Want a simple one-pan skillet dinner? Make paella. Seriously. If there’s ever been a simple dish so wrapped in mystique with so many rules, I don’t know what it is. If you want a “world class” Paella, follow them all. If you want a fabulous supper, keep reading. Yeah, we’re gonna break a few rules and get you a fantastic Paella. Maybe for Valentine’s Day?
Paella Valenciana
If you’re looking for a simple dinner with flavor to die for, this is the one. Mexican Style Pot Roast. Perfect for a family, easy to make and a bounty of succulent, tender meat for dinner (and if there’s any left) some of the best leftovers, ever.
Mexican Pot Roast – leftover as tostadas
As many of you know I have been traveling to and fro the past couple of years, from my house to the folks. It ended being a lot more to than fro.
Dad’s Spaghetti Sauce
I grew up in the Midwest in the 60’s eating various and assorted “loose-meat” sandwiches, mainly Maid-Rite Sandwiches or as they are sometimes called Tavern Burgers. I never heard the word Sloppy Joe until I was an adult and moved away, and then no-one seemed to know what a Maid-Rite was!
This is the old family, Church Cookbook recipe for the Maid-Rite made with Campbell’s Chicken Gumbo Soup.
I have other White Chicken Chili recipes here, so I’m not real sure how I got inspired to make this one…a hint of fall coming, maybe? Yep. I said it. Fall. I’m glad I made this Chili, though, because Easy White Chicken Chili’s seriously delish.
Easy White Chicken Chili
Awhile back, someone mentioned Cabbage Soup – in a rather derogatory way. Funny thing is, I love Cabbage Soup! Which isn’t all cabbage, by the way. There’s lot’s of other good stuff in it, too.
Original Fat Burning Cabbage Soup
It might seem like my blog has a lot to do with baking, lately. I’ve been updating my dessert menu; organizing it properly and that means posting the results. So if you’re tired of it, thanks for bearing with me – but now here’s a “Must Make” Cookie. Jaques Torres’ Chocolate Mudslide Cookies.
Jacques Torres’ Chocolate Mudslide Cookies
One Saturday morning, I woke up to two beaming youngsters. My daughter had pulled out a couple of cookbooks and found this recipe in an old Betty Crocker cookbook. To my mind, it’s the first thing she ever really made, and she was around 10. I’m still boggled! The logistics of making and cooking pancakes is a lot for a child that age. Heck, it’s a lot for me (not a morning person.)
Best Basic Pancake (Betty Crocker)
Ever since I picked up my little cake pan tray, below, I’ve been dying to make something in them. When I came across a pic of Panera’s Strawberry Rhubarb Mini Cakes, the anticipation became an obsession. They were so darling!
Strawberry Rhubarb Baby Cakes
Hey, I’m a planner but this still happens to me! It’s 4:30 and I open the fridge to make dinner and *duh* I forgot to take out the chicken to thaw. The ravenous octogenarians (my folks, or maybe for you, it’s your kids; I’ve been there, too…) and are emitting hangry noises, circling like sharks ready for the kill.
Instant Pot Chicken Tinga
Are you a waffle lover? I am. I love a good waffle. I like to make them for dinner – because they’re just too much of a pain to make in the a.m. One exception might be Alton Brown’s Really Good Waffles.
Alton Browns Really Good Waffles
Do you want a big, delicious bakery style cookie just chock full of chocolate and toffee like these White Lace Inn Oatmeal Chocolate Toffee Cookies? I betchya do. Even if you didn’t know it before now.
White Lace Inn Oatmeal Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Awhile back, I made the most marvelous Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes for Mother’s day. They were awesome. They were fabulous. But they set off some kind of deep seated craving for more brunch! More and more brunch! I want brunch all the time, now! Do you ever get like that – just go on a kick like a runaway train?
Swedish Pancakes with Blueberry Compote
We’ve been having the dreariest, dark, cold, wet weather all week. How about you? I know it’s good for the plants but I get feeling a little blue. I want to get outside and DO things! Instead, we’ve tucked in and made something warm and comforting and creamy and cheesy! Three Cheese Chicken Casserole!
Three Cheese Chicken Casserole
Every spring I hafta make this coffee cake and this is not just any old coffee cake, it’s my Rhubarb Coffee Cake with a Vanilla Streusel and to top it all off, a Vanilla Sauce. Did you get all that? It’s a one, two, three punch of sweet tart goodness.
Rhubarb Streusel Coffee Cake with Vanilla Sauce
If the name Ragamuffin doesn’t captivate you, the taste will. Ragamuffins are the lazy cook’s (by lazy I mean me, not necessarily you) way to a little Cinnamon Roll flavor without the yeast & the wait that comes with it.
Cinnamon Swirl Ragamuffin
It might have been the name that drew me in. The Original Cheese Zombie Sandwiches. It was the wholehearted endorsement of those who had grown up on The Original Cheese Zombie Sandwiches that hooked me. A Cheese Zombie is a sheet tray of home-made bread layered with an oozy, gooey American cheese and Cheese Zombies are sooo much better than they sound.
The last time I made Original Cheese Zombie Sandwiches, I made 1/3 plain cheese, 1/3 with pickled Jalapenos and 1/3 with ham. The possibilities are endless.
I always say I don’t use my crock pot enough, so if you’re like me, here’s a recipe that will put that slow cooker into regular rotation. Honey Lime Chicken. If there’s ever a better taste combo than slightly spicy, slightly sweet, tangy Honey Lime Chicken I don’t know what it is…
Slow Cooker Mexican Style Honey Lime Chicken
Have you ever wished there could be a Turkey Stuffing permeated with the rich flavor and smokiness of bacon? One that’s fantastic in the bird & in a casserole? A seriously crave-worthy stuffing?
Bacon Stuffing or Dressing
I’m always on the lookout for budget protein and when I saw this Rump roast at a great sales price I picked it up. Rump can be a tough, dry cut, sometimes a bit tasteless but cooked long and slow in a flavorful bath of aromatics and spices I knew it would be luscious.
Slow Cooker Barbacoa – so easy and so delish!
This Steak Chimichanga with Green Chili Verde Sauce is one of my fave recipes and it came from leftover steak. Who has leftover steak, anyway? I don’t know about you, but certainly not at my house where steak is a bit of a rarity. At my folks? Yeah. Quite frequently. A love of beef (they live in ranching country) and smaller appetites often lead to a bit of steak that could easily languish in the fridge.
Steak Chimichanga with Green Chili Verde Sauce
Ropa Vieja. Translates to old clothes or old rags – gosh that name just does not do this lovely meal justice! Slowly simmered beef, simmered until it’s all but fallen apart, with garlic and cumin and aromatics. And peppers. Oh my.
Cuban Ropa Vieja – Shredded Beef
About the only thing I like better than my Pumpkin Bread is a really, really good Banana Bread. I can’t tell you how many Banana Breads I’ve tried over the years. This one, right here, is my fave. I love it, the folks love it. My Da dubbed it the “Best Banana Bread I’ve ever had.”
Classic Banana Bread
If you just need a few onions for a quick burger topping, it’s no big deal and you can probably do it in 25 to 30 minutes. If you’re caramelizing onions in a larger batch, it takes time. At least if you want onions with a deep rich flavor and just the perfect, tender bite.
Seriously gorgeous (in my eyes, at least!)
Here’s an oldie but a goodie recipe, a pot roast with a Bloody Mary sauce. Of course, you’re not going to get tipsy and it’s perfectly fine for children! If there’s any concern about the alcohol, substitute white or white wine vinegar for the Vodka.
Bloody Mary Pot Roast with Oven Roasted Root Vegetables & Mashed Potatoes
If you’re like me and love to bake, you’re probably open to trying new recipes – just to see if they’re as good (or maybe even better) than your old standbys. It’s a road sometimes fraught with danger!
Basic Yellow Cupcake
I love love love French Onion Soup! It’s a beautiful thing. For St. Patrick’s day, though, I have been dying to try out one of the Guinness Onion Soups I’ve seen floating around. How could I resist, really? Caramelized onions, toasty melty cheese!
Guinness & Onion Soup with a Cheddar Crouton
