Saturday, 30 November 2013

Turkey Day Leftovers!




The Thanksgiving dinner was amazing and I couldn't hardly wait to dive my fork in when it was served. TT roasted the moist  and delicious turkey....it was devoured completely! Amy and TT hosted the perfect Thanksgiving dinner! With relatives present, the new focus...the cousins, our Grandchildren. They played and played, with even the youngest getting in on a sing along to "The Wheels on the bus"! We joked how our children have changed, from night clubbing in Cabo San Luca's, when we lived there, to now, diaper stations, early dinners and bedtimes, nursing area's and playing, playing, playing on the floor with everyone! Everyone was laughing and enjoyed the day!

Monday, 25 November 2013

Thanksgiving! We are ready!



Are you hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner this year? Are you freaking out about how you are going to get it all done?


Relax! It's not about putting on the "perfect" dinner party. Remember it's about gathering with family and friends and giving thanks. 


Thursday, 21 November 2013

Pumpkin Creme Brulee!




Crème brûlée is one of my Mother's all-time favorite desserts. Admittedly, it may be more 1980s than 2013, but any custard--especially one topped with a crackly caramelized sugar shell...well, it's sugar and it caramelized, what's not to like? 

Sunday, 17 November 2013

Easy Pumpkin Muffins ~ Figure Friendly!



  Thanksgiving is almost here, and I am loving all the pumpkin, cranberry and apple flavors of the season. The weather has been cold but, relatively dry and the colorful leaves have been eye candy. Pumpkin flavored food has become one of my Fall favorites, however, pumpkin flavored Greek yogurt........not so much! It even sounds weird to me! But, anything else pumpkin...I'm in!

Friday, 15 November 2013

Veal Ragout! Comfort food 101!


Slow cooked or in the oven, this delicious, hearty dish will warm up any Fall or Winter evening!  I served over basmati rice (Wee Bear's favorite) but, you can serve over buttered noodles, mashed potatoes or spaghetti squash...YUM!!

Monday, 11 November 2013

The Great Pizza Smack Down!!


My adult children- Holly (Tink), Dustin (TT) and me!
A few years ago, the Seattle area was a mediocre pizza town, dominated by Domino's and the like.  Fast-forward to the present and suddenly everybody’s a pizza critic and pizza is the subject of rapt attention and furious loyalties!

Friday, 8 November 2013

Southwest Salad with spicy Chipotle dressing


This quick and easy vegetarian and vegan inspired "Southwest Salad" with black bean, corn and avocado, is also gluten free! Sometimes, we are just too busy and have no time to fire up the oven, you just feel like a salad for dinner...done! Today's recipe is just the ticket, it is tasty, healthy and easy to make. For an additional burst of protein, add a little quinoa or for the meat eater a few ounces of chicken. Perfect for a quick lunch or lazy dinner! I just love this dressing, it has just the right amount of kick!

Monday, 4 November 2013

Bigos - Hunter's Stew in a Slow Cooker!




Bigos known as a hunter's stew, is a traditional meat stew, typical of Polish, Lithuanian, Belorussians and Ukrainian cuisine, and is the Polish National dish. I learned to make this in my cooking classes with Eva Kenly in February of 1994. I was taken by this dish the moment I tried it, and wrote on the recipe, "Excellent, must do", I have made this many times since.