.:Dinner Date – Moo Shu Vegetables:.

This is a meal that will be a hit at any gathering!  It is delicious with subtle flavors (suit to taste of course!) and definitely filling.  I hope you enjoy!

 

Moo Shu Vegetables

Serves 4

Ingredient List:

• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 tbsp Dry Sherry or Shaoxing Rice Wine (you do not have to use this if you do not have it.)
• 2 tsp Cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt (or to taste!)
• 2 large Eggs
• 3/4 c Bamboo Shoots (drain water from can)
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1 tbsp Gingerroot (fresh, chopped)
• 1 tbsp Garlic (chopped)
• 8 oz Mushrooms (equals 1 1/12 c –  sliced)
• 1 c Carrots (shredded)
• 4 oz Firm Tofu (drained and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 3 c Napa Cabbage (shredded)
• 3 tbsp Green Onions (chopped)
• 2 tsp Asian Sesame Oil

What to do:

1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch, sugar and salt into a small bowl.  Stir well until it is a smooth sauce. Set aside.  In another bowl,lightly beat eggs. Set aside.
2. Stack bamboo shoots two or three high and then cut them lengthwise into strips. Set aside.
3. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat.  Add vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan.  Add ginger and garlic to the oil and toss well, until fragrant (about 15 seconds should do the trick.)
4. Add mushrooms and toss well.  Spread out the mushrooms until they are a single layer and cook, undisturbed for about 30 seconds.  Add in the carrots, tofu and bamboo shoots and toss.  Cook until carrots and mushrooms are softened while tossing occasionally, generally about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and toss again. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until tender-crisp (that means it still has that bite, but is softer to the mouth hole.  You can add a tbsp or 2 as need to keep it from burning.)
5. Push vegetables to the side and pour the eggs into the center of the pan.  Swirl the pan around spreading as much of the eggs as possible and then cook for about 30 seconds.  Toss those around a bit to create the scrambled eggs we all love and then mix in the vegetables, but do so gently.
6. Stir the soy sauce mix one more time and then add to the pan.  Toss it well and allow the veggies to soak up the sauce for about 1 minute.  Add the green onions and the sesame oil, toss around and then transfer to a plate/bowl.

 

.:Dinner Date – Portobello Penne Pasta Casserole:.

As a vegetarian, I love to share all the little recipes that I find so you can enjoy them as well!  Tonight (aka this morning since it is almost 4am!) I am giving you one of the tastiest and nahmmy things on the planet.

Portobello Penne Pasta Casserole

Ingredients:

• 8oz Uncooked Penne Pasta
• 2 tbs Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 lbs portobello mushrooms, sliced thin
• 1/2 c margarine
• 1/4 c all-purpose flour
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 2 c milk
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and strained
• 1/4 c soy sauce

What to do:

• Preheat your over to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9/13 backing dish.
• Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta cooks, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat and then add mushrooms. Cook for 1 minute then set aside in a bowl.
• Using the same saucepan, melt your margarine. Mix in the flour, garlic and basil. Gradually mix in the milk until thickened. Stir in 1 c of cheese and remove from heat once cheese is melted.
• Add pasta, mushrooms, spinach and soy sauce to the cheese mixture and stir until well mixed and then transfer to the baking dish before topping with remaining cheese.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is a light golden brown.

This is truly delicious, and feels meaty while not containing meat.  I do hope that you enjoy!

.:DIY YUMMIES -Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas

Hello lovelies!  I do hope that all of you are doing well.  Before I start this DIY deliciousness, I wanted to share the dedication and reason why I am using this particular one.

Deadpool.  There, I said it.  I freakin’ LOVE Deadpool.  And Deadpool LOVES chimichangas.  So without further ado, RECIPE TIME!

Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas

Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 25 min Cook Time: 5 min

Ingredients:

1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1 Tablespoon plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
6 (8-inch) soft flour tortillas
1 3/4 cups sliced strawberries, divided
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Vegetable oil, for frying

Other stuffs needed: toothpicks; deep-fry thermometer, large deep sided saucepan OR deep fryer

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese with the sour cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, vanilla extract and lemon zest, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in 3/4 cup of the sliced strawberries.

Divide the mixture evenly between the tortillas, slathering each portion in the lower third of each tortilla. Next, fold the two sides of each tortilla toward the center and then roll the tortilla up like a burrito and secure it with a toothpick. Repeat the rolling process with the remaining tortillas.

Combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the cinnamon in a shallow bowl and set it aside. Line a large plate with paper towels.

Add 3 inches of oil to a large, deep saucepan, leaving a minimum of 2 inches from the top of the oil to the top of the saucepan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 360ºF on a deep-fry thermometer.

Working in batches, fry the chimichangas until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes, flipping them as needed. Transfer the chimichangas to the paper towel-lined plate to drain for 1 minute, and then roll them in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Repeat the frying and rolling process with the remaining chimichangas, returning the oil to 360ºF between batches.

Remove all toothpicks from the chimichangas and transfer them to serving plates. Top each with a portion of the remaining 1 cup of sliced strawberries and serve immediately.

.:DIY With Me – The Food Addition – The Soup Edition *BOM BOM BOOOOOOM!* :.

The cold days are coming friends and we all know what that means.  Soup.  Soup is the greatest thing on the planet to me.  Y’all need to understand.  I love soup.  I would rather eat soup than anything else.  It is a part of my “ooooh liquid” thing that I have.  Don’t ask.  For the love of all that is Holy DO NOT ASK!  Okay, you may ask.

See, I have an obsession with Liquid Food Stuffs.  My stomach being the doof that it is handles “solid” foods like well….. It doesn’t.  I can eat solids of course (cough cough fries) but in the end I feel like someone punched me in the gut.  *shrugs*  Talked to doctors about it and all.  They have NO CLUE what is going on.  But I am getting off topic.

Today, I thought I would share with you a few of my go to “soup” ideas to get you started on your cold day, soup nomming journey.

Oh and be sure to stick around until the end.  I have something very important to say.

---

Loaded Potato Soup

• 4 medium red potatoes
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 c prechopped onion
• 1 1/4 c chicken broth
• 2 tbs all purpose flour
• 2 c milk divided
• 1/4 c sour cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3 bacon slices, cooked and chopped
• 1.5 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (that means about 1/3 of a cup y’all)
• 4 tsp green onions, thinly sliced

Note:  You can use the reduced fat/low fat options of the dairy involved to reduce the amount of fatty stuffs in the soup!

1. Pierce the potatoes with a fork and put them in the microwave for about 13 minutes on high.  Let those puppies nuke until they are fork tender.  When done, cut them in half and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add your onions and allow them to saute for about 3 minutes.  Then add your broth.  Take 1/2 cup of your milk and mix it into the flour.  This is the thickener y’all!  Add it into the saucepan and stir thoroughly.  Then add the rest of the milk (1 1/2 c.)  Bring it to a boil while stirring constantly.  When it hits a good bubble, allow it to cook for 1 minute.  Remove it from the heat, then add the sour cream, cheese, salt and pepper.
3. Remove the skins from the potatoes and coarsely mash those little nuggets of deliciousness into the milk/broth mixture. top with the bacon, the green onions and by all means, add more cheese!

This is a pretty easy and quick way of making potato soup!

ON TO THE NEXT ONE!

---

French Onion Soup

• 2 tsp Olive Oil
• 4 c sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 4 c red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 c dry white wine (optional)
• 8 c beef broth
• 1/4 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 8 slices of French Bread, sliced and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 oz Swiss Cheese, Sliced

Note:  No you do not have to use the sugar or the wine.  When they come up in the recipe, just skip it. 🙂  

1. Heat your olive oil in a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium-high heat.  Add onions to the pan and saute for 5 minutes or until tender.  Stir in the sugar, pepper and salt.  Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 20 minutes while stirring frequently.
2. Increase the heat to medium-high again, saute for another 5 minutes or until the onion is golden brown and yummy.  Stir in the wine, cook for 1 minute and then add the broth and thyme.  Bring to a boil.
3. Cover, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 hours.  (Yes friends, this one takes a bit of time but ERMERGERD it is worth it!)
4. Begin preheating your broiler.  Place the bread cubes upon a baking sheet in a single layer.  Broil those buggers for 2 minutes or until they are toasty.  But make sure that you turn them after the first minute.  You don’t want them to be crunchy on one side and squishy on the other!
5. Place 8 oven proof bowls into a baking pan that has a high enough side that keeps the bowls in without them falling all over the floor.  Trust me on this y’all.  I have broken many a bowl.
6. Ladle in 1 cup of soup into each bowl, then cover with one slice of cheese per bowl.  Broil for 2 or 3 minutes or until the cheese gets that slight brown color that is so delicious.
7. Take them out of the oven and allow to “cool” for 5 minutes before serving.

I do hope that you all enjoy the 2 recipes that I have shared today.  But I want to hear about your favorite soups!  Share  them in the comments below!  I am always looking for a new addition to my soup book!

Now for the important stuff.

I know that I have been a bit MIA lately, and I am truly sorry for that. I am not going to go into details because it is just life in general and is nothing that I can’t take care of!  That and the fact that I (not to sound mean) don’t want anyone’s sympathy.  There is way too much stuff going on in this world that we need to focus on, so I won’t add mine to that list. 🙂

But, I do want to say this.

For all of you that have subscribed to my blog, and for all of you that have stuck by me, Thank You.  Truly.  From the very bottom of my heart.  You all keep me going, and keep me smiling.  It means so much to come on here and see that someone has appreciated what I have said/done.  And considering how many of you are on here now (which blows my mind!) I know that I am helping people.  But I am not the only one.  YOU are helping ME!

There is nothing in this world that can express how much I appreciate each and every one of you.  Thank you just doesn’t even cut it.  Ugh, I am tearing up again.  *takes breath*

Anyway, y’all remember.  All of us can make a difference.  All of us can do something good in this world.  Be that one person that shines a light of love and peace into these dark times.

Love you ALL,

L.

.:Recipe Time with Lilly – Easy Chocolate Fudge:.

I know that I haven’t posted much and I do hope that all of you will forgive me for that.  I haven’t been feeling good the last few days.  But hey, it happens and it doesn’t mean that I don’t love y’all.  So to make up a bit for it, I am sharing this recipe.

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of semi sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (this is optional y’all.  You don’t like nuts?  Don’t need em. *smiles*)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

What ya need to do:

• Line an 8 inch square pan with tin foil, or parchment paper.  It is all your preference.
• Put the chocolate and the milk into a sauce pan and place on the stove that is on the LOWEST SETTING IMAGINABLE. Don’t need to rush this one kiddies, otherwise you might end up with some nasty bark type stuff.  We don’t want that.  Stir until it is smooth and the chocolate is all melty goodness.  Oh, and don’t lick the spoon yet.  That stuff is like lava heated to the temp of the sun and your tongue will melt off in a frenzy of awfulness.  Just sayin’
• Remove from heat and add the vanilla and nuts (if you want nuts that is.)
• Spread evenly in the pan that you have lined.  Spread it good.  (Insert Devo music here as I dance around like an idiot.)
• Cover with foil and put into the fridge for about 2 or so hours.  Just until it is firm.  Then remove from the pan.  (Which is pretty easy due to the foil/paper!  Just lift!)
• Pull off the foil and then cut into blocks or chunks or just eat it whole.  This is all up to you. 🙂  I would vote for chunks.  That way you don’t gets a tummy ache.
• Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it.  Get yourself an egg and beat it  Um…  Sorry.  I am in music mode y’all.  I’m done.

Love you guys immensely!

L.

.:Recipe Time!!! – Homemade Butter:.

Hello friends!  I hope that all of you are doing well.  I just have to tell you about this recipe that I just adore.  The very thought of spending a sh*t ton of money for “REAL” butter causes me to want to pound my head into a wall.  I went to the store yesterday and saw Land O Lakes “real butter” priced at 5 bucks.  5 BUCKS people.  That is atrocious.  I can still remember buying a huge freakin’ slab of it that would last for a whole money for not even a dollar.  *sighs*

So in my disappointment and sticker shock, I started thinking about HOW butter is made.  WHY can I not just make it at home?  The more I thought about it, the more my brain slurped up the very idea.  It was like Red Bull for the noggin!  I started researching the whole concept.  I looked up recipes, the how to’s.  You know you are desperate when you are looking for “butter” tutorials.  Well I am desperate.  I love me some real butter.

So here it is my friends. I share with you now the recipe to end all recipes.

HOMEMADE BUTTER!!!!!

1 quart heavy cream
3/4 teaspoon salt

Pour cream into bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Add salt. Cover mixer with a towel–trust me on this one, it will be messy! Turn mixer on high.
Continue mixing, checking on mixture frequently. It will first turn to whipped cream, then begin to get grainy and separate into butter and buttermilk, and the splashing will get much worse. The butter is ready when it sticks in a clump to the paddle
Place a colander (AKA the HOLY BOWL!) over a bowl, then strain the buttermilk off of the butter.
Using your hands or a spatula, press out excess buttermilk under cold running water until water runs clear. Shape into stick or ball. Butter will keep covered in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Simple right?  Oh yeah.  I am in heaven.  Butter Heaven.

.:Make Something!!! Recipe TIME! – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheeseball:.

My friends, I hope that your day has been filled with joy and sweet things.  I have spent most of today sleeping to be honest, the heat does that to me sometimes. I guess it does that to everyone. 😀  Anyway, I wanted to share something tasty with you today, something that is beyond yummy.  Beyond delicious.  TO INFINITY!!! AND BEYOND!  *coughs and shakes her head*  What just happened?  Did I get possessed by Buzz Lightyear again? ANYWHO!  Here ya go my lovelies and I hope that you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly alternative (60g)
• 8 oz cream cheese, such as Daiya or Tofutti
• 2 cups powdered sugar or Sugar-Free Powdered Sugar (300g)
• 3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (75g)

Instructions:

Bring both the cream cheese and peanut butter to room temperature (to a stir-able consistency), then mix together with a spoon in a deep bowl, adding the powdered sugar gradually. Add in the vanilla, and mix until a smooth and even consistency is reached. Spoon onto a large sheet of plastic wrap, then bring the sides up and twist very tightly to form something of a ball shape. Freeze in the coldest part of your freezer for 2-3 hours or until firm enough that the plastic wrap can be removed without the ball falling apart. Place chocolate chips in a large bowl or ziploc bag, then roll the cheeseball until evenly coated with chocolate chips. Freeze until ready to serve (or refrigerate if not serving until the next day). Serve with graham crackers, sliced fruit, or anything else you think goes well with chocolate chips and peanut butter. (Keep in mind that you can also roll it in other yumminess!  Tiny Marshmallows, White Chocolate Chips, Walnuts!  You name it, you can do it.  Well, don’t put something weird like small farm animals or eyeballs.  That wouldn’t taste good.)

I don’t know about y’all but I love me a good cheese ball.  Even if it is a dessert one.  YUM YUM YUM!  I hope that y’all enjoy it and by all means, share your recipes with us in the comments below!  We would all love to hear them!

.:Tutorial Tuesday (Gluten Free Spaghetti Lasagna Pie) and an Update:.

Hi everyone!  I hope that everything is going well for all of you!  Goodness knows I wish nothing but the best for you and yours. 🙂

As for the update:  Things are doing a lot better here in the wild world of Lilly.  I am not nearly as sore as I was.  It has been a very hard time for me but I will not let it get me down.  🙂  You have got to do what you got to do right?  I hope that is something that all of you learn.  Life can be hard, pain and sickness can come.  It is why it is called LIVING. The thing about it is, you can let it consume you, or you can move through it and become better for it.

If you have been with me for a while, you will understand that I have some health issues.  If you have just joined us I will just say for you to read my previous blogs.  I don’t want to keep going on and on about my “problems” because I feel like I would be sending out the “poor me” vibes and I don’t want to do that.  But I will explain this:

My sicknesses will not define my life.  They will not take over.  I am me, I will always be me.  I am stronger than what may happen.  This life that I am living, while it isn’t all champagne and caviar, it is mine.  I stand strong and proud of exactly who I am, and what I have.  My life is hard, and full of struggles, but in the end I am becoming.  I am learning.

Well, I know that you are all probably tired of my ramblings and are sitting there right now saying, “COME ON!  GET TO THE GOOD STUFF!” *laughs*  So here goes, something I am hoping all of you will enjoy. (Side note y’all:  This is for all of you that are gluten-free.  It is still delicious, so by all means try it out!)

Gluten Free Spaghetti Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 8 oz rice spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef (can sub turkey or chicken)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 16 oz frozen spinach, thawed and excess moisture squeezed out
• 1 ¾ cups spaghetti sauce
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup parmesan (4 oz)
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 16 oz cottage cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella, shredded

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Put on pot of water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Pour into colander to drain, rinsing briefly and return to pan.
• While waiting for pasta to be done fry up the hamburger, drain fat. Add spinach, onion powder and garlic powder and heat through. Add spaghetti sauce, mix through and set aside.
• In a medium bowl beat 2 eggs, add parmesan and melted butter and mix through. Add to pasta in the pan and toss or stir to mix in.
• Grease 2-9 in pie pans, divide the spaghetti mixture between them and spread evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan.
• In another bowl, beat 2 eggs. Add cottage cheese to the eggs and mix well. Divide the mixture between the two pie pans, spreading evenly across the bottom of the pasta crust.
• Divide the meat mixture between the two pie pans, spreading evenly over the cottage cheese mixture.
• Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven.
• Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella over each pie and return to over for another 8-10 minutes, or just long enough for the cheese to melt and the crust to set. Let stand for 5 minutes, then cut and serve.

I hope that all of you keep smiling, keep laughing and keep loving.

❤

Lilly

.:Monday Make A Thingie:.

Hello my darling friends.  I hope this post finds you doing well.  Today is Monday and we all know what that means.  Oh, wait, perhaps not!  Today is Monday Make A Thingie.  It basically means that I find some awesome DIY and share it with you.  It is either crafts, or food, or or… Ooooh food crafts!  O.O

Today’s DIY is going to be another recipe from my kitchen to yours.  I do hope you enjoy. 🙂

Homemade Wonton Soup

Ingredients:

• 30 square wonton skins
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsp finely chopped scallion, to serve
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)

Filling:

• 6 oz ground pork – not too lean
• 8 oz raw shrimp – shelled, deveined and chopped
• 1/2 tsp gingerroot – finely chopped
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
• 2 tsp scallion – finely chopped
• pinch of sugar
• pinch of white pepper
• dash of sesame oil

Soup:

• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix together the filling ingredients and stir until the texture is thick and pasty.  Set aside for at least 20 minutes.
2. Place a teaspoon of the filling into the center of a wonton skin.  Brush the edges lightly with the egg whites and press the edges together diagonally to seal (they will look like triangles y’all!).  Bring the opposite points together towards each other and press them, creating a flower like shape.  Repeat with the remaining skins and filling.  Set them aside.
3. Bring the stock to a boil and add the salt and pepper.  When ready, place the created dumplings into the pot and allow them to boil in the stock for about 5 minutes.  You will notice the edges of the skin start to becoming wrinkled around the filling.  That is when you know they are done.
4. Place the remaining scallions into individual bowls and pour the soup over top.  Garnish with a bit of cilantro.  Now, the cilantro is optional.  I personally do not like the soup with it, but my family does.  So I felt that I should add it so you can try it on your own.

I don’t know about y’all but I am now craving some soup.

.:Monday Make Something!:.

Hello friends!  I hope that this evening finds you doing well!  Today is our weekly DIY and boy do I have a treat for all of you!  It is a recipies for….

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

Yes friends.  I am literally drooling here. IT is soooooo good.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs of Ground Beef or Turkey
• 1 tbs Olive Oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 small head of cabbage, chopped
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sea salt (you can add more or less to suit your taste)
• 1 tsp greek seasoning (to make this: mix equal parts- Oregano, Basil, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder)

In a large pan, heat olive oil over med. high heat.  Add the meat and chopped onions.  Cook until the meat is brown and onions are translucent.  Add the garlic and allow to cook for 1 more minute.

Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat to medium low to medium and allow to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender.

And then poof!  Pure unmitigated deliciousness is at your fingertips, or you spoon.  Either way.  You can serve with grated Parmesan and croutons.  It is all up to you.

I want to hear about your favorite recipes!  Leave them in the comments below, or by all means hit me up on Facebook!   You can even email me if you are so inclined!

Love to you all and please, keep smiling.