What kind of person longs for a spice rack?

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!!

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

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

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!!!

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

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!!!

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..

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!!