Cats New Year's Eve Countdown Cooking Inspiration

Hey everyone...hope y'all are well and looking forward to a New Year. I hope 2022 lets me finish some of my resolutions from this year. I don't believe that I can cram my unfinished resolutions in the rest of this day. I know for me, this next year I'm going to do what Julia Child's quote states below. When you find your passion, stay interested in it. I couldn't have said it better myself. I do plan on challenging myself with creating some more healthy-r recipes that aren't difficult. I've been obsessed with "sheet pan" dinners lately & have to say I've been in a good routine of roasting veggies right when I get in from the store. If I pack them away, I tend to get a bit lazy when it comes to prepping them. If you're cooking for one or two this is a great way to expand your food for a few meals as well. Nothing urks me more than to find something in the fridge that I should have used and didn't. Maybe that should be a New Year Rezolution...make a meal totally out of leftovers once a week.  Well, I guess I just committed myself. So, who know what's going to be popping up on the blog for this coming year but one thing I can say is "it will be healthy & easy to make." So, whatever your heart desires when cooking & baking just enjoy it and make the most of those precious moments in the kitchen. Have a Safe New Year's Eve!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats New Year Countdown Cooking Inspiration (3)

 Hey everyone.... we're getting closer to the New Year. Lots of things going through my tiny head right now especially after my brunch date yesterday with my daughter and grandson. We talked about goals & incentives to keep them throughout the year. I guess she knows her mom way too well. Actually, I do pretty good with my goals because I've been known to keep them a bit simple. Then when I achieve more than I thought it makes me feel even better. Simple thought process but works for me anyway. One thing we did talk about lately is cooking and baking goals which always includes cooking healthier. I have realized that you do need to adapt a recipe/ingredient for your family's needs and likings. It's just like designing/decorating. I always tell my clients this might be the "trend" but we need to design for your family's needs. It's the same way with cooking and baking. I can always post a recipe but if you'll notice I tend to mention "to taste" or "to your liking." I love things spicey but when cooking for my grandson I know to pull back on the spices and herbs. Sometimes it's always best to try a new recipe ahead so you can tweak for your needs. I always say it's a recipe...make it what you want...it's your kitchen! :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats New Year Countdown Cooking Inspiration...(4)

 Hey everyone...hope your week is going well. I've been having a great time with my family and cherishing every moment together. Another year is approaching and we're all talking about our "New Year's Resolutions." I like to make mine less complicated and things that I know can achieve. Not that I don't like a challenge but life itself is a challenge, so why complicate things...right? Maybe it's me as I'm getting a tad-bit older that I've come to realize my limits. Wow...just typing that is a bit scary :-) I do know what I love to do is to pass on the legacy of that special time together in the kitchen. Making memories together in the kitchen will always be cherished in our home. It really doesn't matter what you make together it's just being together is what we cherish. Life gets busier every year, but we try to continue the old family traditions especially during the holidays. I recently was a bit sad when "my sweet grandson" nixed one of our traditions together but that's o.k., I've got to learn he's growing up and I need to learn to adapt with the changes. Then yesterday he stole my heart again by saying we still need to make our Christmas sugar toast again using cookie cutters. Ahhhh...be still my heart...see...I tend to try and make life hectic but it's really the simple things in life that continue to be so special. This year my goal is to continue some easy & delish recipes but also a bit healthier as well. 

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Merry Christmas Y'all

 Hey everyone.... Merry Christmas! I'm up early waiting for all the excitement to begin with my grandson but wanted to wish everyone a joyous Christmas. It's the best Christmas for me when I can be with my family and being out of state makes it difficult at times. I'm going to cherish this Christmas cause he's getting older and already our traditions are changing. Memories will always be cherished no matter how we "accommodate" them for his growing years. My wish for you this Christmas is Joy no matter what you are doing have yourself a Blessed Christmas. I'm looking forward to sharing some health-r recipes this coming year along with some fun & easy decor tips along the way. If you would like to try "quilting" pop on over to my blog and enjoy some fun & easy projects this year as well. Have a Merry Christmas Y'all

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Christmas Countdown..."Less Stress Cooking"

 Hey y'all...well it's here, Christmas Eve and I hope everyone is having a great time. I wanted to quickly share with you one of my all-time favorites to cook especially when I'm in a time crunch. I've been having to eat a lot of chicken these days and one of my favorites is to purchase chicken breast tenders by Purdue. They are individually wrapped, come about 5 to a package which is great for feeding a small family. If you're like me handling chicken does freak me out a bit so I just tenderize them a bit using my fingers while still in the bag. I keep a few pkgs. in the freezer for those fast & healthy dinners. Just thaw as needed. For me it's simple...especially if you're needing a quick healthy dinner while helping "Santa" with some last-minute Christmas to-do's :-) Merry Christmas Eve & hope you enjoy this fast & easy recipe.

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

* 1 pkg of Perdue Fresh Chicken Breasts (thawed)

* Italian seasoned Panko breadcrumbs

* Chicken Boullion (powder) or your favorite seasoning

* Gallon Ziplock bag (for easy clean-up)

Here's all you do...

* Pre-heat oven to 400*

* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper & spray paper with cooking spray.

* Take each chicken breast & season with chicken Boullion or your desired seasoning.

* Using your Ziplock bag.... Place about 3/4 -1 cup of panko breadcrumbs & shake away until each chicken breast is fully coated.

*Place on baking sheet & lightly spray cooking oil on top for a crunchy texture. (see pic below)

*Bake about 15 minutes. Flip & lightly spray again.

Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked thoroughly (ovens vary)

This is a great make ahead recipe that would work well for chicken salads on the go or that fast evening meal with hectic schedules with the kiddos. 

Tip...the chicken is so moist that I don't dip in an egg mixture before coating, but you can if you wish

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Cats Christmas Countdown..."JOY"

 Hey everyone...hope all is well. I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone "Joy." I know that I get caught up in the stress of trying to plan the perfect Holiday get-2-gether that sometimes I forget to relax. My daughter always tells me that I'm no good to others if I don't take care of myself. So take a moment for yourself during all the "chaos" and take a walk...read a book but most of all relax. Remember "You" bring "Joy" to others so take time for yourself. Honestly...I even bought a "frozen lazagna" dinner the other night...have to say it might be a staple in my freezer for these crazy nights :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Christmas Countdown..."Cozy Christmas Tomato Basil Soup w/ Cornbread Croutons"

 Hey everyone...hope your holiday season is going great. I can't believe how fast this month is going. I love this time of year, you get a little cold front but still have a hint of sunny days here in Florida. One of my favorite things to do is make a big pot of soup at Christmas. This is a fast and easy one to make for those hectic evenings when you have so much to do or just anytime. You can easily double the recipe and it does freeze well (freezer safe container). If you're looking for a sweet gift for a neighbor this recipe will definately do the trick. It's festive with it's bright red color and would brighten someone's day during this holiday season. The croutons are cut up from the Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls and have to say these are now a must have in my home. They are so deish and have a sweet taste to your ordinary cornbread. I use chicken stock when making but if you'd like a richer, creamier tast, just add heavy cream to your liking. I don't believe you could go wrong either way. Hope you enjoy!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

1-14 oz Hunts Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes (Garlic)

1- 14 oz Hunts Diced Basil. Garlic & Oregano

2- 8 oz cans Hunts Tomato Sauce (Roasted Garlic)

2 TB tomato paste (or to taste) hint...I love Cento tube...great when using small amounts :-)

1 TB Lea & Perrins'  Worcestershire sauce (or to taste)

3-4 cups Chicken Stock (depending on your desired thickness)

Fresh Basil (to your liking)

1/8 c Parmesan cheese (asiago/romano,dried in a jar)

Here's all you do...

In a large non-stick pot, heat chicken stock over medium heat with tomato sauce, tomato paste & worcestershire sauce, stir/until completely blended.

Meanwhile "blend" using your method the cans of diced tomatoes and basil until smooth. 

Add into soup and continue to cook on med/low until all incorporated.

About 5 mins. before serving add in the parmesan cheese/stir completely before serving.  

Drop in a bit of fresh herbs if desired too really amp up the flavor. 

Cover & Simmer until your desired taste.

Makes about 4 cups...easily doubles!

Serve along with my cornbread croutons or kick it old school with  a "Classic Grilled Cheese"

For Cornbread Croutons...

Pre-heat over to 375*

Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper

Roll out cornbread swirls and cut into tiny pieces.

Lay out evernly on baking sheet

Bake for about 10-15 mins (ovens vary)

Serve a few on top of soup for garnish and some along the side for some extra crunch :-)

Cats Christmas Countdown..."Tip 2 Soften Cream Cheese"

 Hey everyone...hope y'all had a restful weekend. I'd like to share this tip with y'all that I do all year round when baking/cooking with cream cheese. Depending on your home temp, cream cheese can take a while to soften and if you're in a crunch that can be a bit frustrating. I "try" to remember to take mine out of fridge to soften but recently I was in a crunch for time and tried this technique. I was thrilled at how quickly the cream cheese softened. I used my glass "cake plate" that has a cover and placed my opened cream cheese in and within an hour it started to soften. Can't explain how...too much science behind it for me...but it worked. If you don't have a cake plate try using a plate with a bowl to cover. Although, Im no scientist but I believe you need one that seals pretty tight for this too happen. I usually have a morning routine if I know I'll be baking/cooking with cream cheese...make coffee & take out cream cheese to soften. I'm sure we've all done that routine a time or two :-) Anyway, I hope this tip helps with your Holiday Baking & Cooking. Have a great one!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Christmas Countdown...Great Gift idea..."Waffle Maker/Party Tip"

 Hey everyone...hope y'all are doing great and having good weather. Woke up to a nice one here in Florida. If I could have this weather all year round in Texas I'd be one happy Gege. I wanted to share this classic gift idea w/ y'all...so simple but yet so versatile. Give the gift of a "waffle maker." If you feel that's too simple then search the net and you'll see how much fun you can have with one. They come in all price ranges....shapes...and so much fun. I love mine...it's the traditional one but when you're thinking of a "get together" where everyone can get involved (less stress on you) make their own dessert and have fun....this is definately it! If I'm hosting a "breakfast brunch" this is the way to go for me...you can make your sides up ahead of time and I'm all about that plus if you have friends with special dietary needs this is so easy. Waffle mix recipes can be catered to a gluten free diet...sugar free diet etc. If you do a simple spread for toppings then you can let them choose their desired "treat" without singling them out so to speak. My favorite all time waffle bar is making the batter with a simple brownie mix. Honestly. I love Duncan Hines brownie mix when I'm in a crunch. Make your toppings ahead to save you time and label any toppings if they are sugar free etc. Craft stores have the cutiest chalkboard cards so you can use them over again to save money. This is such a versatile gift for any occassion and those are the "simple gifts" to use all year round. Wrap it up with a recipe & or  ingredients for them to immediately have fun. Endless possibilities!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Christmas Countdown...Great Gift idea "Bundt Pan"

 Hey everyone...hope all is going well with your Christmas countdown. Y'all know by now that I'm sharing Christmas gifts that are sweet and most don't break the bank. You'll probably notice that I'm kickin' it old school as well. Doing a tribute to one of my favorite childhood chef's, Julia Child with some stress-free humor. Also, gifts and gadgets that I've come to find very useful in the kitchen. Whether you're a "seasonal baker" as they call us or just starting out kitchen tools add up quickly. Also, if you're like me, everytime I turn around there's a new "kitchen tool" that caught my eye. Well....baking pans have come a long way...so many styles to choose from that you can't go wrong giving one as a gift. I recieved a "bundt pan" years ago from my mother-in-law at Christmas and I was thrilled. I loved it so much that when the non-stick coating wore off, I then turned it into a mini-herb garden. Don't forget to drill holes in bottom if you run with that idea :-) Now you can find them in alternating sizes to bake a super cute cake. They aren't that expensive and what a gift that keeps on giving. Turn it up a notch and add a recipe along with the ingredients to make it and wrap it up in a gift basket. I know I'd be thrilled. Endless possibilities!  Remember what Julia Child alway's said..."A party without  cake is really just a meeting." I hope this gift idea helps and wishing everyone less-stress during this Holiday Season. 

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Christmas Countdown...Great gift idea "Pie Crust Shield"

 Hey everyone...hope all is going well. I wanted to share a sweet inecxpensive gift idea with y'all...a pie crust shield. I absolutely love mine...use it all the time for pies...cakes...etc. I have one that's adjustible to your pan size and some silicone ones just fit loosly on top. They are a great gift for any baker. When I mention this to my friends, I'm actually schocked of how many don't have one. They are not expensive depending on where you purchase them they are usually under $10. I know we all do the "foil" crunch trick but honestly foil is pricey and I feel the pie shield is a great investment in the long run. I hope this gift idea helps you with finding a sweet gift for your loved ones. 

Remember...sometimes it's the "little things" that brings us joy :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Christmas Countdown..."A Gift that keeps on Giving"

 Hey everyone...am I the only one that went into a "stress mode" at mignight last night. Oh my goodness...December first....I'm excited...stessed...and everything else that goes along with those words. I'm trying to think "out of the box" this year for my Christmas gifts. Normally I try to make most of my gifts but with my "unexpected trip", I'm still taking it a bit easy. I started thinking about how much everyone has been posting healthy recipes on the internet and those precious kiddos on baking shows and it really made me think..."a Cookbook." I know sounds simple but that's an old school classic that never goes out of style. It's a gift that keeps on giving no matter what age. I love it when my grandson looks through "photo albums." It's the same concept. We all search the internet but having that "hands on" classic moment of grabbing a cookbook and finding the perfect recipe is priceless. I love reading old recipes and reading how ingredients & instructions were so simple. Finding notes on the page of where maybe even grandma might have changed up the recipe a bit. We're all including me on a time crunch but sometimes the simple things in life are the best gift idea. Kiddos especially would love one that has an area in back where they can make notes and even post their own creation. Or even better...create one to give. I've done that in the past for my daughters wedding gift.  If you're in my "age zone" and grew up watching Julia Child then you totallty get where I'm going with this post. She was and still is in my heart one of the most Classic Chef's in the kitchen. She inspired me with my style of cooking and decor in the kitchen. Who doesn't love her classic pegboard on the wall for all your gadgets & not to mention her humor in the kitchen. No matter your style of baking & cooking there is so many cookbooks to choose from. Most are at a great gift price or better yet....Gift one forward. Make sure you date it 'cause who know how far that gift might travel. 

Remember what I alway's say...."the best ingredient is a pinch of humor" :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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