Turkey Tetrazzini

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/turkey-tetrazzini-recipe/index.html

Used the recipe above as a starting point, then modified (as follows) with what I had in the house (& to reduce salt & fat from his recipe), turned out great.

Boil water & make 1 pack WHEAT spaghetti or angel hair pasta

Saute

• Olive Oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 chopped red bell peppers
• 1 Cup sliced carrots 
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic 

Add:

• Tablespoon smart balance
• 1/4 C flour

Mix above to coat veggies, then add:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/4-1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

 Mix above to coat veggies, then add:

• 1/4 cup dry white wine  
• 1/4-1/3 can Amys Organic Cream of Mushroom soup
• 2 cups turkey stock (or low-sodium canned chicken broth)

  Mix above to heat through to thicken, then add & continue to mix/heat:

• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound cubed roasted turkey
• 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan 

Add Noodles

Place in dish (sprayed w/ olive oil) 

Top with crushed potatoes chips (I used Trader Joes SWEET POTATO CHIPS - YUM)

Bake at 400 til hot & golden (wont take long)

Turkey Meatballs

Mix:

Ground turkey
Egg White
Greek Blend
Minced Onions
Pita Chip crumbs (how I finish the end of the bag)

Shape into balls ( I use a scoop to save time and messy hands)

add to Olive Oil on medium/high heat

sprinkle with Sumac

turn as needed to brown all sides.

Near end of cooking time, pour lemon juice in pan and swirl the oil, meatballs and lemon juice to coat while is cooks off. 

These go great on pita w/ Hummus & lettuce & Tomatoes.

They also would go great with rice or couscous or quinoa

Creamy Balsmic Mushroom Pasta & Chicken

using lots of half prepared foods and adding fresh items, this blends perfectly into a quick rich dish.

*******
Boil:
Spinach Ravioli
drain
 *******

      ~~ in the meantime ~~
Combine til Hot & Creamy:
1/3 low fat pack cream cheese
1/2 can Amys Organic Cream of Mushroom soup

Add:
Trader Joes (precooked) Balsamic Chicken Breasts, cubed (include juices & spices from container)
& warm through

Add:
Fresh diced tomatoes
Fresh Basil
Fresh Spinach

Toss all with done drained *Ravioli*

MYAS Pasta

Mya has always loved to help me bake, and has baked many treats alone. However, until last week she hadn't really ever cooked. Out of the blue last week she found a recipe in a book and announced she was making it because I looked busy (I was making orders to get out in the mail). She made this wheat pasta & it was so amazing I think I will ask her to make it again tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joes Garden

 

Above you see the lack of vines, a few weeks ago this was covered w/ snap peas, but Kayla accidentally killed the vines as she stole peas off of them.... The rest is thriving. 

 

Our 1st batch of lettuce was so good, Joe started a new crop. Here are the babies already. 

 

Getting sweet & red on the vine

 

YUM

 

Cucumbers, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme....

Cheddar & Blue plus Turkey Bacon & Tomato Quiche

~ crust in pie plate

short on time  -  Trader Joes pie crust from freezer section

Combine & Whisk:
~ eggs
~ egg whites
~ sour cream
~ fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil, chives)

Add:
~ minced onions
~ blue cheese
~ shredded cheddar
~ crumbled (cooked) turkey bacon

Pour into crust
top w:
~ thick slices of tomatoes

Bake @ 350 until firmed w/ golden crust

Mushroom Vegetable Quiche

~ crust in pie plate
short on time  -  Trader Joes pie crust from freezer section

combine:
~ (leftover) Quick Creamy Mushroom Sauce
~ eggs
~ egg whites
~ fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil)
~ spinach

whisk above & pour into crust
top w:
~ thinly sliced tomatoes
~ parmesan cheese

Bake @ 350 until firmed w/ golden crust

QUICK & CREAMY Mushroom Sauce (for Pasta)

I buy those frozen (meat, veggie or cheese) Ravioli & Tortellini all of the time because they keep well and are ready when you need a quick meal to go with our salad. I am always playing with sauces to keep the feeling of variety alive, while not making anything too time consuming... Here is my latest and I was VERY pleased with the results. Tonight I served this with chicken ravioli and it was a hit.

~ 1 Can Amys Organic Cream of Mushroom Soup
http://www.amys.com/products/product-detail/soups/000506
~ 2/3 container (low fat) Ricotta Cheese
~ shredded Parmesan Cheese
~ chopped fresh herbs & /or spinach

save leftover sauce for this YUMMY recipe:
Mushroom Vegetable Quiche

Creamy Pear & Sweet Potatoe Pasta w/ Pork

- boil water & cook pasta (in the meantime do the following)

- dice & cook sweet potatoes

- olive oil in pan, brown thinly sliced pork tederloins
      - once browned, (pull from pan & place covered in oven in their juices to finish cooking)
In oiled/pork dripping pan:
- saute diced onions
- add & cook down:
      - diced portabella mushrooms
      - diced pears
- reduce balsamic vinegar in browned pan w/ above mixture (don't be shy)

quick food process (to paste but still lumpy textured med/thick sauce):
- above mixture
- sweet potatoes
- 21 seasoning blend
- fresh herbs
- veggie broth as needed (Trader Joes low sodium)

fold together:
- above mixture
- ricotta cheese
- seasoning to taste

This results in a wonderfully fiber & flavor filled creamy sauce
(the sauce is also good in a more rustic texture w/out the ricotta)
Heat through & add broth if needed to perfect texture/thickness
Fold sauce with pasta & serve with pork
Serve with a side of steamed zucchini or green beans
Top meal with Parmesian

Vidalia Onion Chicken

Marinate Chicken in Vidalia Onion Dressing
Grilled & Dice
set aside

Dice Onions & Red Peppers
Toss in a small amount of Olive Oil
Spread on pan & roast at 500 degrees, mix & brown

Combine all
Add a little more Vidalia Onion Dressing

Serve on 1 of the following ways:

SALAD: cooled & tossed with greens & crushed tortilla chips
or
NACHOS: cover cookie sheet w/ mixture > top w/ cheese > bake at 400 until cheese melts
or
ENCHILADAS: place tortillas on lightly oiled dish, add mixture & some shredded cheese > roll up > bake at 400 until golden

Tangy Grilled Sweet Potatoes

dice sweet potatoes, red pepper, onions
wrap in foil w/ olive oil & seasoning

whisk:
Trader Joes Peanut Dressing
Lemon Juice
Cumin
Chopped Cilantro

toss above dressing over warm grilled veggies & serve

Simple Salad

Greens
Snap Peas
Avacado
Cucumbers
Tomatoes

Top with:
sliced Grilled Portabella Mushrooms (marinate in balsamic vinegar & olive oil prior to grilling)
Crumbled Goat Cheese
Briannas French Vinaigrette

Peach Pork & So Much More

Thinly cut center loins
- dip in egg whites w/ splash of  Worcestershire Sauce
- dip in  blend of:
    - Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
    - seasoning blend
    - minced onions
- brown on each side in hot olive oil
- place browned meat in glass pan in oven at 350 with cover to stay moist while finish cooking


SAUCE
- Simmer in pan10-15 minutes:

    - diced canned peaches (drained)
    - apple juice
    - balsamic vinegar
    - currants or yellow raisins (optional)
    - cinnamon
- mash to break up cooked peaches
- whisk in Dijon Mustard
- whisk in maple syrup

Serve meat with sauce on top

Short Ribs

- Marinate short ribs 4 hrs - overnight:

sesame oil (or olive)
soy sauce
sherry
honey
minced garlic
minced ginger
sesame seeds
chives
chili flakes

- Slow Cook 4-6 hrs

- Pull out the short ribs & grill

- Cook down the remaining marinade from the slow cooker to reduce
- Add can of tomato sauce and simmer

Quinoa & Veggies

Cook quinoa in micro or on stove

Saute veggies on hand (onions, celery, carrots...)
Once browned, add mushrooms, cook til soft

Toss quinoa together with veggies & greek dressing & feta

Ardent Designs at Nelis Dutch Village

 We had a great visit to Nelis Dutch Village
Below are photos by my husband/love Joe Welch

 

Ardent Designs jewelry at the Village

Dancer facing us in the picture is wearing Ardent Designs Windmill Earrings

Tzatziki meets Slow Cookin

Overnight, coat both sides of a roast with Sumac & fresh minced Garlic. Refrigerate.

Place roast in slow cooker w/ thinly sliced onions.
(IF the roast is very lean add a little olive oil &/or broth)
Cook on low all day
Pull beef apart & let simmer in juices while preparing the following

Dice Tomatos
Diced Cucumbers
Lettuce

Warm Pita
Serve for self assembly wraps w/ Hummus &/or Trader Joe's Tzatziki dip

PUMPKIN BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE

PUMPKIN BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE

CAKE:
2 c. multi-grain pancake mix
1 T cinnamon
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. milk
1/2 c canned Pumpkin
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
1 pt. or 2 c. fresh or frozen thawed blueberries

TOPPING:

3/4 c. uncooked oats
chopped walnuts (optional)
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 tbsp. melted butter

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 (8 inch) round or square pans. Combine pancake mix, cinnamon and sugar. Whisk then Add milk, pumpkin, egg and oil; mix until moistened. Spread this mixture into the pans. Place blueberries over pancake mixture. Combine ingredients for topping; sprinkle over batter and blueberries. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm.

Thai Slaw

(I used Broccoli slaw w/ red cabbage & carrots)
OR shred brocoli, cabbage, carrots in food processor w/ grating blade

Toss w/ seeds or nuts of your choice (I used sunflower seeds)

Toss w/ Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing (Trader Joes I love you)

YUM YUM YUM

New Deisgns with Swarovski Crystals

Thanks to Krisia for helping me name them all!
http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=ardent+designs&sortOption=New+Arrivals

basement workshop

Going to start getting the basement workshop back up & running because:

• my inventory has grown and doesnt all fit upstairs anymore
• Aiden is old enough to let me go downstairs more often
• Aiden is going to school twice a week now (so in theory I have more time LOL)
• I miss glass, I want to start fusing again. 
• I have a bunch of wonderful glass I bought and have not "broken out yet"
• I have been buying new findings to incorporate with my glass designs
• it is warming up so the basement wont be as cold to work in
• my sweet Remy came over the other week and kindly helped start to organize the boxes that were down there overwhelming me

SOOOOO I will take before pics and keep you posted on my progress. I do expect this to be a long and slow process, but I have a vision!

Sneak Peak at another Tulip Design Line

Men out there.... Still time to grab this BRAND NEW DESIGN for your women in time for VALENTINES DAY, w/ FREE SHIPPING! Email me if you want a pair. 14K gold hooks w/ Swarovski Crystals & antiqued gold pewter hearts for $24

Web Gallery Sneak Peak

Still need to do a few tweaks and get the links from the Ardent Designs Home page but you can check out the galleries via direct URL here....

Silver Tulip Gallery
Gold Tulip Gallery

Ardent Designs is working on new Web Galleries

Ardent Designs is working on new Web Galleries, Ill let you know as they go live! Some will be products you've seen sorted by line, and some will be new products. 2012 should be pretty exciting!

Trip to Holland MI planned for Feb 2012!!!!

I just love the Tulip Festival in Holland MI each spring. This year I am visiting in Feb to meet with local businesses about selling my products (specifically my Tulip line) in their shops.

Cranberry Pork Roast

Caramelize 1-2 Onions in olive oil
add minced garlic near end to brown

Add above to slow cooker with:

Pork Roast
1 cup Crushed Cranberries (or chutney or frozen or whatever you have)
splash lemon juice
splash pomegranate glaze (or apple cider)
2-4 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
rosemary, thyme, tarragon

slow cook all of the above
served with green salad & mashed potatoes

Joelyns 2012 Pot Roast

Beef roast
rub top w/ :
trader joes garlic aioli mustard
minced garlic

Dice:
carrots
sweet potato
parsnips
celery
onion

spices/salt/pepper blend
4ish Tablespoons Marsala wine


Slow Cook All

Joelyns Traditional Pot Roast

Beef Roast

Dice:
carrots
potatoes
celery
onions
mushrooms
minced garlic

spices/salt/pepper blend
white or red wine
rosemary
thyme

Trader Joes Cream Of Portabella Mushroom Soup

Slow Cook All