mango salsa

Here is a little peek from last nights dinner. This has been a favorite for many years.
I think that it came from an old House Beautiful.
I try to make the mango salsa a couple hours ahead of time.

Mango Salsa:

2 mangos

1 peach (fine to omit if not in season)

1 clove garlic, minced

3T finely chopped red onion

3T chopped cilantro

juice of one lime

2T olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a glass bowl cover and put in the fridge.

Black bean and goat cheese quesadillas:

flour tortillas

1-2 cans re fried black beans

6-8 oz goat cheese

cilantro

Spread tortillas with beans, goat cheese and cilantro. Put two tortillas together and cook in a skillet with a little bit of butter. (If the cheese is room temp it is much easier to spread.)

Are you ready to bring out the Spring/Summer recipes?

steel cut oatmeal

Today was a snow day. We slept in and had the time to make steel cut oats. One of my favorite breakfasts.

Here is my recipe.

3T butter

3 cups steel cut oats

2 cups milk

lots of maple syrup

Melt the butter over high heat and "toast" the oats for a couple minutes. Then add 9 cups of water. When it comes to a boil turn it down and simmer for 25 min. Then add the milk and simmer for another 15min stirring ever 5 min or so. Top with maple syrup. (As you can see I think everything tastes better with a little butter.)

party time

Today we celebrated our friend and former coworker's birthday.
We love a reason to get together and laugh and eat some yummy food.
I made these brownies for desert and I have to say they were awesome. But just to make sure I had a second helping after the party.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend. I am so excited to head to Atlanta Market in the morning with my friend Sarah. Are any of you going to be there?

Happy Birthday Caroline

At the office we love a reason to have a party. Today we had a party to celebrate Caroline's Birthday.
I found two boxes of bottle brush trees at Goodwill that made the table look very festive.
Of course we use our napkins.
I had been wanting to try this recipe and this was the perfect event. We all loved it. It is my new favorite winter salad. (Roasted Butternut Squash salad with warm cider vinaigrette from the Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics.) I served it with some of my home made whole wheat bread and mimosas.

peanut butter cookies

I have a few favorite cookie recipes that I make over and over. This is one of them. It is from Cookin' with Home Storage by Vicki Tate. They are fairly healthy and not too sweet.

1 C softened butter
1 C freshly ground peanut butter
1 1/4 C honey
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda

Blend butter until smooth. Add peanut butter and blend again. Add honey and blend again. Add eggs 1 at a time and beat until mixed. Add vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls and put onto ungreased cookie sheet. Use a fork dipped in cold water and flatten with a criss-crossed design. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes on the top rack of the oven. Remove immediately. Cool and enjoy.

(I added some chocolate on the top before cooking)

irish soda bread

I love to make home made breads from freshly ground flour. This is a super quick recipe from Beth Holland via the Bread Beckers Recipe Collection.

I love it for breakfast with butter and jam or paired with home made soup for dinner.

It doesen't keep very well but there isn't usually much left over.

IRISH SODA BREAD

3 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 Tbs honey
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Mix well and knead slightly. Shape into a round about 1 1/2" thick. Slash X across the top. Bake on greased cookie sheet or parchment at 375 until done (about 45 minutes)

The best part of waking up

I have to enjoy my breakfast. No rushing and no cereal. I love a bowl in the evening but in the morning I love tea or coffee with a yummy carb.

Mondays are pancake day, whole wheat pancakes and English breakfast tea. We grind our own wheat but this should work with store bought.

3 c flour

1T baking soda

2 1/2 T baking powder

1/3 oil

8 eggs

buttermilk till it looks right

What do you eat for breakfast?