Who LOVES Fettuccini Alfredo? (OUTSPOKEN Diva's Favorite Recipes)

Brows look wonky 

Oh Well

Easy Alfredo-Style Sauce

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 2 cups milk (I use 2%)
• 6 oz Italian Cheese blend (I use Kraft)
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper

Directions

1. Melt butter in a medium, non-stick saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring with a wire whisk until smooth.
3. Add milk, a little at a time, whisking to smooth out lumps.
4. Stir in cheese blend and pepper.
5. Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency. Sauce will thicken rapidly, and thin with milk if cooked too long.
6. Toss with hot pasta to serve. (Makes 2-1/2 cups)
   
   
   

Pasta with Canadian Bacon & Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 5 ounces Canadian bacon, diced (Tempeh bacon may be used as a meatless alternative)
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded & chopped
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or 1- 1/2 Tbsp jarred minced garlic
• 1 can (10 oz size) chopped tomatoes and green chilies, drained
• 1 Tbsp & 1 tsp salt-free Italian seasoning
• 2 pounds peeled medium shrimp 
• 16 oz of rotini or bow-tie pasta
• Alfredo (style) sauce (recipe provided above)
• 1 large bunch green onions (scallions), thinly sliced

Directions:

1. In a large skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook the Canadian bacon over medium heat until it begins to brown, about 3 minutes. 
2. Add the green pepper, onion, & celery, sautéing until tender, 5 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes
3. Gradually add the tomatoes and green chilies & Italian seasoning, stirring. 
4. Add the shrimp, cooking for 7 to 10 minutes or until pink and done, still stirring.
5. Meanwhile, cook the rotini or bow tie pasta according to the package directions, omitting any oil; drain. Toss pasta with the bacon & shrimp mixture & sauce, and add the green onions.

Suggested vegetable side dishes are broccoli or green beans seasoned with lemon pepper.

Also HERE is my previous post on this subject.

Of course, I going to say it. If you recreate these recipes, please take pictures & let me know. Especially if you get creative and use these heart-shaped noodles by this company. They seem fun. If I use these I'll make a post. Keyword is...

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About it Tuesday (Alpha Folks)

Let me cite my sources:

Here 

Here 

Here 

A person with an aggressive, subdued, or neutral personality might want to discuss (because there will be no arguments) this post. See I used adjectives & not buzzwords to describe dispositions. So, You Can Too.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Tea Hee Hee (OUTSPOKEN_Diva's Favorite Recipes)

Friendship Tea

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 orange pekoe tea bag (black tea)
• 2 tsp sugar 
• 1 1/2 tsp orange breakfast drink mix (I've used Tang)

Directions:

1. In small pot combine water, lemon juice, cloves, cinnamon Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove pot from the heat.
2. Add the tea bag and let steep for 5 minutes. 
3. Add the sugar & orange drink milk and stir to dissolve.
4. Serve hot

London Fog Latte

Ingredients

• 1 Earl Grey tea bag
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup milk (I prefer 1% or unsweetened vanilla almond)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

Directions:

1. Add hot water and tea bag to a mug. Steep for a few minutes or until desired strength is reached, then discard the tea bag.
2. While the tea is steeping, add milk to a microwave-safe jar that comes with a lid. Secure the lid.
3. Vigorously shake for a minute or until the milk foamy. Remove the lid. 
4. Microwave the uncovered milk until hot, about 30 seconds, and the foam will separate from the milk and rise to the top. Use immediately.
5. Add sugar and vanilla extract to the mug, stirring until dissolved. 
6. Pour the frothed milk on top, spooning the milk foam to top. Serve while hot.

Detox Tea of Respiratory Issues

Ingredients:

• 1 to 1-1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1-2 ginger tea bags (I've used Twinings, Bigelow, and Yogi brands)
• 1 Tbsp raw local honey 

Directions:

1. Boil turmeric, black pepper, and cinnamon for 5 minutes in water.
2. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 4-8 minutes. The longer you simmer, the stronger the taste.
3. Strain and pour into your cup.
4. Add tea bag(s) to it. Let steep for 4-5 minutes
5. Add honey and stir.

Lavender Tea Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 6 cups boiling water
• 4 lavender tea bags (I've used Yogi)
• 3 cup room temperature water
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 cups lemon juice plus 1 lemon, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags in a heatproof container and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.
2. Combine the sugar with the room temperature water in a measuring cup or bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves to make syrup.
3. Pour the lemon juice into a vat or large pitcher, add the syrup and tea, and stir. 
4. Add the lemon slices.
5. Chill for 4-8 hours to let the flavors develop, then serve.

So, that's my tea on tea. By the time I post this, I may be drinking a cup of tea. Tea is less caffeinated than coffee. I'm told it is reducing my risk of stroke and heart attack. I just know I like tea. And it seems to like me back.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

The Opening Picture Says...

I could tell you guys...

On January 1st, I went out to a comedy club to see Tony Baker. And he & guest were hilarious. Then in February, I had to go to the funeral of a friend's mom while working through some PTSD caused by Snowmageddon 2021. Talked about & Celebrated my favorite holiday, Easter on video. Almost sued my side hustle, 3rd job. Took a Birthday getaway to Hill Country, Texas in June. I day drank my butt off in Fredericksburg and viewed the sunset over Lake Travis. My grandmother turned 99 years old and my sister, cousins, and I gave her a birthday lunch. All the while I had to grieve a 19-year-old becoming an ancestor. Believe it or not, I hugged his mother.

An unnecessary swipe was made at her & God softened my heart. But one day while trying to support his dad, my friend, depression & anxiety crept in and did a number on my mental health & empathy. I found myself sobbing about the fact that Loretta Lynn died. I liked her music but I wasn't a big fan. I knew then that needed help was overdue. Yet while I was starting to get help, a friend's father passed. I continued with counseling and decided to face a few masks I wear a lot. You know mask I use to hide what I'm going through. Went to see Big Tex at the State Fair. I only ate 75% of a deep fried diet that day. And while I typing this while helping a friend find home health care for her father. Yep, I'm trying not to don one of the masks. Oh, and my day job will take a different focus for a while. Oh, and I keep telling you guys to subscribe to my Youtube channel, https://youtube.com/@OUTSPOKENDiva1678.

I could tell you All that and more. BUT What I Will Tell You About 2022 is...

Because I did! Point Blank and the Period! And if the Lord, whom I believe in says the same, I will see you in 2023.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (At His Feet LoL)

Correction: Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.

Definitions For New People

Foundation Church: Blog name for the church Outspoken_Diva grew up in 

Current Church: Blog name for the church Outspoken_Diva attends now 

I will admit, never heard the "Be Found by Boaz" topic preached at Foundation or Current churches. Now, those others, especially COGIC & Apostolic were heavy on that lesson.

References in This Video
Book of Ruth in The Bible

Sanctified Episode 2 

Boaz  From the Soundtrack of the film, Single Life, the Musical 

Now, wondering if I was a person in Biblical, who would I be married to and what would the ministers, seminary students, & theologians learn, preach, and/or teach my story? Hope my story would be told in its pure form to inspire goodness. One can wish!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

You Name It! (OUTSPOKEN Diva's Favorite Recipes)

Stewed Southern Greens and Tomatoes 

Ingredients

• 1-pound bag of stemmed and washed greens (turnips, mustard, and/or collards)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 to 4 garlic cloves to taste, minced
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne
• 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, seeded and grated, or peeled, seeded, and chopped, or a 28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes with juice 
•  1 Tblsp Italian Seasoning
• 2 tsp Low Sodium Old Bay Seasoning
  
  
  

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add the greens for 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice water, then drain and squeeze out water. Coarsely chop and set aside. Alternatively, steam the greens in a large steamer – Rinse and squeeze dry.
2. In a wide, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onion. Cook until the onion is tender and beginning to color, 5 to 8 minutes, and add the garlic, paprika, and cayenne. 
3. Cook, stirring, for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly about 10 minutes. 
4. Add the greens and herbs and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the greens are very tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with rice, quinoa, or just some good cornbread or crusty bread.

White Bean Stew

Ingredients 

• 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1 medium-sized onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 cans cannellini beans or white beans, drained 
• 1-2 garlic cloves, diced or pressed
• 1 cup, frozen spinach 
• 1 can stewed tomatoes 
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup (500 ml) vegetable or chicken broth or hot water 

Directions

1. Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, beans, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Cook stirring frequently, for about 1 minute.
3. Then add the frozen spinach and the vegetable broth. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot, reduce the heat, and cook gently for 15 minutes.
4. Divide into bowls, drizzle with olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, and more freshly ground black pepper if you like. Serve with crusty whole-grain bread and, if you don't keep it vegan, add freshly grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

These dishes warm your body & soul. My eyes & belly are craving these recipes. Once you make & have them I hope yours will too.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (Why? Because it is Christmas)

Got to get me some Raspberry Bon-Bons. Those are my favorite candy. It can't even be the Most Wonderful Time of the Year without those & controversy. This is not even my favorite holiday, but I wish you all would find comfort and peace 

and leave folk alone with your Bah Hum Bug assumptions about their finances. But hey, God Bless You, Everyone! I have a tea spill to clean off the cuff of my sweater. Happy Holidays!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!