Tortilla Roll Up: Veggies and Cheese!

One of my favorite go to meals recently is a simple tortilla roll up. I put pretty much whatever I have in my fridge and pantry in the tortilla, roll it up and enjoy. It's SO simple, SO tasty and SO convenient - you can even eat it on the go!

Like I said, what I put inside varies and really depends on what I have at the time. It almost always includes a bunch of yummy fresh veggies though and you really can't have too much of that!

Here's an example of one of my recent tortilla roll ups that was simply delicious!

The Goods:

Tortilla

Hummus

Cheese

Kidney Beans

Spinach

Radish Sprouts

Heirloom Tomato

Grab a tortilla...

And spread hummus ALLLLLL over it!

Add some cheese...

And some kidney beans too!

Don't forget all the yummy veggies!

Then roll it up like a burrito!

Take a bite and ENJOY!!!

Apps For Dinner!

Last night, I had the pleasure of enjoying some amazing appetizers, yummy drinks and the company of two wonderful neighbors! 

Earlier in the week, I had talked to my friend Elina about possibly making something yummy to eat and hanging out one night this weekend. It turned out that Friday night worked best for us and we decided on making a bunch of appetizers instead of one big meal. And let me say - that was a GREAT decision because we got to enjoy so many different things without stuffing ourselves crazy!

Take a look at all the goodies we got to enjoy while having a nice relaxing evening at home.  

The Goods!

I'm not going to list it all because 

the list would just go on and on and on.

Elina chopping mini heirloom tomatoes for the bruschetta!

And basil for the bruschetta too!

Dates - stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped in bacon and 

WAITING to be baked then devoured!

Cheese and Meat Plate - YUM!!!

The WHOLE spread!

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Meat and Cheese with Crackers

Bruschetta - With or Without Arugula 

Jalapeno Stuffed Olives

Cantaloupe, Mango and Kiwi

Oh and some Wine and Beer too!!!

Just a little sampling of the deliciousness!

I can't wait for the next neighbor dinner and drink hang out. It's always lots of fun and good food is a guarantee! 

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 18!

Last week, I said I would try to be better about posting a Sunday Night Dinner post more frequently. So, without missing a week - here it is! 

I made a VERY simple chicken recipe that I'd never made before, but well absolutly be making again. It was made using a whole chicken, an onion, spices and my wondeful crock pot. I'll probably end up posting about this, but until then - the recipe can be found here!

Along with the delicious chicken, I made some whipped/mashed potatoes, gravy and a sauteed broccoli.  While I loved the mashed potatoes (who doesn't?!?!), I wasn't in love with the broccoli recipe. And this is odd because I normally LOVE it prepared any way. Oh well - lesson learned. I will eat the leftovers, but I will NOT make it this way again... 

Overall, the dinner was very tasty (see below - I cleaned my plate!) and I look forward to having the leftovers tomorrow!!!

The Tomatoes Are BACK!!!

I haven't posted about my garden in quite some time, but that's mostly because nothing has really changed and these hasn't been anything exciting to report. That is until recently!!!

I thought my tomato plant was done for the year, and while it was sad, I'd accepted that I was done enjoying tomatoes RIGHT off the vine. Oh how I love their tastiness! Anyway...while watering one night this week, I noticed a new bunch of blossoms! I was in shock, but even happier when I discovered I had not one, not two, but THREE new bunches of blossoms that will hopefully turn into some yummy tomatoes soon!

I know I've mentioned the plethora of limes I now have growing, but it's been a little while, so now they're all getting quite big. I'll be able to enjoy them soon enough! And even better is that I have a bunch of new little ones growing, so let's hope for another successfull round of lil baby limes.

Lastly, my herbs continue to do great and I'm hoping this continues for a few more months. I really do miss not having fresh herbs in the Winter months.

Homemade Refried Beans

I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again but I LOVE homemade Mexican food - mostly because it reminds me of the many delicious restaurants in my hometown of Tucson, Arizona. 

When I first saw this recipe for homemade refried beans I knew I HAD to make them! I did just a few days later and they are some of the BEST refried beans I've ever tried! I'm almost positive that ALL the others had lard or some form of fat, but these don't and are still super tasty!!

They are SO simple I just can't believe it. Unless I forget to plan a little bit ahead, I will never eat refried beans at home any other way!

Take a look at how easy they really are to make!

The Goods:

Dry Pinto Beans

Onion

Garlic

Jalapeno

Salt

Pepper

Cumin

Water

These things are AMAZING!! 

They making using a slow cooker/crock pot SO much easier 

because cleanup becomes much more simple and less messy!

About halfway through the cooking process. 

Done cooking and done mashing!

I put it into a snap container to enjoy throughout the week!

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 17!

It's been FOREVER since I've done a Sunday Night Dinner post. I'm sorry for the absence and I HOPE post most in the near future!

I enjoyed a delicious piece of Salmon that was fresh AND wild caught! Such a treat and tastes so much better!! Along with the fish I had NEW brown and wild rice recipe. Look for a blog about the rice recipe soon!! And to finish off the meal I had some fresh, farm grown green beans that I blanched and then sauteed with a lil bacon. Yuuuuuuuuum! Sunday dinner was great and I look forward to sharing more of them with you soon!!! 

Vegetable Stock

I've made Chicken Stock COUNTLESS times, but it wasn't until yesterday that I decided I'd try to make some Vegetable Stock. After searching online, I quickly found a recipe that sounded great! It didn't seem too hard and I'd only have to modified it slightly, so I decided I'd give it a go and I'm really glad I did! I can't wait to use it tonight to make a new rice recipe for dinner. 

I really can't believe how simple it was to make. Take a look and then make some yourself. It's MUCH better than the boxed kind, I promise.  

The Goods:

Olive Oil

Carrots

Celery

Onion

Garlic

Tomato Paste

Fresh Rosemary

Fresh Sage

Bay Leaves

Peppercorns

Salt

Water

Heat the olive oil over high heat.

Throw in the chopped onions...

And the carrots...

And finally the celery!

Toss it around in the heated olive oil.

Let everything cook until it's browned. 

Not done yet - still browning!

Done! 

This took about 20-30 minutes, so be patient!

Throw in the garlic cloves and tomato paste.

Mix it around and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the herbs, bay leaves, peppercorn and a lil bit of salt.

Now time for TONS of water!

After the water is added, stir in the fresh Parsley.

Bring the stock to a boil and reduce to a simmer.

Simmer for about an hour, maybe an hour and a half, but not any longer.

Vegetable stock cooks A LOT faster than chicken stock!

Now the fun part!

Strain out all the goodies.

Now run the liquid through a fine strainer,

 so you don't miss any small bits.

See - you'll have missed some!

Now run it through one more time,

but this time, line it with a paper towel!

You'll end up with perfect homemade vegetable broth!

And LOTS of it for that matter!

I'm guessing there's maybe 10 cups total here, 

so be prepared for lots of stock!!