Lightning Fast Pizzas!!

In my angst over the tick situation, I left out the main reason for that afternoon blog post!! What the kid's ate after hiking!!!  Aside from plums, fresh and syrup sweet from a friend's tree, they had personal sized pizzas in a flash.  With some regular sized flour tortillas, deli sliced pepperoni, roasted red peppers in a jar, store bought pizza sauce, cheese and real bacon bits, they had a quick and delicious meal to hold them until dinner.  They are very active so I let them have fun with food every now and then.  The recipe is easy and the taste is comparable to any takeout I know.  Preheat the oven to 450* (don't worry it won't be on long).  Arrange tortillas on baking sheets, depending on size you should be able to fit 2 per sheet.  Take 1 tbsp. sauce and spread in circular fashion on tortilla.  Sprinkle about 1 tsp. shredded cheese atop sauce to help toppings adhere.  next, take 4 slices of the pepperoni and place in each quarter of the tortilla.  Pull roasted peppers apart in strips with hands and arrange around pizza. Sprinkle with about 1 tbsp. bacon bits, and top with desired amount of cheese,  I used about 1 1/2 tbsp. per pizza.  Pop in oven and bake until cheese is melty and the edges are golden, about 4 1/2 minutes.  Remove from oven, cut into quarters and serve.  You can mix and match the toppings to your liking, and the kids can even top their own pizzas, and score some experience points.  These babies aren't just for kids, so make enough for everyone!!! If you don't feel like heating up the kitchen, these pizzas can be prepared on the grill with equally impressive, tasty results.  Using a grill pan will help ease the cleanup, and leave awesome grill marks on the bottoms.!!Tweet

TICKED OFF!!

Well the kids made it back from the nature hike in  one piece, thank goodness!!  Along with thirst and rumbly tumblies (tummies), they also brought back about ONE HUNDRED TICKS!!  I KNOW RIGHT!!  Big ones, small ones, seed ticks and their cousins all in tow.  All over their shoes, shorts, shirts, undies, leggings, and skin!!!  The kids were nice and calm, but there was a quiet storm brewing inside me.  I scanned and scoured their bodies and clothes with an eagle eye, finding the little harbingers of itch and ill, making sure none were left to ravage my little munchkins into histamine overload.  I gave the kids a good soothing bath with scrub and went back over them again to be on the safe side.  We made it through this encounter with the little buggers, but I had to remember  the kids were on the ticks' turf.  The woods and trees are where they hang out.  Also, in our grass in our yards.  They patiently wait atop blades of grass for nice warm blooded mammals to pass by, so that they may catch a ride!!  They lie in wait in the trees, and when they smell a certain pheromone, they drop and hope for the best.  Ticks will also literally ride the breeze to get a hold of some fresh warm blood.  NATURES LITTLE VAMPIRES INDEED!  I read somewhere that vapor rubs will deter ticks in the yard and wild, but I haven't had a chance to put that theory to the test yet. Nonetheless, I must replenish my repellent stores before any future sightseeing in the 'rough'!!

Smoothie Sailing!

Wow! What a scorcher today huh! The humidity is through the roof and the overcast skies cannot offer us any more reprieve than a direct beam break.  Be sure to load up on fluids on days like today and don't forget your pets.  The garden is thirsty too, but it is best watered in the morning, because the sunlight can damage the parts of the plant that have standing water on their leaves.
There are ways to replenish fluids, water obviously being the best, smoothies being a nutrient packed fun way to do so.  The kids went on a nature hike with my sister Gayle, so I decided to treat myself to something cool and refreshing.  I still have some blueberries left (store bought, frozen, wild) so I whipped up something I had not  made in ages, a blueberry milkshake.  The guilt levels were virtually zero because I used low fat ice cream, 1 cup blueberries, and soy milk.  Talk about a vitamin powerhouse!! Again loads of Vitamins A and C, calcium, fiber, potassium riboflavin, magnesium and iron to name a few.  I tossed it in the processor and blended it for about 5 seconds and PRESTO, a nutritious and delicious plus refreshing treat without the shock wave of guilt or the sugary crash of quick carbs!! For smoothies, simply substitute yogurt for the ice cream double the fruit of choice and add 1 cup crushed ice as well.  Blend as usual and enjoy.  Don't forget alcohol dehydrates you, so for these hot days, you want to incorporate just as much water into the regime as you do alcohol!!

Stir Crazee!!

Tomorrow's the official first day of summer!  Some of our gardens are starting to spew forth it's bounty and a lot of it!!  Aside from canning , freezing and sharing with friends and family we may find ourselves with extra further still.  Enter the stir-fry. This and sauteing is the next best way to avoid steamed veggie overkill 'when the harvest get tough and we get fed up'.  There are hundreds maybe thousands of different combinations to be made and the cooking time won't diminish it's nutritional stores by much if any.  Actually, some vegetables' vitamins and minerals are more readily absorbed by heating, like tomatoes.  Asian flavors make vegetables flattering in every way.  With just a few key ingredients, you can turn your garden's veggies VIVACIOUS and uber delicious in no time. Some simple sauces and oils can provide 'the best taste in the world', as confessed by my sister Gayle.  She loves the taste of my recipes with these implements, especially the one's that are meatless.  Being raised in the south, that speaks volumes to me!  Anywho, back to stir-fries.  You don't need very much oil at all, maybe 1 1/2

tsp. or less per lb. and a very hot saute pan or wok.  Constant agitation is the key.  Chop and  slice your veggies into equal sizes to ensure even cooking.  Fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, green onions, lots of garlic, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sambal oelek are  responsible for that flavor we crave and look to Chinese Takeout to provide.  Not all ingredients have to be used at once, but you definitely include sweet, salty and savory in whatever combination you choose.  The onion and garlic and sugar should be constants, but you can mix and match the other ingredients to suit your taste.  I like it hot so sambal oelek will always be in my combinations.  The key to finding your heat index is by adding a little at a time.  Sambal oelek has a bold heat that is realized after it's been chewed, so be easy is you're leery.  The possibilities are endless and your body will thank you for the benefits so, let's get shakin', with some stirfry makin'!!  I have a photo of of one of my stir frys made with fresh broccoli from my sister Gayle's garden, and a few other veggies I had hangin around.  To save time and money, I crumbled in some Steakum sheets to make it a full form beef and broccoli stir fry.  To shave off fat and calories, simply drain the fat before adding the sauce combo of your choice.

Taste of Tokyo Grill

My daughter had a visit to Kool Smiles of Danville and Tokyo  Grill is adjacent to that suite.  Tokyo Grill an Authentic Japanese Restaurant with takeout that specializes in Sushi and Sashimi, Rolls and Hibachi.  They offer an extensive selection of fresh handmade rolls and Sashimi prepared right before your eyes. The atmosphere is rich with Asian Flair including a wishing well of sorts at the  entrance.  The Staff was knowledgeable, amiable and even offered my daughter a cup of ice to soothe the after effects of her procedure.  The  menu is detailed and well organized to help especially with first timers.  Vegetarians won't have a problem with finding a delicious and satisfying meal amongst the carnivores, and vise versa.  Prices are reasonable, ranging from $1.35 for Miso Soup to Sushi Platters for 4  under $60.00.  There are many stopping off points price wise, so those on a budget will not feel intimidated as I was not.  My choices included a Salmon and Avocado Roll, and a Tuna Roll, which come with choice of soup, salad or Udon noodles and  Tempura Vegetables.  The rolls were amazing and super fresh, pure bliss in ever bite. My sister Hollie thought so too! The fish was firm and vibrant in color as it should be.  The rice was the right combination of sticky without being clumpy or dry.  The noodles were mild and delicious with subtle flavors and bite.  I had some left over and they reheated well and were just as appetizing today as the day before.  The Tempura Vegetables provided the perfect amount of crunch and were not at all greasy and cumbersome.
This was my second visit and I was equally pleased my first time around as well.  The first visited graced me with the Salmon and Tuna Sushi and Sashimi.  Again, fresh beyond belief , almost buttery,  and melt in your mouth goodness.  I also tried the Crabmeat Puffs and the Beef Kebab.  I enjoyed those too, but the taste of the Sushi and Sashimi is what brought me back.  If you are in the area Tokyo Grill is worth checking out!!  Pictures of our meal can be found on my facebook page under Cherrysewagecom.
 Sushi and Sashimi and Rolls are fun to make at home too!!  I have, but I'm definitely a novice when it comes to these guys!!  Super fresh fish, a  good sharp knife and a little patience are  the main ingredients to a wonderful experience at home
Tokyo Grill
364 Lowes Drive unit I

Danville, VA 24541

My Father Would Have Loved This Menu

Well folks, it's about time for dinner.  I hope yours is as memorable as the day is long.  I am catering a dinner for the fathers in my family  and decided on "Grub Rubbed" and Smoked Spareribs, Savory Baked Beans and Cheesy Zucchini Layered Casserole.  The Nascar race is winding down and the troops are headed from our local dragway and home for dinner time.  The overcast skies can't hide the excitement of approaching body refuel and the smiles on my girls' faces spending the evening with their daddy!  My father passed away in 2009, but we still wish him a happy day anyway!! We know he's still here in spirit and most importantly in our hearts.  This menu is dedicated to Douglas Smith, loving husband, father and brother.  Dad would have really enjoyed this evening's fare, but above all, spending time with his wife, children and the people we love for one more day.  Never miss a chance to tell the ones you love that you do.  In time, those 'love you's' along with memories are all that remain to keep us going when our paths cross and we move on to higher planes!!! I love you all for reading my thoughts and giving me a chance!  Thank You

p.s. You can check out photos of my Father's Day menu on facebook under Cherrysewagecom.
p.s.s. "Neillio's Grub Rub" is a spice blend I came up with for seasoning meats, especially BBQ.!!

The Day of Kings

Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there!! I wish you a festive and blessed day!!  If you're looking for some dinner ideas maybe I can help spark some creation fuel if you don't plan on eating out!!  Check out my site and see if something strikes your fancy!!!

Smokinhotchef

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