d's delights- cooking and crafts

Zuppa Toscana (OG Copycat!) I had made a lot of tomato-based soups lately, so I decided to go wit this.   It is supposedly a copycat of the Olive Garden recipe.   As usual, I had to make some of my own adjustments.   (Not as much kale and more broth/cream than called for) This turned out sooooo good!   I am afraid I’m going to eat it all up before even having a chance to freeze any for later!   A great comfort food for depressing winters! Olive oil 1 lb Italian Sausage (casing removed) 4 slices of bacon, diced   (bacon, bacon, Bacon BACOOOOOOON!) 1 sm-md yellow onion, chopped 3 14.5 oz cans of chicken broth 2 cups (or cans worth!) of water 1 ½ lb russet potatoes (about 4)   sliced and diced.   (leave skin on if desired- rinse and scrub first!) 1 ½ tsp sugar ½ tsp crushed fennel seeds   (these are optional, but I wouldn’t leave them out if you can help it!) Salt and pepper 2 C half and half (I actually used 32 ...

My latest new recipe is a minestrone that originally came from my Taste of Home Cookbook.   I used to pour over ToH magazines looking for new and interesting recipes.   I still have them… though I don’t really know why because I’m sure all the things I’d like are on the internet now!  This turned out really good, and it is packed with vegetables and flavor.   Perfect for the kind of November weather we’ve been having here lately.   (It’s currently grey, spitting and ugly snow and is VERY cold!) The original recipe can be found here . Here is what I did to change it up. My changes are in red ·          2 cups coarsely chopped onions   (about 2-3 white onions) ·          1 cup sliced celery (about 2-3 stalks) ·          1/4 cup minced fresh parsley   (I didn’t use parsley… didn’t have any) ·    ...

Broccoli Ginger Slaw This recipe was originally called a “Detox Salad”   but that name sounds a little scary!   So, I decided to rename it!   Its good for pitch ins, was not too hard to make, and not too expensive… not to mention it’s full of good-for-you things!      2 cups broccoli (This was like a small head of broccoli)      2 cups cauliflower (small head) 1 cup red cabbage, chopped or shredded (I bought a small bad of pre-chopped red cabbage- much more cost and time efficient than buying and entire head for just a small bit) 1 cup carrots, shredded or chopped.   (2-3 carrots) 1-1/2 cups fresh parsley (A couple of handfuls)   2 celery stalks   ½ cup almonds (or a couple of handfuls)   1/2 cup sunflower seeds (a couple of handfuls)   1/3 cup organic raisins (a few small boxes)   3 Tbsp olive oil   ½ cup lemon juice (juice of a whole lemon.   A little lemon...

Bi-coastal Salsa Chop up these ingredients and put in a big bowl: 3 cloves garlic 3 green onions 1 small or ½ large red onion 1 small or 1 large Vidalia or sweet onion (1/2 jalepeno) 3-5 Tomatoes 1 green bell pepper 1 red bell pepper 1 orange bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper (purple bell peppers are nice too, if available) ½ bunch chopped cilantro Mix together: 1-2 tbs red wine vinegar ¼ C lime juice (juice of 1 large  lime or two small ones) Grated lime peel Pepper ¼ tbs ground cumin 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp olive oil (or other salad oil of your choice) I adapted this recipe from two different salsa recipes.   One was from an LA Weigh Loss cook book, and another was from the South Beach cookbook… so, I named this “Bi-Coastal Salsa”! There is no cooking involved here, but the cutting can be tedious if it’s not your favorite thing to do. I like the peppers and onions to be chopped quite fine.   Putting them through a processor is a...

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert What you need:  at least a half of a bag of pretzels.  (I ususally use the small pretzel shaped ones), a stick of butter, 1 C and 3 Tbs of sugar (divided), 2 3-ox packages of strawberry jello, 2-8 oz tubs of cool whip, 2 C Water, 1-8 oz package of cream cheese, 1 pt of strawberries, cut and sweetened, or a package of frozen sweetened strawberries. Mix together: 2 C crushed pretzels ¾ C butter (or really, who are we kidding?   Just put the whole stick in!) 3 tbs sugar Press into 9x13 ungreased pan and bake at 350 for 10 min.   Let it cool completely. Meanwhile… Whip together (with a mixer) in medium bowl and set aside: 2 C whipped topping (basically this is a whole 8 oz tub of Cool Whip) 1 8 oz package cream cheese 1 C sugar Mix Together 2- 3 oz packages (or 1-6 oz) strawberry jello mix 2 C boiling water add 2 16 oz packages of frozen sweetened strawberries or 2 pints cut and sweetened strawberries Dissolv...

Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing Mix the following in a small food processor: 1/3 C Mayo ¼ C Milk 3 Tbs sugar (or Splenda) 4 tsp cider vinegar 2 tsp poppy seeds This is one of my new favorites!   It is perfect with a salad that has something sweet in it, like cranberries.

Summer Spinach Salad Dressing 2/3 cup sugar or Splenda 1/3 cup cider vinegar 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 small onion, finely chopped (in the food processor) 4 teaspoons prepared mustard (I use Dijon or deli mustard) 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper This was originally recorded in my recipe journal on July 10, 2004 and came from a Taste of Home magazine.   My mom used to work in a FACS department and would get all the old Taste of Home Magazines.   I would sit and peruse them for hours trying to find things that looked good to try to make! Since it is such a sweet dressing, it pairs nicely with spinach, fruit and nuts.

Simply Divine Italian Vinaigrette from Deb 1/2 C EVOO 4 TBS Red Wine Vinegar 1-2  Lemons, juiced 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 tsp dried oregano salt and pepper to taste Blend in a small food processor or blender. I have to say, I made this once and forgot the lemon, and it was still super good. This was about 4-5 servings of dressing. I doubled the recipe she gave me.

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. Instruction...

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 c...

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, a...

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...

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!