In Memory of my Mom....Joni's biscuits and gravy :)

My Mamma's Biscuits and Gravy


Fall is in the air, the aroma of wood burning in a fireplace, the anticipation of hot cocoa by a fire with roasted marshmallows, visit to the Dunn apple cider mill, cool crisp walks, with warm conversation is all apart of my memory box.  But, also in my box is the memory of my girls when they were little, we lived in Belton Missouri, my husband and I would take the girls down to Warsaw Missouri to visit my mom and dad, without fail my mom would make up the best batch of biscuits and gravy I have ever tasted. Today I wanted to share her recipe with you, in hopes that this recipe will become a part of your memories as well...Enjoy :)



Ingredients:

Bob Evans regular sausage ( I like that brand)

2 to 3 cans of biscuits ( depending on how many people you are sharing with )

3 Tablespoons of Canola oil

1 tsp. of poultry seasoning

1/2 to 3/4 cup of all purpose flour.

about 2 cups of milk ( add more milk if gravy is to thick after you bring it to a boil)

salt and pepper to taste

Cast Iron Skillet, perhaps one that your mom or grandmother passed down to you :)

Cookie sheet

Wooden Spoon


Put your sausage in your cast iron on medium heat and begin to crumble it up with a wooden spoon

Next add your poultry seasoning. I'm not sure why my mamma added this, but she did and so do I :)

Go ahead and add your canola oil just about right now :) yep now is a good time

 

 

Okay stir this all around really good, say a little prayer that your biscuit and gravy turns out like my mamma's then add your flour to the party.  Cook your flour for about 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown :)  Like this :)

 

 

 

 

Well, it is high time we get busy adding the milk so we can get busy making the gravy part of this recipe. Bring to a boil then reduce heat.

 

 

 

 

 

We are almost there :) Your gravy should look similar to this....

 

 

 

 

 

 

All done, now just pull your biscuits out of the oven and ladle some gravy over your piping hot biscuits then lean over to someone at the table and say," I think these biscuits and gravy taste exactly how Michele's mom use to make them...

Opps, I burned a couple of biscuits... Shhh don't tell anyone... Oh how I loved my mamma :) Enjoy Y'all

 

 
 

 

Proverbs 16:6 , " Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil."  Amen 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

Sun dried tomato and sausage rigatoni pasta

I must admit that this is more of a method than a recipe, but whatever you want to call it, I know that you will fall in love with the flavors :)

Ingredients:


1 package of Italian sausage

1 sliced yellow bell pepper

3 chopped garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 sun-dried tomatoes

3 tablespoons of basil pesto

1 box of rigatoni

Fresh parmesan cheese

4 leaves of fresh basil

1/2 red onion sliced in strips

Salt and pepper

Garlic Naan Bread ( Yes, this is how you spell Naan bread lol)


Serves: 6    Prep time:   10 minutes   Cooking time: 12 minutes  Level of Difficulty:  Silly simple

Let's get cooking....

First, take a deep breath, compose your thoughts, and plan out your execution.

Now, grab your large sauté pan. Add your olive oil and lightly brown your sausage.

Add in your bell peppers, garlic, sundried tomatoes, sliced red onions, and salt and pepper.

While everything is getting soft, boil your water and cook you rigatoni according to your box directions :)

Add the cooked pasta to your sausage combo.

The last thing you need to do to this dish is add in your basil pesto, a handful of parmesan,  and stir well.

Lastly, top it all off with some amazing chopped basil from your garden or your farmers market, okay, OR your local grocery store. Whatever you have will work great...

Grab your fork and get ready to say grace then.... dig in :) You can serve this up with a strawberry salad and Naan bread :)  You can serve it up however you want, but don't forget to serve it with the most important ingredient of all. If you forget it, it's all for not....Serve whatever your serving with, LOVE!!!!!

Psalm 23:23:6, "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Spicy honey mustard grilled chicken

I'm always looking for an innovative way to make chicken and I think I found my new favorite recipe :)  I love this full-flavored tangy, yet spicy, and sweet chicken recipe that I snagged off pinterest.  I had to do some adapting, because I did not have some of the ingredients. So... I guess I can take partial ownership :)

My New Fav...

Serves: 4    Prep time:  5 minutes   Cook time:  8 minutes  Level of difficulty: Measly moderate

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1 tsp. ground mustard

2 dashes of garlic chili pepper sauce, which is found in the Asian aisle

1 tsp. McCormick's steak seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil

First, take your chicken out of the packaging and place it into a large Ziploc bag.  Use a flat cast iron skillet, rolling pin, or a meat tenderizer and flatten your chicken out. This is a French method of preparation: to flatten chicken out by using one of the mentioned methods.

Now, you want to pour your olive oil into your choice of sauté' pan and heat to medium.  Sprinkle your steak seasoning on your chicken while waiting on your pan to heat up.  When your pan is heated, add your flattened chicken breast.  Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side depending on how thin you were able to make your chicken breast.

Meanwhile, while your chicken is getting beautified, let's make our sauce.  Mix your Dijon mustard, honey, and dry mustard all together.  When everybody is melding, you should nicely introduce Mr. Chili Pepper to the gang.  Stir well until everyone is dancing to the same beat :) 

Oops!!! I forgot to take a pic of that step.....Oh well, you know what to do....After you have mixed it all together, stick your finger in it. I mean, stick your spoon in it :) Give it a taste. If it's too spicy, then add more honey. If it's too sweet, then add more chili pepper.

Once you have your sauce right where you want it, take your chicken out of the pan and brush your fantabulous sauce all over your chicken. Let meat rest for 5 minutes.  While you're waiting for the meat to rest, how about you set the table or have the kids do it :)  Also, make the drinks. Then, the party is on. You can use the rest of your sauce to serve as a dipping sauce.

Here is my chicken resting :) Shhhh.... Using my inside voice, so my chicken can finish resting, I'll finish my story.  I served my outstanding chicken alongside a medley of rice, quinoa, yellow and red, peppers, zucchini, and garlic.

Here is the finale pic of my masterpiece......Enjoy your life :)

Ephesians 5:15-17, "Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

Sleep Over Strawbrerry French Toast

Strawberry French Toast

Is there anything that screams summer more like a good old fashioned strawberry french toast breakfast after a hard rain the night before that shook the house and kept the dogs howling to the wee hours?  I love to make mine with Brioche bread, which I purchase when I'm at the City market in downtown Kansas City, but unfortunately on this day, I did not have any on hand.  So, if this ever happens to you, may I suggest rather than going without a scrumptious piece of strawberry French toast, just use whatever you have.  It will turn out perfect!!!

Serves: 4    Prep time: 5 minutes   Cook time: 5 minutes  Level of difficulty: Silly simple

Ingredients:

Splash of half and half

4 tablespoons of butter

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 eggs

Zest of an orange or cutie

1 tsp. cinnamon

Bread (whatever you usually like)

opt.  pinch of nutmeg

opt.  pinch of cloves


Crack your eggs into a large bowl and whisk gently until combined. Then, add your half and half, vanilla, zest from your orange, nutmeg, and cloves, if you are using the optional ingredients.  Whisk again gently until combined. :)

Dip your choice bread into your egg mixture...

Place your toast carefully, without crowding the bread slices, into a hot cast iron skillet. If your lucky enough to have a cast iron, melt butter in the cast iron before adding slices.  Brown slices on both sides on medium heat.  This will take about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

While my French toast is working on perfection, I use this time to pour some syrup into a heat-proof container and I heat it up some syrup in the microwave :) It's the extra touches that make good into GREAT!!!

Place a few sliced strawberries on top of your toast. Then, add a little dollop of whip cream, a shake or two of powered sugar, and the Pie'ce de re'sistance .Wait for it........NOW, pour your piping hot pure- grade B maple syrup over the top and watch the faces of all those who partake light up like a Christmas tree in Central Park on Thanksgiving day :)

Here is my son, Wade, my daughter's husband, enjoying the labor of love :)

Isaiah 40:31, " But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagle's; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint."

Outrageous Turkey grilled sandwich

As I was traveling back from Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri my friend and I decided to stop off in Clinton, Missouri to have lunch. Please forgive me. I can't remember the name of the little restaurant but fear not, I'm taking my daughter in about a week and I will get you the name of  the restaurant that stole my heart. Anyway, we had the most amazing sandwich there. I had to come home and recreate it. Here is my interpretation...


Ingredients:

6 sweet sandwich rolls (similar to Hawaiian rolls but bigger)

1 pound of your favorite smoked turkey

6 slices of sharp cheddar cheese

1 green apple washed, cored, and cut thinly

4 oz. cream cheese

1 to 2 tablespoons honey

6 tablespoons herb infused butter

1 pat of butter (which is about a tablespoon)

Cast iron skillet or whatever you have

First, we must make our condiment that will be spread on our delicious sweet bread.

Place your cream cheese in a bowl. Then, add your honey.  I know this is stretching your expertise in the kitchen (big smile). You will not be disappointed when your taste buds get socked with an explosion of flavors.

Now, grab your turkey off the bone....LOL. I'm just kidding :) Well, not unless you just cooked a turkey, otherwise, grab your smoked turkey out of the wrapper. Place the turkey in your cast iron skillet on medium with a pat of butter. Brown!!!

While your turkey is browning, you can go ahead and slice up your green apples very thinly :)
When you're finish slicing the apple, spread your herb-infused butter on your sandwich roll. Then, place your sharp cheddar cheeses slices over your meat. Let it melt.

Okay!!! Heat up your other pan. Then, grill your bread :)

Give me a drum roll please.......I'll wait for it......Here is how you assemble your incredible sandwich.

Spread your cream cheese mixture on the both sides of your bread, Add your melted, cheesy, turkey meat, followed by your apple slices and then top with your topper....Get ready for a wonderful surprise of complementary flavors to express themselves in a very unique way.  I served my sandwiches along side baked sweet potato fries with rosemary from my garden. Enjoy :) Melt a little butter into a mini-cast iron skillet. Add your rosemary. Then, pour it over your sweet potatoes fries. Bake at 400 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes or until fork-tender :)

Here is the funny part, I got so excited about eating this sandwich that I ate most of mine when I remembered I had not taken a picture of the end product... LOL... This is all I had left when I remembered that you would be wanting a picture :)

Proverbs 22:9, " Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."

Rain Candy

With all the rain that we have experienced lately, it put me in the mood to make some old fashion rain candy.  It's so versatile. You can pour it over popcorn, ice-cream, or put it in between two homemade chocolate chip cookies after it has hardened a bit.  My girls love rain candy. I made some Sunday night when I had my son-in-law and daughter over for a sleep over due to the bad weather. They do not have a basement.  Anyway, I recommend making your own popcorn either by putting about 1/4 cup of kernels in a brown paper bag and microwaving it for about 3-4 minutes or do what I did. I broke out my old-fashion popcorn maker my eldest daughter bought me one year at a flea market and got to popping :)

Servings: 6  Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook time: 5 minutes   Level of difficulty: Silly simple


Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup regular sugar

1/4 cup buttermilk or milk

1 stick real butter

1 tablespoon real vanilla

Get out your cast iron skillet, if you have one.Then, put all the above ingredients together to mingle for a while until the mixture comes to the soft ball stage on a candy thermometer.

Once the mixture is in a soft ball stage take it off the heat and add your vanilla :)

Now it's time to make a crucial decision....Do you want to pour this piping hot goodness over ice-cream, your favorite cookie, or popcorn??? We decided to pour it over popcorn and enjoy it with some laughter and ohs and ahs.....The taste of this masterpiece is unforgettable. You will be making this a memory and staple in your home for years to come.  Soon you will be hearing the same words I hear occasionally, "Mom can you make some rain candy?"  My best friend, Michelle O'Day shared this recipe with me while we were stationed in Fort Worth, Texas and its been a huge hit ever since.

This is always a huge hit in our home :) Enjoy

Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield ; my heart trusts in him, and He helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."

Butterscotch Maple Banana Smoothie

Have you ever wanted to have your shake and drink it too? Well, here is a no-guilt shake that you can enjoy for breakfast, snack, or desert for just around 300 calories....


Ingredients:







Serves: 2 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 0
Level of difficulty: Silly Simple


Pour 1 cup of almond milk in the blender...Add 2 tablespoons peanut butter powder (found with the peanut butter at the supermarket). Then, reach for your sugar-free butterscotch instant pudding and add 2 tablespoons of dry pudding. Then, invite the maple extract to join in on the fun. Pour about 1/4 tsp into the blender. Add 1 huge scoop of your favorite protein powder. Grab a handful of bananas and add about five ice cubes. Add water ,but if it's to thick, then to thin it out add more bananas...








Blend away and do a happy dance :)










Now, relax and invite someone to share the best guilt-free smoothie on the planet:) If you want, then crumble some graham crackers on top. Go ahead... I did. As you drink your amazing creation, the crackers will fall to the bottom waiting for you to suck them through your straw. WOW!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!




Living a life worth repeating....Michele Davenport

Sunday Supper....Herb Garlic Basil Pesto Chicken

Sorry that you have not heard from me in a few weeks. There has been a lot happening around the Davenport home, but I am back and ready to share a Pinterest recipe I fell upon.  It is amazing, because the flavors linger long after the meal is finished along with the compliments.


Herb Garlic Pesto Chicken

Serves: 6    Prep Time:  10 minutes  Cook Time: 30 Minutes  Level of Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients:



First, cut up 3 whole boneless chicken breast into strips and put into zip lock bag.  I prefer organic when you can :)
Pour a half of bottle of herb and garlic marinade in

Add 3 tablespoons of basil pesto...let marinade for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Throw your chicken
and all the marinade into a pan set on med-high. Cook until done which is about 8 to 10 minutes.

Also, one box of Penne Pasta is needed, not seen in the photograph of ingredients, because I forgot to invite the Penne to the portrait party :)

Now make your sauce :)


Sauce:

3 gloves of diced garlic

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

2 Tablespoon of Basil Pesto

1 cup of tomato sauce

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup half & half

Sauté your garlic in your olive oil

 Now, add your chicken broth and allow to reduce by half....

Pour in your tomato sauce and allow it to become buddies with the broth...





Now the half & half wants to play... so add your half :)

Allow to simmer....While your sauce is simmering, cook your penne....Add your cooked pasta and cooked chicken to your sauce. Then, serve it up to your family and watch the incredible reaction from the lucky people at your table tonight. This will become one of your families favs I promise :) Feed back is encouraged around here :)

  



Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."





     

Sunday Supper Banana Foster

Banana Foster

There are very few deserts in my opinion which can hit all the notes of flavor as a traditional banana foster.  This simple desert rushes all my five senses into spring.  It beacons me to get out my ice cream maker, cut up some bananas, reach for the rum, and grab a ice cold stick of butter.  It is a favorite in the Davenport house hold.

Serves: 6  Prep time: 5 minutes   Cook time: 7 minutes  Level of difficulty: Silly simple


Ingredients:

Vanilla bean ice cream, homemade or store bought....This time I used store bought.

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tablespoons of brown sugar

1 to 2 pinches of cinnamon

1/4 cup of Rum.... or you can use rum flavoring.  BUT I like to light my banana foster on fire and for that big Ta Da you will need to use real rum.

4 to 5 ripe bananas sliced on a diagonal into about one inch pieces.

4 tablespoons of real butter

1/2 cup of pure maple syrup

Place 4 tablespoons of butter into cast iron skillet or whatever skillet you have along with 3 tablespoons of brown sugar on medium heat until melted.

After the sugar and butter have become friends add your maple syrup to the party. Let that simmer for a minute or so then grab the star of the show...the bananas, add them to the pool of sweet yumminess.

Okay! Now it's time for the big production, the moment when all your guest go Awe!!! Wow!!! Amazing, and gasp at your chef talent!!! Take the skillet off the flame if your working with a gas stove, then add your rum....grab a long lighter and ignite your masterpiece into a flaming ambiance for all to enjoy.  Now your left with only two words to say, "Ta Da".

 












WOW!!!! Love it....Look at that flame!!! If you want to add more of a presentation then throw a few pinches of your cinnamon onto the flame but stand back because the cinnamon causes fireworks.  In know time your banana fosters will be shooting sparks.  It's very exciting!!! Now serve it up...then be very quiet and listen to the sounds of pure delight as your guest experience bananas in a new and magnificent way!

What an evening at the Davenport house we ate bratwursts, sweet potato fries, with spicy beans, and for desert, well you know what we had, my famous banana foster.  Then we all went outside to play catch and enjoy this amazing spring day. I love family day :)

Psalm 37:4, " Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires o your heart."

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk


I realized in the last several years when I drink regular milk I feel bloated and tired, so I switch to almond milk and I love it.  You can manipulate the flavor by adding coconut, or almond extract.  You could go wild and add peppermint extract, star anise, eggnog, or whatever your mind can dream up.  To make chocolate almond milk just add 2 tablespoons of cacao powder.  To sweeten your almond milk you could use 2 or 3 medjool dates, agave nectar, or honey works well. I do not sweeten my almond milk except with the dates occasionally.  I find when you add the extracts it flavors the milk perfectly.

Serves: 6     Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook time: 0  Level of difficulty: Silly simple


Ingredients:

2 cups of Raw almonds

6 cups of filtered water...extra for soaking

Vanilla extract

Optional:  medjool dates.....agave nectar...honey

Soak nuts in filtered water for at least 4 hours but overnight is better. Cover nuts with a tea towel.  I did not cover my with a tea towel this time but I usually do and it is the recommended way :) I just forgot....Opps!!!

 
 
















After allowing your nuts to sit overnight, remove any debri that has loosen from the nuts and rinse with filtered water. 

Put nuts into blender... add 6 cups of water blend on high speed until blended.

Pour the blended liquid through a nut milk bag to filter.  Add your sweetener and flavoring :)

ENJOY :)

I put my almond milk in one of the pitchers I inherited from my mom.  I just love using things in my kitchen that was passed down from my grandmother and mother.  Although they are celebrating life in heaven now, using their kitchen gadgets makes me feel like they are cooking right along with me.  Sometimes I can even hear my mom say, "Michele don't over stir your cornbread it will make it tough."  At other times when I'm making my grandmother's dumplings I can hear her say, Shell( cause that's what she called me) make sure you flour your surface before laying out your dough." I think that's probably one of the reason I love to cook so much it makes me feel closer to them in some small way.

Exodus 3:8, "and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
Now enjoy the milk in the land He brought you into :)