Easy Sauted Garlic Asparagus

Easy Sautéd Garlic Asparagus

 

The asparagus in our garden is about to come up, and we are looking forward to eating some of this delicious, healthy vegetable. Did you know that asparagus is healthy for you? It has vitamin A, C, K, thiamin, riboflavin, and folate?   According to Live Science, asparagus helps to regulate blood sugar levels, lower type 2 diabetes and slow down the aging process. 

Ingredients

1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. butter
1 lb. asparagus trimmed
salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

In a cast iron skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium high heat. Add asparagus.  Sauté the asparagus until it is golden brown. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add garlic.  Sauté for about 1 minute.

Lower the heat to low.  Cover and cook the asparagus until it is tender, about 5 to 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste

 Serve and enjoy.

Notes

You can leave the asparagus in long spears, or cut into 1 to 3 inch pieces.

Crispy, Spicy Chicken Thighs

 A simple, yet easy recipe for chicken thighs. Homemade seasoning sprinkled over the top brings out the flavor, and the meat is tender and juicy when it comes out of the oven.

Ingredients

6 to 8 chicken thighs
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil.

In a bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, paprika and cayenne pepper. Mix the seasoning well. 

Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken thighs. 

Sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of the chicken. You can use as much or as little of the seasoning as you like. If you have extra seasoning, you can store it in a sealable bag or a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165° when tested with a meat thermometer.  If the juices run clear, and the meat is not pink at the bone, then the chicken is fully cooked.

Barbecue Sauce

Making your own barbecue sauce is so easy to do. The prices of bottled barbecue sauce have skyrocketed.  This recipe has spices to bring out the flavor that will compliment any type of meat that you serve it on. We use this recipe on pork, ribs, beef, or chicken.

Ingredients

2 c. ketchup
2 c. tomato sauce
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. molasses
4 tsp. liquid smoke
2 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. chili powder

Directions

In a sauce pan, add, ketchup, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke, butter, paprika, salt pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, celery seed, cinnamon, and chili powder.  Mix until the sauce is smooth and thoroughly combined. 

Turn the stove on medium high heat and bring the sauce to a bubble. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until thickened.

Lemon Blueberry Quick Bread

If you like lemon flavor and blueberries, you will love this quick bread. It will give you a burst of springtime flavor. This quick bread does not take long to make and everything mixes in one bowl.

Ingredients

1/3. c. butter
1 c. sugar
3 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 c. nuts, (optional)
2 Tbs. lemon zest

Glaze

2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/4 c. sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.

In a bowl, combine butter, sugar, lemon juice, milk, eggs and vanilla.  Beat well until smooth and creamy.

Add baking powder, salt and flour. Mix only until combined.

Gently fold in the blueberries and lemon zest. 

Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. 

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and placing the bread on a wire rack.

While the bread is still warm, prepare the glaze.

In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and sugar together.  Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread. Allow the bread to cool completely before cutting and serving.

Pasta Skillet Philly Cheesesteak

 

This is a one skillet meal that is quick and easy and packed with healthy vegetables, ground beef, cheese and pasta.  It is quick and easy to make and so much better than the boxed hamburger meals that you can buy.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, sliced into half circles
1 tsp. salt, divided
1 sweet bell pepper, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
8 oz. uncooked pasta, (rotini, shells, elbow, etc.)
2 (14.5 oz.) cans beef broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese, cheddar, provolone
1 1/2 c. shredded pepper jack cheese

Directions

In a large cast iron skillet, over medium high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, and stir, breaking up the ground beef into small pieces.  Add the onions, bell pepper and garlic. Stirring frequently, cook until the ground beef is done, and the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the beef stock and add the pasta into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper as desired.  Bring to a boil.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender. 

Mix in half of the cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese.  Stir until the cheese melts. 

Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top and cover with a lid for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted. 

Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Try adding some mushrooms if you like mushrooms.

Use a variety of cheeses for flavor.

If you like spicy foods, cut up a hot pepper or two and add that when you add the onions, and bell pepper.

Apple Oatmeal Cookies

These apple oatmeal cookies are soft, chewy and delicious.  Seasoned with spices and apples, they are a perfect treat or snack to eat during the day. Serve them with coffee, or a glass of milk.

Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 cups four
3 c. oatmeal, (we use old fashioned oats)
1/2 c. dried apples, chopped or use 1 cup peeled apple, chopped fine

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Cream butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. 

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. 

Stir in the cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and flour. Mix well.

Mix in the oatmeal and apples.

Drop by rounded tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. 

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown in color.

Allow the cookies to stay on the cookie sheet for at least a minute before removing them and placing them on a wire rack to cool.

BBQ Pulled Pork

 

Cooking pork low and slow in the oven gives you a tender, juicy, cut of meat.  You can either cook the pork roast in the oven, or in a slow cooker. It takes no time at all to prepare this meal, as the longest time is in the baking.  This recipe is perfect for family get-togethers, or when you work all day, and you just want to come home to a deliciously prepared meal.

Ingredients

1 tsp. vegetable oil
4 lb. pork shoulder roast with most of the fat removed
1 c. barbecue sauce (use your favorite, or you can make your own)
1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 Tbs. mustard
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs. liquid smoke
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 onion, chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tsp. thyme
8 hamburger buns (bought, or you can make your own Hamburger Buns)

Directions

Preheat oven to 180° to 200°. 

Place the pork roast in a roasting pan.

In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce, vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, chili powder, onion, garlic and thyme. Mix well until thoroughly combined.

Pour the sauce over the top of the roast.

Bake for 10 to 12 hours, or until the pork shreds easily with a fork.

Remove the roast from the oven. Shred the meat using 2 forks.  Mix the meat with the juices in the pan.  

Place some of the pulled pork into the buns. Serve and enjoy.