Rock Star Recipe 1 & 2

Tomato-Basil Bruschetta

Bucatini All' Amatriciana

Oldies but Goodies!

These are older dishes I made over the course of the last year that I never put up..

I hate to say it but I cant remember what kind of chicken this was...It may have been the sriracha glazed chicken I go on and on about...

 This was my own version of Steak with Bearnaise sauce w/garlic pasta and roasted brussel sprouts..and no I did NOT clear my plate..I DO remember that :)

 I got this recipe off of Foodnetwork.com. A recipe by Marcela Valladolid. A chicken enchillada with queso and mexican crema...very good!

 This was also from foodnetwork.com this time by Claire Robinson. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe and it is sooo super easy. From her show 5 Ingredients or less. This is her Red Wine Braised short ribs recipe. I have made this many times!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/red-wine-braised-short-ribs-recipe/index.html

I think its safe to say now that I love the food network..another recipe but this came from Rachael Ray and her Look and Cook cookbook. (a christmas gift from my mother; I think every christmas I get at least 5 cookbooks!) This is her Moroccan Lemon-Olive Chicken. This was SUPER tasty!
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/moroccan-lemon-olive-chicken/

 Chicken Piccata-YUM

 another Rachael Ray recipe..Fajita Chilaquiles Casserole. http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/fajita-chilaquiles-casserole/

 Rachael Ray's Almost Tandoori Chicken. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/almost-tandoori-chicken-recipe/index.html

 and ANOTHER Rachael Ray...this was last summer and I was cooking almost all the recipes out of her look and cook cookbook. This was so super yummy...the chicken was so super moist and the sauce was amazing, and it was the first time I had ever had Risotto, and I am fan! First time I ever made it too! Orange Balsamic Chicken with Lemon Risotto. http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2965

 This was an Emeril Lagasse recipe...Braised Chicken Thighs with Button Mushrooms. Very tasty! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/braised-chicken-thighs-with-button-mushrooms-recipe/index.html

I dont exactly remember this one, I think it was a red wine vinegar chicken?? I do remember it being very good though!

 this was not from the food network, but my own rendition of a patty melt. I was pretty impressed.

 Guy Fieri's Cajun Chicken Alfredo...http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/braised-chicken-thighs-with-button-mushrooms-recipe/index.html

 another rendition..i made some homemade chalupas. tortillas from scratch too...the refrieds I did on my own too. I would recommend homemade tortillas over store bought ANY DAY!

and last but not least another rendition. I saved this for last and I know it doesnt look like much but my ALL TIME FAVORITE flavors on planet earth are those of fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and tomatoes. So I took those three things and using my new panini press...made it into a delectable panini...and WOW!

A New Journey..? or just delayed....

I dont know if there is anyone out there other than myself that has actually looked at my blog. There isn't much to it right now, but I am hoping that will change. I started this blog late last year, when my darling husband was still living at home full time with us...so..case and point ...I had someone to cook for. An adult anyways, my children on the other hand ...bless their little hearts, could probably care less as long as they are being fed. They are sweet though, my youngest tells me quite often "Mommy, you are the best cooker!" and they are my best critics, but if I am being honest and most moms out there can agree, when it comes to trying something new, it can be tricky. The proud mother that I am will tell you, my girls aren't too picky...now I say that because I made it a point when they were young to feed them anything and everything and when they would try to tell me they didnt like something (before they even tried it) I would simply just tell them "Oh yes you do....you love____" and they would eat it...with GUSTO I might add. But we all know that there are things out there that kids just dont like. So it does make this harder now that the hubs is working out of town, to attempt this journey again with just my six and three year old being my ONLY critics. But I need this. So I am going to try this again. I dont know if anyone will even read this, but it gives me something to do, a chance to find myself again, be passionate about something again. Plus it occupies me and keeps my mind off the fact that I hardly ever see my honey anymore, and lets face it...I miss him like crazy. So I dont know if this is a New Journey or just a delayed one..but either way I am here to stay.... I hope.

Tonight I plan to make Bucatini All' Amatriciana ... again. My last try at this recipe Nathaniel and I really loved, and it became my go to instead of just plain ol' spaghetti...I am going to attempt Anne's recipe this time along with her version on Bruschetta. Plus I got the GOOD stuff at the store this time. I am going all out...I usually just get the store brands to save on money but I am taking the advice of all chefs out there and cooking with the good stuff...and lets hope that they are right when they say it makes all the difference in the world because that olive oil was pricey! More to come later...

The Bieber Cake

For my oldest daughters 5th birthday party, it was her dream to have it Bieber themed. Being the loving mother I am, of course, her wish is my command. Now to make a Justin Bieber cake?! With the inevitable date creeping near, I had to think of something fast.This was the final product. Not bad if I say so myself.

the inside of the cake. 

Morning Cravings

I think we have all been there...one morning we just need something more than just the regular ol' cup of joe and bowl of cereal. My girls were asking for peanut butter and jelly for breakfast (whose kid hasn't?) so I decided upon a compromise. Why not make peanut butter and jelly french toast?! Brilliant. I know I know..I am not claiming Im the first person to come up with the idea, but I still like to consider myself rather creative ;)