Art by Debbie Saenz

Stawberry & Goat Cheese Grilled Sandwich

A taste of summer freshness! When my hubby was in the waiting room at the doctors office the other week, he picked up a magazine and saw a recipe he thought we should try. So, he took a picture of it with his phone. Guess what we had for dinner that evening? 

I was a little skeptical at first since the ingredients didn't seem to go together, especially with the red pepper jelly! Well, I was pleasantly surprised after taking the first bite. It was delicious! Perfect for these hot summer days! This would be a great item to have for a ladies luncheon or tea...

Strawberry & Goat Cheese Grilled Sandwich

Ingredients: 

1 (4-oz.) log of goat cheese, softened

6 whole grain bread slices

4 1/2 teaspoons red pepper jelly

3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries

6 large fresh basil leaves

1 1/2 cups fresh watercress or arugula

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Preparation:

Spread goat cheese on 1 side of 3 bread slices. Spread pepper jelly on 1 side of remaining bread slices; layer with strawberries, basil leaves, and watercress ( I used arugula). Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top with remaining bread, goat cheese sides down. Cook sandwiches in a large, lightly greased nonstick skillet ( I used my griddle) over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden. 

Serve with a glass of white wine and a cluster of grapes. Enjoy!

Ham and Pasta Casserole...Yum!

This Ham and Pasta Casserole is really easy to whip up. Nothing beats a homemade sauce! I like to make this recipe when I have leftover ham and especially since I normally have most of the other ingredients on hand already. That means no trip to the grocery store for this one...

Cheesy goodness! 

 I made this dish last weekend and served it with stir-fried yellow squash and fresh baked crescent rolls....Yummy!!

 

Ham and Pasta Casserole

6 to 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half

2 cups diced ham

3 tablespoons butter

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

6 green onions, sliced

4 tablespoons flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic seasoned pepper or other pepper blend

dash cayenne

1 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Dice ham and set aside.

3. Melt butter in large sauce pan. Add sliced mushrooms and cook several minutes,  stirring often, until mushrooms are tender; add green onions.

4. Stir in flour and blend well; cook a few minutes until flour begins to brown slightly. 

5. Gradually stir in chicken broth and milk. Add seasoned salt, pepper, and cayenne and cook and stir until bubbly and thickened. 

6. Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed. Stir cooked spaghetti and diced ham, and 1 cup of cheese into sauce until blended well.

7. Transfer into a 2 quart baking dish and bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Add 1/4 cup of cheese and cook for 3 more minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Makes 4 very generous servings. 

Enjoy! xoxo

Tuscan Spinach and Tomato "Crustini"

I love to try new recipes and sometimes I find a real winner. I made this Tuscan Spinach and Tomato "Crustini" recipe recently and my family really enjoyed it. It's like a gourmet pizza. Yum! this recipe is a keeper! And it only took about 20 minutes to prep.

I didn't have any fresh basil leaves on hand, so I used dried basil instead. 

Tuscan Spinach and Tomato "Crustini"

1 refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box. I like to make my own. 

2 packages (3-oz each) cream cheese, softened

5 teaspoons basil pesto

1 box (9-oz) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain

1/3 cup diced red onion

2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons dry roasted sunflower kernels

1/3 cup shredded smoked provolone cheese

fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

 

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll pie crust on cookie sheet. 

2. In small bowl, stir together cream cheese and 4 teaspoons of the pesto. Spread cheese mixture over pie crust to within 1 inch of edge. Arrange spinach evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle onion over spinach. Arrange tomato slices in single layer over onion. Carefully fold 1-inch edge of crust over filling, pleating crust every 2 inches. Brush remaining 1 teaspoon pesto over edge of crust. 

3. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle sunflower kernels and provolone cheese evenly over filling. Bake 12 to 14 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and crust is light golden brown. 

4. Cool 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced basil leaves. Cut into 12 wedges.

 Throw a salad together and you have a meal. Enjoy!

I found this recipe in an old (2008) Pillsbury Bake-Off recipe booklet that I have. I like to browse through my collection of recipe books to find new and interesting recipes to try.

Through the years, I've come across some real winners. I will certainly be making this one again!  

Enjoy & Many Blessings,

Debbie xo

Bavarian Apple Cheesecake

It has been said that cheesecake is one of the most luxurious desserts around. And this one, with its fresh apples, cinnamon, and silky cream cheese filling, always gets rave reviews! I got this family favorite recipe years ago from my sister-in-law Pam. I made this delicious cheesecake twice this past weekend! 

 

Not only is it delicious, it's super easy to make!

Bavarian Apple Cheesecake 

Crust:

• 1/2 c. butter or margarine
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. flour

Filling:

• 2 (8oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

• 1/3 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 4 c. peeled, sliced apples
• 1/4 c. sliced, blanched almonds

 

• Crust: Combine butter, sugar, and vanilla. Blend in flour and mix until dough forms. Spread dough on bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake crust at 350º for 5-7 minutes, but do not brown. 
• Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar until blended and  smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Spread evenly over crust.
• Topping: Combine sugar and cinnamon; toss with apples. Place over cream cheese and sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 450º for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 300º and continue baking for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until golden brown. Do not overbake. Cool. Chill 3 hours before serving. It's best prepared the day before.

Enjoy,

Blessings xo,

Debbie

Happy Easter!

He is Risen! He is risen indeed! Today we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because He lives, we live. Alleluia!  

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26

Sunday is always a day worth celebrating and even more when it's Resurrection Sunday! After each service, it's always a beautiful time of food and fellowship.

For the special occasion, I decided to dig up my cake decorating supplies and made this cross cake. I love this cake recipe because it's so easy and very delicious. 

Hawaiian Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 eggs

1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple with juice, undrained

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 13 x 9" baking pan with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, mix everything together with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are moist.

3. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Enjoy!

 

My daughter Sarah made these beautiful Resurrection Cookies. These cookies are hollow in the center, representing the empty tomb!

On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Matthew 28:1-9

The excitement is not what it used ot be, but I think they still look forward to it.

 

Out on the deck after church. I can usually use a special occasion to lure my son Nick into a photo shoot...but after several shots he's done. However, my daughter Sarah is much more willing. I guess that explains why I have loads of pictures of her and hardly any of Nick. 

We ventured down by the creek and got some great shots. This is one of my favorite. After our photo shoot, we enjoyed a special Easter dinner. I hope and pray your Easter celebration was a joyous one :)

Sending Easter Blessings XO

Debbie

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...1 Peter 1:3