Friday, February 13, 2015

Tomatillo-Chipotle Pork Chili Stew



With Spring around the corner, thought we were in the home stretch and dodged the cold/flu season. All through Winter, we've stayed pretty healthy, that was until Katelyn, started with the sniffles, and then Lindsay, as she put it started coughing like a "goose". Cute, huh!! 

Now you know us moms we take care of everyone else, we don't get sick. Am I right?
So when my throat started getting scratchy, and in the middle of the night, I started a short but most definite coughing fit, I knew it was time for a cold/flu fighting soup!

Again, if you saw my recipe for my East-Meets West Chipotle-Lime Sticky Wings, you know I'm all about the spice, while still accommodating those who like to keep their lips from burning off!
This is why I like this soup, it's packed with Vitamin C from the red peppers, and the heat from both the tomatillo and chipotle salsa, stop those post nasal drip sniffles dead in their tracks, and clears your nasal passages right up! With the carrots providing Vitamin A, this stew is very nutritious, comforting (a little spicy, but you can adjust it to your taste), and to say the least it will warm you right up! 


First, I chopped the red pepper, onion, carrots, and potatoes.


Here is the stew, with the pork, stewed tomatoes, chili , chipotle and tomatillo salsas. Before adding the sauteed, red peper and onion.


All you need is to saute the red pepper and onion, until the onion is translucent. Then add 1 Tbls. of flour. Add about 1 cup of the broth to the flour/ onion mixture to thin the flour. Add the thinned roux back in the stew.

In a small pot, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil, to cook the potatoes and carrots, about 10 minutes, until tender. Add them into the stew.


My son really liked this, but my girls thought it was too spicy for them. If you are looking for a hot soup to kick the cold and flu out, then this is the one! 

Tomatillo-Chipotle Pork Chili Stew

2 Tbls. butter, divided
1 1/2 pound pork loin, chopped into stew pieces
Salt and pepper
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup chipotle salsa (more or less depending on preference)
1 Tbls. New Mexico chili spice
1 Tbls. flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 carrots, peeled, and cut into 1/2 dice
3 large potatoes about 1 pound
1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup Mild Tomatillo salsa (more or less depending on preference)

Directions:
1. In a large heavy stock pot, over medium heat, melt 1 Tbls. butter. Season pork with salt and pepper. Add to the pot, and brown for about 5 minutes. 

2. In a saute pan, melt 1 Tbls of butter. Add onion, and red pepper. Saute until onion is translucent and red pepper is still red, but cooked soft, about 5 minutes.

3. To the browned pork, add the chili powder, chipotle and tomatillo salsas, canned tomatoes, and chicken broth. Cook on low heat, while the potatoes and carrots are cooking.

4. In a small pot, boil about 4 cups of water. Add the potatoes and carrots, and cook until tender about 10 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, add the 1 Tbls. of flour to the sauteed red pepper and onion, making a roux. Ladel about 1 cup of the broth to the roux to thin it out. Then add the thinned roux, with the sauteed red pepper and onion back in the stew. Cook on low, for another 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.

6. Finally, add the cooked potatoes and carrots to the pork stew. My husband had me add a can of corn in the end. You can add if you wish, I don't really like canned corn, I prefer fresh corn off the cob.
7. Ladel in bowls and serve with tortillas or tortilla chips. Voila!


Hope this Pork stew not only warms you during this last stretch of winter, but helps keep you healthy from the cold/flu season!

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Follow Friday #10: Boxwood Wreaths, Pops of Color with Roses and Chocolate

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week! Compared to last week, which was cold and rainy, this week, it's been in the 80s and quite warm. Which has been good, I've been out in the garden, checking on my tulips, planted some basil, and pruned my roses.

 It has been a busy week. Lindsay's birthday was fun. We saw both the new Sponge Bob movie, and Paddington. I didn't think I'd like Paddington, but Nicole Kidman and I recognized Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey, starred in it, and it actually was a very good movie. It made me feel like making marmalade!!

This week, I am finishing up on one if not two projects, my accent table and Katelyn's dresser. I was hoping to have one done this week, but I had to have my husband  bring in the heavy artillery, a small sander. I've picked the color out for the accent table, and Katelyn is choosing between white/ with aqua ombre, or coral with darker shaded stripes.  Her room is purple, so we'll see what surprises this dresser brings us, because a purple dresser would be just too much purple, and I don't feel like painting a room, maybe later this summer.

I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and
inspiration!

After I saw these amazing topiaries, I was looking for some inspiration for Boxwood wreaths. I have three small grapevine wreaths, that I wanted to turn into boxwood wreaths, and I found this post!
 
 
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I love her style! While I love neutral, (eventually I want more white in my house), it's the pop of color that strikes me! Also, she offers some tips on how to Create an Elegant Home on a Budget!
 
 
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Oh my gosh! I love the name of her blog, and her perfect style of using "pops of color"!
 
 
 
 
 

 
Looking for more inspiration, look no further! I found a blog that I share so much in common with. She loves roses, and chocolate as much as I do, and shares an abundance of inspiration!
 
 
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Have a Great Weekend and Happy Valentine's Day! Until Next time!
 
 
 

Thursday, February 12, 2015

5 Red Velvet Treats Perfect for Valentine's Day

Happy day before Friday, friends! I am so excited Valentine's Day is on a weekend this year! Which gives me more time to bake up some love with these Red Velvet Treats! First let me say I dream of chocolate. With one bite, all is right with the world, and I can keep calm and carry on!
One Christmas I made a Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake, I believe this is the recipe, it was to die for! Today I am sharing these five delectable Red Velvet treats for those of you, like me, who are looking for some last minute inspiration.



This was an awesome cake! Even though I made it for Christmas, you could easily transform this into a Valentine's Day cake if you are entertaining a Valentine's Day Dinner for your loved ones!

Photo: Hector Sanchez
 
Very pretty, very classic! Who wouldn't want to take a bite out of these cupcakes!
 
 
Eat your heart out!
 Another one of my favorite combinations, Red Velvet and Cheesecake!
 
 
 
Ever since the first time I made Lemon macaroons, I have been fascinated with these delicate melt in your mouth treats!
 
 
These look amazingly rich and sinful! I love crepes, and these would be an eat before dinner dessert for me, so I don't have to save room for it!
 
 
 
Now, I hope this helps you to plan your dessert out for your Valentine's Dinner. For Dinner, I am making these  Individual Beef Wellingtons from Sandra Lee (for just me and my husband, I doubt my children would eat them)!
 
Wishing you all a fun loving and beautiful Valentine's Day spending time with the ones you love!
Until next time!
 




Wednesday, February 11, 2015

A Week in CASL Photos February 5- February 11

I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! What I love about Wednesday is that I get to share with you a peek into what my week has been like, and possibly a sneak peek to what next week will bring. I've tried 365 Photo or Daily photo memes several times before, and surprisingly, I am getting farther posting my photos once a week, instead of once a day. It makes a big difference, and it's really nice to look back and see a slice of my day!



Day 36: Something Blue...Blueberries in a Blue bowl. This week I shared my Blueberry-Lemon cupcakes with Lemon cream cheese frosting. One of my favorite combinations Lemons and Blueberries!
 
 
Day 37: Makes me Smile...Sister love, and the quilt. My mother made this for Lindsay's Birthday! These two may not get along all the time, but when they do it melts my heart!
 
 
 
 
Day 38: Stripes...Happy 9th Birthday my sweet blue eyed girl!!
 
 
 
Day 39: In my bag (vase)...I thought you would find these pretty tulips more interesting than what is in my bag.
 
 
Day 40: Energy...Most days, I have a smoothie! Today I am sharing my Green tea, Apple/Pear, Spinach with ginger and vanilla flavored Greek yogurt! Looking for more smoothie Inspiration. Follow my Smoothie Pinterest board.
 
 
Day 41: This inspires me...My sister in law gave this to me as a "just because" gift! Love her, love this quote!! Reminds me to Never Stop Dreaming!!
 
 
Day 42: (almost) On my wall...Getting ready to hang a 4 photo picture frame I finally found at Goodwill! Here is the before picture of my daughter's new IKEA Rast dresser. After pics coming soon. Waiting on my husband to make a top, and the feet to come in. HERE is the pin, that she has in mind for the dresser.
 
 
If you are interested I am following THIS photo a day prompt!

You can  Follow me here on Instagram !

Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!
Have a great rest of your week! Until next time!

 
 

Friday, February 6, 2015

Blueberry-Lemon cupcakes with Lemon Cream cheese frosting

One of my favorite things are lemons. I like my sweet tea with lemon, I love lemon meringue pie, and anything with a lemon-blueberry combination is my absolute favorite of them all.
When I was pregnant with my son I craved lemons like crazy, so much that my husband who worked at a bakery was sweet enough to bring me home a lemon meringue pie. What's even more strange to me, is that my son loves lemons too. Hmmmm...Wonder if there is a connection!!
What I love most about these cupcakes, is first they are made from scratch, and I can adjust the sugar amount. The second is, they are so moist and creamy, and have that lemon flavor I love, making them a perfect teatime or any time treat!

The very first time I made these, they turned out the ugliest color. Not quite purple, not quite blue, almost the color of a really bad bruise. I'm still trying to tweak this recipe, but now, when I make these cupcakes, they have a very pretty blue marble color to them.


Here are three tips I've learned from making these, over and over again.
1. I prefer making them with fresh blueberries, but frozen are fine too.
2. Completely thaw them, if you are using frozen. Then drain them completely.
3. Coat them with a couple Tablespoons of flour. They may look pasty, but this actually help your cupcakes from turning all blue.
Unless, blue cupcakes are what you're looking for, then skip the third step.
For the frosting, I like to use a recipe I learned from my Baking chef. I use with my Buttercream, and Cheesecake frostings. It's a 1 to 1 recipe. For example, I used 4 oz of unsalted butter softened, with 4 oz. of  softened cream cheese. Buttercream is the same, I use 4 oz. of Crisco with 4 oz of unsalted butter,softened. This works great, because I can double it or triple it with no guess work.
Guess what I am doing right now as I am writing this post? That's right! Drinking a cup of tea and enjoying one of my sweet Blueberry-Lemon cupcakes!!
Blueberry-Lemon cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese frosting
1and 2/3 cup All purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup  unsalted butter
3/4 cup  granulated sugar
1/2 cup  light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup Greek plain yogurt
3/4 cup  whole milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Zest from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries ( I thawed mine, for the marbling, if you are wanting a whiter cupcake do not thaw)
Frosting:
4 oz. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
4 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  1. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
  2. In a mixing bowl, I creamed the butter and the sugar, until they are well combined, and look soft and creamy.
  3. Then I add the egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, milk, vanilla, and yogurt. Mix until well combined.
  4. After that, add the flour slowly. The batter will be somewhat thick.
  5. If your blueberries are thawed, drain them.
  6. For both fresh and frozen blueberries, before folding them, coat them in a couple tablespoons of flour.
  7. Then fold blueberries in gently.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Until the tops spring back when lightly touched, or insert a toothpick to see if it comes out clean

For the frosting:
  1. Beat the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed, until they are well combined and look smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
  2. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat together, until well combined.
  3. Add the powdered sugar slowly. Stop and scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
  4. Mix 1 Tablespoon of milk. If frosting is too thick, and another Tablespoon of milk.
Frost completely cooled cupcakes, immediately. I used, Wilton's 1M tip.
Garnish with blueberries.



Wishing you all a great weekend!

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Follow Friday #9:

Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a great week! It’s a cold and sunny day here in AZ, with it warming up to 80 today! I've been able to get out in the yard, finished pruning my roses, planted some basil and zucchini, and checked on my tulips, which are growing great!

My daughter's birthday party with her friends is tomorrow, and then I am taking the girls to go see the New SpongeBob movie! My daughter has been counting down the days, she's so excited! My family came down from Prescott this past Tuesday for dinner, and then my inlaws are coming over for dinner for her birthday this Tuesday, and I am making my Verde Chicken Enchiladas and Spanish rice. It's been a busy week here, but I am glad it is finally Friday! If you have plans for this weekend, I hope you get to spend time with the ones you love!

 I wait all week for this day! Friday Follow's are one of my favorite post, because I hope it helps you to find new and inspiring blogs to follow! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram their Inspiration gave me so many ideas, with too many being my favorites, that  I would really love to share them all with you. I just don't want to take up all of your time, so here are a couple to spread the love and
inspiration!

 
Homemade Valentine Oreos! These are a must try!
 
 
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Love her use of neutrals, with pops of color in my favorite color pallets.
 
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Crushing on this pillow! Don't get me wrong, my husband loves a room with a feminine touch, but not too girly (and he thinks too many roses in a bedroom is too girly). But this pillow, I don't think he could say No too. You know what I mean!
 
 
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 Have a Great weekend! Until next time!
 


Wednesday, February 4, 2015

A Week in CASL Photos January 29- February 4

I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! What I love about Wednesday is that I get to share with you a peek into what my week has been like, and possibly a sneak peek to what next week will bring. I've tried 365 Photo or Daily photo memes several times before, and surprisingly, I am getting farther posting my photos once a week, instead of once a day. It makes a big difference, and it's really nice to look back and see a slice of my day!
 
January 29: Winter... I am not going to complain, about how cold it has been here. We've only gotten at most 3 days that were chilly and rainy. My thoughts and prayers are for those of you that are in the North and North East, that you are safe and warm.
 
 
 
January 30:  My favorite food...Spicy Italian Sausage Penne pasta with Red Peppers, Onions topped with Provolone cheese..I could eat this every day! I learned a new trick instead of draining the pasta, I cooked it with a 2 cups chicken stock and a jar of Marinara, came out perfect!
 
 
January 31: On my Plate... This morning, it was time for a Sweet, Strawberry-Orange smoothie.
 
 
Febuary 1: On top..Believe it or Not this is the first time I have made a No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake..It's not box, but made with Cream Cheese and Condensed milk. First and most importantly, I love to Bake! With that said, I'm not a fan of No-Bake! Don't get me wrong this was amazingly creamy and I would use this in a pinch for a last minute needed dessert, but I prefer the texture and taste of a baked Cheesecake. I got the recipe from Eagle Brand.
 
 
 
Febuary 2: Mail...It's tax time and I'm not sure if I am more excited to receive my Fry's Customer Loyalty coupons, or the Guest Appreciation Event for Jared's
 
 
 
February 3: Water...There is something Zen like about floating Orchids. Here is an interesting fact about Orchids, some Orchids are highly prized for their scent. In fact, there is an Orchid that smells like Chocolate. Now I could enjoy the smell of chocolate, without all those bothersome calories.
 

February 4: Reward...Ha...I know what you are thinking...'Chocolate'. If you ask me, what movie I have seen more than 5x...I'd of course say 'Frozen'. Whenever Elsa and Anna say 'Chocolate', I get the sensation of chocolate melting in my mouth...Anyways, no, my reward, (you know as a Mom, tell me I'm not alone in this, but I feel sometimes like the cook, the maid, the chauffeur, the doctor...etc).. to myself, was going to Michaels and getting an apothecary jar to make this Coastal Succulent Garden, which has absolutely nothing to do with Chocolate, but very pretty to look at. Feeling Inspired to make one check out this post from Sand and Sisal.



If you are interested I am following THIS photo a day prompt!

You can  Follow me here on Instagram !

Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!
Have a great rest of your week! Until next time!