Cooking Cooking Keep on Cooking... This is the way to LIVE!

When most kids were watching Bert & Ernie, I was sitting glued to my television watching Julia Child, Graham Kerr and JustinWilson. Those were the days when there weren't hundreds of cable channels or entire networks dedicated to cooking shows. I listen to kids that are my children's ages, old enough to vote, who criticize the older chefs, and I am saddened. Ya know those old timers originated the art that caused a whole new generation of home cooks interested in developing their talents and making the effort to become today's fresh food talents of this decade. Without people like Julia, there would be no promoters interested in developing the new television shows of today. One good cook brings new interest and new recipes-- I say there can never be enough cooks-- or as Julia said: "Cooking, Keep on Cooking, this is a way of LIFE". I'm sharing this video for the new generation of cooks, maybe it will inspire you to see Julia in a whole new way--

I have been away a couple of months. I'm never far from my cooking home-- just helping my husband getting started with his new business. I have had lots of ideas for new recipes and you know with the holidays approaching, I will have lots more ideas to share with you. I look forward to seeing your ideas as well!
I'm adding my Pinterest link to the side bar-- If you don't see me here, just know I am always open for a chat about a good meal--
p'later my precious friends!

Weekend Grilling Fun!!

Grilling can be great any time a year-- but I love the scent in the air on a summer day when you drive past the parks and smell all the grills from the family reunions. Is it the food on the grill? the charcoal? the propane? I tend to think the smell just sparks a nerve in our psyche that reminds us of special times with family and friends.
The days when, Grandma brought her special pies for dessert, Auntie brought her #1 Potato Salad... Watchin' the dads and uncles all standing around a huge grill  telling their fish that got away stories and the kids playing volleyball or badminton-- driving home late afterwards with sunburns and all the car windows rolled down: THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!
Time to spark some of those memories with some great tips for making your favorite family reunion  or weekend picnic a hit-- 
    Lots of Great Grilling Food
+  Lots of Friends & Family
=  Lots of Fun!

Cooling down with Icebox Pies ...

As a teenager in Chicago, there used to be a restaurant chain that specialized in pies called "Poppin Fresh". It was within a block of my high school and was a popular hang out for all the kids after football games. To be completely honest, I think there was only one pie my mom and I ever ate there... Dutch Apple Pie-- I remember it always seemed pretty special because normally my mother would never buy a cake or pie at the store-- I really enjoyed the Dutch apple, but whenever I could convince Mommy that I deserved something sweet, she would make pies with lemon-- She knew that I was always a sweet and sour kind of girl. I loved her Lemon Meringue, Lemon Chiffon, and Lemon Silk pies-- however the one that disappeared as quickly as she made it was her Lemonade Pie. I have seen the same recipe Mommy used many times, and when I was thinking of a topic for this post, I checked and realized, her recipe, is also the same 5 Star recipe posted on Food Network by the Neelys. Its so simple to make, the hardest part of the recipe is waiting for it to chill without digging in!
With the weather starting to heat up, I thought it would be an excellent time to share some recipes for ice box pies. There are really some awesome versions of frozen pies out there. A great ice box pie inspired by Real Women of Philly, came to light quite literally among the supermarket aisles... Debbie Fabre was a finalist in the Real Women of Philadelphia Season 2 contest with her special treat-- "Mounds of Joy Whipped Pie". Debbie shot her entire video in her local supermarket. I was so impressed with her presence and I admire her for her special effort. Her pie is one of those that you see is so simple to make, you just can't help but be jealous that you didn't think of it first!
When I first wanted to join Real Women of Philadelphia in 2010, I had an idea for kicking up Mommy's Lemonade pie a notch, using Philadelphia Cream Cheese and Limeade as the key ingredients-- As some of you know, at the time, I just wasn't convinced enough to put myself out there, but there were also many trials and tribulations in our household, and I really needed to put my best efforts in my home first. Since that time, I have made a pretty tasty icebox chiller: "Limeade Zinger Pie",  and I have to say its a definite "tongue stopper"! You get the smooth and creamy accented by the sharp lime twist accompanied by the slight saltiness in the pretzel crust and the fact that its a chilled whipped pie just makes you want to settle down into the entire pan for a nice cool dip-- MMMmmmm-- ENjoy!

My lucky Spatula....

A major tragedy was diverted before it could befell my kitchen this morning... My Lucky Spatula somehow was slipped into the trash by a nameless amateur! If I hadn't launched WW3 with a full out attack looking for it, it might have disappeared forever-- Guess it was a good thing for the hubby that we were having pancakes this morning, or I might never have known it had disappeared. My lucky spatula is the key tool for nearly every great meal that requires a flip in our household. It is just the right thickness to slip under any food effortlessly, yet never disturb the edge. You get perfect flips because it has a longer flipping surface, yet its not so wide to be cumbersome in a small pan.

Oh, but the nameless one actually thought I was being silly-- "It's just a piece of plastic..." You have to be a cook to have an idea how important a favorite tool can be to your cooking skill. Its a matter of comfort and a learned technique that you develop using a specific tool-- Its like an artist using a special paint brush or a a beautician using a specific pair of clipping shears-- with the right tool you could be looking at a Rembrandt, with the wrong one you could be looking for a new hairstylist.

"It's not just "a" spatula, it's "MY Lucky Spatula"...    I have a few tools that I feel partial to. I have a set of really inexpensive knives, that I use on a daily basis for practically everything. They are thin and petite, and the handles are just the right shape in my hands. Perfect for peeling potatoes & apples, great for cutting ornate pastry designs in pie crust. Then of course I have a couple of sentimental tools. Things that remind me of Mom, like my vintage biscuit cutter with the serrated edge and a cast iron corn bread pan made with shaped ears of corn in the bottom.  I swear by my Kitchenaid mixer and it is more than just a mixer, its my bread maker or sausage and pasta maker. I know I am not alone in these feelings-- Mom enjoyed her General Electric mixer, and made sure the beaters were always sparkling and ready for the next dish coming it's way. In my kitchen I have a drawer of gadgets but only a few tools are lucky enough to make the stage of my countertop in a special tool crock reserved for their glory... I bet my lucky Spatula and my favorite whisk would feel just like Woody and Buzz of Toy Story if they could talk. What tools take the spotlight in your kitchen?

"The Best Recipes I Ever Made..."

Cooking starts with a great idea and works its way into a recipe. Where do we collect the recipes we use throughout our lives... My recipe collecting started when I was still a small girl. I was cooking a simple breakfast of toast and eggs for myself as soon as I could stand by the counter on a chair alone. Mommy believed breakfast was the most important meal of the day. She never bought kid's cereals, I was amazed the first time I had a bowl of Captain Crunch at my nephew's home. Mommy taught me how to soft boil an egg, poach it, scramble it in butter and of course make her classic "hen on a nest" all before I was 7 years old. It wasn't long before we moved on to harder meals. Mom worked outside of the home and would usually come home late, so it was my job to help with dinner. The first real meal she taught me to make was "Swiss Steak". In the beginning she didn't worry with having me cut the meat and it was more of a "Swiss Roast", but I remember it was something I really enjoyed doing and she always seemed pleased with the meal.

By the time I was a teenager, many of my friends were somewhat surprised with all the recipes I had collected through the years-- all in my own handwriting in a nifty recipe box at first and later in a small green Samsonite overnight suitcase that Mommy gave me. When other girls were collecting Tiger Beat and "16" magazines, I had my favorites, but they were usually my mom's leftovers, Ladie's Home Journal and Good Housekeeping. In cooking, I really felt in control. I felt as if I had something I could share with anyone and see their enjoyment. I did have my own "flops"; like the time I made a birthday cake for my mom and hadn't yet learned the difference between baking powder and baking soda and what colors might not be the most appealing to use to ice a cake... I took a bit too long to bake the cake because I forgot to preheat the oven-- the result was a cake that resembled a large flat green moon pie. My heart was there, green was Mommy's favorite color... but she helped me bake a pretty triple layer coconut cake the next day.  It was something we did together, baking and cooking- There really weren't a lot of other interests my mother and I shared, but looking back now, I think we shared the best one.
One of my favorite vintage recipes... "Baked Apple Dumplings"
Here's a couple of great places to find cook books, old and new to add to your collection:

Ahhhh Greece--- Its a "Wrap"...

There are some "Fabulous Dream Trips" on the horizon for a few deserving cooks at Real Women of Philadelphia. This week the cooks have all been hard at work, inspired by dreams of traveling to Greece.  Several tasty versions of Baklava have made the scene as well as the Mediterranean flavors of Greek salads including "Philly Made" Tzatziki & Hummus dips. I found a perfect accompaniment to use with the ladie's dip recipes-- a great summer barbecue has the makings of a Mezze Patio Party with a starter of 7-Layer Greek Dip,
My dream for Greece is surrounded by the knowledge of Diane Kochilas' magical cooking tours on the Greek isle of Ikaria. Diane has several excellent choices, but I am most intrigued by her offer to show visitors life as a native would experience, complete with trips to a beekeeper's hive, a goat herder's farm and plenty of cooking & enjoyment of the azure blue coastline views. Even if I never had the opportunity to visit Diane's cooking vacation, just the awe of the over 6,000 islands of Greece would inspire anyone. The traditions of family & the Greek heritage surrounded by the thousands of years of history and legend, bring my total admiration for the country of Greece.
My submission to Philly's Fabulous Dream Trips week for Greece, is the one submission I truly hold dear-- As a pastry fiend, Baklava speaks to me in my dreams, but I realized going into the arena with that choice, might be met with several other offerings of that kind. (Who doesn't love Baklava??) I had two remaining submission ideas, and unfortunately time only to film and create one special dish. Sparked with the memories of my honorary YiaYia, I decided to create a dish that combined a couple of my favorite Greek desserts: Galaktobouriko and Rizogalo (Greek Rice Pudding).
Galaktobouriko is a dessert made with Semolina and Philo dough. Rizogalo, or  Rice Pudding is something that my honorary YiaYia used to make special for me every Saturday when I was 12yrs old. Both desserts had the potential to be made with a Kraft Philadelphia product. The key though was combining both desserts. Rice pudding is best when you can experience the velvety creaminess, but for my idea, I felt combining it wrapped inside the Philo in the same way you would enjoy the Galaktobouriko custard, would be a heavenly contrast. The moment my husband tasted the first bite of the warm pastry, I saw his eyes glaze over-- that's all I needed! He immediately grabbed a second and then third sample-- so you might say it was "Magic"... they certainly disappeared in the wink of an eye! Enjoy!

An Opportunity to Share My Own Special Spice...

Last post, I spoke about the support I have experienced recently from my husband with my cooking ideas... In the past few weeks, I have been sharing my cooking ideas, on a fabulously supportive and friendly cooking website called The Real Women of Philadelphia. I first learned about the website in 2010, when Paula Deen spoke of her support for a series of cooking contests being held on the website. At that time, I was considering self producing a public television series about cooking. My head was pretty much in the clouds, for so many reasons, I missed some opportunities and for other reasons, I had to pass on some. I never joined the Real Women of Philly at that time, however I revisited the website again recently, and all my creative urges plugged into full gear!
I am now old enough in my life, that I have had several different experiences, both good and bad-- and guess what, my cooking has followed the same route. (HA!) Some times, you just know something is going to be so crazy-wildly-phenomenal, however when you put the wheels into motion it is actually so fundamentally horrible, for some reason. The good part about those experiences in life, is they are learning tools for the future-- The really great thing about those experiences in cooking, Meh! there's always a garbage disposal that will still gobble it all up with glee if we make a few rotten dishes-- (and probably a few less ex-husbands that we shouldn't have had to begin with...HA!)
In the last three weeks since I joined Real Women of Philadelphia, I have met some pretty special women. My first real friend request, came from a remarkable woman, Paula Todora, or as many of the members call her, "Paula Todorable" because she simply is adorable. Paula shares a real enthusiasm and sincere happiness on the forums. She is supportive and could not be more friendly to the new and old members. In the first week of my membership, I questioned myself, did I really want to put myself on another forum and what did I hope to accomplish-- then Paula sent her friend request and suddenly it was all clear... This is the part of me that I needed to experience again in full bloom, around women with positive expressions and sincerity.
I have been blessed to meet many charming women on RWOP, and all with unique personalities of their own; all sharing of their selves, and sharing their love of cooking-- There have been a series of Fabulous Dream Trip contests bubbling among all the RWOP ladie's pots in the past three weeks, and I have included a couple of my own special treats as well. The winners of the trips, will take home a dream trip to France, Italy or Greece-- but even without the trip-- all the participants, I believe... take home something much more important... PRIDE, accomplishment and happiness for sharing a part of their self and being accepted as a part of something special.
I am really enjoying this experience and consider all the women to be like all the wonderful spices of the world. Some are savory, some are sweet and some are exotic and unusual, but they all have that perfect way of adding just that right taste to any dish-- Thank you for all your wonderful meals, ladies-- now lets go spread some SPICE!