In The Kitchen (Page 2)

It seems our lives are much busier than I ever thought they would be.  Some nights it’s hard to get dinner on the table and we have grilled cheese much more than I’d like to admit.  Luckily, we love tacos (who doesn’t!) they are quick and easy.  We like to switch them up, hard or soft tortillas, beef, chicken, turkey or pork.  Last night it was ground turkey and soft flour tortillas.  I had been buying the packets of taco seasoning mix and thought that there has to be something better.  After a few hits and misses I have found the recipe for homemade taco seasoning thatRead More →

I love to bake, especially when the weather starts to cool down.  Something about this old fashioned cake just feels like fall to me, I think it’s the nutmeg.  It goes together easily and quickly and doesn’t require dragging out the mixer which makes me happy.  We have a few different versions of this recipe floating around the family, they are all similar but then, also a little different.  This is the one my little family prefers.  I’m not sure anymore who handed this one down, it’s been around a while.  I changed the oleo to butter, much better, and I use pecans which I chop into bigger pieces.Read More →

This big pan of rich, chocolate yummy-ness may also known as Texas Sheet Cake, but this version is by far our favorite.  The combination of chocolate, cinnamon and buttermilk is pure heaven.  The cake is light, the frosting like fudge.  I remember the first time I had it, my Aunt Barbara made it at one of our family reunions.  I am a confirmed chocoholic so I was immediately hooked!  I’m so glad she shared her recipe!  This is definitely one that will have you licking the beaters and the bowl. Brownie Sheet Cake Cake: 1 cup water 1 cup butter 1/4 cup cocoa powder 2Read More →

The zucchini are really coming on and will be ready to harvest soon.  Time to break out all my recipes for everything zucchini!  One of our favorites is Grandma Rachel’s zucchini bread.  Moist and delicious served warm with a little butter, oh my goodness.  I especially like it with my coffee in the morning, can’t wait! Grandma Rachel’s Zucchini Bread 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 1 cup oil 2 cups grated raw zucchini 3 t. vanilla 3 cups flour 1 t. salt 1 t. baking soda 1 t. baking powder 3 tsp. cinnamon Mix all ingredients and place in a greased bread pans.  Bake atRead More →

This unusual recipe came from my great-grandmother Emma (Cook) Lee and I am lucky enough to have a copy of it written in her own hand.  Originally, Emma came from Vermont, then moved to Iowa then she eventually ended up in Oklahoma.  Honestly, I have tried to make this and I just can’t seem to get it right.  They have been too watery, too lemony, too sweet, not sweet enough and just plain weird.  I think I will stick with having my watermelon served cold and dripping down my chin. Watermelon Preserves Made with the red part, seeds removed – cut up in pieces.  To 6 lbs. of melon and 3Read More →

The height of summer always brings a lot of zucchini, a lot.  One plant yields enough of the squash for my small family of three, and then some.   This is a favorite side dish of ours and is how I finally got my son to taste zucchini, now he loves it.  I have never measured for this, I just kind of eyeball how much I need for the amount of squash I’m going to cook so adjust accordingly. This is what I do for one medium size zucchini: Wash and slice the zucchini, it can be in rounds or spears.   In a gallon zip lockRead More →

Who doesn’t love a great barbeque in the summer?  Chicken, ribs, steaks, burgers and the list is endless.  There are so many sauces and rubs to choose from, but have you ever made your own?  My uncle Marvin did, this is his recipe.  It has a mild, tomato-y flavor, it’s great on burgers and even meatloaf.  Quick, easy and you probably have all the ingredients on hand.  Fire up the grill and give it a try, I think you’ll like it. Marvin’s Bar-B-Q Sauce 3/4 c. catsup 2 t. Worcestershire Sauce 1 t. mustard 1 T. brown sugar 1 T. vinegar 1/2 c. water Mix all ingredients together.  IRead More →

Warm summer days are finally here bringing the bounty of your garden with them.  Here is a delicious alternative to the usual green salad.  Colorful, tasty and easy to make, they also add a stunning presentation to your buffet table. Stuffed Tomatoes Take fresh, firm tomatoes and cut the pulp from them with a sharp knife, scoop it out with a spoon.  Mix together chopped cucumber, cabbage, bell pepper, celery, onion to taste, some of the tomato pulp and salt (I like to use pink Himalayan or sea salt).  Fill the tomatoes with this mixture and garnish with a small dollop of mayonnaise.  Served on aRead More →

Before Brad and I moved to Idaho we lived in a small community outside of Yakima.  There is a little community church there and the Pastor’s wife was just the sweetest lady.  Kaye was kind enough to share this recipe, I think you’ll like them as much as we do. Kaye’s Macaroon Cookie Bars Crust: 1 box Devil’s Food cake mix or the dry ingredients of your favorite recipe 1/2 c. butter, softened 1 egg Pre-heat oven to 350°, grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan.  In a large bowl combine crust ingredients on low speed until well combined, mixture will be crumbly.  PressRead More →

Poppy Seed Bread is a family favorite and has been a holiday tradition for as long as I remember.   We have it every Christmas morning, or when the mood strikes.  I like it warm with butter, oh my gosh it’s good.  It’s so good my sister is even having it made into her wedding cake!  The recipe calls for chopped nuts, I think pecans are best however, my son doesn’t like nuts so for the last 17 years I’ve been leaving them out.  This recipe came from my Grandma Sarah, she was a wonderful cook. Poppy Seed Bread 1 box yellow cake mix 1 small box instantRead More →