Oh my gosh? Dare I say it? Spring is right around the corner!! You know what this means, BBQ’s and camp fires! Flowers and swimming! Playing, playing, playing! (for the kids, of course) As long as we’re talking summer, we've got to talk grills.......that’s right, what a lead in...Have you ever thought about paninis on the grill? If you're looking for ideas other than … [Read more...]
Rigatoni with Grilled Chicken and Dried Tomatoes
Seriously I have had enough. Winter started way too early this past November. And it continues to drag on, with a tease of warm weather here and there. In a feeble attempt to pretend that it may in fact be spring, or summer, I pulled out the tomatoes and basil that I dried, after having picked them from my garden last year. And for a few glorious minutes, I got to taste … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese...a kid favorite for sure! But why can't it be an adult favorite?! With just a little sprucing up, it sure can be! I remember my mom making "the blue box" and mixing in peas and tuna. It was the "all-american meal" back in the 80s. That...and chicken cordon bleu's from the freezer. Two meals that I am both fond of, but somehow disgusted by. (I do … [Read more...]
Pulled Pork with Red Onion
This recipe is featured in the 21 Freezer Cooking Recipes from Costco Meal Plan #5. Several weeks ago I purchased a large pork tenderloin. I used part of it to make Spanish Stew, sliced off a few pork chops, and then left the remaining portion whole to cook in the slow cooker. This is quite simple...I placed the roast fat side up in the slow cooker, topped it … [Read more...]
Angel Food Cake with Lime Glaze and Pistachios
(No. I did not forget about my "dessert of the month" promise. Yes. I do realize that it's the last day of the month. I work best on a tight deadline! Translation: I am one giant procrastinator.) A match made in food heaven... Lime. and. Pistachios! I made this earlier this month when we had some friends from church over for dinner. I made the angel food cake the night … [Read more...]
Italian Wedding Soup
Here is my version of Italian Wedding Soup. Simple. Delicious. So yeah. There's going to be a wedding this year. My sister's!!! I'm honored to stand beside her as the matron of honor, and I'm thrilled that Charlie gets to be a ring bearer! And there's going to be an Italian at the wedding. My sister's fiance is Italian. Dark headed, dark eyed with a last name that's … [Read more...]
Storing Yeast in Your Freezer
If you bake bread regularly, or you are thinking about starting, here's a little tip for you... Store your yeast in the freezer! It is certainly cheaper to purchase a jar of yeast than to purchase the strips. If you are planning to make more than 3 loaves of bread or 3 batches of dough for rolls, pizza crust, cinnamon rolls or other yeast bread, then … [Read more...]
Smothered Okra with Chicken and Rice
When Steve and I lived in the Dominican Republic, one of our favorite side dishes was smothered okra. I would go into the fruit and veggie market and get a pound of fresh okra. I'd grab some peppers and an onion, then I'd probably pay $1 for it all...maybe $1.25, and I'd be on my way. Eddy was my market man...and he always gave me a great deal! Nothing had prices on it, but … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato – The Perfect “Table Food” for Older Infants and Toddlers
Tyler loves sweet potatoes. He would eat them at every meal if I let him. He went through a beans phase, and now it's sweet potatoes. I'd prefer to "steam bake" them, but I often don't remember in time, so I just microwave them for a few minutes after slitting them. I intentionally choose longer, skinnier ones that will cook faster and feed him for two meals. I also add a … [Read more...]
Spanish Rice – Vintage Recipe (fail!)
The Spanish Stew the other night was a hit. This Spanish Rice...not so much! Maybe it would have been tastier if I'd have used green olives instead of black olives. I know I just said I don't share nasty recipes, but in the name of "It's Vintage Recipe Week," I'm sharing the experience! If anything... ...this recipe is a hoot! We'll just leave it at … [Read more...]