Feb
2014

Olive Garden Toscana Soup

categories: Copycat Recipes, Italian, Main Dishes, Soups
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Olive Garden Toscana Soup is a delicious copycat recipe for a beloved, hearty soup with potatoes, Italian sausage and kale, in a seasoned broth!Olive Garden Toscana Soup is a delicious copycat recipe for a beloved, hearty soup with potatoes, Italian sausage and kale, in a seasoned broth!
I’m sitting in my office at home looking out the window at freshly fallen snow in our backyard. We had a crazy snowstorm yesterday (it gets crazy in Portland when we have significant snow). Today another 3-5 inches of snow is expected. Whoa! 

This is a great day for Olive Garden Toscana Soup! My husband and I have both been fighting pesky head colds for several days now, and we decided a big pot of soup was what we needed.

This way we can have soup made for 1) the snowstorm, and 2) leftovers (so I don’t have to cook much while sick). It was a really good idea (we occasionally have good ideas!).

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Where I Found The Recipe For Olive Garden Toscana Soup

Once my hubby and I settled on what KIND of soup it was easy: A big pot of Toscana Soup, a copycat version of the popular soup found at Olive Garden restaurants nationwide. It is also known as Zuppa Toscana.

I dug out my trusty cookbook called “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes”, by author Todd Wilbur, and got busy in the kitchen. Honestly, I can’t count how many times I’ve made this recipe over the years.

We find this soup wonderfully tasty, filling, and it’s ridiculously easy to make. The blended flavors of Italian sausage, potatoes and kale are enhanced by a light, creamy broth.

Olive Garden Toscana Soup is a seriously good soup to cozy up with on a cold, snowy day, or any time you want a great bowl of soup!

How To Make Olive Garden Toscana Soup

Place four Italian sausage links into a large skillet. Pan-sear the sausage links on medium heat until they are browned, and cooked through.

Cooking the sausage links will take between 10 and 15 minutes to cook the sausages all the way through.

Italian sausage links are pan-seared in skillet.

Once they are finished cooking, transfer the sausages out of the skillet, and let them cool for about 10 minutes before attempting to slice them..

Use a sharp knife to slice the cooked Italian sausage links into thin rounds. Set the sausage slices aside to rest while you add other ingredients to the soup.

The cooked Italian sausage links are cut in thin slices.

Time To Slice Those Potatoes!

Slice the cleaned, unpeeled potatoes into thin slices, and then cut them into quarters. The potato slices will cook more evenly if they are all cut about the same size.

Unpeeled russet potatoes are cut into thin slices, then cut into quarters.

Add Potatoes And Kale To The Toscana Soup

Add the sliced potatoes (make them “walk the plank”) to the Toscana soup base that is simmering in a large soup pot.

Potatoes being added to the Olive Garden Toscana Soup in pan.

Next into the soup pot goes the kale. Yes… this recipe calls for lots of fresh chopped kale (the HEALTHY veggie)! Stir to incorporate the potatoes and kale into the soup.

The kale will wilt and reduce in volume as it heats in the hot broth. Now your big ol’ pot of Olive Garden Toscana Soup is almost ready to eat! Are you getting excited? I know I am!

Chopped kale is added to the soup in pan.

Final Step, Then It’s Time To EAT!

Add the cooked and sliced Italian sausage to the soup, and stir, to combine. Continue to heat the soup, until it is very hot, and then get ready to serve it!

Ladle the hot Toscana Soup into individual serving bowls. Serve Olive Garden Toscana Soup with some crusty Italian bread on the side, and enjoy!

The sliced, cooked Italian sausage pieces are added to the pot of Olive Garden Toscana Soup.

Hope you will give this Olive Garden Toscana Soup a try and will discover (if you haven’t already), how delicious it really is!

It’s pretty easy to make a big pot of this soup to enjoy! Sure hope you like it!  If you enjoy the soups at The Olive Garden, be sure to check out my recipe for Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup! It is fantastic, and is one of my all-time favorites!

Thanks for stopping by today. Please come back soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a great day.

Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have lots of delicious soups for you to enjoy, including:

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Author's signature
Recipe adapted from the cookbook: “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes”, by Todd Wilbur, (published 1977).
 

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Olive Garden Toscana Soup
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
 

Olive Garden Toscana Soup is a delicious copycat recipe for a beloved, hearty soup with potatoes, Italian sausage and kale, in a seasoned broth!

Category: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Toscana soup
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 396 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 4 Italian sausage links (mild or hot flavors are okay-I typically use mild)
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 3/4 cup milk (for an even creamier version, use heavy whipping cream, then omit the butter)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups chopped kale
  • 3 small russet potatoes- unpeeled (or 1 1/2 large potatoes-unpeeled)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Grill or sauté the sausages till done (approx. 15 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool. Once sausage has cooled, slice the sausages at an angle into slices about 1/2 inch thick.

  2. In a large saucepan, combine the chicken stock and the milk/butter (or heavy cream) over medium heat. Add the grilled Italian sausage slices and kale to the soup. Slice the unpeeled potatoes into 1/4 inch slices, and then quarter each slice. Add the quartered potato slices to the soup.

  3. Add the spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes) to taste. Let the soup simmer on low, uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Recipe adapted from the cookbook: "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes", by Todd Wilbur, (published 1977).

Nutrition Facts
Olive Garden Toscana Soup
Amount Per Serving (1 (1/6 of total))
Calories 396 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Cholesterol 77mg26%
Sodium 1245mg54%
Potassium 1000mg29%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 3560IU71%
Vitamin C 47mg57%
Calcium 116mg12%
Iron 2.6mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Olive Garden Toscana Soup is a delicious copycat recipe for a beloved, hearty soup with potatoes, Italian sausage and kale, in a seasoned broth!

 

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Feb
2014

Orange Beef Stir Fry

categories: Asian, Beef, Main Dishes
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Enjoy an Orange Beef Stir Fry, with marinated steak cooked with broccoli, carrots and red bell peppers, in an Asian-inspired soy and marmalade sauce!Enjoy an Orange Beef Stir Fry, with marinated steak cooked with broccoli, carrots and red bell peppers, in an Asian-inspired soy and marmalade sauce!

Last year I bought a cookbook called “Hungry Girl To the Max!” – The Ultimate Guilt-Free Cookbook”, by Lisa Lillien. I found this recipe for Orange Beef Stir Fry in the cookbook and enjoyed giving it a try. We ended up really enjoying this delicious meal.

I don’t eat very much beef, but this recipe sounded good to me (I’m a sucker for anything with orange in it), and I love the fact that the author has taken steps to cut the fat in a lot of her recipes.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

The Marinated Steak Is Full Of Flavor!

The steak marinades until time to cook, so it helps to tenderize it, and allows the wonderful, delicious combination of orange marmalade, soy sauce, ginger and garlic flavors to permeate it!  Add to that some good stir-fried veggies, and you’re in for a treat!

The orange sauce would be great just on the veggies alone, if you don’t eat meat…(just sayin’ that for all you vegetarians out there!) Or swap out the beef for chicken if you don’t like red meat. This is a very versatile recipe- the flavor is in the sauce!

My suggestion would be to get the beef marinating in the refrigerator early in the day…then the recipe will be a snap to throw together later, for a delicious dinner. Hope you enjoy it! Making the sauce is EASY! Simply whisk the ingredients together.

An Asian-inspired orange and soy sauce is mixed for the stir fry.

Slice the steak very thin. TIP: You will find it’s easiest to slice thin if the meat is partially frozen before cutting.

Steak is cut into thin strips for the orange beef stir fry.

Marinating The Steak Strips For FLAVOR!

The steak slices are marinated in a delicious soy and marmalade Asian-inspired sauce, before stir frying.

Steak marinates in orange and soy sauce before cooking.

While the steak marinates, I prep the veggies for the orange beef stir fry. The veggies are prepped and ready to go. I love the colors of the veggies in a good stir fry, don’t you?

Broccoli, bell peppers and carrots are chopped and prepped before stir frying.

Stir Fry The Veggies

The colorful veggies are stir-fried in some reserved delicious orange and soy sauce mixture.

Broccoli, bell peppers and carrots are stir-fried in orange sauce.

Finish Cooking The Orange Beef Stir Fry And Serve!

The marinated beef slices and the reserved sauce are then added to the veggies. The dish is cooked until the steak is cooked through, and the sauce has thickened. The finished orange beef stir fry is served on top of a bed of rice. Yum!

Orange Beef Stir Fry is served on top of white steamed rice.

Hope you will consider trying this yummy orange beef stir fry. It is really scrumptious! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you will come back soon for more delicious recipes. Have a GREAT day!

Looking For More BEEF Recipes?

You can find all of my beef recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. These recipes include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

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Author's signatureRecipe Adapted from “Hungry Girl To The Max-The Guilt-Free Cookbook, by Lisa Lillien, published 2012.

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Orange Beef Stir Fry
Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
1 hr 42 mins
 

Enjoy an Orange Beef Stir Fry, with marinated steak cooked with broccoli, carrots and red bell peppers, in an Asian-inspired soy and marmalade sauce!

Category: Entree
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: orange beef stir fry
Servings: 3 servings
Calories Per Serving: 243 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 3 Tablespoons orange marmalade (author recommends low-sugar)
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons reduced sodium/light soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3/4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 8 oz. raw lean beefsteak fillet (I used a rib eye steak I found in the freezer...heh heh heh!)
  • 2 dashes Couple dashes of salt
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (I used a combination of red and yellow peppers for color)
  • 3/4 cup shredded carrots
  • Optional seasonings to taste: additional salt , pepper, and red pepper flakes (I used all of them)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the marmalade with the soy sauce until blended. Add the vinegar, cornstarch, ginger and garlic powder and mix well. Add 1 cup of water to this and whisk together until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
  2. At this point, reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade in a separate bowl. Cover and refrigerate. This will be used later in the recipe.
  3. Thinly slice the beef (trimming the visible fat) and season with salt. (Hint: the easiest way to slice the beef thin is to slice while the beef is semi-thawed, but still firm. Trust me.) Add the beef to the bowl w/ the remaining marinade (NOT the 1/2 cup you reserved earlier) and coat well. Cover the bowl and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour (I recommend all day)
  4. Chop and grate the veggies. Spray a large skillet with non-stick spray, and bring to medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, carrots, and the 1/2 cup of the marinade that you reserved earlier. Cook this on medium-high for approximately 5 minutes, stirring, until the veggies have slightly softened.
  5. Add the 1/2 cup of leftover marinade and the beef into the skillet. Cook on medium-high until the veggies are tender, the beef has cooked through, and the sauce has thickened (approx. 4-5 minutes). When done, remove from heat, and serve! We had rice on the side and it was a perfect accompaniment to the stir-fry. ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts
Orange Beef Stir Fry
Amount Per Serving (1 (1/3 of total))
Calories 243 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 871mg38%
Potassium 824mg24%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 8245IU165%
Vitamin C 179.2mg217%
Calcium 87mg9%
Iron 2.6mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Enjoy an Orange Beef Stir Fry, with marinated steak cooked with broccoli, carrots and red bell peppers, in an Asian-inspired soy and marmalade sauce!

 

 

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Feb
2014

Tuscan Garlic Chicken

categories: Chicken, Italian, Main Dishes
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This easy, stove top Tuscan Garlic Chicken features lightly seasoned chicken, with a spinach, red pepper, garlic and Parmesan cheese sauce, on fettuccine pasta.
This easy, stove top Tuscan Garlic Chicken features lightly seasoned chicken, with a spinach, red pepper, garlic and Parmesan cheese sauce, on fettuccine pasta.
“Winner, Winner…Chicken Dinner”! I might have said these words after making this amazing recipe for Tuscan garlic chicken last night for dinner.
 
I love to search for new recipes and try them out for my husband and myself, and when I find a great one, like Tuscan garlic chicken, it’s a “Christmas miracle”, as I like to say!  I made a few small changes to the original recipe, utilizing ingredients I had on hand. The end result? We totally enjoyed this dish.
 
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

About This Recipe For Tuscan Garlic Chicken

The Italian flavors of lightly seasoned chicken, spinach, red peppers, garlic and Parmesan cheese on a bed of fettuccine pasta are wonderful! As I made the sauce, I kept tasting it. Yes, it’s a tough job, but “someone” has to do quality control, right?
 
The original recipe calls for 4 chicken breasts, but I only used 2 for this recipe. After pounding them out thinner and cutting them in half (total of 4 pieces of chicken breast), my husband and I ended up having 1 half piece each (with 2 pieces leftover for “leftovers”).That portion size of chicken was more than enough, so that cut the already inexpensive price of this delicious meal way down!
 
I’m very glad I tried this recipe, and look forward to making it again. This would be a great meal to cook when company comes over for dinner! I hope you will give it a try – AND I hope you enjoy it! Here are a few pictures taken while cooking Tuscan garlic chicken:

Some Photos Of The Process

Pounding the chicken breasts between plastic wrap with a meat mallet is good, cheap therapy! Keep pounding until the chicken breasts are fairly flattened.
 
Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet, to flatten them.

You will cook red peppers and garlic together in a large skillet, before adding the rest of the ingredients needed to make a colorful, creamy sauce for the chicken.
 
Red bell peppers and garlic cook in skillet before adding more sauce ingredients.
 

The Sauce For Tuscan Garlic Chicken Is Very Colorful!

This is what the sauce for Tuscan garlic chicken will look like once all ingredients are added. It is very creamy and full of flavor.
 
The creamy sauce for Tuscan garlic chicken is very colorful in the skillet.

Serving Tuscan Garlic Chicken

And that’s it! The Tuscan garlic chicken is wonderful, served on top of fettucine pasta. Doesn’t it look good? Well, let me tell you, it IS absolutely DELICIOUS!

Tuscan Garlic Chicken, served on a bed of fettucine noodles.

This chicken dish really is a simple meal to prepare, and it tastes wonderful! Sure hope you will consider making this Tuscan garlic chicken! Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will come back soon. Have a great day.

Looking For More CHICKEN Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of delicious chicken recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe! 

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks


Author's signature

 Adapted From: http://www.tastesbetterfromscratch.com/2014/01/tuscan-garlic-chicken.html 

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Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

This easy, stove top Tuscan Garlic Chicken features lightly seasoned chicken, with a spinach, red pepper, garlic and Parmesan cheese sauce, on fettuccine pasta.

Category: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Tuscan garlic chicken
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 540 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
For the chicken coating:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For the sauce:
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper , diced
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 Tablespoon flour
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon corn starch
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt & pepper , to taste
  • 1/2 small box frozen chopped spinach (cooked according to pkg. & drained well) You can also substitute 2 cups of chopped fresh baby spinach, if desired)
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (I used the real stuff!)
For the pasta:
  • 1/2 lb. fettuccine noodles , cooked according to pkg. directions)
  • * Note: I'm sure any pasta would work great...the fettuccine noodles were fantastic though; they really handled the sauce well!)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cut the chicken breasts in half. Place each piece between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until much thinner (think of this as good therapy...pound, pound, pound!). You can also cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, if desired. I pounded away!
  3. On a large plate, mix together the chicken coating ingredients (flour, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, onion powder and garlic powder). Dredge the chicken in the mixture, coating both sides.
  4. Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in a non-stick skillet on medium high. When the oil is really HOT, add the chicken. Brown the chicken on both sides (approx. 1-2 minutes per side-till golden brown), then remove chicken from skillet and place in a baking dish and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes (or until fully cooked). Keep chicken warm.
  5. While the chicken is in the oven, whip up the sauce. (Easy so far, right?)
  6. To make the sauce, start by sauteing the diced red peppers in just a touch of olive oil for about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and saute for another minute or two (being careful NOT to burn the garlic!). Once done, remove from skillet to a small plate and set aside.
  7. Add the 1 1/2 TBSP olive oil to the warm skillet. Add in the flour and whisk into the oil to blend. Add the chicken broth to this mixture and whisk until smooth. Slowly bring this sauce to a boil.
  8. In a small bowl, combine the milk and the cornstarch until dissolved. Add this to the boiling sauce, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  9. Stir in the cooked, well-drained spinach (or 2 cups fresh chopped baby spinach), the peppers and garlic mixture, the Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Season with a touch of salt and pepper (to taste).
  10. Simmer the sauce until it thickens, stirring occasionally. If sauce is too thick, you can always add in several tablespoons of the starchy hot pasta water. (I added 3-4 TBSP of pasta water)
  11. Place fettuccine noodles on plates, top with the sauce and then place the chicken on top. Garnish with a bit of fresh, chopped basil (optional) and some additional shredded Parmesan cheese. ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts
Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 540 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 97mg32%
Sodium 1000mg43%
Potassium 584mg17%
Carbohydrates 59g20%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 2120IU42%
Vitamin C 26.6mg32%
Calcium 235mg24%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!This easy, stove top Tuscan Garlic Chicken features lightly seasoned chicken, with a spinach, red pepper, garlic and Parmesan cheese sauce, on fettuccine pasta.

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Feb
2014

Cranberry Almond Granola

categories: Breakfast
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Cranberry almond granola is a yummy, easy to make homemade granola, with toasted almonds, oats, honey, cinnamon, sunflower seeds & dried cranberries!Cranberry almond granola is a yummy, easy to make homemade granola, with toasted almonds, oats, honey, cinnamon, sunflower seeds & dried cranberries! I love to make granola! A few years ago, I decided to try to make Cranberry Almond Granola from scratch. The results? A fantastic tasting breakfast or snack item! Making granola from scratch saves money (granola is getting expensive).

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

It’s also fun to custom make granola to include some favorite items in the ingredients. I’ve been making our own cranberry almond granola ever since then, and don’t miss store-bought at all. It’s been fun to also make great tasting Coconut Pecan Chocolate Chip Granola and Gingerbread Granola.

Over the past few years I have experimented with several recipes, but still love this simple one that I “morph” (by adding a variety of dried fruits) to suit my taste at any given moment. I love this cranberry almond granola sprinkled on Greek yogurt for a quick little breakfast treat. It is also good as breakfast cereal, swimming in a bowl of milk, or even as a topping for ice cream!

I made this batch of granola up this morning, and while it was baking, it began lightly snowing outside for a few brief minutes…how cool is that? Big, fluffy snowflakes coming down, while the aroma of the granola baking filled our kitchen. What a great way to start the day! Here are a few pics of the “process”:
 

Preparing Cranberry Almond Granola

Slice almonds into thin slivers. The almonds will be lightly “dry toasted” in a skillet, to enhance their “nutty” flavor.

Almonds are sliced in slivers before skillet toasting and adding to granola.

The sliced almond are lightly “toasted” in a dry skillet over low heat for several minutes. The aroma will be a good tip-off that they are done.

Sliced almonds are lightly toasted in a dry skillet.

Place the toasted almonds, oats, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, coconut and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl, mix together honey and oil, and then pour this over the almonds, oats, etc. in the mixing bowl. Stir to full combine and cover all the dry ingredients with the honey/oil mixture. DO NOT ADD THE DRIED CRANBERRIES before baking.

Toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, coconut, cinnamon, oats and flaxseed in mixing bowl.

Bake The Cranberry Almond Granola

The granola is then spread out onto a large ungreased baking sheet. Cook the granola at 350° F. for 30 minutes, stirring the granola once and re-spreading it out, halfway through the baking time.

Once the cranberry almond granola (still cranberry-less) is finished baking, remove from oven and place it on parchment paper to cool off. Stir in the dried cranberries, spread it out, and then let the granola cool completely. Once cooled completely, it is ready to eat! Store the cranberry almond granola in an airtight container… and enjoy!

Cranberry Almond Granola cooling on parchment paper before eating!

I do hope you will try this recipe for cranberry almond granola…it is easy to make, and very flavorful, but I cannot guarantee random snowfall while making it…sorry! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Be sure to check out ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. There are a LOT to choose from. Have a great day, and come back soon!

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Adapted From:  http://www.culinary.net/recipes/RecipeDetail.aspx?ID=7090&CourseName=Healthy+Eating&CourseID=55#.T9Y-bCvKVqg.pinterest

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Cranberry Almond Granola
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

Cranberry almond granola is a yummy, easy to make homemade granola, with toasted almonds, oats, honey, cinnamon, sunflower seeds & dried cranberries!

Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry almond granola
Servings: 9 cups
Calories Per Serving: 460 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup almonds , slivered and lightly toasted
  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (I use old-fashioned, but quick cook will work, too)
  • 1/2 cup pecans (can use walnuts), chopped
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 teaspoon flaxseed (optional)
  • 1 cup flaked coconut
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup almond or vegetable oil (I use vegetable oil)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (to add to granola AFTER it is done)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet on medium high heat, add the almonds and pecans. Stir the nuts for 4-5 minutes while they toast. They will turn lightly golden once toasted. Be careful not to burn them.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the toasted almonds and pecans with the oats, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, coconut and cinnamon.

  3. In a separate small bowl, add the honey and the oil and mix till combined. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well, till all ingredients are coated well. Pour mixture out onto a large (ungreased) baking sheet. Evenly spread the granola out over the entire sheet.

  4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove granola from oven every 10 minutes during cooking and give the mixture a quick stir, then pop back into oven. Once done, remove granola from oven, stir in the dried cranberries, and pour granola onto a sheet of parchment paper to let it cool completely.

  5. Store granola in an airtight container. Makes approximately 9 cups of yummy granola!
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Almond Granola
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 460 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 1g
Sodium 7mg0%
Potassium 312mg9%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 29g32%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 6IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 68mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Cranberry almond granola is a yummy, easy to make homemade granola, with toasted almonds, oats, honey, cinnamon, sunflower seeds & dried cranberries!

 

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Feb
2014

Banana Nut Scones

categories: Breads, Breakfast, Scones
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Banana Nut Scones, with pecans (or walnuts) and a banana flavored glazed icing are a delicious, easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or a light snack!Banana Nut Scones, with pecans (or walnuts) and a banana flavored glazed icing are a delicious, easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or a light snack! True story – I LOVE scones (wow…bold lettering AND underlined…can you tell how much I love them?) That includes these Banana Nut Scones! But… I don’t like paying high prices for one OR getting one in a coffee house that is dry, crumbly, and rather sawdust-like. UGH. Seriously, scones are so very quick, easy, and inexpensive to make! You can make EIGHT scones for a little more than what some people will pay for ONE! Why not whip up a batch, and freeze a few for later?

These scones are good for “those times“. You know…the times you’re running fast and furious to get to a meeting and forget to eat breakfast…or you’re snowed in…or you need something yummy to enjoy with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea. Perhaps you’ve had those times when you find overly-ripe (dead) bananas on the counter and they need to either go to the resting place for dead bananas or be used in something yummy! All very valid reasons (in my humble opinion) for making BANANA NUT SCONES!

I found this recipe online, made a few minor changes, and just like that had 8 delicious scones (half to be eaten and half to be given away). If you like the flavor of banana nut bread, you will LOVE these scones!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Making Banana Nut Scones Is EASY

Here are the banana nut scones, rolled out and cut. It is dusted with sugar and now they are ready for baking in the oven.

Scones divided into 8 wedges on parchment paper

The banana nut scones are hot out of the oven, and lightly browned on top. Now they just need some sweet glaze drizzled on top before eating!

Browned banana nut scones on parchment paper

Here is one of the finished banana nut scones. It is lightly glazed, sliced, and is ready to enjoy!

Banana scone side view with pecan on top

I enjoyed nibbling (i.e. “scarfing”, but nibbling sounds daintier) ne of the banana nut scones while sipping my coffee. I did this while also writing in my Gratitude Journal (a daily practice of mine to name and write God’s blessings, as I become aware of and see them). Boy, was I grateful for that delicious scone!  I hope you will give them a try…think you will enjoy them.

Looking For More SCONE Recipes?

You can find all of my scone recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have lots of them, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Have a wonderful day!

Author's signature

Recipe Adapted from: http://heatherchristo.com/cooks/2013/01/10/banana-scones/

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Banana Nut Scones
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Banana Nut Scones, with pecans (or walnuts) and a banana flavored glazed icing are a delicious, easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or a light snack!
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana nut scones
Servings: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 417 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For Scones:
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 8 Tablespoons cold butter , cut into small pieces
  • 1 large banana ( very ripe, mashed)
  • 2 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream (I used milk)
  • 1 egg , beaten slightly
  • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts , chopped (I used pecans)
  • 1 Tablespoon milk or heavy cream
  • Granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
For Glaze Topping:
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar (powdered)
  • 1/4 teaspoon banana extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-4 teaspoons warm water (to get glaze to correct "painting" consistency)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. While oven preheats, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. In the bowl of a food processor (or large bowl if making by hand), combine all dry ingredients. Add cold butter to processor; pulse to cut in butter (or use hand-held pastry cutter). Process until mixture is crumbly and butter is about the size of peas.

  3. In separate bowl, mix mashed banana, milk (or heavy cream), and egg; Mix until well blended. Add banana mixture to dry ingredients; pulse till dough comes together in a "shaggy" looking ball (If mixing by hand, stir till you have a "shaggy" looking dough ball). Turn dough ball onto a floured work surface; mix in nuts till blended.

  4. With floured hands (sprinkle a bit more flour on dough, cause dough is sticky), gently form dough ball into a round "disc" approx. 8" across. Using sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut disc into 8 wedges.

  5. Re-arrange wedges in a circle on prepared baking sheet. Brush scone tops with 1 TBSP of cream or milk; lightly sprinkle with sugar.

  6. Bake scones at 400°F for 20-23 minutes (check them at the 20 minute mark-keep an eye on them). Bake till golden brown. When done, transfer scones to wire rack (with parchment or foil underneath to catch any drips from glaze icing). Let cool.

  7. While cooling, mix glaze ingredients in small bowl. Once scones are completely cooled, "paint" icing over the scones using pastry brush. ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts
Banana Nut Scones
Amount Per Serving (1 scone)
Calories 417 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 50mg17%
Sodium 325mg14%
Potassium 175mg5%
Carbohydrates 63g21%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 36g40%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 395IU8%
Vitamin C 1.3mg2%
Calcium 44mg4%
Iron 1.8mg10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Banana Nut Scones, with pecans (or walnuts) and a banana flavored glazed icing are a delicious, easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or a light snack!

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Jan
2014

Honey Lime Chicken Skewers

categories: Chicken, For The BBQ Grill, Main Dishes
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Honey lime chicken skewers, with marinated chicken breast, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms and bell peppers are the perfect (yummy) kabobs for grilling!Honey lime chicken skewers, with marinated chicken breast, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms and bell peppers are the perfect (yummy) kabobs for grilling!

As I write this post for honey lime chicken skewers, it is the middle of winter in the Pacific Northwest…cold and overcast. Sigh. I find myself longing for more hours of sunlight, warm weather, and the smell of smoke coming from our hard-working BBQ grill, as another delicious chicken dinner is prepared.

We grill as soon as is it warm enough to hang around outside without getting frozen or pelted with rain; I can hardly wait for warm weather and Daylight Savings Time to arrive!

There’s nothing better than sitting outside, sipping iced tea on a warm evening and watching my husband (“The Grill Master”) help me cook dinner, armed with charcoal briquets, charcoal lighter, and kitchen tongs! Yay for BBQs and honey lime chicken skewers!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Weber grill is fired up to cook honey lime chicken skewers!

This recipe for honey lime chicken skewers is one I found on Pinterest last year. I added skewers of summer veggies to the dish (grilled separately, but basted with the honey lime marinade), and we really loved it! Honey lime chicken skewers (with yummy grilled veggies) is definitely one of those “Perfect For Those Lazy Days Of Summer” meals.

How To Make These Chicken Skewers (it’s easy)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cut into chunks, then marinated, threaded onto skewers, and grilled. TIP: Marinade the chicken early in the day, throw it in the refrigerator before you head to work or go have some summer fun, then skewer and grill it later for an amazing dinner!

Chicken breasts are cut into chunks for honey lime chicken skewers.

I used zucchini, yellow squash, red and orange bell peppers and button mushrooms. If you want to add your own veggies (such as onions, tomatoes, etc.), please do! Make this honey lime chicken skewers recipe your own!

Zucchini squash and bell peppers, sliced for honey lime chicken skewers.

The chicken pieces are marinated in an amazing honey lime sauce. Marinated chicken cubes are then evenly divided between two skewers.

The veggies are cut, then threaded (alternating veggies), onto two additional skewers. Note: I used metal skewers. If you will be using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for approximately 15 minutes. This will help to prevent them from burning on the grill.

Marinated honey lime chicken skewers and veggies ready to grill.

Grilling Honey Lime Chicken Skewers

The kabobs (also known as skewers), are grilled (turning occasionally) until done. They are brushed with some of the reserved honey lime marinade, while they cook. When fully cooked through, the honey lime chicken skewers and grilled veggies are removed from the grill.

The chicken and veggies are slid off their skewers onto individual plates. We served the grilled chicken and veggies with a side of steamed rice. Honey lime chicken skewers (along with the veggies) are very quick, tasty meal. It’s a real “no-brainer” recipe that is easily doubled or tripled, if you’re feeding a few people. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Honey lime chicken skewers (kabobs), after grilling. Ready to eat!

Hope you will consider trying these honey lime chicken skewers! They have wonderful flavor! Have a great day, and remember… be kind to those you meet today. They may need a kind word from a stranger to make their day a little brighter.

Looking for More KABOB Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some delicious kabob recipes you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe! 

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Source: http://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/honey-lime-chicken-skewers/  

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Honey Lime Chicken Skewers
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
 
Honey lime chicken skewers, with marinated chicken breast, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms and bell peppers are the perfect (yummy) kabobs for grilling!
Category: Entree
Cuisine: American
Keyword: honey lime chicken skewers
Servings: 2
Calories Per Serving: 445 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts , (cut into large chunks)
  • 2 Tablespoons cilantro , chopped (for garnish)
For Marinade:
  • 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
  • ⅛ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
For Veggie Skewers (alternate these on separate skewers):
  • 1 small zucchini , sliced
  • 1 small yellow squash , sliced
  • 6 button mushrooms , rinsed
  • 1/2 red / orange bell pepper
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-2" chunks. Set aside while you make the honey lime marinade.

  2. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, oil, lime juice, minced garlic, Sriracha sauce and red pepper flakes, to make the marinade. Mix thoroughly.
    NOTE: Measure out 3 Tablespoons of marinade and set aside for later. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken chunks. Marinate the chicken (covered) in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour. The longer you let the chicken marinate, the better the flavor.

  3. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, dividing evenly. It is BEST to thread the veggies onto separate skewers, since the meat and the veggies tend to cook through at slightly different times. It's easier to cook them on separate skewers.

  4. For veggie skewers: Alternate veggies onto 2 skewers. Place on grill and occasionally brush with the reserved honey lime chicken marinade. Cook veggies, turning skewers occasionally to cook all sides. They will probably take a bit less time to grill than the chicken. Plan accordingly.

  5. Grill chicken skewers on medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear. Turn chicken skewers occasionally to ensure they get browned on all sides. Remove skewers from grill, remove skewers from chicken and veggies. Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

The chicken skewers are best when served alongside grilled skewered vegetables like zucchini, onions, mushrooms and yellow squash. Use whatever veggies you enjoy!

*** I used metal skewers. If you will be using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for approximately 15 minutes (this will prevent them from burning on the grill...which would NOT be a good thing!)

Nutrition Facts
Honey Lime Chicken Skewers
Amount Per Serving (1 skewer (each-chicken and veggies))
Calories 445 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 145mg48%
Sodium 1127mg49%
Potassium 1444mg41%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 53g106%
Vitamin A 1265IU25%
Vitamin C 69.5mg84%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Honey lime chicken skewers, with marinated chicken breast, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms and bell peppers are the perfect (yummy) kabobs for grilling!

 

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Jan
2014

Cranberry Orange Cookies

categories: Cookies, Desserts, Holidays!
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Cranberry Orange Cookies are decadent yummy treats, flavored with cranberries, pecans, orange zest and juice, and topped with a simple orange glaze!Cranberry Orange Cookies are decadent yummy treats, flavored with cranberries, pecans, orange zest and juice, and topped with a simple orange glaze!

I used to host a Christmas Cookie Exchange for my co-workers in our home each December for many, many years, which is where I first tried these Cranberry Orange Cookies. We would have between 10-20 friends show up to participate each year.

It is so much fun to play ridiculously silly games, nibble on appetizers, visit and laugh, and see the different types of cookies each friend/co-worker made and brought to share. I always hosted this party in our home the first week of December, so it was a GREAT way to kick off the holiday season!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How Does A Cookie Exchange Work?

Everyone brings six dozen cookies (one kind/recipe), and brings the recipe for them, too! We divide the total number of cookies by the number of friends participating to see how many cookies (per variety) we pack in our boxes to take home!

Each person leaves with a big box with six dozen ASSORTED homemade Christmas cookies, and all of the cookie recipes! MAKE 1 KIND OF COOKIE… LEAVE WITH 15-20 KINDS OF COOKIES!

I love cookie exchanges, because we only have to cook once, but leave with a variety of delicious cookies, just in time for the holidays! Now that is my kind of party! We also play lots of crazy games, and have a blast!

Some of the cookies (including cranberry orange cookies) brought to the Christmas cookie exchange.Some of my friends at the Christmas cookie exchange.

How I Got The Recipe For Cranberry Orange Cookies

One year, my friend Valerie brought Cranberry Orange Cookies to share. I was immediately in love with the orange and cranberry flavor of these cookies, and couldn’t wait to try the recipe on my own. Winner! My friend Valerie is on the left in the photo below.

I got the recipe for the cranberry orange cookies from my friend Valerie, on the left.

I’ve made these yummy cranberry orange cookies a few times since then, and they never disappoint! They are easy to make and are DELICIOUS! The picture of the cookies I made isn’t the greatest at representing these wonderful treats, but trust me…they’re fantastic! Perfect for any time of the year! Have a great day!

Looking For More COOKIE Recipes?

You can find all of my cookie recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few favorites include:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Adapted From:http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Orange-Cookies/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=cranberry%20orange%20cookies&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page   

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5 from 1 vote
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Cranberry Orange Cookies
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
32 mins
 

Cranberry Orange Cookies are decadent yummy treats, flavored with cranberries, pecans, orange zest and juice, and topped with a simple orange glaze!

Category: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry orange cookies
Servings: 48 cookies (approx.)
Calories Per Serving: 121 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For cookies:
  • 1 cup butter , softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
  • 2 Tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pecans , chopped (can substitute walnuts, if desired)
For glaze:
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 3 Tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar (powdered)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated and brown sugars. Beat till smooth. Add egg, and mix till well blended. Add in 1/ 1/2 tsp. grated orange zest and 2 TBSP. of orange juice. Mix well.

  3. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; stir this into the orange mixture, a little at a time. Add dried cranberries and pecans. Stir in until well mixed and evenly distributed through the dough.

  4. Drop dough by rounded Tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Make sure to space cookies 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until edges turn golden. Remove cookies from oven. Let cool slightly, then remove cookies from baking sheets to wire racks to cool.

  5. While cookies are baking (or while they are cooling), in a small bowl mix together 1 tsp. grated orange zest, 3 TBSP. orange juice, and 1 1/2 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar until completely smooth. When cookies have cooled, either spread or drizzle the glaze over the top of the cookies, then let them sit until glaze hardens. ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Orange Cookies
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 121 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 71mg3%
Potassium 22mg1%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Sugar 13g14%
Vitamin A 125IU3%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Cranberry Orange Cookies are decadent yummy treats, flavored with cranberries, pecans, orange zest and juice, and topped with a simple orange glaze!

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Jan
2014

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

categories: Main Dishes, Soups, Vegetable Dishes
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Nothing is as comforting as a hot bowl of soup on a cool day. This delicious, creamy tomato basil soup will really hit the spot, and it’s simple to make!Nothing is as comforting as a hot bowl of soup on a cool day. This delicious, creamy tomato basil soup will really hit the spot, and it's simple to make!

Writing this post made me laugh…my entire life I have despised (I know, harsh words!) tomato soup. Really, really despised it. However, I am married to a guy who loves it. Go figure! But the truth is… I have come to love the taste of this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Tomato Soup Was NOT On The List Of Foods I Enjoyed… Originally!

Years ago I worked at a school where occasionally they would serve the students and staff grilled cheese sandwiches with a small cup of tomato soup.  Word on the street was the soup was good with a grilled cheese sandwich on the side, but I could never even bring myself to try the soup.

I grew up watching that gelatinous blob of tomato soup come out of canned tomato soup when my Dad would have it for lunch. No Thanks! I had such an “ugh” factor going on.

Then I married a guy who LOVES tomato soup, so through the years I would occasionally buy him a can of the stuff to make him happy. He sometimes even buys a carton of freshly made tomato basil soup from the grocery store deli to “heat and eat”.

Why I Ended Up LIKING Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Fast this story forward to this past summer –  our little garden was overflowing with fresh basil. I decided to combine my home-grown basil with my deep love of cooking and my love for that “tomato-soup-lovin’ husband of mine”. 

 I searched online to find a homemade tomato basil soup recipe he could enjoy.  This recipe for creamy tomato basil soup is the one I tried, and guess what? I had a tiny cup of it and it was absolutely delicious…who knew? Wait… now I like this soup? I was totally surprised!

Now I really enjoy this yummy tomato basil soup! That has to be some kind of miracle! Maybe my taste buds have changed as I’ve gotten older. Perhaps it is the fact that it didn’t come sliding (in one gelatinous blob) out of a little red and white labeled can?
 

How To Make Homemade Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

In a medium sized pan, sauté onions and garlic in butter over medium heat until they are fairly clear (about 4-5 minutes).  Don’t let the garlic burn!

Add the canned tomatoes (including juice) and the chicken stock to the saucepan. Bring the tomato mixture to a full boil.  Reduce the heat, and let it simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes.  Once the tomato mixture has cooked for 10 minutes, remove pan from heat.

 
Cooking the tomato soup before pureeing the tomatoes.
 
Use an immersion blender to puree. Be careful… the soup is HOT! NOTE: If you don’t have an immersion blender, no problem! Carefully transfer the “hot” tomato mixture to a blender or a food processor and puree. You may need to do this in batches.
 
 
Using an immersion blender to puree the tomato soup.
 
Creamy tomato basil soup, AFTER it has been pureed.
 

Add The Fresh Basil

Once the tomato mixture has been pureed, add in the fresh basil and pulse (or blend) a few more times to incorporate the basil into the soup.
 
Fresh, chopped basil is added to tomato soup, then blended in.
 
If you used a blender, return the hot soup carefully to the saucepan. Whisk in the heavy whipping cream, until blended.
 
Whipping cream is added to creamy tomato basil soup.
 
Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Heat on low until the creamy tomato basil soup is fully heated through. Do NOT let the soup boil!
 
Creamy tomato basil soup, after whipping cream has been whisked in.
 

Serve This Delicious Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ladle the hot soup into cups or bowls. Garnish each portion with croutons and fresh basil leaves, if desired. ENJOY!
 
Creamy tomato basil soup is served in white bowl, with croutons and basil leaves as garnish.
 
This creamy tomato basil soup is very EASY to make and it’s DELICIOUS. Hope you will give it a try!  Have a wonderful day!

Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of soup recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe! 

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Source: http://unsophisticook.com/tomato-basil-soup/
0 from 0 votes
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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Nothing is as comforting as a hot bowl of soup on a cool day. This delicious, creamy tomato basil soup will really hit the spot, and it's simple to make!
Category: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy tomato basil soup
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 210 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 brown onions , chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves , minced
  • 2 (28 oz.) cans whole tomatoes
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil , chopped (plus additional leaves for garnish, if desired)
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • Croutons and additional basil (for garnish, if desired)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. In a medium sized pan, saute onions and garlic in butter over medium heat till they are fairly clear (about 4-5 minutes). Don't let the garlic burn!

  2. Add the canned tomatoes (including the juice) and the chicken stock to saucepan. Bring the tomato mixture to a full boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. When the tomato mixture has cooked for 10 minutes, remove from heat.

  3. Use an immersion blender to puree. NOTE: If you don't have an immersion blender, no problem! Carefully transfer the "hot" tomato mixture to a blender or a food processor and puree. You may need to do this in batches.

  4. Once the tomato mixture has been pureed, add in the fresh basil and pulse (or blend) a few times to incorporate the basil into the soup.

  5. If you used a blender, return the hot soup to saucepan. Whisk in the heavy whipping cream, till blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Heat on low until the creamy tomato basil soup is fully heated through. Do NOT let the soup boil!

  6. To serve: Ladle soup into cups or bowls. Garnish with croutons and fresh basil leaves, if desired. ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Amount Per Serving (1 (1/8th of total))
Calories 210 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 447mg19%
Potassium 737mg21%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 900IU18%
Vitamin C 21.2mg26%
Calcium 93mg9%
Iron 2.9mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Nothing is as comforting as a hot bowl of soup on a cool day. This delicious, creamy tomato basil soup will really hit the spot, and it's simple to make!



 

 

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Jan
2014

Maple Cream Bon Bons

categories: Candy, Chocolate, Desserts, Holidays!, Truffles & Bon Bons
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Decadent, creamy chocolate covered Maple Cream Bon Bons are a perfect gift for family and friends during the holidays! You’ll love these maple flavored treats!Decadent, creamy chocolate covered Maple Cream Bon Bons are a perfect gift for family and friends during the holidays! You'll love these maple flavored treats!
Every year during the holidays, I pick a couple of new recipes to make (especially chocolate covered truffles or bon bons!), to add to our family’s “tried and true” traditional Christmas treats. One of this year’s new recipes is Maple Cream Bon Bons. AMAZING!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Homemade Food Gifts At Christmas? Yes, Please!

I enjoy making a variety of “homemade Christmas goodies”, which I LOVE to give to my friends and neighbors. Inevitably I end up making a couple kinds of chocolate-dipped truffles (in this recipe they are called “bon bons”).

I tend to make such a mess in my kitchen each Christmas, with cookbooks, recipes and ingredients scattered everywhere, but I find great JOY in giving to others this time of year!

Maple Cream Bon Bons / The Grateful Girl Cooks!

This past Christmas I found this delicious sounding recipe for maple cream bon bons during a search online at Taste of Home. These creamy, chocolate covered treats were very easy to make (with only a few ingredients… a big plus!) and the maple flavor SHINES!

Delicious Creamy Maple Bon Bons

They are so cute when placed in a decorative candy wrapper… perfect for gift giving! Who wouldn’t like to receive a plate of these delicious maple cream bon bons?

Maple Cream Bon Bons / The Grateful Girl Cooks!

The recipe makes about 5 dozen maple cream bon bons, so there are plenty to take to work, give away as gifts, or plenty to save and stash away in the refrigerator for a late night craving…they are SO GOOD!

A look at the inside of a maple cream bon bon.
Sure hope you give these little bites of yumminess a try. Maple cream bon bons are very, very good! Thanks for stopping by, and please come back again soon.

Looking For More BON BON OR TRUFFLE Recipes?

You can find ALL my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a nice variety of bon bon and truffle recipes you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signatureRecipe Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/maple-cream-bonbons

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Maple Cream Bon Bons
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
0 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Decadent, creamy chocolate covered Maple Cream Bon Bons are a perfect gift for family and friends during the holidays! You'll love these maple flavored treats!
Category: Candy
Cuisine: American
Keyword: maple cream bon bons
Servings: 5 dozen
Calories Per Serving: 125 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For bonbons:
  • 1 cup butter , softened (2 cubes)
  • 3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar (powdered)
  • 3 Tablespoons maple flavoring
  • 2 cups walnuts (I used pecans), chopped
For coating:
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter, powdered sugar, and maple flavoring till smooth. Stir in chopped walnuts (or pecans).

  2. Shape mixture into 1" balls. Place dough balls onto a wax paper covered baking sheet and put into freezer for 1/2 an hour.

  3. In a microwaveable bowl, melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips **(30 seconds on high. Stir. 30 seconds on high. Stir. Watch carefully so that you don't burn the chocolate. Should be melted and smooth after stirring the second time, but microwave an additional 15 seconds or so, then stir, if not.).
  4. Dip dough balls into chocolate mixture one at a time (I insert a toothpick into the dough ball, then dip, cover with chocolate then remove, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. You may want to use a spoon to finish coating the bonbon. Place each covered bonbon on wax paper-lined baking sheets, removing the toothpick and hiding the "hole" with a touch of melted chocolate. Place bonbons in refrigerator when done. Refrigerate till set...then ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts
Maple Cream Bon Bons
Amount Per Serving (1 bon bon)
Calories 125 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 38mg2%
Potassium 52mg1%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Sugar 11g12%
Vitamin A 100IU2%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 8mg1%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Decadent, creamy chocolate covered Maple Cream Bon Bons are a perfect gift for family and friends during the holidays! You'll love these maple flavored treats!

 
 

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Jan
2014

Chocolate Chip Orange Scones

categories: Breads, Breakfast, Chocolate, Scones
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Chocolate chip orange scones with citrus glaze, are a delicious treat for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack!
Chocolate chip orange scones with a citrus glaze, are a delicious and easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack!
These chocolate chip orange scones are my “all-time favorite”! I LOVE them!  When I worked full-time (for almost 30 years), I would occasionally bring plates of them to the office, to share with my friends. They were always a big hit… and I always returned home with empty serving plates!

Now that I have my own blog (to share favorite recipes with family and friends in one convenient location), I decided to share this special recipe with you. I’ve been making them for over 20 years, and I am sure you will LOVE these scones!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Do You Love SCONES?

If you love scones, I hope you will consider checking out some of the other recipes for them I have on this blog, like Apple Cinnamon, Lemon Cream, Cranberry Orange, Cinnamon Chip or Banana Nut, to name a few. All my recipes can be found in the Recipe Index at the top of this page! Here’s a few photos to tempt you!

Photo collage of scones from The Grateful Girl Cooks!

I made a batch of these chocolate chip orange scones this morning. It was a brisk 36 degrees outside; a gorgeous Pacific Northwest kind of day (thank you, God, for the beauty all around). My husband and I discussed our plans for the day while enjoying a scone, accompanied by our cups of “strong” coffee. Ahhhh… delicious!

Chocolate and orange are a favorite flavor combination of mine, and these scones, with their sweet citrus glaze on top, are “practically perfect in every way”.  What a great way to start the day (and much less expensive than buying them at a local coffee house!)  Give them a try… I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Making Chocolate Chip Orange Scones

Here’s a few pics showing how to make them: First you mix up the ingredients for the dough…(I used a food processor, but you can also use a small pastry blender).

Flour and butter for scones, in a food processor.

The grated orange peel makes the dough smell good and “citrusy”, and helps add in citrus flavor!

Orange zest, orange and microplane zester, used for scones

Forming The Dough For Chocolate Chip Orange Scones

Shape the dough into a circle after all the dough ingredients have been mixed together. Look at those chocolate chips and orange zest!

Scone dough, with chocolate chips, is rolled out into circle shape

Next, cut the dough circle into 8 pie-shaped wedges, brush the tops with egg white/water combo, and into the oven they go. I like to use a pizza cutter to make the cuts.

Scone dough is cut into 8 pie shaped wedges

Prepare The Citrus Glaze While Scones Bake

While the scones are baking, mix up the orange glaze…see all the orange zest? This glaze is made with orange juice, orange zest, orange extract, vanilla and powdered sugar.

That’s a lot of citrus flavor! The glaze will be brushed onto the scones once they have been baked and completely cooled. It’s the most wonderful topping, and adds so much additional citrus flavor to the chocolate chip orange scones.!

Orange glaze is mixed to put on top of baked scones

Glaze The Baked Chocolate Chip Orange Scones

Here are the chocolate chip orange scones, golden brown and hot, straight out of the oven. Now they just need a shiny orange glaze after they’ve cooled, to make them PERFECT!

Chocolate chip orange scones, baked, and out of oven cooling.

“Painting” the citrus glaze onto the scones with a pastry brush gives them an extra burst of flavor, plus a beautiful shiny top!

Orange glaze is brushed on top of chocolate chip orange scones

Ready To EAT!

Let the chocolate chip orange scones cool until the glaze firms up. All that’s left to do is take a big bite, and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Orange Scones with citrus glaze, cooling on wire rack

Update: I made some this past Christmas (2015) for breakfast for my husband, myself, and our two grown sons. Here’s a picture. These scones sure disappeared in a flash!!

Christmas decorated platter of chocolate chip orange scones

Sure hope you enjoy these easy to make chocolate chip orange scones! I think you will love them as much as our family does! Have a GREAT day, and thanks for stopping by!

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so.  If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Author's signature

Original Recipe Source: unknown

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Chocolate Chip Orange Scones
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

Chocolate chip orange scones with a citrus glaze, are a delicious and easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack!

Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate chip orange scones
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 458 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
For scones:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 cube) unsalted butter, very cold
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel (finely grated; I use a micro-plane zester)
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (regular or mini-sized)
  • 1 egg white + 1/2 tsp. water
For glaze:
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (can always add more if you need extra)
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon orange extract (I use it for enhanced flavor, but optional)
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 3-4 teaspoons orange juice (until you get the right consistency of glaze to
  • "paint" on the scones)
US Customary - Metric
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor (or cut in by hand with a pastry blender in a large bowl), mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and chilled butter together until well combined.

  2. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, orange juice, vanilla, and grated orange peel. Add egg mixture to the flour mixture; combine till fully blended.Stir in chocolate chips. Mix well, to fully combine. 

  3. Transfer dough onto a well-floured surface. Knead dough with floured hands until dough comes together...(continue to sprinkle the dough and surface with additional flour as needed, as dough is usually fairly "sticky"-I usually do this 3-4 times). Shape dough into an 8" circle.

  4. Mix egg white and water together in small bowl. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the scones with this mixture. Using a pizza cutter or very sharp knife, cut the dough circle into 8 pie-shaped wedges.

  5. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place wedges on baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes (mine are usually ready at the 20 minute mark), or until golden brown on top.  When done, remove from oven; transfer scones to a wire rack, with foil or parchment paper underneath.

  6. When scones have slightly cooled, "paint" the glaze on with a pastry brush (glaze is made by mixing up the ingredients listed, in a small bowl). Completely cover the tops of the scones with the glaze. Let scones cool until glaze has hardened., then serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Chip Orange Scones
Amount Per Serving (1 scone)
Calories 458 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 172mg7%
Potassium 272mg8%
Carbohydrates 65g22%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 37g41%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 440IU9%
Vitamin C 5.7mg7%
Calcium 68mg7%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pi!nterest boards!Chocolate chip orange scones with a citrus glaze, are a delicious and easy to make treat for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack!

 

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