Roasted Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes

2 pounds fingerling potatoes, cut into bite size pieces
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Toss to coat.  Pour onto a baking sheet.  Bake 45 minutes.  Makes 5 to 6 servings.

 

When I was shopping at the grocery store last week, I spotted this bag of mixed fingerling potatoes.  It contained red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, and purple potatoes.  I love to try new food products, so I grabbed a bag.

Typically when I roast potatoes, I will just put the potatoes on the baking sheet and drizzle olive oil and seasoning, then toss them to coat.  For this recipe, I wanted to make sure every potato was evenly seasoned, so I tossed them in a large bowl instead.  It was an extra step, but each bit was perfectly seasoned, so for me it was worth it.

I loved the addition of the purple potato!  It put a fun new twist to a good old standby recipe, without changing the flavor.

Giveaway! 

Enter my giveaway, for your chance to win a copy of my cookbook, 
MY KIND OF COOKING, and a set of knives!  

For more details, check out my post about the Giveaway.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!

The Commercial for My Cookbook

I have been noticing a lot of blogs are posting videos.  The only video I have is the commercial I made for my cookbook, MY KIND OF COOKING, so I decided to post it. 

I am trying to decide weather or not to record and post videos.  Maybe you can help me make up my mind.  Do you like to see videos on blogs?  And if you do, what kind of videos would you like to see?

Giveaway! 

Enter my giveaway, for your chance to win a copy of my cookbook, 
MY KIND OF COOKING, and a set of knives!  

For more details, check out my post about the Giveaway.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!

Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken strips

2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, combine honey and mustard. Mix well. Dip chicken strips in honey mixture, dredge chicken in bread crumbs, place on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Discard unused honey mustard mixture.  Makes 6 servings.

This recipe will be in my new cookbook, BUSY WOMAN'S 3 & 4 INGREDIENT COOKBOOK.  The cookbook will be available in August.

This  is a kid friendly recipe that is sure to please the whole family.  The panko bread crumbs, give the chicken a light crunchy coating.  The honey mustard sauce, keeps the chicken moist, while adding lots of sweet and tangy flavor.

If you are looking for more recipes using honey like Beth, aka Chef Bee, at Plan B - Making Every Meal An Event, take a peek at my Apple Chicken recipe.

Giveaway! 

Enter my giveaway, for your chance to win a copy of my cookbook, 
MY KIND OF COOKING, and a set of knives!  

For more details, check out my post about the Giveaway.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!

Cooking with Honey

I love to cook with honey!  The taste, texture, and color of honey is a nice addition to not only your baked goods, but it also will add a hint of sweetness to savory recipes.

Below are a few tips I use when working with honey.

Honey Hints:

1. A 12 ounce container of honey, equals 1 cup

2. Store honey at room temperature, never in the refrigerator. 

3. When measuring honey, spray the measuring cup or other utensils you are using, with non-stick cooking spray.

4. Don't toss out honey that has become cloudy or if it has crystallized.  It is still safe to eat.   To dissolve the crystals, place honey container in warm water until crystals dissolve.  You can also microwave the honey.  Microwave for up to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until crystals dissolve.  Never boil the honey.

5. When adding honey to a recipe that you will be baking, reduce the heat in the oven by 25 degrees, to prevent over browning.

6. To cut the slightly acidity of honey in your baked goods, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of honey used in a recipe.


Fun Fact: The honey bear container was created in 1957, and still remains the most popular honey container to this day.

Check back on Friday, when I will be posting my

Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.

Giveaway! 

Enter my giveaway, for your chance to win a copy of my cookbook, 
MY KIND OF COOKING, and a set of knives!  

For more details, check out my post about the Giveaway.

A special thanks to Angela of, This is what I do...., for mentioning my blog in her list of Valentine Blogroll.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Mexican Coleslaw

Pulled Pork Sandwiches 

2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless pork loin roast
1 cup apple jelly
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

In slow cooker, place roast.  In medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Mix well.  Pour over roast. Cover. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours.  Using two forks, pull pork apart until shredded. Mix well.

 

Serve on buns.  Makes 6 to 8 servings. 

 Mexican Coleslaw 

1(10 ounce) package confetti coleslaw
1 (16 ounce) jar sliced jalapenos (reserve liquid, dice 1/3 cup sliced jalapenos)
3 tablespoons extra light olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed

 

In large bowl, combine coleslaw and diced jalapenos.  In small bowl, combine 1/3 cup jalapeno juice (liquid from the jar containing the jalapenos), olive oil, sugar, and celery seed. Mix well.  Add mixture to coleslaw.  Mix well.

The recipes taken by themselves are delicious, but put them together and you have a one fantastic sandwich!  

The pulled pork is tender and juicy and has that sweet and savory flavor that I love.  Leave the Mexican Coleslaw off of the sandwich, and you have a very kid friendly meal.  

The Mexican Coleslaw is tangy and crunchy.  You can customize the heat in it by choosing mild or hot jalapenos.  I like to use the leftover coleslaw as a topper on tortilla chips.  I take a chip and pile the coleslaw high on top, creating a perfect bite.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Giveaway! Win a Copy of my Cookbook and Two Knives!

On March 4th, I will be drawing a name from the followers of my blog, to win a copy of my cookbook, MY KIND OF COOKING, and a set of knives! 

I will be giving away a copy of my cookbook, MY KIND OF COOKING.  This cookbook has over 500 yummy recipes using only 3, 4, or 5 ingredients.  It has everything from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.  It also includes slow-cooker recipes! 

I am always on the lookout for new kitchen items.  When I do cooking demos, I take my own knives with me.  With the weight restrictions and the cost of checking luggage, I try to pack a little lighter these days.  The knives I usually pack, come in a big heavy case. The knives above, are lightweight and they come with a blade guards, so there is no need for a case.  That means I can pack more clothes! 

The package says the knives have a non-stick coating, a sharp edge, and are dishwasher safe.  With features like that, I had to purchase not only a set for me, but also one to giveaway to one of my blogging buddies!

 

Sign up as a FOLLOWER for your chance to win!

Follow: Sign up to follow my blog by clicking the "Follow" button on the right side of the page.

Facebook: Click the "Like" button on the right side of the page, then leave a comment saying you did so, for an extra entry. 

Comments: Leave comments on any posts I make from now until March 3rd, for extra entries!  Each comment will count as an entry.

The giveaway is open to all of my Followers and Facebook Fans, regardless of where they live.   If your name is drawn and you have a blog, I will mention your blog address on my "Fast Food Fridays and The Cross Connection" radio shows on the The Passion Radio Network, and post your blog address on my blog.

A special thanks to Angela of, This is what I do...., for mentioning my blog in her list of blogs she enjoys.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!

Taco Chili

Taco Chili

1 pound lean ground beef
2 (15 ounce) cans seasoned tomato sauce with diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can chili beans with chili gravy
1 (15 ounce) can hominy or whole kernel corn, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

In large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain. In 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Cover. Cook on low 4 to 6 hours or high 2 to 3 hours.  If desired, top with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.  You can also serve this chili with tortilla chips.  Makes 4 to 6 servings.

This chili is perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!  It is quick and easy and will allow you to spend time with your guests instead of in the kitchen.  

Set up a chili bar with all of your favorite chili toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapenos, diced onion, tomatoes, and of course sour cream.  I also like to put out a big bowl of Fritos corn chips. I put the chips in the bottom of my bowl, fill my bowl with chili, then top it with my favorite garnishes. 

Friday has become my favorite day of the week!  Today, I am sharing this recipe on two radio stations.  First on my weekly, Fast Food Friday's, on the Passion Radio Network.  I love doing that segment!

I will also be on my friend George's, Foodie Friday, segment on KICD AM1240.  George has invited me be a regular on his show, so once a month I will be sharing recipes and tips on his Foodie Friday segment.  Thanks George; it is always fun to be interviewed by you!  

      

 Congratulation to the winners of my monthly contests!

The winners were picked by using random.org

The winner of the drawing for the Followers of my blog is:

Diane of My Life in the Charente

Reading her blog is like taking a trip to France and the UK!  Her pictures are incredible and her writing will draw you into her adventurous life! 

The winner of my first Facebook drawing is:

Lyndsay Bennetts

Thanks Lyndsay for clicking the "Like" button on my Facebook page!

Sign up to Follow my blog for your chance to win a copy of my cookbook!

MY KIND OF COOKING 3,4,5 INGREDIENT COOKBOOK

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!

 

Chocolate Covered Bacon & Appetizer Tips

Chocolate Covered Bacon

8 slices thin sliced bacon
2 (1.45 ounce) dark chocolate candy bars
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Arrange 8 slices of bacon on a slotted broiler pan or on a baking pan with two wire cooling racks.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Drain on paper towel. Cut each slice into 3 pieces.

Break chocolate bar into pieces, place in small microwave safe bowl.

Microwave for 60 seconds, stirring after 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted.  Dip bacon into chocolate, covering half of it with a very thin layer of chocolate.  Place on wax paper and sprinkle ground fresh pepper over top.

If needed, place in refrigerator to set chocolate quickly. 

Are you looking for a new appetizer to serve at your Super Bowl Party?   Before you say yuck, give this recipe a try. 

I recently went to a restaurant where they serve Chocolate Covered Bacon.  My first experience with this strange culinary creation was not a pleasant one.  The bacon was cut thick and the chocolate was overpowering, so I hesitated trying it again.  I am glad I did!  It was a thin crisp savory bite, with just a hint of sweetness.  I liked it so much, I went home and recreated the recipe. 

The trick to making this recipe, is to lightly cover half of the piece of bacon with a very thin coat of chocolate.  The crushed fresh ground black pepper counters the sweetness in the chocolate.  You could also add Cayenne pepper to the chocolate instead of the black pepper for a spicy variation.

Give it a try, at least you will have something else to talk about if your team loses the Super Bowl..

Appetizer Tips

If you are serving appetizers before a meal, prepare 4 to 6 pieces per person.

If dinner is served later in the evening, prepare 6 to 8 pieces per person.

If you are only serving appetizers, prepare 8 to 10 pieces per person.

Consider serving no-mess finger food that doesn't require utensils to be used, if you are not 

seated at a table to eat the appetizers.

Use hollowed out loaves of bread and bell peppers or other food items to serve dips in.

To keep appetizers cold, fill a bowl that is larger than the serving bowl, with ice.  Set the serving bowl on top of the ice. 

Cheese should be served at room temperature.

Giveaway!

On Friday, I will be doing two drawings!  

One from the Followers of my blog, and one from the

Fans of my new Facebook page.

For more details, read my post about the Giveaway.

Winners will receive copies of my cookbook,

MY KIND OF COOKING 3,4,5 INGREDIENT COOKBOOK

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Stop by and visit Ashley, at What Does A Songbird Sing.  She posts recipes and exercise tips on her blog, and who couldn't use a little more of both!