Chicken & Sausage Pasta

Chicken & Sausage Pasta

 One day while trying to get things together (wash clothes, stop the baby from crying....) I remembered I hadn't prepared anything for my husband and I for dinner. Takeout was one thought but we are doing a no take out or processed food challenge so i decided i had to cook! With no time to go to the grocery store since my husband was due home from work any minute I had to do one of my famous pantry raids, and this recipe is definitely a pantry raid. Chicken, sausage, milk, butter and basic seasonings are things that I always have readily available in the kitchen. So after a few minutes of starring into my fridge this is what I cooked up ENJOY!!!!

Ingredients

• Whole Milk
• Link Sausage ( I used a Louisiana Favorite Manda's Hot Sausage)
• 1 Stick of butter
• 3 cooked chicken breast
• Onion, Garlic, Bell pepper, Celery ( I always have this cut up and ready in the fridge)
• Emeril's Essence Original
• Garlic Powder
• Italian Seasoning
• Parmesan Cheese
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper
• Red Pepper
• Corn Starch ( if needed)

Directions

• cut up cooked chicken breast and sausage set aside (Hint: to get rid of the extra grease run the sausage in the oven on 350 for about 10-20 min and strain) 
• in a medium saucepan melt butter with cut up seasoning mix pour milk and heat be sure to stir until all ingredients are combined well
• Begin adding additional seasonings ( Hint: tasting along the way so that it will be just right for you!)
• add chicken and sausage and let simmer
• Boil pasta as directions follow on package
• Corn Starch mixture: If the sauce is not thick enough for you use my little trick of cornstarch and water a few spoonfuls of cornstarch and a few drops of water will make a paste add to sauce stirring while adding be sure that the mixture dissolves completely and does not clump. (this will not alter the taste I promise :) )
• Keep stirring sauce until desired consistency is reached as well as flavor ( don't forget you should be tasting along the way)
• Once the sauce and pasta have cooked pour into a baking dish sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan run in the oven until Parmesan has melted 
• sprinkle with more Parmesan before serving and Enjoy!!!
• If you notice this is a pretty informal recipe with things like this I don't usually measure I just cook! don't scare yourself cooking is easy like Nike just do it!!!

What 200 calories looks like

Counting calories? This is a good guide if you are one of those on a diet or simply a calorie counter. 

Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut Bread

Ingredients

1 Stick of butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3-4 ripe bananas

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon cinnamon ( apple pie spice*)

Topping

1 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup light brown sugar 

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1-2 cups of confectioner's sugar

1-4 teaspoons milk

Directions

preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare desired pan. In a bowl smash bananas until small creamy with a few small pieces add cinnamon or apple pie spice and vanilla slightly stir and set aside.  In a bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt set aside. In a large  mixing bowl cream butter and  1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy, add eggs 1 at a time mixing well after each. add smashed bananas and dry ingredients mix well. pour mixture into desired pan ( I used large cup cake liners and placed them on a sheet pan to bake for individual servings) Now prepare topping mix together in a small bowl chopped pecans, brown sugar and 1/3 cup granulated sugar sprinkle topping on top of unbaked bread bake for 1 hour 10 minutes if using a bread or cake pan. if making individual servings bake for approx. 25-30 minutes ( keep a good eye on them if baking this way) Immediately after removing from oven prepare icing by mixing desired amount of confectioner's sugar with milk be sure not to add to much milk to sugar as this will result in having to add more sugar and you will end up with more icing than needed. the measurements provided for the icing are very accurate unless you like a lot of icing just stick with those measurements! drizzle icing over warm bread and ENJOY!! ( Great right out of the oven and even better the next morning :) )

* Apple Pie Spice is a spice usually only available around the holidays and is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg...etc, this would make for a richer taste to your bread but cinnamon works just fine if you can't find or don't like apple pie spice

Julia Child's Pain Francais (French Bread)

Julia Child’s Pain Français (French Bread)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups warm water (120º – 130º)

Directions:

In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer using the flat beater, combine the yeast, 2 1/2 cups flour and salt. Mix on low for about 30 seconds.

With the motor running on low, pour in the warm water. Continue mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Clean off beater and switch to the dough hook. Mix in the remaining cup of flour a little at a time, to make a soft dough, adding more or less flour as needed. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. The surface should be smooth and the dough will be soft and somewhat sticky.

Turn the dough onto a kneading surface and let rest for 2 – 3 minutes while you wash and dry the bowl.

Return the dough to the mixing bowl and let it rise at room temperature (about 75º) until 3 1/2 times its original volume. This will probably take about 3 hours.

Deflate the dough and return it to the bowl. Let the dough rise at room temperature until not quite tripled in volume, about 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

Meanwhile, prepare the rising surface: rub flour into canvas or linen towel placed on a baking sheet. (I used parchment paper.)

Divide the dough into 3, 6, or 12 pieces depending on the size loaves you wish to make. Fold each piece of dough in two, cover loosely, and let the pieces relax for 5 minutes.

Shape the loaves and place them on the prepared towel or parchment. Cover the loaves loosely and let them rise at room temperature until almost triple in volume, about 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 450º. Set up a “simulated baker’s oven” by placing a baking stone on the center rack, with a metal broiler pan on the rack beneath, at least 4 inches away from the baking stone to prevent the stone from cracking.

Transfer the risen loaves onto a peel.

Slash the loaves.

Spray the loaves with water. Slide the loaves into the oven onto the preheated stone and add a cup of hot water to the broiler tray.

Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown. (If you used parchment paper you will want to remove it after about 10-15 minutes to crisp up the bottom crust. Spray the loaves with water three times at 3-minute intervals.

Cool for 2 – 3 hours before cutting.

Healthy Choices

I found this on pinterest this morning, and for those of us that try to eat as healthy as possible this is a good tool for future recipes. While it only explains just a few combinations it's still very helpful :)

Make your own buttermilk

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of your latest culinary creation and suddenly find out you are missing a key ingredient? This happens to me a lot and I'm always so mad at myself at that point I just don't want to go to the store! This just recently happened while I was in the process of making a Texas Sheet Cake, I didn't have buttermilk of all things. So my grandmother told me one of her tricks (she never buys buttermilk by the way) Her tip was 1 part whole milk to 1/2 parts vinegar, wait about 2 minutes and you have the perfect buttermilk. Needless to say I tried her little trick and it worked just like spending 4$ in the store for buttermilk and I don't have an entire cartoon left to spoil in my fridge!!!

Mango Salsa and Chips

Mango Salsa and Chips

I find this to be a great snack! Since we are all trying to be a little more cautious about our calories and the things we eat this is definitely friendly to the body.

Homemade Chips

       4 whole grain or sprouted grain tortillas (I like Ezekiel brand)

       Olive oil cooking spray

       ½ teaspoon ground cumin

Salsa

       1 medium red onion, diced

       1 Mango, peeled, pitted, diced

       1 jalapeno, diced fine (remove seeds and ribs if you’d like less heat)

       1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

       ½ large red bell pepper, seeded and diced

       ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

       1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

       Juice of one lime

       ½ teaspoon ground cumin

       Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

.   Preheat oven to 400°.

.   Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each tortilla into 8 chip-shaped triangles. Place tortilla pieces in one layer on a baking sheet. You may have to use two baking sheets or work in batches.

.   Spray the tops of the tortilla pieces with cooking spray and then sprinkle with cumin. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until chips are crunchy and browned.

.   For the salsa, combine mango, onion, jalapeno, cucumber, bell pepper and cilantro in a large bowl and stir.

.   In a smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over salsa and stir to coat.

.   Let rest in fridge for at least an hour for the flavors to blend. Serve with chips.

Shopping Reminder

This is a pretty good list for those of us that may be on a budget and can't buy 100% organic all the time. My suggestion is to not rely so much on that organic seal, as it requires a lot to become certified organic. If you have a farmer's market or fruit and vegetable stand in your neighborhood pay them a visit. Odds are if you talk to the supplier or farmer you will find that they grow organic. Your body and your wallet will be pleased!

Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

If you are from the south you may be very familiar with this cake. For my distant family and I this is a favorite and probably always will be, the reason it's a favorite you ask? Good old Coca Cola!!

Give this recipe a try for your next family gathering or just the next time you get a chocolate and Coca Cola craving :) 

What You'll Need:

• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt 
• Baking Soda 
• Cinnamon
• Butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• Whole Milk
• Coca-Cola

Cake

preheat oven to 350, Flour and grease a 9×13 pan.

mix:

2cups flour

2cups sugar

1/2tsp salt

1tsp baking soda

1/2tsp cinnamon

Set dry mixture aside, in a medium saucepan over medium high heat stir until it simmers:

1 cup butter

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup coca-cola 

1/2 cup whole milk

take chocolate mixture off the heat and add to your dry mixture. Mix xompletely and then add:

2 eggs

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix completely and pour in your prepared pan, bake it for 30 minutes. Test with a toothpick to be sure it's complete ( toothpick should come out clean)

Glaze

I would start this process as soon as i take the cake out of the oven. 

In a saucepan over medium heat mix:

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup coca cola

once that reaches a light boil, remove and slowly stir in 4cups of confectioners’ sugar until nice and smooth. Then add in about a cup of chopped pecans(If desired), and give it a stir.

Let the cake cool for a few minutes (until the glaze settles a bit) and ENJOY!!

Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade Copy Cat

Passion Tea Lemonade

Starbuck's Passion Tea Lemonade over time has become one of my favorite drinks. I wanted it so often my mom and I decided to try to make it at home. Not only is the tea by itself delicious and have some health benefits adding a sweet lemonade to it just took it through the roof! The Tea all by itself is great for soar throats or after a long day to relax I have to keep at least 2 or 3 boxes in my pantry at a time.

In my opinion this copy cat version that my mom and I cooked up taste even better than the original.

Ingredients

4 Tazo Passion Tea Bags

4-5 ripe lemons

granulated sugar to taste

Directions

In a pot or Ice Tea Maker Pour in 2 cups of water and add your tea bags

Let steep no longer than 10 minutes if using stove top

If using ice tea maker just let it go through its process

Once the tea has finished immediately add sugar ( let this be to your liking but I use 2 cups for these measurements)

Juice your lemons, ripe lemons should make about 1/2 cup of juice add to your tea and pour over ice!

ENJOY!!

Spice Cake!!

This is a cake I have made hundreds of times. Unfortunately I never took any pictures of it, but I can tell you it is an amazing fix to a sweet tooth! Send me your pictures if you try this recipe I would love to see and hear how your version comes out!



Spice Cake

Spice Cake (Recipe Follows)

Cream Cheese Frosting (Recipe Follows)

Spice Cake

1-½ cups cake flour

1 -½ teaspoons baking powder

¼- Teaspoons salt

1-Tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

2-large eggs, room temperature

2/3-cup sugar

¾-cup unsalted butter

2-Teaspoons Mexican Vanilla

2-Teaspoons Almond Extract

½-cup whole milk

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.  In stand mixer combine butter and sugar. Once completely combined Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla and make sure all ingredients are combined well. Alternate dry ingredients and milk Beginning and ending with dry mixture.

Pour mixture into lightly floured and greased 9 inch. Rounds

Bake at 350 for 25-30 min. Let cool completely on wire racks

Cream Cheese Frosting

2- 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, room temperature

2- cups powdered sugar

1-Teaspoon Mexican Vanilla

With mixer whish together cream cheese and sugar until combined add vanilla and stir until well combined.

Assemble

Take one of your completely cooled cakes and lay flat on a cake plate (Flat side up) spread icing over top then lay the second layer on top. Ice the top and sides with remainder of icing and ENJOY!

Tips: 

1. As alway make sure you have clean dry utensils
2. Apple Pie Spice is a spice you can usually only find around the holidays. If you can't find this in your local grocery store you may combine cinnamon and nutmeg
3. Here in Louisiana I can always find Mexican Vanilla at a local farmer's market or speciality food store or a 100% guarantee is always Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table

EASY & YUMMY YELLOW CAKE

EASY & YUMMY YELLOW CAKE

This is one of the easiest cake recipes I have ever tried. Not only is it easy but it's DELICIOUS!! As you can see from the pictures my family destroyed it before I was able to get good pictures of the entire cake for you guys.

Try this recipe out as soon as you get a chance maybe you all will have better luck getting pictures and you can send me your work! HAPPY BAKING:)

Ingredients

1 cup shortening

2 cups white sugar

• 4 eggs
  2 tsps pure vanilla extract
  2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  3 tsps. baking powder
  1 tsps salt
  1 3/4 cup whole milk
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 x 13 inch pan.
2. Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Mix well. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, or until cake tests done. Cool.

Tips:

1. Be sure to completely grease and flour your cake pan, if you would like to take a short cut on this use a non-stick baking spray only!
2. the baking time on this cake is a little long so at about the 30 minute mark check your cake as some ovens get a little hotter and cook a little faster
3. For a lighter cake you can also try using cake flour instead of all-purpose in the same measurement.