Chicken. Red Potatoes. Broccoli. Tomato Bruschetta.

First addition to Mealtime Menu's.

In my house...when I stare at the wall and think..."What am I going to make for Dinner?" If I have chicken, potatoes and some sort of veggie; it makes a great dinner (I make it a lot, but different versions of it). Fast. Stand-by. Pleases everyone. Versatile. From start to finish...about 45 mintues-1 hour to make this entire meal.

Here is what is on the Menu:

Chicken with glazed BBQ sauce and sauteed onions
Red baby Potatoes, baked with a chili herb blend
Blanched Broccoli with fresh mozzarella cheese
Tomato Basil Bruschetta with Artisan Bread

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

 Tomato. Fresh Basil. Balsamic Vinegar. Such a great combo!

NOW (late summer) is the best time to make this appetizer/side dish. Everything in season. Fresh tomatoes. Yummmm Fresh Tomatoes. They are sweet when fully ripe.

This is not difficult at ALL to make. In fact, your friends will rave at the taste. BUT...the fresher the ingredients, the BETTER it will taste.

Curry Fried Rice

This is my life...

Yes. Curry Fried Rice is EXACTLY like my life these past 2 weeks. Let me tell you the story...

Last night I look in the frig, and what do I see? This:

I know right?! What ON earth am I going to make with cheese, green onions, red bell peppers, sliced chicken meat, and a few eggs? I mean, REALLY!!! I had NO bread, NO meat (besides the lunch meat), NO fruit, NO veggies (well, those carrots in my frig were going bad). I was stumped. Crap. And I didn't feel good (again my life...read on).

SO, I tried calling my husband a few times to get dinner for us on the way home. I figured he would want to eat SOMETHING. So, I tried. And tried. And tried. With no luck.

I started thinking. Thinking. Ok. Ok. I can do this. I have hardly NO food in my frig. My family is hungry. What to do?

So I gathered what I did have. I looked in my pantry (and me of course, I have NO boxed dinners or food) and I had some onions, brown rice, and spices (*ALWAYS ALWAYS have spices, it makes the food you eat, taste good). OK. Fried Rice. Then I was thinking how am I going to put this together? It is not going to be something to take pictures of...NO, it won't be that good. It wasn't looking too bright. My hopes were not very high. Many doubts.

NOW: My life: *I am going to show you how this Fried Rice ties into my life. Last week I was having some problems with my health/physical body. Crap. What is going on? *Like the rice, I was stumped.

So I went to a few doctors. (I mean, I freak out when I am having health issues~I usually look at my husband and ask him "Am I going to die?"...and everything always ends up ok). Always. I take care of myself. Eat healthy. Exercise every day. Got my blood work and physical done...everything looked great. FANTASTIC really. Then. MRI. Yes. MRI. And let me tell you~if you get an MRI: keep your eyes closed and imagine that the loud noises are the different beats in a live band (except the guitar) and everything will be OK. That is what I did.

Took home my pictures of my MRI. Later that night, I had dreams that I had cancer (I don't have cancer, but that is what I dreamed about). Me: Freaking out.

Back to the Rice: Served it up for dinner...Everyone LOVED it! Even the neighbor kid next door LOVED it! Everyone had seconds and thirds. When my husband got home...he wanted seconds, but there WASN'T ANY LEFT! Recipe. I will get to the recipe. Promise. Have to finish my story.

Dinner was a HUGE success. Even when all else was failing...like my life (the world was spinning around me, still had to do my mother responsibilities etc. etc. etc. and worrying about my health). The MRI came back and it looked GREAT. Nothing wrong. Weird really, crazy symptoms and everything was relatively good. Relatively good...meaning I still have problems. Yes. Don't we all? But nothing life serious etc.

To tie everything in: My life is not like "A box of chocolates" (as Forest Gump would say), but it is like "Curry Fried Rice". Both are full of spice, full of problems, surprise, stress, wonder, thinking...thinking....thinking, confusion, ciaos, tears, "what in the world am I going to do?", you do what you can...BUT a success, good, prayers, love, and peace that everything turned out ok. And that is how Curry Fried Rice is like my Life. What is your life like?

Hope you enjoyed my story, now on to the recipe:

Chocolate Root Beer Cake

Moist. Rich. Great for Parties. Now...I taste something?

Root Beer. Chocolate. Cake. Wonderful. I made this at a party at my mom's house while I was visiting in Maryland. It turned out Fabulous! I mean, who doesn't like chocolate? (Well, I actually know some people), BUT Chocolate Cake...that is a cake worth eating. The Root Beer keeps it moist and an extra flavor that makes you think "What is that?"

Have you ever made a cake in a dutch oven? Well, all you need is a cake box, can of peaches and a can of soda. Who knew...soda in cake? It does all the work for you. Now, me personally, I haven't made that cake (I don't use cake box mixes), but give it a try!

Cafe Rio Chicken Salad

If you haven't had a Salad from Cafe Rio, you are missing out!

But if you don't have a Cafe Rio close...this recipe is just as wonderful (maybe even better!) The key is using fresh ingredients.

I made this for our family vacation dinner back in May. Yes, May...I know. I know. It has been just a little while. But, when you cook everyday, and don't post everyday; then you get a little backtracked. Plus, my computer hasn't been working at all last week. Oh the things that get in the way. Grumble.

This is always a great option for a big party. Everyone can make their own. It would even be a great dinner for a campout...yes. Loved by all, young and old.

Strawberry Banana Cream Pie

This is to die for. Well, don't die...but if it is the very last thing you eat before you die, you are SET!

Now, if it is one thing I like to make and eat as a sweet treat, it would be pie. It is the top choice of desserts for my husband too.

Pie is versatile. Make it for any time of the year, not just for the holidays. Having said that, every Thanksgiving I make between 8-10 different pies for dessert. Obviously, that is a popular time of year for pie.

This pie is not difficult to make. Yes, a little time consuming (with the cooling and chilling), but all in all...not bad. And let me tell you~A HUGE HIT! I made this for a party my Mom threw while I was visiting Maryland. Her friend Steve helped me slice and serve the pie...while I took pictures. Thanks Steve!

A family member said "This pie is amazing. Even the crust...I can't stop eating it". Or if you wanted to, you could eat some for dessert one night and have some for breakfast the next morning. That is what I did. It was even good for Breakfast!

Oh. Oh. Oh! You have to try this pie! I took 18 pictures...step by step, so you won't miss ANYTHING! AND I added a bit of my favorite spice to the custard...Cinnamon! It is perfect! Well, nothing is perfect. Life isn't perfect. This pie isn't perfect, such as cracks in the crust etc. But it seems pretty close to perfect (if there was such a thing).

So don't delay. Take a bite out of this pie!

Orange Poppy Scones

Perfect for Breakfast. Perfect for Dessert. Perfect for special occasions like Mother's Day Dinner.

I want a double flip waffle iron. Oh that would be fantastic! I made waffles this morning, and to be able to have 2 waffles done at the same time...what a world! I would like that. Too bad my husband never reads my blog, that would be a VERY subtle hint for birthday or holiday. But no worries, I have already told him that I would like one. Check.

Serve warm with Honey Butter and Jam. And of course, I added whole wheat flour. I am just weird like that. Then I eat more. Fiber. More for you. Regular. He he. It fills you up.