Where the Air is Sweet

Caramel Apple Cobbler

2011-11-22T18:59:00.001-08:00

4 apples - peeled, sliced and cored
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
splash lemon juice
1/2 stick butter
2 cups bisquick
1 cup half and half
1 cup apple dip style caramel

- Preheat oven to 375.
- Spray bottom of baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Toss apples in a splash of lemon juice and put in bottom of dish.
- Top with 1/2 cup of brown sugar, butter (sliced), and caramel.
- In separate bowl, mix 3/4 cup brown sugar, half and half and bisquick.
- Pour batter on top and bake about 30-40 min until top is golden brown and batter is cooked through.

Margarita Watermelon

2011-09-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

At the beach we made watermelon margaritas and they were really good, but the best part was the watermelon inside them. I decided to make the watermelon by itself. Yum!

Sliced Watermelon
1 Cup Margarita Mix
1/2 Cup Tequilla
1/2 Cup Watermelon Pucker

Pour liquids over sliced watermelon in a storage container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Hawaiian Chicken Pita Pizza

2011-02-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

Easy and delicious.

Whole Wheat Pita Bread (6)
Pineapple
Chicken Breast (2)
Colby Jack Cheese - 12 oz
BBQ Sauce

-Pound chicken breast to 1/4 inch thickness between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Salt and pepper each side.
-Add 2 tsp of canola oil to a skillet and sear on medium heat until cooked through. -Slice in thin strips.
-Place pitas on baking sheet and top with a thin layer of your choice of BBQ sauce. (We love Sweet Baby Ray's.) Add thin slices of pineapple and chicken.
-Bake in pre-heated oven at 400° for 7-10 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are crispy.

Plastic Dough

2011-02-04T19:46:00.000-08:00

This cold weather has us searching for some new fun things to do inside and the other day we made some plastic dough.

6 drops food coloring
1/4 cup white glue
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water

-Mix white glue, water and food coloring in small bowl until well blended.
-Combine flour and cornstarch in separate bowl.
-Mix both combinations together until dough forms.

Snow Cream

2011-01-14T21:13:00.000-08:00

We don't get much snow around here, so when we do we play in it, build snowmen with it, make snow angels with it and even eat it! Last year, when it snowed, we made snow cream but the sugar granules left me wondering, "Is that sugar or is that dirt?" I tweaked the recipe this year to remove the doubt.

1 cup sugar
1 cup half and half
1 cup milk
1/2 gallon of fresh clean snow

Melt 1 cup of sugar into half and half either in the microwave or on low heat on the stove top. Once sugar has dissolved, put in the freezer for 30 minutes until cooled. Remove from freezer and pour into large mixing bowl with milk. Collect fresh, clean snow and stir in until well mixed.

Homemade Chicken Dog Treats

2010-12-15T19:16:00.000-08:00

2 cups shredded chicken
2 cups wheat flour
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 egg
approx 1 cup chicken broth

Put first 5 ingredients in mixer and mix on low, slowly adding broth until soft dough forms. Take out and knead by hand. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven at 350 for 12-18 min. depending on thickness until golden brown. Store in fridge for 2 weeks or freeze up to 6 months.

Oatmeal Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-12-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Just like grandma used to make.

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream together butter and the sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by milk and vanilla. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture, then stir in oats, chocolate chips and walnuts by hand. If you want, chill dough for 30 minutes before serving. Drop 1-inch dough onto the cookie sheet, placing about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 10-13 minutes, until light golden brown around edges. Cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before removing.

Low-Fal Blueberry Vinaigrette

2010-10-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
3/4 cup blueberries
3 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 Packets Splenda
1 clove garlic
salt
pepper

Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Warm Almond Encrusted Goat Cheese Salad

2010-10-31T22:31:00.000-07:00

Baby Field Greens
Grapes
Blueberries
Slivered Almonds
Wheat Germ
Egg
Goat Cheese

- Crush slivered almonds and place in bowl with equal parts wheat germ.
-Slice goat cheese into 2oz. rounds and lightly coat in beaten egg. Then place in bowl to coat with almonds/wheat germ. Place back in egg and then back to almonds/wheat germ to double coat.
- Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10 min at 350 degrees.
-Fill a bowl with field greens and top with blueberries and halved grapes.
-Top with warm goat cheese medallion and drizzle with blueberry vinaigrette.

Cranberry Jello Surprise

2010-10-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is a favorite every Thanksgiving - for my mom, sister and I. Usually we are the only ones who eat it. I think Jello scares people but we love it! My sister even requested it for her baby shower! It is delicious - what cranberry sauce wants to be when it grows up.

1 large package Cherry Jello
1 can crushed pineapple
2 packages cream cheese
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 can whole cranberry sauce

Boil water according to Jello package directions and remove from heat (Use a pretty big pot because you will be adding other ingredients.)
Do NOT add other 2 cups of water as stated on Jello box.
Immediately add in Jello and stir until dissolved.
Stir in whole cranberry sauce until dissolved also.
Open pineapple and reserve juice with a tablespoon or two of pineapple. Stir in the rest with the jello and cranberry.
Stir in walnuts.
Pour half of the batch in a 9x13 pan. Put in refrigerator and allow to set. Leave the other half out for now.
Mix 2 packs of cream cheese with reserved juice and pineapple until smooth.
Spread over bottom layer evenly.
Pour remaining Jello mixture on top and refrigerate until set.
Enjoy!

Lentil Soup

2010-10-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Lentil soup simmering away.

1 bag lentils
1 onion
2 carrots
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp OlivExtra oil
3 Mexican style chicken bullion cubes
2 - 4 oz. turkey smoked sausage - optional

-Heat oil in pan and saute 2 diced carrots.
-After about 3 min. add 1 diced onion & minced garlic and continue cooking until softened.
-Add finely diced sausage (optional)and saute another minute or two. ( I like to cut it frozen.)
-Add 15 cups water, 3 Mexican style (large and soft - in Hispanic section) chicken bullion cubes and one bag of rinsed, sorted lentils.
-Bring to boil and reduce to simmer until lentils are soft - about an hour.

Chicken Stir-Fry

2010-09-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1lb Chicken
1.5 cups White or Brown Rice
Veggies of Your Choosing (pictured here: Carrots, Onion, 2 Cloves Minced Garlic, Broccoli, Cabbage, Sugar Snap Peas, Red Bell Pepper, Zucchini & Mushrooms)
1 can Pineapple Tidbits.
Store bought Teriyaki glaze.
Oil

Begin steaming rice according to package instructions.

In large saute pan or wok heat 1/2 tsp. oil (I use Smart Balance Omega Oil.) Saute chicken until cooked through and set to the side. Heat 1 tsp oil and saute veggies on Med- High heat, starting with the ones that take the longest and every few minutes adding the next.

Timing looks something like this:

Start Carrots. Cook 3 min.
Add onion. Cook 2 min.
Add Garlic. Cook 1 min.
Add Broccoli. Cook 2 min.
Add Cabbage cook 2 min.
Add remaining veggies. Cook 2 min. (You may add a bit more oil throughout cooking process if needed.)

Add canned pineapple - juice and all - along with chicken and 1/2 bottle teriyaki and mix until heated.

Serve over rice.

Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce

2010-09-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

1 cup yellow mustard
1/2 cup white or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
cayenne, salt & pepper to taste

Combine ingredients in saucepan and stir over medium heat until smooth and begins to thicken.

Crock Pot Barbeque - Pulled Chicken or Pork

2010-09-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

1 Boston Butt or approx 6 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
a few garlic cloves, minced
salt
pepper
1/2 cup white vinegar - on pork
1/2 cup water

Put a splash of water in a crock pot with a large pack of chicken breast or a Boston Butt seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic and brown sugar. (Vinegar as well for the pork.) Set it on low and cook 8-10 hours. You can test it - when it's basically falling apart when you touch it with a fork, it's done. Drain into a colander and then return to crock and set in fridge just until it's cool enough to handle. Shred with a fork. On the pork you will have to clean out the fat. Sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce ( I prefer mustard on pork and tomato on chicken.) and set back on low heat. Serve when hot.

Quiche

2010-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

1 pre-made pie crust
4 Jumbo Eggs
2 Cups Sharp Shredded Cheddar
3/4 cup half and half
fillings of your choice (favorites include 1/2 sauteed onion & 1/2 head blanched broccoli or 1 cup fresh spinach and 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms)
salt and pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 400.
Place crust in quiche or pie pan.
Fill with cheese an fillings.
Whip eggs, half and half , salt and pepper for 1 minute.
Pour into crust.
Bake approx. 40 min. until quiche is firm and golden brown on top.

Minestrone

2010-09-01T22:57:00.001-07:00

1 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
veggies of your choice ( I usually do 1/4 head cabbage, 1 zucchini, 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 1 bunch asparagus, 1 cup broccoli florets, 2 diced carrots, 1 diced onion.)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 boxes (32 oz) chicken stock
1 can diced tomato
1 can each kidney beans & chickpeas
8 oz. whole grain pasta
pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh basil

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking for another minute. Stir in broth, tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add cabbage, broccoli, asparagus. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add zucchini and mushrooms. Cover and cook for 5 minutes more.

Cowboy Eggs

2010-08-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

I have seen this called many other names but we grew up calling it a cowboy egg, so I think we'll carry on the name. (We weren't as fancy back then, with the cookie cutters. We just tore out the center of the bread.) Dad made this for us our whole lives and recently my son saw something similar in a magazine. It's so easy! Here is what we did:

Preheat the oven to 350.
Spread margarine on a piece of wheat bread.
Cut the center out with a medium cookie cutter.
Crack egg into center of bread.
Bake until egg is firm.

This method worked great but I think next time we'll do it the way my dad always did - on the stove top! It tastes a bit better that way - or maybe it was just the love he put into it that made it taste so good.

Turn burner on to medium heat and warm medium skillet.
Spread butter (I'm sure he used butter.) on both sides of bread.
Rip out center of bread and place in skillet. Put the center piece in skillet as well.
Crack egg into center and cook until white is almost set.
Flip and cook for about a minute.

Aunt Mary's Granola

2010-07-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

3 c Rolled Oats
1/2 c warmed honey
1/4 c wheat germ
1/3 c oil
as many or as few of the following as desired:
1 c nuts - any kind
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c sesame seeds
1/2 c coconut
1/2 c raisins or dried fruit

Combine ingredients in bowl and spread onto greased cookie pan. Cook at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 min.

Great as a cereal, in yogurt, as base to trail mix or by itself.

Pita Pizza

2010-06-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Pita
Pizza or Pesto Sauce
Mozzarella
Desired Toppings (pictured here - Kalamata Olives, Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers)

1) Preheat oven to 350.
2) Place pitas on cookie sheet.
3) Smooth a thin layer of sauce over pita.
4) Sprinkle with cheese.
5) Add toppings.
6) Bake until cheese is melted/browned and pita is crisp - about 7 min.

Southern Living Soutwestern Soup

2010-05-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

This is the exact SL recipe with the addition of the tomato sauce and oh so yummy!

1 pound ground beef
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (16-oz.) cans light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-oz.) can petite diced tomatoes and jalapeños, undrained
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes and mild green chiles, undrained
2 (14.5-oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 (14-oz.) can beef broth
2 cups frozen yellow and white whole kernel corn
1 (1-oz.) envelope taco seasoning mix
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Toppings: sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro

Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat, stirring often, 10 to 12 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink and onion is softened; drain.

Stir in kidney beans, next 9 ingredients, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in cilantro just before serving. Serve with desired toppings.

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Dip

2010-04-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

Mix 2 8oz packages of cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla extract until fluffy. Stir in 3/4 package dark chocolate chips. The recipe called for graham crackers to dip with but we used Granny Smith apples instead. The sour with the sweet was yummy!

Play Silks

2010-03-31T23:44:00.000-07:00

I bought this silk from Dharma Trading way before Christmas and never got around to dying it. My son and I finally did it together and it was super easy. After reading about 10 different methods, this is how we dyed the fabric:

Mix 2 packets of Kool-Aid with 1 cup of white vinegar. ( I think next time I would do 4 packets for the yellow.)
Add 2 cups very hot (almost boiling) water and stir in 1 yard of silk. It's amazing how you can literally see the silk drinking up the color.
Once most of the color has been soaked up from the mixture, rinse under cold water, one by one, ringing until it runs clear.
Hang to dry.
Play.

Magical Muck

2010-03-09T23:26:00.000-08:00

This fun mixture goes back and forth from solid to liquid.

Mix 1/3 cup of water and 5 drops of food coloring (optional - if you use color fingers will pick it up) in a small bowl.
Slowly add 3/4 cup of corn starch to water but do not stir.
Let mixture stand for 2-3 minutes.
Play, play, play.

Snow Cream

2010-02-13T23:18:00.000-08:00

1 Gallon Fresh Clean Snow
2 Cups Milk
1 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla

Combine milk, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Pour over snow. Mix and enjoy!