{ Almond Rhubarb Coffee Cake }

  Yay!! My rhubarb is finally ready to use again.... I love rhubarb & I always wait anxiously every spring until it is ready.

  I almost always use the same recipe just because we like it so much, but decided to branch out this time & try something new...so glad that I did! This turned out really yummy! =) 

Almond Rhubarb Coffee Cake

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2/3 cup canola oil

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup milk

1 1/2 cups finely chopped rhubarb

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tbls butter, melted

1/4 cup sliced almonds

In a large bowl beat brown sugar, oil, egg & vanilla until smooth. Combine flour, salt & baking soda; add to sugar mixture alternately with milk. Beat until smooth. Stir in rhubarb & almonds. Pour into two greased 9" round baking pans. For the topping combine brown sugar, butter & almonds. Sprinkle over batter. Bake @ 350 * for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

  I just made half of the recipe & baked it in a square dish; also made a almond flavored glaze & drizzled it over top after it had cooled awhile. Will definitely be making this again!

                        ~Sheila                                                              

     

~Asparagus~

  Hi all! :) It has been awhile since my last post....with spring finally here (I think) I'm spending more time outside; planting garden, cleaning out flower beds etc...so I haven't had quite as much time to spend cooking; well at least trying new recipes. This isn't a new one for me, but it is sooo simple & delicious that I wanted to share it! I never really cared for asparagus at all until I tried it this way & now it is probably one of my favorite vegetables!!



[[Baked Asparagus]]

Arrange asparagus spears on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil. Add fresh ground pepper & salt to suit your taste.

Bake @ 350* until tender crisp...around 8-12 minutes.

 

  I usually sprinkle sesame seeds over top before serving, but didn't do that this evening. Also if you want to take the time or if you are grilling something else it is even better grilled!! =) Adds a nice flavor.......

Hope you enjoy!

~Sheila



A "Good" Morning!

  Daren got off shift yesterday morning an hour late (he works a 24/48 shift & usually gets off at 8:00) & I was off work so I slept in. (ahhhh) We love breakfast but don't often have the chance to fix a nice one with our work schedules etc so I decided that this would be a good morning for me to spend some time in the kitchen. After digging through my recipe stash I found one that sounded like the perfect solution :) Everything was prepared & ready to eat when hubby got home.

Ham & Cheddar Waffles

 

  I served them with peppered gravy & homemade hash browns. sooo delicious if I may say so ;) Daren thought that they were pretty tasty too! Fresh fruit would have been wonderful with these also, but I didn't have any on hand. 'Twas great to enjoy a hearty breakfast (well, I guess it was more like brunch) again!

~Ham & Cheddar Waffles~

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg, slightly beaten

4 tbls butter, melted

2 oz. thinly sliced ham, chopped

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Stir milk, eggs and butter into flour mixture just until combined. Add ham and cheese. Pour 3/4 cup of batter onto heated waffle iron & cook until golden brown.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! =)

~Sheila