Mushroom Couscous #SundaySupper

Mushroom Couscous serves hearty mushrooms, tender pasta and sauteed spinach together in one dish. Vegan friendly, tasty as a main dish and side.

Mushroom Couscous

Happy Easter!

If you are in charge of the big dinner, first, congratulations! You get to make the important decisions. Ham, beef or turkey? Maybe fish instead. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes or all the above.

Which veggies need to be on the table? Green bean casserole or buttered corn? Salad? Rolls? Gravy, don’t even go there! You get the picture.

I know that I love to serve lots of choices on my holiday table. Sometimes, time gets away from me. Even with help in the kitchen to peel potatoes and make gravy!

Today Sunday Supper is here to help with a few easy, last minute dishes.

Mushroom Couscous is fast, easy and colorful too. I use tri-color pearl couscous but plain works just as well. Portobello mushrooms and spinach round out the dish.

Mushroom Couscous

You can keep this vegan friendly by using vegetable broth and olive oil. So good!

Mushroom Couscous

Mushroom Couscous

Mushroom Couscous

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Mushroom Couscous

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pearled couscous
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth, divided
  • 8 ounces portobello mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • 1;2 teaspoon hickory smoked salt or sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Cook couscous in 3 cups broth according to package directions for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • While couscous cooks, saute mushrooms and spinach in oil. Add reserve broth and reduce.
  • Add cooked mushroom mixture to couscous. Season with salt as desired.
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes
https://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com/mushroom-couscous-sundaysupper/

Mushroom Couscous

Easy Easter Side Dishes

Enticingly Easy Sides

Scrumptious Salad Sides

Sunday Supper MovementThe Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our Sunday Supper website. Also check out the Sunday Supper Pinterest boards for plenty more ideas and inspiration.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Posted in #SundaySupper, Easter, mushrooms, pasta, side dish, spinach, spring, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian, veggies, What's For Dinner? | 21 Comments

Hot Bacon Dressing

 

Hot Bacon Dressing

Mixed Greens with Hot Bacon Dressing used to be dandelions with hot bacon dressing when I was growing up. At the crack of dawn on Easter morning I’d be out in the yard picking dandelions before the flowers opened for the day. Tender baby greens, not too bitter. closed buds were okay too.
It was safe back then to eat things out of your yard. Dandelions, violets, purslane, raspberries, wild strawberries and so on. The point is that we didn’t use chemicals to kill weeds. Yes, some people in the neighborhood did. That was fine then, we weren’t in the habit of foraging the neighbors’ yards. Especially not on Easter unless I was invited to an egg hunt!
Today you can buy dandelion at some stores and farmers markets. There is just something about buying dandelion that I can’t quite get use to doing. Lucky for me, we like arugula or mixed baby greens just as well.
Hot bacon dressing is a PA Dutch thing as far as I know. My ancestors on my Mom’s side spoke PA Dutch and really loved their Wos-Wit homemade or store bought.
This hot bacon dressing is very rich. Its sweet and sour bite gets an extra kick from salty bacon. A little goes a long way. Its okay to indulge once a year, right? 😉 If you have any guilt, just send me your leftovers!
Bunny please don’t eat the salad its for Easter!
bacon dressing and bunny
Hot Bacon Dressing

Hot Bacon Dressing

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 1 cup

Hot Bacon Dressing

Ingredients

  • 4 strips bacon, fried and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Whisk together cream, 1/4 cup butter. Heat over low.
  • Whisk together eggs, sugar and vinegar. Slowly add egg mixture to cream. Simmer until thickened, stirring constantly.
  • Add bacon crumbles. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm over greens.
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes
https://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com/hot-bacon-dressing/

Food for Thought…What other foods would taste great with this dressing? Ham? Potatoes? I’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

Posted in bacon, brunch, Easter, salad, sauce, What's For Dinner? | 2 Comments

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill review AD

My party and I received complimentary dinners from Smokey Bones Bar & Grill of Reading, PA in exchange for an honest review. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
I’ve tasted a lot of BBQ ribs in my life. Smokey Bones own, St. Louis Ribs have the best flavor. This is coming from someone who smoked ribs in a steakhouse for 12 years.
Recently my guy and I took a trip to Reading to have the Smokey Bones experience. We dined at 6:00 pm on a busy Sunday night. It was nice to see a relaxed atmosphere where patrons were enjoying themselves.
Smokey Bones view kitchen
Smokey Bones view
Smokey Bones offers a view of the kitchen and central bar.
The staff was courteous and very professional. Our server, Loretta was helpful with suggestions and knowledgeable about the menu and each selection.
I took her advice and ordered the Sweet Bourbon Peach Tea. This is one of Smokey Bones signature cocktails. It is a delicious combination of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Aperol Liqueur, peach purée, hand squeezed lemon juice, and house brewed sweet tea then topped with a peach skewer and fresh rosemary. Outstanding!
Smokey Bones_Sweet Bourbon Peach Tea
sweet bourbon peach tea
We started off with 2 very different appetizers. I’m partial to fried green tomatoes.
Smokey Bones Fried Green Tomatoes are crisp and crunchy. A great way to start off a meal.
Now my companion might beg to differ. He ordered the Tomato and Grilled Cheese Soup. He said it was the best tomato soup he ever had and that it was hearty, not too sweet. The grilled cheese croutons put it over the top! I was surprised, he’s usually stingy with the compliments!
He guarded his cup but I got a quick pic in!
smokey bones tomato soup
I asked our hostess what she likes best to eat at Smokey Bones. Her face broadened and without hesitation she answered,”BBQ ribs!” I was sold.
With two in-house smokers constantly being hand-fed 18˝ hickory logs every day and night Smokey Bones delivers true in-house smoked flavor.

pic-menu-ribs from website

Photo from Smokey Bones website

Loretta recommended the Double Trouble.
Billed as “A tag team of taste”, the Double Trouble serves 1/3 rack of baby back plus 1/3 rack of house-smoked, St. Louis-style rubbed ribs. The sauce is sweet and smoky.
I enjoyed everything about the St. Louis rubbed ribs. These ribs were fall off the bone tender and perfectly spiced. The baby back ribs were a bit tougher but flavorful.
Smokey Bones Double Trouble  Ribs
My guy got the Stacked Baked Potato & Salad with brisket. A loaded baked potato topped with pulled pork or Texas-Style Beef Brisket, cheddar jack, bacon, sour cream and green onions. Then garlic bread with your choice of Garden Greens or Caesar side salad. A meal in itself!
Stacked Baked Potato Salad with Brisket

Click to find a Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill near you with over 60 locations! http://smokeybones.com/locations/
Connect with Smokey Bones on social media Facebook| Twitter |Instagram.
Would I go back, you ask? Absolutely! I highly recommend you try Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill. When you go, come back here and leave a comment. I would love to hear about your experience!

Posted in bbq, beef, restaurants, review, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , | Comments Off on Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill review AD

Seriously Good Freezer Meals Blog Tour Giveaway

I was given copies of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman ©2017 www.robertrose.ca  to review and giveaway for the blog tour. All opinions are my own.

FinalCoverSeriouslyGoodFreezerMeals

Courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.

Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

I’m so excited to be a part of Karrie Truman’s Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity blog tour!

In her new book, Karrie Truman takes on the misconceptions of freezer meals and offers recipes, techniques and tips to get you started.

Here’s some tips from the book:

  • Decide how much time you want to spend on making freezer meals. Some suggestions include doubling meals and freezing some portions.
  • Try group swaps for exciting new to you meals.
  • Consider your portions and have the right containers ready and labeled.
  • Here are some of her recipes to get you started.

    Page down to the Rafflecopter and enter to win your own copy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman.

     

    CashewMushroomFriedRiceSeriouslyGoodFreezerMeals

    Recipe and photo courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.

    Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

    Cashew Mushroom Fried Rice

    Here it is — my favorite homemade fried rice recipe. This is a pleasant blend of savory mushrooms, filling rice, flavorful vegetables and crunchy cashews. Confession: I often make this recipe without mushrooms because I’m the picky eater in my family! Don’t worry, though; it’s still as delicious. Makes 6 servings.

    2 cups (500 mL) long-grain brown rice
    3 cups (750 mL) water
    2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
    6 white mushrooms, thinly sliced
    1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded carrot
    11/2 cups (375 mL) thinly sliced, trimmed asparagus
    1 red bell pepper, diced
    1/2 onion, puréed or diced
    2 tsp (10 mL) minced garlic
    1 cup (250 mL) halved raw cashews
    2 tbsp (30 mL) tamari sauce
    Freshly ground black pepper
    Garnish
    Chopped green onions (optional)

    1. Place rice in a strainer and rinse under cool water until water runs clear. In a small saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes longer. Fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.
    2. In a large wok or skillet, heat olive oil over high heat. Once it is smoking, add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until evenly browned. Add carrot, asparagus, bell pepper, onion, garlic and cashews; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
    3. Add rice and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes, separating any clumps, until well combined and heated through. Add tamari sauce, sprinkle with pepper to taste, and stir to combine.

    Make It Now Serve sprinkled with green onions, if using.
    Make It a Freezer Meal Let fried rice cool completely. Transfer to a gallon-size (4 L) freezer bag. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and freeze.
    Reheat Place bag in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours to thaw. Transfer contents to a large, microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on High for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring once a minute, until heated through. Serve sprinkled with green onions, if using.

    CoconutCashewBasilCurrySoupSeriouslyGoodFreezerMeals

    Recipe and photo courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.

    Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

    Coconut Cashew Basil Curry Soup

    One of my most requested recipes from family and friends is this coconut cashew curry soup. You will love the rich taste, deep flavors and crunch of the salty cashews.

    Makes 6 servings
    2 lbs (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
    1/2 tsp (2 mL) garlic salt
    2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
    1 onion, quartered
    1 tbsp (15 mL) minced garlic
    1 tsp (5 mL) minced or grated fresh ginger
    1/2 jalapeño pepper
    2 cans (each 14 oz/398 mL) coconut milk
    2 cups (500 mL) chicken broth or Homemade Chicken Stock (page 349)
    2 tbsp (30 mL) curry powder
    1 tsp (5 mL) salt
    1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper
    11/2 tsp (7 mL) dried basil
    1/2 cup (125 mL) salted roasted cashews
    Garnishes
    Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
    Small fresh basil leaves (optional)
    Sliced jalapeño pepper (optional)

    1. Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt. In a large wok or skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil until smoking. Working in batches, add chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until no longer pink inside and slightly crispy on one or two edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a bowl and set aside.
    2. In a blender or food processor, combine onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeño; blend on High until smooth. Add coconut milk, chicken broth, curry powder, salt and pepper; blend until smooth.

    Make It Now In a large saucepan, combine chicken and any accumulated juices, coconut milk mixture and dried basil. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to deepen flavors. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with cashews, plus cilantro, fresh basil and jalapeño, if using.

    Make It a Freezer Meal Let chicken cool completely. Pour chicken, coconut milk mixture and dried basil into a labeled gallon-size (4 L) freezer bag. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and freeze. Place cashews in a quart-size (1 L) freezer bag and seal. Place both bags in another gallon bag and seal together.

    Thaw and Cook Place soup in refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours to thaw, or run lukewarm water over bag until you can break soup apart. Pour bag contents into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to deepen flavors. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with cashews, plus cilantro, fresh basil and jalapeño, if using.

    MascarponeKeyLimePiesSeriouslyGoodFreezerMeals

    Recipe and photo courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.

    Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

    Mascarpone Key Lime Mini Pies

    These mini pies are truly my biggest addiction. The refreshing light, sweet flavor of Key limes and the creamy, airy mascarpone are the obvious stars, but the real surprise lies in the unique taste of cardamom in the graham cracker crust. It’s a magical combination! Makes about 12 mini pies.
    Filling
    8 oz (250 g) mascarpone cheese, softened
    1 can (14 oz or 300 mL) sweetened condensed milk
    3/4 cup (175 mL) freshly squeezed or bottled Key lime juice
    2 cups (500 mL) frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), about 6 oz/175 g
    Crust
    11/4 cups (310 mL) graham cracker crumbs (about 41/2 oz/130 g)
    1/4 cup (60 mL) butter, melted
    1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cardamom or ground cinnamon
    Garnishes
    Additional frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), optional
    Sliced Key limes (optional)

    1. Filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer), beat mascarpone cheese on High for about 1 minute, until creamy. Add condensed milk and lime juice; beat on Medium for about 1 minute, until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping, until blended.
    2. Place 12 silicone muffin liners in a 12-cup muffin tin. Scoop mixture into cups until three-quarters full.
    3. Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and cardamom, stirring well.
    4. Sprinkle crust mixture evenly over each mini pie. Press gently with the back of a spoon to flatten. Freeze for about 2 hours, until firm.

    Make It Now Remove from freezer. Gently remove silicone liners and invert mini pies onto a serving plate, crust side down. Top with additional whipped topping and a slice of Key lime, if using. Serve frozen.
    Make It a Freezer Meal Remove from freezer. Transfer mini pies, in their silicone liners, to 2 labeled gallon-size (4 L) freezer bags. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and freeze.
    Serve Remove from freezer. Gently remove silicone liners and invert mini pies onto a serving plate, crust side down. Top with additional whipped topping and a slice of Key lime, if using. Serve frozen.
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Posted in cookbooks, frozen treat, giveaway, review, What's For Dinner? | 4 Comments