Holiday Blog-A-Thon

The holidays are quickly approaching, and it is one of the most popular entertaining times of the year! I just love hosting and cooking for holiday parties! Ever since I was a kid, I would help my mom, aunt, grandmother, or whoever prepare delicious meals and desserts for our family gatherings. I have such fond memories of those times!

My first time to host my own holiday party was my senior year of college. Since we had a big rivalry football game that day, I stayed at school on Thanksgiving to prepare a meal for my family who would visit that evening. I made everything homemade from the baked turkey, to cornbread dressing, to apple pie. That first Thanksgiving challenge took all day, but it was totally worth it in the end.

In the spirit of the holidays, I want to host a holiday blog-a-thon. EMAIL ME your favorite holiday recipes, tips, and decorating ideas. Don't feel limited to just one idea. Keep them coming!

Over the next several weeks I will post my favorite holiday recipes and ideas. Feel free to pass this site along to friends so we can get more ideas!

Happy holidays, and happy cooking!

Baby...it's cold outside....

So, when I woke up, it was 41 degrees in N.TX. Mmmmm....soup weather! I had a nice bowl of roasted tomato from Central Market yesterday, and it was good!

Well, I am hosting dinner for friends tommorrow with a menu of homemade veggie soup, grilled cheese, and either pumpkin cobbler or apple pie (I am craving that now that April mentioned it on her "get to know you" post.)

Below are my recipes for my yummy veggie soup and famous apple pie.

Vegetable Soup

14 oz. chicken broth
11 oz. V-8 juice
1 cup water
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes
(with green chilies is good!!!!)
Frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas,
green beans, whatever you like)
Stew beef (optional)
Potatoes (frozen is fine)

Directions:
Brown optional stew beef in oil.
Mix together all ingredients.
Bring to boil, cover, stir occasionally.
Simmer for 30-40 minutes.
Serve with corn bread or grilled cheese!!!!

Dutch Apple Pie

1 cup sugar
½ cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 unbaked pie crusts
½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 Granny Smith apples

Directions:
Mix flour, sugar, and cinnamon. In pie shell, place layers of apples (peeled and sliced). Alternate layers of apples and flour mix. Mix melted butter and brown sugar. Dot on tip of pie. Use other crust as top. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Cilantro lime tilapia

I am really not good at “writing” recipes, but here’s a go at a yummy fish dish I cooked last night.

Ingredients:
Tilapia fillets (fresh or frozen)
Lemon and lime juice
Cilantro (either dried or fresh)
Salt
Cajun seasoning
butter


Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Thaw frozen tilapia fillets in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. Cover bottom glass baking dish with cooking spray. (I use olive oil cooking spray.) Place thawed fish in baking dish and lightly coat with butter. Garnish with salt, Cajun seasoning, and cilantro. Squirt generous amount lemon and lime juice over fish (more lime than lemon – probably about 2 tablespoons per fillet, and a little less lemon). Bake at 375 for about 12-15 minutes or until meat is flakey.

Suggested Sides: Wild rice, salad, corn, green beans, or whatever you like!

VERY tasty!