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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Jicama Slaw

My husband is always finding great recipes.  He bought a jicama and found this slaw recipe to go with grilled steaks.  It is healthy and colorful and would be good with a variety of meals. 

Jicama Mango Slaw Salad

What is Jicama?
Jicama, also known as yam bean, is a round, fleshy taproot vegetable of bean family plant. Its underground starchy root is one of the popular edible root vegetables grown in many parts of Central American, South Asian, Caribbean, and some Andean South American regions. It's refreshing; crispy, ice-white fruit-like pulp can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of sweet and savory dishes worldwide.
Some of the common names of this tuber are Mexican water chestnut, Mexican turnip, sengkwang, yacon…etc. It is pronounced as hecama.

The most distinguishing feature, however, is that it bears globular, fleshy, turnip-like starchy edible root below the ground surface. Unlike other starch roots like potato, and sweet potato wherein the peel may be eaten; jicama features thick dust-brown color inedible skin (be sure not to eat the skin) Inside, its white starchy flesh has crisp texture and fruit-like succulent, sweet-starchy taste.

Health benefits of Jicama

  • Jicama is very low calorie root vegetables; contains only 35 calories per 100 g. However, its high quality phyto-nutrition profile comprises of dietary fiber, and anti-oxidants, in addition to small proportions of minerals, and vitamins.
  • It is one of the finest source dietary fiber and excellent source of oligofructose inulin, a soluble dietary fiber. The root pulp provides 4.9 mg or 13% of fiber. Inulin is a zero calorie, sweet inert carbohydrate and does not metabolize in the human body, which make the root an ideal sweet snack for diabetics and dieters.
  • As in turnips, fresh yam bean tubers are rich in vitamin C.
  • It also contains small levels of some of valuable B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and thiamin.
  • Further, it provides healthy amounts of some important minerals like magnesium, copper, iron and manganese.
from www.nutrition-and-you.com/jicama

Ingredients:
  • 2 mangos, peeled and cut into matchstick julienne
  • 1 carrot, cut into matchstick julienne
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into matchstick julienne
  • 1/2 large jicama, peeled and cut into matchstick julienne
  • 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest 
Directions:
Combine the mangos, carrot, red bell pepper, and jicama in a large bowl.  Whisk the vinegar, lime juice, agave nectar, and olive oil together in a separate bowl; pour over the mango mixture.  Sprinkle the mint and lime zest over the mixture; toss to mix. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.  This recipe was found on line at HECO>jicama mango slaw @ www.hawaiianelectric.com
Printable version of recipe: Jicama Mango slaw


Gather the ingredients for the slaw.

Gather the ingredients for the dressing.

Zest the lime.

Whisk the vinegar, lime juice, agave nectar, and olive oil together in a separate bowl.

Prepare the mango by peeling and cutting  into long slices.
To peel and cut a mango click here... Peel and Cut mango

Juliene the carrot, red bell pepper, and  jicama.

What is julienne?
To julienne something is to cut it into long, thin strips, like matchsticks. While there is some discrepancy over the exact width of a julienne cut, it is the smallest of its category, generally agreed to measure around 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch. (from cookthink.com)


Combine the mangos, carrot, red bell pepper, and jicama in a large bowl.
Pour vinegar dressing over the mangos and vegetable mixture.

Sprinkle the mint and lime zest over the mixture.  Garnish with more mint leaves.
Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

More on Jicama:
Preparation and serving methods of Jicama:
Wash in cool running water and dry mop like in other tubers. Peel off thick fibrous skin using a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Peel and other plant parts containrotenene, an organic poison; and therefore, should be discarded. It then can be cut into cubes, sliced, or chopped to fine sticks in a ways desired. It then can be cut into cubes, sliced, or chopped to fine sticks in a ways desired.
Fresh jicama is used much like a vegetable and is an important starch source in much of Central America. It stays crisp when cooked, making it one of the wonderful vegetable in stir-fries.
for more go to: Jicama nutrition facts

It is always fun to try new foods and flavors.  This salad would appeal to many palates.
Enjoy!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Fire Cracker Fruit Roll-Ups Cakes- Aiden's 4th birthday

HAPPY  4th BIRTHDAY!
AIDEN

We have two grandsons with birthdays that are one day apart.  Aiden's birthday is July 1st, and Graham's birthday is July 2nd.  We are blessed with 6 wonderful grandsons, each of whom is unique and holds a special place in our hearts.  Ephesians 2:10 says we are God's handiwork, His creative expression, His masterpiece.  I can see that when I look at my grandsons.    Aiden is my little grandson who loves to help and is always seeking adventure.  He loves to be right in the middle of whatever is going on. He also loves to cook and make things in the kitchen.  I saw this recipe on Pinterest, but it was originally taken from Betty Crocker's recipes and web sight.  I knew Aiden would love these firecrackers since his birthday was so close to the 4th of July.  We celebrated his birthday this year on July 7th at our house with some cake and a lot of fun.


Happy 4th Birthday!

1 mini chocolate cream filled cake roll
1 roll Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® strawberry chewy fruit flavored snack (from 5-oz. box)
Red, white, and blue candy sprinkles
  • Cut 1/8 inch off both ends of cake roll.
  • Unroll Fruit Roll-Ups fruit flavored snack; remove paper.  Using kitchen scissors, cut 5x2 3/4 inch rectangle from fruit flavored snack.  Roll cake up in fruit flavored snack rectangle to cover sides.
  • Dip exposed ends of cake roll into sprinkles.
  • Shape wick for firecracker from remaining pieces of Fruit Roll-Ups fruit flavored snack.  Insert wick into top of cake roll.

I altered this recipe and used:
  • Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake rolls
  • 1 roll Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® strawberry chewy fruit flavored snack (from 5-oz. box)
  • Birthday candles in plae of wick shaped from remaining pieces of Fruit Roll-Ups.
By using strawberry shortcake rolls. the fruit roll-ups do not have to be cut but fit exactly around the shortcake.






From its first celebration, firecrackers have always been a part of 
Independence Day celebrations.

Ready to sing "Happy Birthday"!


Birthday Fun!


 Happy Birthday to Aiden!

 Aiden, Dad, and Mom


 Zeke

Little brother, Cam, ready to play!

Aiden's Birthday History...
Aiden's First Birthday Party.
First Birthday...

Mom, Aiden, Dad, Duncan



 1st Birthdays of Father & His Three Sons

Garrett             Duncan             Aiden 


Camden

Aidens 2nd Birthday Party


Mom & birthday boy.

Dad and son.

 Aiden's 3rd Birthday Party.
 With Dad.


Grandpa & Grandma & all 6 grandsons.
In this picture, Spencer 6, Camden 7 months, Graham 3, Duncan 11, Dane 8, Aiden,3.

 Grandma & Aiden.

Mom.

Dad and Aunt Evie.



Uncle Gail and little brother, Cam.


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Granny O'Neil's River Inn- Bed and Breakfast

Doug and I took a road trip along the Mississippi River over the Fourth of July.  We had our first Bed & Breakfast experience.  It was lovely.  We had great host and hostess, Gigi and Bill, at their modern 105 year old brick home decorated with antiques and collectibles in Savanna, Illinois.  Chef Bill cooked a breakfast that included an omelet made to order, fresh fruit, baked coffee cake, orange juice, and coffee. The food just kept coming.  We were served in style.

The great Mississippi River

Granny O'Neils's B & B


A view of our room

 Look for the little yellow bench.

We arrived later in the afternoon, and searched for a place to eat supper.  We found a local attraction in Savanna, Poopy's. Yes, that's what it is called.  It is not the stereotype biker bar.  It boasts great food
with a diverse menu.  It was quite the experience, with large plates of mouthwatering food.
It is Illinois biggest biker destination, a must-stop for motorcycle enthusiasts.
The Great River Road draws motorcyclists from all over because of the mighty Mississippi River on one side, bluffs, beautiful farms fields, and plenty of twists and turns.

 


This is half an order!




We awoke the next morning to one of the finest breakfasts around.


This is Bill's fresh baked coffee cake.

Gigi

Chef Bill & Gigi in the kitchen where it all begins.

The coffee cake Bill made is my recipe for the day.  It was baked to perfection.

Ingredients:
  • yellow cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups ripe bananas, 4-5
  • nut meats
  • 1 cup streusel:  1 tsp. cinnamon,  3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 oatmeal, 1 tbsp. flour
  • caramel ice cream topping
Grease a bundt cake pan.  Then coat pan with chopped nut meats.  Prepare the yellow cake mix by adding 3 eggs and 2 cups ripe bananas.  Mix them together.  Layer 1/2 the batter in the pan, then the strudel mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, and oatmeal.  Line the rim of the  bundt cake pan with caramel ice cream topping. Then the second 1/2 of the batter.  Cook 14 minutes in the microwave.  As soon as it is done, flip it onto a platter.
Here is a link to Granny O'Neils River Inn: Gigi's Guest House B & B

Scenic views of our trip along the Great River Road




Arriving in Galena
Galena is the perfect place to visit.  The rolling hills, scenic roads, and historic charm revitalize the spirit inspired by nature and overlooks the banks of the Galena river.  Main street embraces a simpler time.





Our trip could not be complete without chocolate...
Chocolat', fine domestic and European chocolates.

Savoring my truffle from Chocolat'.




The Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena, Illinois is the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general and later 18th President of the United States. The home was designed by William Dennison  and constructed in 1859 - 1860. The home was given to Grant by residents of Galena in 1865 as thanks for his war service, and has been maintained as a memorial to Grant since 1904.
For more go to: Ulysses S. Grant Home

The Mighty Mississippi River
At its widest point, the Mississippi River stretches out over 7 miles (11 km) in width.
The length of the Mississippi River is approximately 2,320 miles (3,730 km), slightly shorter than the Missouri River.
Mississippi River Facts: Fun Facts