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Creme Brûlée French Toast {a.k.a.The Miracle}

Creme Brulee French Toast

This Creme Brulee French Toast recipe is one you pull out when you need the heavy ammo.  For example, let’s say you’re asked to make breakfast for teenagers, but you forgot to have children of your own, so you have no idea what they eat.  Except that they eat a lot.  OK, we’re talking about me.

Anyhooo… we were joining friends at their cabin for the 4th of July a few years ago.  The kids greatly outnumbered the adults, and the couples split up cooking duties.  I drew breakfast. This was no time for experimentation – I had to launch a missile!  After all, we wanted to be invited back!

Enter “The Miracle.”

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Poppy Seed Cake

poppy seed cake - on red platter

You’ve just been assigned “dessert” for a dinner party.  Or, in a weak moment, you signed up to bring something sweet to your office pot-luck.  If the thought fills you with dread, fear not!

Resist the urge to stop by Costco and get a pie-on-steroids, or those ubiquitous brownie bites.  Instead, make this super easy, delicious Poppy Seed Cake.
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Ice, Ice Baby! {Amp up your summer beverages!}

flavored ice cubes

Summer means outdoor entertaining {finally!}.  I, for one, love to enjoy a tasty beverage on the deck – but too often it gets diluted from melting ice.  Add a little “zip” to your beverages with flavored ice cubes.

I’ve just experimented with a few combos today – but this is where you {and your kids} can have lots of fun.

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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!

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Grilled Vegetables {and 10 ways to enjoy ’em…}

veggies - platter c

My favorite farmers’ market is finally in full swing, and there’s nothing better than spending a weekend morning, coffee in hand, strolling from booth to booth.

Sometimes I go with a plan, other times I go looking for inspiration.  I always come home with what looks good that day – and it’s fun to see how the offerings change as the season progresses.  No matter what I pick up, there’s a good chance it’s going on the grill!

Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness.  Other than a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper, they don’t need anything else.  One of the great things about a platter of grilled veggies is that it’s an easy make-ahead buffet item or side dish that is wonderful served at room temperature.  If I’m asked to bring a dish to a picnic or summer dinner with friends, this is it — I’m not taking up their oven space, and it’s ready when they are!  And isn’t it gorgeous?!

The grilling can be done a few hours before, leaving the grill free for burgers, and you free to enjoy your guests.

Added bonus:  a big batch of grilled veggies can be used in a number of other simple summer dishes.

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Cowgirl Turkey Burgers

cowgirl turkey burgers

Greetings from Couer d’Alene, Idaho! I’m spending a few days with my best friend and her horses, and we have worked up an appetite! (Those stalls don’t muck themselves, now, do they!?)

While I love spending time in the kitchen, spending a few gorgeous days in this beautiful place with these precious ponies takes priority on such a quick trip. So when we get back to the house at night – exhausted, sore and filthy… we want something delicious, but easy!

On the menu? Cowgirl Turkey Burgers! Maybe you’ve had a bad turkey burger experience. I’ve been there! I’m betting the burgers you’ve tried were either dry or flavorless or both. Several versions I’ve experimented with were too. But when a friend introduced me to these… WOWZA!

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Chicken Enchiladas w/ Salsa Verde

chicken enchiladas with salsa verde

Hola amigos!

While I’d love to commit to a big ol’ Mexican feast with homemade tortillas and an authentic mole sauce, this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration falls in the middle of an absolutely crazy schedule.  {I’m not even Mexican anyway, so I don’t feel obligated…}  This weekend, I’m going for another one of my it’s-so-simple-I-could-make-it-in-my-sleep recipes.

Start the evening with some sliced jicama sticks, chips and guacamole or a make-ahead dip…  Serve the enchiladas with rice, and maybe a side of black beans, roasted corn and tomatoes*, and you’ve got yourself a meal.  Pour your favorite tasty adult beverage, turn on your favorite background music {that’d be Gypsy Kings for us}, and you’ve got yourself a fiesta!

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Roasted Cauliflower

roasted cauliflower

I can eat this like it’s popcorn.

If you’re not a raw cauliflower fan, I understand.  Raw “cruciferous” vegetables, as they’re called, can be a little off-putting.  (For you, and those around you, if you get my drift.)

But just like with onions, roasting or caramelizing them changes some of their chemical properties, producing a wonderfully rich, almost sweet flavor.

But enough from “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

Are you trying to get more vitamin C and fiber into your day?  This is a good option.  Preparing it is fast and easy, and makes a great substitute for a higher carb side dish.  It’s versatile too –  like a perfect pair of black pants, you can “dress it up, or dress it down.”

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{Make Your Own} Almond Milk

almond milk - draining with title

Don’t worry, I’m not going all Euell Gibbons on you.  (What, you’re too young for that reference?  Lucky you… !)

Anyway, if you listen to the “experts” you’ll hear that dairy is good, then… dairy is bad!  Soy is good, soy is bad!  Who can keep up?!

(Thankfully, there seems to be pretty consistent praise for red wine and dark chocolate – in moderation of course.  But I digress… again.)

Dairy and voice-over work don’t go well together — at least for me.  So lately, I’ve been using almond milk instead of dairy or soy.

I love it, and use it in anything that calls for regular milk.  But one look at ingredient list on the package and I quickly run out of words I can pronounce.  I had heard how easy (and economical and “green”) it is to make your own without all the additives and preservatives.  I’m always up for a fun food experiment!

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{Trick Your Children!} Healthier Macaroni & Cheese

macaroni - plated

Moms the world over have devised some very creative ways to get their kids (or husbands) to eat more vegetables.  Today’s adaptation is one of my all-time favorites.

Years ago I discovered a couple of Diane Seed’s wonderful cookbooks.  The recipes are simple and straightforward, but unique.  And the illustrations are delightful.  When I got rid of my cookbook collection this is one I couldn’t part with. One of the first recipes I tried was her “Tagliolini with Creamed Carrots.”  Besides being delicious (and a little bit naughty) it struck me how much this tasted like homemade mac and cheese, and had that out-of-the-box orange color.  Hmmm, what if I used elbow macaroni instead of tagliolini?  Might kids fall for this sneaky way of eating more vegetables?!

Since I forgot to have children (where did those years GO!?) I needed to borrow my “victims.”  So I experimented on my niece and nephew.  While they didn’t believe for one minute that this was mac n’ cheese out-of-a-box, they loved it.  Continue Reading →