Sangria Blanca

Last weekend myself, my mama, and a group of our girlfriends hosted a beautiful wedding shower for our bride-to-be Megan Carnes. Sorry for the poor quality in the photo above. All I had was my camera phone, but you get the idea. It was such a blast! My friend Christy made the most delicious white wine Sangria, so I just had to share it with you all. It would be perfect for any gathering. It was so refreshing and definitely not too sweet- which is something I am always cautious about with fruity Sangrias. Try it out:)

Ingredients:
1 bottle Pinot Grigio

1/4 cup super fine sugar
1 lime, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 Granny Smith, cored and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups seedless green grapes, sliced in 1/2
1 cup apple juice
1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves
Pinch of salt
1 (12-ounce) can seltzer water

Ice cubes

Directions:
In a large pitcher combine the wine and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients, except the seltzer, and mix well. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator and let the sangria sit for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Just before serving, stir in the seltzer and ice cubes.

Speaking of Christy- her and her beau Jason recently became engaged! I couldn't be more excited! And to top it off I am going to be a bridesmaid. What an honor! They have set the date for a beautiful, outdoor Fall wedding in the country on October 8th, 2011. I am so thrilled for these love birds. We love you Christy and Jayce!

xoxo

Great Soups for Cold Weather

Lately it has been so cold, which I am LOVING!! So of course I have made my two favorite cold weather soups. They are so easy, and are great for lunch the next day, leftovers, or popping in the freezer for later. These soups will warm your soul and are super healthy.

The two soups- Split Pea and Baked Potato are American classics. Recipes to these can be found in many places with many variations, but these recipes, my friends, are tried and true:) Both which I may add were family favorites growing up! So these are definitely "vintage" and have been passed down from my dear mother:)

1. Baked Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS:
4 Large Baking Potatoes
2/3 C Butter
2/3 C Flour
6 C Milk
3/4 t Salt
1/2 t Pepper
4 Chopped Grn. Onions (divided)
12 Slices Bacon Chopped (div)
5 oz. Shredded Cheddar (div)
8 oz. carton Sour Cream

-Wash potatoes, poke potatoes several times witha fork, and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hr.
-Let cool, cut potatoes lengthwise, and scoop pulp (set aside).
-In heavy sauce pan over low heat, melt butter.
-Add flour, stirring until smooth, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
-Gradually add milk stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until mix is thick and bubbly.
-Add potato pulp, salt, pepper, 2 T green onions, 1/2 C bacon, 1 C cheese.
-Cook until thoroughly heated, and stir in sour cream.
-Add extra milk (or flour) if needed for desired thickness.
-Serve and top with remaining green onion, bacon and cheese.
ENJOY!

2. Split Pea Soup

Okay- I know, I know! Split Pea Soup has a bad rep! The color isn't pretty, its not the most pleasing to the eye- BUT I promise its delicious and it couldn't be better for your BOD:) I would also like to add that this recipe is one that my mother found in the Dallas Morning News in February of 1979. I have the actual news clipping she cut and used to make this. The paper is tinted brown and fragile now, but it makes me so happy knowing she clipped this out to cook when she was pregnant with my oldest brother, Victor. I definitely agree with her- this recipe would be great for a new mommy with a growing baby!

INGREDIENTS:
1 Lb. Dried Split Peas
1 Lb. Meaty Pork Hock
1 C Chopped Onion
1 C Sliced Carrots
1/2 C Sliced Celery
2 Quarts Water
2 t Salt
1/2 t dried Marjoram leaves
1/4 t Pepper

-Combine ingredients in a 5-quart Dutch oven and bring to a boil
-Reduce heat to low and cover for atleast 2 hours
-When soup is dense, serve (omit pork hock)
-Top with desired grated cheese, sour cream, and/or cherry:)
ENJOY!

I hope you all love these family favorties as much as we do! My hubby now loves these just as I did when I ate these growing up. Happy winter!

TRY THIS: Peppered Flank Steak with Fresh Orange Sauce

You have got to try this recipe! This is a recipe I have grown up with and have had the pleasure of carrying on with my family (Adam). We have had it a couple times already in our married life and after I made it last night I decided I must share! Its low cal, an inexpensive cut of beef, easy, and DELISH!

INGREDIENTS (serves 2-4):
-One, 1 pound flank steak (about 1 inch thick)
-2 teaspoons cracked pepper
-2 teaspoons butter
-1 teaspoon vegetable oil
-1/4 cup orange juice
-2 teaspoons lemon juice
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-parsley sprigs

1. Rinse steak and pat dry with paper towel
2. Rub one side of steak with half the pepper, rub the other side with the other half of the pepper (press firm to adhere)
3. In 10-12 inch skillet heat butter mixed with oil on HIGH
4. Add meat and brown quickly on each side (sealing in juices)
5. Lower heat to medium/high (I put my stove to about 6) for about 4 minutes on each side (give or take a minute) for medium rare
6. Remove meat to a platter and cover (I use an upside down aluminum pie dish:))
7. Lower heat to moderate (4ish on my stove) and dump oil/grease from pan
8. Add orange juice, lemon juice, and salt in pan- stir to free any bits of meat sticking to skillet
9. Cook for 2 minutes (stirring a few times)
10. Divide steak as needed and plate
11. Pour orange sauce over meat
12. Garnish with parsley

ENJOY!!

I hate to admit it! But we served this with brown rice and strawberries! The last recipe I posted (salmon) we served with brown rice and strawberries. I promise I make more for sides than this. I guess I have been trying to take advantage of fresh strawberries before they are out of season. It is hands down our favorite summer side dish. xoxo

Try This

Since Adam has been home FULL TIME I have really been enjoying cooking every night and trying new recipes. I have been experimenting alot in the kitchen- some recipes have been keepers and some we decided to toss. This one is AWESOME! My good friend and co-worker, Kristin gave me this recipe for Salmon. Its probably the easiest, yet most delicious meal. Thanks Kristin!

INGREDIENTS (for two, adjust accordingly):
1. Lowry’s Herb & Garlic Marinade with Lemon Juice
2. 1 lb. Fresh Salmon from the Seafood Counter (has never been frozen, I bought the the "All Natural" kind from HEB)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Plan to eat it the day you purchase the fish or the next day
2. Place Salmon in a zip lock bag with at least half the bottle of marinade
3. Marinate in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight
4. Place in baking dish with all the marinade from the bag
5. Add fresh lemons rings and chives on the Salmon (optional)
5. Cook for 45 mins at 375 degrees

I have already shared this with a couple friends and thought everyone needed this recipe:) It is the perfect and healthy summer meal and goes great with a side of fresh strawberries and brown rice. ENJOY!

P.S. If you have any favorites send them my way. I would love to try them out! Maybe we can add it into our Vyvial family "rotation" as we call it:)