~Memorial Day~

Today

we remember & honor

the Men & Women 

who made the ultimate sacrifice 

for us!

Thank You!!! 

*Blueberry Torte*

Blueberry Torte
(File Photo)

A Blueberry Torte is baking in my oven!  This dessert rates up there as one of our faves.  It's a treat that can be baked any time of the year.  When you have fresh blueberries or if you've defrosted blueberries.  For me- during the year it's when I've defrosted a bag that's in our large freezer.

It's an easy dessert!  Prepare the batter.  If the batter is too dry, I add 1- 2 Tablespoons more (Soy) Milk & continue mixing.  Place batter in a spring form pan.  Then add the fresh/ defrosted & drained blueberries & press lightly into batter.  Sprinkle on the cinnamon/ sugar mixture & bake.       

Before baking
(File Photo)

Before you know it this delicious dessert will be ready to serve!

Yum!
(File Photo)

 

 

 Click here for the Blueberry Torte Recipe.  It's so good with or without a small scoop of vanilla ice cream!  We do have vanilla ice cream!  :)

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Yummy Yogurt

Yummy Yogurt

Today was "time to make the yogurt"!  That seems to be every 10 days, give or take.  It's a habit I've had for... well... decades.  Today, the 2 Donvier Yogurt Makers were sitting on my kitchen counter making the next batch.  These electric yogurt makers did the work for 7 hours & 30 minutes.  Then, the individual 6 oz. containers were placed in the fridge.

Yogurt is very easy to prep!  I like the individual 6 oz. container yogurt makers.  Years ago I purchased two.  2 batches were just as easy as making a single batch. 

The process is easy!  The needed milk is boiled & then placed in a large bowl to cool to a required temperature.  My "temperature spoon" comes in handy here.  It came with the Donvier Yogurt Maker.  Then, a culture is added to the cooled milk & stirred.  Place milk in containers, snap on the lid & set the timer.

Complete directions here.
  
Yogurt is always enjoyed at lunch time here.  I like to add a little Freezer Jam & Crunchy Oats to this very tasty source of calcium!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Crunchy Oats

Crunchy Oats

This was the week!  I've been planning on making a batch of Crunchy Oats for about a month, now.  Those tasty little additions of oats & wheat germ that pack a lot of flavor & fiber to my daily yogurt.  I like to sprinkle about 2 teaspoons on top of my plain yogurt & then add a little Freezer Jam.  Sometimes, you see this treat sold along with single serving yogurt containers.  It's easy to add them in & enjoy the yogurt.  It's even better when you make a batch to eat whenever you want.
  
This is an "easy to prep" kind of treat!  Place all the ingredients in a bowl & combine thoroughly.  Then, in a large skillet over Medium heat, cook & also *stir constantly.  Cook for 5- 6 Minutes.  Place on a large pan to cool.  It's that easy!  Crunchy Oats are stored in the fridge.  It's great to have a batch to enjoy!  They taste so good on top of cold cereal, too!

*Mixture will burn if it is not constantly stirred! 

Crunchy Oats
             adapted from The Quaker Oats Wholegrain Cookbook


Ingredients:
1 & 1/4 Cups Quaker Oats (Old Fashioned)
1/3 Cup Wheat Germ
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/3 Cup Olive Oil for baking & sauteing 
1/3 Cup Honey

Method:

1. Combine Oats & Wheat Germ in a bowl. 
2. Add Cinnamon & Nutmeg, combine.
3. Add Olive Oil & combine well.
4. Then add Honey, again combine well.  Mixture is very sticky.
5. Place mixture in large skillet.
6. Over Medium Heat cook while constantly stirring.
7. Cook for 5- 6 Minutes.
8. Then place Crunchy Oats on cookie pan to cool.
9. After cooling, place in air tight container & store in fridge. 

After placing in the air tight container, I shake the container to break up any large clumps.  They store well for 3 months in the fridge.  My container will be empty before 3 months passes.  :)  This is a great tasty add in!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Spring!

View from our front window!

Our warm Spring weather has brought so much color to my town!  One cannot help but daydream while enjoying all of the flowering trees & bushes.

The Forsythia bushes are now part bright yellow flowers & part green leaves.  Flowering Crabapple trees add a beautiful pink color to our neighborhood.  While taking the daily walk the white Crabapple trees add to the beauty, too!

Ah, Spring in New England!
We are enjoying it!

~Color Update~

Bright Yellow Forsythia Blossoms

What a beautiful time of year!  Whenever I glance out our kitchen window the bright yellow Forsythia blossoms get my attention!  Three bushes are in our back perennial garden.  It's so easy to admire these beautiful bushes all over my neighborhood, because many of us have them in our yards.  Last year, the Forsythia did not blossom, due to our warm, then freezing temps early in the year.  They sure were missed!  However, this year they are a welcoming Spring sight!

The "AmaZing surprises" that made their appearances in March have also brought color to our emerging garden!  A bright yellow Daffodil stands tall.  :)  

Sole Surviving Daffodil

Pink & yellow Hyacinth flowers are opening on the stalks!  It's a ritual that I enjoy seeing every year!  

Hyacinth Blossoms Opening

Before I know it, it will be time to plant the saved Zinnia & Marigold seeds!

What a great time of year!
Spring in New England!
Enjoy!

   

~Flatbread Pizza~

BBQ Pork Tenderloin Flatbreads
with Roasted Asparagus

Spring!  Asparagus! Flatbread Pizza!  Oh yes!  What a great combination!

A couple of months ago my DH & I were looking at the menu in a New Jersey hotel dining room- famished.  I wanted to order something I'd never tasted.  That's something I always enjoy doing.  When I return home I like to prepare a new dish that's so tasty.  There on the menu was "Flatbread Pizza".  The description of the ingredients sounded so appetizing & I was so hungry!  Oh, it was so good!     

Three weeks ago, a grocery store in my area started carrying packaged flatbread for pizza.  O.K., that got my attention!  Now, I've prepared Flatbread Pizza twice in the past 3 weeks.  Forget Friday night pizza!

These are great!  They are so easy to prepare!  The Directions are on the package.  With the Flatbreads I use, they are placed on a baking sheet & baked for 2 minutes in a 375°F oven.  Add toppings & then return to the oven & bake again for 5 Minutes in a 375°F oven. 

It's Asparagus time, so roasting Asparagus that's coated with Olive Oil for baking & sauteing & also Parmesan cheese is a great veggie when making these.  We like White Pizza, so a coating of Ricotta Cheese is a great base.    

With the first Flatbreads, BBQed Pork Tenderloin chunks, Roasted Asparagus & fresh Spinach were placed on a coating of Ricotta Cheese.  Top with shredded Mozzarella/ Cheddar! 

We enjoyed the taste of  Veggie Dream Flatbreads the second time.  Roasted Asparagus & Roasted Summer Squash along with fresh Spinach were placed on the Ricotta.

Veggie Dream Flatbread

Useful Hints:

• Before adding toppings, I spread a little Olive Oil for baking & sauteing on each baked Flatbread.  Then, add & spread Ricotta Cheese on top. 

• For both varieties make a drizzle of 1 teaspoon Water with 4 teaspoons of BBQ Sauce.  Combine & then drizzle over the top of each Flatbread just before sprinkling on the shredded Cheddar/ Mozzarella Cheese.  Bake.  This gives it a great tang!

Does your family enjoy these, too?

Enjoy!
Yummy!