BIZZY BAKES

When, I first started blogging, I used a lot fewer ingredients than I use today, particularly in the area of produce.  I was a lettuce, tomato and cuke kind of person, of course using potatoes and onions.  I didn't use too much more.  I did buy lots of frozen vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower and i still do. If you asked me about leeks, kabacha, bok choy, even garlic.  (I knew what garlic was but not what it looked like.)  We ate well despite these limitations. If you have followed the blog, you probably have seen my, praising a new vegetable that I just "discovered" and now use frequently.  This happens regularly.  Thanks to the groups I have cooked with and recipes with some of the exciting additions, I now call them friends.  Leeks is one of these - newish to our household and other than the dirt, it comes with, I love it.  Tonight's soup was great and I think the flavor was from the leek. All I know is, I made enough for...

Menu Plan Monday This week starts a new and exciting group featuring the recipes of Ellie Krieger.  I belonged, in the past, to a group that cooked Ellie recipes and hubby could not wait for  his weekly Ellie treat.  He really loves her recipes.  They tend to be healthy, easy to make, and really yummy.  We are using Weeknight Wonders plus recipes we find on the Internet for our choices.  The group is open so if you are interested, please let me know. The star of this week is Rachel Ray.    I started with her book and ended up looking for specific recipes online.  I finished up with a nice selection, some which I can't wait to make. Sunday - Salmon and Leek Chowder - Rachel Ray Monday - Potato Cake with Green Beans and Apples - Rachel Ray Tuesday -  Eggplant with Tomato, Basil and Parmesan Risotto - Donna Hay                                   ...

The idea for this recipe came from the latest Rachel Ray magazine which I altered.  The original recipe called for 10 eggs as starters so the amount was my first change.  I made a topping of sour cream and brown sugar which is not in the Rachel's recipe. I grew up, eating sour cream and bananas, topped with sugar and when I saw this recipe, I could taste that childhood favorite as if I was truly eating it.  This is something, I had completely forgotten about.  If asked what my favorites from the past were, I would not have come close to anything like this.  Actually, I don't like plain bananas although I do like them baked or cooked. Banana- Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Ingredients: 3 small bananas, sliced 1 cup milk 4  eggs 2 ounces cream cheese 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 4- 6 ounces of challah, cubed 6 ounces chocolate chips 3 tablespoons sour cream 1/3 cup brown sugar Method:  Preheat ov...

My last post was about the egg bake. With it, I served these Oven Home Fries. My hubby asked for some potato dish for the brunch and all I knew is that I did not want to fry the potatoes. I also did not want french fries. I browsed online and came up with Rachel Ray's recipe. I have to admit to judging Rachel without cooking her dishes. About 6 months ago, I received one of her cookbooks and made a number of dishes and everyone of them was on target. She has some interesting combinations that blend well. I pulled the book out today and I am thinking of cooking a week of Rachel Ray and writing a review. I will try to put a menu together for next week. Oven Home Fries with Peppers an d Onions     adapted from Rachael Ray Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 teaspoon Cajun spices 1 teaspoon sweet paprika Method: Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. In a plastic bag, place olive oil, seasoning,...

  Despite our cutting back on meat, during the week, pepper steak still remains one of my husband's favorites.  He has always been a beef lover and when we got married, he would not go near chicken.  Beef it was, day after day, with little variation.  Meatballs, meatloaf, stew and pepper steak.  To top it off, it was not particularly good cooking. I was fortunate that my MIL did not do a good job, cooking.  Her vegetables were overdone, her meat was raw.  For a new bride, I had little to live up to.  Of course, I got little help, in that area, either. My Mom was a better cook, one who produced the basics, chicken, simple meat dishes, potatoes, green beans and store bought cake.  Not inspired cooking but delicious.    A newlywed, I wanted to make food, my husband would like.  I made lots of mistakes but I kept plugging away.  We lived in an apartment with a surprisingly large living room, good sized bedroom, decent dining a...