Black Bean Soup

I LOVE black beans! I have a vegetable soup I make with black beans, but the other day I decided to skip the other stuff & just go with the beans. I sauteed some chopped onion in a little olive oil & added cumin, smoked paprika, little cayenne pepper & salt, & oregano. I added in a splash of champagne vinegar & then dumped in a couple cans of black beans. I then poured in some chicken stock, put the lid on & let it simmer for several hours. To thicken it up I scooped some of the soup into the blender, pureed it & poured it back into the pan. Voilà! Cheap, easy,1 pot, wonderful meal!! I topped mine with a touch of sour cream & chopped onion.......DELICIOUS!

Orange Chicken

We love Chinese in my house! One of our favorites is Orange Chicken. What's not to like.... It sweet, it's salty,& it delicious! Normally when you order it at restaurants or take out the chicken is battered & deep fried. I wanted to attempt a healthier version...& I believe I did just that! My chicken I just drudged in a little flour & browned it in a skillet with very little oil. I just browned it & took it off the burner bc I finished cooking it in the crock pot(ah! the good ol' crock pot!) Once the chicken was browned I threw it into the crock pot & added some fresh squeezed orange juice, soy sauce, agave nectar, chopped garlic, ground Ginger,a little water, & just a few red pepper flakes. I let that cook for several hours on low heat & the results were fabulous! The sauce was sweet & salty, & the chicken melted in your mouth! I served it with brown rice & topped it with some chopped scallions. This dish was a great substitute if not better than the deep fried version! Next time you're thinking about take out..... Try this!

Chicken Dijon Vin Blanc

I promise this dish sounds complicated & tastes fancy, but it is truly simple to make! Vin blanc is just French for white wine so take a deep breath! And of course you know what chicken & Dijon mustard is! For this dish I thinly sliced some boneless skinless chicken breasts & dredged them in flour. I browned the chicken in a little butter & olive oil. Once browned I took them out & out them on a plate. I put some chopped shallots in the pan & added some white wine. Once that cooks down a little I added some chicken broth, a little heavy cream, & some Dijon mustard. I put the chicken back in pan & let it all simmer together for a bit. Salt & pepper to taste & there you have it...I  served mine over orzo, but you can serve it with anything. When people hear the name they'll assume its something fancy, so this can be our secret! ; )

Gnocchi with Spinach Gorgonzola Sauce

Gnocchi are a delicious little Italian potato dumplings! They are simple to make, but a little time consuming. Gnocchi can replace pasta in any dish, & if you've never tried them I highly suggest you do because they are DELICIOUS! To make my gnocchi I peeled & boiled some russet potatoes until they are almost overcooked. I drained them & let them cool & put them through a potato ricer. I then made a mound the the potatoes & added an egg, salt, pepper, flour, & fresh grated nutmeg. I kneaded it until it was a smooth dough. Now, comes the "fun" part... I broke off piece & rolled them slightly into a ball & then rolled the back of a fork over it(to give it its "gnocchi" shape). I hand rolled every little gnocchi! Thank goodness they are worth it! I boiled them in salted boiling water for a few minutes or until they float. Now, for my sauce I melted a little butter & olive oil & cooked down some fresh spinach. Once it was cooked down I added some white wine, cream, a little chicken broth, & some Gorgonzola. Once the Gorgonzola melted I drizzled it over the top of my gnocchi. To give it a little crunch I toasted some Italian breadcrumbs in olive oil & sprinkled those on top! VOILA! You must try it!!!

Baby Shower!

So, this weekend I threw a baby shower for my sister-in-law. Not to toot my my horn, but I definitely think it was a success. The food, the games, the decor, the guests, all of it was great! I did appetizers for the shower, so I did some turkey Swedish meatballs, spicy queso dip & buffalo chicken dip, Thai peanut chicken pizza, pigs in a blanket(who doesn't love those), fruit, & of course CUPCAKES! The cupcakes were my "centerpiece". I placed them on a tiered serving tray & wrapped cupcake pedestals with ribbon & spelled out the baby's name on paper I cut & used sticker letters(very simple actually). Now, the cupcakes..... I did vanilla cupcakes & injected them with a chocolate ganache center. I also did mini chocolate cupcakes, & all were topped with homemade whipped cream & sprinkles! I don't do sweets, so I didn't taste them, but I heard(many times) that they were amazing! I can't wait for my next event to plan!! Oh & if you, your friends or family need an event planner.......call me  ; )

Vegetable Risotto

Who doesn't love risotto? Well, tonights risotto wasn't planned, but much appreciated! I should have gotten groceries today, but I was too busy. So when it came time for dinner I searched through my pantry & fridge. I always have fresh veggies on hand & I had some arborio rice. This dish is a one pot wonder! I sauteed some fresh chopped carrots, onions,green beans, & a couple cloves of garlic in a little olive oil & also added some frozen edamame. Once they were tender I added a splash of milk & little grated parm & poured the veg mix into a bowl. Back in the pan I put a kittle more olive oil & lightly toasted my rice. I made a regular risotto by slowly adding chicken broth(& I add a little white wine) & when it's just about done I dumped the veg mix back in. That was it! You could add any veggie you'd like:mushrooms, asparagus, peppers, spinach, zucchini, etc. This was a great " I have no food in the house" dinner & the possibilities are endless!

Fabulous Figure "Fast" Food

What kid(& grown up) doesn't love fried chicken & French fries?? I have a way you can enjoy them without the guilt! My "fried" chicken recipe I got from Pampered Chef(love them)! To make the chicken you crush up original sunchips with a packet of dry ranch seasoning. You dip your chicken tenders in egg whites & then in the sunchip mixture. Place them on a greased cookie sheet & spray the tops with a little cooking spray. Bake them at 400 for about 30 minutes! I like to turn on the broiler the last few minutes! They come out crunchy & delcious!!! Now, my homemade French fries are just as simple! You slice up some russet potatoes & lay them out evenly on a greased cookie sheet. You'll then brush a little butter on the tops & sprinkle with pepper, chopped Rosemary, & some reduced fat grated parm. Bake those at 400 for 30-40 stiring half way through & that's all folks! Its still fast but a much healthier version of a favorite drive thru meal!

Lemon Pepper Chicken with Spinach

Tonight I tried something a little different. I put some fresh baby spinach in a casserole pan lined with foil. I then drizzled it with a little extra virgin olive oil & some lemon pepper. On top of the spinach I put a few boneless skinless chicken breasts. I sprinkled the chicken with some lemon pepper, salt, fresh lemon juice, & some lemon zest. I baked it for about 40 minutes & the served the chicken & spinach over some creamy polenta. For my polenta I used instant polenta & chicken broth & once it was cooked(10 minutes) I added a little butter, a dollop of sour cream & a little fresh grated parm. Voila! This is probably one of the fastest meals I've ever thrown together & it was DELICIOUS! My guinea pig approved! ( thanks mom)

Potato Pumpkin Curry

I love fall dishes because of all the beautiful squash dishes! Also a fall favorite for obvious reasons is pumpkin. We carve them, bake their seeds, make pies with them, ice cream, & now curry!! I saw this recipe in the book "Skinny Bitch in the Kitch" based off the book "Skinny Bitch", Which are books about a vegan lifestyle & I HIGHLY recommend you read them. Not only are they funny, but they are very informative!

To make the curry I started with some coconut oil(great for cooking & as a skin moisturizer) & sauteed some chopped onion & carrots. I then added my spices; cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, & a little curry powder. I then added some fresh chopped garlic, a can of petite diced tomatoes, & some vegetable stock. Bring it all to a boil & add some diced red potatoes & diced peeled pumpkin. Let it all simmer until potatoes & pumpkin are soft & serve over some brown rice. My 5 year old LOVED this! Its a very light & delicious dish......& festive!

Pumpkin Pie Soy Ice Cream

My son has really inspired me to cook new things because of his food allergies, but we are all reaping the benefits & enjoying new & delicious foods! Having an ice cream maker is great because you can literally concoct anything you want and turn it into ice cream. For this I used vanilla soy milk, french vanilla soy creamer, some pureed pumpkin & pumpkin pie spice. Voila! Its that simple! I topped mine with a pizzelle(a wonderful little italian cookie) and some baked pumpkin seeds(not pictured). This is a fantastic Fall treat & my son definitely approved!

Squash Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs

Growing up I remember my mom would make spaghetti squash & serve it as the "pasta" for spaghetti & meatballs. I loved it then & I love it now! Not to mention, its a great way to sneak your kids(& husbands) their vegetables. If you've never made a spaghetti squash you are missing out! They are so easy to cook & this meal here is something that Rachel Ray & Sandra Lee can appreciate, because its fast & it "semi- homemade". I always make my own sauce, usually with just some finely chopped garlic, onions, a couple cans of crushed tomatoes, & some herbs. To my sauce I added some frozen turkey meatballs(don't knock em until you've tried em). Now as for the squash, you I cut it in half & scooped out all the seeds. I then drizzled a little olive oil on the 2 halves & sprinkled a little salt & pepper on them. I put them in a dish  with a little water covering the bottom & cooked them in the microwave for about 15 minutes...THATS IT! Thats all you have to do to enjoy this beautiful little squash! Obviously it gets its name because of its spaghetti noodle like texture, which makes the fooling your family much easier.Healthy & fabulous!

Chicken Pot Perfect Pie!

Chicken pot pie is kind of that nostalgic comfort food that takes you back to when you were a kid. Pay attention though because pot pie can be very grown up! For mine I sauteed celery, onion, carrots, fennel, peas, edamame, & leeks in butter. Once soft I add salt, pepper, saffron, & a little flour(to thicken). After that cooks for a minute I added some dry white wine, chicken broth, cooked cubed chicken, & cooked cubed potatoes. I used a prepackaged pie crust(sure I could make my own, but seriously this was is much easier!) Crimp the edges together & make a few cuts on the top! This pot pie is hearty, delicious, quite simple, & a great comfort meal!  

Party Time!!

This past week my daughter turned 5(I still can't believe it)! Anyone who knows me knows I love to plan parties, events, dinner, etc. When we asked her what she wanted to eat at her party she quickly responded with "corn dogs". I wanted to cry! I wanted to tell her about how I could come up with a fabulous menu for her Barbie party, but as soon as I saw the joy & excitement in her eyes....as well as my husbands, I knew we were having corn dogs. I quickly decided we would do a corn dog/hot dog bar with all kinds of toppings. My daughter also told me she wanted "lots & lots of different chips" so I thought ok, we'll have a "chip bar" as well. So for her party menu we had 4 different kinds of chips, which included tortilla chips so we kinda had a nacho bar. We of course had the hot dogs & corn dogs, & for toppings we had ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, jalapenos, sour cream, chili, & cheese. So everyone could make a great hot dog of their choice as well as nachos! I must say it was a hit! The kids LOVED it & surprisingly the adults did too!

Now I'll be honest for her "cake" we did a cupcake cake for the store(fabulous idea) but to keep the kids entertained a bit I made star cookies on a stick & bought icing & silver & gold sprinkle so they could make their own "superstar" cookie. Again the kids loved it,although I'm pretty sure parents were cursing me for their children's sugar intake that day. Also, for entertainment I sent up a vanity table with mirrors, makeup, body glitter, perfume, & some accessories such as boas, glasses, hats, & jewelry. The party was a great success & most importantly, my daughter had a FABULOUS time!!

White Chicken Chili

The colder weather is on its way(hopefully) which means I have a great excuse to make the stews, soups, & chilis that I love! Tonight I made a white chicken chili. It was so easy & a great healthy alternative to traditional chili. For this chili I cheated a little & bought a white chicken chili seasoning packet. The directions on the back said to add cubed chicken, a can of beans & water......I don't think so!!!! I browned some ground chicken & added chopped onion & chopped cubanelle pepper. I then added some fresh garlic, cumin, & smoked paprika. I added chicken broth, a can of white northern beans, a can of garbanzo beans, & the seasoning packet & let it simmer for a couple hours. This chili was great! Healthy, filling, a little spicy, & delicious! I topped it off with a dollop(fun word) of sour cream. ENJOY!!

Marvelous Mush!

Mush really can me marvelous! Today I made apple mush aka applesauce. I peeled & cored a bag of granny smith & put them in a pan with a little water, a little agave nectar & some cinnamon & let it boil/simmer for about 45 minutes with a lid on it. When you take it off the heat you can literally stir it into a mush! This applesauce is simply healthy & delicious & the big & little people in my house enjoy it! Also, on my marvelous mush mission I made some baby food today. I wanted to share some of my(well my son's favorite concoctions) aside from the usual fruit & veggie puree. Veggie Stir fry(rice,broccoli,carrots, peas,ginger) Arroz con Leche(rice, formula, vanilla extract, agave nectar, cinnamon) Shepherds Pie(mashed potatoes, ground beef, peas, carrots, corn, & green beans) Orange Dreamsicle(oranges, vanilla extract, formula, & rice cereal, agave nectar) to name a few. Mush is fun!

Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli

Not to toot my own horn, but this dish is up there with my top faves that I've created. Seeing as how it Fall now, I felt compelled to make this dish again as I have made it several times already. First I skinned & diced up a butternut squash(it's not that easy so be sure you have a good knife). I spread it out on a cookie sheet & sprayed it with evoo cooking spray & a little salt and pepper. I baked it at 375 for about 35-40 minutes(or until its soft) I put the squash in a food processor & added a little skim ricotta, a splash of cream, a few sage leaves, freshly grated nutmeg, & a little fresh grated parm. I then took won ton wrappers(a wonderful invention, right mom?!?!) I spooned a little mixture on a center of a wrapper & rubbed the outer edges with water & placed another wrapper on top & sealed it with a fork around the edges. Once finished I placed them in the freezer, because boiling them when they're frozen helps maintain these delicate deliciousness's shape. When my mom arrived for dinner I boiled them with some evoo in the water so they don't stick together. Also, I trick I've learned with boiling these it to boil them in small batches(4-5 at a time) I know, I know these things are already occupying enough of your time, but trust me they are SOOOOOO worth it!!(you can thank me later) For the "sauce" I browned a little butter(simmer it until it turns lightly brown & it has a COMPLETELY different flavor) once it was brown I added, a little honey, a little balsamic vinegar, & some chopped fresh sage. Drizzle a little of the brown butter sauce over the ravioli & VOILA! Best ravioli you've ever had!!

Chicken Enchiladas!

So many things inspire me when I'm cooking! It can be a recipe a read, & family member, an ingredient, a season, a mood, etc. The salsa I mentioned I got from my mom, this recipe my sister made & then my mom made & I changed it a bit! For this recipe I boiled a couple boneless skinless chicken breast. I chopped them up & added some of that AMAZING salsa! I also added a little cumin, fat free sour cream(sour cream makes everything better), & Monterey Jack cheese. I spooned the mixture onto tortillas & rolled them up & place them in a pan seam down. I sprinkled them with a little more cheese & baked them at 375 for about 25 minutes. Once I plated them I topped them with a bit more for the AMAZING salsa. Ole!

SALSA!!!

Salsa! One of the greatest concoctions to dip your chips in! This salsa my mom has made many times & I finally made it myself. Its so refreshing, & delicious I'm SURE that you'll be addicted too! For this salsa, I used a can of black beans, can of black eyed peas, can of corn(all can items drained), red onion, Italian dressing, fresh chopped cilantro(lots), & fresh diced tomatoes. Or I used a can of Rotel instead for a little heat. This salsa is so much better than any salsa you've ever bought or ordered. It's so delicious I used it for tonights dinner.....DOUBLE WHAMMY!! Stay tuned!

Pork Chops with Mango Salsa

YUM!!!

Tonight I made a light, refreshing,,delicious(of course) dinner!! I made pork chops with fresh mango salsa. I seasoned pork chops with a little creole seasoning & lemon grass. I then browned them in a skillet with a little lemon olive oil(courtesy of my mom's trip to Rome). Earlier I made my mango salsa with some chopped fresh mango, cilantro, red onion, plum tomatoes, & a cubanelle pepper. I let it sit merrily in the fridge for a few hours to "marinate". I topped the pork chops with some of this mango deliciousness & served it with brown rice & crispy lemon asparagus. For my asparagus I spread the asparagus out on a pan & brushed it with a little melted butter & salt & pepper. I cooked it in the oven at 325 for a about 30 & broiled it on low for 5 minutes. When I took it out I drizzled it with some fresh squeezed lemon juice. This meal had it all; sweet, spicy, & fabulousness(of course)!!! Not to mention I served it with a shot of mango rum! CHEERS!!!!

Apple Chips!!

I have bought apple chips from the store countless times! They are so delicious, but kind of expensive. I thought I'd try making them. These apple chips are literally slice & bake! Yes, I sliced up some granny smith apples, core & all(once they bake everything is edible).  I put a a metal cooling rack onto a cookie sheet & layed out the apple slices evenly. They baked at 225 for about 2 1/2 hours. When they first come out they aren't very crispy, but let them sit for a little while & the will get crunchy. There is really nothing to em! slice them & bake them & voila! YUMMY!

Fresh & Fabulous!

My little Grandma made me a dish just like this a couple years ago & I remember thinking how delicious & simple it was. I chopped up several plum tomatoes & shallots & sauteed them in a little evoo. I then added some capers, a splash of dry white wine, a little salt, & crushed red pepper flakes. Right before serving I threw in some fresh chopped basil. I cooked some penne & tossed it all together & topped with some fresh grated Parmesan. This meal took minutes to make & I love any recipe that has fresh produce & herbs. And capers........capers make everything taste better! More caper dishes to come.......like my favorite dish ever, chicken piccata!!!!

Oh Pretty Panzanella!

This is one AMAZING salad! This is a classic rustic Italian salad that can be done many ways. Mine was really easy! First I chopped up some tomatoes, cucumbers, & some fresh basil. I put it all into a bowl & added capers. I then made a vinaigrette with champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, fresh minced garlic, & salt & pepper. I drizzled some of the vinaigrette over the tomato mixture & put it in the fridge. On the grill I had my husband(yes, I had my husband do the grilling...but I did all the prep work!) I sliced some red onion & some red & yellow bell peppers. Along with an Italian loaf of bread I sliced & I drizzled it all with EVOO. Once the hubby grilled it I cut it all up(bread included) & tossed into the tomato mixture with a bit more vinaigrette. OMG!!! This salad was soooo refreshing, filling, & beautiful to look at! I served it with some grilled chicken, but it could easily be served as the main dish. Three thumbs up!(if I had a third thumb) You HAVE to make this salad!!

Spicy Peanut Noodles

So, tonight my mom came over for dinner & I know I can always count on her to be my guinea pig. I've made peanut sauce many times for chicken, but this was something different & again simple & healthy. I used whole wheat spaghetti & for my peanut sauce I heated in a sauce pan some low fat peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, lime juice & a few red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for a few minute & pour over the cooked noodles. I then chopped up a cucumber, yellow bell pepper, & scallions & tossed them into the noodles & sauce(yes, raw veggies). I served with a few chopped peanuts on top & a wedge of lime. It wasn't heavy, but very satisfying! I'm pretty sure my mom agreed.....she took some home with her for her lunch tomorrow! 

Keema WHAT?

Keema Samosas! OOO say it again..... Keema Samosas! I got this recipe from a friend & as soon as I heard the ingredients I knew I had to make them! Keema Samosas are a fried Indian dumpling usually stuffed with seasoned lamb. These are an alternative healthy rendition. For this recipe I browned some ground chicken with chopped onions, fresh minced garlic, curry powder, turmeric, salt, & cayenne pepper. Take the chicken mixture off the heat & add fresh lime juice & chopped cilantro. Then take some won ton wrappers & spoon a little bit of the mixture into the center & fold into a triangle(rub a little water around the rim to help it stick) I then went around the edges with a fork to make sure they're sealed up. Place them on a greased cookie sheet & lightly spray the tops of them with cooking spray. Bake them at 425 for about 12 minutes. OMG! Even my 4 year old daughter loved them. I will be making those again VERY soon!

Roasted Chickpeas....OH YEAH!

So simple & delicious, I cannot believe I didn't think of these years ago!! I LOVE chickpeas, hummus, well pretty much anything with chickpeas. I literally just drizzled a little extra virgin olive oil & roasted these on a cookie sheet for about half an hour, shaking them around the pan throughout. When I took them out I sprinkled them with garlic salt, chili powder, & cumin. THAT IS IT! I think these are my new favorite snack!

FYI: If you would like the actual recipe of any of the dishes I write about, just send me a comment or message! Happy Roasting!

Cinnamon Chicken

I've made cinnamon chicken many times, & I swear every time it tastes better. I sprinkled some chicken with cinnamon,salt, & pepper & browned it in a little olive oil. Also in in the skillet I thrown in some onions, fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, & a little bouquet garni(a mixture of rosemary, thyme,oregano, basil, dill, marjoram, sage, & tarragon). Put a lid on it & let it simmer for about half an hour. Tonight I served it over bowtie pasta. Cinnamon & chicken go great together! Bon appetit

Vegan Banana Muffins!!!

These muffins are SO healthy & VERY delicious! I made them with whole wheat flour,baking soda, baking powder, almond milk, veg oil, agave nectar, pureed bananas, & a little almond extract. The muffins taste so good you forget that they're healthy! Agave nectar is something I've been trying to use more instead of sugar. Agave nectar is an all natural sweetener from the Agave plant, which is the same plant Tequila comes from(lime & salt anyone). When you bake with it you have to lower your oven temperature slightly because it browns faster than regular sugar. Also, be sure to use slightly less liquid(milk,oil, water, etc). Super simple to make & no need to feel guilty if you eat one.....or two! ; )

Lovely Lavender

Lavender Honey Ice Cream

Like I've said before, I LOVE cooking & creating things with lavender. It has such a mild, earthy taste thats almost refreshing. I have an ice cream maker, so its pretty foolproof. For this ice cream I brought heavy cream, milk, sugar, honey, & dried lavender to a boil & let simmer for a while. I then strain the mixture to get out all the bits of lavender. I threw it into the ice cream maker & voila! Lavender goes well with so many things...stay tuned for more recipes starring, you guessed it...LAVENDER!

Vegetable Coconut Curry

I know to most people curry is an acquired taste, but I have acquired it & love it! There are so many varieties when it comes to curry. Tonight I made a hearty, vegetarian, but healthy version. I sauteed together some fire roasted tomatoes, chopped fresh green beans, onion, carrots, & some frozen peas. Now....for the spices! Curries are all about the spices! To mine I added turmeric, coriander, smoked paprika, chipotle pepper, cinnamon, cumin, & some salt. To thin it out I added a little chicken broth, coconut milk, & strawberry yogurt to balance to spice. Let it simmer until the veggies are a little tender & I served it over brown rice. DELICIOUS!! What are your favorite curry recipes??

Chicken Tetrazzini = Comfort & Joy

Growing up my mom would make us turkey tetrazzini. So when I came across a recipe several years ago for chicken tetrazzini I felt comforted. This dish is rich, but delicious! I brown up some chicken & shred it. I then saute onions & fresh garlic in butter with dried thyme & white wine. For the sauce you make a roux & add chicken broth, milk, heavy cream & parm. Add everything to cooked linguine & throw in some frozen peas. I pour it all into a butter greased dish & then top with a little italian style bread crumbs & dot with butter. Let it bake/broil until the top is bubbly & slightly browned. WOW!  I feel a bit like Paula Deen when I make this dish because of all the butter! I don;t make it often, but my family enjoys it when I do!

Crispy Sesame Bread

I Don't normally cook the same dish twice in one week, but the london broil I did in the crock pot was so good, & my mom really wanted to try it. So I made it again today so I could make us some more of the Asian style salads. In the past I've baked won tons with salt & sesame seeds to serve with a dish like this, but since I didn't have any won ton wrappers I thought I'd try to create something like it.

I made a pretty basic dough recipe & flattened it out into several 4-5in circles. I  pan fried them for a couple minutes on each side in a little veg oil. I then melted some honey in a little brown butter & brushed it on the tops of the breads & sprinkled some sea salt & black sesame seeds on the top. I put the under the broiler for a few minutes until the honey started to caramelize a bit. I cut them up to be served with our salads tonight. These little breads are crunchy on the outside & soft in the middle. Not to mention you get a little bit of sweet & salty with every bite!

Cheese Wafers

Today was my baby girl's first day of preschool! I was an emotional wreck while she walked through the door like a champ. Since I had a couple hours to kill this morning, I decided I'd bake her a special snack. I've made these cheese wafers many times because they are so simple & delicious! All you need is butter, sharp cheddar cheese, flour, rice crispies, & a little cayenne pepper. These tasty little treats are perfect for an after school snack....now that I have a child that attends school! Stay tuned for more "snack times" this week!

The beer can chicken!

So, I've always heard so many things about this "beer can chicken" but I had yet to attempt to make it. Well, tonight we did! My husband got a new girlfriend last week(his grill) so we had been looking for some things other than the usual steak & bbq chicken to make on it. We did an 11 lbs chicken on the grill & I rubbed it with a little olive oil & a spice mix of smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, & pepper. I then put it on a 16 oz can of beer & put it on the grill. I wrapped a couple bricks in foil & placed on each side of it so it wouldn't fall over. It turned out FANTASTIC! The skin was crispy & the inside was moist! Very good & easy dish, but I will be getting back to my more "fancy" dishes this week so stay tuned!

Farmers Market Finds

This morning we took a trip to one of the many local farmers markets in town. If it hadn't been 100 degrees outside it may have been a bit more enjoyable, but we're in Florida so oh well! There were so many beautiful fruit & veggies. I got several thing to make Cam's baby food, but also some stuff for us to grill this weekend! Not to mention they were selling lavender for REALLY cheap! I'm not sure if you've ever cooked with lavender, but if not, I highly recommend it! It goes great with lemon or chicken or rice. Oh! Lavender ice cream is amazing!....I'm thinking I'll need to do a post on strictly lavender. Yes, I will do that!

The Crock Pot Conclusion

Ok, so we ended up running a few errands tonight & got home later than planned. I had to feed my starving husband so I had to think fast. So I threw some mixed lettuce in bowls with some red onion & mandarin oranges. I sliced up the meat(which was falling apart) put it on top & drizzled a little of the yummy au jus it made in the crock pot & sprinkled some black sesame seeds on top. WOW! You don't even need salad dressing! It was a delicious healthy asian style salad! Not to mention super easy!!! Enjoy!

The Good Ol' Crock Pot!

So I decided to go with the crock pot(as if you hadn't already guessed that).Crock pots are great for so many dishes. Its so easy to just throw your ingredients in there & walk away. My Dad has become the crock pot king!(Yeah, my whole family loves to cook. Its in my DNA) He's always calling to tell me what he created in his crock pot. I've been able try a few of his creations & they are amazing! So, I took my london broil & sprinkled it with a little salt, pepper, & ground ginger. I  then seared it in a skillet on both sides just until a little browned. After searing it I tossed it in the crockpot & threw in some ginger ale, soy sauce(I do enjoy my Asian flavors), & a little honey. Mmmmm! It's already smelling good in here! I'll let you know later how it turns out! Now for side dishes......

I'm so excited, I'm so.....scared Zack!

You know you have a problem when you feel HORRIBLE & you're still thinking about what you're going to cook for dinner tomorrow night. I have a london broil out, so should I grill it or go slow cooker style? OOO! What kind of marinade could I make? I'm also considering making my vanilla bean cookies..... All this is running through my mind next to all my congestion! Is there a meeting or treatment to help me? Really though, I don't want a cure! I DO want this sinus headache to go away! Well I think the "PM" in my Tylenol is kicking in. I'll keep you posted tomorrow! : )

Baby Food Fun!

This may bore some of you, but I have recently started making my own baby food. Who knew how TRULY easy it is! You steam & you puree. They even make these great trays that come with the removeable containers so you can freeze them, & then thaw or heat as needed.  Raegan asked me the other day why I was making baby food, & I told her beacuse its easy. She then replied "but wouldn't be easy to just go get some baby food out of the pantry?" Point taken! However, it does save money & I can control & know exactly what I'm feeding Camden, & with his food allergies it gives me a piece of mind.

"Try it. You'll like it"   -Yo Gabba Gabba  : )

Hello!

I wanted to start this blog to share my passion of  food, cooking, & entertaining. Although at times I think my kids are all the entertainment I can handle. My 4 year old daughter Raegan says the most off the wall things(my mom always told me God would pay me back) & My 6 month old son Camden is the sweetest & happiest baby on the planet. Actually we recently found out he has a milk & egg allergy which has inspired me to cook outside my box. I LOVE experimenting with new ingredients & I HATE following recipes(I just sometimes use them as inspiration). I love creating new dishes & recipes I can share with family & friends & now you! Feedback is always appreciated.....only if its good things : ) Let me know!