September 1, 2010

I’ve been thinking about chicken breasts. . .  There are a lot of boneless, skinless chicken breasts consumed daily in this country. And most of the ones that you find in the grocery stores are shamefully enormous – leading us to eat much larger portions than are healthy. Also, larger breasts are generally a bit tougher. I like to find chicken breasts that are in the 5-6 ounce range. These smaller breasts are a perfect portion size – they are tender – and they cook quickly.

Use some smaller chicken breasts and try the recipe for Honey Asian Chicken that I just posted on the website. You’ll also find other great grilling recipes for the Labor Day holiday. Enjoy the holiday! Spend precious time with your family at the dinner table.

August 31, 2010

I had a great weekend with four sessions of meal assembly for My Family Dinners. We had over 25 guests preparing dinners for their families – plus the staff prepared dinners for an additional 10 families. It was crazy busy!

Talking with our customers, I again became aware of how difficult it can be for busy families to put a healthy dinner on the table regularly. Baseball is still winding down here, soccer has started, school, scouting, PTA, Open Houses, dance, etc., etc., etc. And most parents are working full time and trying to juggle a job, picking up and driving kids around, cleaning, cooking, and a host of other parental responsibilities.

We are working on ways that My Family Dinners can help. We have talked with several schools about having a prepared dinner one night a week that parents can pick up when they pick up their children. Another idea we’re working on is publishing a weekly menu plan, complete with grocery list and recipes. Do you have any ideas of ways we can help? Let me know!

August 20, 2010

Last night we had a neighborhood “pot luck” gathering. It was awesome! I’m so fortunate to have neighbors who also love to cook, and can put on an excellent feed. One of our neighbors, Katie Grant, owns Casa Rolls, and they brought some of their squash casserole and tomato pie. These are 2 excellent dishes. Another made marinated shrimp and a fantastic baked brie. I feel the “fat factor” is kicking in! I took the My Family Dinners Pork Loin with Mango BBQ sauce and caprese salad. This pork loin is on the August menu. Everyone loved it. Sign up to come to My Family Dinners next weekend and make one for your family. Sometimes I just wish I didn’t LOVE good food so much.

August 12, 2010

Last night we had “Asian Night” at the Puffer house. My cheffy friend, Darrell, had taught me how to make spring rolls and a peanut sauce, so I tried my hand at making some for my family. THEY WERE AWESOME! I couldn’t make them fast enough. Using rice paper from the Asian market, cooked rice noodles, fresh basil and mint from the garden, and other goodies, I made up spring rolls that were a summertime delight. As soon as I would roll them, someone would be at my elbow, picking it up and devouring it. “Make more, make more,” was the cry. So I rolled and rolled, and finally had everyone sated, with some to go in the refrigerator for today. The ones I had for lunch today were even better than the ones we ate last night.

I also made chicken “larb” – a Thai treat, which we ate rolled in fresh cabbage leaves. Some of the larb also went in to the spring rolls – as did some shrimp and fresh veggies. It was actually a pretty easy and light dinner. And a huge success with the family. I had planned to make jasmine rice in rosemary water. . . But it was one of those nights. . . I never got to it. But that’s okay – we were pretty “carb-heavy” already! Anyone interested in an asian cooking class?

I was fortunate to find black eyed peas and butterbeans this week at a local fresh market. So – I’ve blanched them, and stored them in the freezer, hoping to eat them on a cold winter night when I’m longing for the return of summer veggies! Blanching fresh vegetables prior to freezing is a simple process that helps keep the delicious textures and nutritional values of the vegetables. Most vegetables need about 2 minutes in boiling water, followed by a cold water bath to halt the process in order to be properly blanched. I then store them in labeled Ziploc freezer bags to be frozen and enjoyed later.

Of course, it would have been a shame to freeze all of them. . . So, we have surely enjoyed some of these wonderful flavors of the south – along with fried chicken and mashed potatoes – this week. It was a week for the comfort foods our mothers and grandmothers used to make. YUM! Along with fresh sliced tomatoes dripping with goodness. . .Summer is such a treat!

August 1, 2010

“Chopperama Mama” – My brother loves making up silly rhyming names, and I couldn’t help thinking that he would be calling me that today. Because I’ve been doing some serious chopping. I have learned that if I can get ahead on the chopping, the rest of meal preparation is so simple. So – if I have to chop an onion for a recipe, I’ll chop a couple of extra, store them in a Ziploc bag, and I’m ready for the next recipe that calls for chopped onion. They will hold in the refrigerator for days, or I will freeze them and use later. And, since I’m chopping, and I’d like to have roasted potatoes for dinner – I can go ahead and chop them now, and hold them in cold water to keep them from turning brown before I cook them. When I’m ready to cook – just drain the water and toss the potatoes with olive oil and seasonings and pop them in the oven.

You too can be a “chopperama Mama.” Whenever you pull out that cutting board and knife, just keep chopping and store your diced goodies for use later. It’s a great way to maximize your effort

July 29, 2010

Okay – what’s in the fridge? I’ll pull out some tilapia from the freezer. They thaw really quickly. I can pan sauté those in a little butter, and add capers, fresh dill, lemon juice, pepper and a dash of white wine. We’re overloaded with tomatoes. . . MY FAVORITE! I was going to make “Tomato Stackers” (see New Recipes), but I don’t have any eggplant. So I’ll just slather some of that pesto on the tomatoes, add fresh mozzarella, some extra basil from the garden, and a little balsamic vinaigrette. Aha! And I also have a few choice squash. We’ll enjoy some “Simple Summer Squash” (see New Recipes). I love having fresh herbs on hand to enjoy with my summer veggies.

The bounty of summer makes meal planning so awesome. So many wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits. Oh yes, we’ll have some vanilla ice cream with sliced peaches for dessert. And then I guess I’ll have to rev up the exercise regimen.

July 27, 2010

Last week was so much fun! We catered a dinner party for 20 people, a luncheon for 40, and another lunch for 75. On Saturday, we made about 85 My Family Dinners for our customers to put in their freezers to enjoy over the next few weeks. There were many smiling faces and satisfied stomachs.

My stomach was pretty satisfied with the Lasagna we enjoyed eating on Saturday (and Sunday) nights. On Monday, we had the My Family Dinners Shrimp Scampi. That is one delicious dinner – and so easy! Start to finish, it’s ready in just 15 minutes. Tonight, it will be Dijon Pork Chops. I’m so happy that my freezer is again full of delicious dinners! It makes life so simple. Join us in August when we have another cooking weekend Aug. 27 and 28 at Ideal Meals. I’m so excited about the many old friends who are already signed up to cook with us. It’s going to be a great weekend – and the end result will be a freezer filled with delicious My Family Dinners. Don’t miss it!

July 17, 2010

Wow! A week has passed and I haven’t had any thoughts. . . Something weird about that. Especially since I’ve been thinking so much today. When I’m in the kitchen all day (as I am today), my mind really wanders. I’m cooking for a dinner party for 20 people today. And every recipe I’ve worked on has brought a rush of memories. Sometimes I just recall cooking with friends – the laughter, the conversations we enjoyed, the cooking tips we shared with each other. Sometimes I pause to give thanks for those tips that make cooking so much easier!

Other times, I’m mulling over the state of the world and solving all the problems in my small kitchen! Trust me – this does not mean that I want to run for political office. It’s just that I like to solve problems. . . And there seem to be a bunch of problems in the world today! So, I enjoy thinking those problems over and applying my imaginary solutions to them. Good thing I’m not the Queen of the World! I better just stick to cooking. I’m pretty sure that I can make a delicious dinner. Fix the economy, find jobs for the jobless, end wars. . . . Ummm. I think I better leave those problems to someone else to solve!

July 9, 2010

I am very thankful that I enjoy cooking. After all, it is something that most of us have to think about every day. And for so many people, that is quite a chore. I confess that I enjoy it a whole lot more now that the girls are grown! But even when they were small, I enjoyed cooking with them. I’ve always been fairly organized, so when the kids were small, I put together a menu for 2 weeks at a time. This did involve some forethought, much calendar checking, and the ability to be flexible. I saved those menus, and they were often repeated over the course of the year.

I’m a lot more creative now – mostly because I have more time. Now I enjoy going to the local roadside stand and picking up several fruits and vegetables that I try to work into the weekly menu in unique ways. Often I open the refrigerator in the morning before I leave and take inventory. Then I can mull on what’s in there all day to come up with something fun and different for our dinner.

I enjoy eating out too. . . But, honestly, especially in the summer, with all the fresh fruits and vegetables available, I much prefer to eat at home. That allows me to be a bit inventive in the kitchen and enjoy a quiet dinner on the deck with the family (if it’s not too hot!)

July 5, 2010

All this good eating is not helping my (formerly) girlish figure! What a great weekend. On Saturday night, I helped my friends, Chef Darrell Morgan and wife Kathy, with a rehearsal dinner at “My Father’s House.” This is their home that also serves as an event venue for wedding parties, brunches, family gatherings, etc. It’s such a lovely place, and they are the perfect hosts. The home is filled with beautiful antiques and curiosities from all over the world, and Kathy enhances the atmosphere with lovely decorations, flowers, candles and table settings that are warm and inviting. Darrell prepares food that is delicious and always garners rave reviews. This night we enjoyed a divine pork tenderloin with a mango barbecue sauce, garlic smashed potatoes, a roasted vegetable medley, salad, Mediterranean cole slaw, rolls, all followed by chocolate decadence with raspberry sauce. The guests went back for seconds, then thirds. . . Let me just say that it was a VERY successful event!

Then on Sunday (the 4^th), we celebrated with the traditional favorites – hamburgers on the grill, potato salad, cole slaw, and of course, watermelon! I always make “Mom’s Brownies” – the recipe is on the “New Recipes” page. Lots of chocolate goodness.

So today, it was BBQ pork, cole slaw, barbecue beans and rolls. Is this America, or what!? Did you see that? Cole slaw three days in a row! The diet begins tomorrow. . . . Hope you had a happy 4^th!  

July 1, 2010

My freezer is almost empty. The good thing about that is that it means I’ll be able to defrost it. (Yes, it is an “old timey” model that has to be defrosted.) The bad thing is that I’m out of My Family Dinners! My daughter recently complained that her freezer is also empty. So. . . We’re planning a family get-together that involves making lots of food to re-stock our freezers. I’ve picked some of my favorites (calzones, chicken piccata, rosemary pork chops) and she’s picking some of her favorites.

Is your freezer empty? I’m going to post the dinners we plan to make, and if you want us to make some for you while we’re at it, just let me know.  I should have our menu up in the next few days – along with the August menu and schedule. Meanwhile, the Tuesday Dinner returns next week, Tuesday, July 6, with Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Ginger Sauce, cranberry pecan rice pilaf, and a fresh green salad with homemade dressing. YUM! Call me at 423-902-7642 if you want my Tuesday dinner to be your Tuesday dinner too!

June 25, 2010

TOMATOES! Tis the season. . . . I’ve just posted a bunch of tomato recipes on the “New Recipes” page. Everything in the world is better with fresh, home grown tomatoes. Our kids laugh at us in the summer, because every night we have tomatoes. . . And every night we have a conversation that goes something like this: “I think these are better than the ones we had last night, don’t you?” Is this a sign that we’re getting old?. . . Or is it just that we LOVE tomatoes?!

Tonight it will be a vegetarian dinner, with roasted asparagus and squash, fresh green beans, and a Greek Tomato Salad (see “new recipes”). A little jalapeno corn bread would be great with that, don’t you think? Yum. . . I can’t wait!

June 23, 2010

There is nothing like family gatherings. We enjoyed hosting 36 members of the Puffer family in Chattanooga last weekend. It was a blast! Naturally, there was lots of good food in the mix. Thursday night we had Sesame Skewered Chicken with rice pilaf, salad and that delicious peach crisp for dessert. On Friday night, we grilled South of the Border Stuffed Burgers at the pool, and had the traditional potato salad and cole slaw. The Chicken and Burger recipes are on the “My Family Dinners 50 Fabulous Entrees” CD – which you can purchase for just $20 + tax. Every recipe on it is a favorite of our customers – you can’t go wrong!

Saturday night we enjoyed eating at the Blue Plate downtown – followed by The Charlie Daniels Band at the Riverbend Festival – then fireworks! It was an awesome weekend. But the very best part was visiting with family members who we dearly love and don’t see often enough. I hope you will be able to visit with some of your family this summer. It’s a treat – even better than good food!

Mmmmmm. . . .  BLT’s! One of my favorite things about summer – add sharp cheddar cheese, or avocado, or spinach, or sprouts, or pimento cheese. . . So many ways to make a delicious sandwich even better. And if you don’t use all the tomatoes you sliced up for the sandwich, just salt them and eat them on the side. Yum!

I love market fresh tomatoes – almost as much as I love fresh peaches! So today I’m making a giant peach crisp for the family reunion. You see, our family thinks Texas peaches are good - they are so misguided! I can’t wait for them to taste our Georgia peaches. Of course, as a native of Alabama, I know that there is NOTHING better than a Chilton County peach. If you pass through Alabama in the next month or so, try to find some. . . Good luck. They are bought up pretty quickly. I used to carry a basket of them on the airplane back to Texas when I visited – and many others did the same. The security officers just laughed at us. . . But they understood. Really – there is nothing like them. I’ll put the recipe for Peach Crisp on the New Recipes page. You must make some up for your family this summer. Don’t forget the Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (Texas does make the best ice cream!) In case you’re wondering about me. . . I spent my first 18 years in Alabama, the next (many, many) years in Texas, and have now been in Tennessee for 6 years. Every place I’ve lived is wonderful!

June 13, 2010

We have just enjoyed a delicious dinner of grilled chicken; okra, corn and tomatoes; and a fresh green salad loaded with strawberries, red onion, walnuts and feta cheese. I love good food. It is so satisfying to prepare meal that the entire family will enjoy and appreciate. I’m very thankful that my children are interested in trying new flavors and foods. They weren’t always that way! When they were small they would have been happy to live forever on chicken nuggets and fries. Thank God they grew into healthy adults who enjoy nutritious foods.

It is difficult to deal with the picky eater in the family. When they were smaller (and pickier), I always tried to have at least one thing for dinner that I knew they would eat. Sometimes it was a roll! But I didn’t offer a lot of choices. . . So they eventually gave up their resistance and began tasting those foods that looked and sounded so awful to them. Fortunately, my children always enjoyed salad. If you can get yours to at least begin eating salad (even if it’s loaded with dressing), it’s a start toward a healthier diet. Don’t give up. . . Even the pickiest eater can ultimately become a healthy eater!

June 8, 2010

My youngest daughter, Susan, is preparing for a junior semester abroad in NEW ZEALAND! I’m so jealous! Because their semester begins July 1 (It is winter there. . . ), she will be leaving very soon. So. . . today we are cooking together – as she will be cooking on her own over there, and is eager to have several excellent recipes “under her belt.” She is the baker in the family, so she has already started baking many batches of cookies that we will freeze to enjoy at our family reunion that is next weekend.

Our menu for tonight includes several of her favorites: chicken piccata, cheesy red potatoes and Mediterranean cole slaw. She’ll be learning how to dice cabbage for slaw and she’ll make the piccata sauce. Because she’s a vegetarian, she just serves the piccata sauce over pasta for herself while my husband and I fight over her chicken breast! She is completely in charge of the potatoes which she has helped me make for years – they are her favorite. She hopes to be the cook in her apartment of 5-6 people (It beats being the cleaner!) I suspect that her roomies will be delighted to have someone around who is comfortable in the kitchen. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out. . .

June 6, 2010

Home again. . . We stopped by our favorite fish market and loaded the cooler with fresh shrimp, snapper and grouper. We’ll feast on it for the next few days, and freeze whatever we can’t consume immediately. Yum. . .

We must have had lots of healing rain while we were away. My herbs are growing like crazy, and calling out to be picked and enjoyed. I brought home some fresh Florida tomatoes, so we will continue to enjoy caprese salads with the fresh basil from my yard. Thyme and rosemary will complement all that good fish. Yep, I’m ready to do more cooking!

June 5, 2010

In spite of oil spills, political bickering, and celebrity infidelities, some things never change. Sea turtles return to the same beach year after year and lay eggs in fragile nests, unaware of approaching sludge, predators, and impending disaster. Eight new nests appeared Friday night just on our tiny stretch of beach – and that is in addition to the four nests that were already there. Under the best circumstances, very few of the hatchlings will survive. .  . This year, their odds are significantly diminished because of the oil spill. But, in my ever-hopeful way, I’m praying that many of these hatchlings will find their way out to sea, so that they may return one day to build their own nests.

The new nests are so interesting. The turtles use their massive flipper-feet to propel themselves up the beach to a safe nesting area. It looks like tank tracks coming up the beach. The smart ones (probably older) will go all the way up to the dunes, in hopes of avoiding destruction by high tides. Other nests are built in areas where their destruction by the tides is virtually a certainty. Sea turtle volunteers stake out every nest to keep humans away, then check on the nests every day. The gestation period is 45-70 days, after which we all hope to see the tiny hatchlings make their way to the sea. I’m thankful for the many volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to preserving the sea turtles’ circle of life.

No, this is not a “thought on food”. Sometimes I just have to comment on the awesome world around me.

We are thankful to be on the Atlantic coast, and really feeling for those on the Gulf coast who are suffering with the aftermath of the huge oil disaster in the Gulf. Many families will lose their livelihood as the tender marshes are decimated with the thick sludge, impacting seafood production for years to come. Tourism is a primary source of income for seaside towns – and the beaches will be closed for clean up. And now there are predictions that it will be an exceptionally active hurricane season. The great news is that there has been a huge volunteer response to clean up efforts. . . But I suspect that the need for help will continue for years. If you are interested in finding out more about how to volunteer, this website might help: http://www.oilspillvolunteers.com/

May 25, 2010

I’ve been playing with food, and testing out ideas as I prepare for a big family reunion in June. Check out the New Recipes page of the website for some tasty new ideas for summer cooking. Fresh vegetables are starting to come in, and now is the time to savor the flavors of summer. I’m in Florida, where I can already find vine ripened tomatoes, which are delicious “naked” or with mozzarella and basil in a caprese salad, or diced and served atop fish, or in a spicy salsa. . . Obviously you can see that I LOVE fresh tomatoes. I’m stopping by my favorite roadside market daily to pick up more tomatoes – plus fresh beans, cucumbers, peppers, etc. I love the bounty of summer.

We are enjoying fresh fish and other delights of the sea. I plan to post more recipes for you to enjoy in the next few days. But right now. . . The beach is calling. . .  

May 22, 2010

The herb garden on my deck continues to produce fresh herbs that we are enjoying every day. Last night, we had roasted vegetables with fresh thyme. The day before, I stir fried asparagus with rosemary and oregano. I have already clipped some fresh herbs to take with me on vacation, so I can continue to enjoy their flavors.

Today I leave for the beach. . . Another culinary delight. We’ll be cooking fresh fish with some of those fresh herbs – and enjoying shrimp, scallops and oysters. Yum! Thankful that I’ll be on the Atlantic coast, and feeling for those on the Gulf who are struggling with the effects of the terrible oil spill. I’ll also be packing a cooler full of My Family Dinners. I’m always so thankful to have easy dinners at hand when we are on vacation.

I’ll be posting some great recipes, and will continue to update, so keep watching. Got to go pack the car. . .

May 17, 2010

I love pork! When I was growing up, the only way I ever ate pork was as a ham, bacon, or a fried pork chop. I like all of those things – but I have discovered so many other ways to enjoy pork. There is nothing better than a boneless pork loin, rolled in a spicy rub, and cooked to tender perfection. Marinated pork chops cooked on the grill or in the oven are divine. A pork tenderloin can be prepared quickly in so many different ways – and it’s always tender and delicious.

I like to buy a whole pork loin at Sam’s Club. I then cut my own chops to the thickness I desire, and leave 5-6 pounds to make a couple of servings of pork roast. Before I start cutting the loin, I decide on several different ways to prepare the meat, and set up my kitchen “My Family Dinners” style. That way, I can have several dinners prepared in a short time, and put them in the freezer to cook and serve later. If you don’t have the “My Family Dinners Fabulous 50” Recipe CD – order it today. It’s a great way to get you started on easy meal assembly at home. We have 8 of our customers’ favorite pork recipes on the CD. If you haven’t eaten pork lately – give it a try. It’s SO good!

May 15, 2010

Food is love. For many of us, this is so true. How many of us try to make our child’s favorite dinner when he returns from college? Or when it’s her birthday? If a friend loses a loved one, what’s the first response? Take some food to the family. Food is so comforting. It’s something we need every day. Preparing a nice meal for someone you love is truly an act of love.

When my mother was living, I chided her for spending so much of her time in the kitchen when our family would visit her. But now I see myself doing the same thing when my children visit me! It’s not a chore when it’s an act of love. When my mother’s health declined, I was the one preparing meals for her. And she so appreciated it.

Love your family. Love your friends. Food is just one way to express your love.

May 11, 2010

Let’s talk about FAT. Now naturally, I’m inclined to like people who agree with me – so I love Michael Pollan’s Food Rule #9: “Avoid food products with the word “lite” or the terms “low fat” or “nonfat” in their names.”

As food producers have processed foods to remove fats, they haven’t necessarily made them nonfattening. In fact, “since the low fat campaign began in the 70’s, Americans actually have been eating more than 500 additional calories per day.” You are better off eating the “real thing” in moderation. We tend to make up the fat that is processed out of foods by consuming more fats in the form of carbohydrates and refined sugars. Enjoy FAT – in moderation.

I often suggest Rule # 25 when I talk to groups: “Eat your colors.” A colorful plate is a sign of a healthy dinner. The colors of many vegetables reflect different aspects of a nutritional diet. Plus, it just plain looks better. Ever have pork chops with potatoes and squash? That makes for a pretty dull plate! Liven up your plate with a colorful palate of vegetables.

May 6, 2010

More from “Food Rules”: Author Pollan suggests one of my favorite ideas in Rule #63, which simply states “Cook.” “Letting other people cook for you  means losing control over your eating life, the portions as well as the ingredients.” Cooking for yourself is the best way to insure that you are eating real food – not foods with lots of unhealthy fats, high fructose corn syrup and salt. Interestingly, the rise in obesity parallels the decline in home cooking.

On the same note, Rule #39: “Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.” I love French fries, and I do know how to cook them. But how often do I do it? Not very often, because it’s a LOT of trouble! If I ate only the French fries I cooked myself. . . . Well, that would be a lot less fries than I currently eat (and I very rarely treat myself to fries – but I don’t think I’ve cooked them in a few years!) The same thing applies to cookies, cakes, pies, etc. . . If you cook them, great! Eat them. Odds are good you are not going to cook them every day.

May 3, 2010

I enjoyed reading “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan. This slim volume offers up 64 simple “rules” for healthy eating, healthy living. If you’re a person who hates rules, you’ll enjoy rule #64: “Break the rules once in a while.” Pollan is not a nutritionist – he’s a journalist who has spent much of his life reporting on and writing books about food and nutrition. His research into the field has been narrowed into 3 simple ideas: Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.

Of course you think we all eat food. But Pollan’s point is that much of the food we eat is so highly processed, containing many ingredients derived from corn and soy, plus chemical additives, that he calls it “edible foodlike substances.” A few of his rules for choosing to eat “real” food, include: “don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food” and “avoid food products containing ingredients that no ordinary human would keep in the pantry.” This all goes to reading the “Ingredients” portion of the label on the food you purchase. He suggests that you avoid food products that contain more than five ingredients. Of course, the best foods for you are those that are not packaged and don’t require an ingredient label: fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. He states this alarmingly in Rule #13: “Eat only foods that will eventually rot.” As he says “real food is alive – and therefore it should eventually die.” Foods are processed to lengthen their shelf life – removing their nutrients in the process. Another tip to consuming “real” food: most of the food that is good for you is found around the edges of the supermarket. The highly processed foods are in the middle aisles. So, when you shop – stick to the perimeter of the market to make the healthiest choices! I’ll be sharing more with you over the next few days. . .

I have found myself really interested in the coupon craze that has swept through Chattanooga. When I’m behind the couponer in the checkout line, I’m not too fond of that person – but I can’t help but admire their efforts – and their savings! In this economic climate, it’s a very wise person who takes the time to clip coupons and use them effectively to save money.

Coupons are a great way to save on general household products like cleaning solutions, paper products, etc. They are also effective for a variety of pre-packaged foods. . . But this is where I have a bit of a problem. If you want to have a healthy diet for you and your family – you need to stay away from pre-packaged foods. A good rule of thumb is that do most of your shopping around the edges of the grocery store – where the fresh produce and meats are stored – and also within the frozen vegetable sections. As soon as you contemplate a food item that is packaged, you have to consider what processes it went through to get there. I can’t say it often enough: read the “ingredients” portion of the label just as sincerely as you read the “nutritionals” portion of the label. We have all heard about “high fructose corn syrup” – but how about “xanthum gum”? What is that? How about “artificial flavors and colors”? Or even “spices”? Which spices? Where did they come from?

Which has me thinking. . . If you are clipping coupons to save money, you should also be using the My Family Dinners way of cooking to save even more – and eat healthy foods that will promote a lifetime of good eating habits for you and your family. At My Family Dinners, we use fresh and frozen ingredients to create entrees that are easy to prepare and cook, taste-tested by our hundreds of customers (and their children), and healthy. In general, we stay away from casseroles (except for the “favorites” that are constantly requested by customers), leaning toward fresh cuts of meat in marinades that include a variety of flavors and spices, including fresh herbs from my home garden.

A great way to get started on the My Family Dinners way of cooking is to come to our session next weekend, May 7 & 8, at Ideal Meals in Hixson and prepare a few dinners for your family. OR order our recipe CD – “My Family Dinners 50 Fabulous Entrees You Can Assemble & Freeze at Home.”

April 27, 2010

Sometimes I’m overwhelmed with thankfulness for the wide variety of foods I am able to enjoy. Often I find myself struggling with what to have for dinner: should it be Chicken Pesto with Pasta? Dijon Pork Chops? Do I want to cook a Taste of Islands Flank Steak on the grill? And what vegetables will we eat tonight?

What a blessing it is to have so many wonderful choices. . . And another blessing that I can just drive to a supermarket and pick up any food my heart desires. When I think of people all over the world who spend their day struggling to find something, anything, to eat, I pause and give thanks for the “problem” of deciding what to have for dinner.

April 21, 2010

Two things I love in life: Food and Reading. So – a good book about food is just so enticing to me. A friend recently recommended “Savor – Mindful Eating, Mindful Life,” by Thich Nhat Hanh and “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan (of “The Omnivores Dilemna.”) Now, I haven’t read these books yet – but I have read about them on amazon.com, and I can’t wait to dig in.

You can probably guess that “Savor” is about being mindful of what we are putting into our body; enjoying the experience of eating; savoring food – and life. Since “Food Rules” tells us that fully 20% of our food is consumed IN A CAR (!), I firmly believe that we need to take a step back and learn to truly savor our food and our lives.

“Food Rules” is a short compendium of rules of healthy eating. Pollan’s succinct description of food rules: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Sounds like good advice to me (even though I’m pretty serious about eating meat!) I’ll tell you more about the books when I have “savored” them for myself.

April 16, 2010

Fresh quacamole and pico de gallo today – thanks to avocados on sale and fresh cilantro from the garden. Yum! I just wish tomatoes were in season. . . We cooked a My Family Dinners “Taste of the Islands” flank steak last night, and tonight I’ll slice the leftovers and put them in fajitas with sautéed onions and bell peppers. I’m already starving, so I can’t wait!

April 12, 2010

When we lived in Texas, I had a wonderful “kitchen garden” where I grew herbs and a few vegetables. Somehow, I never got that going in Tennessee. So – this year, I decided to buy a few containers and grow some herbs on my deck. WOW! My black thumb has turned green, and in just a few short weeks, I’m trying to think of ways to use up the oregano, basil, cilantro, rosemary, scallions and thyme that are growing like weeds. We are making marinara sauce, pesto, salsas, and dreaming up new ideas for marinades. I’m sure that I’ll encounter a glitch along the way, but so far, this is WAY easier than I imagined, and so tasty!

If you have been thinking about growing a few herbs, there’s no time like right now to get started. I suggest that you start with herbs from a local nursery instead of from a “big box” store. Not only will you be supporting local business, but it is likely that you will have better quality starter plants, and your local nursery can offer great tips for growing in this area. Good dirt and frequent watering will also assure success. So, what are you waiting for? Plant a few herbs today!

April 8, 2010

I had the good fortune to be in Birmingham last night with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend. As we are all foodies, we decided to go to one of the best restaurants in town, Chez Fonfon, and enjoy a “dinner gastronomique.” This means a multi-course meal, enjoyed over several hours, savoring every flavor. We arrived at about 6:30pm and were seated with menu, wine list, etc. First, we enjoyed cocktails and visiting. Our first course was a “Charcuterie Platter” -  a wooden board covered with a variety of fine cooked and dried meats, pates, sauces, vegetables and breads. It was divine. We ordered a bottle of wine, and they split a seafood appetizer with shrimp, scallops, and mussels, while I enjoyed a cup of the soup of the day – a creamy potato/leek soup.  After a long break, filled with interesting conversation about generational differences, the influence of technology on society, etc., we ordered our entrees. These were enjoyed as we finished the bottle of wine, tasted each other’s dinners, and shared stories and laughter. At last, dessert and coffee finished off the meal for us, and we prepared to leave the restaurant at 10:30. We realized that we were among the first diners there, and were almost the last to leave. But what fun we had! And what a great break from hurried meals gulped down between activities.

You don’t have to go to the fanciest restaurant in town – and you don’t have to spend 4 hours eating dinner. But occasionally, take time to stretch out a meal, talk about our changing world, education, politics – or the ABCs and 123s! Have fun and eat well with your family.

April 5, 2010

We celebrated a wonderful Easter Sunday yesterday with all three daughters touching base together for about 6 hours as they arrived from far away places. It is such a blessing to enjoy time together with family. We enjoyed a lovely worship service, followed by a delicious lunch, comedically titled a “mayonnaise fest”. But, honestly, it wasn’t too bad this year. On the menu:

Baked Ham

Potato Salad (Yes – lots of mayonnaise)

Asian Slaw (This is not a southern cole slaw. Asian slaw has an oil/vinegar base – NO mayo!)

Deviled Eggs (Mayonnaise again. . . )

Mediterranean Pasta Salad (Oil and vinegar again)

On the whole. . . I guess it did tilt toward the unhealthy side. But it sure was good! After a “digestive break”, we washed it all down with Chocolate Decadence covered in delicious raspberry sauce. The diet starts today!

April 1, 2010

What is sitting in your vegetable drawer today? I just hate it when I have to throw food away! So, I try to take a weekly inventory of my vegetable drawer. And I check out the fruit that I keep in a basket on the kitchen counter. Before all those fruits and veggies go to heaven, leaving a big, slushy mess in my fridge – or on my counter – I want to use them all up.

This comes to mind today, because I have decided that an abundance of apples in the fruit basket will lead me to make apple pie for Easter. I don’t really think it goes with Easter, but it will use all those apples up. I’ve posted my apple pie recipe on the “New Recipes” page. Our kids will arrive from out of town tomorrow, so we’ll have “Texas Caviar” with our dinner. This is a great way to use up those vegetables in the refrigerator: Take a can of black eyed peas, rinse and drain the peas, dice up whatever vegetables are in the refrigerator, mix together with some light Italian dressing, and Voila! A delicious salad and an empty vegetable bin.

March 28, 2010

On being a “grocery store snob.” Okay – I confess. I am a grocery store snob. I am looking at what you have in your cart. I just can’t help it! And, I get so discouraged when I see a cart full of soft drinks, chips, and dinners in a box or a can. . .  

Now, I know that you want to make things that are simple and inexpensive. And the good news is that there are so many easy, healthy, tasty items out there that will satisfy your needs. Have you noticed the prepackaged fresh vegetables that go straight in the microwave? They are also available in the frozen vegetable section. EASY – and so much better for you. Fresh and frozen fruit are great with a little yogurt. Simple marinades with different vinegars, olive oil, spices will do so much to spice up fresh meats – and are so much better for you than meat from a can!

Just remember – fresh is best. Frozen is second best. Drink water and milk. If your dinner comes from a can or box. . . please read the ingredients section before eating. I have heard that one “box” dinner may have been through as many as 150 hands/processes before it gets to your table. Do you really want to eat that?

March 26, 2010

Make cooking at home easy. . . Most of us really want to cook and eat at home more often. The problem is finding the time. Let me give you a few steps to simplify your life:

1. Start with a plan. Plan your menu for at least 2 weeks, but be open to change. If you end up skipping a few of those dinners you planned, you can have them another time.

2. Make a complete grocery list. I like to do a “big shopping” every two weeks at a discount grocer. I can make a couple of quick trips to a closer grocery store to pick up fresh vegetables, etc. during the interim. Let the kids help you count out apples or squash, compare colors of vegetables, etc. Involve them in the process.

3. Prepare ahead. If you have the My Family Dinners Fabulous 50 recipe CD, you can prepare several meals and put them in the freezer. But even if you’re not preparing complete entrees, you can simplify your life by doing all your chopping at once. Chopped onions, bell peppers, celery, carrots, etc. can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

4. Involve the kids. My oldest daughter always made the salad for dinner – starting at a very young age. The others would set the table, wash vegetables, stir sauces, etc. It always makes those “picky eaters” a little happier to try something that they have had a hand in preparing.

5. Turn off your computer/phone/TV and get cooking! So often, we are busy texting, checking email, or surfing the internet, that we lose track of time and dinner never gets done. We enjoy listening to music while we cook, and we have a hard and fast rule that phones, laptops and the TV are OFF when we are eating dinner together. How can you enjoy time with your family if you are distracted with electronics all through the meal?

6. HAVE FUN!

March 25, 2010

It was fun to see so many old friends on Signal Mountain last weekend. We had a great time and made up some of the best food ever. This week, my family has enjoyed Chicken Jack Quesadillas with Cranberry Salsa, Pork Loin with Raspberry Barbecue Sauce, and Mama’s Meat Loaf. My freezer is now fully re-stocked with delicious My Family Dinners, and we are cookin’! Life is easy again. . .

I am looking at new opportunities for My Family Dinners. Ideas I am exploring include:

• Preparing dinners that are available for pick up at your preschool or child care center.

• Preparing a complete dinner, ready for re-heating, that can be picked up at my home.

• Stocking my freezer with dinners that are available for pick up at scheduled times.

Do any of these ideas interest you? Or do you have other ideas that will make your life easier? Let me know. I love kicking around new ideas.

March 14, 2010

Ok – enough of winter already!  I don’t care if it’s only going up to 53 – and it’s raining. . .  I’m cooking on the grill tonight. We’ve got some venison tenderloin marinating, and it will be delicious with wild rice and a salad.

I’m so fortunate to have a Big Green Egg for grilling. This is the BEST GRILL EVER! Yes, it was expensive. . . But I justify it because I have a single (small) oven inside – so our grill takes up the slack. The temperature is so easy to control that you can even bake in this baby.

When you live in Texas for 25 years, you learn a thing or two about grilling. It’s an art, a religion, a subject that inflames passions and ignites fierce rivalries! So. . . let me give a disclaimer here – I don’t want to get into a fight with anyone. . . I just love cooking on my Big Green Egg – and I know that it flavors food better than any other grill I’ve ever used. If you want more information, visit their website at www.biggreenegg.com  It will make a believer out of you.

March 10, 2010

On getting out of my comfort zone. . . I just published a facebook page for My Family Dinners. With limited technical skills, this was something fun and new for me. Fortunately, my daughters are just a mouse click away to help me navigate the set up. I know that most of you will think that I’m crazy for feeling like I’ve just accomplished something major! But – it did involve me getting out of my comfort zone. . . .

Which makes me think of how far I’ve come in my cooking career. Just a few years ago, I was a “strictly by the recipe” cook. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone to start My Family Dinners, and to become a creative cook. In fact, just a few years ago, I would have classified myself as a “picky eater.” Now – I will eat and enjoy almost anything. (I still have something of an aversion to crab). I can’t even begin to tell you what my favorite food is – I love so many different things (see the growing waistline. . . )

Venture out of your comfort zone. You never know what you’ll find!

March 8, 2010

It’s “Birthday Month” at the Puffer home. . . I got to go out for my birthday. We went to 212 Market for a fabulous gourmet dinner (see Buy, Eat Local page of this website). And today it’s the hubby’s special day. His favorite: Fried Chicken. My least favorite thing to make: Fried Chicken. . . So we have reached a new compromise on this southern delicacy. Publix makes really good fried chicken (very crunchy, moist, skin on). So – on this special day, I will make a special trip to Publix, and avoid messing up my kitchen with flour, oil, etc. And bless him, the husband is okay with that plan. I’ll just try to counteract the effects of a fried entrée with a nice salad and fresh vegetable. . .

Our darling girls were in town for the weekend to help celebrate with the “old folks”, and we all had a great time. On Sunday morning, we enjoyed Western Omelets. I cut up way too many fresh vegetables, so I ended up mixing the extra bell pepper, tomato, mushroom, onions with a bit of fresh broccoli, water chestnuts, black olives and lowfat Italian dressing for a dinner salad for last night. What a great way to enjoy fresh veggies!

February 28, 2010

Let’s see. . . Yesterday I told you about the meat loaf and pork roast we “My Family Dinner-ed” for Wednesday and Thursday night’s dinners. . . So last night, we had the Almond Sole (from the January menu), and tonight it’s Bavarian Sausage & Rice (you can find this DELICIOUS recipe on the “My Family Dinners Fabulous 50” Recipe CD). Sausage, sauerkraut, rice, seasonings. . . Yummy! I sautéed asparagus (find the recipe on the New Recipes page) and made a salad to go with the sole, and we’ll have salad again tonight with the Bavarian Sausage and Rice.

I’m beginning to realize that if we didn’t really BELIEVE in My Family Dinners, my family would go hungry. Why don’t you join us in March at the Bachman Center on Signal Mountain and prepare some of My Family Dinners to go in your freezer. I want to make a believer out of you!

February 27, 2010

I’ve just returned from a fabulous, gluttonous week at the beach. Lucky me! In addition to doing some good eating, I also was able to enjoy WARM temperatures. It was delightful. Seafood every day, shorts and flip flops, and fun times with family and friends.

I got home around noon on Thursday, and was able to pull My Family Dinners’ “Pop’s Meat Loaf” from the freezer. I put it (in its Ziploc bag) in some warm water to thaw, then while it cooked, I made mashed potatoes and put together a salad. At the same time, I pulled from the freezer a “test recipe” for crock pot pork bbq, and put it in the refrigerator for dinner on Friday night.

This is why I LOVE My Family Dinners! It just makes planning dinner SO simple. I can come in from a week out of town, and have dinner for two nights ready with almost no effort. So last night we had the bbq (and it was a winner – you’ll see it soon on a My Family Dinners menu) with a salad and roasted vegetables. It only took me 20 minutes to put the dinner together, since the main course had cooked in the crock pot all day. It’s a No-Brainer. . . My Family Dinners is a great way to save time, money and brain space!

I can’t wait for us to prepare the dinners on the March menu. Sesame Skewered Chicken is one of my personal favorites. I just hope we will finally get warm enough weather to fire up the grill!

February 16, 2010

Some days in the kitchen are just disasters. I’ve been having a string of them lately. Maybe I’m just a little too picky. . . But I really hate it when I can’t seem to “get it right.” My family is very patient as the “guinea pigs” that have to taste every effort, be encouraging, yet also be sympathetic as they hear me sighing over the stovetop. Not to mention that they have put up with the dinner being delayed as I decide that it’s time for a “do-over.” But you know they can’t complain, because for the most part, they are on the receiving end of some pretty tasty eating.

They are bemoaning their fate, as I’m leaving town for a week tomorrow. I’m off to Florida, where I plan to enjoy the sun (after this long cold spell) – and lots of good eating. I’m going with my sisters and girlfriends, and we have several fabulous restaurants picked out – and we’ll be doing some cooking at the condo. I hope to have some great stories and recipes to pass along when I return.

As for the family at home. . . They are lucky to have a freezer full of “My Family Dinners.” Cooking will be easy for them – even if their “top chef” is gone!

February 11, 2010

Tis the season of love. . . And for many of us, FOOD IS LOVE! And I mean that not just because I love food, but because preparing and serving food is an act of love. As Valentines Day approaches, consider how to express your love through food. This doesn’t mean you have to buy a box of candy – or make a chocolate cake. In fact, if your loved one struggles with dietary issues, it might be an act of love to discover how to make a low calorie (or low carb, or low cholesterol) meal that is delicious and enjoyable.

Take time out this Valentines Day to enjoy time alone with your special someone. If you are not planning to go out to dinner, plan something special at home. If you have young children, that may mean feeding them early and getting them to bed, so you can enjoy a special dinner (in peace)! When my children were older, I fixed them spaghetti and put on a movie for them to enjoy while my husband and I shared a meal together. Time with loved ones is so precious – and often so neglected. Nurture your relationships by sharing a special meal together.

February 6, 2010

Cooking. . . It’s something that some of us love to do – for others, it’s a massive chore. I confess, I came to cooking as someone who considered it a massive chore. . . Over time, however, cooking has become a joy. It really is a creative exercise, a visual feast, an expression of love. I have quite a few entrees in my “cooking bag of tricks”. It’s coming up with new ways to make fruits and vegetables enticing that can prove challenging.

Last week I found purple new potatoes at the grocery store. Yes, purple. . . They were purple on the outside, AND purple on the inside. Now this just seemed like too much fun for me. So I picked some up and roasted them to serve with our dinner, along with some stir fried French green beans that my family loves.

The potatoes were approached with caution. . . They were unusual looking! But with some nice baked pork chops, and the green beans – well, the purple potatoes sure looked pretty on the plate. And they tasted great – just like any other potato.

See something different in the produce section at the grocery store? Pick it up and give it a try. . . Let your cooking creativity reign!

February 3, 2010

My family is very excited about participating in a special event tomorrow in Chattanooga. It’s called Gala 2010, and it’s a dinner for homeless families. A wonderful man dreamed up this great idea to provide a delicious meal, entertainment, and gifts to those families who have found themselves in a very stress-filled, difficult time. Partnering with several local ministries to the homeless in Chattanooga, and with other businesses and churches, this outreach expects to serve around 200 adults and children. The event is held at First Centenary United Methodist Church. Adults are served a seated dinner, while they are entertained by Emcee Rozario Slack and local musicians who keep the pace lively for 2 hours. Children are fed and cared for in another part of the church, and will be entertained with games, crafts, clowns, and musical activities. With a Mardi Gras theme, the event culminates with a parade, complete with beads and candies for everyone.

This is our second year to participate. I can’t even begin to describe how touched my heart was by the event last year. When the guests arrived, they were seated for a family portrait. The prints were delivered to their tables at the end of the dinner, and there were many joyous families. They loved the food, the entertainment, and every single thing about the dinner. It was a delightful way to serve the Lord while serving His children.

February 2, 2010

Latrice Currie of WRCB TV, Channel 3 in Chattanooga was at my home yesterday! We had a great time eating, talking and taping a segment for her “Health Beat” about Super Bowl recipes that are healthy and delicious. We’ll be on the air between 5 and 7 am on Thursday, February 4, so be sure to watch! If you’re planning a party this weekend, check out the Super Bowl page for some yummy recipes. The nutritionals for each item are posted to help you make healthy choices. My family is CRAZY about the Baked Buffalo Wings – and I promise you they are crunchy and delicious. We’re also really getting involved in making our own hummus at home and spicing it up with a variety of great options like red peppers, garlic, olives, etc. You should give it a try.

We have made a strong commitment to eating healthier foods this year. I just received information about joining a local grower’s co-op this summer, where you get a box of fresh vegetables each week. I have wanted to do this for years, but have hesitated because I’m not sure we can eat our way through all those veggies. It’s just me and the husband at home these days, with an occasional child passing through for a week or a month at a time. Anyone else done this? I’d love your opinions – please email me at myfamilydinners@comcast.net.

January 27, 2010

I received a “Williams Sonoma” catalog in the mail yesterday. For someone who enjoys cooking, it’s a feast of wonderful ideas, tools and machines. . . But, come on. . . Is it really worthwhile to fill my kitchen up with expensive cooking toys? Not for me. It’s not fancy tools and machines that make great food – it’s a great cook.