Mother’s Day Brunch Basket Giveaway from Tate’s Bake Shop

It’s that time of year again to remember Mom and reward her for all she has done for us.  And Tate’s Bake Shop has the perfect solution! Kathleen King is the owner/operator of Tate’s Bake Shop.  Her career began when she was just 11 years old ~ by baking and selling her crisp, buttery chocolate chip cookies out of her father’s farm stand on their Long Island farmstead.&

Catfish Simply Pan-fried

I seldom fry foods any more, but last night, we were hungry for some fried catfish. To me, the perfect fried catfish has one essential ingredient ~ cornmeal.  It adds great texture and crunch.  However, Bill disagrees and tends to prefer catfish dusted with flour.  This time, we met in the middle and I used a coating of half cornmeal, half flour

Slow Cooker Barbecued Pulled Pork

There are probably as many recipes for slow cooker pulled pork as there are celebrity chefs… And, this recipe for it is a cinch ~ easy, easy, thanks to the slow cooker. The pork cooks for hours in its penetrating smoky, slightly sweet, spicy sauce, until it’s falling-apart tender, and you can pull it into shreds with a fork.  As a bonus, it fills your house

Roasted Paprika Potatoes

I’m a potato-holic and not afraid to say it!  Just about any variety, any way they’re prepared.  But I draw the line at potato soup and run from it as fast as I can.  Of course, Bill loves the soup… The color of paprika is a nice addition to many dishes, and Hungarian sweet paprika is used in this dish.  It adds a warm, sweet, peppery, ple

Spanish Paella Frittata

Mmmm!  Nothing quite beats a simple rustic frittata! Paella is of Spanish cuisine, originating in Valencia.  It’s traditionally made with rice, meats and vegetables; it’s cooked in a large pan called paella:  a broad shallow dish with sloping sides, 13-inches in diameter, or larger.    Spanish Paella Frittata Ingredients: 2 cups rice

All-purpose Buttery Yellow Cake

I’m happy to say Bill and I celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary yesterday!  All this time with the best husband:  thank you for all the wonderful years and wonderful memories, my dear, with many more to follow! We celebrated with an excellent dinner at Biaggi’s Italian Restaurant and I “desserted” him later with his favorite cake ~~~

Spicy Shrimp Stir-fry over Angel Hair Pasta

Bill’s first choice of pasta is angel hair, and he likes shrimp mingling with tomatoes, so this dish is indeed a favorite here! By the way, the Italian name of the pasta is Capelli d'angelo, as great a name as “angel hair.”  It’s “nearly invisible spaghetti” that goes well with this sauce.  And, I really like the sauce in this dish, as it is not so “

Salad of Mesclun Greens with Grapes and Feta Cheese

Crisp, juicy sweet grapes, savory feta cheese, and colorful greens ~ this salad is a splendid starter! It’s a refreshing salad with lots of good flavors and textures.  Feta cheese delivers a tang to the salad; however, if you’re a fan of blue cheese, swap it for even more bite.  Years ago, I learned from my mother, the oil to vinegar ratio for making a

Roasted Tilapia Nestled in Veggies Lemons and Olives

Either this is the best recipe for tilapia, or we were really hungry last night!  This is not your traditional meat and potatoes; it’s a lighter take on it, replacing beef with tilapia for a leaner protein.  It’s still a hearty entrée ~ just a healthier version.  The recipe is adapted from Real Simple.  I used dried thyme instead of fresh, an

Baked Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers Tomatoes and Sausage

I wasn’t around then  ?  but I’m guessing the tribe ate one-dish meals back in prehistoric days.  Whatever food they had on hand, was thrown into one pot and cooked over a fire to feed them. This is a great casual meal if you like sweet sausage, roasted red peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms combined with pasta.  The sausage is

Happy Easter to you!

Celebrate this Easter with a heart filled with  peace, joy and cheer! Wishing you a blessed day!!!

Corn Pudding

Corn Pudding was something reserved just for holiday time when I was growing up ~ and that’s pretty much the case today. There are hundreds of variations of this dish, and this is mine; with cornmeal, no Jiffy mix.  The ingredients are pureed in a food processor until the corn is smashed, turning it into a creamy corn mush. It’s a sort of sweet and savory

Asparagus with Pine Nuts and Cranberries

Usually, I like asparagus steamed and served with just a touch of butter and salt and pepper.  For guests, especially at Easter, I like it gussied up a little. Some folks claim that pine nuts have a mild pine taste; to me they are sort of sweet and nutty.  Whatever the flavor is to you, it pleasingly complements other flavors, particularly after toasting.

7-Up Biscuits aka Popeye’s Biscuits

7-Up Biscuits Ingredients: 2 cups Bisquick mix ½ cup sour cream ½ cup 7-Up soda ¼ cup butter, melted Method: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Melt butter in a 9” square baking pan. Pour Bisquick into a large bowl. Cut sour cream into the mix. Add 7-Up and mix well, it will make a very soft dough. Sprinkle additional Bisquick on the counter, or parchment or waxed paper. Pat dough out to about

Chicken Broccoli and Tortellini ~ the One-dish Way

“I do not like broccoli.  So --- no more broccoli!" That’s probably something most kids have always wanted to yell from the rooftops. Credit:  Lee Lorenz-New YorkerTrivia time ~~~ Who said: “I do not like broccoli.  And, I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it.  And I’m -------- of the ------ ------, and I’m not going t

Happy Birthday to Our Special Little Guy, no recipe today…

Our perfect, (of course! ?) grandson, recently turned 2, so today it’s photos of him and his gorgeous fun cake, no recipes here today… Matthew is the apple of my eye and it’s apparent he has his dad’s sense of humor and his mama’s loving, caring ways and good looks.  He has such a sweet soul ~ a good little boy who loves to share.  After a bite of

Overnight French Toast...

As I’m cooking and eating dinner, I’m on to “what do you want for breakfast?”  I never thought I would, but I’ve turned into my mother ~~~ It’s always about the next meal… And for me, the next meal is the best meal, my favorite meal:  BREAKFAST! It makes me happy when there’s a “crowd” around for breakfast; I like to cook a big one for everyone.&n

Baked Tilapia with Bell Peppers and Red Onions

I’m really not keen on seafood at all, and would opt for beef every time; however ~~~ the powers that be, tell me I should include fish or seafood on the menu a couple of times a week. cartoon by Charles Barsotti That’s when I turn to tilapia, chiefly because there is a limited variety of fish in the stores here in the “burbs” of Chicago.  Not only is tila

Tangy Steak and Veggie Stir-Fry

I like making stir-fry now and then. And, what I really like is that stir-fry dishes are quick and easy to prepare. All you need is a piping hot skillet filled with a touch of oil and chopped vegetables and meat, skillet ready.  The mix of vegetables in this recipe cooks crisp-tender very quickly and they’re colorful also.  Spicy food is right up m

Oatmeal Pancakes the Loser Way

More snow and howling winds…God with a snowblower drives along top of a cloud, sending snow down...  Robert Mankoff  We got another 8-inches of snow yesterday.  It’s snowing now, this morning, with another 1 to 3-inches in the forecast for today, and more predicted for tomorrow and Friday! OK, enough already, snow and wind gods! It’s a good morning for panca

Garlicky Shrimp and Linguine Bake

There’s something about shrimp and pasta that appeals to me, and there’s also something about not spending all day in the kitchen slow-cooking dinner… This shrimp and linguine dish fills the bill on both counts.  It not only tastes good, it looks good too, plus it’s easy to pull together. The peas, tomatoes and green onions, are perfect flavors for the big suc

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

On these chilly days, we ? pot pies ~ homemade, that is! This is a savory comfort food dish, from scratch, that will please you and yours.  Make the pot pie with a bag of frozen vegetables, or approximately 3 cups of leftover vegetables or your favorite fresh veggies.  Your choice!  Make your own pie crust, or buy packaged refrigerated crust ~ yo

Red Velvet Cake Roll with Buttercream Filling for Your Valentine

Red Velvet Cake Roll is one dessert that screams “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Although red velvet may be associated with the South ~ remember the red velvet groom’s cake, shaped like an armadillo, in the 1989 film, Steel Magnolias ~ the origin of the cake and recipe is well-known from New York City’s famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.  Re

From Hungarian Pork Chops to Paprika to Flamingos

I like it when paprika shares the spotlight with other ingredients in a recipe ~ not only for the great color, but also the sweet spicy taste. These pork chops are browned quickly in a skillet, and then simmered in a sour cream sauce loaded with paprika, sherry, ketchup, caraway seeds and more.  The aroma is outstanding while they simmer, ending with a tender mouthwatering ch

Potato-topped Chicken Casserole and Tate's Bake Shop Giveaway

Cabin fever, the winter doldrums, are in full force now.  You know ~ “I can’t wait for winter to end.”  Bring on summer!   In the meantime, I’m cooking simple comfort food dishes, such as this casserole, to warm up the days.  This dish is easy, using ground chicken, a few vegetables, and seasonings. Adjust the recipe to your

Tate’s Bake Shop Linzer Heart Cookies and a Valentine Giveaway For You

Tate’s Bake Shop Linzer Heart Cookies An important tip: be sure to chop the nuts and chocolate very fine in a food processor (pulse to chop so the friction doesn’t warm them), or the dough will be too rough-textured to roll out smoothly. You need a graduated set of heart-shaped cookie cutters to make these Cookies. 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour  1 cup cornstarch  ¼ tea

Cabbage and Noodles

We like cabbage ~ we like noodles ~~~ so this dish was a hit for us! I came across this recipe while reading Guideposts magazine.  As the writer states, “It doesn’t seem like a recipe…  Just seems like cabbage cooked with a few noodles.” That’s exactly what it is ~ tastes good and it’s simple! Cabbage and Noodles Adapted    Ingredient

Apple Streusel Muffins

Mmmmmuffins!  Who doesn’t like a muffin straight out of the oven for a breakfast treat?  A tasty way to start your day! One of these apple streusel muffins will satisfy your sweet tooth perfectly.  They’re packed with double the apple appeal, thanks to apple sauce plus fresh Honeycrisp apples, making them moist and slightly sweet.  Lastl

Frankfurter Goulash a la Walter Slezak and Soaps

I hear you ~ “Who in the world is Walter Slezak?” Were you a fan of Victoria Lord’s on One Life to Live?  Not that I ever watched it.  Way back, when the boys were young, I was into General Hospital (the days of Luke and Laura) and Days of our Lives ~ like the sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives... Luke & Laura-1981Luke & Laura-2006Day

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

I don’t think I’ve ever met a potato I didn’t like ~ nor a person who doesn’t like potatoes. Stuffed baked potatoes are a great delicious side dish ~ creamy and smooth, packed with flavor and easy to make.  For extra flavor, occasionally I add a little cream cheese, chopped garlic, sour cream, or even crumbled bacon.  Be imaginative, and add what you

Cheesy Shrimp and Rice Casserole

This dish is flat-out delicious! Did you know ~ ·      Shrimp ranks number one in volume among seafood’s consumed in the United States. ·      According to the National Fisheries Institute, each American eats 4.1 pounds of shrimp apiece per year.  ·      The word casserole comes fr

Finally ~ A Great Dinner Roll

I’ve endeavored making light fluffy dinner rolls, time and again.  Loaves of bread were no problem, but dinner rolls were beyond me.  Then I came across this recipe for dinner rolls by King Arthur Flour Company.  They’re easy, quick to make, and turn out tender and soft every time.   They’re not just for holiday dinners; they’re good for

Happy New Year

Chocolate-covered Cherry Cookies

Chocolate-covered Cherry Cookies Adapted Ingredients: ½ cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1½ cups flour ½ cup baking cocoa (Hershey’s Cocoa) ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon baking powder 48 maraschino cherries, blotted dry Frosting: 1 cup (6-ounces) semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup sweetened condensed milk 1 to 3 teaspoons maraschino cher

Maple Syrup-Roasted Tomatoes for NYE

Appetizers ~ Canapes ~ Tapas ~ Dim sum ~ Hors d'oeuvres… "...many of the great cuisines of the world -- Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Spanish, French and Italian, just for starters -- have long recognized that dawdling over small servings of many different dishes, sharing tidbits and discoveries, not only stretches out a pleasant social evening but bonds friends together in

Merry Christmas to you...

May the lovely spirit of Christmas bring you lots of peace, joy and happiness. May it bless you all through the year. Here's wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas!

Chewy Ginger Cookies

My Christmas cookie baking is done for the year!  These ginger cookies have an old-fashioned allure ~ cookies like Grandma used to bake.   Fresh ginger takes baking to a whole new level.  It’s sweet, yet pungent.  And for full-out ginger flavor, these cookies not only have fresh ginger, but also ground ginger and chopped crystallized

Key Lime Coins

Mom always said, anything lime-flavored, was like disinfectant to her. I say, I adore anything lime. Needless to say, lime was a rarity in our house, when I was growing up.  Way back when, you could purchase lime Life Savers by the roll ~ pure bliss, and I enjoyed my share of them. Then, when I had my very own kitchen, I made up for lo

Cinnamon Pinwheels

Now don’t you be looking at pictures of pinwheel cookies over the Internet, because they will make mine look bush-league! My pinwheels look like I’ve never made them before, and that’s because, I haven’t.  But boy, are they good!  They became a bit squished in the making, and I couldn’t control them, and then squished again in the refrigerator.  That

Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes I fancy chewing my liquor, instead of nipping it… And this is the cookie that meets that criterion! This cookie has great flavors ~ Bailey’s Irish Cream ~ coconut and chocolate.  They taste like Bailey’s and even smell like it.  Due to the cake flour, they have a light texture.  This is definitely a grown-up cookie, with a slight hint

Nutty Chocolate Batons

I can’t even think about, much less eat, pistachios, without thinking of my dear, now departed, sister-in-law, Barb.  Many years ago, she raved about them, insisting I try them.  And, I’m glad she did…So---when I came across this Nutty Chocolate Baton recipe recently, no doubt ~ I had to make these cookies!  They are crunchy buttery-tasting cookies, dipped into crea

Lemony Chicken with Olives

If you like olives as much as I do, this Mediterranean-style chicken dish just might be right up your alley...  This recipe is my version of a Cooking Light recipe.  The original called for several more spices and cilantro, which I’m not crazy about.  I can smell it from a mile away.  The mixture of ginger with paprika, red pepper and garlic is spicy with

“Christmasizing” with Cranberry-Grape Compote

The turkey is over and done with ~ the fall décor stashed away ~ readying me for “Christmasizing” the house the last few days.  The short tree in the living room was trimmed with lights and ornaments, only to be dismantled the next morning, and replaced with a 7.5-foot slim tree, and even more trimming.  What I really wanted to do was get in the kitchen and do

Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions

I’m crazy for sweet potatoes ~ unfortunately I’m the only one in this house who is.  On the other side of the coin, he’d like cooked carrots for dinner, and I’d rather never. When I was growing up, I loved this time of year, as Mom would bake sweet potatoes frequently.  Ummm, mmm!  A nice big sweet potato, with just a lump of butter, and a little salt