Figs and Pudding Summer Cake

I am a fan of using what I have on hand to create new recipes. I did just that for a BBQ. I had a few packages of Fig Newtons so I came up with a dessert,

Lay fig newtons at the bottom of a 13x9 pan.

Make 1 package of vanilla pudding and pour over the figs. Then mix together 8 oz Lite Cool Whip, 8 oz low fat cream cheese, 1 tbs vanilla, 1/4 cup Splenda. Pour over vanilla pudding. 

Cover and refrigerate a couple of hours until set. I made this late the night before. A couple of hours will do just fine. It's good as is, or you can cut up fruit and decorate. 

Road Trip Chicken Salad

I made this a few weeks ago for my road trip to Atlanta. It was yummy! I grilled 2 chicken breasts instead of using canned chicken. I get funny about meat out of a can and prefer the real thing instead.  ;)

Road Trip Chicken Salad


Start by cubing 2 grilled chicken breasts and chopping 1 small onion. In a large bowl, mix with 1/4 cup low fat Marzetti cole slaw dressing, 1/2 cup lite Hellman's mayo, 2 tbs mustard, 1 tbs honey, 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries, 1/4 cup chopped almonds.

I wrapped them in whole wheat tortillas. Super easy to make and delicious.

Clatite din Cafea

I love Clatite (Romanian crepes). They are super yummy combined with fond memories of Bunica (grandmother) teaching me how to make them. They're not too terribly difficult to make.  I also love coffee. I buy my coffee from Laughing Man. And since I do love to experiment in the kitchen, I decided to combine two of my favorite things.  Introducing Clatite din Cafea.

Clatite din Cafea

3 eggs

1/4 cup sugar

2 tbs vanilla

2 cups flour

2 cups Laughing Man Java Reserve

1 cup skim milk

Whisk eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Add the 2 cups coffee and flour followed by milk. You want the consistency to be smooth and soupy, not as thick as pancake batter. 

Spray a round skillet with PAM and heat over medium for a minute. Using a ladle, pour the batter so it thinly covers the bottom. It takes about a minute or two for each side to cook.  Flip when you can easily move the clatite by moving the skillet.  Repeat until the batter is gone. 

Add your favorite jam or preserves, even cream cheese with cinnamon and roll. Some people eat these with a fork. Romanians eat them with their fingers. Enjoy!

Raspberry Sheet Cake Goodness

It's time for yet another office birthday, plus we had a new employee start this week. I usually bake for both. This time around, I made a Raspberry Sheet Cake. I knew it was good when the birthday came to my office and stated, "This cake is amazing!" God Bless him! Comments like that will keep me baking.

Raspberry Sheet Cake
1 box white cake mix
Sub 1/4 cup applesauce for oil
Sub skim milk for water
1 box raspberry jello
1/4 cup raspberry jam (I made this from scratch a week ago, but you can use store-bought)

So I do things a little differently. I beat the eggs first and then add the milk, applesauce, and raspberry jam. You want it nice and frothy because the cake will be fluffier. Add the cake mix and raspberry jello powder. Then follow the baking instructions on the box.

It's super easy and oh so yummy. The applesauce sub makes it healthier. I use milk instead of water because it adds calcium and it makes it taste richer. Water doesn't add any nutritional value.  Enjoy!

Moscato Sweet Chicken and Green Beans

I was playing in the kitchen while drinking a glass of wine when I got inspired. I made a chicken and rice concoction and green beans. I like to be creative and cook with my heart instead of always following a recipe, and that's what I did when I made this. I followed a whim. And I just so happened to be enjoying a glass of Moscato.

Moscato Sweet Chicken
I sautéed a small onion with 5 garlic cloves in EVOO in an oven friendly pan. I removed the onions and garlic once the onions were translucent. Then I slightly browned 4-6 chicken breasts in that same pan.

Mix 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth, 1/4 Moscato, and 2 Tbs dijon mustard. Add it to chicken along with 1/2 cup brown rice. Cover and cook in the oven at 325 for 1 hour, uncovered for the last 10 minutes. Serve with the garlic and sautéed onions on top of te chicken and rice.

Sweet Green Beans
Sauté 1 small onions and 4 garlic gloves in 2 TBS EVOO. Add 1lb fresh green beans and sauté for 5 min. Add 1/4 cup Moscato and simmer for another 5 min.

These dishes don't require salt. I didn't think it was needed, but you are welcome to add to taste.

Singleton Summer Salad

I am taking a much needed break from writing my final paper to nourish my body. One of the things I hear singletons (i.e. people who live by themselves) say is that it's hard to cook for just one person, much less eat healthy. I totally get that. I'm guilty of it. But here is delicious summer salad that takes all of 5 minutes to make for one person.

Singleton Summer Salad 


1 small tomato
1 small onion
1/2 cucumber
1 tsp rock salt

All you do is slice the tomato and cucumber, chop the onion and add salt. You don't need to add anything else. The juices from the tomato and cucumber are good on their own. I'm going to sprinkle feta on my salad, but that's optional.

You can aslo add red, green, or yellow bell peppers to this. I've done that. For added calories, you can double and add 1 tsp of rice vinegar and 1/2 tsp EVOO.

Bofta Buna!

Bacon Jam Makes Everyone Happy

I am baking and creating all the time. I just forget to get on here and post. I do post all pictures of food on Instagram. My screen name is andreea_c if you want to follow.  

So this year, I'm making Easter dinner early for me and someone special. Bacon is a favorite so I couldn't help but indulge and make bacon jam. A friend at work made it for the office and shared the recipe. I have  of course tweaked it.  The recipe comes from the lovely Martha Stewart. It's her Slow Cooker Bacon Jam with my alterations.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

2 medium yellow onions, diced small

3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup light maple syrup

3/4 cup brewed Laughing Man Coffee

1 cubed pair

Brown the bacon bacon over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, pair, and coffee and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up browned bits from skillet with a wooden spoon. Add bacon and stir to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, until liquid is syrupy for about 3 1/2 hours. Transfer to a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Cool and then refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 weeks.

So here’s the secret. I use Laughing Man Coffee. I’m rather particular about my coffee. Laughing man has an assortment of amazing coffee. I’ve had Dukale’s Dream, Espresso, 184, and currently drinking Java Reserve. Laughing Man’s motto is “All Be Happy.” Out of pure joy and love for the motto, I gave them a try and instantly loved them. It also helps that they donate their proceeds to charity. So with every cup of coffee you drink, you’re actually doing a good deed. How awesome is that. So when I make bacon jam, I used laughing man so everyone can enjoy a good deed.