Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Costco had sweet potatoes a couple of weeks ago.  I ended up making these one afternoon and eating them as a snack!

Use the recipe from here and made few changes based on what was in my pantry.

2 sweet potatoes
1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp each of salt, cumin, chilli powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic
2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp olive oil (I used garlic infused)

Peel and slice the potatoes into rounds.  Boil until folk tender and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Flatten with folk or bottom of glass.  Mix brown sugar and spices together in a small bowl.  Mix butter and oil in a small bowl.  Drizzle 1/2 the melted butter onto the potatoes, sprinkle half the spices and flatten slightly with folk.  Flip over and repeat.  Bake at 375F for 10 minutes, flip, then bake for another 10 minutes.

Orzo with Parmesan and Basil

Delicious and made with basil from our garden.  Even the kids tried it, which is awesome for my picky little boy.  I found the recipe here and did not change a thing!

Maple Glazed Butternut Squash with Orzo and Goat Cheese

Anything made with goat cheese is delicious!

I borrowed the recipe from here and made a few changes...

2 cups of cubed butternut squash
1tbsp Maple Syrup
Salt and pepper
Low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup of orzo
1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp of crumbled goat cheese (I used a herb one I had hanging around the fridge)

Preheat the oven to 400F and drizzle cubed squash with maple syrup and olive oil.  Season generously with salt and pepper.  Bake 15-30 minutes until soft, turning occasionally.  In a small pot bring broth to boil and cook orzo according to package directions.  Toss squash, orzo and cheese together.  

Yams and Cranberries

Recipe courtesy of Oma!

6 yams (or sweet potatoes), cooked, peeled if you wish, cut up or sliced

1 ½ cups cranberry sauce

¾ cup water

½ cup brown sugar

¾ cup orange rind (grated)

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

1 ½ tablespoons  butter

1. 1.     Preheat oven to 325 F
2. 2.     Place yams in greased 2 quart casserole.
3. 3.     Combine cranberry sauce, water, brown sugar, orange rind and cinnamon in saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer a minute or two.
4. 4.     Add butter and pour over yams.
5. 5.     Bake 20 minutes or so.

Herbed Focaccia (Bread Machine)

For a 2lb Loaf

1 1/2 Cups warm water

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp italian herb blend

2 tsp salt

4 1/4 Cups flour

2 tsp yeast (active dry or bread machine)

Place ingredients in bread machine on dough cycle.

Brush a  9 x 13 pan with oil.  Roll out dough on floured surface to an appropriate size.  Cover loosely and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450F.  Drizzle bread dough with olive oil, sprinkly with salt, cheese and herbs.  Bake 10-20 minutes, depending on size.

Carrot Orzo

I am so sick of plain pasta! There, I said it. However it is the only food that I can guarantee to get into my children. So with the hate and the guarantee in mind I pulled out my trusty iPhone and my page of food porn apps and started browsing away.

Must have food porn apps: Epicurious, Big Oven, Canadian Living, Jamie Oliver (not free), All Recipes

Epicurious did the trick Carrot Orzo

1 Cup Carrots (chopped in the mini chopper
1 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 Cups Water
1 1/4 Cups Chicken Broth
Some minced garlic
1/4 Cup grated Asiago
Rosemary (I had dried and I won't do it again)

Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add orzo and carrots; sauté until orzo is golden, about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, broth, and garlic; cook uncovered over medium heat until all liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Stir in cheese and rosemary. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Cracked Pepper Cheddar Muffins

Made these with Wild Rice Turkey soup today. They are a staple in our house, as the kids will always eat them!

2 Cups Flour

1 Tbsp Sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground pepper

1 1/4 Cups milk

2 Tbsp oil

1 Cup shredded Cheese

Combine wet and dry separately and then mix. Bake 375F for 25-30 minutes