Roasted Green Beans with Walnuts and Cranberries

Since Thanksgiving is approaching soon, I'm trying out new side dishes. Do you always make the same dishes every year or do you change the menu? There are some traditional foods I always make but the sides plus desserts vary. I loved this recipe and it did have the great flavors of Thanksgiving. I will be adding it to my menu.

Roasted Green
1 1/2 lbs. green beans, trimmed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. On a baking sheet, toss the green beans with the olive oil and salt.
3. Evenly spread the green beans onto the baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle the walnuts on top of the green beans.
5. cook the green beans in the oven for 6 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and carefully mix in the cranberries.
7. Cook the green beans for another 6 minutes. 
8. Serve immediately.

Recipe aspired from Real Simple.

One year ago...........................I made Lasagna Soup.
Two years ago........................I made Roasted Chicken.

Did you already know............
-Early Settlers thought the flower of the cranberry resembled a cran hence the name crane berry.
-It is believed cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving.
-Native Indians called cranberries either sassamanesh, ibimi, and atoqua.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

In this household, we like potatoes. The first preference is mashed. My children will even order mashed potatoes instead of fries at a restaurant. When I made these potatoes for dinner, my son said he liked them a lot but they were like our breakfast potatoes. I hadn't realized I really don't make a lot of roasted potatoes. This recipe is great and I will make it more often even if I have to occasionally make mashed potatoes too.

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
1 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, cut into quarters
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp dry rosemary
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Evenly spread the potatoes onto a baking sheet into one layer.
4. Add the 3 garlic cloves in different sections of the pan.
5. Roast the potatoes for 30 minutes.
6. Turn the potatoes over and roast for another 30 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. 
7. Remove the garlic cloves from the pan.
8. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the potatoes. 
9. Season to taste and serve.

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten.

One year ago........................I made Chocolate and Oreo Cake.
Two years ago.....................I made Apple and Cheddar Scones.

Did you already know..........
-The potato was first cultivated by the Inca Indians.
-Europeans introduced the potato to the American colonies.
-Potatoes have been grown in space.

Steak with Gorgonzola Cheese Salad

During Halloween, we saw a lot of Super Heroes. So, we got to think about all the work the Super Heroes must have accomplished. Well, what happens when time is slow? What type of jobs could the Super Heroes do with their down time? 
Here are our suggestions:
Superman: Firefighter (with his cold breath.)
Spiderman: Cleaning crew (He can reach the hard to reach places.)
Wonder Woman: Rodeo girl (She already has a lasso.)
Batman: Pest control (He is a bat.)
Green Latern: Mover (He can lift heavy things with ease.)
Hulk: Garbage compactor (with his fist.)
Flash: Pizza Delivery (Your pizza would deliver hot.)
Wolverine: Barber (You could get a haircut and a shave.)
Storm: Weather forecaster (Her predictions would always be correct.)

What are your suggestions?

Steak with Gorgonzola Cheese
2 T-bone steak
2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

2 Tbsp butter

2 oz. Gorgonzola Dolce cheese

Mixed greens

Directions:

1. Allow steak to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
3. In a large skillet, heat the pan over high heat.
4. Pat dry the steak.
5. Rub the steak with the vegetable oil.
6. Salt and pepper the steak.
7. Change the heat to medium heat.
8. Add the steak to the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes per a side.
9. Top the steak with the butter and the cheese.
10. Transfer the oven proof skillet to the oven.
11. Roast the steak for about 6 minutes. The steak should register at least 120 degrees with a meat thermometer.
12. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving on the mixed greens.
13. Serve with additional salad options like dressing, croutons, and other vegetables.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris. 

One year ago...................................I made Blondie.

Two years ago................................I made Sausage, Bean, and Veg. Soup.

Did you already know....................
-In 1941, Wonder Woman appeared in a DC Comic.
-Princess Diana of Themyscira is Wonder Woman.
-Her lasso is called the Lasso of Truth.

Candy Bar Cookies

Halloween has past. Since we have an abundant of candy, I decided to add some to my cookie batter. It didn't matter what type of candy bars. I used Snickers, Twix, Krackle, Butterfingers, Gobbers, Oh, Henry, Baby Ruth, Peanut Butter Cups, etc. I could have kept going especially if you want a reason to use up a lot of candy bars from Halloween, of course. I did chop the candy bars pretty good but next time I think I'm going to rough chop the pieces so I have larger pieces. 

Candy Bar Cookies
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs 
1 1/2 cup candy bars, chopped

Directions:

1. In a food processor, grind the oats to a fine consistency. 
2. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the food processor. Pulse for 10 seconds.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice.
4. Add the eggs to the butter mixture and combine until smooth.
5. Slowly, stir in the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Mix well.
6. Fold in the chopped candy bar pieces.
7. Chill the dough overnight.
8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
10. Spoon about 1/4 cup portions onto the baking sheet. Space 2 inches apart.
11. Bake the cookies for about 16 minutes or until light brown and the middle is soft.
12. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.

One year ago.............................I made Corn Muffins.

Did you already know...............
-In 1847, Joseph Fry prepared a chocolate paste with sugar in which he pressed into a mold creating the candy bar.
-Joseph Fry took over his parent's business and was later called J S Fry & Sons.
-In 1919, J S Fry & Sons of Bristol merged with Cadbury.

Pumpkin Juice

A couple years ago, we visited Universal Studios in Florida. While we were in the Harry Potter section, we sampled some Pumpkin Juice. At first, I will admit I was a little hesitant even though I am a fan of pumpkin. It tasted sweet like fruit juice. The drink did contain more apple juice than pumpkin. Since I have a few Trick or Treaters, I figured I would sneak in a little more Vitamin C and A with the plethora of candy they are about to receive.

Pumpkin Juice
18 oz. cold water
12 oz. apple juice concentrate
11.5 oz. white grape juice
1/2 cup puree pumpkin
1/4 cup puree peaches

1. In a large pitcher, mix all the ingredients.
2. Chill before serving.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago............................I made Lobster Chowder.
Two years ago..........................I made Chicken Stir Fry. (What we have on Halloween Night for the vegetables. )

Did you already know...............
-In June 1990, Universal Studios Resorts opened.
-In June 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens. 
-Currently, Universal Studios are expanding the Harry Potter section which is scheduled to open next year.