Creamy pasta, leeks and BACON...yes I said BACON

This dish is supposed to be made with panchetta, well you can't find panchetta in POLK county, so I used the next best thing....B A C O N!!!

I threw in some green onion as well...  I really don't think it matters at all!  Well I will say this--make sure you soak your leeks before hand and get the grit out.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/pasta-with-pancetta-and-leeks-recipe/index.html

Again HATS OFF to @Ree Drummond for making a wonderful/easy dish....

Baked Cinnamon French Toast

So this is a favorite to make...you do need to pre-plan a little bit and the longer you let this stuff soak, the better it is.  I will link the recipe so you can print it out.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/cinnamon-baked-french-toast-recipe/index.html


Prep the night before, put it into the oven and get yourself ready in the morning.  For me, when I put it in the oven, I have 50 mins. to get my act together before it is ready to come out.  It is thick and hearty. Serve with warm syrup.

Pork Tenderloin

People have mixed feelings about Pork.  I have to have it tender, juicy, and with some type of sauce.

This is my pork tenderloin, ok the typo I just caught has me laughing hysterically at myself! 

Skin on potatoes, small reds. Onion and a seasoning that is actually a salad dressing made from a friends wife. No sugar. But you can use anything really, I think Honey mustard would be great!. Poke holes in the roast before hand and get the dressing all over it. Spray the pan you are cooking with (obviously I forgot AGAIN) and cook at 350' for about 45 mins. Check the tenderloin by cutting into it, no blood but lots of juice. REMEMBER the roast, any roast will continue to cook after it is our of the oven, so LET IT REST for a bit. Nice Sunday dinner.

Breakfast cups

I love breakfast, I know I have said that before, but I really do!  I really like breakfast foods.  They are hearty and full of the nourishment our bodies require...HA don't I sound official? So I have seen a lot of the "breakfast cups" and decided to try one.  I made it up.  I would do it a little different the next time. I would pre-bake the bacon a little bit, like maybe 15 minuets instead of using just fresh out of the package.

I used an oversized muffin pan, preheated oven to 350'. Sprayed the pan with cooking spray. Put the bacon into the bottom (2 slices), then in a separate bowl I had 6 eggs, green onion, basil (fresh), s&p, milk, cheese would have been great but the hubby can't eat it, some diced onions.  I baked the cups for about 20 mins. Now if you pre-bake the bacon you don't have to go as long, just make sure the eggs aren't jiggly.

You can put anything in there, peppers, ham, bacon already cooked and chopped up, lots of veggies. I think these are handy for a dash out the door, but also a hardy meal if you need a quick breakfast and cereal isn't on the menu.

A bowl of YUMMY goodness

I can't remember where I found the recipe, but when I find it--I will link it here! 
This bowl (eatable) is much yummyiness (Leighism) all wrapped up into one.  It is called a Whipped Peanut butter/Chocolate bowl.

It was a little challenging to make, because I always FORGET to read the entire recipe all the way through before I begin.  I usually read the ingredients to ensure I have everything--then begin.  Well that is a terrible habit! Take the time to read read read....

I am off to find the recipe and will post here...
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/chocolate-peanut-butter-bowl/

BRISKET....baby!

I have grown up eating brisket, not as in BBQ brisket, but baked in the oven type brisket. Nothing I have ever ever eaten tasted as good as this one.  Sorry Mom and Nanny--this is by far the best I have ever had! Easy to prepare, slow to cook and flakes apart....tenderness!  Do NOT be intimidated by the length of time, plan to do your chores, or craft, or watch a movie or 3....

Here is the link to Ree's recipe for this baby! 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/tangy-tomato-brisket-recipe/index.html

Apple pies

So a lot of the recipes I cook come from The Pioneer Woman...@Ree Drummand. Here is the link to her blog and her recipes via the Food Network.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/ree-drummond/index.html

Ree makes it very easy to cook and follow a recipe.  She cooks simply, which I love.  The complicated recipes make for a stressed out cook, which in the kitchen is never a good thing.

Below was my first attempts at APPLE PIES
These were made a while back, followed a dough recipe and double...the apples were a mix of granny smith's, fugi's, and golden delicious.

Ok so that was the pie for the house...

This one I gave to our friend's Ruthie and Rusty...Ruthie is a country girl and makes a lot from scratch--she said "I did good" so I will take it. My crusts need work....

Treats--TRIX aren't just for kids anymore!

So the boys will have a dinner meeting this week, I made Trix-crispies.  Same concept as Rice-Crispies treats, but I made them with TRIX!!  Thank you Pinterest for another obsessive moment! 

Coffee cake!

So the pioneer woman shared this recipe on her show about coffee cake. I made it. The prep, thrn the finished product

Cast iron skillets

I have always been afraid to use cast iron, but I now own 1 big pot, similar to a dutch oven and 4 skillets of various sizes. I also learned, the hard way to get some type of pot holder for the handle. My lastest addition....12"

Breakfast...anytime

I love breakfast foods.  I am a huge fan of corned beef hash, but don't know how to make it very well.  So I made this using a cast iron skillet, a new found love! Scrambled eggs, hash browns that have some extra spices in them, and crispy bacon (baked at 425' for 25-30 mins).

Dinner/smoked sausage, onion, potatoes

Ok so this feeds my Pinterest obsession. ..I love making simple meals. This was dinner the other night. Oh and I love love ♥♡♥ breakfast anytime.

Coconut cream cake

So I made this cake for my Mom for Mother's Day. I know I haven't added recipes but if anyone wants them just let me know.

Peach cobbler

First time trying this out...turned out great...would pre-bake the bottom.

Cooking

So I wanted to share my very first perfect ham...at least I thought it was perfect. This wss from Easter.

Also made these oh so creamy potatoes. And finally bacon wrapped asparagus ..

Time out

Time out! 

So very much has happened...went from living in Orlando, FL to meeting and marrying my husband in Polk County, FL.  Lots and lots of twists and turns in between.  Planned a wedding, helped plan my step-daughter's wedding, trips, honeymoon's, remodeling a house...just need a time out! 

So the fun stuff, cooking! Not a chef, not trained, not professional.  Putter around in a galley kitchen in a 1925 house.  I make it work. I am looking forward to having a kitchen that allows me to have more electrical outlets....that thought just makes me smile.

My best friend in the world is just outside Clermont, FL/Ocoee, FL area. She has a great kitchen.  I think we are going to tandem cook again this year for thanksgiving. THAT was an under-taking when we tried that the first time.  At least we pre-planned! 

That's us!

We are up in Ormond Beach, FL with his Dad...he is a giant! He is also no doubt about it, my other half. We are quite the pair!!!  Never would I have ever thought in this life-time would I meet a man with a heart as pure, a love as strong and a soul as giving.  We have been through and are going through a lot, but I will not turn my back as I have seen so many women do.  He is my hero, my champion, my strength, he is a rock.

So one last comment then I promise to start posting some pictures of my "creations".  I have left the federal government for the last time--I am finally back n the HR world where I belong...small, family owed company. WOW!

So cooking cooking cooking--I follow recipes, I tweak them, I alter them, or sometimes I follow them to a tee! I am not a professional nor will I ever be. Just like to putter around.