food

Cinnamon Pecan Crumb Cake

/ Jodi / 34 Comments
cinnamon-pecan-crumb-cake-piece

BEWARE:  This Cinnamon Pecan Crumb Cake is only for the most serious crumb cake lovers!  Are you one like me?  Do you love more buttery, sugary, nutty crumbs than cake?  If so, this is the cake for you!  And I dare say it should not be consumed without a large steaming cup of coffee to wash down the “crumby” goodness.  Be still my coffee crumb cake lovin’ heart!

Let’s take a closer look at all that “crumby” deliciousness…

cinnamon-pecan-crumb-cake-piece-2

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.  This is a seriously “crumby” cake!

cinnamon-pecan-crumb-cake-piece-3

With buttery, nutty, cinnamony wonderfulness, this cake is a serious indulgence justified as breakfast when served with coffee…. but Hubby discovered it works very well as an evening snack when topped with a scoop of Vanilla Caramel Gelato!

If you don’t like your cake quite so “crumby,” you could double the cake batter or half the crumb topping.  Also – be careful not to overbake and dry the cake out – –  unless you are eating it with vanilla caramel gelato or dunking it in coffee.  In that case – who cares!

Diet shmiet – this cake is worth the calories!  Enjoy!

Cinnamon Pecan Crumb Cake

Ingredients:cinnamon-pecan-crumb-cake-piece-2
  • Topping
    • 2 1/2 cups flour
    • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
    • 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, melted
    • 1 cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
  • Cake
    • 1 1/2 cups flour
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 2/3 cup milk
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
    • 3 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325° F.  Prepare  8 or 9 inch square baking pan by spraying with vegetable spray and lining with parchment paper so it overhangs sides of pan. Spray the parchment paper with vegetable spray and set aside.

Make topping by combining flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.  Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the melted butter. Stir to combine, then add the pecans using your hands to thoroughly mix. Topping should have a loose, crumbly consistency.  Set aside.

Prepare cake by whisking milk, oil, egg, and vanilla in medium bowl.  Add sugar, baking powder, salt, and flour.  Stir until just combined.

Pour the cake batter into prepared pan. Add all of the crumb topping evenly over the batter.

Bake approximately 30 mins.  The cake will rise, and the topping will bake into the cake batter.

Remove from oven and cool for 10 mins. in pan. Run a butter knife along the edges of the pan to loosen cake and lift it out to a cutting board. Cut into 9 squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to garnish if desired. 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*recipe adapted from Garlic&Zest

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

/ Jodi / 34 Comments

perfect-hard-boiled-egg

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

It’s a age old debate, and there are likely as many methods as there are stars in the sky, but I recently tried this method from a great book I’ve started devouring that was recommended by a friend, Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard.  This book is as much a story as it is a cookbook and as much an inspiration as it is picture book.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Vivian also has a PBS Series called A Chef’s Life and a restaurant called Chef & the Farmer.

So I tried Vivian’s method and loved it.  Complete simplicity and success.  A hard boiled egg generously topped with more salt and pepper than seems reasonable and a dab of Cholula hot sauce served on a bed of sprouts drizzled with fresh lemon juice = the perfect quick breakfast!

Here’s how to make them:

The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg

Place two eggs in a 2-quart sauce pan.  Cover with cool water to an inch above theperfect-hard-boiled-egg eggs.  Bring to a boil and cook for one minute.  Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes.  Drain the eggs, and run cold water over them until they are cool enough to handle.

If you are cooking more eggs, let sit 12 minutes.  

That’s it!  Simple!  Success!  The perfect food.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Oodles of Zoodles

/ Jodi / 62 Comments

zoodles-2

Oodles of Zoodles.

Has anyone else joined the zoodle craze?

zoodles-1

Low carb, low calorie, gluten free, grain free, wheat free, healthy, nutritious, unprocessed, vegetarian, cheap and and easy ZOODLES!

zoodles-3

Zoodles are zucchini noodles.  Or better put, vegetable noodles made from spiral cut zucchini.  They can be used in so many ways!

I recently purchased a SpiralLife Vegetable Slicer, and couldn’t wait to give it a try.  Super inexpensive at $14.99 on Amazon, it was easy to use, easy to clean, and easy on the wallet.

I made my zoodles to accompany a light dinner of Lemon Butter Chicken this week, and we loved them.

I simply sauteed them ever so briefly in olive oil with salt and pepper and a couple cloves of minced garlic.  After about two minutes, I added a handful of halved grape tomatoes and a generous grating of fresh Parmigiano reggiano cheese.  After sauteeing another two minutes, my zoodles were ready to serve and eat.  Yum!

How are you making your zoodles?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Crockpot Cuban Shredded Beef

/ Jodi / 34 Comments

crockpot-cuban-shredded-beef

It was so cold this past Sunday and hunkering in was the order of the day.  While watching football playoffs (our Pittsburgh Steelers won!), I wanted a no fuss, but warm and comforting dinner to eat afterwards.

Beef chuck roasts are so versatile and cook so tender and juicy in the crockpot.  I make them a variety of ways, but wanted to try something new and different, and this Cuban Shredded Beef was just the ticket!  So yummy over a bed of rice with beans!  We’ll surely be eating them wrapped in tortillas this week too.

A tiny bit of a spicy kick and tons and tons of flavor make this easy recipe a new winner in my book.  And if you can’t get warmed up on the outside, this one will warm you up from the inside out!

I adapted this recipe slightly from Little Spice Jar.

Crockpot Cuban Shredded Beef

Ingredientscrockpot-cuban-shredded-beef

  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 3 1/2 lbs. beef chuck roast
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. oil
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup diced sweet bell peppers
  • 1 large sweet onion, sliced
  • 2 4-oz. cans chopped green chilies
  • 2 Tbsp. dried oregano
  • 1 Tbsp. salt
  • 2  Tbsp. ground cumin
  • 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime

Directions:

Make 3 deep “x” cuts into the chuck roast. Insert 3 whole garlic cloves into the cuts. Season both sides of the meat with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet. Add the chuck roast and fry on each side for 5 minutes to sear.  Don’t cover the pan as the meat will end up steaming rather than searing.

Chop the remaining 3 cloves of garlic, and add to crockpot along with all the remaining ingredients except for the lime. Cover and let cook on the low setting for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. When the beef falls apart easily when pulled with two forks, it’s done. Shred the beef with the forks and stir.

Serve over a bed of rice with beans on the side topped with additional cilantro and a few lime wedges. You can also use the shredded beef for burritos, quesadillas or tacos.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Quick & Easy Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

/ Jodi / 29 Comments

quick-and-easy-chicken-broccoli-stir-fry-1

Quick & Easy Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

What a lovely treat it was to make for dinner earlier this week after all of the rich party foods of the holidays.

quick-and-easy-chicken-broccoli-stir-fry-2

After prime rib and tenderloin and rich macaroni and cheese casseroles and haluski and snacks and cookies for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, followed by the generous bereavement food gifts, the New Year’s Eve snacks and New Year’s Day kielbasa and sauerkraut, it was wonderful to make a clean, quick and simple winner winner chicken and broccoli stir fry dinner with whole wheat pasta.

quick-and-easy-chicken-broccoli-stir-fry-3

This is so simple and so delicious, it is a perfect go-to staple for a weeknight dinner.  I’ll bet it would be great with shrimp too for a change up, but I was really in the mood for chicken.  Chicken is the one protein I actually crave.

Here is the recipe as I adapted slightly from what I found at Damn Delicious.  Hope you will enjoy as much as we did.

Quick & Easy Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

Ingredients:quick-and-easy-chicken-broccoli-stir-fry-1

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 lb whole wheat spaghetti
  • 1 lb broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
  • Sauce:
    • 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
    • 2 Tbsp.  oyster sauce
    • 1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
    • 1 tsp. ground ginger
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
    • 1 Tbsp. Sriracha Hot Sauce (more or less for your taste)

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and Sriracha; set aside.   Reserve 2 tablespoons.

In a medium bowl, combine reserved 2 tablespoons sauce and chicken; set aside to marinade.  This can be done several hours ahead to tenderize and flavor chicken.

Cook pasta according to package instructions.   In the last 2 minutes of cooking time, add broccoli.  Rinse and drain well.

While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet,  add chicken, and cook until golden, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in pasta, broccoli and remaining sauce until heated through and coated, about 2 minutes.

Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Bacon & Caramelized Onion Mac ‘n Cheese

/ Jodi / 32 Comments

bacon-and-caramelized-onion-mac-n-cheese

Bacon & Caramelized Onion Mac ‘n Cheese….

You want to get this in your belly!  No joke!

bacon-and-caramelized-onion-mac-n-cheese-3

Who can resist a yummy, cheesy, creamy, comforting homemade macaroni and cheese?

But add bacon….. and some sweet, buttery caramelized onions…. and oh dear lord!

Mix up you favorite cheeses.  I used extra sharp cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and fresh Mozarella.  Tangy…. Salty and Nutty…. and Dreamy Creamy…. all in one dish!

bacon-and-caramelized-onion-mac-n-cheese-2

I made this dish (adapted from Ree Drummond’s Fancy Macaroni) kind of on a whim at the last minute to serve with our Prime Rib Christmas Eve family dinner.  I was going to roast some potatoes, but then decided to kick it up a notch!  And boy am I glad I did.  What a delicious hit this was!

Make this for your next special occasion.  It’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser!

You can thank me later when everyone is ooooing and ahhhing and singing your praises.

Bacon & Caramelized Onion Mac 'n Cheese

Ingredients:bacon-and-caramelized-onion-mac-n-cheese

  • 1 lb. Rotini or Macaroni or your favorite pasta shape
  • 8 Tbsp Butter (1 stick)
  • 2 Large Sweet Onions, cut in half & sliced thin
  • 10-12 slices Bacon
  • 1 Tbsp Bacon Grease (reserved)
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 1/2 cup Half and Half
  • 2 Egg Yolks, beaten
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup Grated Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
  • 6 oz Fresh Mozarella Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook macaroni for 2 mins. less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Fry bacon until slightly crispy. Drain on a paper towel. Reserve 1 Tbsp. grease.

Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in a skillet.  Saute onions for 10-12 mins. or until golden brown. Set aside.

Melt remaining 4 Tbsp. butter and 1 Tbsp. bacon grease in a large pot.  Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat for 1 min. Pour in milk and half & half, then cook for 3-5 mins.or until thick. Reduce heat to low. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Beat egg yolks and drizzle 1/4 cup hot mixture into the yolks, stirring constantly. Stir to combine. Pour egg mixture into sauce and cook for another min.

Add all cheeses and stir until melted. Add onions and bacon and stir. Taste for seasonings.  Add more salt if needed. Add cooked macaroni, and stir to coat.

Pour into a baking dish and bake for 20 mins.

This decadent dish tastes great with with red meat and/or a green salad!

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Apricot Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

/ Jodi / 25 Comments

apricot-shortbread-thumbprint-cookies-3

Do you love buttery shortbread as much as I do?
Add a dab of apricot jam and a drizzle of icing, and O M G!

apricot-shortbread-thumbprint-cookies-2

I wanted to bake one more batch of Christmas cookies and wanted them to be something with apricot for hubby as it is one of his faves.

I usually make Apricot Kolaches, which we love, but I just ran out of time and energy to make them this year.  When I found this recipe for Apricot Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies at Little Spice Jar, I thought I would give them a try.  No rolling, no folding, no pinching, less time, less work, and all the ingredients that that make yumminess for a Christmas cookie is a winner in my book.

apricot-shortbread-thumbprint-cookies-1

If you are still baking and still looking for that last amazing, delicious, beautiful cookie, here is a great recipe for you to try!

Apricot Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:apricot-shortbread-thumbprint-cookies-3

  • 2  cups butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 4 tsp vanilla
  • 4 cups flour
  • 10-12 oz jar apricot filling or preserves
  • Glaze:
    • 2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
    • 2 Tbsp half & half or milk
    • 2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar in electric mixer 1-2 minutes.  Add egg yolks and mix completely.  Add vanilla.  With mixer on low speed, add flour slowly and mix until dough forms.

Place dough in airtight container or Ziploc bag and chill for at least 4 hours.

Heat oven to 350.

Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls.  Place on backing stone or cookie sheet, and bake 3 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully indent center with your thumb.  Add 1/4 – 1/2 tsp apricot filling.  Return to oven for approximately 12 minutes.

Allow to cool for 30 minutes.

Prepare glaze by stirring powdered sugar, half & half and vanilla until smooth.  Pour into small baggie.  Snip small corner of baggie.  Squeeze gently to pipe in stripes on cookies.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*recipe originally found at Little Spice Jar

A Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

christmas-cookie-party-2016-group-photo

My sweet daughter-in-law never ceases to amaze me!  With a brand-new baby, she still managed to pull off the loveliest of Christmas Cookie Exchange parties this past weekend.  I am so proud of her.  I love that she values creating traditions and memories for her family…. and admire that she does it on a few hours’ sleep each night!

This year, three new babies attended the party.  Although our granddaughter is the first grandie on our side, she is the fourth on her other side – three of which were born this year!   What a joyful occasion.

Of course no cookie exchange party is complete without a hot cocoa bar (oldest nephew’s fave – especially when stirred vigorously with peppermint candy cane sticks).  And my daughter-in-law’s s’mores cookies made it even more special.

christmas-cookie-party-2016-hot-cocoa-bar

And don’t veggies taste better when shaped into a Christmas tree on the platter?

christmas-cookie-party-2016-vegetable-tray-tree

And cheese and sausage on a bed of aromatic rosemary shaped into a wreath?

christmas-cookie-party-2016-cheese-wreath

Deviled eggs are more festive, too, when dyed red and green.

christmas-cookie-party-2016-red-and-green-deviled-eggs

There is nothing like Christmas through the eyes of children and passing down traditions.

christmas-cookie-party-2016-kids

Lovin’ from the oven!  The best kind.

christmas-cookie-party-2016-cookies

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

/ Jodi / 44 Comments

bacon-cheese-ball-bites-02

Are you looking for a fun party treat?

Everybody loves a good cheese ball, but how about bite-sized appetizer cheese ball bites?

bacon-cheese-ball-bites-1

Mini individual cheese ball bites rolled in bacon, chopped pecans and scallions and served on a pretzel stick.

bacon-cheese-ball-bites-3

Enjoy this fun party appetizer for the holidays!

Bacon Cheese Ball Bites

Ingredients:bacon-cheese-ball-bites-2

  • 2 8-oz. blocks cream cheese
  •  1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. smoky paprika
  • 1 lb. bacon, finely chopped and cooked
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • Pretzel sticks (approx. 24)

Directions:

Blend together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder and paprika.  Roll into approxiately 30-40 small balls using approximately 1/2 tsp. of mixture.  Refrigerate approximately 1 hour until firm.

Mix together cooked chopped bacon, green onions, and pecans in a shallow bowl or plate.

Roll balls in bacon mixture.  Insert a pretzel stick into each ball.

Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Quick & Easy Vegetable Lo Mein

/ Jodi / 36 Comments

quick-and-easy-vegetable-lo-mein-1

What do you make when you have A LOT of leftover spaghetti?

I made this super quick and easy vegetable lo mein last night while baking cookies for an upcoming cookie exchange.

quick-and-easy-vegetable-lo-mein-2

Are you like me and have a hard time judging how much spaghetti to cook?

Our youngest son came over Sunday, so I made one of his favorite chicken dishes, Pepperoni Chicken.  I wanted to make sure to make enough extra so he could take a meal or two home with him, so I got a teensy bit carried away and made two pounds of whole wheat spaghetti.

After I filled a gallon Ziploc bag about 2/3 full and he started calling “halt” to any more, I realized I still had half of what I made left.

quick-and-easy-vegetable-lo-mein-3

Since I had some leftover cut up veggies, tossing them together and making a quick sauce, made this dinner come together in about 10 minutes!  Can’t beat that – right?

You could really use any vegetables you have on hand.  Here is how I made mine.  Use it as a base recipe to flex to your taste!  I imagine mushroom lovers would totally enjoy them thrown in.  Want a protein?  Add some leftover chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp.  I’ll bet some steamed broccoli or fresh green beans and/or sliced sweet peppers would be great too!  You could even toss in some water chestnuts or peanuts, walnuts, or sliced almonds.

Quick & Easy Vegetable Lo Mein

Ingredients:

  • 1/2-1 lb spaghetti (I used whole wheat)
  • 2 Tbsp oil (olive, sesame, canola or vegetable)
  • 1/2 sweet onion chopped
  • 1 cup shredded or chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup green peas
  • Sauce – Whisk together:
    • 3 Tbsp soy sauce
    • 2 Tbsp teriyaki sauce
    • 2 Tbsp honey
    • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
    • Dash Sriracha hot sauce

Directions:

Heat oil in stir fry skillet.  Add vegetables and cook 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.  Add spaghetti and sauce.  Cook until heated through 1-2 minutes.

That’s it!  Enjoy!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi