Monday, May 13, 2013

FuN Day

Fenway Park - May 11, 2013
On a whole we all hopefully try to eat balanced meals each day.  There are exceptions to those well planned meals!  Saturday was definitely an exceptional day... in more ways than one.  Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes that were defrosted/ heated in the microwave made for a delicious nutritious filling easy breakfast.  My family was on our way to Fenway Park!  My younger son had planned this gift for all of us.

Driving to Riverside in the eastern part of my state to park the car, riding the T into Boston and then walking the short distance to the game from the T stop is all part of the FuN.  Then, nothing beats eating a Fenway Frank while watching the Red Sox!  It was all part of the great Mother's Day weekend!  Chillin' with my daughter-in-law and the men in the fam while watching the game!  Woohoo!  FuN!

We did enjoy!
            

Friday, May 10, 2013

~Sunday~



Speaking as a Mom, a Mother-in-Law and also a Grandmother (& Happy Wife), I totally enjoy Mother's Day!  I wish all Moms a wonderful day!

Enjoy!
 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Spanish Rice

A canopy of trees in my neighborhood!

First, the sight outside my kitchen window only attracted my attention each morning.  Now, as my backyard perennial garden grows, the beautiful colorful trees in my neighborhood are bursting with color!  Spring has arrived in MA!  While taking a daily walk or driving through my New England town, the gorgeous colors found on an artist's palette are right before my eyes!   

The first days of May bring tulips and daffodils.  It also brings Cinco de Mayo!  On the fifth day of May it has become a tradition with me to prepare Spanish Rice for dinner.  It surely is a change of pace to make dinner on my stove top rather than use the outdoor grill.  A can of Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce & Rice will be located easily tomorrow.  Sliced Peppers will be defrosted and the Ground Beef will be purchased.   

The Rice is cooked before using.  This is an easy delicious dinner!

 

Spanish Rice

Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Beef, browned
1 can (15 oz.) Tomato Sauce
1 can (15 - 20 oz.) Tomatoes - whole or pieces, drained
1 Green Pepper - cut into strips (I use defrosted slices.)
2 Cups cooked Rice

1/4 tsp. Oregano
1/4 tsp. Basil
1 Tablespoon chopped Parsley

Method:

  1. Brown 1 lb. Ground Beef.
  2. While browning Beef, combine Tomato Sauce, Tomatoes and cut/ or defrosted Green Pepper in large pot and simmer.
  3. Add browned Beef and stir.
  4. Add in cooked Rice, Oregano, Basil and Parsley.  Stir well and simmer 30 minutes.
  5. Stir occasionally while simmering. 
This is also a quick dinner on after a very busy day!

Enjoy!
Yummy!
    

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

~ May 1 ~

My view from my kitchen window!

A beautiful time of year!



Enjoy!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Bran Muffins with Raisins

Bran Muffins with Raisins ready for the freezer!
For the past three weeks baking a double batch of Bran Muffins with Raisins has been on my "to do" list!  It had been a long time, since I'd baked a batch, so a box of All-Bran Cereal was purchased.  No, the name is not enticing nor is it glamorous, but these muffins are just delicious!  This is especially true the day after they are baked.

I use the original recipe that was printed on the Kellogg's All-Bran Cereal box years ago.  Well, with a few changes!  I use Olive Oil for sauteing & baking, Soy Milk and Egg Whites rather than the original ingredients.

One batch yields 12 muffins.  As long as my mixing bowls and cooking utensils are being used, I always bake a double batch and store most of them in the freezer.  These muffins freeze very well!   

Bran Muffins with Raisins

Oven: 400°F
Time: About 25 Minutes
Yield: 12 Muffins

Ingredients:
1 and ½ Cups Kellogg’s All-Bran Cereal
1 and ¼ Cups Milk (Can use Soy Milk)
1 and ¼ Cups Flour
3 tsp. Baking Powder
½ tsp. Salt
½ Cup Sugar
2 Egg Whites
1/3 Cup Olive Oil (for Sauteing & Baking)
¼ Cup Raisins

Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.  
  2. In a bowl combine All-Bran Cereal and Milk.  Stir.
  3. In another bowl combine dry ingredients and stir.
  4. Beat Egg Whites with a fork in another small bowl.
  5. Combine Egg Whites and Olive Oil with Cereal/Milk mixture and stir well.
  6. Add dry ingredients and Raisins. Stir only until combined.
  7. Portion batter into 12 muffin cups.
  8. Bake at 400°F about 25 minutes or until muffins are golden brown.        
**When measuring the Sugar, I use a scant less than the required amount, because I am using Raisins - that are already sweet.

These moisty muffins make for a great breakfast treat!  Store in Ziploc Freezer Bags in your freezer.  Defrost overnight or in the microwave!

Enjoy!
Yummy!
  




         

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Sockeye Salmon - on the Grill

Sockeye Salmon on the grill.
A sunny day in Massachusetts! Temperatures in the low 70°'s.  The vibrant yellow forsythias & daffodils are blossoming!  Tulip buds are now visible!  Spring!  Tonight was definitely a great evening to grill "wild caught" Sockeye Salmon for dinner.

Originally, this was not in my dinner plans for tonight.  However, who can resist grilling seafood on a beautiful spring evening?  A 1 lb. fillet of "wild caught" Sockeye Salmon (previously frozen) was purchased at our local Big Y's seafood department and the grilling basket was located.

This is an easy, quick dinner that tastes so good! 

Grilled Sockeye Salmon

Ingredients:
Salmon Fillet
Olive Oil for sauteing & baking
Paprika

***A grilling basket/ container  is a very handy tool to use.  It is sprayed with PAM before placing on the heated grill.

Method:
  1. Heat grill.
  2. On a large dish pour about 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil for sauteing & baking.
  3. Sprinkle about 1/8 teaspoon Paprika on the Olive Oil.
  4. Rinse Salmon Fillet under running cold water.
  5. Place fillet on Olive Oil/Paprika skin side up.
  6. Turn fillet over and coat other side with Oil mixture.
  7. Place fillet on/in grilling basket/container that has been sprayed with PAM.
  8. Grill on one side and then grill other side. 
  9. Grilling time - A 1 lb. piece requires 5 - 7 Minutes on each side.
***The amount of needed grilling time depends on the size of the piece of Salmon Fillet and also on the Grill.

Serve with a microwaved "Baked Potato" and a veggie salad!

Enjoy!
Yummy!
  

Monday, April 15, 2013

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Our Hearts and our Prayers
Are With 
the Victims and Their Families, 
the Visitors to,
the Residents of 
and 
the People Who Work
in Our Beautiful Historic City of Boston.