A Cook's Quest

As I have mentioned a time or two on this blog, I LOVE bread.   In the past, I have made all kinds of recipes from delicious orange rolls , to satisfying bread sticks and bread bowls for hearty soups .  But, my all time favorite way to eat homemade bread is in the form of toast. Now, I am not a toast snob.  I really love any kind of bread as toast.  Whenever I make a loaf of Oatmeal bread , or no knead bread I save a slice for a snack or breakfast.  Then I toast it up and cover it with butter...oh, it is so good!  A few days ago, as I was sprinkling said toast with some cinnamon and sugar, and I realized that I had never made cinnamon swirl bread.  That was about to change! I went on a quest to find a recipe.  Luckily,  I had one already pinned on my Breads page  on Pinterest.    It comes originally from Babble.com.  The author, Jaime, originally posted the white bread recipe on her blog, Sohpistamom , an...

Today's recipe isn't technically a recipe, but it has become one of my favorite food treats.  I love that it gives me protein, but also tastes like dessert at the same time.  It is cheap, it is easy to make, is portable, and it can be changed to suit your tastes. I discovered this recipe on Pinterest , and have not changed it very much.  This version is my favorite, but I have made other additions such as white chocolate chips, strawberries  blueberries, and different flavors of yogurt.  You can really do anything you want with it.  ENJOY! Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt Recipe Source: The Suburban Girl Gone Country 1 small container Greek yogurt (I prefer vanilla flavor, but you can do use any flavor/brand you like) 1 healthy teaspoon peanut butter 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips a splash of vanilla (I really like vanilla) a dash of salt (because I like the sweet and salty combination) Combine and enjoy! ...

Fall is here and I'm ready for soup.  Warm, steamy, comforting, soup that warms you from the inside out.  I can't think of a better meal on a crisp fall day than a bowl of delicious soup and warm bread.  When I found this recipe on Pinterest I knew it was a recipe I would make right away...as in that VERY day.  The clencher was a little something called "Cheesy Yum," a mixture of ricotta and parmesan cheese that rests in the bottom of the bowl as you ladle up the soup. It creates a cheesy, gooey delight to enjoy with each bite.  I highly doubt that anything topped with a concoction of "cheesy yum," could be bad. As it cooks this soup fills your home with the lovely smells of Italian food.  It will make your children run to wash their hands in anticipation.  If you are lucky, you will have a dinner table filled with the sounds of clinking spoons and comments like, "wow," "this is amazing," and my all time favorite "you are the BE...

I am a bit hesitant to say what I am about to say out loud for fear that it might jinx everything but, here goes anyway....I think the warm weather is almost (not finally) here! Yep, after the longest Spring with more rain and wind than I care to talk about, I feel safe saying Summer is close...very, very, close to arriving.  Of course with warm weather comes the season of grilling.  The traditional menu around these parts are hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings and side dishes galore.  But, a good burger deserves a great bun.  The bun is what holds all those lovely flavors of meat, cheese, condiments and veggies together.  It is vital, I tell you, to the burger experience. Now, I know you can buy a bun at any grocery store and many gas stations but I wanted something more than the standard sesame bun.  I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and with almost five stars how could I not try it? I am so glad I did!  The buns were l...

We like pasta in my house.  We also like Mexican food.  So when pasta and the flavors of Mexican food can be combined we are happy campers!  I thought I had hit the jackpot with Taco Pasta , but this gem of a recipe might, be a smidge better. It comes from Mel's Kitchen Cafe and like everything I have tried from Mel this lasagna is everything she promises it to be.  (Please go look at her beautiful photos of this dish!  They do it much more justice than mine!) This recipe has everything a good lasagna needs; layers of noodles nestled between a delicious rich sauce and topped with cheese galore oh, and I can't forget to mention that throughout are rich creamy pockets of cream cheese and sour cream.  There is a hint of spice but nothing over powering and the black beans and sweet corn are wonderful additions.  And, the best part, it is fast, thrifty, and EASY to prepare.  I made two small lasagnas instead of one large one ...

Last week a co-worker's husband called work and when I answered the phone he started raving about the muffins his wife had made the night before.  He told me they were the best muffins she had ever made, which is saying a lot because she is a fabulous cook.  Later in the day I asked her for the recipe and she quickly printed it for me. Let's me just say, that these are definitely the best muffins I have ever made.  They have a light, cake like texture that isn't too sweet.  The best part about them is the wonderful blueberry swirl that combines with the whole berries.  And let's not forget the lemon sugar topping or the streusel topping, I made both because I couldn't decide which would be better--both are equally wonderful on top of these muffins.  Inadvertently, bought the wrong size container of blueberries at my store, so I didn't have as many as the recipe calls for, but it didn't matter they were still FABULOUS!  I plan on making more of...

I don't know about where you live, but in my area of the country Spring hasn't decided to fully arrive. Sure we get teased with beautiful sunshiny days hours, but it doesn't take long for gloomy rain clouds and cold wind to come back. So what should a mom do when the end of Spring Break has to be enjoyed inside? Well, make play dough of course! I have always made regular old salt dough for my kiddos to play with, but I wanted something that was less sticky to work with and feels more like the stuff that comes out of the little tubs you buy at the store. The recipe I made is smooth, not sticky and the color is vibrant thanks to my gel food colors that we used. It was a lifesaver at my house yesterday. I was in awe that such simple ingredients could bring all three of the kids together for quiet play time and even better....they got along! Had I known the magic powers of home made play dough I would have made it a long long LONG time ago! There are recipes all over the i...

If you are looking at these rolls thinking they are just another roll, look again my dear readers. These rolls are the new love of my family.  They posess a soft and flavorful exterior that is dotted with crunchy bites of salt, combined with a light yet chewy center which creates the most most perfet roll. A roll that tastes like a pretzel, and so delicious that it is easy to eat a bunch few without even realizing it.  I was amazed that the simple step of poaching the rolls in water and baking soda would yield a flavor that is exactly the same as a soft pretzel.  My next plan is to make them in pretzel form, covered in cinnamon and sugar.  Until then, pairing these up with a warm winter soup is ideal.  Enjoy!

I truly don't know of a better meal on a cold day other than soup and bread.  Warm, filling, easy to prepare and budget friendly, soups and stews are a mainstay in my kitchen.  We eat them at least once a week, sometimes twice a week in cold weather.  I love pairing them with bread bowls , a simple dinner roll , or a slice of oatmeal bread.  This broccoli cheese soup came from Mel at My Kitchen Cafe , and like always happens with her recipes, I was thrilled with the outcome.  The true beauty of this soup is it can be made to your specific tastes.  I used all cheddar cheese because it was what I had on hand, added more onion because I like a lot of onion, and loaded it down with a ton of broccoli because my kids LOVE broccoli, ( I know it sounds strange but they truly love green veggies). For other great savings ideas go check out the Real Food Deals over at Premeditated Leftovers!

This recipe is fast, simple and E. A. S. Y.!  My kids loved it and said, "this tastes like tacos!"  I, too, was surprised at the flavor.  The sauce is creamy, with a hint of spice (depending on what kind of salsa you use), and the pasta gets coated with all the yummy deliciousness creating a simple main dish.  I doubled everything in this recipe except for the ground beef, to make sure we had enough for dinner and lunches for me and the hubby. Taco Pasta Recipe Source: Plain Chicken printable version 1 pound ground beef 8 ounce small dry pasta shapes 1 small onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup salsa 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or one packet) 3 ounce cream cheese 1/2 cup sour cream Salt and pepper Shredded Cheese for topping Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground meat and onion over medium-hi...

In this house peanut butter rules, add chocolate and everyone is in dessert heaven.  We will pass on anything sugar related if it means we will get some form of peanut chocolate decadence.  These Peanut Butter Bars were no exception.  Every single person stopped to comment on what I was preparing as I prepared it, and my husband literally did a little dance in the kitchen as he took his first bite.  Oh, and did I mention they were NO BAKE?  So we have, peanut butter, chocolate and no need for the oven, this cook is one happy lady!

OK, first things first.  Ignore the amount of butter in this recipe and don't judge me too harshly when I tell you I actually doubled the butter when I made it. After you have agreed to ignore those key points proceed to making this recipe, devouring eating it, and hiding the leftovers in the refrigerator so your family doesn't get to them before you do! Another recipe from Mel at My Kitchen Cafe that I don't have to say much about.  It is light and delicious.  The sauce is great with pasta or rice and pairs wonderfully with any vegetable you want.  I served our chicken over pasta noodles cooked in chicken broth and enjoyed every last bite.  My family can't wait to have it again! Breaded Garlic Chicken in Lemon-Butter Sauce Recipe Source: My Kitchen Cafe who got it from one of her readers *Mel's Note: if you prefer more sauce, since this makes a lighter, smaller amount of sauce, consider doubling the sauce ingredients. **Cook's Note-I...

The divine bread sticks I posted originally really are divine.  Light, chewy pieces of bread coated lightly with butter and topped with herbs and cheese, or anything else that your heart desires.  The recipe is fast, and dare I say...fail proof?  The dough is so easy to work with that I decided to play with it a few weeks ago in an attempt to recreate some stuffed bread sticks we order from a local pizza restaurant.  Once again, the dough was divine and the few extra steps I took to make a cheesy centers made the final sticks even better than the originals.  So follow along with me below to find out how easy it is to make something divine even better! Stuffed Divine Bread sticks Recipe Source: A Cook's Quest (Bread stick recipe Mel ) 1  batch of Divine Bread stick Dough 1/2 stick  butter Ranch Dressing Mix (I use my homemade variety) or your favorite herbs/seasonings Cheeses of your choice After allowing the dough to rest, roll out in...

In honor of my friend Nikki, who had a terrible craving for cinnamon rolls while she was pregnant, I am posting this cinnamon roll recipe.  It is supposed to be a clone of the famous Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls and while I can't say they taste the same to me, I can say that these are the best cinnamon rolls I have ever made, ever, without a doubt, seriously delicious!  I dare you to eat only one because I don't think it is possible.  The cream cheese frosting is rich and buttery, there is a perfect cinnamon to sugar ratio going on and the dough itself, well it is wonderfully delicate and light while being full of rich flavor.  I would highly suggest making a double batch to ensure everyone can have seconds! Cinnabon Clones Recipe Source: All Recipes.com Dough 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 2 eggs, room temperature 1/3 cup margarine, melted and cooled 4 1/2 cups bread flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup white sugar 2 1/2 teaspoons bread...

Since I was a young girl I have always loved salad.  I grew up on the standard iceberg dinner salad and never experienced a different type of green until I was an adult.  Nowadays my husband and I much prefer a mix of baby greens with any variety of toppings which include fruit, nuts, cheeses and grilled meat. But, there is still an occasion that I go back to my roots and want just a simple green salad made of iceberg lettuce and carrots.  To top the salad off I want ranch dressing, the good kind from a "valley" that makes every vegetable in its presence bow down for the ceremonious dipping before consumption.  It is creamy and delicious and exactly what I would describe as food from my childhood, only now I know how expensive it is and how not so good it really is for you. Quite by accident I stumbled onto this recipe and was intrigued by how simple it was.  There was nothing in it that I couldn't pronounce and even better nothing that I wouldn't...

When I ask B2 what sounded good for dinner she told me, "Chicken with creamy sauce and noodles.  Oh, and cucumbers too." Now this mom is never going to say no to vegetables when my kids request them so the cucumbers were in like Flynn; and I will never deny myself the opportunity to enjoy a marriage of pasta and cream cooked into one mouthwatering meal so I was happy to oblige both her dining requests.  Now the problem, what should I do that is different from my usual Alfredo sauce? Since I am not overly creative, or inspired, when it comes to making my own dishes from start to finish, I went where I always go when I need a delicious recipe, Mel at My Kitchen Cafe .  Today I found the perfect dish, Creamy Chicken Fettuccine , it has the flavors of summer with lemon, peas, and fresh basil paired with the garlicky smooth sauce that only heavy cream can create.  I'm telling you we all loved this dish, B1 and B2 declared it better than the usual and this mama ...

I know, it sounds weird doesn't it?  But honestly, when I saw the picture of this frosting over at Our Best Bites I knew it was worth a try.  These girls don't mess around with mediocre food so even though I was worried a little bit I moved forward confident that they wouldn't steer me wrong.   I love frosting, but I am not good at making it.  So attempting yet another recipe that is supposed to be easy and tasty made me a bit nervous (my track record is not good, not good at all!)  Then there were the ingredients--I was leery of the flour, would the final product taste like raw cookie dough?  I was leery of the granulated, yes granulated, sugar, would the final product be gritty?  The answer was no to both.  I got a light, fluffy, creamy frosting that wasn't overly sweet and doesn't crust up like some butter creams do.  It was the perfect topping for my 4th of July cupcakes .   Perfect Cupcake Frosting and Filling R...

 Last week, Mel at Mel's Kitchen Cafe posted this recipe for Andes Mint Brownies .  I love, love, love Andes mints so I knew that this was a recipe I wanted to try.  Some of you may remember the mint brownie debacle that graced this blog a few months ago, let me just tell you that this brownie recipe is no way, shape or form even remotely similar to that mess. These brownies, THESE brownies are what brownies should be.  Soft, chewy, dense bites of rich choclate and at the bottom nice chunks of the perfect mints.  The mints make a layer of their own and are just the perfect match to a perfect brownie.   Need I really say more? Probably not, I think you all understand my stance on this recipe! Andes Mint Brownies Recipe source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe *Makes one 9X13-inch pan or cut the recipe in half and bake in a 9X9 pan for about 20-23 minutes 1 cup butter (2 sticks) 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 ...

There are many reasons I love this recipe but I will only list a few: 1. It is simple 2. It is cheap 3. It is made in the slow cooker 4. My whole family declared them, "the best tacos ever!" This fabulous dish, like many of my other favorites, came straight from my favorite cooking blog.  It is the blog I go to for inspiration on days that I would just rather go through a drive through, and the days that I think I am so overwhelmed that I don't think I have time to cook anything.  Any guesses? If you said, Mel's Kitchen Cafe you are right my dear readers, it was Mel who posted this recipe and I quickly saved it for the day that I knew everyone in the family would be going in 50 directions all at the same time.  To say it was a hit is an understatement, my entire family loved it, requested it again and very soon thank you very much.  In fact, there would have been no leftovers had I not doubled the recipe in order to have a portion ready to store a...

One morning, as I stood pondering the contents of my freezer hoping that somehow there was a frozen meal  tucked away somewhere in its depths, I had an aha moment. A moment that has changed one of my go to dinners into something even better. There, stacked nice and neatly right under my nose were the chicken and bean burritos I had made in April and frozen for later consumption.  At the very moment I looked at them I remembered the Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas the Melanie posted over at Mel's Kitchen Cafe and I knew that the two were going to come together into one mighty tasty dish.  Oh, I just have to say, they were delicious!  The hearty burritos, topped with a silky smooth, cheesy sauce dotted with green chiles and the smoky flavor of cumin brought happiness and the rare moment of silence at my table as everyone intently devoured their portions.  The family was happy, the cook was happy, and we now have another go to free...