Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Jul 2

June’s Tasty Treats

When it was June, I finally got back in the kitchen! I was feeling better, and ready to get back to baking.

I made some pies and some triple chocolate-caramel cookie bars.

We gave grilling a try.

I love homemade Apple Pie! With extra vanilla ice cream too.

I made some tasty Banana muffins too.

The family was happy when I made a big batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I’ve been trying out different batches of infused water. This one was Apple-Strawberry-Watermelon, and it was delicious.

The kids requested a batch of Pepperoni Pizza Rolls. I always double the batch

I made an Apricot Duff, and Chocolate Bundt Cake too. I also crocheted a few dishtowels too.

July is here, and I’ve already been cooking non-stop! I’m happy in the kitchen though.

 

 

Jul 1

July’s Monthly Menu

Hello July! And hello Summertime favorite meals. I’m going to swap out a few of the meals for grilling on Friday nights when the weather permits. I’ve got lots of tasty meals planned for the month of July.

  • 7/1/2014: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls
  • 7/2/2014: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 7/3/2014: Chicken Rice-a-Roni, Corn, Hominy, and Dinner Rolls
  • 7/4/2014: BBQ! Pies! Fourth of July AWESOMENESS!!!
  • 7/5/2014: Pancakes and Bacon
  • 7/6/2014: Pot Roast with Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls
  • 7/7/2014: Chicken Soft Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip,  and Re-fried Beans
  • 7/8/2014: Panko Chicken Sandwiches and Potato Chips
  • 7/9/2014: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 7/10/2014: Popcorn Chicken and Tater Tots
  • 7/11/2014: Nachos
  • 7/12/2014: Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, and Hash Browns
  • 7/13/2014: Panko Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Dinner Rolls, and Cherry Pie
  • 7/14/2014: Pulled Pork Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 7/15/2014: Beef Rice-a-Roni, Hominy, and Broccoli
  • 7/16/2014: Chicken Soft Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 7/17/2014: BBQ Pork Sandwiches and Potato Chips
  • 7/18/2014: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 7/19/2014: Belgian Waffles, Strawberries, Whipped Cream, and Bacon
  • 7/20/2014: Salmon Cakes, Black Beans and Rice, Corn, and Sliced Watermelon
  • 7/21/2014: Nachos
  • 7/22/2014: Spaghetti, Black Olives,and Homemade French Bread
  • 7/23/2014: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 7/24/2014: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls
  • 7/25/2014: Beef Soft Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 7/26/2014: Pancakes and Bacon
  • 7/27/2014: Panko Fried Chicken, Hominy, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls
  • 7/28/2014: Chicken Soft Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 7/29/2014: Popcorn Chicken and Tater Tots
  • 7/30/3014: Nachos
  • 7/31/2014: Pizza Rolls, Spaghetti, and Homemade French Bread

We are about half-way through Summer break, and it has been nice taking it easy. I’m not quite ready for the crazy-warm July weather, but I love cooking outdoors. Hope you are having a fun Summer!

 

 

 

Jun 17

Sneak Peek of June’s Tasty Treats

So far I’ve kept my word. I’ve been baking up a storm in the kitchen. The kids are happy, and my hubby is happier about it too. It is good to be back to baking. I have a few sneak peek pictures of what I’ve been up to so far.

On a side note, the kids are still snoozing this morning. The house is nice and quiet. Time to get to a few early morning chores.

 

Jun 11

Let’s Grill

 

When the weather is cooperating, the kids love to be in the backyard.

On one pretty sunny day, I decided to clean up the old grill, and give grilling a try.

Grilling/smoking/ BBQ-ing is one skill that I would like to master. I watched a few videos online for tips to get started grilling.

I started some coals on one side of the grill, and left half of the grill empty for carry-over cooking. I also scrubbed the grill with a brush, and it cleaned up well.

The grill was clean, and the coals were ready.

I made burgers for the big kid, James, and me. Dylan and Agnes wanted hot dogs.

I got them a little bit done, but not too bad for my first try.

The grilled burgers and hot dogs were fantastic! I’m not a big burger fan, but the flavor of the grill made them so tasty. I will be giving grilling another try. Maybe I’ll work my way up to smoking some Ribs.

 

Jun 2

May’s Tasty Treats

Well this post will be short and sweet today. May was a rough month, and I wasn’t able to spend much time in the kitchen. I hope to do better in June though. Today I have a few photos to share with you, seriously I will do better in June.

May brought along a lot of weather related migraines. I took my coffee to go with me on most mornings.

May also brought along a very-evil-tummy-bug that swept through the house, and lasted for weeks.

Very late in the month I finally felt like baking. I spotted this easy recipe for Lazy Day Cookie Bars  on a friend’s facebook post. I had everything on hand to make it, and holy moly did the kids love it!

I made at least three batches of the Chocolate Chip and M&M variety. I decided to tweak the recipe a bit, and test a different batch.

I used a chocolate cake mix this time, and added in four different types of Chocolate chips and chunks. I also added caramel bits to the batter, and on top to melt too. These were absolutely delicious, and the kids really loved them. They have already requested a few more batches. I made another batch last night for their dessert. It was great to be back and busy in the kitchen.

Since it is Summer…

Ice Cream cones are mandatory! I also have the freezer stocked with pop-ice for the kiddos. I love Summertime sweet treats.