Lemon Burst Tartles!

To my loyal followers, or those of you who just happened upon this site, I begin by saying, "I'm Sorry!" This new post has taken quite some time to get written, however, my husband has been sick and we women know how difficult that can be! :)

Anyway...the other night, we were having company over for supper.  Fish was to be the main course and I wanted something light and fresh for dessert!  Thankfully my resource (a.k.a. my mom) was available for help and she sent me the link to these wonderful treasures!  They are fabulous and so easy to make!  I think I say that about all my recipes but isn't that the reason I'm blogging?  I hope you enjoys these delightful bursts of flavor!  My husband and I sure did! (And so did our company!)

Ingredients:
1 10 oz jar of Lemon Curd.
2 boxes of frozen Fillo Dough Shells.
1 can of Raspberry Cake and Pastry filling.
1 8 oz container of Cool Whip.
Fresh Raspberries.
Yellow Food Coloring (optional).

Directions:
1. Lay out the frozen shells in layers on a sheet or platter.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the lemon curd and cool whip until thoroughly mixed together and fluffy!  Here is where you can add the yellow food coloring if you so desire.  I added about 5 drops to make it a nice yellow color.
3. Fill the pastry shells with approximately one teaspoon of the raspberry filling.  You can put more or less depending on desired flavor.
4. Place the lemon curd mixture in a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner cut off.  Pipe the lemon curd mixture over the raspberry filling to make a mound of this lemon deliciousness!
5. Top tartlets with a fresh raspberry.
6. Chill until ready to serve.  (Hint: They are delicious as soon as they are made too!  No need to wait until they are chilled for hours to enjoy their goodness!)

These can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week without losing any freshness.

I hope you enjoy!  We certainly did!





Happy Eating!

 

Here is the box of Fillo shells that I used.  

But whichever brand your store has will suffice.

Here is my lemon curd mixture.

 

Here are what the shells look like before they are filled.

 

 Add the teaspoon of raspberry filling...

 Pipe the lemon curd mixture into a nice little mound.

(or a large one if you prefer! ;)  )

Top with a fresh raspberry! 

ENJOY!!

Alcohol-Free Burgundy Mushrooms!

I have to start this by saying, "I am such a LOVING wife!"  I don't even like mushrooms, but my husband asked me if I could make him some and I obliged.  They were not terrible, but still not my favorite! 
I do not have alcohol in my house, so these are not truly Burgundy mushrooms.  But they are very close, and if you like mushrooms, you will like this recipe!  I just made a small amount since my husband was the only one eating them.  But, the recipe is easy to multiply so it could be made in larger quantities if so desired.

Ingredients:
1 8oz. package of Baby Bella Mushrooms.  (Can be found in any grocery.  I bought mine at Aldi.)
2 Tbsp. of butter.
Worcestershire Sauce.  (Just a few good dashes!)
6 Tbsp. Grape Juice.
2.5 Tbsp.  Red Wine Vinegar.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper.  (As desired.  I covered all mushrooms in a light coat.)
1/4 C hot water.
1/2 Beef Bouillon Cube.
1/2 Chicken Bouillon Cube.
Pinch of Dill Weed.
Pinch of Garlic Pepper. (or Garlic Powder...whichever you have on hand.)
Salt to taste if needed.

Directions:
1. Thoroughly wash the mushrooms and throw them into a skillet.
2. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the salt.  Stir to combine. 
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer.
5. Continue to simmer until the juices have thickened and the mushrooms are tender.
6. Serve and enjoy! 

 

Mushrooms in the pan...

 Mushrooms in the pan with the rest of the ingredients...

 

 Mushrooms simmering in the pan...

Completed product!!

Happy Eating!!

This recipe was adapted from the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook.  And I used a whole beef and chicken bouillon cube but omitted the salt. 

Got Tea?

When I got married, I got hit with a few surprises!  Not necessarily ABOUT my husband but more to do with things he was used to.  When I would visit their home, Sweet Iced Tea was a staple at every meal!  I mean if we had Lemonade, I was shocked!  Now, don't get me wrong...I love sweet tea.  However, I was not used to having it with every meal.  When I lived at home, if we ran out of tea, it was not a big deal.  We could go days without making a new pitcher of iced tea.  Not at my in-laws!  The pitcher was being refilled just as soon as it was emptied.  Sometimes, the remaining tea would be poured into a smaller pitcher and a new gallon would be made!  So, when I got married, I was used to purchasing a small box of generic individual size tea bags.  These would last a long time in back home but when I got married, we were going through them so quick!  I was using 6 teabags a gallon and making 2-3 gallons a week...for TWO people!  Well, one day, my husband and I were strolling through Sams Club (another new thing to me...we did not have a membership growing up!) when I happened upon one of the greatest inventions of all times for tea lovers!  Gallon-sized tea bags!  You have got to try them.  And, they are the Lipton brand for those of you who insist on name-brand items.  One tea bag is all it takes to make an entire gallon of tea.  The box comes with 48 tea bags which equals 48 gallons (for those of you who struggle with simple math! :D )  At first, I was skeptical and wondered if the tea would be weak, if it would taste right, etc., etc.  But I found out they are wonderful and the tea has the same great taste!  I've included a picture of these gallon-sized tea bags so you can see just how big they really are!  You have to try them!!

 

                                                                  Happy Brewing!

New Year...New Start

Welcome to 2013!  Coming to write this New Year's Day post, I was going to promise more frequent posts this year.  However, I saw that I said the same thing last year!  Instead of that empty promise, I am just going to say...Welcome Back!
Looking back over the past year, my life has been very blessed.  I have switched my nursing jobs and am now working for a Home Health Care Company.  I LOVE it!!  It has been a very rewarding job and I am happy to say I am celebrating my one-year anniversary with the company. 
My husband and I recently celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary!  My how time flies.  Seems like just yesterday that we had gotten engaged and were excitedly planning for a wedding.  Fast forward two years and we find ourselves slowly upgrading our home and purchasing items to make our home more personable.  Which leads to this post...Being a brunette, I have to say I have frequent blonde moments.  One of those moments, led us to HH Gregg today.  My husband and I were out driving and doing some New Years Day shopping.  We had been to the mall and around and had done well with not spending tons of money!  (I was proud of ourselves!)  My husband had wanted to stop by Lowe's on the way home and see about buying a gas fireplace if they had any on sale.   (Here is where my blonde moment comes in...)  I looked at my husband and said, "Why don't we stop by HH Gregg just to look."  He replied with a smile and said, "You know that won't be good."  I believed this suggestion would lead us to just look around and explore future options.  Well, long-story short, I am now at home, sitting on my couch writing this blog, watching my husband and Father-in-law install our new TV stand and 70-inch flat screen.  I'm still scratching my head wondering why I suggested a trip to HH Gregg and why I was so naive to think we would "just look". 
This year, I am going to try and do even better at posting to my blog.  I was recently excited to speak with a follower and learn she had missed the blog because I "always had good recipes and ideas."  This year, I will try and post at least weekly.  It may not always be a post about cooking or food, but I will post and hopefully you, my followers, will enjoy reading! 
I hope you all have a truly blessed New Year!

Love to all,
Justin, Kathryn and Oakley

Apple Parfait

Hey everyone.  With this new year, I promise I will try and do better about getting new posts up on my blog.  I have several things going for me this year and among these are a new job and a new workout routine with my husband.  I have promised myself I am going to cook with more fresh vegetables and, all around, more healthy.  So in light of this, I am going to give you a new recipe I found.  I enjoy eating this of a morning.  It is something I can throw together at night in just a few minutes and be out the door the next morning with breakfast in hand.  AND...wait for it...my  HUSBAND even enjoys it (and has asked for it!).  This recipe is a spin off of the calorie-filled fruit and yogurt parfaits you may like. 

Ingredients:
1. 1. apple of choice.
2. 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.
3. Splash of vanilla. (maybe a teaspoon).
4. Dash of cinnamon.

Directions:
1. Cut the apple into chunks.  You can use whatever size you like.  I like to cut it into smaller chunks because it is easier to eat.  Once cut, set aside.
2. Place the cottage cheese, vanilla, and dash of cinnamon in a bowl.  Mix together.
3. Toss the apples onto the cottage cheese mixture.
4. Sprinkle with one more dash of cinnamon. 
5. Stir all ingredients together and enjoy!

This is perfect for morning breakfast or a healthy snack...and it's delicious!

Enjoy!

Happy Eating!!

p.s.  I will add pictures the next time I make some!

BBQ Chicken Littles

One day at work, back in the summer, I was trying to decide what I should make for supper.  It was a beautiful, cool, summer day and I was envisioning the windows raised and the summer breeze blowing through my freshly, cleaned home...and I wanted something refreshing for supper.  I wanted it to fill my husband and I, but not be overly heavy.  Here is what I came up with...

BBQ Chicken Littles:

Ingredients:
1. Original English Muffins, halved.
2. Chicken Breasts.
3. BBQ sauce. (I prefer Sweet Baby Ray's...any flavor).
4. Red onion.
5. Shredded Cheese.
6. Ranch Dressing.

Directions:
1. Choose the amount of littles that you desire, and cut the English Muffins in half to match this number.
2. Boil the chicken.  Once it is done, chop it into fine pieces (or shred it).
3. Mix the shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and red onion together.
4. Place the meat mixture on top of the muffin halves.
5. Top the meat mixture with shredded cheese.
6. Drizzle with ranch dressing.
7. Bake under a low broiler just until the cheese melts.

Once again, this recipe is quick, easy, and tasteful.  My husband and I enjoy these "littles" and he requests them often.  It would also be a fun snack for a party, etc.  I hope you enjoy!

Happy Eating!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Once upon a time, many, many...weeks (54 to be exact)...ago, there was a fair maiden who decided to get married.  All the matrons of the land chose to celebrate with a party.  It was at this great party the fair maiden partook of such a tasty soup.  This is the recipe...

Ingredients:
1. 1 Tbsp oil.
2. 3/4 C. onion, chopped.
3. 6 C water.
4. 6 Chicken bouillon cubes.
5. 8 oz. angel hair pasta.
6. 1/8 tsp. garlic powder.
7. 2 (10 oz. ) pkg. chopped broccoli. (I used fresh, raw broccoli that comes bundled in 2-3 small heads.)
8. 6 C milk.
9. 1 lb. Velveeta Cheese.
10. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large sauce pan.  Saute onion over medium heat for 3 minutes.
2. Add water and bouillon cubes and bring to a boil.  Cook, stirring occasionally until bouillon cubes are dissolved.
3. Add noodles and salt and continue to boil.  Cook for 3 minutes, stirring often.
4. Add broccoli and garlic powder and cook 4 more minutes. 
5. Add milk, cheese, and pepper. Continue cooking until cheese is melted.

Serves: Approximately 4-6.

I hope you enjoy this soup as much as the fair maiden and handsome prince have.  It is super easy and quick and so delicious!

Happy Eating!