Pasta Salad

Hello! 

Sharing a delicious, fast, side dish.

Cold pasta salad

What you need:

4 cups of cooked tri-color pasta

~ I used multi-grain, tomato & spinache~

1/2 english cucumber chopped

2 stalks celery chopped

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes sliced

1/2 orange pepper chopped

10 baby carrots chopped

1 cup corn

1/2 cup Italian vinegrette dressing

2 tbsps raspberry vinegrette dressing 

What to do: 

Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse in cold water.

Combine pasta and vegetables in a bowl.

Top with dressings 

Stir well. 

Refrigerate until ready to serve

This was a great addition to our grilled pork chops and baked sweet potato.

Enjoy! 

Spinach Ravioli With Crab & Rose Sauce

Spinach Ravioli with Crab and Rose Sauce

Hot Apple Tortilla Wraps

                                                                         Hello there!

Sharing a sweet treat with you today.

This one is super easy & kids can even make this one on their own! 

What you need:

Sandwich maker or skillet very lightly oiled 

Whole grain tortilla wraps

1 medium apple~ peeled and sliced into THIN slices

* You could even use cherries, peaches, bananas, raspberries or spiced pumpkin

Brown sugar

Cinnamon

Butter 

Pure maple syrup

 Whipped cream 

Very lightly butter the entire surface of tortilla

Arrange apples across center of wrap

Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon

*this is all to your own taste, but you really don't need too much.

Fold wrap, ends first, then center.

It should look like a flat envelope

Place in sandwich maker and cook for approximately 2- 2 and a half minutes.

If using a skillet, brown lightly on both sides.

It will come out crispy and lightly browned

Top with fresh whipped cream & real maple syrup

Enjoy! 

Pork Loin With BBQ Mushroom Sauce

Hello! 

 Time to share one of my family's favorites.

Here is what you need:

1 1/2 pounds pork loin cubed

2 tbsps of olive oil

1 can of condensed cream of mushroom, or cream of broccoli soup

* The broccoli soup will give a slightly sweeter taste.

1 cup of your favorite chicken & rib bbq sauce

3/4 cup of half & half cream

1 tsp ground black pepper

3 cloves of garlic chopped

2 cups sliced mushrooms

In a bowl combine the condensed soup, bbq sauce and cream. Mix thoroughly.

Set aside.

In a skillet add Olive oil, pork and spices. 

Cook on medium heat, until meat is lightly browned

Add sliced mushrooms and saute on  med/low heat for about 8 minutes.

Add sauce and simmer on low for 30  minutes, stirring occassionally.

Serve on top of mashed potatoes,with your favorite vegetable sides.

Enjoy! 

Black Bean & Beef Nachos

Kids Choice for Dinner tonight! 

 Here's what we used:

1 tbsp of olive oil

2 lbs lean ground beef

1/2 each red, yellow & orange peppers

1 large onion  chopped

1 jar of your favorite salsa

1 can of black beans rinsed and drained

2 tbsps of  chili powder

2 tsps of garlic powder

1 tsp of cayenne

1 tsp of cumin

1 bag your favorite taco chips

Shredded marble cheddar for topping

In a skillet brown meat in olive oil

Add onions and peppers, cook until onions clear

Add spices and half jar of salsa

Add black beans, simmer until thoroughly heated

On a flat skillet arrange chips on bottom, top with meat mixture  & shredded cheese

Heat in oven until cheese is melted

Serve with sour cream, salsa and guacamole

Enjoy! 

~Not Your Traditional Butter Chicken~

Hello there! 

Here is this evenings dinner. It is not your traditional Butter Chicken recipe.

 I have "tweeked" it just a little, to make it my own.  It is very easy and fast to the table.  

 I have mixed together my own Masala spice with:

black pepper, cloves, turmeric, cayenne, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, ginger & nutmeg

Here is what I used:

2 tbsps of olive oil

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 each red, yellow & orange peppers sliced

2 cloves of garlic chopped

1 large onion chopped

2 cups of cream 

1 cup of butter

15 ounces of pureed tomatoes

2 tbsps of  masala spice

3 cups cooked Basmati rice

In a frying pan add oil, chopped onion and garlic, saute until onions start to brown.

Add butter, once melted, add chicken, cook chicken thoroughly

Add sliced peppers & continue to simmer.

In a bowl, puree tomatoes~ I used unsalted

Add cream & spices, whisk well.

Pour on top of chicken mixture

Allow to simmer on med- low heat for 15 - 20 minutes. Sauce will thicken as it simmers.

Serve on Basmati Rice

Enjoy! 

Rainbow Dipped Strawberries

Hello there! Here is another colorful, super simple and yummy Easter Treat! 

You will have to estimate your quantities,depending on how many you are serving. 

Wash and allow strawberries to thoroughly dry! They must be as dry as possible or the chocolate will not stick! 

Fill a large shallow pan with water and place glass bowls with melting wafers or chocolate chips in pan. On medium heat, stirring continuously, allow wafers, or chocolate chips to melt.

They will melt very fast once the water is heated. 

Once melted, dip strawberries one at a time . Place dipped strawberry on parchment lined cookie sheet.

Add sprinkles if you like! 

Refrigerate until set. 

These were a great hit at our neighborhood family movie night! 

Enjoy! 

Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake

Hello there!Today I am sharing a most delicious cake.

 Credit for this recipe goes to:

 http://www.ciaowinnipeg.com/?page_id=6412

Of course the cake in the magazine is perfection, but I think mine turned out pretty good, for my first try.

FYI: Wrapping chocolate around a cake is not easy, be patient. I know that I need a lot more practice.

 What mattered most, it was delicious & a huge hit with my family.