d's delights- cooking and crafts

How to make a wire ribbon angel. I learned how to make these from a Pinterest video, and I added my own touches.   These were very popular in the craft shows I did, and I plan on giving a lot away with Christmas presents.                           Supplies: This on was my favorite- with a jingle bell head and bow embellishment. 2-3 in wide wire ribbon (You can do this with other materials too, like burlap or paper, but let’s first stick with the wire ribbon!) Stapler (make sure it’s full of staples!) Glue gun and glue sticks Jingle bell, wooden ball or small ornament ball for head String for hanging Gold or silver cord for halo (no more than an inch and a half) Front embellishment-A bow, a small heart or star or jewel.   (To hide where the pieces are glued together)   The head for this one was a little craft embellishment ball. Instructions: 1)     Start fan-folding the ribbon with folds about an inch wide. (eyeba

Rio Black Beans This tuned out a happy accident because I started to use an unintended Pinterest recipe before finding the one that I had planned to make. Garlic, chopped Olive Oil 2 cans of black beans (not rinsed or drained 1 6 oz can tomato juice 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp dried oregano Salt and pepper Fresh cilantro Saute the garlic in oil. Add beans, tomato juice, cumin and oregano, salt and pepper.   Bring to boil.   Simmer until thick.   Add cilantro before serving.

Blue Ribbon Blackberry BBQ Sauce Here is a sauce that’s great for grilled chicken.   Rob liked this, as it wasn’t spicy and had just enough sweet tang to it.   I put aside 3 small ½ cup baggies to freeze and use again later. 2 tsp oil ¼ Cup finely chopped onion 1 1/2 C ketchup  1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons orange juice 12 oz blackberry jam (seedless) 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp orange zest Cook the onion on the oil for a few minutes.   Add in the other ingredients.   Bring to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes.   Brush the sauce on the chicken after it has been browned on each side.

Westside-Story-Rainy-Day Kebabs   I made this on a gloomy, rainy July 4 th .   Westside Story was on TV.   I (gasp) had never actually seen it in its entirety.   I mean, I know the songs, the story, the dances… and the lyricist… but had never sat down and watched it all the way through.   So, I think these kebabs will always remind me of the movie since we made and ate them while it was on, and while Rob re-lived his glory days of being on stage. The original recipe called for some dill… but I am not a fan of dill.   It’s like the one herb I just don’t do.   Maybe it reminds me too much of pickles.   Anyway, you can sprinkle on some dill if you like.     Ingredients : 6-10 small new potatoes, cut in half (you’ll probably use 2 whole potatoes per skewer) 9-12 grape or cherry tomatoes 6-10 green onions.   (You’ll use the bottom thick portion- cut into 1 ½ in pieces.) 1 package of precooked smoked sausage. (You could use any kind of sausage you like, but make sure i

Grilled Honey Lime Chicken Chicken Breasts ___ Juice of 1 Lime 2 Tbs Honey 1 Tsp-ish cumin Handful of chopped Cilantro 2 Tbs Olive Oil ___ Montreal Seasoning Mix juice, honey, cumin, cilantro and oil to make marinade.  Marinate chicken at least 10 minutes. Add seasoning on marinated chicken and grill. Great with Mexican Chunk Salad.

Mexican Chunk Vegetable Salad 2 Tomatoes 1/3- 1/2 cucumber 1/2 red onion 1 medium bell pepper (I used a red one) 2 ribs celery 2 tbs olive oil 2 limes (juiced) salt and pepper to taste Chop up vegetables, combine with juice and olive oil. Great with Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

Balsamic Grilled Veggies I'm trying to eat healthy and plan meals better... and I'm tired of  "Salads" for my vegetable intake!  I loves salads, but it's hard to eat one every day sometimes.  So, I found some grilled veggies recipes.  This also helps get rid of those vegetables that are still good, but maybe not as crisp as a few days ago.  My husband can eat them with his rice and I eat them over some lettuce or by themselves. Balsamic Grilled Veggies 6 Tbs Olive Oil 1/4 C Balsamic Vinegar 1/4 C Fresh Chopped Basil 1/4 C Fresh Chopped Parsley Chopped or Minced Garlic (a few cloves) Marinade chosen vegetables for 30 min.  I used carrots, zucchini, mushrooms (on a skewer) and red onions. Grill until done.  Yum. Ranch Grilled Veggies This one is super easy.  You know those packages of ranch season to make your own dressing?  Well, that's what you need.  Drizzle chosen veggies with olive oil, sprinkle on seasoning, and grill.  You can real

Lemon Chicken with Cucumber Salsa This is a great meal for Spring or Summer.  My husband even likes to eat the cucumber salsa!!!  Chicken Breasts ___ 2 lemons (zest about a tablespoon and juice 1/2 C) 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped or minced 2 Tablespoons olive oil (or canola) 2 Tsp Dried Oregano 1Tsp Paprika 1/2 Tsp Salt 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper ___ 1/2 Medium cucumber (I use the English kind) 2 Tbs Chopped Red Onion 1/4 C Chopped Red Bell Pepper Marinade/Dressing Mix lemon zest, juice, garlic, oil and spices. Reserve 2 Tbs for the vegetables. Marinade Chicken in dressing. Grill chicken, mix vegetables with reserved marinade.

This is a yummy and easy dessert that's sure to  please at your next family gathering! 1 Can Crushed Pineapple, with juice undrained.  1 package instant vanilla pudding mix 1 cup (or a little more) whipped topping 1 round shortbread or angel food cake, sliced into layers. Strawberries for topping Mix the pineapple and juice with the pudding mix. Add in whipped topping. Put bottom layer of cake in a trifle bowl, spread pineapple mixture on top, layer and repeat. If the cake is a ring cake, add strawberries in the middle.  Add strawberries for decoration on top. (I used 2 cakes, and took one layer from one to add to the three layers  of the other.)

Marinade 2 tablespoon olive oil  2 tablespoons white wine vinegar some chopped fresh cilantro (about a tablespoon) pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper 1/2 teaspoon cumin Fresh oregano (1 teaspoon) Brown porkchops on each side, brush on marinade. Grill or pan cook Porkchops. Dressing for corn salsa 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar  2 tablespoons olive oil  1 teaspoon sugar  pinch of salt, fresh ground pepper  1/2 teaspoon cumin  Fresh oregano Salsa  one can of whole kernel corn  3 to 4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped 3 to 5 chopped green onions (1/2 c)  a handful of cilantro, chopped Mix dressing with salsa. Serve with pork chops and a bed of fresh greens.

Calico Coleslaw   This is a recipe that I made way back in 2005, on May 7.  This year, I made it for our Mother’s Day BBQ at my brother-in-law and new sister-in-law’s house.  I made note that it was really good, but that it took a lot of prep work.  Well, I was able to cut down the prep work by using my big food processor that I did not have way back then.   It’s very colorful, and tastes as beautiful as it is!   First, make the dressing: DRESSING 1 orange (zest and juice) ¼ C Rice vinegar (I used a mix of apple cider and white wine because my rice vinegar was expired) 1 ½ tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons honey (umm, I always add more honey…) 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro  (ok, just do like Rachael Ray and eyeball it!) ½ teaspoon salt.   Zest the orange (about a teaspoon worth), and juice to measure at least 2 tablespoons worth. (I just use what it gives me, even if it’s more!)  Mix the ingredients together and set aside to put on slaw.   SLAW ½ head red cabbage (cored and shred

I found this recipe on Pinterest. It's quite yummy, and I think it would make a great condiment or veggie dip. The original recipe from http://asouthernfairytale.com/2014/06/25/buttermilk-avocado-ranch-dressing/ 1/2 ripe avocado 1/4 c plain Greek yogurt 1/4 c mayo  1 Tsp white wine vinegar 3 tbs buttermilk  1/2 Tsp dill weed 1/2 Tsp garlic powder 1/2 Tsp salt 1/2 Tsp onion powder I basically doubled it... Because what was I going to do with the other half of the avocado (well, eat it, I suppose) I also don't keep dill because I don't really like it. So, I had a pack of ranch seasoning which I used instead, I used 3 Tsp for this doubled recipe. I mixed it in the good processor and it got good and creamy!

4 cloves garlic 3 tbs mayonnaise  2 tbs lemon juice  1 tbs Dijon mustard 1 tbs sugar 2 Tsp Morton's Nature Seasoning  1 1/2 c balsamic vinegar 3/4 c extra virgin olive oil  Mix first seven ingredients in a food processor  Slowly add vinegar and oils while continuing to mix 

I love to make my own salad dressing, and am eager to find new ones, especially if they are easy! This one is pretty quick. I used a mini food processor, but you can use a blender, or just chop the garlic yourself and shake it all well. This makes about a cup and a half. 1/2 C Red Wine Vinegar 1/2 C Honey 1/2 C Canola Oil 2-4 Cloves of Garlic, minced or chopped 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper

Here's a quick and easy marinade for kebabs. You can use pork or chicken tenderloins. You can put whatever else you like in your kebabs. We like red, orange and yellow peppers, but you could use green peppers, onions, pineapple... You don't have to let it marinade for very long. The time it would take you to prep the other ingredients is sufficient. 1/4 Cup Honey 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce 1/2 Tsp Parlic Powder 1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger 1/2 Tsp Ground Mustard This is good for 1-2 lbs of meat. Cut your meat into desired chunks and mix the chunks in the marinade.  Put on a skewer as desired, grill on the grill. Serve with rice!