Thursday, March 1, 2012

Monday, October 24, 2011

Butternut Squash Soup

It is the season for squash soup and I just put together a wondeful receipe this week-end for Hubby's Birthday.  Hope you enjoy it.
Serves 8
4-5 strips of bacon
3 Tablespoons of butter and 4 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 cup of sliced celery
3/4 cup of sliced carrots
1.5 lbs of cut up butternut squash (go to your specialty stores and they will cut for you), not hard to do yourself.
1- 15 oz can of pumpkin puree, try organic.
4-cups of chicken stock
1/4 Teaspoon of black pepper 1/4 Teaspoon of white pepper
Salt to taste only
1/2 to 3/4 cup of heavy cream
1/4 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon of Nutmeg
Small load of french bread
Gruyere Cheese

Prepare bacon in soup pan, remove after it is crisp.  Add onion, garlic, celery, carrots, butter.  Cook for 15 minutes on medium to low heat. Add pumpkin puree, squash, chicken stock, pepper and a dash of salt. Cook for another 30 minutes on low heat until squash is tender. Soup needs to be blended, either with a blender, masher or I use my my Immerson Hand Blender, that way I can leave the soup in the pan.

After you have blended, add the heavy cream, cinnamon and nutmeg and reheat for another 15 minutues.
I do not need to add any additional salt, but if you need it add it now.

In a frying pan or baking dish, add olive oil and enough sliced french bread for 1 or 2 slices per bowl and if you are in my family you want 3. Toast bread on both sides in pan or baking dish, add grated gruyere cheese to bread, let soften before turning off heat.

In a serving bowl, add 1 to 2 slices of toasted bread to the bottom of the bowl, add soup over the bread and serve!
IT IS SOOOO GOOD !!!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Circle of Friends

Sometimes friendship is about friendship along with a little food, a little wine, Here is the "Circle of Friend Recipe" from my sister in law, Sandy!!!

Circle of Friends
When I was little, 
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man. 
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom. 
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. 
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. 
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,' 
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies, 
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier, 
Another the wind beneath your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day, 
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, 
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself . 
Those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several.
One from 7th grade,
One from high school, 
Several from the college years, 
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother, 
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.
So whether they've been a friend for 20 minutes or 20+ years, 
AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO,
Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life
To make a difference. Including the one who sent it to you.
Thanks for being in my circle.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Sauteed Mushrooms!

Next time you are looking for that little extra of something to go with your roast, steak, pork, fish or if you are a vegetarian, look at the following mushroom dish.  I am giving your all the ingredients you can add to the mushrooms, pick and choose what you wish.  Remember have fun!!!

Cleaning:  I like to brush my mushrooms off with a damp towel, however, mushrooms are 92.5% water, how about that tidbit of info, so if you wash them, they are just going to gain a little more water weight.  Do we really think that all the restaurants in town take the time to brush off mushrooms with a dame cloth or towel?
I do not believe there is a wrong way on this one.

Take Approx. 2 1/2 pounds or various mushrooms (small button, cremini, portobello, shitake, porcini) any mushrooms you can find in your local area.

1/2 cup olive oil                                          1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 sprigs of rosemary                                   1 chopped clove garlic
1/4 cup of wine wine (optional)                   1 fresh red chile (optional)
2 Tablespoons of butter (optional)              1 small chopped shallot (optional)
2 Teaspoons of chopped parsley (optional)

Heat olive oil in pan with garlic, add shallots red chile and wine if you wish or any other optional ingredient at this point.  Add mushrooms, remove rosemary from sprigs and add, cook for 10 minutes on low to medium heat.  add vinegar, stir and remove from heat and serve.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Vanilla Bean Pudding

4 ounces Mascarpone Cheese                  15 ounces Ricotta cheese
3 eggs                                                      1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup                                 3 tablespoons sugar
Dash of sea salt                                        1 vanilla bean, split open

Pre Heat Oven to 350 degrees, butter a 12 cupcake pan

Using a blender, combine mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, eggs, heavy cream, maple syrup, sugar and salt.  Blend well.  Using a knife, split the vanilla bean and scrape seeds into the blender, save the vanilla bean pod.  Blend mixture until smooth, pour batter into cupcake tin, you may have enough for 12, do not worry if you only have room for 10 or 11.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly browned.  Do not worry if the middle sinks in the pudding cakes.  Once cooled, refrigerate until ready to use.

You can top the pudding with nothing or anything such as chocolate, peaches, berries, cranberries, lemon curd, fresh fruit, anything, use the vanilla bean pod in the topping for additional flavor.

This is such a light and delightful dessert, your family will love it.  It is a combo of pudding, custard and cheese cake, so gooood!!!

2011 Recipes

Hi everyone, hope all is well in 2011, I found some great recipes while I was up North, if you are ever in Nevada City California, go to a restaurant called "Friar Tucks", they have the best fondue ever!!!  Saw lots of snow in California and Reno, but we were able to get back over the grapevine before they closed.

I will post some additional recipes in the next blog...Have a wonderful year, "God Bless you and your family"

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cocktails, 10, 11 & 12

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me "10 Lords a Leaping"
2 ounces Tanqueray Rangpur Gin
Fill with Club Soda or Tonic Water

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me "11 Pipers Piping"
2 ounces Scotch on the Rocks with Cigar Glenlivet, Johnny Walker or Jameson with Macanudo Cigars

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me "12 Drummers Drumming"
2 ounces Zaya Rum
Mix with Tom & Jerry Mix or Hot Buttered Rum

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cocktails, 7, 8 & 9

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me "7 Swans a Swimming"

1 1/2 ounces Patron Silver Tequila
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao
Fill with Lemon Lime Soda

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me "8 Maids a Milking"

1 1/2 ounces Bailey's Irish Cream
10 ounces Vanilla Vodka
Fill with Milk or over Ice

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love game to me "9 Ladies Dancing"

10 ounces of Lemoncello Liqueur
Fill with Sparkling Lemonade or Champagne

Friday, December 17, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cocktails, 4, 5 & 6

On the 4th day of Christmas, my true love brought to me 4 Calling Birds

2 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon
Fill with Root Beer

On the 5th day of Christmas, my true love brought to me 5 Golden Rings

1 1/2 ounces Goldschlager Liqueur
1/w ounce Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur
Fill with sparkling Apple Cider

On the 6th day of Christmas, my true love brought to me 6 Geese a Laying

1 1/2 ounces Grey Goose Vodka
1/2 ounce Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
Fill with Egg Nog

First 6 days done, more to follow this week-end.  Enjoy

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Cocktails

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me "A Partridge in a Pear Tree".

1 1/2 ounces Grey Goose Pear Vodka
1/2 ounce Pear Schnapps
Fill with Club Soda or Tonic Water

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me " 2 Turtle Doves"

1 1/2 ounces Three Olives Chocolate Vodka
1/2 ounce Godiva Caramel Liqueur
Fill with milk or over ice

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me "3 French Hens"

1 1/2 ounces Hennessey Cognac
1/2 ounce St. Germaine Liqueur
Fill with Martinelli's Apple Cider

Stay posted for the remaining 9 days of Christmas Cocktails!!!!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Cookies While You Sleep

We all ready started making cookies this last week-end, biscotti's, pumpkin cookies, chocolate, and cookies while you sleep.  If you need any recipes please let me know.  Cookies While you Sleep Recipe

2 Egg Whites                 1/8 Teaspoon Salt            1/4 Teaspoon Cream of Tarter
2/3 Cup Sugar               1 Teaspoon Vanilla           1/4 Teaspoon Almond Extract
3/4 Cup chopped Pecans and 1/4 cup mini chocolate bites (tiny ones)

2 - 12 X 16 Cookie Sheets, lined with parchment paper or foil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

With electric mixer, beat egg whites until frothy, add salt and cream of tartar and continue beating until stiff.
Gradually add sugar and continue beating, add vanilla and almond extract, beat until very stiff peaks form.
Fold in nuts and chocolate mini bites.

Drop a small teaspoon of cookie on cookie sheet, place them in the oven, TURN OFF THE OVEN and leave them in overnight. "DO NOT PEEK"!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Special Announcement- Congratulations Alexias Swanstrom

Hi everyone, no recipe, just wanted to let you know that our Miss Greater San Diego Teen USA 2010, Alexis Swanstrom just won Miss California Teen USA and will represent California at the Miss Teen USA next summer.  We are so proud of her and so happy for her and her family.  You can go to the http://www.misscaliforniausa.com/ website and watch the preliminaries, the final should be up and running tomorrow. 

Alexis has been part of our pageant family for the last 3-4 years.  We are so excited!!!!!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Swedish Apple Pie by my friend Katy

Swedish Apple Pie - Great Pie for the kids to help with!!!
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
1- 9 inch round or square pie pan
Fill pie pan 2/3 full with sliced, peeled green granny apples (3 large apples)
HINT - You could buy the apples all ready cut.
Combine 1 Tsp. of Cinnamon and 1 Tablespoon of Sugar and sprinkle over apples.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans over apples and Sprinkle a handful of raisins over the apples.

Topping
Mix together 1 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt
Melt 3/4 cup of butter and add to sugar and salt mixture, mix well.
Add 1 unbeaten egg, mix well and add 1 cup of flour and mix well.
Pour topping mixture over the apples.   

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes - DO NOT OVER BAKE

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Thanksgiving Recipes 11/9

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we will start to show some of our family and friend recipes for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  If you have any questions, or need a specific recipe, please let us know.

Mincemeat Pie - Loven By The Oven Cookbook

1 Jar 28 ounces (3 cups) prepared mincemeat             1 1/2 cups diced pared tart apples 
2 Tablespoons butter, melted                                      1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Vanilla                                                     1/3 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
1/4 cup of Brandy (optional)                                       2 Teaspoons of sugar
If you are going to use Brandy, mix brandy and mincemeat together, refrigerate overnight.

4 - 9 inch Pie Shells (2 for the bottom, 2 for the top)  I like the rolled out dough in the pie section of your grocery store, homemade is wonderful, but who has the time today.  The rolled out dough is better then the tin pans with dough.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Prepare Pastry in 2-9 inch pie pans.  Mix mincemeat, apples, butter, vanilla, and heavy cream, pour into pie shells, cover the top of each pie with the other 2 pie crusts.  Make 4 slits into the top of each pie, sprinkle each pie with 1 teaspoon of sugar.

I like to put the pies on a baking sheet, cook at 425 degrees for 40-45 minutes, top with whip cream.

Enjoy!!

    

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Food for Sports

Here are some appetizers for this baseball and football weekend.  This crab cake recipe came from one of trips to Baltimore, Maryland.  No one makes crab cakes like the East Coast.  Secret here is to refrigerate the crab cakes before cooking them so they will not fall apart in the frying pan.  If you do not want to make the dressing, cocktail or tarter sauce is another option for you.  Have fun!!!

1 lb cooked fresh crabmeat, flaked                                     Dash of salt & white pepper to taste
1 egg slightly beaten                                                            Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon of mayonnaise                                                4 tablespoons of butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup of bread crumbs (I prefer panko crumbs)               2 tablespoons olive oil
4 green onions, white part only, chopped                            Dressing recipe below (optional) (refrigerate)

In bowl, stir together all ingredients together, EXCEPT BUTTER AND OLIVE OIL. Form into 8 or more crab cake patties, cover and refrigerate from 2 to 12 hours.  Heat skillet with butter and olive oil, fry crab cakes until golden brown (5 to 6 Minutes on each side).  You can broil these in an oven without the butter and oil to save on calories, but they need to be watch closely and turned.  Broil on a oven is 500 degrees.

Dressing (optional)

1 cup of mayonnaise                                                           1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
2 teaspoons dijon mustard                                                  Dash of garlic powder (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill                                         Dash of salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a mixer or blender, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Welcome to my blog!

Hi everyone, just got my blog started, will work on facebook tomorrow.  I have been delaying doing this until the "cookbook" and "lovenbytheoven.com" girls were copyrighted, which they are now.  Our girls come with blond, brunette and pink hair!!

A couple of tips to start this blog off!

Store olive oil in the pantry, not in the light.
Psyllium seed husks are an alternative to thicken soups, gravy's, etc.
Add any left over lettuce - any kind - to your soup or stews!