Why a Food Blog?

I have a corner of my kitchen where I keep recipes that I have tried or want to try. Over the years I have put those recipes in two books. The above picture is of the recipes that have accumulated since Book 2 and it was becoming a bit unmanageable. This food blog is a good way to distribute recipes to my family and help me get more organized. I'm looking forward to a cleaner corner.

Green Street's Diane Salad

Had something new for lunch today. My neighbor Maureen brought over a wonderful gift basket filled with ingredients to make Diane Salad from Green Street restaurant in Pasadena. It was great. Here is the recipe (for those of you who don't live close to Pasadena and can't pick up their custom salad dressing - you can order online - or use any sweet poppy seed dressing!!!)

Japanese Paraffin noodles (sometimes called rice noodles) - fry according to package directions.
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 Cup toasted slivered almonds
2 TBS toasted sesame seeds
2-3 boneless chicken breasts - cooked and cut into chunks
1 jar of Green Street Diane dressing - recipe below

Toss lettuce, almonds, sesame seeds and chicken with dressing. Top with paraffin noodles.

Dressing

1/2 Cup oil
1/2 tsp sesame oil (I use a little more)
3 TBS vinegar
4 TBS honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Creamy Caramels

Here is our first official recipe:
2 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup light corn syrup
1/2 Cup butter
2 Cups 1/2 and 1/2
Butter square pan. Heat sugar, corn syrup, butter and 1 cup of the 1/2 and 1/2 to boiling in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining 1/2 and 1/2. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until it becomes golden brown and mixture reaches 250 degrees on a candy thermometer. Immediately spread in pan. Cool. Cut into about 1 inch squares and wrap in wax squares. (Nuts optional)

Welcome to Creme Sue-ley!

Today is the start of some great recipes {and more} coming at ya!