Spring is in the air

Does anything scream "spring-time" like vine ripened tomatoes, sea salt and balsamic vinaigrette?

sweets for the sweet

Even though Valentine's Day has passed, still give your sweetie something sweet on a regular basis!

Is this acceptable?

Is this an acceptable "Spring Break Basket" for a college student and his over 21 year old friends to take with them to their lake front spring break 2011 party.  They have a room booked right on the lake and no need to drive for a week.  Let me know your thoughts.

CHERRY TOMATOES

For a healthy appetizer try these quick and easy cherry tomatoes.  Hollow out the cherry tomatoes and fill with fat free garden veggie cream cheese and top with fresh chopped chives.  Not only is it delicious, it is low cal!

Egg Plant Cavier on toast

Another appetizer that will wow your guest!  Finley chop eggplant and saute' it on low heat with butter, basil and pesto.  Serve on toasted slices of a french baguette and let the party begin.

Fancy French Fries

For a fancy appetizer at your next party try "Fancy Fries".  Fry up some freedom fries, as soon as you remove them from the hot oil sprinkle them will garlic salt and Parmesan cheese and serve them in shot glasses.  It is sure to be a big hit with your guests.

Want a pretty boiled egg

To prevent the dark ring around the yoke of your boiled egg, start with a room temperature eggs and gently add it to the pot of water right before the water begins to boil.  Boil the eggs for 13 minutes, remove from the stove and immediately transfer to cool water or add ice to the boiling water to cool it quickly and stop the cooking process.

Start your week off with a great breakfast

Check in tomorrow for the delicious recipe,

Brown or White

There are no real health benefits to eating brown eggs vs. white eggs, although there may be a slight taste difference. All eggs are an excellent source of protein and low in calories. They’re a healthy dietary choice for most people.

Is an egg, just an egg?

Without looking it up, do you know the difference between a white egg and a brown egg?  Check back tomorrow and I'l let you know.

Anything with cheese can't be wrong

Before the weather turns hot make some good old fashion ooey, gooey, feel so good, stick to your ribs lasagna.  The family will love you!

Eggs.......did you know

Egg yolks and whole eggs store a lot of protein and choline.  For this reason, the USDA  (United States Department of Agriculture) categorizes eggs as Meats within the Food Pyramid.

Chicken Veggie Soup

What could be better that a bowl of chicken veggie soup on a cold winters night?

The perfect knives

I am sure that you have all heard of Cutco Knives and also know that they may seem a bit pricey.  But since I have started using them I can tell you that they are more than worth the price.  I did not buy them all at once and I am constantly adding to my collection.  You must try them.  Let me know what you think.

Spice up your life

Not only shoud you always add a little spice to your food, be sure to spice up your life every chance you get.

Buy the best

This is the best mixer I have ever had.  Even if you just but one product a year, don't cut corners just because of the price.  Trust me!

Did you know?

Contrary to popular belief, German chocolate cake did not originate in the country of Germany. Its roots can be traced back to 1852 when Englishman Sam German developed a brand of dark baking chocolate for the American Baker's Chocolate Company. The product, Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate, was named in honor of him.  It is said that the original recipe in the US was actually sent to a local news paper my a Dallas, TX homemaker.

Sweets for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day

Chocolate Strawberry-Banana Crepes

Serves 6

This is one heavenly decadent dessert.  Don’t let the crepe making scare you.  This is the easiest recipe I’ve discovered.  Even your most finicky eaters will love this!

            6 homemade crepes (recipe follows)

1 pint of fresh strawberries, cut off the leafy parts and slice

            ¼ cup granulated sugar (sprinkle over sliced strawberries and set aside)

            2 bananas, peeled and sliced

            1-13 ounce jar of Nutella hazelnut spread

            whipped cream (Reddi-Wip will do just fine)

            Hersey’s chocolate syrup

            Crepe Batter:

            ½ cup cold water

            ½ cup cold milk

            2 eggs

            ¼ teaspoon salt

            ¾ cup flour

            2 tablespoons melted butter

            vegetable oil

           

Making the crepes:  Put the liquids, eggs and salt into a blender jar.  Add the flour, then the butter.  Cover and blend for 1 minute.  Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate, while preparing the fruits.  Heat a non-stick skillet (8 to 12-inch diameter).  Brush the skillet with oil.  Heat over moderately high heat until the pan just starts to smoke.  Pour ¼ cup of batter into the middle of the pan; quickly tilt the pan in all directions to run the batter all over the bottom of the pan in a thin film.  Any batter that does not adhere to the pan, pour back into the bowl.  Return the pan back to the heat for 40 to 60 seconds.  Left edges with a spatula and turn; brown lightly for about 30 seconds on the other side.  Then slide the crepe onto a plate.  Grease the skillet again, heat to just smoking and proceed in making the rest of the crepes.

Assembly:  Take a crepe and fold it in half, spread the desired amount of the Nutella in a thin layer over the crepe and fold in half again to form a wedge.  Set on a desert plate.  Place some strawberry slices and some banana slices in the center of the wedge, drizzle with chocolate syrup and then pipe some of the whipping cream on the side of the fruits and serve.

Good food on a cold day

What is your favorite food on a cold day?

Making pasta = family fun!

Homemade pasta is probably much easier than you might think.  All you need is 5 eggs and 2 cups of flour.  Mix the dough by hand until it is not sticky and roll into whatever shapes you choose.  For a twist add in different flavors like crushed mint, spinach, or even edible flowers like Szechaun Buttons or Karma Orchids.  The possibilities are endless.  Let the kids help and it will be a moment they will remember for a life time.

Cinnamon does more than add a kick to our morning toast

Who doesn't love a piece of cinnamon toast in the morning.  But did you know that by adding cinnamon to

 food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative?  It is also believed that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.  Another study at Copenhagen University gave patients half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week. So try to incorporate this versatile spice into your every day life for a healthier you!

don't forget the doggie treats

Have some oranges laying around

Try making Oven Roasted Chicken with Oranges.  This is an easy recipe and will be a treat for the entire family.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 tablespoons rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon Sea Salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 pounds boneless chicken breast
• 1 medium orange, cut into very thin slices, then cut slices into quarters
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Heat oven to 450 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of the oil, rosemary, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat well. Slip 1 piece of orange under the skin of each breast.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat until butter foams. Working in batches, add 3 chicken breasts (don't overcrowd the pan) and brown on both sides until skin is golden brown and crisp, about4 to 5 minutes per batch. As chicken is finished, place in a 13 by 9-inch oven safe dish.
Once all chicken has browned, place in oven and cook until juices run clear when pricked with a knife and meat registers 160 to 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 25 to 35 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.