I love BBQ! Don't You?

Sweet Corn Muffins

2 eggs

1 ¼ c. milk
⅓ c. canola oil

3 Tbsp. melted butter

1 ¾ c. flour

1 c. sugar

2 Tbsp. honey

1/2 c. cornmeal

1 Tbsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

Beat eggs and add milk, oil and butter. Mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and mix with egg mixture. Pour into greased or paper lined muffin tin and bake at 350º for 18-20 minutes. (Less minutes for smaller muffins, more minutes at 325º for jumbo muffins.)

A tasty addition to a meal with barbeque!

Snickerdoodles

I was going to take a picture of these delicious cookies but I left the kitchen for a few too many minutes and my husband gobbled them up. That's how good they are. Leave off the cinnamon and they are a wonderful sugar cookie. Step aside Otis Spunkmeyer!



Gammy's Snickerdoodles
1 c. butter
1 ½ c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
⅛ tsp. salt

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla, flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll around in sugar & cinnamon mix (4 tsp. cinnamon, 4 Tbsp. sugar). Place on greased baking sheet or parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake at 350º for 6-8 minutes.
Gammy says, "You may need to add a little more flour. The uncooked balls need to hold together. The consistency of dough has to be just right. Too little flour will make them sloppy, too much and they'll be dry and heavy."
I love that Gammy! She's the best!

My Favorite Breakfast!

Have you ever had vanilla yogurt on pancakes with fresh fruit? It's way better than whipped cream and it's good for you! My favorite is Yoplait French Vanilla. There is also a Fiber One Yogurt version. Fantabulous!

Pineapple Chicken

Pineapple Chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips & pieces
1 egg, beaten
1 c. cornstarch (more if needed)
salt & pepper to taste

¾ c. sugar
½ c. red wine vinegar
¼ c. pineapple juice
3 Tbsp. ketchup
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
¼ c. chopped green onion
canned pineapple, (sliced, chunks or tidbits)

Combine sugar, vinegar, pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce and green onions in a bowl and set aside. Dip chicken in egg mixture and roll in cornstarch. Brown both sides in 2 Tbsp. oil. Reduce heat and cook until centers are no longer pink. Remove from pan and set aside. Pour sauce into hot pan and cook until thickened. Mix cooked chicken and sauce in a large bowl until combined. Serve over rice.

*For frying chicken, I like Peanut Oil because the chicken won't burn and turn dark. To get a little color in, mix peanut oil and vegetable oil.

Candied Nuts

Things are slowing and I have some special treats in the works. Be patient, they are coming.

Making salad and want candied nuts to garnish? This is a quick and easy way to get them and they are GOOD!


Candied Nuts
(A creation by Michelle)

1 ½ c. chopped nuts (1 bag)
½ c. sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp. water

Coarsely chop nuts. Place in small saucepan. Add sugar and water. Cook on medium to medium low. Sugar water will be bubbling. Stir constantly until sugar has coated and crystallized.

Sorry I have not posted any good food lately. My plate is full, so to speak. However, as the summer comes to a close, I try and squeeze a little more from my garden. I just love fresh food! How about more fresh mex?



Tomatillo Ranch Dressing

1 pkg. Hidden Valley buttermilk ranch dressing mix
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. mayonnaise
1 or 2 tomatillos
½ to 1 clove garlic, minced
½ to ⅓ bunch cilantro, chopped
½ tsp. lime juice
½ to 1 small jalapeño, seeds removed

Blend ingredients together in a blender. Add additional mayonnaise if dressing is too thin. Keep refrigerated.
*As always, if you don't have buttermilk and don't want to make a trip to the store for it, you can make a substitution: 1 cup milk to 1 Tbsp. vinegar.




Here's a treat from Heidi: Homemade Salsa!



Salsa



10-12 large tomatoes, diced (I like Romas)
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
3 limes, juiced
1 onion, chopped
1-2 jalapenos, seeded & chopped
2 serrano peppers, seeded & chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
salt to taste (use alot!)
pepper to taste