Well, as you may have noticed, I didn't post yesterday! Had a very busy day making a pound cake for a friend's party (we had delicious Chocolate Fondue with mixed berries and cake... yummy!!), a whole batch of mandarin jam (got 10 jars, for a little over $5 total!), and some baguette :)
Dinner for the rest of the family (since I was at my friends... Girls only) was left-over chili and cornbread... still as good!
Tonight I'll make some panini with fresh home-made baguette (that I made yesterday), cheese, turkey pastrami, lettuce, tomato and olive tapenade... mmm, can't wait ;)
Come back later for my baguette recipe... it takes time, but it's easy and so much better that store-bought bread!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Chili and Creamed Corn Cornbread... yum!
I've been wanting to make chili and cornbread for several weeks, but every single night I forgot to soak the beans! I'm not a big fan of canned beans... I guess it's my budget-conscious side that refuses to pay for a 14-oz can more than what I would spend on a whole 1 lb of cooked beans (that yield the equivalent of at least 3 cans).
Last night I finally remembered to soak 1 lb of pinto beans (only beans I had in my pantry... I make chili with pretty much any type of bean) and to transfer 1 lb lean ground beef from my freezer to the fridge, so I was all set for this morning.
Right now Chili is ready :) I'll just reheat it when dinner time arrives. My Creamed Corn Cornbread recipe is an adaptation of Alton Brown's one. Since I'm a big fan, I follow his recommendations and use home-made creamed corn instead of the tasteless goo you can find in a can, but if you only have a can handy, add some saute onions, garlic and a rosemary to give some flavor to it.
A few changes I make on Alton's recipes: for the creamed corn, I use a 12 oz bag frozen corn (thawed and drained) instead of the fresh corn, just 1 Tbsp cornmeal and 1/2 cup evaporated milk instead of the cream; then I use ALL that creamed corn instead of the 8 oz when making the corn bread... I also increase the amount of buttermilk on about 1/4 cup.
Cornbread is in the oven! Can't wait to try a piece!
Last night I finally remembered to soak 1 lb of pinto beans (only beans I had in my pantry... I make chili with pretty much any type of bean) and to transfer 1 lb lean ground beef from my freezer to the fridge, so I was all set for this morning.
Right now Chili is ready :) I'll just reheat it when dinner time arrives. My Creamed Corn Cornbread recipe is an adaptation of Alton Brown's one. Since I'm a big fan, I follow his recommendations and use home-made creamed corn instead of the tasteless goo you can find in a can, but if you only have a can handy, add some saute onions, garlic and a rosemary to give some flavor to it.
A few changes I make on Alton's recipes: for the creamed corn, I use a 12 oz bag frozen corn (thawed and drained) instead of the fresh corn, just 1 Tbsp cornmeal and 1/2 cup evaporated milk instead of the cream; then I use ALL that creamed corn instead of the 8 oz when making the corn bread... I also increase the amount of buttermilk on about 1/4 cup.
Cornbread is in the oven! Can't wait to try a piece!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
It's cold out there... what about some soup!
Brrrr, it's cold! I know... you'll probably laugh at my "winter" temperatures in Southeast Texas, but I'm seriously cold today! (I just enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa... mmmmm)
For tonight I'm making Lentil and Ham Soup. I love this recipe because it's easy, yummy and SO comforting! Sometimes I replace the ham for cooked smoked sausage or turkey bacon. My family loves it :)
For dessert I'll be baking Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies... my friend Diane tempted me with those a few days ago and I haven't been able to make them yet, but today I will!
Stay warm...
For tonight I'm making Lentil and Ham Soup. I love this recipe because it's easy, yummy and SO comforting! Sometimes I replace the ham for cooked smoked sausage or turkey bacon. My family loves it :)
For dessert I'll be baking Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies... my friend Diane tempted me with those a few days ago and I haven't been able to make them yet, but today I will!
Stay warm...
Monday, February 22, 2010
One of those days...
This is one of those days in which I wish we didn't have to eat... I'm heartbroken by the loss of one of my friends and I've been crying every time I think of her and her family...
I think I'll dig in my "teething day" stash to bring something eatable to the table even if I don't feel like eating and would rather have a huge bowl of ice-cream and some cookies.
In my "teething day" stash I always keep gnocchi. There are some good quality store-bought brands (nearly as good as home-made, which I make on occasion) and they cook in MINUTES. Literally... from the moment the water boils until the moment your gnocchi is done... 3 minutes tops. I also have some chicken tenders and half a box of white mushrooms, so I'll make a chicken and mushroom "Alfredo" sauce to go with it. I put "Alfredo" on quotation marks because this is not your typical 1000 calories/serving sauce. My version is a lot lighter on your belly and your pocket, but very yummy!
I think I'll dig in my "teething day" stash to bring something eatable to the table even if I don't feel like eating and would rather have a huge bowl of ice-cream and some cookies.
In my "teething day" stash I always keep gnocchi. There are some good quality store-bought brands (nearly as good as home-made, which I make on occasion) and they cook in MINUTES. Literally... from the moment the water boils until the moment your gnocchi is done... 3 minutes tops. I also have some chicken tenders and half a box of white mushrooms, so I'll make a chicken and mushroom "Alfredo" sauce to go with it. I put "Alfredo" on quotation marks because this is not your typical 1000 calories/serving sauce. My version is a lot lighter on your belly and your pocket, but very yummy!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Just dessert... my favorite "food group" :P
Today we are invited to a dinner party... which means no cooking for me! Well... almost. I'm still making dessert to bring, but it's an easy and delicious one, so I don't mind, and anyway, I LOVE baking!
I'll be making a Fruit & Grand-Marnier cake. The first time I tried this cake was in December 2009 at a friend's house. I was immediately in love with this cake and asked for the recipe. I was VERY surprised at how simple it is! I love it because it's soooo moist... it's nearly a mix between a cake and a bread pudding. You MUST give it a try ;)
I'll be making a Fruit & Grand-Marnier cake. The first time I tried this cake was in December 2009 at a friend's house. I was immediately in love with this cake and asked for the recipe. I was VERY surprised at how simple it is! I love it because it's soooo moist... it's nearly a mix between a cake and a bread pudding. You MUST give it a try ;)
Friday, February 19, 2010
"Recycled" food ;)
Don't call it "left-overs"!
This morning we all got up with a sore throat... UGH!! so I don't feel like spending too much time in the kitchen, but I still want something yummy for dinner. Fortunately I have a container of polenta (from the Braised Chicken and Polenta) and I found some meat-tomato sauce I had stored in my freezer from some spaghetti I made last week. I will transform those into an entirely different dinner with the help of some spinach and mozzarella cheese!
But it's not dinner if it doesn't have a name, so let's call it: Layered Polenta Casserole.
For dessert we'll be having some Spanish Style Hot Chocolate with nice slices of Cinnamon Graham bread I made yesterday :)
This morning we all got up with a sore throat... UGH!! so I don't feel like spending too much time in the kitchen, but I still want something yummy for dinner. Fortunately I have a container of polenta (from the Braised Chicken and Polenta) and I found some meat-tomato sauce I had stored in my freezer from some spaghetti I made last week. I will transform those into an entirely different dinner with the help of some spinach and mozzarella cheese!
But it's not dinner if it doesn't have a name, so let's call it: Layered Polenta Casserole.
For dessert we'll be having some Spanish Style Hot Chocolate with nice slices of Cinnamon Graham bread I made yesterday :)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday night is game night!
On Thursdays I cook something relatively quick and we play a board game :)
I usually make pizza on game nights but today we feel like having some fish, and I happen to have some flounder fillets in my freezer (gotta love the individually packed ones!). I also have a large bag of frozen Asian-style veggies I got during the last Kroger Mega Sale (paid like $0.44 for it... GREAT deal!), so I'll be making Asian-style Fish Stir-Fry with steamed rice. For dessert we'll have some left-over cake ;)
Today is also my "baking day" and I'll make Cinnamon Graham Bread and English Muffin Bread. We'll eat those for breakfast on the next few days.
I usually make pizza on game nights but today we feel like having some fish, and I happen to have some flounder fillets in my freezer (gotta love the individually packed ones!). I also have a large bag of frozen Asian-style veggies I got during the last Kroger Mega Sale (paid like $0.44 for it... GREAT deal!), so I'll be making Asian-style Fish Stir-Fry with steamed rice. For dessert we'll have some left-over cake ;)
Today is also my "baking day" and I'll make Cinnamon Graham Bread and English Muffin Bread. We'll eat those for breakfast on the next few days.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tofu and potato casserole... try it even if you are a "tofu skeptical"
I try to give my family balanced meals throughout the week. My objective is to give some beef, chicken, fish, pork and also some vegetarian dishes, for variety and nutrition.
Today I'm making a tofu and potato casserole. I have friends who reluctantly tried the dish after making the "Ewww, tofu!" face, and they all said they could barely notice there is any tofu in there! Tofu provides lots of protein and very little fat, and my family loves it :) We eat tofu at least once a week.
As usual, I'll be serving it with a fresh green salad (we eat green salad nearly every day). For dessert we'll be having home-made Greek-style yogurt with fresh fruit, roasted nuts and honey... yum!
Today I'm making a tofu and potato casserole. I have friends who reluctantly tried the dish after making the "Ewww, tofu!" face, and they all said they could barely notice there is any tofu in there! Tofu provides lots of protein and very little fat, and my family loves it :) We eat tofu at least once a week.
As usual, I'll be serving it with a fresh green salad (we eat green salad nearly every day). For dessert we'll be having home-made Greek-style yogurt with fresh fruit, roasted nuts and honey... yum!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Braised chicken and polenta... so juicy and delicious!
Today is laundry and dusting day... and I also have a little one teething (all you moms know what that implies!), so I need something that I can stick in the pot and forget about until dinner time.
I'll be making a very easy braised chicken (one of my family's favorite!) and creamy polenta as a side dish. The chicken is also amazing over egg noodles, fresh pasta, rice or mashed potatoes... and has a "built-in" gravy that it's to-die-for.
For dessert... I think I'll be baking some vanilla wafers! I happened to make some dough last week and still have some frozen. Very handy!
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The polenta and braised chicken was a success :) I used fresh organic carrots and they were so tasty! I definitely prefer them over the frozen ones, although I have to admit that frozen veggies are useful to keep in your freezer for emergencies ;) The chicken dish is also great with mushrooms... you can either add them to the recipe (quartered or sliced) or even use them instead of the carrots.
I've noticed that I rely a lot on some of my kitchen "toys" so I plan on compiling a list of my must-have or favorite kitchen tools and add it to the main page... also a list of things I regularly stock-up on for my pantry and freezer.
I'll be making a very easy braised chicken (one of my family's favorite!) and creamy polenta as a side dish. The chicken is also amazing over egg noodles, fresh pasta, rice or mashed potatoes... and has a "built-in" gravy that it's to-die-for.
For dessert... I think I'll be baking some vanilla wafers! I happened to make some dough last week and still have some frozen. Very handy!
**********************************************
The polenta and braised chicken was a success :) I used fresh organic carrots and they were so tasty! I definitely prefer them over the frozen ones, although I have to admit that frozen veggies are useful to keep in your freezer for emergencies ;) The chicken dish is also great with mushrooms... you can either add them to the recipe (quartered or sliced) or even use them instead of the carrots.
I've noticed that I rely a lot on some of my kitchen "toys" so I plan on compiling a list of my must-have or favorite kitchen tools and add it to the main page... also a list of things I regularly stock-up on for my pantry and freezer.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Spinach pie... yum!
After checking my fridge today, I discovered I have 2 full containers of baby spinach... I better do something about those before they go to waste!
Tonight I'll be making a yummy spinach pie and a light tomato salad. For dessert, we'll be having an awesome buttermilk pound cake that I made on the weekend. The recipe for the pound cake is courtesy of Alton Brown (I'm a HUGE fan!).
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Spinach pie was DELICIOUS! I wanted to take a picture to post, but I remembered about it when it was too late... I'll take one next time I make some! This is a great left-over to take for lunch to work. You can either reheat it or eat it at room temperature. Makes a great picnic meal too! Pair it with a nice salad and some fruits and you are all set.
Pound cake was yummy too... so moist and rich. I love this recipe because you don't even need icing, whipped cream or really anything to top the cake. A nice cup of coffee or tea is all you need.
Tonight I'll be making a yummy spinach pie and a light tomato salad. For dessert, we'll be having an awesome buttermilk pound cake that I made on the weekend. The recipe for the pound cake is courtesy of Alton Brown (I'm a HUGE fan!).
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Spinach pie was DELICIOUS! I wanted to take a picture to post, but I remembered about it when it was too late... I'll take one next time I make some! This is a great left-over to take for lunch to work. You can either reheat it or eat it at room temperature. Makes a great picnic meal too! Pair it with a nice salad and some fruits and you are all set.
Pound cake was yummy too... so moist and rich. I love this recipe because you don't even need icing, whipped cream or really anything to top the cake. A nice cup of coffee or tea is all you need.
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