Green Smoothie

Green smoothie! I'm not on a super foods/fruits and veggie/vegetarian January cleanse kick, but I do like to consume my fruits and veggies.  We recently did a staff challenge at the school I work at; it was as simple as putting down how many servings of fruits and veggies you consume a day.  There was also a category for water, sleep and exercise.  I must say this made me more mindful.  We all know that we need to eat a diet rich in fruits and veggies, and I also think a variety is good as well.  It was nice to see in numbers everyday.

So I turned to my Vitamix.  I have a juicer, but I thought I'd see if the Vitamix worked as well, and it did.  The only change from the original juice recipe to the smoothie was the addition of ice cubes and water.

I started with celery and apple.

Next I added spinach, cucumber, ginger and lemon juice.  I blended it all up and came up with this green smoothie.

Originally I added a bit too much spinach; the taste was a bit earthy so I added a bit more lemon juice and water.  It worked out very well, and I had a great juice to start my day.

Here are measurements I used. Please change them up for your taste.

3 celery stalks

1 apple chopped

1 1/2 cup spinach

1/2 cucumber

1/2 lemon - juiced

2 tsp ginger

1 cup water

4 ice cubes.

As I said if you make a juice with a juicer just omit the water and ice cubes.

Bon Appétit,

And as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth

Dinner for a busy week

Well since spring break ended our house has been a revolving door.  All three of my children are involved in spring sports, 2 in soccer and one in lacrosse.  We really make family meals a priority in our house, and it does help that in general we don't sit down until 7:30-8 pm nightly.  However there are some nights when we don't sit down together at all or maybe it's just two of us at a meal.  That's when I have to think of meals that can be reheated easily in one pot.  One of the easiest meals I make for this is  ground beef tacos. I make the taco meat a head and it can be warmed up by whoever is ready to eat either in the microwave or on the stove. They of course can add what ever toppings we have to the taco. Sometimes I pre-make a salad dressing too.  As I did in this case.  It's just a simple olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper mix. It can sit on the counter and be added to salad for anyone who wants it.  Tonight I also pulled out a jar of my corn salad that I made during last summer's corn season.  My daughter is preparing dinner for herself, in this picture. 

Here's my taco recipe that I've been using for years from Cook's Illustrated. 

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar

Brown the ground beef and onion.  Drain, return back to the skillet and add seasonings.  Cook for a few minutes and then add the tomato sauce, broth, vinegar and brown sugar. Let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes and serve.

I really like mine with crisp lettuce, avocado and cilantro if we have it.

Bon Appétit,

and as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Wining Away

What is currently in my house in the wine cellar?  Not too much, but a few bottles that will be consumed soon.  Currently there are no reds, but that is because they've all been consumed with our heavy winter food.  With my birthday right around the corner I see know better time to open up a better bottle of wine.  For my birthday dinner I'm serving a smoked salmon pasta with a cream sauce. I think the MacRostie Chardonnay will go quite nicely with it.  It is not as buttery as the Rombauer.  The Rombauer will need to wait for a fish or chicken dish.

I also have a late harvest Sauvingnon Blanc.  I forgot to serve it with the apple tarts I made recently, but I'll find a time to drink it soon.  The Proseco -well it is sweet and light.  There is nothing sweet and light about late winter in Wisconsin.  It will definitely hold.

And my Bota Box,  well this is the house wine.  Any day you can open up a box.  It is a great value with a nice flavor and easy on the budget.  I highly recommend you find a house wine that fits what you need.

I hope this small post prompts you to find a few nice bottles of to keep around for any occaision, be it special or not.  

Santé and as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Best of January

Wow January was went by so quickly. Actually I feel as if all of the months do.  One of the things I really enjoy about January is the quiet time I have to relax and renew for spring and summer.  In various philosophies they have the calm and quiet vs the crazy.  Winter is that quiet time.  So what have I done, well there has been  the trip to Milwaukee which I wrote about a few weeks ago. Also I've been trying new recipes, reading books and enjoying a few movies when I treadmill.  Speaking of exercise make sure you are getting outside if you can and if not getting exercise at home or in a class. I'm luck enough to have a treadmill and space for my yoga.  I do like to go to a yoga class on the weekends.  I love the sense of community. 

A new recipe for the month: Crispy Chicken and Pan Sauce.  . Please do make the sauce.  I served it with my house Chardonnay. 

What I'm reading: I'm currently reading The French Chef in America.  This is the story of Julia Child after she finished Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol 1. I think  this book is fascinating. I am a lover of all things Julia related.

What I'm watching:  If you enjoy French film I highly recommend The African Doctor. I chose Under the Tuscan Sun because we all need some fluff, be it in books or film. 

                              

As always enjoy the pleasures of each month. 

with love from the Midwest,

Beth

Best of December

Well as it is late afternoon, the sun has set and all of the Christmas festivities are over it is a great time to reflect on the best of the month.  As I've said before I really enjoy the whole month of December, the whole Christmas season.  As I've mentioned in my last 2 posts, I really do enjoy baking cookies with my family.  This year my girls really got into helping and organizing me.   However there are other wonderful things too.

We had several winter storms this December and had a white Christmas.  The first in a few years. I really love going for a walk in the snow; the silence is beautiful.

Of course after a walk there is a fire. We have a wood burning fire place and there is nothing quite like it.  I love the crackle of the logs and the warmth of the fire.  

Of course I also love Christmas day. I try to make something that is a little more extravagant for lunch. This year I made cheese fondue.  I served sausage, homemade french bread, broccoli, and red peppers and apples.  To drink? A chardonnay. I always have to have a nice glass of wine for lunch on a festive occasion.

As always to end the best of the month's post with a book I'm reading.

What I'm reading: The Christmas Train by David Baldacci.  It is super cut and a lovely little read for the holidays.

I hope this month and year treated you as well as it did me.  

As always,

With love from the Midwest

and Happy New Year,

Beth 

Weekend Lunch and More

I really enjoy good and healthful food. Over the years I've come up with a plan for delightful lunches all week long when I go to work.  It actually makes my day better knowing that I have something good to eat. So on the weekends, at least one day, I like to make a large batch of something that will be good cold or reheat well throughout the week.  Sometimes I make quiche, and soup is definitely a favorite as the weather grows colder.  But this weekend I made a quinoa vegetable sauté. This is a harvest time favorite since all of the veggies came from my garden or our local farmer's market.  As I said I used what was available, but feel free to swap out for what you have in the fridge or in your garden.  I hope you enjoy.

Today's choice of veggies. I also added corn off the cobb.

The quinoa and vegetables mixed together.  

Here is the recipe -My apologies for not citing my source except for I can't remember where I found this.  

·         scant 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

·         1/2 cup quinoa

·         2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

·         1 large shallot, chopped

·         3 cloves garlic, minced

·         pinch red pepper flakes

·         2 cups chopped kale (about 1/2 bunch – I used lacinto kale)

·         1 small zucchini, chopped

·         salt & pepper

·         2 ears sweet corn kernels (about 2 cups)

·         1/4 cup sundried tomatoes packed in oil, cut into strips

·         1/4 cup white wine

·         1/2 cup peas

·         1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth

·         1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

·         shaved or fresh grated parmesan cheese, for topping

Instructions

·         Bring scant cup chicken (or vegetable) broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Rinse quinoa very well in a fine mesh sieve under running water (quinoa is coated in a natural, bitter coating that needs to be rinsed off) then add to saucepan, place a lid on top, turn heat down to medium-low, then cook until quinoa is tender and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

·         Heat olive oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots then saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and red chili pepper flakes then saute for 30 more seconds, stirring constantly. Turn heat up to medium-high then add kale and zucchini. Season with salt and pepper then saute for 2 minutes. Add corn and sundried tomatoes then saute for 2 more minutes.

·         Add white wine then scrape up brown bits from bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon. When wine is nearly gone, add peas then stir to combine. Add chicken broth and cooked quinoa then cook until broth is absorbed. Remove skillet from heat then add basil and stir to combine. Taste then add salt and pepper if necessary. Serve topped with freshly shaved or grated parmesan cheese.

Bon Appétit and as always with love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Best of August

Well its hard to believe that it is nearly the end of August. I've seen and done many beautiful and fun things.  As the summer winds down, and the school year starts up I really enjoy the time to reflect. I decided it would be fun to start a best of the month post.  This month I was blessed with a two trips to Door County. Really this is one of my favorite places to visit.  The water, flowers and general ambiance is such a great way to relax with my family.  I made a few new recipes, but my entire family really enjoyed the skillet chocolate chip cookie from Southern Living.  It was really simple and as I said everyone enjoyed.  I had a truly enjoyable  trip to Chicago with my oldest daughter.  We spent some time shopping and enjoying a beautiful lunch at the Peninsula Hotel in their sweet little café, Pierre Gourmet.

Chicago's Pierre Gourmet Café

Flowers in bloom in Door County.

End of a summer day with a beautiful sunset.

Must try skillet cookie. 

I've also finished a charming little book, The Girls of August.  This was a great little summer read, perfect for a beach weekend or on your hammock. 

What has been your best parts of August?

As always with love from the Midwest,

Beth

Summer Reads

One of the things I love to do in the summer is read.  I have no schoolwork to do, no work and my children don't need to be shuffled all over the place.  I love to sit in my back yard, which is quiet and shady as well as at the beach.  This summer I've read quite a few books.  I like all sorts of genres except sci-fi and fantasy.  I love to read books in paper from as well as on my Kindle.  I have Kindle paper white and I love it. I've read with it on the sunniest of days without a problem. 

3 of the books I read on Kindle were The Aviator's Wife, Burt Toast Makes You Sing Good and The Feast Nearby.  The Aviator's Wife is about the life on Anne Morrow Lindbergh.  This is a fabulous book. It give the reader a glimpse into Anne's sad life and to the thoughts and feelings of the time.  Burt Toast is a sweet memoir of a food writer's family. It is as much of memoir of her parents and grand-parents as well as food.  The Feast Nearby is about living local.  I always like to read a book of this nature during the summer. I try to live and eat locally and I  find a book like this really keeps me motivated.    

The hammock in the back yard. 

As pictured above are 3 books that were not on kindle.  A Baguette a Day is again a memoir of two people moving to France and their trials and tribulations.  It reads very much like a blog.  The Boy's in the Boat is my current read.  This is the story of the US rowing team in the 1936 Olympic games.  Perfect for the summer Olympics.  And the final book, who doesn't like a sweet Nicholas Spark's book.  I had never read The Last Song.  I was crying on the airplane on the way home from Florida.

What are some of your favorite reads?

With Love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Summer Evening Style

I love dresses.  However, I really love maxi dresses this one is so feminine.  I really think it comes from being on the taller side.  This is my favorite one and it really is for evening wear, but it could go for any dressy occasion.  I like to wear it with simple gold jewelry, perhaps a necklace, bracelet and earrings and you are ready to go.  My choice of foot wear depends on the length of the dress.   This dress, which I purchased at Dillard's (not a Midwest chain), is on the longer side so I always wear a short heal.  Some of my maxi dresses I wear a flat.  Nordstrom's also has a great collection of dresses and they have free returns.  What is better than that? Plus they are having their semi-annual sale, always a great time to shop. This dress is similar to what I have.

I love the details on the neck line.

 With Love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Low Cook Summer Dinner

 This week it was very hot, so I was inspired to make a Chicken Caesar Salad and try a new no bake dessert.  We even enjoyed the dinner on our back porch. Under our shady trees it really was quite lovely outside.  Of course I lit the citronella candles in advance to keep any unwanted mosquitoes away.  The dressing for my salad was my mock Cesar salad dressing.  (See my post Mock the Cesar.) I used romaine lettuce for the salad; it really holds up well to the dressing, bacon, croutons and chicken.

After I whipped up the dressing I made the croutons from ends of bread I had in the freezer.  I cut them into 1" cubes and generously drizzled with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.  I baked them in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  At the same time I baked some bacon to go along with the salad.  My family really loves their protein.  

As for the chicken I grilled it with olive oil and salt and pepper on my Big Green Egg. It took about 4 minutes per side.  When everything was done at the last moment I assembled the salad.  

My daughter enjoyed the leftovers the next day.  I always keep extra dressing in its container so all you have to do is just pour over the lettuce.  The croutons also kept well for a day.

The salad ready to eat.

For dessert I found this recipe on all recipes of cheesecake in a jar. I'm really not a fan of a baked cheese cake, but this tasted more like a light Italian dessert with marscapone cheese. It called for strawberries, but they are no longer in season in the upper midwest so I used raspberries.  It was delicious and took about 20 minutes to prepare.  I just used graham cracker crumbs to make the crust. I would definitely try this with other fruits, perhaps blueberries or peaches since I have a lot of those around.  

Hope this inspires you to make some cool summer treats in the upcoming week.  Bon appétit.

With Love from the Midwest,

Beth 

July's Treasures

This month's treasures are specific for me, but not necessarily in other parts of the country. As the summer continues I love to spend time out side and traveling on the weekends when I can. I really enjoy the flowers all around, a trip to the coffee shop and if possible a weekend in Door County.  However I also find I spend a fair amount of time canning fruits for the winter.  Last summer I can about 8 pints of peaches and during the drab months of March to May my son and I found we really enjoyed the canned peaches. He liked them for snack and on ice cream for dessert (who wouldn't), and I also liked them on my oatmeal or with my toast for breakfast.  They disappeared quickly to say the least.  Well this year I bought 1 bushel of peaches! Tree Ripe Citrus has great peaches.  I buy my peaches out of the back of a semi and it comes 3 times/season.  Check them out for grapefruits as well. Oh my so far I've canned several, made jelly and made one pie filling, and there is more to be made.  I know I'll also love this later on.

Some garden greenery.  Citronella geraniums help keep the mosquitoes away.

My husband's favorite lillies.

The Door Co. shore line.

A bonfire is always a good idea, with s'mores of course.

Long Boat Key

Well this is our first week back from vacation in Long Boat Key, Florida.  Many people ask why go to Florida in the summer.  Well besides being hot in there are fewer people than over spring break and the weather for the most part is dependable.  I know it will be hot and sunny, perfect for my favorite place in the world, the beach.  This year we spent most of our time on the beach on the Gulf of Mexico.  We also did some shopping, boating and sitting by the pool.  For the most part this is a vacation where we relax.  We know where we are going, where to shop for groceries and where we like to eat for dinner.  Yes, we could break from what we usually do, but this way is very relaxing.

Local fish, mangrove snapper, my husband caught for dinner one night. 

Local Plants - Bird of Paradise one of my favorite

You can put your orchid in the trees and they'll live.
I don't think this would work in the Midwest.

Enjoying some time in the kayak.

A little afternoon treat from Le Macaron.  This store in on St. Armand's circle.

I always like  to try a new wine while I'm on vacation.
 I love rosé as and aperitif in the summer. 

Cupcakes we picked up for dessert one night.
Even cooking in we found many treats we could bring home.

Of course I need a picture of the breach.  

With love from the midwest,

Beth 

Lunch on a hot summer's day

Lunch is in general not something I really love during the school year.  I try to make it interesting, but I'm still making it the day before and warming it up.  One of the things I really like about the weekends or vacation is the ability to make a lunch for that moment.  In the summer that means cool summer salads.  Today since it is 80 degrees and sunny that means eating on my patio wearing my sunglasses and hat and enjoying on of my favorites, peaches and Burrata cheese. If you haven't tried Burrata yet you must.  It is a much creamier version of fresh Mozzarella.   The peaches are from a local farmer, Sleepy Hollow Produce, who uses the same Georgia farmer every year, and the peaches are always excellent. I can honestly say I've never had a bad peach.  The Burrata is from Bel Gioioso, they also make my favorite Ricotta cheese for breakfast.

 The salad today includes;

Peaches -peeled and sliced

Burrata -torn

Fresh taragon -chopped

Procuitto - a few slices

A drizzle of olive oil and black pepper

I served mine with a slice of my sourdough bread.  

Honestly I think the only thing that would have made this better is a glass of wine.  

With love from the midwest,

Beth 

June's Thoughts and Pleasures

Well it's mid June and almost summer, according to the calendar.  Here in Northeast Wisconsin the weather has been fluctuating between 60 to 85 degrees.  However each month brings us new things to look forward to.  Here is the June list.

1. Summer Vacation! I am also a teacher and I won't lie I love my summer break.  It is a great way to recharge and be with my family.

2. Shorts (see last week's post)

3. Bonfires.  Yes it is all summer and fall long, but this is the start.

4. Rhubarb. I love my rhubarb plant and I've spent hours baking because of it. I still have yet to make jelly and freeze a few bags worth but I will.

Rhubarb crisp, sauce and strawberry rhubarb muffins.  

5. June is also the start of our farmer's market, again this is an all summer long saturday morning trip, but opening day is always sweet.

I hope you enjoy what your region or town brings you each month.

With love from the Midwest,

Beth 

Sunday Dinner in June

 Well since I missed my monthly Sunday dinner post in May I'm posting early in June. We were very busy with birthday dinners and family coming back into town from sunny Florida.

 What's for dinner last Sunday?  The menu was: 

Grilled Koren Pork Steaks

Spoon Bread 

Sautéd Brocoli Rabe

Wine:

House Chardonnay from Bota Box 

Dessert:

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches with some leftover cookies my daugher made

The pork steaks come from our 1/2 pig we just took delivery of.  If you know of a farmer in your area that processes local meats, be it grass or corn fed, it really makes all the difference in the world.  It is convienient, you know where your meat comes from and you are supporting a local farmer.

here is the merinade for the Korean Pork Steaks that my mother uses for pork tenderloin
 2/3 cup pinapple juice or orange juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 T dried minced onions
1 T sesame seeds
1 T brown sugar
1 t minced garlic
1/4 cup water

Mix all together and pour into plastic bags and add the meat.  You can merinate the pork for 2-24 hours.  So this can be made a day a head.   When you are ready to grill save the merinade and pour into a small sauce pan.  Add 1/2 cup water and 1 T corn starch to the merinade and bring to a boil for about 5 mintes.  It will be safe to use as a sauce.

 I grilled the pork steaks for about 5-6  minutes per side at 375 degrees on my Big Green Egg and then let them rest for about 3-4 minutes.  Pass the sauce on the side. 

As always take time to sit down with your family no matter how small the rewards over time are so worth it.

Bon Appétit,

Beth 

Picnic in the Park

Today my daughter and I went on a picnic in one of our local parks.  If you haven't been on a picnic in a while I so encourage you to go.  We make up excuses that maybe we have to have a cute picnic basket, or the right food or a lot of time but all of that is wrong.  My daughter and I did have a little more time than a school lunch usually gives us, but the food was anything but fancy.  What was for lunch? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grapes, grocery store carrot cupcakes and bottles of water.  As I said super casual.  We found a clearing spread out our blanket and enjoyed the sunshine and each other's company.  After our lunch we hiked around on the trails.  Some were still quite wet from all of the rain we've had recently, but it was so enjoyable.  We also were blessed to see turkey and deer.     So please just take a moment to eat outside, whether it is on your patio or at a park and enjoy what nature has for you.