Doggone delicious bones!!!

So, this really sweet client of mine brought me some really good shampoo for one of our Akitas who is having a skin issue. I thought that was SO sweet of him that I wanted to get him a Thank You card and a lil' something for his beautiful dogs, but I just wasn't sure what that would be. I was sitting here on the computer and out of the blue decided to look up homemade dog bone recipes. There are quit a few. I chose one that of course I had all the ingredient for...Peanut Butter Oatmeal Doggie Bones! It was SO easy to do! Here is the website I found it on...http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/peanut-butter-dog-biscuit-recipe.html...I couldn't believe I made homemade dog biscuits! With a bone cookie cutter to boot!

Classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Isn't it great some times to just go back to the basics and make a dinner that is SO easy yet super delicious!?!?! For me that dinner is Spaghetti! I just love a simple bowl with some parmesean and cheesy garlic bread...mmmm...talking about this is making me want 2nds! he he he

I have yet to perfect my own sauce, but I do enjoy adding some things to my favorite Barilla Marinara Sauce. I usually finely dice 1/2 an onion and since we are garlic lovers here, I use 4 cloves of garlic! lol...needless to say vampires will not be visiting us on spaghetti night :)

Also with my onions and garlic I use about a teaspoon of sugar. What sugar does to a sauce is help cut the acidity. I think it gives it a more rounded flavor.<---Food Network here I come! Then just of course cook the beef and add the sauce and simmer till flavors meld and Ta-Da!!! Just for taste bud teasing purposes I have included a pic...he he he...enjoy! Oh, and if any of you have a homemade sauce recipe, I would LOVE to hear it...thanks!

Mmmmm...Cinnamon Rolls...

My Friend Jenn told me about this AWESOME website(http://www.ourbestbites.com) that has some great recipes! I have checked it out, and it all looks super delish! She recently made the Overnight Cinnamon Rolls and WOW do they look delicious! For sure its my next recipe to make for the Hubbs or maybe even a playdate :)

The pic speaks for itself, but she said they were absolutely AMAZING!

BEST NACHOS I HAVE EVER HAD!

Serious statement I know...but they were the BEST Nachos I have ever had! I went to meet the Hubbs for lunch one day and he wanted to try out that Green Buritto that he passed on his way to work everyday. I know you guys are thinking what??? The one connected to Carl's Jr. how good could that be? Well its not connected...its like a whole lil delicious world on its own! So...we go in and I am looking at the menu with SO many fully authentic Mexican dishes to choose from, I settle on a large plate of Carnitas(shredded pork) Nachos...of course with all the bells and whistles!

OMG...what I got was AMAZING! Carnitas couldn't have been more flavorful and just delicious! Everything about those Nachos were just perfect! If you don't believe me here is a pic :)

This AMAZING place is on Valley View and Ball. I will apologize now for making your mouth water...lol...wonder if the Hubbs wants to meet for lunch tomorrow :)

Shredded Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas

Staters had some chicken breasts on sale the other day and we loaded up! I like to freeze them and use em whenever we are wanting some chicken! Well the Hubbs was craving some Enchiladas, so I decided to throw 3 large breasts(chicken breast that is...he he he) in the crock pot with some stewed diced tomatoes, a little salt/pepper 4 cloves of garlic(we LOVE garlic), and half an onion. I let it go on low for pretty much the whole day. I then took it out and shredded every last bit. Made some enchilada sauce(packet by Lawry's) and shredded 2+ cups of cheese and grabbed the flour tortillas. I actually don't do my enchiladas the traditional way...truthfully its more of a Mexican casserole type of dish.

Just layered all the goodness about 4 times, finished with the rest of the sauce and last of the cheese, and baked for 25 minutes at 350. And TA-DA!!! They were DELISH! Picture doesn't do the flavor justice! We are not a enchilada topping kinda Family...we just wanna get down to business with the food at hand...lol...

Old time favorites!

Have you ever just craved something you hadn't had in FOREVER???
I mean like the ponytail on the side of your head, New Kids on the Block shirt wearing, L.A. Gear shoe pumping kinda forever!
This week has been like flash back food week! We had Tuna Casserole, classic I know...and Sloppy Joes(I like to call them Sloppy Hoe's) <---Tee he he, and just some simple Nathan's Hot Dogs with Chili, onions, and cheese. Isn't it crazy how sometimes the flavor of food or smell can take you back in time! I love that about food...it can be SO personal and comforting on top of being super delicious and filling!
And the other thing I LOVE about cooking, is the passing down of recipes...or sticking to family favorites. I remember my Sister always liking Tuna Casserole. I remember my Mom making it for her whenever she would come to visit. And Sloppy Joes...I remember eating dinner with my Hubby and his Dad, and that being a regular meal for us to all enjoy. Ahhh...memories :)

The endless possibilites of shredded beef!

One of the easiest things I do for meals, is make shredded beef. You are probably thinking what??? But its true! I will take like a 3-4lb hunk of chuck or whatever meat they have on sale at that moment, and stew it down to shredded goodness. I then use that beef for...well, just about everything! I can then mix it with gravy and veggies and pour it over mashed potatoes, or maybe make a fully loaded burrito, or enchiladas, and sometimes I even do large shreds and put it in my beef stroganoff(like last night)! I am sure you guys get the idea...endless possibilities!

For my beef I usually season heavily with salt and pepper and then sear all sides in a pot with a pad of butter and Tbl spoon of olive oil. I like a nice crust around all sides of the meat. I then just use a can of beef broth and fill the rest of the pot with water to cover the top of the meat and let stew(covered) for 2-3hrs or until it shreds nicely. That's it! There are SO many different things you can add to it while stewing(onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, etc.)! I even save the broth it was made in and use it for a bunch of things! It is the ultimate deliciousness!

I am hoping Jenn will let me post her Mexican Shredded Beef recipe! I haven't made it yet, but it sounds SO good! Stay tuned...

Trying to find a delicious place to start...

If you are reading this, then you are sure to know me and my love for food! I absolutely LOVE to cook! I love sharing recipes and trying out new ones. I just wanted to have a central place to where we could all swap our recipes, share a delicious pic or two of our creations, and meet some new Friends over our mutual bond...FOOD!

I guess I will start this blog off with a sweet mound of goodness bathed in butter and then covered with cinnamon and sugar! I have heard about this website (http://thepioneerwoman.com/) from several of my Friends and the hot recipe at hand were these amazing French Breakfast Puffs! I made them for a playdate I had recently, and MAN were they delicious! I advise you guys to drop whatever you are doing right now, and make em!

Another GREAT recipe I have tried from that same website, was the French Onion Soup! It was just absolutely AMAZING! My Hubby is a lover of everything ONION! And he couldn't have been more happy to come home to a huge bowl of carmelized onions in a savory broth with some crispy toast and melty cheese to top it off! He was in Onion Heaven!

Well there you have it...my very first entry! I really hope this blog takes off and that you guys will send me some GREAT recipes and pics of your delicious creations! Bye for now :)