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Scramble {a.k.a. Chex Party Mix}

chex mix - clear bowls sunlight copy

I have a confession to make. I’ve been on a farmers’ market health kick. {That’s not the confession.} In addition to trying to eat well, I’m working on stocking up on foods made with my fresh-finds. Today I had a big block of time to tackle my organize-the-extra-freezer project. So I juiced a mango, apple, cucumber and a handful of fresh spinach and pridefully made my way to the freezer with my energizing green drink to begin.

The goal was to inventory what I had, ditch anything I didn’t recognize, organize said freezer so that stuff would be easy to find, and make room for new creations. That meant pulling everything out. There were meatballs, enchiladas, oven-roasted tomatoes, pizza crusts, pesto…

It was all going fine until I pulled out a one-gallon Ziplock bag of Scramble. Continue Reading →

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Cilantro Oil

red pepper soup - 1

I may have been a little over-zealous at the farmers’ market when I saw how gorgeous and inexpensive the sweet peppers were this past weekend. I can’t recall my thought process, but apparently, I had in mind making stuffed peppers, Pad Thai, fajitas, AND some sort of slaw, in addition to eating them raw for a snack. It would be pepper-MANIA in our kitchen!

What was I thinking? I failed to take into account that we had company coming, and back-to-back events that gave me little time in the kitchen for the next several days. So there they sat.  Continue Reading →

Baked Zucchini Fries

baked zucchini fries

I love the generosity of gardeners!

Take, for example, my new friend Peggy. Besides being an all-around wonderful gal, she’s a fabulous artist and a horse lover… she’s also a terrific gardener. In the short time we’ve been in Idaho, she’s delivered gorgeous onions, cucumbers, beets, purple potatoes and state-fair-worthy zucchini. {I’m not kidding, you could use them for batting practice, they’re so big!} Continue Reading →

Caprese Salad on a Stick

caprese salad on a stick - with oil and vinegar

The Minnesota State Fair recently announced 45 new foods for 2013. Of the over 400 total food options, 70 of those are attached to a stick. You won’t find “Caprese Salad on a Stick” at the Fair – but it’s a delicious appetizer you can make at home.

But first, more on fair-fare…

There are fair-goers who’ll swear you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a pork chop, Scotch Egg or fried Snickers on a stick.  Even Minnesota’s own “Tater-Tot Hot Dish” can be enjoyed kebab-style. Continue Reading →

Mini-Reubens {These will make you very popular}

mini reubens

If you ever want to make a cook’s day, request a favorite dish of his or hers.  Speaking from experience, we’re so thrilled that we’ve had a “hit” we’ll gladly oblige!

For years, I hosted Husband’s annual office Christmas party at our house.  The guinea pigs (God bless ’em!), who attended year after year, apparently had their patience rewarded with a few memorable offerings. That, and there was plenty of beer and wine…

As a result of those “experiments,” the one thing I’ve had more requests for really isn’t a “dish” – it’s a sandwich.  And a mini-sandwich at that.

These Mini-Reuben Sandwiches are pretty much the perfect party food.  You can make them well in advance, they’re easy to eat, and they’re “guy friendly.” And I don’t just make them for parties.  For all the reasons above, if you stop by during football season, it’s a safe bet I’ll have some of these on hand.

This week, though, I learned that a friend’s wife (one of our frequent party guests) had undergone an emergency surgery, and I offered prayers and anything else that might help.  His response?  “Prayers are great!  As for food, I could never refuse Mini-Reubens.”  

Coming right up!

Continue Reading →

Pear & Fig & Caramelized Onion Flatbread

pear fig flatbread

We are getting a little anxious for spring and summer to arrive here in Minnesota…  When it does, we fire up the Weber regularly.  When I got over my fear of the grill (I was sure I’d blow up the house) I started grilling everything!

Our favorite go-to griller?   It’s flatbread, hands down!

{First, a note about grilling:  If you’re a charcoal purist, forgive me, but for “Grilling 101” I needed the heat control of gas.  Speaking of heat control, you’ve probably already figured out not to get too close to your subject to peek for doneness.  I’ve been known to melt my mascara just enough to threaten sealing my eyes shut.  Anyway, I hope to move up to charcoal someday, but right now, I just light a charcoal-scented candle to create the ambiance.  I’m kidding about the candle.  Kind of.*}

Back to the pear & fig flatbread…

Continue Reading →

Curried Chicken & Mango Dip

Curried Chicken Mango Dip

I had an amazing group of women over last night for a networking/happy hour of sorts. Since almost all of the guests were folks I’d never met, I decided to stick with some of my tried-and-true apped’ouevres.  This one is pretty much a slam-dunk every time…

It’s an adaptation of a recipe that a caterer traded with me after a party years ago.  It’s great because it’s super easy to throw together the day before, it freezes well (before it’s baked) and you can lighten it up a little if you like.

Continue Reading →

{Meatless Monday} Roasted Portobellos with Kale

roasted portobellos with kale

This is tonight’s experiment (Husband is SUCH a great guinea pig!).

We’re trying to add more “meatless mains” to our repertoire, and this looks like it might have potential.

The recipe is part of the Whole Living Action Plan for 2013 that I mentioned in an earlier post.  While we’re not following the plan exactly, I’m going to try as many of the recipes I can over the next few weeks. Continue Reading →

The Best Guacamole on the Planet

photo from foodrepublic.com

There’s been some competition between my neighbors over the years.  It involves guacamole, and whose is best. We’re told it’s a tie between mine and my friend Doug’s.  Well that makes sense — he and I use the same recipe!

Continue Reading →

Super easy and healthy(er!) potato chips…

 

So these happened today!

If you had told me that I could have fabulous, crunchy, salty chips without frying them… and from the MICROWAVE no less… I would have accused you of having what Diane Sawyer had on election night.

Anyway…

While I’m far from perfecting them, here’s the recipe, and a few lessons learned! Continue Reading →