Cooking with Sheila

Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw Brings Flavor to Any Party

Looking for something different to make for an upcoming party? Try this sweet and tangy Asian Coleslaw.

Trying to think of something different to bring to Girls Day is a daunting task. You want to make a dish that will go along with what everyone else is bringing, something that is tasty but not over the top. Oh the stress of it all! Seriously though, last time I brought my Mac and Cheese Bites and those went over well but this week I wanted to make something completely different.  I went in search of a side dish recipe online, not having anything in particular in mind. A few different salads looked good, but I settled on cole slaw. There are a ton of recipes for Asian Slaw so I ended up taking ideas from a few different ones and then throwing my own touches in. I was pretty happy with the result! I hope the girls are too. Asian Coleslaw …

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Rise and Shine Morning Glory Bread

This bread tastes so good that it's hard to believe it is so easy to make.

"What's the story, Morning Glory? Need a little time to wake up wake up." ~Oasis (Morning Glory lyrics) Around Christmastime a coworker of mine brought in an amazing homemade bread to share with us. It was sweet and dense and had carrots in it, so I knew it was super good for me. Right. Well, it was so delicious that I had two pieces (ok, maybe three). So when it came time to make something for a day with the ladies I thought this would be just the thing. I'm bringing it today-hopefully the loaf will make it out of my kitchen. There are lots of recipes for Morning Glory bread out there-you can find both low-carb and low-fat versions, and recipes using different fruits-pineapple, apple or pear are popular choices. I chose to add raisins to …

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Arts Council Launches 'Culinary Travels' Cooking Series

The cooking series will teach students cooking techniques and recipes from around the world.

The Somerville Arts Council has announced it's launching a new cooking series called "Culinary Travels." The cooking series will teach students how to make dishes from around the world, all with ingredients found right here in Somerville. Here's the list of classes from the Somerville Arts Council: Nibble started with a blog about food and culture in Union Square. The blog spawned a book, and now we are thrilled to extend Nibble to include culinary classes. Yes indeed, we are teaming up with Home- made Modern Co. (formerly City Chicks) and Kitchen Inc. in Union Square to launch a new series of cook- ing classes! Here is your chance to take a culinary spin around the globe by learning how to craft beautiful sushi, make a traditional Nepali …

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Cooking with Sheila

Faux Pho - Vietnamese-Inspired Noodle Soup

This version of the Vietnamese noodle soup, Pho, is meant to chase away those winter chills, especially if those chills come along with aches and pains.

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup." ~Ludwig van Beethoven My friend Patty is a big fan of Pho and swears by its medicinal purposes. She always picks some up at a local Vietnamese restaurant when she isn't feeling well. (She has also promised to bring me some the next time she gets it - hint hint Patty)  So when I came down with a cold (like a lot of folks right now) I immediately thought of Pho. Since I had no idea where to buy it (Patty lives in Worcester so that's a bit of a drive) I decided to make some. I found a great recipe on (where else?) Pinterest, picked up the ingredients, and had a big batch ready within an hour. Though my cold has yet to leave, my husband and son never caught it so perhaps this Pho really does have …

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Cooking With Sheila

Mini Macs - A Fun Holiday Party Appetizer

Need to bring something to a holiday party? These bites of macaroni and cheese are sure to please.

"Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese." ~Luis Bunuel I have two Christmas parties to attend on Saturday and I need to bring something yummy to both. What to make that is not too time-consuming (since one party is in the afternoon and the other is at night) and is sure to please most everyone? I think some single serving mac and cheeses are in order. This recipe is great because you can make the macs ahead of time and store them in the fridge until just before you are ready to head out the door. Pop them in the oven for ten minutes, let 'em cool for another ten and you are ready to roll. You can use any cheeses you like but I suggest the American/Cheddar mix-it's a good one. You should use mini cupcake pans to make …

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Make Your Own Eggnog: A Holiday Favorite

Why buy eggnog at the supermarket when you can make it quickly and easily at home? Give this great recipe a try this holiday season.

"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?" ~Clark Griswold (Christmas Vacation) Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start thinking about Christmas. Perhaps you've started your shopping or decorating, or are heading to the stores this weekend. Or, if you are like my mother-in-law, maybe you finished all of that around Halloween. (How I wish I had her energy!) Whatever your plans may be, you deserve to treat yourself at the end of the day. This eggnog definitely fits the bill. Eggnog Ingredients: Directions: Enjoy! (Adapted from Epicurean Mom's Egg Nog recipe)

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Cooking with Sheila

Recipe of the Week: Lasagna Soup

Craving a bowl of comfort food on these chilly evenings? This lasagna soup recipe is just the ticket.

“Once again, my life has been saved by the miracle of lasagna.” ~'Garfield' (Jim Davis) Ah lasagna...you cheesy, saucy little minx...I do adore you. And now that I have found a recipe combining you with another of my great loves (soup) I may just have died and gone to foodie heaven. The component that truly makes this soup sing is the cheesy mixture. Ricotta, Parmesan and Mozzarella...oh my! The original recipe calls for the pasta to be cooked in the soup but I cooked the pasta seperately. If you are planning on having leftovers you don't want the pasta to get mushy. Ground beef can also be substituted for the Italian sausage and if you don't like tomato chunks use crushed tomatoes.  Buon appetito! Lasagna Soup Ingredients For Soup: For …

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Cooking with Sheila

Chicken Cacciatore Comfort Food, Italian Style

Chicken and vegetables simmer together to create this wonderfully satisfying dish .

"You don't want to make a steady diet of just lettuce. You don't want to make a steady diet of fried chicken." ~Paula Deen Chicken Cacciatore is one of those dishes that is just perfect for a slow cooker. Chicken and vegetables stewing together all day-the smell is heavenly and the taste is spectacular. So when I saw that the supermarket had chicken thighs on sale I just knew I had to make it. I dug out my old recipe, purchased my ingredients and pulled the slow cooker from the pantry. Then I ran late every morning, all week long. Rats! I did end up making the Chicken Cacciatore for dinner one night by modifying the recipe, but hopefully next time I'm going to make it I will get out of bed when the alarm goes off. The first time. Here are …

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Recipe of the Week: Marinated London Broil With Sauteed Mushrooms

An inexpensive cut of beef becomes a new favorite with just the right marinade and a savory mushroom side.

"When you're on the Queen Catherine, don't let 'em give you any of that flank steak crap. You know what I mean? Try the London Broil." ~Quote from Cabin Boy I have been trying to tighten our budget for awhile now and that has included everything from the cable bill to the grocery tab, the latter being the toughest. I read blogs written by thrifty ladies who somehow manage to spend a paltry fifty dollars a week to feed a family of five. I'm not talking about hot dogs and cans of beans for dinner either; these ladies make healthy meals every day. I have yet to get anywhere in the vicinity of fifty dollars a week for groceries but I have been able to cut it back a bit. One thing I've done recently is to switch from a pricier cut of beef, rib …

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Val's Amazing Peanut Butter Cup Bars

These peanut butter cup bars are a dream come true. I dare anyone to eat just one!

"Anything is good if it's made of chocolate." ~Jo Brand Last weekend I got together with some of my favorite girls for a little chat, a lot of chow and a ton of laughs. We try to meet up every couple of months on a Saturday afternoon for a few hours and reconnect over good food and a tasty cocktail. Val brought a dessert that was absolutely delicious...peanut butter cup bars. They were sweet and light and almost too good to be true. Almost. Since they were very real and I really enjoyed the one I had. Ok, the two I had. Oh alright what is this, the Spanish Inquisition? I had three. Sheesh!  Val sent us the recipe, which she found on browneyedbaker.com. It is a must try. Val's Amazing Peanut Butter Cup Bars Ingredients: Directions: Enjoy!

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