Summer means peaches

Peach Cobbler

Peaches are like avocados -- there is about 5 minutes where they are perfectly ripe and we need eat them. My sister gave me a bag of peaches about a week before we went out of town, and they were ripe 2 days before we left. So I went on the inter-webs and found a great recipe for Peach Cobbler that I literally threw together for dessert on a weeknight. I am not kidding. I made dessert on a weeknight. I'm thinking we could cobbler just about anything now!

4-6 peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
3/4 cup milk

Combine peaches in a medium bowl with 1/2 cup sugar. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Pour butter into the bottom of a 2 qt. baking dish.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup white sugar and cinnamon, mix well. Add milk and stir just until combined. Spread over butter mixture.

Top with peaches (and any juices).

Bake for 45-55 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

What should I do with this mother lode of basil?

Oven Roasted Tomato Bruschetta


Grape Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Garlic, minced
Salt
Basil
Sourdough Bread

Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Cut tomatoes in half, place in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with foil, drizzle with olive oil and minced garlic (reserve some for final steps), salt to taste
Roast tomatoes for 30 minutes (or more) until fragrant and a bit charred
Broil slices of sourdough
Top each slice with a bit of minced garlic
Spoon charred and roasted tomatoes on each slice
Top with chopped fresh basil

Pretzels, Beer and Cheese

There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this dish. It is dough, cheese, beer and salt. It is absolutely delicious. My daughter sent me the link for these delightful treats before we left for vacation, and we made them at the beach. I came home five pounds heavier. Can't recommend these enough. I've reduced the amount of cheese because we had so much left over.  (From Tasty)

Beer and Cheese Pretzel Bites

Pizza Dough
1 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 c. beer (plus more for egg wash)
1 T. corn starch
1/4 c. baking soda
1 egg
Coarse salt

Slice a small piece of pizza dough, flatten in out
Toss the cheese and corn starch until it is evenly distributed
Bring beer to simmer in a saucepan
Add the cheese and whisk until it is thickened
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Place a spoonful of beer cheese in the center of the dough
Close up the dough over the cheese
Bring 5 c. of water to a boil in a medium pot, when you are ready add the baking soda and then immediately add the pretzel bites, boil for 20-30 seconds
Remove the bites and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Combine one egg and 2 T. of beer, beat until blended
Spoon the egg wash over each pretzel bite, then sprinkle with coarse salt
Bake for 15-20 minutes until they've browned

Pasta Salad

I can't even remember why, but an occasion came up, and I wanted to bring pasta salad. I'm not a huge fan of dill, but thought I'd try this recipe from Perfect Party Food (a great resource to have around the kitchen) -- and it was delicious.

Dilly Pasta Salad with Feta, Peppers and Olives

Dressing
1 1/2 c. olive oil
2/3 c. white wine vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. dillweed
1 t. sugar
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. ground black pepper

Salad
1 lb. shell pasta
2 T. olive oil
1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber 1/2 inch dice
1 c. Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1 1/2 c. crumbled feta (preferably flavored)

Combine the dressing
Assemble the salad and pour 1/2 c. of dressing over it to coat
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours
30 minutes before serving, toss with additional dressing.

Roast beef sliders

My husband and I made a resolution to entertain more, and we invited our neighbors over for an Oscar Party. Chris suggested we make roast beef sliders and a heavy appetizer since the party started at 7 pm. Easy (my new favorite recipe adjective), elegant, delicious —.an inspired suggestion. Will definitely bring these to parties in the future!

Roast beef sliders
24 slider hamburger buns
2 lb. deli roast beef
1 lb. horseradish cheese
2 sweet vadalia onions chopped and sautéed
2 T. Melted butter

Prepare roasting pan with cooking spray to avoid sticking
Place the slider bottoms in a roasting pan.
Layer cheese, roast beef, onions, cheese onions each bun
Place tops on each sandwich, brush butter on each sandwich
Cook for 20 minutes in oven preheated to 350 degrees

EASY is the key! (And Vegetarian)

Happy New Year! In 2019 that means more fish, more vegetables, and hopefully less time. In my zeal to improve quality and efficiency I found 2 recipes that were well liked, and kind of easy to make.

5 Ingredient Black Bean Soup (adapted from gimmesomeoven.com)

2 15 oz cans black beans (with liquid)
1 lb. container of fresh salsa
2 t. cumin
1/2 c. cilantro
1 garlic clove minced

Additional ingredients I had in the fridge:
fresh tomatoes chopped
leftover sauteed onions and peppers from fajitas


Combine all the ingredients and heat until simmering. Once bubbling reduce heat and cook for about 10 minutes. Before serving, I used an immersion blender to break up some of the beans. Served with sour cream and cheese.


Easy Vegetarian-ish Chili (adapted from Simply Recipes)
This one reminded me of that woman's cookbook who hid vegetables in food by chopping it up real fine -- I made this last night and it is MADE WITH MUSHROOMS! But #3 son ate it without complaint. It's really good...

8 oz. baby bella mushrooms chopped in food processor v. fine
1 medium onion finely chopped in the food processor
1 green pepper, chopped by hand
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped by hand
3 cloves garlic minced
2 cans fire roasted tomatoes
3 c. broth (I used beef, thus the "ish" -- it was all I had)
1/2 c. bulgur wheat
2 cans kidney beans (drained)

Spices:
1 1/2 T. chili powder
1 1/2 t. oregano
1 1/2 t. cumin
1/4 t. smoked paprika
pinch of cinnamon
1T + 1t. brown sugar

Best practice would be to chop everything first, and have it all ready to dump into the pot at the appointed time (I didn't do this, so it was a bit more chaotic when I created this dish).

Put oil in your Dutch Oven and cook the mushrooms for about 7 minutes (add salt and pepper to taste)
Next, add the onion, green pepper, jalapeno, garlic and all the spices EXCEPT the brown sugar
Cook for 8 minutes
Add the brown sugar, stir to incorporate, cook another minute or so
Add the tomatoes and broth; stir; put the pot on the lid and bring to a boil (around 5 minutes)
Once boiling, stir in bulgur wheat and let chili simmer for about 12 minutes
Add the beans, and continue simmering for 10 minutes

Week of September 9, 2018

Sunday
Work Party

Chips and Salsa
Veggie Tray
Cheese and crackers
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
Black Bean Salsa


Monday
LO Chili Dogs


Tuesday
Pork Tenderloin
Veggies

Wednesday
Pork Fried Rice

Thursday
California Chicken Burgers

Friday
Take Out