August 14, 2013 · 4:00 am

Banana Muffins with Chocolate from Katie Workman

Banana Muffins Katie Workman

Every body loves muffins or cupcakes. To me they are one in the same.  These muffins/cupcakes will knock your socks off. They have the best ingredients butter, sour cream, bananas and chocolate. You know there’s nothing wrong with a little chocolate in the morning. It does a girl good!  All kidding aside these are great. To take away some of the guilt pair them with a big bowl of fresh fruit and Greek yogurt. That’s one great way to start your morning.

This is another of Katie Workman’s recipes. It’s super easy to put together and really turns out a moist and rich muffin. So next time you’re looking for something great to do with two bananas that are two hours from heading to the trash then this is what you need to cook up in you kitchen.   You will make somebody happy.

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August 12, 2013 · 3:14 pm

Sauteed Corn, Spinach, Bacon, and Scallions

Sauteed Corn

School is now is session!  Three days mimicked ten days.  Schedule changes, reading the handbook, going over rules and regulations made for boredom.  I did treat my classes Friday with these Fudgy Rocky Road Bars.  They got rave reviews and some of my new students tried them out on their families and friends this weekend.  That’s success!  I will keep you posted about my classes, but so far so good.

Last night I tried this side dish that I have had bookmarked all summer from Katie Workman The M0m 100 Cookbook.  It’s a great way to use the fresh corn that is so plentiful now.  The dish is packed with flavor.  I’m talking bacon, red pepper, shallots, spinach and corn.  It will be a great addition to any entre, but you know what I think it would be perfect to stand alone.  Just eat the whole bowlful with nothing else.  Heaven.

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August 6, 2013 · 6:30 pm

Fudgy Rocky Road Bars

Fudgy Rocky Road Bars

Looking for something sweet that is super easy to make, feeds a crowd and is delicious?  Well, I found it for you.  As you can tell I am pretty much obsessed with Sarah Carey’s videos from Martha Stewart Everyday Living.  She is just so cute and I love her sense of humor.  She is just a natural in front of the camera and I  cannot wait to share her videos with my classes and discuss them.  It is going to add so much to their cooking experience that I cannot give them in 45 minutes.  But, there is a big downside.  These teens are going to want to eat the food!!!  I am sharing these bars with my classes on Friday as a first week treat.  Really I’m using it as a bribe to keep them from changing classes.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I really should be preparing something disgusting because I have 33 students in all four of my classes.  It is going to next to impossible to teach this many in a lab, but hopefully they will be all little angels and it will be a breeze.  I will keep you posted.

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August 5, 2013 · 6:26 pm

How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning

taco Seasoning

I cannot think of many people who don’t just love tacos.  I know that my high school students love them.   They are quick to prepare and fun to play around with the toppings making them versatile for any picky palate.  So here is a great seasoning to keep on hand because most everyone keeps ground meat in their freezer.  So now you have dinner in a flash.

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July 29, 2013 · 3:24 pm

Baby Back Ribs oven roasted

Baby Back Ribs

I cannot think of many meats that I like better than some tender messy ribs. You know the ones where the meat just falls off the bone. I’ll be the first to say that I have not had good luck with ribs until I watched this how-to video with Sarah Carey. I just love this girl. You can bet that I’m going use her expertise in my classroom this year. What a great resource for my students!! Anyway back to these ribs. They are fabulous!!! It’s really the cooking method that makes them so good. Add whatever rub and sauce that is your favorite. Personally I really liked the one here. I did think that the amount of salt was way too much so I reduced it. The Cajun seasoning first ingredient is salt. This is easy, easy! I mean anyone can do this!!! There is one step that cannot be eliminated and that is to remove the membrane. You will have the worst ribs ever if you fail to do this small step. Turn the ribs to the bony side. Take a knife and lift a small bit of the membrane. Holding the membrane with a piece of paper towel pull the membrane as if you were removing cellophane tape from the meat. You might get lucky and get it in one big piece, but that is not likely. With that one step and low heat you will have the most tender ribs ever!

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July 24, 2013 · 1:58 pm

Caprese Salad on a Toothpick

Caprese SaladLove this recipe!!!  My neighbor Kim had these had a party and I must have eaten 12 without even thinking.  They are so good.  There is nothing better than finding a great recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to put together and is healthy.  I’ve served these at least six times this summer and everyone is so amazed.  You will be,too.  Just keep this idea in your back pocket for your next get together.  It is a hit for sure.  Hope your summer is going well.  My vacation time is coming to an end as of July 31!

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July 1, 2013 · 1:30 pm

Strawberry Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette

Strawberry Salad

Here is a great summer salad that you will want to make with all the fabulous strawberries that we have now.  These flavors from strawberries, mandarin oranges, and avocados  just go together to make a fantastic combination that I would not ordinarily put together.  And the avocado in this salad  oh my! If you are looking hard to see the avocado you won’t.  I served this salad to my book club last month and in the hustle and bustle to make a photo without holding up serving the food I forgot to add the avocado.  But, don’t you leave it out thinking that it will be just as good without it.  It won’t be!  You’ll miss that buttery flavor.  Trust me.  I love this Cinnamon vinaigrette.  It is a lovely salad dressing and a snap to make.   I really cannot believe that today is July 1.  In 30 days school starts and I must get busy on my To Do list which is absolutely nothing!  Enjoy your summer.

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June 19, 2013 · 2:53 pm

Strawberry Cream Cake

Strawberry Cream Cake

Strawberries are everywhere now and when I saw this yummy looking cake on Martha’s newsletter  I could not resist it. Who doesn’t love strawberries and whipped cream.  That is what I call a match made in heaven and then add a nice layer of yellow cake to soak up all that good strawberry juice.  I’m telling you that it is perfect!

I made three of these in one week that’s just how good they are.  Make a one layer cake and then split it, cut up strawberries,  whip up some cream and you have yourself a fancy dessert that is a show stopper.

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June 5, 2013 · 9:31 am

Pizza Dough from Scratch

Homemade Pizza Dough

One of the last demonstrations that I did for my classes this year was homemade pizza dough.  It is really easy to make and my students were in awe!  I use my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook, but  the dough can be made in a food processor or using the dough cycle on a bread machine.  All three work well.  You can also make the dough by hand, but it will take a little more work.

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May 29, 2013 · 5:02 pm

Sausage Balls Made with Buttermilk

Sausage Balls made with Buttermilk

I love sausage balls for breakfast.  When Syble told be about this recipe that she got from her sister Sue I knew that I had to try it.  It’s another easy one that anyone can do.   Make and freeze so you can pull them out anytime.  My freezer is my friend for so many baked goods.  Let it do some work for you.  You’ll be that much more organized in the morning when it is crunch time to get out of the door.

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