Fat Tuesday or Reason to Celebrate?

In honor of Mardi Gras (next Tuesday), I thought something colorful and decadent was in order.  I selected a few recipes I thought you might enjoy, whether celebrating Fat Tuesday with a huge crowd or just a lovely evening at home.

Amish Sour Cream Apple Pie

If you can get a hold of some great looking apples, there is no better time to create this rich, tasty Amish treat.  Who says the Amish are subdued?  This apple pie recipe will knock your socks off in true Mardi Gras style!

Blueberry Crumb Cake

This recipe is the perfect purple to get your groove on for Fat Tuesday.  I can almost smell the blueberries baking right now.  How much fun would it be to share this with your family and friends on Tuesday?

Rigatoni with Fresh Tomatoes & Pancetta

In keeping with my colorful foods theme I couldn't bare to leave this one out.  Yes, I realize Mardi Gras is more or less a "French-ish" holiday, but here in America if you use an Italian dish to celebrate it...really who is going to know?  The Fat Tuesday Sheriff?  Bring on the pasta police, because this bad boy is a drooler!

Enjoy!  We love feedback and photos!

Valentine's Gifts You Can Bake!

Tired of giving the same old box of chocolates (not to mention spending a small fortune on the good ones)?  Why not give a new box of some goodies this year to your valentine...Yes, I'm talking about baking some love to give to your sweetheart.  You can even put it in a pretty box if you like!

Chocolate Turtles

A chocolate and peanut lover's dream come true, these turtles are simple and easy to make, freeing up more time for you to enjoy your valentine.  Plus, the money you save on chocolates might get you into a movie!  (Or at least a matinee!)

German Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Now this is a new twist on an old world favorite!  Move over Queen Anne Chocolate Covered Cherries...we are taking German chocolate to a whole new level!  German chocolate cherry brownies will definitely be making an appearance soon at my house!

Janet's Chocolate Chip Cake

If you will be entertaining several guests on Valentine's Day, Janet may be able to help with that.  Her chocolate chip cake recipe is a great combination of moist delicious cake and enough chocolate to satisfy that valentine craving.

Enjoy!  We love feedback and photos!

Super Bowl Sensations!

As Super Bowl XLVI draws close (yes, I know what number it is) I try not to panic regarding what to fix for the big day.  Super Bowl is kind of a big deal at our house, which shouldn't surprise me as I am the only female living here, except for our dog Miss Daisy.  (And she is the silent type.) One or all of these recipes is sure to please a crowd or just a few gathered at your place on Sunday.

Crock Pot Italian Meat Balls

While selecting recipes for the blog this week, I tried to keep two things in mind.  #1 - Sunday is Super Bowl, which is requires a certain category of food...hors d'oeuvres!  (If you can spell it you are my new friend.) And #2 - simple to make and very tasty.

Sausage and Tater Tot Casserole

Dishes and finger foods you can prepare in advance via crock pot or bake in the oven, giving you time to work on other dishes or vacuum (if you are me) are a priority when you are getting ready for Super Bowl.  You don't want to be slaving away for the entire game! (Even if you are not a football fan, Super Bowl means you have 3 - 4 hours of quiet time to yourself on a Sunday afternoon, in another room of course.)

Peanut Butter Bars

And it just isn't Super Bowl Sunday without a yummy cookie or cookie bar to round off your spread.  Have I accomplished my task of compiling a few easy to make, fix and forget recipes you can duplicate for Super Bowl?  I think so.  I guess I will wait to hear from you Monday!

Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Casserole Kung Fu!

I recently started attending Taekwondo classes with my son.  And since he is in elementary school until 3:30pm, we go to an evening class to learn our new martial art.  Consequently, getting a healthy home-made dinner in the oven and onto the table for my family is quite the challenge.

Good Morning Egg Casserole

To meet that challenge, I am on the hunt for delicious, easy recipes that fit in a casserole dish or crock-pot.  This good morning egg casserole fits that criteria and can easily be adapted for what I like to call "breakfast for dinner."  (My kids and husband love breakfast for dinner nights.)

Ground Beef Macaroni And Tomato Casserole

If you like tomatoes and macaroni, this no-fuss-no-muss hearty ground beef casserole will work great for a hungry troop.  Or make a double batch and freeze one to use as a back up for evenings when you just run out of time.

Hobo Dinner

Last, the reliable and desirable hobo dinner cannot be outdone when it comes to home-style cooking and traditional casserole meals.  It's adaptable, easy to put together, and very functional.  The great thing about hobo dinners is they can be spiced up with a few garden herbs, or kept a little more plain for a farm-house taste.

Enjoy your casserole kung-fu!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Cooking It Crockpot Style!

With the chilly weather and shorter days of Winter comes the need for something easy, warm, and hearty for dinner.  Enter the crock-pot/slow cooker.  Whatever name it goes by at your house, it should be a staple among your go-to kitchen gadgets and cook wear.  Why?...you may ask.

Crock-Pot Goulash

Using a crock-pot to cook with will simplify your life.  Yes, I realize they are big and bulky and older models are hard to clean.  But really, isn't that what children are for?  Whether you are a working woman on the go or stay at home mom, whether you have a houseful of hungry heads to feed or it's just you, using a crock-pot can save you time and money.

Crock-Pot Swiss Tenderloin

You can assemble your ingredients the night before, or first thing in the morning, load them into the crock-pot, turn it on, and go!  You don't have to worry that your food will get over done, under cooked, or cold.  The crock-pot works it's magic while you are off at the office, or home-schooling in the next room.

Crock-Pot Potato Soup

I used to avoid using a crock-pot because I had an older one and the actually "pot" was not removable.  So I had to stick the whole thing in the sink to wash it up.  Not fun.  Then, my mother-in-law took pity on me and bought me one for Christmas.  Ahhh.  It is a wonderful thing.

I have included some totally tasty crock-pot recipes that you might not have thought of.  Don't forget that you can freeze foods cooked in the crock-pot, if you happen to be cooking for one or two people.

Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Fun With SODA!

I realize we are all trying to stick to our New Year's resolutions and for some this can be hard in the kitchen, especially when there are so many fun things to cook and try.  For example, I have compiled a few recipes that use some pretty sweet ingredients that I am pretty sure I am not supposed to even have in the house...

Coca Cola BBQ Chicken

If you like Coca Cola and BBQ, I just can't see how you could lose with this Chicken recipe?  What's not to love about chicken barbequed with Coca Cola?  Yes, I vowed to give up soda for New Year's but if it's used in a bbq sauce surely that doesn't count.

Crock Pot 7-Up Roast

I am willing to give this pot roast recipe a try for two reasons.  1. It's cooked in a crock pot.  Any recipe that can be cooked in a crock pot is on my favorite's list.  My crock pot is my friend.  2. It's made with 7-Up.  My boys love 7-Up.  Granted, they will probably freak out when I tell them I coated the roast beef in it, but still...if it gives the roast that lemon-lime zest I am game.

Dr. Pepper Baked Pork Loin

Last, but not least, and my personal favorite: Pork with Dr. Pepper baked into it.  Dr. Pepper happens to be my 2nd favorite soda on the planet.  (The first: RC cola, aka Royal Crown cola, but I digress.)  If I can get a pork loin to cook up yummy with Dr. Pepper, I am willing to for-go my New Year's Resolution of giving up soda.  How bad can it really be for you?  Don't answer that.

Anyhow...Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Which Came First?

The Chicken...or the egg?  Or do we care?  No, not really, since they are both very nutritious and delicious and I believe we should all incorporate a little more chicken and eggs into our regular diet.  I am not a nutrition expert, however I do know both are easy to prepare, store, and make excellent leftovers!

Chicken & Dumplings

If there is one thing I absolutely love, but rarely eat, it's Chicken & Dumplings.  Not because there is a chicken and dumpling shortage mind you...but because I have never attempted to make homemade dumplings and the thought terrifies me.  What if I screw them up?  Clearly, I need to toughen up!

Chicken & Egg Scallop

Another interesting combination...should we incorporate both Chicken and eggs into one recipe?  I am not so sure...oh the controversy.  With the exception of fried rice and Mandarin chicken (which have both ingredients) I don't honestly know if it's a safe or sane idea...Thoughts?

Chicken Broccoli Noodles

Chicken and broccoli and noodles, oh my!?  Now there is a dish I can dig.  If only I could get my husband to eat it...Whatever your favorite chicken or egg entree might be, cook it with zest!  Enjoy the process, inhale the scent, add some garlic and see what happens.

Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos so do share!