CORNBREAD, (southern style)

Recipe is HERE
We have our "own" recipe that we usually use, but PW adds buttermilk, and well, buttermilk just makes everything taste better Right??!?!?! ;) So her recipe is VERY similar to the one we'd normally make anyway, the only difference really is the buttermilk in lieu of plain ole milk. and we DON'T DO SWEET CORNBREAD HERE EITHER....BLECH!!! (another southern quirk, I actually don't mind the sweet...but alas my hubby thinks sweet cornbread is well.... Nasty ;P )
*Also the cast iron skillet is VERY important here... I don't know why, but being that I'm married to a born and raised southern boy-THERE IS NO OTHER WAY :)

Chickpea Curry, Saffron rice, & Homemade Naan bread

Well this was my first attempt at actually making Indian food :{ I usually just go to the restraunt with my mom and sis, since we're the only people we know that enjoy it. Well darn this pregnancy but I HAD to have Indian food... curry namely so I decided to give it a whirl... I found the CHICKPEA CURRY recipe at ALLRECIPES.COM the recipe *as is* is not very good, but I added a few alterations that made it good. I added 1 tsp. of curry only a sprinke of cayenne (as I wanted my children to eat it) I added one small potato, and half a sweet potato for variety. After it was done though I was wishing I added a cauliflower... Next time. I did add some salt but I think that veggie broth would've added the flavour I was looking for.

The INDIAN SAFFRON RICE recipe is HERE

I followed suggestions and used veggie broth (you could use chicken) in lieu of water, and added my saffron that I ground with my beloved Mortar and pestle. (Saffron threads are very delicate, you don't need a M&P to grind.... I just love any excuse to use mine..lol...) This rice is so tasty, and complimented the curry nicely. I reccomend it highly. I buy my Saffron at "mediteranian specialties deli & resturant" in fairhaven... (they have lots of great things for a great prices.)

NAAN BREAD recipe is HERE

This recipe is fabulous, and was easy to make authentic Naan. I didn't use my grill due to the torrential downpour that was/is occuring outside. But I used our ever trusty cast iron skillet. and it turned out perfectly. As previous peeps had suggested I used a lid to cover the naan as I cooked the first side, in order to get those lovely bubbles. I found that keeping the cast iron on a med-low temp kept my naan from scorching... my naan making skills improved greatly with each one...but they all tasted great & authentic. The pic unfortunatly is of my first one... The others were just golden brown and beautiful :)

and the verdict with the kiddos you wonder??? Well my 2 year old couldn't get enough... My 3 year old thought it was nasty (before she tasted it) My 8 year old said "Oh yummy mommy" and then took 40 minutes to eat it, so I'm not sure with her. My 15 year old wouldn't touch it...lol.. and Hubby couldn't get enough as well. So all in all it was a success, but until my kiddos are older I'll save my Indian cravings for the resturant.

Buttered Beef

Recipe can be found at Allrecipes.com

Family LOVED again... I really love allrecipes, because everything is rated pretty fairly. If something has 4 or 5 stars you can pretty much guarantee that you'll have a hit. At least with my experience.

Will gave this 4.5 stars and kept saying how wonderful it was. I served it with salad and homemade French Bread recipe HERE I ALWAYS cook my french bread a special way to get a crusty crust and soft inside... (Ice cubes) put a few handfulls into the bottom of your oven when you put the bread in, and the steam makes it super crusty yummy on the outside...

Pioneer Womans Penne Pasta, Breadsticks, and of course a salad :D

This Penne recipe can be found on the Pioneer Woman's website HERE
It is super scrumptious, and the whole family enjoyed, Liam pigged out, and everyone ate the onions...YUMMERS! The Breadstick recipe can be found HERE with the Garlic Butter recipe HERE
ENJOY!

EASIEST BISCUTS IN THE WORLD!!!!

2 Cups Self Rising flour
1 Cup milk
1/4 Cup Mayo

Mix all together, drop onto baking sheet

Bake @ 400 for 12 min.

Soooo good quick easy, and works great for dumplings too!