Ready for Winter

I'm ready for cooler weather to make all the good "cold weather" foods. I got this bug after talking to my mother about certain meals a couple weeks ago. The itch is back after glancing through my new cook book. Certain foods/drinks just taste better during the colder months! I love the thought of cooking in the kitchen on a cold winter day while a fire is going in the fireplace. It's only the beginning of July... I have a while to wait.

Personal Pizzas

This recipe comes from my Easy Italian cookbook. I've made it a few times before, and after tonight I think I've perfected it quite nicely. Cook 1 lb ground sausage. In a bowl mix: 10 oz can pizza sauce, garlic powder, basil, oregano Place 12 (6 1/2's) english muffins on cookie sheet spread sauce mix top w/ 1 block shredded cheese top w/ 1 small can of mushrooms bake at 475 for 15-20 minutes I was going to make a salad to go along w/ this but decided against it. They are good enough to eat by themselves. They are fun to make too!

New Cookbook

While browsing our local discount warehouse I walked down the cookbook isle & couldn't resist!

Paula Deen's The Deen Family Cookbook The coolest part? A picture of Paula surrounded by cookbooks on the floor has one of my cookbooks in it!!! The Country Cooking one... at least it sure looks like it. This is my second Paula Deen cookbook.

Chicken & Scalloped Spuds

I marinated 5 boneless/skinless chicken breasts in Dale's for 2 hours. My boyfriend started to grill them, the grill ran out of propane so I put them in the oven on a baking sheet. Already going in the oven was a dish of Cheesy Parmesan Potatoes. Scalloped Potatoes. I sliced 7 potatoes. In a pot I melted 1/2 stick butter w/ 1/4 cup flour. I added 1/2 block of sharp cheddar cheese & 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. (This is the same basis for the white sauce & Stovetop Mac & Cheese recipes.) I added the potatoes & poured the mixture into a greased baking dish. 375 for 30 minutes. Delicious flavor, but the potatoes should have cooked longer. I put them back in for 15 and they were done better. I've made this dish before, it comes from my Country Cooking cook book. I simmered a can of green beans w/ a generous dose of brown sugar. TASTY! I don't remember where I got this idea from, but we almost always eat green beans this way. I also had a dinner guest over. I'm always excited, yet nervous when people eat my food.

Greens & Gemilli

New Recipe Alert This recipe is from my Easy Italian Cookbook from (once again) my wonderful friend Melissa. I was a little hesitant about this, let's be honest - the name doesn't sound to appetizing. The picture looked so good I had to try it out! From now on I will call this recipe "G & G". OH MY GOSH! Sooooo delicious! Definitely created a meal for my household. Which is only 2 of us, but that's besides the point. I made this for lunch on Saturday and we ate the leftovers for lunch again the next day. I didn't tell my boyfriend what was in it until he started eating it.

• Cook 1 lb ground sausage
• Boil 8 oz spiral noodles
• In another pan cook 10 oz pkg frozen thawed spinach in olive oil
• When meat is done, add jar of spaghetti sauce - I used a flavored/peppered kind
• Add spinach - Let marinate for few minutes
• Serve over noodles
• Add feta cheese on top

4th of July Treats

July 2nd we went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday's. Followed by a fireworks show. July 3rd we went to a cook out, I brought my Stovetop Mac & Cheese. July 4th we went to another cook out / party. I brought taco dip. I call this recipe "Melissa's Bean Dip" b/c I got it from my wonderful friend Melissa. This is only my second time making it, but it's always a hit. I should have used a deeper tray, b/c the dip ended up more stuffed then I'd planned. I used one of those throw away thin metal ones w/ a plastic top. I layered:

• uncooked refried beans
• 1 pkg sour cream mixed w/ 1 pkg taco seasoning
• 1 jar salsa
• 1 block cheese
• lettuce
• 1 can diced tomatoes & peppers
• 1 can sliced olives

Served w/ tortilla chips. Yum Yum Yum.

Since this is a blog about my trials & tribulations in the kitchen, I'll touch lightly on the fact that the Raspberry White Chocolate Bars I attempted to make for the cook out did not turn out. The dough was supposed to be "crumb like" and was cake like. I baked it anyway, but it did not have a good flavor. I followed the directions exactly. I bet I know what went wrong. I used margarine spread instead of butter like the recipe called for. I should have know better, but usually the recipe will specifically say real butter or no substitution. Needless to say I was quite upset.

Grilled Pork & Vicky Potatoes

We sometimes get this chunk of meat that is already marinated w/ a certain flavor. It's usually pork. This time it was golden bbq, or something of the like. I forget the brand name, but you can find it in the meat section of your grocery store. *New Recipe Alert* I got the potato recipe from my mom. I remember her making this when I was younger & it was very tasty. She calls them "Vicky Potatoes" b/c she got the idea from an old friend named Vicky. My mother & I are very creative w/ our recipe names! They turn out like a fried/baked potato on the grill. Mine turned out okay but I definitely need more butter, salt, pepper, and onions - more of everything!! I remember Mom's having so much more flavor. I made a foil tray/box w/ a cover for the potatoes to go on the grill. That was the hardest part. I sliced 7 or 8 potatoes & put them in the foil tray. I put 8-10 medium sized blobs of butter scattered on top of the potatoes. Lots of salt & peppercorn. 1/2 sliced onion spread on top. I used peppercorn just for fun, since I just purchased a grinder of it for the French Dip Sandwiches. Close up/cover the potatoes w/ foil. Make sure the tray is deep enough for the butter to not leak out. Carefully place on the grill & cook while the pork is cooking. About 30-45 minutes. I want to make these again. Practice makes perfect. I think this would be a good dish to make while entertaining friends. I also had a can of baked beans going on low in the house. I enjoy grilling out w/ my boyfriend. I'll sit outside w/ him while he tends to the grill and we both will usually enjoy a beverage of some nature.