Recipe: Asparagus Wraps

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy


This recipe was inspired one rainy afternoon while I watched Paula Deen on The Food Network. They sure have some great eats on that network! I was trying to think what I could make with my last roll of phyllo dough, and I caught a glimpse of her sautee’ing asparagus. Voila! Another recipe was created.

 

Phyllo dough is essentially easy to work with, but it is delicate. It’s important to follow the directions on the box to keep it from drying out.

I recommend preparing your asparagus ahead of time, assembling your ingredients in order of use, and preheating the oven while you wrap. It doesn’t take long to get into the rhythm of sprinkling and rolling, and soon you’ll have two pans full of some delicious snacks!

To prepare the asparagus, take one stalk and bend the end (not the tip) until you find where it snaps. This is place you want to cut all your asparagus. If you don’t, when you eat the ends it will be stringy and chewy. (In other words, gross!)

INGREDIENTS:
2 bunches asparagus
2 sticks butter, melted
1 roll phyllo dough, room temperature
Parmesan cheese
Italian Seasonings
other seasonings (I prefer Lowrey’s Salt Free 17 Seasonings)
Olive Oil

 


Carefully unroll the phyllo dough and assemble your ingredients within easy reach. Cut the dough lengthwise, into two long strips. Gently baste the top sheets with melted butter and sprinkle with cheese and seasonings. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when basting or you’ll rip the dough.

Take one or two asparagus stalks (depending on how thick they are) and lay the end so it matches up with the edge of the dough. The tip will stick out from the other edge. Gently roll. The phyllo dough may stick to itself. If this happens, delicately separate the rolling layer from the one underneath it.

 

Place the asparagus wraps on a nonstick cookie sheet. Since the phyllo dough crisps but does not expand, you can place them close to each other without worrying they’ll stick.


Gently baste the wraps with olive oil and sprinkle the tops with cheese and seasonings.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 14-15 minutes, until the phyllo dough is golden brown. Best when served warm.

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Recipe: Baked Frittata

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy


Frittata is basically a baked omelet. You can add whatever ingredients and seasonings you like. They can be served for breakfast, brunch, dinner or snack. You can add salsa or marinara, depending on the ingredients. This is my favorite blend:

 

INGREDIENTS:

8 large eggs
1 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded 4-cheese blend
1/2 cup chopped or mini pepperoni
1/3 cup diced tomatoes
1/3 cup diced green chilis
1/3 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 large onion
Salt, pepper, oregano, and other Italian seasonings to taste


Mix all ingredients together. If you like, you can mix this the night before and store in an airtight container in the fridge.  If you make it ahead, be sure to remix all ingredients thoroughly before cooking.

 

Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix into pan. Bake according to the pan size below. Cook thoroughly, until toothpick or knife inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

MINI MUFFIN PAN: Fill mini cups 3/4 full. Bake for approximately 16-17 minutes. (This is my favorite way to make these for party gatherings, once cooled they are a scrumptuous finger food.)

REGULAR MUFFIN PAN: Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for approximately 30-33 minutes.

9 x 9 GLASS BAKING DISH: Pour entire mix into dish. Bake for approximately 40-42 minutes.

 

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Holiday Recipe Exchange: Hot Dog Casserole

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

I grew up on this dish. It’s got the meat and veggies all together, and boy! is it scrumptuous, as well as Quick and Easy.

INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg Hot Dogs, sliced into “coins”
1 (16 oz) can green beans, drained
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup (undiluted)
1/2 tsp Worcestershire or Soy Sauce
1 can (2.8 oz) French Fried Onions
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Combine hot dogs, green beans, 1/2 can of French Fried onions, 1/2 cup cheese. Add in soup and Worcestershire/Soy sauce, mix thoroughly.

Bake uncovered at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with remaining French Fried onions and cheese. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.

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Recipe: Potato Chip Casserole

I’m at it again; entering this week’s Holiday Recipe Exchange for a chance to win a 3.5 quart Le Creuset French Oven. Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Le Creuset.

This another “heritage” recipe, handed down from my mom to me to my daughter. It’s the first oven-dish I ever taught her to make. My mom makes hers with tuna but my daughter doesn’t care much for any fish other than shrimp or my blackened salmon, so I changed this recipe up with a can of chicken instead.

You can add veggies to it if you like, but I enjoy it just as it is… helping after helping after helping.

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag (12 oz.) potato chips, crushed
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can Cream of Chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 soup can of milk
1 can (12 oz.) chicken or tuna

Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

It’s that simple, and even more delicious!

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Recipe: Cheesy Potato Soup

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

I love the creamy, cheesy soups at restaurants. But I can’t afford to go out each time I want one bowlful. For the price of less than three restaurant servings, this recipe serves up 12 or more portions. It’s simple to make, freezes well, and goes great with breads.

It can be made on the stove top or in the slow cooker. Directions for both follow the recipe.

 

INGREDIENTS:
1 chopped onion
2 TBSP butter [if stove top, not needed for slow cooker]
6 small red potatoes, chopped
1 large [26 oz.]  condensed Cream of Chicken soup
1 soup can of water
16 oz. frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped
1/2 can milk
1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
4 – 6 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste
Chives for garnish [if desired]

STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS:
Saute’ onion in butter.
In 5-quart stockpot add onion, potatoes, soup, water. Mix well, bring to light boil for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are cooked. Add broccoli, milk, carrot, celery. Stir regularly. Bring to light boil for 5 minutes. Add bacon, mix well. Reduce heat to medium high. Add cheese. Stir until melted.

SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:

In 5-quart crock pot combine all ingredients (butter not needed for slow cooker).
Cook on high for three hours, stirring every hour to blend cheese and ingredients.

*You may want to soften the potatoes before adding to the slow cooker. You can do this by either boiling for 10 minutes, or microwaving for 6 minutes (be sure to puncture first, so they don’t explode!). Handle carefully, as they will be hot, and cut into pieces before adding to slow cooker.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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