Whole Wheat Ginger & Honey Waffles

The Dishes Are Done, Man!

David bought me a waffle-maker for Christmas.  I've made waffles every day since!! I love it.  Today I made whole wheat honey waffles for lunch! I topped them with homemade honey butter, homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of honey.  They were AMAZING!  And don't let the "homemade" part get you down, it was seriously EASY - anybody can do this.  Kenny makes delicious waffles in this movie...

You will need:
(Batter)
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ginger
2 eggs
1 c. milk (or more if it's too thick)
1/4 c. honey

(Honey Butter)
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 tbs. honey

(Whipped Cream)
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. sugar

Mix all batter ingredients together until combined and pourable.  Pour onto waffle-maker and cook according to it's instructions - mine says not to open until steam is no longer visible.  To make butter - put cream and honey in a bowl and use your electric mixer to mix.  It will first turn into whipped cream, keep mixing until it falls and turns into butter - a few minutes.  To make the whipped cream, put cream and sugar in bowl and mix with electric mixer until firm peaks are made.  Once I topped the waffles with the butter and whipped cream I drizzled on some more honey. Enjoy!

xoxo

Niecerbug

Holiday Ham Leftover Soup

No Soup For You!

I made a ham for our Christmas Dinner and I didn't want to waste it.  There was so much yummy meat and fat left on that big ol' bone, I couldn't bear to toss it in the trash! I thought of Seinfeld and the Soup Nazi.  What better way to get rid of some holiday leftovers!!

and I can't get the video uploader to work. lovely.

You will need:

Leftover ham on a bone
Leftover roasted sweet potatoes
Chicken stock & water
4 Potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
Heavy cream
Fresh parsley
Salt to taste

In crock-pot add ham with chicken stock and water until the meat is covered.  Let cook on high all day.  About an hour before you plan to eat add potatoes.  I also added the roasted sweet potatoes (they were from Christmas dinner - cubed, and roasted with olive oil, honey, salt & pepper).  After an hour the potatoes will be nice and soft.  Remove the bone.  Use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the mixture into soup.  Once poured into bowls, swirl in some cream and garnish with parsley. Enjoy the leftovers in this hearty soup.

 xoxo

Niecerbug

Not Your Mother's Spaghetti Sauce

Could You Dig It?

In 1977 two brilliant things happened.  The first being the birth of my beloved husband David.  Second the hip-swaying-finger-pointing-foul-mouthed movie that brought big-screen stardom to John Travolta.  Saturday Night Fever! Whenever I make spaghetti David always makes reference to this movie "Your mother's spaghetti sauce don't drip! It don't taste, and it don't drip!" Well, my spaghetti sauce is thick so yeah, it don't drip - but it taste! GOOD!

You will need:

1 lb. ground beef

2 garlic cloves - chopped

1/2 onion - chopped

1 zucchini - chopped

1 can Italian stewed tomatoes

3 oz. tomato paste

4-5 sprigs fresh oregano

1/2 c. red wine

balsamic vinegar - swirl once around pan

olive oil - swirl twice around pan

noodle of your choice - cooked to package directions

In large skillet add oil, garlic, onions and zucchini until onions become translucent.  Add ground beef to brown.  Add balsamic vinegar and red wine to deglaze - I used a Cabernet Sauvignon.  Pour in the tomatoes, tomato paste and oregano.  Bring to a simmer.  The sauce will be thick and delicious.  After the noodles are prepared add this sauce and be ready to EAT.  Serve with a crusty loaf of bread smothered with butter and garlic. This recipe freezes well.  Perfect for expectant parents, lonely neighbors or those nights when you just don't want to cook! 

xoxo

Niecerbug

Spicy Tim Curry Stew with Cilantro-Dumplings

Beep Beep Richie!

This stew is a perfect accompaniment to a good old scary movie.  Not only did Stephen King ruin clowns for me but Tim Curry is now forever terrifying in my mind; no matter his acting role! IT is one of my favorite books and movies!  Curl up on the couch with your jammies and this big bowl of spicy! Don't forget the milk. 

You will need:

chicken breast - enough for 4: sprinkled with salt, pepper & turmeric

2 tbs. olive oil

1/2 onion - chopped

2 stalks of celery - chopped

2 carrots - chopped

1 can of garbanzo beans

1 can coconut milk

2 cups chicken broth

2 tbs. curry

1 tbs. cayenne pepper

biscuit mix

handful of cilantro - chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Swirl the oil in a large deep skillet.  Brown the chicken, then remove to grill to finish cooking.  Throw the veggies into the pan until the onions become translucent add the chicken broth to deglaze. Add the beans, curry, cayenne and coconut milk.  Toss in the grilled chicken and bring to a boil.  In the meantime prepare the biscuit mix according to package directions (mine was a "just add water" kind) now mix in the chopped cilantro. Drop spoonfuls of the cilantro-biscuits onto the stew.  Put the skillet into the oven for about 10 minutes or until the dumplings are done. Serve in a great big bowl - or eat straight from the pan if you want!! Even though this dish is zippy on your tongue; I promise you will go back for seconds. Or thirds.

xoxo

Niecerbug

Rocky Road Holiday Fudge

Never Say Die!

I can't help but say "Rocky Road?!" in the voice of Sloth from The Goonies (my all-time favorite movie!)  This recipe however is not ice-cream but a delicious sweet and salty holiday fudge.

You will need:
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bag butterscotch chips
1 bag mini marshmallows
1 small can cocktail peanuts
1/2 cup favorite peanut butter

In a microwavable safe bowl heat in 35 second intervals both bags of chips until smooth.  Plop in the peanut butter and stir in the marshmallows and peanuts.  Once all combined pour into 13x9 dish and refrigerate until firm.  Cut into bite-size squares and devour!  Or share if you have some enemies you need to keep close.  I had a few squares before breakfast...even before I started the coffee.  They are addicting too, so beware.  Everybody loves this treat - it's the perfect hostess gift! Buy a festive tin and ribbon and you just gave an angel some wings! Good job.

xoxo
Niecerbug