Being the photographer

I really enjoy as a hobby photographing many things.  Although over the past years the photos I have taken have primarily been FOOD related.  I really enjoy playing with various indoor and outdoor settings.  Pictures can tell a story without saying a word.

Here are a few photos that I recently tried capturing the moment early in the day.

I have had no formal training so although I love taking photos they may not meet everyone's expectations or views.  So having said that I am an obvious optimist and I plan on working at this adventure and hopefully will show improvement every day.  It is really a great hobby!

My camera at the moment is my iphone 6.  Enjoy!

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

READY SET AND GET THEM!  THEY WILL GO FAST!

Bake 450 for 20 minutes.

Just as the recipe said to do.  I place all cleaned cauliflower florets in a zip lock bag and then added sauce which was 1 T melted butter, 1 tsp. Garlic powder, 3/4 cup hot sauce, pinch salt.  

NOTE:  MAKE SURE YOU BUY A LARGE HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER.  IT'S SO GOOD YOU'LL WANT THE LARGEST HEAD YOU CAN BUY.

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!

I USED LIGHT SOUR CREAM AND GARDEN VEGETABLE CREAM CHEESE MIXED

THEM TOGETHER FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE.

Crockpot lemon chicken

 This is a great crockpot recipe and it also is a meal that is leftover worthy.  Delicious with just a hint of lemon to add great flavor without being overpowering.  Enjoy!

Cold winter days bring to mind crockpot meals.  Today I'm adapting a recipe I saw from Carla Joy on all recipes.com  and making it mine by using an ingredient I have come to really like.  It's Trader Joe's seasoning saute.  Here is my recipe and I'll leave her recipe on the page too.  JIC you would prefer to make hers.

l lb. boneless chicken breasts cut into long strips or pieces
2 T butter
pinch salt and pepper
3 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning
3 T lemon juice
1 large garlic, chopped or minced
1 cup chicken broth


Cut chicken into strips or medium size pieces.  In a medium size pan place butter, chicken, salt and lemon pepper seasoning.   When chicken is browned transfer to crockpot.  In the same pan place, garlic,saute slowly as not to burn.  Add chicken broth, lemon juice and bring to a boil.  Add liquid to crockpot.

Cook on high for 3 hours or until chicken is fork tender.  Enjoy!

Cheesecake and Chocolate loaf cake

 Easy weekday or weekend dessert. 

I have found thru many years of baking that it's always good to have an extra cake mix or two handy for times like today.  Cake mixes are an inexpensive way to make an easy dessert.  Whether you top it with cool whip or icing or do like I did adding a little extra to make it really appealing.  I found that stocking up on cream cheese and cool whip too can help.  I find Aldi's to have the best prices on cream cheese at .89 cents and it's just as good as name brands so save money and buy a few when they are on sale.

I took a simple chocolate cake mix, cream cheese and two disposable loaf pans and made this Chocolate and cream cheese loaf.  Actually two loaves.  One for today and one to freeze for one of my sweet tooth craving days.  Great for parties and family gatherings too!

Make one chocolate cake mix according to directions.  Set aside.

In a separate bowl place softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, pinch of salt, vanilla and one egg.
Beat until creamy.

1 chocolate cake mix made according to directions

For the cheesecake filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
pinch of salt
1 large egg
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2 medium loaf pans( I used disposal pans)

Spray loaf pans with cooking spray.
Pour half or a little more of chocolate cake in both pans.

Top with cheesecake filling and pour remainder of chocolate cake on top.

Note:  Next time I will take heaping tablespoons of chocolate cake mix and leave some of the cheesecake mix exposed.  I think it would a bit nicer.  Mine settled on the bottom which was ok for us but if you want a more even distribution between cake and cream cheese this way may be better.

Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

After completely cooled dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Split Pea Soup! A hearty favorite + Recipe for Spaetzele's

One of mom's favorites!  Grandma and her used Hamhocks for her base but I'm taking a shortcut and found it to be really very easy. The taste was great! You can add small pieces of diced ham (leftover) or buy a small piece and cut it up for more flavor..

My personal favorite is meatless.

  Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours!

Small dumplings or tiny pasta will make this soup a meal!  Cook pasta separately and add to soup.

I did mine in the crock pot! It cooked in 2 hours on high (I followed the recipe and it was done much quicker than I thought) Make sure you do the first step before putting it in the crock pot!

.

Split Pea Soup

1 pkg. Dried split peas

2 quarts vegetable broth (I used Chicken Broth)

1 cup chopped celery

½ cup chopped carrots

¼ chopped onion

1 bay leaf

¼ tsp. Thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Wash and sort peas.   Add broth.   Bring to boiling.. Boil 2 minutes.. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour..  Put in crockpot, Add vegetables, bay leaf and thyme.. Set control to high and simmer covered for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until peas are soft and vegetables are tender..  

Note:  If leaving for the day set control to low.

If desired, put through food mill, processor or blender.. Season with salt and pepper.  

Note:  I  added small pieces of dumplings for a little different touch.  Mom made homemade spaetzele's fo her pea soup..
Recipe below!!

Makes about 2 quarts.. Easily frozen

I add some spaetzele noodles for an added touch or small acne de pepe noodles (about ¼ lb. Cooked)

German Spaetzle Recipe (Mom’s)

2 1/2 cup flour

¼ tsp. Salt

2 eggs

½ cup milk

½ cup water

Mix ingredients ..Note: If you have a spaetzle maker.. In a medium pot bring 3 or 4 qts. water to a boil, place  spaetzle maker over pot of boiling water, push back and forth until all is used .Stir while they are boiling..  If you do not have a spaetzle maker drop by ¼ tsp. into boiling water. When spaetzles have risen  top.. Cook about 5 minutes or more.  Drain, rinse and add to pea soup..


 

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11/29/11
11/14/13