Three Checks In for June

"The summer wind keeps rolling in from across the sea".

This summer is flying by and I am finally catching up on my menu posts. I did June's menu in June in fact but haven't had a chance to post about it yet. It was a huge hit for me and for Mr. #3 it was so-so. It was so easy and I had a great time making most of it.

The pie was incredible but I would not repeat that crust recipe. The whole wheat sounded so much better, healthier and exciting that a whole wheat pie crust existed! It tasted great but was terrible to work with.

The main dish is a definite re-do at the #3 household but hold the snap peas. Something about them just didn't work in this recipe. I ate it up and enjoyed every bite! Enjoy the pictures! :)

                                                      

Gal 2 is July complete!

Well, July was definitely easy. Both the chicken and the potatoes took about 5 minutes, if that, to prep, and then you just let them cook.

 I made some changes to the spices in the chicken recipe. Instead of basil I used thyme. I just thought basil on chicken with beer was an odd combination. As you can see from the photo I used a lime beer. I thought you could taste a little lime, but I was the only one. So it must have just been in my head!

 My spice blend.

I also sliced a little onion and celery and threw that in the crockpot for flavor. I can't tell if it did anything or not. I used fresh chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) and cooked them on high for 3 hours and then they were probably on low for another hour. Mr. #2 thought the chicken was really good and really moist... I thought it was just alright. But if he liked it, I will be making it again because it was EASY!

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Somehow I took zero pictures of the potatoes. I swear I made them. Surprisingly we didn't like them. I think maybe it was the "artificialness" of using a packet containing who really knows what... but they were just odd tasting and on the dry side. And I didn't even use the whole seasoning packet (maybe half or less) or cook them the full 45 minutes. Mr. #2 said he thought they tasted "funny" and "sweet". I'd much rather use kosher salt and fresh herbs!! And doing it that way isn't any harder. The cheese at the end however was a good idea! Will do that again.  

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The cookies also were another easy thing to make. Just threw together the ingredients, then I used my cookie scoop and every 10 minutes another dozen cookies came out of the oven! No chilling needed. Mr. #2 said he couldn't tell any difference in the taste of the cookies (compared to a normal one) and he liked them. He also really likes soft cookies. I could tell a slight difference in taste and a big difference in texture! I am missing my crispy edges!! :-) But these would be great to freeze and un-thaw or to ship to someone.

I ended up with about 3 dozen cookies! They went to book club and the neighbors besides all the ones we ate ourselves. Yum!

Gal Two reports on June

Let me start by saying I did half the menu. I, of all people, did not make the dessert. My husband is not a huge pie fan, and with litterally an empty cul-de-sac right now I'm out of neighbors to share with. I just thought I would end up wasting most of the pie. I'm hoping that maybe when I'm in Ohio later this summer I can try it out with another of the Gals.

I did however make the chicken salad. And, after a slight hiccup, it was a success. I omitted the pepper for the Mister and he insisted on heating it back up (something about it not being dinner unless it was hot?!) and complaining about the broccoli, BUT he ate it. And went back for seconds. Score!

Cooking my couscous

My steamed veggies. Next time I would blanch them. Steaming them left them too soft!

I did cut up some green onion which I liked and the Mister never even noticed ;-)

The dressing and the almonds and seeds for toasting. Sadly I was going to toast and add at the last minute but I forgot! Next time.

Oops, we were so busy eating it I forgot to take a final picture. Here's the leftovers :-)

July Menu

Happy July Gals! This is an easy all American menu of chicken, potatoes and chocolate chip cookies! Hot where you are, don't worry you can use the crockpot. And the chocolate chip cookies are made with a new twist. The potatoes... well those just looked really good. Enjoy!

Italian Potatoes



Beer Crockpot Chicken

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Not Quite

So I didn't quite make it to May's menu... But I did the really important part, dessert! The strawberry cake was good, but not really cake-like. I think because of the jello the texture was quite different, but very moist. Our friends had some and they said it was the best cake they had ever tasted! The biggest issue I had while making it was the baking time. I almost had to double it! Overall, this was a winner. I think it would be a great cupcake recipe for a crowd!!

Gal #1: Bridging the Seasons...Spring to Summer

I forgot to mention that the "Sesame Chicken Coucous Salad" is from the spring section of my newly found much admired cookbook.  But June is a cross-over month so I thought I would add a great summer dessert idea inspired by Paula Deen. 

• Make chocolate chip cookies.
• Turn one chocolate chip cookie flat side up.
• Add graham cracker crumbs, mini marshmallows and extra chocolate chips if you want.
• Top with second chocolate chip cookie.
• Wrap in foil.
• GRILL!
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Smores!

(note: PD added grilled banana...I couldn't add that and still be enthusiastic about sharing this recipe...but if that sounds good to you, go for it!)

Gal # 1 Applies for Partial Amnesty and Welcomes June!

 Committed to not wasting time feeling guilty about my procrastination - I have chosen one recipe from April and one recipe from May and combined them into one very late June meal.  I chose the chicken recipe from Gal #2 and the quinoia recipe from Gal #3.

Chicken Stir Fry!

One of the great things I did for this recipe (unintentionally) was to buy chicken cut for stir fry.  This translated to a fry time of about 4 minutes total.  I knew from past experience that I don't like celery seasoning and so I left that out.  I also did not have enough bread crumbs and ended up crushing the remains of a bag of stuffing to make up the right amount.  They were delicious.

Guy #1 ate alot.  Always a good sign.

On to the salad:

I'll stop the photo shoot here to make my most important comment concerning this recipe - fresh, ripe fruit is absolutely essential.  My mango was borderline.  It didn't have a pretty color and was hard to cut up.  The blueberries were a gorgeous color, but had no flavor.  It's interesting that this salad was still wonderful...but my mouth just wanted those fruit flavors to come through - and I think the basil seasoning has to have that partnership to keep it in check.

Guy #1 didn't eat any of this.  Not really an indication of how good it is, however.  He couldn't get past the quonia looking like...well, never mind.  I enjoyed it and must say that it would be a wonderful summer lunch item for work.  It would definitely be something to look forward to.

WELCOME JUNE!

I found this new cookbook...and I'm in love:

Obviously the word "Simply" had its appeal for me...and the fact that it's organized seasonally.  It is put together by a Mennonite group and everything in here is healthy, economical and completely doable.  It's not on-line, however...so I can't link the entree recipe.  So here it is:

Sesame Chicken Couscous Salad

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp seseame oil or olive oil

·        Combine and bring to a boil

1 cup uncooked couscous

·        Place in large bowl and stir in boiling broth.  cover and let stand 5 - 8 min.  fluff with fork.

2 green onions sliced

1 large red pepper (chopped) optional

·        Stir in. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

1 1/2 cups sugar snap peas or snow peas

3/4 cup brocolli florets

·        Steam peas 1 minute.

·        Add broccoli and steam 2 more minutes or until crisp-tender. 

·        Rinse in cold water and drain.

1 cup cooked chicken chopped

·        Add to couscous with broccoli and peas.

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon sesame oil

·        Combine and mix into couscous mixture

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

1 Tablespoon sesame seeds,toasted

·        Mix in immediately before serving.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

It's an all-in-one meal.  All it needs is fruit - melon salad, perhaps?  Grilled peaches?  YUM.

And for dessert:

I found a new King Arthur Flour recipe for blueberry pie that requires wine!  How could you go wrong?

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/blueberry-pie-with-a-twist-recipe

Better late than never!  Have fun!