#FoodieFriendsFriday ~ Anything goes Party

Hope everyone has had a great week and ready for a long weekend.

This weekend and holiday is mine to work, so you will all know what I am doing.

Do you have any plans for this holiday weekend?

Here at Foodie Friends Friday we are going to have a 

Anything Goes Party

Link up anything you would like, recipes, crafts, DIY...

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Please Follow Our Co-Hosts on Pinterest:

Foodie Friends Friday

Busy Vegetarian Mom

This & That

My Mixing Spoon

Spatulas on Parade

Nosh My Way

Walking on Sunshine

Wine Lady Cooks

BinomialBaker

From Calculus to Cupcakes

Cindy's Recipes and Writings

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Last Week's Party

Each week the hosts of Foodie Friends Friday pick their favorites.  These will then be featured on the Daily Dish Magazine, on Monday after the party.  We ask that you have a link back to either Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you link up with to be featured.  Next week it could be you featured.

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Host Favorite

This week my host favorite goes to Nicole of Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom for her Country Barbecue Potatoes .  I make a similar potato but have never thought of adding honey to my potatoes.  That sounds awesome and the next time I make my potatoes I am going to add some to mine.  I do make these potatoes outside on the barbecue and also in the oven.  

photo credit: Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Pasta with Italian Sausage, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Veggies

I was lucky enough to win Carrie's Experimental Kitchen Cookbook from Carrie's Experimental Kitchen and I love it.  I have been following Carrie on Facebook for a long time, so know that her recipes are wonderful.  This cookbook has recipes with ingredients that most people would have in their kitchen.  I had some sun-dried tomatoes that I bought a while back and even though I love them in recipes, I hadn't ever cooked with them myself.  I found this recipe for Rotini with Sweet Italian Sausage, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Vegetables and know that I wanted to make it.  Although I had the sun-dried tomatoes, I didn't have everything that it called for so I had to do some improvising and this is what I came up with.

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Pasta with Italian Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Vegetables

adapted from Rotini with Sweet Italian Sausage, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Vegetables

2 cup shell pasta (or any type)

2 links Italian Sausage- I used Johnsonville

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small zucchini sliced

1/2 cup sundried tomatoes

1/2 cup mini peppers sliced

1/2 cup onions diced

1 clove diced

1 tsp rosemary

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1/4 cup water with chicken flavoured maggi cube dissolved in water

Tillamook smoked black pepper white cheddar cheese - about 1/4 cup or so

Cook pasta, drain and set aside.  

Cook sausage with small amount of oil over medium high heat.  Cool and slice in 1/4 inch slices, set aside.

In pan heat oil on medium heat, add tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, onions, garlic and rosemary.  Saute until vegetables start to soften.  Add sausage.  

Add white wine vinegar and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Add cooked pasta and cheese and chicken broth.  Mix until well combined.

Enjoy!

Hubby isn't really keen on pasta dishes so it wasn't a favorite of his but I loved it and it was even better the next day. This would be great with whatever vegetables you would have on hand.  I can't wait to make other recipes from this cookbook.

May's #SurpriseRecipeSwap ~ Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken

Do you find that the months go by faster and faster or is it just me.  I have been told that the older you get the faster the years go by and they weren't kidding.  It feels like I was just writing last month's SRS and here it is again time to write another post.  

I am always so good at going to the blog that I have been assigned to as soon as I get the name.  I scour through all the recipes, reading, writing them down so that I have an idea of what I am going to make.  I can usually narrow it down to about five recipes that I am wanting to make and then I put things away... And the days past by quickly.... and here it is the time to start writing and I have to first make my recipe.  Procrastinator that is what I am and I don't really think I will change.

This month I was lucky enough to get Jaime from Mom's Test Kitchen.  I loved going through her blog, and finding new recipes.  I had never been over to Jaime's blog so everything was new.  I loved how she had it set up and I also loved how she indexed her recipes.. It was so easy to find them. To find all her great recipes, head over HERE.

The recipe I picked to make was Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken.  I, unlike Jaime was able to enjoy my preparation and also enjoy tasting the final product. There was no one else home but me to enjoy the final product as hubby is down state working.  I am sure he will enjoy this meal so I will be making it again.  My plans were to make this meal with spaghetti squash and I even made it but as it was cooking.. another thought came to mind.  Bruschetta needs to be eaten with bread.... RIGHT?  So, I decided to eat mine with chiabatta bread.  I had just bought some rolls when I was shopping and that made this perfect.

Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken on Ciabatta Bun

1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp garlic
2 chicken breast
4 roma tomatoes seeded and diced
1/3 cup onion ( I used red onion)
1/2  tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp basil (I used fresh)
1/2 tsp parsley (I used fresh)
grated Tillamook smoked black pepper white cheddar cheese
2 ciabatta buns
garlic butter (I just mixed some garlic powder and butter together)

Mix first 3 ingredients together (balsamic vinegar, olive oil and garlic) for marinade.  Put chicken breast in Ziploc bag and pour marinate over.  Marinate for as long as possible.  Mine were left to marinate for about 6 hours.  Bake in 375 degree oven until juices no longer are pink or until  chicken reaches 165 degrees.
Bruschetta -In separate bowl, mix tomatoes, onions, balsamic vinegar, oil and spices.
When chicken is done, I then place it in a pan with a small amount of oil and browned both sides, I then cut the chicken in half as they were thick pieces.
Top chicken with bruschetta and add grated cheese.  Place under broiler until cheese is melted.
While chicken is under the broiler, toast ciabatta buns.  Spread garlic butter over and add a couple of slices of cheese on the bun and melt under broiler.
Place balsamic bruschetta chicken on bun and enjoy.

This recipe was delicious.  The flavours were magnificent.  I did have a small amount of bruschetta left over but I will be eating that with my spaghetti squash that I made to eat with this meal.

If you would like to join this group, click on the button below and fill out the form.  Each month you will get a new blog to check out and you have to the 20th to decide and make your recipe.  It is a lot of fun and you meet new bloggers and gain new friends.  Check it out, Jutta from Hungry Little Girl does a wonderful job in arranging and making sure everything works.    

Links: Thursday's Treasure, Freedom Fridays, Create it Thursday, Random Recipe Roundup

Passion Tea

Last summer as I was shopping I found this Tazo Passion Tea

I believe that it is the same as they use in Starbucks.

It is perfect for those warm summer days.

Passion Tea

1 Passion Tea Bag

1 qt hot water (1 litre)

1 qt cold water ( 1 litre)

ice cubes

lemon slices

fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries) ~ optional

Place 1 teabag in container that is safe for hot water.  Pour 1 qt of hot water over tea bag.  Let steep for 5 minutes.  Add cold water.  Cut up lemon into slices and add.  Chill. Optional add fresh strawberries and blueberries.  Serve over ice.

Enjoy!

*** I do reuse the teabag a second time.  The second batch isn't as strong but still is good.  I usually try to add fresh fruit to the second batch. 

Links: Swap N Share

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#FoodieFriendsFriday Linky Party ~ A BBQ

When you cook outside do you BBQ or do you Grill?

I was very surprised when I was invited for BBQ and got pulled meat on a bun...

To me a BBQ is cooking out ~ veggies, meats, fruit.. what ever you can make.

This week we are having 

on Foodie Friends Friday we are having a

BBQ Party

Link up your favorite dishes... 

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

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Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:

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Last Week's Winners

Each week, all the hosts pick their favorite recipe from the party.  These recipes are then featured over at the Daily Dish Magazine ~ Recipes That Caught Our Attention.  To be featured you must link back to your recipe to either Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you link up with.  Next week your recipe may just be here.

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Host Favorite

This week my host favorite goes Cozy Country Living for her Chocolate Chip Oreo Cheesecake Squares.  Who could not pick this recipe as it has everyone's favorites or at least mine ~ chocolate, oreo cookies and cheesecake... But then again all it had to have was cheesecake and I would be happy.

photo credit:  Cozy Country Living

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Grandma's cookbooks

I love cookbooks and recipes and I think I got my love for them from my Grandmother.

Grandma Johnson gave me cookbooks for my birthday and for Christmas for many years.

Each book that she gave me, she would sign it with her name and the year she gave it.

These cookbooks are a great memory.

Grandma's Cookbooks

My grandmother loved to bake and always had a freezer full.  Most of that time those bakings from the freezer would end up at our house.  I remember my dad telling grandma that she should bring her baking over as soon as she made it instead of freezing it and then bringing it over after it has been in the freezer for a few months.  But she always had to freeze them first.  

She always made me an Angel Food Cake for my birthday.  She knew that it was one of my favorites and for years she would make it from scratch. As she got older she would start making it from a box.  I always knew that I would get an Angel Food Cake and a cookbook for my birthday.  

Now I can read those cookbooks and remember her.  When Grandma started downsizing she asked all her grandchildren what they wanted from her.  My request was her cookbooks and I got them.  She also made sure that everyone knew they were all mine and I got more after she passed away.  Her books had some notes written in the margins and her recipe cards always said who the recipes came from.  I can tell which recipes were her favorite by how worn the cards or pages were or how stained they are.

   

As I was going through her recipe box, I came across one recipe that was named Mimmie Buns.  This recipe is my mom's and you can see by the card that there isn't a lot of directions.  It is to the point.  Just the way my mom cooked.

I love having these recipe cards and when I bake or cook from them, I feel that I have Grandma cooking beside me.  Telling me what to do.  

Do you have any cookbooks or recipes from your loved ones? 

Links: Show Me Saturday

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Tried and True Recipe Party

I have decided to try something new.  I am one of the cohost of Tried and True Recipe Party started by Jackie from Rediscovering Lost Arts From our Mothers.  Thank you Jackie for letting me be party of your party.  Please head over and check out Jackie's page, she has many great posts.

This week has flown by!  Welcome to those of you that were new to the Tried and True Recipe Party and thanks to those of you that keep coming back!



This week we have 2 co-hosts!  Please welcome and visit these great blogs!

       Lynn from Turnips 2 Tangerines

       Marlys from This and That

The party is growing and I look forward to expanding the party.  I LOVE looking at all of the recipes posted each week.  Here are a few of my favorites this week:

Summertime Strawberry Pie from A Delightful Glow

Homemade Spinach Tortellini from Kreative Creationz

Smores-Brownie Ice Cream from Sugar Dish Me

Great job ladies!  Don't forget to grab a button!  If you are interested in being a co-host, drop me an email at rediscovermom@yahoo.com.

Remember the rules:



1. Link up a family recipe or craft

2. Please follow my blog - I'll follow you back

3. Please link to this post in your blogs-there is a button on my sidebar to make it easy

4. No spam, contests or giveaways please

5. Please note that by linking up your posts and projects you are giving
me permission to use your photos in the featured posts and possibly on
my social media outlets. All photos will be linked back to your sites
and your posts

6. Visit at least two of the links and comment on the page so the blogger knows you visited

At the end of the week, I, along with each co-host, will pick out a few of my favorites! Spread
the word - there are so many great blogs out there. Let's learn from
each other!

This week, you will be able to vote for your favorite recipe!  Voting begins May 15th, 2013. 

Remembering Mom

Today is Mother's Day, a day to do wonderful things for our Mom.

Mother's Day has been a bitter sweet day for me for many years.

My mom passed away in 1985 at a young age of 42.

Remembering Mom

When I think of my mom I think of the kind and loving person she was.  She always had a smile on her face and kind words to say about everyone and everything.  She had friends of every ages, from the very young to the very old.  We always had a houseful and the coffee pot was always ready for that person that would pop in for a quick visit.  Mom would stop what she was doing and share a laugh or two with her friend, or give advice or just be there if the person needed that.

My mom was a mother of 9 children and she loved each of us.  Her children were the center of her world and she worked very hard to give us everything that we wanted.  My best memories of her was every summer she would load up the vehicle and us and take us to a beach for a week or two.  I know that it wasn't easy for her to do this or even financially something that was easy, but she wanted us to have a vacation.  I think of it now and wondered how she even managed it.  If we were close to home, dad would come for the weekends but otherwise it was just mom and us kids.

Another great memory was her baking.  There was always something fresh from the oven ready for us when we arrived home from school.  Fresh warm bread, smothered with butter and peanut butter, and we could eat to our fill.  At lunch when we would come home, everything was on the table for us, ready to sit down to eat.  Often friends that lived on the farm would come home with us instead of staying at school and to this day, they still comment on how Mom would invite them to the table and dish up a plate of food for them.  Another memory I have of Mom's baking is one Easter she forgot to buy candies to put in our Easter basket.  That Saturday night she started to make sweet bread after the younger kids went to bed.  These bread were in the shape of rabbits and she made our baskets so wonderfully with coloured coconut for grass that the bunnies laid on.  This was my favorite Easter as it came from her heart.  She passed on her love of cooking and baking to me.

Mom was not only my my mother but also my friend and I lost both a friend and a Mother when she died.  I know that she is still with me, not only can I see it when I look in a mirror (as I think I do look like her) but I can see her in my actions.  I am thankful for the years that I had her at my side, teaching me, guiding me and loving me.  I only hope that I can be half the person that she was during her short life.

I love you Mom and miss you!

Wishing all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts or even those that are someone's mother figure 

A  Very Happy Mother's Day!