March 11, 2013
One of my favorite comfort foods is Pasta with Meatballs. I made these recently and used two pounds of meat because we were having guest over. When I started to clean up, I was going to put what I thought was “some” meatballs into a container in the fridge. There was one lonely meatball. I guess nobody wanted to take the last meatball :-). They were really delicious. Try my recipe, I think you will like it. Pasta with...
March 8, 2013
Cookies are a girls best friend. When you are feeling down and out a cookie can always put a smile on your face. Is it the taste of the cookie that puts that smile there or just the memories of baking cookies with loved ones? For me it is both, and here is a recipe for some yummy Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies I made the other night. We enjoyed them with an ice cold glass of milk. You should...
March 7, 2013
Well, the weather here is chilly again and that cold wind blowing around got me in the mood for Chili. If I say so myself, this was probably some of the best I have ever made. It really hit the spot with everyone. So much so that there was not even a drop left! Try it out, I think you will really like it. Of course for all the “hot heads” (jk) out there, you can always add...
March 5, 2013
Of all the cakes I have ever made, Carrot Cake has always been my favorite. It is easy to make, healthy (it’s full of carrots right?) and the results are always the same. It is my nephew, Billy’s favorite and I used to make it for him for his birthday. Since he was not living near me the past couple of years, I stopped making it because it made me miss him. Well, I got great news . ....
March 4, 2013
One of my favorite Turkish foods is Lahmacun. Lahmacun is traditionally made mixing ground lamb with onions, pepper paste and some spices. You can use beef if you prefer. When I lived in Turkey, all I had to do was walk out onto the street and could easily find a Lahmacun Salonu or even better pick up the phone and order some to be delivered to the house. Since, there are no Lahmacun Salons in Alabama, I figured I...
March 1, 2013
Who says leftovers have to be boring? Some of my best recipes have come about by cleaning out my fridge. Tonight is no different. I made some amazing rice with Chickpeas, Chicken, Broccoli and Peppers. Hope you will try it and of course you don’t have to wait till you have leftovers to make it. You could just as well cook the chickpeas, chicken and broccoli before you start the recipe. It is about a 25 minute dish if...
February 27, 2013
This Ham Cheese Puff Pastry Pizza is a quick and easy recipe that the whole family will love. It makes a great dinner with a garden salad. You could also cut into smaller portions and use as an appetizer for a party. If you are not a fan of ham and cheese, you could always use your own combinations of toppings for endless versions of this yummy treat. Try it tonight. . . you’ll be glad you did. ...
February 26, 2013
Well, last night I was not feeling great and thought I would make a quick and easy pasta dish. I had bought some jarred pasta sauce at ALDI gasp! I thought I would use that with some ground beef and cheese to make a pasta bake. When I told my daughter my intentions, she had a “meltdown”. “Please don’t use that mom!” she begged, “I will make the sauce just tell me what to do.” Of course, I obliged...
February 25, 2013
Sweet & Sour Beef & Peppers with Rice Noodles Save Print Sweet & Sour Beef & Peppers with Rice Noodles Author: April Ozbilgin Recipe type: Main Dish Ingredients ½ pound Beef Stew Meat 1 small Onion 1 Cup Sweet Bell Pepper, red, yellow and orange 2 Cups Beef Stock 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil ⅓ Cup Soy Sauce ⅓ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar 1 Teaspoon Corn Starch Dash Sesame Oil 3-4 Cloves Garlic, crushed 1...
February 25, 2013
One of Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s favorite foods was a dish called Mutancana. Lamb meat was sauteed in butter with shallots and cooked until tender. Then dried fruits and almonds were added and cooked a little longer. It was seasoned with honey and sumac which gives it a sweet and sour effect. If you want to eat like a Turkish Sultan, you should try and make this dish. I made my Mutancana with Beef and it could also be made...
February 22, 2013
Spinach, onions and Feta go so well together and this recipe is no exception. Spinach Feta Puff Pastry Pizza would be good to serve as an appetizer at a cocktail party or for brunch. It is really light and tasty. You could serve it with soup or a salad for a light lunch. You make your own puff pastry but be prepared to take about a day to do so. I made homemade puff pastry years ago but...
February 22, 2013
I am not crazy about sweet food. Don’t get me wrong, I love desserts and sweets but separately from my savory food. I will say though that sometimes, having a sweet sauce to accompany an appetizer or dish makes all the difference in the world. Rich dishes often need a little acidity and sweetness to cut through some of the heaviness. This was the case when I made my Arancini Alabama Style. My daughter’s Honey Mustard Sauce had just...
