Strawberry matcha sorbet popsicle

It's been really hot these last two weeks for most people. My kids are getting cranky because going outside to play in the sprinkler is still too hot. Luckily we have our AC (even if it can't maintain it's programmed temperature if it's over 95F) So in attempt to keep my kids cool and hydrated I made popsicles. My daughter is over the moon for them.

First you are going to make sure you have popsicle mold. I love the silicone ice pop mold in comparison to the the the Popsicle stick molds. I feel as though they are more secure and less likely to spill. 

The recipe was really easy.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of frozen strawberries ( You can use fresh, but i would still freeze them before hand to make sure you get the right consistency)
• 3 cups of unsweetened vanilla coconut milk (You can sub some for water for a less coconut flavor
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of matcha tea powder
• Sweetened with local honey to taste ( I used 2 tablespoons, but will probably use less next time) 

Blend coconut milk and strawberries first, then mix in the rest of the ingredients. It's definitely more of a sorbet than anything else. You can pour it into a tupperware and just scoop out a little bowl for a late night snack. Yumm :D

The kids love having something they can take outside and run with so I pour the sorbet into the molds. If you use frozen strawberries I would freeze for about 3 hours before eating, longer if your strawberries weren't frozen.

Chicken Makhani

My husband and I both love Indian food, but it tends to be more pricey, and harder to find in our neighborhood. We ended up only being able to go out for indian for really special occasions, and we found ourselves wanting to enjoy one dish more than the others, Butter Makhani, or more commonly known as Butter Chicken.

This dish has a rich and creamy based sauce, with those great indian spices packing it full of flavor. A couple of the ingredients can be harder to find in your local grocery store, so try and find a Indian grocer near you. I will post links to Amazon products incase you still can't find them.  

(Note: I seem to have lost my photos for this meal. I will update with photos in the future.)

The night before you need to marinade 2 Large chicken breast or 3 small ones. Chop the chicken into 1 inch cubes before adding to the marinade.

Marinade:

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1.5 teaspoons kasuri methi
• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoon ginger garlic paste

In a large skillet start making the sauce. Start by slowly sauteeing your spices to really bring out their flavors.

The sauce/Makhani Masala:

Sautee

• 5 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
• 2-4 fresh green chili pepper, slit
• 4 green cardamom pods (or 2/3 tsp cardamom powder )
• 1.5 – 2 inch cinnamon sticks (or 1/8-1/2 tsp cinnamon powder)
• 2 cloves
• 1 black cardamom pod
• 1/2 -3/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 10 almonds, soaked, peeled and made into a paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi

Now that your spices are all in turn down to a low simmer. In another pan cook your chicken with your marinade. Once fully cooked add just the chicken (not the marinade) to your your spices.

Finish the sauce

• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 can Tomato puree
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon honey

Mix in last on reduced heat

• 3/4 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt

Now serve over basmati rice and Enjoy! :D

Fermented salsa

This is my recipe for a femented salsa.It os really easy to make especially if you already have some extra whey in your fridge.

Fermented foods are known for being packed full of probiotics, and this salsa is so yummy.

5 or 6 good sized Roma tomatoes
1/2 a bunch of cilantro
1/2 yellow onion
1 or 2 chilies or peppers for spice (I like Serrano chilies)
Splash of Lime
Splash of lemon
Spices ( I used salt, cumin, red peppers, chili powder,)
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup of whey. (This is optional. You can ferment without the use of added whey )

Chop and blend ingredients together. Let it sit on the counter for a couple days, then enjoy! Last for 6 months in the fridge

Guacamole stuffed chicken

My husband loves all things spicy, and being a Thin man who has the genetic disposition of having high cholesterol, he has taken quite the liking to guacamole and the wonderful benefit of avocados. My kids are not a keen to spicy foods as he but this is one meal we all agree on. It is delicious.

Guacamole 

2 large avocados

1/2 a tomato diced

1 shallot diced

1 clove of garlic diced 

Splash of lime juice 

1 Tablespoon sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

1 Serrano chili minced (remove seeds for a more mild flavor

Mix in stand mixer

Take 4 thawed or fresh raw chicken breast and tenderize until thin.

Add 2-4 tablespoons (depends on size of chicken breast) of guacamole to the center of each breast.

Roll up sides of chicken breast to the top and pierce with 3 toothpicks to hold it shut.

Dip chicken in an egg bath then in bread crumbs. Put chicken on a broiler pan

Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes (or until chicken is fully cooked)

Usually I shred some Parmesan on top after pulling it out of the oven. I forgot to do that tonight this night.

Lasagna

Here is my lasagna recipe and you don't have to precook the noodles!!

Ingredients

• 1/2 walla walla onion
• 1/2 a green bell pepper (chopped)
• 1/2 a red bell pepper (chopped)
• 2 cups of chopped cauliflower
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 pound beef
• 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 beef bullion cubes
• 12 oz can of tomato past
• 1 1/2 -2 cups of water
• 8-10 lasagna noodles
• Ricotta cheese
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese
• Seasonings (I used Oregano, Thyme, chili powder, turmeric, black peeper, salt, and fresh basil)

In large skillet saute onions, garlic, and bell peppers in olive oil until onions are transparent. 

Add beef and cook till browned. Then add wine, and cauliflower. simmer to reduce the wine.

Add water, bullion cubes, tomato paste and seasonings.

In 2 medium bake-ware dishes (or 1 large) lay down in layers sauce, noodles, ricotta cheese, then repeat these layers and top off with the cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350F for 90 minutes

Tada!

Relaxing bath.

I recently tore a ligament or two in my ankle causing it to swell and bruise, it was quite painful. I was told by a friend to soak it after the first day. Wanting a speedy recovery I decided to spice up my bath.

1 handful of oats. This is to soothe and soften your skin, and after having my ankle wrapped up it was drying out.(If your concerned about clogging you pipes you can toss it into a coffee filter and tie it of with a rubber band)
5 drops of lavender oil for aromatherapy to soothe your nerves.
5 drops of rosemary oil to relax muscle pain and aches.

This is the concoction, and I must say I very much enjoyed it.

Headache Balm

My grandmother has chronic headaches that have gotten really bad in the last year. She has had her doctor run scans to try and diagnose, but they have no idea what is causing it. The headaches are so severe that she is unable to speak during them. Her doctor has given her a strong pain killer she is only allowed to take once a day, which only gives her small relief. So I decided to make her an essential oil headache balm, after having good personal experience with peppermint essential oils for my headaches. Today she called me to say she didn’t need take her pain killer yesterday because the balm was doing the trick!

In a small container mix:

5 tbls coconut oil (might want to work in some bee wax to help keep it solid)
4 drops lavender essential oils
4 drops rosemary essential oils
8 drops peppermint essential oils

Use: inhale for aromatherapy, or rub on forehead, temples, and/or back of the neck.

Mushroom Tortellini

This is my favorite mushroom based dinner, and on the plus side my mushroom hating daughter loves it too!

Ingredients 

• 2 cups of tortellini with cheese
• 1 Tbls of olive oil
• 1 cup of diced mushrooms
• 1 can of cream of mushroom
• 1 lb of ground turkey
• 1/4 onion (chopped)
• 1 Tbls of minced garlic
• 1 cup chopped cauliflower

Directions

Bring water to a boil in large pot. When water is boiling add tortellini and reduce heat to medium. Cook tortellini for 20 minutes or until tender, and drain water. In large frying pan with olive oil saute onion and garlic. Then add ground turkey and mushrooms to frying pan( you can add seasoning here if you want. I used Thyme, parsley, basil, and black pepper). Cook until turkey is browned. Add everything from the frying pan to pot of tortellini and mix in can of cream of mushroom. Cook on medium-low until warm. Enjoy! :)