Chocolate Strawberries

This is great for a Mother's Day gift or anytime.

1  3 oz bar each: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate
1 package fresh strawberries
cookie sprinkles (optional)

Rinse strawberries under cold water, drain and pat dry with a paper towel.

Set aside in refrigerator until ready to use.

Break chocolate bars into pieces into 3 separate microwave safe bowls.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Stir and microwave for  

an additional 30 seconds approx.

Keep an eye on chocolate so that it melts evenly. 

Remove bowls carefully from microwave.

Dip strawberries into the desired flavor of chocolate with a clean fork.

Remove strawberry from chocolate, place strawberries on a parchment lined cooking sheet. 

Dip a clean fork into another flavor of chocolate and drizzle over straeberries.

Sprinkle cookie sprinkles over strawberries, if desired.

Place tray in refrigerator to harden.

Serves 6.

Keep Cool Coffee Cooler

Love coffee drinks but don't like the prices of them.

This recipe is easy and affordable.

This recipe is great for relaxing on a hot day, unwinding after a hard day, entertaining during brunch or anytime.

I've use decaffeinated coffee but you can also use regular coffee if desired.

This recipe has Kahlua in it.

For kiddos you can omit it, if desired 

I've also use low-fat milk and real whipped cream but you can also use whole milk, vegan milk or dairy free whipped cream if desired.

I prefer my coffee sugar free but you can adjust amount of sweetener if desired too.

2 - 4 c. decaf coffee
1/8 - 1 c. reduced fat milk (optional)
1 - 3 T. Kahlua
1/4 - 1 T. each: chocolate syrup, instant espresso granules, sugar (optional)
Whipped cream

Brew coffee according to desired strength. Turn coffee maker off and let cool.

Pour some of the coffee into a clean ice cube tray, put tray in the freezer until frozen.

 Set aside rest of coffee to use later.

When you're ready to serve, remove ice tray from freezer.

In a blender combine frozen coffee cubes, milk, Kahlua, espresso granules. 

Add sugar or dietetic sweetener if desired.

Blend for 20 - 40 seconds or until blended.

Pour into glasses. 

Garnish glasses with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate syrup and an environmentally safe straw, if desired.

Serves 4.

Bangers and Mash

This is great to celebrate St. George's Day or anytime.

1 package smoked sausage

3/4 c. chopped onions

1 - 2 cloves garlic 

3/4 c. beer (adjust amount needed)

2 - 3 T. flour

1 - 2 T. oil

pinch each: salt, pepper

4 - 6 c. prepared mashed potatoes.

Prepare mashed potatoes if needed.

Peel, rinse and chop garlic.

Heat a skillet to medium high heat. Lower heat to medium, add oil.

Add sausages, onions, garlic to skillet.  

Add beer carefully so that it doesn't splash or spill over.

Cook for 7 - 10 min on 1 side. Turn sausages over and cook on other side for 7 - 10 min more or until done. 

Remove sausages from pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Lower heat to medium low and add flour, salt, pepper to pan.

Stir with a whisk for a few minutes until gravy is thickened.

Turn off heat when gravy when thickened.

Serve sausages alongside potatoes.

Spoon gravy over potatoes, if desired.

Serves 4 - 6.

Hard Cooked Egg

Happy Easter and Passover!

Hard-boiled eggs are an important part to the holidays.

This recipe is great for the holidays or anytime.

1 dozen raw eggs
6 - 8 c. cold water

In a pot place eggs. Cover with water and bring to a boil.

Let it boil 30 sec - 1 min, turn off burner and cover the pot with a lid.

Let it sit for 10 - 20 min. or until the egg is hard cooked.

Serves 12.

Aspargus Soup

This is great for early spring or anytime.

I've used regular unsalted butter. But you can use vegetarian butter as well. 

I've used low sodium chicken broth, but you can used vegetable broth.

1 bunch cleaned, finely chopped asparagus

1 tsp. dried or fresh parsley
1/8 - 1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper
6 c. low sodium chicken broth
4 T. flour
1/2 stick unsalted butter (or vegetarian alternative)
1  small to medium onion chopped
1/3 c. reduced fat sour cream

Rinse and cut ends of asparagus.

Bring a pan to boil add aspargus.

Boil asparagus in water approx. 1 min, remove pan from heat. 

Drain water from asparagus, set aside.

Make a roux by melting butter over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion in the melted butter.

Add flour and stir until thickened. 

Add chicken broth 1/2 c. at a time, stirring constantly.  

Finely chop and add asparagus. Add the salt, pepper and parsley, stir.

Cook over medium heat until soup is heated through on medium about 20 - 30 min.

Add sour cream and cook for 5  - 7 min. more or until done.

Makes 4  - 6 servings. 

Game Day Nachos

This is great for opening day or anytime.

1 lb. ground meat (ground round)
1 - 2 T. olive oil
1/2 c  chopped onion
1/8 - 1/4 tsp.  each: salt, pepper
1 c. salsa
1 - 2 cloves fresh garlic (chopped, crushed)
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp chopped cilantro
1 lime, juice and zest
1 package tortilla chips
1 c each: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, bell peppers
1 - 2 c. shredded cheese
1/2 - 1 c. sour cream

Non stick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350' F.

Spray a baking sheet with non stick cooking spray 

Heat saute pan over medium high heat. 

Reduce heat to medium and add oil. if needed.

Add onions and meat. Brown meat and onions for 8-10 minutes.

Drain excess grease from meat (If using lean beef, omit step). 

Add salsa, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, lime zest, chilies to meat.

Cook for another 4 - 7 minutes or until done. 

Squeeze some lime juice over meat mixture.

To serve: 

Place tortilla chips on baking sheet.

Spoon meat mixture over tortilla chips.

Top with shredded cheese.

Place baking sheet in oven to melt cheese for a few minutes. 

Be careful to watch so the cheese doesn't burn.

Very carefully remove baking sheet from oven. 

Top with your favorite fixins.

Serves 4 - 6

Conchiglie Florentine

This is great for early spring or anytime.

1 - 2 c. fresh baby spinach
1/8  - 1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper
1 pkg. conchiglie pasta
1 - 2 c. ricotta cheese
1 c. mozzarella cheese (adjust to taste)
1/4 - 1 tsp. each: oregano, basil, parsley
1 -  2 T. olive oil
1 - 2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
2 - 3 c. pasta sauce (homemade or jar)

Non stick cooking spray
Water
1/2 c. parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400' F.

Rinse and pat dry spinach. Snip ends of spinach.

Cook noodles according to package. 

Drain in colander, set aside.

Spray non-stick cooking spray in baking dish, set aside. 

Heat saute pan over medium high heat. 

Lower heat to medium, add oil.

Add spinach, salt, pepper and saute for 5 min. 

Crack egg into a bowl and mix with a clean fork for a few seconds, set aside.

Peel, rinse, crush, chop garlic.

In a mixing bowl combine; spinach, ricotta cheese, salt, pepper, beaten egg, herbs, garlic, mix well. 

Pour some of the sauce in bottom of baking dish.

Use a spoon to fill the noodles with the mixture. 

You can even fill the noodles by placing  the mixture in a baggie, snipping one corner of the baggie to use as a piping bag.

Arrange filled noodles in baking dish.

Pour remainder of sauce over noodles.

Top noodles with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. 

Bake for 30 min or until done.

Serves 6.