January 2010 - Carnation

Simply Flowers — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:01:47 +0000

January

The flower of the month for January is the carnation. Available in a variety of colors all year long, the carnation means many things. According to Christian legend, a pink carnation said to appeared when the Virgin Mary’s tear hit the ground when Jesus was carrying the cross, therefore the pink carnation represents a Mother’s undying love.

Cranberry Delight Spread

Simply Flowers — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:59:09 +0000

1 - 8 oz. Package cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons concentrated orange juice
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/4 finely chopped dry cranberries
Zest of one orange
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 Cup finely chopped pecans, optional

Mix cream cheese, juice, cinnamon and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.

Fold in the orange zest, pecans, and cranberries.

Refrigerate.

Serve with Town House brand crackers.

Makes 1 1/2 Cups.

Garnish with a small mint leaf, slice of cranberry or zest of orange.

Very Easy Tortellini Soup

Simply Flowers — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:56:27 +0000

(Makes 6 servings)

1 Tablespoon margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Cans (13 3/4 fluid ounces each) Chicken or Beef Broth
1 Package (8 ounces) fresh or frozen cheese-filled tortellini, thawed
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up, undrained
1 package 910 ounces) fresh or frozen spinach, thawed
Grated Parmesan Cheese

In large saucepan, melt margarine over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned.

Add broth and tortellini then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes and spinach; simmer an additional 5 minutes. Top individual servings with Parmesan Cheese.

Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

Simply Flowers — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:54:15 +0000

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
dash ground nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tbs) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs room temp
1/4 cup milk room temp
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly butter (or PAM or use those paper liners!!) muffin tins.

STIR together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in a large bowl.

In another bowl, stir together the pumpkin, butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla until blended.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. ADD the liquid ingredients and stir just to combine.

SPOON mixture into prepared muffin cups (2/3 full).

BAKE for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean.

Remove and let cool.

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Simply Flowers — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:51:29 +0000

12 slices white bread
mayonnaise
6 thin slices baked ham
6 thin sices of roast turkey
2 eggs, well-beaten
12 thin slices Swiss cheese
1 cup milk
1 cup PANCAKE MIX
butter or spray for griddle

Preheat griddle to 350 degrees.

Spread 1 side of each slice of bread with a thin coat of mayonnaise.

Assemble each sandwich using 2 slices of cheese, 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of turkey. Trim crusts with knife, making the edges even. Cut each sandwich in half. Set aside.

Combine eggs and milk in a shallow dish. Add PANCAKE MIX and blend well.

Butter or spray griddle.

Dip each sandwich into the batter. Grill 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned on both sides and cheese begins to melt.

Makes 6 sandwiches.

Italian Pasta Stir-Fry

Simply Flowers — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:49:04 +0000

8 ounces linguine, uncooked
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 med. tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, snipped
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp. EACH dried basil and oregano leaves
1/8 tsp. EACH salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; keep warm.

Heat oil in a stir-fry skillet. Press garlic with a garlic press in to skillet; stir-fry 15 seconds.

Add zucchini and onion; stir-fry 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Add tomatoes, parsley, and seasonings. Heat 1-2 minutes, stirring gently until heated through.

Remove from heat. Stir in warm pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately.

Makes about 6 servings

Mississippi Mud Pie

Simply Flowers — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:43:13 +0000

First step:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup pecans
1 stick Oleo or butter
2 Tbs. Sugar

Mix and spread in bottom of 9″x13″ pan and bake at 350 degrees until lightly brown. Cool

Second step:

1 cup Cool Whip
1 cup powdered Sugar
1 (8 oz) pkg. Cream Cheese
1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix ingredients together and spread over cool crust.

Third step:

1 large or 2 small pkg instant chocolate pudding
2 1/2 to 3 cups Milk

Mix and beat with mixer and spread over cream cheese mixture.

Fourth step:

Cool Whip
Grated chocolate(optional for garnish)
Chopped pecans

Top with Cool Whip and Pecans. Garnish with grated chocolate.

Refrigerate over night.

Potatoes on the Grill

Simply Flowers — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:41:12 +0000

2 red or white skin potatoes
1/2 green pepper
1/2 onion
seasoning salt
3T. margarine or butter

Cut potatoes, peppers and onions into small bite size pieces. Spray foil with none stick cooking spray, place 3T. butter or marg. on foil.

Place the potatoes, peppers and onions on foil. Season to taste with seasoning salt. Seal foil tightly around mixture, put on a medium grill for 20-25 min.

Flip a couple times while cooking.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Simply Flowers — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:38:41 +0000

6 chicken breasts, boiled & cubed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 small can mild chilies
1 small onion, diced fine
8 oz. Jack cheese
8 oz. cheddar cheese
1 dozen corn tortillas (or 10 flour)

Tear up 6 tortillas, place in bottom of 9 x 13 pan. (Spray with Pam first.)

Mix soups, chilies, and onion together. Smear half soup mixture over tortillas. Top with half chicken and cheese mixed. Repeat layers.

Bake uncovered 350° for 30-40 min

May Flower of the Month - Lily of the Valley

Simply Flowers — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:23:32 +0000

The May birth flower is the lily of the valley.

Lily of the valley has the flower meaning of humility, chastity, sweetness and purity. The delicate white blossoms of the lily of the valley bloom snugly between the broad leaves.

This May birth flower is a wonderfully fragrant and beautiful plant. The lily of the valley can be grown in shade or sun. It is commonly used in wedding bouquets because of its fragrance.