Well now this plate is a messy plate. I should have done a better presentation however after several glasses of wine while watching the game what can you expect. Actually this photo is what was left of our dinner. A photo after the fact but non the less you get the idea.
Honey, spicy, bbq chicken wings.
Ingredients:
2 dozen chicken wings( I halved the recipe for the two of us)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Cooking spray
Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup barbecue sauce preferably hickory smoke flavor
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons hot sauce( I used Tabasco but use what you like)
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degree's
Wash and dry the wings, season with the salt, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne, sugar and paprika.
Spray a cookie sheet with the cooking spray.
Place the wings in a single layer on the cookie sheet and place in the oven.
Bake for 35-40 minutes depending on size and turning once.
While the wings are baking make the sauce and slowly simmer the sauce ingredients over the lowest heat.
When the wing are done baking , sauce them well and put back into the oven for another five minutes or so until the sauce is bubbling on the wings.
(What we did was put them under the broiler instead of the oven as we like a little crisp at the edges.) Either way works.
This is a good and simple recipe. I like doing something like this better than just tossing on some Franks hot wing sauce. I used frozen party wings and they were big and plump. We wound up not making the sweet potato fries as we had lots of veggies with the blue cheese dunk and twelve party wings for just the two of us.
So we filled ourselves with game fare and we won the game, so a good experience. However the game was a little ugly in the first half as Washington State held us and our defense got worn down as they always had the ball. But the end result is what is important. So we are 7-1 now. Too bad we played LSU for our very first game and lost. Not a good choice. We feel Stanford is going to be our strongest opponent.
A gray Sunday today but very warm. My sis in law called and wanted to know if I wanted to get out of the house for a bit. Hubby was working so I said yes that sounds good. So we went to Bi-Mart as she wanted to pick up a few things. So I threw a few things in the cart also that were a good buy. We made another stop and then back. I was overdressed with a long sleeve tee and lightweight hoodie. As I said it is humid out, feels like spring. I actually left the back door open for a while this afternoon.
I read that is not the case on the east coast. Snow and lots of snow already just in time for Halloween. Something is wrong with this picture. Poor folks I wonder what fury will be unleashed there later in the winter season.
I am making chicken noodle soup with the yummy cheesy biscuits this evening. A simple chicken soup. I have the boneless chicken thighs simmering away now. I will then chop the meat into small pieces. Strain the broth and set aside both.
I then will put a little olive oil into the pot and saute, diced celery, onion, garlic, shallots and carrots. When tender I add the chicken back in add the strained broth and seasonings. I like to use a little basil and thyme, a squirt of ketchup(secret weapon) salt and pepper. I let all simmer for a half hour or so. Then I add egg noodles being careful not to add to many. As we all know noodles will suck up the liquid and we do not want stew just soup.
I am going to make those favorite cheesy biscuits of ours. They go so well with chicken noodle soup. I know I am addicted to biscuits. How many times have I talked about biscuits in my blog? What is wrong with me? A biscuit fetish? I must take after my Mom in that respect. She was a big biscuit maker. Seems we always had biscuits. I used to love sandwiches made with a biscuit. A wonder we were not a plump family but we were not. Of course we lived on a farm and everyone was busy doing something most of the time. There were no computers,video games, cell phones, we never even had a TV in my younger years. So we were always busy creating our own entertainment. Better I am thinking.
I bought some pumpkin scented candles today at Bi-Mart. I love the smell of pumpkin and also spiced cider. However we are not a fan of pumpkin pie in this family. I finally just gave up making pumpkin pies about five years ago. My children and grandchildren always wanted a slice of the apple pie as I always made both kinds. I was always running out of apple pie. Hmm a light bulb went off. So I asked do you all like pumpkin pie? Not really Mom, I don't think so Grandma. So that was it. I do not like it nor does hubby. So now it is apple pie with our local dairy vanilla ice cream and my wonderful rum cake that the adults always love with a scoop of that silky ice cream.
It appears there may be 3, 4 or 5 at our Thanksgiving table. Not many but like I always say whoever comes every year are the ones who should be gathered together. I personally feel it is a sad thing when people put pressure on others at holiday time to be together. Every year relationships change others come into our family and so on. Everyone should truly do what they like.
I just know I had better serve what I have served for years or whoever comes will be disappointed. No one in my family wants a change of menu on Thanksgiving day. Well except for the pumpkin pie.
Well I have been rattling along as usual. Time has flown by and hubby is home now so I want to spend some time with my sweet man.
Have a sweet Sunday evening.
We were here last week and as you can see from the blue skies the weather turned magic for us. We spent warm afternoons on the little deck at our hotel and breezy strolls on the beach and soul wrenching sunsets. There is only hotel on the beach in Florence. This is so nice in a way as the beach is not overloaded with folks especially in the winter. There were times when we walked that we only shared the beach with sea birds. The wind was chilled at it's edges walking into it, but with our backs to the wind the sun was warm enough to keep us toasty in our windbreakers. The morning walks were the best of all. No wind, no people, just the roar of the ocean and the chatter of the gulls. Hubby found nine perfect sand dollars on the untouched early morning beach.
We had a lovely brunch which is something we adore doing. Eating a late breakfast/early lunch while watching the bright frosted waves roll onto the golden shore. We chuckled watching the sandpipers. How they skitter about staying so closely together. From a distance they look like Styrofoam packing bits blowing about in a tight cluster.
We had a good lunch the day before at our favorite pub in Old Town. Actually Florence is quite a charming little city that we enjoy very much. There is Old Town, the river and bay also a nice boardwalk and marina. Seems there is always something take photo's of. The best part though it is less than an hour from our door step. We are going to try to make it over again in November.
I am not going to write much now as we have the OREGON game today. They are playing WA. state.
I am preparing today for the game, honey, spiced glazed chicken wings, Mom's original chunky blue cheese recipe, assorted veggies for dunking and sweet potato fries. Rather a fattening little feast but it is game day and you know how folks love their football fare.
I will take a photo of the wings and post the recipe tomorrow.
I have not ventured out today yet for my walk. The streets are wet though it is not raining now. It is not cold just rather damp and dreary looking. But I must do my daily duty without fail. It is the only thing that keeps the weight off.
Have a lovely weekend no matter what your pleasures.
Till later.
This Sunday is my grandson's Tyson's 28th birthday. I am posting this today as my weekend is jammed full and I may not get another chance.
These are few photo's taken at various times over the past couple of years. We so enjoy Tyson. He was an adorable baby with his head full of blonde ringlets and his bright blue eyes and big smile and the best part was he was so so good. He was a young boy with a big, fun personality and he grew into a thoughtful, delightful, caring young man. We love him so there's nothing more to say but HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYSON.
Hubby is working today and I am loaded with projects in the house. Tomorrow is an OREGON game so will not get much done other than watching the game as it falls in the middle of the day. Then Sunday I am getting us ready for our trip to the beach for a few days.
I really lack for things to talk about in the line of food today. Dinner tonight is BLT's with fries. Last night we had a potato,bacon, spinach soup with cheese toasts. Oh I will share how I do my cheese toasts they are crunchy with melty cheese on top add a dash of Tabasco and perfection.
Zo's Cheese toasts.
Toast your fave bread. We like sourdough or something husky.
After toasted medium spread your fave hot sauce or salsa on each slice. We like pace medium salsa if we do have our home made on hand. Or another good spread is Taco Bravo medium or just mild taco sauce if that is what you prefer. Then top each slice with a good amount of grated cheese, preferably cheddar but last night we used a combo of Jack/Colby cheese. Sprinkle the tops with paprika and pop under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browning. Serve immediately.
So gooooood! Believe me. Of course you can do anything to the tops to make them special. Here are some idea's. Minced onion, herbs, jalenpeno slices, sliced olives. Also if you really love the heat, use pepper jack cheese. Just be creative.
I must walk now even though it is dull and drab outdoors. Where is the sun? Yesterday it came out at after four pm, what a waste as it was dark in no time.
Tyson have a grand birthday weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing. We are thinking of you with all our hearts.
Till Later.
Cluck, cluck, cluck. A mighty bowl of goodness. Such a simple recipe I have made it twice yet I cannot recall what magizine I clipped it from. Hubby likes it also.
Here is the recipe.
Chicken with lemon and olives served over couscous.
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons couscous
grated peel and juice of one lemon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 - 1/2 pounds of skinless boneless chicken thighs(patted dry)
1 small onion thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic sliced
2 tomatoes cored, seeded and cut into small cubes
1/2 cup pitted green olives quartered (we like them whole).
Bring 1 - 1/4 cups water to boil
Stir in couscous, lemon peel and 2 tablespoons olive oil season with salt and pepper.
Cover and let stand 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Meanwhile in a large non stick pot or large skillet heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and working in batches brown the chicken thighs till golden. Remove from pan and transfer to a plate, add the onions and garlic to the pan cover and cook stirring occasionally until soft and golden about six minutes.
Return the chicken to the pan stir in the tomatoes, olives and lemon juice and 1/2 cup water. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens. Serve over couscous.
This dish is lemony and tart from the olives, a really nice combination of flavors. The first time I made it I served it over egg noodles it was so yummy. So I suppose you could it over most types of pasta or rice as well.
Well I have had one busy morning. So I need to plop in my chair a while as my back is starting to nag a bit at me.
Enjoy the day.
Hubby is sad no more peppers this year. These were the last, he picked them yesterday. He is going to roast them and make salsa of course.
We also picked the remains of our tomatoes. We will have a few green ones large enough for fried green tomatoes. The others go into a brown paper bag to ripen. They ripen like magic once they get going, like one or two a day. So we will have a few yet to enjoy. It is always sad when the garden is done for the season.
We made a fire again last night in the fire bowl on the deck. It was another clear black night with sparkling stars. We sipped wine and listened to quiet music as not to annoy others. We lingered outdoors for about two and half hours enough to burn our supply of wood. It is a nice thing to do at the end of the day rather than sitting in front of the telly. We talk, share and plan or are just silent with our thoughts. Contentment abounds.
We wound up of having steak last night and I am so glad we did as it was an incredibly juicy perfectly grilled steak. I have mentioned numerous times how I do our steaks. We never go out for steak as they are scrumptious at home why bother. So we dined on steak and salad. I love an easy meal like that sometimes.
For our OREGON game this Saturday we are grilling fat franks served up with sauerkraut, my home made relish, chopped onions and lots of mustard. Hubby wants tater tots to the side..........not my thing. But I will buy him some as he gets in the mood for junk food at times.
We have a little fun trip planed for a few days. We will be off the coast to stay at our fave place. We are so looking forward to this little escape as it was been a while. I checked the weather seems we are in luck. Mostly sunny how nice. We do not mind if it storms at the beach because you take what you are given and make the most of it. But walking on the beach is a love of ours so the sunny weather will be a big plus.
My dryer has been beeping it's annoying beep for a bit now so best get to my laundry chores.
Have a lovely Wednesday.
Ciao
Oh don't you just love fall?
This was our evening scene last night. A night with twinkling stars turning on in a black sky found us far below sitting on our deck all cozy by the fire bowl. Hubby flipped the lights on around the nook window on the outside, they are chili pepper lights. Indoors lights also surrounds the window with an ugly ghoul hanging there. Scary! No not really.
While the fire was snapping outdoors cheese biscuits were baking in the oven. I brought a small plate out and we ate the hot biscuits with butter dripping between our fingers while hugging the fire.......heaven. It was so homey and made life seem so simple and perfect at that moment.
I will share that biscuit recipe now it is the best cheddar biscuits ever and so easy and never fail to please.
Easy cheddar biscuits.
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter-cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup milk
Preheat oven to 450. Mix flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, sugar and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheddar cheese and milk, stir until the mixture forms soft dough.
Place on slightly floured surface and knead about 8 times. or until smooth.
Do not overwork the dough.
Pat out into a 6 inch square. Cut into 9 equal squares. place on greased baking sheet(I use my silicone baking sheet so I do not use grease) Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Spread with butter or cream cheese is good also.
Makes nine biscuits.
So so yummy bet you can't eat just one!
Tonight I am finally getting around to making the Italian chicken dish with green olives, lots of garlic and an array of other good things. I will serve with couscous. I will share the chicken recipe tomorrow.
I made my one bowl chocolate cake yesterday also. A good rich cake made with cocoa powder. I just lightly sprinkle the top with confectioners sugar. I do not make the cake in layers rather make a single 9 -1/2 inch layer.
It turned into a pristine day here but it did not start out that way. It was cold and grim until about noon. At one PM it was a different world out there.
I was walking and talking to my brother who was fishing on Silver Lake. He said it was gorgeous there also. It is his birthday today so he was doing something he so enjoys that made me happy. He never keeps the fish he catches. He releases them back in to their little world. So sweet.
There are a few trees turning but most still have green leaves. The ones that are red, gold and yellow surely stand out.
Is there anything prettier than bright trees against a deep blue autumn sky? It always make me feel nostalgic for some reason. Memories stir bringing to mind thoughts of my folks, brothers and life in the country when I was a young girl. We had so many leaf trees the property was a blaze of color this time of year.
Well on those sweets thoughts I will close for the day.
Walk out your door and grab some leaves plop them in a vase to add a bit of color and nostalgia to your day.
Later.
Good morning and what a grand day it is! I feel so good this morning not because I slept well but regardless I seem to have a abundant amount of energy.
Maybe because it is game day. I always love watching OREGON play. Hubby is working today but will be home in time for tonight's game.
We had a mouthful of pleasure last night. This fish pictured above was succulent and juicy and so mild. We ate all but two pieces which I will have today for lunch atop the last of the salad and dressing.
It is still gray this morning though it is early yet. We are to have sun and 68 degree's today what an unexpected that treat that is.
I will walk after the clouds evaporate so I can stroll along in the warm sunshine.
Game fare today is chili and those good cheesy muffin's and I will post that recipe on the next blog. I am a sucker for a good muffin or biscuit. My sweet Mommy always made biscuits from scratch and they were so yummy. When young when I would smell biscuits in the oven I was already imagining them with a thick slather of Mom's berry jam. Eating them was such a pleasure a soft warm biscuit with that good jam dripping between your fingers. I still love biscuits with jam though I try not just put a light smear on them.
Speaking of jam I must get to the farm on Monday and buy frozen berries. I hope they have some bags left as they are on sale this weekend as it is a busy
weekend for all the farms. Hay rides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and all. All the farms have a nice variety of berries. I try to get the mixed bags if I can which usually consist of blackberries, marion berries and raspberries. It is a good blend but if not available this year I may just go for the blackberries. I will only make about half dozen 1/2 pints. I make freezer jam rather than cooked. I just think it offers more of a fresh flavor. My Mother made both kinds. But in the early years most cooks made the cooked jams as freezer jam was kind of new thing to wrap your head around. I recall Mom standing at that hot stove stirring those big cauldrons of jam as she made dozens of jars of all varieties. I adore that sweet jammy aroma filling the house, there is nothing better.
Well I have the majority of the house tidy already this morning but other chores still await me so best get to it.
If you are OREGON DUCK fan do not forget the game at seven fifteen. It should be a good one.
