Iowa State Fair

It is time for the Iowa State Fair again!  I love going to this fair!  It has one of the best and largest food departments.  While there I will be conducting two Cooking Seminars and I will also be judging six Cooking Contests.

One of my favorite things to do at the fair it to try all the new and strange food items that the vendors will be selling.  I will be posting pictures from the fair on the My Kind of Cooking  Facebook page.  You know you want to see the Double Bacon Corn Dog and the Deep Fried Pickle "Dawgs" pictures!

Outside of all the fun and food, my main reason for attending the Iowa State Fair is to promote and sale my new cookbook, the Ultimate Busy Woman's Cookbook.

If you are going to the Iowa State Fair, please stop by and say Hi to my Mom and I at the Elwell Family Food Building

Cooking Demos
Sunday August 12th at 11:00 am
Thursday August 16th at 9:30 am

Cooking Contests
August 15th at 11:00 am:  My Kind of Cooking - Desserts
August 15th at 1:30 pm:  Kids in the Kitchen
August 16th at 11:00 am:  My Kind of Cooking - Kid's Snacks
August 17th at 2:30 pm: Desserts for Jake/No Chocolate Desserts
August 18th at 9:30 pm: Beginners Contest
August 18th at 1:00 pm: Desserts for Christina/Chocolate Desserts

My new cookbook will be available at the Iowa State Fair, and soon it will be available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Friday, 

for my all time favorite Iowa recipe!

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!

Delightful Pear Cupcakes

Delightful Pear Cupcakes

1 (16.5 to 18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can pear halves in syrup, undrained
1/3 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large bowl, combine all ingredients.  

With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed 2 minutes.  

Pour batter into muffin pan with liners, 3/4 full. Bake 18 to 23 minutes.  

Frost with vanilla or cream cheese frosting.

This recipe is from our new cookbook the, ULTIMATE BUSY WOMAN' S COOKBOOK.  We sponsor cooking contests at the Iowa State Fair.  Delightful Pear Cupcakes, is one of the recipes that was entered in a dessert contest.

The judges all loved this easy cupcake recipe.  We look for recipes that are unique  or recipes that use unusual ingredients.  Everyone has heard of using applesauce in cake recipes, but this was the first one the judges had seen using pears.

The pears keep the cake moist.  Even after setting around for a couple of days, they still taste fresh baked.

Check back on Tuesday, 

for Tuesday's Tip & Tricks Post!

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!

My New Cookbook!

My Mom, my sister, and I joined forces and wrote the "Ultimate Busy Woman's Cookbook".  This is the eighth cookbook that I have co-authored or written.  It has over 500 recipes with only 3 and 4 ingredients.  All of the recipes use common ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store.  The recipes have been tried and tested.

It has everything from Appetizers, through Main Dishes, and Desserts.

It also includes:

• Slow Cooker Recipes
• Cooking Techniques & Tips
• Herbs and Spice Guide 
• Ingredient Substitution List
• Adapt Most Recipes to a Slow Cooker for Hassle Free Cooking.

Soon this cookbook will be available at the Iowa State Fair and schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Friday, 

for the Delightful Pear Cupcake recipe
from the Ultimate Busy Woman's 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!

Giveaway and Sangria Recipe

Today's recipe is not the typical recipe you see on my blog.  I don't drink alcohol and if you don't either, you could exchange the wine and brandy for non-alcoholic substitutes, making it a family friendly recipe, that would be a fantastic drink for summer entertaining.

I am doing a cookbook swap with another blog.  I am giving away and promoting their cookbook and they will be doing the same with mine. 

The sangria recipe comes from a cookbook I will be giving away called, "The Drinking Girls' Guide to...Spanish Food".   Army wife's and authors, Ashleigh Wehmeyer and Tiffani Warner, of The Drinking Girls blog, filled the cookbook with quick and easy recipes to make you the toast of the town.  It has everything from appetizers to main dishes and desserts.  It is also filled with beautiful pictures, wonderful stories, and helpful tips, making it a cookbook you have trouble putting down.

Stumblin’ Home Sangria (Ashleigh and Tiffani's recipe)

1 bottle of your favorite red wine, chilled  (use unsweetened grape juice, for a non-alcoholic version)

1 liter lemon-lime soda, chilled (they like 7UP™)

1 cup brandy (they like Spain’s Torres 5 Imperial Brandy™) (use apple juice. for a non-alcoholic version)

2 medium sweet apples, diced (they like gala or pink lady)

1 mango, diced (peeling is optional)

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1 cup sugar

Put chopped fruit in a clear glass 2-quart pitcher with sugar and brandy. Stir until all fruit is coated with

the brandy and sugar mix. Let it sit overnight in the fridge, or if you just can’t wait, chill at least 3 hours.

When ready to serve, add chilled wine and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with fruit. Makes 8 glasses.

Ashleigh says:  Unlike most sangria's, our does not include citrus, which we think has a tendency to leave the sangria bitter.  Ours is extremely smooth and refreshing on a hot day. Also, we don't soak the fruit in the wine, we soak it in the sugar and Brandy.  Part of what makes it so refreshing is a bit of bubbly lemon-lime soda.  There is just something about bubbles!  Tiffani also worked up a version where she used Splenda Baking Sugar in place of regular sugar for those who are looking to cut some calories.  Just replace the one cup of sugar here with a half of a cup of the Splenda.  Cutting calories without sacrificing the taste.

The Girls, are trying to reach 100 followers on their blog.  To help reach that number, they are giving away Drunken Jams, from their friends at Canning Italy.  Stop by their blog and take at not only the jam but their delicious recipes!

Giveaway!

The rules for the Giveaway are super easy.

1. You must follow my blog with Google Friend Connect, Facebook, or by email.

2.  Leave a comment on this post telling me you follow my blog.

3. For an extra entry, follow, The Drinking Girls blog, and leave a message telling me you follow both my blog and The Drinking Girls blog.

A winner will be drawn on May 1st.  Good Luck!

Stop back by on Tuesday,

 to see pictures from my trip to Mexico. 

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!

Cookbook From India Giveaway!

I love to collect cookbooks from the places that I travel.  While in India, I decided to purchase two cookbooks.  One for my collection, and one to giveaway on my blog.

I was surprised to see so many cookbooks in the small gift shop at the airport in Chennai, India.  As I looked through the haphazardly stacked books, I spotted one titled "Indian Fast Food".  I thought, "Wow, My Kind of Cooking, here in India!".   I was so excited!  This book is full of quick and easy recipes, with most of the recipes having a photo of the finished dish.  It is geared to cooking abroad, so many of the ingredients are easy to find.

Most of the recipes can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.  Recipes can also be easily adapted to your taste, and do not depend on any indispensable, exotic ingredient.

The rules for the Giveaway are super easy.

1. You must follow my blog with Google Friend Connect, Facebook, or by email.

2.  Leave a comment on this post.

Bonus:  If you follow both with Google Friend Connect and with Facebook, mention that in your comment to receive an extra entry in the drawing.  If you don't follow my blog on Google Friend Connect or Facebook, it is not too late to start!

A winner will be drawn on March 30th.  Good Luck!

Stop back by on Tuesday,

 to see pictures from my trip to India. 

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!

Congratulations to the winner of the Joy Bauer's Food Cures book, Jamie!

In February, I will be giving away a copy of my cookbook, MY KIND OF COOKING, and three dishtowels.   

MY KIND OF COOKING, 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!

Along with the cookbook, are three dishtowels.  I feel in love with these cute little towels.  There is an old wife's tale that says, a rooster in your kitchen is good luck.  And who couldn't use a little good luck?

The rules for the Giveaway are super easy.

1. You must follow my blog with Google Friend Connect or Facebook.

2.  Leave a comment on this post.

Bonus:  If you follow both with Google Friend Connect and with Facebook, mention that in your comment to receive an extra entry in the drawing.  If you don't follow on them, it is not too late to start!

A winner will be drawn on February 28th.  Good Luck!
 

On Friday, I will be posting my

Hamburger Cupcake recipe!

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,  She also has a great Giveaway on her blog! Stop by and check it out.  You'll be happy you did!

Giveaway!

This is a cookbook which is perhaps unlike any other you have ever read. It almost has a plot!  It reads like fiction.  It's full of mouthiness, according to the author, Stephen Crout of the The Obsessive Chef blog, and he likes to think of it as wit. You may not agree with everything, Stephen, has put in the book, but if you love to read cookbooks, then you will enjoy this book.  Mixed in with the stories, are helpful cooking tips, and delicious creative recipes.

Stephen's, goal with this cookbook is to inspire you to think out of the box, and get creative in the kitchen.  Along with his incredible recipes, are lists of ingredients without the exact amount needed, so you can experiment and create a recipe that is fitting to your taste, not his.

He has been advocating in recent years: don't be a slave to anything in the kitchen. Use what you have and make what you want. It's no big deal!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Stephen's cookbook,
click this link: https://www.createspace.com/3695950

Giveaway Details

It is easy to have a chance to win a copy of Stephen's cookbook.

1. Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect (The box is on the right side of the blog, click the "Follow" button) or "Like" my Facebook page.

2. Leave a comment on this post.  

The winner will be picked randomly and announced on Monday, November 28th.

Stephen told me to take one of his recipes and recreate it, so for Friday's recipe that is just what I did.

Check back on Friday

for my version of one of Stephen's recipes.

Turkey on Biscuits,

it is a great after Thanksgiving leftover recipe!

Visit my friends blogs!

My friends are taking some time off from blogging, but they have incredible recipes in their archives!

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!

Tate's Bake Shop Giveaway!

Tate's Bake Shop is giving away three packages of their Tate's Bake Shop award winning Whole Wheat Dark Chocolate Cookies and a Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook autographed by Kathleen King!

The Whole Wheat Dark Chocolate Cookies won GOLD in the Cookie Category in the 2011 sofi Awards, presented at the Fancy Food Show (known as the Oscars for the specialty food industry) in Washington, DC. 

The cookies are crisp and buttery, rich but not overwhelming, they simpley melt in your mouth.  And just one is never enough!  

The cookbook has 125 of their very best recipes from the Southampton's favorite bakeshop.  There are incredible cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, and bread recipes.  It's a cookbook you can't put down.  You will have a hard time trying to decide which tasty recipe to make first. 

 

There are several ways to enter the Tate's Bake Shop Giveaway.  I recommend using all of them, for more chances to win. 

1. Leave me a comment telling me that you follow my blog, through Google Friend Connect (there is a box on my sidebar that says, Followers). 

2. Become a Fan of My Kind of Cooking Facebook page ( there is a box on my sidebar), and leave a comment telling me you "Like" the My Kind of Cooking facebook page. 

3. Become a fan of Tate's Bake Shop Facebook Fan page, and leave me a separate comment telling me you have done that. 

4. Follow Tate's Bake Shop on Twitter, and leave a separate comment telling me you have done that.

 You have until midnight, MST, on October 29th, to enter the Giveaway.  The winner will be picked by random.org and announced on October 30th.

Tate's is offering the readers of, "My Kind of Cooking," 15% off of any order placed during the month of October.  

Go to their website: www.tatesbakeshop.com

Enter the discount code: COOKIE  

Last Christmas I ordered cookies from the Tate's Bake Shop website.  It not only made Christmas shopping easier for me, but everyone who received the cookies were thrilled with their gift!  This year, I already have 3 cookbooks and 2 gift packs on my list. 

 

On Friday, I will be posting a 

Rockin' Roast slow cooker recipe.

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!

On April 1st, I will be drawing a name from the followers of my blog and my new Facebook page, to win a copy of my cookbook, MY KIND OF COOKING, and this plaque! 

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!

Included with the cookbook is the plaque below.

I think cooking for family and friends is one of the best ways to show that you love them.

When I saw this plaque, I had to pick one up for me, and one for the Giveaway.  Weather you are a gourmet cook or just learning, when we cook from a point of love instead of seeing it as a chore, everyone will appreciate it.  By hanging this plaque in my kitchen, I hope I will remember this lesson on those rare days when I don't feel like cooking. 

Sign up for your chance to win!

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

My New Facebook Page: 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 April 1st 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.

 On Friday, I will be posting my Pretzel Toffee recipe!

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!

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!