Monday, July 13, 2015

Deep Fried Artichoke and Rice Croquettes



My friend Lori and her daughter absolutely love these little croquettes.  So whenever they plan to visit I make sure they are on the menu!  Serve them as delicious little "pop in your mouth" appetizers or as a main course for lunch or dinner.  A wonderful light and crispy panko coating surrounds an artichoke and rice mixture. Break them open to reveal a melting cheesy center. Yum!

Deep Fried Artichoke and Rice Croquettes

1 (14.75 oz.) jar CARA MIA Artichoke Hearts in Water, drained and diced (or use their marinated hearts)
1 cup uncooked rice
½ cup dry bread crumbs
½ onion diced fine
4 ounces Gruyere or Fontina cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
























Coating 

¼ cup Flour
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup Panko
Vegetable Oil for Deep Frying

Prepare rice by combining 1 cup rice with 2 cups of water. set aside to slightly cool.

In a large bowl add the rice, artichokes, breadcrumbs, onion, salt and pepper and parsley, cheese and egg. Mix until all ingredients are combined. 

Dampen your hands and shape mixture into balls and set aside.  
Beat the egg in shallow bowl and set aside. In two similar sized bowls make a dredging station by filling one bowl with flour and the other with Panko.
























Heat oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees. Roll the rice balls in flour then egg and then panko. Next, using a spoon gently place balls in hot oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Do not crowd.  You may have to fry in batches. Place on paper towels to remove excess oil. 
























Photography is the property of and Copyrighted to ©Welcome Home.


Cara Mia Marinated Artichoke Hearts can be found at select grocery stores nationwide either in the produce section or the canned vegetable aisle and online at http://shop.starfinefoods.com/Cara-Mia-Artichokes/c/Star@Artichokes.

Star Fine Foods now has a promo code for all Welcome Home fans that will give you a 10% discount on anything you order online. Just enter WELCOMEHOME10 at checkout!


Disclaimer: I have an ongoing relationship with STAR Fine Foods for my recipes and photography using their wonderful products. This post is sponsored by STAR. I am compensated for my time and work and I am sent products as I request them. However, all opinions of the product stated in this post are 100% my own. I truly love their products!
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Friday, July 10, 2015

Southern Orange Buttermilk Cake


Just imagine how wonderful this orange cake smells when it is baking in the oven.  And it tastes even better!  Truly an old southern recipe from my Mom's collection.
Southern Orange Buttermilk Cake
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoons orange zest

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until well blended.

In a another large bowl, combine the flour and baking soda. Begin adding your dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter and sugar mixture a little at a time mixing after each until smooth.  Finally, stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
Spray the inside of a 10- or 12-cup very well making sure not to miss any spots. Pour in the batter and set the pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cake in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Glaze
1-1/2 cups confectioners sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
Whisk together the confectioners sugar and orange juice in a small bowl. Add more orange juice, a few drops at a time, if needed to make the icing pourable. When the icing is smooth, drizzle all of it over cooled cake.














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Raspberry Peach Pound Cake

























I love this recipe for my Mom's pound cake and she loved it too. I've made this with fresh or frozen peaches. And I always add that little hint of another berry to add to the color and the flavor. You can make it with strawberries, raspberries and even blueberries to go along with the peaches and all of them were delicious. Just remember if you decide to use frozen fruit, don't allow it to thaw first. Just chop it up and add it to your batter frozen. I made this for you this past weekend....hope you like it!

 Raspberry Peach Pound Cake

2 ¼ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 ½ sticks butter, diced, at room temperature
1 cup peaches, chopped
1 cup raspberries, washed and chopped fine. If using frozen, do not thaw first.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Then line with parchment paper leaving excess paper over each side to be able to use as handles for lifting cake out later.

Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together. With a mixer, blend the eggs, butter and sugar and then mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Then fold the diced peaches and chopped berries into the batter and pour into pan. Bake for 1-1¼ hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Transfer to a cake rack to cool and then life cake with parchment paper handles and allow to cool completely before adding icing or drizzle.


















Drizzle

4 tablespoons butter
2 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Melt butter in a saucepan or microwave. Sift 2 cups of powdered sugar into a medium size bowl. Add the melted butter to the powdered sugar. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and beat until smooth and creamy with a hand mixer. Add a little more cream if you need to. Stir in vanilla and then drizzle over cooled cake.

Photograph is copyrighted and the property of ©Welcome Home.

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Saturday, July 04, 2015

No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls




Years ago I used to make these  energy balls or fiber balls and they were a pretty good snack. The recipe would call for just peanut butter and oats and a little bit of honey. Not really a dessert but a great snack between meals and for that protein boost.  Then one day I discovered I could make them even better with some sweetened shredded coconut mixed in, They were really good. But something was always missing. So one day, I decided to add in some mini chocolate chips and I said, "Now we're talkin."  Finally, last  weekend, I went one step beyond incredible when I added some mini M & M's! Now I have the recipe just like I want it! Perfect! 

No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls 

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup dry milk (powdered milk)
1/2 cup creamy Peanut Butter ( or chunky if you like nuts)
1/2 cup Honey
2-3 tablespoons Mini Chocolate Chips
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 tablespoons of mini plain M & M's
1/4 cup shredded coconut or coconuts flakes
Dash of sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix until everything is mixed together very well. Using about one heaping tablespoon of the mixture, roll into small balls about the size of a ping pong ball. 


























 If dough is too moist to roll, add more dry milk. If it is too dry, add more peanut butter or honey. Store in the refrigerator in a air tight container. Makes about 18-20 balls.






















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Thursday, July 02, 2015

Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans and Balsamic Glaze























I love this salad!   Such an intense sweet and tangy flavor from the creamy balsamic dressing that goes  perfectly with the ripe strawberries and sweet crunchy pecans!  Did I mention I love this salad?

Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans and Balsamic Glaze

2-3 cups mixed greens (I like arugula and baby spinach)
1 pint strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup candied pecans, chopped  (see recipe below)
1/4 cup red grapes, sliced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts   

Candied Pecans


1 cup pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

In a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, add 1 pecans, sugar and butter.
Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  When the sugar mixture starts melting, stir constantly until all sugar is melted and nuts are coated. Transfer immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper and separate the nuts right away. Using two forks works best to get them a part.  Work quickly or they will be a mess. Once the coating hardens (5-7 minutes), you can transfer them to a bowl and enjoy!  Eat as a snack or chop them for a salad topping or dessert topping.  Store in air tight container.


Make the Balsamic Glaze

1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons of honey

In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring the glaze to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking regularly, until glaze thickens and becomes syrupy, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let glaze cool completely before using it to top the salad.


























Make the Salad

Chill two salad plates in the freezer while mixing salad.  

Rinse mixed greens, spin dry and add to a large bowl. In a large salad bowl, drizzle some of the balsamic down the sides of the bowl. Add in greens and strawberries; toss gently.  

Sprinkle in pecans and toss again. Finally add sliced grapes, cranberries, pine nuts and cheese. Remove salad plates from freezer and plate with lettuce mixture. Sprinkle on more pecans and drizzle with more glaze. 


Serve immediately.

























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Wednesday, July 01, 2015

THE JULY ISSUE IS HERE!

























Yum is right!  These are my famous Magic Bars.  Well famous to all my friends and family that is. I can put out a plate of these at any given time and they will be gone within 5 minutes!  You can find the recipe in the 
new July issue of the Welcome Home online Magazine that just came out this morning. For those of you who have already subscribed, you can access the new July issue now.  It is waiting for your viewing pleasure! There is also important information about renewing your subscription this year....you need to go check that out. 

For those of you who are new and have not subscribed yet....let me tell you about what you're missing. 
























The Welcome Home Online Cooking Magazine is the perfect choice for those true followers of Welcome Home. If you love my home cooking then you definitely want to subscribe to my Online Cooking Magazine.  When you subscribe you will have instant access to over 400 exclusive recipes for members only. Recipes you won't find anywhere else.  There is page after page of big beautiful color photos.... many with photographed step by step instructions. And each month, for the next 12 months, you get to see another 25-30 more.  

This month is is loaded with recipes you won't find here or any place else. It's Barbecue Month and you'll find recipes for your summer cookouts and picnics and family gatherings. Like My Mom's Classic Summer Potato salad, homemade Brown Sugar baked beans, a wonderful Creamy Pasta Salad, Juicy Steaks and Grilled Chicken, Shrimp Kabobs, my Amazing Chocolate Pudding Cookie Cups and a low sugar Strawberry Cream Pie that will tempt you to sit down and eat the whole thing!  Plus, it's loaded with kitchen tips to make your life easier! 
























 What would you pay for a Welcome Home cookbook with that many recipes?  How about only $24.00 for 400 never before seen recipes with full color photographs and the promise of another 350-400 to come over the next 12 months?   Would you pay that small amount?  Recipes you can print out and make your own cookbook?  Recipes you can view on your computer, tablet, Kindle or phone. 
Would you pay only $24 if you knew that by subscribing you are helping me save lives? 

You help me feed and clothe the hungry and those less fortunate that have no place to go. My goal is to show them we care. They need to know they are not alone and they are loved. You help me save the lives of dogs and cats that are killed in shelters. Over 6 millions dogs and cats are killed every year because no one gets there in time. My goal is to get them out of kill shelters and into temporary homes that can take care of them until someone comes along to give them a forever home. I personally buy them food, vitamins, toys, and bedding. I prepay for veterinary services and do whatever I can to help them while they wait. 

The value is there my friends. So what are you waiting for? Click here to subscribe to the Welcome Home Blog. I promise you won't regret that decision.


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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

IT'S TIME TO RENEW YOUR WELCOME HOME MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION






















For all subscribers to the Welcome Home Online Magazine:  It's time to renew.


The Welcome Home Online Blog Magazine began on August 1st, 2014. Your one year subscription for the 12 issues will end on July 30th of this year. Many of you are asking if the magazine will continue this year and how will the renewal process work. 

The answer is yes.  The magazine will continue for another 12 months and nothing will change once you renew your subscription.  This is how the renewal process will work: 

1. If you are paid for a subscription in the last year, it means you are a subscriber.  You paid your $24 subscription for 12 issues.  The first issue came out on August 1, 2014 and this is the last of 12 issues.  Even if you subscribed to the magazine later than August of 2014, you have had access to 12 issues regardless of when you began your subscription. So in essence you paid for 12 issues and you received 12 issues and about 350 recipes. 


2. However,  you will now need to renew your subscription if you want to continue seeing the Online Magazine and the next 12 issues to come.  The subscription price will be the same at only $2 an issue or $24 a year (12 issues). 

NOTE:  There is an exception: If you subscribed to the Welcome Home magazine in the last 30 days....from June 1st, 2015 through June 30th 2015, you do not need to renew. Sit back and enjoy. Your subscription is paid for through July of next year.

Here is the link for renewing your subscription.  That will take you to the blog.  Next click on the Magazine tab at the top.  Then Scroll to the bottom portion of the page and you will see Subscription Renewal. Simply click on the button that says BUY From 2CO.  Then type in your credit card information and other required information and you are all set.  



http://www.welcome-home-blog.net/p/my-store.html




3. You will be able to use your credit card to pay for your new subscription. For those of you who paid by check the first time, you will be able to pay the same way this time and you need to contact me for details by messaging me. There will not be an easy pay system set up this time so the full $24 subscription price will be set to be paid at the time of renewal. 

4. You will have from now through July 28th to get your $24 renewal paid. If you pay at anytime in July, we will get notification and will lock in another 12 issues for you. Nothing will change at all. You will continue to have access to the magazine exactly the same way as you have it now. On August 1st, 2015 you will see the new issue and you will continue to get a new issue each month for the next 12 months. That is what your $24 pays for....future issues. You will also continue to be a member of the Welcome Home Magazine Fan Club group.  Again, here is the link to renew:


http://www.welcome-home-blog.net/p/my-store.html

5. Some of you received complimentary subscriptions from   anonymous friends who wanted to help others get the magazine.  They only asked that you please pay it forward as your way of saying thank you for that free subscription.  I cannot promise those same friends will offer additional free subscriptions this time but if you would like to be placed on a pay it forward list, please email me at:  welcomehomefriendsLLC@gmail.com and we will make sure your name is there for any donated subscriptions that come in. 

If  You do Not Renew in July: 

6.  If you choose not to renew your subscription prior to midnight on July 28th, you will lose access to the magazine and the fan club group. The link you currently have will expire on July 30th at midnight.  From that point on you will get a message that says ACCESS DENIED when you  attempt to use your key link address. It will remain inaccessible until you pay the subscription cost of $24. 

7.  If you have no plans of renewing your subscription in July and choose not see the 12 new upcoming issues through July of 2016,  now is the time to make sure you print out the recipes you want to keep. Remember, if you choose not to pay the $24 subscription price in July, you will no longer have access to the magazine nor will you be able to see future recipes to come. So if you would like to save any of the past posts then you should print them out. 

You paid for the last 12 issues or 350+ posts. You are free to print out what you paid for. However, if you do not renew the subscription, you will no longer have access to any of the past recipes posted or new recipes to come as of August 1st. 

This might seem more complicated than you think, but it's very simple. Renew your subscription in between now and July 28th and nothing changes. If you have any questions please feel free to message me or email me at welcomehomefriendsLLC@gmail.com

Click here to renew your subscription now:   


http://www.welcome-home-blog.net/p/my-store.html
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Thursday, June 25, 2015

♥ Tomato Sandwich



 It's sandwich day here at Welcome Home and in my opinion there is no better sandwich than a big ol' juicy tomato Sammich!  I took this one last summer and can't wait for that first one of the season this year!















 

 

 

I can't wait to pick my first this year!  I like mine on fresh white bread with Hellman's mayo and a little salt and pepper. How do you like yours?




















Tomato:  Big and juicy!  Bread:  must be super fresh! Mayo: Hellman's or Dukes and a touch of salt and pepper!  The perfect sandwich!  Sometimes I do toast but most of the time, it's fresh white bread.  Period.









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