Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread

Not that long ago I posted this recipe for homemade garlic bread with the secret ingredient, honey. I loved this recipe, but John did not so I tried another version. Again, I thought these very good, but John, not so much. So I will share it with you but will be trying to find that right combo that both of us like. If you have a tried and true recipe, please share!


Ingredients:
1 loaf Italian bread
4 TBLS. butter, softened
1/2 TBLS. minced garlic
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
oregano


Slice loaf of bread in half, lengthwise. Mix garlic into softened butter. Spread evenly on both open faced sides of bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, then mozzarella and oregano.


Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 ten minutes. Turn oven to broil and broil just until cheese begins to brown. 


Cool slightly, slice and enjoy!

Photo Challenge, Starts with "L"

Good morning, friends! 


Not feeling very "wordy" today. So I will leave you with this darkly edited (which for some reason I am loving) photo I entered in the Photoblog Challenge, Starts with "L". Make sure and stop by their blog. Some amazingly talented photographers!


Have a great day!

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes and cheese...yes please! These potatoes are light and tasty. A great side for almost any meal. If you can't find Dutch yellow potatoes at your local grocer, any potatoes will do. Just adjust your roasting time more or less, depending on the type you choose. Test with a fork about 1/2 way through the cooking time to help prevent them from becoming over cooked.


Ingredients:
8 - 10 baby Dutch yellow potatoes
5 - 6 tsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 TBLS. olive oil
garlic powder, to taste
sea salt and black pepper, to taste
fresh chopped parsley (garnish)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non stick spray. Set aside. 


Boil potatoes for 5 - 6 minutes, drain and cool.


Once cooled, slice into fourths and combine with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and place in prepared baking dish.


Roast in oven for 30 - 35 minutes, testing for tenderness with a fork. Re-season with spices if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.


Delish!

Slow Cooker Cajun Pork Loin

I thought I would try something new other than the traditional pork loin I normally make a couple times a month in the crock pot. All three of us love how tender and juicy a tenderloin in the crock pot can be. This recipe also produces some really tasty juices to make a light gravy with and the pork practically melts in your mouth. Serve with your favorite potatoes and be ready for seconds!

Ingredients:

1 small onion

1 small green pepper

3 TBLS. butter

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 each salt, white pepper and pepper

1/2 tsp. ground mustard

1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce

1 boneless pork loin roast (about 4 lbs)

2 tsp. cornstarch

2 tsp. cold water

Finely chop vegetables and saute in a large skillet with the butter until tender. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Stir in all seasonings and hot pepper sauce.

Cut roast in half. Cut several slits in roast within 1/2 inch from the bottom. Place in slow cooker. Spoon vegetable mixture into the slits and over the top of the roast. Cover and cook on low 6 - 8 hours.

Transfer roast to a serving platter and cover to keep warm. Pour cooking juices from slow cooker into a small saucepan. Combine cornstarch and water in a separate bowl until smooth and then stir into the pan of juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over the roast. 

Thursday Photo Challenge ~ Two

You know what a camera is? A mirror with memory.

~Anonymous~

I linked up with Spun with Tears.

Taco Roll-Ups

Good morning! It seems as my successes in cooking and baking add up, so does my list of "I want/need to try that". In fact, I tried four new recipes yesterday and they all were definite keepers. Not only is my family eating better, but I am having so much fun too!

These roll-ups lasted about 5 minutes. If you like tacos, this is a neat way to add a twist (literally) to your menu.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 envelope taco seasoning

2/3 cup water

1 lb. frozen bread dough, thawed

2 cups grated medium cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef. Drain. Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll thawed dough into a long rectangle, about 20 x 8 inches.

Spread ground beef over dough, leaving about 1 inch of dough on each long side free of filling. Top with grated cheese. Roll up as for cinnamon rolls, starting with the long edge closest to you. Pinch seam to seal.

Slice the roll into 1 inch thick slices with a serrated knife. Place rolls 2 inches apart onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

If any filling falls out, just press it into the top of the rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve warm with salsa or sour cream for dipping. Yum!

Beef and Broccoli ~ Dust Off Those Woks

I have not cooked using a wok before this recipe. At least not that I can remember. I had my brand new wok collecting dust in the corner, meaning to try it but not quite getting around to it (for like two years!). I can't imagine why not because not only are the creations sooo good but it's also a lot of fun! I loved using mine and hope to share many more wok recipes with you in the future. NOTE: in my excitement, I saved the wrong photos from my sd card and am only left with this horrible one. Don't let it stop you from trying this recipe though, it is amazing.


Marinade:
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sugar
1 TBLS. cornstarch
1 TBLS. low sodium soy sauce
1 TBLS. water
2 TBLS. olive oil
1.5 lbs. steak of your choice, sliced into thin strips


Whisk together baking soda, sugar, cornstarch, soy sauce, water and olive oil in a large bowl. Toss the steak in the marinade to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.


Then gather these ingredients:


1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 TBLS. brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBLS. flour
3 TBLS. olive oil
2 heads of broccoli, crowns only


In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and flour until smooth. Set aside.


Heat 2 TBLS. of the oil in a large wok over high heat until simmering. Add broccoli and saute 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer broccoli to a plate.


Carefully add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the wok. Add the marinated steak and half of the sauce mixture. Saute for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring often, until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink. Stir in the broccoli and the remaining sauce. Saute 1 minute more. Serve over rice.


*make sure and use LOW sodium soy sauce or this will be much too salty.