Mandarin Favorite

Surprisingly I'm not talking about something that is necessarily a Chinese food, or at lest I don't think so. But a lot of Chinese restaurants I've been to serve a cucumber salad. My favorite one being The Mandarin here in Fort Wayne. During the week they have a lunch special that comes w/ so many appetizers before the actual meal, I am usually full by the time my dish arrives. One of the best "teasers" they serve is their marinated cucumbers. They are the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, salty--hitting all of those taste buds on the tongue just right. And there was always a little something that made them special I could never quite figure out. My mother-in-law deserves the credit for finally solving the mystery (I'll give credit where credit is due!!). After experimenting w/ different ingredients she came upon the special little "zing" that made theirs the best ever. Lemon extract. Yep, it was that simple. I have many recipes for cucumber salad which include onion, but this one is simply cucumbers and sauce. So good, so refreshing--especially on a day when the humidity is at 200%--which happens a lot during Indiana summers! I'm serving them as a side w/ a new sandwich recipe, so check back tomorrow for that recipe and see how the meal comes together!

Marinated Cucumbers

2-3 large cucumbers

2 tsp salt

6 TBS sugar

2/3 c. white vinegar

1 tsp lemon extract

Pepper to taste

Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers. Combine rest of ingredients and whisk well. Pour over cucumbers. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

Shared on Simply Delish July 15, 2011

Shared on Gooseberry Patch July 27, 2011

Shared on Everyday Sisters Sept. 11, 2011

Meal Plan May 15-20

* New Recipe
^^ Left over meals from the last 2 weeks
** New to the Blog Only
(Where to find on the blog)

Sunday
Reuben Sliders*
Marinated Cucumbers*
Potato Salad

Monday
Beef Stir Fry**
Teryaki Noodles

Tuesday
Baked Tortellini *
Garlic Bread

Wednesday
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes/Gravy
Corn on the Cob

Thursday
I am going out w/ a friend. The boys will have leftovers.

Friday^^
Eggs
Bacon
Sausage Links
Toast

Meal Plan May 8-13

*New Recipe
^ New Recipe, but already posted
(Where to find on blog)

Sunday
Mother's Day, we'll be celebrating away from home.

Monday
Honey Soy Chicken (July 15, 2010)
Roasted Red Potatoes (July 3, 2010)
Pea Salad^ (April 30, 2011)

Tuesday
Spaghetti
Olive Garden Salad*

Wednesday
Steak
Fried Cabbage/Noodles (August 17, 2010)
Sliced Peaches

Thursday (Alex's Pick)
Hot Dogs
Mac n Cheese
Candied Carrots (September 2, 2010)

Friday
Breakfast for Dinner
Eggs
Sausage Links
Bacon
Toast

Corn, Newly Creamed

Creamed corn is one of those veggies you either love or hate. I really don't think there is an in between for most people. Me? Well, I loved it as a kid, hated it for a few years as a grown up, and now I'm back to enjoying it again. I know.....women are fickle. It's part of our charm. My "boys" however, have always loved it, never wavering. And if I'm being honest, one of the reasons I might have started to love it again is b/c it's one of the easiest veggies to make: pop open can, pour in bowl, heat and serve. On a busy (or lazy) night, you can't get much easier than that:) But just b/c we love it in it's canned form, doesn't mean we aren't up to trying it a different way. My "always dependable for new recipes" cousin shared this w/ me last week after having it on Easter Sunday and said it was delicious. The minute I saw it I thought of one of our other favorites, green bean casserole, so why not try something similar w/ corn! I'm anxious to put this on my menu and I was going to this week, but then the grocery store had fresh corn on the cob that looked amazing, so it jumped in my cart instead. But I will be making this very very soon!

Creamed Corn and Fried Onion Casserole

1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 10 oz package frozen corn, thawed
salt and pepper
1 c. canned French fried onions

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 7 inch square baking pan or casserole dish. Spread the cream cheese evenly on bottom of the pan. Top w/ corn, pressing the corn into the cheese. Season to taste w/ salt and pepper. Spread the onions evenly over the top. Bake for 30 minutes.

Corn

New Month, New Contest

I think it's time to do another giveaway. Why? Because I like to do them, it's a good way to get the word around about the blog and b/c I've had some requests for one:) This time, it's going to be a little different. The prize doesn't really have anything to do w/ cooking, but I will have to follow a recipe in order to make it. I'm going to be giving away a jar of the Sea Salt Hand Scrub I blogged about last month. I had many hits on that post, and a few of you even asked me to maybe consider doing it as a prize, so ask and you shall receive. The winner will have her (or his I guess) choice of either lemon or coconut & it will come in a very cute jar w/ a lid. There are 3 ways to enter, but only the 1st is mandatory, but there is a chance for up to 3 entries per person.

1. Must leave a comment here saying which scent you would like. (Easy right)

2. Post on Facebook about the contest, and comment here saying you did so.

3. Comment on a recipe (no prior comments counted) and comment here saying you did so.

Contest ends June 1, 2011!