Another Holiday Is Coming....

Hello,

Another holiday is right around the corner.  It's either a "YIPPEE!!" or a "OH NO!!".  I am sort of in the middle with an "ALREADY!!".  This time of the year is different for many people.  Some are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and some nothing at all.  For years I didn't celebrate anything at all because of childhood religion.  Today with 3 little ones of my own we celebrate Christmas, because of an ex-husband.

"Cheese with Fresh Fruit"

Many people have parties and celebrate with family and friends before the actual "BIG" day.  So if you are going to a party and plan on bringing something  what do you bring?  You can bring a platter of cookies, fruitcake, etc.  How about making your own trays of appetizers?

Creating appetizer trays are great if you are the one doing the hosting as well.  These things are easy to prepare and does not require you to go to a business and buy it for a ridiculous price.  Did I just cut down on my work load at my job, by telling people do not come to me?  I doubt it because no matter what, there will always be those people who can afford it who would rather have someone else do the work for them.  I am just fortunate enough to be able to do it for myself.  Its a good thing because I can not afford to pay someone else to do it.  

Not Just For Veggie Trays...

Hello,
Okay everyone just because it is a vegetable it doesn't mean that it has to go onto a vegetable tray to dip into ranch dressing.  I am talking about that lovely vegetable "Broccoli"!! Mind you the only way my son or actually both of my sons will eat the trees is to have ranch dressing, but that is besides the point.  There are other ways to eat "Broccoli".  You can make a broccoli almondine, which is only broccoli and toasted sliced almonds.  A broccoli Parmesan, which is broccoli, diced red onion and grated Parmesan cheese.  The ideas are endless.

Well I needed a broccoli dish recently at work and as usual I am my most creative when I am in a bind needing something quick and in a hurry!  Could have made the "Broccoli Almondine or Broccoli Parmesan", but unfortunately I just did both the day before so it was out of the question.  What to do, what to do????   So I opened the refrigerator took a look around and BINGO!!!  

"My Greek Broccoli Salad"

I found the following already ready for me: sliced kalamata olives, sliced red onion, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.  To this I tossed in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.   I personally thought it looked nice and I was surprised how nice it tasted.  The customers must of liked it too, because it sold quickly.  This is a do again for sure.   So the next time you have some blanched broccoli or "lil trees", as my kids call them, look in your refrigerator and skip the ranch dressing and and be creative.  You may be surprised, I was!!!

INGREDIENTS:
BROCCOLI
FETA
KALAMATA OLIVES
RED ONION
SUN-DRIED TOMATOES
OLIVE OIL
GARLIC
SALT AND PEPPER



Mo

Cutting Pineapple

Just wanted to let you all know that I finally uploaded another how to video.  This video will help with the last post "Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pineapple".  Take a minute and check out my how-to page and see how I like to get to the golden sweet flesh of a prickly pineapple.

Mo

To Steam or To Blanche....

Hello,

You remember when you were growing up and your mom told you to "Eat your VEGGIES", and you made that face because they were green but not a bright green but a army green.  I do remember those years the green beans were cooked up and the broccoli was falling apart.  "Sorry Mom!!"  Today when I tell my kids to "Eat your VEGGIES", they make that face I made but the green vegetables are bright green and not mushy.  

"Green Beans with Roasted Red and Yellow Peppers"

Second Go Around...

Hello,

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but don't worry I have been creating and actually jotting down the ingredients on most of my newest creations.
Today I thought I would revisit an item from my Thanksgiving menu which was the "Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pineapples".  Why, you may ask?? Well I made them again and they were so good that I actually remembered to take a photo of them and wanted to share them with you guys just in case you wanted to make them for "Christmas".  They would go great with a nice roasted "Spiral Ham".  YUMMY, my mouth is watering already for it.

"Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pineapples"

Roasted Vegetables

Hello,

"Roasted Lemon and Rosemary Parsnips and Carrots"

I don't know many people who actually like to eat parsnips or even carrots and I am one of those people.  One day out of the blew something told me to make "Carrots and Parsnips" for sale at my job.  Along with the voice of information I also heard "Lemon and Rosemary".  No I don't really hear voices in my head no matter what my dear friends and family may tell everyone, but I do get a desire or feeling that says, "That would be a good combination".  So I listened to my feeling and I was so right.  I personally do not like parsnips only, but together with these spices I really like the combination.  Peel carrots and parsnips, I really do not like to leave the skin on my carrots because it always look dirty even after you wash them.  I like to cut them on alternating angles to make the vegetables look nice.  To the vegetables add  chopped fresh rosemary, dry rosemary will not work here because it is to hard and won't have an opportunity to get soft in the roasting process.  Also add lemon zest and the juice of those lemons, zest is the skin of the lemon but only the yellow portion not the white stuff.  I like to use a small grater or zester.  Try to be verIy careful when you squeeze the lemons for the juice because lemons tend to have a lot of seeds and no one want to enjoy a dish and eat seeds.  I also add olive oil, salt and coarse black pepper.  Put all the vegetables on a baking dish and roast on a low temperature of 350 degrees.

INGREDIENTS:

CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

FRESH ROSEMARY

LEMONS

OLIVE OIL

SALT AND PEPPER

I hope you all enjoy it.  I think this would be a great side dish to pork loin or even roasted chicken.  Maybe even add some red skin potatoes to the mix and you have a new dish.  Let me know how it works for you.

Mo

Chilly Outside and Chili Inside

Hello,

I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but here it is pouring buckets of rain.  The temperature has dropped and I am thinking about something to stick to my ribs.  Something that doesn't require many ingredients and taste oh so good.  My friend Judy has been asking me for a while for a post about chili and this one is for her.  The weather is screaming for it......

"Beef Chili"

I love, love, love, "CHILI".  You can make chili with different types of meat and with or without beans.  Like most things that I create its a personal preference.  I prefer to use ground turkey when I make chili here at home, but have also made it with ground beef, stew beef, or chicken.