What's Cooking?

I savored the sliced ones, tossed them in salads, topped a pizza, loved Roxanne’s tapenade, added them to sandwiches and yet, I still don’t tire of summer-ripe tomatoes.  I love them, don’t you? One more dish I like to make when tomatoes are so plentiful is Roasted Tomato Basil Soup. 

Get out your slow cooker and give this recipe for Roasted Tomato Basil Soup a try.

It is hard to believe school has started and summer is fading. One of the perks of this time of year is the abundance of home grown tomatoes. It seems like I wait forever for that first tomato from the vine and the traditional BLT sandwich that follows immediately and then, all of a sudden tomatoes are multiplying before my very eyes!  

Make my favorite Tomato Tapenade recipe.

I love “real dinners” –  and my definition of “real” are those dinners that include fresh ingredients and are served on a plate with a knife and fork. (As opposed to sandwiches and anything served from a fast-food menu.)  Yet sometimes, the schedule gets tight and it is hard to plan dinner, so I think everyone needs a few “go-to” menus that go together so fast you don’t have to think. This is one of those recipes for me. 

Give Balsamic Glazed Pork and Vegetables a try.

 Family, friends, food and traditions make up the fabric of my life. One food tradition that rises to the top of the list would be sourdough pancakes. This recipe has created quite the tradition in my family.  The recipe stems from a sourdough starter that I have been feeding and tending to for 18 years.  (Hungry? Read more on Sourdough Pancakes)

Quiche is back on my radar.The creamy, cheesy filling is a perfect palate for all kinds of flavor additions-from seasonal favorites to gourmet sensations--so this humble pie can become the centerpiece of any meal.  It is truly a culinary “little black dress” that can easily dress up for special events and yet, fits perfectly into a simple family supper. It is old and it is as new as ever.  (Click here for Tomato Basil Quiche Recipe)

Each season at our house brings with it traditions and rituals that we look forward to and mark the rhythms of our life. Summer is no different and one of our favorite summer traditions is Fresh Peach Pie.   Ready for great summer eating? (Click here for Fresh Peach Pie Recipe)

Summertime is grilling time at my house. I grill so often that midway through the summer, I tire of the standbys.Yet, my search for something a little different is in reality, a nod to the old-fashioned. When was the last time you grilled bone-in chicken pieces?

What is grilling? (Peach Salsa Glazed Chicken)     

One of my favorite memoies growing up would definitely be baking cookies with my mom. Mom was always in the kitchen baking and creating tasty treats. I think she still bakes cookies for my dad each week. The aroma of home and the smell of baking cakes and cookies are memories I will always keep in a special part of my life. 

What is baking at my house?  (Praline Frosted Pecan Cookies--Click here to read more.)

Fourth of July Sizzle!  Are you planning a cookout for the Fourth of July? If you are tired of the same old burgers, this is the perfect dish to cook. It tastes great. It is easy to prepare. It is lean and healthy.

What is sizzling perfection for dinner? (Marinated Flank Steak ---Cliick here to read more)

I am blessed with a wonderful group of friends who have bonded together because we all have children at the same elementary school.  This group of women is supportive, funny and filled with advice about raising children in today’s somewhat crazy world.  I don’t know what I would do without them.  We have created a bond that I treasure.

What is a quick, dinnertime idea I share with friends? (Pesto--click to read more.) 

Welcome to our kitchens.  Pull up a chair. Make yourself at home. We are glad you are here.

We are plugged into cooking. We are passionate about it.  It is our fun, our stress reduction, our family traditions, our lives—and oh yea, it is our business. (More on that later.)

We are Kathy and Roxanne—the best of friends and business partners.  We love to cook together. We have been cooking together—in the same kitchen or by phone in separate kitchens-- forever (like over 25 years.)  We are married to great guys, have kids, and have different tastes in the kitchen, but we are the kind of friends you always dream of—the one you turn to—to share the high points, the low points and every bump, giggle, tear, smile, joy and secret along the way.

We love to talk about food. We share recipes. We give tips. We are real—we have to get dinner on the table in short order on crazy, busy nights, just like you. We build our family traditions and memories by icing the cookies and stirring the gravy.  We also work for a lot of major food and appliance companies, developing recipes, writing about food and keeping pace with the latest in food trends and appliances.  We have test kitchen experience and teach cooking classes.  So, what does that mean to you? It means we have the expertise to help you, teach you, and give you creative, new recipes.  (Check out www.electrifiedcooks.com). 

So come on in—and let’s talk about “what’s for dinner?” We are kind of like your next door neighbor (or the friend you dream about having) that is always willing to share their favorite recipe for that scrumptious dish! No secret recipes here—just check back often, on either one of our blogs, and you will find another great recipe.