food | Nestlie B

October 7, 2021 5 Mins Read

Afternoon Tea at The Spicery in Glendale

Lifestyle

My family loves all things tea. This includes tea cups, tea pots, and having afternoon tea together. Therefore, having lunch and tea at The Spicery in Glendale was a perfect activity for us to have during my nieces two week visit.

If you love having afternoon tea like we do, take a moment to read the post below to see how our visit went at the Spicery.

The Location

The Spicery in Our 1895 Home is located in a converted house in Glendale Arizona. It’s located in what looks like a quaint and unassuming one level sage green house. However, looks can be very deceiving. Once we walked the brick pathway up to the front door and stepped inside, we were in for a pleasant surprise.

The house is actually filled with vintage decor from floor to ceiling. You immediately feel like you have stepped back in time upon entering the Spicery. The shelves and cabinets contain tea pots and cups of all shapes and sizes. The walls are lined with floral wallpaper, pictures, and other accessories that remind you of grandma’s house. The tables are covered in lace tablecloths with small floral arrangements placed in the center. It was the perfect setting for afternoon tea with Gigi and the girls.

Our Experience

The Seating

Once we checked in with the hostess (I made a reservation two days in advance), we were escorted to our table. As we walked through the house to our seats, we saw that there were several rooms in the house (the house was much larger than we expected). We noticed that each room had its own theme and set up. It was definitely a sight to behold.

Our table was located near the rear of the house. It was already set with a lace cloth, tea cups, napkins, utensils, and menus. We each had our own unique cup and plate. Even our seats were all different. It was a lovely, yet eclectic look. Everything you would expect for afternoon tea.

Service and Food

When you make a reservation at the Spicery, they ask you to place your order in advance so they know what to prepare for your visit. Therefore, I ordered the three course meal for the four of us. A children’s version for the girls and the adult version for me and Gigi. It turned out to be the best choice for our meal.

After we sat and viewed the tea menu for a few minutes, the waitress came to take our tea order. She also explained what food would come out for each course. The tea would come out with the first course and be refilled throughout the meal if needed. Then each subsequent course would come out when the previous course was completed.

The First Course

The first course consisted of tea, scones, and fruit. It was a great start to our meal. We loved our tea, but we especially loved the scones, butter, and flavored creme. You could tell that Ayla and Gigi really enjoyed the flavored creme because they were eating it directly from the spoon instead of smearing it onto their scones.

The Second Course

The second course consisted of the savory food. We were served a variety of tea sandwiches filled with chicken salad, egg salad, turkey, ham, and cheese. Each one was tasty and filling. Our bellies were almost stuffed before we even reached the third course.

The Third Course

For our third and final course we had a variety of desserts. Even though our stomachs were almost at maximum capacity, we tasted a few of them for good measure. We were served cupcakes, lemon bars, and parfaits. All of them were equally good and delectable.

Final Thoughts

I have nothing but positive things to say about The Spicery in Our House in Glendale. It was a delightful place to visit. The food and tea were great and the service was excellent. I was so happy to share this experience with my family. Especially, with my mother who instilled within us a love for tea and an appreciation for tea sets. I was really happy to see her enjoy herself throughout the experience.

Tips For Your Visit

Call ahead and make a reservation. You will not be able to get a seat without calling in advance.
Order your food while you are making a reservation. You will have to ask them about their menu over the phone because their website doesn’t provide a full menu to view.
Explore the venue and take plenty of pictures. There is a lot to take in and you will definitely want to have pictures for future reference and memories.

In summary, I definitely recommend the Spicery for a fun afternoon activity. The food and tea are delicious and the atmosphere is a delight to behold.

July 29, 2021 4 Mins Read

Baking Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes With My Nieces

Cooking With Kids

During my nieces two week visit, I had to come up with a lot of fun activities to do while they were here in Arizona on vacation. One of the ideas I had on my long list of activities was baking ice cream cone cupcakes together. I felt it was a creative and tasty activity to do with them on one of our slower days in the house. They seemed relatively easy to make and required only a few ingredients. Therefore, me and girls spent a fun few hours making these delectable treats while trying to keep cool in the house.

If you are interested in how we made these cute confections, take a look at the process below.

How It Started

As usual, before we started, I researched how to make these sweet treats on Pinterest and YouTube. I read a few blog posts, looked at a ton of pictures, and watched a couple of videos to make sure I understood the process. I found this video by Baking a Moment on YouTube to be very simple and useful. I also used this American Buttercream Frosting recipe by Sophia Assunta on her Partylicious website to create a wonderful frosting for the cupcakes.

Ingredients/Materials

Here is a basic list of ingredients and materials that we used to create the cupcakes. Click the links above for the instructions and measurements.

Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix (see box for ingredients)
2 boxes of ice cream cones (12 count)
Powdered sugar
Vanilla Extract
Milk
Sprinkles
Food coloring
2 aluminum foil pans
Aluminum foil
Hand mixer
Ice cream scooper
2 Icing bags
2 Icing tips

The Process

First, I had Ayla and her friend read the directions and take out all of the ingredients needed for the vanilla cake recipe. With a little guidance, Ayla and her friend successfully made the cake batter required for the dessert.

Noelle gave the batter an extra stir to make sure it was ready (LOL).

While the girls made the cake, Noelle and I prepared the pans. It was an easy process. First, we securely laid the aluminum foil on top of each pan. Then, we cut holes big enough to hold the ice cream cones. Finally, we placed a cone in each of the holes.

For the next step of the process, we used the ice cream scooper to ladle the cake batter into each ice cream cone. We had a total of 18 cones by the time we were finished.

Once each cone was filled, we placed them in the oven and baked them according to the cake mix directions or until the toothpick came out clean. Unfortunately, we learned our lesson about over filling the cones the hard way because some of the batter spilled over onto the foil or connected with the cone next to it.

While the cupcakes were cooling, I quickly made the buttercream frosting. I split the frosting in half and added a little red food coloring to half of the batch in order to create a pink frosting. I then placed the white and pink frostings into two bags with different tips.

Once the cupcakes were cooled, we began to add frosting to each cupcake. To add a little pizazz to the cupcakes, we added a variety of sprinkles and candy decorations.

The Results

The ice cream cone cupcakes were a success. They turned out just the way all of the blogs and videos described. They were easy to create and very pretty to look at. However, the adults and children had different points of view on how they tasted. The children thought they were great. They loved the entire presentation and flavor of the cupcake.

On the other hand, my mother and I liked the taste of the cake and the frosting, but would have preferred it without the cone. The cone didn’t add any flavor to the dessert. It was bland and chewy. Plus, it made it quite messy to eat.

Final Thoughts

This was an enjoyable activity to do with the kids. We had a blast from start to finish. If you like cooking with your kids, I highly recommend making these ice cream cone cupcakes. It’s a great bonding activity for the family and the children will love it.

June 19, 2021 6 Mins Read

HelloFresh Review: Is It Worth It?

Lifestyle

Like most people, I have seen ads for various food delivery services for several years and wondered if they are really worth it. According to the commercials, these services offer fresh ready to prepare meal kits delivered directly to your front door. Each company claims to provide affordable and easy recipes to fit your every need. All you need to do is visit the site, choose a plan, pick your menu, and pay for the privilege. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

I have known a few people who have tried these meal services over the years and have given them positive reviews. I was interested in checking them out, but wasn’t sure if I could afford it. So, when we received a gift card to try the service out for free, my mother was thrilled to have the opportunity to check it out. So, she visited the website and started us on our HelloFresh journey.

Check out my review of HelloFresh below to see if the service is worth it or not.

How It Works

The HelloFresh site is colorful, attractive, and simple to navigate. You can use the menu located at the top of the page to navigate the website with ease. The menu provides you with information about the service, plans, menus, and gift cards.

If you choose the plan section of the menu, you can quickly start setting up your account and picking your meals. You are also given the option to enter your gift card or discount code if are fortunate to have one.

The plan section of the site first prompts you to choose your preference. The options range from meat & veggies to pescatarian. There is a little something for everyone on the preference menu. My mother chose the meat and veggies option for our meals.

Once you have chosen your meal preference, you will need to customize your plan. First, you must choose the number of people you will be feeding. You can only choose 2 or 4 people under this option. Next, you are asked to pick the number of recipes you require for the week. You can choose between 2-5 meals for the week. My mother chose the two meal option.

After you have made your selections, the screen automatically updates to show you the price of your options. As you can see from the screenshot above, the price for 2 meals for two people is $54.95. If you are satisfied with your choices, you can move to the next set of instructions to complete your order.

The Packaging

Our kit arrived one week later. It was delivered in an insulated eco-friendly cardboard box emblazoned with the green and white HelloFresh logo on front and sides of the container. The inside flaps of the box also contain information on how to dispose of the box and the ice packs.

Located inside the box were the ingredients needed to create each meal. The box contained two paper bags that were labeled with the names of the meals. Each bag contained the vegetables, seasonings, condiments, and sides required to make each recipe.

The bottom of the box housed the ice packs and the meat that accompanied each meal. The paper bags and the meats were separated by a piece of cardboard in order to prevent cross contamination. All of the ingredients arrived safely. Nothing was opened, spilled, or spoiled in the shipping process.

After the HelloFresh box arrived, we quickly placed the food in the refrigerator and freezer until we were ready to use them.

Special Note: The box has all of the main ingredients for the recipe, but it doesn’t have some of the minor ingredients like butter, oil, salt, and pepper. You are expected to have those in your kitchen in order to complete the recipe.

HelloFresh Instructional Materials

While we were impressed with the packaging of the kits, we were a little disappointed with the lack of recipe instructions. Apparently, the person who packaged our meal kits failed to include the recipes inside of the box. We searched both the box and bags, but came up with nothing. Fortunately, I was able to go on the website and find the recipes. All I needed to do was download the file and print it out.

The instructions are pretty easy to follow. They are definitely written for all skill levels. Each recipe contains the ingredients, measurements for 2 or 4 people, and directions. Each step of the directions also has an accompanying image which is very helpful.

What Did I Cook?

Meal 1: Cherry Balsamic Chicken

This first meal was a hit and was quite flavorful. It consisted of pan cooked chicken glazed with a cherry balsamic sauce, roasted carrots, and couscous flavored with garlic and almonds. Each component of the dish worked well together and made a harmonious blend of flavors. The ingredients made just enough to make two plates. We ate every last crumb.

HelloFresh Cherry Balsamic Chicken Recipe — Cherry Balsamic Chicken

Meal 2: Spicy Maple Chicken

Our second meal didn’t disappoint. It was almost as tasty and flavorful as the cherry balsamic chicken. For this meal, we ate mashed sweet potatoes, panko crusted chicken, and roasted green beans. I did adlib a bit by adding more maple syrup to the sweet potatoes and sauce. The only thing I wasn’t impressed with was the fry seasoning. I think it could have had a little more flavor. Otherwise, this meal was quite enjoyable.

HelloFresh Spicy Maple Chicken Recipe — Spicy Maple Chicken

How Easy Are HelloFresh Meals to Create?

These meals are fairly easy to make. The recipes are clearly designed for novice cooks with all the ingredients listed and images of each step. Additionally, the kits come with the exact amount of ingredients required. Therefore, there isn’t a lot of measuring involved. Anybody with just basic chopping and mixing skills should be able to create these meals.

Final Thoughts

Pros

It’s convenient. All of the necessary food is supplied and the recipes are printed and ready to go. There is no need to visit the grocery store.
The recipes are easy to make. They don’t require a lot of technical skill.
Everything is pre-measured, packaged, and ready to cook.
You don’t have to think hard or come up with recipe ideas daily.
No food is wasted. You are given the right amount of food for just one meal.

Cons

Not enough food for leftovers.
The recipes are not challenging or creative enough for more advanced cooks.
It’s expensive because technically you still have to go the grocery store to buy additional meals for the rest of the week.

Overall, we enjoyed our HelloFresh meals and experience. I think it’s a good option for beginner cooks and people who don’t have time to come up with recipes and visit the grocery store. If I was given another gift card, I would definitely order again.

What are your thoughts about meal kit services? Tell me in the comments below.

June 18, 2021 10 Mins Read

12 Easy Party Planning Tips and Tricks

Lifestyle

My mother and I enjoy hosting a festive gathering from time to time. It’s always fun to eat good food, listen to music, and chat with family and friends. Even though we always have a good time the day of the event, the days leading up to the party can be a little stressful. The planning and set up phases can sometimes feel like a chore. That’s why I have come up with these 11 easy party planning tips and tricks to help plan your next event.

Take a look at the tips below for some great party planning ideas.

Tip 1: Plan

Planning is a crucial part of having a successful party. Taking the time to sit down and plan every aspect of your party in advance is key to executing a great party and will help eliminate stress. In your plan, you need to include information about budget, supplies, menu, guests, theme, date, time, etc…

You can write your ideas down on paper, type them into a Word document, or use an app. The point is to write your thoughts down and use them as a reference while you are preparing for your party. As you continue to prepare for your event, you can check items off of your list as you go.

I’m personally a fan of checklists. I like being able to check things off of my list as I go. It gives me a since of accomplishment and I feel like I’m achieving my goals.

Tip 2: Create a Guest List

Getting your guest list together can be tricky, but it’s crucial to having a successful party. There are a lot of factors you must take into consideration when you are creating a guest list.

First, you must consider the size of your space. That helps to determine the number of people you should invite that can fit comfortably in the space.
Second, you need to consider the type of party you are having. Some parties need to be a particular size depending on the theme for the night.
Third, you need to consider your budget when generating a guest list because it takes money to accommodate your guests.
Once you have created your guest list, STICK TO IT. Be sure that you clearly state in the invite how many people are invited to the party and if they are allowed to bring another guest. Letting them know this up front will eliminate a lot of headaches in the end. You don’t want more people at your party than you can handle.

Tip 3 : Send Out Invitations

Once you have created your guest list, you need to send out invitations to your guests. The general rule is that you should send out your invitations at least three weeks in advance for casual gatherings . That way, your guests have time to respond. For more formal events, you should send out invitations further in advance (six to eight weeks).

Invitations can be sent in a variety of ways.

Send paper invitations through the mail
Email invitations using sites such as Evites or Paperless Post
Text message invitations using apps like Hobnob

Tip 4: Choose a Venue

When you are planning your event you must consider whether you want to have it in your home or at another location. Costs, time, space, & the number of guests will help determine whether or not you should have it at home or away. If you have the budget to have the party at another venue, then I say go for it. I find that it makes life a little easier if you have it elsewhere. It eliminates the need for you to cook, clean or prepare. The only thing you really have to do is plan and coordinate with the venue, then let them handle the rest. That way, all that you need to do is show up the day of the party and enjoy the fun. Just be sure you have chosen a venue that has a good reputation and is willing to work with you.

Tip 5: Check Your Supplies

Once you have created your plan and have listed all of the materials needed for the party, be sure to check your kitchen, pantry & closets for everything on your list. You may have most, if not all, of the materials needed for your party. Check off items on your list as you go along in order to ensure you only buy or borrow materials that are absolutely necessary and you don’t own.

Tip 6: Gather Your Materials

Once you have checked your home or storage for supplies, it’s time to gather the materials that you do not have for your party. You can either purchase them yourself, if you want to keep them for future events or borrow them. However, BE CAREFUL when you borrow materials from a friend or supplier. Make sure they are in good condition IN ADVANCE. By checking the materials in advance, you can be sure they function properly or if they don’t, find replacement materials that are in better condition before the party.

When to Buy: If you know you will have more gatherings and the supplies will be used more than once or if the item can’t be borrowed.

When to Borrow or Rent: If you know that you will only use the supplies only one time.

Tip 7: Purchase Your Party Supplies

The following establishments are just suggestions. You may purchase these items wherever you desire based on your budget and location. Try to stick to your budget and list when making purchases.

Party City
Amazon
AC Moore
Michaels
JoAnns
Crate And Barrel
Thrift Stores
Prop Stores
Target
Walmart
Bed Bath & Beyond
Dollar Stores
Any store that may sale party supplies, dishes, table linen, etc…
Any arts and crafts stores

Tip 8: Plan the Menu

The menu should be based on the type of party you are planning and the guests you plan to invite. You want all of your guests to be able to eat and drink while they are enjoying the festivities. Therefore, you will also need to take the dietary needs of your guests into consideration. Having both alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks available is a wise choice. You should also have a variety appetizers, main dishes, & desserts that will accommodate a variety of tastes. Keep in mind that you might have guests who are vegetarian, don’t eat certain types of meat, or have food allergies.

Another decision you may have to make when planning a menu is if you plan on cooking the food yourself or having it catered. Cooking the food yourself might be more cost effective, but it also can be more time consuming. You definitely need to make time in your schedule to prepare the food for the party in advance in order to have everything ready for the party on time. If you decide to have it catered, you have to make room in your budget to order the food. You will also have to make time to pick up the food or be sure it can be delivered in time for the party.

Finally, some people like to ask guests to bring food or drink to the party. Like a potluck of sorts. There are pros and cons to this idea. Two major pros for this idea are that it’s cost effective and it cuts down on your time in the kitchen. However, the con to this idea is that some people may have good intentions, but don’t really follow through. If they don’t follow through, then you may not have enough food or drink for all of your guests. So be careful with the potluck concept. You want to be sure that the people you ask to bring something to the party are reliable and will follow through.

Tip 9: Start Cleaning and Setting Up a Week in Advance

Getting your home reading for a party can be a daunting task. If you work full or part time, it can really be difficult to properly prepare for a party. I have found that it makes life easier if I start cleaning, preparing, & decorating my home for guests at least a week in advance so that I’m not overwhelmed the day before or the day of the party. I like to clean or complete one task each day leading up to the party. That way, when the big day arrives, most (if not all) of the work is done and I can relax and enjoy the party. I also like to take off the day before a party so I can tie up any loose ends and do last minute preparations without having to worry about getting things ready after a long, hard day at work.

Tip 10: Get Crafty With D.I.Y. Projects

D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) projects can be a great way to decorate for your party. If you are a crafty person, there are a lot of ways to create wonderful decorations, centerpieces, and tablescapes to embellish your party space. In order to successfully complete your D.I.Y. project, be sure to plan and gather your materials well in advance. You want to make sure you have everything you need to implement the project in addition to getting it done in time to decorate for the party. There are many resources and ideas online and at your local bookstore that will help you decorate like a pro. However, if you are not a crafty person and don’t have many crafty friends, there is no shame in buying pre-made decorations. Everybody can’t be Martha Stewart.

Tip 11: Engage Your Guests With Fun Activities and Games

Activities & games are a fun way to engage your guests and get the party started. I have read on some websites that party activities are juvenile, corny, annoying and shouldn’t be done. However, I personally think it depends on the theme of the party and the type of people you invite. If you take those factors into consideration, you should be able to determine if games or activities are appropriate for your party or not. You can find a lot of ideas for party activities online or in the bookstore. Especially, if the party has a fun theme. Play away and enjoy.

Tip 12: Decide on the Type of Music You Want to Play

Party Music Image — Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Music helps set the mood or tone for a party. The choice of music depends on the theme of the party, the activities you have planned, and the mood you want to create. You can either create your own music list, play a streaming station like Pandora or Spotify, hire a DJ, or have no music at all. The choice is yours. Just be sure to plan your music ahead of time so it’s ready at the start of the party.

February 10, 2021 5 Mins Read

6 Galentine’s Day Party Ideas

Lifestyle

Hosting a Galentine’s Day party is a great way to celebrate the women in your life. Originally, created by the character Leslie Knope on the show Parks and Recreation back in 2010, it was a fictional holiday that actually caught on in in the real world. Since then, women around the world have been gathering for Galentine’s Day parties to honor the women in their lives.

Galentine’s Day is normally observed on February 13th, the day before Valentine’s Day. During this fun celebration, NO BOYS ARE ALLOWED. It’s a GIRLS ONLY gathering. It is also a fun and creative way to celebrate your sister-friends.

Whether you celebrate with one friend or a large group of gal pals, you can celebrate Galentine’s Day in style with these fun ideas. Check out the remainder of this post for great Galentine’s Day party tips for a festive celebration every one can enjoy.

SPECIAL NOTE: Many of these ideas can be done at home or at a public venue. Of course this all depends on if we are out of quarantine and it’s safe to gather in a group publicly again.

1. Come Up With a Great Party Theme

Photo by Carolyn Christine on Unsplash

A good theme sets the tone of a party. Here are some cool party themes for an adult Galentine’s Day party your guests won’t forget.

Cookies and Cocktails
Spa Day
Pancakes and Pajamas (slumber party)
Luau
Masks and Mimosas (pampering/facials)
Paris
Tea Party
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Glamping
Celebrate a specific decade (a 70’s or 80’s themed party)
Brunch
Chic Picnic

2. Select Your Food and Drinks

Photo By Kelsey Chance on Unsplash

The type of food and drinks you have depend on your theme, budget, and time. However, no matter what your situation may be, it’s always nice have something good for your guests to nibble on while they party the night away.

Take a look at a few suggestions below.

Brunch – Eggs, pancakes, fruit, bacon, sausage, donuts, etc…
Order party trays from a local grocery store – This idea is great if you have the money and don’t have time to cook for the event ahead of time.
Create a signature drink that fits the party theme.
Design a Galentine’s Day charcuterie tray with snacks and sweet treats that fit your theme.
Have a pot luck. Ask your friends to bring their favorite dish to the event.
Fix a bunch of appetizers and display them on party trays.
If you are real fancy and can afford it, have it catered.

3. Decorate

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Put up party decorations based on your theme. Decorations can come in the form of streamers, balloons, wall decorations, decorative plates and cute cups. For my Galentine’s Day party back in 2016, I went with the standard red and pink hearts and flowers for my decor.

Party decorations can be found everywhere. Places like Target, Michaels, Walmart, and Party City all have wonderful decorations to fit a multitude of themes year round.

4. Plan Fun Activities for the Party

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

You should have a fun activity or two planned for your guests to participate in while they attend your event.

Here are a few suggestions to get the party started right.

Sip and paint
Arts and crafts
Do each other’s makeup
Secret Cupid gift exchange
Watch romantic comedy movies
Decorate cookies
Play games
Manicures/Pedicures
Wine tasting
Bake and take
Iron Chef Challenge
Create a variety of cocktail recipes
Make handmade Galentine’s cards for each other

5. Make Gift Bags for Your Guests

Create gift bags for your guests to take home with them when the party is over. Party gifts can range from cheap to expensive based on your budget. I put things like lip gloss and fingernail polish in my gift boxes as parting gifts for my guests.

6. Take Plenty of Pictures

Photo by Joseph Kellner on Unsplash

Be sure to take plenty of pictures of the event. Share them with your guests via text, email, or social media.

You could also create a photo collage or slideshow of the evening’s festivities to send to your friends so they will always have a copy of the good times you all shared.

Photo by Nino Kojo on Unsplash

BONUS TIP!

Throw a Virtual Party

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us are unable to gather in a group setting. Therefore, we have to be creative if we want to celebrate with loved ones.

Thanks to technology, we can gather virtually with our family and friends. Take a moment to view the tips below if you choose to celebrate with your girlfriends virtually for Galentine’s Day.

Do a virtual class together online.
Have a virtual sip and paint. Order pre-printed canvases online and paint them together online via your favorite virtual app.
Host a virtual party via Zoom.
Send each other Galentine’s Day cards virtually or via regular snail mail.
Have a virtual meal together and chat the night away.
Make PowerPoints about random topics (hot guys, favorite movies, favorite foods, etc..) or create slideshows about each other.
Put on a virtual variety or talent show.

These tips and tricks should help any hostess create a fun Galentine’s Day event that her guests won’t forget.

Have you hosted a Galentine’s Day Party? Do you have any tips? Let me know in the comments below.

January 30, 2021 6 Mins Read

Pinterest Dinner Ideas That Worked

Recipes

Recently, I have been bored with my dinner options. I have had absolutely no interest in cooking and felt lost in the kitchen. I desired to try new meals, but I needed them to be quick and easy (the less complicated the better). These dinner ideas also needed to be mouth watering, visually appealing, and require very few ingredients.

As usual, I decided to pay a visit to my favorite website, Pinterest, for inspiration and it didn’t let me down. I started by searching through my Food board to look at all of the recipes that I had already saved. I had saved thousands of recipes over the years and had not put a dent in the board (my Pinterest addiction is very real). Therefore, I decided to save some the most recent pins that I wanted to attempt onto a new board labeled Dinner Ideas in order to separate them from the rest of the recipes on my board.

I think I placed between 10-15 promising recipes onto the board. I planned to at least make a minimum of one each work over the course of a month. To my credit, I actually made more, but some of them were desserts (I’ll discuss them in a separate post).

I’ve written my thoughts on each recipe below.

Dinner Idea #1

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

This was the first recipe I attempted and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. The original pin was posted by Jennifer Sikora from the blog Jen Around The World. I was so happy to discover this recipe because I had been looking for an Asian noodle recipe which used ingredients that could be found in my pantry or my local supermarket.

I quickly read over the recipe and felt confident that I could successfully recreate the dish. The ingredients included ground beef, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, linguine noodles, hoisin sauce, red pepper flakes, beef broth, and spring onions.

I gathered all of my materials and immediately started to cook the dish based on the directions. Within 15-20 minutes, dinner was served. I made two bowls (for me and my mother). We were both surprised at how delicious and delightful this dish turned out.

The Verdict

For such a simple dish, it packed a lot of flavor. The sauce was a rich flavor, the noodles were a perfect size for the sauce and the meat to cling to, and the spring onions were a great garnish to round out the dish.

My mother, who is a tough foodie to please, absolutely loved the dish. With her seal of approval, I knew this dish was a hit. I immediately shared it with all of my family and friends that I knew would appreciate this easy meal. I strongly encourage everyone to try this recipe.

Be sure to click the link below for this tasty recipe.

Recipe Link: Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Dinner Idea #2

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe Dinner Idea

For week two in my culinary adventure, I decided to make this sloppy sloppy joe dish. When I saw the title of the pin, it instantly brought back childhood memories of eating sloppy joes made with the classic Manwich sauce that came in a can. I vividly remember the sauce running down the side of my hand as I took each bite. It was messy, but tasty.

So when I came across this recipe posted by Oh, Sweet Basil, I was pleasantly surprised that someone had reimagined this childhood meal. There were quite a few variations of this recipe on Pinterest, but I decided to start with this one because it sounded so good when I read the ingredients. Plus, many of the ingredients could be found in your kitchen, which was right up my alley.

It took no time to brown the beef, sauté the onions and green peppers, mix the sauce, and add the cheese. In fifteen minutes, the dish was complete. I decided to add fries as side. Voila, dinner was ready.

The Verdict

My mom was the official taste tester of course. With baited breath, I waited for her to share her opinion. She devoured the sandwich and quickly made a second sandwich. She loved it.

I enjoyed it as well. It definitely had all of the flavors of a Philly cheesesteak and the brioche buns perfectly complimented the savory meat mixture.

If you love a good sloppy joe, be sure to check this recipe out.

Recipe Link: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe

Dinner Idea #3

Teriyaki Meatball Bowls

I decided to try this third and final recipe because I desperately wanted to do something different with the bag of frozen meatballs that had been sitting in our freezer for a few weeks. I had no desire to have spaghetti and meatballs. Therefore, I opened my Pinterest app and proceeded to search for meatball recipes.

Fortunately, a teriyaki meatball bowl recipe posted by A Reinvented Mom caught my eye. There was just something about the deep brown sauce and sesame seed garnish in the picture that made my mouth water.

I quickly clicked on the link and was thrilled to see that this was possibly the easiest recipe to cook. It only required a few ingredients and could be ready in 30 minutes.

So, I put my meatballs in the oven according to the directions on the package, cooked up a pot of rice, and whipped up the sauce based on the recipe. Finally, I chopped up the spring onions and eagerly whipped up my bowl.

The Verdict

Everything came together well and my bowl resembled the one pictured on the website. It tasted just as good as I imagined. The sauce, created using brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger had a deep, rich, salty, but sweet flavor that went well with the meatballs. Not to mention, the warm bed of rice was not only filling, but went well with both the sauce and the meatballs.

However, there is only on flaw with this recipe. The sauce is great if ladled immediately out of the pan fresh and hot. Unfortunately, my mother and I learned the hard way that it doesn’t reheat well. Once it cools down, it turns into a gelatin which doesn’t melt down well once reheated. Therefore, If I made this recipe again, I would cut back on the cornstarch by one tablespoon. Other than that, the recipe was a keeper.

If you want to try this recipe, visit the link below.

Recipe Link: Teriyaki Meatball Bowls

December 6, 2020 5 Mins Read

25 Essential Foods to Keep in Your Kitchen

Recipes

In this post, I thought I would take a moment to list a few items that I feel are essential foods that any good home cook should keep in the kitchen. Foods included on this list are good for cooking everyday meals and desserts. This list is based on my African American experience in the kitchen. However, I tried to create a list that is pretty universal for American kitchens.

This list is not in any particular order. Let’s take a look.

1. Sugar

Sugar imparts sweetness. It is needed for baked goods and beverages. It can be used in sweet or savory foods. It balances out the flavor.

2. Flour

Flour can be used in both baked goods and savory foods. It’s used as a thickening agent when cooking foods such as sauces, gravies, and soups. It is also good for coating foods that are being fried.

3. Ketchup

This condiment can add flavor to any dish. It has a variety of uses. It’s most commonly used a dipping sauce. However, it can also be used as an ingredient in many recipes. For example, ketchup can be used to make salad dressing, cocktail sauce, and sweet and sour sauce.

4. Mustard

Mustard is a condiment that can also be used to make sauces and to season meet. There are a variety of mustards available. Choose your favorite to keep in your kitchen.

5. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a versatile condiment. It can be used for cooking and baking. For instance, it can be added to cake batter for additional moisture. It can also be brushed on bread instead of butter to make an excellent grilled cheese sandwich.

6. Cereal (Hot or Cold)

Keeping cereal of any kind is important because it can be used to make a quick meal, especially in the morning before work or school. Also, hot cereals such as oatmeal can be used as an ingredient for baking and making smoothies.

Photo by https://unsplash.com/@melsvision

7. Broth

This item is definitely a kitchen essential because it has many uses in a lot of recipes. It can also be used as a replacement for water when cooking rice and vegetable dishes.

8. Bread

Bread is a staple that should be kept in your kitchen on a weekly basis. It can be used for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can be eaten alone or used with other ingredients to make a meal.

9. Rice

Rice can be either a side dish or a main dish. Just add your favorite meat, vegetable, seasoning, or sauce and you have an instant meal.

10. Beans

My mother and grandmother always kept a bag of beans on hand just in case we hit hard times (they also saved the ham bone from Thanksgiving in the freezer to season the beans). Beans can be a side or main dish.

Photo by https://unsplash.com/@izgubljenausvemiru

11. Cooking Oil

Oil is an ingredient used in a multitude of recipes. It can be used to add fat and flavor. It is also used for frying and sauteing food. Therefore, it’s important to at least keep a basic cooking oil (like a vegetable oil) in the kitchen for everyday cooking.

12. Corn Starch

This is a good thickening agent like flour.

13. Baking Soda

This item is on the list because it is good for baking. It can also be used as an air freshener in the refrigerator.

14. Honey

It’s a natural sweetener and a good alternative to granulated white sugar.

15. Hot/Cold Beverages

Tea or coffee are good to keep on hand to fix a beverage for yourself or a guest any time of the year.

16. Baking Powder

This is an essential ingredient used in baked goods. If you are a baking, this one is a good item to keep on your shelf. Many of my favorite dessert recipes require this ingredient.

17. Eggs

Eggs are not only a good source of protein, but they are used all of the time as an ingredient or part of a meal.

18. Milk

This beverage is good by itself. However, it can be added to other dishes (both savory and sweet).

19. Butter/Margarine

This item is essential because it is an ingredient that is added to many recipes. It’s also good for sauteing meats and vegetables.

20. Onion

This vegetable is used in many recipes in order to add fragrance and flavor. It’s good with meat and other vegetables.

21. Green Pepper

This is another vegetable that is fragrant and flavorful and used in a lot of recipes. Green peppers can be used with meat and other vegetables. It can also be a good healthy snack.

22. Vegetables (Fresh or Frozen)

Vegetables are a healthy food and an essential part of your diet. They are also used to make many side dishes and are an essential part of many meals.

Photo by https://unsplash.com/@idelamaza

23. Fruit

Fruit is an essential item because it’s part of a healthy diet. Plus, they can be used in a variety of dishes.

24. Chicken

Chicken seems to be a universal meat to keep on hand. It’s versatile and can be used in a variety of ways in order to make a tasty meal.

25. Cheese

This kitchen essential is a good snack and can be used to enhance a variety of dishes.

ESSENTIAL FOOD HONORABLE MENTIONS

– Peanut Butter and Jelly

– Cake Mix and Icing

– Pancake Mix and Maple Syrup

– Pasta

– Cornmeal

– Jiffy Mix

– Soy Sauce

Now that we have come to the end of my list, what do you think? Which foods do you feel are essentials in your kitchen? Leave a comment below.

November 5, 2020 4 Mins Read

14 TIPS FOR COOKING WITH KIDS

Lifestyle

Cooking with kids is a great bonding activity. First, it is a valuable hands-on learning experience that develops basic skills like following directions, reading, and measuring. Second, it’s a great opportunity to teach them how to make healthy food choices. Finally, it’s a lifelong skill that prepares them for adulthood.

However, cooking with kids can also be stressful if you fail to prepare and plan. Listed below are a few tips and tricks for working with kids in the kitchen to make it an enjoyable activity for the entire family.

1. Allow them to choose the recipe or make suggestions.

When you allow them to pick the recipe, they have a more vested interest in participating in the activity. They will take more pride in the outcome as well.

Kahlil making Christmas cookies with his daughters

2. Teach them basic kitchen safety.

Using oven mitts.
Teach them what to do in case of a fire. They should know the location of the fire extinguisher.
How to handle sharp objects.

3. Teach kids basic cooking skills.

How to use certain utensils.
How to measure ingredients.
The name and use of various pieces of cooking equipment.

4. Explain to children that parental permission and supervision is required to cook in the kitchen. Especially, if the recipe requires the use of a stove or sharp objects.

Make sure they understand that this rule is for their safety and well-being. Once they reach a certain age and/or skill level, they will be allowed more freedom in the kitchen.

My nieces preparing breakfast with their grandmother.

5. Have children read the list of ingredients and directions before they get started. Read them out loud for children that are unable to read.

Make sure they understand that reading the recipe before they start is an important step. It allows them to understand the recipe better and know what to expect before they start.

6. Gather and pre-measure the ingredients if you are working with small children.

This step will make it easier for them to help when it’s time to mix and pour the ingredients.

Pre-measured ingredients for our edible cookie dough recipe.

7. Allow older children to gather and measure ingredients.

This will give them practice following directions and using their math skills.

8. Allow younger children to pour and stir ingredients.

This makes them feel like they are making a contribution, even if it is a small one.

9. Work the oven and do the cutting yourself until they are ready.

If you are working with small children or don’t feel a child is ready to do the task independently, do it yourself—model how to do these tasks until they are capable of doing it by themselves.

10. Teach them recipes that don’t require an oven or sharp tools.

All children should know recipes that are safe to do without adult supervision. It’s just a basic cooking skill that all children should have.

Ayla and Noelle mixing the ingredients for the edible cookie dough.

11. Teach them to keep a neat working area and clean as they go.

They will have less mess to clean at the end.

12. Make cooking a regular activity.

The more they cook, the better they will be in the kitchen. Practice makes permanent.

Noelle buttering the pancakes for breakfast.

13. Have them prep the dinner table and clean up afterward.

Preparing the dinner table will teach them basic table setting skills.
Cleaning up will teach them that they are responsible for cooking the meal, putting the food away, and making sure the kitchen is clean and ready for later use.

14. HAVE FUN!!

Cooking shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like a fun family activity. So, create memories and enjoy the meal at the end.

What are your thoughts? Do you cook with your kids? If so, what are some of your favorite recipes to make with your kids?

BONUS: For more educational tips and tricks for teachers and parents, check out my other website The Modern Schoolmarm.

May 9, 2018 1 Min Read

PEACH COBBLER RECIPE

Recipes

Peach Cobbler

2018-05-09 08:46:15

Ingredients

½ c unsalted butter, melted
1 c all purpose flour
2 c sugar
3 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 c milk
4 peeled, pitted and thinly sliced fresh peaches (or use two 29 oz. cans of peaches. Be sure to drain the juice from the peaches.)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Several dashes of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg (to taste)

Add ingredients to shopping list

If you don’t have Buy Me a Pie! app installed you’ll see the list with ingredients right after downloading it

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Pour melted butter into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
Stir in milk, mixing until well combined.
Pour this batter over the butter, but do not stir them together.
In a medium sauce pan, combine the peaches, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and remaining cup of sugar and bring them to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
Pour the peaches over the batter, but do not stir them together.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 – 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve warm or cold.

Print

Adapted from Food Network

Nestlie B https://www.nestlieb.com/

April 15, 2018 1 Min Read

CAKE-LIKE CORNBREAD

Recipes

This tasty recipe creates a moist and fluffy cornbread that goes well with any southern dinner. It’s always a hit at my house. Give it a try and tell me what you think.

Cake-Like Cornbread

2018-04-15 11:40:08

A tasty recipe to accompany any dish.

Ingredients

1/2 c yellow corn meal
1 1/2 c flour
2/3 c sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c vegetable oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter: melted
2 eggs
1 1/4 c milk

Add ingredients to shopping list

If you don’t have Buy Me a Pie! app installed you’ll see the list with ingredients right after downloading it

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Mix in wet ingredients just until well blended.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8 dish.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.

Print

Nestlie B https://www.nestlieb.com/

January 25, 2018 3 Mins Read

MILK AND HONEY CAFE

The Foodie In Me

During the second week of January, my cousin and I scheduled a morning breakfast date at the Milk and Honey Cafe in Beltsville, Maryland. We were excited about our outing because we had tried to eat there once before, but the crowd in the parking lot was so large and the wait was so long, that we decided to leave and head up the road to IHOP instead. We scheduled this breakfast for a Tuesday morning hoping that there wouldn’t be a wait list because most people would be at work at 10 am.

When we arrived, we were immediately seated. The venue itself was small. Located in what looks like to be a large double wide mobile home connected to another business. Despite its location and outward appearance, it was comfortable and nicely decorated on the inside. The place was already bustling and filled with customers. It appeared that we made it just in time.

Once we were seated, we scanned our environment to see what other people were eating. Every plate looked like a culinary masterpiece. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked scrumptious, which made it even harder to decide what to order from the menu. Fortunately, the menu isn’t large so we were able to make a decision fairly easily. I decided to order to french toast, eggs with cheese, and bacon. My cousin ordered the chicken with biscuits and gravy. Finally, after agonizing over whether to order the strawberry shortcake or not, the couple sitting next to us gave it such rave reviews that we had no choice but to order the dish for ourselves. You only live once.

Our food came out fairly quickly. The portions were fairly large. A person would definitely leave full and satisfied after eating here. We both took a bite of our food and were instantly in love with the Milk and Honey Cafe. Every morsel was delicious, delectable, and delightful. All of our dishes were cooked to perfection. The two major highlights of our meal were the chicken and biscuits and the strawberry shortcake. Both were flavorful, sweet, and mouthwatering.

By the end of our meal, we were both on cloud nine. I’m happy to say that we both give the food at the Milk and Honey Cafe two thumbs up. We highly recommend the cafe for your next breakfast adventure. Check out the pictures below of our tantalizing breakfast.

January 24, 2018 5 Mins Read

MEXICAN RESTAURANT FOOD CRAWL

The Foodie In Me

Trying new restaurants is one of my favorite things to do. I love looking at the decor, reading the menu, and tasting new foods. So of course, when my friend Andaiye invited me to try a new restaurant called Doi Moi on 14th street in downtown DC back in August, I jumped at the opportunity. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we found out that they do not open their doors until dinner time. Therefore, we had a lot of time to kill before we could try out Doi Moi’s menu. That’s when Andaiye came up with the idea to do a Mexican food crawl while we waited for Doi Moi to open up shop.

As we strolled down 14th street, we saw a few Mexican restaurants, but we weren’t sure if they were any good. That’s when Andaiye decided to ask some of the locals for suggestions. Surprisingly, each person we asked was friendly and quite enthusiastic about providing us with some of their favorite choices and were very informative. Once we heard a few ideas, we made an impromptu list, checked our cell phones for the locations, and proceeded to the first destination in our restaurant adventure.

1. Takorean – As soon as we walked in, we quickly noticed that the menu set up resembles Chipotle because it requires you to choose your meal in stages (style, slaw, protein, add-ons, & toppings). We slowly approached the counter trying to figure out what to order. The staff immediately noticed our puzzled newbie looks and quickly offered assistance as we tried to navigate the menu. We both ordered bowls, but with different proteins and toppings. After we made our purchases, we sat down at a table near the front of the store. As soon as the food hit our tongues, we instantly knew it was packed with flavor and very satisfying. Takorean instantly won us over and quickly turned into Andaiye’s favorite place on our restaurant tour.

2. Taco El Chilango – Our second stop on this crawl is located in a residential neighborhood. If it weren’t for the locals, we would have never known this place existed. The restaurant itself is small on the inside. It has colorful festive decor and paintings on the wall of famous people. The staff was friendly as we took our time to order a few soft tacos to taste. The tacos were very tasty. Overall, we enjoyed our experience in this lively establishment.

3. Colada Shop – Our third stop was located off of 14th and T street. The little shop was packed with customers that were easily seen from the sidewalk before we walked in. The shop itself was brightly colored with pastels and was bustling with energy. It was easy to see that this was a very popular spot for people to visit. We were told to order empanadas by a very friendly customer in line. So we took his advice and ordered the empanadas along with two virgin pina coladas. We then traveled to the back of the shop which provided extra seating and dug into our purchases. We enjoyed every morsel. So we give the Colada shop a thumbs up because the food was good, the coladas were refreshing, and the atmosphere was fun.

4. Taqueria – The fourth stop on this tour was located inside a renovated post office. This seemed to be another popular establishment along the 14th street corridor. Since the place seemed to be a popular spot, we had to see what all of the fuss was about. So we proceeded to check out the menu and put in our order. We took a seat near the front of the establishment and took a bite of our food. Unfortunately, out of all of the places we had visited that afternoon, the food at Taqueria was the most disappointing. It looked good, but it was too salty to eat. The best thing about this place was the decor and the people.

5. Jubilee – This cute ice cream shop was located on the same block as Colada and Taqueria. When we walked in, we pretty much had the store to ourselves, which gave us plenty of time to taste test a variety of flavors before making a decision. The young man behind the counter was very eager to let us try some of the flavors. He made great recommendations and got a kick out of our reactions to some of the more exotic flavors. It took us a while to make a decision, but once we did, we enjoyed every ounce of our ice cream as we sat on the bench and rested for a minute.

6. Doi Moi – At the end of the day, we finally reached our original destination. Since we had been nibbling all afternoon, we decided to place an order to take home for later. Doi Moi was an upscale restaurant with stylish modern decor and an exotic menu that offered a variety of choices. Since Andaiye had tasted their food before, we quickly put in our orders and took the food home. Some of our favorites from their menu were the brussels sprouts, the beef, and the sticky rice.