Busy, Busy, Busy: Spicy Garlic Shrimp and Basmati Rice

May 13, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

It has been one busy week since my last blog post. Over the past week I have decked out the house for our Big Kahuna Company Luau Party. We had to moved most of the party indoors because the weather has been so wet. Cooked all the “Hawaiian Style” food for about 50 people. Thankfully […]

Going Hawaiian Style: Smoked Pork Ribs and Toasted Coconut Lime Rice Pilaf….

April 28, 2015.Reading time 7 minutes.

Aloha!! For years now I have wanted to host a Hawaiian Luau Party and this year I’m doing it 🙂 and I’m so excited! Now that I’ve got myself into this I’ve got to come up with the some Hawaiian Style foods. I will admit that I’m notorious for making something new for dinner guests, […]

Two Classic American Casseroles Transformed Into One……

February 10, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

Growing up my two favorite dishes were my Mom’s Chicken & Rice Casserole and King Ranch Chicken Enchiladas. Both of these dishes are fairly simple to assemble using ingredients most everyone keeps on hand. Although I will admit to making these dishes slightly more complicated over the past year by making my own Cream of […]

Bacon “Mac & Cheese” Risotto with Truffle Oil and a Leftover Treat…

November 14, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband was going to be home for dinner in 30 minutes. The refrigerator was almost empty except for some cheese, bacon, half a bottle of white wine, a little milk and some butter. “Ok… I can work with this”, I think to myself. I go to the pantry and the first thing that catches […]

Comforting Roasted Butternut Squash, Bacon and Sage Risotto

October 28, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

After a long, hard Monday, I know there is always one thing that I can find comfort in. One thing that will always make me slow down, relax and shake off a bad day. I know comfort can always be found standing over a big bubbling pot of fragrant risotto. While risotto is easy to […]

A Tex-Mex Blue Plate Special and Use #3 for Mel’s Spicy Pulled Pork…

June 29, 2014.Reading time 10 minutes.

If I had to pick one meal that I thought defined Texas this would be it. Enchiladas filled with either beef, cheese or in this case my spicy pulled pork, smothered in Chili Con Carne and covered with cheese. Served on a plate in between Refried Pinto Beans and Mexican Rice. This is the meal […]

Mel’s Tex-Mex Rice

June 5, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

We all know the vibrant orange-colored rice typically served alongside refried beans with any Tex-Mex meal. I make this colorful quick and easy Mexican rice quite often and it’s the perfect side dish to accompany all of your Tex-Mex favorites. Kids and adults alike love this Mexican rice and I promise it will be the […]