Recipe - Home-Ec 101

Simple Alfredo Sauce

Heather says: If you load this dish up with steamed broccoli it’s easy to pretend it’s healthy. This recipe makes four servings of alfredo and can create a variety of meals by varying the accompaniments. My favorites are blackened beef, chicken, or shrimp. If spicy foods are not your style, try grilled chicken, shrimp, or …

Retro Saturday: Biscuit Baking

Retro Saturday is a chance to see a blast from the Home Ec 101 past and gives Ivy and I a chance to relax. Heather says: I searched high and low. I tried at least a dozen recipes people swear were from Grandma and now I have it. This is the one I recommend to …

Blackened Beef Tips

Heather says: I love recipes that can be utilized in more than one manner. Way back in my restaurant days this was one of our most popular appetizers; it was served with creamy horseradish and béarnaise sauce. As it was one of the few beef items we were allowed as an employee meal, we found …

Summer Squash and Zucchini, Grilled

Heather says: I love zucchini. It’s one of those plants I don’t have to grow to reap the benefits. As the season turns toward summer local gardeners may have more than they know what to do with. In fact August 8th is “Sneak Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night.” Friends and neighbors, I am here …

Heather says:

I have said it before, but whole chickens are often a great buy. I am a huge fan of cooking once and eating several times, but how do you reap the benefit when it is is too warm for the oven? You grill it, of course. Rather than cutting the bird into parts first, I decided to experiment with spatchcocking. This method allows for more even cooking as a larger surface is presented to the grill. Spatchcocking is simply an old Irish term that means to butterfly; I just think it’s fun to say.

To accomplish today’s project you will need:

1 grill
1 chicken
kitchen shears
your favorite rub or seasoning mix

In order to not offend our more sensitive viewers the pictures and tutorial follow the jump.

Heather says:

Many thanks to Candice of <a href= — Many thanks to Candice of Ragamuffin Designs for letting me use her picture of this recipe.

I was not content with the pizza crust I originally posted, it was good, but not something I felt others would rave about. Consequently I have been experimenting with variations for the past few months. While searching for a simple crust I had some criteria in mind: the ingredients must be both inexpensive and readily available, the directions must be both easy and forgiving, and finally it must taste at least as good as the chain delivery joints. (There are a few independent places who have a fantastic product that would be difficult to recreate in the average kitchen.)*

This crust is chewier and more flavorful than the original with no increase in difficulty.

Ingredients:

1 TBSP active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 1/2 cups bread flour + a little more for dusting
1 1/2 TBSP olive oil + extra to grease the bowl for rising
2 TBSP molasses
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning – OPTIONAL
cornmeal for sprinkling

Directions after the jump.

Grilled Onions

Heather says: While I’m lucky enough to live where it’s comfortable to grill outside most of the year, once the hot weather hits, grilling is a great way to help keep the house cooler. We love grilled onions and they are simple to prepare. One onion is typically enough for two adults. For best results …

Do you ever have a snippet from a TV show stay with you for eternity? That’s all I can think whenever I make chicken bog Now that you’ve had a peek into my twisted little mind, let’s talk chicken bog. At first glance, some long-time readers may say, “But Heather, that looks just like chicken …

Carrot Raisin Salad

Heather says: This classic pairs well with sandwiches and meals that call Spring and Summer to mind. In its most basic form, the recipe here, it’s low cost and low effort. There are many variations on this recipe, feel free to share yours in the comments. Ingredients: 2 cups coarsely shredded carrot 1/2 cup raisins …

Rice and Peas

Heather says: My family enjoys this simple dish, it goes well with most standard chicken recipes. Oddly enough, my kids who are not overly fond of peas do not mind their presence. Get the printable shopping list. Ingredients 1 TBSP butter 1 small onion diced 1 cup uncooked long grain rice 2 cups chicken stock …