holes for breakfast.  And they were fantastic...and incredibly easy to make!!  i posted the recipe below if you want to try it out.

Recipe:

1 pkg. refridgerated pizza dough

2 tbsp. flour

1 to 1 1/2 cups oil

1/4 cup cinnamon sugar

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2" cookie cutter

1/2" cookie cutter

Heat oil in 10" skillet on medium high heat.  On a clean counter, spread out flour and roll out pizza dough.  Thin dough to about 1/8" to 1/4".  Flour cookie cutters and cut all large circles first.  Then with smaller cutter, cut out the center of donuts.  When oil is heated, place donuts in and cook about 30-45 seconds each side.  Place on towel lined baking sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.*

For the cut out centers (aka donut holes), place holes in oil and cook for about 20 seconds each side.  Place some cinnamon or powdered sugar in a brown paper bag and place cooked holes inside.  Fold top of bag and shake well to evenly coat donut holes.*

Enjoy with a fresh cup of fair trade coffee or a tall glass of local farm milk.

*NOTE:  I made my donuts with cinnamon sugar and the holes with powdered sugar.  However, I think it might work better doing the opposite as the powdered sugar is a little to heavy for the donuts holes. 

Cookout

This Saturday we had a cookout and it was a blast!  I love to entertain.  Really, I love all the prep work, cooking, and setting up.  Anyways, we had tons of great food and laughs.  I was so happy everyone could come.

I wanted to share a couple recipes that were huge hits...

Bacon Cheddar Dogs (courtesy of Big Daddy's House--Food Network)

1 pack hotdogs

4 oz block of cheese

1 pkg. bacon (regular or thick sliced)

Heat oven to 400*.  Cut cheddar lengthwise into 1/4" slices.  Cut each slice into thirds.  Slice each hotdog a little more than halfway through and place two slices of cheese inside.  Wrap one bacon slice around the hotdog (holds the cheddar in).  Make sure bacon is wrapped around the entire hotdog--stretchit out some if it needs to be longer.  Place hotdog on wire (metal) cooling rack and set rack on a baking sheet.  Place in oven for about 15 mins or until bacon is crispy.  Serve immediately with all you favorite hotdog condiments.  Enjoy!!

**The following recipe was an accident so all measurements are approximate.

Dijon Vinagrette:

2 tbsp grainy dijon mustard (grey poupon works well)

2 tbsp honey mustard

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 balsamic vinegar

1 tsp slepnda (or sugar)

pinch of salt

1/4 cup oil

Whisk all ingredients well and taste--adjust if needed.  (It should taste like a vinagrette with a slight sweetness.)  Serve on your favortie salad or just a bowl of lettuce.  

Better Than Sex...

Cupcakes!!!  Omg...these were fabulous.  I found the recipe completely by accident, but thank you to the Cupcake Project.  I actually changed a few things--used soy milk, a tofu chocolate mousse, and a butter blend rather than butter, but they turned out better than I could hope for.

Here are pictures of my cupcakes.

Oh...so yummy

and so pretty!!

Twisted Tetrazzini

This is a dish I made up, but it can be made with almost any veggie, added meat or quick melting cheese.  We just had these ingridients on hand so that is what I used.  Everyone enjoyed it.

Recipe Serves 4-6

1 can cream of chicken (or mushroom)

1 cup milk

1/2 box spaghetti

1/2 bunch aspargus, chopped 1" pieces

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small bunch scallions (green onions), chopped

2/3 cup shredded Italian blend cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup fried onions

Preheat oven to 350*.  Grease 11x7 casserole dish.  Cook pasta until al dente (firm) and drain.  While pasta is cooking, place cream of chicken, milk and sallion in pot over low-medium heat.  When throughly heated add cheeses. Sauce should be creamy but somewhat thin--like pancake mix consistentcy.  Meanwhile, steam asparugus and celery in microwave for 4-5 mins.  Place spaghetti in dish, layer with steamed veggies and top with sauce.  Stir slightly, spread out evenly and top with extra cheese and fried onions, if desired.  Bake for 10-15 mins or until onions and cheese begin to brown.  Serve and enjoy.

Easter

Today was my first time fixing a holiday meal for the whole family.  Everything turned out great even though there was a small scare that the pork shoulder (or ham as Nick's family calls it) may not be done.  Nick's parents, grandparents and one brother were here.  We had a great time and stuffed ourselves.  

I love Easter.  By far my favorite holiday.  Last year I had this whole break down in the church parking lot about not being with my family and really celebrating the day together. My family always makes a big deal out of Easter--baskets, big traditional dinner, church.  This year it was much better--at least there was no break down.  Also Nick and I have focused on Passover and Easter this past week.  We had a beautiful palm Sunday service at our church and then attended the Maundy (Holy) Thursday service and the Good Friday service at Duke Chapel.  Both were just powerful reminders of what Christ did so that salvation as we know could be given.  Check out Nick's blog for a great reflection of the services.

Take a moment and think about what Christ did and how that has changed your life.  

Hydroponics

Lat month Nick and I watched a special on hydroponically grown lettuce so I thought I would try some.  I used for a salad on Sunday and must say it was delicious!!  Very fresh tasting and easy to tear for the salad.  Also, because of the way it grows, it makes a great garish for a party dish--sandwiches, vegetable tray, mini chicken salads.   I would definitely recommend trying it.  For a picture see post Mmm...Mmm...Mmm. 

Recipes--Sunday Dinner

Thai Pork Tenderloin:

2 Pork Tenderloins (about 3 lbs total)

1/4 cup oil plus 2 tbs. extra

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1/4 cup lime juice

Marinate pork for 2-3 hours.  Pre-heat oven to 375*.  Heat 2 tbsp. in oven proof pan and brown pork on all sides.  When browned,  place in for 40 mins or until meat is 165*.  Rest meat for 10 mins. and slice one tenderloin into 1/4" slices.  Save second tenderloin for later in the week. (see last recipes for a great idea.)

Thai Fried Rice

3 tbsp of oil

1 bag of "boil in bag" rice (brown or white), cooked.

1 can corn

1 can balck beans

1 jalapeno pepper, diced (if more heat desired try serrano or habanero)

1 handful cilantro

1 medium tomato, diced

1/2 can pinapple, diced to 1/4" pieces

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 lime juice

couple pinches of salt

Cooked rice the day before and refidgerate overnight.  Rinse black beans and corn.  In your wok or large pot, heat oil and add rice, corn, pepper and balck beans.  When heated through, add tomatoes and pineapples.  Cook about 3 mins and then add cilantro, soy sauce, lime juice, and salt.  Once cilantro in wilted and most of sauce is absorbed (takes a few minutes) remove from heat and serve.  Garbish with extra cilantro, if desired.

Roasted Asparagus

1 to 1 1/2 lbs fresh asparagus

2 tbsp oil

salt and pepper

1 tbsp lime juice (optional)

Heat oven to 375*.  Prepare asparagus by snapping of the ends.  The stalk should have a natural "snapping point"; however, if it does snap just trim about 1" off the end.  Place asparagus on baking sheet and drizzle with oil, salt and pepper.  If you desire, also drizzle with lime juice.  Roast for 10-12 mins and serve.

Mmm...Mmm...Mmm

This was dinner today, and boy, was it great!!  I made two pork tenderloins (we had one on Thursday), roasted asparagus, salad and Thai Fried Rice--my personal speciality.  I'll post the recipies on my next post.