Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp and "The Secret"

 "There are only two ways to live your life
One is as though nothing is a miracle
The other is as though everything is..."

I blinked and January was over.  I'm afraid I'm going to see February do the very same thing.  I have been building my que of stories and recipes to share, but could not find the energy or time to sit down and write.  Every waking moment of free time is being spent remodeling the house (now upstairs is getting its turn).  

We are experiencing a tired like no other and sore muscles that we didn't know we had trying to get everything done before the next 2 years fly by like the last 2 did.

In my little bit of down time, I splurged and rented "The Secret"...twice!  This is such a feel good movie and just what I needed right now.  I highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone!

In other news...I found yes, another shrimp recipe!  I loved this because it was one pan and done!  I already had most of the ingredients on hand and the flavors were awesome!

Stay sparkly my friends!

Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp

Courtesy of GardenInTheKitchen.com

1-1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined and cleaned

1 bunch fresh asparagus

4 Tbl olive oil, divided

2 cloves garlic minced

1 whole red onion, sliced

2 tsp each, oregano and smoked paprika

1 pinch sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

1 whole lemon, juiced

1 cup black or Kalamata olives, pitted

1 cup Feta cheese

1/3 cup fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a large bowl season the shrimp with 2 Tbl olive oil, garlic, slat, black pepper, paprika, oregano, and juice from lemon.

Trim and wash the asparagus, then lay them on the flat baking sheet.  Season with 1 Tbl olive oil.  Place the seasoned shrimp on top of asparagus and top with sliced red onions.  Bake for 10 minutes in the middle rack.  Shrimp is cooked with the edges start to turn golden brown.

Remove shrimp from oven and top with feta, olives, and fresh parsley.  drizzle with remaining olive oil and serve.

* Note: If your shrimp is looking pale after cooking for 10 minutes, try broiling for 1-2 minutes until they start to turn golden.

One Year Ago: Beer Cheese Dip

Two Years Ago:  Chocolate Caramel Cracker Bars and The Cool Parents

Three Years Ago: Apple-Cinnamon Monkey Bread and The Bionic Man

Four Years Ago:  I'm Back...and One Year Older

Five Years Ago: Mexican Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad...I'm Back

Six Years Ago: Sweet Dreams Cake

Seven Years Ago: Ham & Cheese Biscuit Bake - Breakfast for Champions

Peanut Chicken Wraps

I have not been very popular in my house as of late...

We have a wedding we are planning on attending this summer.  I decided a few months ago that Mama Z is going to shed some inches so she can rock the dance floor at the reception.  What does this entail?  

Trying to seriously scale back on everything.  I'm not going to say a diet, but more of a lifestyle reset.  

Among a few other changes, I had already decided I was going to give up bread for Lent.  In this mind set, I decided to start it earlier (as in two weeks ago) and continue it way past Easter with this goal.  For the next six months I am saying good-bye to my breads, muffins, pancakes, waffles, crackers, cookies, cake...basically everything that I really, really...really like.  (This is the part where I have lost the popularity contest at my house).

I'm trying to bring some better and healthier choices as best as I can to our table every day, while keeping realistic.  Wish me luck and say some prayers for me...mamma's going to need it!

When I used to work in the city, every now and again, I would need to grab a quick lunch and would sometimes pick up the Starbuck's Thai Chicken Wrap boxes.  Since I can't remember the last time I was in a Starbucks, I was thrilled to find this recipe for Peanut Chicken Wraps.

Love, Love, Love these wraps!  I make one large one and cut it in half, to have one half for lunch, and the other half either for dinner, or lunch the next day.  This sauce which goes without saying is pure heaven.

* This recipe makes 18 large wraps.  I cut the portions to make 1/3 of what it calls out for, since it's just me enjoying these little beauties.

Peanut Chicken Wraps

Courtesy of Simplywhisked.com

** Makes 18 Wraps

For The Chicken Wraps:

9 cups coleslaw mix

3 cups shredded carrots

1 cup roasted peanuts

3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

6 cooked chicken breasts, chopped, sliced, or shredded

18 large tortillas 

Cooks note:  (I used spinach tortillas)

For The Peanut Sauce:

3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup olive oil

3/4 cup peanut butter

9 Tbl unseasoned rice vinegar

3 Tbl soy sauce

3 tsp sesame oil

1-1/2 tsp pepper

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 to 1-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

3 Tbl grated fresh ginger

3 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced

In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut sauce ingredients.  Set aside.

In another bowl, add the cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and peanuts.  Pour a little of the sauce over the mixture and stir.

Let this sit while you prepare the tortillas and chicken.

Heat up the tortillas for about 10 seconds in the microwave to make them easier to work with.

Divide the chicken and coleslaw between each tortilla.

Roll tightly, securing with toothpicks if necessary.

Serve with side of peanut sauce for dipping.

One Year Ago: Carbonara Pigs in a Blanket

Two Years Ago:  Pan-Seared Scallops with Prosecco Butter Sauce and Sur La Table Saturdays

Three Years Ago:  Slow Cooker Pork Loin and...Another Woman

Four Years Ago: No Post

Five Years Ago: No Post

Six Years Ago: Kamikaze, Krazy Football Fan, and Blue Cheese Buffalo Bites

Seven Years Ago: Marinara Meatball Sliders and Making Blankets

Chicken Florentine Casserole and Kitchen Fatigue

I think I have an illness called "Kitchen Fatigue".  It's a real thing.  Okay, well I saw it on a Burger King ad on my Pinterest page.  Nevertheless, I feel like I really do have it.

With all the restaurants opened, then closed, then open...take out, no wait...you can eat indoors now.  Just kidding...you have to take out again.  It is literally making my head spin!

I find myself struggling for new meal ideas.  Not that there isn't short of one million recipes out there, I'm just getting tired of searching and trying to mix it up...hence the "kitchen fatigue".

I did find this dish in one of my rabbit holes.  It's simply elegant for guests, but easy enough for a week night dinner.  Lots of layers, flavor, and beautiful sauce!  I would have been happy just eating spoonfuls of this sauce alone for dinner.

Have a blessed weekend and continue to stay safe, healthy, and sparkly!

Chicken Florentine Casserole

Courtesy of 365daysofeasyrecipes.com

1 Tbl butter

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced

4 cups fresh baby spinach

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved

1/4 cup butter

1 Tbl minced garlic

1 Tbl lemon juice

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 cup half and half

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp salt

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 

2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded

* Your choice of pasta

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Grease a casserole dish and set aside.

Melt butter in a large frying pan.  Add the sliced mushrooms an cook until tender.  Add the spinach and cook until wilted.  Transfer the mushrooms and spinach to the casserole dish.

Place the sliced chicken breasts over top of the spinach.

In a separate sauce pan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat.  Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.  Stir in the lemon juice, can of soup, half and half and Parmesan cheese until well combined.  Add basil, oregano, and salt.

Pour the sauce over top of chicken.  Cover with foil.

Bake in oven for about 40 minutes until chicken is cooked through.  Remove the foil and sprinkle bacon pieces on top of the sauce, then add the cheese.  Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is crispy.

While chicken is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta as per package instructions.  Serve the chicken over your pasta.  Cheers!

One Year Ago:  Pork Chops with Raspberry Balsamic Glaze and Blessings

Two Years Ago:  Potatoes au Gratin aka Julia Child's Dauphinoise Potatoes and Red Chicken

Three Years Ago:  Slow Cooker Pork Loin and...Another Woman

Four Years Ago:  No Post

Five Years Ago: No Post

Six Years Ago: Lemon Drop Martini and How To Be A Grown Up

Seven Years Ago:  Birthday Party - Chapter 2 - Pasta Bar and Garlic Knots

Sausage Gravy Breakfast Skillet and Shopping

 

One thing...I had just one thing I needed to pick up at the grocery store for this breakfast dish.  I wanted to get a head start on it and have everything ready on hand in the morning, so I could start an early breakfast for our weekend.

I was going to "just run in really quick" for my potatoes o'brien, while I was out taking care of some errands.  

And then this happened!

It doesn't look like just one thing does it.  One aisle led to another aisle, and so on, and so on.  At this point in my mind, I was "well...okay, here we are, let's do this".

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, as they say, my little sous chef helped me make this awesome breakfast.  Super quick and even better the next day.  Love working with my cast iron skillets, they truly are wonderful.

Sausage Gravy Breakfast Skillet

Adapted from PlainChicken.com

1 (2.75 ounce) package sausage gravy mix, plus water called for on package

1 lb. frozen diced Potatoes O'Brien, thawed

1 lb. Jimmy Dean original Regular pork sausage roll

5 large eggs

1-1/2 cups shredded Fiesta blend cheese

Lawry's season salt

pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink.  Add a pinch of black pepper and Lawry's season salt to the sausage while cooking.  Remove sausage from skillet.

Brown potatoes 5-6 minutes in sausage drippings.  Remove skillet from heat. 

 Add sausage to skillet. 

 Top with shredded cheese.

In a separate bowl, whisk together gravy mix, water,, and eggs.  Pour mixture evenly over potatoes.

Bake 30-40 minutes, or until filling is set in the center.

One Year Ago:  Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Bake

Two Years Ago:  Bourbon and Vanilla Creme Anglaise and Construction

Three Years Ago:  New Year, New You...and a Potato, Bacon, Mushroom and Gorgonzola Pizzette

Four Years Ago: No Post

Five Years Ago: No Post

Six Years Ago:  Pasta Salad with Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes

Seven Years Ago: Birthday Party - Chapter 1 - Pottery and Painting

Beef and Red Wine Stew

When I was in elementary school, our class put on the play "Wizard of Oz".  We all had to audition...it was the 4th grade after all.  I was selected for the part of Wicked Witch of the West.  I was not happy about this decision from the casting director.  In fact I'm quite sure I cried for days, because I wanted to be Glenda the Good Witch of the North.  Performance night came and I put my feelings aside to be the best Wicked Witch ever!

Fast forward, I think I was having flashbacks to the tornado sound effects from our performance night.  We have had wind upon wind storms here this week.

I have lost sleep two nights in a row from the sound of wind gusts everywhere and certain our house was going to blow down.  My poor Traeger took a spill in the wind and ended up half way across the back yard.  I don't even want to think if it's broke or not.  I can't bear the thought about having to purchase a new one...I might cry again!

Since it has been straight up cold here, I have been making warm, toasty, comforting meals.  I stumbled on this while binging Food Network for a few hours last weekend. Giada De Laurentis used lamb stew meat, but lamb is not kind to my stomach, so I used beef stew meat.  WOW was this good!!  I mean really, really amazing.  Never would I had thought of putting olives in a stew...game changer!!  I served it over creamy polenta and took this to a new level.  

Enjoy and stay safe, healthy, and sparkly!

Beef and Red Wine Stew

Adapted from Giada De Laurentis

2 Tbl olive oil

1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

Kosher salt

3 carrots, peeled and diced

2 ribs celery, diced

2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled

1 onion, diced

2 Tbl all-purpose flour

2 Tbl tomato paste

1-1/2 cups dry red wine

1-1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth

5 sprigs fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

1 cup green Cerignola olives, smashed and pits removed

2 Tbl chopped fresh Italian parsley

* Mashed potatoes or crusty bread, for serving

Place a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add the oil and heat another 30 seconds.   Dry the beef meat well and sprinkle with 1-1/2 teaspoons salt.  Place the meat in the pot and leave undisturbed for about 4 minutes.  When the first side is deeply browned, us tongs to flip the meat.  Continue to brown the meat for about 4 minutes on each side until the pieces are evenly browned on all sides, about 20 minutes total.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat to a plate.  Add the carrots, celery, garlic and onions.  Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until fragrant and beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.  

Stir in the flour and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more.  Deglaze with the red wine.  Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often to reduce slightly, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the broth, thyme, bay leaf and reserved meat.  Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.  Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Stir in the olives.  Partially cover the pot, leaving a small opening, and simmer until the meat is completely tender, about 30 minutes more.  Stir in the parsley.

Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to sop up the juices.

One Year Ago:  Construction, Carpet, and Cocktail (Spiked Lemonade)

Two Years Ago:  Beef Bourguignon and Post Holiday Blues

Three Years Ago:  New Year, New You...and a Potato, Bacon, Mushroom and Gorgonzola Pizzette

Four Years Ago:  No Post

Five Years Ago: No Post

Six Years Ago: Orange Olive Oil Cake

Seven Years Ago:  Black and White Parfaits and Tinis and Back To School

Ranch Chicken and Cornbread Waffles

Growing up in Pasadena, The Rose Parade was a time honored tradition every year for my husband and his family.  They would sell parking spots in their front yard to parade goers and offer their home to strangers to spend the night with a sleeping bag on their floor for $5, way before Airbnb was ever a thing.

This year a little different.  No parade.  No magic.  No high school bands who auditioned from all over the country to have their 15 minutes of fame.  No beautiful horses doing their special routines.  Very sad.

Our New Years Day without a doubt was definitely interesting, to say the least.  

We are still in full construction mode, praying for a light at the end (which isn't a train).  Today was insulation day.  I stepped up in my full "Inside Man" movie costume and got to work.

Steve, Stevie, or Steve-O...watch the movie and you'll understand.  It's "Baby A's" top 10 favorite film.

So there I was with 120 batts of insulation that needed to be trimmed to fit into the ceiling framing.  I measured and cut and my "contractor" was up and down the ladder tucking it all in.

By the end of the day I thought I was going to die.  Every inch of my body ached from using tendons and muscles that I didn't know existed at all.

We did it though and very successfully...at least it took our minds off of the no parade day!

My husband picked up this drywall lift on Craigslist.  What a miracle!  I could kiss whoever invented this beauty!!!  It saved my husband so much time, potential injuries, and "discussions" (we'll just leave it at that).

Another historical part of Pasadena is Roscoe's House of Chicken n Waffles.  Roscoe's made Chicken n Waffles famous many, many, many years ago.

I thought it would be fun to make a play on their famous dish.  I made BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken with a Caesar salad and then...wait for it....my Suzie's Cornbread mixture in the waffle iron!  

Such a fun spin on cornbread!  Enjoy!!

Prepare mixture, per directions.

Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick butter spray.

Pour 1/2 cup of cornbread mixture in waffle iron.

Cook "waffle" until golden brown.  Serve hot.

One Year Ago: Oven Baked Crispy Mashed Potato Cakes

Two Years Ago: The Wedding Dress and Tuxedo Cupcakes

Three Years Ago:  New Year, New You...and a Potato, Bacon, Mushroom and Gorgonzola Pizzette

Four Years Ago:  No Post

Five Years Ago:  No Post

Six Years Ago: Crepes for Cranky Mom

Seven Years Ago:  Black and White Parfaits and Tinis and Back To School

Happy Merry New Year

Dear God,

On this day I ask You to grant this request?

May I know who I am and what I am, every moment of every day.

May I be a catalyst for light and love, and bring inspiration to those whose eyes I meet.

May I have the strength to stand tall in the face on conflict, 

and the courage to speak my voice, even when I'm scared.

May I have the humility to follow my heart, and the passion to live my soul's desires.

May I seek to know the highest truth, and dismiss the gravitational pull of my lower self. 

May I embrace and love the totality of myself?  My darkness as well as my light.

May I be brave enough to hear my heart?  

To let it soften so that I may gracefully choose faith over fear.

Today is my day to surrender anything that stands between the sacredness of my humanity and my divinity.

May I be drenched in my Holiness and engulfed by Your love.

May all else melt away.

And so it is.

-Debbie Ford

Fork and Cork 2020 Favorites

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2020, I was taking a look at the year on "Fork and Cork", and found these were the top 5 favorites of Front Range Fork and Cork's followers recipes this year...I have to admit, they are some of my top favorites as well.  

I'm so glad you all enjoyed these and that I was able to share a little part of my kitchen and home this past year with each and every one of you.  Thank you for joining me in my journey.

I hope that 2021 brings you wonderful blessings, and that you continue to stay healthy, strong and remember...always keep sparkling!

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

#2 - 24 Hour Salad (And To Departure)

#3 - Potatoes au Gratin aka Julia Child's Dauphinoise Potatoes and Red Chicken

#4 - Aurora's Chicken Pepperoni

#5 - The Hobbit's Famous French Sandwich

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas!

"God of love, Father of all,

 the darkness that covered the earth

 has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.

 Make us a people of this light.

 Make us faithful to your Word,

 that we may bring your life to the waiting world.

 Grant this through Christ our Lord.

 Amen.”

Wishing you all a peaceful, safe, and healthy 

Merry Christmas!

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake Muffins

If you have ever been to an Einstein Brothers Bagel shop, you know the plethora of treats they have in their case on any given day.

I have developed an unhealthy addiction to their Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake.  Luckily they are somewhat small, but oh my goodness, sinfully good!

The good news is that I have found a copycat recipe....the bad news is that I have found a copycat recipe.  Which means, I can make these anytime I want.  They will warm your bones on a chilly holiday sunrise with a hot cup of coffee.  My husband is loving these little beauties!

If you are wanting a special treat for Christmas morning, these will undoubtedly do the trick.  Enjoy!

I highly recommend using these Parchment Lotus cup liners, so that your streusel and chocolate chips stay in place and not all over your oven.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake (Muffins)

Courtesy of The Yellow Apron Blog

Makes 8 Regular Size Muffins

Streusel Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup flour

1-1/2 Tbl shortening

1-1/2 Tbl margarine or butter

1/8 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

dash salt

Cake:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 egg whites

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup sour cream

1/8 cup corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the Crumb Topping - 

Cut shortening and margarine into flour to make coarse crumbs.

Stir in sugar, vanilla, and salt.  Refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. 

For the Cake - 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place muffin liners in muffin pan, and use non-stick pan spray.

In a bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, combine egg whites, oil, sour cream, corn syrup, and vanilla.

Combine dry and wet ingredients.  Mix until almost smooth.  Stir in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 of the way , top with about 1 Tbl of the streusel crumb topping, and sprinkle with 1 Tbl of the chocolate chips.  

Bake 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

One Year Ago: Birthday Weekend

Two Years Ago:  Bang Bang Shrimp and David Benoit

Three Years Ago: No Post

Four Years Ago:  Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Five Years Ago:  Stuffed Mushrooms and Memories

Six Years Ago:  Blueberry-Banana Muffins and Mangers

Seven Years Ago:  Rouladen and Relatives