sausage and chicken kabobs

One dinner idea that I like to go to in a hurry is kabobs on the grill.this time I just did a mixture of marinated chicken breast and smoked sausage,I have also mixed veggies with these but this time just did meat.I marinated the chicken for about 5 hrs before hand to give extra flavor.and if using wooden skewers remember to give them a really good soaking in water to prevent them from burning..I served these with rice and sauted green beans..enjoy

Chicken and sausage kabobs

4 skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
bottle of your favorite marinade(I used KC masterpiece steak house)
smoked sausage
bbq sauce
black pepper
2tbs olice oil

Cut up your chicken and place in ziptop bag,add your marinade and olive oil.Let marinade for 5hrs in refridgerator.Soak skewers in water for about 1hr.Take chicken pieces and alternate chicken and sausage leaving about 1 inch on either ends.Put on heated grill and grill about 6 min on each side.Before removing from grill brush with bbq sauce on both sides.Remove  from grill and enjoy.

Refried beans

Ive been asked by alot of you to post my recipe for my refried beans,rice and tamales.I made my refried beans last night with a grilled skirt steak for tacos.The beans are super easy,they just take time to prepare,so give yourself some time to prepare these..the results are well worth the wait.

Refried Beans
4 cups of dried pinto beans(soak overnight in about 8cups of water)
1 onion quartered
3 garlic cloves peeled and smashed
1tbs mexican oregano
2tsp cumin
1tsp chilli powder
1/2tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
salt to taste
1tbs pepper
1tbs lard or shortening

drain beans and pick through to remove any rocks or broken beans.In a large pot with lid add beans,8cups of water,onion ,garlic cloves ,oregano and pepper.Bring to boil and reduce heat to low.Let simmer for about 2 hrs adding liquid if needed and until beand are tender.After beans become soft and tender remove about 1 cup at a time and begin to puree in blender or food processor with a little of cooking liquid.In a large pan start to melt the lard and add pureed beans to pan.Add cumin,garlic powder,onion powder and chilli powder,stir to blend all ingredients.Fry in pan stiring to keep beans from sticking.taste and add salt to your liking.I add monterey jack cheese or queso fresco at this time until melted.Serve hot..enjoy

bannana muffins

This morning I noticed that my banannas were getting ready to be too ripe to eat again so I decided to put them to good use and make deliciously easy bananna muffins for my kids to have at breakfast.This recipe is so easy and if your not a bannana lover Ive also tried it with peeled diced apples..YUM!

Bannana Muffins

1package yellow cake mix
4 banannas smashed
2 eggs
1 1/2 pumpkin pie spice

Heat oven to 350 degrees,grease 6 jumbo muffin cups.

In a large bowl combine cake mix,eggs,banannas and spice mix.Mix well(batter will be lumpy).Spoon batter into jumbo muffin cups and bake for about 25 min.Remove from muffin tin and let cool on wire rack..Enjoy

southern biscuits

Hello again my hungry friends! I took the weekend off,wasnt making anything to spectacular to share.But yeaterday I did make Southern Buttermilk Biscuits to go with our steak dinner..enjoy

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
3 c all purpose flour
2tbs sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2tsp baking soda
1/2tsp salt
1/2c shortening chilled
1c buttermilk
1/4 c melted butter

heat oven to 450 degrees

In med bowl,combine flour,sugar,baking powder and soda and salt.Cut in cold shortening with pastry blender until it looks like cornmeal.Add buttermilk stirring until well mixed.Turn dough onto floured board and kneed lightly.Roll out to about a 1/2 inch thickness and with biscuit cutter cut about 12 biscuits.Place on greased baking sheet,brush with butter and bake for about 10 min.Brush hot biscuits again with melted butter and enjoy!

sandwiches for dinner

Good evening my hungry friends..back again with another mouthwatering creation.Tonights dinner was bringing a little bit of Italy to my kitchen.I first started with sausage and peppers and meatballs with red sauce that I made into sandwiches for the kids.both of theese would be great with your favorite pasta or eaten alone.Enjoy ..

Sausage and Peppers

4hot itallian sausages
10 fresh thyme sprigs
2tbs extra virgin olive oil
1sweet onion peeled and sliced thin
3 cloves garlic minced
2 red bell peppers sliced thin
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

pre heat oven to 450
put sausage in a roasting pan,tuck thyme around them.pour water into pan about 1/2 inch.Roast sausages for 15 min.
In a frying pan warm olive oil,adding onion and garlic saute for about 5 min.Stir in peppers,saute for 10 min.Add sausages to pepper mixture and sprinkle with parsley.Return mixture to roasting pan and roast for 20 min..serve warm

Red sauce
1 sweet onion diced
1 28ounce can crushed tomatos
1tsp oregano
1tsp basil
2 garlic cloves minced
1/4tsp sugar
1 14ounce can tomato sauce
1/4tsp red pepper flakes
1 stalk celery diced
1 carrot peeled and diced
salt and pepper to taste

In dutch oven add 2tbs olive oil,add onion,celery,carrots and garlic,saute until veggies are tender.add tomatos and tomatoe sauce mixing well.Add oregano,basil and sugar bring to boil,reduce heat to simmer and add salt and pepper.Simmer for 1 hr add pepper flakes at end.Serve hot or freeze

Meatballs
1/4 c milk
1 beaten egg
1/2 cdry bread crumbs(freshly made in food processor)
1/4 c parmisian cheese
1tsp dried itallian seasoning
1/2tsp kosher salt
1/4tsp black pepper
1lb ground beef(80/20)
12 onnces of hot itallian ground sausage

Add all ingredients together in a large bowl mixing with your hands.Form into meatballs about 2 inches around.In a large skillet heat olive oil and fry balls about 8 min until they have formed a nice brown crust.Add meatballs to boiling red sauce to finish cooking.Serve with your favorite pasta,sandwich or on pizza..

teriyaki dinner

Good evening ..hope all is well with my hungry friends.Tonights meal is teriyaki chicken breasts,egg fried riceand cream cheese wontons.Super easy,Super good.I like to use skinless,boneless chicken breasts,but if your a fan of dark meat you can substitute thighs.My fried rice recipe is one of my daughters favorite things to eat,so yummy with minimal ingredients,and my cream cheese wontons are the perfect compliment to any asian inspired meal.

Teriyaki Chicken Breasts
Skinless,boneless chicken breasts
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup canola oil
3tbs brown sugar
3 garlic cloves smashed
1tbs grated ginger
2tbs rice wine

In large zip bag add skinless chicken and marinade ingredients,marinate for 4 hrs.Heat grill and oil grill grates to prevent chicken from sticking.Grill chicken for about 8 min(4 min per side)brushing with marinade as chicken cooks.Take off grill,cover with foil and let rest for 5 min(this keeps meat juices from escaping and keeps meat moist).Slice each breast diagonally and serve over rice.

Fried Rice
11/2 cup long grain white rice
4tbs canola oil
1 cube chicken bouillion
3cups water
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
2 eggs beaten
splashes of soy sauce to taste
salt to taste
1tbs minced green onion

In a heavy pot with lid ad 2tbs oil and rice,saute over high heat until rice is toasty and nutty in color(keep an eye on it,its easy to burn).Add water and chicken bouillion let come to a boil,stirring frequently.Cover and cook on lowest setting about 10 min..Fluff with fork set aside or refridgerate(rice for fried rice needs to be at room temp or cold so it keeps its grain)In a large wok add rest of oil,frozen veggies,green onions and beaten eggs.Scramble eggs and veggies,add rice, stir frying so rice does not stick to wok,add splashes of soy,taste.If needed add your salt.Serve warm.You can add chicken ,pork,cooked shrimp,your favorite veggies whatever you like.

Cream Cheese Wontons

12 wonton wrappers
4ounces  cream cheese
1tbs minced waterchestnuts
1tbs minced green onion
water to seal edges

Take cream cheese,waterchestnuts and green onions,mix well.Take wonton wrapper and place about 1 tsp of mixture in center of wrapper.Take your finger and go over all of the edges of the wrapper with water.Fold bottom point to top point,sealing as you go.Fry wontons in hot canola oil
turning frequently about 45 seconds,drain and sprinkle with kosher salt,enjoy with your favorite sauce...we  use sriracha hot chilli sauce mixed with a little honey and soy..soo good

I am always looking for good,easy asian inspired meals.In blogs to come Ill be posting a recipe for PadTai,another family favorite,and Orange chicken with stir fried carrots and sprouts.Tomorrow nights menu is Itallian inspired.Red sauce and meatballs,served on crusty french bread with a garlic butter spread and melted provolone..until tomorrow..keep cooking..xo

BBQ PORK,MAC N CHEESE,YEAST ROLLS

Tonights feature is a very easy and very delicious meal that is a weeknight staple at my house.
     BBQ PULLED PORK
1sweet onion rough chopped
2cloves of garlic peeled
1bay leaf
1/2cup water
5lb pork butt roast
2tbs brown sugar
2tbs paprika
2tbs chilli powder
1tbs red pepper flakes
2tbs cumin
2tbs onion powder
2tbs garlic powder
3tbs black pepper
2tbs kosher salt

rough chop onion and add to slow cooker,add garlic cloves.Rub spice mixture all over pork and place in crockpot,adding water and bay leaf.Cover and cook on med for 8hrs or until meat falls off of bone.Take meat out and shred into separate pan,adding your favorite bbq sauce to meat(I use Tony Romas Carolina Honey sauce)Heat over low flame for 10 min,serve hot on rolls or as an entree.

MAC N CHEESE
1lb lg elbow mac
1/2c sour cream
1/2 stick butter
4c sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1 can campbells cheddar soup
1tsp dry mustard
1tbs Franks Red Hot Sauce
2 eggs
1c milk

In a large pot of salted water boil macaronni for 12 min,drain
add 2 cups cheddar and butter to pasta,mix well
In separate bowl mix together sour cream,milk,eggs,mustard,hot sauce
pour over pasta and mix well.Grease a13x9 dish and add mixture.Top with remaining cheese and bake for 30 min in a 350 degree oven..Let cool for 5 min,serve

YEAST ROLLS

1/2 cup sugar plus a pinch
1/2 cup warm water
2pkgs active dry yeast
2tsp salt
1/3 cup solid crisco
1c cold water
1 egg beaten
41/2 c all-purpose flour
2tbs melted butter

In a large bowl,add a pinch of sugar to the warm water and yeast,let sit for 5 min.Stir to dissolveyeast.Beat in remaining sugar,salt,crisco,cold water,and egg untilwell blended.With a dough hook attatchment add flour 2 cups at a time,until all dough is incorporated.Place the dough in a well greased bowl and turn the dough to cover with oil.Cover with a towel and let rise for 2hrs.
Punch dough down and refridgerate for 2 hrs more.Grease 2 (9inch) cake pans.Turn the dough onto a floured surface.Pull of pieces of dough(about 1/4 cup) and roll into balls.Place 12 rolls,sides touching in each pan.Brush with melted butter and let rise in a warm place for 1hr.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and bake for 15 min,brush with remaining butter..WARNING...These rolls are addicting as sliders,with butter and jam or by themselves

As I have said before I read alot of cookbooks,just like a good novel ,cover to cover.Today I went to the library(where I get alot of my research material)and found a great cookbook from Southern Living,so be looking for recipes from that in the future.Tomorrows dinner will be lighter..Grilled teriyaki chicken with stir fried rice,cream cheese wontons and steamed veggies.

Also for everyone wondering if I am eating everything I make at this time Im on a soft food diet from having my surgery,but yes I always take bites of everything I cook...Until tomorrow..xo

favorite books and magazines

Hello again....I get alot of my recipe ideas from my vast collection of cook books and "foodie" magazines.I also have an addiction to Food Network,Cooking Channel and Recipe TV.I can watch Food Network all day with my pen and paper jotting down recipes and tips from the star chefs.Food Network on line is also my go to for ideas.I would have to say that the best cookbook I own is The Joy Of Cooking.This book is over 1000 pages of great recipes,tips,ideas and just a wealth of information for anyone who wants to learn or loves cooking.My favorite magazines are from Food Network,Rachel Ray,Cooking Light and Southern Living.In blogs to come I will not only be giving you fabuolous recipes but,also the tools and tricks needed to make your amazing meals and desserts.Cooking is about having fun,making something that someone will love and experimenting with spice and different ingredients...enjoy..xo

Welcome to my cooking blog.I have always loved to cook and bake and now I am going to share all of my knowledge and expertise with you.Feel free to try my recipes and send me a note if you have any questions.Im going to try to blog every night a new dinner recipe.The first recipe for today is Penne Rustica..an old favorite of mine and my family from Ramanos  MacarroniGrille.I also served it with my homemade french bread,and finished the meal off with New York cheesecake.The recipe for the penne is as follows..1ounce of pancetta diced,18 shrimp peeled and deveined,4 grilled chicken breasts cut up into cubes,1lb of penne cooked,1 stick of butter,1cup of heavy cream,1tsp of chopped shallot,1cup freshly grated parmisian,1 tsp paprica,sprinkle of rosemary leaves,black pepper,1cup sliced mushrooms....Saute pancetta until brown,add butter,shallot,mushroom and shrimp,cook until shrimp is pink and mushrooms are tender.Add chicken,heavy cream,parmisian and black pepper to taste.Drain cooked penne and add sauce to pasta.Grease a baking dish with butter and add pasta mixture,topping with paprika and rosemary.Bake at 350 for 25 min...serve with a sprinkling of parmisian and YUM....
FRENCH BREAD....2envelopes of active dry yeast,1tbs plus 2 tsp sugar,2cups warm water,11/2 tbs salt,5cups flour,4tbs cornmeal,iegg mixed with 1tbs water...using a mixture with a dough hook,combineyeast,sugarand water and mix for 2 min to dissolve yeast.Add the salt and the flour.With the mixer on lowmix doughuntil it starts to come together.Increase spead to med and mix till dough crawls up the dough hook(I use a kitchen aid mixer)Grease a bowl and place the dough turning it once to cover with oil and cover for 11/2 hrs in a draft free place.Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a floured board.Divide the dough into 2 equal portions,roll the dough into a long cylinder,tuck and roll any seams.Sprinkle dough with 2tbs of cornmeal.place the loaved on a baking sheet anf let rise again for 1 hr until it doubles in size.Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.With a sharp knife score the loaves diagonaly and with a pastry brush ,brush egg mixture on each loaf.Bake 45min or until bread is golden brown and crusty...

NY CHEESECAKE...Crumb crust...2cups of fine grahm cracker crumbs,1/2 cup sugar,1stick of butter melted..combine all ingredients and press into and up sides of 10inch springform pan...FILLING..3pkgs of room temp cream cheese,1cup sugar,1tsp vanilla,3 large eggs,added one at a time.Blend ingredients until smooth about 2 min,add to crumb crust and bake for 55min at 325degrees.Let cool for 1hr and then add topping of 1cup sour cream,1/4cup of sugar,1tbs vanilla and 1/8tsp salt.Let chill in fridge for 3hrs.You can top with anything you like,fruit,caramel nuts..I drizzled chocolate sauce on mine...ENJOY