Peace. Love. Happiness. <3 See ya Later

This experience has been great. I enjoyed keeping a blog and learning new recipes for myself and to give to others. But the time has come, I am done for now. I am just taking a break, I will start back up within a few months. I can not choose any of my “greatest hits”. I am proud of all my recipes. Don’t get me wrong a couple were a bit lame, but everything to me was fun and tasted great. SOO look through EVERYTHING!!! Comment still, give me some ideas for the future.  Thanks for keeping up with me!!! See ya =)

There is meaning behind food and recipes

This blog has opened me eyes. Within the past few years I have enjoyed cooking and trying out new recipes. I never really thought about where my interest in cooking came from. I also never realized the meaning behind food. There is more to it than just cooking and eating.

My great grandmother was a gourmet chef, my Nanny was an AMAZING cook, anything my mother cooks is PERFECT and even when my father cooks his food is DELICIOUS! My older sister Christina enjoys both cooking and baking and from what I have tried, she is EXCELLENT. It runs in the family, and it something that brings conversation. We share our ideas with one another and we give each other tips.

Food brings memories to my dinner table and family parties. This is because everything we eat is a recipe that has been passed down generation to generation. Don’t get me wrong, we try new food ALL the time, some recipes don’t stick with us but the ones that do have meaning and story behind it.

An example of a recipe would be my Nanny‘s (grandma) Jelly Meatballs. Right around this time of year my family starts to crave them and we discuss who will make them first. It brings up stories of old parties and we always end up talking about my Nanny. Whether it’s a BBQ or family party the Jelly Meatballs are there. They are so delicious, and the perfect snack to munch on.

I talked to my dad about this assignment and how the Jelly Meatballs would be perfect to do. I knew right away if I had to talk about meaning behind the food, these Jelly Meatballs without a doubt have meaning in my family. Once again, the conversation led to talking about my Nanny and all sorts of things. So I decided I would make them and my dad did too.

 To get proof of my families craziness over the Jelly Meatballs I asked my younger sister Kaitlyn to give a quick statement about our Nanny’s meatballs.

 “ I loved Nanny’s meatballs and I could eat them at anytime of the year, whenever. I could eat them any time of the day, they are so good. Nobody compares to Nanny’s meatballs but if I had to choose a good duplicate it would be Daddy’s, he makes them good too. They are pretty close.”

Jelly Meatballs

To make meatballs:

1lb Ground beef

1/2 cup Plain Bread Crumbs

1/3 cup Onion

1/4 cup Milk

1 Tablespoon Parsley

1 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Pepper

2 Table Spoons Worchshire Sauce

1/4 Butter or Shortening for frying pan

For the Sauce

12 0z bottle of Chili Sauce

10 oz Grape Jelly

Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs into a bowl. Mix well. Form into small meatballs, about one inch.

 

Place meatballs into a medium skillet with shortening and cook until brown. About 10 minutes.

Once the meatballs are cooked, discard the grease.

Add meatballs to the sauce when it is ready.

The Sauce

In a pot add the Chili sauce and Grape Jelly, stir well.

Once the grape Jelly has melted, add the meatballs.

Cook about 30-40 minutes on medium heat.

Serve plain or over brown rice.

Enjoy!!

BBQ RECIPE IDEAS

Enjoy this warm weather! Go outside and have a BBQ or Picnic!! Here are some recipes ideas that sounds great and are affordable. Every BBQ needs macaroni salad or potato salad. Also, tuna macaroni salad sounded real delicious. Not a meat eater or trying to watch your figure then maybe try out this southwestern salad.

Dinner for two!

 My version of a chicken club sandwhich. This idea actually came from a sandwhich I had at the Hard Rock Cafe. The California Chicken Sandwhich, I believe that was it.  With that being said, this is my own recipe, their sandwhich was just an insperation! =) Also, I thought of adding homemade french fries. I do not have a deep fryer, and I wanted them to be a “healthier version” of fries. SO, I decided to bake them in the oven and avioded using any oils. This meal was delicious. My boyfriend Bill and I really enjoyed it!!

Chicken Club Sandwich and Homemade fries!!

Price: Under $20

Servings: 2

Ingredients

 

* 3 Pieces of thin sliced bones less skinless chicken breast

* Lettuce

* 2 TBSP Mayo

* Lemon Pepper

* Chicken Seasoning

* 4 Slices Turkey Bacon

* 2 Multi-Grain Roll

* 1 Avocado

* 2 Large Baking Potatoes

* Salt, Pepper, Parmesan Cheese (optional)

* Non-Stick Cooking Spray

 

 

Step 1

 

The French Fries

 

*Preheat oven 400

 

Scrub the potatoes with cold water.

 

Cut the potatoes into slices. Place each slice into a bowl of cold water immediately after cutting to prevent browning.

 

Drain the potato slices and dry off.

 

Put the potatoes on a baking sheet, and spray with non stick cooking spray. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.

 

 

Bake in oven for about 40 minutes. They should be crisp and golden. 

 

Step 2

 

In a Medium size pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray. Add chicken and seasoning.

 

Keep on medium heat.

 

While chicken is cooking begin to cook the turkey bacon in a separate pan on a medium heat as well.

 

*Keep an eye on the meat and fries.*

 

In a small bowl mix two tablespoons of mayo and teaspoon of lemon pepper. Keep on the side.

 

Peal avocado and slice.

 

Prepare the rolls, and lettuce.

 

Once everything is finished; assemble the sandwich!! =)

 

On the roll; add chicken, then lemon mayo, then turkey bacon, three avocado slices and lettuce. On the side put some of the homemade French fries.

 

 

 

Enjoy!! =)

 

Spring Food Festivals in New Jersey

Interested in showing off your cooking skills? Then take a look at a couple of the locations on the map below.  With the warm weather on the way, many counties in New Jersey have annual food festivals and contests show casing your recipes and possibly winning some cash. Even if you are not interested in being a apart of the festival or contest, then just go for the fun of it. A couple of the festivals are free and the festivals that are not, only cost about $7.00 at the most.  Its fun for friends and family!! Not only is there delicious food tasting at these festivals but music,crafts, prizes and games. 

P.S. Everyone go to the 20th Annual New Jersey Official Chili & Salsa Cook  off in Toms River, NJ. I will be there!! I am going to be supporting my sister Christina and brother in- law Greg. My brother in-law makes AMAZING Chili, come and try it out!! Don’t forget to cast your vote for him!! And come visit me! I may possibly be dressed up as a Chili Pepper =)

 

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Garlic and Onion Burgers

 

Yay! Spring is finally here! Lets hope this weather keeps getting warmer. Today it is gorgeous outside and tomorrow is suppose to be even better. Which means, it is time for a BBQ. Instead of being cheap and buying  store brand burgers, I have decided to make a REAL BURGER! I found a recipe that sounds pretty delicious. Garlic and Onion Burgers. Seems easy and there are not too many ingredients so its also affordable.  Take a look at the recipe and try them out.

Chicken and Dumplings

Last week I interviewed my Dad on my Nanny’s cooking. One meal my Dad had mentioned, was my Nanny’s Chicken and Dumplings. My Dad  told me it was the best he has ever had. Since I have never made Chicken and Dumplings, I figured I would look for a recipe to try out. On Rachael Ray’s website I found a recipe by Jessica Simpson. A version of Chicken and Dumplings her and her family enjoys to make. It actually turned out delicious!! It tasted almost like chicken pot pie. I know it probably does not add up to my Nanny’s recipe but it was very good and I will make it again for sure. I added a few of my own ideas to the meal as well. Hope you like it!!!

                                                                                         Under $20

                                                                                        Servings: ALOT! =) depends on your portions

 Ingredients

½ Rotisserie Chicken

3 Pillsbury Reduced Fat Croissant Rolls

1 Bag Frozen carrots

1 Bag Frozen Peas

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

 1 Cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth

 1 Bag of Brown Rice

 Salt and Pepper for Seasoning

Step 1

*Preheat oven 400

Remove the skin off the chicken and shred all of the meat off the bone. Put it all into a bowl. Begin to cook the carrots and peas according to the packaging.

Step 2

Roll out the cans of croissant sheets and separate them. Place a small handful of rotisserie chicken on each piece. Fold dough over and press ends together to create dumplings. Cut up any excess dough into strips and set aside.

Step 3

Line a 9×13″ baking dish with one layer of dumplings. Pour the can of cream of chicken soup over the layer of dumplings. It is thick, so you will need to spread the soup out with a spoon.

Next, spread the carrots and peas over the dumplings evenly. Followed by the can of cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth.

Step 4

Place strips in a crisscross pattern on the top of the dumplings and soup mixture, season dish with salt and ground black pepper and bake until the dumplings are tender and cooked through and the top is bubbly and brown, about 30 minutes.

Step 5

Once the dumplings are baking in the oven, begin to cook the brown rice. Follow the package instructions. I used Uncle Ben’s 10 minute rice. After the rice and dumplings have finished cooking. On a plate add some rice and a spoon full of the dumplings and eat up. =)

 

Chicken Romano Pizza

I know I have already made a homemade pizza, but I came up with another recipe and I absolutely have to share it. My last homemade pizza was delicious but this new recipe came out even better. My favorite gourmet pizza slice is called Chicken Romano. I get it at this pizza place and just once slice cost $4.00. I figured I could make a homemade pie and get more for my money. I just took their slice and made into my own version of Chicken Romano Pizza.

Now, the way I made the pizza was with my own sauce, I hade most of the ingredients needed to make it. To save money, get a jar of Vodka sauce.

 

Servings: 8 slices

Price: $11

INGREDIENTS

For the Vodka Sauce

1 cup Vodka

1 pint Heavy Cream

1 cup Butter

28 oz Crush Tomatoes

1 large Onion diced

OR just get a jar of Vodka sauce

Other Ingredients

Fresh ball of dough, or pre-made crust

1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken

8 oz Fresh Mushroom slices

Mozzarella cheese ( amount to your taste)

IF you ARE using a jar of sauce you will need an onion to sauté with the mushroom

Making the Sauce

Look back to my recent post for my Homemade Penne Alla Vodka recipe. It is detailed with pictures on making the sauce.

1. In a medium skillet, add 1 cup of butter to melt. Add in diced onion.

2. When onion has become tender, add in 1 cup of vodka sauce. Cook for 10 minutes.

2. Add in can of crushed tomatoes, cook for 30 minutes.

3. Add in heavy cream, cook for another 30 minutes.

Step 1. Prepare the dough, whether you need to roll it out yourself or it is a pre-made crust. Lay out on a pan an set aside.

Preheat oven 350

Step 2.

In a medium skillet, fill half way with water and put on medium heat. Add chicken, to poach.

Step 3.

In another medium skillet, spray non-stick cooking spray and sauté mushrooms.

** Reminder**

Step 4.

Once everything has finished, top it on to the pizza dough. Spread the sauce around leaving room for crust. Add chicken and mushrooms, then add a bit more sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. Pop in the oven.

if you are using a jar of sauce, add onions to the mushrooms.

A bit over cooked!!

 

Cook about 30 minutes.

*When I made this I had the oven on 400 and the top burnt a bit, so I think 350 will be perfect. As you can see from my picture, my pizza is a little over cooked. But, it was still soooo good!

Hope you enjoy it!! =)

Spicy Chicken Fajitas

The other night, my boyfriend and I were trying to think of a quick dinner to cook. He thought of Chicken Fajitas, so we ran to the grocery store and bought a few ingredients and I put together Spicy Chicken Fajitas.                                                          

Step 2

Slice up the onion and pepper. In a medium size skillet spray non-stick cooking spray and put peppers and onion in pan on medium heat. Mince garlic and add to the pan of onions and pepper. Cook until tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

A bit after the onion and peppers have been cooking, in another medium size skillet, spray with non-stick cooking spray and put sliced chicken in the pan on medium heat.

Step 4

Heat up the tortillas following the directions on the bag. Take cooked peppers and onion and put a small amount in the middle of the tortilla, add the chicken. Either put sour cream or salsa in the tortilla or on the side for dipping.

That’s it! Simple and Quick Spicy Chicken Fajitas!! Enjoy =)

                                 Price: $10

                                Servings: 8

Ingredients

81 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Large Sweet Onion

1 garlic halve

½ cup Franks Hot Sauce

8 Tortillas

Sour cream (optional)

Salsa (optional)

Step 1

Slice raw chicken breast into thin slices. Place chicken in container with ½ cup of Franks Hot Sauce.

A Philly Cheese Steak

So I have been told here in South Jersey, when you crave a decent cheese steak you have to take the 20 minute drive to get a “real” Philly cheese steak. So finally I made the trip earlier in the year and went to Geno’s located at the “X” shaped intersection of 9th & Passyunk in South Philadelphia. I waited in line that wrapped around the building. I was excited to finally be there to try this “amazing cheese steak”.  I stood there hoping to say my order right. WIT or WIT-OUT?? Who knows I just say what I want fast, grab my cheese steak and go. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. It was very dry and plain.I have had much better just at a local pizza store.

My first Philly Cheese Steak at Genos. =) ha

            Well, last weekend I decided it was time to try Pats King of Steaks, directly across the street from Geno’s. Also, a line wrapped around the building and I waited patiently to order. This line went very fast, and they expect you to know the “right way to order” Whiz-Whit for example is Cheese Whiz with Onions. There is a warning board before ordering, read it! Once again I did not and just ordered my own way. Well anyways, this time I was satisfied! The cheese steak was delicious and for the first time I tried Cheese Whiz.

Yum!! Now that is a Cheese Steak!!! It was made just right! =)

 I am team Pats!! Next time I want a “Philly Cheese Steak” without a doubt I  will go there.