SHARING IS CARING

HOLIDAY SHORTBREAD COOKIES with DRIED CRANBERRIES

Ingredients:

-1 cup butter (2 sticks) 

-3/4 confectioner's sugar

-1 1/2 teaspoon salt

-2 1/3 all-purpose flour

-1 cup dried cranberries

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients (adding the cranberries at the end) to create dough. Form dough into a round log, wrap in plastic and freeze (minimum 30 min). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut dough into 1/2 inch thick slices. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool and top with butter or spread of choice.

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GARBANDAZA A LO 'MARIANA'

Ingredientes: 

-1 lata garbanzos (sin liquido)

-2 cdas aceite de oliva

-2 cdas sofrito

-1 1/2 taza agua

-jamón de cocinar a gusto (picado en pedacitos)

-tocineta a gusto (picado en pedacitos)

-patatas o zanahorias a gusto (picadas en pedacitos)

-1 cubito de sabor a pollo

-1 cda ajo molido

-1 sobrecito Sazón Culantro y Achiote

-una pizca de pimienta

(Personalmente, no le echo sal porque los ingredientes ya tienen mucho sabor. Pero les recomiendo que vayan probando y modificando a su gusto.)

Instrucciones:

En un caldero pequeño, eche el aceite, sofrito, jamón, tocineta y ajo y sofría por varios minutos. Luego, eche los garbanzos, seguidos por el agua, zanahorias o patatas, cubito de pollo, sobrecito de Sazón y la pimienta. Reduzca el fuego a temperatura mediana y deje cocinar por varios minutos hasta que los garbanzos y zanahorias/patatas estén cocinadas.

SHARING IS CARING

Mariana's Stir Fry Sauce

Ingredients for sauce:

-1/2 cup soy sauce

-1/2 cup vegetable broth

-2 tablespoons brown sugar

-1 tablespoon garlic powder or minced garlic

-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

-dash salt

-dash cayenne pepper

-dash paprika

Directions:

In a medium skillet saute you favorite veggies with your choice of meat. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the sauce. Add the sauce mix to the skillet and saute till the sauce thickens a bit. Serve over pasta, rice, quinoa, couscous or rice noodles.

SHARING IS CARING

Mariana's Tips for a Superb Hot Chocolate

I love making Hot Chocolate in the winter-time. This year I bought a GODIVA milk chocolate-hot cocoa mix (but you can buy any mix; they're available in all sort of brands). Here are a couple of tips on how to make an ordinary hot chocolate mix into an extraordinary drink! (Feel free to combine tips but don't do all of them at the same time! Lol.)

1. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for every cup of milk.

2. Add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavor of the chocolate.

3. Use marshmallows, whipped cream or cool whip as a topping.

4. Drop a piece of cheddar cheese in your hot cocoa cup.

5. Drop a cinnamon stick in your hot cocoa before serving.

SHARING IS CARING

Gloria's Easy Microwave Oatmeal-Raisin Clusters

(This recipe was given to me by my Mother-in-law Gloria Cordero)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins or dried fruit of your choice
1 tbs ground cinnamon 
a pinch of salt
3/4 aprox. cup oatmeal

Directions:

In a medium bowl, add butter and brown sugar and mix until paste like substance forms.
Add the cinnamon, salt, raisins and oatmeal. Transfer mixture to a glass baking pan and heat on microwave for 3 minutes.

SHARING IS CARING

Puffed Oven Pancake with Brown Sugar Banana Sauce

(source: www.livefitandhealthy.com)

Ingredients: 

-2 tbsp unsalted butter

-4 eggs 
-2/3 cup all-purpose flour 
-2/3 cup fat-free milk 
-1/2 tsp salt 
-1/2 cup unsalted butter 
-1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 
-3 medium bananas, sliced 
-2 tbsp apple juice 
-powdered sugar (optional)
-whipped cream (optional)


Directions:




Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place 2 tbsp butter in a 12-inch oven safe skillet. Place skillet in oven for 3 to 5 minutes or until butter is melted.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat eggs with a wire whisk. Add flour, milk, and salt; beat until smooth. Immediately pour batter into the hot skillet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and well browned.

Brown sugar-banana sauce:
In a small saucepan combine the 1/2 cup butter and the brown sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until melted. Add bananas; cook about 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring gently. Carefully stir in apple juice; heat through.

To serve, spoon sauce over pancake. If desired, sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream.

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Mariana's Gourmet Breakfast Bean Mash

Ingredients:
-1 can kidney beans
-1/2 yellow onion (diced)
-1/2 cup water
-2 tbsp. olive oil
-1 tbsp. minced garlic
-1 bay leaf
-1/2 tbsp. salt
-1/2 tbsp. oregano
-a pinch of black pepper
-a pinch of cayenne pepper
-fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Directions:
Drain and rinse the beans. In a small saucepan pour beans, bay leaf and water. Bring to a boil and then lower heat. Let simmer for a couple of minutes until beans are tender. Mash beans in the water with a fork, take out bay leaf and set aside. In a medium size skillet, heat olive oil, onions and garlic until browned. Add mashed bean mixture, salt, oregano, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly until it forms into a paste-like substance. Garnish with fresh parsley. 

SHARING IS CARING

Arroz con Salchichas

(Receta por mi padre: Ramón Vicente)

Ingredientes:  

-1 1/2 taza arroz
-Agua para cubrir el arroz (pero tambien usando el caldo que viene con las salchichas, esto le da mas gusto)
-Una lata de salchichas picadas en mitad

-Sofrito 

-1/2 cebolla picadita finita
-Como media lata de salsa de tomate (recuerda que debes usar menos agua ya que la salsa es aguada tambien)
-1 cda. mantequilla

-1 cda. aceite mazola
-Sal a gusto

*En un caldero pequeño a temperatura 'med-hi' eche las cebollas y el sofrito en el aceite y la mantequilla. Luego, vierta los demas ingredientes, mezcle y aumente la temperatura hasta que hierva y el arroz absorba todo el liquido. Mezcle nuevamente, reduzca la temperatura y tape por aproximadamente 20 minutos.

SHARING IS CARING

OREO Cheesecake

Ingredients:

-1 pkg. OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

-1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

-3 pkg. (8oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

-3/4 cup sugar

-1 cup Sour Cream (I use Breakstone’s or Knudsen)

-1 tsp. vanilla extract

-4 eggs

-Use a 9 inch non-stick pan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Crush 30 of the cookies. Coarsely chop the remaining 15 cookies and set aside. Mix crushed cookies with butter. Press firmly onto bottom and 2 inches up side of pan and set aside. Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Add the sour cream and vanilla. Mix well. Add eggs (1 at a time) mixing well until blended. Gently stir in chopped cookies. Spread into prepared crust. Bake 55 minutes to 1 hour or until set. (If necessary: to prevent from over browning, tent with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking time.) Cool completely on wire rack and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  

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Peppered Quinoa Recipe

Ingredients: 

-1 cup quinoa

-2 cups vegetable/chicken broth

-1 tablespoon garlic powder (or minced)

-1 tablespoon salt

-1/2 tablespoon black pepper

-A handful of diced green, yellow and red peppers

-Half an onion, diced

-2 tablespoons olive oil

-2 fresh basil leaves

-Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a small saucepan, sauté the onions, peppers and garlic in the olive oil until golden. Pour in the quinoa, followed by the broth. Stir in the salt, pepper and basil. Bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cover for about 10-15 minutes or until quinoa has absorbed all the water. Remove from heat, fluff and add the parmesan cheese to taste.

SHARING IS CARING

Mariana's Chicken and Shrimp Kabobs

Ingredients: 

* 2-4 Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins

* 8-10 shrimp (I use the small cocktail shrimp)

* 12 grape tomatoes

* 1/2 an onion, cut into 4 parts

* 4 bamboo grilling kabob skewers

Ingredients for marinade:

* 1/4 cup olive oil

* 2 tbsp. white distilled vinegar

* 2 tbsp. garlic powder or minced garlic

* 2 tbsp. salt

* 1 tbsp. black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Cut the chicken tenderloins into 1 inch thick strips. In a small bowl, throw in pieces of chicken, shrimp, tomatoes and onions. Incorporate the ingredients for the marinade and mix thoroughly. Thread the tomatoes, onions, chicken and shrimp alternately onto the skewers. Place on a flat baking pan and pour over the remaining marinade juices. Cook on oven for 20 minutes (turning it over once when 10 minutes have gone by).

You can try this recipe with whatever veggies you have at home: mushrooms, peppers, corn, etc. Get creative!

SHARING IS CARING

Mariana's Hearty Quinoa Recipe

Ingredients:

* 2 tbsp. olive oil

* 1/2 onion, diced

* 1/2 carrot, cut into small circles

* a handful of fresh mushrooms, diced

* 1 cup whole-wheat quinoa

* 2 cups vegatable or chicken broth

* 1 tbsp. garlic powder or crushed garlic

* a pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

Heat the olive oil on a small/medium saucepan over medium-hi heat. Stir in the onions, mushrooms, garlic and carrots. Saute until lightly browned. Mix in quinoa and cover with broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 20 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let stand for a couple of minutes. Serve with a fresh salad and side dish of your choice!

MARIANA'S GRANOLA COOKIES RECIPE

Mariana's Granola Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

* 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon baking soda

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 1/2 cup butter

* 1/2 cup brown sugar

* 1 egg

* 2 tablespoons milk (Personally, I like Almond Milk)

* 1-1/2 cups granola cereal of your choice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheet. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and completely combine. Add milk and combine. Mix in flour mixture. Stir in granola. Drop by teaspoonsful, 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 11-14 minutes. 

HOMEMADE GLUTEN FREE POWER BARS

HOMEMADE GLUTEN FREE POWER BARS

For this following recipe I used 1 pkg. Organic Trek Mix (unsweetened chocolate chips, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins and cranberries). If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s close to where you live, you can buy your favorite ingredients and mix them yourself. You can use: unsweetened shredded coconut, unsweetened chocolate chips, almonds, pecans, peanuts, cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds. Remember: these should all be organic and/or raw ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. organic Trek Mix  (makes 2 cups)

¼ cup organic unsalted peanut butter

¼ cup coconut oil

1 tbs. agave nectar

a pinch of celtic sea salt

½ tbs. vanilla extract

Place 2 cups of Trek Mix in a blender and pulse briefly, for about 10 seconds.

In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil over very low heat. Once melted, remove from stove and mix in the agave nectar and vanilla extract.

Add coconut mixture and peanut butter into blender and pulse until mixture forms into a thick paste.

Press mixture into an 8x8-baking dish and refrigerate until it hardens (about an hour).

Cut into bars.

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¡Esta receta es todo un éxito! Mi mamá siempre la hace para fiestas. ¡No pasan ni 5 minutos y ya la bandeja esta vacía! Es fácil, ligera y todos te van a halagar. Te acordaras de mi ;)

Castañas de agua envueltas en tocineta

Ingredientes:

2 latas de castañas de agua (water chestnuts)

1 paquete de tocineta

1 paquete de palillos de diente

Ingredientes para salsa agridulce:

½ taza Ketchup

1 cda. Mostaza

2 cda. Azúcar morena

Envuelve los water chestnuts en tocineta. Utiliza los palillos de dientes para sostener la tocineta. Cuando todos estén listos, acomódalos en una bandeja y ponlos en el horno a dorar (broil). Mientas tanto, mezcle los demás ingredientes en un envase para crear la salsa agridulce. Cuando la tocineta este crujiente, saque la bandeja del horno y con una cuchara (o brocha de cocinar) eche un poco de salsa sobre cada water chesnut. Vuelva a colocar en el horno por varios minutos y, ¡voila!

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This recipe is the BOMB! My mom makes it every time we have a party. Not five minutes go by and the tray is empty! Its fast, easy and everybody will be giving you complements. Trust me ;)

Bacon-wrapped Water chestnuts

Ingredients:

2 cans of water chestnuts

1 pkg. of bacon

1 pkg. of toothpicks

Ingredients for sweet ketchup sauce:

½ cup ketchup

1 tbsp. mustard

2 tbsp. brown sugar

Wrap the water chestnuts with bacon and use the toothpicks to hold them. When they’re ready, arrange them in a baking tray and put them in the oven on broil to brown. Mean while; merge the ingredients for the sauce in a mixing bowl. When the bacon crisps take the tray out of the oven and evenly pour a small amount of sauce onto each water chestnut. Place back in the oven for a couple on minutes and, voila!

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Si deseas acompañar tu comida con algo refrescante y liviano, una ensalada es ideal. Mi favorita: la ensalada de espinaca con fresas y nueces.

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 If you’re craving a light, refreshing side dish that’s easy to make, you can’t go wrong with a salad! My favorite: Spinach and strawberry salad.

Ensalada de espinaca con fresa y nueces / Spinach strawberry salad

1 bunch spinach (rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces)

1/2 cup sliced strawberries 

1 handfull of walnuts

Optional: blue cheese, avocado

Home-made dressing

Option #1:

1/3 cup sugar (preferably brown sugar)

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Option #2:

2 lemon juice 

3 tbsp sugar

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¡Les presento mi nuevo desayuno sustituto! Esta receta fabulosa fue dada a mi por la pasada Miss USA, modelo, actriz y portavoz Susie Castillo. Tiene todo lo que tu cuerpo necesita para mantenerte saludable y activo. De acuerdo a mi investigación, este jugo es muy común en la dieta de los artistas en Hollywood por que no solo benefician tu salud, ¡pero también mantienen tu piel radiante y eliminan las toxinas del cuerpo! Aquí les dejo mi receta modificada, pueden cambiarla a su gusto. (Les recomiendo que utilicen un ‘Juicer’.)

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I introduce you to my latest substitute breakfast! This awesome recipe was given to me by the former Miss USA, model, actress and spokeswoman Susie Castillo. It has all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and active. According to my research, the Glowing Green Juice is very common among celebrity diets. It not only benefits your health, but also makes your skin glow (thus, its name) and helps you shed some pounds. So here it is! Fell free to modify the ingredients to your taste. (I recommend you use a juicer.)

Glowing Green Juice

1 head organic romaine lettuce

3-4 stalks organic celery

½ head of a large bunch spinach

1 organic apple

1 organic pear

Juice of ½ fresh organic lemon

Opcional- 1/3 bunch organic cilantro or parsley