Yummy Green Gazpacho

Green Gazpacho. I saw this on the show "Extra Virgin" on Cooking channel. (One of my favorite channels to watch). I loved the idea of a gazpacho without tomatoes... don't get me wrong, I love tomatoes. But every time I have made gazpacho in the past, I feel like I need tortilla chips with it. haha. I made this today and I LOVED it.

1 cucumber peeled and cut into chunks
big handful of green grapes
big handful of cilantro
1/2 of an avocado
juice of one big fat juicy lime
salt & pepper
1 Tbsp Olive Oil + some for drizzling on top
1/2 cup ice
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds


Put everything except almonds into a blender, food processor, or if your cool like me *wink* *wink* into your Nutri Bullet. :) Blend away until smooth and creamy. Garnish with toasted almonds and olive oil.

Sweet Orange Glazed Easter Ham

Ingredients:

4 lb. boneless ham
1 jar of sweet orange marmalade
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup Dijon Mustard
1/4 cup chopped onion
Salt & Pepper

1. Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place ham in a shallow roasting pan.

2. In medium sauce pan heat the remaining ingredients over Medium- High; stirring occasionally. Keep watching it, if it starts to boil, it will boil over.... (I speak from experience.... yes it makes a sticky mess) Heat for about 5 minutes.

3. Pour over top of ham. Place uncovered into pre-heated oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hrs. Every half hour take out and use a big spoon to spoon the juices over the ham.

4. Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

Baked French Toast

I love Sunday Mornings. We usually end up eating brunch instead of breakfast. It's such a nice relaxing day.

This recipe is quickly becoming a regular favorite around our house.



Baked French Toast

Ingredients:

2 cans of Cinnamon Rolls

1/4 cup butter

6 eggs

1 cup of heavy cream or milk

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup of chopped pecans (if desired)

frosting that comes with the rolls

Maple Syrup

1. Pre-Heat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter. Cut each cinnamon roll into 8 pieces. Pour melted butter into a 13x9 inch casserole dish. Lay in pieces of cinnamon roll.

2. In a medium bowl mix eggs, cream, cinnamon, and vanilla until well combined. Pour Mixture over roll pieces. Sprinkle on nuts and pour 1 cup of maple syrup over the top.

3. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until top is browned.

4. Heat frosting in microwave for 15 seconds and pour over the top of the french toast.

EASY AND SO FREAKIN' GOOD!!!!  You can easily cut this recipe in half.



BEST BBQ CHILI!

This is one of my favorite recipes. It's SO easy and SO delicious! I found it in one of my Pillsbury Cook books.

Ingredients:

1 medium size onion, red or white diced  (I seem to always have a red one around)
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
2 garlic cloves finely minced
1 can of Bush's Baked Beans Southern Pit Style
1 can of diced fire roasted tomatoes (15 oz)
1 can of tomato sauce (15 oz)
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp Cumin
1 cup frozen corn
salt and pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (if desired)
1 bag of Frito's

1. In a large pot brown meat, onions, & garlic till there is no pink left. (salt & pepper)
2. Add Beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, and corn. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Serve with Frito's on top and shredded cheddar cheese.


This is such a crowd pleaser. We love it! My oldest son doesn't like beans, but he likes this chili.

Summer Time Iced Peach Mint Tea

Ingredients:

*8 cups water

*8 Peach Tea Bags

*Big Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves

*1/4 cup honey

*1/4 cup sugar

*1 large grapefruit

*1 large lemon

Bring water to a rolling boil in a pot.

Take off heat and add tea bags and mint leaves. (You can use any flavor of tea you like)

Cover and let steep for 30 to 40 minutes.

Add honey and sugar. You may like to add more if you like sweeter tea.

Juice grapefruit and lemon and add into tea.

Pull out Mint and tea bags and strain to remove any leaves or seeds.

Chill in refrigerator. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Summer time... and the livin's easy... OH YEAH!! 

Baked Ziti with Mini Meatballs and Mushrooms

Ingredients:

* 1 box of tube like noodles
* 1 jar of favorite marinara sauce
* 1 jar of favorite Alfredo sauce
* 1 lb. ground beef
* 1 carton of baby portebello mushrooms (or button) sliced
* Salt & Pepper
* 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning (herb blend)
* 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
* 2 Tbsp Butter
* 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
* 2 cups of Italian blend cheese
* 1/2 onion finely minced

1. Boil noodles as directed on package & Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Put ground beef in a bowl with Italian seasoning, salt & pepper, and Worcestershire sauce and mix well. Roll into tsp size balls.

3. Melt Butter and Olive oil together in a deep frying pan over med-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms, onion, and meatballs. Let everything saute together and meatballs brown on all sides.

4. After meatballs are browned, pour in both the marinara sauce and Alfredo sauce. Turn heat down to low and let simmer.

5. Drain pasta and add to pan with meatballs, mushrooms, etc.

6. Pour mixture into a 13x9 inch casserole dish and cover with cheese.

7. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

I served this with a Caesar salad and fresh fruit. It was delicious!

BROWN SUGAR BACON

The FAMOUS Brown Sugar Candy Bacon

Use your favorite brand of bacon. I usually try to do a thicker cut. But really any bacon is good when you do it this way.

Lay them out on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Sometimes I will double line it (both ways). You could use a wire rack to set them on top of, which I have done before, but there is something about doing it this way that makes them ... better...

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Take a handful of brown sugar and sprinkle it over the top of the bacon (DO NOT PAT IT IN! I don't know why, but it just isn't as good if you touch the brown sugar after it is sprinkled on.
BE GENEROUS!

Pop it in the oven for 15 min. Drain off excess grease into a foil lined bowl. ( I have my sweet husband help me with this part, and he doesn't mind in the slightest since this is his most favorite thing in THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD)

Place back in the oven for 3 to 6 more min, watching carefully. It will look like it is not crisp, but once you let it rest it will be like hard bacony candy. DO NOT PUT IT ONTO A PAPER TOWEL!!! You will be eating paper towel if you do this. Immediately after you remove from the oven place directly onto a glass plate to cool.

Get a piece fast, because it will be gone in minutes!

Don't be afraid if your oven smokes a little, open a window... it's well worth it!