Sylvia's Scenario

You didn't think I would only post a  salad recipe  for Valentine's Day, did you?  Now that we've got our veggies in for the day, it's time for dessert...cookies!  I make these   every year  and then off they go.     Wouldn't you  love to receive a box of these in the mail on Valentine's Day? I enjoy giving more than receiving and I enjoy creating more than consuming, although Bruce does not let me give away 100% before he can consume some, too.  There's always enough to go around for everyone. Creating edible goodies for any occasion is my favorite way of getting in the spirit of things.  These Valentine cookies are the same recipe I use for the  Halloween cookies , Spritz cookies   and the   Super Bowl cookies .    That's because this recipe is the best sugar cookie recipe around so why change a good thing?  The butter cream frosting goes especially well with the cookies, although the co...

Here is a non-sugary Valentine idea for those healthy-minded individuals that you want to show your love for this Valentine's Day - a salad. Such a simple idea since we all eat salads regularly...right?  I got this idea from a blog called Jo and Sue , who always have fun little food ideas.  The trick for this recipe was to find the little, tiny heart- shaped cookie cutters.  I found them at the first place I tired, Michael's Arts and Crafts Supply.   These cookie cutters are actually 12 different shapes because each of the 6 cookie cutters have a smooth edge and a scalloped edge.   Once you have the cookie cutters, use your imagination on what foods to use.  For the red color, I used well-cooked, softened beets because I love beets. Red bell peppers are the perfect red color for Valentine's Day. For the white color, use cucumbers and mozzarella cheese.   You can also use radishes, daik...

It's still "soup weather" here - gray, cloudy and wet - so no better time than one of my favorite family recipes of pasta fazool. This is the ultimate comfort food (still in demand after the Super Bowl ) and this dish always hits the spot on a rainy day. Needless to say, we ate this often when we lived in Seattle, one of the kids' favorite meals.  It's a one-dish meal, although we usually have a salad and bread with it. Our version is thicker than a lot of versions you might get in Italian restaurants where it is called Pasta Fagioli but I've always loved our home cooked version the best. I think the macaroni in this recipe causes it to be thicker because it continues to absorb the soup as it cooks but I like it that way.  The Italian name means "pasta and beans" and was considered a peasant dish, made by those who could not afford expensive food with meat.  This is not an expensive dish at all but it is healthy with beans for protein, l...

We are still in need of comfort food after watching the tragic loss of our Seahawks in the  Super Bowl   on Sunday.  It still has been the talk all week because of their unbelievable loss, even the Patriot fans are talking about the Seahawks worst play call in Super Bowl history.    The only thing Bruce and I can do is to come home from work, still bummed out and eat our comfort food. Chicken and dumplings is our ultimate comfort food.  I always make it in the crockpot on work days so we can come home to an immediately hot dinner.  The house smells great when you walk in the door and it is a hardy, fulfilling meal that is just what you need after a Super Bowl loss. Serves 4 1 whole chicken 2 cups chicken broth 8 carrots, peeled and sliced Dumplings: 1 cup flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup milk 2 Tbsp. oil 1.  Rinse chicken and place in crockpot.  Pour in chicken broth.  Place carrots in cr...

The party is over The beer has been drunk The food has been eaten  The TV has been turned off The buffalo wings have been devoured The rally jacket from the 80's has been hung back up in the closet...or maybe burned, I'm not sure The betting board has all been bet on. Marshawn Lynch's skittles have turned into a sad face The city's billboards have been taken down The 12th Man flags wave no more The once brilliant city skyline is now dark The cheers and wine toasts are now silent The Irish coffees are dry The lights are now turned off The fog has lifted The toys have been picked up Beast Mode should have run that last play Our beloved Seahawks lost the Super Bowl