Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Bread

Some times my bread isn't eaten right away, so I typically make it into croutons. Today was not so. Instead, I whipped up this little culinary magic! It lasted about ten minutes. That's how much my family loved it! 

I can't wait to experiment with different flavor combinations! I'm making an orange glaze next time. Tossing in some chopped apples. Or how about something savory? Hmmm.... ;-) 

Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Bread

Loaf of bread, not cut 

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

~Cinnamon-Sugar mix~

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

 ~Glaze~

Powdered sugar, thinned with milk until glaze consistency 

Melt butter and stir in honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Cut bread halfway down , both ways.
Gently pull apart and drizzle with honey/butter mix.
Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mix.
Wrap in foil.
Bake on 350 for 20 minutes.
Drizzle with glaze.
Enjoy!

Grilled Sandwiches

I went to the Farmer's Market last Friday and found a favorite local bakery booth. When I'm not in the mood to make more bread (so far, made 12 loaves this past week) I like to get theirs. Mostly because they do all these specialty round breads. Vegetable Feta, Garlic Onion, Parmesan Basil, on and on. Fabulous bread! 

I figured I'd post this recipe because it's another family favorite and super easy to whip up on those days where cooking doesn't exactly sound fun! 

Once again, as with many of my posts, it isn't an actual recipe..just an idea to get you started. :) 

This week, I chose the Vegetable Feta which isn't as scary as it might sound to some! 

It had just the right amount of garlic, a few little artichoke hearts, some chopped onion, and a smattering of feta throughout...So, cut in half so you have two rounds...or two half rounds 

I forgot to take a photo of what I layered so here it is : homemade mayo mixed with avocado and tiny bit of pressed garlic, sliced turkey breast, thinly sliced tomato, some bacon, and fresh whole milk mozzarella slices. Wrap entire sandwich in foil.

Then comes the "squashing" part. Put a cutting board and about 5lbs weight on top of sandwich to press it down for about ten minutes or so. If you are using a hard bread, you will need to add about 15 more minutes to the time. This makes it almost panini style. 

Once that is done, you can either bake it on 350 for about 15-20 minutes OR grill for around ten. Either way, what you end up with is totally amazing! Crispy on the outside, gooey and everything else good on the inside. A perfect summer meal! 

Vanilla Extract

My incredible cousin Glenda who live in Malaysia came to the states recently and she came bearing gifts. Vanilla beans directly from Bali! I knew they were good beans when I could smell them through the double wrapped-sealed in a ziploc bag packaging. 

Of course the first thing I made was vanilla extract. It's a pretty basic ratio. 15-20 beans per 750mL of 80 proof alcohol (bourbon or vodka). The more pricey the alcohol, the better quality the extract. In other words, Monarch just isn't going to cut it, sorry! 

Directions are simple. Slice beans down the center, put into bottle, seal, shake around daily for a week, and then weekly for a month or so. I let mine sit for about 6 months before using though some people say they use it as soon as six weeks. It takes some time, but it is SO worth it! 

The rest of the beans are going to make my yogurt taste amaaazziinnggg! Thanks, Glenda! 

Broccoli Salad

So, I posted this recipe right when I first started the blog but the whole post annoyed me whenever I went back to it for the recipe. The photo was unappetizing and it was just a bad post. So, now, I revamped the recipe making it healthier...That's what I'm all about, you know? 

I prep the actual salad separate of the dressing and just put dressing on right when we eat. That way, it doesn't get soggy after a day! I LOVE this served in salad boats or wraps. Perfect as a side for BBQ!

Broccoli Salad

5 cups chopped broccoli

3/4 cup golden raisins

10 strips bacon

1/2 cup sunflower seeds, not roasted

1/2 red onion, chopped small 

~Dressing~

1/2 cup plain yogurt (the yog adds a kind of tang to the dressing..if you don't like that, use mayo)

3 tbsp honey

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Combine salad ingredients. Make dressing. Toss well. 

Hard, huh? :) 

All the pretty ingredients!!

All mixed up and ready to eat...super yummy! 

Breadless Lunch

So, I know people are all into going grain-free, gluten-free, carb-free, sugar-free, food-free, eating-free, etc.. (humor on the last few, folks) but I believe in all things in moderation. I won't stop eating grains or breads, I may limit the consumption, but I am not an extremest one way or the other! Phew. That being said.....

I actually LIKE not eating bread all the time! I mean, who wouldn't when you can whip up these little bite size pieces of divine?? 

First off. I HIGHLY recommend everyone in the world getting a Marttiini knife. I mean, sure, I'm proud of being a Finn and all, but even if I wasn't, I'd rave on this knife. You want to talk about literally paper thin tomato and cucumber?! My mom just brought it back from the Motherland and gifted it to me. I may never stop cutting up veg again! I sliced two cucumbers and 3 tomatoes..for no real reason. Just because it was FUN! 

So, on to my favorite breadless lunches. They aren't really recipes, per se, but just awesome combinations.

First off, this beauty. 

butter lettuce, soft swiss cheese wedge, cucumber, and tomato

Then, I made these little darlings fairly bursting with flavor! 

cucumber, roasted garlic and red pepper hummus, tomato, and feta cheese

The final one was this..

greek yog chicken salad topped with mozzarella

And, well, with so many little dudes made up, I couldn't help but eat them all. In one sitting. With a very large bottle of sparkling VOSS water..because that's how I roll!

Breakfast Biscuit Muffins

I was in a "muffin mood" today making Pizza Cups and Baked Oatmeal Muffins along with this recipe. 

A departure from my normal Breakfast Burritos, these are equally as good and a way to switch up the freezer breakfast menu!

Breakfast Biscuit Muffins

1 tube of biscuit dough (10 biscuits)

3 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup cubed meat (ham, bacon, sausage, whatever)

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Mix eggs with milk. Add cheese, meat, and seasonings. Set aside. Grease one muffin tin. Flatten biscuit dough and press into pan. Fill with about 2 tablespoons of egg mixture. Bake on 400 for 10 minutes or until eggs are set. Cool completely, bag, and freeze. Best reheated in the oven on 350 until warmed through.  

Baked Oatmeal Muffins

I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy breakfasts. Especially in the summer when it feels like I'm always out the door earlier than usual! These freeze well and they get the family stamp of approval. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Portable oatmeal! The best part is being able to customize your toppings. I made them with peanut butter and jam, figs, dates, dark chocolate chips, and apricots. This makes 96 muffins (one months worth of breakfast for my kiddos). 

Baked Oatmeal Muffins 

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

5 cups applesauce

1 mashed banana

2/3 cups brown sugar or other sweetener

10 cups oats

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut

1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

6 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

5 1/2 cups whole milk

Beat eggs. Add vanilla, applesauce, banana, and sweetener. Stir to combine. Add oats, coconut, cinnamon, powder, and salt. Stir again. Add milk. Mix well. 

Line muffin tins with liners. Spritz a dab of oil into each liner. Fill using an 1/8 cup measuring cup. Top with whatever you like. Bake on 350 for about a half hour. Remove to racks to cool. Store in Ziploc freezer bags. 

Pretty simple but nutritious! 

Pizza Braid

I've been meaning to get this recipe up for awhile but blogging just hasn't been a top priority lately! I've made this only about 4 or 5 times in the past couple months. It's a hit! I grill leftovers the next day and WOW, it's even better than fresh :). What I love about this recipe is you aren't limited to just these toppings. Mix it up with whatever YOU like on your pizza! We did cottage cheese, pesto, garlic, chicken, and mozzarella in one and I've been asked to never make any other form of pizza again...save for that one. Odd combination, but it is a winner!! 

Pizza Braid


1 recipe Herbed Pizza Dough
1 lb ground beef
1 sweet onion
1 tsp each, basil, oregano, salt
1 jar pizza sauce
shredded mozzarella cheese


Make dough and divide into three equal portions. (You can store the extra dough in the fridge for up to a week or make all three at one time.) Roll out each portion into a rectangle the exact size of the pan you will be baking on. Brown beef with onion and add seasonings and sauce. Divide beef evenly between pizza dough that has been rolled out. Top with cheese. Make evenly spaced slices along side with scissors. Begin to fold pieces over top the beef forming a braided loaf. Pinch ends together. Transfer to a greased cookie sheet. Bake on 375 for about 20 minutes. Brush with butter when done cooking.  

dough ready to have garlic and spices kneaded in

rolled out, filled, and sliced

Braided and ready to bake 

Crispy, golden pizza braid! 

Grilled Cheeseburger Wrap

Craig and I whipped these up for dinner tonight and to hear him tell, they were " the BEST way to eat a burger"! Juicy, flavorful, a little spice...perfect! Definitely not complicated or time consuming, either. Give them a try and let me know what you think! 

Cheeseburger Wraps

Burgers (best to form patties thick)

Pepperjack

Ketchup

Dijon

Roma tomato, sliced into thick ovals

Sweet onion, sliced into thick rings

Tortilla

Grill burgers. 

Lay onion and roma on grill and sear for a minute and then flip, searing other side for a little while. Put onions and roma on a piece of foil and fold into a pouch. Store on top rack of grill until ready to use.  

Lay tortilla flat and layer down center, ketchup, Dijon, and pepperjack. Cut cooked burger in half and put on tortilla. Add desired amount of roma and onion. Wrap together, spritz outside of tortilla with olive oil, and gently place back on grill, crisping/searing the tortilla closed. This takes about 2 minutes per side. 

That's it! Simple but delicious! Bacon, lettuce, avocado, whatever else would be excellent additions!  

The Absolute Best Orange Chicken

We are huge fans of Chinese food over here and Orange Chicken is the favorite. I had to try making it healthier than at your typical drive thru or deli counter. It actually surprised me how easy it is to make. With it going into the crock pot to cook, it freed up my evening. All I needed to make was some rice and voila...dinner that pleased everyone. This recipe was enough for 4 adults and 3 kids with a little to spare. :-)

Orange Chicken

4 chicken breast, cut into small squares

1 cup flour

olive oil

3/4 tablespoon salt

1/2 cup ketchup

6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate

3/4 cup orange juice

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar (I did 1/2 honey, half brown sugar)

Mix orange juice, concentrate, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and ketchup. Set aside.

Put flour on large plate. Generously coat raw chicken pieces with flour. Pour some olive oil in a large skillet and brown chicken on a little over medium heat. Chicken doesn't have to be fully cooked, just browned a little bit. Add more oil if necessary. Put browned chicken in crock pot. Pour sauce mix over top. Cook on high for 3 hours or until completely cooked through. Serve over rice. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired. 

Basic Burritos

These are pretty basic, nothing exotic or special, burritos. Tasty, hearty, filling, easy. Nothing gourmet here! But, they are Craig's favorite to have in the freezer for quick lunches. I like to have them, too, for a fast dinner that requires no thought save to preheat the oven. This recipe is for 40 burritos. Nice for stocking the freezer and better for you than commercial frozen burritos! 

Burritos

2 lbs lean ground beef (I always stick with organic when it comes to my meat)

1/2 cup taco seasoning

1 1/2 cup water

6 cups PREPARED rice

1 cup OR one can of: (make sure to rinse beans {except the refried ones} if using canned)

Black beans

White beans

Corn

Refried beans

4 cups (or one quart jar) salsa

2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin

5 cups shredded cheese

40 burrito size tortillas 

Foil (pre-cut from Costco is best!)

Begin by browning beef. Once cooked, add water and taco seasoning and let simmer for a bit. Meanwhile cook rice according to package directions. In a LARGE bowl, combine beef, rice, beans, corn, salsa, and seasonings. Mix well. Get a 2/3 cup measuring cup. Fill tortillas with scant 2/3 cup filling. Sprinkle with cheese. Roll. Wrap in foil. Freeze. 

Bake on 400 for about 20 minutes. 

(photo from Chicken Burritos showing how to fold)

Best way to foil wrap...

Roasted Broccoli

This is, by far, the best broccoli I have ever made. Crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. Healthy, too! My kids don't like broccoli at all, but this stuff? They were so sad the pan was empty! Next time, definitely making way more!!

Roasted Broccoli

Broccoli

Garlic (3 cloves per head of broccoli)

Olive oil

Salt and pepper (best fresh ground)

Line pan with foil. Don't wash broccoli. In the words of the famous Jacques Pepin "If bacteria could survive that oven, it deserves to kill me." ;-) The broccoli won't crisp properly if it's wet, so if you must wash, do it much earlier in the day and lay it out to dry thoroughly.

Anyway. Put broccoli on foil lined pan. Drizzle quite well with olive oil. Distribute minced garlic all over. Sprinkle with freshly cracked pepper and ground salt. Bake on 400 for about 15 minutes, keeping an eye on it so it doesn't burn. You want golden, not fried. 

(before cooking...it disappeared too fast to get an after shot)

Chicken Chili

I'm a fan of crock pot meals because I am more motivated in the morning than the evening! I've actually made this recipe twice this past month because my kiddos liked it well enough. The leftovers make a quick lunch! 

Chicken Chili

1 can rotel

1 can corn, not drained

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 

1 can white beans, not drained

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tsp oregano and basil

1 tsp cumin

1/2 onion chopped fine

dash of salt

2 chicken breasts, raw

1 package cream cheese

Put everything in the crock pot on low until the chicken is cooked through, about 6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Stir back into the crock pot with cream cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and serve immediately. If the cream cheese sits in the crock pot too long it'll start burning on the edges. We ate this with *gasp* MORE cheese on top and some sour cream. We like cheese 'round these parts =)

Mexican Casserole

We are big fans of Mexican inspired foods over here and I am a fan of casserole dishes. Easy to make while the kids nap, and refrigerate until time to make dinner. This re-heats in the oven quite well, too. 

Mexican Casserole

1lb ground beef

1 package taco seasoning

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Salsa

Shredded cheese

100% whole grain tortillas

Begin by browning ground beef in a pan until cooked through. Add seasoning and about 1/2 cup of salsa. Begin by layering in a 9x13 pan, 

1/2 of beef 

1/2 of corn

1/2 of beans 

a layer of tortilla

the other half of beef

some cheese

another layer of tortilla

the other 1/2 of corn and beans 

some salsa

a little more cheese

Bake on 350 until the cheese bubbles. I don't know exactly how long it was...maybe 20 or so minutes? I mostly just estimate when it's done! I served this with some chips and sour cream.

Pizza Crescents

This is a perfect go-to snack food for when company is over and you need something fast! Reminds me of party food. Something kids and adults alike will eat and enjoy! We dipped ours in pizza sauce. 

Pizza Crescents

1 roll crescents

4 cheese sticks, cut in half

24 pieces pepperoni

pizza sauce 

Unroll crescents. Place 3 pepperoni pieces at wide end. Put half a cheese stick on top of pepperoni and roll, folding corners over top when done. Bake on 375 for about 10 minutes.