One month with "Paula Deen"

Well, today is April 25, 2010 and we’ve made it! We’ve been cooking “Paula Deen” food now for one month!
Can’t quite believe it….…….
The time has gone by so quickly and the food has been wonderful! So many great recipes, so little time….. Half the fun is deciding and selecting the menu for the “next week.” One has to eat and we decided why not cook Paula’s recipes on the weekends instead of fast food or just simply cooking “other recipes” and so far it has been a great experience. We created our “blog” and so far we don’t have that many “followers”, but you know these things take time. We are just enjoying all the wonderful food and can’t thank Paula enough for sharing her cooking with the world……. There is truly something to be said about food, I’m mean delicious food that you can share with friends and family! It’s all an experience a wonderful experience of taste of flavors and aromas, that fill the room and heart with unforgettable memories of great food and fellowship!

Blueberry Gelatin Salad

This gelatin salad was truly delicious! The combination of the crushed pineapple, blueberry pie filling and the black cherry gelatin was just great, and the cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla and sugar topping put it over the top! I garnished it with fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and a few mint leaves left over from the tea, this is a very easy recipe and a must do again soon! Enjoy!

Creamy Rice Pudding

It looks like it would be a fantastic pudding. I really like pudding. Mike has ear marked the recipe. Looking forward to dessert. The best part of any meal. It was not creamy and I would have liked a sweeter taste. Which was strange because I had used the vanilla milk that is very sweet. Whipped cream might have helped. Next time more milk, less cooking time, more sugar, and serve immediately. Not my favorite recipe. My daughter tasted it when I got home and really liked it. So that saved the day someone really liked it! Thanks Paula!

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Berries

Don't they look yummy yet very healthy. Grilled angle food cake with fruit. I used strawberries and mangos. Strawberry yogurt for dipping. Eat now because grilled angel food cake is not as good the next day.Use your favorite fruits, try a fruit dip, what about dipping in chocolate. It will be tasty which ever you choose.

It was grocery night for the next Weekend with Paula.The fun has started again. Of course it is a Mexican meal. Michael says he is getting into the spirit of Cinco De Mayo. So expect a festive table at Sundays meal. Michael was over to beautify my yard this evening. He is so talented. It makes me beam with pride just pulling in the driveway when I see my yard.

Minty Southern Sweet Tea

I really like tea especially flavored teas and this recipe was very nice! When I go out to eat I always look to see what type of flavored iced tea is on the menu or ask if they have any special iced tea flavors always looking for a "new" flavor. The mint in this really made it nice, the black tea was a little hard to find as most of the black teas in the store were flavored and the recipe called for "plain" black tea, but I was persistent and found it! A great tea for any occasion! Enjoy!

Cream of Artichoke Soup

We decided to make soups and foods that were fairly easy to chew this weekend because I had some oral surgery done on Friday and didn't know how much pain I would be in or what I could eat. Turns out the surgery went very well and I am able to eat just fine (right side of mouth for now) and the weather was cold and rainy so it was perfect for soups! This is a great recipe and even if you don't like artichokes I think you might like this, very flavorful, really good and easy to make! I had never had artichoke soup before and I really liked this soup! Enjoy!

Jamie's Potato Soup

Doesn't Michael's table look beautiful. He always does such a nice job making any meal a special occasion. What a celebration. Our 1st month of Paula Weekends! What a great month it has been. Always something to look forward to. Picking the menu, going to the grocery (which I really love to do), the cooking, the eating with dear friends and family, the postings of photos and comments, and then it starts all over again.

This was a very easy recipe that everyone enjoyed. Not the "from scratch" potato soup I grew up on. You will still receive compliments. Quick to put together. I simmered on low in my slow cooker over night because the amount of time it said to simmer the soup ended in the middle of the night. Our adorable puppy Daisy would have been sure it was morning if I got up to turn off the soup. It would have been play time. I think the extra simmer time gave the soup a even better flavor. Thanks Daisy. The only challenge was the cream cheese melting in the boiling soup. Sounds logical but that cream cheese did not melt into the soup. I stirred and stirred but still some lumps of cheese. It took some time to eliminate them. At serving I put out a bowl of grated cheese to garnish with. Thanks Paula!

French Onion Soup

This week marks our one month anniversary for "Weekends with Paula Deen". I decided to make the table scape a bit more festive for the occasion, with Violas and menu cards. I even had to buy new glass ware, cloth napkins and even a Paula Deen fluted pie dish! So, you know what that means pie next week for dessert! Cathy's sister-in-law Grace joined us for the second week in a row and she chose this recipe to prepare. This recipe called for Vidalia onions they were out of season, unlike in "Paula" country where they are most likely available all year (Vidalia onions were started by two college students in Georgia, just a little trivia from Grace). The recipe called for stew meat, which is unusual for French Onion Soup, it really added a great deal of flavor. This recipe called for making this soup in a slow cooker which makes this very easy to prepare! Enjoy!

Baked Spaghetti

I chose this recipe because my sister-in-law likes spaghetti but cannot eat dairy so I left out the cheeses and still had a great dish. With the cheeses layered in I am sure it is wonderful. Very good this way and spaghetti is not a top favorite of mine. I added a bit more sugar to the sauce than the recipe called for and really liked the sweet flavor. Finding organic can goods and meat was a healthy plus. I always go organic if possible. Sherwood (the adorable puppy) also liked the meat in the spaghetti. Everyone happy. Thanks Paula!

Zesty Roasted Garlic Bread

It's the weekend again! That means cooking starts for our meal at Michael's. We will not get together until Sunday this week because Michael had dental surgery today. We want to give him and his mouth enough time to heal so he can enjoy our weekly Paula feast. The menu includes soups, jello, and pudding to accommodate any lingering discomfort. Great news - Michael is recovering well with little pain.

Doesn't last week's table look good? Garlic bread with parsley gives added flavor. I always use garlic in a jar because I think the flavor is strong and very tasty. Takes less time and just as good in my opinion. This recipe is quick to make yet much better than store bought garlic breads. Think of how it would taste if you took the time to make your own bread. Thanks Paula!

One Two Three Four Cake

A update on Michael. He is recovering well. Little pain and eating regular foods. So he is ready for our Paula weekend. I started cooking and the kitchen smells are wonderful. It is a chilly, rainy weekend so soups were a good decision.

Another recipe my sister-in-law can enjoy. Paula made this a three tier cake but I simplified it to a brownie pan and cut the recipe in half. It definitely has the "from scratch" taste and not difficult to make. I use Horizon Vanilla Organic Milk. You will never taste a better flavor. I use it in any dessert that calls for milk. Only challenge is I can only find it the small 8 ounce size. Considering I was making this with the carrots as my bathroom was flooding it turned out well. I used powered sugar with vanilla milk to make the icing. Just wish I would have put more icing on the cake. The flavors were second helping good. Thanks Paula!

Honey Glazed Carrots

One of my puppy Daisy's favorite dishes. As I cut the carrots it was two for the pot and one for Daisy. She was not happy to see her beloved carrots being cooked and leaving the house. This dish is sweet, healthy, and easy to prepare. Don't flood your bathroom as you cook them or you may overcook the carrots. I think it was a plot for Daisy to get all the carrots. Fixing the food I had a lot of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and took a large pan into the bathroom to fill with water. Daisy did something to get attention, I left the pan for a minute, somehow forgot the running water, minutes continued to pass and I walked back in to find standing water. Sopping water up in the bathroom and down stairs I am sure I overcooked the carrots. They are still great overcooked. Daisy thought I should just give her the soft carrots but I took them to Michael's for us to enjoy. I used Honeyville Peach Whipped Wildflower Honey and added a bit more than the recipe called for. The flavor was wonderful. The honey came from Jungle Jim's. If you have not visited this unique store check it out. Don't live close just visit on line. I used yellow and orange carrots for a prettier color. Thanks Paula!

Four Cheese Pesto Italian Baked Spaghetti

This dish rocked! It was a big hit! I love Italian food and especially anything with cheese in it and this recipe has four different types of cheese (goat, mozzarella, Parmesan, Ricotta) a cheese lovers heaven! This is a dish that you will want to make many times I'm sure, absolutely delicious! Enjoy!

Iced Mango and Lime Tea

This was a wonderfully refreshing drink and would be a great compliment for just about anything you might serve for a spring or summer meal, and it is so easy to put together! The combination of the tea, mango nectar and lime juice was very nice, it was a hit! The recipe makes a whole gallon! Enjoy!

Banana Bread Sandwiches

This was my first time to make banana bread, and this recipe was very simple and did me proud! Everyone loved it! The filling is scrumptious! The only ingredient that was not available in the store for the filling was the pineapple preserves, so I used and apricot preserve instead and it was still delicious! The bread is very moist and you will be most pleased with the flavor combination! Tonight we were joined by our good friend Grace, who is Cathy's sister-in-law, and Mike my roommate. And unfortunately Cathy's daughter was still not feeling well and was not able to join us. Enjoy!

French Coconut Pie

We wanted to show you Michael's hot tub and the his beautiful back yard. There wilYummy pie! Again, a very easy recipe to make. Reminds me of pies I grew up enjoying. My grandmother always had dessert with all her meals. As a child pies were one of my favorite deserts. Coconut is also a favorite of mine so this caught my eye. My crust was store bought but I am sure Paula has a homemade pie crust recipe that would be a wonderful addition. We put the pie back in the oven to serve it warm with coffee. A nice ending to great meal. Whip cream would also be good to serve with the pie. If you want a healthier pie try Bobby's Lighter French Coconut Pie that is located on PaulaDeen.com.Thanks Paula!

Brooke's Pretty Ponegranate Spritzers

Cheers! This drink was a huge hit. We all loved it. My daughter picked up the ingredients on her way home from class today to have with our dinner. I am sure it will be a favorite family. It is healthy with the ponegrante plus my favorite Vernors gingerale. My grandfather worked at a Vernors plant so I grew up on Vernors. If you have a Trader Joe's close you will find the best priced ponegranate juice. None of us drink so non alcoholic works but wine can be used for more of a kick. Take in Michael's backyard it is a showplace. Just beyond the table is the hot tub and a beautiful yard filled with plants and flowers. Steps lead down to the lower garden. What a view! It was so nice eating outside altho still a little chilly. Thanks Paula!

Cornucopia Salad

This has become a favorite for all of us since I saw the recipe on Paula's website just before Thanksgiving. I knew it had to be on the holiday table at Michael's. A tasty addition to any meal. I am sure it will become a favorite with your family too. Try it with "lambs lettuce" if you have a Trader Joe's handy. We have not used iceberg since. Want your salad healthier use half spinach or try it with just spinach instead of the lettuce. My daughter voted no raisins and I always bring the banana so everyone can slice it fresh onto their salad if they choose to try. I do suggest you try the banana. Paula;s dressing is a perfect topping. She has a cornucopia salad on the menu at "Lady and Sons" but it has a different dressing. Know it has to be great but it would be hard to beat this flavor combination. Speaking of "Lady and Son;s" have any of you eaten at Paula's It would be a dream come true for us. Certainly on our to do list and hopefully on a day Paula is on site. I know people who have eaten their and they say the buffet is the best you will find anywhere. Paula and perfect go together perfectly. Thanks Paula!

Easy Herb Rolls

This is a easy but tasty recipe we all enjoyed. The herbs mixed with blue cheese and butter give these refrigerator rolls a "from scratch" look and taste. Your friends and family will think you worked for hours yet little will they realize it takes only minutes. Paula did this a bit fancier by tearing the refrigerator rolls into pieces and baking them in a loaf pan. I was detained at work , had to run home, load the car, be loving to my sick daughter, give our puppy some love, and arrive late at Michael's. So the quicker they made it to the oven the sooner we sit down to another delicious meal. It was delicious. Thanks Paula!

Spicy Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes

What a fun evening at Michael's. "Weekends With Paula" mean great food and the company of good friends. My daughter was home sick but we made a "doggy Bag" and she has enjoyed it even if she is not feeling better yet. We missed her. She saw this recipe in Paula's magazine and wanted to try it. The stuffed potatoes were easy to prepare. If you or anyone you are cooking for can't eat or just do not care for seafood or you want to make the dish a little less expensive don't add the seafood sauce. The sauce is really good but so are the potatoes. Try some both ways. Know Paula must love this recipe....she loves potatoes and good recipies. Thanks Paula!

Tartar Sauce

This tartar sauce was the perfect compliment for the crab cakes. Very easy to make and the lemon juice added a nice "zing" and great flavor! If you like sea food, this tartar sauce should go nicely with most breaded sea food that needs a dipping sauce, enjoy!

Savanah Crab Cakes

Crab cakes just sounded good this weekend! These were fairly easy to put together, just some chopping of the green bell pepper and green onions. When I was in the store getting the ingredients I went to the fresh seafood counter and asked for some fresh crabmeat and the lady said it was not very popular and they no longer had it available, so I had to buy the crabmeat in the little containers (it was still real crabmeat NOT imitation). The only mistake I make was over cooking the crab cakes a bit, but they were not burnt and were delicious! So be careful that you take them out of the oil when they are still light in color.

Chocolate Gooey ButterCookies

These cookies are pictured in the center of the plate and a favorite of Michael's so they had to be an addition to our Easter meal. You can make them in any flavor. The last time I make them I used a white cake with lemon juice, coconut, and nuts. To the Easter cookies I added peanut butter and banana. If you have tried Paula's Gooey Bars this is the great cookie spin off. The Gooey Bars have been a family favorite of ours for a few years and now we have them to enjoy in cookie form also. If you have never tried the Gooey Bars go directly to Paula's website and print out the recipe to try. People say Wall Mart carries baked Paula's Gooey Bars but I have never found them at our local stores. If you can find them they would be great to pick up when you want to impress but do have time to bake or just don't like to bake. Thanks Paula!

Gingered Carrot Cake

If you like carrot cake you're going to love this. wow! It was even worth the 30 minutes of carrot grating! There are three cakes and the icing is inbetween the layers and the pecans are pressed into the icing around the sides. The cake is so incredibly moist! Definately worth the time it takes to make this wonderful dessert! Enjoy!

Vadalia Onion Pie

This is a unique quiche like recipe that combines the usual ingredients with sour cream. It gives added flavor to the pie. I did add some grated parmesan cheese to give it a more quiche like taste. Hoping Paula does not mind that I tend to get creative when I cook. Can't believe I found out what Paula had for Easter dinner. She was on the Joy Behar Show and talked about her Easter. Ham, beer in the rear minus the beer this time, yams, potato salad, vegetables from her garden and banana pudding. She and Michael had friends and family over to enjoy the holiday. Asked her favorite food she said potatoes. Asked who she would like to cook for she said her parents because she lost them way too soon. What would she like to do she has not done? Solve a murder because she is interested in forensics. What makes her mad? She does not get mad anymore. There was so much fighting early in life with her first marriage but don't mess with her kids! Paula was on the show promoting her new book "Savanna Style" about her beloved home of the past 20+ years. A new must for all us Paula fans. Thanks Paula!