Simple Yet Gourmet

Are you like me? Do you like Pot Pies but hate having a soggy crust on top? Puff Pastry croutons are the perfect solution. A yummy filling topped with tender, flaky croutons makes for the perfect comfort food.

Alfredo is one of my favorite sauces! I have looked many places to find one that won't turn to glue when it cools. After some adjusting to this recipe by adding milk instead of all cream this recipe, I achieved the perfect alfreado sauce . Another change is to grill the chicken and add it to the sauce right before I mixing it with the pasta. If you choose, the chicken is great done on the stove as the directions indicate. This dish has come one of our favorites, I hope you enjoy it as well!

Oprah's personal chef, Art Smith was the creator of this masterpiece. Oprah mentioned this was the most requested cake at Art Smith's resturant. Its a very pretty cake and simple to make. The second day is the best! The cake is very moist and the frosting set up. You can also find this recipe in Art Smith's book "Back to the Family," which is wonderful addition to any cooks collection. Art Smith's Hummingbird Cake Created by Chef Art SmithOprah.com Ingredients: Cake: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups granulated sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups chopped ripe bananas 1 cup drained crushed pineapple 1 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs , beaten 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup (4 ounces) finely chopped pecans Icing: 8 ounces cream cheese , at room temperature 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter , at room temperature 1 pound confectioners' sugar (about 4 1/2 cups sifted) 1 teaspoon van

To finish our night off I tried these amazing Apple Fritters from another favorite recipe website, http://www.thepioneerwomen.com/ . Super simple and fun for the kids to watch, as well as eat. The were so good warm, dusted with powered sugar. Even my husband liked them which is always a challenge! Enjoy these tasty treats!!

I have searched many places for a good pizza dough recipe. One day I was watching Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network and she was making pizzas. They looked really good and the recipe was rather simple. So one weekend we gave it a try--they were a hit with my family! She also gave a recipe for Garlic Oil for a different type of pizza. I have included that as well, but feel free to use a basic marinara sauce for those who like the red stuff! Below is my pizza that I love with zucchini, olives, sausage, feta cheese, mushrooms, green peppers and of course mozzarella cheese. Have fun and make your own creation!

This is my FAVORITE chicken ever! My husband's too. We simply can't get enought of it. Try it, you'll love it :)

I found this recipe at one of my favorite blogs, bakeorbreak .com. When I first saw this recipe I was a little skeptical, so I had to make it. Mike wasn't even going to try it, until the sweet smell filled the house. It was a pleasant surprise to all the senses. You will have to give this a try, it was so yummy warm out of the oven with fresh whip cream!

One of the things I miss about living in Utah is going to Cafe Rio. Their pork salads are so addicting and while living in Texas and California I've missed them dearly. Since there are no Cafe Rio restaurants around, I decided I needed to find a copycat recipe to calm my cravings. I'm SO glad I found this recipe! I wouldn't say that it is exact, but it is pretty darn close!

This recipe I found in my favorite cooking magazine, Cuisine At Home. This has become one of our favorite soups to make on those cold Colorado nights. I love making homemade rolls and honey butter to go along with this very yummy and filling soup.

Thanks to my good friend Katie, this has become one of our family's favorite desserts! When strawberries are on sale this is the recipe we turn to. It's a yummy twist to the ordinary strawberry shortcake. Don't let the idea of rolling a cake scare you. I was afraid to make this for a long time, but once I did, I never turned back. With summer just around the corner I hope this recipe will become a favorite of yours as well.

This sauce is was a favorite of my husband's when he was growing up and we still eat it on a regular basis. It is flavorful, chunky, and has just the right balance of spice and sweetness to it. For a special treat, try it with mizzithra or asiago cheese. It's SO good, easy to make, and it freezes wonderfully. So make a batch, enjoy it now, and put some in the freezer for an easy meal later on!

If you like chocolate, you will love this cake. It is chocolate to the extreme. Hot fudge comes oozing out of a moist chocolate cake. Topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with more hot fudge, this is Heaven on a plate. Also, it's really easy to make so that's a plus too!