Cook. Love. Grow. and Eat.

Hello All!

2012-09-19T21:42:00.000-04:00

I have some great recipes that I have created over this past month that Ive been away from my blog. I am going to make it simpler. I am going to post twice a week. If i'm able to fit in more then it will definitely be so.
Anyhow! I have great recipes I've created myself, and TONS of picture that I know you all will love and enjoy. Ill let you in on one recipe. Sweet and Saucy Buffalo baked chicken breast or just Sweet buffalo chicken? ?

Anyways This recipe actually came by mistake... I was making sweet and sour sauce for chicken, I guess my attention was divided and something ended up missing, First it was kind of bland I put in the vinegar but somehow my sauce was more sweet that sour.. Of course the adaptable me that I am... I adapted! I just simply took some wing sauce out of the cupbeard, poured in the saucy, and AMAZING!! However I also seasoned the chicken especially and added a syrup as well. And I have been using a seasoning as of late, nothing special, but Wow I have been putting it on everything lately and it gives the food a sort of boost...

Well, That is all for now.. I will be back tomorrow to post my recipe for this Saucy Chicken all seasonings includes along with the type of wing sauce I used and all other ingredients. Thanking you for visiting, and be sure to come back tomorrow to see pics with the recipe!

♥

Yikes, Where have I been?!?

2012-08-23T14:15:00.000-04:00

Apologies first and foremost. Hubby and I have both been sick trading places back and forth. ...Back and forth, literally. And honestly much cooking has not been going on, as we've been so sick and not eating much at all. Thankfully we were never down and out at the same time... Any how, I am back with a hunger for cooking, eating and taking pictures..... I've come across some delicious stuff that I have been too tired or too weak to try, And now I want to get back to it!! Ack.. Soon I will get back to it... I am on a special diet of just soup etc. since ive been sick........ So, bear with me ok?

♥

As I Type...

2012-07-18T21:28:00.000-04:00

Man! Can I make some nice home-made mac n cheese and fried chicken tenders. Eating that as I type. It is Delicious!

♥

Double battered Oven Fried Chicken! Yum

2012-07-17T19:41:00.002-04:00

Hello All,
It has been a few days since I've been able to post. I was feeling very ill as of late.. Today, i'm coming around. -Thanks to the special consideration and help of My Hubby...
Anyhow I think I left off with a "whats for dinner" recipe to be coming.

Well here it is... (I FOUND THE PICTURES MY PHONE DID NOT COMPLETELY LOSE ALL OF THEM! YaY...)

DB Oven Fried Chicken

Here's what you'll need
large Zip top bag
Chicken
Flour
1/2 cup Seasoned bread crumbs (I use 4 season)
1 egg(per 4 peices of meat)
1/4 milk
Garlic salt
Red pepper flakes
Onion powder

Step 1- I season the meat( If I have time I marinate it for about 3 hours to a day using only the above seasonings)
Step 2 - I then take the bag, add the flour, bread crumbs, and seasonings) mix all together by shaking the bag.
Step 3 - In a large enough bowl I combine the egg and milk.
Step 4 - Place chicken in bag, coat. remove chicken to a plate
Step 5 - Take another large bowl and pour out remaining flour mixture
Step 6 - Preheat oven to about 350-400
Step 7 - Take a large enough pan to accommodate meat, pour about half an inch of oil, let heat in oven
Step 8 - Coat chicken in egg wash
Step 9 - Roll/coat in flour mixture again
Step 10 - Remove pan from oven, place meat in sizzling oil
Step 11 - Bake for about 8-10 minutes, flip and repeat.
Step 12 - Drain on plate lined with paper towels

Serve with your choice of sides..

**I also used this exact recipe with Tilapia. So oven fried fish is totally an option!!!

Tomorrow

2012-07-14T22:05:00.000-04:00

I have been a little under the weather. However, I promise to you all that I am going to be posting a recipe tomorrow. So stay tuned!

Thanks

♥

What's for dinner tonight?

2012-07-08T22:59:00.001-04:00

Hello to all!

So Whats for dinner tonight?
Well, a few times a week I am going to start posting on this subject!!
I will also include photos as well. Everyone loves visualizations right?
Who doesn't?

However.....
Once again, I will not be posting photos along with tonight's dinner.
My phone, oh my tmobile phone is oh so bad!!!!
I take pics as I go along..(its so easy to just grab the phone)
Then I forget to plug the phone back up(It has to stay charged like 24/7 if I am to use it any at all.)
When I go back to the phone to take another pic, BAM its black, and the prior pics are lost.
PEOPLE, for my sake and your consideration, I am no longer going to use that raggedy phone.
Now I just have to find the charger to my Nikon. I think I lost it during the transition from my parents home to our new home!

DINNER!
Double battered Oven fried Chicken
White Rice
Whole Okra
Cornbread
Triple cheese MAC n Cheese

Hubby loved this meal!
He said, If his mother had a taste of 'this', she would want me to cook everyday.
(Mother in Law still lives in Jamaica)

I will post the recipes to tonight's dinner tomorrow. It's nearly 11:00pm, just got home an hour ago from visiting my parents + exercising with my hubby, and I am ca-pooped.

Thanks for stopping by!

Night♥

Easiest Tuna Sandwich around!

2012-06-29T00:09:00.000-04:00

Sandwich created by my husband in a moment of late night hunger. He's always creating and mixing stuff and i'm always like, 'how do you know how that is going to taste?'. Even though I do exactly the same thing. Standing by watching him make his sandwich, I just had to ask, 'Let me taste'. Taste I did!

I'm sure this is by far not an unheard of sandwich. I also am sure many people ate this very sandwich today. But has it ever been made known the easiest? Not until right now.

Most tuna sandwiches consist of some sort of dressing, pickles, etc. Not this one. Just
Bread
Canned Tuna in water, drained
Black pepper
Tomato
Lettuce
american cheese slice(Totally optional because it taste great without)

My husband made 2 sandwiches the first one only had the first 4 ingredients..
He had to experiment some more, he then added the last ingredients, I had to taste that one too.
Taste really unique if you just add tomato and no lettuce

Like I said, is this sandwich original? I don't think so... But the ease of it just blew me away, lol Made in like 2 minutes, no sauces, dressings, or mayo.. and it still had wonderful flavor.

Actually it has a very fresh flavor, with the untainted tuna, and crisp veggies. You might just want to make it now.

OK.. ♥

Ziti uh, Penne RECIPE!!!

2012-06-27T00:21:00.000-04:00

Ok Here we go!

The last 2 pans I made had 16 servings and the one before that made about 32. I used those big aluminum pans like from Dollar tree. So many servings? Well I'm just accustomed to cooking for a large family! Its so hard cooking for a family of two now, which is how I still ended up with 16 servings, lol.
Lots of time we have many leftovers.. of course I take some down to my parents...etc

Here's what I used need:
-1 1/2 lb box of whole wheat PENNE pasta. (I didnt actually use ziti because I prefer penne, does that mean I should change my recipe to baked penne? LoL)
-3 lbs Ground Turkey, Chicken or beef(I like to do half/half with turkey and beef)
-----(You can cut in half depending on how many servings you need)
-1 lb. of Shredded Sharp cheddar,
-1 lb. of Shredded Mozzarella
-6 slices of Non-smoked provolone
-45 oz Jar of Sauce, Chunky garden Veggie
-32 oz can of Mushroom spaghetti sauce
-large can of diced tomato
-2 yellow onion, diced
-1/2 cup sugar (adjustable)
-1 clove garlic, roasted and pureed* OR just minced
-1 10oz container of tomato and basil cream cheese**

NEXT:
-I boil the meat until its cooked through, drain under warm water, transfer to pot.
-In a large pot I bring water and a bit of sea salt to a boil, add pasta
-cook until al dente not to soft.
-drain pasta, under cold water. sit aside
-I then mix the sauces, tomatoes, onion and sugar into the meat. Stir.
-Then I add the cream cheese, Mix in.
-Lastly after pasta has cooled I mix it into the sauce.
-I preheat the oven about 400 degree
-Spray the deep aluminum pan with olive spray(or any)
-Continue stirring the sauce until cream cheese is well mixed in.
-pour half of sauce mixture into pan
-Arrange over sauce 6 slices of provolone
-Layer 1/2 each of cheddar and mozzarella
-Pour remaining sauce over cheese
-Cover with aluminum foil

-Bake for 45 minutes to an hour (depending)
-May have to remove foil half way through if sauce has not setteled
-After pasta has baked and sauce has settled take and set out
-Layer remaining 1/2 and 1/2 of cheeses on top

Once you read the extra information below, and you decide to try the roasted garlic, you may decide to use remaining pureed garlic to spread on nice crusty bread of your choice, broil in oven 5 -6 minutes or so.. Homemade garlic bread, Yum!

* Before these wonderful flavored cream cheeses came out. I used to add a secret addition of a cream cheese mixture I would make myself. I would take an 8 oz package of cream cheese. let it come to room temp and soften, all the while roasting some garlic cloves. Once the garlic is very softly roasted, would puree it in blender, throw in the cream cheese and mix. Once all the sauces were mixed and I'd added the meat to the sauce I would mix in the garlic/cheese mixture. The sauce then takes on a sort of red orange color. ....However
**I have substituted this cream cheese mixture for pre-flavored cream cheese. Either tomato and basil or the garlic.

-

New Recipe coming this week!!

2012-06-26T23:16:00.000-04:00

GOOD Evening to All!!

So, as I mentioned yesterday, it has been 7 months of non blogging. Without a doubt, I have done tons of cooking. Of course I was cooking while living with my parents, now I'm 24, married and cooking in my own home! So exciting! Actually I thought I enjoyed cooking before, But this new arrangement is beyond compare.. Words cannot describe how much more I enjoy it now! So now lets get to the food.

What things have I been cooking as of late? Many different things, but I'm going to share with you a sweet and simple baked ziti recipe that is all my own.
My ENTIRE family absolutely LOVES my Baked Ziti. Unfortunately, there will be no pictures to accompany this recipe.

The last time I made baked ziti, about 3 weeks ago, I took pictures with my cellphone, cellphone died and erased all the pictures, so sorry. However, the next time I make this dish, I will take pictures and go back to add it to this post.. I'm sure I'll be making it again real soon..

When it comes to pasta and sauces, I can make almost any plain ole jar or can sauce, into a "take it and make it" my own, delight. I have a way with spices, seasonings and just stuff that's left on hand in the fridge. I am also going to share my little secret that I add to my baked ziti sauce. This recipe is easily adaptable, and I know you and your family will enjoy it. My dad loves that it is so meaty. He's a meat and potatoes kind of guy, but he will go for my Ziti any day. Will Continue first thing tomorrow! See you then!

♥♥♥

Welcome Me back! -Marriage and all♥

2012-06-24T16:31:00.001-04:00

Hey to all!!!
I hope everyone is doing fine. As for me I am doing Great!
It is a very rainy day today, But I am inside now and loving it. Rain is absolutely beautiful.
And there is no thunder nor lightening! Ha, as Florida being the "lightening Capital", I am quite thrilled to enjoy a downpour of rain with out the threats of thunder and lightening.. My Husband on the other hand likes to see lightening, (sheltered of course).

That's right, Husband!
My last post was back in November 2011. After 7 months of non blogging and nearly five beautiful, wonderful simply amazing months of being married... I am finally back to entertain you! Aren't you happy? Grateful, excited? I hope so.. Because I am!
And I really want to take the time to thank my followers and everyone else that continues to look at my page from time to time. It is really exciting to look at my stats and see the increase..

Thank You ALL!! ♥

So let me tell you whats to come!
Well, soon I'd like to share what it has been like since my Husband and I have been married, along with the Fiance' Visa and Immigration process before the marriage.
There will be New topics, decorating tips(First apartment, etc) and of course new recipes, Pictures too! ...

Not only that, but what is it like cooking for my Husband? Not interesting enough? How about what is it like cooking for my JAMAICAN Husband, and I'm a simple American girl? You will find that there is a great difference in American food fare and Jamaican fare. So how does HE fare? All this you will find out soon....

Lots of LOVE

KC

What kind of person longs for a spice rack?

2011-11-18T23:16:00.032-05:00

OK, I realize that many people may not be as excited as I am about new Kitchen supplies, appliances, utensils, etc, but I have always been a fan of those spice racks that spin around. Actually, I've always been a fan of any contraption that conveniently bundles all my spices/herbs together in such a compact design, whether it spins or not. because, I also like the stackable spice racks that can hideaway in your cabinet, but if it looks nice on your countertop too.....

There are so many out on the market now. Not to mention the "as seen on TV" swivel. Ya, that one caught my eye too., but I have many more nice ones sitting in my mind. With that thought exactly, let me tell you about the one I just bought recently!

Okay I saw this AMAZING spice rack that has like double the spices as an ordinary, well, even the not so ordinary spice racks (Many only have about 12) and It doesn't look cheap either. I think the jars are made of glass and steel, but it's only $19.99us. I've seen most for $30.00us and up. I think it has about 20 different spices, it's easy to refill and seemed pretty durable and sturdy. I've had my eye on this for about 2 weeks and I bought it a few days ago!! It is durable and sturdy! ...And, It comes with a FIVE year refill! Now, if that isnt incentive to buy(especially when you know you cook alot and use a lot of herbs, spices) then I have no idea what else to say. Well, of course if you dont need it, then there just isn't an incentive to make you wanna buy. This product however is going to come to good use for me.. Before I got this one I looked up a few online........

This isn't mine, Got this picture from Overstock.com It is CuisineArt Brand. Priced at $45us. Compared to my 19.99us.. Well $21 with tax

Mine is somewhat similar to this!! This one ranges in the higher $30's. 39.99 and up. Still doesnt beat my bargain!. This photo came from amazon, Kamenstein 20 Jar revolving spice rack. Mine is a Kamenstein.

Ok, I just had to tell someone other than my family. With a new apartment in my future, You will definitely be hearing more about my great finds, at least the ones I think are great. Maybe you will think so too!

Thanks All ♥

Garlic Retraction Alert!!

2011-11-05T16:50:00.001-04:00

OK, so here's the deal, the soup that I made was so good and hearty that my Mother asked me to make two more pots. Another for us and one to give away. 'Whats with the madness of the garlic??' you may be wondering? Well, If you read the FIRST post of this soup RECIPE, you would know what I said about fresh garlic. To refresh your beautiful minds, I said 'I don't like using fresh garlic, I'd rather use garlic powder, but that I used fresh garlic, since that particular recipe called for it.' Yup, that's about what I said. So, I went ahead and made what I thought was two duplicate pots of soup. Tasted it, thinking hmm? Something is just not right, not as robust, hearty and kicking. I'm sure you have figured it out by now, so... Need I say more?
Fresh Garlic you people FRESH Garlic. Therefore, I am going to retract what I said. I never had a problem using garlic powder before, but this recipe and the ingredients just absorbed the seasonings and herbs so well, you can definitely tell. I mean I am taken aback at how well you can tell that I hadn't used fresh garlic. If you want the best out of THIS soup recipe, you have to use the fresh. There is my retraction.

Thanks All
Have a wonderful breezy Saturday evening!

Soup Recipe

2011-10-17T18:49:00.005-04:00

Hello All!
So, today I am going to post a soup recipe I found in a recent magazine. I decided to try it the other day. Along with the recipe will be pictures that I took, shown step by step. Its a tomato based soup.

Here's the ingredients list:

Olive Oil

Cayenne pepper

Cumin

Fresh Parsley

Fresh Cilantro
Vegetable juice

Ground Chicken

Onion

Bell pepper

Fresh Garlic*
Crushed tomatoes
Beans

I didn't include any measurements for the very reason that I didn't follow them myself. I mainly used the recipe as a guide.

* Now, for the record, I am not a fan of fresh garlic at all! The peeling, the chopping, the stickiness.. It's tedious and so not my cup of tea. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, I don't know... Anywho, give me garlic powder, and I'll be fine.. However, since this particular recipe called for fresh, I decided to go on and add it since its my first time trying this recipe.

Well, now lets get started!!,

1) -Chop up your onions and bell pepper, garlic. Yes, Although I have an electric chopper, I hand chopped; for the simple fact that I actually enjoy cooking and prepping the ingredients(just not garlic).

Best Friends : )

2)- Saute Chicken in Olive oil(I just boiled in water then drained)

3)- Saute Onions, bell pepper, garlic in olive oil. Just enough to soften, not to brown.

Olive oil I used

4)- Combine Crushed tomatoes, chicken, and veggies, Mix well.

5)- Add Beans(I couldn't decide which beans to use, so I used two kinds!)

6)- Add Vegetable juice, Mix well over medium heat

.......and more juice

.......and MORE beans?!?
Yup-remember ppl, beans are chock full of fiber and vitamins!

7)- Add Cayenne, add Cumin. Continue to cook over Medium-High heat until boiling

Smells soooo Good!

8)- Bring on the Parsley and Cilantro-o-o-o!! Can you tell which is which?

9)- Sprinkle parsley and cilantro

3x to emphasize the beauty !!!

10)- Stir, and expect to be amazed...not really, it's just soup

Now, I'm not sure if I mentioned this, and I'm not going to scroll alllll the way back up just yet to check, but I added more seasonings including a bit of salt. Now, the soup on its own had a very delicious, very fresh, aromatic taste. It just needed something to bring it out a bit. That being said, I only added to my liking after following the recipe then sampling it. So, I gave it a fair chance on its own, then I had to doctor it a bit.. All in all, it was a hit!

Pictures coming soon, Homemade wedding cookies

2011-09-27T20:10:00.000-04:00

I am soon going to add pictures of my latest creations. I just have to make sure I keep the dig camera with me. I forget so many times, only to call to mind after everything has been eaten up. LoL.

Soo, I was thinking as a favor to my guests, to make some homemade Butter Vanilla Cookies(yum yum yumma mumma). These cookies are yummy. Have not had them in a while. Now here is the exciting part... I am going to use a wedding cake cookie cutter from Joann's. I got the idea while browsing for wedding favors, and came across a site that would make them for you. -Buuuttttttt... I believe they only use the standard 'sugar cookie' recipe. I wanted to step it up a bit, by making the gift a bit more personal(cause I'll be making them myself), AND also use a much more delicious recipe instead of the plain 'sugar cookie'. Its going to be great! The butter vanilla cookies are so soft and chewy, I'm not sure if they could withstand being decorated. That is not going to stop me from experimenting : )

THESE cookies will definitely be photograped and posted. Before and after Decorated. Goodnight
Ok, this is my second post today. Anyways... Thanks

Thats RIGHT! I said it, WHOLE WHEAT Flour!!!

2011-09-27T19:56:00.000-04:00

YES, Cooking with whole wheat flour is wonderful. -And NO, I did not make a mistake in my first recipe. : )
To the critics, whole wheat flour is a much healthier alternative to White/all purpose flour. Many good cooks who love to experiment with food, (like myself) have found that oven fried chicken is absolutely great with whole wheat flour. As with many other things, to thicken gravy, to brown meat and of course, all things bread like. Anyways, just thought I'd add this bit of information
Have a wonderful Day!
♥KCraig

First Recipe

2011-09-04T23:33:00.003-04:00

Ok, Its been nearly two months since my last post. The reasons? Don't ask, alright? Good. Now, lets get started on this Chicken recipe!
This recipe can be all your own, add a little of this, a pinch of that and voila! A creation all your own.

This is a nice, flavorful, smothered Chicken recipe, with a side of Rice, a side of Broccoli with cheese and Steamed Baby Carrots, which as with the broccoli, are optional.
Here's what you would need(You can vary the seasonings to your liking or whats available to you):
ENTREE
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders
Everglades Original Seasoning Blend*#
Salt(to liking)
Pepper(to liking)
Garlic powder
Red Onion(chopped or stripped)
Assorted Bell Peppers(optional)
Whole Wheat Flour
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Water(or Low Sodium Broth)
SIDES: Rice(White or WW), Broccoli & Cheese, Carrots

*If you are unable to obtain Everglades seasoning, you can take your original season salt and mix with a tad bit of sugar(or splenda) and onion and garlic powder. Yums :-)

#My next post after this will be a list of my favorite seasonings, including Everglades(which is AMAZING ! by the way). I will also include where I purchased them and where you should be able to find them in your area.

(1) Wash, clean and prep meat.
(2) Season meat using Everglades, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder.
(3) Coat meat with WW Flour.
(4) Place Olive Oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Just enough to saute.
(5) When oil is hot, add chopped onion, bell pepper, saute.
(6) Then add meat, saute just enough to brown both sides of meat.
(7) Carefully add small amounts of water AROUND the chicken, careful not to POUR!
(8) Stir water in slightly
(9) Cover chicken with a lid, bring the temp down to low-medium, Simmer.
(10) Cook 5-6 minutes on each side
(11) Boil rice
(12) Steam Broccoli, add your favorite cheese.
(13) Steam Carrots, do not mix with Broccoli.

ANDDD VOILA! THERE YOU GO.. ...
A RECIPE FROM MY ♥

Chicken!!!

2011-07-11T16:29:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite foods! Chicken is sooo very versatile, which we all know and probably have read and heard many times just how easy cooking chicken is. If you still have doubts, have no fear! Cook.Love.Grow&Eat is here!
Really, I am here to inspire you with my favorite tasty, but simple meals. This post for today is all about chicken. Such as, the easiest types of chicken to prepare, how to store chicken, etc.
Just to get things flowing for today, i'm going to brush up on some great ways to buy, store and prepare Chicken.

Food is very expensive these days. So what I love to do is get things when they are on sale and stock up. Different meats are always on sale at most markets practically every week!

The type of chicken I use and would reccomend is Chicken breast and Chicken legs; as they tend to have less calories and fat. Its even more better without the skin. Buying chicken that is either already cleaned, prepared etc. is great, however it does come with a cost that many of us can't afford to pay. Soo, with that in mind, it calls for a little preparedness.

But first let me talk about the meats that come cleaned, frozen and in a bag in the back of the market. Yah, they seem easy, but it is more cost effecient if you buy fresh meat and take home, clean them, seperate individually and freeze your self. Fresh, Family size packs of meat are awesome for this. That way it saves loads of time when you're in a rush. You can just go in the freezer, thaw, and start cooking. Also, seperating them instead of storing the whole tray makes it easier to unthaw. Freezing them individually first, proves to be better for me in the long haul.

So, you find your desired chicken peices on sale at a great price, and you stock up... Bring home and prepare them for the freezer. For Tommorow, you decide that you would like to cook a nice chicken dinner for your hubby. Whats the first step? ...First recipe will be included in the following post!

Introduction..

2011-07-09T13:17:00.007-04:00

Cook. Love. Grow. and Eat. -
Food is such a wonderful gift from our Creator. To be able to Love and express Love, is just as wonderful. So, I put the two together. This is where, 'Cook' and 'Love' meet 'Grow' and Eat'.
By COOKING, I express my LOVE for my family and friends. Which in turns allows me to GROW spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. When thats said and done, I EAT, too. : )

This Blog is about taking the time out to express your unconditional Love for your family, through cooking. To learn to cook simple but delicious food, that your family will enjoy. So I have been inspired to created this blog based on the experience and successful recipes I have received from my Mother, Grandmother, Aunts, Sisters, Friends and as a Wife to be. And of course, I am looking forward to your comments, feedback, successful recipes and even your experiences!

: ) Have A great Day!!