About Anita

Portuguese Bakeries

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My Favorites

Hanford Portuguese Bakery

Tulare Portuguese Bakery

Portuguese BakeriesIt’s not always easy to find what I need for my Portuguese recipes … Or to find Portuguese confections and baked goods perfectly prepared. But here are two places I shop when I can. Hanford Bakery has speciality meats and fish too. Andy would always remark the Portuguese skinless and boneless sardines are the best. Right next to this on the shelf are other delicacies that are sure to please. Shopping here is a feel good experience. BTW, the Goulart Linguica as it sizzles on the grill or fries up in the pan smells most like our homemade. Still waiting to dig in and compare the flavors. Yum.

PS The Goulart’s not only smells as it cooks like my brother’s recipe it tastes very similar. Delicious! I say it’s in the smoking!

Filipino Adobo Chicken Wings

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Filipino Adobo Chicken Wings

Adobo Chicken Wings

Here’s another chicken recipe from my special friend. It may be an easy recipe but the flavors are many … And oh so delicious. Did you try her Tinolang Manok Recipe? Amazing!

 

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Tinolang Manok

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Tinolang Manok

Delicious Chicken Soup

Filipino Chicken Soup

Doesn’t this look fabulously delish! I wish I had some this very minute. A shy friend of mine made this for my mother. (See her food photo, next page. She advised me that noodles are really not part of this dish.) I say shy because she’d rather remain anonymous. And since she has yet another recipe for me, Filipino Adobo Style Chicken, I must respect her wishes.

Both recipes, the second coming up later today, are amazing and so healthy too.

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Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Mother’s Day Chocolate

Chocolate Chocolate Chips

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the Mother’s Day chocolate fix. I’ve had a big fix with Edible Arrangement goodies (Thank you, Stephen) but a little more chocolate never hurts. Here’s a perfectly easy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that will please anyone who is a chocoholic.

Enjoy and Happy Mother’s Day!

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Santa Maria Beans

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Santa Maria Beans

Santa Maria Beans

 

 

It’s pretty obvious beans are a favorite of mine and my family … well, at least most of the family anyway. This is the time of year for barbecue and tri-tip. In the sunny Santa Barbara area of California Santa Maria barbecued tri-tip and poquito beans are on the menu. Add these beans to your barbecue for a tasty side dish. I like to cook these as a main dish too.

 

 

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Moistest Oatmeal Bars or Cookies

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Moistest Chewy Oatmeal Bars

Moistest Oatmeal Bars or CookiesYou’re looking for the Moistest Oatmeal Cookie? Your search is over! These are perfectly moist and chewy too. This is one cookie I wouldn’t feel guilty about eating as part of my breakfast. Packed with the best ingredients! Making these for someone who prefers maraschino cherries (doesn’t sound like a bad idea) to raisins in her own oatmeal cookie recipe … But I’ve added dates, cranberries and silvered almonds to my recipe. Enjoy the texture, moistness and taste of yet another of my oatmeal cookie recipes.

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Old Fashioned Tamale Pie

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Old Fashioned Tamale Pie

Here’s my mother’s original Tamale Pie Recipe. I couldn’t help but make some changes … like decreasing the cup of oil to 1/3 cup, not noticeably either, and decreasing the tablespoon of salt to 2 teaspoons. I can’t imagine this recipe with a tablespoon of salt! The 3 tablespoons of chili powder take this to a mildly hot dish. Decrease if you aren’t into it. I’ve also beefed up the texture with medium ground cornmeal and I stick to a high quality stone ground cornmeal.

I know you won’t confuse this with Tortilla Pie but for a little more Mexican food authenticity try it, here. Or if you’re looking for an updated Tamale Pie recipe with cheese try this, here. Although this Old Fashioned Tamale Pie doesn’t have cheese it isn’t missed … And I’m into cheeses. It’s delicious!

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Lifestyle Blog

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A Lifestyle Blog to Watch

Sapphirediaries.com

sapphirediaries.comMissy’s blog is up and going strong! See the latest styles coming out of LA and Orange County. You can shop right on her blog! When she says she is a lifestyle blogger her interests cover her home as well. She’s going to be showing home remodeling in the near future. And while she’s a bit private expect a little about family too.

Missy, my daughter, has always been my role model. Ha! Typically the other way around with mothers and daughters.

Check out her blog sapphirediaries.com, new, fresh, stylish and fun!

 

Overnight Pot Roast

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Oven Overnight Pot Roast

 

Great meal in itself BUT I actually made this to use the meat in an Old Fashioned Tamale Pie. How easy this is! Yes, I have a crock pot but there is something just a little better about a roast coming from the oven. Follow this simple recipe and by morning you have a deliciously cooked pot roast.

The meat from this pot roast is to be used in my Old Fashioned Tamale Pie. In the meantime, enjoy this pot roast and a newer version of my Tamale Pie, here.

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Fresh Spinach Lasagna

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Packed with Ingredients

Fresh Spinach Lasagna

Fresh Spinach LasagnaYep, that’s Sharp Cheddar! Cottage Cheese? Can I really call this lasagna? Well, it has lasagna noodles and marinara sauce … so, I guess so. For me, I prefer the traditional lasagna but I was making this for someone who requested some changes.

It always amazes me how much our tastebuds are influenced by the foods we experienced as children. Why cottage cheese? The texture is less grainy than ricotta, she says. And sharp cheddar? I couldn’t do the Velveeta! Quickly sauté 8 ounces of spinach and layer it in … It may not be traditional but it is delicious. And a one dish meal. Continue reading