Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken

Creamy Broccoli Chicken with Pasta

This is a chicken dish that has just been added to the manuscript files of Think With Your Taste Buds -  Chicken but it would also be wonderful made with shrimp. You can also make this with leftover chicken or pork.  But... you'll have to wait for the recipe until Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken is completed.  Until then don't forget to get your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts and in February order your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef.  All will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Is it Turkey or is it Filler?

I'm working on a new recipe and needed a few slices of thick turkey as one of my ingredients.  I went to a grocery store near my home and saw that they had turkey on sale for $6.99 lb.  Whow!  That would work perfectly.  I told the girl how thick I wanted it sliced and she said to me "you know it's 16% meat" and walked away to fill my order.  I looked at the woman standing next to me and said "what did she just say?"  She repeated that the girl had said "you know it's 16% meat" and this was said as a statement, not a question.  The woman said she had no idea what that meant and neither did I.  I started looking for the girl that was waiting on me and when she showed me a slice to see if it was thick enough I ask if I had heard her correctly.  She affirmed that I did.  I then asked what was the other 84% of what I would be buying.  She said "fillers" and held up the slice and pointed out a few little specks about the size of your little finger and stated that those specks were real meat, being turkey.  FILLERS!  I told her very quickly I refused to pay $6.99 for Fillers!  This is supposed to be the top grocery store in Charlotte and this is their own store brand.  How can they call a slice of 'stuff' from the deli 'meat' if it has only 16% meat and the rest fillers which when I asked what exactly was a filler I was told by-products!

So, if you buy deli meats, ask the clerk how much of it is real meat and how much is 'Filler' before buying.  You can bet I will from now on.

Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken

This is another chicken recipe that will be included in Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken.  This is a Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza.  It's one you won't want to miss when the book comes out.

Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken

 

Oriental Chicken Delight

Another delicious dish has just gone to the upcoming cookbook Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken.  This dish came out with a slight sweetness and so yummy.  Until it's 'coming out' make sure you get your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Dessert which can now be found on Amazon and B&N plus Think Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef which will be on the market in February.

Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken

As you already know, Think With Your Taste Buds - Dessert has been out for a while and can be found on Amazon as well as Barnes & Noble and Books A Million and Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef will be out in February.  What you don't know is that Think With Your Taste Buds - Chicken is now in the works.  The 1st recipe has been added and here's a picture of that 1st dish. 
This is Potato Chip Chicken and boy is it good!

Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef

The wait is almost over.  Hopefully by the end of January Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef will be going to publishing.  It's been a fun time working up and with the recipes Lillian have chosen to include within this book.  It will be available through Kindle and Nook with color pictures for each dish and through CreateSpace as a paperback with black and white pictures of the dishes.  So, hang in there just a little longer and hopefully you'll be able to order your copy some time in February.  Until then, don't forget to get your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts which is the 1st of the series.  Next will be one of my favorite - Chicken. 

My Hot Dog Cookbook Co-Author Announcement

 

 

Everyone has been waiting for my announcement of who my co-author for the upcoming Hot Dog Cookbook will be.  Well, the wait is over.  Meet Toddster the Hot Doggster

 

Todd is one of the greatest hot dog lovers I've ever met! 

 

He has hot dog socks.

 

 

Hot Dog Trucks

 

Hot Dog Scooby

 

And even Hot Dog Pens

 

And these are just a few of the items in his collection.  

 

How did we meet?  Toddster the Hot Doggster wanted to know when I planned to write a cookbook about hot dogs.   I had no plans but then ask myself - 'Why not?'  There are cookbooks about everything else.  So I told Toddster the Hot Doggster that if he was willing to join me in this venture we would create a cookbook highlighting an individual hot dog as well as a hot dog restaurant for each state in the US.  Thats all it took to get his excitement boiling and our plans in motion. 

 

So, what does Toddster the Hot Doggster do when not collection hot dog items?  Read on and you'll find out.

 

 

 

Todd MacIsaac (Producer/Creator)

Exec. Producer · 1997 to present

Producer/Virtual World Liaison TODD MACISAAC (Co-Producer/Co-Creator/Virtual World Liaison) After obtaining his degree in Digital Media from Full Sail in 19...97, Todd worked in Independent films (industrial commercials) and also worked in production for the Orlando Predators, an indoor arena football team. In 1998 Todd MacIsaac began exploration of emerging online social networks including ICQ, MSN messenger and AIM which allowed people to chat live real time anywhere in the world through text.Then with the unveiling of Skype, vocal real time chat came to life.Todd has witnessed the growth and development of the Internet as a communication and collaboration tool. He became involved in a Live Non Profit Interactive Educational TV Broadcast group that designs curriculum for interactive shows intended for classrooms nation wide. In early 2000 Todd joined one of the first online 3d virtual worlds called "Worlds.com." This Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE) hooked MacIsaac with its power in connecting people globally instantly live in a 3D environment. Today, Todd continues to explore the different forms of social media including the current media phenomena of FaceBook, Second Life, MySpace, Blue Mars,There.com and Kaneva amongst others. He realized early on the potential and the power of the new medium of communication in connecting people across the globe. He sees the lasting value to the ever evolving, always shifting means of communication and the results that can be obtained through the incredible medium of the Internet. To that end, in 2006 Todd co-founded Vircon, a virtual content company that sought to bridge and merge the virtual and the physical worlds by exploring the growing movement linking education and digital media interaction/entertainment. Todd is applying and putting into action the resources and networks and vast experiences from his digital media background and immersion in social medias as well as MUVEs in his partnership with Lytle and Becker.

Cinnamon and Honey

Do these work?  I have no idea but I can't see where they can hurt either.  Just might be worth trying a few.

Cures most diseases It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon, as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.

In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT:
When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on

Beef & Sausage Meatballs

Pulled for the future.  My recipe for Beef & Sausage Meatballs has been pulled and moved to the manuscript file.  This is a good one so make a note to give it a try when you get your copy of ThinkWith Your Taste Buds - Beef.  Until then, check out my other cookbooks by going to my name on Amazon Martha A. Cheves

Tortellini With Beef and Portobello Mushrooms

Boy wait until you try this recipe!  It turned out wonderful.  I got the idea from a recipe called Portobello Bellybuttons and made a few changes and a couple additions.  They worked out perfect.

This recipe is the newest that has gone into the manuscript file for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef which will be out this winter.  In the meantime, don't forget to order your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts;  Stir, Laugh, Repeat;  and A Book and A Dish.

Herb Salt Substitute Recipe

This may help many who can not have salt.

Herb Salt Substitute Recipe

Similar to the commercial Mrs. Dash mixture, use this salt substitute herb mix on all types of savory foods and you won't miss the salt at all.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbsp ground cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried parsley flakes

1 tsp dried savory

1 tsp ground mace

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp dried marjoram

1 tsp ground dried grated lemon peel

PREPARATION:

Combine cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley flakes, savory, mace, black pepper, sage, marjoram, and lemon peel.

Mix well. Place in a glass airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to four months. Use on all types of savory foods.



Recipe may be easily multiplied.

Hot Chocolate Balls

This is a Pinterest recipe that I couldn't pass up.  The original recipe is called Hot Chocolate on a Stick.  Mine didn't quite come out that way. 

2 lbs. melted chocolate (real chocolate with high content of cocoa butter)
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

I melted my chocolate in the microwave.  The recipe directions melt it over a double boiler.  (Might be one of my mistakes.)  Mix cocoa powder and powdered sugar into melted chocolate.   I used dark chocolate cocoa powder.  (Might have been another mistake.)  The original recipe had you pour the mixture into a zip lock bag with a small hole cut in the corner so you could squirt it into a mold or mini muffin tins.  Mine wasn't squirtable but thick.  This is what I ended up doing.  Using my hands I shaped 1" balls and rolled some of them in cinnamon sugar and some in peppermint sugar.  Some I left plain.  For appearance as well as use, I put each ball on a plastic form, wrapped it with plastic wrap and tied it with a pretty ribbon.  I think they turned out quite pretty.  To use you simply heat an 8 oz. cup of milk, crumble your Hot Chocolate Ball into your milk, stir and enjoy.  It really is quite good! 

These are good to add to gift baskets with a simple little card telling the user how to turn their Hot Chocolate Ball into the real thing.

Kid Safety

Paint Brush Wiper

Cheese Cookies and Sausage Balls

This recipe will make both Cheese Cookies and Sausage Balls simply by adding one additional ingredient saving you time and clean-up.

Cheese Cookies

2 cups flour
3 cups shredded cheese
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
4 cups Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl mix flour and cheese.  Using your hands add butter and then rice krispies.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Shape 1/2 of the mixture into walnut size balls.  Press flat.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Makes about 2 dozen

Sausage Balls

1 lb. lean sausage
1 cup flour

To the remaining mixture, using your hands, mix in sausage and flour.  Roll into walnut size balls.  Bake 12-15 minutes.  makes about 2 dozen

Comments:  The cheese cookies will have a crispy crunch from the rice krispies.  The sausage balls will have a slight crunch but not quite as much as the cookies.  I use a Mexican cheese blend which also adds a unique flavor to the cookies.  You can use any cheese or cheese blend that you might like.  These are perfect for the holidays and entertaining or just plain old eating.    These are delicious!

Key Polish

Great Idea for a Cookbook Holder!

Great Review for Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts

FIVE GOLDEN SPOONS FOR MARTHA CHEVES AND LILLIAN MORT:

Think with Your Tastebuds

Mouthwatering delicious deserts that will tantalize your taste buds and force you to go off your diet and run to the store to buy the ingredients to make one of these tasty treat. Martha Cheves and Lillian Mort have created a cookbook that will send everyone that not only reads it but who creates one of their recipes into sugar heaven, treat euphoria and definitely on the bestseller list for cookbooks. So, sit back and read my review and I guarantee that when you finish reading it you will not only buy a dozen copies for friends to enjoy these tasty treats but you will head for the supermarket and straight for the kitchen when you return and start baking.

So, just how did these two master chefs meet? The net of course! Just why did they decide to create this masterfully written cookbook? Read the introduction and find out because certain secrets you have to learn for yourself and I will only reveal a tantalizing morsel to you and the rest you have to have learn when you read the book, try out these great recipes and find out their hidden tricks, tips and special ways of making these foods come alive.

Let’s start with my favorite food Bread. I bet that you did not know that there are at least 23 ways or more to make bread. Well, you are not going to believe what Martha and Lillian have prepared for you to try as you learn how to make Quick Breads which rise with the help of baking soda and baking powder and needs no kneading and Lillian’s tip at the end for slicing this delicious treat. Next, I would love for someone to make Martha’s Apple Sticky Buns for me. Oh, yeah, my husband is a great baker and cook and this book that you Martha and Lillian was really autographed to him and not me but I think I better do the review while he just might be creating something delicious. What is great about this book is right after each recipe the two authors have a special Think With Your Taste Buds tip I would say to tell you how they both added something special to each recipe making it unique to their style of cooking and taste. Applesauce Bread, Apricot Bread, Old-Fashioned Date Nut Bread and Tiny Aloha Pineapple Muffins are just some of the bread recipes that will send you straight into the kitchen to start heating up the oven, getting out those ingredients and baking pans to create your own special breads for every occasion.

Cakes: Who does not love to eat cake? For those that can bake why go and buy a ready made one when you can bake one of these over the top delicious recipes starting with, not so fast, learning and reading the Tips for Cakes on pages 36-38 which will instruct you on some important things to remember before you even start. The authors share some family history in this chapter too. So, which ones look good to me to make me go off my strict diet: All of them but I will only give you a small taste. Angel Surprise Cake smells great just from reading the recipe. Lillian made this cake for the first time for a girlfriend’s birthday. Martha adds something about what she adds to this great recipe, which is unique to her style too.

Applesauce Cake would enhance any dinner or lunch table and Martha shares how she learned about this delicious recipe with readers Lillian how she loves to bake in a tube pan. One of the most original recipes is Banana Nut Cereal Cake. You won’t believe what Martha used when she ran out of one ingredient and replaced it with his healthy breakfast cereal making this cake truly a Martha Cheves creation. But, Lillian has her own variations on this cake and believe me you want to try them both. Coconut lovers page 51 has a recipe you just might love. To jazz up any birthday or anniversary party how about a double treat that everyone loves Italian Cream Cheese Cake you the get the cake and the cheesecake all in one. So very tempting followed by Maraschino Cherry Cake and they say cherries are seriously good for you. To bring out your bad side and let the world know that you cannot be trifled with try out the recipe for Devil’s Food Cake. Now, that I have tempted your taste buds with these sweet delights how about we move to the next section and titled Cheesecakes which I have to say our my favorite if and when I ever eat cake. Lillian shares with the reader what her favorite ingredients are for adding to a cheesecake. She loves its “cool, creamy, velvety texture.” She tells readers about how she first made them where she found some recipes and how she creates her own delights. On page 82 she shares some valuable tips for making these cakes that you have to read for yourself. How else will you learn!
My favorite cheesecake is Sour Cream Cheese Cake and the recipe is on page 85 and the tips follow. Lillian includes a fact about her daughter and why she is called a “purist.” Sound like we must be related because when and if I eat this delectable treat I would eat it the same way.”

Considering the fact that I do not cook the next recipe is perfect for me to attempt to make anything. No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake who can go wrong with that! Martha bakes hers with fresh fruit and a can of pie filling and Lillian adds her own special twist to it on page 88. Coffee is something that most people like to start with day with. Nothing like a hot cup of coffee to start the day to rev up your motor any time during the day. So, why not coffee cakes to go with the coffee which Lillian describes on page 91 and adds special tips for coffee cakes on the next page. From apple coffee cake and overnight coffee cake you have a smorgasbord of recipes and choices to try. Pound Cakes are next and they are truly great when serving coffee, tea and just for a great snack or dessert after a fun meal with friends. Pound cakes are great when guests are over and you have game night and want to serve something simple, fun and not messy so you can get back into the games being played. Lillian gives the chef in you a little history lesson about pound cakes, how to make great ones and some of the important ingredients that she uses to make these. She even gives away a family secret of what her mother used as a special baking dishes. Want to find out read pages 101-102 plus let’s not forget the tips. So, what kind can you make Blueberry, Cranberry Pecan, Easy Pineapple Pound Cake, Orange Soaked and White Chocolate? Next, we learn how to make frostings and toppings, which add that extra zing to every cake or muffin. Lillian shares her specialties and her way of creating these frostings and toppings using a double boiler and following the instructions on the recipe plus her valuable tips. What kind can you make? You are going to have to read this section to find out.

For the kid in you or just because you want to create special treats for children or grandchildren’s parties you might want to attempt one of these sugary and tasty candies and snacks. Lillian begins by sharing how valuable sugar was during the Second World War and how it was rationed. Sharing the treats that her parents made like my favorite taffy and fudge. She adds some special tips on page 122 for making candy. Let’s start with Cereal Square Snacks, which seem easy enough to make. Martha shares how she makes this snack with shredded wheat squares and pecans. Lillian said long ago she used caramel corn. Reminds me of Cracker Jacks that my mom loved to eat. Peanut Butter Fudge and Tara’s Candy. Just wait until you read these recipes. Cookies are next followed by Cobblers and Dumplings, which I am going to leave to the reader to learn more about. With the holidays approaching or any time of the year you want to try their recipes for pies, pastries and tarts. Lillian begins by telling the reader a little history about pies and the fact that preparation is quite easy since you do not have to do the measuring, or rolling of the dough. Imagine ready-made crusts found in stores. Years an ago crust she shares was made with lard and the crust beyond flaky and much blander. My grandmother had pin tins as she relates hers did too and she even has one. Pages 172-173 include tips for pies, pastries and tarts. Cherry Nut Cheese Pie, Coconut Cheesecake Pie (sounds great) and Cream Cheese Apple Pie are enough to make your mouth water from just reading the recipes. Now, oatmeal is my favorite food so an Oatmeal Pie is definitely perfect. There are too many to tell you about and you might be tempted to stop reading before you find out about Piecrusts and Specialty Desserts. Piecrusts you are on your own but Specialty Desserts I will share some. Lillian includes a definition of desserts and then the meaning of specialty desserts, which includes tips for puddings and desserts and the desserts themselves. How about some Apple Roll-Ups or Banana Split Pudding or something that Lillian says is quick, easy and a great dessert: Cherry Crunch Dessert and Martha says she would see it with apple filling served over hot cheddar cheese melted on the top. Yummy. There are tons more but you have to read and learn the rest for yourself. I cannot give away all of their secrets that would spoil the fun of reading it for yourself. Two great chefs and many great tips: Think with Your Tastebuds is a must have in every kitchen and a great gift for the holidays or any occasion. Thank you to Martha and Lillian for meeting on the net, creating this great book and making me want to go off my diet. Check out that cookie jar on the front cover and click away and get your copies.
Fran Lewis: reviewer

Let’s give this book: FIVE GOLDEN MIXING BOWLS

Round Steak Sandwiches

We all know how dry and tough round steak can be even if cut correctly.  I finally found a way to tenderize, moisten and flavor to make some really great sandwiches.  My Round Steak Sandwiches has gone to my manuscript file for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef that comes out this winter.  This one will be perfect for those game day guys and so easy to make.  Until then, check out Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts.

Slow Cooker Cube Steak

Yet another recipe has gone into the manuscript file for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef.  I came up with this one when I found cube steak on sale and didn't want to cook it the usual way...batter, fry, serve immediately.  I wanted something I could actually cook now and serve later.  This worked out perfectly.  So make a note to look for this dish when Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef comes out this winter.  Until then, don't forget to order your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts.