Sunday, November 8, 2015

Pepper Jack Mac-N-Cheese with Smoked Onion and Pepper Sausage



Ingredients

1 pound macaroni noodles
2 Tbsp. EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), divided
1 pkg. onion & pepper smoked sausage, sliced into thin chunks
1 Tbsp. butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 Tsp. garlic powder
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp. spicy mustard
2 Tbsp. jalapeno ketchup
2 cups pepper jack cheese
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

1.  Cook macaroni for 7 minutes or just under al dente.
2.  Heat 1 tbsp EVOO on medium high heat, add sliced sausage and cook for about 4 minutes.  Remove from pan; set aside.
3.  In same pan as you cooked the sausage, add 1 tbsp of EVOO and butter.  Once butter melts, add onions and green pepper; cook for 4-5 minutes.  Add flour, stir and cook another minute.  Add chicken broth and cook for one minute.  Whisk in milk and bring to a bubble.  Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Stir in mustard and ketchup.  Lower heat and add 2 cups pepper jack cheese and 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese; stir until melted. 
4.  Drain pasta well and pour into cheese sauce along with the sausage; stir.  Pour into 9x13 inch baking dish and top with remaining cup of sharp cheddar cheese.  Place under broiler until cheese melts.  Remove from over and ENJOY!!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Armadillo Egg Recipe

 Don't let the name of the recipe fool you!  These stuffed and wrapped jalapenos are DELICIOUS!!


Picture from Hillbilly CAST IRON Cooking.


Armadillo Egg Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 cup cheddar cheese
2 garlic cloves (finely diced)
6 jalapenos (cut in quarters)
1 pound Jimmy Dean sausage
1 pound ground Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground chorizo
24 slices bacon

All-Purpose Rub Ingredients

1/4 cup ground chipotle powder
1/4 cup turbinado sugar (light brown cane sugar)
1/4 cup ground ancho chile powder
1/4 cup paprika
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon cayenne
2 tablespoons green peppercorns (crushed)
1 teaspoon celery seed (or ½ tsp celery seed powder)
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger


Instructions All-Purpose Rub

Mix all of the ingredients together; set aside.
(This recipe will make more than you'll need, so place unused portion in an airtight container and use in other recipes.)


Instructions for Armadillo Eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and garlic until well blended; add salt if needed.
3. Cut jalapenos is quarters.  Remove seeds and stems.
4. Place about a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling in each jalapeno quarter. 
5. Take about 1/3 cup of the sausage and pat it into a 3-inch circle and place the stuffed jalapeno in the center of the sausage. Wrap the sausage around the stuffed jalapeno until it’s completely covered, and form into an egg shape. 
6. Wrap each egg with one strip of bacon making sure the seam is down.
7. Season each egg with dry rub.
8. Place wrapped jalapenos on a cookie rack, placed on top of a baking sheet to catch the drippings.
9. Bake for 25 minutes or until bacon is crisp and sausage is cooked through.
10. Serve with ranch dressing, queso or salsa.


Enjoy!!
(recipe adapted from Hillbilly CAST IRON Cooking)

Monday, June 1, 2015

I. Am. Enough.



For most of my life, I've struggled with my perceived idea of perfection and my inability to achieve it.  How many of you look in the mirror every day and focus on your flaws and imperfections?  Wishing them away, trying everything you can to cover or hide them.  That's been me, I know exactly how you feel.  Comments made in my childhood have stuck with me into adulthood.  Comments like "you'd be pretty if you just lost some weight"  and "you have such a pretty smile, just make sure to keep you mouth closed so no one can see your crooked teeth".  Comments like that are hard to forget, they just hang out in the back of your mind, rearing their ugly head when you least expect it.  What's even worse, comments made to me in my adult life had made my insecurities 10 times stronger. 

Then something amazingly crazy happened.  Someone came into my life and showed me that all those "flaws" and "imperfections" were me and loved me because of them.  Celebrated them.  Helped me become comfortable with them.  I saw myself through someone else's  eyes.  And then slowly, it happened.  I finally realized that I am beautiful, in my own way.  I.  AM.  ENOUGH.  And guess what?  So are you!  Embrace those things that make you uniquely you.  Celebrate them!  Someone, somewhere, someday is going to love you for you and all those awesome things that make you unique.  But, you must love and embrace yourself first.  No more trying to change for others.  YOU.  ARE.  ENOUGH.  If you don't believe me, make a list like I did and you'll see for yourself just how ENOUGH you are.
 
I am strong.  
Passionate.  
Sincere.  
Kind.  
Loyal.  
Creative.  
Compassionate.   
Adventurous.  
Giving.  
Feisty.  
I love deeply and with my whole being.  
I make mistakes, lots of mistakes.  But I learn from them. 
I find inappropriate things humorous.  
I can be sensitive, at times.  
I look for the positive, when there seems like there is none.  
I take risks even though I'm scared of failure.  
I am fully aware of my weaknesses.  
I'm not afraid to apologize for my wrongs and I forgive easily.  
I cry at cheesy commercials.  
I'm addicted to coffee and chocolate.  
I am chubby, my teeth aren't perfect and sometimes my gray hair shows, but that's me and that's enough.  
I.  AM.  ENOUGH.





Sunday, May 24, 2015

Listing of Vintage Markets, Flea Markets and Antique Shows by State



Here is a list of Vintage Markets, Flea Markets and Antique Shows by state.  I have added links to the website of each show for your viewing pleasure.  If you know of a great show I have failed to add, please let me know.  Enjoy and Happy Junkin'!!


Alabama 
Fairhope Antique Show 
Antiques in the Garden 

Alaska

Arizona 
Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market
Old Brick House Vintage Market
Gather: A Vintage Market   
Phoenix Flea  
Flagstaff Antiques Summer Showcase
Antiques on the Square  
Apple Festival Antique Show

Arkansas 
Vintage Market Days 
Ft. Smith Vintage Flea Market
Antique Festival of the Ozarks 
The Junk Ranch 

California
Gypsy Chic Vintage Market 
Vintage Country Flea Market  
Topanga Vintage Market
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Treasure Island Flea
Three Speckled Hens
Little French Flea Market
The Queen Bee Market
Long Beach Antique Market
Petaluma Fall Antique Faire
Camp Vintage
Junk Bonanza 

Colorado
The Vintage Whites Market
Horseshoe Market 
World Wide Antiques and Vintage Show 
Lone Star Revivals Vintage Market 

Connecticut 
Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market
Madison Antiques Fair 
Harwinton Antiques Weekend
Greenwich Winter Antique Show

Delaware
New Castle Antique Show
Arden Fair & Antiques Market
Delaware Coast Antiques Show 

Florida 
West Palm Beach Antiques Festival 
Treasure in Town Arts & Antiques Fest

Georgia
Country Living Fair
Scott Antique Market

Hawaii


Idaho
The Vintage Vixens Market


Illinois
The Vintage Market

Indiana
Tri-State Antique Market
Heartland Antique Show
Woodruff Place Flea Market 

Iowa
The Porch Junkies
Cedar Rapids Antique Show

Kansas
Antique Show at Overland Park
Craftapalooza & Fabulous Vintage Market 
Vesper Vintage 

Kentucky
Fleur de Flea Vintage Urban Market 
Preservation Station Market Days 

Louisiana

Maine
Boothbay Harbor Antiques Show 
Maine Antiques Festival 

Maryland
Baltimore Summer Antiques Show

Massachusetts 
Somerville Flea   
Brimfield Antique Show
Barnstable Antiques Show 
SoWa Vintage Market 

Michigan
Michigan Antique Festival
Allegan Antique Market

Minnesota
The Vintage Carnival
Duluth Junk Hunt
Cambridge Antique Fair
Junk Bonanza

Mississippi
Ripley's First Monday Trade Days
Tupelo Flea Market
Canton Flea Market
Junknista: A Vintage Market 

Missouri
Vintage Market Days
Antique Festival of the Ozarks

Montana
The Vintage Whites Market
The Prairie Sisters Vintage Market 

Nebraska
Funky Junk Market
Wellfleet Junkin in June
Junkstock
Lexington Antiques & Crafts Extravaganza
Junktoberfest

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey
Summer Antiques Show at Birchfield Manor

New Mexico
Great Southwestern Antique Show

New York
Annex Flea Markets
Brooklyn Flea 
Stormville Flea Market
Great American Antiquefest
Washington County Antique Fair & Flea Market

North Carolina
Antiques Extravaganza of NC
Liberty Antiques Festival

North Dakota
JunkFest

Ohio
Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market
Burton Antiques Market 
Olde Stark Antique Faire 
Scott Antique Market 


Oklahoma
Vintage Market Days
The Old Chicken Farm Vintage Barn Sale
Industry Flea 
Vintage Tulsa Show 
OKC Land Run Antique Show
A Touch of Rust 
Junk Hippy

Oregon
Portland Flea
Expo Antique & Collectibles Show
Salem Collectors & Flea Market
Junk Bonanza 

Pennsylvania
Phila Flea Market
The Washington Antiques Fair 
Renninger's Antiques Extravaganza

Rhode Island
Providence Flea
The Newport Antiques Show 
Little Compton Antiques Festival

South Carolina
Vintage Market at the Park

South Dakota

Tennessee
Nashville Flea Market
Murfreesboro Antiques Show 
Fiddler's Antique Show
Southern Junkers Fall Market 

Texas
Sweet T Vintage Market & Southern Junk
Vintage Market Days 
Vintage Variety Market  
Loot Vintage Market  
American Vintage Market
Gypsy Tramps Junk Revival  
Ruffles and Rust Expo  
Lone Star Market  
The Horse Flea 
Round Top Antiques Fair 
Petticoats on the Prairie  
Junk Hippy 
Marburger Farm Antique Show 
A Touch of Rust 
Junk in the Truck Vintage Market 
Funky Junk Roundup 

Utah
The Vintage White Market
Salt Lake Antique Show

Vermont
Antiques & Uniques Festival

Virginia
Fredricksburg Big Flea
DC Big Flea 

Washington
Ridgefield Junk Bonanza
Valley Vintage Market 
The Farm Chicks  
Farm & Frills Antique Show  
Clayson Farm Antique Show  
Funky Junk Sisters 
Junk Fest Flea Market 
Packwood Flea Market
The Mad Hatter Vintage Flea Market
Pickin' on the Prairie Antique Show & Artisan Market 
Ragtag Revival at Wickering Heights Antique Show & Vintage Extravaganza 

West Virginia
Lewisburg Flea Market & Antique Show

Wisconsin
Elkhorn Antique Flea Market
Warrens Cranberry Festival

Wyoming












 

 

 

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Cheddar Parmesan Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins




Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 TBSP baking powder
6 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 TBSP honey
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 jalapenos, one sliced for topping and one seeded and diced for muffin mixture
3/4 cup Parmesan, plus additional for topping
3/4 cup Cheddar, plus additional for topping
 
Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Line a muffin pan with liners or spray unlined muffin pan with cooking spray.
3.  In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt & pepper.
4.  In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, garlic, honey and diced jalapenos.
5.  Pour egg mixture over dry ingredients and stir together until moist.
6.  Add both cheeses and stir until combined.

7.  Fill each muffin cup with one large scoop of batter, making sure to distribute evenly.
8.  Place on slice of jalapeno on each  muffin and then sprinkle with Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses.
 9.  Place muffin pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.
10.  Let cool in pan for about 10 minutes. remove and place on wire rack to continue cooling.
11.  ENJOY!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers



This recipe is a great way to get  your Philly Cheesesteak fix in a much healthier way.  You can use thinly sliced steak or deli roast beef to make this recipe super easy.  Enjoy!

 Ingredients

8 oz. thinly sliced roast beef
8 slices of pepperjack or provolone cheese
4 small green bell peppers or 2 large
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 (6oz.) package mushrooms, sliced
2 TBSP  butter
2 TBSP olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper - to taste

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Slice peppers in half and clean out ribs and seeds; set aside.
 3.  Add butter, olive oil, onions, mushrooms and garlic to saute pan.  Saute over medium heat until onions are tender (about 20 minutes).
4.  Slice roast beef into thin strips and add to saute pan.  Cook until heated through (3-5 min.).
5.  Place half a slice of pepperjack cheese in the bottom of each pepper.
6.  Add meat mixture on top of cheese.
7.  Top with another half slice of pepperjack ( I used shredded instead).   Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is golden on top.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Garlic & Jalapeno Cauliflower Mash



My name is Amber and I'm addicted to potatoes.  Seriously, it's true.  French fries, au gratin, baked, mashed, it really doesn't matter.  And when you're trying to eat healthy and low carb, potatoes are not your friend.  So, one of my favorite go to low carb side dishes to replace potatoes is my Garlic & Jalapeno Cauliflower Mash.  Super easy to make and delicious!

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup jalapeno cream cheese
1 tsp southwest seasoning
salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1.  Steam cauliflower florets until tender, about 15 minutes.
2.  Place steamed cauliflower, garlic, jalapeno cream cheese and southwest seasoning into a food processor and blend until smooth.
3.  Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Super easy, right?!  I love to serve this with pork loin or steak.  Add some steamed veggies and you're good to go with a great low carb dinner.  Enjoy!