Finally a day that feels like Spring.. Loving my Wednesdays!!! (Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken, Garlic Red Potatoes, Lemon Squares)

It has been while since I have posted any recipes..  life sometimes gets in the way of cooking and writing,  and I need to stop it..  I need to at least write once a week in my blog,  just for the sole purpose of how it makes me feel..  Writing,  like cooking, is one of my passions.. so I need to indulge myself more and allow myself to write..   I have been battling some type of Bronchitis, Upper Respiratory, Sinus type infection for the past week or so and it is kicking my behind..  I even planned on staying in bed most of the day today,  but I couldn't..  my craziness wouldn't allow it..  so I got up and Boo and I went and grabbed some things at the store.. new bird feeder,  more food, a free standing bird stand to hang the bird feeders on,  a bird bath and some raspberry plants..  We didn't plant the raspberries because of the frost that is supposed to happen tonight,  but we did get everything else out in the yard..  it is starting to come together slowly..  can't wait to get rid of the stupid boxwood bushes in the front of the porch,  then I can start planting my rose bushes and lavender...  :)    Then I decided since I found such a great deal on chicken breast that I would grill chicken for dinner..  it is smelling delish too.. 

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken

1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon steak sauce
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast

In a bowl stir together the first 4 ingredients,  reserve some to brush on the chicken as it is grilling and pour the rest over the chicken and let it sit for 30 minutes or so..  grill until juices run clear

Garlic Red Potatoes

2 pounds red potatoes, quartered
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 lemon, juiced

On a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil pour a little oil and then place the potatoes,  add the salt and pepper and a couple tbsp butter, garlic and squeeze the juice of a lemon over.. seal the foil and place on the grill and cook until done

Lemon Squares

2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 sticks butter, melted

Mix together and pat into the bottom of a 9x13 pan,  bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown

4 eggs
2 c sugar
1/3 c lemon juice
zest of 2 lemons
1/2 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
powdered sugar for dusting

Beat the eggs and sugar together until lemon yellow,  add the lemon zest and juice and mix well,  add the flour and baking soda and mix until well blended,  pour over crust and bake 25 minutes until golden brown..  let cool,  dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares.. 

fresh pineapple and strawberries..  yummy

Glorious Saturday, How I Love you!!! (Italian Herb Bread, Fig Bars, Raspberry Oatmeal Bars, Peach Cobbler)

What a glorious Saturday that I woke up to..  I love my weekends off..  love the time I get to spend with the Munchkin.. aka My Buttercup, SammyLooHoo, Monster, Sam and when G'ma is not happy with her, Samantha Riley..  She is a sweet girl most of the time,  but she does get a little grumpy..
We also have a house guest this weekend..  Mr David G Moore.. and he is getting spoiled with food..  We had Beef and Black Bean Sloppy Joes with Fries Wednesday night, Sun Dried Tomato Chicken, French Onion Soup with Toasted Italian Bread with Melted Swiss and Waldorf Salad Thursday night,  Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken and Stir Fry Vegetables last night,  Lasagna, Salad and Italian Herb Bread tonight, Burgers, Hot Wings and Chips tomorrow, Parmesan Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta, Caesar Salad, Bread Monday night and eating Chinese out for lunch Tuesday..  wow..  lots of cooking but going to love it..
Sam has kept me on my toes today..  she is a ball of energy and she wears me out,  but I love it.. 

Multipurpose Bread

2 c. warm water
8 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp yeast

put in large mixing bowl and let proof

2 c warm water
4 tbsp olive oil or butter, melted
4 tsp salt
7 to 9 c flour( I use a combination of all purpose and whole wheat..  about equal parts)

Add the warm water, vegetable oil/melted butter, salt and flour 2 c at a time.  Keep adding flour until the dough is no longer sticky to the touch..  turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes..  cut into 4 equal parts form into balls and cover with a clean towel and let rest for 15 minutes..    punch each down and form into the bread shape you want..   place on greased baking sheet and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours..  bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes..  or depending on the size loaf you make..


Italian herb bread

1 stick butter, softened
Dried Italian Seasoning,  could use fresh basil, oregano if wanted
Garlic powder
1 tbsp minced garlic
handful of fresh parsley, chopped finely
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

Mix all together and set aside..   I made this while the dough is resting.  It is enough for 2 loaves of the bread.. so if you only want to make one half it.. 
Take one ball of dough and shape it into a rectangle,  using a rolling pin roll out into about a 8 x 14 to 15 inch rectangle..  spread with half of the mixture to about 1/2 inch from the edges..  roll up long way and ten pinch the end seam with the dough it meets..  pinch ends together and tuck under..  place on greased baking sheet, seem down and allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.. bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes..   

Fig Bars

Crust

1/2 cup butter, soft

1/4 c sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 c all purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar, add the vanilla and flour and mix well until a dough forms, press into the bottom of a greased 8 or 10 inch square pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.. while that is baking prepare the filling..

Filling

1/4 c sugar

1 c boiling water

1 c dried Mission figs, chopped (1 c)

Place the figs in a saucepan and add the sugar,  pour the boiling water over and place on stove over medium heat and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed..  about 10 to 15 minutes..  spread over the crust..

Topping 

1/4 c all purpose flour

1/4 c packed brown sugar

3 tbsp butter, cubed

1/4 c oats

1/4 c chopped nuts

Mix well and spread on top of the fig mixture.. press down a little and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  cool and cut into squares

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cup oats

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

One 10 to 12-ounce jar raspberry preserves

Mix the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt together,  press half the oat mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread with the raspberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake in a 350 degree oven 30 to 40 minutes or until light brown. Let cool completely,  cut into squares.

Peach  Cobbler


4 15 oz can peaches with juice
1 c sugar
cinnamon and cloves
1/2 c flour
2 1/2 c bisquick
1/2 c sugar
1 stick butter, melted
2 to 2 1/2 c milk


In a large saucepan mix the sugar and flour,  add the peaches with juice, cinnamon, cloves  and stir well..  heat over medium heat stirring often until thickened
In a bowl mix the bisquick and sugar.. add the melted butter and milk, sprinkle some cinnamon and cloves and mix well...  pour into greased 9x13 pan..  top withe the peach mixture , spreading evenly over the crust.. bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown on top..