Archive | Food for Families

Remote Grilling - Steak, Mushrooms and Potatoes

So I packed the grill and moved it to the inlaws….. almost mandatory don’t you think? With that I decided to do some grilling for everyone.

On the Menu

  • Strip loin Steaks
  • Grilled Zucchini
  • Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions in a Balsamic Reduction
  • Grilled Lemon Rosemary Baby Potatoes

final_dinner_grilled_steak

The results were acceptable.  I enjoyed everything overall although I found the steak to be just average.  The meat was a bit tasteless and slightly overcooked (which was my fault).  On the bright side, everyone’s plate was clean after the meal.

On the Steaks

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper

steaks1

steaks1

steaks1

On the Potatoes

  • Salt and Pepper
  • Fresh Rosemary
  • 1 Tsp. Butter
  • Drizzle of Olive Oil
  • Lemon Juice

grilled_potatoes_1

grilled_potatoes_1

grilled_potatoes_1

In the Mushrooms

  • Salt and Pepper
  • Mushrooms
  • Sweet Vidilia Onions
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/2 Tsp. Sugar

mushrooms

mushrooms

mushrooms

final_dinner_grilled_steak

Zesty Tip: When grilling potatoes, the use of a tin foil plate is a great idea and eliminates the risk of the aluminum foil breaking open and losing your hard work.

I am so tired! I hope you have a great day. On the house front… the survey of the land was delayed for today so Ugh… I am staying positive but why do small things take so long to get accomplished.

Take care

zesty

Posted in Entrees, Food for FamiliesComments (14)

Zesty’s Top Ten Toast Toppings

Happy Tuesday everybody!  Quite a title for this post… isn’t it?  Well I am hoping to have an interactive post about toppings for your toast.  Now of course there is plain butter but I thought I would share with you some of my all-time favorite toppings for toast.  In return, I would love for each and every reader to post their favorite topping in the comments section.  I think this will be fun!

Let’s keep in mind that the options are endless and it’s very difficult to narrow it down to just ten.  It just so happens that I have a couple of different loaves of bread on hand so here are some of my favorites and a couple pictures.

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Not Just Any Chicken Sandwich

It is a new day and yet another simplistic recipe that will tantalize your taste buds… well I should say  - maybe tantalize your taste buds. Everyone’s different.  This is a great quick supper idea when you are in a rush or lazy and unsure about what to make but you want to stay on the healthy side of the spectrum.  Which I know for a lot people is very important including myself.

I put together a chicken sandwich that is somewhat unique but when you taste it… you will be like “Wow, Zesty really does have something going”, or “that Zesty guy is a loose horse - this is terrible”  I will leave that judgment up to you.

Now lets get to the good stuff.  Follow along below and let me know what you think.

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How to Make Caramel Apples

Since apple picking was just this past weekend - I wanted to share another really quick classic treat. The caramel apple! Now this recipe is dead easy and tastes so good.  The flavours are endless with this treat but I chose just a quick simple method to tantalize your taste buds and bring everyone back to their childhood.  After trying this recipe make sure you check out some other quick ways to enjoy your apples from my day at the apple orchard.  Needless to say - we made a few caramel apples… as you can tell by the picture below.

Ingredients

  • 6 apples
  • 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 Cup Peanuts

Method

  1. Insert a craft stick in the center of the apple to allow you to dip and roll the apple when needed. Butter a baking sheet.
  2. Place caramels and milk in a sauce pot and melt over low to medium heat, and stirring regularly. Allow to cool briefly.
  3. Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. After a few minutes - Roll in your favorite topping while the caramel is still warm.  As you can see here - I went with the classic crushed peanuts. Place on prepared sheet to set.
  4. I sliced the apple in two to try and get fancy with the pictures.  These little treats were oh so yummy.
  5. Enjoy!

But before you leave and go to another favorite… tell me what you like to dip your caramel apples in or if you prefer them just plain. I am always excited to hear new ideas…

Thanks everyone and have a great day.

Zesty.

Posted in Food for FamiliesComments (17)

Apples: A Day in the Orchard

Saturday past was slated as family day in the orchard! We had a blast. The weather was really nice, sun shining, birds chirping and apples a plenty. I don’t often attend the apple orchard events but I must say that I was impressed. The focus at this particular orchard were Cortland and McIntosh Apples. It was somewhat crowded in the parking aisles but the orchard was so big - it felt like you were picking by yourselves.  The following days will likely contain many more apple baked goodness and I may even try the apple crisp version from a while ago.

A quick shot in the orchard…

Just getting a closer look at all the apples in the tree… Can you tell that I don’t come to the orchard very often?

Checking out the Cortland up close…

The finished product… Not too mention we had 47 lb. in total we just threw some in a basket to make the picture look good!

When we got home from the orchard I wanted to whip up a quick snack for everyone and test out these apples (even though I knew they were tasty because i inhaled two at the orchard). I came up with some of my favorite ways to eat an apple besides the old fashion way of washing it off and chomping in.

Below are three quick ways to prepare apples that are usually fan favorites with the younger crowd:

1. Apple Peanut Butter

2. Apple Brown Sugar

3. Apple Chocolate

Thank you so much for reading about my apple orchard day.  Now because I am super curious about almost everything.  I want to know what everyone loves on their apples?

Happy Thanksgiving to all fellow Canadians!!  Enjoy the turkey!

Posted in Food for FamiliesComments (35)

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