About the recipes you find on my blog ...

So, like all really great things, recipes change over time and with little additions and alterations - we make them our own.  That is what I do here.  I hardly ever follow a recipe word-for-word, step-by-step.  I do, however, do research and look at a number of different recipes and find what works for my tastes in a number of them, and then re-group them into a new recipe that I love and either use as-is over and over again - or change just a little bit more.


Mostly, I know what I want to do with a certain (meat, vegetable, product or item) and go from there.  I've been known to make something up, just because I want to see if that something will turn into something GREAT.  And many times it does work.  Or not.


So, if you've ever wondered or ever will wonder - these are recipes that work for me.  Researched by me and compiled into what works for me.  And those I feed.  It's like taking a little bit of a number of things and adding them all together.  Huh.  Like cooking!  Like a recipe!  Ah ha!


If ever I copy a recipe from someone else, I will give credit to them.  I promise.  And I do sometimes cook from what someone else has researched and from what has worked for them.  Because I don't know everything and I'm still learning how things go together.


So, there you have me.  And honestly, most times I don't actually use a recipe.  My Mom and my Grandma use to let me help them cook and it was a pinch of this and a pinch of that - a few handfulls here and there.  They didn't need a recipe!  I follow that.  Not every chili is the same, not every sauce is the same.  Thank you Mom and thank you Grandma for teaching me that it's not all about a cup or a teaspoon. 


--The Cook

Roasted Garlic and Peppers with Goat Cheese Baguettes

Roasted Garlic and Peppers with
Goat Cheese Baguette

Mr. Hungry and I love to eat together.  And sometimes cook together.  It's like I have my very own helper, who's not scared to roll his sleeves up and do the dirty work (which is usually running down to the freezer and washing the dishes) plus chop, mix and prepare anything I need.

We also have Date Nights.  Getting out of the house can be tricky at times, and expensive!  But why go out when we can eat in and have a pretty splendid meal for next to nothing!

So, after the kids go down for the night, we have Date Night.  It's relaxing, it's romantic - it's just the two of us! 

 Tonight is Date Night.

And I have a secret addiction.  A few really - but lately it's been goat cheese.  Soft, spreadable, delightful goat cheese.  And this appetizer is good for a crowd, low maintenance for the cook (just plop it all on the table and guests can create their own) and ever so good! 

Spaghetti Night

So I wanted to make spaghetti.  Lots of spaghetti.  Enough spaghetti to feed the whole neighbourhood AND more!

Isn't that a good looking pot of spaghetti?

OK (let's be honest here), I wanted to make spaghetti to feed us, some friends and (because we're a working family) some to put in the freezer for a quick meal.  I usually make things like this in huge bunches, because coming home and heating something yummy is far better than hot dogs and grilled cheese - although the kids never complain when it's hot dogs and grilled cheese.  But then, some days neither do the adults!

So, prepare to witness the biggest pot of spaghetti EVER.  Massive.  And honestly, I'd have made more if I had a bigger pot.  *Note to anyone interested in what to get me for -insert holiday here-, I want a pot.  A big, huge, like-grandma-used-to-use pot.

Chocolate Pecan Tarts

Chocolate Pecan Tarts

Mr. Hungry asked for these.  He's got a sweet tooth like no one I have EVER seen.  Candy, chocolate - anything sweet doesn't stand a chance in our house unless it's hidden well.

He's still not found the Purdy's Chocolate Santa I have hidden for a rainy day.  Ha ha!

I love pecans.  I'm sure they can now be considered my favorite nut.  Probably because they are one of the few left that don't make my throat itch and my ears burn.  Dang nuts anyways.....

It's coming, I promise!

So, over the weekend I managed to put together a couple of stories for you!



Saturday was Chocolate Pecan Tarts.  Yum.



Sunday was Spaghetti and Meat Sauce.



As soon as I have time, I will post them.  Tonight perhaps??  Sadly our Loo is under the weather so I'm hoping she feels good enough to let me find the time to get on here!  I never realized just how long it takes to make a meal when you want to take photos of each step along the way!  I can just imagine that adding that all into a Blog can be even more interesting!



Is anyone reading, or am I still talking to myself? 



--The Cook