Roasted Cauliflower & Baked Potato Soup

I love to experiment with foods. This recipe I’ve played around with until I’ve come up with the combination that I really like. That’s not to say I won’t change it up again the next time I make it. That’s what I love about cooking. I find it to be very creative. I encourage you to play around with recipes especially mine. 

Ingredients

Cauliflower – 2 heads
Chicken Broth – 3 cartons
Cooked bacon – 4-5 slices
White Onion – 1 ½ large 
Garlic cloves – 5 or 6 to roast, 3 or 4 to mince
Baked potato – 4-5 depending on size
Cream
Parmesan cheese
Olive Oil
Butter 2-3 tablespoons
Salt & Pepper to taste

Video

Helpful Hints

When roasting your vegetables it might take longer than 45 minutes, just check on them to make sure they have a nice roasted color. Also don’t forget to flip them after 30 minutes. Peel the baked potatoes after they cool off (the peel comes off easier). It's helpful when blending the soup to fill your blender halfway and hold the lid down with a towel. You can garnish the soup with bacon to add a little something extra special as pictured above.

Until next time remember to always have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2014

Banana Coconut Bread

I found a great recipe for delicious banana bread on Simple Recipes. This is a blog where all the recipes are tested by Elise Bauer. She was kind enough to allow me to use her recipe. Check out her blog, you won’t be disappointed. The banana bread came out moist and delicious. I found when baking it’s best to follow the recipes exactly but you can add to them or change certain things. I added a cup of coconut.

Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg beaten

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 ½ cups of flour

1 cup coconut

Video

Helpful Hints

Preheat the oven to 350 and make sure you have all your ingredients at the ready. Instead of coconut try other ingredients to mix into the banana bread – pecans, chocolate chips, cashews, etc.

Like with any recipe don’t be afraid to make it your own. And always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2013  

Citrus Chicken with Pears

Sometimes I like to put ingredients together and see what happens. I get an idea from somewhere else and change it to be my own. I was watching Rachel Ray and she made a chicken dish with blood oranges and honey. It looked yummy, but I couldn’t find blood oranges. I’ve been playing with the ingredients and this combination came out yummy. I hope you like it and it gives you ideas to make it your own.

Ingredients

Whole Chicken (skinless & cut up)
Small Onion (minced)
2 Garlic cloves
2 Oranges
1 Lemon
2 Pears (peeled and quartered)
Carrots
¼ cup Water
Butter
Honey
Salt & Pepper

Video

Helpful Hints

Heat oven 350 degrees. If using chicken breasts on the bone, place chicken bone side up. Turn chicken during the last 20 minutes of cooking and add extra honey and a little butter. Check to make sure carrots are fork tender and remember to keep basting dish with the citrus juices. 

Try your own variation of this and make it your own. Remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

I bought a fresh pumpkin while out with some friends and wondered what I could make with it. I never made anything with fresh pumpkin before. I decided to try to make pumpkin soup. I looked up some recipes, but since I don’t like to measure when I cook, I just gathered up the most popular ingredients from those recipes. Sounds like fun? It was. This is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it. 

Ingredients

Pumpkin (roasted with olive oil, salt & pepper)
Roasted garlic cloves - @ 6-8
Fresh garlic cloves – 2
Onions
Chicken stock
Cooked carrots
Cream
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Parmesan cheese (my little addition)

Video

Helpful Hints

Make sure you allow your pumpkin to cool before removing the skin after you roast it. Just use enough chicken stock to cover the pumpkin. If you don’t want to use fresh carrots, then use a can of carrots. If you use canned carrots be sure to rinse the carrots well. 

Use whatever seasonings you like. Experiment.

No matter how you cook it, remember to have fun in the kitchen.

@Nadine Zawacki 2012

Strawberry Shortcake in a Glass

There are so many ways to make strawberry shortcake. I was playing around with the idea and come up with this version. It’s easy to do and I hope you like it.

Ingredients

Pound cake (cubed)
Strawberries (sliced and mixed with a little sugar)
Skor/Toffee bits
Whipping/Heavy Cream
Sugar
Vanilla
Chocolate bar
Red Wine Glass

Video

Helpful Hints

This dessert tastes best when freshly prepared. You can prepare the strawberries and cube the pound cake ahead of time. Some of your guests might enjoy watching the preparation. Mix your whipped cream when ready to serve or if you like you can use Cool-whip or whipping cream in a can. 

Try different combinations and substitutions. Remember to have fun in the kitchen and don’t be afraid to experiment.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Split Pea Soup

Whenever I cook a ham, my family knows split pea soup will follow. It’s a great use of the leftover ham bone.  It’s one of my favorite soups and so easy to make.

Ingredients

Split peas
Onions
Garlic cloves
Salt & pepper
Ham bone
Water

Video

Helpful Hints

Add as much or as little onions as you like. I like a lot but you can add much less to the soup. The longer you cook it, the smoother it gets. You can substitute chicken stock for water if you like or try other combinations of seasonings. If you don’t have a crock pot you can always slow cook it on the stove but you’ll need to keep an eye on it and stir often.

Until next time, have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Ham

My family loves ham. I usually make one at Thanksgiving along with the turkey. The thing to remember about ham is to pick the right one. When picking out a ham always pick the "butt" cut. It makes the best tasting ham. This is easy to make recipe. Remember a little ham goes a long way.

Ingredients

Ham - butt cut
Spicy mustard
Brown sugar

Video

Helpful Hints

Be generous with the coating and make sure you cover the entire ham. Follow the package time for cooking the ham, which usually is 20-25 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. You can freeze the leftover ham in freezer bags for future use. 

Ham is delicious with eggs for breakfast or cut up in a salad for lunch. Enjoy exploring the different ways you can use your ham.

Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Potato Salad

My husband is fond of saying that I make the world’s best potato salad. I’m not sure that’s true but I do believe that is what he is used to. I don’t use eggs in my potato salad but I do know that some people do. I believe that you can use a basic recipe and make it your own.

Ingredients:

Russet potatoes

Salt & Pepper

Mayonnaise

Spicy Mustard

Peppers (diced)

Onions (diced)

Video:

Helpful Hints:

Russet potatoes are hearty but if you use a different variety like red potatoes make sure you adjust your cooking time. Red potatoes are softer and it would take less time. Make sure the potatoes are totally cooled before mixing the ingredients together. It’s not necessary to use two different colored peppers – one type is fine. Make sure your peppers are finely chopped. If they are too big then it will be too crunchy.

Until next time, remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

Easy Oven Bacon

I love bacon. I used to make bacon by frying it in the pan. Now I bake it in the oven. It's quick and easy.  

Ingredients

Bacon
Parchment Paper

Video

Helpful Hints

I make a couple of pounds of bacon ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for use during the week. Bacon is a great addition to many recipes - it's not just for breakfast anymore. Try adding it to salads and casseroles.

If you are on Atkins then just take a few slices, wrap it in a paper towel and microwave it for 30 seconds. It tastes perfect. You might want to cook it just slightly less done so it doesn't dry out.

Until next time - have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2012

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.

Mix eggs first until they are frothy. Warm the milk and add slowly to the frothy eggs. Then add flour and salt (Also helpful to sift the flour and salt together before adding slowly.)

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

Chicken Francese

This recipe is one of my family’s favorite and it’s easy to make.

One one of our first dates together Tom took me to an Italian restaurant. It was the first time I had gone to one and didn’t know what to order. I didn’t grow up with Italian food and being only sixteen years old my food experience was related to my family. Tom ordered for me. We had Veal Francese. You can make this recipe with veal, but I find that with veal there is a fine between brilliant and shoe leather. It can be overcooked quit quickly.

Ingredients:

Chicken breast
Butter
Lemons
Flour (seasoned with salt & pepper)
Egg & milk (seasoned with salt & pepper)
Oil

Video:


Helpful Hints:

When making this dish for guests it can be done the day before.

Remember to experiment if you like and be creative, but always have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Candy Pies

I’ve recently discovered this website called Pinterest. One of the things I love about it is the food section. I found this yummy recipe called, “Kiss Pies,” by Jenny Flake. (Do check out her recipe of the Kiss Pies. She has great pics.) I would like to thank her for allowing me to use her recipe and feature it on my blog. Please visit Jenny’s blog Picky-Palate by clicking HERE. She has wonderful recipes and she’s very creative. You will love it.

I call them Candy Pies because I used other candies besides Hershey Kisses. I hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients:

Pie dough
Candy – Hershey Kisses, Rolos, Peanut butter cups, etc.
Egg – white part only
Water – 1 tablespoon
Sugar

Video:

Helpful Hints:

Heat oven first to 350 then place the pies in the oven for 20-28 minutes. When making the peanut butter cups – place them “largel” side down on the pie shell. Let the pies cool before sprinkling the powdered sugar.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Swiss Chicken

Trying to balance my diet on Atkins has been challenging. The challenging part is coming up with recipes that are tasty and different. I love to experiment in the kitchen which is a good thing. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous.

Ingredients:

Chicken cutlets (chicken breast cut thin)
Italian salad dressing
Swiss cheese
Bacon crumbled

Video:


Helpful hints:
This can be served with fresh vegetables and a salad to keep it Atkins friendly. If you like add your favorite potato or rice dish.

Let me know if you tried this recipe and what you thought.

Always remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Jalapeno Poppers

On doctor’s orders, I started the Atkins diet. It’s been good and encouraging. I’ve lost about 25 lbs. It’s a start but there is a long road ahead. One day at a time.

I love cooking but modifying dishes haven’t been easy. This appetizer is very tasty and I’ve made it before Atkins and it’s what I call, Atkins friendly.

Don’t worry. I’ll be making all types of recipes, but if it’s “Atkins friendly” I’ll let you all know.

Ingredients:

Jalapeno peppers
Cream cheese
Bacon

Video:


Helpful hints: Remember you can use small sweet peppers if you don’t like hot peppers. If you remove “all” of the seeds it won’t be very at all.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. No matter what you’re cooking, remember to have fun in the kitchen.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011