I am rather proud to announce that I haven’t turned the oven on in more than one week. With hot weather, busy schedules, and lack of motivation, I’ve been relying on my pressure cooker and trusty skillet to make good meals.
Carlotta
Skillet Steak Enchiladas
For many years it seems I have cooked for a small army – our kids, their friends, exchange students, and the people we lovingly refer to as “strays”. Now that we are a smaller family, leftovers have become part of our lives.
Tequila Lime Spritzers
Tequila has been around for hundreds of years — much longer than Mexico has been an independent country. Although I’ve visited several parts of the country, I have yet to see a worm crawling around in a bottle of tequila, which is totally okay with me!
Spicy Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry
I have a difficult time completing tasks: Laundry gets folded, but not put away. Mail is looked at but not filed or thrown away. Bathrooms get cleaned except for the floor. Am I just too busy? Do I have ADD? Do I need help??? (don’t answer that one out loud, please!)
Chicken with Butternut Squash and Bok Choy
A line by Shakespeare in The Tempest, and distorted with time, comes to mind with this dish: “misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows”. While he meant the phrase quite literally, modern English has changed it to a phrase tossed out when things just don’t logically seem to fit together. It is the more recent usage of Shakespeare’s phrase that describes this dish.
Beef, Bacon & Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash
Even though my mind is arguing with me, some dishes don’t actually need to be topped with bubbly cheese in order to be delicious. Every moment that I was planning this recipe, chopping, browning, and assembling, I was trying to think of which wonderful cheese should be the crowning glory. Nothing. Nada. Zippo. NOT NECESSARY. This is amazing on its own.
Red Hot Turkey Chili
Have you ever noticed that the nearer a country is to the Equator, the spicier the food is? It seems like hot food in hot weather makes people cooler and more comfortable. That’s logical, I guess!
Mexican Style Tomato Salad
I love colour. In fact, one of the things I love doing is thumbing through paint company fan-decks. Once I get past the bizarre, yet creative names, I get lost in shades of green, blue, and even white.
White Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Have we ever talked about guilty pleasures? You know, those things we do that we are just slightly ashamed to admit to? I love to watch “Fixer Upper” and “Property Brothers”. I sometimes eat ice cream right out of the carton. Everything I wear (and I mean EVERYthing) has to coordinate.
Refried Pinto Beans – Pressure Cooker
I may be late for Cinco de Mayo, but then again, I was at least one week late for Saint Patrick’s Day. No biggie! Great food can be served year ’round.
