Archive for March, 2007

Tip of the Week – Favorite Kitchen Gadget!

My favorite kitchen gadget? A couple of years ago, my husband and I remodeled our kitchen. We had been married for 15 years and our kitchen equipment needed A LOT of updating! With beautiful new cabinets and appliances, I really didn’t want to bring back my old tired pots, pans and gadgets. The result was that... Read more »

Women’s Book Group

Make Friends and Stimulate Your Mind - Start a Women’s Book Group! Isn’t this a wonderful combination? Make this combination become a reality by starting a women’s book group! I have been a member of a dynamic book group for 8 years, dating back to the first year that I moved to a new town. More... Read more »

Tip of the Week – Cultivating Friendships

Fostering Your Women Friendships As time continues to hurry us along, we often neglect to set aside time to spend with our female friends. This is a BIG mistake! These friendships are essential to our hearts and minds and for our laughter and sanity! Personally, I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a strong circle... Read more »

Hostess Gifts

Helpful Hints: Think out of the box and go beyond the usual candle or bottle of wine. Consider ordering calling cards to accompany your hostess gifts. If you find a hostess gift you really like, buy and wrap several of them. You’ll save time shopping and won’t be rushing around last minute for each party. If you know... Read more »

Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pecans

Ingredients 1 T. butter 1/2 c. pecan halves 1 T. brown sugar 1 ounce package fresh baby spinach (I also make this salad with a combination of fresh baby spinach and baby greens) 1 large granny smith apple, cored, sliced and then cut into bite-size pieces 1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese 2 T. olive oil... Read more »

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients 1-2 head fresh broccoli 1/2 c. red onions, chopped 1/2 lb. bacon 2 1/2 T. vinegar 1 c. Hellmann’s mayonnaise 1/3 c. sugar 1 1/2 c. grated mozzarella cheese Directions Cook bacon (I make it easy and buy the already cooked bacon in the refrigerator section of the market) and crumble into pieces Chop... Read more »

Crackle Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole

Ingredients 2 lbs. frozen hash browns 1/2 c. melted margarine 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 pint sour cream 1/2 c. chopped onions 2 c. grated cheddar cheese 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper Directions Mix the above ingredients together and bake in a 11″ x 14″ baking dish for 45 minutes at 350... Read more »

Elizabeth’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

Ingredients 2 loaves French baguette bread, cubed (about 8 cups) 1 12 oz. bag Nestle semi sweet chocolate morsels 5 eggs 4 c. whipping cream or half & half 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. sugar Directions Place bread cubes in a large baking pan Melt the chocolate chips, cream (or half & half), sugar and... Read more »

Roasted Carrots with Maple Syrup

Ingredients 2 lbs. peeled baby carrots (buy these prepared at the market) 3 cloves garlic, mashed plus 8 cloves, unpeeled 3 T. olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 c. maple syrup Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together all ingredients, except the syrup Roast for 30 minutes... Read more »

Pasta and Smoked Mozzarella

Ingredients 1 lb. penne 1 bunch (1 lb.) broccoli, trimmed 1/4 c. unsalted butter 1/2 c. flour 1 quart milk 1 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce (Tabasco) 2 c. cooked turkey chunks (from the deli counter) 1 lb. smoked mozzarella, diced Directions Preheat oven to 375... Read more »