Strawberry Avocado Salsa

This recipe is from a blog I frequent regularly.  Kevin Lynch's Closet Cooking has wonderful recipes. When I found this on pinterest I wasn't surprised it came from Kevin's blog.
I adapted the recipe slightly.



This recipe by the way was excellent! Great combo and will make again.

1 1/4 cups washed strawberries, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup avocado, cut into small pieces

1 jalapeno, finely diced( I used jalapeno flakes and chili garlic sauce to taste)

1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

1 lime, juice and zest( I used 1 tablespoon key lime juice)

1 handful cilantro, chopped

salt and pepper to taste( Didn't use- sprinkled with cajun seasoning)

 

Combine everything in a medium size bowl and refrigerate until cool.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and add seasoning to taste.

 

MM 45 Weeks

 Gabe picked up a harness which Max did not want to wear. He chewed on it and it was a fight to get it on. Now he likes it and keeps it on all day.

            Three days of rain and no Luna to play with! What's a puppy to do!

More Mortons

Egg Stuffed Tomato

I had one tomato left. I knew it wouldn't be worthy of a tomato sandwich even though it said it was vine ripe. Yeah, they snap the vine when the tomato is green and it doesn't get that wonderful sun to sweeten it up. Just another way for the grocery store to make money.

Since I have to watch what I eat this was something I could add and not worry about those nasty calories.

Saw the recipe on giverecipe.com and I adapted it. I used Slap Ya Mama* instead of the salt and pepper. If you like spicy you can add as much you want. I added a few good shakes.

1 tomato

1 egg

1 tsp. butter

pinch of salt and pepper

green onions chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cut top off of the tomato and scoop out the seeds

Line dish with parchment paper

Place butter in tomato

I then sprinkled some Slap Ya Mama in the tomato

Crack egg and add to tomato

Sprinkle chopped green onions on top of egg

Place in 375 oven for 25-30 mins.

If Slap Ya Mama is unavailable in your area check out THIS

Carrot Fritter with a Kick

If you follow the blog you will notice I enjoy making little cakes. You can call them croquettes or latkes it doesn't matter I enjoy eating and making them.

Might of been from my German grandmother who would make potato pancakes and would smother them with apple sauce. No matter what I still can't make a potato pancake like she did.

This is my own recipe so no links.

3 large carrots (around 3 cups)
1 small potato ( 1/2 cup- if you like potatoes add more)*
1/4 cup red onion
green onion
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
2-3 tsp. chili- garlic sauce( Brand Tuong ot toi Vietnam-  jar has roster on it)

Toss the carrots and potato in a food processor. You could grade the carrots and potato but I like a finer consistency.

When they were the consistency I wanted I added them to a large bowl.

Add the onion to the food processor and pulse. I made sure it was the same consistency as the carrot and potato.

Beat the 2 eggs in a separate bowl and add to the carrot, potato and onion. Sprinkle in the flour and add the chili-garlic sauce to taste. Cut up the green onion adding as much or as little as you like.

Use a medium pan and fry them in olive oil. I heat the olive oil and usually add a tsp. of butter to the pan.

When you see the edges of the fritter are done flip and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Drain on a paper towel.

I made a Jalapeno Relish which I topped a few of the fritters - very, very good!

* I added the potato because I had two left and needed to be used asap. I only got 1/2 cup and had to toss the rest.

MM 44 Weeks

 

Crisp Cucumber Salsa

I found this on Keeping It Together. Adapted it and thought it was very good. Think I'll try Greek yogurt next time in place of the sour cream. 

2 cups chopped seeded peeled cucumber ( I didn't peel or seed)
1/2 cup chopped seeded tomato ( didn't seed)
1/4 cup chopped red onion ( I added 3/4 cup)
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley ( didn't add)
 1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (added seeds)
 4 1/2 tsp. minced fresh cilantro
 1 clove garlic, minced ( I added 3 tsp. chili garlic sauce for additional heat)
 1/4 Cup low fat sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt( didn't add)

In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, combine the sour cream, lemon juice, lime juice, cumin and seasoned salt. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss.



 

300 Calorie Oatmeal

Two of my favorites-oatmeal and eggs whites! Great way to start the day.

Recipe adapted from Can you stay for dinner

2/3 cup old fashion oatmeal ( Used Irish Oatmeal)
1 1/3 cup water
4 egg whites, beat until nice and frothy
1/2 Tbl. salted butter(didn't add)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine oats and water and cook until it comes to a simmer. Stir and reduce the heat and cook additional 5 mins. Make sure the oats absorb most of the water.
Stir in the egg whites and the vanilla and make sure it is well blended. Stir in the butter.
Cook additional 5 mins, remove from heat and let oatmeal "rest" covered for another 5 minutes.
Serve.
I added a bit of honey to mine- delicious!

More Morton's

Best part of the day! I leave early and walk for about 2 hours. I spend a good part of the time on the beach collecting shells.

 Lions Mane Jelly Fish.They are quite common in Long Island waters as well as along the entire Atlantic coast. Biologists working in Peconic said there are a lot of them around. The underside is darker colored.

I really like this shot. When I see something I never rearrange  anything. I lie on the sand and take the shot. This was taken with my everyday lens. Would of loved to have had my macro-lens.

Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad

I picked up a large bag of carrots so you will be seeing lots of new recipes with carrots!



Panning The Globe was a great find on pinterest and adapted the recipe

2 pounds carrots, peeled and shredded in the Cuisinart

3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley

 

Dressing

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1½ lemons)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (1 teaspoon)( I used 3 cloves)

1 teaspoon salt(didn't use)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

parsley sprigs to garnish

 

Put shredded carrots and chopped parsley in a large bowl

 

Make the dressing -Whisk lemon juice and spices, I used my magic bullet. Keep whisking while slowly adding the olive oil to emulsify the ingredients.

 

Mix the dressing with shredded carrots and parsley. I also added some green onion.  Chill for an hour in the fridge and let the flavors have a party. Enjoy!

 

This keep well in the fridge a few days.

 

MM 43 Weeks

We wondered if Max would like the water. He wasn't to sure when we first got there. Then the geese started honking and he saw them and WAM into the water he went!

                                                           What happened to the clams?

                                                                    At play with Jazzy

Land Down Under

Our local dive shop did two or three trips a year. Every year they would go to Cozumel and Bonaire. This was a new trip  to Papua New Guinea and Divingabe wanted to go.  

We flew from NY to Hawaii, where we had time to rest before our next leg. From Hawaii to Australia, we also had a night to sleep then if was off to PNG.

We were on the boat a week then flew back to Australia where Gabe and I celebrated our anniversary. The rest of the group when leaving Australia flew directly back to NY. There was a stop over  in Hawaii where Gabe and I stayed for three days. Due to the dateline we were able to celebrate our anniversary again in Hawaii.
Click on the link to see photos of Papua New Guinea, a tiny bit of Australia and some of Honolulu, Hawaii

                                     PICTURES

Creamy Chicken Pockets

Adapted the recipe from Here

2 Tbl. Olive Oil (used Pam olive oil spray
2-3 small chicken breast, diced ( 1 med. chicken breast)
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 Tsp. kosher salt (didn't use)
1/8 Tsp. ground pepper
1 Tbl. butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 Tsp. seasoned salt(didn't use)
2 Tbl. milk
1 (8oz) pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls( garlic flavor)
1 Tbl. butter melted
1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
* I also added a handful of Monterey cheese to the filling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

I sautéed the chicken breast and the onions, and garlic in a pan which I sprayed with Pam Olive Oil.

Added the softened cream cheese and softened butter to a bowl and beat until smooth and then added the chicken mixture from the pan into the bowl. I also tossed in some cheese I had leftover from another recipe. At this time you can add the salt and pepper and milk and mix all together.

Separate the crescent  rolls into eight triangles ( I did 4- two triangles for each pocket that I was going to fill). Add the filling and fold the corners up and seal firmly.

Place on a ungreased baking sheet and fill the remaining dough.

Brush with melted butter ( I sprayed mine) and sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Great way to use up extra chicken.

Did you say "smile"?

Both trails at Morton's have turkeys that are always in the way. People bring bird seed to feed the chickadee's  and most of the seed falls on the ground. The poor little birds don't stand a chance with these guys around!

When they see someone, they do a stare down. It's like they are expecting to be fed!

This turkey was blocking both paths. I didn't have seed, just my camera and I must of taken 25 pictures, this being the best one out of the bunch.

Buffalo Cheese Fries

I never buy frozen fries at the grocery store. Divingabe makes the best fries. I saw THIS RECIPE and wanted to make it when Gregory was home. As usual he had to go back to work early and I had a bag in the freezer which I wanted to use up before we went back to Long Island.

I adapted the recipe.

1 1/2 bags frozen French Fries( used one bag)
1-2 Tablespoons  Olive Oil( sprayed with olive oil pam)
1 Tsp. Garlic Salt
1 Tsp. Cayenne powder
Black pepper to taste
1 cup buffalo wing sauce
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese( Mexican blend)
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese( would NEVER use)
3 green onion-sliced
1 Tbl. chopped chives( didn't use)

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

In a large bowl add the frozen fries. Coat with olive oil. Add the garlic salt, cayenne and pepper. Stir to make sure fries are evenly coated.

Put the fries on the cookie sheet lined with the parchment paper and pop in the oven for 20-25 mins, turning half way thru.

Place your Buffalo wing sauce and the butter in a pot and heat it over low until the butter has melted.

 When the fries are crispy, turn the oven on to high broil. Pour the buffalo sauce over the fries in the pan and also sprinkle with cheese. Watch closely! Takes about 2 minutes for the cheese to melt.

Take it out and add the green onion and chives.

We thought this was pretty good. It was very filling! Easy and a good way to use up those extra fries hanging around in the freezer.

Mortons

 I love Morton's. I try to get a walk in early, and if that doesn't work out I like going an hour before it gets dark.

The beach is on Peconic Bay and you can see the North Shore and Shelter Island.

The peninsula is in the background. The pole is set up for the Osprey to nest. 

The above cove is on the back side of Morton's and is also protected by Clam Island, which is the small island in the background. We had a small sailboat which Divingabe moored in the cove. It's also an excellent place to take our dogs for a swim. Rex, our first lab would clam. He would dig up a clam and then toss it in the air so it would break on the cement. Rex also loved the water and would run when we opened the gate. Rip would eat all the dead stuff along the shore and didn't care for the water. Max hasn't been down to the cove yet.

There are two trails. One directly to the beach and the other one via the woods. I usually take both when I walk it in the morning.

MM 42 Weeks

Gabe put Max on the floor after this photo was taken and he barked and barked! He wanted to get back on his lap!

It was cool yesterday and my Divingabe started the woodstove for me. Max had to come over and see if I was looking at any good recipes.

At play! He LOVES to play with Luna and she comes over and looks in the patio door and they are off to stir up the dirt.

Anne's Easy Taco Casserole

One package of ground chicken in the fridge- what to make?

Let's see. I have can corn, creamed but it's a casserole who's going to know.

I have plenty of salsa, cheese and a full bag of corn chips.

Dinner!

Saw this one on Disney Family

1 pound ground chicken ( you can use beef or turkey)

2 cups shredded cheese ( used a Mexican blend)

2 cups mild salsa

2 cups corn ( I bet it would taste great with fresh corn but since I only had canned it worked out)

1 8 oz bag tortilla chips

Fry up the chicken, when meat is browned add the corn and salsa.

Spray a dish ( original recipe used a pie plate) with Pam and crush some of the tortilla chips and layer them on the bottom. Next add your meat mixture then add the cheese and repeat till all ingredients are in your dish.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Abandoned Church

This Church  is a short walk from our home. In 30 years it was open only a few Sundays.

                                                                   Through shattered panes of broken purposes
                                             Divine hope crumbling in the soil.

Parmesan-Romano Chicken

Returned home on Saturday and needed to do some shopping on Sunday and King Kullen  had chicken on sale.

I visit the Taste Of Home Recipe Board and a member- MotherofDogs added this recipe.

The person who posted before MotherofDogs was Snowprincess in 2004 and no mention was made of where she found the recipe.

6 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts( I cut up a whole chicken)
1 yellow onion, finely chopped(didn't finely chop the onion and I also sauted onion in pan with EVOO before adding to mixture)
1 can tomato soup
1 soup can water( used a 1/2 can of water, next time would add chicken broth)
1/8 tsp. garlic powder ( used 3 cloves of garlic)
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil ( used sweet basil)
1/4 C Parmesan-Romano cheese( only had parmesan)
1 C mozzarella cheese( used  a few handfuls of Mexican Blend)

Combine the soup, water, onion and herbs. Can be blended in a food processor. I used my whisk. I sautéed the onion in evoo and added some of the sautéed onion to the bottom of a 9X13 pan, which was sprayed with Pam.
Added the chicken( skin off), and added it to the pan.
Covered the chicken with the soup mixture.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Top with the shredded cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes.

This was SO easy and very, very good.