Memories

I don't know exactly what was going on or anything, but I had the strangest feeling, and all of a sudden, my mind was transferred back to our old kitchen in our old house in California. The one my parents bought before they divorced. It was peach colored and had some sort of pretty valance for the kitchen window. The ground was a weird type of red brick, if I recall correctly. I cannot remember the color of the counters, but I know they were not tile, they were beige-ish, I believe. We had a portable dishwasher and a huge ass microwave. There were many times in that kitchen I would remember my dad preparing dinner, and it was usually something I detested and did not look forward to. I was a very picky eater as a child.

Anyhow, this weird feeling had me standing at the sink looking at the window, remembering the color of the kitchen and the valance on the window. Remembering the door to my left that lead to the garage. Remembering that glass-topped dining table we used to have that survived even the fire that hit us later on.

Kind of makes me sad, but brought back some memories. Making homemade apple pies with my dad- we used to have a plum and apple tree in the back. I even recall a time where I was making a homemade pizza with my father, and he used the F word, and I blurted out, "Ooh! You said F***!" and both of my parents started laughing. I had to have been about my own daughter's age.

Sometimes I wish I could just go back!

Crispy Chicken Parmigiana

Submitted by my cousin, in California.

Ingredients:

2 Lg Eggs

1 tsp Salt

1/8 tsp Black Pepper

6 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 5 oz each)

1 cup Crushed Crackers ( or even wheat thins )

1/2 cups Vegetable Oil

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/8 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tbsp Butter

1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

6 Slices Mozzarella Cheese


1.Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2.Whisk eggs, salt and pepper until blended. Dip chicken in egg mixture and coat with cracker crumbs.

3.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken. Cook chicken until brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side; drain. Arrange in single layer in prepared baking dish.

4.Preheat oven to 350°F. Wipe skillet with paper towels. Combine tomato sauce, basil and garlic powder in skillet and mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally;reduce heat.

5.Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thickend, about 6 minutes. Stir in butter. Pour over the chicken. Sprinkle with the parmesan.

6.Bake, covered for 30 minutes; remove the cover. Top each chicken breast with mozzarella. Bake for ten minutes longer.

I think you'll enjoy this meal a lot, it takes about 20 minutes to prepare, and 40 to bake!

Nutty Cheesecake Bites (no baking required!)

Provided by Snowbound in the Yukon, who also has the Not Just Cheesecake blog:

1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. carb options, creamy peanut spread
1/4 c. splenda, no calorie sweetener
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
finely chopped peanuts or unsweetened shredded coconut

1. In medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed combine all ingredients excepts peanuts, scraping sides of bowl, as needed. Chill 30 minutes or until firm.
2. Roll into 3/4 inch balls, then roll in peanuts. Chill an additional 15 min before serving.

Makes: 30 (3/4 in) serv.
prep: 20 min
chill time: 45 min.

cal. 70

Favorite types of ice cream?

Many people tell me Ben & Jerry's Phish Food. I haven't had it yet, what exactly is that? For me, personally, I really like Tillamook Ice Cream. It's made in Tillamook, Oregon, and has been one of the best tasting ice creams I have ever had in my life. So far we have tried: Mint Chocolate Chip (5/5), Oregon Strawberry (4/5, if you love strawberries, you will love this), Chocolate Peanut Butter (which my husband proclaims is a 10/5, I haven't tried it), Tillamook Mudslide (this one is a Chocolate Lover's Paradise, 5/5), Udderly Chocolate (5/5). Next up we'll be trying Marionberry, and Espresso Latte (I think that's what it is called).

Another thing is, everyone has raved to me about how "great" the Cold Stone Creamery is. Well, my little girl had a coupon for a freebie Kid's Creation, so we went over there and ordered some ice cream for ourselves. My husband went with a small Chocolate Lover's Creation, and I had the small Banana Caramel Crunch Creation. While it was a nice treat for a hot day, I think it's a bit overpriced and overrated. IMO, it was as good as Baskin Robbins. It just didn't really do much for me, and the prices were outrageous as well.

Do you prefer sorbets? Ice Creams? Or other icy treats during the hot summer?

Last night's supper

Last night I tried something a little different for supper. I fried up/browned up cut up chicken breasts (2 of them), and made penne pasta. Then I simmered the chicken breasts in Barilla Sweet Peppers, Garlic and Onion marinara sauce with a little bit of sour cream. After that, everything was combined (the penne pasta and chicken sauce). It was a hit in the household, except for picky daughter who likes nothing.

My only complaint was it was a bit TOO sweet, but it was pretty good, overall. Next time I will omit the sour cream (substituted for heavy cream I didn't have).

More recipes- not just pie

I have decided this to be my official "recipe" blog...please feel free to send in all recipes of all genres to me at:

omypie@gmail.com

When sending your recipe, please post the following:

Name: (Doesn't have to be your real name, your blog name will suffice)
Email: (Please specify if you want this to be kept private or added when I post your recipe)
Personal website URL: (This can be your blog, myspace, just one rule: no websites for cash type, no spam types)

I will be posting the first recipe challenge soon!

Share your pie recipes

You can email me at:

omypie@gmail.com

Send in your recipes and reviews of pies and they will be posted here. I also need your rating on the recipe (how good it was, etc). I will fully credit you however you like (your name, your Blogger name, your NOTI name, etc).

Also, if you have pictures of pie, please send them to me.

Thank you.

Creamy Lemon Cheesecake Pie

This is tried & true. I give it a 5/5. The sour cream is an excellent addition to the sour nature of the lemon juice & peel. It's simple, too.

Make 6 Servings

1 lb cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp fresh grated lemon peel
2 Eggs
1 pre-made Graham cracker crust (9 inch)

Beat cream cheese in bowl (if you have an electric mixer use that) until creamy.

Add sugar; beat until well-blended

Add sour cream, lemon juice and lemon peel, mix well.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended.

Pour batter into pie shell, bake at 325F for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

It's official

Toast is dead.

Pie is hot.

And people should stop taking an online message board so seriously. Life is too short!