The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

15
May 2012

Buffalo Chicken Spinach Salad

I don’t know about you, but with 3 carnivorous, fried food, pizza craving, greasy cheeseburger demanding boys in the house, it can be hard for me to get a healthy meal in lately. So I have been trying to take some “guy” favorite foods and lightening them up to where not only will I enjoy them; but, I won’t feel guilty about serving it to my crew. When one thinks of guy food, beer, chips and dip come to mind, burgers and fries and the such. I have blogged up some of those in a lighter fare way. Here are a few to check out:

Veggie Fries, Everything Bagel Burger, and Game day Snacks. All manly food approved!

I think that this salad has to be one of my favorites. It has quite the spicy kick to it! If you want to take it down a notch you can use a bit less Cayenne. I used fat free Blue Cheese, but by all means use the good stuff. ( hint: it really does taste better than the fat free stuff)

Buffalo Chicken Spinach Salad

Recipe type: main dish

Author: The Plaid and paisley Kitchen

Ingredients

2-3 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 bunch spinach leaves
1/2 cup baby carrots diced
1/2 cup diced celery
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste I used about 1 tsp
3 tbs hot sauce
1 tbs butter

Instructions

cut the chicken breasts into strips as shown in the photos to make like a chicken finger shape
season the strips with the salt pepper and cayenne
in hot skillet with fat free cooking spray cook the strips approx 6 min till all the pink is gone and the juices run clear
add the butter and hot sauce and cook till melted and all chicken in coated
plate the spinach and celery and carrots
place the spicy chicken on top and serve with blue cheese dressing!

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Comments: 2

8
May 2012

Categories: Cupcakes, Desserts

Neapolitan Cupcakes

One of the great summer delights I remember as a child was when you would hear the music wafting across the breeze from a block or two away, you know that you have only a few precious moments before that music arrives and then moves on. Yes I am talking about the one and only mobile frozen treat chariot…. The Ice Cream Man!!!

The Ice Cream Man would offer a great diversion from the heat, when jumping through the sprinkler has lost its charm, and your friends all had to go home for one reason or another and you had no one to ride bikes with, when mom said get back outside every time you tried to sneak in, there would be the rescue of the Ice Cream Man. Among those treats were bomb pops, orangecicles, drumsticks and my favorite the Neapolitan Ice Cream Bar. Wonderful yummy stripes of Chocolate, Vanilla, and the most irresistible flavor… STRAWBERRY!

As an adult I still enjoy the simple pleasures of a good little treat that can transport you to a simpler time. When I came across this recipe I was like a little girl all over again. I was like ” I have to make this! I have to make this!” The recipe called for melted ice cream and all sorts of odd and way too detailed of instructions so I made my own recipe that was much simpler and just as yummy!!!

Neapolitan Cupcakes

5.0 from 1 reviews

Recipe type: Dessert

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Ingredients

For the cupcakes
1 box of vanilla cake mix
1 tbs dutch cocoa
1 once melted chocolate chips (I used mini and then sprinkled some on top)
1/4 cup strawberry jam
for the frosting
4 oz cream cheese room temp
1/3 cup butter room temp
2 tsp vanilla
6 cups powdered sugar
4-6 tbs milk
red food coloring

Instructions

For the Cupcakes
make the cake mix according to directions on the box
in 3 separate bowls dived the batter equally
leave one bowl vanilla
in the second bowl mix the chocolates
in the third bowl mix the jam
in 24 cupcake liners layer the three batters evenly (approx 1 tbs of each flavor in each liner)
(I suggest doing the chocolate on the bottom layer)
bake at 350 for 15 min cool completely before you frost
For the Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter till creamy
add the vanilla mix
add the powdered sugar and 1 tbs of milk at a time till desired consistency is achieved
split the batch of frosting in half
leave the first half white
the second half tint pink with red food coloring (go easy you can always add but never take away, you want this light pink)
in a piping bag layer each frosting side by side and pipe on the cupcakes to get the striped effect
sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and top with a cherry

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You can find me at these Great Linky Parties! Please Check them out there is some great stuff here!

http://www.chef-in-training.com/tuesday-talent-show-35/

http://33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com/2012/05/tasty-tuesdays-spinach-tart.html

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/05/whats-in-gunny-sack-link-party-36.html#more

http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2012/05/bedazzle-me-monday-31.html

http://cookingwithkaryn.blogspot.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-brownie-pie.html

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/05/makin-you-crave-monday.html

Comments: 5

7
May 2012

Categories: Main Dishes, World Tour

Hawaiian Delight

After 2 months of Dr. Office Nightmares I am BACK!!!! I think that I am on the mend! I have missed my lovely foodie friends in foodie cyberspace! I have my appetite back and I am ready to roll out some yummy treats for you all!!

This is a super easy meal and it makes me so happy to eat it! Just think of cool Hawaiian breezes off the ocean, hot sun bronzing your skin, the aroma of sweet hibiscus and tropical flowers, the sounds of the birds chirpping the canopy……. Ahhhh now you need a cool and refreshing Tiki Punch!

Dinner is served Luau Style!! This Sweet Dish is best served over my Spicy Coconut Rice! Aloha everyone!

Hawaiian Delight

Recipe type: Main

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Ingredients

1 tbs soy sauce
1/2 tbs sesame oil
reserved pineapple juice
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
1 lb keilbasa cubed
1 fresh pineapple cubed/ reserve juice
1 recipe coconut Rice

Instructions

In a sauce pan combine first 6 ingredients and bring to just a boil then remove from heat
In a skillet over medium high heat sear the sausage and pineapple until just turning brown
pour sauce over the meat and fruit cook thru for 5 min
serve over Coconut Rice!
ALOHA!

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Comments: 3

26
March 2012

Categories: Cupcakes, Desserts, holidays

Mini Easter Whoopie Pies

Like I said, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE Spring!!! I love all the colors, all the flowers, the green green grass and the longer days and warmer nights! I wanted to have a fun little dessert to serve with my Pot Roast with Spring Vegetables. I thought that this would do the trick! Whoopie Pies seem to be all the rage in the foodie world lately so I thought I would throw a little quick fun one out there. This uses a box cake…. I know I know….. I make 99% of my cakes and cupcakes from scratch, so throwing in a box mix from time to time won’t kill anyone. They have come a long way!!!

These are easy and really not that time consuming. They taste great and teenage boys gobble them right up, even though I used such “girly” colors…….

Mini Easter Whoopie Pies

Recipe type: Dessert

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix
2 sticks butter room temp
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tbs vanilla
4-5 tbs milk
3-5 assorted food colorings

Instructions

Make box mix according to directions
in as many bowls as you are going to make colors divide batter evenly
mix in food coloring
pour 1 tbs of colored batter into mini muffin pans
bake at 350 for 11 min
for the frosting
beat the butter and sugar and slowly pour in the vanilla and milk til desired piping consistency
when cupcakes are COMPLETELY cooled
cut off the top of the cakes
pipe or spread the frosting on one top and cover with a second making little sandwiches

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Comments: 4

25
March 2012

Categories: Main Dishes, Red Meat

Pot Roast with Spring Vegetables

As you can see I still have not quite mastered the art of picnik so I guess I should just move on to picmonkey now that we are losing our favorite photo editing website! sniff sniff….. stupid google! As you all know things around this house have been a little turned upside down lately, so I have another installment of easy weeknight meals here for you. I used to turn my nose up to Crock Pots, as I thought that they overcooked and were the lazy way of making dinner. In the past two months I have come to see that they are for more than making Queso dip. Although I still have some guilt feelings when I use it. I have been leaning on this busy mom helper a bit more than I ever have in the past. I have, including this one, three recipes on this site that use a crock pot. Pineapple Pulled Pork, Red Wine Post Roast.

Being that is Spring I didn’t want to make a real heavy meal with Carrots and Potatoes, I wanted it to be lighter and brighter. So I used Spring Vegetables of Corn and Asparagus. I made my Yum Yum Asparagus and Cheddar Cheese Garlic Biscuits. I think it came out beautifully as we have no left overs!

Pot Roast with Spring Vegetables

3.0 from 1 reviews

Recipe type: Main Dish

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Ingredients

1 3-4 lb beef chuck or post roast
1 onion quartered and slices pulled apart
1 can cream of celery soup
2 cups beef broth
salt, pepper, garlic powder and thyme powder to taste

Instructions

season the meat
heat a pan to medium high heat (no oil)
seat the meat til brown on all sides
place meat in crock pot
layer the onion slices all around and under the meat (you will not be eating the onions they are for seasoning only)
pour the 2 cups beef broth in the pot
spread the cream of celery soup on the top of the meat
cover and cook on low for 5-6 hrs or high for 2-3

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Comments: 2

20
March 2012

Categories: Uncategorized

Chocolate Easter Eggs!

St. Patrick’s is over, Mardi Gras is past, and Valentine’s Day a distant memory……. Time for a new Holiday to get all our culinary brains going and our creative and fun posts up to share. EASTER is here! I love easter egg hunts, peeps, dying eggs, carrot cakes and all such springy fun!!! I am already planning my May Day posts and oh the most fun one of all. The Kentucky Derby!!!! First Saturday in May folks, the most expensive 2 min in Sports.

Oh wait I am supposed to be talking about easter and easter eggs!!! I do digress…… For many this is a very Holy Time of Year and very reverent as we come out of lent in to the easter season, to celebrate the hope and joy of eternal life. Then you have the earthy folk who still celebrate the old ways and use the spring equinox as the rite of fertility and hope of renewal and growth. Most times these groups don’t always hang out together or really see eye to eye. I have been lucky in my life to have had exposure to both and love them equally. So this spring no matter your leanings have fun, spread love, enjoy family, and give hope to others. That is what life is all about!

Plus you should try these super yummy super easy treats!!!

Chocolate Easter Eggs!

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Ingredients

1 bag of egg shaped marshmellows
1 block chocolate almond bark
assorted sprinkles

Instructions

melt chocolate according to directions
dip the eggs in and make sure they are complete covered (I used a spoon to help)
put on wax paper and sprinkle on the pretties!
let harden and enjoy!

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Comments: 4

19
March 2012

Categories: Grilling, Main Dishes, Red Meat

Everything Bagel Burger

Hello again! Here is another installment of easy weeknight meals! I think I need to get my butt in gear and start to make some meals worthy of real food blogging, but for now I am giving you another quickie. This can go in the category of Cheap Night meals. Remember the Grilled Cheese Pie? Not only is it a family favorite it seemed to be fan favorite also! This meal is kinda like that. Easy, cheap, and kid friendly. I realize the picture shows a carb overload…. not so healthy….. but really it was quite yummy!

Now I must add that this is almost a everything bagel. I did not have any poppy seeds. The meat does have a complete everything bagel taste. (just minus the poppy seeds) It was a super nice day out today so I was able to grill out. If the weather has not changed where you live, you can always make these on the stove top.

Everything Bagel Burger

Recipe type: Main Dish

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
1 package dry onion soup mix
4 thin 100 calorie bagels
4 slices cheddar cheese

Instructions

mix dry onion mix in raw ground beef til combined
make into patties and grill til desired doneness
lay cheese slices on and let get all ooey gooey
while meat is cooking toast the bagels
put together like any burger and use your fav condiments
serve with corn on the cob and french fries or any side you would like

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Comments: 6

17
March 2012

Categories: Entertaining, ethinc, holidays, Round up's

St Patrick’s Day Roundup!

Erin Go Bragh!!! Top o’ the Mornin to ya!! It is St. Patrick’s Day!!!! We are getting ready for the Parade and I am packing up the corned beef for the picnic chilling the beer and being just quite the busy little leprechaun this morning! I didn’t want to head out the door until I got all these great yummy dishes in one spot for you! I know it is the day of and most everyone has their meals and treats all ready made or planned out, but just incase you don’t here is a great list. Also you can bookmark them for next year……. And Hey who says you have to wait til next year to make them? Make it St. Paddy’s day EVERYDAY!!!!

Here are some of my little goodies from the past few weeks.

Irish Cream Coffee Cupcakes, Shamrock Boozy Cake, Colcannon Casserole, Irish Coffee Ice Cream Float

I also have some great recipe’s for you from some Fabulous other Foodies!!

Shamrock Tini from Ashley at Kitchen Meets Girl

Shamrock Cookies From Mrs. Fox’s Sweets. Have you ever seen better cookies? I haven’t!!!

Key Lime Shamrock Cake from Bird on a Cake So unique and flavors I love but did not think about using right now! LOVE it!

Pot O gold Cake bites from Candi Quick. I mean come on….. SOOOO CUTE!

So I hope you enjoy your big day and that you have the wind at your back and may you be in the ground before the devil knows you dead!!!!

Comments: 3

16
March 2012

Categories: Cocktails and Libations, Entertaining, ethinc, holidays

Irish Coffee Ice Cream Float

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! I hope that you all have lucky days and the Wee Leprechaun’s are kind to you and leave you lots of pots of gold! We are getting ready for quite the party day here in Kansas City! We have one of the country’s largest Parade’s and this our first year to go! Needless to say we are Super Excited! So in preparation for tomorrow’s big even I made this fun dessert to get us in the mood. Like anyone in this household needs help……..

This is fun and yummy, you can make it virgin, but hey it is in honor of all us crazy drunk Irish! It is even better if you serve it in a cool Irish Beer Pint Glass also!

See the Leprechaun’s have arrived already!

Irish Coffee Ice Cream Float

Author: The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Serves: 1

Ingredients

1-2 scoops coffee ice cream
1-2 oz coffee liqueur
2-3 oz Bailey’s irish cream
coffee flavored milk

Instructions

in a glass put the scoops of ice cream
cover with coffee milk til almost full
pour in the booze!!!
let the good times roll!

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Comments: 4

15
March 2012

Categories: Entertaining, ethinc, holidays, Main Dishes, Side Dishes

Colcannon Casserole

So it is Improv Reveal time again! Where does the time go? It seems just like a week ago I was sharing with you my Carrot Cake Ice Cream. This month’s ingredients are potatoes and Cheese. Yum I say Yum! This close to St. Patrick’s Day my first thought was COLCANNON!!! I grew up on this stuff. Cabbage and potatoes….. you can’t get more Irish than that!

If you are not familiar with the Improve Challenge it is a great fun Link Party that is put together by our friend over at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker Each month she gives us 2 ingredients and let’s us go crazy!!! Sometimes Crazy is just where we go….

Now about this dish, I don’t how many people I thought I was going to be serving when I made this dish. For some ungodly reason I used 5 lbs of potatoes?!!! I have so much of this stuff that it is popping out of the 9 x 13 dish I made it in. I knew I wanted to take the classic Irish side dish and make it the main dish by making it a casserole but holy cow! You are all welcome to come over for some because I have plenty!!!!

See? Popping out! But oh my doesn’t it look good?! You can also use your left over corned beef and cabbage if you don’t want to make this much, just use less potatoes and a smaller baking dish. I wrote 2 -3 lbs of potatoes because unless you are serving the Irish Republic Army you really don’t need to use 5 lbs like I did!!!