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renee59

I am a full time married,working empty nester. DH still works full time also. I usually cook supper 4 to 5 times weekly, and then some weeks not at all. Just a general cook, nothing fancy but filling.

Location: Central Arkansas

Do you like getting a cone?

Cone, waffle, sugar or otherwise.

easy, dairy-free anniversary dessert?

I am with @bruisedbudda, just eat strawberries in bed with a little white wine......

Have you ever pre-cooked your fruit-pie filling?

I also pre-cook my apples, not over cook, just a few, maybe 5, minutes before I put them in the uncooked crust.

Traditional Grilled Cheese Recipe??

Todays lunch was honeybaked ham, honey mustard and swiss cheese on whole grain bread that was buttered and grilled. Yum!!!

So a grilled cheese with ham......

NYD traditions: Slow-Cooker Black Eyed Peas

I soaked dried black eyed peas overnight, then cooked them with a piece of leftover ham. We also had a pan of cornbread and steamed cabbage. It was yummy!!!

Getting Creative with Cabbage

Chop some bacon, then fry until crisp. Brown your chopped cabbage in the drippings. Add a dash of red pepper flakes.

If you knew you wouldn't fail ...

I am with AJ12754 with a spot for kids.

Food drives and soup kitchens.. do you donate your time or food?

We are here to help each other and but for the grace of God any of us could be in their position. While I usually don't hand out money, I try to give food or something to drink to those who ask. I am not the best at it, as I am sure some (most) of you are better at it than me, but if we all do what we can hopefully it will make our world a better place.

Christmas gifts????

Any and all recipes would be appreciated!!!! Especially anything that could be made, say before Thanksgiving.

Onion or shalliot?

Thanks for all in the info!!!

Comfort Food 911

Apple pie!!! Be safe...

What's cookin' in your kitchen this weekend?

@oldelady---please post the cookie recipe when you get a chance

What days,when and how long do you take to shop for ingredients?

Since it is just the 2 of us, I go whenever we need something. Hubs is NEVER without milk and Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies, so if we are down to one gallon and one box, he is off to purchase more.

We live in the central Arkansas area and my shopping time varies.

Batch cooking

Wow, thanks for all the great ideas...

Serious Eats in Falmouth, MA and Martha's Vineyard

I was lucky enough to go to Martha's Vineyard for 10 days a few summers ago. While we ate at some wonderful places, the favorite was a fish market at (ok folks, I know I will spell this wrong) Mansaw???? They steamed fresh caught lobsters and we ate them on outside while watching the boats come in. A memory that will last me a lifetime.

Ice Cream maker?

I also saw Kenji's post and that got me to thinking about getting one of the others. We have an older ice cream maker that requires the ice and rock salt. It is not pratical for just 2 people. Thanks for all of the information.

Baby Shower Punch??

Thanks a bunch!!!

baking an apple pie

I always mix my peeled, sliced apples with a couple of tablespoons of flour, some sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg with a splash of water and cook it for a few minutes with I am making my pie crust. Then I top my apples with a few pats of butter and the top crust. I also sprinkle the top crust with sugar before I bake it.

Baby shower help

I would do a chicken salad (I like mine with Granny Smith apples, red grapes and pecans) maybe on mini crossiants (sp?) along with fruit and a green salad. Maybe a bakery cake. Enjoy your shower and new baby!!!!

Dinner on a hot and humid night.

It is hot and humid here in Arkansas so we had take out.

Too many cooks spoil the pot.

I don't want anyone in my kitchen while I am cooking but I welcome all comers when it is clean up time.

Crumb cupcakes?

Thanks ya'll................

Wedding Cake Recipe-Small

You might look at Paula Deen's receipe for a White Chocolate with Strawberry filling. That is what I had for my wedding cake and it was DELISH!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats and Best Wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vacation cooking!?!?!?!?

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I have made and frozen a lasagna already and have some taco/nacho meat made and frozen.

I don't like having to take a bunch of spices, etc. but I like the rotisserie chickens and various salad ideas. We will be buying sandwich fixings and doing that for lunch.

We are going to Destin, FL (hoping the oil spill in the gulf doesn't go ashore).

What's On Your Memorial Day Menu?

Since we live in the South and the veggies are coming on strong, today we have purple hull peas, fired okra, steamed new potatoes, vine ripes tomatoes and cornbread.

Tomorrow we will have hamburger steak with onions and mushrooms, roasted new potatoes and maybe squash. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pineapple upside down cake

I am looking for a receipe for a pineapple upside down cake that is made with cornmeal. I have looked at Alton Brown's receipe but I am looking for a "thinner" cake, like Cracker Barrel. Can anybody help?

Christmas gifts????

I know it is only September but I am trying to think ahead, so does anybody have a suggestion for a food item that can be made for gifts? We are a smallish office so I am only talking about 15 or so gifts. Thanks in advance!!!

Onion or shalliot?

Does it really make a difference in taste to use a onion or a shalliot?

Batch cooking

I am trying to get a better grip on weekend dinners so I am going to cook several chicken breasts this weekend and shred them up so I can throw them in the freezer. How long do you think I can safely and tastefullly freeze them to use later?

I have made chili, vegetable soup, pasta sauce and froze them but does anybody have any suggestions on other things I can add to this list?

Ice Cream maker?

Does anybody have one of these? Do they work?

Baby Shower Punch??

I am hosting an afternoon baby shower in a few weeks. The baby is a boy so I would like to do a blue punch and no alcohol. Does anyone have a receipe they would like to share?

Crumb cupcakes?

Does anyone have a receipe for a crumb cupcake? You know like a crumb coffee cake but in cupcake form?

Vacation cooking!?!?!?!?

We are going to be beach in a couple of weeks. We will eat out a couple of nights, but the rest of week I will cook supper (thats dinner to all of you North of the Mason-Dixon line). I want to try and prepare some things at home before we leave and freeze them so I really just have to do is heat and serve. There are just 2 of us so please keep that in mind. I don't want to have a lot of leftovers.

Any ideas?

Canned Strawberry Pie Filling???

I have a can of starwberry pie filling and need a new way to use it. I don't want to have to go to the store so it needs to be something easy. Any ideas????

Ideas for a great Saturday night dinner for 2?

I would like to make something new for dinner tomorrow night for the 2 of us. I am sooooooooo tired of making the same old thing. Hubs doesn't like celery, greens, and has asked for something with bow tie pasta.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Cookware???

Ok, all you cooks..... I am thinking of replacing all of my cookware and I am thinking about "le crueset" (sp?).

Do any of you use it? Like it or not? If not, what do you like?

Special Christmas dessert?

Christmas Day dinner will just be hubby and myself so I want to make it special. I think I am doing a stuffed pork loin, wild rice and a steamed veggie but I want something extra great for dessert. Also, I really don't want to have to spend that whole day in the kitchen so please keep that in mind. Any ideas?

Best summer dish?

What is the best thing you have eaten and/or made this summer?

For me, it was BLT's made with with fresh farm stand tomato's and fresh fried okra. YUM!!!!!

Mac and cheese?????

What is the best mac and cheese you have ever eaten and/or cooked??? I have been looking for THE best recipe for ages but haven't found it yet. Any takers?????

Kitchen help???

Since this is "cooks" website, do any of you real cooks have a glass backsplash? We are re-doing our kitchen and I think I want a granite countertop but I really want small tile glass type backspalsh. I am concerned about keeping it clean. Any input????

Pulled pork??

Do anyone have a receipe for pulled pork using a crockpot or slow cooker? I don't have a smoker but I would like something that tastes like it was smoked. Anyone????

Cooking for your Valentine?

What are you doing for your Valentine??? Cooking or going out??

Curry for a Beginner?

I have never made curry but I see a lot of people talking about it. Can someone fill me in on a good, cheap, easy recipe?

New mixer!!!

I just know that I am getting a Kitchern Aid mixer for my big 50 birthday on Friday. So what should I make first?

What did you make for Christmas dinner?

Since it was just 2 of us, I wanted to make something special. I made Paula Deen's Crab and Shrimp Au Gratin, wild rice, roasted aspragus (sp?), salad and crusty bread. It was delicous.

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful holiday.

Crab cakes for Christmas?

Does anybody have a easy recipe for crab cakes? I want to make some for Christmas supper. It will just be hubby and me so I want to have something special. Also, what would you serve as sides? Thanks.

Stainless or black appliances?

I know we are "eaters" but I wanted to know everyones opinions on appliances. We are updating our kitchen and I can't decide. Stainless? Black? Granite countertops or Corian? Any suggestions?

Mexican Spice Blend???

Does anybody know what is in it? I found a receipe that calls for it but can't find it. Any ideas?

Layered Strawberry Dessert?

I am looking for a receipe that is a starwberry jello, pineapple tidbits, pecan mixture that is layered with sour cream. Anybody have it?

Tomato paste in a tube?

Does anybody really use this stuff?

Dinner Tonight: Shrimp Quesadilla with Kale

I'm not always a huge fan of quesadillas, especially the ones that shun fresh masa and just use a folded flour tortilla. But I realize that they do have their place. Take this recipe from the blog Closet Cooking. At first glance it looks like just a really basic version, but it doesn't taste like one at all. It's the small details here that make for a more flavorful meal. More

Dinner Tonight: Garlic Shrimp with Basil, Tomatoes, and Pepper Flakes

I pulled this one from So Easy by Ellie Kreiger, which is full of health-conscious recipes that pack a lot of flavor. Healthy it might have been, but more importantly, delicious. The sweet bursts of the grape tomatoes and fragrant basil brought to mind a summer picnic. More

Broiled Cajun Prawns

Succulent prawns are marinated in olive oil and Cajun seasoning before being broiled to perfection.... More

Dinner Tonight: Eggplant Parmesan

The last time I had this dish I was still in college, and all was not well. I wondered how it was possible for one vegetable to soak up that much grease. It was like fat sponge. I stayed away... More

Serious Efforts: A Buttermilk Brine for Fried Chicken?

I plan on making my first batch of fried chicken this weekend, and I've spent a couple of days thinking about how to proceed. I've been looking a few recipes, but two have really stood out-Thomas Keller's Fried Chicken and... More

Girl Scout Cookie Sales Start This Month, Or Make Them At Home

Bakingbites.com Just in time for your sweets-banning New Year's resolutions, the Girl Scout troops are back this month, armed with cookie order forms. You know you want some. But if you're watching the expenses or hydrogenated oils, or just can't wait until the actual boxes show up this spring, Baking Bites has recipe spin-offs for some favorites (Thin Mint, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, and Tagalongs). While it would shatter the image of magical elves or fairies faraway shaping each Thin Mint or sprinkling coconut onto each Samoa, these might, gasp, taste better, while still looking authentic. Are you cutting back on Girl Scout cookies this year, for economical or local food activism reasons? Related Death of the Girl Scout Cookie? Girl... More

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