Pumpkin Bites

In my house, pumpkin pie will go to waste. So what better thing than to make a piece of pumpkin pie, bite size!

National Cheeseburger Day!

One must honor the cheeseburger! Tonight, burger topped with port wine cheddar, sauted onions, jalepenos and lettuce. Naturally we had to have fries with that....dressed in truffle oil, garlic, onion salt, oregano and grated parmesan cheese.

A Taste of Fall

Fall is around the corner but the bbq weather still ensues. A stop at the farm yesterday for an apple cider doughnut and fresh apple cider, got me eyeing the fresh spaghetti squash. Skirt steak marinated in garlic, olive oil, tarragon vinegar, onion powder, oregano and salt and pepper. Roasted spaghetti squash drizzled with olive oil, curry and cayenne....then grilled face down for 5 min, shredded and butter added. Steamed white baby potatoes smashed with butter and dill. Don't forget the spiced rum and apple cider :)

Monday's Comfort

Ziti pasta in a smoked gouda and mozzarella cream sauce with broccoli and garlic chicken.

Soup Sunday

In the spirit of fall, what better dinner. Simple and quick. Cilantro and chicken dumplings in chicken broth with mushrooms, broccoli, carrots and scallions. A dash of soy and a pinch of chili.

Throw Back Thursday...classic

Sometimes there's nothing better than a basic classic dinner. Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes with gravy and fresh Coleslaw....Oh My...that's delicious! To save yourself some extra calories, flash fry the chicken and then finish it in the oven and use chicken broth instead of heavy cream in your mash potatoes. Use both mayo and lite sourcream for your coleslaw....promise, it's as good as all the full fat dinner!

Home made Italian Sunday

I love nothing more than to cook food and watch my friends and family enjoy every last bite! After a day at the pool, I made Sangria by the glass, fresh pasta with a garlic tomato basil sauce with a hint of chili pepper and parmesan. Add a chicken parmesan topped with fresh mozzarella and basil and an Arugula salad with fresh mozzarella, tomato, parmesan, basil drizzled with balsamic and olive oil and fresh baguette with home made roasted garlic butter......heavenly way to end a weekend. Nothing better than the guests fighting over who gets the leftovers for lunch!

Ground Turkey Pot Pie

After a trip to NYC and a stop at a pie place that included sweet and savory pies, my daughter requested tonights dinner be ground turkey pot pie. I don't usually make it with ground meat but...hey why not! Turned out quite delicious actually!!

Ethnic mix sunday!

Indian spiced bbq chicken with curry rice, hummous, tzatziki, pita, cilantro lemon cucumber, tomato and feta salad.

Chicken parm with herb crust crisps...leftover seafood pasta on the side.

Never waste....extend! Made chicken parmesan to go with leftover pasta....herb crusted pizza dough rolled thin, olive oil and parmesan cheese....oh yum

SEAFOOD SUNDAY

Linguini with garlic, white wine and tomato broth with zucchini, mushrooms, crab, clams and scallops......garlic parmesan crostini on the side. All for me :)

Thai Thursday

Home made Pad Thai with grilled chicken, tofu and bean sprouts....fresh squeezed lime brings out the flavor!

Slider Sunday!

Sliders...mushroom swiss and onion .....and jalepeno with port wine cheddar.....yummmmmmmm

Meatloaf Monday!

Meatloaf with mashed scallion potatoes, a dollop of sour cream and veggie medley.....

Asian Fusion BBQ

A sunny Sunday browse through the flea market.....handbags, rings, incense, clothing etc.....enjoy browsing...but absolutely love the foods you'll find! Bought some fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers...but that's for tomorrow night! Tonight...fire up the bbq for skewered chicken with peanut satay sauce, grilled pineapple on top of garlic teriyaki rice and a thai cucumber and carrot salad......very refreshing! Might be room for dessert :)

Breakfast Cassarole great for company

Spoil your company or family....its similar to the hashbrown nests but easier...less clean up! Thawed shredded hashbrowns...(for extra yumminess...add some melted butter) with sauted onion..salt, pepper etc.....mold on bottom and sides into a sprayed deep pie plate ....bake 400...for 20 min or until golden and crispy...lower oven to 350...add turkey sausage (seen here), sausage or crumbled cooked bacon and top with shredded cheddar. Push with fingers to make dents for eggs....the more eggs you crack on top..the smaller the portion..so I used 5. Back in the oven for about 10 min. Slice and serve.
Note: this method tends to over cook the yolks when you wait to have whites cooked...to have runny yolks and cooks whites.....I think next time I plan to bake the sausage and cheese to melt and then put fried sunny side ups right on top! An extra pan to clean but worth it.

1st BBQ of 2013....Greekfest!

Home made tzatziki, hummous, lemon potatoes, lemon chicken, greek salad....with pita and spanakopita

Fresh from the Juicer!

Quarter pineapple, one apple, ginger, two carrots......fabulous!

Easter Lilies...so delicious!

Step outside the box and make cupcakes that look like Lilies.
These molds are silicone but you can back in terra cotta pots.
Seperate your oreos, crush the cookies for "dirt" and reserve the filling for icing...adding butter, cocoa and milk. Fondoant for flowers and leaves.

Beef Stroganoff

Delicious ground beef sauted with garlic, onions, fresh pepper and oregano....toss in some peas and fresh mushrooms.....and some TLC sauce....voila!

Sunday Steak

Steak with ceasar salad and smashed potatoes...to perfection.

Sunday Morning Breakfast Nests

Hashbrowns nestled in muffin tins with turkey sausage, cheese and topped with an egg.....delicious!

Falafel Friday!

Greek night! Hand made Falafels with home made tzatziki, herbed lemon rice and greek salad....add hummous (which I normally make but was lazy) and pita. Delicious.

Soup for the Soul

Super simple and yummy....cut time when you want it now by using box chicken broth.....saute veggies to soften and add half cooked pasta of choice....simmer 20 min.

Pesto in Pennsylvania

After a day with friends in Pennsylvania, sat down to drinks and made an herbed crust pizza with fresh white sauce, dollops of pesto and fresh mozzarella.....wow....delicious!

The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

Beer Battered Fish and Chips! I used cod for this and the key to crispy fries....fry them first for a few minutes just to soften, put aside to cool, fry your fish and THEN crisp the fries for a few more minutes til golden!

Fried Chicken!

Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn.....yum

Sangria Saturday

You don't need to make Sangria by the pitcher....make yourself a glass...just for you! White wine, splash of orange juice, splash of cranberry juice, splash of vodka, splash of brandy and a splash of soda..either sprite, gingerale, seltzer. Add fruit or not...I personally don't care to eat it but it is pretty.

Let Them Eat Cake

Lalaloopsy cake for my little Lalaloopsy Fanatic!

Mulligatawny Monday

Indian Mulligatawny Soup to soothe the winter blues. Shredded Curried Chicken with Turmeric, Ginger, Cloves,  Peppercorns, Diced Apples, Rice , Chicken broth and Coconut Milk. Absolutely hit the spot!

What's In The Pantry Sunday....

A sleep in kind of day followed by Sunday errand, left me wondering what I could throw together without another run to the grocery store. Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage in home made sauce with basil, garlic, olive oil and Tri Color Rotini, layered in a baking dish with fresh Mozzarella . Baked to yummy perfection!

When Creative Juices Flow for the Love of Friends :)

I have created many cakes for many occasions....this was a first. Made for a friend's 33rd birthday.

Crave Steak...Make Steak!

A Sunday afternoon comedy by myself....haven't done that in a decade! Returned home to bake a home made Rustic Bread, Parmesan Crusted Porterhouse (shared with Ashley and Matt), Ceasar Salad and yummy Twice Baked Cheddar Potatoes.. Whew...full belly :)

The Promised Dungeness Crab!

Ice Skating today and it was freezing out after a balmy 65 degrees yesterday but knowing Mr Dungeness was home waiting was a treat! Garlic and Old Bay Dungeness Crab with Edemame and Garlic Brown Fried Rice with Seaweed...with a beer on the side :) pure heaven!  Happy Saturday everyone!

Asian Soup with Rice Sticks

A week long craving for Asian soup had me running to the Asian market today ....Also grabbed myself a fresh dungeness crab for tomorrow's dinner.....wait til you see how yummy! It's my favorite crab ever!
Anyway,
Make ahead...rice stick noodles. Don't over cook or they'll be mushy. I like to just soak in hot water to soften. You can also use japanese soba noodles if you want.

2 chicken breasts thinly sliced...marinade in clove of minced garlic, and sesame oil and dash of salt. set aside.
Broth:
8 cups chicken broth
4 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp veg oil
Saute ginger and garlic in tbsp of veg oil...add broth and soy sauce. Bring to a boil and add chicken and then add veggies in order of longest cooking time to shortest and then turn down to a simmer...
You can add any of your favorite veggies but I added:
1 c Thin sliced onion
1 c Tthin sliced carrots
1 c Chopped broccoli
6 Bunches baby bok choy sliced
1 c Shredded cabbage
1 c Sliced mushrooms
Once its cooked to your desired softness...Put noodles in bowl add soup and top with:
Diced scallions
handful of thai basil

Snow Day Stew

After a day in the snow making snow hearts for Valentine's Day, what better meal to make than a warm Beef Stew!

Chicken on a Chilly Day

A trip to walmart for snow gear with my girls after Nemo hit. 

Finished the day off with a delicious meal with the kids!

Chicken Picatta with Roasted Spaghetti Squash and Herbed Quinoa