You know when it's good to have some things always in the fridge or the pantry that you can count on being there so you can whip up some goodness if you need it? That's this kinda recipe. With those kinda ingredients. I tasted this at a neighbors some time ago and I nearly died it was SO good. I said WHAT IS IT? And when she told me how simple it was, my jaw dropped. So I'm passing this goodness on to you. Kinda like Grandma's old recipe? … [Read more...]
In the Kitchen: Sugared Bacon
I made this TO DIE FOR side dish over the holidays, and all I can say is my family was like OOOMMMMGGGGG... like NON STOP, licking their fingers, and I couldn't make more of it fast enough. Let's face it. I don't know why all things bacon seem to be hot, but they are. Bacon in this, bacon in that. I had THE most amazing Candied Bacon Cinnamon Roll with Maple Icing at Cafe 501 this fall... and I mean to tell you... ya... um... ya. … [Read more...]
Light White Chicken Chili
Cold days are here and there isn't anything better than coming home to a pot full of comfort food, something filling and warm, and something healthy. I'm a huge chili lover. So tonight I decided to make a light chicken chili for the gang. It was pretty easy, and I made if from scratch. INGREDIENTS 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 4 cups chicken stock 1 clove garlic, minced 1 medium onion, diced 1 (15-ounce) … [Read more...]
Taquitos
Say what? Um ya, taquitos. Not the frozen kind. But I made them to be LIKE the frozen kind so that we could have a little snack ready to go when we wanted something like that, but not the frozen ones. I donno what got into me that I was kinda craving them, but ya. I remember seeing my friend Dora make them years ago, but I had totally forgotten, so I literally just kinda thought of what it might be to myself and did it. Hoping for the … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Pie Whip Dip
Tis the season for comfort food and fall foods. First thing I think of is pumpkin. Pumpkin this, pumpkin that, so I decided to whip up my own concoction as I so often do, totally experimental mind you, and it was a hit. I call it my Pumpkin Pie Whip Dip. Why? Well, it's kinda like pumpkin pie, I whipped it up, and it's a dip.... pretty complicated, right? The best part, seriously, I wanna say it's like almost 0 points if you're a Weight … [Read more...]
Crockpot Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Thanks to my new favorite source of things to cook, Pinterest provided me with a YUMMY recipe for dinner this week. I can't take credit for this recipe..... I only pinned it. Some awesome chic created this. And I forgot to take pics until after I served up one whole tenderloin and said to myself, "self, these peeps GOTTA try this!".... and it was then that I grabbed my camera. Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed … [Read more...]
No Carb Spaghetti
Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram, I broke down and bought yet ANOTHER "As Seen On TV" item. I hate to admit I'm a sucker for those things, and if it claims to help me lose weight, shrink my thighs, make yummy food, you'll bet I'm owning it. And because of my love of pasta and Italian delights, even though I'm not Italian (close enough), I purchased the {drumroll please...... } Veggetti. This little hand held … [Read more...]
RECIPE: Beeftekia aka Greek Beef Patties
Sometimes I think I've done a huge disservice to my family by raising my kids to eat their food groups in such a way that THAT is the way we eat around here all the time if I want to cook the same thing for everyone. It's not bad thing, but it does limit me because they won't eat the fruffy things, the casseroles, the crock pot things (rarely). ... all of which that I just mentioned would make MY life as mama bear a heck of a lot easier when … [Read more...]
Lemon Berry Dessert
It's that time of year when all things around us are Red, White and Blue (if you're in the U.S. … I know some of you reading this aren't!)… and what perfect time to celebrate with something easy to whip up that's yummy AND easy AND light with a red, white and blue flair. This is something I make often, for guests as well as for my family. And it's something that I've thrown together as I do so many of my cooking delights. Some not always so … [Read more...]
Spinach Chips
I have seen kale chips mentioned lots on healthy boards and on recipe posts and even for sale in bags at the store. But I haven't seen as much on spinach… unless I really never took the time to look! … Ok, I haven't. But when I was at the store last week, of course I had on my "I'm going to kick a** and only eat healthy stuff" hat on (you know what I'm talking about, and then it all fails when the fam says let's go out for burgers? lol!!)… I … [Read more...]
Jello Fat Free Whipped Delight
I've told you before of my past involving Weight Watchers. I was a leader and coached people to lose weight. I gave them tips, hints, encouragement, ideas, mental strategies, advice and recipes. Foods were measured in points and things with ZERO points were always top on my list. This little concoction is something I created and was one of those top on my list. And believe me, once you try it, you'll see for yourself, you don't have to be a … [Read more...]
Sopapilla Cheesecake
On the morning after Cinco de Mayo, it does seem that this is coming a day late. However, I was a bit too excited with yesterday's news I was sharing, AND I thought I might let you recover from all of your margaritas and tacos. Today I'm sharing with you something I learned at camp. Yes. At camp. Last week. Not a peace song, Not a new secret handshake. This. This was the VERY last piece of Sopapilla … [Read more...]
S’mores Waffles
You read that right. S'mores waffles. I didn't come up with this one. Actually, I heard this at the salon last week as I was getting my hair cut and colored (and as my mom would say as I was growing up, "I heard it at the beauty shop!"). The gal next to me was saying she was at the Arts Council Festival of the Arts the night before and had the MOST amazing s'mores waffles. My ears PERKED up. I'm like whaaaaaaaaa? ya. I said, "sorry not … [Read more...]
Semi-Homemade Greek Pork Chops and Potatoes
This was a little din din I whipped up the other night, and as you all know, I seriously just throw stuff together, with no measuring, just whatever. I think it's how I was raised, watching my mom add a little of this, a little of that, understanding what seasonings compliment each other, and what don't. So, I roll with it. And anything that is a homemade meal for my family amidst our chaotic evenings with homework, sports, and events and … [Read more...]
Essentials Shopping Simplified
As I was coming up for the title of my post all I could think of were some key phrases... Calgon Take Me Away Shopping's Best Kept Secret A Lifesaver of a Website Where Were You All This Time .... does that give you any indication as to how wonderful this site has been for me? Am I talking about fabulous shoes? No. Designer purses? Nope. Gorgeous jewelry? Nah. How bout a place that will give me the BEST hair and nail tips? Not … [Read more...]
A Different Kind of Chili
You guys know that I am always OP on trying to make the smartest choices and get the most satisfaction. Because let's face it.... If I'm going to have to eat it, I might as well like it somewhat? Well this is one dish I have served up MANY times, not only to my family, but to many guests in my home. And when I tell them I'm making it, they go NUTS! Chicken Barley Chili. That's right. As odd as it might sound, it's OH so good and OH so … [Read more...]
GNO Mac N Cheese
On a recent girls night out, some of us shared some family traditions. One of the gals shared a SUPER easy and REALLY delish mac-n-cheese that I couldnt help but test for myself, and then of course SHARE with you! She and her family would buy all kinds of fabulous cheeses for "picnic night in" and for guests as well. Whenever they had leftovers, they grated the cheeses, threw em all together, and whipped up this pan of comfort food. Jackie's … [Read more...]
Sweet Mexican Salad
As I hosted my women's networking luncheon today, the main course on the menu was my Green Chili Enchilada Casserole I featured HERE. I needed a side dish or salad to go with it. So, as I do with so many things, I pulled this one out of you know where! HA! Throw this with that and voila.... here is my Sweet Mexican Salad: The goods: Bag of mixed greens Yellow and orange bell peppers, sliced Grape tomatoes Doritos, crushed Pineapple … [Read more...]
4 Ingredient Mexi Chicken
Ok, 5 including the taco seasoning. Now, lemme just tell you guys, I've said it before and I'll say it again. The way I cook, I just throw stuff together, keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. Most of the times it comes out pretty good (I think!). And know this too... I come from an UBER traditional Greek family, where I did not have "casseroles" or anything with "pre made" or processed in it. This isn't a huge processed meal, but it … [Read more...]
Double Baked Potatoes
What's for dinner? Blah blah.. same ole thing... Steak? Chicken? And the sides? French fries, corn on the cob, some pasta thingy? Well, something SUPER easy, that looks pretty fancy that my gang loves is my double baked potatoes. I start with my russet potatoes. ... wash em really good and stab them with a fork about 3 or 4 times each. Then pop them into the microwave for 10 minutes. Slice them in half and then scoop out the … [Read more...]
