thanksgiving...

this past weekend it was CANADIAN thanks giving. it's not often that i get to cook a thanksgiving meal. but this year i had the opportunity to make one for my family. i really enjoyed myself!

here's a recipe i found for the weekend. since i LOVE these so much i thought why not make the same thing but with PUMPKIN! i changed the cinnamon into all spice. they were delicious! maybe even better the next morning for breakfast ; )

i have a lot to be thankful for!

Butterscotch Confetti Squares

They are one of the easiest squares you'll ever make!

My family LOVES them...

I hope yours does to!

Ingredients:

½ Cup Margarine

¾ Cup Peanut Butter

1 Bag Butterscotch Chips

1 Package Colored Marshmallows (250gm)

Directions:

Melt butter & peanut butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir in butterscotch chips until melted. Cool until you can hold your hand to the bottom of the pot. To speed process, stir while holding pan in cold water. Add marshmallows & stir until all are coated. Pack in 9*9 inch pan that has been lined with foil. Refrigerate. Freezes well.

i LOVE...

Belgian Waffles.

here are my 2 favourite recipe's for belgian waffles and a 3rd

recipe that i just found and would LOVE to try!

Waffles

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp salt

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sugar

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups milk

3/4 cups oil

mix dry ingredients together. in a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients together. add wet ingredients to to dry and mix. if a little more moisture is needed add a little extra milk. the batter should be quite thick.

Sour Cream Waffles

1 3/4 cup flour

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup melted butter

mix dry ingredients together. in a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients together. add wet ingredients to to dry and mix. don't over mix

Authentic Belgian Waffles

here's a link to an authentic Belgium Waffle recipe that i am really excited to try! it sounds a little more difficult to make, but an entirely different taste than an Americanized Belgium waffle. i always find it exciting to try food in it's original form. YUMMM!!

PINK waffles were the order of the morning for my daughters birthday breakfast. they love it when you put some food coloring in there. i've even made green ones for Saint Patty's Day! the colors and toppings are endless!

bon appetit!

xo sandra

Rice WRAP's Wednesday

almost missed wednesday but i figure i still have a few hours left ; )


Shrimp & Avocado Rice Wraps

1 pkg rice paper wrappers
1 pkg rice noodles
1 avocado, thinly sliced
1-2 carrots, thinly sliced or shredded
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup thinly shredded lettuce
12-15 pre-cooked shrimp sliced width wise in half
mint leaves or cilantro if desired

sauce: peanut satay sauce (this was chucks favourite)
and or
tangy thai sauce (this was my favourite, the one i used was made by Renee's)

cook rice noodles as directed, set aside. in a warm bowl of water add 1 rice paper, let soak until softened. remove and place on a clean dish towel. place shrimp, avocado, cucumber, carrots, lettuce, and then noodles in the rice paper. wrap up starting at one end, fold in both sides and then finish wrapping. repeat steps until all ingredients are used. serve with sauce

ENJOY!

sandra

MONSTER TACO's for "Wrap WEDNESDAY"

This recipe was inspired in Kauai. The restaurant was made up of 3 tables a tent topper and a mesh surround. My mother-in-law assured us they were good so we tried them out.
My sister-in-law enjoying her's with the restaurant (tent) behind.

Isn't that the way it goes, the little whole in the wall usually always has the BEST food. Here's my recipe so you can try them for yourself!


MONSTER TACO's

8-10 tortilla shells
2 cups red cabbage sliced thin
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

Make all toppings. Cook chicken in a hot skillet with 1 tsp of oil for 5-7 minutes or until done. Set aside. Rub tortilla shells with a light coating of butter and then place on a hot pan for 30-50 seconds per side or until golden brown. Place chicken and cabbage in the warmed shell and add your toppings. Wrap and serve with black beans, tortilla chips and salsa on the side.

Chicken Marinade

juice from 2 limes with zest
3 TBsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBsp Rice Vinegar
salt and pepper

Combined ingredients. Set 1 TBsp of marinade aside for the Lime sour cream mixture. Add chicken and marinate for 10 minutes.

TOPPINGS

Fresh Tomato Salsa

2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno seeded
2 TBsp chopped red onion
2 TBsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
1-2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt

Put everything but the diced tomatoes in a food processor. Combined ingredients and enjoy!

Lime SourCream

1 TBsp pre-made marinade
1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup sour cream
3 TBsp finely chopped cucumber
salt and pepper

Guacamole

2 avocados, mashed
juice from 1 lime
2 TBsp fresh salsa
salt and pepper to taste

Combined ingredients.


ENJOY!

xo

sandra

wrap wednesday

here's the recipe i was talking about in the last post. it's a combination of two recipe's, one that i have eaten at Joey's Tomatoe's (a tasty restourant) and a recipe that i found on Martha's Stewart's site. in any case they are very tasty and easy to make!



CHINATOWN LETTUCE WRAPS

3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion halved and thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
6-8 mushrooms, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup sprouts
3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp water
chopped peanuts
chopped fresh cilantro
12-16 Boston lettuce leaves (Iceburg lettuce works if you can't find Boston lettuce)


1. In a large skillet heat 1 Tbsp of oil, over high heat. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. When the chicken is finished transfer to a plate and set aside.

2. Add remaining oil to the pan along with onion. Cook for 1-2 minutes, add red pepper and mushrooms. Cook until red peppers are still slightly crispy. About 4 minutes.

3. Reduce heat, add garlic, ginger, sprouts and red pepper flakes. Cook stirring for 30 to 60 seconds.

4. Stir in soya sauce vinegar and cornstarch mixture; remove from heat. Add chicken, toss and coat. Garnish with peanuts and cilantro. Serve in lettuce cups.


ENJOY!!

sandra

** HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY **

I'm having an October 1st ** HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY ** and your invited ; ) Here's what we're giving away!

A NEW PDF Halloween Quilt Pattern! Triangula... My talented sister made this for me last year, i loved it so much i thought that i would make it into a pattern. It's a FUN and simple Halloween project that will look great as a decoration and also keep you warm on those chilly fall days! It's available in my shop.

These cute little Ghostie Halloween Gift Cards are made by the very talented Lindy, over at Crafted by Lindy. You will receive a pdf file with 6 ghosts per page and cutting instructions on how to make them. How FUN would these be attached to a caramel apple or a popcorn ball for teachers or neighbour gifts!

I have been waiting all year to post about this recipe! We have been making caramel apples as a family tradition ever since my kids started trick or treating. Some times they turned out other times not so much... Well you know what they say "practice makes perfect", i think we've done just that with this apple and i would LOVE to share my caramel apple secrets with you.

SO here's how it's going to work (all winners will be picked by a random number generator):

1st prize: Triangula Quilt Pattern and the Ghosty Gift Tags

2nd prize: Triangula Quilt Pattern

3rd prize: Ghostly Gift Tags

How do you WIN!!! It's easy, just leave a comment about Halloween.

If you would like an EXTRA entry or entry's blog about it, tweet about it, or facebook it!! And just to keep things easy and fair, please leave a seperate comment for each entry that you have done.

Please check back next THURSDAY to see if you are the lucky WINNER!!

Your wondering WHO wins the Caramel Apple recipe aren't you??? Well you ALL do!!! HERE's the pdf file for your printing convenience! ( if your wondering what lily white is, it's clear corn syrup!)

Don't you just love HALLOWEEN!!!

xo sandra

mexican anyone?

**Mexican Chicken Soup**

4 chicken breasts

olive oil

kosher salt and black pepper

2 cups chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)

2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)

4 large garlic cloves, chopped

2 1/2 quarts (10 cups) chicken stock

1 can diced tomatoes (add half to pot and then puree half)

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

6-10 slices of canned jalapeno peppers chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander seed

1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

toppings

1 bag tortilla strips (found in the salad section of your grocery store)

sliced avocado

sour cream

cheddar cheese

Boil chicken until cooked through. Remove and shred. Set aside chicken and 2-3 cups of the chicken broth. Heat 3 TBsp of olive oil in large pot. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium heat for 10 mins, or until onions starts to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20min on low. Add chicken and simmer for another 10min. Serve with toppings.

I came across this recipe on the Barefoot Contessa's website and modified it a little to make it more "MOM" friendly ; ) Nothing is better than a nice warm boil of soup on a fall day!

Oh, how do you like my NEW look? It's compliments of April over at Sassy Fruit Studio's. I would recommend her to anyone. She did an AMAZING job and was so easy to work with!

thanks April!

COME back and visit on October 1st for some pre-HALLOWEEN fun! You won't want to miss it!

thanks for stopping buy!

xo

sandra

brown bananas?

"if life gives you brown banana's,

make banana cake!"

this recipe is originally from my sister. it's perfect to use up old bananas and works great to feed a large group! and there's nothing better than CREAM CHEESE ICING!

BANANA SHEET CAKE

• 1/2 cup butter (room temp)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups mashed bananas (4-6)

1. mix butter
2. add sugar and eggs mix well
3. add buttermilk, soda, vanilla and mashed bananas
4. mix in flour, just until most, do not over mix or it will become gooey.
5. bake in a greased jelly roll pan at 350 for around 15-20 minutes or until golden brown edges, top may not become brown. do not over bake.

CREAM CHEESE ICING

• 1 block cream cheese (room temp)
• 1/2 cup butter (room temp)
• 4 cups icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

1. mix cream cheese and butter until well whipped.
2. add icing sugar and then add vanilla
3. this may yield more icing than desired, if so, just save the remaining in the fridge for up to 1 week.

ENJOY!

xo sas

p.s. i've had so many people ask me for this recipe i decided to post it on my blog. this ones for you stace ; )

spice

i hope everyone had a GREAT mother's day! i definitely did. what's better than a trip with your daughter to surprise your mother. eating tasty Japanese food and having a sleepover. being surprised with wonderful I LOVE MOM posters and a list of why they love you. and to top it all off, spending time with your husbands fam eating tasty food and hang'n outside! 

this is what we gave our mom's for mother's day...

if you can't read it it say's:

 Grandma's Special Spice

so spicy it'll make your teeth fall out!

it's not that spicy... here's the recipe:

3 Tbsp course salt

2 Tbsp pepper

3Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp onion powder

2 Tbsp seasoning salt

2 Tbsp creole 

1 Tbsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)

mix and rub on pork, chicken, or beef.

we like to use it on pork loin. just rub on fry in a pan and throw the pan in the oven. it's also really good on chicken and ribs for a salty dry rib. 

ENJOY

xo sas

lost recipe

i LOST my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe last week, you know the one  you've used so often it's covered in grease stains and you can barely read what's on it.  i searched high and low and haven't been able to find it.

to do:  organize recipe's 

there is a silver lining to this story though...  what do you do when you don't know what to do?  call your mom.  they always seem to have a solution... at least mine does. thanks mom

 she gave me this gem... 

chocolate chip oatmeal cookies 

1 cup margarine or butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups milk chocolate chips 

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup cocoanut

1/2 cup rice krispies 

• mix margarine, add sugar and then eggs and vanilla
  
• mix in flour, bp, bs, salt 
  
• add remaining ingredients
• bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until slightly golden 

they are SO good i've made them 4 times in a week. how can you go wrong with milk chocolate chips, cocoanut,   oatmeal, and rice krispies?  YOU CAN'T 

hope you enjoy them as much as i do! 

xo sas

p.s. pictures of my sneak peek project coming soon : )