Delicious Cauliflower Soup

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Weather influences what we eat … I don’t know about you. I’m also influenced by what I have in the refrigerator … Cheeses and onions leftover from dips, and cauliflower from my Winter Salad. Perfect for today’s easy rich soup, Creamy Cauliflower Soup.

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Worthy of Valentine’s Day

Valentines Day CookiesThis is my absolute favorite Decorated Cookie Recipe. It tastes like a mini-cake. Decadent! If your sweetheart is not into coconut … it’s still amazing!

Valentines Day CookiesOatmeal Raspberry Cookies Just so you know, this is no backup! You know what I mean, don’t you? Who wants a backup! Different look, different taste but oh so delicious! Oatmeal Raspberry Valentine’s Day Cookies


Garden Variety Vegetable Soup

Garden Variety Soup

That was some Super Bowl, wasn’t it! As the game progressed to a nail biting crescendo second and third helpings from our fabulous Super Bowl spread were inevitable. And we’re not talking vegetables & yogurt. After leftovers yesterday and still some cheesy dips and a few meaty taste treats left we’re craving something much lighter. I’ve grabbed the unused portion of cabbage head, posts: Winter Salad with Dill Dressing and Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage, and always have onions, carrots and garlic … And put together a very light but satisfying soup for tonight’s dinner.

The basics of this soup are red or green cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, olive oil and a little spice. Then add any selection of veggies or legumes. Light deliciously satisfying Vegan Vegetable Soup in 30 minutes.

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Steak Stuffed Bakes

Super Bowl Party Finger Food

Steak Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Finger food is a little misleading … You can easily and neatly eat these with your hands.

If you’re a meat and potatoes fan you’ll be so into these! What I like about this for a crowd … First, it’s amazingly delicious! Secondly, each provides a serving … It’s easy to calculate for a crowd. For appetizers a potato half for each guest.

Stephen, I know you’re gonna love these!

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Spicy Hot Chicken Dip

with (Your Choice) Red Pepper Sauce

Spicy Hot Chicken Dip

 

 

 

This is a great dip to make when you’ve left over chicken. You can make it taste like Hot Wings or if you’re into Sriracha add this sweet tangy hot sauce instead. An easy Super Bowl appetizer that won’t have you running to the grocery store if you’re missing an ingredient … very forgiving and easy to substitute.

Rich and a little goes a long way!

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Portuguese & Italian Sausage Sliders

Just in time for the Super Bowl

Portuguese and Italian Sausage Sliders

No one wants to spend time in the kitchen when the game’s on. Back in the day most women went out on game day … Maybe took in a movie. Shopping was out … stores weren’t open Sundays.

Super Bowl Sunday the television room will be filled with everyone. Even gramma has a fav team. So, let’s make the spread quick and easy. Here are two favorite sliders with one basic recipe.

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Portuguese Milk Mayonnaise

Eggless Mayonnaise

Milk Mayonnaise

Super Bowl 2015 is just around the corner and I’m making Portuguese Sausage Sliders dressed with this perfectly easy homemade mayonnaise. You heard it right … This is eggless!  My recipe is inspired by David Leite’s in his book, The New Portuguese Table. I’ve used the same proportions of milk and oil but little else in our recipes is the same.

My first try with EVOO was oh too olive! EVOO is generally not recommended in making mayonnaise at least not as the only oil used for two reasons … One, it breaks down during the emulsification and can become bitter … Two, the taste can be too EVOO. I used 2% milk because it’s what I had on hand but I recommend using 4%. There might be a slight thickness difference in the result. If you’re searching for vegan mayonnaise substitute coconut milk.

This recipe makes up in about 5 minutes. It’s a great recipe to add to your recipe box. It has so many uses!

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Cauliflower, Red Cabbage & Romaine

Winter Salad with Dill Dressing

Here is an additional side choice for the Beef Carbonnade Dinner. The dressing can second as a low calorie veggie dip too.

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Devil’s Food Cake

A Cake To Soothe A Broken Heart

Devil's Food Cake

You might be thinking your broken heart deserves something much more decadent … maybe a chocolate cheesecake. I’ve been there! But at a quarter after one and I need you now … This is much more practical. It’s easy & quick, makes a 9 inch square cake (or on other days two 8 inch layers), moist and best of all, chocolatey.

We’ve all had heartbreak or so I’ve been told. And dealing can be unpleasant and miserable especially if it’s twice with the same guy. Just ask me! And I know about the appetite disappearing, you’ll find as you age this step goes missing, but somehow keeping busy helps. Whether you’re  brokenhearted OR you decide to make this for your sweetheart for Valentine’s it won’t disappoint.

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Beef Carbonnade

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

Beef Carbonnade

Better than a scented candle on a foggy day. The smell of Beef Carbonnade wafting through your house will certainly bring you out of the doldrums on yet another foggy or bad weather day. Trust me! We’ve experienced almost an entire week of sunless days and with this cooking I’m already feeling much lighter. Well, that’s until I eat too much Beef Carbonnade.

I’ve layered the beef over fettuccine just because that’s what I had on hand. Break up the fettuccine before cooking to give other than a pasta dish presentation to this beefy recipe. Or do the traditional and use medium width egg noodles. Either way, Mmm!

Serve with a side of spicy Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage. Easy Easy! I’ve only used half the red cabbage. So tomorrow I’m making a salad with red cabbage, cauliflower and romaine and a sour cream dill dressing … If you’re not into braised cabbage.

Hope you enjoy!

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