• Mini Orange Monkey Rolls

    May 11, 2014 Author: Rachel
    No comment yet

    DSC_0941

    I introduced Ellie to orange rolls this week when we had a mother daughter lunch day, and just like me she is hooked.  Orange rolls are like cinnamon rolls, but instead of the cinnamon there is the delicious sweet orange flavor.

    When I came across this recipe I just knew it would be delicious and it was.  They were inhaled.

    Recipe from The Recipe Critic.

    Ingredients:

    Mini Orange Monkey Rolls:

    • 12 frozen yeast dinner rolls (not the bake and serve in 5-10 minutes kind)
    • 1 c. sugar
    • zest of one orange
    • 1/2 c. butter
    • 1/2 tsp. (I actually used 1 tsp.) Karo syrup
    Sweet Orange Glaze (can omit, if desired):
    • 1 c. powdered sugar
    • zest of one orange
    • 1 TBSP butter, melted
    • 2 TBSP orange juice
    • 1 tsp. vanilla

    Directions:

    1. Take out 12 frozen dinner rolls and allow them to thaw but still be cold. Cut each roll with a pizza cutter into about 4-6 smaller pieces each.
    2. Mix the 1 c. of sugar and orange zest into a small bowl and set aside.
    3. Preheat oven to 350*.
    4. Melt the 1/2 c. butter and mix with karo syrup.
    5. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside.
    6. Dip each small piece of the butter and roll in the sugar/orange zest mixture.  (There will be quite a bit of butter and some sugar/orange zest mixture left over.) Put about 4-6 pieces into the muffin tin and fill them about 1/2 way with the small frozen dinner roll pieces.  Let them double in size, about a couple of hours.
    7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
    8. Let the rolls cool slightly and then use a knife to loosen them up. Remove each roll and place them upside down on a cooling rack as the bottoms will be sticky.
    9. When ready to serve, make the sweet orange glaze: mix the powdered sugar, orange zest, 1 TBSP butter, 2 TBSP orange juice, and 1 tsp. vanilla together.  Drizzle over the tops of each of the orange rolls. (If you don’t want the glaze you can omit).
    Mini Orange Monkey Rolls:
    5star

  • Chicken Carnitas Tacos

    May 11, 2014 Author: Rachel
    No comment yet

    DSC_0938

    My new favorite chicken tacos!!!!!!!!! These tacos have a slight kick, so if you don’t like spice reduce the chili powder.

    I prefer to cook boneless chicken in a crockpot on HIGH for 2 hours, but you can always lengthen the cooking time and cook on low (the usual cooking time conversion is when you cook on low you double the high cooking time, so in this case it would be low for 4 hours).  The original recipe call for cooking on low for 6-8 hours.

    Recipe adapted from Closet Cooking.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts
    • 3/4 c. orange juice (~2 oranges)
    • 1/4 c. lime juice (~2 limes)
    • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
    • 1 TBSP chili powder
    • 1 tsp. cumin
    • 1 tsp. oregano
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 tsp. pepper
    • 1/2 cup cilantro, torn
    • Toppings: Salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, etc.
    • Limes, cut into wedges

    Directions:

    1. Place the chicken in the crockpot.
    2. In a bowl mix the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper together and then pour over chicken.
    3. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until tender.
    4. Remove chicken from crockpot and shred. Reserve the juices.
    5. Spread the chicken out in a single layer on a baking sheet and add 1/4 c. of juices and broil until it starts getting crispy, about 5 minutes. Mix in another 1/4 c. of the juices, mix everything up and broil for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and mix in another 1/4 c. of the juices.
    6. Assemble the tacos on the tortillas with the chicken carnitas along with the  cilantro salsa and whatever toppings you like and serve with the lime wedges.

    Chicken Carnitas Tacos:

    5star

     

  • Almond Joy Granola

    May 11, 2014 Author: Rachel
    No comment yet

    DSC_0933

    Steve eats granola on his yogurt every morning for breakfast.  I usually just buy granola (because really, why bother making your own?), but then I came across this recipe and I knew I had to try it out.

    I am a convert and will now be making homemade granola!

    If you like Almond Joys, you will love this granola!!!  It is so good, and surprisingly easy to make.

    Recipe adapted from A Spicy Perspective.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 c. rolled oats
    • 1 ½ c. sliced almonds
    • 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ¼ c. brown sugar
    • ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • 1/3 c. honey + additional to drizzle
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 ¼ c. (more or less to your liking) large unsweetened (you can use sweetened if you want) coconut flakes
    • ¾ c. mini chocolate chips

    Directions:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the oats, almonds, cocoa powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, honey, vanilla, and sweetened coconut in a bowl.  Line a 9×13 jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
    2. Spread the granola out into a thin even layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Mix with a spatula, drizzle additional honey; then spread the granola out again and bake another 10 minutes. (If you don’t mix the sweetened coconut in step 1; then sprinkle the coconut over the top of the granola and bake another 3-5 minutes to toast (if you use sweetened coconut and didn’t mix in step 1 it will take longer to toast). Watch the coconut – it burns very quickly!
    3. Once the coconut is toasted, remove the granola from the oven and mix. Cool completely; then mix in the mini chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

    Almond Joy Granola:

    5star

  • Mexican Quinoa Salad

    May 11, 2014 Author: Rachel
    No comment yet

    DSC_0590

    Don’t be scared of quinoa if you’ve never had it.  Quinoa is very healthy for you and has lots of fiber and protein, and it’s actually very tasty.  There are a couple of varieties: red and white. I personally prefer the red just because it visually looks more appealing and looks more gourmet. The red quinoa is harder to find and is generally more expensive than the white, but use what you like.

    This salad is very flavorful and makes for an excellent side dish.  It’s also great for a picnic or potluck because it doesn’t need to be kept cold.

    Recipe adapted from Jeanette’s Healthy Living.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 c. uncooked quinoa (whatever color you prefer)
    • 2 c. water
    • 2 tsp. olive oil
    • 3 c. corn
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 1/2 c. cooked black beans
    • 1 c. cojita or feta cheese, crumbled
    • 3 TBSP fresh cilantro, minced
    • 3 TBSP scallions, minced
    • 2 limes, juiced
    • 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
    • a few dashes of cayenne pepper (can omit)
    • 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
    • sea salt, to taste
    • fresh ground pepper, to taste

    Directions:

    1. Rinse and drain quinoa thoroughly in cold water before cooking.  Place quinoa and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
    2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Saute corn and garlic until corn has some brown spots (that’s the caramelization that makes the corn even sweeter). Transfer to a large bowl and toss in the quinoa and the rest of the ingredients. Season to your liking with additional chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

    Mexican Quinoa Salad:

    5star

  • Blueberry Granola Bars

    May 8, 2014 Author: Rachel
    No comment yet

    DSC_0888

    I had never tried making granola bars before, because they seemed like so much work.  But this recipe caught my attention for 2 reasons: (1) blueberries and (2) Greek yogurt/frosting.  How could it not be good?

    They aren’t hard to make but they do take a lot of time..as in they aren’t ready to devour for 48ish hours AFTER you start making them, but it’s definitely worth the time.  And you will devour them!

    Recipe adapted from Half Baked Harvest.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 c. rolled oats
    • 1 1/2 c. Rice Krispies (if your nut butter is not too thick, you may want to increase the amount of Krispies to 2 cups)
    • 1/4 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
    • 1/4 c. whole roasted almonds, roughly chopped (or any nuts really)
    • 1 TBSP chia seeds (can omit)
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 c.  almond butter (or any nut butter you like)
    • 1/2 c. honey
    • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla (or maple extract, almond extract, or coconut extract)
    • 3/4 c. dried blueberries (you can use dried cranberries too)
    Greek Yogurt Frosting:
    • 2 TBSP water
    • 2 tsp. vanilla extract (or whatever used above)
    • 1 tsp. powdered gelatin
    • 1/2 c. Greek yogurt
    • 2 TBSP honey
    • pinch of salt
    • 4 c. powdered sugar
    Directions:
    1. Line an 9×13 Pyrex pan with wax or parchment paper.
    2. In a large bowl combine the oats, rice krispies, coconut, almonds, chia seeds and salt. Mix together.
    3. In a small microwave safe bowl combine the almond butter and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the mixture is hot and pourable. Add the vanilla (or whatever extract you’re using) and mix again.
    4. Add the honey mixture to the dry oat mixture and mix until everything is moist and combined. Gently stir in the blueberries. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and then using the back of a measuring cup press the mixture into the pan until it is tightly packed. Cover and place in the freezer for 2 hours. Cut into 16 or so bars and return to the freezer.
    5. Make the Greek yogurt coating. Combine the water and vanilla (or whatever extract you’re using) in a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over top and whisk with a fork until the gelatin is evenly distributed. Set aside for about 5 minutes or until needed. It will set into a thick paste.
    6. In another small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, honey, and salt. Microwave on 15 second bursts, stirring in between each burst, until the yogurt is liquidy and very warm to the touch. Don’t let it start to boil or the yogurt will curdle. I microwaved mine for 30 seconds total.
    7. Whisk the gelatin into the warm yogurt mixture. Whisk until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Scrape the yogurt mixture into a medium mixing bowl. Pour the powdered sugar on top. Use a mixer or whisk until the yogurt and powdered sugar combine into a thick, but pourable, coating.
    8. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Working with one bar at a time, dip the bottom of the bar into the yogurt and allow any excess to drip off. Flip the bars over so the yogurt coated side faces up and place on the prepared baking sheet. They will be very sticky. Repeat with the remaining bars. Let the bars sit, uncovered, overnight until they are dry to the touch.  Cover the remaining yogurt coating with plastic wrap until ready to use again.
    9. Once the bars are completely dry, flip them over so the yogurt coated side is now facing down. Spread the remaining frosting with a knife over the bars (or heat the frosting in the microwave until softer and dip the granola bars like you did before—you may want to heat it in the microwave even if you just use a knife to spread the frosting.  Allow the bars to sit overnight so they are completely dry to the touch.
    10. Once the bars are completely dry, store in an airtight container at room temperature.

    Blueberry Granola Bars:

    5star

  • Best Ever Pot Roast

    May 8, 2014 Author: Rachel
    No comment yet

    DSC_0880

    Nothing says comfort food like pot roast, and this is the BEST pot roast I’ve ever made!  It was so good.  Even the kiddo who never likes her food to touch devoured this meal and asked for seconds.  Score!  And it was made in the crockpot.  Double score!  Definitely company worthy.  Triple score!  Need I say more?!?!?

    Recipe adapted from Joyously Domestic.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 TBSP steak seasoning (such as a blend of peppercorns, garlic, paprika, parsley and salt)
    • 1/2  TBSP kosher salt
    • 2 TBSP Italian Seasoning
    • 1 chuck roast (about 3 lbs.)
    • Olive oil
    • 1 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
    • 2 lbs. potatoes, cut into large chunks
    • 1 onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
    • 2 stalks celery, cut into large chunks (optional)
    • 1 c. beef broth
    • 1/4 c. corn starch (give or take)

    Directions:

    1. Combine steak seasoning through Italian Seasoning in a small bowl.  Set aside.
    2. Coat both sides of meat with olive oil.  Sprinkle on a third of the seasoning mix onto each side.
    3. Heat a skillet over medium high heat and sear both sides of the meat; then transfer roast to crockpot.
    4. Place the vegetables in a large bowl.  Drizzle on a little olive oil to coat vegetables.  Sprinkle on the remaining seasoning mix.  Add the vegetables to the same skillet that was used to sear the meat. Saute for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.
    5. Transfer the vegetables to the top of the roast in the slow cooker.
    6. Combine beef broth and cornstarch in a bowl and then pour mixture over meat and vegetables. Cover with lid.
    7. Cook on LOW for 9 hours or HIGH for 6 hours.

    Best Ever Pot Roast:

    5star