TheKitchenCookie

I have recently developed sort of an obsession with all things Panini. So I treated myself (and my family) to a Panini press. I have not been disappointed! I'm still learning but thought I would share this yumminess anyway. I hope you enjoy it! I had some tomatoes and Swiss cheese that I needed to use so I thought I would try this sandwich. It's very messy but also very tasty. Preheat the grill to 350°. 2 pieces Italian wheat bread 2 slices bacon, fried and drained 1 piece Swiss cheese, cut in half 1 small tomato, sliced thin Lettuce leaves Miracle Whip or Mayo Butter Assemble sandwich. I think the next time I would add the lettuce later. It was still delicious and a little crunchy but...it never hurts to try something different.☺ Spread a little butter on the one side. Place on the Panini Grill with that side down. Spread butter on the side that is turned up and lower the top part of the grill. Leave it there until it is browned like you like it. Remove

                                                              MMM MMM, GOOD!  When I was in my early teens my Mom asked me to make potato soup for supper one evening. I was just beginning my career in the kitchen on my own but I knew in order for me to enjoy supper that evening I was going to have to do something drastic to the bland concoction we were used to when potato soup was served. I'm not sure exactly what I did to it that evening, but I do remember my Dad commenting that there is nothing the matter with my taste buds! As you can imagine I was beaming from ear to ear and that compliment from my Dad gave me confidence for more experimenting!☺ Years later after we were married we were visiting friends in another state and I was looking through my friends cookbooks when I came across a version of this one. With a little tweaking I made it into the recipe that I will share with you.  It is delicious, hearty, and full of flavor. 1 quart milk 1 lb. bacon, ground, fried, an

Jello Poinsettia Although I'm not usually a big jello fan, if it is something intriguing like this pretty poinsettia pattern I can be tempted into allowing it some time in my kitchen. There are a few other recipes that I hope to share over a period of time that we enjoy and are either refreshing or eye catching. My Mom got me started with this one and sent me the recipe and pattern. You will need: 2 small boxes each, cherry and lime jello 7 Tablespoons plain unflavored gelatin 1 can Eagle Brand milk Boiling water And: A 12 x 16½ bar pan (aka baker's half sheet) non stick spray I marked the pan on the side to make it easier to cut . The marks going straight across are 1¼ inches apart and the ones at an angle are 1¾ inches apart. They are at a 45 degree angle. Had to call my Dad for this one. Who knew you had to be part carpenter to make something out of jello?! Spray the pan with olive oil spray and wipe slightly with a paper towel. This helps the set jello

I first saw one of these in a cookbook several years ago and was impressed and thought I would have to try it sometime. So last year when we had family and friends here on Christmas Day I finally made one. I loved it! It was beautiful! This year I decided I would take one to my in-laws as part of my dessert offering. Christmas morning came and with it a foggy feeling for me (a cold and cough I can't seem to shake), so I didn't quite do with my strawberry tree what I had hoped but I think my hubby's family enjoyed the end result all the same. ☺ The picture you see at the top is the one I did last year and the following ones are from the one I did a few days ago. I started out with about 4 quarts of strawberries and some semisweet chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips). Wash and dry the strawberries well. Melt the chocolate in the microwave and start dippin'. I did these the evening before. For the best results it would have been best to do them in the morning

I wasn't planning on making this mix for the Christmas weekend but our oldest son, Andre, was rummaging around in the pantry last Saturday until I finally asked what he's looking for and he's like,"Where is that mix with the white chocolate on it?" Had to admit I hadn't made any, but decided if he looks for it if it's not there, maybe I really should make it for him.  I'm easily persuaded ,  wouldn't you say?☺  It helps that it IS delicious, and we ALL like it, and it's SUPER EASY, and doesn't take a lot of time. So here it is folks: 1 bag thin pretzel sticks 5 cups cheerios 5 cups corn chex 2 cups salted peanuts 1 lb. M&M's (optional) 1½ lbs. white chocolate disks 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil, optional In a large mixing bowl combine the first 5 ingredients; set aside. In microwave safe bowl, heat the chocolate disks and oil. (White chocolate is usually thin enough for easy coating and mixing, so the oil really is opt

This creamy scrumptiousness was first introduced to me in my early teens by my sister Rosanna. She married when I was 13 years old and up to that point I had led a carefree life outdoors under the summer sun, and in the winter we had a lovely hill behind our house... I'm not sure why I always look at her wedding and say that's when I learned what it means to work. It's not that I was lazy, it's just that I had 4 (I have 5 now, but that's another story ☺) sisters all older than me and somehow I had escaped hard work up to that point. (I made up for it later after they were all married.) Anyway, after she married they moved about a mile up the road from us onto a farm and I loved going there and helping my brother-in-law in the fields, or mow their yard, and later take care of my niece when she was born. Rosanna was a terrific cook (still is) and there was always something delicious around to eat. This was one of those dishes that I always looked forward to. It i