Saturday, February 28, 2009

Cheeseball

When I tasted this the first time - well let's just say my in laws are probably still talking about how much I ate. I just couldn't stop. This is a recipe my sister in law, Rachelle found...I have tasted other, really good cheeseballs..and some really not so good ones. This one, for me, still comes out on top. Although my mother made an awesome one this past christmas so I'll have to track down that recipe and post it as well. For now though - this is what you get!

8 oz McLaren's Cheese (Red container, black lid), softened
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
Blend well
Add:
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/3 cup chopped pecans (handy chopper)
1/4- 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Chill for 15-30 minutes (easier to shape). Shape into a ball and roll in mixture of:
2 Tbsp chopped pecans
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika

I personally like to make several small cheese balls instead of one large one. They freeze really well in either saran wrap or a ziploc bag. Tastes the best with wheat thin crackers.

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

Pumpkin Squares

My sister in law, Rachelle is an excellent cook and baker. Part of her talent is because she is also always trying new recipes. This particular recipe has become a family favorite and I know we all get excited when Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching because we know she will be indulging us all with a pan of these. These are *SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS!* without a doubt!

Beat together:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cup of sugar
1 cup oil (vegetable)
2 cups pumpkin (Use the actual pumpkin pie filling instead of straight pumpkin...it's already seasoned a bit which makes it even tastier)

Mix and add:
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon (this would not be enough seasoning in my opinion if you use just straight pumpkin)

Pour onto Cookie sheet (try to use one that's a little deeper) and bake at 350 for 25 minutes and let cool.

Icing:
1/2 cup margarin, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened (note - just half the pack)
2 Cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Beat together and spread on squares. Cut and serve....

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

Sweet and Sour Sauce

When my husband and I were dating, his mom made plain rice once for supper. I really don't like plain rice, so had planned to just take a small amount. Until I saw there was sauce on the table for it....and I was hooked. For months after we were married she would make it for me every time we went to visit. It was like a *need* which sounds silly I know....but it was just so good. My sister in law, Andrea would not be pleased if I did not give her the credit though - she was the original founder (not creator) of this recipe...and boy am I ever grateful! It's great on rice, chicken breasts, and chicken wings (my chicken wing recipe is similar but even better!).

3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp water
1 Cup sugar
1/2 cup Vinegar

Cook on stove until heated through and sugar is dissolved. If you are using this for chicken breasts or wings - add some water and cornstarch to thicken it :)

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 4 STARS (I have to be fair - although it really is excellent...but I think again that I am the only one who LOVED it THAT much you know?!)

Spinach Dip

This is another one of *those* recipes...I just haven't found another one I like nearly as much. I can say though that Superstore has a good spinach dip you can buy...and it's good. Not the same as this, but in a pinch it's nice to know there is an adequate alternative. I think there are water chestnuts in theirs though, so if you don't like water chestnuts - it may not perhaps be an *adequate alternative* lol

1 Cup sour cream
1 Cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 Medium minced onion (handy chopper)
1 Package Knorr vegetable soup mix
1 Package thawed, drained, and chopped spinach (you don't have to add the whole package....I'd say hold some back - about half a handful, and mix it all together before adding more)

Mix together and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Cut top off sourdough round loaf and gently *dig* out the insides, filling with spinach mixture. Break *insides* into bite sized pieces for dipping. Oh wait - don't forget to buy a second sourdough loaf so you have more. :)

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

Oriental Salad

I had this salad at my aunt Glenda's once. I fell in love and had it several times in the weeks that followed. Even now I just get cravings for it and if I know Brent isn't home for supper I often make this. You see - I'm pretty much the only person that likes this....which is funny because I don't just like it - I LOVE it! I'm adding it because of that...not because I think anyone else will really like it (although i wouldn't mind finding at least one person who does).

3 cooked sliced chicken breasts (I only ever use one because I do an individual sized salad)
- Cube chicken and boil in mixture of 1 cup soy sauce and 1 cup water (you can half these if only using one chicken breast)
1 head lettuce (I use romaine)
1 bundle green onion (I love green onion but honestly as I'm typing this - didn't realize it called for it. LOL)
1/2 package of won ton wrappers cut in strips and fried (I do not like the won ton wrappers and because I don't use them for anything else they go bad...and freezing them is not really the best option. I use tortilla shells (yep taco shells) and cut half of one into strips (cutting the long ones in half again) and fry those up.

The Dressing:
4 Tbsp sugar
4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Lemon (3 Tbsp lemon juice)
1/4 cup olive oil

No need to blend this dressing. I just use my tupperware shaker which works perfectly. Pour over salad....Enjoy (hopefully anyways!)

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 3 STARS - I can't give it 5 even though I think it's worth that....In fact considering I'm the only one who likes it a rating of 3 might even be too generous.

Toasty Tuna Torpedos

A fun alternative to plain tuna sandwiches. My husband grew up with this recipe - it's a family lunch favorite. Perhaps brings a trip down memory lane too :)

1 Can of tuna
1 Cup grated cheddar
2 Tbsp chopped dill pickle
1 Green onion, chopped
1 Tbsp prepared mustard
1 Tbsp Miracle Whip (or Mayonnaise)
4 Hot Dog Buns

Obviously - multiply the recipe depending on how many you need to make. But what's nice about this recipe is that it does't make a ton - so you aren't staring at tuna leftovers for days...and your fridge doesn't hold traces of it either :)

Combine tuna, cheese, pickle, and green onion in a small bowl. Add mustard and miracle whip and mix well. Spread bottom halves of hot dog buns with mixture. Wrap each bun in foil and bake for 15 minutes at 350.

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 4 STARS

Hot Potato Salad

I don't really have a recipe for this - it's kind of just put together. My mom makes it and it's sooo yummy. This is the perfect side dish for a steak dinner...a fun alternative to baked potatoes. This is definitely one that gets asked for...

Peeled Potatoes (I count about 2 per person and then add a few just because)1 Package of bacon (cooked in the oven on parchment paper at 350 until crispy)1 Medium onion (chopped and then fried in the bacon grease poured off from cookie sheet - I know...*ick* but trust me...it is just brilliant!). Cook potatoes until done (don't overcook them). Add cooked and chopped bacon to pot of potatoes (cook it while potatoes are cooking). Add sauteed onions and mix. Add in mayonnaise (maybe about 1/2 cup - but play around with amounts a little) and season with seasoning salt (really it's a personal preference...I have no idea how much - I know that is not helpful at all...a few Tbsp maybe). Oh and don't *mash* the potatoes but most of them end up sort of creaming together...

mmm... I might have to make this sometime this week :)

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

Broccoli Salad

This is a great alternative to a lettuce salad...if you want to try something different. I've tried broccoli salads at loads of functions but always prefer this recipe.

Bunch of Broccoli - finely chopped
1/2 lb bacon - crisped and chopped*
1/2 red onion - finely chopped
1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins

Dressing
1/2 cup of mayonnaise (or miracle whip)
1 cup sour cream
sugar to taste (about 1 Tbsp)

These amounts may need to be altered depending on the size of the salad...you can also add a bit of milk to the dressing to thin it out a bit.

*I find it's soo much easier (and less of a mess) to cook bacon in the oven. And interestingly it even tastes better. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (no cleanup) and lay the bacon on it...cook at 350 until crispy. Cool and chop*

Stuffed Mushrooms

I have yet to find a stuffed mushroom recipe that is as good as this one. Well in all fairness, I haven't tried any others because they simply don't even sound as good...

Here it goes:

12 whole fresh stuffable mushrooms (save the $$ and just buy large mushrooms...they don't have to be actual *stuffable* ones)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 (8oz) package of softened cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I have only put this in once and honestly prefer it without)

Clean and dry mushrooms, chopping off tough end of stem. Pull stems off each mushroom and mince (handy chopper). Heat oil and saute garlic and minced mushroom stems. Cool. In a bowl mix cream cheese, parmesan, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if you choose). Add sauteed garlic and mushroom stems and mix well - you will likely need to use your hands...so um, don't forget to wash them first *ick*

Fill mushroom caps and place in baking dish (casserole dish). Bake for 20 minutes at 350 - until liquid forms under mushroom caps.



SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

Butternut Squash

I have never made squash. My dad makes a great spaghetti squash (recipe to come) but I myself have never. So I thought I would venture into land of squash and start with Butternut Squash. I was more than pleasantly surprised....and find myself almost craving it some nights. And it's sooo easy and quick!

Cut Butternut Squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the *guts*. Spray cookie sheet with pam and lay squash face down. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Flip carefully. You can do the following two different ways (I prefer the second way).

Put 1 Tbsp of margarine into the *pocket* of each half and add 1 Tbsp brown sugar. sprinkle pepper and cinnamon (about 1/4 tsp) over each half. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes. I like to *baste* the squash with the butter/sugar mixture ever couple of minutes. Then scoop out to serve (I just serve it whole and let each person scoop out what they want).

OR

Let Squash cool. Skin and cube into bite sized pieces. Place in small baking dish (I do love corning ware) and add 1 1/2 Tbsp margarine and brown sugar. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon (about 1/4 tsp) and bake for 15-20 minutes, mixing twice.

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 4 STARS (My husband liked it but overall doesn't love squash so it wasn't his favorite...I LOOOOVED it!)

Playdough

I know I know...not a meal or even a snack....Not really edible actually - well actually it is, just doesn't taste very good. But I am a mom - and what a great activity to have the kids do while you are making supper!!! Besides, it smells good too - not like the super salty smell most homemade playdoughs have.

In pot on the stove

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar (it will still turn out if you don't have this)
1 Tbsp oil (vegetable)
1 cup water
1 package of kool-aid (whatever colour you want)

Cook on stove, stirring constantly until it forms a ball. I always have a piece of wax paper on the counter so I can *dump* the playdough on it until it cools. Besides, I can put my hands under the wax paper and sort of *knead* the playdough without burning myself. Then I use the same pot and make another batch (making sure to put another piece of wax paper on the counter). I store it in a plastic bag (produce bags) in the fridge.

**A great thing to have the kids help with. My daughter loves picking out the kool aid colour and pouring it in**

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS (for fun - not edibility)

Pizza

While there is definitely a different taste to take out pizza...we LOVE making our own. Brent is the pizza crust man in our house and over the years we've perfected it. And the best thing about it is you don't have to wait for the dough to rise!!! So it's quick and easy....and sooo delicious!

In a small measuring cup:
1 cup lukewarm water
1 tsp white sugar
1 Tbsp yeast (just traditional yeast)

Let stand for 5 minutes

In mixer:
1 tsp salt (I think we actually do add the salt to this recipe)
2 cups flour
1/4 cup oil (vegetable)

Mix together and add water/sugar/yeast mixture. Sprinkle about 2 Tbsp italian seasoning (Club House italian) and parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. Spread onto pizza stone or cookie sheet (we used to always use our pizza stone but it makes a bigger pizza using a square cookie sheet so we do that now). Don't forget to oil the bottom so it doesn't stick. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes - sometimes there are dough *bubbles* so we just poke them with a knife and cook for about 5 more minutes.
**If you are using a pizza stone, don't forget to heat it first for 15 minutes at 450**

Spread with pizza sauce (we just use our president's choice spaghetti sauce with mushrooms) and toppings. We like to crisp our ham (chopped) and pepperoni first on the stove before putting on the pizza. We usually saute the mushrooms too (they have to be fresh) and I personally love purple/red onion on as well (sauteed first). We add pineapple (I used to sautee it too but Brent didn't like it as much so I don't anymore). And top with cheese (we usually use cheddar or marble). Bake until melted - we broil for a few minutes because I LOVE bubbly/crispy cheese.
You can also use leftove taco meat for a taco or more meatier pizza...or chicken breasts with some bbq sauce, etc. Play around - it's sooo fun to try new things!

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

**A great alternative that we do often for lunches is Naan Bread. It makes perfect individual pizza crusts...I usually throw them into the oven on a cookie sheet just while the oven warms up. They are perfect and freeze well too without sticking together which is nice. You can pull a couple out at a time and keep them frozen so they don't go bad! We did these for my kids' birthdays last year. Everyone put on what they wanted and we had a great time. **

Orange Almond Salad

This salad is always a huge hit!

Here is the dressing recipe

In a blender:
1/3 cup vinegar
3/4 cup white sugar (I use a little bit less)
2 green onions chopped (I know they get blended but I always chop them first)
1 1/2 tsp prepared mustard (I don't usually measure, I just squeeze a little bit in. And yes, it's just the mustard from your fridge)

While blending, add 1 cup oil slowly (slowly is the key). My favorite is Mazola, but Canola and Crisco (vegetable) work perfectly too.

Add to the salad:
Toasted or Sugared Nuts (Slivered Almonds or Pecans....you could probably use walnuts too, but I really really don't like walnuts so have never tried them)
- To toast, lay on a baking sheet and put in oven at 350 until brown. Keep a close watch - they burn easily
- To sugar, melt 2 Tbsp margarine in a pan, add 2 Tbsp white sugar and mix. add about 1 cup of nuts. Cook until brown - but again, keep a close watch as they will burn easily. Stir often....when they are finished, pour them onto a plate and let them cool. Break apart to add to salad (they taste really great plain too).
Mandarin Orange Segments
- Canned Mandarins - just break into small pieces
- Fresh Mandarins or other oranges work as well, cut into small pieces
- Pears, Strawberries, or even apples are also a great alternative
Grated Cheese
- Asiago, Feta, or Swiss Emmental are the best. But I've also used Parmesan and Mozzarella.
Bacon Bits (I don't add these...if you do, only the *real* bacon bits taste good. The simulated ones are too hard)

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

mmm...Enchiladas

This recipe comes from my sister in law, Rachelle (although I don't think she made it up). I've only made a few changes to customize it for our family :) It's a little more time consuming than some other recipes I use, but still is not too bad and is really easy - not to mention Scrumptious!

Appropriately named - Rachelle's Enchiladas :)

Filling:
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (handy chopper again)
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp chili powder (I use closer to 2)
1 tsp salt (I do not add salt)
1 tsp garlic powder (I use 1 1/2)
1/2 tsp cumin (I use 1)
1/4 tsp rubbed sage (I've never added this)
1 can stewed tomatoes (I blend these together first in either the handy chopper (of course) or my food processor)

Cook beef and onion. Add flour and seasonings and mix well. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. I just usually let it simmer without making sure it boils first.

Sauce:
4-6 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup flour
1 can beef broth
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz) (I just use our spaghetti sauce - president's choice brand with mushrooms)
1 cup water (use the tomato sauce can (half full) to get the remaining sauce out too)
1-2 Tbsp chili powder (I use about 3)
1-2 tsp cumin (I use about 3)
1-2 tsp sage (never added)
1/2 tsp salt (never added)

Saute garlic in margarine until tender. Stir in flour until well blended. Gradually stir in broth and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until bubbly (I just add the rest of the ingredients right away - I don't wait). Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Heath through. Lightly cover bottom of pan (casserole dish) with sauce (so tortillas don't stick).

Fill each tortilla shell with about 1/4 cup of filling (I don't actually measure it out - I just scoop some with a spoon)and some shredded cheese. Roll tightly to fit as many as you can into the dish (there is usually some extra space at the end of the pan - I usually squeeze some in going the other direction or I cut a couple in half and put them in for the kids). Pour the remaining sauce over top.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. If you've just finished making the filling and sauce and they are still hot, you only need about 15 minutes to cook. Then top with shredded cheese and put in oven until melted.

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

**Add garlic toast and a salad to finish this meal off. The Orange Almond Salad is my favorite but any will work**

Chicken and Veggies

Brent found some chicken drumsticks at wal-mart really cheap (10 for $3.97) so he picked a couple of them up. We love a good deal :)


My friend, Jenn had bought me Montana's Apple Butter sauce (my FAVE!!!) and I had a bit leftover so I thought I would make some delicious apple butter drumsticks. Chicken is probably my favorite meat - there is so much variety and so many options for recipes.


I dipped the drumsticks in egg and then flour (like I do my chicken wings) and baked them for about an hour (until they were no longer pink). I mixed the apple butter sauce with some water to thin it out (about 1/4 -1/2 cup) and added some of our other bbq sauce (president's choice hickory smoke) to make enough.
I usually add some brown sugar too but didn't this time....it didn't need it! I baked the drumsticks in the sauce for about another 40 minutes, basting it every 10 minutes.


I don't think it needed the egg and flour though - if you wanted to deep fry them (again, like chicken wings) then it would be worthwhile. But for just baking - it didn't really make a difference.


SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 4.5 STARS

Then for the veggies I used a frozen mix of beans and carrots (my favorite mix) and steamed them (better than boiling and keeps more of the nutrients). Then added some margarine and garlic salt.
I also like to dip it in the bbq sauce on my plate. mmmmm

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 4 STARS

**Add garlic toast and a salad to complete this meal to perfection**



Seriously Scrumptious

It took a few days to come up with a name I am satisfied with - but more than that am THRILLED with...thanks to my cousin, Radelle for helping me brainstorm...as well as Jenn who put up with my phonecalls every 10 minutes with a whole new list to consider. LOL I plan to give the foods *seriously scrumptious* ratings. This will help everyone I hope to better determine if they also want to try the recipe.

So let's start. :) The other night I made a family favorite (my cousin, Kari still dreams about it I think.). It wasn't anything new but is always a meal that just hits the spot. And even better - it's soooo inexpensive, which also makes it a great meal to serve for company!

It's a marinated roast/steak! I haven't tried it with a roast...we just buy the small marinating steaks from the grocery store. They are between $3-$6 each usually. My husband and I can nearly polish off two ourselves so keep that in mind if you are serving it for a group bigger than that.

Here is the recipe - this is not an original me recipe and I haven't made any alterations (which is a bit unusual). This was found on allrecipes.com (and excellent resource) and first tried by my good friend, Karma.

Marinade:
3 cloves of garlic, minced (I use the black & decker handy chopper plus - I seriously think this is a kitchen essential)
1/2 cup of soy sauce
2 Tbsp of veg oil (use the same Tbsp for the oil and ketchup, doing the oil first...the ketchup just slides out of the spoon!)
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper

**Poke meat with fork (I actually make slices on each side with a sharp knife) and marinate. You can do it for 20 minutes or 2 hours - a great recipe for something quick too!**

Place on BBQ for a few minutes on each side. The rarer the better (to a point of course). Then slice - on a diagonal...my husband says it tastes better that way. haha The *only* downfall of this dish is it does get cold quickly. So keep that in mind and try to have all other dishes ready.

I also made caesar salad, baked potatoes with carrots, and garlic bread. I make my own caesar dressing (I make most of my own dressings) and it is truly TO DIE FOR!!! I have two recipes that I'll share though - one I grew up with my mom making (delicious) and one my dad has found and perfected since. For this meal I did the second one.

Caesar Dressing #1 (my mom's)
In a blender:
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup of vinegar
1/2 cup of evaporated milk (pretty much the whole small can)
1 cup of olive oil (add slowly while blending the other ingredients)
2 glops of mayonnaise (or miracle whip)
1 1/2 tsp anchovy paste (I don't usually add it to this recipe)

*Keeps about a week*

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS



Caesar Dressing #2 (found online but perfected by my dad)
In a bowl - and mixing after the adding of each separate ingredient:
1 medium clove of garlic, minced (using the handy chopper again)
1/2 tsp pepper
pinch of salt (I pretty much never add salt to recipes, so I omit this)
1 1/2 tsp anchovy paste (don't worry - it doesn't taste fishy)
1 tsp dijon mustard (the real stuff...I use French's in the glass jar)
1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Pour ingredient into blender and add:
1 large coddled egg (yolk only)**
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (I usually use the bottled stuff)
about 3 Tbsp parm cheese (give or take depending on how you like it...I'm a cheese addict, the more the better)
3 Tbsp mayonnaise (miracle whip)

Add 1/3 cup virgin olive oil while blending.

**To coddle an egg....Gently drop into boiling water (enough to cover it) and *cook* for 30 seconds. I usually do a minute just to be sure. Crack and pour out white part, adding just the yoke to the blender**

Pour over washed, romaine lettuce (I usually rip mine...but sometimes use my lettuce knife...**using a metal knife on lettuce causes it to brown**) with croutons.

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

Then for the garlic toast. I buy the french loaves for about $1 at the grocery store and cut them in half lengthwise (to get two halves, the top and the bottom).

Mix in a bowl:
5 Tbsp butter softened (or margarine - that's what I use)
2 tsp olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced (again with the handy chopper)
1 tsp oregano (dried)
salt and pepper to taste (I don't add these...but would only add the pepper if I was going to)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I don't usually do this...but it's great either way)

Spread mixture on bread and bake in oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes. I like to broil for the last few minutes but have been known to forget and end up with some pretty crispy, pretty black garlic toast. *eeks*. I prefer to do this in the oven as it's less time consuming than the stove. But either way will work! Then slice (as shown) into individual serving slices.

SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 5 STARS

The carrots and potatoes...I cooked the potatoes in the microwave (making several cuts in each so there would be no potato explosion. lol) for about 5 minutes total (2, 2, 1).
I peeled and cut the carrots and steamed them just enough to make them a litle bit soft (otherwise they won't cook thoroughly in the oven and will still be too hard). When the potatoes were cool. I cubed them (bit-size) and mixed them all into a baking dish (corning ware is a beautiful thing) with a drizzle of olive oil. I sprinkled garlic salt and just a smidge of seasoning salt. Put them in the oven to bake (the time doesn't really matter....maybe 20-30 minutes I guess).


SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 3.5 STARS
(they were good...but not knock your socks off good...although I make this regularly because it's a nice side dish and it uses up our potatoes)

I thought I would try something a little new this meal....I took the leftover marinade and turned it into a gravy for the carrots and potatoes. My only recommendation is that you DON'T TRY IT!!!
haha...I thickened it with water and cornstarch (1 cup of lukewarm water with a few Tbsp of corn starch...add to the boiling marinade and stir until thickened) which was great. But the taste was too strong....great for a marinade but not straight. I was excited when I thought to do it....but I will not be venturing there again. LOL


SERIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS RATING: 0 STARS

Let me know if you try any of these and what you think....It would be fun to compare your experiences too. Oh and don't worry, not every post will be this long....and I apologize to my photography friends for having to endure the less than *seriously scrumptious* photos of the food....I know I need a better camera. but for now - just be grateful you get photos ;)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

checking it off

Well I was inspired by my cousin to write down a list of family goals for the year. I think setting goals is really important but there is something even more amazing about writing them all down. Some are more serious (saving) and some are just plain fun (car wash fights with family). But ultimately it's nice to have a list - something to refer back to and keep things organized. For me, if I have it down I am more likely to stay focused and pay attention to HOW I am going to accomplish it.

As you've probably guessed, starting a cooking and recipe blog is on my list! It's really just the beginning of the goals I have regarding this, but we'll start here :) My plan is to post all of my recipes on here and label them so they are easy to find. I don't claim to be a chef by any stretch, but I LOVE to cook...and honestly I think I've been lucky enough to come across some GREAT recipes. Usually I do the recipe as it's written the first time (just to get the basic idea) and if needed change them up a bit (I've always liked to do things *my* way. lol) to tailor them to our family's tastes (well mostly mine - my husband eats anything!). I LOVE trying new recipes and am always looking for something different. So if you have a recipe you kind of want to try but maybe are a little timid...let me know...e-mail me at skitalz@gmail.com and I'd be happy to *test the waters* for you!

I have plans for recipe contests (with giveaways of course!) and of course recipe sharing (not just mine). I think this is going to be great...and perhaps it will inspire some of you to try a few more things and add a bit more variety to your *cooking portfolio* :D

And if nothing else - at least I get to check this goal off my list.