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 :)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 



Super Duper Sunday Supper

There is nothing better to me than to walk into my house and smell the aroma of a good old fashion roast cooking in the slow cooker.  The smells usher me back to the late 70's.  I love serving my family in this way, bringing a good meal to the table surrounded by great conversation, followed by a friendly game of dominos. Sunday supper is my favorite meal of the week because I get to spend it with all of my family, everyone gathered at one table for a moment in time, sharing dreams, hopes, and plenty of laughter :)

I got this recipe on Pinterest the pinner said , "it was the best roast they had ever eaten," and I must agree. I will never make a roast any other way!!!!!!

Ingredients:

Serves: 6  Prep time: 20 minutes...Cook time: 8 hours  Level of difficulty...Silly Simple

Roast

1 stick of butter

1 package of Ranch salad dressing  ( I changed it up some and used spicy ranch package)

1 package of Au Jus Gravy

1 jar of pepperoncini peppers

1 Tablespoon steak seasoning

1 Tablespoon of Olive oil


The recipe did not say to brown roast first but I feel like you intensify the flavor if you brown your roast before adding it to your slow cooker with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of steak seasoning.

 Brown Roast

Place your roast in your slow cooker, sprinkle your ranch package over your roast, then sprinkle your Au Jus Gravy package over your roast, place a whole sick of butter on top of the roast. Place the pepperoncini peppers all around the roast place the lid on ....sit back and enjoy the fragrance as it feels your home with memories of a time long ago.

I made fingerling roasted potatoes and sugar snap peas to go along side of the roast. I didn't record the recipe of the sides. What I did is put the potatoes on a cookie sheet sprinkled with olive oil.  I grated 4 garlic gloves over the potatoes, salt, pepper, and sliced red onions. Bake at 400 for 25 to 30 minutes.  When the potatoes were almost done, about 10 minutes out I place some olive oil in a sauté pan along with the shavings of garlic then added the snap peas and some Tamari soy sauce.  I sauté them all together until tender :)  These sugar snap peas are my Dakota's favorite vegetable.

The piece of resistance of our Sunday supper was the Gratineed Pineapple


Serves:6  Prep time: 20 minutes  Cook time: 25 minutes  Level of difficulty: Moderate


Ingredients:

Pineapple with leaves in tact

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup crushed gingersnaps

1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts ( I used walnuts)

1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk ( I used the left over to serve a long side of the desert)

2 Tablespoons of dark rum, or rum flavoring



Stir nuts, coconut, and crushed gingersnaps together in a bowl set aside

An easy way to crush your gingersnaps is put them in a plastic bag and proceed to hit them with a meat mallet. Just like this..

Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and rum, set aside.  With a knife slice the pineapple in half.

Cut the cord from each pineapple half and save to use for a smoothie later.

Cut the flesh of the pineapple into chunks.

Place the pineapple on a lined cookie sheet.  Throw the pineapple chunks back onto the pineapple drizzle the pineapple chunks with the sweetened condensed milk mixture with half the mixture.  Now sprinkle the entire coconut mixture over the chunks, then finish off the sweetened condensed milk over the top of pineapple. Bake at 350 F. for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Amazing!!!

We have a lot of fun on Sunday supper night.. Whitney thought she might adorn herself with a homemade domino nose ring.  Wade is not moved by her decision, he is in the zone.

Zoe wanted to be apart of our Domino game so she pulled up  chair and joined in on the fun :)  She took her glasses off for the photo :)

Bella, is Dakota's dog and she is the bell of the ball :)  That's Bella's baby on the floor nest to her.

Galatians 5:13, " You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Garlic Chicken with Parmesan Sauce...

Knock your socks off chicken pasta recipe

Ingredients:

                                                                  

2 Chicken breast

1/2 cup  shredded Parmesan

1 stick butter

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoons of grill seasoning

Angel hair pasta

1 Tablespoon of Olive oil

1/2 red bell pepper cut into strips

Large pasta pot

Large skillet to cook your chicken in

Serves: 4   Prep time:  Cook time: 20 minutes  Level of difficulty...Mellow medium


I love pasta, pasta with a red sauce, pasta with olive oil, pasta with a white reduce sauce, it doesn't matter to me.  Put a plate of pasta in front of me with a little parmesan, red pepper flakes, olive oil and I am set.  Lucky for me y whole family loves pasta.  I am trying Gluten free pasta for the first time although I love pasta but sometimes it doesn't love me.  I'm not sure why, but it appears to me, that the older I get the less tolerance my body has to Gluten...We will see how this new addition pans out in our house hold. Let's get to cookin :)


Heat your pan up for your chicken, while pan is heating cut your chicken into 2 inch strips sprinkle with your grill seasoning.  Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil in hot pan, place your seasoned chicken into your pan sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on each side depending on how thick you cut your strips.

While your chicken is cooking cut your red bell pepper into strips....Kinda like below

After you flip your chicken the first time add your bell pepper strips to pan.

Soon as your bell peppers are added to your pan fill your pasta pot with water, cover and allow to boil, as soon as it begins to boil add some salt. I added some chipotle sauce to my pasta water.

Okay it's time to make this easy breezy sauce my daughter, Whitney showed me how to make.

Melt the butter then add your heavy cream after they meld together and seemed to be getting along add your parmesan, whisk until combined :) Your pasta water should be boiling by the time you make this sauce quickly add your pasta...cook according to the recipe on the box!

Well, I see the finish line, do you?  drain your pasta....add your chicken...pour your sauce over the top and gently stir together....YOUR DONE....sit down and eat with your family, or have a meal to yourself, or invite a buddy over ad break bread together, what ever you do take time to enjoy the flavors of this meal..

Side note:  The gluten free pasta was not bad at all.  I think w will start incorporating this product in our house.  I had no bloating after I ate....Awesome :)

Psalm 188 :24, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."