Sunday, August 21, 2011

Western Skillet Eggs

This is a recipe that I found in the Food Network Magazine, the October 2010 issue. I followed it fairly closely, but did a slightly reduced version with 5 instead of 8 eggs. I also used onion instead of shallots, I didn't use parsley, and I added fresh rosemary. It was delicious. Perfect for a weekend breakfast.
Western Skillet Eggs


1/2 cup half-and-half or whole milk
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots, sliced
2 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 large green bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 pound thinly sliced ham, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 slices sourdough bread, torn into pieces (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for topping
8 large eggs

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Whisk the half-and-half, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste in a small bowl.

Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until just softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the bell peppers; cook until the peppers are soft and the shallots are golden, 5 to 6 more minutes. Add the tomatoes, ham, bread, parsley and 1/4 cup water and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat.

Make 8 evenly spaced indentations in the bread mixture with the bottom of a ladle or small measuring cup. Crack an egg into each indentation. Slowly pour the half-and-half mixture over the eggs. Bake, rotating the skillet a few times, until the whites are set, about 15 minutes. Top with parsley.

Assemble your ingredients.


Saute in an oven-proof skillet.

Make indentations for the eggs.

Crack an egg into each indentation.

Carefully pour 1/2 and 1/2 over the eggs and other ingredients.

Bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes, depending on how set you want the eggs to be.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Melinda's Annual Pumpkin Party!

It's that time again! Melinda is hosting another pumpkin party! She has the best, most beautiful pumpkins I have ever seen. Her party this year is Saturday, September 24 from 11-2.

Come for a relaxing day with beautiful scenery.



477 Lake Road (Chandler Mountain)
Steele, Al

Directions: From Bham, take I-59 N to the Steele Exit.
At the exit, turn left. Go 1/4 mile to Hwy 11.
Turn left and go 1/4 mile to County Road 42 (Chandler Mountain Road). Turn right.
This will take you up Chandler Mountain. As you top the mountain, look for Chandler Mountain Baptist Church on your right. Take the third paved road past the church, which is Lake Road. Turn right onto Lake Road. The Smith house is the 3rd house on the left.



I hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Coconut Macaroon


I love coconut macaroons. To me, the perfect macaroon is chewy on the outside and moist on the inside. The best ones I've ever eaten were in San Francisco. Despite my ardent fondness for them, I'd never tried to make them before.

I found this coconut macaroon mix at World Market the other day. I was impressed with the fact that it was made from ALL NATURAL ingredients. You simply add water and egg whites. It couldn't be easier.

Beat the egg whites and water with an electric mixer.

Pour into a medium bowl with the macaroon mix and beat until moistened.

Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake according to the directions. I baked mine baked at 325° for about 20 minutes.

Until they were golden brown. Mmmmm.


They were delicious! Moist on the inside and chewy on the outside. I highly recommend this mix if you are a fan of the macaroon.


Though I wouldn't mind a trip back to San Francisco...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Cheesecake in a Jar

These individual cheesecakes are really fun to make and absolutely delicious. This recipe came from i am baker, which is an adorable blog, and different versions of it can also be found at several other sites if you want to google it. It is similar to the Pies Baked in a Jar post that I did, but easier because you don't have to bake it. I had never made a no-bake cheesecake before, but it is definitely the way to go with these. These would make great party favors or teacher gifts, and would be perfect for a picnic.

Cheesecake in a Jar

12- half pint ball jars
1 - 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2/3 cups melted butter
6 tbsp sugar
3- 8 oz. packages cream cheese softened
3- 14 oz. cans sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 can cherry pie filling

Yield: 12


I used these really cute, squatty, half-pint Ball jars. I found them at Winn Dixie. You can use whatever size and shape you want.

Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar in a medium bowl.

Make sure your jars are clean and dry.

Place about 2 tbsp crumbs into each jar.

Lightly press into the bottoms of the jars, as Zac so expertly demonstrates.

Beat softened cream cheese and condensed milk. Add vanilla.

Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture into the jars.


Top with the cherry pie filling. I used only one can of it, but I left 3 of the cheesecakes without topping for those who might prefer theirs unadorned. If you like a lot of cherries, you might want to get 2 cans.

This is how they looked. I didn't go above the rim with the filling and topping.

Chill for several hours or overnight.

Oh my gosh. They are so good, and so cute.

They stack and travel well, too.

They were the finishing touch to lunch I took today for some very sweet folks at the Christian Service Mission. They have been tirelessly working since the tornadoes struck Birmingham. A big thanks to them and to all of their volunteers!



Monday, April 18, 2011

Easter Cupcakes

I wanted to make some special Easter treats and I decided to bake cupcakes! I used Duncan Hines Butter Recipe cake mix for the cupcake and my buttercream recipe for the icing. The instructions can be found here.

I bought these cute cupcake liners at Michaels.

These are felt Easter stickers that I also found at Michaels. I thought they would be fun as cupcake decorations.

So I lifted the backing and placed a toothpick on the sticky part...

...then I covered the toothpick with the backing.

Voila...instant cupcake decorations. I actually ended up cutting a tad off the ends because they were extra long toothpicks.

I used clear and colored sugar on the cupcakes.

A virtual Easter menagerie.

I am taking them to work tomorrow as a surprise. Shhhh...don't tell!



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Bacon Tomato and Turkey Pizza

Here is a quick and easy after work supper! It is like an open faced sandwich in pizza form.

Bacon Tomato and Turkey Pizza

pizza crust
deli smoked turkey, chopped
chopped tomatoes
grated cheese
mayo
cooked, crumbled bacon (or Hormel real bacon bits)

Lightly spread mayo on the pizza crust. Top with turkey, tomato, bacon, and cheese. Black olives are also good on this. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.

I like the Boboli 100% Whole Wheat pizza crust. It is Original and has GREAT ITALIAN TASTE.



Soooo yummy...

I made a pasta salad to go with it.

It is a great combo and is satisfying without making you feel too full. As long as you don't eat it all yourself.