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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Insta Pot Duo Mini
It’s always a treat to get a kitchen gadget as a holiday gift and this year, the Insta Pot Duo Mini is in demand. The device is designed to be used by anyone, including big families, even though it’s a mini version. Because it’s compact, it doesn’t take up much counter space, but it still delivers big results. It can be used for a variety of functions – from making full meals to desserts to side dishes and more. Product Details One of the reasons for the popularity of this gadget is that it’s a 7-in-1 appliance. So not only does it save room in the kitchen, but it’s also…
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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Kitchen Gadgets
Small kitchen appliances are popular gifts during the holidays. Here are 4 hot ones that your family is sure to love! Cosori Air Fryer This Christmas, you can give the gift of cooking to someone on your holiday shopping list. The Cosori Air Fryer will be a much-loved present for those who enjoy making tasty foods to eat and even by those who don’t really like cooking. Product Description This fryer only uses 15% the amount of oil that traditional fryers use. It’s fast — getting meals ready in a lot less time than cooking in a traditional oven. There are 11 preset buttons that are specific to certain meats,…
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National Pasta Day: Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli with Penne Pasta
I hope everyone is having a good month. Or should I say as good as you can. It is amazing that this year of 2020 is grinding to a close. It’s been a tough one — but we can always do what we can to make our days better. One way to enjoy yourself is yummy food. Today is National Pasta Day and October is both National Seafood Month and National Pasta Month. That leaves lots of ways to celebrate this day and month. Today’s recipe covers all three! It’s Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli with Penne Pasta. Lemony roasted shrimp and vegetables brighten up this easy pasta dish. A pinch…
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National Seafood Month: Seared Grouper with Lemon-Thyme Butter Sauce
October is National Seafood Month. While I am allergic to seafood, my family really enjoys it. I still have to keep up with good recipes. One of the recipes that I am sharing for seafood month is Seared Grouper with Lemon-Thyme Butter Sauce. This recipe uses grouper because it is relatively easy to obtain in many places. If grouper is not available, however, snapper, monkfish, tilefish, and many other mild, yet firm, white fish can be used instead. The pictures on this post feature golden tilefish, which is found all along the Atlantic coast of North America from Florida up through New England and into Nova Scotia. In terms of…
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Cooking Pasta: How to Tell When It’s Done
Have you ever had pasta that was too hard or just plain mushy? Everyone likely has prepared a pot of pasta that wasn’t the best. You may have wondered if there were a secret to cooking pasta and knowing when it’s cooked to perfection. The truth is, there is a secret but it isn’t hard to learn. And with it being National Pasta Month, it’s a good time to talk about it! Al Dente Do you know what “al dente” is? It is Italian for “to the tooth” which is what perfectly cooked pasta is called. But what exactly does it mean to have pasta cooked “al dente” and how…
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Tips to Make Great Chili
Now that it’s getting cool, you may be considering making a big pot of chili. And it’s National Chili Month, so it is a perfect time! Follow these tips to make a great chili for your family. These steps may make ho-hum chili into something your family will ask you to make again and again. Fresh is Best Start with the freshest ingredients possible. While opening a couple of cans of beans and tomatoes may make your chili quick and easy, it simply can’t compare with homemade all-the-way chili. Use fresh, seeded tomato and peppers. Even though the seeds often provide a bit of flavor, seeds can detract from a…
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Dutch Oven Chicken & Rice with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a nice relaxing day. Keeping with my documentation of national days and recipes that go along with them — today is National Peanut Day. This recipe contains peanut butter (allergy warning!) made into a creamy spicy sauce. I really started cooking later in life, so I have been learning about kitchen instruments and other cooking information as I go. I have bought many kitchen appliances and cooking pots and pans because I want to be prepared. Some I haven’t really needed. But that is not the case for my Dutch Oven. I love my Dutch Oven. This recipe uses a Dutch Oven. I…
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One Year Ago and Some Spicy Turkey Stuffed Mushrooms
One year ago today, I published my first post on this blog. My Scars Tell the Story A lot has happened in the past year. Published a lot of posts. Attempted to homeschool my daughter (like we all did and are doing). I celebrated 2 years of my kidney transplant and my son graduated from high school and has gone off to college. My father — who was living with us — passed away. All while I have essentially locked myself down. I venture out some for errands that I can have delivered or that I need to attend in person. I did get to take my son to college…
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Portobello and Sage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Hi! Today is National Acorn Squash Day. As a kid, I had no idea there were so many different types of squash! This recipe — Portobello and Sage-Stuffed Acorn Squash — is one that you can enjoy as the weather gets cool (in some places) as we head into fall. This protein-packed stuffed acorn squash provides a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional holiday side dishes. Crisp pancetta, rich Portobello mushrooms, sweet dates, and aromatic sage bring fabulous, yet diverse, flavor to every bite. As an added bonus, the lentils and walnuts make it more filling, so maybe you’ll be able to stop at just one piece of pumpkin pie…
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National Mushroom Month: Try Instant Pot® Rustic Mushroom Rice
I can’t believe that it is September already! This year has really flown (and many say Thankfully! to that) But hopefully, September will show us a little mercy. At least, it’s a busy month for Food themes! It’s National Mushroom Month and National Rice Month. There are many more themes for this month — several of which I will be discussing throughout the month. My first recipe for the month – Instant Pot® Rustic Mushroom Rice – incorporates both themes into one tasty recipe. Mushrooms were not a common ingredient in my childhood home. I have gotten a bit more adventurous as an adult but we definitely pick our spots.…
