Horchata

This tastes best on a hot, summer day. It's not for everyone, but I grew up drinking it... The porportions are very vague so you can easily alter it to your own preferences. Some people like it really watery, while others like it very sweet.

2 cups rice

water

cinnamon (sticks are preferred, but not necessary)

sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

lots of ice

Place rice in pitcher and add water until it completely covers the rice. Liberally sprinkle with cinnamon and let it soak for at least an hour. It's best if you can do this the night before and let it soak overnight.

When you're ready to make the drink, pour everything into a blender and blend away. Then run it all through a strainer to eliminate as much as the rice pulp as you can. My mom doesn't bother with this step, but I think it's worth it. Otherwise it's very grainy at the bottom. I just use a normal strainer, but I've heard cheese cloth works really well. I'll get back to you if I try it that way...

Once your water is strained and in the pitcher, add some vanilla extract. Now the water that you've got now is concentrated horchata. You will need to dilute this AND add sugar. How much sugar and how much water is up to you and what you like. I wish I could be more specific but I just eyeball it and every pitcher is different.

Refrigerate and serve with ice. The drink will go sour after a couple of days so drink as much as you can while it's fresh.

If my directions are confusing, let me know....

Spicy Pot Roast

Despite the name, it's not actually spicy (I promise), just tasty! I have a crock-pot recipe book and was looking for a good pot roast recipe that's not your typical throw-in-potatoes-and-carrots. Those haven't been turning out well for me lately. This new recipe is great! I recommend it:

3-4 lb beef pot roast

salt & pepper to taste

0.75-oz. pkg. brown gravy mix

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tsp. dijon mustard

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

1/8-tsp. garlic powder

1 cup water

Directions:

Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper to taste (which means nothing to me, because how to you taste test a raw meat?!). Place in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over meat. Cover. Cook for 8-10 hrs on low or 4-5 hrs on high. Enjoy!

Molten Lava Cakes

My friend made these for me a few times. I finally made it for myself and it was much easier than I expected. This recipe is the same as my friend's so you can just check it out there. Pioneer Woman also made them and you can find her pictorial recipe here.

Also, I like mine with vanilla ice cream, but whipped cream is still really good!

The Perfect French Fry

I've made these fries a few times and every time they turn out amazing! They are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.

Spaghetti Squash Supreme

Being a cardiac nurse, I am trying to get my family to eat healthier. This tasted really good and I love that it has olive oil, no added salt, and is mostly vegetables. I am excited for leftovers!

1 medium spaghetti squash (4 lbs)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp prepared pesto
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 c dry bread crumbs
1/4 c shredded parmesan cheese
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 in cubes
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp olive oil, divided
1/2 lb sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 c chicken broth
1/3 c shredded cheddar cheese

Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down on a microwave safe plate. Microwave, uncovered on high fo 14-16 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the tomatoes, pesto, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cover and process until blended; set aside. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese;set aside.

In a large skillet, cook chicken in 1 Tbsp oil until no longer pink; remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute the mushrooms, onion and garlic in remaining oil until tender. Stir in the broth, chicken and reserved tomato mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands. In a large ovenproof skillet, layer half of the squash, chicken mixture, and reserved crumb mixture. Repeat layers.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 15 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 5-6 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I've been in a soup mood lately and have been trying out various soup recipes on my family. This one was my own creation and it ended up very tasty.

4-5 Potatoes

2 cans chicken broth

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1 1/2 cups of milk

2 green onions, chopped

bacon, cooked and chopped

sour cream

shredded cheese

seasoned salt

black pepper

Boil potatoes in chicken broth. Once the potatoes are tender, drain and save the broth for later. Mash potatoes.

Melt butter in separate sauce pan. Add in flour and stir until combined. Pour in milk and let it boil and simmer until thickened. Stir into mashed potatoes. Slowly add broth to desired consistency. Mix in cheese, seasoned salt and black pepper.

Serve with bacon, sour cream, green onions, and more cheese on top!

French Onion Soup

I made this soup this week when it was cold and rainy. It was warm and delicious. I got this recipe from my mom....so like most recipes from her, it is very vague and is meant to be improvised.

Ingredients

2 tsp butter

Onions, sliced

4 cans beef broth*

black pepper, a lot

salt

cayenne

French bread

mozzarella cheese

Saute onions in butter. Once the onions turn translucent (or, if you have the patience, when the onions caramelize), add the beef broth. Season the soup to your liking. I like lots of black pepper in mine, but it's whatever you like.

Serve with mozzarella sprinkled in the soup and toasted French bread.

*Note: Beef bouillon cubes can be substituted for the broth, but it does change the flavor of the soup. I notice a difference so I prefer the broth, but it's your choice. Try both and figure out if it matters to you.