Taco Rice

So one night, I was trying to figure out what to make. I had all the ingredients for tacos except for tortillas. In the same instant, TJ and I both thought taco rice. For those of you that are wondering what taco rice is, it is pretty much how is sounds. It is all the ingredients of a taco on top of steamed rice instead of in a taco shell. It is a very popular dish out here in Okinawa. And wa-la! We had taco rice. We even made a mini taco rice for Nolan which was great until he gagged on a piece of lettuce. Then he was done.

The Blue Book

Here is the cookbook that the best of the best recipes make it into.

My inspiration

Just to share with everyone, the view from my kitchen.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Pie

This recipe I got off a Keebler ready crust stand in the grocery store as sad as it is to admit that. Once again, this is the first time in my life that I have made a cheesecake before. And on the first try, it turned out perfect. It is a very easy recipe and looks real professional with the swirls.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Pie

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese softened
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 C lemon juice
1 egg
1 Keebler Graham Pie Crust
1/2 C seedless red rasberry preserves


1. In small mixing bowl beat cream cheese on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk and 3 T of lemon juice. Add egg, beating until just combined.

2. Pour half of cream cheese mixture into pie crust. In small bowl combine preserves and remaining lemon juice. Spoon half of preserves mixture over cream cheese mixture in crust.

3. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture and remaing preserves mixture. Use knife or narrow spatula to swirl preserves into cream cheese mixture.

4. Bake at 300 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Refigerate for at least 3 hours.


Now a friend stopped by for lunch with T and I asked if he likes cheesecake. He responded that he did so I offered him the last slice of cheesecake that was left. I wanted to get rid of it considering I was mostly responsible for the rest of the missing pie. Not good. So he ate it all up and that was it. I was rather surprised to not hear a response from him on whether he liked it or not. I know that I am not so desperate for Cheesecake Factory cheesecake that I fooled myself into thinking this was as close as I was going to get to that deliciousness and therefore what I made was good. Then it occured to me that he thought it was store bought and there was no need for feedback. I asked him if he like the cheesecake because it was the first one I had ever made. He then responded with utter shock with "You made it?!" He then told me that it was really good. This is where I give myself a little pat on the back.

Meatball Nirvana

After being inspired to make some meatballs for the first time in my life, I found a decent recipe that I decided to try. And it was amazing. As T said, it's a stand alone. Which means you can eat just the meatballs alone and it would still be great.

Meatball Nirvana

1 lb ground beef

1/2 t sea salt

1 small onion, diced

1/2 t garlic salt

1 1/2 t Italian seasoning

3/4 t dried oregano

3/4 t crushed red pepper

1 dash of hot sauce

1 1/2 T Worcestershire sauce

1/3 C milk

1/4 C Parmesan cheese

1/2 C bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place beef into a mixing bowl and season with salt, onion, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Add the milk, Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Mix until evenly blended, then form into meatballs and place onto baking sheet.

3. Bake in preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Breakfast how I loathe thee

Now I love to eat breakfast but I cannot stand making breakfast. It the meal that I most want instant gratification so cereal is the usual choice. But every once in a awhile I get motivated to do a little more. Here is a simple yet delicious breakfast for my son and I.

Easter Cookies

Now I did not make the cookies and create the frosting (that credit goes to my friend Abs), I did decorate them all by myself. They turned out so cute!

And so it begins....

Due to convincing of my friend Meg, I have decided to start blogging about my adventures in cooking. I have always stated all my life that I love to eat way more than I love to cook. But as I delve into the world of preparing food, I find that I enjoy that creations I make and I enjoy feeding others with my creations. I will document and share the triumphs and trials of my cooking. For the most part it is triumphs, I am very pleased to admit. For the recipes that turn out amazing, they go into my blue recipe book. That book is reserved for only the best, the recipes that I can go to anyday to cook for anyone from the President of the United States to my husband. T and I decide together whether each new recipe makes the book or not and it's a pretty tough selection process. So begins my adventures as I share them with you.