Tastes change. It’s sad, but true. A couple weeks ago I remembered an old recipe that I had made, and loved, years ago. I was longing for it— chicken, simmered in tomatoes, onions, and peas. Warm, comforting, easy to prepare and as I recall, very good. It was one of the first meals I made when I was out on my own and newly married and I made it often. I could not erase the cravings and knew I had to make it again.
The tattered and stained recipe confirmed that it was the one, yet I was stumped. Something was very wrong. This recipe was so plain. Where were the seasonings? Surely this was not THAT recipe. I had made it in my dreams so many times last week—and it was thick and rich and packed with flavor. Cruel trick! Not all recipes withstand the test of time.
I was still craving chicken in tomatoes. So, out with the old – and in with the new. This version is the comforting, easy dish I was longing for. It is a recipe that you can easily adapt to your own tastes. I love baked dishes, because it seems I always have things to do while dinner bakes. I love recipes that I can add more zip and flavor to—when I am longing for spiciness. I love dishes that I can add peas to—just because I love peas.
This time, I split the whole chicken—which is surprising easy to do and makes for a fun presentation—but the dish would be really good with any of your favorite, bone-in chicken pieces. I served it on rice, but next time, I just may serve it with mashed potatoes, cooked pasta or just, as is. I will have to see what I am longing for that night.
So, here is my new version of that chicken recipe. Give it a try, as it just might be the perfect dish for your family tonight.
175 Best Babycakes Cake Pops Recipes
It’s here! Our newest book, 175 Best Babycakes Cake Pops Recipes is out and we are thrilled.
Packed inside the new cookbook are recipes for cake pops of all kinds and flavors, plus muffins, biscuits, meatballs, appetizers, ebelskivers, doughnuts, scones, bread bites and more. You will find recipes that will inspire you to use your Babycakes Cake Pop maker every day—from morning to night. Most of all, when cake pops are just the right treat, you will discover the perfect flavor, plus awesome decorating and gift suggestions so your cake pops will steal the show. Weddings, showers, holidays, teacher gifts, thank you gifts, elegant affairs, simple gestures, big graduation parties, and even a dog treat are just a few of the special occasions that are described in detail so you can easily make and serve fantastic cake pops.
Souvlaki Pork
What’s for dinner? Such a simple question and yet, it strikes terror in our hearts almost daily. I have a confession to make—and that is sometimes I hate that question as much as you do. I know, I write about food and love to develop new recipes. But, when stuck between a rock and a hard spot (you know–hunger pangs with time pressing in,) I turn to a few, same old tried and true recipes. Do you do that too? Worst of all, those same old familiar ones get boring—but this one just never bores me.
Pork with lots of garlic and oregano with pita bread is one of my favorite recipes. It is my version of a Greek inspired fast food—souvalaki, and I make it with the traditional foods and flavors but then, just cause it is me, add more veggies than the classic recipe and love every bite. It sounds so very exotic, but really, it uses every day foods, so that makes it easy to do–even when you can’t think of what else to do. It is best to marinate the meat–and several hours or even overnight as that adds more flavor then marinating just an hour–but do what you can.
This winter, in my part of the country, it has been incredibly mild, so you will find me outside grilling many nights. I know sooner or later, the cold and ice will keep me indoors –but never fear—this recipe is such that I can do the whole thing in a skillet on the stove or out on the grill. Easy, no-brainer, year-round food. That makes it tried and true in my book. How about yours?
Merry Christmas
One of my adult daughters came by last night and commented that many of her co-workers wanted to take “Christmas Class” next year. They envision a class, taught by Roxanne and I, where we will share every taste, treat and tradition of the season. They asked if it might be taught in September so they would have plenty of time to get ready for the holidays.
They were dreaming, but what a fun class it would be– yet let me share a secret. The Electrified Cooks really don’t have a corner on all things Christmas—we just love it. Every part of the season is something to embrace and cherish. From the decorating and first candle of Advent, through the wrapping and baking, to the final toast of the season—it is all magical and it is packed with love. Each activity can become a favorite family tradition.
When planning a recipe to share today, my mind was filled with all things Christmas. Should it be gingerbread cookies, or that great glaze for the ham, or candy or what? Then I realized that you, like me, plan and dream in the fall—then crazy days of last-minute scrambling take over. There is just not time to add another new recipe to the plate. So next year maybe we will teach that Christmas class and we will certainly share more holiday recipes here, in our blog, but for now, let’s just share the magic and love of the season.
Most of all, let us take this time to share the warmest of wishes to each and every one of you. We are so grateful for the opportunity to have you stop by and hope you will come often. We love to share our favorite recipes with you and always have a story or tip to share. We are always eager to learn what you cooked or would be happy to answer your cooking questions.
We are blessed to be the best of friends and are thankful to include you in our circle of friendship.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Bourbon Barbecued Beef
Making a list—checking it twice. I make countless “to-do” lists every day. This time of year, the lists become way too long to get done 24 hours. Are you like me and race to handle what seems to be the most pressing—and then discover that some important things, like dinner, get cut off or get replaced with a cold sandwich, or worse yet, a drive through? Put a home-cooked dinner back on your list with this easy recipe.
Roxanne announced last week that our newest cookbook, 175 Best Babycakes Cake Pop Maker Recipes will be out next spring. It is exciting, but needless to say, we have been very busy. Now with the holidays upon us, everyone has a long “to-do” list. There’s shopping, wrapping, decorating, caroling, parties, baking, cards, shipping. . . whoa! Time for dinner just doesn’t fit. Yet, low and behold, it comes around every day—just about the same time.
This is one of my “go-to” favorites. I make it for just my family and we love it—and I made it often with my daughters were of an age that meant I had youth groups, troops and teams stopping by for casual dinners. So, get out that slow cooker and let it do the work.
I like to brown the meat before putting it in the slow cooker as I like the caramelized, deeper flavor it creates. Yet, I often just omit that step and plop the meat into the slow cooker. I often fill the slow cooker the night before, set the filled crock into the refrigerator so the next morning all I have to do is put it in the base and turn it on. The meat also is great to freeze, so I make a larger roast than I might need, and freeze some in small freezer containers so I can thaw and reheat them when the nights get really crazy.
So, here it is. A hot, barbecued beef sandwich—just right to put on your “to-do” list—because with it will come good eating and a few minutes to sit down, relax and enjoy a juicy, finger-licking-good dinner with your family. [Read more…]
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