Salsa for Just about Everything

When I first met my future Daughter-In-Law Ann she found her way to my kitchen as all family does. Besides all the other wonderful things about Ann she is comfortable in the kitchen and a very good cook. She whipped up this salsa for our family during that first visit. It was a hit! So when I received requests for a fresh salsa I immediately thought of this one. It’s great to serve alone or over just about everything.

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Enjoy With Ann’s Salsa, Next Post

Chile Relleno

Chile relleno is an anytime meal. This is light and fluffy. Simply delectable! Use your favorite salsa for the topping or go it alone. Serve with a slice of avocado, or rice and beans for the hearty eaters.

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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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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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A Recipe Change Up

Chicken and Dumplings My Style

Chicken and Dumplings My Style

My mother is from Arkansas. In 1939 she travelled to her new home in California. She brought with her a southern style of cooking which included recipes for fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, fried potatoes, and chicken and dumplings. Vegetables and fruits were mainly canned to preserve. This seems to be in vogue again today!

As a child I had a very difficult time eating chicken. I was generously given the drumstick … Every child’s favorite it seemed. But I could see every vessel and tendon … Even more so with stewed chicken and dumplings. The taste was delicious but…. I was being a kid!

What I have done here is create more of a shepherd’s pie with chicken. Rather than placing the biscuits or dumplings, mother used the same recipe for both, into the chicken dish I have included them separately. I loved my mother’s biscuits! She liked to make them thinner than most would, pressing the dough thin before cutting. This created a biscuit that was less cakie. If baking biscuits separately not as a topper, she would dip each in bacon drippings, lightly coating both sides before placing into a baking dish and popping into the oven. Yep! Still love this taste today. But for those who are not bacon fans butter works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not Just a Leftovers Dish

Turkey, Sausage and Rice Dish

Here is a dish I put together with leftover Thanksgiving turkey. It received a 9 out of 10 rating from family … 10 being equivalent to the Thanksgiving turkey meal. I say that is a pretty good rating! Wouldn’t you?!

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Something To Tide Them Over

Eggs and Ham

A Make Ahead Brunch … Make this the day before company arrives. Did I say microwave! Yes, you just might need to use the microwave for heating if your oven is stuffed. This is delicious and rich. They won’t be hungry ’til dinner.

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Portuguese Peas

This delicious recipe for Portuguese Peas is one of my Grandmother’s. She didn’t make it often but I really enjoyed this dish as a child. It was always served as a side dish garnished with hard boiled eggs. It really is surprisingly different in flavor, so very tasty.

You will enjoy this dish. Give it a try.

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