Grilled Cheese

This is great for those days when you just don't feel like cooking and need something quick and easy for dinner.

I've used cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack/Colby but you can use what cheeses you like.

8 slices each: bread

4 slices each: cheddar, Monterrey jack/colby

1/8 - 1/4 c. butter

Non stick cooking spray

Remove a stick of butter from refrigerator and let it set out for a few minutes to soften.

Remove cheese from refrigerator.

Smear some of the softened butter with a clean knife on 1 side of the eight slices of bread.

Place the buttered side up of 4 slices of bread on a clean work area or cutting board.

Layer cheese on the bread and place buttered side down of remaining bread slices over the cheese. 

Heat grill pan or skillet over medium high heat. 

Reduce heat to medium and spray non stick cooking spray.

Smear some of the remaining butter on 1 side of sandwich.

Place 1 sandwich in skillet. 

Cook on 1 side for 3 - 5 min or until brown.

 Flip over and cook on other side for 3-5 min or until brown. 

Repeat cooking process with remaining sandwiches.

Makes 4 servings.

Easy Breezy Dalgona

This is my version of the recent internet sensation called dalgona.

It's a type of whipped coffee you serve over milk.

I've used decaf instant coffee because I'm trying to cut my caffeine intake, but you can use regular instant coffee if desired.

I've used my hand blender with the whip attachment.

But you can also use a regular whisk instead.

If you whip it by hand, it'll take you 5 - 15 minutes to get it to the right consistency.

I've had to mix this in a deep mixing bowl, because it's less of a mess.

I've also use reduced fat milk and dietetic sweetener for this, but you can use regular sugar, & whole milk if desired.

2 T. each: hot water, sugar, instant coffee granules

1 - 2 c. reduced fat milk

Heat cold water in a microwave safe cup for 1 min approx.

Remove carefully cup from microwave.

In a deep mixing bowl or measuring cup combine the hot water sugar and coffee.

Stir with a clean fork.

Using the whip attachment on your hand mixer, blend mixture for about 1 - 3 minutes or until it's a light caramel color.

Pour milk into clean cups.

Spoon whipped coffee over milk.

Serves 2.

Easy Reuben

This is great for lunch or any time.

Ruben is usually made with sauerkraut.

Since I don't have any, I used sauteed cabbage.

6 - 8 oz. of lean corned beef slice thinly

4 slices reduced fat swiss cheese

8 slices rye or pumpernickel bread

1/8 - 1/4 c. prepared russian dressing

4 oz. sauteed cabbage 

2 - 4 T. each: olive oil, butter, 

Cut corned beef thinly, set aside.

Rinse and cut cabbage into slices, set aside.

Preheat skillet to medium high heat, lower heat to medium low.

Add some of the oil, salt, pepper, cabbage.

 Saute cabbage for a few minutes.

Remove cabbage from heat, turn off stove, drain cabbage on a paper towel lined plate.

With a clean knife, spread the eight slices of bread with softened butter.

Remove thousand island dressing from fridge.

Spread thinly with a clean knife on 4 slices of the bread.

Arrange corned beef on each of the other 4 slices of bread. 

Top corned beef with swiss cheese and cabbage.

Top corned beef with remaining bread slices buttered side down.

Preheat a clean skillet over medium high heat, lower heat to medium lo, add oil. 

Place sandwiches in skillet and brown for after minutes until cheese is melted.

Serves 4.

Easy Hand Sanitizer

This post is a little different this week.

Instead of a food recipe, here's how to make your own hand sanitizer.

When I can't get to a store to get hand sanitizer, or they run out, this is what I do.

You can add aloe vera gel to the sanitizer if desired too. 

Wash your hands when you can, stay home if you don't feel well.

Be safe all, we'll get through this.

6 oz. isopropyl alcohol 

1/2 - 1  1/2 oz. gentle hand soap, 

1/2 oz. aloe vera gel (optional)

4 - 8 drop essential oils

In a measuring cup combine alcohol, soap and gel.

Stir to mix.

With a funnel, pour sanitizer in your favorite spray dispenser.

Add desired amount of your favorite essential oil.

Screw lid on container.

Spray sanitizer as needed.

Cajun Pot Roast

Happy Fat Tuesday all! 

This is great for Mardi Gras or anytime.

4 lb. beef roast
1/8 -1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper, dried parsley

Pinch each: cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, dried thyme
1 - 2 cloves fresh garlic crushed, chopped

1 capful each: red wine vinegar, worchesthire sauce

1 - 2 drops hot sauce
1/3 - 3/4 c. cold water
1 onion peeled and quartered
20 - 30 baby carrots

4 medium potatoes, quartered

Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat slow cooker to 350 F'.

Spray nonstick cooking spray in bottom of slow cooker.

Peel, rinse, cut carrots, onions, garlic.

Rinse and quarter potatoes.

Make some tiny slits all over roast. Stuff slits with sliced garlic.

Sprinkle half of the seasonings over roast. 

Pour half of vinegar and Worcestershire sauce over roast.

Turn roast over, repeat prior process with sliced garlic, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings.

Pour water in bottom of pan.

Add carrots, potatoes, onions to pan. 

Cook roast for 2 - 3 hrs. approx. or until desired doneness. 

Remove roast from slow cooker and cover with foil to keep warm. 

Let roast rest for a few minutes before carving.

Serves 8.

Hurry Spring Milkshake

Spring is coming in a few weeks, can't wait for warmer weather.

2 c. skim or low fat milk
2 - 4 peppermint hard candies
1 - 3 oz. dark chocolate (broken up)
1  1/3 c. reduced fat ice cream

1 drops green food coloring

Break chocolate into pieces.

Remove ice cream container from freezer and set on a clean counter.

Combine: milk, peppermint candy, food coloring chocolate and ice cream into blender. 

Blend well for 20 - 30 seconds.

Serves 4.

Award Goes to Martini Spritz

This is great for watching the Oscars or any award show. 

Congrats to all the winners!

4 - 6 oz. gin or vodka

1 - 2 oz. vermouth

24 oz.  club soda

Ice

Place 4 clean martini glasses in freezer for a few minutes to chill.

 In a clean cocktail shaker combine gin, ice and vermouth. 

Shake for a few seconds.

Remove glasses from freezer.

Pour martinis into glasses.

Top off martinis with club soda.

Serves 4.