Swedish Meatballs w/Egg Noodles

Chicken Lazone

This is one of those recipes that was floating around Pinterest.  So I thought I would put it on this month's menu and give it a try.

It was very easy to make.  It was good, but it was just so-so.  I am glad I tried it, but I probably won't put it on the menu again unless it's requested.

If you want to try it for yourself, the recipe can be found here.

My Kids' New Favorite Meal

Creamy Chicken Piccata

On the menu for tonight was "Creamy Chicken Piccata".  This is one of those recipes that I found on Pinterest and it looked so yummy, I knew I just had to try it and put it on the menu.  Needless to say, my meal was sold-out for tonight.  I prepared 5 of these + one for my family,

It turned out amazing and was fairly simple to prepare as well.  ALL my kids ate it.  Which pleasing 5 picky kids is very hard to do!  I was a little worried about the capers because I don't think they have ever had them, but no one complained.  They weren't that strong and they probably thought they were peas LOL!

I suggest that you give this recipe a try.  If you are too busy during the week try it on the weekend!

The recipe I used can be found here

Breakfast Casserole

My girls had a HUGE sleepover last night.  I figured the girls would be hungry, so in addition to the cereal, donuts and muffins, I decided to try a new recipe!  Having hungry teenagers is a great time to try a new recipe!

I had to laugh when all the girls (who were not asleep), gathered around to watch me prepare it.  I felt like I was on my own cooking show!  

The result was fantastic!  This recipe was so super easy and delicious.  

I found the recipe on Pinterest and it can be found by clicking here:

Recipe Review

Roasted Garlic Asiago Chicken & Potatoes

I love to try new recipes and I found a keeper!  Tonight I fixed this wonderful meal of roasted garlic asiago chicken & potatoes.  I found this recipe while browsing one day on Pinterest and I knew I must add it to the menu.  

I roasted 8 bulbs of garlic today and my house smelled incredible.  One interesting fact about this recipes is that all the ingredients I used are found around the perimeter of the grocery store.  I have always heard that you should shop the perimeter of the grocery store and not so much the aisles, and according to the Mayo Clinic, it's because it is healthier.  Who knows? but I did make that casual observation today and it made me feel a little bit better about eating this delicious dish. 

This recipe was quite easy to put together as well.  I pan grilled my chicken first and set it aside. Cooked my potatoes, added the chicken back in with the potatoes, along with the topping (best part), and baked again for 20 minutes on 400º.

The entire recipe can be found here.

Cookbook & Recipe Review

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

If you haven't heard of the "Pioneer Woman" well let me introduce you!  I discovered the Pioneer Woman while we were living in Naples, Italy back in 2006-2008.  Back in Italy, it was the good life, I had plenty of time to browse online and try new recipes, relax by the pool and enjoy my kids.  I had a housekeeper, a very small house and life was simple and good. I miss those days.  It was then I discovered her simple, delicious, "man pleasing" recipes that my whole family enjoyed.  The Pioneer Woman is not just a great cook, she is very funny and entertaining.  She refers to her husband as "Marlboro Man".

Some tried-and-true recipes that I suggest are:

The Malboro Man Sandwich

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever

Malboro Man's Second Favorite Sandwich 

Chicken Spaghetti

Pan Fried Ribeye Steak

Apple Dumplings

I could seriously go on and on.  Go check out her recipes and try some, you will not be disappointed!

The Pioneer Woman's real name is Ree Drummond, she is married with 4 children and lives out west on a ranch.   She now has her own cooking show on Food Network appropriately called "The Pioneer Woman".

This is a picture of Ree and her family

Photo shared from Food Network, Pioneer Woamn

She has a couple of cookbooks out now, the one above is her first.  I love her cookbooks because she goes into simple, but great detail in her recipes.  There are photos of every recipe and detailed photos with instructions.  It is a beautifully written and photographed cookbook.  That even tells stories, which I love!

Sample page from cookbook, showing detailed photos.

Twice-Baked Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes, Pioneer Woman Recipe

The recipe that I chose from the cookbook to prepare is Twice-Baked Potatoes. I was making these anyway for a meal, so I thought I would just go with this.  These are very simple and easy to make and they taste delicious!  They can go with anything as well.  My whole family loves them.  The recipe can be found here.  

Fresh Strawberry Cake

Fresh Strawberry Cake

Today I made a fresh strawberry cake for a customer.  This is one of my favorite cakes to make.  It's just so pretty and taste delicious!  I mostly go by Paula Deen's recipe but instead of using the frozen strawberries in syrup, I use fresh strawberries with a little sugar to make my own syrup.