Green Rice Pilaf

Sounds yummy -- from Today Show

Herbs star in Bittman’s flavorful dishes

Cherry French Toast Casserole

Found this recipe on Hot Coupon World posted by by Queenofthehivemomof5.  Can't wait to try it - looks and sounds yummy.  And great timing - cherries are in season.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 1 Hour & 15 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 12 slices of day old bread 
• 16 oz. of cream cheese (two 8 oz. packages)
• 1 cup of thawed frozen sweet cherries
• 12 eggs
• 2 cups of milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Sugar to sprinkle on top (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut bread into cubes. Place half of the bread cubes in a buttered 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish.
2. Cut the cream cheese into 1 inch cubes and layer on top of bread cubes in dish.
3. Top with thawed cherries (and juice) and then remaining bread cubes.
4. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla extract till completely combined.
5. Pour egg mixture over bread mixture.
6. Press bread down into the liquid to make sure everything gets absorbed.
7. Cover pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking. Preheat oven to 350° F.
8. Bake casserole, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle top with granulated sugar and bake until top is golden brown and mixture is set in the center, about 25-30 minutes.

Serve with syrup if desired along with bacon or sausage, coffee or juice.

You can substitute other fruits for the cherries as well as use fresh instead of frozen fruit.

Thanks Queen of the Hive!

True Lemon Babaganoush

True Lemon Babaganoush




Ingredients


4 large eggplants – whole
5 packets True Lemon
4 tablespoons tahini
3 cloves garlic – peeled
½ teaspoon salt
parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Don’t peel the eggplants or chop the stems. Pierce each side of the eggplants with a fork. Place in the oven and roast for about 45 minutes turning them over 2 or 3 times. The eggplants are done when the outer shell is blackened or charred, and the inside is soft.
2. Let cool a little. Cut the eggplants open lengthwise and scoop out the pulp. Put the pulp in a mixing bowl and mash it into a puree with a fork or blender. Throw out the skin.
3. Using mortar and pestle, crush the peeled garlic with the salt into a smooth paste.
4. Add the True Lemon and the tahini alternately to the garlic mix, blending well.
5. Add the tahini mixture to the eggplant puree and beat gently but thoroughly until the babaganoush has a smooth consistency.
6. Pour onto a serving dish or platter.  Just before serving, garnish the baba ganoush with chopped parsley or parsley leaves. Serve chilled or at room temperature with olive oil, pita and radishes.

Adapted from Mediterranean Food Recipes.com

Ebates

Another check coming my way - small it may be - but the overall savings in a year is what counts. If you order online from any of the over 1,200 stores represented by Ebates then you might want to give this a try.

Don't say I don't have time because there is no time needed.  Sign up takes maybe 30 seconds. Next time when you are making an online purchase, instead of typing in the store name in your Google search, jump on over to Ebates and type the name in search and then click on the store link to enter the store site - order as usual and checkout.  That is all.  Commission from that purchase will automatically go in to your Ebates account and you will be mailed a check quarterly.  Don't forget to search the internet for coupon codes and free shipping codes for additional savings on your store site.

Ebates + Store Sale + Coupon Code = Great Savings (3 ways to save on one shopping trip)

PROSCIUTTO TOASTIES

Yummy.  A neighbor shared this recipe and it is delicious.  A big hit, not complicated and looks very nice.

1 loaf VERY THIN SLICED Pepperidge Farm sandwich bread
3/4 cup unsalted butter (11/2 sticks) -- softened
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons snipped chives or green onion tops
1 teaspoon snipped thyme leaves, or 1/8 teaspoon dried
6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto - Citterio fresco brand (Harris Teeter or Costco)

• Cut crusts of bread; reserve for another use.
• Combine butter and herbs.
• Spread butter mixture on 1 side of each slice of bread.
• Top with a single layer of prosciutto cut to fit; roll into a tight cylinder on the diagonal starting at one corner; secure with a wooden toothpick.
• Place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• After completing all the roll ups, spread remaining butter mixture on tops. (May be made ahead to this point and refrigerated, covered, several hours or overnight.)
• Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until nicely browned, 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Twist and remove toothpicks to serve warm or at room temperature.

NOTE: Separate Citterio slices and leave on separator paper; trim fat with scissors and cut in half crosswise to fit bread.

Serving Size:  24 pieces

Cash Back With Ebates and Big Crumbs

Shame on me for not posting in a while due to lack of time but these FREE savings programs deserve attention.  I just received my first check from Ebates and thought it was time to share the cash back savings with friends.


The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping and even CNN have discussed these savings programs so I thought it was time to give it a try.


I have known about programs like Ebates and Big Crumbs for a while and resisted -- thinking it would be a hassle but that is just not so. It only takes 15 seconds to sign up for the FREE programs such as these and seconds to search for a retailer.  The good thing is they don't want or need your personal information. This is not a gimmick, there are no points to redeem or rebate forms to fill out.  Just provide them with your email address as well as your mailing address in order for them to mail your check.


I got excited when I received my first check two days ago for $19.07. Not only did I save money with the cash back, I was also able to use coupons that I searched for on line at Retailmenot and also did a search for free shipping codes. I used a 20% off code on L.L. Bean and saved $35, got free shipping and earned $3.58 cash back into my Ebates account.


If you order items on-line or even airline tickets and are interested in keeping money in your pocket, then you really will be excited to use these programs.  I have mainly used Ebates and when Ebates does not represent my retailer of choice I go over to Big Crumbs.


How does a program like this work...


Sites such as Ebates and Big Crumbs provides its members with access to shopping at its featured retailers' websites via links to the retailer.  When the retail link is clicked, you are transferred to the chosen retail website.  The retailers, then pay a referral commission to either Big Crumbs or Ebates and they in turn pay members. Give it a try before your next on-line purchase...

• Go to Ebates and sign up
• Search your preferred retailer
• Click on the link and you are taken to retail site of choice
• Place your order and your account will be credited on Ebates

Get your family involved - I have also shared my password with my daughter and husband so that they can run their purchases through my account. I order a good bit from Ebay and if you do, make sure that you go through Ebates to make your bid offer and later back to Ebates for your final payment if you win the bid. It may sound time consuming but it really is just a matter of clicking on a link to get to your desired site. You will be surprised at how easy it works.


For extra earnings, check out the cash back referral program on each site and share with your friends via email,  facebook and twitter.  If you use one of my links here for Ebates you get a $5 sign up bonus and I will also get a $5 referral from Ebates. Big Crumbs offers a commission every time a referral makes a purchase.


Note:  You can shop at over 1000 stores including eBay, JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, Walmart, Kohl's and Home Depot. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales!  There are some really exciting deals going on between now and the end of the year.


I hope you give these programs a try.  Once you make your first order and start seeing your cash back add up, you will be forever hooked. It is time for all of us to become "smart shoppers."  Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

The 20 New Worst Foods in America | Eat This, Not That

The 20 New Worst Foods in America | Eat This, Not That

Chicken Divan

6 boneless chicken breasts

1 T. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
2 med. heads of broccoli, cut into flowerets
(can use large frozen broccoli instead)
2 10oz. cans cream of chicken (can use cream of mushroom)
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 c. low fat Hellman's mayonnaise
1 c. grated sharp cheese

• Cook chicken in crock pot or water
• Cook the broccoli until done, but firm
• Combine soup, milk and lemon juice
• Layer chicken, then broccoli in a casserole dish.  (for double recipe,
• layer in 9 X 13 casserole)
• Pour sauce over the top
• Sprinkle grated cheese on top
• Bake for 30-45 minutes or until heated throughout

1 recipe serves 6; double serves 12.  Leftovers freeze extremely well.

Thanks Rita for the recipe - will try this week.