Toronto…the finale

So I told you I had fun when I was away right?? But unless you follow me on Twitter or on Facebook (Judy Chiappini) you may not know what exactly I was up to… It was a friend of mine’s birthday and he invited me to a party at his house… We had some dips (roasted red pepper and egg plant)… Some marinated and grilled shrimp… Grilled Octopus… Salads… (Photo courtesy of Paula @ Dragon’s Kitchen ) (Photo courtesy of Paula @ Dragon’s Kitchen ) Grilled Pork Belly… Homemade Chicken Gyro’s… with homemade tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions… And then came the cake… You see how lucky I am???? Have you guessed who’s birthday it was yet? Peter @ Kalofagas had a birthday!!! and I got to meet Paula @ The Dragon’s Kitchen And Jasmine @ Confessions of a Cardamom Addict ? photo courtesy of Paula @ Dragon’s Kitchen Can you believe how lucky I was to be invited to this Greek feast?? Peter single handedly prepared and served us all night long.? Paula did make the birthday cake and it is by far one of my all time faves…Lemon Meringue Cake! We were able to meet up with Paula and Peter once again but just for a quick bite to eat after we went to the Science Center to see Harry Potter

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Toronto…the finale

Broccoli & Bacon Quiche

I’ve had several people ask that I post some recipes that feed one or two. The Broccoli & Bacon Quiche that I’ve posted on Martha’s Kitchen Korner is a great one . Now of course, if you double the recipe you can

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Broccoli & Bacon Quiche

Cranberry-Walnut Celebration Bread

So I am running a little bit behind on the BBA challenge but I still feel pretty good with my progress.? This week I made the Cranberry-Walnut Celebration Bread.? Funny thing is I almost skipped this one.? But the girls went back to school this week and I found myself with a couple of free minutes and an empty house.? When I saw that it wasn’t a 2 bread I jumped right in.? I am so glad I did… About the Bread Baker’s Apprentice Group : Nicole of Pinch my Salt sent out a twitter message saying “I need a challenge. Am thinking of baking my way through every single recipe in The Bread Baker’s Apprentice. Anyone want to join me?” Well I jumped right in . Both feet, no thought at all. I think I was one of the first 5 that joined…did I even have the book? Nope but I ordered it that night!!! The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread We are now over 200 strong with members everywhere on the globe. It’s an incredibly enthusiastic group that wants to share like no group I have ever belonged to before. Awesome! Our goal is to bake our way through Peter Reinhart’s The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread. An? intimidating book at anytime but to think that you are going to be baking one of these recipes a week is slightly overwhelming to say the least. But I love a challenge and feel a real need to get out of my comfort zone. Oh yah, I bake all of our bread but I never seem to have the time or the desire to try something new and different. This will change all that!!! I really, like this bread.? I followed the recipe to a tee.? Right down to the huge amount of cranberries and walnuts that went into it. It did take a while to get them all incorporated but with some patient kneading they all fit in. Someone on twitter (so sorry that I forget who!!!) suggested that these would be an…

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Cranberry-Walnut Celebration Bread

Corn Bread for the Bread Baker’s Apprentice

This week (and I am pretty sure I am behind?) I made Corn Bread.? Was I eager to make this…no way.? I even put it off over and over again.? Once I finally got all of the ingredients together I could never remember to do the overnight cornmeal soak.? Then, get this, when I did remember I didn’t have time the next day to make it.? I placed the soaking cornmeal/buttermilk mixture in the fridge and kept hoping for a better day!? About the Bread Baker’s Apprentice Group : Nicole of Pinch my Salt sent out a twitter message saying “I need a challenge. Am thinking of baking my way through every single recipe in The Bread Baker’s Apprentice. Anyone want to join me?” Well I jumped right in . Both feet, no thought at all. I think I was one of the first 5 that joined…did I even have the book? Nope but I ordered it that night!!! The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread We are now over 200 strong with members everywhere on the globe. It’s an incredibly enthusiastic group that wants to share like no group I have ever belonged to before. Awesome! Our goal is to bake our way through Peter Reinhart’s The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread. An? intimidating book at anytime but to think that you are going to be baking one of these recipes a week is slightly overwhelming to say the least. But I love a challenge and feel a real need to get out of my comfort zone. Oh yah, I bake all of our bread but I never seem to have the time or the desire to try something new and different. This will change all that!!! Finally? the eve of the day that I would be able to bake this bread came.? I wanted to be fully prepared so I even cooked up the bacon ahead of time and crumbled it and placed it in the fridge.? The next day I pulled out the cornmeal soak and let it come to room temperature and then prepared the batter.? I decided to cook this in my 10 cast iron skillet.? I like the flavor and the ease that it lends to corn bread.? The only …

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Corn Bread for the Bread Baker’s Apprentice

Cinnamon Rolls from the Bread Baker’s Apprentice

This week was a week I was totally looking forward to.? Not only from the BBA perspective – we were baking cinnamon rolls but also from a personal perspective.? My oldest daughter is a 4th of July baby so the 4th is one of those holidays that is near and dear to my heart.? To add the icing to the cake I was going to make Cinnamon Rolls for her birthday breakfast!!! About the Bread Baker’s Apprentice Group : Nicole of Pinch my Salt sent out a twitter message saying “I need a challenge. Am thinking of baking my way through every single recipe in The Bread Baker’s Apprentice. Anyone want to join me?” Well I jumped right in . Both feet, no thought at all. I think I was one of the first 5 that joined…did I even have the book? Nope but I ordered it that night!!! The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread We are now over 200 strong with members everywhere on the globe. It’s an incredibly enthusiastic group that wants to share like no group I have ever belonged to before. Awesome! Our goal is to bake our way through Peter Reinhart’s The Bread Baker’s Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread. An intimidating book at anytime but to think that you are going to be baking one of these recipes a week is slightly overwhelming to say the least. But I love a challenge and feel a real need to get out of my comfort zone…

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Cinnamon Rolls from the Bread Baker’s Apprentice

Thai Curry Spaghetti Squash

The other night on Facebook, a gal from my gym posted an update that she was making Thai Curry Spaghetti Squash. I instantly got a craving. It seemed like a really unusual pairing but it really hit the spot with me. I love the spice and creaminess of curry…and love even more the health benefits of spaghetti squash. I couldn’t wait to make it. The beauty of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter is the amount of access you have to other people all at once. I posted my need for a Thai Curry recipe and my blogging buddy Ninette from Big Bold Beautiful Food gave me a simple recipe to follow. I luckily had everything I needed on hand. In case you haven’t been over to her blog , you really should. She has an amazing talent of making everything she makes look mouthwatering. She’s always cooking different types of food and you will most definitely leave her site feeling hungry So using some leftover London Broil and vegetables I had in the fridge, I whipped up a delicious coconut curry sauce and served it with spaghetti squash. Craving satisfied. I can’t wait to make this again!! Thank you Ninette!! Thai Curry Spaghetti Squash Recipe inspired by Ninette Enrique, Big Bold Beautiful Food 1 spaghetti squash, cooked and “shredded” 1-2 TB red pepper infused oil or olive oil with pinch of red pepper flakes 1 onion, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced London Broil, sliced thin and cut in small pieces 1 zucchini, quarter chopped 1 squash, quarter chopped 1-2 TB red curry paste 2-3 tsp fish sauce 1 TB brown sugar 1 can lite coconut milk juice of 1 lime 2-3 scallions, chopped chopped

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Thai Curry Spaghetti Squash

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Are you on Twitter? Last week I was introduced to a whole new world of communicating…I’ve had a Twitter account for a while now, but not doing anything with it. I was a little unsure of what Twitter was all about. And if it was as addicting as Facebook, do I really need it in my life? Apparently I did…I am now addicted to Twitter. ( don’t tell my husband… ) So, on Thursday afternoon, I sent out a tweet to all my Twitter friends asking for ideas on what to do with overripe bananas. Immediately, I got two responses from my ever so reliable foodie friends Maria and Dawn …a recipe for Banana Cinnamon Chip Cake and Mama Dip’s Famous Banana Bread . Since I had everything on hand for the cake, I went with that recipe. But my mouth is watering for some of Mama Dip’s Banana Bread so that one is officially bookmarked. I have not been able to find Cinnamon Chips yet…I know I am missing out…so instead I used what I had on hand, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips. You can’t go wrong with PB, chocolate and banana in my book! I love how easy this cake was to make. One bowl!! This is so my kind of baking. And the banana makes it so…

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Beef Tongue, Chili, and Pumpkin Muffins

This was a weekend for cooking. It was cold outside and warm in the kitch en. Since we are getting a side of beef soon, I have to use the other meat I have in the freezer. I decided to make chili and cook a beef tongue. I put that on my Facebook the other day, and it sparked some conversation in the lunchroom on Monday. Most people think beef tongue is gross, and I have to say that the thought is kind of icky. You have to look past the name and just try it. Beef tongue is actually very good. I took several pictures of the tongue from its raw state to its final cooked state. I must say that I really enjoyed the tongue sandwiches that I made for Hubby and me. I used Cibatta bread, Dijon mustard, spinach, and salt. That’s it. Hubby laughed as I prepared the sandwiches for their picture debut, saying that when he grew up all they did was slap tongue and salt between bread and eat. He really enjoyed the sandwiches too. Both boys tried the tongue and they really liked it….really! I was quite surprised. They have the strangest taste in food. The like tongue, pesto, shrimp, steak, pork steak, and of course spagh etti. They aren’t that fond of veggies – it’s l ike pulling teeth sometimes, and the little one doesn’t like apples. But overall they aren’t too bad about food. At least they try things without too much trouble. I also made and canned chili . I often make a large batch of chili to can so that I have it one hand when I want it. On Sunday I made the chili, knowing full well that I didn’t have beans. I said to myself, “Self, you need to get beans on the way home from school tomor row to add to the chili.” And I remembered that. My little one and I ran to the store before we picked up the older one at the skating rink –roller. Anyway, after I got the kids home, I had to get them dinner, get myself dinner and meet a friend. So…….I forgot the beans. The little one looked at me yesterday and said, with his finger pointing at me. “Mommy, don’t forget the beans again, they are the best…

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Beef Tongue, Chili, and Pumpkin Muffins