LEMON BARS

No, this is not my recipe. It's from the box. Everybody can make it. I'm glad that it came out exactly like the picture on the box. The taste is not what I was expecting. I think it's a little bit to... to... to... sweet. My mom will faint just from one little tiny bite with her diabetes...

ROASTED CHICKEN, MASHED POTATO AND CARROT SALAD

Quick fix early dinner! Not much time for cooking? Here you have a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket, homemade mashed potato and carrot salad. I like homemade mashed potato better then instant one, but some times instant mashed potato really saves me a lot of time when I'm in a hurry. The carrot salad is made few days ago and stored in sterile jars. Taste better after few days because the onion taste more like a pickle and the carrot is crisp. For my carrot salad recipe see labels under veg.salad. I'm planing to make pickled carrot,onion and celery salad. It's easy to make, taste great and is ready to eat in few days. I always make a large quantities and is very practical when a dish calls for a pickle. I'm also planing to pickle cabbage. Can't wait!

APPLE, BANANA AND ALMOND TART

Looks good, taste EXCELLENT and very easy to make!
INGREDIENTS:

4 peeled and diced apples,
2 peeled and diced bananas,
1 cup sliced almonds,
1/2 cup sugar,
1 teaspoon cinnamon,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
1 tablespoon corn starch,
1 round 9 inch pie crust,

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven at 400 F.
Place pie crust in ungreased 9 inch tart pan. Press firmly against sides ans bottom. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl combine, apples, bananas, 1/2 cup almonds, sugar, vanilla, corn starch and cinnamon. Fill tart with fruit mixture; top with the remaining 1/2 cup almonds and sprinkle 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.



Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until nice and golden brown.
TIP : For a nice attractive look, brush with a mixture of 1 tablespoon jam and 1 tablespoon water. It gives a beautiful shine!

Let it cool before cutting and serving, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top while is still hot!
Either way it's a scrumptious dessert that no one wants to miss!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

RASPBERRY LIME TEA

I don't know about you, but my tea must be sweet, otherwise I won't drink it. I was in a mood for a not to cold not to hot tea. It's kind a windy outside right now and this is what I really wanted. I had to add some "sweetener" to make it a little bit more special, because, yes, I am a special person according to my husband! But enough with this subject. Let's get to our business.
Here is what I've used for my special tea:
INGREDIENTS:

2 raspberry tea bags,
3 cups boiling water,
6 tablespoons raspberry syrup,
4 slices lime,
2 maraschino cherry (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a pitcher mix 3 cups boiling water, 2 raspberry tea bags and 6 tablespoons raspberry syrup.
Mix well; remove tea bags and pour equal amount of liquid in two glasses. Add one slice of lime in each glass and garnish with the others on the rim of the glass; add a cherry to make it look more attractive and SPECIAL! We all are SPECIAL!

ENJOY,

Have a nice day!

CHERRY PINEAPPLE POPSICLE AND STRAWBERRY DESSERT

WOW !!! Just 3 ingredients makes this dessert a nice and refreshing treat. My son was eating a cherry pineapple popsicle.When I saw that color combination orange and yellow ideas pop into my mind and I rush to the kitchen to create something that I never made before. I had fresh strawberries, whipped topping and maraschino cherries. If you want to try it here is what you need:
INGREDIENTS:

1 popsicle (your favorite),
4 fresh diced strawberries,
1 cup whipped topping,
maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

On the bottom of a serving dish (I choose glass) spread 2,3 spoons whipped topping; add 2,3 tablespoons diced strawberries and third add 2,3 tablespoons shaved popsicle; continue this procedure until all ingredients are used. Finish with whipped topping and garnish (optional)
Insert the rest of the popsicle on the side; Looks good, taste good !!!
Hope you like it. There is no question about it in this house!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

CABBAGE WITH HOMEMADE SMOKED GERMAN SAUSAGE

Was a little bit hard to decide how to cook these tasty homemade german sausage; with potatoes, beans or cabbage; so I call for a family meeting (just kidding...) and cabbage it was!
We went for a short vacation to Los Angeles, visiting with relatives and shopping at our favorite german deli-grocery store in Alpine Village. The prices went up since last time we shopped there, 3 months ago. WOW ! What's new?
INGREDIENTS:

1 head shredded white cabbage,
1/2 lb.sliced smoked sausage (kielbasa works excellent also)
1 medium chopped onion,
1 can 8 oz. italian cut tomatoes,
1/4 cup olive oil,
1 teaspoon salt,
1/2 teaspoon black pepper,
1/2 teaspoon red crushed pepper,
2 bay leaves;

DIRECTIONS:

In a cooking pan, saute onion in 1/4 cup olive oil until tender;
Add sausage and cook for 2 minutes;
Add cabbage and all seasonings, tomatoes and 2 cups water;
Stir and cover; cook for 15 to 20 minutes on low heat.

The result is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
I dare you to try it!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter softened,
1/2 cup brown sugar,
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter,
1-1/2 cups flour,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
1 egg,
1/2 teaspoon baking soda,
1/2 teaspoon salt,

PREPARATION:

Cream butter with sugar and peanut butter;
Add vanilla and egg, beating until fluffy;
Stir in baking soda and salt;
Blend in flour; mix until a stiff dough forms;
Shape into walnut-sized balls; place on lightly greased cookie sheets.
Press with fork, crisscross, to flatten.
Bake at 375 F for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

CELERY ROOT SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup shredded celery root (1/2 celery root),
1/2 cup chopped green onion,
1/2 cup mayonnaise,
1/2 lemon juice,
1/4 cup chopped parsley,
salt and pepper to taste;

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Serve on toast, crackers or fresh cut vegetables sticks.
A delicious and healthy alternative for a quick snack or appetizer.

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

FRIED MOZZARELLA CHEESE BALLS

INGREDIENTS:

1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 Italian spices
1/2 tsp pepper
salt to taste but not necessary
oil for deep fry

PREPARATIONS:

Mix all the ingredients
Form 1-1/2 size balls
Deep fry for 1-2 minutes or until nice golden brown
Remove on paper towel to absorb excess oil
Serve worm or cold as appetizer or snack

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups vanilla ice cream,
1- 1/2 cups fresh strawberries,
2 tbsp. sugar,
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice,
2 cups crushed ice,
1 cup cool whip,
additional fresh strawberries for garnish;

DIRECTIONS:

Combine ice cream, 1 1/2 cups strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and ice in container of an electric blender. Process until smooth. Pour into individual glasses,top with cool whip and garnish with additional strawberries.

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

GARLIC LEMON SHRIMP

INGREDIENTS:

1-1/2 lb.large shrimp, peeled and deveined,

4 tablespoons butter,

3 garlic cloves, minced,

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice,

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley,

salt,
fresh ground pepper;

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add shrimp; cook, tossing occasionally, until pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Toss with lemon juice and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

ONE IS NOT ENOUGH - MY FAVORITE ICE CREAM

Yes, yes,yes... this is my favorite ice cream: DRUMSTICK by Nestle! I love it from top to bottom...specially the bottom filled with that creamy chocolate already melting from the warmth of my hand holding the cone and can't wait to get to that part; my mouth is frozen but I don't give up; and...here comes Baby (my best friend and the cheapest alarm sistem female dog) looking at me with this question mark on her face "can I have a tiny piece...pleeeaaasssssssse....."How can I resist this face? So...most of the time Baby ends up eating the bottom of the cone. Next time I will start eating from the bottom; Baby will enjoy any part of the cone, just give it to her!


ENJOY! (the ice cream and my Baby little story)

Have a nice day!

SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

3 hands full of fresh spinach,
1/2 sliced red bell pepper,
1/2 sliced yellow bell pepper,
1/2 sliced red onion,
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese,
2 tablespoons olive oil,
2 tablespoons white vinegar,
2 tablespoons water,
1/2 teaspoon salt;
DIRECTIONS:

In a large mixing salad bowl, combine oil,vinegar,water and salt; add onion and bell peppers - mix well; add spinach and gently mix until well coated; turn salad on serving platter or small salad bowls and top with crumbled goat cheese.
Healthy, tasty and refreshing!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

PORK AND POTATO STEW WITH CHERRY TOMATOES

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb.lean pork meat cut in small pieces,
2 cups chopped onion,
3 minced garlic gloves,
6 medium potatoes-peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick,
1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes,
1/3 cup olive oil,
2 bay leaves,
salt,
pepper,
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley;
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil; brown meat; add onion and garlic, salt and pepper; stir; add 1 cup broth (water is fine);cover and simmer for 6,7 minutes on medium heat; add potatoes, tomatoes,bay leaves and 3 cups of broth (water is fine); cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are fully cooked .
Taste for salt; sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and serve !


ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

SOUP DU JOUR - CLAM CHOWDER

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans -6-1/2 oz.each -Chopped Clams-drained-reserving liquid
1 quart water,
5,6 garlic cloves, minced,
3 bay leaves,
1/3 cup butter,
1 celery stalk, diced,
1 onion, diced,
1/3 cup all-purpose flour,
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed,
1 cup heavy cream,
1 cup milk,
freshly ground black pepper,
1 handful parsley, finely chopped,
salt to taste;

DIRECTIONS:

In a saucepan, cook onion, garlic, celery and potatoes until tender. In a mixing bowl combine milk,heavy cream,reserved clam juice and flour; mix until smooth; pour over cooked vegetables and stir; add pepper,salt and bay leaves; cover and simmer for 4,5 minutes; add clams and parsley.
Serve in sour dough bread bowl or soup bowl with garlic bread!

ENJOY!

Have a nice day!

STEAK WITH ROASTED MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS AND SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS

Good morning! Breakfast is ready! What's on the plate?
We have some nice and tender pieces of steak cooked in butter and seasoned with ginger, garlic and soy sauce, mixed with roasted green, red and yellow peppers, onion, mushrooms and carrots and two sunny side up eggs.
What else can you ask for on this beautiful sunny California day? A glass with OG ?...ok, coming up!


ENJOY,
Have a lovely day everyone!