Do Over by Shannon Guymon--Blog Tour & Giveaway (ends Wed Feb.20th)

I was so excited to read Shannon Guymon's new book Do Over. Shannon was my neighbor for a short time. I knew her as an amazing mother and neighbor, Shannon does hard things with class. I've enjoyed following her blog so I know she is a great writer.

What is Do Over??

• It is the book you want to take on vacation.
• It includes a 'jilted bride'.
• It takes place in Alpine Utah.
• It mentions Kohlers, Park City, The Loop etc.
• It is fun to read a book that takes place in ones back yard!
• The hero is tall, handsome and has also been jilted.
• It has a snarky, rude sister-in-law.
• It has parents that are overprotective and controlling.
• It has parents that are kind, loving and helpful.
• It has a construction worker that keeps you laughing.
• It has a group of girl friends--friends that stand up for each other but are not afraid to do what's right.

Do Over was a delightful read. As a parent with grown children I found myself hoping I was the kind, loving, helpful type of parent--not the overprotective, controlling parent. Do Over is full of people with strong personalities. It takes a strong person to admit when they are wrong.
You can relax, read Do Over, and simply enjoy a fun romance. (And there is nothing wrong with that!)  It is fun and very well written. Or, you can read a little deeper and look at the personalities of each character. How do they handle disappointment, how do they handle success? How do I handle disappointments, success and stress? Shannon has taken a fun romance to the next level. Thank you Shannon for Do Over, I can see it being an excellent book club read. There is so much to discuss.

The publisher is offering one of my readers a copy of Do Over.  Check out Shannon's Blog; take a look at what she is up to, and what else she has written.  Then come back and leave me a comment.  Which book do you want to read when you finish Do Over? Contest ends Wednesday February 20th.

Pico de Gallo Pilaf

I have been looking for a yummy rice dish to serve with Mexican meals. Lime Cilantro Rice is good but I wanted something with a little more flavor. I have found it! Thanks to Rachel Ray I have found the rice!! This rice gets its flavor from the addition of some Pico de Gallo - a pretty simple fix. I made double the amount of Pico so we could have some for dipping. Texture and flavor was also boosted with the addition of orzo pasta. It's delicious!!

Pico de Gallo Pilaf
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup orzo pasta
1 cup white rice
2 cups chicken broth

8 plum tomatoes, halved, seeded and finely chopped
1 medium onion, red or white, finely chopped
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
A large handful cilantro leaves, finely chopped 

2 limes, zested and juiced
Salt

Heat the olive oil in a sauce pot over medium heat. Add the orzo and toast until deep golden. Stir in the rice and broth and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 17 to 18 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime zest and juice. Season with salt, to taste.
When rice is cooked, fluff with fork and stir in the 1/2 of the salsa. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

Pour the other half of the salsa in a serving bowl and serve with fish tacos or chips.

The Ultimate Fish Taco

I've decided I like the word Ultimate--maybe this year's quest will be to find the Ultimate_____fill in the blank. Can we talk about Fish Tacos for a minute? Hubby spent a week in Alaska having the fishing trip of a lifetime with my brothers. It really is a win/win trip, he has fun and brings me home a big cooler full of very fresh shrimp, salmon and halibut. I have salmon figured out  but seem to struggle with the perfect halibut/shrimp taco.
Now I have made some excellent delicious attempts but something was missing. Enter Rachel Ray and her famous 30 Minute Meals. I happened upon a Light and Latin segment, she was making fish tacos etc. Well, I watched the show and tried the recipes out immediately. 30 minutes--no--but delicious--yes!!
The halibut had a yummy rub and was quickly broiled and flaked. The Tomatillo Sauce really made the taco. The meal was finished off by an amazing Mexican Rice. Rice is important to me in Mexican cooking because I don't love beans. Rice is my filler of choice.
So today I will share the Halibut and Tomatillo Sauce. Tomorrow we will chat about Mexican Rice. These components along with some angel shredded cabbage and corn tortillas will provide The Ultimate Fish Taco!

Grilled Halibut
1 lime zest and juice
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 (6 to 8 ounce) Halibut fillets
In a small bowl mix together the lime zest and juice, oil, Old Bay and chili powder. Rub it on both sides of the halibut. Let sit for 15-20 minutes. Grill or broil halibut for 3-4 minutes per side until it easily flakes with a fork. Flake fish with a fork and set aside.

Tomatillo Sauce
1 tablespoon oil
small red onion diced
1 jalapeno chopped
2 cloves garlic--pressed
8-10 peeled, rinsed, coarsely chopped tomatillos
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 heaping tablespoon honey
1 small ripe avocado
Heat oil in a pan on medium high heat, add onion, jalapeno and garlic. Saute 3-4 minutes until just beginning to soften. Add tomitillos, salt and pepper and cumin. Cool for 6-7 minutes until soft. Carefully add hot ingredients to a food processor--I'm sure an immersion blender would work too. Add lemon zest, juice, honey and avocado. Process till smooth. Reserve. It is delicious on fish and shrimp tacos and it works well with chips too. It is just yummy.

The Ultimate Brownies

This delicious brownie recipe came from a friend of a friend of a friend. She claims it came from a bakery. But it matters not where it came from the important thing is that now I have it!
 This is one amazing brownie, I served it at Mom's 85th birthday party and it was an instant hit. It makes plenty so it is the perfect party food.

The Ultimate Brownies
1 C. butter
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
Melt butter and chocolate together in a small pan.

Then add:

2 cups sugar

4 eggs beating well after each addition

1 tablespoon vanilla

Gently add:
2 C. flour
2 T. baking powder
1 C. lightly chopped pecans

Spread into greased pan. The pan is a Wilton 11x15x2 inch pan. It can be purchased at Wal-Mart for about $12.00. The deep pan is important because it is a tall brownie.

Cream Cheese layer:

Mix together
1 C. sugar
12 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 C. butter—very soft
4 T. flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla

Spread on top of chocolate layer.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs attached. Brownies should also begin to pull away from the pan.
Spread 3/4 package mini marshmallows on top of brownies and put back in the
oven until puffed and just beginning to brown.
Icing:
Melt together in a pan.
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup milk
4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate

Mix in with a hand mixer:
2 tsp. vanilla
4 oz softened cream cheese
7 cups powdered sugar

Mix until smooth.  Drop on warm brownies and using an offset spatula gently spread the frosting. It will mix with the marshmallow to make beautiful swirls. I used about 2/3 of the frosting. I don’t mind having some frosting in the fridge for a quick dessert.
Plan ahead--this desert is best made the day before you serve it. Store in the refrigerator. Well chilled it cuts beautifully. 

White Chocolate Browned Butter Blondie

We celebrated Mom's 85th birthday with a grand family party. I assigned myself desserts, because I was in charge of assigning! Candise and I tried a couple of new recipes--both winners. I saw this recipe on Studio 5, a local TV show. It proved to be a delicious. Everyone wanted the recipe. That's a good sign!

White Chocolate Browned Butter Blondie

¾ cup butter

1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar (7 ounces)

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1 bar white chocolate I used Lindt, I think it is about 3.5 ounces, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x9 inch pan, line with parchment paper, spray again.

In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Melt butter in medium pan. Simmer and stir butter until it starts to brown and foams. It will smell wonderful but be careful as it goes from brown to burnt quickly. Remove from heat and stir in sugars until smooth.  Cool slightly.

Whisk eggs in butter mixture one at a time, add vanilla and whisk till smooth. Fold in flour until just blended, don’t over mix. Fold in white chocolate and spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle nuts evenly over top and press lightly.

Bake for 28 to 35 minutes. I baked mine in a stoneware dish and it baked 35 minutes. Blondies will be golden brown and a toothpick will come out almost clean. Sprinkle with Sea Salt if desired. Cool completely before cutting in bars. This rich dessert is best served in small squares!

Recipe from Studio 5

Happy Birthday Amber

Things I don't want to forget about Amber:

*As a two year old she would spend hours pulling out all the books on the bookshelf and quietly 'read each one'.

*Her first words--Read it

*She didn't seem to need as much sleep as her older sister but they shared a room so the girls went to bed at the same time. Amber would wait for Candise to fall asleep and then quietly sneak out of bed and say sweetly, 'Can I stay up a little longer if I help you fold clothes?' I was always folding clothes!
How does a parent refuse such a request?

*The day after Amber's 3rd birthday she woke and sadly stated, 'My birthday is over'.

*At about four if Amber would get mad at me she would hotly say, 'I'm not coming on your side of the bed tonight!' In her mind this was a cruel punishment.

*The year Amber turned 5 we had a grand party planned, her little pre-school group of about 6 children were invited. We planned and prepared, Amber was so excited. We woke on the morning of her birthday to two feet of fresh snow. Snow plows were slow coming that day. One by one all of the children called and said they couldn't come because of dangerous driving conditions. Amber was heartbroken. I called Greg at work--Super Dad to the rescue. Greg came home from work and picked up each child in his 4-wheel drive truck. The party was a success. Greg then delivered each child safely home. Amber was happy.

*Amber has always love flowers. She would often knock on my door with a bouquet of dandelions or a tulip from the neighbors yard. Amber's home always has fresh flowers when we visit. She often surprises me with a bouquet of flowers 'just because'.

*As a young teen Amber was tending Aunt Becky's kids. She decided the baby needed his first haircut and proceeded to give it to him. Aunt Becky tried unsuccessfully to hide her dismay. We had a nice chat about cutting kids hair when you babysit!

*In the spring Amber could always be found in the garden eating fresh peas.

*She is all grown up and now we are watching Amber be a kind, loving Mother.

Happy Birthday Amber--We love you. Have a wonderful day.

Honey Mustard Sauce

I do believe that the right sauce can make a meal. This Honey Mustard Sauce will make many meals delicious. It's easy to make and I'm pretty sure you have everything in the fridge/pantry to make it. It was the perfect dipping sauce for my Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders. I also drizzled it on my Cheddar and Green Onion Biscuits with a slice of ham. What a perfect little brunch bite. I will make this sauce often.

Honey Mustard Sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix ingredients and chill. It's a great marinade, dipping sauce or salad dressing.
Adapted from Life's Ambrosia

One Year Ago------Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie
Two Years Ago-----Amber's Asian Chicken Salad
Three Years Ago---TWD Cocoa-nana Bread

Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders are something that you will always find in my shopping cart at Costco. They are priced right, individually frozen so it's easy to get out just what I need and they are tasty. What's not to love?  I am always looking for new and different ways to cook my tenders.

I was making my menu last week and had pinned a Crispy Coconut Tenders. It looked delicious and it was baked--it was actually on a 'skinny' blog! I gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried them. I'm so glad I did because they were delicious The coconut added sweetness, the corn flakes and Panko added crunch. I made a yummy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce--recipe tomorrow. It is so good it needs it's own post! Put these Crispy Coconut Tenders on your menu. Oh and they are quick--really a 30 minute meal.

Coconut Chicken Tenders
9 chicken tenders--thawed
8 tablespoons coconut
6 tablespoons Panko crumbs
4 tablespoons cornflake crumbs
1 egg, beaten with a splash of milk
Mix the coconut, Panko crumbs and cornflake crumbs in a shallow dish. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Dip tenders in egg mixture and then roll in crumb mixture. Place on a bar pan that has a drizzle of olive oil. Spray tenders lightly with olive oil spray. Bake at 400 for about 18 minutes or until cooked through. Don't over cook! Serve with Honey Mustard Sauce. Inspired by a recipe on Skinny Taste.

1 Year Ago-----Love Craft
2 years Ago-----Amber's Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
3 Years Ago---- Chocolate Oatmeal Almost Candy Bars TWD

Cheddar and Green Onion Biscuits--SRC

It's good to be a member of the Secret Recipe Club again. The SRC is a great way to meet new bloggers and try new recipes. This month I was fortunate to get to know Healthy. Delicious. I enjoyed getting to know Lauren. She reminded me a lot of myself. We both grew up cooking and following our Mom around the kitchen. Planning and cooking dinner was something we both enjoyed from early on. Lauren is young enough to be my daughter--that is where we differ! Lauren has been blogging for over 6 years--that is commitment. Her recipe focus is on non-processed foods, fruit and veggies in season and weeknight meals that can be ready in 40 minutes! Spend a while on Laurens blog--you will be glad you did.

I am going to make the Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos when my daughter comes to visit. I needed a quick, simple meal so I scanned the blog and found a recipe for Cheddar and Green Onion Biscuits. Now you need to know that biscuits are my hubby's love language. I have made many recipes over the years and found that successful biscuits need a light hand. I used my food processor to make these gems and they were in the oven in minutes.

The cheese and green onions were a great combo. I sliced the warm biscuits added a thin slice of ham and a little drizzle of honey mustard sauce. A fresh fruit salad finished this
delicious meal and I had it on the table in under 40 minutes. These biscuits would be a great side for soup or stew. Add a slice of bacon or a sausage patty and you have a delicious breakfast. So many possibilities.

Green Onion and Cheddar Biscuits
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
dash of salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 stick of butter (2 ounces)
1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese-- I used Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheese
3/4 cup milk--I used 1%
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
In food processor mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add chunks of butter and pulse just till you have a fine, crumbly texture with pea size lumps of butter. Add the milk, cheese, green onion and garlic powder. Pulse a few times till just mixed. Do not over mix. Drop 1/4 cup portions of batter on parchment lined sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 17-19 minutes, do not over bake. Serve warm. They are also yummy split and toasted. Makes 12 delicious biscuits. Master biscuits and make your family happy! 
Thanks Lauren--I have a new blogging buddy! 

Meatballs Florentine--One Skillet

If a dish is easy that's great, but if it's easy and delicious then you have found something worth keeping. This recipe was found in Cook Country Magazine in their 30 minute section. I love that it cooked in one large skillet.

Meatballs Florentine--One Skillet
1 pound meatloaf mix (I use 1/2 pound ground beef and 1/2 pound plain ground pork
3 ounces baby spinach, chopped
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
1 egg lightly beaten
5 garlic cloves--pressed
Salt and Pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
6-7 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Combine meat, 1 cup of the chopped spinach, panko, egg, half of garlic. and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. With hands mix well. Using the smallest Pampered Chef Scoop make 3 dozen 1 inch meat balls. Heat oil in a 12 in skillet over medium high heat. Cook the meatballs until well browned--about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Add remaining garlic to skillet, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, water, spaghetti and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium low and stirring often until spaghetti begins to soften--about 7 minutes. Add meatballs and continue to simmer, covered until meatballs are cooked and spaghetti is al dente, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining 2 cups of chopped spinach and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper.
Serves 6

Easy Chocolate Swirl Cheescake

Sometimes I want a cheesecake--not the get out the spring form pan, crush crackers, melt butter, zest lemons, soften 4 blocks of cream cheese kind. I don't need enough for a dinner party. I just need a small cheesecake for 2 to 4. This is my remedy for Cheese Cake Now!

It's easy, has all the components, tastes delicious and is easy. You will love it and did I say it was easy??
Purchase a graham cracker or chocolate crust from the supermarket. Yes, you could make your own but then it starts getting labor intensive and this recipe is about easy. Luckily I had a crust in my storage room just waiting for such an endeavor.
Here is the complete easy recipe:

Easy Chocolate Swirl Cheese Cake
Soften 2- 8 ounce packages of cream cheese (left over from holiday baking that didn't happen) by soften I mean put it in the microwave on the soften cream cheese setting--works like a charm.
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 ounces semi sweet chocolate-melted

Combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and sour cream in the bowl of a mixer and mix until there are no lumps. This will take a few minutes. Now add eggs one at a time and beat until just combined. Remove 1 cup of the cheesecake mixture and mix it with the chocolate. It's beautiful!
Pour 2/3 of the remaining cheesecake mixture in the graham cracker crust. Using a spoon put dollops of chocolate cheese cake randomly on the cheese cake. Cover with remaining cheese cake batter. Now get a butter knife and gently swirl the two mixtures together. Every swirlier will be different, each cake will be wonderful.
Put pie pan on a cookie sheet for stability. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes. The most difficult part of this recipe is letting it cool for 4 hours. So if you want it for dinner make it early in the day, it's even better made the day  before. Cheesecake ages beautifully.
Top with fresh fruit, whipped cream, chocolate shavings or ice cream. This recipe is meant to be enjoyed!

Molten Lava Cakes--my way!

I love hosting Book Club. Who doesn't like a reason to make a special treat for good friends. Tonight we discussed the book The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This books has been around for awhile but it is one that you can read and reread. I always like to read books on improving relationships. This book has plenty of food for thought. I decided my love language is desserts!
We enjoyed this dessert with chocolate covered strawberries. Strawberries are sweet and delicious right now so enjoy--with or without chocolate.

Molten Lava Cakes--my way
3 tablespoons butter
heaping 1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Melt the butter and chocolate chips together in the microwave. Add the flour and powdered sugar--mixture will be thick. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Pour into 4 or 5 muffin tins that have been sprayed with Pam. Bake at 425 for 8 minutes. Let cakes cool in the pan for a minute or two. Remove and serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream and berries. This is one decedent delicious dessert. It is so quick you can mix it up while your oven heats and in 8 minutes you have the best dessert. It is too easy!
I cut the recipe way back and make smaller portions. But one cake with ice cream is a perfect dessert.
Printable Recipe
Inspired by a recipe on Savory Sweet Life.

 

One Year Ago------Apple Cinnamon Bites
Two Years Ago-----Ham and Bean Soup
Three Years Ago----Fresh Cranberry Scones

Peanut Butter Dove Cookies

I've always liked Peanut Butter Cookies with a Hershey's Kiss on top. Two of my favorite flavors in one cookie, what could be better? I'll tell you what is better--a peanut butter cookie topped with a Dove Heart. The Dove Heart just melts in your mouth! Delish. Good-bye Hershey's Kiss, hello Dove Heart!
What a great way to say "I Love You"!

Peanut Butter Dove Cookies
1 square butter, softened
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
coarse sugar for rolling
1 package Dove Milk Chocolate Hearts, I'm sure dark chocolate would be yummy also
Beat butter, peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla beat another minute. Turn mixer on low, add flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer.
I used a small Pampered Chef Scoop and made a ball then rolled it in coarse sugar. Place 12 cookies on a parchment lined sheet. Bake in a 375 oven for 10 minutes or until cookie starts to crack and is set. Remove from oven and press an unwrapped heart into cookie. Cool cookies quickly so the chocolate retains it's heart shape. It was 8 degrees so my cookies cooled quickly outside.
Enjoy a yummy Valentine treat.

MY Favorite Chocolate Macadamia Cookie

I have dozens of cookie recipes on my blog how I forgot this gem I don't know. I have been making this cookie forever, I included it in a cookbook I made for my girls called Just Desserts. It's a fun little cookbook/scrapbook with about 20 of my favorite dessert recipes.
The macadamias in this cookie reminds me of Hawaii. It is warm in Hawaii--it is cold in Utah right now. So make this cookie and pretend you are in warm Hawaii enjoying it!

My Favorite Macadamia Cookie
1 cup brown sugar (7 ounces)
3/4 cup white sugar
7/8 cups butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 3/8 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Mix together sugars and  butter, beat about 2-3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time and beat 1 minute after each addition. Add vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. Mix gently, don't over mix. Add nut and chips.
Bake on a parchment lined sheet for 13-14 minutes at 325 degrees. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen delicious cookies.

Potatoes Romanoff

I know I have a multitude of recipes at the touch of a button. Thanks to blogs, Pinterest, The Food Network etc. there is plenty to choose from. But I still enjoy opening the mailbox and seeing a new cooking magazine. I have limited the number I receive--recipe overload is real. This year I chose to subscribe to Cook's Country. I like the large format, the easy meals and I like to know why recipes work and Cooks gives me the information I enjoy. So this year you will see favorites from this magazine on my blog.
I'm always looking for a good potato recipe. We like potatoes in many forms. This recipe did not disappoint. It was yummy and worth the work for a special Sunday Dinner. You can also make this the day before, a plus for a busy cook.

Potatoes Romanoff
3 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 cup sour cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
4 scallions, white parts minced, green parts sliced thin on the bias
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups) I like Tillimok

Toss potatoes with salt in a large bowl, cover and microwave until tender about 15 minutes. Stir once.
Whisk sour cream, cream cheese, cornstarch and pepper in a large bowl until combined. Whisk in chicken broth and scallion whites until incorporated. Fold in hot potatoes in two additions. Pour mixture in an 8 inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Place dish on rimmed baking sheet and bake on upper middle oven rack for 15 to 20 minutes in a 425 degree oven. Casserole should be bubbling and cheese slightly brown. Let cool for 20 minutes. Sprinkle green onions on top. Serves 6 to 8.
You can make the casserole ahead and bake it at 425 for 30 to 35 minutes.