Orange Scones

Does just hearing the word 'scones' make your mouth instantly dry up and feel like a cotton ball? Not with this recipe. These scones are moist and tender and delicious!

Orange Scones
adapted from exploringwomanhood.com

1/4 c heavy cream
1/4 c butter milk
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1/3 c sugar
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
6 T butter, cut into small pieces
2 oranges

In small bowl whisk together cream, buttermilk, egg, vanilla, zest and juice of one orange. Set aside
In large bowl combine dry ingredients.

Cut in butter cubes until mixture looks crumby.
Add liquids and combine just until moist. Don't overmix.
Dump out onto work surface and form into a large circle.
Divide dough into 12 large egg-shaped balls.

Place on lined baking sheet and bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-18 min.
Let cool a few minutes then add glaze.

Glaze
1 c powdered sugar
zest of one orange
juice of half of orange

Mix well. You want the glaze to be thick. Spoon over warm scones. Enjoy!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

You know when some cheese falls into your pan and gets all crispy and yummy? Well that's what this recipe is...crunchy crusty parmesan on chicken with an amazing tomato topping that is actually for bruscetta but pairs really well with this dish too.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

3-4 chicken breasts
1/2 c shredded parmesan (don't go using the green can stuff now, it won't work the same)
salt
pepper

Pat dry the chicken and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Press as much shredded parmesan as you can into the chicken. The more the better because some will fall off.

Carefully transfer to a med-high non-stick skillet* drizzled with a little olive oil. And don't touch it! It has to stay in one place while the cheese is cooking into the chicken.
Cook 8-10 min per side, until cheese has turned golden and crispy and chicken is cooked through.

*a non-stick skillet is key. I have not had good results with stainless. Cast iron may work, but I haven't tried it.




Tomato topping

1 tomato diced
1/4 c sundried tomatoes diced
1 T garlic, chopped
1 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 T chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients and let mingle. Top over chicken.

Sleepin' on the job

This is where I found Isaiah one day sleeping. He's at the top of our stairs by the baby gate. I was downstairs doing laundry and realized I hadn't heard him in a while (never a good sign). I guess he got tired of waiting for me to come up the stairs and thought he'd pass the time by taking a little rest :)

Stewed Indian Chicken

Here's another great crock-pot recipe that's not your usual chicken-&-potatoes. Tony and I together have concocted this. Here's our latest version.

Stewed Indian Chicken
1 1/2 lbs of some kind of boneless/skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
3-4 medium potatoes, 2 inch chunks
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 T grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t coriander
1/4 t cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
1 can (15 oz) coconut milk
cilantro for garnish

In crock-pot, combine tomatoes, onion, ginger, garlic, coriander, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken and potatoes making sure they are all coated.
Cook on high 4 hours or low for 8.
Before serving, shred chicken into large pieces, stir in coconut milk, and top with cilantro.
Serve with rice and naan (flat bread).

Menu Monday

This week's menu is going to look a lot like last week's menu because the flu hit hard at the Cooper's and wiped out the head cook and then everyone else followed suit. So in case you missed it last week, here it is again this week with a little bit of tweaking.

parmesan crusted chicken/baked potato/veggie
chicken fajitas
beef stroganoff/noodles/ carrots
baked tacos/ rice/ beans
?????

How was your week? And what's for this week?

Addie Oakley

Evan: Addie, let's play 'rock, paper, scissors'

Addie: OK

Evan: 1, 2, 3, go- hitting fist on hand
Addie! What is that?... a scissors?...paper?...what? What is that?

Addie: A gun!

She's no dummy :)

Spring Salad

I've got Spring Fever! I've been using my indoor grill pan a lot lately because I miss grilling. I miss 75 degrees. I miss flip-flops. I miss kids playing in the water. Anyway, to trick me into thinking it actually was Spring I made hot dogs on the indoor grill and this Spring Salad. The dressing on this is really good! It would be great on a lettuce salad as well.

Spring Salad
1 box pasta (bowties, shells, anything fun)
3/4 c chopped carrots
3/4 c chopped radishes
1 cucumber, chopped
1/4 c green pepper, chopped
3/4 c red pepper, chopped
1/2 c celery, chopped
1/4 c yellow onion, chopped

Cook noodles, drain, and rinse in cold water.
Add chopped veggies.
Add dressing.

dressing:
3/4 c sugar
1 c oil
1/2 c vinegar
1 t salt
1/2 t celery seed
1 t dry mustard

Mix in blender. Add to salad. Chill.