Drum Roll Please

We have a winner.  My mom reviewed the suggestions of the names for the 1st cookbook and the winner is Denise Crawford!  Her suggestion was Kaleidoscope- A collection of recipes from Kris kitchen!  Thanks for everyone that participated. 

And thanks to Denise, I will be getting with you!Just going to take it easy to day!


Happy Memorial Day! 


Thank someone that is in the service!

Sunday Dinner, Pork Tenderloin on the Grill~

After all the hard work we did today an awesome dinner was had by all.  We made pork tenderloin on the grill and it was great!  We put the loin in a zip lock baggie and marinated it all night long.  Then we grilled it and it was nice and juicy and melted in your mouth.  Here is the pork on the grill and the after when we were getting ready to eat!  Mangia!~

Strawberries

These babies are as good as they look!  Did something different this time.  Put shaved chocolate on top.

YUM-O


Had to hurry up and put in the fridge it is so hot out!  This is Marsha's surprise.  However I had a bad container of strawberries, (a-hem  Bos), but I made one container.  I will still drop them off!


Magia~

Summer is here~

All this wonderful weather that we are having has kept me busy all week with all the Coca-Cola we have been selling.  So once again, I have not been able to blog this week.  However today I was a busy gal, I mowed the lawn, went shopping and found some time to make some great things to take to Kyle's house tomorrow.

First, I made the Bow Tie Pasta Salad and this time I made it with the tri-color bow ties, just to give it some extra color.  It looks wonderful! I can't wait for everyone to try it.  So if you are reading this and you are going to Kyle's tomorrow, look forward to this salad.

I also made the famous Garlic Jalapeno Dip! This is fab and once again I did not take a pic of this I will try to tomorrow.

I also have a special surprise for my friend Marsha.  I can't post it just in case the girls read this before they get over to see what I am dropping off.  Don't tell her, let her be surprised!~

Mangia~

Sunny and 86* and my first giveaway!

Hello everyone from sunny Saginaw!  I know I have been bad all week not blogging for you, but I do have a good excuse!  I was busy!  Work and my stupid knee have prevented me from doing alot this week, however guess what.  I am here today!  I didn't make anything special this weekend, well except for my yummy garlic dip but I forgot to take a picture of it :(  But I did get alot of cleaning done. I cleaned the basement and did lots of laundry.  I also worked on my cookbook this weekend.  I did make one.  I have a lot on order, so 1 isn't putting a dent into it.  However there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I am getting closer to publishing it.  I am just waiting for them to get back to me!~  Isn't that exciting.  We are going to have a contest to see what the name of it should be!  I have an idea of what I want to call it, but suggestions are always good.  So lets see if anyone is thinking on the same page as me!  If I pick your name that you e-mail to me you  win! You will get a free cookbook.  If there are more than one winner I will give that person also a cookbook too!  So come on here we go send all suggestions to Krisbrandi@att.net!  Thanks and as always..... Mangia~!

Lasanga Rolls

This is my first time making them, however I have had some in the past. About 10 years ago when I first started calling on Midland I ate Lasagna Rolls at LaLonde's Market in Midland. They have a wonderful lunch set up there, lots of hot dishes. Anyway getting back to my Lasanga Rolls, I made the recipe up myself so we will see when we taste them. This is a good recipe that you can make ahead. I actually made it for Monday nights dinner. And in less than a half of an hour I had these beauties put together. Then bake them while you are multi-tasking elsewhere around the house and wala! A make-a-head dinner has been made~

Mangia~

Cream Cheese Stuffed Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Well my friend wouldn't give me the recipe, but I found another friend that has made them before and she gave me her recipe. These were sooo yummy. There is a secret ingredient in the cream cheese!

Mangia~

Do you want some cheese to go with that wine?

I really don't know that much about wine, nor do I have the taste for it. However many of you do like wine and are just learning about wine. So here is a little wine/cheese lesson for you!

Wine/Cheese Pairings

Hard Cheese

Aged Asiago/ Chianti, Sangiovese

Dry Jack/ Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc

Gruyere/ Bordeaux, Chardonnay, Zinfandel

Parmesan/Chianti, Barolo, Merlot, Reisling

Roman/Zinfandel

Swiss/ Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc

Soft Cheese

Brie/ Shiraz, Maderia, Sauterne

Feta/ Beaujolais

Mozzarella/Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Ricotta/ Reisling, Chardonnay

Blue

Gorgonzola/ Champagne, Bordeaux, Shiraz

Roquefort/ Syrah, Port, Sherry, Cabernet Sauvignon

Semi-Firm

Cheddar/ Burgundy, Chardonnay

Gouda/ Merlot, Zinfandel, Reisling

Provolone/ Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah

Semi-Soft

Colby/ Merlot, Pinot Noir

Fontina/ Reisling, Rhone

Havarti/ Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Muenster/ Pinot Noir

Monterey Jack/ Zinfandel

DAD'S SURPRISE

After a long Tuesday at work I was surprised to come home to some wonderful aroma's coming from the kitchen. I grabbed a burger that was waiting for me on the stove and went to go say hi to my mom. Homemade burgers are the best. They were not made on the grill, however the George Forman works great too. My mom is having a good day today. She said there is another surprise today and it was this wonderful cinnamon nut bundt cake. Awesome. Doesn't matter what my dad makes it is all good. This cake was still a little warm. Bundt cakes always seem to be heavy and dry but not this one...... This was so moist you wanted more.... If I had the recipe I would share it but he hasn't given me this one yet.

Mangia~

Happy Mother's Day

Today was a wonderful day in the Brandi household. We had dinner today with my brother and sister-n-law, home from Ohio and my sister and nephew over also. I didn't get a chance to take pictures of dinner, I will let you know what our menu was.... BBQ grilled chicken breasts and thighs, spaghetti salad ( posted the pic yesterday ) garlic toast and bar cheese, beanie weinies and raspberry cake for dessert, oh and brownies. My mom had phone calls from everyone today wishing her a happy mothers day and I truely believe this is one of the best ones ever!~

Happy Mother's Day to the best mother in the world!~

~K

Jack's Spaghetti Salad

Jack, who is my father is famous for his "spaghetti salad" but he uses rotini noodles instead of spaghetti. My dad cuts each veggie up so perfect. This salad is well known around the city, everyone loves it. His secret? He does not use McCormick's seasoning.... So there are only a few chosen ones that actually have his "secret spice ingredients."

Bow Tie Salad

I made this today for Mary Lynn's Mother's Day dinner......This recipe was given to me by Janet Young . It is so yummy, I had to add some red pepper for some color though JY.... It is still yummy.

TRUFFLES-

Luscious Truffles. These little guys will surprise you and your taste buds.

Comes in the following flavors; Banana, White, Chocolate, Cherry Chip and Yellow.

Need 48 hour notice for orders, Cost: $10 for bakers dozen!

Summer Food Safety Tips

As the weather gets warmer and friends and family gather for picnics and reunions you do not really think about food safety... Follow these precautions:

1) When packing a cooler or picnic basket, wrap raw meat and fish separately from cooked foods in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags!

2) It is a good idea to have 2 sets of cutting boards, grilling utensils and platters, one for cooked food and one for uncooked foods.

3) Wash your fruit or veggies before you transport them.

4) Pack extra saran wrap or foil and baggies and containers for leftovers.

5) If you do not have access to soap and water bring moist towelettes and antibacterial soap that does not require water to wash dishes or work areas.

6) HOT FOODS should be eaten in 2 hours of being made!

7) Remove cold foods from the cooler right before serving.

8) Foods should not stay out longer than an hour...1 hour on days that are 85* or higher

9) Promptly store hot and cold left-overs in an iced filled cooler. If no ice remains in the cooler when you get home, play it safe and discard the food!

Lemon Cake

This Lemon Cake is sooo refreshing, the perfect Spring/Summertime dessert! What a treat this is. Please take this to a potluck and everyone want the recipe. Give it to them if you choose, or keep it as your speciality. This is so easy to do you will want to make it all the time!

1 pkg. lemon cake mix

4 eggs

1 box lemon instant pudding (prepare to pkg directions)

1 pkg. 3 oz. cream cheese

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 c. powdered sugar

1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, eggs until well blended. Fold in pudding. Mix.

Fold into a 15 x 10 inch pan. Bake at 350*18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.In a small bowl mix the cream cheese, butter sugar and vanilla, stir until smooth. spread over cooled cake. store in refrigerator.

Mangia~

Italian Soup

This soup my mom found in a cookbook, and it is wonderful. The flavor that this soup has makes you want more. Has all the flavor of garlic, and tomato along with the Italian sausage makes it yummy. Had this yesterday when I hurt my leg and it made me smile ;0). Please try it is really good!

Italian Soup

1 lb. Italian sausage, castings removed and sliced

2 medium onions, chopped

6 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped

2 cans white kidney beans, drained

2 cans chicken broth

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 t. dried basil

1 t. oregano

6 c. fresh spinach leaves, chopped

shredded Parmesan cheese

In a dutch oven, cook sausage and onions over medium until no longer pink. Add garlic cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add Chicken, cook and stir until no longer pink.

Stir in beans, broth, tomatoes, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Add the spinach and heat just until wilted. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Mangia~

Lemon Struedel Cake

This cake is really good, however I love it cold. My mom always has some right when it comes out of the oven. Either way it is yummy!~

Lemon Struedel Cake

1 package lemon cake mix
1 1/3 c. water
3/4 c. egg substitute
1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce
3 T. poppy seeds


Filling:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 can lemon pie filling

Topping:

1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. chopped pecans
3 T. flour
4 1/2 t. butter, melted
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/8 t. vanilla extract

Glaze:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 t. lemon juice

In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 sec. beat on Medium for 2 minutes. Coat a 13 x 9 with Pam. Dust with flour. Spread half the batter into pan.
For filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in pie filling. Drop by teaspoon fulls and gently spread over the batter. Top with remaining batter. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over the batter.
Bake at 350* for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool. Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cake, refrigerate.

Mangia~

Baby Back Ribs & Red Potatoes with Carrots

These are the easiest way to cook ribs. Rub 'em and throw them in the crock-pot for a few hours. This was by far the best Rib and Potato dinner my mom has ever cooked. The ribs fall off the bone they were so tender. The potatoes were seasoned to perfection and the carrots and onions were added in to lock all the flavors together!

Please enjoy~

EZ crock-pot BBQ Baby backs!

1 pkg. baby back ribs, cut into eating portions... rub both sides of the ribs with garlic salt, season salt and pepper. Place in a crock-pot. Add a bottle of BBQ sauce. Top with thinly sliced onion. Cook 6-8 hours. Mmmm so tender.

EZ Red Potatoes

6 red potatoes, cut into half

3 carrots cleaned and chopped into 1" sections

1/2 small onion chopped

3T. vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

Wash and cut potatoes in half. If you wish for a decoration I peel one strip down the middle of the potato. Place cut side down in a greased pan. ( I just use Pam). Brush the potatoes with the oil. Add onion and carrots. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 1 hour at 350* or until tender.

Mangia~

Mary's Fruit Salad

Sorry I haven't been on all week but I have been so busy at work.

We just had this recipe at Dawn and Jon's house last week.... it is wonderful. It could almost be used as a dessert also.
My sister got this recipe and it is soooo yummy!





Mary's Fruit Salad





1 c. butter milk


1 small vanilla instant pudding


Mix together





Blend in 1/2 of a small cool whip





Add:





1 can fruit cocktail


1 can mandarin oranges


2 sliced bananas





Add:


any fresh fruit that you like, such as: blueberries, strawberries, pineapple or kiwi!





Mangia ~