Sauteed Mushrooms

     My oldest daughter told me she missed my blogs. I have missed blogging too but I just had this cold that I couldn't shake. I was tired. I didn't want to cook. My husband even made me go to the doctor. Then I had to take medicine which made me feel better than my youngest daughter gave me another cold. So, finally I feel great! Great enough to cook! My oldest daughter said I've been posting a lot of desserts so I decided to post about mushrooms!
     When I lived in Colorado, I liked to eat at this restaurant called The Hungry Farmer. I would order there sauteed mushrooms for an appetizer. Well, I haven't been back to Colorado for over ten years. Also, the restaurant has closed. I did find an old menu online. Does the dish taste like I remember? I can't remember. I know this recipe did taste good. My husband liked it. I think these would be an awesome topping for steak. Are they low calories? No so it is a good thing that it was an appetizer.

Sauteed Mushrooms
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp salted butter
8 oz. button white mushrooms
1 tsp garlic salt
1 Tbsp dry parsley

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
2. Add the mushrooms, garlic salt, and parsley. 
3. Saute the mushrooms for about 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are cooked.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris. 

One year ago.........................I made Caesar Salad Dressing.
Two years ago.......................I made Hardtack.
Three years ago.....................I made PB Cup PB Cookies.
Four years ago.......................I made Feta Topped Chicken.

Did you already know................
-Mushrooms do not require sunlight to make energy since they have no chlorophyll.
-In the U.S., the white button mushroom is the most popular mushroom.
-During the reign of King Louis XIV, a commercial mushroom farm was created in a cave in France.

Breadsticks

I'm sorry I've been gone. I headed to Mississippi and back. It was very nice to see my family. I have been spoiled by my Aunt E did the cooking. Boy, she can cook. After a trip, the last thing I want to do is eat out. So when we arrive home, I asked the family what I should make. My family elected pasta. So, what goes better with pasta? Breadsticks! Yum! These breadsticks are so good.

Breadsticks
1 1/2 cups water (110 degrees)
1 packet (1/4 oz.) active dry yeast
1 Tbsp sugar
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp salted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Butter topping:
1/2 cups unsalted butter
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. In a large bowl, combine the water with the yeast and sugar. Allow to proof for 10 minutes.
3. Add the flour and butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until incorporated.
4. Knead the dough until the dough is smooth.
5. Divide the evenly and roll the dough into long strips. 
6. Cover the dough and allow to rise for 45 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
8. Bake the breadsticks for 6 minutes.
9. While the breadsticks are cooking, combine the butter,  garlic powder, and salt.
10. Remove the breadsticks from the oven and brush with the butter topping.
11. Return the breadsticks to the oven and allow to bake for another 5 minutes or until the breadsticks are throughly cooked.
12. Remove from the oven and brush with the butter topping again.

Recipe adapted from Chef in Training.

One year ago..................................I made Summer Minestrone.
Two years ago.................................I made Kohlrobi Spring Rolls.
Three years ago...............................I made Blueberry Coffee Cake.

Did you already know..........................
-The Indian word Mississippi means great river in Ojibwa. 
-In 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state of the United States of America.
-In 1954, Oprah Winfrey was born in Mississippi.

Caesar Salad Dressing

At supper, we often have a salad. Our salads aren't fancy. They usually contain baby spinach. We usually serve the salad with store bought dressing. I really should make my own dressings since they are pretty easy. My son loves to help since he gets to adapt the dressing to his taste. Well, my sister recommend this recipe. She told me it is her favorite Caesar Salad. I can see why. It is full of flavor. I should warn you that you must like garlic. We like garlic so we will be making this recipe often. I served the lettuce with Parmesan cheese and croutons.

Caesar Salad Dressing
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine the garlic, mustard, vinegar, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
2. Add the mayonnaise and blend thoroughly.
3. In a slow stream, add the olive oil into the blender through the lid. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add the lemon juice with the black pepper. 
5. Scrape down the dressing into a bowl and season to taste. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network Kitchen.

One year ago...............................I made Molasses Spice Cookies.
Two years ago.............................I made Star Cake.
Three years ago..........................I made Mahogany Cake.

Did you already know.........................
-In the U.S., ninety percent of garlic is grown in California.
-Gilroy, California boasts to be the Garlic Capital.
-The Gilroy Garlic Festival serves garlic ice cream.

Creamed Spinach

Did you see any leprechauns today? Any leprechauns making trouble? A friend told me about how a leprechauns painted a dog's tail green. I'm glad nothing like that happened here. My children had plans to build a trap to catch one but forgot. I'm glad since I didn't want any mischief. so we made sure to wear green today except my brave husband. I think he secretly enjoys being pinches since the kids have gotten him several times. He could go change but no. In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, I made bangers and mash with creamed spinach. I love baby spinach. I add it to all the salads I make. Also, I use it in place of lettuce on our sandwiches. The kids eat it and never complain. They really liked this side dish and there were no leftovers.

Creamed Spinach
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter 
1 1/2 lb. fresh spinach leaves (I used baby spinach leaves.)
2 clove of garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
3 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil with the butter. 
2. Add the spinach, garlic, and shallot. 
3. Cook and stir often for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the cream cheese and mix well until the cream cheese has coated the spinach.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and allow the cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve warm.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago.....................I made Brownies.

Did you already know.......
-The color blue was first associated with Saint Patrick.
-The Saint Patrick blue can still be found on ancient Irish flags.
-During 1798 Irish Rebellion, the Irish began to wear green to make a political statement.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!