A New Year’s Resolution About Food

Healthy is always in vogue. 

Bruschetta

Here is a throw back. Antipasto For The Last Day Of Summer is my post from September 20th. This is a great New Year’s Day appetizer. In fact, we often have it for a light dinner with wine. Fast and easy! Check out the post for the recipe. Enjoy with no guilt.

Happy New Year!


Six Months Of Your Favorites

Thank you to my family, friends and many visitors for making the first six months of my food blog such a great success. I have never had so much fun at work!

Here are six of your favorite picks for 2013. And I have added some close runners up. My last posts haven’t been up long enough to evaluate but the Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce is quickly becoming a popular recipe and, and, and…. Thank you so much! Happy 2014 to all! 

Best of 2013

Top: L-R Chicken and Dumplings My Style, Portuguese Beans with Linguica, Great-Grandmother Kobilsek’s Kolacky
Bottom: L-R Chicken Breasts with Roasted Vegetables, Chocolate Surprise Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies, Hot Chocolate Bar

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A Sandwich For Everyone

Croque Monsieur

Late at night when you can’t sleep what do you do? I watch an old movie. I’m not just interested in the story but the food! When Alec Baldwin takes a delicious bite of the Croque-Monsieur I can taste it. This prop is most likely cold and verging on stale … After all Alec is an actor! The next thing I know I’m creating my own Croque-Monsieur!

What a great snack or light meal! Use a vegan cheese for the Provencal or ham it up with the Monsieur. What is the difference between Croque-Monsieur, Croque-Madame and Croque-Provencal? Ham, egg and tomato. All three are included here.

A great option for Sunday football or movie snacking. Accompany with beer or wine. And arugula with a vinaigrette for a light dinner.

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Sautéed GREEN BEANS, OLIVE OIL TOASTED BREAD AND MORE

Standing Rib Roast Dinner

 

A great meal for guests … And this recipe won’t keep you in the kitchen. My family was happy with this tasty meal during the holidays. A great presentation with little preparation. Standing Rib Roast Dinner.

This standing rib roast, small end, was just over seven pounds with three ribs (ribs were cut away and tied) … enough to serve 6-8 adults.

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Another Family Favorite Easy Chocolate Pie

Easy Chocolate Pie
Have you noticed? Pudding pies are not in vogue!? Well, this is still a family favorite. Here you go Will! Okay, the dollop of whipped cream is a bit big.
Pretty easy. Pretty tasty!
Want a lighter chocolate taste. Fold 1 cup of whipped cream into cooled pudding. Then pour into pie shell.

A Make Ahead Meal For The Holidays

Burritos, Enchiladas. and Tomatillo Sauce

 

Burritos, Enchiladas and Tomatillo Sauce

These recipes are great for a brunch or dinner! Do a day ahead and refrigerate. Great with a lettuce wedge. And pair with La Crema Pinot Gris for a complete dinner.

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Enjoy Our Video For Sweet Spicy Baked Chicken

Sweet Spicy Baked Chicken

My friend and I are sharing this recipe for Sweet Spicy Baked Chicken. Gayle’s recipe is amazing and although we filmed this for the holidays this recipe is definitely a year around dish. It’s beautiful and delicious!

Truly Easy Yet Amazing!

Sweet Spicy Baked Chicken

 


Great Grandmother Kobilsek’s Melt In Your Mouth Pastry

Kolacky

Better known as Fanny by her friends, Ann’s Great-Grandmother Kobilsek catered parties along with raising two children in the 1920’s. Kolacky was a favorite during holidays … Extra was sent home with family at the end of their visit. Ann remembers her Great-Grandmother’s needlework, especially the stuffed animals she made and gave out with each visit. She even transformed her flapper wedding dress into an evening gown. If alive today I bet we would see her creations on Pinterest.

My first taste of this pastry came at Ann’s suggestion. (Ann is my Daughter-In-Law.) Kolacky is often called a cookie but it definitely has the taste and texture of pastry. It is light and rich. And did I say delicious!

This recipe appears time consuming. But actually the prep time is minimal. The dough does require refrigeration for two hours prior to rolling out the dough. This can be shortened by placing the dough in the freezer until it firms slightly. The dough rolls out easily with a well floured board. Zip. zip, it’s done!

Everyone enjoys a cookie warm from the oven. I make most cookies in small batches … Whipping them up in the last minute for a fresh dessert or snack. This dessert treat is definitely best when eaten within the 24-48 hours of baking. So, I have divided the original recipe in half. The half recipe will make two dozen 2″ pastries, 1/4″ thick.

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Never Fails To Surprise And To Please

This Decorated Cookie Cakes recipe has oatmeal but these are not the typical oatmeal cookies with spices. This cookie is iced and layered and iced. It has a deliciously surprising flavor, vanilla with a hint of almond. No almond meal or nuts. I acquired this recipe, given to me years ago, and have never come across anything like it since.

Decorated Cookie Cakes

The cookies are decorated and it is time to let you in on the secret.

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A Breakfast Bar Or Cookie

Date Nut Bar

Packed with goodness! This was my choice for an energy bar in the 60’s, BUT you will have to eat two to get the calorie count of most energy bars of today. I was hooked the first time I made this Date Nut Bar!

Have you heard of Mineral King? Beautiful place chosen by Disney to develop a resort in 1965. This resort project fell through. Kathryn and I planned a day hike in Mineral King about this time. This bar never tasted so good.

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