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I watch a lot of Italian television, and in the shows that I watch, they cook and they eat. One thing I have noticed when they cook pasta is that they don’t drain it. They use tongs and they take pasta right from the boiling water, and drop it into whatever sauce they happen to be using. That strikes me as immensely practical. It spares you the draining process (and dirtying another dish), and setting aside some pasta water to stir it to make sauce creamy, because the pasta that you have removed from the pan of boiling water already has enough adhered to it. I put that style of pasta making to use when I made this dish, and I don’t think I will make pasta any other way. This dish is very light and refreshing. It’s the perfect springtime pasta. Pasta with Lemon, Ricotta, and Spinach 8 oz. spaghetti ½ 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach 1 c. whole-milk ricotta 1 T. extra virgin olive oil 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese 1 large garlic clove, grated 1 lemon, zest and juice ¼ - ½ t. kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper, to taste In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Cook spinach according to microwave package directions.; set aside to coo; slightly while you make the ricotta sauce. In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper. fold i cooled, cooked spinach until combined. When pasta has finished cooking, use a tongs to extract it from the cooking pot, placing pasta directly into ricotta sauce. Toss with the tongs until evenly coated with the sauce, and serve immediately. If you'd like it creamier, feel free to add up to 1/2 cup pasta water. Makes 2 main dish portions, or 4 side dish portions. View the full article

Have you seen the price of fast food lately? Shocking! I am not one who generally eats fast food so wasn’t aware of the huge increase in prices. Recently someone posted the receipt for the purchase of a burger and fries from Five Guys online, and it was nearly $27. For a burger and fries! That’s why I have pretty much decided to make my own fast food at home, even though it’s not so fast when you do it yourself. These took a lot more time than I had anticipated. They are simple to make, but it takes a little time to set up a dipping station, bake biscuits (I’m not overly fond of the refrigerated biscuits, so I made my own), make the honey butter, and get oil to heat up to 350°. That said, these were really delicious. I used one chicken breast, so I ended up with four little chicken patties. I had two for lunch one day with the biscuits, and the other two I had the next day sliced on top of a salad. They were still crispy and delicious even after spending a night in the fridge. Because the breading is Panko, I found it separated a bit from the seasoning so next time I’m going to sprinkle some Slap Ya Mama on top of the chicken as well as using it in the breading.Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits As seen on greatgrubdelicioustreats.com 2 chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise and cut in half to make 4 pieces from each breast 2 c. panko bread crumbs, crushed 2 t. Slap Ya Mama seasoning 2 t. paprika 2 t. black pepper 1 t. garlic powder 2 large eggs ¼ c. heavy cream Vegetable oil, for frying ½ c. butter ¼ c. hot honey 1 can Pillsbury biscuits, 8 count In a shallow dish, combine the panko bread crumbs with all of the seasonings, mix well. In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream. Dredge each chicken bite in the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture. Heat oil in a large frying pot over medium-high heat. Fry chicken bites, in batches, for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown and completely cooked through. Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake according to package directions, or until biscuits are golden. In a small microwave bowl, heat butter until softened/slightly melted. Mix honey into butter and stir to combine. Cut biscuits in half and add a piece of chicken to each biscuit. Drizzle the chicken with honey and brush the tops of the biscuits with the honey butter. Enjoy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

Having tried Levain Bakery’s oatmeal raisin cookies (you can see the results here), I thought it high time that I give their chocolate chip cookies (that they have named Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies for some reason) a try as well. It seems as though there are almost as many recipes for chocolate chip cookies as there are chocolate chips in the bag. Not that I’m complaining, I enjoy making and eating them. These were very good. They’re thick, and I like that in a cookie. It really feels as though you’re sinking your teeth into something substantial. I also liked all of the walnuts, considering they are one of my favorite nuts. When you eat a Levain cookie, you know you’ve eaten a cookie. I find it interesting that they don’t use vanilla in their cookies. The cookies didn’t suffer from it, in fact, they may be onto something here. Without the vanilla the focus was more on the chocolate and nuts, and isn’t that the way it should be?Levain Bakery’s Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies 1 c. cold butter cut into small cubes 1 c. brown sugar ½ c. sugar 2 eggs 1½ c. cake flour 1½ c. flour 1 t. cornstarch ¾ t. baking soda ¾ t. salt 2 c. dark chocolate chips 2 c. walnuts, roughly chopped Preheat oven to 410ºF. In the work bowl of a stand mixer cream together cold cubed butter, brown sugar, and sugar for 4 minutes or until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one. Stir in flours, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Separate dough into large balls and place on a parchment or Silpat-lined baking sheet. These are large cookies, so allow only 4-5 per baking sheet; the dough makes 8 extra large cookies. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown on the top. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

You may or may not have noticed that recently I have been telling you about some products that I like. You can read about those here and here. Today I am going to tell you about an app that has changed my life. I am in no way affiliated, I just love it, and I want you to try it out because you are going to love it too. The app is called Copy Me That. All you need to do is download it from the App Store onto your mobile device. Then, when you are on a website (including this blog) and find a recipe that you would like to save, you press on the share button on the upper right hand corner of your screen……find Copy Me That in the menu, click on it, wait for the magic to work, and then click on view in app. It will dig through all of the verbiage on whatever site you happen to be viewing (and let’s face it, some of these blogs are loaded with verbiage, don’t get me started on the ads both pop up and otherwise). This cuts through all of that providing you with nothing but the recipe, the picture, and will link back to the site where you found it.It also allows you to edit that recipe, or make your own notes. I used to routinely leave tabs open on my web browser on my iPad, one time I had 67 tabs open, all of which were for recipes. Now all I do is save it to Copy Me That, and everything is beautifully organized. It allows you to search on recipe title, or by ingredient, and allows you to filter and set up collections. You can also add your own personal not-on-the-web recipes.This app is free. There is an option to get the premium version, I have not done that, so I can’t say what features are available there. Still, in my opinion, the free version knocks it out of the park. Another thing I like is that, when you are using it while cooking, the screen stays illuminated the entire time, so you won’t have to worry about it going dark while you are whipping, beating, or painstakingly stirring your pot. Again, I am not affiliated in any way, I just love this app, and I know you will, too. View the full article

Have you ever tried a new recipe, taken a taste, and then had a whole bowl full because it was so delicious? That was how it was with me and this soup. I couldn’t believe how good it was, considering how simple it is to make, and how few ingredients. I made the soup while I was working on something else, and pretty much added ingredients as an afterthought. It is wonderful! I think it would be a bit heavy to serve as a cup before a meal, but it would make a wonderful lunch with some crusty bread, or a nice dinner with a roll and salad on the side.Pfaltzgraff “Hadlee Grey” Pasta Bowls Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup Slightly adapted from sprinklesandsprouts 3 15-oz. cans cannellini beans 2 T. olive oil 2 large Melissa’s shallots 5 cloves garlic 1 T. chopped fresh rosemary 1 t. Italian seasoning 2 c. vegetable broth ½ t. kosher salt ¼ t. freshly ground black pepper ½ c. grated Parmesan 1 c. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed Empty the contents of one of the cans of beans (beans and liquid) into a blender and puree until smooth. Drain the remaining two cans and set them to one side. Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic cloves. Pour the oil into a large saucepan. Add the chopped shallots and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the 2 cans of drained beans to the pan and stir to coat in the olive oil. Tip in the pureed beans, then rinse the blender out with the vegetable broth and add this to the soup. Add the rosemary, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes over low heat. Remove the soup from the heat and add the grated Parmesan and fresh spinach leaves. Stir to melt the cheese and wilt the spinach. Taste the soup and add more salt and pepper to taste. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

At the end of February I shared a review for the Krista Davis yet-to-be-published title, The Diva Goes Overboard that you can read here. Today I’m going to share with you a recipe from the previous book in the series, The Diva Delivers on a Promise. Davis includes recipes at the end of all of the books, many of which I have tried having read every book in the series of 17. This book had a cocktail recipe that I absolutely could not resist. More dessert than cocktail, this will be one libation you will never forget. Blue Ghost From The Diva Delivers on a Promise One jigger (1.5 ounces) blue curaçao One jigger coconut rum One jigger crème de cacao Vanilla ice cream Pour the liqueurs into a mixer and add two scoops of ice cream. Blend and serving chilled martini glasses. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

Is it just me, or is Easter early this year? Perhaps because January seemed so long, the rest of the months have felt shorter by comparison. Whatever the reason, this month is just flying by. Easter Sunday will be here before you know it, and a lovely dinner table will be in order. Whether you’re looking to create a simple or more elaborate Easter tablescape, my most recent one can be found here, or check out these other fine examples to inspire you. Just click on the name beneath the picture and it will take you right to the informative post. Easter Brunch Tablescape Brunching with Bunnies Blue & Yellow Easter Tablescape Lunching with Lapins Besotted with Bunnies Tablescape Mr. McGregor's Garden Tablescape A Simple Bunny Table Happy Easter to those who celebrate! View the full article

Back when I had my first job, my first real, full time, not-Christmas-help-in-the-cosmetics-department job, I met a Greek man with a wonderful cookie recipe. Each year at Easter, he and his wife would bake up a huge batch of these and distribute them to everyone in the department. Because they looked rather plain, my expectations were low, but overwhelmed by his sincerity, I tasted one. This was certainly proof positive that one cannot judge a book by its cover or a cookie by its rather simple appearance; these cookies were addicting. They are also very special, not just because they came from a friend in whose family they had long been a tradition, but for the way, through delicious food, they can illustrate the true meaning of Easter. The shapes of these cookies, you see, are to represent the crown of thorns and nails used in the crucifixion. This recipe makes a huge batch, but it is considered good luck to receive them, so you will want to share them with all of your friends. (The recipe does halve nicely if you prefer to make a smaller batch.) Koulouria (Greek Easter Cookies) 1 lb. unsalted butter 1 c. Crisco 6 eggs 4 c. granulated sugar 1 T. vanilla 4 t. baking powder Dash salt 1 t. cinnamon ½ t. freshly ground nutmeg Juice of one orange ¼ t. baking soda 1 c. whole milk 14-15 cups flour 1 egg 1 T. water Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter and Crisco. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until thick and lemon colored. Whisk in vanilla. Combine egg mixture with shortening mixture and beat to blend. Blend in baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix baking soda into orange juice and add all at once to above mixture. Add milk and blend together on low speed. With mixer still running on low speed, add flour slowly. Continue adding flour until dough is soft and pliable and doesn't stick to your hands. Empty dough onto work surface. To shape, pinch off walnut-size pieces and roll into a rope about 5" long and as big around as your finger. Shape into crowns, thorns, or nails. Whisk together egg and water to make egg wash. Place shaped cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets and brush with egg wash. Bake about 25-30 minutes or until light golden brown. Note: This recipe can easily be halved, or if you are rather clever with math, cut by thirds. The dough can be made ahead of baking up to two days prior. The dough freezes well if you find yourself overwhelmed with cookie baking. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

I bought lemons, and when I say I bought lemons, I mean I REALLY bought lemons. What can I tell you? They were on sale, I had a hankering, one thing led to another, and I came home with about 5 pounds of them. Fortunately there are all kinds of things I can use them for from savory to sweet, salad dressing to beverages, even in soup. Lemons are quite versatile. The first thing I decided to do was to satisfy my curiosity by making a Giada DeLaurentis recipe. Her Lemon Baked Ziti has long intrigued me, so I thought I would give it a try. It is excellent! I cut the recipe in half, and I used bacon instead of pancetta. When I make it next time, and there will be a next time, I am only going to use seven ounces of pasta rather than eight, because I would have liked this to have been a tiny bit saucier. Definitely drizzle the topping with the pancetta cooking juices in place of the olive oil. Give it a try. It is wonderful! Lemon Baked Ziti From Giada DeLaurentis Pasta: Butter, for greasing the baking dish Salt 1 lb. ziti pasta 1 T. extra-virgin olive oil 12-oz. pancetta, sliced into ¼” thick slices Sauce: ½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature ½ c. all-purpose flour 3½ c. whole milk, room temperature Zesty of 2 large lemons ¾ c. grated Parmesan 1 t. kosher salt ¼ t. freshly ground black pepper 1 c. chopped fresh basil 2 T. chopped fresh thyme ¼ c. fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon) 2 c. shredded mozzarella Topping: 2/3 c. plain breadcrumbs* 1/3 c. grated Parmesan Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling For the pasta: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Butter a 13” x 9” x 2” baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until brown and crispy, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta and drain on paper towels. For the sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add the lemon zest. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the cheese sauce, cooked pancetta, pasta, basil and thyme. Toss until the ingredients are coated. Stir in the lemon juice. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the mozzarella. For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Sprinkle the topping over the pasta mixture. Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake until the top is golden brown, 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve. *Use panko here, and everywhere else where plain breadcrumbs are called for. Trust me on this. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.View the full article

Despite the fact that I have lived in Missouri pretty much all of my life, I have never been to Branson, ergo, am unfamiliar with Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Theater, that, from what I’ve read, has attracted millions of people (at last count a whopping 20 million). Supposedly it is the world’s most visited dinner show attraction. Part of its appeal, I’m told, is the four-course meal served in tandem with stunning live performances. A mainstay on the menu for decades is the show’s beloved Dolly Parton Stampede Soup. I had never heard of this before, the ingredients are few, and it sounded too easy to be any good, so naturally, I had to try it. I quite liked it. Don’t let its humble appearance fool you. It’s mild, but flavorful — real comfort food, particularly when served with biscuits on the side. I tend to make soup year round, and I think this will be the perfect summer soup, although indulging in winter is nice too. Next time, to make it heartier, I may just add a little cooked chicken. Dolly Parton's Stampede Soup (Copycat) From tasteofhome.com 4 c. chicken stock* 1 bay leaf 1 t. onion powder 1 t. garlic powder 1 t. kosher salt ½ t. freshly ground black pepper ¼ c. cornstarch ¼ c. water 2 c. heavy cream 2 c. frozen mixed vegetables, partially thawed (e.g., a medley of green beans, carrots, corn and peas) 2 T. fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish) In a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot, combine the chicken stock, bay leaf, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. In a small glass measuring cup, dissolve the cornstarch into the water, whisking together until lump-free. Once the seasoned stock is simmering, whisk the cornstarch slurry and heavy cream into the pot, and whisking until smooth. Add the vegetables to the soup (you can roughly chop them into smaller bite-sized pieces if yours are on the larger side). Bring the soup back to a simmer and then let cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Once thickened, remove the bay leaf and then stir in the fresh parsley. Ladle into bowls and serve hot. *I use my own homemade As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

This table is set for a country Easter brunch. I started with the rustic bunnies holding faux hydrangea blossoms, and glazed pitcher, filled with faux grasses for the centerpiece, and went from there. This table setting came together very quickly, because I used so many elements from my previous table. Let this be a lesson to you, a few changes, particularly where color is concerned, and you have an entirely different look. The plate stack features a variety of colors and textures. The chargers are Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates, topped with Amelie Versailles dinner plates in white, topped with bamboo salad plates, topped with a Blue Ombre appetizer plate by Pfaltzgraff in their “Logan” pattern, on top of which I have lovely vintage glass tea cups with matching saucers, perfect for holding a cup of cold summer soup prior to the meal. That is quite a descriptive sentence, and quite a plate stack, isn’t it? My mother made the sweet bunny napkins many years ago. I had completely forgotten about them until I started digging around in the Easter decorations and there they were. I’m so happy to have them at my table. The silver, freshly polished, is by International in the “Contessa” pattern. A friend gifted it to me, and I absolutely love it. I am one of those people who does not mind at all polishing silver. The cups are simple white cappuccino cups, the water glasses Villeroy & Boch. Overnight guests gifted the pale green teapot to Jim and me years ago. The country cottage sugar and creamer set belonged to my mother. I had no idea that she had this set until I unearthed it when I was emptying out her and dad‘s house. I have had them on display in my home ever since. I think you will agree that this is a charming and serene table for an Easter brunch. s an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

I recently had the opportunity to read an absolutely delightful book, Death of a Master Chef by Jean-Luc Bannalec. I was surprised to learn that this book was ninth in the series of the “Brittany Mysteries,” as this was my first experience with this author. It’s rare that I pick up a book, sit down to read, and don’t get up again until the book is finished. That’s what happened to me with this one, much to the annoyance of Stanley the cat, who was quite miffed at not getting his usual snuggles. (I will admit to having 2 double espressos during the process, because I absolutely could not stand to allow Dupin to drink alone.) The book features Commissaire George Dupin, “a cantankerous Parisian-born caffeine junkie,” who recently relocated from Paris to the sleepy little town of Concarneau on the Breton coast where he continually feeds “…his extreme almost medically, indicated caffeine consumption.” There’s no question that Dupin is the star of the show here, but there are a lot of other wonderful characters in this novel that bring it to life, the least of which end up being victims in what proves to be a puzzling series of murders. That, coupled with the wonderful descriptions of the scenery, not to mention the toothsome sounding food, had me both salivating and ready to book a trip to France at the same time. The mystery is a good one. We learn, in the first couple of pages, that the first victim is Blanche Trouin, the Michelin starred chef of the region, who is stabbed to death by her own sister, competing restaurateur, Lucille. The stabbing was done publicly, so there’s no question as to the perpetrator, the big question is why she refuses to talk or provide any reasoning behind what seems like an unwarranted attack, despite their ongoing feud. Dupin, visiting the food stalls near where she was stabbed, appeasing himself due to the fact that he is reluctantly in the area to attend École du Police, finds himself one of three commissaires working to solve this complex case. The descriptive writing here is beautiful. You will feel as though you are walking right alongside Dupin working to solve this baffling mystery. You will commiserate with him over his lost bag of gourmet cheeses, you will join him as he imbibes one café after another, and sample the complex taste of Rhum J.M. I had a great interest in knowing where all the action was taking place, so found myself referring quite often to a detailed map of France, feeling as though I had learned so much about this particular region. I did not at all feel at a loss due to the fact that I had not read any other books in this series. Clearly this, and presumably the others, can be read as a standalone. Slated for publication April 30, 2024, I encourage you to pre-order this book, and then place an order for the other eight in the series. It is exceptionally good, you will fall in love with Dupin, and be booking tickets to Brittany, France. So, put your feet up and Taol da bouez’ ta*. *Cast off your worries. ​ Disclaimer: I would like to thank both NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this wonderful book, in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

 In case you’re unaware, today is National Sloppy Joe Day. I decided to celebrate by trying something new. Recently, I found a chili recipe that called for pineapple. I thought that sounded really interesting, so decided that I was going to make sloppy joes and add pineapple to them. They turned out better than I had anticipated. They are intensely flavorful with the perfect amount of sweetness. I added about a half-teaspoon of hot sauce to give them extra zing. Add more cider vinegar if you prefer to cut the sweetness a bit. Do give these a try. My guess is that the family is going to love them. Pineapple Sloppy Joes 2 lbs. ground chuck 1 medium onion, chopped 1 T. Melissa’s minced garlic Hawaiian BBQ Sauce 1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple (in 100% juice), undrained 1 c. ketchup 1/4 c. molasses 2 T. packed brown sugar 2 T. low sodium soy sauce 1 T. Dijon mustard 1 T. cider vinegar 1 t. salt ½ t. EACH ground ginger, smoked paprika, pepper ¼ t. EACH cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano Hot sauce to taste In a 12-inch skillet, over medium heat, brown ground chuck with onions, breaking up clumps. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain on paper towel-lined plate. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the barbecue sauce ingredients. Return drained beef to skillet and pour barbecue sauce over all. Stir well to combine, and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve on Hawaiian hamburger buns for additional sweetness; I preferred toasted brioche buns. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

I’m not sure if it’s because I wasn’t expecting much that I liked this as well as I did, or if it’s just darned tasty. This is a recipe that I found on TikTok. As I pointed out last week with my refrigerator drawer salad bar, I am not on TikTok. You may find that hard to believe since I have now featured two things from TikTok in the past couple of weeks, honestly, I just stumble upon them. This appealed to me because I liked the idea of a chicken cobbler. Essentially, it is a much easier version of chicken potpie without the bottom crust. I was also drawn in by the fact that it used that yummy Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, and I love those biscuits. m not sure if it’s because I wasn’t expecting much that I liked this as well as I did, or if it’s just darn tasty. This is a recipe that I found on TikTok. As I pointed out last week with my refrigerator drawer salad bar, I am not on TikTok. You may find that hard to believe since I have now featured two things from TikTok in the past couple of weeks, honestly, I just stumble upon them. This appealed to me because I liked the idea of a chicken cobbler. Essentially, it is a much easier version of chicken potpie without the bottom crust. I was also drawn in by the fact that it used that yummy Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, and I love those biscuits. I changed this recipe up a good bit because as I was assembling it, I thought it needed a few tweaks. I have notated all of that below the recipe. The recipe that you see here, is the original one from TikTok. If you want to see what I did, be sure to read the notes below. I will say that I had second helpings of this. It was super simple to put together, and I would definitely make it again. It isn't pretty, but it sure is good. TikTok Chicken Cobbler ½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter 3 c. cooked and shredded chicken 1 12-oz. bag frozen peas and carrots ½ t. garlic powder 2 c. milk 2 c. Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix 2 c. chicken stock 1 10.5-oz. can cream of chicken soup Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 350°F. Put butter in a 9x13-inch baking dish and place in oven to melt while oven preheats. Once butter has melted, remove pan from oven. Arrange chicken in an even layer over butter. Next, add peas and carrots over the top. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a medium bowl, mix together milk and biscuit mix. Pour over chicken and vegetables but do not mix the layers together. In the same (now empty) bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup and chicken stock. Pour over biscuit layer, but again, do not mix layers together. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Mixture will be runny, but will thicken to gravy consistency. Let sit 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy! COOK’S NOTES: 1. I did not use a stick of butter, I used a half a stick (4 tablespoons). One stick just seemed like too much to me. 2. After I scattered the chicken in the bottom of the pan, I topped it with a generous sprinkling of Montreal chicken seasoning. 3. Instead of using a bag of frozen peas and carrots, I used a bag of frozen mixed vegetables that included corn and green beans in addition to the peas and carrots. I liked the greater variety of vegetables here. 4. I did not use the garlic powder, but I did use the seasoning mix that came in the packet of biscuits, and I used the entire amount of biscuit mix rather than measure out 2 cups. 5. I thought 2 cups of chicken stock seemed like too much, so I only used a cup and a half, and it was plenty moist. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

It's time to get your Irish on and set yourself a beautiful table. I was stunned, quite frankly, by all of the tables that I have set for St. Patrick’s Day over the years, and got a kick put of revisiting them. It you’re looking to create a St. Patrick's Day tablescape, here are some fine examples to inspire you. Just click on the name beneath the picture and it will take you right to the informative post.St Patrick's Day Tablescape St. Pat's Dinner Leprechaun Dance Tablescape Springtime Table for St. Pat's Leprechaun Lunch Table for Two Wearing 'o the Green Tablescape St. Patrick's Day LunchLunching with Leprechauns View the full article

Sometimes I am easily influenced, and by that I mean a lot of times, and what I really mean is always. As I mentioned last week, I have become quite enamored with Kevin Lee Jacob’s YouTube channel wherein, in his quiet and gentlemanly way, he shares recipes, household tips, and the lovely home and garden that he shares with his partner, “Mr. Fox.” Kevin recently, by way of his videos, turned me onto dehydrated potatoes. Make no mistake, they are not instant mashed potatoes; there are no added ingredients, simply dehydrated potato flakes. There’s a difference. Trust me, I know, and you have to look for them. It appears that Kevin does most, if not all of the cooking in his household, and he makes good use of dehydrated potatoes to make mashed potatoes to serve with various dishes that he prepares. The beauty of the dehydrated potatoes, of course, is that you can make small portions. I’m a fan of mashed potatoes, but I hate making them, because I hate all of the trouble involved for just one person, and I am terrible at gauging the amount. I do like the Bob Evans’ mashed potatoes available in the dairy case at the grocery store, but even the small container is too much for me. As a consequence, and influenced by KLJ, I started ferreting out dehydrated potato flakes, and I found some here. At the same time I discovered these from Bob’s Red Mill, I learned that Bob Moore, founder of Bob's Red Mill and one of the most recognized figures in the natural foods industry, peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the age of 94. I was so sorry to hear this. Clearly, at the age of 94, with a successful business under his belt, Bob had a good run. He also changed the way a lot of us shop, but I’m wandering from my point. The point is that I ordered these hoping that Kevin didn’t let me down, and that I could make my life so much easier by making these. I thought they were quite pricey until I realized that I had mistakenly ordered a case of them, so I see a lot of mashed potatoes in my future. As it turned out, they are every bit as good as they appear to be on Kevin’s YouTube channel. Will I stop making my own fresh mashed potatoes? No. But I will make these at least once a week to make my life so much simpler. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

Are you as eager for the baseball season as I am? And when I say eager, what I really mean is a combination of excitement and nausea. If you have a favorite team, you know what I’m talking about. I don’t go to the stadium too much anymore, largely because most of the people with whom I used to attend baseball games are now attending baseball games in the sky. As a consequence, I make my own baseball snacks. I’m already plotting and planning for opening day, and I think these barbecued sausage bites are going to be on the list. They are super simple to make because they’re baked. Spear yourself a small stack and enjoy.Barbecued Sausage Bites Adapted from sweetteaandsprinkles.com 2-3 lbs. Kielbasa 2 c. BBQ Sauce* 1 t. Liquid Smoke 1 t. garlic powder 1 t. onion powder ½ t. freshly ground black pepper ¼ c. brown sugar Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray the bottom of a 1.5-quart casserole with PAM. Slice the kielbasa sausages into ½ inch round slices and places in the prepared dish. In a medium bowl combine BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour mixture over sausages, and sprinkle the brown sugar all over the top. Bake for 20-15 minutes until bubbling and sticky and the sauce has caramelized. Broil for 2-3 minutes on high to get burnt ends. *Use your favorite As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

If you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time, then you are well aware that I have been a fan of, and have used, Melissa’s Produce for years. It excites me (more than I should probably admit) when they come out with something new. I was particularly excited to learn that they were coming out with a series of salad kits. Salad is one of my favorite things to eat, and one of my least favorites to make. All of that cleaning, shredding, and chopping takes a lot of the fun out of it for me. Thankfully, Melissa’s has come out with Greek, Asian, and Waldorf salad kits. I was expecting them to be good, knowing Melissa’s as I do, but these are beyond good, they are spectacular! Everything is vacuum-sealed (and I mean seriously vacuum-sealed), so that everything is at its absolute freshest. My salads were shipped to me from California over the course of a couple of days, and yet, when I opened them up and put them together, they were so fresh, crisp, and crunchy, it was as though the ingredients had only been prepped minutes before. These are restaurant quality, but even better than that, it’s as though you have your own personal salad chef, making these up fresh just for you. Just a little PSA for all of you salad lovers out there. From their website, here are the descriptions of each of the salads to clarify all that is included. I could have used a bit of feta or some Kalamata olives in the Greek Salad Essentials kit, but not enough to complain. So run, don’t walk, to your nearest grocery retailer, and pick up each one of these. If they are not available in your store, get in touch with your produce manager and request them. You won’t be sorry. Melissa’s family-size Greek Essentials™ Salad Kit offers a convenient way for busy parents to provide a delicious serving of restaurant quality, prewashed vegetables without the time-consuming preparation and waste. Each kit comes with all the ingredients needed to make a complete salad inspired by the Mediterranean with a light mix of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and feta vinaigrette. Open, mix and serve right out of the convenient 36 oz. resealable tub to insure the freshness of a second serving. Melissa’s family-size Asian Essentials™ Salad Kit offers a convenient way for busy parents to provide a delicious serving of restaurant quality, prewashed vegetables without the time-consuming preparation and waste. Each kit comes with all the ingredients needed to make a complete salad inspired by Asian components such as Napa cabbage, crunchy noodles and sweet sesame dressing that are tossed with red cabbage, carrots and green onions. Open, mix and serve right out of a convenient 24 oz. resealable tub to insure the freshness of a second serving. Melissa’s family-size Waldorf Salad Kit offers a convenient way for busy parents to provide a delicious serving of restaurant quality, prewashed vegetables without the time-consuming preparation and waste. Each kit comes with all the ingredients needed to make this wonderful salad, first served at the elegant Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1893; apples, grapes, celery, walnuts and the famed Waldorf dressing. Open, mix and serve right out of a convenient 34 oz. resealable tub to insure the freshness of a second serving. View the full article

It has been 10 years (!!) since I first posted this recipe. My guess is that a lot of you haven’t seen it, so I think it’s time, here on Throwback Thursday, to post it again. It’s tasty, seasonal, and the name is unbeatable as far as recipe names go. You must serve this at your St. Patrick’s Day dinner. You must! Murphy’s in a Clogher Valley Mist Named for the Dungannon Valley where Grange Lodge, a small Georgian country house, is situated. This recipe is from proprietor Norah Brown. 1-1/2 pounds boiling potatoes, unpeeled (I used Melissa’s Baby Ruby Gold) 2 T.unsalted butter, melted and cooled 4 slices bacon ½ c. heavy cream 1 c. (4 oz.) Smoked Gouda, shredded Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 1-1/2 qt. baking pan. (This green one would be perfect.) Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water for 15 to 18 minutes, or until tender. Drain and let cool to the touch. Cut each potato into four wedges. Place the wedges, skin side down, into the prepared baking pan and toss with the butter. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Using a slotted metal spatula, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour the cream over the potatoes, sprinkle with the grated cheese, and crumble the bacon over all. Season with salt and pepper, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cream has thickened and the cheese has melted. Serves 4. This recipe is from The New Irish Table by Irish-American culinary journalist Margaret M. Johnson. Delish! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

There used to be a local restaurant known for its clam chowder. It was called Noah’s Ark, and actually looked like what one would expect Noah’s Ark to look like, complete with life-size replicas of animals, 2 x 2, on the exterior. When it first opened up, it was a nice place to dine, and each table had a cauldron of clam chowder in the center for diners to enjoy with the management’s compliments. It was really quite charming.Photo credit: Lost Tables This was my first experience with clam chowder, and I really loved it. The recipe was a simple one, largely cans of condensed Campbell’s soup. It wasn’t until many years after Noah’s Ark closed that I made clam chowder using clam juice, minced clams, and half-and-half. What a difference! I recently came across a copycat recipe for Red Lobster’s clam chowder, and decided to give it a try. It is quick, easy, and very delicious. I used cubed baby red potatoes rather than peeling russet potatoes. It saved time, had more visual appeal, and tasted better as well. Red Lobster Clam Chowder Copycat 2 c. cubed Melissa’s baby red potatoes, cut into ½” x ½” cubes ½ c. butter ¼ c. diced green onions, white and light green parts only ¼ c. flour 2 6.4-oz. cans minced clams, reserve juice 1 t. kosher salt 16 oz. half-and-half ½ c. whole milk 1/3 c. bottled clam juice Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishOyster crackers, for garnish Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water; cook on medium heat until tender. Remove potatoes from heat, drain and set aside. In 2-quart saucepan on medium-low heat, melt butter. Add diced onions and cook until onions are slightly clear in color. Add flour to butter and stir briskly. The mixture will start to thicken. Add half and half a little at a time while stirring briskly. The mixture will be creamy and will look like thick cream. Place salt, clams, and juice from cans, potatoes, bottled clam juice and milk with the mixture. On medium-low temperature, bring chowder to a slow boil. Turn temperature down to low and let chowder simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Chowder, hard rolls, fresh whipped butter, and a cozy fire will warm your tummy and your soul. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

What an absolute charmer! This is truly the comfort food of detective novels. Translated from the Japanese, The Kamogama Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai is the story of Nagare Kamogawa and his daughter Koishi who endeavor to recreate favorite memory-filled recipes from people’s past, all of which they do from their restaurant, advertising their detective business via cryptic ads in the local culinary rag. It was fun reading about the lengths to which they would go in order to do so to present their client with exactly what he or she was looking for. I have to admit, being unfamiliar with Japanese food as I am, that the names of food stuffs and vessels frequently sent me googling, but I came away from this book feeling as though I had learned a great deal, not only about the culture and the people of Japan, but about the cuisine as well. The book is made up of six individual sections, each of which reads like a short story. I struggled a bit with the names because, being immersed in western culture as I am, none of them were familiar enough to me to be able to 100% keep the characters straight, but I managed well enough. I loved being immersed in Japanese foodie culture, and where else would I find a phrase like “itinerant tofu salesman.” I loved every morsel of this book. As an aside, I must say that the translation is brilliant. Clearly, it was done by an Englishman, because phrases like “chalk and cheese,” “let’s tuck in,” and “mum” appear throughout, and brought me a smile every time they did. If you enjoy learning about other cultures, or appreciate truly fine food writing, this is absolutely the book for you. You will fall in love with Nagare and Koishi. I highly recommend it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

This dish is a meatball and spaghetti lover’s dream. It is rich, and decadent, and flavorful. It’s filling, so one good-sized meatball per person is generally enough. The instructions appear a bit daunting, but this is really an easy dish to put together, and the entire thing can be on the table in under an hour if you stick with it. Make the meatballs while your water is boiling for the spaghetti; make the béchamel while your meatballs are baking, then it all goes together, and into the oven while you’re warming some Italian bread. It’s easy enough for every day, but good enough for company. Cheesy Spaghetti and Meatball Bake 12 oz. spaghetti 1 24-oz. jar marinara sauce (I used Vincent’s) Meatballs: 1 lb. ground beef 1 extra-large egg ½ c. Italian breadcrumbs 1 T. minced onion 1 t. onion salt ½ t. dried oregano ½ t. dried thyme ½ t. freshly ground black pepper 1 heaping T. ketchup Pinch of cayenne pepper 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Sauce: 2 c. whole milk 3T. butter 2 T. flour 1/8 t. freshly ground nutmeg ¼ t. kosher salt Preheat the oven to 375° F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare pasta according to the package directions for al dente, about 8 to 12 minutes. Drain the spaghetti and toss it with half of the marinara sauce; set aside. While the pasta is cooking, make the meatballs. Crack the egg into a large mixing bowl and whisk until blended. Add the meat, breaking it apart as you add it to the bowl. Add the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the tomato sauce and the mozzarella cheese. Mix to combine everything well, using your fingertips. Don't compact the meat, and don't over mix. Scoop out the meat into approximately 12 balls (I used a small ice cream scoop.) and roll the balls into nice rounds with your hands. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. While meatballs are baking, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until roux is golden, smooth, and paste-like, 5-7 minutes. While continuing to whisk, stir in whole milk. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in salt and nutmeg. Remove the skillet again and top with the cheese. Return to the oven to melt the cheese, 2-3 minutes. Spread a spoonful of the remaining marinara sauce into a 1.5-quart baking dish. Add the marinara-tossed spaghetti and top it with the meatballs. Top the meatballs with the remaining marinara, drizzle the béchamel sauce on top, and sprinkle the top with the mozzarella. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake it until the cheese is melted and the meatballs register 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of cook time to brown the top of the mozzarella. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

I love “party food.” That’s how my family refers to a meal that consists of starters and appetizers. Back in the day, my aunt used to host Christmas Eve dinner. The whole family would go to church for the 5:30 Christmas Eve service, and then head to my aunt’s for dinner and gifts. Sometimes she would bake a ham, but the most memorable times she served party food, and her party food was legendary. Invariably the buffet would start with a meat tray (remember those?) from a local deli that was always a huge hit. Then there were the meatballs in gravy that were served with those little tiny buns, crab puffs, mini pigs in blankets, mini ravioli, spinach squares, and a green salad to be virtuous. Don't get me started on her phenomenal cookie trays! It was an incredible spread. When I saw this recipe, I thought of those Christmas Eve gatherings, and had to make them. They are really delicious, and the nice thing about them is that they are equally tasty whether they are served hot, warm, room temperature, or even cold directly from the fridge.Spinach and Artichoke Dip Party SquaresAdapted from thekitchenismyplayground.com 2 packages crescent rolls 1 (1.4 oz.) envelope Knorr Vegetable Soup & Recipe Mix ½ c. Duke’s mayonnaise ½ c. sour cream 1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 12-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained & chopped1 8-oz. can water chestnuts, finely chopped 1 t. Melissa’s minced garlic 2 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese ½ c. grated Parmesan cheese Freshly ground black pepper Preheat oven to 357°F. In a mixing bowl combine soup mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream; set aside for soup mix to soften while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Unroll crescent rolls and fit into a lightly greased jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet; press seams together to form a crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until very light golden brown. Add garlic, spinach, artichokes, water chestnuts, and Monterey Jack cheese to soup mixture. Stir well to combine. Spread soup mixture over partially-baked crust. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over the top. Grate pepper over all. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until heated through. Cut into squares and serve. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

If your definition of stew consists of cubes of beef, carrots, and potatoes, then I am not a fan. I am, however, a fan of stew beef, a.k.a. chuck roast. It’s so flavorful, and cooks down to be wonderfully tender. I think the very best way to enjoy it is on its own, slow cooked to perfection in a wonderful onion and mushroom gravy, served atop a heaping mound of mashed potatoes (or ladled onto a bed of egg noodles). This will make you forget your troubles.Beef Tips with Onion & Mushroom Gravy 3 T. butter 1 yellow onion, sliced 1 2-3 lb. pound chuck, roast, trimmed and cubed 2 T. flour 1½ t. sugar 1 t. onion powder 1½ t. garlic powder 1 t. dried thyme 1 t. Montreal Steak Seasoning 8 oz. Crimini mushrooms, sliced 1 bay leaf 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 2 c. beef stock 2 T. cornstarch 2 T. water Fresh parsley, to garnish Place butter in the bottom of a slow cooker and allow to melt. Once butter has melted, spread onion across the bottom. Place chuck roast cubes into a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and Montreal steak seasoning. Sprinkle it over the top of the beef cubes and toss to coat. Place seasoned beef cubes on top of the onions. Top with sliced mushrooms, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour beef broth over all, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or low for 6 to 7 hours. Thirty minutes before the end of the cooking time, whisk together cornstarch, water, and 1/2 cup of the slow cooker liquid. Add the cornstarch mixture back to the slow cooker, stir in, and cook for 30 more minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with egg noodles, or on top of a mound of mashed potatoes. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article

Those of us who love growing flowers and vegetables during the summer, often struggle during the winter. The wait between growing seasons can seem in interminable. I grow a lot of plants indoors that I find very satisfying, but there’s something extra special about growing my own food. For Christmas, number two son gave me a mushroom growing kit. If you haven’t tried one of these, they are fascinating fun. Watching them sprout and grow (something that occurs quite rapidly) is magical. Growing my own gave me a new appreciation for mushrooms. I cannot wait to harvest and sauté them. They are intricate and quite beautiful when you look at them. This is a wonderful and memorable gift. If you know someone who loves to cook, grow vegetables, or both, and is hard to buy for, give this some consideration. Edible, educational, and great fun. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View the full article