Easy Hard Boil Eggs

Sometimes the simplest of things seems difficult. Take for instance hard boil eggs. How long do you cook them? I hope this video helps makes hard boil eggs less difficult.

Ingredients:

Eggs
Water

Video: 


Make sure you set your timer for 11 or 12 minutes after your water comes to a full boil. Have your bowl ready with ice water when your timer goes off so that the cooking process will stop.

Cut your egg in half, slice a piece of cheese and top each half and microwave for about minute. It’s very yummy for breakfast.

You can use your hard boil eggs for so many things; egg salad, salads, and deviled eggs to mention a few.

Always remember to be creative and have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Cream Cheese Chicken

My husband went to a super bowl party one year and the hostess made these appetizers of chicken, cream cheese & bacon. He loved it so much he asked me to make them. I decided I would try it as a meal and make it bigger. The first time I made this dish, I realized it needed a sauce. The rest we say is history. My family loves this dish.

Ingredients:

Chicken breasts
Cream cheese
Salt, pepper, parsley
Cream of chicken soup
Water
Butter
Onion – 4 slices, minced

Video:

Helpful Hints:

When your chicken is in the boiler, turn the pan around for even cooking as well as flipping the chicken pieces so that all sides are crisp. This dish can be made ahead of time. Just don’t cook it after you added the sauce.

To make this dish Atkins friendly, just don’t cover it in the cream of chicken soup.

Enjoy, experiment and add your spin to this dish. Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Easy Popovers

Instead of using rolls for dinner, these popovers are a delicious substitute. This is an easy recipe that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
2 tablespoons unsalted butter chilled

Video:


Helpful Hints:

Correction: On the video I say preheat oven to 450 but the correct temperature is 425. Cook the popovers at 425 for 20 minutes before reducing heat down to 325.

Popovers are best when serviced straight from the oven, popping hot. They will get dense as time elapses. So serve them as your guest sit at the table. These are also very good for breakfast served with cream cheese and jam or just plain butter. A yummy addition to your favorite cup of coffee. You can add shredded cheese (about 1 tablespoon) to your popovers before you place them in the oven.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Remember to be creative and have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Root Beer Float - Atkins Friendly

I want to thank my friend Ginny for introducing me to this drink. It's easy, simple and yummy. The best part of this drink is if you are on Atkins it is something you can have with no guilt.

Ingredients:

Diet Root Beer
Heavy Cream


Video:


Helpful Hints:


Make sure your root beer is cold. You can use some ice either way but I found when your drink is cold it's better. If you like you can substitute diet cream soda for diet root beer - also very yummy. You can add whipped (which is also Atkins friendly) to top it off.

Just remember to enjoy whatever you make in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Pork Stuffing

This is one of my family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes. I love Thanksgiving and cooking a big meal for my family. Tom’s mom gave me this recipe and I added to it to make it my own.

Ingredients:

1 box of corn bread/pork stuffing mix
1 lb of ground pork
Pine nuts
Celery 2-3 stalks chopped
Onion – minced
Salt & pepper
Butter

Video:

Helpful Hints:

You can make this the night before, but before placing it in the oven also add about ¼ cup of water to keep everything moist so that your stuffing doesn’t dry out.

Be creative and have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Antipasto Platter

Arranging an antipasto platter can be very creative and fun. It’s a great way to start off an Italian meal and can take place of a salad.

Ingredients:

Fresh mozzarella balls
Cherry tomatoes
Green olives
Ham/Prosciutto
Bread sticks
Peperoncini
Artichoke hearts
Italian dressing

Video:


Helpful Hints:

Remember to do the bread sticks & prosciutto right before your guests arrive. You can add other meats like pepperoni and other cured meats to your tray. You can add other types of olives, provolone cheese. It can be as complex or simple as you like.

If you’re on an Atkins diet you can eat everything but the breadsticks.

I love how some of you have taken what you’ve seen here and made it your own. Being creative in the kitchen doesn’t have to be scary, it just has to be fun.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes can be a very simple dish that can go very wrong if you over cook your potatoes. Once you master a basic mashed potato recipe you can be very creative with what you can do with it.

Ingredients:

Potatoes
Salt & pepper
Butter

Video:

Helpful Hints:

Be sure to not over cook your potatoes or else you will have glue instead of fluffy potatoes. It's helpful if you wait until the water boils before timing the potatoes (15 - 20 minutes). Add roasted garlic for added flavor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and be creative in the kitchen. Cheese and potatoes go very well together so try different cheeses.

Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011