Guinness Beef Short Ribs

 I thought with summer here and in full swing, I'd have MUCH more time to blog and have an easy schedule.....was I ever wrong....

I just returned home from the BlogHer Conference held in Chicago this past Sunday and only just now have had time to sit at the desk and bust out a post.....and it's not even about the conference because I still need to gather all of those pics which happen to scattered in every possible direction...phone, facebook, twitter, you name it.

So, in between dropping Paige off at gymnastics day camp and Bryce off at Lego Robotics camp, here's my recipe for delicious Guinness Beef Short Ribs.  Trust me, they taste better than they look....photographing meat {well} is something I am trying to accomplish in my life.  Considering we are a meat loving family, one would think I'd get enough practice in by now...

Okay, enough apologies and excuses.

Here's the beef.

Our freezer is at a bare minimum right now.  Digging through it the other day, I managed to dig out three packages of beef short ribs and decided to cook these all at once.

Sprinkle each rib with a generous amount of Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.

Roll each piece in flour and braise in olive oil.  About 1-2 minutes per side, until browned.

Saute some onions in a dutch oven, add the braised short ribs and pour in one entire can of Guinness {but don't forget to save a sip for the cook}.  Pour in one cup of beef broth as well....but if you're like and beef broth didn't make it to your shopping list, use chicken broth instead.  Cover with lid and place in to a pre-heated 300 degree oven for about 3 hours.

Out comes some fall off the bone, savory, tender beef short ribs....the entire pot was devoured in little over 30 minutes...no joke.

Hope you're all enjoying a warm, slow moving summer in your part of the world.....or a pleasant winter if you're from Brazil, Australia, etc. :)

Kenny Chesney's Blue Chair Rum ~ National Daiquiri Day

If you know me, you know how much I love Kenny Chesney's music.  If you know me REALLY well, you'll know about how I almost collided with his tour bus many years ago on the way to the Sonoma County Fair venue to hear him perform before he was as well known as he is today.

You know when you're going through tough times and you hear songs that "speak" to you?  Well, that was the connection I had with Kenny's music many years ago.....always have since day one and still connect today.  My kiddos love his music also, I think they know every word to almost every song he sings.

So when I was contacted about National Daiquiri Day {tomorrow July 19th!} and featuring Kenny Chesney's new rum line, I was all over it.  Kenny just launched a personal line of spirits called Blue Chair Bay Rum (White, Coconut, Coconut Spiced).   Kenny dreamt up and funded the entire venture himself.  I'd say he's All IN.

If you get a chance, check it out and maybe try out this refreshing daiquiri recipe to go along with it...I know I will!

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem.

Babes Showing Babies ~ Marin County Fair

We've been having a heat wave in Northern California the past week or so and smack dab in the middle of it was Dairy Show Day at the Marin County Fair.  

The Marin County Fair is a five day fair but the large animals are hauled in on 'show day' and then hauled back home the same afternoon.  This makes for a long day that begins at 5:30 a.m. with the kids {Bryce} washing his heifer before leaving the ranch and hauling her to the fair at 7 a.m.

Crock Pot Honey Teriyaki Chicken

Just because it's summer doesn't mean you can't utilize that crock pot of yours.  I saw this recipe online and modified it to what I had on hand in the fridge.  So yummy, easy, light and perfect for a weekday summer night.

Here's what you need for success.....

Crock Pot Honey Teriyaki Chicken

1 1/2 pound boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon dried garlic flakes {I used Garlic Gold Nuggets}
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

*Put chicken into crock pot. 
Combine honey, teriyaki sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, and garlic. Pour over chicken. 
Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. 

*Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. 
Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. 

*Cut chicken into bite size pieces and return to crock pot - can leave chicken in and simmer on low or serve. 
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Fourth of July EASY Mini Dessert

Okay, so I'm sure I've found the EASIEST dessert EVER to be baked.......Mini Cherry Pies.  Seriously, this took all of 7 minutes to prepare and 13 minutes to bake.....DONE!  

And SO good!

Can you tell I love this recipe?!

And perfect timing....this can be very patriotic for the 4th of July.

Two things are all you need.....and a third if you wanna splurge.  Pre-made pie crusts by Pillsbury and canned cherry pie filling....that is it.

Here's what you do.....roll out that pre-made Pillsbury Pie Crust.  Use a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter and punch out the dough.  Place into a mini muffin pan, gently.

Fill with your favorite canned pie filling.....I used cherry but blueberry would be great as well....or both! Bake these little gems for 13-14 minutes and you're done!  It is THAT easy.  Paige and I whipped these out in no time.

Yum, Yum, Yum.

The third, optional ingredient....whipped cream.  I suggest adding the whipped cream.....OH so good.

The only drawback....it's super easy to eat about five of these, in one sitting.  But I'm very thankful for easy, delicious desserts that most will love!

I'll be attending our home town parade and then a friend's BBQ, what are your plans for the Fourth?

Patriotic Cocktail Recipes

My friends at Maestro Dobel Tequila and Three Olives Vodka are ready to help us all celebrate the 4th of July with their very patriotic cocktails to get the party started.  My favorite looking cocktails also happened to be the most brightly colored......Blue Devil-tini with tequila, Sideline Shooter and the Roman Candle.

Many times. at various parties thrown at our house throughout the year, I'll pick a theme cocktail to go along with the party and I think any one of these would be perfect for the 4th....or upcoming Labor Day as well.

Have a fun, safe and sparkly 4th of July!

Blue Devil-tini
 2 oz. Maestro Dobel Tequila
 ½ oz. Blue Curacao
 Splash Tonic
 Shake Maestro Dobel Tequila and blue curacao with ice.
 Strain into a chilled martini glass.
 Add tonic and garnish with a lemon wedge

Sideline Shooter
 1/3 oz. Three Olives Cake Vodka
 1/3 oz. Grenadine
 1/3 oz. Blue Curacao
 Layer in a shot glass!

Roman Candle
 3 oz. Three Olives Berry Vodka
 1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice
 Dash of Grenadine
 ½ oz. Blue Curacao
 Shake vodka, cranberry juice and grenadine in a shaker with ice.
 Strain into a martini glass
 Pour blue curacao gently down the side of the glass so it settles on the
bottom.
 Garnish with lemon twist