C is for Chicken Pastina Soup

This classic Italian Soup is made with chicken wings, fresh vegetables, small pasta and parmesan cheese.  It is a delicious way to start your Sunday Supper.

C is for Chicken.  It is also for Comfort Food.  We are working our way through the Alphabet this year and this week we are sharing recipes and/or foods that start with the letter C.  Glad you could join us.

Lemon Cranberry Corn Muffins #MuffinMonday

Made with whole wheat flour combined with cornmeal, moistened with non-fat yogurt replacing some of the oil, and sweetened with dried cranberries which cuts down on the sugar, these muffins are not only a delicious breakfast or snack they are a great way to stick with your 2024 goal of eating healthier.

Welcome to the first 2024 Muffin Monday......

Vegetarian Mexican Tortilla Soup #SundayFunday

This delicious vegetarian soup is chock full of Mexican flavors.  Garnished with cheese, sour cream, and corn chip strips, it makes a hearty, warm, and tasty lunch or addition to your Game Day Menu.

It's National Corn Chip Day and the Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating.....

Creamed Corn, A Book Review and The Weekly Menu #LitHappens

When my husband saw Creamed Corn on the menu, he wasn't happy.  That was because he was expecting creamed corn from a can.  Imagine his delight when I served up this delicious, homemade creamed corn with parmesan cheese mixed in.

I was inspired to make this dish when reading our Lit Happens selection, Sold on a Monday.

Zabaglione and a Book Review

This custard, made with only 3 ingredients, is comfort food at its finest.  A couple of raspberries and a ladyfinger top off this quick and easy dessert that can easily take the place of your after-dinner cocktail.  It is definitely not a dessert for children.

I was inspired to make this dish after listening to The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz.

Homemade Celery Seed Dressing #SundayFunday

This delicious creamy dressing is perfect for whatever greens you are serving.  Celery seeds add great flavor but can be a little bitter.  I add some sugar to smooth the flavors out.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing homemade salad dressing recipes today.......

Dark Chocolate Cajeta Cheesecake #CakeSliceBakers

Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake coated with a Caramel Glaze.  This would be the perfect ending to a Valentine's Day Dinner.  This cheesecake needs to refrigerate overnight so plan ahead.

It's time for a new year of bakes with the Cake Slice Bakers......

Crispy Fish Fingers, The Weekly Menu and a Book Review

Tender, white cod is coated with a slightly spicy cornflake crust and baked to a crispy perfection. You have never enjoyed fish sticks so much!!!

Happy Fish Friday! I was inspired to make these fish fingers after listening to Killing in C Sharp.....

B is for Bisque of Lobster

Creamy, savory bisque with chunks of lobster cooked in garlic butter is a beautiful and elegant first course for a dinner party.  Your guests will be stunned and will never know that this soup takes less than an hour to prepare.

 

We are cooking up recipes beginning with B for today's Alphabet Challenge......

Chicken Buffalo Dip #FoodieHoliday

This dip has all the flavors of your favorite wings without the sticky fingers.  I served this up with scoopable corn chips but it would be delicious with celery sticks too.  This is perfect game day fare.

Today is Hot and Spicy Food Day and we have some recipes to help you beat the Winter chill.......

A New Year's Eve Cocktail, Cheers!! #MovieandMunchies

A little bit sweet, a little bit sour, just like life.  This cocktail of Disarrono Amaretto and Cranberry juice was featured in the 2011 film, New Year's Eve, our Movies and Munchies film for this month.

I asked Frank to make me this drink after watching the film together yesterday......

Ginger Venison with Baby Bok Choy #SundayFunday

Venison Steak marinated with ginger and garlic before being stir-fried with sweet onions and baby bok choy is a delicious and nutritious way to start the New Year.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are serving up Chinese today.......

Celebrating a New Wine Collaboration with a Bottle of Cahors gifted to me from Family visiting from France

Cahors wine, named for the town in Southern France where it is made, is Malbec dominant and delicious.

My son-in-law's parents gifted me this bottle while they were visiting from France during the holidays.  

Arroz con Pollo, The Weekly Menu and a Book Review

This wonderful and easy, one-pot meal is great for weeknights, taking less than an hour from start to finish but fancy enough for weekend entertaining.

I was inspired to make this dish after reading All This Time by Annabelle McCormack.

Orange Salad with Spanish Pork #EattheWorld

Pork Tenderloin marinades overnight in a savory, slightly sweet sauce and then is chargrilled before being sliced and served on a salad of oranges and cucumbers. 

I served a side of Quinoa and Brown Rice with it but it's not necessary if you are trying to lighten up for the New Year......

Olive Oil Blueberry Muffins #BreadBakers

These healthier muffins, made with a mixture of whole wheat and white flour, are sweetened with very little sugar and lots of blueberries, high in antioxidants.  Moistened with low-fat milk and heart-healthy olive oil, these muffins are the perfect start to your day and your New Year.

It's time for the 2024 edition of Bread Bakers......

Three Cheese Quiche for Meatless Monday and a Book Review

Cream Cheese, Swiss Cheese, and Mozzarella Cheese combine with Leeks to make this Quiche that is perfect for Meatless Monday.  It was part of my Christmas Eve Brunch when some of my guests were non-meat eaters.

I was inspired to make this while listening to The Vintage Village Bake Off during my daily walks.

Walleye Tempura #SundayFunday

Fried Fish doesn't have to be heavy and batter-laden.   This walleye coated with cornstarch before being dipped in tempura batter is light, crispy, and scrumptious.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Tempura Day.....

Rhubarb Mint Mojito Mocktail or Cocktail

This delicious, refreshing drink is made by making a simple syrup using rhubarb and mint.  Add some lime juice and fill the glass with soda water for a lovely, light mocktail to start off the New Year.

We celebrated Epiphany yesterday with our final gathering for this Christmas season.  We had a houseful of guests including kids and adults that chose to be alcohol-free.  I like serving up flavorful drinks that still look fancy and festive.

"Little Christmas" Gathering for the 12th Day of Christma

Merry Little Christmas Everyone.  Today is our final gathering as we celebrate Epiphany when the 3 Wise Men followed the star that led them to our Savior's birthplace.

Graphic courtesy of Google Images

Preparing for the last Celebration of the Year and the Weekly Menu on the 11th Day of Christmas

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Three Kings...Epiphany...Little Christmas...Twelfth Night.  We are having one last party to celebrate.

graphic provided by Google images

All is Quiet as we cuddle up with Goulash and a Book for the 10th Day of Christmas

This easy, one-pot meal is perfect for those busy nights as life returns to normal and we welcome in 2024.  It is pure comfort on a cold winter's night.

I was inspired to make this goulash after reading The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen.

A New Blogging Challenge starting with Almond Chicken on the 9th Day of Christmas

Start the New Year off right with this lightened-up version of a favorite Chinese carryout recipe.  Featuring lean chicken breast and fried vegetables stir-fried in heart-healthy peanut oil and no breading you will enjoy all the flavors of this dish in less than half an hour.

Join us for the 2024 Alphabet Challenge......

Here is what's happening on the Farm on the 8th Day of Christmas

Amy and I started the 365-mile hiking challenge for the New Year.  We decided that since we needed to get ready for the AT in the fall we may as well get a tree planted for our efforts.  Today she and I went for a hike on the St. Clair Nature Trail near her house and then we met up with the guys for lunch.

Welcoming 2024 on the 7th Day of Christmas with Sauerkraut with Bacon and Smoked Pork Chops

Happy 2024!!  We don't do much to ring in the New Year.  I'm a lightweight and staying up until Midnight no longer holds any appeal to me.  But we did celebrate with a "lucky" dinner of Sauerkraut with Bacon and Smoked Pork Chops.