Welcome to my site!

Welcome to my site!
I'm Cindy, and I love to cook! And, I love to eat... hence the size of my rear end! I come from a long line of cooks. My great great Grandmother was a cook in the original Harvey Houses. My grandmother Julia was an awesome cook, and my mom was incredible. I owe my skills to these great women. Especially my Mom who said this to me about making gravy... "Cindy Lynn, wallpaper paste is wallpaper paste & gravy is gravy. Never the two shall meet!" Shall we say my first experience at making gravy left a little bit to be desired! Thank the high heavens my cooking skills have improved since then! Enjoy!

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Asparagus Bacon Spears


I don't remember where I saw these first - but I can tell you with certainty they are FABULOUS!  These delightful little treats are quick and easy to make and are sure to wow your guests!  The smokiness of the bacon combines perfectly with the freshness of the asparagus and flavors the puff pastry too.  It truly does illustrate that EVERYTHING is better with BACON.  Cheers!

Ingredients:

Asparagus Spears (depending upon how many you’re going to make.  One spear per wrap)
Slices of bacon – half as many slices as asparagus spears, i.e., 20 spears of asparagus – you’ll need 10 slices of bacon
1 sheet puff pastry – thawed and rolled out onto a floured surface
Salt & Pepper
Egg wash

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash, dry and trim the ends of the asparagus.

Using a pizza slicer, slice the puff pastry into long 1/2” strips – cutting on the longest side of the rectangle.  Should be able to get approximately 18 – 20 strips.

Cut the bacon in half lengthwise.  Twist/wrap one slice of bacon around the asparagus spear in a corkscrew spiral manner.  Next, wrap one slice of puff pastry around the spear of asparagus and bacon.

Place on baking sheet.  After all spears are completed, brush with egg wash.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over all.  Bake for approximately 18 minutes until they’re puffed and golden brown.


Sunday, July 15, 2018

Spinach Pinwheels


Full disclosure, I found this recipe here:  ThatSkinnyChickCanBake.  I love working with Puff Pastry because it takes an everyday recipe and makes it look super special and fancy. These little pinwheels are no exception.  They’re easy to make, look elegant and taste delicious. 

Ingredients:

1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon of water
1/2 cup crumbled feta (you can either buy the feta already crumbled, or get a small block and crumble it yourself)
1/4 cup grated mozzarella
1 green onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
A few grates of fresh nutmeg
1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, defrosted

Instructions:

Whisk together the egg and water, set aside.

Mix together the cheeses, onion and seasonings. Set aside.

Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to flatten the seams. Brush the surface with your egg wash.
Top the surface with the cheese mixture, then break apart the spinach and spread evenly over the surface.  Note: Leave about an inch free of toppings on one of the short sides. Starting on the short side that’s covered with filling, roll up the pastry like a jellyroll.

Line two baking sheets with parchment, or if you have a Silpat you can use that instead. Slice the roll into 1/2” - 3/4" slices and place them on the prepared sheets. Pop into the refrigerator or freezer to let them cool as the oven preheats to 400 degrees.

Bake for 15 minutes or until they’re golden.


Sunday, July 8, 2018

Greek Mezze Platter

For our most recent dinner and a movie with friends, we celebrated Greece and watched the movie Mamma Mia.  I was responsible for the appetizers, so I put together a Greek Meeze platter.  I got some Roasted Garlic Hummus, Persian Cucumbers, Greek Feta Cheese and Middle Eastern Flat Bread from Trader Joe's. I also purchased some Almond Stuffed Green Olives,  Marinated Mushrooms, Pepadew Peppers and Dried Apricots and Figs.  Place it all on a platter, drizzle some Greek Olive Oil over the hummus and Feta - and you have an easy appetizer spread.  Enjoy!

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Crockpot Pork Roast and Apples


We all know that pork pairs really well with fruit - especially apples.  The inspiration for this recipe came from Pinterest.  I took two recipes and melded them together – and added a few twists of my own.  This was super easy to make and the flavor of the warm spice with the apples and pork was delectable.

Ingredients:

2 small Pork Picnic Roasts
2 Granny Smith Apples, sliced into thin wedges (See pictures below the recipe)
1 White Onion, sliced lengthwise (See pictures below the recipe) Separate the two halves of onion because you’ll need half the onion for under the pork and half the onion for the top.
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
½ Tsp. Black Pepper
3 Tbls. Dry white wine

Directions:

Combine the salt, cinnamon & pepper in a small dish.  Score the Pork Roasts.  Sprinkle some of the spice mixture over the pork and rub into it – including into the scored pieces.  Slice one Granny Smith Apple.  Place one slice of apple into each of the cuts in the pork. 

Place the left-over apple slices and half the onion in the bottom of the crock pot.  Add the garlic and the remaining spice mixture.  Toss together.  Add the dry white wine.  Place the two pork roasts on top of the apple/onion mixture.

Slice the remaining Granny Smith Apple.  Arrange over the pork.  Arrange the remaining half onion over the apples.  Sprinkle a little additional salt, pepper and cinnamon over the apples and onions.  Put the lid on the crockpot.

Cook on high for 1 hour.  Reduce cooking temperature to low and continue cooking for an additional 5 – 6 hours until the pork is falling apart.

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