We took a week or so off during the holiday madness, but I'm trying to come up with something for tomorrow night. We may end up with delivered pizza and just good fellowship!

New Year's Eve will be munchies! So far, we're having Crockpot Nachos (ground beef or sausage, Velveeta, salsa) with chips, cheese & crackers and Cheese 'n Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms. I've also considered Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Savory Cocktail Weiners, Spinach Dip. Maybe a veggie tray, too - pretty 'meat heavy' there, but that's what my guys usually want, and it only comes once a year, right?

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and has a Happy & Prosperous New Year. I have no idea why, but I am very partial to even numbers, so I'm looking forward to 2012!

L

We almost canceled the new menu this week, due to band concerts and other travels, but since I'd already bought everything, I decided to go ahead and then the guys would have leftovers all week, right? Wrong. Between four of us (at least two are older teen boys who eat a lot anyway), we polished off a 5 pound pork tenderloin (roasted with Granny Smith apples, craisins, a little brown sugar and cinnamon) and two boxes (I know, I try not to use mixes on my Puritan nights, but...) of Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice. There MAY be about a pound of the tenderloin left, but that's it. Really, really, good! Apparently my tenderloin was larger than usual, or I should have cut it in half, because it took much longer to roast than the oral recipe I was given said. Still, it was very good, and the rice was a nice appetizer.

After supper, I made Pecan Coconut Bars for a Christmas Party tonight. They were a big hit at a reception last weekend. I even left a few for the guys this time.

I'm not sure yet about next week: it's such a busy time of year. I think this is my last super busy one (something every night until Friday). I'm looking forward to some rest, but enjoying all the activities.

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

L

Can you believe it's December 6th? My grandfather told me years ago that each year passes faster than the one before it - how true!

Tonight was your basic old pot roast in the crockpot: chuck roast, cream of mushroom soup, Lipton Onion Soup mix, potatoes and carrots. I had this growing up (you can also do 3-4 hours on 300 degrees in the oven) and we always had it with rice. I was planning on just the potatoes, but once I smelled the gravy, I had to have rice, too. It was pretty good, but nothing new or fancy. The carrots were AMAZING! LOL I'm not sure that I've ever put potatoes and carrots with it before - just the meat and soups. The veggies were really, really GOOD! Nothing is easier than a crockpot, too - throw it in first thing in the morning and supper's ready when you get home. My biggest problem is finding recipes that work out time-wise. There are so many good sounding ones with directions of "Cook on Low for 6 hours". That just doesn't work when your job is 8-5! I guess I could always come home at lunch and get it set up, but...

Next week, Apple Craisin Tenderloin (Jim & Linda Mason's recipe). I'm hoping I can remember what exactly they said to do - guess we'll find out!

Happy Eating, and Merry CHRISTmas to all!

L

Another winner (two, actually)!! The Walnut-Crusted Salmon was wonderful and the Pineapple Casserole was fantastic. (It's hard to mess up steamed California blend, too). The salmon could have used a little more mustard than the recipe called for, I think, but it was really good - and baked perfectly...flaky and moist, but fully cooked. The pineapple was a little sweeter than I remember having this Summer at Camp Meeting, but there were three recipes to choose from and I think I picked the wrong one. This one was excellent, but I think a little less sugar would be better. It was more a pineapple cobbler than a side dish. Steamed veggies and soft rolls rounded out a delicious meal. We had almost no leftovers, too!

Maybe not the best choice for fish, but Weathervane's Santa's Sweetie red wine was delicious, too. I spent years trying to find a red wine I liked and this one is my second favorite of all time. Weathervane's Rooster Red is top of the list. I have yet to meet a Weathervane Wine I didn't like. :-)

Next week (by request) pot roast with potatoes and carrots. I found a quick and easy crock pot recipe to try, so little effort will be required. Those are my favorites!

Till next time,

L

Yum! Oh, my goodness! The Asparagus and Proscuitto Stuffed Shells were wonderful - everyone wiped their plates clean with the dinner rolls and there were only 2 shells left. I think we all just got 'stuffed'. This one is definitely a keeper! The flavors blended so well, you couldn't really taste any one ingredient. I just talked the hold outs into trying it, too, so there are officially NO leftovers.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving! I'm eating with family, and everyone's bringing something. I'm making my Grandmother's Cranberry Salad, a Hershey Swirl Pound Cake (by request) and deviled eggs.

Next week, when we're all poultry'd out, we're having Walnut-Crusted Salmon Fillets, Pineapple Casserole and steamed California-blend veggies. Starting the holiday season out right!

Til next time,

L

Paula Deen's "Creamy Rice Salad with Country Ham & Peas" is definitely a keeper! I have to agree with my sister-in-law, though - it would be a much better side dish than main course. It was really good, but needed something more. I'm thinking it would really excel as a covered dish choice.

Due to a schedule change, Tuesday Night Supper will become Monday Night Supper next week. I'm having mixed feelings there - on one hand, I think Monday will work much better with the rest of my week. On the other hand, though, it's been kind of hard to come home from work on Tuesday and starting cooking. You may have noticed the recipes have become simplier in recent weeks! Monday may be even more tiring, but I have the rest of the week to 'rest'.

Next up: Asparagus and Prosciutto Baked Shells. I found this one on a website for Barilla pasta. I knew I wanted stuffed shells, but not the same old, same old. The cheesy ones tend to be too cheesy (according to some), and the meaty ones I've had several times. This sounded really different and tasty!

If anyone would like one of the recipes we tried, please let me know! I'll be more than happy to share.

L

Tuesday, November 8th was Breakfast for Supper night. Homemade pancakes, sausage patties, bacon, scrambled eggs and optional sauteed mushrooms. Rather plain and simple, but I was just tired. Left up to 'surprise us', that was the quickest and easiest thing that ran through my mind.

Next up: Paula Deen's Creamy Rice Salad with Country Ham and Peas. (I know, I know: these folks don't like peas, but I'm doin' the cookin' and I do!)

L

Trisha Yearwood has two fantasic cookbooks out - "Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen" and her new one, "Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood". Pretty much everything in both of them looks good, and so far, everything I've tried has been really wonderful!

Tonight, we had "Cowboy Lasagna" - your basic lasagna, but with ground beef, sage sausage and pepperoni. I made it with cottage cheese instead of ricotta, but I'd like to try it again the other way. It was pretty good. There were no leftovers, anyway - that's always a good sign. Although (much like Garfield), I've never met a lasagna I didn't like. There's another recipe in the same book (the new one) for Chicken Spinach Lasagna. It's on the menu for later this week simply because there were so many leftover noodles. I had a partial package from an earlier meal, so I went ahead and cooked it with the full one for tonight. Personally, I think the Chicken Spinach one sounds even better, but I'm partial to the unusual.

Next week, pot luck. They said "Surprise us", and so I shall. (That means I currently have no clue.)

Till next week, happy eating!

L

Tonight was "Edna's Scalloped Potato Soup", from Guideposts Magazine. It was pretty good - potatoes, carrots, celery, ham, onions, garlic, evaporated milk, etc. I love a good soup when the weather turns cool! We also had some "Steakhouse Brown Bread" - off the store shelf, but very similar to what they serve at Outback or Longhorn. We were prepared to add grilled cheese sandwiches if anyone didn't like it or was still hungry, but didn't have to resort to that.

This week, I rejoined "The Good Cook" book club and got 5 new cookbooks! Oh, joy! I've already skimmed through them looking for new ideas. (I can't wait to try something from the "Booze Cakes" one.)

One of my son's friends mentioned the other day that he had never had Lasagna. Hard to imagine! Much like Garfield, I've never met a Lasagna I didn't like. So, next week we'll be having "Cowboy Lasagna" from "Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood". This is her second cookbook - I have both and don't there's a single recipe in either one I wouldn't like. I wish I could say the same for my family. Oh, well - that's why we're having Tuesday Night Supper.

Happy cooking (and eating)!

L

Yum! The Slow Cooker Texas Chili was amazing! A little on the spicy side, but still good. Fortunately, John was off school today and able to get it all started. Bite size chuck roast, green chilies, chili powder, a little brown sugar, onion, garlic, hot sauce, tomatoes (with green chilies - do you sense a theme here?), topped with sour cream, scallions and cheese. The corn bread was amazing, too - with cream corn, sour cream, baking powder, corn meal and a little vegetable oil - so moist you almost needed a spoon. Dishes are done, too - thanks to Ginger and Jeff!

This week, I rejoined The Good Cook book club - five new cookbooks to look through for future ideas arrived today. I know what I'll be doing this weekend! Just for fun, I got the "Booze Cakes" cookbook, too. I can't wait to get into that one! I feel a cake baking coming on this weekend. :-)

Next week: Scalloped Potato and Ham Soup with crusty Italian bread. Happy cooking!

L


PS - yesterday I also found a way to be more giving, non-financially, as I posted a few weeks ago. I was honored to finish a project someone else started and was unable to complete. I have no idea why I was asked - the lady who contacted me didn't know me all that well, but she called me anyway. I have to believe there was some divine intervention there.

Grace and Peace,

L

I need to either figure out what week we've on or give up trying!

Last night was Chicken Korma, from the Food Network Cookbook (Thanks, again, Pam!!). It was acutally turkey, since I couldn't find ground chicken (although, admittedly, I didn't look very hard!). It started out with sauteed purple onion, to which was added a spice paste of pureed chopped red onion, minced onion, thin-sliced fresh ginger, cumin, coriander and water. That was reduced until dry, then the chicken (turkey) was added and cooked until opaque. Green peas and chopped cilantro were added until heated through, then plain yogurt. This was served on toasted pita rounds and garnished with fresh cilantro, plain yogurt and cashews. With all the spices involved, I was expecting an amazing, super flavorful dish here! It was just okay - very edible, good even, but just okay. Tasty, but a little bland. It was really quick to throw together, though.

Next week: Texas Chili and cornbread! Yum!

Til next time!

L

I was on vacation last week LOL. John grilled steaks and we had wild rice and salad - so nice to sit back and do nothing! I could get used to that! :-)

Tonight (I've lost track of my weeks), we had Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts (with pepperoni, provolone and basil), cauliflower with cheese sauce, leftover Onion Macaroni Bake (as a filler, in case we didn't have enough) and Mexican corn. Once again, everything was the same color! We're doing good with tasting different foods and cooking new and different things, but we always seem to end up beige. I guess it could be worse. We'll just have to be more creative on making colorful plates. This was a Paula Deen recipe and while it was good, it was just 'okay'. I think my breasts were too big (pun intended) and therefore, not enough of the pizza flavor came through. We may have to try this one again some day, but I'm not ready for repeats yet.

Next week: Chicken Korma! We'll have to come up with something green or red to go with it. Or both - you never know!

Until then, Happy Dining!

Week 13 (??): the Spinach and Feta stuffed Chicken breasts with Herbed Mayonnaise sauce were fantastic! I think they made the top three so far, closely behind the Mediterranean Pitas (still #1) and the Spinach and Feta stuffed Salmon. As sides, we had steamed cauliflower with cheese sauce, corn (canned, but hey, almost everything else was scratch :-)), Garlic Texas Toast and yeast rolls. We have one who has decided to be vegetarian, but I had a frozen Steamer with mac & cheese w/broccoli, so it was all good.

The boys are going to pick the menu next week, so I guess it will be a surprise. We told them they could cook, too, so we'll see how it goes. I enjoy cooking, but I'd enjoy a night off and being served too - being a gracious receiver is sometimes hard, but it's important. As someone special once reminded me, if you refuse to let others give to you, you are depriving them of the joy of giving.

I'm trying to find ways to be more giving in non-monetary ways. It's so easy to give money (even when I can't afford much), but much harder to give of self - especially in meaningful ways. So here's to prayers for guidance and discernment to find opportunities for servanthood.

Happy Tuesday!

I've lost track of the weeks, but I think we're in the teens now. Regardless of the number, we've had some good food, good wine and good fellowship! Tonight was a cooking challenge - scallops, which I have not only never cooked before, but had never eaten. The guy at the store told me be sure not to overcook them. Trouble was, they were still partially frozen - it's hard to 'sear' something that is partially frozen and had ice crystals melt into the pan. They were more 'poached' than 'seared'. Okay, a little on the rubbery side (especially the smaller ones), but still okay. I will NOT, however, attempt them again. (Red Lobster, here I come!)

I really want to try more things with quinoa. It's got the most interesting texture - like a cross between caviar and tapioca. (I'm imagining here - it's been so long since I tried caviar, I don't even remember the occasion.) I keep hearing how healthy it is for you, but it may just be the newest cult grain, if you know what I mean.

Moscata is definitely one of my favorite wines! It may be THE favorite white. I'm still partial to Weathervane Winery's Rooster Red, though. I could drink it like Kool-aid.

Next week, spinach and goat cheese stuffed chicken breasts. I'm looking forward to some good soups and stews in cooler weather, too.

We skipped last week - John was getting a tattoo and we wanted to watch! I need to figure out how to attach a picture here. :-)

Tonight, we kinda fell apart again - one left for work early, one's going to Zumba (that's where I ought to be!), another just needed to chill at home. However, since I bought everything LAST week, I figured I'd go ahead and cook, then have leftovers for lunch all week. On the menu for tonight: Chesapeake Chicken (Paula Deen's recipe - chicken and crabmeat with a mushroom/wine/cream cheese sauce) over rice. I thought about some fried okra, but it's too labor intense for just me. I bought a can (I know, goes against my Puritan ideals for Tuesday evenings, but, hey) of Triple Succotash - lima beans, corn, okra and stewed tomatoes. Sounds good to me!

I've been watching "Hell's Kitchen", and they always seem to have Scallops. I've never eaten Scallops, much less cooked them, so that's what's on the menu for next week. "Scallops with Citrus and Quinoa" from "Great Easy Meals". It's published by the Food Network Magazine -awesome recipes! Thanks to Pam at work for hooking me up with this cookbook. I'm not sure what to have with it, though? Suggestions are always welcome!

I find that I am really enjoying these evenings - even though it's a little hectic coming in the door from work and getting started. I enjoy the fellowship, especially - I am not a social being and have to force myself sometimes. The only downside I'm finding is that I end up doing the dishes after two or three days of promises. If I do the planning, cooking and buying, someone ELSE needs to do the dishes immediately after we're done. I don't think that's too much to ask. (Admittedly, my sister-in-law was doing them until her knee starting acting up and she ended up with surgery - she's been excused for several weeks now).

Till next week (or I think of something else I just HAVE to share,

Lisa

Week 10! Tonight was interesting - Chicken with Apple, Red Onion & Cider Sauce, rice and Grandma's fried okra. I wasn't so sure about the Chicken with apple and onion - certainly willing to try it though. It was pretty good - not one of my favorites, but edible. The okra was darn near perfect - just like my grandmother's except not quite as crunchy. I'll let it cook a little longer next time.

We had a smaller crowd this week, too. It was nice to be a little more intimate, but I missed all the young people! Other than Lilly, I was the youngest one here - that sure doesn't happen very often these days. LOL

I've found myself thinking more about Fall - good soups and stews. What are your favorite Fall dishes?

Next week: Chicken Chesapeake with chicken, mushrooms and crab in a cream cheese sauce. It sounds really good! In the meantime, I have to come up with something for a covered dish celebration at Church this Sunday.

Week 9??

Tonight was Oven Baked Beef Stroganoff and Squash Casserole - the squash was really good! Good food, good friends and good wine - what could be better? Then we topped off the evening watching "Master Chef". New ideas! LOL

We had a good crowd, too, even though a couple of guys dissed us. :-) (You know who you are)

I want to try scallops one of these days - never had them.

Next week, Chicken with Apple, Onion and Cider Sauce and I'm going to attempt to duplicate my Grandmother's fried okra.

Okay, I'm a little late. Obviously, this week's Tuesday Night Supper was not inspiring enough to motivate me to write about it. Chicken Tetrazzini, salad and garlic bread. The garlic bread was good! LOL Actually the Tetrazzini was okay, but just okay. Rather bland, although a little salt and pepper helped.

I'm looking forward to next week - Oven Baked Beef Stroganoff and Squash Casserole.

Week Seven - the Shrimp Scampi and Asparagus Risotto were both fabulous! I messed up and bought unpeeled shrimp, so I spent the first half hour peeling, but that just worked up an appetite! All kinds of new adventures this week - first time buying brandy (with a wonderful, fun salesman at the ABC Store in Thomasville), searching for shallots (finally found some at Ingles in Thomasville), first time peeling shrimp and first time burning off alcohol in a pan. (It burned a lot longer than I thought it would.)

Next week: Chicken Tetrazinni with Roasted Red Peppers, perhaps with Squash Casserole (it was requested, but I'm not sure that's a good combo). We'll see.

Richard suggests green beans with bacon and brown sugar - not sure about that one, either. (Yuck?)

Now I need to get back to the gym to work it off!

Lisa

It's been over a year, but I'm back! I'm switching directions and writing about our Tuesday Supper Club. Several weeks ago, I was complaining to my sister-in-law about all the great recipes I'd like to try, but my family is NOT creative eaters. Her boyfriend feels the same way. So, we decided to all get together once a week and try something new and different. Thus far, we've had six amazing menus (some better than others) and I'd like to share.

Week 1: Shrimp & Sausage Paella - so-so...I think I chopped the artichoke hearts too small - would've had more flavor if they were more chunky

Week 2: Pasta Jambalaya, corn on the cob and New England Molasses bread - this was pretty good except it was a microwave recipe and the pasta didn't do that well

Week 3: Mediterranean Chicken Pitas - our hands down favorite so far!

Week 4: Creamy Lemon-Pesto Chicken and Linquine with garlic Texas toast - Yum! We also had Weathervane Tropical Wave wine slushies.

Week 5: BBQ-Bacon Stuffed Meatloaf, roasted new potatoes and Brussel sprouts, yeast rolls - catering to the picky ones, we made one with mushrooms (per the recipe) and one without - look, Ma, no leftovers!

Week 6: Spinach & Feta stuffed roasted Salmon, corn on the cob, yeast rolls, frozen strawberry margaritas - this was simply amazing...

Coming up: Shrimp Scampi and Asparagus Risotto...

So, grab a couple of cookbooks and start your own! Good fellowship, good food, good wine - what could be better?

Happy Tasting!

Bidibidus