Fried Cabbage and Bacon

When we used to have big family dinners with Grandma, cabbage rolls were always in the mix.  And I can make a mean (and even and ugly) cabbage roll but time does not always allow.  So, to pay homage to the cabbage roll for family dinners I sometimes make fried cabbage (which secretly I love more than cabbage rolls).

Everything tastes better with bacon.  Everything.

So fried cabbage HAS to be better with bacon, right?  Right.

And it is.  Trust me.  Trust the people who eat it. 

Or just go ahead and make some yourself and you'll be a believer too!  You just can't beat some delicious fried cabbage with bacon!

Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Summer is approaching (well, not REALLY as we woke up to snow the past 2 days) and in our house that means the BBQ gets put to full use again.

We BBQ in the winter too, but many days it's just far too cold to get it hot enough to do what it's supposed to do and it's just better to plan a meal that's cooked indoors.

BBQ sauce has never been a big favorite of mine.  Main reason?  Too darned sweet.  Now, I know people like different things and there's nothing 'wrong' with a sweet BBQ sauce - it's just not quite my thing.

So over the years I have tried probably over 100+ different kinds of store brand BBQ sauce and never quite found what makes me happy.  So, being worthy enough I finally decided that it was time to start making my own version of what I liked.

Problem was, there are literally thousands and thousands of different kinds on BBQ sauce.  And each recipe claims to be 'the best' BBQ sauce there is!

Check this out - it describes all the different kinds of BBQ sauce around the world and man, I wish I could try them all!  But it will give you an idea as to why the sauces are different (especially across the US, where it appears each region has it's own variety) and what makes them different.

So, off I went to find OUR BBQ sauce.  I looked at many, picked what I liked from them and sorted out what I had to do.  And wouldn't you know it - the first recipe I put together was THE ONE!  It changes slightly from time to time (depending on how funky I'm feeling) but here's the basic layout and perhaps you'll want to add your own spin!

Bruchetta

As you may well know, I love garlic.  Garlic bread.  Garlic and pasta.  Roasted garlic and whatever you can find!  There's just something about the smell and the taste that makes my mouth water!

We're making dinner for family (another prime rib feast) and I wanted a few appetizers to tide us over while things get finished.  I'm making the Roasted Peppers and Goat Cheese  and thought that a nice, garlic bruchetta would be perfect with the baguette rounds.  And make sure everyone is eating it - then no one can complain about the smell!

That, and it's one of our favorite appetizers.  And Mr. Hungry's Mom - she loves it too!  So, I got her into the action and had her help as there was a load of tomatoes to chop.  So, chop she did.  And she had 10 fingers when it was all over - so SCORE!  Got to love when friends and family come to help! 

So, tonight we're feasting.  Family is so important to us, it's nice to have them over.  Not only do the entertain the kids - but they usually offer some pleasant conversation and a few laughs!  It's relaxing and no one has to pretend that they like each other, because as family - we LOVE each other!

 

Creamy Leek and Potato Soup

I've often walked by the leeks at the grocery store and thought "Hmm.  Now what could I do with those?"  Well, I finally bought some and decided that I'd give a go at making soup.

I love leek soup.  Leek soup, as far as I've ever had, is a subtle soup with a rich broth.  It can be a clear broth, a creamy soup or a more rustic soup with creamy and pieces of potato.  There is not 'right' way for leek soup to exist.

I like cream soups.  And creamy leek soup.  My hips don't love creamy soups though.  But hey, what's the fun in cooking if you can't enjoy what you make!  That's not to say that cream soups have to be fully loaded with calories.  Certainly there are ways to make it more calorie-wise, but I'm going to start with the full-blown creamy soup that makes the mouth water and the heart warm.

So, here is one of my first trips into the soup world.  Probably should have started in the fall, but heck - it's still cold around here and with Mr. Hungry looking to head back to work - a few containers into the freezer could be nice!

Tomato Cream Sauce

When I have pasta either in our out, I tend to lean towards the cream sauces.  I adore a good, rich cream sauce.  It makes my mouth happy!

So, when I attempted the homemade pasta and ravioli, the best thing that came to mind was CREAM SAUCE!  But no just any cream sauce.  A nice tomato flavoured creamy sauce that just holds onto the pasta is glorious layers.

So, I adapted my regular cream sauce recipe a bit and made it a bit different, because different is good!  Got to keep them guessing, you know!  And Mr. Hungry - he eats almost anything (remember the mashed potatoes) so it was a fun experiment!

This is a quick and super easy recipe that will WOW you and anyone else you choose to feed!  Probably 15 minutes from start to finish!  Just enough time to cook your pasta and toast some bread for garlic bread! 

Mediterranian Chicken Ravioli Filling

I had the pleasure of making a trip to the grocery store over the weekend all by myself.  Now, I love shopping with the kids - it helps them get interested in different foods and flavours and, it's fun!  Except for the days I go with Loo Lee, and she just happens to get 'lost' and they have to go into lock-down mode until we find her.  Those are not fun days.  And yes, there have been more than one!

But every now and then it's nice to just go alone and take all the time in the world to SEE what I've been missing on the weekly jaunts to the store for the bread, milk, cereal staples.  That's what I had.  An kid-less trip to the store JUST to find stuff new and interesting to cook.  No time limits.  No endless questions.  Just time to look and see what's out and about!

And, I found some really great looking Mediterranean marinated chicken breasts on sale.  SCORE!!  Saving money on that chicken meant more money for chocolate bars.  A ha!! 

The chicken was already prepared on skewers, so probably destined for a BBQ grill or a hot pan and to be paired with rice and veggies....but not tonight!!  The experimenting was about to begin!

Homemade Pasta for Ravioli

OK, call me silly or call me crazy.....but I did it.  I really, REALLY did it.  And you know what - it worked!  It REALLY worked.  I was surprised.  I was amazed.  I was....a bit disappointed too.

What is it you ask??

I finally got up the nerve (and thankfully nearly a full day) to try to make my own pasta dough.  I really wanted to try for a long time, but given my history with wasting flour and water on pastry - I knew it would be a battle.  And battle I did!!  From start to finish.

And honestly, until the Kitchen Aide Fairy (yes, I believe in fairies and Santa, get over it) drops a pasta roller attachement into my kitchen cupboard - I will not (repeat often, NOT) be making pasta for ravioli ever again.  Done.  Stick a fork in me, turn me over and pass the salt and pepper.

Done.

I just don't see how to get the dough thin enough.  Really - that's it.  I rolled for ages.  Mr. Hungry rolled too.  There was not getting it the right way!!  My dough was too thick.  And it caused problems.  And had it been thinner - this story would have a different ending.  I know it!

But, since I learned early in school (or was that at home....can't remember) that 'sharing is caring', I will share my experience with you all.  Remember.  There will be no laughing.  There will be no pointing and shouting loser, loser, LOSER.  You'll only hurt my feelers.