Thursday, March 29, 2012

Corn Does Double Duty (Casserole and Cakes)


I  felt the urge to make a corn casserole last week. I'm not even sure what sparked it, but I just had to make one. I didn't have the one main ingredient I wanted to use though so at our next grocery store trip, I picked up a can of creamed corn. (I think I had some when I was a little kid, but haven't ever had the need to eat or buy it since then.) Well, that creamed corn sat in the pantry for a few days while I thought about how I would approach the casserole. 

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Oven Roasted Asparagus with Garlic


The first day of spring has finally made it's appearance which means the time for summer food will be here before you know it! The cost of summer vegetables has already started to go down at the grocery stores and the farmer's markets will soon be open. I can't wait to go to our local market down the street because the vegetables are huge in comparison to the stores and their prices can't be beat. They last longer than the store-bought, too, because you can't get anything more fresh than home-grown down the street!


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Cilantro and Lime Glazed Chicken



It's become one of my little experiments to see if I can make the food I used to dislike into something I will like. It sounds simple, but it can be a challenge with certain ingredients. My post about the Brussel Sprouts was one example of this, but it goes back to when I was a kid. Instead of focusing only on things that I didn't like when I was little, I'm also focusing on things that I disliked recently.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Kid's Favorite Chicken Noodle Soup


Okay, I know the weather this week was pretty much like summer and it might have been a little too warm for it, but I just couldn't wait to post this recipe for some homemade chicken soup. Well, it's not just chicken soup, it's the kind of chicken soup that we all know and love. You know what I'm talking about, right? It's that simple soup that has those awesome noodles and makes you feel like a kid again when you eat it. Yep, that one. But better.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Homemade Hamburger Helper


I recently posted on Facebook (facebook.com/pinchoflime) about the idea for coming up with a homemade hamburger helper-type dish. I've never actually had the store-bought 'helper' and, to be honest, they really don't look that great. The thought of all those nasty preservatives and fillers just don't do it for me. Plus, it seems that any vegetables are pretty much non-existent in those boxes. Well, I decided to make my own version of the popular meal the other day just to see if the tomato/meat/pasta (that isn't an Italian dish) really was a good combination.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Grilled Garlic Chicken


The weather outside was gorgeous today. It's March 7th and it was 65 degrees. Can you believe it? I'm pretty sure we were due for a mild winter after the past few we're had though.

Well, my husband, son and I just couldn't wait to get outside to take advantage of the spring weather - you know, before Mother Nature changes her mind and it disappears for a few more weeks. We played some soccer, had a blast with my son's new playhouse, and played a little outdoor hide and seek. After getting rid of some of that cabin fever (and glancing at the grill that's been cooped up in the garage) I decided to grill for dinner. I was planning on cooking up some chicken in the oven, but with weather this amazing, we just couldn't pass up the opportunity.


Saturday, March 3, 2012

Sweet Bacon Brussel Sprouts


When I was little, my parents would serve a myriad of different types of foods. My sister and I became pretty adventurous with trying new things because, well, we always ate new things for dinner. (You'd be surprised what kids will eat if you just give them an opportunity to experience something new. ) 

But just like any kid, there were things that we just wouldn't touch. I remember mentally starting a list of the things I didn't like so I could avoid them at all costs. I'll admit though, as I get older I tend to enjoy a lot of those foods I used to hate. There are still a few things on that list that I still won't eat (ie. liver), but I've opened up my eyes and my palate to a few others.