Posted by Billie-Jean | Apr 23rd, 2010

Tortilla Soup!

Ingredients: serves 6–(print recipe) 8 cups of chicken stock (preferably home made but store bought is okay too!)  Add enough salt to give it some real taste. ½ chicken cooked and shredded or chopped. (Use the one from your homemade stock if you decided to go that route) 10 corn tortillas cut into strips about 2 inches long and the width of fettucini 1 zucchini (optional) 1 carrot (optional) 1 small onion 1...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Apr 17th, 2010

Acme Cafe Open.

For those of you have been following, the Acme Cafe which I blogged about in January, is now open for the eating.  I have yet to visit, but that is more due to my perfectionism.  I can’t just go and eat the first time, thought must be put into the pictures, writing, experiencing, ultimately allowing enough time for me to blog with profound accuracy hoover as much food as I can in the time between 9 and 3...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Apr 14th, 2010

Best Key Lime Pie

Get ready for a taste treat sensation with this easy to make, fresh, exorbitant , colorful, sumptuous key lime pie!  I got this recipe from an Oprah show, it was featured as the most requested dessert on the menu at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.  It truly is delish.  When you are juicing the limes, try a citrus press, it will change your world.  You can buy and order one here. Do...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Mar 31st, 2010

Thoughts on Bread Makers….

I use my bread maker every week.  I got this huge piece of equipment as a wedding present 16 years ago.  Interestingly though, I never use it for making an actual loaf of bread but turn it to the dough setting and use the dough for making cinnamon buns and pizza crust.  For all you die hard bakers out there, I know this sounds preposterous, but as a non baker in the “it never turns out” sense of the...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Mar 26th, 2010

Oatmeal-A Forgotten Hero

I love oatmeal.  I didn’t really like it as a child but come to think of it, I am not sure if I am confusing oatmeal with Cream of Wheat, which I dreaded.  I go through breakfast favorites, lately it has been a poached egg on toast but I always come back to oatmeal.  In fact, I just finished eating a bowl of it.   I want to share some information with you about oatmeal, in case you have forgotten about...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Mar 24th, 2010

Chicken Pasta with Fried Capers

This recipe is a favorite that I have been making for years.  The recipe is so simple but the key is FRESH.  I love that word actually.  Everything put in the recipe can be as fresh and flavorful as you decide to make it.  Fresh basil, fresh lemon zest and juice, organic chicken, fresh parmesan, garlic, a really decadent olive oil and some nice sea salt to finish it off.  The only thing you buy in a jar are...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Mar 15th, 2010

Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

Creamy chicken Pot pie (print here) 10 mL olive oil 2 tsp 1 garlic clove, minced 1 2 medium carrots, sliced 2 5 mushrooms, sliced (about 1 ¼ cup) 250 mL frozen peas or corn 1 cup 250 mL lower sodium chicken broth 1 cup 250 mL 2% milk, divided 1 cup 30 mL cornstarch 2 tbsp 3 mL ground thyme 1/2 tsp 2 mL crushed rosemary 1/4 tsp 2 mL pepper 1/4 tsp 500 mL cooked chicken, diced 2...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 24th, 2010

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients (print recipe) 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup unsalted butter/or salted if this is all you have, at room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips or chunks cut off of a semi sweet bakers bar.  I use both,...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 23rd, 2010

Cheesy Potato Pie

Okay, stop what you are doing right now and go to the grocery store to make, by far and away, the best potato pie I have ever eaten.  This even beats the other Potato Pie recipe I have in my recipe section.  I think the apple gives it just the right amount of flavor.  OOh OOh all the flavors together….I take a bite, close my eyes and go to a place that is taste heaven.  Even if you choose to buy your...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Feb 13th, 2010

Packing Lunch…again.

I often wonder what to put in the kids lunches.  Things can get old very fast.  When did we North Americans decide that sandwiches were the only  choice for lunches everyday?  Our friend visiting from Columbia was surprised when she saw me packing the typical brown bag lunch everyday.  Where she lives, the kids go home from school for a big hearty meal, sandwiches are unheard of.  She also said that lunch is...