Spices....

How many of us take spices for granted and think that any old spice jar will do???
I know I did.
Recently, when we started doing more smoking and bbqing Chris found a few sites that talked about using quality spices. So we checked into them and many smokers swear by Penzey's Spices. So we ordered from them. It came in last week.
My favorite so far is the Mural of Spice. I used it on a ham steak and boy was it good.
We bought several things, but haven't tried them all yet. The salts are really nice. We bought 2 salts. They are calls 4S (I think). One is plain 4S and the other is Smokey.. YUM!!!
Ok. so thats my update... I'm learning to use quality spices :) Oh and you don't need quite as much as you do the 'store bought' ones.

So now run out and get you some.. there are a few store fronts around.. but none anywhere near us :( If you are lucky enough to be near one.. go take a smell for me.. as I"m sure it smalls amazing in the store.

Cookbook Heaven :)

As many of you know I got cookbooks for Christmas… I think I ended up with 8 new ones WOOHOO!!!! So yes, I’m in CB Heaven!

I have already tried several.. here are a few…

Chris bought me a Splenda Cookbook and we have tried the Tasty Teriyaki Chicken and it was wonderful.

The next recipe came from a recipe magazine that I get.. Simple and Delicious. Again… this is a keeper of a recipe.

Creamy Onion Lasagna
(Simple/Delicious Jan/Feb 2010)
1 lb ground beef, extra lean
1 jar (26oz) Roasted Garlic Parmesan spaghetti sauce (I used Ragu)
1 egg
1 cup cottage cheese (I used light)
1 carton (8oz) French Onion Dip (I used light)
1 jar (26oz) Italian sausage and garlic spaghetti sauce (I used Ragu)
12 no-cook lasagna noodles (I used reg. noodles and didn’t cook them)
3 cups (12 oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Cook beef until no longer pink, drain. Stir in Roasted Garlic Parmesan sauce.
In bowl, combine egg, cottage cheese and French onion dip, mix well.
Spread 1 cup Italian Sausage sauce into a greased 13x9 baking dish.
Layer: 4 noodles, half cheese mixture, half meat mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers.
Top with remaining noodles, sauce and cheese.
Cover and bake at 375* for 50 minutes.
Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes longer to melt cheese.
Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Serves 12
(NOTE: If you use all light and extra lean.. its around 450 calories per serving.. not bad for Lasagna .. I ran it thru Master Cook to get the calories)

Tonight we’re trying 2 more new recipes.. One from the Rice Cooker CB and another from another Recipe Magazine from Taste of Home: Appetizers

Oh… I Should list my new books…

Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories

Hungry Girl Chew the Right Thing: Supreme Makeovers for 50 Foods You Crave (not really a CB… they are recipe cards in a box)

More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: A Drop-Top Culinary Cruise Through America's Finest and Funkiest Joints

The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook: 250 No-Fail Recipes

Sushi Making Kit (With book and cd)

A Roman Cookbook

Kitchen Aid

Splenda

Yummy .. (and Holidays)

Well folks I have to say I’ve had the very best Christmas a person can ask for.

The weather spoiled part of our holiday plans but it also made up for it twice fold. We were to go up to my Mom’s on Saturday but the snow came and we didn’t go. Instead we went up to Chris’ mom’s a day earlier than expected (on Monday) had Birthdays and Christmas with them and then Tuesday we headed on up to Hendersonville to hang out for Chris’ birthday. His Granddad puts everyone up in the Quality Inn on the night of the 23rd each year. It has a nice indoor pool, putt putt and game area. And really neat seating areas all around. Makes for a wonderful family reunion type event.

We got to have lunch with Julianna my best friend from High School and shopped around a little too.

On Thursday we headed back home and because of the weather at my Mom’s (again) I got to see her her Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!!! They were going to FL for a week after Christmas and decided to beat the snow and came down and visited with us!!! YEAH!!!!

Christmas day I had to work a few hours but I don’t mind, we share the major holidays so we each only have to work 1. Afterwards I got home to an already cooked Christmas dinner with Ham, dressing, green bean casserole and much more. THANK YOU HONEY!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! (Mama came over to help him but he had it all started by the time she got here..I sure do have a keeper!!)

Afterwards we opened presents… I must have been a really good girl because I got way more than I deserve. Mom bought me the coolest outfit and the jeans are a size 18!!!! I haven’t been in a size 18 in.. well I really have no idea.. high school maybe? I got the Monopoly City game (for those that don’t know, Chris and I have a collection of them.. 15 at least). His mom gave me a really neat cake plate (I didn’t have one) and gift card to Wal-Mart for a few things on my ‘wish list’ (which I ordered that night :)) And Chris was soo good to me.. he bought me the matching Open Hearts earrings from Kay Jewelers and a cookbook (and more). Yes, Chris, who is always talking about my cookbook collection and how I don’t really need more bought me a cookbook. Its the Splenda Collection. I’m loving it. Tonight I made Tasty Teriyaki Chicken. I’ll conclude tonight's book with the recipe :) Go check out the book. It’s great!!!

Tasty Teriyaki Chicken

1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp cold water
1/2 cup Splenda granulated
1/2 cup soy sauce (we used lite)
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts (recipe calls for 12, we used 4 big ones)

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine everything except chicken. Simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.

Preheat oven to 425*

Place chicken in lightly greased 9x13 pan (we used smaller 9x9 pan). Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn and brush other side.

Brush with sauce every 10 minutes. (A pain but worth it.) Bake for 30 minutes, turn and back another 30 minutes until no longer pink and juices run clear.

And for dessert.. try the Classic Carrot Cake YUMMY!!!
http://splenda.tastebook.com/recipes/1396992-Classic-Carrot-Cake

Happy New Year Everyone.. may this be the best yet!!!!

Merry Christmas

We’re having a great Holiday season. I’ve spent some wonderful time with my mom and now we’re spending a few days with Chris’ family too.

My mom came down last week and we took off to Charleston to do some outlet shopping. HOW FUN!!!! Yes, a new pair of converse came home with me :) I’m addicted and I admit it.

We took our picture for our cards at home this year.. or tried to. this is an attempt to get the fur-babies in the picture too. They weren’t too keen on the idea LOL.

 

Chris and I would like to wish all of our family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too.

Amazing week

I spent this past week in Spruce Pine. It was such an amazing week. Mama and I spent the week doing.. well whatever we wanted. I arrived on Monday so we just hung out and talked that night. Tuesday found us in Asheville with my Aunt Lula. After mom’s Dr appt we met up with Christy and Alyssa and off to the Grove Park Inn we went. The gingerbread houses from the National Competition was on display. All I can say is WOW.. some people put a TON of time into their houses. Afterwards we went to Olive Garden and then to AC Moore ;)

Wednesday Mama and I just hung around the house and Christy and Alyssa came over. Christy and I worked on crafty things.. she finished a bead bracelet that I was having trouble with and I worked on crocheting Christmas presents. Mama and Alyssa decorated the tree.

Thursday was another wonderful day. Mama, Lula and I went to Biltmore House. It’s such a beautiful place. We spent about 5 hours in the house. Mama did alot of walking and quite a bit of it was stairs. For being 3 weeks out of knee replacement surgery I’m so impressed and pleased with her recovery. Oh, on Tuesday they scheduled her other surgery.. Jan 22nd.  If you visit Biltmore House, I highly, highly recommend getting the audio tour. WOW it really made the tour. Afterwards we were too tired for shopping so we had dinner at Fatz and headed home.

Friday I headed back to Columbia. I was really missing my honey and our furbabies. I’m very happy to be home, but I miss Mama already.

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