Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette

A flavorful summer side dish!

 Ingredients

2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 pound asparagus, tough ends trimmed off

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk mustard, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper.

Saute asparagus in a tiny bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper for 5-6 minutes or until tender.

Transfer asparagus to a serving dish and drizzle with the vinaigrette.

Can be served warm or chilled.

Happy munching!

 

Tupelo Honey Biscuits

Tupelo Honey Cafe is a restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina, and it has recently opened another location in Knoxvile, Tennessee.  When you sit down at the table, the waiter takes your drink order and brings you a basket of these ginormous, delicious biscuits and Tupelo Honey's signature blueberry jam.  The minute you bite into a biscuit, you are already planning your next visit and how long it will be before you can eat one of these biscuits again.  So make them in your own home!  While these biscuits are great on their own with butter, jam, or honey, they are also good with dinner.

Ingredients

2 cups bread flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons sour cream

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, frozen

1/2 to 3/4 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450F. 

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sour cream, and ½ teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl. 

With a cheese grater, grate the frozen butter using the largest holes; quickly cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal. 

Add the buttermilk to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.

On a floured surface, turn out the dough and roll out to a 1-inch thickness.   **Make sure they are 1-inch thick.  We have made the mistake of making them too thin**

Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter or 3-inch diameter drinking glass, cut the biscuits and place on a rimmed sheet pan. 

Cook on the top rack of the oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until light brown, and remove from the oven.

Brush the melted butter on top of each biscuit and return to the oven for about 5 minutes longer, or until the biscuits are golden brown. 

Happy munching!

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad

This salad can be used as a side or as a main dish.  If you choose to add the chicken it will make a fresh and delicious entree, and the leftovers still taste great the next day.  Using fresh spices or herbs if possible makes a world of difference!

Ingredients

Pasta Salad:

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (if making a main dish)

1 lb. penne pasta

1 tomato

1 cucumber

green onions

feta cheese

Dressing:

2 T. basil, chopped

4 tsp. oregano

10 tsp. red wine vinegar

6 T. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

sea salt and pepper (to taste)

pinch of sugar

Directions

Cook pasta until al dente (cooked as to be firm, but not hard).  Drain and put in large bowl.

Slice green onions and cut tomato and cucumber into small cubes.  Cut as many vegetables as desired.  Toss with pasta.  

Toss feta cheese with pasta/veggies to taste.  

Add shredded chicken and mix all together.

In separate bowl/dressing container, mix together dressing ingredients.  

When ready to serve, toss salad with dressing until coated.  Serve chilled.

Happy munching!

  

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe was tested by one of our Chief Culinary Consultants, and it was dubbed "the best cookie I have ever eaten!"
We are thankful to his sister for sharing the recipe, and we encourage you to try these and see what you think.  If you like chocolate, then you are sure to love these little bites of rich chocolate delight.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

1 egg

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 Tbsp. milk

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

6 oz. (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips (we used Hershey Dark Chocolate)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour and baking soda and set aside.

Cream butter.  Add vanilla and sugars and beat until fluffy.

Beat in egg.

At low speed, beat in cocoa and milk.

Mix in dry ingredients just until blended.  

Stir in nuts (if using) and chocolate chips.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto nonstick baking sheets.

Bake for 12-13 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool slightly before removing from baking sheet.

Makes 3 dozen.

Here is a cute packaging idea:  Use clear, cellophane bags and red and white stripped twine to wrap up the cookies.  Print a label, cut it out with patterned or straight-edge scissors, and send or give the packaged cookies to someone to brighten their day!

Happy munching!

 

Five Bean Bake

This is a delicious and simple side dish for cookouts and barbeques.  Our family has enjoyed it as a summer staple for years!

Ingredients

1/2 lb. bacon
2 med onions, chopped
1/4 cup vinegar
1 can kidney beans, butter beans, pinto beans, northern beans (drained), pork and beans
garlic
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. mustard

Directions

In large skillet, brown bacon, garlic, and onion.  Add brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Stir in beans.  Transfer to large baking dish and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

Happy munching!

Homemade Guacamole

 

Remember when we posted our Chicken Enchilada recipe and mentioned how yummy it would be with homemade guacamole?  Well this is the recipe we were referring to.  If you take the time to make this green sauce to go on your enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, or simply to use as a dip, you will not be sorry.  Muy fresh, muy simple, muy bueno.

Ingredients

4-6 ripened avocados, depending on size

4-6 tomatillo (found in produce section)

1/4-1/3 onion

2 garlic cloves, chopped or minced

salt (to taste)

cilantro (to taste)

lime juice (~1 lime)

serrano or jalapeno pepper

Directions

Mash avocados in small bowl.

Place the rest of the ingredients in a food processor or blender.

Add avocado and process or blend all ingredients together.

Depending on your preference, adjust the ingredients to get the taste you want. 

Make 4-6 servings.

Happy munching! 

Snickerdoodles

Funny name, but a seriously good cookie.  Everywhere we have taken these they have been a hit.  Because these are quick and easy to make, they have been our "go-to" cookies for years!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
 2 large eggs
2-3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl.

Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix thoroughly.
Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
Blend dry ingredients into butter mixture until dough forms.

Mix 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Place on greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  

Gently use the bottom of a glass to flatten the balls out until about 1/2 inch thick.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden brown and firm on the edges.

Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Happy munching!

Asian Chicken Kebabs

We have been absent for a few weeks, but we are back and ready to share some fresh and delicious new recipes!  As the weather gets warmer, most people start searching for salad recipes and new things to put on the grill.  These Asian Chicken Kebabs are perfect for grilling on a warm evening and then enjoying with family around a table outside as the sun goes down.  However you choose to eat them, they will be savory and a favorite of Thai food lovers!

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons honey

1-2 teaspoons hot sauce

1 tablespoon grated ginger root

2 cloves garlic, crushed

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed

1 large green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 red onion, cut into wedges

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces

Wooden skewers

Directions

In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, honey, hot sauce, ginger root, and garlic.  Heat in microwave on medium for 1 minute, then stir.  Heat again for 30 seconds, watching closely so it doesn't boil.  Set aside.

Thread the chicken, green bell pepper, onion, and red bell pepper pieces onto skewers alternately.

Place skewers in a shallow baking dish and cover with marinade.  Cover dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 

Prepare barbeque (medium-high heat).  Discard marinade and grill Asian Chicken Kebabs until chicken is just cooked through, turning occasionally, about 9-12 minutes.

Optional:  Can make another batch of marinade and serve kebabs over mixed greens with the extra batch of marinade as dressing.

Happy munching!

Peanut Butter Pie

Creamy, sweet, and luscious.  This pie is chock-full of smooth peanut butter goodness, and if you are anything like us, you will look for excuses to make this pie for friends and family!

Ingredients

1 chocolate graham cracker or Oreo crust

1 pkg (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 T. butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Hershey's chocolate syrup, grated chocolate, or miniature Reese's cups, cut in half

Directions

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth. 

Fold in whipping cream.

Gently spoon unto crust.

Sprinkle grated chocolate or miniature Reese's cups on top to garnish, or drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

Happy munching!

Braided Rosemary Garlic Bread

This recipe was given to us by a friend at church.  After she shared a loaf with us we quickly asked for the recipe!  It is surprisingly easy to make and looks beautiful on your table.  Any combination of spices would be delicious:  Basil and garlic, rosemary and garlic, just garlic, or even plain would be delicious.  Whatever you choose to put in this bread, we are confident you will love this super easy bread recipe.

Ingredients

5 tsp. minced garlic (in a little water)

2 tsp. olive oil

4 tsp. dried rosemary

1 T. chicken broth

7-9 cups bread flour

1/2 cup sugar

3 pkgs. (1/4 oz. each) quick-rise yeast

3 tsp. salt

1-1/2 cups milk

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1/4 cup butter

1-1/2 tsp. garlic salt

Directions

  Place minced garlic, rosemary, and oil in a small glass dish and microwave 1 min on HIGH.  Add chicken broth to mixture and thoroughly stir.

 

Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

Heat milk, water, and 1/2 cup butter in microwave or on stove just until butter melts.

Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and beat until moistened.

Beat in egg and garlic mixture until smooth.

Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).

Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 4-6 min).

Cover and let rest for 10 min.

 

Divide dough into thirds.

Divide each portion further into 3 pieces each.

Shape each into an 18-in. rope.

Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid.

Pinch ends to seal and tuck under.

Cover and let rise until doubled (about 30 min).

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min.

Melt 1/4 cup butter.

Add garlic salt to melted butter and brush over bread.

Continue baking to 5-10 minutes longer, or until golden brown.

Let cool before cutting.

Makes 3 loaves.

 

Happy munching!