Just because the weather's getting warmer and spring is literally around the corner doesn't mean that your slow cooker needs to be stowed away until next winter. Before my ventures into slow cookery, the crock pot was synonymous with heavy, hearty stews and calorie-laden dishes (read wintertime). However, there are plenty of dishes that won't bust your gut but will satiate your appetite. I was still eager to try chicken in the crock pot. It seems the only meat I've tried to cook is beef. And, while the crock pot is better-served for red … [Read more...]
Green Tea Risotto
March 5, 2012 By 11 Comments
Before today, I had never made risotto from scratch. In fact, the only time I've ever eaten risotto is when it's freshly-made in Italian restaurants. I guess I just didn't trust myself to be able to make a good batch. And, I usually try to steer away from the ultra creamy consistency characteristic of this popular rice dish. But, when I was perusing the recipes from the Secret Recipe Club submissions, I knew I had to try the Green Tea Risotto. How unusual, a risotto dish not made with chicken broth or cream but rather green tea? I've made … [Read more...]
Oven-Baked French Toast
March 2, 2012 By 10 Comments
Earlier this week I was feeling light and uber healthy thanks to the Powerful Green Pomegranate Smoothie I drank and the Fat Free Sour Cream Bavarian dessert I ate. Today, not so much. Ever since Breakfast-for-Dinner nights have become such a hit with my kids, I've been trying to amp up my arsenal of breakfast options. It's so easy to slump into a cereal/yogurt/bagel rut simply because it's mindless and hassle-free. Who wants to deal with ovens and measurements and preparations for breakfast? I'm slowly learning that many "prepared" … [Read more...]
Slow Cooked Chicken Enchiladas
February 8, 2012 By 6 Comments
Growing up, Mom very rarely cooked Mexican food save for the highly-anticipated "taco nights" or "chicken fajita dinners." Then, off to college in the Midwest-forget about good authentic Mexican food. My only Mexican stint was at the drive through of the local Taco Bell to satiate those late night cravings. Now that I'm living in New York City I have easy access to many legitimate and not-so-legitimate Mexican groceries and restaurants. But, what do you do when you don't feel like ordering in (we all know Mexican food does not travel … [Read more...]
