Monday, March 16, 2009

~What I'm Toying With~


As you know, I hate to cook! Well, I was in my favorite dept store (Ross) and spotted this spice rack. The rack included 18 spices. I thought how neat, because normally when I find a recipe, it calls for spices that I've never bothered to buy and the thought of gathering all the ingredients makes me not want to try the recipe. So this made me think. I thought, this would be a great way to get started on my spices, and it was only 19.99. So I bought the rack, and these cook books. The one above...

And this one

Bought myself an apron too! I'll keep it right here on this little hook.

Now my first recipe was from neither books above, it was a recipe that I recieved in the mail. Beef and Broccoli and it looked so good. So I tried it. These are all the ingredients that was needed.

And this is the finished product. Well it had a fantastic flavor, and the only thing I messed up was that I didn't use fresh broccoli and my frozen broccoli sort of over cooked but, next time everything will be perfect. As a side, I chose Wild Rice.

Then I tried Shrimp Linguine, it was perfect, only in my picture I had not added the croutons, shredded cheese, and dressing to my salad but, this was a great meal. My husband loved both!

Then yesterday I cooked from my Light Cooking cook book. I made Chicken with Garlic and Lime. This is not the picture in the book but, the recipe is on the same page.

This is what it looked like before it went into the oven. Fresh garlic, ground cumin, oregano, white vinegar, lime juice, and chopped fresh cilantro to garnish. My sides are garlic butter rice, green beans, salad; and rolls.

I set the coffee table, and this is what the finished product look like. It was a great, light, meal, and quite tasty!

I also made Paula Dean's fried apple pies. A very quick recipe made from biscuit dough, apple pie filling, and powdered sugar.

Afterwards, we had a little wine and all in all it was a lovely meal! Now maybe, just maybe, I can join in with Foodie Friday (SOMETIMES)!!!. LOL!!! I don't want to over do it. But I'm sort of excited about something new at meal time. This is what I'm toying with! Deb

16 comments:

Bo said...

Ummm-ummm...those meals look scrumptious! I find myself less & less inclined to cook lately, so maybe that's what I need to motivate me! ;-) Bo

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Deb, you definitely should join Foodie Friday! You have created some great meals! Congratulations! If you tell your husband that you are cooking for Foodie Friday, I'm sure he won't think your time on the internet is so bad after all! laurie

PAT said...

The food look delicious Deb and the presentation is beautiful.

I should check into Paula's fried pies. J loves fried pies.

Have a wonderful week. We're on our way to the lake!

nikkicrumpet said...

Well look at you going all "gourmet chef" on us. I bet your hubby is loving this new hobby of yours...but I feel totally cheated...where are the pictures of you modeling the apron?????

Gini said...

Wow my mouth is watering now. Everything looks delicious. You just motivated me to go and cook dinner now!

Twice as Nice said...

My goodness you are making my stomach growl. I am putting in a little over time and thinking about how HUNGRY I am (it's almost 6:30 and I usually get off at 3:30) and what do I do but come to your blog. Yummy! Your hubby must be on cloud 9.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

All those meals look so delicious! And your presentation on those pretty plates is amazing! My family would feel slighted if they saw your post! LOL! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Oh, and I have GOT to try those PD apple pies! Love her recipes! Haven't found a bad one in the bunch yet! LOL!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Deb! Honey, you're going to become a gourmet cook! I'm so proud of you - and apron and everything! You should enter this very post for Foodie Friday! It's marvelous!
Thank you for popping in to see me and my bulging belly! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jan Parrish said...

Yummy. Can you come and cook for me?

Sharon S said...

Hi there-yum, how gorgeous and scrumptious! Those meals look lovely and the spice rack was a great investment too, weel done!

Ruthie said...

Good for you. I am not so fond of cooking either....the spice rack is a good idea. Your recipes look great.

Adriann said...

I love what you served them on! It really adds to the meal.

Thanks so much for checking on me. I'm almost there. My doctor has scheduled a C-section for April 2.

I've been mostly trying to get some sleep and stay positive about have surgery.

Thanks again! I appreciate you checkin in...

Jill said...

The chicken with garlic and lime looks sooo yummy! For someone who doesn't like to cook you sure make some yummy looking food! I had to sign your follower list.. Any friend of Tiney's is a friend of mine..
I hope you do the same! You must keep up with us crazy chicks!

Jill said...

Okay.. no list here.. you're going on my blog roll!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

YUMMY!! oh Deb this all looks so good..and I was eye balling those plates they are just beautiful..you should do Foodie Friday with this...the girls would love it..thanks for coming by...hugs and smiles Gloria

Missy Wertz said...

You should join Foodie Friday! Being Spring Break and all, I am not posting this week. I am spending time with DD. :) Right now she is spending time aggravating our big parrot and I just hope I do not have to run her to Children's with a bloody knubb.

Your table and food looks so lovely and inviting. Where do you store all your dishes? How do you hide them so DH does not know you have them all?