School is back in session! The kids were as excited as expected to head back to school. For the first day of school, I decided to back some muffins. The last couple of years I have made scones for their first day of school so it was a nice change. When asked, my daughter requested blueberry muffins. I recently saw this recipe so I figured I would try them. For the number of blueberry muffins I have made, I think it is apparent my daughter loves blueberry muffins. My children told me how much they liked these muffins. I thought I've made better ones in the past. Also, I have never tried the Jordan muffins before so I cannot tell you if they taste like the original ones. This is a quick and easy recipe to try.
Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
2 cup Maine blueberry
1/4 cup fine sugar, for topping
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time. Scrap the sides when necessary.
- Add the baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Combine until incorporated.
- Add a little flour and then a little of the milk. Beat until just incorporated.
- Mash 1/2 cup of the blueberries. Gently fold in the blueberries and the mashed blueberries.
- Scoop 1/4 cup of the batter into the prepared muffin tin.
- Sprinkle a little of the fine sugar on top of the batter.
- Bake the muffins for 30 minutes or until the muffins are light golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool slightly and then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour.
One year ago...................................I made Blackberry Scones.
Two years ago.................................I made Green Beans with saute onions.
Three years ago...............................I made Berry Oatmeal Cheesecake Muffins.
Did you already know........................
-In 1851, Eben Jordan formed a partnership with Benjamin Marsh.
-The Jordan Marsh department stores began in the Boston area.
-The Jordan Marsh stores have been closed and became Macy stores.
When we first moved to the Charlotte area, we were told this is Nascar country. Well, the Nascar Hall of Fame is located in Charlotte. So, we decided we should check it out. We thought it would be something fun to do with the kids. Are we Nascar fans? No. Do we ever watch it? No. Did we like the museum? Yes. The kids especially liked the simulator. After watching our daughter crash several times and take out several other cars during her simulator ride, we believe it is best for her to wait awhile for her license. Our son placed third in the simulator ride. So, he will have to wait for his license too since he likes speed and is good at it.
The outside of the Nascar Hall of Fame shaped like a track.
The museum has a chronological display of cars from the past to the present.
Do you know who's car this is? If you guessed Richard Petty, then you are a Nascar fan.
This is my favorite photo for the day. My daughter took it. Besides the cars, the museum has displays about many of the drivers, trophies, and other items. There is a simulator and a short film.
Did you already know....................
-The beginnings of Nascar began with the bootleggers building fast cars to outrun the police.
-Nascar was formed because William "Bill" France Sr. noticed how the rules varied depending on the event so he formed a committee.
-In 1949, the Charlotte Speedway held the first Nascar Strictly Stock race.
I really like easy meals. This is an easy meal. I have been making different versions of Chicken a la king for years. At my house, it is a dish that we all will eat. Now, you can make homemade biscuits or just bake up some biscuits from a can. I have used biscuits either way. My family prefers the homemade biscuits. This dish really is versatile. If you don't like mushrooms, leave them out. If you love mushrooms, add more. If you are vegetarian, leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth. If you are gluten free, well then use gluten free flour. My family likes this dish since it is chicken in a gravy sauce over biscuits.
Chicken a la king
2 tsp olive oil
1 lb. chicken breast, diced
2 Tbsp butter
1 portabella mushroom, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped fine
1 carrot, diced
2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup white wine
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup half and half
4 freshly baked biscuits
Directions:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the butter to the pan and allow to melt.
- Add the mushroom, celery, and carrot. Saute for 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle the dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Saute for a minute.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and mix.
- Add the chicken broth, wine, and bay leaf. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the half and half. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Continue to allow the mixture to thicken until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve the chicken with the thicken sauce over the biscuits.
Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.
One year ago................................I made Eggplant Parmesan.
Two years ago..............................I made Ravoli in White Sauce.
Three years ago............................I made American Beauty PB Cake.
Did you already know.......................
-The origin of Chicken a la king is unknown.
-From several different claims, Chicken a la king was created as early as in the 1880s.
-Chicken a la king was very popular in the 1950s.
It has been a crazy summer. We have traveled all the way down to Mississippi and all the way up to Maine. As you can imagine, I haven't been cooking as much as usual. Since we have been in the South, my daughter requests biscuits. She doesn't care if we have them with breakfast or dinner. I've tried different biscuit recipes. This recipe is one of the biscuits we really liked. Do I think they taste like Hardees? We didn't think so but they are good and easy.
Hardees Biscuits copy cat
5 & 1/2 cups self rising flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup vegetable shortening, melted and cooled
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup water
Butter, for brushing the tops
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the 5 cups flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
- Cut in the vegetable oil with a pastry cutter or with your fingers.
- Slowly add the buttermilk and the water.
- Mix until the dough comes together.
- Lightly flour a clean surface.
- Roll out the dough and dust top with flour.
- Knead a couple of times while dusting with flour.
- Roll the dough to 1 inch thickness.
- With an inch cutter or a glass, dust the edge with a little flour.
- Press the cutter straight down into the dough and gently lift out.
- Place the biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow the biscuits to rest for 5 minutes.
- Bake the biscuits for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Brush the top of the biscuits with butter and serve warm.
Recipe adapted from Food.com
Two years ago...................................I made Ladybug cupcakes.
Three years ago.................................I made Peanut Butter and Yogurt dip.
Did you already know....................
-In 1960, Wilber Hardee opened his first Hardees.
-The first store was opened in Greenville, North Carolina.
-Within 5 months, Mr. Hardee had his first franchisee.
Since it is Summer time again, we have been spending time as a family. Every Friday, we have been trying to do something new. One of first trips was to check out Tiger World. My son recommended this trip. I didn't show a lot of tiger photos since I would be showing a lot of protective fence. We had an entertaining monkey which my husband seemed to carry on an enthusiastic conversation. The monkey was pretty entertaining. Since it was mid day, the majority of the tigers were resting. There were a few other animals to see like emu and wolves. Also, there were plenty of birds walking around viewing the different animals habitats too.
My family graciously allowing me to take their photo. This statute is at the entrance of the park.
One of the many peacocks. This peacock decided he had enough of a conversation with my husband and had to be on his way.
When my husband offered him food, they became friends again.
A white loin greeted us. The kids really liked this exhibit. We stayed here awhile and visited. He allowed this kids to take lots of photos of him. He even put his forehead on the glass so my son took a photo.
There were swans, ducks, and turtles in the pond. It was a pretty cool day. The kids feed many ducks. We saw a white lion and a black swan. It was a very nice family day.
Did you already know...............................
-White lions are not albinos.
-Due to the recessive gene, two tawny parents can give birth to a white lion.
- In 1938, the earliest recording of a white lion in the Timbavati region.
Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins
Did you already know........................
