About Anita

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

Italian Flat Bread

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Italian Flat Bread

Flat Bread Pizza

Italian Flat Bread
Another Rizzo inspired recipe! A glass of red wine and an Italian Flat Bread Pizza … Nothing easier and Nothing better. Add a vegetarian topping for a vegetarian dinner: ragu, grated mozzarella, sliced green peppers, sliced olives and sliced mushrooms … Or add your favorite Italian meats. Can easily go Vegan!

The bread recipe is simple … it does require a resting period but otherwise fixes up in minutes. Enjoy!

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Enmoladas

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Queso Fresco Enmoladas

Fresh Mexican Cheese Enchiladas with Mole

EnmoladasAmazingly Simple! Amazingly Delicious! In minutes! Authentic enmoladas.

Thank you Arcelia! She’s my mother’s favorite cook. Arcelia can take anything out of the refrig and turn it into something wonderfully palatable. We call her a master cook but she is my mother’s companion. Lucky mom.

Enjoy this enchilada option but if you prefer the more known version try Cheese Enchiladas and Beans, here.

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Wild Duck

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Willitts Wild Duck

Wild DuckThis was one of the Willitts’ Pump Company Christmas Party favorites. Here is what my brother remembers: I’d remove the foil and lid in the last minutes of cooking so the aroma filled the shop. I’d plate it (usually 6 ducks) with sliced oranges and parsley … And put forks on the tray for a taste. It was gone in minutes!

Along with wild duck, cheeses, breads, pit meat, homemade olives for this party was my dad’s Portuguese Beans. Enjoy recipe 1, here, and recipe 2, here.

 

Photo by David Willitts. Thanks David!

 

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Albondigas Soup

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Simple Albondigas Soup

Meatball Soup

Albondigas SoupThis is one of my brother’s family favorites and I can see why. Use your favorite meatball recipe or mine, meatballs … And with the simple addition of tomatoes and onions to a beef broth you’ve Albondigas Soup.

The secret is to keep it simple.

 

Thank you Ruth, my sister-in-law, for the suggestion and recipe … I can see this as our family favorite too.

 

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Wheat Loaf

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Home Ground Wheat Loaf

Wheat LoafDan, my brother, visited from Oregon this last week and brought me this absolutely perfectly baked delicious wheat bread. Yep, he grinds the wheat himself. Gluten free? Definitely not! He adds gluten! I’m still waiting for the recipe, Danny. I guess I’m going to have to give out your email address here for those who want to try it out. Ha-ha. Hurry!

FINALLY, the recipe!! Thank you to Kay Patterson, Dan’s neighbor, for sharing this lovely recipe with our family!

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