Amber's Asian Chicken Salad

This salad has been on 'to make' list for several months. I don't know why it has taken me so long to make it, because it is delicious. Amber got the recipe several years ago from a dear friend. This simple salad can be dressed up for a yummy luncheon or or served as a side with dinner.
I topped our salad with some rotisserie chicken for a complete meal. I had the leftovers for lunch the next day. I forgot to add the chicken, still yummy. This recipe came from my sweet daughter Amber over at Sassy Chronicles

Here is Amber's Asian Salad--Cindy Style

About 5 oz baby greens (it's super easy to buy a package of these at your grocery store, no washing, drying, etc.), I used romaine hearts, I buy a package at Costco and challenge myself to use all six heads! I cut the tough middle out, give the greens a rinse and spin them dry in my salad spinner--I love my spinner.
1 or 2 grilled chicken breasts (sometimes I just bake them in the oven if it's too cold to go out to the grill)
I used  chunks of  rotisserie chicken
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
Crispy fried noodles (like LaChoy) tip... if you don't think you'll be eating the entire salad in one sitting, serve these noodles on the side, they'll go soggy if you keep them in the fridge!
3 chopped green onions
chopped, toasted almonds (1/2 cup) I made sugared almonds--yummy!
chopped cilantro (1/2 cup maybe) Don't be tempted to omit this, it really adds fun flavor
chopped celery (1-2 ribs)
I added red pepper, because I love red pepper
carrots, I used my Pampered Chef Julieene peeler--fun tool
Dressing
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup dark sesame oil
1/4 cup regular white sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil
Whisk all ingredients together and serve with the salad. Simple, straight forward, tangy, sweet... Delicious!

TWD Chocolaty, Nutty, Swirly, Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Jennifer at Cooking for Comfort is our TWD host this week. You will want to head over her way because this recipe is a keeper (aren't they all)! This sour cream bundt cake has delicious orange rind in the batter and a swirl of chocolate, pecans, cinnamon and nutmeg. This cake did not need a 'drizzle', it was yummy as is.

The instructions for the swirl were a little fussy. I was making two half size bundts so I just 'layered' the filling. That option seemed to work fine for my little bundts but when (very soon) I have occasion to make a full size bundt I will try the swirl.

 I ordered my half size bundt pans from King Arthur Flour. These are perfect for our smaller size family. I could just make half the recipe but it is so nice to have an extra bundt to freeze or share!

Homemade Burger Buns

Why would I make Hamburger Buns?
--I don't shop on Sunday
--I own a Kitchen Aid Mixer
--They just may improve the lowly Sloppy Joe
--Because I can!
I ran across this recipe on Annie's Eats, one of my favorite blogs. They looked easy and good and they were! I'm afraid I may never eat a Wonder Bun again. I can think of many uses for this tasty bun. Here is my slightly modified recipe.

Light Brioche Burger Buns
3 tablespoons warm milk
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/3 cups flour
2 1/2 tablespoons soft butter
In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine first six ingredients. Mix briefly to combine. Add flour and mix until incorporated. Mix in the butter. Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for 6 minutes.  The dough will be tacky, resist the urge to add more flour.
Put the dough in a oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double about an hour or two.
Divide dough in 8 pieces. Gently shape each portion of dough in a ball and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I couldn't fit all eight on my baking sheet, I didn't want pull apart buns. Let rise again until puffed and nearly doubled. This took less than an hour.
Put a 9x13 metal pan of water on the bottom rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to 400degrees with a rack in the center. Brush the top of the buns with a mixture of one egg and one tablespoon water. Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds. Bake the buns 15 minutes rotating halfway through baking, until the tops are golden brown. I don't always rotate my baked goods (I'm lazy) but I'm glad I did as they were so evenly browned. I'm  now a rotating believer. Transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Quick Cream Biscuits

What do you do with heavy whipping cream that needs to be 'used'? Make Quick Cream Biscuits. They are delicious, easy and on the table in no time. This recipe is adapted  from Real Mom Kitchen. Try it.

Quick Cream Biscuits
2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add cream and mix together gently. Knead dough for about 30 seconds just till dough comes together. Don't over mix. Pat dough in a square about 1 inch thick. Cut with sharp knife into 12-16 'square' biscuits. Bake on parchment covered sheet at 425 for about 18 minutes.
If you served these with sausage gravy you would have one happy family!

TWD Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins was the first recipe I made from Baking, From My Home to Yours. I had never rubbed lemon zest and sugar together. This little task is a sensory delight! I've been baking for over 40 years and Dorie continues to teach me new tricks.
This is a simple recipe that only dirties two bowls. Rub the sugar and lemon zest together, add the dry ingredients and stir. To the melted butter add eggs, vanilla, lemon juice and sour cream (I used plain yogurt). Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry and mix ever so gently, add the poppy seeds and you are ready to bake.

This recipe makes 12 muffins, Dorie suggests a light lemon drizzle. We don't drizzle or glaze at this house we frost! I made a yummy lemon cream cheese frosting. Delicious.
Our hostess this week is Betsy, check her blog for the complete recipe and take a look at her cute baby!TWD is an awesome baking group, take a moment and see what other talented bakers created.
My muffins are displayed on my newest setting of Fiesta Ware, the color is Paprika. I love it! Thanks Paul and Kaytie.

Jalapeno Poppers

It is cold and foggy in Utah, snow is in the forecast. This fun appetizer will warm you up! Don't wait for a party to serve Jalapeno Poppers, they should be enjoyed often. 

This is one tasty appetizer or party food. The recipe comes from Pioneer Woman, enough said. Just enjoy!

Wash and slice 18 fresh Jalapeno peppers in half. With a spoon scrape out seeds and membranes. I would wear rubber gloves to do this task. Peppers can leave nasty burns on your hands, I know.

Mix 8 ounces softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese together.

Stuff each pepper with cheese mixture.

Wrap 1/2 slice bacon around each half, secure with toothpick.

If desired brush with barbecue sauce or apricot jelly.

Bake 275 for about 1hour, or until the bacon is sizzling.

Ham and Bean Soup

The holidays are over but my freezer holds the remnants of a delicious holiday ham. In a big freezer bag is a ham bone with lots of tasty morsels attached. I have good intentions but too often the bag gets hidden only to be discovered when it is past its prime.
Not this year. I made a tasty pot of Ham and Bean Soup, hubby loved it!
There are as many recipes for this simple soup as there are cooks. This pot tasted especially good so I wrote down the recipe!

Ham and Bean Soup
Put ham bone with plenty of meat attached in your big crock pot, add 3-4 cups of water. Let cook several hours until the meat falls off the bone. Refrigerate broth, remove fat. Cut meat in bite size pieces.

1cup dry white beans I used cannellini, cooked till soft or use 1 can of beans, drained

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 cup chopped celery

2 carrots, diced

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 cups diced potatoes

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 bay leaf
Saute onions, garlic, carrots and celery in a little olive oil till soft. Add broth, potatoes and seasonings. Cook till potatoes are tender. Add beans, ham and additional water. Taste to adjust seasonings, it may need salt.

Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve on a cold winter day with a loaf of crusty bread.

Just Family!

Our 5 married children all live in different states, we try hard to keep in touch. We blog, call, text, skype and send letters, cards and drawings. This is good but a surprise/unplanned visit is always a treat. When you don't know you are having company you don't stress about 'getting ready'. It is a good thing! My kids are great houseguests--they clean, cook and do laundry. I relax, read stories, laugh, get hugs and kisses and enjoy every moment. It is so fun watching your children parent. Being a grandparent really is fun.

So we were happy to welcome our son and his sweet wife and their 4 children. Gregory, the newest addition to their family was just 2 weeks old. They made the long journey from Texas and spent a week with us.

And a good time was had by all! Happy New Year, looking forward to good things in 2011.

Ambers Scalloped Potatoes

This dish originates from Williams and Sonoma. Amber found the recipe, made a few modifications, and I made a few more. It is a great recipe for leftover holiday ham.

1 lb chopped ham (we used spiral cut ham this time, it is also delicious with diced ham steak)
3 1/2 lbs baking potatoes, peeled and sliced thin, this is what the mandolin is made for.
3 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
6 T flour
4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz smoked cheddar cheese
2 T Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 9x13 baking dish, layer the ham and sliced potatoes.  (Really I just put the ham on top of the potatoes and mix it a bit - it really will be fine.)  In a sauce pan, melt butter, add flour, cook for a minute or two, then add the milk.  Stir and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until thick.  Remove from heat and add cheeses, mustard, and cayenne pepper.  Stir over low heat just until the cheese melts.  Season to taste with salt and pepper - don't forget the ham is usually pretty salty, so don't over salt!  Pour cheese sauce over potatoes and ham.  Bake, uncovered until the top is crusty and brown, and potatoes are tender - this usually takes 90 minutes. Once or twice during baking, if needed, gently stir the top of the potatoes so they do not become too brown.  And yes, this recipe could be made lower fat, but it is a comfort food and is best made the "real" way for a tasty occasional dinner.

TWD Brownie Buttons--Rewind

Why did I rewind Brownie Buttons?

-- I love chocolate and orange, it is a great flavor combination.
--This recipe can be made in one pan, very easy.
--You can have 16 mini brownies ready in about 30 minutes.
--Brownie Buttons are delicious.
--Complete recipe can be found on Two Scientists Blog.
--Brownie Buttons will be a frequent treat at our house.

Christmas Treats

Just a few of my favorite Christmas Treats. A wonderful day visiting with family and celebrating the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

Oven Chili

I found this recipe in a Pampered Chef Stoneware Cookbook. I like the flavor of chili but have never been a bean lover. This recipe is full of onions, tomatoes, peppers and lean beef. Just one can of beans to serve 10 people. I knew it would be a winner. It was and continues to be a family favorite. I have had requests to add more beans. Sometimes I do. 

HEARTY OVEN CHILI

2½ Pound boneless beef rump roast—trimmed of excess fat and cut in ½ inch cubes
4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1½ teaspoons dried oregano leaves
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoons black pepper
2 cups onions, coarsely chopped
2 cups green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
3 cans (14½ ounces each) diced tomatoes, I give them a spin with my Immersion Blender
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1-2 cans (15.5 ounces) pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed

Sprinkle garlic and seasonings over beef cubes; stir to coat meat. Add vegetables and beans. Put in stoneware baker or heavy pan. Cover and bake at 350 for 2½-3 hours until meat is tender. Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sliced olives, chopped green onions and sour cream. Serves 10
This can also be cooked in a large crock pot on high 4-6 hours or until meat is tender.

Wedding Cookies

I volunteered to make six dozen Wedding Cookies for a church party. I've tasted these buttery, sandy cookies but have never made them. This is one of those recipes that seems to get pushed to the back of the recipe box. The cookies came together quickly in my Kitchenaid. I used my small Pampered Chef cookie scoop to portion the dough. Rolled the dough in cute balls and they were ready to bake. Rolling the warm cookie in powdered sugar was messy and took time. But when you make 6 dozen of anything it takes time!
This was a tasty cookie, melt in your mouth goodness.

Wedding Cookies
1 cup butter, soft
1/2  cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans, chopped
powdered sugar for rolling
Cream together butter, sugar and flavorings. Mix in salt, flour and nuts. Use small cookie scoop and form into balls. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool cookies for a few minutes and roll in powdered sugar. Makes 3 dozen.

Apple Cinnamon Bites

We had just moved into our new home. We also had a new born (why do moves and newborns seem to go together?) There was a knock on our door one winter morning in 1978. Three sweet ladies were on our doorstep. They wanted to welcome us to the neighborhood and get to know our little family. We had a nice chat, details have long been forgotten. But they left the best treat--Baked Apple Donuts. Not really a donut but a muffin. So light and delicious. They were happy to share their recipe, I have been making them for 32 years. I have updated the recipe and bake them in mini muffin tins. These are always a hit!

APPLE CINNAMON BITES
1 ½ cup flour
1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
½ cup sugar
Buzz together in Food Processor about 20 seconds.
Add 1/3 cup cold butter process a few seconds

Mix together:
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
½ cup grated apple
Add to food processor and just buzz a few seconds. Please don't over mix.

Lightly spray  a 24 mini muffin pan—use small scoop of rounded batter in each cup. Bake 350 degrees for about 12-13 minutes. While warm dip muffin top in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar mixture (1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon).

Linked to Little Brick Ranch

Christmas Advent Calendar

When the Harris Girls are not cooking or going to lunch we just might be crafting! We had a few kid free moments after Thanksgiving so we made these cute Advent Calendars. I saw them on Miranda's blog and quickly ordered the supplies. They are made with 'watchmaker cases', super strong magnets, vinyl numbers, cute paper and plenty of bling. They are filled with small treats and family activities. I think the Grandkids will love them!

I did a simple version of an Advent Calendar with my sweet nieces. We decorated small bags with vinyl numbers, stamps and some colored paper. We put a few pieces of candy in each bag, attached the bag to a clothesline with a clothes pin. They happily went home with their very own Advent Calendar. Their colorful bags looked fun hanging all in a row! We had a magical evening.