Blackberry Dumplings

This week Hagbard brought home a bunch of blackberries from the farmer’s market. I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with them but when I mentioned blackberry dumplings Hagbard was very excited. Today I made blackberry dumplings for breakfast. So good!

I used this recipe-> http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/blackberry-dumplings
The recipe has some reviews that suggest adding water to boil the berries. I often look at reviews and follow suggestions but I don’t think water is necessary in this case at all. The berries release a lot of juice as you heat them. My dumplings turned out fine without adding additional liquids.

Look at all the liquid the berries produce!

Plop the dough on top and cover pot.

After cooking.

This was very tasty and sweet and took about 20-30 minutes total to prepare and cook. Great for a dessert… or breakfast if you are like me!

Chicken Planks & Greek Cabbage Salad

Tonight we had battered chicken planks and a Greek cabbage salad.

The chicken is a copycat Long John Silvers chicken plank recipe. I think it tastes pretty close to the restaurant version. I didn’t alter the recipe at all.  http://www.passionforsavings.com/copycat-long-john-silvers-chicken-planks-recipe/#_a5y_p=2483145

The Greek cabbage salad is based on one from Kalyn’s Kitchen. There are lots of great recipes on that blog. It is focused on tasty low carb recipes so if you follow a lower carb way of eating it is a great recipe resource.

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2009/09/recipe-for-greek-cabbage-salad-with.html

I had cabbage to use up as well as part of a red onion and some feta cheese . The original recipe did not have onion. I used dried herbs because that is what I had. I made it a few hours in advance.

Greek Cabbage Salad

1/2 head of green cabbage, shredded

1/2 large red onion, sliced thin

4 T olive oil

3 T red wine vinegar

2 oz feta cheese, crumbled

1 tsp dry marjoram

1/2 tsp dry thyme

1/2 tsp dry oregano

1/8 tsp black pepper or to taste

1/8 tsp lemon pepper seasoning or to taste

Mix oil and vinegar together and pour over cabbage and onion. Toss all ingredients together. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Makes about 4 servings

Verdict: Everyone likes the chicken. Hagbard put his chicken and cabbage salad together in pita bread and thought they made a tasty sandwich. Amethesto didn’t eat the salad. I thought the salad was tasty and super easy to make. I think it would be better with some grilled chicken rather than battered chicken.

 

Meal Planning: July 2016 Dinners

For this month’s meal plan I don’t think I put anything that was new to my family. I spent a lot of time just staring at a blank paper. I guess I’m just feeling some summer apathy.

1. fish, hush puppies, fries
2. spaghetti, salad, breadsticks
3. chicken thighs, corn salad
4. lentil soup, rolls
5. grilled pork chops, cabbage, baked beans
6. pancakes, fruit
7. taco salad
8. sesame chicken, vegetables, rice
9. ravioli, salad
10. chicken & biscuit casserole
11. black beans & rice
12. scalloped potatoes & ham, salad
13. batsaria
14. cheeseburgers, grilled potato, fruit
15. falafel
16. grilled sandwiches
17. tomato basil cream chicken
18. chili, corn bread
19. pork carnitas
20. scrambled eggs
21. grilled pizza, salad
22. chicken curry
23. Parmesan portabella orzo, salad
24. chicken fajitas
25. bean soup
26. bbq pork sandwiches
27. zucchini boats, garlic bread
28. Greek potato stew

Hope this gives you some ideas! Check the blog throughout the month for recipes and details.