Croissant French Toast and "The Change"

Not only are we seeing a change of seasons around here...I am also seeing "changes".  I'm sure that may be sharing too much information (TMI) with all of you, but there is much humor in all of it...or at least I'm trying to convince myself anyway.

It started with just a little bit of perspiration on my forehead.  It was however 97 degrees out, so I just chalked it up to really hot weather.  Then the 2:00 am insomniatic wake up call that lasts until 4 am (every night) as I spin around over and over like a Costco Rotisserie Chicken. Followed up with the massive headaches and the laugh/cry/laugh/cry (all in one hour) episodes....add those clues all up and a "change" is a coming!  It's life, it's inevitable and there is nothing that can be done about it except a lot of electric fans, patience and a careful family ( I actually feel really bad for them).

How it feels when my hot flash and night sweats hit...

pure spontaneous combustion at any given moment!
(There's truly no other way to describe it...a picture is worth a thousand words)

(Photo courtesy of Iron Man 3)

I have a ceiling fan blowing on me at night and another large box fan in the window and yet...it's still not enough during "sleep".  My husband is now up to three blankets on him at night, as I won't be satisfied until I wake up with icicles on my eyelashes.  However by the phenomenon and marvels of modern space technology, I discovered a cooling pillow case that was worth every penny!  It actually stays at a comfortable chilled temperature all night long. This miracle fiber that some amazing genious invented (whom I am thoroughly convinced deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for it) is better than sticking my head in any ice bath before I lay me down to sleep.

On those nights that I spend more time sweating than sleeping, I wake up really cranky and hangry! (remember I am burning about 2300 calories a night during my "rotisserie spinning").  I recently treated myself to Croissant French Toast to cheer me up and which made me very happy (as well as my daughter who loves my French Toast...and mom making her breakfast).

There's no secret recipe or ingredients...instead of using your normal bread routine, just cut up mini croissants horizontally...dip and saute away.  Serve with maple sausage links and your favorite eggs (you know, to balance out that buttered slice of Heaven!) and if a little Prosecco accidentally ends up in your orange juice, I won't tell anyone.  Stay "cool" ladies!

One Year Ago: One Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Two Years Ago: Pear Cake

Three Years Ago: Lemon Spaghetti with Jumbo Shrimp

Four Years Ago: A Comfort Food Morning

Monterrey Tapenade Chicken and My Torture

During last weekend's extended holiday time off, I went into refrigerator mode.  Refrigerator mode is when there is so much Tupperware, Pyrex and Corning Ware, that you can no longer see the sides or back of refrigerator due to all the leftovers.  It was time to toss or get creative and re-purpose for some breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

It is inevitable when this happens, every pot, spatula, scraper, skillet, and whisk come out...which means many dirty dishes and the kitchen looks like I just finished making Thanksgiving dinner for thirty people!

It was on this day of course, that the dishwasher decides to break down...and I'm not talking about my husband the dishwasher.  I'm referring to the one that my world revolves around.  I could not get one of the special or standard cycles to work.  It revved up...and then stops...and then I go into mass hysteria looking at my piles of dirty dishes that I just conjured up.

You see if the washer and dryer break, no problem...you just load all your dirty laundry in the car, head to your nearest, safest, laundromat and three hours later you come home with beautiful, clean and warm clothes. However, when the dishwasher breaks...you have nowhere to take all your ingredient induced dishes....nowhere!!!

So, after (a bottle of Pinot Noir) a bottle of Ajax grapefruit scented dish washing liquid, 108 degree scalding hot water, 7 dish drying towels and 3 beach towels (for staging the clean, wet, dishes on deck waiting to be dried), we are now at our 6th sink load of hand washing dishes.  This Monday, the dish washer repair man will be at my house...I may even hug and kiss him.  Until then...paper plates, plastic forks and bbq outdoors!

In my creative leftover efforts, I came across a recipe for Monterrey Chicken.  Monterrey Chicken, typically has a Mexican seasoning ingredient flair and always...always includes cilantro.  If anyone wanted to kidnap me and torture me, they would feed me cilantro!  I could be on a deserted island and if the only thing that kept me alive was cilantro...I'm sorry to say, I would miss you all terribly, as that would be my demise.

Even though my husband thinks I am just being picky, I am not the only one that feels so strongly about the subject this way either...my sister-in-law (who is a fellow Pisces) also concurs with me, as does The Barefoot Contessa.  So there you have it...I am in good company and authoritative on this!

Thankfully I changed it up the recipe and gave it an Italian spin with my leftover tomatoes, olive oil and green olive tapenade that I had in one of the floundering Tupperware bowls.


Monterrey Tapenade Chicken

1/2 cup canola oil
2 Tbl apple cider vinegar
2 Tbl water
2 Tbl chicken grilling seasoning (like Lawry's)
2 Tbl Dijon mustard
2 Tbl brown sugar
2 Tbl Worcestershire sauce
salt
pepper
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
6 slices, applewood smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
1 Roma tomato, diced
1 cup green olive tapenade

For the chicken, whisk together the canola oil, apple cider vinegar, water, chicken grilling seasoning, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.  Add marinade to a large plastic sealable bag.  Add the chicken breasts.  Toss to coat and refrigerate for 30 minutes (up to 8 hours).

In a separate small bowl, toss the cooked bacon crumbles and shredded cheese.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

In another small bowl, combine the diced tomatoes and green olive tapenade.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Heat a grill pan or grill over medium.  Brush pan with non-stick spray.  Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.  Discard marinade.  Cook chicken covered until the thickest part of chicken registers 165 degrees with a meat thermometer.  (Approximately 5 minutes per side).

Top chicken with bacon-cheese mixture, cover and cook until cheese is melted, 1 minute more.

Serve with tomato and green olive tapenade topping.

One Year Ago: One Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Two Years Ago: Eggplant, Green Olive and Provolone Pizza
Three Years Ago: Lemon Spaghetti with Jumbo Shrimp
Four Years Ago: Hot Chili Mamma Salsa

Thank goodness I had for forethought to use parchment paper....no dirty baking sheets!!

Mama Z's Breakfast Biscuits

I hope you all had a nice, relaxing and restful Labor Day Weekend!  I blinked and ours was over...really, just like that...over.  I can't even tell you what we did because we were just going and doing everything from yard work, shampoo carpets, laundry, laundry oh and yes, some laundry, cleaning cars, and filling boxes of miscellaneous items for Goodwill donations.  

I think in the back of our minds as we are starting to see our trees turn yellow and orange so rapidly, we know winter is not far behind (although with 97 degree days we've been having, it's hard to imagine that is ever coming).  So, with that, we are getting the house and yard ready a little bit every weekend.

We did manage to squeeze in a quick road trip "daycation" day to Breckenridge and enjoyed beautiful scenery and a great lunch.  Such a sweet little town and reminded us of Main Street in Disneyland. Perfect day for playing tourist.

The rest of the weekend was trying out new recipes and preparing meal planning for the week.  I'm always trying to get ahead of the game, as it were, to have breakfast and lunch ready to grab-and-go for us out the door on weekday mornings.  I have been guilty far too many times of not being prepared and then I am stuck with eating a travel size bag of "gorp" (nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds and M&M's) to last me through the day...which never works out well for anyone.  Mama comes home "hangry" (not a pretty sight).

I learned a new way to make a lot of eggs at once.  I'm sure I'm late to the game on discovering these, but better late than never...and I have never been so thrilled to have a new go-to in my arsenal.

Yes, I know these really are just the homemade version of McDonald's Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit from their breakfast menu (or could also turn into an Egg McMuffin), however, I must admit, these were really so incredibly good.  Perfect little present to start your morning off right or also great for a morning tailgating event or camping weekend.

Mama Z's Breakfast Biscuits

(12) Buttermilk Southern Biscuits and/or English Muffins

(12) Large Eggs

(6) Colby/Jack Cheese Slices, cut in half

(12) Cooked Bacon Slices (or) Cooked Sausage Patties (or) Cooked Canadian Bacon Slices

Butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 12 count muffin tin with non-stick spray.

Add one egg to each muffin tin opening.  Bake the muffin tin with eggs in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.  Depending on your egg size, start checking them early to make sure they are cooked through.

Once eggs are ready, add them to your favorite biscuit or muffin and top with meat selection of your choice and a really good cheese.  Endless possibilities!

One Year Ago: One Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Two Years Ago: Mushroom Marsala Ravioli

Three Years Ago: Garlic Chicken Skewers

Four Years Ago: The Flavornator (a.k.a. Bacon Explosion)

Baked Parmesan Artichoke Hearts and The Queen of Hearts

Today marks the 20th Anniversary in the passing of Princess Diana.  Affectionately known as the "Queen of Hearts" and "People's Princess".  I will never forget that day...we were just recently married and home watching television that night.  A breaking news story interrupted and said that Princess Diana had passed away.  I remember I burst into tears from complete shock and sadness.

When I was in my pre-teens, my best friend and I stayed up all night long to watch her royal wedding, and completely transfixed watching the traditions of royalty.  It was at that moment, I truly became mesmerized by Diana, not so much the Princess, but by the incredible woman.  The strength and grace that she displayed in her far too short life was truly inspirational.

Diana's outpouring of charm, outreach and loving heart will never be forgotten.  Her style was like no other and to this day has remained and displayed in the history of fashion.  She will forever be missed and remembered.

I read somewhere that her last meal at The Ritz in Paris was Vegetable Tempura.  These artichoke hearts are a little like that...I think Diana would have liked these.  Diana, may you continue to rest in peace Princess and thank you for touching the world with your kind and sharing heart.

Baked Parmesan Artichoke Hearts

2 (15 oz) cans quartered artichoke hearts drained
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup Parmesan Herb Panko Bread Crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted
1 lemon, freshly squeezed juice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Place artichokes on paper towels and pat dry well.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter and garlic powder.

In another bowl, pour in the Panko breadcrumbs.

Dip each artichoke heart quarter in the butter, then the Panko crumbs.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet.  Repeat with all artichokes.

Bake artichokes for 18 minutes, turning over once half way throgh baking.

Let cool for 10 minutes.  While artichokes cool, mix fresh lemon juice in with remaining melted butter.

Serve baked artichokes with lemon-butter dipping sauce.

One Year Ago: Grilled Shrimp, Corn and Avocado Salad
Two Years Ago: Surf and Turf Crostinis
Three Years Ago: Smoked BBQ Chicken Nachos
Four Years Ago: Flatbread Friday

The Med Salad

When we moved to Colorado five years ago, one of the first restaurants we tried out in our new adventure was Noodles & Company.  If you ever have the chance to dine at one...you must go!  Whenever we get new visitors to see us, we typically at one point end up there for a quick lunch.  They never disappoint and our friends and family are instant fans. P.S....when you go, try the Peach Sprite from their soda machine...it will change your world!

During the past four years while my girls were playing high school volleyball, we inevitably ended up having what I coined..."Bleacher Picnic Dinners", twice a week for game nights.  Even though they weren't quite as romantic as a lakeside, sunset picnic, they were always most definitely action packed!

One of the meals I started to really like was "Noodles'" Mediterranean Salad with Grilled Chicken.  It actually became a weekly craving at some point.

Well, now that we no longer have our bleacher picnics, I started making my own version at home.  Still, so incredibly good...love this salad for dinners!  It's also a great way to use up those 1/2 packages of left over ingredients.

The Med Salad
Inspired by Noodles and Company

Grilled Chicken, sliced thin
Romaine Lettuce
Mixed Greens
Roma Tomato, diced
Cucumber, diced
Red Onion,, sliced thin
Kalamato olives, pitted and chopped
Pepperoni Slices, chopped
Genoa Salami Slices, chopped
Mini Penne Pasta, cooked, according to box directions and cooled
Feta Cheese, crumbled
Spicy Yogurt or Creamy Italian Dressing
Parmesan Cheese (optional)


One Year Ago: Grilled Shrimp, Corn and Avocado Salad
Two Years Ago: Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Three Years Ago: Spicy Roasted Chicken Legs
Four Years Ago: Mocha Mint Delight

No-Bake Ombre Blackberry Cheesecakes

It's been harvest time around here and after all the summer months of growing, the farmers have been inundated at our weekend Farmers Market with people lined up for all their beautiful fruits, vegetables and fresh flowers.

This coming weekend we will be making our annual visit to stock up on items to make our fresh salsa, a few flowers and I'm sure sneak in a few delectable pastries for breakfast and loaves of baguettes for crostinis to enjoy Saturday night.  We even have a local vineyard nearby that has wonderful wines at the market as well.

Last weekend I tried out a new cheesecake dessert because I really can't turn away trying any kind of new version of cheesecake.  I realized this, when I went back through my list and found all of these that I have made...Cherry Cheesecake Brownies, Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake, The Masters Cheesecake, Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce, Reese's Cheesecakes, Easter Cheesecake Baskets, 

and Lemon Chess Cheesecake Pie.  Yeah, I would say I have a bit of an addiction to cheesecake...yikes!

When I read the recipe ahead of time, I was a little intimidated by the whole separation of bowls to make ombre fillings, etc, etc...but once I dove into, it was so easy.  I cannot wait to try this out with other fresh fruit versions like raspberries and strawberries...yummy!  

No-Bake Ombre Blackberry Cheesecakes

Courtesy of King Soopers My Magazine July 2017

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 cup fresh blackberries, plus more for garnish

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Springs of mint, for garnish (optional)

Evenly distribute the graham cracker crumbs between 4 glass or clear plastic serving cups, and set aside.  Puree 1 cup blackberries in a food processor and set aside.

In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or using a hand mixer, beat the heavy cream, 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.  Set the whipped cream aside in a clean bowl.  Clean the mixer, and beat the cream cheese and remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the paddle attachment (or with hand mixer)until totally smooth, about 3-4 minutes.

Reserve 1/4 cup of the prepared whipped cream.  Add the rest to the cream cheese mixture, then mix on low speed for an additional 1-2 minutes until totally incorporated.  Divide this mixture evenly between 2 bowls.  Add a scant tablespoon of the berry puree to 1 bowl, and 2-3 tablespoons to the other.  Mix each bowl well to make 2 shades of purple cheesecake filling.

To assemble, spoon or pipe the light purple cheesecake mixture evenly over the graham cracker layer.  Repeat with the darker purple mixture, and finish with the remaining berry puree.  Use the reserved whipped cream to top each cheesecake, and garnish with fresh blackberries and sprigs of mint.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

*The recipe says that it makes 4 servings, but honestly they are so rich and decadent, you could probably stretch it into 6 servings or 8 shot glass size servings.

One Year Ago: Grilled Shrimp, Corn and Avocado Salad

Two Years Ago: Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce

Three Years Ago: Orzo Salad with Everything

Four Years Ago: Puttanesca and Pasta

One Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini and One Day

Last week was a bit of a trying one for me.  All the schools started back up in session.  I started seeing friends posting their kids' "first day of _ _ grade" school photos and hearing about their "back-to-school" shopping adventures.  Seeing kids with their brand new backpacks and the overflow of traffic at the grocery store as mom's stocked up for school lunch provisions and after school snacks.  

Their "very first day" of pre-school.

That's when it hit me...I don't have that anymore...that chapter of my life is completely over.  There was no four trips to Office Depot, hours at the mall shopping for the perfect outfits, saving up for the ultimate, latest backpack and Converse shoes, getting coiffed with a fresh haircut or the rush and chaos of first day of school morning, pleading and trying to get them to squeeze 15 seconds of their life for me, so I could take that "first day" annual photo.  Remember, it's not the gifts you have been given...it's what you do with those gifts that matters.  I thought a lot about that last week and I'm not going to lie...I cried a lot over it too.

When our girls started pre-school, we started a tradition at the dinner table (which we carried through most of their school years).  We would ask the girls two questions...."Tell me something good that happened today" and "Tell me something not-so-good that happened today".  We would go around the table and each one of us would share our stories.

It made for great conversations, memories, some great laughs and a chance to work through some of those "not so good" days, life lessons and situations that everyone goes through.  My point here in all of this is...cherish every day with your children because one day it is all over.  I'm here to tell you that "one day" comes faster than you are ever prepared for.

We live in such a different world now, then when they first started school.  Technology has gone way beyond anyone could imagine and there are so many distractions...too many to even try and list. From day one, to this day, when we serve dinner, all distractions and electronics are turned off and there has never been a cell phone allowed at our table...never.  Take time out of your day and listen to your kids.  Listen to what they have to share with you each and every night.  Kids love to tell stories about their day, teachers, friends and what they learned...

...and as for that annual "first day of school" photo that they will begin to hate you taking around the middle school years...don't give in to their fits.  Take the photo!!!  When they are older, they will be so happy you did and actually thank you for it.

Now I know weeknight dinners can be daunting and hectic during the school year.  I survived weeks, months and years of Girl Scouts, ballet recitals, voice and piano lessons, evening and weekend soccer and volleyball practices, volunteering, homework way beyond my capability and worked a full time job...I must quote the words of our daughters' teacher's graduation speech...just tell yourself "I know this...I've got this"!

Until then...here's a super easy one for you!

One Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini

2 chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally (for thin cutlets)
8 Tbl butter, divided
1/2 cup Italian-Parmesan Panko
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour
2 zucchini, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbl freshly squeezed lemon

In a large skillet over medium heat melt 2 tablespoons butter.  In a shallow dish, add 4 tablespoons melted butter.  In another dish combine the Panko , Parmesan cheese and flour. Dip the chicken in the butter and then coat in the Panko crumb mixture and place in skillet.

Cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes until the outside is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside on plate.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter back to the skillet and saute the minced garlic for a minute.  Add the zucchini to the skillet and saute until tender.  Add the freshly squeezed lemon over zucchini.  Add salt and pepper to taste and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan.  Add the chicken back to he skillet and heat for a minute.

One Year Ago: Grilled Shrimp, Corn and Avocado Salad
Two Years Ago: Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Three Years Ago: BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken
Four Years Ago: Flat Iron Steak Salad

The last of the "lasts".