Champagne Chicken Breasts

On New Years Day and New Years Eve, I like to have champagne and I love to include it in the dishes I serve, knowing this is my last Hoorah before my sanity comes back.....well hopefully! My guests always ask for the recipe and think I’ve been cooking for hours, but it is done in little more than half an hour. And there is zero fat added; the chicken cooks in Champagne. So, in reality, I have already eased back into my usual eating pattern. Cooking with wine adds flavor but the calories of the alcohol burn off in the pan. Vermouth, Pernod or any number of earthy reds or whites can add depth to a dish, but for elegance of finish nothing beats Champagne. 

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread

These cookies are crisp and buttery with just enough sweetness. The lemon and rosemary add a twist to a classic shortbread cookie. I just love biting into this delicious cookie and getting a hint of citrus and savory rosemary. A match made in heaven. 

Standing Rib Roast - Prime Rib

A Standing Rib Roast claims center stage during holiday season for a very good reason. It is the king of beef cuts. This is my favorite way of cooking a Prime Rib. Both my Slow Roasted Prime Rib and my adaption of Eva Kenly's recipe (here) are excellent methods for cooking a Rib Roast. I have done it both ways, both ways, equally delicious.

Twice Baked Potatoes- JJ's way

Twice-baked potatoes, much like biscotti require two – almost back to back – baking sessions. Thus, they are “twice-baked”. The first baking session is to soften the potatoes; you’ll need their centers to be soft enough to be easily scooped out. The second baking session is to warm the newly stuffed potatoes, crisp up their skins, and meld the magical cheeses.

Brie Stuffed Mushroom's

I am seriously drooling....yes, they are that good! 

For some reason during the holiday season my taste for decadent food goes up 100%. Shopping in the grocery store is a lot more fun, as all the yummy ingredients are placed at the end of the isles and somehow make their way into my cart! Costco....well forget about the list.... Haha, my son-in-law will stop right here! He is one who sticks to the list at Costco....come on, who sticks to the list? I like to take pictures of my overloaded cart and send to him, with my list in the foreground....hahaha!

Caramel Apple Streusel Pie

Baking a homemade apple pie will make you feel like a kitchen champion, in that really awesome ’50s housewife or grandma way. However baking this Caramel Apple Streusel Pie will make you feel like a superhero. This pie is outrageously good and puts all store-bought apple pies to shame. Yes, making homemade pie dough and peeling and slicing a bunch of apples can be laborious but I promise you it is SO worth it. If you are looking to wow your friends and family this Holiday Season, this is the pie! The bonus your entire kitchen will smell like heaven on earth.

Proschiutto and Brie Panini with Fig jam

I seem to be on a soup and sandwich roll, so, here's one more before we jump into Christmas! I thought I had tried almost every combination of sandwich there is, but, when I came upon this at a restaurant.....OH MA GAWD is all I can say. This is one of those died and gone to heaven concoctions!! Every bite is a party in the mouth. This is by far the most superior sandwich I have ever tasted!

Turkey Soup with Stuffing Dumplings

One more recipe to finish up those Thanksgiving leftovers. This is so yummy! If you do not have any stuffing left over, you can just make some "Stove Top"....yikes, did I say that!

The Gobbler! Turkey and dressing Panini!

Wee Bear just about flipped when I served him this for lunch! The components are all his favorites! Left over oven roasted turkey, my sausage stuffing and mayonnaise.

Turkey, Brie and Cranberry Panini

 

Thanksgiving is over and now we have all the delicious left overs! Over the next two days, I'm going to give you a delicious answer.....

JJ's Waldorf Salad

The Waldorf salad may be over a century old, but even today, it remains a timeless American classic. The apple and walnut salad was first created in the late 1800s at New York's legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotel. My first encounter with a true Waldorf Salad was in Home Economics. My Mother had a version of it that was popular in the 60's, that involved "Dream Whip"! Do any of you remember Dream Whip? It of course was sweet and my Mom loved her sweets. We had Waldorf Salad with Dream Whip about once a week! 

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops with Crispy Sage

 

These thin cut pork chops are coated in a flavorful combination of Panko bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Add a squeeze of lemon and some crispy sage leaves and you have a meal fit for a King and Queen!  

Banana chocolate chip lactation muffins

These Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are perfectly moist, and delicious and slammed with nutrition– hi banana, oats, flaxseed and brewer’s yeast. Perfect for nursing moms (eeerrrrr… hungry dads) 

Halloween Wrap Up!!

 

These Halloween recipe ideas are so tasty, it’s spooky.
All Hallow’s Eve is coming up, and that means there’s a frighteningly good time to be had!

"Lactation" Pumpkin Spice Muffins

These muffin's are moist and delicious, similar to carrot cake but with a Fall flavor. The rich cream cheese frosting will also remind you of carrot cake — which isn't a bad thing! Make sure you toast the walnuts before using them; toasting brings out their nutty essence. All in all simply delicious!
 

These muffins can be made without the "Lactating element", I give you the swap! However, I have so many nursing Mom's coming to my blog 

Salted Caramel Pretzel Crunch Bars

  I have always had a sweet tooth. It may have been because my mother had a major sweet tooth.... chocolate, candy, ice cream, it was readily available at our house. In the last couple of years, I’ve discovered the world of salted caramel, and boy that has taken my sweet tooth to an entire new level!!

National Taco Day!

 

I have been a taco fanatic since I was a youngster. I remember begging my Mom to let me prepare dinner, and I would make tacos. My two older brother's loved my tacos too! I'm not sure when I started loving them so much, but, I remember when out with Mom and she asked where should we have lunch? My answer was always, "Taco Time"!

How to make Splattered shoes!

Whether it is for a paint party or a gruesome blood splattered pair of shoes for Halloween, I will show you how to DIY! 

 Channel your inner Jackson Pollack and let some DIY ideas inspire hacking action! Let your imagination flow you can make a pair of old shoes new again, a pair of jeans into an art statement, even a leather chair can be transformed from basic to boldly beautiful in no time! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Struesel Muffins

A blast from the past worthy of a second go! Fill your home this Fall with the fragrance of these delicious spiced muffins!  Amy's post from September 2012! 

Go to


http://www.sewwhatscookingwithjoan.com/2012/09/pumpkin-cinnamon-streusel-muffins.html

Mushroom Soup- JJ style!

This mushroom soup is the best ever......well, that's what Wee Bear says and everyone I have EVER served it to!  It is so easy and really doesn't take much time. I use Fat Free half and half, so it keeps it on the friendlier side! I think the Madeira Sherry takes this soup to another level and it is just enough to send you back for a second cup! I use just 1/4 cup of heavy cream, however, you can eliminate it, however the soup will not have the same richness.

Parmesan Pasta Salad

Summer is in full swing, lot's of BBQ's and we are surrounded by our loving family and friends nearly every week! Reunions are happening, both family reunions and class reunions, it is a fun time of the year! 

Salmon Stir Fry

Who doesn’t love a healthy dinner that literally takes no time at all to throw together? There are times when I just want a tasty, quick dinner that is healthy. This one can be done in 30 minutes, that includes the chopping! 

Puppy Adoption Birthday Party!

When my daughter Holly (AKA Tink) asked Madison Lee what kind of party she wanted, Madi simply said, a puppy pawty! Madison loves her dog Maia and she loves her stuffed doggies so much they travel with her everywhere. She has a little doggy travel case that she puts her dog in for travel and a veterinarian bag to doctor her dogs. Nearly every time I visit, Madi wants to take me to her play room to show me her doggies. Yes, she loves doggies and she loves animals!!

Fruit Galette

Are you about to make a pie? Do you have an excess of fruit? How about time....do you have just a few minutes? Let's face it, I love pie, but, I do not always have the time for all the pastry roll out, crimping, filling etc. I love a rustic galette! They do not care if they are round or square  or any shape for that matter! Requiring less of everything, they come together in about 15 minutes and bake for about 30-45 minutes depending on the fruit. It is kinda fun putting a galette together, very creative!

Blueberry Scones

Blueberries are in season and I found myself salivating for a scone last week while on holiday with family in Chelan, Washington. I had packed flour and most of the ingredients, so, after our power walk one morning I made some of the most delicious scones I have ever tasted! Quick to make and only 20 minutes in the oven, I delivered a few to my grandson and his family next door! Wee bear was so happy, he hid one to have the next morning!

Ginger Stir Fry Chicken

The third recipe in my series of 15 minute chicken dishes. This is my favorite! Light, figure friendly and delicious!

Mushroom Lover's Chicken

This is the second in a series of three, non boring, fifteen minute or less chicken dishes. This one is Wee Bear's favorite of the three. Don't tell him, it only has a 1/4 cup of cream or half and half in the sauce! 

Lemon and Rosemary Golden Chicken

Sticking with my lemon theme, this week I am offering a delicious light and figure friendly dish, that you can make in 15 minutes! This "non boring" chicken dish is the first in a series of three chicken dishes I will be posting in the next few weeks! Stay tuned.....all three chicken dishes can be made in 15 minutes or less and are NOT boring! 

Lemon Meringue Pie-JJ's famous

The BEST ever lemon meringue pie in a graham cracker crust is topped with a billowy meringue. I could not believe I hadn't written a blog about my famous lemon meringue pie! I have been baking this pie for 45 years at least! My brother's would ask every Easter or any occasion when the sun came out and it seemed like Spring,  "please make your Lemon Meringue pie". 

Super Food Spinach Salad

This salad has granny smith apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, pomegranite seeds, oranges and feta.  When you flavor it with the homemade sweet and sour poppyseed dressing, it takes it over the top into what’s now my favorite salad incorporating fruit.  If you aren’t a fan of poppy seeds, simply omit it in the dressing (it will still be fabulous!).

Maple Oatmeal Cookies

Mothers are everything for us when we are young...our lives revolve around Mom. For everything that we need we call Mom. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To take us out we hold her arms. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. On the special occasion of Mothers Day pay tribute to your mother - the greatest blessing of God on you.

Grilled Breakfast Burrito

 Cinco de Mayo is almost here, start with a celebratory Breakfast Burrito! Yum! The kids will love as much as the adults! May 5, 2016 is just around the corner!

Baby Sprinkle Shower - How to give

Just because you already have a child (or two… or three…) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be showered with love for your upcoming baby. Baby “sprinkles” are becoming very popular for second, third and subsequent babies — a much lower key gathering. My niece Allie (Mother of 5) asked me, "What? A Sprinkle? What is that?" I explained and her response was, "Oh! Ryder, (her fifth born) must of been a DRIP!" Oh my gosh, how funny!

With minimal pressure and an informal feel to them, a baby sprinkle party is a lovely way to welcome a new addition.

Zucchini Pizza Pinwheels

This is a lot like calzone, but with a beautiful presentation, these pizza pinwheels are wonderful starters for parties. Fresh zucchini blends with Spanish cheese and naturally sweet grape tomatoes! Yum!

Lemon Dream Tart

As we turn the corner of Winter into Spring, it's time for our palate of slow cooker's and braises to fresh Spring vegetables and colorful fruits. 

Mushroom and Burrata Lasagnette

This delicious indulgent dish is more than two consenting adults should finish, but, heh....it's so good!! 

Mississippi Pot Roast-slow cooker

Mississippi resident Robin Chapman is the star behind the Mississippi Roast, a slow-cooking dish with surprisingly simple ingredients that has become one of the most popular recipes on the Internet. Chapman says she shares credit for the recipe's fame with her long time friend Karen Farese, who helped launch the recipe to stardom by putting it in her church's cookbook. From there, Robin says that a blogger shared it, then another blogger shared it, it made its way to Pinterest, and soon after went viral, gaining the name Mississippi Roast along the way, and making it one of the most popular recipes on the internet today.

Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup-crock pot!

 This slow cooker soup couldn't be easier, simply throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker (except cream) and like magic, six to eight hours later, you have a delicious creamy entree worthy soup! The rice is tender and the chicken is ready to be shred. I saw this on Facebook and thought, this sounds like a winner!

Mushroom and Beef Stroganoff- Spud Bar!

You know what time it is????? It's COMFORT FOOD TIME!!! I have a delicious one pot, 30 minute meal for mid week or anytime!!  If you are putting your stroganoff over rice, this cooks in the time it takes the rice to cook! How easy is that!!