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ITS TIME TO GIVE BACK…

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

images As Thanksgiving approaches, my stress level reaches its annual high as I worry about my menu, the number and size of turkeys I have yet to cook, and whether or not everyone will fit comfortably around my dining room table. I share this day, as many Americans do, with loved ones in the comfort of my home. I fill myself with all the holiday delectables and spend the remainder of the day either pretending to watch football or chatting with family and friends.

I must confess that I am often guilty of losing sight of the underlying spirit of this holiday: giving thanks for all we have. I become consumed with the myriad of tasks and ultimately the celebration, overlooking the millions of less fortunate Americans unable to similarly celebrate. Their fears are unlike mine. Many worry whether or not they will even have a next meal. They are not strangers living on the other side of the world. They live in every community, their children attend school with mine. With Madoff, the stock market crash, the unraveling of U.S. financial institutions, and the failure of the auto industry, this country has witnessed unemployment and homelessness reach epic proportions.

With these things in mind, this Thanksgiving I am pledging to make a difference in the life of others less fortunate and honor the true meaning and spirit of this holiday.

My motto for this Thanksgiving: DONATE. PREPARE. DELIVER OR SERVE.

There are so many different ways to help. Here are just a few:

Volunteer in a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen or food bank.
Organize a food drive and donate the food to a soup kitchen.
Visit a local hospital and spend time with patients alone this holiday.
Visit a nursing home. Bring your kids and spend time with the elderly reading a book, taking a walk or playing a game.
Contact the Red Cross, Salvation Army or other non-profit organization in your area and ask how you might help.
Instead of bringing flowers or a gift to your Thanksgiving host, give a donation to your local food bank, soup kitchen or organization helping those in need. Check out Feedingamerica.org.
Thank our soldiers by sending them care packages through organizations such as TreatsForTroops.com.
Sign up for a Turkey trot or community run or walk that donates its proceeds to those in need.

Or join me, along with HHM and BlogCatalog.com as they unite to help the hungry with their BROWN BAG PROJECT. Bloggers will unite by using their blogs to inspire others to help those who need it most. During the week leading up to Thanksgiving, take some time away from your holiday preparation. Contact your church, synagogue, clubs or school and ask them to help you locate needy families in your community. Then pack up your brown bags with non-perishables such as stuffing mixes, boxed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, canned corn, cranberry sauces, coupons for a turkey and pumpkin pie. Fill the bags with practical items in addition to delicious goodies. Get your kids, neighbors and friends to help you hand deliver them to these families. Attach a card saying “from someone who cares about you.” It’s not about getting credit for what you did, it’s about making one day special for someone in need. Take pictures of you and your helpers packing these bags. On November 21, 2009 join us on HHM for a community discussion, share your experiences, and post your photos. If you can’t take time to PREPARE, PACK OR DELIVER, please consider making a donation to a local food bank or other non profit organization.

Remember, now is the time to start making a change. As Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Please join me!

Tags: blogging, community member, cooking, Family, food blogging, Thanksgiving
Posted in Community Discussions, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Featured Community Member: Ashley Ramaker

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Half Hour Meals Member Ashley lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ashley and writes a delicious blog called Cheese Curd in Paradise that is all about her love of “simple but yummy dishes” (and Green Bay Packers football). Her recipes reflect these passions, focusing on ease of preparation and maximum flavor, with a few tailgating hints thrown in. Read on to find out more about Ashley and her world:

Your blog, Cheese Curd in Paradise, is a delightful, comfort-food filled look into your kitchen and your love of cooking. Tell us more about the inspiration behind your blog. I have been reading and inspired by other bloggers for awhile now. After lots of cooking and encouragement from family and friends I decided to start my own blog. The process of naming the blog was the hardest! However, one day I couldn’t get the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” song out of my head, and Cheese Curd in Paradise was created. Cheese curds are a Wisconsin favorite after all. My goal is to cook foods that are easy and don’t come out of a box. Also, I wanted the blog to represent foods that I love eating and cooking.

You’re a huge Packers fan- what are some of your favorite game-day foods to have while watching the game? Do you ever tailgate? Any menu suggestions for other tailgaters? It really depends on the day actually. Two Sundays ago I made rack of lamb with caramelized shallots and thyme crust with roasted potatoes and this past Sunday we ordered pizza. However, there are some very important staples that are most commonly seen at our house. Brats, potato salad, and beer! If I had to pick my ultimate menu it would be grilled brats, potato salad, baked beans, and a cold Miller Lite. I LOVE tailgating. I was at the Green Bay/Detroit game this year to enjoy a Packer victory. We usually go to one game a year because our season tickets are divided between our family members. What I find is best for tailgating is brats or hot dogs, and some kind of chips and dip (we had beer dip and pretzels this year!). Easy is best because it needs to pack up quick and go back into the trunk! Make sure to bring a cooler for your beer, mini grill for your meat, and folding chairs! Some people really get into making crazy contraptions for cocktail making. This year there was a guy who made a blender with bike handles, and when he “revved” the engine out came a root beer and Jagermeister slush!

Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, is coming to dinner. What would you serve? I assume that the Coach doesn’t ever get a chance to tailgate being so busy getting ready for the game. I think I would have to get out the grill and make some brats! (this seems to be becoming a theme…). To go with the brats I would serve Campfire Potatoes, oven baked beans, grilled onions, and Grandma’s Apple Pie with cinnamon ice cream.

How long have you been blogging and how has blogging changed your daily life? I have only been blogging since July of this year and I love it! It has made me more aware of what I am cooking because I want to share it with others. Making nightly meals has become even more important to me.

Do you see yourself still blogging several years from now? I sure do! I love that I can look back on the things I have made. I also love when my friends and family try the different meals I post! I think that blogging is a way I can show my love of cooking. I would someday love to have my own restaurant, but that is a long way off. I actually work in politics for the US Congress (another love of mine).

Does being a mother change the way you blog? I actually don’t have any children. The baby in my picture is my newest nephew Drew Michael. I have have 5 nephews (Jacob, Alex, Gabriel, Isaac, and Drew) and 2 nieces (Skylah and Isabel). I love children and hope to someday have some of my own. I really do love cooking for children. They are honest about foods and can be open minded. My nephew Alex didn’t want to try broccoli until I told him it was what Superman ate. He ended up loving it, and he opened up really easily to Chinese food because he found the vegetables he likes in most dishes. The only small things in my house for the time being are 2 cats (Strider and Kramer).

Where does your inspiration in the kitchen come from? The “mmmmmmm” factor. That noise people make after their first bite of something really yummy. That is what I go for with each dish. Also, trying different things and working with new challenges. My boyfriend Ron just found out he is allergic to mushrooms, cayenne, pineapple, and cabbage… so it will be a new challenge to work with (esp. the mushroom part!). I also like to use local and seasonal fruits and vegetables for my dishes. In Northeast Wisconsin we are lucky to have many family farms to buy from. Even the local stores will mark products that are made or grown in the area to help buyers. Time is another thing I look at when cooking. I work a lot and need to make foods that are both yummy and quick.

Ok….I have to ask…you live in Wisconsin, a state known for its cheese. What’s your favorite recipe using cheese? I almost can’t given an answer to this! That is hard… I would have to say Blue Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken. I am a huge blue cheese fan (closely followed by cheddar). I think this might be tied with a breakfast casserole using cheddar cheese. One of my favorite cheese “items” is a cheese curd of course. In Wisconsin, you can buy them fresh from local farms. They are best when they are a squeaky and still a little warm.

You obviously have a special place in your heart for comfort food, and your recipe for Shredded Crockpot Turkey looks delicious. What is your #1 comfort food? Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. It took me forever to get that sauce down to taste close to my aunt’s sauce. It is so good. Shredded Crockpot Turkey is so good too! It reminds me of Thanksgiving leftovers, and what can be more comforting than that!?

Why did you join Half Hour Meals? I saw an ad on another bloggers page and my first thought was- I need to be on there because that is me! Quick and yummy cooking.

When did you join Half Hour Meals? I joined about a month ago and some change.

What’s your favorite thing about the site? I love that I can look for recipes that fix my lifestyle. Also, it allows me to connect with other bloggers. From my short time in blogging I have learned that connecting and sharing stories is imperative to a successful and good quality blog.

Have you tried others’ recipes from Half Hour Meals? I have a few on my docket coming up soon.

If others were to ask you about Half Hour Meals, how would you describe the site to them? A wonderful resource for foodies on the go!

Thanks for sharing with us, Ashley! I hope you all will stop by and visit Ashley’s page here at Half Hour Meals, and be sure to check out her wonderful blog as well!

Tags: community member, food blogging
Posted in Featured Member | No Comments »

Featured Community Member, Cantering Caterer

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

COD ‘Happiness is back’ according to Christian O’Dowd, but judging by his own upbeat attitude, I don’t think his happiness ever left. Husband, father and caterer extraordinaire, he is energetic, engaging and passionate about food and it was nothing short of delightful speaking with him via phone last week. His outlook on life is downright enviable and his talent evident, from the posts on his blog, Catering Talk to the clip of him on MyFox NY, he has an air about him that is at once high-class and average nice-guy.

Leaving high school early to travel and learn from life, he made his own way and eventually settled down to start The Cantering Caterer, Westport, Connecticut’s premier catering service, and has been going strong for 9 years. With 140 event staff, they handle everything from the small and cozy to the large and upscale with ease. His most recent gigs had him serving 200 at a Coney Island party complete with a competitive eater to a benefit for Earthplace Nature Discovery Center along with weddings and estate parties thrown in the mix.

I asked Christian what’s good for the 2009 Holiday Season and his answer was immediate: comfort food with a twist. People are wanting the comforts of home with a little extra thrown in; not just macaroni & cheese, but macaroni & cheese with black truffle. His hottest and most requested dessert right now is his own grandmother’s bread pudding. And, while you may think, as I did, that budget is King, O’Dowd is seeing just the opposite.

Living as close to Wall Street as he does, he gets to experience upticks and downturns before much of the nation and his call, and the behavior of his clients supports this, is that things are on the upswing. Companies are opting for larger holiday parties to boost morale and even smaller clients are looking for a bit more luxury. Everyone is tired of scrimping, and this catering season is showing it.

Beyond the recipes that Christian already has uploaded to Half Hour Meals, I asked him what his choice of a quick meal would be and he responded with, “What my wife and I had last night. Homemade Cavatelli (previously frozen) tossed with capers, tomatoes and garlic, deglazed with a pinot noir and finished with lots and lots of butter and grated cheese.” Perfect!

What’s next for this Cantering Caterer? A full-scale Thanksgiving feast for 90 people who would otherwise not be able to have Thanksgiving Dinner and an overfull roster of clients for that day as well.

Keep your eyes out for this caterer and his fabulous offerings and if you live in the Westport, Connecticut area, you know who to call for your next big (or small) event. And don’t forget to check out Christian’s page here at Half Hour Meals.

Tags: blogging, catering, community member
Posted in Entertaining, Featured Member | No Comments »

Featured Community Member: Patti Londre

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Half Hour Meals Member Patti lives in Los Angeles and authors a fun-filled Patti blog about unpretentious (“Larry approved”) food, her experiences owning her own food-oriented PR company, and the camp for food bloggers that she runs. From hanging out with Julia Child at IACP meetings to having actress Mandy Moore cooking in her kitchen, Patti’s life is quite busy and always fascinating. Add to that the worldwide travel adventures she shares with her husband Larry, and the comical antics of her pug, Sake, and Larry’s kitten, Penny, and there’s never a dull moment! Read on and get swept up in Patti’s world!

Your blog, Worth the Whisk, is two parts fun mixed with one part great recipes. Tell us more about the inspiration behind your blog. Thanks for the nice words! I started working in food at age 16, and earned my college degree in home economics. Pretty much every job I’ve had, including running my own PR firm for 25+ years, has been within the food world. Earlier this year, I was a guest speaker at the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) and decided to sit in on a session about food blogging. And *lightbulb!* It just seemed like a natural new challenge for my skills – AND my kitchen full of stuff! Since I’ve always cooked, my collection of recipes, clips, friends’ recipes was also the inspiration. So many things collected, yet not cooked – now was the time!

Every cook has had at least one kitchen disaster. Tell us about your most memorable disaster in the kitchen, and what you did to turn things around. One Thanksgiving, my girlfriend Gail suggested we make the “turkey in brown paper bag” which meant slathering it with mayo and roasting in a supermarket bag to soak up the oil (folks, DON’T try this at home, I came to realize those bags are recycled and full of toxins). We oiled up that big bird and – ZOOM – like a giant bar of soap; it flew out of our arms and skidded across the kitchen floor. We applied the Universal Five Second Rule and managed to wrangle it back into our arms, then wiped it off and kept going.

If Julia Child were coming to dinner tonight, what would you serve? I’ve had the opportunity to be around Julia a few times at IACP meetings and know she loved many things – except airline food. She ate asparagus with her fingers, the mark of a Swell Gal. I’d probably roast a lovely chicken with rosemary red potatoes, definitely asparagus plus make a foolproof chocolate dessert so I could sit and enjoy her company. No use trying to impress her, just feed her well.

Name the one ingredient you can not live without. Eggs.

Tell us what you eat/cook when you’re home alone. Usually a starch topped with butter. Brown rice, noodles, spaghetti, toast, bagel. On the sofa. Larry and I always eat at the table, so when he’s not here, sofa eating happens.

Where does your inspiration in the kitchen come from? Hunger, plus what’s in the ‘fridge. We joke about “refrigerator management,” which means we need to eat what’s in there or cook with what’s in there. Usually with the type of produce and proteins we have, an Asian or Mexican inspired meal can take place almost any day.

I enjoy reading about your pug Sake, and Larry’s kitten, Penny. Do they get along? Yes, in an unbalanced way. Poor ol’ Sake is 15, mostly deaf and quite blind, but we know he sees a bit. An orange maniac kitten flying at him from all directions happens several times a day and for the most part, he participates (Duck! Run! Watch out!). But he draws two boundaries – he won’t share a lap or a bowl.

How long have you been blogging and how has blogging changed your daily life? Literally the day after I returned home from that IACP conference, I jumped on it, excited! Choosing a name, figuring out hosting, testing the name on my sisters, changing the name, buying a URL, designing the graphics, writing posts, deleting posts because they were lousy. I took notes of my process, which now I am incorporating into my presentation at the Let’s Get Cookin’ culinary school in Westlake Village, CA, on January 27 called “How to Become a Serious Blogger.” My schedule is fairly rigid now with planning what to cook, making the dish, photographing it, posting, producing the weekly newsletter, tweeting, guest posts and more. Luckily, we food bloggers get to eat what we blog about.

Do you see yourself still blogging several years from now? Like lots of serious bloggers, yes, I really do. And because this is an industry still in its infancy, I decided to conduct a weekend bootcamp for food bloggers called Camp Blogaway in the mountains near Big Bear, CA. Sessions on bettering our photography, food styling, Photoshop, recipe writing, copyrighting, SEO and more will take place, plus lots of good old fashioned camp fun.Half Hour Meals was recommended via a tweet from a food blogger. I joined the day I saw the tweet, which was about a month ago.

Why and when did you join Half Hour Meals?

What’s your favorite thing about the site? Who doesn’t love meals you can make in 30 minutes? It’s my favorite way to cook.

Have you tried others’ recipes from Half Hour Meals? Yes I have, soups especially. And pumpkin recipes right now, as I made a very large quantity of homemade fresh pumpkin puree and need LOTS of ways to use it up.

If others were to ask you about Half Hour Meals, how would you describe the site to them? An easy, fresh resource for realistic recipes by capable cooks. The clean, uncluttered site is a breeze to negotiate. Try it!

Thanks for sharing with us, Patti! I hope you all will stop by and visit Patti’s page here at Half Hour Meals, and be sure to check out her wonderful blog as well! Also, any of you serious food bloggers interested in attending Camp Blog-Away don’t forget to find out more by clicking here.

Tags: community member, food blogging
Posted in Did you know? | No Comments »

Featured Community Member: Amybyrd21

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Amy Half Hour Meals community member, Amybyrd21 lives on a real working farm and chronicles her life there, in food, photos and more, on her blog, The Wayland Springs Cook. Besides being a very active member here, she also home-schools her children, cooks up a storm in her farm kitchen and writes a second blog, Amy’s Favorite Food Products. She’s one busy gal, but she took a moment to share more about herself with us.

Your blog, The Wayland Springs Cook is not just about cooking. What types of posts would one expect to find at your blog? My blog The Wayland Springs Cook is about homesteading, living off the land, pigs,chickens, bees, and cooking on the farm. The posts are generally about everyday life and about raising bees and pigs.

What kind of things might we find on a walk through your back yard? We raise bees (2 hives to start), 17 pigs at the moment, 39 chickens, 2 ducks, and 2 dogs. In the summer we raise tomatoes, onions, cabbages, potatoes, beans, peas, broccoli, okra, lettuce, watermelons, cantaloupes,turnip greens,corn, and peppers of all kinds.

What is the inspiration behind your blog? It started to let people know things about homesteading and a way to share my recipes. Now I use it for recipes and educating the public about pigs, bees, farm issues and green living.

Having a family and blogging can be a difficult to balance. How does it work for you? I blog at night when my husband is here to take care of the kids. This is my quiet time and a time that I use to wind down at the end of the day.

You’ve contributed so many recipes here at HHM, do you have a favorite in the bunch?
Bavarian Cheesecake. It is my favorite because it has a light and fluffy texture and a thin cake on top and bottom.

Name a handful of ingredients that you couldn’t live without. Tomatoes, cheese, real butter, potatoes, and onions.

Share with us a day in your kitchen – what is the daily food like in your home? On the weekends we start out with a big breakfast of fried potatoes, sausage, bacon, homemade biscuits, gravy and eggs. Then at lunch we have sandwiches or leftovers from the night before. Dinner is whatever happens I never plan at all unless we have company. It normally consists of meat, potatoes, dried beans and corn bread. During the week the kids like to make ethnic foods and experiment with foods in the kitchen.

How long have you been a member at Half Hour Meals? Close to the first days it was launched.

What’s your favorite thing about the site? Getting to meet different people with the same interest as I have and learning form them.

Have you tried others’ recipes from Half Hour Meals? Yes I have made Sausage and Potato Pasties and Pumpkin Custard. We are hoping to try at least one a week for something different in the house.

If others were to ask you about Half Hour Meals, how would you describe the site to them?
A foodie’s paradise.

Tags: community member, food blogging
Posted in Community Discussions, Featured Member, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Member Recipe Review: Chicken Casserole from The Paris House

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Another cool, rainy weekend, another perfect opportunity to try out a Half Hour Meals member recipe! The problem was, that with so many great recipes to choose from, I was at a loss about what to make. Dessert or entree? Sweet or savory? Looking for inspiration, I started searching through all the scrumptious recipes that have been posted recently.

As I got to the second page of the chicken recipes, I saw exactly what I was looking for…comfort food in the form of Chicken Casserole (faster than you can say cocka-doodle-doo) from member Michele aka The Paris House. This yummy chicken and rice casserole is different from others I have tried because it includes spinach, an unexpected and delicious addition. Added to the other taste-tempting ingredients is a generous topping of cheese, making this dish a real comfort food winner.

Other than great ingredients and terrific taste, another thing to love about this recipe is that it can be assembled in 20 minutes if you already have some cooked brown rice. Even if you don’t already have rice, the dish comes together quickly and is well worth the time. It smelled so good and looked so tempting when it came out of the oven, that my family was digging into the casserole with spoons before I even had a chance to serve it!

All-in-all, this recipe exceeded my expectations in every way and I highly recommend it. Do yourself a favor the next time you need a dinner idea- try Michele’s Chicken Casserole!

Tags: community member, cooking, quick meal ideas
Posted in Quick Meal Tips, Recommended Items | 1 Comment »

Featured Community Member: MarilynDean

Monday, October 19th, 2009

-e-Mom4.JPG- Marilyn Dean has a food blog a little different from the rest: it’s about food in a way that most of us aren’t thinking about directly – it’s aprons. Not just any old apron, forget visions of mom or grandma at the stove here, these aprons are contemporary and range from functional to cute to, dare I say it, even a little bit sexy.

Marilyn’s blog is an offshoot of her apron business, Susannah’s Aprons where you can find nearly any type of apron you’re looking for from vintage to children’s and beyond. Here is my recent interview with Marilyn – read on for more insight into her blog world and the rest of her very full and interesting life.

Your blog, Susannah’s {Kitchen} Aprons is not about food as much as it is about the kitchen in general and, of course, aprons. What is the thought process behind your posts?

It’s been interesting to watch the food trends in the past year. Thanks to Food TV, the recent movie Julie & Julia, and especially the current recession, we’re witnessing a huge return to the kitchen. Economic uncertainties have made dining out less affordable, and that’s created a nostalgia for good home cooking with family and friends.

In my blog posts at Susannah’s Aprons, I’ve tried to address this growing interest, which is especially prevalent among younger Gen Y Moms. I cover Vintage Apron Design, Hospitality, Religious Holidays, Recipes, and Food in the Media. (eg. the new 3D animated kids’ film “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.”)

No longer a symbol of oppression, aprons are a new way for smart modern women to express their style and creativity. We may not all be domestic divas yet, but many of us are willing to give it a try!

Susannah’s {Kitchen} Aprons is your second blog. Tell us a bit about the first.

About four years ago, when my two children were preparing to flee the nest, I decided to go back to school to study theology. Blogging seemed like a natural place to share the things I was learning. I started Chrysalis as a “webzine for thinking Christian women” with no blogging experience whatsoever. It’s been a fantastic journey, and a wonderful way to meet like-minded SAHM and WAHM Moms.

The inspiration for my Vintage Apron site comes from Susannah Wesley. She’s the famous home schooling mother of ten, including the English evangelists, John and Charles Wesley. Susannah’s reputation as a woman of prayer is legendary. Historians tell us that while cooking, she often flipped her apron over her head. Hidden beneath her cotton tent, Susannah offered spontaneous prayers to God.

Has blogging changed the way you look at life?

Absolutely. They say the best way to learn is to teach. And thanks to reading others’ blogs, I’ve expanded my knowledge far beyond the classroom. Also, I’m an interior designer by profession, so my new blog, Susannah’s Aprons has given me the opportunity to express my artsy/creative side through blogging too. As I go through my daily routines, blogging is always on my mind!

Your aprons are fabulous – do you make them all?

Thank you. I wish I could say yes! I do sew—but not aprons. I use my sewing skills in my design work, including draperies, throw pillows, upholstery etc. All the aprons at Susannah’s Aprons are created by others. Like many online vendors, I have “affiliate” business relationships where I am compensated to provide a store front and advertising.

Share with us a day in your kitchen – what is the daily food like in your home?

As a new empty nester, I’m learning to cook for two again. I like to prepare dinner for my husband with care each evening. Since he doesn’t cook, he really appreciates my efforts. We especially love international cuisine including Mexican, Asian, Italian, Greek, Indian, British, French, and of course good old-fashioned American.

The recession has made me rethink our weekly food budget, which I’ve taken for granted for many years. Mindful of the hungry, I’ve begun donating 10% of my earnings at Susannah’s Aprons to a charity called Angel Food Ministries. Angel Food provides food relief for over 500,000 Americans/month who are struggling financially.

In what ways does having a family change the way you blog?

My husband and I will be celebrating our 31st anniversary next month. We still feel like kids, even though our two children are now grown. Our oldest daughter was married last summer in Hawaii, and our son just graduated from college this past spring. Since they are no longer little, I devote a good chunk of my time to blogging, Twittering and Facebooking. I also hope to write an ebook at some point in the near future.

Name a handful of ingredients that you couldn’t live without.

You may laugh, but for “women of a certain age” like me, green tea and soy products have taken a front seat in my life—especially soy milk. More appealing ingredients that I must have include fresh garlic, high quality olive oil, fresh basil, sharp cheeses, and lime in all its variations. I’m a salt, savory, sour lover, with not much of a sweet tooth. Cumin is currently my favorite spice.

When and Why did you join Half Hour Meals?

Since Susannah’s Aprons is only three months old, I’m still exploring the vast world of “foodie” blogs. I found Half Hour Meals through a badge on someone’s recipe blog. I joined Half Hour Meals to mix with creative home cooks who might also want to buy a new apron for themselves or a friend.

What’s your favorite thing about the site?

I love the social aspect. I’ve been surprised by the number of comments, and how supportive readers are. It’s really fun to know that members are actually trying out my recipes! When reviewing Susannah’s Aprons, Theresa111 kindly said,

“A store that gets my attention because its aprons and cast iron skillets. A must see because you might just want to order something cute to wear while you are preparing your next Half Hour Meal.”

Have you tried others’ recipes from Half Hour Meals?

Not yet! However, I certainly will. I love to cook, and I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy recipes with a little international flair.

If others were to ask you about Half Hour Meals, how would you describe the site to them?

In three words, I’d call Half Hour Meals an “online cooking community.” The site is easy to navigate, and has the potential to compete with my blogging as a tempting new hobby.

7 Good Reasons to Buy a Vintage Apron

You’ll feel pretty
You’ll feel like smiling
You’ll feel more creative
Your cooking will taste better
Your kitchen will smell more inviting
Your family will purr with contentment
Your guests will thank you with love in their hearts

Tags: aprons, blogging, community member
Posted in Community Discussions, Entertaining, Featured Member | No Comments »

Featured Community Member: NicoleMaro

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Redlipz Half Hour Meals Member Nicole lives in Connecticut and authors a fun-to-read blog that takes us on a culinary journey as she recalls the foods she loves, meals she has eaten, and recipes she has created. She writes with passion and sensuality about the things she loves to eat like avocado, lobster, and the perfect slice of pizza. Read on to learn more about Nicole’s love affair with food.

Your blog, Re-Feast, is truly treat for the eyes and the mind! Your writing and photos take your readers back to the exact moment you ate and experienced a meal or a dish, and aptly express you love of even a simple ingredient like Edamame. Tell us more about the inspiration behind your blog. I love eating, and I love writing – so I figured creating a blog and fusing the two together would be fun and a great way to share what I’ve been dining on.

Your love of certain things like lobster and the perfect slice of pizza shines through in the way that you write about them. It made me wonder, if you could plan your own last meal, what would you eat? I’ve always wondered this myself, because I eat based on cravings a lot. If I had to choose though, I think I’d go with a filet Mignon topped with Guinness infused butter and caramelized onions, alongside some oven roasted asparagus and creamy garlic potato mash.

What is the one food or ingredient you can not live without? Avocados, hands down. I love them! I love them on their own, in salads, on top of burgers, guacamole, you name it.

So how goes your struggle to overcome your fast food addiction? Have you fallen off the wagon? If so, where and what did you eat?I’ve actually been doing pretty good, however I must admit I went astray once the McDonald’s Monopoly games broke loose – I ended my fast food famine with a wretchedly delicious mushroom and Swiss Angus third pounder. I annihilated it. I’ve been behaving since then…

How long have you been blogging and how has blogging changed your daily life? I’ve been blogging since 2002 – I’ve had several personal blogs, one that I continue to post on currently, since 2004. Blogging originally gave me a great outlet to reach my family while I was living far away, and since I’ve moved closer it’s been a way for me share thoughts and food experiences to anyone interested in taking a read.

Do you see yourself still blogging several years from now? Definitely – I think I communicate best through writing, so I really enjoy being able to put my thoughts out there in my most comfortable medium. Plus, it’s just fun.

Does being a mother change the way you blog? My online demeanor is different I suppose, being that the food I prepare and my thought processes surround what my son will agree to eat, and what is healthy for us. I don’t blog the way I did when I was in high school – I suppose my blogs are slightly more constructive now!

Where does your inspiration in the kitchen come from? I was never one to cook when I was younger. It wasn’t until I was pregnant, and I was craving food constantly – that food inspiration came to fruition. I would say my initial catapult into the world of food was because of late nights drooling over Food Network television, triggering an interest in creating some culinary masterpieces of my own…and so it began.

You obviously have a special place in your heart for fast food, and your breakfast burrito looks easy and delicious. Any other favorites you want to share?Hmm..a twist on my favorite fast food, grilled cheese…but with avocado slices. I just posted about it on my blog, actually!

Why did you join Half Hour Meals? I was looking for a new outlet to explore recipes, exchange ideas, and find new food blogs to read through. I love any site that involves food and people that can appreciate it.

When did you join Half Hour Meals? I just joined a little while ago, back in September.

What’s your favorite thing about the site? I’m enjoying discovering great new recipes, quick recipes! and member blogs.

Have you tried others’ recipes from Half Hour Meals? I most recently tried Sarah’s focaccia bread pizza - great idea!

If others were to ask you about Half Hour Meals, how would you describe the site to them? An awesome place to find recipes that are great quality and can be prepared quickly, along with an amazing community full of creative folks that love food.

Thanks for sharing with us, Nicole! I hope you all will stop by and visit Nicole’s page at Half Hour Meals, and be sure to check out her wonderful blog as well!

Tags: community member, food blogging
Posted in Featured Member | No Comments »

Make Your Own Meal Kits

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

scrambled-eggs-pic Some of you might remember my post from last July where I described some of my favorite supermarket shortcuts from the freezer. In that post, one of the shortcuts I listed was Jimmy Dean Breakfast Scrambles, which my husband and I love for a quick meal anytime. They are soeasy and convenient that I usually have one of these handy little time-savers in the freezer at all times! A few days ago, after we had another of our “breakfast scramble” suppers, I started thinking that it would be cool to try and make my own kits and see if I could do it for less money. Since my husband’s favorite breakfast scramble is sausage, I decided to try and copy that one first.

After a quick trip to the store for ingredients, I am delighted to say that my experiment was a success. For the same price as one Jimmy Dean Sausage Breakfast Scramble (purchased at the local Superstore for $3.48), I was able to purchase enough ingredients to create three kits of my own, equal in size to Jimmy Dean’s, for just $2.65 each! In addition to the great savings, the best part was that I had total control over what went into my kits! I like that there were no worries about excessive sodium, that I could adjust the ingredients to suit our tastes, and that I could make it healthier by using turkey breakfast sausage instead of pork sausage.

Now that I know how easy and economical it is to make my own meal kits, I plan to experiment with some more and blog about it in future posts (so stay tuned)! If you have any meal kit ideas, please give me a shout out…maybe your idea will be a feature on Food for Thought here at Half Hour Meals!

Penny’s Breakfast Skillet Meal Kit:

1 ( oz.) bag southern style hash browns

1 (oz.) bag frozen pepper and onion stir-fry or fajita veggie mix

1 ½ lbs. turkey breakfast sausage

½ tsp. vegetable oil

In a large skillet, brown turkey breakfast sausage in vegetable oil; remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. In a large bowl, combine cooled turkey sausage with potatoes and pepper/onion mix and toss ingredients to combine evenly. Divide mixture in equal amounts among three gallon-size freezer bags (I found scooping it out with a one-cup measure worked great). Label and freeze, use within 6 months. Note: Since you only need 1 ½ lbs. turkey sausage for the recipe and it’s sold in 1 lb. rolls, you obviously have to buy two lbs. I cook it all, and then just freeze the extra ½ lb. for use later (or use it to make up a quick quiche)!

To prepare Breakfast Skillet:

1 Breakfast Skillet Kit

6 eggs

3 tbsp. milk

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

In a large pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. When oil is hot, add contents of Breakfast Skillet Kit. Cook Breakfast Skillet until potatoes are beginning to brown and onions and peppers are soft. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk eggs and milk until combined. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, push Breakfast Skillet to one side of the pan; pour egg mixture into the empty half of the skillet. Using a wooden spoon, constantly stir and scrape the eggs until they begin to scramble. Once eggs are scrambled, stir to combine with Breakfast Skillet. Remove from heat and serve.

Variation: Breakfast Skillet Kits make a great frittata!

1 Breakfast Skillet kit

6 eggs

3 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Take contents of one kit, thawed, and arrange in a greased 9-inch pie pan. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk; pour over breakfast skillet mixture; sprinkle with pepper. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Top with shredded cheese and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

Tags: community member, cooking, dinner shortcuts, meal ideas, quick meal ideas, save time, Supermarket Shortcuts
Posted in How To, Quick Meal Tips, Supermarket Shortcuts, Trying Something New | No Comments »

Featured Community Member: Rebeccasubbiah

Monday, October 12th, 2009

-DSC02077.jpg- Half Hour Meals community member, rebeccasubiah is not just a food blogger, she’s also a mom and a dietician. Her meals are full of flavor, yet healthy at the same time and her blog is a wonderful read. She often hosts other bloggers and is a terrific addition to our community, as well.

Read on to learn more about Rebecca and her delicious blog!

Chow and Chatter is a great name for a food blog, where did
it come from?

I feel it captures what my blog is all about the header picture is from a Vietnamese restaurant, having a good meal with friends, it was fresh and healthy and mixed with good chatter.

What is the inspiration behind your blog?

Well I am a dietitian and I adore food and cooking cuisines from around the globe, I started it last december for fun, it was a great way to learn to write and share health tips keeping my professional brain working as a stay home mum. It has been a great journey, and a wonderful learning experience.

Has food blogging changed the way you look at food?

Yes it inspires me to keep cooking new recipes I see from blogs around the world.

Living somewhere so far removed from where you were raised has got to be daunting. How different is the food and culture from what you grew up with?

Well a lot of American food has European influences and the meat and two vegetables type of meal. I live in NC so the Southern diet is a bit different, we call biscuits scones in the UK and our name for cookies are biscuits!, also we don’t have cornbread and grits. To be honest though the Southern diet can be a challenge for a dietitian as I say smiling.
Is Chow and Chatter your first blog? If not, what else have you written?

It is my first and my first love! I also blog for an Alaskan Seafood Company and have another gig up my sleeve, looking for ways to write to stay home.

How does having a family change the way you blog?

I am married and have a one year old daughter, so I put a focus on how to adapt ethnic foods for little ones (I wrote an article on this recently and got my inspiration from a question posted in the half hour meals community!).

Your recipes here at HHM, Aloo Gobi and Spinach Dal are Indian dishes – what’s the story there?

Oh I am married to a South Indian, so a lot of my cooking is Indian, in fact my mum in law has been here, I have been learning so much.

Name a handful of ingredients that you couldn’t live without.

Garlic, fresh basil, masala powder and onion. My Mum in Law is on a special religious diet with no onions and garlic now thats a challenge.

Share with us a day in your kitchen – what is the daily food like in your home?

Its a mixture of food from everywhere sometimes, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, British, the more varied the better. I tend to cook when my little one naps, then re-heat it later.

When and Why did you join Half Hour Meals?

About 2 months ago, I was approached by Blog Catalog, its a wonderful site so happy to be part of the community.

What’s your favorite thing about the site?

Well the community section, and of course browsing new blogs.

Have you tried others’ recipes from Half Hour Meals?

I probably have I must confess I read my blogs on my daily reader and get them as and when I see them.