Thanksgiving 2010: Jalapeno Cornbread Dressing, my favorite

Chocolate Cornucopia and Milk Chocolate Rum Raisin and Dark Chocolate TrufflesTop photo: finished Jalapeno Sausage Cornbread Dressing, bottom--the ingredientsI made so many things this year that I chose one recipe and dish to feature--the cornbread dressing. I will describe some of the other things I made, though. I wanted to wow my granddaughters, Grace and Kyndal with something really different so I made a chocolate cornucopia and truffles. Some of the truffles were milk chocolate with rum raisin milk chocolate filling, some were dark chocolate and kahlua rolled in toasted nuts, coconut, and sprinkles. Judging by how quickly they disappeared...

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Private Cooking Lesson with Linda Johnson: Brunch

Today's Menu: Lemon Yogurt MuffinsPotato Vegetable HashMigas with SausageFresh Fruit with orange liqueurPotato Vegetable Hash Linda cooking the migasLinda wanted to make some brunch dishes for this lesson and she plans to make the same dishes on an upcoming trip to visit family. We started with the lemon yogurt muffins. The combination of lots of lemon zest, finely chopped pecans, and tart yogurt gives thems muffins a really nice flavor. They have a cake like texture and are very moist.We also made a potato and vegetable hash. It took a while to shred all the potatoes, zucchini, and carrots but the combination of these ingredients with garlic...

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Grace's Birthday Party: Nachos and Cupcakes

We went to Houston for my granddaughter's birthday. Grace was in favor of cupcakes so I made 3 types: Chocolate fudge with cinnamon and chocolate buttercream frosting (with Callebaut chocolate!), Buttermilk with cream cheese and sprinkles, and a gluten free chocolate with chocolate fudge frosting. Grace and her friends helped with the frosting and decorating and they had a blast. My daughter, Helen, is on a gluten free diet and she was happy to have some tasty cake. For the gluten free cake I used a mix from Central Market, and for a cake mix it was really good. When I left Houston I placed the remaining cupcakes in Helen's freezer and she...

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Family Sukiyaki Dinner

Sukiyaki Ingredients Table is ready Time to eat!My son John David, his wife Lauren, and our granddaughter Kyndal were coming to visit on Sunday and he requested our family sukiyaki dinner. My mother always prepared this dinner on special occasions and for company and I always have fond memories of her standing over the skillet with her chopsticks, making sure everyone gets their desired items before she ever tasted a single bit. He said he wanted me to teach him how to make it so he could prepare it for his own family and friends. Sukiyaki is a Japanese "hot-pot" dish prepared at the table. It contains thin slices of beef, vegetables, noodles,...

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Private Cooking Classes with Linda Johnson

No bake Cheesecake with raspberry sauce Beef and bean chiliVegetable quesadillas with cheeseLinda JohnsonI was fortunate to meet Linda Johnson at the Azle Farmer's Market this summer. She picked up one of my brochures and called me inquiring about private cooking lessons. She has been treated for a condition which required chemotherapy. During the course of her treatment she attended a nutrition class where she became much more aware of the role of food in health and the concept of nutrition as medication. She was ready to start making changes but didn't really know where to start so lessons were the answer for her. While Linda has always cooked...

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Short Leash Mobile Hot Dog Eatery, Phoenix

Jalapeno cheese stuffed spicy corn dog The AikoWhen I was in Phoenix back in August I happened upon a food truck, Short Leash Mobile Hot Dog Eatery, at the Phoenix Public Market. I had already eaten dinner so I didn't try anything but I was charmed by their concept. Hot dogs named after their own and others pet dogs with photos of the dog next to their namesake hot dog. Adorable! And the hot dogs sounded so delicious-- The Aiko-- mango chutney, diced jalapenos, red onions, fresh cilantro and mayo on naan bread or The Igby--coleslaw and crumbled blue cheese drizzle with tangy bbq sauce.I planned to come back next time I was in Phoenix, no telling...

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Baking Like Crazy Week

cupcakes, cupcakes, everywhere Key Lime Pie Snickers cheesecake bars, sticky finger barsSugar cookiesLet's see--did I really sign up to bring 4 dozen pink iced ribbon shaped cookies for a breast cancer awareness fund raiser? How about some Snickers cheesecake bars, and some sticky fingers bars, and an extra large key lime pie? Then did I plan a lunch party the very next day involving me bringing a main dish? Oh and the very next day was the "cake and punch" where I was going to supply 60-70 people with gourmet cupcakes. Am I crazy? That's what my daughter asked me when she saw me from Sunday night until Wednesday at noon when I was putting...

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