Embarassingly Easy Broccoli Salad

I am constantly amazed at how it is always the simplest things that elicit the most extraordinary reactions. This broccoli salad is requested for every family gathering, and probably my “signature” dish. This makes me slightly sad. Really family? This is the best I can do? Only slightly. During the holidays this dish is a savior as it can all be prepped in advance, just be sure to leave the dressing off until the last minute.

Broccoli Salad (adapted from Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

• 2 heads of broccoli
• 4-6 slices of thick cut cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup or handful of raisins
• 8 oz sharp cheddar, cubed
• 1/2-1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mayonnaise (I have only used light)
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/4 white sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Chop broccoli into bite size pieces. Mix broccoli, bacon, onion, raisins, cheese and tomatoes together in large serving dish.
• Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss salad with dressing, refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Accept praise for the easiest salad ever.

Serves 6-8

White Peach Sangria

I love my husband. I don’t always shower him with compliments the way I should, but I love my husband. He is an amazing father, loving husband, and probably the nicest man I have ever met. This summer he is going on a seven month deployment and I don’t know how I will manage life without  him. It’s funny how you don’t really think about the little things.

Yesterday I was vacuuming and realized our vacuum need its bag changed. Then I realized I have absolutely no idea how to change vacuum bags. That is one of Marshall’s jobs. He also takes out the trash every day, changes countless baby diapers, gets Tommy ready for bed every night, takes Tommy to baseball practice, and cleans up the dog poop. So when he steals all the fruit from my Sangria, how mad can I really get?

Pretty mad. The fruit is definitely the best part. Especially the strawberries. Yum. We made this Sangria yesterday and the batch was gone in two hours. Oops.  Please heed my advice. Just because the wine tastes like peach juice, does not mean it loses its potency. Do not drink three large glasses in the span of two hours and be sure to grab some fruit before your husband grabs a spoon and scoops it all out.

White Peach Sangria (adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

• Bottle of dry white wine
• 1 cup peach schnapps
• 6 tablespoons lemonade concentrate
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup green and red grapes, halved
• 16oz sliced peaches
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries

Directoins:

• In a pitcher, mix together wine, schnapps, lemonade, and sugar to combine.
• Add fruit.
• Chill at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Served 2. Probably could have served 4. Make a double or quadruple batch if you are enjoying with a group.

Ridiculously Easy Cookies

Especially during the holiday season, I will spend hours following complicated recipes in order to create the very best holiday trays at the numerous parties we attend. My first test subject on said cookies is usually my son. My five year old son.

Tommy does not like nuts. Tommy does not like chocolate. Tommy does not like “crunchy” things. Needless to say, Tommy does not like many of my cookies. He is a simple boy. He likes chicken and broccoli and sprinkles. So, while these are by no means my greatest baking accomplishment, Tommy likes these cookies.

Ridiculously Easy Cake Mix Cookies (adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

• yellow cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• sprinkles

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil until incorporated. Stir in desired amount of sprinkles.
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet at least one inch apart.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are slightly browned, the tops are crinkly, and the middles are just barely cooked through.

Makes about 48 cookies.

An introduction of sorts

And so begins yet another food blog by a simple home cook with grand delusions of greatness. It is enough to make any Top Chef cringe. This blog is no different than any other, just my little addition to the blogosphere and a way for me to actually remember the successes in my kitchen and document my life as a mother of two, wife of one, and woman on the verge.