The World According to Bella

A First
I've heard Mr. C and Mrs. S wonder what I would do if I saw a bear. Well this week they found out. I was outside in my hole guarding Mrs. S's plants and flowers as usual. All of a sudden this animal ran into my yard. My very, very  loud barking caught Mr C's attention who was inside. 

By the time he got outside I had chased this small, black, furry animal up a tree. 

Mr. C quickly dragged me inside though I did not feel a rescue was needed. All I was trying to do is bark the intruder out of our yard. We heard later the bear was at our neighbor's house, knocked over their trash can and ate a HUGE amount of garbage. So now we need to be on high alert taking our walks. I am not sure what's going to happen while we are in the cities. Maybe Mr.C's security camera will show us what we're missing.  

I am really getting a workout in the city. Mrs. S got us a good room but its on the 4th floor. I have used their  stairmaster multiple times because I am petrified of the elevator. No amount of coaxing  would get me inside because the floor moves. In 24 hours I have been in and out of the hotel via the stairmaster at least 8 times (I have lost track), been to our old neighborhood for a visit, grocery store, dentist office (I sat in the car) and met Lulu. She  looks just like Mulligan but a lot smaller. She has so much energy I was exhausted watching her run around the yard. In fact, Lulu is so fast Mrs. S could hardly get a good photo. Lulu kept following me around the yard wanting to play ball but I was too tired after all the steps I've  been up and down all day. 

Tomorrow is day three of our city visit. I've been promised a run at my old dog park and a play date with Max before I go home. I am a little worried who has been in our yard and if Mrs. S has any flowers left. Will let you know. 

Love,

Bella  

Muffin Pan Magic-Part Two

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Berry Orange Coffeecakes

Cook's Notes: Delicious recipe with cranberries and orange, the perfect balance of flavors. 
Cooking Tip: It's easier to halve cranberries if frozen. Add 1 tsp of flour to the cranberries to prevent them from sinking into  the batter during baking.  
Coffeecakes Ingredients: 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons Saigon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 tablespoons finely shredded orange peel
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger

Orange Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Milk as needed to get correct frosting consistency   
• ½ teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• ½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease fifteen 2 1/2-inch muffin cups or use cupcake liners. In a bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl beat butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add ricotta, egg, orange peel and juice, and vanilla. Add flour mixture. Stir just until combined. Fold in cranberries and ginger.
• Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 16 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Remove; cool slightly. Spoon on glaze. Sprinkle with nuts and additional orange peel, if desired. Makes 15 cakes.
  

Muffin Pan Meals: Part One

The muffin tin, a kitchen utensil that's versatile with lots of creative options. Think outside the tin beyond  cupcakes and muffins with some savory meals. It can be portion controlled.  

Skinny Lasagna Cups 

14 Meals in a Muffin Tin 

http://gethealthyu.com/14-meals-in-a-muffin-tin/

26 Mini Snacks to make in a muffin tin. Be creative. 
http://www.popsugar.com/moms/Kid-Friendly-Muffin-Tin-Recipes-30533313#photo-30533313
Previously posted Muffin Tin Recipes from Ever Ready

Puff Pastry Egg Brunch Cups

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/03/easter-brunch.html

Tex-Mex Brunch Cups
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/06/weekend-round-up-part-one_25.html

Blackberry Brie Tartlets
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/06/i-spy-blackberries.html

Sausage Breakfast Cups

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/08/weekend-round-up_20.html

Spinach Puffs

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2013/02/and-winner-is.html

Spinach and Peppers Scrambled Egg Muffin Cups

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/03/avocado-toast-with-hummus-and-radishes.html


Part Two: Recipes

Ham and Cheese Quiche Cups 

Cranberry and Orange Coffee Cake 

Sunday Night Dinner

True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.
E.S. Bouton

LET SUMMER  BEGIN

One Pan Chicken Sausage with Roasted Potatoes

Cook's Notes: This product gets my highest recommendation. Not only is the chicken sausage quite flavorful but it has no artificial ingredients or preservatives, no fillers, no animal by products and no chemical nitrates are added. 

Recipe serves 4 but can easily be doubled. Low in calories, the dish is per serving 420.
Cooking Tip:If using broccoli florets add them in the last 15 minutes of baking time as they don't need as much cooking time as potatoes. 
Ingredients: 

• Herb potato seasoning- 1 tsp. each rosemary, thyme, parsley 
• 2 TB. olive oil 
• 3 cups diced red potatoes with skin on
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 4 chicken sausages, diced at an angle
• 1 cup red onion cut in strips
• 1 cup red, yellow and orange mini sweet peppers
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large apple, diced in large chunks 
• Options 2 cups Brussels sprouts or broccoli florets

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
• Mix potato seasoning mixture in a small bowl and set aside. 
• In a large bowl mix cubed potatoes with 2 TB. olive oil, half of the seasoning mixture and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Add in onions,peppers, cubed apple and Brussels sprouts or broccoli florets if using. 
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad. 
• Spread mixture on baking sheet except sausages and minced garlic. Arrange minced garlic among the potatoes cubes. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Move potato mixture around and add in diced sausages. Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper and more of the herb potato seasoning if needed and rest of Parmesan cheese. 

• Bake 15 minutes or until potatoes are crunchy.   

Hello June

Make dinners easy with foil packets. Cooking an entire dinner in a simple foil packet is every cook’s dream. There’s no reason to wait to break out the camp fire because foil dinners are so incredibly easy to make heated in the oven or over a grill. And there's minimal clean-up. Be creative as you customize your packet. Each recipe serves 4.

Prepare a stack of foil sheets 12 x 12. Pre-cut parchment paper for cookie baking sheets works well as liners for the foil packets. Cut each parchment sheet into 4ths. Place one of these cut sheets in the center of a foil piece which keeps the food from sticking to it. When planning your foil dinner keep in mind the following:

Find Your Fat-You must have a fat so the raw ingredients don’t stick to the foil as it cooks. Oil in most any form (plain or flavored,), butter and bacon fat are all likely contenders.
Add ins include: protein, veggies and seasonings.

Chicken Fajitas

Cook's Notes: Seasoned chicken, peppers, onions served with your favorite rice rolled in a flour or corn tortilla. Recipe adapted from tastesbetterfromscratch.com
Ingredients:

• 1 TB. olive oil
• 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
• 2 cups mini sweet red, yellow and orange peppers,
• 1 cup red onions, diced
• 1-1/2 cups grape tomatoes, diced
• ½ packet dry fajita seasoning
• Flour or corn tortilla
• Rice
• Favorite toppings e.g. avocado slices, salsa, sour cream 

Directions:

• In a bowl add in oil, chicken, pepper, onions, tomatoes and seasoning mix. Toss together.
• Place ingredients in center of foil piece lined with parchment.
  
• Fold foil (long sides) over foods so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again on short sides allowing space on sides for heat circulation.
• Place packets on gas grill over heat 400 degrees for 20 minutes or in oven 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Rotate packets 1/2 turn after 10 minutes.
  
• Serve with warmed tortillas, rice and toppings.
  
  

Grilled Caesar Salmon

Cook's Notes: Elevate your salmon to a new level with creamy Caesar dressing and artichoke hearts. A splash of lemon brightens the dish. Recipe adapted from cookierookie.com
Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets, rinsed and patted dry
• 1 TB. olive oil
• 2 large tomatoes cut into wedges
• 1 cup sweet peppers
• 1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and patted dry with a paper towel
• 1 TB. fresh lemon juice
• 3 TB. prepared creamy Caesar dressing
• 4 lemon slices
• Optional crushed almonds

Directions:

• Place each salmon piece in center of foil. Place veggies around the salmon. Brush each fillet with Caesar dressing. Squeeze lemon juice on each salmon piece and drizzle with olive oil.
  
• Place a lemon slice on each fillet.
  
• Fold foil (long sides) over foods so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again on short sides allowing space on sides for heat circulation.
• Place packets on gas grill over heat 400 degrees for 20 minutes or in oven 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Rotate packets 1/2 turn after 10 minutes.

Hawaiian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A sure sign spring has finally arrived.

"It's impossible," said pride.

"It's risky, " said experience.

"It's pointless," said reason.

"Give it a try," whispered the heart. 

Hawaiian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

The dish is light, fresh and perfect for a late spring meal. Pair the meal with fresh fruit and a salad. Recipe adapted from Real Food Publication Summer 2019 and makes 4 lettuce wraps.
Ingredients:

• 1 TB. olive oil
• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 1 cup sweet mini- peppers (red, yellow and orange), diced
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup sweet onions, diced
• 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 TB. soy sauce
• 1 TB. rice wine vinegar 
• 1 TB. brown sugar
• 1 TB.grated fresh ginger
• 1-2 tsp. Sriracha
• 1 (8 0z. can) water chestnuts, drained and diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced in small pieces (look for a small container in produce) 
• 1/3 cup water or pineapple juice 
• 1 head butter lettuce
• 1/3 cup chopped peanuts or roasted cashews

Directions:

• In a large fry pan heat oil over medium heat. Add ground chicken, sweet onions, peppers and garlic. Cook until browned 5-8 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Wipe pan clean of excess fat with paper towels, moving chicken from side to side in the pan until it is cleaned.
• Stir in hoisin sauce, soy sauce, wine vinegar, ginger, Sriracha, pineapple and water or pineapple juice. brown sugar and water chestnuts. Cook on medium low for 5-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
• To serve place 1/2 cup Hawaiian chicken filling on one butter leaf lettuce, top with green onions if desired and chopped peanuts or cashews.

Sesame Asian Slaw

Just living is not enough

one must have sunshine, freedom, 
and a little flower.
Hans Christian Anderson

Sesame Asian Slaw 

Cook's Notes: A savory slaw recipe which easily doubles as a side salad or add in chicken for a main dish. Make your own sesame vinaigrette dressing for a healthier option full of Asian flavor. Recipe serves 4 and was inspired by gimmesomeoven.com

Salad Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag (14 oz,) bag of coleslaw or 1/2 bag chopped Asian salad mix
• 1 cup sweet mini peppers, red, yellow and orange, diced
• 1/2 cup red onions, diced or green onion, diced
• 2 handful of torn baby spinach leaves, stems removed
• Optional 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
• Crunchy salad topping tortilla strips (found in produce)
• Optional 2 cups chicken diced 

Sesame Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 TB. mild flavored oil e.g. avocado or olive oil 
• 1 TB. low sodium soy sauce
• 1 TB. rice vinegar 
• 1/2 tsp. honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 
• 1 small garlic clove, minced

Directions:

• Mix all salad ingredients.
• Whisk all ingredients in a jar or a blender. Taste test to balance ingredients. 
• Refrigerate until needed and add dressing right before serving.