Easter Sunday Dinner 2011

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Honey cured spiced ham - cooked following package directions.
Sweet potatoes with cinnamon
Corn
Spiced apples

Yummy!

For these sweet potatoes that taste amazing!

You buy several large sweet potatoes (picture above is two large cut)

Wash cut and peel

Place in a baking dish

sprinkle with cinnamon add a few tsps of butter cut up and spread around.

Cook for an hour and a half at 325 so it cooks at the same temp as the ham.

I started my potatoes about 15 minutes before the ham so they would come out at the same time.

Have a blessed summer!

Quick Banana Shake!

One yogurt drink
half a banana
a handful of frozen berries

Mix in a blender for a minute and YUM!
I hate to say it be really its as good as the 5 dollar shakes you buy at the mall!

healthy peppermint patties

Gluten Free & Vegan Peppermint Patties
½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup agave nectar
½ teaspoon peppermint oil (I used organic)
½ to 1 cup dark chocolate chips 73% cacao, melted

1. In a small bowl, combine coconut oil, agave and peppermint oil, mixing with a spoon
2. Smash clumps of coconut oil against side of bowl until mixture is smooth
3. Freeze mixture for a few minutes until it starts to harden, then remove from freezer
4. Use a 1.5 teaspoon ice cream scoop to measure out little balls onto a parchment lined plate
5. Place plate in freezer to firm up mint balls; when firm, remove from freezer
6. Squish balls down into flat little patties on parchment paper
7. Dip patties into melted chocolate (use spoon to drop patty into melted chocolate, dip and remove)
8. Place patties on parchment paper to harden (takes 10 minutes though on a summer day you may need to refreeze)

Makes about 12 patties found on Elana's Pantry blog

Will add photo later - I have the ingredients just not the time!

LittleMan's 5th Birthday party food!

Snack were:
Mustard pretzels
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Cheese chips

Appetizers:
Vegetarian pinwheels

Recipe
4 wheat flour tortillas (8in)
1 fat free cream cheese
2 tbls Vidalia onion salad dressing
1/2  C finely chopped fresh broccoli
1/4 C grated carot
1/4 C finely chopped red onion
1/2 tsp dill weed
Mix cheese, dressing and dill then add the veggies and spread over tortillas. Roll tortillas up and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for at least two hours before cutting and serving.

Salad:
Cold noodle bacon ranch salad with cheese

Meats:
Hotdogs
Cheese bratswurst
Teriyaki hamburgers with provolone cheese and grilled pineapples

The Teriyaki sauce was easy I used a bottle of honey teriyaki (my fav) and added in half a cup of crushed pineapple then we let it set for a few hours before coating the meat and cooking it with the sauce! Adding smoked provolone cheese on top and then serving with a grilled pineapple these came out better than the fast food's version!

Treats:
Cake in flower pots!

High lights of the day the cup cakes and the Hamburgers! Our first backyard BBQ went well and I can't wait to have another huge party with lots and lots of friends!

Baked Eggs with Cheddar and Bacon

Oh Yes! Its America's favorite meal and I have finally found a worthy recipe!

Breakfast!

Baked Eggs with Cheddar and Bacon

4 eggs
4 Tbls fat free milk divided
2 Tbls shredded smoked cheddar cheese
2 tsp minced fresh parsley
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 bacon strips (I used turkey bacon to lower salt, fat and cholesterol issues)

1. Coat the inside of 4, 4 - 6 oz ramekins or custards cups with cooking spray (I use butter so as not to have the nasty sticky residue); break and egg into each dish. Spoon 1 Tbls fat free milk over each egg. Combine cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; sprinkle over the tops. If you like non runny eggs mix the eggs and cheese lightly by pulling a fork through it.

2. Bake uncovered, at 350 for 12-15 min (again if you like non runny 15-20 min) or until whites are set and yolks begin to thicken but are not firm.

3. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towel to drain. Crumble bacon and sprinkle on top of eggs, then serve!

Final product! Yummy! I will be making this again tomorrow! YUM! What it took for me to find smoky cheddar cheese was worth every bite!

Banana's What a Great Snack!

Many Banana snack ideas to hold off cravings and add health to your diet. They help boost metabolism add the fact that they help give your body the "full" feeling they add up to one great snack!

Banana "Ice Cream"
Peel, slice, and freeze 1 small banana. Place frozen banana pieces in a blender with 3 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk; blend until thick. Top with 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts.

Banana Salsa
Make a quick salsa with 2 diced peeled bananas, 2 tablespoons minced red onion, 1 tablespoon minced cilantro, 1 teaspoon minced serrano or jalepeno pepper, juice of 1 lime, and brown sugar and salt to taste. Use it to top fish or pork tacos, jerk chicken, or jerk pork.

Broiled Bananas
Slice 1 peeled banana in half lengthwise. Put banana pieces, cut sides up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the banana pieces with 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and broil on high until the sugar bubbles and the bananas brown (about 2–3 minutes). After broiling, sprinkle with cinnamon—or drizzle with 1 teaspoon rum for an extra-special treat.

Coffee and Banana Smoothie
Place 1 sliced peeled banana, 1 cup 1% low-fat milk, 1/2 cup cold black coffee, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1/2 cup ice in a blender. Blend until smooth—and enjoy.

Tropical Fruit Salad
Make a fruit salad with 1 sliced peeled banana, 1 sliced peeled kiwi, and 1/2 diced peeled ripe mango. Squirt juice of 1/4 lime over the salad, and serve. 

Chinese App, Dinner & Dessert

Spicy Sausage Wonton Stars Recipe

Ingredients

* 1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage
* 2 medium carrots, finely shredded
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
* 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
* 1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded pepper Jack cheese
* 1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
* 36 wonton wrappers
* 1 tablespoon butter, melted
* 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
* Sliced cherry tomatoes, optional

Directions

* In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. In a large bowl, combine the sausage, carrots, onion, peppers, cheeses, sour cream, garlic and lemon-pepper.
* Press wonton wrappers into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic powder; brush over edges. Bake at 350° for 8-9 minutes or until lightly browned.
* Spoon sausage mixture into cups. Bake 5-7 minutes longer or until heated through. Garnish with tomatoes if desired. Yield: 3 dozen.

Special Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients

* 1 package (16 ounces) bow tie pasta
* 1 cup canola oil
* 2/3 cup white wine vinegar
* 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
* 1/3 cup sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 3 cans (11 ounces each) mandarin oranges, drained
* 2 cans (8 ounces each) sliced water chestnuts, drained
* 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
* 1-1/3 cups honey-roasted peanuts
* 1 package (9 ounces) fresh spinach, torn
* 1 package (6 ounces) dried cranberries
* 6 green onions, chopped
* 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
* 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted

Directions

* Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and place in a very large bowl.
* In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, teriyaki sauce, sugar and pepper. Pour over pasta and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
* Just before serving, add the remaining ingredients; gently toss to coat. Yield: 22 servings (1 cup each).

Wonton Kisses Recipe
Ingredients

* 24 milk chocolate kisses
* 24 wonton wrappers
* Oil for frying
* Confectioners' sugar

Directions

* Place a chocolate kiss in the center of a wonton wrapper. (Keep remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel until ready to use.) Moisten edges with water; fold opposite corners together over candy kiss and press to seal. Repeat.
* In an electric skillet, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry wontons for 2-1/2 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Yield: 2 dozen.