Sweet Basil Smoothie

Try this smoothie!!! It comes from Giada De Laurentiis and is delicious! It sounds weird but is super refreshing on a hot summer afternoon. I usually substitute some of the sugar for something healthier (try Stevia, Agavae, honey, etc.)! Let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups plain yogurt
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1 1/2 cups Lemon Simple Syrup, recipe follows
1 cup ice

Directions
In a blender, combine the yogurt, basil, Lemon Simple Syrup, and ice. Blend until smooth and frothy. Pour into frosted glasses and serve immediately.

Lemon Simple Syrup:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lemon zest over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.

Whole Roasted Chicken with Citrus and Whole Grain Bread Crumbs

My internet at home is not working again! Today, I am using a recipe that I posted last year on my other blog... I love it! This recipe comes from Bob Greene and it is delicious and healthy! This chicken turns out moist and beautiful everytime! Probably my favorite chicken recipe..

Ingredients:

* 1 whole chicken, about 3 1/2-4 lbs.
* 3/4 tsp. salt
* Freshly ground pepper
* 1 orange, zested and cut into 8 wedges, zest reserved (when I am lazy, I don't doing any zesting!)
* 1 whole lemon, zested and cut into 8 wedges, zest reserved (I use 2 each of lemons and oranges)
* 1/4 cup whole grain bread crumbs (regular works great too)
* 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
* 6-8 large cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
* 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.

Rinse the chicken in warm water, then dry it, inside and out, with paper towels. Trim any extra fat away from around the cavity, especially around the tail end.

Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. of salt and some pepper on the outside and cavity, and place 4 of the orange and 4 of the lemon wedges inside, squeezing them a little as you put them in.

Fold the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Tie the ends of the drumsticks together with kitchen twine (works just find if you don't tie it down). Place the chicken breast up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan (This is where the extra lemon and orange come into play. I cut them up and slide them under the skin around the chicken, while squeezing them a little, before roasting) Roast for 15 minutes. Then lower the heat to 375 degrees and roast 15 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, create a paste by combining the orange and lemon zests, bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic, thyme, and olive oil (I usually double the paste). Season with remaining 1 /4 tsp. of salt and some pepper. Set aside.

Remove the chicken from the oven; let it stand a few minutes to cool slightly. Carefully run a knife under the skin, and pull the skin away from the breast and legs with your fingers. Discard the skin. Squeeze the juice from the remaining orange and lemon pieces over the chicken. Apply the paste by rubbing it into the outside of the chicken. Return the chicken to the oven and raost it for another 45 minutes, basting several times with pan drippings, taking care not to dislodge the crumb paste.

To test for doneness, carefully slice into the joint at the thigh and check if the juices run clear. If not, return to the oven. When done, remove the chicken from the oven, and let it rest on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before carving. Discard the wings.

Serves 4

Nutritional info per serving: Calories: 375, Protein: 41 g, Carbs: 11 g, Fiber: 2 g, Fat: 18 g

Grandma's Recipes!

Sorry everyone! I have been having serious internet issues for the last 2 weeks... I think things are back to normal! To make up for the time I have missed, here are some recipes from my Grandma JoAnn! Some of my favorite memories growing-up involve being in my Grandma's kitchen. She ALWAYS had something wonderful baking in the oven! Here are a few of her classics!

I think I have the cutest Grandma around! One thing I love about her: she loves to laugh! And play games! When we get together, she always rounds up everyone to play a board game or two. One thing leads to another, and next thing you know, tears come streaming down her cheeks from laughing so hard. It happens every time... and I love it! I can always count on Grandma for a good time! Love you, Grandma!

Skye's Chicken "Enchiladas"

I used to make this recipe all the time when I was single and we had lots of people over for dinner or parties! It is so yummy and easy to make! You can add green chilies, bell peppers or olives to the mix to change it up!

My friend Skye introduced me to this recipe one night when she had me over for dinner forever ago! I love Skye! I met Skye the summer between my junior and senior years at a missionary's going away party. Then, about a year later, she came through the drive-through at my work and invited me over to her house to meet another missionary who was in town visiting. She and I hit it off instantly and have been best friends ever since (we bonded over American Idol). Skye is like a sister, mother, therapist, and best friend all rolled into one! I miss her everyday... Reno is too far away!

Dr. Oz's "Green Drink"

So, I've decided that I will take Saturday and Sunday off from blogging... I am hardly home on weekends it seems like these days! I have been taking cake decorating classes and gone to a couple of cooking classes this week/weekend. I usually eat SUPER healthy but I have fallen off the bandwagon sometime with in the last week and a half (maybe it has something to do with this recipe blog)! This morning I woke up ready to jump back on! Here is a recipe I use quite often. I love Dr. Oz because he is so into being healthy. This drink might be a little hard to "swallow" at first but it isn't that bad!




Make the breakfast drink that Dr. Oz swears by! This "green drink" is high in fiber, low-calorie and rich in vitamins.

Ingredients
2 cups spinach
2 cups cucumber
1 head of celery
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
1 bunch parsley
2 apples
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon



Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. This makes approximately 28-30 ounces, or 3-4 servings.

Robin's "one and only" Cornbread

Everyone should have a good cornbread recipe! And I do, thanks to my cousin Robin! This cornbread goes great with some butter and honey or some homemade jam! This is Robin's "one and only" cornbread recipe...

I met Robin when I was 13 and she was 17. We both attended Benjamin Franklin Academy (a private school which really turned out to be a 2 year vacation for me... there wasn't much schooling going on there!). We became best friends and had a lot of fun during and after "school". I introduced her to my dad's cousin Digger and 10+ years later they have 3 kids! Robin is the authority on everything "domestic"! She can cook, sew, quilt, scrapbook... do anything! In fact, I have learned many of these things from her! I am so glad that we are related! Love you, Robin!

Gretchen's Mint Brownies!

This recipe I must admit that I have not yet tried... BUT my friend Gretchen tells me they are awesome (this is the recipe that everyone asks her for and she is a great cook so they must be awesome!). I plan on trying them this weekend... I will let you know how they turn out. Chocolate and mint though... what could be better?

Gretchen is a gal I work with at the dental office. A few things I like about Gretchen.... #1: She is a GREAT cook! We have pot luck at work a few times a month and whatever she brings is always the hit of the party (she has given me MANY recipes and she says these brownies are the best)! #2: I love her laugh! It is totally contagious! Some days at work get a little hectic and I can always count on Gretchen to help lighten the mood. #3: She has great fashion sense! She always looks "put together". And every once in awhile she sports some awesome tights! We have a lot of fun together everyday! Thanks Gretchen!

I don't know if this can be called a salad as it tastes more like a dessert! The ingredients don't sound like they would "mesh" well together but this salad turns out to be delicious and beautiful every time. I have found it perfect to take to parties and family get-togethers.

Todays recipe comes from my beautiful friend Amanda. I got to know Amanda when she was the Young Women's president in our ward and I was her Laurel's advisor. This amazing woman has 5 kids and still remains in tip-top shape... I don't know how she does it! Well, I do... I often see her at the 6 AM spin class (I'm not sure she sleeps) and I know she runs an awful lot! Amanda is also a spiritual giant... she always sees things on a bigger scale. These are just a couple of reasons that I love Amanda!

Klark/Tiffany Fajita Marinade

Fajitas are one of my favorite foods and this is the only marinade I use! It's a pretty quick and simple meal but so delicious! If you have been to my house for dinner in the last 5 years, chances are you've had it! I got the idea to add mushrooms to the mix from my brother-in-law John (he hates bell peppers so he caramelizes mushrooms in their place) and it has stuck.
Klark is an old friend of mine. We dated for awhile way back in the day and have remained friends. He has recently moved to Alabama for work and gotten engaged! I am so happy for him! I'm not really sure Klark can claim this recipe as I know he stole it from his middle school AND high school sweetheart Tiffany... I guess I'll give them both credit! They are both awesome people!

Klark


Tiffany with her husband Russ

Ellen's Orange Cake

I got this first recipe from my sister-in-law Ellen. She made it for Andrew's birthday when we were all on vacation in St. George last year and I absolutely love it! I have made this many times for people and I've had several requests for the recipe. It is a "light" tasting cake so you have to be careful you don't eat the whole thing! Let me tell you a little about Elle... Ellen is Andrew's older sister and has since moved to St. George (much to our demise). She is a mother of 4 and is a great mom. She is definitely someone I look-up to... Ellen is one of those women who just has it all together! Thanks for the recipe Elle! Love you!

Hey everyone! I have finally decided to start this recipe blog that I have been talking about for months! I have always loved to cook and have collected many good recipes from friends and family over the years that I would love to share. It is my goal to post one new recipe everyday until I run out (hopefully I can keep up... I don't have the best blogging track record)! I will do my best to post who (or where) I got each recipe from and let you know a little bit about that person. I have made a full-page Photoshop document of each recipe for easy printing and keeping (I use a 3-ring binder and slip them in page protectors). Here I want to celebrate good food and good friendship! Feel free to send me any recipes or suggestions!