Saturday, September 5, 2009

Elegant dessert on the run!

I needed a quick elegant treat this week. I didn't have a lot of time to think as I hurried through Publix in the small window I was able to shop without baby in tow. I also had no very little time prepare the desserts later. They turned out decadent, quick and oh, so yummy!

Ingredients:

Publix two bite brownies (in the bakery dept.) there are about 4 servings of 4 brownies
Smuckers Simply fruit in black cherry (you could use any of them)
1 small can Publix aerosol whipped cream

Directions:

Spoon a dab of fruit on the top of each brownie and carefully swirl with whipped cream. Arrange them on pretty dessert plates and you've got a yummy treat that looks amazing!

I've got plans to make these for a gathering I've got coming up and I'm going to sprinkle with sparkly sugar to dress them up! Yay for no baking!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Yummy!

Not this post, the ones before (-: This is not really a recipe, more of a tip I thought I'd share.

How to Keep Spinach Fresh

Things you will need:

1) Some sort of plastic storage container large enough to hold
2) a bunch of spinach and
3) paper towels.

First, wash the spinach. I know this goes against everything you've been told about keeping your produce from going bad, but spinach is really dirty when you buy it and it's probably already wet from the mister at the grocery store. Also, if there are any pieces that have already started to go bad (almost a given), it's easier to remove them if you just wash the whole bunch. Let the spinach air dry, then using your plastic container (I used a rectangular one) layer paper towels, spinach, paper towels, spinach as if you were making a lasagna until you're out of spinach or the container is full. The last layer should be a paper towel. Then, when you're ready to use just remove as much spinach as you need and the excess paper toweling. If any spinach has gone bad, or any paper towels are wet, remove those as well. This works especially well if you tend not to use the whole bunch at one time. If you notice condensation on the lid of your container (I used a see through one), you can wipe with one of the paper towels and replace with a fresh one. Spinach will keep about two weeks with this method (as opposed to about two days in the crisper drawer). Do you have any tips for keeping produce from going bad? Please share!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Let's stew this!

Hey y'all. Since Skyler shared her Brunswick Stew recipe I thought I would too. This too is one of the recipes I am famous for in my family...wait, it may be the only one. It's one of those feel good southern stews and I love sharing it with other Brunswick Stew lovers.

Skyler, I've actually been looking for a good Brunswick Stew recipe that calls for bbq sauce in the recipe so I'll be trying yours real soon.

I got this recipe from one of my managers at work several years ago. I've never varied from it because it's just so yummy, however after reading Sky's recipe I may have to try adding potatoes next time. This recipe makes a pretty large batch so use a big crock pot or you can half it and use a smaller one.


Chicken Brunswick Stew

2 large onions, chopped
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 15 oz. cans cream corn
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 12 oz. bottle chili sauce
1 14 ½ oz. can chicken broth
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tbsp dry mustard
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp pepper sauce

Place all ingredients in a big crock pot. Cook 4 hours on high or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken and shred, then return to stew.

Bon appetit!

Because I love you all...

Lynn, your recipe looks super yummy! Thanks for sharing.

Since my oven broke about 6 months ago, I've been cooking A LOT in my crock pot. I don't miss my oven one bit and I've been coming up with all sorts of good recipes. There are only two recipes I claim and am proud of: Brunswick Stew and Banana B-a-n-a-n-a-s Pudding. Today, in honor of the yucky, rainy, in need of comfort food day, I'll share my Brunswick Stew.

Ingredients:
  • 1 chicken fryer, or several breasts, or other meat you like (if you use other meat, you'll have to figure out how to prepare it, because I always use chicken)
  • can or frozen corn
  • a couple of jars of bar-b-q sauce (I like sweet & smoky, but whatever you like works)
  • instant grits
  • potatoes sliced, diced, chunked, shredded, whatever...
The great thing about this recipe, is that you can do with it what ever you want! Jonathan likes jalapenos added. Sometimes I add green beans, kidney beans,okra (OK, I never add okra, but you can), tomatoes, etc, etc, etc.

Directions:
  • Boil chicken until it shreds. I use two forks and shred it hot. Put it in the crock pot.
  • Add any veggies you want. I use corn, potatoes, green beans, or whatever I have that looks good.
  • Pour in one jar of bar-b-q sauce. Fill jar with water and shake. Pour water. If that doesn't cover the ingredients, use another jar and repeat the process. You can add as much bbq sauce and water as you like.
  • Let it simmer on low for as many hours as you have. Stir it occasionally.
  • About 10-30 minutes before you serve, add grits. If you have a full 4-6 qt crock pot, add enough for 2-4 servings of grits. If you like it really gritty, add more. If you want a bit, add less. Or, leave it out all together.
This can all be done stove top too, if you'd prefer.

Whatever the mood, whatever you have, whatever you love, this recipe can become whatever you can imagine. And, whatever you make it, it's sure to be yummy. I mean really, how wrong can you go with bar-b-q sauce and grits?!

I usually serve it with Jiffy corn bread because it's sweet and quick (ahh! That is the first thing I have missed my oven for. I guess I'll be wanting that fixed before we get too far into fall!!!) Sometimes I make stove top corn bread (Not thanksgiving stuff. In a skillet corn bread).

If anyone tries this, comment what you did and how you did it! I'd love to see what all you come up with.