Food

. . And The Chef Has Prepared

/ jennced15 / 6 Comments

So I do cook . . . all the time, but I hardly ever add the images to the blog or the new recipes that I have tried. I don’t know why except that this isn’t a food blog. My blog is about the favorite things in my life and that includes a lot of things. However, I have had some questions recently asking about the recipes to food that I have made. So here you go . . . 5 of my new favorite recipes.

  1. This is my new go to dinner and lunch. Super easy and SUPER tasty. The only difference I make is that I use turkey bacon.  Asparagus Egg & Bacon Salad from SkinnyTaste
  2. Once again, SUPER easy to make and keeps well so you don’t have to cook every night. Left-overs are great! Easy Chicken Gyros from Creme De La Crumb 
  3. Yes, I made these for Memorial Day because they were red, white and blue but they were a wonderful treat. They satisfy your sweet tooth without being a big involved treat. Red White & Blue Strawberry Cheesecake Bites from The Kitchen is My Playground 
  4. This is a great recipe if you like dill in your potato salad. I did add green onions to the mixture and on the top plus I used more salt and pepper. I hate it when the potatoes suck all of the seasoning out of the dish by the next day. Dill Potato Salad from Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen 
  5. This is a great summer treat that feels indulgent without being chocolate. Lemonies from I Sing in the Kitchen 

Eat This! (Spring Edition)

/ jennced15 / 1 Comment

Spring is springing and I am SUPER excited! I have had enough cold weather and snow/ice to last me for a couple of years. With the weather warming up, the buds peeking on the trees and the daffodils shooting up from the ground—I am inclined to shrug off the winter food fare in favor of items with a lighter feel. So here are some items I am eyeing to start whipping up in the kitchen.

This just looks heavenly to me. 

Totally intrigued since I don’t have a juicer. 

This looks amazing for work lunches. 

I am a realist after all. 

Did I mention I was a realist? 

Post Thanksgiving

/ jennced15 / 6 Comments

I am sure most of you had turkey and all the trimmings during your Thanksgiving holiday. I hope it was a great meal! If not, below are some of the items that I made for my dinner with the family that were fantastic.

  1. Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie from Mel’s Kitchen Café 
  2. Grilled Mexican Corn Salad from Southern Living 
  3. Pecan Pie Bites from The Baker Mama 
  4. Cranberry Salsa from Our Life in Food (it seems their website is down; should you want the recipe, send me a comment and I will send their recipe to you)
  5. Chile-Rubbed Turkey from Bon Appetit 

Even if it was a great meal; I am sure you have burnout with the leftovers. Don’t get me wrong, I love turkey and it is one of the few meats that I eat but I can only see it paired with stuffing and mashed potatoes for so long before I start thinking fast food sounds like a good idea. So here are 5 ideas that I think sound excellent for using up the leftovers.

  1. Nachos from Half Baked Harvest 
  2. Bites from Nabisco Triscuits 
  3. Sandwich from Two Peas and Their Pod 
  4. Soup from Town and Country Living 
  5. Tart from Cook’s Illustrated 

New Portland Favorites

/ jennced15 / 6 Comments

I have a lot of people visiting me or the last couple of months and all of them have been to Portland before with me so naturally they have all experienced my tried & true favorites. Now I have 5 more food and places to add to the ever-growing list.

Food

  1. La Provence: Small plates and small desserts. A great place to have a conversation with friends.
  2. Koi Fusion: Can we say Korean tacos?!
  3. Toadstool Cupcakes: The little cupcakes are soooo cute and pretty tasty as well.
  4. HK Café: The place to go for a plethora of Asian food options including the ones that you only get when in those countries.
  5. The Fireside: A great cozy place that you can chat with friends at and watch all the foot traffic on 23rd Avenue.

Places

  1. Collage: This is the greatest little store of craft and art supplies I have ever seen!
  2. Roloff Pumpkin Patch: I think this is a great place to look for a pumpkin and entertain little children
  3. Monticello Antique Marketplace: This place is huge and what I love the most about them; they have a ton of furniture and other big items to pick through.
  4. The Iron Gate Cottage: A great little place to just peruse on a rainy afternoon.
  5. Lee Farms: This is right by my house and is a great place for a last-minute gift, produce, pumpkins, activities and of course, apple cider donuts!