Garlic Green Beans

So I've made a goal to add some more interest here by adding photos (when possible).  Good excuse to combine two of my loves: food + photography = food photography!  Why it's taken me this long, well, all you moms out there know why...

Back to the food part.  This is one of my family's favorite side dishes.  Even my youngest who is a veggie purist (doesn't like any sauce or seasoning on her veggies) likes it.  Super easy and fast, and so fancy feeling.

Ingredients:

french green beans (frozen or fresh)

garlic, chopped or pressed

olive oil/butter or combo of both

sea/kosher salt

pepper

It's one of those recipes that you tweak to the way you like it.

1.  Heat a little olive oil and/or butter on high in a large saute pan.  Add garlic and green beans.  Cook to desired tenderness.  We like the little bits of burnt beans and crisp garlic.

2. Season with salt and pepper. 

Granola Bars

2 cups oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbl ground flaxseed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup flour
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips or raisins, or craisins.
1 tsp salt (i use just a pinch of salt)
1/2 cup honey
1 egg – beaten
1/2 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Generously grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.  In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, flaxseed, cinnamon, flour, choc chips and salt.  Make a well in the center and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla.  Mix well.  Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges turn golden.  Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars.

As soon as I have time I am going to try substituting in whole wheat flour and maybe some applesauce to cut down on the oil. My family LOVES these. They fill you up and our a perfect snack for school, breakfast, and church!
**I did try the whole wheat flour and they turned out even better in my opinion.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Sift together dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time and vanilla. Add flour mixture until barely blended. Add chocolate Chips. I sometimes add a tsp or two of flaxseed also.

Bake 350 for 12-14 minutes

Honey Cookies

2/3 Oil ( I use vegetable)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

Mix oil and sugar, add honey, egg, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients. Roll into walnut sized balls and roll in sugar. Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Store in container while still warm with a tight lid. 

Italian Wedding Soup

• 1/2 pound ground turkey or chicken
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder or some chopped fresh onion
• 7 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups thinly sliced escarole/endive/spinach
• 1/2 cup cooked orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot

1. Combine meat, egg, herbs, bread crumbs, and parmesan.  Shape into mini meat balls and place on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, saute carrots (and onions if using) in a little olive oil in pot.  Add broth and bring to a boil.  Add escarole.  Reduce heat and simmer.

3. Cook pasta according to package.  

4. Add meatballs and orzo to broth and simmer 5-10 minutes.  Serve.

To freeze: Do steps 1 and 2.  Can combine and freeze.  Leave pasta uncooked in separate bag.

To cook from frozen:

Heat broth and meatballs to boiling.  In the meantime, cook pasta. For the orzo I used, cook in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes.  Be careful draining - those are tiny little things!  Continue with step 4.

My friend, Ms. Rhodes...

I love breads.  I LOVE breads.  But it's gotta be good bread.  I know it's not that healthy and there's a huge anti-carb philosophy, thus, if I eat it, it better be worth it.  Some of my favs: a crusty sourdough that's chewy on the inside, soft focaccia perfect for a grilled veggie panini, dense homemade bread with jam.  yum.  BUT, I've been trying to do better lately and include more whole wheat into our diet.  So most of the bread I make now days is at least half whole wheat.  It serves it's purpose on our dinner plates and it's actually pretty good, but nothing to get excited about or make for a special occasion.  Every once in a while though, it's necessary (because of time or sanity) to call upon my good friend, Ms. Rhodes.  So here's the answer to another recipe request, plus a few extra!

Rosemary Rolls

In all honesty, I found this one on the pioneer woman's website.  Love it.  So fancy.  So easy.  Especially if you have Rosemary in your garden which is like the ONE thing that grew well in mine this year.

1. Prep as many Rhodes rolls as you want according to package directions.  You can also sub in a homemade recipe and take it to the point just before putting them in the oven.  If I'm making a lot for a party or something, I usually let the rolls thaw about an hour, cut them in half and then let them continue thawing/rising in the pan I'll bake them in.

2. Brush tops of rolls with melted butter.  Sprinkle with kosher/rock/sea salt.  The one I currently have seems like it's a little too chunky so I grind it down a bit... but don't do table salt.  Again, in line with my bread philosophy, if you're gonna go for it, make it good.  :)  Top with lots of fresh, chopped rosemary.  I think the more the better - to the point of thinking it's too much.  They shrink up in the oven and turn into half of the original amount.  Dab some more melted butter on top.  It's actually easier to pour it but I wouldn't know because of course I don't use that much butter.

3.  Bake according to roll recipe or until tops are golden brown.  ENJOY!

Panipopo (Samoan coconut Rolls)


For you islanders out there, this is nothing new.  This was my Christmas goodie this past holiday season and so here's the recipe for all you current Texans.

1. (Same as above):  Prep as many Rhodes rolls as you want according to package directions.  You can also sub in a homemade recipe and take it to the point just before putting them in the oven.  If I'm making a lot for a party or something, I usually let the rolls thaw about an hour, cut them in half and then let them continue thawing/rising in the pan I'll bake them in.  I've noticed that if you give more space between rolls, you get a thicker coconut sauce, almost gel.  If the rolls are close enough to touch on all sides when risen, you get more of a liquid - it's up to your personal preference.

2.  Combine:

1 15 oz. can coconut milk
1/2 C. sugar
1/4 C. cornstarch

Whisk until sugar and cornstarch are dissolved.  Pour over rolls, coating the top of each one.

3. Bake according to package directions until browned on top.  These can be eaten warm or cold.  Right out of the oven, the sauce will be liquid-y.  I like them cold with the coconut more like a frosting you find on the bottom.

Sausage Rolls


My husband brought home some kolaches from the bakery one day for a treat for lunch.  They were super yummy but cost almost $1 a piece!  I knew my girls would love these kind of things for breakfast so I put together my version.  Freezer friendly, of course.  Made one batch with Rhodes and another with homemade half whole wheat using the 60-minute recipe.  Both are really good.

1 pkg. turkey cocktail smoke sausages (lil smokies?)
bread dough (with the Rhodes version, I did half a roll per sausage)
Can add in cheese or jalapeno slices

1. (It's a theme)  Prep as many Rhodes rolls as you want according to package directions.  You can also sub in a homemade recipe and take it to the point of shaping the rolls.

2. Flatten dough and wrap around each sausage.  Place on sprayed cookie sheet and allow to rise about double.

3.  Bake at 350 degrees or until browned - about 10-15 minutes (watch them, I'm just guessing).

4.  To freeze, allow to cool on wire rack.  Return to cookie sheet and quick freeze until hard.  Bag in a big freezer ziplock.  I find that two are a perfect amount for my girls in the morning before school.  Microwave about 30-60 seconds until warm.  They like them with ketchup.

Easy Naan


1.  Allow as many Rhodes rolls as you want to rise until double.

2.  Place baking stone in oven and heat to 475 degrees.

3.  Flatten and stretch rolls as much as you can without ripping.  I used a little olive oil but it's probably fine without too.

4.  Place flattened dough on heated stone and allow to bake about 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.  Note: you need to check the bottom side on the stone - it will brown quicker than the top.  Repeat with each roll.

These are also a great alternative for navajo tacos or frybread instead of deep frying them.

For a party-

1 pkg marzipan (almond paste)
1 bag white chocolate chips, melted
about 1/2 c. dried cranberries
about 1/2 c. pistachios, chopped

Divide marzipan into 4 equal sections. Roll each of them out into a thin layer like cookie dough. (Use powdered sugar to keep it from sticking instead of flour.)
Then layer marzipan, melted chocolate, cranberries and pistachios.
Do this over and over. Put it in the fridge to harden.
Once it's firm, cut it into little squares.
Serving them cold is best. They're firmer that way.
These are great to take to a party because they are easy, but look pretty. The pistachios are a little greener in person than in the picture. Very festive with the cranberries.

Anyone have holiday recipes to share? or more easy dinners?