chicken madeira, please!!!

i have some major cheesecake factory love...and chicken madeira from there is more than
FAB-U-LOUS!

so i found a knock off recipe and i made it...and boy was it good!!!

i substituted port wine for the madeira wine, so i guess it was really port wine chicken.

the recipe is HERE...so go and take a look.  for now, here are the ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 asparagus spears
4 slices mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced (I used baby bella)
3 cups madeira wine
2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup cornstarch (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

a few things...

the sauce never really did thicken up, but was still delicious.  i would definitely take the advice of adding the cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it up!

the sauce makes enough for at least 3 recipes of chicken.  i made 3 extra chicken breasts and still had enough remaining sauce for another meal.  you probably could cut the sauce recipe in half and not be too wasteful.

i made the asparagus my way with steaming it using water and mostly italian dressing.  it was the perfect taste for the dish. yummy!

love it...the kids and hubs loved it!  it's a new fav around our place...so get cooking!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

valentine menu

{photo from HERE}

how about a chic, new and romantic valentine menu for you and the one you love???

real simple {a fab mag} did not let us down! here are a few of their best tips!!

you have to start with the bubbly...sparkling passion fruit apertif

ingredients

6 tablespoons passion-fruit nectar

sparkling white wine, such as champagne or prosecco, well chilled

divide the passion-fruit nectar between two champagne glasses. top with the sparkling wine and serve.

next...the main course! mini pork rack with roasted potatoes.

can you say, delish? wow!

and what's valtine's without something delicious for dessert?

romantic brownie sundaes

you can be a hero and make homemade brownies, or do what i always do...go for the ghirardelli double chocolate mix. super easy, moist, delish and always a crowd pleaser!
add a little vanilla bean ice cream and you are set!!!

if you want to make the dinner extra special, make a few handmade notes to serve with each course...and then a super cute gift for after dessert.

danyele @ a thorn among roses

snacky football foods...superbowl baby!

the superbowl is this weekend...and the colts are playing, so let's get our food game on too! {sorry, i'm a hoosier and we relish in these things}...

here's my fav things to fix up...

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

{from my friend, steph, over at live. love. eat.}

{ Click Here to Print Recipe }

3 large or 5 small chicken breasts
1 8oz package of room temp. cream cheese
24 oz ranch dressing
8 oz hot sauce (Texas Pete)

Boil the chicken until cooked. In a crackpot melt cream cheese with ranch dressing & hot sauce. When chicken is done, shred & put into the crockpot with the melted cheese mixture. Cook on low & stir occasionally for about an hour. Serve with Fritos, Scoops or fresh bread.

{ Food for Thought }

I recommend starting with 18oz ranch & then tasting to see if you'd like more. And just a reminder because I had to learn the hard way - try to get a bottle of hot sauce that has an opening which allows you to pour rather than just dash the sauce out. Otherwise, you'll be there forever.

____________________________________________

touchdown taco dip...via pampered chef

1 -16 oz can refried beans
8 oz cream cheese -- softened1 pkg (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix
2 garlic cloves, -- minced
1 small tomato, -- cored and diced
1/4 cup onion, -- chopped
1/4 cup black olives, -- chopped
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, -- chopped
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Baked pita or tortilla chips

Preheat oven 375 degrees. Spread refried beans onto bottom of deep dish pan. Combine cream cheese and seasoning mix in medium-size bowl. Add minced garlic t

o cream cheese mixture; spread over beans. Sprinkle tomato, onion, olives, and cilantro over cream cheese mixture. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes or until hot. Garnish with sour cream, if desired. Serve with pita chips or baked tortilla chips.

Note: To prepare pita chips, cut pita bread in half. Slice bread open and cut into triangles; spread over baking stone. Bake in 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until crisp.

______________________________________________________________

• annies fruit salsa and cinnamon chips
• {for the full recipe click here}
• 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
• 8 ounces raspberries
• 1 pound strawberries
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
• 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 cups cinnamon sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

have fun...and go colts!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

t-giving dinner time savers

i know...it's thanksgiving dinner and you want everything homemade. here's the reality around my house...ain't gonna happen. too many responsiblities, 4 kids, and life!

so rather than stress about it, here's a few things i do to make things way easier...and honestly, the taste and outcomes always draw a big smile from the fam.

#1...definitely stove top stuffing
it's delicious, quick, and the taste is authentic...you can even get the sage flavored. plus, the kids can make it and contribute! woo hoooo!

#2...cranberry sauce deluxe
still a little cooking, but easy peasy style! here's waht you need:
6 oz frozen cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
in a small saucepan over medium heat, mix sugar and oj together until well dissolved. stir in cranberries and cook until they begin to pop. simmer until you get the desired consistancy.


#3...rolls
the bake and break rolls at the store anymore are awesome...so by them to save the time and prep work and then doll them up with some awesome spreads. here's a few ideas:

• A garlic-herb spread (blend softened butter or margarine with finely chopped herbs and bottled minced garlic or garlic powder)...recipe HERE for the spread noted in picture!

• Cranberry-walnut-cinnamon spread (blend softened butter or margarine with finely chopped dried cranberry, chopped toasted walnuts and a few pinches of ground cinnamon)
• Zesty lemon spread (blend softened butter or margarine with finely chopped lemon zest)

have a good time at thanksgiving dinner...not a stressful one! have any other tips to share? please do!!! i just might feature them right here!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

how much left over?

leftovers....it's the good and the bad of having a little get together.
we just had a softball get together and there were 2 large packages of hamburger buns left over.

i got creative...and surfed the web for new ideas.
{i always make bread pudding with leftover bread, so i thought i'd try a few more things this time}

first up...apple raison french toast casserole from HERE
it's beautiful and delicious...and makes up the night before so it was perfect for a saturday morning breakfast before soccer games and a softball tournament! and i didn't feel too bad because it has apples and raisons in it and i served yogurt with fresh strawberries as a side. yummy to my tummy!

next...blue cheese and onions creations from HEREliterally some blue cheese and diced onions on top of a bun and toasted until the cheese melts a bit in a toaster oven or broiler. delish!!!

next...mini mexican pizzas!!!
super fun, easy and the kids love it!!! i altered a recipe i found HERE.
taco seasoned cooked meat {leftover is great}
shredded cheese
green peppers, onion olive for toppings
1 can tomato sauce or taco sauce
...and the famous leftover bunsplace the buns on the baking sheet open. spoon about a tablespoon of sauce on each bun. place meat and toppings on next. top with cheese. broil {or toast in toaster oven} until the cheese is melted.

well...enjoy some good old fashioned leftovers with hot dog and hamburger buns. we did!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

sugar...is it bad!?

the american heart association is picking on me! i mean it. they are picking on me.
i know it's for my own good, but seriously? limit my sugar intake? it's not funny! it's hard...in fact, it's close to impossible!

according to a recent article in the wsj HERE, the AHA issued a statement this week that says "most women should limit their sugar intake to 100 calories, or about six teaspoons, a day; for men, the recommendation is 150 calories, or nine teaspoons."

seriously...good recommendation and i'm sure good for us, but have you seen the food we eat? it's not good...we have become a country {and i am} who eats our feelings. have a bad day? grab a cookie from paradise and what ails you fades. need to celebrate a straight a report card with your kiddo? head to cold stone for some "love it's" in a waffle cone.

so what can we do to determine the amount of sugar we take in....and then reduce it to a reasonalbe level? first, the labeling is not really conducive to what we are trying to do...they are measure in grams, not in calories, so grab those calulators! the FDA has a great link HERE to answer all your nutrition label questions.

the most reasonable step is making different and better choices.
not gonna lie...this is the hard part for me!!

dessert around our house is few and far between, but one of the fav's here is a parfait {everybody loves a parfait...from shrek? no?} any fresh fruit, or frozen you have on hand, mixed with non-fat vanilla yogurt and topped with a granola cereal. i promise you it's a crowd pleaser AND the yogurt can be frozen to do the whole "fake ice cream thing" too!

making better choices with the sugar thing...in rice and breads and beer and even in milk for us and our families! use brown rices and unrefined breads.

and don't just skip on over to eating salads...beware of the dressing monster! salad dressings are chocked full of sugars...i know! use can use a vinaigrette or a yogurt based dressing and seriously reduce the sugars! {everyone's fav, ranch is really not so great on the sugar front}.

i'm totally trying...and still learning, so let me know what you are doing to reduce the sugars in your life! please!!!!danyele @ a thorn among roses

bbq quick and easy

need a super fun, easy and speedy summer dinner?
sweet baby ray's bbq to the rescue.

here's one of my fam's fav quick meals...it's so easy, i put everything you need to know in this one picture...

we use ground turkey or chicken most of the time, but whatever browned ground meat you have on hand is perfect.
here's the hard part...add sweet baby ray's after browning and warm to serve on a buns.
that's it!

we add some great summer fruit, watermelon in this case, some corn on the cob and cottage cheese...and viola! the perfect summer dinner...
we even use paper plates on ball game nights...what's more summer and family than in indoor picnic??

and the kids will love it...they will be totally speechless!

do you have any great summertime recipes? let me know! we'd love to feature them here!!!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

fun and yummy

remember that good old betty crocker? well, she is still rescuing momma's everywhere!!

frozen yogonana bites

they aren't just fun to say, but they are cute, healthy and super duper cute too!

1 to 2 containers {6 oz} of yoplait thick and creamy yogurt {flavor of your choosing}

3 to 4 cups of cheerios

4 firm, ripe bananas

straws

line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. spoon yogurt into shallow dish.

pour cheerios into another dish.

cut peeled bananas into 6 pieces

insert straw into each banana piece

roll each banana piece in yogurt...then in cereal to coat.

place coated bananas on cookie sheet and freeze uncovered about an hour or until firm.

{bites are best when eaten the same day}

serve in a fun cup filled with cheerios in the bottom.

healthy and fun...and have the kids help!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

easy straw-peasy jam

we love strawberry jam...who doesn't, but i need something super quick that i can whip up while the kids are napping. so freezer jam is perfect!

when strawberries are in season {{now}} you can grab a few quarts for about $1, so you can have fresh jam for less than $3 for a few jars...here's what i do...as stolen from grandma e:

rinse and crush 2 cups strawberries, fresh {of course}

4 cups of sugar

1 package of {sure jell} dry pectin

3/4 cup water

mix the sugar and crush strawberries and let sit to juice for about 10 minutes.

mix pectin and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil for a minute or so. {directions will be on the box of pectin you buy just in case}

pour boiling water mixture into the juiced strawberries.

let set for about 3 minutes before adding to freezer safe containers...no need to boil and seal jars here...i use the glad take and toss containers bc they fit great in the freezer.

put the lids on and let sit out for 24 hours before freezing.

keep frozen until using...

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{{pic from allrecipes...here}}

grilling tips

the summer is here...and the grills are a smoking!

here are a few grilling tips to live by according to our fab miss martha stewart and martha stewart living...

• bring steaks and pork chops to room temperature before grilling them. keep fish and chicken refrigerated.
• season foods generously on BOTH sides with fresh salt and pepper {and seasonings of your choice}.
• preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• when searing foods, always keep the lid open.
• don't flip food often or move it around...it makes the flames flare up and chars your food.
• let steaks, chops and chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving {grilling is exhausting}.

grab that "kiss the cook apron and grill it up!!
danyele@ a thorn among roses

grilling time

spring has finally sprung and outdoor grilling season is here!!!

before you start to cook on the grill, it's cleaning time. i know, even the grill needs cleaned...will it ever end?

with the grill off and cooled...here we go:

no need for the fancy grill cleaning brush, just grab some good old fashioned aluminum foil, bunch it in a ball and start cleaning.

it's a new season, so if you have a gas grill, check your lava rocks and refill them. the lava rocks help regulate the heat and spread it out evenly in the grill for even temps.

before grilling any food, spray the grill racks well with a cooking spray t

o keep the food from sticking and making them easier to clean up the next time.

{wait about 10 minutes before starting the grill to allow the cooking spray to set and not burn right off}

now, go on, get a grilling!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

fool's foods

april fool's day is just around the corner...

how about haivng a little fun with your fam in the kitchen?

sushi??? or rice crispies wrapped in fruit leather! family fun has the recipe and details on pulling this one off.

how about some mashed potatoes and gravy for dessert??? (ewww)
{ice cream and butterscotch/caramel topping}

and a delicious after school snack of peas and fish sticks?
{recipe here}

1. For the fish sticks, place a couple of handfuls of cornflakes in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Cover 2 sugar wafer cookies with peanut butter, then toss them in the cornflake crumbs to coat.
2. For the peas, tear off and roll small pieces of the taffy candy into balls. If the taffy is too stiff to work with, microwave it for about 6 seconds.
3. For the ketchup, use a fork to stir a few teaspoons of the jam until it's smooth.

go have some fun with the kids...why not? don' thave kids? take the snacks to work and freak out the co workers!!!

happy spring!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

shopping list, geek style

i'm a self professed geek {engineer by degree}, so i love techie stuff that makes my house run easier. i have some serious shopping list love for the smart shopper. i have had this beauty in my house for the last year and i love it.


not only is it smart, it's fun and that means that the actual grocery needs get added by the kids and hubs as necessary. need milk? press "RECORD" and say "MILK"...3 selections will pop up for you to make your choice. press "SELECT" for your choice and it's all done.

when it's time for the grocery trip, you print the list...and the your list is automatically seperated into categories just like the grocery store...produce, baby items, meats, frozen foods, etc.

even better, if you want to play party games, try taking turns to see who can say the "ketchup" and get the funniest results...sad, but we do this at dinner time some days. it's a lot of fun...and if you actually need to add a special item or to re-identify the way you say a canned word, it can do that too! this thing is a like a little list miracle!

there's a new version in 2009 that is available from smart shopper and it has a cute little integrated kitchen timer and it's been restyled. if you wanna see more, take a look here.

come and see me and my clan over at a thorn among roses.