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30 Minute Sweet Potato Gratin

24 Jan

This is probably one of my favorite sides to make because it combines some of my favorite vegetables.  About two years ago, I found this great recipe for a potato and sweet potato gratin and thought it would be perfect for a potluck I was invited to.  Logistically, it turned out to be a nightmare.  First, potatoes turn a grayish-brown color (become oxidized) if they are not cooked right away (within 15-30 minutes) after being peeled.  Also, if you don’t cut the potatoes thinly then they will take forever to cook.  The gratin came out okay, but I’m a bit impatient and I knew I had to do something to cut down on the cooking time.  I came up with this recipe by accident because I ran out of potatoes, and just used what I had stocked in the fridge.  Did I mention it cooks in about 30-45 minutes?  That’s right, this dish is table ready in less than an hour.  Not too bad when you’re talking about a potato gratin.

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Chili: No Rules, No Recipe

22 Jan

In my attempt to make 5 meals a week, chili was one of the first dishes I thought of because it’s probably one of the easiest meals to make.  There are so many different ingredients that go into this classic dish that it’s hard for me to make it the same way twice.  Sometimes I’ll do ground beef, sirloin steak, all vegetable, or make it super spicy.  It really all depends on my mood.  I guess that’s why I love it so much, because it comes out different, like a brand new dish, every time I make it. Maybe one day I’ll have a set recipe, but for now I like to keep ‘em guessing.

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Easy Macaroni and Cheese

17 Nov

I have to admit for many years I was intimidated to make my Mom’s famous macaroni and cheese.  She made it so well, I didn’t want to mess it up.  Besides, grating tons of cheese by hand, and cooking pounds of elbow macaroni seemed so tedious.  In my house, her dish has become a Thanksgiving staple, and is usually the first to go at all of our family events.  Yes, it is that good.  Finally, when it was my turn to learn how to make my Mom’s legendary mac and cheese, I knew it would be a battle grating all of those special cheeses, and trying to combine all of the ingredients that made it so tasty.  I remember she started listing all of the ingredients and in two seconds, she was done.  Wait, that’s it?!? You mean you don’t add eggs, or flour?  You only use cheddar cheese?  I thought there was a lot more involved.  She laughed and said, “Gotcha!” 

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Apple Foster Cupcakes

12 Nov

July 25, 2010, a day that will forever be engraved in my memory.  The day I ruined a birthday.  Ok, I know it sounds dramatic but it’s true.  Every year, I try to do something special for my boyfriend… Side Note: I read so many blogs with women and men who have such cute little nicknames for their significant other, like Mr. ABC or my love, my sweetheart, my baby, etc.  It brings me back to when my boyfriend and I first started dating and decided to give each other nicknames.  I didn’t want to give him a typical name like pumpkin, muffin, dumpling, or sweetie.  Since everyone else likes to use food as a nickname, I chose Donut.  Yep, that’s right, Donut.  It’s got a ring to it don’t ya think?  Now that we are older I think I’m going to change it to Mr. Donut.  It sounds more sophisticated.

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