Tuesday's Tip of the Day ~Taking your Grilled Burgers to the Next Level

Everyone loves Hamburgers on the Grill.

Instead of the plain white burger buns,

serve your burgers on a Focaccia loaf.

This one is Olive Oil and Rosemary.

Or on this Ciabatta loaf.

They are "take and bake".

Then, you can slice the loaf into individual portions.

Brush a little olive oil on top.

Bake according to package directions,

and it is a beautiful golden brown.

(It's usually about 8 minutes)

Look for this or a similar brand at your supermarket.

I put the bread in the oven...

when hubby takes our hamburgers out to the grill.

Cook hamburger until desired degree of doneness.

We prefer medium rare.

This one is topped with shredded Swiss cheese.

Our favorite is provolone with sauteed mushrooms,

on the Olive Oil & Rosemary Focaccia.

Enjoy!

Lasagna in the Crockpot ~Old Farmhouse Style

Old Farmhouse Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 lb. Italian sausage

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (24 oz.) prepared spaghetti sauce

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

fresh oregano & basil or 1/2 tsp. each of dried

15 oz. ricotta cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 sprigs fresh parsley

1 egg

6 - 8 lasagna noodles

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend

In a medium skillet, brown the beef or turkey, 

 Italian sausage, onion. and garlic.

Drain any grease that has accumulated in the pan.

Add the sauces and herbs.

Simmer until warm. 

Stir together the Ricotta, parmesan cheese, 

egg, and fresh parsley.

Spoon a layer of meat sauce into the bottom of your crockpot.

Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit.

(this will be our secret, as no one will see the broken noodles)

Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture on the noodles,

and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Repeat the layers.

Make sure you end with sauce and cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Everyone's crockpot is different.

Adjust your cooking time and amount of liquid used

according to your personal preference.

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Layered Dessert

No Bake Layered Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Dessert

1 box ice cream sandwiches

2 pkg. cream cheese

1 pkg. instant pudding

oreo cookies

whipped topping

Line a rectangular baking dish with foil.

Place ice cream sandwiches side by side to form the bottom layer. 

Mix softened cream cheese with pudding mix.

Spread this over the ice cream sandwiches.

Crush cookies into crumbs.

(I used my food processor)

Spread whipped topping and sprinkle with cookie crumbs.

Repeat the layers.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cream CheesMixture

Whipped Topping

Cookie Crumbs

Bring the foil up around the layers, and fold over.

Place in the freezer for several hours or overnight.

Slice across the ice cream loaf to expose the layers.

Use your imagination to combine 

different flavors of ice cream. pudding and cookies

to create this refreshing dessert.

Green Olive Dip

8 ounce package cream cheese

small jar pimiento stuffed green olives

heaping tablespoon ranch dressing

green onion

Slice 4 green onions

Drain and chop olives, reserve juice.

Mix cream cheese with ranch dressing (or mayonnaise or greek yogurt)

and some of the olive juice to desired dipping consistency.

Stir in the olives and onions.

Serve as a dip for vegetables

or a spread for crackers.

Tuesday Tip of the Day ~Adding Interest to your Green Salad

With spring weather right around the corner, 

we are focusing on light and fresh dishes for dinner.

I like to add some fruit to my Green Salads,

so I am taking advantage of the strawberries that are in peak season.

You can add flavor and crunch with purchased salad toppings.

Just remember to use moderation...

there are 40 calories and 3 grams of fat in 1.5 tablespoons.

These 100 calorie snack packs are great to have on hand.

I used a package of these walnuts and almonds for our salad on Easter.

It was just the right amount for our small gathering.

Happy Spring!

Cajun Shrimp Alfredo on Pasta

1/4 cup butter

1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 clove garlic, minced

2 green onions, sliced

1/4 cup flour

1 tbsp. (or less) cajun seasoning

2 cups milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. lemon juice

Some "mies en plas" is required, 

as once you start the preparation, it will go quickly.

Mince the garlic.

Slice the onion.

Measure the ingredients.

Melt butter in a large skillet.

Saute shrimp for a minute or two.

Add garlic and onion.

Cook for another minute and remove from the pan.

To the remaining butter in the pan, stir in the flour and cajun seasoning.

Stir together to form a ball of paste.

Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened.

Return the shrimp to the pan.

Season with salt and lemon juice.

Be careful to not overcook the shrimp. This causes them to be tough and rubbery.

Serve over cooked pasta.