Cookie Crusted Blueberry & Lemon Tart...

Today was the first official day of winter Vacation...YAY! I couldn't be more excited !This week we are going to a ski resort in New Hampshire.. but tonight..

 There was no rush to get through  dinner , homework, showers &  bedtime...and believe it or not, I let my children  eat a big ole sugar cookie, covered in powdered sugar ,cream cheese and blueberries....OH MY!

This was so easy but so good.....shhh I even let them eat it in front of the tv.. : )
I cant wait to post all of our vacation pictures and of course there maybe a few of food too...see you in a week!

                                            - Cookie Crusted Blueberry& Lemon Tart-
                                                      1-Pint of fresh Blueberries
                                                      1-Lemon(for garnish)
                                                      1-Pkg  pull apart and bake sugar cookie dough 16 oz (in dairy isle)
                                                      1-Container of whipped cream cheese( 12oz)
                                                      2-Cups Powdered Sugar
                                                      1-Tsp Lemon Extract
                                                      1-12oz Jar of Apple Jelly
                                                      1-12 inch Tart Pan(with removable bottom)
                                                            
 ...Start with the 12 inch tart pan with a removable bottom.. Open cookies and pull apart ..place in the bottom of tart pan , then press down into pan with your fingers until cookies touch.

...Place in a Pre-Heated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes checking cookies half way through baking time, when done remove from oven .Cool on counter

...Place 12oz  of Cream Cheese , the 2 cups of Powdered Sugar &1Tsp of the Lemon extract in a mixer .Mix on high for 2 minutes until all ingredients are incorporated, & resembles frosting, light & fluffy In texture.

 Melt 1/2 of the Jar of Apple Jelly in a pan over low heat...remove from heat & let Jelly  reach room temperature.In a medium mixing bowl add Jelly &  Blueberries toss gently set aside.Next Remove sides of tart pan,  Frost cookie with cream cheese mix ,then spoon blueberries over top..garnish with lemon and a sprig of mint...yum-o!

 (the Apple Jelly is a trick I learned from a baker..It puts a beautiful glaze on fruits )
                                                     

Frittata...The Italian Omelette.....

This is a super easy & fun way to use what you have in the fridge....I happen to have some Summer  Squash , Zucchini, Potato ,Onion & Egg.... You can add just about anything you have in the fridge to a frying pan, throw some eggs over the top & what comes out of the oven is a fluffy beautiful masterpiece...

                                                           ...Vegetable Frittata...
                                                        4 Yukon Gold Potatoes
                                                        1/2 of a Zucchini Squash
                                                        1/2 of a Summer Squash
                                                        1/2 Large yellow Onion
                                                        1/3 cup of flour
                                                        1 tsp baking powder
                                                        7 Eggs
                                                        4 oz Parmesan Cheese grated
                                                        1 tbsp of Olive Oil
                                                        1 tbsp of Butter
                                                        1/2 Cup of Milk
                                                        Kosher Salt& Pepper
                                                        1 tbsp Parsley& more for Garnish

                                                           Pre heat oven to 350
   Start with the Potatoes, wash .. peel then cut into 1/2 inch dice...chop Onion , Zucchini & Summer Squash  all in uniform pieces...then  parsley ..heat Olive Oil & butter over a medium /high heat..

 Add chopped ingredients & parsley to pan , season with salt and pepper cook until tender...turn temp to low...In a bowl whisk eggs,  add cheese, milk, & more salt and pepper

Sprinkle the flour and baking powder over egg mix.. gently stir until incorporated  ...take the vegetable mix off of heat & pour the egg mixture over vegetables ,put in preheated oven in pan  & bake for 45 minutes or until beautifully golden brown and fluffy....take out of oven, let cool, cut into desired pieces and enjoy!
                                                    

Warmin it up! from the inside out !

OK Today in New England we had flurries.....last few days we were close to 55, Thank goodness its almost spring : ) This weather is crazy ...its just too much! But regardless of the weather cold or a glimpse of spring...you can warm your soul with My version of New England Fish chowder..

                             
                                                 


                                                    



                                                           New England "My Way'' Fish Chowder
                                                           3 lbs Fresh Haddock (skin removed)
                                                           6 Yukon Gold Potatoes
                                                           6 Slices of Bacon
                                                           1 Large Onion
                                                           5 Cups of Fish Stock
                                                           1 Cup of Milk
                                                           1-12oz Can of fat free evaporated milk
                                                           1 tbsp Kosher Salt
                                                           1 tbsp Fresh Cracked Pepper
                                                           1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
                                                           1 tbsp  fresh Thyme
                                                           1 Bay Leaf
                                                                   
                                                              
          Cook Bacon until crisp  in a 4 quart Stock Pot , set aside & saving drippings...chop  onion and potato cutting  veggies into uniform pieces for even cooking . 

Cut Haddock into chunks set aside ,add potato,onion, salt, pepper, old bay seasoning, fresh thyme, & bay leaf  to bacon dripping and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent and potatoes are soft on the outside but still firm in the center ...

Add stock, bring to a boil continue to boil for 12 minutes. Take off of burner add Haddock easily layering in broth .Return to heat for 5 minutes, then remove from heat & allow the Fish to continue to cook for 10 minutes  just sitting in the broth.

Kindly add the milk and Evaporated milk stir to incorporate gently ...add more Salt and pepper if you wish..... garnish with bacon and parsley...this will warm your soul....and leave you with a full and happy belly...

Bringing it back!

So Sunday night is usually movie night in my house...the little ones fav thing to do is snuggle in bed  and watch a really good movie....Can I tell you how much I love that they still want to snuggle in bed with me : )..I decided to get back to the oldies but goodies...like apple pie and root beer floats...instead of the traditional movie night snacks like popcorn and candy....so here are a few recipes I made..I hope you enjoy these simple but super yummy treats! 

                                                                   -Rustic Apple Pie-
                                                                          (filling)
                                                                     3 Green apples
                                                                     3 Cortland apples
                                                                     1/2 cup sugar
                                                                     1/4 cup brown sugar
                                                                     1/4 cup Cinnamon
                                                                     Pinch of nutmeg


                                For the crust, this is the most perfect recipe comes out great every time..
                                                                 makes 2- 10-inch crust
                                                     12 tablespoons 1 1/2 sticks very cold butter
                                                                 3 cups all purpose flour
                                                                 1 tablespoon sugar
                                                                 1 teaspoon kosher salt
                                                      1/3 cup of cold butter flavored shorting
                                                               6-8 tablespoons of ice water
                    
First roughly peel the apples, and slice into quarters and then in three's. In a medium mixing bowl put apples,sugar,brown sugar Cinnamon & Nutmeg and toss...leave the apples to" marinate" while you prepare the crust.

Dice the butter & shortening return to fridge.Put all remaining dry ingredients in a food processor with the blade attachment .....on the pulse setting, pulse a few times slowly add butter and shortening , alternating with the cold water pulsing the entire time until incorporated.

 You should have a moist dough. But not too wet. Turn out on a well floured surface for rolling .Roll the dough starting at the center working outwards, ....OK here is the crazy part....I used a spring form pan..for that rustic look ...I know sounds crazy right? Maybe even a little too complicated but I promise its not... pre heat oven to 400...then,


 Place the pie dough in your spring form pan pressing the edges to side of pan then fill with prepared apples.I also sprinkle a little Cinnamon sugar over the top and add a dollop of butter. Fold the edges towards the center , leaving the "pie" open not covering the top...bake at 400 for 45 minutes Take out of the oven and let cool,  remove from spring form pan... put on a pretty pedestal plate and omg!!! Give it a try you will be pleasantly surprised and surely impressed with your self....I topped with vanilla bean ice cream as well....hope you enjoy

                     I love going to antique stores and finding pretty little plates and different dishes ,
                    this one I found for under 5.00 ....thought it was a perfect little display pedestal for 
                    my rustic pie...
                     
             

                     Ohh and of course ....We cant forget the root beer floats...simple but crazy good!
                                                   

1-6 pack Organic Root Beer

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream...

                                              

Sports Day Delights!

Since the Super Bowl was Sunday...I made lots of food and although the Patriots didn't win, we enjoyed a great night at home...., good company great food and lots of excitement! whats better than that? I have to admit I never did really get football... but as my son has played  over the past 4 yrs I have grown to love it!!  Here are a few recipes... tried and true, fun to eat while watching any sporting event!

                                  Chicken  wings two ways, Buffalo & Maple Teriyaki....mmm!
                                          
                                                               Teriyaki maple glaze
                                                               5 lb  of chicken wings
                                                               1/4 cup of brown sugar
                                                               1/4 cup maple syrup
                                                               1 cup of teriyaki sauce
                                         place chicken wings in a zip lock bag , mix all ingredients in a bowl
                                                            pour over wings and let marinate over night!
                                          place wings on a cookie sheet that has been prepared with olive oil
                                          bake at 400 for 40 minutes, when done baking set oven temp to broil
                                          put wings back in the oven and broil 5 minutes each side or until       
                                          beautifully golden brown......enjoy!
                                                          
                                                                   Buffalo wings

                                                          5 pounds of chicken wings
                                                          1/2 stick of butter
                                                          1/2 tsp  Cayenne pepper
                                                          1 cup buffalo sauce of your choice
                                                              

                                   Place wings on a prepared(with olive oil) cookie sheet bake for 40 minutes
                                         when wings are done take out of the oven and set temp to broil,
                                                          broil for 5 minutes each side.

                                     Next Prepare buffalo sauce, in a small sauce pan melt butter, add sauce
                               & Cayenne pepper and bring to a boil.Remove from stove let cool slightly
                                 add wings & sauce to a large mixing bowl & toss ..these are my sons favs....
                                I also put some blue cheese or ranch sauce on the platter to cool that pallet
                                                             your mouth will be thanking you.. : )



                       Pizza Pizza Pizza.....yup, always a favorite...but this one is soooooo good !

                                                          1 pkg  frozen bread dough
                                                          1 pkg  Prosciutto Ham
                                                   crushed  Pineapple ( 1/2 cup drained)
                                                          1 pkg 6-8 oz mozzarella
                                                          1 bunch fresh parsley
                                                          1 jar sauce of choice

                                   Prosciutto...Ham...yummy sweet pineapple...fresh mozzarella
                                                          I wish I had a  slice right now!
              
                   I used frozen bread dough found in the freezer section of your local grocery
                   store...I know,  I love fresh made dough but this is a huge time saver so why not!

                                                              preheat oven to 450
                   let dough "rise" by siting on the counter until defrosted..Put a sprinkle of flour on
                   your rolling surface, and roll dough till desired thickness..some like it thin..not me!

                   U can use your favorite sauce store bought or not.. I use a basic Tomato garlic..
                  spread 1/2 to 1/4 cup of sauce on rolled dough,slice mozzarella log in half
                   shred 1/2 & slice remaining half spread on pizza,add Prosciutto and
                    pineapple & of course a little Fresh parsley for color, bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes
                                                               ....you must make this!
                      

Turkey Sausage&Tri color Pepper

           1 pkg of turkey sausage
           1 red pepper
           1 yellow pepper
           1 orange pepper
           2 tbsp  good olive oil
           Kosher salt
          Fresh cracked pepper
         There is nothing too complex about this recipe, it just your basic ingredients..Sometimes those are the best ones...I just love the easy prep of this one, and honestly its perfect for a wk night dinner..try it tonight!
            

                    

                                          

Start with the sausage set burner to med \high. Put about  olive oil in a frying pan..   let it get hot, you will want a nice sear med/high temp is important! Add turkey sausage to hot pan and brown.. add peppers, cover and turn down heat to medium /low. Cook until done removing lid from time to time to check..mine took about 30 minutes...cut whole wheat sausage buns down the center fill with sausage first ,then tri color peppers...so yummy!!! give it a try you wont be sorry!

skirt steak fijitas!!!

last night I tried a new recipe for steak fajitas, & let me tell you they turned out AWESOME....kid approved too! I love when that happens... I especially LOVE when my Children don't really realize what they are eating is good for them......!!!! these are a must make and a secret way to sneak colorful yummy good for you veggies in....

                                                       
                                         

First i started with baby arugula ..its little size and different look had my children dying to try it...then vine ripe  red tomatoes....and of course some Colby cheese finely grated.....

 ....keep your knife out and make a little pi co DE Gallo to go along...its fresh avocado,cilantro,onion and tomato...yup that simple but amazing!   

Skirt steak fajitas!!

(marinade)

1tbs kosher salt

1tbs crushed black pepper

3tbs worshishire sauce

small bunch of cilantro about two tbs chopped

2tbs  taco seasoning

1/2 cup enchilada sauce

2 cloves of garlic

(for the steak)

2 lbs skirt steak

( tortillas)

1pkg of corn tortillas 

place skirt steak in a medium bowl ,mix all ingredients and pour over top.

let the steak marinate for at least an hr and a half.

you will need an indoor cast iron or other stove top grill pan 

pour about a tbs of olive oil in pan wait for it to get hot, you will want a hot pan for a nice sear on the steak,cook 10 min each side ,only turning once ,when steak is done cut against the grain! 

start assembling fajitas....steak first ,arugula, tomatoes and cheese...pretty please...so yummy hope you enjoy!