Crockpot Cherry Cobbler

     My sweet friend Alicia gave me some sour cherries that she got from her mom's cherry tree.  I pitted and froze most of them for later but wanted to make a special treat for some dinner guests.  It turned out really great.  My only complaint is that I didn't have any vanilla ice cream to go with it.  It is a simple dessert to make and it makes the house smell divine.  It's also a nice dessert to make for someone with a gluten allergy.

Crockpot Cherry Cobbler:

3 cups sour cherries
1 c brown sugar
1/4 c clear gel
1 T cinnamon
1/2 c oats
1/2 c gluten free baking mix
2 T butter

Place the cherries, brown sugar & clear gel in a saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until thick.  (Stirring constantly)  Generously butter the inside of a crockpot.  Pour the thick cherry mixture in the bottom of the crockpot.  In a separate bowl, mix: oats, cinnamon and baking mix together.  Spread the dry mix over the top of the cherries.  Cook on low for 5-6 hours.  Serve with vanilla ice cream!

Broccoli Black Bean Rice Dish

     I love the taste of brown rice.  I am always trying to invent a recipe that uses brown rice.  This recipe is a great way to use leftover rice and veggies.  It tastes good as soon as you make it or the next day reheated.

Broccoli Black Bean Rice Dish:

1 c leftover brown rice
1 c cooked black beans
1 c corn (off the cob)
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 c broccoli (cut into small pieces)
1 T minced onion
salt & pepper to taste
1 t parsley
2 T cilantro paste
1 T minced garlic

In a large skillet, mix all of the ingredients together (except for the rice) & cook over medium heat until the broccoli starts to get soft.  Serve over brown rice and enjoy!

Easy Chicken Casserole

     I had some leftover chicken and I decided that I did not want a high maintenance dinner.  I whipped up this casserole in no time and it turned out yummy.  Give it a try if you are looking for a tasty quick meal.

Easy Chicken Casserole:

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup milk
1 can cream soup (or homemade)
salt & pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon minced onion
1 Tablespoon parsley
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Place all of the ingredients into a greased casserole dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Hazelnut Spinach Salad

     One thing that I miss about living in the west is the bounty of hazelnuts.  (or filberts as we call them there)  The other day, a sweet friend from Oregon sent me a box filled with hazelnuts.  I was SO excited!!!  I made this salad and thought that I would share it with you.  Enjoy!

Hazelnut Spinach Salad:

1 head iceberg lettuce
1 bag baby spinach
Feta
Hazelnuts
Ranch dressing

Tear up the lettuce and spinach and toss in a large bowl.  Sprinkle with feta cheese to taste.  Drizzle with ranch dressing.  Sprinkle hazelnuts on top!

Homemade Christmas

     Someone stole my covered trailer with many of my things before the holidays.  Grrrr!!!  What is wrong with people?!?!?  All of my Christmas decorations were in the trailer.  There were ornaments from mine and my husband's childhood, ornaments that we collected for the last twenty years of marriage and ornaments that I was given when my daughter was born.  Our fake Christmas tree was in the trailer along with advent books, angel figurines that represented loved ones who had passed on, snow globes, a tree skirt, etc..  I realize that all of this is just stuff but it was MY stuff.  I'm sure that it will be thrown into the trash because it isn't valuable to anyone but me...

     I decided to have a homemade Christmas this year.  I bought a Charlie Brown tree and strung it with popcorn and cranberries.  I made homemade ornaments and present tags, and tied a big red ribbon on the top of my tree.  I wrapped all of my presents with brown paper bags and tied them with ribbon.  I made lots and lots of homemade cookies and gave them away to friends.  I wish that I could say that all of this made me feel better.  The truth is it did not!   It wasn't the Christmas that I had planned.

     I learned that I can survive without my things, I can choose to be thankful for what is right in front of me, and that Christmas isn't about me anyway.  It's about Christ's birth!  For that, I am forever greatful!  Have a Happy New Year!

Drying Herbs

     I brought all of my herb pots in the house so that they would not freeze.  They took up a lot of space, so I decided to dry my herbs.  I had mint, oregano, basil, and parsley.  I picked all of the leaves off of the plants and then chopped them up really finely with a knife.  I dried eat one of them on a paper plate for one week until they were thoroughly dry.  I put them in small, glass jam jars, labeled them and put lids on each of them.  I stored them in my spice cupboard and used them to flavor my meals.

Peach Smoothie

     I love canned peaches!  There are so many things that you can do with them.  They taste good in pie, cobbler, fruit salad, jam, chutney, etc..  They are also really good in a smoothie.  Here is a recipe that I enjoy this time of year.  I thought that I would share it.  I hope you like it too!

Peach Smoothie:

1 1/2 c sliced peaches
1 c plain yogurt
1/4 c honey
1 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon
1 c almond milk
1 c crushed ice

Blend ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Pour into glasses and serve immediately.