Lemon blueberry bars

Talk about easy and G-O-O-D!!

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar. total

2 1/4 cups flour, total

4 eggs

zest of 3 lemons

juice of 2 lemons 

1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

nonstick spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325.  Using a food processor, (or a pastry cutter) blend together:

1 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup sugar

2 cup flour

Press evenly into the bottom of a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.  Bake 20-25 minutes, till just golden brown.

Lemon topping:

Whisk together:

11/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

4 eggs

zest of 3 lemons

juice of 2 lemons

Allow topping to sit for about 10 minutes before whisking together.  Whisk together then pour over baked shortbread.  Sprinkle with 1 cup blueberries.

Bake at 350 for another 20-25 minutes or until slightly browned and the custard appears to be set.  Jiggle the pan a little to tell.  Cool completely.  Cut into squares.  These will not last long!

  

Zucchini & tomato bake

When summer's abundance of zucchini is at it's peak, this will help answer the question of "What do I do with all this zucchini?!"

Ingredients:
3 small zucchini, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
1 onion, sliced
approx 15 grape tomatoes
1/2 pkg cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup Parmesan
1/2 cup feta
3 eggs
1 tsp tarragon (dried)
1 tsp thyme (dried)
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
1TBL olive oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.  Heat olive oil in a skillet.  Add sliced zucchini and onion.  Saute until zucchini just starts to turn translucent, about 5-8 minutes.  In a food processor, mix cream cheese and eggs.  Pour into a bowl and add Parmesan and feta.  Mix well and add spices, lemon juice, zest and agave nectar.  Spray a 9X12 baking dish with non stick spray and layer zucchini & onions, and tomatoes.  Pour egg mixture over all and top with mozzarella cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown.  Let cool before cutting.

Sweet potato muffins with streusel topping

I think muffins are good any time of the year!  Especially with a good cup of tea or coffee!

Ingredients:
1 egg
1/3 cup softened unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar ( I used sugar in the raw)
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup whole wheat white flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup half-n-half, plus 1-2 TBL more
2 medium sweet potatoes, steamed, and jackets removed
zest from 1 orange

Streusel topping:
1/2 cup whole wheat white flour
4 TBL unsalted butter softened
1/2 tsp cinnamon

***OPTIONAL***
Orange glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Juice from 1 orange
1 tsp orange zest

Whisk together till sugar dissolves.


Directions:
Preheat oven to 375.
Cream egg, butter, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add vanilla and flour and mix.  Add the remaining ingredients and mix with the wire whip until thoroughly blended.  The half-n-half amount may need to be adjusted according to how you like the batter.  Spray muffin tins with non stick spray.  Fill tins halfway and top with streusel topping.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.
**NOTE**  I did 6 large muffins, 12 mini muffins, and a mini loaf (7X4).  The loaf took over half an hour to bake.  Just keep checking if you decide to make a loaf.  Stick with a toothpick to make sure it's done.

Chinese chicken salad

This was so  much better than I expected it to be!  I must say I out did myself tonight!  

Ingredients:

1 bag cole slaw mix

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1 bunch green onions, sliced on the diagonal

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 red pepper, slivered (I added this for color)

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients and top with:

The dressing that ROCKS this salad:

2 TBL sesame oil

2 TBL soy

4 TBL rice wine vinegar

2 TBL vegetable oil

2 TBL ketchup

2 garlic cloves
(2) 1- inch pieces fresh ginger
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp chili pepper flakes
3 TBL sugar

Directions:
In a food processor, mince garlic and ginger.  Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until it thickens a little and is smooth.  Pour over chicken/slaw mixture and let marinate for about an hour.   YUM!

Chicken taco soup

I had a bowl of chicken taco soup at a popular chicken fast food restaurant the other day.  It was so good, but when I looked up the ingredients, I was mortified!  Guar gum, carrageenan....No thank you!  I decided to make my own.  Here's what I did:  First, I took 3 tortilla shells and rubbed them with olive oil.  Then, I sprinkled them with my chicken taco seasoning.  I baked them in the oven at 375 for about 20 minutes until they were crispy.  Looking back on it now,  I would have cut them into strips before I toasted them in the oven.  

Ingredients for the soup:

64 oz chicken stock or broth

1 cup tomato sauce

2 cans cannelli beans, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 cup frozen corn

2 cups shredded chicken breast

1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)

1/2 red pepper, diced

1 jalapeño, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 onion, diced

4 sun dried tomatoes, chopped

3 green onions, sliced

3-4 TBL chopped cilantro

1 tsp chicken taco seasoning
2 TBL olive oil

Cook chicken and shred.  Set aside.  (Roasted chicken works great for this!)  Heat olive oil in a stock pot.  Saute garlic, onion, jalapeño, and red pepper for about 8 minutes.  Add chicken stock, tomato sauce, black beans, and 1 can of the cannelli beans.  Take the other can of cannelli beans and puree them in a food processor.  Add to the pot.   Bring to just a boil and add chicken.  Turn the heat down to simmer.  Add sun dried tomatoes and chicken taco seasoning.  Simmer for about 1/2 hour, then add green onions, cilantro and diced tomatoes.  Serve with tortilla chips sprinkled on top.

Chicken taco seasoning

Instead of purchasing taco seasoning, I've decided to start making my own.  Not only will I save money, but there will be no added ingredients!!  This is so good and easy!

Ingredients:

1 TBL granulated garlic

1 TBL onion flakes or powder

1 TBL sea salt

1 TBL pepper

1 TBL cumin

1/2 TBL ancho chili powder

1/2 TBL paprika

1/2 TBL chili powder

1/4 TBL poultry seasoning

1/4 TBL sage

Mix, and store in a glass jar.