Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

What a delectable dessert.  Hurry and catch the end of the strawberry season and prepare this inspired snack for the family!  Isn't dark chocolate heart healthy?  I'm digging in and having myself a few...and a few more...and...

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Ingredients:
1 bag or container of chocolate pellets for dipping fruit
3-4 baskets of strawberries

Directions:
1.  Wash, pat dry and let strawberries continue to dry on paper towels
2.  Follow the microwave directions to melt chocolate using a microwavable bowl
      Sometimes microwaves vary, so start out with less time and increase by small intervals,
      stirring with a fork.
3.  When chocolate is perfectly smooth take it out and dip strawberries, one at a time.
4.  Place on wax paper or parchment paper to dry
5.  When it's finished you can design a platter with the strawberries, even place them in
     small cupcake cups like Chef Azuki did.


Beanspirations: Enjoy the light sweetness of spring! 

Quick Spaghetti

What a busy day Chef Azuki has had so far, but loving it!  Dropped off her little BeaNs at school, went to her husband's office and did some major filing.  Noon came around and she went to an office luncheon, soon after she picked up older little BeaN from school then took him to the golf course, ran to the grocery store and picked up younger BeaN at the bus stop.  While younger BeaN was taking a piano lesson, Chef Azuki made her quick spaghetti! (Guess where she is going after piano....Her little BeaN's Baseball game!!!!!)

Quick Spaghetti

Ingredients:

1 box (16 oz)Thin Spaghetti

1 lb Sage Pork Sausage

(2) 25 oz. Tomato and Basil bottled pasta sauce (any brand)

1 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Onion powder

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Basil

1 tsp Italian Seasoning

1 tsp Soy Sauce

3 T half and half (used to cut the tartness of the tomatoes)

Boil Thin Spaghetti as directed on box.

Saute sausage in a large skillet.  Add sauce.  Mix in the rest of the ingredients.

Simmer for at least 20 minutes.  Pour over the cooked spaghetti noodles and Enjoy!

BeaNspiration:  Life can be busy...enjoy the adventure!

Miso Honey Salad Dressing

It's been quite warm this week!  Too hot for Soup! Chef Azuki didn't have to cook dinner for her family so she decided to treat herself with a refreshing salad.  She found lettuce, tomato, avocado,green onions and left over chicken in her refrigerator.  Hmmmm... what kind of dressing?  Chef Azuki spotted the miso (fermented soy bean) paste in the back of her refrigerator and decided to create something tasty!

Miso Honey Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

1 T      Miso Paste

2T      Seasoned Rice Vinegar

1 T      Sesame Oil

1 T      Honey

1 tsp    Lemon juice

1/4 tsp Soy sauce

Whisk ingredients together and drizzle the dressing over the salad.  Enjoy!

Beanspiration:  Something sweet combined with something salty can create a honey of a treat!

Sriracha Guacamole

The Azuki BeaN Mamas are Back!!!!!!  Sorry for the delay in bringing you more recipes.  We've been Spring Cleaning and the time just flew by us.  But now we're ready to set forth and create some new recipes, just for you.

I can't believe we still have avocados.  Usually the avocados on our tree are gone by the beginning of March.  Chef Azuki had a lot of ripe ones recently and this is what she made.  Try it, for another unique tasting Asian inspired avocado spread!  It's easy to make and delicious with a plate of veggies!

Sriracha Guacamole

Ingredients:

1 Medium avocado

1/4 tsp Sriracha

1/4 tsp shoyu

1/4 tsp garlic powder

A few drops of lemon juice

Directions

Mash the ingredients together and it's ready in seconds!  Feel real to double or triple the recipe for the family or a party!

BeaNspirations:  Eating fruits and veggies from the garden is inspiring!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Corn Beef in the Crockpot

It's almost St. Patrick's Day again!!!!!!  Time seems to be flying by and with all our crazy activities with the little BeaNs, we've been a little slow in getting our act and new recipes together for you. Here's a great repeat recipe that you can make in a crock pot.  I love recipes I can set up and cook while I'm running around all day.  I just bought corned beef today so I'm set to take out my crock pot and make this on Tuesday.

Corn Beef and Vegetables in the Crock Pot

Ingredients:
1 (4 lb.) corned beef brisket package
4 cups of water
6 oz of Japanese beer
14 baby carrots
10 baby potaotes ( whole or quartered depending on size)
1 onion cut into bite sized pieces
3 celery stalks cut at a diagonal
1/2 Napa Cabbage chopped

Directions:
1.  Place brisket in crock pot with 4 cups of water.
2.  Add 6 oz or half a bottle of beer
3.  If your brisket comes with a season packet, add the contents into crock pot
4. Cover and set crock pot on high for 6 hours
5.  Reduce to low for 1 1/2 hours
6.  Add carrots, potatoes, onion, celery and cabbage to crock pot for the last hour
7.  Plate onto platter and dig in!

Hope you all have a lucky week!!!!!!!  

I feel lucky already; just knowing Tuesday dinner plans are taken care of!!!!! 

BeaNspiration:  A little planning makes life easier.

Asian Fruit Slaw

Cold slaw is always so refreshing but this delicious slaw brings a whole new kind of refreshing.  By adding fruits to this slaw and omitting mayonnaise, Chef Azuki has made a colorful fresh spring slaw that will tantalize your eyes and mouth.  She made this special treat for a dear friend with rave reviews from all!

Asian Fruit Slaw

Ingredients:
1 head of cabbage shredded
1 tsp sesame oil
1/4 C seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp soy sauce
2 T sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 T juice from one orange pieces
Orange pieces
Raspberries and Blueberries

Directions
1.  Shred cabbage
2.  Make the dressing by whisking together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar,
     salt, pepper, orange juice.
3.  Toss cabbage and dressing together
3.  It would be "mottainai" (wasteful) to throw away the orange after juicing it, so cut it into small            pieces and add to the salad.
4.  Add raspberries and blueberries and gently toss


I love the mix of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy.  Try this delicious Asian Fruit Slaw today!

BeaNspiration:  The mixing of different characteristics creates interest and texture!