Difference Between Pork Loin and Pork Tenderloin

Have you ever read a recipe that called for a pork tenderloin and you bought a pork loin instead thinking they were the same thing?  Frustrating isn't it, when your glaze burns and your meat isn't cooked through at the time the recipe said?  Or, worse, done it in reverse and cooked a pork tenderloin to death in a roasting pan.

Gluten Free Flour Blend and Book Review

I was not compensated for this post other than given permission to share America's Test Kitchen's copyrighted recipe.  All opinions are my own.

Several weeks ago a package showed up on my doorstep unannounced.  My dad saw a cookbook online he thought I'd like and had it sent to me.  My dad is cool like that.

The book is America's Test Kitchen's latest The How Can it Be Gluten Free Cookbook.  Let me tell you, I wish this book had come out a year ago.  The first chapter in the book is all about the chemistry of gluten and baking.  America's Test Kitchen talks about what needs to be replaced in a recipe if wheat gluten is removed - elasticity, fat, starch.  Another thing they talked about was weighing flour and other dry ingredients instead of measuring them by the cup.  That technique has made a great difference in my baking.

Keep Cold Foods Cold While Camping

This week is camping week at Now Things Are Cookin'.  Monday I shared meal ideas to help you move beyond hotdogs and hamburgers on your camping trip.

Vacation Meal Ideas

Later this summer when our family goes on vacation to Virginia Beach, we're planning on eating most of our meals in the hotel room to save money.  We did this last year on our vacation too, but I wasn't quite as prepared.  This year I'm already making food to freeze and take with us on our trip.  My husband and I are already talking about eating out at the two restaurants we tried last year, but for the most part, we'll make all our meals in our room or pack picnic lunches to be enjoyed on the beach.

Guest Posting at Feeding Big

On Monday I purposely glutened myself for a homemade turkey salad sandwich, thinking it'd be worth it.  It was not.  I've been sick with migraines, swollen legs, and an upset stomach since.  This morning is the first day I've really felt well.  So there haven't been any blog posts this week, and for that I'm truly sorry.

No Bake Granola "Cupcakes"

Five years ago next month when the 8 year old was just barely 3 1/2, my mom got terribly sick.  My dad, who is paralyzed on the right side of his body called me after three days and asked if I'd make the 2 hour drive to their house to help care for both of them until my mom was well.  The two of them thought she had the stomach flu.  I, of course, agreed, but I told my dad to make sure my mom was prepared to go to the ER when I got there.  She hadn't been able to keep anything on her stomach for three days, so I knew she was dehydrated.

How to Read a Recipe

Reading a recipe might seem like a no brainer to even novice cooks, but as I was researching how to write a recipe, I actually learned a few things.  It's not easy to write a recipe and sometimes, I will admit, us food bloggers get it wrong.  However, there are some things you should expect from a well written recipe and some things you should do.

Get Organized: Water Bottle and Travel Cup Holder

Please ignore the chipped paint.  The person who owned the house before us did a very poor job painting.

I'm sure many of you can relate to the frustration of opening a cabinet only to have a water bottle or travel cup fall out, maybe even on your head.  It was a near daily experience for us, not to mention the fact I had the 8 year old's water bottles in one cabinet, ours in another, and our travel cups in yet a third.  

The Importance of Salt

My mother's recipe for stuffed peppers is adapted from a very old Betty Crocker recipe for "porcupine" meatballs.  Supposedly, if you add uncooked rice to the meatballs mixture, as it cooks in a slow cooker, the rice will work to the surface and poke out resembling quills on a porcupine.

My Favorite Posts of 2012

Last week we looked at the top viewed posts of 2012.  This week, I'm going to share with you some of my favorites from the blog's first year.

May - Baby Back Barbeque Ribs
We love these ribs and I loved sharing them.  When I look back at the first month of blogging, this post jumps out as the most successful and the post where I felt as though I'd really gotten the hang of things.

Top Viewed Posts of 2012

According to my stats, the posts you love the most and have visited the most this year are...

#5 Roasted Tomatillo Salsa with Avocado
Easy, spicy, creamy and delicious, this bite of summer with ingredients fresh from our local community market, got lots of pins, views, and comments from you all.

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours, may you have the Merriest of Christmases!

Guest Posting at Earning My Cape

It is my honor and privilege to be guest posting over at Earning My Cape today.  If you remember, Susie featured me in her Searching for Supermom series back in October.  Today I'm back talking about a Christmas tradition my son and I share - making reindeer food for Santa's most important helpers!  Please come join me at Susie's blog to find out the recipe and to see some super cute pictures of the 8 year old.

Remembering Those Who Died in Newtown, CT

My Heart is Heavy....

There are truly no words to describe how we as a nation feel following the tragedy in Connecticut yesterday.  Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of 28 lives that have left us too soon.

My husband yesterday said the following quote by Mr. Fred Rogers is one of the few things that has brought him comfort, so I share it with you.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”  ~Mr. Fred Rogers

Not a Typical Food Blogger

My little blog is almost just barely 6 months old  now and I realize more and more that I am not your typical food blogger.  I hope that makes me stand out in a crowd.

Why do I say I'm not typical?  Well many food bloggers cook earlier in the day so they can get great food shots.  Oh, if I could, I would, but I just don't have that kind of time or resources.

Happy Thanksgiving

Petros or Frito Pie

Petros is a fast food restaurant chain in Tennessee and Alabama.  We discovered it when my husband lived in Knoxville, TN shortly before we were married.  The original version was chili poured inside a bag of Fritos with sour cream on top.  The first restaurant was at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville.

Grocery Items Worth the Spluge

We've talked a lot about Making the Best of Things, how to save money at the grocery store, and money saving tips in the kitchen.  But what we haven't talked about are items are worth the splurge.  These will be different things to different people, but I can show you what we splurge on in our house.

Guest Posting at Kathe With an E!

I'm so excited!  I've never guest posted before, so when Kathe at Kathe With an E asked me if I would fill in for her on a post while she enjoyed her son's wedding and visited with her new grandson, I jumped at the chance.  It's fun to offer ones "voice" to another blog every now and again.

Kathe hosts a great linky party I frequent on Tuesdays called You're Gonna Love It! (and I do!).  She also puts together amazing tablescapes like this one to celebrate Oktoberfest (I'm in love with the apple cider tureen) and this one honoring her Canadian husband, Mr. B's heritage.  Kathe also shares some of her crafts like this adorably cute garden sign, and delicious recipes.  Hello, coconut maple bacon cupcakes!

So head on over to Kathe's blog to check out some of my memories of cooking with my grandmothers and read a bit about the history of my husband's favorite dish, fettuccine Alfredo.  And before I forget again, let me thank Kathe so much for letting me guest post.  She was one of the first people I really connected with when I started blogging, and I'm so honored she let me share with her readers.