Clementine Iced Tea

CLEMENTINE ICED TEA

This might become a staple in our household. Mom, Dad, Sister and Hubby approved. So refreshing and delicious!

WHAT YOU NEED:

10 clementines

1/2 cup of sugar

1 cup of sugar

4 tea bags (I like just plain black tea)

Water to fill a teapot

Cheese Cloth

String (cooking string for meats)

Here we go! 

Cut a cheese cloth to about this size.

Zest 5 clementines and place the zest in the middle of the cheese cloth.

Tie into a bundle with string.

Put a small pot on low-medium heat. Add sugar.

Add the cup of water.

Add the zest bundle and let sit until all sugar is dissolved then set aside to cool slightly.

Put a teapot full of water on high heat.

Cut another piece of cheese cloth and add 4 teabags with the zest of 5 more clementines.

Tie and place into a bundle and place in pitcher.

Add teapot full of water almost to the top.

Take bundle out of pot and add to pitcher. Let tea/zest bundle steep for 5 minutes or until reaching desired color.

Stir, take out tea/zest bundle and place in fridge.

Reagan Advice (Scroll over picture to see advice)

(MORE WATER!!!)

The tea is good as it is but if you'd like more clementine flavor then continue on.
Juice all clementines.

Place juice in an ice cube tray and place in freezer for a few hours.

Use as ice cubes with cooled down tea.

I can not express how good this is! I haven't tried it but I imagine this would be good as a cocktail :)

BAKED Sweet Potato Fries

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

I have tried 3 different recipes for baked sweet potato fries and the last batch was finally crispy and delicious like I knew they could be. Husband wanted me to fry them but I refused! Sweet potatoes are so good for you, why fry them and ruin the nutritional value? I'm glad I persevered because these are awesome! I can't wait for you to try them!

WHAT YOU NEED:

One large sweet potato 

2 egg whites

3 tbsp of flour

Garlic Powder

Sea Salt

LOTS of olive oil cooking spray

Slice the potato into "fry" sizes. Place your fries into cold water for 10 minutes.

Dry them on paper towels making sure all extra moisture is blotted out.

I like to fold the paper towel on top of the fries

In the meantime add two egg whites to a stand mixer with a whisk attachment.

Whisk until foamy

Place fries in bowl and stir. Make sure all fries are covered in egg whites.

Add flour one tbsp at a time and stir.

Add enough garlic powder to your liking. I used about a palm full.

  
Add a dash of crushed sea salt.

Stir all together.

Spray a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

Reagan Advice (Scroll over picture to see advice)

Spread on top of the rack(s) so that the fries are not touching.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

They will brown on the edges and look done but try to keep from taking them out too early. The longer they are in the oven, the crispier they get. But watch them so they don't burn.

That's oil on the bottom of the pan but at least the fries didn't stick! YUMMY!!!

Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese!!

I've been saying this for what seems like years. This is THE best mac and cheese ever. Everyone that has tried this has loved it. Even my brother-in-law who swore he didn't like mac and cheese has been waiting for me to put this recipe on here. So Kevin, Here it is!

 

ARE YOU READY!?

What you need:

One box of whole wheat macaroni

1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup of shredded havarti cheese

1/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese - about an 1/8 cup for the topping

3 slices of bread

3 tbsp of butter/margerine

2-3 tbsp of flour

3/4 cup milk - you may need more

Pinch of salt and pepper

2 tbsp chopped parsley

2 tsp paprika

Boil macaroni with a dash of salt added to water. When done, set aside.

Melt butter on medium low. Add flour while stirring quickly. Let cook for a while to cook out the flour taste. 

Add milk slowly while stirring. Let sit until milk starts to bubble up. Stir. If mixture seems too think add more milk, a little at a time. Add salt and pepper.

Add all shredded cheese except extra parmesan. Stir until smooth. 

Add macaroni into pot and stir. 

Toast pieces of bread and butter them. Cut them up and put them in a food processor. Add paprika, extra parmesan and chopped parsley.

Pulse until it looks like bread crumbs.

Add mac and cheese to greased baking dish. Spread bread crumbs on top.

Reagan Advice (Scroll over picture to see advice)

Broil in the oven on High for 10 minutes or until you see a nice crust form.

Seriously, if you don't try this, I'll be forced to make this face:

(Compliments of Wes McCoy)