Bigger Eyes Than Stomach...

When I was growing up and my mom would cook one of my favorite meals (which usually involved mashed potatoes) I would load up my plate with so much food, because I figured I would save myself the trouble of going back for seconds. After I ate about half of what I took my mother would look at me and say, "You had bigger eyes than stomach." I have learned over the years to match my eyes and stomach at my favorite meals, but there are still times when that old saying comes in handy while I'm working in the kitchen.

For example...

Baking Christmas candy, cookies, or any other holiday goodies. I always have grand plans of beautifully decorated and intricate candies that are elegantly displayed and proudly handed out to neighbors, colleagues, and family. However, by the end of the day I usually end up with "bigger eyes than stomach." Or in other words...I have better ideas than capabilities. This year I tried to plan a simpler holiday baking menu:

1. Pretzel Turtles: Wonderful combination of a square or round pretzel topped with a Rolo caramel candy and melted in the oven for about 3 minutes. The final touch is a pecan half pressed into the melted chocolate. The result...sweet, salty, caramelly, and crunchy addictive goodness! These turned out great. I think these were well within my capabilities and they taste great!

2. Oreo Truffles. My husband introduced these to me when we were first dating. A package of Oreos finely chopped, blended with a package of cream cheese and formed into a ball, and last but not least dipped in a chocolate candy coating. Can you say "YUMMY!" Here is where my eyes start to dream up these perfectly cute little round balls with decorated sprinkles and neatly drizzled peanut butter on the top. The reality...odd shaped blobs of chocolate with red sprinkles that fall off and make a mess, globs of melted peanut butter top the milk chocolate coating because my idea of lightly drizzling the PB literally busted out of the bag and I gave up trying to be pretty. And not to mention 5 dirty pans and red sprinkles all over the floor. At least they still taste good!

#3. Sugar Cookies. Sweet. Simple. Traditional. Well...they are sweet. My mind got carried away again with the idea of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and angels, forgetting that I am actually going to be the one creating these, and I'm not good at it. My basketball coach used to tell me, "I don't care if you make mistakes, that's part of life. I care that you went out and made a mistake while trying your best." I can honestly say that I tried my best...

I love cooking, and every year around Christmas time I try to convince myself that since I can cook pretty well, I should be able to bake well too, and every year I am reminded that cooking and baking are VERY different. I think possibly there is another saying that I should remember at this time of year. "Know your limitations..." =)

My 5 Fave Chicken Recipes

I hate it when someone asks me what my favorite food is. It just like asking me what my favorite movie is. I have MANY favorites and many different kinds! So I thought I would narrow it down a bit. These are my five favorite chicken recipes to make right now. (Of course this will change, I'm sure, with time).

5. Chicken Stir Fry with Ramen noodles. Steamed veggies, garlic and herb seasoned chicken and Ramen Noodles...YUM!

4. Chicken Parmesan. Savory. Classic. Italian. Enough said!

3. Chicken Chorizo and Black Bean Burritos. The combination of chicken and chorizo is a must try!

2. Grilled Chicken with rice and veggies. This one will never get old!

1. Chicken Dippin'. A recipe made for me by my husband while we were dating...and it is the meal I request on my birthday!