tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15264270622517030422024-03-13T19:49:38.227-04:00Vanilla and Thyme"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-35815095088202353322011-10-06T23:03:00.001-04:002011-10-07T00:13:27.440-04:00Pumpkin Spice MuffinsThe autumn season is my favorite time of year, hands down. It's not too hot, not too cold, there aren't as many bugs (I HATE mosquitoes!), and the nights just seem cozier. I believe life gives us changing seasons to force ourselves to slow down, take a breather, and just relax a bit. So, for breakfast tomorrow, let's do just that. Grab a big mug of steaming coffee, and help yourself to a "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-86296581883454771242011-10-02T22:20:00.000-04:002011-10-02T22:20:17.275-04:00A Little Sidetracked...Usually this time of year brings cozy Saturdays in my kitchen experimenting with wonderful fall ingredients like apples, pumpkins and butternut squash...but there's a little addition to our household that is requiring a lot of my time, which I don't mind at all!So please bear with me for a few months while we all get through potty training, teething, and a few sleepless nights! :"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-17286415410401290982011-08-19T22:25:00.000-04:002011-08-19T22:25:20.476-04:00"You Gotta Frittata"Back in the day, when our nightly outings would last till 4am, we would all trek down to this little cafe in the heart of Syracuse and order up mammoth frittatas to share. These delicious platters really hit the spot, especially after a long night of disco dancing (What?! Did I say "disco?") I love making a few batches of these for brunch, but they're also a quick fix for an evening "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-41119140372421987842011-08-09T23:19:00.004-04:002011-10-07T00:15:16.366-04:00Mint Potato SaladAt the beginning of each summer, I like to prepare three large containers for my deck. One has fresh basil, another has "super fragrant" mint, and last is a hearty, cherry tomato plant. These three ingredients will flavor your salads, marinades or pasta, all season long.
I tasted this potato salad a few years back for the first time at my sister-in-law's, and "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-46103218351493129952011-07-31T01:23:00.006-04:002011-07-31T01:45:55.939-04:00Healthy EatingHave you ever become so bored with the same old meal plans that you actually lose your appetite? I know the feeling when nothing seems appealing, and unfortunately those are the times we either order out, or go off track in our quest for healthy eating.
I'm trying to get into the habit of having ingredients in the fridge that can be combined with any type of meat or veggie. One of the "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-28741484988898298102011-07-28T20:44:00.003-04:002011-07-31T01:46:19.809-04:00Peach Cobbler
"...Well I dig you Georgia peaches,
makes me feel right at home.."
 "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-42149481961606161152011-06-28T20:51:00.000-04:002011-06-28T20:51:02.409-04:00Improvisation is a Beautiful Thing...Tonight was one of those nights when I opened the fridge, cupboards and pantry, and quietly declared "pizza night." This would otherwise be wonderful, except for the fact that I'm trying to avoid "trigger" foods for now, and gooey pizza really gets me going.
I know I've posted "throw it all together" ideas before, but this one really came out delicious. Last night, we had grilled "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-33136007514669806502011-06-28T17:16:00.003-04:002011-06-28T20:59:16.974-04:00"Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!"Received a thank-you gift from two wonderful friends last week....I wonder what it could be.
Here's a clue...hmmmm, a little pineapple.
A pineapple you say?...that could only mean one thing...Awww, you shouldn't have! (But I'm really glad you did!) Now to browse the website, and make a wish list! Thank you again my friends, so very much~"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-37770711980322175722011-06-23T21:27:00.000-04:002011-06-23T21:27:06.661-04:00Cherry Pies (Again!)With all of the beautiful cherries I'm finding at the market this week, I just had to repost one of my favorite recipes~
Cherry Pocket Pies (from Williams-Sonoma)
(makes 6-8 pocket pies, or one 8-inch cherry pie)
Piecrust (you can purchase a premade crust if desired):
2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 sticks of cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-9087464404124309892011-06-02T19:53:00.000-04:002011-06-02T19:53:08.082-04:00Introducing "Best Organic"I'm happy to be posting organic products and foods I've tried and love. Click on the "Best Organic" link at the top to find out more, and share your own ideas with me!"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-53672009039703401982011-05-03T00:10:00.004-04:002011-05-15T16:49:44.645-04:00Mexican Style LasagnaThis recipe, a combination of many I've researched over the Internet, is a great alternative to the traditional baked pasta version. It is spicy, cheesy, and loaded with protein. I only used 3 tortillas for this dish, but you can use more, cutting them in half to fit inside whatever baking dish you use. My only suggestion would be to make a small casserole for dinner, as the tortillas "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-43437827940425493882011-04-11T20:28:00.002-04:002011-05-15T16:51:15.831-04:00Honey Mustard ChickenThis recipe couldn't be any easier. Tonight I tried an all-natural product through a company called Wildtree, and absolutely loved it! I would have preferred to grill the chicken outdoors since it was in the high 70's today (woo-hoo!), but our grill is still packed away in the garage. The grill pan sufficed, but try grilling this outdoors if you can.
Honey Mustard Chicken
serves 4-6
1 "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-40220869151232949342011-04-10T16:44:00.003-04:002011-05-15T16:52:23.050-04:00Mini CheesecakesSpring is finally here, and with that breath of fresh air come holidays of renewal and celebration. If you're looking for an easy dessert to serve at home or transport to family get togethers, this is the perfect one. You can top these with just about anything, including assorted jams such as apricot or blackberry. I've also made the crust with crushed shortbread cookies instead of graham "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-26492440521345392122011-04-07T22:16:00.004-04:002011-05-15T16:53:51.222-04:00Strawberry Fields Forever...I'm not sure if anyone was able to tune in to watch the evening news tonight, but there was a very interesting report about the relationship between strawberry consumption and certain types of cancer. Recent scientific studies have shown that these little berries can actually inhibit the growth of precancerous lesions, specifically those located in the esophagus and throat. Besides "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-82187626638542655272011-04-01T00:10:00.003-04:002011-04-01T00:41:02.393-04:00
What can I say? I'm speechless, I really am. Thank you Michelle, at Ispirato Design for awarding "Stylish Blogger" to my little food blog! (To quote those crazy guys from Wayne's World ..."not worthy!") It's a good feeling to know that fellow bloggers enjoy reading my ramblings, and I'm overjoyed when someone not only makes, but loves, a posted recipe.
So, "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-80639797385705877692011-03-31T23:59:00.000-04:002011-03-31T23:59:08.066-04:00Meatless Inspirations"What I say is that, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow." ~A. A. Milne
If you're like me, you're probably not only tired of winter and all its glory, but getting bored as to what to make for dinner every night. With the spring season on its way, many of us are getting motivated to begin house projects, landscaping and deck staining. It's my "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-55726126283454192862011-03-30T22:57:00.002-04:002011-04-01T00:23:14.159-04:00Grasshopper PieI know, once in awhile, you just have to cut loose...saw this recipe from Kraft in a magazine while waiting in the grocery line, and just couldn't resist it. I had one little sliver...okay, maybe two. But I tried to make it as healthy as it could possibly be. Does organic milk count?
Grasshopper Pie
serves 8
1 Oreo pie crust (6 oz.)
1 pkg. JELL-O Pistachio flavor sugar-free instant "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-83243632735472079812011-03-30T17:54:00.008-04:002011-03-31T23:46:38.051-04:00Greens and Beans Sausage SoupIf you're looking for a quick, delicious way to incorporate a bunch of veggies together into one meal, then try this recipe. It's actually based on a few that I've clipped and saved from magazines here and there.(Yes, I'm one of those people who quietly tear out recipes from the magazines in the doctor's office while waiting. I firstcheck to see that the copy is over 6 months old. Then, it's up "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-70633244648503098032011-03-24T19:26:00.008-04:002011-03-31T23:47:23.358-04:00Chicken Thighs (Braised with Olives)Braise: [breɪz] (Cookery) to cook (meat, vegetables, etc.) by lightly browning in fat and then cooking slowly in a closed pan with a small amount of liquid.
Thanks Webster's Online Dictionary, couldn't have said it better myself! I like to braise most of my foods because it doesn't take a lot of time, and the meat always comes out "fall apart" tender. This is a quick, easy recipe, which is "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-42593246571906246852011-03-20T00:44:00.004-04:002011-04-01T00:22:37.912-04:00Stuffed Peppers (By Ashley!)It is with a heart full of happiness that I post this dish made by my daughter, Ashley. When I started this food blog, it was really meant for my two girls. As a mom, I have hopes and dreams that someday they will both grow to love cooking as much as I do, and not run for the hills whenever I preheat the oven. I'm a firm believer that food and tradition brings families closer together, "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-27690172653568490802011-03-06T20:55:00.025-05:002011-03-30T22:36:24.240-04:00Pot Roast"Did you ever stop to taste a carrot? Not just eat it, but taste it? You can't taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie." ~Astrid Alauda
This is a great recipe to pull out whenever you have a crazy/lazy day scheduled. If spring ever gets here in Upstate New York, I know many of us will be shuffling kids from games to practice, working in the yard, or just enjoying the long, overdue "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-35290376082456691912011-03-02T21:48:00.005-05:002011-03-04T20:55:25.285-05:00Stuffed ShellsI love making these little cuties for large gatherings, as well as weekday dinners. You can add just about anything from mini-meatballs to turkey sausage, but for tonight, I chose fresh, organic baby spinach. Enjoy!
Baked Stuffed Shells
(makes 24 shells/serves 8)
(print)
24 uncooked pasta shells (large size)
olive oil
salt/pepper
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 jar vodka sauce (favorite store "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-23865426664638517792011-03-01T22:01:00.001-05:002011-03-01T22:10:13.680-05:00Moist Turkey MeatloafWho, (besides my youngest daughter), doesn't like a good meatloaf? It seemed to be a staple in my grandmother's house growing up, and I vividly remember "Nonny" making cold meatloaf sandwiches the next day for lunch. Not so sure that cold turkey meatloaf would be as appetizing, but you can always give it a try.
I found this recipe through Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa). "Tweeked" it a bit to"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-11939561033986270352011-02-26T19:39:00.001-05:002011-02-26T19:41:21.244-05:00May The Force Be With You...Couldn't resist getting this Star Wars cupcake kit at Williams Sonoma for my nephew's 7th birthday. In addition to the paper liners, you get...
Darth Vader...
A bunch of scary Storm Troopers,
and a few other "guys" I'm not sure of.
They were a big hit, and cupcakes were enjoyed by all! Cupcake recipes are located in the sidebar, or you can click:
(peanut butter cup cupcakes)
I"Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526427062251703042.post-77239964736892998542011-02-19T18:09:00.000-05:002011-02-19T18:09:48.611-05:00Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip CookiesAnother frustrating day here in snowbound, windblown, Central New York. As beautiful as winter can be, we've had enough!
Unfortunately, the only thing that helps us through our cabin fever is comfort food. If you find yourself bored to the core, round up the kids and bake these cookies! I've tried many recipes, including Toll House, but according to my official taste "Vanilla and Thyme"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04520515176323915631noreply@blogger.com0