Quick Stir-fry Cabbage

Some of my best-tasting dishes were made quickly and without measuring. The stir-fried cabbage I cooked tonight was one of them. I fried one slice of bacon (cut into five pieces) until crisp with two cloves of minced garlic and half a cup of chopped onions. Then, I sprinkled about 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, sage, and red pepper flakes and mixed together. I added the shredded cabbage (half of a medium-sized) and tossed with the onions, garlic, and seasonings until coated. Lastly, I poured in about 1/2 cup of chicken stock and simmered for about 10 minutes. It went well with the turkey meatballs and rice I served with it. And, it tastes great, too!

New Bobbi Brown colors

If you like Bobbi Brown makeup, you're probably aware of the new colors she's added to her makeup line. I tried on a new pot rouge color "raspberry" and liked it instantly! It gives your lips and cheeks a pretty pop of color for spring, summer, or fall. The new package is pretty, too, with a round glass mirror attached, making the $1.00 increase from $24 to $25 well worth it. I like the new cream eye shadow "copper", too. The color isn't as bold as "bronze", yet equally pretty and powerful - a perfect gold shade! Though this product increased to $24 (from $22), it's still a good deal. It lasts all day without creasing! Visit a Bobbi Brown counter at Macy's or Nordstrom to see what colors work for you.

Two great buys at Macy's!

Every once in a while, we all need to treat ourselves to something nice, especially when it's on sale! Today while browsing at Macy's, I purchased an elegant white and gold necklace at 60% off, plus an additional 15% off. My total price came to a little over $13.00. And, the dressy, stylish, and comfortable turquoise, black, and white blouse I found was a steal, too, for a little over $10.00 after tax and an additional 15% off. You can't beat Macy's for fashionable clothing and jewelry at bargain prices.

Smoked Sausage & Spaghetti Skillet Dinner

You know I love trying new recipes, especially ones I can throw together quickly with ingredients I have on hand. I knew I wanted a home-cooked meal today but wanted to prepare something quick. While grocery shopping today, I decided to try a package of Johnsonville Smoked Sausage (premium cooking sausage). I read the recipe on the back of the package, and it sounded good! Turns out, it was. Of course, I added a few extra ingredients for more flavor, and shook a little Parmesan cheese on top before serving. It was light, flavorful, and filling.

Smoked Sausage & Spaghetti Skillet Dinner

8 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 package (13.5 ounces) Johnsonville Smoked Sausage, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package (8 ounces) sliced fresh mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in hald
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

In a skillet, brown sausage in oil for 3-4 minutes. Add mushrooms, garlic and seasonings. Continue to cook until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes, basil and prepared pasta. Toss lightly; heat through. Serve.
6-8 servings. Ready in 30 minutes.

Note: I added about two tablespoons of white wine, 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and some diced onions and green bell pepper I had in the refrigerator.

A breakfast fit for an Olympian

No, I'm not in London participating in the 2012 Olympic games, but this breakfast would satisfy anyone before an event. A hearty meal of sauteed potatoes with onions, bell peppers, and garlic, with scrambled eggs and bacon, is a great way to start your day. This meal kept me going all day until dinner time. It's so easy to prepare, delicious, and satisfying. Use potatoes of your choice, but I love Red or Yukon Gold for breakfast potatoes. You can find my recipe for breakfast potatoes in my cookbook, "Everyday Comfort Foods with Family and Friends", ($8.95) available at IUniverse.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Amazon.com.

Lasagna and salad: a winning combination

My brother recently came to visit in California and covered a lot of ground while he was here. One stop was to my home in San Jose where I served lasagna and a fresh garden salad. The weather was a little warm, so I wanted to prepare a hot, homemade meal quickly. I browned a mixture of ground beef and ground Italian pork sausage, then added a jar of marinara sauce. I combined the sauce mixture with some cooked rigatoni noodles and folded in some Ricotta cheese, then added Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top before baking it at 350 degrees for about50 minutes.
I love Roma tomatoes, so I added some along with sliced cucumbers and a mixture of Romaine and spinach lettuce. It was a delicious meal and easy to prepare.

Roma Tomatoes, a must in my salad!

The weather's been warm, and I've been preparing many quick dishes in the kitchen. Salad are great year-round, and a vegetable salad can be thrown together in minutes. I prepared a simple salad with Romaine lettuce and my favorite tomatoes, Roma. They're sweet, flavorful, and perfect in any salad. I enjoy them by themselves, too, sliced with no dressing or seasonings, as a snack or side dish. And, when they're on sale for $0.79 cent a pound or less, I stock up!