It's Full Plate Thursday Where All The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather  I am so happy to see you today, we had a cool front that came through and we have all the doors and windows open in the house, letting all the fresh cool air in. I have been really enjoying being outdoors so come on out to the Up Stairs Patio with me today and we will enjoy our meal in the great out doors. I can't wait to see what you are sharing with us today. Thank you so much for coming to the party and come back real soon! Special Announcement   Get Your Chili Recipes Ready For The Third Annual  Texas Star Chili Cook Off Oct. 1, 2012 to Oct. 31, 2012  A $50.00 Amazon Gift Certificate Goes To The Winner For More Details and Last Years Winners Check Out This  Link  This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast  Herbed Potato Frittata at Grandma Loy's Kitchen Morning Snack Rustic Zucchini Quinoa Bread   at Keeping Up With The Time...

Between now and November we will be hearing and seeing more and more about our national election that will be coming up.  The other day I saw these awesome little cakes on Libby's Twirls & Taste .  It just so happened that the Republican National Convention was to be on that night so I got busy and made these awesome little cakes. I am sure that there will soon be a recipe for the Democratic National Convention as well.  Until then we will just enjoy Ann Romney's Welsh Skillet Cakes. Welsh Skillet Cakes Welsh Skillet Cakes adapted from  Twirls & Taste Prepared in Miz Helen's Kitchen 1 1/4 cups currants 1/2 cup milk 3 1/2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter Beat egg with milk and add currants.   Sift all the dry ingredients together and work the butter into the flour and mix until mealy. Pour milk and currants over flour and butter mixture ...

We are always looking for Kid Friendly dishes that will please the sometimes picky eaters that visit our table from time to time. Kid Friendly Pasta Salad has been a real winner for the little ones and I have even stepped it up a notch and added an adult version.  I sure hope that your family enjoys this recipe as much as we do. Kid Friendly Pasta Salad For The Kids Table Kid Friendly Pasta Salad Miz Helen's Kitchen 12 ounces of dry Pasta 8 slices thin bacon 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup whole milk 4 tablespoons white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup grape tomatoes ( yellow & red) halved length view 1/2 pound cheddar cut into small cubes 3 green onions thinly sliced Ground Black Pepper to taste 24 whole basil leaves, chiffinade Cook the Pasta according to the packet instructions.  Then drain and rinse in cold water until cool.  Set aside Cut the bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and throw into a large skillet.  Saute until slightly crisp, and t...

Happy September Everyone! When September rolls around the tempo of life just seems to pick up a bit, the schools are starting and there is an anticipation that fall is just around the corner.  We have been real busy here at The Cottage this week just getting organized after being away for over three weeks.  Come on back to the kitchen with me pull up a chair and I will get you a cup of tea and one of these yummy scones that are just coming out of the oven, I will catch you up on everything and we can go over The Menu for next week. Sunday Herb Crusted Ribs with Orange Sauce Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions Fresh Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing Hot Cottage Bread Spice Cake Bars Monday Fresh Tomato Soup Brussels Sprouts Salad with Warm Vinaigrette Garlic Bread Stix Left Over Spice Cake Bars with Fresh Berries Tuesday Creamy Corn Empanada's (Vegan or Regular)   Saute Kale, Carrots and Onions Re-Fried Black Beans Guacam...

It's Full Plate Thursday Where All The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather   Happy September!  September is here already and that means schools have started or will be starting very soon and fall is just around the corner.  I have been busy getting re organized after being away for 3 weeks, I have decided that is a long time to be away from my yard and garden, although we had an excellent gardener while we were away I think I am just a home body.  I am on the back porch today just enjoying my morning with a cup of coffee, so come on back and sit with me for a bit and I will get you a cup of coffee and one of these awesome muffins right out of the oven.  I am so glad to see you today and can't wait to see what you have brought to share with us today. Thank you so much for coming today and we will hope to see you again real soon! This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Back To School Special Breakfast Tacos at Everyday Mom's Meals   ...

On our recent visit to Oregon we had the opportunity to spend some time with our two Granddaughters Victoria and Alexandra.  When they were very young we would always cook together and one of our favorite things to do was go to the Farmers Market or the Orchard and get fresh fruit and make a cobbler.  On this visit the girls were preparing a meal for all of us and it was delicious. Victoria, a recent graduate of Brown University is Vegan and Alexandra a student at Bates University is Vegetarian so the recipes they choose are Vegan. Creamy Corn Empanadas, Re-Fried Black Beans, Saute Kale and Saute Mini Peppers Guacamole is not pictured ( We ate it all before photo's were made) Creamy Corn Emapnadas (Vegan)   12 Empanada's 6 inches each Victoria and Alexandra Hartman for: Miz Helen's Kitchen Adapted From Viva Vegan by Terry Hope Romero The Empanada Dough 3 cups all purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder ...

When we visit Oregon one of my favorite adventures is visiting the Farmers Market in Downtown Portland, Oregon.  This visit was very special because two of our Granddaughters were at home and we got to visit the market and spend the day with them.  Victoria On The Left A Recent Graduate Of Brown University And Alexandra Currently Attending Bates University.   Of Course I Love The Beauty Of Our Two Granddaughters,  And Just Look At That Stack Of Beautiful Carrots This Tomato Display Looked Like A Work of Art and These Tomatoes Were Delicious! Beautiful Heirloom Tomatoes A Very Colorful  Display of Artichokes We Had To Have Some Peaches For Cobbler Look At The Size Of Those Onions and Wonderful Peppers Victoria Is Shopping For Just The Perfect Corn For Her Vegan Corn Empanada's  Victoria's Recipe Creamy Corn Empanada's (Link)   And Look What I Found The Food Lovers Blog For All My Texas Friends, Ple...

I am so excited to be home and very excited to see all of you today. We have just returned from a three week vacation on the Oregon Coast and it was awesome. I really can't wait to tell you all about our adventures in the days to come, so come on in the kitchen and  lets  get this menu for next week started. Sunday Baked Ham Fresh Green Beans and New Potatoes  Carrot and Pineapple Salad Cottage Rolls Chocolate Delight Pie Monday Labor Day Smoked Texas Brisket   Cole Slaw Crisp Cole Slaw   Austin Style Black Beans   Cherry Pie Tuesday From Left Over's Brisket Sandwiches Crispy Cole Slaw Austin Style Black Beans Cherry Pie Wednesday Grilled Lemon Chicken Fresh Squash Casserole Oven Baked Okra Sliced Tomatoes Cottage Bread Summer Harvest Bread Thursday Full Plate Thursday Julia Childs Ham and Potato Casserole  at Black Fox Homestead Fresh Green Tossed Veggie Salad Crusty French Bread   ...

It's Full Plate Thursday Where All The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather I am so excited to be home and see all of you again!!  For the past few weeks we have taken some down time and had some Rest and Relaxation, it was amazing. We spent the last few weeks on the Oregon Coast visiting with family and friends.  We had so much fun and I can't wait to tell you about all our adventures in the next few weeks. I am really looking forward to seeing what you have brought to share with us today. Wishing you a great Labor Day Week End and thank you so much for coming today,  hope to see you again real soon!  It was in the low 50's on the beach that morning, it was awesome! I Took Some R and R During The Month Of August  For The Month Of August Only  I Am Letting You Fill My Plate You  Will Fill My Plate With The Top Ten Page Views Every Week  This Is How YOU Filled My Plate Last Week Twirl and Taste Crunchers   at Twir...

At the end of a season it is always fun to look back and remember all the wonderful memories that we made with friends and family. We have had a great Spring and Summer filled with wonderful memories of fun times with friends and lots of good food.  I wanted to share with you just a few of our favorites.  Spring and Summer Recipe Round Up 2012 Fun   The Annual Picnic   Vegetables Green Peas and Potatoes with Lemon Mint Sauce Fresh Green Beans with New Potatoes Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes Roasted Asparagus Delight Meat and Poultry Ham and Pasta Casserole Stuffed Peppers Grilled Chipotle Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce Chipotle Chicken Salad Wrap Grilled Lemon Chicken with Lemon Mint Sauce Desserts Aunt Bluettes Spicy Peach Shortcake Lemon Tart Fresh Strawberry Bread Key Lime Cake   Canning Grandmothers Chow Chow The...