Thanksgiving without the monotony

Happy to say it is here. The Dayton Daily News article has arrived. So proud to share this article with the very sweet Karen Harmon. The picture was taken in our very own home, set up by my very own husband Andrew, and my neighbors mom Elaine took the picture. Hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think.
Thanksgiving without the monotony

Deweys Pizza

So excited that I get to work with one of my favorite people tonight, Chuck Lipp. I'm am lucky that Chuck chooses to share his pizza expertise with the students of Cooks'Wares. Being from Jersey my taste for pizza is particular to say the least, buy I have found one place that I keep going back to, and that's Deweys.I have been assisting Chuck for about 4 years now when he comes to the Settlers walk location, and to say we have fun is an understatement. My favorite will always be the Billy Goat, with Olive Oil, Minced Garlic, Light Mozzarella Cheese, Mushrooms, Goat Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Fresh Tomatoes. OK my mouth is watering.

No Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, especially in the kitchen. The question is, are they really mistakes? We are having guests over for dinner, and I had aspirations of making beef bourguignonne. I know, look at me, all fancy. Well after going to childrens mass with the girls, going shopping for Thanksgiving outfits (for the girls), picking up Josie, and finally coming home, I realized I forgot to marinate the beef yesterday. Now, just a few years ago I would have thrown my hands up in the air, and said forget it, and tried to figure out something else to make. Today I pushed through, and though my beef bourguignonne would most likely make Julia Childs cry, my house smells wonderful, the dish tastes great, and not a single tear shed. My point, there are no mistakes in cooking, just opportunities to discover different dishes. If your in the middle of a recipe and you realize you have forgot to shop for an ingredient, or you forgot a step in the recipe. Don't throw the towel in, push through, you may create something better than the original. If that doesn't work, that's why they invented pizza delivery.

Entertaining’s easy with these holiday dining tips 2010

This was the article the last time I was in the Dayton Daily News. A new article coming soon!
Entertaining’s easy with these holiday dining tips

Simple Salmon

Its always good to have a quick weekday menu in your tool box. Tonight for instance the request from the peanut gallery ( Caitlyn) was salmon. Salmon to me is a super food. A 3 oz serving has only 175 calories, 10 grams of total fat, and packs a whopping 19 grams of protein. There are loads of ways to prepare this dish, but this is a family favorite.

Simply Salmon

 Filet of salmon, skin on

Olive oil

Seasoning

Mixed dried herbs of your choice, I prefer Nantucket Off-Shore Rub

 Position oven rack to top level. Preheat your broiler on high.

Drizzle olive oil on both sides of salmon. Place salmon on a cookie sheet, skin side down, and sprinkle with seasoning, and herbs. Broil for about 8 to 10 minutes.

We serve this with couscous, and a roasted vegetable of some sort.

Baby It's Cold Outside

The weather is turning cold fast. This is a great time to cook up some warm chicken soup. This very easy soup can be a base for almost everything. Chicken and dumping, stock, or just like it is, a good home remedy for all that ails you. My Mom taught me to always have some of the soup in the freezer, for the unexpected sniffles.

Mom’s Chicken Soup

 

1 whole chicken

2 large onions, chopped

5 or 6 celery stalks with leaves, chopped

2 cups baby carrots, chopped

½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

water

salt and pepper

 

Cut up chicken and cover with water in large stockpot. Bring liquid to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes skimming off waste periodically.

 

Add rest of ingredients, and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Add chopped fresh parsley during remaining ten minutes

Stay Warm, and God bless New Jersey!

Dayton Daily News

Very exciting news. I was interviewed yesterday for a Life article for the Dayton Daily news. There will be a few recipes and tips on how to make your Thanksgiving less stressful. Look for it to come out some time in the second week of November.