Warm Pasta Salad

It has been very warm this week around my area and it really got me into the summer spirit.  I made this wonderful salad this week and it will be going on my summer menu.  It was great warm and the cold leftovers were also wonderful.  Enjoy!


Warm Tortellini Salad

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. frozen tortellini
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon tarragon
1/4 cup
salt & pepper to taste

In large skillet, saute onion, garlic, & bell peppers in olive oil until tender. Cook tortellini as directed on package. Drain. In small bowl mix together vinegar, thyme, tarragon, parmesan & salt & pepper. Put tortellini in large bowl. Add balsamic mixture & stir to coat.
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Irish Green Apple Meringue Dessert

I have married into an Irish family and this is a dessert they eat each year on St. Patrick's Day..I am going to make it this year for my family.

Irish Green Apple Meringue Dessert
For a great combination of baking apple; use Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold,
Empire, Regent, Spartan, Newtown apples or a mixture of your favorite apples
together.

Pan size: 8 x 8 x 2 baking dish
Temp: 350°F degrees
Baking time:30 minutes
Servings: 6 to 8

Crust;
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons sugar
2 egg yolks
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted flour
6 tablespoons finely chopped almonds
3 teaspoons shredded lemon peel
Apples;
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
5 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and quartered
6 tablespoons raspberry jam
Meringue;
4 egg whites
Dash of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in 2 egg yolks. Add flour, almonds and lemon
peel; mix well.

Press dough evenly in the bottom of a 8 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish. Brush dough with slightly beaten egg white. Using a small amount of the egg whites from which the
meringue will be made.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350°F, for 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Set
the crust aside to cool. Meanwhile, place sugar and lemon juice in a large skillet. Add apple quarters, cover tightly and cook slowly for about 6 minutes or until apples are just tender. Be sure not to over cook apples. Drain off liquid.

Spread raspberry jam over cooled crust, then arrange apple quarters over jam.

Meringue;
In a medium glass or stainless steel mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites, vanilla, salt and cream of tartar till soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar beating till egg whites are stiff, glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved.

Carefully spread the meringue over cooked apples. Seal the meringue to the edge of the baking dish all the way around. This will help to prevent the meringue from shrinking away from the edges.

Bake Green Apple Meringue Dessert at 350°F. for 12 to 15 minutes, or until meringue is golden browned. Cool before serving. This rich dessert will serve 6 to 8.Pin It

Tamale Pie Casserole

Tamale Pie Casserole

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef- can also use ground chicken or turkey
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
1 can (11 to 15 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained or use frozen corn
2 1/2 teaspoons salt- I omit this
1 1/2 teas
Dash of hot sauce - optional
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup water
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives- we like black olives best

Topping:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 eggs, slightly beaten

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef in oil. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook for 2 minutes, until just tender. Pour off excess grease. Stir in tomatoes, corn, and seasonings; simmer for about 5 minutes longer. Mix 1/2 cup cornmeal with 1 cup water. Stir into the mixture in the skillet. Cover and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. Add the sliced olives and pour into a lightly greased shallow 2 1/2-quart or 13x9-inch baking pan.

Make topping:
Heat 1 1/2 cups milk with 1 teaspoon salt and the butter. Gradually stir in the 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal. Cook, stirring, until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in cheese and beaten eggs. Pour the topping around the edge of casserole. Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. Can also assemble and freeze for future baking.
Serves 6.
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FREEZER BISCUITS

Do many of you use these frozen biscuits? I have the recipe for you!  I recently decided to make up a buch of convenience freezer items.  These biscuits are like those you buy in the freezer section and are easy to make.  These have saved me money because I always have the items to make these on hand and instead of paying $4 a package to buy these in the store ready made. 




5 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup shortening
1 envelope dry yeast
2 Tbsp warm water
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup melted butter

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into bowl. Cut in shortening until crumbly. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix with buttermilk. Add to flour mixture; mix well. Roll to desired thickness on floured surface; cut with biscuit cutter. Place on baking sheet. Freeze until firm. Store in airtight container in freezer. This recipe will make enough biscuits for 4 people for 6 meals. Dip desired number of biscuits in melted butter; place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 400º oven until brown.
Yield: 24 servings
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It is Spring--Or Summer!

Well, in my area it is now 80 degrees...In March..definitely a record.  It seems odd wearing capri pants and having the windows open, but also great!

I have taken a few months off from blogging for yet more family issues.  My mother was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and has only a few months left to live according to the Dr.'s.  This has put me in a bit of a depression, but I am now dealing with it.  Today, I am sharing with you my spring cleaning schedule in hope that you will all get on the wonderful fun job of making your home fresh again. 

I plan on taking next week to clean my house and freshen it up a bit after a long winter..Although here in Iowa the winter was very mild.  By breaking up my tasks into a week long process, I am able to get the jobs completed without it feeling like a chore.

Monday
Clean window sills and tops of windows.  wash windows also.

Tuesday
Clean  and dust blinds in all rooms.  This is a job I absolutelty detest, but I have beautiful custom made wood blinds that need to be dusted.

Wednesday
Look at the tops of the walls and corners and get all the dust bunnies out

Thursday
Clean sofa cushions and have floors cleaned

Friday
Deep clean the bathroom and bedrooms

There it is, my spring cleaning list.  Sometimes I also clean my kitchen cabinets, but I am not sure I want to tackle that project next week.

How do you spring clean?
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