Monday, January 31, 2011

Now I Have a Craving For Spinach Dip -

I am a Food Reality Show addict. 

Give me 

,

,
as well as

Cake Boss, Iron Chef, Ace of Cakes, Hungry Girl,
and

 and I am a happy girl. 
(On a side note, I used to babysit Kat -from WC in A - when I was a teenager).    

I was introduced through those shows to a  whole new world of food that I never knew existed, one that involves creativity and technique. 

So why is it that I am now craving me some Spinach Dip, from a recipe that involves only 3 items:
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (one packet), one box of frozen spinach (thawed), and 16 ounces of sour cream?
 I really need to be a little more adventurous.  

So, here's my NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION #2: 
try to make and bake new foods. 

If you know my family, you know that my husband won't eat anything unless he really likes it.  And if he won't eat it, he won't make the kids eat it either.  And I was raised to clean your plate, no matter what.  It's been a struggle to do any kind of experimenting at all

But I am determined.  I can do it.  I am tired of the same 12 recipes recycled over and over again.  Really.  Any recipes I have already shared here are from that lame repertoire.   Don't get me wrong.  They're pretty good dishes.  It's just the sheer lack of quantity that's lame.

So, at the risk of being embarrassed by the lack of participation, here is my request::

If you have a link to a favorite recipe, leave it in a comment.  If you know of any great recipe blogs, leave the link.  Or, if you so feel inclined, leave the recipe itself. 

And please take Note:  My hubby's biggest food adversion is carrots (or is it are carrots?  I don't know)

And when I make a dish from a recipe you leave or from the link you share, I will post about it and give you credit and link back to your blog. 

Maybe that'll be a little extra motivation for me to be food-venturous. 

Heaven knows I need all the motivation I can get!

(If you are reading this via Facebook, my blog address is:  careysgang.blogspot.com.  You can leave your recipe in a comment there.  And leave your blog link there too, if you have one.  Thanks!)

6 comments:

Lisa Jacques Elam said...

I love this resolution idea. I had a similar one last year and introduced myself and my family to some really great recipes.
One of my favorite recipes of all time is one I found years ago. It is called 'Company Tuna Casserole'. Now I am not a fan of tuna casserole...but this one I like and everyone who has ever eaten it just loves it. Here goes. I really hope you guys like it.
Company Tuna Casserole
1 can tuna in water drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 8oz pkg cream cheese softened
1 tsp yellow mustard
1 small onion diced
1 16 oz.pkg of elbow macaroni
Fix macaroni per pkg instructions
Meanwhile mix mushroom soup and cream cheese together until creamy. Add the tuna, onion and mustard. Drain the macaroni and add to mixture. Put into a greased 9x9 baking dish. Crumble saltines or potato chips over the top. Dot with butter and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. It tastes great right out of the oven but is even better on day two.
You can play with the ingredients to make more or add more of something your family likes. I often times add more soup and cream cheese to give it a richer flavor.

Victoria said...

Hmm. Okay, this is one I made up myself, but it is delicious and everyone in my family loves it. Here is the link: http://vixlove.blogspot.com/2009/09/one-for-garrys-dinner.html.

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

Here's my signature dish, chicken spinach calzones:

Bread dough (I make mine with 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 1 c water, 2 c four, 1 tsp salt and a dash of olive oil)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts diced
2 T olive oil
1/4 c sweet onion
1 c frozen spinach
1 1/2 c provolone & mozerella cheese
1/2 lb. bacon crumbled(leave it out if you're not a fan)

Cook the chicken and onion in olive oil. Divide the dough into six pieces. Roll it out, plop in the cooked chicken and onion, spinach, cheese and crumbled bacon. Pack it into a little calzone. Bake at 375 until golden brown. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping.

Even the kid loves it!

Valerie said...

This is one of my favorite dinners. Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce. I look forward to seeing all kinds of yummy recipes you make. :)
http://valeriepondering.blogspot.com/2010/02/chicken-with-basil-cream-sauce.html

alpinekleins said...

OooOOooO! I love the dip in the bread bowl idea. I have to bring a large appetizer to an event this month and now I'm totally inspired. Thank you!!!

Kristin

heather said...

Mmm! I love Food Network, but I'm the kind of person who more often than not just wings things. I make up recipes as I go, so I don't use very many formal recipes.
This is a great idea though! I might have to copy it sometime!