A New Adventure in Cooking

Hi Foody Friends,

In about 8 weeks, there will be a new addition to our family.  We are beyond excited.  It's a whole new beginning, an extra person in the house, an extra seat for dinner, an extra person eating, and an extra person to cook for.  I can't wait for all of this to start.

So, I have a bright idea!  How about, I make my own baby food?  I have never done this in the past with my other two daughters.  Well, for one, I was working full time, two ...well there isn't a two.   At that time, I was raising two girls on my own,  working full time and making sure they had everything they needed on a daily basis.  Making baby food?  Oh hell no.  Excuse my language, but there was no way I could fit that into my schedule.  I was exhausted from working, I was exhausted at night, I was exhausted on weekends.  A quick trip to Price Chopper once a week was a lot more easier than making baby food.  Also, at that time, I was not much of Chef either, quick dinners, showers and bed was a daily routine.  I think I was sleeping during showers, I don't know, it was possible.

Now I can say,  I am happily married and have a fantastic family.  I am also blessed to be a SAHM, (Stay At Home Mom), thanks to my wonderful and hard working husband.   I am the Queen of my Castle, the CEO of the Wright Household, and this is when I became the magnificent Chef of my own kitchen.  I drive a Town and Country Mini Van and is one step away from wearing Mom Jeans and white Reeboks. LOL.

Now is the time I can endure in the adventure of making my own food for our new baby girl.  There is a really neat appliance called,  The Baby Bullet Food Processor.  Three different blades for pureeing and blending, and also one for milling cereals, along with lots of storage containers for me to freeze food in advance.   I can make big batches or little batches.  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and yummy snacks!   I basically can whip up a three course meal for her! LOL.  How awesome is that?   The best part is,  I know what my daughter will be eating and I believe this will save money in the long run.  Summer is coming, if Spring ever starts!  Farmer's Markets will be in season and fresh veggies and fruit is what I will be looking for!

So will I succeed in my new adventure? I believe so.  I will update you when the time comes for me to get cooking with The Baby Bullet.  In the meantime, if anyone has used The Baby Bullet or has made their own baby food, I would love to here how your experience went.  Please comment, I love feedback!

Cheers!

Date Night Dinners

Hi Foody Friends!

I love Wednesdays!  My favorite day of the week, because it's Date Night!  Yes, Date Night.  The night when my husband and I have a nice dinner, in or out, and send our kids upstairs for movies and bed!  Yes, I make our kids go upstairs and leave us alone when we "dine in." LOL.  It's all good.  I suggest every couple needs to do that, at least once a week.  You need to get your sanity back and keep that spark going in your marriage, too.  This includes no Smartphones, Facebook or texting.  Although, I did have to confront my husband last night to "put the phone away!!!!!" So he did.


Dining out is such an easy option, but as parents of two and one on the way, that's not always an option.  But, the upside is my husband has a wife that loves to cook, and of course, loves to whip up a Date Night dinner for us to smooch over.  Hearty meals to something light has been on our Date Night table every week.  This week request was "something light."  So, a trip to Hannaford is where I went.  This week they had Fresh Salmon 6 oz. pieces for $4.99/each.  Beautiful bright pieces of Salmon, too.  I will take two!  I also picked up a bag of  String Beans and Carrots Mix.  You can find them near the produce, they're not frozen, but fresh.  It's a great substitute until the summer season rolls in for the Farmers Markets.

Now, I already knew what our appetizer would be.  More like, soup or salad?  French Onion Soup has been on my mind for a week.  Make my own?  Why of course not.  Although, it's fairly easy to make, but this time, its Campbell's.  Even though we were eating light, the French Onion Soup will make up the left over hunger you might experience.  As for me, pregnant, yes there's a lot of left over hunger!  Here's a rule.  When melting the cheese over your bread and soup, under the broiler, you must brown the cheese.  Not burn, just a little crispy. It's the best part!!!

So, what have we learned today?  Schedule a Date Night, look forward to spending time with your significant other, get a babysitter or Red Box for the kids and enjoy your night together.  It's not necessary to go out for dinner, when you can make your Date Night just as romantic and delicious in your own home.  As always, I have the recipe for you so you can get started on your very own, Date Night.

Cheers!

2- 6oz. pieces of Salmon
1 Bag  Fresh String Beans and Carrots mixed
2 Garlic cloves
1 small onion
2 tbsp. butter
EVOO
Salt and Pepper


Marinade:

Place the Salmon in a dish, minced 1 Garlic Clove, Salt and Pepper each side of the Salmon, drizzle EVOO just enough to cover both sides of the Salmon, about a couple tablespoons. Cover and marinated for about an hour before cooking.

Veggies:

Chop 1 small onion, minced 1 garlic clove.  Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saute pan, then add onion and garlic until soft.  Add your veggies and toss to coat until heated through.

Salmon:

Heat your grill pan over medium heat.  Place the salmon on the grill pan and cook about 5 minutes on each side. Add Salt and Pepper for taste.  Brush Bourbon Sauce on each side while grilling.*

Plate your veggies first and add the Salmon right on top.  You can serve with a side Baked Potato or just eat as is.

*I used a Bayou Bourbon Sauce from Tastefully Simple.  You can visit Allrecipes.com or Foodnetwork.com for great Bourbon Glaze recipes.  Your Salmon will taste just as great without glaze too.

Let's order Pizza....or not?

Hi Foody Friends,

Friday night is Pizza Night in the Wright House....read that fast, you may have thought I said, White House. LOL.  I love a good cheesy slice of pizza anytime.  There's lots of great pizzerias here in the BSpa, but every once in a while I like to venture out and make my own!  I believe it's a skill that you must acquire in order to make a good pizza.  I think I have that skill, well to a certain extent, of course.  Give me a glass a wine and I may spin some dough for you.

Speaking of dough.  I hate to make my own dough, it's time consuming.  It's all about the yeast, if the yeast don't rise, you're screwed!   You sit there, and wait and wait just for a rise. Then, finally, it rose!  By this time, I have no interest in making a pizza, I will throw the sauce and cheese on it and call it a night!  I have a tip, go to your local pizzeria, buy a dough round for a couple bucks and save yourself some time.  Plus it rolls out so nicely, just a little flour and a good rolling pin, you are all set.  Once that beautiful circle of dough is formed and you refill your wine glass, you are on your way to one awesome pizza.   I buy my dough at I Love NY Pizza on Route 50 in Bspa, the dough is always perfect!

The best part about making pizza at home, if you have kids, they absolutely love it!  One dough round can make 4 personal pizzas.  Kids style pizzas you can't go wrong, get some cheese, pepperoni and sauce, then let them go to town making their own pizzas.  It's quick, easy and kid friendly. Plus, the Mom of the Year Award will definitely be in your favor.  Of course, the clean up isn't as nearly as fun, especially with flour. Buy an extra bottle, that's all I can say. :)

So it happens to be Friday Night...what are your plans....pizza?  If you're in the mood to take a trip on the wild side of pizza making, then check out the recipe below!  You won't be disappointed!  Enjoy.

1- Dough Round

1- Garlic Clove

1- 14 oz. Pizza Sauce

1- Bundle Fresh Basil

1- Bag of Baby Spinach

1- Pre-sliced Fresh Mozzarella Log

1- Lg. Tomato

2 Tbsp. - Italian Seasonings

Salt and Pepper 

Preheat oven at 450 degrees, brush some Extra Virgin Olive Oil around the crust to get the dough golden brown.  Cook for about 15 minutes.

Cheers!

Wingys

Hi Foody Friends,

Every time I hear the word "wingy", I am reminded of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy saying, "Tommy likey, Tommy like wingy".  LOL.  One of my all time favorite movies and comedian!  But lets face it, who doesn't like chicken wings? Whether they are Buffalo wings or Grilled wings, they are mm mm delish!

I don't know about you but I am a "Chopper Shopper". I love the gas discount and the deli because they give you a sample slice of every deli meat you buy, but that's another story.  I recently purchased a bag of Party Wings for $5.99.  I thought that was a great buy so I quickly snatched some up as I giggled to myself like I am the only one in Saratoga County who knows of this special.  My family and I are wingy eaters, so great buy for me! Score!

As for my husband, he is dieting, and is doing very well I may add.  I'm jealous because I am pregnant with our third child and as he loses, I gain.  So, being the supporting wife I am, I didn't want to deep fry the wingys and add calories or points to his day, so I decided to throw them in the oven.  Flour, seasoning and a load of hot oil, add some dipping sauce or hot sauce for a fantastic wingy and there goes his diet for that evening.

There's a delicious seasoning from Tastefully Simple called Honey BBQ seasoning, oh my gosh , I almost said Honey Boo-Boo. LOL great show, by the way. Since this particular seasoning is only seasonal, you can go to your local Grocery Store and visit the seasoning aisle.  Emeril carries some great seasoning blends available that will make your wingys a hit!  As I sit here writing this blog, it smells wonderful in my kitchen. YUM!  If you want, you can always have a dipping sauce on the side.  I used a Bourbon Glaze which was very tasty,  the baby loved it!  The  traditional Blue Cheese and Celery would go fantastic with the Honey BBQ Wingys any day!

So, if you want to change up your everyday hot wings, try Honey BBQ wingys, you will not be disappointed.   Throw your favorite seasoning on the wingys, set your oven to 400 degrees and cook those suckers for 35 minutes and you will do the happy dance!


P.S. I normally pair a wine with my dishes, but since I am pregnant and there is no wine for me, drink some water! It's good for you!  Well at least till May ;)

Enjoy!

Fall means Comfort Food....

It's been what?? Months!!!

Hi Foody Friends!

It's been a long time since I blogged, well couple months, basically a whole summer has passed and not one blog posted by yours truly.  A lot of food has been cooked on my grill this past season.  Summer was great, but I am ready for Fall.  I am ready for the term that many Chef's use when the cooler season arrives....Comfort Food.  Oh yeah!  There's nothing like a good homemade soup, a warm home baked Apple Pie or a simple delicious cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee from Dunkin Donuts!!!  Yes, I have not had mine yet, but mark my words, I will be driving through for quick pick up.  I don't even know why I haven't tried the Pumpkin Spice Coffee yet from DD.  I'm sure I am the only one.  People are crazed over this stuff.  There were posts on Facebook of friends waiting for the day Pumpkin Spice came available.  Well, I guess I'm the same way when a new wine comes out...yeah, the countdown is always on at that time! LOL.

Back to "Comfort Food".  As you already know, I am a Consultant for Tastefully Simple.  There's two items from our Fall/Winter Line that I love.  One is the Rustic Herb Seasoning and the other is Mama Mia's Marinara Sauce Mix.  These two products scream comfort! It's "Get my Snuggie out comfort!"  Just let those two words roll of your tongue. Rustic. Herb. If that don't wake up your pallet I don't know what will!  The Rustic Herb seasoning is a mixture garlic, rosemary, thyme and other spices that makes any meat or vegetable taste like it just came out of Paula Deen's kitchen! It's delicious and so easy...it's all you need to spice up your food and get that pallet bursting.  I recently made a Roast Pork and used the Rustic Herb Seasoning. It was so delicious and just added the right amount of flavor to make you smile after every bite. 

The other product I love is the Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix.  Yes, I know everyone likes to make there own homemade sauce.  "I like to grow my own tomatoes, then can them, then crush them, yadda yadda." Yes, I do also, but I'm not growing them or crushing them myself.  But, when you have kids, and you have softball practice at 5:30, or you are working late and you need a quick dinner minus the McDonald's. Wouldn't you love to make a good sauce in less than five minutes?  Well, you can. All you need is a 28 ounce can of  Crushed Tomatoes and 1/4 cup of Mama Mia and you will have a fabulous, quick Marinara. While its simmering you can pour yourself a nice well deserved glass of wine and relax.  Once you top this sauce on your pasta, I must tell you, it is tasty! For being a homemade tomato sauce kinda girl, this works very well on busy night during the school year.  It has a little kick to it also, which I love! There's nothing like food with a little spice to get you jumping for more...and more wine! And of course, I love a good batch of homemade sauce, grown, crushed, squeezed, whatever!  I will eat it! LOL

So when you're running late and you stop by McDonald's for those Happy Meals, and a Number 1, remember this blog and visit me at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/dwright5.  I will make you a Master Chef in your own kitchen!

Happy Fall Everyone!

Donna Wright

First you take a piece of bread....

Hi My Foody Friends!


Have you ever created a meal or a food that you just always talked about but never tried? Sounds weird right?  But I have a short story for you.

Years ago, a friend and myself were in the kitchen, talking about food.  We decided to create something.  Create meaning, talking the recipe out over a beer. LOL. So we started, first you take a piece of bread...lightly toasted...smear of cream cheese...spat of chives...I don't remember anything after that, it was so long ago and the beers were just flowing! LOL But my point is, it's become an everlasting recipe that we never made!  In fact, we joked about for years and still do.  When I attended their wedding, I gave them a beautiful frame and took out the picture that was in the frame when you purchased it, and printed out the recipe and stuck it in there.  Funny part of the story is, when his wife opened the gifts after the wedding, she was looking at the frame and read the recipe out loud, in total confusion!!! Her husband ran in the room to see what she was reading and started laughing! So till this day, when I see them, the recipe always comes up in conversation..."first you take a piece of bread".  We could be talking about the weather or children, and the piece of bread comes up!!!

Recipes are such a personal item.  They are passed down from generations of family members.  It's something that holds a part of that person in them.  I don't have a recipe book from my parents or my grandparents, but I am going to start one for my own children.  I want my girls to reflect back when they were young and I made them eat that dreadful meatloaf, which, let me add, my meatloaf is not dreadful, it's juicy. In time, when they make that meatloaf, they will know what they were missing.  LOL, but to kids, meatloaf isn't on the top of their menu. I want them to have a part of me when they become adults and cook for their own family.  Cooking and food always brings family and friends together.  A good dinner with family makes a bad day better.  Especially if you have some good wine! We have dinner at our table at least five nights a week.  Friday and Saturday nights, are pizza and eat whatever days.  Having your family around the table, together and enjoying stories about your day is the best part. You can't beat it!

My motto in my kitchen is "Live~Laugh~Love".  We live for a fun and happy life and my dinners, we laugh because everyday we're funny people and we crack ourselves up and we love food and each other! LOL.  I know that's not the actual meaning of that saying, but it is in my kitchen! Happy Spring Everyone!

Enjoy!

Donna Wright

A New Venture...

Hi Foody Friends!

I am excited to share something with you.  Its a new venture I'm taking on very soon as a Tastefully Simple Consultant.  I'm really looking forward to being a Consultant.  I've been a Stay at Home Mom for two years now.  I love it. Nothing beats being able to take care of your family, cook great dinners and most importantly have time for your children and school.  There's always something to clean out, iron, wash, or cook.  But don't get me wrong, I have days where I'm twiddling my thumbs thinking..."ugh I'm bored, I need something to do!!" At least till 3:45pm, when the kids get home from school.

 Tastefully Simple has wonderful and quick meal ideas amongst other things. What's better than that for all those "on the go parents"?  I know there's times I need something quick for dinner especially during sport seasons.  Plus I am very fond of food and cooking if you haven't realized that yet.  Oh, and wine, of course.  I came across TS (Tastefully Simple) on Facebook, surprise right!  Anyways as I read on, I noticed I could host a  TS Party.  How much fun would that be?!  I invited a bunch of friends, will have drinks on hand and food to taste!  I have no doubt everyone will enjoy a party like this.  You're not just sitting and listening to someone talk about dishes, utensils and some lame recipe that is supposed to make you want to buy hundreds and hundreds of dollars of merchandise from the catalog.  You are going to taste foods, dips and breads along with a lovely glass of wine and great conversation.  Those are the type of parties I like.  It's all about having fun and enjoying what you are doing.  Since, I love to host parties and cook, I will be in my glory!

This is right up my alley and a step in the right direction.  I've said this before, how I would love a career in cooking.  If it's owning our own Cafe, or just starting as a consultant, it could lead to open doors, as with any adventure you want to take on.  Plus, I'm making extra money for our family.  You never know what the future has in store for you.  I didn't, I have an amazing husband, two wonderful daughters and a happy life! Now that I have all this, I'm ready to continue on, and make the best of what I enjoy.  Cooking and in this case, selling food. LOL. I'm ready! Watch out BSpa!

I suggest you to visit the website and check out all they have to offer at www.tastefullysimple.com.  If you are interested in having a party, I will be booking parties soon!

Enjoy!

Donna Wright