Velvet Bird Coffee

Well, spring is in the air, or at least it was before today...and nothing screams my name like a cup of ice cold brewed coffee running over the shapes of frozen cubes as it meets the sweet cream. Let me ask you, have you ever had a moment in your life where you tasted something so over top you had to share it.  This is that moment, this is that time that I share with you possibly the best cold coffee my taste buds have ever experienced.  So simple, So delicious, So Pinterest!!!


Velvet Bird Coffee

Serves 4....  Prep time...5 minutes Cook time 0...Level of difficulty...Silly simple

Ingredients:

2/3 cups coarse ground coffee

3 Tablespoons of brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 cups of good cold filtered water

French Press---If you don't have a French press you can use a mason jar with a lid, if you use another method besides a French press you will need to strain the coffee through a sieve.

Put all the above ingredients into a French press---but do not press it down---place inside ice-box overnight.

After your velvet bird has went night night until morning.  When the sun comes up you can give your coffee a nudge to wake it up so it can play with some sweet cream :)

Sweet Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

1 can of sweetened condense milk

1 can of evaporated milk

Whisk these two ingredients together put into a air tight container.

Make a glass of ice pour----French press your coffee----then pour sweet cream over top :)

I want you take a minute breathe in, then breathe out, place your straw inside your glass and get ready to experience the most amazing, out of this world ice coffee you've ever had on this planet :)  omgoodness I envy you....I remember my first time I had this coffee.  I think my eyes rolled to the back of my head, yes it was that good!!! Maybe even better than how I am describing it.  I don't know you be the judge and weigh in after you try it...

Finished Coffee

John 7:37..."If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink."

Jamie Oliver's Crunchy Garlic Chicken with my side dishes

I am always looking for new and inspirational chicken recipes.  It is such a staple in our household.  I was reading through some recipes one day and found myself intrigue with this recipe from Jamie.




Crunchy Garlic Chicken

Serves: 2....   Prep time: 30 minutes.... Cooking time:15min.  Level of difficulty...Moderate


Ingredients:

1 cloves of garlic ( I used 3) I love garlic

1 lemon

6 plain crackers or cream crackers

2 tablespoons butter

4 springs of Italian parsley (My favorite parsley)

Sea salt

Freshly ground pepper

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour ( You could use Gluten Free)

1 large organic egg

2 skinless boneless organic chicken breast ( Regular chicken breast is fine)

Olive oil

Food Processor

Bake @ 475 F. for 15 minutes....Preheat your oven now!

To prepare: peel the garlic and zest the lemon

Put your crackers , garlic, lemon zest, butter, parsley, and pinch of salt and pepper into your processor...pulse until mixture is very fine. Pour mixture onto a plate.

On a second plate sprinkle the flour all over the plate. Then crack your egg in a shallow bowl and beat with a fork.

Place your chicken breast inside a zip lock bag and pound it with a meat cleaver until it is flattened.

Set yourself up a assembly line to make it easier.  Dip then chicken into the flour, then the egg, then the cracker mixture place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, if you have it. Make sure you press the breadcrumbs into the chicken breast so the cracker mixture will stick :)

Place in a preheated oven at 475 F. for 15 minutes....Oh so good :) Serve with lemon wedges to drizzle over chicken at the table.

Now let's check out the side dishes...Maple Brussels Sprouts

Serves:  2 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes...Level of difficulty: Silly simple

Ingredients:

2 pound of Brussels sprouts washed,  trimmed, and cut length wise.

4 tablespoons of Olive oil

dash of Kosher salt (opt.)

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

2 Tablespoons of butter

Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high...cook Brussels sprouts cut side down 4 or 5 minutes until deep golden brown but not burnt.  Season with salt and pepper... toss and cook 4 or 5 more minutes.  Remove from pan...

Add your butter and maple syrup...cook until smooth. Then toss your Brussels back into skillet, serve while hot...Oh my, you don't know how this smelled while I was cooking it. The air was perfumed with a mix between caramelized butter and piping hot maple syrup.  If you've never tried Brussels spouts the way I cooked them last night you got to give a try.  My marine said I was the first person who has ever gotten him to eat Brussels.. I have pictures to prove he ate them and liked them :) Pics at the end of this blog.  Proof is in the Brussels sprout...lol

The finale side dish is mashed sweet potatoes...


Serves: 2...Prep time:...5 minutes....Cook time: 20 minutes....Level of difficulty: Silly simple

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

freshly grounded nut (to your liking)

2 Tablespoons butter

1 very large sweet potatoes or two small ones

1/2 spring of rosemary


Peel and dice your sweet potato, then add to a pot full of water along with your sprig.

When potatoes are fork tender, (meaning when you poke them with a fork and they are tender)
drain the potatoes put back into hot pot and add your butter, brown sugar, and grated nutmeg.  Mash with a potato masher. Your done, sit down and enjoy your meal with the people you love.

The end product was truly an explosion of flavors.  My husband really enjoyed his meal although when he first walked in the door and seen Brussels on the stove he gave me a look.  I said, "No worries you will love this meal.

With every mouthful my marine could feel the love....

Well I have evidence that my marine liked his sweet potatoes, but honestly he did like my Brussels.  If you don't take my word for it ask him yourself...lol * Although this pic sure doesn't look like he likes my sweet potatoes much. He doesn't like forced pics... I said smile your on blogger....

Romans 8:28, " And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him."

Banana bread protein Smoothie

I got up this morning and there was a noticeable chill in the air.  I was really craving banana bread. I did not want to go through the process of making it, nor did I want to consume the calories, so I immediately went to plan B.  I made a banana bread smoothie.  Oh my goodness it is AWESOME!!!! It hit all the key notes that a piece of banana bread hits without the quilt....I think this is a home run. Go ahead swing the bat and make yourself one today ;)

Banana Bread Protein Smoothie:

Serves.... 1    Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time...0  Level of difficulty....Silly simple


Ingredients:

1 cup of almond milk

1/2 cup cottage cheese (low fat)

1/2 tsp. of vanilla paste or vanilla extract

 1 shake of pumpkin pie spice

a pinch of cinnamon

2 tablespoon's of  dry oatmeal

1 tablespoon of sweetener   ( I use Xylo Sweet a all natural  Xylitol sweetener found in your health food store with the vitamins.

1/2 frozen banana

4 ice cubes

1 heaping scoop of vanilla protein ( I use rice protein)

Blend all the ingredients until they are all happy and jumping up and down together. 

Pour in to a creative glass with a huge straw and enjoy the fruits of your not so much hard labor ;0

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

Maple Pumpkin Seed Dried Cherry Trail Mix

As I sit here snacking on my trail mix I am remembering when I first discovered this delectable treat.  It was a few years ago when I was watching a Healthy Appetite episode, there it was in all its glory.  I have adapted the recipe to suit my taste and the taste of my family.  So this is a method more than a recipe, you can add whatever you want after the base is made.  Let your imagination go bananas.


Maple Pumpkin Seed Dried Cherry Trail Mix

Serves....20 portions  Prep Time...5 minutes....Cook Time...20 minutes...Level of difficulty....Silly Simple


What you will need:

Cookie sheet

2 cups pumpkin seeds

1 cup slivered almonds

3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds...* I did not have these this time so I use chopped walnuts

6 Tablespoons of pure maple syrup

1/2 tsp. salt opt.

1 cup dried cherries

Optional toss Ins....Dried blueberries, dried apples, dried banana chips, carob bits, organic coconut flakes.  Go crazy this is where you become the author of your own recipe...Please share what you have done differently to the recipe.   I love to try knew ideas....

Preheat oven to 300 F.

Grease cookie sheet

In a large bowl toss the pumpkin seed, almonds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts, salt, and maple syrup all together. 

Bake for 10 minutes then take out and stir...bake another 10 minutes ;)

 















After 20 minutes has come and gone allow the trail mix to cool. When its cool add in your favorite add ins.....I added dried cherries, dried apricots, and carob bits....Yummy.... I think I might add some organic unsweetened coconut to a small batch just for me. My family is not crazy about coconut.  I don't know why they feel the need to be hating on coconut ;) 

Place in a airtight container and enjoy for weeks to come or a few days if you live at my house.  This amazing trail mix is a favorite.  It does not last long...I've almost eaten two handfuls while I've been blogging.... Below is a snapshot of the finished product...Ta DA-----All Done

Proverbs 1:7, " To fear the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."  * Ask yourself this question today, "Do I fear the Lord"?  And if your answer is yes, then ask yourself another question, "Am I doing what he has asked me to do"? Why or Why not?  Do not fear man what can man do to you? Go ahead walk it out in obedience, even if it doesn't  make sense in the natural it's the spiritual that counts for eternity...

Cinna-mon Bun Smoothie---Without the "Sin"

I love cinnamon buns but I certainly don't love the calorie intake.  For one cinnamon bun it will cost you 800 calories. WOW!!!!  So here is an alternative to eating a cinnamon bun, try drinking it.  A healthy option for those who care if they are consuming 800 calories for 8 bites.  Okay, let's be honest, nothing can beat a fresh out of the oven cinnamon bun but I promise I tested this recipe and it comes close, except it's not hot but icy cold.  Great for a hot summer day! I just had this smoothie for breakfast and it does not disappoint. Your waist line will thank me later ;)



Cinnamon Bun Smoothie

What you will need:

A blender of some sorts

1 frozen banana cut into 1 inch cubes

1 cup of unsweetened Almond milk

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, or vanilla paste which is what I always use ;)

1 tsp. pure maple syrup

1 Tablespoon of Rice Protein.. opt.

1 Tablespoon of Flax seed...opt.

1/2 teaspoon of  Organic Raw Maca  powder... opt.  It's a super food I told you about it before on my other post...Check it out !


Serves: 1    Prep time: 5 minutes max  Cook time: 0  level of difficulty: silly simple


Add all your ingredients to your blender like this.

Here comes the silly simple, blend everything together for about 30 seconds.

Pour into glass topped with a garnish of a cinnamon stick.

Enjoy your cold Cinna - bun... but there is no "SIN" in this Cinna -bun :)
Adapted from a Pinterest recipe :)  

Proverbs 17:22, " A cheerful heart is good like a medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
* Don't allow your self to be the cause of someone else's dried up bones.  Take ownership of your words and give them a job of building others up...People should feel encourage in your presence.
Do they?

Sunday Supper Easter

  Happy Easter, I know I'm a day late.  Next year I will need to think this through a little better just in case you might want to try my Resurrection Rolls, or Crème Anglaise over fresh fruit.  Easter around the Davenports was filled with hours of cooking, much reflection of what the celebration is truly about, and being with people you love. I served Turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, Hawaiian rolls with vanilla butter, Crème Anglaise over fruit and the best Resurrection rolls on the planet.  We winded down the evening watching another episode of the Bible while sipping on Mango tea and scarfing down our fruit covered with Anglaise.  I hope you try some of my recipes before next Easter :)


I made a turkey breast for Easter, instead of a whole turkey because not many folks in our family really likes the dark meat, sorry for you dark meat lovers out there.  I think this Thanksgiving I am going to purchase two large turkey breast instead of a whole turkey they cook faster and much easier getting in and out of the oven.

serves..... 6     prep time....all day :)  just kidding turkey breast took 10 minutes to prep. cook time...3 1/2 hours... level of difficulty.... easy

What you will need:

Roasting Pan....a shallow pan

Turkey breast

2 tablespoons Herbes de Provence--fancy seasoning from France... found in your local market.  Yes, I spelled the word Herbes right we spell it herb, but on the label of my de Provence it's spelled Herbes. :)

salt and pepper

1/2 a stick of butter softened

6 garlic cloves


rinse your turkey breast...pat dry.... mix your spices into your butter...rub all over your turkey as if you were bathing him in a butter bath throw in your roasting pan your garlic cloves.

Bake at 325.... per your direction on your turkey breast package. I had an 8 pound turkey breast so it was 3.5 hours for mine to be amazing :)

I also made my famous cornbread stuffing if this stuffing doesn't knock your socks off then you let me know and I'll come knock your socks off.

Serves 8...prep time...5 minutes 20 if you make your cornbread muffins...cook times 15 minutes...level of difficulty...easy breezy :0

What you will need:

6 corn bread muffins

1 lb.  sausage

1/2 onion chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

salt and pepper

dried cherries, or any dried fruit you like

chicken stock

1 Tablespoon of Herbes de Provence


Lets get rockin...

Brown your sausage, then add your onions, celery and seasonings.

Crumble in your corn bread, put your dried fruit in... add some chicken stock to keep it all moist. Your done...now that wasn't so hard was it?

 












I think it's time I introduce my Resurrection Rolls to you.  I think you will become friends and I do believe he will be invited to your table many times but especially at Easter. * These are more like desert rolls than dinner rolls so you could make them Easter morning for breakfast.

Serves 10 to 12 people...prep time...2 hours....cook time 15 to 20 minutes...level of difficulty...medium

What you will need:

3/4 cup warm water

1 large egg

3 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

3 Tablespoons sugar

6 Tablespoons melted butter

3 Tablespoons dry milk

1 1/2 tsp. yeast

24 large marshmallows

large baking pan

large bowl

canola spray oil


Spray your pan set aside...

Combine in your bowl....3/4 cup warm water, 1 large egg, 3 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt 3 Tablespoons sugar, 6 Tablespoons melted butter, 3 Tablespoons dry milk, and 1 1/2 tsp. yeast. Roll into a large ball place a tea towel over top and allow to rise to the occasion :)

Shhhh while your dough is resting...

After the dough has risen from its nap divide the dough into 24 balls and flatten out with fingers.  Also mix together your sugar and cinnamon. Dip the flat bread into the butter, then the sugar mixture, place your marshmallow in the center fold the dough around the mallow completely then dip back into the butter and then back into the sugar mixture.  Place into grease baking pan.

Place a tea towel over the top and allow to rise again, the dough is tired from all that rolling around in butter and sugar...He will only need to rest for about 40 minutes then he will rise again :) While your bread is napping preheat oven to 375 F. When your dough rises again welcome him back into your world.  Put your rolls into your preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until done... Rolls should be completely empty just like the tomb when done :)  Enjoy

Last recipe, my Crème Anglaise sauce with mix fruit and lemon pound cake...

serves 6....prep time 30minutes...cook time 5 minutes...level of difficulty easy

What you will need:

1 pint of heavy cream....2 cups

1 tsp. vanilla or I whole vanilla bean with the seeds scraped out and the stem thrown into the milk

6 egg yolks  use organic eggs if you can

1/2 cup sugar

medium pot

whisk

Pour your heavy cream into the pot on medium heat along with your vanilla bean or vanilla sauce. When it is scalding remove from heat...* Scalding is when you bring your mixture almost to a boil.  When you can see steam rising from your pot it's ready.

Whisk together your egg yolks with your sugar until the eggs are pale this takes about a minute.  Slowly temper your cream into your eggs.  *Tempering means slowly adding a very hot mixture into a cold one without cooking the ingredients in the cold.

Put everything back into the pot, place back onto burner until thickened.  This takes about five minutes on medium heat.  A great trick to know when it is done is when your mixture coats the back of a spoon enough where when you run your finger down the center of the spoon it leaves a streak with no bleeding through.  Go ahead try it, it's fun :)





Final step cut up your fruit in small chunks.  If you want to use a pound cake cut it into chunks as well.  I used strawberries, blackberries, and lemon pound cake.

 
 
 

 

This is a picture of the final product.  Thank you for stopping by...

We ended our night with a wonderful, enchanting cup of mango tea...I forgot to take a picture of my tea so you just get the tea and a empty cup :)

Mark 16:6, "Don't be alarmed, he said, "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here....."