Hot Days, Cool (Healthy) Treats

I'm pretty sure you'll never hear this Minnesota Girl complaining about the heat.  Don't get me wrong here; I enjoy my AC in the summertime.  But after the long months of cold dreary weather, I welcome the days of warmth.  Of course, we need to find fun ways to cool down on these hot summer days.  Playing in the pool, running in the sprinkler, splashing at the beach... those are all super fun ways to cool off.  Water is a great way to stay hydrated, but when snack time rolls around and the kiddos are pleading for popsicles with their beautiful baby blues, I can pop a healthy treat out of the freezer that doesn't get a, "this isn't a popsicle" comment from anyone. These are kid and husband approved. (In this house, when it comes to healthy food choices, husband approval is even tougher to get than kid approval. Yikes!) They're very easy to make and I tend to do it after the kids go to bed when I know the following day is going to be a hot one.  This gives them plenty of time to freeze overnight.

Fruity Freeze Pops

*12-18 strawberries

*1/2 banana

*a big handful of watermelon chunks

*3oz pineapple juice

Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into ice pop molds & then place in your freezer for 12 hours.  Run hot water over the mold to loosen the fruity freeze pop, hand them out and watch them disappear!

I just love how they look in the mold... kinda pretty, right?

I absolutely love these all natural, healthy little snacks that I can provide for my family and feel good about giving them. What is your fav healthy summer treat?

Pesto!

You know that feeling you get when you just can't finish a bowl of pasta? Riiiiiight.  Neither do I.


This recipe is going to make you feel a bit better because it's minimal pasta and lots of fresh grilled asparagus and delicious shrimp.  PLUS it's all tossed in a glorious (for real) pesto sauce. A little pesto goes a long way, and this recipe will make enough that you can freeze some for later dish.  I use little freezer bags or ice cube trays.  Either one works just fine.
I didn't eat much pesto before my cousin passed on this delicious sauce recipe to me, but when I did I would just buy it at the grocery store.  Now that I know how easy it is to make and what a difference there is in taste, when my basil is ready each year, I make big batches and freeze so I have plenty to use.  I toss it with pasta, as a topping for pizza and veggies, etc.  Make it.  You'll love it.  Then make the pasta.  You'll love that, as well.

Grilled Asparagus and Shrimp Pasta

*noodles of your choice (I used spaghetti this time)

*shrimp

*asparagus

*cherry tomatoes (I used fresh orange sunburst tomatoes because that's

what I had in my garden and they are BOMB. Ahem... yes. I'm a mother of two, in

my 30's and I just said that. :/ )

*parmesan cheese

*olive oil

*salt and pepper

What's super great about this recipe is that you don't need to use exact amounts because you really can't screw it up.  Just make it yours.  I tossed some shrimp, asparagus and sunburst tomatoes in olive oil, salt and pepper. Preheat your grill to medium/high heat and before you add your shrimp and veggies, turn the grill down a bit so the fire doesn't burn your food.  Add shrimp, asparagus and tomatoes on your grill, close cover and grill for 2-3 minutes.  Flip everything over and grill for about 2 more minutes. Remove from the grill, toss with a bit of spaghetti noodles, pesto (recipe below) and then sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  PRESTO! 

(The Best Ever) Pesto

*2 cups olive oil

*2 cups firmly packed whole fresh basil leaves

*2 cups fresh parsley leaves

*4 garlic cloves

*1/2 cup pignoli (pine nuts)

*one tbls fresh ground black pepper

*1/2 tsp salt

*one cup freshly grated pecorino or romano cheese

*1/2 cup water

Put all the ingredients, except basil, into a blender and grind thoroughly. Then add basil and blend until a creamy texture is achieved.  No cooking needed.

Now go wild and enjoy all that fresh taste and deliciousness!


*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, and on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Carnival BBQ Chicken

This past weekend I packed up the car, the dog and the kids and headed North for the Swanville Mid-Summer Carnival.  The carnival is a HUGE deal in my husband's family for kids AND adults.  All the littles get together and go on rides together and in the evening when the kids are fast asleep, the adults all get together for a little fun! It's wonderful to see everyone and to watch the kids have a blast with their built in BFF's... their cousins.
One of the best things about the carnival is the chicken they serve.  The lines for chicken dinners can get long, but everyone knows it is totally worth the wait.  The only problem I have with this is that I only get carnival chicken once a year.  AHHH!  That's just not enough.  About 8 years ago I was on a mission to recreate carnival BBQ chicken and while it doesn't taste EXACTLY like the chicken we wait in line for every year, it's pretty darn close!

Here's what you need to make this mouth watering BBQ chicken at home.

Carnival BBQ Chicken

*one package of cut-up bone in chicken (this recipe can make up to 8 pieces)

*veg oil

*3 tbls butter

*1/3 cup finely chopped onion

*3/4 cup ketchup

*1/2 cup water

*1/4 cup vinegar

*3 tbls worcestershire sauce

*2 tbls mustard

*salt & pepper

Rub chicken with a bit of veg oil and season with salt & pepper.  Set your grill to medium/high heat and grill each side over indirect heat for a bit until the skin crisps up a bit and gets some nice grill marks.  You don't want the chicken cooked through.  You just want the grill marks and flavor. Set the chicken on a plate to the side.  In the meantime, heat one tbls veg oil and 3 tbls butter in a skillet.  (if you have cast iron and want to use that, it skips the step if transferring it all to a baking dish later) Add onion and sauté until tender.  Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.  The sauce may look kinda thin, and that's ok. 

Doesn't this look FANTASTIC?!?!

Add chicken to your cast iron skillet (or transfer to a 9x13 baking dish) and  spoon (or pour) sauce over the chicken.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  This chicken is delicious served with homemade garlic fries (recipe on a previous HDHW post) or mashed potatoes with BBQ sauce spooned over it.
 

Here are a few highlights from our weekend:

Like I said... Built in BFF's.

Happy day, friends!

Grilled Ahi Tuna Crisp Appetizer

Summer perfection, you guys.
This recipe is easy to do, looks pretty and tastes AMAZING. Set them on a white platter to bring out the colors of the strawberry and avocado, and you'll totally impress whoever is lucky enough to share these with you. The flavors scream "SUMMER!" The combination of tuna, strawberry and avocado are to die for.  You can drizzle your favorite Asian inspired dressing over the top (I used Makoto honey ginger dressing) to make it even tastier!

Grilled Ahi Tuna Crisps

*one tsp veg oil

*wonton wraps

*one pound sushi grade ahi tuna steak, seasoned with salt and pepper

*one avocado, cut into thin slices

*strawberries, sliced

*your fav Asian dressing (I'd suggest a good honey ginger or toasted sesame)

Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat.  Cut wonton wrap squares in half to make two rectangles. Fry each wonton wrap for about 10 seconds or so on each side so they become brown and crisp.  Set aside on paper towels to drain. 

Meanwhile, sear ahi tuna steaks for about 2-3 minutes per side on a super hot grill.  You just want to sear them... be very careful not to overcook.  You want them rare inside.  Slice steak into  strips that are a bit shorter than the rectangular wonton crisp.

Top each wonton crisp with a slice of avocado, a slice of ahi tuna, a slice of strawberry and then top with a little drizzle of dressing.

Simple. Pretty. Amazingly delicious.

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, and on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Garlic Fries and a Giveaway

Summer has been crazy busy, but in a most wonderful way.  Our Forth of July will go down in history as one of our best yet... the fireworks were absolutely beautiful, the long weekend was so relaxing by the lake and the kids (and adults) had SO MUCH FUN!
But as always, it's good to be home.  The last few days have been spent trying to catch up on home and garden work, so my dinners need to be quick and easy, but husband and kid approved as well.  I really enjoy grilling and burgers are by far my husband's favorite.  Which is great because then I get to make one of my favorite side dishes to go along with it... GARLIC FRIES!  Eeeeek!  I love fries.  I love garlic.  So really, this is a no-brainer that I'd become such a huge fan.

They take about 40 minutes to make and are just soooooooo incredible.  Infusing the oil with the fresh garlic is key.  Here's what you need to wow your family and friends with these delicious fries.

Garlic Fries

*3 cloves of garlic, minced (about 1.5 tbls)

*2 tbls olive oil

*3 large baking potatoes, cut into fries (I like to cut mine a bit on the thin side

so they crunch up a little)

*salt & pepper

*Lawry's seasoned salt

*cooking spray

*parsley (optional, but not included in the photo because my kids would boycott fries if they saw anything green on them :/ )

Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. (Don't skip the cooking spray, friends.  I have and it's NOT fun trying to scrape & peel fries off foil.) Preheat oven to 425. Add cut up potatoes to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, grab a small skillet and add the olive oil and garlic.  Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, being careful not to let the garlic burn.  Remove from heat, strain oil through a strainer over the cut up potatoes and reserve garlic for a bit later.

Toss the potatoes in the infused oil and spread out on baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and some Lawry's seasoned salt.

Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes, checking often to make sure they don't burn.  I take mine out once I see they've started to brown up nicely. Remove the fries from the baking sheet and put into a bowl and then toss with the garlic.  Add a bit more salt if you desire and watch them be devoured in minutes.

Soooooo... I was out and about doing a bit of shopping the other day and came across these super cute measuring spoons.  

I just knew they'd be perfect for the next Haute Dish Housewife giveaway!

Winning is easy!  Just follow this blog.  For more chances to win, check me out on Instagram @hautedishhousewife or on Facebook at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.