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Cooking is the Spice in My LifeRecipes Tried and True and a Dash of This and That
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Helpful Cooking Terms and Tips
A list of quizzes to test your cooking skills and knowledge of cooking terms. Have fun with it.....
cookbooks
Hot new items for the kitchen and ways for cooking
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Cooking Quotes and HumorBaking Lady Just a little humor to put a smile on your face. Some of these quotes you may be able to identify with. I know that # 3 speaks to my heart, while # 5 seems to be my fate every time I do bake pies. There were many times when I was married that # 11 applied to my way of thinking. Now that I'm older I still enjoy the compliments but do not mind the solitude of cleaning up the kitchen afterward. Don't get me wrong I enjoy company while doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, it's just not as important now to have some one share that duty. Number 17 is something I'm always grateful for and always pray for when someone else is doing the cooking. I had to laugh when I read # 21, because this one really applies to me. I just don't feel like I'm cooking if I'm not making a mess. My favorite cross stitch piece has this saying on it and has hung in my kitchens somewhere for over twenty years. I guess that it why I also like # 14 so much. I have to admit that I had a laugh attack when I read # 41. It's sad to say that a lot of the of younger generations can truly relate to this one. My daughter use to think that fast food was a major food group when she first moved out on her own. That's not something she learned from me either. I'm thankful that since the boys have come along her way of thinking has changed.
 Whimsical Food Sculpture Art I have always been fascinated by food sculpture art. I have never been able to do it; I guess I just do not have the skill to perform it. I am amazed and in awe of those that can do it. How many of you can sculpt food or even do cake decorating? If you are able to perform this art form KUDOS to you and I am in awe of your skills.
Years ago I worked with a man that could sculpt food and every now and then he would surprise us with one of his sculptures. They were beautiful. It's a shame I didn't take pictures.
I found some awesome photos of food sculptures that I wanted to share with you. I think you too will be awe struck by these.   
Chicken and More Chicken for new recipes for chicken. The new cookbook I mentioned in yesterdays blog has
many
recipes for chicken and I'm lovin that. I'm posting two that I haven't
tried yet but rest assured I will be. They are simple and sound
delish... As I mentioned in yesterdays blog the name brand ingredients
mentioned in the recipes do not have to be used. Use the brand of that
ingredient that you normally use or have on hand. Cooking should never
be a drudgery or just a chore. So enjoy and have fun with these
recipes. Chicken Puttanesca-Style
Makes 4 servings: 
In a large skillet heat olive oil and brown chicken over medium heat. Remove chicken and set aside and drain. Add onion and vinegar to skillet and cook over medium heat stirring occasionally; about 3 minutes. Stir in pasta sauce and return chicken to skillet. Simmer 25 minutes covered or until chicken is completely cooked through. Stir in olives and capers and heat through. Serve over rice or pasta and garnish with fresh parsley. Chicken Tuscany: Makes 6 Servings  Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash and pat dry potatoes and cut in to 1/8 inch thick slices. Toss potatoes and mushrooms with 2 1/2 tblsps.olive oil and 2 tbles. cheese, 2tblsps. garlic, 2 tblsps. rosemary and salt and pepper to taste. In a 13x9 inch baking dish arrange potatoes and mushrooms and top with remaining cheese. Bake 15 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned: set aside. In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat remaining oil and add chicken. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and add remaining 1 tsps. of rosemary and garlic. Cook chicken until browned on both sides for 5-6 minutes. ( do not crowd the pan, if necessary brown chicken in 2 batches. Arrange chicken on top of potatoes and mushrooms and sprinkle with any remaining oil from skillet. Bake 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Serve with your favorite salad. Kitchen Open:Rigatoni Salad I know that I promised I would reopen my kitchen earlier this week, but things have been hectic around here and I have not really had time to visit anyone or post anything. Dad has been having problems since several days after he came home. Several days after returning home his blood presure started to sky rocket and his ankles started swelling. Until last night he hasn't slept through the night or been able to rest during the day. Mom is truly exhausted. She hasn't had a good nights sleep since before dad went in hospita, until last night. She looks very haggard and worn out. I have been very concerned for her health also. Dad seems to be feeling better this morning and did sleep pretty much through the night last night. He too has not had a full nights sleep in over a week. My sister and I have been doing what we can or what my parents will allow us to do. They are both very stubborn and still look upon their children as "CHILDREN". I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
I did take some time last night to down load some of my favorite recipes from one of my recently purchased cookbooks. Some of the recipes in this cookbook I tried last time on the boat and the guys really liked them. This cookbook has recipes using named brand items that I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Thus the title of the cookbook; "Favorite Brand Name Italian Cooking". I did not use the ones listed in the recipes but what I had on hand and it turned out very well.
I've posted a salad recipe that makes me feel like it really is Spring. I do a lot of salads at home and on the boat and love them. I try to make things that I know those pickey towboaters will eat. I've yet to meet to many people that do not like some type of pasta. So if the pasta in this recipe is not to your liking then use your favorite. The thing about a recipe is you can make it your own.
God bless you my friends and thank you for all of your kind words, support and prayers. I have not forgotten you. I ask that you continue to keep my family in your prayers.~Love and Hugs~Marilyn~
Rigatoni Salad: 
Yield: Makes about 8 servings
Ingredients:
Preparation:12 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta, cooked 1 to 2 cups chopped greens, such as arugula, frisée or any crisp lettuce 1 package (10 ounces) frozen snow peas or sugar snap peas, thawed 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, cut into halves 1 medium red or yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips 1/2 red onion, cut into thin strips 1/3 cup sliced black olives 1/3 to 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1. Combine all ingredients except cheese in large salad bowl. Toss gently to mix and coat all ingredients. Sprinkle with cheese.
Note:
Vary the amounts of each ingredient according to your taste. Substitute
steamed green beans (whole or cut) for the peas or add steamed, sliced
carrots, zucchini or yellow squash. Finally Home:Happy Easter I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and kind comments. I truly appreciate all of you and thankful that God has blessed me with friends such as you. Your prayers, thoughts and support have bolstered not only myself but my family during the last week. God has truly blessed my family in so many ways during this time and we are very thankful.
Dad finally came home yesterday. He is so happy to be home and so is mom. Maybe now both of them can get some rest and dad will be able to recooperate faster. He is still experiencing pain with bladder spasms, but his strength is starting to return and that is important. He's starting to get really feisty and very impatient; he's on the mend........ It will be several weeks before he starts the chemo. Dr. wants to let him get over this as much as possible before he starts it. He will have to have chemo once a week for six weeks. Before they start the chemo though the dr. wants to scope dad and see just how far up in the tube tfrom the bladder to the kidney the one tumor he removed part of goes and if there are anymore. We are praying that there aren't and that they have not gone into the kidney. If there are any in his kidney they will have to remove the kidney. I am feeling positive that they have not gone into the kidney and I have put all of this in the Lords hands; He is the Great Physician.
I hope all of you are having a blessed Easter. I found this beautiful poem that I hope fills you with much joy and spiritually uplifts you. God revealed to me this past week why this happened to dad. It is time for my family to draw even closer to one another and also to the Lord. He wants us to be more appreciative of one another and not take each other for granted or the time we have here on this earth. We are a close family, but many times we each allow life to distract us and we do not always focus on what is truly important at times. God showed me that we may not have dad much longer, only God knows how long He will allow us to be a whole family before He calls dad home. The Lord wants us to not only prepare ourselves for this, but to truly understand and appreciate how precious our loved ones are and to have peace about it when the time comes. As we all know, life is precious and should be lived as each day is our last.
My dad for the several years has become a hermit and sometimes we all feel that he is just sitting and waiting for the Lord to come take him. So this epiphany is not just for me but for my whole family, especially my dad. My prayer is that dad will become more active and that my family will make more time to come together as a whole family so that we will not have any regrets when when the Lord does call one of us home.
I pray you are all having a blessed Easter and will be able to be with your family today. The kitchen will reopen this coming week. Thank you again sweet friends for being there for me and all of your prayers. I do ask that you continue to lift my whole family up in prayer. God bless you~Love and Hugs~Marilyn~
Easter Joy
Jesus came to earth,
Then He set about His work,
He could have saved Himself,
Our Lord died on Good Friday,
Now we know our earthly death,
So we live our lives for Jesus,
By Joanna Fuchs |
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