Good Ole Southern Sweet TEA!

I thought I would share how I make my Sweet Tea.......I didn't really think of this being blog worthy, until a friend said, that she hadn't ever thought of making it this way.

 I don't pull out the staples either.

I use a 4 cup measuring cup to brew the tea.  I use to use a quart mason jar.  It will get really hot and you will need a towel to wrap around it.  My Nanny always used THIS measuring cup.  It a 4 cup and it doesn't get hot in microwave.  I use 5 Family size tea bags.  Put in the microwave 4 1/2 mins to 5 mins on High.  Then let seep for just a few more mins.
 

Done, Now strain into your Tea pitcher with 3/4 - 1 cup sugar and fill with water.  Enjoy!
 

No more boiling water on the stove top!  Go out and get you a large measuring cup!

Home Made Taco Seasoning

This is no grand story....But it does happen to fit into my trying to eat cleaner.  The other night I decided to cook Taco meat for supper.  I was out of Taco seasoning, so I came to computer and pulled a recipe off of Pinterest.  Then I got to thinking...I wonder how much extra stuff is in those Season packets that I can't even pronounce the words to?  Any way, I had all the ingredients that I needed.  I changed mine up just a bit.

Taco Seasoning

2 1/2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
   1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
   1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
   1/2 Teaspoon dried Oregano
   1  - Teaspoon Paprika
   1/2  Tablespoon Coriander (which is Cilantro)
   1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (more if you like spicy) (recipe called for 3/4 teaspoon)
   2 -  Teaspoons ground Cumin
   2 -  Teaspoons Salt
   2 -  Teaspoons Black Pepper

Brown  1lb Hamburger, Add 3 Tablespoons Seasoning with 1/2 cup water.  Simmer to let flavors get into the meat.  Seal extra in an air tight package.

I am going to make up a big batch of it, so I always have some on hand!
Yes, to trying to eat a little healthier!  Whoops.....I did have mine over Tortilla chips.  Well, I am sure that I took some of the bad out.

Impossible Pie

This recipe was circulating on Face Book, so I thought I would give it a try.  But this Pie is not named correctly!  It should be something like, So Simple....Blender Pie, No Crust Pie.....This Pie is so simple and so fast to make!  I have never been a big pie maker....I am not quite sure why, maybe because you have to make a crust and I think it is crazy to buy one.  So, I was trilled to read that this recipe makes it's own crust.

Impossible Pie

 So Good!

2 Cups Milk
1 Cup Shredded coconut
4 Eggs
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup off purpose flour
8 Tablespoon butter
3/4 Cup sugar
1/4 Teaspoon nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together.  I used a Blender. Pour into a greased and floured pie plate.  I recommend a deep pie dish and next time I may just pour it into a 9" square casserole dish.  Sprinkle with nutmeg.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  I had to bake mine longer ( about 10 minutes), because I could tell it was still runny, jiggly in the middle.

A quick fix dessert and I had all the ingredients on hand!

Bang Bang Shrimp

My youngest daughter was coming home from college this past weekend.  She said, "Mom, I want something really good for dinner. Can you have it ready when I get there?  I will be starving!"  This was her first trip home, since moving off to college and we were really excited for her to be coming home.  And, a little scared of her driving all the way, by herself.  I asked her what she was wanting and her response was Bang Bang Shrimp or Steak.  Well, my grill is gone......I need a new one.  So, off to the store in the pouring rain to get some shrimp to cook.

Now, that I have started this blog thing, EVERYTHING is Blog material. I know that there are many recipes for Bang Bang Shrimp on the internet, but not with Pictures!

What you need:
2lbs Raw Shrimp, I bought the Large ones- Most recipes call for 1lb, but we love shrimp!
Corn Starch

 Since, I always buy the frozen, I put my shrimp in a colander and run warm water over the shrimp to thaw and to let the extra water drain off. 

     Dredge or cover your shrimp in the Corn starch.

 

Fry in hot cooking oil, (I use Vegetable oil) till lightly brown.  It doesn't take long. Don't overcook! Drain on paper towels.

Now, for your sauce.  I actually mixed up two different ones, simply because I couldn't remember which sauce, that I used last time.

 With Fusia Chili & Garlic dipping sauce

 With Panda Express Beijing Sauce

I like the color of the one on the right with the Beijing, but they both tasted almost the same.  I am telling you this, because I couldn't find the sauce that was called for in the recipe.  You will find these in the Chinese food section in your grocery store.

What you need:

1/2 Cup Mayo

1/4 cup of Beijing Sauce

4-5 drops Hot Sauce

Mix well!

The traditional recipe says to mix shrimp and sauce in a bowl.  Then to serve over lettuce greens.  Personally, I serve my shrimp on a plate with the dip on the side.  And I serve a nice Garden salad with the works!

Fresh Veggies!

My garden is finally on a roll.....Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Corn, Basil, Bell Peppers

So, what to do with all of it?

Slice it, Dice it, Chop it (onions-store bought) and put it in a bowl with Italian Dressing, Toss with Salt & Pepper. Serve Chilled!  Enjoy!

Sunny Mango Bruschetta

This year I decided to grow some Basil in my garden.  I have never used Fresh Herbs....but I want to.  Now, I have fresh Basil, I need some recipes to use it.  So, what do you do in modern times?  Go to Pinterest.com and key in Basil recipes in the search line. I found this Mango Bruschetta recipe that sounded good.

This is my version. There are only 3 of us and one is about to leave for college.  So, my recipe was for 3 and no exact measurements.  Sometimes, people get hung up on exact.  I think, Exact only matters for baked goods, but again, I am not a chef.  LOL!

Baguette (Italian Bread) sliced.  There are only 3 of us, so 3 slices.

1/2 Mango, diced into small cubes
Bell Pepper- I used green, that is what is in my garden.
Cherry tomatoes - cut in half
Onion- diced- enough for my liking
Basil-chopped, Basil has a pretty strong taste, again add to your liking.
Garlic-A dash powder, I didn't have fresh.
Black Pepper - Dash
Salt - Dash
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Shredded Cheese- save for assembly

Add all ingredients to bowl. Toss well, and Set aside.

Slice bread rounds - brush with olive oil and grill lightly

Assemble Bruschetta
Spoon Mixture onto each slice
Add Shredded Cheese of your liking to top of mixture
Stick back in oven just to melt.
Garnish with Basil, if you like.
Serve immediately!

YUM!

Now here is the recipe from Pintrest

1/2 Baguette, sliced into rounds & olive oil for brushing
1 cup Yellow bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red pepper
1 Cup Mango-diced
1/3 cup fresh Basil
2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
1 tsp agave syrup drizzle (optional)  I had to look this up...
salt to taste

Add all ingredients to bowl, toss, and set aside
Slice bread rounds, brush with olive oil and toast lightly
Assemble, garnish with basil, drizzle with agave syrup, grind black pepper on top
Serve

Make it your OWN and have Fun!

Fried Veggies!

Have you heard the saying, "The Garden is coming in." Well, it is....and that means that there are veggies to pick.  In my case the Squash is producing like crazy.  I have also picked one eggplant and a small Chili Bell Pepper. 

So, living in the South, of course we love some fried food.  And, something healthy like a salad with fresh lettuce from the garden as well.

I love frying up some vegetables. Mine is more like Fried Goulash.  I don't know why I started calling it that.  Maybe, because it is never just one vegetable, they all get mixed in one bowl and it all goes in the skillet at the same time.

I am no fancy cook, but I do love to eat.  So, I thought I would show you how I do it.

 Get some good Vegetable oil and put it in your skillet to start heating up.  I heat mine on med/high.

Beat an egg in a large bowl.

Eggplant, skin and cut.

Patty Pan Squash

Quarter and slice

Of course, I HAVE to add Onion

Salt & Pepper.  Stir veggies to coat everything in the egg.

I added a small Yellow squash also, then add flour on top.

Mix it all up

When your grease gets hot, just dump the veggies into skillet   

Start turning veggies as they brown.

When browned, use spatula to take veggies out and put on plate covered with paper towels.

Now, this is some good eating!  When the Okra comes in, that will be added to the mix.