Zucchini Bread and Muffins

We had some zucchini leftover from our garden so I thought I would try my hand at a little zucchini bread since I think I have had one too many dinners with steamed or grilled zucchini! Got this recipe from Allrecipes.com and it was every bit as yummy as I imagined!

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Just a few little adjustments I made. I substituted in one cup of whole wheat flour for the all-purpose flour. I also didn't have 2 bread pans so I did one bread pan and used the rest of the batter to make 12 muffins. I just cooked those for about half the time.

Also, to give it a little more sweetness (b/c that is how I like it) I put a yummy crumble on top. Crumb Topping: 1/2 c. regular oats, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/4 c. flour, 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1/4 c. butter.) I just put it on about 15 minutes after I put everything in the oven so it wouldn't sink down.

Cranberry Quinoa Salad Recipe
Recipe by:  http://jenn-lee.blogspot.com/

Water

Uncooked Quinoa (rinsed well in hot water)
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup chopped cucumber (the original recipe called for celery.)
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4cup green onions chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted



DRESSING:
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a saucepan, bring to boil a few cups of water.

(ok,..so I hate measuring and remembering how much Quinoa to water so I boil it after rinsing like pasta. Then drain it in a fine mesh strainer really well. )
After its boiling, add your Quinoa and boil about 15 min. Drain with the fine mesh strainer.

Let stand for about 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.

In a serving bowl, combine the Quinoa, cranberries, cucumber,carrot,green onions and almonds.

In a bowl (or jar to mix by shaking) combine the dressing ingredients; mix or shake.

Pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.



ENJOY!!!

Non-Traditional Stuffed Bell Peppers

(Image off google images)

(I never think to photograph the meals I'm making...my hands are always covered with food so I never want to bring my camera into the kitchen)

I think most of us have tried a stuffed bell pepper...the traditional ones that are filled with tomato sauce and rice. I grew up with them and though I didn't mind them, I never thought that they were scrumptious.

But this year our garden produced more bell peppers than I knew what to do with, so I started playing around trying to find something more dazzling. I looked through a hundred recipes and took some ingredients from some and threw in my own...and made my own dish.

After trying it out successfully on a few crowds, I've decided it was p&p post worthy. Let me know what you think?

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

6 large bell peppers (I used green)

1 tsp-1 Tbsp olive oil

1 lb ground turkey

1 yellow onion chopped

2-3 Anaheim peppers (or other ones you like that are spicy)

1/2 cup or so white wine

1-2 Tbsp or so Season Salt

2 tsp or so ground Black pepper

2-3 Tbsp Parsley

1/2-1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (use less if you don't want the kick)

2-3 carrots grated (with a cheese grater)

6-8 oz medium cheddar cheese--grated

chicken/beef flavored rice

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Start Rice on stove

Remove stems and seeds from the bell peppers and place in a large pot of boiling water to boil for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, place oil, ground turkey, white wine, and chopped onions in a pan and cook until onions are clear and turkey is cooked through. Add Season Salt, pepper, parsley, cayenne pepper, and grated carrots and simmer--adding a little more white wine or water.

Remove bell peppers from water and place upside down so all the hot water pours out. Wait until cooled enough to be able to hold.

Fill each bell pepper 1/3 way full of meat mixture, cover with a dallop of cheese, cover with meat mixture, cover with cheese, meat mixture, cheese....

Place cooked rice in bottom of large baking dish and place each filled bell peppers on rice. Bake for 20-30 minutes and serve hot.

Super easy. Super delicious.

Kind of spicy....so watch out. :)

Spicy Cinnamon Curry Chicken

image off google images

Another chicken dish from me today. When the hubby likes chicken, you have to find all kinds of ways to prepare it.

So that's what I do.

This recipe is one I found and tweaked a little.

It's got a bite to it, but overall, we thought it was a keeper.

Not to mention, it makes your house smell INCREDIBLE!

2 chicken breasts halved or chopped in pieces

2 Tbsp oil

Salt and Pepper

*Season chicken breasts and salt with pepper and cook them in a pan in the heated oil until mostly done--then remove from pan*

1 onion chopped

1 green pepper chopped

2 carrots sliced in diagonal pieces

1-2 cups broccoli

1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cumin powder

3 tsp curry powder

3 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup milk/cream

*Add veggies, spices, and half of the chicken broth to the pan and simmer until veggies are soft--about 15 minutes--stirring regularly. Add chicken breasts and remaining chicken broth and simmer to finish cooking chicken--about another 15 minutes. Just before serving add the milk/cream to cool the flavor and thicken the sauce*

Serve with rice

This dish is super spicy, so also serve with plenty of milk or water! :)

Citrus Basil Chicken or Fish

(picture from google images)

I love to cook with basil.

I love to cook with citrus.

Especially Lemons and Limes.

So, standing over my Basil plant the other day, I decided I needed basil and citrus for dinner.

Here's what I came up with:

2 chicken breasts sliced in half (like fillets) or two fish fillets

About 2 Tbsp honey or Agave Nectar (which is much like honey)

Juice from 2 lemons or 2 limes (I tried both at separate meals...both great!)

About 8-10 FRESH Basil leaves

Salt & Pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix together until well coated

Pour all ingredients into a tinfoil lined pan

Place under BROILER in the oven for 3 sets of 10-12 minutes--

--after each set turn the chicken/fish over and baste with juices

Serve with a fresh salad, steamed veggies, rice, fresh rolls, whatever.

Its delicious and a new favorite at our house!

fotosearch.com

Roasted Vegetable Panini

6 cups pre-cut vegetables (zucchini, onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, yellow squash)
1 TB minced garlic
1TB olive oil
1TB chopped rosemary
salt/pepper to taste
8 slices Italian sandwich bread
4 oz thinly sliced smoked mozarella cheese

Preheat oven 400'F.
Spray cookie sheet w/ non stick spray.
Mix all ingredients (except bread and cheese) in a bowl.
Roast until tender about 30min.
Spoon vegetables over bread slices.  Top w/ cheese.
Cook sandwich for 2-3min grilled cheese style (or broil them open faced in the oven).

the sisters dish

Enchilada sauce

2TB oil
2TB flour
2TB chili powder
1 can tomato sauce
2c water
pinch of salt & big pinch of garlic powder

Heat oil in a sauce pan, add flour and chili powder & stir until it forms a paste.
Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat & simmer 15min.

Pour over your enchiladas and bake until hot.

Chicken Tarragon

I have been trying new recipes lately that are tasty and healthy. This recipe is from the food network website. It's a little bit of work but it's definitely worth it! I served it with brown rice and vegetables. Enjoy and tell me what you think of it!

• 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 small red onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 4 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 3/4 teaspoons hot paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Make shallow cuts in the chicken thighs with a sharp knife. Toss the chicken with the lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl.

Pulse 2 tablespoons yogurt, the vegetable oil, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, coriander, cumin, 11/2 teaspoons paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor to make a paste. Toss the chicken in the mixture and let marinate 15 minutes.

Place the chicken on a foil-lined broiler pan. Broil, turning once, until slightly charred and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 degrees F, 5 to 6 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon paprika, the cilantro and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Top the chicken with the yogurt sauce and serve with rice, if desired.

Per serving: Calories 237; Fat 9 g (Saturated 2 g); Cholesterol 115 mg; Sodium 1,266 mg; Carbohydrate 8 g; Fiber 2 g; Protein 30 g

Chicken and Salsa Tortilla Soup

Makes 4 servings
Start to finish: 25min.

1 3/4 c water
14oz chicken broth
1/2lb skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut in bite size pieces
1-2 tsp chili powder
11oz corn w/ sweet peppers, drained
1c chunky salsa
3c baked/fried tortilla chips
2 oz Monterey Jack cheese w/ jalapeno peppers, shredded
(I added garbanzo beans because I had some in the fridge that needed to be used.  I think any kind of cooked bean could be added.)


In large saucepan combine water, broth, chicken, and chili powder.
Bring to boil, reduce heat.
Cover and simmer 8 min. and until the chicken is cooked.
Add corn.  Simmer uncovered 5min more.
Stir in salsa, heat through.

Serve w/ chips and cheese on top.  Also, goes great with corn bread.  (Fix up a 15oz package of corn bread miz by stirring in a drained 4oz can of diced green chili  peppers before spreading in the pan.  Sprinkle paprika on it and bake as directed.  Serve with honey butter.)

Hawaiian pani popos

Dinner roll dough (either homemade or bought)

1 can coconut milk

3/4c sugar

Mix coconut milk and sugar.  Pour over rolls and bake in oven as directed.  Absolutely delicious!!! 

toharafood.blogspot.com

http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/exps23698_TH1194743D8A.jpg

Chicken Croissant Sandwich Filling

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (estimate about 2 people= 1 breast)

Parboil chicken  in 2-3 inches of water 15-20min, flipping half way through.  In the water, along with the chicken add:
1 sliced green onion
2tsp garlic salt
1/4 c lemon juice

Drain the water out.  Allow chicken mixture to cool then shred chicken.

Then mix in:
2c grapes cut in half
Mayonaise to taste (start w/ 1/2c then add more if needed.)
1c. chopped celery
1c crushed pineapple, well drained
2-3 tsp lemon juice (or drained pineapple juice)
1-2 tsp garlic salt, to taste

Spread over croissants and voila!  Great for showers, parties, a lite summer dinner, etc.

www.chowmama.com/.../

Bacon Cheddar Muffins

8oz maple smoked backon, chopped & cooked
1 egg
2c Bisquick
3/4c shredded cheddar cheese (3oz)
3/4c milk
2TB butter, melted
1/4tsp chili powder

Heat oven 400'F.
Grease muffin tin or use muffin liners.
In medium bowl, beat egg slightly. 
Stir in remaining ingredients and bacon until just moistened.
Divide batter among cups.
Bake 16-19min or until golden brown.

Blackberry Cream Cheese

Picture from google images

My sweet sis-in-law calls this BLACKBERRY DREAM but its really nothing special...just something I made up on a whim to put out with some fruit and crackers. So easy, so yummy.

8 oz softened Neuftchal cheese (you can use cream cheese too)

2-3 tsp lemon juice

1/2 cup powdered sugar (less or more depending on how you like it to taste)

1/2 cup fresh blackberries (less or more depending on how you like it to taste)

Blend it all together until smooth and "dreamy"

Serve with crackers, on toast, to dip fruit in, whatever.

Enjoy!

s4.hubimg.com

Breakfast Bake

1 can (8oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1 pkg (8oz) Oscar Mayer Smoked Ham, chopped

6 eggs

1/2 c cold milk

1/2 tsp pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 350'F.

Unroll dough in 13x9 inch baking dish; press to cover bottom of dish, firmly pressing holes and seams together to seal.

Sprinkle ham over crust. Beat eggs, milk and pepper with whisk until blended; pour over ham. Top with cheeses

Bake 25 min or until center is set. I usually bake for 30-35 min. uncovered

Baked Chicken Breasts

2-3 whole chicken breasts, halved

2 Tb butter

10 3/4oz cream of chicken soup

1/2c dry sherry

1tsp driend tarragon, rosemary, or both

1tsp worcestershire sauce

1/4tsp garlic powder
4pz can mushrooms, drained

Place chicken breats in slow cooker.
In saucepan, combine remaining ingredients. 
Heat until smooth and hot. 
Pour over chicken.
Cover.  Cook on low 8-10hrs.
(The sauce makes an excellent gravy over mashed potatoes.)

houndstoothgourmet.com

Chicken Curry

4 chicken breat halves
1 small onion, chopped
2 sweet potatoes cubed
2/3 c orange juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 tsp curry powder
2TB cornstarch
2TB cold water

rice

Toppings:
sliced green onions
shredded coconut
peanuts
raisins

Place chicken in slow cooker.
Cover with onions and sweet potatoes.
Combine orange juice, garlic, chicken bouillon, salt, pepper, and curry powder.  Pour over vegetables.
Cover.  Cook on low 5-6 hours.
Remove chicken and begetables and keep warm.
Turn slow cooker to high.  Dissolve cornstarch in cold water.
Stir into sauce in slow cooker.
Cover.  Cook on high 15-20min.
Serve chicken and sauce over rice.
Sprinkle with your choice of toppings.

image from photobucket

Flank Steak Marinade-- go ahead, splurge on a nice cut of meat and indulge because this is worth it!

1/2lb flank steak per person
1c brown sugar
1c olive oil
1c soy sauce
2 c pineapple juice
1 t ginger
1 clove garlic minced

Mix all the ingredients together.  Marinade 24 hours.  Cook 5 min on each side.

Oatmeal Banana Bread

image from google images

I have meddled around in Banana Bread recipes for so long and have never found one that is truly my taste buds' romantic interest. But I think I've figured it out. I've put it together from the best of about 6 different recipes I've tried and vwalah, the love affair has begun. Try it out and tell me if your taste buds have any of the same feelings for it.

1 1/2 sticks salted butter

8 oz Neuftchal Cheese

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 whole egg + 1 egg white

3-4 ripened bananas

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups white flour

1 1/2 cups wheat flour

1 cup quick oats

optional:

1 cup pecans/walnuts

and/or

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream together first set of ingredients then slowly add the dry ingredients altogether

If wanted, add nuts and/or chocolate chips last

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Bake in 2 loaf pans for 50-60 minutes

Iced Oatmeal Raisin Bran Cookies

(photo found off google images)

Sometimes I want to get rid of old cereal, so I put it in some sort of dessert. This is what I came up with this time as I tried to used up Raisin Bran....

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg white

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup wheat flour

1/2 cup white flour

1 cup oats

1 1/2 cup raisin bran

1/2 cup raisins

Cream first set of ingredients together

Add second and third set

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes

When cookies are cooled ice them with...

Icing:

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 - 1 cup powdered sugar

Makes about 18 cookies

Enjoy!

Frosted Banana Bars

I'm FINALLY posting on this blog!

These are a favorite around my house. They're so tasty! I made a few changes (in red) for the high altitude here in Utah. The first time I cooked them, they didn't cook all the way through, but my changes seem to have fixed the problem.

Bars:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 t. vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana


Preheat oven to 350 degrees (with utah's high altitude i do 325). Grease 9x13 in. pan.


In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the wet batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana, spread evenly into the prepared pan.


Bake 25-30 min (45 minutes seems to be perfect at the lower heat). or unitl a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.


Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 lb. powdered sugar


In a bowl, combine the butter and cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until completely smooth.

After the bars have cooled, spread the frosting on top and enjoy!

Blueberry Scones

I made these a few days ago and they were DELICIOUS! I am already thinking of the variations I will try next... Ginger and Cranberries, Lemon and Raspberry.... oh the possibilities!

Blueberry Scones

1 cup white flour
1 cup wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tea baking powder
1/2 tea salt
1/2 cup soft butter
1/2 cup + 1 TB Buttermilk
1/2 tea vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup blueberries

1 beaten egg plus cinnamon sugar for topping.

Cut the butter into the dry stuff, until you have a grainy looking mixture, mix it well. Beat the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla together and pour into the dry stuff. Add the blueberries and mix until just combined (do not overmix). Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape into a long rectangle, about 4 inches wide. Using a brush, lightly coat the top with the egg wash, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Using a sharp knife cut into triangles/quadrangles/trapezoids/whatever. (I think I made 8) Spread out on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

Creamy Chunky Potato Soup

image from www.timeinc.net

6 cups cubed potatoes (leave the skin on...its better for you)

2 cups chopped carrots

2 cups chopped celery

1 large yellow onion chopped

1 bunch green onions (chop whites up through light greens)

3 cups water

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1-2 tsp minced garlic

1-2 tsp salt

1-2 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp butter

3 cups cream or milk

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups chopped ham or bacon

2 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese

In a large pot combine the water, bouillon, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, green onions, garlic, salt & pepper, and butter. Bring to a boil.

In another bowl combine flour and cream/milk

Pour flour/milk into boiling pot of veggies. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.

Add ham/bacon and continue to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Soup will thicken nicely.

Add the cheese either into the pot or just on top after serving....

Serve in a lovely breadbowl, too, if you can. :)

P.S. Just as I do with most of my recipes here,

I kind of just made this up

so if you try it leave a comment

and let me know if you love it or hate it. :)

Calling all Lady Chefs!

Ladies,
We are all STILL cooking, I'm sure, but we've forgotten about posting our recipes to share with everyone!

Now, more than ever, we want all of your recipes and ideas! Please jump back on board the PLEASANT AND PLUMP train and show us what you've got! We have had a huge number of "hits" to this site, so its obvious we're being watched!

Lets make it a goal to post a new recipe at least once a month...that should be easy especially since you cook with so many MORE recipes than that a week!

Here's to a new year and new tastes!
Hearty Hugs!

Fancy Lemon Pancakes

My mom has introduced me to a cooking catalogue called "King Arthur Flour" and in it I've bought all kinds of fun things to cook with. When my recent order came in there was this recipe included. Can't wait to try it but had to share it with everyone! Let me know what you think!

3 large eggs separated

2 cups buttermilk

3 Tbsp sugar

1 cup skim ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp grated lemon rind or 1/2 tsp lemon oil

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

Beat together the egg yolks, buttermilk, sugar, and ricotta cheese. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, lemon, nutmeg, and salt, stirring gently.

In a separate bowl, bea tthe egg whites until stiff and then gently fold them into batter.

Drop batter onto skillet and cook on both sides until golden brown.

Serve with honey butter!!!

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

OR HAVE TAMARA TEACH YOU HOW TO MAKE HER SPECIAL HONEY BUTTER!!! :) MAYBE SHE WILL POST HER RECIPE HERE...

Oatmeal Carmelitas

I think some people call these Turtle Bars, but I haven't yet found a recipe that I really really like under that name. But I recentlycame across these "Carmelitas" in a recipe book I have and found them quite scrumptious. Let me know what you think!

Crust:
2 cups flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup softened butter

Filling:
1 x 12.5 oz jar (1 cup) caramel ice cream topping
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.

Combine all the crust ingredients and when the mixture is crumbly, press half of it into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix together the caramel sauce and flour. When crust is done partially cooking, sprinkle the nuts and chocolate chips onto the crust, pour the caramel mixture over it, and then sprinkle the remaining crust mixture on top. Bake for another 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for an hour, then cut into bars.

Asain Lettuce Wraps

Found this recipe online and we love it!

1 lb. ground turkey

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp minced garlic

2 tsp fresh ginger root

Cook turkey with above ingredients in skillet. Break up turkey (like taco meat)

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup water

3 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tbsp ginger root

1 tsp brown sugar

mix above ingredients for sauce

cooked rice (I cooked my rice with chicken bullion and soy sauce to give it some asian flavor)

shredded carrot

green onions

rd. bell pepper

lettuce leaves

whatever else you would like as toppings

Use lettuce leaves as "shells" - put some meat and rice and top with veggies. Spoon on sauce as desired.

Its super healthy and DELICIOUS - and quick and easy to make!!