"Taquitos"

You will not find this in ANY cookbook ANYWHERE! This recipe is home-grown and a major family favorite! My mom says that my grandma (my dad's mom) taught her how to make this...my grandma says she has no idea what my mom is talking about! Frankly, considering the mental status of both of these ladies...it's a toss-up! Who really knows?? 
These are not "taquitos" like you are used to.
This is "mexican" style hamburger meat wrapped in an rice paper (like an eggroll) and fried! Strange and delicious and FRIED!!!
I am not sure that this is technically "mexican food"...no self respecting latino/a would make this for their grandma.
It's certainly not "chinese food"...though without the rice paper this dish would not be the same!
I think I'll deem it "mexinese" or "chinexican"...either way your gonna love it!
These are very often the requested meal at my mom's house...and when she makes them she makes at least 40!  We have a big family but more than that we have big appetites...shameful really!

Note* You must know that at MY house...I cannot cook this for dinner without making ranch dressing.  Out of the packet...not out of the bottle.  It is mandatory!

Note2* I have also adapted the original recipe (whom-ever's recipe it was) to accommodate my American need for processed cheese.  Stop crinkling your nose!  YOU don't have to add cheese...but...it's go-od!

Dinner Quiche

This recipe is very dear to my heart! My best friends mom...Patty Hammett...passed away November of last year and how she is missed. But I don't want this to be sad, I want this to be a celebration of Patty.
Patty taught me 3 things in life:
1. The true meaning of "never look a gift horse in the mouth!" If someone wants to give you something or do something for you...let them and be blessed by their gift!
2. We all have challenges in life, but how you choose to live with those hurdles is what defines you. Patty was legally blind, however, if you were not told you would not know. She did not view it as a crutch and I loved that about her!
3. Her recipe for QUICHE!

This no ordinary quiche...well...maybe it is an "ordinary" quiche and maybe that's why it is so great! Quiche is thought of as a "girly" dish, but let me tell you that my husband LOVES it. He will even ask for it..."Can we have that girly pie thing?" There is something about my big burly husband eating a perfect slice of quiche that makes me giggle inside. It's just so unexpected. Frankly, there is nothing girly about this meal...it has all the man components...MEAT, CHEESE, EGGS, CRUST...crust?? is that girly? NAH!

snips, and snails, and puppy dog tails...

Matthew Wade, born June 6, 2006, weighing in at a whopping 10 lbs. He made a "big" entrance into this world and has continued that theme in his short little life. My Mattie has a "BIG" personality and makes a "BIG" impression on those fortunate enough to come across his path.

"Ode to Bacon Grease"

GASP....SHOCK....AWE!  Yes I said BACON GREASE!  This pleasing pork product is a staple in my kitchen.  I know that I am not alone in stashing this dirty little flavor arsenal...heck, they sale containers devoted to storing the stuff!  I know...because I have one...and so does my mom. 

Sausage Rolls

Who loves breakfast for dinner??  I DO!!  Oh man have I found the recipe for all of my fellow BFD fans!  This dish has all of the elements of something "fancy" from a restaurant but easy enough to make at home!  Warning to all of those Pastry Panic-er's...you do have to make a biscuit dough BUT I promise it is not as complicated as you make think...cross my heart!  You CAN do this...and strut around with pride when you do...I give you permission!!

Cookie Confessions

I typically keep an open eye out for my next significant blog topic...you know?...one that is informative, touching, or matters in some irrelevant way. But today...today I just thought I would make everyone a little more comfortable with their humanity.

Bleu Heaven Pizza

I couldn't possibly come up with a better name for this pizza!  It IS a little slice of heaven! 
We don't go to the mountains as much as we should for as close as we live.  But, when we go, Angel Fired Pizza is a must on my list of "to do's."  It's just a quaint little pizza parlor with imported beer, the BEST house-made Sangria ever, and "Bleu Heaven" pizza.  They have all kinds of pizza, but I only go for THIS pizza!  It's steak, bleu cheese, carmelized onions, and olive oil on a thin crust!  Oh...my mouth is watering just thinking about it!  I know that this is not necessarily for everyone's taste palet, but for those of you brave enough to try it...you will NOT be disappointed.  I actually have added an alfredo sauce for the base because I think it adds a little "something" and ensures that the pizza won't be too dry.

It smells "Right"

Matthew's kinder-prep class had big plans to celebrate the 100th day of school with a pajama party today.  Last night as I was tucking him into bed, we were talking about what he would need for his party...
pajamas-check
house shoes-check
pillow-check
blankie-

Aprons...the modern cooks cape!

A cook without an apron is like Superman without his cape!  When I step into the kitchen and dawn my apron...my inner cook is unleashed and food magic happens! 

 I know aprons are not a necessary tool in the kitchen, like a pot or pan.  But I do believe that they are one of those fun gadgets, like a lemon zester or melon baller, that liven things up!

Aprons go back to forever ago...literally.  I read once that Adam and Eve's fig leaf attire was technically the first "apron"...and maybe so.

Today's aprons are not your mom's frumpy plaid get-up.