Some Italian Flare

 We could not come up with a name for this.

So we will just call it an Italian Flare.

(The fish is Schwans Potato Encrusted Cod)

Which is very good, by the way.

Someone in this blog area.....I won't mention any names Johnie.

I promise!

Is having issues with headaches and leg cramps.

Well the leg cramps are obvious.....

Low potassium.

So since this person that I promised not to mention.

See Johnie, I didn't say any names.....

Refuses to go to the doctor.

So Angie has taken a stand, and is looking into changing the diet.

A person's body issues usually relate to diet.

Notice I said usually?

We are going to give this a try for a while to see how the leg cramps go.

Which more potassium means:

Fish

Avocado

Dark leafy greens

Bananas (of course)

Yogurt

Dried Apricots 

White beans

Mushrooms

Baked potatoes

Acorn Squash 

(but we will leave this one out. johnie doesn't like the squishy stuff)

 We informed you in our introduction that this blog would be a place for product reviews.

Here is our first product:

Happy Harvest Diced Tomatoes.

These are found at the Aldi Supermarket.

We have been doing a lot of shopping there and their products are pretty amazing.

These tomatoes are just as good, if not better than, Hunts.

I like the diced tomatoes with herbs.

This one is basil, garlic, and oregano.

We keep our pantry stocked with these.

A can of these are very good served over pasta, veggies, or for creating your own Italian dish.

Just like we did.

 One thing about Angie in the kitchen, she is always planning ahead.

She soaked one whole bag of great northern beans and divided them into

2 c. freezer bag portions.

That way they are soaked and ready to go.

All you have to do is simmer them for 45 minutes to an hour in salted water.

Using fresh dried beans is so much better for you than the 

overloaded preservative packed cans.

This is what we did to create this awesome potassium filled dish:

Italian Flare

The (2 c.) soaked, frozen great northern beans have to be simmered for 45 minutes to an hour. So you will have to plan ahead if using them. Just cover the beans with salted water, bring to a boil, and turn down to a simmer covered for 45 min. to an hour. You want them firm tender, so don't over-cook them.

1 can diced seasoned tomatoes

1 jar marinara sauce

1 TBS dried oregano

1 TBS dried Italian seasoning

Place these ingredients in a large skillet and simmer covered for 10 minutes.

Add the beans, and a 16 oz. bag of fresh spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt. 

Cook your pasta to desired taste. Top the pasta with sauce and parm cheese.

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See ya'all soon

New Orleans Pecan Praline Brownies

 Since Johnie spent some time living in Louisiana I thought this recipe

would be fitting to create for him.

Did you kind of sing that intro?

"I spent last night in the arms of a girl in Louisiana"......Garth Brooks

Just look at that layer of praline.

That's a whole lot of sweet right there.

 The inspiration for this recipe came from 

Menu Musings of a Modern American Mom

One thing that I did find out; 

When the recipe calls for a certain size pan.....USE IT!!

I wanted my brownie to be thicker so I used a smaller pan.

Which in turn caused my praline to be very thick.

But if you like praline you will love these brownies.

To toast my pecans, I put them on a cookie sheet and baked 

them in a 400 degree F oven for 10 minutes.

I sent this recipe over to The Weekend Potluck. They always have

tons of great recipes. Make sure you give them a visit. 

A perfect way to plan your weekly menu.

Just go click'n.....

New Orleans Pecan Praline Brownies

1 box brownie mix to fit a 9x13 pan (family size).

Mix according to directions and stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cool completely

Praline:

1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

6 TBS butter

1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. chopped pecans, toasted

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Add cream, butter, and brown sugar to a medium sized saucepan. Heat to boiling and boil for about 1-2 minutes.

Remove from heat, let cool 5 minutes. Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla, and toasted pecans.

Spread over completely cooled brownies. Allow to cool for 45 minutes before cutting.

If you visit Menu Musings of a Modern American Mom she has a great tip for cutting the brownies so you don't crack the praline. That way your brownies won't look all messy like mine. But they still eat the same.....

And since you now have the recipe for praline don't be afraid to use to top cookies, cakes, ice cream, or wherever your heart desires some praline.

See ya'all soon

The Weekend & Johnie's French Toast

 What does a middle-age couple do to make the weekends creative?

I will show you.....

Come on, come with me and walk through our exciting weekend.

 It started with Friday watching Friskie resist the urge to pounce on that squirrel.

I had some leftover popcorn from the drive-in last weekend.

And instead of throwing it in the trash I dumped it for the squirrels.

Actually I did that just to irritate Friskie. 

Don't tell him I said that though.

 Then on Saturday, the cool cat that Friskie is, he was telling us,

"Get on your bike and ride. If you're not going to I will."

You are just so slick Friskie cat!

It was kind of rainy and gloomy Saturday so Johnie took advantage

and rested up the whole day.

 Because Friday evening we decided to act like teenagers.

We do that sometimes since we go way back to high school days.

But there was a thirty year break where we didn't see each other.

We were busy living our lives as they should be lived.

Until we meet again.

There are a lot of times when I see that teenage boy that I so well remember.

And I'm sure Johnie can do the same with me.

But when we turn on our teenage reminiscing sometimes we don't know

when to stop.....

Friday night we played pool and dipped into the rum just a little too much.

It went on into the wee hours of Saturday morning.

That may explain Johnie's hibernating on Saturday.

The broken mirror is the proof that we need to grow up......

Not for long, just for a little bit.

The door mirror was being used as a score card.

Yeah, we use a dry-erase marker to keep score of who wins.

Need I say more? 

 So Sunday morning Johnie bounced back to life.

We decided to be that middle-age couple again.

He turned on the charm and cooked me breakfast.

Is that a, "Sorry I was so out of it Saturday" proposition?

Only Johnie knows.....

But I will leave it alone because I really enjoyed his breakfast.

I don't want to spoil a good thing.

 What did he have going on on the stove?

Take a look.

It's French Toast.

And very good French Toast at that.

I had a hard time getting all that down.

But I managed.

Not hard to do when it is so good.

I can't wait to see what we get into next weekend......

Johnie's French Toast

This is what he did:

8 eggs

1 TBS cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 TBS sugar

Whip this all together with a fork and then add,

1 c. milk

Whip with fork again.

He used a cast iron griddle to cook the French toast. Make sure you start with a well heated skillet over med/high heat.

Dip the bread pieces into egg mixture and place on skillet. When it's brown on one side you flip it over to the other.

Serve with butter and maple syrup.

See ya'all later