This and that

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party August 17/12

It is that time of the week again for our Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party.... YEAH!  Last week we had so much fun and we had 144 links.  Let's try for a record this week...  I am sure we can do it.  Again this week we have a wonderful giveaway for the Top 3 Voted

Only Available for US Residents
Farm girls glitz and glam has graciously donated lavender scented body scrub for the Top 3 Voted Recipes... Isn't that great.  The only draw back is that it is only available for US residents... But if you are not a US resident and my recipe wins then I will be donating my prize to my host favorites... Although you will have to wait for a week before you know that you won.  So, go ahead and submit your best recipe and see if I pick you.

Congratulations to last weeks Top 3 Voted winners.... they each won a e-cookbook.

Molasses Cookies from Spatulas on Parade

                  
Stay at Home Mom -had 3 winning recipes Salted Caramel Cake, Corn Dogs and Cheddar Bacon Fries


   
1. roasted parmesan zucchini bites



  
 
2. Kitkat Cake
                           



3. Homemade twix bar








Now for the host favorite:  Drum roll, please
Foodie Friends Friday
please go to FFF
to get your button to place on your blog
Once again this week there were many great recipes and I had a hard time to pick my favorite... but this recipe I kept going back to... for one thing it is a crock pot recipe and I love using my crock pot and I am always trying to figure out some what to use a little beef in my recipes.  My husband is not a meat, potato, veggie kind of guy.  He is used to eating rice with a sauce and this came with it all.... So, my favorite is...
Beef and Broccoli by My Biscuits are Burning.  I am in the process of making this recipe as I type out this post... so before night's end I will post my picture to this one and also my posting for the changes I made to this recipe.  By, the way it smells wonderful and I can't wait until I taste it.  Thanks My Biscuits are Burning for submitting this recipe. To find my recipe click on the link under the picture.
my recipe for crockpot beef and broccoli


Now onto the most important part of this post the Linky Party but first the members... as each of your links will be linked to each of the members post... so great exposure for your recipes.. Right! 

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar  http://alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com/  
Sarah at Everything in the Kitchen Sink http://everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/
Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com
Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com
Keira at Luscious Delights www.lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au
Ericka at http://www.chefpickykid.com
And the rules:  Giveaway is a Lavender body scrub to the top 3 voted, sponsored by Farm Girls Glitz and Glam.  Available only to US Residents.




  

Foodie Friends Friday Collection

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 


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Crock pot beef and broccoli

This week as just flown by and it seems like I have gotten nothing done.. Which is true, but after my last week I deserve to have a little break. It is starting to feel like fall up here in the U.P. The temperatures are starting to drop and mornings are chilly and the leaves are turning colours...
Last week on our Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party, I found this recipe for beef and broccoli from My Biscuits Are Burning that I thought would be wonderful and planned on making it all week.  Well here it is Thursday, the night of the start up of our Linky Party and I am frantically trying to get it made so that I can feature it.  But today seems perfect for a crock pot meal... the wind is a little chilly and it is overcast and looks like rain.  Crock pot meals make me think of autumn for some reason, although I do use mine all year round. And as you know, I very seldom make a recipe like it says.. So here are my changes.....



                                                    Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli
1 -1.5 pounds beef
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp red onions
1 tbsp banana pepper
1 tsp anise
1 pkg Swanson flavor boost concentrate - beef flavour (mix with 1 cup water)
1/4 cup maggi liquid seasoning
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp corn starch
2 tbsp of liquid from crock pot after beef is cooked
broccoli florets (as much as you want)
red onions (as much as you want)

Cut beef into small strips and place in crock pot.  put cloves, onions, banana pepper and anise and grind into a paste ( or you could grind in a food processor.  Add Swanson flavor boost concentrate with water, liquid maggi seasoning, soy sauce, brown sugar and oil. Stir and pour over beef strips.
The original recipe said to cook on low for 6-7 hours.  I didn't give myself enough time so I cooked on high for an hour and then turned down to low for 5 hours.
In a cup stir corn starch and liquid from crock pot until smooth.  Add to crock pot and stir well.
Add broccoli florets and onions.  Stir to combine.  Cook for another 1/2 hour on high.  Serve with rice or you can also serve with noodles.
beef strips
onions, ginger, garlic, anise
grind into a paste

Ingredients
                                              
add liquids and brown sugar
waiting to be eaten!
And the verdict of this meal........ It's a keeper.  My husband as he sat down to the table said, this looks like it is something that is good.  And it tasted good, maybe a little bit to salty with both the soy sauce and maggi liquid seasoning.  Next time I think I will reduce the amount.
                               til next time <3 <3 <3  Marlys



Links: Food on Friday -Slow cooker dishes, Simple Supper Tuesday













Freedom Fridays


Everyday Mom's Meals
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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Foodie Friends Friday ~ Linky Party 8/10/12

This week has just flown by. I had company at the beginning of the week and then the last couple of days I spent working in the kitchen at our church camp. We served between 60 -70 people for each meal. It is so much fun, cooking, cleaning and the fellowship with the others that are working there... each time I go I meet new friends and come home with great memories and usually a burn or two.. but no injuries this time. YEAH! I do plan on writing a post on my experiences there.. So stay tuned.
But on to great and better things.. Our Linky Party @ Foodie Friends Friday and once again we have a prize for the Top 3 Voted!  This week Tami from Around the Table with Tami, has been gracious enough to donate 3 e-cookbooks for this party.  I received mine today and it looks Awesome and I can't wait until I can make something from it.  Thank you Tami for doing this and if you haven't been to her blog, go and check her out and let her know I sent you.

Foodie Friends Friday
Last week had a great turn out and I want to congratulate the winners:
Mainelybakes
My Biscuits Are Burning
Dawn's Divine Delights
I hope you all return with great recipes again this week....  Now for the host's favorite... I have to apologize the I didn't get my own made this week but I do have the ingredients so will try to do it and post it this weekend... Drum Roll please...

Dawn's Divine Delights ~~~With her Dove Fudge.. I love dove candies and I love fudge so these seem to go hand in hand.  I even went out and bought the dove candies so that I could make these.

Dove Fudge-- They looks so yummy
picture courtesy of Dawn's Divine Delight.
Dawn,  please grab Host Favorite Button to put on your blog.  Your recipes always looks so yummy!

Now for this weeks fun... I know all of you will be submitting some great recipes again this week and can't wait until I can start to go through them.  And, Remember to come back and vote for your favorite recipes on Sunday ~ you get 3 votes. 

Host for this week are:
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar  http://alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com/  
Sarah at Everything in the Kitchen Sink http://everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com
Michelle at From Calculus to Cupcakes  http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.blogspot.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/
Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com
Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com
Keira at Luscious Delights www.lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au



 









Step 1:  Make sure that anything you link up is:

  • A recipe that is made and photographed by you
  • Not part of a sponsorship/sales/giveaway or other promotions/linky parties
  • Linked to a specific page of your recipe, not your homepage
  • Please limit your link-ups to 3 per party

Step 2:

* for example:  This recipe is featured on "Host Blog Link" and  http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com  Linky Party)

If you want to be the very best Foodie Friend Ever...

Step 3: Come back on Sunday and vote for your favorite recipes by clicking on the star under the recipe.  You only get 3 Votes so use them wisely!

***Please note that by linking up your recipe you are agreeing to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications to use photos/links/recipes for any reprint, republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you.  If photos/recipes are used, proper credit and link backs will be included.

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Bison Burger

This week is going to a busy one for me... I get off work in a couple of hours... It is slow right now, so able to be on the computer.  But once I sleep for a couple hours, I need to get up and get ready as we are getting company.  I love having company as it is a good excuse to cook and after our linky party this weekend I have about 120 recipes that I can pick from to make... It is so much fun taking a recipe and making it my own.
 Then for the rest of the week I will be going to our church camp to work in the kitchen.  I love going there and working in the kitchen... Baking and cooking and visiting. I love the visiting and meeting new people and sharing stories. I can't wait to go again.  I will be there for three days, so this may be my only blog this week.

I made these burgers a couple of days ago and loved them.  My husband thought they tasted and smelt to much like smokes as I did have a rip-roaring flame going on as I was BBQing  them.  But I thought they were delicious.  I have only made buffalo or bison burgers a couple of times because the meat is very expensive.  I pay $9.99 for 1 lb but as there is only 2 of us.. I can make 4 1/4 lb burgers and that is good for 2 meals for us, so I guess it really isn't that bad ~ $2.50 per burger ~~ so maybe I will make them more often :).

Bison Burger ~ didn't want to eat it with a bun
so just had my tomato and spinach on top!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground bison meat
1 tsp sage
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp minced onions
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/3 cups oats
1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste.
2 tbsp oil

Combine all ingredients except oil.  Divide mixture into 4 and make patties.  Prior to putting on grill, brush oil on either side of burgers.  Put on hot grill and cook for 5 -6 minutes each side.

on the grill.. I did place tin foil on the grill as I had a rip roaring flame
and didn't want them to burn

close up picture of the burger without a bun.

the next day I decided to have a bun and added tillamook cheese

Delicious!
If you haven't had bison meat it should be something that you think about... It is a healthier alternative to beef  as it contains fewer calories and fat.  I also think it has much more flavour over beef.  So the next time you think burgers.... Think bison.
                                    Til next time <3 <3 <3 Marlys



Links:

Freedom Fridays  

Thursday's Treasure, Manic Mondays #24, Party Thyme



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Thursday, August 2, 2012

California Club Pizza


I love reading recipes and have found that facebook is a wonderful way of finding great recipes.  I feel a recipe is to be only used as a guideline to help you make a masterpiece of your own.  There are very few recipes that I make that are word for word what the recipe says.... I like to make them my own.  Saying that I also think it is important to give thanks to the people that post their recipes... and that if you make it different it is alright to repost it, as long as credit is given where credit is due.  So here is my credits... the original recipe can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/pampered-chef-consultant-carols-corner/california-club-pizza/407504209282075 . if you want to make it just like the original recipe. it looked great that way too and it won't hurt my feelings and if you want to use my suggestions great.... or make it into your own creations.  Cooking, baking and food preparation is an art and like art, no two dishes can be the same!





                                                       California Club Pizza   

Ingredients:
cornmeal
1 tsp oil
1 pkg (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza crust
2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend (I used a little less)
2 plum tomatoes
1/4 medium red onion (chopped)
1 medium avocado ( I used 1 and 1/2)
1 lemon
1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
greek seasoning
romano cheese (shredded)
6 slices bacon, thinly sliced, cooked and drained (in original recipe - was going to use but forgot)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Lightly brush oil onto large pizza stone or large bar pan.  Sprinkle small amount of cornmeal on pan.  Roll out pizza dough - gently stretching and pressing dough to fit your pan.  Sprinkle small amount of cornmeal onto pizza dough.   Top crust with chicken and shredded cheese.  Place in oven and bake for about 15-18 minutes until crust is golden brown.  Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.

baked with chicken and cheese

Meanwhile, slice tomatoes lengthwise, remove seeds and dice (I sliced mine thinly).  Slice or chop onions. Slice avocado in half, remove pit and dice.  Place tomatoes, onions and avocado and chopped fresh basil in bowl. Juice 1 lemon to equal 2 tbsp juice and stir gently into veggies.
Place veggie mixture on pizza. Sprinkle greek seasoning to taste and add shredded Romano Cheese.  Place back in oven until cheese is melted, approximately 3 minutes.  

veggies, greek season and romano cheese added
ready to go bake in the oven

       And ENJOY!


Enjoy


Hand over a plate, here is your piece.

*Notes..... I did have a slice the next day.... the aroma of the basil and the veggies was wonderful.  My co-workers wished that I had brought them a piece.  Sorry, it was all for me and I didn't share.  Although the crust was a little soggy as I heated it up in the microwave, it tasted wonderfully.  As I was eating it, I thought mushrooms... I should have added mushroom.  Next time. 

* Note I had posted this on facebook awhile back but decided to post these recipes here too.
                                 Til next time  <3 <3 <3  Marlys

 Links:
Foodie Friends Friday, Tasty Thursdays, katherine martinelli, pizza hop

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Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #6

Six weeks ago, I joined this group and we are going strong.  The recipes are awesome and I spend the whole weekend getting nothing done but going through all the recipes... Yes, I go and read each and every recipe that is linked, although I only post a comment on usually only one recipe per blogger.  This week, I again made one recipe that I found from last weeks recipe... I made cookies fromChocolate, Chocolate and More.  These cookies were ones that I grew up eating and brought back lots of memories for me of my mother and her good cooking ~~ miss her and her cooking.  Here is the link to my baking....Mom's Good Cookies.
Mom's good cookies and she would
have loved the flowers too. 
But back to last weeks party... There were so many good recipes and I had a hard time voting for my favorites as I would have picked them all but we could only pick three and this is how the picking went.
Congratulations to all!


#1 Eggs in Chili Clouds from Kitchen Tested
#2 Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cake from Hun What's for Dinner
#3 Chicken Casserole from Cooking From a Stay at Home Mom

#1 Sticky Caramel Toffee Cheesecake from That Skinny Chic Can Bake
#2 Snickers Popcorn from Walking on Sunshine
#3 Eggs in Chili Clouds from Kitchen Tested
Congratulations to all! ~ these recipes all look delicious.

This week on our Linky Party we have something very special, Tracy from Busy Vegetarian Mom was able to get us a giveaway from Gyspy Girl Granola.  So if you are one of the Top 3 Voters you will get a bag of Granola, isn't that super.  It looks amazingly good and if I don't win it... I will have to buy some for myself to eat.  This giveaway will only be available for US and Canadian residents. 


Awards available only to US and Canadian Residents
Members:
Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com
Angie at A lil Country Sugar  http://alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com/  
Sarah at Everything in the Kitchen Sink http://everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com
Michelle at From Calculus to Cupcakes  http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.blogspot.com
Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/
Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com
Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com
Keira at Luscious Delights www.lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au
Tami at Food Forays http://www.foodforays.com
Remember one link to my blog will link your recipe to all of these great blogs.  




Foodie Friends Friday Recipe Collection

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 


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Mom's Good Cookies

Last week on Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party, I came across a cookie recipe that my mom always made.. She just called them good cookies and that they were.  When she made them, she would use the basic recipe and then add different ingredients to them..  So when I saw this recipe for Kitchen Sink Cookies, from Chocolate, Chocolate and More  and I knew right away which recipe I would make.  The smell throughout the house as I was making them was amazing and with the first bite.... memories of my childhood, coming home from school and these cookies waiting for us on the rack.  But, also some sadness as my mom passed away over 25 years ago... but then again good memories of her wonderful cooking.  So I thank you Joan for taking me down memory lane.  Please go over to her blog, Chocolate, Chocolate and More, she has some wonderful recipes that I am sure you will enjoy.
So, as for most of the recipes that I make.... I use them only as a guide.... So, here is what I did.

Mom's Good Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened ~~ I used Imperial margarine as that is what we had growing up.
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil ~~ I used coconut oil 
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup rice krispies 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla, beat again.  Add oil and beat again.  In separate bowl mix flour, baking soda and salt, add slowly to egg and sugar mixture. Add in oats, coconut, pecan and butterscotch chips and mix well.  Lastly add rice krispies and mix just to combine. 
Using a cookie scoop, place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet and slightly flatten the top... I used the bottom of the cookie scoop for this.  Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 12 minutes.  Let sit on cookie sheet for approx 10 minutes before removing as these are fragile cookies.  (I did bake mine for about 15 minutes and the last couple of cookie sheets for about 18 minutes as my husband likes crunchy cookies.)

* optional - you could also add chocolate or white chips, raisins, other types of nuts,  dried fruits, toffee bits, small candy bits.





ready to go into the oven
Good memories


Enjoy!
These are wonderful, delicious, melt in your mouth cookies... I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.
                     Til next time <3 <3 <3  Marlys






Links:
The Mandatory Mooch

A LIttle Nosh
Mommy's Sweet Confessions Lemon Sugar
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