Friday, April 13, 2012

Grocery List - Barbecue and Fixings

Grocery List - Barbecue and Fixings


My Barbecue Sauce
2 red bell peppers, in jar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onion
6 garlic cloves
2 1/2 cups ketchup
13 ounce tomato sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
2 teaspoons salt
1 lemon
1 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic salt

3 Baked Beans
black beans
pinto beans
kidney beans
barbecue sauce
1/4 cup onion
4 slices bacon

Cilantro Butter Corn
6 ears of corn
1/2 stick butter
chili powder
fresh cilantro

Dill Potato Salad
4 to 5 red potatoes
fresh dill
sour cream
mayo
kosher salt
black pepper
onion

Grown-Up Beanie Weenies
22 ounce pork n' beans
Polish sausage
barbecue sauce

Barbecue Salad
lettuce
chicken breast
barbecue sauce
1 can whole corn
1 can black beans
sour cream
tomato
green onions

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Yogurt Parfait

Yogurt Parfait
Vanilla yogurt
fresh raspberries
fresh blueberries
honey oat granola (in cereal section)

In tall glasses, add yogurt, then berries (I mix them up), granola; repeating layers.
Simple and refreshing. I made these while Natalie and I were at the beach. I love quick summer breakfast treats or you could use this for a dessert or snack.

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Mother/Daughter Weekend

Natalie and I had the best time. I got to Nola and we went to this little place called Tee-Eva's on Magazine Street. This woman can cook. If you ever go to New Orleans look this place up. My only regret is I didn't get my picture made with her. She has the best red beans and rice and the prices are cheap.

We got up the next day and went to Central Park. WOW - this place is amazing and worth the trip to walk through. We didn't get to go through all of it, but I have some pictures of what we did do.
When Natalie got out of class, we hit the road for the beach in Florida. I didn't realize all the spring breakers that would be there. But we had fun just hanging out together. Nothing like quality time with your child. We had some good laughs watching people.
Someone had recommended Boatyard for dinner. Loved the setting, but I think I ordered wrong. I love fresh tuna steak, but it had way too many seeds on it.
We couldn't believe that bird just flew up and sat there. Plus my beautiful daughter with a beautiful view. I love that girl and so proud of her.

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!

Mediterranean Tray

Mediterranean Tray
sliced hard salami
black olives
Kalamata olives
Green olives, stuffed with garlic
cubed mix cheeses
1 bunch of asparagus
1 package prosciutto
1 cantaloupe, cubed



This is a picture of all my goodies I made.

Mediterranean Tray:
Arrange salami, cheeses and olives on a tray. I like to put my olives in a small bowl, so the juices will not mix.
Cube your cantaloupe and place in bowl.

Asparagus and porchetta:
Wash and snap the ends off your asparagus. In large sauce pan bring water to a boil and cook asparagus for about 10 minutes; drain.

In large mixing bowl add ice and fill with cold water; adding the asparagus to shock them and cool, for about 10 minutes.

Wrap prosciutto around each piece of asparagus and sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper.
This is great for any occasion with family, friends, or just you and your mate. I served this at my girls night. Great for when your on vacation and just need a few snack for in the room.

This week I'm in Florida with Natalie. It's our Mother/Daughter trip. If you don't do this, I highly suggest it. It's great to get to spend quality time with your children. She graduates from college this year. I'm so proud of her. I can't tell you how big my heart is smiling inside. She's also, leaving for Italy this summer for a few weeks. I'm hoping if I give her a little extra money, she'll buy me a cool purse. ha!

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Fred Bread

Fred Bread
1 baguette of multi-grain bread, sliced into 1/2" slices
pesto sauce
4 to 5 tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese slices, cut into fourths


Your going to love these. So simple and delicious. There's a local Pizza place here that serves these and I had to make them.

Slice your bread into 1/2" slices. Spread pesto sauce on top; don't go over board, just a smear. Top with tomato and then cheese slice. Broil in oven until bread is golden and cheese has melted. These are the best when you serve right out of the oven.

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Tapenade

Tapenade
1 cup black olives, chopped
1/4 cup capers
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
2 garlic cloves, minced
juice of half fresh lemon
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup olive oil
baguette of multi-grain bread


Slice bread and brush olive oil on it. Broil in oven for just a few minutes, like your cooking toast.


In blender or food processor mix the other ingredients together, until its a grainy paste.

This is so delicious and  easy. Steve took me to an Italian restaurant Valentines, and I had to recreate this. Usually, my friends Linda and Candi come over once a week to watch American Idol with me. I cook the dinner and we had a feast of appetizers, this was one of them. This is also, great when your at the beach and need a little something to snack on.

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Robinism - Easter

Robinism:

Yesterday, I told the story of Jesus Resurrection. Today, I'm going to tell you a little about me and why God is so HUGE for me.

My life hasn't been an easy one. I've overcome a rape in high school, an abusive 1st marriage, single mother raising her precious baby girl, and now to a new job I've just started. Yes, I was a little party girl back in my in my younger days. I've got so many stories that I'm not proud of. Trust me I had and still do have some issues. I think that is why Easter is so Huge for me. All I had to do is ask God to forgive me of my sins and He did, just like that. Even when I was a child, and did something wrong; I punished myself more than my parents did. Talk about having a heavy conscious, it would weigh heavy on me. Thank goodness for my mom, she is this amazing Christian woman; that never judges people. She always told me, "you can find at least one good thing in every person, even if its their teeth are so pretty." ha! She taught me so much more than that, but the love she has for God, shows in her eyes and I strive to have eyes like that to. It was easy for me to accept Christ as my Savior, because my parents loved me unconditionally to. They didn't hold anything against, because of that love. That's how Jesus's love is.

I read a book years ago, called "Redeeming Love", it opened my eyes and helped me to forgive myself and to feel worthy again of God's love and everyone around me.

I've worked in my family business for over twenty years, and just last month, we closed the doors down. I can't tell you how blessed I was to be able to work with my parents all these years. Especially, being single, I got to take off when my child was sick or she came to work with me. A little off the subject, but we have her growth chart at work, my dad would measure her height and date it, every time she came to work. I tried to take a picture but I never could get a good one. I've worked with some of these men for years and when I had to hand out their last paycheck, I teared up. It was like we were one big family, bonds had been made over the years. When I first found out we were closing down, I will admit, I cried and was so depressed. I started praying immediately about where and what God wanted me to do. I thought here I am at 47 years old and starting my career life over. I was afraid of the unknown. Never been good at that one. I went on three interviews, one I walked out of - hee hee, and the other two I didn't get. I thought, well maybe I'm suppose to take off awhile. Then my Great Aunt got  sick (I take care of her), well... I take her food and to the doctors. She's 85 years old and spunky little thing. She's been more like a grandmother to me. Any-woo...I got of the subject there. I thought maybe I'm suppose to take care of her. In the meantime I kept  praying for God's will in my life. Remember my new years resolution? I'm tired of messing up my life with wrong decision and choices. I surrendered my life over to God and want to do His will.

Now get this....my sister was on Facebook and saw a job; called me and said are you friends with this person? Long story short, I sent my resume to this person. Guess what, God blessed me with that job. Here I've been all scared and all I had to do was to wait for His timing. He knew right were I was suppose to be.

I know this is all so random and I've gone all over the place with this. But, my point is, why Easter is so important to me. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. No matter what comes my way, I know God is there for me, all I have to do is trust Him and have faith. I can't imagine my life without God in it. Its so hard for me to put in words everything He has done for me or even how to describe it. Think about the happiest moment in your life or the things that make you happy. For instant, mine is when I gave birth to Natalie and being a mom, or either at the lake, beach or a field of flowers. The sound of water, the smell of the ocean, or the scent of the flowers; those things bring a smile across my face, the feeling of safety, and joy into my life. That's how God makes me feel.

Well, Ya'll that's my Robinism for the day. Come back tomorrow for Beach food week. I have some yummy simple recipes and pictures of Natalie and I on our Mother/Daughter trip to the beach.

Be Sweet and Stay Sweet!