A Cook's Quest

Saturday night was another book club evening, and this one was special. It was the one year birthday of the book club. Why all the excitement you ask? For this group of women, the one year mark is a big deal. You see, we are busy are women who have families, jobs, spouses, and significant others; women who take on more than they should, do more for everyone than they do for themselves and forget the importance of “me” time.  But, one day a month, we put all of that aside and gather together with great food, great cocktails and great stories. At the beginning of our club Michelle, the founder, explained she had experienced many failed book clubs because life just got in the way. We all vowed it wouldn’t happen to this club, no it would be a success! And it has been. For twelve months we have gathered together to talk about the book choice, share life’s journey and support one another. And it was for this happy occasion that I had to make something tasty to ea...

No I have not forgotten about my little blog.  Though I haven't been cooking much, I HAVE been thinking about cooking and all the delicious recipes I want to make.  My husband has been doing a HUGE amount of cooking lately which allows me to study in the evenings.  I have a pile of recipes ready to try and many hopes that they will be on the computer soon.  There will be a few changes coming though. First, I will not be doing price break downs anymore.  Most of you know that I buy flour, sugar, yeast and spices in bulk, and most of my butter, chocolate chips, and other baking items on sale or free if the timing is right.  I have a freezer stocked with chicken and beef thanks to great sales and the generous Christmas present from my parents.  I only buy fresh fruit and veggies that are on sale and make our snacks at home.  With all that said  you know that what I prepare is at the best price I can get.  The breakdowns are the most ...

At the urging of my friend Michelle B. I am returning to blog land.  I must admit I have missed cooking and blogging and just doing something that has nothing to do with school, work, kids, or my daily life.  There have not been many new recipes in my kitchen but I am working on updating some of the pictures from the early days of the blog, (why did no one tell me how terrible most of them were?!).  There are few things on the list to try soon and I promise as soon I make them I will share them.  Until then, keep trying new foods, saving money and enjoying life!

First I want to thank everyone who visits my blog for the reading my ramblings about food, making food, and my perspective of food.  Without everyone who visits I don't know that I would have enjoyed this process as much as I do.  Blogging and cooking really are activities that bring me great joy, but so is  going to school and participating in the many events my children do.  I am at a point right now that something has to give and with the upcoming college term fast approaching I realize that I have to step away from the areas of my life that don't support my family or my education.  This blog is one of those things.  No I'm not quitting all together, but rather giving myself permission to slow down and not apply undo pressure to myself.  So what does this mean?  My goal is to post at least once a week, maybe more if my schedule allows, maybe less if I just can't get to it, but I will still be here and as my schedule allows I will add recipes....

In my quest for great cookies to try out this holiday season, I stumbled onto these tasteful bites that contain two of our favorite things in this house--peanut butter and chocolate.  While they aren't exactly a cookie, I can definitely see the brilliant snacking potential they offer, not to mention the who wouldn't want them as part a holiday hostess gift?  Simple,  easy, cost effective and most importantly, delicious, these buddies won't last long once prepared.  Cook's if you have plans that include wrapping and removing the buddies from your house you may want to do it when those people who love to sample all the goodies in your house are gone, sleeping or distracted in some way.  Otherwise, they probably won't make it out the door...mine didn't!  Enjoy!

I am a notoriously picky eater.  So picky that when we call in food orders at work I am usually forced to do the calling because no one wants to assume responsibility if my order is wrong.  As a young child my grandfather would tell me the same story every time we visited, usually while we at Sunday dinner, about the summer that he "learned to like tomatoes."  Yes, that is how it goes.  He didn't like tomatoes and then learned to like them.  His aunt, her name was Pete and the stories about her fascinate me but that is for another blog entry, came to visit and care for him while his parents were away.  One evening grandpa and I'm assuming, his siblings too, were presented with a plate full of tomatoes for dinner.  Nothing else.  No bread, no meat of any kinds, just sliced tomatoes.  He had two choices he would tell me, either eat the tomatoes or be hungry.  Of course he chose to eat the tomato...

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!