Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Ode To Fall Crockpot Roast

For some, fall has come. Yesterday it was 103 degrees F. YUCK. Too hot. Way too hot. One of my co-workers had her husband pull out her fall harvest decorations. She is ready to decorate and make her house FALL-tastic. I am still trying to cool off from yesterday. At LifeasMom.com she is having her Thursday Ultimate Recipe Swap. You must check it out. This happens each week and you won't be disappointed. Last week's swap was featuring FOOTBALL foods. This week is Favorite Fall foods.

Ode To Fall~ Crockpot Roast

4 small Russets potatoes
4 small yukon gold potatoes
1 cup chunks of carrots
1/2 purple onion cut in sixths (wedged)
3 Celery stalks chopped in bite size pieces
2 pounds pork butt or Beef Round Roast or One whole chicken
Lawrys Seasoning Salt, Lawrys Garlic Salt, Fresh cracked pepper
Sweet Baby Ray's Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce

Take the Crockpot out of your cabinet or storage facility. Rinse it off or clean it. Season the bottom of your crock pot. Season your choice of protein by rubbing it with dry seasonings. Then massage it with some barbecue sauce and place that in the bottom of the crock. Arrange potatoes, carrots, onion and celery around that. Put the top on the crockpot. Set it for the right amount of time and heat according to when you start preparing your dinner. I usually put mine on in the morning before I go to work, set on low for 10 hours. Everything is perfectly cooked when I get home. Oh and does the house smell amazing.

Serve with a crusty baguette and a little lettuce salad.

Monday, September 21, 2009

A Toast To Fall

Today is the last day of summer. Here in California, it does not feel like it. It was 95 degrees of dry heat. I like the warmth and the sun, but it would be nice to feel crisp cool air and actually start to see the leaves change. Maybe in another two months. But to celebrate with those who are enjoying fall and pulling out their harvest decor... two special drinks to welcome the new season.

Fall Orange Bitter

1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cans Campari
2 cans water

In a pitcher, empty the contents of the orange concentrate. Fill the concentrate can with Campari and pour over the orange. Fill the can with water and add. Fill the can with water again and add. Stir. Serve over ice with a slice of orange.

Harvest Island Iced Tea

Are you ready for this twist?

1 part Citron Vodka
1 part Captain Morgan
1 part Campari
1 part Triple Sec
1 1/2 parts Sweet and Sour
splash of Diet Coke or Coca Cola

Pour various components over ice and swizzle. Enjoy!

Be sure to check out Festive Spiked Punch under drinky-poos!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Easy Cheesecake With Strawberries

Every Sunday Dinner, I try to bring a dessert. This week was Easy Cheesecake With Strawberries! Thanks to Ralphs for the 99 cents a pound Strawberries!

Easy Cheesecake With Strawberries

One premade Graham Cracker Crust
One block Cream Cheese room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 Bisquick (I had no flour, substitution, Baby!)
1 egg
a few shakes cinnamon
1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 pound cleaned and quarterd strawberries
2 tbs. sugar

Sweetened Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In your mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar and mix. Add Bisquick and mix. Remove white thingees from eggs and mix together. Finally add cinnamon and almond extract. Scrape sides of bowl with spatula and mix once more. Pour cheesecake mixture into Graham cracker crust. Spoon mixture around until level in the crust. Place cheesecake in oven for approximately 20 minutes or until edges are set. Allow to cool.

When ready to serve. Take a slice of cheesecake, top with a little whipped cream and a some sweetened berries. YUM YUM YUM! The flavors sing in your mouth.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Summer Drinky-poos

Summer. As summer is winding down. The temps are still toasty. There is something so wonderful about a cup filled with ice and a wonderful liquid concoction to quench your thirst. Below you will find three Fruity liquid concoctions made with various types of alcohol so every guest will have a choice.

Summer Margarita

1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 1/2 cans filled with Margaritaville Silver Tequila
1 1/2 cans water
juice from one lime
sliced lime wedges
ice

Pour lemonade concentrate in a pitcher. Using the empty concentrate container/can, add the Tequila and additional water. Stir. You can serve this concoction over ice or you can blend it. The Magic Bullet is awesome blending up this yummy cocktail.

Malibu Ma-orange-o

1 can frozen Hawaii's Own Mango Orange Concentrate
1 1/2 cans filled with Malibu Coconut Rum
1 1/2 cans water

Pour the Mango Orange concentrate into a pitcher. Using the empty concentrate container/can, fill with amounts listed above of Malibu Rum and water. Stir. You can serve this Delicious drink over ice or blend. Excellent either way.

Pink Lemon Drop

1 can Raspberry Lemonade Frozen Concentrate
1 1/2 cans filled Gordon's Vodka
1 1/2 cans water

Pour the Raspberry Lemonade Frozen Concentrate into a pitcher. Using the empty concentrate container/can, fill with amounts listed above of Vodka and water. Stir. You can shake and serve this over ice or blend.

Enjoy your Summer Drinky-poos responsibly!

If you do not drink alchol, prepare the concentrates substituting the alchol for more water.