Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Apple

My husband has loved grilled cheese sandwiches since he was a little boy.  He told me once when he was little that he choked on a gob of cheese while he was eating one.  He said it was scary, but he didn't tell anyone because he was afraid he wouldn't get to eat grilled cheese anymore.  He survived and he still loves grilled cheese.  Our kids love grilled cheese, too.  When I need a quick and easy lunch or dinner, grilled cheese with a bowl of soup does the job and everyone is happy.

I needed a quick dinner this week and I decided to make grilled cheese.  But, I thought it would be fun to try something a little different.    

Ingredients (printable recipe)
8 slices Italian bread (or other white bread), sliced 1/2-inch thick
12 ounces Sharp Cheddar (or medium/mild if that's your preference), sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 slices *bacon, cooked to desired doneness
1 green apple, thinly sliced
Dijon or spicy brown mustard  

Directions 

Heat griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat. Alternatively you can use your panini press if you have one.

Assemble sandwich: Spread mustard on 4 slices of bread. Top with slices of Cheddar, 3 pieces of bacon, apple slices and additional Cheddar. Place the remaining bread on top and spread with butter. Place on skillet buttered-side down and butter the remaining side. Cook until cheese is slightly melted and bread is browned. Flip the sandwich and continue to cook until cheese is thoroughly melted and sandwich is golden brown.  4 servings

*I suggest you bake your bacon.  It turns out crispy, but flat--perfect for sandwiches.

Adapted from Foodnetwork.com-Tyler Florence

The Results...
This is certainly not your typical grilled cheese.  Bacon, Apple and mustard all added some extra flavor and zing.  But, did everyone like the extra flavors?

Most of us did.  My husband and son both said they liked this sandwich and thought the flavors were interesting together.  I agreed with them.  Our 8 yr. old was the only one that said she "HATED it!"  Our 4 yr. old did what she always does with sandwiches.  She takes them apart, makes a mess and manages to eat some of it.

Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Apple was a fun new way to eat grilled cheese!

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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Easy Peach Cobbler

Soft, sweet, juicy peaches are one of the wonderful things about summertime.  When I saw the pile of fresh peaches at the market, I couldn't help myself.  I bought A LOT.  After eating plenty of peaches, I thought I should search for a recipe for the rest of them.  But, what did I want to make....peach ice cream?....peach pie?....peach jam?  I found a lot of peach recipes.  I finally decided to try to make a good ol' peach cobbler!  

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup milk 

4 cups fresh peach slices (approx. 5-7 peaches)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Ground *cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

Directions 

1. Melt butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. (I put a stick of butter in the baking dish and let it melt in the oven while it's preheating. Keep an eye on the butter, take dish out when it's melted.)

2. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt; add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter over butter (do not stir).

3. Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peach slices, and lemon juice to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly; pour over batter (do not stir). Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

4. Bake at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve cobbler warm or cool.

*We used Ceylon Cinnamon and liked it in this dish. 

Source myrecipes.com 

The Results...
I was a little worried about this recipe because except for the flour mixture, there's no stirring.  And it was really running when I put it in the oven.  But, I followed it as written and hoped for the best. 

This was delicious and everyone loved it!  We definitely were not disappointed.  My husband and son don't usually care for peach cobbler, but both said they loved this recipe and gave it 4 1/2 to 5 stars.  I rarely hear "5 stars"!  I was happy they enjoyed this peach cobbler that much!  This will now be my "go to" peach cobbler recipe.  It has earned a spot on our Family Favorites list!

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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Crustless Spinach Quiche~Paula Deen

Summer has been busy and it isn't over yet.  The kids still have another month off....Another month!  I love having the kids home in the summer to spend more time with them.  They are a good bunch and I'm lucky to be their mom.  But, it is challenging finding activities to keep everyone busy.

My 12 yr. old has already finished cross-country camp, basketball camp and boy scout camp.  We've all gone to the zoo and the amusement park and we just got back from a family reunion.  The swimming pool and the library have been two of our favorite hang-outs this summer.

It was during one of our library trips that I found a kids cookbook by Paula Deen, Cookbook for the Lunch-Box Set.  I brought it home and set it on the kitchen counter.  My 12 yr. old starting flipping through it and offered to make Crustless Spinach Quiche for lunch.  I was surprised that he was interested in cooking something that wasn't a dessert!  I helped him gather all the things he needed and stayed nearby if he had any questions.  But, he pretty much made this recipe all by himself!   
   

Ingredients (printable recipe)

Cooking spray
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

4 Tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups grated Colby or Cheddar 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Defrost spinach in microwave safe container. Microwave and cook on high power for 4 minutes. Allow it to cool. Squeeze out all of the liquid out of the spinach and put it into a medium bowl.

3. Combine the eggs, sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan, flour, salt, and pepper, in a blender or food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. 

4. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the spinach. Add the Colby or Cheddar and stir with a spoon until well mixed. Pour the spinach mixture into the baking dish and smooth out the top.

5. Bake until set, about 40-45 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven. It will be puffed up, but will fall slightly as it cools. Allow it to cool. Cut it into squares and serve. Refrigerate leftovers.

Adapted slightly from Paula Deen 

The Results...
A delicious quiche and one proud Mama.  Everyone enjoyed this dish.  It was light, fluffy and the different cheeses and sour cream added a nice creamy/tangy flavor to the eggs and spinach.  My 8 yr. old said, "I know this has spinach in it, but I still like it!"  According to our 4 yr. old this is another "millions star recipe!"  Even the baby ate all her quiche.  Guess who's cooking lunch more often, at least  until school starts. :)

What activities keep your kids busy in the summertime?

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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Dennys Funny Quotes: Funny But True: Man Pays Off Home Mortgage With Pennies

English: Large amount of pennies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dennys Funny Quotes: Funny But True: Man Pays Off Home Mortgage With Pennies: From Denny:  This is too funny.  A man really did do this.  He said saving pennies started on a whim when he and his wife took out a mortgage on their house 35 years ago back in 1977.

Thomas Daigle said when he and his wife were leaving the bank they noticed a penny in the parking lot.  Daigle picked it up and joked on a whim about how this would go toward their penny fund to pay off the mortgage.

Dragonfly Faith Jr. Hoodie

Dragonfly faith quote: Faith is spiritualized imagination

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Roasted Red Pepper and Fresh Basil Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes.  It's cool and fresh.  You can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge.  It's easy to transport to picnics, parties, potlucks and BBQs.  You can customize it with whatever fresh veggies you have on hand.  Add some meat and you have a light summer supper.

I really like roasted red peppers and I really like fresh basil.  When I found this recipe I was curious how these two ingredients would taste together in a pasta salad. 

Ingredients (printable recipe)

12 oz jar roasted red pepper (or 1-2 roasted red peppers)

1/2 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)

fresh ground black pepper

1 bunch fresh basil leaf, cut into 1/8 strips, about 1/2 cup

1/2 lb feta cheese, dried and crumbled

1 lb bowties, penne, rotini or any other pasta you like for pasta salad

Directions

1.  Pat dry and slice peppers into ¼” wide strips, lengthwise.  Cut strips in half and place in a large bowl.

2.  Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.

3.  Toss dressing with the red pepper strips.

4.  Stack the basil leaves on top of one another and roll up. Slice the leaves crosswise into thin ribbons. This is called a “chiffonade."

5.  Toss the basil leaves with the peppers. Set aside to marinate for 1 hour.

6.  Cook the pasta al dente in large pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoons each salt and olive oil. Drain, rinse briefly and cool to room temperature.

7.  Combine pasta with marinated peppers and dressing.

8.  Add crumbled feta cheese. Taste and adjust salt, add liberal grindings of black pepper.

9.  Cool salad in fridge 1-2 hours before serving or salad may be chilled overnight and brought to room temperature 1 - 2 hours before serving.

10.  Garnish with basil chiffonade, if desired.

Adapted from Food.com

The marinated red pepper and basil

I used some pretty, colored bow tie pasta 

The Results...
Mixed reviews.  My husband thought the lemon was too strong and mixed with the basil, it tasted like floor cleaner.  Pine-Sol Pasta anyone?  However, my son really liked it and gave it 4 out of 5 stars.  But, he also LOVES anything lemony.  The little girls and I thought it was OK.  I would try using less lemon next time, maybe leave out the lemon zest or reduce the lemon juice.  I think adding some grilled chicken and maybe some tomatoes or other veggies would turn this pasta salad into a healthy meal.  Roasted Red Pepper and Fresh Basil Pasta Salad was OK.  If I try this again, I will make some changes so that hopefully, we will all really like it.

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Dennys Food and Recipes: Chef Recipe: Simple Tasty Coleslaw For Your BBQ

Dennys Food and Recipes: Chef Recipe: Simple Tasty Coleslaw For Your BBQ: From Denny:  Looking for a new coleslaw recipe to impress the family and friends at your next barbecue?  This one is tasty as it includes both red and green cabbage which play off each other well both for color and taste.  The red cabbage is not as bitter as the green.  Carrots, red and yellow bell peppers help to sweeten the cabbage along with the mayonnaise.  The 1/4 cup sugar used looks like a lot but not in relationship to the 16 cups of cabbage.

Spices?  Lots of fresh herbs like Italian flat parsley, thyme, cilantro and basil.  Dry spices added are small amounts of cayenne pepper and cumin.  If you want to kick it up another notch to the salad dressing you could add some garlic powder and smokey paprika to your taste.

Louisiana Seafood Apron

Check out awesome Louisiana eating: oysters, shrimp, crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  No, I haven't lost my mind.  Yes, I know it's still summer.  I've been getting ready for a church activity this month and Christmas in July is the theme.  It's never too early to start planning for the holidays!  Here are a few gift ideas with food that I will share.  These ideas are each very easy, inexpensive and would make great gifts for neighbors and friends.

Cookies for Santa in a Jar

Use a Quart size canning jar (wide mouth is easier to add ingredients).  Use a wide mouth canning funnel if you have one to pour ingredients into jar. 

Ingredients (printable recipe)

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cooking oats

3/4 cup m&ms

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional--I couldn’t get any to fit!)

Directions

Layer the ingredients in like this:

First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt


Second: oats


Third: m&ms


Fourth: chocolate chips


Fifth: brown sugar


Sixth: white sugar


Seventh: chopped pecans

Pack each level down really tightly. I mean it. Pack it in. Or else it won’t all fit. Also, add the chopped pecans last, because if the ingredients were too much or not enough, then I could add more or less pecans to adjust. I’d rather sacrifice nuts than chocolate, you know. The ingredients should be flush to the top of the lid when you seal it up. One batch makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
To decorate the top: Cut fabric into 6 inch squares and ribbon into 25 inch pieces. Place the fabric on top and tie ribbon around the lid to hold it in place.  (A rubber band is helpful to hold the fabric in place, then tie the ribbon around the rubber band, covering it up.)

Labels for jars can be found here: make-it-do
There is a link just before the last paragraph of this blog post (it says "click here.")  The link will give you the file for the labels.  Print them out on white or colored cardstock/scrapbook paper and adhere to jar with double stick tape.

Sources bakerella and make-it-do

Melted Mints Serving Tray

Make larger trays for giving away cookies or for appetizers at your holiday parties.

Make smaller trays for candy dishes

You’ll need: (printable recipe)
Starlight Mints, red and green
a cookie sheet

parchment or wax paper {either will work, but parchment paper works better!}
your oven
How To:


1. Heat oven to 350 degrees


2. Place parchment or wax paper on cookie sheet


3. Arrange mints in any design you wish on top of parchment or wax paper on a cookie sheet {allowing extra room on the sides}

4. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes


5. Take out and allow to cool on cookie sheet {cools in approximately 5 minutes}


6. Remove paper from bottom {be careful, tray is fragile and breaks easily}
Voila!  A beautiful serving tray!

Source tutto bella blog

Cookie Cutter Fudge

Nice tray, right :)

wrap the foil around the outside of the cookie cutters

Package them up and give away!

Ingredients (printable recipe)

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

Betty Crocker® white or red decorator icing (in 4.25-ounce tube), if desired

Candies, if desired 

Directions

1. Place each of six 3x1/2-inch mitten-shaped cookie cutters, or other cookie cutters in a simple shape, on 5-inch square of foil. Seal foil tightly around outside of each cookie cutter. Place on cookie sheet. Lightly spray cookie cutters with cooking spray.

2. In 4-cup microwavable measuring cup, mix chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, milk and butter. Microwave uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips are almost melted. Stir in vanilla.

3. Pour mixture into cookie cutter molds, filling to tops of molds. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours or until firm. Decorate with icing and candies.

4. Carefully remove foil. {If these are gifts, package them up now and store in the fridge until you're ready to give them away.}  Otherwise, Gently press fudge out of molds and enjoy!

Source Betty Crocker

This post is featured over at Mix it up Mondays-Christmas in July on Flour Me with Love.  Go check out more great Christmas ideas to get a head start on the holidays this year!

This post is also featured at The Weekend Potluck! 

And it is featured at Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm

I also share recipes at these linky parties.

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Cherry Cream Cheese

We eat a lot of fresh fruit in the summer.  Some of our favorite summer fruits are watermelon, peaches, blueberries, raspberries and CHERRIES.  These fruits are sweeter and tastier while they are in season AND they are less expensive!  I found these beautiful dark cherries for only 1.79/lb at my local grocery store.  They were delicious!  We ate most of these cherries right out of the bowl, but I still had enough to make Cherry Cream Cheese. 

I don't have a cherry pitter.  So, I sliced them in half and removed the pits and chopped what was needed for this recipe.

Ingredients (printable recipe)

8 ounce package cream cheese, regular or reduced fat (Neufchâtel)

1/2 cup chopped pitted fresh cherries

4 teaspoons confectioners' sugar (more or less according to taste)

1 pinch cinnamon

1 pinch nutmeg

Directions

Combine cream cheese, cherries, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in medium bowl.  A handmixer works well. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Adapted from Delish 

The Results... 
Did everyone like their bagels topped with Cherry Cream Cheese?  We did like this tangy cream cheese mixed with fresh chopped cherries, slightly sweetened with just a hint of spice on our bagels.  As a family, we rated this recipe 3 stars (out of 5).  My husband thought it could be sweeter.  Some of the kids didn't like the texture of the chopped cherries in the cream cheese.  Overall, everyone thought it was good, though.  Definitely worth a try.  I'm still adding this recipe to our Family Favorites List because my little 4 yr. old said it's worth "a millions stars!"  She and I especially liked this recipe. 

I share recipes at these linky parties.
      
 

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The Social Poets: Im Just Saying: Funny Way To Stop Scam Pest Callers

Logo for the United States National Do Not Call Registry. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Social Poets: Im Just Saying: Funny Way To Stop Scam Pest Callers: From Denny:  So we know the national Do Not Call Registry is pretty much a waste of time.  Scammers call anyway.  There are so many of them they are like roaches running away from a can of bug spray.

The problem is so rampant that you wonder if the government does more than just fine them in order to put more money into their political campaigns and the national treasury.  The wronged citizen sees no money, no justice and certainly no peace of mind away from these scammers.  Just how can we get rid of these telepests?


Checking out various sites where we can report these scammer callers it's the usual standard fare:  people are surprised, curious, in need of anger management.  But on one site a particular comment caught my eye.

Before I could finish reading it I was laughing so hard I practically did fall off my chair.

Be HAPPY! Jr. Raglan

Get your FLIRT on... Be HAPPY! Inspire others to a better day.

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Comfort Food From Louisiana: Creole Style Avocado Salad

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Creole Style Avocado Salad: From Denny:  Want an easy dip that is quick to make in this summer heat?  Who wants to spend time working in a hot kitchen when you can be out by the pool munching, right?

Try this refreshing dip with avocado.

Louisiana Seafood Beach Tote

Check out awesome Louisiana eating: oysters, shrimp, crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya

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Dennys Food and Recipes: From Grand World Champion Pit Master: Apple City Barbecue Ribs

Barbecue Country Style Ribs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dennys Food and Recipes: From Grand World Champion Pit Master: Apple City Barbecue Ribs: From Denny:  How often can you get a renowned grill master, a barbecue world champion, to walk you through the steps to successful and perfect ribs?  Here's your chance. Good Morning, America invited him on to the show to show us his way of making the most delectable mouth-watering ribs.

I Love America Mug

  Show your love for America!

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Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 15 Funny Tasty July Fourth Posts

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 15 Funny Tasty July Fourth Posts: From Denny:  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday time off.  It certainly is hotter than ever this summer.  And we have global warming to enjoy for years to come.  So laugh a lot while you are figuring out how to adapt to this new extreme weather sport:  scorching summers.

Meanwhile, I have some great photography to give you a smile and some amusing poems to read while you try some new recipes.  Be sure to check out the July Fourth quotes both funny and serious that will certainly make you think.  Happy July Fourth!

America Mug

America: Does it get any better?

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Red, White and Blue Treats

Here are a couple of really simple Red, White and Blue treats.  So simple that you'll get to spend more time with friends and family and less time in the kitchen.  These treats are fast, festive and fun!  Get the kids in the kitchen to help and you'll be done in no time.  Make these for any patriotic holiday or for watching the Olympics this summer.  Go USA!

Patriotic Strawberries 
 printable recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs strawberries

1 cup white chocolate chips

Blue sugar

Directions

Wash and DRY strawberries. Place white chocolate chips in microwaveable bowl. Microwave at 70% power for 1 minute. Stir. If needed microwave at additional 10-15 second intervals, stirring just until chips are melted. Put blue sugar into another small bowl. Dip strawberries into chocolate leaving 1/3 of strawberry uncovered. Before chocolate sets, dip tips of strawberries into blue sprinkles. Place on wax paper to cool and set. You can pop them in the refrigerator if you’re serving them later in the day, but don’t make these more than a day in advance.

Adapted from Grin and Bake It

All American Ice Cream Sandwiches
printable recipe 

Ingredients

Ice cream sandwiches (I used regular size and cut them in half. You could buy the mini ones, too.)

Red, White and Blue Sprinkles
Popsicle sticks (optional)

Directions 

Pour sprinkles into a med. bowl. Cut ice cream sandwiches in half. Use a popsicle stick if you want (it's less messy to eat that way). Dip each side into sprinkles. Serve immediately or return to the freezer. You can layer these on a plate with wax paper in between layers and freeze until ready to use.

Source: Family Fun

I couldn't find Red, White and Blue Sprinkles at the store. So, I made my own.

The Results...
Super easy and fun.  Have a Happy 4th of July!


This recipe is shared at:
Mom's Test Meal Mondays @ Mom's Test Kitchen

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Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Sweltering Summer Heat

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Sweltering Summer Heat: Ever wonder "just how hot is it?" this summer...

Panting hot dog photo by jimf0390 @ flickr

I Love America iPad Sleeve

Show your love for America!

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