Spinach and Pancetta Strata

Spinach and Pancetta Strata

Serves 12.

I changed a few things around from Giada's original recipe, and I think it's the perfect amounts of everything now.  (Her original recipe is linked below.)  This is a great breakfast casserole.  It was served to me somewhere recently and I had to get the recipe! 
Adapted from: Giada De Laurentiis

2 T olive oil

6 oz. thinly sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 (10-oz.) boxes chopped frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed dry

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 

10 c. cubed Italian bread, from a 1-pound loaf

1 c. shredded white cheese blend (or other white cheese of your choice, i.e. fontina, muenster, havarti, etc.)

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan 

3 cups whole milk

15 large eggs

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a bowl. Add the onion to the pan drippings in the same skillet and saute until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the spinach and garlic. Saute over medium-low heat until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, nutmeg, and the cooked pancetta.

Place the bread cubes in a large rectangular buttered baking dish. Top with the spinach mixture.  Whisk the milk, eggs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a large bowl and pour evenly over the strata. Top with shredded cheeses.  Chill the strata, at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.  (I chilled for almost 24 hours and it was fine.)


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Bake strata uncovered until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, about 60 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Quinoa

Quinoa Chicken Salad

Makes about 5 cups.

Here's a healthy way to start your new year.  I love eating this salad, and I always make a big batch of it so I can eat it for a couple lunches in a row.  I just don't get tired of it!
You could also omit the chicken and serve this salad as a side dish.
Inspired by: Oh She Glows

For the salad:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 c. uncooked quinoa
1/2 c. corn (fresh, if possible!)
1 can black beans
1 tomato, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4-1/2 red onion, chopped (depending on your preference)

For the dressing:
4-5 tbsp of fresh lime juice (Juice from 2 small limes)
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup fresh Cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp ground cumin, or more to taste

Cook chicken breasts until no longer pink in the middle; chop into bite-size pieces.  Meanwhile, cook quinoa according to package directions.
While quinoa is cooking, prepare the chopped vegetables and whisk together the dressing.

Allow quinoa to cool after cooking for about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Add the chicken, beans and vegetables; toss well.

Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well with salt and pepper to taste. Bring salad to room temperature before serving. Keep fresh in a sealed container for 1-2 days.

Private Selection Frozen Foods

Private Selection Frozen Foods

As another BzzAgent trial, I tested Private Selection Frozen Foods.  Specifically, I tested one of their frozen pizzas, one of their frozen appetizer packs, and a frozen dessert.  Here's my review, ranked in the order that I enjoyed them.

PIZZA:  I chose the pepperoni pizza.  The placement of the pepperonis and mozzarella "blobs" wasn't very even, but the taste was great.  Given the price, the size, and the fact that it is thin crust, it's not the greatest bang for the buck, but it's definitely a "fancier" frozen pizza than we typically buy.

APPETIZERS:  This appetizer trio was great.  The cost, when you factor in that there are only 9 pieces in a box, was not.  If you are needing a few appetizer snacks for a small group, then this would be a good option.  If you're looking to serve a crowd, though, save your money and either make your own or buy another brand that offers more pieces.

DESSERT:  I was excited about this dessert, but was let down.  The cake was kinda dry, and not even the gooey hot fudge center was enough to fix that problem.  This would be a good dessert to have on hand for kids, because it is FAST.  Pop it in the microwave, flip out onto a plate, and enjoy.

In The Garden of Beasts

In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

After reading this book, I want to read Larson's other books.  My only complaint about In The Garden of Beasts was that the pace was just a little too slow for me at times.  I was tempted to skim chapters and breeze through lengthy descriptions.  That being said, I feel as though I learned a lot and believe I could gleam more and more each time I read it again.  Very interesting read.

Book description from Amazon:

Erik Larson has been widely acclaimed as a master of narrative non-fiction, and in his new book, the bestselling author of Devil in the White City turns his hand to a remarkable story set during Hitler’s rise to power.

The time is 1933, the place, Berlin, when William E. Dodd becomes America’s first ambassador to Hitler’s Germany in a year that proved to be a turning point in history.

A mild-mannered professor from Chicago, Dodd brings along his wife, son, and flamboyant daughter, Martha. At first Martha is entranced by the parties and pomp, and the handsome young men of the Third Reich with their infectious enthusiasm for restoring Germany to a position of world prominence. Enamored of the “New Germany,” she has one affair after another, including with the suprisingly honorable first chief of the Gestapo, Rudolf Diels. But as evidence of Jewish persecution mounts, confirmed by chilling first-person testimony, her father telegraphs his concerns to a largely indifferent State Department back home. Dodd watches with alarm as Jews are attacked, the press is censored, and drafts of frightening new laws begin to circulate. As that first year unfolds and the shadows deepen, the Dodds experience days full of excitement, intrigue, romance--and ultimately, horror, when a climactic spasm of violence and murder reveals Hitler’s true character and ruthless ambition.

Suffused with the tense atmosphere of the period, and with unforgettable portraits of the bizarre Göring and the expectedly charming--yet wholly sinister--Goebbels, In the Garden of Beasts lends a stunning, eyewitness perspective on events as they unfold in real time, revealing an era of surprising nuance and complexity. The result is a dazzling, addictively readable work that speaks volumes about why the world did not recognize the grave threat posed by Hitler until Berlin, and Europe, were awash in blood and terror.

“Larson is a marvelous writer...superb at creating characters with a few short strokes.”—New York Times Book Review

At Home in Mitford

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

This is a light read about the day-to-day life in the town of Mitford; the first book in a series called The Mitford Years. From the reviews I've gotten from friends of mine, it seems that after reading book 1, you will either abandon the series or continue to read each and every one.

Book description from Amazon:

A heartwarming portrait of the mysteries and miracles of everyday life in a small town introduces the charming North Carolina town of Mitford and its colorful inhabitants, including Tim, a bachelor rector, who is falling in love with his neighbor.

3 Christmas Cookie Favorites

3 Christmas Cookie Favorites

I love baking at Christmas.  Love.  And if you haven't gotten around to it yet, there is still time.  Try one of these three... they are some of my favorites.  And they are all very easy (although, be warned, cut-out cookies are always the most time-consuming...

Mimi's Butter Cookies

Chinese Almond Cookies

Peanut Blossom Cookies

Honey Glazed Ham

Honey Glazed Ham

Serves 15.

Who needs to pay for Honey Baked Ham when you can make it yourself? Plus, you can make this up to two days ahead of time and save yourself the fuss of preparing on Christmas day.  Leftovers are wonderful too.
Adapted from: AllRecipes

1 (8 pound) ready-to-eat ham, presliced

1/4 t. ground cloves

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 c. honey

1 stick butter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Place ham in foil lined pan.

In the top half of a double boiler, heat the brown sugar, ground gloves, honey and butter. Keep glaze warm while baking ham.

Brush glaze over ham, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Baste ham every 10 to 15 minutes with the honey glaze. During the last 4 to 5 minutes of baking, turn on broiler to caramelize the glaze.

Remove from oven, and let sit a few minutes before serving.

A Note From The Little Lady: Double check baking times with suggested directions on your ham, and make adjustments as needed.

The Christmas List

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

Looking for a quick seasonal read?  Here you go. It's no award-winner, but it's an easy read and all about Christmastime.

Amazon book description:

Dear Reader,  
When I was in seventh grade, my English teacher, Mrs. Johnson, gave our class the intriguing (if somewhat macabre) assignment of writing our own obituaries. Oddly, I don't remember much of what I wrote about my life, but I do remember how I died: in first place on the final lap of the Daytona 500. At the time, I hadn't considered writing as an occupation, a field with a remarkably low on-the-job casualty rate.
 
What intrigues me most about Mrs. Johnson's assignment is the opportunity she gave us to confront our own legacy. How do we want to be remembered? That question has motivated our species since the beginning of time: from building pyramids to putting our names on skyscrapers.
 
As I began to write this book, I had two objectives: First, I wanted to explore what could happen if someone read their obituary before they died and saw, firsthand, what the world really thought of them. Their legacy.
 
Second, I wanted to write a Christmas story of true redemption. One of my family's holiday traditions is to see a local production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I don't know how many times I've seen it (perhaps a dozen), but it still thrills me to see the change that comes over Ebenezer Scrooge as he transforms from a dull, tight-fisted miser into a penitent, "giddy-as-aschoolboy" man with love in his heart. I always leave the show with a smile on my face and a resolve to be a better person. That's what I wanted to share with you, my dear readers, this Christmas -- a holiday tale to warm your season, your homes, and your hearts.
 
Merry Christmas --Richard Paul Evans

Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk Pancakes

Makes a ton... probably about 4-5 dozen?

Looking for something to make Christmas morning?  How about some deliciously traditional buttermilk pancakes?  Serve with butter and syrup, obviously, but also some powdered sugar... that's what I like.  :)
Source: AllRecipes

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons white sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

1/3 cup butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together buttermilk, milk, eggs and melted butter. Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. You can flick water across the surface and if it beads up and sizzles, it's ready!

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend. Stir until it's just blended together. Do not over stir! Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

A Note From The Little Lady: You can easily add chocolate chips or blueberries to these pancakes; just drop into batter after you've poured it onto the skillet.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Serves 8-10.

The reviews for this cake on All Recipes are great.  It went over well at The Mister's grandmother's birthday party.  I, personally, thought the cake part was a little too dry.  How to fix that?  I'm not sure.  Any ideas? 
Slightly adapted from: AllRecipes

1/2 stick butter
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
8 maraschino cherries
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain pineapple and reserve 1/2 cup of the juice.

Melt butter in a 9" round pan. Arrange cherries in the pan according to how many servings you want. Sprinkle with brown sugar, and then pineapple.

Cream together shortening and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and beat well. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add alternately with reserved pineapple syrup, beating after each addition.

Spread batter in pan over pineapple. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes in the pan, then invert onto plate. Serve warm.

Pasta with Marinara, Veggies, and Chicken

Pasta with Marinara, Veggies, and Chicken

Serves 4-6.

Here's an easy meal for you.  It takes your grocery store's fast fixes (boxed pasta and jarred marinara), combines them with a few fresh favorites (chicken breasts and veggies), and wa-lah! dinner!

1 box penne pasta
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar your favorite marinara sauce
Olive oil
One small zucchini, chopped
One tomato, chopped
1/2 c. shredded carrots
One green bell pepper, chopped

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a saucepan, cook veggies in a few teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat until tender.  Add marinara sauce and heat through.

Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook chicken breasts in a few teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat until no longer pink in the middle, flipping halfway through.  Remove chicken breasts when fully cooked and set aside.

Transfer cooked and drained pasta to bowls, top with marinara/veggie mixture, and lastly top with sliced chicken breasts.  Serve with garlic bread.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen.

I must've been in a Thanksgiving coma last week.  Sorry for the lack of posts!

I was trying to find a cookie recipe that could be made dairy-free, hence the shortening.  I don't typically bake with shortening (besides these amazingly amazing cookies), but these turned out great!  The whole batch was devoured.
Source: AllRecipes

1 cup shortening

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or 1/2 chocolate chips and 1/2 raisins, as shown in photo)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

In a large bowl cream shortening, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Add eggs and mix thoroughly.

Combine the baking soda, salt and flour and stir into creamed mixture

Add oatmeal and chocolate chips and stir until well blended.

***If you want 1/2 half the batch to be oatmeal raisin, split dough before adding chocolate chips and add 1 cup raisins to one of the haves, decreasing chips to 1 cup as well.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

Allergen-Free Cookies

Allergen-Free Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen.

These cookies are free of the top 8 allergens, and they taste great too!  The "Top 8" include milk, soy, egg, wheat, peanut, treenut, fish, and shellfish.  I should note that our doctor said that most allergists and dieticians agree that soybean oil and soy lecithin are not considered to be reaction-inducing allergens when it comes to a soy allergy, but some children do react to them.

Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dreams Sugar Cookie Mix
1/2 c. Soy-free and dairy-free butter substitute -- We use Earth Balance Soy-Free in the tub
1/4 c. rice milk
2-1/2 t. vanilla
Canned frosting -- the Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Vanilla I used was free of allergens

Here's the mix:

Prepare cookie dough according to package directions:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Blend margarine, rice milk, vanilla and cookie mix at medium speed.
3. Roll the cookies into 1 inch balls and place them onto an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 12-14 minutes or until they are a light golden brown. Cool 1 minute before removing from your cookie sheet. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
5. Enjoy!

Frost, if desired.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen.

Just when you think you have your go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe, you find another one that's wonderfully delicious and gets rave reviews.  Enjoy some cookies, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
Slightly adapted from: Betcha Can't Eat Just One blog

4 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 c, unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 t. vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 c. plus 3 T. all purpose flour
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in vanilla and egg.

Sift together dry ingredients and then add them to the butter mixture.  Beat until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Place a large scoop (about 2 tbsp) on the prepared cookie sheet.  Bake 12-14 minutes or until edges are a light golden brown.

Cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheets before moving to wire racks to cool completely.

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Serves 4-6.

So you've got company in town for the holiday and you feel like you should prepare an actual breakfast for them on Thanksgiving.  You could set out cereal and milk, along with a hot pot of coffee, and let the troops fend for themselves.  And when YOU'RE the guest, you -- :::gasp!::: -- kind-of, almost (...dare I say it?) prefer that.  But you don't want to do that when you're hosting, because... because... you like to be hospitable and play Suzy Homemaker and put something extra on your already-long to-do list.  I mean, it's not like you have Thanksgiving dinner to prepare or anything.  So if you fall into the category I've just described, consider making this... for the following reasons:  1) You can make it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning.  2) It's easy.  3) It's seasonal.  4) It's "light" compared to most French toast casseroles, which you'll appreciate when you're on your third helping of mashed potatoes and second slice of pie later in the day.  5) It'll help you feel satisfied as you scamper around the kitchen, knowing you've served your guests well.

2 large apples (I used Honey Crisp)
3 T. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1 French baguette, sliced and chopped into bite-size pieces
1-1/2 c. Egg Beaters
1 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
2 T. honey
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
dash salt
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (which I forgot to do..)

Prepare an 8x8 baking dish by coating it with nonstick spray.

Peel, core, and chop apples.  In a bowl, toss apples with cinnamon and sugar to evenly coat.  Place mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Spread cubed bread evenly on top of apple mixture.  In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  Pour over bread.  Refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake for 45-50 minutes or until eggs are set and top is beginning to turn golden brown.

Another Pumpkin Bread!

Super Moist Pumpkin Bread

Makes 2 loaves, or 8 mini loaves.

SUPER MOIST is an accurate name for this bread.  It's extremely dense, extremely moist, and all things fall.
Slightly adapted from: AllRecipes

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, coconut milk, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. Mix until all of the flour is gone. Pour batter into the prepared pans.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cover loaves with foil tightly. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent lightly with the foil and allow to cool completely.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread IV

Makes 3 loaves.

Rave reviews on AllRecipes.com.  Classic bread for the autumn holiday season.  Enjoy this week.  I hope you have a lot to be thankful for.
Source: AllRecipes

3 cups canned pumpkin puree

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

4 cups white sugar

6 eggs

4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; stir into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour (mine took 70 minutes). The top of the loaf should spring back when lightly pressed.

Dried Cherry Orzo Salad

Dried Cherry Orzo Salad

Serves 6.

A great side dish for almost any meal --- picnic, dinner party, weeknight at home.  Also a great vegetarian option.  My father-in-law gave me a sampler pack of Round Pond olive oils, and I used the blood orange olive oil in this recipe, as suggested.  Only have extra virgin olive oil?  That's okay... this salad would taste great with that as well!
Source: Round Pond Summer Picnic Men.

1 box orzo pasta
1 cup dried cherries
3 handfuls of baby arugula
½ -1 cup feta cheese
¾ cup almond slivers, toasted
Juice from one orange (If blood oranges, you will need 2-3)4-6 Tbsp Round Pond Blood Orange Olive OilSalt & Pepper to taste

In a large pot, cook orzo pasta according to directions on the box. Once pasta is cooked, drain and then pour in 2 Tbsp Blood Orange Olive Oil to help coat the pasta and prevent clumping. Spread orzo on a baking sheet to let cool.

While orzo is cooling, toast almond slivers until golden brown and fragrant. In a large bowl mix cool orzo, arugula, dried cherries, feta cheese, almonds, juice from orange & Blood Orange Olive Oil. 

Flat Iron Steak

Flat Iron Steak with Roasted Shallots

Serves 4-6.

Oops!  I forgot to take a picture with the roasted shallots.  I DID make them, and they were a great compliment to the steak, so don't skip them!
The original recipe called for hanger steak, which I was unable to find at my local grocery.  I substituted a flat iron steak, which worked really well.  Flank steak would be another option, but we have become so accostumed to our standard flank steak marinade, that I was afraid to change things up in the flank steak department.
Inspired by: Round Pond

2 c. prune juice
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. Balsamic vinegar
3 T. fresh thyme (stripped off the stems)
2 T. honey

1½ lbs Flat Iron or Hanger Steak
12 medium shallots
1 cup beef stock
`Salt and pepper as needed

Prepare marinade by combining ingredients in a bowl large enough to accommodate meat. Submerge trimmed steaks in marinade, preferably overnight. Remove meat and pat dry of excess marinade. Season generously with salt and pepper, then grill over an open flame on high heat, approximately 8 minutes per side. Remove and rest covered in a warm spot.

Peel and core shallots. Toss with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast on the top shelf of your grill, tossing occasionally (or in a 325°F oven uncovered). Moisten with a little beef stock and season to taste.

Slice steaks on the bias, plate and garnish with shallots and sauce.

Anytime Oatmeal Cookies

Anytime Oatmeal Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen.

I know it's the week before Thanksgiving and we should have turkey on the brain, but most foodies are probably distracted by thoughts of Christmas cookies.  So here's a classic to add to your to-bake list.  They're good.
Source: Martha Stewart

1 cup cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Salt

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Beat butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla, then flour mixture. Mix in oats, then raisins.

Using a 1 1/4-inch ice cream scoop (or 1 tablespoon), drop dough onto baking sheets, spacing each scoop about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden, about 14 minutes. Let cookies cool on a wire rack.

Trail Mix Cookie Cups

Trail Mix Cookie Cups

Makes 3-4 dozen.

Threw these together with ingredients I had around the kitchen.  And they turned out great!  Loved the consistency from baking them in a muffin tin.

2-1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 c. butter, softened (2 sticks)
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. trail mix -- I threw together peanuts, raisins, M&Ms, mini semisweet chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium size bowl, mix together dry ingredients (flour, salt, and soda).  In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until well combined.  Add vanilla and eggs; beat well.

Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined.  Do not beat.  Stir in trail mix.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls into a mini muffin tin.  If you do not have a non-stick pan, be sure to grease and flour first. 

Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown and just set.  Cool completely in pan, or at least until cups can be removed without breaking apart.

Steak and Potato Salad

Steak and Potato Salad

Serves 2.

I came up with this salad after having roasted potatoes on a salad at a favorite restaurant near my hometown.  It's different... but it's good.  :)  Next time you have a steak dinner, cook up an extra one to use the next day in this salad.

Mixed greens
Your favorite type of steak, cooked and chopped
3-4 small red potatoes
Olive oil
1/4 c. chopped red onion
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
Bleu cheese dressing

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Quarter red potatoes, toss in olive oil, and roast in oven for 45-60 minutes until brown and beginning to crisp.

Meanwhile, cook steak (if needed) and fill two large salad bowls (I use my pasta bowls as salad bowls) with mixed greens.  Top with steak, warm potatoes, red onion, and green pepper.  Serve with bleu cheese dressing.

Chicken Cacciatore Sandwich

Chicken Cacciatore Sandwich

Makes 2.

A melty sandwich with all sorts of wonderful Italian flavor.
Inspired by: Rachael Ray

Olive oil
1/2 tomato, chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
1 t. minced garlic
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/4 c. salsa
4 slices Italian bread
2 T. butter
2 slices Muenster cheese
1 chicken breast, cooked and sliced

Preheat oven to 350.

Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat.  Add tomato, onion, garlic, and green pepper and cook until vegetables become fragrant and tender, about 5 minutes.  Stir in salsa and heat through. 

Meanwhile, spread butter on bread slices and "toast" in oven for 3-5 minutes.  Add sliced chicken to bread, top with cheese slices and return to oven until cheese melts.  Top with tomato mixture, add second slice of bread, and serve.

Teriyaki Chicken Salad

Teriyaki Chicken Salad

Serves 4.

Remember when you ate all that Halloween candy on Monday? 
You know how you've been eating Halloween candy all week?
So you know how you've been eating Halloween candy all month, ever since it was displayed in stores when it was still 90 degrees and sunny outside?  Feeling the effects on your waistline?  I know, I know, my cookie dough post on Monday was not helpful.  My apologies.
Clean up your act with this salad.  Plus, if you lose two pounds before Thanksgiving, you'll feel slightly better about yourself when you gain them back.

4 small chicken breasts
1 c. teriyaki marinade
1 c. green beans, ends removed
8-10 c. spinach
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced and chopped
Chow mein noodles
Sesame ginger salad dressing

Marinate chicken breasts in teriyaki marinade for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

Grill or pan-fry chicken breasts until cooked through.  Slice and set aside.
Meanwhile, steam green beans until cooked through.  Set aside.

In large salad bowls, arrange equal amounts of spinach.  Top with equal amounts of tomato, red onion, green beans, and chicken breasts.  Finish with chow mein noodles and serve with sesame ginger salad dressing.

Bacon & Rosemary Chicken

Bacon & Rosemary Chicken

Serves 4.

One of my new favorite recipes.  It's very versatile -- great as a weeknight meal or for entertaining.
Source: Taste of Home

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

5 bacon strips, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Flatten chicken breasts to an even thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place flour in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken breasts, one at a time, and shake to coat.

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Cook chicken in butter and reserved drippings for 4-6 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. Remove and keep warm.

Add the garlic, rosemary and pepper flakes to the skillet; cook for 1 minute. Add broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Cook until liquid is reduced by half. Return chicken and bacon to skillet; heat through.