Chef Michele's Adventures

Jun 1, 2005

28 Cooks
The Baking Sheet
The Canadian Baker
Closet Cooking
The Cooking Adventures of Chef Paz
Coconut & Lime
Cook, Craft, Enjoy
The Cookbook Junkie
Cookie Madness
Cooking Is Medicine
Crunchy Culinary Capers
Deetsa's Dining Room
Dispensing Happiness
Domestic Diva In Training
Eating For One
Erin Eats
Everybody Likes Sandwiches
Food Blog S'Cool
FP Watch
Frugal Food
Full Bellies, Happy Kids
Just Braise
Kalyn's Kitchen
Kiki Rice
Kitchen Duty
Kitchen Parade
Messy Cucina
Milk & Honey
Mom's Recipes
My French Cuisine
My Grandmother's Kitchen
Peanut Butter and Purple Onions
Poco-Cocoa
Recipes For The Future
The Savory Notebook
Simply Recipes
Skat and The Food
Sweetnicks
Tummy Rumble
Tummy Treasure
Typical INgredients
The Vegan Lunchbox
Vegetarian Recipe of the Day
Veggie Venture
White Trash BBQ

Newsletter Issue #4 - March 2006

Hi,

I would like to apologize for the problem with the link from my last newsletter with the free Smoothie Ebook, I still cannot figure out why the file will not show when the link is clicked. That being said, if you were unable to download it and would like to receive a copy of the free Smoothie Ebook, please email me at chefmichele@gmail.com and I will forward you a copy directly along with another free book of salad recipes. Both are excellent and have photos of some of the recipes as well.

I haven't been blogging as much as I would like lately due to computer problems and sick kiddos but I have managed to try a few new recipes. Here are some of my recent endeavors in case you missed them:

Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2006/02/lemon-cream-cheese-coffee-cake_18.html

Butternut Squash Wantons With Sesame Dipping Sauce
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2006/02/butternut-squash-wantons-with-sesame.html

Strawberry Spinach Salad
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2006/02/strawberry-spinach-salad.html

In an effort to make meals more interesting, I have been really adding to my selection of herbs and spices lately. I already have a pretty extensive collection but I can never pass up something new. I found some really great ones yesterday, like lime flavored salt on amazon.com ---> http://tinyurl.com/hu2la .... and a baking spice called Sweet Treat on Cajun Supermarket.com http://tinyurl.com/hfg6q ... and a very delicious sounding pre-mixed Carne Asada seasoning on Mex Grocer.com ---> http://tinyurl.com/zkpwh. I ordered a few things and am eagerly awaiting my packages :)

As always my recipe pile is growing with things I want to try. I recently came across a recipe that sounded so simple yet different and certainly qualifies as frugal. I modified it a bit and thought I'd share it with you.

African Chicken Stew

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
2 Tb. oil
15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 c. chicken stock
1/4 c. natural peanut butter
2 yams, peeled and cut into chunks
2 Tb. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. dried parsley

Fry vegetables and spices in the oil until vegetables are tender and spices are fragrant (about 3 minutes). Add chicken, cook until golden brown. Add to crock pot. Add stock, tomatoes and Peanut Butter. Cook 4-5 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.

I really enjoyed chatting with you today! If you enjoyed this newsletter, be sure to pass it on to all your friends! If this issue was passed on to you and you’d like to subscribe, visit http://chefmichele.blogspot.com and fill out the subscription form right at the top on the left.

Until Next time, Happy Cooking!

Michele

P.S. I don't know about you but I often have trouble preparing meals that my whole family enjoys. Often hubby and I will love the meal and the kids will hate it or the kids will love it and we find it lacking. If you encounter the same problem you should check out "Dine Without Whine" ---> http://tinyurl.com/s7hsx. It's a great way to find meals your whole family will enjoy while saving you lots of time. I highly recommend it!

Newsletter Issue #2 - January 2006

Hi Friend,

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I have been hosting Guest Bloggers starting this month. I thought that it would be a great way to add variety to my blog. I would love to know what you think of the posts they have made. Send me an email with any feedback you have ---> chefmichele@gmail.com. Also, if you are interested in guest blogging for me, email me as well! I am hosting a guest every Monday and you don’t have to be a blogger to participate! If you contact me by email I will send you more information on how to participate. You can email me any comments or suggestions about this newsletter as well. I love getting email :)

If you haven’t dropped by my blog lately, here are a couple posts of interest that I made recently:

* Mango Bars --> http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2006/01/mango-bars.html
* Butterscotch Cookies --> http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2006/01/butterscotch-cookies.html
* Cupcakes and Quick Breads ---> http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2006/01/cupcakes-and-quick-breads.html

I received some very nice emails recently about my last newsletter and I wanted to thank those of you who took the time out to let me know that you enjoyed it. One of my subscribers sent me some information that I felt would really benefit you all so here is what she had to say:

"I wanted to give some info that you can pass on if you like. We don't have a Safeway in my area, but we do have Lowe's Foods.

I love this store because they have S&H points (you use a card to use and redeem them). You earn points off everything you purchase in the store! Then you can use points to get discounts on items (I got a gallon of milk yesterday for FREE), or you can save them and order things from a catalog.

Using the card also gets you certain specials (discounts of anything from produce to potato chips to soda, just depends on the specials that week). And at this store you can use coupons on items, even if they are on sale....and they still do double coupons! Sometimes they even do triple coupons! I save so much money!

When I was on bed rest during my last pregnancy I found out they have an order service. Just go online and order your groceries, then go to a drive up spot and punch in your code....they bring them out and load them up for you. There is a $5 fee, but you save so much by shopping there that it isn't really even noticed.

Maybe this info would be helpful to some of your other readers."

I thought this sounded like a great deal and sure wish we had a Lowe's around here!

Speaking of great deals, I just ran across a really great one today! I have been a member of a website called Club Mom for some time now. It's a really neat site for moms with forums, deals and and other goodies for moms. One neat thing about this site is that when you sign up as a member at their site (no cost to do so), they send you a gift. This month they are offering a coupon for a F R E E cup of coffee and doughnut from Krispy Kream. How cool is that? If you're interested, take a look ---> https://www.clubmom.com/display/219325?p_id=7218

Friend, if you’re fond of sweets like I am, I think you will love the recipe I have for you this time. You may recall I spoke about saving the ends of your loaves of bread to make bread crumbs last time. One great thing you can make with those freshly made crumbs is Breadcrumb Cookies. I know… it sounds like a strange idea, but they really are great! I got this recipe from The Complete Tightwad Gazette. If you are frugal in the kitchen like I am you really should grab a copy of this book, it is full of useful information to help you cut costs in the kitchen and in every other are of your life. You can take a look at it and read excerpts here ---> http://tinyurl.com/c8e9o

Here's the recipe...
Bread Crumb Cookies

1 1/4 c flour
1 1/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 c cocoa
1/2 c milk
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2/3 c melted shortening
2 c bread crumbs

Sift together dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients and add to dry mixture. Add melted shortening and bread crumbs. Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until done.

Give this one a try, I’m sure you will enjoy it!

I really enjoyed chatting with you today! If you enjoyed this newsletter, be sure to pass it on to all your friends! If this issue was passed on to you and you’d like to subscribe, visit http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/ and fill out the subscription form right at the top.

Until Next time, Happy Cooking!

Michele

P.S. If you are into healthy breakfasts, I have a little freebie for you next time that I think you will really enjoy. I’ll have that for you next time.

Newsletter Issue #1 - January 2006

Hi Friends,

Happy New Year! I’m really excited to start off 2006 by sending you the very first issue of my newsletter. I thought it would be a nice idea to keep in touch with my readers on a regular basis and share some things I have not had the opportunity to blog about. I hope to provide you with some helpful information that will keep your meal times exciting while also helping you stick to your budget when you do your grocery shopping. I know that is always a challenge for me! So grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy!

In case you’ve missed any recent blog posts here’s a highlight of some that I think you'll enjoy…

* An awesome recipe for Sweet Potato Muffins
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2005/12/sweet-potato-muffins.html

* Announcing my new weekly Guest Blogging Event
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2005/12/announcing-weekly-guest-bloggers-event.html

* My first attempt at making Risotto
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/2005/12/risotto.html

The holidays were a very busy time around our house. I was glad to find any way I could to save time and be able to enjoy my family. One of the best time savers for us this year was ordering our groceries. I don’t know if you have ever had the opportunity to do your grocery shopping on-line, but I have done so for the past several months and I am absolutely hooked. If you have a Safeway near you (they are also known as Von’s)… you can get your grocery order delivered for free. Just thought I’d pass on a great deal!

Take a look --> http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1879789-10310072

Speaking of saving, I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for helpful tips to save me time and money in the kitchen. One of my favorite ways to “make something from nothing” is to save my stale ends from loaves of bread! That probably sounds like an odd thing to do. But there is a good reason I do so. They are very useful for many things such as grinding into breadcrumbs (just process them in your food processor, put into Ziploc bags and store in the freezer). You can use your fresh bread crumbs for casserole toppings, meatloaf and breadcrumb cookies (I’ll share that recipe with you in the next issue).

I recently found a really great recipe that I had the chance to try over the holidays. I made this as part of our “Mexican Feast” on Christmas Eve, and let me tell you, I will never make chimichangas again, these are so much better!

Mexican Egg Rolls

(modified from a recipe found at Deetsa’s Diningroom - http://deetsasdiningroom.blogspot.com/)

2 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
1 (15 ounce) can drained black beans
2 cups frozen white corn (unthawed)
1 chopped roasted red bell pepper
4 diced green onions
2 minced fresh garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
juice of ½ a lime
1 (16 ounce) package egg roll wraps
vegetable oil for frying

(makes 12-14)

1. Chop the chicken into small dices.
2. Mix all ingredients together .
3. Moisten the edges of an eggroll wrap and put approx 2 T filling in the middle .
4. Fold like you would an eggroll according to egg roll wrapper package directions.
5. Make sure the flap is sealed to keep the filling inside.
6. Heat oil to 350 degrees and cook just till golden browned.
7. Cut diagonally and serve with sour cream and salsa

I hope you enjoyed this issue of Chef Michele’s Newsletter! I’ll talk to you again next week. In the meantime… Happy Cooking!

Michele
Chef Michele’s Adventures – http://chefmichele.blogspot.com

P.S. I'd love to know what you though of this first issue of my newsletter. Please email me and let me know. If there's anything you liked, didn't like or would like me to add please let me know at chefmichele@gmail.com.

Chef Michele's Adventures

Jun 1, 2005

Favorite Recipe Sites

Frugal Meal Planning

My Recipes

Favorite Food Blogs

Tips and Hints

Holiday Recipes

Crock Pot

Newsletter Issue #4 - March 2006

Newsletter Issue #2 - January 2006

Newsletter Issue #1 - January 2006