Jam On It

{Blueberries picked for me by a boy in my class}

Every once in a while a gift just truly touches your heart. It makes you remember why things matter and why they are important. It makes you revamp your outlook and refresh your perspective. The right gift can make you feel like anything is possible. Even homemade jam.

I ordered this book ahead of time and was super excited to see it come in the mail. My routine with any cook book is to open it immediately, and begin pinching the pages of all the recipes I plan on trying on my free weekends. I love getting up early to get the ingredients, turn up a little classic music, and make something new and delicious. I'm that girl.

2 1/4 pound berries (your choice)

1 lemon peeled and juiced

2 1/2 cups sugar

Place berries in a bowl with the sugar, 2 tbsp lemon juice and the peel 

stir and refrigerate overnight

The next day remove the peel and place the berries in a large pot and cook over low heat for about an hour. It took mine a bit longer to get the right consistency but it turned out perfect.

Just place a drop on a cold plate and if it holds there you're good to go!!

My entire family loves it and it's all natural <3

The Lake Effect

{Burgers with skillet brussel sprouts and watermelon feta salad}

I have such fond memories of being very small and seeing my father and his siblings grilling out at the lake in the summer. I just remember everyone laughing and cracking jokes while all of us kids were swimming. We would spend the entire day in our suits and fall asleep in the shade with our tummies filled with good food. I think that's why when the choice was mine I purchased a charcoal grill for myself. Even though later in life my father moved on to a much larger gas grill, I still love watching the charcoal flame turn the briquettes grey. It just instantly takes me back in time. This July 4th I celebrated with my family, and I wanted to have some of that same feeling but with an updated menu that was healthy and left a little room for dessert.

2 lbs of lean ground meat and 1/4 cup worcheshire sauce

mix well and shape into patties

( I was worried mine would fall apart because I remembered that making my dad super angry but they were fine)

Cut up 1/2 a watermelon and a package of grape tomatoes

Squeeze on it the juice of one lime

Add feta cheese (amount is up to you)

salt and pepper to taste

drizzle with some virgin olive oil (1/4 cup)

mix well and chill until served

I baked mine in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees

I used a package of frozen brussel sprouts

sea salt and pepper to taste

cook until a little brown 

The relish is about 1/4 of the package of grape tomatoes diced

a 1/2 cup of mayo

a 1/4 cup of mustard

Single Girl Salad

Being single isn't so awful. I was with someone for a very long time so finally being able to do the things I choose when and how I want has been pretty refreshing these past few years. There is no sharing, there is no consultation, there is no need for compromise when you run your life solo. The hard part I found was eating well on my own. The weekends or weeks in the summer that were mine I tended to eat a lot of fast food or leftovers covered in melted cheese. It became too time consuming and costly for me on a single mom's budget to eat well. Then the invites by friends for dinners out added to the mix. Who wants to be out with friends and not have a cocktail? Over time those things start to add up and if you're not making healthy choices most of the time you're going to see and feel the difference. These days I have fun trying new recipes so the ingredients are better. I try and balance exercise with plenty of sleep and lots of water. This little meal I put together in a snap and it took me just as long as a ride through the drive through.

Prepared rotiserrie chicken from your local grocery store

a tomato (I ate one per salad)

pre-packaged artisan lettuce

balsamic oil and vinegar

Cost a total of  $12.

Not too shabby and I ate this twice in one weekend. 

For now it's just me but easy enough to make for two.

Pound for Pound

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have a serious sweet tooth. Not only am I in love with chocolate in all of its glorious forms, but also fruits and baked goods alike. Take this pound cake I made for Memorial Day Weekend. Not only was it moist and sweet, but who doesn't love a big bundt?? What better way to enjoy your cake and eat it too than in its circular form?? You can melt a little chocolate and drizzle it on top, adding some sprinkles and you've got yourself a full sized doughnut my friends. Worth it's weight and yours. 

The recipe I used came straight out of a cookbook that I have had since I graduated college. Betty Crocker knows her stuff.

1 cup butter (unsalted sticks)

4 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

I doubled the recipe because "go big or go home".

We sliced each piece, added some of the berries and an individual scoop of whipped cream. I make mine myself but you can just buy the can. It's more fun let's be honest.

All In One

Grilling out in the summer months can be a fun way to entertain friends, but I have to say that one dish dinners are my fave. Nothing is easier than being able to hit all those necessary meal components without having to bust at the seems with all the kitchen accoutrements. I am discovering that a skillet can do it all, from desserts to biscuits and steak, as well as this pasta dish I found. They last forever and if you want to throw it on an open flame for a full pan of smores it can more than take the heat.

Take four breasts of chicken and add some salt and pepper. Use some olive oil and cook through. 

 Set aside.

Take 1/2 cup of the water you used to boil your pasta and add that, small tomatoes, and chopped artichokes (I thawed a bag of frozen pieces} cook on medium until the little tomatoes start to split.

Add fresh spinach leaves (I used half a bag) to the above mixture and then add back in the chicken as well as 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I tried to cheat and used the can. Don't do that, In this case fresh is better.

It was the perfect light yet filling meal for a summer dinner. Keeping you inside and out of the heat, but making sure you still feel like you're on vacation. 

Original recipe in the April issue of Southern Living.

Toasted

Beef brisket is something I typically eat out where someone else has prepared it for me. The last time I had some it was in sandwich form and drenched in delicious BBQ. I was anxious to experiment with a different way of preparing and eating it that was quick and easy and no need for a drive anywhere just a tiny jaunt to the kitchen to combine the ingredients. Needless to say the result was pretty fantastic.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

stir together 1/2 cup salsa and 1 tbsp chopped cilantro

Place 8 pitas on a cookie sheet(s)

Spread the salsa mixture on each

Chop two sweet bell peppers and one medium onion 

divide between them evenly

Warm 1 lb smoked beef brisket 

Add to the pitas you've prepared

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. 

You can add things like avocado or tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese but if I am being honest with you this and a beer is all you need. 

The Sweetest Things

Sometimes just the simplest things are simply just perfect. A little bit of sunshine, your favorite treat on a particularly rough day, a hug from someone who knows you need one, a funny text from friend who always knows how to make you laugh is enough. I am that kind of girl. Give me the little things and I am so much more than satisfied. This quick and easy desert took a little less than 20 minutes to put together, but was a great compliment to a heavier meal of pasta and meatballs (a favorite of mine as well). With the summer months right around the corner, who wants to have to fire up the oven when you can dip and deliver.

We melted dark chocolate chips in a bowl, in the microwave, for less than two minutes or until the chips began to breakdown from the heat. We then stirred vigorously until it was ready for the orange wedges. Peeled and seeded (if necessary) we dipped only 1/2 of each.

We sprinkled each with some sea salt and placed in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. 

In hindsight I would have placed a bit if waxed paper on the plate for easier transfer because they did tend to stick a bit. 

What a fun and easy way to get a bit if citrus in!!

Coffee Me Crazy

Tom's are not my shoe of choice. I have never claimed to be a hipster or even tried to take on any of those characteristically easy going, nature loving, organic consuming, free loving qualities. What I am in support of is their commitment to helping others. Even if it is in some small way I want to give a little back to someone less fortunate. It helps to keep me grounded and remind me of how good I really have it. It truly is a difficulty these days to keep yourself from being taken by all the things people around you have that you don't. It can be a relationship, a job opportunity, financial gain, friendship connections and so forth. It takes a ton of self respect to accept what you have and be proud of it, even when there are those who look down on you as if you have nothing. So every chance I get, I give a little. Here Tom's Coffee gives you that chance. For 11.99 a month you receive coffee beans from countries around the world and you, in turn, will help them have clean water. Hard to imagine not having that isn't it? So the next time you pour a cup of java let it be ONE FOR ONE.

The Little Market latte mug you see above and other items found on this site are made by women artisans from around the world. Help those women do better and have better. 

Steak Connected

Childhood memories associated with food seem to permeate my mind every time I begin a new recipe. I'll have flash backs to arguments with my parents about what I didn't want to eat, and fondly remember those meals that triumphed my appetite. I didn't begin to enjoy steak until my 20's and then only in certain forms...a stir fry being one of those. As I matured I liked more expansive types of vegetables and spices which only made meal time that much more exciting. I owe that to my step mom, who was always one for trying new things, and switching it up every now and then. She could make leftovers seem like a gourmet meal. Unlike my father, who loved everything swimming in tomato paste. I see that side of her in me sometimes when I get all stoked on a new recipe. Must be genetic.

Combine in a zip top gallon bag

4 tbsp sugar

6 tbsp soy sauce

3 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp dried red pepper

8 tsp minced garlic

Add the steak (10 oz) to this mixture and let stand 15 minutes. 

Take out the steak and set aside the marinade for the end.

Pour into a wok or large frying pan over medium heat until browned.

Add peppers (2) and green beans (1 lb) to the pan and fry for 3 minutes.

Whisk the 2 tsp cornstarch into the left over marinade and add to the mixture until it thickens.

My family is pretty particular on what they like so this recipe was a bit too spicy for them. The recipe calls for rice but they prefer pasta and that was a good substitute.

Days later I enjoyed what was left over just on its own,

Pi Perfect

Well Pi Day has come and gone and I had full intention to make this recipe that day in celebration but failed miserably. Life gets in the way sometimes, or shall I say that sometimes recipes look too complicated so we wait?? I just found the idea of making my own crust again so daunting. If it's off even a little it gets gooey...then you add more flour and it's too dry and crumbly, then you add more water... and so on. Roll it out and it wants to fold back up. That is a lot like me on a Monday morning BC (before coffee). But I went for it and it was perfection. Give it to Ikea to come out with a cookbook full of delicious, gorgeous and flavorful recipes that are so easy it is almost insulting. If it wasn't for the fact that the specific cheese needed is only sold in specialty stores, and is rare and hard to some by even then, I would say that this is a perfect pie. Which is, in fact, mathematically impossible. See you in a century.

The crust is as simple as it gets. Mix together 1 1/4 cups flour, 3 tsp water, and 2/3 cup butter.

Mix well on medium speed.

Once you spread it in the pan prick with a fork.

The filing is just as easy. Use 1 1/4 c heavy cream, 3 eggs, 5 1/2 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese. 

Vasterbotten is the cheese I needed but could not find.

Pre-bake crust at 440 degrees for 10 minutes.

Add the cheese mixture then bake at 390 degrees for 30 minutes.

The crust is so good I want to try it with a fruit filling. I think had I found the cheese the taste would have been more unique, but the web page that describes it states that using the cheddar is a good alternative. 

Ham It Up

It doesn't always take a lot of effort to up the level of your simplest meals. Just your average ham and cheese sandwich can be improved by adding a cheese with a more distinctive flavor. Gruyere has a very sweet and creamy texture that melts easily. Paired with a smoked ham, it is the perfect way to glam up a very basic, but tried and true lunch tradition.

Purchase at least 5 oz of Gruyere cheese from your local deli. Set 1/3 aside.

Butter all four sides of the bread slices. Place two slices of ham on the bottom piece. Add some cheese, salt and pepper. 

Top off with the other slice of buttered bread. Place in your oven at 350 degrees and let the bottom slice brown but not burn. Take it out and flip over. Add some cheese on the top and place back in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Take it out and serve with a side of fresh fruit or salad of mixed greens. 

Salade au che'ore

Goat cheese is my favorite. I love it on pizza and crackers and in anything. This recipe was so simple and effortless for me that I think anyone can pull it together in next to no time. When you're a busy person like I am those extra minutes count. This is also a great date night idea if you decide to get together last minute and have to run to the store with little to no time to pick up the essentials.

Choose your favorite mixture of greens. I used an organic mix that was prepackaged. Toss this lightly with a vinaigrette of your choice. Set aside.

You can find these special cheeses in the deli area of your local store. This is a soft goat cheese which I think works best for this recipe.

These smaller bread slices come pre-sliced and also located in the deli area. There are different kinds so just choose the one you like best. Place on a baking sheet one inch apart and bake at 350 just until the bottoms are brown and then turn over each one and spread on some cheese. Place back in the oven and let the cheese get all bubbly. Perfection. Great summer or spring recipe. 

Cup Of Whoa

Pretty much most of the women I know are sort of obsessed with the kind of treat that comes in the perfect combination of salty and sweet. The chocolate covered pretzel or the peanut M n M are two favorites that immediately come to mind. Can anyone resist a warm mug full of hot chocolate on a cold winter day? Our winter is lasting forever it seems. So in the spirit of living in the moment, and actually having the best of both worlds, I bring you the most decadent and delicious beverage there is full of all that is what I am and makes winter seem not that bad after all.

1 1/2 c sugar

3/4 c water

6 tbsp light corn syrup 

place in a large saucepan over medium/high heat

cook and stir until a soft amber color

add 1 c heavy cream

1 tsp salt

reduce heat to medium and stir until smooth

remove and set aside

melt 4 tbsp butter in a sauce pan 

add 1/2 c cocoa powder

and 3 tbsp packed brown sugar

whisk together until paste forms

add 4 c milk slowly whisking constantly

add caramel mixture

bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low

add 1/2 bag of choc chips

stir until completely melted

remove from heat and add 2 tsp vanilla extract

sprinkle with sea salt and serve