Mini Muffin Potato Tots...

 

These are by far the simplest home-made tots that I have ever made! Don't they just adorable? Just by gazing at them, it gives you the urge to pop one right into your mouth. Anyway right now, Racheal Ray  is doing a segment on her show, that demonstrates how many versatile recipe you can use with a "Mini Muffin Pan". I adore this concept for two reasons; One, I seldom think to use the mini pan, so to get my moneys worth out of it is fantastic; Second, I love small portions, if I could execute a tedious way of living on bite sized appetizers alone, I so would.

 

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

 

Enjoy,

Farming Fabulously

 

 

Brianna's Five Bean Salad

Have you ever heard of Brianna's Salad Dressings? "There is no MSG's, no chemicals, and no funny business-just the freshest ingredients and the highest level of family pride, lovingly sealed in every bottle" as per Briannas website. A game winning slogan if I ever did hear one!

I have posted in the past about Baby D's unwillingness to try new ingredients. Thus, I have to currently sneak certain nutritional foods into his daily cuisine. Having found "Brianna's Blush Vinaigrette" (strawberry flavor), has really been a triumph for me. I can pour it over any vegetable of choice and he will devour it like a champ. The sweet, tanginess of the Vinaigrette really appease Baby D's taste buds and sends him into Vegetable overload. A perfect solution for all of your "little" culinary critics.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,

Farming Fabulously

Aunt Trish's Salad Dressing....

Make your own salad dressing! Really why not? I am writing this with such conviction now that I have converted into this magnificent lifestyle change. For the first time last week I actually attempted to make a condiment! I am a novice in this uncharted territory, but am really putting forth the effort into knowing what exactly is going onto our plates here at the farmstead. This maybe a small step in the right direction but we all have to start somewhere, am I right? And the best part is that Baby D can help me prepare this, this translates into a healthier version of the alternative and he will devour it because "he made it".

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,

Farming Fabulously

Homemade Tator Tots, Delish...

Here at the farmstead there are loads of Tator Tots consumed each year. Infact, they have even been known to triumph the American classic French Fry every now and again. It wasn't until recently that I came across a certain television show, that was demonstrating how to use up all of your left over holiday ingredients, that really sparked my attention. The homemade tot, is a marvelous way to use up all of your "extra" mashed potatoes that you have lingering around after this coming Christmas season. And if your feeling sassy, you could even stuff them with your "extra" ham and some shredded cheddar. Excelling your leftover ingredients into a separate culinary category of easy access finger foods. Now I highly encourage you to use your imagination on this one, we all know how many different leftovers we all have after the holidays. Experiment with this recipe, and feel free to share with all of us your results, so that we too can indulge in this crunchy classic.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,

Farming Fabulously

Zucchini Fries With Broiled Halibut....

Today I am presenting you with dishes from two totally different ends of the spectrum. Light vs. Rich! Both equally satisfying, infact down right addicting. HH and I could not stop lusting over the heavenly baked zucchini fries. They served as both a side dish and a fantastic appetizer. I have actually used them on both occasions, and has turned out equally satisfying. Even the kiddo's (Baby D and Khloe) expressed tremendous affection toward them, by eating more then their far share. A wonderfully healthy alternative.

Considering the side dish was more of a lighter flare, I am now giving you free range to splurge on your main coarse. This recipe was one that has been passed down from generations, and I was fortunate enough to come upon it. The Bechamel Sauce, blow it out of the park for me. It was a whole new experience for me preparing fish in this type of fashion. But boy was it tasty!


For more information regarding the Zucchini Fries please click Here.
I used Panko Bread Crumbs and would highly recommend..


For more information regarding the Broiled Halibut With A Bechamel Sauce click HERE.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Broccoli Cheddar Spread..

As a parent, I am constantly trying to sneak vegetables into my child's meals. When he was younger, Baby D was not picky about what he would consume. He ate everything! Perhaps he was just glad to no longer have a diet of strictly milk? Yet now that he is older, I occasionally have an issue with him not wanting to eat his vegetables. This recipe was a real winner in Baby D's book. Only requiring 4 ingredients, and broccoli beginning the star, I now know to keep all of these ingredients on hand. Whats also quite pleasant about this recipe is that, it is a cold salad. Thus, I can take it out of the refrigerator and he can even munch on it as a snack. Would also be a great last minute party appetizer, if caught in a pinch for time.

For more information regarding the following recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,

Farming Fabulously

Grilled Succotash...

Here at the farmstead, we now have an abundance of fresh produce from our garden. So we try to utilize all of the vegetables, to their highest potential. A succotash, is the perfect way to get all of those wonderful ingredients into one dish. This recipe I was especially excited about because it called for a very light vinaigrette. The marriage of produce, paired elegantly with dressing, taking it up that one extra notch. We found it to be quite satisfying! I actually used this as a two part meal. Making it as a side dish solo first, then later on in the week, I added the left over succotash to a warm bed of linguine (mixed in butter and parm cheese). A dual threat if I may say so.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE!

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Poblano Rice

One of the latest trends that is currently circulating around our area is "Food Bars". It is when someone hosts a gathering, and instead of bringing the traditional random appetizer, entree or dessert, each guest is asked to bring a themed dish. The last "Food Themed Bar" that HH and I attended, was themed burrito/taco. Everyone, brought a dish that went along with that theme. Still sticking with appetizer, entree and dessert, but enhancing it with a Mexican flare (I really wish I would have taken pictures so you could see how amazing the food spread actually was, next time). We were asked to bring a rice side dish. So I immediately scooped out Food Networks Marcela Valladolid, she cooks up incredible cuisine on her show Mexican Made Easy (I DVR her all the time). That is were I found this phenomenal Poblano Rice! It proved to be not only easy, but oh so flavorful. It was definitely a great twist on the traditional, and went lovely with the burrito/taco bar theme. Infact, HH is now insistent that anytime I am serving Mexican cuisine that I feature this rice.

I did however make one slight change, I simply sauteed the Poblano right with the onion, instead of going through the steaming process.


For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE!

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Perfect Potato Salad

The hot summer months are now upon us. And what better to serve at a gathering then the ol' faithful potato salad. I am always searching for that suburb p. salad recipe, that will knock my stilettos off. Well, this decedent twist on traditional sure did aim to please. I was estacatic to see that it called for fresh herbs. Herbs that are now over grown in my garden and need to be taken advantage of. A refreshing side dish that would magnify even the tedious of palates.

I did not use the food mill as the recipe required. I prefer more texture in my salad, so instead I used chopped up red new potato's.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Cilantro Fries....

This recipe is by far one of my new experimental favorites. The basic concept is really quite simple, all you need to do is go into your garden, and you know all of those herbs that are growing out of control right now? Well, pick one of your choice and simply make a pesto out of it. Grab a handful, place it into your blender or food processor, then add EVOO, and perhaps even garlic. Grind it all up until you get a runny consistency. Next, reach into your freezer and pull out those bland fries (you know the ones) and place them into a resealable plastic bag and then dump your pesto mixture right on top. Do alittle shimmy shake, pour it onto a greased sheet tray and Voila. You have a whole new take on french fries.

Now depending on what your entree is, determines the proper herb to use.

Examples:

Serving Pulled Pork Tacos: Cilantro Fries

Hamburger: Parsley Fries

Beef Roast: Rosemary Fries

Shrimp Scampi: Sage or Dill Fries

As you can see, the possibilities are endless!

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note: Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you that have been affected by these devastating tornado's all around the country. God Bless.

Cheese-Caraway Muffins‏

Let me begin by saying, that putting Caraway seeds in muffins is pure genius! It adds such a distinctive flavor, and the aromatics are phenomenal (You can find Caraway fragrances in oils, lotions, soaps, perfumes, ect..). Begin paired with the pungent sharp cheddar cheese really steps up these muffins into an almost princess (I couldn't help it!) like stature. Or shall I say they would be suitable for a queen (I'm sorry but I was up at 5AM blissfully gazing at the British Monarchy), elegantly served at high tea. Perhaps even a Dutchess, (how elegant did Princess Catherine look, and the tiara! Would it be in poor taste to ask for a tiara for Mothers Day?) would loath to get her royal fingers on just one of these scrumptious little numbers. So it may seem quite fitting that I received this recipe from a royal dignitary in her own right. Thank you Miss Charlene.

Cheese-Caraway Muffins

1 3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp caraway seed
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ( or a cheese of your choice)
1 well-beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup oil

Stir dry ingredients into bowl: make well in center. Combine egg,
milk, and oil. Add all at once to dry ingredients. Stir quickly just
until dry ingredients are moistened. Fill greased muffin pans 2/3 full.
(I used a mini muffin pan, so I could watch my portion control)
Bake at 400 degrees about 25 minutes. Makes 12

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Program Note:  In honor of the big wedding today, use your royal wedding guest name this week. Start with either Lord or Lady. Your first name is one of your grandparents' names. Your surname is the name of your first pet, then "of" followed by the name of the street you grew up on.

Or you may refer to me as: Lady Donna Pokey of Lincoln

Eva's Veracruz Corn

"Now that is some darn good corn", says HH as he wipes the kernals from his chin! The day has finally came when my FB has branched out of the "traditional" right off the shuck corn (now don't get me wrong that too is quite scrumptious), and has now found an alternative method to a side dish favorite. This dish gives corn a whole new meaning in life. Just the different textures alone, creates an instant repetitious behavior from plate to mouth. The crispiness of the fried tortillas, the sauteed vegetables, the hint of the pungent Aioli, then topped off with the saltiness of the Queso Fresco; Veracruz Corn is quite simply superb! It is know wonder that this succulent side is a best seller at Beso Restaurant, in Hollywood California. Now you too can cook a posh style dish in your humble-abode too.

To see more of the incredible cuisine featured at Beso click HERE!

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE. Be sure to scroll down the page about mid-way.

Enjoy,
Farming Fabulously

Not Your Average Green Bean Casserole...

Poor Baby D, it's not his fault that his mother dresses him in an over sized coat, mud boots that look like frogs and a scarf that only allows him to breath through his nazzel passage. Bless his heart, he still can find joy in this type of situation.

Let begin by saying, I am so embarrassed of this picture above, well and below, it does this fantastic dish no justice. That beginning said we can now move forward. I strongly encourage you to serve this delight over the holidays. You can save your can of cream of "something" soup for a later time. The flavor explosion that happens within your palate is really quite grand (never would I have ever thought I would write that about any "side dish"). Once you try this, I will actually guarantee that this will be a new favorite at your family get-togethers. Really, I promise. HH and I had to refrain ourselves from not eating the whole pan. And of coarse the best part of this dish for me is that you can prep it ahead of time then toss it into the oven 30 before your dinner will begin. Mouthwaterinly Irresistible.

For more information regarding this recipe please click HERE.

Enjoy,

Farming Fabulously