tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42694376620580103512011-12-05T12:01:36.188-06:00A collection of recipes, menus, and pictures from my experiments (both disastrous and victorious) with food.Karennoreply@blogger.comBlogger791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-88476150129279895502010-09-12T20:18:00.000-05:002010-09-12T20:19:01.435-05:00

Sometimes it takes someone else getting excited about something to remind you that those things you've grown accustomed to are, in fact, quite amazing.I had the subtle pleasure of going to the giant Asian market, Super H Mart, in Carrollton with someone who had never been. We spent two hours browsing every single aisle, probably driving the regular just-coming-in-to-pick-up-a-few-items shoppers

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-91050361608318709262010-09-07T21:03:00.000-05:002010-09-07T21:03:41.968-05:00

While everyone (or at least I felt like "everyone") was doing Labor Day stuff with their families, I was stuck in Dallas sans family and feeling pretty bummed about it. I admit, I let it get the best of me yesterday. But as much as I wanted to bawl my eyes out, all I could squeak out was a measly half tear. And then, an idea. There is what's known as a burger institution in Dallas called

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-49554165041823630502010-05-09T13:05:00.000-05:002010-05-09T13:05:48.988-05:00

Today felt like a split-pea-soup kind of day. This was an odd conclusion for me to come to while shopping at Sprouts (my new Sunday morning ritual) since I've never made nor had split pea soup, and it's May. But the morning was a bit dreary and surprisingly cool, and all the ingredients I figured were necessary for this dish were right there in front of me.Here's what I grabbed / had on hand:1

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-38002684921045025052009-08-09T18:27:00.000-05:002009-08-09T18:27:40.692-05:00

The boyfriend forwarded a link to a blog post about lollipop pies (or is it pie lollipops?) last week and said to me yesterday, Make those this weekend; that can be your Sunday project. I'm hardly one to turn down a food challenge, so I headed to Central Market to pick up supplies. (That's right: I use any excuse to go to Central Market.)I cheated and bought refrigerated pie dough, but I did

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-36086051994319069122009-05-31T16:42:00.000-05:002009-05-31T16:42:37.829-05:00

This'll be a quickie...we had a package of pork chops in the fridge on the verge of being past its "best by" date. I considered using barbecue sauce, but we just had barbecue for Garth's birthday on Thursday (on May 28th, Garth turned 35! old man...) You really can't have barbecue more than once a week, in my opinion. So I improvised a spice rub with ingredients on hand:Canola oilChili

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-21425077237549337802009-05-31T16:23:00.000-05:002009-05-31T16:23:43.620-05:00

I love bananas. If you know me, you know why. (If you don't, it's because we grew up on a banana plantation in Costa Rica & the Philippines.)I also love Arrested Development. Something reminded me of the Bluth banana stand in that show today, and since I made plans not to make plans this weekend, I had time to goof off in the kitchen.Two things you have to love about this: bananas & chocolate.

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-27771199766647023392009-03-31T21:03:00.001-05:002009-03-31T21:07:56.351-05:00

This past weekend, I was charged with making a bustier cake (and a penis cake or, as I like to call it, a rocket cake) for a lingerie shower for a friend. I fretted for about two weeks, debating the best method, the right frosting, the decorating...I think I worried more about this cake than I did my last work interview.I did a lot of research (google images) and asked for sage baking advice

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-21938357295760084112009-03-08T19:18:00.000-05:002009-03-08T19:18:55.373-05:00

Welcome to my Sunday project! Have you heard of cake balls? I recently discovered these when I ran across an article on DallasNews.com about a lady in Dallas who makes these (and apparently we sell then at Neiman Marcus though I did look online and didn't find any). Since then, I've been talking to (some might say "bugging") people at work asking if they have ever had these, made these, and

Karennoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-67419972480177755982009-03-01T19:32:00.000-06:002009-03-01T19:32:24.309-06:00

I hate to admit it, but I have no emotional ties to sea bass like some other people seem to have. From the way some people rave about it, you would think that not only did they eat that delicious sea bass, but they raised it, sent it to school, put an Honor Roll bumper sticker on the minivan for it, and walked it down the aisle. Not me. To be perfectly honest, I picked this up at these up at

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-54467024407066198572009-02-28T12:07:00.000-06:002009-02-28T12:07:50.708-06:00

Soak just about anything in condensed milk and top with real whipped cream and chances are I will eat it. Could this be why tres leches cake is just a little too hard for me to resist? Ok, so I have to preface this recipe by telling you that I go to the gym 5 times a week. I have to. There are just some things in life for which you are willing to sacrifice. See below:Tres Leches Cupcakes1

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-44232005320900526912009-02-28T10:27:00.000-06:002009-02-28T10:27:25.233-06:00

What is is about cold weather that makes people want to bake? In our house, when it's cold outside (and inside too), the two warmest options are to sit in the sunny room and read till you fall asleep or hang out in the kitchen while something is baking. As for me, I choose the latter. Naps are nice, but bread is nicer.I did a quick Google search for cinnamon raisin bread, and this was the

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-21833624804795097292009-01-11T09:34:00.002-06:002009-01-11T09:36:47.759-06:00

I can't tell you how many times I've thought about trying to make cioppino. Something about seafood soup is almost overwhelmingly appealing to me. As I sat at our kitchen table this Saturday thinking about how bored I was, how cold it was, and how crabby I was about to be, I resolved to pick out a recipe and make it my Saturday afternoon project. What better choice than cioppino, which would

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-46940215138892035212008-12-21T18:45:00.001-06:002009-01-07T13:27:00.346-06:00

When I calculated the cost per serving in this dish, I almost fainted. I could not believe that a little over $8.00 could feed at least six people (or two people thrice) and still taste pretty darned good - kiss it, Dollar Menu! This recipe was born from a contemplative look in the pantry and fridge and a strong desire to put off going to the grocery store for just one more day.Here's what I saw

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-20803332289087591082008-12-14T16:23:00.006-06:002008-12-30T11:17:30.941-06:00

Pretty much everything I did today was for my Secret Santa gifts. I went to Central Market and the Botanical Gardens to prepare...I've already decided (and I hope she doesn't yet know about my blog, otherwise the secret is blown!) what I'm going to do for her three gifts.The first gift is a vase with pebbles and paperwhite bulbs. The hint in this gift is that my dad was a botanist, though the

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-81399181978174503112008-12-14T11:10:00.003-06:002008-12-14T11:12:18.773-06:00

For Thanksgiving this year, we had a pretty traditional menu: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, caramelized carrots, and green bean casserole.We invited Garth's mom over for dinner, and when she asked if she could bring anything, I asked if she would bring cranberry sauce and maybe dessert.She brought both, and the dessert she brought over was this cranberry bread which was

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-62768260807526645542008-12-06T12:33:00.002-06:002008-12-06T12:38:30.763-06:00

Frugality, for me, is always a hobby and sometimes a necessity. While I do like to experiment with fancy foods and exotic ingredients, my base recipes (those I make on a regular basis) are almost always cheap eats. Consider this your first installment in a series dedicated to recipes that cost very little per serving yet satisfy our need to have delicious nourishment.Now you may not think that "

Karennoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-66472911008072658032008-12-06T11:39:00.005-06:002008-12-06T11:42:43.967-06:00

So simple, yet so delicious is apple pie that I couldn't resist posting this recipe I used for my apple pie project a few weekends ago. I really have to admire Ina Garten and her simple and classic recipes. I used her recipe (slightly modified) and prepared pie crust instead of making my own (too lazy).Apple Pie3 lbs Granny Smith applies, peeled, quartered, and cored1 lemon, zested1 orange,

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-24124559121318935152008-10-05T08:21:00.006-05:002008-10-05T08:31:07.232-05:00

Boneda's mom served this at Brecken's pre-wedding photography session at the lodge, and I almost passed out because it was so good. I asked for the recipe, but Southern women have a tendency to let recipe requests slip their minds. That wasn't going to deter me.Maybe my version isn't exact, but the result was still delicious. And you can't beat a recipe that involves three ingredients and still

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-10990782957912056722008-09-14T08:18:00.000-05:002008-09-14T08:18:57.559-05:00

I love cake! I really do.Cake is not something I get to eat very often, so when it's time to eat cake, it has to be special and delicious. I don't get tempted by the cakes in the bakery section at the grocery store. My weakness is the real stuff. The stuff you find in independent bakeries at the corner of some shopping plaza or, better yet, the stuff you make at home.I watched Ina Garten (

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-89678167129190138232008-09-01T17:36:00.000-05:002008-09-01T17:36:14.986-05:00

Homemade bread is something I've always been afraid to try, mostly because I'm worried that I'll end up with something that resembles a brick (in weight and texture). Maybe it was the long weekend that got me relaxed and easy going, but I thought I'd give it a try today. The recipe I used was the one I found on the package of Red Star Quick-Rise Yeast. As you can see from the picture, the end

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-58581227226504042722008-09-01T17:17:00.000-05:002008-09-01T17:17:40.220-05:00

I was recruited this weekend to help cook for a wedding reception in Brandon, MS. Considering the occasion, I was happy to oblige.The happy couple? Brecken & Brooks. Brecken is Garth's younger sister, and Brooks is a guy she met at church. They also happen to teach at the same school in Starkville. We (Howard, Boneda and I) had to smoke about 40 pounds of pork tenderloin and 40 pounds of

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-21620923061307404412008-08-12T18:11:00.000-05:002008-08-12T18:11:06.956-05:00

I'm no stranger to stews, but soups, well, they can be a little intimidating. Stews can be chunky, and you can just throw stuff in the pot and let it simmer long enough so that all the flavors blend. But in general, soup should be silky and smooth and have no chunks. The first time I made tomato basil soup, I didn't strain out the tomato chunks and I was sorry for it. This time, I had learned

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-16483630569451335152008-08-12T17:36:00.000-05:002008-08-12T17:36:30.010-05:00

What a big difference there is in taste between homemade cookies and store-bought refrigerated cookie dough! I am guilty of buying pre-made dough for convenience, but you can't beat the taste of homemade cookies (when you don't confuse baking powder for baking soda in the recipe - I am also guilty of this).This is a quick and easy recipe for homemade cookies. You can certainly substitute

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-33491638815288981192008-07-30T20:48:00.002-05:002008-07-30T20:58:22.913-05:00

I was out picking up parts at a warehouse today, and one of the counter guys, Eric, gave me a lollipop. So nice of him! Anyway, I wasn't quite ready to eat it yet so I popped it in my pocket and saved it for later.A little later, I pulled the lollipop out of my pocket and was about to take off the wrapper to enjoy the sweet taste of fake watermelon flavor when I discovered that the lollipop was

Karennoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-75976845294123552682008-07-30T20:33:00.002-05:002008-07-30T21:11:46.427-05:00

My friend, Ange, gave me this Rival Seal-a-Meal vacuum food sealer as a gift last week, and I was really excited to try it out. I think within 3 minutes of her leaving my house I was hunting down something to seal. I'd never had a vacuum sealer before, so I was curious to find out how easy or hard, how useful or worthless this gadget would be.The set-up is pretty easy. The Seal-a-Meal comes with

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-81982993592858397662008-07-30T20:24:00.000-05:002008-07-30T20:24:55.662-05:00

I found a great recipe for a marinade to make a mixed grill.I marinated chicken breast, bell peppers, and corn in this marinade. I grilled the sausage as is because smoked sausage is delicious as it is.Marinade:Juice of 5 lemons2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley3 garlic clovescrushed red pepper flakessaltI marinated the chicken in a bag separate from the vegetables and marinated them for about an

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-4536818830494647452008-07-30T20:21:00.001-05:002008-07-30T21:20:00.897-05:00

This is a dish that I can't remember having for the first time. If you asked my sister or me to make this for you, we wouldn't have to break out the recipe book (although I did cheat and call my mom to ask her how much water to use). Sticky rice is something that was always around when our grandparents in Taiwan would have people over. And even after we moved here, my mom would always make this

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-54009582649082983962008-07-29T08:13:00.000-05:002008-07-29T08:14:03.076-05:00

I found this recipe in my BHG 2005 Annual Recipes book. 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin1/2 c sugar4 cups ginger ale1 tbsp lemon juice2 cups blueberries (or blackberries)2 cups small whole strawberries (halved)In a medium saucepan, stir together gelatin and sugar. Add 1 cup of ginger ale.Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes or till gelatin dissolves.Remove from heat. Slowly

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-56546840072249022632008-07-19T07:51:00.001-05:002008-07-19T07:55:14.370-05:00

You ever get the craving for American Chinese food? I say "American" because I don't think my family in Taiwan would recognize this dish. It's food, nonetheless, and I got a craving for Sesame Chicken this week. lf you're planning on making this dish, there are just a few things you might want to check your pantry for before you get started.Cornstarch isn't something everyone has on hand, so make

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-6836369561779238782008-07-18T09:33:00.001-05:002008-07-18T09:35:00.771-05:00

Yes, I said "Dorito Casserole!" This is one of those indulgences that you can have once, maybe twice, a year. Let's just say I'm not going to calculate the calories on this dish. (It's worth it, though!)I was lucky enough to have my nephew, Charles, stay with us for 11 days. We made Dorito casserole one night, though I really should say he made Dorito casserole one night, after a long day of

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-88804723621344651892008-07-12T07:58:00.000-05:002008-07-12T07:58:58.472-05:00

Now here's a good idea: throw some chicken quarters and some sausage in a spicy mustardmarinade and bake it till it's ready! That's pretty much what this dish is. Here's the recipe for the marinade I used (from Nigella Feasts):1 large onion, cut into eighths1/2 cup olive oil2 teaspoons English mustard1 tablespoon dried sageFreshly ground black pepper1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce1 lemon I put

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-40402225801125717262008-07-02T09:49:00.000-05:002008-07-02T09:49:19.251-05:00

Jambalaya, how I love thee! Versatility, thine tendency to be spicy, and thine acknowledgement of my frugality have fostered my ocean-deep love for thee.So I'm not a poet. But I do love Jambalaya. What's not to love? Sausage? Check. Tomatoes? Check. Spiciness? Check. And the fact that you can pair jambalaya with rice or pasta or the fact that jambalaya only gets better as a leftover? Come

Karennoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-46103705602442883952008-07-02T09:01:00.000-05:002008-07-02T09:02:07.099-05:00

Do you ever get the feeling that you share a "psychic" connection with your family members? Ok, so I'm not really psychic, but maybe Nicole (my niece who happens to be a year older than me) might be. I got a message/request from Nicole yesterday about a peach cobbler we used to make when we lived together. It just so happens that I made that cobbler last week. So now you all know I am a

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-8646344946993843122008-06-21T15:58:00.000-05:002008-06-21T15:59:03.599-05:00

Can you tell I like baking? I like this recipe because it uses ricotta cheese. I modified this recipe from a basic muffin recipe I found; instead of using sour cream, I used ricotta because that's all I had. The substitution made for a denser muffin, which is ok with me. If you like yours a little fluffier, don't use ricotta or sour cream. Use 2 sticks of butter instead or use plain yogurt (

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-31002543775140054542008-06-21T15:49:00.001-05:002008-07-30T21:15:08.181-05:00

Spring rolls are easy to make and even easier to eat; you just want to make sure you have the proper ingredients. More specifically, you want to make sure you get the right wrapper for your roll. Look for a large plastic package, about the size of a dinner plate, that specifically says "Spring Roll Skin." It's usually made with tapioca flour, so if you're not sure, just look at the ingredient

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-32442333166163428022008-06-18T19:09:00.000-05:002008-06-18T19:09:17.617-05:00

The thought of making my own fruit Newtons got in my head, and once an idea like that gets stuck in that noggin, there's nothing I can do except try to execute the idea before I can think of much else. I don't think these turned out anything like a fruit Newton, but I still consider it a success. By that, I mean that they were delicious and I ate them all and didn't want to give any away.I

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-67150611160499954292008-06-06T20:38:00.000-05:002008-06-06T20:38:29.862-05:00

This is what I had for breakfast today. Yes, I am gloating.Potato Hash2 large potatoes, peeled and diced3 strips of bacon, diced1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped finely3-4 oz smoked sausage, dicedeggs (however many you want)green onions, choppedsalt and pepper to tasteTo speed things up a bit, I diced the potatoes and popped them in the oven for about 3 minutes while I rendered the fat on my bacon

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-85121518828577888182008-06-01T18:10:00.000-05:002008-06-01T18:10:44.054-05:00

I've always heard of people doing this but I never ventured to try it myself. The thought of putting a piece of wood on a grill and expecting not to have a fire escaped me. I took the plunge, however, and tried it this weekend. I have to say that I was quite pleased with what transpired.I took a cedar plank (a Christmas present from 2 years ago) and soaked it for about 6 hours. The house

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-24518441405731420802008-06-01T17:50:00.000-05:002008-06-01T17:50:26.355-05:00

On our second day of smoking, we smoked turkey breast, baby back ribs, rib tips, smoked sausage , and a brisket. It's almost unnecessary to say much more because the pictures really say it all. Using the same rub we used on the chicken wings, we prepared the various meats and smoked away.The smoked sausage was ready almost as soon as it was in, the ribs took about 2 1/2 hours, the turkey

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-12266889947587767882008-05-28T16:18:00.001-05:002008-05-28T16:34:20.899-05:00

While many of you were out grilling this past holiday weekend, I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi, having a culinary adventure. Nowhere, MS, otherwise known to me as Carthage, MS is where some of the boyfriend's family is, and it is always a treat to go. Jackson is close, but far away enough that each and every star can be seen from the carport (carports are standard issue in MS).

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-79222207148571549282008-05-21T17:33:00.000-05:002008-05-21T17:34:03.198-05:00

Beans, beans...I love beans. I also love rice (I can't help it, I'm Chinese). . I really like cooking my own beans because it reminds me of my dad, so I bought 6 bags of all sorts of beans, and this is the first recipe I've made with them. And since I love beans and rice, well, that's what I made:For the beans:1 bag small red beans2 tsp canola oil2 cloves garlic1/2 cup chopped yellow onion4-6

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-20171001357752156592008-05-14T22:09:00.001-05:002008-05-14T22:10:35.263-05:00

I'm not going to lie. Phyllo dough scares me. It's so thin and delicate, and these are adjectives that I would definitely not use to describe myself. But I ran across a recipe for samosas and they looked really interesting, so I had to try it, even though the recipe called for Phyllo dough. Only after I made these samosas did I discover that samosas are traditionally made with a much thicker

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-89548705511866443762008-05-08T15:57:00.000-05:002008-05-08T15:57:39.715-05:00

I love spinach. I don't even mind the weird feeling it leaves on your teeth when you eat it raw. I remember running across a spinach and orzo recipe somewhere, sometime ago, and I happened to have some of both, but not enough of each to make a full side dish out of only one. (Was that a confusing sentence?)This is what I came up with, and this is not really a recipe with measures and

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-41522560594020320322008-05-08T15:46:00.000-05:002008-05-08T15:46:48.159-05:00

I am the proud mother of twenty basil plants (grown from seed) and two red ripe tomatoes (grown from a purchased plant.)Happy Mothers' Week to me!

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-23682971004172907702008-05-05T11:29:00.000-05:002008-05-05T11:29:37.347-05:00

I like cheese. A lot. When I worked at the Mill (in Birmingham), there was a soup that was made every day called Cheddar Ale. I loved this soup so much, I really could not get enough of it. Unfortunately, I didn't ever see the cooks make the soup, so I couldn't tell you what was in it except beer and cheese. I found an Emeril recipe, and I replicated it (mostly), but I'll tell you now it was

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-80902497157208880412008-05-02T18:25:00.000-05:002008-05-02T18:25:25.090-05:00

I've been slacking on just about everything that doesn't have to do with work this week. I was too lazy to go to the grocery store last Sunday, and I decided it wouldn't hurt to get rid of some of the food we already have in the pantry and in the freezer. That usually translates into casseroles. I had plenty of frozen chicken breast and peas in the freezer, and there's always pasta in the

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-63356286989456955052008-04-21T08:05:00.000-05:002008-04-21T08:05:14.523-05:00

Sometimes simplicity is the best policy.Gruyere and Mushroom Pizza1 lb pizza dough, thawed¾ cup Gruyere cheese, shredded¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded10-12 button mushrooms, sliced1 clove garlic, minced1 tbsp olive oilsalt and pepper to tasteAllow the pizza dough to almost reach room temperature. This will allow you to roll out a large thin crust.Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.Roll the pizza

Karennoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-15260726101400627582008-04-21T07:24:00.000-05:002008-04-21T07:24:21.374-05:00

I love tacos. Maybe it's because I don't like being told what to do that tacos agree with me. With a taco, there are no set rules about what you can and can't use as filling. If you only have beans and cheese, have a bean taco. If you want to make a fish taco, there is no cookbook out there telling you that you can't (well, if there is, don't read it.) The point is that you can put nearly

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-5392619741982564902008-04-20T20:10:00.000-05:002008-04-20T20:10:37.975-05:00

"Pico de gallo" means "rooster's beak."???Anyway, I love pico de gallo especially around this time when the weather is warming up, the avocados are in season, and it's too hot to cook inside. Here's my recipe:Pico de Gallo2 large ripe tomatoes, diced2 tbsp chopped cilantro¼ cup chopped red onion1-2 tbsp chopped fresh jalapeno2 ripe avocados, dicedJuice of one limesaltCombine all ingredients,

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-19332935059239343592008-04-20T14:50:00.000-05:002008-04-20T14:50:29.565-05:00

A craving for chocolate can only be remedied by chocolate. If that isn't already a scientific fact, it should be. Far be it from me to defy my new law of science to resist chocolate when only chocolate will do. This is my first attempt at chocolate mousse, and what I learned is that you must have everything close by and ready, and you must have patience.Chocolate Mousse3 oz bittersweet

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-11823440016161254652008-04-20T14:40:00.000-05:002008-04-20T14:41:04.523-05:00

Sometimes you just need barbecued chicken, but Rudy's BBQ and Dreamland BBQ are both too far away.This recipe uses the slow cooker, which means that you don't have to do much work. And because the chicken is cooked in barbecue sauce, the end result is a deliciously tender chicken sandwich. Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches2 chicken breasts, with skin and bone2 chicken thighs, with skin and bone1 1/2

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-61541196095818632432008-04-13T13:58:00.002-05:002008-04-13T14:03:00.444-05:00

I found a recipe for grilled pork tenderloin with pineapple salsa, but I didn't think I would like the rub very much, and the chutney looked iffy. So I chucked the recipe and made my own. I think it was a success, especially the spice rub which was very spicy. And the pork came out tender and juicy - I don't think I've ever had such juicy pork in my life! From now on, pork loin at our house will

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-79150234176220142422008-04-12T17:04:00.000-05:002008-04-12T17:04:31.417-05:00

The basil have grown so much that I had to thin them out and move them to more cups (which now take up one half of my bedroom windowsill.) There are two sets of true leaves, and if smell could come in miniature form, that is what these little basil would smell like. I don't know how to explain that any further except that these leaves look and smell like mini basils.The tomatoes have also grown

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-27655757807749229062008-04-12T16:56:00.000-05:002008-04-12T16:56:43.284-05:00

The boyfriend said I needed more desserts, and the first thing that came to mind was this strawberry napoleon. The first time I had this was at a restaurant where I worked, The Mill Cafe, and I just thought the simplicity of the flavors was so fantastic, it became my favorite dessert. I haven't had one since I was last there almost four years ago. The most difficult part about this dessert is

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-70461330103841140742008-04-04T16:05:00.000-05:002008-04-04T16:06:09.665-05:00

Ahhh...shrimp. Allow me a moment to extol on your virtues. In addition to your versatility, your benefits include providing the eater with Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and niacin. Not to mention that a 3 oz serving of you is a mere 84 calories, nearly half that of a 3 oz serving of chicken (156 cal). Add some tomatoes and tomato sauce and you're talking about a dish that is not only good

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-24142587098395373462008-04-01T11:53:00.001-05:002008-04-01T11:58:28.489-05:00

Being the daughter of a botanist, I would expect that I'd be a little better at growing things. I have good intentions but a short attention span. I have been more patient with my plants lately, and I've surprised myself on how much better (relatively speaking) the indoor plants have been growing, so I thought I'd give herb and vegetable gardening a try. I'm growing basil from seeds, and this

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-65564607605115185542008-04-01T11:41:00.000-05:002008-04-01T11:41:29.852-05:00

I've always been reluctant to make chicken cacciatore. It could be because the recipes that I had seen for the dish just seemed to sound like they would taste like chicken and tomatoes. But when I saw Giada make this recipe on Everyday Italian with capers and white wine, I was sold! I modified the recipe because I forgot to pick up white wine (and it was great without it so that's what the recipe

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-1951589098697555032008-03-30T16:14:00.002-05:002008-03-30T16:16:22.493-05:00

I know, I know. I've already done a frittata, but that was with potatoes. I'd never done one with pasta before, and since we had spaghetti on Friday night and I cooked too many noodles (as usual), I thought I'd use up the leftovers in a frittata. This was inspired by Spaghetti alla Carbonara (yum!) There is always a bag of frozen peas in the freezer, and we always have bacon, eggs, and cheese, so

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-28426624562892042642008-03-30T15:52:00.001-05:002008-03-30T16:17:31.973-05:00

I've always loved muffaletta (I pronounce it "muh-fuh-LET-ah"), but I was always afraid of screwing up the tapenade. There's a pretty fine line between good tapenade and way-too-salty tapenade. It can't be too bland because it's a big element of the muffaletta, but it can't be too salty because it'll overpower the meats and cheeses. I found (and modified) this recipe for tapenade. It was just

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-48507210066741189242008-03-27T13:01:00.000-05:002008-03-27T13:02:00.074-05:00

I found this recipe in Prevention magazine. When I got my first issue, my boyfriend said, why do you have an old-people magazine? I didn't realize that Prevention is mostly for people over 50 until I started looking at the ads inside. Some examples: Women's Ultra Mega 50 plus, vitamins for aging well; Poise Ultra Thins for bladder control; Enablex for reducing bladder leaks. Don't get me wrong

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-88669875553761925732008-03-18T20:12:00.002-05:002008-03-18T20:22:20.366-05:00

I modified a recipe I saw from Ellie Krieger for whole wheat pastry to use for this savory dish. The filling was inspired by an Everyday Italian recipe. I actually like the whole wheat for the pastry because it adds a nutty flavor to the tart and it holds up well against the moisture from the filling. I added Worcestershire because I used only button mushrooms which lack the meatier flavor of

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-35839008379709685512008-03-18T16:05:00.002-05:002008-03-18T16:16:59.594-05:00

I was one of the hosts for a friend's baby shower this past weekend, and I decided to make some appetizers. I happened to have all the ingredients necessary for a recipe I found in the Better Homes and Gardens Annual Recipes (2005), so I decided these would be the perfect addition to the food at the shower. This recipe has been slightly modified from the original recipe, which is called Easy

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-19291596936221234182008-03-15T09:14:00.003-05:002008-03-15T09:26:15.300-05:00

Frozen pizza dough from Sam's Club is my friend. I can make focaccia, pizza, cinnamon buns, and this spinach appetizer which I'm making for a baby shower I'm hosting today. I'll post that recipe later. But for this post, I'm talking grilled vegetable pizza. I grilled zucchini, squash, yellow onions, and eggplant on the grill. Super easy - just toss the vegetables, which you'll need to cut

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-84067904787169008942008-03-12T10:33:00.006-05:002008-03-12T10:47:38.821-05:00

I don't like corn-husk wrapped tamales. Call me crazy, but I was spoiled by the tamal vendor in Atlanta. I don't know who they are, but my mom and sister came back from Atlanta one day with about 30 tamales. They were wrapped in banana-leaves and I have been spoiled ever since. And I might have an affinity for bananas in general, thanks to the tropical childhood we lived. The leaves add a

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-23615176481040321992008-03-10T08:07:00.003-05:002008-03-12T10:48:17.374-05:00

I modified a Barefoot Contessa recipe for spaghetti and meatballs to get this version using pappardelle (wide ribbon pasta), turkey and a few different ingredients for the sauce, but the technique is the same. Browning the meatballs gives them a nice flavor, while simmering them helps them stay moist, especially if you're using lean turkey instead of beef. Pappardelle and Turkey Meatballs1 lb

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-86607649887575812192008-03-09T18:42:00.003-05:002008-03-09T19:15:58.058-05:00

My mom used to make something similar to this; really the only difference was that she would flip the frittata in the pan to cook evenly, whereas in this recipe you finish off the cooking in the oven.Bacon Potato Frittata1 Idaho baking potato, diced into small cubes1/2 cup diced yellow onion1 bunch green onions2 tbsp chopped Italian parsley or cilantro (I used cilantro, but parsley is ok too)2

Karennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-36364541790748379262008-03-08T21:09:00.003-06:002008-03-08T21:16:11.838-06:00

In preparation for a baby shower for my friend Mieke (who is due late April), Kim and I made a diaper cake today. I know, right! A cake you can't eat?? What fun is that?? Actually, it was a lot of fun! I got to use a glue gun, something I don't often have a need for. And I got to go buy baby stuff, which is especially fun when it's for a baby whose home is not yours. (Can you tell I'm not ready

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-48318819309967059812008-03-07T07:16:00.004-06:002008-03-07T07:41:03.454-06:00

When I was working at the Mill, a restaurant in Birmingham's Southside, I had two favorite dishes. Well, I liked lots of things there, but if I had to pick just one, I'd go with Basil Chicken Fettucine. I think I ate that dish at least once a week during my first year of working there. I was a basil chicken fettucine eating fool. Anyhow, I was making my menu for the week, and something made me

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-43388545677217964632008-02-28T09:41:00.003-06:002008-02-28T09:52:44.864-06:00

I have 3 packages of phyllo dough in my freezer. I'm not sure why, but they're there. So I figured I'd try to make some baklava. I bought some walnuts and honey at the store, and I was ready to get started. Yeah, I know, they look delicious, but they weren't.My first mistake: not enough layers.Second mistake: not enough brown sugarThird mistake: I thought I would substitute some chopped dates for

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-37552640491222777942008-02-28T09:21:00.004-06:002008-02-28T09:38:14.148-06:00

...if what ails you is a cold, a sore throat, a stopped-up nose...you get what I'm saying. Well that's what is ailing me - I guess I picked up a bug from someone a few days ago. When I was lucky enough to have my mom around to take care of me when I got sick, she would make us this (ancient Chinese!) recipe to help me feel a little better. So whenever I catch a cold, I make it for myself.1 sweet

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-43162822261464204672008-02-24T12:53:00.004-06:002008-02-24T13:02:45.118-06:00

I have a few rules about the meals I make for my customers. They have to, at the very least:1. Taste great2. Be healthy3. Be easy to reheat4. Incorporate protein, starch, and vegetables5. Be as appealing to the eye as it is to the mouthI think this recipe for orzo-stuffed bell peppers really fits the bill:½ cup orzo4 bell peppers – any color you prefer ( I like assorted colors)½ lb ground

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-48447033564572951562008-02-24T10:44:00.003-06:002008-02-24T11:21:04.172-06:00

I'm typing this, and I'm already giggling about how envious my sister is going to be when she sees what I had for breakfast!We were lucky to have a very "international" childhood. We spent a lot of time in Costa Rica, Taiwan, and the Philippines. I remember being a kid and going out for the day with my sister and my mom in Taipei, but before we started running whatever errands had to be run, my

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-14645897732723251472008-02-21T12:27:00.006-06:002008-02-21T12:45:30.974-06:00

One of our friends, Forrest, has been talking about chili lately. His office is having a chili cook-off. Since it's a little cold today, and I've had chili on my mind, I made chili for lunch.The funny thing about chili is that everyone I know who already has a recipe for chili is most likely not going to change that recipe. I did, however, try something different today, and I think it's a keeper.

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-11515450110668146022008-02-19T19:30:00.005-06:002008-02-21T12:46:14.331-06:00

I was at Central Market in Fort Worth the other day, just browsing my favorite section of the store: the bulk foods section.I could spend an hour in this area. They offer dried fruits, flours, beans, candies, spices, coffee, rice, and pasta. It's like the Jelly Belly section at Target but for adults (though I like to spend time at the Jelly Belly section too). Anyway, I bought some dried cherries

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-55631404872513342102008-02-19T19:26:00.003-06:002008-02-19T19:30:13.878-06:00

Grilled Lemon ChickenMarinade:3 lemons, halved and juiced5 cloves garlic5-6 sprigs rosemary, leaves only and roughly chopped½ cup olive oil4-5 lbs chicken (breast or thighs) with skinMix the marinade ingredients together. Toss chicken in a large gallon bag; you’ll probably need two. Pour marinade and lemon halves in the bag. Mix well to cover the chicken. Marinate for up to 4 hours.Turn grill on

Karennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-53209189242281130632008-02-17T12:30:00.002-06:002008-02-17T12:41:26.480-06:00

Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Sandwiches½ recipe of Homemade Rosemary Focaccia or 1 round store-bought focaccia4 oz goat cheese4 oz neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese), softened to room temperature1 jar roasted red peppers4 oz spring mix lettuceCut focaccia in half (through the middle of the loaf so that you end up with a top and a bottom half).Place the bread, cut side up, on a cookie sheet

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-88097976010199634712008-02-17T11:56:00.003-06:002008-02-19T19:42:26.669-06:00

Disclaimer: This was an experiment. Ingredients6 dried Calimyrna figs, trimmed of the stems and cut in half3 tbsp honey1 rosemary sprig, leaves only1 oz prosciutto (cut into six squares)1 oz goat cheese1/3 puff pastry sheetPreheat oven to 400 degrees F.In a small pan, heat honey and rosemary until the mixture thins a little. Add the figs and heat through so that the figs soak up the honey and

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-51975332098560352832008-02-17T11:32:00.002-06:002008-02-17T11:54:31.255-06:00

Salmon Cakes6 3oz filets of salmon, cooked and flaked or 1 can (16 oz) salmon½ red bell pepper, diced into small cubes½ green bell pepper, diced into small cubes1 bunch green onion, diced¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley4 slices white bread1 tbsp mayonnaise4 tbsp Miracle Whip1 tbsp Dijon mustard1 tsp lemon zestsalt & peppercanola oilUsing a food processor, process the bread into small crumbs.In a

Karennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4269437662058010351.post-23097348482794415552008-02-15T11:30:00.009-06:002008-02-15T12:24:29.762-06:00

I know I'm starting out with something easy, but it's so delicious! I can't help it. And it just looks beautiful. How could you possibly go wrong with simple, healthy, and elegant? The terms "roasting" and "baking" both refer to the process of surrounding food with dry, heated air in a closed environment. Heat is transferred to the food's surface by convection; the food is then penetrated by

Karennoreply@blogger.com0