I'm baaack!

Yaaaa, you can all breath a sigh of relief now. Our computer is back up and running perfectly, and we didn't lose anything that was on it! That means all of my pictures are okay, and I can get my butt in gear and share them with you all.

I feel so out of practice, so I do believe I need to start off slowly.

Nothing too complicated, but something incredibly wonderful nonetheless. How about grilled cheese? Not the one that you ate as a child, with those kraft slices between the bread. These ones have been spiced up and have a definite grownup taste to them. But they are quick, easy and gourmet!

Grownup Grilled Cheese:

• Mushrooms (approximately 5) sliced
• Pancetta thinly sliced
• Tomato and basil Havarti (or any other cheese of choice)
• Bread
• Butter

In skillet fry mushroom with a small amount of olive oil, salt and pepper, until soft. Remove from heat.


Taking two slices of bread, place thinly sliced cheese on one side and pancetta on the other. Place cooked mushrooms on one side and close sandwich. Butter outer sides of bread, and grill on warm skillet until each side is golden brown and cheese is melted, turning once.


Enjoy!

Weekend!!!

Yup, it is finally here! It has been one crazy week, but you can read about that here if you like, I am just glad it is here. I have big plans to spend most of the weekend in my kitchen. I have a couple of meals planned I have been looking forward to all week, plus I feel cookies coming on :)

But first our super, quick, mid-week dinner. It was a big hit with hubby, and fed us for two crazy nights in a row, and lunches for me. This would also be a great one for those summer days where the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven to cook.

Chickpea and pesto salad:
Serves: 6-8

• 1/3 cup pesto sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 can (15oz) chick peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cucumber diced
• 1 cup celery diced
• 1/2 cup red onion diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 1 red pepper diced
• 300g of black forest ham cubed
• salt and pepper

In large bowl mix pesto sauce and lemon juice.

Cut up all veggies, and add to bowl with chickpeas and ham. Toss to coat, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Presto, your done! I know so simple, and delicious. Really easy to change too...don't like ham try some other kind of deli meat, or leave it out completely, change of the veggies, just have fun with it.

Enjoy!

Quick, easy, and yummy

The list of chores to do in our house on Saturdays seems never ending. Consequently I don't have the desire to spend hours in the kitchen fixing dinner. I normally want something quick and easy, with a little cleanup as possible. So on the menu tonight was stir-fry!


Hot & Sour stir fry sauce:

• 3/4 cup chicken broth or water
• 5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried chili flakes

Combine first 5 ingredients together in bowl, stirring until cornstarch dissolves.

In a wok (I have a large cast iron wok, that I could never live without anymore...highly recommend picking one up for those who don't have one) or medium skillet heat 1tbsp of oil and add garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Heat until fragrant (about 15 seconds) . Add cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and pour into bowl.


Stir-Fry:

• 3 x Pork chops, trimmed of fat and thinly sliced
• 3 x Carrots sliced on diagonal
• Broccoli
• Onion sliced
• Rice or noodles

Cook rice or noodles according to package directions.


Heat oil in wok and cook veggies until desired tenderness, and then remove from heat and place off to the side. If you are doing carrots they will take some time if you want them soft so be patient. Try adding a small amount of water to the wok and covering to steam them for a few minutes.


Add pork slices to wok and cook until no longer pink.

Return veggies to wok with pork. Pour sauce over and mix well.

Serve over rice or noodles.


We have this over noodles, but it is equally delicious over rice. Try different veggies such as bean sprouts, and pea pods.

Enjoy! Tune in tomorrow of Hubby's father's Day cake!