Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Nov 6

October’s Tasty Treats

October was a busy month. I was in the kitchen non-stop. There were birthday parties to bake for, and lots of tasty treats going on in the kitchen. Here are a few photos to share…

I tried my hand at making Fresh Wheat Bread. It was delicious with just a bit of honey on top.

I also made Wheat Sub Rolls. The boys liked these for their lunches.

One of my late night sweet treats. Homemade brownies, topped with Peanut Butter, and Nutella. So good.

We picked a few fruits and veggies from the planters on the front porch.

The cool Autumn weather calls for Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.

I made a batch for us, and we took a batch to the neighbors too.

How I love thee, homemade Cinnamon Rolls.

Cold Autumn weather also calls for Chili and Cornbread. This is easy to whip up from scratch, and it is so tasty to dip in Chili.

I made many pans of Homemade Brownies. They don’t seem to last too long around here.

I also tried a new recipe for Chocolate Cookies.

The kids didn’t care for them, they just didn’t like the white chocolate chips. I loved them, they were great with a big glass of cold milk.

At the end of the month it was Agnes’ birthday. She wanted lots of treats for the party. I made cream cheese mints, homemade vanilla ice cream, homemade brownies, and chocolate Bundt cake from scratch. She wanted sprinkles on the cake.

We tried out the Vanilla Ice Cream first. It was at the tasty soft serve state. We ate so much of it, I had to make a second batch for the party.

The birthday party was so much fun! Agnes enjoyed her treats, and I had fun cooking too.

Now that November is here, that means many pies are in my future. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving!

Nov 2

November’s Monthly Menu

I am so excited that November has arrived! The cooler weather has arrived too, and I can’t wait for Thanksgiving. I’ll be spending lots of the time in the kitchen this month. I’ve finally gotten around to planning this month’s menu, with a little help from the family too. I’ve been in a cooking rut lately, so I asked them for a few ideas. So here we go it’s November’s Monthly Menu.

  • 11/1/13: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/2/13: Turkey Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Dinner Rolls
  • 11/3/13: Chili, Saltines, Corn Bread, and Cinnamon Rolls
  • 11/4/13: Beef Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 11/5/13: Panko Chicken Sandwiches and Potato Chips
  • 11/6/13: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 11/7/13: Fish Planks, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 11/8/13: Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/9/13: Pancakes and Bacon
  • 11/10/13: Pot Roast with Potatoes, and Homemade Dinner Rolls
  • 11/11/13: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/12/13: Spaghetti, Homemade Breadsticks, and Broccoli
  • 11/13/13: Pulled Pork Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 11/14/13: Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, and Crab Rangoon
  • 11/15/13: BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Potato Chips, and Fried Pickles
  • 11/16/13: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, and Cinnamon Rolls
  • 11/17/13: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Dinner Rolls
  • 11/18/13: Hamburgers and Potato Chips
  • 11/19/13: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/20/13: Corn Dogs and Fries
  • 11/21/13: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 11/22/13: Sausage, Biscuits & Gravy, Fresh Fruit, and Fruit Dip
  • 11/23/13: Panko Popcorn Chicken and Tater Tots
  • 11/24/13: Panko Chicken Tenders, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn
  • 11/25/13: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice,Chow Mien Noodles, and Crab Rangoon
  • 11/26/13: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/27/13: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 11/28/13: Happy Thanksgiving! Turkey with all of the fixings, and at least five pies
  • 11/29/13: Nachos
  • 11/30/13: Turkey Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Dinner Rolls

I have a feeling that November is going to rush by. I’ve got to get the kitchen stocked up, and the house in order before Thanksgiving.

 

Oct 17

Baking Days

With the weekend quickly approaching, I need to get some snacks ready for the kids. I’ve made a list, and I’ve got lots of dishes to cook ahead and bake. I’m splitting the list between today and tomorrow. After that I’m taking the weekend off.

I’ll be making:

  • Turkey Stock
  • Two loaves of Wheat Bread
  • Two loaves of White Bread
  • One double batch of Cinnamon Rolls
  • No Bake Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Homemade Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • Brownies from scratch
  • Homemade Salsa

Time to get to it, the clock’s ticking…

 

Oct 16

Sneak Peek Of October’s Tasty Treats

The cool weather makes me want to bake! I’ve been in the kitchen non-stop this month, and I’ve got a few sneak peek photos to share with you.

Better get back to it. I think I’ll make a homemade Chocolate Bundt Cake, and get the kitchen warmed up.

 

 

Oct 2

September’s Tasty Treats

I had lots of yummy dishes going on in the month of September. I broke in my new oven, and got back to baking. Here are a few photos from my kitchen.

My gardening buddy brought me some fresh tomatoes that he had grown. They were so delicious with pasta and broccoli. I might have to give tomato growing a try next year.

Before the new oven arrived, I made lots of no-bake goodies. The kids were pretty happy with this batch of Rice Krispies treats.

I also used the waffle maker. I made up a big batch for breakfast for dinner night. I love Belgian Waffles, and they freeze well too.

Finally the new oven arrived, and just in time too. I had a cookie catering gig in just a few days, and I needed to break in the new oven and stove.

I tested a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies to get my timing down. They were close, but they needed a bit of adjusting.

The second batch was perfect. I was making a big batch of Giant Chocolate Chip cookies, and brownies for the cookie catering gig. I took this plate over to my neighbors.

I also made Cakerdoodles for the cookie catering gig. I shared these with the neighbors too.

One large Cherry Pie,

and one large Peach Pie were also requested for the cookie catering gig.

All packed up and ready to go to the lunch.

Since I had leftover Rice Krispies, I made up a recipe for Peanut-free Scotcheroos. My kiddo with the allergy didn’t care for them, so I ended up eating them all…

I made a Chocolate Bundt Cake from scratch. I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner. It wasn’t too tough to make, and I had everything on hand to make it. The cake was moist and delicious too.

The Homemade Chocolate Glaze was easy to make too. Luckily the family approved, and I’ll be making this recipe again soon.

I made a Pumpkin Pie for the first day of Autumn. Nothing says Hello Fall, quite like pie does.

My neighbor shared her sourdough starter with me. I gave it a try, and baked two loaves of bread. They were so delicious. I have been feeding the starter, and making lots of different types of breads.

One very rainy day. I took pies to my hubby’s co-workers. One was Cherry, and the other was Dutch Apple. Surprise pies are the best.

I finished off the month by baking more Chocolate Chip Cookies. You would think they would be sick of them by now, but no, they love them. I guess I’ll keep baking them.

Speaking of Chocolate Chip Cookies, I’m pre-heating the oven right now to make another batch. The boys have an early-out day at school, and Thade is having a friend over for the afternoon. That calls for more cookies.