Toasted Pita Panzanella

This is an Italian dish with a twist. Panzanella is widely known in Italy as a "bread salad" or "leftover salad", so the sky is the limit with this one as far as which ingredients to use. It is great for an August meal with so many fresh ingredients readily available this time of year!

Ingredients:
2 whole wheat pitas
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 of a red onion, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta
2 T fresh oregano, chopped
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 t sugar
1/4 cup EVOO
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Chop pitas into 8 sections(like cutting a pie) and toast for 14 minutes, turning halfway through. Set aside and cool. Once cool break into smaller pieces.

Combine tomatoes through basil and add pita pieces. Combine lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper and slowly add the olive oil. Drizzle dressing over salad and let set at room temperature 20-30 minutes before serving. This serves 2 adults and one baby James!

Pork Spare Ribs

I must admit, I was a little intimidated about making ribs, BUT not anymore. These were so easy, delicious and really impressed my husband! The best part is after a little prep work they finish cooking in the crock-pot and simmer all day!

Ingredients:
3 to 4 pounds spareribs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 onion sliced
2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce

Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. Place ribs(meaty side up) under broiler for 15 minutes to brown. Put sliced onion in crock-pot. Slice ribs into serving pieces and put in crock-pot. Pour in BBQ sauce. cover; cook on Low 8 to 10 hours (high for 4 to 5 hours). Enjoy!

Twice Baked Potatoes

My mom is the expert at these, but I made them for Todd's birthday today because they are his favorite.

Ingredients:
6 baked potatoes
6 T sour cream
4-6 T butter
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (divided)
4 pieces of bacon cooked and crumbled

Directions:
Once the baked potatoes are cool enough to handle cut the potato lengthwise towards the top. You can reserve the tops to make potato skins. Scoop out the insides of all the potatoes into a bowl and add the sour cream, butter and half the cheese. Beat until smooth. Put the filling back in the empty shells and top with remaining cheese and bacon. If you are lucky you will have some extra mashed potatoes to enjoy as a snack!!! You can make these ahead and store in the fridge until you are ready to eat. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Asian style bbq pizza

This is adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe that I've been making for years and it is one of my favorites. I love bbq sauce. What can I say, I'm a KC girl! The main difference from the original recipe is I use more plum/bbq sauce than the original.
Ingredients:
1/2 pound thin cut (cutlets) boneless, skinless chicken breast
Extra-virgin olive oil
Grill seasoning blend (I use Montreal Seasoning by McCormick) or salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cornmeal or all-purpose flour
1 package store bought pizza dough (you are making 1 12-inch pie)
2 to 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/3 cup plum sauce or Peking Duck Sauce
1/3 cup barbecue sauce, any variety or brand(I usually use KC masterpiece).
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 scallions, chopped
1/4 red bell pepper, chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat. Drizzle oil over chicken cutlets and season with grill seasoning blend or salt and pepper. Grill chicken 3 or 4 minutes on each side. Cut chicken into bit size pieces. You can also omit this step and use leftover chicken.

Sprinkle a pizza pan or baking stone with cornmeal or flour. Press the dough into a pizza shell, working all the way to edges of the pan. Sprinkle the edges of your dough with sesame seeds. Cover the dough with sauces. Cover pizza with cheese. Top with sliced chicken and scallions and red pepper. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crisp and cheese is bubbly. Cut into 8 slices.

Margaritas

Directions and Ingredients. Equal parts(12 oz of each makes 4 margaritas): Sprite, Limeade concentrate, Tequila, Corona.


Abby's instructional video

Michigan Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie
4 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
6 oz strawberry gelatin
2 baked 9 inch pie shell, cooled
enough Michigan strawberries to fill a pie shell
fresh whipped cream

Blend together cornstarch and sugar. Combine in saucepan with water. Cook, stirring until thick 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add gelatin. Stir until dissolves and cool slightly. Add strawberries to cooled pie shell and pour the cooked strawberry liquid over the pie. Cool for 2-3 hours. To make whipped cream use 1 container of heavy cream and beat on high with 2 T sugar and 1 t vanilla until stiff peaks form. This is my favorite dessert to make when we are in Michigan.

Brown sugar baby carrots

Carrots are cooked with brown sugar and butter, resulting in a sweet, flavorful brown sugar glaze.
Ingredients:
16 ounces baby carrots
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup water
dash salt and pepper

In a medium saucepan, combine the baby carrots with remaining ingredients. Stir to blend ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling (uncovered) for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until carrots are tender and the liquid has evaporated.
Serves 4 to 6.