I'm always excited to try new recipes to help keep me inspired in the kitchen.
This week I tried a recipe from a friend and it did not disappoint.
I knew going into it this would be a meal Ella and Jay would thoroughly enjoy because of the pasta...
AND it would be a meal I could easily adapt to meet my own personal preferences for clean eating.
That mindset is actually how I go about meal planning each week. I always try to figure out something I can make that will satisfy everyone's appetites but also meet the desired food related preferences I have for clean eating.
The recipe calls for deliciously seasoned chicken served on a bed of pasta swimming in a delightful creamy sauce. I simply eliminated the sauce and pasta and enjoyed my chicken on a fresh bed of romaine. (and we all enjoyed some steamed green beans as a side).
I sure hope you'll try it. It won't disappoint.
I will say, it's quite spicy so I would eliminate the red pepper altogether or at least reduce it by half if your family doesn't prefer the "kick".
PIN IT FOR LATER <-- click here
PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration. Psst - If you aren't already following along you've been missing out...
I've been posting my weekly dinner menus on the Pen + Paper Flowers Instagram feed and I had so many requests asking for my Fish Tacos recipe, I decided to post it here on the blog.
They are quite easy to put together and pack quite a flavor explosion with every bite.
And trust me when I say I love preparing simple meals that can be altered to fit everyone's dietary preferences without having to make completely separate meals. This meal is a perfect example of that. I eat mine in lettuce cups (as pictured) to keep them whole30 approved for myself but Ella and Jay prefer flour tortillas.
There's a delicious citrus dressing used to garnish the tacos and a refreshing easy coleslaw you can use as garnish and a side dish.
This is definitely a family favorite of ours...light, clean, refreshing and satisfying.
I sure hope you'll try it and let me know if it becomes a family favorite for you too.
PS - Sweet friends, let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration. Psst - If you aren't already following along you've been missing out...
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• • • • •
What an interesting time we are living in right now my friends.
The entire world has come to a stop due to COVID-19...schools have closed, businesses have shut down, states are issuing "stay in place" orders, grocery store shelves are completely empty, hospitals are without proper medical masks and equipment, there are thousands of people who've contracted the virus and sadly, thousands who've succumbed to it.
We are living in uncertain times, for sure, and with all of the collective what-ifs and worry, I'm choosing to cling to the positives. (while staying home)
What an incredible blessing this could be...if we allow it to be; An amazing gift of time.
This could actually be the pause button we've all wished for on those days when we were wishing hard for a breather...a break from the busyness.
This is an opportunity to take a step back and really put into perspective what's REALLY important. Never in the history of our world has everyone on the entire planet been more simultaneously united by anything...ever. Pretty crazy, right?
It's astonishing to think about, actually. And something we may never experience again.
I'm choosing to view this moment in history as miraculous. Yes, sadly, there will be some of us who will lose our lives to this...but I also believe there will be many more who will unexpectedly, through this experience, have life restored to them.
........
So...homemade bread...because homemade bread gives me life.
And I think we could all use a little comfort food right now.
This recipe makes some beautiful, delicious loaves and the ingredients are simple.
And...your family will pretty much think you're a superstar. (scroll down for recipe)
It's delicious all on it's own but exceptionally yummy with a little butter.
PS - a little bit o' honey sweetens the pot. *wink*
Sure hope you'll try it!
PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
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..........
OTHER BLOG POSTS TO KEEP YOU BUSY WHILE STAYING AT HOME:
small bowl of olive oil - for hands while kneading
Note: I used Bread flour because that's all I had and still used the wheat gluten - even though it's not necessary with bread flour.
Instructions:
How to cook Homemade Classic White Bread Loaves
Preheat oven to 350º.
Grease 4 loaf pans, generously, with olive oil or baking spray.
Set aside.
Mix 5 cups warm water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in large stand mixer with whisk attachment. Allow yeast mixture to sit for 5 minutes to activate. (mixture should become bubbly - if not, allow more time to sit).
Remove whisk attachment and replace with dough hook attachment.
Add 2 TBSP salt, wheat gluten, and 2 cups flour to bowl
Mix well and scrape the bowl with rubber spatula.
With mixer on low, add remaining 6 cups of flour to avoid dust cloud.
Once flour is integrated, mix on medium high until thoroughly combined.
Dough should begin to pull away from sides of bowl after a few minutes.
If not, slowly add more flour until it does.
Dough should be firm but not dry - moist but not overly sticky.
Turn dough onto floured surface.
Dip fingers in a small amount of oil and rub hands together.
Begin kneading dough while maintaining oily hands - this keeps dough pliable, smooth, and easy to work with throughout the kneading process.
Knead for 5-10 minutes, continually folding the dough towards the middle and pushing down with your palms - adding small amounts of oil to your fingers and hands as necessary.
When dough is nice and smooth, form into large ball and quarter it, using a sharp knife.
Form each of the four sections into small loaves and place in prepared pans.
Place on stovetop or counter and allow to rise until dough doubles in size. (spritzing every 15 minutes with a water bottle). This can take 30 minutes to an hour.
Bake for 30 minutes, tops should be golden brown.
Remove from oven and invert loaf into your heat-protected hand.
Tap on the bottom of the loaf - a hollow sound determines it's done.
Allow to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Slice and store in bread keeper, zip top bag or air tight container.
PRO TIP: Use an electric knife to slice when cooled for perfectly sliced bread.
Notes:
- recipe adapted from @whiteshantyhome on instagram
Calories
1513.65
Fat (grams)
43.00
Sat. Fat (grams)
5.99
Carbs (grams)
252.05
Fiber (grams)
11.21
Net carbs
240.84
Sugar (grams)
47.37
Protein (grams)
32.08
Sodium (milligrams)
3513.03
Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @pnpflowers on instagram and hashtag it #pnpflowersrecipe
The real name for these delicious after-school morsels is "Sunflower Seed Butter Crunch Bars".
Knowing Ella would put her nose up to something that remotely sounded healthy, I opted to shorten them to "Butter Crunch Bars" when she asked me what I was making the other day. *wink*
After-school snacks are always a bit of a struggle.
As a parent, I want to feel good about giving Ella something without all of the sugar and processed junk in typical snacks...but also something she is excited to eat because it actually tastes good.
These delicious butter crunch bars are the exact thing Ella and I have both been looking for.
They are filled with good-for-you ingredients, are easy to whip up, and are quite tasty! (maybe even a little addicting).
Adding the little heart sprinkles was a complete after-thought but...
how cute would these be for a guilt-free indulgence on Valentine's Day?!
I hope you'll try the recipe! It's definitely a winner.
NUT FREE VERSION: Skip the pecans altogether. (also eliminating 3 TBSP maple syrup and pinch of sea salt).
instructions:
How to cook Guilt-Free Butter Crunch Snack Bars (adapted from the Eat What You Love Cookbook)
Preheat oven to 350º.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl combine finely chopped pecans, 3 TBSP maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat evenly. Spread on baking sheet in single layer.
Bake for 15 minutes or until syrup is bubbling.
Remove from oven.
Using coconut oil, lightly grease sides and bottom of 8x11 glass baking pan.
Line bottom and long sides of pan with parchment, allowing ends to hang over sides of pan. (will be used as handles for lifting finished bars from pan).
Place chopped Lindt bar in 1 cup measuring cup. Add 1 TBSP or more of Godiva chips to fill the rest of the measuring cup. Add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil plus measured chocolate in top pan of double boiler and set aside.
Add 2 inches of water to bottom pan of double boiler and bring to boil. Add top pan with chocolate and oil and remove from heat. Allow to sit and melt while moving forward with the rest of the directions.
In a medium bowl, add sunflower seed butter, 2/3 cup maple syrup , arrowroot powder, coconut flour, cacao butter, vanilla, 1/2 tsp. salt. Stir together. Add candied pecans and press mixture into prepared pan.
Stir melted chocolate in double boiler. Pour chocolate over sunflower butter mixture. Using spatula, gently spread chocolate to cover and smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour or overnight.
Gently lift parchment flaps to remove slab from pan.
Our Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa bar this year included a deliciously delightful bulk recipe for Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa. It's so yummy.
Not only will you and your family enjoy this...you'll want to package some up for gift-giving during the Christmas season. Or just for the heck of it during the winter. *wink*
I think I hear it calling your name. *wink*
Sure hope you'll try it out and let me know what you think.
PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
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At first, I thought I'd just purchase a bag of cinnamon marshmallows from the popular brands out there but was surprised to find the cinnamon flavor doesn't exist. What?
I then considered making homemade marshmallows but really wanted to keep things simple for myself and also for any of you considering making some.
I discovered the easiest, fastest solution for creating cinnamon marshmallows and wow! They. are. delicious!
CINNAMON MARSHMALLOWS
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 TBSP powdered sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Place in ziplock bag. Shake until covered. Enjoy!
..........
Pecan Praline Dessert Topping...
Let that sink in for a minute.
Now let me help you dream up some ways to incorporate this into your life.
Think pound cakes, ice cream, apples, pancakes, right off the spoon and would
just look at how good it looks on cheesecake. *gasp*
I shared this delicious recipe years ago and knew it deserved to be shared again.
It's gift-giving season after all and this easy-to-make, delicious treat is something everyone will love.
You should see it on cheesecake! Talk about upleveling your desserts!? (scroll down for the pic).
Enjoy the updated gift tags, recipe and pictures in this post and then be sure to PIN THIS to your "Gift Ideas" Pinterest board.
You need this in you life.
It's delicious...just trust me on this.
Pecan, Praline, Dessert, Gift, Jar, Topping
Yield: Makes 4-6 Jars
Author: Jess - Pen + Paper Flowers
Pecan Praline Dessert Topping
prep time: 5 Mcook time: 15 Mtotal time: 20 M
This easy-to-make delicious dessert topping can be enjoyed on cheesecake, pound cake, apple slices, pancakes and ice cream. You'll want to gift jars of this to your favorite people.
ingredients:
1 + 1/4 cups chopped pecans
7 TBSP butter
1 + 1/2 cups light brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup evaporated milk
instructions:
How to cook Pecan Praline Dessert Topping
Melt butter over low heat in saucepan; add pecans.
Stir until light brown and the aroma of lightly toasted pecans fills your kitchen.
Add brown sugar and corn syrup.
Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
Remove from heat and stir in evaporated milk.
Serve warm over ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, cookies, apples or pancakes.
Store in refrigerator.
Reheat in microwave for 15 seconds.
SEE GIFT GIVING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
NOTES:
FOR GIFT GIVING
Pour into prepared, sterilized jars with airtight lids.
Add cute gifts tags - linked below
Store in refrigerator.
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