tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66070309731206814772024-03-13T14:29:21.516-04:00Siggy SpiceSiggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-22238332627666584132018-01-08T10:05:00.000-05:002018-01-08T10:07:19.306-05:00Menu Plan Monday!Happy, happy Monday! I hope everyone is finally getting back into the swing of things since the holidays....I know I am slowly getting there. Here is the menu plan for the week!<br />
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<br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-6323438103557275462018-01-01T21:59:00.001-05:002018-01-01T22:03:28.319-05:00Menu Plan MondayHappy 2018!<br />
I wish you all an amazing new year filled with MUCH love, health, and happiness <3 nbsp="" p="">I got a new toy (hello Sous Vide) after Christmas, so I plan on playing with that....when you eat mostly protein, you gotta keep it interesting, lol!<br />
Here is the meal plan for the week...getting a DELISH start to the year!<br />
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<br /></3>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-87053870805438273812017-12-04T14:09:00.000-05:002017-12-04T14:09:08.975-05:00Menu Plan MondayWeek of December 4, 2017<br />
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<br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-89126265813002001092017-11-29T12:26:00.000-05:002017-11-29T12:26:43.670-05:00Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cinnamon Cream Cheese DrizzleHave you ever become paralyzed by wanting to do something SO right that you became frozen and unable to move forward? That is what has been happening to me. I have been wanting my first recipe back to blow your socks off....then I wanted a fabulous picture that is completely drool worthy....THEN, I wanted to write up a blog post that was funny, witty, and "gee I love this chick" inducing. Well, I have 1 out of 3 for you, LOL! This recipe is seriously THE most amazing pumpkin muffin I have ever had. But guess what?? This one is Keto, sugar-free, and low carb. It is beyond delicious and not in the "I guess it scratches the itch" type way. It does call for a couple ingredients that you may not have on hand. Sorry, but not too sorry because I believe that is why this doesn't taste like an "almost" muffin. I ordered my Oat Fiber off of <a href="https://store.trimhealthymama.com/product/oat-fiber-16oz-bag/" target="_blank">Trim Healthy Mama</a>, but have heard <a href="https://www2.netrition.com/" target="_blank">Netrition</a> has a few brands as well. Also, in true Siggy Spice style, I want you to adapt the sweetness level in your Cream Cheese Drizzle to YOUR taste. I trust you, so you trust you...taste and adapt as desired!<br />
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><u>PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS with CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe by: Siggy Spice</span></span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yield: 12 standard size muffins</span></span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1 scant cup pumpkin puree
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">3 large eggs </span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">
1/4 cup Sugar Free maple syrup
(I prefer Joseph's brand but have used Walden Farms as well)</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1/4 cup melted butter </span></div>
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2 tsp vanilla extract </span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">
1 tsp maple extract
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1/2 tsp butter extract
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1 1/2 cups almond flour
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1/2 cup oat fiber (I used THM brand)
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1/2 tsp salt
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1 tsp baking powder
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1 tsp baking soda
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">1/2 cup sweetener of choice (I used Pyure which I have found at HEB or Walmart)
</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</span></div>
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Prepare muffin pan with baking spray or liners. I use a silicone 12-count muffin pan. </div>
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Prepare wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately. Combine wet and dry ingredients until mixed well. Divide batter into 12 standard size muffin cups. </div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Bake for about 30-37 (ish) minutes.
Just keep checking them!</span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Let cool for about 15 minutes before moving to cooling rack.</span></div>
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Let cool completely before drizzling.</span></div>
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For the Cream Cheese Drizzle: </span></div>
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<span class="_3oh- _58nk">Whip 4 oz softened cream cheese until fluffly. Add sweetener, cinnamon, and vanilla to taste, then added a drizzle of heavy cream, about 2 TBSP and whip the living daylights out of it until it is fluffy. Drizzle over muffins. Best is they are allowed to chill in fridge overnight!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-7292882336597623502017-11-08T12:16:00.002-05:002017-11-08T12:16:31.495-05:00Menu Plan ModayIt's Menu Plan Monday...on a Wednesday....because, you know, life. LOL!<br />
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<br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-63651767575382116032017-10-30T15:52:00.003-04:002017-10-30T15:52:59.804-04:00Menu Plan MondayHappy Monday my Spice-y friends!<br />
Every Monday, my goal is to post a picture of what my menu plan looks like for the week for you. If I have any links to already published recipes (either on my page or someone else's), I will post the links as well. <br />
Just an FYI, I usually only plan 4 meals for the week. I find it gives me a little more flexibility to change things up if needed without having an entire freezer and pantry filled with random ingredients for meals I ended up not cooking.<br />
This week, is pretty lame for y'all, sorry! I am going to play around with a few old family favorites to re-vamp them into some keto/low carb deliciousness, so no recipes yet.<br />
As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment or drop me a line by email or on Facebook. Have an AHHHH-mazing week - xoxo<br />
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<br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-88093921537214114532017-10-26T11:46:00.004-04:002017-10-26T12:41:36.980-04:00Tap, tap, tap....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftEYUOHcyRQ/WfH-HaHUF-I/AAAAAAAAPms/c3MyKH8B3Fsyf40PuD7FlpZgpfFA6q0rwCLcBGAs/s1600/BSWPA_MICROPHONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1309" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftEYUOHcyRQ/WfH-HaHUF-I/AAAAAAAAPms/c3MyKH8B3Fsyf40PuD7FlpZgpfFA6q0rwCLcBGAs/s320/BSWPA_MICROPHONE.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Tap,
tap, tap...<br />
Is this thing on?<br />
Isn't that how to figure out if people are still listening as they try to figure
out a pithy way to say “hi” again and reconnect with their slice of the
blog-o-spehere? The fact that I have just rewrote 9 sentences to try to
transition into this all important conversation, when really, all of my inner
dialogue just wants to get to it. No muss, no fuss. So, because I am
drawing a blank for a sassy and smart transition, and because I can...let's do
this interview style, shall we?<br />
<br />
Q: I am new here, who the heck are you?<br />
A: My name is Sig, aka – Siggy Spice.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I started this blog many MANY moons ago as a sort of therapy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You can read all about that crazy story <a href="https://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-me-1st-edition.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I have made some AMAZING friends here
along the way.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A little more about me, I am a 40-ish year old
Mama of 4, living the suburban dream. Even though I don't fit the Stepford
wife, crazy micro-managing PTA Mom type you will find in the ‘burbs, I am
comfortable here dodging the drama, even if that makes me seem unsocial at times.
I love my family. Man, do I love my family. In fact,
truth be told, I think I love my kids and husband more than any person has ever
loved theirs. Yup, I said it. I love to cook, hate to do dishes and
clean up after myself. I despise laundry. I have recently
discovered I am a pretty good home decorator and have a creative side I am
continually exploring and pushing the boundaries of. I am a make-up
junkie. I have 3 dogs and 1 cat. I have serious carpool rage.
I change my hair color a LOT. I have a woo-woo side....I am very
intuitive and firmly believe in signs, mind/body/spirit connection, and all
things woo. While I like to say I am a hippie, I am not crunchy...I like
Sephora and Target too much. <br />
<br />
Q:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Um….where the heck have you been for
the last 3+ years???<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Why are you back?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>3+ years.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Wow.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That doesn’t even seem
possible.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I started this blog during
such a <a href="https://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-me-1st-edition.html" target="_blank">hard time of my life</a> and used it as a sort of a way to crawl out from
under my self-imposed rock.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I used it as
a platform to try new recipes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I used it
as a way to connect with people since we had just moved across the
country.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Another cross-country move and we
are still in Austin.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Totally enjoying
the AMAZING culinary scene here.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I have
grown as a person, as a Mom, as a wife, as a cook.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
have also lost over 100 pounds.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yup,
you read that right.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Over 100
pounds.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I<span style="color: black;"> had been somewhat over-weight most of my life. After college,
marriage, babies, stress of life, etc., my weight ballooned to the point it was
having a direct effect on my health. About 2-3 <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>years ago, I was diagnosed as a type 2
diabetic. I was put on Metformin and told to watch what I ate. I
watched, and did great for about 4 months. Then, like so many times
before, I had a bad meal, which turned into a bad day, week, month, and year.
In November of 2015, I was diagnosed with a 5cm "multi-septated complex"
Ovarian cyst, not known if it was cancerous. As I was sitting in the
Gynecological Oncologist office and he was explaining how fat traps Estrogen,
therefore, all this Estrogen was trapped in my body causing this, I knew that
this was an unintended consequence of my choices I had made. We decided
that since I was no longer in the baby game, and my risk for gynecological
cancers were high, that we would do a full hysterectomy even if the mass proved
to be benign. So, that is what we did. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">12 days later, my Gallbladder decided it wanted to break up with
me too. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I was sitting in the ER being poked over and over again
because they couldn’t find a vein, I had my A-HA moment.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I knew if I didn’t make a drastic change this
was going to be my life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I had a vision
of me in and out of ER’s and Dr. offices waiting on the next diagnoses, putting
out fires left and right.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Having
gallbladder surgery after a complete hysterectomy was a lot for any body to
handle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For a “normal” weight person, it
may not have been so long.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For me, it
was long.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My body was overworked.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My body was tired.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>During my recovery period, my blood pressure
rose to the point I had to be put on blood pressure medication.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Unfortunately, my PCP dosed me too high too
fast and caused some heart freak out.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Yet another ER visit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Another
reminder of what needed to be done.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is true when they say you choose your hard.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Losing weight is hard.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Being overweight is hard.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You chose your hard.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I have to continually chose my hard, and believe
me, it is hard.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Every day is a
choice.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But here I am….a year and a half
after choosing what hard road I will walk the rest of my life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: What do you want this blog to do for
you and what’s in it for me?<br />
A: This blog is still a form of therapy for me. A place to say what
I am doing and where I am at with things going on in my quirky brain. I
love to share things to help people on their journey, whether it be recipes,
techniques, ideas, a new product, some insight, or just a chuckle. I hope
you find some gems here and there. Everything I share might not be your
bag, and that is totally cool. Take what you want, leave the rest.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I will be sharing the recipes that I eat
now.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They will be MY version of
healthy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Keto, low-carb, sugar free, but
always delicious!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I do not eat only as a
way to lose weight, but for my over all health and nourishment.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am not going to erase my past
not-so-healthy recipes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Like my weight,
it is part of my past.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You can bet there
will be some re-vamping of old favorites!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, long story short, I'm back! Stay tuned for awesomeness, deliciousness, and all the other "ness's".<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If there is anything else you are dying to
know, drop me a line or find me on Facebook!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small;">Hugs and sugar free kisses to you - xoxo</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><b></b><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-2390109212013953572014-01-15T11:12:00.000-05:002014-01-15T11:12:29.942-05:00Oreo Truffle BrownieHappy, happy 2014!<br />
I hope you all created some amazing memories over the holiday! <br />
Now that life has calmed down a bit, I am hoping to give the blog here a face<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>lift and start cranking out some more recipes to share with you....I have missed you all - xoxo<br />
First up for the New Year, just in time to sabotage your resolutions before Girl Scout Cookies do, is the scrumptious love child of the infamous "Oreo Truffle" and the good-old perfect Brownie. Seriously...amazeballs!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vMZJCTkPJY/UtaysHrERsI/AAAAAAAAMzg/fKfqK4fJBRQ/s1600/IMG_20140114_121430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vMZJCTkPJY/UtaysHrERsI/AAAAAAAAMzg/fKfqK4fJBRQ/s320/IMG_20140114_121430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oreo Truffle Brownie</b></span></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe by: <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2012/08/oreo-truffle-brownies.html">Mel's Kitchen Cafe</a></span><br />
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients">
<br /></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients">
Ingredients</div>
<ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><div class="ingredient-label" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0">
<span class="italic">For the brownies:</span>
</div>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients">1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup butter (2 sticks)
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients">1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon vanilla
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients">4 large eggs
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients">1 1/2 cups flour
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 teaspoon salt
</li>
<div class="ingredient-label" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8">
<span class="italic">Oreo Truffle and Topping:</span>
</div>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" itemprop="ingredients">26 Oreo or other chocolate-sandwich cookies
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" itemprop="ingredients">8 ounces cream cheese, light or regular, softened
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" itemprop="ingredients">4 ounces white chocolate or white almond bark</li>
</ul>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions">
Directions</div>
<ol class="instructions" id="zlrecipe-instructions-list">
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions">For
the brownies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan over
low heat, melt the butter and chocolate chips. Stir constantly and
remove from heat when the chocolate is fully melted. In the same pot,
whisk in the sugar and vanilla. Then add eggs, blending fully one at a
time. Add the flour and salt and stir until well combined. Pour the
batter into a greased 9 X 13-inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn the
heat down to 325 degrees and bake for 10 more minutes. Remove from the
oven and let the brownies cool completely.
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions">For
the Oreo truffle topping, crush the Oreo cookies and mix with the
softened cream cheese until the mixture is well-combined. I find the
best method is to lightly crush the Oreo cookies and then mix the
cookies with the cream cheese in an electric stand mixer, food processor
or with a handheld mixer. Lightly press the Oreo truffle mixture over
the cooled brownies.
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions">In
a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate or almond bark on low
power at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and
smooth. Pour the chocolate into the corner of a ziploc bag. Carefully
snip a small piece off the corner and drizzle the chocolate across the
brownies. Alternately, you can cut the brownies into squares and then
drizzle with the chocolate. Chill the brownies in the refrigerator until
the chocolate is set (10-20 minutes). Cut into slices and serve.</li>
</ol>
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<br />Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-46791874943728396472013-08-28T11:01:00.000-04:002013-08-28T11:01:23.018-04:00Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2tnyiV10y-c/Uh4PLmfGQ_I/AAAAAAAAIuk/LM0-BnU3WjY/s1600/Choc+Chip+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2tnyiV10y-c/Uh4PLmfGQ_I/AAAAAAAAIuk/LM0-BnU3WjY/s320/Choc+Chip+Cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Hello, my name is Siggy Spice, and I am a big-ol'-cheater. <br />
Do you cheat on your favorites? Favorite recipe that is. Do you still try to find a better version? A grass is greener on the other side version?<br />
I do.<br />
My recipes can't expect monogamy. What if a dash of this, or a pinch of that changes everything?<br />
Well, can I tell you. I pinched....and it was AH-mazing. Life changing even.<br />
On top of my pinch, I was lazy and wanted to try a shortcut. And ohhhh, that shortcut. It was oh-so-short. Like, my dough was ready to go before the oven was even pre-heated, short. That shortcut made me feel like a cheater on a whole new level.<br />
My family is in on this as well. They agree that they have never tasted anything as soft, chewy, and with a pop of wow like these little gems.<br />
Try these. Please. Don't let me stew in my guilt alone.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe ever so slightly adapted by: <a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/03/bisquick-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe.html">Six Sisters Stuff</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div>
<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened</li>
<li>1 cup light brown sugar</li>
<li>2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>2 1/2 cups Bisquick baking mix</li>
<li>1 cup semisweet chocolate chips</li>
<li>Sea Salt - just a sprinkle, not even a pinch for each cookie. I used my Pink Himalayan Sea Salt grinder and just ground a wee-bit onto each cookie.</li>
</ul>
<b></b><div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Directions:</b></div>
<div>
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and egg. Fold in Bisquick baking mix. Stir in chocolate chips. Use 1" cookie scoop to form cookie balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle or grind not even a pinch of Sea Salt onto each cookie. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.<b> </b></div>
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Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-65168054364771081092013-06-12T11:50:00.000-04:002013-06-12T19:08:49.529-04:00Hump Day Confessional 6/12/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--87F7AaykX0/T1dhjIIWDbI/AAAAAAAAAn0/Kw4WbbLZegY/s1600/Confessional.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--87F7AaykX0/T1dhjIIWDbI/AAAAAAAAAn0/Kw4WbbLZegY/s1600/Confessional.bmp" /></a></div>
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<br />
So, I am sure most of you know, the reason for my lack of posts lately is because of "the move". I say "the move" like that because I hear it with dramatic, scary music in the background. So, I will start with the good:<br />
I love, love, LOVE our new house....but the building process was like birthin' a baby. I was on a total and complete emotional rollercoaster for 6 months. But the end result? LOVE IT!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IyhR5zR8bv4/UbiK1g6w79I/AAAAAAAAG2g/_NMtvjL2G9g/s1600/Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IyhR5zR8bv4/UbiK1g6w79I/AAAAAAAAG2g/_NMtvjL2G9g/s320/Side.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbI85lojlDE/UbiK0y4lLjI/AAAAAAAAG2I/ZkVcRtlJmU0/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbI85lojlDE/UbiK0y4lLjI/AAAAAAAAG2I/ZkVcRtlJmU0/s320/Front.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJqIblnqfts/UbiHaz3s3CI/AAAAAAAAG14/p0CwRQHh1PQ/s1600/20130503_155149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJqIblnqfts/UbiHaz3s3CI/AAAAAAAAG14/p0CwRQHh1PQ/s320/20130503_155149.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aU0nJnwfWmw/UbiK00ZdhBI/AAAAAAAAG2M/HARjUXQ_8zk/s1600/Door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aU0nJnwfWmw/UbiK00ZdhBI/AAAAAAAAG2M/HARjUXQ_8zk/s320/Door.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I pretty much want to make out with my front door!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6rtq8A4bSk/UbiK1fI60VI/AAAAAAAAG2o/z5mfz8uOL3M/s1600/Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6rtq8A4bSk/UbiK1fI60VI/AAAAAAAAG2o/z5mfz8uOL3M/s320/Kitchen.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love, love, LOVE my new kitchen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4Ifty9HvRo/UbiK1dfBFeI/AAAAAAAAG2U/Y88yWsvUeBk/s1600/Hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4Ifty9HvRo/UbiK1dfBFeI/AAAAAAAAG2U/Y88yWsvUeBk/s320/Hallway.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also want to make out with the AMAZING hardwood floors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But "the move"....OHHH "the move". I thought it would be so much easier since we were only moving 3 miles up the road, and we would have 2 weeks from close until the end of our lease. I thought we would be able to take our time and it would be a easy. HAH! It all started when our movers double booked, so they were only able to get the truck loaded (with the big stuff), then go do their other jobs, then come back at 6:00pm and unload, then go back and grab the rest of the stuff we couldn't get by ourselves. This left an ass-load of stuff that I was moving by myself for a week after I dropped the kids off at school and before I picked them up. Then I spent a week deep cleaning the old house. UGH! Moving a six-person household is not for the faint of heart. Now, I am in unpacking hell. I say unpacking hell because the packing ended up being so disorganized, the unpacking is taking FOREVER! <br />
<br />
So, onto confessions:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xE_yKz7wY8/UbiOcBq6w-I/AAAAAAAAG28/EuymfuTcUs0/s1600/Coffee+on+back+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xE_yKz7wY8/UbiOcBq6w-I/AAAAAAAAG28/EuymfuTcUs0/s320/Coffee+on+back+deck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
~I have been eating every meal outside on our back patio. There is nothing like listening to the birds chirping while enjoying some coffee in the morning. Now dinner on the other hand...not so relaxing, lol! We haven't purchased our new outdoor table yet, so there are 6 of us in camp chairs squeezed around a cheap IKEA outdoor table while listening to the the remains of construction and the construction workers. Nothing like the sounds of Mariachi music with an entire crew singing along, interrupted by the POW, POW, POW of the nail gun. Ahhh, good times!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pem1nT5pSCo/UbiP6MSIboI/AAAAAAAAG3M/pa0nYLjgA54/s1600/Kinder+grad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pem1nT5pSCo/UbiP6MSIboI/AAAAAAAAG3M/pa0nYLjgA54/s320/Kinder+grad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
~My sweet blue-eyed baby graduated from Kindergarten this year. I could go on and on about how time flies and it seemed like yesterday that I was teaching him how to walk. While I do feel all those things, I am most struck by how bad I sucked as a mom at the end of the school year this year. Going back to the whole "moving" situation, I was lucky to have been able to find clean clothes (mostly) to put on him and me for graduation. Ignore the fact that he went weeks without me signing his homework folder, reading aloud, packing his lunch (don't worry, he bought it at the cafeteria), NOT showing up to volunteer when I was supposed to, showing up in carpool lane looking like a crazy woman and smelling like a goat, and showing up to his graduation with no balloons and prizes and sporting 3 inch roots. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93bfy8-KGAs/UbiRJDhHRVI/AAAAAAAAG3c/JMZgquXlrVE/s1600/Hulkettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93bfy8-KGAs/UbiRJDhHRVI/AAAAAAAAG3c/JMZgquXlrVE/s320/Hulkettes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
~I coached my daughters Volleyball team this season...the Hulkettes. At first I was petrified to do it because (1) these wee ladies pack a powerful punch. In 6th grade, they are jump serving and basically kicking the ass of anyone I played Volleyball with in school. I mean, what could I teach them?! (2) I didn't want to be the coach whom the parents looked at and thought "what the hell is she having my kid do that she can't do herself" (3) Middle school girl drama makes me want to hurl.<br />
However, all that fear and trepidation was for NOTHING! We had a fabulous time and only lost 2 games for the season. The girls and parents were AMAZING and we definitely had the most FUN of any team in the league, hence the green tongues and the GRRR face for our team pic.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iz6LOqJyNk/UbiSjhAXqUI/AAAAAAAAG30/H_btuZL3094/s1600/house+warming+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Iz6LOqJyNk/UbiSjhAXqUI/AAAAAAAAG30/H_btuZL3094/s320/house+warming+gift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
~I made quilts for my nieces whom are stationed in Germany. It is the closest I have been able to give them a hug. The above picture is the WONDERFUL housewarming present by brother and sister-in-law sent to us from an artist in Germany. Funny thing is, it says "Welcome to our Home", but "Rouse" (our last name) basically means "get the hell out".<br />
OH, the confession part of this is how sucky I am at going to the post office. I started these quilts back in November...it took me until April to finish them...then, not until "the move" did I actually get my sorry ass to the post office.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDhFMejOl4U/UbiSjlfneZI/AAAAAAAAG3s/-pbEB8zhGpk/s1600/Quilt+Harper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDhFMejOl4U/UbiSjlfneZI/AAAAAAAAG3s/-pbEB8zhGpk/s320/Quilt+Harper.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt for my new baby niece Harper <3</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpyfdV7xqO4/UbiSjjrtIuI/AAAAAAAAG3w/YRAyzl6oOzU/s1600/Quilt+Maddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpyfdV7xqO4/UbiSjjrtIuI/AAAAAAAAG3w/YRAyzl6oOzU/s320/Quilt+Maddy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt for my 8 year old niece Maddy, who loves Monster High and peace signs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
~Last but not least, I confess, that I feel like I have been eating like a ROCKSTAR the last few weeks (well, not the bloated, drunk, druggy type rock star) Lots and lots of grilled meat, veggies, and salads. Absolutely NO ice cream...yay!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18ZP0okWtRg/UbiUYBTMhoI/AAAAAAAAG4k/GFwnh5qvuNw/s1600/IMG_20130606_190954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18ZP0okWtRg/UbiUYBTMhoI/AAAAAAAAG4k/GFwnh5qvuNw/s320/IMG_20130606_190954.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey Lime Tilapia with Orange Cashew Rice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeJPql9R-bI/UbiUR7PpP4I/AAAAAAAAG4c/3GVTG5nOhxI/s1600/Beef+Jerky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeJPql9R-bI/UbiUR7PpP4I/AAAAAAAAG4c/3GVTG5nOhxI/s320/Beef+Jerky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubs made homemade Beef Jerky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MacUKSeN4DM/UbiUR6It6FI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/XJPJ5620Yxc/s1600/Migas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MacUKSeN4DM/UbiUR6It6FI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/XJPJ5620Yxc/s320/Migas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheater Migas with mushrooms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvVIOJxmKg4/UbiUSCumm5I/AAAAAAAAG4g/3IWLWV3y7WY/s1600/Steaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvVIOJxmKg4/UbiUSCumm5I/AAAAAAAAG4g/3IWLWV3y7WY/s320/Steaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmm.....steak....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CioeKfDQNo/UbiUYDwtyQI/AAAAAAAAG4k/RKrKZeLWdWc/s1600/IMG_20130607_075632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CioeKfDQNo/UbiUYDwtyQI/AAAAAAAAG4k/RKrKZeLWdWc/s320/IMG_20130607_075632.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh well, yeah. National Donut Day sucked me in. But I only ate my 1 free donut, so yay for that :)</td></tr>
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SO, how have you all been???Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-15341713847244091742013-04-04T11:29:00.002-04:002013-04-04T11:34:57.748-04:00Hawaiian Fried Rice<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eJLBEIQ1Jo/UV2cnbYo0TI/AAAAAAAAEWY/C8Rs58q-ovQ/s1600/20130403_205614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eJLBEIQ1Jo/UV2cnbYo0TI/AAAAAAAAEWY/C8Rs58q-ovQ/s320/20130403_205614.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the crap picture....my camera died, so it is cell phone pic with NO natural light.</td></tr>
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<br />
Hello friends!<br />
I hope you had a GREAT Easter weekend filled with lots of yummy food and surrounded by lots of love! <br />
On Saturday, we had friends/family over for a little BBQ and between the laughs, good times, good food, and Hummingbird Juice (1/2 Hard Cider, 1/2 Raspberry Lambic...YUM!), it turned into a late night that translated into a completely lazy Sunday. So lazy in fact, we decided to for-go the ham thing and just enjoy our lazy day and order pizza. Monday, while the kiddos were at school, I worked on the ham dinner and I am sure like the rest of you, are still faced with lots-o-leftovers.<br />
I saw this recipe on <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/04/hawaiian-fried-rice.html">Mel's Kitchen Cafe</a> on Tuesday and made it Wednesday with the leftover ham we had. Oh. My. Stinkin'. Heck. It was fabulous! I would, without a doubt, make this any day of the week just using a diced ham-steak in lieu of leftovers. It is easy, fresh, and totally hit the spot!<br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Hawaiian Ham Steak</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/04/hawaiian-fried-rice.html">Mel's Kitchen Cafe</a></span><br />
<br />
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients">3 TBSP low-sodium soy sauce</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients">1 TBSP toasted sesame oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients">1 tsp Sriracha, more or less to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients">1 TBSP vegetable, canola or peanut oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients">2 cups cooked, chopped ham </li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients">1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients">6 green onions, chopped, <u><strong>white and green parts separated</strong></u></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients">3 garlic cloves, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 TBSP minced fresh ginger</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">5 cups cooked rice, white or brown, cold. (This is actually important...hot rice will just get mushy. Either use leftover rice that was in the fridge, or the handy dandy frozen rice you buy at the grocery store)</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" itemprop="ingredients">3 large eggs</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" itemprop="ingredients">1-2 cups pineapple pieces (fresh is better, and I liked using only 1 cup)</li>
<br />
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">
</div>
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">
</div>
<strong> Directions:</strong><br />
<div class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">
<ol>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions">In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil and hot sauce. Set aside. In a large nonstick skillet or electric frying pan (which is what I use), heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil until rippling and hot. Add the ham, red bell pepper, and the chopped white parts of the green onions. Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned and the red pepper is tender (but not mushy), about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook another minute. Scrape the mixture onto a plate and set aside.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Heat another teaspoon of oil in the skillet until hot. Add the cold rice and cook, breaking up large clumps, until the rice is heated through, 5-6 minutes. </li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Push the rice to one side of the skillet and heat the last teaspoon of oil on the empty side of the skillet. Crack the eggs into the hot oil and stir lightly with a spatula or wooden spoon, cooking until the eggs are lightly scrambled and set. Stir the eggs and the ham mixture into the rice. Pour the soy sauce mixture into the rice and cook, stirring, until thoroughly combined and hot. </li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Off the heat, stir in the pineapple and green parts of the onions. Serve immediately.</li>
</ol>
</div>
Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-47904619523644953632013-01-11T13:55:00.000-05:002013-01-11T13:55:11.542-05:00Rudy's Famous Creamed CornI am going to skip the whole "I know it has been forever" and "life has just been CRAZY, I mean ridonkulously busy" and just say:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>HELLO and I HAVE MISSED YOU! xoxo</strong></span><br />
Today, I have one of the most INSANELY scrumptious dishes I have had in a long, long time.<br />
In Texas, there is a fabulous BBQ place called Rudy's.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEPbn-mAHaE/UPBcFYChFAI/AAAAAAAAA04/MkfCXURfsCU/s1600/Rudys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEPbn-mAHaE/UPBcFYChFAI/AAAAAAAAA04/MkfCXURfsCU/s400/Rudys.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
In fact, my brother (who is now in Germany) told that whenever someone goes back to the Austin/San Antonio area for training, they have to bring gallons of the BBQ sauce back for the crew.<br />
Since moving to Austin, we have become quite the BBQ connoisseurs.<br />
My hubs has become the brisket MASTER and we can often be found on the weekend next to the smoker making this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAhNRxsFOqE/UPBfGHSSdGI/AAAAAAAABJk/rM7J5pq_jNI/s1600/Dave%2527s%2BBrisket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAhNRxsFOqE/UPBfGHSSdGI/AAAAAAAABJk/rM7J5pq_jNI/s400/Dave%2527s%2BBrisket.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah....my Hubs is the bomb-diggity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Truth be told, I still couldn't get Rudy's famous Creamed Corn out of my mind. So what's a girl to do? Recreate it of course!<br />
While this recipe seems silly simple, it crack-a-lakin freaking FANTASTIC! I beg of you to make it and experience this lusciousness for yourself...and if you are feeling generous, let the fam has some too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mpnZog6yqA/UPBd9MwDpPI/AAAAAAAAA_w/o_eu-YlqnHI/s1600/Creamed%2BCorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mpnZog6yqA/UPBd9MwDpPI/AAAAAAAAA_w/o_eu-YlqnHI/s400/Creamed%2BCorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know this isn't the best picture...my camera died, so it is all phone camera right now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Rudy's Famous Creamed Corn</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe adapted from: <a href="http://www.bluebonnetsandbrownies.com/2011/08/07/rudys-creamed-corn-recipe/">Blue Bonnets and Brownies</a></span><br />
<br />
2 lbs. frozen sweet corn<br />
1 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, diced into 1 inch squares<br />
4 TBSP salted butter<br />
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
2 TBSP sugar<br />
1/2 tsp black pepper<br />
pinch of salt<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
Throw all the ingredients, in any order, into a crockpot and cook on low for at least 4 hours. First time I made this, I made it on the stove top, but the longer you can let it sit in the dairy hot tub, the sweeter the end result will be. Allow all the cream cheese to be completely melted and it will easily break down and combine with the cream and butter to make the sauce. <br />
Wait until serving to taste the salt level. I think it was perfect as written. Over salting this sweet creamy lusciousness would be a sin. Yes, a sin I say.Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-46466156034766291482012-09-12T10:47:00.000-04:002012-09-12T10:47:38.063-04:00Hump Day Confessional<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSFZNNFxgcU/UFCgVsTnCvI/AAAAAAAAArY/fqb_Yv9-_kk/s1600/Confessional.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSFZNNFxgcU/UFCgVsTnCvI/AAAAAAAAArY/fqb_Yv9-_kk/s1600/Confessional.bmp" /></a></div>
(((tap, tap, tap)))....is this thing on?<br />
<br />
<br />
It has been a long time friends...a very long time. I took an unexpected, extended sabbatical this summer. After packing and moving cross country, staying in a hotel with 3 kids for a month, subsequent unpacking, birthday celebration month combined with back-to-school craziness....I just couldn't do anything more.<br />
<br />
But, here I am...back with a confessional!<br />
<br />
<br />
~ For my birthday last week, I went kayaking. I have never been before. I never thought that would be something I could/should do until I lost weight. I mean, would I look like...a big gal on a tiny kayak. Could I even get on and balance? What would people think when they saw me? What if I got out there and didn't have the strength to get back? Guess what? I DID IT! I threw all of my concerns to the wind and DID IT! I am tired of waiting for the "as soon as I...." excuse to start living my life. I LOVED IT! It is something I fully intend on doing again and again. <br />
<br />
~ I have some serious carpool lane rage. Seeing that I am in carpool lane for about 2 hours a day, I get to observe MUCH jackass behavior. It is a carpool lane, not a parking lot people! It is NOT ok for you to race and cut in front of the whole lane just because someone isn't moving up as fast as you see fit. I see red...seriously...why do you think YOU are so much more important than the hundreds of other people trying to pick-up or drop off their kidlets?!?! AGHH!<br />
<br />
~ For the first time in 11 years, I am alone during the day. This has been a MUCH harder transition than I ever thought. I know there are some Mom's who relish the day that they actually get some time to themselves. However, at this moment I find that I am the Mom wandering around Super Target, going oh so slowly, murmuring to myself with employees asking every 5 minutes if I need help finding something. My oldest baby started middle school and my youngest baby started full day kindergarten. (((sigh))) It has hit me HARD how quickly time goes.<br />
<br />
~ I have taken up watching re-runs of Beverly Hills 90210 during the day.<br />
<br />
~ I miss Trader Joes. I mean, I MISSSS Trader Joes. I even had a dream about it. The one in San Antonio opens next month, so I guess I will be making the trek there until the one in Austin opens next year.. Until then, I will dream about Sea Salted Caramel, Mac and Cheese, Mandarin Chicken, Sara Bee Wine, Two Buck Chuck, Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup, and all the other scrumptiousness my boyfriend Joe gives me.<br />
<br />
So, do you have anything to confess this week?Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-85739988943130758452012-05-09T11:42:00.000-04:002012-05-09T11:42:57.945-04:00Chicken Bacon Broccoli Ranch Foil PacketsHowdy from Austin!<br />
I have been gone FOR-EVER I know...packing, house hunting, moving, road tripping, hotel-ing. Technically, I am still not even back...I am battling the mind numbingly slllooowww hotel Internet to write this post. Our house will not be ready until the 18th, so we have been hotel dwellers. Oh. My. Hell. I am so sick of hotel breakfasts and restaurant food, BLERG!<br />
I was looking through some recipes I had saved up and saw this, and like Pavlov's pooches, I drooled. It was so stinkin' good and I could possibly sell my pooch to have some now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mZi2jU-OSY/T6qOEgUeC0I/AAAAAAAAAq0/8Ddo7VIe1eE/s1600/Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mZi2jU-OSY/T6qOEgUeC0I/AAAAAAAAAq0/8Ddo7VIe1eE/s200/Bella.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My sweet Bella</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Awww, never mind, she's too cute...I miss her....she has been staying with Auntie Jan since we are doing the Urban Camping thing. Urban Camping...it is when you cram 2 adults and 3 kiddos into a hotel room. It sounds much more glamorous than it is. Trust me. <br />
<br />
Anyway, it was scrumptious...seriously, what is not to love about chicken, broccoli, bacon, cheese, ranch, and a handy dandy foil packet?!?! I highly recommend that you make it immediately, if not sooner!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKv2FFeQNck/T6qOfdB-LOI/AAAAAAAAAq8/yoMV7plpKLE/s1600/Broccoli+Ranch+Chicken+Packets+1+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKv2FFeQNck/T6qOfdB-LOI/AAAAAAAAAq8/yoMV7plpKLE/s320/Broccoli+Ranch+Chicken+Packets+1+-+TM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Chicken Bacon Broccoli Ranch Foil Packets</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: the brilliant Cassie from <a href="http://cassiecraves.blogspot.com/2012/02/chicken-broccoli-bacon-ranch-foil.html">Cassie Craves</a></span><br />
<ul>
<li>1 package chicken-flavored stuffing mix prepared to package directions</li>
<li>4 boneless skinless chicken breasts</li>
<li>4 cups fresh broccoli florets</li>
<li>1 cup shredded cheddar cheese</li>
<li>4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled</li>
<li>4 TBSP ranch dressing, yup the stuff out of the bottle</li>
</ul>
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray 4 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil with cooking spray.<br />
Divide the stuffing mixture onto the center of each foil sheet.<br />
Top stuffing in each packet with a chicken breast half, season with salt and pepper, then add 1 cup of broccoli. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the cheese and one slice of bacon, then drizzle with 1 TBSP of ranch dressing. Repeat with all packets.<br />
Bring up foil sides and fold to seal, leaving room for heat circulation inside.<br />
Place packets on a cookie sheet and bake 25 to 30 minutes. Remove packets and let stand 5 minutes. Cut slits in foil for steam before opening.Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-80182290522744013162012-04-15T10:37:00.000-04:002012-04-15T10:37:08.407-04:00Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkHJkXh2CtU/T4rcT_FDjkI/AAAAAAAAAqs/EVPLrNTOvDw/s1600/Spinach+Salad+with+Warm+Bacon+Dressing+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkHJkXh2CtU/T4rcT_FDjkI/AAAAAAAAAqs/EVPLrNTOvDw/s320/Spinach+Salad+with+Warm+Bacon+Dressing+TM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was looking through my food pictures lovingly this morning remembering when I used to make meals like this. Eating has been so completely uninspired and honestly, not the healthiest lately. One of the hardest parts of moving cross-country is not moving any food. So, we are eating up all the random bits from the pantry and freezer. I cannot WAIT to get moved and fill my fridge and pantry with the good stuff again!<br />
<br />
I made this salad a while back and it was AMAZING! Like, forget the other things in the meal and just make-out with this salad...repeatably. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Spinach Salad</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: </span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/spinach-salad-with-warm-bacon-dressing-recipe/index.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alton Brown</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, he is the bomb-diggity</span><br />
<ul><li>8 ounces baby spinach </li>
<li>2 large hard boiled eggs </li>
<li>8 pieces thick-sliced bacon, chopped </li>
<li>3 TBSP red wine vinegar </li>
<li>1 tsp sugar (or your favorite sugar substitute) </li>
<li>1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard </li>
<li>Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper </li>
<li>4 large white mushrooms, sliced </li>
<li>3 ounces red onion (1 small), very thinly sliced </li>
</ul>Wash and dry (by spinning or patting) the spinach and place into a large mixing bowl.<br />
Slice or chop the hard boiled eggs, set aside.<br />
Fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 TBSP of the rendered fat. Crumble bacon and set aside.<br />
Transfer the bacon fat into a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon Mustard. Season with a small pinch of salt and black pepper.<br />
Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss. Add the warm dressing and bacon and toss to combine. Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them.<br />
Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-76236256467534514792012-04-07T09:08:00.000-04:002012-04-07T09:08:34.186-04:00Hoppy Easter and some menu ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNKepcNOUfM/T4A8LGDqzxI/AAAAAAAAAqU/ihCUeKbyT-U/s1600/hip-hop-easter-chick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNKepcNOUfM/T4A8LGDqzxI/AAAAAAAAAqU/ihCUeKbyT-U/s320/hip-hop-easter-chick.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>Hoppy Easter my sweet lil chick-a-dees!<br />
Hope you all have a super-fabulous weekend - xoxo<br />
<br />
In case you needed some last minute eats and treats, here you go!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDer41sxDdg/T4A5-7eGDGI/AAAAAAAAAps/UKwC_2mTEOQ/s1600/Chloe+BB+1+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDer41sxDdg/T4A5-7eGDGI/AAAAAAAAAps/UKwC_2mTEOQ/s200/Chloe+BB+1+TM.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/03/bunny-bark.html">Bunny Bark</a></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aMwJlneP68w/T4A6QPWeKRI/AAAAAAAAAp0/9HlWkSM9l3c/s1600/Lemon+Sparkle+Cake+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aMwJlneP68w/T4A6QPWeKRI/AAAAAAAAAp0/9HlWkSM9l3c/s200/Lemon+Sparkle+Cake+-+TM.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2011/05/lemon-sparkle-cake.html">Lemon Sparkle Cake</a></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiASssg-I5M/T4A7JJ3UeQI/AAAAAAAAAp8/aQm1aYiWhHs/s1600/Eaton+Mess+1+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiASssg-I5M/T4A7JJ3UeQI/AAAAAAAAAp8/aQm1aYiWhHs/s200/Eaton+Mess+1+-+TM.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2011/08/eton-mess-aka-our-new-favorite-dessert.html">Eton Mess</a></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQCTnqULuK0/T4A7agmEbFI/AAAAAAAAAqE/xuUJj7ygU1E/s1600/Ultimate+Carrot+Cake+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQCTnqULuK0/T4A7agmEbFI/AAAAAAAAAqE/xuUJj7ygU1E/s200/Ultimate+Carrot+Cake+-+TM.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/08/ultimate-carrot-cake.html">ULTIMATE Carrot Cake</a></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hmqi-FIs1M/T4A7mv6pYBI/AAAAAAAAAqM/QjY2nbmLdrw/s1600/nirvana+in+a+bowl-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hmqi-FIs1M/T4A7mv6pYBI/AAAAAAAAAqM/QjY2nbmLdrw/s200/nirvana+in+a+bowl-+TM.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/07/nirvana-in-bowl.html">Nirvana in a Bowl</a></span></div>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-55356909013889055892012-03-30T09:35:00.001-04:002012-03-30T10:42:27.312-04:00Deconstructed Eggroll Stir-Fry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnGeOEErMQ0/T3W2QqIER8I/AAAAAAAAApM/9oXv2IgK4t4/s1600/Poor+Man's+Stir+Fry+1+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="333" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnGeOEErMQ0/T3W2QqIER8I/AAAAAAAAApM/9oXv2IgK4t4/s400/Poor+Man's+Stir+Fry+1+TM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>...or Poor Man's Stir-Fry...or Exploded Eggrolls....I couldn't make up my mind as to what to name this dish. Whatever the name, it is DELICIOUS! Not only is it delicious, it is super flexible. Not only is it super flexible, it is pretty dang healthy. That makes it a winner, winner, chicken, ...err I mean stir-fry(?) dinner in my book!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Poor Man's Stir Fry</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: Kitchen of Siggy Spice</span><br />
<ul><li>1 pound of Ground Beef (you could also use Ground Turkey, Chicken, or Pork)</li>
<li>Salt and Pepper to taste</li>
<li>4 TBSP Toasted Sesame Oil</li>
<li>4 Garlic Cloves, minced</li>
<li>5 Green Onions, white and green parts sliced</li>
<li>14 ounces Coleslaw Mix (or finely shredded cabbage)</li>
<li>4 TBSP Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Braggs Liquid Amino (more to taste)</li>
<li>1 tsp Sriracha Sauce (more to taste)</li>
<li>1 tsp Fresh Ginger, paste or grated. (more to taste)</li>
<li>2 packets Truvia (or sweetener of your choice)</li>
<li>2 tsp White Vinegar</li>
<li>1 bag (14-16 ounces) Frozen Stir-Fry Veggies. I use the Trader Joe's Hodgepodge Harvest, but feel free to use what you like</li>
<li>2 cups cooked Brown Rice. Trader Joe's makes a handy dandy pre-cooked frozen brown rice that is wonderful here, you could also make cauliflower rice to go carb free. </li>
</ul>Brown Ground Beef with Salt and Pepper to taste.<br />
Remove from pan and set aside.<br />
Heat up Sesame Oil in pan and saute Garlic, Green Onions, Coleslaw, and Stir Fry Veggies until desired tenderness.<br />
Stir in the Soy Sauce, Sriracha, Ginger, Truvia, and White Vinegar<br />
Add the Ground Beef and Brown Rice into the veggies and mix well. Taste it and make sure it is seasoned well for your tastes, adding more Soy Sauce, Sriracha, Ginger to taste.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
This recipe is linked up at:<br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/03/friday-favorites-week-109/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SimplySweetHome+%28Simply+Sweet+Home%29">Simply Sweet Home</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-20051710411486056362012-03-09T08:32:00.001-05:002012-03-09T11:29:25.471-05:00Boursin Roasted Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JV-vFLDXw6M/T1oFp3LEzkI/AAAAAAAAAoE/CboV9JN77kU/s1600/Bourin+Roasted+Chicken+1+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JV-vFLDXw6M/T1oFp3LEzkI/AAAAAAAAAoE/CboV9JN77kU/s400/Bourin+Roasted+Chicken+1+-+TM.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>FRIDAY!! Hip-hip-hooray!! For some reason, I have been a day ahead all week in my mind. I hate when I am so excited that it is Friday only to look at a calendar and realize it is in fact Thursday. Not to mention this week was the first week back in school for the girlie's since the 3-week-we-were-sick-the-whole-time-trackout. So, needless to say, our sleep schedule hasn't adjusted yet...just in time to change the clocks this weekend.<br />
<br />
Anyway...<br />
I made this recipe before the plague descended on our home. It was un-freaking-believable! This recipe is easy enough to make weeknights or fancy-pants enough for guests. If you have never had Boursin cheese, you are missing out! It is a super creamy, herb-y, garlic-y cheese that makes an appearance at our house A LOT. You can buy it most anywhere, but I have found the best prices for it to be at Trader Joe's, Costco, or Sunflower Market. The cheese makes such a luscious coating to the chicken, leaving it super moist and flavorful. Then the sauce that is left on the bottom of the baking dish is to die for. OH, btw, that is not lumpy mashed potatoes you see there, it is lumpy Mashed Cauliflower (doin' the whole low-carb/Paleo-ish thang)...I do not have an immersion blender (gasp) or a food processor (double gasp). <br />
Anyway...<br />
Definitely give this recipe a try...it is amazing!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Boursin Roasted Chicken</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/charlottes-boursin-roasted-chicken-recipe/index.html">Emeril Lagasse</a></span><br />
<ul><li>1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil </li>
<li>1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) whole chicken </li>
<li>Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper </li>
<li>2 (5.2-ounce) packages Boursin Cheese</li>
</ul>Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat the bottom of a roasting pan or shallow casserole dish with the oil. <br />
Rinse the chicken well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken well, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the prepared roasting pan and place 1 whole block of cheese inside the cavity of the chicken. Cut the remaining block of cheese into fourths and pat 1/4 of the cheese spread over the breast portion of the chicken. Allow the remaining 3/4 of the block of cheese to sit out at room temperature while the chicken is roasting. <br />
Place the roasting pan in the center of the oven. After about 10 minutes, once the cheese has softened and begun to melt on the top of the chicken, remove the pan from the oven, and using the back of a spoon, spread the Boursin all over the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast for 25 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown on top. <br />
Remove the pan from the oven and turn the chicken over so the back is now facing up. A small amount of cheese will probably begin to ooze out of the chicken cavity at this point, so take a bit of it and spread it all over the back side of the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast until the back side of the chicken is golden brown, about 25 minutes. <br />
Remove the pan from the oven one more time. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and turn the chicken over again, so the breast is once again facing up. Continue to cook until the chicken is done, 20 to 30 more minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a knife at one thigh joint and making sure that the juices run clear. <br />
Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a platter or cutting board. Set aside, loosely covered with aluminum foil. Carefully remove and discard as much rendered fat from the roasting pan as possible. Add 1/2 cup hot water and the remaining cheese to the roasting pan. Remove any remaining melted cheese from the cavity of the chicken and add to the roasting pan. <br />
Carve the chicken into serving pieces, allowing the juices from the chicken to run onto the platter. Add the juices to the roasting pan and mix well with the Boursin, drippings, and water. Serve the sauce spooned over the carved chicken. <br />
ENJOY!<br />
<br />
This recipe has been linked at:<br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2012/mark-matte-chance-mattifying-lotion/">Tidy Mom</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/03/friday-favorites-week-106.html">Simply Sweet Home</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/03/weekend-potluck-8.html">The Country Cook</a><br />
<a href="http://jennifercooks.com/2012/03/fusion-friday-jennifercooks-com-link-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20JaneDeere%20(Jane%20Deere)">Jennifer Cooks</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-46550574990735013022012-03-07T08:26:00.001-05:002012-03-07T08:38:50.656-05:00Hump-Day Confessional<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--87F7AaykX0/T1dhjIIWDbI/AAAAAAAAAn0/Kw4WbbLZegY/s1600/Confessional.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--87F7AaykX0/T1dhjIIWDbI/AAAAAAAAAn0/Kw4WbbLZegY/s400/Confessional.bmp" width="298" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of stock.xchng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have to admit, I am LOVING the Hump-Day Confessionals! I love sharing bits-o-me and LOVED hearing your confessional as well! So, come on, join the fun and confess some fun/serious/quirky/scary/fabulous things about yourself!<br />
<br />
<br />
I confess...We are moving in less than 60 days. Our adventure in Raleigh has come to a close and I honestly could not be happier about it. I really did not like it here. I never really plugged in here. We opened ourselves up to where we should move next. We have been beaten about the head with signs that we should move to Austin. <br />
<br />
I confess...I believe in signs with all my soul. <br />
<br />
I confess...I have about 4 loads of laundry folded on my dining room table waiting to be put away. It has been there for 2 days.<br />
<br />
I confess...My. Ears. Are. Still. Freaking. Plugged. I am so over it.<br />
<br />
I confess...I was so very sad to tell my daughter's teacher yesterday that we were moving. She was the ONE person I dreaded telling. I will never be able to find the words to tell her how very much she has meant to us. I think she should just move to Austin too!<br />
<br />
Your turn!<br />
<br />
<br />
This post is linked up at:<br />
<a href="http://newonu.blogspot.com/2012/03/monday-confessional-link-up.html">New on U Monday Confessionals</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-89933645495138081492012-03-04T11:50:00.001-05:002012-03-09T11:32:41.708-05:00Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vhRa_vExpw/T1OcxdxGZ_I/AAAAAAAAAnE/C-FnKr5EZ6A/s1600/Rosemary+Ranch+Chicken+and+Veggie+Kabobs+1+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vhRa_vExpw/T1OcxdxGZ_I/AAAAAAAAAnE/C-FnKr5EZ6A/s320/Rosemary+Ranch+Chicken+and+Veggie+Kabobs+1+-+TM.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It is about this time of year that I CAN'T WAIT for summer and grilling weather. I am sick of the heavier-type comfort food and am ready for the lighter fare you get when the temperatures are soaring. I found this recipe on <a href="http://pinterest.com/siggyspice/">Pinterest</a> and immediately put it on my menu for the week. I am so glad I did...it was AMAZING! I paired it with some veggie kabobs that I brushed with some Extra Virgin Olive Oil and seasoned with some herbs, salt, and lemon pepper. Seriously fabulous!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe very slightly adapted from: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/rosemary-ranch-chicken-kabobs/">Allrecipes</a></span><br />
<ul><li>1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil</li>
<li>1/2 cup Ranch Dressing</li>
<li>3 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce</li>
<li>1 TBSP minced Fresh Rosemary</li>
<li>1 tsp Salt</li>
<li>1 tsp Lemon Juice</li>
<li>1 tsp White Vinegar</li>
<li>1/2 tsp fresh ground Black Pepper, or to taste</li>
<li>5 skinless, boneless Chicken Breasts - cut into 1 inch cubes</li>
</ul>In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, and pepper. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place chicken in the bowl, and stir to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. <br />
<br />
Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade. <br />
Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear.<br />
<br />
This recipe has been linked at:<br />
<a href="http://jennifercooks.com/2012/03/fusion-friday-jennifercooks-com-link-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20JaneDeere%20(Jane%20Deere)">Jennifer Cooks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/03/weekend-potluck-8.html">The Country Cook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/03/friday-favorites-week-106.html">Simply Sweet Home</a><br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2012/mark-matte-chance-mattifying-lotion/">Tidy Mom</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-8235067012931436642012-02-29T12:20:00.000-05:002012-02-29T12:20:59.045-05:00Hump-Day Confessional <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zom32jUB4is/T05dsa83ZWI/AAAAAAAAAm8/BiII9HdN-YE/s1600/church+confessional.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zom32jUB4is/T05dsa83ZWI/AAAAAAAAAm8/BiII9HdN-YE/s400/church+confessional.bmp" uda="true" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of photo.xchng</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Hello...remember me? It has been forever! I have been sick, sick, sick. And my kiddos have been sick, sick, sick. Basically, the past month has been one of the longest of my life! We ALL got eye/ear/sinus funk about 5 days apart. My ear has been plugged for 3 weeks now. I have been on antibiotics, steroids, Sudafed, Zyrtec. I have tried Ear Candles, Peroxide, frog urine....just kidding...unless it would be rumored to work, then I would totally try it. Anyway, so that is where I have been.<br />
So, my friend Ashley started doing a <a href="http://ashleypride.blogspot.com/">"Monday Confessional" on her blog</a> and I absolutely LOVE it, so I am totally stealing the idea! I think it is a great way to get to know me a bit more. Some will be serious, some fun, some probably a little TMI....but it is all the glory of me, lol!<br />
<br />
Hold on tight cause here we go!!!<br />
<br />
<ol><li>I confess....I love to make up songs. Songs about nothing...songs about whatever I am doing at the moment...songs about what I am trying to make my kiddos do. Sometimes I will be in the middle of a of a conversation, and I will just finish it in song. All I need to do is add-in some swanky dance moves and jazz hands and I would be a freaking walking musical. My poor children. </li>
<li>I confess...At this moment, I have approximately 7 pairs of underware dangling off my bedroom ceiling fan. I am not even sure how it happened. Maybe some sort of leap-year gag? Perhaps an underware gnome thought it would be HI-larious to see the look-o-shock on my face last night when I went to bed. But I was a smooth operator. I just looked, shook my head, and walked out. HA! I will show them. </li>
<li>I confess...I am honestly starting to get freaked out that my ear is going to stay plugged forever. Have you ever gotten sick for so long you start to forget what it was like to feel well? That is how I feel. </li>
<li>I confess...I really, REALLY want a French Bulldog. Like, really bad. I want to get a girl and name it something obviously French-like. Maybe Coco or Odette or Eloise or Esme. Thoughts? Any other really really French names I am missing? </li>
<li>I confess....I returned $85 dollars worth of groceries to Trader Joe's this week. I cleaned out my pantry to rid it of all the stuff we are not eating anymore. At first, I was going to throw it out or perhaps donate it. Then I remembered that Trader Joe's has an AWESOME return policy. So I called them and explained we aren't eating sugar or higher carb items and could I return 3 bags of groceries from my pantry. They said yes, so I did. I still felt chumpy about it though, so I drove to the one on the other end of town so I wouldn't be known as the "crazy lady who returned a pantry load of food" when I go in to the one by the house. </li>
</ol>So, come on...join in the fun...what do you have to confess today?Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-80811102787230605522012-02-12T09:49:00.001-05:002012-03-09T11:34:21.890-05:00My VERY Favorite Chocolate Cake with My VERY Favorite Frosting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpvU1eqsG98/Tzcw8TPuVeI/AAAAAAAAAmU/ZOvSf1WpEc0/s1600/Chocolate+Cake+and+magic+Frosting+2+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpvU1eqsG98/Tzcw8TPuVeI/AAAAAAAAAmU/ZOvSf1WpEc0/s320/Chocolate+Cake+and+magic+Frosting+2+-+TM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is spectacular.<br />
It is rich.<br />
It is moist.<br />
It is perfect.<br />
Chocolate Cake is my ULTIMATE dessert. Like last-meal-on-earth favorite. This chocolate cake is true perfection. Topped with that crazy icing made with flour that tastes like a cross between whipped icing and the filling of a Ho-Ho. Maybe I should have called this a deconstructed Ho-Ho Cake.<br />
This is one of those things I really wish I could just make one for each of you just so you could try it. So, please, please, pretty please try this cake. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>My VERY Favorite Chocolate Cake </u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: slightly adapted from </span><a href="http://www.hersheys.com/pure-recipes/details.aspx?id=184&name=HERSHEY'S"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hershey's</span></a><br />
<ul><li>2 cups sugar</li>
<li>1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour</li>
<li>3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa</li>
<li>1-1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1-1/2 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1 tsp salt</li>
<li>2 eggs</li>
<li>1 cup milk</li>
<li>1/4 cup vegetable oil</li>
<li>1/4 cup coconut oil, melted</li>
<li>2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 cup boiling water</li>
</ul>Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick baking spray.<br />
<br />
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pan. <br />
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>My VERY Favorite Frosting</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: </span><a href="http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2010/03/a-tasty-recipe-thats-the-best-frosting-ive-ever-had/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pioneer Woman - Tasty Kitchen</span></a><br />
<ul><li>5 TBSP Flour</li>
<li>1 cup Milk</li>
<li>1 tsp Vanilla</li>
<li>1 cup Butter</li>
<li>1 cup Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)</li>
</ul>In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick, thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix is. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.) It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in vanilla. <br />
<br />
While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You don’t want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven’t beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.<br />
Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If there is any left after your taste test, spread it on a cooled chocolate cake.<br />
<br />
This recipe has been linked up at:<br />
<a href="http://jennifercooks.com/2012/03/fusion-friday-jennifercooks-com-link-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20JaneDeere%20(Jane%20Deere)">Jennifer Cooks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/03/weekend-potluck-8.html">The Country Cook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/03/friday-favorites-week-106.html">Simply Sweet Home</a><br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2012/mark-matte-chance-mattifying-lotion/">Tidy Mom</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-31892223099264292532012-02-06T07:50:00.002-05:002012-03-09T11:35:46.791-05:00Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dY8mD6oH45s/Ty8w-LrFkVI/AAAAAAAAAl8/MGSDD2iGw_Q/s1600/Japanese+Steakhouse+Chicken+and+Veggies+with+WHite+Sauce+1+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dY8mD6oH45s/Ty8w-LrFkVI/AAAAAAAAAl8/MGSDD2iGw_Q/s400/Japanese+Steakhouse+Chicken+and+Veggies+with+WHite+Sauce+1+-+TM.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>While I was looking through some of my favorite blogs for some recipes that were low carb/low sugar, I came across this gem from Amber of <a href="http://thismommycooks.blogspot.com/">This Mommy Cooks</a>. I put it on my menu plan immediately for the week and could not wait to try it. Well, it certainly did not disappoint. This is an A-MAZING recipe. While it may seem like a simple stir-fry, this White Sauce is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Now, this recipe will take a little advanced planning since you need to make the sauce the night before. It isn't optional, it needs that long for the flavors to completely transform the taste of the sauce. Just trust me on this. You can use any veggies you would like in this dish. I used a combo of mushrooms, zucchini, a few red pepper slivers, broccoli, and cauliflower. I seriously could not get enough dipping the chicken and veggies in the sauce. Don't hesitate to try this one right away!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe very slightly adapted from: <a href="http://thismommycooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/japanese-steakhouse-chicken-and-veggies.html">This Mommy Cooks</a></span><br />
<ul><li>Chicken, cut into bite size pieces (or any meat you choose) </li>
<li>Salt </li>
<li>Lemon Pepper </li>
<li>Choice of veggies, cut into bite sized pieces </li>
<li>Soy Sauce (I used 1-2 TBSP total) </li>
<li>Oil of choice </li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;"><u>White Sauce</u></span><br />
<ul><li>1-1/4 cup real mayonnaise (Hellman's or Duke's) </li>
<li>1/4 cup water </li>
<li>1 tsp tomato paste </li>
<li>1 TBSP melted butter </li>
<li>1/2 tsp garlic powder </li>
<li>1 tsp sugar </li>
<li>1/4 tsp paprika </li>
<li>1/4-1/2 tsp Sriracha Sauce (you could also use cayenne pepper sauce) </li>
</ul><u>For the White Sauce:</u><br />
The night before you want to serve this, make the White Sauce by using a fork or a whisk to combine all ingredients together until mixed and the sauce is smooth. Refrigerate overnight for the flavors to blend.<br />
<u>For the chicken and veggies:</u><br />
In separate pans, heat a small amount of oil. Season chicken with salt and Lemon Pepper.<br />
Cook chicken, careful not to over cook, add some real soy sauce to taste. For the vegetables, you pretty much do the same thing. Slice up your chosen vegetables, and place in heated oil, season with a little Lemon Pepper and Soy Sauce. Cook until still slightly crisp.<br />
<br />
This recipe has been linked up at:<br />
<a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/these-chicks-cooked-weekly-recipe.html">This Chick Cooks</a><br />
<a href="http://jennifercooks.com/2012/03/fusion-friday-jennifercooks-com-link-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20JaneDeere%20(Jane%20Deere)">Jennifer Cooks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/03/weekend-potluck-8.html">The Country Cook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/03/friday-favorites-week-106.html">SImply Sweet Home</a><br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2012/mark-matte-chance-mattifying-lotion/">Tidy Mom</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-56790909441191554442012-01-29T13:38:00.001-05:002012-01-29T13:39:29.202-05:00Menu Plan 1/29/12 - 2/3/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFV99gHajfo/TyWSJPR2RKI/AAAAAAAAAlU/ebqQku9wiRE/s1600/Menu+Plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFV99gHajfo/TyWSJPR2RKI/AAAAAAAAAlU/ebqQku9wiRE/s320/Menu+Plan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>LOTS of new recipes this week...I went a little crazy on Pinterest this weekend, lol!<br />
Hope you all are having a great weekend - xoxo<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Sunday</u></strong></span><br />
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad. Kiddos will have theirs on a bun with Potato Wedges.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Monday</u></strong></span><br />
Pepperoni Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Caesar Salad, Parmesan Pasta<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Tuesday </u></strong></span><br />
Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce, Brown Rice<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Wednesday </u></strong></span><br />
Seasoned Tilapia with Dill Sauce, Garlic Almond Green Beans, Rice Pilaf<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Thursday </u></strong></span><br />
Roasted Boursin Chicken, Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower, Mashed Potatoes<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Friday </u></strong></span><br />
Left-overs or out for dinnerSiggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6607030973120681477.post-30515957779073243792012-01-25T11:04:00.004-05:002012-02-08T09:41:18.092-05:00Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Sesame Glaze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvmGhmFdnNc/TyAnM9y8pOI/AAAAAAAAAk8/F5wc9HJhAWk/s1600/Sesame+Balsamic+Roasted+Brocolli+-+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="244" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvmGhmFdnNc/TyAnM9y8pOI/AAAAAAAAAk8/F5wc9HJhAWk/s320/Sesame+Balsamic+Roasted+Brocolli+-+TM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Straight up, this is an amazing way to have broccoli. We LOVED it! I made it to accompany the <a href="http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2012/01/bourbon-street-chicken.html">Bourbon Street Chicken.</a> Yum, yum, YUM! Roasting veggies just gives them an entirely new layer of flavor. I hear it does the same with Brussel Sprout...yet, I still can't go there...bleck! <br />
ANYWHO, I hope you enjoy this...I can't imagine a dish it wouldn't make an amazing Robin too (you know...Batman....Robin) except maybe ice cream. Or Brownies.<br />
Did I mention I have a wicked head cold right now. It is either from kiddo cooties or sugar detoxing...not sure which. It has made me a bit wonky though. I need to go back to bed.<br />
But, before I go...I thought I would share my most very favorite Broccoli song EVA! <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR6y71x3tSY">Choppin' Broccoli</a><br />
Make this though. Over and out.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Sesame Glaze</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe Source: the ever-fabulous </span><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2012/01/roasted-broccoli-with-balsamic-and.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jaime from Jaime Cooks it Up</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. Go visit her </span><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">site</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, she has some amazingly scrumptious eats!</span><br />
<ul><li>1 pound broccoli</li>
<li>1 1/2 TBSP soy sauce</li>
<li>1 TBSP olive oil</li>
<li>1 TBSP balsamic vinegar</li>
<li>2 TBSP honey</li>
<li>1 tsp peanut butter</li>
<li>1 TBSP toasted sesame seeds</li>
</ul>Wash your broccoli and cut off the big stems. Spray a large cookie sheet with cookie spray and place the broccoli on it. Spray the top of the broccoli with cooking spray.<br />
Put the cookie sheet in your oven at 425 for about 10 minutes, or until a fork can be inserted easily into the pretty little vegetable.<br />
While your broccoli roasts away place 1 1/2 TBSP soy sauce, 1 TBSP olive oil, 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar, 2 TBSP honey<br />
and 1 tsp peanut butter into a small sauce pan. Heat the sauce over medium high heat. When it boils, remove it from the heat. <br />
When the broccoli is done, put it in a medium sized mixing bowl and pour the sauce over the top. Stir it all around, making sure each broccoli piece has sauce on it.<br />
Sprinkle 1 TBSP toasted sesame seeds over the broccoli and serve.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
This recipe has been linked up to:<br />
<a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/these-chicks-cooked-weekly-recipe_25.html">This Chick Cooks</a><br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2012/best-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe/">Tidy Mom</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/01/weekend-potluck-2.html">The Country Cook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2012/01/friday-favorites-week-100.html">Simply Sweet Home</a><br />
<a href="http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/02/ingredient-spotlight-poppyseeds-sesame-seeds-sunflower-seeds-etc.html">Eat at Home</a>Siggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729016317022940981noreply@blogger.com7