Cooking is the Greatest!

While we do care about our health, my husband and I are big meat eaters. In fact, I think if dinner didn’t’ include meat of some sort we wouldn’t know what to do! That being said, we have learned that chicken is definitely one of the best for us, and one of the easiest, most versatile options.

I must admit though that I am a “chicken snob.” I haven’t ever been trained in using all of the chicken parts, so I find myself stocking up on boneless, skinless chicken breast when it is on sale and freezing it. If you are braver than I, feel free to use any chicken parts! I have of late purchased prepared rotisserie chickens from my grocery and pulled the meat off for various recipes. Read the rest of this entry »

When I registered for wedding gifts during our engagement, I never thought to register for a griddle. However, at one of my showers, I received an electric griddle. I almost considered taking it back and exchanging for another product, but I was too lazy! Boy am I glad I didn’t!

My electric griddle is great! It is the Presto Professional Jumbo Electric Griddle. It is so versatile. I love its non-stick surface, its tray to catch any spilling liquid, and its consistent temperature control. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t think I’ve ever laid eyes on a more beautiful cookie. Just might have to happen next time I’ve got the icing out.[via geekadelphia and slashfood]

 photo credit: Andrea_R

One of our favorite dip recipes - this one is easy to make, yet tastes delicious!

ingredients

• 1 large can refried beans
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small can green chillies
• ½ cup fresh onion, chopped
• salsa
• cheddar cheese
• sour cream

directions

1. Layer in flat, round dish. Beans, then meat, then chillies, then onions, then salsa, then cheese. 2. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Cook for a few minutes and put sour cream on top. Dip with tortilla chips.

Once again, I can’t plug appetizers enough. They are great versatile choices for your guests - or for dinner yourself! As promised, I wanted to share another favorite - dips!

There are so many dips out there to try - sour cream based, cheese based, mayo based, etc. These are so creative because you can choose many different “dippers” to use with the dips: bread pieces, bagel pieces, veggies, crackers, pretzels. The list goes on and on.I would highly recommend finding someone who sells Tastefully Simple or buying from their webpage. Not only are they an amazing resource for many “quick cooking” products that are awesome, their dips are among their best. I would highly recommend purchasing the Fiesta Party Mix and the Spinach Herb Mix. Read the rest of this entry »

One of my staple appetizers is the cheese ball. In most cases, you can be pretty safe thinking most people like cheese. A cheese ball is simply some cheese (usually cream cheese or a mixture of other cheeses) paired with a variety of “mix-ins.” They are rolled into a ball form, chilled, often times rolled in a coating, and served along side dippers. Dippers may include crackers, pretzels, tortilla chips, or sliced raw vegetable dippers.

I want to share one of my favorite cheese ball recipes with you:

The Garlic-Herb Cheese Ball Read the rest of this entry »

I think one of the easiest ways to be an impressive host/hostess is to have an item to share when guests arrive! It seems like whenever a group of people get together, we instinctively want to eat. Having a finger food on hand is a great way to break the ice, make people feel welcome, and keep bellies full.

Keep it simple! While a fancy dinner always includes an elaborate starter, keep your appetizers easy for your own sanity. Or, if you have a more exquisite recipe in mind, work ahead. Keep it so you can also enjoy the socializing, not simply working in the kitchen all evening. Read the rest of this entry »

When I was a young girl, I always wanted a Kitchenaid mixer. I know that might sound crazy, but my aunts always baked the best treats, and they created them using their mixers! I remember when I was old enough, they told us whenever we got married, they would purchase us our very own mixer.

As I began working through wedding planning, it hit me - I was going to get my Kitchenaid! What a pleasant thought amidst the chaos. Needless to say I waited with baited breath - and there it appeared at my first wedding shower! Read the rest of this entry »

One of life’s simple pleasures is firing up that grill, slapping on some great food, and enjoying a tasty, fresh meal. It is such a vital part of many homes, no matter the time of year!

First, you need to make sure you’ve got the equipment! I prefer a gas grill because it has better control and lacks that “charcoal” taste. However, you may also prefer the charcoal grill in which you control the flame, the style, etc. It really becomes a matter of preference, but you need to be sure that you’ve got the basics - a grill! In addition, make sure to have a pair of tongs, as it is important to the flipping process. Try to avoid using any tool that might poke the meat, such as a knife or fork. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own dream kitchen? Maybe you have one? Maybe you are one of the lucky people out there who have all of the razzles and dazzles in your kitchen. But if you’re like me, you don’t. Space doesn’t allow me to have all that I want, so I have to find ways to improvise. What can I do to make my kitchen the best it can be without a move or a major overhaul?

A few simple suggestions: Read the rest of this entry »