Crust less Quiche

For Sunday brunch for years, I've made some form of quiche. It truly is my favorite, going back to my childhood. We used to go to the metropolitan museum of art in New York City. It's still one of my most favorite places on earth. 

We would sometimes eat there-a very special treat. I would always get the quiche. A love affair was born. 

However, after a gazillion years, I was running out of options for my brunch treat. This week I tried crust less, out of necessity since I didn't feel like making pie crust.

It was super easy and super delish.

4 eggs beaten

1/4 c heavy cream

1/4 c skim milk

Shredded cheese

Cooked sausage

1/4 cbisquick

Preheat oven to 375. Mix together the eggs, cream, milk & bisquick. Pour into a baking dish. Add sausage & cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until knife comes out clean from the center. 

I know where my Rosemary Goes

Lammas is the first of the harvest festivals, celebrated by the early Celts on August 1^st. It is the celebration of the grain harvest. According to tradition, the first sheaf of wheat is ceremoniously harvested, reaped, milled and baked into bread. In Celtic tradition, this ceremonially bread was considered the bread of life, which is similar to the Christian tradition of communion.

 

Today, it is common to celebrate Lammas by baking bread. One of my favorite, easy recipes is perfect for this time of year:

 

1 ½ c water + 2 tbsp

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp salt (I use Celtic sea salt)

1/3 c organic sugar

4 ¼ c whole wheat flour

2 tsp active dry yeast

2 tbsp rosemary

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp basil

 

 

Put ingredients into the bread machine in the order listed in instructions. Use the whole wheat cycle. Serve with butter or non-dairy spread

Let No man Steal your Thyme

Thyme has been used since, well the beginning of time. It was used as part of the Egyptian mummifcation process. Ancient Greece burned it as temple incense, thinking it brought courage to those who smelled it. In Europe, it was used to ward off nightmares and placed on coffins to ensure passage from one life to the next. Today it is used as an active ingredient in Listerine and against brochitis, toenail fungus and as an antibiotic. Thyme is traditionally associated with the summer solstice, and this bread recipe is perfect to celebrate it.

 

1 ¼ c warm water

1 ½ tbsp yeast

2 tsp honey

1 ½ tsp sea salt

3 ½ c flour

2 tbsp fresh thyme

1 tbsp olive oil

 

Add ingredients in the order listed above to a bread maker. Use the white bread cycle to bake. Serve hot with butter or cashew cheese

My Old Kentucky Home

Yesterday was the Kentucky Derby. I am not much of a horse racing fan, but I love the Derby. I think it has more to do with the traditions and the fact it's a great excuse to dress up and party! At the Derby, it's all about the food and fashion. That's what it s for us too!

I found some great printables at Hostess with the Mostess (http://blog.hwtm.com/2012/04/kentucky-derby-party-taste-of-derby-printables-free/) that I used to decorate.

I made some traditional Derby fare including virgin mint juleps (we don't drink so any non alcoholic choices are appreciated)

1 packet lemonade kool-aid
1 c sugar
2 c water
2 c ginger ale
1 tsp peppermint extract

Mix the lemonade, water, sugar & extract together. Add ginger ale and garnish with mint leaves

Hot Browns are a traditional Derby dinner. While its a long standing recipe, I changed it up a bit for my family's tastes.

1 pkg crescent rolls
1 pkg turkey gravy
1/2 lb turkey breast
6 slices provolone
4 slices bacon, cooked
2 oz cream cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Roll out 1/2 the crescent rolls into the bottom of a baking dish. Layer the turkey, bacon and cheese. Top with gravy, and add the remaining crescents. Add a dollop of cream cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.

It wouldn't be a party without a cake! I made mint julep cake that was super easy.

1 pkg white cake mix
1 c ginger ale
1/2 c peppermint baking chips

Mix together, bake in a 11x9 pan for 30 mins at 350.


I had picked Verazzano to win, but Orb instead ran for the roses the fastest. So, I'm stuck doing dishes! At least ill be doing them in style!

Snow Ice Cream

1 c half & half
1 tsp vanilla
½ c sugar
5-6 c of CLEAN snow (best way to ensure this is to put out a big bowl to collect it as it snows)

Mix together and enjoy! This is such a fun tradition to do with the first snow fall.

Feliz Navidad

To make menu planning easier, and for me to keep my sanity, each day of the week has a theme-pasta Monday, chicken Thursday, international or fish Friday, and my personal favorite taco Tuesday. Tonight we are having taco tot casserole. It's cold and snowy on the plains, so this is the perfect warm you up fill your gut kind of meal. Added bonus: super quick and super easy. To make you need: 1 can creamed corn 1 c corn 1/2 c diced scallions 1 small can rotel sauce 1 1/2 lbs ground meat 1/2 c taco cheese 1 pkg taco seasoning 1 small bag tater tots Preheat oven to 375. Brown meat and add taco seasoning Put the meat in a 13x9 pan. Add the regular corn. Mix the rotel sauce and creamed corn and pour over pan. Top with shredded cheese. Layer tater tots on top. (Can be made ahead or frozen at this point) bake for 40 minutes.

Less Guilt Chex Mix

I love chex mix. There's something so decadently yummy by all those flavors combining into one snack. The only problem is it can be really bad for you and it takes forever. I did a recipe makeover, and came up with something amazing.

1 c chex cereal (I chose the whole grain)
1/3 c pretzel sticks
1/3 c mixed nuts (I used peanuts, cashews, almonds & brazil nuts)
2 tbsp dried fruit (I used a mix of cranberries, chopped dates & raisins)
2 tbsp Carob chips
1/4 c vegetable broth
1 tsp olive or grapeseed oil
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce (I keep a batch of this on hand:
http://cookingwithrockstars.com/recipes/vegan-worcestershire-sauce)
Dash minced onion
Dash garlic powder (okay, several dashes)
Dash dash dash red pepper
Dash parsley flakes

Mix the broth, oil and seasonings together in a mixing bowl. Add pretzels , cereal & nuts. Mix well, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Pour into a microwave safe bowl, heat up for 3-4 minutes on high. Turn out on a paper towel to drain excess moisture. Add carob and fruit. Store in an air tight container, and snack with less guilt.

Strawberry Girl

In the summer, Little Man and I spend a lot of time at the pool. We are so blessed in Sioux Falls that we have several pools to choose from, but there are 3 that are our particular favorites. The pools officially opened on Friday, but it was a cold, dreary day. By Sunday, it was hot and humid and perfect pool weather.
To beat the heat, we bring our own treats-chips, fruit, and drinks. One of our favorites is strawberry lemonade-and it couldn't be any easier to make.

You need:
3-4 strawberries, sliced
3-4 lemon slices
Several sprigs of mint
Lemonade mix (I like pink)
Water according to lemonade mix

Add water to lemonade mix and stir well. Add in strawberries, lemons and mint. Refrigerate 2-3 hours to let flavors combine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v86f6k_mqQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Mother...

Today is Mother's Day. I dont know what my family has planned for me today. This morning, I'm leading my sunday school kids in making some special mother's day gifts:

Tissue paper bouquets
Bracelets
Handprint sunflower
Decorated cookies
Colored mug inserts

I do need to start baking the cookies soon.I made the dough last night so it would be ready to bake this morning. Why would you buy premade dough when making your own is super easy?

1 c butter, softened
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 tsp salt
2 1/2 c flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs until well blended, then mix in vanilla and salt. Add flour a bit at a time, mixing well. Roll into a log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate over night. The dough can also be frozen for up to 6 months

To bake, preheat oven to 350. Dough can either be rolled and cookie cuttered or sliced and baked. Either way, 10-12 minutes in the oven and then let cool for 5-7 minutes

Just like your smile

I love nutella. The ooey gooey hazelnut deliciousness that it is warms my heart. That being said, I'm looking for other ways to eat it rather than sticking a spoon in a jar and licking it (don't worry I don't double dip!).
My son suggested that I make a cake. So thats exactly what I did.

1 c flour
1 banana smashed
2 tbsp oil
1 c brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 c nutella
1/2 c chocolate chips
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

We made it a la mode, topped with raspberries!

Everyday I Write the Book (part 2)

A while back, I mentioned that I was writing a cookbook on how to make some positive changes in your life. These are the same recipes I feed my family, and you can share them with your family too!

The book is available for download at Barnes & Noble, in the Nook format. Click the link below:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/dee-di-memmo

Tofu stir fry

1 c stir fry vegetables, heated
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 tbsp peanuts
Tofu, sliced & drained (note: I like to bake mine first so it holds together better)
1/4 c sweet chili sauce mixed with 1/8 tsp wasabi powder

Mix ingredients together, heat through. Serve over rice.

Menu Monday, first week of May

This is the first week of May, and it is still cold in my part of the world. Cold weather=craving comfort food, still.

It is Meatless Monday. I am thinking either pasta, with escarole soup OR grilled cheese, tomato soup and white cheddar mac & cheese.








Tuesday is taco Tuesday, but Thursday is Cinco de Mayo so I am switching things up. We are going to have chicken stir fry with egg drop soup and homemade egg rolls.



Chicken stir fry
1 c diced cooked chicken
1 c cooked brown rice
1 c shredded carrots
1 c frozen peas
1/2 c teriyaki sauce
2 tbsp chili sauce
1 egg beaten

heat everything together in a pan except the egg (that gets added at the end)


Wednesday is breakfast for dinner, so we will have waffles. This time, I will make the Big Man happy and NOT use apple sauce.














Thursday is Cinco de Mayo, so we are having quinoa burritos with rice.



1  c quinoa, cooked
1 can black bean soup
1/2 c mexican cheese
1 can enchilada sauce
4 tortillas

preheat oven to 375. mix soup, quinoa & cheese together. put in tortillas, roll up and put into a baking dish. Top with enchilada sauce. Bake 30 minutes.






Friday is first Friday downtown. Its a fun night out, so we will go to http://www.atasteofthebigapple.com/ for dinner, and http://www.ohmycupcakes.com/ for dessert. I'm drooling already.

Saturday I run in my 5k, and then I have a graduation party to attend, plus going geocaching with my son. I'm thinking hot dogs, fried potatoes, and some other yummies.

Silver & gold

Being fat, I would look for something that I could use for distinctive style. Accessories were my best friend. Scarves, jewelry, all sorts of things to deflect away from the bad fashion I was forced to wear.

A friend from church mentioned this to me on Sunday."you always look so cute & pulled together. How do you do it?"

It's one part shopping, and 2 parts planning. I put together my outfits for the week on Saturday mornings. Not just the actual clothes but underwear, stockings etc. And those all important accessories. It all gets Hung up in my closet. Then, in the mornings, its grab & go. I do the same for the little man, and it has helped streamline our mornings.

Who would have thought 5 minutes on a Saturday morning would revolutionalize my sense of style?

Speaking of makeovers....tonights dinner is a remake of an old fave:

Mock chicken parm Sammys

Mock chicken patties (I like the boca brand)

Tomato sauce

Provolone cheese (if you want to make it vegan, there are several soy cheeses)

Rolls

French fries, onion rings, etc.

Top patties with tomato sauce, bake for 10 mins with the fries. Add cheese heat till melted. Serve on rolls with fries & veggies.