How to Shave Apsaragus (or make Asparagus Ribbons)

In order to make this week's recipe for asparagus pizza, I'm going to illustrate how to make asparagus ribbons. Also known as shaving. All you'll need is a cutting board, knife, vegetable peeler and asparagus.

 First lay the asparagus on the board,

 then cut the tip off

 reserve for another use.

 Take the vegetable peeler

 and peel off the top layer.

 (I wouldn't suggest trying to hold a camera and do this though!)

 The top layer and bottom layer are the hardest,

Once you've gotten the top layer, continue using the peeler to remove layers.

 When it is almost to the bottom, you'll have to lay the asparagus flat and run the peeler over it.

 Once there is just the green,

 cut off the bottom of the spear.

 This is the part that you discard... normally you would just snap this off before using but it helps to hold the asparagus while shaving it.

Repeat with remaining asparagus spears.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

I bought a package of mini peanut butter cups to try making cookies with them. At first I thought about stuffing them into cookies, or making a peanut butter cookie and adding them in, but finally decided to make a Peanut Butter Cup Cookie (peanut butter and chocolate) with some cups mixed in and a few quarter-pieces on top. My first cookie recipe attempt worked out great, and luckily I photoed most of the process ;). Luckily because my diet doesn't want me making these again (however I would have made them again if I didn't have the photos, as they are worth it!) The texture is like a cake or brownie (brownie if removed from oven just before they are finished and cake if they stay in the oven.) I could have eaten this whole batch... and I'm not the hugest fan of Peanut Butter Cups.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

First you'll need 3 oz cream cheese, softened and 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (you can use another type, but may need to adjust flour amounts.) Mix until combined.

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup honey,

Mix for 1 minute.

Next, add 2 eggs and beat until combined.

Next, you'll need 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I used 1/4 regular and 1/4 cup dark.)

also mix in: 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt

and finally 1-1/2 to 2 cups flour, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick. Toss in 1/2 cup peanut butter cups and mix until combined (I cut mine in half and they broke up while mixing.)

Shape into balls, then flatten and place on a cookie sheet.

Top with 1 mini peanut butter cup, quartered.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

Remove and let cool.

Enjoy!

Menu: August 8-14

We had quite a week last week... started out by offering on a house, and after a counter offer, and a counter-counter offer it's looking like we'll be getting a house! It's exciting, but very time consuming. And if that wasn't enough excitement in our lives, my son decided he wanted to play in his room yesterday (he doesn't do that a lot) and pulled over his dresser. Luckily the worst of it was a small fracture in his middle finger. We spent 3 hours in Urgent Care today, so I'm just going to get on to the menu:

Here's our menu:

Monday: Stuffed Peppers (vegetarian)

Tuesday: Chicken Taco Salad

Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Ranch Tostadas

Thursday: Leftover night

Friday: Gyros (sorry no photos - worst day of my head cold)

Saturday: Omelets and Mini Oatmeal Banana Muffins

Sunday: Tomato Rice & Tomato Eggs

Vote for the recipe you want to see next Thursday! This week will be Asparagus Ribbon Pizza.

Chicken Souvlaki

For those of you who follow me on twitter or facebook, you'll know that my husband and I are trying to buy a house (finally.) This adventure has taken up A LOT of my time lately. Especially since the house we're trying to buy is 30 miles from where we currently live (I think it will make a cute home with a little work). Every time we go look at houses for sale, property or meet with the realtor, it means an extra hour and a half of travel time for me. (We're looking there as that's where hubby's job is located, so I really shouldn't complain as he makes the commute every day!) Thus I haven't had a lot of extra time, and when I do it is typically me looking at real estate online... it gets very addicting! Today we're waiting for the response to our counter-counter offer. Wednesday I cleaned a lot while waiting for the counter offer, but today I have a horrid head cold so I'm a lot more relaxed! Or just too fuzzy headed and light headed to care.

All of this has absolutely nothing to do with Chicken Souvlaki... however, something that does: The first time I ever had Chicken Souvlaki was in Kensington, Maryland. A wonderful little shop called Continental Pizza (but they make amazing sandwiches). I fell in love with these flavors right then and there. Almost 8 years later I can still almost taste the deliciousness that I ate there. How I want to go back and eat one more of their sandwiches! Any of you in the MD area, eat one for me - k? For now I'm stuck making them myself.

Chicken Souvlaki

First, you'll need a lemon... and a zester,

or a cheese grater, it works great as well.

You'll need the zest from that lemon,

as well as the juice.

and two tablespoons olive oil.

You'll also need 3 cloves garlic,

minced.

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper,

1-1/2 tsp oregano

 

1 tsp mint

 

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp basil

  1/2 tsp marjoram,

and 1/2 tsp minced onion. Toss them all in together and mix until combined.

 You'll also need chicken - cut into bite sized pieces.

 Toss the chicken into the herb mixture.

 Next, you'll need a hot pan with 1-2 Tbsp oil in it.

 Toss in the chicken,

 Cook until done (Poultry needs to read 160 - I usually place some of the larger pieces on the thermometer to see what it reads.)

 To assemble: you'll need a pita, or flatbread, and tzatziki sauce (recipe coming a bit later today or tomorrow.)

 Top with chicken,

 Feta,

 Veggies:

tomato, bell peppers, mushrooms and lettuce are my choices.

Fold in half and devour immediately.

Enjoy!
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