Today’s project was Chicken with Artichokes, Capers, and Angel Hair Pasta, chosen by Megan at Megan’s Cookin’. I have to say, it sounded kind of plain, and it pretty much was. I had some grated Parmesan cheese at the ready but even that didn’t do much to help it. I also added some onion powder to the sauce thinking that might boost it a bit. It didn’t. Not a fan of this one unfortunately. What did everyone else think?

Today’s project was Chicken with Artichokes, Capers, and Angel Hair Pasta, chosen by Megan at Megan’s Cookin’. I have to say, it sounded kind of plain, and it pretty much was. I had some grated Parmesan cheese at the ready but even that didn’t do much to help it. I also added some onion powder … Read more →

Today’s recipe,  Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Greens, was chosen by Ashley at Elizabeth March Design and can be found in January Living. I was apprehensive about this soup. It sounded really, really bland and really really veggie. I thought it wasn’t too bad, and the fact that I threw in a rind from some Parmesan cheese probably helped it. I had some trouble getting it completely blended – there were some strings in it. No one but me would eat it. Mr. MarthaAndMe took one taste and said no thanks. I only made half a batch, so I didn’t have too much left. I am planning to doctor it up and have it for lunch some day this week. I don’t think I would ever make it again, however. What did everyone else think?

Today’s recipe,  Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Greens, was chosen by Ashley at Elizabeth March Design and can be found in January Living. I was apprehensive about this soup. It sounded really, really bland and really really veggie. I thought it wasn’t too bad, and the fact that I threw in a rind from some Parmesan … Read more →

Pru at Perfecting Pru chose Lighter Chicken Potpie for today’s recipe. Pru has never had chicken potpie before! Well, Pru, what did you think?

I had a little trouble with the recipe. First off, I quickly poached some chicken breasts but did not use the poaching water as directed – I used chicken broth, but that was just my cheat for the recipe. Secondly, as I was making it, it seemed like there was not enough liquid, so I increased the broth (and increased the flour). It was nice and thick when it went in the oven, but it came out looking like soup, so it was pretty disappointing. My family did not like the tarragon in this, something I don’t normally use. The phyllo dough was nice and I thought the flavors were fine otherwise. I don’t make chicken potpie often because I find it to be messy. I always think I would like it better with a bottom crust, but even when I make it that way, it all still runs all over the place. I’m posting a recipe for chicken and biscuits later this week and that is my version of chicken potpie that I like the best.

Pru at Perfecting Pru chose Lighter Chicken Potpie for today’s recipe. Pru has never had chicken potpie before! Well, Pru, what did you think? I had a little trouble with the recipe. First off, I quickly poached some chicken breasts but did not use the poaching water as directed – I used chicken broth, but … Read more →

I’ve got my life back together! The cookbook was submitted today and I am breathing again! I not only made today’s project, but I started a batch of sauerkraut, as per the recipe in Oct Living, so I’ll be reporting on that in a few days once it ferments. I’ll also be once again posting lots more here, and over at the NoPotCooking blog.

Now, as for today’s project, baked apple wedges, (chosen by Sassy Suppers) what did everyone think? I have to give this one a thumbs down. I don’t quite understand what it was supposed to be really. You bake apple quarters but you don’t bake them long enough for them to get really soft. I also did not understand why the recipe said to sprinkle brown sugar on the baking sheet. All it did was make a sticky mess that was hard to clean up! I did like the oats, brown sugar, ginger, nutmeg, and almonds, but would enjoy it much more on an apple crisp.

I’ve got my life back together! The cookbook was submitted today and I am breathing again! I not only made today’s project, but I started a batch of sauerkraut, as per the recipe in Oct Living, so I’ll be reporting on that in a few days once it ferments. I’ll also be once again posting … Read more →

Today’s project, Chicken Fried Rice, was chosen by SteakNPotatoes Kinda Gurl. I make fried rice a lot and I was mightily confused by the 1/2 cup of chicken broth in this. It turned it all wet and mushy and I had to really cook it down to get it to be less than soup.  I also felt there was just too much chicken for my tastes.

I usually toss in tons of veggies when I make fried rice – peas, carrots, sprouts and sometimes I chop up some cabbage. I usually make mine without meat, but do use egg in it.

Desi posted her link as a comment back on the assignment post for this project, so scroll back to find it.

I have to admit I am itching to try the sauerkraut recipe in October Living. Anyone else?

Today’s project, Chicken Fried Rice, was chosen by SteakNPotatoes Kinda Gurl. I make fried rice a lot and I was mightily confused by the 1/2 cup of chicken broth in this. It turned it all wet and mushy and I had to really cook it down to get it to be less than soup.  I … Read more →

I chose today’s project, fruit roll ups from September Living (recipe posted here). I used strawberries. I had a little trouble getting this to bake enough. I kept taking it out and checking it and ended up baking an extra hour to get most of it to that fruit leather consistency. The center still was not done and I ended up just tossing the middle part.

To be honest, I’ve never tried a fruit roll up in my life so I had DudeMartha be the tester on this one. DudeMartha has had them, but not in my house! I never bought these for my kids since I treated them like candy.  He’s had them elsewhere of course though. He did not like that there were some seeds (I guess my fine sieve is not fine enough) but other than that he thought it was ok.

If I had little kids who begged me for fruit roll ups, I could see making this, so that I would know exactly what was in it and be able to control the sugar. If you want to try it without sugar, my friend Kristin Gough did a recipe on her blog, MyKidsEatSquid with a recipe for that. You’ll also note her recipe has a very long baking time – 10+ hours which seems to be what is needed!

I chose today’s project, fruit roll ups from September Living (recipe posted here). I used strawberries. I had a little trouble getting this to bake enough. I kept taking it out and checking it and ended up baking an extra hour to get most of it to that fruit leather consistency. The center still was … Read more →

Ana at Sweet Almond Tree chose today’s project, Greek Chicken Cutlets.  Pru is going to be annoyed with me, but I changed the recipe a bit. I made mine in parchment paper. Same flavors, just a slightly different method. Here’s my version:

1/2 cup cooked couscous

1 chicken breast

1/4 cup packed baby spinach leaves

2 slices tomato

salt and pepper

1/8 teaspoon Greek seasoning

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 cup feta cheese

Preheat oven to 400 and prepare parchment paper. Place the couscous on the paper in roughly the shape of the chicken breast. Place the breast on top and place the spinach over that, then the tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, Greek seasoning and onion powder and crumble the feta cheese over it. Add some olives if you like (I don’t). Fold the parchment and bake for about 35 minutes.

Ana at Sweet Almond Tree chose today’s project, Greek Chicken Cutlets.  Pru is going to be annoyed with me, but I changed the recipe a bit. I made mine in parchment paper. Same flavors, just a slightly different method. Here’s my version: 1/2 cup cooked couscous 1 chicken breast 1/4 cup packed baby spinach leaves … Read more →

I’ll bet most people would scratch their heads at the idea of risotto you don’t have to stir, but I actually recently came up with a recipe similar to today’s project, Baked Risotto, chosen by Tiny Skillet, for the cookbook I am currently writing: The Muffin Tin Cookbook. It will be out in Jan from Adams Media and is filled with all sorts of fun and different things you can make in muffin tins (and actually the photo shoot for the book is actually happening today!). One thing I came up with for the book was risotto in muffin tins! So I knew it was possible, but wanted to try Martha’s version.

I did not like the taste of the wine in this recipe at all. I let it burn off, but just didn’t care for the flavor. I don’t usually add wine to my risotto, so that’s probably why.

Other than that, it was pretty good. A tiny bit gummy, which is the result of not stirring it, but, it’s a reasonable trade off for the ease of this recipe.

And of course, you know me, I added a bit more cheese than was suggested:)

I’ll bet most people would scratch their heads at the idea of risotto you don’t have to stir, but I actually recently came up with a recipe similar to today’s project, Baked Risotto, chosen by Tiny Skillet, for the cookbook I am currently writing: The Muffin Tin Cookbook. It will be out in Jan from … Read more →

Perfecting Pru chose this week’s project, Almond Blackberry Squares.  This recipe was easy (or it would have been if I hadn’t burned the almonds first time around — the phone rang and I couldn’t get back in time!). I made half a batch in an 8×8 pan. I am not a blackberry fan – I like the flavor but just hate all the seeds. Everyone else in the family likes them though. This got a thumbs up all around. It was easy to make. I didn’t have a single orange in the house, so I put a few drops of orange extract over the berries instead of zest which worked out quite well. This would be good with raspberries too I think, or even a combo of both.

We’re taking a break from Martha Mondays for the next couple of weeks.  I am hoping to get back to regular posting this fall!

Perfecting Pru chose this week’s project, Almond Blackberry Squares.  This recipe was easy (or it would have been if I hadn’t burned the almonds first time around — the phone rang and I couldn’t get back in time!). I made half a batch in an 8×8 pan. I am not a blackberry fan – I … Read more →

SteakNPotatoKindaGurl chose turtles for today’s project. I was amazed at how easy this recipe is. It literally took 10 minutes. Pretty amazing – and no bowls either. It’s all done in the oven. Mine turned out nicely. I thought the caramel was a little hard to chew – maybe it got cooked too much in the oven, but other than that they were good. I immediately got them out of the house though and send them to Mr. MarthaAndMe’s office.

SteakNPotatoKindaGurl chose turtles for today’s project. I was amazed at how easy this recipe is. It literally took 10 minutes. Pretty amazing – and no bowls either. It’s all done in the oven. Mine turned out nicely. I thought the caramel was a little hard to chew – maybe it got cooked too much in … Read more →