yummy

Dusting off an Old Favorite

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Good afternoon. Happy Saturday. Hope you are staying warm.

Although I  enjoyed my Christmas and New Year’s with my family – it wasn’t without some not so fun times.  I’ve been sick since the Monday before Christmas.  I thought it was just a bad cold but it gradually got worse.  I finally went to the Doctor’s on Thursday (they squeezed me in – thank goodness) before the big storm.  I have a bacterial infection and I’m on the mend thanks to the zip pack I was given.  I’m actually getting some energy back. (Yeah!)

I’ve been laying low – getting rest, drinking lots of liquids and even eating soup.  I’ve missed working out (I’ve gotten a few walks in) and hope to get back on track on Monday.

Last weekend I dusted off a simple, favorite breakfast from my childhood.  Soft boiled eggs!  I did a couple of google searches on the timing – as although I like my eggs over easy – I like my soft boiled eggs really an in between version of hard / soft boiled eggs.

Here is my recipe:

  • 2 – 3 room temperature eggs
  • bring a pot of water on high to a slow boil
  • add the room temperature eggs to the water
  • set timer to 6 minutes (while eggs are cooking – toast you favorite bread or english muffins)
  • once timer goes off take pot off of the burner – add cool water
  • quickly peel eggs
  • chop up eggs in a bowl – salt and pepper to taste
  • Serve with buttered toast or english muffins

A picture from my breakfast this morning:

Soft boiled eggs (2) with English Muffins (Thomas' of course)

Soft boiled eggs (2) with English Muffins (Thomas’ of course)

Enjoy!

The Coveted Christmas Present

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

In our family there is a present we all receive – it isn’t an expensive gift.  It is a gift of time and tradition. It is a treat from my childhood and it was made for special events.  I think the first version of it was the Chex mix that my grandmother made.  And at some point became the Crispix Mix.  A nice savory treat.

I’m not quite sure when my Mom started giving it to us as one of our gifts.  I do know she has expanded as to who receives one.  There isn’t just one for each household – each member of each household gets their own tin.  And it is coveted!  🙂  This year my Mom added an additional one a House Mix – for the family hosting Christmas (and for sharing with guests).  It was yummy as usual (recipe posted below).

Not much left of my mix (note: it was a small tin) :-)

Not much left of my mix (note: it was a small tin) 🙂

Crispix Party Mix (Xs 2)

  • 3 T margarine or butter (my Mom uses margarine, but I’ve asked her to try unsalted butter for next year) (although if I only have a portion of 3T of margarine a year – I don’t think it will kill me)
  • 1 t Season-All Seasoned Salt
  • 2 t lemon juice
  • 4 t Worcestshire Sauce
  • 6 Cups Crispix Cereal
  • 1 Cup Pretzels
  • 1 Cup Salted Mixed Nuts
  1. Melt margarine or butter in a 13x9x2 inch pan in a 250 degree oven.  Once melted remove from oven.  Stir in Season-all, lemon juice and Worcestshire Sauce.
  2. Add Crispix, Pretzels & Nuts – stirring until coated.
  3. Bake at 250 degree for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.  Spread on absorbent paper to cool (brown paper bages work well).
  4. Yields 8 cups

Enjoy!

Holiday Favorite – Adult Beverages

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

A family tradition that I remember my Dad telling me about was a drink called a Grasshopper.  It was a drink my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop served on Christmas Eve as everyone opened presents.  Over the years they added other drinks too (Manhattans and Brandy Alexanders) – although the Grasshopper was still made for my Mom-Mom.  I love the Grasshopper because it is such a pretty green – and who doesn’t love, spiked chocolate mint with ice cream! 🙂

It was a drink continued at our house – I remember either been near the end of high school or maybe even college having a Grasshopper before Midnight Mass.

It is such a festive colored drink for the Christmas Holidays.  Here is the recipe for a Grasshopper:

  • 1 pint of vanilla bean ice cream
  • 3 cups of crushed ice
  • 4 oz green creme de menthe
  • 6 oz white creme de cacoa (clear)

Put all ingredients into a blender, cover and process at frappe for a few seconds.  Strain into cocktail glasses.

Another drink that is fabulous is my Dad’s Egg Nog recipe.  In our family this is an Easter drink; however, I know many families drink it at Christmas.  This recipe does call for raw eggs.  I found this article from ABC News about Raw Eggs in EggNog

Here is the recipe:

  • 4 oz eggs
  • 20 oz milk
  • 2 cup eggnog (or french vanilla) ice cream
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 2 oz rum
  • 2 oz brandy (preferably cognac)

Place all of the above ingredients in a blender and mix well.  Serves 8 cups.  If you wish to make egg white topping, be sure to separate the 4 eggs and place the yolks in the blender only, setting the whites aside until last.  Place whites in separate bowl and mix with beaters at high speed, slowly adding a little sugar (about 3 tsps) and 1/8 tsp of cream of tartar.  When the whites form peaks, serve on top of each cup with a small sprinkling of nutmeg, if desired.

Do you have any holiday beverages that you love?  Feel free to share!

Cinnamon Roll Smoothie Totally ROCKS!

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Holy cow…this smoothie is awesome (and you can’t even taste the protein mix)!  I had to post this recipe for everyone.  Enjoy!!

Cinnamon Roll Smoothie

1 cup almond milk (unsweetened and organic)

1 cup coconut water

1 scoop of protein mix

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 pinch sea salt (I used Himalayan Sea Salt)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1-2 pitted dates

1 tablespoon pecans

Stevia to taste (I used 1/2 a packet)

Happy Hump Day!

I think I’m in love…

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

with my Vitamix blender! I broke down and purchased my Vitamix a couple of months ago. However, I never had a chance to open the box and try it. About a week ago, I finally opened up the box and reviewed the menu book. I got excited all over again as to why I made the purchase in the first place.

Today, I finally used it. First of all it is easier to keep clean then a blender. I had some fruit that I just didn’t feel like eating…so I put a cup of water and about a cup of chopped fruit in the vitamix…and in about 90 seconds or less…I had a nice, shake (as the consistency was more like a shake than juice). Yummy!

This will be my ‘go to’ appliance for my morning / afternoon protein shakes!