Lemon-Blueberry Buckle and The Masters Champions Dinner

We celebrated the end of April (and "The Masters" month) by hosting a Champions Dinner and date night in for a few of our couples friends at our house.

This year's Champions Dinner at Augusta consisted of "Sunday Roast Dinner" with Prime Rib, Roasted Potatoes and Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding and Apple Crumble.

We changed our menu up a bit and served our Traeger Prime Rib, loaded Cambozola smashed potatoes, garden salad, White Cheddar and Sage popovers and for dessert...Lemon-Blueberry Buckle. Everything was so incredibly good. 

I tried to bring my A-game for the evening and thank God it all turned out perfect...down to an intense game of Guesstures (guys against girls).  Girls nailed it, what can I say? If you've never played this game...you must get it and play...so much fun!!

As we were planning the dinner, I really wanted to try and replicate "The Champions Dinner" evening feel.  I looked for photos and since cameras and cell phones are not allowed at the actual dinner, each year there is always only one portrait taken with all the former winners.

One thing that I did notice that is consistent every year in the portrait photo...white linens, white china with gold accents and yellow flowers....done!

Lemon-Blueberry Buckle

1 box Butter Yellow cake mix

2 cans blueberry pie filling

1 whole lemon

1 stick cold, unsalted butter, sliced thin (16 slices)

vanilla bean ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray 9x13 glass baking dish with non-stick spray on bottom and sides.

Pour both cans of blueberry pie filling in dish.  Zest the lemon and sprinkle all over pie filling. Cut lemon in half and squeeze the juice of lemon all over the pie filling.  Mix lemon in with filling well.

Sprinkle the dry cake mix all over lemon-blueberry mixture.  Spread evenly and smooth out mix on top of filling (this will be your top crust - do not mix the dry cake mix with the pie filling).   Add pads of cold butter, spaced evenly all over cake mix.

Bake approximately 45 minutes, until filling starts to bubble up the sides and butter/cake mix starts to turn golden brown.

Remove from oven and let sit about 30 minutes, it will be very hot.

Scoop out and serve with vanilla ice cream.

One Year Ago: Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Two Years Ago: Creamy Baja Avacado Pasta with Chili Lime Chicken

Three Years Ago: Taco (Tortilla Bowl) Salad

Bundt Pan Chicken and Small Town Feel

I live in a relatively small urban city.  It was much smaller when we moved here and now has grown tremendously.  I have to say though, I do love it's small town roots that it offers.  There are many "mom and pop" owned businesses here.  Simple one location business, open respectable hours, closed on Sundays for family time and no franchises.  We have a lot of those here and I treasure and support them.

We needed a specialized mechanic for our daughters' vehicle (because they are princesses).  Anyway, I met the most delightful group of people.  As I was dropping off their vehicle one day and distressed over everything that needed done, the mechanic and I were discussing Lent and that I had given up alcohol.  He said he and his wife make wine and asked what my favorite blend was.  I told him and he said, maybe when I pick up their car there would be a bottle of wine waiting for me in the seat....low and behold there was.  Pinot Noir waiting for momma!  I waited until Easter to open their gift...it was the best tasting (no label) glass of wine!

I am also in love with our vacuum store.  It is set in the heart of Main Street, owned by husband and wife.  He runs the vacuum business and she sets out homemade baked bread, cookies and a pitcher of fresh tea in their store every day!  She has even started advertising the flavor of the day on the side walk.  It just doesn't get any cuter than that! Never have I enjoyed shopping for my Kirby vacuum bags and belts so much!

Speaking of small town comforts, I stumbled on what apparently is all the rage now in home culinary cuisine...Bundt Pan Chicken.  I thought I had branched out and got creative when I started doing my Cheese/Garlic Knots in my bundt pan, but this one takes the cake (no pun intended)!

Best Bundt Pan Rotisserie Chicken
Courtesy of delish.com

2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, quartered
1 Tbl minced garlic
1/2 lb. yukon potatoes, quartered (I also used red and purple potatoes)
1 larbe bunch fresh thyme
1 large bunch fresh rosemary
extra virgin olive oil
1 (3-4) pound whole chicken, gizzard removed
1 lemon, sliced
salt
pepper
your favorite chicken seasoning mix

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and cover the hole of the bundt pan with foil.

In the bowl of a large bundt pan, combine garlic, carrots, onion and potatoes.  Toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Scatter springs of fresh thyme and rosemary on top of the vegetables.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.  Season the inside of the cavity generously with salt and pepper, then stuff it with the lemon halves, a few sprigs of thyme and a few springs of rosemary.  Rub the olive oil all over the skin of the chicken then season generously with salt and pepper (and chicken seasoning).

Place the chicken in the middle of the bundt pan, breast side up.  Bake until the chicken is cooked through and ski is golden, 45 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.  Let chicken rest for at least 15 minutes, before slicing.  Serve with roasted vegetables and extra pan juices.

One Year Ago: Torta Rustica
Two Years Ago: Cambozola Platter
Three Years Ago: Easter Cheesecake Baskets

Creamy Rosemary Potatoes

Easter is upon us and will be here before we know it this Sunday.  I was actually hit with the question, "You're doing Easter baskets for us this year, right?"  Gotta love kids...(even 18 year olds). "No", I responded, quite adamantly.

Well, of course anyone who knows me (including them), knows I was lying.  Of course they are getting an Easter basket, equipped with the same purple bunny and yellow duck baskets they have had forever!  Since they already received their traditional Easter swim suits early this year, due to Spring Break, this years' goodies will be more spa and dorm oriented...so excited to see their faces!

I'm thinking of bringing back this potato dish that I made for us at Christmas, to serve as a side for Easter dinner.  It was amazing and made the house smell, beyond wonderful!

Creamy Rosemary Potatoes
Adapted from Pioneer Woman

4 Tbl (1/2 stick) butter, plus softened butter, for the baking dish
5 to 6 medium russet potatoes
1 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 medium onion, finely diced
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup half-and-half
2 Tbl minced fresh rosemary
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

** Cook's note:  I substituted the russet potatoes with one bag of mixed fingerling potatoes (white and purple).  I also added using one 8-ounce container of button mushrooms, sliced.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Rub the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with softened butter.

Using a very sharp knife, (carefully) slice the potatoes very thinly.  They'll cook better that way.  Place the potatoes in the baking dish and add the layer of sliced mushrooms over the potatoes and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper.

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter.  Add the garlic and onions and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes.  Cut the bar of cream cheese in cubes and add to the skillet, stirring constantly.  Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and combined, about 3 minutes.  Pour in the half-and-half and stir to combine.  Mix in 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper.  Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.  Add the rosemary and green onions and stir to combine.  Finally, mix in 1/2 cup of the graded Parmesan.

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the top of the potatoes.  Scrape out the skillet to get every last drop.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup grated Parmesan generously over the top and bake until golden brown and bubbly, at least 1 hour.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

One Year Ago: Torta Rustica
Two Years Ago: Cambozola Platter
Three Years Ago:  Mixed Berry Pavlova

Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scones, Prom and Puppies

Prom weekend had finally arrived.  After months of preparation and planning, the Seniors' special day was here and they were all in full force! Nails, hair, makeup, final dress adjustments...done!

The girls had some friends stay over the night before, so we gathered around the table with our celebratory box of mixed Dunkin Donuts and toasted to a beautiful, sunny morning with our orange juice!  Another "last" in our household this year...

While the girls spent the day doing their prom prepping, I tried out some new recipes.  I saw this one on the internet as published in Town & Country Magazine, "Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scones".  Since prom is a day fit for a Queen...why not?!

Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scones
Courtesy of The National Archives

2 cups flour
4 Tbl sugar
1 cup milk
2 whole eggs
2 tsp baking soda
3 tsp cream of tartar
2 Tbl melted butter

Beat eggs, sugar and about half the milk together, add flour, and mix well together adding remainder milk as required, also baking soda and cream of tartar, fold in the melted butter.

** Her recipe ends there, but seeing as these are similar to pancakes, one can then assume the batter would be dropped into a pan by the spoonful and flipped when bubbles started to appear on the surface.

These can be served with a fruit jam/preserve on top or a squeeze of lemon and dusting of powdered sugar.

One Year Ago: Mike's Marinating Mess
Two Years Ago: Chicken with Gorgonzola Sauce
Three Years Ago: Cheesy French Dippy

Unfortunately when I woke (trying to get some extra shut eye) after coming home at 4am from working the "After Prom" party, these are the shenanigans that our puppy left for me...oh, this "child"!

"Clinks" Spinach Salad

With prom coming up this weekend, one night at family dinner, we were discussing all the different places that everyone would be going to for prom dinner.  My husband and I started reminiscing and talking about "back in the day".  His high school had prom at a hotel and a sit down dinner was served in the banquet room, before the actual prom dance.

I was telling them about a "fancy" restaurant that we used to go to (remember this was in Alaska)...it's a mouthful, so hang in there with me on this one..."Clinkerdagger Bickerstaff and Petts".

They were known for their complimentary brown bread, pewter dishes and Steak Pottage Soup along with their Fried Zucchini and Cheese Sauce.  I would actually pay serious money to get that Zucchini/Sauce recipes.  I have searched all over the internet and it doesn't exist.

I even worked there for about a year after high school and yes, I wore the Paul Revere uniform as shown in photo above...and I rocked it!

"Clinks", as we all affectionately called it was also known for their Spinach Salad.  I did actually find their recipe on the internet...now if I could just get my hands on their Zucchini!!!

Clinkerdagger Spinach Salad
Courtesy of Food.com

1 bunch spinach leaves
2 green onions, sliced
3 hard boiled eggs
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (not the grated powder stuff)
2 Tbl sliced almonds
1 Tbl bacon bits
3 Tbl cider vinegar
3 Tbl sugar
1/2 tsp prepared Dijon mustard
4 ounces sliced button mushrooms (I added this to the recipe, for our own tastes)

Wash spinach thoroughly. Spin or blot dry and tear into bite-sized pieces.

Chop egg (whites) only.

For dressing, in separate dish mash egg (yolks), vinegar, sugar, and mustard, whisk together.

Put all salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Pour dressing on top.  Toss and serve on chilled plates (like "Clinks" used to).

One Year Ago: The Masters Cheesecake
Two Years Ago: Spicy Sausage Skillet
Three Years Ago: The Masters Champions Dinner

Bobotie and Bring'n the Challenge

It's Masters Month here at our house and that means one thing...new ideas and recipes!  As you know, every year we try to recreate a new Champions Masters Dinner, based upon the last year's winner's dinner selection or even further back previous years.  When I say "we", that means my husband gets these wild ideas, challenges me, and then I bring it on!

This year as my husband was watching interviews on The Golf Channel during coffee time, they showed one of Augusta's chefs making "Bobotie" (South African Meatloaf Bake) from Trevor Immelman (2009) winner's dinner choice.  As I was watching the interview I was just sitting there and waiting for it...wait, here it comes...5-4-3-2-1..."Honey, you should totally make that this weekend!". I should be a psychic!

Bobotie...never heard of it, never seen it before.  The sound studio must have had great mics that day because their chef made it look and sound so good.  Why not?  I'll give this one a try.  Really interesting group of ingredients that is a very traditional dish in South Africa.  Husband loved it! Boom...another challenge scored!

Bobotie (South African Meatloaf Bake)
Courtesy of www.thedaringgourmet.com

1 pound ground beef, lamb, pork or combination
2 Tbl butter or olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 Tbl curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp allspice
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbl apricot jam or mango chutney
1 Tbl cider vinegar
2 slices stale bread, crusts removed, and cubed, soaked in about 1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1 cup diced apple, peeled and cored
1/4 cup finely diced dried apricots
1/4 cup golden raisins
For the custard:
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
For the top:
6 tay leaves
2 Tbl slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a medium 8x10 casserole dish.

Heat the butter or oil in a large frying pan and saute the onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Add the ground meat and cook until most of the pink is gone.  Add the curry, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, cloves and allspice and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the salt, pepper, apricot jam and vinegar and stir to combine.

Squeeze excess milk from the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Stir to combine.  Add the egg to the mixture and stir to thoroughly combine.

Add the apples, apricots and raisins and stir to combine.

Scoop the meat mixture into the greased casserole dish.

To make the custard, combine the milk, eggs, salt and turmeric and whisk together until blended.  Evenly pour the custard over the meat mixture.  Place the bay leaves on top and evenly sprinkle over the slivered almonds.

Bake uncovered for an hour or until the mixture is set and the top is golden brown.  Serve with yellow rice.

** To make yellow rice, prepare some white rice as normal but add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric per cup of uncooked rice.

One Year Ago: The Masters Cheesecake
Two Years Ago: BBQ Chicken Fiesta Salad
Three Years Ago: Mushroom Soup

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp

We our finishing our fourth week of Lent and making great progress I have to say.  It's been challenging, but so worth it.  Diligently fasting from all adult beverages for the six weeks and sticking to our no meat on Fridays has really been good for us.  Not just for the dietary reasons, but most definitely for the practice of restraining and holding ourselves accountable to a commitment, which is never easy under any circumstances.

This dish however makes it very easy.  I will make this one over and over again in the upcoming years...it is amazingly easy and packed with incredible, rich flavors.

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp
Courtesy of (and adapted from )www.cafedelites.com

2 Tbl butter
6 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails off and thawed
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup white wine (or chicken or vegetable broth)
5 oz jarred sun dried tomato strips in oil, drained (I substituted roasted red peppers here)
1-3/4 cups half and half, milk or heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups baby spinach leaves, stems removed
2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbl water
2 tsp. dried Italian herbs
1 Tbl. fresh parsley, chopped

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Melt the butter and add in the garlic and fry until fragrant (about one minute).  Add in the shrimp and fry two minutes on each side, until just cooked through and pink.  Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

Fry the onion in the butter remaining in the skillet.  our in the white wine or broth and allow to reduce slightly.  Add the sun dried tomatoes (or roasted red peppers) and fry for 1-2 minutes to release their flavors.

Reduce heat to low-medium heat, add the half and half and bring to a gentle simmer, while stirring occasionally.  Season with salt and pepper to your taste.

Add in the spinach leaves and allow to wilt in the sauce, and add in the Parmesan cheese.  Allow sauce to simmer for a further minute until cheese melts through the sauce. (for a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch mixture) and stir well to incorporate until sauce thickens.

Add the shrimp back into the pan; sprinkle with the herbs and parsley, and stir through.

Serve over pasta, rice or steamed veggies.

One Year Ago: Roy's Braised Beef Short Ribs
Two Years Ago: Blackberry Coffee Cake with Pecans
Three Years Ago: Beer Battered Fish and Chips

Blueberry-Raspberry French Toast Bake

Today we mark the countdown...60 calendar days until graduation.  It hit me this past weekend...OH MY GOSH, I only have 2 months to knock out everything that needs to be done before graduation!

Any other person would think, oh I have two months, that's plenty of time.  Well, true to my DNA and personality, you would think I am planning a wedding for royalty.  I started with "the list" that my family dreads (but secretly I know they do love and appreciate it) keeps them on track!

So in between life, pre-college meetings and orientations, Senior school events, and Prom we're taking on this list one line item at a time, in addition to a few grad surprises I am making for the twins.

One thing that I am always adamant about, just to put my mind at ease is menu planning for all our guests and the graduation luncheon.  My thoughts are if someone is taking the time and money to come visit you, the least you can do is make it memorable and no one goes hungry...not on my watch...never!

I have no doubt that this Berry French Toast Bake will make an appearance at some point during visitors week.  This is right out of a Bed and Breakfast morning buffet scenario...so, so good, warm and comforting!

Blueberry-Raspberry French Toast Bake

Adapted from www.buzzfeed.com

1 tub Pillsbury Grands Jr. refrigerated biscuists (8 total)

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 Tbl cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 Tbl powdered sugar

1 cup fresh berries (1/2 blueberries / 1/2 raspberries)

1 cup maple syrup

Optional Garnish:

Powdered Sugar

Whipped Cream

Fresh Berries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut each biscuit into 8 pieces.  Set aside.

In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined.  Set aside.

In another bowl, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.

Add the biscuits and berries and mix thoroughly.

Pour entire mixture into a greased 9x13 glass baking dish.

Drizzle maple syrup over the entire mixture.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, until biscuits are golden brown.

Serve with powdered sugar, whipped cream and/or fresh berries on top, and a whole lotta love.  Enjoy!

One Year Ago: English Pea Salad

Two Years Ago: Pear Salad

Three Years Ago: Peas Bon Femme

Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad and Puppies

Last Spring when I was wallowing in my self pitty and feeling sorry for myself that my twin daughters were leaving me (in a year) to graduate high school and go off to college...to some unknown place(s)...my husband did everything he could to console me.

He realized that my "little girls" would be leaving and I would be sad and home alone with 3 boys (my husband and 2 male dogs).  He decided that I would need another little girl to get me through this empty nest transition.  Out of the blue, we heard about a litter of Labrador puppys that had just been born and would be ready for adoption in late Summer.

We went for "the visit"...Strike 1.  We found out she was born on our wedding anniversary...Strike 2. She curled up in our arms and started giving us the sweet puppy breath kisses on our cheeks...Strike 3.  You're done...SOLD!

I have yet to meet one person who can go on "the visit", cuddle a ball of soft, fuzzy fur, put the puppy back in the litter and say "no thanks, not interested" and walk away...is that even possible?  Not in our world...not ever in our world!

Her name is Brinkley Grace...Brinkley from Tom Hanks' dog in the movie "You've Got Mail" and Grace (because we were wishful thinking)...honestly I don't know what we were thinking.  We have either gotten too old to raise a puppy or this child is like no other Labrador out there.  All I can say is she's lucky she's so cute and still gives sweet kisses...otherwise she'd be out.

Her latest venture was discovering the family workout area in our basement.  She tried to steal my daughter's punching bag gloves and destroy them in the backyard.  Then she jumped on, punched a hole with her giant 10-month old teeth in my husband's exercise ball and then tried to shred their yoga mat.  All of this takes place in about 3.7 seconds while I am on my computer.  I no sooner get that under control, sort of and I hear her tossing the 5 pound weights down the steps, which by the way is super loud at 11:30 at night.  So cute...right??!!

This salad ended up being one of those mid-week refrigerator cleaning dinners.  I have no fancy measurements or culinary terms...it was basic, easy and perfect for a night of chasing the new puppy.

Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad

prepared Pesto sauce
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 ounces button mushrooms, cleaned, sliced
1 head romaine lettuce
bottled Caesar dressing (your favorite brand)
shredded Parmesan cheese
4 cooked slices bacon, crumbled

Grill chicken breasts on outdoor grill or on stovetop in grill pan.  Right before chicken is cooked through, "shmear" a spoonful of pesto sauce on each side of chicken breasts and give a quick sear. Set aside and cover to let juices redistribute.

While chicken is grilling, saute mushrooms in a little butter and garlic salt.  When mushrooms are done, set aside and cut cooked chicken into bite size cubes.

In a large salad bowl add the romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, bacon crumbles, sauteed mushrooms and chicken breasts. Toss with Caesar dressing.

One Year Ago: Bunny Bark
Two Years Ago: Pear Salad
Three Years Ago: Honey Ham Biscuits

This is when we love Brinkley the most... ;)

20-Minute Skillet Tuscan Tortellini and Sun Dogs

Last week as I was rushing around running errands after work, I rolled up to a stop sign.  I looked over and saw a gentleman at the gas station with his phone, taking a picture up towards the sky.  I couldn't figure out what he was looking at.  I proceeded after my stop and then glanced up to see...the most glorious vision I have ever witnessed.

I saw a rainbow of clouds like no other with the sun peeking through in such a way that it looked like a silhouette.  Well, photos of these colorful clouds went viral and I learned they are called Sun Dogs. This whole time I thought my dog Theo was the only sun dog out there!

I'm just so happy that I stopped to take a breathe and a moment to relish in this beautiful scenery for that short time.  It reminded me that even in my hurried, crazy world my family and I are living in now as we are two months from high school graduation, I need to remember to pause and cherish these special gifts.

Which leads me back to the hectic times right now...this dinner is quick, easy and oh so flavorful.  It reminds me of something out of an authentic Italian restaurant...old world rustic.  Mangia!

20-Minute Skillet Tuscan Tortellini

Adapted from www.chewoutloud.com

2 Tbl. olive oil

1 bell pepper (color of your choice), seeded and chopped

1 small onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb.bulk Italian sausage (no casings)

1-1/2 cups pasta sauce (Marinara works great)

1 (14 oz.) can Italian diced tomatoes, with juices

1/2 cup Kalamato olives, sliced

1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 cup half and half

19 oz. bag frozen cheese tortellini

3 cups baby spinach, torn to bite size

freshly ground pepper

freshly shaved/shredded Parmesan cheese

In a very large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until hot.  Add bell pepper, onion and garlic.  Stir constantly until fragrant, 30 seconds.  Push mixture to the edges of pan and add sausage into the center of pan.  Cook and break up sausage; once it's half-cooked, stir together with the vegetable mixture and continue cooking until browned.

Add pasta sauce, tomatoes with juices, chicken or veggie broth, Kalamato olives and half and half.  Stir and bring to a simmer.  Add frozen tortellini, stirring to submerge tortellini in the sauce.  Cover and simmer unti ltender, about 7-8 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add spinach and stir just until wilted.  Add 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.  Serve immediately with freshly shaved/shredded Parmesan cheese.

One Year Ago:  Portillo's Chopped Salad

Two Years Ago: Luck of The Irish Cupcakes

Three Years Ago: Salmon with Shrimp Tortellini