AliciasRecipes.com Newsletter

Ideas for Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:43:00 +0000

For many people Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent, a 40 day period in which fasting, prayer, repentance and restraint are practiced before Easter. Traditionally, beef, pork and many other rich foods are avoided during this time. Here are just a few recipe ideas for Lent observance.

Apple Salad

During Lent, it can be challenging to come up with simple but tasty recipes to feed your family. Try new recipes to keep things interesting. Focus on using fruits, vegetables, lentils, fish and chicken if you or your family want to observe a more modest menu during this time.

Chicken in Walnut Sauce

Chicken truly is the great equalizer, as it can be prepared quick and simple or used to create more complex and savory dishes. During lent, you may want to keep it simple by choosing chicken recipes that are basic in preparation but still flavorful enough to tempt you and your family.

Mediterranean Vegetables

If you are ready to make a more permanent change in your eating habits or dietary lifestyle, Lent is a great time to begin. Again, focus on employing more vegetables and lentils as main courses and investigate new methods to prepare your veggies to keep things interesting.

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Mardi Gras Madness!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all! Whether you plan to whoop it up next week on Tuesday, or prefer a more subdued celebration, I've put together some colorful dishes to help you pass the time! Share them with a crowd or keep them to yourself. Either way I think you will enjoy my "Fat Tuesday" contributions.

BLT Pasta Salad

It's colorful and has bacon and pasta in it! What could be more enjoyable for lunch or a light dinner on Mardi Gras than a BLT Pasta Salad? (Just don't use it as an excuse to party too hard!)

Chicken Cacciatore

According to my research, Jumbalaya and Gumbo are traditional Mardi Gras fair, but I am sure the Italians won't mind me serving up some cacciatore on Fat Tuesday just for a little fun!

Ham & Cheese Stuffed Potatoes

And if you are a down home American traditionalist foodie, you will appreciate this delicious carb concoction come Tuesday. It's an all in one American grass-roots salute to Mardi Gras! Yeehaw!

Enjoy! We love feedback and photos!

Unique Home-made Valentines!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:21:00 +0000

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to give you some home-made gift ideas for the hard to shop for sweetheart in your life. How about baking something special to show them how much you care?

Caramel Pecan Fudge

Some of us are caramel lovers! What can I say? This caramel pecan fudge looks delicious, and could be adapted to make use of peanuts or walnuts too. Whatever your favorite nut, your valentine will go nuts over this chocolate concoction.

Chocolate Mousse Crepes

Personally, I could live on crepes. Yes, I would be the size of the Eiffel Tower, but I would be happy. This crepe takes the cake for bringing a whole new level of chocolate to the table. Leave it to the French to think of the most naughty crepe combination possible.

Chocolate Trifle

I am not exactly sure why they call it a trifle, but surely your valentine won't be able to "stifle" their trifle adoration after sampling such a winning blend of chocolate, cream, and...more chocolate! I am thinking of making this for my valentine...(he's a chocolate lover too!)

Enjoy! We love feedback and photos!

Savory Super Bowl Fixins!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:05:00 +0000

In honor of Super Bowl XLVI, I have put together some dishes I think you will enjoy not just on Sunday, but anytime! Whether you are entertaining a crowd during the game or just want to make something a little different, these recipes will not disappoint.

Crock Pot Cafe Rio Beef

Doesn't that Cafe Rio Beef in the tortilla look tasty? Add some fresh tomatoes, salad greens, and maybe a little bit of guacamole and you have a touchdown taco!

Fiesta Dip

And don't forget the chips and salsa...wait I mean Fiesta Dip! Why settle for the same salsa, when you can adventure out and explore a new chip dip with Fiesta flair?

PB and Chocolate Jumbo Rice Krispie Treats

Okay so this one breaks off from the Mexican Food theme we had going, but can you blame me? I had to leave you with something sweet and delicious to complete your Super Bowl Sunday Spread!

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Food In A Pan!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:38:00 +0000

As January comes to a close, and in the spirit of economy, this week I have selected some tasty recipes to feature that: are simple to prepare, will fiscally feed your family, and satisfy even finicky taste buds. Enjoy our food in a pan theme this week!

Beef And Noodle Casserole

There is something to be said for simple and homey, like this beef and noodle casserole. It reminds me of my mom's cooking, and the scent of casseroles baking in her oven. Casseroles are making a come back!

Boston Market Meatloaf

Yummy. You can't say Boston Market and meatloaf in the same sentence and not smile. If you haven't had their meatloaf, I highly recommend Boston Market. It is worth every bite to go to a restaurant and actually order meatloaf off the menu. Plus, now you can make it at home!

Cheesy Ham and Potato Bake

Another delicious dish that cooks up nice and easy in a pan, this cheesy ham and potato concoction will surprise and please your family at the dinner table this week. Give it a try. I am on a one woman mission to bring back the art of casseroles and food in a pan!

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Fun-ky Chicken Dishes!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:03:00 +0000

One of the things I love most about chicken is it's versatility. You can pair it with so many different ingredients to create lovely, mouth-watering dishes for your family or for yourself. Chicken is fun to use in Asian, Mexican, Italian, and American recipes, and is very hard to mess up. I chose a few funky chicken recipes for today that I think will please your taste-buds and your budget.

Cashew Chicken

Whether you put "mandarin, orange, or cashew" in front of the chicken, the word on your tongue will be "mmm!" I love Asian inspired recipes as they have just the right combination of exotic flavor and spices balanced with the tell-tale taste of chicken. Chicken makes it less scary to try new dishes too!

Chicken and Dumplings

If you are more of an all-American type of cook, chicken paired with dumplings, potatoes or other vegetables, will please your palate every time. Less spicy than Mexican or Asian dishes, chicken and dumplings is a traditional comfort food that will soothe and relax you.

Chicken Cacciatore

And, if you are feeling a little more romantic, Chicken Cacciatore, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, or Chicken Marsala, will do just the trick. From the Italian style family of recipes comes dishes that spotlight pasta, chicken, tomatoes and cheese. Consequently I feel these should actually make up the four basic food groups. (I could live on fettuccine.)

Enjoy you chicken, whatever your tastes! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Happy Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:52:00 +0000

We are not superstitious here at Alicia's, so in honor of Friday the 13th, I decided to have a little fun with our recipe recommendations today! I put together a few recipes that our bound to brighten the dreariest of days, and be enjoyable over the weekend!

Chocolate Bar Cookies

I was going to go with a caramel theme for today, but thought I better take a break from the candy and caramel to give our New Year's resolutions a chance to work! We all get a little overloaded on sugary treats at the holidays, but you really can't ever have enough cookies...That's totally different!

Deidre's Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookies

Admittedly, I have not attempted to bake Deidre's Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookies, but what a name! The name alone makes me want to try them just to see if Deidre speaks the truth. Give me a shout out if you try the recipe and the cookies end up blowing your mind! And be careful!

Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze

I added the Lemon Cookie recipe mainly to give you a break from the chocolate chip cookie overload. But as I said before, can you really ever get enough cookies? I could live on cookies if I had to. This recipe looks especially tempting due to the glaze. I am a huge fan of glaze.

Enjoy the cookie recipes! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Belly Thrillers

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Talking to a friend recently about must see movies and "thrillers," it occurred to me that's exactly what we need for the winter months - Belly Thrillers. Belly thrillers are recipes and meals which 1. are hearty, 2. are healthy, and 3. thrill the belly!

Beef Pasta and Mushroom Soup

In honor of winter and January, I am pleased to introduce our first belly thriller: Beef Pasta and Mushroom Soup. Soup, by its very nature, is a belly thriller. Soup is warm and warms the body from the inside out. Soup is comforting and can be hearty at will. And soup is thrilling (at least to me) and filling!

Bow-tie Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli

Our second belly thriller is Bow-tie Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli. Chicken and broccoli are healthy and hearty and get two thumbs up. But the thrilling part of this recipe is definitely the Bow-tie pasta. Change out your boring old noodles (whatever staple they may be) and exchange them for some BOW-tie! (Not to be confused with Tiebow.)

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Last, but never least, anything with the word Taco in the recipe title is automatically on the belly thrillers list. What thrills me about these tacos is the buffalo chicken element of surprise. I've done beef tacos, fish tacos, and chicken tacos...but it never occurred to me to spice things up with some buffalo-wow. A must-taste belly thriller this season!

Enjoy! Remember, we love feedback and photos and movie recommendations!

Chicken, Not Just For The Birds!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0000

The birds may have flown south for the winter, but the chickens are still plentiful and plenty full! If you are short on ideas for dinner this week, or wanting to spruce up your staple go-to meals, try out one of our fresh and fun chicken recipes.

Chicken Broccoli Bake

Do yourself a favor this year, and investigate recipes and meals that are quick to prepare, easy on your budget, and crazy tasty. Casseroles, crock pots (aka slow cookers), and freezer meals are three great ideas for feeding your family healthy stuff that doesn't overtake your evening hours to prepare.

Baked Ranch Chicken

Get back to basics too. Baking does not equal boring. Baked chicken is very nutritious and can be very simple to prepare. But how to make it worth tasting? Revisit your spice rack, pantry, and salad dressing shelf in the refrigerator for some clever ideas for pleasing your family's taste buds. Ranch dressing, seasonings, BBQ sauce and even jams/jellies can be refreshing ingredients for taste bud wake up.

Chicken & Orzo Skillet

Often a staple in Greek and Turkish cuisine, Orzo is a "big rice" way of rounding off a Chicken dinner. Branch out in 2012. Leave your old rice, pasta, and potatoes for another day; and dig into a new side dish that could also be better for you (think whole grains vs. white starch).

That's all I can say for Chicken at the moment and it's probably plenty for now. I don't want to cause Chicken overload. Enjoy trying some new recipes in 2012 and be adventurous! Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Hearty Baked Dishes for Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Welcome to Winter 2012! If it's as chilly at your house outside as it is at mine, you could use some hearty recipes to prepare for your family, to keep everyone warm and toasty! Below are three recipes with a "baked" theme to tie them all together just for you.

Baked Barbecue Beef Short Ribs

Ribs are always a huge hit around my house, and the three guys living here (hubby & two sons) will be drooling and thanking me before it hits the table. What's your family's favorite beef dish? Ribs, Roast, or other relished parts?

Baked Barbecued Pork Chops

And while we are on the subject of barbecued, let's not forget pork, the other white meat! Although not as popular with some people, I find pork chops to be very easy to prepare and hard to mess up: thus, they have become a favorite at my house.

Baked Chicken

Last, but certainly not least and my personal favorite, Baked Chicken is on the menu this week! Chicken is simple to prepare, easy to accent, and pleases most people since you can add spices to give it a zing or leave it a bit more plain for blander palettes.

Enjoy Winter! And as always, we love feedback and photos of your results!

Traditional Americana New Year's Dishes

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Happy New Year (in a few days)! I took the liberty of researching some traditional American New Year's recipes and came up with some pretty interesting information. First, I learned that Ham & Pork are traditional New Year's dishes in several countries around the world and the USA.

Marinated Pork Loin Roast

Why pork, you may ask? Apparently, wild boar was often hunted, killed, and eaten throughout the cold winter months, right around New Year's, in Europe (think England, Germany, Poland) and thus became the staple feast dish at New Year's.

Cider Orange Ham

Also, pork and ham are customary New Year's main courses because pigs apparently root or dig with their noses to the ground moving forward, a preferred metaphor for approaching the new year. This also explains why chicken, and birds in general did not make the traditional New Year's recipe list or tables. Chickens and turkeys scratch the ground with their feet in a backwards motion, supposedly not bringing good luck to the eater of said chicken.

Salmon Cakes

Which brings me to the last bit of research. I discovered that fish (all kinds) are considered quite lucky in most cultures (think Japan, Asia, South Pacific Islands, etc) to eat at New Year's, as they represent all sorts of metaphors for moving forward, swimming upstream and any other fish metaphor you want to add. In North America, eating Salmon, Cod, Herring and Halibut at New Year's is considered to bring you good luck for the next year and signifies prosperity.

Hopefully you have enjoyed your little history lesson about New Year's dishes and found a recipe tempting enough for you to try! We enjoy feedback and sharing photo results of recipes.

Who Needs Resolutions When You Have...

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:06:00 +0000

Such great recipes at your fingertips? Put off the resolutions until January 2nd-ish, and try one of these delicious dishes from Alicia's! These recipes are perfect for ringing in the New Year. We'll pretend they are fat-free and calorie-free, just for now.

If you have some place to be New Year's Eve, or planning to hunker down at home with the family and board games...add one of these desserts to your buffet and listen to the sound of New Year's revelers saying "Mmm...Yummy!"

Enjoy! And please submit pictures of your results to our site if you try one of our recipes. We love to see what's baking in your kitchen!

Upside Down Fruit Cobbler

Tiramisu Bundt Cake

Swedish Chocolate Balls

Christmas Is Coming...

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:12:00 +0000

The Goose is getting fat...and probably so will we! Here are some delightfully fattening recipes to get your holiday groove on with. Feed them to your family, the neighbors, your co-workers, and anyone else you can think of!

Enjoy the season. (Don't worry! We can all start training for a marathon together, after January 1st!)

Buttermilk Lemon Cake

Cheesy Ham and Potato Bake

Cherry Peanut Butter Balls

Deck the Halls with Breads and Pies!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:48:00 +0000

Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...We're very near to Christmas Day now (4 days to go by my calendar) and our Christmas baking countdown is coming to a close. We've shared recipes over the phone, googled easy oliebollen recipes on the internet, called our mothers in a panic to get their famous fill-in-the-blank holiday recipes, and sank into the nearest chairs spent and tired from compiling the perfect Christmas menus!

And we aren't done yet! Hang in there my friends. We are in the home stretch. A few more holiday parties and Christmas carols to go and then we can relax with a tall cup of steaming hot cocoa and watch our kids dismantle every single package under the tree.

Speaking of relaxing, here are some bread and pie recipes we can make up ahead of time to have on hand when the kids and in-laws get cranky because their blood sugar levels have plummeted to a new Christmas low.

Enjoy! Remember to submit a photo of your results to our site, because we love to see what's shakin' and bakin' in your kitchen!

Almond Pear Bread

Apple Pie With Candied Crust

Banana Split Pie

More Christmas AM Ideas!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Let the countdown begin! (No, I do not have all my shopping, wrapping, or baking done.) There are eight days until Christmas by my calendar, which means...you still have time to perfect your Christmas menu. Are you in the keep-it-simple-sweetie (KISS) camp? Or do you favor a more sophisticated approach to your holiday recipes?

Either way, here are a few recipes to get your holiday bake on...again! If it isn't already very much on that is. We've got plenty of tasty holiday recipes over at our site, in case your blow through our short list at the blog. Please post a picture of your results if you do use one of our recipes, because we love to see what you've been shakin' and bakin'!

Blackberry Muffins

Breakfast Cookies

Egg (English) Muffins

Christmas Morning Breakfast...

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:47:00 +0000

With Christmas morning 11 days away, it's not too early to think about Christmas breakfast! The shopping and wrapping and paper cuts and menu planning that go into building Christmas for your family should not be attempted on an empty stomach, and neither should Christmas morning!

Do you already have specific family favorites that you make for Christmas breakfast? Or are you more of a brunch kind of person? Do you like to get fancy with mimosas and streusel or keep it simple with black coffee and chunky gooey cinnamon rolls?

Whichever Christmas morning tradition you and your family enjoy, make it extra special with a simple and tasty Christmas morning recipe. Try something new this year, or add a side dish to your signature breakfast fair. Here are some recipes and ideas just to get you started...

All-In-One Quiche

Baked Donut Muffin

Blackberry Breakfast Bars

Christmas Candy Invasion!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:09:00 +0000

Apparently, I cannot escape the allure of chocolate and Christmas candy, despite how hard I fight it. They are all lethal I tell you, lethal! If I die eating Christmas Fudge...then I die a happy woman. Where was I? Oh yes, if you are still doing your holiday baking for Christmas and need some inventive tasty new candy recipes give one of these a try!

We have so many candy and cookie recipes just waiting for you over at Alicia's Recipes. So many cookies, so little time...

Remember to submit a picture of your results to our site. We love to see what's shakin' and bakin' in your kitchen!

Creamy Fudge

Easy Chocolate Turtles

Handmade Marshmallows

Tasty Treats For Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:02:00 +0000

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, all the running around and preparations you are solely responsible, you deserve a treat today! But how to treat you and your family and stay on budget for your holiday shopping and baking?

We have compiled a list of recipes that double as delicious gifts and delightful bites to keep your spirits high and your budget in tact. Try one (or all four) on your family and see if they pass the Christmas treat test.

Be sure to post pictures of your results at our site. We love to see what's shakin' and bakin' in your kitchen!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rocky Road Clusters

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

Chocolate Walnut Fudge

Christmas Balls of Sweetness!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Back again with our baking theme in mind for the holidays, I seem to have focused on round shaped baked goodies this morning. Here is what I am thinking: I'll make up several different kinds of cake balls, fudge, toffees, and other type goodies. Then I'll fill some festive holiday tins with the goodies.

(I have started recycling empty aluminum coffee cans, the big ones, instead of holiday tins as they can get kind of expensive to buy new each year. I use Christmas themed or other pretty scrapbook paper to cover the outside of the coffee cans with, maybe add some ribbon or stickers, a pretty gift tag and...Voila! Up-cycled goodies containers for your holiday gifts!)

All you have to do is bake, fill, and give! You are ready to knock the neighbors, your kids' teachers, soccer coaches, and family members socks right off with how creative, thrifty, and kitchen-savvy you are...Sounds like a win-win solution to me. Now get to filling those tins!

Don't forget to post pictures of your results to our site. We love to see what's shakin' and bakin' in your kitchen!

Buckeye Candy

Cake Balls

Chocolate Cake Balls

Let The Baking Begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:51:00 +0000

On your mark, get set...BAKE! It's hard to believe that Christmas Day is just around the corner. (Like 3 weeks, 5 days and 21 hours, but who's counting?) It's tradition in my family to give the gift of sweets. As we get older and start to produce families of our own, it gets more costly to give store bought gifts. So...we improvise and BAKE! We give fudge, cookies, candies and high dentist bills! Seriously, there are some awesome Christmas Goodie Recipes over at Aliciasrecipes.com FREE FOR YOU to sample!

Please submit a picture of your results to our site. We love to see what's shakin' and bakin' at your home!

Banana Fudge

Caramel Pecan Fudge

Cherry Peanut Butter Balls

Let The Gobble Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Thanksgiving Dinner with my family is always fun and super chaotic! If yours was half as crazy and filled with eccentric relatives as mine was...sit back, relax, and let the gobble go for another year. While you're at, if you get tired of leftovers anytime in the next 10 days ;-) give one of these simple and scrumptious recipes a try just to change things up a little. Breakfast for dinner? It always goes over awesome at my house!

Please submit a picture of your results to our site. We love to see what's sizzlin' at your house!

All-In-One-Quiche

Bacon Melt

Blackberry Breakfast Bars

Still Searching for Thanksgiving Sides?

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Over at Alicia's Recipes we have plenty of recipes that will fit perfectly with your Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner (or any other Thanksgiving Dinner!). Whether you are looking for a nice fresh pasta side dish or the more hearty and traditional potatoes or stuffing, we have something that will fill your menu's bill.

Please submit a picture of your results to our website. We love to see what's on the menu for your house!

BLT Pasta Salad

Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Holiday Turkey Stuffing

All Things Baked and Beautiful!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:54:00 +0000

There is something so delightful about a beautifully browned and baked dish, hot and fresh right out of your oven! It fills your home with an inviting aroma and the finished product appeals to all five senses. Give one of these baked recipes a try this month and listen for the tell-tale mmm's and ahh's from your family!

Remember to post a picture of your results on our website. We love to see what's for dinner at your home!

Baked Pork Chops

Baked Potato Wedges

Baked Stuffed Eggplant

Exciting Side Dishes!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:52:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is officially just around the corner (next Thursday) and that means thawing the turkey, crafting a menu and pie design...just to name a few tasks at hand. You must also decide which side dishes to save and which to scrap in favor of something new. (Yes, use your family as guinea pigs!) Try one of these sides, they are sure to please the most discriminating palates.

Southwestern Macaroni

Slow Cooked Ham & Scalloped Potatoes

Onion Roasted Potatoes

Remember to post a picture of your results on our website. We love to see what's for dinner at your home!

Grateful For Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas!

noreply@blogger.com (Tia Davis) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:55:00 +0000

Are you ready for Thanksgiving Dinner? Or do you still need some ideas for easy recipes that will make your kitchen talents shine? Over at Alicia's Recipes, we take the work out of preparing for your next big holiday meal, or preparing for family dinner tonight, (no really...check it out!). Try out one of these this week or for Thanksgiving Day! (Please submit a picture of your results to our website! We love to see what's on the table from your kitchens!)

All-In-One Quiche

Bacon-Jack Deviled Eggs

Buttermilk Rolls