Thursday, January 28, 2010

Garlicky Breadsticks

I got the new Garlic Galore Blend in the mail a couple days ago and had to try it. I had a little extra dough from overestimating some pizza, so I rolled it out and cut it into strips and laid the strips on a stone (a cookie sheet would do just fine). Then, lift one end, twist, and stick it back to the pan. Like so. . .

Cover and let raise for 30 minutes or so, until they look a little puffy. This picture is actually taken after they've raised a bit (I think).

Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, get out your Garlic Galore and mix a teaspoon or so into 2-3 T. melted butter. Let soften while breadsticks are baking. Remove pan from oven and brush butter mixture onto partially baked breadsticks and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese. Pop back into the oven for 5-8 minutes until your house smells fantastic and the breadsticks are lightly golden brown.


I didn't want to over bake and make them crunchy--I wanted a soft interior. This is really more of a method than an exact recipe because it depends on how many you want to make and what type of dough you are using. You could easily use the Quick and Easy Pizza Dough Mix or the Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Mix for these. Serve with soups, pastas or alongside a salad--Yum!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Stir Fry

I was shopping at a local produce store and happened upon these little lovelies:

Hmmm. . .what can I make with baby bok choy? Since I love tiny food and I love bok choy, I bought them right up. For those that are feeling jealous right now, yes, that is pink Corian. I know, I know you're wondering where you can also get that color. Unfortunately, I'm quite sure (just hoping actually) that they stopped making that in the late 90s, right around the time this was put in. Anyway, on with dinner, luckily, I also had some Asian Potsticker Blend and some Pacific Fusion Sauce. First, dice some chicken breasts. I used 3 of the big ones from the Costco bags.

Season with the Asian Potsticker Blend--by season I mean sprinkle a generous amount over diced chicken, (above). Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Swirl in some Garlic Grapeseed Oil or Natural Grapeseed Oil. Dump in the chicken and arrange in a single layer, then WALK AWAY! Don't be tempted to "stir fry" the meat. Let it sit and develop a nice browned layer. I promise, you'll have much more flavor if you do these two steps: preheated skillet, don't stir. Don't worry, I have many a recipe that will review this critical procedure. Once the chicken is over half way done, season the other side with more of the Potsticker Blend and then turn. Okay, I'm going a little overboard, but really, doesn't this look beautiful:

That nice golden brown look is from the "walking away." Now cover it up to keep it warm.

Next add all of your "hard veggies" to the skillet. These would include long cooking veggies like carrots, onions (I like red), bell pepper, broccoli. Season with a little salt and pepper. Stir fry for a few minutes, then add your "soft veggies."

Here's where the bok choy comes is. Other soft veggies you could add here would be snap peas, zucchini, other greens, cabbage, etc.

When the veggies are almost done, dump the chicken and the accumulated juices back into the skillet and toss it all together. Add in your Pacific Fusion--you'll need about 1/2 cup for a skillet this size. I also added a can of diced pineapple (drained) because my kids love it! I like my sauce to be a little thicker as well. It's a great flavor as is, but if you want to thicken it up, just dissolve 1-2 T. of cornstarch in about 1/4 cup water. Stir mixture directly into the stir fry along with the Pacific Fusion.

Serve over a bed of rice. I used Jasimine rice here, but it would be great with brown rice or regular white rice as well. Enjoy!

Pre-Christmas Festivities

I always have big plans to do many Christmas activities with the kids during the month of December. I didn't get around to all of them, but I figure if I take pictures of the ones that we did do, maybe it will seem like we did more. I'm not sure how that reasoning will work out, but here are the pics anyway. We started with some gingerbread cookies.

I even let Maegan help!


Proud (yet oddly sleepy eyed) Drew and Abby showing off their creations.

Working so hard and careful!

Name this movie. . ."OK. I'll tell you. Do you know. . . the muffin man?"


Christmas presents for the Salisbury's started a week early when we enjoyed a visit from Grammy Ann and Grandpa Ron.

Abby received this movie (which I did mention to my mom that she would like, so I have no one to blame but myself. Except for Anne--I could blame Anne since she recommended it to me--thanks Anne). It has led to the constant dancing and flitting about and Abby's new obsession with marriage, specifically to Andy. Frighteningly, we've had two other people recently tell us that Abby is more girly than any other girl they know. Darn, we thought it was just because we didn't know any better--Abby being our oldest girl. If you have a tom-boy, this movie will probably turn her. Incidentally, we also recently had a woman at our church tell us Abby was cuter than her own grandkids. For shame Grandma _____! (I told her I wouldn't reveal her identity!)

Brayden counting/inspecting his state quarters Grammy and Grandpa gave to his cause. If he has met you, he's probably requested you look through your wallet and check--just check--if you have any.

Meagan received this lovely bunny (it really is adorable, although here she is only showing the . . .um. . . tail). She carries it around faithfully and although she must cuddle her blanket when going to sleep, she needs to know that bunny is, at least, in the crib.

Drew and a few books. The kids also received a swing set that has already gotten tons of use--the beauty of A california Christmas--you can actually use the outdoor toys right away! Maegan's only been hit in the face once by the glider, so not bad!

A few days later, we made the 13 1/2 hour drive to Utah to Andy's parent's house. We were a little shocked by the weather. I don't think it got above 22 degrees the whole time we were there! A few months in California and we're spoiled! We ventured out to see the lights on Temple Square.

Mia, Abby and little Eve--cold but cheerful to be together. This was the first night they saw each other and they were thrilled.


Can you tell?!? Precious.

All the kids (minus Eve who was prisoner in her toasty stroller). Camera was acting funny so this is a little blurry, but such cute kids I had to include it. It's totally not my fault that I've never gone to that website my sister keeps recommending to learn to use it (her photos are beautiful). Totally not my fault I expect that my camera knows when there is low light. Totally not my fault that I can't remember the difference between the P setting and the M setting. Wait, are there settings other than just "AUTO"? Moving on. . .



It was cute of everyone else--it's really too bad that whole head swap thing is only for the professionals. I can't ever get a family picture that's good of everyone


Sledding with the cousins--Drew and Brayden with Spencer in the middle.

Abby developed a great love of sledding--especially with her cousin Taylor. Great pre-Christmas activities!!


In case you don't know and you hate suspense, the movie quote was Shrek, spoken by the Gingerbread man as he was being tortured/eaten by Lord Farquaad. I know I'm lame, but you probably know that too since you read this entire post.