New Year's Eve Black-Eyed Pea Dip

It's obvious that I should post a recipe that would go with our New Year's Eve tradition, right?  I am not a big fan of black-eyed peas, so I thought this might be a great substitute for those of you, like me, who want to stick with tradition without that bowl of tradition, ya know?  See what you think!!

1 (14 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained

1/4 onion, Chopped Fine
1/4 cup sour cream

8 slices jarred jalapenos

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons salsa, or to taste

salt and black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain black-eyed peas and partially mash, leaving some whole.

Add all other ingredients, stirring to combine.  Spread into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish and sprinkle extra cheese on top.  Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.  Serve with tortilla chips!

Have a Happy New Year from my house to yours!!!

Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole

CHICKEN BROCCOLI CHEESE CASSEROLE
courtesy:  Barbara Garland Rhodes
Thank you, Barbara for sharing this gluten-free dish!!

1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup cooked organic jasmine rice (I always cook the rice in gluten free chicken broth works nicely)
1 lb fresh broccoli, chopped
2 Tablespoons of butter
2 Tablespoons of rice flour (found at Trader Joe's and most good Health Food stores)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of dried mustard
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 Tablespoon of gluten free mayonnaise (optional)
1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded (do not substitute with processed cheese)
1/2 cup gluten-free bread crumbs for topping
1/4 slivered almonds for topping

Directions:

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour, salt, pepper, and mustard, and cook 2-3 minutes until bubbly and foamy. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened. Stir in the shredded cheese. Place the rice, chicken, and broccoli in a casserole dish and pour the white sauce over the top. Add the mayonnaise if using and mix until combined. Spread the breadcrumbs and slivered almonds over the top. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Note: if you don’t have any cooked chicken on hand it is very simple to poach chicken breasts. Place the chicken in a large skillet with about 2 cups of water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 12-14 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees). Drain well. Shred chicken. You can also substitute a large can of a really good brand white meat chicken.

Mmmmm....sounds like comfort food to me!!!

Peppermint Snowballs

These cookies are just little bites of Christmas in your mouth!! They are sooooo yummy! This recipe was given to me by my friend Meredith and she made them for our office at Christmas....it was definitely love at first bite for me!!  Hope you love em' just as much!!




1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups butter
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
3 cups flour
1 Tblsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely crushed peppermint candy (Candy Canes!)
Decorating sugar sprinkles (red or white)

Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 -3 Tblsp milk

Heat oven to 350.  In large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, butter, peppermint extract, vanilla and egg.  Beat at medium speed until creamy (2-3 min).  Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder and salt.  Beat until well blended (1-2 min).

By hand, stir in 1/2 cup peppermint candy.  Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls; roll in sugar sprinkles and place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Cool completely.

For Glaze: In small bowl, combine powdered sugar and enough milk for desired glazing consistency.  Drizzle cooled cookies with glaze.  Immediately sprinkle with leftover crushed peppermint candy. 

Makes approx. 5 dozen cookies

Holiday Madness!!!

Wow!! I can't believe how fast Christmas came and went! I love the feeling of Christmas in the air; the music, the lights, the general feeling of good will and even that feeling of hopefullness most people seem to have during the weeks before Christmas.  Sadly, with those wonderful feelings, each year seems to bring the same feelings for me of what I can't do for this person or that person that I so much want to do.  There are so many people that I love and care about and I just can't give them what I know they need or at least what I think they need.  And, let me just clarify, that I am not talking about things that you can put a dollar amount on.  I want to take away the hatefulness that exists in the house of someone close to me.  How can I give anything but the love I have and hope it takes affect someday in that house.  Live by example?  I pray so much for this family that it hurts.  I have been so blessed that I almost feel guilty when I see and hear others talk about their family situations.  Seriously, I have NO complaints.  Sure, we have had ups and downs, but who doesn't?  But let me tell you, when anyone in my family has been in a rough patch, there has always been someone else to pull that person up and out!!  Mind you, it isn't always the same person to come to the rescue, but God has always made sure that when one of us is down, there is someone else who just happens to be up and able to help!  Me?  I don't have the finances to really help someone in a financial disaster, but hopefully, I would be the one to help in more physical/emotional ways (for now).  I am so grateful for the crazy, wonderful family I have!! If it is the one thing I always say, it is don't blame your messed up life now on your messed up life as a kid!  You're an adult now, take responsibility, right?  That is one of the only excuses that I hear from people today that really irk me.  I don't feel as bad for someone when they say that.  Is that wrong?  Oh well....enough rambling!

I have decided to list a few of the things that I think make us a great family!!

1. We say  "I LOVE YOU" 
2.  We FORGIVE
3.  We all have a great sense of HUMOR!!
4.  We still play with TOYS at Christmas (It's a tradition!)
5.  We RESPECT each other
6.  We LAUGH together
7.  We are so PROUD of one another
8.  We don't play the BLAME GAME
9.  We do NOT yell, curse or ridicule each other, EVER!!
10.  We LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY
11.  We say "I'M SORRY"
12. We COMPROMISE
13.  We are WHO WE ARE!
14.  We are NOT PERFECT AND WE KNOW IT!!

And that is my family!! Anyone who wants to come be a part of my family is welcome!! There is no joining fee and membership is for life, however you will be expected to follow the above rules!!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!!!

One of Noelle's cupcake creations!!!

I just had to post this! Noelle made these cupcakes last year.  Believe it or not, this was actually her first attempt at being artistic with baking!  They were AMAZING!!  See for yourself!

Can you believe these are cupcakes???

Pics of the Cake Pops, Cookies and Cupcakes we made for the Bake Sale! They were a hit!!

Noelle's Iced Sugar Cookies

Noelle's Red Velvet Cupcakes

Lisa's Christmas Tree Cake Pop

My favorite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!

To be honest, I can't remember where I got this recipe for chocolate chip banana bread, but it has been hanging on my fridge for years!! It's my very favorite and I always use it!  This is a great treat for any occasion, but is especially yummy as a warm breakfast bread with a little butter and a cup of hot tea on Christmas morning!!

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed bananas
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350. Lightly grease loaf pan.  In medium mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar.  Add eggs and mashed bananas.  Mix with flour mixture.  Add chocolate chips.  Pour mixture into loaf pan.  Bake 60-65 minutes. 

I sprinkle sugar on top of mixture just before baking which gives it a wonderful sweet crunch on top!!

Making Cake Pops and Cookies with Noelle!

Well, I'm taking a quick break from making cake pops for the Winter Bake sale supporting the Venice High School Orchestra which is holding its Winter Concert tomorrow night in the Venice High Auditorium at 7:00pm.  The Bake Sale starts at 6:30pm and we will also sale items immediately after the performance!  Noelle is making the most adorable miniature sugar cookies with icing and they taste so yummmmy! I know this because when she makes a small mistake decorating one, I get to eat it!!!  I am making Christmas Tree cake pops.  I've made cake balls before, but not cake pops and definitely not shaped like a Christmas tree!  We will post pics when we are all done!!  Wish us luck!!!  If you have nothing to do, please come out and support us tomorrow night!!

Shrimp Linguini with Alfredo Basil Pesto

This is my BFF's recipe and is her son, Cody's fav!! It is quick and inexpensive, yet tastes as if you are dining in an expensive Italian restaurante!!


1 12oz bag frozen shrimp, without tails, thawed
1 1b jar of your favorite brand Alfredo Sauce
1-2 Tbls Classico Traditional Basil Pesto sauce
1 lb Linguini
2 small cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbls butter
shredded parmesan cheese


Cook linguini according to package directions.  Saute shrimp and garlic in butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.  Drain linguini and return to pot.  Add shrimp mixture, alfredo sauce, and basil pesto to linguini and toss and serve.  Top with parmesan cheese and serve with tossed salad and french bread.  This is fabulous!!!  I insist you must immediately take a nap afterward!

Frog Eyed Salad!

Ok, it really sounds strange and believe me, the first time I heard about it I was having no part of it, but a previous coworker of mine made it and I had to try it and oh my goodness! It was addictive, seriously! So, get over the little pasta that's in it and TRY THIS!!! It is so yummmm!

1 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 3/4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice

2 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 quarts water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 (16 ounce) package acini di pepe pasta

3 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained

2 (20 ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1 cup shredded coconut

1. In a sauce pan, combine sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pineapple juice and eggs. Stir and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat; add lemon juice and cool to room temperature.
2. Bring water to a boil, add oil, remaining salt and cook pasta until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, egg mixture, mandarin oranges, pineapple and whipped topping. Mix well and refrigerate overnight or until chilled. Before serving add marshmallows and coconut. Toss and serve.

New Recipe to come today!!!

Being a busy working mom last night! I wasn't home 15 minutes and had to change from scrubs to normal people clothes and dash out the door with daughter in hand to pick up Cody and Kelley to go to the Venice High Guitar and Keyboarding Concert and as soon as that was over, Noelle immediately took possesion of the computer to do Chemistry homework! Jeesh! What's more important?  Mommy's blog or Honor's Chemistry??? Well, I'll give her that one, I guess! After all, she will be supporting ME one day, right? So, while I sat on the couch, eyes half open and half paying attention to some Christmas comedy that was showing, I mentally blogged in my head.  Oh well, off to work....again.  By the way, on December 6th the Venice High School Orchestra will be having a Winter Concert and there will be a Bake Sale starting at 6:30 in front of the Auditorium for any of you that are reading this from Venice!!

Hot Cocoa Mix

In the spirit of the upcoming Winter months and Christmas, I thought it would be nice to post a recipe for a Hot Cocoa mix that can be stored and used when the weather is cold and dreary or just whenever you feel like a hot cup of chocolatey goodness!  I must admit, however, that this is not my own recipe.  This is Alton Brown's recipe. He's a professional and I only wish I was as good!!  Enjoy!

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)

2 1/2 cups powdered milk

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste

1 air tight container to store cocoa mix in

Mix all ingredients together.  Heat 4-6 cups of water to boiling.  Fill coffee mug about half-way with cocoa mix and pour water to near the top. Stir and enjoy.  You can stir with a candy cane for fun or add marshmallows or whipped cream for a special treat as well!

I'm so ready for the Christmas goodies!

Cracker Candy

Ok, so this time of year is a great time to make these salty, sweet cracker candy cookies.  They suit any craving you may have and make a great gift around Christmas!


1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
40 saltine crackers
1 - 2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil. Place 40 crackers in one layer on cookie sheet.  In saucepan on low heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Heat until blended. Boil 3 minutes.  Pour mixture evenly over crackers.  Heat in oven for 5 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle crackers with chocolate chips.  Place in oven until chips melt.  Spread the chocolate over the crackers evenly and sprinkle with chopped nuts.  Break into pieces once cooled.  Store in airtight container.  

Zesty Sausage Dip

This is my son, Nick's favorite dip! It's creamy and a little spicy and great with tortilla chips!

1 lb Jimmy Dean Italian Sausage
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies

In medium saucepan, brown and crumble sausage then drain.  Add cream cheese and Rotel to drained sausage and cook until heated through.  Serve with tortilla chips!  This will be gone in no time!!  Enjoy!

Turkey and Dumplings

There is always that last bit of turkey left over from Thanksgiving and in my house it is usually the dark meat, however, I always find use for the leftovers! So this year I decided to make Turkey and Dumplings. 
3 cups shredded leftover turkey (white and dark meat)
6 cups chicken broth
1  tsp dried sage
1 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Dumplings

2 1/4 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk

Simmer the turkey and seasonings in the chicken broth for 30 minutes on medium heat in large saucepan.  In the meantime, mix the bisquick and milk until dough is sticky.  Drop by spoonfuls into boiling soup and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.  Cover and cook for 10 more minutes.  This so yummy on a cold day!!

Watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.....Yummmmm!

I love this show! I want to take a driving tour of all these places that Guy Fieri visits!! I want to try Chicken and waffles and 1/2 pound corn dogs and real philly cheese steaks!! It would be fun to learn to make them, but I seriously want to travel and just try them one time.  By the way, how does he stay somewhat average in weight going to these places??  For that matter, how does Adam do Man vs. Food and not weigh over 400lbs??? He isn't thin by any means, but seriously, what must his labwork look like?? I love food, and if I could travel and eat like that, I would definitely have to travel in a custom made trailor to support my new found weight!! I wonder if they purge after the taping of their shows? Hmmmm. Any thoughts?

Cody's Potato Skins

I call these Cody's Potato skins because I've discovered he loves anything that combines potatoes, cheese and bacon! Cody is Noelle's boyfriend and he is absolutely the sweetest boy! I could not have chosen a better person for her so I always try to make him feel at home.  One way I did this is by creating my own version of cheesy potato skins.

6 small to medium russett potatoes
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
chopped green onions (optional)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Rinse potatoes well and pierce with fork.  Place in microwave and heat until tender, but not too soft (5-8 min). Cook bacon and drain.  When bacon is cool, crumble.  Remove potatoes from microwave and let cool slightly.  While cooling, whisk together the last 5 ingredients.  Cut potatoes in half and remove most of the insides, leaving about a 1/4 inch edge. Save pulp for another use.  Brush entire potato with oil mixture and place cut side up on baking sheet.  Place in oven and bake approximately 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and fill each potato with cheese and top with crumbled bacon.  Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted.  Remove from oven and top with green onions and sour cream!  Yummmm!

Cody uses Honey Mustard instead of sour cream!

Our little outing to Nokomis Groves!

I woke up this morning in the mood to go somewhere different.  I actually decided to take my daughter, Noelle and her boyfriend, Cody to Snook Haven for a fun canoe ride amongst the lovely alligators of the Myakka River.  It's actually a very cool place that one can experience the "raw" nature of Florida that is virtually in our own back yard.  So, we arrive only to discover the canoes are two seaters and well, I wasn't so comfortable letting the kids experience the raw nature alone! We had a not so fun experience about 6 years ago that consisted of Noelle and I struggling to paddle against the tide in our canoe and my friend Mike and my son Nick getting lost in a small pontoon and having to be searched for by the Snook Haven staff in a John Boat.  Anywhooooo....back to today's outing!  So, we ended up at Nokomis Grove, where we had yummy ice cream and tasted juicy, freshly picked grapefruits and oranges from the grove.  Now, I have never been a fan of grapefruit, but let me just say, I bought grapefruit!! My favs were the Red Navel and Ruby Red.  Noelle liked the Star grapefruit.  So, if you are ever in Nokomis, Florida, you must stop by the Nokomis Groves and try the ice cream and taste the many varieties of fruits!  You can also order the fruit and have it shipped as a gift to your loved ones at Christmas!

Who Doesn't love a Good Chutney?

Several years ago I decided to try my hand at Cranberry Chutney.  The funny thing is, I had never even tasted any kind of chutney! I had only seen it on grocery store shelves and whatnot.  So, I googled some recipes and picked a few that had the flavors I would like and went to work!  This is what I came up with and it was a hit!  I used my coworkers and family as my guinea pigs...hehehehe.

Lisa's Cranberry Chutney

2 cups dried cranberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped green apple
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
2-3 Tbls brown sugar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (gives a little something extra!)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups apple cider

In medium saucepan, simmer all ingredients over low-med heat until cranberries swell and liquid evaporates.  If needed, you can add more Apple Cider while simmering.  I let this cool and pour over a block of cream cheese and eat with crackers.  This is also wonderful eaten at Thanksgiving with your turkey!!  It also serves as a wonderful potpourri while heating!!  Enjoy!

Recipe Kick-off!

Ok, so I have this idea. My daughter and I have been talking about starting this blog and posting recipes to share with all of you and in return you can also share any recipes with us!  We would love for you to include any stories behind the recipes that we can share as well!  Sooooo here goes our first recipe!

Lisa's Artichoke and Spinach Dip

1 box chopped spinach (thawed and water squeezed out)
1 can quartered artichoke hearts drained and chopped
1 jar alfredo sauce
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Heat oven to 350.  lightly grease baking dish.  Mix all ingredients and place in baking dish.  Heat until hot and bubbly, approximately 30 minutes.  Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips.  Enjoy!!

This is also good when mixed with cooked pasta with chicken on top!!

Hello!

I'm new to Blogger and have decided that due to my love for cooking as well as eating, I am going to write about both!  I grew up watching my mother and my grandmother cook Oklahoma style and nothing compares to  waking up to the smell of bacon frying in an iron skillet and the heavenly scent of biscuits baking from scratch with white cream gravy bubbling on top of the stove!  Cooking in our family is definitely an expression of love!