tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:44:24 +0000http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/melwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)Blogger255125MyKitchenCafehttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-2406651998518179695Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-11-07T06:00:01.869-07:00ChocolateThanksgiving Dinner 101PiesThanksgivingDessertsIt shouldn't really be a surprise that my bonus recipe for Thanksgiving 101 Week is a dessert recipe. Not any dessert recipe, I should add, but it is perhaps the most decadent, delicious pie I've ever had.Sent to me by a reader (thanks, Cara!), this pie graces her family's table every Thanksgiving. They've been making it for years, which speaks to it's tried-and-true nature. The only way I can http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-101-bonus-recipe.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-718059796487872264Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-11-06T11:42:53.995-07:00Thanksgiving Dinner 101PiesThanksgivingDessertsWe can't forget the pie!I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm no good at making pies. But thanks to my Aunt Marilyn's latest discovery (a no-fail pie crust!) and a winning recipe for apple pie, I think I'm well on my way to conquering my pie fears.Apple pie screams Thanksgiving dinner to me, hence the reason for sharing a recipe for apple pie with you during Thanksgiving week here. http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-dinner-101-pie.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-5289718596677419254Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-11-05T06:00:01.113-07:00RollsBreadsThanksgiving Dinner 101ThanksgivingAre you ready for the rolls?If you are a semi-regular reader of this blog, you are probably rolling your eyes that I am declaring undying love for a new roll. I mean, how many roll recipes can one girl need? At the risk of offending all of my much-loved roll recipes, this new recipe may trump all the others. Really.These rolls are beyond description. But for you, I'll try. They are soft and chewyhttp://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-dinner-101-rolls.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-4379655744586627739Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-11-04T13:27:15.561-07:00Main DishThanksgiving Dinner 101TurkeyThanksgivingNow on to the turkey...I used to be scared of cooking turkeys. They frightened me. They are big. They have the potential to transmit food-borne illnesses if cooked improperly. They are heavy. They are unattractive in their naked, uncooked form. I was intimidated.That is, until my Aunt Marilyn pulled through with her incredible 2-hour turkey recipe/method. For the record, I've made this twice now http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-dinner-101-turkey.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-4282434197368612072Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-11-03T14:01:52.526-07:00BreadsThanksgiving Dinner 101ThanksgivingSide DishLet's start with the stuffing shall we?I know that prepackaged, boxed stuffing makes a major appearance during Thanksgiving. Part of me completely understands - I mean Thanksgiving is the craziest of all cooking days with the oven doing quadruple duty and a little shortcut here and there never hurts. But the other part of me is hoping I can change the trend and bring homemade stuffing back to thehttp://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-dinner-101-stuffing.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-7864880199688838371Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-11-02T06:01:04.877-07:00Thanksgiving Dinner 101ThanksgivingI do not claim to be an expert on anything. Well, except for changing diapers. I'm pretty much a self-proclaimed expert on that. But over the years I have come across some terribly fantastic Thanksgiving recipes and since Thanksgiving (for those of us who celebrate it here in the United States) is fast approaching, I want to share them with you.So welcome to Thanksgiving Dinner 101.Every day for http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-dinner-101.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-5080552960176295245Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-30T06:00:10.834-06:00Soups/StewsBeansChiliMain Dish - BeefBeefMy mom will insist until she is blue in the face that she doesn't like to cook. While that may be true, it is unfortunate, because some of my favorite recipes (like this lasagna) come from her. Growing up my mom always had dinner on the table for our family - a homemade dinner. This chili was one that graced the table all through the chilly winter months (our preferred way to eat it: smothered http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-moms-classic-chili.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-7107472256259965283Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-28T06:00:10.217-06:00BreakfastHealthy and NutritiousSnacksOatmealSide DishI'm sad to report that ever since I posted about these fabulous granolas, I haven't made granola since.I blame it all on my dad.You see, he's kind of a granola, in an old-fashioned, outdoorsy kind of way. He's into hiking, gorp, scaling the highest peak in every state, four-wheeling and that kind of stuff. And he loves him some granola.He and my mom (who is not granola in any sense of the word) http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/coconut-and-cashew-granola.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-7247236368066519907Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-26T06:01:11.897-06:00SandwichBreadsMain Dish - BeefMain Dish - SandwichBeefMy stomach is growling just looking at the picture of this fantastical sandwich. I originally spied it in an issue of Cook's Country and didn't get around to making it until I saw Norah post about it on her blog. After she raved about it, I knew I should try it and it did not disappoint.These babies are fast (so fast!) and hands-down better than any sandwich I've paid mega-bucks for. Because the http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/steak-hoagies-with-mushrooms-onions-and.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-767691967143276354Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-23T06:00:06.723-06:00RollsBreadsSide Dish Well, in my world, you can't serve spaghetti without breadsticks. These breadsticks, actually. I've been making them for years, thanks to my sister-in-law Erin (yes, the same talented one who I've talked about in these recent posts) and they usually grace our table right along with most any pasta dish I make. Since a lot of you weren't around back in 2007 when I originally posted about these, http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/divine-breadsticks.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-5733337908265833761Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-21T06:00:04.196-06:00Main DishFreezablePastaMain Dish - PastaGround BeefTake-In MealMain Dish - BeefSaucesI've posted before about my favorite homemade spaghetti sauce. The original recipe came from my Aunt Marilyn via her sister-in-law. I love the recipe but since I can't leave well enough alone, I've been tweaking it here and there to suit my fickle nature.It's finally perfected.This is some phenomenal sauce. It satisfies every taste bud in my mouth and is definitely my family's favorite. I can http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/homemade-spaghetti-sauce-perfected.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-3146318633612166679Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-19T06:00:04.856-06:00CakesAunt Marilyn's No-Fail RecipesCheesecakesDessertsMy Aunt Marilyn recently sent this recipe to me and I made it while my parents were out here visiting last week. It was a hands-down hit and I've promised not to reveal the names of all the household members who snuck over to the counter for another snitch.The base of the cake, baked in a springform pan is exactly, exactly like a cream puff shell: tender and light. It holds up perfectly for the http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/strawberry-cream-puff-cake.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-1650648870280721456Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-16T06:00:04.450-06:00Main DishMain Dish - ChickenSoups/StewsChickenI've got chowder on the brain. From the creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder with Sweet Potatoes to the Boston Clam Chowder I posted recently, warm soups are just the medicine I need to avoid the doldrums of a cold, chilly fall leading toward the inevitable doom of winter. This particular chowder recipe is from my incredible chef of a sister-in-law, Erin (the exact same one that brought us the clam http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/chicken-corn-chowder.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-1584912829936660023Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-14T12:16:42.666-06:00Bars/BrowniesCheesecakesDessertsI have a most favorite recipe for the real-deal cheesecake. And it is beyond words delicious. I also have a recipe for an over-the-top no-bake cheesecake that graces our house on Halloween. Fantastic. Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake? Check. Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake? Got it.But until now, I've never had a recipe for a no-fail Cheesecake Bar recipe. While authentic cheesecakes have their place, http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/cheesecake-bars.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-8861156379171802327Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-14T20:24:39.691-06:00Main DishMain Dish - ChickenMain Dish - PastaTake-In MealChickenI never knew such a dish like this existed until my good friend, Suzie, sent it to me with the note that she makes it all the time for her family and they love it. Considering Suz has soon-to-be four kids under the age of four (yes, you heard me right) and has time to make this AND her kids like it, I knew I had to try it.Wow. WOW! Who knew that the flavors of chicken enchiladas would pair so http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/chicken-enchilada-pasta.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-2258998200243956043Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-09T13:23:55.806-06:00MeatlessVegetablesSide DishIn a pinch, I nabbed this recipe off the internet and made them to go along with grilled chicken last Sunday. I'm a HUGE fan of cheesy, creamy potatoes, but wanted a recipe that didn't call for any condensed soups.If you want to know what these potatoes tasted like, after taking two or three bites, my husband mumbled something like this, "Wow, these taste like they are right out of a dutch oven."http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/blue-cheese-and-cheddar-scalloped.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-2702509376874289861Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-07T06:00:03.561-06:00SeafoodMain DishSoups/StewsMain Dish - SeafoodClam chowder is my husband's favorite soup of choice. I've tried many, many recipes over the years, some thick as glue and others fairly decent. I have a wonderful recipe for a Quick and Delicious Clam Chowder (can I get a hooray for this soup, Queen B.?) which is light and creamy and a bit soupier than the traditional clam chowder that is thick and hearty enough to stand up to a good bread http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-favorite-boston-clam-chowder.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-2687689199608585144Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-05T11:27:05.297-06:00CakesAunt Marilyn's No-Fail RecipesDessertsThis dessert just speaks fall, doesn't it? A good pumpkin roll is one of my very favorite pumpkin-flavored treats. I love them. Love them. Looooove them. I don't know if there is a more beautiful combination than moist, spiced pumpkin cake rolled with a filling of soft, sweet cream cheese.I'm having trouble concentrating just thinking about it.My Aunt Marilyn sent me this recipe - she got it fromhttp://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/perfect-pumpkin-roll.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-1024505662875620507Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-02T06:00:01.101-06:00Healthy and NutritiousOne of my bestest friends is Dixie. She posts her comments on this blog as Dixiechick, in case you recognize the name. Anyhow, she and I were roommates all throughout college. She's crazy. And funny. And extremely fit. She was one of those roommates I loved to hate because she loved to exercise and had the body to prove it...and me? Well, I loved to eat (still do!) and had the body to prove http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/10/fyi-raceday-kitchen.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-6087012935582498876Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-02T20:11:30.729-06:00RollsFreezableBreadsSide DishI made this garlic bread to serve with the Manicotti. Well, let me rephrase that, I made this garlic bread weeks ago and stored it in the freezer to be quickly baked the night I made the Manicotti.I love garlic bread, but rarely do I keep a loaf of fresh french bread on hand to whip up on a whim. Even when I do plan garlic bread into my menu, often it isn't until a later meal, days after the http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/09/make-ahead-crispy-buttery-garlic-bread.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-8843206977652851180Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-02T20:12:34.415-06:00FreezablePastaMain Dish - CasseroleMain Dish - PastaMeatlessTake-In MealMain Dish - MeatlessWe love manicotti at our house. I've tried a zillion recipes, and all of them have been so-so. Until this one.From America's Test Kitchen, this is hands down, the best manicotti ever. I've been making it for months now and I don't think I'll ever be able to try another recipe.The novel idea behind this recipe is the use of no-boil lasagna sheets to roll up the cheesy, creamy, delicious filling. http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/09/best-baked-manicotti.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-3055431436193616846Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-09-25T06:00:04.347-06:00Main Dish - SaladBeansHealthy and NutritiousSide DishSaladContinuing on the theme of the delicious southwest flavors, please let me introduce to you my new favorite salad. Oh, this salad. I could wax poetic about it's lovely qualities.But I won't. Lucky for you.Suffice it to say, I was more than skeptical to try this eventual winner of a recipe. My cousin Tami passed it along to me when I had declared the Great Bean Crusade in my home (a fight against http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/09/tamis-southwest-rice-and-bean-salad.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-7573741394155809346Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-02T20:12:46.687-06:00BreakfastFreezableBreadsHealthy and NutritiousYou should be very, very glad I can't jump out of the computer screen and convince you how phenomenal this recipe is, thereby giving you no good reason not to make it. Yes, these are exceptional pancakes (hands down, my favorite pancake recipe), but the best thing about this recipe is that the dry mix makes a lot and takes minutes to throw together. It stores indefinitely in the refrigerator or http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/09/oatmeal-pancake-mix.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-3822487738490787406Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-09-21T06:00:06.555-06:00RiceMain DishMain Dish - ChickenCurryMain Dish - CurryI happen to be a huge fan of curry. And I happen to be an even bigger fan of curry when combined with a coconut sauce. For evidence, look no further than here. So it came as no surprise to me or my family when I decided to try this coconut curry variation from a recent library checkout.The finished meal did not disappoint in the least. The flavors were so subtle yet blended perfectly. Definitely http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/09/basil-chicken-in-coconut-curry-sauce.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191906721825520.post-8514223716131055441Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-10-02T20:16:34.217-06:00Main DishFreezablePastaMain Dish - ChickenMain Dish - PastaTake-In MealChickenThis is my husband's favorite meal ever. Ever. Even more than his beloved Sweet and Sour Chicken, which is saying a lot. He. Loves. This Meal. And he requests it all the time.Here's another fact, this is also a repost. I originally posted about this meal way back in December of 2007, my first month of blogging (has it really been that long??). Since it was so long ago and I know some of you http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2009/09/baked-pasta-with-chicken-sausage.htmlmelwg@hotmail.com (Melanie)40