My Sister Patty's Amazing Garlic Bread

My sister was down visiting recently and I asked her to prep the garlic bread for one of our meals. When we sat down for dinner, all of us (including picky Mark!) were oohing and aahing over the bread. AMAZING! 

Ingredients

French loafFrench loaf
1 stick butter, softened1 stick butter, softened
1/2 to 3/4 tsp garlic powder½ to ¾ tsp garlic powder
1/2 to 3/4 tsp onion powder½ to ¾ tsp onion powder
3 good shakes of worcestershire sauce3 good shakes of worcestershire sauce
1/2 C parmesan cheese (the good shredded kind - not the green can!)½ C parmesan cheese (the good shredded kind - not the green can!)

Steps

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix wellPlace all ingredients in a bowl and mix well
Spread on french loaf and heat in oven

Carnivore Bacon Gruyere Quiche / Frittata

 I love easy recipes and if they are make ahead, then it is a double win! This checks all the boxes and is delicious. Enjoy! 

Ingredients

8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
 
8 eggs8 eggs
 
1 1/2 cups of Gruyere cheese, shredded1 ½ cups of Gruyere cheese, shredded
 
1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream½ cup of heavy whipping cream
 
saltsalt
 
pepper

Steps

Grease a 8x8 baking panGrease a 8x8 baking pan
Combine eggs and heavy whipping cream, then add salt and pepper. Beat the mixture together and set it asideCombine eggs and heavy whipping cream, then add salt and pepper. Beat the mixture together and set it aside
Mix bacon with shredded cheese, reserving some cheese and bacon for toppingMix bacon with shredded cheese, reserving some cheese and bacon for topping
Spread the bacon and cheese mixture evenly in the prepared baking panSpread the bacon and cheese mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan
Pour the egg mixture over the bacon and cheese, ensuring everything is covered without mixingPour the egg mixture over the bacon and cheese, ensuring everything is covered without mixing
Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutesBake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes
After baking, sprinkle the reserved bacon and cheese on top and return to the oven for a minute or two to melt the cheeseAfter baking, sprinkle the reserved bacon and cheese on top and return to the oven for a minute or two to melt the cheese
Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before servingRemove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving
This is best pre-made. To enjoy the leftovers, microwave or put in air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes until bubbly hot

Sunday Chat: Leading With Love

 

But I say, love your enemies Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:30

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Abide (remain) in my love. John 15:9

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? Matthew 7:3

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Roman's 12:18

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. Matthew 7:12

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

And even when you ask,

you don’t get it because your motives 

are all wrong you want only what 

will give you pleasure.

Egg Muffins - Three Versions - Make Ahead

There are three versions below...one is just with mayonnaise and the other adds flour and egg to the mayonnaise for a thicker coating. They are both DELICIOUS! (Note, if preparing both versions, I put a toothpick in the non flour version so I know which ones are mine!) When reheating, I put them frozen on a paper towel (to absorb any moisture) on a plate in the microwave for about 1 minute.

Ingredients

OPTION #1 CookedOPTION #1 Cooked
Ground Beef (about 1 C)Ground Beef (about 1 C)
Taco SeasoningTaco Seasoning
 
OPTION #2OPTION #2
Chicken Sausage precooked, choppedChicken Sausage, chopped
 
OPTION #3, CookedOPTION #3, Cooked
Mild Italian Sausage (about 1 link)Mild Italian Sausage (about 1 link)
 
red or white onion, optionalred or white onion, optional
5 or 6 Eggs5 or 6 Eggs
1 C cheese, grated1 C cheese, grated
S&PS&P

Steps

Combine meat from Option #1,2 or 3 with rest of ingredientsCombine meat from Option #1,2 or 3 with rest of ingredients
Measure 1/4 C mixture into greased silicone linersMeasure ¼ C mixture into greased silicone liners
Cook at 330F for 12 to 13 minutesCook at 330F for 12 to 13 minutes
Cool and freeze to heat later or serve right away with sour cream & salsa

Air Fryer Baked Chicken Fingers - Two Ways

There are two versions below...one is just with mayonnaise and the other adds flour and egg to the mayonnaise for a thicker coating. They are both DELICIOUS! (Note, if preparing both versions, I put a toothpick in the non flour version so I know which ones are mine!)

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenderloins , cut in half lengthways into strips (or breasts but, they aren't near a tender)1 lb chicken tenderloins , cut in half lengthways into strips (or breasts but, they aren't near a tender)
2 1/4 cups pork rind crumbs (better than panko as they have even texture)2 ¼ cups pork rind crumbs (better than panko as they have even texture)
Olive oil sprayOlive oil spray
 

VERSION ONE - Mix wellVERSION ONE

Mayonnaise for coating with S&P for flavor (optional, add garlic and onion powder)
1 egg
Mayonnaise for coating with S&P for flavor (optional, add garlic and onion powder)
 

VERSION TWO 

Dipping mayo sauceDipping mayo sauce
2 large eggs2 large eggs
3 tbsp flour , plain / all-purpose3 tbsp flour , plain / all-purpose
2 tbsp mayonnaise or 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil2 tbsp mayonnaise or 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of saltPinch of salt

Steps

Coat chicken tenders in mayo or dipping mayo sauce and then coat in pork rind crumbsCoat chicken tenders in mayo or dipping mayo and then pork rind crumbs
Spray generously with olive oil spray, bake 15 to 20 minutes on baking sheet with a rack in the oven or in an air fryer at 400FSpray generously, bake 15 to 20 minutes on rack or in an air fryer at 400F
I like mine with a honey mustard sauce and Mark likes his with Stubb's spicy bbq sauce.

Sunday Chat: Knowing God's Purpose in Your Life | Finding Clarity and Direction

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

And even when you ask,

you don’t get it because your motives 

are all wrong you want only what 

will give you pleasure.

James 4:2-3

A new command I give you: 

Love one another. 

As I have loved you, 

so you must love one another. 

By this everyone will know 

that you are my disciples, 

if you love one another.

John 13:34-35

Love each other with genuine affection,

and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:10

Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, 

it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, 

it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Jesus replied, 

“‘You must love the Lord your God 

with all your heart, all your soul, 

and all your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important: 

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39

Marvelous Marmalade Chicken

This has vibes of "Chinese" flavors and is simple and yet delicious.

Ingredients

⅓ cup orange or apricot marmalade/preserves⅓ cup orange or apricot marmalade/preserves
¼ cup sweet chili sauce¼ cup chili sauce
1 tablespoon hot mustard1 tablespoon hot mustard
¼ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper⅛ teaspoon pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves 4 ounces each4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves 4 ounces each

Steps

In a medium saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, chili sauce, and hot mustard. Stir together and heat through on medium-low heat.In a medium saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, chili sauce, and hot mustard. Stir together and heat through on medium-low heat.
Pound the thicker end of each chicken breast to even it out so they will cook more evenly. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel. Spritz chicken with oil and rub to coat. Sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket.Pound the thicker end of each chicken breast to even it out so they will cook more evenly. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel. Spritz chicken with oil and rub to coat. Sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket.
Cook at 380˚F for about 10 minutes.Cook at 380°F/193°C for about 10 minutes.
At the halfway point, turn the chicken and brush on some of the sauce onto the chicken breasts. Continue cooking until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest part of the chicken reads 155˚F.At the halfway point, turn the chicken and brush on some of the sauce onto the chicken breasts. Continue cooking until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest part of the chicken reads 155°F/68°C.
Slice and serve chicken drizzled with a bit of the remaining sauce.Let chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes to finish cooking, then slice and serve.

PS - I know the picture isn't the most appetizing but trust me, it is delicious!

Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe

Mark adores the Italian Wedding Cookies that we get from a local bakery so, I wanted to see if I could copy them. These were good but I made a few changes below that I will incorporate next time, including adding amaretto for more almond deliciousness.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup salted butter organic1 ½ cup salted butter organic
3/4 cup powder sugar¾ cup powder sugar
5 tsp almond extract
Optional: a couple tsp of amaretto
5 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup ground walnuts, leave chunks for texture½ cup ground walnuts
1 cup ground almonds, leave chunks for texture1 cup ground almonds
3 cup all purpose flour3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup powder sugar for dusting

Steps

Preheat your oven to 325”F.Preheat your oven to 325”F.
In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter and 3/4 cup of the powder sugar until fluffy.In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter and ¾ cup of the powder sugar until fluffy.
Add the almond extract and little by little the ground walnuts and hazelnuts. Mix until combined.Add the almond extract and little by little the ground walnuts and hazelnuts. Mix until combined.
Start adding in the flour little by little until mixed in. ( For easier handling freeze or refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes or so)Start adding in the flour little by little until mixed in. ( For easier handling freeze or refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes or so)
Prepare your largest cookie sheet and using a small spoon (or small ice-cream scoop) form the cookies into balls, the size of a golfball or smaller. You should have about 45 cookies.Prepare your largest cookie sheet and using a small spoon (or small ice-cream scoop) form the cookies into balls, the size of a golfball or smaller. You should have about 45 cookies.
Arrange all the cookies on the ungreased baking sheet without touching each other.Arrange all the cookies on the baking sheet without touching each other.
Bake the cookies in the preheated 325”F oven for 20 minutes.Bake the cookies in the preheated 325”F oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool off for a few minutes before rolling them over in the reserved powder sugar. It's best that they are still a little bit warm so the sugar coating sticks nicely.Remove the wedding cookies from the oven and allow them to cool off for a few minutes before rolling them over in the reserved powder sugar. It's best that they are still a little bit warm so the sugar coating sticks nicely.
Arrange the cookies on a platter and dust with more powder sugar on top before serving.Arrange the cookies on a platter and dust with more powder sugar on top before serving.

Houston's Restaurant Copycat Spinach Dip

 If you have ever been to Houston's Restaurant and got their spinach dip appetizer, you will have experienced the heaven that is a cheesy warm deliciousness contrasted with salty tortilla chips. YUM! This is my attempt at copying them and, I think I did pretty well. I serve these in individual ramekins or in a french onion soup bowl.

You can freeze the leftovers. I spoon the spinach dip into muffin tins for individual servings and freeze them. When frozen, remove from muffin tins and wrap well in cling wrap and then aluminum foil and put in a bag. Pull out a serving or two and put in a ramekin and microwave until bubbly and hot. This is also delicious with eggs (don't knock it till you have tried it!)

1 bag frozen chopped spinach2 cartons frozen chopped spinach
1/2 onion, chopped1 onion, chopped
1/2 jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped1 (14-oz) jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cloves garlic, minced2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 stick butter1 stick butter
1/2 of an 8-oz brick cream cheese1 (8-oz) package cream cheese
6 to 7 Tbsp heavy whipping cream¾ cup heavy whipping cream
4-oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used Pepper Jack)8-oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used Pepper Jack)
2-oz shredded Swiss cheese4-oz shredded Swiss cheese
2-oz shredded mozzarella cheese4-oz shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper½ tsp cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to tastesalt & pepper to taste
2 oz shredded fresh parmesan cheese (I like Trader Joe's romano asiago cheese)


Steps
Cook and drain spinach; squeezing well until all water is completely removed.Cook and drain spinach; squeezing well until all water is completely removed.
Melt butter in large skillet; saute onion until tender.Melt butter in large skillet; saute onion until tender.
Add garlic to onion mixture.Add garlic to onion mixture.
Stir spinach and artichokes into sautaed onion mixture, mixing well.Stir spinach and artichokes into sautéed onion mixture, mixing well.
Beat cream cheese with mixer, gradually adding whipping cream until smooth.Beat cream cheese with mixer, gradually adding whipping cream until smooth.
In large bowl, stir all ingredients (except parmesan cheese) together until well blended.In large bowl, stir all ingredients (except parmesan cheese) together until well blended.
Put in microwave safe baking dish or oven safe baking dish.Put in microwave safe baking dish or oven safe baking dish.
Refrigerate at least two hours.Refrigerate at least two hours.
Top with parmesan and microwave until hot or bake at 350 F until bubbly (20 minutes or so).Top with parmesan and microwave until warm or bake at 350 F until bubbly (20 minutes or so).
Serve with tortilla chips, or to use as a dip, I add cauliflower and carrots (although the chips are DELICIOUS)

Sunday Chat: Prayer

 

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 

Yet you don’t have what you want 

because you don’t ask God for it. 

And even when you ask,

you don’t get it because your motives 

are all wrong you want only what 

will give you pleasure.

James 4:2-3

“So I say to you: 

Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you. 

Luke 11:9 

Therefore I tell you, 

whatever you ask for in prayer, 

believe that you have received it, 

and it will be yours. 

Mark 11:24 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, 

so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 

John 14:13-14 

 

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, 

ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

John 15:7 

 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 

Matthew 21:22 

If you, then, though you are evil, 

know how to give good gifts 

to your children, how much more 

will your Father in heaven 

give good gifts to those who ask him! 

Matthew 7:11 

Search me, God, and know my heart; 

test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Psalm 139:23-24