Jalapeno Cheese Squares - Texas Style

Jalapeno Cheese Squares

Okay, I realize mine are not really "square"...I made them in a round dish LOL, but you get the idea!!

I do not always measure! Below I've written the recipe as it appears in the cookbook, next to it I've added my notes on portion size.

4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese  (I used less, probably about 3 cups)

4 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon minced onion (I used about a half cup of chopped red onion)

4 canned jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (I used half a jar of sliced jalapeno's)

Combine all ingredients and blend thoroughly.  Pour and spread mixture in an 8" square pan - my goodness any shape will do :)  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Cut into serving size and serve hot.

NOTE:  The next morning I chopped up the left over cheese squares, heated them in a skillet, added bacon and sausage.  I heated some tortillas and made it into mexi-scramble breakfast burrito...DELISH!!

Country Style Spareribs With Honey Barbecue Sauce - YUM

Country Spareribs With Honey BBQ Sauce

This is a very simple, quick and delicious meal!!  My daughters grew up eating this at least a couple times a month.  It can easily be done on the grill if you prefer, and its delish smoked.  FYI:  Even though I give "measurements" for the BBQ sauce, I just estimate the amounts, you cant ruin it!!

3 pounds spareribs, cut into serving pieces.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Place ribs in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan.  Roast in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.  Brush ribs generously with Honey Barbecue Sauce (below) and continue baking and basting until ribs are tender and beautifully glazed, about 1 hour more.

Honey BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1 tblsp vinegar
2 tsp Dijon-style mustard
2 tblsp brown sugar
1 tblsp soy sauce
1 clove garlic, put through a press

Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.  Makes about 1 1/2 cups sauce.  Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for later use - but we always use ALL of it, either for basting or for dipping.  Enjoy.


THANKS!!

Dinner Party Etiquette - otherwise known as common sense

  

   Our family enjoys having friends over, hosting hospitality, breakfast parties, luncheons, dinners, billiard party's, beer party's, BBQ's, you name it!!  

     However, after a stressful dinner party, I realized I have certain expectations of my dinner guests.  My husband and I discussed the things that caused it to be stressful, we then hit the internet to find if there were any guides on guest etiquette - after all we needed to know if our concerns were valid.  This is what we found:

1. Respond to the RSVP.  Whether you have been invited to a formal sit down dinner or a casual group for lunch, respond to the host with a "yes, we'll be there" or "no, we cant make it this time."  If the invitation comes with any instructions regarding number of guests, items to bring, or a date to RSVP by, follow those instructions.

2.  Come on time - period.  If you are running late this is not the time to call and say you are 5 minutes away when you are actually 30 minutes away!  Your host is keeping multiple things hot on the stove, trying to figure out when to move guests to the table, and knowing exactly what time you'll arrive is very important.

3.  Don't show up with someone unexpectedly.  If  you want to bring someone with you that is not invited this MUST be prearranged.  For certain cocktail party's or an open house this may not be a big deal.  But if it's a seated party, your host has planned for an exact number!

 

4.  Offer to bring something.  If the host doesn't take you up on it, bring a gift.  I found this suggestion on every etiquette site when I was researching for this blog.  As a guest, I have not always done this!!  Here is a list of ideas to take if your host says they don't need you to contribute to the meal:

• Fancy bottle of Jam, vinegar or other jarred item
• Bottle of wine
• Box of chocolates
• A pound of good coffee
• Fresh flowers (as long as you bring a vase - that you leave- and have them already cut, the last thing you want is to add more jobs to your host or take up room in the kitchen!)
• A sweet tea towel
• A pint of fresh berries or peaches from a farmers market

5.  If the host does ask you to bring something, bring it ready-to-serve.  If you need kitchen items to complete it or to serve it - bring them with you!  Example:  If you've been asked to bring chopped vegetables - chop them at home.  Do not assume you can use the hostess kitchen cutting boards, counters, dishes or oven.  This is a no no.

6.  Help the  hostess.  Instead of asking "can I help" offer to do a specific job that needs done.  Slice bread, pour wine, scoop ice cream, slice cake, bring dirty dishes to the kitchen.  If the hostess really does not need help let them shoo you back to the table.

7.  After the party, leave any left over food/drink with the host.  Unless the host asks you to take it home, all food and drink should be left for the host.  I have been to parties where I've seen guests take their wine home if it was not opened, or they take their left-over dessert home.  This is a no no.  When I've seen people do that - it looks really bad!!  Don't be that guy!!

8.  Say thank you!  This does not mean you have to out and buy a thank you note, just a simple text on the way home thanking your host for a great meal, wonderful company and conversation is a nice end to an evening.

Well I have to say those eight items just about cover it, although I would like to add a couple items to this list that I have seen over the years:

• If it's a serve yourself party - don't pile up on the meat or dessert - make sure everyone gets food before you have seconds on your first plate.
• If your asked to bring a dish of some sort - ask about serving size!
• I would prefer if guests don't start eating until I sit down with them. I feel like a waitress  instead of a dinner companion when people *dig in* while I'm still bringing the food to the table or plating other guests' meals.
   

These are just a few thoughts, I'd love to know what you think - what did I miss?  How about host etiquette, have a suggestions?

Cajun Fry Dip - Recipe

Cajun French Fry Dip

1 cup Mayo

1 Tablespoon A-1 Sauce

1 Teaspoon Mustard

2 Heaping Tablespoons of Smokey Cajun Spice Blend (recipe on previous blog)

Combine all ingredients and stir till smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.  Taste, add more Smokey Cajun Spice Blend if you like it spicier :)

Cajun French Fries

You can put your fries in a zip lock bag with a little olive oil and a tablespoon of Smokey Cajun Spice Blend.  Seal, Shake, then bake like normal.

Enjoy!!

Smokey Cajun Spice Blend

Smokey Cajun Spice Blend

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon hot red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1/4 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chipotle powder

You can simply mix these together and store in an airtight jar or if you prefer, blend them in a blender until fine.  If this is too spicy, omit the chipotle powder and only add 1 teaspoon of the hot red pepper flakes.


This spice is great for fish, poultry, vegetables or mixed into a dipping sauce!
 ENJOY

Watch For These Blog Titles

Whats next?

Blogs Coming Soon

• Chipotle  Raspberry Jam  (January)
• Gluten Free Flour Tortillas  (January)
• Featured Art from Sherman Street Design  (Dec. 15th)
• Sequim/Port Angeles Vacation  (Dec. 12th)

Perfect Brown Rice - How to

Most of you (regular readers/friends) know that my family had to make some changes in our diet.  We have several food intolerance, sensitivities, and allergies.  Yes, each of those have different symptoms and reactions!

My son, reason one for dietary changes is his health

Lets face it white rice is pretty to look at, it taste good, and its quick to make!  But we don't eat it anymore :( and had to make the change to brown rice.  One reason was due to my son and I are both borderline diabetic, meaning our sugar index is very high.

When it comes to rice labels the packaging can be deceiving!.  According to the box the only difference is brown rice has 3 grams more fiber and 1 gram of fat. While white rice  has no fat.

However, consider this interesting fact:  People become diabetic because our organs produced enough insulin designed in its lifetime (about 100 years) but it is being used within 20-40 years.  Research shows its due to over consumption of white rice/ white flour!!  White rice, once digested, the blood sugar levels boost high and insulin has to be released to control the blood sugar levels.  However, when brown rice is eaten, it digest slowly with the fiber layer on top and it gradually release sugar, so blood sugar levels stay normal.

When I first made brown rice I treated it like white rice, the results were disastrous! Soggy, sticky mush!!  Totally gross.  Then I learned from my Mexican friend how they make rice at the restaurants.  They don't boil it!!  You sautee it.  Here's how:

You'll need:

1 cup brown rice
2 cups liquid (liquid is water, some kind of broth, or for Mexican rice add a can of stewed tomatoes)
2 tbl favorite oil (olive or coconut is good)
spices ( I add about 5 cloves and two pinches of coriander, this is a good combo for just about any dish)

• Rinse the rice (its a pain, but it washes off the starch and cleans it
• Heat your sautee pan to high, add your favorite oil
• once this heats add the rice, stir it around.  It will start to brown and make a slight pop sound
• add your spices, stir
• add your liquid (it will steam and instantly boil, be careful)
• cover, turn down to simmer for 45 minutes.

Fluffy Brown Rice

 Serve with.....anything!!

Healthy Popsicles - Sugar, Dairy and Dye Free

We have been looking EVERYWHERE for a completely healthy Popsicle with out fake sugar, refined sugar, dairy, preservatives and dyes. I have to tell you, they DON'T exist, commercially anyway.

 I bought the healthiest all fruit (strawberry) Popsicle that I could find in the Health section of Fred Meyer.  I then let my boy only eat only 1/2 at a time, which is not satisfying at all - poor little guy.  The problem is they were not a "perfect" solution so then I bought this handy little Popsicle mold at my local Fred Meyer store.  I decided I would chop up one of the Strawberry Popsicle and divide it among the four molds adding home made lemon aid over the top, below is the result.

Strawberry - Lemon Aid Popsicle

1 Box of Healthy Choice All Fruit Popsicle

2 lemons (squeezed)

2 cups filtered water

1 scoop pure Stevia

Chop up one All Fruit Popsicle, place the pieces in Popsicle mold.  

Mix together lemon juice, water and stevia. -taste and adjust

according to your personal preferences- 

Pour this mixture over the chopped fruit Popsicle.  

Freeze.  Enjoy.

As an alternative to purchasing All Fruit Popsicle, 

the next time I made these I chopped up frozen strawberry's

and then followed the same instructions.

Someone in my car group told me I could add yogurt for an even different flavor - and look!!  I have such smart friends :).  I have tried this style with both goat yogurt and coconut yogurt.   

Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Popsicle

Goat yogurt (or coconut yogurt)

**Fresh Blackberry's (or other fresh fruit)

1 scoop Stevia

In a blender, mix together your fresh fruit, 

Stevia and about 1/4 cup of your choice yogurt.

Place a spoon full of Yogurt into each

Popsicle mold, then pour a small amount of

blended fruit, alternate those two ingredients until

the molds are full.  Freeze.  Enjoy.

Thanks for joining us.  Please send me your home made, healthy Popsicle recipes!!

**I realized today, this photo and recipe was with Blackberry's not strawberry's although any fresh fruit will work.

Jalapeno Mayonnaise

Char's Jalapeno Mayo

 Jalapeno Mayo

1 cup mayonnaise

2 jalapenos (seeded)

1/2 bunch cilantro

Juice from a slice of lime

2 teaspoons Agave (honey or rice syrup will work also)

1 tbls mixture of cumin, chili powder and oregano

dash of salt

I  put everything in the blender and blend till smooth (mixture will be green and slightly runny.)  This is great on sandwiches, scrambled eggs or as a dip.  If you make this, please share what you like it on!!

Enjoy!!

Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Mix - the secrets

Charlotte & Kyle, 2012 Crystal Lodge -  Mt. Rainer

When we first found out that my son and I could not eat Wheat or Gluten (honestly at first I wondered how we would live)  I thought all I had to do was convert my favorite recipes by simply exchanging wheat flour for rice flour, boy was I wrong!!  You cannot simply take your favorite bread recipe and exchange gluten free flour for regular white flour.  Gluten is exactly what is "sounds" like...GLUE.  Without it bread turns out like crackers.  With the price of gluten free mixes, its not cheap to make mistakes and toss it in the garbage.

So I turned to the internet for gluten free recipes.  That wasn't much better, considering some people like to publish without TASTING!!   Oh, I better insert here that we are not just gluten free, we are also dairy, soy, and sugar free!!  Which adds more failure to our list!!

I couldn't just give up, after all I have to feed my family.  Not just "feed" them bland food, but offer food that is beautiful to look at and taste equally delicious.  Foods that we miss like pizza, cookies, cake, etc..

Solved!!  I am going to share with you the flour combination that will produce perfect, delicious breads. 

• 6 cups rice flour (white is good, brown is healthier)
• 3 cups tapioca flour
• 1 1/2 cups potato starch
• 1 tbl salt
• 2 tbl xanthum gum

Whisk all ingredients together, transfer to an airtight storage container.  This is my alternative "All Purpose Flour" and is used anytime I upload a recipe that calls for Chars flour mix.


NOTE:  I  know some of you cant have Tapioca and Potato flour/starch so here is an alternative mixture.  BTW, if I know YOU  are coming over I will replace the above combination with the below combo instead :)

• 2 cups arrowroot powder
• 1 cup millet flour
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 4 tsp xanthan gum

ENJOY!!