My Simple Asian Dressing

I always like to add a salad to any of my pasta meals. This is an easy one with a variety of greens, such as iceberg and endive and even a little purple cabbage for color. Then I added some julienne carrots, and grape tomatoes and slices of red onion. But the best part is my Asian dressing. It makes any salad fantastic! 

Asian Dressing

3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellman's)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, vinegar, mayo, mustard, and sesame oil until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate while you prepare your salad.

Photograph is copyrighted and the property of ©Welcome Home.

Fettuccine Alfredo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How could anything that takes so little time to cook taste so wonderful? Sometimes I make my Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken or seafood, but there are those times that I don't have time for all that and want something quick. You

can't get much quicker than this. Add a nice salad and some Italian bread and you've got a meal fit for a Queen!

Fettuccine Alfredo

1 pound dried fettuccine
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/4 cup fresh spinach, chopped (just a handful)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Cook the fettuccine in a pot of rapidly boiling salted water until al dente. Drain well in a colander, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic and saute until tender. Add heavy cream and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and add chopped spinach and cook until sauce has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Return the pasta to the pot it was cooked in, set over medium-high heat. Add the reserved 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. Next add the butter-cream mixture and half of the cheese and toss to combine thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

Photographs are copyrighted and the property of ©Welcome Home.

Best Non-Stick Skillet

While I do a lot of cooking in cast iron skillets, I would be lost without a non-stick pan. I use them for quick frying food that usually stick to everything else. I use one for omelets and fried eggs and a lot of other foods. The problem with non-stick cookware however, is that eventually it starts to stick...and flake....and peel and get scratched. I cook a lot and I go through them about every two to three years and it was time to get a new one. So when I saw Cooks Country highly recommend this 12.5 inch Skillet and say it was by far the best one out there for the price, I immediately went to Amazon to order it.

Not so fast...whenever Cooks Country recommends anything, everyone sells out of it. I searched for weeks for this skillet and everyone was out of it. So my wait began....it took over 3 months for Amazon to get it back. But the wait so worth it. I have been cooking with it now for a week and I can honestly say I have never had a non-stick skillet I liked better. This thing is amazing and it does what all the big top of the line expensive cookware does for only a fraction of the price. For less than $30, you get everything you could possible want in a non-stick big 12 inch skillet and more.

It's called the T-fal Professional Total Nonstick 12-1/2" Sauté Pan and it features the unique Thermo-Spot heat indicator so you always know when the pan is perfectly heated to seal in the flavor of your food. A red dot in the center of the pan will turn solid when the pan is hot enough to match what you have your heat set to.

The nonstick interior and exterior and advanced metal-safe coating guarantees durable nonstick performance for heavy use and fast, easy cleanup. With a heavy stainless steel disc base, the heavy-gauge aluminum base provides superior heat distribution and maximum protection against warping.

Nonstick sauté pan - 12-1/2"
Thermo-Spot heat indicator shows when ready to use
Expert nonstick interior
Stainless steel disc base for even heat distribution
Remarkably easy clean up
Riveted silicone "stay cool" handles
Metal utensil safe
Dishwasher safe
Oven safe up to 450 degrees!

They are back in stock now and the price is only $28.34 while supplies last. But I can promise you they won't last long. So order yours today.

Remember, the proceeds from anything you buy here at Welcome Home, goes to the NO KILL Advocacy Group to save the lives of dogs and cats who are killed unnecessarily while waiting for their forever homes. If you look at the link you will see Welchome08 is there to let Amazon know you are from Welcome Home.

Click on this link for more information and to purchase.....I think this is a fantastic buy!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GWG0T2/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B000GWG0T2&linkCode=shr&tag=welchome08-20

There"s No Place Like Home

It's here! The fourth book in the Welcome Home series and it was just released a few seconds ago. I wanted to get the news to my Welcome Home friends!

This is the 4th book in the Welcome Home series and in this one you'll find Salads, Sou...ps and Stews, and delicious Main courses. It comes in both e-book for your phone, computer or tablets and you can download it to as many devices as you own. The cost is only $24.99 and the proceeds go to the No Kill Shelter Advocacy Group. So many of you enjoy having the recipes with you on your phones or tablets or printing recipes from your computer and taking them with you to the store to buy your ingredients. This is the perfect way to do it.

You can purchase the new e-book for $24.99 and have it in seconds by clicking on this link.

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/461076-there-s-no-place-like-home

The book is also available in Softcover and hardback with a dust jacket (my preference) and hardback with an image wrap and no jacket. It is bookstore quality and meant for those who are sticklers for top notch binding, gorgeous paper, and professional printing. This is not just an average cookbook. It is a limited first edition book and the production team at this publishing house produces each high quality book as they are ordered. In other words, your print book is handmade upon order and will ship anywhere in the world for a very low shipping price. It usually takes about a week to ten days to arrive.

Here is the link to buy the print book in soft cover or hard copy:
http://www.blurb.com/b/5066832-there-s-no-place-like-home

I do not set the pricing for the books, the publisher does and I cannot do anything about the price they set. However, I will tell you that over 10,000 books have sold and there has never been a return. Please do not discuss pricing in the comments.

♥For a limited time there is a 25% discount when you spend a total of $50. At check out you simply enter this code in all caps: 25OFF50 when you spend $50 or more and you will see the immediate savings in your order total.

*****These books are not available in bookstores. They are only available online through the publisher who offers and safe and secure site for purchasing it. You will receive your new e-book within 5 minutes if you order the e-book and within 7-10 days or so when you order hard or soft cover. Each book is handmade for you as you order.

*****As with all my books, proceeds from the sale of "There's No Place Like Home" go to support the NO KILL Advocacy Group in their efforts to save the lives of dogs and cats in this country who are killed unnecessarily while waiting in shelters for their forever home. Over 6 million dogs and cats were killed last year because no one adopted them in time. We can change that. Please help me in my efforts and my support for animal rights and bring change to this serious issue.  Consider your purchase a donation and look at the book as a bonus.

 

 

I miss my Mom today.

I miss my Mom today. I can't help it. These feelings hit me in waves and when I least expect them. It seems I'm at the mercy of whatever brings them on. It doesn't take much. They come when I see her favorite flower, or when I hear her favorite song. They come when I remember something she said to bring my spirits up when I was feeling low.

They come when I smell her favorite perfume or when I make one of her favorite recipes. They can come on suddenly with the change of a season or when it rains or snows or even on a bright sunny day.

There is no warning....they just come over me and take my breath away. The sadness is so overwhelming at times and when I am so low and feel I can't go on another second without her, I pick myself back up and say these words out loud....

You can shed tears because she's gone.....or you can smile because she lived in this world and left so many wonderful memories for all those that knew and loved her.

You can close your eyes and pray with all your heart that she'll come back.... or you can open your eyes and see everything she left in your heart to keep forever.

You can allow your heart to be empty..... or you can allow it to overflow with all the love she gave you and then go out and share it with others.

You can remember only that she's gone forever.... or you can keep her memory alive with the things you do in her honor.

You can feel lost because you can't see her or touch her or feel her hand holding yours..... or you can feel the comfort in knowing she's right beside you and has been there all along.

You can cry and feel empty without her.....or you can smile and listen closely to hear her telling you....."Smile baby girl. Open your eyes. Be in love with life. Be happy and go on, knowing that I'll always love you and that I'm right here next to you."

~Marty

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

It's here! The fourth book in the Welcome Home series and it was just released a few seconds ago. I wanted to get the news to my Welcome Home friends!

It's called "There's No Place Like Home," and this is the 4th book in the Welcome Home series. In this one you'll find Salads, Soups and Stews, and delicious Main courses. It comes in both e-book for your phone, computer or tablets and you can download it to as many devices as you own. The cost is only $24.99 and the proceeds go to the No Kill Shelter Advocacy Group. So many of you enjoy having the recipes with you on your phones or tablets or printing recipes from your computer and taking them with you to the store to buy your ingredients. This is the perfect way to do it.

You can purchase the new e-book for $24.99 and have it in seconds by clicking on this link.

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/461076-there-s-no-place-like-home

The book is also available in Softcover and hardback with a dust jacket (my preference) and hardback with an image wrap and no jacket. It is bookstore quality and meant for those who are sticklers for top notch binding, gorgeous paper, and professional printing. This is not just an average cookbook. It is a limited first edition book and the production team at this publishing house produces each high quality book as they are ordered. In other words, your print book is handmade upon order and will ship anywhere in the world for a very low shipping price. It usually takes about a week to ten days to arrive.

Here is the link to buy the print book in soft cover or hard copy:
http://www.blurb.com/b/5066832-there-s-no-place-like-home

I do not set the pricing for the books, the publisher does and I cannot do anything about the price they set. However, I will tell you that over 10,000 books have sold and there has never been a return. Please do not discuss pricing in the comments.

♥ For a limited time there is a 25% discount when you spend a total of $50. At check out you simply enter this code in all caps: 25OFF50 when you spend $50 or more and you will see the immediate savings in your order total.

*****These books are not available in bookstores. They are only available online through the publisher who offers and safe and secure site for purchasing it. You will receive your new e-book within 5 minutes if you order the e-book and within 7-10 days or so when you order hard or soft cover. Each book is handmade for you as you order.

*****As with all my books, proceeds from the sale of "There's No Place Like Home" go to support the NO KILL Advocacy Group in their efforts to save the lives of dogs and cats in this country who are killed unnecessarily while waiting in shelters for their forever home. Over 6 million dogs and cats were killed last year because no one adopted them in time. We can change that. Please help me in my efforts and my support for animal rights and bring change to this serious issue.

Consider your purchase a donation and look at the book as a bonus.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

I just made these this afternoon. They are probably still warm and just perfect for a late night snack with a cold glass of milk. What do you think?

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup butter...
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
2 cups miniature Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
1/4 cup melted chocolate chips

Beat peanut butter and butter. Beat in sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour. Stir in peanut butter cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour. Scoop dough onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake 12 minutes at 375. Cool. Drizzle cookies with melted chocolate.

Photograph is copyrighted and the property of ©Welcome Home.

Coconut Custard Slice

In the mood for something cold and creamy? How about some sweet vanilla custard...some smooth and creamy and cold coconut custard. I love this old fashioned recipe that my Mom used to make...especially when I don't feel like making a pie shell. Now that we have ready made pastry dough it is so easy!

Coconut Custard Slice

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1½ cups whole milk
1½ cups light cream
4 tablespoons cold butter, chopped
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
⅔ cup sugar
⅓ cup cornstarch
½ cup cold water
6 egg yolks
2 cups of Bakers shredded sweetened coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pastry sheet in a 9 x 9 baking pan lined with parchment paper, leaving an overhang of paper on each side that you will use for handles later when lifting from pan. Top the pastry sheet with another sheet of parchment paper and place another baking sheet of the same size over as a weight. Or you can use pie weights if you'd like. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden. Cool on rack.

Spread 1 1/2 cups of the coconut on a baking sheet and toast in oven at a low 250 degrees until very lightly toasted. Remove and allow to cool.

To make the filling, whisk the milk, cream, butter, vanilla and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until hot but not boiling. Mix the cornstarch and cold water to a smooth paste and whisk into the hot milk mixture. Temper the eggs by scooping out a little of the hot mixture into a bowl and then slowly mixing each egg in one at at time. Then pour back into the saucepan and whisk very quickly to incorporate. Simmer and stir custard for about 6 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.

Add in the 1/2 cup of un-toasted coconut and stir well. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Pour the custard over pastry crust and spread evenly. Sprinkle with remaining lightly toasted coconut. Chill in the refrigerator for two hours before serving.

Photographs are copyrighted and the property of ©Welcome Home.

Silver Dollar Pancakes

What's for breakfast this morning? Breakfast is my favorite meal. Not only because it's so simple to make, but also because we have so many choices. Whether it's something sweet like these delicious silver dollar pancakes from my friend Marie over at the English Kitchen or muffins or cake or eggs...which I can eat at any time of day or night!  

 Silver Dollar Pancakes

2 cups of all purpose flour
2 tablespoons of yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon of baking powder
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 cups of buttermilk
5 tablespoons of oil
more oil and butter for greasing the pan

Whisk the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, soda and salt together in a mixing bowl. Beat the eggs until light and fluffy in another bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk and the oil. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the liquid ingredients all at once. Stir until just combined, without over mixing. The batter will have small lumps.

Heat a griddle pan or heavy skillet over medium heat until a drop of water skips across the surface. Lightly grease with some butter and oil. Using a ladle, spoon batter onto the griddle in scant 2 tablespoon measures, leaving a few inches between each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges are dry, with golden brown bottoms. Flip over and cook for about 30 to 45 seconds longer until golden brown on the other side. Keep warm in a low oven until ready to serve. Repeat to use up all the batter. Serve hot with butter and plenty of real Maple Syrup!

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/05/silver-dollar-pancakes.html

The Law Of Mirrors

It has taken me a long time to fully accept this and apply it in my own life. I read it on a regular basis and it makes perfect sense and it brings me comfort when someone brings me pain.

When people insult you, don't take offense and don't take it personally, but do listen carefully to their words. They are telling you the exact qualities that they actually possess. It's called the "Law of Mirrors" and it says that one can only see what's in themselves, regardless of whether it is actually reality or not.

Therefore you must release the need to defend yourself or even try to explain that you are not whatever insulting comment they have thrown at you. Instead evaluate all of their insults and realize that this is who THEY are.

Then you simply need to decide if a person with those qualities is someone you want in your life.

~Doe Zantamata

Source: www.doezantamataquotes.comSee More