If you bring it, I will cook...

My husband really knows the way to my heart. Today he came home from work with a basket of fresh strawberries from the local farm he passes to and from work. 

So of course I had to make something for dessert..

But first...... DINNER!

Note: When I cook, I tend to not use measurements. I will try to get as close as possible to an actual amount, but everything can be changed to suit your tastes.

Baked Balsamic Herb Chicken with Baby Potatoes 

and Asparagus with Garlic Lemon Aioli

Toss in a large bowl:

Fresh Thyme chopped

Fresh Rosemary chopped

Fresh Chives chopped

Fresh Parsley chopped

Fresh Garlic, chopped (not too small or it will burn)

Add: 4 tablespoons olive oil

and 4-5 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar.

a pinch of salt

pinch of freshly ground pepper

Next Add:

3-4 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts

12-20 Baby Potatoes (enough to fill the rest of your baking dish)

Toss all ingredients together and transfer to baking dish.

Top each chicken breast with slices of fresh lemon

Bake at 400 degrees for aprox. 30-45 mins (until chicken is cooked and potatoes are browned)

When done, remove from oven. Transfer chicken to a plate. 

With potatoes in the same baking dish begin to slowly mash/chop them. Not too much, just enough that the fluffy insides can soak up all the herb/garlic/balsamic juices. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with Steamed Asparagus 

with Aioli:

Lemon Zest and juice from one lemon

Fresh chopped Chives and Parsley

freshly minced garlic

1/3 cup mayo

Stir together and drizzle over asparagus.

For Dessert: 

Fresh Strawberry Tart

Begin by making a graham cracker crust.

1pk Graham Crackers (crumbs)

5 tablespoons sugar

3-5 tablespoons butter

combine until a damp sandy texture

Press into a springform pan and bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 mins or until golden brown

Next for the filling:

I cheated and used Jello French Vanilla pudding mix.

I used a little bit less milk than the recipe called for and added pure Vanilla extract.

Top with Fresh Strawberries and a drizzle of Nutella.

YUM!

Clipping coupons and cooking great food are my two most favorite hobbies.
So with the suggestion of friends, I have created this blog. I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing. But I'm trying it out.

Yesterday I made soft pretzels. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg

Instructions

1. Combine the warm water, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Add the flour and butter and using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl. Remove the dough from the bowl, and place the dough in a glass bowl oiled with vegetable oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
2. Divide the dough into 16 pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 12 inch rope. Using a sharp knife, cut rope into 1 inch pieces.
   
   
   NEXT!
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Using a large sauce pan, fill with water. Bring the water to a boil and add the baking soda.
3. Place the pretzels into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Place pretzels on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silpat mat.
4. Beat one large egg. Brush the top of each pretzel bite with the beaten egg. I sprinkled half of mine with course sea salt, and left the other half plain. 
5. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 6-8 minutes.