Basil Spring Rolls

20 rice papers (your choice of size) I recommend the largest so you can cut into thirds.
15-20 fresh basil, cut into halfs
1 1/2 c. mung bean sprouts
1 1/2 c. chopped cucumber
2 pounds of cooked, cleaned and deveined shrimp with tails off
1 big bunch of romaine lettuce, shredded
1 c. shredded carrots

dip each rice paper into warm water for 10 seconds. Take out of water and lay flat on cutting board or large cutting surface. Begin by placing a small handful of each ingrediant on each rice paper. Wrap like a burrito and continue same process for each of them. Serve immediately.

These tast great in peanut sauce. Either you can buy peanut sauce at store or make your own. I used homemade version.

1/2 c. smooth peanut butter, heated on stove until melts
1 T. brown sugar
3 T. soy sauce
1/4 c. water
a drop or two of sesame oil
mix all together and then heat on stove. sprinkle with chopped peanuts if you like.

Delicious Quinoa Salad (My own version)

This quinoa salad is so good I could literally eat it all day long. I had this salad this weekend and it was the main food item I ate. I overlooked the sloppy joes and other salads and just focused on this salad because it is that good. I decided to change the recipe a little, so I added chopped baby spinach and extra lime juice for an added kick. This salad is served chilled out of the fridge and is so nutritious you will not believe how something so good could be that good for you. Quinoa is a grain and when cooked is rather fluffy and easy to work with. It is very high in protein and amino acids and has TONS of vitamins and nutrients. You will feel great after eating it. It has a mild flavor and is perfect anytime of the year. You can purchase quinoa at almost anywhere. I purchased a big bag for at Costco.


Delicious Quinoa Salad

1 c. uncooked quinoa
2 c. chicken broth
a handful of fresh chopped baby spinach
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 half of an onion, chopped
1 small/medium sized cucumber, peeled and chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 c. red wine vinager
1 garlic cloves, minced
2 T. lime juice
1 T. olive oil

Cook quinoa in chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and then simmer, covered. When quinoa is cooked, it will be light and fluffy and liquid will be absorbed. Pour quinoa into a large bowl and set aside. Next, combine all the veggies together and toss veggies into quinoa. Add minced garlic cloves to red wine vinager and pour over quinoa and veggies. Add lime juice and olive oil and then cover and chill in fridge until ready to serve.

Dinner In A Pumpkin

I love dinner in a pumpkin. I look forward to this tasty meal during the year! Do you ever wonder what to do with your leftover pumpkin? You can make a delicious meal in it, eat he pumpkin (taste similiar to squash) and then bake the seeds (add some sea salt, and pumpkin seeds are high in good vitamins like zinc).

Dinner in a Pumpkin

1 pound of lean hamburger meat or turkey meat
2 c. cooked rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 small can of mushrooms (for fresh mushrooms, about 1 c. of chopped mushrooms is about right).
1 T soy sauce
1 T. brown sugar
1 small can of water chestnuts (chopped)
1/2 c. chopped onions
1 tsp. onion powder

Preheat oven to 450. Have pumpkin cleaned out and ready to fill with mixture inside. Cook hamburger, drain grease, and set aside. Combine cream of mushroom soup, onions, onion powder, celery, soy sauce, brown sugar and water chestnuts with the rice. Mix together well. Add to hamburger or turkey mixture. Mix well. Fill the pumpkin and replace the lid. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours. Continuously check pumpkin flesh to make sure it is tender, when it is tender, it is ready to be eaten with mixture. A real festive treat, I tell ya!

Fall Harvest Dessert

I made up this title, but this dessert just reminds me of the great tastes of fall. I am sure you will love this dessert.

Ingrediants:

For crust:

1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. softened to melted butter
1/2 c. cinnamon

preheat to 350. Mix and then once moist, spread into an 8 X 8 greased baking pan. If it is not moist or spreadable, add a little more melted butter to it. Set aside

For pumpkin custard

2 c. pumpkin puree
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 5 oz cans of evaporated milk.
In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, spices and milk. In seperate bowl, beat eggs, then combine the egss with the sugar mixture and beat on low. Add pumpkin and beat again on low until creamy and smooth.

Pour the pumpkin custard over the crust and bake at 400 for first 10 min. then reduce to 350 and bake for 40-50 min. Insert a toothpick in custard to see if done. Allow to cool for 2 hours before serving and keep in fridge. Cut into bars and top with ice-cream or whipped cream.

Easy Cream of Potato Soup

I made this scrumptious soup for my husband who was home sick with a stomach bug. It is so quick and easy to put together.

You will need (for 3-4).

3 medium potatos, peeled and cubed
2 c. water
1/2 c. grated carrots
1-2 celery stalk(s) chopped
1/4 c. chopped onions
1/4 tsp. minced garlic (optional)
2 chicken bouilion cubes ( used reduced sodium).
1 1/2 c. milk (I used skim)
onion powder to taste
pepper to taste
chili powder to taste
salt to taste

Combine into pot and cook to boiling. Reduce to simmer and allow to simmer for about 15 min. Serve and enjoy!

The Best House Dressing (taste just like Cafe Rio's)

I LOVE Cafe Rio, in fact love is an understatement. I could eat there every single day. I have been in love with that place since they first opened in St. George and will continue to be a loyal customer to them. Every time I have gone there, I have either ordered the veggie or chicken burrito (enchilada style)or the salad (the pork salad is awesome). I love the house dressing that comes with it and can't seem to get enough of it. I love the dressing so much I even pay for extra so I can take it home and put on my own salad. Well, now I have created the best house dressing that tastes very similiar to Cafe Rio's. I had to research what tomatillos were, but then found them at Walmart in the produce section. The flavors in this dressing are so tasty I will be making this dressing a lot. I will also continue to loyal to Cafe Rio, my most favorite restaurant ever!

The Best House Dressing!

1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix
1 c. of regular mayo (don't use olive oil mayo)
1 c. milk
2 tomatillos, sliced
1 small jalepeno pepper (remove seeds and stem).
1 bunch of cilantro
1/4 tsp. garlic chopped fine
1/4-1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (how spicy do you like yours)? test it out until desired heat level. Cafe Rio has theirs moderately spicy.
1 tsp. lime juice

Combine all into blender and blend until smooth. If it is thin, it will thicken in fridge. Enjoy!

Kale Chips

These are just like potato chips, but Much healthier I must say! They are so thin and crispy and hold their shape well. To make these, remove the stem from each layer of kale. Then use big hunks of kale, brushed with olive oil. Add a little sea salt spread evenly and thinly over each kale peice. Bake at 350 for 12 min. Delicious!!