Blackened Salmon

Whew, what a week!

Busy. Stress. Activities. Family Vacation. Birthdays. School stuff. Holiday. I am amazed I am still standing.

I have eaten a lot...I mean A LOT of peanuts in the shell. I have enjoyed cracking them open and creaming them with my teeth. In fact, I am eating some right now.

I have missed blogging this week. Had too much to do. Still have too much to do, but I won't get stressed. NO.

My yard needs some attention. Oh blessed yard. Need to plant some tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes, nothing like them.

Well, on to the food...

This blackened salmon I made for Mother's Day Dinner. I have had a request to make it again by one of my children.

Salmon. Healthy. Delish. Omega 3 Oils. If you haven't tried salmon, I highly suggest you DO SO! Here we go...

Spaghetti with Sauteed Veggies

Everyone has their own way of making spaghetti.

For me, I love sauteed veggies in my spaghetti. Especially carrots. Growing up, my mom always made lasagna. And she would first saute carrots and onions in a little butter. Oh my!My nose was loving that! And my taste buds and belly loved it more! I was constantly tasting that sauce! So now, I put sauteed carrots in a LOT of my meals.

I made this with a side of sauteed asparagus. L.O.V.E it!

More veggies, less meat. Although this one has ground turkey meat in it.

This one is not rocket science...it seems pasta is  generally an easy meal, and most people seem to like pasta. I mean, really what is not to like about warm noodles. AND THEN, add some sauce, any sauce. The possibilities are endless! ENDLESS!

So, spaghetti: That is what's for dinner tonight!

Kid's Kitchen

Lesson 1: Pizza Dough

Part 2: Pretzels

A continuation of Lesson 1: Pizza Dough

This is a lot of fun to make with kids. And a BIG hit! Everyone loves Pretzels!

Recipe: use the Pizza Dough recipe found in Kid's Kitchen.

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Something easy and sweet for Dinner...My neighbor told me about Monte Cristo Sandwiches, a few years ago. Good stuff!

So, blogger was down and then my Internet was down for the past week. Grumble. Did you miss me?

And my house is a wreck, too many things to do. Having a battle with chores this week.

Would rather sing and cook. Or sit down with some kettle corn and fresh orange juice and watch a movie...or 6. Yeah, some days it beats cleaning.

But can't do that. Then my mess would be multiplied. What a world!

That is where Monte Cristo Sandwiches come in. Thankfully, making them doesn't require a huge mess or too many pots and pans to clean. E.A.S.Y.

And it fulfills that sweet tooth urge. If you like grilled cheese and french toast...then this sandwich is for you!

Rocky Road Cookies

So I was craving something sweet...this is what I came up with...

Eat them up! Don't forget your glass of milk.

Chocolate, Mallows, Nuts...what's not to love? The "yummy bits", yes they are yummy! Oh so yummy.

The problem is if you show too much love and eat them all. Well, then again...that's not really a problem.

Asian Wonton Soup

Garlic, Fresh Ginger, Chinese noodles, Wontons...this soup is light and tasty.

Fast. Easy. Light.

Not sure what else to say about this soup, so I will sing: "La la la la la...gotta love this soup, la la la...sip it with a spoon, it'll be gone soon...la la la la la."

Did you like my song?

If not, maybe you will like the soup better?

Strawberry Apple Salad

Fruit and leafy greens taste amazing with each other. Who knew?!

One thing that I LOVE to create are Salads. When you are asked to bring a salad to a dinner party...and you think, "salad: lettuce, tomato, croutons etc." It doesn't stop there. Keep going...what else can you put in a salad?

Some veggies that are great in all salads (both with fruit or just veggies): Bell Peppers, English Cucumbers, Cheese, Nuts, Green Onions, Celery, and Carrots. These add so much to a salad, whether it is sweet or not.

Mother's Day Dinner

So here is what I ate for Mother's Day Dinner...

Blackened Salmon, Baked Tomato-Onion-Mozzarella Casserole, Salt and Vinegar Potato and Sweet Potatoes, Mushrooms and Asparagus, Corn on the Cob, and Cinnamon Orange-Poppy Scones. *Recipes: Coming Soon!

And for Dessert...Chocolate Puff with Strawberries.

So, let me tell you...

1st. Hope all the Mother's had a Happy Mother's Day. Being a mother is rewarding, draining, fulfilling, challenging (obviously up and down and sideways at times) ...HOWEVER...all together worth it! Worth every minute! 

2nd. I did make dinner. My husband made breakfast (with the kids help). It was amazing! He makes perfect eggs, that is what I wanted. And cinnamon raisin toast, plus a few pancakes. I eat a HUGE breakfast. Almost every day it is HUGE.

3rd. Why did I make dinner for myself and family? Well, I wanted to cook. It is what I love to do. And we had guests! Well, family. My wonderful sister in law came over for dinner with her kids (her hubby was out of town). I wanted to make something nice. It was fun to chat with her while I cooked. I was entertaining, it is fun to make people laugh. If you take a look at "Meet Nicole"...you'll see, there is never a dull moment! Fun times. Plus, my wonderful husband watched all the kids, including hers. Great opportunity to prop up our feet.

4th. I used paper products and disposable foil pans to cook in. Why? Because, less dishes I had to clean. Cooking: YES. Dishes: ICK. Have my husband do the dishes? Well, he would gladly. However, those who know me...know that the kitchen sink is one of my biggest  OCD's. That is why I referred to it as ICK. I don't let anyone wash my dishes for me.

5th. I stuffed my face. I had to get seconds, and my first helping was chuck full of food. I enjoyed my dinner! I would definitely make everything again! And I have to pat myself on the back....I love to create. Some of the recipes, I came up entirely on my own. For example, the blackened salmon. Wasn't sure how that would taste, but OH MY...it was DELISH!!!!

Blackened Salmon Spices

6th. AHHHHH (this is me screaming with joy) because I got new granite counters for Mother's Day. Oh I feel so spoiled! And what a joy it was to cook on them!

I can't wait to post these recipes, so you can try them too.

Just a side note: My husbands favorite was the Tomato-Onion Casserole. My sister in-law's favorite was the potatoes (she is a big potato fan). The kids favorite was the scones and the dessert (of course). And for me...well, I can't choose a favorite because it was all good. ALL GOOD. But if I had to choose...dang, I can't. It was really ALL GOOD! 

Savory Sweet Potato Rounds

Oh how I love sweet potatoes. You orange potato...you.

Sweet mixed with savory. Mouth watering. Perfect side....just wish my husband liked them more (texture thing), then I would make them more.

Oh well, that means more for ME! And I WILL eat them ALL!

This recipe is not hard. Quite simple really.

And did you know that sweet potatoes are good for you? Vitamins. Hooray for healthy eating!

Homemade Larabars

Just this past year, my mom introduced me to Larabars...thanks to my sisters. I was hooked instantly. My Sister, Karmen featured these Bars in the magazine she works for: Girls Life. Thanks Karmen!

Hope everyone enjoys these Bars as much as I do.

Trail Mix Bars

Simple, only a few ingredients, Delish! Larabars

They can be a bit pricey. Ranging from $1-$2+ a bar.

For me, it is the perfect snack. In fact, I snack on them ALL day...it seems. 

Strawberry Banana Bars

I wanted to make my own because: #1. The cost. # 2. I couldn't find all the flavors I wanted. #3. I am now addicted and need to have them all the time...the reason I snack on them all day.

It is my dessert. I don't feel bogged down when I eat them (unlike some other desserts). It has a lot of protein, and nuts. I LOVE nuts!

Lime-Orange Coconut Bars

Here are some other links to websites I found for Larabar recipes...check them out. Larabar: Healthy Habits and Larabars: Make at Home

But here are some Larabar recipes I made up myself. Directly from Cole's Kitchen...

I made Trail Mix Bars, Strawberry Banana, and Lime-Orange Coconut. All Delish!!! The only problem was they were gone too fast!

Chicken Verde Tostadas

Like Mexican Food?

There is something about the Salsa, that just makes me want to Salsa. This one has green salsa. My husband's favorite. Maybe he will want to Salsa with me (since he likes it so much too)!

Mexican Food has such amazing flavors! It is a Fiesta for your mouth!!! I love all types of food, but I have to say...Mexican Food is close to the top of the list. I mean, come on...how can you not love it with words like: Fiesta, Salsa, Hola, Verde and Tamales. Like I said, it makes you want to Salsa. Even if you don't know how....just pretend you do.