Weekly Recipes 10-8

[Deleted]

I made this last week:



*not my picture

Link: www.ayearofslowcooking.com/2008/03/crockpot-apricot-chicken-recipe.html

Substitutions/Review: I used some of our home canned apricot jam, so I don't know if this would be true using a store bought jam. But H and I both felt that the sauce turned out a little too sweet for our taste. It was easy and overall very tasty though, so I think in the future I'd cut down on the amount of jam used, maybe increase the soy sauce and ginger. We served it with rice and some leftover cucumber salad.

QOTW: I tend to make French press coffee at home. I love Kickin' Horse coffee (you can get it at Target).

[ohinvrtedworld]

I made this chocolate cake recipe (click here) for H's birthday party yesterday! It was a huge hit, no leftovers. I decorated it like this Pinterest tutorial (click here):



So easy, so delicious. This might be my fave chocolate cake recipe ever. And I'm not really a fantastic baker.


ETA: not my pic, my frosting was a lot lighter because it was milk chocolate buttercream

[saltandvinegar]

Oct 8, 2016 12:47:20 GMT -5 @bonzo2012 said:

I made this last week:



*not my picture

Link: www.ayearofslowcooking.com/2008/03/crockpot-apricot-chicken-recipe.html

Substitutions/Review: I used some of our home canned apricot jam, so I don't know if this would be true using a store bought jam. But H and I both felt that the sauce turned out a little too sweet for our taste. It was easy and overall very tasty though, so I think in the future I'd cut down on the amount of jam used, maybe increase the soy sauce and ginger. We served it with rice and some leftover cucumber salad.

QOTW: I tend to make French press coffee at home. I love Kickin' Horse coffee (you can get it at Target).

I I think I may try this this week. I just got a ton of peach jam from a friend and I was looking for a recipe to try it with.

[saltandvinegar]

Picture: I didn't take a pic & just made it up on the fly with leftovers last night. 



Link or recipe: I needed to use some things up from the fridge but it ended up turning out pretty good. It was just penne pasta, alfredo sauce (a jar from Aldis because I needed quick & easy), grilled chicken (leftover from the night before), pesto, spinach, & roasted tomatoes. I springled a little parmesian on top. 



Substitutions, additions, personal review, etc: So quick & so easy. It was a good way to use up veggies in the fridge. 



Question of the week:  Coffee with caramel & cream. Hot or cold depends on my mood. I usually go to Dunkin. They do a lot of promotions related to sports teams (in our area at least) & since the Cavs & Indians both had awesome seasons I typically got a free drink at least once a week. They are also within walking distance of work which helps.  

[wannabmama]

I've been waiting to be online to post b/c it is a pain to do links in tapatalk. We are finally feeling really fall-like here, so I am going to make one of H's favorites this week. Clam Chow-dah (said in a thick Boston accent). We make this one in the crockpot and it's easy and yummy. We usually do a salad on the side, since it's not exactly a health food meal. But man is it good!

southernfood.about.com/od/crockpotsoup/r/bl16c8.htm

ETA: QOTW: I mix it up a lot. I love iced coffee with cream only, but I have been trying to limit iced drinks and caffeine and dairy per my acupuncturist's advice. I have to have one coffee, though, so I make it at home with cream most mornings. If I get something out as a treat, I get mint tea from starbucks (or chai if I am feeling crazy) or almond milk macchiato...there is a dunks on every block so I drink a lot of that, too...usually just coffee with cream or hot tea with one sugar and milk.

[Deleted]

saltandvinegar, I think peach jam would be really good in that recipe! I might actually try that next week, since I'll need some good dump and go crock pot meals.

[charliefox]

I made a big batch of this yesterday. Love this soup, delicious, filling and even my 1 year old loves it.

www.skinnytaste.com/broccoli-cheese-and-potato-soup/



I also just made these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars. Yum!

ingoodtaste.kitchen/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-squares/



ETA: GTKY: I've become a local coffee convert after being a Starbucks girl for so many years. I'm boring and almost always get a mocha although I love a really good cappuccino. If I do happen to get Starbucks I'll get a vanilla latte or a mocha with one pump of toffee nut.

[wannabmama]

charliefox I think I am going to make that soup this weekend!!

I made a favorite go-to last night, jalapeno mac 'n cheese. I found a recipe awhile back, but I modify it a bit, so here it is, my way...it's definitely a rich, occasional treat thing. But as far as comfort food goes, it's pretty great.

1 box of rotini or elbow pasta
2 1/2 c half and half
8oz gruyere cheese (cut into small cubes or shred)
8oz sharp cheddar (shredded, I use white)
1 package cream cheese (I use neufchatel but regular is fine, too)
jar of pickled jalapenos
melted butter (half a stick or so)
bread crumbs
Heat oven to 400.
Cook pasta to al dente. Drain, save 1/2 c or so of pasta water.
Heat half and half and simmer for 10-15 min until reduced to about half
Add cheeses to half and half and cook until melted (cream cheese first, once melted add the others).
Chop 1/2 c or so of pickled jalapenos.
Add jalapenos and about 1/2 c of pickle juice to cheese and mix with pasta in casserole dish (can add cayenne pepper if you like more heat). Add pasta water, a bit at a time...the mix should be runny.
Melt butter and mix with breadcrumbs and top the casserole. I add a few whole jalapeno slices on top, too.
Cook 15-20 minutes, broil for a couple minutes at the end to crisp the breadcrumbs.

Eat!

A good compliment to the above is honey dijon chicken thighs.
I cook chicken thighs (seasoned with salt and pepper) in oil and garlic and then remove the garlic, add a mix of dijon mustard and honey for the last 5-10 mins. I just do the mustard and honey to taste, about 2:1 (honey to dijon).

[charliefox]

wannabmama, MH would die over that mac & cheese. Are pickled jalapenos different from the ones you get in the Hispanic aisle?

[wannabmama]

Oct 12, 2016 19:19:43 GMT -5 charliefox said:

wannabmama, MH would die over that mac & cheese. Are pickled jalapenos different from the ones you get in the Hispanic aisle?

You can use those but they're extra hot...I get the Pastene brand pickled jalapeños bc they're a little milder. The original recipe called for fresh jalapeños cooked in butter first, but that's one step too many for me

[icedtea]

This zucchini with cashew sauce is delicious. I cook the zoodles.

[ohinvrtedworld]

Oct 12, 2016 20:25:34 GMT -5 icedtea said:

This zucchini with cashew sauce is delicious. I cook the zoodles.

Ohhh I want to try this! I've been thinking of trying to cut out some of our dairy and this looks delicious.

[marshian]

Can I still play here? I love sharing recipes!

Picture: Sorry, forgot to take one!

Link or recipe:
Main: BBQ ribs in the oven (plan was to finish them on the grill but it rained). They were still tasty! I followed this recipe but kept in the oven an extra 30 minutes to get up to temp:
www.bonappetit.com/recipe/best-ever-barbecued-ribs

Sides: Fingerling/baby potato salad, maple dill carrots

For the potato salad, followed this recipe (minus the cucumber) but instead of finishing on the grill, drizzled with olive oil and salt and roasted in oven at 450 for about 20 minutes to get crispy. We have been obsessed with this salad all summer. We keep the mayo amount low and it just tastes super fresh.
www.foodandwine.com/recipes/creamy-cucumber-and-grilled-potato-salad

For the carrots, so easy: Put baby carrots in a sauce pan. Just cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cook until water is gone. Then add 1 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, dill and salt to taste and mix (off heat).

Question of the week: What's your favorite caffeine? Starbucks, Dunkin, Tim Horton's, wherever you go, what do you like to order?
--> Bad habit, but regular Coca-Cola. I've been better about not drinking it and doing more tea instead.

[marshian]

Oct 13, 2016 9:56:25 GMT -5 ohinvrtedworld said:

Oct 12, 2016 20:25:34 GMT -5 icedtea said:

This zucchini with cashew sauce is delicious. I cook the zoodles.

Ohhh I want to try this! I've been thinking of trying to cut out some of our dairy and this looks delicious.

+1 to that looking delicious!

[marshian]

Oct 12, 2016 15:12:35 GMT -5 charliefox said:

I made a big batch of this yesterday. Love this soup, delicious, filling and even my 1 year old loves it.

www.skinnytaste.com/broccoli-cheese-and-potato-soup/

*snip*

It was 43 degrees this morning and all I can think about is soup and stew! This might have to go on the menu soon.

[charliefox]

wannabmama , marshian , and anyone else interested in the Broccoli Cheese & Potato soup; I'm never too careful with measuring the ingredients. I usually do 2 celery stalks, 2 carrots, and a medium onion -which is all more than is called for- I feel like it adds a little bit more flavor. Then I guesstimate with the potatoes and broccoli.

Eta: and we eat it with crusty bread - no spoon needed!

[marshian]

Oct 13, 2016 10:19:13 GMT -5 charliefox said:

wannabmama , marshian , and anyone else interested in the Broccoli Cheese & Potato soup; I'm never too careful with measuring the ingredients. I usually do 2 celery stalks, 2 carrots, and a medium onion -which is all more than is called for- I feel like it adds a little bit more flavor. Then I guesstimate with the potatoes and broccoli.

Eta: and we eat it with crusty bread - no spoon needed!

I'm all about adding more vegetables than called for. And bread, yes!