Brussel Sprouts with Pine Nuts

Thank you Trader Joe's sample station again. These were delicious. My 3 year old devoured these faster than his spaghetti.

brussel sprouts
1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted) (or slivered almonds toasted)
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
4 tbsp olive oil (or grape seed oil)
2 Tbs Pomegranate juice (or cranberry juice)
2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Cut brussel sprouts in thirds. Saute in oil and juice. Toss with nuts and seeds.

Blueberry Muffins

These were made at a Kindergarten Mother's Day lunch last year. And I just had to make them again. I think next time I make them I will sprinkle a little bit of sugar on top to add an extra sweet and crunchy top. Perhaps a few drops of lemon juice too.

3 cups flour

1 Tbs bakin powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup plain yogurt (or buttermilk)

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup blueberries

Heat oven to 375.

Combine flour, powder, soda, salt.

Blend butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Beat in vanilla.

Alternate mixing in the dry ingredients and the yogurt.

Fold in blueberries.

Cook for about 25 min. Undercooking by juuuust a bit is great. Preferably just barely lightly browned. And if you haven't tried using silicone muffin holders .. you ought to. Holy cow they come out soooo easy!

Onion Strings

Well I have found a new favorite side. Holy cow these are tasty. Soooo tasty, that I am doing all that I can NOT to eat more while they all sit boiling hot on the table and I sit here waiting for my husband to get home with my monkeys so we can all eat them together. I am posting this BEFORE I even eat all of them. So yes go ahead and plan it in your menu. And I cut it straight from The Pioneer Woman. Her verbage at the bottom of the instructions is ooooh so true. I just wish I had another onion so that I actually could eat the entire first batch.

1 whole Large Onion
2 cups Buttermilk
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon (scant) Salt
¼ teaspoons (to 1/2 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
1 quart (to 2 Quarts) Canola Oil
Black Pepper To Taste

Slice onion very thin. Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk. Soak at least an hour.
Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
Heat oil.
Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess, and PLUNGE into hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove as soon as golden brown.
Repeat until onions are gone.
Eat before your family sees them.
Repeat with another onion, because they’ll be really mad they didn’t get any.

On The Menu ...

MONDAY
flying home ... whatever airport food looks appealing

TUESDAY
Clean out my freezer night - Tilapia, peas, corn, homemade ice cream

WEDNESDAY
Blueberry muffins for breakfast
Mahi Mahi burgers (again clean out my freezer night)Onion Rings?

THURSDAY
Black Bean and Pumpkin Soup Yes it's time to pull out the Pumpkin. And this sounds HEAVENLY! and some crispy sourdough bread.

FRIDAY
Campout ? Hot dogs and s'mores?

SATURDAY / SUNDAY
Conference foods

Chocolate Ice Cream

So I recently stole my parents ice cream maker (with their permission) and have been determined to find the right recipe. THIS one is for sure a keeper. I've modified it a bit so it will fit my maker. It makes about a half gallon, which just isn't enough for any growing family. I guess I need to two ice cream makers.

10 egg yolks
4 Tbs sugar

3 1/2 cups milk
1 cup milk chocolate cut into small squares
1/2 cup dark chocolate cut into small squares

2 cups heavy cream whipped
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Mix the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Scald the milk. Turn off the stove. And slooooooowly pour the the milk into the egg mixture 1 Tbs at a time at first. Whisk it quickly so you don't get scrambled eggs. Once it is all blended. Return the mixture into the pot and turn the heat back on to med-med low. Continue stirring constantly reaaaaally good for about 5-10 minutes until the custard thickens but does NOT become scrambled eggs.

Once it is nice and thick pour it back into the large bowl and add the chopped chocolate. It melts fast. Let the mixture get REALLY cold in the fridge. About an hour or two. Then add the whipped cream and blend in gently. Pour it in your mixture and wait ... if you can ... or steal a lick or two as it starts to thicken.

On The Menu ...

MONDAY - Vacation anything goes

TUESDAY - Ham steak, corn on the cob, fresh bread, broccoli

WEDNESDAY - Tilapia, salad, sourdough toast

THURSDAY - Garlic Chicken Legs, Sweet Potatoes, microwavable green beans (from a bag =)

FRIDAY - pizza?

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

I have an aversion to the Crockpot. We just aren't friends. Buuuut, I'm determined to find recipes that work for it b/c every Thursday I'm going to need it after soccer practice ends at 6pm.

This recipe is simple and thanks to Trader Joe's again, I found an easy great meal.

1 package of Chicken Thighs (yes that makes all the difference)
1 package of Taco Seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of chicken broth

Simmer for a few hours in the crockpot. And serve with lightly fried tortillas, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, lettuce, cheese, etc.