Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Peach Crisp





There is nothing any finer than a fresh fruit cobbler or crisp in the summer and fall.

I had a few peaches and nectarines for I mixed them up for this yummy Peach crisp.

Enjoy the fresh fruits that we are so lucky to have in the summer and fall months.  Here in the north we rely on the southern states for our winter and spring.

2 cup peaches or nectarines. Remove skin
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter cut in pieces
pinch salt
1/2 dried oats

Mix all dry in ingredients in a bowl for the exception of the oats.  Use a pastry blender or processor to crumble all ingredients. After it is a good texture add oats and mix. 

In a 8x8 baking dish lay all peaches/nectarines. Top
 with dry mixture and press or sprinkle to top all peaches.

Bake in preheated oven 350 degrees approximately 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Note: Double recipe or triple if you have enough peaches. I only had a few so this recipe is enough for two nice size portions.  Of course I topped with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yummy!










From my kitchen to yours,



Friday, August 4, 2017

Broccoli Aglio E Olio

 Pasta with healthy broccoli was one of the Friday staples when I was growing up.  Raised Roman Catholic during our Lenten season we abstained from eating any meat on Friday's so Mom would make the below dish along with others on Friday's.  You can make it any day of the week but on Friday's it was either pasta with broccoli, homemade Italian mac and cheese with stewed tomatoes, tuna fish in pasta sauce, grilled cheese.  It our home there were many meatless dishes that I will share along the way.  Have a great day!

Family Favorites from my kitchen to yours,







Pasta with Garlic and Oil:(Aglio E Olio)

Italian for 'garlic and oil,' pertaining to pasta dressed with garlic and heated olive oil.

 You can make this recipe with cauliflower too! I have also used different shapes pasta too..Shells are excellent as well. or better yet try any type pasta you may have in your pantry!  Enjoy!  A nice veggie meal!  



When there are days I just don't know what to make for some reason pasta always tops the list..Everything seems  to go with pasta..Pasta and red sauce, pasta and roasted vegetables, Alfredo pasta, seafood and pasta, buttered pasta the list can go on and on.. So today I am making a favorite of ours,  Broccoli and pasta with olio. .I have eaten this before lots of times and I have brought it with me as a side for picnics and get together. Family and friends agree Broccoli is a nice add in to pasta and olio( Olive oil and garlic) you can't help but love. Enjoy!!!  Happy Cooking!!

Note:  You can make this dish minus the broccoli.  Saute garlic, oil slowly with parsley in olive oil..Cook pasta, drain and mix together.  Garnish with Italian cheese of choice!









1 large head broccoli or broccoli crowns ( cut in pieces)
3 garlic cloves minced
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
2 T butter optional
salt and pepper to taste
grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Cook cleaned broccoli in lightly salted water. Drain.

In the pot that your cooked your broccoli place 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil and butter. Once butter is melted and oil is warm, Place drained broccoli in pot add minced garlic and simmer..Take pot off stove add and some salt and black pepper if necessary to taste.

Cook 1/2 to 3/4 lb. pasta of choice according to directions.  Before draining, reserve 1/2 pasta liquid..Add pasta, grated Pecorino Romano cheese and reserved pasta water..Stir..add a little more cheese and serve..  Bon Appetite! Note:  I have eaten it right from the refrigerator..so cold is good for me too!


Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,







7/5/12
8/30/12 
8/29/13 
11/7/14
6/8/16

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

No fuss no muss just good home cooking to enjoy.

When we went to the beach this summer this is one of the meals we made.  It was very easy and everyone enjoyed it. A few of our grandchildren are food fussy but this meal was eaten by everyone with great enjoyment.




When I made this meal I used 2 +lb. farfalle pasta and doubled the cream and reserved water.


1 bunch broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces

1 boned, skinned chicken breast half (14 oz.), cubed 

8 ounces Farfalle

3/4 to 1 cup heavy whipping cream

About 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan or romano cheese

  Salt and pepper
Note: I doubled the above recipe for the cream sauce because we like lots of sauce as to not have the pasta become dry.
 


1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook broccoli.

***There are two methods for cooking chicken.  Either cook chicken in water until it is no longer pink or saute chicken in several tablespoons olive oil and a little butter and set aside.  You decide.

Cook broccoli until tender and bright green, 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander, leaving water in pot.  Either Add chicken to pot; cook until opaque, 2 to 4 minutes or lightly saute chicken in olive oil and a little butter until slightly browned.  Cut chicken in bite size pieces as well as broccoli.

2. If using boil top method for chicken use the same pot and  boil pasta until just tender to the bite, about 10 minutes. **Reserve 1/2 to 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta.

3. In the same pot simmer cream, reserved 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 cup parmesan over medium heat, stirring often. Add broccoli, chicken, and pasta, stirring to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with additional  salad on the side.





We sauteed the chicken in olive oil and butter

Mixed salad




From my kitchen to yours,





7/10/14

12/1/14

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Honey Mandarin chicken salad


Hi everyone:

Going to a summer BBQ?  This might be a good choice to take along with you.

I call it Mandarin Chicken Salad

Just in case you don't want to add chicken this salad is super tasty with a lettuce mix.

Toasted Almonds really add to the flavor.

Enjoy!

Salad dressing 

 1/2 cup orange juice, 
1  1/2 tsp. Honey, 
1/4 cup olive oil, 
1/4 cup chopped chives or green onion.
 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 
Pinch salt and pepper.

1/3 cup toasted almonds.

I shake all but the almonds in a container with a lid until all are incorporated. Add chicken and almonds after tossing romaine with dressing .


Ingredients 

8 oz cubed chicken cooked 
1 large romaine shredded
1/4 cup toasted almonds
1 jar mandarin oranges drained








From my kitchen to yours



Monday, July 31, 2017

Easy Homemade Peach Ice Cream

Summer's here and yep I want ice cream.  I am not a person who loves ice cream but on some days I do crave some.  Tonight I was browsing around the internet and I came across this 3 ingredient recipe for homemade ice cream.  It said chocolate or vanilla but being an adventurous person lol  I opted to make peach. It did help that I had 3 large ripe peaches!





Here is my recipe:

2 cups heavy whipping cream 
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk(not canned coffee cream)
3 large peaches(skin removed and diced)
1 T real vanilla extract

 

Place whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in electric mixer. (you can use hand held mixer as well)


 Beat until stiff peaks form.  Add diced peaches and stir with wooden spoon to combine. Line a bread pan with either wax paper or cling wrap. Pour into pan and freeze at least 4 to 6 hours.  I let mine freeze overnight.





I used a bread pan which I thought would be easier to scoop out ice cream or any deep container will work.  

Summer fun!

Note:  I think you could use any diced or sliced fruit with this recipe.  The original recipe called for 1/4 cup condensed milk and 3/4 cup chocolate syrup for the Chocolate Ice cream recipe.