Alabama White Barbecue Sauce and Gift Baskets

It's end of the school year time again around here and you know what that means...final exams, volunteer appreciation and end of season meetings and acknowledgements...and last minute projects. I won't even tell you what I was doing at 6:18 am this morning (I can assure you it wasn't relaxing in my robe with a hot cup of coffee, curled up on the sofa and catching up on the morning news).  Let's just say, my self taught Microsoft Publisher programming and marketing designs do come in handy for school projects...we'll just leave it at that.

This past week however, we did thank goodness have ample amount of time to prepare thank you gift baskets for all the Booster Club parent representatives.  Our President had the great idea for these "S'More" gift baskets, in the spirit of upcoming summer.  I have to say I was really proud of myself in creating custom marshmallow letters for their tags!

32 S'More gift bags ready to prepare.

Are these just the cutest gifts ever?!?!

While we prepared the baskets, my husband made the most incredible beef brisket on our Traeger
grill.

During one of my Pinterest binging episodes a few weeks ago, I stumbled on "Alabama BBQ Sauce". Being a northern girl, I had never seen or heard of white BBQ sauce.  It looked so good and appealing, we had to try it...WOW!!  Unbelievably good...I recommend making a large batch of this deliciousness.  Not only was it awesome on the brisket and roasted fingerling potatoes, it was also great on our chicken we had later in the week.

Alabama White Barbecue Sauce
Courtesy of www.rockrecipes.com

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbl. water
1 Tbl. lemon juice
2 Tbl. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
1 tsp. honey
1 clove garlic, finely minced
A few dashes of hot sauce or sriracha sauce to taste

*** This does make a relatively small batch of sauce to serve about 4 people or so.  Double or triple the recipe as needed if serving larger groups.

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.

If you like the sauce a little thicker, just add another tablespoon or two of mayonnaise or thin it with a little more water if you find it's too thick for your taste.

Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for several hours or even better to sit overnight to let the flavors develop. (Best if made the day before you want to serve).

One Year Ago: Mayan Chocolate Cookies
Two Years Ago: Pizzette

Pesto Cheesy Chicken and Playing In Wet Socks

Mom's need to be prepared for all things at all times.  There is no guidebook or manual on being a mom.  You live it and learn it as you go along.  Sometimes you fail and other times you have great successes.

All "professional" mom's know to keep a roll of duct tape, a roll of packing tape and a pair of scissors in their car.  The essential box of Kleenex, roll of paper towels and an EMT certified First Aid kid is forever packed in the back seat, because every mother has had to wipe a child's tears after a bad day at school, while dodging rush hour traffic and applying antiseptic wipes and a band aid to the other other child (all at the same time).

They know a black Sharpie marker must always be ever present in their purse (even before the MAC lip glaze makes it in there sometimes).  They know to never leave the house without beverages and snacks in the car for road trips, whether it's a 3 hour drive or a quick run to Target...and let's just face it, zip ties are the greatest invention ever and fix almost anything!...never, ever leave home without a stash of them in your car or purse.

Last weekend we had to hit the road early in the morning for a tournament.  In true form, my girls were doing their uniform laundry at 6 am the morning we had to leave.  I could have done their laundry for them the night before...but I didn't.  I have been trying my hand at a little tough love and hoping to prepare them for college life on their own (some days it works, others it doesn't)  No great surprise to me that their socks did not get dry in time before departure...however, my daughter was quite upset that she would have to play in wet socks.

Luckily we had a one hour drive in the snow, sleet and rain ahead of us.  I was going to need the heater on in the car anyway while we drove there, so might as well use the vents to dry her socks...genius!!  Not to worry, by the time we got to the tournament, her socks were dry and toasty warm.  We'll see if they remember that trick, when they become moms!

This dish will rock any mom's recipe repertoire!  It is so easy and delicious...simple ingredients with big flavor!

Pesto Cheesy Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 ounces prepared pesto
3 roma tomatoes, sliced
4 slices provolone cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
salt
pepper
parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray glass baking dish with non-stick spray.

Lay chicken breasts on prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spread a small amount of pesto all over chicken breast.

Place 3 tomato slices on each piece of chicken.

Place one slice of provolone cheese on tomatoes.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over provolone.

Top with a sprinkle of parsley.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

Ooey, gooey, cheesy goodness!

One Year Ago: Mom Monday

Two Years Ago: Mediterranean Meatballs and Cake Pops

Torta Rustica and Tax Day Anniversary

It was today, 23 years ago that I met my future husband.  23 years ago I stood in his sister's family room enjoying a wonderful business luncheon they were hosting.  So much has happened in 23 years, I am in amazement at what we have been through (and I'm not just referring to my ever changing hair color either) and so thankful for all the blessings that we have experienced together.

Check out this stylish couple!
circa 1993, The Ritz Carlton Resort, Rancho Mirage, California

On that fateful day, they prepared an incredible menu of Torta Rustica, Arnold Palmer drinks and warm chocolate chip cookies.

Through the years, we have appreciated various deli styles of this Italian classic on our "meeting" anniversary. We decided this year we are going to try and create our own homemade version.  This weekend is forecasting another "Spring blizzard", so it's a good opportunity to stay home and enjoy old memories and new recipes.

Torta Rustica
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
2/3 cup roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into thin strips
1 Tbl. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (15 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
1 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 cup refrigerated basil pesto or classic pesto sauce
3/4 cup shredded fontina or gruyere cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 Tbl. all-purpose flour
4 ounces thinly sliced salami and/or pepperoni, cut into thin strips
1 Tbl. water
1 pkg. (17.3 ounces) Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed (2 sheets)

Place drained artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers on paper towels;  set aside to drain while preparing filling.

For filling, in a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion;  cook and stir about 3 minutes or until tender.  Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute or until fragrant.  Add spinach; cook for 2 to 3 minutes more or until liquid is evaporated.  Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.  Transfer to a colander.  When spinach is cool enough to handle, use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.  Transfer spinach mixture to a medium bowl.  Stir in ricotta, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, one of the eggs, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the pastry sheet into a 14-inch square.  Press the pastry into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan, leaving the excess pastry draped over the sides of the pan.  Brush the pastry sheet with other egg beaten with water.

Spread pesto sauce over bottom crust in pan.  Spread ricotta mixture over pesto.  In a small bowl combine fontina cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and the flour.  Sprinkle half of the fontina mixture over ricotta mixture.  Top with layers of salami/pepperoni, roasted peppers, and artichoke hearts.  Sprinkle the remaining fontina mixture over artichokes.

Unfold the remaining pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the remaining pastry sheet into a 10-inch square.  Place the pastry sheet over the filling.  Trim off any excess pastry and discard or save for another use.  Fold the edge of the top pastry over the bottom pastry and press to seal.  Brush the pastry with the egg mixture.

Place the springform pan on a foil lined shallow-sided baking sheet.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.  Let the torta cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes.  Remove torta from pan, set on serving platter and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

** We enjoyed our Torta Rustica with a mixed green salad, honey mustard vinaigrette with toasted pine nuts, Pinot Noir (and warm chocolate chip cookies of course) Cheers!  

One Year Ago: Cambozola Platter
Two Years Ago: Carrot Cupcakes

The Finale!!

Mike's Marinating Mess

Sunday mornings are bath days...for the boys that is.  We have our favorite dog wash in town and this Sunday will be no exception, even though it is Masters Championship Day!

Angus sporting his "Masters Green" towel.

As predicted, last year's winner Jordan Spieth hosted and served an "Authentic Texas Barbecue" this week for his traditional Champions Dinner complete with various bbq meats, baked beans, bacon and chive potato salad and a warm chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Our latest go-to bbq chicken marinade was created by my brother-in-law many, many years ago.  This marinade is perfect for when you are needing to clean out the spice cabinet and have that last little smidgen left in various containers but don't want to throw away.

Since it needs a good 6-8 hours for the right chicken fusion, it's the perfect amount of time for a visit to the dog spa!

Mike's Marinating Mess
Courtesy of Brother Mike

1/2 can beer (your favorite brand)
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 ounces, steak sauce
5 dashes, Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes, soy sauce
2 ounces, teriyaki sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 Tbl. red wine vinegar
1/4 cup white wine
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning
1 tsp. dill weed
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. sage
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. paprika

Mix together.  Marinate your favorite meat in this mess (for 6-8 hours) and barbecue or broil.

One Year Ago: Chicken with Gorgonzola Sauce
Two Years Ago: Parmesan Potato au Gratin

Mastering The Art of Desserts and The Masters

It's Masters Week here at our house.  No more news channel in the mornings...it's The Golf Channel all the way until Sunday, live from Augusta, Georgia.  Looks like there will be a lot of the traditional egg salad and pimento cheese creations I get to come up with this weekend...yummy!!

Tonight is also the traditional Champions Dinner which will be hosted by last year's champion, Jordan Spieth.  Since Jordan is from Texas I'm sure BBQ will be served tonight along with some other Lone Star surprises.  I always have fun trying to re-create the Champions Dinner the same weekend as The Masters...looks like BBQ brisket will be on Sunday dinner's menu for us.

As much as I love watching golf with my husband on Sundays I can usually only take so much. During my off time I'm usually in the kitchen playing with recipes and catching bits and pieces of the tournament from the Family Room television.

I have never been much of an adventurous baker, but every now and then I try to conquer my fears.  I saw this cheesecake on Pinterest a few weeks ago.  The photo was breathtaking so I clicked on it to get the recipe.  The entire site was in a foreign language...not good.  I tried doing the translation button and that didn't work...definitely not good.  Well I had no idea how to make this, so I decided to just try the "semi-homemade" version and wing it myself.

In the photo I saw some kind of chocolate cake type base but didn't know if the cheesecake was baked or not.  I turned to my best friend "Jell-O"!!  This masterpiece definitely took some time and strategy to try and figure out.

I wish I could give an exact recipe, but I'm sure anyone can create this.  Once I got into it, the dessert really started to come together nicely.  The taste of it was out of this world!!  Now if I could just figure out what part of the world their Pinterest page and recipe came from and learn the language!!

The Masters Cheesecake
My Semi-Homemade Version

Start with a box of your favorite brownie mix.  Assemble according to box directions but this time, bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Baking time will decrease due to a thinner brownie than usual.  Let brownie cool after baking.

Take a spring form pan and put on top of the cooled brownie.  Trace and cut the shape/size onto brownie.  Line the bottom of spring form pan with parchment paper and place the circle of brownie into the bottom of pan...this is now your base of dessert.

Cut 1/2 pound of strawberries into vertical slices and line the circle inside of pan with the cut strawberries right on top of the brownie...this is the perimeter of dessert.

Next, prepare 2 boxes of Jello-O "No Bake" cheesecake mix, according to directions.  Do not prepare the graham cracker crust from the mix...save it for another golf tournament creation.  Pour the prepared cheesecake mix into the pan in the center.  Spread evenly to get all around pan as it will now completely cover the strawberries.  Put in refrigerator and chill for at least 4-6 hours.

For the topping, prepare your favorite chocolate ganache recipe (I think there are about 257 of them published now).  Spread the prepared ganache all over the chilled cheesecake.  Let cool in refrigerator for at least one hour.  Top with more cut strawberries.

Now, congratulate yourself on mastering this dessert...it's well worth it!!

One Year Ago:  Spicy Sausage Skillet
Two Years Ago:  Mushroom Soup

Roy's Braised Beef Short Ribs, Purple Potatoes and New Plates

Well, my new everyday dishes saga continues and just went to a new level.

We decided to invite over some new couple friends for dinner.  The husband has been playing golf with mine for over a year and after all this time, we scheduled a night to finally get together, meet each other's spouses, break bread and enjoy a bottle (or four) of wine over dinner.

Now mind you during the week leading up to this dinner my everyday salad plates were cracking and breaking one by one.  The pressure was on!!  I didn't want to serve dinner on our wedding dishes and come across too fancy...trying to keep it more casual but tasteful and those cracked, chipped dinner plates weren't going to have it.  Not to mention I purchased a new table runner and hurricane candle holders for the dinner...okay, maybe I did get fancy and go a little overboard.

So, I finally found a style I think I like.  I only purchased four salad and four dinner plates for our quaint dinner...think of it as a trial run.  I still haven't decided if I want to purchase more and make them the "official" daily dishes or not...stay tuned.

For our dinner menu on the new dishes I served Roy's Braised Beef Short Ribs, Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes and Lemon-Garlic Haricot Verts with Toasted Almonds, paired with Angeline Pinot Noir.  Beautiful colors and flavors!

These Braised Beef Short Ribs come from one of our favorite most treasured restaurants...Roy's Hawaiian Fusion in Kona.  It is always the last meal we enjoy at the end of our trip, for a special evening before we depart Hawaii after a vacationing on the Kona Coast.

When we lived in California, we were so excited to have one only 15 minutes from us in Rancho Mirage.  Unfortunately the nearest Roy's to us now is a 12 hour drive away in Las Vegas...good thing I have commandeered some of their classic favorite recipes.

Braised Beef Short Ribs
Adapted from Roy's Pacific Rim Cuisine Restaurants

4 Servings

1/2 cup canola oil
4 (10-ounce) beef short ribs (boneless okay too)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup flour
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 large onions, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 cup red wine (preferably Cabernet Savignon)
3 bay leaves
2 quarts beef stock
10 black peppercorns, whole

Honey Mustard Glaze

1 cup whole grain mustard
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup white wine (preferably Chardonnay)
1/8 - 1/4 cup garlic, chopped (depending how much you like garlic)
1 bunch basil leaved, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Heat oil in a roasting or braising pan over medium heat.  Season short ribs with salt and pepper.  Lightly dredge in flour.  Shake off any excess flour.  Sear all sides of short ribs until golden brown.  Add carrots, onions and celery to roasting pan and saute until tender, about 2 minutes.  Deglaze pan with red wine.  Add the bay leaves, beef stock and peppercorns.  Cover roasting pan with aluminum foil and bake until ribs are knife-tender, about 2 to 2-1/2 hours.

While short ribs are braising, mix all the ingredients for Honey Mustard Glaze in a bowl and set in refrigerator until ready to use.

When ready, remove short ribs from liquid and set aside.  Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium heat.  Brush short ribs well with the honey glaze and grill briefly to set the glaze.

While short ribs are searing off with the honey glaze, set roasting pan on stove and heat vegetables until sauce consistency.  Add more beef stock if needed.

Remove bay leaves and pour vegetable sauce over grilled short ribs.

**Prepare the purple sweet potatoes just as you would regular Yukon mashed potatoes with salt, pepper, butter, heavy cream, sour cream, etc.

One Year Ago:  Blackberry Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusal
Two Years Ago: Beer Battered Fish and Chips

English Pea Salad and Early Easter

A wonderful Good Friday to everyone today.  I hope this day and Easter weekend finds you full of Blessings.

As our girls are out of town this week, we celebrated Easter early and had our traditional dinner last weekend together.  I actually started celebrating about a month ago.  As soon as February was over, I began the Spring table decorating.   I love the thought of Spring and bringing in something old (a family decoration) and purchasing something new for the table to mix the two.

This year I decided we needed new Spring placemats and napkins (on sale of course).  I mixed them with the turquoise chargers I purchased for our Thanksgiving table and brought out my favorite bunny plates.  When I was expecting our girls 17 years ago, I took a ceramic painting class and made two of these bunny plates...where has the time gone?  I made one for each girl, so they could carry on the family special plates and have their own heirloom.

Our finished table with other heirlooms included candy dishes from my mother-in-law and feathered wreath as a centerpiece along with bunny and duck taper candle holders from my mom.

We use to hide these plastic eggs for the girls during their morning Easter egg hunt when they were toddlers. Now they fill my new hurricanes on the dining table...such special memories of those Easter mornings.

Our dinner also included some old and new recipes.  I made my stand by Corn Souffle along with the favorite Sweet Dreams Jello and Pretzel salad.  I also tried a new side dish...English Pea Salad.  It went together so quickly and had incredible flavor for something so simple.

English Pea Salad

1 (20 or 24 ounce) package frozen baby peas
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Best Foods Olive Oil Mayonnaise
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground mustard
1 tsp. Lawry's Season Salt

Thaw bag of peas in refrigerator.

In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sugar, ground mustard and salt.  Add peas, celery, eggs, green onions and cheese.  Stir well to incorporate.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

One Year Ago: Pear Salad
Two Years Ago: Spaghetti Squash

May you have a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Bunny Bark and Blizzards

So there are snow days...and then there are SNOW DAYS!  Yesterday was sunny and 70 degrees and a beautiful sunset evening.  Mother Nature came in full force overnight and we woke up to over a foot of snow and blizzard wind conditions.  Looks like my patio and fire pit time is going to have to wait awhile.

Needless to say the girls were overjoyed when they found out school was cancelled.  My husband and I looked at the driveway, the road in front of our house and then at each other...looks like work is cancelled today too.  There was no way we were getting out today.

Well, driving to work that is.  Bless his heart, he was working with shovels, brooms and snow blowers trying to tackle the what was then 2 feet of snow compiled.

My job was to deal with two restless Labradors and two bored teenagers, while catching up on laundry and Blue Bloods...oh and listening to my husband upset that golf season won't start until June now...oh, please no!!  Please do not make me listen to that until June!!!

My poor new "Spring" wreath has seen better days.  It got pelted with wind and snow today...just can't get a break here!  I have also seen better days...no shower for this girl today (don't judge).  It is very rare that I get to have a "sea day"...or snow day as the case may be.  My family is lucky that I even got out of my pajamas today...at 2pm!!

Since I had the afternoon to get caught up on new recipes and baking, I played with a spring version of my Holly Jolly Bark that I made at Christmas.

The bark matched a precious tiered dessert platter my mom gave me perfectly.

Scrumptious little snack portions for those long snowy days.

Bunny Bark

7 full size graham crackers, broke in pieces (or 14 vanilla Oreo cookies)
1-1/2 cups pretzel sticks, broke in pieces
1 cup Easter/Spring pastel colored M&M's candies
1 pound vanilla flavored quick melting chocolate
pastel colored sprinkles

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Lay out the broken graham crackers, pretzels and M&M's.

Melt the white chocolate bark according to package directions.  Pour melted chocolate over crackers, pretzels and candies.  Use an offset spatula to spread chocolate evenly and add the pastel sprinkles over chocolate.

Let set in refrigerator for one hour, so chocolate can set.  Cut into bite size pieces and package in Easter baskets.  (Use any leftover scraps from the sides as topping for ice cream -Yummy!!)

This is what transpires with bored teens at home...bunny bombed!!

One Year Ago: Pear Salad
Two Years Ago: Honey Ham Biscuit Sliders