CSN Product Review

CSN recently contacted me to do a blog review on one of their products, and I had my eye on THIS.  I placed my order, received it TWO short days later, got it mounted on my wall (super easy to do - for my husband, obviously), and loaded it up!  I'm loving this new way to store my spices for easy access, and I really love that it created a little extra cabinet space for me.  For less than $20!  Not bad!! 

Upcoming Review!

Hi friends!  Just wanted you to know that I'm doing a cool review of some cookware (watch for that coming soon) from the CSN stores coming soon!  If you haven't heard of CSN, they have over 200 online stores and sell everything you could possibly imasgineThey have all sorts of awesome kitchen gadgets that I LOVE, but also have some really nice home decor, including modern bedding (love the accent pillows!).

Watch for the review, coming soon!  In the meantime, check them out! You could shop there for hours (great, just what you needed....)

Head on Over to the Real Tasty Sensations

For those who haven't switched over...please update your reader to:

http://www.tastysensations.blogspot.com/

Tasty Sensations is getting a face lift, so get excited and start following us there!

Tasty Sensations Changes!!!

Hi Readers-

Please change your Tasty Sensations from http://www.heidisrecipes.blogspot.com/ link to:

TastySensations.blogspot.com

I decided since that's what I call the site, that's what the URL should be. I've also been daydreaming up some ideas on how to spice up my favorite hobby of food-blogging. Check out the same-old-but-good, and soon-to-be-new blog - I'll be getting around to adding some new recipes and other fun stuff soon!

Happy Eating,
Heidi

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies w/ Golden Raisin

Preheat oven to 325.

Mix until fluffy:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
Add one at a time:
2 eggs
Add:
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix together and add:
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
By hand, stir in:
3 cups quick oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup golden raisins (or substitute for chocolate chips if you prefer)

Bake for 13 minutes in preheated oven. Remove and let cool on pan for 5-10 minutes, then cool completely on wire racks (or eat warm!)

Allison's Muesli

Please pardon the lack of posts lately! Lots of changes going on in the Tasty Sensations kitchen (new baby just came, moving kitchen from one state to another). Be patient for another month or so, and I'll be back with regular posts that will make you drool. Until then, I'll post some here and there that are worth trying out!

3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 c. slivered (not sliced) almonds
1 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
1/2 c. chopped dried apples

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 300.

On a large baking sheet, combine the oats, almonds, and walnuts, and bake for 30 minutes, stirring once after 15 minutes. Transfer the cereal to a large mixing bowl. Add the honey and, using a large rubber spatula, stir to combine thoroughly. Add the apples and apricots and stir well. Cool, stirring occasionally. Serve at room temperature.

Another variation I like to call "Banana Nut Protein Crunch":

3 c. oats, 1/2 c. cashews, 1/2 c. almonds, 1/2 c. walnuts, 1/2 c. dried bananas - toast that all same as above (I toasted mine 20 min. on each side). Add honey (to taste), stir to combine.

Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes

So good, and so easy! Thanks to Sylvia for this yummy one!

1 pkg. ranch dressing powder
2 lbs. red potatoes, washed and quartered
1/4 c. olive or vegetable oil.

Toss quartered potatoes and oil in a ziploc bag to coat. Add dressing powder and toss to coat. Place in ungreased baking dish in single layer.

Bake at 450 for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Got this recipe from Summer/Mandi, and modified it a bit. It was great!

6 chicken breasts
6 thick slices of swiss cheese
6 slices of ham
3 tbsp flour
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
6 tbsp butter
1/2 cup white wine
1 chicken bullion cube
1 can cream of chicken soup

Pound chicken flat. Lay slice of ham and a slice of thick cheese on top. Roll it up and secure with toothpicks. Mix the flour, salt, pepper and paprika in seperate container. Coat chicken in flour mixture.In a large saucepan/skillet, melt butter. Cook chicken on med-high till the outsides are golden brown, turning. Add white wine and bullion cube. Turn heat down to low and cover for 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Take chicken out and keep warm in foil. Add can of chicken soup to the skillet with the remaining sauce. Wisk this into the skillet mixture. Turn heat up to med-high and stir till it gets thick. Use this sauce on top of the chicken.

Easy Caramel Popcorn

In a saucepan combine:
1 cube butter
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
30 large marshmallows
Melt above ingredients together.

Pop 1-2 bags light butter microwave popcorn. Sift through and take out unpopped kernels. Pour caramel mixture on top and mix together.

Ham & Pea Pasta

I stole this picture (and recipe) from Krista - of Krista's Culinary Creations. It was quick and yummy!
1 cup frozen green peas

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup turkey ham, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 lb linguine, fettucine or other long pasta (I used cavatappi - the spirals)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or more to taste (I'm always liberal with cheese!)

Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. While that cooks melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until lightly browned. Add ham and cook 1 minute. Stir in peas, cream, salt, and pepper. Turn heat to low; keep warm, stirring occasionally, while pasta is cooking. Add Parmesan and toss. Serve immediately.