Mango Banana Orange Smoothies

This sounds like a simple enough thing to make, and in truth, it really is.  I got some mangoes and oranges in my bountiful basket, and as usual, I have a load of bananas in the freezer since we never seem to use them all up and we get them every time we get a new basket.  So here we are, with the ingredients of a really tasty smoothie, and in need of breakfast in the morning.  Seems to me we should take advantage of the situation.

Mango Banana Orange Smoothies

3 Ataulfo mangoes (that's what I had on hand, but you can use regular mangoes too, if you like)
2 frozen bananas
3 oranges
1 c milk

Peel and dice mangoes. Peel and quarter oranges.  If you didn't remove the peels from the bananas prior to freezing them (which I completely recommend because it makes things easier all around), peel them and break them in half.

Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.   Makes 4 servings.

*I realize I had some fresh bananas on the counter, but I decided rather than using ice to make the smoothie cold, I would use frozen bananas, so the whole thing would be fruit and milk and therefore get more nutrition out of it.  You can use fresh bananas, but in that case you may choose to use ice as well to chill the smoothie.

Sausage Cheddar and Spinach Quiche

So my husband likes quiche and he was asking for it last month.  We had some spinach that I had gotten in our Bountiful Basket that needed to be used, as well as some red bell peppers.  I had some country sausage in the freezer, so I decided I would see what I could do with the combination.  Here is what I came up with:

Sausage Cheddar and Spinach Quiche

1/2 recipe pie crust, recipe found here
1 lb regular country sausage, or lean country sausage
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 bunch spinach, washed and chopped
1 c sharp cheddar cheese
6 eggs, separated
1 c milk

Roll out pie crust and place in pie dish, and crimp edges.  Set aside.

Brown sausage and crumble into small pieces.  Add bell peppers and cook til tender, and then add your spinach and cook til wilted into the peppers and sausage.  Set aside.

Whip egg whites with hand mixer or in a stand mixer til you get stiff peaks.  Mix egg yolks, milk, and cheese in a small bowl.  Add whipped egg whites, and then your sausage mixture, and combine til well mixed.  Pour this into your prepared pie pan, and bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees.  Serve hot.

Cranberry Applesauce Muffins

So I was looking for a good recipe to make treats for book club tonight, and I realized I also needed to use up the applesauce I made awhile ago.  It was cranberry applesauce, so I figured I would go with a cran apple muffin recipe.  I found a recipe on allrecipes.com and tweaked it to my liking to fit the ingredients I wanted to use and what I had, and here is the recipe I came up with.  The recipe makes 12 muffins, but I decided to double it and get more use out of my applesauce and maybe have something for my husband to eat before running off to work in the morning, too.

Cranberry Applesauce Muffins

1 c cranberry applesauce, recipe here
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 egg
2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c sugar (or half and half splenda/sugar)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c milk
1 c craisins, or other dried cranberries

Blend applesauce, oil, and egg together and set aside.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.  Mix lightly with a fork to incorporate some air.  Add the dry mixture to the wet, and mix til combined.  Add milk, and then mix again til combined, and then fold in the dried cranberries.  Spoon into a greased muffin pan, til each cup is 2/3 full.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Chorizo Pepper Jack Quiche

So today I was really in the mood for quiche or some kind of pie type thing.  I didn't have shrimp to make the Shrimp and Red Onion Pie, so I decided to use what I had in the fridge to create something interesting.  We had onions, garlic, chorizo, and red bell peppers, so that's what went into it.  Because I hadn't made homemade quiche before, I referred to the proportions on the shrimp kind, and kind of guessed as I went along, and it turned out really well. 

3 c all purpose flour
1 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp splenda or sugar
2 tbsp butter
3/4 c shortening
3/4 c water
2 egg yolks

10 oz chorizo
1 medium onion, chopped finely
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

2 c shredded pepper jack cheese
5 eggs, plus 2 egg whites
1 c milk

Create dough by combining dry ingredients, and then cutting in shortening and butter til well combined.  Whisk together egg yolks and water, and then add to shortening and flour mixture.   Knead for about 5 minutes until soft dough forms and stays together.  You might need more water, about a tablespoon.  Roll out dough and place in a greased or sprayed pie dish.  Vent dough by pricking with a fork all over the bottom of the pan.  Bake at 450 degrees for ten minutes.  Remove from oven.  (This recipe makes enough for 2-3 pans worth of dough--you can use it all, or refrigerate the rest)

Meanwhile, while crust is baking, cook chorizo in a skillet, and then add onions and garlic.  Cook til chorizo is completely cooked through, and then add bell pepper.  Continue to cook another minute, then remove from heat.

Whisk eggs and milk together, and add a dash each of salt and cayenne pepper.  In bottom of the pan, place pepper jack cheese, and then layer on top the chorizo mixture.  Pour eggs over top, and use a fork to ooze the eggs into everything.  Reduce oven temp to 375 degrees, and bake Quiche for 35-40 minutes, or until egg is set up in middle of pan.

Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  My husband loved it!

Guest Blogger: Amie

A great friend of mine from high school offered to be a guest blogger this time!  Thanks Amie, you're awesome!

This recipe is from my new cookbook, Rocco's Real Life Recipes - fast flavor for every day. I initially picked it up because of the cute picture of him on the front, I've since come to find out he's 44 and I still don't believe it! When I saw it was only $6.99 I thought what the heck, he's cute, there are some yummy pictures, and what a bargain! I made a variation of his Spaghetti and Shrimp with Spring Vegetables, using Spaghetti squash and loved it!
Carmel mentioned to me this morning that she was looking for a new quiche recipe and I remembered this one! I hope it's as tasty as it looks! Enjoy!

~ Amie


Shrimp and Red Onion Pie

1 unbaked 9-inch piecrust
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 eggs, well beaten
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
8 slices bacon, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound fresh small shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed

1. Preheat oven to 450F.

2. Prick the surface of the piecrust with a fork and back for 5 mintues. Remove from oven and turn the temperature down to 375F.

3. Mix the eggs with the half-and-half. Season with the salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

4. In a large saute pan cook the bacon over medium heat until almost crisp, about 3 minutes. Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Add the onion to bacon fat, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat until tender and slightly caramelized, about 6 to 8 minutes. Turn the heat up to high and add the shrimp to the pan. Cover and steam shrimp about 2 mintues. Toss the bacon back in with the onion and shrimp.

5. Arrange the shrimp mixture evenly in the bottom of the pastry shell. Pour the egg mixture into the shell and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center is set.

6. Allow pie to cool slightly before cutting and serving.

Green Eggs, and Potatoes and (Sausage)

Okay, so I wanted to do something fun for Dr. Suess' birthday and St. Patrick's Day.  But I didn't have any ham, and we did have some pork sausage and some potatoes.  So here is my little variation on Green Eggs and Ham.  It's a bit different and of course you can make ham instead of sausage, I just went by what I had in the fridge at the time.  Enjoy!

Green Eggs and Potatoes

2 eggs per person you are cooking for
1 c chopped fresh spinach
1 tsp basil pesto (I didn't use the homemade version, but you can get the recipe here.)
1/4 c milk or heavy cream
few drops green food coloring
2 previously baked potatoes, diced (or frozen and thawed country hashbrowns)
1 tbsp olive oil

Scramble eggs lightly, add milk, spinach, and pesto, beat well with fork or whisk.  Add green food coloring.  Cook potatoes for about 10 minutes, or until crispy, turning occasionally to get them evenly crispy.  Pour egg mixture over the top and stir to combine with potatoes, cook until eggs are firm and cooked well.  Serve with warm ham or sausage or bacon.

For my Honey

This is one of Jeff's favorite breakfasts, and I don't make it very often because its not the healthiest thing we could eat. Occasionally I make it for him on weekends, and I did this morning as a valentines treat (and I just happened to have the ingredients for it). We both enjoy it, and I am by no means trying to downplay it at all, its just not something people should eat more than a few times a year, haha. A country classic, and definitely tasty--try it out for yourself!

Biscuits and Gravy

2 c all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
7 tbsp cold butter, sliced, plus 3 tbsp
3/4 c cold milk

1 lb pork sausage, any flavor (I used sage)
1-2 tbsp flour
2 c milk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
pinch paprika

Preheat oven to 45o degrees. In 13x9 cake pan, place 3 tbsp butter, and melt while oven preheats. Mix dry ingredients for biscuits together, add butter, and cut in with pastry blender or 2 forks. Add milk, and use fork to combine to make dough. Use hands to knead gently til combined completely (not long, should be only about a minute). Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness, cut with biscuit cutter or round glass. Place biscuits in melted butter in pan, bake for 12 minutes.

While biscuits are baking, brown sausage in non stick skillet. When completely cooked, add flour and stir to coat sausage. Add milk, and stir til thickened; add more milk if too thick. Add spices.

Split biscuits in half, and pour gravy over top, enjoy! Might want to add some fruit or something to make you feel better about eating the smothered biscuits...haha.

German Pancakes

So this is one I never had in my life til I got married. Jeff's family has these for breakfast occasionally and they are really good. Full of protein and really tasty, these are a hit.

German Pancakes

6 tbsp butter
1 c milk
6 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 c flour
1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Put butter in a 9x13 pan and melt. Whisk together eggs, milk, flour, salt and baking powder. Pour into baking pan, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Top with powdered sugar or syrup, or your favorite pancake topping. Jeff likes peanut butter and syrup. I think it's great with a dust of powdered sugar.

Writers Block stinks!

This one is for my brother in law. he asked for doughnuts, and I told him I would work on it. Actually I am making these today. I can't think of anything else to write today, so I am linking you to FoodNetwork.com today. Enjoy! I'll let you know what I think when I am done!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/sweet-potato-doughnuts-with-maple-icing-recipe/index.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/potato-doughnuts-recipe/index.html

Okay, so I made them today and here is the consensus:

1. According to Daniel, they were better than the recipe he tried a little while ago. He liked the spudnuts best.

2. I liked the sweet potato ones better, thought the potato ones needed a glaze or something.

3. You can use half splenda for the sweet potato ones and they turn out just fine. They would probably be good with the icing she has in the recipe, but we just dusted them with powdered sugar and they were GRAND!

4. Definitely doing this again sometime, but I need to find a way to make the spud-nuts sweeter next time, they kinda tasted like fry bread to me, rather than donuts. Maybe I will try making maple icing for the spud-nuts next time, instead of the sweet potato ones. Or maybe for both...haha

5. Daniel says, and I agree with him, that it works best if you have a deep fryer because of the fact that it has a built in timer, and consistent heat method rather than on the stove where you kind of have to play with it. If you use the stove, be careful, and use a thermometer and a timer.

All in all it was a success, and I am glad for the fun and tasty learning experience.

"Breakfast" Cake (as my dad calls it)

Haha, had to start that with a joke, which I now realize is only funny to me. The real title of this recipe is Danish Coffee Cake, but my dad always says, "We don't drink coffee, so we call it 'breakfast' cake," whenever we eat and make this. My grandma makes this Christmas morning to go with our John Wayne Casserole (recipe located here), when we don't have those delicious Spiced Nut Waffles (go here for recipe). Easy to make, but I think Grandma makes it the night before--tastes good warm or room temperature.

Danish Coffee Cake

2 1/2 c flour
3/4 c sugar
1 c brown sugar (or half splenda and half brown sugar)
3/4 c vegetable oil
1 tsp salt

Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl, add oil gradually and blend well. Take out 3/4 c and reserve for topping. To the remaining batter, add:

1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp nutmeg
1 c buttermilk

Beat well and pour into large (9x13in) flat pan. To the reserved topping add
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c chopped nuts of your choice

sprinkle topping over cake. Bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes, then cut and serve.

Who needs Pillsbury?

These cinnamon rolls will beat a store bought refrigerated version for sure. I got this recipe from a previous coworker, when she said she could make them for a party, but didnt really feel like making them. I offered to make them instead, and they are fantastic! I also include my grandma's recipe for cream cheese frosting because I love the flavor of cream cheese rather than normal frosting or glaze. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls

2 c warm water
2 tbsp yeast
2 eggs
1/3 c sugar
2 tsp salt
2/3 c vegetable oil
7 c all purpose flour

Proof yeast in water (see pizza dough recipe for instructions) for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients with a fork. With a mixer, using dough hook if you have one, mix sugar, eggs, and oil, and then yeast mixture. Add dry ingredients in parts, and mix until combined. Set in greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 45 minutes to an hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out to 8x10" rectangle, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and white sugar. Roll into log, and slice into 1/2 inch slices, then place on greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

6 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz of cream cheese, softened.
12 oz powdered sugar (sorry, I don't have the volume measurement)

Blend all ingredients together til combined. If too thick, you can add a tsp of milk. Spread over the top of cinnamon rolls, carrot cake, or whatever else.

Who doesnt love Waffles?

This is another recipe from my great grandma Clara. We eat them for Christmas breakfast sometimes, but generally its whenever I feel like spending more time on waffles instead of using Bisquick. Let's be honest, people, we dont always feel like doing EVERYTHING from scratch. But THESE waffles are worth doing from scratch some of the time. They taste great and they're easy.

Spice Nut Waffles

2 c all purpose flour
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, separated
1 3/4 c milk
4 tbsp melted butter (half a stick)
1/3 c chopped pecans (or your choice)

whip egg whites stiff, set aside. Mix dry ingredients together, add milk, melted butter, and egg yolks. Fold in egg whites and nuts, then bake in hot waffle iron according to directions for machine.

John Wayne Casserole--Christmas Breakfast

This has been a tradition in my family as long as I can remember. Another contribution from Great Grandma Clara. Full of protein and lots of flavor, it's a hit among my whole family--even my little brother likes it! Easy, and definitely something you'll love. Might be a once a year item though because it has a lot of cheese and eggs in it. We're not sure where the name came from, but we LOVE it!!

John Wayne Casserole

2- 4 oz cans diced mild green chilies
1 lb monterey jack cheese, grated
1 lb cheddar cheese, grated
4 eggs, separated
2/3 c milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 medium tomatoes, sliced

Beat egg whites stiff, set aside, combine cheeses and chilies, put in greased 9x13 casserole pan. Combine egg yolks, beaten egg whites, milk, salt and pepper, and pour over cheese mixture. Use a fork to ooze the eggs into the cheese, and spread egg evenly. Bake at 325 for 30 mins. Top with sliced tomatoes, then bake again for another 30 mins. Let sit for a few (about 5-7) mins, if served immediately its a bit messy. Cooling helps it hold its shape.