I own a lot of cookbooks. They are a guilty pleasure for me. I love to look at all of the pictures and read all of the recipes and there may be one or two recipes that I will actually cook out of those cookbooks that I buy. But there are two cookbooks that I refer back to time and time again. They are my Good Housekeeping cookbook and my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I ...
Dinner
A Cheap Date – Chicken Kiev
It feels like FOREVER since I have posted an entry. I consider that to be a testament to just how busy I have been. The last 10 days have been seriously hectic. I got my first large order for bags ( okay it was only 5 bags, but that's big for me), I signed up to do my very first craft show in May, we have been potty training the twins, and on top of all that we have all had a ...
I’d rather be on the beach – Orange & Ginger Pork with Corn and Avocado Salad
As I have expressed before, I am sick of winter. And thanks to ol' Phil the Groundhog, it seems that winter is going to wear out it's welcome. I really shouldn't be complaining since I live in the South and we don't get the deep freezes that those north of us see, but it's still cold. Cold enough I can't really take the kids outside to play very often and my toes haven't seen ...
For the Vegetarian in all of us – Black Bean Burgers
Okay, I have a confession. I have put on a little weight. About 5 pounds and I'm a little bummed about it. So, it's about that time to eat a little healthy for at least a few weeks. SO I started last night with these black bean burgers I saw in Gourmet magazine. I love that magazine and I'm always excited when I see a recipe in there that I can actually afford to make.These ...
Patty Cake, Patty Cake – Pan fried Salmon Patties with Spicy Remo Sauce
Ah...the salmon patty. That famous concoction of the 1950's that still graces the menu of every meat and 3 diner in the South. I'm sure the salmon patty was a created in order to work some seafood into a 1950's diet without spending a fortune on fresh fish and without eating canned tuna again. Fifty years later, it seems that times haven't changed that much, at least not in my ...
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
This is a fly by the seat of my pants invention, inspired by a few different recipes, but totally my own. And it was sooo good. I am finally getting rid of the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers ( yah!!! freezer space!) and some dried cranberries that have been floating around my kitchen for a while. If you don't have cranberries, use raisins or currants instead. You really ...
Stromboli
I am exhausted. After weeks of travel, family, weddings, sick babies, and holiday revelries, I am completely drained. I'm sure you have similar feelings. I think we all do. So today, I did something I rarely do...I bought canned pizza crust. I know what your thinking, "big deal" , but I feel a little guilty about it. For $2.59 I bought a tube of convenience instead of making ...
Mom’s Maple Glaze
I don't know what it is about the holidays that brings back every sweet, distant memory of my mother's cooking. I guess because it was always delicious, well almost always delicious. It always came with a house full of people with love,warm conversation and maybe the odd heated political debate.There were always a bunch of kids, 7 of us to be exact.( I was only related to one ...
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri
I don't know about you, but I am just about poultry-ed out. I have had enough turkey and chicken in the last month to last me a while. That is why last night I decided some red meat was in order. This is one of the hubby's favorite meals. He requests it quite often. Usually I make it with flank steak, but skirt steak or even a London broil work just as well. The chimichurri is ...
Love Me Tender – Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
There is just something about a cold, wet, rainy day that demands a warm, tender, and flavorful meal. There are several dishes that fit into that category but I think roasted chicken is my favorite. I have a small collection of herbs that I grow in sunny spots in my shady yard and I love the freshness that they add, especially rosemary. I love rosemary. If warm and comforting ...
Country Style Ribs
I will admit that I did not actually cook this meal. My husband did. I had all the stuff, I had the plan to cook this, but I did not cook this. This particular day I was very tired and very full of snot and just getting over the wicked cold that we have all had since before Thanksgiving. So ...
The evil "C" word – Casserole
When I first got married, I was all about cooking really great, really original food every single night. The very mention of casserole had me turning my nose up. I thought I was too good for casseroles I guess. Well, five years and two kids later, I LOVE casseroles. Not only are casseroles superb at cleaning out everything that is about to go bad in your fridge, but they are ...
Real Tightwads Eat Quiche
I''m sure that you have watched the news at least once in the last couple of months and that you are well aware of the economic crisis that we are now in. And if you are a follower of this blog ( and I actually have some now!) you are probably feeling the pinch. With all of this talk about money and how people are cutting back, I went in search of what the average person spends ...
Spicy White Chicken Chili in a Bread Bowl
I don't know where you live, but where I live it is cold! The high today is going to be 45 with wind gusts up to 30 mph! With weather like that all I can think about is soup. And the spicier the better! This white chili is the perfect solution to the cold day. The bread bowl isn't absolutely necessary but you will thank yourself for it.3 cans white beans, rinsed and drained1 ...
Homemade Marinara Sauce
If there is one recipe every frugal parent should have in their repertoire it is Marinara sauce. I can't think of one child ( or adult) who doesn't like spaghetti with mounds of sauce and piles of cheese. Not to mention it is one of the healthiest, easiest and most versatile meals to fix for dinner. You can hide a multitude of things in marinara. Vegetables, ground turkey ( ...