This and that

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Foodie Friends Friday ~ January 25/13

Another week, another party and I am sure it will be a great one. 
We always have so much fun here at

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

I have forgotten to tell you that I now have a board with the recipes that have caught my attention
on Pinterest..go here to see if your recipe is on my board.  Each week I will be adding to the board.
But remember you must link back to Foodie Friends Friday or one of the hosts to get a place on this board.

This week we have some more great giveaways...

Growing Up Gabel  ~ knitted dishcloths
Shared Joy ~ button earrings and headband

Homemade White Chai Concentrate


I am a big tea drinker... love tea and Chai tea especially...
I have at least once cup a day if not more often. 
I have thought many times to make my own and today was the day..
Maybe because it is -40F degrees out and we have 10 feet of snow outside...
Ok maybe not -40 but at least -7F and we probably only have about 3 feet but it felt like 10 feet when I was shoveling today.
So a cup of Chai just hit the spot.
I decided that I would make my Chai with white tea instead of black.
I found a few recipes that sounded good to make a recipe. 
These are the recipes that I read ~ Tasty Yummies, Tasty Kitchen and Healthful Pursuits
and this is what I came up with...


Homemade White Chai Concentrate

4 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp peppercorn
3/4 of fresh nutmeg
7 cardamom
1/4 tsp anise
1 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 in fresh ginger
1 tsp orange peel 
1/2 tsp lemon peel
1 vanilla pod
8 white tea bags
1 tbsp honey
Cheesecloth and twine

Place cheesecloth on table and add peppercorn, nutmeg, cardamom, anise, ginger, nutmeg orange peel, lemon peel and vanilla pod (cut in thirds).  Bring up edges of cheesecloth and tie around spices.  Set aside.
In pot place water and brown sugar, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.  Add tea bags, spice mixture, star anise and cinnamon sticks.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Cool and place in jar.  Makes approximately 1 quart.  Can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

Spices

add teabag, cinnamon sticks and star anise
To make Chai Latte, add chai concentrate to milk of your choice.  Most instructions say to use 1 part chai concentrate to 3 parts milk but I like to do it half and half.  I also like to use French Vanilla Creamer in my Chai... So I used evaporated milk and French Vanilla Creamer.  I did run out of Creamer so used French Vanilla Syrup instead of the creamer and it tasted just as good.  You can always heat the milk if you want, it makes the tea warmer.  Chai can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Chai Latte and Chai concentrate

Enjoy!

Marlys

Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Turkey and avocado Panini

Do you know that I have to look up the spelling of panini every time I mention them? It is one word that I have a hard time with.  Also did you know that in Italy a  Panini or Panino is a sandwich that is made with bread other then sliced bread.  They use bread like chiabatta,rosetta or baguette.  They are filled with deli meat and cheese or other foods and often are served warm after being put in a warming press.
 Here in United States and  Canada we have adopted the word for any type of sandwich that is pressed or toasted.  ( Panini)  So sayng that is a grilled cheese sandwich that a I make in my panini press a grilled cheese panini sandwich?  Not sure and I am even not sure if this sandwich  that I am writing about is really a panini but that is what I am going to call it... I did use french bread, although I sliced the bread and probably should have just cut it horizontally and then maybe it would have been a real panini.. Well, maybe not! You decide.
I do know that whether or not this is really a panini it is good...


Turkey and Avocado Panini 

2 slices French Bread cut thick
left over turkey
onions
1/4 avocado
1/2 ounce Monterey Pepper Jack cheese
1 ounce Tillamook Chedder cheese
2 tsp Henri Bacon and Tomato dressing
butter or olive oil
Cut French bread thick, spread dressing on both inside slices.  Add turkey, onions, avocado, and cheeses to sandwich.  Spread butter or olive oil to outside of sandwich and place in press. My panini press tells me when it is done, but you would cook them until the bread is a crusty brown colour.
 You can also make this in a pan and press your sandwich down with your spatula.  A George Foreman grill would also work great.

Ready to cook

My panini press is a Bella Cucina.


Enjoy!

Marlys


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party - January 18/13

Last week we had a wonderful party with a great turn out of recipes.
Thank you everyone for linking up.
This week, I know that we are going to have another great party and
I want to introduce you to our sponsor giveaway...
I just meet her last week and she graciously offered to sponsored our giveaway
Stacy from Origami Owl and you can follower here...
Head over to one of her sites and see the great designs that they have to offer.
Her giveaway includes:
1 person will win one chain with locket and 3 charms
2 people will win 2 loved based charms
USA shipped only


Make sure you fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win

Rafflecopter code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now for this week's Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

This week, the recipes will be rotated so they may fall anywhere in the group.

Hosts: 

Please stop by and check out all the hosts blogs...
Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com
Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.com
Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com
R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com
Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 
Joanne at Winelady Cooks: http://www.wineladycooks.blogspot.com
Marlene at Nosh My Way: http://www.noshmyway.com
Jutta at Hungry Little Girl: http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/
Erika at Chef Picky Kid: http://www.chefpickykid.com/

Rules:

Please take a minute to read the rules, we ask that everyone follows them.  Please also link back your recipe to foodie friends friday or the host blog that you link up with.  If you are linking up on my blog, I would love if you would let me know so that I can personally  thank you. 








Last week's Party winners: 

Sponsor Winners

Voted Top 3

Most Clicks

Host Favorite
Foodie Friends Friday
This week's host favorite goes to Cozycakes Cottages for her 
I love the story Madeline and this apple cake sounds delicious.  I was hoping to make it today,
but I have to go to work... So, hopefully I will be able to make it tomorrow so I can leave you my picture of 
Danielle's creation.
madelines paris cake
Picture credit:  Cozycakes cottage
Starting next Monday you will be able to find all the Foodie Friend Friday's host favorite over at the Daily Dish.  So head over there on Monday and find out if your recipe was picked.

Daily Dish with Foodie Friends Friday




Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, January 14, 2013

Breakfast Granola Scones.


 I love scones... they are something that can be eaten at anytime.  You can have them at breakfast, morning or afternoon coffee or tea, evening snack or you can grab one for that on-the-go pick me up.  The same goes for granola, so when I came across this recipe from Michael Ann of The Big Green Bowl for her granola scones, I just knew that I had to make some.
I had some granola samples from Gypsy Girl Granola that I had won before Christmas from Hun What's for Dinner 12 days of giveaway that I knew would just be perfect for these scones and they were.
 So, yesterday morning I was up bright and early that seems to happen quite frequently for me and I decided that this would be a great morning to make these.  Hubby can grab one on his way out the door as we head out for church.  He didn't but he did have one with his smoothie this morning and the only thing he said was that they needed more fruit.. So next time I make them, I will be adding double the amount of dried fruit.


Breakfast Granola Scones

 Breakfast Granola Scones

 adapted from The Big Green Bowl: Granola Scone 
1 2/3 cup flour
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/4 cup tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/3 cup unsalted butter -chilled
1/4 cup local honey
1/3 cup milk ( I used egg nog)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla 
1 cup granola ( I used Coco Cabana from Gypsy Girl Granola )
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit (I used Welch's dried fruit and will be adding more next time I make these)

Preheat oven to 375 degree F.  Lightly butter a baking sheet, I used a baking mat so didn't butter.
 Mix flours, baking powder, nutmeg cloves and salt in a bowl. Add chilled butter that is grated as you add.  Stir frequently.  In separate bowl add honey, milk and eggs and mix.  Add to flour mixture.  Add granola and dried fruit and mix well using your hands or a spoon.
Pat mixture into an 8 inch, using a pizza cutter or knife cut into 8 wedges.  Bake at 375 F for 20-25 minutes.

So yummy and thanks Michael Ann for your wonderful recipe.  This is going to be a frequent breakfast food in our household.

Pat into an 8 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges before baking.

Enjoy


Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party January 11/13

It is that time again.... time for another party!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!

Last week's party was great, there were some wonderful recipes.
 So are you ready for another great party.... were we have
 Great Recipes, Great Friends and Great Giveaways.
This weeks sponsor is Elizabeth Mindermann of Broken Treasures
She will be giving away 2 Stamp Sets.



Remember to fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Now onto the Party!

Hosts:
Please stop by and give each host some foodie love.
Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com
Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com
Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.com
Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com
R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com
Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings: : http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com 
Joanne at Winelady Cooks: http://www.wineladycooks.blogspot.com
Marlene at Nosh My Way: http://www.noshmyway.com
Jutta at Hungry Little Girl: http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/
Erika at Chef Picky Kid: http://www.chefpickykid.com/

Rules:

I will be featuring one recipe each week for my host favorite.
Please remember to put a link back to either Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you link up with.
I will not use a recipe that doesn't have a link back.
If you do link up with my blog, would you please leave me a
message so I can personally thank you.
I do try to get to every link each week.







Last Week's Party




This week's Voted Top 3 and Most Clicks goes to one of our hosts
Jutta from Hungry Little Girl for her
White Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecake
Bomboloni
Toffifay Squares

Host Favorite

Foodie Friends Friday
Please grab our button
This week's host favorite goes to Nosh My Way for her Hot Toddy Mocktail
I made this and it was so delicious... I did add some nutmeg also to mine.

Hot Toddy Mocktail... YUM!


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Individual Tourtière Pie

                              You would think that being Canadian I would have tried Tourtière
but no not never. But then I am not French Canadian.
I have to tell you a little secret.... I didn't even know really what it was.
I had to look it up and after I did I thought that it was something that I would enjoy.
Here in Upper Michigan we have something similar called pasties but without all the spices.
I went to allrecipes.com for the basis of my recipe.
I wrote down a few combinations of spices from a few of the recipes and as I was making them I decided what I wanted in my Tourtière.
Although the real Tourtière, I don't think anyways, doesn't have potatoes or carrots, I had some that were cooked and that I needed to use up.   I also used leftover ground chuck roast and ground pork tenderloin tips.
So these are a combination of the pasties and Tourtière.


Tourtière made as individual pie.  

Individual Tourtière Pie

1 lb ground chuck roast (approx 2 cups)
1 lb ground  pork tenderloin tips (approx 2 cups)
1 1/2 cup diced carrots (cooked)
1 cup diced potatoes (cooked)
3/4 cup onions diced
1 cup mushrooms diced
1 1/2 cup water mixed with 2 maggi beef cubes
2 tsp garlic
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp clove
1/4 tsp sage
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
pie crust - enough for one double crust pie (either homemade or bought) ~ I cheated and used bought this time
2 tsp whipping cream


Place all ingredients except pie crust and whipping cream in large pan.  Cook on medium heat until sauce thickens about 1 hour.
During this time you can prepare your pie crust, as if you make your own, it need time to chill before rolling out.  Here is a recipe for homemade pie crust.
Once the mixture is thickened, I set mine aside while I rolled out my pie crust.  Roll out pie crust and cut them into 6 inch diameter circles.  I place 6 circles into my large muffin tins and the left overs I made individual pies.
I rolled out my pie crust really thin, as I don't like lots of crust.  Place the crust in the muffin tins and fill with meat mixture.  I topped the meat mixture with a small piece of pie crust cut in the shape of a flower.  For the individual ones I cut my 6 inch diameter circles, place maybe a 1/4 cup of meat. to one side and flipped the other side over  top.  I used a fork to seal the edges.  Brush tops with whip cream.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes until crust is brown.  If edges gets brown to fast, cover edges with tinfoil.

* the individual meat pies that I made in the muffin tins were very hard to come out, I am thinking that it was because the crust was too thin.  If you use a thicker crust it would be perfect.
* my husband loved the individual ones that were little pies as he could eat them anywhere
* I used one store bought pie crust that has 2 crust in the package to make 6 muffin pies and 3 small pies.  I would reroll the leftovers.
* you could make this into one big pie, but as there is only 2 of us, I thought that I could freeze the left overs... The individual mini pies would be easier to freeze.


pie crust in large muffin tins, filled with meat mixture


tops brushed with whip cream
and
ready to go into the oven

Tourtière made in muffin tin... Enjoy


  
Enhanced by Zemanta