Kitchen Tip

I was cutting onions to make a salad today and I couldn't see because I was crying so much.  I was thinking-there has to be a better way to cut onions so I don't cry.  I know that they make onion-cutting goggles you can wear (much like swim goggles).  Then I remembered a scene from one of my favorite TV shows "Veronica Mars".  They were cutting up onions with metal spoons in their mouth and they said that it stopped them from crying.  I was thinking to myself that it was a TV show and probably just made it up, but I decided to try it anyway.  It worked!  I could still smell the onions, but it didn't bother me at all.  I guess you can learn something from watching tv.

Sante Fe Quinoa Salad

Healthy, healthy, healthy... and yummy, too!

3/4 c quinoa (rinsed)
1 1/2 c. water
Salt
2 t Cumin
2 T lemon juice
6 T Olive oil
Pepper
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
1 small red pepper, finely diced
1 med cucumber, diced
1/2 small onion, very finely diced
1/2 c. finely chopped cilantro
1 lg ripe tomato, halved and then sliced for garnish

In a med, saucepan, combine quinoa, water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.  Spread quinoa on a baking sheet and refrigerate for about 20 minutes while preparing the dressing.
Combine lemon juice and cumin in a blender. Blend and then add oil and blend again. Season with s&p.  Pour dressing into a lg bowl. Add beans, cucumber, cilantro, onions and pepper. Toss. Add quinoa and mix. Season with s&p.  Top with slices of tomato.  Makes 4 servings.

*optional -- lime juice can be used instead of lemon, but I have tried both ways and find the lemon more appealing!

Yummy extas!

This is a great way to use a little extra pie dough (if you can resist making elephant ears!)

I made a pie but had a bit extra dough and filling.  I'd seen something similar in a recipe book and so I tried this out!

Lay the rolled dough out in a baking dish, add some pie filling, and fold up the edges around the filling. 

Its a great way to use up the extras and it was delicious (far better than the pie turned out!!) and its a great way to get a little slice of dessert!!

Peaches and Cream Pie (and Blueberries too)

I've used this recipe a few times and love it!  As you can tell by the pic... I had to scrounge up what was left to get a photo! =)

Crust:

1 1/2 c. all purp flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 c. cold butter
Filling:
3 c. fresh peaches, peeled & sliced
1 c. fresh blueberries (or blackberries)
1 c. sugar, divided
2 T all-purp flour
1 egg
1/4 t salt
1/2 t vanilla extract
1 container (8 oz) sour cream

Topping:
2/3 c sugar
2/3 c all purp flour
2 t gr. cinnamon
1/2 c cold butter

Preheat oven to 400 F.

For crust, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until a crumbly mixture forms. Press into 9" deep pie dish.  Set aside.  Place peaches in a bowl; sprinkle with 1/4 c of the sugar. Combine flour, egg, canilla, salt & remaining sugar. Fold in sour cream. Stir into peaches and then pour into crust. While baking, make topping.  Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl; cut in butter til it is a crumbly mixture. Set aside.

Bake at 400F for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350F and bake another 20 minutes or til the pie is mostly set.  Remove from oven, sprinkle on topping. Increase heat to 400F again and bake for another 15 minutes.

Optional: Leave out the blueberries, but increase the peaches to 4 c.

Easy chicken dinner(s)

I like to make meals that can be used more than one time, or making meals ahead of time.  Most nights it's 4 o'clock and I'm thinking....hmmm, what can I throw together for dinner tonight?  So one day I put some frozen chicken tenders (about 10) in the crock pot and put a can of cream of chicken soup over the top.  I sprinkled a little pepper too.  I cooked it on high heat for 3 1/2 hours.  By then the chicken was done.  I made up some rice and steamed some veggies.  It was a good dinner.  There was even some of the chicken mixture left over.  So the next day for lunch I cooked up some spaghetti noodles, heated up the chicken mixture, added some parm cheese, and made some green beans.  It was tasty.