September 13th, 2013 | 
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Friday Favorites: Barbara’s Simple Powerhouse Breakfast
For this Friday Favorite, I’m sharing with you what I had for breakfast this morning… and most mornings over the past few years. I call it my simple powerhouse breakfast because, well, it’s pretty darn simple and it lasts me all morning through to lunchtime. I’m not quite sure when I began combining eggs and lentils. I’m guessing it happened on a sleepy Saturday morning when I was struggling to come up with something new and different for breakfast. I don’t know why I always try to get so creative with breakfast but it never fails that I try to put something interesting in it like miso or tilapia [hmmm, tilapia might not be so bad…] Since that day, however, eggs and lentils have been the go-to breakfast in house.
Slow Cooker Onion Pork
Onions can be such a drag. I use them a lot in my recipes but I often cut up no more than ½ an onion at once so the noxious fumes don’t have a chance to invade my nose and cause an all-out episode of itching, burning and waterworks. I also make sure to rub my hands on the stainless steel faucet to remove any smelly residue. However, when I was asked to make an army-sized potato-onion gratin last winter I knew I was in trouble. After endless slicing, my face felt like I had stuck it in a bucket of ragweed. Yes, the sensation is temporary but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck!
Posted in Main Dishes, Meat Dishes, Slow Cooker Recipes | 
Tags: crock pot, onions, pork, roast, slow cooker | 
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No Comments »Saffron Potato Soup with Shrimp & a GIVEAWAY!!!
Today is a fun day because I have THREE things to be excited about. First, my BFF had her first baby yesterday and M and I got to hold her and love her and dote on her. [Cue raging baby-making hormones now.] I am so proud of the new parents and can’t wait to see this adorable little girl grow up.
Second, we are FINALLY going to decorate our house. We purchased this house over a year ago and we still haven’t put anything up on the walls or curtains on the windows. It looks like we just moved in a couple of weeks ago. I’m thrilled to be taking on this task. If you want to see some of my ideas, check out my Pinterest Boards.
Third, I have a GIVEAWAY for y’all! Klondike Brands and I have partnered together to give away 4 prize packs full of Klondike Potato Goodies, including a cookbook, cooking items and more! Each Monday for the next four weeks I am hosting a weekly giveaway for 1 of these prize packs. Each contest will start on Monday and end the following Sunday night at midnight.
Posted in Giveaway, Soups | Tags: giveaway, potato, saffron, soup, spanish | Print Recipe | 8 Comments »Friday Favorites: Prosciutto Wrapped & Stuffed Turkey Meatloaves
The question I get asked most often is, “Where do you get your inspiration?” I’m always taken aback by this inquiry because there is no simple answer. There is not one place, person or thing from which I draw inspiration but rather it’s a culmination of those plus experiences and the fact that my mind wanders off a lot to weird places that can only be explained by strange dreams. Inspiration doesn’t just come to me (or any person I know) out of thin air. It takes work. It’s the result of many years of active learning, trying, experimenting and even failing. In order to be inspired, it’s necessary to immerse yourself in the subject.
I have spent years trying to be a good cook. Sure, I can take a look in your kitchen pantry and fridge and whip up something delicious for you… Now. It wasn’t always that way. I’ve had many failures in the past including a serious mishap with cranberry sauce and coco powder which turned out to be one of the most horrid experiments ever. I felt like a mad scientist in an old black & white movie who created the blob about to destroy mankind.
Posted in Main Dishes, Meat Dishes | Tags: Italian, meatloaf, prosciutto, turkey | Print Recipe | No Comments »Friday Favorites: Fig & Caramelized Onion Tart
IT’S FIG SEASON! I feel like a little girl jumping up and down screaming that over and over like I’m going to Disney World for the first time. Seriously, figs are one of my favorite fruits of all time. That is, the fresh ones are. The dried ones taste grainy and too sweet for my palate, but the fresh ones (mmmmm) are delectable. They taste like an amazing first kiss; soft, juicy and unbelievably sexy.
Some lovely figs I enjoyed as a 0 Points+ snack
The fig is like a beautiful woman who knows how to dress herself for any occasion. Cocktail parties, backyard barbecue, fancy desserts – my fig lady handles them all with ease. I really relate to her; well, at least I like to think I do! So, this Friday Favorite celebrates my BFF, the beautiful and talented fig and my favorite way to party with her. Figs… Cheese… Flaky pastry… yep, it’s love.
Posted in Appetizers, Snack Foods, Vegetarian | Tags: appetizer, fig, goat cheese, onion, tapas, tart, wine | Print Recipe | 3 Comments »Kiwi Cucumber Agua Fresca
It’s hot outside. Crazy hot. And seriously muggy. Every time I leave the house, I feel so sticky, sweaty and gross, I just wish someone would hose me down. I’ve even been taking cool showers which is a big deal for me because I usually like my water super steamy. I’m reminded of summers growing up in Indiana when temps would get up to the high 90’s and I would lay for hours on the kitchen floor in my dad’s house encircled by large fans wearing only my bathing suit. He didn’t have air conditioning – didn’t believe in it. He wanted to “feel” the weather. I, however, as a teen girl, just couldn’t bear it. Outside was bad enough with the thick blanket of humidity pushing down on my shoulders, but inside everything just felt damp like I was living in a swamp. I used a lot of ice in those days and drank a lot of cool lemonade, water and iced tea while it lasted.
Posted in Drinks, Holiday | Tags: agua fresca, cucumber, drink, juice, kiwi | Print Recipe | 29 Comments »
