Thursday, August 2, 2018

Fair Food Recipes You Can Make at Home

Summer is in full swing which means plenty of Festivals and Fairs all around! So why not enjoy some of that Fair Food at home, and make it healthier! From the EatingWell website and Magazine its Fair Food Recipes You Can Make at Home.  http://www.eatingwell.com/

Fair Food Recipes You Can Make at Home
Bring the magic of the fair to your table with these healthier recipes for state fair-inspired food, including corn dogs, funnel cakes, mini doughnuts, lemonade and kettle corn. Now that's spectacular!


Baked Corn Dogs
The summertime fair-food favorite is lightened up with a baked cornbread coating and is served on a stick.......


Baked Funnel Cakes
Baked instead of deep-fried, these funnel cakes are a healthier option than the ones typically sold at carnivals and fairs. You can skip the powdered sugar and substitute fresh fruit if you'd like..........


Oven-Fried Chicken on a Stick
Here's a fun way to serve oven-fried chicken for a picnic: put it on a stick. It's fabulous served with this homemade Vidalia onion and honey-mustard sauce, but it's also great with barbecue sauce or Frank's hot sauce. This is an easy recipe to double if you're serving a crowd.....



* Click the link below to get all the Fair Food Recipes You Can Make at Home
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/23065/holidays-occasions/occasions/fair-foods/slideshow/fair-food-recipes-you-can-make-at-home/

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Some Potato logic............


If there is slight greening, cut away the green portions of the potato skin before cooking and eating. Green on the skin of a potato is the build-up of a chemical called Solanine. It is a natural reaction to the potato being exposed to too much light. Solanine produces a bitter taste and if eaten in large quantity can cause illness.

https://www.potatogoodness.com/potato-tips-tricks/

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Tuscan Seasoned Pork Medallions w/ Roasted Butternut Squash and Green Beans

Dinner Tonight: Tuscan Seasoned Pork Medallions w/ Roasted Butternut Squash and Bourbon and Fresh Green Beans





For Breakfast this morning I prepared a Poached Egg and served it on a toasted Healthy Life Multi
Grain English Muffin. I also had a cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. Another day of scattered rain and high of 80 degrees. Plenty of rain, and we needed it. Cleaned the Kitchen and Pantry then after Lunch I did some work on my computer. Took the processor apart and cleaned out all the dust. Then ran scans and deleted a lot of old files and pictures. For Dinner tonight its – Tuscan Seasoned Pork Medallions w/ Roasted Butternut Squash and Bourbon and Fresh Green Beans.






On my last visit to Costco I had bought another package of the always delicious Tuscan Seasoned
Pork Loin Medallions. They cut it fresh for me and seasoned it as I shopped. The package had 20 slices in it and have them in the Freezer. So Last night I grabbed the last couple of packages out of the freezer and let them thaw overnight in the fridge.







To start I preheated the oven on 400 degrees. To prepare them I used a Cast Iron Skillet. Sprayed it
with Pam Cooking Spray and added 1 tablespoon of Extra Light Olive Oil and heated it on medium heat. I then lightly Salted the Pork with Sea Salt and a sprinkle of McCormick Dried Parsley. Added the Pork to the skillet and cooked it for 2 minutes a side, as it just started to brown. Then from the stove to the oven, love Cast Iron Skillets! I then backed them to a medium rare, 145 degrees in the center of the medallions using a meat thermometer. Pork Tenderloin is one of my favorites. The Pork is so tender and flavorful. Seasoned just right and so moist. I’ll have to get to Costco to pick up another package of these soon!




For a side dish I prepared some Roasted Butternut Squash, easy recipe for some delicious Butternut
Squash! I purchased 1 small package of Diced Butternut Squash at Kroger. They sell packages of it that they dice up. This is a lot easier than peeling and seeding one yourself, especially if you don’t have a good knife to cut it. I’ll need; 1 package of Diced Butternut Squash, Walnut Pieces, 1 tablespoon Extra Light Olive Oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Grinder Sea Salt, and 1 teaspoon McCormick Grinder Peppercorn Medley.





To prepare it; Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the Squash on a sheet pan and drizzle with the
Olive Oil, Salt, and Peppercorn and toss well. Arrange the squash in one layer and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the Squash is tender, turning once with a spatula. And done, very easy to prepare. With the small amount of Seasoning and Olive Oil, it really brings out the flavor of Butternut Squash! The Walnuts work perfect with the Squash.








For another side I cooked up the last bag of the fresh Green Beans. Mom’s Cousin dropped some
more of them off to us that they had grown. Had to string them and break them up. Then boiled them with a piece of Fatback Pork in the kettle. Love these fresh Green Beans! For Dessert/Snack later a bowl of Skinny Pop - Pop Corn with a Diet 1/2 and 1/2 Snapple to drink.










Pork Facts….
One serving of pork is 3 ounces, or about the size of a deck of cards, according to the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute. An image of the portion size is important because a thick pork chop can be twice that size and without realizing it you can eat double the calories. You’ll get 137 calories and 4 grams of fat from a 3-ounce pork chop. Pork is similar to chicken, with 3 ounces of chicken breast containing 140 calories and 3 grams of fat. A pork chop has 65 milligrams of cholesterol, compared to 72 grams in chicken breast, but they both have just 1 gram of saturated fat.

Wild Idea Buffalo Recipe of the Week - PASTA ALLA CARRETTIERA WITH ITALIAN BUFFALO MEATBALLS

This week's Wild Idea Buffalo Recipe of the Week is - PASTA ALLA CARRETTIERA WITH ITALIAN BUFFALO MEATBALLS. Pasta with Buffalo Meatballs which are made using the Wild Idea Buffalo -  Italian Buffalo Sausage. For the Pasta you could use Casarecce Pasta, Pici Pasta, or thick Spaghetti. You can find this recipe or purchase the Wild Idea Buffalo ITALIAN SAUSAGE along with all the other Wild Idea Products at the Wild Idea Buffalo website. Enjoy and Eat Healthy in 2018!  https://wildideabuffalo.com/

PASTA ALLA CARRETTIERA WITH ITALIAN BUFFALO MEATBALLS

This dish is named after the people who drove food and wine carts in Italy. It is a slightly spicy red sauce, with garlic and basil, and is typically served over a thicker style of pasta. My favorite rendition of this dish also had hints of parsley and mint, which made for lingering, memorable flavors. After a little research, and substituting a few of the more difficult to find ingredients with like alternatives, I thought I might be able to come close to duplicating it.  The only thing missing was Wild Idea’s artisan, Italian Buffalo Sausage, and I knew just where to go for that.  This simple dish is packed with flavor and very easy to prepare. The perfect solution, for a stress free, delicious dinner! (Serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 - 1 lb. Italian Buffalo Sausage
3 - tablespoons olive oil
3 - cloves garlic, about 1 tablespoon
½ - teaspoon chili flake, or pepperoncino (dried Italian chili pepper)
½ - cup basil, finely chopped
2 - tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
1 - tablespoon mint, finely chopped
1 - 28 ounce can whole *San Marzano Tomatoes, flash processed, *they’re the best
1 - teaspoon salt
2 - teaspoons sugar
1 - lemon, juiced, about ¼ cup
1 - cup freshly grated, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Porcini cheese
1 - 12 ounce box of Casarecce pasta, Pici pasta, or thick Spaghetti, cooked el dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water

Preparation:
1)  Divide Wild Idea Italian Buffalo sausage into 24 pieces and roll into meatballs. Pour one of the tablespoons of olive oil on a baking sheet and roll the meatballs in the oil. Cover and set-aside until you are ready to broil.
2)  In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the remaining tablespoons of olive oil. Add the garlic, and toss or stir regularly, until tender, about 3 minutes.
3)  Add the basil, parsley, and half of the mint to the pan. Sauté and stir for 1 minute.
4)  Add the tomatoes, salt, sugar and lemon juice and stir to incorporate. Bring to a gentle boil, cook for 5 minutes and then add the remaining mint. *Sauce can be made ahead and reheated.
5)  During step 4, or right before serving, place the prepped bison meatballs on the second rack from the top of a preheated broiler, and broil the meat balls for about 5 minutes or until nicely browned.
6)  Simultaneously bring the reserved pasta water to a boil. Add the prepared pasta, and toss to reheat.
7)  Drain pasta, transfer to a bowl and add ½ cup of the grated cheese. Toss to incorporate.
8)  Place desired amounts of pasta on to plates and cover with ¾ cup or desired amount of sauce. Serve with the hot Italian Bison meatballs and garnish with remaining grated cheese and additional fresh herbs.  Delizioso!
https://wildideabuffalo.com/blogs/recipes/55157697-pasta-alla-carrettiera-with-italian-buffalo-meatballs




Wild Idea Buffalo ITALIAN SAUSAGE 1 LB.

What do you get when you cross a bison and Italian spices? A way to indulge in a fantastic Italian
Sausage, with fewer consequences. Tasting straight from the corner meat shop, it creates a healthier form of Italian dishes, without sacrificing a bit of flavor. Once you've tried it will be a staple in your house!
Ground sausage, not in links.

1 lb. package.

Ingredients: 100% Grass-fed Buffalo, Organic Spices: {Black Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper, Fennel Seeds, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Paprika} Red Wine Vinegar, Salt, Water.
https://wildideabuffalo.com/collections/brats-sausages-hot-dogs/products/1-lb-italian-sausage

Vegetarian Recipes You Need to Make All Summer Long

From the EatingWell website and Magazine its Vegetarian Recipes You Need to Make All Summer Long. Delicious Vegetarian Recipes like; No-Cook Black Bean Salad, Sweet Corn Polenta with Bell Pepper and Tomato Salad, and Veggie Sandwich, Find these recipes and much more all at the EatingWell website. Enjoy and Eat Healthy in 2018!  http://www.eatingwell.com/

Vegetarian Recipes You Need to Make All Summer Long
Caprese-stuffed portobellos or eggplant gyros, anyone? These are EatingWell's favorite updated vegetarian classics that take advantage of summer's best produce.


No-Cook Black Bean Salad
A classic black bean salad is a must for picnics and potlucks. This vegan version gets its creaminess from blended avocado. Any mix of salad greens will work well, but try arugula if you want to give this hearty salad a peppery kick...........


Sweet Corn Polenta with Bell Pepper and Tomato Salad
Serve this simple vegetarian side dish warm or room temperature alongside grilled meats and a stacked summer salad. A flash under the broiler leaves these slices of corn-studded polenta golden on the outside and soft on the inside; an herby, smoky tomato-pepper salad acts like a salsa to be spooned over the top...........


Veggie Sandwich
There's no chance of getting the afternoon munchies when you fuel up with this vegan veggie sandwich filled with fiber and healthy fats, plus fruit on the side. It'll keep you energized until dinner. Feel free to swap in your other favorite sandwich vegetables, sprouts or greens........



* Click the link below to get all the Vegetarian Recipes You Need to Make All Summer Long
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/23064/lifestyle-diets/vegetarian/summer-vegetarian-recipes/slideshow/vegetarian-recipes-you-need-to-make-all-summer-long/

Ohio Festivals August 3-5, 2018

August 3-4, 2018
12th Annual Van Wert Rib Fest
Van Wert, Ohio
Annual Event featuring Ribs, Music & Fun!
http://www.vanwertribfest.com/

August 3-4, 2018  Annual Vintage Ohio Wine Festival
Kirtland, Ohio
Vintage Ohio is a two-day festival in Lake County, Ohio which will feature Ohio wineries, many food vendors, arts and music. Wine will be available to taste, by the glass and by the bottle. There is a designated driver program and all ages are welcome.
http://www.visitvintageohio.com/

August 4, 2018  Corn City Festival - Deshler, Ohio
Deshler Park Deshler.  Rides, a Parade, Volleyball, Kiddie Tractor Pulls, 1K and 5K runs, Live Musical Entertainment, band on Saturday night, along with great food! Car show on Sunday.

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

A little Olive Oil goes a long way.............


Adding even just a little olive oil can really bring out the flavors of a dish. Works great on vegetarian dishes and pasta dishes.