I **need** inspiration! I need a 'pick me up' recipe

[LaydeeBug]

maybe it's the winter blues, maybe I am just a little worn out, but I need a recipe for some inspiration.

ANY help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[fizzgig]

1. it's soup time of the year for me

i made chicken tortilla soup last weekend, 'clean out the fridge' veggie soup last night and have an acorn squash that will become soup in the not-to-distant future.

the peach crisp i made last night was a pretty tasty pick me up, too

[northoftheborder]

2. I'm going to make a peach pie for a winter pick-up, from peaches in the freezer from summer.

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. This is the favorite MEAL for many -- Caprese Salad.

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Sliced tomatoes (or halved cherry tomatoes), fresh mozzarella, fresh basil (though I've used
dried) and, although many recipes call for olive oil... I prefer balsamic vinegar.
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Fresh, refreshing, light and most of all TASTY!!!
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[guardian]

4. Pina Colada Cupcakes

Makes: 12
Preparation time 15 min
Ready in 20 min + cooling and decorating

Ingredients
120g unsalted butter, softened
150g caster sugar
2 large eggs
250g self-raising flour
2tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
canned pineapple, diced and patted dry
200ml coconut milk
1tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp white rum (optional)

Coconut butter cream:
120g butter, softened
200g icing sugar, sifted
2 tbsp coconut milk


1 Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and set aside.
2 Combine the coconut milk and rum (if using) in a small bowl, set aside.
3 Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in half the flour mixture, half the coconut milk mixture, then the remaining flour, and remaining milk. Stir in the vanilla and fold in the pineapple.
4 Spoon the mixture into paper cases in a 12-hole muffin tin and bake in a preheated oven, 180C/Gas 4 for 18-20 min or until a cocktail stick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Place on wire racks to cool completely.
7 To make the icing, cream together the butter, sugar and coconut milk until smooth.

[guardian]

5. Roasted Sweet Peppers Stuffed with Goat Cheese

INGREDIENTS
12 sweet baby bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 ounces soft goat cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

PREPARATION:
1.Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the bell peppers in a medium ovenproof skillet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon/15 ml of olive oil and toss the peppers to coat in the oil. Roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and blackened in spots and the peppers are tender. Transfer the peppers to a bowl.
2.Cover with plastic wrap and allow the peppers to steam for 5 to 10 minutes to help loosen the skins from the peppers. Remove the skins from the peppers. Cut off the tops of the peppers and scoop out the seeds, keeping the peppers intact.
3.In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese and chives. Season the cheese mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the cheese mixture into a resalable plastic bag. Cut off one small corner of the bag.
4.Pipe the cheese mixture into the peppers. If your peppers have split open, just pipe the cheese mixture down the length of the peppers and fold the peppers over the cheese mixture to enclose. Place the stuffed peppers on a tapas plate. Sprinkle with the parsley. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and serve at room temperature

[LaydeeBug]

6. Thank you guys, it really means a lot. nt

[grasswire]

7. how about a summery meal?

I would make a chicken salad with grapes and cashew nuts or walnuts and fresh basil leaves and mayonnaise -- even better with curry powder added. or a bit of OJ. Then put some on a plate with some delicious fruits on the side -- pineapple, mango or orange.

Serve with some good rolls on the side and maybe some iced coffee or tea if you aren't in the middle of a snow storm.

Put some silly jolly music on (Tijuana Brass?), and use colorful tablewear.

I think that citrus fruits are always a good pick-me-up in the winter.

Failing that, buy yourself a bunch of daffodils.

[guardian]

8. RE citrus fruits

A nice 'summery' meal we make is grilled chicken with citrus salsa. You can find lots of recipes for this.