Salted Caramel Oatmeal Squares

Salted Caramel Oatmeal Squares

 Salted Caramel Oatmeal Squares

Made these yummy bars for our church's in between service social
this morning.  Not what I typically serve for a breakfast item, but I figured if Nutella considers itself a breakfast item, these could be too. At least they have oatmeal in them.

But really, I just wanted a reason to try these since I've been reading some great salted caramel recipes lately on Pinterest. So I took my favorite oatmeal bars and added  salted caramel to the middle. yum.

Ingredients:

2 Cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 Cup butter (2 cubes softened)
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs
2 1/2 cups quick oatmeal
12 oz chocolate chips ( optional - I left out this time)
Chopped walnuts
 9x 13  Pyrex pan

Caramel
10 ounces caramel squares
3 tablespoons heavy cream
Melt in microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring about every 20 sec.
Stir & heat till smooth.

Directions

1.Blend butter, sugars, vanilla and water; beat in eggs. ( Love my kitchen aid mixer for this)
2. Stir together and add flour, soda, and salt.
3.Stir in oats and chocolate chips.( sometimes I add cran raisins or coconut)
4.Press 1/2 of the batter in a 9x 13 glass pan prepared with non stick cooking spray.
5. Pour  and spread caramel sauce evenly over the bottom layer.
6. Sprinkle with sea salt ( I like the sea salt in a grinder from Costco)
7. Drop small spoonfuls of cookie dough over the salted caramel and spread dough with a spatula till caramel is covered.
8. Sprinkle  top with chopped walnuts ( optional) and additional sea salt.
9. Bake bars for 25-30 minutes at 375.  Allow bars to cool  on a wire rack to room temperature before cutting.

Let me know what you think!

Peacock Fridge Magnet

Peacock Feathers & Vintage Buttons

I've been blogging  recipes because I have a passion for cooking and I am still trying to figure this blogging thing out.  But  basically I enjoy creating, creating anything.  So today I thought I would share something non-food related.  A party favor I recently created for a peacock theme wedding shower. Plus I have to admit my other motivation -  I want to  pin  it on  Pinterest!

These fridge magnets are made with wooden clothespins, real peacock feathers and vintage buttons. Great for hanging on the fridge to hold recipes and perhaps........ a picture of the bride and groom.

In action on the fridge 

Another fridge action shot

Supplies needed:

•  Peacock feathers
• Buttons vintage or new ( I just gleaned from my old button collection)
• Wooden clothes pin
• Gems for center of button ( these were self adhesive)
• Magnet
• Glue gun 
• Diet Coke

Supplies

Instructions:
1.Heat up glue gun
2. Fasten gem  to buttons
3. Glue magnet to clothes pin
4. Glue feather onto clothes pin
5. Glue button  onto feather
6.  Put on fridge
7. Remove diet Coke from fridge, drink and enjoy how easy these are to make!

I displayed the  feather magnets on a sheet of metal ( bought at a craft store) during the shower to add to the peacock theme. To ensure a safe  arrival home  they were put  in small plastic gift bags for the guest.  Everyone was thrilled to get something related to the wedding theme. ( or so they said  :)  )



I hope you enjoyed my attempt at something besides a recipe.  But I am still going to end with a picture of food.  And just so ya know, I am hoping to get a "real" camera soon  to capture what I really think I am seeing.  : )

Peacock theme cupcakes - baked and decorated by my niece

                                     
















 

Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli

I know this isn't too exciting, but  I love the flavor and texture of roasted broccoli. I have to share this simple idea because I wish I would of thought of roasting this veggie  sooner. It only takes about 20 minutes at 375.  20 minutes - same amount of time it takes rice to cook, what could be easier? I tossed the fresh broccoli with a bit of Traders Joes garlic flavored olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt, put it in the oven , made my way to my favorite chair and played a few  games of Words with Friends. See - very simple.


Other exciting news: Today was the first warm day of spring and I had a chance to work in the garden.  Not the fun stuff yet, just getting rid of the weeds.

Creamy Rosemary Penne

Creamy Rosemary Penne

Penne with Creamy Rosemary Sauce!  I served this yummy pasta dish  last weekend at an Italian cruise themed event for women at my church. Made with fresh rosemary (I think every yard should have a rosemary plant)  it was the star of the buffet line. My inspiration for this rosemary sauce was the Penne Rustica at Ramano's Macaroni grill. And yes, I like my version better! But  no surprise, I generally prefer homemade dishes with fresh ingredients.

To make a complete & easy one dish  meal you could add chicken and broccoli.

So here is the recipe I promised to all those asking for it. So easy and so delicious.

Penne with Creamy Rosemary Sauce

·        1 tablespoon  chopped fresh rosemary leaves

·        2  tablespoons butter

·        2 cups Heavy Cream

·        1 cup Marinara Sauce ( homemade or bought - I like Trader Joes Marina with basil)

·        Season with salt
16 ounces of pasta.  Or a little less if you like lots of sauce. 

In a large skillet, sauté the fresh rosemary in butter until fragrant.  Add cream and marinara sauce, bring to a simmer: heat through and let the flavors infuse. 

Cooke Penne according to package directions.  Drain well ( so your sauce doesn’t thin out)

Toss pasta and sauce together. The sauce is quickly absorbed so don't be skimpy with it.

Garnish with more fresh rosemary. - Don't you just love rosemary!

Marinara sauce

I use 2 quarts home canned tomatoes or two 28 oz cans of  *San Marazano tomatoes.

1/2 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic crushed

4 cloves garlic thinly sliced

10- 12 fresh basil leaves

Heat ¼ cup of the olive oil in a large pan on medium. Add the sliced garlic, sauté till lightly golden, add crushed garlic cook another 30 seconds.  Pour in the tomatoes, remaining olive oil ( or not), salt and simmer for aprox. 35-45 minutes.  Or until reduced to desired thickness.

Remove from heat and add the freshly cut basil.  Stir and serve.

*Using good quality tomatoes is important. 

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Stephanie's Split Pea & Ham Soup

Looking for something to do with the left over Easter ham shank you put in the freezer ?

 My college friend made this for my daughter and I  recently when we were up visiting her in northern Idaho. Lots of cold winter days there, which I am pretty sure  means good soup recipes.

 Her family tradition is to serve this  hot, delicious soup with saltine crackers and mayonnaise.  Sounds weird doesn't it?  That's what I thought too, but  I wanted to be a good sport  and gave them a try. And  I have to say... as interesting as they were, they were pretty tasty too. 

Stephanie's Split Pea and Ham Soup

 
 So if you're looking for a good soup recipe while your waiting for spring to show up, give this a try.  Once again I ate half the soup before I realized I should take a picture.



Smoky Split Pea & Ham  Soup

2 quarts water or stock
1 pound dried split peas, cleaned and checked for debris
1 large ham shank
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
salt and pepper to taste
1 shot of dry sherry (optional)

Place water in large soup pot. Add all ingredients except sherry. Stir and turn heat to high. When soup begins to boil, turn heat down to medium low so soup gently boils. Cook 1 hour (add sherry at this point, if adding). Cook another 30 minutes until peas are soft. Stir often during cooking process. Add more water if soup is too thick. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if necessary.