Asparagus with Mustard Maple Sauce

I know getting people to eat vegetables is sometimes hard. However I haven't met to many people who haven't liked this vegetable dish. It doesn't have a heavy asparagus taste because of how you cook the asparagus and it also can be adjusted to how you like your asparagus (slightly crispy cook it right on the time that I list, or cook for another minute and the entire stalk is tender to cut). Pay very close attention to the length of time that you cook asparagus, this will change how it taste and the texture tremendously. This vegetable looks and taste like it takes a long time to prep and cook but in all actuality it is about 15 minutes from start to finish. Not really where I found the initial ideas for this recipe but I have modified it over the years and changed a few things to make it my own. Hope everyone enjoys!


Asparagus w/ Mustard Maple Sauce

2 lb asparagus
2 Tbs maple syrup (you can also use honey instead)
2 Tbs Dijon mustard (I really like the spicy kind, also note different mustards taste different)
2 Tbs olive oil

• snap off the tough ends of the asparagus spears
• in a small bowl mix the syrup, mustard and oil
• in a 12" skillet heat 1" of water to boiling
• add asparagus and bring back to boiling
• immediately reduce heat to medium and cover skillet for 4 minutes
• remove from the skillet immediately and drizzle the sauce over the asparagus

Italian Tomato & Pasta Soup

Finding all the ingredients can sometimes prove to be interesting here in Qatar I have found out. Even some of the simplest of items sometimes have to be left out or altered, and altering sometimes can really change a recipe I have found. Surprisingly this recipe simple as it is finding finely ground pepper and spinach actually proved to be a little difficult but has become one of the favorites made here at the house. This meal is hearty meal and for two makes for a good amount of leftovers the next day even with someone who eats as much as I do. Also even though it is good for you it taste AWSOME, and takes less than 30 minutes to make. Well with no further ado here is the recipe that I found years ago in a Men's Health magazine. I'll throw in any changes or suggestions I have tried over the years, learning to use more fresh vegetables and spices here so I have started altering certain parts of the recipe.


Italian Tomato & Pasta Soup

COLUMN 1
4 cup farfalle pasta (bowtie for us simple folk, or any pasta for that matter)
2 Tbs dried vegetable flake (have found sometimes hard to find, dry veg soup works too)
1 Tbs dried minced onion (1 small fresh onion works too, red onions create great flavor)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1 tsp Italian herb seasoning
1/2 tsp dried minced garlic (1 garlic clove gives more flavor)
1/4 tsp fine black pepper
5 cups of water


COLUMN 2
28 oz crushed tomato (sometimes hard to find so diced works well too)
10 oz chopped spinach
4-6 slices of cooked bacon
parmesan cheese


- combine COLUMN 1 in a large sauce pan, bring to a boil and cook 10-12 minutes
- stir in tomatoes, spinach and bacon simmer 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender (at this stage stir this often to keep the soup from scorching)
- ladle into bowls and serve with cheese if desired

Cake Cookies

My uncle introduced this interesting and irresistible recipe to my cousins and I earlier this year. After we DEVOURED his box of cookies that he had setting on the table (rule number 1: never leave 4 boys near an open box of fresh made cookies) he told us his secret recipe which I have now informed ya'll.


Yes that's right you are looking at the only ingredients to some of the best and easiest cookies that you can make. I know, I know you are going to make fun of this but trust me they are good! The real interesting thing about this cake mix is the sheer number of different kinds of cookies you can make. You can take any flavor of mix there is....that's right Betty Crocker has over 20 different cake flavors and I haven't found one that is bad. There are a few that you taste them and think only a child would like that flavor (just for reference the orange mix taste like Trix cereal). Right now our personal favorites are the Dark Chocolate and the French Vanilla, but I am looking forward to trying all the flavors that we get out here in the desert.


Just for laughs I had to throw in a close up of the eggs that we get here in Doha, Qatar. The eggs are from Saudi Arabia and have stamped on them (XL) 'Have a nice day'. Such cordial chickens over here!


And now for what ya'll really want to know....the actual recipe!



How to make Cake Cookies

Needed:

1 box of cake mix

2 large eggs (or 3 egg whites)

1/3 cup of oil

Preheat oven: 350 degrees

Mix ingredients and spoon onto baking implement. Cook cookies for 18 minutes.

Here is a time lapse of me eating one right out of the oven....these don't last very long with only two people in the house!


Here is a tasters response....and she isn't to happy with me and this photo but I love her dearly and think this picture is cute!