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.

Crisy Corn Bread

Well, it's still pretty cold out these days and nothing tastes better on a cold night than a steaming hot bowl of chili.  Or beer.  Or both.  But what can get ANY better than some really great corn bread to round out the mix??

I found this recipe at All Recipes and if you're really looking for a good recipe for ANYTHING, this is a great site!!  Anything you dream can be found here, with photos of the final produce (love that) and each recipe is rated by the users, so you always know what's good!  Check it out!

So, here's a fool proof corn bread recipe that I tried once, and have never looked back with.  It's perfectly sweet, crunchy and heck - a big old blob of butter on it really is like the icing on the cake!!

Prime Rib Dinner - Yorkshire Pudding

I struggled for quite a while many years ago when I lived with my Aunt and Uncle and we all took turns making dinner and I wanted Yorkshire Pudding.  My Grandmother used to make them and they were so wonderful covered in rich gravy.  That crispy outside and soft inside, hot and steamy.  Amazing!!

So, after many trials and experiments, I finally found what worked for me to produce a well puffed and beautifully crispy Yorkshire Pudding.  Here's what I do, and hopefully it will help someone who's scared to try, be able to share what I think are the BEST Yorkshire Puddings ever!  And you're not going to believe just how easy they are to make!

Prime Rib Dinner - Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I don't know many people that don't like mashed potatoes.  And unfortunately, I happen to live with three.  There's only 4 of us in the house!!  And I could live, breath, exist on mashed potatoes.  But, I think I've nearly converted Mr. Hungry to being a mashed potatoes fan.  He's come a long way in 10 years!  The kids, well they aren't sold on the whole matter JUST yet.  But I have hope.

These are the potatoes Mr. Hungry likes.  Dare I say 'loves'??  Not just yet, dont' want to jinx anything!!  And the good news, just add a bit more butter and a bit more cream cheese and you can make these a day ahead and heat on low in a slow cooker the next day!

I think the cream cheese, butter and milk create a very smooth texture and the addition of roasted garlic takes the flavour up a notch that just tastes >that much< better than the plain old potatoes I used to make! 

Again, a combination of recipes and research and experimenting have brought me to this combination for terrific mashed potatoes.  Feel free to use different spices in place of the parsley that suit your tastes.  Dill is a terrific alternative!