Dear Garden

Dear Garden-

You are simply put the best garden I have ever had.
You have brought me so much joy this year, as I have watched you grow (entirely from seed) in my laundry room window, to bigger pots, to finally the ground.
You were a late bloomer- not doubt about that.
But what was I do expect when we were still getting snow in June?

We normally eat everything you have to offer almost right off the vine, into my mouth or more commonly the mouth of one very-excited-she-grew-plants-to-eat daughter.

Today was a rarity, and your produce was brought inside, properly washed and sauteed in extra virgin olive oil all together.

It was delicious!
It tasted like summer and felt like thanksgiving.

We actually only ate fruit and vegetables for dinner tonight.
Sauteed Vegtables, cucumber and tomato salad, and fried plantanes.

A little strange?
Well we just have so much produce it was taking over the house.

So we feasted tonight.
on you Garden.

Don't be mad Garden.

We are so very grateful.

Crock Pot Cooking- Shredded Lime Garlic Pork Tacos

Another delicious and easy recipe for cooking in your slow cooker

Shredded Lime Garlic Pork Tacos

1lbs pork loin- really any cut will do fine
2 limes
1 yellow or red sweet pepper chopped
1 yellow or white onion chopped
3 cloves garlic pressed
1 canned diced tomatoes
pinch of pepper and salt
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1. cut your pork loin into several pieces so it will be easier to shred. Place in pot
2. zest your lime, then juice it. add both
3. chop pepper and onion and cilantro and add to slow cooker
4. press garlic into slow cooker.
5. add tomatoes and pinch of salt and pepper

6. Stir and set on low for 4-8 hours.

7. During cooking, when tender, shred pork .

8. Drain mix so it won't make your tortillas soggy.
9. Serve in corn tortillas.

*You can top with cheese and sour cream, but you won't need to -they are delicious enough without these extras.


10. Wait for polite thank yous and grinning mouths asking for seconds.

This recipe literally takes 10 minutes
but taste like something from a coastal Mexican restaurant.

Speaking of coastal Mexican restaurants...

The 1st day of our honeymoon we ate at a coastal Mexican restaurant with an eight foot crocodile sitting at our feet waiting for scraps of food to fall.
It was insane.
I can't remember what I ordered, or if the food was good, all I can remember is the crocodile trained to clean up after us.

Dessert Genius- Portale Smores

Have we talked about how I am kind of a dessert genius.

Think Bakerella meets Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

I almost hesitate to share these because they are kind of my secret weapon to impress people.

I thought of these little babies when Majesty was taking a group of Boy Scouts on a camp out where they could not have a fire.

You seriously can't have a camp out with out S'mores.

You just can't.

Thus these Portable S'mores were born in our kitchen about four years ago.
I have been making them ever since per the request of anyone who has ever eaten one.

You can try them too.

They really are a cinch and will please any camper big or small.

1. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper
2. Stick Lollipop sticks through marshmallows
3. Crush 10-15 graham crackers into bowl
4. Melt dipping chocolate however you prefer in separate bowl.
- I use Almond Bark making bars. Melt in a microwave safe bowl for 1:15 stirring twice.
5. Then dip marshmallow on stick into chocolate. Don't cover completely, and let drip for a few seconds.
6. Roll in graham cracker crumbs
7. Set to dry on top end on parchment paper
8. Wait for campers to tell you you are in fact a Dessert Genius
and that they would like S'more. :)

* I think they would also make for a fun camping themed party- or any party for that matter.
What about a kid party with paper fire and these.
It would be adorable.
I promise you it would.




linking up here

Crock Pot Cooking- Double Chocolate Bread Pudding

Yum!
Warm Double Chocolate Bread Pudding.
Want to try some.

I'll admit this recipe is a little more complicated than my usual crock pot recipe. I mean you have to do more than just gather ingredients and throw them in... but not that much more.

Ingredients
5-6 cups cubed Cinnamon bread
3 cups milk
3 eggs
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup cocoa powder

*Whipped topping, extra chocolate chips and cocoa powder for topping

1. Spray crock pot with non stick coating.
2. Bring milk to a simmer in a sauce pan- then remove from heat
3. Dump in chocolate chips and cocoa powder but don't stir- let sit for 4 minutes
4. Beat eggs in separate bowl, then add chocolate mix. Whisk until smooth
5. Add bread cubes.
6. Spoon into crock pot
7. Set on your lowest setting for 2-3 hours. It is done when it puffs up and a knife when inserted comes out clean.

8. Embellish and Serve.

Baked dessert without having to heat up the house with the oven on.
You could even put your crock pot in the garage if it did give off any heat, just don't forget about it.

Crock Pot Cooking & Saving Money

Have you heard of this blog.

Its owner Stephanie made a resolution to cook in her crock pot every day in 2008.... and hasn't stopped since.

This is awesome because.... I LOVE SLOW COOKING.

I was browsing her site today and read a post I had missed.
Save Money By Using Your Crock Pot Slow Cooker.
She details how you can SAVE MONEY while using your crock pot to cook here.

I am sure I am saving money when I cook this way. If not for the reasons she says, then because I don't panic at 5:00 that we have nothing to eat and then decide we are going to Arby's.
And also because cheap cuts of meat, dried beans, and leftovers come out of the crock pot like rockstars ready to serve to guests you hardly know and want to impress.

She has a new book out.Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking

I think it would make a lovely mother's day gift.... especially if your mother is me.

Chicken Pinapple Curry in a Crock Pot

I aired my secret here, on my addiction to cooking in a crock pot.  That being said, I have also discovered that you really can make ANYTHING in a crock pot.  Finding things that don't resemble stew or soup is not that tricky.  Just pick a family favorite, throw the ingredients in and set in on " low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low"

Behold- Chicken Pinapple Curry in a crock pot.
When we lived in the Prov, there was a small and run down Thai restaurant around the corner. They served this delicious dish, and I ordered each time we went there.  Obviously it was only a matter of time until I figured how to recreate it on my own....then try it in a slow cooker.

Here is how.

6 large chicken breasts, defrosted and cubed
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 can of pinapple chunks
2 tablespoons- 1/4 cup  curry powder-  you can vary this a bit depending on your family
chopped green onions or bamboo shoots optional

Throw it all in, give it a good stir, set it on low for 6 hours or so.

Serve it over white rice while you imagine you are in Ko Samui.
Funny enough I actually went to Ko Samui once, and didn't eat curry my entire week stay???  What WAS I thinking.