Summer is hot, so cooking should be simple to get out of the kitchen quickly. Make ahead is great too, for packing along to watch fireworks, or have fun with family outdoors in the mountains, on a lake, or at the beach. I am running out of time to get in all the ideas I …
Category: Cooking
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Slow cookers are wonderful for making meals while I sew, stamp, or play with my glue gun. I've been using it more in summer than I used to, as it doesn't heat up the kitchen the way the oven does. Recently, reader Deb contacted me to ask what size slow cooker I was using in …
Mid Year Check in on Goals
It is coming up on the halfway point for the year, so it is time to check in with the goals for the year and see how it is going. Actually, pretty well!! The goals post is HERE. Since I am still working on the secret quilting projects, I can't show those just yet. But, …
Taco Salad with a Crispy Baked Shell
With Cinco De Mayo tomorrow, it is a great excuse to eat Mexican food, like I need an excuse, LOL!! One thing about it, though, the fat content can be pretty high. My grandmother and mother used to make tacos by frying the tortillas in oil, and although they were tasty, that method is just …
Asian Broccoli and Cabbage Salad
When we went to an event with the Appalachian Mountains Mini Club, part of the fun was a pot luck meal. Guests were asked to bring side dishes or desserts to go with the pork barbecue the hosts were serving. I thought about what to take for days. I didn't really know anyone, and had …
Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker
Is there anything that says Irish holiday more than corned beef? Well, maybe Irish Stew. But given a choice, I'll take a wonderful, tender, corned beef roast any day. The moist meat has a flavor unlike any other, perfect with cabbage and potatoes. Wonderful for dinner, and great the next day too, it is a …
Zhenzhu Qiu – Asian Pearl Balls
Like many cooks, I am always looking for ways to have flavorful and interesting meals while saving money wherever possible. A few months ago, our local grocery put ground chicken on sale for a ridiculously low price, so I bought 5 pounds, not knowing what I could possibly do with it. That made an opportunity …
Asian Inspired Salad
Warmer days are coming, and temperatures here will be in the high 60s all week this week. I know there will be a freeze before the real spring is here, but for now it is great weather for hiking and being outside. For a lighter meal perfect for warmer days, I have a new salad …
Shumai
Now that you have a lovely Asian Inspired Table, you need some food for it. I have been working on Asian inspired recipes and I have three new ones for you. Today, my take on a Chinese shumai, a steamed dumpling open at the top instead of completely encased in the wrapper. I thought this was …
Appetizer Meals
Are you planning to watch the game on Sunday? Certainly it is a good time for appetizer style meals and serving finger foods that are easy to eat with a variety to keep the menu interesting. It is fun to just graze sometimes, and I have several favorite things to make for football games, racing …
