BIZZY BAKES

I am finding that cooking is very therapeutic and while I don't cook very much for myself, I enjoy cooking for our Shabbos guests and spend up to two whole days, making new recipes or improving others.  I am having particular fun with puff pastry.  For example, this week, I made chocolate marshmallow puffs and potato spinach knishes with it. I can work in the kitchen for hours, going from one recipe to another, blocking out the challenges in life. Most of these recipes originated as Shabbos recipes and I am having them as leftovers during the week.  As a result, I am eating well. I am posting this on Menu Plan Monday where you will find the weekly menus of many versatile cooks.  It is a great place to get ideas for yourself and family. Monday - Noodles with Spicy Vegetable Stir Fry Tuesday -- Tuna and Chickpea Fritters and Apple Slaw Wednesday -  Meat and Grain Balls with  Potato-Spinach Knishes Thursday - Pasta with ...

This is the week's menu for me and for Menu Plan Monday  is diversified.  Sunday was a 25 hour fast and after such a fast, I am not hungry.  I eat something but don't yearn for more.  We all fast differently.  I want water or juice.  Other want pasta or steak.  Our normal fast breaker is something like cheesy eggs. It is light but filling enough.   I had my bowl of pasta with salmon after 9 and I am not at all hungry now, almost 1 AM.  I think, I should be.  Anyway, it is difficult to select a menu when nothing really tempts me.  Maybe the roasted veggies ---- just a little. I have done the best I can.  Note, none of the food is heavy.  In a few days, I am pretty sure, I will  be looking for some additional fat.  In the meanwhile, I am going to enjoy this. Sunday - a fast day.....ended the fast with pasta and salmon Monday - Baked Potatoes with Yogurt Tuesday - Zucchini and Potato Bake Wednesday - Roa...

There has been a major change in our lives, a very difficult one.  Over a year ago, my husband was diagnosed with ALS.  The first year went rather smoothly with only slurred speech but in the past months, there has been a big change.  He can't swallow and has a feeding tube.  His speech is unintelligible and his ability to breathe has changed although I am thankful, he is breathing on his own. I don't really have to say more.  We have no idea what tomorrow brings but fortunately, we are spiritual people and believe that God runs the world.  I don't have to understand everything; I do have to accept it. Granted this is a difficult one to handle but we are doing just that. We are blessed with wonderful children who are there for us.  We have the bonus of some married grandchildren who have stepped in to be there also. This plus good friends and neighbors gives us a strong support system. The little ones bring the most joy in their special way. ...

This week, I asked hubby to give me a list of meals, he would like me to cook, and that is how I made my plan for the week.  Do go on over to Menu Plan Monday and see what everyone else is making this week. Sunday - Leftovers (Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Sliced Tomatoes_ Monday - Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze with Mashed Potatoes and Spinach Tuesday - Barbecued Chicken Cutlets with Oregano Tomatoes   Wednesday - Kasha Chili Thursday - Mac and Cheese Plus Goat Cheese Delight Friday - Chicken Loaf, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Apple Kasha Muffins Saturday - Chulent

This week, many of my recipes come from a book that has been sitting on the shelf, much too long, The Best 30 Minute Recipe from the editors of Cook's Illustrated.  Everyone should have one of their books because it is chock full of information besides clear recipes. At random, I opened the book and came to side bars such as, "Preparing Fennel", "Shredding Cabbage", "Best Whisk for Pan Sauces", "Supermarket Chicken Broth" and "The Best Potato Masher".  These are just a few pages I looked at in this 263 page book. There are color pictures sectioned off around page 100 and the recipes themselves have diagrams and how to drawings of different procedures. The directions have clarity that is not usually found.  each step is explained completely but not like they are talking to a novice.  My instinct tells me anyone could cook from this book no matter the experience and expertise. I am excited about using the book and will be able...

This week is particularly busy with Jewish holidays following on the heels of the Sabbath.  Report cards have to be written and I have to take a quick trip out of town.  There is not going to be much time for cooking.  I do want to get my dishes for Eating with Ellie and Wednesdays with Donna Hay done, as well.  I will check with you, at the end of the week and see how I have done. I wish, I was feeling more optimistic. With all this, today, I decided to bake and made some yummy sugar cookies and a caramelized apple cheesecake. Sunday - Stuffed Cabbage  Monday -  Salad Night - Egg Salad, Cauliflower Salad and a tossed green salad                                                                                         ...

This week, I got most of my recipes from Taste of Home Comfort Food.  Taste of Home is great, particularly when you want good simple food with limited time to make it.  Their food looks good and usually is a success.  This week is a busy one (like every other week isn"t?) and I decided to fill in the meals to make using the Comfort Food book.  Tuesday night is for Donna Hay and Wednesday is for Ellie Krieger.   We have our soup night, breakfast night, pasta night and chicken night.  This week, I am missing an evening for salmon which is unusual. Do check out what others plan to eat this week at Menu Plan Monday .   A happy week of eating to you. Sunday - Leftovers - meatloaf and cabbage pancakes                                   Monday - Brunch Casserole Tuesday - Spinach Ravioli with Basil Oil - Donna Hay               ...

              Menu Plan Monday                      I found that since Passover, I could get my act together, to plan for the week.  I was determined to get it right, this time.  This week is Catch-Up week for both Eating with Ellie and Wednesdays with Donna Hay and as a result, I got to choose from recipes, I had missed, over the year.  Ellie was easy since I had only missed two recipes over Pesach.  With Donna Hay, I was not sure what I had made and what I had not.  I kept going back to  my blog to check.  I have participated there for about two years and figuring we had weekly recipes, I have baked many Donna Hay recipes.  Kayte shares a count with us so top off at her blog and see how many the group has made. Sunday - Creamy Carrot and Zucchini Pasta  Monday - Eggplant Parmesan Tuesday - Salmon with Pepper Sauce, Pickled Carr...

Go right on over to Menu Plan Monday and check what others are making this week. This week does not have a theme. That probably reflects my thinking these days. It is report card time and that is my main focus. Of course, we have to eat but that is not my prime concern. I am not ignoring food, just putting it on the bottom of the ladder, in priorities. Sunday - Family party. Monday - Penne with Broccoli and Apples Tuesday - Potato Soup, White Fish with Pine Nut Brown Butter - Donna Hay Wednesday - Chicken Breast Pork Tenderloin with Fennel and Grapes - Ellie Krieger Thursday - Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Dried Pears Friday - Peanut Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli Saturday - Chulent

In my refrigerator, I have some eggplant and zucchini and on my counter, I have tomatoes and in my freezer, I have a roast and in my cupboard, I have two bags of penne and I plan to use all these plus the salmon which is always on hand and the apples which I used only half of, last week. This is the beginning of the pre-Passover clean-up or it would be better called a Clear Out.  I have to empty everything by some time in March, the earlier the better.  More details to come. Sunday - Linguine with Eggplant Ragout Monday - Crustless Tomato Ricotta Pie Tuesday  -Slow Cooked Beef Ragu Wednesday - Penne with Grape Tomatoes - Donna Hay Thursday - Baked Zucchini - Salmon Friday - Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Apple Kugel                                                                     ...

A while back, Joy Bauer sent me her book, Slim and Scrumptious.  At the time, I made a few dishes and posted them although I am not sure what blog, this was on.  I pulled the book off the shelf where it unfortunately has been living.  What a waste of time.  Joy has delicious looking recipes and it was easy to find several to make this Joy Bauer week.  In fact, I selected too many and I am still trying to decide which to eliminate. "Joy Bauer is one of the world's leading authorities on health and weight loss. As the nutrition and health expert for NBC’s TODAY show, Joy shares reliable, practical, and easy to follow advice that helps millions of people eat better, live healthier, and lead more fulfilling lives. She also hosts the program’s popular “Joy Fit Club” series, which celebrates determined people who have lost more than 100 pounds through diet and exercise alone." Sunday -   Chicken Apple Meatballs in Onion and Apple Gravy Monday - Roaste...